JP7415504B2 - Post-processing equipment and image forming system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a post-processing device and an image forming system that cut sheets.

2. Description of the Related Art Post-processing devices are known that cut the outer edge of a sheet printed by an image forming apparatus or cut it to a desired size.
Some of these post-processing devices allow the user to set the amount of cutting at the leading edge and trailing edge in the transport direction by inputting keys on the operating unit in order to cut the desired size. (For example, see Patent Document 1).
Additionally, if the cutting amount at the leading end of the sheet is less than the required length, poor conveyance or cutting will occur.Therefore, there are known post-processing devices that predetermine the minimum cutting amount when cutting (for example, (See Patent Document 2).

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-6605 Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-137628

However, even if the cutting settings are adjusted as in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, it is difficult to adjust the balance of the side edges on both sides of the sheet in the conveying direction, and there is a risk of bending in the conveying direction. there were.

An object of the present invention is to perform cutting while conveying more appropriately.

The post-processing device according to the present invention includes:
a conveying means for conveying the sheet;
a cutting means for cutting along the conveyance direction one end side and the other end side of the sheet conveyed by the conveyance means in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction;
Regarding the conveyance load due to cutting on the one end side of the sheet conveyed by the conveyance means, first load information including cutting conditions for cutting the sheet, and regarding the conveyance load due to cutting on the other end side. and second load information including cutting conditions for cutting the sheet ;
determination means for determining whether or not cutting of the sheet is prohibited based on the first load information and the second load information;
It is characterized by having the following.

Further, the image forming system according to the present invention includes:
a conveying means for conveying the sheet;
an image forming means for forming an image on the sheet;
a cutting device that cuts one end portion and the other end portion of the sheet transported by the transportation device in a direction orthogonal to the transportation direction along the transportation direction;
Regarding the conveyance load due to cutting on the one end side of the sheet conveyed by the conveyance means, first load information including cutting conditions for cutting the sheet , regarding the conveyance load due to cutting on the other end, an acquisition means for acquiring second load information including cutting conditions for cutting the sheet ;
determination means for determining whether or not cutting of the sheet is prohibited based on the first load information and the second load information;
It is characterized by having the following.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a post-processing device or an image forming system that performs cutting while conveying more appropriately.

1 is a configuration diagram of an image forming system in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of an image forming system. This is a display example of a settings input screen. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing parameters related to the cutting position along the paper conveyance direction. This is an example of an error message displayed during processing. This is an example of a highlighted display displayed during processing. 12 is a flowchart showing the processing of the CPU when setting the back position. 7 is a flowchart showing other processing of the CPU when setting the finished size. 12 is a flowchart showing the processing of the CPU when calculating the near side position and the number of artifacts. 7 is a flowchart showing processing by a CPU that determines conditions for prohibiting cutting.

[Overview of image forming system]
Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, the scope of the invention is not limited to the illustrated example.
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an image forming system 100 in an embodiment of the present invention. The image forming system 100 includes an image forming apparatus 10 as an image forming means that forms an image on a paper P as a sheet, a post-processing apparatus 20 that performs a cutting process on the paper P on which an image has been formed by the image forming apparatus 10, It is configured with.

The image forming apparatus 10 forms an image on the paper P according to an operation instruction input from the operation display section 18 or an image formation instruction received from a PC (Personal Computer) or the like via a communication network. The image forming apparatus 10 carries out the paper P on which the image has been formed to the post-processing apparatus 20 .
The image forming apparatus 10 includes a paper feeding section 15, an image reading section 16, an image forming section 17, an operation display section 18, and the like.

The paper feed unit 15 includes a plurality of paper feed trays T1 to T3 that can accommodate paper P of different sizes, types (paper types), basis weights, etc., and the sheets are stored in designated paper feed trays T1 to T3. The paper P is supplied to the image forming section 17.

The image reading unit 16 reads a document and generates image data. Specifically, the image reading unit 16 uses a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor or the like to read the reflected light emitted from the light source and reflected by the document.

The image forming section 17 forms an image on the paper P. The image forming section 17 charges the photoconductor with a charging section, exposes and scans the photoconductor with a laser beam emitted by an exposure section based on image data to form an electrostatic latent image, and forms an electrostatic latent image using a developing section. The image is developed with toner, the toner image is transferred onto paper P by a transfer section, and the toner image is fixed onto paper P by a fixing section.

The operation display unit 18 is configured by an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and includes a display unit that displays various screens, and an operation unit configured by a touch panel and various keys stacked on the display unit. The operation display section 18 outputs operation signals input by touch operations or key operations to the CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11 (see FIG. 2).

[Post-processing device]
The post-processing device 20 is a cutting machine that performs cutting processing on the paper P. The post-processing device 20 performs cutting processing on the paper P carried in from the image forming device 10 as necessary, and discharges the product created by the cutting processing onto paper output trays T11, T12 or card tray T13. .
The post-processing device 20 includes a conveyance path D1, a cutting device 30, a sensor 27, a waste box 29, and the like.

The conveyance path D1 is also provided with a long paper conveyance path D2 that branches from the conveyance path D1 and merges downstream thereof. The long paper transport path D2 is used as a buffer when transporting long paper.
Furthermore, conveyance rollers 35 are provided in the conveyance paths D1 and D2 to convey the paper P by rotation of a pair of rollers provided to sandwich the paper P on the front and back sides at a prescribed interval along each path. There is.

The cutting device 30 as a cutting device performs a cutting process to cut the paper P being conveyed. The cutting device 30 includes FD cutting sections 31 to 33 and a CD cutting section 34 at a plurality of positions on the sheet P conveyance path D1.
The FD cutting units 31 to 33 are slitters that cut the paper P along the feed direction F. The FD cutting units 31 and 32 respectively cut the ends (rear side and front side) in a direction C parallel to the plane of the paper P and perpendicular to the transport direction F (hereinafter referred to as the "orthogonal transport direction"). It's a slitter.
The FD cutting unit 33 is a gutter cutting slitter that cuts the margins between adjacent products in the direction C orthogonal to the conveyance direction C of the paper P along the conveyance direction F.
The FD cutting section 33 is equipped with a plurality of pairs of blades that perform gap cutting when dividing the paper P into a plurality of pieces in the transport orthogonal direction C, and each pair of blades can individually cut the paper P. It is possible to switch between the position and the retreat position. In other words, it is possible to select the number of blades forming a pair for cutting, and the number of divisions of the sheet P can be changed.
Further, although the interval between the pair of blades in the direction C orthogonal to the conveyance direction C is fixed, it is possible to adjust the position of each pair in the direction C orthogonal to the conveyance direction.
The FD cutting sections 31 to 33 are equipped with, for example, an actuator such as a motor (not shown), and can adjust the cutting position in the transport orthogonal direction C within a specified range. Thereby, cutting can be performed along the conveyance direction F at a position that is a specified distance from both ends of the paper P in the conveyance direction C orthogonal to the conveyance direction C.

The CD cutting section 34 is a guillotine cutter that cuts the paper P along the direction C orthogonal to the conveyance direction. The CD cutting section 34 can arbitrarily adjust the cutting position of the paper P in the transport direction F by cooperating with the transport roller 35.

The sensor 27 detects cutting waste at a predetermined position in the depth direction (Z direction shown in FIG. 1) in the waste box 29, and outputs the detection result to the CPU 21 (see FIG. 2). That is, the sensor 27 detects that a certain amount of cutting waste has been loaded in the waste box 29.

The waste box 29 is installed below the cutting device 30 and stores cutting waste generated during the cutting operation of the cutting device 30 and falling from the cutting device 30. The user opens the door of the post-processing device 20, takes out the waste box 29, and discards the cutting waste in the waste box 29.
This waste box 29 has a discharge port of a predetermined size below the falling position of the cutting waste in the FD cutting units 31 to 33 and the CD cutting unit 34, and the cutting waste in each of the cutting units 31 to 34 is discharged from each of the cutting parts 31 to 34. The structure is such that the cutting waste is thrown into the waste box 29 through the outlet. Further, each of the discharge ports of the FD cutting sections 31 to 33 is formed of a long rectangular opening along the transport direction F, and the discharge port of the CD cutting section 34 is formed of a long rectangular opening along the transport direction C. It consists of an opening.

[Control system of image forming system]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the image forming system 100.
The image forming apparatus 10 includes a CPU 11, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Unit) 13, a storage section 14, a paper feed section 15, an image reading section 16, an image forming section 17, an operation display section 18, and a communication I/O section. Equipped with F (InterFace) 19 etc. Descriptions of the functional units that have already been described will be omitted.

The CPU 11 reads out a program stored in the ROM 12, loads it in the RAM 13, and controls the operation of each part of the image forming apparatus 10 in cooperation with the loaded program.
The ROM 12 is composed of a nonvolatile semiconductor memory or the like, and stores a system program, various processing programs executable on the system program, various data, and the like.
The RAM 13 is composed of a volatile semiconductor memory, etc., and forms a work area that temporarily stores programs, input or output data, parameters, etc. read from the ROM 12 in various processes executed by the CPU 11. .

The storage unit 14 is composed of an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a nonvolatile semiconductor memory, and the like, and stores various data.
The communication I/F 19 includes a NIC (Network Interface Card), a modem, and the like, and transmits and receives data to and from the post-processing device 20 and a PC (Personal Computer).

The post-processing device 20 includes a CPU 21, a ROM 22, a RAM 23, a storage section 24, a paper transport section 25, a setting input section 26, a sensor 27, a communication I/F 28, a cutting device 30, a leading edge detection means 36, and the like.

The CPU 21, the ROM 22, and the RAM 23 are the same as the CPU 11, the ROM 12, and the RAM 13, except that the post-processing device 20 is controlled by the CPU 21.

The storage unit 24 is composed of an HDD, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory, etc., and stores various data. The storage section 24 as a storage means stores various parameters of the cutting position for cutting the paper P, their settable numerical value ranges, conditions for prohibiting cutting, and the like.

The paper conveyance unit 25 is composed of a plurality of conveyance rollers 35 provided along the conveyance paths D1 and D2, and discharges the paper P carried in from the image forming apparatus 10 to the paper discharge trays T11 and T12 or the card tray T13. Transport until.

A communication I/F 28 serving as a communication unit includes a NIC, a modem, and the like, and transmits and receives data to and from the image forming apparatus 10.

The setting input section 26 is configured with an LCD and includes a display section that displays various screens, and an operation section that is configured with a touch panel and various keys stacked on the display section. The setting input unit 26 outputs an operation signal input by touch operation or key operation to the CPU 21.
Further, the setting input section 26 functions as a setting means for setting various parameters that are the cutting position of the sheet P of the post-processing device 20.

The leading end detection means 36 is provided at a position immediately before and upstream (hereinafter also referred to as rear side) of the cutting device 30 in the transport direction in the transport path D1. The leading edge detection means 36 is a sensor that detects the downstream (hereinafter also referred to as front side) end (referred to as the leading edge) of the paper P being transported in the transport direction. For example, any sensor capable of detecting the passage of the leading edge of the paper P can be used. Examples include a photointerrupter that optically detects the tip, a microswitch that detects by contact, and the like.
The CPU 21 reads the driving rotation speed of each transport roller 35 after the leading edge of the paper P is detected by the leading edge detection means 36, and can recognize in which position of the transport path D1 the leading edge of the paper P is located. can. Then, the CPU 21 controls each of the cutting sections 31 to 34 of the cutting device 30 to cut the transported paper P at an appropriate timing.

[Settings related to cutting work]
An overview of the settings related to the cutting work to be executed by the post-processing device 20 will be explained based on the display example of the setting input screen shown in FIG. 3 and the explanatory diagram showing the setting targets of the paper P shown in FIG. 4.
The above setting input operation is performed from the setting input unit 26 of the post-processing device 20, and the setting input screen shown in FIG. 3 is displayed on the display unit included in the setting input unit 26.
Note that the specific numerical values shown in the following description are merely examples, and are not limited thereto.

Setting parameters required for the cutting operation include parameters related to the paper size and the cutting position along the conveyance direction F.
The paper size consists of a paper size that is the width in the transport direction F of the paper P to be cut, and a paper size L2 that is the width in the orthogonal transport direction C. The setting values for these paper sizes L2 are set in advance by multiple combinations. are prepared, and it is determined by selecting one from them. Note that it may be possible to input the numerical values of these paper sizes L2 individually.

[Parameters related to the cutting position along the conveyance direction]
As shown in FIG. 4, the parameters related to the cutting position along the conveyance direction F include the first side where one end side (referred to as the back side) of the paper P in the conveyance direction C is cut in the conveyance direction F. "Back side position X2" as an edge cutting position, and "near side position "Position A2", "Number of products N2" which is the number of divisions when the paper P is divided into a plurality of parts in the transport orthogonal direction C, and the transport orthogonal position of each product when the paper P is divided into a plurality of parts in the transport orthogonal direction C. Examples include a "finished size Y2" which is the width in the direction C, and a "gutter cutting width Z2" which is the gap width in the transport direction C between products that are divided into a plurality of products in the transport direction C.

Note that the cutting performed on the paper P along the conveyance direction F includes cutting at the "rear side position There is a cutting that forms a cutting.
Among these, the cutting at "back position Indicates the cutting that forms the side edge on the near side of the product that will be on the near side.

Among these, the user can arbitrarily set numerical values for "rear side position X2" and "finished size Y2" from the setting input section 26. On the other hand, the "gutter cutting width Z2" has a fixed value because the interval between the pair of blades in the direction C orthogonal to the conveyance direction is fixed. The "gutter cutting width Z2" is set to, for example, 8 [mm].

Specifically, on the setting input screen shown in FIG. 3, the items ``back position'' and ``finished size (vertical width)'' are individually selected, and numerical values are input using the numeric keys. The minimum unit of numerical value that can be input is set to, for example, 0.1 [mm].
Regarding these numerical settings, the CPU 21 determines whether the numerical range of each input parameter is appropriate, and calculates the remaining parameters "front side position A2" and "number of products N2".
Note that "front position A2" and "number of products N2" are determined based on the settings of "back position X2" and "finished size Y2", so "front position A2" and "number of products N2" can also be said to be set indirectly.

[Setting the rear position]
The process executed by the CPU 21 when setting the "back position X2" will be described below. FIG. 5 is a display example of an error message displayed during processing, FIG. 6 is a display example of a highlight display displayed during processing, and FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the processing of the CPU 21 when setting parameters regarding the cutting position. be.

First, the CPU 21 determines whether or not the "rear side position X2" has been input from the setting input screen of FIG. It is determined whether the input value is equal to or greater than a predetermined lower limit value of "rear side position X2" (step T3).
That is, for the "back side position It is stored in the section 24.

When cutting the far end of the paper P along the conveyance direction F, if the distance from the far end to the cutting position is too small, the paper will not be cut and will bend, resulting in poor cutting. Therefore, a lower limit value (including a value larger than the actual lower limit value with some margin) that allows good cutting is determined in advance and prepared in the storage unit 24. For example, the lower limit value of the back position X2 is set to 8 [mm].

Note that it is also possible to set that cutting is not performed at the far end of the paper P, and in that case, 0 [mm] is input to the "back side position X2".
Therefore, when the CPU 21 determines that the input value of the "back side position X2" is less than the lower limit value, the CPU 21 determines whether the input value of the "back side position X2" is 0 [mm] (step T5).
Then, when the input value of "back side position X2" is 0 [mm], the CPU 21 determines that the set value of "back side position It is registered in the storage unit 24 that the end portion of the cut is not performed (step T13).

On the other hand, in step T5, if the set value of "back side position (Step T7). As the notification process, for example, an error message as shown in FIG. 5 indicating that the input value is outside the appropriate range is displayed on the setting input section 26. Note that the error message is not limited to being displayed as a pop-up as described above, and any other means capable of making the user aware of the error message can be used.
In this way, the setting input section 26 functions as a notification means by notifying that the input value of the rear side position X2 is outside the appropriate range.

Furthermore, when an operation to close the error message pop-up display is input, the CPU 21 displays a highlight on the setting input screen to let the user recognize the parameters that are outside the appropriate range, as shown in FIG. The setting input section 26 is controlled so as to perform the following steps (step T9).
It should be noted that, as long as it is possible to make the user aware of the parameters that are outside the appropriate range, the display is not limited to highlight display, and other display may be performed.

On the other hand, in step T3, if the input value for the back position X2 is equal to or greater than the lower limit value, the CPU 21 determines whether the input value for the rear position X2 is equal to or less than the upper limit value (step T11).
The cutting waste generated by cutting at the back position X2 becomes a long strip and falls into the waste box 29 through the discharge port located below the FD cutting section 31. In that case, if the cutting waste is wider than the width of the discharge port in the direction C perpendicular to the conveyance direction, it will not be able to pass through the discharge port and cause a blockage. It is necessary to set the value to be the same as the width or slightly smaller with some margin.
The upper limit value of the back position X2 is stored in the storage unit 24. For example, the upper limit value of the back side position X2 is set to 26 [mm].

If the input value of the back position Parameters that are out of range are highlighted (step T9).

On the other hand, if the input value for the back position X2 is less than or equal to the upper limit value, the CPU 21 registers the input value for the back position X2 as a set value in the storage unit 24 (step T13).
In addition, although the example in which the CPU 21 performs notification processing when the input value of the rear side position It is also possible to perform a process of automatically changing the value to a closer value and registering it in the storage unit 24.

Note that in order for the post-processing device 20 to convey the paper P straight along the conveyance direction F when performing cutting, the CPU 21 generates first load information indicating the conveyance load due to the cutting performed on the back side of the paper P. and second load information indicating the transport load due to cutting performed on the front side of the paper P. The storage unit 24 stores cutting prohibition conditions for determining whether cutting should be performed from the viewpoint of the balance of transport loads between the back side and the front side of the paper P using this load information as a judgment material, and the CPU 21 performs cutting only when the first load information and the second load information satisfy the cutting execution conditions. The determination of the conditions for prohibiting cutting will be described later.

The further the cutting position is from the center of the transport orthogonal direction C, the more it impedes the straightness of the paper P. Therefore, the information of the position where cutting is performed in the transport orthogonal direction C set as the "inner side position X2" ( The set value, which is greater than or equal to the lower limit value and less than or equal to the upper limit value) is registered in the storage unit 24 as first load information.
In addition, the presence or absence of cutting along the conveyance direction at one end and the other end in the direction orthogonal to the conveyance of the paper P also greatly affects the straightness of the paper P, so the above-mentioned cutting at the "back side position X2" is not performed. The information (setting value 0 [mm]) is also registered in the storage unit 24 as first load information.

[Finish size settings]
The process executed by the CPU 21 when setting the "finished size Y2" will be described below. This will be explained with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 8 which show the processing of the CPU 21 when setting parameters regarding the cutting position.
First, the CPU 21 determines whether or not the "finished size Y2" has been input from the setting input screen of FIG. 3 (step S1), and if the input has been made, the input value of the "finished size Y2" It is determined whether or not is equal to or larger than the lower limit of a predetermined "finished size Y2" (step S3).
The "finished size Y2" has a lower limit value and an upper limit value. The lower limit value is determined according to the movable range in the transport direction C of a pair of blades that perform cutting according to the gutter cutting width Z2 on one side of the product obtained by cutting in the transport direction C.
In addition, the upper limit value is when cutting with the gutter cutting width Z2 is not performed (when not dividing in the orthogonal transport direction C), and the setting value of "back side position X2" is subtracted from the setting value of "paper size L2". value as the upper limit.
The lower limit value of this finished size Y2 (including a value larger than the actual lower limit value with some margin) and the upper limit value are prepared in the storage unit 24.

If the input value of the finished size Y2 is less than the lower limit value, the CPU 21 displays the error message shown in FIG. 5 as a notification process (step S5), and displays the highlight of the parameter outside the appropriate range shown in FIG. Display is performed (step S7). In this case, "finished size Y2" is highlighted instead of "rear side position X2" shown in FIG.

On the other hand, if the input value of the finished size Y2 is equal to or greater than the lower limit value, the CPU 21 determines whether the input value of the finished size Y2 is equal to or less than the upper limit value (step S9).
If the input value of finished size Y2 exceeds the upper limit value, the CPU 21 displays the error message shown in FIG. 5 as a notification process (step S5), and displays the error message shown in FIG. is highlighted (step S7).
On the other hand, if the input value of the finished size Y2 is less than or equal to the upper limit value, the CPU 21 registers the input value of the finished size Y2 as a set value in the storage unit 24 (step S11).
Although an example has been shown where the input value of the finished size Y2 is less than the lower limit value or exceeds the upper limit value, the CPU 21 performs notification processing. Alternatively, a process may be performed in which the value is automatically changed to one of the two values and registered in the storage unit 24.

[Calculation of near side position and number of artifacts]
When the values of "rear side position X2" and "finished size Y2" are set, the CPU 21 calculates "near side position A2" and "number of products N2". The calculation process will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. 9 showing the process of the CPU 21 when setting parameters regarding the cutting position.

When the values of "paper size L2", "rear side position X2" and "finished size Y2" are set, the CPU 21 uses these set values and the fixed value of "gutter cutting width Z2" First, the "number of deliverables N2" is calculated (step S21).
As can be seen from FIG. 4, the "number of deliverables N2" has the relationship of the following equation (1) with "paper size L2", "rear side position X2", "finished size Y2", and "gutter cutting width Z2". holds true.
X2+Y2×N2+Z2×(N2-1)<L2 (1)
N2<(L2+Z2-X2)/(Y2+Z2) (2)

Calculate the value of the maximum "number of artifacts N2" that satisfies the above equation (2) by expanding equation (1). However, since N2 is a positive integer, the value obtained by rounding down the value of N2 determined by the above equation (2) to the first decimal place is set as N2.
Once the "number of products N2" is calculated, the following equation (3) holds true, so the "front side position A2" can be calculated (step S23).
A2=L2-(X2+Y2×N2+Z2(N2-1)) (3)

When the "near side position A2" is calculated, the CPU 21 determines whether the calculated value of the "near side position A2" is equal to or greater than a predetermined lower limit value of the "near side position A2" (step S25).
The lower limit of "front side position A2" is the same as the above-mentioned "back side position (including larger values) are prepared in the storage unit 24. For example, the lower limit value of the near side position A2 is set to 8 [mm].

In addition, as long as cutting is performed at the front edge of the paper P, it is necessary to set the above lower limit value or more, but each of "Paper size L2", "Back side position Depending on the value of , the calculated value of "front side position A2" may be 0 [mm]. When the "front side position A2" is 0 [mm], it means that the sheet P is not cut along the conveyance direction F at the front end of the sheet P.
Therefore, when the CPU 21 determines that the calculated value of the "near side position A2" is less than the lower limit value, the CPU 21 determines whether the calculated value of the "near side position A2" is 0 [mm] (step S27).
Then, when the calculated value of "front side position A2" is 0 [mm], the CPU 21 determines that the set value of "front side position A2" is 0 [mm], that is, the front side of paper P. It is registered in the storage unit 24 that the cutting of the end portion is not performed (step S35).

On the other hand, in step S27, if the calculated value of the "near side position A2" is not 0 [mm], it is assumed that a value less than the lower limit value has been calculated as the near side position A2, and the CPU 21 performs a notification process as shown in the figure. The error message shown in FIG. 5 is displayed (step S29), and the parameters that are outside the appropriate range shown in FIG. 6 are highlighted (step S31). In this case, the front side position A2 is not a parameter whose numerical value is arbitrarily set by the user, but is a numerical value determined by the set values of "back side position X2" and "finished size Y2", so the "back side position ” and “Finish size Y2” is highlighted.
In other words, the user is prompted to modify the numerical value of either or both of "back side position X2" and "finished size Y2".

On the other hand, if the calculated value of the near side position A2 is greater than or equal to the lower limit value, the CPU 21 determines whether the calculated value of the near side position A2 is less than or equal to the upper limit value (step S33).
In the case of the front side position A2 as well as the back side position The width needs to be the same as or slightly smaller than the width of the discharge port in the direction C orthogonal to the conveyance direction C, with some margin.
The upper limit value of the near side position A2 is stored in the storage unit 24. For example, the upper limit value of the near side position A2 is set to 26 [mm].

If the calculated value of the near side position A2 exceeds the upper limit value, as in the case of the lower limit value, the CPU 21 displays the error message shown in FIG. , "finished size Y2" is highlighted (step S31).
On the other hand, if the calculated value of the near side position A2 is less than or equal to the upper limit value, the CPU 21 registers the calculated value of the near side position A2 as a set value in the storage unit 24 (step S35).

In the case of the near side position A2, the cutting position is also a parameter that affects the straightness of the paper P, so the information on the position where cutting is performed in the conveyance orthogonal direction C set as the above-mentioned "front side position A2" (lower limit or higher) A set value below the upper limit) is also registered in the storage unit 24 as second load information.
Also, the presence or absence of cutting along the conveyance direction at one end and the other end in the direction perpendicular to the conveyance of the paper P greatly affects the straightness of the paper P, so the above-mentioned "near side position A2" is not cut. The information (setting value 0 [mm]) is also registered in the storage unit 24 as second load information.

In addition, the above-mentioned "Number of Deliverables N2", "Paper Size L2", "Back Position In this case, the position where the gutter cutting is performed, which is the dividing position of the plurality of products in the transport orthogonal direction C, is also determined.

[Judgment based on conditions prohibiting cutting]
As described above, the post-processing device 20 has two cutting prohibition conditions stored in the storage unit 24, and when all the setting parameters necessary for the cutting operation are acquired, the post-processing device 20 stores the above-mentioned first load information and the first load information. Based on the second load information, it is determined whether or not the cutting prohibition condition is met.
The first cutting prohibition condition is that only one of the cutting on the back end side of the paper P and the cutting on the front end side of the paper P is to be performed.
The second condition for prohibiting cutting is the distance from the tip of the back end of the paper P to the back position X2, and the distance from the tip of the front end of the paper P to the near side position A2. The difference in distance is outside the allowable range.

Hereinafter, the process of determining two cutting prohibition conditions executed by the CPU 21 will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. 10 with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 described above.

First, the CPU 21 determines whether or not the first load information registered in the storage unit 24 includes information (setting value 0 [mm]) not to perform cutting at the "back side position X2" (step S41 ).
At this time, if the first load information includes information (set value 0 [mm]) that does not perform cutting at "back position It is determined whether information (calculated value 0 [mm]) not to be executed is included (step S43).
If the second load information also includes information (calculated value 0 [mm]) that does not cut at the "front side position A2", then the rear end and the front end of the paper P are Although no cutting is performed on any of the copies, the prohibition condition does not apply, and only the gutter cutting is performed according to the gutter cutting width Z2 that divides the paper into a plurality of pieces in the transport orthogonal direction C (step S45). .

On the other hand, in step S43, if the second load information does not include information not to perform cutting at "front side position A2" (calculated value 0 [mm]), the condition for prohibiting cutting is met, and cutting is not performed. The CPU 21 displays the error message shown in FIG. 5 as a notification process (step S47), and highlights the parameters to be corrected shown in FIG. 6 (step S49). In this case, in FIG. 5, it is displayed that various parameters are inappropriate, and in addition to the "back position X2" in FIG. 6, "finished size Y2" is highlighted.

In addition, in step S41, if the first load information does not include information (setting value 0 [mm]) not to perform cutting at the "back side position X2", the second load information includes "front side position A2 ” (step S51).

If the second load information includes information not to perform cutting at the "front side position A2" (calculated value 0 [mm]), the cutting prohibition condition is met, and the cutting is not performed. The CPU 21 displays the error message shown in FIG. 5 as a notification process (step S47), and highlights the parameters to be corrected shown in FIG. 6 (step S49).

On the other hand, in step S51, if the second load information does not include information (calculated value 0 [mm]) not to perform cutting at the "front side position A2", the "back side position A2" included in the first load information The distance from the tip of the back end of paper P to the back position X2 and the distance of paper P It is determined whether the distance difference α between the tip of the near end and the distance from the near side position A2 is outside the allowable range (step S53).
Note that the numerical value of the distance difference α is, for example, 10 [mm], and is stored in advance in the storage unit 24.

For example, in step S51, if the distance difference is larger than the distance difference α that is the allowable range, the cutting prohibition condition is met, the cutting is not performed, and the CPU 21 sends an error message as shown in FIG. 5 as a notification process. is displayed (step S47), and the parameters to be corrected shown in FIG. 6 are highlighted (step S49).
On the other hand, if the distance difference is within the distance difference α in step S51, cutting is performed according to each setting parameter (step S55).

[Technical effects of embodiments of the invention]
The post-processing device 20 of the image forming system 100 obtains first load information indicating the transport load due to cutting performed at the rear end of the paper P and the paper P based on the cutting parameters of the paper P set by the setting input unit 26. The CPU 21 functions as an acquisition means for acquiring second load information indicating the conveyance load due to cutting performed at the front end of the sheet, and stores cutting prohibition conditions based on the first load information and the second load information. A storage section 24 is provided.
Therefore, if the setting includes an element that obstructs the straightness of conveyance due to the conveyance load on the back side and the conveyance load on the near side in the orthogonal conveyance direction C of the paper P, this can be prevented by the cutting prohibition condition. Therefore, the paper P can be cut while maintaining high straightness, and highly accurate cutting can be performed.

Further, as the above-mentioned cutting prohibition condition, only one of the cutting of the rear end of the paper P and the cutting of the front end of the paper P is performed.
If paper P is trimmed only on either the back side or the front side, there will be a large difference in conveyance load between the back side and the front side, but this is prohibited, so the paper P has high straightness. It is possible to perform cutting while maintaining the same, and it is possible to perform cutting with high precision.

Other cutting prohibition conditions include the distance from the tip of the back end of the paper P to the back position X2, and the distance from the tip of the front end of the paper P to the near side position A2. It is assumed that the distance difference α is outside the allowable range.
If the cutting positions on the back and front sides of the paper P are significantly different distances from the tip of each edge, a difference in moment due to a large conveyance load will occur between the back and front sides. Since this is prohibited, the sheet P can be cut while maintaining high straightness, and highly accurate cutting can be performed.

Further, the post-processing device 20 is equipped with a setting input unit 26 as a setting means for setting the back position X2 and finished size Y2, so these values can be set arbitrarily, making the setting work easy. Moreover, it becomes possible to carry out the process quickly.
Furthermore, since the CPU 21 as an acquisition means determines the near side position A2 from the back side position X2 and the finished size Y2, there is no need to obtain and input the near side position A2 by measurement or calculation, making the setting work easy and It becomes possible to do it quickly.

Furthermore, the CPU 21 as an acquisition means also determines the position where gutter cutting is performed, which is the dividing position of the product when a plurality of products are formed in line in the transport orthogonal direction C, from the back position X2 and the finished size Y2. Therefore, there is no need to measure or calculate and input the position where the gutter cutting is to be performed, and the setting work can be performed easily and quickly.

Further, the CPU 21 as an acquisition means sets only one finished size Y2, which is the size of each product in the transport orthogonal direction C, even when a plurality of products are formed side by side in the transport orthogonal direction C. Therefore, the same finished size Y2 is adopted for all of the plurality of products, so various parameters including the dividing position are determined so that the widths of all the products in the transport orthogonal direction C are equal.
As a result, regardless of whether the number of products is odd or even, the cutting position at which the paper P is divided is approximately symmetrical with respect to the direction C perpendicular to the transport direction, and the transport load between the rear side and the front side in the orthogonal transport direction C is balanced, and the paper P It is possible to perform cutting while maintaining high straightness, making it possible to perform highly accurate cutting.

Further, the post-processing device 20 includes a setting input section 26 that functions as a notification means to notify when a cutting prohibition condition is met, so it notifies settings that inhibit the straightness of the paper P and prompts for correction. This makes it possible to perform cutting while maintaining high straightness of the paper P, and to perform cutting with high precision.

[others]
Note that the description in each of the above embodiments is an example of a post-processing device and an image forming system according to the present invention, and the present invention is not limited thereto. The detailed configuration and detailed operation of each part constituting the device can also be changed as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Further, the CPU 21, ROM 22, RAM 23, storage section 24, and setting input section 26 of the above-mentioned post-processing device 20 are shared with the CPU 11, ROM 12, RAM 13, storage section 14, and operation display section 18 of the image forming apparatus 10. These configurations may be configured to execute processing for setting various parameters related to cutting of the post-processing device 20 and processing for determining whether a cutting prohibition condition applies.

Furthermore, an information processing terminal such as an external personal computer may be connected to the image forming apparatus 10 and the post-processing apparatus 20, and the information processing terminal may perform the processing performed by the CPU 21 of the post-processing apparatus 20 described above. Further, various cutting parameters may be input using an input interface such as a keyboard or a mouse provided on an information processing terminal such as a personal computer.
In that case, a configuration including an information processing terminal such as a personal computer may be regarded as an image forming system.

Further, in the above-mentioned post-processing device 20, the CPU 21 functions as an acquisition means to calculate the near side position A2, but the near side position A2 can be set to any numerical value using the setting input section 26. Good too. In that case, it is preferable that the CPU 21 determines whether the input value satisfies the range between the upper limit value and the lower limit value and whether cutting is to be performed.

Furthermore, in each of the above embodiments, a case has been described in which paper P is used as the sheet, but the material of the sheet is not limited to paper, and may be a sheet-shaped resin or the like.

10 Image forming device 11 CPU
14 Storage section 17 Image forming section 18 Operation display section 20 Post-processing device 21 CPU (acquisition means)
24 Storage unit (storage means)
26 Setting input section 30 Cutting device (cutting means)
31 to 33 FD cutting section 34 CD cutting section 100 Image forming system A2 Front side position C Orthogonal conveyance direction F Conveyance direction P Paper (sheet)
X2 Back position Y2 Finished size (size in the direction perpendicular to the transport direction)
Z2 Ditch cutting width α distance difference

Claims (20)

a conveying means for conveying the sheet;
a cutting means for cutting along the conveyance direction one end side and the other end side of the sheet conveyed by the conveyance means in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction;
Regarding the conveyance load due to cutting on the one end side of the sheet conveyed by the conveyance means, first load information including cutting conditions for cutting the sheet, and regarding the conveyance load due to cutting on the other end side. and second load information including cutting conditions for cutting the sheet ;
determination means for determining whether or not cutting of the sheet is prohibited based on the first load information and the second load information;
A post-processing device comprising: The first load information includes whether cutting is performed on the one end side,
The second load information includes whether or not cutting is performed on the other end side,
The determining means determines that cutting of the sheet is prohibited when only one of the cutting on the one end side and the cutting on the other end side is performed. 1. The post-processing device according to 1. The first load information includes a first side end cutting position indicating a cutting position on the one end side,
The second load information includes a second side end cutting position indicating a cutting position on the other end side,
The determining means determines that a distance difference between a distance from the tip of the one end to the first side edge cutting position and a distance from the tip of the other end to the second side edge cutting position is outside an allowable range. 3. The post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the post-processing apparatus determines that cutting of the sheet is prohibited when the following occurs. 4. The apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a setting means for setting the first side edge cutting position and a size in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of a product formed by cutting along the conveyance direction. Post-processing device. The acquisition means determines the second side edge cutting position from the first side edge cutting position and the size of the product in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction, which is formed by cutting along the conveying direction. The post-processing device according to claim 4, characterized by: The acquisition means is configured to arrange the first side end cutting position and the size of the product in the direction perpendicular to the transport direction, which is formed by cutting along the transport direction, to arrange the products in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction. The post-processing apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the post-processing apparatus determines division positions of the product when a plurality of products are formed. The obtaining means determines the dividing position so that, when a plurality of products are formed in a line in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction, the sizes of the products in the direction perpendicular to the transport direction are all equal. The post-processing device according to claim 6. The post-processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a notification unit that notifies when the determination unit determines that cutting of the sheet is prohibited . comprising a storage means for storing a prohibition condition for prohibiting cutting of the sheet based on the first load information and the second load information;
The post-processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the determination unit determines whether or not cutting of the sheet is prohibited based on the prohibition condition. The post-processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising receiving means for receiving cutting conditions for cutting the sheet. a conveying means for conveying the sheet;
an image forming means for forming an image on the sheet;
a cutting device that cuts one end portion and the other end portion of the sheet transported by the transportation device in a direction orthogonal to the transportation direction along the transportation direction;
Regarding the conveyance load due to cutting on the one end side of the sheet conveyed by the conveying means, first load information including cutting conditions for cutting the sheet , and regarding the conveyance load due to cutting on the other end, acquisition means for acquiring second load information including cutting conditions for cutting the sheet ;
determination means for determining whether or not cutting of the sheet is prohibited based on the first load information and the second load information;
An image forming system comprising: The first load information includes whether cutting is performed on the one end side,
The second load information includes whether or not cutting is performed on the other end side,
The determining means determines that cutting of the sheet is prohibited when only one of the cutting on the one end side and the cutting on the other end side is performed. 12. The image forming system according to 11 . The first load information includes a first side end cutting position indicating a cutting position on the one end side,
The second load information includes a second side end cutting position indicating a cutting position on the other end side,
The determining means determines that a distance difference between a distance from the tip of the one end to the first side edge cutting position and a distance from the tip of the other end to the second side edge cutting position is outside an allowable range. 13. The image forming system according to claim 11 , wherein the image forming system determines that cutting of the sheet is prohibited when the following occurs. 14. The apparatus according to claim 13 , further comprising a setting means for setting the first side edge cutting position and a size in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of a product formed by cutting along the conveyance direction. Image forming system. The acquisition means determines the second side edge cutting position from the first side edge cutting position and the size of the product in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction, which is formed by cutting along the conveying direction. The image forming system according to claim 14 . The acquisition means is configured to arrange the first side edge cutting position and the size of the product in the direction perpendicular to the transport direction, which is formed by cutting along the transport direction, to The image forming system according to claim 14 or 15, further comprising determining division positions of the product when a plurality of products are formed. The obtaining means determines the dividing position so that, when a plurality of products are formed in a line in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction, the sizes of the products in the direction perpendicular to the transport direction are all equal. The image forming system according to claim 16 . The image forming system according to any one of claims 11 to 17, further comprising a notification unit that provides notification when the determination unit determines that cutting of the sheet is prohibited . comprising a storage means for storing a prohibition condition for prohibiting cutting of the sheet based on the first load information and the second load information;
The image forming system according to any one of claims 11 to 18, wherein the determination unit determines whether or not cutting of the sheet is prohibited based on the prohibition condition. The image forming system according to any one of claims 11 to 19, further comprising a receiving unit that receives cutting conditions for cutting the sheet.

Images