Method for operating a processing machine, in particular a printing press

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for operating a processing machine, in particular a printing press, with different energy consumers and an energy management system comprising at least one computer, wherein the machine is operated by the computer in different modes limiting the energy consumption of the energy consumers, and in a first mode the energy consumption of the energy consumers of the entire machine is set to a minimum possible energy consumption.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for operating a processing machine, in particular a printing press, with different energy consumers and an energy management system comprising at least one computer.

[0002] Sheet-fed printing presses are becoming increasingly automated and designed for ever higher printing speeds. This necessitates more automation equipment, higher performance from drives, fans, dryers / coolers, increased air consumption, and consequently, ever higher energy consumption per machine.

[0003] From DE 10 2007 026 012 A1, a controlled energy consumption of electric drives in machines is known, wherein control electronics are provided to predict the electrical energy required by the at least one electric drive as a function of the movement profiles of the electric drive.

[0004] From DE 10 2008 045 427 A1, a method for controlling electrical consumers in a printing plant is known, wherein the controls of the consumers are coordinated with a central energy management system, wherein the power consumption of the consumers and their dependencies are recorded, and subsequently, time-flexibly controllable first consumers are operated according to switching priorities depending on the power consumption, while second consumers of the printing material processing machines are not or only partially time-flexibly controllable, in such a way that maxima of the total power consumption are reduced compared to an uncoordinated operation of the consumers.

[0005] From DE 10 2014 004 362 A1 a method for reducing the peak load in a printing press is known, wherein a specification for limiting the maximum permissible power consumption during operation of the machine is entered into a control computer by means of an operating device.

[0006] From DE 10 2014 116 313 A1, an energy management system for printing presses is known, wherein print jobs to be processed in the printing press(s) are provided with parameter data for the use of the units and consumers, wherein a specific energy requirement for the print job(s) required for the use of the units and consumers is provided for the print job(s), wherein energy supply data relating to specific times are recorded and stored, and wherein, with regard to the stored energy supply data, a timing and / or sequence for processing the print job(s) is determined based on the specific energy requirement determined for each print job.

[0007] From DE 10 2016 209 118 A1, an energy management system for a plurality of consumers of a printing plant is known, in which each consumer is assigned a measuring instrument for measuring the power of the consumer and an administrative unit is provided for determining the total power of all consumers, wherein the administrative unit is set up to provide a control signal representative of the deviation of the total power from a specified maximum power.

[0008] From EP 3 862 186 A1, a method for the automatic production of printing materials on at least one printing machine with at least one computer is known, wherein print jobs are fed to the computer in a print queue, wherein the computer analyzes the print jobs in the print queue with regard to specified minimum quantities before processing, and wherein the print jobs are only processed on the printing machine when a threshold of a specified minimum quantity is reached.

[0009] The invention is based on the objective of creating an alternative method for operating a processing machine.

[0010] The problem is solved according to the invention by the features of claim 1.

[0011] The advantages achievable with the invention consist in particular in that an alternative method for operating a processing machine is created.

[0012] In particular, various modes are defined, such as an "energy-saving mode" or several "energy-saving" levels, in which the machine's energy consumption is reduced. Depending on the level, certain different performance restrictions then apply (e.g., limiting the maximum processing or printing speed and / or a "sleep mode" for certain automation devices, etc.).

[0013] A "sleep mode" can be implemented as the simplest setting with the lowest energy consumption for the entire machine. This "sleep mode" can be activated, for example, by a button at a control station or automatically after a certain period of inactivity. The "sleep mode" can be activated, for instance, when the operator or printer takes a break or waits for paper or supplies (e.g., printing plates). In this "sleep mode," all energy consumers are reduced to minimum consumption. Specifically, compressed air pressure can be reduced, displays dimmed, dryers switched from standby to off, cooling units put into sleep mode, drives shut down, extraction systems switched off, air conditioning units throttled, and / or fans stopped, etc.The "sleep mode" is primarily intended for longer breaks, although restarting the machine may take some time (e.g., to rebuild the air pressure).

[0014] In addition to "sleep mode," a "pause mode" can be provided, especially for shorter breaks (e.g., breakfast, batch changes, etc.). In this mode, only functions that can be reactivated quickly (e.g., in less than 30 seconds) are reduced or energy consumption is throttled.

[0015] Alternatively or additionally, another energy-saving processing mode, in particular an "energy-saving printing mode," could be provided. In this mode, the machine can still process substrates, especially printing materials. However, there is at least one performance limitation, such as a reduced maximum speed. The machine can be operated in this mode for jobs that cannot run at full speed (e.g., due to sensitive materials) and / or when energy prices are particularly high during the day. In this case, different air settings are used (the consumption of blowing and / or suction air is reduced), less cooling is required (since less heat is generated), dryer capacity is reduced (because the substrate or sheets remain in the dryer longer), and drives that are not needed (e.g.,Format adjustment axes are switched off and / or processors are clocked at lower speeds (since less computing power is required), etc.

[0016] The individual modes (sleep mode, pause mode, power-saving mode) can be used individually or in combination. Furthermore, the computer or machine could suggest processing certain tasks in power-saving mode, such as printing, and / or decide whether to enter "pause mode" or "sleep mode" after a prolonged period of inactivity.

[0017] This makes it advantageous to reduce the machine's energy consumption and thus save the customer money. The energy-saving mode can also ensure that a new machine consumes less energy than an older one, as increasingly required by standards and funding programs. This also makes investment subsidies for new, energy-efficient machines possible. Ideally, the energy-saving mode should be selectable and deselectable.

[0018] An embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawing and is described in more detail below.

[0019] They show: Fig. 1. A sheet-fed printing press with a computer having different operating modes.

[0020] The Fig.Figure 1 shows a processing machine for processing substrates, for example, a printing press 01 or offset printing press, in particular a sheetfed printing press for processing sheets or plates, specifically a sheetfed offset rotary printing press, preferably in a modular or in-line configuration. The processing machine contains one or more processing units, which can be configured, for example, as setup, printing, coating, drying, and / or finishing units. In a printing press 01, at least one of the units for printing on the substrate is equipped with an inking unit or an inking and dampening unit. The processing machine, in particular printing press 01, has a machine control system for control and preferably a control station for operation. Furthermore, the processing machine, in particular printing press 01, has a multitude of different electrical energy consumers.

[0021] The printing press 01 is specifically designed and equipped for printing on sheet-shaped substrates, such as paper or cardboard. Preferably, the printing press 01 includes a feeder 02 for feeding sheets to be processed, particularly in stacks, a feeder 03, one or more printing units 04, for example, a perfecting unit 05, optionally one or more coating units 06, and a delivery unit 07 for depositing the processed sheets, particularly into a stack. Alternatively, the printing press 01 can also have any other number of units or any special equipment, such as intermediate dryers on one or more units, and / or be configured as a perfecting press.

[0022] In this process, sheets are taken from a fed stack for processing in feeder 02 and transported towards unit 03. In particular, a sheet-shell stream of partially overlapping sheets is formed before the sheets are individually accelerated in unit 03 and fed to the first printing unit 04 at machine speed. In printing units 04, and optionally in perfecting unit 05 and coating unit 06, the sheets are clamped at the leading edge by sheet guide cylinders and transferred by gripper engagement to the delivery unit 07, where they are processed, in particular printed and / or coated. Control panels, especially those with illuminated displays, may be provided on the processing machine, in particular printing press 01, or on the units, in particular feeder 02, unit 03, printing units 04, coating units 06, and delivery unit 07.

[0023] An inking unit (not shown) of a printing unit 04 of printing press 01 can have an ink box connected to an ink driver, which together form an ink chamber for printing ink. The ink layer located on the rotating ink driver can be picked up, for example, by an ink lifter through temporary surface contact and transferred to further ink transfer rollers or ink friction cylinders of the inking unit. These ink transfer rollers or ink friction cylinders distribute the printing ink in the inking unit before it is transferred by ink application rollers positioned on a plate cylinder 10 onto a printing plate clamped onto the plate cylinder 10. As the plate cylinder 10 rolls on a blanket cylinder 09, the printing ink is transferred in the correct orientation onto the blanket cylinder 09, which carries a rubber blanket.

[0024] In a printing unit 04, a counter-pressure cylinder 08 is arranged as a sheet guide cylinder. This cylinder clamps the leading edges of the sheets by means of gripper systems and transports them during its rotation. Within the printing unit 04, the counter-pressure cylinder 08 and the associated blanket cylinder 09 form a pressure gap through which the sheets are transported. In the pressure gap formed between the counter-pressure cylinder 08 and the adjacent blanket cylinder 09 of the printing unit 04, the printing ink is transferred from the blanket cylinder 09 to the sheet to be printed, which is transported by the counter-pressure cylinder 08, in accordance with the design. In the further, preferably identical, printing units 04 or the coating unit(s) 06, a pressure gap for the sheets for the transfer of the coating can be formed analogously.

[0025] The delivery unit 07 preferably includes a chain conveyor system that takes the processed sheets, particularly from a sheet guide cylinder of the last coating unit 06, and transports them to a stack for placement. During transport, the sheets can be guided by preferably cooled sheet guide plates along the chain conveyor system until they reach the delivery stack. In particular, the sheets are dried in the delivery unit 07 by dryers. The dryers can be operated with hot air, infrared radiation, and / or UV radiation. In addition to the dryers, a powdering unit for powdering the sheets can also be provided in the delivery unit 07. The delivery unit 07 could also be equipped with a delivery extension for improved drying of the transported sheets.In the delivery unit 07, a sheet brake is preferably designed with brake stations that can be adjusted according to the sheet format, which slow down the released sheets from machine speed to delivery speed.

[0026] The processing machine, in particular printing press 01, further comprises an energy management system including a computer 11. The computer 11 can, for example, be the control room computer and / or be integrated into a higher-level data management system (e.g., MIS). The computer 11 is preferably configured via the machine control system to control preferably all energy consumers of the processing machine, in particular printing press 01. The computer 11 can preferably be operated from the control room and has access to current information, such as preferably energy prices or electricity prices, via a communication link.

[0027] The processing machine, in particular printing press 01, is operated by computer 11 of the energy management system in such a way that it is operated by computer 11 in various modes that limit the energy consumption of the energy consumers. In a first mode, in particular a sleep mode M_I, the energy consumption of the energy consumers of the entire machine, in particular printing press 01, is set to the minimum possible energy consumption. In particular, the lowest energy consumption of all energy consumers of the entire machine, in particular printing press 01, is achieved in this sleep mode M_I. The sleep mode M_I is preferably not the off state of the machine, in particular printing press 01. In particular, all jobs and / or settings of the machine, in particular printing press 01, are retained in sleep mode M_I. Furthermore, all previous display settings are preferably retained.In particular, the ability to communicate is retained, so that the sleep mode M_I can be ended by the operator, for example by pressing a key, or production can be continued.

[0028] This sleep mode M_I can be activated, for example, by a button at the control station, or it can switch on automatically after a certain period of inactivity, particularly when the machine, especially printing press 01, is idle or no operator actions are performed. Sleep mode M_I can be activated, for example, when the operator or printer takes a break or waits for paper or supplies (e.g., printing plates). In this sleep mode M_I, the following actions are typically performed: reduced compressed air pressure, dimmed displays (especially on the control panels), switched off intermediate dryers and / or dryers (especially in delivery unit 07), put into standby mode, switched off cooling units, deactivated drives, deactivated extraction systems (e.g., for powders) (especially in delivery unit 07), reduced air conditioning, stopped fans (e.g., in the control station and / or delivery unit 07), etc. Sleep mode M_I is suitable for longer breaks, for example, of several minutes.thought of for at least fifteen minutes or longer.

[0029] A second mode, in particular a pause mode M_II, is preferred for shorter pauses of, for example, only a few minutes (e.g., fifteen minutes or less) (e.g., for breakfast, a batch change, etc.). In this pause mode M_II, only those functions are reduced, i.e., the energy consumption is only throttled, that can be reactivated within a short time (e.g., in the range of 10 to 120 seconds, preferably in the range of 10 to 60 seconds, and most preferably within 30 seconds).

[0030] In particular, a third mode, especially an energy-saving processing mode, preferably an energy-saving printing mode M_III, is provided, wherein at least the processing speed of the machine, especially printing press 01, is reduced. In this energy-saving printing mode M_III, printing press 01 can print, in particular, at a reduced maximum speed, i.e., at a reduced speed compared to the maximum possible speed without power limitations. This is preferably done for jobs that do not run at full speed (e.g., due to sensitive material, such as low grammage, or due to special ink coverage) and / or when energy prices are particularly high during the day. Preferably, different air settings are loaded in this energy-saving printing mode M_III, i.e., the blowing and / or suction air consumption is reduced, cooling is reduced, and the dryer performance, for example, of the intermediate dryer, is reduced.The dryer in the delivery unit 07 is reduced, drives not required, e.g., for format adjustment, are switched off and / or processors are clocked at a lower speed, etc. The energy-saving processing mode, in particular the energy-saving printing mode M_III, can preferably also be manually deactivated, for example, via computer 11 of the energy management system.

[0031] In a fourth mode, specifically in print mode M_IV, processing, particularly printing, can take place without restrictions, meaning that no limitations are placed on the energy consumption of the energy consumers of the processing machine, in particular printing machine 01. Print mode M_IV can therefore correspond to normal printing operation. Reference symbol list 01 Printing press 02 investors 03 Annex 04 Printing work 05 Reversing device 06 Paint Shop 07 Display 08 Counterpressure cylinders 09 Rubber blanket cylinders 10 plate cylinders 11 computers M_I Sleep mode M II Pause Mode M_III Energy Saving Print Mode M_IV Print Mode QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 10 2007 026 012 A1

[0003] DE 10 2008 045 427 A1

[0004] DE 10 2014 004 362 A1

[0005] DE 10 2014 116 313 A1

[0006] DE 10 2016 209 118 A1

[0007] EP 3 862 186 A1

[0008]

Claims

[1] Method for operating a processing machine, in particular a printing machine (01) with different energy consumers and an energy management system comprising at least one computer (11), characterized by , that the machine (01) is operated by the computer (11) in different modes (M_I, M_II, M_III) limiting the energy consumption of the energy consumers and that in a first mode (M_I) the energy consumption of the energy consumers of the entire machine (01) is set to a minimum possible energy consumption. [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized by , that the first mode (M_I) is switched on manually or automatically. [3] Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by, that in the first mode (M_I) compressed air is reduced, displays are switched off, dryers go into off mode, cooling units go into standby mode, drives are switched off, an extraction system is switched off, air conditioners are regulated and / or fans are stopped. [4] Method according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized by , that in a second mode (M_II) the energy consumption is only throttled of the energy consumers which can be reactivated within 120 seconds. [5] Method according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, characterized by , that a third mode (M_III) is an “energy-saving processing mode” in which at least the processing speed is reduced compared to the maximum possible processing speed of the machine (01). [6] Method according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, characterized by, that one or the third mode (M_III) is switched on when sensitive material is processed and / or when the energy price is high. [7] Method according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, characterized by , that in one or the third mode (M_III) the consumption of blowing and / or suction air is reduced, cooling is reduced, dryer performance is reduced, unnecessary drives are switched off and / or processors are clocked at a lower speed. [8] Method according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7, characterized by , that in one or the third mode (M_III) format setting drives are switched off. [9] Method according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8, characterized by , that in a fourth mode (M_IV) no restriction is placed on the energy consumption of the energy consumers. [10] Method according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9, characterized by, that the printing press (01) is a sheet-fed printing press with electrical energy-consuming energy consumers in a feeder (02), a system (03), at least one unit (04, 06), a turning device (05) and / or a delivery (07).

Images