Web Processing Equipment

Abstract

To provide a web processing device exhibiting excellent readiness from operational control determination of an operator to control input to a device via sound recognition by performing the control input relating to web processing.SOLUTION: A web processing device comprises a sound recognition part 212 for recognizing sound information that is input, and a control part 21 for controlling at least one of conveyance and processing of a web. Further, the control part 21 controls at least one of web tensile force, speed and drying temperature, based on control information recognized by the sound recognition part 212.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a web processing device, and more particularly to a web processing device in which an operator inputs control information relating to processing. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, web processing devices have been developed that perform various processes on webs, such as gravure printing machines and inkjet printing machines that print on sheet-like webs, and laminators that bond webs together (for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). These web processing devices unwind a roll-like web and perform continuous mass production processing, and are generally large-sized devices.

[0003] In addition, the operation of the device is performed by operating a control panel provided for each processing device. For example, in a gravure printing machine that performs multi-color printing, parameters are adjusted for each printing unit by operating a control panel provided for each printing unit that prints each color. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2004-160753 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2015-231895 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the web processing devices of Patent Documents 1 and 2, etc., the device is large, so for example, when adjusting the registration during multi-color printing in a gravure printing machine, the operator visually checks for misregistration, then moves to the location of the control panel of the printing unit to be adjusted and operates the control panel to adjust parameters such as the drying temperature, web tension, etc. Therefore, it takes time to input control to adjust the device parameters, making it difficult to improve the responsiveness of quality adjustment.

[0006] Furthermore, for example, when performing a splicing operation in a winding device that winds up a printed web, an operator visually checks the winding state of the web and decides to perform splicing. Then, the operator moves to the position of the control panel of the winding device and performs control input for the splicing operation. Therefore, a large time lag may occur between the time the operator decides to perform splicing and the time the operator performs the control input.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and has an object to provide a web processing device that has high responsiveness from the operator's decision on operational control to control input to the device by performing control input related to web processing through voice recognition. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, a web processing device according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises: From the operator via radio communication a voice recognition unit that recognizes input voice information; A control unit that controls at least one of transport and processing of the web; a movable part that operates to process the web; an area sensor for detecting an object within a motion range of the movable part; Equipped with The control unit controls at least one of the tension, speed, and drying temperature of the web based on the control information recognized by the voice recognition unit. death , outputting, via wireless communication, to an operator, voice information indicating that control based on the control information will not be performed when the area sensor detects an object within the operating range; When the area sensor does not detect an object within the operating range, control is performed based on the control information recognized by the voice recognition unit.

[0009] A web processing device according to a second aspect of the present invention comprises: From the operator via radio communication a voice recognition unit that recognizes input voice information; a control unit that controls a web splicing operation based on the control information recognized by the voice recognition unit; a movable part that operates to process the web; an area sensor for detecting an object within a motion range of the movable part; Equipped with The control unit is outputting, via wireless communication, to an operator, voice information indicating that control based on the control information will not be performed when the area sensor detects an object within the operating range; When the area sensor does not detect an object within the operating range, control is performed based on the control information recognized by the voice recognition unit.

[0011] In addition, the control unit confirmation information, which is voice information for confirming the control information recognized by the voice recognition unit; , via wireless communication Output to the operator, only when an affirmative response to the confirmation information is input, control based on the control information recognized by the voice recognition unit is performed. This may also be the case. Effect of the Invention

[0012] According to the web processing device of the present invention, control related to web processing is performed through voice recognition, making it easy to control the web processing device while checking the processing status of the web and improving the responsiveness of the control of the web processing device. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a web processing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a control unit according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a web processing device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram of a control unit according to a second embodiment. [Diagram 5] 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of a paper web splicing process according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A web processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings.

[0015] (Embodiment 1) The web processing apparatus 1 in this embodiment is a gravure printing press that performs multi-color printing on a web, and as shown in the schematic diagram of Figure 1, it includes an unwinding device 11 that unwinds a web W such as a roll of paper or film and sends it to the printing press, a gravure printing device 12 that performs multi-color printing on the web W sent out from the unwinding device 11, a winding device 13 that winds up the printed web W, and a control unit 20 (not shown).

[0016] The unwinding device 11 is a device that delivers the web W set in a roll state to the gravure printing device 12.

[0017] The gravure printing device 12 includes printing units 121, 122, and 123 that perform printing for each color on the web W. The gravure printing device 12 also includes an in-feed roller 15 that feeds the web W into the printing unit 121, and an out-feed roller 16 that feeds the web W from the printing unit 123 to the winding device 13.

[0018] The printing units 121 to 123 according to this embodiment are each equipped with a drying device D. This allows the ink printed by each of the printing units 121 to 123 to be dried, making it possible to prevent problems such as bleeding from occurring.

[0019] The winding device 13 is a device that winds up the web W, such as paper or film, that is fed from the unwinding device 11 and printed by the gravure printing device 12.

[0020] As shown in the block diagram of FIG. 2, the control unit 20 includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, a display unit 23, an input unit 24, and a communication unit 25.

[0021] The control unit 21 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a crystal oscillator, etc., and controls the operation of the web processing device 1. Based on voice information input from a voice input / output device 30 (described later), the control unit 21 adjusts parameters related to the operation of the web processing device 1 and controls the processing operation of the web W, etc. The adjustment parameters are the tension, feed speed, drying temperature, etc. of the web W that affect the processing quality such as printing on the web W and lamination of multiple webs W.

[0022] The control unit 21 loads various operation programs and data stored in the ROM of the control unit 21, the storage unit 22, etc., into the RAM and operates the CPU, thereby realizing each function of the control unit 21 shown in Fig. 2. In this way, the control unit 21 operates as a voice information acquisition unit 211, a voice recognition unit 212, and a voice information output unit 213.

[0023] The voice information acquisition unit 211 acquires voice information uttered by an operator from the voice input / output device 30 connected via the communication unit 25. In addition, the voice information acquisition unit 211 transmits the acquired voice information to the voice recognition unit 212.

[0024] The voice recognition unit 212 recognizes the voice information acquired from the voice information acquisition unit 211, thereby recognizing control information (control commands) for controlling the operation of the web processing device 1, adjusting parameters, and the like.

[0025] The voice information output unit 213 generates voice information to be output to the operator, and transmits it to the voice input / output device 30 via the communication unit 25 for output.

[0026] The memory unit 22 is a non-volatile memory such as a hard disk or flash memory, and stores a recognition model for voice recognition of input voice information, operating conditions of the web processing device 1 corresponding to control information recognized from the voice information, etc.

[0027] The display unit 23 is a display device, such as a liquid crystal monitor, provided in the control unit 20. The display unit 23 displays information such as various operating parameters of the web processing device 1.

[0028] The input unit 24 is an input device for inputting various operating parameters of the web processing device 1, instructions to start and end the operation of the web processing device 1, etc. The input unit 24 is a keyboard, a touch panel, a mouse, etc. provided in the control unit 20.

[0029] The communication unit 25 connects the control unit 21 and the audio input / output device 30 to communicate with each other. The communication method used by the communication unit 25 is not particularly limited, but may be wireless communication using Bluetooth (registered trademark), for example.

[0030] The audio input / output device 30 is a device that includes a microphone for inputting audio information for controlling the operation of the web processing device 1 into the control unit 20, and a speaker for conveying audio information output from the control unit 20 in response to the audio input to an operator, such as a headset.

[0031] Next, a voice control operation in the web processing device 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0032] When the operation of the gravure printing machine, which is the web processing device 1, is started, the web W is sent from the unwinding device 11 to the gravure printing device 12. In the gravure printing device 12, the gravure roll, the furnisher roll, the impression cylinder, etc. rotate to transport the web W so that the web W is pressed against the gravure roll.

[0033] The rotating motion of the gravure roll transfers the ink to the surface of the gravure roll, which is immersed in the ink. The ink transferred to the gravure roll is then metered by being scraped off by a doctor blade.

[0034] The gravure roll to which the ink has been transferred is pressed against the web W, thereby transferring the ink to the web W, thereby performing printing.

[0035] The web W on which the ink has been applied is dried by a dryer provided in the printing units 121 to 123. This allows the ink to be fixed onto the web W, and makes it possible to prevent problems such as bleeding.

[0036] In the gravure printing device 12, pictures of each color are printed in sequence by the printing units 121 to 123. The web W on which printing of each color has been completed is taken up by the winding device 13.

[0037] In printing in the printing units 121-123, the operator checks the printing state of each color and adjusts the parameters related to the printing state. For example, the operator checks the drying state of each color of the printed web W, and if there is insufficient drying, adjusts the operation control parameters of the web processing device 1 to eliminate the insufficient drying. In order to eliminate the insufficient drying, for example, the drying temperature, drying air volume, etc. in the printing units 121-123 are adjusted. The adjustment of these operation control parameters is performed by inputting the operation of adjusting the parameters to the control units installed in each device and each printing unit constituting the web processing device 1. More specifically, when it is desired to accelerate the drying of the second color printing unit (second printing unit) 122, the operator inputs to the control unit of the second color printing unit 122 to accelerate the drying, that is, inputs such as increasing the drying temperature, increasing the drying air volume, and decreasing the printing speed.

[0038] In this embodiment, this parameter adjustment operation is performed using a headset, which is the audio input / output device 30. That is, when performing the operation input in the above example, the operator performs audio input, for example, to increase the drying temperature of the second color printing unit 122. The audio information input by the operator via the audio input / output device 30 includes information identifying the device that is the subject of parameter adjustment, the parameters to be changed, and the changes to be made. The information identifying the device is not particularly limited, and may be an ID number assigned to the device in advance, the order of the printing units, or the like. For example, audio input such as "Increase the drying temperature for the second color" can be performed.

[0039] The control unit 20 performs voice recognition on the voice information acquired by the voice information acquisition unit 211. The voice recognition unit 212 of the control unit 20 performs voice recognition using a voice recognition model that has been learned in advance and stored in the storage unit 22. Based on the input voice information, the voice recognition unit 212 recognizes control information (control commands) such as information for identifying a device that is the subject of parameter adjustment, parameters to be changed, and the contents of the changes.

[0040] 2, in this embodiment, one control unit 20 controls the control units of each device constituting the web processing device 1. That is, the control unit 20 is wirelessly connected to the voice input / output device 30, and is wired or wirelessly connected to the control units of each device. Then, the voice information acquisition unit 211 of the control unit 20 acquires voice information input via the communication unit 25. This makes it possible for the control unit 20, which has a simple configuration, to control multiple devices included in the web processing device 1.

[0041] The control unit 20 transmits control information to the control unit of the device identified by the voice recognition, and adjusts the parameters of the device to be controlled.

[0042] As described above, in the web processing device 1 according to the present embodiment, the parameters related to web processing are adjusted by voice recognition, so that the control parameters can be adjusted while checking the processing state of the web W. This makes it easy to adjust the processing quality, and improves responsiveness from the operator's decision to adjust the parameters to their input. This allows the parameter adjustment to be reflected in the processing state of the web W more quickly.

[0043] In addition, since the web processing device 1 according to the present embodiment adjusts the parameters related to web processing by voice recognition, the operator does not need to operate a control panel. Therefore, the operator can adjust the parameters of the web processing device 1 while performing other tasks, and can perform the work more easily and efficiently.

[0044] In this embodiment, the parameter to be controlled is the tension of the web W, but is not limited to this and may be any adjustment parameter related to the processing of the web W. For example, when a pitch error, which is a variation in the spacing of the printed patterns on the web W, is detected in the web processing device 1, which is a gravure printing machine, the operator adjusts parameters of the web processing device 1, such as the drying temperature, the tension of the web W, and the feed speed.

[0045] Furthermore, when it is desired to adjust the curl state of the web W in a web processing device such as a laminator, the operator adjusts the tension, feed speed, etc. of each web W by voice input.

[0046] (Embodiment 2) In the above-mentioned embodiment 1, the web processing device is a gravure printing machine including a plurality of devices, but the web processing device may be an individual device other than a printing machine. In this embodiment, a case where a winding device 13 is used as the web processing device 2 will be described.

[0047] As shown in Fig. 3, the web processing device 2 according to this embodiment is a winding device 13 having a paper splicing function using a turret 131. The web processing device 2, which is the winding device 13, is also provided with a control unit 20' as shown in the functional block diagram of Fig. 4. The schematic configuration of the control unit 20' is similar to that of the control unit 20 according to the first embodiment, except that the control unit 20' is not connected to the control unit of another device.

[0048] In the web processing device 2, a winding core is rotatably held on two winding shafts, a first winding shaft 132 and a second winding shaft 133. Then, when the web W wound around one of the winding shafts (for example, the first winding shaft 132) at the winding position reaches a predetermined amount (roll diameter), the turret is rotated to move the second winding shaft 133 to the winding position and the first winding shaft 132 to the standby position (splicing preparation). Furthermore, when the web W wound around the first winding shaft 132 reaches a predetermined amount (roll diameter), as shown in FIG. 3, the web W is cut, and the leading end of the cut web W is wound around the winding core of the second winding shaft 133, and the winding of the web W is switched to the second winding shaft 133 (splicing operation).

[0049] In conventional winding devices, instructions for splicing preparation, splicing operation, etc. were given by operating a control panel of the winding device. In contrast, in this embodiment, the control unit 20' of the web processing device 2 performs operations such as splicing preparation, splicing operation, etc. based on voice information input by the operator via the voice input / output device 30.

[0050] The splicing operation according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 5. First, the operator judges whether or not to perform splicing preparation based on the winding amount of the web W on the first winding shaft 132 at the winding position (step S11). The judgment of whether or not to perform splicing may be made based on the output of a sensor provided in the winding device 13. In this case, the sensor may detect that the roll of the first winding shaft 132 has reached a preset winding amount of the web W and it is time to perform splicing preparation, and the control unit 20' may notify the operator of the timing of splicing preparation by audio output from the audio input / output device 30.

[0051] If the operator does not determine to perform splice preparation (NO in step S11), the operator does not input voice information to the voice input / output device 30, and the voice information acquisition section 211 of the control unit 20' continues to wait for the input of voice information.

[0052] When the operator determines to perform splice preparation (YES in step S11), the operator inputs the operation of splice preparation as voice information to the voice input / output device 30. The voice information acquisition unit 211 of the control unit 20′ acquires the voice information of the operator and transmits it to the voice recognition unit 212 (step S12).

[0053] The voice recognition unit 212 recognizes the voice information received from the voice information acquisition unit 211 and recognizes that the voice information is control information (control command) for splice preparation (step S13). The voice recognition is performed based on a voice recognition model that has been learned in advance and stored in the storage unit 22.

[0054] The control unit 20' according to the present embodiment performs an interlock between an operation based on voice information and an area sensor of the web processing device 2. Specifically, when the control unit 20' recognizes the control information for splice preparation, the control unit 20' uses the area sensor to detect whether or not an object such as a person or an object is present in a predetermined operating area of ​​the web processing device 2, for example, the operating range of the turret 131, which is a movable part. As a result, when the area sensor detects an object (YES in step S14), the control unit 20' causes the voice input / output device 30 to output a voice via the communication unit 25, and informs the operator that splice preparation cannot be performed (step S15). The voice output information is, for example, a sentence such as "Since the area sensor is operating, splice preparation cannot be performed," and is stored in the storage unit 22 in advance as voice data.

[0055] In step S14, if the area sensor does not detect an object and the operation can be performed safely (NO in step S14), the control unit 20' confirms the control command input by voice (step S16). Specifically, the control unit 20' controls the voice input / output device 30 to output confirmation information for prompting the operator to confirm the control input, for example, voice information such as "Do you want to prepare for splicing?"

[0056] When the operator responds to the confirmation in step S16 in an affirmative manner, for example by vocally inputting a positive answer of "yes" (YES in step S17), the control unit 20' performs splice preparation (step S18). Here, a positive answer means an answer that affirms the control operation based on the control information that the operator vocally inputs, regardless of the content of the confirmation information.

[0057] If the operator responds negatively to the confirmation in step S16, for example by vocally inputting a negative answer such as "No," or if the operator does not respond in the affirmative as described above and a predetermined period of time (for example, about 10 seconds) has elapsed (NO in step S17), the control unit 20' resets the process for preparing splice and returns to the state of waiting for input from the operator in step S11.

[0058] After the turret 131 rotates, the new winding core attached to the second winding shaft 133 moves to the winding position, and preparation for splicing is completed, the operator inputs the operation of the splicing operation as voice information to the voice input / output device 30. The voice information acquisition unit 211 of the control unit 20′ acquires the voice information of the operator and transmits it to the voice recognition unit 212.

[0059] The voice recognition unit 212 recognizes the voice information received from the voice information acquisition unit 211 and recognizes control information for executing the splicing operation (step S19). The voice recognition is performed based on the same voice recognition model as in the splicing preparation.

[0060] When the voice recognition unit 212 recognizes the control information for the paper splicing operation, the voice information output unit 213 controls the voice input / output device 30 to output confirmation information to the operator, for example, voice information such as "Do you want to perform winding cut?" (step S20).

[0061] When the operator responds affirmatively to the confirmation in step S20, for example, by vocally inputting an affirmative answer of "yes" (YES in step S21), the control unit 20' performs the splicing operation (step S22).

[0062] If the operator responds negatively to the confirmation in step S20, for example by vocally inputting a negative answer such as "No," or if the operator does not respond in the affirmative as described above and a predetermined time period (for example, about 10 seconds) has elapsed (NO in step S21), the control unit 20' resets the process for preparing splice and returns to the state of waiting for input from the operator in step S11.

[0063] As described above, in the web processing device 2 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to control, by voice recognition, each web processing device that performs at least one of transporting and processing the web W, such as the winding device 13. Therefore, it is possible to easily control the web processing device while checking the processing state of the web W. It is also possible to improve the responsiveness from the operator's decision on operational control to control input to the device.

[0064] Furthermore, the web processing device 2 according to this embodiment performs an interlock process by combining the operation control of the web processing device 2 by voice recognition with a sensor such as an area sensor provided in the web processing device 2. This allows the operation of the web processing device 2 to be performed more safely.

[0065] In addition, in the control using voice recognition, the control unit 20' performs a confirmation process using voice information, thereby drawing the operator's attention and enabling the web processing device 2 to be operated more safely.

[0066] In the present embodiment, the interlock process is performed when preparing for splicing, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the interlock process using the area sensor may be performed again when performing the splicing operation. This allows the splicing operation to be performed more safely.

[0067] In the present embodiment, confirmation processing is performed by the operator's voice information in response to the confirmation information, but this is not limited to this. For example, the operator may give a positive or negative answer using a switch carried by the operator in combination with a headset. This reduces the voice recognition processing and the load on the control unit 20', while ensuring the safety of the operation of the web processing device.

[0068] In the above embodiments, a gravure printing machine and a winding machine are used as the web processing device, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, any device that processes the web W may be used, such as a laminator that bonds multiple webs W together, or a coater that applies a coating liquid such as an adhesive to the web W.

[0069] For example, when heat wrinkles due to overdrying are detected in a web processing device such as a dry laminator or coater, the operator adjusts the drying parameters of the web processing device. Specifically, the operator gives voice instructions such as "reduce the drying temperature" and "reduce the drying tension" while checking the state of the wrinkles.

[0070] In addition, in each of the above embodiments, the operator controls the web W by voice recognition while directly checking the web W visually or the like at the production site, but this is not limited to this. For example, the web processing device of the production line connected to the network may be operated from the voice input / output device 30 while checking the state of the processed web W in a separate room. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] 1, 2 Web processing device, 11 Unwinding device, 12 Gravure printing device, 121, 122, 123 Printing unit, 13 Winding device, 131 Turret, 132 First winding shaft, 133 Second winding shaft, 15 Infeed roller, 16 Outfeed roller, 20, 20' Control unit, 21 Control unit, 211 Voice information acquisition unit, 212 Voice recognition unit, 213 Voice information output unit, 22 Memory unit, 23 Display unit, 24 Input unit, 25 Communication unit, 30 Voice input / output device, D Drying device, W Web

Claims

1. A voice recognition unit that recognizes voice information input by an operator via wireless communication; A control unit that controls at least one of transport and processing of the web; a movable part that operates to process the web; an area sensor that detects an object within a motion range of the movable part, the control unit controls at least one of a tension, a speed, and a drying temperature of the web based on the control information recognized by the voice recognition unit; outputting, via wireless communication, to an operator, voice information indicating that control based on the control information will not be performed when the area sensor detects an object within the operating range; When the area sensor does not detect an object within the operating range, control is performed based on the control information recognized by the voice recognition unit. A web processing device comprising:

2. A voice recognition unit that recognizes voice information input by an operator via wireless communication; a control unit that controls a web splicing operation based on the control information recognized by the voice recognition unit; a movable part that operates to process the web; an area sensor that detects an object within a motion range of the movable part, The control unit is outputting, via wireless communication, to an operator, voice information indicating that control based on the control information will not be performed when the area sensor detects an object within the operating range; When the area sensor does not detect an object within the operating range, control is performed based on the control information recognized by the voice recognition unit. A web processing device comprising:

3. The control unit is outputting confirmation information, which is voice information for confirming the control information recognized by the voice recognition unit, to an operator via wireless communication; only when an affirmative response to the confirmation information is input, control based on the control information recognized by the voice recognition unit is performed.

3. The web processing device according to claim 1 or 2.

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