JP3361744B2 - Automated bookbinding method and automatic bookbinding machine using the same - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a bookbinding method for automatically attaching a cover to a collated folded book to perform bookbinding, and an improvement in an automatic bookbinding machine using the bookbinding method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Various types of bookbinding machines have been proposed and are already known as a bookbinding machine for automatically attaching a cover to a collated book. FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of such a conventional automatic bookbinding machine. In this automatic bookbinding machine 100, a plurality of clampers 1 are installed on a circular orbit 2 composed of a roller chain or the like, and the roller chain of the circular orbit 2 is driven at a constant speed by a driving device 3 composed of a motor or the like. Each clamper 1 is conveyed on its orbit 2 and a straight line portion of the orbit 2 is provided with a clamp station 6, a pre-gluing pretreatment station 7, a glue station 8, a cover feeding station 9, a cover bonding station 10, and a discharge station. 11 is provided,
Further, it has a control unit 4 for controlling these devices and a display operation device 5 for inputting and displaying data for control.

11 (a) to 11 (g) are schematic conceptual diagrams showing the steps of the automatic bookbinding machine, the procedure of the automatic bookbinding in the automatic bookbinding machine 100 will be described with reference to these figures.
Hereinafter, common parts will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. FIG. 11A shows the procedure at the clamp station 6. Folded book F at clamp station 6
Is supplied from the lower left part of the feed table 1i so as to enter the space between the clamp bar 1a of the clamper 1 and the clamper 1 so as to match the timing with the clamper 1 moving in the arrow direction. While being pressed by the head register pin 1k of the clamper 1, the feed table 1
While sliding on i, most of the back part Fa of the folded book F rests on the feed table 1i, the clamp bar 1a is pulled toward the clamper 1 side, and the folded book F is fixedly held.

At this time, the feed table 1i is movable in the vertical direction, and by moving the feed table 1i up and down, based on the order information such as the purpose and type of bookbinding to be manufactured,
The vertical fixed holding position of the folded book F with respect to the clamper 1 is set in accordance with the bookbinding method of the folded book F such as musen, ajiro, and Kagari. Origami F for clamper 1
The fixed holding position in the carrying movement direction is defined by the head register pin 1k.

FIG. 11 (b) shows the procedure at the gluing pretreatment station 7. Here, the folded book F is fixedly held by the clamper 1 and moved in the direction of the arrow, while its back is cut by the rotating cutter 7a provided in the station 7. In this way, when the folded book F is wirelessly bound, the bag portion of the folded book F is cut so that it can be glued to the spines of all the paper sheets forming the folded book F. This is to prevent the paper sheets from falling off.

Further, in this station 7, a gully blade is provided, a lateral groove is formed in the spine Fa of the folded book F, and the lateral groove is also
In some cases, the glue may be introduced to further prevent the paper sheets forming the folded book F from falling off. If the supplied folded book F is a piece of paper, that is, if the thread is a piece of paper, there is this piece of paper, so the paper sheets that make up the booklet F do not fall off, and this pre-pasting treatment is performed. At station 7, the back of the folded book F is not cut.

That is, at the clamp station 6, the amount of cut and the cut at this station 7 are determined by the vertical position of the folded book F which is fixedly held by the clamper 1 in accordance with the bookbinding method of the folded book F, such as musen, ajiro, kagari. It is decided whether to do it or not. FIG. 11C shows a procedure in the back gluing section 8B of the gluing station 8.

Here, a glue tank 8B for gluing
a, a glue roll 8Bb for gluing the glue stored in the glue tank 8Ba to the folded book F, and a doctor roll 8Bc for scraping off excess glue on the glue roll 8Bb are installed, while moving the folded book F , Glue it to the back Fa of the folded book F. FIG. 11D shows the procedure in the horizontal gluing section 8C of the gluing station 8. This figure is shown in FIG.
(C) The thing seen from the X arrow direction is shown.

Here, a glue receiving tank 8Ca for receiving extra glue, a set of horizontal glue rolls 8C for receiving a glue supply from a glue supply means (not shown) and laterally gluing it to the back lateral portion Fb of the folded book F.
b is installed, and while folding book F is moving, folding book F
Horizontal glue is applied to the back lateral portion Fb of the. FIG. 11E shows the procedure at the cover feeding station 9.

Here, the cover O is aligned with the spine Fa of the folded book F and supplied, and the cover O is pressed by the press roll 9k.
The cover O is temporarily attached to the folded book F by being pressed from below. FIG. 11F shows the procedure in the cover sheet pasting and combining station 10. Here, the cover page O
With the tentatively attached, the position corresponding to the back part Fa of the folded book F is pressed from below by the back part pressure plate 10a, and at the same time,
The position corresponding to the back lateral portion Fb of the folded book F is pressed by a pair of back lateral pressure plates 10b that slide on the spine pressing plate, and the cover O is completely pressed against the folded book F.

FIG. 11 (g) shows a folded book F in a state in which the cover O is pasted and united and is ejected from the automatic bookbinding machine 100. In this way, the automatic bookbinding machine 100 can automatically and optimally perform bookbinding, but for this bookbinding, it is necessary to give the bookbinding data necessary for bookbinding to the automatic bookbinding machine 100. Met.

By the way, as the bookbinding data, the booklet thickness A, the booklet length B, the cover sheet width C, and the cover sheet length D are mainly mentioned. At each station of the automatic bookbinding machine 100, The role of the binding data will be described below. 12A and 12B show the relationship between the folded thickness, folded length, and lateral gluing at the lateral gluing portion of the gluing station. FIG. 12A is a conceptual diagram of a main part seen from the front in the conveyance direction of the clamper, and FIG. It is a principal part conceptual diagram which looked at (a) from the Y arrow direction.

In the lateral gluing section 8C of the gluing station 8, the back lateral portion Fb of the moving folded book F is sandwiched by a pair of lateral glue rolls 8Cb for gluing. This horizontal glue roll 8
In order for Cb to be favorably glued to the lateral portion Fb of the folded book F,
As shown in FIG. 12 (a), a folded thickness A is required.
Further, in FIG. 12B, the horizontally glued portion is indicated by diagonal lines, and that portion is not the entire length of the folded book F,
There is a length G1 and a portion from the rear end that is not laterally glued by a length G3, and only the other portion having a length G2 is laterally glued. This lateral gluing is for pasting the folded book F and the cover sheet O near the spine Fa of the folded book F of the cover sheet O, but in this case, when gluing is performed over the entire length of the folded book F, both end portions The extra glue will stick out, which will interfere with bookbinding. Therefore, according to experience, an appropriate length G1,
Only G3 is provided with a portion that is not laterally glued, but for this purpose, the folded length B is required.

FIG. 13 shows the positional relationship between the folded book and the cover at the cover feeding station.
Is a conceptual diagram of the main parts as seen from the front of the clamper in the transport direction,
(B) is a principal part conceptual diagram which looked at (a) from the Y arrow direction. FIG. 13A shows a state in which the folded sheet thickness A of the folded book F and the cover sheet width C of the cover sheet O are aligned.

In this automatic bookbinding machine 100, the clamper 1
Moves on the orbit 2 mechanically defined,
The surface of the clamper 1 becomes the origin of the folded book F in the thickness direction. Therefore, with reference to the surface of the clamper 1,
It is necessary to adjust the position in the cover width C direction of the cover O supplied to the folded book F fixedly held by the moving clamper 1. That is, as shown in the figure, from the surface of the clamper 1,
Half of the folded book thickness A, that is, at the position of A / 2, the cover width C
I have to make sure that the center comes. Otherwise, the spine printed on the cover would not be exactly in the middle of the back thickness of the book. So here
Folded book thickness A and cover width C are required.

FIG. 13B shows a state in which the folded length B of the folded book F and the cover length D of the cover O are aligned. In the cover sheet supply station 9, as shown in the figure, the cover sheet O is pasted to the folded book F glued in the gluing station 8, but the gluing of the folded book F is normally performed by the length D of the cover sheet O.
However, in consideration of the case where it is longer or shorter than the length B of the folded book F, it is applied to a slightly longer than the finished size of the folded book F.

Therefore, in this work station,
Folded book length B and cover page length D are required. However, above
In FIGS. 13 (a) and 13 (b), both centers may not necessarily coincide with each other and may be displaced by a predetermined size.
This is because, for example, when the front cover O is not printed on the center of the paper, it is necessary to adjust it accordingly. However, even in this case, it goes without saying that the folded thickness A, folded length B, cover width C, and cover length D are indispensable.

FIG. 14 is a conceptual view of the main part of the details of the pressurizing state in the cover sheet pasting and combining station as seen from the front side in the moving direction of the clamper. Here, as described with reference to FIG. 11 (f), with the cover O being temporarily attached to the folded book F, pressure is applied from below by the back pressure plate 10a, and at the same time with the back horizontal pressure plate 10b, The cover O is pressed from the side so that the cover O is completely crimped to the folded sheet F. In this case, in order to properly perform the crimping from the side, as shown in the figure, the folded sheet thickness A and The cover sheet thickness S is required. The cover sheet thickness S is preset according to the quality of the cover sheet O, and in the end, the folded sheet thickness A is also required as bookbinding data.

[0019]

By the way, in the conventional automatic bookbinding machine 100, the operator adds the order information corresponding to the purpose and type of bookbinding to be manufactured, the thickness A of the book, and the booklet. The binding data such as the length B, the thickness S of the cover sheet, and the width C of the cover sheet are manually input by using the display operation device 5 every time the lot of the binding is changed.

However, this requires a certain amount of experience and education to input bookbinding data, and cannot be easily operated by anyone. In addition, it is inevitable that the data will be entered incorrectly by humans, and improvement in that respect is also necessary. Furthermore, today, since multi-product, small-lot production is the mainstream, it is desired to shorten the time for changing lots, but it is time-consuming and time-consuming to manually input bookbinding data. Has become.

In particular, in an automatic bookbinding machine in which bookbinding of completely the same bookbinding data is rarely repeated, solving this problem is an essential element for labor saving and improvement of productivity. Is also strongly desired in the industry. The present invention was developed in response to the above demands, requires no skill for the operator, and can be operated by anyone, so that lot change time can be shortened and the yield does not decrease due to a mistake in bookbinding data input. An object of the present invention is to provide a bookbinding method and an automatic bookbinding machine using the bookbinding method.

[0022]

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to solve the above problems,
The present inventors have arrived at the present invention as a result of extensive studies, and propose a bookbinding method and an automatic bookbinding machine having the following features. That is, in claims 1 to 3, the folded book to be bound and the cover are automatically measured, and the folded book and the cover are aligned based on the stored measurement data.
An automated bookbinding method that combines and ejects is proposed.

In the bookbinding method of the automatic bookbinding machine according to the first aspect of the invention, a separately prepared cover sheet is attached to a folded book which is fixed to a clamper with its back part facing downward and is conveyed on a predetermined orbit. In the automatic binding machine that makes the paper eject
The process of measuring the thickness of the back of the folded book while holding the folded book in the clamper and storing it as the folded book thickness data, and the length of the folded book while the folded book fixed to the clamper is moving on the orbit. Measure the length and store it as the folded book length data, and measure the width and length of the cover page prepared in advance to determine the cover width and cover length data.
At least including the step of memorizing as a data, fixed to the clamper, for the folded book moving on the orbit,
When pasting a cover, the measured folded thickness data, folded length data, and the measured cover width data,
It is characterized in that the cover is aligned with the spine of the folded book based on the cover length data , and pressure is applied to attach the cover.

According to this method, the folded thickness, folded length, cover width, and cover length required for bookbinding are measured in the process of the automatic bookbinding machine, and the measured data are used for each process. We perform alignment for bookbinding required in. In addition, in this method, the binding data required in each work process is automatically measured in the preceding process, so in the next work process, necessary adjustments can be made immediately using the measured data. .

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the bookbinding method in the automatic bookbinding machine, a separately prepared cover sheet is attached to a folded book which is fixed to a clamper with its back side down and conveyed on a predetermined orbit. In the automatic binding machine that makes the paper eject
The process of measuring the thickness of the back of the folded book while holding the folded book in the clamper and storing it as the folded book thickness data, and the length of the folded book while the folded book fixed to the clamper is moving on the orbit. It is fixed to the clamper and includes at least a step of measuring the length and storing it as folded-page length data, and a step of measuring the width and length of the cover prepared in advance and storing it as the cover width and cover length data. When attaching a cover to a folded book that moves on a circular orbit, the measured folded book thickness data, folded book length data, and the measured cover width data and cover length data are The feature is that a folding line is formed on the cover sheet in accordance with the thickness of the spine of the folded book, the cover sheet is aligned with the spine of the folded book, and pressure is applied to bond them together.

In this method, the folding line is automatically formed according to the thickness of the spine of the folded book, and since the folding line is formed automatically, the back of the book bound after the cover is attached and pressure-bonded is formed. The corners are nicely formed. In the bookbinding method proposed in claim 1 or 2, after performing lot change, the teaching mode is set, and the first booklet and cover are required for bookbinding work by making one cycle through each work station at a relatively low speed. After accurately and automatically measuring and storing such data, the operation mode may be switched to and the automatic bookbinding machine may be continuously operated at high speed based on the stored data.

However, it is needless to say that, in principle, it is also possible to automatically measure and bind from the first folded and lot-folded book and cover without providing such a teaching mode. The bookbinding method in the automatic bookbinding machine according to claim 3 is the method according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the step of measuring the length of the folded book is performed by gluing the back and lateral sides of the book fixed to the clamper. The process is performed before or during the step of applying, and the timing of gluing is automatically set on the basis of the folded length data measured in that step.

The folded length is measured and used immediately before the data is used. It is structurally most reasonable to provide this position in relation to other steps. The folded book length may be measured anywhere in the circular orbit of the automatic bookbinding machine, but the degree of freedom is great when the automatic measurement mode is used instead of the operation mode. Also,
Claims 4 to 6 propose an automatic bookbinding machine using the above-described automated bookbinding method.

In the automatic bookbinding machine according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the back cover is fixed to the clamper, and a separately prepared cover sheet is attached to the folded book conveyed on a predetermined circular orbit and discharged. In the automatic bookbinding machine, which has a folded thickness measurement sensor for measuring the thickness of the back of the folded book, with the folded and supplied folded book sandwiched between the clampers, It has a clamp station that automatically measures the thickness as folded thickness data and a folded length measurement sensor that measures the length of the folded book. It has a folding length measuring station that automatically measures the length as the folding length data, and a cover width and cover length measuring sensor that measures the width and length of the cover. It has a function to automatically measure data and is prepared in advance. The stacked cover sheets are aligned one by one on the basis of the measured folded sheet thickness data, folded sheet length data, cover sheet width data, and cover sheet length data, and are fixed and transported by the clamper. At least a cover feeding station that supplies the back of the folded book that comes in and a cover merging station that applies pressure to the cover when the cover is aligned with the spine of the folded book. It is characterized by that.

Here, the folded thickness measuring sensor, the folded length measuring sensor, the cover width, and the cover length measuring sensor include not only the sensor itself but also auxiliary devices used for measuring the folded length and the like. In addition, if data is measured by these measurement sensors, it is transmitted to the control unit through a communication line, and arithmetic processing and sequence control necessary for bookbinding are performed.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the automatic bookbinding machine is fixed to the clamper with its back side down, and a separately prepared cover sheet is attached to the folded book conveyed on a predetermined orbit. In an automatic bookbinding machine that ejects the paper, it has a folded thickness measurement sensor that measures the thickness of the back of the folded book,
Clamp station that automatically measures the thickness of the back of the folded book as folded book thickness data with the supplied folded book in the clamper, and the folded book length that measures the folded book length. It has a measuring sensor, and the length measuring sensor automatically measures the length of the folded copy during conveyance as folding length data, and the cover that measures the width and length of the cover. It has a width and cover length measuring sensor, has a function to automatically measure the cover width and cover length data by this measuring sensor, and prepares the stacked cover sheets prepared in advance, one by one, and the measured folded sheet thickness. Data, folding length data,
Based on the cover width data and the cover length data, the position is aligned and supplied to the back of the folded book that is fixed to the clamper and conveyed, and the folding line is formed on the cover according to the back of the folded book. For the cover feeding station and the folded book,
At least a cover-sheet merging station for applying pressure to attach the cover sheets to each other in a state where the cover sheets are aligned with the spine of the folded book.

This automatic bookbinding machine realizes the bookbinding method of claim 2 and exhibits the same effect as that of claim 2. The automatic bookbinding machine according to claim 6 further includes a gluing station, and in this gluing station, a back gluing section for gluing the back of the folded book fixed to the clamper and a folded book fixed to the clamper. Has a lateral gluing portion for lateral gluing. Further, the folded length measuring station is provided at a stage before or inside the gluing station so that the timing of horizontal gluing can be automatically set based on the measured folded length data. .

An automatic bookbinding machine that realizes the bookbinding method of claim 3 and exhibits the same effect as that of claim 3.

[0034]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of the automatic bookbinding machine of the present invention. The automatic bookbinding machine 20 includes a plurality of clampers 1 and a circular orbit 2 composed of roller chains or the like.
Installed in the clamper 1, the gathered folded book is fixedly held, and the roller chain of the orbit 2 is driven at a constant speed by a driving device 3 composed of a servomotor or the like, and the clamp station 6 , The pre-pasting processing station 7, the gluing station 8, the cover sheet feeding station 9, the cover sheet pasting and merging station 10, the discharge station 11 and the like so that the prepared cover sheets can be pasted and bound for bookbinding. It has become.

Further, a control section 4 having a display operation device 5 is arranged in the center, and the display operation device 5 is provided with operation switches and data input keys necessary for control, and the display part has operation information. And a guide screen for data entry is displayed. The control unit 4 includes a sequencer for driving and controlling each work station of the automatic bookbinding machine according to a control program prepared in advance, and a work station such as a clamp station 6, a gluing station 8 and a cover sheet supply station 9. Folded sheet thickness measuring sensor 6A, folded sheet length measuring station 8A, cover sheet length measuring sensor 9A, cover sheet measuring sensor 9
A measurement data storage unit 4A for temporarily storing the measurement data measured by B is provided.

The folded-paper thickness measuring sensor 6A is provided in the clamp station 6 and measures the thickness of the back portion of the folded-paper F held by the clamper 1, that is, the folded-paper thickness A. The folding length measuring station 8A is provided in the gluing station 8, and the length of the folded book is fixed while the folded book fixed by the clamper 1 is conveyed between the back gluing section 8B and the horizontal gluing section 8C. Measure B.

The cover length measuring sensor 9A on one side is
A cover stand (not shown) provided at the cover supply station 9
The cover length D of the cover O stacked on the sheet is measured, and the cover width measuring sensor 9B is similar to the cover length measuring sensor 9A.
A cover stand (not shown) provided at the cover supply station 9
The cover width C of the cover O stacked on the sheet is measured. The data measured by each work station in this way is transmitted through a communication line (not shown) or the like and temporarily stored in the measured data storage means provided in the control unit 4.

These measuring sensors 6A, 9A, 9B
The details of the measurement station 8A will be described later. In addition, when the collated book fixedly held by the clamper 1 goes around the circular orbit 2 and reaches the display laminating station 10, the cover sheet is pasted and is united. The working process is the same as the method already shown in the conventional example. Further, the same parts as those of the conventional automatic bookbinding machine 100 in the automatic bookbinding machine of the present invention are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

Next, the display operation device 5 will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a menu screen displayed on the display unit. The menu screen 30 is displayed on a display unit 5A composed of a liquid crystal display device, a CRT or the like, and is of a touch panel type in which necessary data and instructions can be input by directly touching the screen.

The menu screen 30 forms a basic screen of the automatic bookbinding machine 20, and a normal operator starts up this screen to display various display screens necessary for the operation and control of the automatic bookbinding machine, as will be described later. You can switch to. For example, when the main panel key 31 is touched on the menu screen 30, a main control device for the entire bookbinding machine 20, for example, a main screen for turning on / off the main motor and the cutter, and knowing the number of bookbindings, etc. When the exercise panel key 32 is touched, it is possible to display driving information and switch to a driving screen for further detailed setting.

Also, the glue computer 1, 2 keys 33, 3
Touch 4 to attach back glue 8B and side glue 8C
It is possible to switch to the glue control 1 and glue control 2 screens for making detailed settings (see FIG. 10), and when the computer menu key 35 is touched, the computer menu screen is switched to, and the bookbinding data is manually input as usual. You can enter.

Further, when the automatic measurement key 36 is touched,
It is possible to switch to the automatic measurement menu screen for automatically measuring the binding data, which will be described later.
On the other hand, if a failure occurs in the automatic bookbinding machine 20 and a warning or the like is issued, touching the alarm menu key 37 brings up an alarm new screen and failure information is displayed. The necessary measures can be taken.

When the help panel key 38 is touched, when the bookbinding cannot be manufactured properly, the help screen is switched over, the causes thereof are specifically taught, and the necessary control axis numbers and control directions are automatically bound. What part of the machine 20 is to be controlled and the like is displayed as help information. Furthermore, when the IN panel key 39 is touched,
You can enter the IN panel screen where you can see the status of the input signals from the sensors, limit switches, etc. that are being input to the control unit 4, and you can enter the OUT panel key 4
When 0 is touched, it is possible to enter the OUT panel screen in which the states of the output signals to the drive device 3 output from the control unit 4 and the control servo motors of each station can be viewed in a list format.

When the manufacturer panel key 41 is touched,
It is possible to enter a paste glue maker screen for setting a glue glue maker, etc., and touch the edge glue set key 42 to enter a glue glue set screen for setting a glue glue. When the automatic measurement key 36 is touched on the menu screen 30 as described above, the automatic measurement menu screen 50 shown in FIG. 3 can be entered. In the automatic measurement menu screen 50, it is necessary to automatically measure the binding data. Enter the minimum amount of data.

A plurality of format set keys 51 are bound,
The numeric keypad 52 is for inputting the finished format of the finished book, and is for inputting numerical data as necessary. The plurality of cover thickness keys 53 are used to input the thickness of the cover by roughly distinguishing it from thick, thick, normal, and thin.
You can enter the exact cover thickness.

The bookbinding method key 54 is used to enter a distinction between bookbinding methods such as musen, aziro, and kagari, which is one of the order information, and as described above, by this input, the clamp station 6 (Fig. 1)
Thus, the vertical position when the folded book is fixedly held by the clamper 1 is determined. The set key 55 is for confirming the data input on the screen 50 and for registering and storing the data in the storage means provided in the control unit 4 or the like, and the computer menu key 56 is for the computer menu screen described in FIG. Menu key 57 to jump to
2 is for returning to the menu screen 30 of FIG. 2, and the main key 58 is for jumping to the main screen described in FIG.

In the automatic measurement menu screen 50, the operator can display three types of information, the format of the book, the thickness of the cover, and the bookbinding method described above, according to the bookbinding to be produced.
All you have to do is input as so-called order information. Here, after inputting these bookbinding data, if the set key 55 is touched, the automatic measurement screen shown in FIG. 4 is displayed, and here, the folded sheet thickness A, the folded sheet length B, the cover sheet length D, and the cover sheet width. The measurement state of C and the like can be displayed, and the treatment after the measurement can be input.

In the example of FIG. 4, "automatic measurement" indicates that automatic measurement is being performed, "A6 size" is a format, "NO." Is the lot number, "cover 0.3" is the cover thickness, “Clamper stop position” indicates whether or not the clamper is stopped at a predetermined stop position, “move clamper” indicates that the clamper is moving, and “measuring” indicates that measurement is in progress.
In "Measuring book thickness", the fact that the thickness A of the folded book is being measured is displayed together with the measurement dimension. "Measuring book length" shows the folded book length B and the "cover length". In the same manner, the cover length D is displayed under "Measuring" and the cover width C is displayed under "Measuring cover width".

The measurement completion reset key 61 is operated after the measurement is completed, and the measurement completion alignment start key 62 is
The measurement data is used to make various settings for each station. Furthermore, the emergency stop key 63
The automatic measurement is for emergency stop, the measurement menu key is for returning to the automatic measurement menu screen 50 of FIG. 3, the computer menu key 65, the menu key 6
6 and the main key 67 have the same functions as the corresponding keys in FIG.

While looking at this screen 60, the operator
Check the data values for automatic measurement of the folded sheet thickness A at the clamp station 6 in FIG. 1, the folded sheet length B at the folded sheet length measuring station 8A, and the cover sheet length D and cover sheet width C at the cover sheet feeding station 9. However, after the measurement is completed, the measurement completion alignment start key 62 is touched,
As described in 14, the various binding stations can be set variously by using the measured bookbinding data, and then the main key 67 can be touched to start the operation on the main screen.

In the automatic bookbinding machine 20 of the present invention, as described above, the thickness A of the folded sheet, the length B of the folded sheet, the width C of the cover sheet, and the length D of the cover sheet, which have been manually input in the past, are used. Since it is not necessary to enter data such as, it is sufficient to enter the binding data when changing lots, no experience or education is required to enter the binding data, and anyone can easily operate it. . Further, since the measurement is automatically performed by the machine, it is possible to avoid an error in data input due to human power, and it is possible to shorten the time for changing the lot.

Further, in this embodiment, the folded book thickness A, the folded book length B, the cover sheet width C, and the cover sheet length D to be measured are measured by fixing and holding the folded book sheet F on the clamper 1. Since the measurement is performed at each work station while moving the circular orbit 2, extra equipment is not required as compared with the case where the folded sheet F and the cover sheet O are separately taken out and measurement is performed by another measuring instrument. Also, the labor of the measurement itself can be saved.

Further, according to the present invention, since the folded book F is measured while being moved by the automatic bookbinding machine 20, the control using the measured bookbinding data can be efficiently performed at the next work station. Therefore, according to this method, in principle, it is also possible to enter the continuous operation mode from the first folded-lot copy, without separately providing a teaching mode.

Next, the automatic measurement method executed in each work station and various types of measurement sensors will be described. 5 (a) and 5 (b) are diagrams showing an example of a method of measuring the folded thickness in the clamp station. In FIG. 5A, the measurement plate 6Ab is installed on the opening / closing bridge 1c that opens and closes the clamp bar 1a of the clamper 1,
The folded thickness A is measured by measuring the moving distance with the measurement sensor 6Aa. This measuring sensor 6Aa
Can be composed of a laser or a distance sensor using high frequency.

Here, a mounting plate 1h is installed on the back of the clamper 1, and is fixed to the orbit 2 formed of a roller chain or the like by the mounting plate 1h. Orbit around. Two clamp rods 1b supporting the clamp bar 1a at both ends are slidably fitted and inserted into the clamper 1, and the rear ends of the two clamp rods 1b are connected and fixed by an opening / closing bridge 1c. Has been done. Therefore, when the opening / closing bridge 1c is moved back and forth, the clamp bar 1a
Can be moved back and forth in parallel with the clamper 1, and the gap between the surface of the clamper 1 and the clamp bar 1a can be opened and closed.

Reference numeral 1d is a spring fitted into the portion between the back of each clamper 1 of the two clamp rods 1b and the opening / closing bridge 1c.
The clamp bar 1a is always biased in the closing direction. 1e
Is an opening / closing cam for moving the opening / closing bridge 1c back and forth, and the opening / closing cam 1e is moved back and forth by a motor 1g and a screw shaft 1f. Therefore, when the opening / closing cam 1e is moved forward, the opening / closing bridge 1c moves forward to a position regulated by a stopper or the like (not shown), and the clamp bar 1a is opened to the maximum distance accordingly. The maximum distance between the clamper 1 and the clamp bar 1a is set stepwise with respect to the maximum thickness of the folded book F handled by the automatic bookbinding machine 20.

When the opening / closing cam 1e is retracted to reach a position where the clamp bar 1a cannot be moved further due to the regulation of the folded thickness A, the opening / closing bridge 1c also stops moving, and the opening / closing cam 1e is stopped.
A gap is formed between e and the opening / closing bridge 1c, and the folded book F is fixedly held by the clamper 1 as shown in the figure. The difference between the maximum distance at this time and the distance when the opening / closing bridge 1 stops moving is
Measuring plate 6Ab and measuring sensor 6 fixed to the open / close bridge 1.
The folded thickness A can be obtained by measuring with Aa. Here, the folded plate thickness measuring sensor 6A is configured by the measuring plate 6Ab and the measuring sensor 6Aa.

FIG. 5B shows another measuring sensor. In this case, the fixing plate 6Af is installed on the feed table 1i at the back side of the folded book F so as to match the surface of the clamper 1, and the pressure sensor 6Ag is installed so as to be in contact with the fixing plate 6Af. . On the other hand, on the front side of the folded book F, a measurement plate 6Ae that is moved back and forth by a servomotor 6Ac and a screw shaft 6Ad is installed.

The measuring plate 6Ae is moved back and forth while measuring the number of revolutions, that is, the moving distance by the servomotor 6Ac, the measuring plate 6Ae comes into contact with the folded book F, and the pressure is measured by the pressure sensor 6Ag.
At the time when is detected, the folded thickness A can be obtained by measuring the moving distance. Here, the servo motor 6Ac, the screw shaft 6Ad, the measurement plate 6Ae, and the fixed plate 6
Af and the pressure sensor 6Ag make up a folded thickness measurement sensor 6A.

According to this sensor, the folded thickness A at the optimum position required for bookbinding, that is, the back Fa of the folded book F
It is possible to obtain the folded sheet thickness A in. Further, by adjusting the detection level of the pressure sensor 6Ag, the timing for measuring the folded thickness A can be finely adjusted, and more appropriate data of the folded thickness A can be obtained. Figure 6
(A), (b) is a schematic conceptual diagram which shows the other example of the measuring method of the folded book thickness in a clamp station.

FIG. 6 (a) shows another measuring sensor. Here, compared to FIG. 5 (b), the no pressure sensor 6AG, measurement plate 6Ah are compared with the measurement plate 6Ae,
The tip portion extends to the lower portion of the feed table 1i, and the surface position is measured by the measurement sensor 6Ai provided facing the lower portion of the feed table 1i. This measurement sensor 6Ai is the measurement sensor 6Aa of FIG.
Is similar to.

In this case, the servomotor 6Ac is provided with a relief mechanism (not shown) for stopping the rotation when a load of a certain amount or more is applied, and the measuring plate 6Ah comes into contact with the folded book F, and the relief mechanism causes the servomotor to rotate. When the motor 6Ac is stopped, the folded sheet thickness A can be obtained by measuring the position of the measuring plate 6Ah with the measuring sensor 6Ai. Here, the servomotor 6Ac, the screw shaft 6Ad, the measurement plate 6Ah, the fixed plate 6Af, and the measurement sensor 6Ai constitute a folded-thickness measurement sensor 6A.

FIG. 6B shows another measuring sensor. Here, as compared with FIG. 6A, a difference is that a measuring scale is incorporated instead of the measuring sensor 6Ai, and a measuring scale 6Aj for measuring the position by the extension amount thereof is provided. This measuring scale 6Aj is provided below the feed table 1i, and the tip of the scale is
It is connected to the lower part of the tip of the measuring plate 6Ah.

In this case, similarly to FIG. 6A, the measuring plate 6
When Ah contacts the folded sheet F and the servomotor 6Ac is stopped by the relief mechanism, the folded sheet thickness A can be obtained by measuring the position of the measuring plate 6Ah with the measuring scale 6Aj. Here, the servomotor 6Ac, the screw shaft 6Ad, the measuring plate 6Ah, the fixed plate 6Af, and the measuring scale 6Aj constitute a folded thickness measuring sensor 6A.

FIG. 7A is a schematic conceptual view showing an example of a method of measuring the cover length in the cover feeding station, and FIG. 7B is a schematic conceptual view showing an example of the method of measuring the cover width. In FIG. 7A, the front cover 9 is placed on the front cover 9a with the front guide 9f tilted at a predetermined angle with respect to the front cover feeding direction indicated by an arrow in the drawing.
Are stacked with the cover down, and this cover 9a
When the screw shaft 9d is rotated by the servo motor 9c, the screw shaft 9d is screwed into the screw shaft 9d, and the female screw 9e fixed to the lower portion of the cover 9a moves up and down to move the cover 9a up and down. Cover 9
An upper guide 9g is provided at a position facing a, and defines the upper end of the cover O supply position.

Reference numeral 9b denotes a cover feeding roller, which is a cover feeding means (not shown) for aligning the cover O fed out one by one from the stacked cover O with the moving folded book F in the moving direction, that is, , Folding length B and cover length D
Will be aligned and supplied. Cover O of this upper guide 9g
The limit switch 9Aa is installed on the side not contacting with the contact 9Aa, and the tip of the contact 9Ab protrudes from the hole provided in the upper guide 9g, and the tip of the contact 9Ab is pushed to the cover O. As a result, it is detected that the front end of the cover O comes into contact with the upper guide 9g.

On the other hand, a measurement scale 9Ac is provided below the cover 9a, and the tip of the scale is connected to the cover 9a. When the cover 9a moves up and down,
The moving distance can be measured with this measuring scale 9Ac. Therefore, with the summit switch 9Aa,
When it is detected that the cover O has come into contact with the upper guide 9g, the motor 9c is stopped and the position of the cover 9a is measured by the measuring scale 9Ac, whereby the cover length D can be obtained. Here, the limit switch 9A
The cover length measuring sensor 9A is composed of a, the contactor 9Ab, and the measuring scale 9Ac.

FIG. 7 (b) shows the cover O stacked on the cover 9a of FIG. 7 (a) as seen from the right rear side of the drawing, and only those related to the cover width measuring sensor 9B are taken up. ing. Above the stacked cover sheets O, side guides 9j for positioning both sides of the stacked cover sheets O,
Both screw shafts 9h for moving the 9l to the left and right at equal distances are penetratingly installed. The screw shafts 9h are formed with a left screw 9hL on the left side and a right screw 9hR on the right side at the center of their length. Has been done. A left female screw 9i and a right female screw 9k are screwed into the left screw 9hL and the right screw 9hR of the both screw shafts 9h, respectively, and the side guide 9 is attached to the left female screw 9i and the right female screw 9k.
j and 9l are fixed.

Therefore, when both screw shafts 9h are rotated, the side guides 9j and 9l move left and right by the same distance, and the center positions of both guides 9j and 9l do not change. Since both screw shafts 9h are rotationally driven by a servo motor (not shown), the distance between both guides 9j and 9l can be known from the motor rotation speed obtained from the servo motor.

The side guides 9j and 9l are provided with limit switches 9Ba and 9l on the side not contacting the cover O, respectively.
Bc is installed, and the tips of the contacts 9Bb, 9Bd project from the holes provided in the side guides 9j, 9l, and the tips of the contacts 9Bb, 9Bd are on the cover O.
Both sides of the cover O are pushed by the side guides 9
The contact with j and 9l is detected.

Therefore, with the side guides 9j and 9l sufficiently opened, the cover O is stacked on the cover 9a and both screw shafts 9h are rotated to bring the side guides 9j and 9l closer to each other in order, and both limit switches are turned on. When it is detected that the side guides 9j and 9l contact the cover O with 9Ba and 9Bc, the side guides 9j and 9l are stopped. By doing this, the side guide 9
Being regulated by j and 9l, the cover O is just the cover 9a.
The front cover width C can be obtained from the rotation speed of the servo motor at that time. Here, limit switches 9Ba, 9Bc, contacts 9Bb,
9Bd constitutes a cover width measuring sensor 9B.

After that, using the measured cover sheet width C and folded sheet thickness A, the both are aligned. That is, the cover 9a, the stacked covers O, the screw shafts 9h, the side guides 9j, 9l and the like can be moved as a whole in the left and right directions of the drawing by the cover supply center moving means (not shown). It has become. Therefore, the cover width C and the folded sheet thickness A can be aligned by aligning the center of the cover sheet 9a in the left-right direction with the center of the folded sheet thickness A as described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 8 is a schematic conceptual view showing an example of a method of measuring a folded length in the folded length measuring station.
Here, although not particularly shown, the folded-length measuring station 8A is the back gluing section 8 of the gluing station 8.
The description will be given assuming that it is provided between B and the lateral gluing section 8C.

The photoelectric sensor 8Aa shown in the figure is conventionally provided between the back gluing section 8B and the horizontal gluing section 8C and is used to determine the start timing of the horizontal gluing in the horizontal gluing section 8C. This is also used to measure the folded length B. The clamper 1 is driven by a driving device 3 composed of a motor, and moves on the orbit 2 (see FIG. 1) at a constant speed. This moving distance can be known from the rotation speed of the servo motor of the drive device 3.

Therefore, by counting the number of rotations of the servo motor while the folded book F fixedly held by the clamper 1 is blocking the photoelectric sensor 8Aa, the moving distance of the folded book F in the meantime, that is, the folded book. The length B can be obtained. Here, the photoelectric sensor 8Aa constitutes the folded-length measuring sensor 8Aa. Thus, since the folded length B is measured using a sensor that has been used in the related art, it is not necessary to provide an extra sensor for measuring the folded length, and the cost can be reduced.

However, the folding length measuring station 8A
Measures the folded book length B by the method described above,
The clamper 1 may be provided anywhere on the straight line portion of the orbit 2 of the clamper 1, and its installation position is not limited. FIG. 9 (a),
(B) is an explanatory view of a folding line automatically formed in the cover feeding station.

In the automatic bookbinding machine 20 of the present invention, the folded sheet thickness A is measured at the cover sheet feeding station 9 by using the measured folded sheet thickness A and the preset sheet thickness S. In addition, the folding line can be easily formed on the cover O. FIG. 9A shows such a fold line H automatically formed on the cover O. The position of this broken line H is
Using the folded book thickness A and the cover sheet thickness S, in principle, they are formed separately from the center line of the cover sheet width C.

FIG. 9B shows an example of a book in which a cover O having a folding line H formed automatically is attached to a folded book F and combined. Here, the number A + 2 * S is shown as the position of the broken line, but in reality, considering other conditions,
The folding line position is determined. In any case, when the folding line H is formed in this way, the corners of the spine of the book bound after the cover is attached and pressure-bonded are formed neatly.

[0079]

According to the automated bookbinding method of the present invention proposed in claims 1 and 2, the collated book supplied in advance from another collator or the like is fixed by the clamper. It is automatically measured while traveling through the work stations required for bookbinding, the folded book and the cover are aligned, combined, and automatically ejected.

Therefore, it is not necessary for the operator to measure the binding data one by one and input it into the automatic binding machine every time the binding lot is changed. Therefore, the operator does not need to be skilled, the yield due to erroneous data input does not decrease, the lot change time is shortened, and the production efficiency can be remarkably improved. Further, according to the method of the present invention proposed in claim 3, since the length of the folded book is measured before or in the middle of the gluing station, automatic measurement is impossible while the folded book is smoothly conveyed. Since it can be eliminated, productivity can be further improved. Further, according to the automatic bookbinding machine of the present invention proposed in claims 4 and 5, since the data of the folded book and the cover required for bookbinding are automatically measured, the operator can change the lot of bookbinding. It is only necessary to input order information according to the purpose and type of bookbinding to be manufactured.

Therefore, no skill is required for the operator,
There is no decrease in yield due to erroneous data input, the bookbinding machine can be operated continuously with high accuracy and efficiency, and productivity can be significantly increased. Further claim 6
According to the automatic bookbinding machine proposed in, the length of the folded book is measured before or in the middle of the gluing station, so that the automatic measurement can be performed smoothly while smoothly conveying the folded book. Therefore, the productivity can be further improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an embodiment showing the overall configuration of an automatic bookbinding machine of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a menu screen of an input / display device.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an automatic measurement menu screen of the input / display device.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an automatic measurement screen of an input / display device.

5 (a) and 5 (b) are schematic conceptual diagrams showing a method of automatically measuring a folded-fold thickness in a clamp station.

6 (a) and 6 (b) are schematic conceptual diagrams showing another example of an automatic measuring method of the folded-fold thickness in the clamp station.

7A is a schematic conceptual diagram showing an example of a method of measuring a cover length in a cover feeding station, and FIG. 7B is a schematic conceptual diagram showing an example of a method of measuring a cover width.

FIG. 8 is a schematic conceptual diagram showing an example of a method of measuring a folded-line length in a folded-length measuring station.

9 (a) and 9 (b) are explanatory views of folding lines that are automatically formed at the cover feeding station.

FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an overall configuration of an example of a conventional automatic bookbinding machine.

11A to 11G are schematic conceptual diagrams showing steps of an automatic bookbinding machine.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a gluing station,
(A) is a conceptual view of a main part as viewed from the front in the transport direction of the clamper, and (b) is a conceptual view of a main part as viewed from the Y arrow direction of (a).

13A and 13B show a positional alignment relationship between a folded copy and a cover at a cover supply station, where FIG. 13A is a conceptual view of a main part as seen from the front in the conveyance direction of a clamper, and FIG. Conceptual diagram of the main part as seen from the direction of the arrow

FIG. 14 is a conceptual diagram of the main part of the details of the pressurization state in the cover sheet pasting and combining station as seen from the front in the moving direction of the clamper.

[Explanation of symbols]

A folding book thickness B folded book length C cover width D cover length F Orimoto Fa back Fb back side H line O cover S cover thickness 1 clamper 2 orbits 3 drive 4 control unit 4A Measured data storage means 5 Display operation device 5A display 6 Clamp station 7 Glue pretreatment station 8 gluing station 8A Folded book length measuring station 8Aa Folded book length measuring sensor 8B Back glue part 8C Horizontal glue part 9 Cover feeding station 9A Cover length measuring sensor 9B Cover width measurement sensor 10 Covering and pasting station 11 discharge station 20 Automatic binding machine

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] 1. An automatic bookbinding machine, in which a separately prepared cover sheet is attached to a gathered folded book, which is fixed to a clamper with its back side down and conveyed on a predetermined orbit, and then discharged. The process of measuring the thickness of the back of the folded book while holding the folded book on the clamper and storing it as the folded book thickness data, and the folded book fixed on the clamper while the circular orbit is moving, The process of measuring the length and storing it as the folded length data, and measuring the width and length of the prepared cover, cover width, cover
At least including the step of storing as length data , when the cover is attached to the folded book that is fixed to the clamper and moves on the circular orbit, the measured folded book thickness data and the folded book length. Based on the data, the cover width data and the cover length data measured above, the cover is aligned with the spine of the folded book, and an automatic bookbinding method is characterized by applying pressure to attach the cover. . 2. An automatic bookbinding machine, which is fixed to a clamper with its back side down, and which has a separately prepared cover attached to a gathered folded book which is conveyed on a predetermined orbit, and then ejected. The process of measuring the thickness of the back of the folded book while holding the folded book on the clamper and storing it as the folded book thickness data, and the folded book fixed on the clamper while the circular orbit is moving, It includes at least the steps of measuring the length and storing it as folding length data, and measuring the width and length of the prepared cover and storing it as cover width and cover length data. When a cover is attached to a folded book moving on a circular orbit, the measured folded book thickness data, folded book length data, and the measured cover page width data, cover page length data. According to the thickness of the back of the folded book based on An automated bookbinding method, which comprises forming a fold line, aligning a cover with the spine of a folded book, and applying pressure to bond them together. 3. The folding length measuring step according to claim 1, wherein the step of measuring the length of the folded sheet is a step before a gluing process is performed on a back portion or a lateral portion of the folded sheet fixed to the clamper, or
It was executed in the middle of the gluing process, and the timing of gluing the spine and the back lateral of the above-mentioned folded book was automatically adjusted based on the measured folded-book length data. Binding method. 4. An automatic bookbinding machine, which is fixed to a clamper with its back side down, and which has a separately prepared cover attached to a gathered folded book conveyed on a predetermined orbit, and ejected. , With the folded-paper thickness measuring sensor that measures the thickness of the back of the folded book and the folded and supplied folded book sandwiched between the clampers,
Clamp station that automatically measures the thickness of the back of the folded book, and a folded length measurement sensor that measures the length of the folded book. It has a measuring station, a cover width and a cover length measuring sensor for measuring the width and length of the cover, and prepares one cover sheet prepared in advance and stacks the folded sheet thickness data measured above, Book length data,
Based on the cover width data and the cover length data, the position is adjusted and the cover supply station that supplies to the back of the folded book that is fixed to the clamper and supplies the cover to the folded book An automatic bookbinding machine comprising at least a cover merging station for applying pressure to apply and bond the sheets in a state of being aligned with the back of the. 5. An automatic bookbinding machine, which is fixed to a clamper with its back side down, and which is prepared by pasting separately prepared cover sheets onto a collated folded book that is conveyed on a predetermined orbit, and ejected. , A folded thickness measuring sensor that measures the thickness of the back of the folded book, and a clamp that automatically measures the thickness of the back of the folded book with the folded and supplied folded book sandwiched between the clampers. Station, a folded length measuring sensor to measure the length of the folded book, a folded length measuring station to automatically measure the length of the folded book during conveyance, and a cover to measure the width and length of the cover. Each of the cover sheets prepared in advance and having a width and a cover sheet length measuring sensor and stacked, the above-mentioned folded sheet thickness data, folded sheet length data,
Based on the cover width data and the cover length data, the position is aligned and supplied to the back of the folded book that is fixed to the clamper and conveyed, and the folding line is formed on the cover according to the back of the folded book. An automatic bookbinding machine, which comprises at least a cover feeding station and a cover merging station that applies pressure to apply and bond the cover to the back of the folded book. 6. The back gluing part for gluing to the back of the folded book fixed to the clamper according to claim 4 or 5, and the lateral gluing part for laterally gluing to the back lateral part of the folded book. A gluing station is further provided, and the folded length measuring station is provided in front of the gluing station or inside the gluing station, and based on the measured folded length data, a back portion of the folded book. An automatic bookbinding machine that can automatically adjust the timing of gluing to the back and lateral parts.