JP3610592B2 - Method and system for controlling booklet stacking apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Industrial application fields]
The present invention relates to a booklet stacking apparatus control method and system for controlling a booklet stacking apparatus that stacks a printed book (hereinafter referred to as a booklet) on a stacking pallet in a desired pattern in a printed product manufacturing operation.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In general, the printed matter manufacturing operation includes a palletizing process in which a plurality of printing books are stacked in a desired pattern on a loading pallet using a printing book stacking device. As shown in FIG. 11, the printed book 1 is a rectangular parallelepiped that is formed of paper and is completely bound, or a rectangular parallelepiped in which a plurality of printed materials before being bound are stacked, and has various dimensions. There is. Here, in the printed book 1, 1a represents a longitudinal length, 1b represents a lateral length, 1c represents a height, and 1d represents an upper surface or a lower surface (hereinafter referred to as an upper surface 1d for simplification).
[0003]
Further, as shown in FIG. 12, the stacking pallet 2 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape for stacking a printing book, and is formed with a stacking surface 2c having a predetermined size (vertical length 2a, horizontal length 2b). Has been. As shown in FIG. 13, a plurality of printing books 1 are stacked on the loading pallet 2 in a desired loading pattern by the printing book loading apparatus. Here, the stacking pattern refers to an arrangement pattern when the printing book on the stacking pallet 2 is viewed from directly above. Since each printing book 1 needs to be arranged at a predetermined interval without overlapping, the stacking pattern is determined according to the dimensions of the printing book 1 and the loading pallet 2. Since it is desired to load as many printing books 1 as possible on one loading pallet 2, the loading is performed so that the intervals between the printing books 1 loaded on the loading pallet 2 are extremely small. A pattern is set.
[0004]
Further, the bookbinding device used in the palletizing process has a manipulator and operates the manipulator based on preset loading information (including a loading pattern). A plurality of printing books 1 placed at the loading standby position of the printing book stacking apparatus are sequentially held and transported by a manipulator, and are placed on the loading surface 2c of the loading pallet 2 in a loading pattern according to the loading information. Loaded.
[0005]
In this stacking operation, when the manipulator grips the printing book 1 and places the printing book 1 by proceeding from right above the loading position, the manipulator gripping portion is pulled out around the placed printing book 1. Space is needed. As described above, it is desirable that the interval between the printing books 1 loaded on the loading pallet 2 is extremely small, and the loading pattern is determined in this way. In order to avoid the need to insert a gripping portion between the books 1, the printing book 1 is lifted slightly higher than the loading position, and is moved obliquely with respect to the loading position (for example, in directions A to C in FIG. 13). Place in position. Of course, at this time, it is necessary to carry out the loading operation from the stacking position on the back side with respect to the manipulator so that no other printing book 1 exists on the traveling path of the printing book 1. That is, the loading information includes a loading order and a route according to the loading pattern.
[0006]
As described above, the printing book stacking apparatus needs to store stacking information in advance. The loading information can be stored in the book stacking device by manually operating a manipulator by the manipulator and storing the loading information according to the amount of movement, or numerical input to the book stacking device. There is a method in which a loading operator directly inputs the loading information.
[0007]
Here, the transfer operation of the bookbinding apparatus employing the teaching playback method will be described. First, prior to automatic operation, teaching work is performed. Specifically, the loading operator operates the printing book stacking apparatus, and the manipulator holds the printing book 1 placed at the load standby position. Then, the loading worker moves the manipulator at a low speed and places the printing book 1 at a desired position on the loading pallet 2.
[0008]
Such teaching work is performed for all the printing books 1 loaded on the loading pallet 2, and the loading information corresponding to the movement amount of the manipulator is stored in the storage means inside the printing book loading apparatus. After completion of the above teaching work, the bookbinding device performs automatic operation according to the stored loading information. As a result, the printing book 1 at the standby position is stacked on the stacking pallet 2 in a desired stacking pattern. At this time, the stacking order of the printing book 1 on the stacking pallet 2 is the same as the stacking order at the time of teaching. Therefore, if the teaching operation is performed in consideration of the stacking order of the printing book 1 in advance, automatic During operation, the printing book 1 can be stacked without contacting the other printing book 1 on the loading pallet 2.
[0009]
On the other hand, when the loading worker directly inputs the loading information, the loading worker creates the loading pattern of the printing book 1 on the loading pallet 2 on the desk based on the dimensions of the printing book 1 and the loading surface 2c. The actual loading position coordinates are obtained from this loading pattern. Then, from the obtained stack position coordinates, stack information such as a stacking order and a route for operating the book stack apparatus is calculated, and the input unit is operated and input to the book stack apparatus. Thereafter, the printing book stacking apparatus automatically operates based on the input stacking information, and stacks the printing book 1 on the stacking pallet 2 in a stacking pattern corresponding to the stacking information.
[0010]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the case of using the bookbinding apparatus employing the teaching playback method, as described above, a teaching operation for storing the stacking information by the low-speed manual operation is necessary. For this reason, when the dimensions of the printing book 1 and the loading pattern on the loading pallet 2 are frequently changed, there is a problem that the time required for teaching work becomes extremely long.
[0011]
In addition, when the loading worker directly inputs the loading information, the loading worker obtains the loading position coordinates on the desk and obtains loading information from the obtained coordinates, so the time required for the work is extremely long. There's a problem. Furthermore, it is necessary to add various information corresponding to the dimensions of the book 1 to each stack position coordinate, and there is a problem that the operation of obtaining the stack position coordinate becomes complicated. In addition, since the amount of loading information becomes enormous, there is a problem that the time required for the input and search operations becomes extremely long.
[0012]
Further, it is necessary for a human to obtain the loading sequence and route on the desk without actually loading. Since this process is complicated, various problems are caused as in the case of obtaining the stack position coordinates. Furthermore, it may be found that the determined loading information is defective only after automatic operation. In this case, it is necessary to obtain the loading information again, and the efficiency of the loading operation is significantly reduced.
[0013]
Due to the various problems described above, the conventional method or apparatus has a problem that the efficiency of the loading operation is reduced.
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and can easily cope with various sizes of printing books and various loading patterns, and can improve the loading work efficiency. And an object of the system.
[0014]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing book stacking apparatus control method for loading a plurality of rectangular parallelepiped-shaped printing books at a standby position on a loading surface of a rectangular parallelepiped loading pallet based on preset loading information. A booklet stacking apparatus control method for controlling a stacking apparatus, wherein a pallet frame display process for displaying an entire pallet frame having a vertical length and a horizontal length matching the stacking surface on an image display device at a predetermined magnification, A process subsequent to the pallet frame display process, in which the image display device sequentially displays on the image display device the book frame whose longitudinal length and lateral length match the upper or lower surface of the book. A printing frame arrangement process in which the printing book frames are arranged in an arbitrary direction in the pallet frame without overlapping each other, and the center point and each end point of each printing book frame arranged in the printing book frame arrangement process. Position information that defines the coordinates and each And loading information creating step for creating said loading information based on the stacking order of theThe stacking information creation process includes a reference for determining a stacking order when the stacking apparatus determines a stacking sequence in which the stack is moved in a horizontal approach direction and stacked at a desired stacking position. Whether or not there is an end point of the subsequent placed book frame in the region obtained based on the position reference point and the position information corresponding to the placed book frame for which the stacking order has not been determined. The stacking order of the position information forming the area and the position information having the end points of the succeeding placed book frame when the end points of the succeeding placed book frame are detected in the area ReplacingIt is characterized by.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control system for a booklet stacking apparatus, in which a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped booklet at a standby position is converted into a rectangular parallelepiped stacking pallet based on stacking information including preset position information and stacking order. A booklet stacking apparatus control system for controlling a plurality of booklet stacking apparatuses to be stacked on the stacking surface of the image forming apparatus, wherein the information creating registration means for creating and storing the stacking information according to an instruction from an operator, and the information creating registration A search / selection unit for extracting stacking information according to an instruction from the operator, and position information in the stacking information extracted by the search / selection unit in the order corresponding to the stacking order in the stacking information. Communication means for supplying to the loading device;The information creation registration means includes an order reference point that serves as a reference for determining a stacking order when the booklet stacking device moves the booklet in a horizontal approach direction and stacks it at a desired stacking position. And whether or not there is an end point of the subsequent placed book frame in an area obtained based on each position information corresponding to the placed book frame whose stacking order is not determined, When the end point of the succeeding arranged book frame exists in the area, the stacking order of the position information forming the area and the position information having the end point of the succeeding arranged book frame is switched.It is characterized by that.
Further, the bookbinding device control method according to claim 3 is the bookbinding device control method according to claim 1,The stacking information creation process sorts in advance in ascending order of the distance between the order reference point included in the position information and the book frame.It is characterized by that.
Further, the bookbinding device control system according to a fourth aspect is the bookbinding device control system according to the third aspect,The information creation / registration means sorts in advance in ascending order of the distance between the order reference point and the bookbinding frame included in the position information.
[0015]
[Action]
According to the method of the first aspect, the position information is generated from the information defining the center coordinates of the bookbinding frame arranged in the pallet frame and the coordinates of each end point. By supplying this position information to the bookbinding apparatus in the order corresponding to the stacking order of the books, a plurality of books are stacked on the stacking pallet in a desired stacking pattern.Here, when moving a booklet in the horizontal approach direction and loading it at a desired stacking position, an order reference point that serves as a reference for determining the stacking order and an arranged booklet frame for which the stacking order has not been determined It is detected whether or not the end point of the subsequent placed book frame is present in the area obtained based on the corresponding position information. If the end point exists in the area, the stacking order is determined. Replaced.
According to the system of the second aspect, one of the loading information created and stored by the information creation / registration means is extracted by the search / selection means. The position information in the loading information extracted here is supplied to the printing book stacking apparatus via the communication means in the order corresponding to the loading order in the loading information, so that a plurality of printing books can be obtained as desired. It is loaded on a loading pallet with a loading pattern.Here, when moving a booklet in the horizontal approach direction and loading it at a desired stacking position, an order reference point that serves as a reference for determining the stacking order and an arranged booklet frame for which the stacking order has not been determined It is detected whether or not the end point of the subsequent placed book frame is present in the area obtained based on the corresponding position information. If the end point exists in the area, the stacking order is determined. Replaced.
Further, each booklet can enter from a horizontal direction with respect to the stacking position, and the interval between each booklet becomes small. As a result, the efficiency of loading the booklet is improved.
[0016]
【Example】
An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printing book stacking apparatus control system 6 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, reference numeral 3 denotes information creation / registration means for the loading pallet 2 and the printing book 1. Based on the dimensions (virtual scale), a two-dimensional (first stage only) stacking pattern and the stacking order of the booklet 1 are determined, and stacking information including these stacking pattern and stacking order is generated and registered. .
[0017]
Reference numeral 4 denotes a plurality of stacking information registered by the information creation / registration means 3 to search for stacking information corresponding to the dimensions of the book 1 to be actually stacked and to select desired information from the searched stacking information. A search / selection unit that outputs stacking information including the selected stacking information and stacking information corresponding to the second and subsequent printing books 1 calculated based on the information. A communication unit 5 transmits the stacking information obtained by converting the stacking information output from the search / selection unit 4 into an actual scale to the bookbinding device side.
[0018]
Next, a specific configuration of the system 6 described above will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a bookbinding system to which the system 6 according to this embodiment is applied. In this figure, 7 is a machine control device having an internal storage means such as a RAM, which stores the stacking information supplied from the system 6 and controls the printing book stacking device 8 based on the stored stacking information. The booklet stacking device 8 has a manipulator for transferring the booklet 1 and is controlled by the machine control device 7 so that the booklet 1 at the standby position is moved in a preset direction (hereinafter referred to as an approach direction). ) To the loading pallet 2 and place it at a desired loading position.
[0019]
Next, the system 6 will be described. In the system 6, 9 is a computer having a CPU, ROM, RAM, and various I / O interfaces (not shown), and when a power source (not shown) is turned on, a control program (described later) stored in the ROM is executed. To do. A keyboard 10 and a mouse 11 are operated by a loading worker to supply input data corresponding to the operation contents to the computer 9.
[0020]
A hard disk 12 stores various information supplied from the computer 9, a CRT (Cathode ray tube) 13 displays an image corresponding to display data supplied from the computer 9 on the output screen 13 a, and 14 is supplied from the computer 9. This is a communication board that transmits the loading information to the machine control device 7. These constituent elements 10 to 14 are connected to the computer 9 through various interfaces.
[0021]
Next, processing performed by the computer 9 executing the control program will be described with reference to FIGS. The control program is created separately for a registration program corresponding to the information creation / registration means 3, a selection program corresponding to the search / selection means 4, and a communication program corresponding to the communication means 5, and these programs are usually stored in the computer 9. Are executed sequentially.
[0022]
First, when the computer 9 is powered on, the devices 10 to 14 are initialized and the registration program is executed. When the registration program ends, the selection program is executed. Here, if the loading information has already been registered, the selection program may be executed immediately after initialization. Then, after the selection program ends, the communication program is executed.
[0023]
Next, each program will be described in detail. Note that the subject of processing described later is the computer 9 unless otherwise specified.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing by the registration program. When initialization is completed, the processing proceeds to step SA1. In step SA1, the dimension data of the printing book 1 and the loading pallet 2 are input. Specifically, for example, the computer 9 supplies predetermined display data to the CRT 13 and displays a message for prompting input on the output screen 13a.
[0024]
The loading operator operates the keyboard 10 or the mouse 11 in accordance with a message on the output screen 13, and the size of the printing book 1 (vertical length 1 a, horizontal length 1 b) and the loading pallet 2. Enter the dimensions (vertical length 2a, horizontal length 2b). The computer 9 determines the dimension data of the book 1 and the loading pallet 2 from the input data supplied from the keyboard 10 or the mouse 11.
[0025]
Next, in step SA2, the dimension data is multiplied by a predetermined coefficient so as to be displayed on the display screen 13a so as to be displayed on the display screen 13a and converted into virtual dimension data. Next, in step SA3, display data corresponding to the virtual dimension data of the loading pallet 2 is supplied to the CRT 13. Thereby, the pallet frame 2G corresponding to the stacking surface 2c of the stacking pallet 2 is displayed on the output screen 13a. At this time, the predetermined coefficient should be set to a value as large as possible with respect to the output screen 13a.
[0026]
Next, in step SA4, display data corresponding to the virtual dimension data of the printing book 1 is supplied to the CRT 13. As a result, a printing book frame 1G corresponding to the upper surface 1d of the printing book 1 is displayed on the output screen 13a. At this time, a mouse cursor MC to be described later is positioned near the center point 1Gc of the bookbinding frame 1G. Further, in this step, the approach direction of the printing book 1 with respect to the loading pallet 2 is input by the loading worker who has visually recognized the output screen 13 a of the CRT 13. In addition, pallet frame 2G, Pay attention to the farthest vertex with respect to the entered approach direction, and set the order reference point 13c spaced a predetermined distance from this vertex in the approach direction.
[0027]
Note that not only the approach direction but also the coordinates of the standby position may be input, and the order reference point 13c may be provided at a position facing the standby position across the pallet frame 2G. The output screen 13a is obtained, for example, by superposing a plurality of plates having different priorities, and the pallet frame 2G, the approach direction, and the order reference point 13c of the loading pallet 2 are formed on the low priority plates. The printing book frame 1G of the printing book 1 is displayed on a plate having a higher priority, and the mouse cursor MS or the like is displayed on a plate having a higher priority.
[0028]
Next, in step SA5, the loading worker slides the mouse 11, and drags (moves) the book frame 1G displayed on the output screen 13a along an arbitrary route as shown in FIG. Arranged at an arbitrary position in 2G. Then, the loading worker presses a button (not shown) provided on the mouse 11 to determine the position of the printing book frame 1G. Here, the bookbinding frame 1G whose position has been determined is the arranged printing book frame E.₁  It is said.
[0029]
If the position of the printing book frame 1G is not yet determined, the loading worker can operate the mouse 11 or the keyboard 10 to exchange the vertical length 1Ga and the horizontal length 1Gb of the printing book frame 1G. It is. Usually, since the length 1a and the length 1b of the printing book 1 are different from each other, more printing books 1 can be arranged by rotating (for example, rotating by 90 degrees) as necessary. Can be arranged on the loading pallet 2.
[0030]
For these reasons, in this step, the bookbinding frame 1G is rotated 90 degrees about the center point 1Gc as necessary. Specifically, for example, when the loading worker presses a predetermined key on the keyboard 10, the longitudinal length 1Ga and the lateral length 1Gb of the bookbinding frame 1G selected by the mouse cursor MS are exchanged. Is done. That is, the printing book frame 1G is rotated by 90 degrees.
[0031]
In this step, the computer 9 always calculates position information capable of specifying the center point 1Gc of the bookbinding frame 1G and the coordinates of each end point in accordance with input data for instructing movement and rotation of the printing book frame 1G. doing. The coordinates here are relative position coordinates with the reference point 13b as the origin. Then, when the button of the mouse 11 is pressed, the arranged book frame E₁  Is determined, the position information of the printing book frame 1G is set to the arranged printing book frame E.₁  The position coordinates are stored in the RAM. Then, the process proceeds to step SA6.
[0032]
Next, in step SA6, it is determined whether or not to perform the above-described arrangement process for the new bookbinding frame 1G. Specifically, for example, a message “Do you want to place a new print book?” Is displayed on the output screen 13 a, and input data corresponding to the message is received from the keyboard 10 or the mouse 11. If the input data is data indicating that the arrangement process is to be continued, the determination result is “Yes”, and the process returns to step SA4. In this way, the new printing book frame 1G is sequentially arranged, and the arranged printing book frame E₂  , E₃  ,... Are stored in the RAM. On the other hand, if the input data is data indicating that the arrangement process is to be terminated, the determination result is “No”, and the process proceeds to step SA7.
[0033]
In step SA7, a plurality of printed book frames E are arranged in the pallet frame 2G.₁  , E₂  ,... Are created, and a predetermined stacking pattern (only the first stage) is obtained.₁  , E₂  ,... And stacking information including the stacking order of the booklet 1 is created. Each placed book frame E₁  , E₂  ,... Are already stored in the RAM, so in this step, the stacking order of the respective booklets 1 is obtained. In this example, the arranged booklet frame E₁  , E₂  ,... Are N.
[0034]
The process of obtaining the loading order will be described with reference to FIG. When obtaining the stacking order, first, in step SB1 of FIG. 7, as shown in FIG.₁  ~ E_N  Each of the book frame E based on the coordinates of the end points and the coordinates of the order reference point 13c.₁  ~ E_N  And the distance S between the order reference point 13c and₁  ~ S_N  For each distance S₁  ~ S_N  And each distance S₁  ~ S_N  N records having position information corresponding to are created.
[0035]
Next, in step SB2 of FIG. 7, provisional allocation of the stacking order represented by the arrangement order of N records is performed. Specifically, N records are represented by a distance S in each record.₁  ~ S_N  Sort in ascending order and store them in the RAM. As a result, an example of N records stored in the RAM is shown in FIG.
[0036]
Next, in step SB3 of FIG. 7, 1 is substituted into the variable i, and in step SB4, the region R_i  Is calculated. Region R_i  Is determined based on the position information stored in the i-th record, the approach direction of the booklet 1 and the two coordinate axes represented by x = 0 and y = 0. For example, the first record is a printed book frame E₁  If there is position information for the region R₁  First, the placed book frame E in FIG.₁  , Two end points E projecting in a direction perpendicular to the approach direction_1a, E_1bAnd end point E_1aThrough the straight line parallel to the direction of entry and the end point E_1bThrough the straight line parallel to the approach direction and the end point E closest to the reference point 13b_1cAnd each end point E_1a, E_1bA region surrounded by two sides connecting the two and the two coordinate axes is a region R₁  And
[0037]
Next, in step SB5, i is substituted into variable j. Therefore, j = i = 1. Next, in step SB6, the arranged book frame E_i  Region R corresponding to_i  It is determined whether or not there is an end point of another placed book frame (print book frame for which the stacking order has not yet been determined) corresponding to the jth record. In an actual loading operation, the manipulator may be slightly deviated from a predetermined route. Therefore, the above determination is made in consideration of a predetermined error. In this step, when i = j, the determination result is set to “No”.
[0038]
Here, since i = j = 1, the determination result is “No”, and the process proceeds to Step SB7. In step SB7, it is determined whether j <N. Here, since the determination result is “Yes”, the process proceeds to step SB8. In step SB8, j + 1 is substituted for j. Then, the process returns to step SB6.
[0039]
That is, while j <N, the end point of the arranged bookbinding frame represented by the position information of the jth record is the region R₁  It is judged whether or not it exists in the inside. Here, i = 1, and as shown in FIG.₁  In this case, the end point of the other arranged bookbinding frame does not exist, so the determination result of step SB7 in FIG. 7 does not become “Yes”, and the determination result of step SB7 becomes “No”. Advances to step SB9.
[0040]
In step SB9, the position information of the i-th record on the RAM is determined as the position information for the book 1 to be loaded i-th. Specifically, the storage position of the record on the RAM is determined. Here, since i = 1, the stacking position (position information) of the printing book 1 to be stacked first is determined. Next, the process proceeds to step SB10 where it is determined whether i <N. Here, since i = 1, the determination result is “Yes”, and the process proceeds to Step SB11.
[0041]
In step SB11, i + 1 is substituted into i. Then, the process returns to step SB4. That is, while i <N, the region R corresponding to the arranged bookbinding frame represented by the position information of the i-th record whose stacking order is not determined_i  The same processing as that described above is performed. Here, as a result of the processing of step SB1, for example, as shown in FIG.₇  The position information of the seventh record corresponds to the placed book frame E₆  It shall correspond to.
[0042]
In this case, if i = 6 and j = 7 in step SB6, the arranged book frame E shown in the position information of the sixth record₇  Region R corresponding to₆  Inside, the placed book frame E shown in the position information of the seventh record₆  There are end points (see FIG. 8). Therefore, the determination result at this step is “Yes”, and the process proceeds to step SB12.
[0043]
In step SB12, the i-th record and the j-th record are exchanged and stored in the RAM. Then, the process returns to step SB4, and the region R is based on the position information of the i-th record after replacement._i  Is required. Thereafter, processing similar to that described above is performed. When i = N, the determination result in step SB10 is “No”, and the stacking order determination process ends. As a result, the records on the RAM are in the order shown in FIG. 10, for example. This order is the stacking order of the printing book 1.
[0044]
Thus, the position information and the stacking order are obtained, and stacking information including both is created in step SA7 in FIG. This stacking information is stored in the hard disk 12 in association with a desired pattern name. Here, since each printing book 1 is stacked on the first stage, the Z coordinate thereof is set to “0”.
However, at this time, when the plurality of bookbinding frames 1G intersect with each other and the overlapping of the printing books 1 occurs, the obtained stacking pattern is regarded as an invalid pattern, and the process ends.
[0045]
When the above-described processes are completed, the hard disk 12 corresponds to the dimension data of the printing book 1 and the loading pallet 2 and the first-stage printing book 1 loaded on the loading pallet 2 unless the pattern is invalid. The loading information is stored as a database record in association with the pattern name. This completes the registration program.
[0046]
Next, the selection program executed following the registration program described above will be described in detail. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing by the selection program. When the registration program ends, the processing proceeds to step SC1 in this figure. In step SC1, substantially the same processing as in step SA1 of FIG. 3 is performed, and the size data (vertical length 1a, horizontal length 1b, height 1c) and stacking stage number M are determined from the input data. It is determined.
[0047]
Next, in step SC2, a record corresponding to the dimension data obtained in step SC1 is searched from a database stored in the hard disk 12. Next, in step SC3, the pattern name is read from the record extracted in step SC2, and display data corresponding to the read pattern name is supplied to the CRT 13. As a result, a list of pattern names registered in advance is displayed on the output screen 13a.
[0048]
Next, in step SC4, the loading worker operates the mouse 11 to select a desired pattern name from the list of pattern names displayed on the CRT 13. Next, in step SC5, the computer 9 supplies display data corresponding to the stacking information associated with the selected pattern name to the CRT 13. As a result, the output screen 13a displays the stacking pallet 2 and the printing book 1 loaded in the first stage.
[0049]
Next, in step SC6, it is determined whether or not the selection in step SC4 is correct. Specifically, the loading worker refers to the loading pattern displayed on the output screen 13a and operates the keyboard 10 or mouse 11 to indicate whether this loading pattern is acceptable (approved) or not (denied). Input data is supplied to the computer 9. If the input data represents “denial”, the determination result is “No”, the process returns to step SC3, and a list of pattern names is displayed again. Conversely, if the input data represents “approval”, the determination result is “Yes”, and the process proceeds to step SC7.
[0050]
In step SC7, stacking information corresponding to all the printing books 1 is obtained from the selected stacking information, stacking stage number M and height 1c, and stored in the hard disk 12 as stacking information. Here, the X and Y coordinates of the center point and each end point of each printing book 1 are the same as those of the first printing book 1, and the Z coordinates of the printing book 1 after m (m is a natural number) are Calculated as m times the height 1c. Note that the loading order can be easily determined because the second loading is performed after the first loading is completed. Thus, the selection program ends.
[0051]
Next, a communication program executed subsequent to the above-described selection program will be described in detail. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing by the communication program. When the selection program ends, the processing proceeds to step SD1 in this figure. In step SD1, the loading information is read from the hard disk 12 onto the RAM. Next, in step SD2, the stacking information read out on the RAM is converted based on the virtual scale and the actual scale to obtain stacking information corresponding to the actual dimensions.
[0052]
Next, in step SD3, the loading information is supplied to the machine control device 7 via the communication board 14. Since the stacking information includes the position information and the stacking order, actually, the position information (loading position) of each book 1 is sequentially supplied to the machine control device 7 based on the stacking order. Become. Accordingly, the machine control device 7 controls the printing book stacking device 8 based on the loading information, and loads a plurality of printing books 1 in a desired loading pattern and loading sequence. At this time, since the printing books 1 are stacked in a stacking order in consideration of the direction in which the printing books 1 enter, the loading work is performed without collision between the printing books 1. Thus, the palletizing process is automatically performed.
[0053]
As described above, according to the printing book stacking apparatus control system according to the present embodiment, by moving the printing book frame 1G using the mouse 11 on the output screen 13a and arranging it on the pallet frame 2G, The stack pattern of the book 1 can be easily determined without actually loading the book 1. Further, since the created stacking pattern is stored in the hard disk 12 as a database, the search and the like can be managed efficiently.
[0054]
Further, since the printing book frame 1G and the pallet frame 2G have sizes corresponding to the dimensions represented in the input data, a stacking pattern can be created without considering each dimension after the data is input. Further, since the position coordinates of the printing book frame 1G are set with respect to the center point 1Gc, even if the printing book frame 1G rotates, the position coordinates do not change, and complicated calculation processing can be omitted. Further, since the pallet frame 2G has a sufficient size, the printing book 1 can be accurately arranged at a desired position.
[0055]
In the registration program, a book frame 1G having a longitudinal length 1a and a lateral length 1b is arranged to obtain stacking information corresponding to the first-stage printing book 1, and in the selection program, Since the stacking information for the second and subsequent printing books 1 is obtained from the height 1c and the stacking stage number M, the first stacking is performed even if the height 1c and stacking stage number M of the printing book 1 to be stacked have various values. It is possible to cope without re-registering information.
[0056]
Furthermore, since the stacking order is determined so that the stacks 1 can be stacked without colliding with each other based on the approach direction and the stacking position of each booklet 1, the stacking operation is performed according to this stacking order. There is no need to allow the printing book 1 to enter from directly above, and the interval between the printing books 1 can be made extremely small. That is, the printing book 1 can be efficiently stacked on the stacking pallet 2.
[0057]
Further, an order reference point 13c is provided at a position substantially opposite to the standby position across the pallet frame 2G, and the order reference point 13c and each book frame 1G correspond to each book frame 1G in order of decreasing distance. Since the position information (records) are arranged, it is possible to extremely reduce the probability that the record replacement process occurs in the subsequent process.
[0058]
In the above-described embodiment, each program executed by the computer 9 is automatically started. For example, a menu program for starting each program is created, and this menu program is started when the power is turned on. You may make it do. Although the movement of the printing book frame 1G is performed using the mouse 11, it goes without saying that it may be performed using a predetermined key of the keyboard 10.
[0059]
Further, although an example in which the stacking order is represented by a record sequence has been shown, a serial record number may be assigned to each record, and the stacking sequence may be represented by this sequence of record numbers. In this way, in step SB12 of FIG. 7, it is only necessary to exchange the record number without physically exchanging the i-th record and the j-th record, and the time required for determining the loading order can be shortened. it can.
[0060]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the booklet stacking apparatus control method and system of the present invention, the position information is generated from the information defining the center coordinates of the booklet frames arranged in the pallet frame and the coordinates of each end point. Is done. By supplying this position information to the bookbinding apparatus in the order corresponding to the stacking order of the books, a plurality of books are stacked on the stacking pallet in a desired stacking pattern. That is, the printing book stacking apparatus has an effect that it can easily cope with various size printing books and various loading patterns. In addition,The waterWhen moving in a flat approach direction and stacking at a desired stacking position, the stacking order is determined based on the position information and the approaching direction so that the booklets do not contact each other during stacking. That is, each booklet isWaterIt is possible to enter from a flat direction, and the interval between each printing book can be reduced. For these reasons, there is an effect that it is possible to improve the loading work efficiency by the bookbinding device.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a schematic configuration of a bookbinding device control system 6 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a block diagram showing a specific configuration of the system 6. FIG.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a process corresponding to a registration program.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing processing corresponding to a selection program.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing corresponding to a communication program.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an output screen 13a.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a process for determining a loading order.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of an output screen 13a.
FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram showing a data image on a RAM.
FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram showing a data image on a RAM.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the shape of the printing book 1;
FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the shape of the loading pallet 2;
FIG. 13 is an overhead view of a stacking pallet 2 on which a plurality of printing books 1 are stacked.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 copy
1G bookbinding frame
2 Loading pallets
2G pallet frame
3 Information creation and registration means
4 search selection means
5 Communication means
6 Booklet stacker control system

Claims (4)

A booklet stacking apparatus control method for controlling a plurality of booklet stacking apparatuses that stack a plurality of rectangular parallelepiped-shaped booklets at a standby position on a stacking surface of a rectangular parallelepiped stacking pallet based on preset stacking information. ,
A pallet frame display process for causing the image display device to display the entire pallet frame having a vertical length and a horizontal length that match the loading surface;
A process subsequent to the pallet frame display process, in which the image display device sequentially displays on the image display device the book frame whose longitudinal length and lateral length match the upper or lower surface of the book. A book frame arrangement process in which each book frame is arranged in an arbitrary direction in the pallet frame without overlapping each other;
A stacking information creating process for creating the stacking information based on position information defining the coordinates of the center point and each end point of each bookbinding frame placed in the bookbinding frame placing process and the stacking order of each bookbinding book; Have
In the stacking information creating process, when the stacking apparatus determines the stacking order in which the booklet stacking apparatus moves the booklet in a horizontal approach direction and stacks the booklet at a desired stacking position, the stacking order is determined. And whether or not the end point of the subsequent placed book frame exists in the area obtained based on the position and each position information corresponding to the placed book frame whose stacking order is not determined, When the end point of the subsequent arranged book frame exists in the area, the stacking order of the position information forming the area and the position information having the end point of the subsequent arranged book frame is switched < A method for controlling a bookbinding device, characterized in that: A booklet for controlling a booklet stacking apparatus that stacks a plurality of rectangular parallelepiped-shaped booklets at a standby position on a stacking surface of a rectangular parallelepiped loading pallet based on stacking information including preset position information and stacking order. A loading device control system,
Information creation registration means for creating and storing the loading information in accordance with an instruction from an operator;
Search selection means for extracting loading information according to the instructions of the operator from the information creation registration means;
Communication means for supplying position information in the stacking information extracted by the search selection means to the bookbinding apparatus in an order corresponding to the stacking order in the stacking information ;
The information creation registration unit includes an order reference point that serves as a reference for determining a loading order when the printing book stacking apparatus moves the printing book in a horizontal approach direction and loads the book at a desired loading position, and a loading order. Detecting whether there is an end point of a subsequent placed book frame in the region obtained based on each position information corresponding to the placed book frame for which no determination has been made, and When there is an end point of a subsequent placed book frame, the stacking order of the position information forming the area and the position information having the end point of the subsequent placed book frame is switched. Characteristic booklet stacker control system.   2. The printing book stacking apparatus control method according to claim 1, wherein in the stacking information creation step, sorting is performed in advance in order of decreasing distance between the order reference point and the bookbinding frame included in the position information.   4. The printing book stacking apparatus control system according to claim 3, wherein the information creation / registration unit sorts in advance in the order of decreasing distance between the order reference point and the printing book frame included in the position information.

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