WO2004043698A1 - Controle a distance de consommables d'un systeme d'exposition directe des plaques - Google Patents

Controle a distance de consommables d'un systeme d'exposition directe des plaques Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2004043698A1
WO2004043698A1 PCT/CA2003/001735 CA0301735W WO2004043698A1 WO 2004043698 A1 WO2004043698 A1 WO 2004043698A1 CA 0301735 W CA0301735 W CA 0301735W WO 2004043698 A1 WO2004043698 A1 WO 2004043698A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
consumable
inventory level
usage
consumable item
management information
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/CA2003/001735
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
John G. Kalbfleisch
Douglas Manness
Original Assignee
Creo Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Creo Inc. filed Critical Creo Inc.
Priority to JP2004550580A priority Critical patent/JP2006505857A/ja
Priority to EP03810923A priority patent/EP1572462A1/fr
Priority to AU2003301907A priority patent/AU2003301907A1/en
Publication of WO2004043698A1 publication Critical patent/WO2004043698A1/fr

Links

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
    • G06Q10/08—Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
    • G06Q10/087—Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41F—PRINTING MACHINES OR PRESSES
    • B41F33/00—Indicating, counting, warning, control or safety devices
    • B41F33/0009—Central control units

Definitions

  • the invention relates to the field of managing consumable items for printing plants.
  • CTP Computer-to-plate
  • MIS Management Information Systems
  • CTP hardware output devices
  • One aspect of this invention provides methods for remotely monitoring consumable usage in printing plants.
  • the methods comprise establishing an order point for at least one consumable item used in a computer-to-plate imaging line at the printing plant and determining an initial inventory level for the consumable item.
  • the inventory level for the consumable item is updated based on the usage of the item.
  • a communication link to a remote management information system is established for transferring consumption information relevant to the consumable item to the remote management information system.
  • An order fulfilment process is initiated when the updated inventory level falls below the order point.
  • Another aspect of this invention provides a system for monitoring usage of consumable items in printing plants.
  • the system comprises a computer-to-plate imaging line capable of tracking the usage of at least one consumable item and a remote management information system.
  • a transmission channel is operably connected between the imaging line and the remote management information system for transferring information concerning the usage of the consumable item.
  • Figure 1 is a schematic view of a CTP system; and Figure 2 is a process flowchart of a method in accordance with the present invention.
  • the present invention is described in relation to a consumable management system wherein consumable usage is monitored directly by pre-press CTP systems and then uploaded or otherwise communicated to a central MIS system located remotely.
  • a central MIS system may be provided by a media vendor and may monitor inventory from many such customers.
  • the term Computer-to-Plate is commonly used to describe imaging systems and associated control hardware that are capable of exposing printing plates directly but may also be capable of imaging other media types, or a combination of different types of media.
  • FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a CTP system comprising an imaging unit 10, an optional media processor unit 12 for performing secondary processing of a media 13, and a controller 14.
  • Controller 14 generally performs the functions of receiving image data, optionally converting that image data into a format that may be output to imaging unit 10 and initiating and controlling the imaging operation.
  • Processor 12 may take on many forms and may or may not include pre-bake or post bake ovens, rinsing or gumming units, other apparatus for performing a post-imaging process or the like. In practice, there are a wide variety of different configurations for CTP systems, that shown in Figure 1 being just one such possibility. The location of controller functions may vary considerably.
  • Controller 14 is linked to imaging unit 10 by a data link 16.
  • Data link 16 can transfer imaging data, control signals and other information pertinent to the imaging operation.
  • controller 14 may also be linked to processor unit 12 for transfer of information regarding processing operations as described in commonly assigned US application 10/376,500 which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
  • processor 12 may not be needed at all, as would be the case for a processless media where the media is ready for use directly on completion of imaging.
  • the consumables used by the CTP system may be of various types and may include media such as lithographic, flexographic or gravure plates or sleeves, films, and/or proofing media, chemicals for processing, filter elements or any other items consumed in imaging or processing operations.
  • Consumption information relevant to the consumption of consumable items of one or more types may be generated in one or more of the imaging unit 10, the controller 14, and the processor 12.
  • the consumption information is transmitted back via link 18 to a remote MIS system 20 for further processing. Examples of consumption information include a number of media of a particular type which have been imaged; an aggregate imaged area; a number of media items remaining in inventory or the like.
  • MIS Management Information System
  • MRP Material Requirements Planning
  • the functionality of the system may also include a reporting function in that a remote MIS may create a report in which inventory, costs or usage or any other data may be communicated to the printing plant by some means such as electronic transfer, fax, email or postal mail.
  • MIS 20 is remote from the CTP system in the sense that it can operate separately from any particular CTP system.
  • MIS 20 could be located on the same premises as one or more CTP systems although MIS 20 typically serves at least one, and typically several CTP systems which are not located in the same premises as MIS 20.
  • the details of plates of one or more types being used in a CTP system may be monitored in an existing imaging unit 10. This information is often required to set up the imaging unit 10 for a successful imaging operation. Some imaging systems accumulate statistics on the number and types of plates that have passed through the system. The data may be held in local memory to aid in diagnostic or performance monitoring. Such data is used as, or as part of, consumption information in some embodiments of the invention.
  • Link 18 may be provided by any suitable data transfer mechanism. Examples of data transfer mechanisms that may be used to implement link 18 include modems connected to telephone lines, Internet connections, Local Area Network (LAN) connections, email, wireless connections or any other known method of transferring information between computerised systems.
  • One transfer protocol known as Job Definition Format (JDF) has been developed by a consortium of graphic arts companies and is now presented as an open system by CIP4, an international operating standards body in Switzerland. JDF along with Job Messaging Format (JMF) aims to provide non-proprietary formats for transfer of print job data and monitoring of printing operations.
  • JDF Job Definition Format
  • JMF Job Messaging Format
  • any one of a number of transfer protocols may be employed and in as much that these protocols are well known in the art they are not further discussed herein.
  • the protocol preferably permits the transmission of an identifier which uniquely identifies a printing plant from which the transmitted consumption information originated.
  • processors While consumption such information may also be generated and transferred directly from processor unit 12, processors typically have a simpler construction than imaging devices and may not include logging and communication capabilities. On the other hand processors with more sophisticated controls are becoming available and transfer of consumption information directly from a processor to a remote MIS falls within the scope of the present invention.
  • a counting mechanism may be provided in the form of a unit comprising a reader that is able to sense the size or type of media passing a particular point, or read a code such as an imprinted barcode or other machine readable tag on the consumable and accumulate the relevant statistics.
  • the unit may further comprise a communication mechanism for transferring the accumulated statistics to remote MIS 20.
  • codes imprinted on the media or the media packaging may also be used to provide additional inventory details such as, for example, media batch numbers or expiry dates.
  • a CTP may include filters for cooling air, pressurized air supply, or for collecting debris generated in imaging certain media. These filters may be monitored in any of a number of ways, such as by recording a pressure drop across a filter element and comparing it with a previously determined threshold value. On reaching the threshold level, information may be transferred to the remote MIS to initiate an order for a new filter element.
  • Some embodiments of the invention trigger orders on actual consumption as reported by the system but this is not mandated.
  • the consumption of a particular item may be predicted based on passage of time or the consumption of one or more related items.
  • An example of this is the chemical solutions that may be used in a processor. While it is technically possible to monitor the usage of solutions directly by a measurement of some parameter such as conductivity, most processors are not equipped to provide such measurements and may not even provide facilities for transferring information. In this case, the consumption of media, as a related item, may be used to predict chemistry consumption.
  • a more complex and possibly more accurate prediction may be made by including in the calculation, for example, an elapsed time component, an estimated rate of comsumption, a measured historical consumption rate; and/or the actual accumulated area of media imaged.
  • This prediction allows the usefulness of the system to be extended past items that can be directly logged or measured to consumables of other types whose state can be determined by observation of another related event.
  • a method according to an embodiment of the invention is depicted as a process flowchart in Figure 2.
  • a printing plant " «" is shown as outline 30. Events within outline 30 generally occur at the location of plant n.
  • An imaging system in the plant images a plate at step 32 whereafter consumption statistics are up-dated in step 34.
  • the imaging system may continue to image plates and update statistics until a communication is initiated in step 36 and the statistics are transferred as consumption information to a remote MIS shown as outline block 38.
  • the remote MIS receives the consumption information from plant n in step 40.
  • the statistics, identified as belonging to plant n are used to update inventory levels in a database for plant n in step 42.
  • the updated inventory levels for plant n are then compared against one or more established order points for plant n in step 44 and if an order point is reached, an order is triggered.
  • Orders may be automatically generated by the MIS and then shipped to the customer or the MIS may generate a message or other signal to cause the plant to be contacted by the media vendor by phone, e-mail or fax to solicit an order. Regardless of how the actual order is placed or confirmed, the shipment to plant n is initiated in step 46 and the shipment details are used to update inventory figures for plant n in step 42.
  • the quantity of items to be shipped may be determined in accordance with a pre-determined inventory target that is stored in a database of the remote MIS or entered by the customer at the plant. Alternatively the quantity of items to be shipped may be determined from a more complex calculation incorporating both the actual inventory levels at the plant and a history of recent usage to predict present needs.
  • the advantage of this more complex order calculation is that where consumption is abnormally high or low the order may be adjusted to reflect such conditions.
  • the shipped consumables are received by plant n and placed in on-site inventory in step 48. Plant n does not have to implement a separate inventory planning and monitoring system since this is completely handled by the remote MIS.
  • the remote MIS may automatically generate and provide to the plant a summary of the usage of various types of consumable items.
  • the embodiment shown in Figure 2 is provided as an example only. In practice there are many different ways to implement such a system.
  • the order points are maintained in memory or a database at each plant allowing local control over the order points or alternatively, the system may provide remote access to the order points stored in the remote MIS via any suitable interface such as a secure password authenticated web site. Additionally, facilities may be provided to initiate separate manual orders in step 50, or inventory updates and corrections in step 52. These features allow the plant additional flexibility to order consumables when wishing to override the automated ordering process.
  • the inventory update feature allows inventory adjustments to be initiated by plant n, as may be necessary when a customer inventory count is made, or when consumables are found to be defective, expired or incorrectly shipped. This information may be transferred directly to the remote MIS in step 36.
  • the systems and methods described above beneficially allow printing plants access to an automated ordering system without the expense of installing such a system at their plants.
  • the system may be provided at substantially reduced cost since many imaging systems already generate and accumulate the statistics suitable for use as consumption information and additionally many such systems have remote diagnostic capabilities for maintenance and troubleshooting.
  • the remote MIS may serve a plurality of different printing plants by providing a unique identifier to each plant in order to correctly track usage of consumables by each plant.

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  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Economics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Quality & Reliability (AREA)
  • Tourism & Hospitality (AREA)
  • Finance (AREA)
  • Entrepreneurship & Innovation (AREA)
  • Human Resources & Organizations (AREA)
  • Marketing (AREA)
  • Operations Research (AREA)
  • Accounting & Taxation (AREA)
  • Strategic Management (AREA)
  • Development Economics (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Accessory Devices And Overall Control Thereof (AREA)
  • Inking, Control Or Cleaning Of Printing Machines (AREA)
  • General Factory Administration (AREA)

Abstract

Dans un système de contrôle de l'utilisation de consommables dans une ligne d'exposition directe des plaques, les données d'utilisation sont transférées vers un système d'information de gestion à distance (SIG) qui peut être actionné par un vendeur de médias ou par une autre compagnie de services. Le système d'information de gestion à distance contrôle les stocks des consommables d'une installation de production par rapport à des points de commande prédéfinis. Une commande est lancée si le niveau des stocks chute au-dessous du point de commande prédéfini.
PCT/CA2003/001735 2002-11-12 2003-11-12 Controle a distance de consommables d'un systeme d'exposition directe des plaques WO2004043698A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2004550580A JP2006505857A (ja) 2002-11-12 2003-11-12 直接刷版の画像形成システムに使用される消耗品の遠隔監視
EP03810923A EP1572462A1 (fr) 2002-11-12 2003-11-12 Controle a distance de consommables d'un systeme d'exposition directe des plaques
AU2003301907A AU2003301907A1 (en) 2002-11-12 2003-11-12 Remote monitoring of consumables for a computer to plate imaging system

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA002411487A CA2411487A1 (fr) 2002-11-12 2002-11-12 Surveillance a distance de pieces consommables pour un systeme d'imagerie ordinateur-plaque
CA2,411,487 2002-11-12

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2004043698A1 true WO2004043698A1 (fr) 2004-05-27

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/CA2003/001735 WO2004043698A1 (fr) 2002-11-12 2003-11-12 Controle a distance de consommables d'un systeme d'exposition directe des plaques

Country Status (7)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1572462A1 (fr)
JP (1) JP2006505857A (fr)
CN (1) CN100343872C (fr)
AU (1) AU2003301907A1 (fr)
CA (1) CA2411487A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2004043698A1 (fr)
ZA (1) ZA200501783B (fr)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2009104272A (ja) * 2007-10-22 2009-05-14 Disco Abrasive Syst Ltd 消耗品の管理方法
CN100522625C (zh) * 2005-10-31 2009-08-05 精工爱普生株式会社 打印机和打印系统
US8867101B2 (en) 2011-10-18 2014-10-21 Think Laboratory Co., Ltd. Photoengraving consumable material remote administration method

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4803634A (en) * 1985-09-12 1989-02-07 Tokyo Kikai Seisakuchi, Ltd. Production process control system in newspaper printing
EP0467257A2 (fr) * 1990-07-16 1992-01-22 R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company Système et méthode pour l'entretien commandé par ordinateur
US5625758A (en) * 1993-08-20 1997-04-29 Man Roland Druckmaschinen Ag Communication process and communication system for computer-assisted printing
US20020128953A1 (en) * 2000-09-15 2002-09-12 Jim Quallen Price discovery and negotiations and related processes

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4803643A (en) * 1987-08-10 1989-02-07 Oclc Online Computer Library Center Incorporated System and method for creating memory-retained, formatted pages of text, tabulation, and graphic data
JP5077787B2 (ja) * 2000-03-30 2012-11-21 渡邉 治巳 ネットワークを介した企業業務毎の文字・画像パターンの移植可能表示・印刷ファイル生成装置

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4803634A (en) * 1985-09-12 1989-02-07 Tokyo Kikai Seisakuchi, Ltd. Production process control system in newspaper printing
EP0467257A2 (fr) * 1990-07-16 1992-01-22 R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company Système et méthode pour l'entretien commandé par ordinateur
US5625758A (en) * 1993-08-20 1997-04-29 Man Roland Druckmaschinen Ag Communication process and communication system for computer-assisted printing
US20020128953A1 (en) * 2000-09-15 2002-09-12 Jim Quallen Price discovery and negotiations and related processes

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN100522625C (zh) * 2005-10-31 2009-08-05 精工爱普生株式会社 打印机和打印系统
JP2009104272A (ja) * 2007-10-22 2009-05-14 Disco Abrasive Syst Ltd 消耗品の管理方法
US8867101B2 (en) 2011-10-18 2014-10-21 Think Laboratory Co., Ltd. Photoengraving consumable material remote administration method

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU2003301907A1 (en) 2004-06-03
CA2411487A1 (fr) 2004-05-12
CN100343872C (zh) 2007-10-17
CN1692019A (zh) 2005-11-02
JP2006505857A (ja) 2006-02-16
ZA200501783B (en) 2005-09-06
EP1572462A1 (fr) 2005-09-14

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