EP2321127A2

EP2321127A2 - Method and apparatus for providing information about printing plates to be manufactured for a new production of a printing press

Info

Publication number: EP2321127A2
Application number: EP09769266A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Adrian Helmut Alt-Steiner; Andreas Kunzemann
Original assignee: Koenig and Bauer AG
Current assignee: Koenig and Bauer AG
Priority date: 2008-06-26
Filing date: 2009-06-24
Publication date: 2011-05-18
Anticipated expiration: 2029-06-24
Also published as: EP2321127B1; EP2329952B1; US20120067237A1; ATE550187T1; ES2378449T3; EP2329952A2; ATE542672T1; EP2329952A3; US8191473B2; US20110126726A1; US8127678B2; DE102008002681A1; ES2380584T3; WO2009156417A3; WO2009156417A2; CN102076500A; CN102076500B

Abstract

The method involves visualizing a use of a printing plate (1) in a printing machine on a display of a display apparatus. Different points of use of the printing plate in the printing machine are displayed, where the display displays at which of the positions the printing plate is to be provided. Different states and/or different properties with respect to the printing plate and/or a position presently assumed by the printing plate on a transport path to the printing machine are additionally displayed by the display. An independent claim is also included for a device for providing information about a printing plate for new production of a printing machine.

Description

description

Method and device for providing information about printing forms which are to be produced for a new production of a printing press

The invention relates to a method for providing information about printing forms, which are to be made for a new production of a printing press, according to the preamble of claim 1 and a corresponding device according to the preamble of claim 18.

It is known from DE 10 2006 006 136 A1 to evaluate image data acquired by individual printing forms in an evaluation unit by means of a link with data provided to the evaluation unit by a production planning system in such a way as to determine whether a printing press arranged in a printing press Printing form magazine is equipped with the right for a planned production printing forms, this check is made to determine whether in a slot of the printing forme magazine required for the planned production printing form is stored. The evaluation unit is connected to a reporting device at which the evaluation unit displays at least one detected discrepancy between the recognized actually stored printing form and a printing form required for the planned production at this point and / or outputs a corresponding message perceptible by the operator of the printing press. The reporting device may include a visual and / or audible indication.

WO 2004/085153 A2 discloses a device for storing an elevator to be exchanged on a cylinder of a printing machine, wherein several elevators are to be arranged on the cylinder, the elevator to be exchanged being stored in a receiving device, wherein the receiving device has at least one code reader, wherein the Code reader attached to the elevator feature too detects its identification, wherein a control unit compares the detected feature with an occupancy plan for the intended printing operation and checks all stored in the receiving device elevators to determine whether the elevators are stored in the receptacle for the intended printing in a correct order, the control unit at least one Inconsistency in comparison before an installation of the elevator on the cylinder generates a warning message before a faulty assembly.

From EP 1 435 292 A1 a method is known for supplying printing forms to a cylinder, wherein a layout for the printing forms to be supplied to the respective cylinder is stored in a memory, wherein an encoding of the respective printing forms is compared with the allocation plan and wherein Printing forms are supplied to the cylinder according to the allocation plan.

A device for instructing the mounting position of a printing plate in a rotary press is known from EP 1 002 646 A1, wherein a print form identified on its page number is assigned to a mounting location on the rotary press by a linkage with an imposition scheme and the mechanically determined mounting location is indicated for this printing plate , The mounting position is therefore not removable attached to the printing plate coding.

DE 103 14 341 B3 discloses a method for operating a system at least for feeding at least one printing form to a cylinder stored in a printing forme magazine, a code reader detecting an encoding of the printing form, errors such as a double assignment or a misregistration of a printing location on the cylinder can be detected by a message preferably issued by the system to a control station of the printing press.

US 4 727 807 A discloses a device for automatically changing Known printing plates on a cylinder of a printing machine, wherein on the cylinder a plurality of printing plates are to be arranged, being attached to a transport system, a printing unit to be supplied printing forms on the printing unit to which they are assigned, removed and cached in a container after a code reader one at each Read form attached code and has determined their assignment to the printing unit.

The invention has for its object to provide a method and an apparatus for providing information about printing forms, which are to be made for a new production of a printing press, which or an overview and control over the printed products to be produced for the new production of the printing press allows.

The object is achieved by the features of claim 1 and 18.

The advantages that can be achieved with the invention are, in particular, that the method and also the device enable an overview and control of the printing forms to be produced for a new production of the printing press. The printing forms provided at different times with at least one printed image can be stored presorted and can be made available together on the printing machine in a manner appropriate to a planned production. This saves an operator setting up the press for an upcoming production time otherwise he or she would be required to sort in practice, e.g. B. in newspaper printing often produced in any order printing forms and completing to at a certain of several possible sites, such. B. on a particular form cylinder or on a particular printing forme magazine of the printing press, required set of related printing forms needed. As a result, a shorter set-up time is achieved, which improves the profitability of the printing press. Nonetheless, full flexibility remains in the order of the printing forms to be made, which is especially important for newspaper printing. In this case, an operator of the printing press has the full overview and control over the printed forms to be produced for a new production of the printing press, due to the information displayed on a display of a display device at any time during the preparation of a new production of the printing press.

To prepare for processing a print job, several printing plates are usually to be made for use in a printing press. In particular, in a printing operation producing a newspaper as a printed product on an offset printing press, a plurality of printing forms for use on one of the forme cylinders of the offset printing press are required in a short time. Often, plate-shaped blanks are used to make the printing plates to be used in a separate from the offset printing plate exposure means for forming at least one printed image using a corresponding, z. Example, exposed by a computer of a prepress preferably electronically provided in the form of a file on the platesetter template, the applied to the respective blank print image to its permanent training in a developing device z. B. is developed photochemically. Subsequently, each provided with at least one printed image printing plates are bent in a Abkanteinrichtung preferably at two opposite ends to form Einhänbringeln, the respective printing forme can be fastened on the outer surface of the respective forme cylinder by means of their insertable in at least one formed on the relevant forme channel channel suspension leg. As an aid to their positionally correct alignment on the lateral surface of the relevant forme cylinder, the relevant printing forme may have been provided, in particular before the fold of at least one of its suspension legs, with at least one register punching or with a cut or trimming. After exposure, developing, folding and possibly punching and / or cutting, the respective printing forme is ready for use in a production of the offset printing press. A used in newspaper printing offset printing machine has z. B. several in the transport direction of the printed image to be printed with the printing forms to be printed, z. As a material web, in particular paper web, successively arranged printing units, each with at least one forme cylinder and a cooperating with this forme cylinder transfer cylinder. These several printing units are z. B. to perform a multi-color print, z. B. four-color printing used. In the case of preferably simultaneously executed double-sided printing of the printing material, the number of printing units required in the printing machine doubles. Each form cylinder of the printing units is at least in its respective axial direction each with a plurality, z. B. assignable four or six printing plates, each of these printing forms is assigned to exactly one axial mounting position on the lateral surface of this forme cylinder. Also in its respective circumferential direction, each of these form cylinder at certain axial positions each with several, z. B. be assigned to two or three printing plates, so that this form cylinder in its circumferential direction one behind the other several mounting positions each for one of the printing plates. The lateral surface of the forme cylinder thus has a total of z. B. eight, twelve or more mounting positions each for a printing plate. In an offset printing machine with z. B. eight printing units z. B. in each case exactly one forme cylinder with z. B. twelve mounting positions each have a printing forme, are therefore to be arranged with full use of all mounting positions a total of 96 printing plates. The number of required for the execution of a specific print job printing forms increases but usually already because just in the newspaper printing not only a single printing unit with z. B. eight printing units is used, but several such assembled into a complex printing system printing units, each z. B. have eight printing units. The essentially sequential execution of such a high number of ready for use production ready printing forms requires a considerable lead time until the respective printing plates to their arrangement on the The outer surface of the respective form cylinder ready. For economic reasons, however, it is not a solution, just the number of z. B. parallel, ie simultaneously usable plate exposure devices, etc. to increase.

In order to facilitate an assignment of the printing plates in the plate exposure device, etc., to their respective arrangement on the lateral surface of one of the forme cylinders of the offset printing press to be set up for a particular production, the printing forms relating to a particular production are e.g. Example, in the plate exposure device preferably each provided with a coding, said coding is preferably formed in a non-printing area of the respective printing form. For example, the respective coding is arranged on one of the suspension legs to be formed on the relevant printing form. The coding can z. B. in the form of an automatically readable, especially two-dimensional DataMatrix code (2D code) or both alternatively and additionally be designed in a human-readable plain text. The information content of the coding provides information in particular in which printing unit of the offset printing press on which forme cylinder is to be arranged at which mounting position the relevant printing form for the execution of the pending print job. The information content of the coding can also be an indication of the printed product itself or a page number with regard to the relevant printed product and other information such. B. have a date of manufacture with respect to the relevant printing form. The coding is z. B. in the plate exposure device in the same step as the printed image mounted on the relevant printing forme.

The preparation of a specific production printing forms is preferably controlled by data, the z. B. be provided by a control unit of a production planning system, wherein the control unit of the production planning system z. B. via an electronic line or wireless communication system with the plate exposure device and preferably at least also connected to a belonging to the offset printing press control station for the purpose of data exchange. The data provided by the control unit of the production planning system, which are also referred to as production data, on the one hand characterize the printed product to be produced in at least one, preferably in some of its properties, such as e.g. As its page number and on the other hand provide information about the number of produced in a particular production copies of this printed product. The production data assigned to a particular production can also provide information about the printing material used, eg. As the paper type and / or its or their grammage include and on the printing press used, for. As an indication of the diameter of the forme cylinder and / or the transfer cylinder to occupy the participating in the execution of the upcoming print job form cylinder with printing plates, ie which form is to be arranged at which mounting position of the respective forme cylinder, to be executed by the printing machine production speed, the planned Beginning of production and / or the production of a printing process downstream folding apparatus, whether this z. B. is used in a collective production or in a double production. On the basis of the plate exposure device supplied production data required for a particular production printing forms are produced on time and supplied based on their respective coding the relevant forme cylinder.

The supply of required for a given production printing forms to the printing press z. B. in at least one mobile storage container, in which the required on a particular form cylinder printing plates are preferably stored as a set, ie as a self-contained unit of mating printing forms for their common transport to the respective form cylinder. In practice, at least several similar mobile collecting containers are available at the production line for producing ready-to-use printing plates. Alternatively you can the batchwise grouped printing forms are also transported by hand to their respective place of use in the printing press. The preferably transported in one of the sump to the relevant forme cylinders printing forms are manually supplied to the respective forme cylinder by an operator or automatically by means of a controllable conveyor their respective mounting position on the respective form cylinder and then arranged there.

Since it would unduly restrict the flexibility in the design of the template for the production of the printing form, if required for a particular form cylinder printing plates would necessarily have to be made in an uninterrupted sequence to make sense z. B. with one of the sump their respective site in the printing press and ultimately their respective mounting position on the relevant forme cylinder to be supplied, it is advantageous to the required for the preparation of ready-to-use printing plates device z. B. at least one plate exposure device, at least one developing device and at least one Abkanteinrichtung to expand at least one memory device in which each provided with at least one print image printing forms are cached until a set of mating printing plates for their common transport to a particular of the forme cylinder has been completely made. An examination for completeness of the printing forms belonging to a certain sentence takes place for example. B. based on the provided by the control unit of the production planning system data. The storage device is also preferably connected to the aforementioned communication system.

The storage device is arranged in a production line of the printing forms to be produced downstream of the plate exposure device z. B. arranged in front of the Abkanteinrichtung since not yet folded flat printing plates are space-saving stored and also the risk of mutual damage z. B. by scratching a printed image z. B. is avoided by a suspension leg. Alternatively, the Storage device, however, also be arranged in the production line after the Abkanteinrichtung when in particular a high Auslagerungsgeschwindigkeit is to be achieved and achievable by storing non-folded planographic printing space savings in the design of the memory device has a lower priority than the desired paging speed of stored in the memory printing forms , Because the bending process performed by the Abkanteinrichtung requires a much higher time wall than processes, in particular transport operations, in conjunction with the outsourcing of stored in the memory device printing forms.

Moreover, the storage device is preferably designed such that printing forms can be stored and swapped out at the same time, ie at least one of the printing plates can be stored in the storage device and at the same time another one of the printing forms can be stored. The memory device has at least as many memory locations as print forms belong to a same set of printing plates. The number of printing forms belonging to the same set need not be identical to the maximum number of mounting positions on the forme cylinder involved in the upcoming production. Rather, the relevant set of printing forms comprises as many printing forms as are exchanged and / or to be applied on the forme cylinder involved in the upcoming production in the same operation. The memory device is preferably equipped with so many memory locations that it can accommodate a plurality of sets of printing forms, for. B. all applicable to the press of the respective sets of printing plates. In a preferred embodiment, the memory device has z. B. over several hundred, z. B. four hundred or more memory spaces for printing forms. The memory locations of the memory device are each individually addressable and an occupancy of each individual memory location, each with a printing plate, is registered in each case using at least one sensor. The storage device therefore preferably has an electronic control unit connected to the communication system, which controls the storage and retrieval processes as well as the assignment of printing forms to the memory locations of the memory device monitors or manages and stores information about the occupancy of the individual memory locations and by means of the communication system with other computers, eg. As a belonging to the printing press console, replaced.

In the memory device stored, belonging to different sets printing plates are preferably outsourced as a set of associated printing plates in an uninterrupted sequence, regardless of whether these printing plates were pre-sorted in the memory device to mating sets of printing plates or on storage locations of the memory device first once stored in a chaotic, ie arbitrary arrangement. If the storage device does not outsource embedded printing forms by itself sentencewise, z. B. immediately after an output of the printing forms from this storage device to provide a printing forms according to their required sets sorting sorting station, wherein the sorting station may be formed as a separate device separate from the storage device. Also, the sorting station preferably has a connected to the communication system or at least connectable control unit. The z. B. carousel-shaped sorting station or the storage device group her z. B. automatically supplied printing forms based on the preferably attached to each of these printing forms coding to belong together sentences, which in turn are to be supplied in the same operation, in particular with one of the mobile collection container the respective form cylinder. Alternatively, the printing plates to sortable sets sorting sorting station is arranged in the production line after the Abkanteinrichtung, said sorting station either the groups ready for use sets of printing forms z. B. to one of several available at this sorting station mobile collecting container or sorted by use of this several available at this sorting station mobile collecting container in each ready-to-use sets of printing plates. As a help z. B. for needs-based occupancy of the assembly positions involved in an upcoming production on the relevant forme cylinder can, for. B. a display device may be provided, which in one of the several mounting positions simultaneously indicating overall view z. B. optically, in particular graphically, preferably by a use of at least one symbol at least indicating to which of these several mounting positions on the respective form cylinder or at which of several storage positions of a printing plates to the relevant forme cylinder promotional printing forme magazine each one of z. B. currently manufactured or at least to be prepared printing forms to arrange.

The display device can display with its display in particular also different states and / or properties with regard to at least one of the currently produced or at least to be prepared printing forms, such. B. a) which mounting position on the relevant forme cylinder or which storage position of the printing forme magazine already prepared, ie ready-to-use printing form is assigned b) which mounting position on the respective form cylinder or which storage position of the printing forme magazine just in their manufacturing process, ie in the inlet located printing form c) at which mounting position on the respective forme cylinder or at which storage position of the printing forme magazine for the planned new production will attach a printing plate, d) which mounting position on the respective form cylinder or which storage position of the printing forme magazine in the forthcoming production not with a printing plate is occupied, because in the upcoming production z. B. a substrate with a full printing width of the relevant forme cylinder is not used printing material width is used, or e) at which mounting position on the respective form cylinder or at which storage position of the printing forme magazine a non-printing printing form, ie a so-called blank plate is arranged. The display device may be required for their respective display information z. B. from the control unit of the production planning system data obtained preferably in comparison with the data obtained in the preparation of prepared for the forthcoming production printing forms. The display device is z. B. arranged in the region of the point at which the mobile collecting container which receives a particular form cylinder printing forms prior to their transport to the respective forme cylinder. The display device can also be used to display the current status of the printed forms to be produced for a particular production, ie to indicate whether a particular printing form is currently being used, for example. B. in the plate exposure device, the developing device, the Abkanteinrichtung or the storage device, so that is visible by the display of the display device in particular for an operator of the printing press, if a required for a particular form cylinder set of printing plates is already complete or not yet. The display device can also indicate for which preferably a plurality of printing cylinders having printing unit of a complex, ie multiple printing units having at least one set of printing plates is already complete and / or which of several to be arranged in a particular of the printing units sets of printing plates is already made ready for use.

As another help z. B. for the needs of occupancy of participating in an upcoming production mounting positions of the relevant multiple mounting positions each for a printing plate having forme cylinder can, for. B. on at least one, but preferably to several, in particular to be arranged on each of the relevant forme cylinder printing plates an information field, which contains information about the occupancy of the relevant forme cylinder at least one adjacent to their own intended mounting position mounting position. So the z. B. of the plate exposure device preferably in a non-printing area, in particular attached to the suspension leg of the relevant printing form display information field, a) at which mounting position on the respective form cylinder or at which storage position of the printing forme magazine to arrange this printing field having printing form, b) at which other mounting position on the relevant form cylinder or at which other storage position of this printing form storing printing forme magazine is another currently be prepared printing form to arrange c) at which mounting position on the respective form cylinder or at which storage position of this Print form storing printing forme magazine currently, ie for the forthcoming production no new printing form is attached, but the existing printing form remains d) which mounting position on the respective form cylinder or which storage position of this printing form storing printing forme magazine is not occupied at all in the forthcoming production with a printing plate because in the upcoming production z. B. a substrate with a full printing width of the relevant forme cylinder is not used printing material width is used, or e) at which mounting position on the respective form cylinder or at which storage position of this printing form-saving printing forme magazine a non-printing printing form, ie a so-called blank plate is arranged. The information about the occupancy on the relevant form cylinder or the respective storage positions of the printing form magazine can be in the information field preferably graphically z. B. by using at least one symbol. The information shown in the respective information field is z. B. taken from the data provided by the control unit of the production planning system. Alternatively or additionally, the information presented in the respective information field can result from a comparison with those data which are produced during the preparation of the printing forms prepared for the forthcoming production.

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

Show it: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a printing form;

2 shows a printing unit of a printing press with printing forme magazines;

3 shows a DataMatrix code;

4 shows a coding applied to a printing form;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of a plurality of juxtaposed printing forms with them pairwise associated code readers;

6 shows an arrangement of printing plates, each having at least one coding attached to its respective trailing hanging leg;

7 shows a working step for the production of printing forms showing a block diagram;

8 shows a development of the printing unit according to FIG. 2;

Fig. 9 is a display of a display device;

10 shows an information field attached to a printing form.

A printing forme 01 (Fig. 1), the z. B. of a metallic material is plate-shaped, has a substantially rectangular surface with a length L and a width B, wherein the length L z. B. measured values between 400 mm and 1300 mm and the width B z. B. may have measured values between 280 mm and 1500 mm. Preferred measured values are for the length L z. B. between 360 mm and 600 mm and for the width B z. B. between 250 mm and 430 mm. The surface has a support page, the so-called support surface 02, with which the printing forme 01 rests in the arranged on a lateral surface of a forme cylinder 06 state. The back of the support surface 02 is a working surface of the printing form 01, this working surface is provided with at least one printed image or at least with a printed image is providable. The printing plate 01 is preferably at two opposite ends 03; 04 each with an angled suspension leg 13; 14 provided, wherein the bending lines 1 1; 12, where the suspension legs 13; 14 are each bent, limit the contact surface 02, wherein the suspension legs 13; 14 each preferably extend completely or at least partially across the width B of the printing plate 01. The bearing surface 02 of the printing forme 01 is flexible at least along the length L and, in the case of an arrangement of the printing forme 01 on the lateral surface 07 of the forme cylinder 06, its curvature can be adapted. When the printing forme 01 is arranged on the lateral surface 07, the length L of the support surface 02 thus extends in the direction of the circumference of the forme cylinder 06, whereas the width B of the support surface 02 extends in the axial direction of the forme cylinder 06. The printing forme 01 can either be used for a printing method using a dampening solution, e.g. As a wet offset printing process, or for a so-called waterless printing process, for. As a dry offset printing process, be suitable.

A rectified with a production direction of the forme cylinder 06 end 03 of the printing plate 01 is referred to as the leading end 03, whereas the opposite end 04 is the trailing end 04 of the printing plate 01. At least the ends 03; 04 of the printing forme 01 with the Einhänbringeln 13 formed thereon; 14 consist of a rigid, z. B. metallic material, eg. B. of an aluminum alloy. Especially with regard to the use of the printing forme 01 in a dry offset printing process, the printing forme 01 can also be made of a plastic or even of a stiff paper. Usually, the material thickness D in the region of the working surface of the printing forme 01, but at least the material thickness D of the Einhänbringeln 13; 14 a few tenths of a millimeter, z. B. between 0.2 mm and 0.4 mm, preferably 0.3 mm. Thus, the printing form 01 as a whole or at least at its ends 03; 04 of a dimensionally stable material, so that the ends 03; 04 are permanently deformable by a bend against a material-specific resistance. Therefore, preferably after a z. B. executed in an exposure device imaging at least the work surface with at least one printed image z. B. in a Abkanteinrichtung at least at one end 03; 04 of the printing forme 01, but preferably at its two ends 03; 04, along the respective bending line 1 1; 12 each a folded suspension leg 13; 14 can be formed, wherein the suspension legs 13 13; 14 inserted into a narrow, in particular slot-shaped opening of a channel of the forme cylinder 06 and there by means of a holding device, for. B. a clamping device can be fastened.

For example, based on the length L of the non-curved, flat support surface 02 of the uninstalled printing forme 01 at the end 03 a suspension leg 13 at the bending line 1 1 by an opening angle α or at the opposite end 04 a suspension leg 14 at the bending line 12 to a Opening angle ß bent (Fig. 1), wherein the opening angle α; i. d. R. lie between 30 ° and 140 °. If the opening angle α is assigned to the leading end 03 of the printing plate 01, it is preferably executed acute-angled, in particular it is 45 °. The opening angle β at the trailing end 04 of the printing forme 01 is often preferably greater than 80 ° or obtuse-angled, in particular it is 85 ° or 135 °. The bent suspension leg 13 at the leading end 03 has a length 113, which z. B. in the range of 4 mm to 30 mm, in particular between 4 mm and 15 mm. The bent suspension leg 14 at the trailing end 04 has a length 114, the z. B. 4 mm to 30 mm, in particular between 8 mm and 12 mm, with the shorter length measure is preferred to simplify removal of the suspension legs 13 as possible; 14 to ensure the opening of the channel.

Several of these printing plates 01 come z. In a multi-color offset printing machine operating in a wet offset printing process or in a dry offset printing process for use. In a preferred embodiment variant, at least one printing unit 44 of the printing press, which is preferably provided with a plurality of printing units 44, is equipped with printing forme magazines 09, as shown by way of example in FIG. 2, wherein exactly one printing forme magazine 09 is associated with each forme cylinder 06. Each printing forme magazine 09 has z. B. at least as many storage positions, as provided on the associated forme cylinder 06 mounting positions. Each printing forme magazine 09 promotes z. B. in conjunction with a conveyor at least one stored in the respective printing forme magazine 09 printing plate 01 to one of the forme 06 of this printing unit 44. The printing unit 44 shown in FIG. 2 has a plurality of arranged in at least one frame 16 on a foundation 17 printing units , which are preferably arranged in a bridge construction or in a compact aft construction, ie in a low-height construction with eight pressure points, one above the other. Each printing unit has at least one inking unit 08 in addition to its forme cylinder 06 and a transfer cylinder 07 cooperating with this forme cylinder 06.

A printing material 18, preferably a material web 18, in particular a paper web 18, is fed continuously to the printing press during its production and passed vertically through the printing units in the example shown in FIG. In FIG. 2, four successive printing units are shown in the transport direction of the paper web 18, each having one of the transfer cylinder 07 each having a forme cylinder 06 for the right and left of the paper web 18, wherein in a printing unit on the paper web 18 opposite transfer cylinder 07 roll on each other. The paper web 18 is z. B. brought by means of a first printing unit arranged first paper guide roller 19 to the first printing unit and derived by means of a fourth printing unit arranged second paper guide roller 21 from the fourth printing unit. Each forme cylinder 06 is assigned at least one inking unit 08. Each forme cylinder 06 is assigned a printing forme magazine 09, which in each case preferably has two shafts, each printing forme magazine 09, at least but whose respective at least one storage position for at least one printing forme 01 to be stored therein is preferably oriented substantially horizontally or only at a slight inclination of less than 15 ° to the forme cylinder OΘ in its working position. In the working position of the printing forme magazine 09 between the shafts and the forme cylinder 06 each at least one printing forme 01 interchangeable either by a no longer required to execute a print job form 01 removed from the respective form cylinder 06 and inserted into the respective shaft or one for the execution of the print job new printing form 01 out of the relevant shaft and mounted on the forme cylinder 06. It is advantageous if the implementation, in particular the completion of a printing form change is monitored by sensors. Likewise, the printing forme magazines 09 are controllable in their functions, ie, in particular with regard to a recording or output of at least one printing forme 01, in conjunction with the forme cylinders 06, such that a printing form change is preferably initiated by a control station 42 assigned to the printing press (FIG. 7) can be. Because the printing forme magazines 09 can be prepared during an ongoing production of the printing press for a printing plate change and thus to a subsequent new production, which requires a standstill of the printing units setup time is reduced to an extremely short period of z. B. less than two minutes, preferably less than ninety seconds, for a complete change of all printing plates 01 arranged in this printing unit 44 printing units. Depending on the configuration of the printing units can be in the described printing unit 44 z. B. ninety-six printing plates 01 at the same time in use. Such a rapid printing plate change even with a larger number of printing plates 01 significantly increases the economy of the printing press due to their extremely short downtime.

To identify the respective printing plates 01, these are provided with a coding, the coding preferably in addition to a human-readable code z. B. may be formed as a barcode. A barcode is one machine-readable font of different widths and gaps. The coding may be performed by a printing process, e.g. Example, an offset printing method, a flexographic printing method, a gravure printing method, a laser printing method, a thermal printing method or an ink jet printing method, preferably on a non-printing area of the printing plate 01, z. B. on one of the suspension legs 13; 14, are applied. However, it is particularly advantageous to apply the coding in conjunction with the exposure of the printing forme 01 to the same, because then no additional working step is required. In this case, the formation and arrangement of the coding z. B. on a suspension leg 13; 14 of the printing plate 01, before this suspension leg 13; 14 is formed in a bending operation performed in a folding device 38 (FIG. 7).

There are different types of barcodes. Although bar codes always form a two-dimensional array of characters, a distinction is made between one-dimensional (1-D codes), 2-dimensional (2-D codes) and 3-dimensional (3-D codes) bar codes, the latter forming color in the third dimension , Barcodes are usually standardized in their graphical representation as well as in their information content, z. In ISO / IEC 15415 (2-D codes), ISO / IEC 15416 (1-D codes), ISO / IEC 15418 (data structures) or ISO / IEC 15420. Known 1-D codes are e.g. Eg the alphanumerical code39 according to ISO / IEC 16388, the code 28 according to ISO / IEC 15417 or the purely numerical code Interleaved 2/5 according to ISO / IEC 16390. A 2-D code which also encodes information perpendicular to its main orientation, is z. B. a matrix code, z. Eg a DataMatrix code defined according to ISO / IEC 16022. Matrix codes can be used with a camera system, eg. B. a CCD camera, omnidirectional read. Reed-Solomon error correction doubles the data, which can destroy about 25% of the code without compromising decoding. Other matrix codes are z. B. QR codes and Aztec codes.

The DataMatrix code exists in different versions, eg. For example, in the version DataMatrix code ECC 200, where the letters ECC for the English expression "E / ror Checking and Correction Algorithm" and the number following this letter indicates a particular stage of development of the DataMatrix code.The DataMatrix code consists of a rectangular area whose size is variable An example of a DataMatrix code is shown in Fig. 3, where, for example, two square DataMatrix code areas 22, each with quadratic structural elements 23, are arranged side by side For some applications, further DataMatrix code areas 22 can be joined together to form the coding, with the DataMatrix code areas 22 both adjacent to one another and one above the other, for example in one of several lines and Columns existing arrangement, can be arranged.

For a 1-D code, different thicknesses must be uniquely determined in one drawing plane. In the case of the DataMatrix code, on the other hand, it can only be ascertained which valency each quadratic structural element 23 shown in the drawing plane has, whether it is z. B. is formed in black or white. Moreover, a Data Matrix code requires significantly less space than a 1-D code for the same information content. To capture a 2-D code, a camera system is always required, which captures the information in two dimensions and the captured image z. B. by means of a pattern recognition z. B. evaluated by comparing the detected coding pattern or marker pattern with a stored expectation pattern. Accordingly, the camera system converts the detected structural elements 23 of the 2-D code into an electronic, preferably digital, payload. 2-D codes must be illuminated areally because of the use of a camera system with a lighting device having at least one light source. The light reflected by the 2-D codes is then reflected on an image plane of an image sensor, e.g. B. a CCD sensor or CMOS sensor, shown, wherein the image sensor component z. B. a line scan camera or a surface camera. Overall, the DataMatrix code places only minimal demands on color contrast and print quality. The light emitted from the light source of the illumination device as well the spectral sensitivity of the image sensor are matched to the optical properties of the 2-D code-bearing printing plate 01, in particular their reflection behavior and remission behavior. For detecting a 2-D code applied to a printing plate 01 by the exposure thereof, a laser diode or a light-emitting diode having an emission of white, yellow or green light has proven to be advantageous as the light source of the illumination device. The light source can be z. B. in an image sensor having a detection device integrated, wherein the detection device is designed in particular as a code reader 28 (Fig. 5). The design of the code reader 28 with a programmable automatic exposure system is advantageous. The image sensor and the light source of the illumination device are to be arranged with their respective effective direction at an angle of inclination of at least 5 ° relative to a standing on the plane or code surface 22 Lot, preferably with an inclination angle in a range between 10 ° and 60 °. To protect voieinem in a printing usually occurring color mist and other contaminants of the code reader 28 should be in a minimum distance a28 of z. B. be mounted 10 mm from the code surface 22, wherein the image sensor and light source z. B. are protected by a mineral glass or acrylic glass against pollution.

The DataMatrix code has the following four main components: A fixed boundary line 24 is used for pattern recognition and is used to calculate the rotational position of the DataMatrix code so that each reading angle is possible. A boundary line 26 opposite the fixed boundary 24, which forms an open border, is used to identify the number of rows and columns, ie the so-called matrix density. For the ECC 200, the element in the top right corner is always white. The boundary lines 24; 26 define and enclose a memory area 27, wherein the memory area 27 contains the actual binary information in coded form. Depending on the size and / or number of individual structural elements 23 thus also defines the number of possible information. An empty zone, called a quiet zone, surrounds the DataMatrix code. It contains no information and is not used for orientation. The width of the quiet zone is one field or one line and is needed to distinguish it from other optical pixels.

The memory area 27 of the coding contains z. B. an information on the basis of the printing plates 01 for the purpose of their identification are distinguishable from each other and / or by means of a single particular printing forme 01 is traceable in their use. Thus, different print images bearing and / or belonging to different color separations printing forms 01 on a mutually different coding. The coding can z. B. have generated by a counter index to z. B. consecutively used or to be used printing plates 01 consecutively to count and to identify these printing plates 01, especially those that are similar and / or successively used in the same mounting position of a particular forme cylinder 06, in their respective order. The coding can contain information about the respective installation location of the printing forme 01 in the printing press.

An alternative to the formation of the coding in the form of a barcode is the use of a transponder system, in particular of radio tags, which are referred to as RFID according to their English-language abbreviation. Radio tags transmit their information contactlessly by means of an electromagnetic field. Another alternative to the formation of the coding can in punch marks, z. B. in punched holes exist.

Fig. 4 shows a printing plate 01, at the trailing Hanger 14 two codings across the width B of the printing plate 01 spaced from each other are mounted (Fig. 1), in each case z. B. two along the width B of the printing plate 01 juxtaposed DataMatrix code areas 22 each in the side region of Einhänbringels 14. Alternatively, or in addition to this arrangement of codes on the trailing suspension leg 14 of a printing forme 01, in particular in the case of a printing forme 01 in panoramic format, a coding can also be applied in the center region of the suspension element 14 of this printing forme 01. Each DataMatrix code area 22 can only represent a certain amount of information. Depending on the amount of information to be presented in the coding, two or more DataMatrix code areas 22 are required and preferably applied to the trailing suspension leg 14 of the printing plate 01.

By using only a single code reader 28 for a plurality of stored printing plates 01, which in particular simultaneously detects the respective coding of printing forms 01 stored in different storage positions, considerable costs can be saved. FIGS. 5 and 6 show an example with an arrangement of z. B. four arranged on the lateral surface of the forme cylinder 06 side by side or at least arrangeable printing plates 01 each having a length L and a width B (Fig. 1), wherein each two adjacently arranged printing plates 01 a common code reader 28 is assigned. Each of the code readers 28 is z. B. formed as a camera system or incorporated into such, each of these camera systems as an image sensor in each case z. B. a CCD sensor, wherein in a detection range 29 of each CCD sensor preferably at least two printing plates 01 are arranged so that the code reader 28 can detect all arranged in its detection range 29 codes simultaneously by the image sensor from the detection range 29 of Code Reader 28 recorded codings simultaneously in the same image plane.

In the example shown in FIG. 5, the respective CCD sensor is respectively directed onto the trailing suspension leg 14 of the printing forms 01 arranged in the respective detection region 29. The detection area 29 of each CCD sensor can be detected by an optical device, e.g. B. by a wide-angle lens, be expanded and in particular along the width B of the printing plates 01 have a preferably blunt opening angle to multiple codings, in particular, to capture the respective coding of a plurality of different printing forms 01 in the same detection area 29 and thus simultaneously to detect them. The CCD sensor of the respective camera systems is in each case arranged at a distance a28 from the trailing suspension leg 14 of the printing forms 01 arranged in the respective detection area 29, wherein this distance a28 z. B. is at least 10 mm. The detection area 29 of the image sensor is shown in FIG. 6 in each case by a dash-dotted bordered, z. B. rectangular field, this field is in each case in the same plane as the attached to the trailing suspension leg 14 of the printing plates 01 DataMatrix code areas 22 and also z. B. parallel to the respective boundary lines 24; 26 of the DataMatrix code areas 22 is aligned.

Fig. 6 shows an arrangement of z. B. in one of the printing forme magazines 09 of the printing unit 44 shown in FIG. 2 stored printing plates 01, wherein at the trailing suspension leg 14 of these printing plates 01 each at least one encoding is attached. The coding is z. B. in the form of two along the width B of the respective printing form 01 juxtaposed DataMatrix code areas 22 formed, each z. B. in the respective side region of the respective printing forme 01 are arranged (Fig. 4). In Fig. 6 are assigned to a to be occupied with printing plates 01 forme cylinder 06 in the axial direction by way of example four juxtaposed shafts of a printing forme magazine 09 (Fig. 2), wherein in the respective shafts in each case z. B. two printing plates 01 are stored, in each case a printing forme 01 in two superposed memory positions. Preferably, on the opposite side of the forme cylinder 06 side of the shafts z. B. each configured as a camera system code reader 28 is arranged, wherein the respective detection area 29 of each belonging to one of the camera systems image sensor the respective coding of four adjacently arranged printing plates 01 together and detected at the same time, in each case two in the axial direction of the forme cylinder 06 adjacent to each other in two different shafts arranged printing plates 01 and two in the same shaft superimposed printing plates 01. The respective detection area 29 of each belonging to one of the camera systems image sensor can, for. B. an angular, in particular rectangular, preferably square cross-sectional area or z. B. also have a round, preferably elliptical or circular cross-sectional area, all recorded in the detection area 29 of the code reader 28 codes are imaged on the image plane of its image sensor. The cross-sectional area of the detection area 29 of the code reader 28 and the image plane of the image sensor are preferably arranged parallel to one another. As a variant, it can be provided that the image plane of the image sensor is subdivided into a plurality of viewing zones 31 that are preferably selectively activatable by the respective camera system, each coding of each of the printing plates 01 detected by the detection area 29 being associated with exactly one of the viewing zones 31 belonging to this detection area 29 That is, each of these viewing zones 31 detects exactly one of the codings detected by the detection area 29 and thus also forms exactly one of the codings detected by the detection area 29 on the image plane of the image sensor. In the arrangement of FIG. 6, each of the printing plates 01 is preferably assigned to exactly one of the printing areas on the forme cylinder 06, so that the forme cylinder 06 in this example can be assigned to a total of eight printing plates 01, namely four in its axial direction and two in its circumferential direction , This arrangement can be easily supplemented with two other juxtaposed wells for a 6/2-forme cylinder 06.

As indicated in a block diagram shown in FIG. 7, planar plate-shaped blanks 32 are individually formed in a plate exposure device 33 spatially separated from the printing press for the production of at least one printed image using a corresponding, z. B. from a computer 34 a prepress preferably electronically in the form of a z. B. RIP data contained File exposed on the plate exposure device 33 template 37 exposed, wherein the applied to the respective blank 32 according to the respective template 37 printed image to its permanent training in one of the platesetters 33 z. B. downstream development device 36 z. B. is developed photochemically and thus fixed. In a later step for the production of printing plates 01 ready for use on the printing press, the respective printing plates 01 provided with at least one printed image are in a folding device 38, ie in a bending machine, which preferably also has at least one punching and / or cutting tool in addition to at least one bending tool and can be used, preferably at two opposite ends 03; 04 for training Einhänbringeln 13; 14 folded (Fig. 1). As an aid to their positionally correct orientation on the lateral surface of the respective forme cylinder 06, the relevant printing forme 01 in particular before the folding of at least one of its suspension legs 13; 14 have yet been provided with at least one register punching or with a cut or trim on at least one of its edges. After exposure, developing, folding and, if appropriate, punching and / or cutting, the respective printing forme 01 is ready for use in a production of the printing press.

The preparation of a specific production printing forms 01 is preferably controlled by data, the z. B. be provided by a control unit 39 of a production planning system, wherein the control unit 39 of the production planning system z. Via an electronic wireline or wireless communication system 41, ie a network serving to exchange electronic data, e.g. As an Ethernet-based data network, with the plate exposure device 33 and preferably at least also connected to a belonging to the printing press control station 42 for the purpose of data exchange. In the preferred embodiment, the prepress computer 34 and the production planning system control unit 39 may transmit their respective data provide the same communication system 41 to the plate exposure device 33, which is indicated in Fig. 7 as an alternative to the separate connection between the computer 34 of the prepress and the plate exposure device 33 by a dotted connection of the computer 34 of the prepress with the communication system 41. Likewise, the Abkanteinrichtung 38, ie a belonging to her and their functions controlling control unit, preferably connected to the communication system 41 to optionally receive in particular provided by the control unit 39 of the production planning system control data and / or exchange with the control unit 39 of the production planning system.

The feeding of the ready-to-use printing plates 01, which are required for a particular production, to a printing unit 44 (FIG. B. in one of several available mobile collection containers 43, these collection container 43 z. B. automatically movable and z. B. are part of a driverless transport system. In the respective collection container 43 at a certain site in the printing press, z. B. on a particular forme 06 required printing plates 01 preferably as a set, d. H. stored as a self-contained unit of associated printing plates 01 for their common transport to the respective forme cylinder 06. The hand or z. B. in the respective collection container 43 to the relevant site, in particular form cylinder 06 transported printing plates 01 are applied to the respective forme cylinder 01 z. B. manually by an operator or preferably automated by means of a z. B. controllable from the control station 42, in particular in connection with a printing forme magazine 09 formed conveyor at their respective mounting position on the respective forme cylinder 06 is arranged.

FIG. 8 again shows a similar printing unit 44, as already shown in FIG. 2, so that corresponding components and elements are each provided with the same reference numerals. The printing unit 44 shown in FIG. 8 is one Further, a preferably handling device 46 is arranged on both operating sides of the printing unit 44, which preferably has a plurality of respective platforms 47 arranged on at least one guide element 48, with which ready-to-use printing plates 01 can be transported to the relevant printing forme magazines 09, whereby the relevant printing plates 01 are automated be conveyed from the respective platform 47 to the relevant storage position of the respective printing forme magazine 09. The handling device 46 is with their platforms 47 z. B. formed as a lifting device, which performs a vertical movement on the respective operating side of the printing unit 44. The ready-to-use printing plates 01 transported by the mobile collecting container 43 to the relevant printing unit 44 are preferably taken over automatically by the platforms 47 of the handling device 46 and then transported to the relevant printing forme magazine 09. In Fig. 8 is indicated by a double arrow that the mobile collecting container 43 each one set of ready-to-use printing plates 01 selectively transported to one of the operating pages of the relevant printing unit 44. The printing unit 44 shown in FIG. 8 has thus been supplemented with respect to the printing unit 44 shown in FIG. 2 by a conveying device, wherein this conveying device z. B. a handling device 46 exhibiting distribution system and a charging system for charging the printing forme magazines 09 with ready-to-use printing plates 01 has. The printing unit 44 preferably has z. As a height-adjustable preferably by a controllable drive gallery 49, which facilitates the operator access to the respective printing units of this printing unit 44.

As described above, the device required for the production of ready-to-use printing plates 01 has at least at least one plate exposure device 33 and, as a rule, at least one development device 36 and at least one folding device 38. In practice, however, the printing forms 01 associated with the same sentence often can not be consecutively consecutive be made, in particular, they are z. B. due to a different deadline with respect to the contents of the printed images in a rather random order in the plate exposure 33 exposed so that the printing plates 01 after their respective exposure to be grouped at their respective located in the printing machine site useful sets must be unnecessary Avoid transport routes between the device for the preparation of ready-to-use on the printing press printing plates 01 and the respective site in this printing press. Therefore, this device for producing ready-to-use on a printing press printing plates 01 by at least one memory device 51 extended (Fig. 7), in each of which at least one printed image provided printing plates 01 are cached until a set of related printing plates 01 for their common transport to a particular of the arranged in a printing unit 44 form cylinder 06 or printing forme magazine 09 has been made in full. Accordingly, the memory device 51 has the function of a buffer in the production line for producing printing forms 01 ready for use on a printing press. A check for completeness of belonging to a particular set of printing forms 01 takes place z. B. by or at least in connection with this memory device 51 z. B. based on the data provided by the control unit 39 of the production planning system. The memory device 51 has a control unit, which is also preferably connected to the communication system 41 in order to communicate in particular with the control unit 39 of the production planning system and / or with the control station 42 of the printing press. This communication may relate to a communication or exchange of control data as well as information about the number and type of the print forms 01 cached in the memory device 51.

The storage device 51 is in the production flow exemplified in FIG. 7 by means of a continuous arrow line, ie in the production line of the printing forms 01 to be produced, preferably after the development device 36 and before Abkanteinrichtung 38 arranged as not yet folded flat printing plates 01 space saving can be stored and also the risk of mutual damage z. B. caused by scratching a printed image z. B. by a suspension leg 13; 14 is avoided. In FIG. 7, dashed arrow lines indicate alternative transport paths within the device for the production of printing plates 01 ready for use on the printing machine, in particular an arrangement of the storage device 51 in the production line after the folding device 38.

The memory device 51 is preferably designed in such a way that printing forms 01 can be stored and swapped out at the same time. The memory device 51 has at least as many storage locations as printing forms 01 belong to a same set of printing forms 01. The number of printing plates 01 belonging to the same set need not be identical to the maximum number of mounting positions on the forme cylinder 06 involved in the upcoming production or the maximum number of storage positions of the respective printing forme magazine 09 for which the printing form 01 to be transported is determined are. Rather, the relevant set of printing plates 01 comprises as many printing plates 01 as are to be mounted and / or exchanged on the forme cylinder 06 involved in the upcoming production or in the relevant printing plate magazine 09 in the same operation. The memory device 51 is preferably equipped with so many memory locations that it can accommodate several sets of printing plates 01, for. B. all applicable to the relevant printing unit 44 sets of printing plates 01st

The memory device 51 has at least one first handling device with which the printing device 01 supplied to the memory device 51 is stored in memory locations of this memory device 51, wherein each of the memory locations is preferably assigned exactly one of the printing plates 01. For removal, at least one further second handling device different from the first can be provided, which one at one of the storage locations Stored printing form 01 receives or removes and outsourced when that set of printing plates 01, to which the relevant printing plate 01 belongs, is retrieved for its transport to the printing unit 44. The first and / or second handling device performs relative to the stationary memory locations of the memory device 51 in a same plane a movement z. B. in two preferably orthogonal directions from each other. Alternatively, it can be provided that the respective at least one of the printing plates 01 on or outsourcing handling device is stationary relative to the storage device 51 and a respective storage locations of this memory 51 exhibiting magazine relative to the at least one handling device or to the plurality, in particular two handling devices moved translationally and / or rotationally. Thus, with the operations for storage and / or removal of printing plates 01 each have a relative movement between the memory locations of the memory device 51 and at least one respective storage and / or outsourcing exporting device, eg. B. the handling device connected.

The device for producing ready-to-use on a printing press printing plates 01 thus has at least at least one plate exposure device 33, this plate exposure device 33 downstream at least one storage device 51 is provided, the storage device 51 at least one set of respect to a respect to a particular forme cylinder 06 or a particular Druckformmagazins 09 common place of use associated printing forms 01 cached before their preferably common transport to the printing press. The location of the printing plates 01 to be transported there as a set is thus on one of a plurality of printing cylinders 06 or printing forme magazines 09 arranged in the printing machine.

Embedded in the memory device 51, belonging to different sets printing plates 01 are preferably each as a set of belonging together Print form 01 outsourced in an uninterrupted sequence, regardless of whether these printing plates 01 were previously presorted in the memory device 51 to mating sets of printing plates 01 or have been temporarily stored in memory locations of the memory device 51 in any, ie chaotic arrangement. At least in the event that the memory device 51 does not outsource interposed printing plates 01 by itself, in conjunction with the memory device 51 z. B. subordinate, ie after an output of the printing plates 01 from this storage device 51, a printing plates 01 sorting sorting station 57 provided which the printing plates 01 to the respective printing unit 44 required sets of terms with respect to a particular forme cylinder 06 or a specific printing forme magazine 09 common job site associated printing forms 01 sorted. The sorting station 57 may be formed integrally in the memory device 51 in a first embodiment variant or, in another embodiment, may be designed as a separate device separate from the memory device 51. It can be provided that the sorting station 57 between the developing device 36, d. h in the production line of the printing plates 01 in front of the Abkanteinrichtung 38, and one of the mobile collecting container 43 is arranged. Alternatively, the sorting station 57 may be arranged in the production line shown by dashed arrow lines in FIG. 7 also after the Abkanteinrichtung 38, so that sorted in or on the basis of the sorting station 57 already beveled printing plates 01 to ready sentences and z. B. are delivered to one of the plurality of mobile collecting container 43, provided that the transport of individual printing plates 01 is not done by hand to the respective site in the printing unit 44. The sorting station 57, ie a control unit belonging to it and controlling its functions, is also preferably connected to the communication system 41, with which further control units 33; 34; 38; 39; 42; 51 are connected (Fig. 7).

In Fig. 7 are hinted several, z. B. three each alternately or optionally usable mobile storage container 43 shown, which preferably each automatically transport a set of printing plates 01 to their respective site in the printing unit 44. Additionally or alternatively to this group-wise transport of printing plates 01 are shown in Fig. 7 by dashed arrow lines from the apparatus for making ready for use on the printing press printing plates 01 transport routes leading past each of the mobile storage containers 43 and a hand-carried individual transport Indicate printing plates 01 to the relevant printing unit 44. In the preferred embodiment of the at least one printing forme 01 transporting collecting container

43 the communication system 41 data, at least in terms of the currently occupied by the respective printing plate 01 on its transport to the printing press position, d. H. an information about the current location, ready.

Within that device, as indicated in FIG. 7 by a dot-dashed outline, which serves to provide at least one printing plate 01 ready for printing unit 44, it can be provided that the printing plate 01 exposed to at least one printed image before its transport to the printing unit

44 is temporarily stored in the memory device 51, wherein the imprinted with the at least one print image printing plate 01 is provided before its intermediate storage in the memory device 51 with at least one register punching and / or wherein at this printing form 01 at least one incision or trimming at least one of its edges is executed, wherein at this printing forme 01 only after its intermediate storage in the storage device 51 at least one bent-out suspension leg 13; 14 is formed. As described above, the at least one printed image of the printing form 01 is formed in the plate exposure device 33 and fixed in a developing device 36. The register punching and / or the at least one incision or trimming on one of the edges of the printing forme 01 and / or the formation of at least one folded-in suspension element 13; 14 on this printing plate 01 is preferably carried out respectively in the Abkanteinrichtung 38, wherein Advantageously, at least two of the register punching and / or by the at least one incision or trimming at one of the edges of the printing form 01 and / or by the formation of at least one folded Einhänlegeels 13; 14 to be performed on this printing form 01 activities in the same Abkanteinrichtung 38 are executed. The printing forme 01 is at one of its edges and / or the fold of at least one Einhänlegeels 13 before performing the register punching and / or the at least one incision or cut; 14 in the Abkanteinrichtung 38 z. B. each using a directed to the exposed printing form 01 image recording system, in particular video system aligned. Additionally or alternatively, the printing forme 01 at least prior to execution of the fold of at least one Einhänlegeels 13; 14 are aligned in the Abkanteinrichtung 38 using the register punching and / or the at least one cut or cut on one of its edges. In the memory device 51, a plurality of printing plates 01 are preferably temporarily stored, in particular in groups presorted according to their respective place of use, wherein in the memory device 51 cached printing forms 01 z. B. be delivered sequentially to the Abkanteinrichtung 38.

The sorting station 57 or the storage device 51 group them each z. B. automatically supplied printing plates 01 based on the preferably attached to each of these printing plates 01 coding to pertaining sentences, which in turn are supplied in the same operation, in particular with one of the mobile storage container 43 the respective forme cylinder 06 or the respective printing forme magazine 09. This coding is z. B. formed as a data matrix code 22, this coding is preferably mounted in non-printing area of the relevant printing plate 01, z. B. at a time of storage of this printing plate 01 in the storage device 51 not yet be folded suspension legs 13; 14 (Figures 3, 4).

U. a. for visualization, preferably both of the in particular sequential running Process for the preparation of ready-to-use on a printing press printing plates 01 and the operating status at the place of use of these printing plates 01 is preferably in connection with this process exporting device, such as. B. in Fig. 7 is indicated by the dot-dashed border, a display device 52 with a z. B. optical, in particular graphical, preferably at least one symbol using display, the display in a plurality of mounting positions on a plurality of mounting positions having forme cylinder 06 or more memory positions of the plurality of storage positions having printing block 09 simultaneously displaying overall view indicating which of these multiple mounting positions on the relevant forme cylinder 06 or at which of these several storage positions of the printing forme magazine 09 a printing forme 01 is to be arranged in each case. The display device 52 thus has a preferably electronically z. Example, as a monitor or as a screen mask formed display indicating at least one use of a printing plate 01 at its place of use in a printing press, wherein at the site of the printing forme 01 a plurality of mutually different positions are provided, each position at the site one of several Mounting positions on one of the plurality of mounting positions having forme cylinder 06 or one of a plurality of storage positions of the multiple storage positions having printing forme magazine 09, wherein the display device 52 displays in its display simultaneously several different locations in the printing press, the display indicates which of the positions of a particular each have a plurality of positions for each one there formable printing forme 01 having place of use each a printing forme 01 is to be arranged. This display allows an operator of the press to review and control the condition of retrofitting that press for a new production. The display device 52 may also be used as an integral part of the control station 42 of the printing press or in conjunction with at least one other machine unit of the printing machine, e.g. B. with a printing unit, be formed. The to be displayed by the display device 52 Information is then z. B. on a monitor of the control station 42 or on a monitor of the other machine unit can be displayed.

The display device 52 can display with its display in particular also different states and / or properties with regard to at least one of the currently produced or at least to be prepared printing plates 01, such. B. a) which mounting position on the relevant forme cylinder 06 or which storage position of the printing forme magazine 09 an already made, d. H. ready-to-use printing forme 01 is assigned, b) which mounting position on the relevant forme cylinder 06 or which storage position of the printing forme magazine 09 is just in its manufacturing process, d. H. c) at which mounting position on the relevant forme cylinder 06 or at which storage position of the printing forme magazine 09 for the forthcoming production ever a printing forme is arranged, d) which mounting position on the respective forme cylinder 06 or which storage position of the printing forme magazine 09 is not occupied in the upcoming production with a printing plate 01, because in the upcoming production z. B. a substrate 18 is used with a full printing width of the respective forme cylinder 06 not using printing material width, or e) at which mounting position on the respective forme cylinder 06 or at which storage position of the printing forme magazine 09 a non-printing printing plate 01, d. H. a so-called blind plate is arranged.

The display device 52 may be required for their respective display information z. For example, the data provided by the control unit 39 of the production planning system may preferably be taken in alignment with the data obtained during the preparation of the printing plates 01 prepared for the forthcoming production. As shown in Fig. 7, it is therefore advantageous, the display device 52 with the communication system 41, to which also z. B. the plate exposure device 33, the computer 34 of the prepress, the control unit 39 of the Production planning system, the memory unit 51 and, where appropriate, the Abkanteinrichtung 38 and belonging to the printing press control station 42 are connected, and to allow about the networking thus created a preferably mutual data exchange.

If the display device 52 is formed as a standalone device, it is spatially z. B. arranged in the region of that point at which the mobile collecting container 43, the z. B. a particular forme cylinder 06 or a particular printing forme magazine 09 concerned printing plates 01 before their transport to the respective forme cylinder 06 or the respective printing forme magazine 09 receives. Regardless of their design as a standalone device or as an integral part of the control station 42 or other machine unit of the printing machine, the display device 52 can also be used to display the current status of the printing plates 01 to be produced for a particular production, i. H. to indicate whether a particular printing form 01 currently z. B. in the plate exposure device 33, the developing device 36, the Abkanteinrichtung 38 or the memory device 51 is located so that is visible by the display of the display device 52 in particular for an operator of the printing press, whether for a particular forme 06 or for a particular printing forme magazine 09 required set of printing plates 01 is already complete or not yet. The display device 52 can also indicate for which preferably a plurality of forme cylinders 06 and / or printing forme magazines 09 having printing unit 44 of a complex, d. H. at least one set of printing plates 01 is already complete and / or which of the several sets of printing plates 01 to be arranged in a specific one of the printing units 44 is already made ready for use.

9 shows an example of the display of the display device 52 for at least two printing units 44.1; 44.2 having printing plant, which z. B. in conjunction with other aggregates, not shown here, for. B. a folder, a section of a Make printing press. The illustration in the upper half of FIG. 9 relates to a first production and the representation in the lower half of FIG. 9 relates to a second production different from the first. For each of the two printing units 44.1; 44.2 are shown in FIG. 9 in two rows of blocks arranged for both productions respectively the respective locations for ready-to-use printing plates 01, the place of use of these printing plates 01 each one of several arranged in the printing press cylinders 06 or printing forme magazines 09, wherein in each block, the at the respective operating pages of the respective printing unit 44.1; 44.2 located locations for these printing plates 01 are shown in two mutually parallel columns. Each of these one of the two printing units 44.1; 44.2 associated blocks is shown in FIG. 9 by a dashed border. On each operating side of the respective printing unit 44.1; 44.2 are corresponding to the arrangement of the printing units in the relevant printing unit 44.1; 44.2 (Fig. 2, 8) z. B. vertically stacked four locations for four different sets of printing plates 01, each location in the axial direction of the respective forme cylinder 06 side by side each z. B. four mounting positions or storage positions each for a printing forme 01 of the relevant set of printing plates 01 and wherein in the circumferential direction of each respective forme cylinder 06 in a row each z. B. two mounting positions or storage positions are each provided for a printing plate 01 of the relevant set of printing plates 01. For each location of use of a set of printing plates 01, an information field 53 is formed in the display of the display device 52, which consists in the example shown in FIG. 9 of four juxtaposed positions and two superimposed positions for printing plates 01 of that sentence. Each of the two printing units 44.1; 44.2 are thus each a total of eight information fields 53 assigned, which indicate the state of a printing form to be prepared 01 and / or the occupancy of a mounting position or storage position in each case at eight different positions. The display of the display device 52 is thus able to simultaneously several different in the same printing press sequentially to be executed productions with several of these productions respectively assigned locations of the required for the respective production printing plates 01 display.

On the basis of a coding, various information can be displayed in the display of the display device 52. In each information field 53, specific information about the state of a printing forme 01 and / or the occupancy of a mounting position or storage position can be taken at each position. An open position, as shown in Fig. 9 by a white box, z. B. indicate that for the upcoming production in the relevant printing unit 44.1; 44.2 no printing plate 01 is required at this position. A filled position may mean that there is already a printing forme 01 at that location at that location because z. B. the printing form 01 a previous production can be accepted. Positions, each with a symbol, eg. For example, if an "X" is drawn, it may indicate, for example, that a printing form 01 is still to be produced for each of these positions. For example, assume that an already at least exposed printing plate 01 is in the storage device 33 for this position. With another symbol, z. For example, positions marked with a "Z" indicate, for example, that an unexposed printing plate 01, ie a dummy plate, is used at the position in question, Those printing forms 01 which are printed at the planned next production in the respective printing units 44.1, 44.2 are to be used at the positions marked with a symbol, for example with an "X", "Y" or "Z", form the respective set of associated printing plates 01 to be transported to the respective place of use. The display of the display device 52 thus indicates in a plurality of positions, ie assembly positions or memory positions simultaneously displaying overall representation except the information on which of these positions in each case a printing plate 01 is to be arranged, for which of these positions in each case a printing plate 01 to make and / or in conjunction with other required on the same site Druckformen 01 to the site transport is.

As a further help for needs-based arrangement of z. B. involved in an upcoming production printing plates 01 at positions, these positions z. B. either mounting positions of a plurality of mounting positions having cylinder 06 or memory positions of a plurality of memory positions having printing forme magazine 09 relate, z. B. at least one, but preferably at several, in particular at each of the on the forme cylinder in question 06 or in the respective printing forme magazine 09 to be arranged printing plates 01 also a z. B. an information field 53 in the display of the display device 52 corresponding information field 54 may be provided which contains information at least on the arrangement and / or a work instruction with respect to another printing form 01, the position of the information field 54 having printing plate 01 is adjacent. This information field 54 is thus an aid in the use, in particular arrangement of a printing form 01 at one of a plurality of positions of a printing unit to a printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 or printing machine belonging assembly, said assembly z. B. may be formed as a forme cylinder 06 or as a printing forme magazine 09.

So the z. B. of the plate exposure device 33 preferably in a non-printing area, in particular on the suspension arm 13; 14 of the relevant printing plate 01 attached information field 54 z. B. indicate, a) at which mounting position on the relevant forme cylinder 06 or at which storage position of the printing forme magazine 09 the information field 54 having printing plate 01 is to be arranged b) at which other mounting position on the relevant forme cylinder 06 or at which other storage position of this printing form 01 to store another printing form 01 to be arranged, c) at which mounting position on the relevant forme cylinder 06 or at which storage position of the printing forme 01 storing this Druckformmagazins 09 currently, ie for the upcoming production no new printing plate 01 is attached, but the existing from a previous production printing form 01 remains d) which mounting position on the respective form cylinder 06 or which storage position of this printing forme 01 storing printing forme magazine 09 in the forthcoming production is not occupied at all with a printing plate 01, because in the upcoming production z. B. a substrate 18 is used with a full printing width of the respective forme cylinder 06 not using printing material width, or e) at which mounting position on the respective forme cylinder 06 or at which storage position of this printing forme 01 storing printing forme magazine 09 a non-printing printing plate 01, ie a so-called dummy plate is arranged. In this way, the information field 54 may contain information about an arrangement and / or about a work instruction with respect to several or preferably all of the same assembly positions.

The information about the arrangement of participating in an upcoming production printing forms 01 at the respective positions in the information field 54 preferably graphically, z. B. by using at least one symbol or in plain text. The information shown in the respective information field 54 is z. B. taken from the data provided by the control unit 39 of the production planning system. Alternatively or additionally, the information presented in the respective information field 54 may result from a comparison with those data which are obtained during the preparation of the printing forms 01 prepared for the forthcoming production. The attached to the printing plate 01 information field 54 can each next, d. H. in addition to a DataMatrix code z. B. on the suspension leg 13; 14 of the relevant printing forme 01 be attached. The information field 54 is preferably directly readable by humans without technical aids.

FIG. 10 shows such an information field 54 attached to at least one of the printing plates 01. The information field 54 consists of several individual ones Position elements 56, which are grouped according to the positions of the assembly, ie the mounting positions on the relevant forme cylinder 06 or the storage positions in the respective printing forme magazine 09, here z. B. in two parallel lines, each with four columns. The position elements 56 contain and convey information about an arrangement and / or about a work instruction with respect to at least one further printing form 01, the position of which is adjacent to the information field 54 having the printing forme 01, by a suitable coding, for. B. by letters and / or numbers and / or colors. An open position element 56 shows z. B. on that at this position no printing plate 01 is to be arranged, whereas a filled position element 56 z. B. indicates that this information field 54 having printing forme 01 is to be placed exactly at that position in the assembly that corresponds to the position element 56 in the information field 54. Corresponding or at least similar to what has been explained above in connection with the display of the display device 52, a position associated with a symbol, e.g. For example, an "X" indicates, for example, that a print form 01 is still to be made for this position. A position drawn with another symbol, for example with a "Y", shows, for example, Example, that at the relevant position an unexposed printing plate 01, that is, a blank plate is used. Furthermore, one with another symbol, z. For example, a position marked "Z" indicates, for example, that no new printing form 01 is to be arranged at this position, but that the existing printing form 01 remains arranged there. For example, the code reader 28 (FIG. 5) is detected and automatically evaluated with regard to its information to be conveyed, for example in an electronic evaluation unit connected to the camera system or the acquisition device.

By means of the measures described above, a method is provided for providing information about printing forms to be produced for a new production of a printing press, in which a use of at least one of these Printing forms 01 is visualized at their place of use in the printing press in a display of a display device 52, wherein at the site of the relevant printing forme 01 several mutually different positions, each of these positions one of a plurality of mounting positions on a plurality of mounting positions having arranged in the printing press forme 06 or one of a plurality of storage positions of a printing forme magazine 09 of the printing machine having the plurality of storage positions, wherein a plurality of different job sites are simultaneously displayed in the printing press by the display of the display 52, the display indicating at which of the locations of a particular multiple locations each one In each case a printing forme 01 is to be provided, wherein the display additionally different states and / or properties with respect to at least one made or at least be prepared to be printed form 01 and / or a present on their transport to the printing press current position of the printing form. The states and / or properties indicated by the display indicate, in particular, whether a particular printing form is currently in a production line for preparing printing forms to be prepared for the new production, e.g. B. whether a particular printing form is currently located in a production line belonging to the plate exposure device or in a developing device or in a Abkanteinrichtung or in a storage device. In this case, the information displayed by the display about the state and / or the property of the printing plate 01 concerned advantageously results from a comparison of data, wherein data provided by the control unit 39 of a production planning system controlling the production of the printing machine is compared with data stored in the production line to produce the relevant printing plate 01 incurred. The provision of information is preferably carried out by means of a communication system 41, which the display device 52 with the respective control unit of various other devices 33; 34; 38; 39; 42 connects for data exchange. The display can be in one area take place, in which a collecting container 43, the respective form cylinder 06 or a particular printing forme 09 concerned printing plates 01 prior to their transport to the respective forme cylinder 06 or printing forme magazine 09 receives, or alternatively or additionally to one belonging to the printing press control center 42 or in another the printing press belonging machine unit, in particular in a printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 or at a plurality of printing units 44; 44.1; 44.2 having printing tower.

It is advantageous if the display of the display device 52 at the same time displays several different productions to be executed successively in the same printing press with a plurality of respective production locations assigned to the required for the respective production printing plates 01 or if the display indicates, for each of which a plurality of forme 06 or Druckformmagazine 09 having printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 a plurality of printing units 44; 44.1; 44.2 having printing unit at least one set of printing plates 01 is complete and / or which of several in a particular one of the printing units 44; 44.1; 44.2 to be arranged sets of printing plates 01 is ready for use.

A device is also provided for providing information about printing forms to be produced for a new production of a printing press, which comprises a display device 52, wherein with a display of the display device 52 a use of at least one of these printing plates 01 at their place of use in the Printing machine is visualized, wherein at the site of the respective printing plate 01 a plurality of mutually different positions are provided, each of these positions as one of a plurality of mounting positions on one of the plurality of mounting positions having arranged in the printing press forme cylinder 06 or as one of a plurality of memory positions one of the plurality of memory positions Druckformmagazins 09 of the printing machine is formed, wherein the display of the display device 52 at the same time a plurality of different Indicates job locations in the printing machine, wherein the display indicates to which of the positions of a specific multi-position location each a printing plate 01 is to be provided, the display additionally different states and / or properties with respect to at least one prepared or at least to be prepared printing plate 01 and / or indicates a current position of the printing forme 01 located on its transport path to the printing press.

In this case, the display device 52 is advantageously by means of a communication system 41 with the respective control unit of various other devices 33; 34; 38; 39; 42; 51; 57 connected for a data exchange, such. B. with at least one plate exposure device 33 and / or with a computer 34 of the prepress and / or arranged in the production line of the printing forms to be prepared 01 Abkanteinrichtung 38 and / or with a control unit 39 of a production planning system and / or with a belonging to the printing press control room 42 and / or with a storage device 51 belonging to the production line of the printing forms 01 to be produced and / or sorting station 57 sorting with a printing form 01.

The at least one printing forme 01 to be transported to a specific forme cylinder 06 or to a specific printing forme magazine 09 of the printing press is arranged in a mobile collecting container 43 during the transporting operation, wherein it is preferably provided that the collecting container 43 transporting the at least one printing forme 01 by means of the communication system 41 the display device 52 provides data at least in terms of the current position occupied by the respective printing plate 01 on its transport path to the printing press by the collecting container 43 its current position continuously or at least intermittently z. B. sends to the display device 52. The display of the display device 52 is z. B. arranged in a belonging to the printing press control station 42 or in another belonging to the printing machine unit, in particular in a printing unit 44 belonging to the printing machine; 44.1; 44.2.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

01 printing form

02 contact surface

03 end

04 end

05 -

06 form cylinder

07 transfer cylinder

08 inking unit

09 Printing forme magazine

10 -

1 1 bend line

12 bending line

13 suspension legs

14 suspension legs

15 -

16 frame

17 foundation

18 substrate, material web, paper web

19 paper guide roller

20 -

21 paper guide roller

22 DataMatrix code area

23 structural element

24 boundary line

25 -

26 boundary line

27 memory area 28 code readers

29 coverage area

30 -

31 viewing zone

32 blank

33 plate exposure device

34 computers (preliminary stage)

35 -

36 development facility

37 template

38 Abkanteinrichtung

39 Control unit of a production planning system

40 -

41 communication system

42 control room

43 collection containers

44 printing unit

44.1 printing unit

44.2 Printing unit

45 -

46 Handling device

47 platform

48 guide element

49 Gallery

50 -

51 storage device

52 display device

53 information field

54 information field 55 -

56 position element

57 sorting station

B width

D material thickness

L length

X position

Y position

Z position

a28 distance

113 length

114 length

α opening angle ß opening angle

Claims

claims

A method of providing information on printing forms to be produced for a new production of a printing press, wherein a use of at least one of said printing forms (01) at its place of use in the printing press is visualized in a display of a display device (52) at the site of the respective printing forme (01) consist of several mutually different positions, each of these positions one of a plurality of mounting positions on one of the plurality of mounting positions having arranged in the printing press forme cylinder (06) or one of a plurality of memory positions of a plurality of memory positions having Druckformmagazin (09) relates to the printing machine, characterized in that by means of the display of the display device (52) at the same time several different locations in the printing press are displayed, which is displayed by the display, which of the positions of a particular several more In addition, different states and / or properties with regard to at least one prepared or at least to be prepared printing forme (01) and / or one of the respective printing forme (01) on their transport to Printing machine currently occupied position to be displayed.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the states and / or properties indicated by the display indicate whether a particular printing form (01) is currently located in a production line for preparing printing forms (01) to be prepared for the new production.

A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the states and / or properties indicated by the display indicate whether a particular one is present Printing form (01) currently in a belonging to the production line

Plate exposure device (33) or in a developing device (36) or in a Abkanteinrichtung (38) or in a storage device (51) is located.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the information displayed by the display about the state and / or the property of the relevant printing forme (01) results from a comparison of data, wherein from a control unit (39) one of the production of the printing press data supplied to the controlling production planning system are compared with data produced in the production line for producing the relevant printing form (01).

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the display represents their respective information graphically.

6. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the display represents their respective information by using at least one symbol.

7. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the display indicates at which position of the relevant site already a printing plate (01) is arranged.

8. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the display indicates which position of the planned site is ready for use, still assigned separate from their place of use printing form (01).

9. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the display indicates which position of the relevant site in the forthcoming production is not to be assigned to a printing plate (01).

10. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the display indicates at which position of the relevant site a non-printing printing form (01) is to be arranged.

1 1. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the display indicates whether a required for a particular forme cylinder (06) required set of printing plates (01) is complete.

12. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the display indicates for each of which a plurality of printing cylinders (06) or printing forme magazines (09) having printing unit (44; 44.1; 44.2) of a plurality of printing units (44; 44.1; 44.2) having printing unit at least a set of printing plates (01) is complete and / or which one of several sets of printing plates (01) to be arranged in a certain one of the printing units (44; 44.1; 44.2) is made ready for use.

13. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the display simultaneously displays a plurality of different in the same printing machine to be executed productions with a plurality of these productions respectively assigned job locations required for the respective production printing forms (01).

14. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the provision of information by means of a communication system (41), which the display device (52) with the respective control unit of various other means (33; 34; 38; 39; 42; 51; 57) for data exchange.

15. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the display in one Region takes place, in which a collecting container (43) receives the particular form cylinder (06) or a particular printing forme magazine (09) concerned printing plates (01) prior to their transport to the respective forme cylinder (06) or printing forme magazine (09).

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that the at least one printing forme (01) transporting collecting container (43) by means of the communication system (41) of the display device (52) data at least in terms of the respective printing forme (01) on their transport to the printing press currently occupied position.

17. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the display takes place at a belonging to the printing press control station (42) or in another belonging to the printing machine unit.

18. A device for providing information about printing forms, which are to be prepared for a new production of a printing press, with a display device (52), wherein with a display of the display device (52) use of at least one of these printing plates (01) at their place of use in the printing machine is visualized, wherein a plurality of mutually different positions are provided at the site of the respective printing forme (01), each of these positions as one of a plurality of mounting positions on one of the plurality of mounting positions having arranged in the printing press forme cylinder (06) or as one of a plurality of storage positions a printing forme magazine (09) of the printing machine having the plurality of storage positions, wherein the display of the display device (52) simultaneously displays a plurality of different places of use in the printing machine, the display indicating at which of the positions ei nes certain each having multiple positions having place each a printing form (01) is to be provided, the display additionally indicating different states and / or properties with regard to at least one printing plate (01) or at least one printing form (01) and / or a current position of the printing plate (01) on its transport path to the printing press.

19. The device according to claim 18, characterized in that the display device (52) by means of a communication system (41) with the respective control unit of various other devices (33; 34; 38; 39; 42; 51; 57) is connected for data exchange.

20. The apparatus according to claim 18, characterized in that the at least one to a certain forme cylinder (06) or to a particular printing forme magazine (09) of the printing press to be transported printing form (01) in a mobile collecting container (43) is arranged.

21. Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one printing forme (01) transporting collecting container (43) by means of the communication system (41) of the display device (52) data at least in terms of the respective printing forme (01) on their transport path to the printing machine currently occupied position provides.

22. The apparatus according to claim 18, characterized in that the display of the display device (52) is arranged in a belonging to the printing press control station (42) or in another belonging to the printing press machine unit.

23. The device according to claim 18, characterized in that the display of Display device (52) in a belonging to the printing press unit (44; 44.1; 44.2) is arranged.