EP3650223B1 - Method and device for checking the print on an article - Google Patents

Description

technical field

The present invention relates to systems for checking printing processes.

In particular, the present invention relates to a device and a method for checking printing on an article.

Technical background

The optical printing process check of freely configurable articles cannot fall back on databases of photographs of a standardized and quality standard corresponding printing of articles.

The DE 10 2011 075343 A1 describes a system for assessing a product example at the control station of a printing press with a tray for the product example to be assessed and with a monitor for displaying a print image reference simulating a printed image of the product example, and with a lamp illuminating the tray, which is used to emit light from several different types of light with at least one defined type of light and at least one defined intensity, a sensor for determining a type of light of the light incident on the support in the area of the sensor being provided in the area of the shelf.

The DE 10 2009 046594 A1 describes a method for controlling a printing process, by means of which a printing material is printed on the basis of data from a pre-press using a printing device, the print result on the printing material being compared with a target value and a correction value being derived therefrom, and the data from the pre-press being compared with the Correction value to be corrected.

The WO 2010 1149453 A describes a device for controlling a dosing device of an inking unit and/or dampening unit of a web-fed rotary printing press with a multiplicity of physical zones which are assigned to a printing unit and the amount of ink or dampening solution can be set individually by actuating elements, with forme cylinders assigned to the printing units, which print the printed images of at least three printed pages side by side.

An article can often be printed on a new, customer-specific configured article, which has not yet been produced or has only rarely been produced and for which there is therefore no image data for successful printing that corresponds to quality standards.

Manual training processes or conventional production control with optical systems and imaging methods as well as automatic optical inspection methods based on such image databases with a large number of images of correctly performed printing processes are therefore often not possible for freely configurable articles and often fail the availability of corresponding learning data and image databases.

Summary of the Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus and method for inspecting printing on an article.

This object is solved by the subject matter of the independent patent claims. Further developments and embodiments can be found in the dependent patent claims, the description and the figures of the drawings.

A first aspect of the present invention relates to a device for checking printing on an article, the device comprising a data supply device, a camera device and a computer device.

The data provision device is designed to provide printing data for the article from product data of the article, with the product data defining parameters, properties and design options of the article, with the product data defining and classifying an article according to customer-specific configuration.

The camera device is designed to record an image of an article printed by a printing process and to provide the image as image data. The image of the printed article is digitized using an electronic image converter or image sensor and is provided in the form of image data.

The computer device is designed to carry out a quality check of the printing process based on a comparison of the printing data with the image data provided. The computer device is designed to carry out automatic optical inspection procedures for the correct printing of the article.

The present invention makes it possible, on the basis of product data for a customer-specific assembled product, to monitor printing on the product using predicted properties, without requiring learning data from previously carried out and previously recorded printings.

The reliability of the monitoring of the printing process can be increased in this way. Control units can reliably detect an error in the printing without ever having carried out a corresponding printing on the printed article beforehand.

This offers a monitoring function for the printing process, which allows process control of the printing of articles newly created using the configurator or variant configurator, especially in the area of freely configurable and customer-specific assembled products.

The present invention enables a quality check of the printing and a quality check of other article properties, with the required information being derived, for example, from product data present in a neutral format or neutral data format. This means that newly created items can also be tested without the test system having to be manually taught in. There is therefore no need for prototypes of the article, which are only used to obtain a reference image from a correctly printed article.

Advantageous configurations of the present invention can be found in the dependent claims.

In an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the computer device is designed to create a virtual image of the article based on the printing data for the quality check of the printing process and to compare the virtual image of the article with the image of the article recorded by the camera device . This advantageously also makes it possible to subject freely configurable items to a printing process control, be it with limited or unlimited configurability, and to check the printing even when a new item is produced without requiring a large number of reference images that depict a correct printed image on model items.

In an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the product data is provided in a neutral data format.

1. i) XML-Format; und/oder
2. ii) plattformunabhängiges Datenformat; und/oder
3. iii) implementationsunabhängiges Datenformat; und/oder
4. iv) M2M-Datenformat

umfasst. Ein M2M-Datenformat, auch als "Machine-to-Machine-Datenformat" bezeichnet Daten, welche in einem Format abgespeichert sind, welches die direkte Kommunikation zwischen zwei Maschinen oder Datenverarbeitungsanlagen ermöglicht, d.h. ohne dass ein Mensch Prozessschritte starten, ausführen oder überwachen muss.In an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the neutral data format

1. i) XML format; and or
2. ii) platform-independent data format; and or
3. iii) implementation-independent data format; and or
4. iv) M2M data format

includes. An M2M data format, also referred to as "machine-to-machine data format" Data that is stored in a format that enables direct communication between two machines or data processing systems, ie without a person having to start, execute or monitor process steps.

An advantageous embodiment of the present invention provides that the data provision device is designed to be coupled to a printing machine used for the printing process and to receive and provide machine-specific imprinting data and/or printing process-specific imprinting data from the printing machine. This advantageously enables the predictive printing process control to be adapted to the printing press used in each case and/or the printing process used in each case.

In an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the computer device is designed to carry out the quality check of the printing process based on a comparison of the received machine-specific printing data and/or the received printing process-specific printing data with the image data. This advantageously enables the predictive printing process control to be adapted to the printing press used in each case and/or the printing process used in each case.

In an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the computer device is designed to carry out a quality check of article properties of the article based on a comparison of the printing data with the image data.

A second aspect of the present invention provides a method for checking the printing on an article, the method comprising the following method steps:
As a first method step, printing data for the article is provided from the product data of the article by means of a data provision device. Optionally, the product data is available in a neutral data format.

As a second method step, an image of an article printed by a printing process is recorded by a camera device and image data based on the recorded image is provided by the camera device.

As a third method step, a quality check of the printing process is carried out based on a comparison of the printing data with the image data using a computer device, with the product data defining parameters, properties and design options of the article, with the product data defining and classifying an article according to customer-specific configuration.

• Erstellen eines virtuellen Abbildes des Artikels basierend auf den Bedruckungsdaten mittels der Rechnereinrichtung; und
• Vergleichen des virtuellen Abbildes des Artikels mit dem von der Kameraeinrichtung aufgenommenen Abbild mittels der Rechnereinrichtung.

In an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the method further comprises the following method steps:

• creating a virtual image of the article based on the printing data using the computer device; and
• Comparing the virtual image of the article with the image recorded by the camera device using the computer device.

1. i) XML-Format; und/oder
2. ii) plattformunabhängiges Datenformat; und/oder
3. iii) implementationsunabhängiges Datenformat; und/oder
4. iv) M2M-Datenformat

umfasst.In an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the method provides printing data in the neutral data format and the neutral data format

1. i) XML format; and or
2. ii) platform-independent data format; and or
3. iii) implementation-independent data format; and or
4. iv) M2M data format

includes.

• Empfangen von maschinenspezifischen Bedruckungsdaten und/oder Druckprozess-spezifische Bedruckungsdaten von einer für den Druckprozess verwendeten Druckmaschine; und
• Bereitstellen der von der Druckmaschine empfangenen maschinenspezifischen Bedruckungsdaten und/oder Druckprozess-spezifischen Bedruckungsdaten.

In an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the method further comprises the following method steps:

• receiving machine-specific printing data and/or printing process-specific printing data from a printing machine used for the printing process; and
• Providing the machine-specific printing data and/or printing process-specific printing data received from the printing machine.

In an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the method further comprises the following method steps:
Carrying out the quality check of the printing process based on a comparison of the received machine-specific printing data and/or the received printing process-specific printing data with the image data recorded by the camera.

• Auszulesen von in dem Druckprozess durchzuführenden Arbeitsschritte aus den Produktdaten des Artikels mittels der Datenbereitstellungseinrichtung; und
• Beschränken der Qualitätsprüfung des Druckprozesses auf die durchzuführenden Arbeitsschritte mittels der Rechnereinrichtung.

In an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the method further comprises the following method steps:

• reading out work steps to be carried out in the printing process from the product data of the article by means of the data provision device; and
• Limiting the quality check of the printing process to the work steps to be carried out using the computer device.

The accompanying drawings are provided to provide a further understanding of the embodiments of the present invention.

The accompanying drawings illustrate embodiments and together with the description serve to explain concepts of the present invention.

Other embodiments and many of the advantages mentioned will become apparent in view of the figures of the drawings. The illustrated elements of the drawing figures are not necessarily shown to scale with respect to one another.

Brief description of the figures

Fig. 1:

eine schematische Darstellung einer Vorrichtung zum Prüfen einer Bedruckung eines Artikels gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel der vorliegenden Erfindung; und

Fig. 2:

eine schematische Darstellung eines Flussdiagramms eines Verfahrens zum Prüfen einer Bedruckung eines Artikels gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel der vorliegenden Erfindung; und

Fig. 3:

eine schematische Darstellung einer Datenstruktur zum Prüfen einer Bedruckung eines Artikels.

Show it:

Figure 1:

a schematic representation of a device for checking a print on an article according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

Figure 2:

a schematic representation of a flow chart of a method for checking a print on an article according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

Figure 3:

a schematic representation of a data structure for checking a print on an article.

Detailed description of the exemplary embodiments

In the figures of the drawings, the same reference symbols denote the same or functionally identical elements, parts, components or method steps, unless otherwise stated.

The term "neutral data format" as used by the present invention includes, for example, data or file formats for a neutral file exchange between units, such as computers, of a computer network.

The term "neutral data format" as used by the present invention can be understood, for example, as an intermediate file format to translate data between participating systems of the computer network, such as production systems or ordering systems - web shop - or internal data processing systems - backend.

In other words, a neutral file is generated from original data in other file formats. However, the target system can read and process the neutral file in contrast to the original data.

The term "product data", in particular product data of the article as used by the present invention, describes data which defines and classifies an article according to customer-specific configuration. In other words, the product data describes and identifies parameters, properties, and execution options of the item.

The 1 shows a schematic representation of a device for checking a print on an article according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The device 100 comprises a data provision device 10, a camera device 20 and a computer device 30.

The data provision device 10 is designed to provide printing data for the article from the product data of the article.

The camera device 20 is designed to record an image of an article printed by a printing process and to provide it as image data.

The computer device 30 is designed to carry out a quality check of the printing process based on a comparison of the printing data with the image data.

The present method enables the printing process control of freely configurable articles. The device can be coupled with computer-aided product manufacturing systems or a process structure for product manufacturing and Internet-based product configuration systems and provide autonomous and adaptable inspection systems via M2M communication.

The 2 shows a schematic representation of a flowchart of a method for checking printing on an article according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As a first method step, printing data for the article is provided S1 from product data of the article by means of a data provision device. Optionally, the product data is saved in a neutral data format.

The neutral data format can be, for example, an XML format, a platform-independent data format, an implementation-independent data format or an M2M data format.

As a second method step, an image of an article printed by a printing process is recorded S2 by a camera device and image data based on the recorded image is provided by the camera device.

As a third method step, a quality check of the printing process is carried out S3 based on a comparison of the printing data with the image data using a computer device.

The 3 shows a schematic representation of a data structure for checking a print on an article.

That in the 3 The data structure format shown can include product data of the article that is present in a neutral data format. Furthermore, the data structure format can be designed to be used by a method for checking printing on an article.

1. i) XML-Format; und/oder
2. ii) plattformunabhängiges Datenformat; und/oder
3. iii) implementationsunabhängiges Datenformat; und/oder
4. iv) M2M-Datenformat

umfassen.Furthermore, in the data structure format shown, the neutral data format can be used

1. i) XML format; and or
2. ii) platform-independent data format; and or
3. iii) implementation-independent data format; and or
4. iv) M2M data format

include.

The data structure format can include hierarchically structured product data in the format of a text file.

Claims (13)

1. An apparatus (100) for checking a print on an article, the apparatus (100) comprising:

   - a data provision device (10) adapted to provide printing data for the article from product data of the article, the product data defining parameters, characteristics, and design options of the article, the product data defining and classifying an article according to customer-specific configuration;

   - a camera device (20) adapted to capture and provide as image data an image of an article printed by a printing process; and

   - a computer device (30) adapted to perform a quality check of the printing process based on a comparison of the printing data with the image data.
2. Apparatus (100) according to claim 1,
   wherein the computer device (30) is adapted to create a virtual image of the article based on the printing data for the quality inspection of the printing process and to compare the virtual image of the article with the image of the article captured by the camera device (20).
3. Apparatus (100) according to any one of the preceding claims,

   wherein the data provision device is adapted to provide the printing data for the article from the product data of the article available in a neutral data format; and

   wherein preferably the neutral data format comprises a

   i) XML format; and/or

   ii) platform-independent data format; and/or

   iii) implementation independent data format; and/or

   iv) M2M data format.
4. Apparatus (100) according to any one of the preceding claims,
   wherein the data provision device (10) is adapted to be coupled to a printing machine used for the printing process and to receive and provide machine-specific printing data and/or printing process-specific printing data from the printing machine.
5. Apparatus (100) according to claim 4,
   wherein the computer device (30) is adapted to further perform the quality check of the printing process based on a comparison of the received machine-specific printing data and/or the received printing process-specific printing data with the image data.
6. Apparatus (100) according to any one of the preceding claims,

   wherein the data provision device is adapted to read out working steps to be carried out in the printing process from the product data of the article;

   wherein the computer device (30) is adapted to limit the quality check of the printing process to the work steps read out and to be performed.
7. Apparatus (100) according to any one of the preceding claims,
   wherein the computer device (30) is adapted to perform a quality check of article properties of the article based on a comparison of the printing data with the image data.
8. A method of checking a print on an article, the method comprising the following method steps:

   - providing (S1) printing data for the article from product data of the article by means of a data provision device;

   - capturing (S2) an image of an article printed by a printing process by means of camera device, and providing image data based on the captured image by means of the camera device; and

   - performing (S3) a quality check of the printing process based on a comparison of the printing data with the image data by means of a computer device; wherein the product data define parameters, properties, and design options of the article, the product data defining and classifying an article according to customer-specific configuration.
9. Method according to claim 8,
   the method further comprising the following method steps:

   creating a virtual image of the article based on the printing data using the computer device (30); and

   comparing the created virtual image of the article with the image captured by the camera device by means of the computer device.
10. Method according to claim 8 or 9,

    wherein the printing data for the article is provided from the product data of the article available in a neutral data format; and

    wherein preferably the neutral data format comprises a

    i) XML format; and/or

    ii) platform-independent data format; and/or

    iii) implementation independent data format; and/or

    iv) M2M data format.
11. Method according to any one of the preceding claims 8 to 10,
    the method further comprising the following method steps:

    receiving machine-specific printing data and/or printing process-specific printing data from a printing machine used for the printing process;

    providing the machine-specific printing data and/or printing process-specific printing data received from the printing machine.
12. Method according to claim 11,
    the method further comprising the following method steps:
    performing the quality check of the printing process further based on a comparison of the received machine-specific printing data and/or the received printing process-specific printing data with the image data captured by the camera.
13. Method according to any one of the preceding claims 8 to 12,
    the method further comprising the following method steps:

    reading out operations to be performed in the printing process from the product data of the article by means of the data provision device; and

    limiting the quality check of the printing process to the steps to be performed by means of the computer device.

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