Printing Press Drive Synchronization via Virtual Master Axis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drive synchronization methods for printing machines, particularly those involving continuous paper webs, face technical difficulties when starting production, as the cutting and folding blades must move relative to the paper web, leading to complex communication structures and separate bus systems that are inefficient and prone to errors.
Innovation Solution
Selecting an individual drive as a reference drive within the drive network, generating a virtual master axis position and speed profile independently, and distributing a reference speed to all drives to synchronize their movements, eliminating the need for additional bus systems and simplifying communication structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If separate bus systems are used for position reference and drive control, then synchronization accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the position reference transmission and drive control communication into a single bus system. The master axis controller generates movement profiles that include both position reference information and control commands, which are transmitted through the same communication bus to all slave drives, eliminating the need for separate communication channels while maintaining synchronization accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication bus is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it transmits position references, speed commands, acceleration profiles, and status information between the master axis controller and slave drives. This multi-functional approach replaces the traditional separate bus systems, reducing overall system complexity while preserving all necessary communication capabilities for precise synchronization.
2Reliability
If multiple bus systems are implemented for drive synchronization, then reliability of position reference is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges position reference transmission and control signaling into a single integrated bus system, reducing the number of communication channels from multiple to one. This simplifies system configuration and operation while maintaining reliability through the use of standardized communication protocols and error handling mechanisms built into the unified bus architecture.
3Manufacturing precision
If separate position references are provided to each drive, then synchronization precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The master axis controller generates universal movement profiles that contain position, speed, and acceleration information applicable to all slave drives. These multi-functional command structures are transmitted through the communication bus to each slave drive, which then extracts the relevant synchronization parameters. This approach achieves precise synchronization without requiring separate position reference systems for each drive, thereby reducing control system complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
The method involves selecting an individual electrical drive from a drive group as a reference drive (1a). An offset of a reference drive location or a reference drive position of the reference drive to routing axis-speed (Wspdl) and a routing axis-position (Wposl) is considered during presetting of a routing axis-movement profile at the drive group. Each individual drive is provided with a synchronous location-control device, which is connected to a data communication bus (2) at an input side for receiving the routing axis-movement profile. An independent claim is also included for a drive system for execution of a method for synchronizing multiple individual drives in a common drive position in a printing press.