Printed matter production system, control device, and program

Abstract

To quickly check the status of a plurality of devices that make up a printed matter production system.SOLUTION: A printed matter production system 1 includes a printer 4, a robot 5, and a control device 2. The printer 4 performs printing by ejecting ink onto a medium M. The robot 5 supplies the medium M to the printer 4 and collects the medium M from the printer 4 after printing has been completed. The control device 2 is communicatively connected to the printer 4 and the robot 5. The control device 2 includes a display 205 and an information acquisition unit 23. The information acquisition unit 23 acquires status information from the printer 4 and the robot 5. The display 205 displays the status information of the printer 4 and the status information of the robot 5 on the same status screen 33.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a production system for printed matter, a control device, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Printers produce printed materials by ejecting ink onto media to print. To print with a printer, media must be supplied to the printer table. Also, when printing is complete, the media must be removed from the table and the next media must be supplied to the table. If workers are assigned to supply and retrieve media, labor costs increase.

[0003] In order to reduce personnel costs, it has been proposed to build a production system for printed matter that includes, for example, a printer and a robot that supplies and collects media from the printer (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This makes it possible to produce printed matter even when workers are not present in the production area. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2012-183595 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In order to produce printed materials, multiple devices, including printers and robots, must all operate normally. Therefore, when an error occurs in the operation of any of the multiple devices, it is necessary to respond quickly and resolve the error. However, if workers are not in the production area, they cannot check the status of each device.

[0006] For this reason, for example, it is conceivable that an operator would periodically visit the production area to check the status of multiple devices, but this could reduce the advantage of the print production system of reducing personnel costs.In addition, since an operator would have to visit the production area, check which device has an error, and then prepare parts and take action, it would take time to resolve the error, which could affect production efficiency.

[0007] In a print production system, there is a demand for an operator to be able to quickly check the status of a plurality of devices that make up the print production system without having to go to the production area. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In one embodiment of the present invention, a production system for printed matter includes: (1) A printer that prints by ejecting droplets onto a medium; a robot that supplies the medium to the printer and retrieves the medium from the printer after printing is complete; a control device communicatively connected to the printer and the robot; The control device includes: A display unit; an information acquisition unit that acquires status information from the printer and the robot; The display unit displays the printer status information and the robot status information on the same screen.

[0009] (2) A print production system includes a plurality of the printers, The display unit displays the status information of the multiple printers on the same screen.

[0010] (3) A printing production system includes a plurality of the robots, The display unit displays status information of the multiple robots on the same screen.

[0011] (4) The print production system includes a processing device that processes the medium before or after printing by the printer, the control device is communicatively connected to the processing device; the information acquisition unit acquires status information from the processing device; The display unit displays the status information of the processing device together with the status information of the printer and the status information of the robot on the same screen.

[0012] In one embodiment of the present invention, a control device includes: (5) A control device communicatively connected to a printer that prints on a medium by ejecting droplets onto the medium, and a robot that supplies the medium to the printer and collects the medium from the printer after printing is complete, A display unit; an information acquisition unit that acquires status information from the printer and the robot; The display unit displays the printer status information and the robot status information on the same screen.

[0013] In one embodiment of the present invention, the program comprises: (6) For electronic devices, A printer that prints on a medium by ejecting droplets onto the medium and a robot that supplies the medium to the printer and collects the medium from the printer after printing is completed are communicated with each other; acquiring status information from the printer and the robot; The status information of the printer and the status information of the robot acquired by the electronic device are displayed on the same screen of a display unit. Effect of the Invention

[0014] According to the present invention, it is possible to quickly check the status of a plurality of devices that constitute a print production system. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overview of a production system for printed matter. [Diagram 2] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating movement of a table of the printer. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an electronic device that realizes a control device. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a software configuration of the control device. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a main menu screen as an example of a production management screen. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a job list screen as an example of a production management screen. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a status screen as an example of a production management screen. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a machine configuration screen as an example of a production management screen. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a media registration screen as an example of a production management screen. [Figure 10] 11 is a flowchart illustrating a process of controlling the production of printed matter by a production control unit. [Figure 11] 11 is a flowchart illustrating details of the process in step S02 of FIG. 10. [Figure 12] 13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating correction of the acquisition position of the media at the position of the supply table. [Figure 13] 13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating correction of the release position of the medium relative to the position of the printer table. [Figure 14] 13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating correction of the release position of the medium relative to the position of the collection table. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a modified example of the status screen as Modification 1. [Figure 16] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a modified example of parameter acquisition as Modification 2. [Figure 17] 13 is a flowchart illustrating a process relating to parameter acquisition as a second modified example. [Figure 18]FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation related to parameter acquisition of a robot. [Figure 19] 11A to 11C are diagrams showing variations in contact points of the suction pad. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. <Printed matter production system> FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overview of a production system 1 for printed matter. 1, a print production system 1 (hereinafter also simply referred to as production system 1) includes a plurality of devices that perform processes for producing prints, and a control device 2 that comprehensively manages the plurality of devices. The plurality of devices includes at least a printer 4 and a robot 5.

[0017] The printer 4 produces a printed matter by printing on the medium M. In FIG. 1, the medium M is hatched for ease of understanding. The robot 5 supplies the medium M to the printer 4 and collects the medium M from the printer 4 after printing is completed. The printer 4 and the robot 5 are arranged in a production area. In FIG. 1, one printer 4 and one robot 5 are illustrated as an example. The production system 1 may include multiple printers 4 and multiple robots 5. The production system 1 may also include other processing devices other than the printer 4 and the robot 5 as the multiple devices. The processing device may be, for example, a device that performs processing on the medium M before or after printing in the printer 4. Such a processing device may be, for example, a cutting plotter 61 that cuts the medium M or a liquid application device 62 (see FIG. 4) that coats the medium M.

[0018] The control device 2 is a device that performs overall control of the production system 1. The control device 2 is communicatively connected to the printer 4 and the robot 5 via a LAN network or the like. As shown in Fig. 1, the control device 2 can be placed in an area separate from the production area.

[0019] In FIG. 1, the directions in the production area are shown as X, Y, and Z directions. The Z direction is along the vertical line (up-down direction) and is the direction from the front side to the back side of the paper in FIG. 1. The X and Y directions are directions perpendicular to the Z direction. The X direction is the direction along the up-down direction of the paper in FIG. 1, and the Y direction is perpendicular to the X direction and is the direction along the left-right direction of the paper.

[0020] The shape and material of the medium M used for printing are not limited to any particular one, and may be any material that can be printed on by the printer 4 and transported by the robot 5. In Fig. 1, a rectangular thin panel is shown as an example of the medium M. The panel may be made of, for example, plastic such as acrylic resin, cardboard, wood, metal, etc.

[0021] The production area is provided with a supply table 7 (supply section) on which media M to be printed by the printer 4 is placed, and a collection table 8 (collection section) on which media M that has completed printing by the printer 4 is placed. Media M can be placed on top of each other in the Z direction on the upper surfaces 71, 81 of the supply table 7 and the collection table 8, respectively. The robot 5 acquires the medium M placed on the supply tray 7 and supplies it to the printer 4. The robot 5 also acquires the medium M on which printing has been completed from the printer 4 and places it on the recovery tray 8. As an example, the media M to be used for printing are placed on top of each other in the Z direction on the upper surface 71 of the supply table 7. Furthermore, the media M on which printing has been completed are placed on top of each other in the Z direction on the upper surface 81 of the recovery table 8. It should be noted that the supply unit and recovery unit are not limited to being table-shaped as shown in the figure. For example, the supply unit and recovery unit may be configured with a belt conveyor or the like capable of transporting media M in a horizontal direction. In this case, media M can be supplied to the production area from another area of ​​a factory, etc. Also, media M that has completed printing can be transported to another area. The supply section and the recovery section may be separate belt conveyors, or may be integrated into one continuous belt conveyor. When the supply section and the recovery section are configured as one belt conveyor, the upstream point in the conveying direction of the belt conveyor is the supply section, and the downstream point is the recovery section.

[0022] As shown in Fig. 1, for example, a live camera LM may be installed in the production area as a monitoring device. The control device 2 can connect to the live camera LM via a LAN network or the like and acquire images of the production area captured by the live camera LM. The monitoring device is not limited to the live camera LM and can be, for example, a sensor such as a temperature sensor or a humidity sensor.

[0023] <Printer> The printer 4 may be, for example, an inkjet printer that prints on the medium M by ejecting ink (droplets). The printer 4 includes a head 41 that ejects ink, and a table 42 that is disposed below the head 41. The printer 4 includes a carriage 43 on which the head 41 is mounted, and a rail 44 that extends linearly and supports the carriage 43. In the example of Fig. 1, the printer 4 is disposed so that the rail 44 extends along the Y direction. The carriage 43 can move in the Y direction along the rail 44 by a drive mechanism (not shown). The carriage 43 and the rails 44 are covered from above by a printer cover 45 . Although not shown in the figure, the printer 4 includes a controller communicably connected to the control device 2. The controller controls the operation of the printer 4 based on the print data and operation commands input from the control device 2.

[0024] The table 42 is provided so as to be movable in the Z direction and in a direction perpendicular to the Z direction (the X direction or the Y direction) by a drive mechanism (not shown). In the arrangement example of Fig. 1, the table 42 is movable in the X direction. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining the movement of the table 42 of the printer 4. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the medium M is placed on the upper surface 42a of the table 42. The table 42 moves in the X direction to be displaced between a printing position XPa below the printer cover 45 and an offset position XPb offset in the Z direction relative to the printer cover 45. At the offset position XPb, the robot 5 supplies the medium M to the table 42. The table 42, to which the media M has been supplied, is displaced to the printing position XPa. At the printing position XPa, the media M placed on the table 42 faces the head 41 with a small gap between them. The position of the table 42 in the Z direction is adjusted according to the thickness of the media M and the position of the head 41 so that a gap between the media M and the head 41 can be secured. Nozzles 46 that eject ink are provided on the underside of the head 41. The head 41 moves in the Y direction along rails 44 (see FIG. 1) while ejecting ink from the nozzles 46. Together with the movement of the head 41 in the Y direction, the table 42 moves in the X direction. Ink is ejected onto the medium M, and printing is performed. When printing is completed, the table 42 is displaced from the printing position XPa to the offset position XPb. At the offset position XPb, the robot 5 collects the medium M from the table 42 on which printing has been completed.

[0025] The ink used for printing is not limited to a specific one, but for example, ultraviolet curable ink that is cured by ultraviolet rays or heat curable ink that is cured by heat can be used. In this case, although not shown in the figure, the carriage 43 of the printer 4 can be equipped with an ultraviolet irradiation device or a heating device for curing the ink ejected onto the medium M. Furthermore, the droplets ejected by the printer 4 are not limited to ink, and any droplets having a viscosity capable of adhering to the medium M can be used as appropriate.

[0026] <Robot> The robot 5 is not limited to a specific embodiment, and may be, for example, an articulated robot. As shown in FIG. 1, the robot 5 includes a base 51 and an articulated arm 52 attached to the base 51. The base 51 is installed, for example, on the floor of a production area and can rotate around a rotation axis along the Z direction. The arm 52 can move in multiple directions on the base by combining multiple joints and links. By combining the base 51 and the arm 52, the robot 5 can realize a variety of operations. Although not shown in the figure, the robot 5 includes a drive mechanism that drives the base 51 and the arm 52, and a controller that controls the drive mechanism. The robot 5 operates three-dimensionally along the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction according to a control signal from the controller.

[0027] A suction pad 53 (see FIG. 2) is provided at the tip of the arm 52 as an acquisition unit for the media M. Although not shown, a mechanism for applying negative or positive pressure to the suction pad 53 is provided inside the arm 52. The suction pad 53 adheres to the media M by bringing the suction pad 53 into contact with the surface of the media M and applying negative pressure to the suction pad 53. In addition, the suction pad 53 releases the media M by applying positive pressure to the suction pad 53 that has adsorbed the media M. 2, multiple suction pads 53 can be provided at intervals on the tip of the arm 52. By using multiple suction pads 53 to adsorb multiple locations on the media M, the media M can be transported stably. Furthermore, by adsorbing the media M with multiple suction pads 53, the negative pressure acting on one suction pad 53 can be suppressed, and the pressure on the media M during adsorption can be reduced. The portion of the robot 5 that acquires the media M is not limited to the suction pad 53, and other configurations may be used as appropriate.

[0028] Although not shown in the figure, the robot 5 includes a controller communicatively connected to the control device 2. The controller controls the operation of the robot 5 based on teaching data set in a prior teaching operation and operation commands input from the control device 2.

[0029] Although there are no limitations on the arrangement of the printer 4 and the robot 5, it is desirable to arrange them in a position where the robot 5 can supply and retrieve the media M from the printer 4. Specifically, the printer 4 is arranged so that the table 42 of the printer 4 displaced to the offset position XPb (see FIG. 2) is positioned within a range that the arm 52 of the robot 5 can reach.

[0030] <Control device> FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the electronic device 200 that realizes the control device 2. As shown in FIG. 3, the electronic device 200 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 202, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 203, a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 204, a display 205 (display unit), an input device 206, a communication I / F 207, and a media I / F 208. Each component is connected to each other via a bus.

[0031] The CPU 201 controls the entire electronic device 200. The CPU 201 can load the OS, various programs, etc. stored in the ROM 202 or the HDD 204 into the RAM 203 and execute them. Alternatively, the CPU 201 can load a program stored in a storage medium RM into the RAM 203 via the media I / F 208 and execute them. The storage medium RM can be an optical storage medium, a magneto-optical storage medium, a magnetic storage medium, a conductive memory tape medium, a semiconductor memory, etc. The electronic device 200 may include a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) and the like as a processor in addition to the CPU 201. The CPU 201 performs processing in response to a user's operation via the input device 206, and displays the processing results on the display 205. The input device 206 can be, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a touch pad, or the like.

[0032] The HDD 204 stores programs executed by the CPU 201, data used by the programs, etc. The communication I / F 207 outputs data received from other devices to the CPU 201 via a network NW such as the Internet or a LAN (Local Area Network). The notification I / F transmits data generated by the CPU 201 to the other devices. The other devices may be a plurality of devices constituting the production system 1 (such as the robot 5, the printer 4, the cutting plotter 61, and the liquid application device 62), a monitoring device such as a live camera LM, or a device external to the production system 1. The CPU 201 may load a required program onto the RAM 203 from another device via the network NW.

[0033] In this embodiment, the CPU 201 of the electronic device 200 executes an application program loaded onto the RAM 203 to realize the functions of the control device 2 described below. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the software configuration of the control device 2. As shown in FIG. The control device 2 displays on the display 205 a screen for inputting information required for managing the production system 1 in response to an operational input by the user. The control device 2 also controls the operations of the printer 4 and the robot 5 for producing printed matter in response to operational inputs from the user. As shown in FIG. 4, the control device 2 includes, as software components, a display control unit 21, a production control unit 22, an information acquisition unit 23, and a registration unit 24. Each functional unit performs processing in response to an operational input by a user via an input device 206, and displays the processing result on the screen of a display 205. Each functional unit also obtains data required for processing from a storage unit 25, and temporarily stores the processing result in the storage unit 25 as necessary. Here, the storage unit 25 is composed of a ROM 202, a RAM 203, a HDD 204, etc., shown in FIG.

[0034] The display control unit 21 controls the display 205 to display a screen (hereinafter referred to as a "production management screen") for managing the production system 1. In the following explanation, an example will be described in which the display 205 displays various production management screens, and the display operation is performed under the control of the display control unit 21. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a main menu screen 31 as an example of a production management screen. The display 205 displays the main menu screen 31 when the application is started. 5, buttons indicating items that can be displayed as a production management screen are listed on the main menu screen 31. When the user clicks a button, the display 205 displays the production management screen corresponding to the clicked button. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a job list screen 32 as an example of a production management screen. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a status screen 33 as an example of a production management screen. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a machine configuration screen 34 as an example of a production management screen. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a media registration screen 35 as an example of a production management screen. These production management screens may be displayed as transition screens from the main menu screen 31, or may be displayed in separate windows from the main menu screen 31. Details of each production management screen will be described later. The display control unit 21 displays a production management screen in response to a user's operation, and also reflects the processing results of other functional units on the production management screen.

[0035] The production control unit 22 comprehensively controls the operations of the printer 4 and the robot 5 during the production of printed matter. The production control unit 22 performs control based on a job for producing a printed matter created by a user's operation input. Since a user may input multiple jobs, the production control unit 22 creates a job list for managing multiple jobs and stores it in the storage unit 25.

[0036] <Job list screen> When the "job list" button 311 is clicked on the main menu screen 31, the display 205 displays a job list screen 32 shown in FIG. 6, the job list screen 32 displays a job list 321 created by the production control unit 22. The job list 321 includes information and a status 322 of each job. Job list 321 describes information about each job, such as the job name, whether or not there is an interrupt, the printing conditions, the number of copies, etc. Job list 321 can describe text information, such as "registered," "in production," or "production completed," as status 322 of each job. In the example of FIG. 6, the status 322 is shown as simple text information, but more detailed text information may be described. The detailed information may indicate the operation being performed by each device, such as "printing 50% complete," "media transporting," "media collecting," and the like. Such detailed text information may be described, for example, below the simple text information. In this case, the font size of the simple text information may be made larger than the font size of the detailed text information, taking visibility into consideration. Alternatively, the detailed text information may be displayed by hovering the mouse cursor over the simple text information.

[0037] The production control unit 22 controls the operation of the printer 4 and the robot 5 to proceed with the production of printed matter, and updates the status 322 of the job list 321 according to the progress. After a predetermined time has elapsed since the production of a job is completed, the production control unit 22 deletes the job from the job list 321, and records information about the job in the job history (not shown).

[0038] An add new job button 323 is displayed on the job list screen 32. When the user clicks the add new button 323, the display 205 displays a job creation screen (not shown). Although not shown, on the job creation screen, the user can create a job by uploading print data for the medium M and specifying printing conditions such as the number of copies to be printed. The print data may be, for example, data created by software in an external device and input to the control device 2. The print data includes image information to be printed on the medium M, etc.

[0039] If the user wishes to edit a job that he or she has created, he or she can click an edit button 324 to display a job creation screen where the job can be edited. The user checks the check box 325 for the job for which production is to be started, and clicks the production start button 326. This causes the production control unit 22 to start the production control process for the specified job.

[0040] The individual operations of the printer 4 and the robot 5 are controlled by their respective controllers. The production control unit 22 supplies the printer 4 and the robot 5 with data necessary for the production of printed matter, and controls the timing of their respective operations. This allows the printer 4 and the robot 5 to work together in the production system 1 to produce printed matter.

[0041] The information acquisition unit 23 (see FIG. 4) communicates with the printer 4, the robot 5, the live camera LM, and other external devices to acquire information necessary for managing the production system 1. As an example, the information acquisition unit 23 acquires status information from each device (printer 4 and robot 5) constituting the production system 1. The status information is obtained by a diagnostic process performed in the controller of each device. The information acquisition unit 23 creates a status list 331 (see FIG. 7) using the status information acquired from each device. While the application is running, the information acquisition unit 23 periodically communicates with each device to acquire status information, and updates the status list 331 based on the acquired information.

[0042] <Status screen> When the "Status" button 314 is clicked on the main menu screen 31 (see Fig. 5), the display 205 displays a status screen 33 shown in Fig. 7. On the status screen 33, a status list 331 created by the information acquisition unit 23 is displayed. The status list 331 includes information about each device (printer 4, robot 5) and a status 332 of each device. In the example of Figure 7, the status 332 of the printer 4 and the robot 5 is displayed, but if the production system 1 includes other processing devices such as a cutting plotter 61, a liquid application device 62, etc., the status of these processing devices can also be displayed.

[0043] The information about each device may include information for identifying each device, such as the device name (Device No. 1, Device No. 2, etc.), model name, and IP address assigned to the LAN network. The status 332 is information indicating the state of each device and is information for determining whether each device is operating normally. The status 332 may include text information such as "obtaining", "normal", "error", "warning", etc. "Acquiring" indicates that the information acquiring unit 23 is acquiring status information from the device. "Normal" indicates a state in which no errors or warnings are detected in the device. "Error" indicates that the device is unable to operate and has stopped. A "warning" indicates that the device is operating but that a condition may lead to an error if left unchecked.

[0044] 7, the status 332 is shown as simple text information, but more detailed text information may be described. Detailed information about the printer 4 may be, for example, that the head 41 is clogged, that the ink is out, etc. Detailed information about the robot 5 may be, for example, that the arm 52 is out of position, that a servo error has occurred, that there is a broken wire, etc. Such detailed information can be written, for example, below the concise text information. In this case, the font size of the concise text information can be made larger than the font size of the detailed text information in consideration of visibility. Alternatively, the detailed text information can be displayed by hovering the mouse cursor over the concise text information.

[0045] 7, the status list 331 can also show the status of the graphic information (status icon 333) in addition to the status of the text information 332. The status icon 333 can correspond to the status 332 of the text information. In this manner, in this embodiment, the statuses 332 of the multiple devices constituting the production system 1 are displayed in list form on one status screen 33. In this embodiment, the statuses 332 of the multiple devices can be grasped at a glance, compared to a case where the statuses 332 of the devices are displayed on different screens. For example, for a status that notifies the user of an abnormality in a device, such as an error or warning, the status 332 or status icon 333 in the status list 331 can be displayed in a noticeable color, making it easier for the user to notice the abnormality in each device.

[0046] As described above, the status screen 33 can be displayed at will by the user by selecting it from the main menu screen 31 (see FIG. 5). However, it is desirable that the user be able to always check the status 332 of each device installed in the production area during production of printed matter. For this reason, the production control unit 22 may perform control so that the display 205 forcibly displays the status screen 33 together with the job list screen 32 during production of printed matter. This allows the user to grasp the status 322 of each job and the status 332 of each device at the same time.

[0047] The registration unit 24 registers information necessary for managing the production system 1 in the storage unit 25 . The registration unit 24 registers in the storage unit 25, for example, information input by a user or information acquired from an external device. The registration unit 24 functions as, for example, a media information registration unit, a printer information registration unit, a device configuration registration unit, a device information registration unit, and a captured image registration unit.

[0048] <Machine configuration screen> When the "machine configuration" button 312 is clicked on the main menu screen 31 (see FIG. 5), the display 205 displays a machine configuration screen 34 shown in FIG. The user can register the device configuration and device information of the production system 1 on this machine configuration screen 34. The device configuration indicates the configuration of multiple devices that make up the production system 1, and includes the types of multiple devices and the number of devices of each type. For example, if the types of multiple devices are printers 4 and robots 5, the number of printers 4 and robots 5 is registered. As shown in Fig. 8, the machine configuration screen 34 has an input section 341 for device configuration. Fig. 8 shows an example of the input section in which the device configuration is selected from a pull-down menu. For example, if the production system 1 has three printers 4 and one robot 5, the user selects "Printer 3: Robot 1" from the pull-down menu.

[0049] When the user selects a device configuration, the display 205 displays a device information input section 342 corresponding to the selected device configuration on the machine configuration screen 34 . Since different types of devices require different device information, an input unit 342 is provided for each type of device. In the example of Fig. 8, an input unit 342a for the printer 4 and an input unit 342b for the robot 5 are provided. Here, when multiple devices of each type are installed, input units are provided for the number of devices. In the example of Fig. 8, input units 342a for the three printers 4 are provided for "Unit No. 1", "Unit No. 2" and "Unit No. 3". When the production system 1 includes processing devices such as a cutting plotter 61 and a liquid application device 62 (see FIG. 4), an input section 342 for inputting the configuration and information of these devices can be provided on the machine configuration screen . When the user inputs necessary information into the input fields of each input section and clicks the save button 343, the registration section 24 stores the input device configuration and device information in the storage section 25.

[0050] The device information includes, for example, identification information of each device. The identification information includes, for example, an identifier 344 for each device. Identifier 344 may include, for example, a letter indicating the type of device and a number assigned to each type of device. When the user selects a device configuration, the identifier 344 is automatically assigned to each device, and the identifier 344 is displayed in the input section 342 of each device. In the example of FIG. 8, the identifier 344 [Pr.No.1] is assigned to printer 1 of printer 4. "Pr" in the identifier 344 indicates the type of device (printer 4), and "No.1" indicates the assigned number. Similarly, the identifiers 344 [Pr.No.2] and [Pr.No.3] are assigned to printer 2 and printer 3 of printer 4, respectively. Additionally, [Rb.No.1] is assigned to robot 5. "Rb" in the identifier 344 indicates the type of device (robot 5), and "No.1" indicates the assigned number.

[0051] The identification information includes, for example, an IP address 345. The IP address 345 is an address assigned to each device in a LAN network that connects the control device 2 and a plurality of devices. The identification information is used for the processing of the production control unit 22 and the information acquisition unit 23. That is, the production control unit 22 can identify each device based on the identification information and output an operation command. Also, the information acquisition unit 23 can acquire status information from each device based on the identification information.

[0052] The device information can further include the model name 346 of each device. In the example of Fig. 8, an input field for the model name 346 and a search button 347 for searching the model name 346 are provided for the printer 4. The control device 2 can, for example, access a database on the cloud to search for the model name. When the user, for example, enters part of the model name in the input field and clicks the search button 347, model names including the entered characters are displayed in the input field. When there are multiple applicable model names, a list of the applicable model names may be displayed in a pop-up, and the model name selected by the user may be displayed in the input field.

[0053] The device information may further include the specifications of each device. In the example of Fig. 8, an input field for the head gap HG is provided as a specification of the printer 4. The head gap HG refers to the gap between the bottom surface of the head 41 (see Fig. 2) that ejects ink of the printer 4 and the top surface 42a of the table 42 on which the medium M is placed. As described above, in order to ensure a gap between the media M placed on the table 42 and the head 41, the position of the table 42 in the Z direction is adjusted in response to changes in the thickness of the media M and the position of the head 41. In other words, the lower the position of the table 42 in the Z direction, the larger the head gap HG. The data registered as device information can be used in various ways for managing the production system 1, and as one example, the production control unit 22 can use it as parameters for correcting teaching data for the robot 5. Details will be described later.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 8, the machine configuration screen 34 is provided with a display field 348 for a layout image LI. The layout image LI is an image showing the arrangement of multiple devices that make up the production system 1. For example, if the multiple devices are a printer 4 and a robot 5, the layout image LI shows the printer 4 and the robot 5 in a positional relationship that allows them to produce printed matter. The positional relationship that allows them to produce printed matter specifically means a positional relationship that allows the robot 5 to supply and retrieve media M to the printer 4. The layout image LI may include not only the arrangement of the multiple devices, but also the arrangement of peripheral equipment such as the supply table 7 and the collection table 8. 8, the robot 5 is placed in the center, and the three printers 4, the supply table 7, and the collection table 8 are placed so as to surround the periphery of the robot 5. In other words, the three printers 4, the supply table 7, and the collection table 8 are placed within a range that the arm 52 of the robot 5 can reach. The layout becomes more complex as the number of devices that make up the printing system increases, but by displaying a layout image LI according to the device configuration in this manner, the user can easily understand how to arrange multiple devices.

[0055] The layout image LI further displays identifiers 344 of each device ([Pr.No.1], [Pr.No.2], [Pr.No.3], [Rb.No.1]) in a manner that links them to each device. The identifiers 344 are displayed, for example, superimposed on the image of each device. This allows the user to associate each device displayed in the device information input section 342 with each device displayed in the layout image LI, thereby reducing erroneous input of device information and mistaking devices when creating a layout.

[0056] The contents displayed in the layout image LI are not limited to those shown in the drawings. For example, information required for the layout of multiple devices may be displayed in the layout image LI using characters, numbers, figures, etc. For example, gaps that should be secured to avoid interference between devices may be displayed in numerical values ​​in the layout image LI.

[0057] Layout images LI corresponding to each device configuration, which have been created in advance, are stored in the storage unit 25 (see FIG. 4) of the control device 2. When the user selects a device configuration in the input unit 341, the display 205 displays the layout image LI corresponding to the selected device configuration in the display field 348. 8, a plan view is shown as the layout image LI, but the layout image LI is not limited to a plan view and may be a perspective view, a side view, etc. Alternatively, the display 205 may be configured to switch and display a plurality of layout images LI at the user's selection.

[0058] In addition, the arrangement of each device in the layout image LI may be changed by the user. That is, the user may be able to simulate the layout of the production area on the machine configuration screen 34. For example, the layout image LI displays a virtual area to which x and y coordinates corresponding to the production area are assigned. The size of the virtual area may be set by the user by inputting the size of the production area. The devices to be arranged in the production area are displayed as two-dimensional models that can displace the virtual area. The user displaces the two-dimensional model of the virtual area by dragging it with, for example, a mouse. This allows various simulations to be performed on how to arrange multiple devices in the production area. Here, if the two-dimensional models of the devices are too close to each other or overlap, the control device 2 displays an error message on the machine configuration screen 34, allowing the user to consider a layout within a feasible range. When a perspective view or the like is used as the layout image LI, the production area may be a three-dimensional virtual area to which x, y, and z coordinates are assigned, and a plurality of devices may also be a three-dimensional model.

[0059] In this way, the user can design the layout of multiple devices in the production area by referring to the layout image LI displayed on the machine configuration screen 34. However, depending on the actual conditions of the production area, the actual layout may differ from the layout image LI created in advance. Therefore, in the machine configuration screen 34, an image of the actual production area may be registered as a layout image LI. As shown in FIG. 8, the machine configuration screen 34 is provided with an image upload button 349a. For example, the user takes pictures of multiple devices in a production area using a camera or the like. The user clicks the image upload button 349a to upload the taken images. The registration unit 24 (see FIG. 4) registers the uploaded images in the storage unit 25 as layout images LI. The display 205 replaces the previously created layout image LI with the captured image and displays it as the layout image LI in the display field 348. Alternatively, the display 205 may display the captured image in the display field 348 alongside the previously created layout image LI.

[0060] As described above, a live camera LM can be installed in the production area. The control device 2 is connected to the live camera LM via a LAN network or the like, and the information acquisition unit 23 can acquire images captured by the live camera LM. In the machine configuration screen 34, an image captured by the live camera LM may be registered as a layout image LI. 8, a live camera linking button 349b is provided on the machine configuration screen 34. The user can link the live camera LM by clicking the live camera linking button 349b. The display 205 replaces the previously created layout image LI with the image captured by the live camera LM acquired by the information acquisition unit 23, and displays it in the display field 348 of the layout image LI. Alternatively, the display 205 may display the image of the live camera LM in the display field 348 alongside the previously created layout image LI. In this way, after completing the layout of the production area, the actual production area can be replaced with a photographed image of the area, making it possible to check the layout of the actual production area even from a location far away from the production area.

[0061] <Media registration screen> When the "Media Registration" button 313 is clicked on the main menu screen 31 (see FIG. 5), the display 205 displays the media registration screen 35 shown in FIG. The user can register information about the media M to be used in the production system 1 on this media registration screen 35. In the example of FIG. 9, information about the media M is provided with input fields for the thickness W of one piece of media M, the number of media M arranged on the table 42 of the printer 4, and the number of media M stacked SN. The information on the medium M may include, for example, information on the shape of the medium M, such as the size and thickness W of the medium M. The information on the media M may be, for example, the number of media M that can be arranged on the table 42 of the printer 4 (the number of media that can be arranged PN). The information about the media M may be, for example, the number of media M (stack number SN) placed on the supply table 7 when starting production of printed matter. Other information about the medium M may include the presence or absence of a release liner, the weight per sheet, the material, and so on.

[0062] When the user inputs necessary information into each input field and clicks the save button 351, the registration unit 24 stores the input information of the media M in the storage unit 25. The data registered as information of the media M can be used in various ways for managing the production system 1, and as one example, the production control unit 22 can use it as a parameter for correcting the teaching data of the robot 5. Details will be described later.

[0063] If the production system 1 includes multiple printers 4, each printer 4 may use a different medium M. In such a case, the input section 342a for the printer 4 on the machine configuration screen 34 may be provided with an input field for the thickness W of the medium M used in each printer 4 (see FIG. 8).

[0064] The processing of the control device 2 according to this embodiment will be described below. In the following explanation, an example will be described in which the production system 1 has one printer 4 and one robot 5 as multiple devices, but the control device 2 can perform similar processing even if multiple printers 4 or multiple robots 5 are included. <Print production control> As described above, when the user instructs the production control unit 22 of the control device 2 to start production of a job listed in the job list 321 (see FIG. 6), the production control unit 22 starts production of the printed matter. A production start may be instructed for multiple jobs. The production control unit 22 processes the jobs in the order in which the production start was instructed, but if there is a job for which an interrupt has been instructed, the production control unit 22 processes that job with priority.

[0065] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the process of controlling the production of printed matter by the production control unit 22. 10, when the production control unit 22 acquires a job for which the start of production has been instructed by a user, it resets the counter that counts the number of copies to be printed to 0 (step S01). Based on the contents of the job, the production control unit 22 creates and outputs preparation instructions to the robot 5 and the printer 4 (step S02). At this time, the production control unit 22 corrects the teaching data of the robot 5 as necessary, and includes the corrected teaching data in the preparation instruction to the robot 5. The production control unit 22 also includes the print data and printing conditions included in the job in the preparation instruction to the printer 4.

[0066] FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating the details of the process in step S02 of FIG. As shown in FIG. 11, the production control unit 22 acquires parameters (head gap HG, thickness W of media M, stack number SN, etc.) registered in the storage unit 25 (step S21). The production control unit 22 refers to the acquired parameters and determines whether correction is necessary (step S22). If the acquired parameters have been changed from parameters previously input in the teaching data, the production control unit 22 determines that correction is necessary (step S22: Yes) and corrects the teaching data (step S23). The storage unit 25 of the control device 2 stores teaching data that is preset in the controller of the robot 5. The production control unit 22 acquires the teaching data from the storage unit 25 and performs correction.

[0067] If the acquired parameters have not been changed from the parameters previously set in the teaching data, the production control unit 22 determines that correction is not necessary (step S22: No), and proceeds to step S24. In step S24, the production control unit 22 creates preparation instructions for the robot 5 and the printer 4, and outputs them in step S25. If the teaching data has been corrected in step S23, the production control unit 22 includes the corrected teaching data in the preparation instruction for the robot 5. At this time, the production control unit 22 may include only the corrected parts of the teaching data in the preparation instruction, or may include the entire teaching data including the corrected parts in the preparation instruction.

[0068] When the preparation command is input, the robot 5 and the printer 4 transition to a standby state in which they are capable of producing a printed matter, and input a preparation completion notification to the control device 2. If the preparation command includes corrected teaching data, the robot 5 replaces the corrected teaching data with the teaching data set in advance. In the standby state, the arm 52 of the robot 5 is located at the initial position, and the table 42 of the printer 4 is located at the offset position XPb (see FIG. 2). 10, when the production control unit 22 receives a preparation completion notification from the robot 5 and the printer 4 (step S03: Yes), it updates the job status 322 in the job list 321 from "registered" to "in production" and calls the display control unit 21 to display the status screen 33 on the display 205 (step S04). The production control unit 22 outputs a supply start instruction to the robot 5 (step S05).

[0069] When a supply start command is input, the robot 5 moves the arm 52 from the initial position to the supply table 7 and acquires the media M placed on the supply table 7. The robot 5 moves the arm 52 to the printer 4 and places the media M on the table 42 at the offset position XPb. When the robot 5 places the number of media M to be placed PN specified in the media information on the table 42, it returns the arm 52 to the initial position and inputs a supply completion notification to the control device 2.

[0070] When the production control unit 22 receives a supply completion notification from the robot 5 (step S06: Yes), it outputs a print start instruction to the printer 4 (step S07). When a print start instruction is input, the printer 4 displaces the table 42 from the offset position XPb (see FIG. 2) to the print position XPa and performs printing on the medium M. When printing is completed, the printer 4 displaces the table 42 to the offset position XPb and inputs a print completion notification to the control device 2.

[0071] When the production control unit 22 receives a print completion notification from the printer 4 (step S08: Yes), it outputs a collection start instruction to the robot 5 (step S09). When a command to start collection is input, the robot 5 moves the arm 52 from the initial position to the offset position XPb of the table 42 and acquires the media M placed on the table 42. The robot 5 moves the arm 52 to the collection stage 8 and places the media M on the collection stage 8. When the robot 5 has collected the number of media M specified in the media information from the table 42, it returns the arm 52 to the initial position and inputs a collection completion notification to the control device 2.

[0072] When the collection completion notice is input (step S10), the production control unit 22 adds the number of sheets arranged PN to the counter (step S11). If the counter reaches the number of print copies specified in the job (step S12: Yes), the production control unit 22 updates the job status 322 in the job list 321 from "in production" to "production completed" (step S13), and ends the process. If the counter has not reached the number of copies to be printed (step S12: No), the production control unit 22 returns to step 05. The production control unit 22 repeats the processes of steps S05 to S12 to produce the designated number of copies of printed matter. If the difference D between the updated counter number and the specified number of copies to be printed after the addition process in step S11 is smaller than the specified number of sheets to be arranged PN, the production control unit 22 can correct the teaching data for the robot 5 and output it together with the supply start instruction in step S05. At that time, the teaching data is corrected so that the robot 5 supplies the number of sheets of media M corresponding to the difference D to the printer 4.

[0073] <Correction of teaching data> As described above, the production control unit 22 functions as a correction unit that corrects the teaching data of the robot 5. The teaching data defines the movement path of the robot 5. The teaching data is set and stored in the robot 5 before the production system 1 is put into operation. The teaching data can be directly programmed into the robot 5 by a user operating a teaching pendant, for example. Alternatively, the teaching data can be programmed in the electronic device 200 (see FIG. 3) and transferred to the robot 5.

[0074] In the case of the production system 1 shown in FIG. 1, the robot 5 transports the media M by moving the arm 52 among the supply table 7, the printer 4, and the collection table 8. Teaching data needs to be created by setting various parameters. The parameters are wide-ranging, including, for example, the positions of multiple devices arranged in the production area, the X, Y, and Z directions of the supply table 7 and the collection table 8, information on the media M (thickness W of the media M, number of stacked sheets SN, etc.), and information on the printer 4 (head gap HG, etc.). For this reason, teaching work can take time and require skilled techniques.

[0075] However, when actually producing a printed matter, the pre-set parameters may be changed. For example, the media M used by the user may change, and the thickness W of the media M may change. When the user replaces the head 41 of the printer 4, the head gap HG may change. In such a case, the robot 5 may not be able to operate appropriately with the pre-set teaching data, and therefore it is necessary to reflect the parameter changes. However, re-teaching every time a parameter is changed requires personnel costs and may also affect production efficiency.

[0076] 11, the production control unit 22 can obtain parameters (head gap HG, thickness W of media M, stack number SN, etc.) registered in the storage unit 25, determine whether correction is necessary, and then correct the previously set teaching data. That is, in this embodiment, parameter changes can be reflected in the teaching data without the need to perform teaching work again. The correction is not limited to a specific embodiment, but as an example, the correction of teaching data related to the movement of the robot 5 in the Z direction will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 to 14 are schematic diagrams, and the thickness W of the medium M and the head gap HG are exaggerated.

[0077] FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining correction of the acquisition position of the media M at the position P1 of the supply table 7. As shown in FIG. 12, the robot 5 moves the arm 52 to position P1 on the supply table 7 in order to supply the media M to the printer 4. At position P1, the tip of the arm 52 of the robot 5 faces the upper surface 71 of the supply table 7 with a gap in the Z direction. The initial position of the tip of the arm 52 at position P1 is height H1 in the Z direction. Height H1 is the height from the installation surface of the supply table 7 (for example, the floor surface of the production area). Here, "the tip of the arm 52" ​​precisely means the tip of the suction pad 53 provided at the tip of the arm 52, as shown in FIG. 12. The same applies to the following explanation of FIGS. 12 to 14. The robot 5 moves the tip of the arm 52 downward in the Z direction from height H1 to height H2 (acquisition position). Height H2 is the position where the tip of the arm 52 comes into contact with the top surface of the media M placed on the supply stage 7. When multiple media M are placed on the supply stage 7, this is the position where the tip of the arm 52 comes into contact with the top surface of the media M located at the top. The robot 5 adsorbs the medium M with the suction pad 53 at the acquisition position at height H2, and then moves the tip of the arm 52 upward in the Z direction to the initial position at height H1.

[0078] Here, height H1, which is the initial position of arm 52, can be a fixed value. Meanwhile, height H2 of the acquisition position is the sum of height H3 of upper surface 71 of supply table 7 and height of stacked media M (thickness W of media M × stack number SN), as shown in Fig. 12. In other words, if at least one of thickness W of media M and stack number SN is changed, height H2 will vary and will need to be corrected. For example, if height H2 is higher than the preset setting, the tip of arm 52 may be pressed against the top surface of media M. For example, if height H2 is lower than the preset setting, the tip of arm 52 may not contact the top surface of media M, and media M may not be obtained.

[0079] The height H2 is expressed by the following formula (1). Height H2 = Height H3 + Thickness W of media M × Number of stacks SN (1) Here, the height H3 is stored in the storage unit 25 as a fixed value. The production control unit 22 acquires the thickness W and stack number SN of the media M registered in the memory unit 25, as well as the fixed value of height H3, and can calculate a correction value for height H2, which is the acquisition position of the media M, using equation (1).

[0080] The height H2 calculated by formula (1) is the acquisition position when the robot 5 starts production of printed matter and acquires the first sheet of media M. Each time the robot 5 acquires a sheet of media M from the supply table 7, the height H2 decreases by the thickness W of the media M. Therefore, when the robot 5 acquires the second or subsequent sheet of media M, the height H2 is the previous height H2 minus the thickness W of the media M.

[0081] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining correction of the release position of the medium M at the position P2 of the table 42 of the printer 4. When the robot 5 acquires the media M from the supply table 7, as shown in FIG. 13, it moves to position P2 on the table 42 of the printer 4. At this time, the table 42 is located at offset position XPb (see FIG. 2). At position P2, the tip of the arm 52 of the robot 5 faces the upper surface 42a of the table 42 with a gap in the Z direction. The initial position of the tip of the arm 52 at position P2 is height H4 in the Z direction. Height H4 is the height from the installation surface of the printer 4 (for example, the floor surface of the production area). The robot 5 moves the tip of the arm 52 downward in the Z direction from height H4 to height H5 (release position). Height H5 is the height at which the media M adsorbed to the tip of the arm 52 comes into contact with the upper surface 42a of the table 42. The robot 5 releases the media M from the arm 52 at the release position and places it on the table 42. When the medium M is released, the robot 5 moves the tip of the arm 52 upward in the Z direction to the initial position at height H4. Note that when the printer 4 has completed printing on the medium M, the robot 5 also moves the arm 52 up and down between heights H4 and H5 to retrieve the medium M.

[0082] Height H4, which is the initial position of arm 52, can be a fixed value. Meanwhile, height H5 of the release position is the height H6 of the position of the upper surface 42a of the table 42 plus the thickness W of the media M. And height H6 of the upper surface 42a of the table 42 is the height H7 of the position of the bottom surface of the head 41 of the printer 4 minus the head gap HG. In other words, if at least one of the thickness W of the media M and the head gap HG is changed, height H5 of the release position will vary and will need to be corrected. For example, if height H5 becomes higher than the preset setting, media M adsorbed to the tip of arm 52 may be pressed against upper surface 42a of table 42. For example, if height H5 becomes lower than the preset setting, media M may be released before contacting upper surface 42a of table 42, and may move on table 42 and become misaligned.

[0083] The height H5 is expressed, for example, by the following formula (2). Height H5 = Height H7 - Head gap HG + Media thickness W (2) Here, the height H7 is stored in the storage unit 25 as a fixed value. The production control unit 22 can obtain the thickness W of the medium M, the head gap HG, and the height H7, which is a fixed value, registered in the storage unit 25, and calculate the correction value for the height H5 using equation (2).

[0084] FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating correction of the release position of the media M at position P3 of the recovery table 8. When the robot 5 collects the printed medium M from the printer 4, as shown in FIG. 14, it moves the arm 52 to position P3 on the collection stage 8. At position P3, the tip of the arm 52 of the robot 5 faces the upper surface 81 of the collection stage 8 with a gap in the Z direction. The initial position of the tip of the arm 52 at position P3 is height H8 in the Z direction. Height H8 is the height from the installation surface of the collection stage 8 (for example, the floor surface of the production area). The robot 5 moves the tip of the arm 52 downward in the Z direction from height H8 to height H9 (release position). Height H9 is the position where the media M adsorbed to the tip of the arm 52 comes into contact with the upper surface 81 of the collection stage 8. The robot 5 releases the media M at the release position and places it on the supply stage 7. After releasing the media M, the robot 5 moves the tip of the arm 52 upward in the Z direction from height H9 to height H8.

[0085] Here, height H8, which is the initial position of arm 52, can be a fixed value. Meanwhile, height H9 of the release position is the height H10 of the upper surface 81 of the recovery stage 8 plus the thickness W of media M. In other words, if the thickness W of media M is changed, height H9 will vary and will need to be corrected. For example, if the height H9 is higher than the preset value, the media M may be pressed against the upper surface 81 of the recovery table 8. For example, if the height H9 is lower than the preset value, the media M may be released without contacting the upper surface 81 of the recovery table 8, and may become misaligned from the upper surface 81 of the recovery table 8.

[0086] The height H9 is expressed by the following formula (3). Height H9 = Height H10 + Thickness W of media M (3) Here, the height H10 is stored in the storage unit 25 as a fixed value. The production control unit 22 can obtain the thickness W of the media M registered in the memory unit 25 and the height H10, which is a fixed value, and calculate a correction value for the height H9, which is the release position of the media M, using equation (3).

[0087] The height H9 calculated by equation (3) is the release position when the robot 5 places the first media M on the collection stage 8. Each time the robot 5 places a media M on the collection stage 8, the height H9 increases by the thickness W of the media M. Therefore, the height H9 when the robot 5 places the second or subsequent media M is the previous height H9 plus the thickness W of the media M.

[0088] The production control unit 22 uses the correction value calculated in this way to correct the teaching data stored in the storage unit 25 (FIG. 11, step S23). The robot 5 operates based on the corrected teaching data, thereby enabling it to perform appropriate operations that reflect the parameter changes.

[0089] The manner of correcting the teaching data is not limited to these examples. In addition to the thickness W of the media M, the number of stacked sheets SN, and the head gap HG shown as examples, various parameters can be registered in the storage unit 25. The production control unit 22 can perform correction according to the registered parameters. For example, correction may be performed not only for the position in the Z direction, but also for the position in the X direction and the Y direction. When the production system 1 includes a processing device such as a cutting plotter 61 or a liquid application device 62, the teaching data specifies the operation of the robot 5 to supply and retrieve the media M to the processing device. The production control unit 22 can correct the teaching data of the robot 5 based on the parameters registered for the processing device.

[0090] As described above, the print production system 1 described in the embodiment has, for example, the following configuration. (1) The print production system 1 has a printer 4, a robot 5, and a control device 2. The printer 4 ejects ink (droplets) onto the medium M to perform printing. The robot 5 supplies the medium M to the printer 4 and collects the medium M from the printer 4 after printing has been completed. The control device 2 is communicatively connected to a printer 4 and a robot 5 . The control device 2 includes a display 205 (display unit) and an information acquisition unit 23. The information acquisition unit 23 acquires status information from the printer 4 and the robot 5 . The display 205 displays the status information of the printer 4 and the status information of the robot 5 on the same screen, the status screen 33.

[0091] According to this embodiment, an operator can quickly check the status of a plurality of devices constituting the print production system 1 without going to the production area. In the print production system 1, by having the robot 5 supply the media M to the printer 4, prints can be produced even when no workers are present in the production area, thereby reducing personnel costs. Here, in order to produce a printed matter, each of the multiple devices including the printer 4 and the robot 5 must operate normally. Therefore, if an error occurs in the operation of any of the multiple devices, an operator must quickly respond and resolve the error. However, if an operator is not present in the production area, the status of each device cannot be confirmed. For example, an operator may periodically visit the production area to check the status of the multiple devices. However, in this case, the advantage of the print production system 1, which is to reduce personnel costs, may be reduced. In addition, after an operator visits the production area and finds a device in which an error has occurred, the operator must prepare consumables, parts, etc. to resolve the error of the device. Therefore, it takes time to resolve the error. For example, if the printer 4 requires a long time to print one sheet of media, the time lost until the error is resolved may affect production efficiency.

[0092] In this embodiment, the information acquisition unit 23 of the control device 2 acquires status information from multiple devices including the printer 4 and the robot 5, and the display 205 displays the status information of the multiple devices on the same screen, the status screen 33. As an example, the display 205 can display the status information of the multiple devices in a list format (status list 331). On the status screen 33, the status information is displayed as a status 332 that is text information or a status icon 333 that is graphic information. As a result, even if an operator is in an area other than the production area, he or she can quickly grasp the status information of multiple devices by looking at the display 205 of the control device 2. This eliminates the need for operators to periodically visit the production area to check the status of multiple devices, which contributes to reducing personnel costs in the print production system 1. Furthermore, if an operator sees on the status screen 33 that an error has occurred in any of the devices, he or she can make appropriate preparations for that device (for example, procure consumables and parts) before heading to the production area. This allows the device error to be quickly resolved, improving production efficiency. In the example of Fig. 3, the control device 2 is configured on one electronic device 200, but the control device 2 may be configured as a combination of multiple electronic devices. For example, an electronic device that realizes the function of the information acquisition unit 23 and an electronic device having a display 205 (display unit) may be configured separately. For example, the status information may be acquired by an electronic device such as a mobile phone, a tablet, a personal computer, or a server device on the cloud, and the status information may be transmitted to an electronic device carried by a user so that the status information can be viewed.

[0093] (2) In the above (1), the print production system 1 may have, for example, multiple printers 4. The display 205 can display the status information of a plurality of printers 4 on the same status screen 33 .

[0094] The efficiency of printed matter production can be improved by equipping the print production system 1 with multiple printers 4. However, as the number of devices increases, the print production system 1 becomes more complex, making it difficult for workers to grasp the status of each device even if they are in the production area, and when an error occurs in one of the printers 4, there is a possibility that a response will be delayed. In this embodiment, the status information of multiple printers 4 is displayed on the same status screen 33, so even if the number of printers 4 increases, it is easy to grasp the status of each printer 4. Therefore, even if an error occurs in any of the printers 4, it can be dealt with quickly, which contributes to improving production efficiency.

[0095] (3) In the above (1) or (2), the production system 1 for printed matter may have, for example, a plurality of robots 5. The display 205 displays the status information of multiple robots 5 on the same screen, the status screen 33.

[0096] For example, if the number of printers 4 in the print production system 1 increases, the number of robots 5 can also be increased to quickly supply media M to each printer 4, thereby improving the production efficiency of prints. Here, as the number and types of devices increase, the print production system 1 becomes more complicated and it becomes difficult to grasp the status of each device, but in this embodiment, status information for multiple printers 4 and robots 5 is displayed on the same status screen 33. This makes it easy to grasp the status of each device even if the number and types of devices increase. Also, if an error occurs in any device, appropriate measures can be taken quickly, which contributes to improving production efficiency.

[0097] (4) In any of the above (1) to (3), the print production system 1 can have a processing device that processes the medium M before or after printing in the printer 4. The processing device can be, for example, a cutting plotter 61 or a liquid application device 62. The control device 2 is communicatively connected to the processing device. The information acquisition unit 23 acquires status information from the processing device. The display 205 displays the status information of the processing device together with the status information of the printer 4 and the status information of the robot 5 on the same screen, that is, the status screen 33 .

[0098] By providing the print production system 1 with processing devices that perform pre- or post-printing processes, it becomes possible to produce prints that meet a variety of needs. As the number and types of devices increase, it becomes difficult to grasp the status of each device, but in this embodiment, status information for multiple devices, including processing devices, is displayed on the same status screen 33. This makes it easy to grasp the status information for each device even if the number of devices increases. Also, when an error occurs in any device, appropriate measures can be taken quickly, which contributes to improving production efficiency.

[0099] (I) The print production system 1 has a printer 4, a robot 5, and a control device 2. The printer 4 ejects ink (droplets) onto the medium M to perform printing. The robot 5 operates based on preset teaching data to supply the medium M to the printer 4 and collect the medium M from the printer 4 after printing has been completed. The control device 2 is communicatively connected to a printer 4 and a robot 5 . The control device 2 includes a storage unit 25, a registration unit 24 (media information registration unit), and a production control unit 22 (correction unit). The registration unit 24 registers, in the storage unit 25, information on the medium M used for printing by the printer 4. The production control unit 22 corrects the teaching data according to the information of the registered media M, and outputs the corrected teaching data to the robot 5.

[0100] According to this embodiment, the changed information of the media M can be reflected in the teaching data of the robot 5 without performing the teaching work again, so that the personnel costs required for the teaching work can be reduced. Since the teaching data for operating the robot 5 needs to be created by setting various parameters, the teaching work takes time and may require skilled techniques. When the parameters are changed due to a change in the medium M being used, re-teaching work requires personnel costs and may affect the production efficiency of printed matter. In this embodiment, information about media M that serves as parameters (thickness W of media M, number of sheets arranged PN, number of sheets stacked SN, etc.) can be registered in storage unit 25 via media registration screen 35. The production control unit 22 corrects the teaching data in accordance with the information about media M registered in storage unit 25, allowing robot 5 to operate appropriately without the need for re-teaching work. This can reduce personnel costs and contribute to improving the production efficiency of printed matter.

[0101] In (II)(I), the print production system 1 can include a supply table 7 (supply section) on which media M to be supplied to the printer 4 is stacked. The registration unit 24 registers, in the memory unit 25, for example, information about the media M, such as the thickness W of the media M and the stack number SN, which is the number of media M placed on the supply table . The production control unit 22 corrects the position (acquisition position, height H2) where the robot 5 acquires the media M placed on the supply table 7 in the teaching data, based on the thickness W of the media M and the stack number SN.

[0102] When the thickness W of media M or the number of stacked media SN is changed, the acquisition position (height H2) of media M at position P1 of the supply table 7 changes. If the change in the acquisition position is not reflected in the teaching data, the suction pad 53 of the robot 5 may apply excessive pressure to media M or fail to adsorb media M. The production control unit 22 can, for example, obtain the thickness W and stack number SN of the media M registered in the memory unit 25 and calculate a correction value for the height H2. By the production control unit 22 correcting the teaching data with the calculated correction value, the robot 5 can operate appropriately in response to changes in the media M, thereby improving print quality and printing efficiency.

[0103] In (III)(I) or (II), the registration unit 24 (printer information registration unit) of the control device 2 can register information about the printer 4 in the storage unit 25. The production control unit 22 corrects the teaching data in accordance with the registered information of the printer 4.

[0104] In the print production system 1, parameters may be changed due to a change in the specifications of the printer 4. In this embodiment, the information of the printer 4 (head gap HG, etc.) serving as a parameter can be registered in the storage unit 25 via the device information input unit 342 of the machine configuration screen 34. The production control unit 22 corrects the teaching data according to the information of the printer 4 registered in the storage unit 25, so that the robot 5 can be operated appropriately without performing teaching work again. This can reduce personnel costs and contribute to improving the production efficiency of printed matter. Furthermore, the registration unit 24 registers the information of the printer 4 in addition to the information of the media M, so that the production control unit 22 can flexibly correct the teaching data in response to various changes in specifications.

[0105] In (IV) and (III), the printer 4 includes a head 41 that ejects ink, and a table 42 that is disposed opposite the head 41 and on which the medium M is placed. The registration unit 24 registers the thickness W of the medium M in the storage unit 25 as an example of information about the medium M. The registration unit 24 registers the head gap HG in the storage unit 25 as an example of information about the printer 4. The head gap HG is the gap between the head 41 and the table . The correction unit corrects the position (release position) at which the arm 52 of the robot 5 releases the medium M on the table 42, based on the thickness W of the medium M and the head gap HG.

[0106] When the head gap HG is changed by, for example, replacing the head 41, the release position (height H5) of the medium M at position P2 of the table 42 changes. If the change in the release position is not reflected in the teaching data, the medium M may be pressed against the upper surface 42a of the table 42, or released before coming into contact with the upper surface 42a, resulting in misalignment. The production control unit 22 can calculate a correction value for the height H5, for example, by acquiring the thickness W of the medium M and the head gap HG registered in the memory unit 25. By the production control unit 22 correcting the teaching data with the calculated correction value, the robot 5 can operate appropriately in response to changes in the medium M, thereby improving print quality and print efficiency.

[0107] (VIII) In any of (I) to (VII), the print production system 1 can include a processing device that processes the medium M before or after printing by the printer 4. The processing device can be, for example, a cutting plotter 61 or a liquid application device 62. The robot 5 supplies the media M to the processing device based on the teaching data, and retrieves the media M from the processing device after processing has been completed. The control device 2 is communicatively connected to the processing device.

[0108] By providing the print production system 1 with processing devices that perform pre- or post-printing processes, it becomes possible to produce prints that meet a variety of needs. Furthermore, the registration unit 24 (device information registration unit) can also register parameters related to these processing devices in the storage unit 25. Based on the registered parameters, the production control unit 22 can correct the teaching data of the robot 5 related to the supply and collection of media M to and from the processing devices.

[0109] (i) A production system 1 for printed matter includes a plurality of devices and a control device 2 communicatively connected to the plurality of devices. The multiple devices include a printer 4 and a robot 5. The printer 4 prints by ejecting ink (droplets) onto the medium M. The robot 5 supplies the medium M to the printer 4 and collects the medium M from the printer 4 after printing has been completed. The control device 2 includes a display unit (display 205), a storage unit 25, and a registration unit . The registration unit 24 (device configuration registration unit) registers device configuration information, including the number and type of a plurality of devices, in the storage unit 25. The registration unit 24 can register, for example, information input via the device configuration input unit 341 of the machine configuration screen 34 in the storage unit 25. The display 205 can display, in the display field 348 of the machine configuration screen 34, layout images LI of a plurality of devices corresponding to the registered device configuration.

[0110] According to this embodiment, the user can easily grasp the layout according to the device configuration (number, type) of the multiple devices that make up the production system 1 for printed matter. In the print production system 1, different types of devices, including the printer 4 and robot 5, are combined, so a layout according to the shape and specifications of each device is required. This requires the user to have knowledge of each device, making the layout more difficult. In this embodiment, for example, when a user registers the number and types of multiple devices constituting the print production system 1 on the machine configuration screen 34, the display 205 (display unit) displays a layout image LI corresponding to the device configuration in the display field 348. This allows the user to easily grasp the layout corresponding to the device configuration, thereby reducing the difficulty of the layout.

[0111] (ii) In (i), the registration unit 24 (device information registration unit) of the control device 2 can register device information including identification information of each of the multiple devices in the storage unit 25. The identification information can include, for example, an identifier 344 assigned to each device. The display 205 displays an identifier 344 in association with each device displayed in the layout image LI.

[0112] The print production system 1 may include a plurality of devices of the same type. For example, when the print production system 1 includes a plurality of printers 4, it is necessary to identify each printer 4 when laying out the layout. The display 205 displays, in the layout image LI, the identification information of each printer 4 registered as device information in association with each printer 4. This allows the user to associate each printer 4 registered in the device information with each printer 4 displayed in the layout image LI, thereby reducing the occurrence of layout of the wrong printer 4.

[0113] In (iii)(ii), the display 205 can display the layout image LI and the device information on the same screen, the machine configuration screen 34.

[0114] The machine configuration screen 34 displays the device information and layout image LI of the multiple devices that make up the printed matter production system 1, allowing the user to simultaneously grasp the device information and layout of each device, thereby enabling accurate layout.

[0115] (iv) In any of (i) to (iii), the registration unit 24 (photographed image registration unit) can register in the storage unit 25 images of a plurality of devices. The display 205 can display images of a plurality of devices as a layout image LI.

[0116] Due to circumstances such as the space in the production area, the actual layout of multiple devices may differ from the layout image LI. Therefore, after the layout of the print production system 1 is performed, an image of the actual layout is captured and displayed as the layout image LI, allowing the user to grasp the state of the actual layout on the machine configuration screen 34, which is highly convenient.

[0117] (v) In any of (i) to (iii), the display 205 can display, as a layout image LI, an image captured by a live camera LM that captures images of a plurality of devices.

[0118] Due to circumstances such as space in the production area, the actual layout of multiple devices may differ from the layout image LI. Therefore, after the layout of the print production system 1 is completed, an image of the live camera LM that captures the actual layout is displayed as the layout image LI, allowing the user to grasp the state of the actual layout on the machine configuration screen 34. In addition, there is a possibility that abnormalities in the production area can be discovered from the image of the live camera LM, which is highly convenient.

[0119] (vi) In any of (i) to (v), the multiple devices may include a processing device that performs processing on the medium M before or after printing in the printer 4. The processing device may be, for example, a cutting plotter 61 or a liquid application device 62. The control device 2 is communicatively connected to the processing device. The registration unit 24 (device configuration registration unit) registers, in the storage unit 25, information on the device configurations of a plurality of devices including a processing device. The display 205 displays a layout image LI of a plurality of devices including a processing device.

[0120] By providing the print production system 1 with processing devices that perform pre- or post-printing processes, it becomes possible to produce prints that meet a variety of needs. Although the layout becomes more complicated as the number and types of devices increase, in this embodiment, a layout image LI of multiple devices including a processing device is displayed. Therefore, the difficulty of the layout can be reduced even in the production system 1 for printed matter including a processing device.

[0121] The above-mentioned effects can also be obtained in the control device 2 constituting the print production system 1 and in the program that causes the electronic device 200 to realize the functions of the control device 2.

[0122] (Variation 1) FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a modified example of the status screen 33 as Modification 1. In FIG. In the embodiment described above, an example has been described in which the status list 331 is displayed on the status screen 33. In the first modification, as shown in Fig. 15, a display field 335 for a layout image LI is displayed on the status screen 33 together with the status list 331. The layout image LI displayed in the display field 335 is an image showing the arrangement of multiple devices that make up the print production system 1. The layout image LI can be the same as the layout image LI that is displayed when an device configuration is selected in the display field 348 of the machine configuration screen 34 (see FIG. 8), for example.

[0123] In the first modification, the user can visually recognize status information of a plurality of devices and a layout image LI showing the arrangement of the plurality of devices on the same screen. For example, if an error is displayed for any device in the status list 331 during the production of a printed product, the user can easily identify the device in which the error is occurring by also checking the layout image LI. 15, for statuses that should be particularly notified to the user, such as "error" or "warning," a notification message can be displayed on the layout image LI. The notification message can be displayed, for example, below the layout image LI or superimposed on the device in which the error has occurred. The notification message can include, for example, an identifier 344 of the device in which the error has occurred and the contents of the error. It should be noted that the layout image LI displayed on the status screen 33 is not limited to a pre-created layout image LI, but may be an image of the actual production area photographed by the user, or an image acquired from a live camera LM.

[0124] (Variation 2) FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining a modified example of parameter acquisition as Modification 2. In FIG. In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the parameters required for correcting the teaching data are acquired from the information registered by the user. In the second modification, a mode will be described in which the control device 2 acquires parameters in addition to the information registered by the user. As shown in FIG. 16, the production control unit 22 can obtain parameters from, for example, the print data PD. As described above, the print data PD can be created, for example, by software in an external device, and the print data PD can include, for example, information about the medium M to be used. Information about the medium M can include, for example, the thickness W, shape, material, size (length and width), weight, and the location on the medium M where printing will be performed. The production control unit 22 may directly use information about the medium M included in the print data PD as a parameter, or may calculate parameters from information about the medium M included in the print data PD. The production control unit 22 may calculate the weight of the medium M using, for example, the material and shape of the medium M. 11, the production control unit 22 acquires parameters from the print data PD included in the job, and the registration unit 24 registers the acquired parameters in the storage unit 25. The production control unit 22 uses the acquired parameters to determine whether or not correction is required in step S22.

[0125] Alternatively, the production control unit 22 can acquire the parameters from a sensor 54 installed in the robot 5, as shown in FIG. The sensor 54 is not limited to a specific one, but may be, for example, a pressure sensor, a distance measuring sensor, a length measuring sensor, a displacement sensor, an optical sensor, a camera, or the like. For example, before starting production of a printed matter, the production control unit 22 operates the robot 5 to acquire parameters from the sensor 54. The operation of the robot 5 related to parameter acquisition can also be set in advance using teaching data. The production control unit 22 may directly use the information acquired by the sensor 54 as the parameters, or may calculate the parameters from the information acquired by the sensor 54.

[0126] 17 is a flowchart for explaining a process relating to parameter acquisition as Modification 2. FIG. 17 is a modification of FIG. As shown in FIG. 17, the production control unit 22 outputs an instruction to the robot 5 to start an operation related to parameter acquisition (step S201). When the start instruction is input, the robot 5 performs an operation related to parameter acquisition, stores the acquired information, and outputs an operation completion notice to the control device 2. When the operation completion notice is input (step S202: Yes), the production control unit 22 communicates with the robot 5 to acquire information. The registration unit 24 of the control device 2 registers the information acquired from the robot 5 in the storage unit 25 (step S203). Here, when a parameter is calculated from the information acquired by the sensor 54, the production control unit 22 performs a parameter calculation process. The registration unit 24 registers the calculation result in the storage unit 25 as a parameter. The production control unit 22 acquires the parameters from the storage unit 25 (step S204), and judges whether correction is necessary by referring to the parameters (step S205). The processes in steps S204 to S208 are the same as those in steps S21 to S25 in FIG. 11, and therefore the explanation will be omitted.

[0127] FIG. 18 is a diagram for explaining an example of an operation related to parameter acquisition of the robot 5. In FIG. FIG. 18 shows an example in which a pressure sensor is used as the sensor 54 to obtain the thickness W of the media M. As shown in FIG. 18, in order to obtain the thickness W of the media M, the robot 5 lowers the tip of the arm 52 from height H1 of the initial position to height H2, which is the position of the upper surface of the media M placed on the supply table 7, at position P1 of the supply table 7. Here, the "tip of the arm 52" ​​means the tip of the suction pad 53 provided at the tip of the arm 52. The same applies to the following explanation of FIG. 17. The sensor 54 is attached to the arm 52 so as to be located at the same height as the tip of the arm 52. By attaching the sensor 54 in this manner, when the tip of the arm 52 comes into contact with the upper surface of the media M, the sensor 54 also comes into contact with the upper surface of the media M. In other words, the sensor 54 can detect the contact of the tip of the arm 52 with the media M. When the sensor 54 detects contact with the medium M, the robot 5 stops the arm 52. The robot 5 calculates the amount of movement ZM1 in the Z direction from the height H1 to the stop position (height H2) of the arm 52. The production control unit 22 acquires the amount of movement ZM1 calculated by the robot 5. The production control unit 22 can calculate the thickness W of the media M using the following formula (4). Thickness W of media M = (height H1 - height H3 - movement amount ZM1) ÷ number of stacked sheets SN (4) The height H3 is the height of the upper surface 71 of the supply table 7. The stack number SN is set to the number registered by the user. The production control unit 22 can register the calculated thickness W of the medium M in the storage unit 25 as information about the medium M. The production control unit 22 also corrects the teaching data using the calculated thickness W of the medium M as a parameter, as in the embodiment. In addition, since the thickness W of the media M can be calculated by measuring the distance from height H1 to height H2 at the initial position, for example, the distance from height H1 to height H2 can be measured using a distance measuring sensor, and the thickness W of the media M can be calculated using a similar calculation method.

[0128] Furthermore, if a camera is installed as the sensor 54, it is possible to acquire parameters such as the thickness W of the media M, the shape of the media M, the presence or absence of release paper, the material, and the size (length and width) by photographing the media M and performing image analysis. As described above, this information can also be included in the print data PD. The production control unit 22 may acquire parameters by combining the information acquired by the sensor 54 with the information included in the print data PD. The production control unit 22 can correct the teaching data so as to change the point at which the suction pad 53 of the robot 5 contacts the media M depending on parameters such as the shape, size (length and width), and weight of the media M.

[0129] FIG. 19 is a diagram showing variations in the contact points of the suction pad 53. In FIG. 19, the contact points of the suction pad 53 on the top surface of the media M are indicated by circles. The solid circle indicates a state in which negative pressure is being applied to the suction pad 53, i.e., the suction pad 53 is operating and adsorbing the media M. The dashed circle indicates a state in which negative pressure is not being applied to the suction pad 53, i.e., the suction pad 53 is not operating and is in contact with the top surface of the media M but is not adsorbing it. The medium M may have a variety of shapes, such as a rectangle, a circle, a polygon, an asymmetric shape, etc. The medium M may also have a three-dimensional shape, such as a cube or a sphere. The area on the medium M where printing is performed may also vary depending on the shape of the medium M and the print settings. As shown in (a) to (c) of FIG. 19, the production control unit 22 can adjust the contact point of the suction pad 53 depending on the media M being used. As shown in FIG. 19(a), for example, when the media M has an asymmetrical shape, the production control unit 22 can adsorb the media M at a location that allows it to be transported in a well-balanced manner. As shown in FIG. 19(b), the production control unit 22 may set the contact location so as to avoid an area PA where printing is performed by the printer 4, for example. 19(c), the production control unit 22 may, for example, adjust so as to operate only some of the multiple suction pads 53. If the size or weight of the media M is small, it may be possible to transport the media M without operating all of the multiple suction pads 53. In that case, operating only some of the suction pads 53 can lead to energy savings.

[0130] As described above, in the second modification, the print production system 1 has, for example, the following configuration. (V) The registration unit 24 (media information registration unit) can acquire information about the media M from the print data PD for the media M and register it in the storage unit 25. By acquiring information about the medium M from the print data PD, the user does not need to input information, thereby improving convenience.

[0131] (VI) The robot 5 can be equipped with a sensor 54 for detecting information about the media M on the arm 52 that acquires the media M. The registration unit 24 (media information registration unit) can register information about the media M acquired by the sensor 54.

[0132] By acquiring information about the media M from the sensor 54 provided on the robot 5, the user does not need to input information, thereby improving convenience.

[0133] In addition, the production control unit 22 may obtain parameters for correcting the teaching data by appropriately combining information input by the user, information obtained from the print data PD, and information obtained from the sensor 54 of the robot 5.

[0134] (vii) The registration unit 24 (media information registration unit) registers the shape of the medium M in the storage unit 25 as information about the medium M. The shape of the medium M can be acquired from the print data PD or the sensor 54 of the robot 5, for example. The production control unit 22 (correction unit) can correct the location of the teaching data where the robot 5 comes into contact with the medium M when acquiring the medium M, depending on the shape of the medium M.

[0135] The production control unit 22 can adjust the suction points on the media M so that the media M can be transported in a balanced manner, for example, according to the shape of the media M. The production control unit 22 can adjust the suction points to avoid areas where printing is performed on the media M, for example. The production control unit 22 can increase or decrease the number of suction points according to the size, weight, etc. of the media M. This can contribute to improving the production quality and production efficiency of printed matter in the printed matter production system 1.

[0136] The above-mentioned effects can also be obtained in the control device 2 constituting the print production system 1 and in the program that causes the electronic device 200 to realize the functions of the control device 2.

[0137] The above-described modified examples can be applied not only to the embodiment but also to combinations of the modified examples.

[0138] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0139] 1. Print production system 2. Control device 200 Electronic equipment 205 Display (Display unit) 21 Display control unit 22 Production Control Department (Correction Department) 23 Information Acquisition Department 24 Registration unit (media information registration unit, printer information registration unit, device configuration registration unit, device information registration unit, captured image registration unit) 25 Memory section 31 Main menu screen 32 Job list screen 321 Job List 322 Status 33 Status Screen 331 Status List 332 Status (Status Information) 333 Status Icon (Status Information) 34 Machine Configuration Screen 341 Device configuration input section 342 Device information input section 344 Identifier 348 Layout image display column 35 Media Registration Screen 4. Printers 41 Head 42 Table 5. Robot 52 Arm 53 Suction Pad 54 Sensors 6 Cutting plotter (processing device) 7 Liquid application equipment (processing equipment) 8 Supply stand (supply section) 9 Collection platform (collection section) LI Layout Image LM Live Camera M Media W Media thickness SN Stack Number HG Head Gap

Claims

1. A printer that prints by ejecting droplets onto a medium; a robot that supplies the medium to the printer and retrieves the medium from the printer after printing is complete; a control device communicatively connected to the printer and the robot; The control device includes: A display unit; an information acquisition unit that acquires status information from the printer and the robot; A printing production system, characterized in that the display unit displays the printer status information and the robot status information on the same screen.

2. A plurality of the printers, 2. The print production system according to claim 1, wherein said display unit displays the status information of a plurality of said printers on the same screen.

3. A plurality of the robots are provided, 2. The print production system according to claim 1, wherein said display unit displays the status information of a plurality of said robots on the same screen.

4. a processing device for performing processing on the medium before or after printing in the printer; the control device is communicatively connected to the processing device; the information acquisition unit acquires status information from the processing device; 2. The print production system according to claim 1, wherein said display unit displays the status information of said processing device together with the status information of said printer and the status information of said robot on the same screen.

5. A control device communicatively connected to a printer that prints on a medium by ejecting droplets onto the medium, and a robot that supplies the medium to the printer and collects the medium from the printer after printing is complete, A display unit; an information acquisition unit that acquires status information from the printer and the robot; The control device is characterized in that the display unit displays the status information of the printer and the status information of the robot on the same screen.

6. For electronic devices, A printer that prints on a medium by ejecting droplets onto the medium and a robot that supplies the medium to the printer and collects the medium from the printer after printing is completed are communicated with each other; acquiring status information from the printer and the robot; A program for displaying the printer status information and the robot status information acquired by the electronic device on the same screen of a display unit.

Images