Printing Press Control Device Using Operational Data for Dampening Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current printing press technologies face challenges in improving print quality without requiring additional sensors or hardware modifications, which limits their ability to adapt to changing conditions effectively.

Innovation Solution

A method and control device that estimate or predict setting parameters for the printing press, particularly the dampening solution quantity, based on previous operation data such as operating time, speed, downtime, and ambient temperature, allowing for dynamic adjustment without additional sensors or hardware changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If additional sensors or hardware modifications are installed to improve print quality monitoring and control, then measurement precision and manufacturing precision are improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprint qualityVSAvoidhardware modifications
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system uses existing operational data (operating time, speed, downtime, ambient temperature) to self-determine optimal dampening solution quantities without requiring external sensors or hardware additions. The system serves itself by leveraging data already collected during normal operation to automatically adjust printing parameters for improved print quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces physical measurement systems (sensors, hardware modifications) with a computational approach. Instead of mechanically measuring actual print quality or temperature with additional sensors, the system uses software-based estimation algorithms that calculate optimal settings from operational history data, substituting mechanical measurement with intelligent computation.

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If traditional fixed setting parameters are used for the printing press, then device complexity is kept simple, but adaptability to changing conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptation to changing conditionsVSAvoidcontrol system
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system transitions from static, fixed setting parameters to dynamic, adaptive parameters. The dampening solution quantity is no longer a fixed value but is continuously determined based on current operational conditions and historical data, allowing the system to adapt automatically to changing printing conditions, substrates, and environmental factors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where past operational results inform future parameter selections. By analyzing operating time, speed, downtime, and ambient temperature history, the control system learns from previous performance and automatically adjusts dampening solution quantities to optimize print quality under varying conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3424711B1Control equipment and method for operating a printing press
Publication Date: 2020.04.08 MANROLAND GOSS WEB SYST GMBH

AI summary

A method for operating a printing press, namely for printing a substrate in printing units of the printing press, wherein the printing units each comprise an inking unit and a dampening unit, and wherein setting parameters for the printing press are determined on the basis of which the printing press is operated for printing the substrate. At least one setting parameter for the printing press is estimated or predicted based on a previous operation of the printing press.