Print Mark Data Transmission for Printing Press Quality Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for transmitting process-related data during printing processes in a printing press are inadequate, as they often fail to provide timely and accurate information about the printing process status, leading to errors in product recognition and quality assessment, especially during disruptions.

Innovation Solution

A method for recording and transmitting process-related data using print marks, which includes a redundant check to ensure data accuracy, allowing for precise determination of print sheet status and quality, with data transmission occurring after the printing process to ensure correct assignment and processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If data is transmitted via barcode placed in the middle of the printed sheet, then product identification is enabled, but the system cannot determine whether print quality is OK when disruptions occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduct identification informationVSAvoidprint quality verification
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by printing reference marks and measurement marks on each sheet before the actual printing content, enabling quality verification to be conducted in advance during the printing process rather than after completion

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Reference marks and measurement marks serve as intermediaries between the printing process and quality verification system, providing objective reference points for measuring print quality parameters without interfering with the actual product content

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of information

If barcodes are used for data transmission, then product identification is achieved, but additional marks are required and precise control positions cannot be determined

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission capabilityVSAvoidadditional marks and positioning requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The reference marks and measurement marks serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide product identification, enable quality verification, facilitate positioning for further processing, and support disruption detection, eliminating the need for separate barcodes and positioning marks

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges product identification functionality with quality verification functionality into a single integrated system using reference marks and measurement marks, combining what were previously separate functions into one unified approach

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Loss of information

If the printing system uses data communication to transmit information, then unlimited data can be passed on, but it is difficult to assign data telegrams to physical paper positions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission volumeVSAvoidpaper position assignment accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces mechanical positioning methods with optical measurement systems that use measurement marks to precisely determine the physical position of each sheet, enabling accurate assignment of digital data telegrams to physical paper positions through optical detection rather than mechanical means

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Adaptability or versatility

If barcodes are added in real time during the screening process to differentiate the last copy of an order, then product differentiation is achieved, but it involves a lot of effort and places high demands on data management

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduct differentiation capabilityVSAvoiddata management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service by automatically detecting the last sheet of an order through the measurement and evaluation of reference marks and measurement marks, eliminating the need for complex real-time barcode generation and data management interventions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2759405B1Method for the capture and transmission of process control data prior to and/or within a print process for the production of printed products in a printing machine
Publication Date: 2018.09.19 MULLER MARTINI HLDG

AI summary

The method involves detecting process-control data from detection characteristics that are effectively connected to printed products, and transmitting and/or transferring data resulting from the detection characteristics to a processing unit arranged downstream of a location of printing process. Product-related data is detected within the printing process, and the product-related data is used for redundant checking of the data obtained from the detection characteristics. The detection characteristics is detected based on a prink mark.