Rotary printing press for printing on material webs

Abstract

The invention relates to a rotary printing press (1), in particular a gravure printing press or a flexographic printing press, for printing on material webs (2), comprising at least one inking unit (4) for the exchangeable mounting of a screen roller (6), further comprising an impression cylinder (8) assigned to the inking unit (4), and further comprising a control unit (10) for carrying out a printing job for printing on the material web (2), wherein the control unit (10) can be connected / is connected to at least one data memory (12), wherein individual specific data values of available mountable screen rollers (6) can be stored in the data memory (12). The invention is characterised by at least one measuring and / or evaluation device (14) for detecting at least one individual specific data value of at least one screen roller (6) used in the printing job during the printing job, wherein the control unit (10) is designed in such a way that, during or upon completion of the printing job, the detected individual specific data value of said screen roller (6) can be stored in the data memory (12) and / or individual specific data values already stored in the data memory (12) can be updated and / or supplemented for the screen roller (6).

Description

[0001] Rotary printing machine for printing on material webs >

[0002] The invention relates to a rotary printing press for printing on webs of material. In particular, the invention relates to a rotary printing press configured as a gravure or flexographic printing press. The rotary printing press has at least one inking unit for the interchangeable mounting of an anilox roller and an impression cylinder assigned to the respective inking unit. Furthermore, the rotary printing press includes a control unit for executing a print job for printing on the web of material. The control unit is connected to, or connectable to, at least one data storage device, wherein individual, specific data values ​​of available, mountable anilox rollers can be stored in the data storage device. The invention further relates to methods for operating such a rotary printing press and to a printing press system comprising a rotary printing press of the aforementioned type and a data storage device connected to, or connectable to, the printing press.

[0003] The surface of the anilox roller is typically made of ceramic or chrome and features indentations or lines, known as engravings or engraving types, which are created by various engraving processes. The resulting unengraved areas are called bars, while the indentations are usually called cells.

[0004] Anilox rollers according to the present invention can be designed as solid bodies or as anilox sleeves that can be arranged on a cylindrical core. In the context of this invention, the term "anilox roller" also includes the gravure cylinder itself when referring to a gravure printing press.

[0005] The ink is normally applied to the anilox rollers via a chambered doctor blade system, whereby a doctor blade removes excess ink from the anilox roller surface or the bars, leaving only a defined amount of ink in the cells.

[0006] In flexographic printing, the anilox roller transfers the printing ink to the printing plate, causing the cells to empty evenly. However, some ink always remains in the cells, so they are never completely emptied and regular cleaning is necessary.

[0007] In gravure printing, the gravure cylinder, corresponding to the anilox roller in the context of this invention, is engraved with the print motif / image / text to be printed onto the material web. These engravings, similar to the anilox roller of a flexographic printing press, represent indentations on the cylinder's surface that hold the ink. Here, too, excess ink is removed from the ridges, for example by a doctor blade, so that only the ink in the indentations is transferred to the material web.

[0008] In particular, rotary printing processes are regularly used to print material webs made of paper, plastic or textiles.

[0009] With each rotation of the roller, the ink cells are flushed through. Key parameters for the amount of ink transferred by the anilox roller are the shape of the cells, their geometry, and the material components of the roller itself. The engraving depth, together with the engraving type, determines the cell volume. In particular, a fill volume, or the volume of the anilox roller, can be derived from this, which is regularly expressed in volume per unit area (cm²). 3 / m 2The ink density is measured. Various engravings and engraving types are known. In particular, hexagonal, preferably "hexagonal 60", pyramidal, obtuse, or domed cell structures, line structures, or slalom engravings are regularly used. However, the selection of the engraving type also depends on the desired print quality, resolution, and application (the print job). Different engraving types offer different properties with regard to ink transfer, detail accuracy, and printing speed, so selecting anilox rollers tailored to the print job is necessary.

[0010] Anilox rollers on common printing presses are generally monitored little or not at all. Therefore, it is often unknown how many linear meters and operating times each roller has traveled, or what defects it may have. Cleaning cycles are also frequently performed by feel, as essential information about operating time and distance traveled is lacking. Often, it is also impossible to clearly identify a specific anilox roller. However, to achieve consistent print quality in repetitive print jobs, it is essential to always use anilox rollers with the same or comparable characteristics. Using the same anilox roller for subsequent print jobs, and thus being able to clearly identify it, can significantly contribute to achieving the same print quality again and can also reduce the effort required when switching between print jobs.

[0011] Furthermore, defects in the engraving of the anilox roller, dirty cells, as well as wear and tear and / or defects of the anilox roller itself, also negatively affect the printed image. If an anilox roller is faulty, this usually only becomes apparent after the print job has been started. For example, streaks, so-called "scoring lines," appear in the printed image. In this case, the faulty anilox roller must be replaced with an alternative one that allows the print job to be printed with the required print quality. Finding such a usable alternative anilox roller is regularly associated with considerable effort and takes a lot of time. The problem is that a defect is often only noticeable if ink transfer occurs at the point of the defect. For example, it is possible that a defect in an anilox roller is discovered during the first print job.If the defect is not documented specifically for that anilox roller, the problem arises that the defect is only (re)discovered after a subsequent print job, requiring the anilox roller to be replaced, which incurs additional costs. It can also happen that an existing defect is not visible in the first print job because it is located outside the printing area. In the subsequent job, the printed image is altered, and the defect becomes visible.

[0012] In addition to defects such as scoring lines or surface damage, anilox rollers must also be regularly replaced during setup if, due to wear or contamination, they deliver insufficient ink or ink volume, preventing the desired target color from being achieved. The setup process includes, in particular, mounting the respective anilox rollers in the inking units and, if anilox rollers are already installed in the existing inking units, also removing any anilox rollers not required for the current print job.

[0013] It is known to use magnetic cards to identify individual anilox rollers. These magnetic cards regularly provide specific, individual data values ​​for each anilox roller. This includes information such as the roller's properties, for example, its grid spacing, expressed as the number of lines per unit area (lines / cm), or its volume, expressed as cm³. 3 / m 2 Further information may include the date of the last cleaning or the location of defects such as scoring lines on the anilox roller's surface. Because this requires considerable manual effort, the data values ​​are often prone to errors. Furthermore, due to the limited space available on the magnetic strips, the information content is insufficient and / or unclear for a comprehensive representation of all relevant, individual, and specific data values ​​for each anilox roller.

[0014] It is also known that, for maintenance and information purposes, the date of, for example, the last cleaning is marked. However, referring to the respective date has proven insufficient in practice, as the extent of soiling depends primarily on actual usage. Therefore, the linear meters elapsed since the last cleaning are more crucial than the date itself. While it is often possible to calculate the actual usage based on the print jobs carried out in the interim, this is a complex and time-consuming process. Alternatively, it is known from the prior art that the respective anilox rollers are cleaned routinely at specific time intervals. Although this method requires less computational effort, it is inefficient.

[0015] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a rotary printing press, in particular a printing press system, and a method for operating this rotary printing press, which overcomes the problem known from the prior art, in particular which improves the identification and provision of anilox rollers and their individual specific data values.

[0016] The problem underlying the invention is solved by the features of claim 1, by means of at least one measuring and / or evaluation device for acquiring at least one individual specific data value of at least one anilox roller used in the print job during the print job. Furthermore, according to the invention, the control unit is designed such that, during or upon completion of the print job, the acquired individual specific data value of this anilox roller can be stored in the data memory and / or individual specific data values ​​already stored in the data memory for the respective anilox roller can be updated and / or supplemented.

[0017] The print job itself can be set up and transferred to the control unit using a print preparation unit. The print preparation unit is advantageously connected to the control unit via a data connection, in particular via a data network and / or a cloud service and / or via a direct wired or wireless connection. Specifically, the print preparation unit is designed to generate or calculate print job data, particularly based on a PDF and / or image file. It may also be configured for the print preparation unit to send the respective PDF and / or image file(s) to a data processing unit and receive the print job data. The print job data includes, in particular, rip data, specifically regarding a target color tone and / or individual color separations and / or a screen ruling and / or the smallest pixel to be printed and / or a solid area and / or the plate sizes.

[0018] According to the invention, the individual specific data values ​​of each anilox roller comprise at least one individual specific data value, wherein at least one of these individual specific data values ​​is recorded by means of the measuring and evaluation device and can be stored in the data memory by means of the control unit during or at the end of the printing job and / or the individual specific data values ​​already stored in the data memory for the respective anilox roller can be updated and / or supplemented by means of the control unit.

[0019] The features of the invention offer the advantage of providing a continuously updated database and / or up-to-date information sheets for the respective anilox rollers. This eliminates time-consuming and error-prone steps such as manually entering specific data values ​​for each anilox roller. Furthermore, according to an optional configuration, the individual data values ​​can be automatically encoded and / or provided with digital timestamps and / or logically linked with other individual data values, thus preventing manipulation and / or ensuring the traceability of the development of the individual data values, particularly defects.

[0020] The success of the invention is expediently improved by a particular embodiment in that the measuring and / or evaluation device is designed to record at least one individual specific data value for all anilox rollers used for the print job. Preferably, the control unit is designed accordingly such that during or upon completion of the print job, the at least one individual specific data value of each anilox roller used for the print job is stored and / or individual specific data values ​​already stored in the data memory for these anilox rollers are updated and / or supplemented.

[0021] For example, an individual specific data value can relate to a geometry or material of the anilox roller itself, e.g. a diameter or length or material or surface finish of the anilox roller.

[0022] It may also be provided that an individual specific data value relates to a previous use of the anilox roller, for example a travel distance or a running time or the last print job(s) or the last color(s) recorded.

[0023] It may also be provided that an individual specific data value relates to a raster geometry, such as the engraving or engraving type, or the engraving depth, or the line spacing, or the volume of the anilox roller, or the ink volume, or an actual or recorded / measured volume of the anilox roller.

[0024] An individual specific data value can also relate to maintenance or cleaning instructions, such as the date or extent of the last cleaning, or the date or extent of the last maintenance or repair.

[0025] It is also possible for an individual specific data value to provide a combination of individual specific data values. In particular, the travel distance or the travel distance since the last cleaning, maintenance, or repair are especially advantageous individual specific data values ​​for the respective anilox rollers in practice.

[0026] In particular, the reliable detection and storage of information about defects in anilox rollers has proven to be a significant advantage in practice for improving the printing process, especially for optimizing setup times. In this context, one embodiment provides that the individual specific data values ​​of the anilox roller include at least one individual specific data value about defects in the anilox roller. Suitable individual specific data values ​​can include, in particular, data values ​​about the type of defects, for example, damage to an anilox roller surface, especially scoring lines, and / or deformation of the anilox roller, and / or contamination of the anilox roller, and / or irregularity in the anilox roller's halftone pattern, and / or a loss of elasticity of the anilox roller, and / or the positioning of the respective defect(s).Wear and tear on the anilox rollers is also preferably recorded as an individually specific data value for the anilox roller.

[0027] Documenting, in particular the type and location of a defect as an individual specific data value of the anilox roller, also makes it possible that, especially without costly pressure tests for experimental purposes, a partially defective anilox roller can still be used in print jobs that do not utilize the defective area of ​​this anilox roller.

[0028] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the individual specific data values, in particular the respective defects, are stored together with a timestamp in the data storage device, so that a development of the defects can be tracked. In particular, with associated individual specific data values, which contain at least one individual specific data value for the respective print job, for example, the respective inking unit in which the respective anilox roller was mounted, the causes of the occurring defects can be better analyzed and remedied.

[0029] In a further developed version, at least one histone is stored in the data storage device, containing information about the individual specific data values, in particular about the individually specific data values ​​of the aforementioned type.

[0030] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the measuring and / or evaluation device is designed as a device for measuring the travel distance and / or the operating time of the respective anilox roller. This makes it particularly easy to adhere to testing, cleaning, and / or maintenance intervals.

[0031] Alternatively or additionally, the measuring and / or evaluation unit comprises a camera system configured as a measuring device and a computing unit configured as an evaluation unit. This allows for the particularly advantageous detection of defects in the anilox roller indirectly via the printed image on the material web. Specifically, the computing unit receives images of the printed images from the camera system and examines these images for recurring printing errors. Using computer-aided evaluation of the printed images in the computing unit, damage and / or other local defects on the anilox roller can be detected. It can also be provided that the color saturation achieved in the printed images is checked and evaluated, for example, by comparing the actual and target values.A decrease in color saturation may indicate a decrease in color density, the possible cause of which may be contamination or wear of the respective anilox roller.

[0032] It is within the scope of the invention that even an indication of a possible defect in the anilox roller is to be understood as an individual, specific data value of the anilox roller. Thus, a particular embodiment of the invention provides that, by means of the measuring and / or evaluation device, for example, the camera system and the computing device, a possible defect in the anilox roller is measured as an individual, specific data value during the printing job. The control unit is advantageously designed such that, during or upon completion of the printing job, it stores the possible defect of the anilox roller as an individual, specific data value for that anilox roller in the data memory and / or updates and / or supplements individual, specific data values ​​already stored in the data memory for the respective anilox roller.

[0033] It is within the scope of the invention that the individual specific data values ​​stored in the database, or the respective data values ​​of the respective anilox roller, can preferably be supplemented with (further) individual specific data values ​​and / or the existing individual specific data values ​​can be edited, preferably in addition to the inventive design of the control unit, independently of the rotary printing press, via a user interface and / or by means of an electronic device, for example a computer and / or a mobile phone. In particular, it can be provided that the data storage can be accessed directly, independently of the control unit. It can also be particularly advantageous to provide that the individual specific data values ​​to be supplemented can be transferred directly to the control unit or the data storage via the print preparation unit.

[0034] In particular, this variant allows for the storage of individual, specific data values ​​for each anilox roller in the data memory. These values ​​cannot be captured by a measuring and evaluation device during the print job. Examples of such values ​​include, but are not limited to, the geometries of the anilox rollers and / or engravings, cleaning instructions and / or positions, and more detailed information about defects in the anilox roller, which were analyzed when the rollers were disassembled. An optional way to perform a comprehensive analysis of the respective individual, specific data values ​​is to print on each anilox roller individually, especially all anilox rollers, and evaluate the ink application. Specific, individual data values ​​can then be derived from this analysis and stored in the data memory.

[0035] Furthermore, it is particularly advantageous that the individual, specific data values ​​for each anilox roller are stored in the data memory and can be viewed before or during the setup process. This effectively prevents incorrect assembly.

[0036] In this regard, an optional embodiment of the invention provides that the control unit and / or the data storage device is designed and configured such that the individual, specific data values ​​of the anilox rollers stored in the data storage device can be displayed to a user. Advantageously, a user interface is provided for this purpose, which is integrated with the control unit and / or directly with the data storage device.

[0037] Preferably, it can also be provided that an authorized user enters the individual specific data values ​​of an anilox roller into the data memory via the user interface and / or supplements existing individual specific data values ​​of the respective anilox roller.

[0038] According to one variant of the rotary printing press, the user interface is at least a screen. In practice, a screen located directly on the rotary printing press has proven particularly advantageous. The user interface can also be integrated into a screen on the control unit. Alternatively, the user interface can be integrated into a screen on the data preparation unit, which also allows the rotary printing press to be configured for printing on the web.

[0039] Furthermore, another design variant has proven advantageous, in which the user interface includes several screens. It may be expedient to provide that the user interface includes one screen for each color unit, or that the user interface includes one screen for up to two, up to three, or up to four color units.

[0040] According to a further alternative or supplementary embodiment, the user interface comprises at least one transmitting unit connected to / connectable to a receiving unit. The receiving unit is preferably designed as an electronic device, such as a mobile phone or a computer. Advantageously, this allows the individually specific data values ​​to be viewed and, in particular, adjusted remotely. It is within the scope of this embodiment that, according to an advantageous embodiment, both the transmitting unit and the receiving unit can both receive and transmit data values. In one variant of the invention, the connection between the transmitting unit and the receiving unit is advantageously established via a data cable connection and / or via a WLAN and / or WPAN connection and / or via a data network and / or a cloud.

[0041] A WLAN connection, short for "Wireless Local Area Network," enables wireless communication between devices within a limited range. It is based on radio technology that allows data to be exchanged between devices via radio waves. WLANs can be supplemented by a router or access point to establish an internet connection and / or manage data traffic between connected devices.

[0042] A WPAN connection, short for "Wireless Personal Area Network," is also a wireless network that covers a limited area, typically within about ten meters. It enables the connection of electronic devices, especially mobile electronic devices such as cell phones or smartphones, laptops, tablets, and wearables, via wireless technologies like Bluetooth or Zigbee.

[0043] A further development involves designing and configuring the user interface, particularly the screens, to display at least one individual, specific data value for each anilox roller mounted in the printing units. Specifically, the user interface is designed to continuously update changing, individual, specific data values, particularly at defined or determinable intervals during the execution of a print job. This variant advantageously allows, for example, the display of the increase in the travel distance of the respective anilox roller(s) during the print job and / or, in particular, the early detection of any defects in the anilox rollers.

[0044] To facilitate the storage of individual, specific data values, a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the control unit includes at least one identification device for identifying a unique identifier for the anilox rollers. Alternatively, the control unit is connected to the at least one identification device. This embodiment advantageously allows the control unit and the identification device to be designed such that it is possible to unambiguously determine which anilox roller is mounted in which inking unit. Further advantages arise, particularly in combination with a user interface designed to display individually specific data values ​​of mounted anilox rollers.

[0045] The identification device eliminates the need to manually enter the identifier for each anilox roller and automates the assignment of this identifier to the respective inking units. In particular, this reduces the potential for errors and the workload, and ensures that the control unit assigns the individually specific data values ​​acquired during the print job to the correct anilox rollers and stores them in the data memory.

[0046] One possible embodiment involves the identification device comprising at least one detector. Advantageously, this detector is designed such that the unique identifier of each anilox roller can be read from an identification device assignable to that roller. The identification device can take various forms; preferably, it is uniquely assignable to the respective anilox roller, e.g., by means of a material-bonded connection, such as an adhesive bond, or integrated into the anilox roller as a single material, for example, by engraving.

[0047] In particular, it is provided that the detector is integrated into a mobile electronic device, especially a mobile phone, a handheld scanner, or a barcode reader. The detector integrated into the mobile electronic device is expediently connected / connectable to the control unit and / or the identification device, at least indirectly, via a data cable connection and / or wirelessly, especially via a WLAN and / or WPAN connection and / or via the data network and / or the cloud.

[0048] Preferably, the detector is designed as an optical sensor. The identification device can expediently include an encoding. Machine-readable encodings such as a barcode, or preferably a DataMatrix code or a QR code, have proven particularly suitable in practice. The encoding is expediently decodable in the control unit or directly in the identification device itself and assignable to the respective anilox roller.

[0049] A particular advantage is that the optical sensor is preferably designed as a camera. It is also within the scope of the invention that the camera is a mobile phone camera.

[0050] Alternatively or additionally, the detector is configured as an RFID receiver. Correspondingly, the identification device is specifically designed as an RFID transmitter. An RFID transmitter configured as an NFC transmitter and an RFID receiver configured as an NFC receiver have proven particularly suitable in this regard.

[0051] RFID stands for "Radio-Frequency Identification" and is a technology for the wireless identification of objects using radio waves. NFC stands for "Near Field Communication" and is a form of RFID technology. NFC provides a wireless communication technology that enables the exchange of data values ​​between devices over short distances, especially just a few centimeters.

[0052] According to one embodiment of the invention, the identification device comprises several detectors, each preferably assigned to specific inking units. In this context, it can be advantageous for each detector to be assigned to two, three, or four inking units. In particular, the identification device comprises two detectors, with each half of all inking units of the rotary printing press assigned to one of the detectors. The latter embodiment offers a particularly effective compromise for equipping the rotary printing press with two anilox rollers simultaneously. A particularly low error potential due to a possible incorrect assignment of the respective anilox roller to the respective inking unit is also advantageously achieved by having the identification device have a number of detectors corresponding to the number of inking units.In particular, each detector is assigned to an inking unit, so that the assignment of anilox roller and inking unit preferably takes place directly by identifying the respective identification device of the respective anilox roller with the respective detector.

[0053] For particularly easy handling, the identification device preferably has several detectors, in particular a number corresponding to the number of printing units, and the detectors are preferably arranged on the rotary printing press. For example, the detectors can be arranged in a configuration adapted to the spatial arrangement of the printing units.

[0054] Another embodiment is based on the respective detector being arranged in a section of each inking unit such that the unique identifier of the anilox roller can be read from the respective identification device when the anilox roller is mounted in the respective inking unit. In particular, a detector is arranged in the section of each inking unit for this purpose. The advantage lies especially in the fact that the identification of the respective anilox roller and its assignment to the respective inking unit occur automatically, and therefore user-related errors are virtually eliminated.

[0055] Preferably, the respective identification devices are configured on individual identification cards. It is advantageous to provide such an individual identification card for each anilox roller. The respective individual identification card preferably includes at least the optically detectable encoding and / or an RFID or NFC transmitter. Optionally, a display device can also be combined with the identification card. Instead of or in addition to the optically detectable encoding and / or the RFID or NFC transmitter, a connector and / or a magnetic stripe can also be used to transmit the unique identifier of the respective anilox roller with a correspondingly designed detector.

[0056] The respective detector is preferably integrated into a card slot and configured such that the identification card can be at least partially inserted into the card slot. Preferably, the card slots are configured such that, when the identification card is inserted, an RFID or NFC receiver or an optical sensor can detect an optically readable code on the respective individual identification card or receive the unique identifier from the RFID transmitter. Optionally, the respective card slot is configured such that the respective identification card can be inserted into the card slot and remain in the respective card slot at least for the duration of a print job. A protective cover, preferably transparent, can also be advantageously provided to protect the respective card slots and / or the identification cards stored in the card slot from external influences.

[0057] Another advantageous embodiment provides that the respective identification card has a first magnetic fastening device and the rotary printing press, in particular instead of or in addition to the at least one card slot, has at least a second magnetic fastening device which interacts attractively with the first magnetic fastening device. This advantageously allows the identification card to be positioned on the rotary printing press. With an exclusively magnetic fastening of the identification card, the identification device has the corresponding detector, particularly in the area of ​​the second magnetic fastening device. All other features of the card slots and the identification card can be transferred analogously to an identification card with a magnetic fastening device and the second magnetic fastening of the rotary printing press.

[0058] A particularly advantageous further development provides a combination of a card slot and a first and a second magnetic fastening device.

[0059] Alternatively or additionally, the identification device may also include a network interface for connecting to the data network or the cloud. This network interface can be configured for both wired and wireless connections, in particular WLAN and / or WPAN connections.

[0060] Advantageously, the identification device and the control unit are designed such that a unique identifier assigned to each anilox roller can be received via the network interface from an electronic device integrated into the data network or the cloud and assigned to a specific inking unit. Preferably, the electronic devices integrated into the data network or the cloud are mobile electronic devices, such as a mobile phone or a computer.

[0061] It can also be advantageous for the identification device to include a radio signal receiver, in particular a WLAN or WPAN receiver, preferably a Bluetooth receiver. In this context, the identification device and the control unit are preferably designed such that, by means of the radio signal receiver, a unique identifier assigned to the respective anilox roller can be received from a correspondingly designed radio signal transmitter and assigned to a specific inking unit.

[0062] In accordance with the invention, the terms "transmitter" and "receiver" do not exclude further functions of the respective transmitter or receiver that go beyond sending or receiving. Thus, it is within the scope of the invention that the radio signal receiver can receive radio signals but also, according to an advantageous embodiment, transmit them. Similarly, the radio signal transmitter can send radio signals but, in a particular embodiment, also receive them.

[0063] In a further developed version, the identification device and the control unit are designed in such a way that, by means of the radio signal receiver, a unique identifier of the respective anilox roller sent by a mobile electronic device, such as a mobile phone or a computer, can be received and assigned to a specific inking unit.

[0064] It is within the scope of the invention that the radio signal receiver is integrated into the user interface according to a particularly preferred variant.

[0065] To provide intuitive recording of individual specific data values ​​and / or the assignment of the respective anilox rollers to the respective inking unit, each anilox roller may be provided with an individual display device. In particular, the display device is integrated with the identification card, preferably as part of the identification card itself.

[0066] The display device preferably includes the identification device. For the identification of the respective anilox roller, it is particularly provided that the display device can show the unique identifier of the anilox roller, especially the optically detectable encoding. Alternatively or additionally, the display device also provides an advantageous means for displaying at least one individual, specific data value of the anilox roller.

[0067] Preferably, the display device comprises at least a digital display and / or a storage unit. Optionally, the display device may include an analog display, for example, a writable section and / or a printed sticker. The storage unit stores, in particular, at least the unique identifier of the anilox roller, especially the optically detectable encoding of the anilox roller, and / or at least one individual specific data value of the respective anilox roller. The digital display preferably shows at least the unique identifier of the anilox roller, especially the optically detectable encoding of the anilox roller, and / or at least one individual specific data value.

[0068] Advantageously, the display device may include an RFID receiver, in particular an NFC receiver, by means of which the display device is connected / connectable to the data storage and / or the control unit. Preferably, the display device is configured such that at least one individual, specific data value can be received and stored on the storage unit.

[0069] It has also proven particularly advantageous that the RFID receiver, especially the NFC receiver, can also transmit RFID or NFC signals. Advantageously, the display device thus provides an identification device for the anilox roller by means of the corresponding detector of the identification device, which is designed as an RFID or NFC receiver. In particular, the display device, preferably like the identification card, is designed as a card which can preferably be inserted into a card slot on the rotary printing press and / or arranged on the rotary printing press with a first and second magnetic fastening device. In a particular embodiment, the display device is integrally formed with the identification card, preferably as an identification card itself.

[0070] Furthermore, a particularly high level of compatibility can be achieved by using a display device designed as an identification card, in an arrangement on the rotary printing press, preferably by means of the magnetic fastening device and / or the card slot arranged on the rotary printing press, so that the respective anilox roller can be recognized by a detector of the identification device and assigned to the respective inking unit.At the same time, during or after completion of the print job, at least one individually specific data value of the anilox roller, in particular all individually specific data values ​​that have changed during the print job, for example the runtime and / or travel distance and / or defects and / or indications of defects and / or the print job itself, is stored by the control unit both in the data memory and transferred to the display device designed as an identification card for storage and, if necessary, for display on the digital display.

[0071] According to a further embodiment, the display device comprises a radio signal communication module. Preferably, this is configured as a WLAN and / or WPAN communication module. Advantageously, the display device is connected / connectable to the data storage and / or the control unit at least indirectly, in particular via the data network, by means of the radio signal communication module. The radio signal communication module is expediently designed and configured such that at least one individual, specific data value can be received by the display device, stored on the storage unit, and preferably displayed via the digital display.

[0072] In practice, it has proven advantageous to integrate the data storage directly into the control unit and / or the rotary printing press. Alternatively or additionally, the data storage can be designed as a storage medium, particularly a mobile one, that can be connected to the control unit. It is also possible for the storage unit of the respective display device to provide data storage for connection to the control unit. A further alternative or addition is that the data storage is integrated into the data network, particularly a local or external one, or the cloud, with the control unit and the data storage having corresponding connecting means for linking the control unit to the data storage.The technical problem underlying the invention is also solved by a method for operating a rotary printing press, in particular according to one of the preceding embodiments.

[0073] The method provides for a rotary printing machine which has at least one inking unit for the interchangeable mounting of an anilox roller and also a counter-pressure cylinder assigned to the respective inking unit.

[0074] The procedure includes at least the following steps:

[0075] - Connecting at least one data storage device to a control unit of the rotary printing press, whereby individual specific data values ​​of available mountable anilox rollers can be stored in the data storage device,

[0076] - Mounting an anilox roller in each inking unit required for the printing job,

[0077] - Setting up a print job via the control unit and printing on the material web.

[0078] The material to be printed, or the material web, can suitably consist entirely or partially of paper or cardboard. Alternatively, the material web can be made entirely or partially of a (plastic) film material such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyester (PET), or polystyrene. Advantageously, the material to be printed can consist entirely or partially of a metallic material such as aluminum and / or have a metallic coating. In another variant, the material web is made entirely or partially of a textile or woven material, particularly a natural material and / or a synthetic material.

[0079] Furthermore, the method according to the invention provides that at least one individual specific data value of at least one anilox roller is recorded by means of a measuring and / or evaluation device during the printing job. The control unit used in the method according to the invention is designed such that, during or upon completion of the printing job, the at least one recorded individual specific data value of this anilox roller is stored in the data memory and / or individual specific data values ​​already stored in the data memory for the respective anilox roller are updated and / or supplemented.

[0080] An improved version of the method for operating the rotary printing press provides that, by means of the measuring and / or evaluation device, at least one individual specific data value for all anilox rollers is recorded during the printing job, wherein the control unit is designed such that, during or at the end of the printing job, the at least one recorded individual specific data value of the anilox rollers used for the printing job is stored in the data memory and / or individual specific data values ​​already stored in the data memory for the respective anilox rollers are updated and / or supplemented.

[0081] It is particularly preferred that the measuring and / or evaluation device measures individual, specific data values ​​regarding the operating time and / or the mileage, especially since the last cleaning, maintenance, and / or inspection, the last print job, and / or the last ink applied, and that the control unit stores these specific data values ​​individually for each anilox roller in the data memory. This makes it particularly easy to adhere to inspection, cleaning, and / or maintenance intervals.

[0082] Another variant of the method provides that the measuring and / or evaluation device measures individual, specific data values ​​about defects in the anilox roller, in particular data values ​​about the type of defects, for example, damage to an anilox roller surface, especially "scoring lines" and / or deformation of the anilox roller and / or contamination of the anilox roller and / or irregularity in the engraving of the anilox roller and / or loss of elasticity of the anilox roller and / or the positioning of the respective defect(s), and that the control unit stores these specific data values ​​individually for each anilox roller in the data memory; preferably with a timestamp. In particular, the timestamp advantageously allows a chronological development of the defects to be tracked.

[0083] For the purpose of easier allocation and reduced susceptibility to errors in the storage of the individual specific data values ​​of the anilox roller, it is preferably provided that, by means of an identification device, the mounting of the anilox roller in the respective inking unit is checked before or immediately after the mounting of the anilox roller and it is clearly determined which anilox roller is mounted in which inking unit.

[0084] It has proven particularly advantageous that, after completion of the print job, an evaluation of the updated, individual, specific data values ​​is performed and an anilox roller report is generated. The anilox roller report can be printed and / or displayed via a screen, for example, a digital display or a user interface. Alternatively or additionally, the anilox roller report can also be stored in the data memory.

[0085] For particularly beneficial information content, it has proven advantageous for the anilox roller report to preferably include the specific data values, especially those updated or supplemented, after the print job has been completed. It can also be advantageous for the anilox roller report to include maintenance and cleaning instructions for the anilox roller after the print job and / or at least for any defects of the anilox roller newly detected after or during the print job.

[0086] A printing press system according to the invention for solving the problem underlying the invention and for carrying out at least one variant of the aforementioned method comprises at least one of the aforementioned embodiments of the rotary printing press and at least one data storage device connected to the rotary printing press, wherein the data storage device corresponds to one of the aforementioned embodiments. Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description, in which various exemplary embodiments are explained in detail with reference to the figures. The features mentioned in the claims and in the description can each be essential to the invention individually or in any combination thereof.Within the scope of the entire disclosure, features and details described in connection with the method according to the invention naturally also apply in connection with the printing press according to the invention, and vice versa, so that the disclosure always makes, or can make, reciprocal references to the individual aspects of the invention. The individual figures show:

[0087] Fig. 1 Side view of a first embodiment of a rotary printing press in an open state, showing four inking units.

[0088] Fig. 2 Side view of a first embodiment of a

[0089] Rotary printing press

[0090] Fig. 3 Side view of another embodiment of a

[0091] Rotary printing press

[0092] Fig. 4 Schematic representations of a first embodiment of a control unit for a rotary printing press

[0093] Fig. 5 Schematic representations of another embodiment of a control unit for a rotary printing press

[0094] Fig. 6 Schematic representations of another embodiment of a control unit for a rotary printing press

[0095] Fig. 7 Schematic representation of a first variant of a

[0096] Identification card trained display device

[0097] Fig. 8 Schematic representation of another variant of a as

[0098] Identification card trained display device

[0099] Fig. 9 Schematic representation of a card slot for receiving an identification card. Fig. 10 Schematic representation of an identification card arranged on a rotary printing press by means of magnetic fastening devices.

[0100] Fig. 11 Schematic representation of another version of an identification card-shaped display device

[0101] Fig. 12 Schematic representation of a first embodiment of a control unit with a user interface

[0102] Fig. 13 Schematic representation of another embodiment of a control unit with a user interface

[0103] Fig. 14 Schematic representation of a method for operating a rotary printing press

[0104] Figures 1 to 3 each show a rotary printing press 1, in this preferred embodiment a central impression cylinder press processing or printing a web of material 2, as is regularly used in flexographic printing. Such rotary printing presses 1 are frequently used for packaging printing. Although only one such embodiment of the rotary printing press 1 is shown and explained here, the invention is not limited to this. Rotary printing presses 1 according to the invention can be designed in very different ways and operate with different printing processes. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the rotary printing press 1 is designed for printing webs of material 2.

[0105] In particular, the rotary printing press 1 comprises a unwinding unit 3 in which a roller 5 is rotatably mounted, from which the material web 2 can be unwound. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the rotary printing press 1 has at least one inking unit 4; an advantageous variant with four inking units 4 is shown. The inking units 4 are each designed for the interchangeable mounting of an anilox roller 6. Furthermore, each inking unit 4 expediently has an impression cylinder with which the printing motif is applied to the material web 2. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, each inking unit 4 is assigned an impression cylinder 8. In the particular variant of the rotary printing press 1 according to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, a central impression cylinder 8 is provided, with all inking units 4 being assigned to this centrally arranged impression cylinder 8.The other components of the inking units 4 are known to those skilled in the art and therefore require no further description here. Each inking unit processes one printing ink. In Figures 2 and 3, the impression cylinder 8 and the inking units 4 are indicated by dashed lines.

[0106] Advantageously, the material web 2 is guided from the roller 5 to the counter-pressure cylinder 8 via several deflection and pressure rollers and applied to it. The direction of rotation of the counter-pressure cylinder is indicated by arrow 9. A transport direction for guiding the material web is indicated by arrow 7.

[0107] To prevent a first color component of a printed motif applied by an inking unit 4 to the material web 2 from being smeared or otherwise rendered unusable in a subsequent inking unit 4, a so-called intermediate inking unit dryer 11 is preferably provided between each pair of inking units 4.

[0108] Behind the last inking unit 4, the web leaves the impression cylinder and is preferably guided by guide rollers into a drying box 13, the guide rollers being arranged in such a way that they do not touch the printed side of the material web 2. Preferably, the material web 2 can be dried sufficiently in the drying box 13 so that it can subsequently be wound onto a reel 17 in a winding device 15.

[0109] In particular, "anilox rollers" within the meaning of the present invention include both one-piece anilox rollers 6 and anilox sleeves which are arranged on a cylindrical core. The term "anilox roller" also includes the gravure cylinder itself in the context of a gravure printing press. The respective embodiments of the anilox roller in the form of an anilox sleeve and in the form of a gravure cylinder are not shown.

[0110] In a variant of the rotary printing machine 1, designed as a gravure printing machine and not shown, a number of impression cylinders 8 corresponding to the number of anilox rollers 6 or gravure cylinders is provided, wherein one impression cylinder 8 is assigned to each anilox roller 6 or gravure cylinder.

[0111] The rotary printing press 1 is designed to have a control unit 10, schematically depicted in Figures 4 to 6. The control unit 10 is configured to execute a print job for printing on the web of material 2. The print job describes, at a minimum, the process of printing on the web of material 2 with a specific, particularly repeating, print motif / image / text. The print job can be described, in particular, by the quality or number of print motifs / images / texts to be printed. The print job can also be described by the length of the web of material 2 to be printed.

[0112] As shown in Figures 4 to 6, the control unit 10 can be connected to / is connected to at least one data storage device 12. It is provided that the data storage device 12 can store individual, specific data values ​​for the available mountable anilox rollers 6.

[0113] According to the invention, as can be seen from Figures 4 to 6, the rotary printing press 1 comprises at least one measuring and / or evaluation device 14. This device is designed to acquire at least one specific individual data value of at least one anilox roller 6 used in the printing job. According to the invention, the acquisition of the at least one specific individual data value takes place during the printing job.

[0114] As indicated in Figs. 4 to 6, the control unit 10 is designed and connected to the measuring and / or evaluation device 14 in such a way that during or at the end of the printing job the recorded specific individual data value of this anilox roller 6 can be stored in the data memory 12 and / or specific individual data values ​​of the respective anilox roller 6 already stored in the data memory 12 can be updated and / or supplemented.

[0115] Advantageously, the measuring and / or evaluation device 14 can include an optical sensor. The optical sensor can, in particular, be designed as a camera. Advantageously, the optical sensor is especially suitable for detecting defects on the respective anilox roller 6 based on the printed motif / image / text printed on the material web 2. This is achieved, in particular, by a combination of measuring the printed motif / image / text using the optical sensor and subsequent evaluation, for example, by means of a target-actual comparison. This results in the synergistic effect that, simultaneously with measuring the defective anilox rollers 6, further parameters, in particular the quality of the printed motif / image / text, can be checked and monitored.

[0116] Advantageously, the measuring and / or evaluation unit 14 can be configured to measure the revolutions of the respective anilox rollers 6 and / or the impression cylinder 8. The measured values ​​can be transmitted unprocessed to the control unit 10 for evaluation, for example, processing or conversion of the measurement signals into a rotational speed, a number of revolutions, and / or a travel distance of the respective anilox rollers 6 and / or the impression cylinder 8. Alternatively, such conversion can be performed directly in the measuring and / or evaluation unit 14, so that the evaluated number of revolutions, the rotational speed, and the travel distance of the respective anilox rollers 6 and / or the impression cylinder 8 can be transmitted directly to the control unit 10.

[0117] In particular, it is provided that the measuring and / or evaluation device 14 is designed to record at least one individual specific data value for all anilox rollers 6 used for the print job, wherein the control unit 10 is designed such that, during or at the end of the print job, as shown in Figures 4 to 6, the at least one individual specific data value of the respective anilox rollers 6 used for the print job is stored and / or individual specific data values ​​already stored in the data memory 12 for these anilox rollers 6 are updated and / or supplemented.

[0118] According to a preferred embodiment of the rotary printing press 1 shown in Figures 4 to 6, the control unit 10 has at least one identification device 16 for identifying a unique identifier 18 of the anilox rollers 6. Alternatively, the identification device 16 can also be designed as an independent unit, particularly separate from the control unit 10. At least in the latter case, the control unit 10 is expediently connected to the at least one identification device 16. Advantageously, the control unit 10 and the identification device 16 are designed such that it is possible to clearly determine which anilox roller 6 is installed or will be installed in which inking unit 4.Alternatively, the control unit 10 and the identification device 16 are designed such that the respective anilox rollers 6 can be assigned to the respective inking units 4, in particular at least immediately before installation in the inking units 4 and / or after installation in the inking units 4.

[0119] Figures 2 to 4 and 11, in particular, show a particularly advantageous embodiment of the identification device 16. Advantageously, the identification device 16 comprises at least one detector 20. The detector 20 can expediently be formed within the identification device 16 itself or alternatively be formed as a separate device independent of the identification device 16.

[0120] As shown in Figures 4 and 11, the detector 20 is preferably configured such that a unique identifier 18 of the anilox roller 6 can be read out by means of the detector 20 from an identification device 22 that can be assigned to the respective anilox roller 6, in particular uniquely. Advantageous embodiments of an identification device 22, each configured on an identification card 24, are shown in Figures 2, 7, 8 and 12.

[0121] In particular, Figures 3 and 11 show an advantageous embodiment in which the detector 20 is designed as an optical sensor 26. Correspondingly, it is advantageously provided that the identification device 22 comprises an optically detectable encoding 28, in particular a machine-readable encoding, preferably a barcode or DataMatrix code or a QR code. An advantageous optically detectable encoding 28 is illustrated in Figures 7 and 11.

[0122] Alternatively or additionally, an advantageous embodiment shown in Fig. 3 provides that the detector 20 is designed on a mobile electronic device. For this purpose, mobile phones or handheld scanners 30 or a barcode scanner have proven particularly advantageous. In particular, the advantageous embodiment shown in Fig. 3 comprises at least one wired handheld scanner 30. Alternatively, a wireless connection can also be provided.

[0123] Another particularly preferred embodiment, especially indicated in Figures 5 and 6, provides that the optical sensor 26 is a camera and the mobile electronic device is preferably wirelessly connected, in particular via a data network 32 using a WLAN or WPAN connection, at least indirectly to the identification device 16. Mobile phones, also referred to as "smartphones" or "cell phones", can advantageously use a device camera as the optical sensor 26 and are preferably wirelessly connected, in particular via the data network 32, at least indirectly to the identification device 16.

[0124] Figures 2, 8, and 11 show an exemplary further preferred embodiment of the rotary printing press 1. In this embodiment, the detector 20 is configured as an RFID receiver 34, in particular as an NFC receiver. Advantageously, the identification device 22 comprises a correspondingly configured RFID transmitter 36, in particular an NFC transmitter. An RFID transmitter 36, in particular an NFC transmitter, which is advantageously arranged in an identification card 24, in particular in an identification card 24 having a display device 38, is shown by way of example in Figures 8 and 11.An embodiment not shown provides that the RFID, in particular NFC, receiver 34 is designed as a mobile electronic device, for example a wired or wireless handheld receiver, for example a mobile phone, which can be carried with a corresponding RFID, in particular NFC, transmitter 36.

[0125] RFID technology, and in particular NFC technology, has proven especially suitable for applications where a detector 20 designed as an optical sensor 26 encounters obstacles. Therefore, a detector identification system based on RFID, and especially NFC, technology is particularly advantageous in dark environments or where there is a risk of contamination.

[0126] In contrast, the system based on an optical sensor 26 as detector 20 and an optically detectable code 28 as an identification device 22 is more resistant to magnetic fields, frequencies, and interference than an RFID or NFC receiver 34 as detector 20 and an RFID or NFC transmitter 36 as identification device 22. Furthermore, greater ranges, i.e., distances between the detector 20 and the identification device 22, for the unambiguous identification of the anilox roller 6 can be achieved with an optical sensor 26 as detector 20 and an optically detectable code 28 as identification device 22 than with an RFID or NFC receiver 34 as detector 20 and an RFID or NFC transmitter 36 as identification device 22.

[0127] A particularly advantageous embodiment provides that the identification device 16 has a plurality of detectors 20. It is particularly advantageous for the identification device 16 to have a number of detectors 20 corresponding to the number of inking units 4, with each detector 20 being assigned to an inking unit 4. This variant is shown in particular in Figure 2.

[0128] Another advantageous embodiment consists in the identification device 16 having a plurality of detectors 20, wherein at least one detector 20 is assigned at least two inking units 4. A particularly advantageous embodiment of this optional concept is shown in particular in Fig. 3, wherein the rotary printing press 1 advantageously has four inking units 4, wherein, in particular, two inking units 4 are arranged opposite each other and the impression cylinder 8 is surrounded by the inking units 4 substantially radially to a longitudinal axis of the impression cylinder 8. A first detector 20, preferably designed as an optical sensor 26, is assigned to the first four inking units 4, and a second detector 20, preferably designed as an optical sensor 26, is assigned to the remaining two inking units 4.Advantageously, this provides a wired yet to a limited extent mobile identification device 16, whereby in particular a setup time, especially a necessary assembly time for installing the anilox rollers 6 into the respective inking units 4, can be shortened by having several, in particular two, fitters simultaneously equip the inking units 4 with the anilox rollers 6 and assign the anilox rollers to the respective inking units 4 by means of the two detectors 20.

[0129] According to an example not shown, it is advantageously provided that a detector 20 is arranged in a section of each inking unit 4 such that the unique identifier 18 of the anilox roller 6 can be read from the respective identification device 22 when the anilox roller 6 is installed in the respective inking unit 4. Here, too, an optical sensor 26 can advantageously be used as the detector 20 and an optically detectable code 28 as the identification device 22, or an RFID or NFC receiver 34 as the detector 20 and an RFID or NFC transmitter 36 as the identification device 22. However, particularly with optical detection, the lighting conditions within the rotary printing press 1 or in the area of ​​the inking unit 4 must be taken into account. Preferably, low illumination can be compensated for by selecting a correspondingly light-sensitive optical sensor 26 and / or a lighting device.It may also be provided that the optically detectable coding 28 is light-emitting, e.g. by means of a color with a proportion of luminophores.

[0130] A particularly advantageous embodiment provides that the identification device 22 is formed on individual identification cards 24 assigned to the anilox rollers 6. This embodiment is shown in particular in Figures 2, 8 to 10, and 12. It is provided that the identification card 24 comprises, in particular, at least the optically detectable encoding 28 and / or an RFID, in particular NFC, transmitter 36. Figure 7 shows an identification card 24 with an optically detectable encoding 28. Figures 8 and 9 show the variant with the RFID, in particular NFC, transmitter 36. Figure 11 shows a special variant in which the identification card 24 has both an RFID transmitter 36, in particular the NFC transmitter, and an optically detectable encoding 28.

[0131] Preferably, the identification card 24 can be inserted into a card slot 40 arranged on the rotary printing press 1 and / or attached to the rotary printing press 1 by means of magnetic fastening devices 42, 44. An exemplary example of a card slot 40 is shown in Figures 2 and 10. It is particularly advantageous that the card slot 40 includes the detector 20. Figures 2 and 10 each show an exemplary embodiment of a card slot 40 with a detector 20 designed as an RFID receiver 34, in particular as an NFC receiver.

[0132] Another advantageous embodiment of the identification card 24, which is / can be arranged on the rotary printing press 1 by means of magnetic fastening devices 42, 44, is shown in Fig. 1. In particular, the identification card 24 has a first magnetic fastening device 42, wherein the rotary printing press 1 advantageously has a second magnetic fastening device 44 which interacts attractively with the first magnetic fastening devices 42.

[0133] A particularly advantageous variant of the rotary printing press 1 is shown in Figure 5. Here, the identification device 16 advantageously includes a network interface 46 for connection to the data network 32 or the cloud 48. The identification device 16 and the control unit 10 are expediently designed such that a unique identifier 18, assigned to the respective anilox roller 6, can be received via the network interface 46 by an electronic device (not shown) connected to the data network 32 or the cloud 48 and assigned to a specific inking unit 4. Suitable electronic devices can be, in particular, mobile electronic devices such as mobile phones or computers; however, tablets or mobile handheld scanners connected to the respective data network 32 or the cloud 48 are also conceivable.

[0134] An alternative or supplementary embodiment provides that the identification device 16 comprises a radio signal receiver 50. This embodiment is shown in particular in Fig. 6. The radio signal receiver 50 is preferably designed as a WLAN or WPAN receiver. Bluetooth receivers have proven to be suitable. Advantageously, the identification device 16 and the control unit 10 are designed such that a unique identifier 18 assigned to the respective anilox roller 6 can be received by a correspondingly designed radio signal transmitter 52 via the radio signal receiver 50 and assigned to a specific inking unit 4. Advantageously, the radio signal transmitter 52 can be part of a mobile electronic device or connected to the mobile electronic device. An advantageous mobile electronic device is, in particular, designed as a mobile phone or a computer.Furthermore, mobile handheld scanners or tablets can be suitably designed and used to transmit the unique identifier 18 of the anilox roller 6 to the radio signal receiver 50 of the identification device 16 via the radio signal transmitter 52. In particular, an individual display device 38 is provided for each anilox roller 6. According to a preferred embodiment, such a display device 38 is directly combined with an identification card 24, as shown in Figures 7 to 9 and 11. The display device 38 preferably includes the identification device 22, as is the case, in particular, with the combined identification card 24.

[0135] Preferably, the display device 38 is configured such that the optically detectable encoding 28, in particular as shown in Figures 8 and 12, can be displayed by means of the display device 38. Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that at least one individual specific data value of the anilox roller 6 can be displayed by means of the display device 38.

[0136] Advantageously, the display device 38, as shown in Figures 7 to 9 and 11, has at least one digital display 51. Alternatively or additionally, the display device 38 may have a storage unit. The storage unit is not shown in Figures 7 to 9 and 11. Advantageously, the storage unit may store at least the unique identifier 18 of the anilox roller 6, in particular the optically detectable code 28 of the anilox roller 6, and / or at least one individual specific data value of the respective anilox roller 6. In particular, the digital display 51 is connected to the storage unit. Preferably, at least the unique identifier 18 of the anilox roller 6, in particular the optically detectable code 28 of the anilox roller 6, and / or at least the individual specific data value can be displayed via the digital display 51.

[0137] Advantageously, the display device 38 can be card-shaped and preferably arranged on the rotary printing press 1 with a card slot 40 and / or a magnetic fastening device 42, 44, particularly analogous to the identification card 24. Fig. 12 shows a particularly advantageous embodiment of the arrangement of the optically detectable encoding 28 on an identification card 24 or on a display device 38 preferably designed as an identification card 24. Here, the display device 38 is essentially card-sized, with a back side 53 facing a wall 54 of the rotary printing press 1, and the display device 38 having a display, preferably a digital display 51, opposite the back side 53.Advantageously, the optically detectable encoding 28 is arranged on the rear side 53 of the display device 38 and faces the wall 54 of the rotary printing press 1. Advantageously, when the display device 38 is arranged on the wall 54 of the rotary printing press 1, the optically detectable encoding 28 is located within the detection range of a detector 20 designed as an optical sensor 26, so that the anilox roller 6 can be uniquely detected by the identification device 16 and assigned to the respective inking unit 4.

[0138] It goes without saying that mobile, especially wireless, electronic devices, such as a handheld scanner, a mobile phone and / or the aforementioned display device 38, have an internal power supply, in particular in the form of a rechargeable battery or a battery.

[0139] Figures 8 and 9 show a further variant of the display device 38. As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the display device 38 preferably comprises an RFID receiver 6, in particular an NFC receiver, by means of which the display device 38 is connected / connectable to the data storage device 12 and / or the control unit 10. The display device 38, the data storage device 12 and / or the control unit 10 are configured such that at least the unique identifier 18 of the anilox roller 6 and / or an individual specific data value of the anilox roller 6 can be received by the display device 38 and stored on the storage unit of the display device 38, so that at least the unique identifier 18 of the anilox roller 6, in particular the optically detectable code 28 of the anilox roller 6 and / or an individual specific data value of the anilox roller 6 can be displayed by means of the digital display 50.It has proven particularly advantageous that the RFID receiver, in particular the NFC receiver, for connection with the data storage 12 and / or the control unit 10, can simultaneously also be designed as an RFID transmitter 36, in particular as an NFC transmitter, for connection with the identification device 16, so that the transmission of the unique identifier 18 of the anilox roller 6 to the identification device 16 is also made possible at the same time.

[0140] Alternatively and / or additionally, the display device 38 includes a radio signal communication module 58, preferably a WLAN and / or WPAN communication module. The radio signal communication module 58 has the advantage that the display device 38 can be connected, at least indirectly, to the data storage 12 and / or the control unit 10, particularly via the data network 32 or the cloud 48. This embodiment is shown schematically by way of example in Fig. 9. Advantageously, it is provided that at least one individual, specific data value can be received via the radio signal communication module 58 of the display device 38, stored in the storage unit, and displayed via the digital display 51.

[0141] With regard to the arrangement of the identification card 24 and / or the display device 38, it is within the scope of the invention that their arrangement is not limited to direct placement on the rotary printing press 1. For example, the card slot(s) 40 and / or the second magnetic fastening device(s) 44 can also be designed and arranged in the same way on an end device (not shown) connected to the rotary printing press 1.

[0142] Preferably, as schematically illustrated in Figures 12 and 13, the control unit 10 and / or the data storage device 12 are designed and configured such that the individual, specific data values ​​of the anilox rollers 6 stored in the data storage device 12 can be displayed to a user, particularly via a user interface 60. It is especially preferred that the individual, specific data can be displayed to the user via the user interface 60 independently of the control unit 10 and, more preferably, also edited by the user. Preferably, the user can access the data storage device 12 via the user interface 60.

[0143] In Figures 2 and 3, preferred variants are shown, according to which the rotary printing machine 1 has at least one, in particular four, screens 62, which may also expediently be designed as part of the user interface 60.

[0144] In particular, it can be provided that the user interface 60 comprises at least one screen 62 for each inking unit 4. The four screens 62 shown in Figures 2 and 3 can advantageously be arranged such that one screen 62 is assigned to each inking unit 4, so that the individual specific data values ​​of the anilox rollers 6 arranged in the respective inking unit 4 can be displayed via the corresponding screens 62.

[0145] Fig. 13 shows an alternative or supplementary embodiment. Here, it is advantageously provided that the user interface 60 comprises at least one transmitting unit 66 connected to / connectable to a receiving unit 64, and that the receiving unit 64 is preferably designed as an electronic device, such as a mobile phone or a computer. Preferably, the receiving unit 64 is designed as the display device 38, in particular as the display device 38 designed as an identification card 24. The receiving unit 64 and the transmitting unit 66 can advantageously communicate with each other or exchange data via WLAN or WPAN or RFID, in particular NFC, or the data network 32 or the cloud 48.

[0146] Within the scope of the invention, it is expedient to provide that the individual specific data values ​​of the anilox roller 6 include at least one individual specific data value about the line spacing or screen ruling or screen length and / or the travel distance and / or the running time and / or the volume of the anilox roller or ink volume and / or the actual or recorded volume of the anilox roller or ink volume and / or the travel distance since the last cleaning and / or the running time since the last cleaning and / or the date of the last cleaning and / or the last print job, in particular the inking unit 4 used and / or the last ink picked up.

[0147] It is also provided within the scope of the invention that the individual specific data values ​​of the anilox roller 6 include at least one individual specific data value about defects of the anilox roller 6, in particular data values ​​about the type of defects, for example damage to an anilox surface of the anilox roller 6, in particular "scoring lines" and / or deformations of the anilox roller 6 and / or wear and / or contamination of the anilox roller 6 and / or an irregularity of the engraving of the anilox roller 6 and / or a loss of elasticity of the anilox roller 6 and / or a positioning of the respective defect(s).

[0148] Preferably, the individual specific data values ​​of the anilox roller 6 are each or partially provided with a timestamp. Preferably in combination with the timestamps, it can also be provided that at least one histone of the individual specific data values ​​is stored in the data memory 12.

[0149] According to embodiment variants not shown in detail, the data storage device 12 is directly integrated into the control unit 10 and / or into the rotary printing press 1, and / or the data storage device 12 is designed as a storage medium that can be connected to the control unit 10, in particular a mobile storage medium, and / or the data storage device 12 is integrated into the data network 32, in particular local or external, or the cloud 48, wherein at least the control unit 10, and preferably also at least the user interface 60, has corresponding connection means for connecting to the data storage device 12.

[0150] Fig. 14 schematically shows the sequence of a method 100 according to the invention for operating a rotary printing press 1. The rotary printing press 1 has at least one inking unit 4 for the interchangeable mounting of an anilox roller 6 and an impression cylinder 8 assigned to the respective inking unit 4. The rotary printing press 1 is preferably a rotary printing press 1 according to one of the preceding embodiments. The method comprises at least the following steps:

[0151] 102 - Connecting at least one data storage device 12 to a control unit 10 of the rotary printing press 1, wherein specific data values ​​of available mountable anilox rollers 6 can be stored in the data storage device 12,

[0152] 104 - Mounting an anilox roller 6 in each inking unit 4 required for the printing job,

[0153] 106 - Setting up a print job via control unit 10 and

[0154] 108 - Printing the material web 2.

[0155] The sequence of process steps 102, 104, 106, 108 is not limited to the sequence mentioned above or shown in Fig. 14, but can logically and functionally be carried out in a different order. In particular, the setup of the print job can also provide that the print job is set up on a print preparation device, for example a computer, and transferred to the control unit 10, for example via the data network 32.

[0156] According to the invention, method 100 provides that

[0157] 110 - by means of a measuring and / or evaluation device 14, at least one individual specific data value of at least one anilox roller 6 is recorded during the printing job. The control unit 10 used for the method is designed such that

[0158] 112 - during or upon completion of the printing job, at least one recorded individual specific data value of this anilox roller 6 is stored in the data memory 12 and / or individual specific data values ​​of the respective anilox roller 6 already stored in the data memory 12 are updated and / or supplemented. By means of this method 100 according to the invention, the advantages mentioned at the outset with regard to the rotary printing press 1 according to the invention are achieved.

[0159] According to a further development of method 100, it is provided that at least one individual specific data value for all anilox rollers 6 is recorded by means of the measuring and / or evaluation device 14 during the printing job. In this case, the control unit 10 used in method 100 is designed such that, during or at the end of the printing job, the at least one recorded individual specific data value of the anilox rollers 6 used for the printing job is stored in the data memory 12 and / or individual specific data values ​​already stored in the data memory 12 for the respective anilox rollers 6 are updated and / or supplemented.

[0160] A further preferred variant is one in which the measuring and / or evaluation device 14 measures individual specific data values ​​about the running time and / or the mileage, in particular since the last cleaning and / or the last printing job, preferably the respective inking unit 4 and / or the last ink applied, and the control unit 10 stores these specific data values ​​individually for each anilox roller 6 in the data memory 12.

[0161] Furthermore, it may be provided that the measuring and / or evaluation device 14 determines individual specific data values ​​about defects of the anilox roller 6, in particular data values ​​about the type of defects, for example damage to an anilox surface of the anilox roller 6, in particular "scoring lines" and / or damage to the anilox surface of the anilox roller 6, in particular "scoring lines" and / or deformation of the anilox roller 6 and / or wear of the anilox roller 6 and / or contamination of the anilox roller 6 and / or irregularity of the engraving of the anilox roller 6 and / or loss of elasticity of the anilox roller 6 and / or positioning of the respective defect(s), and that the control unit 10 stores these specific data values ​​individually for each anilox roller 6 in the data memory 12.Preferably, the measuring and / or evaluation unit 14 and / or the control unit 10 are used to logically link the recorded specific data values ​​of the respective anilox roller 6 with data values ​​about the print job performed and a timestamp. In particular, this allows, for example, the determination of when a defect in the anilox roller 6 first occurred or when the first indication of a possible defect appeared, and / or in which inking unit 4 the respective anilox roller 6 was installed at the time of the first occurrence of the defect or the first indication of a possible defect. This allows not only the maintenance and cleaning processes of the anilox rollers 6 to be improved, but also the rotary printing press 1 itself, in particular the inking units 4 and / or the print job and / or the operating conditions, to be optimized.

[0162] The process is simplified by including a single procedural step.

[0163] 114 - by means of an identification device 16 before or immediately after the assembly 104 of the anilox roller 6, the assembly 104 of the anilox roller 6 in the respective inking unit 4 is checked and it is clearly determined which anilox roller 6 is installed or will be installed in which inking unit 4.

[0164] Furthermore, a specific process step 116 provides that, after completion of the print job, an evaluation of the updated specific data values ​​is carried out and an anilox roller report is generated. The anilox roller report can be displayed, in particular, on a screen; for example, the use of a user interface 60 of the aforementioned rotary printing press 1 is particularly suitable for this purpose.

[0165] It may additionally or alternatively be provided that the anilox roller report is stored in the data storage 12, in particular the anilox roller report includes the specific data values ​​after the printing job has been carried out, preferably also maintenance and cleaning instructions for the anilox roller 6 after the printing job has been carried out and / or at least newly detected defects of the anilox roller 6 after or during the printing job.

[0166] It can also be provided that the measuring and / or evaluation device 14 is designed such that, upon detection of a defect or a potential defect, an indicator signal, for example an illuminated light and / or an alarm tone, immediately points to the defect or the potential defect. Preferably, the respective defect and / or the indication of this potential defect is displayed on a screen, in particular via the user interface 60.

[0167] It may also be provided that the control unit 10 is designed in such a way that, if the measuring and / or evaluation device 14 detects an error or a possible error, the print job is interrupted.

[0168] The invention is not limited to the illustrated and described embodiments, but also encompasses all embodiments that have the same effect within the meaning of the invention. The embodiments are not limited to the combination of all features; rather, each individual partial feature can also have inventive relevance independently of all other partial features. Furthermore, the invention is not limited to the combination of features defined in the independent claims, but can also be defined by any other combination of specific features of all disclosed individual features.Within the scope of the entire disclosure, features and details described in connection with the method according to the invention naturally also apply in connection with the printing press according to the invention, and vice versa, so that the disclosure always makes, or can make, reciprocal references to the individual aspects of the invention. Consequently, any individual feature of claim 1, 26, or 32 can be omitted and / or replaced by at least one individual feature disclosed elsewhere in the application.

Claims

Rotary printing machine for printing on material webs > Patent claims 1. Rotary printing press (1), in particular a gravure printing press or a flexographic printing press, for printing on webs of material (2), comprising at least one inking unit (4) for the interchangeable mounting of an anilox roller (6), further comprising an impression cylinder (8) assigned to the respective inking unit (4), further comprising a control unit (10) for carrying out a print job for printing on the web of material (2), wherein the control unit (10) is connectable / connected to at least one data storage device (12), wherein individual specific data values ​​of available mountable anilox rollers (6) can be stored in the data storage device (12), characterized by at least one measuring and / or evaluation device (14) for recording at least one individual specific data value of at least one anilox roller (6) used in the print job during the print job, wherein the control unit (10) is designed such thatthat during or upon completion of the print job, the captured individual specific data value of this anilox roller (6) can be stored in the data memory (12) and / or individual specific data values ​​already stored in the data memory (12) for the respective anilox roller (6) can be updated and / or supplemented.

2. Rotary printing press (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the measuring and / or evaluation device (14) is designed to record at least one individual specific data value for all anilox rollers (6) used for the printing job, wherein the control unit (10) is designed such that during or at the completion of the printing job, the at least one individual specific data value of the respective anilox rollers (6) used for the printing job is stored and / or individual specific data values ​​already stored in the data memory (12) for these anilox rollers (6) are updated and / or supplemented.

3. Rotary printing press (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the control unit (10) has at least one identification device (16) for identifying a unique identifier (18) of the anilox rollers (6) or the control unit (10) is connected to the at least one identification device (16) and the control unit (10) and the identification device (16) are designed in such a way that it is possible to clearly determine which anilox roller (6) is or will be mounted in which inking unit (4).

4. Rotary printing press (1 ) according to claim 2, characterized in that the identification device (16) comprises at least one detector (20) by means of which the unique identifier (18) of the anilox roller (6) can be read from an identification device (22) attributable to the respective anilox roller (6).

5. Rotary printing press (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the detector (20) is designed on a mobile electronic device, in particular a mobile phone or a handheld scanner (30) or a barcode reader, wherein the mobile electronic device is preferably connected at least indirectly via a data cable connection or wirelessly or preferably via a data network (32) to the control unit (10) and / or to the identification device (16).

6. Rotary printing machine (1 ) according to claim 5, characterized in that the detector (20) is designed as an optical sensor (26), wherein the identification device (22) comprises an optically detectable encoding (28), in particular a machine-readable encoding, preferably a barcode or DataMatrix code or a QR code, and wherein the optical sensor (26) is preferably a camera.

7. Rotary printing press (1 ) according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the detector (20) is designed as an RFID receiver (34), in particular an NFC receiver, wherein the identification device (22) comprises a correspondingly designed RFID transmitter (36), in particular an NFC transmitter.

8. Rotary printing press (1 ) according to one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the identification device (16) has a number of detectors (20) corresponding to the number of inking units (4), wherein one detector (20) is assigned to each inking unit (4).

9. Rotary printing press (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that a detector (20) is arranged in an area of ​​each inking unit (4) such that the unique identifier (18) of the anilox roller (6) is in a state of the anilox roller (6) mounted in the respective inking unit (4) can be read from the respective identification device (22).

10. Rotary printing press (1 ) according to one of claims 8, characterized in that the identification device (22) is formed on individual identification cards (24) assigned to the anilox rollers (6), wherein the identification card (24) in particular comprises at least the optically detectable encoding (28) and / or an RFID, in particular NFC transmitter (36) and the identification cards (24) can be inserted into card slots (40) arranged on the rotary printing press (1 ), preferably each having at least one detector (20), and / or can be attached to the rotary printing press (1 ) by means of magnetic fastening devices (42, 44).

11. Rotary printing press (1) according to one of claims 3 to 10, characterized in that the identification device (16) comprises a network interface (46) for connection to the data network (32) or a cloud (48), wherein the identification device (16) and the control unit (10) are designed such that, via the network interface (46), a unique identifier (18) assigned to the respective anilox roller (6) can be received from an electronic device, in particular a mobile electronic device such as a mobile phone or a computer, integrated into the data network (32) or the cloud and assigned to a specific inking unit (4).

12. Rotary printing press (1) according to one of claims 3 to 11, characterized in that the identification device (16) comprises a radio signal receiver (50), in particular a WLAN or WPAN receiver, preferably a Bluetooth receiver, wherein the identification device (16) and the control unit (10) are configured such that, by means of the radio signal receiver (50), one of the The unique identifier (18) assigned to the respective anilox roller (6) can be received by a correspondingly designed radio signal transmitter (52) and assigned to a specific inking unit (4).

13. Rotary printing press (1 ) according to claim 12, characterized in that the identification device (16) and the control unit (10) are designed such that, by means of the radio signal receiver (50), a unique identifier (18) of the respective anilox roller (6) transmitted by a mobile electronic device having the radio signal transmitter (52), such as a mobile phone or a computer, can be received and assigned to a specific inking unit (4).

14. Rotary printing press (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an individual display device (38) is provided for each anilox roller (6), wherein the display device (38) has the identification device (22), in particular that the optically detectable coding (28) can be displayed by means of the display device (38) and / or that preferably at least one individual specific data value of the anilox roller (6) can be displayed by means of the display device (38).

15. Rotary printing press (1) according to claim 14, characterized in that the display device (38) has at least one digital display (51) and / or a storage unit, wherein at least the unique identifier (18) of the anilox roller (6), in particular the optically detectable encoding (28) of the anilox roller (6) and / or at least one individual specific data value of the respective anilox roller (6) is stored on the storage unit, wherein at least the unique identifier (18) of the anilox roller is displayed via the digital display (51). (6), in particular the optically detectable coding (28) of the anilox roller (6) and / or at least one individual specific data value can be displayed.

16. Rotary printing press (1) according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that the display device (38) comprises an RFID receiver, in particular an NFC receiver, by means of which the display device (38) is connected / connectable to the data storage (12) and / or the control unit (10) and is configured such that at least the unique identifier (18) of the anilox roller (6) and / or an individual specific data value of the anilox roller (6) can be received and stored on the storage unit, so that at least the unique identifier (18) of the anilox roller (6), in particular the optically detectable encoding (28) of the anilox roller (6) and / or an individual specific data value of the anilox roller (6) can be displayed via the digital display (51).

17. Rotary printing press (1 ) according to one of claims 14 to 16, characterized in that the display device (38) comprises a radio signal communication module (58), preferably a WLAN and / or WPAN communication module, by means of which the display device (38) is at least indirectly, in particular via the data network (32), connected / connectable to the data storage (12) and / or the control unit (10), so that at least one individual specific data value of the anilox roller (6) can be received by means of the display device (38), stored on the storage unit and displayed via the digital display (51 ).

18. Rotary printing press (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control unit (10) and / or the data storage unit (12) is designed and configured in such a way that the individual specific data values ​​of the anilox rollers (6) stored in the data storage unit (12) can be displayed to a user, in particular via a user interface (60).

19. Rotary printing press (1 ) according to claim 18, characterized in that the user interface (60) comprises at least one screen (62) arranged on the rotary printing press (1 ), in particular at least one screen (62) for each inking unit (4).

20. Rotary printing press (1 ) according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that the user interface (60) comprises at least one transmitting unit (66) connected / connectable to a receiving unit (64) and the receiving unit (64) is designed in particular as an electronic device, such as a mobile phone or a computer.

21. Rotary printing press (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the individual specific data values ​​of the anilox roller (6) comprise at least one individual specific data value about the line spacing or screen ruling or screen length and / or the travel distance and / or the running time and / or the volume of the anilox roller or inking volume and / or the actual or recorded volume of the anilox roller or inking volume and / or the travel distance since the last cleaning and / or the running time since the last cleaning and / or the date of the last cleaning and / or the last print job, in particular the inking unit (4) used and / or the last ink picked up.

22. Rotary printing press (1) according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the individual specific data values ​​of the anilox roller (6) comprise at least one individual specific data value about defects of the anilox roller (6), in particular data values ​​about the type of defects, for example damage to an anilox surface of the anilox roller (6), in particular "scoring lines" and / or deformation of the anilox roller (6) and / or wear and / or contamination of the anilox roller (6) and / or irregularity of the engraving of the anilox roller (6) and / or loss of elasticity of the anilox roller (6) and / or positioning of the respective defect(s).

23. Rotary printing press (1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the individual specific data values ​​of the anilox roller (6) are provided with a timestamp.

24. Rotary printing press (1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one histone about the individual specific data values ​​is stored in the data storage (12).

25. Rotary printing press (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the data storage device (12) is directly integrated into the control unit (10) and / or into the rotary printing press (1) and / or that the data storage device (12) is connectable to the control unit (10), in particular mobile storage medium and / or that the data storage (12) is integrated into the, in particular local or external, data network (32) or the cloud (48), wherein the control unit (10) and the data storage (12) have corresponding connecting means for connecting the control unit (10) to the data storage (12).

26. Method (100) for operating a rotary printing press (1), in particular according to one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one inking unit (4) for the interchangeable mounting of an anilox roller (6), further comprising an impression cylinder (8) assigned to the respective inking unit (4), comprising at least the steps: - Connecting (102) at least one data storage device (12) to a control unit (10) of the rotary printing press (1), wherein specific data values ​​of available mountable anilox rollers (6) can be stored in the data storage device (12), - Assembly (104) of an anilox roller (6) in each inking unit (4) required for the printing job, - Setting up (106) a print job via the control unit (10) and printing (108) on the material web (2), characterized in that at least one individual specific data value of at least one anilox roller (6) is recorded (110) during the print job by means of a measuring and / or evaluation device (14), wherein the control unit (10) is designed such that during or at the end of the print job the at least one recorded individual specific data value of this anilox roller (6) is stored (112) in the data memory (12) and / or individual specific data values ​​already stored in the data memory (12) for the respective anilox roller (6) are updated (112) and / or supplemented (112).

27. Method according to claim 26, characterized in that by means of the measuring and / or evaluation device (14) during the printing job, at least one individual specific data value for all anilox rollers (6) is recorded (110), wherein the control unit (10) is designed such that during or at the end of the printing job, the at least one recorded individual specific data value of the anilox rollers (6) used for the printing job is stored (112) in the data memory (12) and / or individual specific data values ​​already stored in the data memory (12) for the respective anilox rollers (6) are updated (112) and / or supplemented (112).

28. Method according to claim 25, characterized in that the measuring and / or evaluation device (14) measures individual specific data values ​​about the running time and / or the mileage, in particular since the last cleaning and / or the last printing job, preferably the respective inking unit (4) and / or the last ink picked up, and the control unit (10) stores these specific data values ​​individually for each anilox roller (6) in the data storage device (12).

29. Method according to one of claims 26 to 28, characterized in that the measuring and / or evaluation device (14) measures individual specific data values ​​about defects of the anilox roller (6), in particular data values ​​about the type of defects, for example damage to an anilox surface of the anilox roller (6), in particular "scoring lines" and / or deformation of the anilox roller (6) and / or wear of the anilox roller (6) and / or contamination of the anilox roller (6) and / or irregularity of the engraving of the anilox roller (6) and / or loss of elasticity of the anilox roller (6) and / or positioning of the respective defect(s), and the control unit (10) stores these specific data values ​​individually for each anilox roller (6) in the data memory (12).

30. Method according to any one of claims 26 to 29, characterized in that, by means of an identification device (16) before or immediately after the mounting of the anilox roller (6), the mounting of the anilox roller (6) in the respective inking unit (4) is checked and it is clearly determined (114) which anilox roller (6) is mounted or will be mounted in which inking unit (4).

31. Method according to one of claims 25 to 30, characterized in that after completion of the print job, an evaluation of the updated specific data values ​​is carried out and an anilox roller report is created (116), displayed via a display and in particular stored in the data storage (12), in particular the anilox roller report includes the specific data values ​​after the completed print job, preferably also maintenance and cleaning instructions for the anilox roller (6) after the completed print job and / or at least after or during the print job newly detected defects of the anilox roller (6).

32. Printing press system for carrying out a method according to one of claims 26 to 31, comprising a rotary printing press (1 ) and a data storage device (12) connected to the rotary printing press (1 ), characterized by the features of the rotary printing press (1 ) and the data storage device (12) according to one of claims 1 to 25.

Images