JP4451021B2 - Folding machine group management system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention belongs to the technical field of printing. In particular, the present invention relates to a group management system that can monitor in real time the progress of work in a folding machine that folds a printed sheet.
[0002]
[Prior art]
On one printed matter, about 16 to 64 pages are laid out. If this single printed matter is properly folded, continuous page signatures can be obtained. Since one book has a total number of about several hundred pages, it is created by collating a plurality of signatures in an appropriate order. Therefore, when collating, all the signatures to be collated must be in order to prevent missing pages.
[0003]
In order to create all the signatures necessary for creating one book within almost a predetermined time, it is necessary to operate a plurality of folding machines in parallel. In order to achieve a balance in processing capacity for one collator, approximately one digit more folding machines are required, and in a relatively large bookbinding factory, the number of folding machines is extremely large. Become. Therefore, a work progress plan is prepared and managed based on the plan.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the actual work progress and surrounding environment are changing every moment. For example, the delivery status of sheet-fed printed materials to be folded (delivery time delay, insufficient number), folding machine operation status corresponding to various folding forms (concentration on specific folding machines, machine failure), one book This is a change in the progress of folding, etc. of all signatures necessary to create the signature. There are also requests for shortening delivery times from customers, specification changes, replacements, and the like. In order to respond to these changes in the situation, it is normal to re-plan the work progress.
[0005]
In order to reconstruct the work progress plan, it is necessary to grasp the actual work progress status (current state). Conventionally, the manager in charge of the department that manages the progress of work has contacted the person in charge of manufacturing in the department that performs the folding process by telephone, etc., and ascertained the status of the actual work progress. ing. However, when a situation change such as a trouble occurs, the person in charge of manufacturing often becomes busy with dealing with the situation and cannot be contacted. Therefore, there is a problem that when it is most necessary to accurately grasp in a short time, it becomes extremely difficult.
[0006]
The present invention has been made to solve the above problems. An object of the present invention is to provide a group management system that can monitor in real time the progress of work in a folding machine that folds a printed sheet.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The above problems are solved by the present invention described below.
In other words, the group management system according to claim 1 of the present invention is a group management system capable of monitoring the work progress in a folding machine that folds a printed sheet , and is fed in a feeder of the folding machine. By counting means for counting the number of printed sheets and outputting the input quantity, and by manual operation of the folding machine operator, the order number, folding number, number of output , start of folding machine operation, and temporary folding machine operation Input means for inputting work information including stop and stop of the folding machine, and a group of the above-mentioned operators, a group unit to which the operator belongs, or a group of each of the folding machines Based on the input quantity in the folding machine and the work information, the operation status including work time, stop time, number of stops, and efficiency in the group of the folding machines, and the group of the folding machines And editing means for generating a composed group management data from the work progress in, the operator units, each group belongs the operator or the one group, each added up for each location that is located in the folding machine, With respect to the operating status of the folding machine, operation, total stop, and stop are indicated by predetermined symbols, respectively, and the group management data is transferred to a system connected to the group management system and display means for displaying in time series Transfer means and output means for outputting group management data including folding machine number, order number, number of orders received, input quantity, and volume as receipts are provided.
[0018]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described. An example of the configuration of the group management system of the present invention is shown in FIG. In FIG. 1, 1 is a group of folding machines, 2 is a repeater, 3 is a group management system server, 4 is a production management system, 5 is a group of PCs (personal computers) as terminal devices for search and progress management. ).
[0019]
A group of folding machines 1 is composed of several tens of folding machines, and a folding machine number for specifying each of these folding machines is set. Each folding machine includes a counter and an input unit. The counter is a counting unit that counts the number of sheet-fed printed materials fed from the feeder, that is, the input quantity. The input unit is input means for an operator to input work information. The input quantity and work information are transferred together with the folding machine number to the server 3 of the group management system via a repeater.
[0020]
The repeater 2 serves as an interface between the server 3 and the group of folding machines 1.
[0021]
The server 3 is a server of the group management system. The server 3 outputs a data transfer request to the group of folding machines 1 via the repeater 2. Data transfer requests are made at predetermined intervals of about several seconds to several minutes. In response to the data transfer request, data transfer is performed from the group of folding machines 1, and the server 3 receives the data transfer via the relay. The server 3 updates data (input quantity, work information, etc.) relating to each of the group of folding machines 1 based on the data transfer received at the predetermined interval.
[0022]
The server 3 generates group management data based on the data (described later). The group management data generated by the server 3 includes forms (forms) such as work forms, purchase orders, delivery notes, etc. (described later), as shown as print output in FIG.
[0023]
The server 3 is connected to the production management system 4 via a communication line such as a LAN (local aria network). The server 3 inputs a data transfer request from the production management system 4 via the communication line. Then, the server 3 performs data transfer corresponding to the data transfer request to the production management system 4.
[0024]
The production management system 4 is not limited to a folding machine, and is intended for bookbinding machines such as a pasting machine, a collating machine, a three-side finishing cutting machine, a cover-wrapping machine, and the like. The production management system 4 is a system that performs data processing related to production management in these bookbinding machines. The group management system of the present invention can play a more effective role by operating in cooperation with the production management system 4. Since the contents of data processing unique to the production management system 4 are not directly related to the present invention, the description is omitted here.
[0025]
A group of PCs (personal computers) 5 are connected to the production management system 4 via a communication line such as a LAN. A group of PCs 5 is a terminal device for performing search and progress management using the production management system 4, and is provided in the president's office, production management department, each process, logistics department, and the like. The group management data generated in the group management system of the present invention can be displayed on the display of the group of PCs 5 via the production management system 4. With this display, the operator can monitor in real time the work progress status in the folding machine that folds the printed sheet, and can perform progress management, number management, operational efficiency management, and the like.
[0026]
Next, the operation of the group management system according to the present invention will be described. First, the process performed in each of the group of folding machines 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 2, and thereafter the process performed in the server 3 of the group management system will be described. .
First, in steps S1 and S2 of FIG. 2, the operator inputs “order number” and “fold number” from the input unit of the group management system provided in the folding machine. The input unit is provided with a part for setting a folding machine number, and the folding machine number can be registered as a set value that is not normally touched. The “order number” and “fold number” input by the operator and the registered “fold machine number” are transferred to the server 3 via the repeater 2 and are used as data relating to each of the group of folding machines 1. Saved.
[0027]
The order number is a number related to the item of the printed sheet to be folded (name of one book). Therefore, it is necessary to input a new item every time the folding machine is started. Even if the fold number changes, there is no need to input it again when folding the same item continuously.
The fold number is a number that identifies the signature of the printed sheet to be folded. Therefore, it is necessary to input a new signature every time the folding machine is started. When the operation of the folding machine is resumed after the operation of the folding machine is temporarily stopped, there is no need to input again.
[0028]
Next, in step S3, the operator starts operation of the folding machine.
Next, in step S4, the printed sheet is fed in the feeder of the folding machine.
Next, in step S5, the counter of the folding machine counts (counts up) the number of sheet prints fed from the feeder, that is, the “input quantity”. The input quantity counted by the counter is transferred to the server 3 via the repeater 2 at a predetermined timing and stored as data relating to each of the group of folding machines 1.
[0029]
Next, in step S6, it is determined whether or not it is the end of a series of folding processes. A series of folding processes is a folding process specified by an order number and a folding number. Therefore, the temporary stop of the folding machine due to the reloading of printed sheets in the feeder, the rest of the operator, etc. does not mean the end here. When the operator performs an input indicating the end of a series of folding processes (such as pressing a push button switch) at the input unit of the folding machine, the group management system determines the end of the operation of the folding machine.
[0030]
If not finished in step S6, the process returns to step S4 and the subsequent steps are repeated. That is, the operation of feeding the printed sheet (step S4) and counting up the count value (step S5) is continued.
On the other hand, when ending in step S6, the process proceeds to step S7.
[0031]
Next, in step S7, the operator inputs “volume” from the input unit of the group management system provided in the folding machine. The output is the quantity of products (non-defective products) obtained by excluding defective products from the input quantity. The operator knows the quantity of defective signatures generated during the adjustment operation of the folding machine, defective signatures caused by trouble, signatures removed for checking, and the like. Therefore, an accurate volume can be obtained by subtracting them from the input quantity. At that time, the operator refers to the count value of the counter provided in the paper discharge unit of the folding machine. If the number of signatures extracted after counting is subtracted from the count value of this counter, it is “volume”.
The volume data input by the operator is transferred to the server 3 via the repeater 2 and stored as data relating to each of the group of folding machines 1.
[0032]
The process performed in each of the group of folding machines 1 has been described above. Next, the process performed in the server 3 of the group management system will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
First, in step S31 of FIG. 3, data such as input quantity and work information (folding machine number, order number, folding number, input quantity) transferred from the group of folding machines 1 are received. The reception of these data is unordered data sequentially output from each of the group of folding machines 1 according to the work progress. The server 3 organizes and stores (updates) the data as data on the current status of each of the group of folding machines 1.
[0033]
Next, in step S32, the server 3 not only updates the data of the current situation, but also organizes and stores the data as work history data for each of the group of folding machines 1 based on the data. For example, when a series of folding processes are completed, the work performance data is stored.
[0034]
Next, in step S33, the server 3 determines whether there is a service request. The service request is a service request from a group of PCs 5 (see FIG. 1) connected to the production management system 4 via a communication line such as a LAN. This is a service request made by a person in charge at a department where each of the group of PCs 5 is installed for search and progress management. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the service request is transferred to the server 3 via the production management system 4. If there is no service request, the server 3 returns to step S31 and repeats the subsequent steps described above. If a service request exists, the process proceeds to step S34.
[0035]
Next, in step S34, the server 3 generates group management data (described later) corresponding to a service request from each of the group of PCs 5.
Next, in step S35, the server 3 transfers the generated group management data via the production management system 4 to each of the group of PCs 5 that have made service requests.
[0036]
Next, in step S36, it is determined whether or not to end the process in the server 3. When not ending (when continuing), it returns to step S31 and repeats the above-mentioned subsequent steps. When the process is terminated by an input for stopping the server 3, the process in the server 3 is terminated.
[0037]
The process performed in the server 3 of the group management system has been described above with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. Next, group management data generated in the server 3 of the group management system of the present invention will be described.
[0038]
FIG. 4 shows an example of group management data indicating the current status of work progress as a list of one group of folding machines. In FIG. 4, “machine number” is key information (index information), and “order number”, “product name”, “NO”, “fold name”, “counter”, and the like are tabulated as attribute values. Is shown as data. The “order number” and “fold name” are numerical values that specify the ongoing printed sheet. The “product name” is a specific name corresponding to the “order number”. “NO” is usually a number for identifying a fold name, but for a special fold, it is a specific number assigned in the manufacturing specification. The order number “counter” is the input quantity corresponding to the folding name. The distinction between “completed” and “advanced” indicates whether the folding process of the “folded name” has been completed or is in progress. Further, “01/05/10 11:28” is shown in the upper right column of the table as the date and time when the data was last updated.
[0039]
In the example shown in FIG. 4, both “order number” and “product name” are shown and are easier to understand. In order to generate this group management data, data describing the relationship between the “order number” and the “product name” is required. Even if the data is not input again in the group management system 3, the data can be generated by data processing in cooperation with the group management system 3 and the production management system 4.
[0040]
FIG. 5 shows an example of group management data indicating the current status and history of work progress in the designated order number. As shown in FIG. Data of all signatures that are parts of a book of 1,277,068 are shown. The “folding report No.” and “date” are used as key information, and the attribute values almost the same as those in FIG. 4 are shown. In FIG. 5, the history is also shown. In addition, “volume number” is shown as important information, and the current progress status of all signatures is shown. Also in FIG. 5, both “order number” and “product name” are shown and are easy to understand.
[0041]
FIG. 6 shows an example of the group management data indicating the operation status aggregated as a list of one folding machine for each folding factory, that is, for each place where each folding machine is installed. In FIG. 6, “Space” indicates operation, “■” indicates complete stop, and “=-” indicates stop (chocolate stop). Thus, the operating status is displayed graphically and is easy to understand.
In the group management system of the present invention, attribute values such as “work time”, “stop time”, “number of stops”, “A efficiency”, and the like are calculated based on this operation status, The group management data showing the details of the latest situation of the folding machine can be generated (not shown).
[0042]
An example of the group management data indicating the current status and history of work progress in the designated folding machine is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 002 data is shown. “Order number” and “Folding report No.” are used as key information, and “Counter” and “Number of output” are shown as attribute values. Their history is also shown. Also in FIG. 7, both “order number” and “product name” are shown and are easy to understand.
[0043]
FIG. 8 shows a screen on which a bookbinding contractor entrusted with the operation of the folding machine registers work results in the server. This registration is performed only once when the day's work is completed. When you enter the name of the bookbinding contractor, the operator's name or its ID (identification), the operated folding machine number, etc. (barcode input) on the server 3 contractor input screen, the results of work performed on that day are displayed. Is done. As shown in FIG. 8, “work machine number”, “order number”, “fold number”, “counter”, and “volume number” are shown as tabular data. When confirmation is performed on the screen and a registration instruction is given, the data is registered in the server 3.
[0044]
FIG. 9 shows an example of group management data printed out as a purchase order / receipt for a bookbinding consignor entrusted with the folding machine operation. This group management data is generated in association with the registration shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 9, the data of 2001 ○ month × day work of a bookbinding consignment company △△△ is shown as tabular data. Along with “folding machine number”, “order number”, and “number of received orders”, “counter (input quantity)” and “volume” are shown as performance data. Although not shown in FIG. 9, it is possible to automatically calculate the commission cost to the bookbinding contractor from these data.
[0045]
As described above, according to the group management system of the present invention, the number of folding machines is large, the number of items to be folded and the number of foldings are enormous, and information on folding generated from a group of folding machines. there is also a very complex and large capacity, when you want to know, anyone, promptly, Ki accurately, can be grasped in a form to organize the information, de is possible to realize an open information sharing environment, Troubles related to delivery such as insufficient number can be reduced, and the progress of work in the folding machine for folding sheet printed matter can be monitored in real time.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a pictorial diagram showing an example of a configuration in a group management system of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a process performed in each of a group of folding machines.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a process performed in a server of the group management system.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of group management data indicating the current status of work progress as a list of a group of folding machines 1;
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of group management data indicating the current status and history of work progress for each order number (item name).
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of group management data indicating an operation state totaled for each place where folding machines are installed as a list of a group of folding machines for each folding factory;
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of group management data indicating the operation status and history of a specified folding machine. FIG. 8 is a screen on which a bookbinding contractor entrusted with the operation of a folding machine registers work results on a server. FIG.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of group management data as a purchase order / receipt for a bookbinding contractor entrusted with the operation of a folding machine.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Group 1 folding machine 2 Repeater 3 Group management system server 4 Production management system 5 Group PC (personal computer) as a terminal device for search and progress management

Claims (1)

A group management system capable of monitoring work progress in a folding machine for folding sheet-fed printed matter,
Counting means for counting the number of sheet printed materials fed in the feeder of the folding machine and outputting the input quantity;
Input means for inputting work information including order number, folding number, output number, folding machine operation start, folding machine temporary stop, folding machine stop by manual operation of folding machine operator When,
Based on the input quantity and the work information in the group of the folding machines, which are tabulated for each operator unit, the group unit to which the operator belongs, or each place where the folding machines are installed, and the work information. An editing means for generating group management data composed of an operation status including work time, stop time, number of stops, and efficiency in the folding machine, and work progress status in the group of the folding machines ;
With respect to the operation status of the group of the folding machines, the operation unit, the group unit to which the operator belongs, or a group of the folding machines, each of which is installed, a predetermined symbol for operation, total stop, and stop, respectively. Display means for displaying in chronological order,
Transfer means for transferring the group management data to a system connected to the group management system;
Output means for outputting group management data including folding machine number, order number, number of copies received, input quantity, and output as a receipt;
A group management system comprising:

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