EP2389292B1 - Transport system for providing printing forms to a printing press - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a transport system for providing printing forms on a printing unit according to the preamble of claim 1 .

By the US 2007/272105 A1 a transport system for providing printing forms on a printing unit is known, wherein a plurality of printing plates are transportable in a same cassette, wherein a transport vehicle is provided, wherein the transport vehicle simultaneously several cassettes are transportable, wherein the transport vehicle has a carrier system.

By the US 2008/271629 A1 It is known to transport exposed printing plates in cassettes to a plurality of printing units having printing unit of a web press, wherein in each cartridge printing plates for multiple printing units of the printing unit are positioned, the printing plates taken from the cassettes and the respective printing units to perform a printing plate change in alignment with one of supplied to each cassette associated record.

The DE 20 2007 011 576 U1 describes a device for providing a plurality of different, ready for printing one or more printed products print ready printing plates, in particular printing plates for printing machines, with a production line, the at least one device for exposing, engraving and / or coating a printing form blank, optionally at least one device for punching and / or folding of the printing plates and a device for providing the finished printing plates for mounting in the printing machine, wherein the device has at least one intermediate storage for printing plates in which fully or partially finished printing forms are automatically switched on and outsourced.

By the DE 10 2006 032 204 B3 a method for providing at least one printing plate at its mounting location on a forme cylinder of a rotary printing machine is known, wherein the imaged with a print motif printing form is transported by a transport device from a separate from the rotary printing Bebilding Station to its mounting location on the plate cylinder, wherein the printing form in a transport module connected to the transport device is transported from the imaging station to its respective mounting location on the forme cylinder, wherein the assembly of the printing forme takes place at its respective mounting location on the forme cylinder from the transport module.

By the DE 10 2006 061 452 A1 a printing plate cartridge for a printing machine is known, which has a plurality of compartments for receiving in a printing plate change to be dismantled printing plates and for receiving plates to be mounted in a pressure plate change plates, wherein the printing plate cassette is mounted such that it rotates relative to a printing unit of the printing press and rotating can be moved linearly so that several printing units of the printing unit can be operated successively from the printing plate cassette during the printing plate change.

By the GB 24 13 530 A a device for supplying printing forms to a forme cylinder of a printing machine is known, wherein in the printing machine a plurality of form cylinder are arranged vertically one above the other, wherein a plurality of printing plates are arranged in a common transport module, wherein the transport module is vertically movable, the printing forms individually and positionally from the Transport module out of the respective form cylinder can be fed.

By the EP 1 878 570 A2 is a printing unit of a rotary printing machine with at least two forme cylinders known, these form cylinder arranged on the same side of the printing unit in different levels and each with At least one printing form are assignable, wherein the at least two cylinders each form a printing forme magazine is associated with each in each printing forme magazine at least one interchangeable between this printing forme magazine and the associated form cylinder printing form can be stored, wherein on the relevant operating side of the printing unit a controlled handling device is provided with which are arranged on the same operating side of the printing unit arranged in different planes Druckformmagazine simultaneously with the at least one printing form.

By the EP 1 435 292 A1 a method for supplying printing forms to a cylinder is known, wherein in a memory an allocation plan for the printing cylinder to be supplied to the printing forms is stored, wherein an encoding of the respective printing forms is compared with the allocation plan and wherein the printing forms fed to the cylinder according to the allocation plan become.

By the EP 1 002 646 A1 a device for instructing the mounting position of a printing plate in a rotary press is known, wherein identified on its page number printing form assigned by a link with an imposition to a mounting location on the rotary press and the machine-determined mounting location is displayed for this printing plate. The mounting position is therefore not removable attached to the printing plate coding.

By the WO 2004/085153 A2 a device is known for storing an elevator to be exchanged on a cylinder of a printing press, wherein a plurality of elevators are to be arranged on the cylinder, the elevator to be exchanged being stored in a receptacle, the receptacle having at least one code reader, the code reader having a feature attached to the elevator detects its identification, wherein a control unit matches the detected feature with an occupancy plan for the intended printing process and all in the Recording device stored to check whether the elevators are stored in the receptacle for the intended printing in a correct order, the control unit generates at least in case of a mismatch in the adjustment before mounting the elevator on the cylinder a warning before incorrect assembly message.

By the DE 103 14 341 B3 a method for operating a system at least for supplying at least one stored in a printing forme magazine printing form to a cylinder is known, wherein a code reader detects a coding of the printing form, wherein errors such as a double assignment or a misregistration of a pressure point on the cylinder by a system preferably to a Control station of the printing press remote message can be detected.

By the US 4 727 807 A a device for automatically changing printing plates on a cylinder of a printing machine is known, wherein on the cylinder a plurality of printing plates are to be arranged, being attached to a transport system, a printing unit to be supplied printing forms on the printing unit to which they are assigned, removed and stored in a container After a code reader has read a code attached to each printing form and has determined its assignment to the printing unit.

The invention has for its object to provide a transport system for providing printing forms on a printing unit, which allows a fully automated supply of the printing unit with printing plates.

The object is achieved by the features of claim 1.

The advantages that can be achieved with the invention are, in particular, that this transport system is just as suitable for simply wide printing forms as it is for multiples wide, z. B. formed in panoramic format printing forms. The transport system designed according to the invention leads to a set-up time of very short duration in the printing machine. Further advantages will be apparent in connection with the following explanations.

Thus, it is advantageous that even at different times at least with at least one printed image provided printing forms to demand in terms of a planned production sentences and summarized in particular in an uninterrupted sequence together on the press are available. This saves an operator setting up the press for an upcoming production time otherwise he or she would be required to sort in practice, e.g. B. in newspaper printing often produced in any order printing forms and completing to at a certain of several possible sites, such. B. on a particular form cylinder or on a particular printing forme magazine of the printing press, required set of related printing forms needed. As a result, a shorter set-up time is achieved, which improves the profitability of the printing press. Nevertheless, full flexibility remains in the order of printing forms to be made, which is especially important for newspaper printing.

To prepare for processing a print job, several printing plates are usually to be made for use in a printing press. In particular, in a printing operation producing a newspaper as a printed product on an offset printing press, a plurality of printing forms for use on one of the forme cylinders of the offset printing press are required in a short time. Often, plate-shaped blanks are used to make the printing plates to be used in a separate from the offset printing plate exposure means for forming at least one printed image using a corresponding, z. B. exposed by a computer of a prepress preferably electronically provided in the form of a file on the plate exposure device template, the on the respective blank applied print image to the permanent training in a development facility z. B. is developed photochemically. Subsequently, each provided with at least one printed image printing plates are bent in a Abkanteinrichtung preferably at two opposite ends to form Einhänbringeln, the respective printing forme can be fastened on the outer surface of the respective forme cylinder by means of their insertable in at least one formed on the relevant forme channel channel suspension leg. As an aid to their positionally correct alignment on the lateral surface of the relevant forme cylinder, the relevant printing forme may have been provided, in particular before the fold of at least one of its suspension legs, with at least one register punching or with a cut or trimming. After exposure, developing, folding and possibly punching and / or cutting, the respective printing forme is ready for use in a production of the offset printing press.

A used in newspaper printing offset printing machine has z. B. several in the transport direction of the printed image to be printed with the printing forms to be printed, z. As a material web, in particular paper web, successively arranged printing units, each with at least one forme cylinder and a cooperating with this forme cylinder transfer cylinder. These several printing units are z. B. to perform a multi-color print, z. B. four-color printing used. In the case of preferably simultaneously executed double-sided printing of the printing material, the number of printing units required in the printing machine doubles. Each form cylinder of the printing units is at least in its respective axial direction each with a plurality, z. B. assignable four or six printing plates, each of these printing forms is assigned to exactly one axial mounting position on the lateral surface of this forme cylinder. Also in its respective circumferential direction, each of these form cylinder at certain axial positions each with several, z. B. be assigned to two or three printing plates, so that this form cylinder in its circumferential direction one behind the other several mounting positions each for one of Comprises printing forms. The lateral surface of the forme cylinder thus has a total of z. B. eight, twelve or more mounting positions each for a printing plate. In an offset printing machine with z. B. eight printing units z. B. in each case exactly one forme cylinder with z. B. twelve mounting positions each have a printing forme, are therefore to be arranged with full use of all mounting positions a total of 96 printing plates. The number of required for the execution of a specific print job printing forms increases but usually already because just in the newspaper printing not only a single printing unit with z. B. eight printing units is used, but several such assembled into a complex printing system printing units, each z. B. have eight printing units. The essentially sequential execution of such a high number of ready for use production ready printing forms requires a considerable lead time until the respective printing plates are ready to their arrangement on the lateral surface of the respective forme cylinder. For economic reasons, however, it is not a solution, just the number of z. B. parallel, ie simultaneously usable plate exposure devices, etc. to increase.

In order to facilitate an assignment of the printing plates in the plate exposure device, etc., to their respective arrangement on the lateral surface of one of the forme cylinders of the offset printing press to be set up for a particular production, the printing forms relating to a particular production are e.g. Example, in the plate exposure device preferably each provided with a coding, said coding is preferably formed in a non-printing area of the respective printing form. For example, the respective coding is arranged on one of the suspension legs to be formed on the relevant printing form. The coding can z. B. in the form of an automatically readable, especially two-dimensional DataMatrix code (2D code) or both alternatively and additionally be designed in a human-readable plain text. The information content of the coding provides information in particular in which Printing unit of the offset printing machine on which form cylinder at which mounting position the print form in question is to be arranged to carry out the pending print job. The information content of the coding can also be an indication of the printed product itself or a page number with regard to the relevant printed product and other information such. B. have a date of manufacture with respect to the relevant printing form. The coding is z. B. in the plate exposure device in the same step as the printed image mounted on the relevant printing forme.

The preparation of a specific production printing forms is preferably controlled by data, the z. B. be provided by a control unit of a production planning system, wherein the control unit of the production planning system z. B. via an electronic line or wireless communication system with the plate exposure device and preferably at least also connected to a belonging to the offset printing press control station for the purpose of data exchange. The data provided by the control unit of the production planning system, which are also referred to as production data, on the one hand characterize the printed product to be produced in at least one, preferably in some of its properties, such as e.g. As its page number and on the other hand provide information about the number of produced in a particular production copies of this printed product. The production data assigned to a particular production can also provide information about the printing material used, eg. As the paper type and / or its or their grammage include and on the printing press used, for. As an indication of the diameter of the forme cylinder and / or the transfer cylinder to occupy the participating in the execution of the upcoming print job form cylinder with printing plates, ie which form is to be arranged at which mounting position of the respective forme cylinder, to be executed by the printing machine production speed, the planned Start of production and / or for Production of a printing process downstream folding apparatus, whether this z. B. is used in a collective production or in a double production. On the basis of the plate exposure device supplied production data required for a particular production printing forms are prepared on time and fed using their respective coding the relevant forme cylinder.

The supply of required for a given production printing forms to the printing press z. B. in a mobile collection container, in which the required on a particular form cylinder printing plates preferably as a set, d. H. stored as a self-contained unit of mating printing plates for their common transport to the respective form cylinder. In practice, at least several similar mobile collecting containers are available at the production line for producing ready-to-use printing plates. Alternatively, the batch grouped printing forms can also be transported by hand to their respective place of use in the printing press. The preferably transported in one of the sump to the respective forme cylinder printing forms are manually supplied to the respective forme cylinder by an operator or preferably automatically by means of a controllable conveyor their respective mounting position on the respective form cylinder and then arranged there.

Since it would unduly restrict the flexibility in the design of the template for the production of the printing form, if required for a particular form cylinder printing plates would necessarily be made in an uninterrupted sequence to make sense their respective site in the printing press and ultimately their respective mounting position on the to be supplied to respective form cylinder, it is advantageous to the required for the preparation of ready-to-use printing plates device z. B. at least one plate exposure device, at least one developing device and at least one Abkanteinrichtung, and z. B. is referred to as a Plattenstraße to at least one storage device to expand, in each of which provided with at least one print image printing forms are cached until a set of related printing plates for their common transport to a particular of the forme cylinder has been made vollzig. An examination for completeness of the printing forms belonging to a certain sentence takes place for example. B. based on the provided by the control unit of the production planning system data.

The storage device is arranged downstream in the production line of the printing forms to be produced of the plate exposure device and z. B. arranged in front of the Abkanteinrichtung because not yet folded flat printing plates are space-saving stored and also the risk of mutual damage z. B. by scratching a printed image z. B. is avoided by a suspension leg. Alternatively, however, the storage device can also be arranged in the production line after the Abkanteinrichtung if in particular a high removal speed is to be achieved and achievable by storing non-folded flat printing plates space savings in the design of the memory device has a lower priority than the desired paging speed of in the Memory device stored printing forms. Because the bending process performed by the Abkanteinrichtung requires a much higher time wall than processes, in particular transport operations, in conjunction with the outsourcing of stored in the memory device printing forms.

Moreover, the storage device is preferably designed such that printing forms can be stored and swapped out at the same time, ie at least one of the printing plates can be stored in the storage device and at the same time another one of the printing forms can be stored. The memory device has at least as many memory locations as print forms belong to a same set of printing plates. The number of printing forms belonging to the same set does not have to be identical to the maximum number of mounting positions on the next one Production be involved form cylinder. Rather, the relevant set of printing forms comprises as many printing forms as are exchanged and / or to be applied on the forme cylinder involved in the upcoming production in the same operation. The memory device is preferably equipped with so many memory locations that it can accommodate a plurality of sets of printing forms, for. B. all applicable to the press of the respective sets of printing plates. In a preferred embodiment, the memory device has z. B. over several hundred, z. B. four hundred or more memory spaces for printing forms. The memory locations of the memory device are each individually addressable and an occupancy of each individual memory location, each with a printing plate, is registered in each case using at least one sensor. The memory device therefore preferably has an electronic control unit which monitors and manages the loading and unloading operations and the assignment of printing forms to the storage locations of the storage device and stores information about the occupancy of the individual storage locations. Stored in the memory device, belonging to different sets printing plates are preferably outsourced as a set of associated printing plates in an uninterrupted sequence, regardless of whether these printing plates were pre-sorted in the memory device to mating sets of printing plates or on storage locations of the memory device first once stored in a chaotic, ie arbitrary arrangement. If the storage device does not outsource embedded printing forms by itself sentencewise, z. B. immediately after an output of the printing forms from this storage device to provide a printing forms according to their required sets sorting sorting station. The z. B. carousel-shaped sorting station or the storage device group her z. B. automatically supplied printing forms based on the preferably attached to each of these printing forms coding to mating sentences, which in turn are supplied in the same operation, in particular with a mobile collection container the respective form cylinder. Alternatively, the printing forms to usable sets sorting sorting station in the Assembly line arranged according to the Abkanteinrichtung, said sorting station either grouped to ready-to-use sentences printing forms z. B. to one of several available at this sorting station mobile collecting container or sorted by use of this several available at this sorting station mobile collecting container in each ready-to-use sets of printing plates. In a further advantageous embodiment variant, the storage device and the sorting station are each integrated in the mobile collecting container.

As a help z. B. for needs-based occupancy of the assembly positions involved in an upcoming production on the relevant forme cylinder can, for. B. a display device may be provided, which in one of the several mounting positions simultaneously indicating overall view z. B. optically, in particular graphically, preferably by a use of at least one symbol at least indicating to which of these several mounting positions on the respective form cylinder or at which of several storage positions of a printing plates to the relevant forme cylinder promotional printing forme magazine each one of z. B. currently manufactured or at least to be prepared printing forms to arrange.

The display device can display with its display in particular also different states and / or properties with regard to at least one of the currently produced or at least to be prepared printing forms, such. B. a) which mounting position on the relevant forme cylinder or which storage position of the printing forme magazine already prepared, ie ready-to-use printing form is assigned b) which mounting position on the respective form cylinder or which storage position of the printing forme magazine just in their manufacturing process, ie in the inlet located printing form c) at which mounting position on the relevant forme cylinder or at which storage position of the printing forme magazine for the planned new production at all will attach a printing plate, d) which mounting position on the relevant forme cylinder or which storage position of the printing forme magazine is not occupied in the forthcoming production with a printing form, because in the upcoming production z. B. a substrate with a full printing width of the relevant forme cylinder is not used printing material width is used, or e) at which mounting position on the respective form cylinder or at which storage position of the printing forme magazine a non-printing printing form, ie a so-called blank plate is arranged. The display device may be required for their respective display information z. For example, the data provided by the control unit of the production planning system may preferably be taken in alignment with the data obtained during the preparation of the printing forms prepared for the forthcoming production. The display device is z. B. arranged in the region of the point at which the mobile collecting container which receives a particular form cylinder printing forms prior to their transport to the respective forme cylinder. The display device can also be used to display the current status of the printed forms to be produced for a particular production, ie to indicate whether a particular printing form is currently being used, for example. B. in the plate exposure device, the developing device, the Abkanteinrichtung or the storage device, so that is visible by the display of the display device in particular for an operator of the printing press, if a required for a particular form cylinder set of printing plates is already complete or not yet. The display device can also indicate for which preferably a plurality of printing cylinders having printing unit of a complex, ie multiple printing units having at least one set of printing plates is already complete and / or which of several to be arranged in a particular of the printing units sets of printing plates is already made ready for use.

As another help z. B. for the needs of occupancy of participating in an upcoming production mounting positions of the relevant multiple mounting positions each for a printing plate having forme cylinder can, for. At least one, but preferably at several, in particular at each of the pressure cylinders to be arranged on this particular form an information field be provided which contains information about the occupancy of the relevant forme cylinder at least one adjacent to their own intended mounting position mounting position. So the z. B. Display of the plate exposure device preferably in a non-printing area, in particular on the suspension leg of the relevant printing form information field, a) at which mounting position on the relevant forme cylinder or at which storage position of the printing forme magazine that this information field having printing plate is to be arranged b) at which other C) at which mounting position on the relevant forme cylinder or at which storage position of the printing plate storing the printing forme magazine currently, ie no new for the upcoming production Printing form is attached, but the existing printing form remains, d) which mounting position on the relevant form cylinder or memory position of this printing form spoke In the forthcoming production, the printing forme magazine will not be printed at all, because in the upcoming production z. B. a substrate with a full printing width of the relevant forme cylinder is not used printing material width is used, or e) at which mounting position on the respective form cylinder or at which storage position of this printing form-saving printing forme magazine a non-printing printing form, ie a so-called blank plate is arranged. The information about the occupancy on the relevant form cylinder or the respective storage positions of the printing form magazine can be in the information field preferably graphically z. B. by using at least one symbol. The information shown in the respective information field is z. B. taken from the data provided by the control unit of the production planning system. Alternatively or additionally, the information shown in the respective information field from a Result in comparison with the data obtained when preparing the printing forms prepared for the forthcoming production.

Embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and will now be described in more detail below.

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Darstellung einer Druckform;

Fig. 2

eine Druckeinheit einer Druckmaschine mit Druckformmagazinen;

Fig. 3

einen DataMatrix-Code;

Fig. 4

eine an einer Druckform applizierte Codierung;

Fig. 5

eine Draufsicht von mehreren nebeneinander angeordneten Druckformen mit ihnen paarweise zugeordneten Codelesern;

Fig. 6

eine Anordnung von Druckformen mit jeweils mindestens einer an ihrem jeweiligen nachlaufenden Einhängeschenkel angebrachten Codierung;

Fig. 7

ein Arbeitsschritte zur Anfertigung von Druckformen aufzeigendes Blockschaltbild;

Fig. 8

eine Weiterbildung der Druckeinheit gemäß Fig. 2;

Fig. 9

eine Anzeige einer Anzeigevorrichtung;

Fig. 10

ein an einer Druckform angebrachtes Informationsfeld;

Fig. 11

eine Prinzipskizze, welche ein Beladen eines mobilen Sammelbehälters mit in einer Plattenstraße einsatzfertig angefertigten Druckformen verdeutlicht;

Fig. 12

in einer perspektivischen Ansicht den Sammelbehälter der Fig. 11;

Fig. 13

eine Seitenansicht des Sammelbehälters der Fig. 11;

Fig. 14

eine vereinfachte Prinzipskizze zur Beförderung von mindestens einem mobilen Sammelbehälter zu einer Druckeinheit;

Fig. 15

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Teils einer Druckeinheit mit an ihren beiden Bedienseiten angebrachten höhenverstellbaren Galerien;

Fig. 16

eine Seitenansicht der in der Fig. 15 dargestellten Druckeinheit;

Fig. 17

eine Draufsicht eines Druckformmagazins im Zusammenwirken mit Fächern eines mobilen Sammelbehälters;

Fig. 18

Verfahrensschritte zum automatischen Einsortieren von Druckformen in mobile Sammelbehälter am Ende einer Plattenstraße;

Fig. 19

eine perspektivische Darstellung eines schienengebundenen mobilen Sammelbehälters mit mehreren Fächern für Druckformen;

Fig. 20

eine Illustration zur Beschickung von Druckformmagazinen unterschiedlicher Druckeinheiten mit in demselben mobilen Sammelbehälter bereitgestellten Druckformen;

Fig. 21 bis 26

Details zu den Druckformmagazinen;

Fig. 27 bis 35

Details zu einem Druckformen transportierenden Transportsystem;

Fig. 36 bis 38

jeweils einen schematischen Übersichtsplan zu unterschiedlichen Konzepten von dem in den Fig. 27 bis 35 dargestellten Transportsystem;

Fig. 39

eine perspektivische Darstellung des in Fig. 37 gezeigten Konzeptes;

Fig. 40

eine perspektivische Darstellung eines Wechselmagazins;

Fig. 41

ein Zusammenwirken des Wechselmagazins der Fig. 40 mit einem Magazinträger;

Fig. 42

einen Ausschnitt aus der Fig. 41;

Fig. 43

ein von einer Greifeinrichtung ergriffenes Wechselmagazin;

Fig. 44

eine Registereinrichtung im Zusammenwirken mit einem Formzylinder;

Fig. 45

eine Schnittdarstellung von an einem in einer Druckeinheit ausgeführten Wechsel mindestens einer Druckform beteiligten Komponenten;

Fig. 46, 47

schematische Übersichten über ein die Logistik der Druckformen aufzeigendes Managementsystem.

Show it:

Fig. 1

a perspective view of a printing form;

Fig. 2

a printing unit of a printing press with printing forme magazines;

Fig. 3

a DataMatrix code;

Fig. 4

an applied to a printing form coding;

Fig. 5

a plan view of several juxtaposed printing forms with them paired code readers;

Fig. 6

an array of printing plates, each having at least one attached to its respective trailing suspension leg coding;

Fig. 7

a working steps for the preparation of printing forms aufzeigendes block diagram;

Fig. 8

a development of the printing unit according to Fig. 2 ;

Fig. 9

a display of a display device;

Fig. 10

an information field attached to a printing form;

Fig. 11

a schematic diagram illustrating a loading of a mobile storage container with ready-made ready in a plate road printing forms;

Fig. 12

in a perspective view of the collection of the Fig. 11 ;

Fig. 13

a side view of the collection of the Fig. 11 ;

Fig. 14

a simplified schematic diagram for the transport of at least one mobile storage container to a printing unit;

Fig. 15

a perspective view of a portion of a printing unit with attached at both sides of operable height adjustable galleries;

Fig. 16

a side view of the in the Fig. 15 illustrated printing unit;

Fig. 17

a plan view of a printing forme magazine in cooperation with subjects of a mobile collection container;

Fig. 18

Method steps for automatically sorting printing plates into mobile collecting containers at the end of a plate mill;

Fig. 19

a perspective view of a rail-mounted mobile storage container with multiple compartments for printing forms;

Fig. 20

an illustration for loading printing form magazines of different printing units with provided in the same mobile collection printing forms;

FIGS. 21 to 26

Details about the printing forme magazines;

FIGS. 27 to 35

Details of a printing system transporting transport system;

FIGS. 36 to 38

each a schematic overview of different concepts of the in the FIGS. 27 to 35 illustrated transport system;

Fig. 39

a perspective view of the in Fig. 37 shown concept;

Fig. 40

a perspective view of a removable magazine;

Fig. 41

an interaction of the changing magazine of Fig. 40 with a magazine carrier;

Fig. 42

a section of the Fig. 41 ;

Fig. 43

a removable magazine gripped by a gripping device;

Fig. 44

a register device in cooperation with a forme cylinder;

Fig. 45

a sectional view of participating in a executed in a printing unit change at least one printing form components;

Fig. 46, 47

schematic overviews of a management system showing the logistics of printing forms.

A printing form 01 ( Fig. 1 ), the z. B. is made plate-shaped from a metallic material, has a substantially rectangular surface with a length L and a width B, wherein the length L z. B. measured values between 400 mm and 1300 mm and the width B z. B. may have measured values between 280 mm and 1500 mm. Preferred measured values are for the length L z. B. between 360 mm and 600 mm and for the width B z. B. between 250 mm and 430 mm. The surface has a support side, the so-called support surface 02, with which the printing forme 01 rests in the arranged on a lateral surface of a printing cylinder 06, in particular forme cylinder 06 state. The rear side of the bearing surface 02 is a working surface of the printing forme 01, wherein this working surface is provided with at least one printed image 126 or at least can be provided with a printed image 126 ( Fig. 44 ). The printing plate 01 is preferably at two opposite ends 03; 04 each with an angled suspension leg 13; 14 provided, wherein the bending lines 11; 12, where the suspension legs 13; 14 are each bent, limit the contact surface 02, wherein the suspension legs 13; 14 each preferably extend completely or at least partially across the width B of the printing plate 01. The contact surface 02 of the printing forme 01 is flexible at least along the length L and, in the case of an arrangement of the printing forme 01 on the lateral surface of the forme cylinder 06, its curvature can be adapted. If the printing forme 01 is arranged on the lateral surface, the length L of the bearing surface 02 thus extends in the direction of the circumference of the forme cylinder 06, whereas the width B of the bearing surface 02 extends in the axial direction of the forme cylinder 06. The printing forme 01 can either be used for a printing method using a dampening solution, e.g. As a wet offset printing process, or for a so-called waterless printing process, for. As a dry offset printing process, be suitable.

A rectified with a production direction of the forme cylinder 06 end 03 of the printing plate 01 is referred to as the leading end 03, whereas the opposite end 04 is the trailing end 04 of the printing plate 01. At least the ends 03; 04 of the printing forme 01 with the Einhänbringeln 13 formed thereon; 14 consist of a rigid, z. B. metallic material, eg. B. of an aluminum alloy. Especially with regard to the use of the printing forme 01 in one Dry offset printing method, the printing form 01 can also be made of a plastic or even of a stiff paper. Usually, the material thickness D in the region of the working surface of the printing forme 01, but at least the material thickness D of the Einhänbringeln 13; 14 a few tenths of a millimeter, z. B. between 0.2 mm and 0.4 mm, preferably 0.3 mm. Thus, the printing forme 01 as a whole or at least at its ends 03; 04 of a dimensionally stable material, so that the ends 03; 04 are permanently deformable by a bend against a material-specific resistance. Therefore, preferably after a z. B. in an exposure device executed imaging at least the work surface with at least one printed image 126 z. B. in a Abkanteinrichtung at least at one end 03; 04 of the printing forme 01, but preferably at its two ends 03; 04, along the respective bending line 11; 12 each a folded suspension leg 13; 14 can be formed, wherein the suspension legs 13 13; 14 in a narrow, in particular slot-shaped opening 129 of a channel 131 of the forme cylinder 06 (FIG. Fig. 44 ) insertable and there by means of a holding device, for. B. a clamping device can be fastened.

For example, based on the length L of the non-curved, flat bearing surface 02 of the uninstalled printing plate 01 at the end 03 a suspension leg 13 at the bending line 11 by an opening angle α or at its opposite end 04 a suspension leg 14 at the bending line 12 by an opening angle β folded ( Fig. 1 ), wherein the opening angle α; β usually lie between 30 ° and 140 °. If the opening angle α is assigned to the leading end 03 of the printing plate 01, it is preferably executed acute-angled, in particular it is 45 °. The opening angle β at the trailing end 04 of the printing plate 01 is often preferably greater than 80 ° or obtuse-angled, in particular it is 85 ° or 135 °. The folded suspension leg 13 at the leading end 03 has a length L13, which z. B. in the range of 4 mm to 30 mm, in particular between 4 mm and 15 mm. The folded suspension leg 14 at the trailing end 04 has a length l14, the z. B. 4 mm to 30 mm, in particular between 8 mm and 12 mm, but rather the shorter length is preferred in order to simplify removal of the suspension legs 13; 14 from the opening 129 of the channel 131 to ensure.

Several of these printing plates 01 come z. In a wet offset printing or dry offset printing multi-color offset printing machine. In a preferred embodiment variant, at least one printing unit 44 of the printing press, which is preferably provided with a plurality of printing units 44, is provided with printing forme magazines 09, as shown by way of example in FIG Fig. 2 is shown, each mold cylinder 06 is associated with exactly one printing forme magazine 09 each. Each printing forme magazine 09 has several, z. B. at least as many storage positions, as provided on the associated forme cylinder 06 mounting positions. In the printing forme magazine 09 z. B. multiple memory positions in the axial direction of the associated forme cylinder 06 arranged side by side. In the printing forme magazine 09 can in association with a specific axial mounting position of the forme cylinder 06 and a plurality of memory positions z. B. vertically arranged one above the other. The printing forme magazine 09 is also referred to as a plate changer.

Each printing forme magazine 09 promotes z. B. in conjunction with a z. B. linearly displaceable conveyor 80 ( Fig. 24 ) in each case at least one stored in the respective printing forme magazine 09 printing plate 01 to one of the forme cylinder 06 of this printing unit 44. The in the Fig. 2 illustrated printing unit 44 has a plurality of arranged in at least one frame 16 on a foundation 17 printing units, which are preferably arranged in a bridge construction or in a compact aft construction, ie in a low-height construction with eight pressure points on each other. Each printing unit has in addition to its forme cylinder 06 and another printing cylinder 07, in particular a cooperating with this forme cylinder 06 transfer cylinder 07 at least one inking unit 08 on.

A printing material 18, preferably a material web 18, in particular a paper web 18, is supplied to the printing press during its production continuously and in which in the Fig. 2 shown example passed vertically through the printing units. In the Fig. 2 are exemplified four in the transport direction of the paper web 18 successive printing units, each having one of the transfer cylinder 07 each having a forme cylinder 06 to the right and left of the paper web 18, wherein in a printing unit on the paper web 18 opposite transfer cylinder 07 roll on each other. The paper web 18 is z. B. brought by means of a first printing unit arranged first paper guide roller 19 to the first printing unit and derived by means of a fourth printing unit arranged second paper guide roller 21 from the fourth printing unit. Each forme cylinder 06 is assigned at least one inking unit 08. Each forme cylinder 06 is associated with a printing forme magazine 09, which preferably has two shafts, wherein each printing forme magazine 09, but at least its respective at least one storage position for at least one printing forme 01 to be stored therein, preferably in its working position substantially horizontally or only with a slight inclination is aligned by less than 15 ° to the forme cylinder 06. In the working position of the printing forme magazine 09 between the shafts and the forme cylinder 06 each at least one printing forme 01 interchangeable either by a no longer required to execute a print job form 01 removed from the respective form cylinder 06 and inserted into the respective shaft or one for the execution of the print job new printing form 01 out of the relevant shaft and mounted on the forme cylinder 06. It is advantageous if the implementation, in particular the completion of a printing form change is monitored by sensors. Likewise, the printing forme magazines 09 in conjunction with the forme cylinders 06 are controllable in such a way that control stations 42 (FIG. Fig. 7 ) can be made from selectively a printing plate change. Because the printing forme magazines 09 can be prepared during an ongoing production of the printing press for a printing plate change and thus to a subsequent new production, reduces the one Standstill of the printing units requiring setup time to an extremely short period of z. B. less than two minutes, preferably less than ninety seconds, for a complete change of all printing plates 01 arranged in this printing unit 44 printing units. Depending on the configuration of the printing units can be in the described printing unit 44 z. B. ninety-six printing plates 01 at the same time in use. Such a rapid printing plate change even with a larger number of printing plates 01 significantly increases the economy of the printing press due to their extremely short downtime.

To identify the respective printing plates 01, these are provided with a coding, the coding preferably in addition to a human-readable code z. B. may be formed as a barcode. A barcode is a machine-readable font of different widths and gaps. The coding may be performed by a printing process, e.g. Example, an offset printing method, a flexographic printing method, a gravure printing method, a laser printing method, a thermal printing method or an ink jet printing method, preferably on a non-printing area of the printing plate 01, z. B. on one of the suspension legs 13; 14, are applied. However, it is particularly advantageous to apply the coding in conjunction with the exposure of the printing forme 01 to the same, because then no additional working step is required. In this case, the formation and arrangement of the coding z. B. on a suspension leg 13; 14 of the printing plate 01, before this suspension leg 13; 14 is formed in a bending operation performed in a bending device 38 ( Fig. 7 ).

There are different types of barcodes. Even though barcodes always form a two-dimensional array of characters, one distinguishes between one-dimensional (1-D codes), two-dimensional (2-D codes) and three-dimensional (3-D codes) barcodes, the latter forming color in the third dimension , Barcodes are usually standardized in their graphical representation as well as in their information content, z. In ISO / IEC 15415 (2-D codes), ISO / IEC 15416 (1-D codes), ISO / IEC 15418 (data structures) or ISO / IEC 15420. Known 1-D codes are z. Eg the alphanumeric code39 according to ISO / IEC 16388, the code128 according to ISO / IEC 15417 or the purely numerical code Interleaved 2/5 according to ISO / IEC 16390. A 2-D code which also encodes information perpendicular to its main orientation z. B. a matrix code, z. For example, a DataMatrix code defined in ISO / IEC 16022. Matrix codes can be used with a camera system, eg. B. a CCD camera, omnidirectional read. Reed-Solomon error correction doubles the data, which can destroy about 25% of the code without compromising decoding. Other matrix codes are z. B. QR codes and Aztec codes.

The DataMatrix code exists in different versions, eg. For example, in the version DataMatrix code ECC 200, wherein the letters ECC for the English expression "Error Checking and Correction Algorithm" and the number following this letter indicates a particular stage of development of the DataMatrix code. The DataMatrix code consists of a rectangular area whose size is variable. This surface has quadratic structural elements each having a binary valence; they are z. B. executed in black or white. An example of a DataMatrix code is in the Fig. 3 shown, with side by side z. B. two square DataMatrix code areas 22 are arranged with each square structural elements 23. For some applications, even more DataMatrix code areas 22 can be joined together to form the coding, wherein the DataMatrix code areas 22 both side by side and under or over each other, for. B. in a multi-row and column arrangement can be arranged.

In a 1-D code, different thicknesses must be uniquely determined in a drawing plane. In the case of the DataMatrix code, on the other hand, it can only be ascertained which valency each quadratic structural element 23 shown in the drawing plane has, whether it is z. B. is formed in black or white. Moreover, a Data Matrix code requires significantly less space than a 1-D code for the same information content. To capture a 2-D codes always a camera system is required, which captures the information in two dimensions and the captured image z. B. by means of a pattern recognition z. B. evaluated by comparing the detected coding pattern or marker pattern with a stored expectation pattern. Accordingly, the camera system converts the detected structural elements 23 of the 2-D code into an electronic, preferably digital, payload. 2-D codes must be illuminated areally because of the use of a camera system with a lighting device having at least one light source. The light reflected by the 2-D codes is then reflected on an image plane of an image sensor, e.g. B. a CCD sensor or CMOS sensor, shown, wherein the image sensor component z. B. a line scan camera or a surface camera. Overall, the DataMatrix code places only minimal demands on color contrast and print quality. The light emitted by the light source of the illumination device and the spectral sensitivity of the image sensor are to be matched to the optical properties of the 2-D code-bearing printing plate 01, in particular its reflection behavior and remission behavior. For detecting a 2-D code applied to a printing plate 01 by the exposure thereof, a laser diode or a light-emitting diode having an emission of white, yellow or green light has proven to be advantageous as the light source of the illumination device. The light source can be z. B. in an image sensor having a code reader 28 ( Fig. 5 ) may be integrated. The design of the code reader 28 with a programmable automatic exposure system is advantageous. The image sensor and the light source of the illumination device are to be arranged with their respective effective direction at an angle of inclination of at least 5 ° relative to a standing on the plane or code surface 22 Lot, preferably with an inclination angle in a range between 10 ° and 60 °. To protect against a color fog and other contaminants that usually occur in a printing unit, the code reader 28 should be located at a minimum distance a28 of, for example, 10 mm. B. be mounted 10 mm from the code surface 22, wherein the image sensor and light source z. B. are protected by a mineral glass or acrylic glass against pollution.

The DataMatrix code has the following four main components: A fixed boundary line 24 is used for pattern recognition and is used to calculate the rotational position of the DataMatrix code so that each reading angle is possible. A boundary line 26 opposite the fixed boundary 24, which forms an unclosed boundary, is used to identify the number of rows and columns, i. H. the so-called matrix density. For the ECC 200, the element in the top right corner is always white. The boundary lines 24; 26 define and enclose a memory area 27, wherein the memory area 27 contains the actual binary information in coded form. Depending on the size and / or number of individual structural elements 23 thus also defines the number of possible information. An empty zone, called a quiet zone, surrounds the DataMatrix code. It contains no information and is not used for orientation. The width of the quiet zone is one field or one line and is needed to distinguish it from other optical pixels.

The memory area 27 of the coding contains z. B. an information on the basis of the printing plates 01 for the purpose of their identification are distinguishable from each other and / or by means of a single particular printing forme 01 is traceable in their use. Thus, different print images 126 and / or belonging to different color separations print forms 01 on a mutually different coding. The coding can z. B. have generated by a counter index to z. B. consecutively used or to be used printing plates 01 consecutively to count and to identify these printing plates 01, especially those that are similar and / or successively used in the same mounting position of a particular forme cylinder 06, in their respective order. The coding can contain information about the respective installation location of the printing forme 01 in the printing press.

An alternative to the formation of the coding in the form of a barcode consists in the Use of a transponder system, in particular of radio tags, which are referred to as RFID according to their English abbreviation. Radio tags transmit their information contactlessly by means of an electromagnetic field. Another alternative to the formation of the coding can in punch marks, z. B. in punched holes exist.

Fig. 4 shows a printing plate 01, at the trailing Hanger 14 two codings across the width B of the printing plate 01 are spaced from each other ( Fig. 1 ), in each case z. B. two along the width B of the printing plate 01 juxtaposed DataMatrix code areas 22 respectively in the side region of Einhänbringels 14. Alternatively or in addition to this arrangement of codings on the trailing suspension leg 14 of a printing plate 01 can in particular in a printing plate 01 in the panoramic format encoding also be attached in the middle region of the Einhängeschenkels 14 this printing forme 01. Each DataMatrix code area 22 can only represent a certain amount of information. Depending on the amount of information to be presented in the coding, two or more DataMatrix code areas 22 are required and preferably applied to the trailing suspension leg 14 of the printing plate 01.

By using only a single code reader 28 for a plurality of stored printing plates 01, which in particular simultaneously detects the respective coding of printing forms 01 stored in different storage positions, considerable costs can be saved. The Fig. 5 and 6 show an example with an arrangement of z. B. four on the lateral surface of the forme cylinder 06 juxtaposed or at least arrangeable printing plates 01 each having a length L and a width B ( Fig. 1 ), wherein each two adjacently arranged printing plates 01 a common code reader 28 is assigned. Each of the code readers 28 is z. B. formed as a camera system or incorporated into such, each of these camera systems as an image sensor in each case z. B. has a CCD sensor, wherein in a detection area 29 of each CCD sensor at least one printing plate 01, but preferably at least two printing plates 01 are arranged so that the code reader 28 can simultaneously detect at least one, but preferably all arranged in its detection range 29 codes by the image sensor from the detection area 29 of the code reader 28 recorded coding or the detected codes simultaneously in the same image plane.

In the in the Fig. 5 the example shown, the respective CCD sensor is directed in each case on the trailing suspension leg 14 of the arranged in the respective detection area 29 printing plates 01. The detection area 29 of each CCD sensor can be detected by an optical device, e.g. B. by a wide-angle lens, and in particular along the width B of the printing plates 01 have a preferably blunt opening angle to capture multiple encodings, in particular the respective coding of several different printing plates 01, in the same detection area 29 and thus to capture simultaneously. The CCD sensor of the respective camera systems is in each case arranged at a distance a28 from the trailing suspension leg 14 of the printing forms 01 arranged in the respective detection area 29, wherein this distance a28 z. B. is at least 10 mm. The detection area 29 of the image sensor is in the Fig. 6 each surrounded by a dot-dash line, z. B. rectangular field, this field is in each case in the same plane as the attached to the trailing suspension leg 14 of the printing plates 01 DataMatrix code areas 22 and also z. B. parallel to the respective boundary lines 24; 26 of the DataMatrix code areas 22 is aligned.

The Fig. 6 shows an arrangement of z. B. in one of the printing forme magazines 09 in the Fig. 2 illustrated printing unit 44 stored printing plates 01, wherein at the trailing suspension leg 14 of these printing plates 01 each at least one encoding is attached. The coding is z. B. in the form of two along the width B of the respective printing form 01 juxtaposed DataMatrix code areas 22 formed, each z. B. are arranged in the respective side region of the respective printing forme 01 ( Fig. 4 ). In the Fig. 6 are in association with a to be occupied with printing plates 01 forme cylinder 06 in its axial direction by way of example four side by side arranged shafts of a printing forme magazine 09 indicated ( Fig. 2 ), In each of the shafts z. B. two printing plates 01 are stored, in each case a printing forme 01 in two superposed memory positions. Preferably, on the opposite side of the forme cylinder 06 side of the shafts z. B. each configured as a camera system code reader 28 is arranged, wherein the respective detection area 29 of each belonging to one of the camera systems image sensor the respective coding of four adjacently arranged printing plates 01 together and detected at the same time, in each case two in the axial direction of the forme cylinder 06 adjacent to each other in two different shafts arranged printing plates 01 and two in the same shaft superimposed printing plates 01. The respective detection area 29 of each belonging to one of the camera systems image sensor can, for. B. an angular, in particular rectangular, preferably square cross-sectional area or z. B. also have a round, preferably elliptical or circular cross-sectional area, all recorded in the detection area 29 of the code reader 28 codes are imaged on the image plane of its image sensor. The cross-sectional area of the detection area 29 of the code reader 28 and the image plane of the image sensor are preferably arranged parallel to one another. As a variant, it may be provided that the image plane of the image sensor is subdivided into a plurality of viewing zones 31 which are preferably selectively activatable by the respective camera system, each coding of each of the printing plates 01 detected by the detection area 29 being associated with exactly one of the viewing zones 31 belonging to this detection area 29 That is, each of these viewing zones 31 detects exactly one of the codings detected by the detection area 29 and thus also forms exactly one of the codings detected by the detection area 29 on the image plane of the image sensor. In the arrangement of Fig. 6 each of the printing plates 01 is preferably assigned to exactly one of the printing areas on the forme cylinder 06, so that the forme cylinder 06 in this example with a total of eight printing plates 01, namely four in its axial direction and two each in its circumferential direction is assignable. This arrangement can readily be supplemented with two further side-by-side shafts for a 612 forme cylinder 06.

Like in one of the Fig. 7 shown block diagram, for the preparation of in an upcoming production to be used printing plates 01 flat plate-shaped blanks 32 each individually in a spatially separated from the printing press plate exposure device 33 for forming at least one printed image 126 using a corresponding, z. B. from a computer 34 a prepress preferably electronically in the form of a z. B. RIP data contained file exposed on the plate exposure device 33 template 37, wherein the applied to the respective blank 32 according to the respective template 37 printed image 126 for its permanent training in one of the plate exposure device 33 z. B. downstream development device 36 z. B. is developed photochemically. In a later step for the production of ready-to-use on the printing press printing plates 01, the respective respectively provided with at least one print image 126 printing plates 01 in a Abkanteinrichtung 38 preferably at two opposite ends 03; 04 for training Einhänbringeln 13; 14 folded ( Fig. 1 ). As an aid to their positionally correct orientation on the lateral surface of the respective forme cylinder 06, the relevant printing forme 01 in particular before the folding of at least one of its suspension legs 13; 14 have been provided with at least one register punching or with an incision or trimming. After exposure, developing, folding and, if appropriate, punching and / or cutting, the respective printing forme 01 is ready for use in a production of the printing press.

The preparation of a specific production printing forms 01 is preferably controlled by data, the z. B. from a control unit 40 of a production planning system and / or provided by a control unit 39 of a disk logistics management system, these control units 39; 40 z. B. via an electronic cable or wireless communication system 41, z. B. an Ethemet-based data network, connected to the plate exposure device 33 and preferably at least also associated with a printing press control station 42 for the purpose of data exchange or at least connectable. In the preferred embodiment, the prepress computer 34 and the plate logistics management system control unit 39 and / or the production planning system control unit 40 may provide their respective data to the plate exposure device 33 via the same communication system 41, as shown in FIG Fig. 7 Alternatively to the separate connection between the computer 34 of the prepress and the plate exposure device 33 is indicated by a dashed connection of the computer 34 of the prepress with the communication system 41.

The supply of the ready-to-use printing plates 01 required for a specific production to a printing unit 44 (FIG. Fig. 2 ) of the printing machine z. B. in one of several available mobile storage containers 43, said collecting container 43 by an operator of the printing press by hand or preferably automatically movable and z. B. are part of a driverless transport system. In the respective collection container 43 at a certain site in the printing press, z. B. on a particular forme 06 required printing plates 01 preferably as a set, ie stored as a self-contained unit of matching printing plates 01 for their common transport to the respective forme cylinder 06. The hand or z. B. in the respective collection container 43 to the relevant site, in particular form cylinder 06 transported printing plates 01 are applied to the respective forme cylinder 01 z. B. manually by an operator or preferably automated by means of a z. From the Control station 42 from controllable conveying device 80 (in particular in conjunction with a printing forme magazine 09). Fig. 24 ) are arranged at their respective mounting position on the respective forme cylinder 06.

Fig. 8 again shows a similar printing unit 44, as already in Fig. 2 represented, so that corresponding components and elements are each provided with the same reference numerals. In the Fig. 8 illustrated printing unit 44 is insofar as a development, as preferably on both operating sides of the printing unit 44 each handling device 46 is arranged, which preferably has a plurality of each arranged on at least one guide element 48 platforms 47 with which ready-to-use printing plates 01 are transportable to the respective printing forme magazines 09, wherein the respective printing plates 01 are automatically conveyed from the respective platform 47 to the relevant storage position of the respective printing forme magazine 09. The handling device 46 is with their platforms 47 z. B. formed as a lifting device, which performs a vertical movement on the respective operating side of the printing unit 44. The ready-to-use printing plates 01 transported by the mobile collecting container 43 to the relevant printing unit 44 are preferably taken over automatically by the platforms 47 of the handling device 46 and then transported to the relevant printing forme magazine 09. In the Fig. 8 is indicated by a double arrow that the mobile collecting container 43 each one set of ready-to-use printing plates 01 selectively transported to one of the operating pages of the relevant printing unit 44. In the Fig. 8 illustrated printing unit 44 is thus opposite to in Fig. 2 shown printing unit 44 has been supplemented by a transport system, wherein for this transport system z. B. a handling device 46 exhibiting distribution system and a charging system for feeding the printing forme magazines 09 ready-to-use printing plates 01 belongs. The printing unit 44 preferably has z. B. a height adjustable by a controllable drive gallery 49, which gives the operator access to the respective printing units of this printing unit 44 facilitates. The gallery 49 in their respective height adjusting drive operates z. B. with a hydraulic, pneumatic or electrical operating principle. The height-adjustable gallery 49 may have a bring in different height positions conveyor cage or be designed as a lift. The respective height positions are preferably relative to the foundation 17 of the printing unit 44.

As described above, the device required to produce ready-to-use printing plates 01, referred to briefly as a plate line, has at least at least one plate exposure device 33 and, as a rule, at least one development device 36 and at least one folding device 38. In practice, however, the printing blocks 01 belonging to the same sentence can often not be produced in immediate succession in a complete sequence; B. due to a different deadline with respect to the contents of the printed images 126 to be printed in a rather random order in the plate exposure 33, so that the printing plates 01 after their respective exposure to be used at their respective located in the printing press site useful sets must be grouped to avoid unnecessary transport routes between the device for the production of ready-to-use on the printing press printing plates 01 and the respective site in this printing press. Therefore, this device for producing ready-to-use on a printing press printing plates 01 is extended by at least one memory device 51 ( Fig. 7 ), in each of which at least one printed image 126 provided printing plates 01 are cached until a set of matching printing plates 01 has been made in their entirety for their common transport to a particular arranged in a printing unit 44 form cylinder 06 or printing forme magazine 09. Accordingly, the memory device 51 has the function of a buffer in the production line for producing printing forms 01 ready for use on a printing press. A check for the completeness of the printing forms 01 belonging to a particular sentence takes place for. B. by or at least in connection with this memory device 51 z. B. based on the data provided by the control unit 39 of the disk logistics management system.

The memory device 51 is in the in the Fig. 7 Based on a continuous arrowed line production flow shown, ie arranged in the production line of the printing plates 01 to be prepared preferably after the developing device 36 and the Abkanteinrichtung 38 because not yet folded flat printing plates 01 space-saving storage and also the risk of mutual damage z. B. by scratching a printed image 126 z. B. by a suspension leg 13; 14 is avoided. In the Fig. 7 Dashed arrow lines indicate alternative transport routes within the device for the production of printing plates 01 ready for use on the printing machine, in particular an arrangement of the storage device 51 in the production line after the folding device 38.

The memory device 51 is preferably designed in such a way that printing forms 01 can be stored and swapped out at the same time. The memory device 51 has at least as many storage locations as printing forms 01 belong to a same set of printing forms 01. The number of printing plates 01 belonging to the same set does not have to be identical to the maximum number of mounting positions on the forme cylinder 06 involved in the upcoming production or the maximum number of storage positions of the respective printing forme magazine 09 for which the printing form 01 to be transported is determined are. Rather, the relevant set of printing plates 01 comprises as many printing plates 01 as are to be mounted and / or exchanged on the forme cylinder 06 involved in the upcoming production or in the relevant printing plate magazine 09 in the same operation. The memory device 51 is preferably equipped with so many memory locations that it can accommodate several sets of printing plates 01, for. B. all applicable to the relevant printing unit 44 sets of printing plates 01st

The memory device 51 has at least one first handling device with which the printing device 01 supplied to the memory device 51 is stored in memory locations of this memory device 51, wherein each of the memory locations is preferably assigned exactly one of the printing plates 01. For the removal at least one further from the first different second handling device may be provided, which receives a stored at one of the memory locations printing plate 01 and removes and outsourced when that set of printing plates 01, to which the relevant printing plate 01 belongs, for its transport to Printing unit 44 is retrieved. The first and / or second handling device performs relative to the stationary memory locations of the memory device 51 in a same plane a movement z. B. in two preferably orthogonal directions from each other. Alternatively, it can be provided that the respective at least one of the printing plates 01 in or outgoing handling device is stationary relative to the storage device 51 and a respective storage locations of this memory 51 exhibiting magazine relative to the at least one handling device or to the plurality, in particular two handling devices moved translationally and / or rotationally. Thus, with the operations for storage and / or removal of printing plates 01 each have a relative movement between the memory locations of the memory device 51 and at least one respective storage and / or outsourcing exporting device, eg. B. the handling device connected.

The device for producing ready-to-use on a printing press printing plates 01 thus has at least at least one plate exposure device 33, this plate exposure device 33 downstream at least one storage device 51 is provided, the storage device 51 at least one set of terms with respect to a particular forme cylinder 06 or a particular Druckformmagazin 09 common location associated printing plates 01 cached before their common transport to the printing press. The location of the printing plates 01 to be transported there as a set is thus at one of several printing cylinders arranged in the printing cylinder 06 or printing forme magazines 09.

In the memory device 51 stored, belonging to different sets of printing plates 01 are preferably outsourced as a set of associated printing plates 01 in an uninterrupted sequence, regardless of whether these printing plates 01 were previously presorted in the memory device 51 to mating sets of printing plates 01 or have been temporarily stored in memory locations of the memory device 51 once in any, ie chaotic arrangement. At least in the event that the memory device 51 does not outsource interposed printing plates 01 by itself, in conjunction with the memory device 51 z. B. subordinate, ie after an output of the printing plates 01 from this storage device 51, a printing plates 01 sorting sorting station 57 provided which the printing plates 01 to the respective printing unit 44 required sets of terms with respect to a particular forme cylinder 06 or a specific printing forme magazine 09 common job site associated printing forms 01 sorted. The sorting station 57 may be formed integrated in the memory device 51 in one embodiment. In a further embodiment variant, it can be provided that the sorting station 57 is arranged between the folding device 38 and one of the mobile collecting containers 43. Alternatively, the sorting station 57 in the in the Fig. 7 arranged by dashed arrow lines production line according to the Abkanteinrichtung 38, so that sorted in or on the basis of the sorting station 57 already beveled printing plates 01 ready-to-use sentences and z. B. are delivered to one of the multiple mobile storage container 43, provided that the transport of the printing plates 01 is not done by hand to the respective site in the printing unit 44. In the Fig. 7 are hinted several, z. B. three each alternately or optionally usable mobile collecting container 43 shown, which preferably each automatically transport a set of printing plates 01 to their respective site in the printing unit 44. Alternatively, in the Fig. 7 represented by dashed arrow lines from the device for the preparation of ready for use on the press ready printing plates 01 transport routes, which each lead past the mobile storage containers 43 and indicate a manually carried transport of the printing plates 01 to the respective printing unit 44. The sorting station 57 or the storage device 51 group them each z. B. automatically supplied printing plates 01 based on the preferably attached to each of these printing plates 01 coding to pertaining sentences, which in turn are supplied in the same operation, in particular with one of the mobile storage container 43 the respective forme cylinder 06 or the respective printing forme magazine 09. This coding is z. B. formed as a data matrix code 22, this coding is preferably mounted in non-printing area of the relevant printing plate 01, z. B. at a time of storage of this printing plate 01 in the storage device 51 not yet be folded suspension legs 13; 14 ( Fig. 3 . 4 ).

U. a. for visualizing preferably both the particular sequential process for making ready to use on a printing press printing plates 01 and the operating status at the place of use of these printing plates 01 is preferably in conjunction with this process exporting device, such as. B. in the Fig. 7 is indicated by a Strichumrandung, and / or in connection with the temporary storage and the transport of ready-to-use printing plates 01 prepared a display device 52 with a z. B. optical, in particular graphical, preferably at least one symbol using display, the display in a plurality of mounting positions on a plurality of mounting positions having forme cylinder 06 or more memory positions of the plurality of storage positions having printing block 09 simultaneously displaying overall view indicating which of these multiple mounting positions on the respective form cylinder 06 or at which of these several storage positions of the printing forme magazine 09 is to be arranged in each case a printing forme 01. The display device 52 thus has a preferably electronically z. Example, as a monitor or as a screen mask formed display indicating at least one use of a printing plate 01 at its place of use in a printing press, wherein at the site of the printing forme 01 a plurality of mutually different positions are provided, each position at the site one of several Mounting positions on one of the plurality of mounting positions having forme cylinder 06 or one of a plurality of storage positions of the multiple storage positions having printing forme magazine 09, wherein the display device 52 displays in its display simultaneously several different locations in the printing press, the display indicates which of the positions of a particular each have a plurality of positions for each one there formable printing forme 01 having place of use each a printing forme 01 is to be arranged. This display allows an operator of the press to review and control the condition of retrofitting that press for a new production.

The display device 52 can display with its display in particular also different states and / or properties with regard to at least one of the currently produced or at least to be prepared printing plates 01, such. B. a) which mounting position on the respective forme cylinder 06 or which storage position of the printing forme magazine 09 an already prepared, ie ready-to-use printing plate 01 is assigned, b) which mounting position on the respective forme cylinder 06 or which storage position of the printing forme magazine 09 a just in their manufacturing process, ie associated with printing in the form 01, c) at which mounting position on the respective forme cylinder 06 or at which storage position of the printing forme magazine 09 for the upcoming production ever a printing plate is arranged, d) which mounting position on the respective forme cylinder 06 or which storage position of the printing forme magazine 09 at the is not occupied with a printing plate 01, because in the upcoming production z. B. a substrate 18 with a full printing width of the respective forme cylinder 06 is not used printing material width is used, or e) at which mounting position on the respective forme cylinder 06 or at which storage position of the printing forme magazine 09 a non-printing printing plate 01, ie arranged a so-called blanking plate becomes.

The display device 52 may be required for their respective display information z. For example, the data provided by the control unit 39 of the panel logistics management system and / or the control unit 40 of the production planning system may preferably be taken in alignment with the data obtained during the preparation of the printing forms 01 prepared for the forthcoming production. Like in the Fig. 7 illustrated, it is therefore advantageous, the display device 52 to the communication system 41, to which also z. Example, the plate exposure device 33, the computer 34 of the prepress, the control unit 39 of the plate logistics management system and / or the control unit 40 of the production planning system and belonging to the printing press control station 42 are connected and via the network thus created a data exchange to enable.

The display device 52 is spatially z. B. arranged in the region of that point at which the mobile collecting container 43, the z. B. a particular forme cylinder 06 or a particular printing forme magazine 09 concerned printing plates 01 before their transport to the respective forme cylinder 06 or the respective printing forme magazine 09 receives. The display device 52 can also be used to display the current status of the printed form 01 to be produced for a particular production, ie, to indicate whether a particular printing plate 01 currently has z. B. in the plate exposure device 33, the developing device 36, the Abkanteinrichtung 38 or the memory device 51 is located so that visible by the display of the display device 52 in particular for an operator of the printing press is whether a required for a particular forme cylinder 06 or for a particular printing forme magazine 09 set of printing plates 01 is already complete or not yet. The display device 52 may also indicate for which preferably a plurality of forme 06 and / or Druckformmagazine 09 having printing unit 44 of a complex, ie several printing units 44 having printing system at least one set of printing plates 01 is already complete and / or which of several in a certain of Printing units 44 to be arranged sets of printing plates 01 is already made ready for use.

Fig. 9 shows by way of example the display of the display device 52 for at least two printing units 44.1; 44.2 having printing plant, which z. B. in conjunction with other aggregates, not shown here, for. B. a folder, form a section of a printing press. The representation in the upper half of the Fig. 9 concerns a first production and the representation in the lower half of the Fig. 9 one of the first different second production. For each of the two printing units 44.1; 44.2 are in the Fig. 9 displayed in two lines arranged blocks for both productions respectively the respective locations for ready-to-use printing plates 01, the location of these printing plates 01 each one of several arranged in the printing press Formzylindem 06 or printing forme magazines 09, wherein in each block to the respective Operating pages of the respective printing unit 44.1; 44.2 located locations for these printing plates 01 are shown in two mutually parallel columns. Each of these one of the two printing units 44.1; 44.2 associated blocks is in the Fig. 9 represented by a dashed border. On each operating side of the respective printing unit 44.1; 44.2 are corresponding to the arrangement of the printing units in the relevant printing unit 44.1; 44.2 ( Fig. 2 . 8th ) z. B. vertically stacked four locations for four different sets of printing plates 01, each location in the axial direction of the respective forme cylinder 06 side by side each z. B. four mounting positions or storage positions each for a printing plate 01 of the relevant set of printing plates 01 and wherein in Circumferential direction of each respective forme cylinder 06 in succession z. B. two mounting positions or storage positions are each provided for a printing plate 01 of the relevant set of printing plates 01. For each location of a set of printing plates 01, an information field 53 is formed in the display of the display device 52, which in the in the Fig. 9 example shown each consists of four juxtaposed positions and two superimposed positions for printing plates 01 of that sentence. Each of the two printing units 44.1; 44.2 are thus each a total of eight information fields 53 assigned, which indicate the state of a printing form to be prepared 01 and / or the occupancy of a mounting position or storage position in each case at eight different positions. The display of the display device 52 is thus capable of simultaneously displaying several different productions to be executed one after the other in the same printing press with a plurality of production locations respectively associated with these production locations of the printing plates 01 required for the respective production.

On the basis of a coding, various information can be displayed in the display of the display device 52. In each information field 53, specific information about the state of a printing forme 01 and / or the occupancy of a mounting position or storage position can be taken at each position. An open position, as in the Fig. 9 indicated by a white box, z. B. indicate that for the upcoming production in the relevant printing unit 44.1; 44.2 no printing plate 01 is required at this position. A filled position may mean that there is already a printing forme 01 at that location at that location because z. B. the printing form 01 a previous production can be accepted. Positions, each with a symbol, eg. B. are marked with an "X", z. B. indicate that in each case a printing forme 01 is still to be made for these positions. With another symbol, eg. B. with a "Y" drawn positions show z. For example, assume that for this position an already at least exposed printing form 01 z. B. is located in the memory device 33. With another symbol, z. With a "Z" drawn positions show z. Example, that at the relevant position an unexposed printing plate 01, that is, a blank plate is used. Those printing forms 01, which at the planned next production in the respective printing units 44.1; 44.2 at the with a symbol, z. B. to be used with a "X", "Y" or "Z" marked positions are used, each form the to be transported to the respective place of use set of mating printing plates 01. The display of the display device 52 thus shows in a plurality of positions, ie mounting positions or memory positions simultaneously displaying overall representation except the information on which of these positions in each case a printing plate 01 is to order, for which of these positions in each case to make a printing plate 01 and / or in combination with other required on the same site pressure forms 01 to the is to transport relevant site.

As a further help for needs-based arrangement of z. B. involved in an upcoming production printing plates 01 at positions, these positions z. B. either mounting positions of a plurality of mounting positions having cylinder 06 or memory positions of a plurality of memory positions having printing forme magazine 09 relate, z. B. at least one, but preferably at several, in particular at each of the on the forme cylinder in question 06 or in the respective printing forme magazine 09 to be arranged printing plates 01 also a z. B. an information field 53 in the display of the display device 52 corresponding information field 54 may be provided which contains information at least on the arrangement and / or a work instruction with respect to another printing form 01, the position of the information field 54 having printing plate 01 is adjacent. This information field 54 is thus an aid in the use, in particular arrangement of a printing form 01 at one of a plurality of positions of a printing unit to a printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 or printing machine belonging assembly, said assembly z. B. as a Form cylinder 06 or may be formed as a printing forme magazine 09.

So the z. B. of the plate exposure device 33 preferably in a non-printing area, in particular on the suspension arm 13; 14 of the relevant printing plate 01 attached information field 54 z. B. indicate, a) at which mounting position on the relevant forme cylinder 06 or at which storage position of the printing forme magazine 09 the information field 54 having printing plate 01 is to be arranged b) at which other mounting position on the relevant forme cylinder 06 or at which other storage position of this printing form 01 is still to be arranged printing form 01 is to be arranged c) at which mounting position on the relevant forme cylinder 06 or at which storage position of this printing forme 01 storing printing forme magazine 09 currently, d. H. for the upcoming production no new printing plate 01 is attached, but the existing from a previous production printing plate 01 remains, d) which mounting position on the respective forme cylinder 06 or which storage position of this printing forme 01 storing printing forme magazine 09 in the forthcoming production not at all with a printing plate 01 is occupied because in the upcoming production z. B. a substrate 18 with a full printing width of the respective forme cylinder 06 is not used printing material width is used, or e) at which mounting position on the respective forme cylinder 06 or at which storage position of this printing forme 01 storing printing forme magazine 09 a non-printing printing plate 01, d. H. a so-called blind plate is arranged. In this way, the information field 54 may contain information about an arrangement and / or about a work instruction with respect to several or preferably all of the same assembly positions.

The information about the arrangement of participating in an upcoming production printing forms 01 at the respective positions in the information field 54 preferably graphically, z. B. by using at least one symbol respectively. The information shown in the respective information field 54 is z. B. taken from the control unit 39 of the plate logistics management system and / or the control unit 40 of the production planning system data. Alternatively or additionally, the information presented in the respective information field 54 may result from a comparison with those data which are obtained during the preparation of the printing forms 01 prepared for the forthcoming production. The attached to the printing plate 01 information field 54 may each next, ie in addition to a DataMatrix code z. B. on the suspension leg 13; 14 of the relevant printing forme 01 be attached.

Fig. 10 shows such a, on at least one of the printing plates 01 mounted information field 54. The information field 54 consists of several individual position elements 56, which are grouped according to the positions of the assembly, ie the mounting positions on the respective forme cylinder 06 or the storage positions in the relevant printing forme magazine 09 , here z. B. in two parallel lines, each with four columns. The position elements 56 convey information about an arrangement and / or about a work instruction with regard to at least one further printing form 01, whose position is adjacent to the printing field 01 having the information field 54, by means of a suitable coding. An open position element 56 shows z. B. on that at this position no printing plate 01 is to be arranged, whereas a filled position element 56 z. B. indicates that this information field 54 having printing forme 01 is to be placed exactly at that position in the assembly that corresponds to the position element 56 in the information field 54. Corresponding or at least similar to what has been explained above in connection with the display of the display device 52, a position associated with a symbol, e.g. B. marked with an "X", z. B. indicate that for this position a printing plate 01 is still to be made. One with another symbol, eg. B. with a "Y" drawn position shows z. Example, that at the relevant position an unexposed printing plate 01, that is, a blank plate is used. Furthermore, one with another symbol, z. B. with a "Z" drawn position z. B. indicate that at this position no new printing forme 01 is to be arranged, but the existing printing forme 01 is arranged there.

Based on 11 to 17 will now be explained a method for preferably automated changing of printing plates used in the printing press 01, which z. B. to each with printing plates 01 to be loaded printing units 44; 44.1; 44.2 of the printing machine can be executed in a simple manner. This method is particularly for each having a plurality of printing units having printing units 44; 44.1; 44.2 according to the Fig. 2 shown embodiment, preferably on a printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 according to the example of Fig. 8 , because the example of Fig. 8 shows on each operating side of the relevant printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 one of a drive, for. B. motor, height adjustable gallery 49.

Fig. 11 ties in with the Fig. 7 and shows by way of example the plate exposure device 33, which blanks 32 of the respective printing plates 01 are supplied. The developing device 36 and the Abkanteinrichtung 38 are in the Fig. 11 not shown for clarity; but their presence is taken for granted. Fig. 11 assumes that in the plate road arranged spatially separated from the printing press plate train ready-made printing plates 01 at the output of this Plattenstraße either directly to a mobile collection container 43 or first one of these printing plates 01 caching storage device 51 and then out of this storage device 51 then a mobile collection container 43 are supplied what in the Fig. 11 is indicated by the two indicated by arrows each transport routes. The storage device 51 can interact with a sorting station 57. The ready-to-use printing plates 01 are, according to their respectively intended for mounting locations on one of the in the relevant printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 arranged form cylinder 06 pre-sorted stored in the respective mobile collecting container 43 and in this collecting container 43rd together from the plate line to the respective printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 brought. The mobile collecting container 43 is z. B. on wheels, wheels or at least one rail ( Fig. 18, 19 ) movable, in particular movable, preferably also automatically movable.

Corresponding to the axial mounting positions on the lateral surface of the respective forme cylinder 06, the respective mobile collecting container 43 along its length l43 several, z. B. four or six juxtaposed each preferably with several, z. B. eight, twelve or more compartments 58 equipped storage columns A43; B43; C43; D43 on which each prepared ready-to-use printing plates 01 z. B. based on their respective coding ( Fig. 4 ) can be assigned. The individual of a particular storage column A43; B43; C43; D43 associated subjects 58 are arranged vertically above one another in the manner of a shelving system in several levels and in the longitudinal direction of the relevant mobile storage container 43 preferably each have the width B of the printing forme 01 to be stored in the relevant compartment 58 (FIG. Fig. 1 ). Fig. 12 shows in a perspective view, for example, such a mobile storage container 43 with four rows of storage columns arranged A43; B43; C43; D43, in each of which a plurality of ready-to-use printing plates 01 are stored or at least storable. The same mobile collecting container 43 is in the Fig. 13 shown again in his side view. Each individual bin 58 of this plurality of in a plurality of storage columns A43; B43; C43; D43 and arranged in different levels vertically arranged fan 58 is individually addressable by means of the respective coding of the to be stored in the respective mobile storage container 43 printing plates 01. As a result, ready-to-use printing plates 01 are stored presorted with respect to their respective installation location on one of the forme cylinders 06 of the printing press in the compartments 58 of the relevant mobile collecting container 43.

Fig. 14 illustrates in a simplified outline sketch a promotion of at least one of the mobile headers 43 to the printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2, preferably a plurality of pressure units 44; 44.1; 44.2 having printing machine, the forme cylinder 06 are to be populated with stored in the mobile storage container 43 printing plates 01, wherein the respective transport path of the mobile collecting container 43 to the respective printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 is indicated by a double arrow. The transport of the mobile storage container 43 from the plate road to the printing unit 44 concerned; 44.1; 44.2 can preferably be automated, for. B. rail-bound. The mobile storage container 43 in question is at the operating side of the relevant printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 with its narrow front side 59 advancing on the respective height-adjustable gallery 49, so that the respective mobile collecting container 43 with its length l43 parallel to the axis of rotation 124 (FIG. Fig. 44 ) of the forme cylinder 06 is arranged aligned. The length l43 of the mobile collecting container 43 preferably corresponds to the total extending in the axial direction of the forme cylinder 06 width of the relevant printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2, but it can only be a part, z. B. half the width of the respective printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2, so that several, z. B. two such mobile collecting container 43 at their respective end faces lined up z. B. on the same height-adjustable gallery 49 can be arranged. The respective on the operating side of the relevant printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 arranged on the respective height-adjustable gallery 49 mobile collecting container 43 is there with its length l43 parallel to the width of the respective printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 aligned and preferably locked by an operation of a braking device or fixed in its orientation, in such a way that the juxtaposed storage columns A43; B43; C43; D43 of this mobile collecting container 43 are the respective axial mounting positions on the lateral surface of the respective forme cylinder 06 each opposite. In the Fig. 14 is one of the at the respective printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 mounted, each height adjustable galleries 49 shown in two different height positions. Instead of two between two adjacently arranged printing units 44; 44.1; 44.2 independently operable Galleries 49 may also have a single one for these two printing units 44; 44.1; 44.2 common gallery 49 be provided. If at least one of the two halves of at least one of the two adjacently arranged printing units 44; 44.1; 44.2, ie at least their racks 16, individually formed horizontally displaceable ( Fig. 20 ), it can be provided that the two galleries 49 of these adjacently arranged printing units 44; 44.1; 44.2 to avoid a collision when moving apart of the respective printing unit halves z. B. one above the other or slidably formed and thus can be arranged in the same vertical plane.

The compartments 58 of the mobile storage container 43 can at least on its transport from the plate road to the relevant printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 z. B. by a z. B. actuated by the movement of the mobile collecting container 43 z. B. mechanical or pneumatic device about a parallel to the length l43 of the mobile collecting container 43 directed axis tilted or hinged, ie be obliquely adjustable to the stored in the compartments 58 printing plates 01 which a greater length L ( Fig. 1 ) as a width of the mobile storage container 43, at least on the transport path from the plate road to the respective printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 z. B. completely into the interior of the respective mobile storage container 43.

Fig. 15 shows in a perspective view a part of the frame 16 of a preferably designed as a four-high tower with on each of its two operating pages four vertically superposed form cylinders 06 pressure unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 with mounted on both sides control height adjustable galleries 49, wherein the eight arranged between the frame walls printing units for the sake of clarity are not shown. On each of the two galleries 49 of these with respect to the transport plane of the printing material 18 substantially symmetrically constructed printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 is placed in each case one of the mobile collection container 43, as this example in the Fig. 12 and 13 is shown. Each of these two galleries is 49 in each case by a her each associated, having a drive lifting device 61 individually and independently of the other gallery 49 height adjustable and thus along the height of the printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 adjustable to different height positions.

In the Fig. 15 and 16 are arranged in this example of a four-high tower eight in total between the pairwise opposite walls of the frame 16, the respective form cylinders 06 associated printing forme magazines 09 by the representation of only a single of these printing forme magazines 09 only indicated ( Fig. 2 and 8th ), wherein the representation of the illustrated printing forme magazine 09 is also greatly simplified. The four stacked printing form magazines 09 of the left half in the Fig. 15 and 16 illustrated printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 are hidden anyway by a standing in the foreground frame wall. The arranged on the respective gallery 49 mobile storage container 43 is at the respective operating side of the relevant printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 brought using the respective lifting device 61 to such a height position that a certain level associated compartments 58 of the mobile storage container 43 with in a certain height position in the axial direction of the respective forme cylinder 06 juxtaposed Druckformmagazinen 09 on the respective operating side of this printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 for the purpose of an automated change of printing plates 01 can enter into operative connection. The compartments 58 which are fixed in position in the mobile collecting container 43 in their respective height dimensions are thus adjusted to a height position which can be selected on the respective operating side of the printing press by a lifting movement of the gallery 49 carrying this mobile collecting container 43. This fact is in the Fig. 16 again in a side view of the relevant printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 and its two galleries 49. The printing form magazines 09 are in the relevant printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 each frame-fixed, that is arranged stationary. The compartments 58 of the respective mobile storage container 43 are loaded onto a respective printing forme magazine 09 adjusted height position. Thereafter, a change of at least one printing forme 01 between the relevant mobile storage container 43 and the selected by the height position printing forme magazine 09 z. B. triggered by a remote, z. B. remote from the control center of the printing machine control command.

Fig. 17 shows in a plan view a printing forme magazine 09, as in a printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 z. B. according to one of Fig. 2 . 8th . 15 or 16 can be installed, in cooperation with subjects 58 of the relevant operating side of the printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 brought mobile collection container 43, said mobile collecting container 43 with its storage columns A43; B43; C43; D43 is positioned longitudinally of the printing form magazine 09 such that these storage columns A43; B43; C43; D43 in the axial direction of the forme cylinder 06 juxtaposed storage positions facing each other. At least one of these storage columns A43; B43; C43; D43 is at least one of the storage positions of the printing forme magazine 09 in an at least approximately corresponding height position at a horizontal distance a58 (FIG. Fig. 16 ) such that at least one in a pocket 58 of one of the storage columns A43; B43; C43; D43 stored printing form 01 from the subject tray 58 to the storage position of the printing forme magazine 09 facing this compartment 58 by an orthogonal to the operating side of the printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 directed, preferably linear, in particular horizontal movement can change. This change of at least one printing plate 01 from one of the compartments 58 of the mobile collecting container 43 to a storage position of the printing forme magazine 09 or vice versa is preferably by a remote control, for. B. triggered at the control station of the printing press. The horizontal distance a58, in which a compartment 58 of the mobile collecting container 43 is compared with a corresponding storage position of the printing forme magazine 09, is dimensioned to be shorter than the extended length L (FIG. Fig. 1 ) of the ready-to-use printing plate 01 to be replaced.

In a preferred embodiment, several or even all printing plates 01, the each associated with different juxtaposed memory positions of the printing forme magazine 09, simultaneously with the corresponding, in different memory columns A43; B43; C43; D43 arranged compartments 58 of the mobile storage container 43 changed, ie exchanged. In a particularly preferred embodiment, compartments 58 of the mobile collecting container 43 arranged in different horizontal planes are arranged along a height H of this collecting container 43 in pairs in a vertical distance H1; H2 spaced apart ( Fig. 13 ), that a change of these in each case at the vertical distance H1; H2 arranged compartments 58 stored printing plates 01 in the frame 16 of the respective printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 at the same vertical distance H1; H2 arranged printing form magazines 09 ( Fig. 2 ; 14 ) or their memory positions at the same time, that can be executed synchronized. The distance H1 usually corresponds to the distance H2.

Fig. 17 shows the operating state of a preferably simultaneous transfer of several printing plates 01, which are stored in the same horizontal plane in different in a row juxtaposed compartments 58 of the mobile storage container 43 or stored there, to or from these subjects 58 corresponding juxtaposed storage positions of Druckformmagazins 09. To carry out the transition of these printing plates 01 from mobile storage container 43 for printing forme magazine 09 or vice versa are preferably provided on the printing forme magazine 09 the respective memory positions of this printing forme magazine 09 associated gripping means 62 which due to a remote control in various juxtaposed compartments 58 of the mobile storage container 43rd stored printing plates 01 preferably at the front end 03 ( Fig. 1 ) and then in the respective storage position of the printing forme magazine 09 z. B. move by pulling or push in reverse conveying direction from the respective storage position of the printing forme magazine 09 in the corresponding compartment 58 of the mobile storage container 43. The respective gripping device 62, the respective printing forme 01 z. B. engages by a positive connection or a frictional connection, z. B. stored in a linear guide and extendable at least over the extent of between the respective printing forme magazine 09 and the front end 03 of the respective printing forme 01 distance a58. The respective gripping device 62 is z. B. in connection with the conveyor 80 ( Fig. 24 ), which in each case conveys at least one printing forme 01 stored in the relevant printing forme magazine 09 from this printing forme magazine 09 to the relevant forme cylinder 06.

In the preferred embodiment, the mobile collecting container 43 has no drives, which drive the respective gripping device 62 and are thus used for conveying at least one printing forme 01 from the mobile collecting container 43 to the printing forme magazine 09 or vice versa. The mobile collecting container 43 is at the output of Plattenstraße, in particular at the memory device 51, preferably automatically with printing plates 01, which are pre-sorted for the respective mounting positions on the respective forme cylinder 06 based on their respective coding, and then by hand or preferably automatically to the relevant printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2. At the relevant printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2, the mobile collecting container 43 is then automatically unloaded, wherein the presorted in the mobile storage container 43 stored printing plates 01 are passed in the correct position to the respective storage positions of the respective printing forme magazine 09. Optionally, the mobile collecting container 43 is also loaded again with printing plates 01 from memory positions of the respective printing forme magazine 09, in order for example. B. in the printing process no longer required printing plates 01 of the respective printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 dissipate and then dispose of. The mobile collection container 43 is before a start or resumption of production of the relevant printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 preferably removed from their gallery 49. The mobile collecting container 43 is z. B. as part of a driverless transport system to the relevant operating side of the printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 moves.

It can also be provided that the movement of the mobile collecting container 43 is controlled by a press belonging to the control console.

This results in a method for preferably fully automatic change of printing plates used in a printing machine 01, wherein printing plates 01 are preferably synchronized with each other at mounting positions of arranged on a same operating side of the printing press in particular height positions Formzylindem 06, d. H. be replaced at the same time, with several for one of this printing machine to be executed printing process ready-made printing plates 01 at the output of a spatially separated from the printing press plate line depending on their intended mounting position on a forme 06 each individually in a particular compartment 58 of a same plurality of compartments 58th having stored mobile collecting container 43, said mobile collecting container 43 on the same operating side of the printing machine together to be exchanged printing plates 01 in their made in the subjects 58 presorted memory state unchanged in their entirety with each other, d. H. transported together to the respective operating side of the printing press. The printing plates 01 can also be exchanged simultaneously at a plurality of mounting positions arranged next to one another in the axial direction of the respective forme cylinder 06.

The at least one printing forme 01 to be changed on one of the forme cylinders 06 is stored in a storage position of a printing forme magazine 09 associated with the relevant forme cylinder 06 and fed out of this printing forme magazine 09 to the relevant assembly position on the forme cylinder 06. Several of the printing plates 01 presorted in the mobile collecting container 43 are simultaneously transferred in the correct position to the respective storage positions of the at least one respective printing forme magazine 09. The pre-sorted in the mobile storage container 43 stored printing plates 01 are preferably each one by the respective Printhead magazine 09 arranged gripping device 62 of the respective storage position of this printing forme magazine 09 supplied.

The assignment of the printing plates 01 to be stored in one of the mobile collecting containers 43 to certain compartments 58 of the relevant mobile collecting container 43 is effected via the coding applied to these printing plates 01 ultimately also as a function of the data provided by the control unit of the production planning system. For example, to exercise a control position-correct storage of the respective printing plates 01 in the relevant mobile storage container 43 z. B. displayed on the display device 52 ( Fig. 9 ).

On a further method for preferably automated changing of printing plates used in the printing press 01, which also on the respectively to be loaded with printing plates 01 printing units 44; 44.1; 44.2 of the printing machine can be executed in a simple manner, which, moreover, an alternative to that of the 11 to 17 is explained below in conjunction with the FIGS. 18 to 39 received.

An equipping device 63, the z. B. as a z. B. is arranged stationarily arranged or can be guided on a linear portal robot 63 engages with their gripping device 64 provided on a display 66, ready-made ready form 01 preferably on its non-illustrated support surface 02 (FIG. Fig. 1 ), wherein the z. B. from spaced apart, in particular parallel slide rails existing display 66 is disposed at the end of a plate line, wherein the plate line has at least at least one plate exposure device 33. The Plattenstraße can also - as in the Fig. 18 indicated - have a plurality of independently usable plate exposure means 33, wherein each of these plate exposure devices 33 each have their own robot 63 is assigned, wherein the robot 63 each as a multi-axis, in particular six-axis Handling apparatus is formed. The plate line preferably also has at least one developing device 36 and at least one Abkanteinrichtung 38, which facilities of course exist, in the Fig. 18 for the sake of clarity, however, are not shown, for what, however Fig. 7 is referenced. The ready-to-use printing plates 01 are provided immediately after their respective production on the display 66 and picked up there by the robot 63 by means of its gripping device 64. In this method, a buffering of the printing plates 01 in a memory device 51 belonging to the plate line (FIG. Fig. 7 ) usually not required, but the printing plates 01 are according to their needs until relatively shortly before the intended, from the respective printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 made production carried out. In conjunction with the placement device 63, a control device is provided which checks an order-related correct arrangement of the printing plates 01 in the mobile collecting containers 43.

It can be provided that several plate lines each having at least one plate exposure device 33 are arranged parallel to one another ( Fig. 18 ), where z. B. each of these plate exposure devices 33 each own robot 63 is assigned, wherein belonging to the respective Plattenstraße robot 63 z. B. not fixed, but z. B. on a preferably orthogonal to the orientation of the respective plate line extending portal 65 is preferably linearly movable, in particular arranged movable so that of the respective robot 63, starting from its reference point in front of or in his grip area with respect to the display 66 at the end of the respective Plattenstraße a bidirectional movement, in particular linear movement is executable. That is in the Fig. 18 z. B. perpendicular to the plane extending portal 65 is z. B. as a rail, in particular bottom rail, z. B. formed with a rack and a drive unit. A handling area of the robot 63 is preferably fenced, at least one area securing is provided. The robots 63 are each by means of their respective movement controlling control unit z. B. in different Working speeds operable and thus adaptable to a predetermined by the respective Plattenstraße power stroke. In particular, the work cycle is predetermined by the control unit 39 of the plate logistics management system to the control unit of the respective robot 63.

The gripping device 64 of the robot 63 is z. B. formed as a controllable suction device, which holds in its actuated operating state, a printing forme 01 by sucking preferably its support surface 02 or its printing surface ( Fig. 1 ). The robot 63 introduces the at least one printing forme 01 gripped by its gripping device 64 into one of the mobile collecting containers 43 provided in the handling area of the robot 63, in which collecting containers 43 the respective printing forme 01 to the respective printing unit 44 having its respective site of use; 44.1; 44.2 is transported. In the handling area of the robot 63, preferably several of these mobile collecting containers 43 are individually and / or grouped together, onto which collecting containers 43 the respective robot 63 distributes printing forms 01 provided on the respective delivery 66 in any order according to specific allocation criteria. The respective robot 63 has with regard to this distribution function a work of z. B. 600 or more printing plates 01 per hour. Each of these mobile collecting containers 43 preferably has a plurality of compartments 58, the respective robot 63 sorting the printing form 01 gripped by it into a specific one of these compartments 58 of at least one specific collecting container 43, depending on the installation location of this particular printing forme 01. A gripped by the robot 63 printing plate 01 in the panoramic format is z. B. in two end-side juxtaposed collecting container 43 sorted, which requires that these two mutually joined collecting container 43 at its respective mutually facing end face for a two collecting container 43 extending printing forme 01 open and at least with respect to the respective subjects 58 are continuous. The taken by the robot 63 printing plate 01 in the panoramic format is instead of several, in particular two simple wide printing plates 01, the on one of the forme cylinder 06 at several, in particular two axially juxtaposed mounting locations would be attached, according to the defined for this formed in the panoramic size printing plate 01 allocation criterion in a group of several, in particular two waiting collecting containers 43 introduced. If necessary, several printing plates 01, each formed in panorama format, can also be sorted into the same group of collecting containers 43 according to their respective assignment criteria. A printing form 01 gripped by the robot 63 becomes its length L ( Fig. 1 ) z. B. introduced from above into a compartment 58 of an upright storage container 43, which in the Fig. 18 indicated by arrows. A printing form 01, which is gripped by the robot 63 and is substantially vertically aligned with its length L, can also be parallel to its width B (FIG. Fig. 1 ) are inserted laterally into a compartment 58 of an upright collecting container 43. Preferably, at least one detection device, in particular a code reader 28 is provided, which code reader 28 in cooperation with a preferably electronic recording device by detecting a attached to the relevant printing plate 01 coding, z. B. whose DataMatrix code area 22 ( Fig. 3 to 6 ), registered which printing forme 01 has been introduced into which bin 58 which bin 43.

The transport of the mobile collecting container 43 to the respective printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 is preferably automated, in particular programmatically, z. B. rail-bound along a guide system 67. The guide system 67 may have at least one, preferably a plurality of switch elements which allow branches of the transport routes. The transport speed of the collecting container 43 along the guide system 67 is z. B. 0.5 m / s or more, z. B. between 0.7 m / s and 1.0 m / s. For example, on a printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 emptied collecting containers 43 are preferably returned to the handling area of the robot 63 in a roundabout. The individual mobile collection container 43 are z. B. each equipped with an identifier, based on which each of these collection container 43 in conjunction with a flow of a control program is positioned as required and purposefully moved. Collecting container 43, which transport at least one of one of the forme cylinder 06 removed print form 01, to a z. B. from the plate line or the handling area of the robot 63 separate parking position, ie led to an unloading station to z. B. to be emptied manually by the operator. After their emptying, these collecting containers 43 are preferably automatically returned to the handling area of the at least one robot 63.

Fig. 19 shows in a perspective view of the guided by means of the guide system 67, with its subjects 58 upright mobile collecting container 43, which several, z. B. four separate compartments 58, wherein z. B. in each compartment 58 at least one printing forme 01 is stored. The compartments 58 can each also have a plurality of, in particular two storage positions, so that 58 two printing plates 01 can be stored in each of these compartments 58. The Indian Fig. 19 illustrated collecting container 43 is z. B. closed at its side facing away from the guide system 67 top and open at least one parallel to the transport direction end face.

Fig. 20 shows schematically and greatly simplified two in a same plane next to each other, each shown only half printing units 44; 44.1; 44.2, as in connection with z. B. with the Fig. 2 . 8th and / or 14 were discussed. The illustrated halves of the two printing units 44; 44.1; 44.2, which may belong to the same or different printing presses or to different sections of the same printing press, are spaced from each other by a gap 68, but their respective axially parallel to their respective printing unit cylinders 06; 07 extending operating pages are arranged facing each other. Preferably in the middle in the intermediate space 68 between the two halves of the respective printing units 44; 44.1; 44.2 is z. B. a z. B. in a bottom plate 69 retractable lifting device 71, wherein the bottom plate 69 at the level of Foundation 17 ( Fig. 2 ) of the printing units 44; 44.1; 44.2 can be located. A preferably remote controllable vertical movement of this lifting device 71 is in the Fig. 20 indicated by a vertical double arrow. The vertical movement that can be carried out by this lifting device 71 takes place along a path, which is preferably at least in the region over the entire height of the preferably at least approximately equally high pressure units 44; 44.1; 44.2 extends. The lifting device 71, except in a gap 68 between spaced pressure units 44; 44.1; 44.2 also in association with only a single operating page of only one printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 be arranged.

The lifting device 71 has at its upper end to a horizontal, parallel to the operating side of the relevant printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 extending axis 74 rotatable, z. B. pivotable gripping device 72, with which gripping device 72 one or more provided in at least one of the collecting container 43 printing plates 01 from the or the collection container (s) 43 taken and a selected, in one of the respective printing units 44; 44.1; 44.2 arranged printing form magazine 09 are supplied. In the in the Fig. 20 illustrated embodiment, the respective collection container 43 are preferably above the respective printing units 44; 44.1; 44.2 on the guide system 67 z. B. suspended. The pivoting movement of the lifting device 71 belonging to the gripping device 72 is in the Fig. 20 indicated by a circular arc. It is preferably provided that either only the gripping device 72 or the lifting device 71 as a whole can also perform a horizontal movement to a pressure plate 01 gripped by it to the concerned in the respective printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 horizontally arranged printing forme magazine 09 supply or remove from there. This horizontal movement is in the Fig. 20 indicated by a horizontal double arrow. The gripping device 72 of the lifting device 71 can also be rotatable about a vertical axis 73 of the lifting device 71 at least by 180 °, so that the same gripping device 72 for both pressure units 44 facing each other; 44.1; 44.2 each for the exchange of Printing forms 01 is usable. The gripping device 72 is preferably designed in conjunction with a four-axis or six-axis robot or as such a robot, wherein this robot may be movable along a vertical additionally along a horizontal portal, if necessary, by means of the lifting device 71. The working area of the robot is preferably protected by an enclosure or barrier.

If z. B. in different compartments 58 of the same mobile storage container 43 printing plates 01 for both opposing printing units 44; 44.1; 44.2 are delivered and provided, then these printing plates 01 are according to their assignment to one of these printing units 44; 44.1; 44.2 z. B. by the robot 63 in this bin 43 differently oriented sorted, ie the printing plates 01 have been sorted in each case in the collecting container 43 that the support surface 02 ( Fig. 1 ) of the respective in or on the space 68 vertically hanging provided printing forme 01 z. B. each of the operating side of that printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 is facing, in which the respective intended mounting location of the respective printing forme 01 is located. In the preferred embodiment, the in one of the reservoir 43 in or at the gap 68 of its length L to z. B. vertically hanging provided printing plates 01 with its front, in the direction of production leading end 03 ( Fig. 1 ) in each case to the guide system 67 pointing sorted in the respective collection container 43. In or at the gap 68 between the two halves of adjacent pressure units 44; 44.1; 44.2 can at the same time parallel to the respective operating page of these printing units 44; 44.1; 44.2 are each provided a plurality of mobile storage container 43 preferably strung together, in particular, as many containers 43 are lined up to each other, as mounting locations in the axial direction of the forme cylinder 06 are provided side by side. In the particularly preferred embodiment, the feeding of printing forme magazines 09 with printing plates 01 takes place for axially adjacent mounting locations of the respective forme cylinder 06 at the same time, by the gripping device 72 of the lifting device 71 arranged in a row arranged collecting containers 43 whose each associated with these mounting locations associated printing plates 01 together. Thus, the individual collecting container 43 may be individually and at different times to the respective operating side of one of the printing units 44; 44.1; 44.2, however, it is possible that all adjacent to each other arranged mounting locations printing plates 01 are taken simultaneously and collectively the relevant collection containers 43.

The gripping device 72 of the lifting device 71 may, instead of taking only individual transported in the respective collecting container 43 printing plates 01, and at least take one of the mobile collecting container 43 as a whole and z. B. pivot about the horizontal axis 74, wherein in this embodiment, the respective collecting container 43 is detachably formed by its guide system 67 and is in particular solved by the gripping device 72 when making a connection contact to the respective collecting container 43. A mobile collecting container 43 which is released from the guide system 67 is inserted together with the printing plates 01 stored in it into the relevant printing forme magazine 09, in which case the mobile collecting container 43 is inserted as an exchangeable cassette 81 or as an exchangeable magazine 81 (FIG. Fig. 23 ) is trained. If z. B. in a group of mobile collecting containers 43 at least one formed in the panoramic size printing plate 01 from the handling area of the robot 63 to the respective printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2, the gripper 72 grips and releases this contiguous group of mobile storage containers 43 together so that a plurality of cassettes 81 and exchangeable magazines 81 simultaneously move through the same handling operation of the gripping device 72 into the respective printing unit 44 assigned to the allocation criteria; 44.1; 44.2 arranged printing form magazine 09 are pre-inserted. In a preferred embodiment, the gripping device 72 of the lifting device 71 always grips and uncouples a coherent group of mobile collecting containers 43, namely all those collecting containers 43 in which the same Form cylinder 06 axially adjacent to each other to be arranged printing plates 01 are stored so that the same forme cylinder 06 whose printing plates 01 are each exchanged in rows or at least are interchangeable.

In particular, after an exchange of at least one printing forme 01 between the at least one mobile collecting container 43 and a mounting location on the respective forme cylinder 06, the gripping device 72 of the lifting device 71 removes the relevant at least one mobile collecting container 43 from the printing forme magazine 09 and connects it again the guide system 67. In this embodiment, in which the mobile collecting container 43 is released from its guide system 67, the mobile collecting container 43 is open at its front side facing the guide system 67. It can be provided that the mobile collecting container 43 can be formed as required with a different number of compartments 58 and, starting from a basic configuration, can be extended by further compartments 58.

The FIGS. 21 to 26 each show in a perspective view again details in connection with one of the in the respective printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 arranged or there at least arrange printing form magazines 09, wherein the printing forme magazine 09 each horizontally or with a slight inclination of less than 15 ° relative to a horizontal in the respective printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 is arranged stationary. Fig. 21 shows a printing forme magazine 09, in which in a in the respective printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 fixed or there at least arrangeable frame 76 releasably a plate carrier 77 is arranged, wherein the plate carrier 77 in the Fig. 22 is shown as a detached from the frame 76 of the printing forme magazine 09 item. In this example, the plate carrier 77 is suitable, in pairs cooperating guide rails 78 side by side, ie in the respective printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 built state of the printing forme magazine 09 or at least of the frame 76 in the axial direction of the associated forme cylinder 06 to record four individual printing plates 01. Alternatively, after a distance of two illustrated guide rails 78 side by side the recording of two printing plates 01 each in panoramic format possible. The guide rails 78 are preferably formed such that a plurality, for. B. two printing plates 01 each one above the other between a pair of cooperating guide rails 78 are receivable.

The FIGS. 23 to 26 show one to the Fig. 21 and 22 similarly constructed printing forme magazine 09, in which, however, instead of a plate support 77 in each case again preferably releasably a magazine carrier 79 is arranged. The magazine support 79 is adapted to receive at least one change magazine 81, but preferably several removable magazines 81 in particular in a row next to each other by insertion into the frame 76 of the printing forme magazine 09, each change magazine 81 in turn at least one printing forme 01, but preferably several printing plates 01 z , B. on trained in him pairwise cooperating guide rails 78 preferably both side by side and can accommodate each other. The various receiving positions in a changing magazine 81 correspond in their function to the various compartments 58 (FIG. Fig. 19 ) In a mobile collecting container 43. Each of the removable magazines 81 can either be arranged in each case in one of the mobile collecting container 43 or the mobile collecting container 43 is designed such that it can also be used directly and directly as one of the removable magazines 81. The insertion of printing plates 01 into the respective changing magazine 81 as well as the insertion of the respective changing magazine 81 into the magazine carrier 79 arranged inside the printing forme magazine 09 is shown in FIG Fig. 23 each indicated by arrows. The changing magazines 81 are then, as in connection with the Fig. 18 described, filled by at least one robot 63 each having preferably a plurality of printing plates 01. The receiving positions provided in the respective changing magazine 81 can be provided at different positions for different formats of a printing forme 01 in the respective changing magazine 81 or they are formed differently in their respective formations. This allows printing plates 01 of different formats, ie of different length L and / or width B ( Fig. 1 ), transported by the same transport system without its adaptation. There are then only other removable magazines 81, ie changing magazine 81 with differently positioned for the respective printing plates 01 or otherwise trained recording positions to use. In particular, in the same exchange magazine 81 in preferably each of its compartments 58 either side by side, two single width printing plates 01 or a printing plate 01 can be transported in panorama format, with a single width printing plate 01, a single newspaper page in broadsheet format imaging printing forme 01 is meant. A multiple compartment 58 having changing magazine 81 may have different assignments with printing plates 01 in its respective subjects 58. For example, in the one compartment 58 of the changing magazine 81, two single-width printing plates 01 are arranged and in another compartment 58 of the same changing magazine 81, a double-width printing plate 01 is inserted. In superimposed compartments 58 of the removable magazine 81 stored printing plates 01 are successively fed to the forme cylinder 06 and arranged there in the circumferential direction of the forme cylinder 06 one behind the other.

Fig. 24 shows the operating state in which in the same printing forme magazine 09 side by side two removable magazines 81 are arranged on the same magazine carrier 79. The printing form magazine 09 is in turn horizontal or with a slight inclination of less than 15 ° relative to a horizontal in the respective printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 arranged stationary. Each exchangeable magazine 81 can preferably each accommodate a plurality of printing plates 01 next to one another and one above the other at the guide rails 78 provided for this purpose, ie in the respective compartments 58 arranged in different planes. The printing forme magazine 09 includes at least one z. B. linear conveying conveyor 80 for conveying individual printing plates 01 at least to the forme cylinder 06, optionally also for use in the opposite direction, ie for discharging on the forme 06 no longer required printing plates 01. In the printing forme magazine 09 are preferably two each z. B. with a slider over the entire width of the printing forme magazine 09 acting conveyors 80 available. It is also a register device 132 and a pressing device 139; z. B. a roller bar 139, shown on which facilities in connection with the Fig. 44 and 45 will be discussed in more detail. The register device 132 and the roller bar 139 can be arranged on the frame 76 of the printing forme magazine 09, in particular detachably fastened.

Fig. 25 now shows the removal of one of the removable magazines 81 from the in the Fig. 24 illustrated printing form magazine 09, which is indicated by an arrow. Fig. 26 shows the magazine carrier 79 released from the printing forme magazine 09 again as an individual part, wherein one of the exchangeable magazines 81 that it holds is still located on the magazine carrier 79 and another is shown detached from this magazine carrier 79. The exchangeable magazines 81 are arranged in the respective printing forme magazine 09 in each case aligned with the respective forme cylinder 06 and held in position by at least one locking device which activates at least one locking device with the insertion of the respective removable magazine 81 in the relevant printing forme magazine 09 and for removing this removable magazine 81 from the relevant Print form magazine 09 is deactivated. The activation and / or deactivation of the respective locking device is z. B. by the gripping device 72 of the lifting device 71, which has taken the respective change magazine 81 or intends to take triggered.

The FIGS. 27 to 35 show now in further perspective illustrations by way of example details of a guide system 67 using a transport system by means of which transport system, the mobile collection container 43, which z. B. each as a change magazine 81 are formed, of at least one plate line to the respective printing units 44; 44.1; 44.2 are transported. Fig. 27 shows a rail 82 along which at least one transport vehicle 83, but preferably several transport vehicles 83 are guided or at least feasible. In the in the Fig. 27 illustrated example, the rail 82 is formed as a ceiling rail 82 along which z. B. in close sequence z. B. two transport vehicles 83 coming from a board road to at least one of a plurality of printing units 44; 44.1; 44.2 a printing press are performed. A transport carriage or carrier system 84 of the transport vehicle 83 is thus always guided next to the rail 82. For details of these printing units 44; 44.1; 44.2 is z. B. on the Fig. 2 . 8th or 20 directed. These transport vehicles 83 can in particular at specially provided parking positions z. B. at or in a gap 68 between adjacently arranged printing units 44; 44.1; 44.2 are parked, in particular for preparing a new production at one of the printing units 44; 44.1; 44.2. A single one of the transport vehicles 83 is in the Fig. 28 shown. The on the rail 82 preferably controlled by a control unit automatically movable transport vehicle 83 can simultaneously transport at least one, preferably several, in particular four removable magazines 81 and cartridges 81, wherein in the example shown here, the transport vehicle 83, the changing magazines 81 superimposed, ie each in a horizontal orientation, ie transported horizontally. The horizontal alignment of the transport carriage of the transport vehicle 83, which is always horizontal along the entire transport path, is preferably regulated by means of a position sensor arranged on the transport carriage.

Again Fig. 29 can be removed, the changing magazines 81 are received by the support system 84 of the respective transport vehicle 83 each on a shelf space by the relevant change magazine 81 at a free shelf space of the support system 84 z. B. is inserted. On the operating side of the printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 is another for each parking position of a transport vehicle 83, the number of on this operating side of the printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 arranged printing forme magazines 09 provided by one ascending storage space 85 for exchange magazines 81 to be exchanged. This additional storage space 85 is preferably above the respective printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 arranged, each of these printing form magazines 09 each one of the in the printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 arranged form cylinder 06 is assigned. Thus stand on the operating side of the printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 one above the other n + 1 slots and side by side m slots for removable magazines 81 available, where n indicates the number of transportable by the respective transport vehicle 83 simultaneously removable magazines 81 and m the number of on the operating side of the printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 side by side parking transport vehicles 83 denotes. Removable magazines 81 exchanged at the n + 1 slots are successively received by the same gripping device 72 (FIG. Fig. 20 ), wherein the gripping device 72 is first a removable magazine 81 from one of the in the printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 arranged printing forme magazine 09 removes and then deposits at the additionally provided storage space 85, whereupon the gripping device 72 of one of the transport vehicle 83 provided removable magazines 81 takes and vorsteckt to the just vacant slot of previously operated printing forme magazine 09. Then, from the gripping device 72, a changing magazine 81 from another on this operating side of the printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 arranged printing form magazine 09 taken and stored at the free slot of the transport vehicle 83. The gripping device 72 then grips another of the changing magazines 81 provided by the transport vehicle 83, and the sequence just described is repeated. After z. B. the removable magazines 81 on all printing forme magazines 09 a same operating side of the printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 have been replaced by the gripping device 72 ultimately the previously deposited at filing place 85 changing magazine 81 at the most recent free slot of the transport vehicle 83 pre-inserted, whereby the transport vehicle 83 z. B. is again stocked in its full number with changing magazines 81.

The position-appropriate recording of the respective removable magazine 81 in the respective carrier system 84 is z. B. by means of one or more mechanical stops 86. At least during transport, the removable magazines 81 in the respective carrier system 84 by a z. B. fixed to the carrier system 84, preferably fixed fixation device. To an operating side of a printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 transported removable magazines 81 can there z. B. are taken from a mounted on a lifting device 71 gripping device 72, such. B. in conjunction with the Fig. 20 explained. The at the printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 provided lifting device 71 may, for. Example, have a portal on which for the realization of the gripping device 72 a preferably multi-axis, in particular six-axis robot is arranged, said robot on the portal preferably linearly at least vertically bidirectionally movable, in particular movable. The lifting device 71 together with its gripping device 72 or the portal of the on the printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 changing magazines 81 handling robot can be attached to the height-adjustable gallery 49 or formed in a unit with this gallery 49, said gallery 49 on one of the two operating pages of the relevant printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 is arranged ( Fig. 8 . 15 . 16 ). The sequence of movements in particular of the changing magazine 81 handling robot is monitored by sensors, his handling area fenced in particular.

Fig. 30 again shows how several belonging to the same, especially rail-bound transport system transport vehicles 83 to printing units 44; 44.1; 44.2 led to a printing press or be removed from these. The FIGS. 31 to 34 show more complex path guides of the transport system at a plurality of printing units 44; 44.1; 44.2 and at least one folding unit 89 having printing press or a section of a multi-section printing press. In particular, in the FIGS. 31 to 34 It can be seen that the transport vehicles 83 are guided over path intersections in different directions and on different paths or at least can be guided. To carry out an exchange of individual printing plates 01 or whole removable magazines 81 z. B. these changing magazines 81 transporting transport vehicles 83 preferably above the respective printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 positioned on their respective operating side, where they for their further previously in connection with the Fig. 20 described handling by the gripping device 72 of the lifting device 71 or stand by a robot.

The Fig. 34 indicates two hubs 87 each for a transport vehicle 83, wherein each of these hubs 87, a transport vehicle 83 about a vertical axis z. B. can rotate in both directions by 90 °. A control unit 88, in particular a vehicle control computer 88 (FIG. Fig. 36 ) gives z. B. a start position and a destination position for each of the transport system in the transport transport vehicles 83 before, in which case each of these transport vehicles 83 its respective path through a z. B. independently attached to the rails 82 coding finds by the respective transport vehicle 83 based on the respective coding makes a location determination and in conjunction with at least the destination position generates a move command. As Fig. 35 can recognize the modular transport system preferably horizontal and vertical and rectilinear and curved routes include, where a curve denotes a curved route in a horizontal plane and an arc a curved route in a vertical plane. Each of the transport vehicles 83 traveling in the transport system thus has its own identifier identifying it in each case and can be located in the transport system with regard to its current position.

Fig. 36 shows a schematic representation of an example of a transport system, which has a plurality, z. B. three printing units 44; 44.1; 44.2 and two folders 89 having printing machine supplied in at least one plate mill ready-to-use printing plates 01 supplied. The respective Plattenstraße, which at least one, preferably several, z. B. has two plate exposure devices 33, z. B. spatially separated from the printing press in a sound enclosure 91. At least one robot 63 can be used to its gripping device 64 on at least one display 66 of the respective Plattenstraße waiting, z. B. take in any order printed forms 01 and depending on their respective site in the press on each of a Transporting vehicle 83 to move moving magazines 81 or mobile storage container 43 ( Fig. 18 ). The printing machine having machine room 94 and the sound enclosure 91 are z. B. at least acoustically separated from each other by a partition wall 92, wherein the partition wall 92 at least one, preferably a plurality of locks 93, through which locks 93, the transport vehicles 83 can each be sequentially moved through the partition wall 92 therethrough. The Plattenstraße and the machine room 94 can also be arranged in different horizontal levels of the same building or in different buildings, so that the transport system z. B. has one or more lifting devices 96, by means of which the transport vehicles 83 can overcome the height difference between these levels. The transport vehicles 83 are preferably each guided along a rail 82 in the transport system. The routing has, in particular in the area of the pressure units 44; 44.1; 44.2 turntables 87 on. Also, one or more switch elements 97 may be provided, which allow the transport vehicles 83, if necessary, alternative routes. The transport system also has at least one unloading station 98, at which used printing forme 01 removed from its respective place of use in the printing machine in one of the exchangeable magazines 81 or the mobile collecting container 43 are preferably automatically removed from the transport system. In addition to the disposal of the used printing plates 01, the unloading station 98 may additionally have the function of changing magazines 81 arranged on a transport vehicle 83 on the basis of their respective identifier 104 (FIG. Fig. 40 ) and thus to reconfigure the respective transport vehicle 83 in the transport system before receiving new printing plates 01 in the respective removable magazines 81. The entire sequence of movement belonging to this transport system transport vehicles 83 is z. B. controlled by the vehicle control computer 88, wherein the particular designed as a real-time industrial computer Fahrzeugleitrechner 88 on all these transport vehicles 83 z. B. acts by means of a wireless data transmission, wherein the transport vehicles 83 each have a transmitting and receiving unit and at least one of their respective movement controlling control unit and controlled by this control unit drive unit. At least one of each of the printing units 44; 44.1; 44.2 brought forward transport vehicle 83 may, for. B. in a specially designated, independent of the main line guidance of the transport system parking position 99 parked. The parking position 99 is z. B. formed as a sack alley route and is from the respective transport vehicle 83 z. B. achieved by using a arranged in the main line turntable 87. The transport vehicles 83 are in the transport system along the rail-bound route z. B. moves in a preferred direction, which in the Fig. 36 indicated by arrows.

That in the Fig. 36 exemplified transport system shows a concept in which all printing units 44; 44.1; 44.2 of the printing press are supplied by several along the same route circulating transport vehicles 83 each with printing plates 01. Alternative concepts may be that z. B. for each printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 the printing press own routing for surrounding transport vehicles 83 is provided, which in the Fig. 37 and 38 is shown. That in the Fig. 38 This concept expands that in the Fig. 37 shown concept in that the respective routes of the transport system, each individually for each only a single pressure unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 supply the printing press with printing plates 01, are connectable to each other. This optional connection between the individual printing units 44; 44.1; 44.2 associated routes is z. B. achieved in that in the individual pressure units concerned 44; 44.1; 44.2 associated routes each at least one switch element 97 is arranged, via which at least one of the transport vehicles 83 from a first printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 assigned route guidance of the transport system discharged and the distance between the first printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 and another second printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 bridging link 101 can be fed to from this Link 101 also again via at least one switch element 97 of the second printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 associated routing of the transport system to be forwarded. The concept of Fig. 38 has the advantage that even in an accident in one of the one of the pressure units 44; 44.1; 44.2 associated routing the other pressure unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 can be automatically supplied with printing plates 01 via at least one transport vehicle 83 of the transport system. In the in the FIGS. 36 to 38 illustrated concepts of the transport system can their respective route except in a cycle also z. B. be formed in the form of a one-way route. The respective switch element 97 may, for. B. be designed as a sliding switch, which is in the Fig. 38 each indicated by a double arrow. A possible route to that in the Fig. 37 Concept presented is in the Fig. 39 again shown in perspective.

To explain the sequence of a method for providing ready-to-use printing plates 01 on at least one printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 of the printing press will open Fig. 7 directed. On the basis of production data, which provides a control unit 40 of a production planning system to a control unit 39 of a plate logistics management system, as well as on the basis of z. B. created in a pre-press, there stored in a computer 34 templates 37 are in at least one Plattenstraße from particular plate-shaped blanks 32 at mounting locations on one of the forme cylinder 06 of the printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 ready-to-use printing plates 01 produced and using mobile storage container 43 or removable magazines 81, each having a plurality of compartments 58 (FIG. Fig. 19 ), presorted to the relevant printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 transported. The sorting of ready-to-use printing plates 01 in the z. B. at the exit of the plate road waiting mobile storage container 43 or removable magazines 81 can be performed by the at least one robot 63 automatically. In which the printing plates 01 to their respective site in the printing press transporting transport system z. B. at least as many transport vehicles 83 available as mounting locations on the with these printing plates 01 to be supplied form cylinder 06 are provided in the axial direction side by side. In the relevant transport system is preferably three times the amount of mobile storage containers 43 or changing magazines 81 in use, as in the at least one of this transport system with printing plates 01 supplied pressure unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 places of installation are provided on their form cylinders 06 to be supplied with printing forme 01.

In the in the Fig. 37 and 38 shown concepts of a transport system are the transport vehicles 83 in a fixed sequence in use, which in the Fig. 37 and 38 through one of the mounting locations on the forme cylinder 06 or at least the locations in the printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 corresponding, consecutive numbering of the used transport vehicles 83 should be displayed. However, a fixed sequence of transport vehicles in use 83 has the disadvantage that these transport vehicles 83 must also run empty trips or incomplete filled trips when z. B. at one of the axially adjacent mounting locations of the forme cylinder 06 is not at least one printing forme 01 to change. The preferred direction of movement of these transport vehicles 83 is in the Fig. 37 and 38 each indicated by a directional arrow. According to the in the Fig. 36 illustrated concept, the transport vehicles 83 each individually and optionally to one of the printing units 44; 44.1; 44.2. Ready-to-use printing plates 01 can be temporarily stored in a storage device 51 and / or sorted by means of a sorting station 57, if required. The exposure device 33, the developing device 36, the Abkanteinrichtung 38 and optionally the memory device 51 and / or the sorting station 57 preferably each have their own control unit, which has a preferably common z. B. Ethemet-based communication network 41 at least with the control unit 39 of the plate logistics management system and / or with the control unit 40 of the production planning system and / or with a computer 34 of the prepress data, in particular control data, exchange, so that the expiration of Method for providing ready-to-use printing plates 01 on at least one printing unit 44; 44.1; On the other hand, the execution of individual process steps is independently controlled by other devices and / or control units locally. In the Fig. 7 the optional data connection between the control unit 39 of the plate logistics management system and the control unit of Abkanteinrichtung 38 is shown in dashed lines. Preferably, the control unit 39 of the disk logistics management system controls the entire process of preparing, providing, transporting and changing the printing forms 01 and their mobile storage containers 43 or exchangeable magazines 81. The control unit 39 of the disk logistics management system operates on the basis of the data available to it, in particular on the folding device 38, the robot 63 gripping the delivery 66, the robot 63 capturing a coding on the printing plates 01 and / or on the mobile collecting containers 43 or changing magazines 81; the z. B. designed as a robot lifting device 71 together with their gripping device 72 and the respective controllable conveyor 80 in the respective printing forme magazines 09. The control unit 39 of the disk logistics management system is z. B. formed as a redundant real-time control system.

As in connection with the Fig. 9 already discussed, z. B. at the output of Plattenstraße a preferably optical display device 52 may be provided which indicates which printing forme 01 is to sort into which bin 58 of each mobile storage container 43 or removable magazine 81 manually or by means of the robot 63. This display can be in the form of symbols, but also in plain text.

After loading at least one compartment 58 of the respective mobile storage container 43 or removable magazine 81 can in particular by the control unit 39 of the disk logistics management system based on the exchanged data due the attached to the relevant printing plate 01 and recorded coding, z. B. the DataMatrix code 22 ( Fig. 3 to 6 ), whether the printing plate 01 concerned has been sorted into the correct bin 58 according to the production planning system production data and / or whether the transporting vehicle 83 transporting the mobile collecting bin 43 or bin 81 in question is on the right path to that according to the production data of the production planning system. Should a deviation from the production data of the production planning system be detected by the control unit 39 of the plate logistics management system, the production unit can start production before the start of production by the relevant printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 of the printing press z. B. on the display device 52, in particular on the control station 42, a warning message are generated in order to avoid a faulty pressure and thus waste.

The FIGS. 40 to 43 go on more details of already in connection with the FIGS. 23 to 26 mentioned removable magazine 81 and its locking on the magazine carrier 79 a. In this embodiment variant, the changing magazine 81 is designed as one of the mobile collecting container 43, which is preferably horizontally transportable by the automatic transport system. Fig. 40 shows in a perspective view of such a box-shaped exchange magazine 81, in which in z. B. three superimposed planes each a compartment 58 for receiving either a double-width printing plate 01 or two single width printing plates 01 is formed, the printing plates 01 each introduced at one of two opposite end faces of the removable magazine 81 in selbiges and at the opposite end face of the Removable magazine 81 are removed. The two upper compartments 58 take z. B. the forme cylinder 06 to be supplied to printing plates 01, whereas in the lower compartment 58 from the forme cylinder 06 removed printing plates 01 can be stored. The two upper compartments 58 each have a narrow central web 102 extending in the feed direction of the printing formes 01 and having a wall thickness of a few millimeters z. B. in the range of less than 5 mm, whose smoothly formed side surfaces in a first operating state of the removable magazine 81 in the relevant compartment 58 juxtaposed single-width printing plates 01 each as one of the previously described guide rails 78 (FIG. Fig. 23 ; 24 ) serve. The respective central web 102 has a low height of only a few millimeters z. B. in the range between 2 mm and 10 mm, so that in a second operating state of the removable magazine 81 a z. B. stored in one of the upper compartments 58, ie stored double width, ie formed in panoramic format printing forme 01 with its center region in the relevant compartment 58 of the removable magazine 81 on the upper edge, ie the crown of the respective central web 102 is placed or at least be placed. Moreover, in the individual compartments 58, at least one, preferably a plurality of, for example, at the end face of the exchangeable magazine 81 facing away from the forme cylinder 06, is at least one. B. ramps formed 103 and / or perpendicular to the feed direction of the printing plates 01 stationary stops provided at which in the respective subjects 58 inlaid printing plates 01 with its bent at its trailing end 04 suspension leg 14 (FIGS. Fig. 1 ) are held in their respective insertion position and are thus secured in particular during transport of the removable magazine 81 against accidental slipping out of this removable magazine 81. The latches 103 thus define respective holding positions for printing plates 01 inserted into the changing magazine 81. For unambiguously identifying and / or locating each changing magazine 81 in a transport system transporting a plurality of changing magazines 81, as exemplified in connection with FIGS FIGS. 27 to 39 is shown, each of these removable magazines 81 is preferably z. B. on a side wall with a preferably machine-detectable identifier 104, z. B. provided with a barcode. The changing magazine 81 is z. B. made of sheet metal parts. The side walls and bottoms of the compartments 58 of the removable magazine 81 are preferably made in a lightweight construction, for. B. by using a multi-component material, in particular a plastic in conjunction with a light metal.

The changing magazine 81 is by means of a holding device in the printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 held on an axially parallel to an associated forme cylinder 06 extending magazine carrier 79, whereupon in conjunction with the perspective views in the Fig. 41 and 42 will be received. On the magazine carrier 79, one or more connecting elements 106 are arranged for receiving at least one removable magazine 81, on which the respective change magazine 81 is preferably attached when assembling the changing magazine 81 and the magazine carrier 79. The change magazine 81 has in the preferred embodiment to the connecting elements 106 matching, at least on the forme cylinder 06 facing side open first hollow body 107, in each of which one of the arranged on the magazine support 79 connecting elements 106 coming from the direction of the forme cylinder 06 can preferably engage positively , Connecting elements 106 and associated first hollow body 107 have z. B. a rectangular cross-section, but also other cross-sectional shapes are possible, for. B. round, oval or triangular. In the Fig. 41 and 42 is one of z. B. angularly shaped connecting elements 106 for its better recognizability detached from the magazine carrier 79 shown. Fig. 42 is an enlarged view of the Fig. 41 , The magazine carrier 79 is z. B. formed as a rail with a rectangular cross-section, to which rail per changing magazine 81 spaced from each other, in particular approximately at a distance of the width of this removable magazine 81, z. B. two each formed in the form of a right angle connecting elements 106 attached, for. B. are screwed, wherein one of the legs 109 of the respective connecting element 106 z. B. protrudes from the magazine carrier 79. On this cantilever leg 109 of the connecting element 106 of the associated formed on the removable magazine 81 first hollow body 107 and thus the removable magazine 81 z. B. by means of this change magazine 81 handling gripping device 72 ( Fig. 20 ) preferably automated plugged. At the cantilever leg 109 of the connecting element 106 z. B. formed one or more rollers 108, z. B. are integratively in the leg 109 of the connecting element 106, that is in each case in one Recess of the leg 109 of this connecting element 106, two pairs of rollers 108 are formed, these rollers 108 roll during the assembly of removable magazine 81 and the respective connecting element 106 on a contact surface to the first hollow body 107. By the rollers 108 a lubricity of this connecting element 106 within the first hollow body 107 is improved.

To realize a possible low-friction guidance of the connecting element 106 on at least one of the contact surfaces to the first hollow body 107, in particular at least one lateral guide surface of the cantilevered leg 109 of this connecting element 106 one or more sliding body 111 or rolling elements 111, z. B. rotatable balls, be arranged, said rolling elements 111 laterally to the Vorsteckrichtung this connecting element 106 is preferably movable, z. B. are movably mounted against the force of a compression spring. As a result, a simple linear bearing is formed between the first hollow body 107 and the connecting element 106 pushed into this first hollow body 107. This is in the Fig. 43 which shows a plan view of a simplified arrangement shown, this arrangement has at least one arranged on two spaced apart connecting elements 106 changing magazine 81 and this changing magazine 81 handling gripping device 72, wherein both connecting elements 106 on the forme cylinder 06 facing side of the removable magazine 81st each individually at least partially in a formed on this removable magazine 81 first hollow body 107 are inserted. The gripping device 72, which is connected in particular to a robot portal, is arranged on the side of this removable magazine 81 facing away from the forme cylinder 06. Within a connecting element 106 receiving the first hollow body 107 z. B. in particular perpendicular to the Vorsteckrichtung of the respective connecting element 106 extending notches or grooves 112, in particular moldings 113 arranged with these grooves 112, in which grooves 112 which are to be vorzusteckenden connecting element 106th trained rollers 108 can engage, creating a detachable connection, in particular latching connection or snap connection, from the removable magazine 81 to the connecting elements 106 supporting, in the Fig. 43 for clarity, not shown magazine carrier 79 is made. The magazine carrier 79 and a frame 76 of the changing magazines 81 receiving printing forme magazine 09 are in their respective arrangement in the printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 preferably firmly connected to each other and also in the printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 fixed, z. B. with the frame 16 of this printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 screwed. At the receiving device of the removable magazines 81 transporting transport vehicle 83 ( Fig. 28 ), ie the horizontal transport carriage, preferably the same connecting elements 106 are mounted as on the magazine carrier 79, so that the transport vehicle 83, the removable magazines 81 sure z. B. also via a positive connection can record.

The in the Fig. 43 although in spatial proximity to the printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 arranged, but of this printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 independently operated gripping device 72 has z. B. two gripper arms 114, which z. B. in each case in a guide element 116 along a direction indicated by a double arrow travel are bidirectionally preferably linearly movable, wherein the respective travel in each case parallel to the width of the removable magazine 81 and thus is also directed parallel to the axis of rotation 124 of the forme cylinder 06. The movement of the gripper arms 114 is from a remotely controllable, z. B. controllable by the control console 42 drive 117, z. B. by an electric motor, driven. Alternatively, the drive 117 may also be designed as a pneumatic drive. The gripper arms 114 are preferably synchronously, in particular moved in opposite directions by the drive 117, ie they either move towards each other evenly or they move away from each other. Alternatively, the gripper arms 114 of the drive 117 and individually and independently adjustable. The gripper arms 114 are arranged on the side facing away from the forme cylinder 06 side of the respective removable magazine 81 in this change magazine 81, at least on the side facing away from the forme cylinder 06 side of the removable magazine 81 open second hollow body 118 inserted. The gripping device 72 has at least one positioning device, preferably for each gripper arm 114, by means of which the gripper arms 114 can be positioned in front of the respective openings of the second hollow bodies 118, in order to subsequently grasp the gripper arms 114 by means of a preferably linear movement directed towards the changing magazine 81 partially vorzustecken in the respective second hollow body 118, as shown in the Fig. 43 is shown. The exchangeable magazine 81 formed first and second hollow body 107; 118 are z. B. adjacent in pairs and each arranged parallel to each other at the respective ends of the width of the respective removable magazine 81. The first and second hollow bodies 107; 118 may be substantially identical in construction, in particular in their respective cross-section. The hollow body 107; 118 are realized in particular by square tubes. On the removable magazine 81, a recessed grip 142 may be formed for the manual transport of this removable magazine 81.

The positioning device has z. B. at least one reflex switch 119, which is a preferably electromagnetic wave, z. B. light onto which the reflex switch 119 facing top surface 122 of a truncated cone 121 sends, said truncated cone 121 is disposed with its base on the removable magazine 81 at the side facing away from the forme cylinder 06 and thus the gripping device 72 facing side, wherein the top surface 122 of the truncated cone 121st a diameter z. B. in the range of 0.5 mm to 2 mm, preferably 1 mm or less. From a transmitter, z. B. a laser diode of the Reflex probe 119 against the truncated cone 121 radiated light is only received again by a receiver of the Reflex switch 119 when the transmitter facing the top surface 122 of the fixedly connected to the removable magazine 81 truncated cone 121 and the fixed to the gripping device 72 Reflex sensor 119 within a permissible tolerance are directly and directly opposite, which is why the gripper arms 114 by the reflected from the top surface 122 of the truncated cone 121 and received by the receiver of the reflex switch 119 signal before the respective openings of the second hollow body 118 can be positioned when this signal is used to control the gripper arms 114 driving drive 117. By means of the positioning device, the horizontal and vertical position of the gripping device 72 is adjusted relative to the removable magazine 81.

The gripper arms 114 in the Fig. 43 gripping device 72 shown by way of example each have at least one connecting element 123, for. B. a pin or a cone bolt, with which a pre-inserted into the second hollow body 118 gripper arm 114 releasably z. B. by a positive connection with the removable magazine 81 is connectable. For example, each of the preassembled gripper arms 114 by means of a change magazine 81 movement by means of its connecting element 123 engage the removable magazine 81 form-fitting and this change magazine 81 separated by a directed to the gripping device 72 linear movement of the holding it fasteners 106 of the magazine carrier 79; because by a traction associated with the movement of the gripper arms 114, the compound, for. B. the locking connection or snap connection between the removable magazine 81 and the fasteners 106 carrying the magazine carrier 79 repealed. By the gripping device 72 is thus a removable magazine 81 in the printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 arranged on an axially parallel to an associated forme cylinder 06 extending magazine carrier 79 and removed from there again. By a drive 117 caused by the lateral movement of the gripper arms 114 latter are locked to the removable magazine 81.

As already in connection with the Fig. 24 explained, each printing forme magazine 09, in which at least one removable magazine 81 z. B. by means of the gripping device 72 can be arranged, at least one conveyor 80 z. B. in the form of a slider to at least one printing forme 01 in a conveying operation, but preferably at the same time several printing plates 01 to a forme cylinder 06 of the printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 or from the forme cylinder 06 in an associated change magazine 81 to promote.

In the printing forme magazine 09, preferably a plurality of exchangeable magazines 81 can be arranged next to one another, the printing plates 01 stored in a same plane extending parallel to the forme cylinder 06 being collectively conveyable together by a conveying device 80 acting in concert with these exchangeable magazines 81.

The following is based on the Fig. 44 and 45 a register-containing feeding of stored in one of the removable magazines 81 printing forms 01 to the forme cylinder 06 explained. These each provided with at least one print image 126 printing plates 01 are in a same compartment 58 in the Fig. 44 arranged for clarity, not shown changing magazine 81 next to each other. In the case of several, z. B. two in the same printing forme magazine 09 juxtaposed change magazines 81 ( FIGS. 23 to 26 ) are the forme cylinder 06 supplied printing plates 01 in these changing magazines 81 at least in a same plane 127, that is arranged in the feed plane. In the Fig. 44 is a further level 128 for receiving further to be supplied to the forme cylinder 06 or discharged from this forme 06 printing plates 01 indicated, this further level 128 can be realized in particular by another formed in the removable magazine 81 compartment 58. Those in the same plane 127; 128 stored printing plates 01 are each preferably together by means of in the Fig. 44 the sake of clarity conveyor 80, not shown, fed to the forme cylinder 06 or discharged from this by this conveyor 80 z. B. engages with a slider in each case on the folded suspension leg 14 at the trailing end 04 of the respective printing forme 01. By the feed thus exerted feed the respective suspension leg 13 is supplied to the leading end 03 of the respective printing plate 01 of the slot-shaped opening 129 of a channel 06 disposed in the channel 06 channel, said opening 129 a directed in the circumferential direction of the forme 06 slot width S in the area between 1 mm and 3 mm.

Since the printing plates 01 are to be supplied to the forme register cylinder 06, a register device 132 is arranged on the conveying path of these printing plates 01 between the or the exchangeable magazines 81 and the forme cylinder 06, axially parallel to the forme cylinder 06. This register device 132 has several, z. B. associated with a pivot axis 133 side stops 134; 136 on which the forme cylinder 06 supplied printing plates 01 each with one of its longitudinal edges 137 are aligned. In a first arrangement of side stops 134, a side stop 134 is provided for each of the juxtaposed single-width printing plates 01, whereas in a second arrangement of side stops 136 only one side stop 136 is provided for each double-width printing plate 01. In the second arrangement of side stops 136, therefore, a distance a133, directed along the axis of rotation 124 of the forme cylinder 06, between adjacent side stops 136 is greater than in the first arrangement. The two arrangements of side stops 134; 136 are z. B. alternately z. B. by a rotational movement of the pivot axis 133 by 180 ° in the feed plane 127 of the printing plates 01 can be formed. The abutment surfaces of the side stops 134; 136 each extend in a direction of rotation 124 of the forme cylinder 06 orthogonal cutting plane. In connection with the register device 132 z. B. each single-width printing plate 01 each one or more rolling elements 138 may be provided, which holds down the forme cylinder 06 to be supplied to the printing forme 01 each.

The Fig. 45 shows in a simplified sectional view a in the printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 arranged printing form magazine 09 and both a form cylinder 06 associated register means 132 and a roller bar 139, wherein in the printing forme magazine 09 at least one z. B. three compartments 58 exhibiting removable magazine 81 is arranged, wherein in the top of these compartments 58, a forme cylinder 06 to be supplied to the printing forme 01 is stored. The changing magazine 81 is arranged by means of at least one connecting element 106 on a parallel to the axis of rotation 124 of the forme cylinder 06 extending magazine carrier 79.

The printing plate 01 is by means of in the Fig. 45 Upper conveyor 80 pushed out of the compartment 58 of the removable magazine 81. During its feed, in which the suspension leg 13 is supplied at the leading end 03 of this printing plate 01 of the slot-shaped opening 129 of the arranged in the plate cylinder 06 channel 131, this printing forme 01 is set at a set in the feed plane side stop 134; 136 of the register means 132 aligned Seitenregistermäßig. One of the register means 132 in the feed direction of the respective printing plate 01 downstream roller bar 139 has in association with the forme cylinder 06 side by side to be supplied printing plates 01 each preferably several engageable by a remote control to the forme 06 or off this Abstellble rolling elements 141, in particular rollers on, with which the suspension leg 13 at the leading end 03 of the respective printing forme 01 is rolled into the opening 129 of one of the two arranged in the forme cylinder 06 with an offset of 180 ° channels 131, wherein the forme cylinder 06 preferably as a double circumferential cylinder with two in the circumferential direction of the forme cylinder 06 in a row arranged formable printing plates 01 is formed. Of course, in this printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 also cooperating with the forme cylinder 06 transfer cylinder 07 and an inking unit 08 and other required for the execution of the printing operation units available.

Fig. 46 and 47 provide a schematic overview of the logistic of the printing plates 01 showing management system. This management system works sequentially at least following, in the Fig. 46 Process steps shown: 151 exposure, 152 fold, 153 plate check, 154 cassette loading, 156 cassette transport, 157 intermediate storage, 158 plate exchange, 159 plate changes, 161 cassette transport, 162 plate disposal, 163 provision.

For controlling, coordinating and monitoring the aforementioned process steps 151 to 163 as well as optionally interlocking (in Fig. 46 not shown) sub-processes is preferably implemented programmatically management system in several modules, eg. B. program blocks, subdivided, which realize different hierarchically acting control levels, each module z. B. is assigned to a specific functional area, wherein z. For example, a first module has a tracking plane 166, a second module has a planning plane 167, a third module has a coordination plane 168, and a fourth module has an execution plane 169. In detail, the tracking layer 166 may relate to a printing management and tracking system 171, which is superordinate to all running in a printing, related to the production of printed products processes. The next level, z. B. the planning level 167, z. B. functions of the production planning system and the at least one control station 42 of the printing machine, wherein a related to the functions of the production planning system program part 172 preferably in the control unit 40 of the production planning system ( Fig. 7 ). The coordination level 168 following the planning level 167 has a program part for a sequence control 173 for producing and handling the printing forms 01, as well as a program part for control 174 of the plate logistics management system and a program part 176 for disposing the exchangeable magazines 81. The program part for the control 174 of the disk logistics management system is z. B. executed in the control unit 39 of the disk logistics management system ( Fig. 7 ). The coordination level 168 is z. B. also assigned at least one more control of the plate exposure device 33. At the bottom of the aforementioned control levels, the execution level 169 includes z. B. at least a) the computer 34 of the pre-press, b) the arranged at the end of the plate mill robot 63 with its gripping device 64, with which provided on a display 66 ready to use ready-made printing form 01 ready mobile collecting containers 43 are assigned ( Fig. 18 c) the transport vehicles 83 of the transport system both in their respective feed to a printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 and in their return from the relevant printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 ( FIGS. 27 to 35 ) or the vehicle control computer 88 controlling these transport vehicles 83 (FIG. Fig. 36 ), d) preferably gripping means 72 communicating with a robot portal for changing changing magazines 81 at the respective printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 ( Fig. 20 ) and e) the respective printing forme magazine 09 together with a controller for the at least one associated conveyor 80 and register device 132 and roller bar 139 (FIG. Fig. 45 ). The program part for control 174 of the disk logistics management system communicates via a communication link 177, preferably via bidirectional control lines, in which Fig. 47 illustrated manner with the aforementioned devices. The Fig. 47 By arrow lines also shows other communication paths between the components within the respective control levels and between these control levels, with some communication paths are performed via various interfaces 178. The subdivision of the in the Fig. 47 illustrated four control levels 166; 167; 168; 169 is indicated by a dashed line.

The method described for plate logistics and the devices required for its execution make it possible to shorten the set-up times of the printing press in a printing shop, to optimize the production planning and thus to reduce operating costs. Since the plate exposure device 33 is controlled by the process controller 173 for preparing and handling the printing plates 01, the print jobs are processed "just-in-time". By transporting the printing plates 01 in changing magazines 81 results for the ready-to-use printing plates 01 a very safe transport. These printing plates 01 are fed very reliably to their respective place of use. The risk of confusion regarding the site is practically impossible. Since the required for a new production assembly of the printing forme magazines 09 can be performed during an ongoing previous production of the printing press, associated with a production change downtime of the printing press are reduced to an absolute minimum. The method described for plate logistics makes it possible to visualize the entire production process. It allows in a simple way A good traceability of the processes associated with the processing of a print job and a simplified post-calculation of the executed print job. With the described method for plate logistics and the associated devices, the processes from the plate production to the assembly of the printing plates 01 in the printing press are fully automated.

The apparatus for carrying out the method is essentially provided by a transport system for providing printing forms 01 to a printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2, wherein a plurality of printing plates 01 are transportable in a same cassette 81, wherein a transport vehicle 83 is provided, wherein preferably with the transport vehicle 83 at the same time a plurality of cassettes 81 are transportable. In the printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2, at least one conveyor 80 is provided, which consists of one of the printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 transported and in the printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 arranged cartridges 81 stored in this cassette 81 printing plates 01 to a forme cylinder 06 of this printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2. With the transport vehicle 83 several cassettes 81 are transported simultaneously. There is at least one rail 82 along which the transport vehicle 83 is guided or at least feasible. The transport vehicle 83 has a carrier system 84, wherein at least one cassette 81 can be received by the carrier system 84 in a horizontal orientation. On the printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 is in conjunction with a parking position of the transport vehicle 83 in addition to the number of on a same operating side of the printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 arranged form cylinder 06 provided storage space 85 for at least one of the printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 cartridge to be replaced 81 available. There is a gripping device 72 is provided, which from the transport vehicle 83 to the printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 provided cartridges 81 individually from the carrier system 84 of the transport vehicle 83 decreases. On the same operating side of the printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 is provided at different heights in each case a printing forme magazine 09, wherein the gripping device 72 each removed from the carrier system 84 of the transport vehicle 83 Cassette 81 in one of the superimposed printing forme magazines 09 vorsteckt, wherein the gripping device 72 stores one of the Druckformmagazine 09 removed cassette 81 at the provided in conjunction with the parking position of the transport vehicle 83 storage space 85 or directly to the carrier system 84 of the transport vehicle 83. The gripping device 72 is z. B. formed as a robot. In connection with the gripping device 72, a positioning device is provided with the aid of which gripper arms 114 of this gripping device 72 are adjustable relative to the cassette 81 to be gripped. There is a motion sequence of the transport vehicle 83 controlling vehicle management computer 88 is present. The vehicle management computer 88 is in communication with a controller 174 of a disk logistics management system. There are several transport vehicles 83 are present, which are all controlled in their respective movement of the vehicle control computer 88. Each of the transport vehicles 83 has an identifier. Each of the cassettes 81 transported by one of the transport vehicles 83 has an identifier 104 in each case. An insertion device 63 is provided, which deposits printing plates 01 provided on a delivery line 66 of a plate line having at least one plate exposure device 33 in cartridges 81 arranged on the transport vehicle 83. In conjunction with the placement device 63, a control device is provided which checks an order-related correct arrangement of the printing plates 01 in the cassette 81. The controller 174 of the disk logistics management system except for the vehicle management computer 88 also has the stocker 63 stocked with the cassettes 81 and with which the cassettes 81 are attached to the printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 handle gripping device 72 in a communication connection. On the same operating side of the printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 are several transport vehicles 83 next to each other can be arranged. In the printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 arranged printing forme magazines 09 are next to each other several cassettes 81 can be arranged. The cassettes 81 are held on the carrier system 84 of the transport vehicle 83 and in the respective printing forme magazine 09 with identical connecting elements 106. The connecting elements 106 in each case by the gripping device 72 can be released automatically are. The connecting elements 106 are each formed as a latching connection. The cassettes 81 are formed in a lightweight construction using a multi-component material. At least one unloading station 98 is provided at which the printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2 removed printing plates 01 from the transported by the transport vehicle 83 cartridges 81 automatically removed and additionally these on the respective transport vehicle 83 arranged cartridges 81 are registered by their respective identifier 104. In the printing unit 44; 44.1; 44.2, in each case a register device 132 and / or a pressing device 139 is provided in connection with each printing forme magazine 09.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

01

printing form

02

bearing surface

03

The End

04

The End

05

-

06

Printing cylinder, form cylinder

07

Printing cylinder, transfer cylinder

08

inking

09

Printing forme magazine

10

-

11

elastic line

12

elastic line

13

suspension leg

14

suspension leg

15

-

16

frame

17

foundation

18

Substrate, web, paper web

19

paper roll

20

-

21

paper roll

22

Data Matrix Code

23

structural element

24

boundary line

25

-

26

boundary line

27

storage area

28

code reader

29

detection range

30

-

31

viewing zone

32

blank

33

Platesetter

34

Calculator (precursor)

35

-

36

developing means

37

template

38

bending unit

39

control unit

40

control unit

41

communication system

42

control station

43

Clippings

44

printing unit

44.1

printing unit

44.2

printing unit

45

-

46

handling device

47

platform

48

guide element

49

gallery

50

-

51

memory device

52

display device

53

information field

54

information field

55

-

56

position member

57

sorting station

58

subject

59

front

60

-

61

lifting device

62

gripper

63

Loading device; robot

64

gripper

65

portal

66

display

67

Guidance system, transport system

68

gap

69

baseplate

70

-

71

lifting device

72

gripper

73

axis

74

axis

75

-

76

frame

77

plate carrier

78

guide rail

79

magazine support

80

Conveyor

81

Cassette; changing magazine

82

Rail, ceiling rail

83

transport vehicle

84

carrier system

85

space

86

attack

87

turntable

88

Control unit, vehicle control computer

89

folding

90

-

91

Soundproof cabin

92

partition wall

93

lock

94

pressroom

95

-

96

lifter

97

soft member

98

unloading

99

parking position

100

-

101

link

102

center web

103

latching

104

ID

105

-

106

connecting element

107

Hollow body, first

108

caster

109

leg

110

-

111

sliding; rolling elements

112

grooves

113

molding

114

gripper

115

-

116

guide element

117

drive

118

Hollow body, second

119

reflex Sensors

120

-

121

truncated cone

122

cover surface

123

connecting element

124

axis of rotation

125

-

126

print image

127

level

128

level

129

opening

130

-

131

channel

132

register means

133

swivel axis

134

side stop

135

-

136

side stop

137

longitudinal edge

138

rolling

139

pressing means; roller strip

140

-

141

rolling

142

grip

143

-

144

-

145

-

146

-

147

-

148

-

149

-

150

-

151

exposure

152

fold

153

panel test

154

cassette assembly

155

-

156

cassette transport

157

caching

158

disk replacement

159

plate change

160

-

161

cassette transport

162

disposal plate

163

provision

164

-

165

-

166

tracking level

167

planning level

168

coordination level

169

Executive level

170

-

171

Printing Management and Tracking System

172

Program part in connection with functions of the production planning system

173

Sequential control for the production and handling of printing forms

174

Program part for controlling the plate logistics management system

175

-

176

Program part for scheduling the change magazines

177

communication link

178

interface

B

width

D

material thickness

H

height

L

length

S

slot width

X

position

Y

position

Z

position

A43

memory column

B43

memory column

C43

memory column

D43

memory column

H1

distance

H2

distance

a28

distance

a58

distance

a133

distance

l13

length

l14

length

L43

length

α

opening angle

β

opening angle

Claims (15)

1. Transport system for providing printing forms (01) to a printing press (44; 44.1; 44.2), a plurality of printing forms (01) being transportable in a same cassette (81), a transport vehicle (83) being provided, a plurality of cassettes (81) being transportable simultaneously using the transport vehicle (83), characterised in that in correspondence to a plate cylinder (06) of this printing press (44; 44.1; 44.2) between walls of an apparatus (16) of this printing unit (44; 44.1; 44.2) standing in pairs to one another is arranged a printing form magazine (09), a magazine carrier (79) being arranged in the printing form magazine (09), the magazine carrier (79) being suitable for admitting at least one cassette (81), in the printing unit (44; 44.1; 44.2) being provided at least one transport device (80), which is disposed such that printing forms (01) stored in this cassette (81) can be transported with it from one of the cassettes (81) transported to the printing press (44; 44.1; 44.2) and disposed in the printing press (44; 44.1; 44.2) to the plate cylinder (06) assigned in each case.
2. Transport system according to Claim 1, characterised in that the magazine carrier (79) of the printing form magazine (09) is suitable for admitting a plurality of cassettes (81).
3. Transport system according to Claim 1, characterised in that in one operating state two cassettes (81) are disposed next to one another on the same magazine carrier (79) in the same printing form magazine (09).
4. Transport system according to Claim 2, characterised in that in the printing form magazine (09) are disposed a plurality of cassettes (81) in each case aligned to the respective plate cylinder (06) and held firmly in position by at least one detent device.
5. Transport system according to Claim 1, characterised in that in each case a printing form magazine (09) is provided at different heights on the same operating side of the printing press (44; 44.1; 44.2).
6. Transport system according to Claim 1, characterised in that the cassettes (81) in each case contain a plurality of compartments (58) disposed at different levels.
7. Transport system according to Claim 6, characterised in that either two single-width printing forms (01) or a double-width printing form (01) can be disposed next to one another in a same compartment (58) of the cassettes (81).
8. Transport system according to Claim 1, characterised in that a plurality of transport vehicles (83) can be disposed next to one another on the same operating side of the printing press (44; 44.1; 44.2).
9. Transport system according to Claim 5, characterised in that a plurality of cassettes (81) can be arranged next to one another in the printing form magazines (09) disposed in the printing press (44; 44.1; 44.2).
10. Transport system according to Claim 1, characterised in that the cassettes (81) are constructed in a lightweight manner using a multi-component material.
11. Transport system according to Claim 5, characterised in that in each case a recording device (132) and/or an imprinting device (139) is provided in the printing press (44; 44.1; 44.2) in conjunction with each printing form magazine (09).
12. Transport system according to Claim 1, characterised in that the transport device (80) is in each case constructed on one of the printing form magazines (09), or in that transport devices (80) in each case acting over the total width of the printing form magazine (09) are present in the printing form magazine (09).
13. Transport system according to Claim 1, characterised in that the printing form magazine (09) in conjunction with a linearly movable transport device (80) in each case transports at least one printing form (01) stored in the printing form magazine (09) to the assigned plate cylinder (06).
14. Transport system according to Claim 1, characterised in that the printing form magazine (09) has at least as many storage positions for printing forms (01) as allocation positions are disposed on the assigned plate cylinder (06).
15. Transport system according to Claim 5, characterised in that the printing form magazines (09) are in each case disposed fixed to a frame in the printing press (44; 44.1; 44.2).

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