Printing Press

Abstract

The present invention relates to automatic operation menu guidance in a color-assisted manner, and in particular to a printing press (1) having a printing mechanism (2), a computer (6) and a display device (5), wherein the printing mechanism (2) has an optical signaling device, the optical signaling device is connected to the computer (6), and the computer (6) is connected to the display device (5). The present invention is characterized in that the printing press (1) is set so that the computer (6) displays the operating status of the printing press (1) on the display device (5), and the display matches the display of the operating status on the optical signaling device of the printing mechanism (2) in terms of color.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a printing machine, comprising a printing mechanism, a computer and a display device, wherein the printing mechanism comprises an optical signal device, the optical signal device is connected to the computer, and the computer is connected to the display device. Background Art

[0002] Japanese patent application JP 2009 / 202378 A discloses a printing press equipped with a light device on a printing mechanism. The light device on the printing mechanism is intended to visually indicate the status of the printing press to the operator, wherein the operator can see the light device on the printing mechanism even if the operator is still some distance away from the printing press. Here, the light device is installed on the side wall of the printing mechanism of the printing press, and detects the current operating status of the printing press through multiple sensors and transmits it to a control computer. The control computer in turn controls the light devices on the printing mechanism, which, for example, display the amount of color remaining on each printing mechanism. Here, the display of the amount of color is based on the information provided by the sensor to the control computer of the printing press. The disadvantage of this printing press is that the display of information on the printing mechanism is not associated with other operating elements of the printing press (particularly display devices, such as display screens).

[0003] Furthermore, document DE 103 39 571 B4 discloses a method for determining the best working method when changing jobs on a printing press having at least one control computer. In this case, the control computer compares the data of a first machine job with the data of a subsequent machine job and uses this comparison to calculate the sequence of the jobs that will occur when changing jobs. In this case, for the job change, the operator is guided visually through the workflows based on the calculated sequence of workflows, wherein the workflows are visually executed on a display device installed on the printing press. Summary of the invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to reduce the downtimes of a printing press and to optimize operating behavior on a printing press by optimizing the operator guidance for the printing press operator.

[0005] This object is solved according to the technical solution of the present invention. Advantageous structural solutions of the present invention are derived from the specific embodiments, the description and the drawings. The printing press can be an offset printing press, an inkjet printing press or other printing press using any printing technology, which is equipped with at least a printing device (such as a printing mechanism). The printing press must have a computer, which is connected at least to a display device (such as a display screen) of the printing press and to an optical signaling device on the printing mechanism. In this way, the computer can coordinate and control the display process on these optical signaling devices on the display device. Here, according to the present invention, it is provided that the printing press is set in such a way that the computer matches the display of the operating state of the printing press on the display device to the display of the operating state on the optical signaling device of the printing mechanism in a color manner. This means that, just as the operating state is also displayed on the optical signaling device on the corresponding printing mechanism, the operating state of the printing press is also displayed to the operator of the printing press on the display device (such as an operating display screen) in the same or at least similar color. In this way, the display of the operating state on the display screen and on the corresponding printing mechanism is visually coordinated by a color-matched display method, so that the operator is almost not confused. Optimally, the color display on the optical signaling device and on the display device takes place with exactly the same color tone, but a certain degree of deviation is certainly permissible as long as no confusion arises with regard to the color tone.

[0006] In a first embodiment of the invention, it is provided that an optical signaling device on a printing mechanism displays a plurality of operating states in different colors simultaneously or alternately. Depending on the operating state of the printing press, a plurality of actions may be to be performed or in progress on a printing mechanism. In order to be able to display these multiple actions on a printing mechanism, it is possible that the optical signaling device displays different colors simultaneously or alternately. In the case of simultaneous display, this means that the optical signaling device is divided into two or more areas and displays different colors in each area, which are assigned to a specific operating state. In this way, the states "assembly due to change of printing order" and "manual intervention" can be displayed simultaneously on a printing mechanism in two different colors. It is also possible to display different colors alternately on the optical signaling device of the printing mechanism, in that the colors change at time intervals, and in particular it is also possible to have a pulsation effect, that is, the colors change rapidly.

[0007] In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the optical signaling device is a multi-color LED light bar. The great advantages of modern multi-color LEDs are that they can be shaped almost arbitrarily, consume little energy, and can produce a large color spectrum. In this way, an optical signaling device of almost any shape can be mounted on the printing mechanism and can be illuminated in almost any number of colors. Since each color is assigned to an operating state, almost any number of operating states can be displayed in different colors. It is only important here that the colors of the different operating states can also be distinguished visually for the operator, thereby avoiding confusion. In the multi-color signaling device, these LEDs can also be arranged in a matrix with a specific width and a specific length, which is composed of a plurality of LEDs adjacent to each other and stacked on top of each other, so that arrows or other symbols can be displayed in color.

[0008] In an improved or alternative configuration of the present invention, it is provided that an operator interface having at least one interface / mask is displayed on the display device, wherein a time axis is provided in an area of ​​the mask, which displays the print jobs associated with the printing press in chronological order in the form of a print job queue. Here, the display device can be implemented as a pure display device (especially a large curtain wall) on the operating table of the printing press, but it can also involve a separate touch screen, which receives inputs to the operator interface of the printing press. The operator interface can also be run on a mobile device (such as a smartphone, tablet computer) to realize a mobile application. As a result, the operator interface can realize direct input or can be used only as a display, which is controlled by other input devices (such as a mouse or keyboard). Then, a time axis is always provided in an area of ​​the mask on the operator interface of the display device, which time axis displays the print jobs associated with the printing press in chronological order in the form of a print job queue. In this way, the operator of the printing press can always see: which print jobs are being processed, which print jobs are still to be carried out, and which print jobs have been completed. The print job queue is preferably displayed in the same color as the color used to characterize the "active print run" operating state on the printing unit. This feature of the invention can be combined with color signaling elements and with a coordinated coloring of the user interface, but the invention can also function without such color coordination.

[0009] In another embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the user interface includes a mask with an area that displays the properties of the ongoing print job and the properties of the upcoming print job, and that the computer displays suggestions on the user interface for handling a print job change between the ongoing print job and the upcoming print job, including manual intervention by the operator. As soon as a print job change is about to take place, a mask containing an area in which not only the properties of the ongoing print job but also the properties of the upcoming print job (e.g., print run, printing color, substrate, order issuer name, etc.) are faded in on the user interface in a timely manner, so that the operator can directly see what is changed when a print job change occurs between the ongoing print job and the upcoming print job. In addition, suggestions are displayed on the mask for handling a print job change between the ongoing print job and the upcoming print job, including manual intervention by the operator. In order to enable the operator of the printing press to correctly carry out the necessary manual interventions, the computer of the printing press also displays corresponding suggestions for dealing with the change of the print order to the operator on the display screen, so that the operator is optimally prepared for the upcoming manual interventions. In addition, these manual interventions can then be indicated by corresponding identical coloring on the user interface of the display device and on the optical signaling devices on the individual printing units.

[0010] Furthermore, it is advantageously provided that the computer displays a further mask on the display device at the start of a print order change, which further mask displays the assembly process currently running on the printing press. The optical signaling devices on the printing units of the printing press display these corresponding assembly processes in a color-matched manner. In this embodiment, at the beginning of a print order change, the mask is changed by displaying another mask, which then displays the assembly processes currently running on the printing press, wherein the corresponding assembly processes are also coordinated with one another in color here on the user interface and on the optical signaling devices of the printing units. In this case, in an advantageous manner, only the next assembly process to be performed on the corresponding printing unit is displayed in each case in the mask, and is represented in a color-matched manner on the printing unit of the printing press to which it belongs, so that the printer is optimally guided and only has to handle one assembly process and knows on which printing unit he should carry out this assembly process.

[0011] In another embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the manual assembly process is displayed on the display device and on the optical signaling device of the printing unit in a different color than the automatic assembly process. In this embodiment of the invention, a color distinction is made between the manual assembly process and the automatic assembly process. As a result, the operator knows on the one hand which printing units he must perform a manual assembly process, and on the other hand he is informed by other colors on other printing units that an assembly process is also being performed there, but he does not have to intervene manually in these assembly processes.

[0012] In another embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the computer displays a mask on the user interface, which, after a print order is changed, during the setting phase until the production of the print order is started, in particular, displays such areas: these areas are used to display the color metering situation and the color measurement results. In order to guide the operator in an optimal way, during the setting phase until the production of the print order is started, another mask is displayed on the user interface, which displays important information during this setting phase. This mask in particular contains such areas: these areas are used to display the color metering situation and the color measurement results. Since the printing press is not in a stable state during the setting phase until the production of the print order is started, the production of the printed product must be monitored, for example, by an image monitor or a colorimeter, which transmits the corresponding color measurement results to the computer of the printing press. These color measurement results are then displayed in the mask during the setting phase, so that the printer can see whether the color measurement results are within the expected range. It is also advantageous, in particular for the regional color units in offset printing presses, to display the color metering to the operator so that the operator always sees the opening of the individual color zones in these printing units in the mask on the operator interface. As a result, the color measurement results and the opening of the color metering element in the printing press can be displayed directly adjacent to each other in the same mask, which significantly increases the clarity for the operator.

[0013] It is also advantageously provided that, while the production of a print job is ongoing, the computer displays a mask on the operator interface of the display device, which mask contains the color measurement values ​​and shows the opening of the color metering elements in the printing mechanism of the printing press. In order to clearly separate the setting phase until the start of production from the ongoing production, it is preferred to display another mask on the operator interface, which is only used when production is ongoing and here also displays the corresponding color measurement values ​​and the opening of the color metering elements in the printing mechanism of the printing press. As a result, the operator immediately knows that he is in the phase of the ongoing production of the print job and that the print quality of the ongoing print job is being monitored.

[0014] In another embodiment of the present invention, the computer displays a mask on the user interface of the display device during the production of the print job, which displays the deviation between the printed printing material and the printed original in terms of print quality based on the measured values ​​determined by the measuring device and suggests a change in the settings of the printing press as a remedial measure. In this case, a setpoint / actual value comparison is performed between the digital data of the printed original and the measured values ​​determined by the measuring device, and the corresponding deviation is displayed in the mask during the production of the print job. If an inadmissible deviation occurs, a suggestion is displayed in the mask: how to minimize the deviation from the printed original by changing the settings of the printing press. In this way, the printer can simultaneously see the measured values ​​and the suggestions for changing the settings if an inadmissible deviation occurs in the same mask during the production of the print job, and the suggestions for changing the settings of the printing press can also be implemented in the same mask on the user interface or in a separate mask. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The present invention is further described and explained below based on three figures. The figures show:

[0016] Figure 1 : An offset sheet-fed printing press comprising a plurality of printing mechanisms with optical signaling devices, a computer and a display device on the printing press;

[0017] Figure 2 : an operation mask of an operation interface on a display device of a printing press after a printing job change has started; and

[0018] Figure 3 : Mask of the operating interface during the setting phase until the production of the printing job is started. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] Figure 1, a sheet-fed offset printing press 1 is depicted as an example, which has six printing units 2, a feeder 3, a delivery 4 and an operating unit 5. The entire printing press or a printing press part can be controlled by means of the operating unit 5 having a display device in the form of a display screen. It is also possible to provide Figure 1 A large display screen (such as a curtain wall) is not depicted in the figure. The operating unit 5 is connected to a control computer 6 that controls the printing machine 1. Here, the control computer 6 controls both the printing mechanism 2 and the feeder 3 and the receiver 4. An LED light strip 7 is mounted on each printing mechanism 2, and the LED light strip 7 can be illuminated in different colors. These LED light strips 7 are also coupled to the control computer 6, so that the control computer 6 can control the color of the LED light strips 7 accordingly. Depending on the operating status of the corresponding printing mechanism 2, these light strips 7 display different colors. For example, the formal printing operation is displayed in blue, while the automatic assembly process is displayed in green. If manual intervention by the operator is required on the printing mechanism 2, the corresponding LED light strip 7 will light up in yellow. On the display screen of the operating unit 5, the corresponding machine status is displayed in the same color as on the LED light strip 7 of the corresponding printing mechanism 2. In this way, the operator can visually associate the display on the printing unit 2 with the display on the operating unit 5 by means of color without difficulty. If multiple operating states are to be displayed on a printing unit 2, the LED light strip 7 can be controlled in such a way that it displays different colors in at least two areas, alternately or simultaneously, which are assigned to different operating states of the printing press 1. In this way, multiple operating states can be displayed simultaneously on the printing unit 2 by means of the LED light strip 7.

[0020] Figure 2 and Figure 3, an operator interface 8 displayed on the operator unit 5 is depicted. The printing press 1 is controlled by means of the operator interface 8. For this purpose, the operator is always presented with relevant process prompts for the current machine status on the operator interface 8. In this case, the system guides the operator and automatically suggests the necessary subsequent steps. In order to ensure clarity for the operator, corresponding masks are displayed on the operator interface 8 in accordance with the various processes on the printing press 1, so that the operator always knows which process is being processed on the printing press 1. In addition, in conjunction with the LED light strips 7 on the printing units 2, the current operating state of the printing press 1 is visible to all persons involved in the printing process (e.g., printers, assistants, printing house managers). In addition, there is an area 13 with a print job queue on the operator interface 8, which always displays the print jobs to be processed in chronological order in a time axis. In this way, the operator of the printing press 1 always knows which print jobs have just been processed, which print jobs are still to be processed, and which print jobs are being processed on the printing press 1. The masks displayed to the operator according to the various processes in the printing press 1 are not operable themselves, but are only used to inform the operator of information. The operator can only make adjustments on the printing press 1 through the corresponding operating menus on the operating unit 5 that are separated from the masks.

[0021] Figure 2 , a mask is depicted on the user interface 8, which is automatically displayed at the start of a print job change. It can be seen here that in the lower area of ​​the mask the print job queue 13 is always displayed, so that the operator can always have an overview of the print jobs waiting to be executed on the printing press 1. In addition, an area 11 is provided, which displays the properties and data of the print jobs before the print job change, while an area 12 displays the properties and data of the print jobs after the print job change. The operator thus knows which settings on the printing press 1 must be changed in order to execute a print job change. In addition, an area 10 is provided in the mask, which displays the processes running on the printing units 2 during the print job change. In this case, the processes running on the printing units 2 are displayed in the mask in the same color as the color in which these processes are represented by the LED light strips 7 on the individual printing units 2. Above this area 10, the printing press 1 is depicted in area 9, so that additional assignments of the printing units to the color-coded processes on the individual printing units 2 in the printing press 1 can be obtained on the display device 5 when the print order is changed. In this case, the ongoing setup processes on the printing units 2 are displayed in green, while the individual printing units and the individual processes are displayed in yellow in the case of manual intervention.

[0022] Figure 3 , another mask on the user interface 8 is depicted, which is displayed during the setting phase until the next printing job is started. This mask is also called the so-called finishing mask (Feinrüstmaske) and includes two states and starts with the first printing unit 2 when the first printing unit 2 is switched to the printing mode. The first state includes starting the printing press 1 until the printed product produced is measured for the first time by a colorimeter, in which a preview image 14 of the printing job is displayed, which has the color zone configuration characteristics (Farbzonenprofil) of the printing press 1; the first state also includes printing switching and machine settings as well as individual color registrations (Farbregister). The second state displays the period from the first measurement until the start of a good page. The measurement results are then replaced by the color zone display, and the remaining displays remain unchanged. If the printing press 1 is to be operated without a colorimeter, the mask remains in the first state.

[0023] As soon as a good sheet has been detected, the mask is changed to a production state and a print quality check is carried out in an existing colorimeter, wherein the measurement result is displayed in the mask in comparison with the printed original.

[0024] The advantage of the solution with different masks is that only the masks matching the process in the printing press 1 are always displayed to the operator on the operating unit 5 and its operating interface 8, and the operator is dynamically guided to complete the process on the printing press 1. Here, the operator does not need to face redundant information, but only obtains information matching the process running on the printing press 1. In this way, more intuitive operation can be achieved and operator error operations can be avoided. This reduces the downtime of the printing press 1 and improves production safety.

[0025] Reference numerals list

[0026] 1 Printing press

[0027] 2 Printing Agency

[0028] 3 Feeder

[0029] 4 Receiver

[0030] 5 Operation section

[0031] 6 Control Computer

[0032] 7 LED light strips

[0033] 8 Operation interface

[0034] 9 Area: Machines

[0035] 10 Area: Processes at the Printing House

[0036] 11 Area: Before the printing task changes

[0037] 12 Area: After printing task change

[0038] 13 Printing task queue

[0039] 14 Print Preview

Claims

1. A printing press (1), comprising a printing mechanism (2), a computer (6) and a display device (5), in, The printing mechanism (2) has an optical signal device, which is connected to the computer (6), and The computer (6) is connected to the display device (5). It is characterized in that The printing press (1) is configured such that the computer (6) displays the operating status of the printing press (1) on the display device (5), the display matching the display of the operating status on the optical signaling device of the printing mechanism (2) in terms of color, An operating interface (8) having at least one mask is displayed on the display device (5), wherein a time axis is provided in an area of ​​the mask, which displays the print jobs associated with the printing press (1) in chronological order in the form of a print job queue.

2. The printing press (1) according to claim 1, It is characterized in that An optical signaling device on a printing unit (2) displays a plurality of operating states in different colors simultaneously or alternately.

3. A printing press (1) according to claim 1 or 2, It is characterized in that The optical signaling device is a multi-color LED light bar.

4. A printing press (1) according to claim 1 or 2, It is characterized in that The operating interface (8) comprises a mask having an area that displays the characteristics of the ongoing print job and the characteristics of the upcoming print job, and The computer (6) displays on the operation interface (8) suggestions for coping with the printing task change between the ongoing printing task and the upcoming printing task, wherein the suggestions include manual intervention of the operator.

5. The printing press (1) according to claim 4, It is characterized in that The computer (6) displays another mask on the display device (5) at the start of a print job change, the other mask showing the assembly process currently running on the printing press (1), and The optical signal device on the printing mechanism (2) of the printing press (1) displays the corresponding assembly progress in a color-matched manner.

6. The printing press (1) according to claim 5, It is characterized in that The manual assembly process is displayed on the display device (5) and on the optical signaling device of the printing unit (2) in a color different from that of the automatic assembly process.

7. The printing press (1) according to claim 1 or 2, It is characterized in that The computer (6) displays a mask on the user interface (8), which displays areas for displaying color metering and color measurement results after a print order change during a set-up phase until the start of production of the print order.

8. The printing press (1) according to claim 1 or 2, It is characterized in that While the production of a print job is in progress, the computer (6) displays a mask containing color measurement values ​​on an operating interface (8) of the display device (5) and displays the opening status of color metering elements in a printing mechanism (2) of the printing press (1).

9. The printing press (1) according to claim 1 or 2, It is characterized in that The computer (6) displays a mask on the user interface (8) of the display device (5) during the production of a printing order, which mask displays deviations in print quality between the printed printing material and the printed original based on measurement values ​​determined by a measuring device and provides a suggestion for changing the settings of the printing press (1) as a remedial measure.

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