Automated Sheet Stacker Conveyance for Personnel-Free Print Finishing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet stacking apparatuses require manual movement by workers, leading to personnel burden during transshipment from a cart to a paper supply unit.
Innovation Solution
A general printing management device that generates conveyance instruction information for automatically moving sheet stacking apparatuses from a printer to a next processing machine using automatic guided conveying apparatuses, considering factors like sheet size, thickness, orientation, and processing machine specifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual transshipment by worker is used, then flexibility in handling is improved, but personnel burden increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sheet stacking apparatus automatically performs sheet stacking and cart movement without worker intervention. The control unit autonomously controls the sheet stacking mechanism to stack ejected sheets and the cart movement mechanism to move the cart to the paper supply unit, enabling the system to serve itself and eliminate personnel burden while maintaining operational flexibility through programmable control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical transshipment with an automated control system that uses sensors, control units, and automated mechanisms. The control unit receives information about printed matter and automatically controls the sheet stacking and cart movement, substituting human mechanical action with an automated electromechanical system that reduces personnel burden while preserving handling flexibility
2Device complexity
If automatic guided conveying apparatus is used, then personnel saving is achieved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyance management device serves multiple functions: it manages multiple automatic guided conveying apparatuses, receives conveyance instruction information from the sheet stacking apparatus, determines appropriate apparatus selection and routing, and transmits control information to execute conveyance. This multi-functional design consolidates automation complexity into a single management system while achieving personnel savings across the entire sheet handling process
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyance management device acts as an intermediary between the sheet stacking apparatus and the automatic guided conveying apparatuses. It receives conveyance instructions, determines the appropriate conveying apparatus and routing, and transmits control information to execute the conveyance. This intermediary layer manages system complexity by providing a centralized control interface while enabling automated personnel-free sheet transport
3Productivity
If sheet stacking apparatus is automatically conveyed, then productivity increases, but sheet stability during conveyance becomes critical
Solution Approach 1:
The sheet stacking apparatus is designed with a structure that prevents sheet collapse before conveyance occurs. The control unit controls the sheet stacking mechanism to stack sheets in a stable configuration and positions the stacked sheets properly on the cart before the automatic guided conveying apparatus begins movement. This preparatory stabilization ensures sheets remain stable during high-speed conveyance, enabling increased productivity without compromising sheet integrity
4Loss of time
If conveyance management device determines apparatus selection, then routing efficiency improves, but information processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyance management device performs preliminary determination of apparatus selection and routing before conveyance execution. It receives conveyance instruction information containing details about the sheet stacking apparatus and destination, pre-determines the appropriate automatic guided conveying apparatus and optimal routing path, and then transmits the finalized control information for execution. This preliminary processing optimizes routing efficiency by eliminating delays during actual conveyance while managing information complexity through structured advance decision-making
Data Source
AI summary
Personnel saving of a process from a printer to a sheet processing machine is achieved. A general printing management device is connected to be communicable with a conveyance management device that manages a plurality of automatic guided vehicles each conveying a stacker in which paper ejected from a printer is stackable. The general printing management device generates conveyance instruction information for conveying a stacker in which paper ejected from the printer is stacked from a sheet receiving position of the printer to a sheet supply position of a next processing machine, based on job information in which a manufacturing process procedure for manufacturing a printed product is registered, and transmits the conveyance instruction information to the conveyance management device.