DE102022125980A1 - Method for operating a printing plate logistics system - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for operating a printing plate logistics system with a plate storage, a transport system that connects the plate storage to several printing machines and with a manipulator, wherein the manipulator is designed to separate plates that are stored partially or completely overlapping one another on the plate storage and each have a control mark by moving a single plate in a separation direction and to transfer the separated plate to the transport system, wherein the manipulator can be controlled by a controller connected to a storage and the sequence of the control marks of the plates arranged on the plate storage is stored in the memory and the controller is connected to a camera, wherein the camera detects the respective control mark of the respective plate for a sequence of plates on each plate and the controller compares the sequence of the respective control marks detected one after the other with the stored sequence and controls the manipulator depending on the result of the comparison.

Description

The invention relates to a method for operating a printing plate logistics system with a plate storage, a transport system that connects the plate storage to one or more printing machines and with a manipulator.

From the DE 43 09 658 C1 A printing plate transport device is known that can be moved on guide rails above the printing press. The printing plate transport device takes the printing plate from a centrally arranged magazine and transports it above the printing press to the relevant plate cylinder.

From the EP 1 193 057 A1 A printing machine with printing plate exposure is known. It is proposed to assign a transport system for transporting the imaged printing plate to the individual printing units to a printing machine containing a printing plate imaging device. The transport system grips the end of the printing plate with vertically movable gripping elements, then the printing plate is moved horizontally to a printing plate changing device, whereby the printing plate position can be vertical or horizontal during transport. During transport, the printing plates are rotated in order to bring them into the required feed position for the printing plate changing devices.

From the EN 10 2006 032 204 B3 A method for providing at least one printing form at its installation location on a form cylinder of a rotary printing press is known. It is proposed here that a printing form be transported in a transport module of a transport device from the imaging station to its respective installation location on the form cylinder. The transport module is transported to the desired printing unit on the operating side of the printing press.

From the EN 38 71 940 T2 A transfer system for lithographic printing plates is known. This proposes a horizontal conveyor that conveys lithographic printing plates to a place of use, whereby the lithographic plates are taken over by hooks of the transfer system at the angled front edge and fed to an overhead conveyor.

From the DE 103 38 373 A1 A device for changing printing plates is known. The printing machine has several printing units arranged one behind the other, each printing unit being equipped with a plate changing device. A guide rail is arranged parallel to the printing units, to which a movable handling device is assigned. The handling device takes a designated printing plate from a printing plate depot and transports it to the plate changing device of the desired printing unit.

So-called plate trolleys can also be used to transport printing plates. The plate trolleys are usually loaded by automated printing plate processing lines, which are also known as plate preparation.

The plate trolleys can be identified via QR code, so that the control system of the printing plate processing line knows which plate trolley is ready for loading. Accordingly, the order of the printing plates placed on a plate trolley is linked to its identity. To transfer the printing plates, the operator manually moves fully loaded plate trolleys from the printing plate processing line to the immediate vicinity of the defined printing machine for the upcoming print job change.

The printing machines can be equipped with fully automatic plate changing machines. Accordingly, the operator can pre-position the complete set of printing plates for the next print job in the feed chutes of the fully automatic plate changing machines during an ongoing printing process. The operator must ensure that the printing plates are assigned to the correct printing machine and, within the printing machine, to the correct printing unit. It is known to secure this process using printing plate identification, which includes several cameras, one of which is arranged on each printing unit. After the print job has been changed, the used printing plates are made available for removal in the removal chute of the fully automatic plate changing machine. The operator removes the printing plates and transports them manually to a central storage area.

The printing plate changing process is very time-consuming, especially when the printing machines have a complex machine configuration and there are large distances between the printing plate processing line and the printing machines.

The invention is based on the object of creating a method for operating a printing plate logistics system which ensures a high transport speed and process reliability when handling plates for printing machines.

The object is achieved according to the invention by the features of claim 1.

The invention has the advantage that the process reliability when separating the plates from the plate storage is increased.

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and are described in more detail below.

• 1 ein schematische Darstellung eines Druckplattenlogistiksystem mit einer Plattenbereitstellung, einer Plattenentsorgung und einem Transportsystem und mehrere Druckmaschinen;
• 2 eine schematische Darstellung einer Plattenbereitstellung mit mehreren Plattenwagen und einem Manipulator;
• 3 eine schematische Darstellung eines Details einer Plattenentsorgung;
• 4 eine schematische Darstellung eines Details eines Manipulators;
• 5 eine schematische Seitenansicht eines Manipulators mit eingefahrenem Anschlag;
• 6 eine schematische Seitenansicht eines Manipulators mit ausgefahrenem Anschlag;
• 7 eine schematische Darstellung einer Detailansicht eines Eckbereichs des Manipulators mit eingefahrenem Anschlag;
• 8 eine schematische Darstellung einer Detailansicht eines Eckbereichs des Manipulators mit ausgefahrenem Anschlag;
• 9 eine schematische Darstellung einer Frontalansicht eines Manipulators.

Show it:

• 1 a schematic representation of a printing plate logistics system with a plate supply, a plate disposal and a transport system and several printing machines;
• 2 a schematic representation of a plate supply system with several plate trolleys and a manipulator;
• 3 a schematic representation of a detail of a plate disposal;
• 4 a schematic representation of a detail of a manipulator;
• 5 a schematic side view of a manipulator with retracted stop;
• 6 a schematic side view of a manipulator with extended stop;
• 7 a schematic representation of a detailed view of a corner area of the manipulator with the stop retracted;
• 8th a schematic representation of a detailed view of a corner area of the manipulator with the stop extended;
• 9 a schematic representation of a front view of a manipulator.

In the 1 A printing plate logistics system with a plate supply 1, a plate storage, a plate disposal 3 and a transport system 2 is shown.

The transport system 2 connects the plate supply 1, the plate storage and the plate disposal 3 with a printing press 4.

In particular, the transport system 2 connects the plate storage with several printing machines 4.

The one or more printing presses 4 are preferably designed as sheet-fed rotary printing presses, in particular as sheet-fed offset printing presses.

The printing machines 4 are preferably designed as a unit. They consist in particular of a feeder, a system, several printing units arranged in a row one behind the other and a delivery. The direction of sheet conveyance corresponds to the direction from the feeder to the delivery. The printing machines 4 shown each have 8 identical printing units and a turning device arranged after the fourth printing unit and are to be understood as an example of printing machines 4 of any configuration that can be connected to other elements such as the plate preparation 1 and the plate disposal 3 via the transport system 2. The printing units each preferably contain an impression cylinder, a transfer drum, a plate cylinder and a blanket cylinder. An inking unit or inking and dampening unit (not further designated) is assigned to the plate cylinder. The plate cylinder is covered with a printing plate, hereinafter referred to as plate 5. The plate 5 is inked by the inking unit with the corresponding printing ink. When the plate cylinder rolls on the blanket cylinder, the printing ink is transferred to the blanket cylinder covered with a blanket in accordance with the motif. A printing gap is formed between the blanket cylinder and the impression cylinder, through which the material to be printed, i.e. the sheet, is conveyed. In the printing gap, the printing ink is transferred from the blanket cylinder to the sheet. In addition to printing units, the printing machines 4 can also have further coating and/or finishing units, drying units and/or turning devices. The printing machines 4 could also be designed as web-fed rotary printing machines.

Each printing unit preferably has a pivotable plate change guard on the side facing the delivery, which serves as a shaft during a plate change in a known manner for removing the old printed plate 5 and for feeding the new plate 5 to be inserted. The plate change guard preferably contains two parallel shafts, in particular an insertion shaft and an extraction shaft, with which two plates can be inserted and removed past each other. The plate change guard is part of the plate changing device of a printing unit. The plate changing device contains other known elements necessary for plate changing. For a plate change, the plate cylinders are placed in a defined plate changing position. This adjustment movement of the plate cylinders can be carried out by a central drive gear train, whereby the plate cylinders running in phase in one group are simultaneously placed in the plate changing position. After the plate change on the corresponding plate cylinders, the other group of plate cylinders running in phase Plate cylinders are placed in the plate changing position by the central drive gear train so that the plate can also be changed here. In another embodiment, the plate cylinders are driven by direct drives that are synchronized for printing. When changing plates, all plate cylinders can be placed in the plate changing position at the same time, meaning that the plate can be changed on all printing units at the same time.

The disk storage can be designed in a manner known per se and preferably comprises an element for receiving several disks 5 in the form of a stack. In a simple embodiment, the disk storage can be formed by a pallet.

Preferably, the disk storage is formed by a particularly movable disk carriage 1.1.1.

The plate supply 1 preferably comprises a plurality of plate carriage receptacles 1.2 and a plurality of plate carriages 1.1.1 that can be loaded with a plurality of plates 5 and positioned in the plate carriage receptacles 1.2, as well as a manipulator 1.2.3. Each of the plate carriage receptacles 1.2 preferably has a positioning means for positioning a respective plate carriage 1.1.1. The positioning means can be formed in a manner known per se by mechanical stops or by magnetic and/or inductively acting positioning means. Preferably, each of the plate carriage receptacles 1.2 also has fixing means for locking the plate carriage 1.1.1 in the plate carriage receptacle 1.2. The positioning means can also form the fixing means for locking a respective plate carriage 1.1.1, which is particularly the case when the positioning means is designed as a magnetic and/or inductively acting means. Preferably, reading devices are arranged in the plate carriage receptacles 1.2 or reading devices are assigned to the plate carriage receptacles 1.2. The readers can be designed in particular to read RFID codes or QR codes or data matrix codes or to read codes based on NFC technology.

Each of the plate carriages 1.1.1 carries a code that uniquely identifies it, which can be designed as an RFID code or QR code or data matrix code or as a code that can be read on the basis of NFC technology. The plate carriages 1.1.1 are designed in a manner known per se and can have an inclined support plate on which several plates 5 or plate sets can be placed with side edges that are aligned with one another or offset from one another. For the purpose of the invention, the plates 5 are placed exclusively with their outer edges offset from one another.

The loading of the plate trolleys 1.1.1 can be carried out by a plate sorting device (not shown), which is technologically arranged upstream of the plate provision 1.

The information on the available plates 5 on the plate carriage 1.1.1 is available within the printing plate logistics system. Accordingly, a memory can be provided that is written with data or that contains data that describe the assignment of respective plates 5 to a plate carriage 1.1.1 and/or the position of respective plates 5 in a plate carriage 1.1.1.

The manipulator 1.2.3 takes over plates 5 one after the other from a respective plate carriage 1.1.1 and transfers the plates 5 one after the other to respective transport carriages 2.3 of a transport system 2, which is described below.

The plates 5 lie on the plate carriage 1.1.1 as a stack of several plates 5, wherein such a stack preferably comprises all plates 5 of a respective plate set.

The plates 5 are laid out either completely overlapping one another or offset from one another.

In the case of the plates 5 being deposited offset from one another, two immediately adjacent plates 5 are always deposited offset from one another by a distance that corresponds to the width of at least one stop 1.2.4, which is described in more detail below. In other words, the at least one stop 1.2.4 can preferably be placed completely on a plate 5 arranged below the top plate 5 in the stack, without touching the top plate 5 in the stack.

The manipulator 1.2.3 is designed to separate plates 5 arranged on the plate storage device in a completely or partially overlapping manner by moving a single plate 5 in a separation direction 6 and to transfer the separated plate 5 to the transport system 2. The separation direction 6 runs parallel to the normals of the surfaces in which the plates 5 arranged in a partially overlapping manner on the plate storage device extend.

While no stop is required for separating plates 5 arranged completely overlapping one another on the plate storage, a stop is required for separating plates 5 arranged partially overlapping one another on the plate storage at least one stop 1.2.4 is formed which, when an outer plate 5 on the plate storage is moved, fixes a plate 5 immediately adjacent to the outer plate 5 on the plate storage. The at least one stop 1.2.4 can be part of the manipulator 1.2.3.

The manipulator 1.2.3 preferably has a movable carrier 1.2.5 and the at least one stop 1.2.4 is mounted on the carrier 1.2.5 and is designed to be displaceable relative to the carrier 1.2.5. Instead of a single stop 1.2.4, several stops 1.2.4 can also be formed. Preferably, four stops 1.2.4 are formed, each of which is assigned to one of the corners of the carrier 1.2.5. The basic shape of the carrier 1.2.5 is determined in such a way that the carrier 1.2.5 preferably extends over the format of the plates 5 to be handled by the manipulator 1.2.3.

The at least one stop 1.2.4 is arranged so as to be displaceable, in particular back and forth, between a first position and a second position and/or in the separation direction 6.

The manipulator 1.2.3 has a gripper 1.2.6, whereby the gripper 1.2.6 can be formed by exactly one or a plurality of individual grippers. The individual grippers can be activated together or independently of one another.

The gripper 1.2.6 or the individual grippers are preferably designed as suction grippers.

The grippers 1.2.6 can be permanently assigned to the carrier 1.2.5 and in this case can only be moved together with the carrier 1.2.5.

Alternatively, the grippers 1.2.6 can be mounted on the carrier 1.2.5 and can be displaced relative to the carrier 1.2.5. In this case, the grippers 1.2.6 can move independently of the carrier 1.2.5.

The carrier 1.2.5 is preferably connected via a pivot point 1.2.2 to a multi-axis robot 1.2.1 for moving the carrier 1.2.5. The multi-axis robot 1.2.1 is preferably designed with a linear axis extending over all plate carriage receptacles 1.2.

The manipulator 1.2.3 can have a camera 1.2.7 connected to a controller. The camera 1.2.7 is preferably arranged on the carrier 1.2.5 so as to be displaceable transversely to the separation direction 6.

The camera 1.2.7 is assigned to or can be displaced in such a way that the camera 1.2.7 can detect a control mark 8 on a plate 5 arranged on the plate storage device after the preceding plate 5 has been separated from the plate storage device and before this separated plate 5 is transferred to the transport system 2.

The detection of multiple plates is carried out with the help of the camera 1.2.7 by logically evaluating the detected control marks 8.

To assist in the separation of plates 5, a blowing device can be designed which generates a blowing air flow directed at a gap between plates 5 stored on the plate storage or at a gap between a respective plate 5 displaced from the plate storage and the plate 5 immediately adjacent to it arranged on the plate storage.

The transport system 2 comprises a rail network 2.1 and a plurality of transport carriages 2.3 that can be moved on the rail network 2.1. Each of the transport carriages 2.3 preferably carries a code that uniquely identifies it, which can be designed as an RFID code or QR code or data matrix code or as a code that can be read on the basis of NFC technology. Each transport carriage 2.3 also preferably comprises a mechanical gripper system 2.3.1 for hanging a respective plate 5, which is preferably held in a closed position by a force accumulator.

The rail network 2.1 is preferably formed from rail segments, with individual rail segments running in the area of the plate changing devices of the printing press 4. In order to enable plates 5 to be transferred to the plate changing devices of the printing press 4, the rail segments of the rail network 2.1 are preferably designed to be vertically displaceable relative to adjacent rail segments in the area of the plate changing device. The vertically displaceable rail segments are preferably assigned means for fixing a respective transport carriage 2.3 on the rail segment when the rail segment is displaced. Actuators are preferably designed in the area of the plate changing devices, which can be selectively activated and, when activated, can cause the respective mechanical gripper system 2.3.1 of the respective transport carriage 2.3 to open. The actuators can be brought into engagement with a mechanical gripper system 2.3.1 by horizontal displacement of the respective transport carriage 2.3 on the rail network 2.1 or by vertical displacement of a rail segment, whereby activation of a respective actuator only affects a respective gripper system 2.3.1 if the respective Actuator is also in engagement with the respective gripper system 2.3.1. A respective vertically displaceable rail segment of the rail network 2.1 is spatially assigned to an insertion shaft of the plate changing device and/or can be displaced vertically relative to it in such a way that when the rail segment is lowered, a plate 5 held in the mechanical gripper system 2.3.1 of a transport carriage 2.3 guided on the rail segment is inserted into the insertion shaft.

Preferably, the respective vertically displaceable rail segment is also spatially assigned to a shaft of the plate changing device and/or is vertically displaceable relative to it in such a way that when the rail segment is lowered, a plate 5 conveyed from an output shaft of the plate changing device can be transferred into a detection area of a mechanical gripper system 2.3.1 of a transport carriage 2.3 guided on the rail segment.

In order to transport the transport carriages 2.3 on the rail network 2.1, individual rail segments or areas of the rail network 2.1 can be arranged at an incline relative to the horizontal, so that a respective transport carriage 2.3 located on the individual rail segments or areas of the rail network 2.1 moves solely by the force of the slope.

Another possibility for driving the transport carriages 2.3 along the rail network 2.1 is to arrange permanently rotating brushes. The brushes engage in recesses formed on the transport carriages 2.3.

The brushes can also be arranged on a rail segment that is inclined relative to the horizontal and drive respective transport carriages 2.3 against the downhill force. With such a design, respective transport carriages 2.3 can be transported to a higher level in a comparatively short section of the rail network 2.1 in order to move again solely by downhill force in the subsequent sections of the rail network 2.1.

Another possibility for driving the transport carriages 2.3 along the rail network 2.1, which is based on the use of toothed segments and toothed chains or gears, is used in particular at those locations on the rail network 2.1 where a respective transport carriage 2.3 is to be positioned relatively precisely. Accordingly, each transport carriage 2.3 can be assigned a toothed segment and transfer areas 1.4 can be formed along the rail network 2.1 for positioning the respective transport carriage 2.3, in each of which a gear or toothed chain driven by an individual motor is arranged, wherein the gear or toothed chain meshes exclusively with the toothed segment assigned to the transport carriage 2.3 when a respective transport carriage 2.3 is in the transfer area 1.4.

The panel disposal 3 comprises at least one panel stack holder in which a stack carrier 3.1.6 can be positioned. A commercially available Euro pallet or a system pallet known from non-stop stack changing systems can be provided as the stack carrier 3.1.6. A panel stack holder comprises at least one lateral stop 3.1.4 for aligning panels 5, which a respective transport carriage 2.3 positioned in the area of the panel stack holder releases in the vertically hanging state. In the area of the panel stack holder in which the stack carrier 3.1.6 can be positioned, a deflection means 3.1.2, 3.1.3 is also provided, which deflects a front edge of the panel 5 in the direction of fall horizontally in the direction of the at least one lateral stop 3.1.4 when falling. The deflection means 3.1.2, 3.1.3 can be formed by a guide element inclined at an angle to the vertical. Preferably, the angle of attack of the deflection means 3.1.2, 3.1.3 is set or adjustable in the range of 10 to 80, in particular 15 to 70 degrees. Accordingly, the deflection means 3.1.2, 3.1.3 can also be mounted so as to be adjustable in order to change its angle of attack. Preferably, the deflection means 3.1.2, 3.1.3 is formed by an upper guide plate 3.1.2 and a lower guide plate 3.1.3, which are arranged adjacent to one another and are inclined at different angles of attack. The angle of attack of the upper guide plate 3.1.2 relative to the vertical is preferably smaller than the angle of attack of the lower guide plate 3.1.3 relative to the vertical. The upper guide plate 3.1.2 and/or the lower guide plate 3.1.3 are preferably mounted so as to be adjustable in order to change an angle of attack or can be designed with a fixed angle of attack. The advantage of embodiments that allow adjustment of the angle of attack is in particular that they can be adapted to changing formats of panels 5. To support the deflection process after the release of a respective panel 5 by the gripper system 2.3.1 of a respective transport carriage 2.3, the deflection means 3.1.2, 3.1.3, in particular the lower guide plate 3.1.3 and/or the upper guide plate 3.1.2, can be pneumatically actuated. The deflection means 3.1.2, 3.1.3 can also be designed as a pneumatically acting means or as a motor-acting means.

Preferably, the at least one lateral stop 3.1.4 is horizontally adjustable to adapt to the format of the panels 5 to be aligned. Instead of a single lateral stop 3.1.4, a pair of lateral stops 3.1.4 facing each other can also be formed. Instead of a single plate stack holder, several plate stack holders can also be formed and arranged next to one another or distributed along the rail network 2.1. Preferably, a first plate stack holder is designed to hold plates 5 of a first size and a second plate stack holder is designed to hold plates 5 of a second size that is different from the first. In this case, a deflection means 3.1.2, 3.1.3 of the first plate stack holder is preferably inclined at a different angle than a deflection means 3.1.2, 3.1.3 of the second plate stack holder. The lateral stops 3.1.4 of the first plate stack holder can also be set differently or have a different distance from one another than the lateral stops 3.1.4 of the second plate stack holder.

In order to permanently achieve a constant storage level for storing plates 5, the plate stack holder can have a lifting device 3.1.5. A respective stack carrier 3.1.6 can be positioned on the lifting device 3.1.5 and can be moved vertically to adjust the storage level. The lifting device 3.1.5 preferably comprises a sensor for detecting the position of the upper edge of a stack formed on the stack carrier 3.1.6 from stored plates 5 and a drive. The drive moves the stack carrier 3.1.6 vertically depending on the signals from the sensor. Instead of a sensor, the drive can also be controlled depending on the signals from a sheet counter, in which case a control takes into account the signals from the sheet counter and the thickness of the plates 5 to be stored when controlling the drive.

The plate supply 1 and the transport system 2 are connected to one another via a central control or each have decentralized controls that interact with one another to implement the plate transport processes. The common control or the decentralized controls can also interact with the controls of the printing presses 4 to implement the plate transport processes.

In the following, a central control system for the joint control of disk provision 1 and transport system 2 is described, also as a representative of several decentralized controls that interact with each other.

The control system is preferably signal-connected to the reading devices for reading the unique codes assigned to the plate carriage 1.1.1 and is designed to control a respective transport carriage 2.3 and the manipulator 1.2.3 depending on the signals from the reading devices.

The control system can also be connected to a memory that is written with data by a plate sorting device arranged upstream of the plate supply 1, which loads the plate carriages 1.1.1 with plates 5, or that contains data that describe the assignment of respective plates 5 to a plate carriage 1.1.1 and/or the position of respective plates 5 in a plate carriage 1.1.1. In particular, the order of the control marks 8 of the plates 5 arranged on the or a respective plate storage, in particular the or a respective plate carriage 1.1.1, is stored in the memory.

The control system can also be designed in particular as a decentralized control system and be connected to a memory which exclusively stores the sequence of the control marks 8 of the plates 5 arranged on the or a respective plate storage device, in particular the or a respective plate carriage 1.1.1.

This connection provides the control system with information about the plates 5 or plate sets available for future print jobs.

If the control and/or the memory are also connected to the control stations, i.e. the controls of the printing presses 4, in particular the printing press controls, the information about the plates 5 or plate sets available on the plate carriage 1.1.1 is also available at the control stations, for example for selection by an operator.

The control system can also be connected to reading devices for reading a unique code assigned to the respective transport carriage 2.3, which are arranged in transfer areas 2.1.2 of the rail network 2.1. The transfer areas 2.1.2 also contain rail switches which are controlled by the control system depending on the signals from the reading devices. The transfer areas 2.1.2 form branches of the rail network 2.1.

The control is also connected to the camera 1.2.7, which can be moved together with the manipulator 1.2.3. The camera 1.2.7 is preferably designed to detect control marks 8 on a plate 5 detected by the manipulator 1.2.3 or to be detected subsequently.

The control can be used to implement a special handling routine for plates 5 by the manipulator 1.2.3 can be designed to improve the reliability of plate detection. Since it can happen that plates 5 are placed on a plate carriage 1.1.1 with incorrect orientation, the control system corrects such a possible error with the help of the manipulator 1.2.3 in such a way that if the camera 1.2.7 does not detect a control mark 8 during a detection process and/or the control system does not identify a control mark 8 during an identification process, the manipulator 1.2.3 takes a respective plate 5 from the plate carriage 1.1.1 and rotates the respective plate 5 about its own axis. The manipulator 1.2.3 can place the plate 5 back on the plate carriage 1.1.1 according to its control by the control system after rotating it about its own axis in order to detect the control mark 8 again.

The functioning of the printing plate logistics system will be explained below.

Before printing a future print job, an operator can select this print job and possibly others, for example at the control station of one of the printing machines 4 on which the print job is to be processed. The control of the plate supply 1 and the transport system 2 receives information about the operator's request from the control station of the printing machine 4.

The controller preferably has information about the plates 5 available on the plate carriage 1.1.1, in particular about the assignment of respective plates 5 to a respective plate carriage 1.1.1 and/or the position of respective plates 5 on the plate carriage 1.1.1, available via the memory.

In order to enable the plates 5 required for a respective print job to be transferred from the plate supply 1 to the respective printing machine 4, the control system positions a respective free transport carriage 2.3 of the transport system 2 on the rail network 2.1 in such a way that it is a short distance from the plate carriage 1.1.1 on which the relevant plate 5 or the relevant plate set is located. Positioning takes place within a transfer area 1.4 or a transfer station, preferably by the engagement of toothed chains in the tooth segment of the transport carriage 2.3, with the toothed chain and tooth segment acting together as a chain drive. Instead of a single transfer station, several transfer stations can also be designed. The transfer stations are each equipped with an actuator, which can be designed as a pivoting link. This link is pivoted in and actuates a mechanism which opens the mechanical gripper system 2.3.1 of the transport carriage 2.3. Alternatively, permanently installed pneumatic cylinders can actuate the mechanism of the gripper system 2.3.1.

The controller preferably also positions the manipulator 1.2.3 preferably on its linear axis in the vicinity of the plate carriage 1.1.1, which carries the plate 5 to be grasped by the manipulator 1.2.3.

The gripper 1.2.6 is then moved in a separation direction 6 to an uppermost one of a plurality of partially or completely overlapping plates 5 arranged on the plate storage. Depending on the design, this can be done by moving the carrier 1.2.5 or by moving the grippers 1.2.6 relative to the carrier 1.2.5.

The gripper 1.2.6 fixes the top plate 5. For this purpose, a vacuum can be applied to the gripper 1.2.6, which sucks up the top plate 5.

By moving the gripper 1.2.6 in the separation direction 6, the uppermost plate 5 is separated from the remaining plates 5.

The separated plate 5 is then positioned by the manipulator 1.2.3 in the provided transport carriage 2.3 and fixed in the transport carriage 2.3.

To fix the plate 5 positioned within the gripper system 2.3.1 of the transport carriage 2.3, the link swings out and the gripper system 2.3.1 closes. The gripping effect of the gripper 1.2.6 on the manipulator 1.2.3 is then canceled. The plate 5 is now only fixed by the gripper system 2.3.1 of the transport carriage 2.3. The plate 5 is then transported to a printing machine 4 by controlling a respective transport carriage 2.3.

The process is repeated for a sequence of disks 5 until all disks 5 are removed from the disk storage, in particular from a respective disk carriage 1.1.1.

To increase process reliability, the respective plates 5 are identified.

The camera 1.2.7 connected to the control unit records the respective control mark 8 of the respective plate 5 for a sequence of plates 5 on each plate 5. The control unit connected to the memory and the camera 1.2.7 compares the sequence of the respective control marks 8 recorded one after the other with the sequence stored in the memory and controls the manipulator 1.2.3 depending on the result of the comparison.

Preferably, after the start of the displacement of a respective disk 5 from the disk storage, the control mark 8 of the disk 5 to be subsequently displaced from the disk storage is detected before the displacement of this disk 5.

In particular, during the displacement of a respective disk 5 from the disk storage, the control mark 8 of the disk 5 to be subsequently displaced from the disk storage can be detected before the displacement of this disk 5.

This procedure can ensure that the manipulator 1.2.3 and in particular the gripper 1.2.6 have grasped the correct plate 5 and that the plate 5 grasped is not a so-called multiple plate. The term multiple plate is understood to mean the undesirable adhesion of one or more plates 5 to a plate 5 that is actually to be handled.

Preferably, the manipulator 1.2.3 is stopped by the control system if the sequence of the respective control marks 8 detected one after the other deviates from the stored sequence. This case occurs in particular as a result of the formation of multiple plates, since the control mark 8 of a plate 5 that adheres to the respective separated plate 5 is not detected and is therefore missing from the sequence of the detected control marks 8 - this means that a multiple plate can be concluded without additional, in particular inductive, multiple plate sensors.

Preferably, the manipulator 1.2.3 is stopped before the separated plate 5 is transferred to the transport system 2.

If the order of the respective control marks 8 detected one after the other deviates from the stored order, the manipulator 1.2.3 can be controlled by the control system after the respective plate 5 has been moved for separation to deposit the respective plate 5 on the plate storage. In this case, the manipulator 1.2.3 will deposit each separated plate 5, including the additional plate 3 that is undesirably stuck to it, back into the plate storage.

This process may be followed by repeated attempts at isolation.

The control marks 8 are preferably recorded in the edge areas of the respective plate 5.

Before detecting a respective control mark 8, the camera 1.2.7 can be moved, in particular extended, in a direction 7 perpendicular to the singulation direction 6. This movement can be followed by a return movement to the starting position.

By relocating it, the outer contour of the moving parts of the manipulator 1.2.3 can be kept small, which is particularly advantageous in small installation spaces. The camera 1.2.7 is preferably in the retracted starting position during the movement of the manipulator 1.2.3.

A camera 1.2.7 is understood to be any sensor that is suitable for detecting control marks 8 on plates 5. Accordingly, a code reader can be used to detect the control marks 8.

Preferably, a status message is output or displayed depending on the result of the comparison of the sequence of the respective control marks 8 detected one after the other with the stored sequence.

In particular, the status message can be output or displayed as an acoustic error message or as a visual error message.

List of reference symbols

1

Plate provision

1.1.1

Plate trolley

1.2

Plate trolley holder

1.2.1

Multi-axis robotics

1.2.2

Articulation point

1.2.3

manipulator

1.2.4

attack

1.2.5

carrier

1.2.6

Gripper

1.2.7

camera

1.3.

-

1.4

Transfer area

2

Transport system

2.1

Rail network

2.1.1

-

2.1.2

Transfer area

2.2

-

2.3

Transport carriage

2.3.1

Gripper system

3

Plate disposal

3.1.1

-

3.1.2

Deflection device, overhead baffle

3.1.3

Deflection means, baffle

3.1.4

attack

3.1.5

Lifting device

3.1.6

Stack carrier

4

Printing machine

5

plate

6

Separation direction

7

direction, further

8th

Control mark

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed 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 accepts no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 4309658 C1 [0002]
• EP1193057A1 [0003]
• DE 102006032204 B3 [0004]
• EN 3871940 T2 [0005]
• DE 10338373 A1 [0006]

Claims (11)

Method for operating a printing plate logistics system with a plate storage, a transport system (2) which connects the plate storage to a plurality of printing machines (4) and with a manipulator (1.2.3), wherein the manipulator (1.2.3) is designed to separate plates (5) which are deposited on the plate storage in a partially or completely overlapping manner and each have a control mark (8) by moving an individual plate (5) in a separation direction (6) and to transfer the separated plate (5) to the transport system (2), wherein the manipulator (1.2.3) can be controlled by a controller connected to a storage and the sequence of the control marks (8) of the plates (5) arranged on the plate storage is stored in the storage and the controller is connected to a camera (1.2.7), wherein the camera (1.2.7) detects the respective control mark (8) of the respective plate (5) on each plate (5) for a sequence of plates (5) and the controller detects the sequence of the respective control marks detected one after the other. (8) with the stored sequence and controls the manipulator (1.2.3) depending on the result of the comparison. Procedure according to Claim 1 , characterized in that after the start of the displacement and/or during the displacement of a respective disk (5) from the disk storage, the control mark (8) of the disk (5) to be subsequently displaced from the disk storage is detected before the displacement of this disk (5). Procedure according to Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the manipulator (1.2.3) is stopped by the control system if the sequence of the respective successively detected control marks (8) deviates from the stored sequence. Procedure according to Claim 3 , characterized in that the manipulator (1.2.3) is stopped before the separated plate (5) is transferred to the transport system (2). Procedure according to Claim 1 , 2 , 3 or 4 , characterized in that the manipulator (1.2.3) is controlled by the control system after the displacement of a respective plate (5) for separation in order to deposit the respective plate (5) on the plate storage device if the sequence of the respective control marks (8) detected one after the other deviates from the stored sequence. Procedure according to Claim 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 or 5 , characterized in that the control marks (8) are detected in the edge regions of the respective plate (5). Procedure according to Claim 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 or 6 , characterized in that the camera (1.2.7) is displaced in a direction (7) perpendicular to the singling direction (6) before detecting a respective control mark (8). Procedure according to Claim 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 or 7 , characterized in that the control marks (8) are detected with the code reader. Procedure according to Claim 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 or 8th , characterized in that during the displacement of a respective plate (5) from the plate storage, air is blown by a blowing device into a gap between the displaced plate (5) and the plate (5) to be subsequently displaced. Procedure according to Claim 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8th or 9 , characterized in that a status message is output or displayed depending on the result of the comparison. Procedure according to Claim 10 , characterized in that the status message is output or displayed as an acoustic error message or as a visual error message.

Images