Method for operating a printing machine with a machine control

Abstract

A method according to the invention for operating a printing press with a machine control system, wherein the machine control system (2) makes computer-aided presettings (8) for the printing jobs (4) on the printing press (1) during the execution of printing jobs (4), is characterized in that, in the case of several printing jobs (4) and / or several operator interventions (11), recurring operator-related changes (10) to the presettings (8) or to the preset printing press (1) are recorded by computer and analyzed by computer to obtain presetting adjustments (9), and that the presettings (8) for future printing jobs (7) are changed based on the presetting adjustments (9). This method advantageously enables the optimal presetting of a printing press.

Description

invention

[0001] The invention relates to a method for operating a printing press with a machine control having the features of the preamble of claim 1. field of technology

[0002] The invention lies in the technical field of the graphic industry and in particular in the area of ​​preparing and executing multiple print jobs, whereby presettings for the print jobs are made on the printing press. State of the art

[0003] Printing presses are preset for print jobs by applying known, digitally provided presets with computer support via a machine control system. These presets can be configured by the printing press manufacturer. It may happen that certain presets are no longer correct later during production on the printing press, meaning that suboptimal products are not produced. Printing press operators can therefore change these presets if necessary, for example, if the presets for an upcoming print job are not optimal from the operator's perspective.

[0004] Printing presses and their control systems can communicate with the machine operator. DE102004033056A1 discloses that a printing press requests missing data for a print job from the operator. DE102007058708A1 generally deals with communication between the machine and the operator.

[0005] A system called "PAT" (Performance Advisor Technology), developed by Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG for its printing presses, analyzes and interprets data obtained from log files. If, for example, a deviation from specified performance values ​​is detected, a message is generated and recommendations for improvement are made. The development of the printing press's performance is then monitored. It detects any improvement in performance. If necessary, the recommendations are also adjusted. The system thus learns which recommendations are good and which are less good.

[0006] DE102005050538A1 discloses a system and method for preparing and scheduling print jobs. Preset values ​​from previously executed print jobs can be adopted for new print jobs. If the new print job is executed on a different printing press than the previous print job, the preset values ​​can be adjusted for the new print job.

[0007] DE102020111192A1 discloses a method for automatically adjusting a printing press. Setting values ​​for a new print job can be derived based on job variables.

[0008] US20030213388A1 discloses a method for controlling printing machines.

[0009] US2016216923A1 discloses a system and method entitled for handling user-created annotations in the context of print jobs.

[0010] Despite the known measures, it can happen that a printing press is not optimally preset. Technical task

[0011] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improvement over the prior art, which in particular makes it possible to optimally preset a printing press. Inventive solution to the problem

[0012] This object is achieved according to the invention by a method according to claim 1.

[0013] Advantageous and therefore preferred developments of the invention emerge from the subclaims as well as from the description and the drawings.

[0014] A method according to the invention for operating a printing press with a machine control, wherein the machine control makes computer-aided presettings for the print jobs on the printing press when printing jobs are carried out, is characterized in that, in the case of several print jobs and / or several operator interventions, repetitive operator-side changes to the presettings or to the preset printing press are recorded in a computer-aided manner and analyzed in a computer-aided manner to obtain presetting adjustments, and in that the presettings for future print jobs are changed on the basis of the presetting adjustments. Advantageous embodiments and effects of the invention

[0015] The invention advantageously enables the optimal presetting of a printing press. According to the invention, recurring operator-side changes to the presettings or to the preset printing press are recorded using computer support. These changes are further analyzed using computer support to obtain presetting adjustments. Finally, according to the invention, the presettings are changed for future print jobs based on the presetting adjustments. The method advantageously allows improvements to be derived from the recurring operator-side changes and the presettings to be adjusted toward an optimum.

[0016] In the method according to the invention, repetitive, operator-side changes to the presets are, in a sense, "monitored" and "questioned." Changes that lead to an optimization of the presets can be adopted for future presets, while changes that do not lead to an optimization of the presets can be discarded. All of this is done using a digital computer. Preferably, a catalog of questions and answers is kept on hand to obtain computationally usable information about the operator's interventions.

[0017] The method according to the invention can be used particularly advantageously for repetitive, identical print jobs. Operator changes to presets for a print job A can be applied after a successful check, and the presets for subsequent print jobs A can be adjusted accordingly. Other print jobs B, C, etc. would preferably not be affected. Further developments of the invention

[0018] Preferred further developments of the invention (short: further developments) are described below.

[0019] A further development can be characterized by the computer-aided recording and analysis of operator changes in repetitive, identical print jobs and / or repetitive, identical operator interventions. For example, it can be detected that in a print job A that is repeated several times, the operator repeatedly makes the same change to a preset. By processing a question-and-answer catalog of computer-aided information, it can be determined whether this change leads to an optimization. If so, this change can be used to adjust the preset.

[0020] A further development can be characterized by the fact that operator-side changes are computer-aided and converted into preset adjustments. For example, if a certain preset value is repeatedly changed by the operator, for example, reduced, this value can be adjusted, for example, reduced, for all future, identical print jobs by means of a preset adjustment. The value could, for example, be the time required to wash a rubber blanket.

[0021] A further development can be characterized by predefined queries being addressed to the operator during the analysis and predefined answers being offered to the operator to choose from, using a communication device. For example, the operator can be asked why they made a certain change. A prepared list of answers is provided for their response. From the answer selected by the operator, it can be mathematically deduced whether the change appears plausible or not, or whether the change leads to optimization.

[0022] For example, an operator might start a washing cycle to wash a blanket even though the blanket has already been washed and should therefore be clean. The machine control system would then use questions and answers to determine whether a repeat wash seems plausible. If so, the preset for an existing wash program could be adjusted or changed. For example, a corresponding wash cycle could be intensified.

[0023] Another example would be the presetting of powdering using a characteristic curve. If an operator makes a change to such a presetting, the machine control system would use questions and answers to determine why the change was made and whether the change seems plausible or leads to optimization. If so, the change can be used to adjust the presetting.

[0024] Further examples would be job changes, paper path settings, or dampening system settings, where changes are often made by an operator. Again, the press control system would use questions and answers to determine whether the changes made seem plausible or lead to optimization. If so, the change can be used to adjust the default settings.

[0025] Further training can be characterized by the fact that the answers selected by the operator are computer-aided and converted into pre-setting adjustments.

[0026] For example, a repeated decrease / increase of a value by the operator can result in an adjustment or decrease / increase of that value for future presets. For example, a repeated change to the sequence of certain steps by the operator can be adopted. For example, a repeated deletion of a certain step by the operator can be adopted.

[0027] A further development can be characterized by the fact that, during the analysis, predefined recommendations for action are addressed to the operator using a communication device. Such recommendations could, for example, include: visual inspection of a part or component of the printing press or the printing substrate to obtain information about its actual condition. For example, the result of a cleaning operation can be recorded and assessed by the operator and entered into the machine control system. In this way, information can also be obtained even if the machine control system or the printing press does not have a technical sensor, such as a camera, available for this purpose.

[0028] In the above example of blanket washing, the operator could, for example, be asked to visually inspect whether the blanket appears sufficiently clean after the washing process. The operator can enter the results of this visual inspection. This can then be used to calculate whether a specific washing program needs to be adjusted or modified, for example, intensified.

[0029] A further development can be characterized by a computer-aided plausibility check of the operator-side changes during the analysis. If operator interventions initially appear implausible, questions and a suitable list of answers can be addressed to the operator. This way, it can be determined whether a particular intervention is beneficial or not for optimizing default settings. Accordingly, a specific intervention can be classified as positive or negative, and if positive, it can be taken into account when adjusting default settings.

[0030] A further development can be characterized by the fact that the presetting adjustments are logged in a computer-aided manner, whereby at least one log is generated and stored, preferably stored digitally.

[0031] A further training can be characterized by the fact that at least one presetting adjustment is reversed computer-aided using the protocol.

[0032] Further training can be characterized by the fact that an algorithm, a model, a simulation and / or artificial intelligence is carried out computationally during the analysis.

[0033] The features and combinations of features disclosed in the above sections Technical Field, Invention and Further Developments as well as in the following section Exemplary Embodiments represent - in any desired combination with one another - further advantageous developments of the invention.

[0034] Embodiments of the invention and figures Figure 1 shows a preferred embodiment of a method according to the invention and its possible further developments as well as a device for carrying out this method.

[0035] Figure 1 shows a printing press 1 with a press control 2 and a communication device 3, for example a computer with a screen, for communication with an operator of the printing press. The printing press can be an offset printing press or an inkjet printing press, for example. The printing press can print paper, cardboard or film as a sheet or as a ribbon. The press control can be integrated into the printing press or provided separately from the printing press. The press control can be implemented in a digital computer. The computer can include a digital memory for storing presets. The printing press, the press control and the communication device can exchange information and / or data with each other via data connections.

[0036] Printing press 1 processes print jobs 4 sequentially. The print jobs can be different from one another or can be repeating, identical print jobs 5 or A. One or more print jobs 6 have already been processed. One or more print jobs 7 have not yet been processed and are therefore an upcoming job. The print jobs shown in dashed lines can be different print jobs B, C, etc. from A.

[0037] To process a print job A, one or more presets 8 are defined on the printing press (the following example assumes multiple presets). A variety of presets can also be defined, for example, for a number of press components (blanket washing device, powdering device, carriage, carriage zones, paper path, dryer, etc.). The presets can take into account information about the upcoming print job, such as the substrate and inks used, as well as the subject matter to be printed.

[0038] According to the invention, the presets 8 are adjusted or changed, thus forming adjusted presets 8*. During adjustment or change, preset adjustments 9 are made. These take into account recurring operator changes 10 and / or recurring operator interventions 11.

[0039] The adjustment 9 or changing of the presets or the presetting A* of the print job A by the machine control 2 can comprise one or more of the following steps 12 to 19: Computer-aided recording 12 of repetitive, operator-side changes to the presets or to the preset printing machine.

[0040] Computer-aided analysis 13 of the operator-side changes recorded in step 12. One or more of the substeps 14 to 19 may be performed.

[0041] Computer-aided plausibility check 14 of operator-side changes.

[0042] Computer-aided querying 15. Predefined queries 15 can be directed to an operator.

[0043] Computer-assisted offering of answers 16. Predefined answers can be offered to the operator for selection, preferably using communication device 3. The answers selected by the operator can be converted into preset adjustments using computer support.

[0044] Computer-aided offering of recommendations for action 17. In this case, predetermined recommendations for action 17a can be directed to the operator, with the communication device 3 preferably being used.

[0045] Computer-aided logging 18 with the substeps generating 18a and saving 18b a log 18c.

[0046] Computer-assisted undoing of preset adjustments 19, wherein at least one preset adjustment 9 is computer-assisted undone using the protocol 18c.

[0047] Steps 12 to 19 can be carried out computationally using algorithms, models, simulations and / or artificial intelligence (AI) provided for this purpose.

[0048] Figure 1 shows that an adjustment 9 of the preset 8 is made for a print job A or 5 and that this adjusted preset 8* is also kept ready for a future print job A or 7. List of reference symbols

[0049] 1Printing press 2Machine control 3Communication device 4Print job(s) 5Repeating, identical print jobs 6Completed print job(s) 7Upcoming print job(s) 8Preset(s) 8*Adjusted preset(s) 9Preset adjustment(s) 10Repeating operator-side changes 11Repeating, identical operator interventions 12(Computer-aided) recording 13(Computer-aided) analysis 14(Computer-aided) plausibility check 15(Computer-aided) queries 15aPredetermined queries 16(Computer-aided) providing answers 16aPredetermined answers 17(Computer-aided) providing recommended actions 17aPredetermined recommended actions 18(Computer-aided) logging 18aGenerating the log 18bSaving the protocol 18cProtocol 19(Computer-assisted) undoing of preset adjustment(s) ARepeating the same print job A*Presetting the print job A

Claims

1. Method for operating a printing press with a machine control system, wherein the machine control system (2) makes computer-aided presettings (8) for the print jobs on the printing press (1) during the execution of print jobs (4), characterized in that in the case of several print jobs (4) and / or in the case of several operator interventions (11), repetitive operator-side changes (10) to the presettings (8) or to the preset printing press (1) are recorded with computer support and analyzed with computer support in order to obtain presetting adjustments (9), and that the presettings (8) for future print jobs (7) are changed on the basis of the presetting adjustments (9).

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the operator-side changes (10) are recorded and analyzed with computer support for repetitive, identical print jobs (5) and / or for repetitive, identical operator interventions (11).

3. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the changes (10) made by the operator are converted into presetting adjustments (9) with the aid of a computer.

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that predetermined queries (15a) are addressed to the operator during the analysis (13) and predetermined responses (16a) are offered to the operator for selection, whereby a communication device (3) is used.

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the responses (16a) selected by the operator are transformed into presetting adjustments (9) with the aid of a computer.

6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that predetermined recommendations for action (17a) are directed to the operator during the analysis (13), whereby a communication device (3) is used.

7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a computer-aided plausibility check (14) of the changes (10) made by the operator is carried out during the analysis (13).

8. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the presetting adjustments (9) are logged by computer, whereby at least one log (18c) is generated and stored.

9. Method according to claim 8, characterized in that at least one presetting adjustment (9) is reversed by computer using the protocol (18c).

10. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an algorithm, a model, a simulation and / or an artificial intelligence is computationally executed during the analysis (13).

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