Automated Print Job Data Filtering for Makeready Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Print shops face inefficiencies in preparing repeat orders, leading to increased makeready times, waste, and low-quality prints due to the manual effort required in linking existing data with new job information, and the lack of automated solutions for reproducing gang run print jobs.
Innovation Solution
A method that involves providing multiple complementary data sets for reference jobs, generating unique fingerprints for data sets, and using automated filtering to create a second data set that can replace or add to the initial data set for print jobs, allowing for efficient reproduction of repeat orders and quality control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual preparation of print jobs from scratch is performed, then complete control over job settings is achieved, but makeready time and operational costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates digital copies of successful print job data sets and stores them in a database. When a new print job is prepared, the system automatically retrieves and reuses relevant data from these stored copies, eliminating the need to manually recreate settings from scratch and significantly reducing makeready time
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-processing and storing print job data in structured data sets during previous operations. This preliminary data preparation enables rapid retrieval and automatic assembly of job parameters when new print jobs are initiated, accelerating the preparation process
2Ease of operation
If automated data filtering is implemented, then manual effort is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments print job data into distinct, structured data sets with specific formats and categories. This segmentation allows the automated filtering system to efficiently process and match specific job parameters without requiring complex overall system design, as each data segment can be independently handled and retrieved
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary database layer that stores structured print job data sets. This intermediary structure mediates between the raw input data and the print job preparation process, enabling automated filtering and retrieval while keeping the overall system architecture manageable and organized
Data Source
AI summary
A method prepares a print job for a printing operation and includes providing at least one first data set associated with the print job and multiple reference data sets associated with reference jobs. The method is characterized in that it contains the steps of providing multiple mutually complementary data sets for each one of a plurality of reference jobs, automatically filtering the reference data sets of the plurality of reference jobs to provide at least one second data set, and using the second data set in the printing operation as a replacement of or an addition to the at least one first data set. The method provides a way of manufacturing high-quality printed products while saving time, e.g. makeready time for the printing operation, and costs, e.g. caused by unusable prints or low-quality prints.