JPH05193117A - Ink controlling apparatus for printing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To match an ink supply to the requirement of a printing process case by case while maintaining facility in operation with an indication and operation members by providing columns of LEDs(light-emitting diodes) which can show a position of an adjusting means filed in a memory and an indicator in the form of a screen display unit. CONSTITUTION: The ink controller includes an indicator to indicate an ink profile at an inking unit selected case by case, and it is formed for example as LED columns 8.1 to 8.n assigned to an ink quantity adjusting area or as a screen display unit 9. Accordingly, a position of ink quantity adjusting member relative to an ink fountain roller is read with a number of LEDs in the columns of LEDs 8.1 to 8.n. An ink profile showing a selected position of the ink quantity adjusting member of the inking unit can be indicated on the screen indicator 9 as, for example, a shape of a bar or a line corresponding to the ink profile.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a plurality of remotely controllable adjusting means, for example zone-width ink metering members, in order to be able to supply different inks transversely to the printing direction. Ink control device for a printing machine, for example a sheet offset printing machine, used to control the ink.

[0002]

In the most widespread sheet offset printing machines of today, the ink to be used for printing is supplied via an ink groove together with an ink transfer roller and an ink ejection roller. By means of a metering device which cooperates with the ink channels, for example in the form of an undivided or divided inking control plate or an ink metering element of the zone width, the ink can meet the ink requirements of the plate in the direction transverse to the printing direction. Correspondingly different supplies are possible. When the ink metering device of the inking roller consists of a plurality of zone width ink metering elements, each ink metering element includes an electrically controllable drive and a position generator and a corresponding electronic component. It is realized as a remotely operable adjusting means that can be operated via a control device. In that case, the ink control device belonging to the printing machine can control the remotely operable adjusting means in each printing unit (inking device) after selecting a predetermined inking device. In order to be able to select the desired inking unit, the ink control unit is provided with a command key "Inking unit". A pair of command keys "inking device" is assigned in the ink control device to the respective remote control means, one command key corresponding to "ink reduction" and the other command key corresponding to "ink increase". Corresponds to. The ink control device can be provided with further command keys, for example a remote adjustment command key for the oscillating strip width and oscillating timing, a format selection command key, a command key for reducing or increasing the total ink. Ink control devices of this type are described, for example, in European Patent Application Publication No. 004926 (with search report) and German Patent Application Publication No. 38263.
It is known from publication 83. It is also known to provide the ink control device with a pointing device for the remotely operable adjusting means. These pointing devices can be, for example, screen displays, but can also be formed from rows of light-emitting diodes, each assigned to an ink metering area.
When displaying the position of the ink metering member on the screen display (ink profile), for example, the position of each ink metering member can be represented by a bar of a predetermined length. It is also possible to display the ink profile in all inking devices at the same time.

The inking unit of a sheet-fed offset printing machine is a transmission system which operates very slowly due to the very large number of rollers. When the ink supply changes in the inking device, i.e. from one ink profile to another, the new ink profile settles on the sheet to the final color, i.e. until a new steady state is reached in inking. Multiple sheets pass through the printing machine. Furthermore, it is already proposed in DE-A 3904301 to make a change from one ink profile to another "over-controlled" ink profile ("dead beat method"). According to this, the ink metering member, which is adjusted from the starting position to the end position (new target value), is moved for a short time to an intermediate position which is larger or smaller than the respective end position. However, this method is only effective when this overcontrol or "excessive stroke" is very closely matched to the printing process being carried out and the actual conditions in the inking unit. However, automatic controls that guarantee this are still unknown today.

During color matching, also the duration of continuous printing, especially after a stop, experienced operators often change the ink supply in one or more inking units only for a predetermined time interval. Therefore, the operator can use his experience to supply ink to the German Federal Republic of Germany Patent Application Publication No. 3904.
The control is performed in the same manner as in JP-A-301. However, this type of control is possible only with the experience of the operator, in particular with the ability to make decisions regarding printing in relation to the ink supply. Operators often limit the ink supply which is reduced or increased for a short time only to a given ink metering zone and also depend on the printing at that time and vary the amount of "over-control" which is sometimes performed for each metering zone. Choose differently. In any case, the operator performs a short-term operational intervention on the ink supply, so that an increased or reduced ink supply is not identified on the printing sheet as a corresponding overinking or underinking. Indeed, the ink control device described above basically provides the operator with one operating method to be carried out in this way, which is very inconvenient.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to make it possible to optimally match the ink supply to the demands of the respective printing process without complicating the convenience of operation due to the large number of instructions and operating members. It is to provide a control device.

[0006]

This problem is solved by an ink control device having the features of claim 1. Embodiments of the invention will be apparent from the drawings and other claims associated with the description.

[0007]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, the ink control device of the present invention is housed in the color matching console 1. The sheets 2 are used as a base for the color-matching console 1, the sheets being preferably arranged at an angle with respect to the observer. On the color matching console 1 there is a stopper 3, for example in the form of a rail, so that the sheet 2 can be applied with its edge in place. The position of the stopper 3 on the side edge of the sheet 2 can be adjusted according to the format of the sheet. Below the lower edge and towards the operator, the command key row "Reduce ink"
4.1-4. n and the command key row “ink increase” 5.1-5. n are provided. Therefore, for each of the n ink metering areas or each of the n ink metering members, the command key "ink reduction" 4.1-4.
n and the command key row "Ink increase" 5.1-5. n
The operation member pair of is assigned. The overall width of the arrangement of these operating elements corresponds to the maximum format to be printed on the printing machine, transverse to the printing direction-and the spacing of the individual operating elements corresponds to the width of the ink metering element. ing.

The inking control device further comprises a command key "inking device" 6 with which the inking device of the printing press can be selected for the instructing and adjusting process. As shown in FIG. 1, the command key "ink device" consists of plus-and minus keys, which are used to determine the number of inking devices present in the indicator "ink device" 6.1. , Counting up or down until the desired inking unit number appears. The indicator "ink device" 6.1 can then be designed, for example, as a light-emitting diode display. Therefore, the command key "ink reduction" or "ink increase" 4.1-4. n
The adjustment process in the individual ink metering zones, which is carried out via 5 to 5, is always carried out in the selected, then inking unit. In addition, a command key pair "Twirl Strip" 7 is provided, by means of which the transverse strip width can be adjusted as desired in the selected inking device. Command key "Sideways strip"
7 is also formed as a plus-minus key pair. In order to indicate the set sway strip width in the selected inking unit, eg also as a light emitting diode display, the indicator "Sway strip" 7.1
Is provided.

In addition to the actuating members described thus far, the ink control device also includes an indicating device for displaying the ink profile in the respectively selected inking device,
It is, for example, a row of light emitting diodes 8.1-8. It is formed as n or as a screen display device 9. Therefore, the light emitting diode array 8.1-8. At n, the position of the ink metering member relative to the inking roller is read by the number of light emitting diodes. On the screen display 9, the ink profile showing the position of the ink metering element of the selected inking device can be displayed, for example as a bar or as a line corresponding to the ink profile.

The color matching console 1 is further provided with a pair of command keys "Percentage 10. The position of the ink metering member in the inking unit selected with this key is increased in percentage with respect to its starting position. This percentage adjustment, ie the value of the percentage of the adjustment, can be displayed numerically in the indicator 10.1. The percentage adjustment can be done through the entire format width, but the percentage It is also possible to limit the adjustment to only certain areas, in order to mark such areas, the corresponding command keys "ink decrease" / "ink increase" 4 of the ink metering areas which limit these areas. .1-4.n / 5.1-5.n are operated at the same time, by means of a detection device including a memory, which is associated with the operating device, Since this kind of co-operation of over can be detected and stored, the command key "percentage"
Percentage adjustments entered via 10 only work in this region. This area is erased by double operation of the key pair.

According to the present invention, the simultaneous operation of two command keys "Percentage" 10 allows the ink control device to switch from the normal mode to the special mode and vice versa. In that case, by operating these operating members twice, the indicator "percentage"
The percentage value set for the percentage adjustment in 10.1 (starting value = 0%)-the ink control device operates as described above (normal mode) -or whatever is selected by the inking device and the operator then selected. Command key "ink decrease" / "ink increase" in the ink metering area selectable to 4.1. n /
5.1-5. n, the ink supply can be changed arbitrarily for a short time and the original position of the ink metering member is stored so that it can be recalled (special mode), for example, a special symbol in the form of a blinking symbol. Instructions appear. Light emitting diode array 8.1 in the special mode described above
-8. In addition to the original ink profile (normal mode), the ink profile changed by the operator is simultaneously displayed on the screen display device 9. That is, the operator can supply more or less ink in a selected inking unit in a given ink metering area for a short time, depending on the printing-specific requirements, and recreate the original ink profile in a single operation. You can The simultaneous display of the starting profile (normal mode) and the current (changing by the operator) ink profile allows the operator to deliberately match a correspondingly higher or lower ink supply to the requirements of the printing process. The risk of an operator over- or under-inking in a given metering area, i.e. undesired color changes on the sheet, is greatly reduced by this type of ink profile indication.

As mentioned above, the actual ink supply (ink profile) can be recalled at any one time with only one operation. If again the original position of the ink metering element, i.e. the original ink profile, is to be formed, the two command keys "percentage" 10 can again be pressed simultaneously, on the basis of which more or less ink The ink metering members in the areas where the supply takes place are returned to their original (memorized) value (special mode / normal mode switch).

However, it is also possible to intentionally not reform the original ink profile. In that case, the special mode cannot be switched to the normal mode, and another inking device is directly called. Therefore, the original ink profile of this inking unit will be replaced by the ink profile set in the special mode. In this case, with the newly selected inking unit, the inking unit again operates in the normal mode. This use of the ink control device of the present invention can be used, for example, during the color-coordination period. The reason is that there is no “previous” change in ink supply.
It is advantageous if it is clear from the position whether this has occurred.

Command key "Percentage" 10
Detection device 11 capable of detecting double operation of this operation member
Are assigned (Fig. 2). Upon a double operation of the command key "Percentage" 10 in the normal mode, the position of the ink metering member of the selected inking unit is written in the memory 12. The write command is the state memory 11 '
It can be taken out from (normal mode, special mode).
The memory 12 is supplied with values for the position of the ink metering member in response to an inquiry from the electronic controller 13 of the ink metering member. The electronic control unit uses the command keys "ink decrease" / "ink increase" 4.1-4. n / 5.1-5.
It receives a control command via n and converts it into a position command for the drive of the ink metering member. Therefore, the light emitting diode array 8.1-8. n or the screen display 9 displays the position of the ink metering member in the selected inking unit from the memory 12 and at the same time displays the current position of the ink metering unit changed by the operator. These positions at that time are taken out from the electronic control unit 13. By the new double operation of the command key "percentage" 10, (state memory 1
1'is reset to the normal mode), the starting position of the ink metering member, which is stored in the memory 12, is returned to the electronic control unit 13 again, so that the ink metering member is returned to its original position. Transition. Upon operation of the command key "ink device" 6, the memory 12 is erased via the status memory 11 'and the electronic control device 13 and the ink profile of the newly selected inking device are displayed.

FIGS. 3a to 3c show examples of simultaneous display of the original ink profile and the current ink profile in the special mode. Figure 3a)
In the light emitting diode array 8.1-8. The starting position of the ink metering element with a corresponding number of light-emitting diodes 14 connected in series is shown. The current position of the ink metering element during the intensified or weakened ink supply period is indicated by the flashing light emitting diodes 14 of the same light emitting diode row in these ink metering areas. According to FIG. 3b), the simultaneous display of the ink profile and the original ink profile at that time is indicated by a bar 15 with correspondingly distinct colors on the screen display 9.
Indicated by Besides the identification of the color of the ink metering member (then-native), it is also possible to make the bar stand out by means of diagonal lines or the like. Figure 3c)
According to U.S. Pat. No. 5,867,849, the ink profile in the inking device is indicated by a continuous line. Here too, the ink profile then and the original ink profile are distinguished, for example, by different colors or by dashed lines or the like.

3a) to 3c), the original ink profile is shown by x and the ink profile (or the position of the ink metering member) at that time is shown by y.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overview of an ink control device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an ink control device.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating various displays of ink supply.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 color matching console, 2 sheets, 4.1-
4. n Command key “ink reduction”, 5.1-5.
n “Ink increase”, 6 Command key “Ink device”, 6.1 Indication unit “Ink device”, 7 Command key “Horizontal strip”, 7.1 Indication unit “Horizontal strip” 8.1-8. n light emitting diode row,
9 screen display device, 10 command key "percentage", 10.1 indicator "percentage", 11 double operation detection device, 11 'state memory, 12 memory, 13 electronic control device, 14
Light emitting diode, 15 bar

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Alfred Dorn Germany Rothgau 6 Pon Melnstraße 20 (72) Inventor Jürgen Kara Oberzhausen 2 Grefenwald Strasse 7 (72) Inventor Gunter Zaida Germany Federal Republic of Langen Walter-Rietig-Strasse 30 (72) Inventor Franz Uber Germany Neu-Isenburg Kastanienweg 53 (72) Inventor Albrecht Felts Federal Republic of Germany Radermarksch Schwarzbach-Strasse 59

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An ink control device for a printing machine, wherein in each inking device ink can be supplied differently by means of metering means connected to adjusting means which can be operated remotely in a direction transverse to the printing direction, A command key "inking device" (6) for selecting the inking device of the printing machine is provided, and a pair of command keys "ink reduction" / "ink increase" (4.1) for each remotely operable adjusting means. -4.n / 5.1-5.
n), the corresponding adjusting means in the selected inking unit being adjustable via an electronic control unit (13), the counter command key “%” for adjusting the adjusting means in the selected inking unit. percentage"
(10) and an instruction unit (1
0.1), said command key "percentage"
A memory (12), which is connected to (10) and includes a detection device (11) capable of detecting a double operation of the key and a state memory (11 ′) capable of storing the detected double operation. ) Is provided, the position of the adjusting means at the time of double operation of the command key “percentage” (10) is writable in the memory (12), and the memory (12) is the electronic control unit. Connected to (13), said command key "Percentage"
The adjusting means can be moved to the stored value in the case of a new double operation of, and the position of the adjusting means in the selected inking device supplied from the electronic control device (13) can be indicated. And stored in said memory (12) in an additional and identifiable way during a double operation detected by said detection device (11) and stored in said state memory (11 '), A row of light-emitting diodes (8.1-) capable of indicating the position of the adjusting means.
8. n) and / or an ink control device for a printing machine, characterized in that it comprises an indicating device in the form of a screen display device (9). 2. The position of the adjusting means, which is filed in the memory (12), can be indicated by a continuously emitting light emitting diode (14) and is supplied from an electronic control unit (13). Light-emitting diode array (8.1
-8. 2. Ink control device according to claim 1, which can be indicated by a flashing light-emitting diode (14) in n). 3. A memory (12) and an electronic control unit (1
The position of the adjusting means supplied from 3) can be displayed on the screen device (9) as a bar (15) having a length corresponding to said position, the bar of the position supplied from said memory (12). (15) is an electronic control unit (1
3. Ink control device according to claim 1, characterized in that it can be distinguished from the bar (15) in the position supplied from 3) by the shape and / or the color and / or the shaded application. 4. The ink profile represented by the position of the adjustment member can be represented by a continuous line,
2. Ink control device according to claim 1, wherein the ink profile at the position delivered from the memory (12) is distinguishable from the ink profile at the position supplied from the electronic control device (13) by the type of color and / or line. ..