Workflow Setting Synchronization for Print Parts
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the field of commercial printing, particularly in Print on Demand, existing workflow automation methods require significant time and effort to set up and modify print workflows for commercial materials like books, as changes to one part's settings necessitate corresponding adjustments in other parts, leading to inefficiencies and potential mistakes.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus and method that allows for dynamic setting changes in part information, automatically adjusting settings of other parts combined with it, reducing the workload and preventing errors by integrating a setting change unit and adjustment unit to synchronize changes across parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual calculation and setting of trim sizes for each part is performed, then accurate setting is achieved, but time and effort are significantly consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-calculates and stores the relationships between parts (cover, body, jacket, wrapper band) including trim sizes and thicknesses. When a part's settings are determined, the system automatically applies these pre-established relationships to calculate and set the corresponding settings for other parts, eliminating the need for manual calculation and significantly reducing workflow setup time while maintaining accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The workflow setting system automatically performs the calculation and setting of trim sizes for parts based on the settings of related parts. The system serves itself by using its own stored part relationship data to automatically determine settings, eliminating the need for operator intervention in calculations and reducing both time consumption and potential for human error.
2Adaptability or versatility
If settings of one part are modified after workflow completion, then adaptability is improved, but additional manual adjustments in other parts are required
Solution Approach 1:
The system establishes a feedback mechanism where modification of settings for one part automatically triggers recalculation and adjustment of settings for related parts based on stored part relationships. When an operator modifies a part's trim size or thickness, the system detects this change, retrieves the appropriate relationship data, and automatically updates the settings of dependent parts (cover, jacket, wrapper band), ensuring consistency throughout the workflow without requiring manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system has pre-established and stored the relationships between parts including how changes to one part affect others. This preliminary preparation of relationship data enables automatic propagation of setting changes, so when modification is needed, the system can immediately apply the correct adjustments to all related parts based on pre-calculated relationships, making the modification process efficient and error-free.
Data Source
AI summary
According to the present invention, an information processing apparatus for editing workflow information is provided that defines a procedure for combining pieces of part information with each other to create a product, the part information defining parts. The information processing apparatus is configured to change, for each part, settings of the part included in the part information, according to an operation; and adjust settings of another part that is to be combined with the part, according to a change that has been made to the settings of the part.