CA2071461C - Method and apparatus for adjusting ink keys of printing press ink fountains - Google Patents
Method and apparatus for adjusting ink keys of printing press ink fountainsInfo
- Publication number
- CA2071461C CA2071461C CA002071461A CA2071461A CA2071461C CA 2071461 C CA2071461 C CA 2071461C CA 002071461 A CA002071461 A CA 002071461A CA 2071461 A CA2071461 A CA 2071461A CA 2071461 C CA2071461 C CA 2071461C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- fountain
- ink
- control means
- controller
- keys
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41F—PRINTING MACHINES OR PRESSES
- B41F31/00—Inking arrangements or devices
- B41F31/02—Ducts, containers, supply or metering devices
- B41F31/04—Ducts, containers, supply or metering devices with duct-blades or like metering devices
- B41F31/045—Remote control of the duct keys
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41F—PRINTING MACHINES OR PRESSES
- B41F33/00—Indicating, counting, warning, control or safety devices
- B41F33/0009—Central control units
Landscapes
- Inking, Control Or Cleaning Of Printing Machines (AREA)
Abstract
An apparatus is provided for adjusting ink keys of a plurality of printing press ink fountains. The apparatus comprises an ink key adjuster for, when actuated, moving selected ink keys of an associated ink fountain. The apparatus further includes a plurality of fountain controllers, each ink fountain having an associated fountain controller, each fountain controller controlling the ink key adjuster of its associated ink fountain. A
central controller is controllably connected to each of the fountain controllers for permitting control of the ink key adjusters of each of the fountain controllers simultaneously.
central controller is controllably connected to each of the fountain controllers for permitting control of the ink key adjusters of each of the fountain controllers simultaneously.
Description
- ~ 2071~61 PATENT
METHOD AND APPARl~lJS FOR
ADJ U~ NG INl~ ~EYS OF PRIN~ING PRE:SS INl~ FOI~NTAINS
Technical Field The present invention relates to controlling the position of ink fountain keys in a printing press and is particularly directed to a method and apparatus for controlling the positions of ink keys of a plurality of printing press ink fountains.
Backqround of the Invention Electronic control systems for controlling ink key adjustment mech~nisms in printing presses are known in the art. Such systems include a central controller which controls the ink key adjustment mechanisms associated with a plurality of ink fountains. A position sensing arrangement pro~ides feedback position information to the central controller indicative of the position of the ink keys. ~he central controller controls the position of the ink keys in a selected fountain in accordance with a preprogrammed control process stored in a memory.
In known ink key control systems, the central controller only controls the ink keys in one ink fountain 2 o 7 ~ 4 ~ ~
at a time. The position of the ink keys of another fountain are adjustable only after the central controller has completed a present ink key adjustment task. This adjustment process is time-consuming.
Summary of the Invention The present invention provides a method and apparatus for enabling simultaneous adjustment of a plurality of printing press ink fountains.
In accordance with the present invention, an apparatus is provided for adjusting ink keys of a plurality of printing press ink fountains. The apparatus comprises ink key adjusting means for, when actuated, moving selected ink keys of an associated ink fountain. The apparatus further includes a plurality of fountain control means, each ink fountain having an associated fountain control means, each fountain control means controlling the adjusting means of its associated ink fountain. Central control means controllably connected to each of the fountain control means is provided for controlling each of the fountain control means so as to enable adjustment of the ink keys of a plurality of ink fountains simultaneously. The central control means comprises a central comm~]n;cation controller for outputting command signals in serial form, and the fountain control means include an associated fountain communication controller for receiving serial comm~n~ signals from the central -B
~ 0 7 ~ 4 ~ ~
-2a-communication controller and for communicating the command signals to said fountain control means. The fountain comml]n;cation controllers are connected to the central communication controller over a single serial link, to which only fountain comml]n;cation controllers are connected.
In accordance with another feature of the present invention, a method is provided for adjusting ink keys of a plurality of printing press ink fountains having ink key adjusters for, when actuated, moving selected ink keys of the associated ink fountain, a plurality of fountain ~nt ~ _ ~ _ _ _ ~, 2071~6~
...
fountain controller, and a central controller controllably connected to each of the fountain controllers. The method comprises the step of commanding the central controller to adjust the position of the ink fountain keys of a first ink fountain. The method further comprises the step of sending the position command to the fountain controller associated with the first ink fountain. The method includes the step of commanding the central controller to adjust the position of the ink fountain keys of a second ink fountain and sending the position command to the fountain controller associated with the second ink fountain independent of the command to the first ink fountain controller so as to enable adjustment of the first and second ink fountains simultaneously.
~rief Description of the Drawings Further features of the present invention will ~ecome apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present invention relates from reading the following description of a preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Fig. 1 is a schematic block diagram of the present invention;
Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of the schematic block diagram of Fig. l; and Fig. 3 is a pictorial view of a control console used in the present invention.
20714~
Description of Preferred EmbodLment The present invention is directed to a system for controlling a printing press having a plurality of ink key fountains. The present invention may be used in printing presses of different constructions. The description below is merely representative of the present invention as applied to a multi-color lithographic printing press.
Referring to Fig. 1, a multi-color lithographic printing press 10 has a plurality of printing units 20, 30, 40, and 50. Although four printing units are shown, it is understood that a different number of printing units may be used. The printing units 20, 30, 40, 50 have respective pairs of ink fountains as is well known in the art.
Each printing unit includes upper and lower plate cylinders (not shown) and cooperating upper and lower blanket cylinders (not shown). Each printing unit prints on an associated side of a web material advanced through the press 10. Each upper and lower plate cylinder has an associated ink fountain for applying ink thereto. As is well known in the art, the ink is transferred from a fountain to its associated plate cylinder as the plate cylinder rotates. The image (or type set) on the plate is transferred to the ~lanket cylinder which, in turn, transfers the image to the associated side of the web material passing through such printing unit.
Specifically, the printing unit 20 has an upper ink fountain 25 and a lower ink fountain 26. The printing unit Z071~
_ -5-30 has an upper ink fountain 35 and a lower ink fountain 36. The printing unit 40 has an upper ink fountain 45 and a lower ink fountain 46. The printing unit 50 has an upper ink fountain 55 and a lower ink fountain 56.
Each of the ink fountains 25, 26, 35, 36, 45, 46, 55, and 56 has the same structure and operation. For simplicity, the structure and operation of only the ink fountain 2S is described in detail with reference to Fig.
2. The ink fountain 25 has an ink fountain roll 21 extending laterally across the printing unit 20. A
segmented doctor blade 22 is located adjacent to the ink roll 21 and extends laterally across the ink roll 21.
A gap 23, in the ~orm of an ink film space, is formed between an outer peripheral surface 24 of the ink roll 21 lS and a lower edge 27 of the doctor blade 22. The gap 23 between the ink roll 21 and the doctor blade 22 has been exaggerated for purposes of illustration. The gap 23 is adjustable at a plurality of lateral locations along the ink roll 21 so as to permit local control the amount of ink passing from the ink fountain 25 to its associated printing cylinders (not shown) of the printing unit 20.
The doctor blade 22 and the ink roll 21 form an ink reservoir 2 8 in a manner well known in the printing art .
Ink passes from the ink reservoir 28 through the gap 23 formed between the outer peripheral surface 24 of the ink roll 21 and the lower edge 27 of the doctor blade 22, to establish a controlled thickness of ink on the ink roll 21.
2071~6:~
.
A plurality of ink flow adjustment devices 60 are operatively disposed along the lateral extent of the ink fountain 25. The adjustment devices 60 each press against an associated location on the doctor blade 22 and thereby control or adjust the size of the gap 23 between the ink roll 21 and the doctor blade 22 in such associated location on the doctor blade.
Each of the ink flow adjustment devices 60 includes an ink key 61 having screw threadably engaging a fixed portion of the frame of the ink fountain 25. The ink key 61 has a tip portion which pushes against the associated portion of doctor blade 22. The size of the gap 23 located between the doctor blade 22 and the ink roll 21 at the location of the ink key is ad;ustable by screwing the key into or out of the frame of the fountain. The ink key 61 is driven by an electric, bidirectional key drive motor 62. The motor 62 moves the ink key 61 in and out axially.
A potentiometer 63 is operatively connected to its associated ink key 61. The impedance of the potentiometer is functionally related to the position of the ink key 61.
The potentiometer 63, therefore, provides a means for sensing the position of the key 61 and, in turn, monitoring the size of the gap 23 at such location on the doctor blade proximate to the key.
Each of the printing units has an associated fountain controller. Specifically, printing unit 20 (Fig. 1) has a fountain controller 70. The printing unit 30 has a 20714~ ~
_ -7-fountain controller 74. The printing unit 40 has a fountain controller 78. The printing unit 50 has a fountain controller 82.
The electrical connections between fountain controller 70 and fountain 25 are described, it being understood that the electrical connections between .the other fountain controllers and their associated fountains are the same.
The fountain controller 70 is connected to the key drive motor 62 through line 65. The fountain controller 70 is connected to potentiometer 63 through line 64. In accordance with a programmed command, the controller 70 controls the motor 62 so as to position the key 61 and to, in turn, control the gap 23 between the doctor blade 22 and the roll 21 proximate with that key. The potentiometer 63 provides a feedback signal to the fountain controller 70 as to the position of the key 61 and the size of the gap 23.
Referring to Figs. 1 and 3, a control console 100 includes a central controller 102 which comm-lnicates with each of the fountain controllers 70, 74, 78, and 82 in a manner described in detail below. The control console 100 further includes an operator touch-screen display 104 and a sheet inspection area 106 for supporting a printed sheet which bears an image printed by any one or any combination of the printing units 20, 30, 40, 50. The control console 100 also includes an array of manually-operable remote select switches 108 for controlling the positions of ink keys in a selected ink fountain. The array of switches 108 2071 16~
is divided into pairs of switches. Each pair of switches is associated with a respective ink key and a predefined column area of the sheet inspection area 106 that corresponds with a lateral position on the doctor blade for any of the print units.
The control console 100 further includes a bar graph display panel 110 for assisting the operator in adjusting ink keys to their desired positions. The display panel 110 has a plurality of columns of light emitting diode ("LED") arrays. The number of columns of LED arrays corresponds to the number of ink keys and the number of pairs of switches 108. Preferably, the number of ink keys associated with each of the fountains is thirty-six, the number of pairs of switches 108 is thirty-six, and, therefore, the number of columns of LED arrays in the display panel 110 is thirty-six .
The touch-screen display 104 provides an operator input device for controlling operation of the printing units 20, 30, 40, 50 including selection of an ink fountain and selection of the ink keys in that ink fountain to be adjusted. The touch-screen 104, the switches 108, and the display 110 are electrically connected to the central controller 102. The display 104 allows the controller 102 to display information to the operator and permits an easy way for the operator to enter information to the controller 102 by simply touching the display screen in appropriate locations prompted by a system software program. Such 207~46~
,..
touch-screen displays are well known in the art and will not be described in detail herein.
The central controller 102 is preferably a Model 286 PC AT type computer. The central controller 102 in S combination with the touch-screen display 104 cooperate to provide a number of menus and/or graphic illustrations associated with the printing units 20, 30, 40, 50. An operator control board 112, including a number of select switches, is located adjacent to the touch-screen display 104 and pro~ides yet another source of input from the press operator for control of the individual print units.
The central controller 102 has an associated commllnication controller 116. When a command is input from the press operator to the central controller 102, the data is processed in parallel. The commlln;cation controller 116 establishes a high speed serial link to the print units by converting the parallel data from the central controller 102 to serial data. Also, the commllnication controller 116 adds a low level protocol for communication with the fountain controllers.
Each fountain controller has an associated fountain commllnication controller. Specifically, fountain controller 70 is operatively connected to fountain communication controller 120. The fountain controller 74 is operatively connected to fountain communication controller 122. The fountain controller 78 is operatively connected to fountain communication controller 124. The 2071ll61 fountain controller 82 is operatively connected to fountain communication controller 126.
The communication controller 116 is connected to each of the fountain communication controllers 120, 122, 124, 5 and 126 through a single twisted wire pair 140. This twisted wire pair forms a serial network. Each command sent out from the central controller 102 includes a code indicati~e of a destination control node or a destination address. Each of the fountain controllers has an associated, unique node address. The fountain communication controllers receive a command over the serial line and strips away the low level communications protocol and passes the high level control message to the fountain controller. If the address in the message matches the address for that fountain controller, the fountain controller then carries out the requests for motor positioning on the subject ink fountain and returns a message to the central controller 102 when the ink key motor mo~es are complete.
Each of the fountain controllers has an associated memory operati~ely connected thereto. Specifically, fountain controller 70 is connected to memory 150.
Fountain controller 74 is connected to memory lS2.
Fountain controller 78 is connected to memory 156.
Fountain controller 82 is connected to memory 158. In each of the associated fountain memories is stored the operating program for operating the associated fountain controller.
2071'16~
The fountain controllers are preferably commercially available microcomputers of a type having an analog to digital converter, a parallel interface, a serial port, and input/output channels for switching the key drive motors on and off The fountain controllers basically perform a closed loop control of the position of their associated keys in its printing fountains. When a position command is received for that fountain controller, the fountain controller drives the motor so as to position the associated key in the commanded position. The fountain controller monitors the feedback potentiometer to insure the actual position equals the desired position. When the actual position of the key is equal to the desired position, the fountain controller stops the key drive motors.
Each of the fountain controllers can store subsequent received commands in their associated memory if it has not completed a present movement command. The newly received co~m~n~ simply r~m~;n~ in the associated memory until the fountain controller retrieves this information for controlling the ink keys in its printing unit.
It should be apparent that the arrangement of the four fountain controllers and the central controller provides a distributed control system for controlling operation of the printing press 10. By providing a distributed control system for the printing press 10, as shown in Fig. 1, a 20714~
number of advantages results. One advantage is that the ink keys of an ink fountain of one printing unit can be moved simultaneously with the ink keys of an ink fountain of another printing unit. This is due to the fact that the central controller can sent a key position command to a second fountain controller while another fountain is being adjusted in response to a prior issued command to its associated fountain controller. By "simultaneous" it is meant that the keys of one fountain are being adjusted while the keys of another fountain are being adjusted but not necessarily in-phase. Once the central controller issues a command, the appropriate fountain controller takes over the actual key movement control thus leaving the central controller free to issue another command. In fact, the speed at which the present system can operate is limited only by the speed with which an operator may make positioning requests. ~here is no need for the operator to wait for one of his position requests to be completed (as he must with prior art devices) before he inputs another position request.
From the above description of the invention, those skilled in the art will perceive improvements, changes and modifications. Such improvements, changes and modifications within the skill of the art are intended to be covered by the appended claims.
METHOD AND APPARl~lJS FOR
ADJ U~ NG INl~ ~EYS OF PRIN~ING PRE:SS INl~ FOI~NTAINS
Technical Field The present invention relates to controlling the position of ink fountain keys in a printing press and is particularly directed to a method and apparatus for controlling the positions of ink keys of a plurality of printing press ink fountains.
Backqround of the Invention Electronic control systems for controlling ink key adjustment mech~nisms in printing presses are known in the art. Such systems include a central controller which controls the ink key adjustment mechanisms associated with a plurality of ink fountains. A position sensing arrangement pro~ides feedback position information to the central controller indicative of the position of the ink keys. ~he central controller controls the position of the ink keys in a selected fountain in accordance with a preprogrammed control process stored in a memory.
In known ink key control systems, the central controller only controls the ink keys in one ink fountain 2 o 7 ~ 4 ~ ~
at a time. The position of the ink keys of another fountain are adjustable only after the central controller has completed a present ink key adjustment task. This adjustment process is time-consuming.
Summary of the Invention The present invention provides a method and apparatus for enabling simultaneous adjustment of a plurality of printing press ink fountains.
In accordance with the present invention, an apparatus is provided for adjusting ink keys of a plurality of printing press ink fountains. The apparatus comprises ink key adjusting means for, when actuated, moving selected ink keys of an associated ink fountain. The apparatus further includes a plurality of fountain control means, each ink fountain having an associated fountain control means, each fountain control means controlling the adjusting means of its associated ink fountain. Central control means controllably connected to each of the fountain control means is provided for controlling each of the fountain control means so as to enable adjustment of the ink keys of a plurality of ink fountains simultaneously. The central control means comprises a central comm~]n;cation controller for outputting command signals in serial form, and the fountain control means include an associated fountain communication controller for receiving serial comm~n~ signals from the central -B
~ 0 7 ~ 4 ~ ~
-2a-communication controller and for communicating the command signals to said fountain control means. The fountain comml]n;cation controllers are connected to the central communication controller over a single serial link, to which only fountain comml]n;cation controllers are connected.
In accordance with another feature of the present invention, a method is provided for adjusting ink keys of a plurality of printing press ink fountains having ink key adjusters for, when actuated, moving selected ink keys of the associated ink fountain, a plurality of fountain ~nt ~ _ ~ _ _ _ ~, 2071~6~
...
fountain controller, and a central controller controllably connected to each of the fountain controllers. The method comprises the step of commanding the central controller to adjust the position of the ink fountain keys of a first ink fountain. The method further comprises the step of sending the position command to the fountain controller associated with the first ink fountain. The method includes the step of commanding the central controller to adjust the position of the ink fountain keys of a second ink fountain and sending the position command to the fountain controller associated with the second ink fountain independent of the command to the first ink fountain controller so as to enable adjustment of the first and second ink fountains simultaneously.
~rief Description of the Drawings Further features of the present invention will ~ecome apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present invention relates from reading the following description of a preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Fig. 1 is a schematic block diagram of the present invention;
Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of the schematic block diagram of Fig. l; and Fig. 3 is a pictorial view of a control console used in the present invention.
20714~
Description of Preferred EmbodLment The present invention is directed to a system for controlling a printing press having a plurality of ink key fountains. The present invention may be used in printing presses of different constructions. The description below is merely representative of the present invention as applied to a multi-color lithographic printing press.
Referring to Fig. 1, a multi-color lithographic printing press 10 has a plurality of printing units 20, 30, 40, and 50. Although four printing units are shown, it is understood that a different number of printing units may be used. The printing units 20, 30, 40, 50 have respective pairs of ink fountains as is well known in the art.
Each printing unit includes upper and lower plate cylinders (not shown) and cooperating upper and lower blanket cylinders (not shown). Each printing unit prints on an associated side of a web material advanced through the press 10. Each upper and lower plate cylinder has an associated ink fountain for applying ink thereto. As is well known in the art, the ink is transferred from a fountain to its associated plate cylinder as the plate cylinder rotates. The image (or type set) on the plate is transferred to the ~lanket cylinder which, in turn, transfers the image to the associated side of the web material passing through such printing unit.
Specifically, the printing unit 20 has an upper ink fountain 25 and a lower ink fountain 26. The printing unit Z071~
_ -5-30 has an upper ink fountain 35 and a lower ink fountain 36. The printing unit 40 has an upper ink fountain 45 and a lower ink fountain 46. The printing unit 50 has an upper ink fountain 55 and a lower ink fountain 56.
Each of the ink fountains 25, 26, 35, 36, 45, 46, 55, and 56 has the same structure and operation. For simplicity, the structure and operation of only the ink fountain 2S is described in detail with reference to Fig.
2. The ink fountain 25 has an ink fountain roll 21 extending laterally across the printing unit 20. A
segmented doctor blade 22 is located adjacent to the ink roll 21 and extends laterally across the ink roll 21.
A gap 23, in the ~orm of an ink film space, is formed between an outer peripheral surface 24 of the ink roll 21 lS and a lower edge 27 of the doctor blade 22. The gap 23 between the ink roll 21 and the doctor blade 22 has been exaggerated for purposes of illustration. The gap 23 is adjustable at a plurality of lateral locations along the ink roll 21 so as to permit local control the amount of ink passing from the ink fountain 25 to its associated printing cylinders (not shown) of the printing unit 20.
The doctor blade 22 and the ink roll 21 form an ink reservoir 2 8 in a manner well known in the printing art .
Ink passes from the ink reservoir 28 through the gap 23 formed between the outer peripheral surface 24 of the ink roll 21 and the lower edge 27 of the doctor blade 22, to establish a controlled thickness of ink on the ink roll 21.
2071~6:~
.
A plurality of ink flow adjustment devices 60 are operatively disposed along the lateral extent of the ink fountain 25. The adjustment devices 60 each press against an associated location on the doctor blade 22 and thereby control or adjust the size of the gap 23 between the ink roll 21 and the doctor blade 22 in such associated location on the doctor blade.
Each of the ink flow adjustment devices 60 includes an ink key 61 having screw threadably engaging a fixed portion of the frame of the ink fountain 25. The ink key 61 has a tip portion which pushes against the associated portion of doctor blade 22. The size of the gap 23 located between the doctor blade 22 and the ink roll 21 at the location of the ink key is ad;ustable by screwing the key into or out of the frame of the fountain. The ink key 61 is driven by an electric, bidirectional key drive motor 62. The motor 62 moves the ink key 61 in and out axially.
A potentiometer 63 is operatively connected to its associated ink key 61. The impedance of the potentiometer is functionally related to the position of the ink key 61.
The potentiometer 63, therefore, provides a means for sensing the position of the key 61 and, in turn, monitoring the size of the gap 23 at such location on the doctor blade proximate to the key.
Each of the printing units has an associated fountain controller. Specifically, printing unit 20 (Fig. 1) has a fountain controller 70. The printing unit 30 has a 20714~ ~
_ -7-fountain controller 74. The printing unit 40 has a fountain controller 78. The printing unit 50 has a fountain controller 82.
The electrical connections between fountain controller 70 and fountain 25 are described, it being understood that the electrical connections between .the other fountain controllers and their associated fountains are the same.
The fountain controller 70 is connected to the key drive motor 62 through line 65. The fountain controller 70 is connected to potentiometer 63 through line 64. In accordance with a programmed command, the controller 70 controls the motor 62 so as to position the key 61 and to, in turn, control the gap 23 between the doctor blade 22 and the roll 21 proximate with that key. The potentiometer 63 provides a feedback signal to the fountain controller 70 as to the position of the key 61 and the size of the gap 23.
Referring to Figs. 1 and 3, a control console 100 includes a central controller 102 which comm-lnicates with each of the fountain controllers 70, 74, 78, and 82 in a manner described in detail below. The control console 100 further includes an operator touch-screen display 104 and a sheet inspection area 106 for supporting a printed sheet which bears an image printed by any one or any combination of the printing units 20, 30, 40, 50. The control console 100 also includes an array of manually-operable remote select switches 108 for controlling the positions of ink keys in a selected ink fountain. The array of switches 108 2071 16~
is divided into pairs of switches. Each pair of switches is associated with a respective ink key and a predefined column area of the sheet inspection area 106 that corresponds with a lateral position on the doctor blade for any of the print units.
The control console 100 further includes a bar graph display panel 110 for assisting the operator in adjusting ink keys to their desired positions. The display panel 110 has a plurality of columns of light emitting diode ("LED") arrays. The number of columns of LED arrays corresponds to the number of ink keys and the number of pairs of switches 108. Preferably, the number of ink keys associated with each of the fountains is thirty-six, the number of pairs of switches 108 is thirty-six, and, therefore, the number of columns of LED arrays in the display panel 110 is thirty-six .
The touch-screen display 104 provides an operator input device for controlling operation of the printing units 20, 30, 40, 50 including selection of an ink fountain and selection of the ink keys in that ink fountain to be adjusted. The touch-screen 104, the switches 108, and the display 110 are electrically connected to the central controller 102. The display 104 allows the controller 102 to display information to the operator and permits an easy way for the operator to enter information to the controller 102 by simply touching the display screen in appropriate locations prompted by a system software program. Such 207~46~
,..
touch-screen displays are well known in the art and will not be described in detail herein.
The central controller 102 is preferably a Model 286 PC AT type computer. The central controller 102 in S combination with the touch-screen display 104 cooperate to provide a number of menus and/or graphic illustrations associated with the printing units 20, 30, 40, 50. An operator control board 112, including a number of select switches, is located adjacent to the touch-screen display 104 and pro~ides yet another source of input from the press operator for control of the individual print units.
The central controller 102 has an associated commllnication controller 116. When a command is input from the press operator to the central controller 102, the data is processed in parallel. The commlln;cation controller 116 establishes a high speed serial link to the print units by converting the parallel data from the central controller 102 to serial data. Also, the commllnication controller 116 adds a low level protocol for communication with the fountain controllers.
Each fountain controller has an associated fountain commllnication controller. Specifically, fountain controller 70 is operatively connected to fountain communication controller 120. The fountain controller 74 is operatively connected to fountain communication controller 122. The fountain controller 78 is operatively connected to fountain communication controller 124. The 2071ll61 fountain controller 82 is operatively connected to fountain communication controller 126.
The communication controller 116 is connected to each of the fountain communication controllers 120, 122, 124, 5 and 126 through a single twisted wire pair 140. This twisted wire pair forms a serial network. Each command sent out from the central controller 102 includes a code indicati~e of a destination control node or a destination address. Each of the fountain controllers has an associated, unique node address. The fountain communication controllers receive a command over the serial line and strips away the low level communications protocol and passes the high level control message to the fountain controller. If the address in the message matches the address for that fountain controller, the fountain controller then carries out the requests for motor positioning on the subject ink fountain and returns a message to the central controller 102 when the ink key motor mo~es are complete.
Each of the fountain controllers has an associated memory operati~ely connected thereto. Specifically, fountain controller 70 is connected to memory 150.
Fountain controller 74 is connected to memory lS2.
Fountain controller 78 is connected to memory 156.
Fountain controller 82 is connected to memory 158. In each of the associated fountain memories is stored the operating program for operating the associated fountain controller.
2071'16~
The fountain controllers are preferably commercially available microcomputers of a type having an analog to digital converter, a parallel interface, a serial port, and input/output channels for switching the key drive motors on and off The fountain controllers basically perform a closed loop control of the position of their associated keys in its printing fountains. When a position command is received for that fountain controller, the fountain controller drives the motor so as to position the associated key in the commanded position. The fountain controller monitors the feedback potentiometer to insure the actual position equals the desired position. When the actual position of the key is equal to the desired position, the fountain controller stops the key drive motors.
Each of the fountain controllers can store subsequent received commands in their associated memory if it has not completed a present movement command. The newly received co~m~n~ simply r~m~;n~ in the associated memory until the fountain controller retrieves this information for controlling the ink keys in its printing unit.
It should be apparent that the arrangement of the four fountain controllers and the central controller provides a distributed control system for controlling operation of the printing press 10. By providing a distributed control system for the printing press 10, as shown in Fig. 1, a 20714~
number of advantages results. One advantage is that the ink keys of an ink fountain of one printing unit can be moved simultaneously with the ink keys of an ink fountain of another printing unit. This is due to the fact that the central controller can sent a key position command to a second fountain controller while another fountain is being adjusted in response to a prior issued command to its associated fountain controller. By "simultaneous" it is meant that the keys of one fountain are being adjusted while the keys of another fountain are being adjusted but not necessarily in-phase. Once the central controller issues a command, the appropriate fountain controller takes over the actual key movement control thus leaving the central controller free to issue another command. In fact, the speed at which the present system can operate is limited only by the speed with which an operator may make positioning requests. ~here is no need for the operator to wait for one of his position requests to be completed (as he must with prior art devices) before he inputs another position request.
From the above description of the invention, those skilled in the art will perceive improvements, changes and modifications. Such improvements, changes and modifications within the skill of the art are intended to be covered by the appended claims.
Claims (6)
1. Apparatus for adjusting the ink keys (61) of a plurality of ink fountains of a printing press, with ink key adjusting means (60) for, when actuated, moving selected ink keys of an associated ink fountain (25, 26, 35, 36, 45, 46, 55, 56) of the printing press; with a plurality of fountain control means (70, 74, 78, 82), each ink fountain (25, 26, 35, 36, 45, 46, 55, 56) having an associated fountain control means, each fountain control means controlling said ink key adjusting means of its associated ink fountain and, with central control means (102) controllably connected to each of said fountain control means (70, 74, 78, 82), so as to enable adjustment of the ink keys of a plurality of ink fountains simultaneously, wherein the central control means (102) comprises a central communication controller (116) for outputting command signals in serial form, wherein said fountain control means include an associated fountain communication controller (120, 122, 124, 126) for receiving serial command signals from said central communications controller and for communicating said command signals to said fountain control means (70, 74, 78, 82), and wherein the fountain communication controllers (120, 122, 124, 126) are connected to the central communication controller (116) over a single serial link (140), to which only fountain communication controllers (120, 122, 124, 126) are connected.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the serial link is formed by a single twisted wire pair (140).
3. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the fountain control means comprises an associated fountain communication controller (120, 122, 124, 126).
4. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the central control means (102) includes means (120, 122, 124, 126) for sending an addressed code with the command signal.
5. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein each fountain control means (70, 74, 78, 82) comprises an associated address, and that the fountain communication controller (120, 122, 124, 126) associated with the fountain control means (70, 74, 78, 82) only responds to commands which comprise an associated addressed code corresponding to the address of the fountain control means.
6. Apparatus according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, wherein each of the ink key adjusting means (60) comprises a sensor means (63) for providing a feedback signal indicative of the position of its associated ink key.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US75340291A | 1991-08-30 | 1991-08-30 | |
| US753,402 | 1991-08-30 |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2071461A1 CA2071461A1 (en) | 1993-03-01 |
| CA2071461C true CA2071461C (en) | 1997-08-19 |
Family
ID=25030483
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002071461A Expired - Fee Related CA2071461C (en) | 1991-08-30 | 1992-06-17 | Method and apparatus for adjusting ink keys of printing press ink fountains |
Country Status (6)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0529376B1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JPH05246015A (en) |
| CN (1) | CN1034484C (en) |
| AT (1) | ATE145587T1 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2071461C (en) |
| DE (1) | DE59207576D1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE10055583B4 (en) * | 1999-12-09 | 2014-06-18 | Heidelberger Druckmaschinen Ag | Method for planning and process control of production processes |
| US6412412B1 (en) * | 2000-03-24 | 2002-07-02 | Heidelberger Druckmaschinen Ag | Device and method for controlling ink keys |
| DE10330579C5 (en) * | 2002-07-19 | 2016-12-22 | Heidelberger Druckmaschinen Ag | Device for controlling the width of the ink gap in a printing machine |
| JP5449055B2 (en) * | 2010-06-24 | 2014-03-19 | 東洋電機製造株式会社 | Ink key opening adjustment device |
| CN110406300B (en) * | 2019-08-31 | 2024-06-25 | 嘉兴市凤祥家私实业有限公司 | Control system of automatic change panel surface thermoprint device |
| CN113002203A (en) * | 2021-02-07 | 2021-06-22 | 福建省祥盛彩印包装有限公司 | Printing process for multicolor offset printing |
Family Cites Families (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2024457B (en) * | 1978-06-07 | 1983-01-06 | Harris Corp | Printing press ready and control system |
| EP0160167A1 (en) * | 1984-02-21 | 1985-11-06 | Didde Graphic Systems Corporation | Method and apparatus for distributed electronic control of a printing press |
| US4667323A (en) * | 1985-09-03 | 1987-05-19 | Allen-Bradley Company, Inc. | Industrialized token passing network |
| CH677211A5 (en) * | 1988-05-31 | 1991-04-30 | Bobst Sa | |
| US5079738A (en) * | 1989-09-29 | 1992-01-07 | Rockwell International Corporation | Processor interconnect network for printing press system forming a star network |
-
1992
- 1992-06-17 CA CA002071461A patent/CA2071461C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1992-08-03 CN CN92108917.1A patent/CN1034484C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1992-08-08 DE DE59207576T patent/DE59207576D1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1992-08-08 AT AT92113534T patent/ATE145587T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1992-08-08 EP EP92113534A patent/EP0529376B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1992-08-31 JP JP4230807A patent/JPH05246015A/en active Pending
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| EP0529376B1 (en) | 1996-11-27 |
| ATE145587T1 (en) | 1996-12-15 |
| JPH05246015A (en) | 1993-09-24 |
| EP0529376A1 (en) | 1993-03-03 |
| CA2071461A1 (en) | 1993-03-01 |
| DE59207576D1 (en) | 1997-01-09 |
| CN1072886A (en) | 1993-06-09 |
| CN1034484C (en) | 1997-04-09 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |