JPH05128217A - System for estimating cost of paper carton - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide the estimation system of the cost of a carton by which an estimating method can be easily changed. CONSTITUTION:This system is equipped with a graphic processing means (routine calling means 12, length of a blade calculating means 13, circumference calculating means 14, and chamfering calculating means 15) which decides the dimension of each part of the expanded shape of the carton, arrays the plural expanded shapes on printing paper, and calculates data for estimation to be used for the estimation of the cost of the carton, estimated cost calculating means 11 which calculates the estimated sum of the cost of the carton based on the data for estimation searched by the graphic processing means 12-15, and clip board 21 which transfers the data among those means. The graphic processing, means 12-15 are operated independently of the estimated cost calculating means 11, and the chip board 21 can be used in common. The data for estimation found by the graphic processing means 12-15 are temporarily written in the clip board 21, and transmitted to the estimated cost calculating means 11.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a system for estimating a paper container such as a paper package.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A cost estimate is generally calculated in consideration of material costs, processing costs and miscellaneous costs. When estimating the cost of a paper container (such as a paper box), it is necessary to obtain dimensional data of the developed shape of the paper container and data of the number of developed drawings that can be arranged on one sheet of printing paper. The process of determining the expanded shape of the paper container and arranging multiple expanded shapes on one sheet of printing paper (hereinafter simply referred to as “graphic processing”) is complicated, and it is quite difficult to do it manually. Takes time.

Nowadays, with the development of computer technology, the above graphic processing is often executed by using a CAD system. Then, a CA function is added to such a CAD system to estimate the cost of the paper container.
It is also considered to realize the D system. In such a case, it is usual to add a routine for calculating an estimate by using the variables used in the figure processing program of the CAD system.

Since the graphic processing is common regardless of the paper container manufacturer (paper container manufacturer), the same CAD system can be used by each manufacturer. However, the method of calculating the estimated amount based on the data obtained by the graphic processing is unique to each manufacturer, and it is difficult to use a common system. Therefore, there is a demand for a system in which a paper maker can freely set its own estimation method.

[0005]

However, since the CAD system has a complicated configuration of the entire system, there is a problem that it is difficult to change the estimation method even when the estimation method is to be changed according to the request of the user of the system. .. Specifically, CA
It was difficult for the papermaker to easily change the CAD system because it was necessary to examine the variables used in the graphics processing program of the D system and to modify the routine for the estimation calculation accordingly.

There has also been a demand for making an estimate using a computer already owned without introducing a new CAD system for estimating.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems in the prior art, and an object thereof is to provide a quotation system for a paper container in which the estimation method can be easily changed.

[0008]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the paper container estimation system according to the present invention determines the dimensions of each part of the developed shape of the paper container, and arranges a plurality of developed shapes on the printing paper. A graphic processing means for calculating the estimation data used for estimating the paper container; an estimated amount calculation means for calculating an estimated amount for the paper container based on the estimation data obtained by the graphic processing means; and the graphic processing. Means for operating the estimated amount calculation means independently, and a data mediating means for mediating the estimation data calculated by the graphic processing means to the estimated price calculation means.

[0009]

Since the graphic processing means and the estimated amount calculation means are separately provided, and further, the data mediating means which operates independently of these means and mediates the estimation data is provided, the estimation of the estimated amount calculation means is performed. The graphic processing means can be configured regardless of the method. Therefore, the estimation method in the estimated amount calculation means can be easily changed without considering the relationship with the graphic processing means.

[0010]

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a cost estimation system for estimating the cost of a paper container to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied. This cost estimation system is CPU
10, RAM 20, ROM 30, keyboard 40
A mouse 50 and a color CRT 60.
Further, a magnetic disk 71, a flexible disk 72, and a magneto-optical disk 73 are provided as external storage devices.

The CPU 10 includes an estimated amount calculation means 11 and
The fixed function calling unit 12, the blade crossing calculation unit 13, the circumferential length calculation unit 14, and the imposition calculation unit 15 perform the functions represented as five units. Of these, means 12 to 15 other than the estimated amount calculation means 11 correspond to graphic processing means. The contents of each means will be described later.

These means 11 to 15 are respectively realized by different application programs executed by the CPU 10. In this embodiment, Micros is used as a program for realizing the estimated amount calculation means 11.
Commercially available spreadsheet software programs such as oftExel and Lotus1-2-3 are used, and the programs for realizing the graphic processing means 12 to 15 are individually prepared programs. Further, these programs operate on a so-called multi-window system 10a (MS-Windows, Macintosh, etc.).

The RAM 20 has a clipboard 21 as a temporary data storage area. The clipboard 21 is a storage area that can be commonly used by the entire system without depending on the application program executed by the CPU 10. The use of the multi-window system has an advantage that the clipboard 21 that can be commonly used for each application program can be used.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a procedure for making an estimate. In step S1, the operator activates the estimated amount calculation program. When a spreadsheet program is used as the estimated amount calculation program, a worksheet (also called “spreadsheet”) dedicated to the estimated amount calculation is prepared in advance and displayed on the CRT 60. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing the displayed worksheet.

A function or a calculation formula is assigned to each cell C of the worksheet in advance. Screen menu bar MB
In the "Macro" part (the part for selecting the processing contents displayed at the top of the screen), "Standard call",
Macros of "blade crossing calculation", "perimeter calculation", and "imposition calculation" are registered in advance. A macro is a work that executes processing in accordance with a series of commands and operations in time series. As shown below, when the operator selects one of these macros, each means 12-1
The application program that realizes item 5 is executed.

In step S2, a routine call process is executed. This process is the process of creating the development view of the paper container.
It is executed by the fixed form calling means 12. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a general procedure of graphic processing, which is applied to each processing of a fixed call processing, a blade crossing calculation processing, a perimeter calculation processing, and an imposition calculation processing.

At step T1, an operator inputs data (hereinafter referred to as "argument") used for graphic processing into a predetermined cell of the worksheet. In the routine call process, for example, the "standard pattern file name" is input to the cell A1 (cell in the first row and column A), and the "file name of the expanded drawing" is input to the cell B1 as arguments. The "standard pattern file name" is the file name of the standard pattern data when the standard pattern of the paper container is read from the external storage device in step S21 described later. The "file name of the expanded drawing" is the file name used when storing the expanded drawing data of the paper container expanded with the actual dimensions in the external storage device.

In step T2, the operator operates the mouse 5
0 is used to select and execute a graphics processing macro. In the routine call processing, the macro of "routine call" is selected, and the program that realizes the routine call means 12 is activated in response to this selection.

In step T3, the range of cells in which the arguments used for graphic processing are input is selected according to the macro instruction, and the arguments written in the range are copied to the clipboard 21. When the arguments written in the adjacent cells are copied to the clipboard 21, each argument is stored in the clipboard in a tabbed format, and the data indicating a line feed is stored at the end of the data.
"Standard pattern file name" in the case of standard call processing
"Tab""File name of drawing after expansion""Line feed (CRL
The data arranged in the order of “F)” is stored in the clipboard 21.

In step T4, a program for performing graphic processing according to the macro is activated, and the spreadsheet program is in a sleep state during this period. To start the figure processing program, use Microsoft Exel (MS-Win
Dows version), use the EXEC function or APP.ACTIVATE function. FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the detailed procedure of a program for performing the routine call process. Step S21
Then, the fixed pattern data of the paper container designated by the “fixed pattern file name” is called from the magnetic disk 71. Then, in step S22, the developed view is displayed on the CRT 60. FIG. 6 shows the standard pattern S displayed.
The development view of P is shown. The fixed pattern data has outer shape variable data indicating the outer shape of the paper container, broken line variable data indicating the position of a broken line (also called a folding rule), and register mark position variable data indicating the position and shape of a register mark (also called a register mark). ing. In the standard pattern data, the size of each part (size of each surface of the paper container, width of folding (paste), radius of corner, etc.) and position are all represented by variable names.
On the CRT 60, in addition to the development view, the variable name to be input and the initial value of each variable are also displayed.

In step S23, the operator inputs actual dimensions and positions using the keyboard 40, and gives an instruction to execute the expansion. In step S24, the routine call unit 12 converts each variable into an actual size in response to the expansion instruction, and creates data representing the expanded shape of the actual size. The development drawing data expanded to the actual size is provided with the “file name of the expanded drawing” specified as an argument, and the magnetic disk 71
Stored in.

In step S25, data indicating the end state of the routine call process is written in the clipboard 21 as a return value. Specifically, "0" is written if no error occurs during the processing of steps S21 to S24, and "-1" is written if an error occurs.
When step S25 ends, in step T5 of FIG. 4, it is detected that the figure processing program has ended, and the next instruction of the macro is executed.

In step T6, the return value stored in the clipboard 21 is written (also referred to as "pasted") in a predetermined cell of the worksheet. In the case of the routine call process, the operator can determine whether the routine call process is normally executed by looking at the value of the end state written in this cell.

When the routine call process is completed, the process proceeds to step S3 in FIG. 2 and the development view is displayed on the CRT 60. This is performed by the operator selecting a drawing display macro and activating an application for drawing display. When the development view is confirmed by the operator, the blade crossover calculation process is executed in step S4. The blade crossover calculation is also executed according to the macro procedure shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 6, the blade crossings BSx, BSy
Is the width of the X coordinate and the Y coordinate of the rectangle circumscribing the developed view developed to the actual size. The blade crossing is used when calculating the number of man-hours such as foil stamping (pasting gold foil on a paper container) and box making (assembling paper container).

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the procedure for executing the blade crossing calculation processing program. The argument in the blade crossover calculation process is the drawing file name for which the blade crossover is to be calculated. This drawing file name is input to the cell at a predetermined position (for example, the cell of A2) in step T1 of FIG. 4 before the procedure of FIG. 7 is executed. On the other hand, the return values in the blade crossover calculation processing are the blade crossover BSx in the X-axis direction and Y.
Axial blade crossing BSy. In step S41 of FIG. 7, an argument (drawing file name is read from the clipboard 21 onto the RAM 20 and the drawing file is read from the magnetic disk 71.

The drawing file contains, as separate elements, line segments and arcs that form an outer diameter line (shown by a solid line in FIG. 6) and a fold line (shown by a broken line) in the developed view of the paper container. The data representing each element includes the coordinates of both end points of the line segment and the element shape (straight line, arc, etc.). In step S42, element data is read from the drawing file into the RAM 20 one element at a time. Then, in step S43
In, the XY coordinate values of the lower left point and the upper right point of the circumscribed rectangle of the element read in the RAM 20 are calculated. The coordinates of the lower left point are the minimum values of the X and Y coordinates of the circumscribing rectangle. The coordinates of the upper right point are the maximum values of the X and Y coordinates of the circumscribed rectangle. These coordinate values are stored in the RAM 20.

In step S44, compared with the minimum value of the X coordinate already stored in RAM 20, step S43
If the X coordinate of the lower left point obtained in step S4 is small, step S4
The coordinate value of the lower left point obtained in 3 is RA as a new minimum value.
It is stored in M20. The same applies to the Y coordinate. In step S45, the X already stored in the RAM 20
If the X coordinate of the upper right point obtained in step S43 is larger than the maximum value of the coordinates, the coordinate value of the upper right point obtained in step S43 is stored in the RAM 20 as a new maximum value. The same applies to the Y coordinate.

In step S46, if the elements forming the development view remain, the process returns to step S42 and the processes of steps S42 to S45 are repeated. In step S47, the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value of the X coordinate stored in the RAM 20 is obtained and set as the blade span BSx in the X axis direction. Also,
The difference between the maximum value and the minimum value of the Y coordinate is obtained, and is defined as the blade span BSx in the Y axis direction.

In step S48, the blade crossing BSx, BS
Copy y to the clipboard 21 as a return value. At this time, "blade crossing BSx", "tab""blade crossing BSy"
Data is written in the order of "line feed". Step S49
Then, the area of the RAM 20 used for storing the coordinate values of the lower left point and the upper right point is released, and the blade crossing calculation program is ended.

When step S49 ends, in step T5 of FIG. 4, it is detected that the program for blade crossover calculation has ended, and the next command (step T6) in the "blade crossover calculation" macro is executed.

At step T6, the return value (blade crossing BSx, BSy) stored in the clipboard 21 is pasted into a predetermined cell (for example, cell D2, E2) of the worksheet. When the blade crossover calculation is completed in this way,
Then, the processing shifts to step S5 and the circumference calculation processing is executed. The perimeter is a cumulative value of the lengths of the line segments and arcs included in the development view, and is used to calculate the price of the punched wooden pattern for punching out the developed paper container from the printing paper.

The circumference calculation processing is also executed according to the macro processing procedure of FIG. 4, and the circumference calculation program is executed in step T4. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the circumference calculation processing program.

As shown in FIG. 8, the arguments in the circumference calculation processing are "drawing file name", "first arc radius",
And "second arc radius", which are input to predetermined cells (for example, cells A3, B3, C3). Here, the “first arc radius” and the “second arc radius” are
It is the radius of two types of arcs included in the development view. The number of arc radii entered as an argument is the same as the number of arc radii defined for bending tools having different unit prices.

In step S51 of FIG. 8, the drawing file name is read from the clipboard 21 onto the RAM 20, and the drawing file is read from the magnetic disk 71. In step S52, element data is read from the drawing file into the RAM 20 one element at a time. Step S
In 53, if the element read on the RAM 20 is a straight line, the length of the straight line is calculated and added to the total perimeter of the straight line portion. When the element is an arc, the circumference of the arc is calculated and added to the total circumference of the arc portion.

In step S54, if the elements forming the development view remain, the process returns to step S52, and the processes of steps S52 and S53 are repeated. In step S55, the total circumference of the straight line portion, the total circumference of the first arc portion, and the second circumference
Clipboard 21 with the total circumference of the arc part of
To copy.

When step S55 ends, in step T5 of FIG. 4, it is detected that the program for calculating the circumference is completed, and the next instruction (step T6) in the macro "calculate circumference" is executed.

At step T6, the return value (three total circumferences) stored in the clipboard 21 is pasted into a predetermined cell (for example, cells D3, E3, F3) of the worksheet.

When the circumference calculation is completed in this way, the process proceeds to step S6 in FIG. 2 and the imposition calculation process is executed. The imposition calculation is a process of arranging a plurality of development views on a printing paper, and the type of printing paper to be used and the number of development views to be impositioned are determined by this. The result of the imposition calculation is used to calculate the cost of the processing process corresponding to the printing paper and its size.

The imposition calculation processing is also executed according to the macro processing procedure of FIG. 4, and the imposition calculation processing program is executed in step T4. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the imposition calculation processing program. Figure 10
FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing a state in which a plurality of developed views are arranged on a printing sheet. However, for simplification, the positions of the developed view arranged in 3 × 3 are shown by rectangles.

The arguments in the imposition calculation are as follows, as shown in the lower part of FIG. 9 (see FIG. 10). a) Drawing file name: File name of development drawing data b) Number of paper candidates: Number of candidate paper types c) Number of returned papers: For each paper candidate, in descending order of number (imposition number) Number indicating the number of simulation results to be returned d) Grip, gripper edge: Width of the part where the paper is held in the printing press e) Marginal right, Marginal left: Width of the left and right margins of the paper f) Grain: Basic Parameters that limit the imposition simulation g) Horizontal and vertical: Space between the closest areas of adjacent development views h) Paper name i) Paper size Wx, Wy: X-axis and Y-axis directions of printing paper width

These parameters are input by the operator into predetermined cells of the worksheet. Note that a)
To g) are entered in cells in the same row (eg, cells A4 to G4) on the worksheet, and parameters in h) and i) are entered in cells in the next row (eg, cell A).
5, B5). The lines in which the parameters h) and i) are input are repeated by the number of sheet candidates.

In step S61 of FIG. 9, the parameters a) to i) are read from the clipboard 21 into the RAM 20, and the data of the developed view designated by the drawing file name is read from the magnetic disk 71. Step S62
Then, from the value of "Dobu" specified as a parameter,
Basic parameters used in the imposition simulation (executed in step S63) are calculated.
This basic parameter includes the printing pattern (a pattern that indicates the order in which multiple images are printed when multi-sided printing of images on a paper container is performed by the breeding machine), and whether each development diagram is arranged upright or inverted. Data, a reference line (for example, a contour line at the left end of the development view) used when determining the positional relationship between the development views, and the like. In this embodiment, since imposition simulation is performed on one type of paper by 24 methods, 24 basic parameters are calculated.

In step S63, one sheet candidate is selected, and 24 imposition simulations are executed on the selected sheet candidate. Then, the imposition numbers obtained by the 24 simulations are rearranged in descending order, and the simulation results are copied to the clipboard 21 until the number of returns (the parameter c) is reached.
For example, when the number of returns is 10, ten simulation results are copied. The results of the simulation copied to the clipboard 21 are "imposition method name", "number of impositions in X and Y directions", "number of impositions", With attached blade WBx, WB
y (see FIG. 10) ". Step S63 is repeated for the number of sheet candidates designated by the parameter b) (step S64), and the results corresponding to the number of sheet candidates are written to the clipboard 21.

When step S64 is completed, it is detected that the imposition calculation program is completed in step T5 of FIG. 4, as in other graphic processing, and step T6 is executed. In step T6, the return value stored in the clipboard 21 is pasted into a predetermined cell on the worksheet.

When the imposition calculation process is completed in this way, FIG.
In step S7, the imposition diagram is displayed on the CRT 60. This is performed by the operator selecting a macro that launches the application for displaying the imposition diagram.

In step S8, the estimated amount is calculated and displayed on the CRT 60. Further, a quote is printed by a printer (not shown) as needed. The estimated amount is calculated according to a macro defined in advance by a spreadsheet program, based on the return value obtained in each of the graphic processes described above. The estimated amount may be calculated by using a predetermined function assigned to a predetermined cell.

The return value obtained in each figure process is
The data is written in predetermined cells at different positions. Therefore, if the spreadsheet program is used, the estimated value can be easily calculated according to a predetermined calculation formula by using the return values written in those cell positions.

As described above, if the calculation method of the estimated amount is defined in the spreadsheet program, there is an advantage that the estimation method can be easily changed according to the demand of the manufacturer of the paper container. In particular, the data of the development drawing and the array of multiple layouts used to calculate the estimated amount are calculated by a graphic processing program different from the spreadsheet program, and this is written in a predetermined cell of the worksheet of the spreadsheet program.
It is possible to construct a highly flexible estimation system that does not depend on the estimation method.

In particular, as in the above embodiment, if the parameters necessary for each graphic processing are input to the worksheet of the spreadsheet program and these parameters are passed to each graphic processing program through the clipboard 21, Graphic processing and estimation can be performed while switching between the spreadsheet program and each graphic processing program. On this occasion,
By preparing macros for starting a plurality of types of graphic processing programs, there is an advantage that each graphic processing can be easily started from the spreadsheet program.

Further, since the result calculated by the graphic processing is once written in the clipboard and is further written in the worksheet of the spreadsheet program, the graphic processing is performed so as to directly connect the spreadsheet program and the graphics processing program. No need to write a program. in this way,
Since various graphic processing programs may be independently produced without paying attention to the variables of the spreadsheet program, there is also an advantage that the entire system can be easily configured.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, but can be carried out in various modes without departing from the scope of the invention, and the following modifications can be made.

(1) The memory area of the clipboard 21 may be secured in the external storage device instead of the RAM 20. Further, instead of using the clipboard 21, data may be exchanged between the graphic processing means and the estimated amount calculation means by using a communication function for transmitting and receiving data. Generally, the estimation system may be provided with a data mediating means for exchanging data between the graphic processing means and the estimated amount calculation means.

(2) The program for realizing the estimated amount calculation means is not limited to the spreadsheet program, but a database program or a newly created dedicated program may be used. In general, any program can be used as long as it can start a program for graphic processing during execution of the program.

[0055]

As described above, in the paper container estimation system of the present invention, the graphic processing means and the estimated amount calculation means are separately provided, and the estimation data is operated independently of these means. Since the data mediating means for mediating is provided, the graphic processing means can be configured irrespective of the estimation method of the estimation amount calculation means. Therefore, there is an effect that the estimation method in the estimated amount calculation means can be easily changed without considering the relationship with the graphic processing means.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a cost estimation system for estimating the cost of paper containers by applying an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a procedure for making an estimate.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing a worksheet.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a general procedure of graphic processing.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a detailed procedure of a program for performing a routine call process.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing a development view of a fixed pattern SP.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure of executing a blade crossing calculation processing program.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the procedure of a circumference calculation processing program.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the procedure of an imposition calculation processing program.

FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram showing a state in which a plurality of developed views are arranged on a printing sheet.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 CPU 11 Estimated Amount Calculation Means 12 Fixed Calling Means 13 Calculation Means 14 Perimeter Calculation Means 15 Surface Calculation Means 20 RAM 21 Clipboard 30 ROM 40 Keyboard 50 Mouse 60 CRT 71 Magnetic Disk 72 Flexible Disk 73 Magneto-optical Disk C Cell MB Menu Bar SP standard pattern

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A system for estimating a paper container, wherein the dimensions of each part of the expanded shape of the paper container are determined, a plurality of expanded shapes are arranged on a printing paper, and the estimation data used for the estimation of the paper container. And a figure processing means for calculating the estimated amount of the paper container based on the estimation data obtained by the figure processing means, and the figure processing means and the estimated amount calculation means independently of each other. And a data mediating unit that operates and mediates the quotation data obtained by the graphic processing unit to the quotation amount calculating unit.