JPH06293130A - Method and device for supplying ink in printing press - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To rapidly adjust the viscosity of ink by a method wherein an air pressure for driving a pump is monitored by a monitor mechanism and, when the monitored air pressure is shifted from a definite value, a specific amt. of a solvent is supplied into supplied ink corresponding to the change quantity of the air pressure by a viscosity adjusting mechanism. CONSTITUTION:An air driving type pump 5 is utilized to send out the ink sucked from an ink tank 4 to the ink pan 6 of a printing press. At that time, the air pressure for driving the pump 5 is monitored by a monitor mechanism 2 and, when the monitored air pressure is shifted from a definite value, a specific amt. of a solvent is supplied into supplied ink corresponding to the change quantity of the air pressure by a viscosity adjusting mechanism 3 to adjust the viscosity of the supplied ink. That is, since the viscosity change of ink can be grasped on the basis of the change of the load applied to the air pump, the viscosity of ink can be rapidly adjusted. Since a measuring device does not come into contact with ink, highly accurate and reliable measurement can be performed.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink supply method and apparatus for various printing machines such as a gravure printing machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when supplying ink to a printing machine,
Using a viscosity measuring tool called Zancup that defines the ink viscosity according to JIS standard, measure the time until a fixed amount of ink has flowed out from the Zancup, and use a conversion table that shows the relationship between the time required for outflow and the viscosity. Ink and a solvent were thrown in according to the measurement result based on it. In addition, FIG.
As shown in the flowchart of Fig. 2, a propeller that rotates with the flow of ink is provided in the ink delivery path, and the principle that the ink outflow speed increases when the viscosity of the ink decreases, and the rotation speed is converted into an electric signal, It was displayed on a predetermined meter and ink was replenished based on the display.

[0003]

In the adjusting method using the Zan cup, the working efficiency is poor because the time must be determined and measured periodically. On the other hand, in the method of providing the propeller in the ink delivery path, if the ink adhering to the propeller solidifies and the movement of the propeller deteriorates, an accurate measurement value cannot be obtained. Further, although it is easy to react to the change in the viscosity of the ink near the propeller, it takes time to react to the change in the viscosity of the ink far away from the propeller, so it is difficult to uniformly monitor the entire ink delivery path. .

[0004]

The gist of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is to perform printing in which ink sucked from an ink tank is sent to an ink pan of a printing machine using an air-driven pump. In the ink supply method in a machine, the air pressure for driving is monitored, and when the monitored air pressure deviates from a constant value, a predetermined amount of solvent is supplied into the supplied ink according to the change amount of the air pressure. To replenish and adjust the viscosity of the supplied ink.

Further, a monitor mechanism for monitoring the air pressure for driving, and when the air pressure monitored by the monitor unit deviates from a certain value, the amount of change in the air pressure causes a change in the supplied ink. And a viscosity adjusting mechanism for replenishing a fixed amount of solvent. Further, a display mechanism for digitally displaying the air pressure, an alarm mechanism for issuing a predetermined alarm when the monitored air pressure is out of a set range, a pressure increasing means for increasing the driving air pressure, and a suction of supply ink Inhalation blocking means for blocking may also be provided.

[0006]

Since the change in the viscosity of the ink is proportional to the air pressure for driving the pump, by monitoring the air pressure, the viscosity of the ink can be adjusted more quickly than the conventional Zancup method. Moreover, since there is no contact with ink, the reliability is high. Further, by providing a display mechanism for digitally displaying the air pressure and an alarm mechanism for issuing a predetermined alarm when the monitored air pressure is out of the set range, the ink viscosity can be managed thoroughly. Further, the suction blocking means for blocking the supply of the supplied ink blocks the suction of the ink, and the pressure increasing means for increasing the driving air pressure causes the solvent to be delivered at a high speed, thereby cleaning the ink delivery path at high speed. It is possible.

[0007]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the construction of an ink viscosity supply device in a printing machine according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a flow chart for explaining the method. In FIG.
(1) is an ink viscosity supply device, (2) is a monitor mechanism, (3)
Shows a viscosity adjusting mechanism, (4) shows an ink tank, (5) shows an air-driven pump, and (6) shows an ink pan provided in the printing machine. The monitoring mechanism (2) is connected so that the driving air pressure of the pump (5) can be monitored, and the viscosity adjusting mechanism (3) is used when the driving air pressure monitored by the monitoring mechanism (2) falls outside a certain value. It is configured such that a predetermined amount of solvent is replenished in the supplied ink according to the amount of change in the air pressure.

FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of a viscosity controller having an ink viscosity adjusting mechanism. In FIG.
(7) is the viscosity controller, (8) is the operation panel, (9), (1
(0) is an air-driven pump, (11) is a solvent tank, (12)
Is a solvent inlet to the solvent tank, (13) is an ink inlet connected to an ink tank (not shown), (14) is an ink outlet paired with the ink inlet (13), and (16) is an ink outlet. Entrance (1
Ink outlets paired with 5), (13a) to (16a) are valves for each ink outlet, (17) are casters, and (18) and (19) are solvent inlets. A pressure sensor (not shown) that monitors the air driving pressure of the pump is connected to the pump and is provided at a predetermined position. Further, each ink outlet is connected to the ink pan of the printing machine.

In the viscosity controller, one of the two pumps is usually driven, and the set of ink inlet and ink outlet are used, and the ink flows in through the ink inlet and the ink flows out through the outlet. The ink is sent to a predetermined ink pan. The air drive pressure of the pump is constantly monitored by the pressure sensor, and the display (2
It is designed to be digitally displayed on the digital display section (23a) of 3). Then, based on the displayed data, a viscosity adjusting mechanism, which will be described later, operates, and a predetermined amount of solvent is mixed with the ink sucked from the ink tank and sent out from the ink outlet.

Next, the ink viscosity adjusting mechanism of this viscosity controller will be described. FIG. 9 shows an example of an air circuit used in the viscosity adjusting mechanism. (9) and (10) are air-driven pumps, respectively.The pump (9) transfers the ink flowing from the ink inlet (13) to the ink outlet (14).
The pump (10) is connected so as to send the ink flowing from the ink inlet (15) to the ink outlet (16) by air driving. (48) is a solvent inlet, which is connected to the solvent tank (11) in the viscosity controller. (56),
(57) is a pilot pressure valve that controls the injection of solvent,
They are connected to the ink inflow paths (Y1) and (Y2), respectively. Also,
Air for driving each pump is supplied from the air inlet (22) and is supplied to each pump via the pump switching valve, the air switching valve, and the like. (53) shows a pump switching valve, and (42) shows a pressure sensor. Now pumped by air supply
(9) is driven, the pump switching valve (53) is switched to the pump (9) side, and the pressure sensor (42) monitors the air drive pressure of the pump (9) through the air flow path (A9). To do.
When the ink viscosity in the ink delivery path (Y2) changes, the change is detected by the pressure sensor, and the detected data is output to the control circuit (2).

As shown in FIG. 6, the control circuit (2) is composed of a solvent injection switch, a relay and the like. The data detected by the pressure sensor is meter relay (39).
When the input data reaches a preset value, the timer relay (41) is activated. The signal output by the operation of the timer relay (41) is output as a solvent injection signal to the pilot pressure valve (56) shown in FIG. 9, and the pilot pressure valve (56) is driven to drive the solvent injection port.
Injection of the solvent is started from (58). The injected solvent is mixed with the ink passing through the ink inflow path (Y1) and is sent to the ink sending path (Y2) by the air pump (9).
Then, when the time set in the timer relay elapses and the timer relay is turned off, the output of the solvent injection signal is stopped, the pilot pressure valve (56) is closed, and the solvent injection is stopped. As described above, since the detection of the change in the viscosity of the ink and the addition of the solvent are automatically performed, it is not necessary to manually monitor and adjust the viscosity of the ink. The air flow path connected to the pressure sensor is
If the air driving pressure of the pump can be detected, the air flow path (A7) can be connected to a place other than the place shown in FIG.

Next, the display mechanism for digitally displaying the air pressure detected by the sensor and the alarm mechanism for issuing a predetermined alarm when the monitored air pressure is out of the set range will be described. FIG. 5 is a plan view of the viscosity controller, and FIG. 7 is an explanatory view of a display mechanism and an alarm mechanism. (twenty three)
Indicates the air pressure display, (23a) indicates the digital display,
(23b) is a viscosity setting switch, (24) is an indicator lamp that indicates that solvent is being supplied, (25) is a switch for rapid feed of the pump (9), (26) is a manual solvent injection switch, (27) Indicates a switch for rapid feed of the pump (10), and (28) indicates an indicator lamp for indicating that the solvent is being manually added. As shown in FIG. 7, the detection data of the pressure sensor (42) that has detected the pressure of the pump (5) is converted into digital data by the digital conversion unit (43) and is digitally displayed on the digital display unit (44). . It should be noted that this digital display may be converted into a function such as pressure, viscosity or the like. In addition, the upper and lower limit value setting section (45) allows the range of the upper and lower limit values of the ink viscosity to be set arbitrarily, and the detected data is compared with the comparison section.
At (46), it is compared with the set range, and if it is determined that the range is within the set range, an alarm sound (47) is generated or an alarm is displayed. In this way, by providing the display mechanism and the alarm mechanism, it is possible to ensure the control of the ink viscosity.

Next, a method of cleaning the ink delivery path using pressure increasing means for increasing the driving air pressure and suction preventing means for preventing the suction of the supplied ink will be described. Figure 5
In (25) and (27), the changeover switches for switching the pumps (9) and (10) between ink fast-forward operation and normal operation, (26) the manual solvent injection switch, and (28) the manual operation The respective indicator lamps showing that the solvent is being added are shown. When you turn the selector switch (27) to the fast-forward position,
The air switching valve (33) shown in FIG. 9 operates, and the air output from the pump switching valve (52) is sent to the air switching valve (33) through the air flow path (A5). Then, the air switching valve (3
It merges with the air output via 4) and is sent to the pump (10) via the air flow path (A8). Then, the air switching valve (33)
The air output from the pump will be boosted and the pump (1
0) operates at high speed, and the ink in the ink sending path (Y4) is sent to a predetermined ink pan at high speed.

Next, a valve at the ink inlet (15) (see FIG. 3)
(Indicated by (15a)) is closed, all the ink in the ink delivery path is allowed to flow out to the ink pan, and then the ink delivery pipe connected to the ink inlet port (15) is removed. Connect the solvent sub-tank (20) shown to the ink inlet (15). Then, if only the solvent is made to flow into the ink delivery passage at high speed by the pressure increasing means, the inside of the ink delivery passage can be cleaned in a short time. When this cleaning is performed, the pipes connected to the ink inlet (13) and the ink outlet (14) are reconnected to the ink ink inlet (13) and the ink outlet (14), and the pump
By driving (5) and sending out ink, the work does not stop even during cleaning. A solvent outflow pipe may be connected to the solvent sub-tank so that it can be switched by a valve to the ink delivery pipe connected to the ink inflow port (15).

On the other hand, similarly, if the changeover switch (25) is turned to the fast-forward position, the operation of the air changeover valve (31) and the air flow path (A7) for the air output from the air changeover valve (31). The air is boosted by the confluence with the pump and the pump (9)
Is operated at a high speed, the ink in the ink sending path (Y2) can be sent to a predetermined ink pan at a high speed, and the same cleaning as described above can be performed. In this way, the pressure increasing means and the suction preventing means can quickly change the color and type of ink.

In FIG. 6, (29) is a circuit breaker, (30) is a control relay for automatic solvent injection, and (3)
7) shows a DC constant voltage unit, and (40) shows a solvent injection output relay.

The solvent injection signal is output when the solvent injection output relay is turned on. Instead of the relay, a microprocessor is used to replace the digital data output from the pressure sensor with preset upper and lower limits. It is also possible to perform a comparison operation with the digital data of the value and perform control based on this operation result. Further, instead of the timer relay, a clock circuit that generates a clock pulse may be used to determine the solvent charging time. Further, each of the above-mentioned controls can be designed to be automatically controlled only by setting the type of ink or solvent, printing time, etc. using a microprocessor or various arithmetic processing units.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the case of switching between two color inks has been described, but the present invention can be applied to a printing machine using three or more color inks. Further, the configurations of the air circuit and the control circuit are not limited to the above-mentioned respective embodiments, and can be appropriately changed.

[0019]

According to the present invention, since the change in the viscosity of the ink can be grasped based on the change in the load applied to the air pump, the viscosity of the ink can be quickly adjusted. In addition, since the measuring device does not come into contact with the ink, the measurement accuracy does not decrease due to the adhesion of the ink, and the measurement can be performed with high accuracy, and the reliability is high. In addition, the viscosity alarm mechanism can be used for ink viscosity control. Also,
High-speed cleaning with solvent is possible by increasing the air drive pressure.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an ink supply method and a device thereof in a printing machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an ink supply method in a printing machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of a viscosity controller including an ink viscosity adjusting device in a printing machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a right side view of a viscosity controller including an ink viscosity adjusting device in a printing machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a viscosity controller including an ink viscosity adjusting device in a printing machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a control circuit of a viscosity controller including an ink viscosity adjusting device in a printing machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a display mechanism and an alarm mechanism of the ink viscosity adjusting device in the printing machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a display mechanism and an alarm mechanism of the ink viscosity adjusting device in the printing machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of an air circuit of an ink viscosity adjusting device in a printing machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an ink viscosity adjusting method in a conventional printing machine.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Viscosity adjusting device, 2 ... Control circuit, 3 ... Viscosity adjusting mechanism, 4 ... Ink tank, 5 ... Air pump, 6 ...
Ink pan, 7 ... Viscosity controller, 8 ... Operation panel, 9, 10 ... Pump, 11 ... Solvent tank, 12
..Solvent inlets, 13, 15 ... Ink inlets, 14,
16 ... Ink outlet, 13a to 16a ... Valve opening / closing lever, 17 ... Caster, 18, 19 ... Solvent inlet, 20 ... Solvent sub tank, 21 ... Air inlet, 2
2 ... Power plug, 23 ... Display unit, 23a..Digital display unit, 23b..Setting switch, 24..Indicator lamp, 25..Pump 9 fast forward changeover switch, 26..Manual solvent injection switch, 27 ..・ Pump 10 fast-forward switch, 28 ・ ・ Indicator lamp, 29 ・ ・ Circuit breaker, 3
0 ・ ・ Control relay, 31-36 ・ ・ Air switching valve, 37 ・ ・ DC constant voltage unit, 38 ・ ・ Pressure sensor, 39 ・ ・ Meter relay, 40 ・ ・ Solvent injection output relay, 41 ・ ・ Timer relay, 42 ..Pressure sensor, 43..Digital conversion unit, 44..Digital display unit, 45..Upper and lower limit value setting unit, 46..Comparing unit, 47 ..
・ Alarm unit, 48 ・ ・ Solvent inlet, 49 ・ ・ Air source valve, 50,51 ・ ・ Pressure adjusting valve, 52-55 ・ ・ Pump switching valve, 56,57 ・ ・ Pilot pressure valve, 5
8, 59 ... Solvent inlet, A1-A10 ...
Y1, Y3 ... Ink inflow path, Y2, Y4 ... Ink out path.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A method of supplying ink to a printing press, wherein an ink driven from an ink tank is sent to an ink pan of the printing press by using an air-driving type pump, and the air pressure for driving is monitored. When the monitored air pressure deviates from a certain value, a predetermined amount of solvent is replenished in the supplied ink according to the amount of change in the air pressure, and the viscosity of the supplied ink is adjusted. Ink supply method. 2. A monitor mechanism for monitoring the air pressure for driving, and when the air pressure monitored by the monitor unit deviates from a certain value, the amount of change in the air pressure is set in the supplied ink. An ink supply device for a printing press, comprising: a viscosity adjusting mechanism for replenishing a fixed amount of solvent. 3. A monitor mechanism for monitoring the air pressure for driving, a display mechanism for digitally displaying the air pressure monitored by the monitor section, and a case where the monitored air pressure is out of a set range. And an alarm mechanism for issuing a predetermined alarm to the ink supply device in a printing machine. 4. An ink supply device in a printing press, comprising: a pressure increasing means for increasing the driving air pressure; and a suction preventing means for preventing suction of the supplied ink.