Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
  • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • G06Q10/00—Administration; Management
  • G06Q10/06—Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
  • G07C—TIME OR ATTENDANCE REGISTERS; REGISTERING OR INDICATING THE WORKING OF MACHINES; GENERATING RANDOM NUMBERS; VOTING OR LOTTERY APPARATUS; ARRANGEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS FOR CHECKING NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
  • G07C3/00—Registering or indicating the condition or the working of machines or other apparatus, other than vehicles
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
  • Y02P—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
  • Y02P90/00—Enabling technologies with a potential contribution to greenhouse gas [GHG] emissions mitigation
  • Y02P90/80—Management or planning

Definitions

• This invention relates to apparatus and a method for the control of we ⁇ s processing equipment, in particular large web printing presses capable of printing upon one or more webs in a number of different colors, and of separating and folding the printed web into sheets or signatures.
• we ⁇ s processing equipment in particular large web printing presses capable of printing upon one or more webs in a number of different colors, and of separating and folding the printed web into sheets or signatures.
• Such equip- ment is well known, and automatic controls for such equipment have been utilized for many years, primarily for the purpose of starting, stopping, jogging, and otherwise controlling the various functions of the press and its sections, and related equipment, and to monitor various conditions and provide warnings or emergency controls as desired.
• Such automated control equipment has developed over the years, from hard wired control circuits, usually involving various relays, switches, etc., into more sophisticated computer controlled systems which preform the same function, or expanded such functions, using solid state components and micro or mini computer equipment. Still, the basic function of this equipment is to control the press, to stop it or give warnings, as may be necessary, in the event of failures or potential failures, and otherwise to assist the press operating crew in the actual make- ready and operation of the press, in a semi-automated manner.
• the present invention relates to such a press management and analysis system, wherein the equipment for gathering, compiling, computing and displaying or printing out data is provided as a adjunct to the press controls, and is utilized to assist the operating crew in the most efficient operation of the press.
• the present invention relates to such a press management and analysis system for a web processing machine, embodying a press monitoring and analysis console (PMA) which is located adjacent the press to which it is related, together with a remote entry computer (REC) with which the PMA can communicate, together with various sensor devices on the press, the states of which are monitored by the PMA and decoded in order to follow the operation of the press from the beginning of a job assignment, through make ready operations, and through the printing operation to completion of the job.
• PMA press monitoring and analysis console
• REC remote entry computer
• PMA console typically there is one PMA console for each press in the shop, and a single REC console remote from the press room, as in the production manager's office.
• the REC can communicate with each PMA, and recording (filing), hard copy printing, and like functions are handled at the REC console.
• the system provides a number, of displays which require completion by the pressman/operator, thus soliciting information from him (or in some cases from the manager's office) as well as informing all concerned of job progress, of standard times expected for a given job, and of transfer from one state or phase of the job, as from makeready time to run time in which good product is printed.
• the system monitors press functions to feed back and record event messages, and it encourages operator input and identification of stoppage reasons, etc., thereby building a job file for the press which is useful for many management purposes.
• the system retains certain coefficients which are used at the beginning of a job, along with input job data, to calculate the standard times for a job of given magnitude, and then incorporates the results of such calculations in the displays for makeready time and run time as standards against which actual times are compared. Alarms are created when projected or actual time exceeds calculated standard time.
• the filed information is available for management analysis of the press operation, as in the form of reports compiling desired data into a printer produced report copy at the REC. Such information may, optionally also be communicated to a host computer for storage and/or further analysis.
• the reports not only identify press and/or crew efficiency or problems, but also provide valuable guidance for maintenance and other management decisions.
• the primary object of the invention is to provide a management and/or analysis system for use with a printing press, particularly a web press, or similar machine in which multiple functions are performed in registration; to provide such a system which assists and encourages an operator to enter into the system information which is useful for management, operational analysis, time keeping and/or maintenance purposes; to provide such a system which has capability to display to the operator, as on a video terminal, various formats to be completed by the operator through a data entry device; to provide such a system which ⁇ onitors the progress of a press through a job and displays to the operator an appropriate graphic representation of such progress; to provide such a system which also displays graphic representation of time standards for the progress of a job having certain known requirements; to provide such a system which will generate an alert when actual progress on a job phase exceeds a standard therefore; and to provide such a system which can generate hard copy reports for management and maintenance purposes.
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the REC console
• Fig. 2 is a schematic view of a typical web printing press to which the invention is applicable;
• Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the PMA console;
• Fig. 4 is a diagram on an enlarged scale of the entry keyboard on the PMA console
• Fig 5 is a block diagram superimposed upon outlines of the press and the two consoles, showing the overall functional relationship of these;
• Fig. 6 is a drawing of the PMA video display depicting the manner in which messages, alerts, and display formats are presented to an operator;
• Fig 7 is a diagram presenting an overview of the software system by which the console computers and displays and the press, communicate;
• Fig. 8 is a block diagram of the PMA console electronic hardware
• Fig. 9 is a block diagram of the REC electronic hardware; Figs. 10 through 18 depict various displays which appear at the consoles during operation of the system;
• Figs. 19 and 20 show the operating code information (menu) available to the operator through the PMA;
• Fig. 21 is a system state diagram; and Fig. 22 is a basic block diagram of hardware and related software tasks for the PMA. Description of the Preferred Embodiment
• a typical web printing press shows a supply for web material indicated generally at 10.
• this may include supports for multiple rolls of paper or other web material, whereby one or more webs may be supplied and threaded through the press simultaneously.
• a typical commercial multicolor offset printing press may print simultaneously on both sides of two different webs, which may even be of dissimilar grades of paper.
• this supply may be in the form of a well known mechanism known in the art as a reel stand which includes provision to support at least four rolls of web material Wl, W2 , W3 , W4 , and these feeding into two different accumulator devices (not shown).
• an infeed mechanism which in general controls the payout of the webs into the printing unit of the press, and which may incorporate known types of tension control devices to assure an essentially constant tension in the web material.
• From the infeed the webs are threaded through one or more printing units of the press.
• printing units of the press In the diagram these are indicated schematically at items 11 - 15, representative of five printing units for a five color perfecting web press.
• Each printing unit includes the usual upper and lower printing couples for printing on opposite sides of the web material threaded therethrough, and these include upper and lower blanket cylinders, plate cylinders, inkers, dampeners, etc. which are per se well known.
• a typical multicolor operation prints the color black first, for example on printing unit 11 or 12, and then subsequently prints in other colors registering these other colors to the base or black print.
• the printed web. materials enter a dryer unit.20 which includes conventional upper and lower heated drying equipment for the multiple webs. Following the drying unit are upper and lower chill rolls 22 which receive and cool the web material leaving the dryer, and following the chill rolls there may be further web guiding and coating equipment, as for applying a silicone coating to one or both sides of the web material, these being indicated generally at 24. Finally the web material passes into the folding equipment 25 where the web material may be folded lengthwise, folded across its width and separated into individual signatures, and from the folders the material may pass to conventional stackers or other suitable delivery equipment.
• a drive including an electric motor 27 and line shaft 28 provides a power source for at least all the printing units and the infeed mechanism.
• the dryer, chill rolls, folders, and delivery equipment may have separate power sources.
• Phase I of raakeready time may involve preparation of the various parts of the press, at a standstill, such as mounting new blankets, hanging the necessary plates for the job, washing-up the various rolls, etc. in preparation for a new job, mounting the rolls of web material, and threading this web material through the various printing units and subsequent dryers, coaters, folders, etc. in accordance with the requirements of that particular job.
• phase II makeready MR2
• the various printing units and other equipment may need to be declutched from the drive and line shaft, may need to be manipulated and rotated by hand, or may need to be jogged through the drive, as called for during various steps of the makeready process.
• Such process again, is well known, and the various steps required will depend upon the exact type of printing equipment, the nature of the product, and other factors which need not be considered here.
• the purpose of the present invention is to assist the crew in the entire operation of the equipment, from the beginning of makeready throughout the job, by accepting information input by the crew, or by the manager of the printing establishment, by constantly monitoring the progress of each job, recording pertinent information in the form of event messages, assisting the crew by exhibiting various displays which encourage feed back into the system of exact information as to what is occurring during a job, what deviations may be encountered from the normal expected steps of the job, identifying such deviations or stoppages, including the reasons for them, and in general providing a data base from which the continuing usage of the press can be more effectively managed.
• bar graphs which will show a standard time for a given job, the actual time being required to reach certain steps in the progress of the job, projected total based on actual progress, and other related data including alarms when the job is running beyond projected time requirements, or has encountered some emergency which requires that the press be shut down unexpectedly.
• the press and related equipment is provided with a large number of sensors.
• these fail into three different classes.
• One type involves contacts on existing switches or relays, indicating that a particular device is in one of two states
• another type is digital information which may be obtained from counters.
• Typical digital outputs would be for press speed, elapsed total time, gross or total impression count, and good count.
• some sensor devices may be in the form of analog output mechanisms, the outputs of these being compared against a standard for that particular associated function or mechanism, so that abnormal readings from the analog devices will result in outputs.
• These real time input signals from the press are sensed and decoded, and thus provide event codes which result in event messages. These are described later in further detail, however it should be noted that event codes are derived from press signals listed in Table I.
• the remote entry computer equipment REC console 30 which is housed in a desk 31 and includes a smart color CRT terminal 33, an entry keyboard 34 associated therewith, a microcomputer 35 which may, for example, include an Intel model 8080 microprocessor, a communications module (not illustrated) housed with the computer, a magnetic disc recorder 36 which may be for example a dual floppy disc drive, and a suitable printer 37.
• the REC is intended to be located remote from the press room, for example in the office of the production manager or pressroom foreman of the printing house, where he or a member of his staff may observe the terminal 33, and may input data via the REC keyboard 34. Someone in this location may also be responsible for the handling of hard copy output, such as reports, from the aforementioned printer which is a part of the REC.
• the press management and analysis equipment hereinafter referred to as PMA
• PMA the press management and analysis equipment
• the PMA console incorporates a data output device in the form of a color CRT terminal 42 , a bank of LED digital displays 43, 44 and 45 which output from digital counters, and a data input device in the form of a keyboard 47 which is shown in greater detail in Fig. 4.
• the PMA console is located on the printing, room floor, preferably adjacent the press shown in Fig. 2, where it is accessible to the press crew, it being intended that the crew chief or some designated crew member be responsible for monitoring the PMA terminal 42 and for entering data via the keyboard 47.
• FIG. 8 of the drawings illustrates in the form of a hardware block diagram the type and arrangement of the PMA processing electronics equipment, which is housed in the PMA console 40.
• provisions are included in the system for connection of the REC and the PMA via a communications module to a general purpose host computer, which may be used to provide a storage file of job operations information. This feature is merely an adjunct and not a necessary part of the system.
• Figs. 5, 7, 21 and 22 the general cooperation between the press, the PMA and the REC is depicted in terms of various operations.
• Fig. 21 indicates the event codes used by the system to detect transitions from one operation to the next. Event codes derived from signals detected by the sensors on the press are explained hereafter in connection with Table I.
• Operations codes are entered into the system via the PMA keyboard.
• operation codes are required to distinguish between operations that cannot be differentiated by means of event codes.
• a listing of the operation codes appears in Figs. 19 and 20 which show the menu displays that are available to the PMA operator to refresh his memory concerning these various codes.
• the basic functions of the PMA computer module are to (1) detect events that represent transitions from one operation to the next and transmit event messages describing the circumstances of the event to the REC for storage and (2) accumulate time spent in each operation and transmit operation messages containing these times to the REC for storage (filing). Also, operation messages containing the number of net signatures (output product) and of waste associated with each operation, may be detected and transmitted.
• the REC stores or files event and operations messages, generates alerts for certain kinds of event messages, and also stores status information for the PMA during periods when power is off at the PMA.
• the PMA module is housed in the console 40.
• the equipment includes the keyboard 47 (Fig. 4) the color CRT 42 and the counter displays 43 - 45 which comprise the complete display device, as well as power supply and maintenance equipment all housed in the cabinet.
• the controls for the press include a relay rack which is part of the control system and most connections from the PMA module to the press are provided through contacts in this relay control.
• the PMA keyboard or entry device shown in Fig. 4 is intended to minimize button pushes for major functions, while providing for expansion in case additional features needed to be added to the system. Keyboard operation may be summarized as follows: GOOD Used to indicate the saving of signatures. Pressing button starts good counter. Used to enter Op codes or display the CODE Op code directory. Pressing OP CODE followed by three digits and ENTER supplies the Op code to the computer.
• Op codes are required by the system to start a job, end a job and explain press stoppages. At these times the interactive display will request an Op code from the "pressmen". Used to select display on the CRT or
• DISPLAY show display menu. Pressing DISPLAY followed by ENTER selects the menu display. Each display available from that terminal is identified by a number; see Figs. 12 and 13. Pressing DISPLAY, followed by a display number (supplied using the digital keyboard), followed by ENTER, selects the display identified by that number. If the display number is known, selecting the display menu is unnecessary.
• NEXT for display on the CRT screen at one time, and must be divided into segments; pressing the NEXT button displays each additional segment.
• the NEXT button is also used to display tables or graphs which are closely related to a display presently on the screen. Pressing NEXT button brings up the related display.
• FORWARD When filling out a table displayed on BACKUP the CRT the operator is assisted by use of a cursor. The cursor is sequentially moved from field to field to assist the operator in filling out the table. Manual control of the cursor to change a field already filled is done with the FORWARD/BACKUP buttons. Pressing one of these moves the cursor to the next or previous field.
• ENTER Pressing the ENTER button signifies the end of an action and signals the computer to start processing.
• ENTER for example is always pressed after supplying data at the keyboard.
• the color CRT 42 provides part of a display device, along with three digital displays 43 - 45 which are part of counters. In a typical installation one four digit counter display 43 is used for press speed, and two six digit displays 44 and 45 are provided for gross count and good count, respectively and each of these includes a reset button.
• the heart of the system is the PMA computer module, and its basic functions are a) automatically gathering production statistics and relating these to calculated standards for each job. Emphasized are makeready time, makeready waste, running time, running waste, and productivity in impressions per hour. b) providing feedback to the pressman/operator regarding current productivity including an estimate of time to complete the present job. c) recording operation codes supplied by the operator signalling start of a job, completion of a job, and explanation of press down time. d) automatically recording sensor outputs describing operating states of the press such as web breaks, lubrication failures, etc.
• PMA Hardware Fig. 8 is a block diagram of the electronic hardware in a typical PMA console.
• PMA console Preferably it consists of three single board computers (Intel Model SBC 80/20), each of which includes an eight-bit CPU, a system clock, a 2K RAM, an 8K PROM, programmable parallel input-output (I/O) lines which are implemented by Intel type 8255 peripheral interface devices, an RS 232C interface device, an Intel type 8253 interval timer, an Intel type 8259 interrupt controller, and bus control logic and driver circuits. These are all per se known devices.
• a memory and input-output expansion board (Intel Model SBC 108) consisting of a RAM, a PROM, an Intel type 3222 refresh controller, two type 8255 programmable peripheral interfaces which provide programmable I/O lines, an interval timer, a multiplexer, an RS 232 C interface circuit, and control logic and driver circuits.
• a special input-output expansion board (Intel SBC 508) receives inputs from keyboard 77, and includes four input and four output ports.
• the internal PMA multibus provides communication among
• ISC '8001 Intelligent Systems Corporation Terminal including color CRT and keyboard.
• REC HARDWARE Fig. 9 is a block diagram of the hardware arrangement of the REC.
• the REC consists primarily of an ISC8001 terminal/computer, an Intel SBC660 chassis which holds the main computer, a dual
• the ISC8001 (Intelligent Systems Corporation) is a self-contained microcomputer with an 8080 microprocessor, 8K bytes of display RAM, up to 24K bytes of user program storage.
• the ISC also has a keyboard input and a serial port for two way communications to the main computer. Eleven different displays are preprogrammed into the ISC, making it an intelligent device. Simple requests are made by the main processor since the burden of display generation is on the ISC. It is also pre-processes keyboard input, and only notifys the host when valid operator entries are made. Communication to the main processor is via a standard RS232 terminal interface.
• the Intel SBC660 chassis holds the bulk of the processing capabilities and consists of:
• PROM 32 which holds 32 K bytes of EPROM
• the disc storage consists of two Shugart 801 floppy disc drives. Each drive is single density and capable of storing 2002 blocks of 128 bytes. Each disc is organized into files, a directory of which is maintained on the disc.
• the main computer 80/20 maintains files through the SBC201 floppy disc controller.
• the video terminal and keyboard thus provide an information input/output device to supervisory personnel, the disk drive and printer provide memory storage and hard copy for reports, etc., and the main computer controls the management and transfer of information by the REC.
• the components are per se standard items and details of their cooperation in the system will be apparent to persons skilled in the art of data processing and equipment.
• Automatic inputs to the system include a) production statistics - e.g. time, gross count, good count and press speed; b) press status - e.g. infeed dancer position, web guide sensors, forward/reverse, impression on, temperature and lube pressure sensors; ⁇ ) changes in operating conditions - e.g. emergency stop, crew change, shift change, web break, folder jam.
• production statistics e.g. time, gross count, good count and press speed
• press status e.g. infeed dancer position, web guide sensors, forward/reverse, impression on, temperature and lube pressure sensors
• ⁇ changes in operating conditions - e.g. emergency stop, crew change, shift change, web break, folder jam.
• Detected events are tagged with job-form-run number, time, good count, gross count, press speed and point of occurence, to provide event messages.
• Table I at the end of the specification, identifies the sensors for a typical installation.
• Definitions for certain signals, used in defining events in the system, are as follows: (CRUN) One when press is in continuous run. zero otherwise. (20% SPD) One when press is above 20% of full speed. Zero otherwise. (FLDR) Zero when folder is engaged. One otherwise. (IMPR) One when impressions is on. Any one of seven signals indicate impression on.
• SAFE Safe condition
• PASTE 1 One during web splicer paste cycle. Zero otherwise.
• Two paster signals (paste 1, paste 2) are available, one for each web.
• the PMA computer module interprets bit patterns from these sensors, and distinguishes ten events. These are defined as follows, first by name, then by boolean expression in terms of the bit numbers from Table I, and also in text explanation.
• the boolean expression is in terms of bit numbers, AND (. ) , OR (+) and NOT (—).
• Either "safe" or “Ready” signal indicates the press is (or will be) stopped.
• An event, automatically or manually actuated, that commands the press to stop will set the safe condition immediately upon receipt of the command.
• the press must stop before a new run state can be established. For example, a web break or a red button stop sets the safe condition in the drive controller with the press in the deceleration mode. Restart can only take place after stop.
• El Washup cleaning press
• E2 (CRUN). (20% SPD). (FLDR) 48.50.49
• E4 [ (INCH)+ (CRUN) ] .IMPR. (FLDR) (48+61). (51+52+53+54+55+56).49
• E6 (CRUN). (IMPR). (NETCNT)
• Printing good is assumed when printing and the operator turns on the good counter at the floor.
• Speed change is of no interest in itself. However, speed change may cause another event to occur such as press failure (web break, folder jam, etc.) creating an interest in speed changes for a short period after such a change occurs. If an event does occur within the predetermined time after a speed change, then the speed change will be reported with the event as possible event cause.
• press failure web break, folder jam, etc.
• New web splice is indicated by a paste signal the paste event indicates a small portion of material will be printed waste in the area of the splice.
• the PMA computer module will interpret some button pushes at its keyboard as events independent of the input derived from the press sensors. These other events are defined as CO Run End
• PMA HARDWARE/SOFTWARE Fig. 22 shows the PMA in basic block diagram form together with the related software tasks.
• the software can take various specific forms, as is known in the programming art, but for purposes of the invention the following software tasks are provided:
• Time of Day activates once each minute to update shift and interval timers, to update hours and minutes in the database from the hardware clock, check for shift change times, check for end-of-day based on the hardware clock, and generate shift and day change events to the Event interpreter.
• Paste Timing activated by the Paste event (E9) processing subroutine of the Event Interpreter to perform the delay and cutoff of the net counter as required.
• 3) press Event Processing (PEP) handles incoming press event data from the 80/20 Event computer and uses it to generate events to the Event Interpreter.
• Control Panel Processing processes keyboard input from the operator, generates messages to the REC, events of the Event Interpreter, and outputs to the display; the procedure CPP is the initialization and main loop of the task, and is supported by a number of subroutines which are activated based on incoming character and current input display.
• Display - handles generation and update of the three screen areas (Fig. 6) at the CRT as directed by other tasks in the system.
• NETSRV Communications Bus Network Service
• Bus Output - outputs messages from other PMA tasks to. the bus via NETSRV; automatically sends messages to both the REC and the Host; after sending a message to the REC, waits for receipt of an "accept" message.
• Bus Input - Using buffers supplied by other PMA tasks, receives data messages from the bus via NETSRV; sends an "accept" message via BUS-OUTPUT-TASK for each message received.
• Event Interpretes processes "events" received as messages from the TOD, PEP, CPP, and BUS-INPUT-TASK tasks. These events represent press events, time events, keyboard entries, and receipt of data from the REC. Processing of events consists of updating shift, interval, state, and counter data, generating messages to the bus, and updating the current status display.
• the procedure EVENT-INTERPRETER is the initialization and main loop of the task, and is supported by a large number of subroutines activated based on an event. This task is the heart of the PMA. All of the preceeding tasks provide input to or output from the Event Interpretor.
• Maintenance (MAINT) provides a means to set time and date on the hardware clock, lamp test the keyboard backlights, and inject events to the Event Interpretor for the purpose of debug and test in the field.
• the number of dead blanket messages, and the number of blankets reported in the last message, for any given change of blankets will depend on the number of blankets changed.
• the messages themselves will indicate a unit of measurement in which a quantity is being expressed, but in other instances the unit may not be obvious from the message.
• the following are some typical message fields, and the corresponding units of measurement:
• TIME (minutes) NET (impressions) WASTE (impressions) SPEED (impressions/hour) NET LINEAR FEET 1 & 2 (feet) GROSS LINEAR FEET 1 & 2 (feet) TIME is accumulated by incrementing a time count each minute that the interval is active. Other values are calculated at interval end according to these equations:
• Interval OTHER-WT PM MAKEREADY E1,E2 ,E3 ,E4 ,DT,WT PM RUN DT,WT PM
• intervals El, E2, E3 , E4, and DT are not sent at interval end as is data for the other intervals.
• intervals El, E2, E3 , and E4 may not be continuous, such that the final interval data must be a summation of interval segments data.
• the PMA data base provides eight internal save areas patterned after the interval message:
• FIG. 6 shows the regions on the CRT of the PMA console which are utilized for communication with the press crew, usually the crew chief.
• the largest center region, designated D is the region in which the various displays appear, such as those shown in Fig. 12 - 20.
• the smaller border region to the top designated AL is used for alarm prompts, and in the preferred embodiment, since a color CRT is used, this region is surrounded by a red rectangle to draw the attention of the operator to the alarm prompt.
• the region at the bottom designated M is used for re- minder prompts to the operator, and other instructions during the function of the system, and in the preferred embodiment it is surrounded by a blue border.
• the Crew Data display (Fig. 10) is called up on the CRT of one or the other console, appearing as a table with spaces to be filled in.
• An operator at that console enters the necessary data to identify the job. For example, crew data will be input at the PMA during each operating shift, an identification number is provided for each member of the crew, and at appropriate times the entry device is also used to provide to the system the times when each particular member of the crew begins and ends his shift.
• a Crew LogOn Message is sent to the REC when the entries are completed at the PMA.
• a further display (Fig. 11) identifies and calls for information needed in association with makeready startup operations. This for example will include identification of the run and job, the number, types, sizes and other characteristics of webs to be used, the number of active printing units, usually related to the number of colors in a job, the number of plates to be used and any information concerning the folder or its operations. Also to be filled in are the number of units involved as concerned with preparation and washup, washing blankets, changing plates, cleaning cylinders, or leading one or more webs through the pre-ss.
• the REC display for Production Order is identical to the upper half of the PMA Makeready Startup display. Thus an order can be entered at either.
• Typical constants filed at the REC are K1 - Preparation & Washup - Minutes per fountains K2 - Washing Blankets - Minutes per fountains K3 - Changing Plates - Minutes per plate K4 - Cleaning Cylinders & Bearers - Min. per fountain K5 - Leading Web - Minutes per web K6 - Impressions/Hr. - Imp/Hr. K7 - % Running Waste - Waste/Good.
• K4 x No. of fountains T5 - Total Leading Webs K5 x No. of webs Calculations include
• Fig. 12 shows the Makeready display with only standard and projected makeready bar graphs. This display automatically appears, as soon as Production data is entered, and represents the situation at the beginning of phase I of the makeready period (MR 1) . During this time the crew proceeds to hang plates, thread the webs, prepare (but not set) the ink fountains, etc.
• the system is monitoring progress during this period, and for every four minutes (one fifteenth of an hour) an Event Message is sent to the REC, and also a graph increment is added where appropriate.
• an Event Message is sent to the REC, and also a graph increment is added where appropriate.
• This bar which grows in length as the makeready operation proceeds represents actual time elapsed from the beginning of phase I makeready, when this display appeared.
• Also on the display are places for entry for the amount of down time or waiting time for the press, or time required for management functions, and bar graphs showing, individually, accumulated down time, wait time and press management time.
• the display includes provision for a number of down time operating codes which identify specific types of down time during the makeready process, and also a place to enter wait time and press management operating codes.
• the system will charge wait time unless an operator intervenes a particular operating code to identify a specific down time operation to which the elapsed time at this point should be allocated.
• the progress and/or stoppage of normal makeready results in Event messages, including time, operation identifying (OP) code and elapsed time or downtime, being sent regularly to the REC and recorded (filed), and also used to build the display graphs.
• Event messages including time, operation identifying (OP) code and elapsed time or downtime, being sent regularly to the REC and recorded (filed), and also used to build the display graphs.
• OP operation identifying
• phase II of makeready begins. This is recognized as event E5 (see Fig. 21) and the system then automatically updates the makeready display (Fig. 13), with its accumulated graphs. The state is now MR 2, as shown in Fig. 21.
• the system every four minutes calculates makeready projected time and this information is part of the PMA display.
• makeready phase I is begun, the projected time is set equal to the standards, since no operations have occurred. Thereafter, the time associated with washing blankets, leading webs, washing up, and changing plates are all accumulated separately. This is accomplished by using the decoded sensor signals to direct clock information into appropriate time stores or registers, where time for the corresponding operation accumulates.
• WBT Wash Blankets Time
• LWT Lead Webs Time
• PrMT WBT+CPT+LWT+WUT+DT+WT+PM.
• the projected makeready hours bar graph will appear less than the standard makeready hours bar (if the crew is ahead of normal schedule), or equal to standard if the crew is on normal schedule.
• An over standard situation is described below. If the makeready display remains on the PMA display CRT, the projected makeready hour bar will fluctuate vs. the standard according to the situation.
• the system also records a menu of operational (OP) codes and descriptive phrases which the operator can call up on demand should he not have the necessary code memorized at the time it is necessary to enter it at the console for some reason.
• the menu comprises two displays. Figs. 19 and 20, which the operator can recall and readily look up all the various identifications for operational codes necessary to allocate particular operations or occurrences within the term of the makeready and run operations.
• a typical makeready display is shown in Fig.13, and includes some downtime and some accumulated waste. It is assumed here that the operator, during phase I makeready, has entered an appropriate OPCODE for the downtime reason (obtained from menu, Figs. 19 or 20, if necessary) .and a message has been recorded at the REC. Only the totals are displayed here, not preceding reasons. Waste is represented as one unit (fifteen screen increments) per 4000 impressions.
• Fig. 14 shows the phase II makeready display at a later time. Some more downtime has occurred and the operator has determined it resulted from a web break at the upper infeed. He has entered the OPCODE 540. The bar after this code was deleted once the press, again was running and the downtime increased accordingly. The downtime event message has been reported to the REC file. It should also be noted that accumulated waste now equals 4000 impressions, almost one-fourth of the standard for makeready waste.
• Fig. 15 shows the Makeready display later in phase II.
• a further downtime has been en countered which was detected and automatically entered as due to a web break in printing unit one.
• the operator will press the GOOD button on the PMA console to indicate that a "good count” has begun. This also indicates that the output of the folders is to be saved from that time on during the run, unless some intervening condition produces waste.
• the PMA display automatically changes to the Run Status display (Fig. 16). It includes bar graphs of standard run hours, standard run waste, and a gradually increasing graph showing actual run hours.
• Additional graph bars can show down time hours, wait time hours, or management time hours during the term of the run.
• the operator can enter codes identifying the particular operation or occurrence from which the stoppage resulted, and this is automatically recorded at the REC along with the date and time of day, so that the occurrence, nature, and length of time of each of these nonproductive periods is recorded (filed).
• Effective Printing Rate Number of Good Impressions Accumulated Run Time
• PRT Target Good Count-Present Good Count Effective Printing Rate.
• presses of this type usually operate from a reel which allows the web from a new roll to be pasted to the end of the web from an exhausted roll (as above described), the system also provides for an accounting of waste resulting from the passage of the paste through the press.
• the good counter having been started by the operator as previously mentioned, is automatically turned off once a predetermined number of gross counts occur after sensing. the paste. It is then up to the operator again to signal commencement of a good count as soon as the paste has cleared to the point that and good prints are again available.
• Fig. 17 shows the Run Status display after the run has progressed at a normal (standard) rate for about forty-five minutes. The projected run hours are equal to the standard.
• the standard run waste has been displayed, having been calculated from the standards information on file at the REC. Accumulated impression per hour (the Effective Printing Rate) is within standard, and as yet there has not been any run waste.
• Fig. 18 shows the display later on, after a little more than two hours run time. A wait is occurring for paper (OPCODE 605), run waste is still below standard, but the accumulated impressions per hour is now just under 24,000/hr., in excess of standard, and the projected run hours now exceeds standard, hence the bar graph for projected run hours has changed color.

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• 1980
  • 1980-03-25 US US06/133,770 patent/US4346446A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
• 1981
  • 1981-03-24 JP JP56501303A patent/JPS57500427A/ja active Pending
  • 1981-03-24 EP EP81900917A patent/EP0048265B1/en not_active Expired
  • 1981-03-24 WO PCT/US1981/000366 patent/WO1981002799A1/en active IP Right Grant

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