DE3939673A1 - METHOD AND DEVICE FOR DETERMINING THE PRINT PLATE ASSIGNMENT ON THE PRINT CYLINDERS OF THE PRINTING UNITS OF A PRINTING MACHINE - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method for determining the pressure plate assignment on the printing cylinders of at least one print unit in a printing press, and a device for through conduct of the procedure.

Especially for newspaper printing using web offset printing there is a very large machine, often no longer clear A multitude of possibilities to get a current product inside half of the machine. These opportunities become one influenced by the printed matter, its scope, in particular booklet and page numbers, format, color and Color distribution is constantly subject to change. Next These product-dependent influencing factors also determine the ma Depending on the machine conditions, the diversity is essential the manufacturing variants within the printing press. To the These so-called system parameters include in particular the Numbers of u. U. summarized into sections, at least a folder working printing units, the numbers of Printing cylinders per printing unit, the maximum number and possible Width of different roll carriers in the printing press insertable railways, the so-called reversing and partial railways opportunities ("bay window") in the so-called Wendestan Genturm, the cutting possibilities of individual tracks and a lot more. Finally, the third influencing variable is current to take into account production-dependent conditions. These can express that certain printing units or Web guides preferred in the manufacture of certain printers certificates should be involved. So z. B. for processing processing of wide or narrow webs or to produce a  multicolored or less colored printing u. U. preferably be agreed trainings can be selected.

All variants from the above product, machine and Production-dependent groups influence the type and How to create a current product. In particular the number and width of the required lanes, whose paths through one or more printing units and the Be placement of the individual printing cylinders of the printing units Printing plates including the respective printing ink pro Determined cylinder segment. The multitude of available combinations in product manufacture within one single printing machine can therefore not by the operating personnel are more adequately surveyed. In particular, it is for the Machine operators almost impossible, all the way right away conditions "fair" product determination path for a product currently to be driven. It can at best be tried by constant, prudent Variations appearing optimal in the course of many productions Find production routes. Also make production changes problems with new print products, because for the first time under consideration of all boundary conditions the definition of an optimally appearing production route must be made.

The invention has for its object a method and specify a device for its implementation, with the Help one or more possible optimal printing plate levels on the cylinders of the manufacture of a product tes involved printing units in a printing press ben, depending on the needs of product, machine, and / or per Production-dependent influencing factors of their respective importance after can be considered.

The object is achieved with the Ver specified in claim 1 drive. Advantageous embodiments of the same and a front  Direction for its implementation are in the subclaims specified.

In the method according to the invention, in a first Step one depending on the current product information and if possible the full width of the individual, for the respective Product required lanes utilizing "start lane allocation" certainly. For this purpose, the the number of Staple and booklet pages. In particular, serves as additional input variables especially the maximum possible number of lanes. This becomes one the fullest possible width of each lane, and thus requiring the smallest possible number of webs Starting lane allocation determined.

Depending on your needs, you can add one or more additional constraints conditions are taken into account. So it is z. B. machine-based depending on existing turnaround and quarter Cutting options possible, the individual web widths below Adherence to the desired page, booklet and booklet make better use of page numbers. Furthermore, the start Path assignment can be determined under the boundary condition that as few turns of partial webs are necessary. Finally, in the form of a ver division hierarchy also a pre-sorting depending on the web width of the required tracks. Here, the assignable webs of the printing press primarily with full width webs, d. H. 4/4-lanes, and only then with narrower partial webs, d. H. 3 / 4-, 2 / 4-, 1/4-lanes, who is occupied the. Furthermore, when determining the start lane allocation system-dependent restrictions. Stand like this sometimes z. B. no 1/4 webs at the entrance of the printing press Available or z. B. no 1/2 lanes from the roll carrier be inserted into the center of the press. Another possible, production-dependent boundary conditions can be stand that so-called 1/4 steps of tracks who avoided  that should. In such a case, the occupancy of a additional lane is preferred over the separation of a 1/4 lane e.g. B. given by a 4/4 or 3/4 web.

Such a determination of the start lane occupancy has the intention partly that an optimized with regard to minimum number of webs and basic product, machine and production dependent First restriction taking into account influencing factors from the Numerous conceivable train assignments are made. The start Railway layout is therefore a good starting point to get in the course of following steps of the method according to the invention Product, machine and production dependent influencing factors to consider. It is thus particularly advantageous avoided that an unstructured and therefore difficult to overlook A wide variety of variations from the possible production routes arises within the printing press.

In a second step of the method according to the invention the found start-lane allocation is extended by that in each because of the printing press available "web guides possibilities ". This is the in particular due to the construction of the so-called turning bar tower Printing machines given combinations in the order of Allocation, crossing and mixing of the start-Bahnbe laying predetermined webs of different widths on that Path through the printing press. The number of all web guiding poss Thus, on the one hand, the maximum number of webs that can be occupied in the respective printing press. Furthermore, the particular structure goes through of the turning bar tower depending on the machine given turning and Partial web mixing options.

In a first embodiment, in the second step Extension of the start path allocation by the path guidance possible the so-called "train combinations" are taken into account. These contain the combinations in the assignment of the print dimension  Line with the lanes of the start lane allocation, which are due the maximum number of webs that can be occupied by the printing press possible are. The track combinations can be according to another Execution are formed in an order, which of a path priority list is determined. With this a desired ranking in the occupancy of the respective Printing presses can be specified maximum.

According to a further embodiment, the second step the expansion of the start path allocation by the path guiding the possible "partial web combinations "is taken into account. These include those per lane combination possible machine-dependent combinations in the Distribution of the part requested by the start lane allocation lanes on the verifiable lanes. Even the formation of the part track combinations can be made in a specific, in this case by the width of the lanes involved depends on the order First, at least the first Sub-lane combination of priority lanes in the respective lane combination with full-width 4/4 lanes and wider partial lanes, in particular 3/4 lanes, and subordinate lanes with narrow Webs, e.g. B. 2/4, 1/4 lanes. In the formation of the white Other sub-rail combinations will then become increasingly important Lanes with narrow lanes and subordinate lanes with wide ones Lanes occupied. According to a further embodiment at least the formation of the first sublane combination under Consideration of rail priority and partial rail priority lists. With their help, a ranking in the occupancy the lanes of the respective lane combination with full-width lanes and partial webs in particular machine and production dependent can be specified differently.

In a further advantageous embodiment, two step of extending the start web allocation to the web guidance options for a partial train combination available which consider turning options. These contain the  depending on the machine, depending on the machine, especially in Turning pole tower possible turns of partial webs between the Drive and operating side of the printing press. According to a wide Ren embodiment can also to a partial web combination existing partial web mixing possibilities, "Bay Window" -Mög possibilities are taken into account. These concern the possible stowage depending on the machine for each partial web combination in the mutual position of partial webs. This is it z. B. possible for color mixing, multicolored partial webs especially from the beginning of a booklet to a certain place in the Lay inside. According to a further embodiment, be there is also the possibility of partial web mixing and turning options to run simultaneously or partial web mix options instead of turning options.

In this second step of the method according to the invention thus the found, partially optimal start path allocation step by step se, specifically around the machine-dependent web guides possibilities expanded. So they come to the start track the possible path combinations, the partial path combinations and the turning options and / or the partial web mixing option options. This makes it the only one originally Starting lane allocation in an orderly, clear and limited Successively around the web guidance that can be used in terms of plant technology possibilities expanded. The targeted in this way The wide variety of path guidance options only a subset of the maximum theoretically possible path layout combinations. These were taken into account the individually available product, machine, and pro production-dependent influencing variables from the respective start Track allocation formed.

In a third step of the method according to the invention the existing color com binations taken into account. These contain all possible colors in which the individual in the respective path  Sheets can preferably be printed on both sides. According to one another embodiment can be in an upstream intermediate started with the first due to the processing the steps in a more rail-related structure Path guidance options, in particular by means of a resort approximately in the number of issues and of the pages per issue oriented product-related structure be performed. This product-related sorting of the web guide The possible color com binations expanded. Such a resorting process this point of the method according to the invention whose advantage that the now fourth and last Procedure step is easier to perform.

In this fourth step, only that web is used Management option for determining the desired printing plates occupancy, their color combination compared to Color requirement for the current product is larger or too Allow at least matching colors. It will be the Variety of color combinations possible for a web guide speed reduced to at least one that is used to manufacture the required color requirement of the respective printed product also met.

According to a further embodiment, min at least one further printing plate assignment either of the four step or the third and fourth steps again be opened. When repeating the fourth step to generate a further printing plate assignment, for the respective path guidance option available and in Ver Permissible color combination for the color request. In the Repeat the third and fourth steps first the available colors for a further web guiding option combinations considered. Then one is ent held and permitted color compared to the color requirement combination to form a further printing plate assignment  used. There is thus particularly advantageously the possibility only by repeating parts of the invention Process according to the invention u. Some Er, available for selection to produce results.

The particular advantage of the method according to the invention is in that the determination of possible web assignments by means of Er Continuation of the optimal take-off path allocation by the machines depending on existing path guidance options in the first the two process steps are initially separated from the Farban requirement for the respective product. Because the view Color combinations for a web guiding option and their comparison with the existing color requirement can take place in the following two process steps the first two procedural steps quickly without any load minimal expenditure of time. By completing filtering of color combinations that affect the color will not meet the requirement, the total time required for the Implementation of the method according to the invention is only insignificant extended. The invention thus has the particular advantage that due to the division of the procedure into the four procedures steps to a desired, permissible printing plate assignment despite the multitude of those, especially in the second and third procedures combinations to be processed in a relatively short time is available. This is particularly important if the method according to the invention by means of a so-called Automation system for real-time management of technical Processes as a program-controlled computer. Such automation systems are included in many cases additional, for the control and regulation of the printing press serving operations.

The inventive method has the further advantage that often also several possible all product, machine and pressure that meets production-related factors disk assignments can be called up. It is therefore against  possibly also without the method according to the invention again Having to go through completely, quickly to unforeseen Being able to react to events before and during production. It can be caused by sudden failure of certain components of the Printing machine may be that a determined Druckplattebe laying or is no longer applicable. In this case there is the possibility of the further printing plate assignments select a currently usable one.

The invention is further briefly described below guided figures explained in more detail. It shows:

Fig. 1 is a block diagram representation of the method according to the invention,

Fig. 2 shows an advantageous embodiment for the production of web guide ways

Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of a train occupancy as a basis for further explanation of the invention Ver driving,

Fig. 4 Examples of possible "Start-track assignments"

Fig. 5 Examples of possible "train combinations"

Fig. 6 examples of possible "partial web combinations" into a web combination,

Fig. 7 examples of possible "turning possibilities" to a "sub-web combination"

Fig. 8 Examples of possible partial web Blend ways

Fig. 9 shows an example for a web guide option "in per duktbezogener structure"

Fig. 10 examples of web guide ways have been considered before in which handene color combinations,

Fig. 11 examples of "production types" and whose color options available,

Fig. 12 shows an example of the types of production in a three sections printing machine,

FIG. 13 shows a "path priority list" belonging to the production types of FIG. 11,

Fig. 14 by way of example, a mask "product planning" to input current product information,

Fig. 15 by way of example, a mask "color requirement", in which the required for the system depicted in Fig. Min 14 Product added least farbigkeit per page,

Fig. 16, 17, two examples of a "product scheme"

Fig. 18 by way of example, a mask "color map" which indicates the maximum possible due to the respective product color scheme per product side,

Fig. 19, 20 by way of example, a mask "exclu scheme" to before the administration of an optimum pressure plate layout for a printing unit, and

Fig. 21, 22, a further mask "exclu scheme" for setting an optimum printing plate occupancy for a further printing unit.

The invention is further explained first with reference to the block diagram consisting of parts 1 A, 1 B according to FIG. 1. This is divided into "processing levels" for a better overview. The level E 1 has the function of an input level. This is followed by level E 2.1 , E 2.2 of the train-related processing, which is followed by level E 3 of the product-related processing. In the last level E 4 , machine-related processing takes place.

In the input level, the inputs required to carry out the method according to the invention are made. For this purpose, two input blocks "product planning 1 " and "color requirement 5 " and the catalog "system parameters 4 " are provided as examples. In the Product Planning 1 input block, current product information determining the respective scope of the printed product is stored. An example of a "product planning" is shown in the form of an input mask in FIG. 14. There is current information in particular on the desired number of booklets, the maximum number of pages per booklet, the distribution of the page numbers of the printed product on the individual booklets and the desired format of the printed product, e.g. B. broadsheet or tabloid format. There is also U. the possibility to specify a "type of production". In the example of FIG. 14, the production type E, ie individual production, is selected. Another possible type of production is the so-called double production. According to a further embodiment of the invention, typical path assignments that occur more frequently can be combined into “production types”. In Fig. 14, the specification of different production types is already provided, and the production type C is selected as an example.

The further input block "color request" 5 in the input plane E 1 serves to specify the at least the desired number of colors per page of the desired printed product. Here too, an example in the form of an input mask is shown in FIG. 15. The necessary colors can be requested there, for example, for pages 1 to 16 of issue 1 and pages 17 to 22 of issue 2. So z. B. a four-color print (4-F) for pages 1 and 16 and the additional colors blue (C) and red (M) for page 19 are provided. All other pages should be printed in black (SW). There is no special color (spot color) for any of the pages.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, it is advantageous to store the information made in both input blocks product planning and color request for frequently occurring "standard products" in a catalog 3 . If required, the respective input values are then immediately available.

The "Catalog: System parameters" 4 is also provided on the input level. All machine-dependent identifications and data are usually stored unchanged when the system is started up. From the multitude of plant parameters that are usually available, only a few examples are mentioned below. So this includes z. B. the number of sections of the respective printing press. FIG. 12 shows an example of a printing press consisting of the three sections S 1 , S 2 and S 3 . Each section contains a folder F 1 , F 2 or F 3 , to which a certain number of printing units is assigned. Thus, the printing units D 1 to D 5 around the folder F 1 form the section S 1 , the printing units D 6 to D 10 around the folder F 2 form the section S 2 and finally the printing units D 11 to D 15 around the folder F 3 section S 3 . Depending on the respectively selected production type A to, the webs, which run through one or more of the printing units, are fed to one of the folders for folding and cutting the printed product. Other important system parameters are the number of print units that can be used, the number of printing cylinders per printing unit and the number and width of paper webs that can be inserted into the printing units from different roller carriers at the same time. Other important system parameters relate to influencing the possible web guides. See also the ma schin dependent existing so-called quartered possible be in the input block 4 speeds, the turning possibilities and opportunities deposited the partial web mix Mög. This will be explained in more detail below.

After defining relevant system parameters in catalog 4 and after specifying current product information in the "product planning" input block 1 , it is now possible to carry out the first step of the method according to the invention. Here, a "start path allocation" is determined. This is shown in Fig. 1 in the web-related processing level E 2.2 in the form of block 7 "Before suggestion: Start web allocation (" MIBA ")". For this purpose, as shown by the arrows 6 , 8 , at least specifications from the blocks "product planning" 1 and "catalog: system parameters" 4 are required. According to an embodiment of the invention which is explained in more detail below, additional information about the arrow 9 from a "catalog: production types" 10 can be taken into account in order to form the "start path allocation".

In block 7 , according to the invention, the full width of the individual webs which take advantage of the webs required for the scope of the respective product is determined. Influences on the product and machine are largely taken into account. If, according to the further embodiment, "production types" are also available, production-dependent influencing variables can also be taken into account.

The start web assignment found in the first step of the method according to the invention serves as a starting point for determining the "web guidance options" in the second method step. These are shown in FIG. 1A in block 18 as "Lists: Bahnführungsmög opportunities", and are explained in more detail below with reference to FIG. 2.

In the third step of the method according to the invention, the web guiding possibilities found are expanded by the existing color combinations. This is shown in Fig. 1B with block 22 as "List: color combinations per web guiding option". The possible color combinations are supplied to element 22 either as system parameters directly from catalog 4 , or, in the presence of defined production types, from catalog 10 via paths 12 , 15 .

According to a further embodiment of the invention, it is particularly advantageous, before assigning the possible color combinations to a web guiding option, to first convert them from their web-related structure in the web-related processing plane E 2.2 into a product-related structure. For this purpose, a level E 3 for "product-related processing" is already provided in FIG. 1B, in which the restructuring of the path guidance options from the list 18 from path to product reference is carried out in block 20 . According to this embodiment, the path guidance options from the list 18 are thus not supplied to the list 22 directly, but rather indirectly via the paths 19 , 21 for the purpose of the previous sorting in list 20 . This transition from web-related to product-related will be explained in more detail with reference to FIG. 9.

After supplementing the web guidance options by the color combinations in list 22 , the fourth and last step of the method according to the invention can now take place. This is shown in FIG. 1B with block 24 "Proposal: Product Scheme". Here, a selection of the path combinations of a path guidance option from list 22 takes place. Only the web with the color combination is permitted, which, in comparison to the information in the input block 5 "color request", permits the production of a product with at least a matching or even greater color. Examples of possible product schemes are shown by way of example in FIGS. 16 and 17. With the information contained in the "Proposal: Product Scheme", it is already possible to say which page of which booklet with which page number on which web in which printing unit with which colors can be printed on the top and bottom. As a result, the ge sought allocation of the individual printing cylinders of the printing units involved with printing plates is already clearly determined. In principle, the result of the method according to the invention is available at the output 27 of block 24 in FIG. 1B.

If, for current, in particular production-related reasons, the printing plate assignment determined by the proposed product scheme is undesirable, then according to a further version it is particularly easy to determine one or more additional, permissible product schemes. For this purpose, one or more additional color combinations present in the list 22 can first be called up via the branch 28 in repetition of the fourth method step and the associated product schemes can be determined. If the color combinations contained in the list 22 are exhausted, the next path guidance option contained in the list 18 or 20 in path or product-related structure can be activated in the repetition of the third and fourth method step first via the branching 30 or 29 . With the help of this web guiding option, an associated list 22 "color combinations per web guiding options" is now created again. From this, further allowable product schemes can be called up after comparison with the existing color requirement.

The process according to the invention thus has the special advantage that further permissible printing plate assignments can be formed in the form of additional product scheme proposals 24 in a simple manner, without the entire process having to be repeated from the beginning. It is much more sufficient to repeat the third, or the third and fourth process step one or more times to generate further permissible product schemes. It can be seen that under no circumstances does the entire process have to be carried out again from the beginning, since the start web assignment found in the first step continues to serve as the starting point for possible repetitions of the following process steps.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, it is also possible here to store determined product schemes for the purpose of simple reproducibility in a separate catalog 26 .

In a further embodiment of the invention, the level E 4 further present in FIG. 1B for "machine-related processing" is of particular importance if the possible color by the respective product scheme proposal 24 for the respective printed product is that in the input block Color requirement 5 stored necessity exceeded. Thus, the block 29 "color assignment" is supplied on the one hand with the color request from the input level via the connection 13 and, furthermore, with the current product plate proposal 24 via the connection 34, which is actually possible due to the current printing plate occupancy. In block color assignment 29 there is now either a restriction of the existing color combination to the actual color requirement and / or an expansion of the color requirement using the additional possibilities of the color combination.

Fig. 18 shows an example of the block contains "color allocation" in the form of an input mask. In the "ANZ" columns, the maximum possible number of colors per booklet is shown based on the respective color combination of the associated product scheme proposal. In the adjacent columns, the required minimum color per booklet page is shown in accordance with the associated color requirement of FIG. 15. So z. For example, page 7 in issue 1 can be printed with a maximum of three colors, while due to the entry in the color request mask, only the color black SW is necessary. It is now possible to reduce the possible number of colors with size 3 for page 7 to number 1 in order to generate optimal printing plate assignment. Or the color for this page is expanded by adding two more colors from the basic colors blue C, red M, yellow G or a spot color.

The optimal printing plate assignment generated due to the reduction or expansion of the color requirement for the possible color of the present color combination is shown in FIG. 1B in the form of block 28 "Proposal: imposition scheme". Two possible imposition schemes are shown by way of example in FIGS. 19 to 22. It is now clearly and particularly clearly determined at which point of the 8 possible positions on the surface of a printing cylinder and on which printing cylinder in which printing unit which page of the current printed product is printed in which color. Is z. B. in Fig. 20 the element in column D and line 5 be considered, this relates to the fourth segment D of the fifth printing cylinder of the printing unit 3. In this segment, page 21 of booklet 2 on one cylinder half and page 43 of Booklet 4 printed on the second half of the cylinder in the color with the number 3. The "imposition schemes" shown in FIGS. 19 to 22 are explained in more detail below.

Due to the now unambiguous determination of the position of each printing plate on the printing cylinders of the printing units involved in the production of a printed product, the settings required for this can now be made on the printing press. For this purpose, block 32 "output: control printing press" is provided in FIG. 1B in level 4 . With the help of the outgoing process interface 33 , all settings and switches are preferably made in the printing press in order to be able to produce the product defined in the "proposal product scheme" 24 or in the "pre-imposition scheme 28 ". This requires a very large number of settings on the printing press, of which only a small section is shown as an example. For example, the paper path in the printing units and in the turning bar tower is set by the output 32 for the respective printing plate assignment. Furthermore, the printing cylinders are coated with the appropriate printing plates at the locations provided and the corresponding colors are released for the desired color application.

The individual elements of the block diagram of FIG. 1 will now be explained in more detail using the following figures. For a better understanding of the further explanations in Fig. 3, a fictitious Bahnbele supply is shown as an example. A product was created, consisting of two booklets, each with 10 or 18 pages. Issue 1 should be printed on the right halves of the occupied webs, ie the machine drive side SI. Issue 2 should be printed on the left halves of the occupied webs, ie on the machine operating side SII. Furthermore, it is assumed that five webs of different widths are required to produce this printed product. The example was chosen in such a way that an understandable insight into the path allocation options arises. So z. B. the lanes 1 and 2 with full-width lanes, ie 4/4 lanes, occupied. These consist of two sheets on the machine sides SI and SII, each with a total of four pages. A total of eight pages can be printed on a 4/4 web on the front and back. The web 3 is z. B. with a 3/4 web, the web 4 with a 1/2 web (sheet) and the web 5 with a 1/4 web (partial sheet). The not full lanes, ie the 3/4, 1/2 and 1/4 lanes, are shifted to the left on the machine operating side SII, for example.

On the underside of Fig. 3, the cutting options for dividing webs into partial webs are shown. As a rule, each printing machine contains a slitter for each of the webs 1 to 5 to produce the sheets for the individual booklets. Depending on the machine, quarter cutters can also be provided on the left or right machine side SII or SI for producing quarter cuts in one or more webs. Such a quarter cutter can e.g. B. at the left end of the web 3 can be used to generate the 1/4-web (partial sheet) marked with SW. Finally, depending on the machine, there are also so-called runs between the individual tracks. In Fig. 3 it was assumed that following each of the webs 1 to 5 such an inlet 1 to 5 is present. These can be used to carry out partial web turns or partial web mixes. So in Fig. 3 z. B. the marked on lane 2 with W with the help of the inlet 2 from the operator to the drive side who turned. Furthermore, for example, on web 3, the partial sheet marked SW can also be turned from the operator to the drive side with the aid of the inlet 3 . Finally, the displacement of the left sheet of web 1 with the aid of the inlet 4 and the partial web mixing device between web 4 and 5 within booklet 2 is shown as an example (BW sheet). Finally, this left curve of lane 1 , indicated by a dashed arrow, can be turned from the operator side to the drive side, with simultaneous turning and mixing, and inserted into the inlet 3 (BW curve).

In Fig. 2, the second step of extending the start path allocation to the path guidance is Darge in detail. In this case, the “lists: path guidance options” 18 are supplied with the start path allocation 7 via the connection 17 . According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the path combinations existing for the start path assignment are taken into account in a first sub-step. The block 181 "sublist: track combinations" is used for this purpose in FIG. 2. The web combinations contain the combinations in the occupancy of the printing press with the webs of the start web occupancy, which are possible due to the maximum number of webs that can be placed on the respective printing press. According to a further embodiment, the path combinations can be formed in an order which is determined by a path priority list. This contains a machine-based or production-dependent order of precedence in the allocation of verifiable courses. According to a further embodiment, when forming the web combinations, it can further be taken into account which webs, if necessary, are necessary for machine-dependent web cuts. Here, in particular, quarter cuts are in the foreground, since not every quarter has "quarter cut options" available. The formation of path combinations for a start path allocation will be explained in more detail below with reference to FIG. 5.

Another sub-step can follow the formation of the rail combinations in the second process step. The possible partial path combinations are taken into account for a path combination. This is represented in FIG. 2 by block 183 "sublist: partial web combinations". These are the machine-dependent combinations possible for each lane combination in the distribution of the partial lanes on the verifiable lanes. According to further embodiments of the invention, the formation of the partial web combinations can take place in the form of a web priority sorting dependent web width sorting. According to a first embodiment, the partial web combinations are formed in a sequence, whereby at least in the first partial web combination, priority webs in the respective web combination are occupied with wide webs and second-tier webs with narrow webs. In the following partial web combinations, priority webs with narrow webs and subordinate webs with wide webs are increasingly used. According to a further embodiment, at least the first partial path combination belonging to a path combination is determined with the aid of a path priority list and an additional partial path priority list. The lanes of the lane combination are initially assigned 4/4 lanes according to a ranking order specified by the lane priority list. Subsequently, the remaining lanes of the lane combination are occupied with partial lanes in accordance with a sequence given by the partial lane priority list. When occupying the remaining webs with partial webs, it is possible according to a further embodiment to initially assign the highest ranks specified by the partial web priority list with narrow, in particular the narrowest, partial webs. Different options in the formation of partial web combinations will be explained in more detail with the aid of FIG. 6.

In the second step of extending the start web assignment by the web guiding options, a third sub-step can follow in a further embodiment. The existing turning options are taken into account for a partial web combination. In Fig. 2 this is represented by block 185 , "Sub-list: turning options". These are the machine-specific turns of partial webs between the drive and operating sides of the printing press for each partial web combination. According to a further embodiment of the invention, the turning possibilities can be formed in a sequence in which initially subordinate railways are subjected to the turns specified by the start web allocation. Only when there are further turning options are turns also provided on higher-ranking railways. The third sub-step, taking into account the turning options for each partial web combination, will be explained in more detail with reference to FIG. 7.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, a fourth and final sub-step can follow in the second step of extending the start web assignment by the web guidance options. This is shown in FIG. 2 with block 187 "Sublist: Bay Window Options". These are the partial web mixing possibilities that can be carried out per partial web combination by a so-called bay window device. These contain the possible machine-dependent exchanges in the mutual position of partial webs, particularly within a booklet, for a partial web combination. In a further embodiment, it can be taken into account to what extent it is possible, depending on the machine, to carry out these instead of individual turns by one of the partial web mixing options. This will be explained in more detail with the aid of FIG. 8.

As already explained, the case may arise that a found printing plate assignment represented by a product scheme proposal is regarded as undesirable. Here, for example, by using the next element contained in the list of color combinations 22 or in the list of product-related web guide options 20 , the next element is the possibility of generating further permissible product scheme suggestions. In Fig. 1B it is shown that further product scheme proposals can also be formed by direct recourse via the return 30 to further direct web guidance options contained in the list 18 . If this list is now carried out in accordance with FIG. 2, the recourse 30 of FIG. 1B is divided before in part into the two partial return handles 30.1 and 30.2 shown in FIG. 2. It is thus both by pulling the next partial web combination from sub-list 183 or the next web combination from sub-list 181 and going through the subsequent processing steps up to the formation of the color combinations further product scheme proposals can be generated. Depending on the embodiment, block 20 "List: web guide options product-related" can be bypassed or run through again.

In Fig. 4 examples of possible start path assignments are provided. Current product details are required as input variables for their formation, in particular about the scope of the respective printed product. The main input variables are the current number of issues and the number of pages per issue. As already explained, this information is preferably specified in block 1 "Product planning", FIG. 1A or an input mask according to FIG. 14. Further input variables can be found in the set of system parameters. In particular, this is the maximum possible number of webs that can be occupied by the respective printing press. If, according to a further embodiment, typical web assignments are combined to “production types”, the number of the maximum webs that can be occupied in the respective production tap serves as the input variable for forming the starting web assignment. A desired production type can also be specified via the input mask "Product planning", Fig. 14. Depending on the embodiment, the formation of the start path assignment can be limited by further, in particular machine and production-dependent influencing variables. This is further explained in more detail using the examples shown in FIG. 4.

In FIGS. 4A, 4D and 4H three different due to the jeweili gen product scope track assignments are for example shown way. The assignment of the verifiable Bah NEN with paper webs of appropriate width was made solely from the point of view that the desired Heftseitenan numbers are achieved.

In Fig. 4A, booklet 1 has 10 and booklet 2 has 14 pages. Thus, lanes 1 and 2 were initially covered with full-width lanes, and lanes 3 and 4 with a 3/4 and 1/4 lanes, respectively. According to one embodiment of the invention, a web-width-dependent pre-sorting has already been carried out in the web layout of FIG. 4A. If, for example, wide webs are given priority over partial webs, the first webs are covered with full-width webs according to FIG. 4A, while the remaining webs are occupied with partial webs of decreasing width. In particular, depending on the machine, it is also possible to carry out different types of pre-sorting.

For generating a boundary condition of a lowest possible track number satisfying start-train occupancy, it is advantageous if, according to FIG. 4B, with a saving of the web 4 and full utilization of the width of the web 3, this is covered with a 4/4-path. To correct the number of pages, it is now necessary, as far as possible depending on the machine, to provide for the cut and the turning of a 1/4 web from the right to the left machine side. In Fig. 4B, this 1/4 web turn is provided by way of example on web 2 and identified by the marking SW.

Since cuts and turns of 1/4 webs can be difficult to carry out, depending on the production, preference can be given to the occupancy of an additional web before the execution of a 1/4 web cut turn. According to FIG. 4C, web 1 can in this case be covered with a full-width web, webs 2 and 3 with 3/4 webs shifted to the right and left, and web 4 with a 1/2 web.

In the second example of FIG. 4D, the printed product contains only one booklet with 10 pages. Accordingly, lanes 1 to 3 are initially occupied with two 1/2 lanes shifted to the right and one shifted 1/4 lane. By utilizing the full web width, a web can also be saved here according to FIG. 4E. Web 1 is covered with a full width and web 2 with a 1/4 web. To correct the number of booklet pages in this case, the turn of a 1/2 web from the left to the right side of the machine is necessary. This is indicated in Fig. 4E by the mark W on lane 1 . If a system constant prescribes that no roller carriers with 1/4 webs are available, the start web allocation can be formed according to FIG. 4F. Here at lanes 1 and 2 are each occupied with a 3/4 lane shifted to the right and a 1/2 lane. To correct the number of booklets, it is necessary to turn a 1/4 web created by a 1/4 cut and marked with SW from the left to the right machine side. If neither a 1/4 web from the roll carrier is available, nor is it possible to make a 1/4 cut, the start web allocation can be formed according to FIG. 4G. Here, lane 1 has a 3/4 lane shifted to the left and lane 2 has a 1/2 lane shifted to the right. To correct the number of pages, it is necessary to turn a 1/2 web marked by W from the left to the right side of the machine.

In the last example, FIG. 4H, the printed product contains a booklet 1 with 14 and a booklet 2 with 6 pages. An associated, possible start lane assignment with a minimum number of lanes is shown in FIG. 4I. Lanes 1 and 2 are each covered with full-width lanes, and lane 3 with two 1/4 lanes. To correct the number of booklet pages, a turn of a 1/2 web from the left to the right machine page marked with W is necessary here.

To further reduce the number of lanes, it is possible according to FIG. 4K to combine the two 1/4 lanes on lane 3 to form a 1/2 lane guided in the middle of the lane. The slitter divides this into the two required 1/4 lanes. A system constant can stipulate that no 1/2 webs from the roll carrier can be inserted in the center of individual printing units. In this case, according to FIG. 4L, web 1 can be covered with a full-width web, webs 2 and 3 with a 3/4 web shifted to the right and left, respectively. To correct the number of booklet pages, the version requires a 1/2 turn from the left to the right machine page.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the start web allocation provides information about the number and width of webs required for the respective printed product, and, if necessary, cuts and turns necessary for correcting the number of pages. According to the examples in FIG. 4, information about the respective turning width and turning direction is therefore necessary to identify the individual turns. Since, as far as possible, no 3/4 partial webs are to be turned, the start web layout preferably contains information about the product-dependent turns of 1/2 and / or 1/4 webs between the two machine sides. There is also information on the number of quarter cuts required.

Preferred embodiments of block 18 "Bahnführungsmög opportunities" in Fig. 2 will now be explained with reference to FIGS . 5 to 8. First, block 181 "Sublist: Railway Combinations" is explained in more detail with reference to FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C. Fig. 5A shows an example of the possible lane combinations for the case in which the underlying start lane occupancy requests the occupancy of two lanes, but a maximum of three lanes can be laid. This number can correspond to the maximum number of webs that can be occupied by the respective printing press. If, according to a further embodiment, typical web assignments in the form of production types are combined to form basic quantities, the maximum number of documentable webs permitted for the selected production type is used to form the web combinations. In Fig. 5A the belegba ren webs are occupied in order. For example, the first combination of trains provides for occupancy of lanes 1 and 2 , the second for occupancy of lanes 1 and 3, and the third combination of lanes for occupancy of lanes 2 and 3 .

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the path combinations are formed in an order which is determined by a path priority list. Such a case is shown as an example in FIG. 5B. Ranks 1 , 3 , 2 are assigned to assignable courses 1 , 2 , 3 according to the list of course priorities. The first lane combination thus provides for lanes 1 and 3 , the second combination lanes 1 and 2 , and the third combination lanes 2 and 3 . A comparison of the Figu ren 5 A and 5 B shows that although the same Bahnkom combinations are formed, but follow in a different order.

The ranking of railways is particularly of machine and influenced production-dependent sizes. These are e.g. B. the Color of a web and the distance of the web runout from the Printing unit from the associated fold. So a train whose Spout is closer to the folder than that of other webs, one higher rank in the list of rail priorities. This ensures that this path, which over the Advantage of a short web guide path folder, at the formation of the train combinations primarily with one train the start lane allocation is occupied. First subordinate train station wagon nations no longer use this advantage, as this also includes the  Occupation of lower-ranking webs of the printing press with the Start lane reservation requested lanes is provided. Of furthermore, the color can also influence the rank of webs rivers. So in many cases it is required that wide webs should be printed with the greatest possible color. Such webs must be passed through printing units, which ver over the largest possible number of printing cylinders put. For this purpose, the maximum in the printing press or on due to the selected production type the rail priority list assigned a ranking in the occupancy be shown.

For example, FIG. 13 shows such web priority lists for a printing press with a maximum of three assignable webs. To summarize typical web layouts, five production types A to E are defined, whereby production types A, B allow the occupancy of a maximum of two webs, and C to E a maximum of all three existing webs. Preferably, depending on the scope and color of the products assigned to the respective production type, the rankings in the layout of the tracks are different. Is z. B. the production type A is selected and the respective start occupancy requests the occupancy of a single lane, two lane combinations are possible. In the first, priority combination, lane 2 is occupied , in the second, subordinate combination, lane 1 is occupied. If, on the other hand, production type B is selected, a maximum of two lanes is started with one lane with lane 1 , while the subordinate combination provides for lane 2 .

In a corresponding manner, the list of priorities takes place the allocation of the three permissible tracks in the production types C to E. The number of resulting rail comm binations depends on the number of Requested lanes, during their order is determined by the respective rail priority list.  

According to a further embodiment shown in FIG. 5C, it can additionally be taken into account in the lane combinations in which lanes the cuts requested by the start lane allocation can be carried out depending on the machine. In the foreground are, in particular, the quarter cut options that are usually not available on all railways. In Fig. 5C it is assumed that the start lane occupancy requires the occupancy of two lanes and the execution of a 1/4 cut S. In technical terms, 1/4 cuts can only be carried out on lanes 2 and 3 . Thus, in comparison to FIG. 5B, the web combination 3 expands into two sub-combinations 3.1 and 3.2 , since when the webs 2 and 3 are occupied, the 1/4 cut S can be carried out either on web 2 or 3 . In contrast, the combinations 1 and 2 in FIGS. 5B and 5C are identical, since only one of the webs 2 and 3 is occupied, and therefore the 1/4 cut S must be performed on one of these webs.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the possible partial web combinations can be taken into account in the second step of expanding the start web assignment to include the web guiding options for one of the web combinations found. According to FIG. 2, for this an element of the "sublist: train combinations" 181 possible partial train combinations are formed and preferably stored in a further sublist 183 . This is a web width sensor, which is further explained with reference to FIG. 6.

In Fig. 6A, the path combinations belonging to a start-Bahnbele supply are exemplified. Since it was assumed that of the maximum of four verifiable railways, three with a 4/4, 3/4/1 and 1/4 rail were to be assigned due to the requirement of the start web allocation. The individual rail combinations were formed in an order determined by a rail priority list. To generate further web guiding options, each of the partial web combinations can now be subjected to a further, deeper processing step. In Fig. 6, the web combination 2 is selected for this purpose, to which possible partial web combinations according to different strategies were formed in Fig. 6B, 6C, 6D. These influence the order of formation of the partial train combinations within a group. Each of these groups thus contains the same combinations, albeit arranged in a different order.

Thus, the partial lane combinations in the example of FIG. 6B are formed in a dependent sequence exclusively from the width of the involved 4/4, 3/4/1, 1/4 lanes requested by the start lane allocation. It can be seen that in the combination 2.1 the courses are occupied in increasingly decreasing order with increasingly narrow courses. Thus, lane 1 is covered with a 4/4 lane, lane 2 with a 3/4 lane and lane 3 with a 1/4 lane. In the following partial lane combinations, this hierarchy is shifted in favor of narrower lanes, ie at the expense of the wider lanes. So z. B. in the sub-track combination 2.2 the 3/4 and 1/4 tracks changed their positions. The more senior lane 2 is now occupied with the narrowest 1/4 lane, while the subordinate lane 3 is occupied with the wider 3/4 sublane. The further combinations down to the lowest value 2.6 are formed in a corresponding manner. In reverse of the ratios of combination 2.1, the courses are covered in increasingly decreasing order with increasingly wider courses. The most important lane 1 is now the narrowest 1/4 lane, the subordinate lane 3 is the widest 4/4 lane.

In Fig. 6C, a further possibility is shown in the formation of partial web combinations. At least the first partial web combination 2.1 of the web combination 2 is determined with the help of a web priority list and an additional partial web priority list. When occupying lanes that can be occupied, the full-width lanes are started with the help of the lane priority list. Thus, in the partial web combination 2.1, the highest priority train 1 operative web 2 is assigned to the next with the 4/4-path. The remaining lanes 1 and 3 are now occupied with partial lanes with the aid of the partial lane priority list. In the path of combination 2 as the web 4 is not assignable, the operative over the lower priority sub-web 2 web 3 3/4 web is first coated with the next wider. Since the following lane 2 , which has the partial lane priority 3 , is already occupied by the 4/4 lane, the lane 1 which has the lowest partial lane priority 4 is finally occupied by the remaining 1/4 lane. The formation of the further combinations 2.2 to 2.6 in FIG. 6C is carried out in a manner corresponding to FIG. 6B, with increasingly priority webs being occupied with narrow partial webs and subordinate webs with wide webs.

Fig. 6D finally shows a further possibility of the formation of part-web combinations. The full-width 4/4 lanes are allocated in the same way as in the example in FIG. 6C with the aid of the lane priority list. In contrast, when the remaining lanes of the Bahnkom combination 2 with partial lanes are initially occupied, the highest of the ranks specified by the partial lane priority list are assigned the narrowest partial lanes. Thus, in FIG. 6D, the operative over the higher part web Priority 2 web is in the combination of 2.1 3 having the narrowest 1/4 web while the operative via the niedri Gere partial web Priority 4 lane 1 is with the broader 3/4-Bahn is. The formation of the further combination 2.2 to 2.6 is again carried out in a corresponding manner, with increasing priority lanes being occupied with narrower and subordinated lanes with wider lanes.

The formation of the path assignments according to the examples of FIGS . 6C and 6D has the particular advantage that machine and production-dependent influencing variables in the form of the path priorities and partial path lists which can be occupied differently are taken into account by influencing the sequence of the individual partial path combinations. Thus, in a particularly advantageous manner, the wish can be taken into account that in many cases the full-width webs should be covered according to different criteria than the partial webs. This may be due to the fact that the pages of a printed product with the greatest color should be printed on full-width webs where possible, whereas the pages with less color should be printed on narrower webs. With the help of the priorities according to the invention according to the web and partial web priorities, which can be predefined differently depending on the web width, such boundary conditions can be taken into account particularly easily. It can thus z. B. webs, which printing units with a large number of printing cylinders go through, machine and production dependent by awarding a correspondingly high priority in the web priority list. In addition, additional boundary conditions can be taken into account by assigning ranks in the partial railway priority list. Due to the more difficult guidance of partial webs, there is often a desire to guide them through the printing units in the shortest possible way. This can be taken into account in particular by the fact that the webs which cross the printing units involved more quickly and whose path between the outlet of the respective printing unit and the associated folder are shorter are preferred by assigning a higher rank in the partial priority list.

When determining the web guiding options in the second step of the method according to the invention, it is possible according to a further embodiment to subject each of the partial web combinations to a further, third partial processing step. According to FIG. 2, the turning options available for a partial web combination from sub-list 183 are taken into account, and are preferably stored in a subsequent sub-list 185 . These are the machine-dependent turns of partial webs between the drive and operating sides of the printing press for the respective partial web combination. This is further explained using the example of FIG. 7.

The partial web combination according to FIG. 7A, which serves as an example as the starting point, is based on a product which consists of two booklets, each with 12 or 4 pages. It is assumed that the start lane allocation specifies the allocation of two lanes with 4/4 lanes and requests the turning of a 1/2 lane from the left to the right machine side in order to correct the number of pages. Furthermore, it is assumed that, depending on the machine, such turns are possible on each of the two occupied tracks. As a result, the two resulting in FIGS. Turnaround options 7B, and 7C. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the turning options available for a partial web combination are formed in a sequence in which first subordinate webs and then priority webs are subjected to the requested turns. Thus, the turning possibility shown in FIG. 7B is first formed, since the requested 1/2-lane turn is carried out on the subordinate lane 2 there. In the subsequent turning area shown in FIG. 7C will eventually the 1/2-provided web-twist on the higher-rank web 1.

According to FIG. 7D, the second exemplary partial web combination is based on a product which consists of two booklets, each with six pages. It is assumed that the underlying start lane allocation prescribes the allocation of two lanes, each with a 4/4 lane and a 1/2 lane. In this example it is necessary to turn a 1/4 web from one machine page to the other to correctly position the number of pages.

It is assumed that in this example, depending on the machine, quarter-turn applications can only be carried out on lane 2 . This reduces the possibilities of turning to the four shown in FIGS. 7E to 7H. These correspond in the so-called turning width and turning direction, ie a 1/4 wide web is turned from the left to the right machine side. In contrast, the four possibilities differ in the so-called turning distance, which is indicated by an arrow in FIGS . 7E to 7H. For example, in the possibility shown in FIG. 7E, the 1/4 web marked by SW is turned from the position on the left edge of web 2 to the position on the right edge of web 2 . In FIG. 7F, on the other hand, the turn only takes place from the leftmost position on lane 2 to the left half of the machine drive side SI. Accordingly, 7G and 7H, the fourth train NEN-drive side of the right half on the machine operating side SII in one of two positions on the Maschi SI turned in Figs.. If the 1/2-lane is on the right-hand side of lane 2 in FIG. 7D, there are four further turning options. These differ from those shown in FIGS. 7E to 7H by opposite arrow directions.

According to the invention can also be used here to form a partial train combination nation existing turning opportunities in one particular machine and production-dependent order the. So with the higher-ranking possibilities, the Wendun conditions initially provided for railways, which are technical in terms of the system driving can be turned without major problems. In the case of subordinate options, there will also be twists and turns may be more difficult to control in terms of system technology provided the railways. Subordinated are preferred Lanes in the partial lane combination meet the requested turns to subjugate. The reason for this is that such Lanes are usually occupied with partial lanes, in particular  1/4 lanes. Such tracks are easier to turn than e.g. B. a 3/4 lane.

Finally, in a final, fourth sub-step, the existing sub-web mixing possibilities can be taken into account in the second step of the method according to the invention for a sub-web combination when the start web assignment is supplemented by all the web guiding options. These are also known as "Bay Window" options (BW). These are the machine-dependent exchanges in the mutual position of partial webs, particularly within a booklet, for the respective partial web combination. This is explained in more detail with reference to FIG. 8.

The example in FIG. 8 is based on a printed product which consists of two booklets, each with 16 or 8 pages. The associated start lane allocation provides for the allocation of three lanes with 4/4 wide lanes. To correct the number of booklet pages, it is necessary to turn a 1/2 web from the machine operator to the machine drive side. The related examples in FIGS. 8A and 8B are based on the assumption that this 1/2 lane turn is made on lane 3 . The figures also show examples of some machine-dependent partial web mixtures. So z. For example, in Fig. 8A, the sheets of issue 1 are swapped for the original path order 1 , 2 , 3 in 2 , 1 , 3 . For this, the right sheet of web 1 by a corresponding adjustment of the printing machine from web 1, and out as a so-BW-sheet between the sheets of the webs 2 and 3 is inserted again. This is shown in FIG. 8A by means of a solid arrow. A similar partial web mix is also conceivable for the sheets of booklet 2, in which, as shown in FIG. 8A with the aid of a dashed arrow, the left sheet of sheet 1 is reintroduced as a BW sheet behind the left sheet of sheet 2 . Fig. 8B shows the further mixing option, in which on sheet 1 Liche sheet is led out from issue 1 and is reintroduced into issue 1 following the sheet on sheet 3 .

As is known, with the means of partial web mixing it is possible to effect different color distributions within a printed product. Are z. B. the pages on web 1 in Fig. 8 printed in four colors, while the remaining Be th on webs 2 and 3 are only printed in black and white, z. B. in Fig. 8A the multi-colored sheet of web 1 in the middle of booklet 1 or at the end of booklet 2. As far as possible depending on the machine and the product, further variants can be provided for BW partial web mixes. Thus, in the example of FIG. 8A, the sheet from lane 1 , booklet 1, when it is introduced as a BW sheet, can be "reversed" between lanes 2 and 3 at the same time. Here, the front and back are swapped.

According to a further embodiment, if the partial web combination is present, it can also be taken into account whether u. U. certain turns required by the start web allocation can be carried out by means of the device for partial web mixing. It is therefore possible to carry out partial web blends instead of or simultaneously with twists. Thus, FIG. 8C, the case where the sheet on web 1, No. 2 on both the machines Ma-drive side turned, is introduced as well as BW-sheet between the webs 2 and 3. Correspondingly, the same 1/2 web is introduced in FIG. 8D with simultaneous turning and mixing on the machine drive side following web 3 as a BW web. Finally, FIG. 8E shows the case where, without additional mixing, a turning is carried out by means of the devices for partial web mixing. The sheet marked W is introduced on lane 1 , issue 2 as a BW sheet between lane 1 and lane 2 of issue 1. This corresponds to a turn of the sheet from the machine operating side to the drive side.

As already explained with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, in the third step of the method according to the invention, at the output of block 18, in particular in the form of one or more elements from the lists of rail combinations 181 , rail combinations 183 , turning options 185 and "bay window" -Possibilities 187 available path guidance options in block 22 expanded by the existing color combinations. According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the inven tion plate allocation for easier determination of the desired pressure z. B. in the block "Proposal: Product Scheme" 24 the web guidance options before the color combinations were converted in an intermediate step from their web-related structure into a more product-related structure. This is particularly based on the booklets and their number of pages. This intermediate step representing a re-sorting process is shown in FIG. 1B with reference to block 20 "List: web guidance options product-related". A preferred structure of this list is explained in more detail with reference to FIG. 9.

In Fig. 9A, a web guiding possibility is e.g. B. from the sub-list 187 of FIG. 2 as an example. It relates to a product of two booklets, each with 16 or 8 pages. The phrase W of a 1/2 sheet, ie a so-called turning sheet, required to correct the number of pages, is provided on sheet 3 . Furthermore, in issue 1, the sheet on lane 1 is provided as a BW sheet for introduction to circuit 2 . It can be seen that the path guidance possibility of FIG. 9A is in a path-related structure, since all the desired twists and blends are only specified at their starting points and apparently have not yet been carried out. For example, lane 1 consists of an arc on the left and an arc intended for mixing on the right. Correspondingly, web 3 consists of a sheet W intended for use on the machine drive side on the machine operating side. The future position of these sheets, and thus the future structure of each booklet, can thus be recognized completely, but only indirectly from the path-related structure of the path guiding option from FIG. 9A.

Fig. 9B shows the same web guiding option after reorganization in product-related structure. It can be seen that the right half of lane 1 is no longer occupied, and issue 1 on lane 2 begins with an unchanged "straight sheet". It closes in a book 1 of sheet 1 guided zoom "BW A continuous sheet web 1", in turn, on track 3 of a non-changing "straight-sheet" is followed. Booklet 1 is finally concluded by a "turning sheet" turned over from the machine operating side. Correspondingly, issue 2 begins or ends with an unchanged "straight arch" on lanes 1 and 2 . Due to the product-related representation of the web guiding option, which is based on the structure of the desired printed product, it is now particularly easily possible, according to a further embodiment, to assign the individual booklet parts to page numbers of the future printed product. Thus, the front and rear sides in FIG. 9B is provided of the first straight arc of handle 1 for pages 1, 16 or 2, 15. Issue 1 thus consists of 16 pages with the numbers 1 to 16 , as desired, and Issue 2 consists of 8 pages with the numbers 17 to 24 .

The product-related structure of the web guide options is particularly suitable for taking into account the existing color combinations in the third step of the method according to the invention. This is explained in more detail with reference to FIG. 10, which is just the basis for the path guidance option of FIG. 9B. Fig. 10A first shows an example of an excerpt from printing machine or production type-dependent permissible color combinations. For example, in the case of the color combination I designated web 1, a maximum of three colors can be printed on both sides, and webs 2 , 3 can be printed on the front or back with a maximum of one or two colors. Correspondingly, with the color combination II, the respective front and back sides of web 1 can be printed with a maximum of four or two, of web 2 with a maximum of three or one, and of web 3 with a maximum of one color each. The color combinations shown by way of example in FIG. 10A have identical color sums. So he gives the sum of the maximum possible colors for the front and back of all webs the number 12 . This is due to the fact that the printing units involved in the manufacture of the product and through the three webs have a maximum, fixed number of printing cylinders. This also limits the maximum possible value of the color sum, ie the maximum color that can be applied to the front and back of all webs. This will be explained in more detail using the example of the "production types" in FIGS. 11 and 12.

FIG. 10B shows the product-related web guiding possibility of FIG. 9B, each expanded by the color combinations I, II of FIG. 10A. Thus, in Fig. 10B, I that emerged from lane 1 and for the front and back sides of the sheets provided for the product pages 17 , 18 , 23 , 24 and 3 , 4 , 13 , 14 in issue 2 and 1 respectively each printed with a maximum of three colors. All other sheets from issues 2 and 3 in issues 1 and 2 can be printed on the front in one color and on the back in a maximum of two colors. Correspondingly, in FIG. 10B, II the sheets provided for pages 17 , 18 , 23 , 24 and 3 , 4 , 13 , 14 in booklet 2 and 1 on the front and back, respectively, with a maximum of four or two colors can be printed. Furthermore, the for the sides 19, 20, 21, 22 or 1, 2, 15, 16 provided in No. 2 and 1 corresponding to the possible sites for the web 2 color combi tion 3: 1 at the front with a maximum of three and printed on the back with a color. Finally, the last two sheets in booklet 1, which are each intended for pages 5 , 6 , 11 , 12 and 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , can only have one color due to the previous processing on lane 3 on the front and back be printed.

From the example shown in FIG. 10B, the web guide options expanded by the existing color combinations, at least one for determining the desired printing plate occupancy is now used in the fourth step of the method according to the invention. In comparison to the information in the input mask 5 "color request", this must allow a greater or at least the same color for each product page. If one of the web guiding options fulfills this condition, it is used to form the product scheme 24 , FIG. 1B.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, when forming the product-related structure of the web guiding possibilities according to FIG. 9B, it is also possible to specifically influence the position of quarter webs (partial sheets), depending on the product and machine, within a booklet. As a rule, partial sheets are arranged within a booklet in such a way that they come to rest in the middle of the booklet after it has been folded. For this purpose, the partial sheets are arranged after the last position of the layer of sheets forming a booklet. If, for example, a partial sheet were present in booklet 1 in FIG. 9B, this would be after the turning sheet provided for pages 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 . It can also happen that existing partial sheets should not be in the middle of the respective booklet. In such a case, a part of the sheet is arranged between the stacks of sheets forming a booklet.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention Frequently occurring, typical train assignments can "Basic quantities" can be summarized. Such "production types "are preferred in terms of scope, color and color range division of frequently occurring products. This will by deliberately limiting certain parameters  a product-dependent limitation of the possible paper guides through a printing press, and thus the possible printing plates assignments made. According to the definition and the selection of a defined production type the first ver Step of the determination of the start lane occupancy device. Product is defined when a production type is defined depending on a preselection from the number of each Printing machine hit maximum documentable webs. Furthermore is selected by specifying permitted color options lanes a product-dependent limitation in the maximum Color of the front and back of the individual panels in front taken. This also indirectly results in a restriction the possible paper paths through the printing press.

With production types, it is particularly advantageously possible, before going through the four steps of the method according to the invention to determine the desired printing plate assignment, to limit the variety of combinations, in particular in the second step of expanding the starting web assignment to include the web guiding possibilities and in the third step taking the color combinations into account, depending on the product. This is further explained using the example of FIGS. 11 and 12.

In FIG. 11 three possible production types A, B, C and the associated color options are shown as examples using a printing machine consisting of two printing units DE 3 , DE 4 . In production type A, a maximum of two railways can be occupied, each of which passes separately through one of the printing units DE 3 , DE 4 . This type of production thus enables both webs to be printed on the front and back with approximately the same, relatively large color. This is symbolized by specifying the value 3 for the average number of colors on the top and bottom of each web. The color options associated with this web guiding option are also shown in a table. Both web 1 and web 2 can be printed with all combinations between the values 5: 1 and 1: 5 of the color from front to back. In addition, the color options of both webs can be freely combined with one another. In production type B, a maximum of two webs can also be occupied, in which, however, web 1 can be printed on the front and back with a much larger, maximum color, 13086 00070 552 001000280000000200012000285911297500040 0002003939673 00004 12967n than web 2 . This is because, in this case, web 1 is guided both by the printing unit DE 3 and in part by the printing unit DE 4 . For the web 2 also guided by the Druckein unit DE 4 , there are therefore only a few printing cylinders available, as a result of which the color is restricted considerably. Due to these complicated web guides, the maximum permissible color options for web 1 and 2 are limited to the values 4: 4 and 1: 1 for the maximum colors of the respective front and back sides.

In production type C, a maximum of three webs can be occupied, of which web 1 is processed with great color in the printing unit DE 3 . The two other webs run simultaneously through the printing unit DE 4 , which limits their color options. The web 1 can thus be printed with all combinations between the values 5: 1 and 1: 5 for the maximum number of colors from front to back. In contrast, only common combinations are possible for lanes 2 and 3 . For example, the front and back of webs 2 and 3 can only be printed with the colors 1: 2, 1: 2 or 2: 1, 2: 1, or 1: 2, 2: 1, etc. In this case, each color option for lane 1 can be freely combined with a common color combination of lanes 2 and 3 .

In Fig. 12 the mapping of production types A to H is shown to the printing units D 1 to D 15 of a printing machine by way of example. The production types A to F can be produced on each of the sections S 1 to S 3 , since only the printing units within the respective section are involved, e.g. B. the printing units D 1 to D 5 in section S 1 . In the case of production types G, I and H, on the other hand, the printing units of one section are at the core, but also at least one printing unit from one or two adjacent sections. This is due to the greater scope and the greater colourfulness of the products assigned to these production types. It can be seen from Fig. 12 that due to the clear assignment of production type to the printing units involved in principle the variety of possible web assignments and web guides, ie ultimately the variety of printing plate assignments is deliberately limited depending on the product. The specification of production types therefore has the particular advantage that the process according to the invention, consisting of the four steps described, can be carried out more quickly and in a more targeted manner. Only in the case in which in the input blocks 1 "product planning" and 5 "color request" a product that is poorly suited to the selected production type is specified, is there a danger that no valid printing plate allocation will be found.

In Figs. 16 and 17 are exemplary of two possible assignments printing plate in the form of "product scheme" Darge provides. These result with the aid of the method according to the invention on the basis of the specifications made in the input masks of FIG. 14 "product planning" and FIG. 15 "color request". Fig. 14 can be seen that in addition to the current scope of the respective product, particularly represented in the number of booklets and pages per booklet, also the production type C and the production type E were selected. In the case of production type E called "individual production", each of the four segments of a printing cylinder is covered with a different printing plate on the two printing areas, each comprising approximately half the cylinder circumference. For this reason, it is easily possible in this case to produce a printed product consisting of four booklets. In contrast, in "double production" D both 180 ° areas of each cylinder segment are covered with identical pressure plates. In this case, usually only one printed product consisting of two booklets can be produced.

In the "product diagram" of FIG. 16, a first possible result, which is part of FIGS . 14 and 15, of the method according to the invention is shown. Due to the selected production type and the current scope of the product, three webs are required for its manufacture, which are shown in the middle of the "Product scheme" mask by the numbers 1, 2, 3 lying one above the other. The booklets 1, 2 to the left of this dividing line are preferably each produced by the printing plates lying on a circumferential half of all printing cylinder segments, while the booklets 3, 4 shown to the right of the dividing line are generated by the printing plates arranged on the opposite circumferential halves of each printing cylinder segment will. The product-oriented, internal structure of booklets 1, 2 and 3, 4 in FIG. 16 basically corresponds to the representation of FIGS. 9B and 10B. For example, the second sheet in issues 1 and 3 each consist of a "straight sheet" on lane 2 , which can be printed in one color on the front and back. The adjoining arches provided for the sides 5 , 6 , 11 , 12 and 27 , 28 , 33 , 34 are arches brought up from the other side of the machine. These have the same color as the previous sheets, as they were also produced on lane 2 before the turn was carried out. Furthermore, Fig. 16 shows that in the middle of the booklets 2 and 4, a quarter sheet is provided for the product pages 19 , 20 and 41 , 42 , which are each produced on the web 3 with the maximum colors 3: 1 .

Fig. 17 shows a further possible pressure plate layout in the form of the corresponding product scheme. Such results from a further embodiment of the invention either by repeating the fourth, or at least partially repeating the third and fourth method step. A comparison with FIG. 16 shows that the partial sheets bearing the pages 19 , 20 and 41 , 42 in the middle of the booklets 2 and 4 are now each produced on web 2 . Furthermore, in comparison to FIG. 16, the partial sheets produced on web 2 (pages 19 , 20 and 41 , 42 ) and sheets (pages 3 , 4 , 13 , 14 and 25 , 26 , 35 , 36 ) have more color options. This means that the front of the partial webs involved can be printed with a maximum of three colors instead of just one. Nevertheless, both product schemes of FIGS . 16, 17 meet the minimum color requirement for the color of the individual pages specified in the input mask, FIG. 15. Another difference between the two product schemes is e.g. B. can be seen in the fact that the last, the pages 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 and 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 carrying sheets in the booklets 1 and 3 are now designed as turning arches. These are produced together with the sheets in front of them on lane 3 in the same color and then turned from the left to the right side of the machine. To form the product schemes of Fig. 16, 17 thus have particular schiedliche allowable partial web combinations Wendemöglichkei th and contributed color combinations. In principle, it is now possible, in principle, to use the appropriate printing plates to document the printing cylinders of the printing units involved in order to generate the desired print product in the manner laid down in the product schema and color requirement masks, to release the necessary colors per printing cylinder segment and the associated paper paths in the Set pressure units and control the turning / cutting and mixing devices.

As already explained, the product diagrams of FIGS. 16 and 17 may contain a color on some pages that exceeds the color requirement of FIG. 15. In such a case, it is advantageous if, with the aid of a further "color assignment" mask, FIG. 18, an adaptation between the information in the "color request" mask, FIG. 15 to the possibilities contained in the product schemes, FIGS. 16, 17 is made. This adjustment can be in the form of a reduction in the actual color possibilities and / or expansion of the color requirement. According to a particularly advantageous, further embodiment of the invention, the “imposition schemes” shown in FIGS . 19 to 22 are formed after this adaptation. The imposition scheme in Fig. 19, 20 belongs to the product scheme of Fig. 16, and the imposition scheme in Fig. 21, 22 belongs to the product scheme Fig. 17. Although the imposition scheme in principle does not say anything about the content of the associated product scheme Containing additional information, they still allow easier handling of the now optimal printing plate occupations generated with the aid of the method according to the invention. In particular, on the basis of the representation selected in a "imposition scheme", it can be recognized very easily in a very simple manner, at which point of a printing cylinder in a printing unit which booklet page in which color is advantageously to be produced.

Thus, 20 and 21, 22 enter the schemes of Fig. 19, the exact assignment of the respective printing cylinders of the printing units 3 and 4, again directly. So z. B. all four segments A to D of the impression cylinder 1 and 5 of the printing unit 3 completely covered with printing plates as shown in FIG. 20. In contrast, in the printing cylinders 2 , 3 , 4 only the right halves, ie the segments A, B, are covered with printing plates. Accordingly, the pressure cylinders 5, 6 of the printing unit 4 are shown in Fig. 22 completely, ie all four segments A through D, covered with printing plates. In contrast, only the segments A, B, C, and in the case of the printing cylinders 2 , 3, only the segment C of the printing cylinders 1 and 4 are covered with printing plates.

The Fig. 19 it can be seen that, for example, page 1 in Supplement 1 and page 23 in No. 3 each in the four-color printing can be produced. In particular, according to the detailed representation of FIG. 20, these two sides are each produced on the first or second half of the circumference on segment A of the printing cylinders 1 to 4 . Thus, in each segment A, pages 1 , 23 on cylinder 1 with the color of the identifier 3 , then on cylinder 2 in the color with the identifier 12 , then on cylinder 3 in the color with the identifier 15 and finally on cylinder 4 in the color with the identifier 9 printed.

Preferably, by means of the process interface 33 already described with reference to FIG. 1B at the output of the output unit 32, who made the settings in the printing press relating to the imposition schemes of FIGS. 19 and 21 in terms of control technology. This includes in particular the setting of the paper path associated with the found printing plate occupancy within the individual printing unit, the activation of the necessary turning, partial web mixing and cutting devices, the activation of the ink application devices for the individual printing cylinder segments and the assignment with the corresponding printing plates.

To carry out the method according to the invention serves be preferably a program-controlled computer. In particular so-called called "automation systems" for real-time management of technical processes, d. H. for observation, control and Regulation are particularly suitable for this.

Claims (22)

1. Method for determining the printing plate occupancy on the printing cylinders of at least one printing unit in a printing machine, wherein

• a) in a first step, depending on current product information, in particular on the scope of the respective printer product ( 1 , "Product Planning"), a machine-dependent start web layout ( 7 , "MIBA ") is determined
• b) in a second step, the start web assignment ( 7 ) is expanded by the web guiding options ( 18 ) of the respective printing press,
• c) in a third step to a web guiding option ( 18 ), the existing color combinations ( 22 ) are taken into account, which contain the color options ( 10 ) in which the individual webs can preferably be printed on both sides, and
• d) in a fourth step to determine a printing plate occupancy ( 24 , "product scheme") the web guiding option ( 18 ) with the color combination ( 22 ) is used, which in comparison to the color requirement ( 5 ) for the respective product allows a greater or at least matching color ( Fig. 1).

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that for determining at least one wide ren printing plate assignment ( 24 , "product scheme") either

• a) in repetition of the fourth step, another color combination that is available for the respective web guiding option and is permitted in comparison with the color requirement is used, or
• b) in repetition of the third and fourth steps, the existing color combinations are first taken into account for a further web guiding possibility, and then a color combination contained therein and used in comparison with the color requirement is used.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that in the first step of the determination of the start web assignment ( 7 )

• a) the number and width (4 / 4-, 3 / 4-, 2 / 4-, 1/4-lane) of required lanes, and
• b) any necessary turns (W, SW) of partial webs (3 / 4-, 2 / 4-, 1/4-web) are specified ( Fig. 4).

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that in the web distribution a bahnbrei ten dependent presorting takes place, in particular with priority over full-width webs (4/4 web) over partial webs ( Fig. 4). 5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the path combinations ( 181 ) are taken into account in the second step of expanding the start web allocation ( 7 ) by the web guiding options ( 18 ), which combinations with the combinations in the printing machine contain the webs of the start web allocation, which are possible due to the maximum number of webs that can be occupied in the respective printing press ( FIGS. 2, 5A-5C). 6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that the web combinations ( 181 ) are formed in an order, which is determined by a list of web priorities ( 10 ), in which a desired ranking in the occupancy of the maximum in the respective printing press be assignable Lanes is included ( Figures 5B, 5C). 7. The method according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that in the web combinations be taken into account in which webs where necessary, necessary web cuts, in particular quarter cuts ("quarter cut possibilities"), can be carried out depending on the machine ( Fig. 5C). 8. The method according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the possible partial web combinations ( 183 ) are taken into account in the second step of expanding the start web allocation to the web guiding possibilities for a web combination, which combinations are possible for the respective web combination depending on the machine combinations included in the distribution of the partial webs ( Fig. 2, 6A-6D). 9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that the partial web combinations are formed in a sequence dependent on the width of the webs involved, at least in the first partial web combination, priority webs in the respective web combination with wide webs (4 / 4-, 3/4 -, ... lanes) and subordinate lanes with narrow lanes (2 / 4-, 1/4 -, ... lanes), and in the further partial lane combinations increasingly priority lanes with narrow lanes and subordinate lanes with wide webs are occupied ( Fig. 6B). 10. The method according to any one of claims 8 or 9, characterized in that at least the first partial web combination ( 21 ) to a web combination ( 2 ) is determined by means of the web priority list and an additional partial web priority list, the webs of the respective web combination initially according to a full-width lanes (4/4 lanes) are assigned to the order of priority given by the priority list of lanes, and then the remaining lanes of the lane combination are assigned to partial lanes according to an order of priority given by the partial priority list ( FIG. 6C). 11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that when the remaining webs of the web combination with partial webs first the highest of the ranks specified by the partial web priority list are occupied with the narrow partial webs ( Fig. 6D). 12. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that in the second step of the expansion of the start web allocation to the web guidance options for a partial web combination the existing turning options ( 185 ) are taken into account, which are possible for the respective partial web combination depending on the machine Contains turns of partial webs between the drive and operating side of the printing press ( Fig. 2, 7A-7H). 13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that the turning possibilities ( 185 ) to a partial lane combination in a sequence who the first subordinate lanes are subjected to the turns predetermined at least by the start lane allocation who ( Fig. 7B, 7C ). 14. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 13, characterized in that in the second step of the expansion of the start web allocation to the web guidance options for a partial web combination takes into account the existing partial web mixing options ("bay window" possibilities) ( 187 ) which contain the machine-specific exchanges in the mutual position of partial webs, in particular within a booklet, for the respective partial web combination (FIGS . 2, 8A-8E). 15. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that in the second step of the expansion of the start web allocation to the web guidance options for a partial web combination

• a) the existing turning options ( 185 ) are taken into account, which contain the machine-dependent possible turns of partial webs between the drive and operating side of the printing press,
• b) the existing partial web mixing options ("bay window" options) ( 187 ) are taken into account, which contain the machine-dependent possible exchanges in the mutual position of partial webs, in particular within a booklet, and
• c) it is also taken into account whether certain turning options can be replaced by partial web mixing options (FIGS . 2, 8C-8E).

16. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at the beginning of the third step of expanding a web guiding possibility ( 18 ) by the color combinations ( 22 ), first the web-related structure of all web guiding options in one in particular in the number of booklets and the pages per issue oriented product-related structure is transferred, and then a web guiding option in the product-related structure is expanded by the possible color combinations ( 20 ) ( Fig. 1, 9B, 10A, 10B). 17. The method according to claim 16, characterized ge indicates that the overpass of the railway leadership opportunities in a product-related structure it is made that quarter tracks ("partial arches") in the Lie in the middle of each booklet.   18. The method according to claim 16, characterized ge indicates that the transfer of the web guide possibilities in a product-related structure is taken that quarter tracks ("partial arches") not in the Lie in the middle of each booklet. 19. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 18, characterized in that for determining at least one further printing plate assignment ( 24 , "product scheme") in repetition of the third and fourth step, at least one additional web guiding possibility in product-related structure, the existing color possibilities are taken into account, and then the at least one color combination that is contained therein and is permissible in comparison with the color requirement is used. 20. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the fourth step to determine an optimal printing plate assignment ("imposition scheme") ( 28 ) in the presence of a greater color of the respective color combination ( 22 ) compared to the current color requirement ( 5 ) either the color combination is restricted to the color requirement and / or the color requirement is expanded by taking advantage of the additional possibilities of the color combination (“color assignment”) (FIGS . 1, 14, 17, 18-21). 21. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that before given to the scope and color of frequently occurring products oriented, typical web assignments to basic quantities ("production types", 10 ) are combined, which as a starting point for determining the start web assignment in first process step at least through

• a) Specifying the number of the maximum number of lanes that can be occupied, the variety of variations in the formation of the path guidance possibilities in the second step, and by
• b) Specifying the number of the maximum permissible color possibilities in each case limit the variety in the formation of the color combinations in the third step depending on the product ( FIGS. 1A, 11).

22. Device with a program-controlled computer, esp in particular an automation system for real-time management of technical processes to carry out the process according to one of the preceding claims.