JPH0858071A - Method for monitoring numbering machine in press - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for monitoring a numbering machine for a printer capable of continuously automatically monitoring. SOLUTION: In the method for monitoring a numbering machine 7 for a printer, an image camera 11 is used to obtain image signals for reproducing a number printed in a print image. These signals are sent to a control regulator 17, and processed therein. The regulator 17 compares the signals with reference values, which are sequentially continuously altered according to a number sequence stored in a memory. If the number printed by the machine 9 is not exited, is incomplete or improperly printed in quality, a signal is generated from the compared value.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for monitoring a numbering machine of a printing press. A numbering device or numbering device is a printing device in a printing press that can imprint additional numbers on the original printed image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, the normal operation of a numbering device is visually monitored by an operator who judges the quality of a number imprinted on a printed image. Therefore, this monitoring relies on the alertness and experience of the operator. However, since the operator has to manage a large number of operating processes in the printing press, the monitoring of the numbering machine is only occasionally possible.

In a printing machine, using an image capturing device,
It is known to obtain a signal, i.e. an image signal, which is input to a control or regulating device in order to reproduce a printed image. By comparing the image signal with a reference signal, an adjustment signal is generated which controls the inking of the printing press. However, the evaluation of the image signal containing the number imprinted by the numbering device and the control of how the numbering device functions are not taken into account in the prior art methods.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a method of monitoring a numbering machine in a printing press, which allows automatic and continuous monitoring. Moreover, this method, of course, allows proper control of how the numbering machine behaves.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, in a method of monitoring a number device in a printing machine, an image signal for reproducing a number imprinted on a print image is generated by an image capturing device. These image signals are input to a control or adjustment device where they are processed. In this control or adjustment device, the image signal is compared with a reference value. These reference values are continuously changed according to the order of the numbers stored in the storage device. If the number imprinted by the numbering device does not exist, is incomplete, or has poor print quality, a signal is generated from the comparison value (the value generated by comparing the image signal with the reference value).

Advantageously, the image capturing device is directed towards the number to be imprinted, in the transport path of the substrate, after the last printing unit of the printing press. If printing on one or both of the printed image and the imprinted number is incomplete, re-evaluation or updating of the reference value as the comparative amount can be prevented. For this purpose, it is expedient if signals relating to the number of copies printed or the number of defective prints are input to the control or regulating device.

A signal output from the control or regulating device according to the comparison signal either stops the printing operation or puts the cleaning device for the numbering machine into operation,
Alternatively, the printing operation is stopped and the cleaning device for the numbering machine is put into operation. Furthermore, the signal can be used for the purpose of directly controlling the way the numberer functions, for example by activating the adjusting element of the numberer which improves the contrast of the imprinted number.

[0008]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. As shown in Figure 1,
The web 1 in the printing unit 2 is double-sided printed by the plate cylinders 3 and 4 and the blanket cylinders 5 and 6, respectively. Furthermore, the web 1 comprises a numbering device 7 with an impression cylinder 8 and a numbering device 9, an inspection device 10 with an image capturing device 11, and a counting device 12 with a sensor 13 and a display 14 for the number of copies. Pass through. The web 1 is unwound from the roller 15 and wound up by the roller 16. The driving device of the printing unit 2, the numbering device 9, the image capturing device 11 and the sensor 13 are connected to the control or adjustment device 17. A suitable control or adjusting device 17 comprises at least one computer and is described, for example, in German Patent Publication No. 3708925A1 or Canadian Patent Publication No. 1280218.

The counting input of the counting device 12 provided with the sensor 13 can be directly received from the image capturing device 11.

In the following, the numbering device 9 is operated by such a device.
Explain how a method of monitoring can be implemented. During printing, the sensor 13 detects individual prints. At that time, if the quality of the printed image and the imprinted number is normal, the number of printed copies displayed on the display 14 increases only then. The inspection apparatus 10 uses the image capturing apparatus 11 to generate an image signal from the print image and an image signal from the imprinted number. The image signal generated from the printed image is converted in the control or adjustment device 17 into an adjustment signal for an ink adjustment element (not shown) in the printing unit 2 in order to control the inking of the printed image. The image signal which reproduces the number imprinted by the numbering device 9 is compared with a reference value inside the control or adjusting device 17. Since the reference value is updated according to the number of good prints achieved, the reference value at any time corresponds to the signal then generated by the numbering machine. If the numbering device 9 is defective, incomplete, or has an insufficient number,
These are detected by the image capturing device. If the actual image signal of the respective number exceeds the reference value at that time by a predetermined amount, a signal is generated by the control or adjusting device 17. This signal can be input to an optical or audible alarm or cause the press to shut down. If the actual image signal differs only slightly from the reference value, the printing process can continue, but if the numbering device 9 is configured as an ink jet printing device, the signal is Nozzle cleaning and some control can be triggered. By doing so,
The quality of the numbers can be returned to the required level again.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram conceptually illustrating a method for monitoring a numbering device according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 web 2 printing unit 3, 4 plate cylinder 5, 6 blanket cylinder 7 numbering device 8 impression cylinder 9 numbering device 10 inspection device 11 image capturing device 12 counting device 13 sensor 14 indicator 15, 16 roller 17 control or adjusting device

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Gerhard Lefler Federal Republic of Germany 69190 Waldorf Kiefernweg 3

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An image signal of a number imprinted in a printed image by the numbering device (9) is obtained by using an image capturing device (11) arranged behind the numbering device (9) in the conveyance direction of the printed material. Generate and send the image signal to a control or adjustment device (17) for a printing press, compare the image signal with a reference value by the control or adjustment device (17), and store these reference values in a storage device in advance. If the number to be imprinted by the numbering device (9) does not exist, is imperfect, or the print quality is poor, it depends on the respective comparison value obtained each time. Control or adjustment device (1
7) A method of monitoring a numbering machine in a printing press, characterized in that a signal is generated according to 7). 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the printing operation is stopped by the generated signal. 3. A method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the generated signal activates a cleaning device for the numbering machine (9). 4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the generated signal adjusts the manipulated variable for controlling the printing process of the numbering device (9).