DE102021111564A1 - System and method for providing a free-flowing print application medium with a predeterminable viscosity for a printing unit - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a system for providing a free-flowing print application medium (1) with a predeterminable viscosity for a printing unit (25). The system includes a first Coriolis flow meter (7) with a measuring tube (8) through which the pressure application medium (1) flows, which first Coriolis flow meter (7) is designed to determine at least the viscosity (eta) of the pressure application medium flowing through the measuring tube (8). (1), in particular the viscosity (eta) and the temperature (T), the density (rho), and/or the mass flow rate (Phi) of the print application medium (1). The system has an adjustable first valve unit (3) that can be actuated by the superordinate control unit, by means of which first valve unit (3) an amount of dilution medium (5) introduced into the container (2) can be adjusted, with at least the setting of the first valve unit ( 3) the viscosity (eta) of the print application medium (1) provided can be regulated to the predeterminable value. The invention also relates to a method for providing a flowable print application medium (1) with a predeterminable viscosity for a printing unit (25) with a system according to the invention.

Description

The invention relates to a system and a method for providing a free-flowing print application medium with a predeterminable viscosity for a printing unit.

The printing unit is designed to print the free-flowing print application medium onto a substrate to be printed. The printing unit is, for example, a station of a rotary printing machine or a digital printing machine. The free-flowing print application agent is first applied to a negative, which is in the form of a roll during rotary printing, and then to a printed product, i.e. a substrate to be printed, during the printing process. In the prior art, the substrate is also referred to as a print carrier or printing material. This is, for example, a substrate made of aluminum, paper, or a plastic, such as a film. Modern systems of printing presses generally include several printing units (also: print application units) as stations, for example up to eleven, at each of which a specific print application medium used in a printing process is made available. The free-flowing print application medium is, for example, a primer, a respective color or a fixing agent.

The viscosity of a respective print application medium is a decisive parameter for the quality of the printed product. It is therefore desirable to know an accurate value for the viscosity of the print application medium during the printing process.

In the prior art, for example, falling ball viscometers are used to measure the viscosity of a print application agent. The disadvantage here is that this is on the one hand quite inaccurate. On the other hand, this does not allow continuous, in-line measurement of the viscosity, i.e. in the flow of a system when the flowable print application agent is provided.

An improved solution consists in using a vibronic viscosity measuring device with an oscillator, for example a vibrating needle, introduced into the measuring tube. This makes it possible to use a measuring tube through which the pressure application medium flows to measure its viscosity in-line/in the flow essentially continuously. However, this solution also does not achieve the desired accuracy of the measurement of the viscosity of the print application medium and therefore does not achieve a sufficiently high quality of the printed product with the desired reproducibility.

Coriolis flowmeters are known from the prior art. These include at least one measuring tube designed to carry a medium, which is excited to vibrate by means of an exciter. For this purpose, the measuring tube has an inlet and outlet for the medium to flow in and out. The measuring tube vibrations are usually detected by a sensor arrangement with a first sensor on the inlet side and a second sensor on the outlet side and then evaluated by an electronic operating circuit. For a more detailed explanation of the underlying measuring principle of a Coriolis measuring device, reference is made to corresponding publications of the prior art, e.g DE 10 2015 120 087 A1 , DE 10 2014 119 427 A1 , the 10 2011 006 971 A1 , the DE 10 2011 006 919 A1 , the DE 10 2016 125 537 A1 the U.S. 2013/0319134 A1 , the U.S. 8,281,668 B2 or the US 6,415,668 B1 . Coriolis flowmeters of this type enable viscosity measurement with a comparatively high level of accuracy and essentially simultaneous measurement of other process variables of the medium, including the temperature, the density and/or the mass flow rate of the medium flowing through the measuring tube. This can be done, for example, by evaluating different measured vibration variables and/or exciting or evaluating different modes. Depending on the configuration, Coriolis flowmeters thus enable, in particular, the measurement of both viscosity and temperature.

The invention is based on the object of specifying a solution for providing a free-flowing print application medium with a specifiable viscosity with a sufficiently reliable reproducibility, the viscosity being measured in-line, i.e. in the flow.

The object is achieved by a system and a method for providing a free-flowing print application medium.

• - ein Behältnis enthaltend das fließfähige Druckauftragsmedium, wobei das fließfähige Druckauftragsmedium ein Gemisch umfassend ein Ausgangsmedium und zumindest ein Verdünnungsmedium ist;
• - eine an einen Auslass des Behältnisses angeschlossene und von dem Behältnis zu dem Druckwerk führende erste Fluidleitung, durch die das fließfähigen Druckauftragsmedium von dem Behältnis zu dem Druckwerk in einer vorbestimmten Durchflussrichtung strömt;
• - ein erstes Coriolis-Durchflussmessgerät mit einem von dem Druckauftragsmedium durchströmten Messrohr, welches erstes Coriolis-Durchflussmessgerät dazu ausgestaltet ist, zumindest die Viskosität und die Temperatur des das Messrohr durchströmenden Druckauftragsmediums, insbesondere die Viskosität, die Temperatur und die Dichte, und/oder den Massedurchfluss des Druckauftragsmediums, zu erfassen;

• - eine übergeordnete Steuerungseinheit, an die das erste Coriolis-Durchflussmessgerät mittels einer Kommunikationsverbindungangeschlossen ist, zur Übermittlung der/des mit dem ersten Coriolis-Durchflussmessgerät erfassten Messwerte/s an die übergeordnete Steuerungseinheit;
• - eine an das Behältnis angeschlossene Basisleitung, zum Einströmen des Ausgangsmediums in das Behältnis;
• - zumindest eine an das Behältnis angeschlossene erste Zuleitung, zum Einströmen des Verdünnungsmediums in das Behältnis, aufweisend:
  • eine einstellbare und von der übergeordneten Steuerungseinheit ansteuerbare erste Ventileinheit, mittels welcher ersten Ventileinheit eine in das Behältnis eingebrachte Menge an Verdünnungsmedium einstellbar ist, wobei mittels zumindest der Einstellung der ersten Ventileinheit die Viskosität des bereitgestellten Druckauftragsmediums auf den vorgebbaren Wert regelbar ist.

With regard to the system, the object is achieved by a system for providing a flowable print application medium with a specifiable viscosity for a printing unit, the system comprising:

• - A container containing the flowable print application medium, wherein the flowable print application medium is a mixture comprising a starting medium and at least one dilution medium;
• - A first fluid line connected to an outlet of the container and leading from the container to the printing unit, through which the free-flowing print application medium flows from the container to the printing unit in a predetermined flow direction;
• - a first Coriolis flowmeter with a measuring tube through which the pressure application medium flows, which first Coriolis flowmeter is designed to measure at least the viscosity and the temperature of the pressure application medium flowing through the measuring tube, in particular the viscosity, the temperature and the density, and/or the mass flow the print job medium;

• - a higher-level control unit, to which the first Coriolis flowmeter is connected by means of a communication link, for transmitting the measured value(s) recorded with the first Coriolis flowmeter to the higher-level control unit;
• - A base line connected to the container, for the inflow of the starting medium into the container;
• - at least one first supply line connected to the container, for the inflow of the dilution medium into the container, having:
  • an adjustable first valve unit that can be actuated by the higher-level control unit, by means of which first valve unit an amount of dilution medium introduced into the container can be adjusted, the viscosity of the print application medium provided being able to be regulated to the predeterminable value by means of at least the setting of the first valve unit.

The starting medium and the diluting medium differ from one another in terms of their viscosity, with the diluting medium in particular having a lower viscosity than the starting medium.

• - Die Messung der Viskosität dem ersten Coriolis-Durchflussmessgerät ermöglicht eine besonders genaue Messung der Viskosität im Durchfluss als Regelparameter. Es wird eine von der Durchflussmessung im Wesentlichen unabhängige Viskositätsmessung ermöglicht. Dabei ist die übergeordnete Steuerungseinheit dazu ausgestaltet, die erste Ventileinheit in Abhängigkeit des mit dem ersten Coriolis-Durchflussmessgerät erfassten Messwerts für die Viskosität einzustellen. Im einfachsten Fall handelt es sich bei der Ventileinheit um genau ein Ventil; sie kann aber auch eine Vielzahl von zusammenwirkenden Ventilen umfassen. Im Rahmen dieser Anmeldung umfasst hierbei der Begriff „Ventileinheit“ jedes einstellbare Absperrorgan, mittels dessen der Durchfluss durch eine Fluidleitung einstellbar ist.
• - Ferner wird mit dem ersten Coriolis-Durchflussmessgerät auch die Temperatur gemessen. Dies ermöglicht eine multifunktionale Regelung, bei der die Temperatur als weitere Regelmessgröße dient.

The advantages of the invention are as follows;

• - The measurement of the viscosity with the first Coriolis flow meter enables a particularly precise measurement of the viscosity in the flow as a control parameter. A viscosity measurement that is essentially independent of the flow measurement is made possible. The higher-level control unit is designed to set the first valve unit as a function of the measured value for the viscosity recorded with the first Coriolis flowmeter. In the simplest case, the valve unit is exactly one valve; however, it can also comprise a large number of interacting valves. In the context of this application, the term “valve unit” includes any adjustable shut-off element, by means of which the flow through a fluid line can be adjusted.
• - The temperature is also measured with the first Coriolis flow meter. This enables multifunctional control, in which the temperature is used as an additional control variable.

• - das Behältnis;
• - zumindest einen an den Auslass angrenzenden Abschnitt der ersten Fluidleitung; und
• - eine an einem Einlass in das Behältnis mündende zweite Fluidleitung, zum Wieder-Einströmen eines Anteils des Druckauftragsmediums in das Behältnis, wobei das erste Coriolis-Durchflussmessgerät in der zweiten Fluidleitung angeordnet ist.

In a preferred development of the invention, the system comprises a conveyor circuit with at least one pump, the pump being designed to convey the print application medium through the conveyor circuit, the conveyor circuit comprising at least:

• - the container;
• - at least one section of the first fluid line adjoining the outlet; and
• - A second fluid line opening into the container at an inlet, for the re-flow of a proportion of the print application medium into the container, the first Coriolis flow meter being arranged in the second fluid line.

In the conveying circuit, the print application medium flows out of the container via the outlet, namely via at least a section of the first fluid line connected to the outlet. Before flowing back into the container via the inlet, the pressure application medium flows through the second fluid line and thus through the measuring tube of the first Coriolis flowmeter. Therefore, while the print application medium is being made available in the conveyor circuit, the viscosity can be determined as a controlled variable. This is preferably substantially continuous throughout the printing process.

• - das Behältnis;
• - einen ersten Abschnitt der ersten Fluidleitung; und
• - die zweite Fluidleitung, wobei die zweite Fluidleitung an einem Anschlusspunkt an den ersten Abschnitt der ersten Fluidleitung angeschlossen ist.

In a first embodiment of the latter development, the conveyor circuit is formed by:

• - the container;
• - a first portion of the first fluid line; and
• - The second fluid line, wherein the second fluid line is connected at a connection point to the first section of the first fluid line.

In this configuration, the first section of the first fluid line therefore leads from an outlet of the container to the connection point. The second fluid line is connected at the connection point to the first section of the first fluid line in such a way that at the connection point the pressure application medium flowing through the first fluid line has a first proportion to the Printing unit flows and flows back into the container with a second portion, namely through the portion of the second fluid line leading back into the container. In this case, the conveying circuit is operated as it were in a bypass to the first fluid line leading to the printing unit

• - das Behältnis;
• - die erste Fluidleitung, wobei die erste Fluidleitung zu einem Vorlagebehälter für das Druckwerk führt;
• - den Vorlagebehälter und einen Sammelbehälter für das Druckwerk; und
• - die zweite Fluidleitung, wobei die zweite Fluidleitung an den Sammelbehälter angeschlossen ist.

In a second embodiment of the latter development, the conveyor circuit is formed by:

• - the container;
• - The first fluid line, the first fluid line leading to a reservoir for the printing unit;
• - The storage container and a collection container for the printing unit; and
• - The second fluid line, wherein the second fluid line is connected to the collection container.

In this case, the conveying circuit thus includes the entire first fluid line, the storage tank and the collecting tank and the entire second fluid line. In particular, the viscosity of the print application medium from the return from the printing unit is measured. As a result, in this embodiment, the measured value for the viscosity of the print application medium measured with the Coriolis flowmeter is advantageously particularly close to the value actually present during printing.

In a preferred development, the system comprises a heating and/or cooling device for heating and/or cooling the print application medium provided to the printing unit, the heating and/or cooling device being located in the first fluid line or the second fluid line, preferably in the first fluid line, is arranged.

In one embodiment of the latter development, the heating and/or cooling device can be connected to a temperature fluid line of a heating and/or cooling circuit by means of an adjustable second valve unit that can be controlled by the superordinate control unit.

The higher-level control unit is designed in particular to set the second valve unit as a function of the measured value for the temperature recorded with the first Coriolis flowmeter, so that the heating and/or cooling device can be regulated as a function of the measured value for the temperature.

In one embodiment of the invention, the system includes a pressure gauge and/or a fill level gauge, which are designed to record the pressure or the fill level of the free-flowing print application medium in the container.

The pressure measuring device and/or a filling level measuring device is/are also preferably connected to the higher-level control unit by means of a/the communication connection, so that measured values for pressure and/or filling level can be transmitted to the higher-level control unit.

In one embodiment of the invention, a second flow measuring device is arranged in the base line, in particular a second flow measuring device designed as a Coriolis flow measuring device, which is designed to measure at least the mass flow rate of the starting medium, in particular the mass flow rate, the temperature, the viscosity and/or the density of the capture the source medium.

The second flow meter is also preferably connected to the higher-level control unit by means of a communication connection, so that at least one measured value for the flow rate of the starting medium in the base line can be transmitted to the higher-level control unit. Measured values for mass flow and density and/or temperature are preferably transmitted.

In one embodiment of the invention, the base line has an adjustable third valve unit that can be actuated by the superordinate control unit, by means of which third valve unit an amount of starting medium introduced into the container can be adjusted.

In the combination of the two last-mentioned configurations, at least one measured value for the flow, which is detected using the second measured flow variable, preferably serves as the controlled measured variable for the third valve unit.

In one embodiment of the invention, a third flow meter is arranged in the first supply line for supplying the dilution medium, which is designed to record at least the mass flow of the dilution medium

The third flow meter is also preferably connected to the higher-level control unit by means of a communication connection, so that at least one measured value for the flow of the dilution medium in the feed line can be transmitted to the higher-level control unit. Measured values for mass flow and density and/or temperature of the dilution medium are preferably transmitted.

• weitere Zuleitungen zu dem Behältnis, zum Einströmen weiterer Verdünnungsmedien, wobei jede der weiteren Zuleitungen aufweist:
  • - eine einstellbare und von der übergeordneten Steuerungseinheit ansteuerbare weitere Ventileinheit, mittels welcher weiteren Ventileinheit die in das Behältnis eingebrachte Menge des jeweiligen weiteren Verdünnungsmedium einstellbar ist.

In one embodiment of the invention, the system comprises:

• further supply lines to the container for the inflow of further dilution media, each of the further supply lines having:
  • an adjustable further valve unit that can be controlled by the superordinate control unit, by means of which further valve unit the quantity of the respective further dilution medium introduced into the container can be adjusted.

The higher-level control unit is designed, in particular, to set the first and possibly all other valve units as a function of the measured value for the viscosity recorded with the first Coriolis flowmeter. If necessary, one or more of the feed lines have further flow meters, the measured values of which are used to balance the different dilution media when setting the first valve unit and the further valve units.

In one embodiment of the invention, the system comprises an agitator arranged in the container for mixing the print application medium present as a mixture.

In one embodiment of the invention, the system includes a display/input unit that is designed to input a target value for the viscosity of the print application medium and/or to display at least the measured value(s) determined with the first Coriolis flow meter.

The display/input unit is also either part of the higher-level control unit or is connected to the higher-level control unit by means of a/the communication connection, so that all measured values transmitted to the latter can be displayed on the display/input unit.

The display/input unit includes a (touch) display, for example.

The display/input unit can also be part of a mobile terminal device. The mobile end device is, for example, a smartphone, a tablet, data glasses, or a mobile end device specific to process automation technology, such as the FieldXpert marketed by Endress+Hauser.

• - Vorgabe eines Soll-Werts für die Viskosität des fließfähigen Druckauftragsmediums;
• - Erfassen eines Ist-Werts für die Viskosität des fließfähigen Druckauftragsmediums mittels des ersten Coriolis-Durchflussmessgeräts,
• - Regeln zumindest der ersten Ventileinheit derart, dass der Ist-Wert für die Viskosität im Wesentlichen dem Soll-Wert für die Viskosität entspricht.

With regard to the method, the object is achieved by a method for providing a flowable print application medium with a specifiable viscosity for a printing unit with a system according to the invention, comprising the steps:

• - Specification of a target value for the viscosity of the free-flowing print application medium;
• - detecting an actual value for the viscosity of the free-flowing print application medium using the first Coriolis flowmeter,
• - Control at least the first valve unit in such a way that the actual value for the viscosity essentially corresponds to the target value for the viscosity.

At least the first valve unit is therefore regulated, preferably the first and the third and all further valve units.

• - Vorgabe eines Soll-Werts für die Temperatur des fließfähigen Druckauftragsmediums;
• - Erfassen eines Ist-Werts für die Temperatur des fließfähigen Druckauftragsmediums mittels des ersten Coriolis-Durchflussmessgeräts,
• - Regeln der zweiten Ventileinheit derart, dass der Ist-Wert für die Temperatur im Wesentlichen dem Soll-Wert für die Temperatur entspricht.

In one embodiment of the method, this includes the steps:

• - Specification of a target value for the temperature of the flowable print application medium;
• - detecting an actual value for the temperature of the free-flowing print application medium using the first Coriolis flowmeter,
• - Regulating the second valve unit in such a way that the actual value for the temperature essentially corresponds to the target value for the temperature.

In one embodiment, the actual value of the viscosity is detected and at least the first valve unit is controlled, in particular the actual value for the temperature is detected and the second valve unit is controlled, during a recurring provision of the print application medium during a printing process, especially .essentially continuous.

The invention is explained in more detail with reference to the following figures, which are not true to scale, with the same reference symbols denoting the same features. If it is necessary for the sake of clarity or if it appears to make sense in some other way, reference symbols that have already been mentioned are omitted in the following figures.

• 1: Eine erste Ausgestaltung der erfindungsgemäßen Anlage;
• 2: Eine weitere Ausgestaltung der erfindungsgemäßen Anlage; und
• 3: Eine weitere Ausgestaltung der erfindungsgemäßen Anlage;

Show it:

• 1 : A first embodiment of the system according to the invention;
• 2 : Another embodiment of the system according to the invention; and
• 3 : Another embodiment of the system according to the invention;

In 1 the system includes a container 2 with a print order medium 1, which is assigned to a printing unit 25 (see 2 ) provided. The print application medium 1 is a mixture comprising a starting medium 4 and a dilution medium 5, which differ in terms of their viscosity eta distinguish from each other. The starting medium 4 is, for example, a paint and the dilution medium 5 is a low-viscosity solvent, such as water, or a solvent based on a (hydro)carbon, such as acetone. The starting medium 4 flows into the container 2 via a base line 10 and the dilution medium 5 via a supply line 11 .

The print order medium 1 is made available to the printing unit in that the print order medium 1 flows out of the container 2 via an outlet and then through a first fluid line 6 connected to the outlet
is guided from the container 2 to the printing unit 25 (so-called flow). The free-flowing print application medium 1 flows from the container 2 to the printing unit in a predetermined flow direction DR.

The system includes a first Coriolis flow meter 7 with a measuring tube 8 through which the pressure application medium 1 flows determined and the corresponding measured value MW1, MW2 transmitted to a higher-level control unit 9. By determining a measured value MW3 for the mass flow rate Phi with the first Coriolis flow meter 7, flow through is additionally actively monitored during the measurement.

The superordinate control unit 9 is, for example, a process control system with a computer, for example in a control room, or a stored-program control unit (PLC). For this purpose, the first Coriolis flowmeter 7 is connected to the superordinate control unit 9 by means of a communication connection KV. The communication connection KV is, for example, a wired communication connection, e.g. an analog measurement transmission path, especially according to the 4-20mA standard, or a wired fieldbus of automation technology, e.g. Foundation Fieldbus, Profibus PA, Profibus DP, HART, CAN bus. However, it can also be a communication connection KV of a modern industrial communication network, e.g. an “Industrial Ethernet” fieldbus, in particular Profinet, HART-IP or Ethernet/IP or a communication network known from the field of communication, e.g. Ethernet based on TCP/IP -Protocol, act. In the event that the communication connection KV is wireless, it can be, for example, a Bluetooth, ZigBee, WLAN, GSM, LTE, UMTS communication network or else a wireless version of a fieldbus, in particular standards based on 802.15.4 act like WirelessHART.

If necessary, further process variables of the pressure application medium 1 flowing through the measuring tube 8 of the first Coriolis flow measuring device 7 are also determined, including the density rho and/or the mass flow rate Phi. The first Coriolis flowmeter 7 preferably has a single, straight measuring tube 8 .

At least the feed line 11 for the dilution medium 5 is equipped with an adjustable first valve unit 31 . The first valve unit 31 can be controlled by the superordinate control unit 9 . The quantity of dilution medium 5 introduced into the container 2 can be adjusted by means of the first valve unit 31 . The viscosity IW_eta of the print application medium 1 provided can be regulated to the predeterminable value IW_eta at least by setting the first valve unit 31 .

• - das Behältnis 2,
• -einen an den Auslass angrenzenden Abschnitt der ersten Fluidleitung 6, und
• - eine an einem Einlass in das Behältnis 2 mündende zweite Fluidleitung 12.

The viscosity is therefore preferably measured as a controlled variable in a conveyor circuit FK with the first Coriolis flow meter 7 . The conveying circuit FK comprises at least one pump 15 in order to convey the print application medium 1 through the conveying circuit FK in a conveying direction. The funding circuit FK includes at least:

• - the container 2,
• - a section of the first fluid line 6 adjoining the outlet, and
• - a second fluid line 12 which opens into the container 2 at an inlet.

The second fluid line 12 is used for a portion of the print application medium to flow back into the container 2. The first Coriolis flowmeter 7 is arranged in the second fluid line 12 and is therefore always arranged in the conveyor circuit FK. As a result, the viscosity eta can always be measured in the circuit, i.e. while the print application medium 1 is being prepared.

The viscosity of the print application medium 1 is continuously measured in the conveyor circuit FK. Corresponding to a deviation of the actual value for the viscosity IW_eta from the target value for the viscosity SW_eta, the viscosity eta of the print application medium 1 is continuously regulated to the target value for the viscosity SW_eta with the aid of the first valve unit 3, especially pulse length modulated or pulse frequency modulated. For example, by adding more dilution medium 5, the viscosity eta is lowered accordingly.

in the in 1 Variant shown includes the conveyor circuit FK only a portion 61 of the first fluid line 6, from the outlet to a connection point 13 leads. At the connection point 13, the second fluid line 12 is connected to the first fluid line 6 in such a way that a portion of the print application medium 1 flows back through the second fluid line 12 into the container 2, thereby flowing through the measuring tube 8 of the first Coriolis flowmeter 7. in the in 1 In the embodiment shown, the actual value for the viscosity IW_eta and the temperature T are therefore measured in a bypass of the flow, and the mass flow rate Phi is preferably also actively monitored.

in the in 2 In the variant shown, however, the conveyor circuit FK comprises a storage container 23 and a collection container 24. The print job medium 1 is applied via the storage container 23 for printing, for example to the rollers of a printing station of the printing unit 25 present in rotary printing (shown here in a greatly simplified manner). The collection container 24 collects excess print job medium 1 that was not used in the printing. This is flowed back into the container 2 in a so-called return flow. The return is in the in 2 variant shown formed by the second fluid line 12 with the first Coriolis flow meter 7.

In contrast to 1 so will 2 the actual value for the viscosity IW_eta and the temperature T in the return are measured. Except for the slightly different design of the conveyor circuit FK, the in 2 Design shown otherwise essentially the already in connection with 1 configuration explained above.

The measured value for the temperature of the print application medium 1 determined with the first Coriolis flowmeter 7, i.e. an actual value for the temperature IW_T, is preferably used as the measured variable for a second valve unit 32.

this is in 3 shown in more detail. Here, by means of a heating/cooling device 14, which is in the first fluid line 6 in the flow to the printing unit 25 (not shown here, see 2 ) is arranged. The heating/cooling device 14 can be connected to a heating/cooling circuit 16 via the second valve unit 32 . By setting the second valve unit 32 it is possible to set whether the print application medium 1 is heated or cooled. This is advantageous because, on the one hand, in addition to the viscosity eta, the temperature T also plays an important role in the printing process, and on the other hand, since the viscosity eta itself is a temperature-dependent variable. The second valve unit 32 can be activated by the superordinate control unit 9 .

At the in 3 The embodiment shown includes the conveyor circuit as in 2 shown the storage tank 23 and the collection tank 24, and the second fluid line 12 with the first Coriolis flow meter 7 is designed as a return from the printing unit 25. However, the invention also includes mutatis mutandis in 3 components shown in connection with the in 1 shown embodiment of the conveyor circuit, in which the second fluid line 12 is designed as a bypass.

When designing out 3 A second flow meter 19 and a third valve unit 3 arranged downstream in the inflow direction are arranged in the base line 10 for the inflow of the starting medium 4 . The second flow meter 19 is connected to the higher-level control unit 9 via the/a communication link KV, and the third valve unit 33 can also be controlled by the higher-level control unit 9 . This is also preferably a Coriolis flow meter, so that the mass flow rate and the density can be measured simultaneously.

As in 3 shown, the invention also comprises at least one further feed line 11a for the inflow of a further dilution medium 5a. Each of the additional supply lines 11a has an adjustable additional valve unit 31a that can be controlled by the superordinate control unit 9 . The quantity of the respective further dilution medium 5a introduced into the container 2 can be adjusted by means of the respective further valve unit 31a. In this case there is a mixture of two or more dilution mediums 5, 5a, 5b. An actual value for the viscosity IW_eta is preferably determined as a time average over a period of time to be set. Corresponding to this actual value for the viscosity IW_eta, the total quantity of all dilution media 5.5a is serially distributed to the two or more valve units 31.31a... according to a desired mixing ratio. Preferably, at least one of the supply lines 11, 11a, preferably all of them, is equipped with a third flow meter 20 for balancing purposes when several dilution mediums 5 are mixed. The third flow meter 20 is also connected to the higher-level control unit 9 via a/the communication link KV.

For container 2 with print order medium 1, in 3 a level gauge 18 is provided. This is preferably provided as a limit switch, and is designed, for example, as a vibronic or capacitive and/or conductive switch. The filling level measuring device 18 is also connected to the superordinate control unit 9 via a/the communication link KV. The fill-level measuring device 18 serves to prevent overfilling by the starting medium 4 or the dilution medium 5.5a. According to the Mess value in the fill level measurement and/or the aforementioned flow measurement in the base line 10 and/or the supply line 11, for example a third valve unit 33 in the base line 10 and/or the first, additional valve unit 31, 31a is actuated. The control of the first valve unit 31 by the superordinate control unit 9 takes place, for example, by controlling an electromagnet (solenoid valve), for example pressure-controlled; the same applies to the second, third and all other valve units 32,33,31a,31b,... of the system.

If necessary, the system also includes a pressure gauge 17, which is connected to the higher-level control unit 9 via a/the communication connection KV, for monitoring the pressure p in the container 2. It goes without saying that the pressure gauge 17 and the level gauge 18 independent components and therefore not closely related.

Furthermore, an agitator 21 is preferably arranged in the container 2 for better mixing of the print application medium 1 present as a mixture. However, the agitator 21 is by no means essential, since, for example, if the pump 15 is present, there is a certain circulation and therefore mixing of the print application medium 1.

All measured values MW1 , . . . The visualization takes place, for example, on a PC in a control room, which is part of the superordinate control unit 9 . The desired values (desired value for the viscosity SW_eta and possibly desired value for the temperature SW_T) are also entered on the display/input unit 22, for example on the above-mentioned PC. in the in 3 shown embodiment of the invention, the display / input unit 22 is part of a mobile terminal 26, which in turn is connected to the higher-level control unit 9 via communication link KV. The communication link KV is configured here as wireless.

The actual value for the viscosity IW_eta and all other measured values MW2, . . . are preferably recorded continuously during the printing process. In the printing process, the printing unit 25 is continuously provided with new print job medium 1 . Excess print application medium 1 is collected from the printing unit 25 via a return (e.g. the second fluid line 12) and flows back into the container 2 of the system.

Since a printing press--as mentioned at the outset--comprises a plurality of printing units 25, each with a container 2 with a respective print order medium 1, the system according to the invention can also be provided for each of these printing units 25. In this case, if necessary, a common higher-level control unit 9 is also provided, which is used to control all the systems.

Reference List

1

Print Job Medium

2

container

31, 32, 33, 31a, 31b,

First, second, third, further valve unit

4

output medium

5, 5a, 5b,

Dilution medium, further dilution medium

6

First fluid line

61

first section of the first fluid line

7

first Coriolis flow meter

8th

measuring tube

9

Superior control unit

10

basic line

11:11a,11b,

First, further supply line

12

Second fluid line

13

connection point

14

heating/cooling device

15

pump

16

heating and/or cooling circuit

17

pressure gauge

18

level gauge

19

second flow meter

20

third flow meter

21

agitator

22

display/input unit

23

storage container

24

collection container

25

printing unit

26

mobile device

etc

viscosity

T

temperature

rho

density

phi

mass flow

P

Print

L

level

MW1,

reading

KV

communication link

FK

conveyor circuit

IW_eta, SW_eta

Actual value, target value for the viscosity

IW_T, SW_T

Actual value, target value for the temperature

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents cited by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent Literature Cited

• DE 102015120087 A1 [0006]
• DE 102014119427 A1 [0006]
• DE 102011006971 A1 [0006]
• DE 102011006919 A1 [0006]
• DE 102016125537 A1 [0006]
• US 2013/0319134 A1 [0006]
• US 8281668 B2 [0006]
• US6415668B1 [0006]

Claims (16)

System for providing a free-flowing print application medium (1) with a specifiable viscosity for a printing unit (25), the system comprising: - A container (2) containing the flowable print application medium (1), wherein the flowable print application medium (1) is a mixture comprising a starting medium (4) and at least one dilution medium (5; 5a, 5b); - a first fluid line (6) connected to an outlet of the container (2) and leading from the container (2) to the printing unit (25), through which the free-flowing print application medium (1) flows from the container (2) to the printing unit (25 ) flows in a predetermined flow direction (DR); - a first Coriolis flow meter (7) with a measuring tube (8) through which the pressure application medium (1) flows, which first Coriolis flow meter (7) is designed to measure at least the viscosity (eta) and the temperature (T) of the measuring tube (8) to detect the print application medium (1) flowing through, in particular the viscosity (eta), the temperature (T) and the density (rho) and/or the mass flow rate (Phi) of the print application medium (1); - a higher-level control unit (9), to which the first Coriolis flow meter (7) is connected by means of a communication link (KV), for transmitting the measured value(s) (MW1;..) recorded with the first Coriolis flow meter (7). .) to the superordinate control unit (9); - A base line (10) connected to the container (2) for the inflow of the starting medium (4) into the container (2); - at least one first feed line (11) connected to the container (2) for the inflow of the dilution medium (5) into the container (2), having: an adjustable first valve unit (31) that can be controlled by the superordinate control unit (9), by means of which first valve unit (31) an amount of dilution medium (5) introduced into the container (2) can be adjusted, with at least the setting of the first valve unit ( 31) the viscosity (eta) of the print application medium (1) provided can be regulated to the predeterminable value. plant after claim 1 , Having a conveyor circuit (FK) with at least one pump (15), wherein the pump is designed to promote the print application medium (1) through the conveyor circuit (FK), and wherein the conveyor circuit (FK) comprises at least: - the container ( 2) - at least one section of the first fluid line (6) adjoining the outlet, and - a second fluid line (12) which opens into the container (2) at an inlet, for a portion of the print application medium (1) to flow back into the container (2), wherein the first Coriolis flow meter (7) is arranged in the second fluid line (12). plant after claim 2 , wherein the conveying circuit is formed by: - the container (2), - a first section (61) of the first fluid line (6) and - the second fluid line (12), wherein the second fluid line (6) at a connection point (13) is connected to the first section (61) of the first fluid line (6). plant after claim 2 , wherein the conveyor circuit is formed by - the container (2); - The first fluid line (6), the first fluid line (6) leading to a reservoir (23) for the printing unit (25); - The storage container (23) and a collecting container (24) for the printing unit (25); - The second fluid line (12), wherein the second fluid line (12) is connected to the collecting container (24). Plant according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a heating and/or cooling device (14) for heating and/or cooling the print application medium (1) provided to the printing unit (25), wherein the heating and/or cooling device (14) is arranged in the first fluid line (6) or the second fluid line (12), preferably in the first fluid line (6). plant after claim 5 , wherein the heating and/or cooling device (14) can be connected to a temperature fluid line of a heating and/or cooling circuit (16) by means of an adjustable second valve unit (32) that can be actuated by the superordinate control unit (9). System according to at least one of the preceding claims, comprising a pressure gauge (17) and/or a fill level gauge (18), which are designed to measure the pressure (p) or the fill level (L) of the flowable print application medium (1) in the container (2 ) capture. System according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein a second flow meter (19), in particular a Coriolis flow meter, is arranged in the base line (10). designed second flow meter (19), which is designed to measure at least the mass flow of the starting medium (4), in particular the mass flow (Phi), the temperature (T), the viscosity (eta) and/or the density of the starting medium (4). capture. System according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the base line (10) has an adjustable third valve unit (33) that can be actuated by the higher-level control unit (9), by means of which third valve unit (33) a quantity of starting medium is introduced into the container (2). (4) is adjustable. System according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein a third flow meter (20) is arranged in the first supply line (11) for supplying the dilution medium (5) and is designed to record at least the mass flow of the dilution medium (5). System according to at least one of the preceding claims, comprising: further feed lines (11a, 11b,...) to the container (2), for the inflow of further dilution media (5a, 5b,...), each of the further feed lines (11a, 11b,...) has: - An adjustable further valve unit (31a, 31b,...) that can be controlled by the superordinate control unit (9), by means of which further valve unit (31a, 31b,...) the quantity of the respective further introduced into the container (2). Dilution medium (5a,5b,...) is adjustable. System according to at least one of the preceding claims, comprising an agitator (21) arranged in the container (2) for mixing the print application medium (1) present as a mixture. System according to at least one of the preceding claims, comprising a display/input unit (22) which is used for inputting a target value (SW) for the viscosity of the print application medium (1) and/or for displaying at least the/the one with the first Coriolis Flow meter (7) determined measured value / e (MW) is designed. Method for providing a free-flowing print application medium (1) with a specifiable viscosity (eta) for a printing unit (25) with a system according to at least one of the above Claims 1 until 13 , comprising the steps: - Specification of a target value (SW_eta) for the viscosity (eta) of the free-flowing print application medium (1); - detecting an actual value (IW_eta) for the viscosity (eta) of the free-flowing print application medium (1) using the first Coriolis flowmeter (7), - controlling at least the first valve unit (31) in such a way that the actual value for the viscosity (IW_eta) essentially corresponds to the target value (SW_eta) for the viscosity (eta). procedure after Claim 14 , include the steps: - Specification of a target value for the temperature (SW_T) of the free-flowing print application medium (1); - Detecting an actual value for the temperature (IW_T) of the flowable print application medium (1) using the first Coriolis flow meter (7), - Controlling the second valve unit (32) in such a way that the actual value (IW T) for the temperature (T) essentially corresponds to the target value (SW_T) for the temperature (T). procedure after Claim 14 or 15 , whereby the detection of the actual value (IW_eta) of the viscosity (eta) and the regulation of at least the first valve unit (31), in particular the detection of the actual value for the temperature (IW_T) and the regulation of the second valve unit (32) , during a recurring provision of the print order medium (1) during the printing process occurs repeatedly, esp. Essentially continuously.

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