CN114415651A - System consisting of graphic industrial machine and unmanned transport vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a system consisting of a graphic industrial machine and an unmanned transport vehicle, wherein the machine (1a-1d) processes a print substrate (21) and the transport vehicle (10) transports the print substrate (21) and/or consumables (22) to and/or from the machine (1a-1 d). The machines (1a-1d) process a queue (40a) of production tasks (40), the transport vehicle (10) exchanges information (60) with the computers (2a-2d) of the machines (1a-1d) directly or via another computer (8), and the information (60) is used for at least one change (41, 42, 43, 45, 47) on the queue (40a) of production tasks (40). The invention advantageously enables: the graphic industrial machine and the unmanned transport vehicle (FTF) are connected in an information technology manner, so that an optimized production process is realized and the productivity is increased.

Description

System consisting of graphic industrial machines and driverless transport vehicles

technical field

The present invention relates to a system consisting of a graphic industrial machine and an unmanned transport vehicle.

The invention resides in the technical field of the graphics industry, and here in particular in a machine, such as a printing press, in the field of the graphics industry, where stacks of flat products to be processed, for example printed sheets of paper, cardboard, cardboard or films or other objects are to be processed. The technical field of the transport of or reprocessing machines and/or the removal from such machines. In particular, the invention is here in the subfield of transporting stacks in so-called unmanned transport vehicles (FTFs or "Automated Guided Vehicles" or AGVs).

Background technique

Multiple unmanned transport vehicles (or FTFs or AGVs) can be incorporated into the unmanned transport system (FTS).

The document DE 10 2014 209 205 A1 discloses a method for processing stacks in a plant for piece products, for example in a printing plant with a warehouse, in a printing press with a stack-feeder and delivery, and in a reprocessing machine. In this case, an unmanned transport mechanism (FTF) is used, for example a material handling vehicle

The document DE 10 2007 046 868 A1 discloses an (unmanned) transport device for cargo supports, eg pallets. A similar device is also disclosed in DE102017215366A1.

Systems due to FTS for transporting pallets with paper stacks are increasingly used in large printing plants. There is a need here to connect such a system with all machinery or to integrate it completely into the overall system and to achieve a smooth production flow here.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The task of the present invention is therefore to achieve an improvement compared to the prior art, which in particular makes it possible to connect the graphic industrial machine and the FTF in information technology such that an optimized production process and thus increased productivity are achieved.

The solution according to the invention of the said task:

According to the present invention, said task is solved by the system of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Advantageous and therefore preferred further developments of the invention result from alternative embodiments as well as from the description and drawings.

The invention proposes a system consisting of a graphics industrial machine and an unmanned transport vehicle, wherein the machine processes a printing material and the transport vehicle transports the printing material and/or consumables towards and/or away from the machine . The invention proposes that the machine handles the queue of production tasks, the transport vehicle exchanges information with the computer of the machine, directly or via another computer, which information is used for at least one change on the queue of production tasks.

The advantageous composition and effect of the present invention:

The present invention advantageously makes it possible to connect the graphic industrial machine and the FTF in information technology such that an optimized production sequence is achieved and thus the productivity is increased. Additional advantages are: avoidance of downtimes, optimization of the load rate of the individual machines and cost reduction.

In addition, the present invention makes it possible to supply all required printing materials and/or consumables (and/or spare parts, if necessary) to the machine in time for the production task that is waiting in the queue by means of a driverless transport vehicle; and to supply all production The articles (article sheets, signatures, waste pages) are transported away in time by the driverless transport vehicle, for example to another machine.

The term "computer" in this application always refers to a digital computer, which preferably includes a processor and digital memory. The computers can preferably exchange information with each other, eg via a digital network (LAN, WLAN) or via direct lines. Computers can be directly or indirectly connected to the Internet and store information in and/or retrieve information from the so-called cloud. The term "memory" in this application always refers to digital memory.

A graphics industrial machine may be a printing press, such as an offset printing press that processes printed sheets, which includes a feeder, a series of printing units, and a delivery reel. Graphic industrial machines may be reprocessing machines, such as origami machines including a paper feeder, a series of origami stations and a take-up reel.

A driverless transport vehicle (abbreviated: FTF) may be a material handling vehicle. The FTF preferably includes its own driver and its own computer. The FTF preferably travels without mechanical guidance. The FTF can be driven all the way to the machine, for example to a parking position on the respective machine. The FTF can be driven into the machine, eg in the feeder or delivery reel, preferably onto a reciprocating stacking tray of the feeder or delivery reel. The FTF can be driven into the warehouse, for example, up to a standstill next to the gantry (Regal) or into the gantry. Preferably, the FTF can implement a change in direction of travel, eg a change of +/- 90° or 180°.

The printing material is preferably in the form of a sheet, tape, film or label and is preferably made of paper, cardboard, cardboard, plastic, metal or composite material.

The consumables are preferably printing inks, lacquers or varnishes, wetting agents, cleaning agents or cleaning wipes. Consumables may include unused or used (printed) printing plates. Consumables may include unused or used blankets. Consumables can include waste pages. Consumables can also include spare parts for the machine.

Printing materials and/or consumables can be stored or stored in warehouses, such as high-bay warehouses. Printing materials and/or consumables can be supplied from a warehouse, for example automatically, and fed to the machine automatically by means of an FTF.

During storage and/or during transport, substrates and/or consumables may be located on transport pallets (referred to as: pallets).

This queue of production jobs may be a print job queue in the case of a printing press. The queue production task may be a queue of reprocessing tasks in the case of a reprocessing machine. The corresponding queue can be stored in the computer in digital form. The computer can be a machine's computer or a central computer (a computer for several machines or for the entire printing plant or a central computer for production planning). The production tasks can be created centrally, preferably on a central computer and distributed to the individual machines or transferred to the computers of the individual machines.

These machines can automate requests for required substrates and/or consumables for pending production tasks and/or for future production tasks. To this end, digital requests can be exchanged with the central computer and/or the individual FTFs. The request can contain the start time at which the production task should start. At this moment, the FTF must provide the required materials at the latest. An FTF that can supply the required material on time is preferably selected and preferably obtained for the corresponding transport task. This selection can be effected by a central computer. Alternatively, the FTF itself can make the choice. Data should preferably be available for this selection, which allow the calculation and comparison of the transport times of individual FTFs for transport tasks. Also, data provided by the warehouse can be included, such as what goods are stored in the warehouse and when the goods are available. In this way it is ensured that the so-called automatic does not stop running.

The information can be, for example, information about delays, which result, for example, from warehouse delays and/or transport delays. Warehouse delays can arise if the required media or consumables are available from the warehouse for longer than the planned time. If required media or required consumables are transported to the machine longer than planned, eg because the FTF has to travel a different path than the one planned in order to avoid another FTF, a transport delay can result. The information may be, for example, information about interference. Disruptions can be unplanned downtime of the FTF or warehouse.

The information can be, for example, information about errors. The error can be, for example, the wrong substrate or the wrong consumable on the FTF, which needs to be replaced.

Variations of the queue production tasks can be various, and are described in detail in "Further Solutions of the Invention". The variation is preferably implemented in a computer or in memory.

In addition to or in lieu of a change in the production task of the queue, when the production task that is waiting in the queue cannot be started in time, the operation can preferably be notified visually (alarm message or alarm light on the display) or audibly (alarm sound) By.

Further scheme of the present invention:

Preferred further variants of the invention (abbreviation: further variants) are described below.

A further approach may be characterized in that the change is a change in the sequence of production tasks. Due to delays or disturbances (see above) it may be advantageous to push back currently ("now") scheduled production tasks in the queue of production tasks. Likewise, in such cases it may be advantageous to move forward non-currently (“later”) planned production tasks in the queue of production tasks, if the printing materials (and if necessary consumables) required for this purpose are currently The words that are available or currently available to the machine by means of FTF. Multiple sequence changes are also possible. New sequences can also be programmed.

A further approach may be characterized in that the change is the deletion of a production task. Due to delays or disturbances (see above) it can be advantageous to delete production tasks, for example if the printing material (and if necessary consumables) required for this is not available or cannot be fed to the machine by means of FTF.

A further solution may be characterized in that the change is an insertion of a production task. The inserted production task can be, for example, a previously deleted production task that can be executed again due to the elimination of delays or disturbances.

A further solution may be characterized in that the change is the insertion of a cleaning procedure or a maintenance procedure. Due to delays or disturbances (see above) it may be advantageous, in particular, to carry out cleaning procedures or maintenance procedures currently (ie "now" or "immediately"), if the machine would otherwise stop and must be carried out very soon, for example during a production task If such a procedure is implemented later or after a few additional production tasks. The procedure can thus advantageously be advanced.

A further solution may be characterized in that the change is to reduce the machine speed for production tasks that are waiting in the queue. Preferably, the production task ends only when a subsequent, delayed production task can be started. In this way, downtimes can be avoided and production can take place here in an energy-optimized manner.

A further development can be characterized in that the transport vehicle transports printing materials and/or consumables to and/or away from at least one further graphics industry machine. Advantageously, the FTF can transport substrates and/or consumables from one machine to another, eg from a printing press to a reprocessing machine.

A further development can be characterized in that the transport vehicle handles a queue of transport tasks. The transport tasks can be stored digitally in the memory of the FTF. The transport tasks can form a sequence, wherein the sequence is preferably selected or calculated in such a way that the FTF does not have to carry out empty runs or a small number of empty runs.

A further development can be characterized in that the information is used for at least one change in the queue transport task. This change may (similar to the above-mentioned changes on the queue production tasks) include changes in order, deletions and/or insertions. It is also possible to insert a maintenance program in which the FTF is maintained.

A further solution may be characterized in that the information deactivates the safety mechanism of the machine. For example, it may be advantageous for the FTF to deactivate the machine or the light barriers or mechanical barriers of the feeder or delivery reel of the machine and drive it into the machine. Here, it is preferably ensured that only the FTF enters the machine and in particular no operator can enter it. If the FTF is located in the machine, the barrier is preferably activated again. This exchange of information preferably ensures that no errors are reported by the machine or its safety mechanisms.

The features and feature combinations disclosed in the above paragraphs such as the technical field, the invention and further developments and in the following paragraphs such as the examples - in any combination with each other - constitute further advantageous further developments of the invention.

Description of drawings

The drawings show preferred details of embodiments of the invention and its further developments. Features corresponding to each other are provided with the same reference numerals in the figures. In the attached picture:

Figure 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the system of the present invention;

Figure 2a shows a display 70 showing a computer 2a (or 2b, 2c or 2d);

FIG. 2b shows, for example, the display 71 of the computer 11;

FIG. 2 c shows the central computer 8 and by way of example a display 72 of the central computer 8 .

Detailed ways

Figure 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the system according to the invention.

A printing plant 100 is shown here, which by way of example comprises four graphic industrial machines 1a to 1d: two sheet-fed printing presses 1a and 1b and two origami machines 1c and 1d. The printing house may have further (not shown) machines, for example further printing presses, further folding machines and also further prepress machines (plate exposing machines, etc.) or postpress machines (bundling machines, folder gluing machines) Wait).

Each machine preferably comprises its own computer 2a to 2d. The computer may include a display and may be part of the machine or part of the console of the machine.

Each machine comprises feeders 3a to 3d for sheets of printing material that are stacked on top of each other. Each machine also comprises take-up reels 4a to 4d for stacked, printed sheets (in the case of a printing press) or for folded sheets or signatures (in the case of an origami machine).

The machines 1a to 1d may comprise safety mechanisms 5a to 5d, such as light grids, which protect the feeder or take-up reel in case of interruption by emergency shutdown.

The printing presses 1a and 1b comprise cleaning means 6a and 6b for cleaning components, such as cylinders or their bushings, eg means comprising brush- and/or towel- and/or spray washing devices.

The printing press may comprise transfer stations 7a and 7b for consumables, eg for (new/unprinted or printed) printing plates. Plates can be automatically transported from this transfer station to the printing units and plate changers of the printing press.

The printing house 100 has a central computer 8 (see Figure 2C). This central computer can exchange information with the computers 2a to 2d of the machine via the connection 9 . The computer 8 can create production tasks 40 and can assign its tasks to the computer of the machine or to the computer of the machine in a specific manner.

FIG. 1 shows a driverless transport vehicle 10 (abbreviation: FTF), which is exemplarily positioned on the feeder 3a. The FTF includes its own computer 11 . The computer can preferably be connected and exchange information 60 with at least one machine and particularly preferably with all machines, ie with the computers 2a to 2d of these machines, and particularly preferably also with the central computer 8 , for example via a connection 9 . The FTF can be moved automatically on a preferably defined travel path 101 . In this case, the travel path is not predetermined by mechanical guides, such as rails, but is defined digitally, for example in the form of a virtual map. Alternatively, the FTF can move freely in the printing house automatically. Printing plant 100 may include additional (not shown) travel paths.

The FTF 10 can be located at any position on the travel path 101 , in particular at the positions P1 to P15 shown by way of example. In addition to this FTF 10 there may also be another FTF or a plurality of further FTFs. Furthermore, these FTFs can also be located at any position on the travel path 101 , in particular at the positions P1 to P15 shown by way of example. In the presence of several FTFs, it is preferably ensured by computational technology and/or sensor technology that these FTFs do not collide or avoid each other. This avoidance can be achieved, for example, in that the individual FTFs take different travel paths and/or the individual FTFs leave the travel path preferably for a short time at a defined position 102 . A corner is marked on each FTF (for illustration purposes only) to identify if the FTF is (if necessary) rotated about a vertical axis and moved forward and/or positioned with a short or long side. This rotation may be performed at any position on the travel path 101; alternatively, a specific position 32 may be provided; further alternatively, if the FTF cannot rotate by itself, a rotation mechanism 32 may be provided. Alternatively, the FTF can drop the tray and pick it up again from the other side (+/- 90° or 180°), eg at position 32 .

The warehouse 20 is shown here. Printing materials 21 and/or consumables 22 and/or spare parts 24 can be stored in the warehouse. Preferably, all stored items are located on pallets, and one or more FTFs 10 are designed to receive and transport such pallets. Standard trays are preferably used. In the warehouse, waste sheets 23 can also be stored, which are conveyed away by the FTF from the machines 1a to 1d.

The buffer zone 30 is shown on the travel path 101 . At least one FTF 10 can be buffered, eg parked, in this buffer. The parked buffers for multiple FTFs 10 can be designed to be serial and/or parallel. The buffer may include mechanisms for preprocessing 31 . There, for example, treatment or pre-treatment (temperature and/or humidity and/or ventilation and/or air conditioning and/or air conditioning and/or air conditioning) can be performed with respect to predetermined temperature and/or humidity and/or other characteristics (in order to optimize the treatment in machines 1a to 1d). powdered and/or loose) substrates.

FIG. 2a exemplarily shows a display 70 of a computer 2a (or 2b, 2c or 2d). A number of production tasks 40 can be seen forming a queue 40b with processing order ("top down"). The "tick" should show that the "topmost" production task 40 is currently being processed.

If the FTF 10 now informs the machine 1a (via the exchange of information 60) that there are delays or disturbances, etc., and that the required printing material 21 or the required consumables 22 or the required spare parts 24 cannot or cannot be provided in time for the subsequent production task 40, The computer 2a can then carry out, for example, a variation 41 of the sequence 40 of production tasks that solves this problem at least for a short time.

Alternatively, the computer may implement the deletion 42 of non-executable production tasks. As a further alternative, the computer may implement the insertion 43 of another (executable) production task.

Further alternatively, computer 2a (or 2b) may implement insertion 45 of cleaning program 44, or alternatively, computer 2a (or 2b or 2c or 2d) may implement insertion 47 of maintenance program 46; these alternatives are It is particularly advantageous that such a program is queued "as it is" and can be carried out in advance and can be terminated before the subsequent production task should start. The cleaning device 6a can be activated during a cleaning program. For example, an automated self-test of the machine can be carried out in the maintenance program.

Further alternatively, the computer 2a (or 2b, 2c or 2d) may implement a temporary reduction 48 in the machine speed or production speed of the machines 1a-1d.

FIG. 2b exemplarily shows the display 71 of the computer 11 of the FTF 10 . A number of transport tasks 50 can be seen, which form a queue 50a with a processing order ("top to bottom"). The "tick" should show that the "topmost" transport task 50 is currently being processed.

Due to, for example, delays, disturbances or the like in the warehouse 20 and/or on the machines 1a to 1d, it may be advantageous for the computer 11 to carry out a change 51 of the sequence of the transport tasks 50. Alternatively, the computer may implement the deletion 45 of non-executable transport tasks. Further alternatively, the computer may implement the insertion 53 of another (executable) transport task.

It may also be necessary to interpose an insertion 55 of the rotation 54 of the FTF about its vertical axis or to perform a rotation 54 between two transport tasks 50 or within one transport task 50 . In this way, for example, a stack of printed sheets can be transported away from the printing press and conveyed towards the folding machine, wherein the stack is on the folding machine on a side different from the side received on the printing press (for example the long side first) Placed in front (eg short side in front).

FIG. 2 c shows the central computer 8 and by way of example a display 72 of the central computer 8 . A number of production tasks 40 can be seen forming a queue 40a with processing order ("top to bottom"). The "tick" should show that the "topmost" production task 40 is currently being processed. These production tasks are preferably not yet assigned to the machines 1 to 1d. Once configured, the respective configured production tasks 40 can be handed over to the machine and integrated into the production task queue in its computer, eg appended "below".

List of reference numbers:

1a to 1d graphic industrial machines

Computers for 2a to 2d machines

Feeder for 3a to 3d machines

Take-up reels for 4a to 4d machines

Safety mechanisms for 5a to 5d machines

6a, 6b cleaning device

7a, 7b Transfer station for consumables

8 Additional computers, such as central computers

10 Unmanned Transport Vehicles (FTFs)

11 Computers for Unmanned Transport Vehicles

20 warehouse

21 Substrates

22 Consumables

23 waste pages

24 Spare Parts

30 buffers

31 Mechanisms for Pretreatment

32 Positions or mechanisms for rotation

40 production tasks

40a Queue production tasks without machine configuration

40b Queue production tasks with machine configuration

41 Changes in the order of production tasks

42 Deletion of production tasks

43 Insertion of production tasks

44 Cleaning procedures

45 Insert Cleaning Program

46 Maintenance Procedures

47 Insert Maintenance Procedures

48 Reduce machine speed

50 transport missions

50a Queue Transport Task

51 Changes in the order of transport tasks

52 Deletion of transport tasks

53 Insertion of transport tasks

54 spins

55 Insert Rotation

60 information

70 machine computer monitor

71 FTF - computer monitor

72 Monitor of another computer/central computer

100 Printing House

101 Driving Path

102 Avoidance position

P1 to P15 positions

Claims (10)

1. A system consisting of a graphics industrial machine and an unmanned transport vehicle, wherein the machines (1a-1d) process a printing material (21) and the transport vehicle (10) transports the printing material (21) and/or or consumables (22) are transported towards and/or away from said machines (1a-1d), It is characterized in that, The machine (1a-1d) handles the queue (40a) of production tasks (40), the transport vehicle (10) directly or via another computer (8) and the computer (2a) of the machine (1a-1d) -2d) Information (60) is exchanged and said information (60) is used to cause at least one change (41, 42, 43, 45, 47) to the queue (40a) of said production task (40). 2. The system of claim 1, It is characterized in that, The change is a change (41) in the sequence of the production tasks (40a). 3. The system of claim 1, It is characterized in that, The change is the deletion (42) of the production task (40a). 4. The system of claim 1, It is characterized in that, The change is the insertion (43) of the production task (40a). 5. The system of claim 1, It is characterized in that, Said change is the insertion (45, 47) of a cleaning program (44) or a maintenance program (46). 6. The system of claim 1, It is characterized in that, The change is to reduce (48) the machine speed for production tasks (40) that are waiting in the queue. 7. The system according to one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that, Said transport vehicle (10) transports printing materials (21) and/or consumables (22) towards and/or from at least one further graphics industry machine (1a-1d) Walk. 8. The system according to one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that, The transport vehicle (10) handles a queue (50a) of transport tasks (50). 9. The system of one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that, Said information (60) is used to cause at least one change (51) to the queue (50a) of said transport tasks (50). 10. The system of one of claims 1 to 8, It is characterized in that, Said information (60) deactivates the safety mechanisms (5a-5d) of said machines (1a-1d).

Images