EP0818310A1 - Data acquisition system and method for printing press - Google Patents

Abstract

The system has a computer (1,2) with at least one re-writable, non-volatile memory (4) and a clock (5) for determining clock time and date. The computer continually interrogates the time and date at defined intervals and stores them in the memory. The values stored in the memory are compared with the current clock values and any differences in excess of a defined threshold are stored in the re-writable, non-volatile memory.

Description

The invention relates to data acquisition for printing presses according to the Preamble of claim 1.

For controlling printing machines, in particular sheetfed offset printing machines computers are increasingly being used, which are constructed like a PC are. Especially in the control room of a printing press and the control of the Such computers are used in the printing press. Via a press control center monitoring or remote adjustment of the most varied takes place Components of the machine as well as the acquisition, administration and processing of data from the individual print jobs. For example, as data Order number, customer name, number of copies, dates, quality data etc. call. From a computer within a printing press, however, are also possible for service and maintenance purposes or to facilitate fault analysis In the event of a fault, machine data that is permanently generated, in particular the status of a total sheet counter is recorded. The status of this total sheet counter is periodically at a predetermined time rate in particular as Hard disk trained storage medium written by the control center computer. At Each power-on is the total sheet counter status by querying the corresponding one File can be determined and is used when the computer or the printing press constantly according to the intended time rate updated.

When controlling a printing press, which in particular as a computer is designed with at least one hard disk drive (machine control MS) can be provided, this MS via a bus system with a control center computer as well as other computers (monitoring computer, real-time computer) connect. There is a task-related division of the individual from operations to be performed on the computers. Even with such a computer network as a control for a printing press with a control center computer for administration of print jobs and for entering data or printing parameters, with a control computer (MS) to execute the run commands and other control processes of the printing press and a monitoring and a real-time computer for controlling angle-related switching operations the printing press are a multitude of individual electronic components interchangeable, because this is due to the different stress of a are exposed to certain frequency of damage. With a press control, consisting of one or more computers, it is therefore desirable in a relatively simple way an analysis of the duration of the to be able to carry out individual electronic components in order to be able to Components to be able to record the causes of faults. Is currently such logging of the operating times of the individual electronic components carried out separately, i.e. the installation time (date) of a corresponding one Component is either noted manually in a machine book or entered in a file at the control center using a specially provided menu. Such logging to be carried out by the service personnel is recorded the service life of the replaceable electronic components, but not the The machine is switched on and off in addition to those caused by it Power-on processes also on a wide variety of components stresses caused by electronics. The others also remain Most of the events that occur during the life of the press disregarded. In particular, this would be the printing of waste the total number of sheets, the total frequency of switching on and off, the frequency of switching processes from optional to beautiful and To name printing presses that can be operated.

The present invention is therefore based on data acquisition for printing machines, wherein the printing press has at least one computer with at least a non-volatile, rewritable storage medium especially in Form of a hard drive, and this computer has a time recording system in the form of a clock that can be queried by the computer system Date.

The object of the present invention is therefore to collect data for To expand printing machines in accordance with the preamble of claim 1 in such a way so that a variety of accruing during the life of the printing press Data can be easily analyzed statistically and can be queried at any time can be provided.

This task is solved by the characteristic features of claim 1. Further developments of the invention result from the subclaims.

According to the invention it is provided that preferably by at least one computer printing press control system comprising several computers a cyclical recording that takes place according to a predetermined time rate the time delivered by the clock of the computer or computer system together with the date and that this time and date, preferably in conjunction with others data accumulating within the control system on the non-volatile, rewritable storage medium (hard disk) of the computer system becomes. During the entire power-on state of the machine or of the computer system therefore changes permanently that written in a special file Time. If the machine and thus the computer system for switched off for a certain time and then switched on again (power-on), is by means of a comparison provided according to the invention between that of the clock of the computer system delivered time (real time) as well as the last in the Specifically provided file entered time and date the downtime of the computer system and also of the machine. According to the invention can be further developed that an automatic determination with regard to the initial start-up of the machine and thus the computer system he follows. For this purpose, it is then provided that the file, which includes the time and date periodically updated to the non-volatile, rewritable and in particular written as a hard disk storage medium is initialized or created during initial commissioning. Through a query after an initial installation, it can be determined whether this file and its contents is present at all.

Furthermore, an embodiment of the invention is explained based on the single drawing.

Fig. 1

einen Leitstandrechner als Leitrechner, der über ein Bussystem mit einem die Steuerung (MS) der Druckmaschine darstellenden weiteren Rechner verbunden ist.

Here shows:

Fig. 1

a control center computer as a control computer which is connected via a bus system to a further computer which represents the control (MS) of the printing press.

In Figure 1, a control computer 1 is shown as a control center computer, which over a Bus system 6 with a control 2 of a printing press, not shown connected is. These computers are also connected to others via the bus system 6 Components connected for signal exchange. Not this one Electronic components shown are particularly interchangeable the bus system 6 connected. Certain components can also be replaced of the master computer 1 shown here and the controller 2. As an example here are in particular the CPU cards, the RAM modules and the others existing components mentioned on computers.

The master computer 1 has a hard disk drive 4 as a non-volatile, rewritable Storage medium, the hard drive for writing data 4 a silicon disk 3 is connected upstream. This in particular battery-buffered (battery buffering 8) storage medium in the form of the silicon disk 3 serves to reduce the number of write accesses to the hard disk 4. It can be provided, in particular those that are often provided according to the invention Writes in terms of time and date only every half Hour or less frequently on hard disk 4.

The master computer 1 also has a clock 5 with date, which also has a battery backup 8. The clock 5 can also in the the controller 2 representing computer (MS) can be provided, which via the Bus system 6 is connected to the host computer 1.

The master computer 1 and the computer of the controller 2 are via a central Mains supply 7 connected to each other, via which power on / power off - Operations take place.

According to the invention it is now provided that the battery-buffered RAM-formed silicon disk 3 at certain time intervals (for example every 30 seconds) the time delivered by clock 5 and the date are saved and closed certain time intervals on the hard disk 4 in a specially provided and the created file is registered. According to the invention, the First installation of the system create the corresponding file in the as battery-buffered RAM trained silicon disk 3 and the data receiving Hard drive 4.

By providing further training, the cyclically generated data initially Writing to or reading from the silicon disk 3 is guaranteed that the access times for writing or reading to the hard disk drive be reduced to a defined minimum. If, for example it is provided that only those that accumulate permanently on the silicon disk 3 every hour To save (update) data (real time) on the hard disk 4 a correspondingly large access-free period results.

Provision can also be made for program routines stored in the computer 1 (this can be the operating system of the computer in particular) the read and write head of the hard disk drive 4 within these periods over predetermined specific or all areas or cylinders of the Hard drive 4 is moved. In particular, it is possible that in the access-free times of the Read / write head of the hard disk drive 4 to at least one predetermined one Area or cylinder of the hard drive 4 is positioned and there up to next disk access remains. In an at least occasional procedure of Read / write head over some or all areas or cylinders of the Hard disk is avoided that the read / write head is always on the same The cylinder or area remains, namely the area to which the last one Disk access occurred (writing time / date).

During the operation of the printing press or the computer system shown here the press control is carried out in accordance with the intended Time rate a recording of the time and date. As a result, at switched on machine or operation of the computer system by a corresponding Comparison can be established that the on the silicon disk 3 or Hard disk 4 time written up to the maximum served by the sampling rate Time delay equals the current time supplied by clock 5. For example, the printing machine is switched off at the end of the shift and switched on again at the beginning of a new shift, so again takes place in the polling rate provided for this purpose, a recording of the clock 5 delivered Time date. A comparison shows that there is a discrepancy between the currently delivered by the clock 5 along with the last time stored on the hard disk 4 There is time. From this time difference is therefore the Downtime of the machine can be calculated, which in a specially provided File can be stored on the hard disk 4 as a separate value. Corresponding The way indicated here is the downtime of the machine as well of the computer system controlling the machine as the time difference between Time and date of the last power-off (last updated Time / date entry) and the one that occurs when the power is switched on again Time / date recording can be determined. The operating time can be analogous to this the machine and the computer system assigned to the machine as that Difference: current time / date - time / date of the first installation minus the Total over all time-outs of the machine / that assigned to the machine Determine computer system.

Through the cyclical query and comparison process indicated above the current time / date provided by the clock 5 and that on the Hard disk drive 4 stored time and date (last power-on time) are not just the operating time of the machine and the total period can be determined after the initial installation of the system, but it can be according to one Further development of the invention may also be provided, for example further ones Data / parameters in connection via the control 2 of the printing press with the operating times recorded in this way. So can be provided be a signal corresponding to the bow cycle of the machine with another signal, which indicates the press-on state of the machine corresponds to a specially provided file on the hard disk 4 record what the number and the corresponding periods are within whose sheets were printed. Furthermore, in connection with the indicated Periods also a signal corresponding to the printing speed are processed, from which an average printing speed can then be determined is.

• Anzahl der bisher durchgeführten Power-On,
• Zeit der Erstinbetriebnahme,
• Alter der Maschine / des Rechnersystems,
• Anzahl der Gutbogen,
• Anzahl der Totalbogen,
• Anzahl der Makulaturbogen,
• Gesamtlaufzeit der Maschine bzw. Komponenten der Maschine,
• Gesamtstillstandszeit der Maschine bzw. Komponenten der Maschine,
• Gesamtzeit innerhalb der die Maschine Gutbogen druckt / gedruckt hat,
• Gesamtzeit in der die Maschine Makulatur druckt / gedruckt hat,
• Gesamtdruckzeit in welcher die Maschine druckt / gedruckt hat,
• Maximale Druckgeschwindigkeit (auftragsbezogen),
• Minimale Druckgeschwindigkeit (auftragsbezogen),
• Durchschnittliche Druckgeschwindigkeit (auftragsbezogen),
• Maximale Druckgeschwindigkeit (maschinenbezogen),
• Minimale Druckgeschwindigkeit (maschinenbezogen),
• Durchschnittliche Druckgeschwindigkeit (maschinenbezogen),
• Aktuelle Anzahl der Gutbogen (Gesamtzahl gedruckter Bogen minus Makulaturbogen),
• Ermittlung der noch zu druckenden Zeit eines derzeitigen Auftrages mit bekannter Auflagenhöhe und bei gegebener/aktueller Durchschnittsgeschwindigkeit.

Overall, a large number of data can be recorded in the manner indicated above and stored for further evaluation processes. Examples of such data are:

• Number of power-on carried out so far,
• Time of first commissioning,
• Age of the machine / computer system,
• Number of good sheets,
• Number of total sheets,
• Number of waste sheets,
• Total running time of the machine or components of the machine,
• Total downtime of the machine or components of the machine,
• Total time within which the machine has printed / printed good sheets,
• Total time the machine has printed / printed waste,
• Total printing time in which the machine is printing / printing,
• Maximum print speed (job-related),
• Minimum print speed (order-related),
• Average print speed (job-related),
• Maximum printing speed (machine-related),
• Minimum printing speed (machine-related),
• Average printing speed (machine-related),
• Current number of good sheets (total number of printed sheets minus waste sheets),
• Determination of the time still to be printed of a current order with a known number of copies and given the current average speed

Some of the above data are very interesting parameters and are by means of the data acquisition according to the invention by the cyclical acquisition and saving the time in a simple manner in connection with others Data generated within a computer system can be recorded.

Also one of the time recording of interchangeable electronic components within of the computer system is simpler due to the data acquisition according to the invention Way possible. For example, if a component of the in the figure computer system shown, for example connected to the bus system 6, replaced, this is either by an automatic query routine of the Bus system 6 can be determined or there is a corresponding note in one according to the provided input menu via the control center (host computer 1) the printing press. The latter is possible in a simple manner because the replacement of electronic components in a separate and anyway specially provided state of the computer system of the printing press has taken place. In such an automatic logbook of the printing press Data entry is now made a corresponding entry of the replaced Component in connection with the current time and date in one file assigned to the respective electronic component. So is to everyone later determine when which electronic component is replaced and in addition, which operating time and which total Installation time this electronic component has. The determination for an electronic component can be carried out in the same way as this above has been explained for the entire computer system.

The one explained above and representing the data acquisition according to the invention Trigger process regarding time / date manages all of the above Machine data and allows a completely new quality of machine statistics. If external monitoring computers or machine computers (e.g. PLC or MS) deliver incorrect or unreliable data, is by means of the invention Data acquisition a way of correction possible. The data collected can be compared via a special communication interface. Furthermore, the trigger process representing the data acquisition according to the invention wins a special role in a network of printing presses because the machine-specific data are managed centrally and therefore one more There is greater security of data loss (backup option).

Certain averages can still be obtained via the described process determined and thus also statements of expectations are given. This applies, for example for the last value shown in the list above the time to be printed of an existing order with a known number of copies and given average printing speed. Because of the permanent Time control after data acquisition according to the invention of all of the above Data, for example, can calculate the average print speed be an order of known circulation for a given Reserve time at the machine. In other words, this means that from one that queries the control system and the control center of the printing press Computer system in the sense of a print shop control can be determined whether a for example Print job to be inserted at short notice when executing a existing print job and the current print parameters can be inserted at short notice. It is therefore not only a measure of productivity based on the past or the lifespan of the machine determine, but it is also easy to determine data, which the current and future production planning / the utilization of the Machine.

Finally, it should be pointed out that by the invention cyclical (e.g. every 30 seconds) time query of the clock 5 in addition to the comparison carried out on the basis of this data and the saving process systematic error via silicon disk 3 and hard disk 4 occurs. However, this relative error (percentage value) only increases with frequent power-on / power-off high values. In normal printing press operation it can be assumed that the printing press and thus this assigned computer system switched on by the hour or not switched on is (typical values are about 6 hours), so that a relative Error of the order of 0.5% results.

Reference list

1

Host computer

2nd

Control (MS)

3rd

battery-backed RAM / silicon disk

4th

Hard disk (non-volatile, rewritable storage medium)

5

Clock

6

Bus system

7

central mains voltage supply (power-on / power-off)

8th

Battery backup (clock / date 5; battery-buffered RAM / silicon disk 3)

Claims (7)

Data acquisition for a printing press, in particular sheetfed offset printing press, the printing press having at least one computer with at least one rewritable non-volatile storage medium and a clock for recording the time and date,
characterized by
that the at least one computer (1, 2) can permanently carry out a query of the value of the time supplied by the clock (5) and the date at certain time intervals and the current value of this query can be stored on the non-volatile, rewritable storage medium (4) , whereby a comparison of the value stored on the non-volatile, rewritable storage medium (4) with the current value supplied by the clock (5) can be carried out, and that ascertainable differences of these values beyond a predetermined amount on the non-volatile, rewritable storage medium (4 ) can be saved. Data acquisition according to claim 1,
characterized by
that when the printing press / computer system is installed for the first time, the time / date file is created on the rewritable, non-volatile storage medium (4). Data acquisition according to claim 1 or 2,
characterized by
that the hard disk drive (4) as a rewritable, non-volatile storage medium is preceded, in particular, by a battery-buffered RAM in the form of a silicon disk (3) for recording time values which can be recorded by means of the clock (5), and that the data stored on the silicon disk (3) temporarily transferred to the hard drive (4). Data acquisition according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized by
that with each power-off an immediate saving of the time / date supplied by the clock (5) on the hard disk drive (4) can be carried out. Data acquisition according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized by
that the at least one computer (1, 2) records the time values recorded on the rewritable, non-volatile storage medium (3, 4) by means of the clock (5) in connection with the signals representing the state of the printing press and further data for determining and storing one or more of the following values can be converted: Number of power-on carried out so far, Time of first commissioning, Age of the machine / computer system, Total running time of the machine or components of the machine, Total downtime of the machine or components of the machine. Data acquisition according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized by
that the at least one computer (1, 2) records the time values recorded on the rewritable, non-volatile storage medium (3, 4) by means of the clock (5) in connection with the signals reflecting the printing state of the printing press and further data for determining and storing one or more of the following values can be converted: Number of good sheets, Number of total sheets, Number of waste sheets, Total time the machine has printed / printed good sheets Total time the machine has printed / printed waste, Total printing time in which the machine is printing / printing, Current number of good sheets (total number of printed sheets minus waste sheets). Data acquisition according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized by
that by at least one computer (1, 2) the time values recorded on the rewritable, non-volatile storage medium (3, 4) by means of the clock (5) in connection with the signals reflecting the printing state and / or the printing speed of the printing machine and further data for determining and Storage of one or more of the following values can be converted: Maximum print speed (job-related), Minimum print speed (order-related), Average print speed (job-related), Maximum printing speed (machine-related), Minimum printing speed (machine-related), Average printing speed (machine-related), Determination of the time still to be printed of a current order with a known number of copies and at a given / current average speed.

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