JP7701036B2 - Printing overall management device, transport management device, and printing system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a printing management device, a transport management device, and a printing system.

Patent document 1 discloses a sheet stacking device that stacks paper discharged from a printing machine onto a stacking tray and transports it to an offline bookbinding machine.

The sheet stacking device in Patent Document 1 lowers the stacking tray according to the weight of the sheets, thereby keeping the top surface of the stacking tray in a fixed position, reducing the burden on the worker in transferring the sheets to the paper feed section.

JP 2013-52971 A

However, in the sheet stacking device described in Patent Document 1, the movement of the cart and the transfer of sheets from the cart to the paper feed section are performed by the worker, which places a burden on the worker.

The present invention was made in consideration of these circumstances, and aims to provide a printing management device, a transport management device, and a printing system that can reduce the number of workers required in the process from the printing machine to the sheet processing machine.

One aspect of the present invention is a printing overall management device that is communicatively connected to a transport management device that manages a plurality of unmanned transport devices that transport sheet loading devices capable of loading sheets discharged from a printing press, and the printing overall management device is equipped with a processing unit that generates transport instruction information for transporting the sheet loading device loaded with sheets discharged from the printing press from the sheet receiving position of the printing press to the sheet supply position of the next processing machine based on job information in which manufacturing process procedures for producing printed materials are registered, and a communication unit that transmits the transport instruction information to the transport management device.
One aspect of the present invention is a printing overall management device that is communicatively connected to a transport management device that manages a plurality of unmanned transport devices that transport sheet loading devices capable of loading sheets discharged from a printing press, and the printing overall management device includes a processing unit that generates transport instruction information for transporting the sheet loading device loaded with the sheets discharged from the printing press from the sheet receiving position of the printing press to the sheet supply position of the next processing machine by one of the unmanned transport devices based on job information in which manufacturing process procedures for producing printed materials are registered, and a communication unit that transmits the transport instruction information to the transport management device, and the transport instruction information includes information regarding the orientation of the sheets discharged from the printing press to the sheet loading device.
One aspect of the present invention is a printing overall management device that is communicatively connected to a transport management device that manages a plurality of unmanned transport devices that transport sheet loading devices capable of loading sheets discharged from a printing press, and the printing overall management device includes a processing unit that generates transport instruction information for transporting the sheet loading device loaded with sheets discharged from the printing press from the sheet receiving position of the printing press to the sheet supply position of the next processing machine by one of the unmanned transport devices based on job information in which manufacturing process procedures for producing printed matter are registered, and a communication unit that transmits the transport instruction information to the transport management device, and when a plurality of sheet loading devices are required to execute a single job, the transport instruction information includes identification information of the multiple sheet loading devices that execute the single job, and at least one of the order of the sheet loading devices that load the sheets discharged from the printing press and the order of the sheet loading devices that supply the sheets to the next processing machine.

According to the above-mentioned printing management device, transport instruction information is sent to the transport management device to transport the sheet stacking device loaded with sheets discharged from the printing machine from the sheet receiving position of the printing machine to the sheet supply position of the next processing machine. This makes it possible to automatically move the sheet stacking device from the printing machine to the processing machine, which is the next process, using an unmanned transport device, thereby reducing the number of workers required.

In the above-mentioned printing management device, the transport instruction information may include at least one of the sheet size, sheet thickness, and number of sheets to be loaded by the sheet loading device.

Since the sheet size, sheet thickness, and number of sheets are information related to the weight of the sheet loading device, the weight of the sheet loading device can be estimated based on this information. This makes it possible to select an appropriate unmanned transport vehicle for transporting the sheet loading device, and also makes it possible to run the unmanned transport device at an appropriate acceleration or speed according to the load weight when transporting the sheet loading device.

In the above printing management device, the transport instruction information may include processing machine identification information individually assigned to the processing machine and offset information for the sheet supply position in the processing machine.

The inventors have discovered that when printing machines and sheet processing machines are different in type depending on the manufacturer or application, this can hinder labor savings. For example, in the case of processing machines, the sheet feed position may differ depending on the type of processing machine. With the above-mentioned printing management device, the conveying instruction information contains processing machine identification information individually assigned to the processing machine and offset information for the sheet feed position in that processing machine, so it is possible to install a sheet stacking device at an appropriate feed position depending on the type of processing machine. This makes it possible to achieve stable and smooth sheet supply.

In the above printing management device, the transport instruction information may include information regarding the sheet supply direction to the processing machine.

By including information regarding the sheet supply direction to the processing machine in the transport instruction information, it is possible to supply the sheet in an appropriate direction according to the processing specifications of each processing machine, even if the sheet discharge direction in the printing machine differs from the sheet supply direction in the processing machine.

In the above printing management device, the transport instruction information may include information regarding the orientation of the sheet discharged from the printing machine to the sheet stacking device.

The transport instruction information includes information regarding the orientation of the sheets discharged from the printing machine to the sheet stacking device, so by taking into account the orientation of the sheets stacked on the sheet stacking device when transporting, it is possible to prevent the sheets from collapsing during transport. For example, from the perspective of preventing the sheets from collapsing during acceleration and deceleration, the unmanned transport device transports the sheet stacking device so that the direction of travel is the same as the longitudinal direction of the sheets, making it possible to prevent the sheets from collapsing during transport.

In the above-mentioned printing management device, when multiple sheet stacking devices are required to execute one job, the transport instruction information may include identification information of the multiple sheet stacking devices that execute one job, and at least one of the order of the sheet stacking devices that stack the sheets discharged from the printing machine and the order of the sheet stacking devices that supply the sheets to the next processing machine.

The printing management device described above makes it possible to execute a job smoothly even if the number of sheets in a job exceeds the maximum number that can be loaded on the sheet loading device.

In the above printing management device, the processing unit may generate transport instruction information for transporting the sheet stacking device that is not loaded with the sheets to the sheet receiving position of the printing machine based on the job information.

The printing management device described above makes it possible to automatically move the sheet stacking device to the printing press, further reducing the number of workers required.

In the above printing management device, the transport instruction information may include identification information that is individually assigned to the sheet stacking device.

According to the above-mentioned printing management device, the transport instruction information includes identification information of the sheet stacking device. Therefore, even if multiple sheet stacking devices are installed close to each other, for example, by performing a comparison based on the identification information, it is possible to prevent erroneous transport of sheets to a sheet stacking device that is not the intended transport target.

One aspect of the present invention is a transport management device that manages a plurality of unmanned transport devices that transport sheet loading devices capable of loading sheets discharged from a printing machine, and is equipped with an information acquisition unit that acquires at least one of battery information, operation information, and current position information of each of the unmanned transport devices, a determination unit that, when transport instruction information for transporting the sheet loading device is received, determines one of the unmanned transport devices based on the information acquired by the information acquisition unit and the transport instruction information, and a communication unit that transmits the transport instruction information to the determined unmanned transport device, and the transport instruction information includes at least one of the sheet size, sheet thickness, and number of sheets to be loaded by the sheet loading device, identification information of the sheet loading device, and identification information of the printing machine or processing machine to which the sheet loading device is to be transported.
One aspect of the present invention is a transport management device that manages a plurality of unmanned transport devices that transport sheet loading devices capable of loading sheets discharged from a printing press, and is equipped with an information acquisition unit that acquires at least one of battery information, operation information, and current position information of each of the unmanned transport devices, a determination unit that, when transport instruction information for transporting the sheet loading device is received, determines one of the unmanned transport devices based on the information acquired by the information acquisition unit and the transport instruction information, and a communication unit that transmits the transport instruction information to the determined unmanned transport device, and the transport instruction information includes at least one of the sheet size, sheet thickness, and number of sheets to be loaded by the sheet loading device, identification information of the sheet loading device, and identification information of a printing machine or processing machine to which the sheet loading device is transported, as well as information regarding the orientation of the sheets discharged from the printing machine to the sheet loading device.

According to the transport management device of this aspect, the transport instruction information includes at least one of the sheet size, sheet thickness, and number of sheets to be loaded by the sheet loading device, identification information of the sheet loading device, and identification information of the printing machine or processing machine to which the sheet loading device is to be transported. For example, since the sheet size, sheet thickness, and number of sheets are information related to the weight of the sheet loading device, the weight of the sheet loading device can be estimated based on this information. This makes it possible to select an appropriate unmanned transport vehicle to transport the sheet loading device. Furthermore, if the identification information of the printing machine or processing machine is included, it is possible to reduce the risk of transporting the sheet loading device to the wrong destination by matching the equipment based on the identification information.

In the above-mentioned transport management device, the transport instruction information may include information on the travel route from the transport source of the sheet loading device to the transport destination and information on singular points on the travel route, and the singular points may include at least one of floor inclination information, floor step information, temperature, humidity, air conditioning air volume, and air conditioning air direction.

The transport management device transmits information about the travel route from the source of the sheet loading device to the destination and information about singular points on the travel route to the unmanned transport device. This allows the unmanned transport device to adjust the speed and acceleration, reconstruct the travel route, change the orientation of the stacker 1 relative to the direction of travel, etc., in response to the singular point information, thereby making it possible to prevent the sheets from collapsing during movement.

One aspect of the present invention is a printing system including the above-mentioned print overall management device and the above-mentioned transport management device.

One aspect of the present invention is a method in which a computer executes the steps of generating transport instruction information for transporting a sheet loading device carrying sheets discharged from a printing press to a sheet supply position of a processing machine that performs the next process, based on job information that describes work information for producing a printed material, and transmitting the transport instruction information to a transport management device that manages multiple unmanned transport devices that transport the sheet loading devices.
One aspect of the present invention is a method in which a computer executes the steps of generating transport instruction information for transporting a sheet loading device loaded with sheets discharged from a printing press to a sheet supply position of a processing machine that performs the next process, based on job information that describes work information for producing a printed material, and transmitting the transport instruction information to a transport management device that manages multiple unmanned transport devices that transport the sheet loading device, wherein the transport instruction information includes information regarding the orientation of the sheets discharged from the printing press to the sheet loading device.
One aspect of the present invention is a method in which a computer executes the steps of generating transport instruction information for transporting a sheet loading device loaded with sheets discharged from a printing press to a sheet supply position of a processing machine that performs the next process, based on job information that describes work information for producing a printed material, and transmitting the transport instruction information to a transport management device that manages multiple unmanned transport devices that transport the sheet loading device, and in a case in which multiple sheet loading devices are required to execute a single job, the transport instruction information includes identification information of the multiple sheet loading devices that execute the single job, and at least one of the order of the sheet loading devices that load the sheets discharged from the printing press and the order of the sheet loading devices that supply the sheets to the next processing machine.

One aspect of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to function as the above-mentioned printing management device.

This allows for labor reduction in the process from the printing machine to the sheet processing machine.

1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a stacker according to an embodiment of the present invention is placed in a receiving position relative to a printing press. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which the stacker is disposed at a paper feed position relative to the paper folder. FIG. FIG. 2 is a side view of the stacker and printing press of FIG. 1 . FIG. FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the stacker of FIG. 4 . FIG. 5 is a side view showing the stacker of FIG. 4 . 5 is a perspective view showing a state in which the loading shelf of the stacker in FIG. 4 is inclined. FIG. FIG. 8 is a side view of FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a stacker according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention; 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a print management device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing an example of functions of a print management device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a functional block diagram showing an example of functions of a transport management device according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a flowchart mainly showing an example of the procedure of the processing executed by a printing overall management device, a stacker management device, and a transport management device in the printed matter production management processing of a management system for a printing process according to one embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a flowchart mainly showing an example of the procedure of the processing executed by a printing management device, a stacker management device, and a transport management device in the printed matter production management processing of a management system for processing steps according to one embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a plan view showing a state in which the center lines of the paper folder and the stacker are aligned at the paper feed position. 11 is a plan view showing a state in which the center line of the stacker is offset from the center line of the paper folder at the paper feed position. 13 is a side view showing a state in which the stopper of the stacker is lowered at the paper feed position. FIG. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a state in which the stacker is disposed at a sheet feeding position relative to the creasing machine according to the first modified example. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a stacker according to a second modified example. FIG. 21 is a side view of the stacker of FIG. 20.

Below, an embodiment of a printing management device, a transport management device, and a printing system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a state in which a stacker (sheet stacking device) 1 provided in a printing system 200 (see FIG. 10) according to this embodiment is disposed at a receiving position PS1 where paper (sheet) S is received from a printing machine 3.
After stacking a predetermined number of sheets S printed by the printing machine 3, the stacker 1 is moved to a sheet feed position (supply position) PS2 where the sheets are fed to a paper folder (processing machine) 5 as shown in FIG.

1, the printing press 3 is a digital printing press, which receives job information from a printing press management device 204 (see FIG. 10) via a communication unit 7 and performs printing on paper S based on the job information. The job information will be described in detail later.
A paper discharge port 3b is formed on the rear surface 3a of the printing press 3, through which printed paper (sheet) S is discharged outside the printing press 3. The printing press 3 prints on the paper S, and discharges the paper S from the paper discharge port 3b toward the shelf section 10 of the stacker 1. The printing press 3 also counts the number of printed sheets, and transmits the count to the printing press management device 204. When the count reaches the number of printed sheets included in the job information, the printing press 3 transmits a job completion signal and a job ID, which is identification information of the job, to the printing press management device 204.

As shown in FIG. 3, the stacker 1 is provided with a base 12 having a rectangular shape in a plan view. A leg 14 is fixed to each of the four corners of the base 12. Each leg 14 is erected on the floor surface FL and supports the weight of the stacker 1. The vertical dimension of each leg 14 is a length that allows a low-floor automated guided vehicle 20 to be stored below the base 12. The automated guided vehicle 20 transports the stacker 1 by lifting the base 12 from below. Therefore, the stacker 1 does not have a running device that runs by itself. The automated guided vehicle 20 is provided with wheels 20a, and travels along a predetermined route according to instructions from a transport management device 203 (see FIG. 10) described later.

A stacker ID (identification information) 13 is fixed to the underside of the base 12. Unique identification information that can identify the stacker 1 is recorded or printed on the stacker ID 13. An IC chip, a two-dimensional barcode, or the like can be used as the stacker ID 13.

A main body 16 is provided on the rear R side of the base 12, standing upward from the base 12. The main body 16 supports one end of the shelf 10 in a cantilevered state. A communication unit 18 is provided on the upper part of the main body 16.

As shown in FIG. 3, the shelf section 10 of the stacker 1 includes a loading shelf 22 on which the paper S is directly loaded, and a lifting table 24 located below the loading shelf 22. The loading shelf 22 is a rectangular plate-like body in a plan view. The loading shelf 22 is provided with a stopper 26 and a paper width guide 28.

The stopper 26 is a rod-shaped body erected upward from the loading shelf 22, and is provided on the rear R side of the loading shelf 22. As shown in FIG. 1, for example, two stoppers 26 are provided side by side in the width direction of the loading shelf 22. The width direction of the loading shelf 22 is the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the loading shelf 22, which is the direction connecting the front F and the rear R. The leading edge of the paper S discharged from the printing machine 3 hits the stopper 26, thereby positioning the paper S in the discharge direction.

As shown in FIG. 4, the lower end of each stopper 26 is inserted into a stopper running groove 30 formed in each loading shelf 22. The stopper running groove 30 is formed linearly along the longitudinal direction of the loading shelf 22. Each stopper 26 reciprocates along the stopper running groove 30.

As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the lower end of the stopper 26 is fixed to a bracket 32 that extends in the width direction of the loading shelf 22. A slide guide shaft 34 is inserted into each of both ends of the bracket 32 in the width direction. The slide guide shafts 34 are each fixed to the loading shelf 22 side and extend in the longitudinal direction of the loading shelf 22. The bracket 32 reciprocates while being guided by the slide guide shafts 34.

A feed screw 36 is attached to the center of the bracket 32 in the width direction. The feed screw 36 is rotated around its axis by a positioning motor 38 fixed to the rear R side of the loading shelf 22. The positioning motor 38 can rotate forward and reverse in response to a command from the stacker control unit 40 (see Figure 4). By rotating the feed screw 36 with the positioning motor 38, the longitudinal positioning of each stopper 26 fixed to the bracket 32 is performed.

As shown in FIG. 6, an upper and lower rack 26a is provided on one side of the rear R of each stopper 26 in the vertical direction. A pinion gear 42 provided on the loading shelf 22 meshes with each upper and lower rack 26a. Each pinion gear 42 is connected to a vertical movement motor 46 via a rotating shaft 44 (see FIG. 5). The vertical movement motor 46 rotates the pinion gear 42 forward and backward via the rotating shaft 44, causing each stopper 26 provided with the upper and lower rack 26a to move up and down. The vertical movement motor 46 is controlled by the stacker control unit 40 (see FIG. 4).

As shown in FIG. 3, the paper width guide 28 is a rod-shaped body that stands upright from the stack shelf 22 and is located forward F of the stopper 26. As shown in FIG. 1, two paper width guides 28 are provided, positioned on both sides of the width of the paper S.

As shown in FIG. 4, the lower end of each paper width guide 28 is inserted into a paper width guide running groove 48 formed in each loading shelf 22. The paper width guide running groove 48 is formed linearly along the width direction of the loading shelf 22. Each paper width guide 28 reciprocates along the paper width guide running groove 48.

As shown in FIG. 5, the lower end of each paper width guide 28 is fixed to a bracket 50 extending in the longitudinal direction of the loading shelf 22. A slide guide shaft 52 is inserted into both ends of each bracket 50 in the width direction. The slide guide shafts 52 are fixed to the loading shelf 22 side and extend in the width direction of the loading shelf 22. The brackets 50 reciprocate while being guided by the slide guide shafts 52.

A feed screw 54 is attached to the center of each bracket 50 in the longitudinal direction. The feed screw 54 is rotated around its axis by a positioning motor 56 fixed to the stacking shelf 22. The positioning motor 56 can rotate forward and reverse in response to a command from the stacker control unit 40 (see FIG. 4). By rotating the feed screw 54 with the positioning motor 56, the widthwise positioning of each paper width guide 28 fixed to the bracket 50 is performed.

As shown in FIG. 6, the stacker 1 is provided with a tilting mechanism 60 that lifts and tilts the front F side of the loading shelf 22 relative to the lifting table 24. That is, the end side (i.e., the open side) of the paper S where the stopper 26 and each paper width guide 28 are not provided is tilted upward. As shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the tilting mechanism 60 is provided with a linear cylinder 62 fixed to the end of the front F side of the lifting table 24, and a rod 64 that is reciprocated in the vertical direction by the linear cylinder 62. The linear cylinder 62 is electrically driven and controlled by the stacker control unit 40 (see FIG. 4). The tip (upper end) of the rod 64 is rotatably fixed to the loading shelf 22 by a pivot pin 66. The base end 22a on the rear R side of the loading shelf 22 is rotatably fixed to the lifting table 24 by a fulcrum pin 68. The fulcrum pin 68 is attached to the upper end of an arm 70 erected from the lifting table 24. The tilt mechanism 60 allows the loading shelf 22 to rotate around the fulcrum pin 68 and tilt relative to the lift table 24.

The lift table 24 is a rectangular plate-like body in plan view, and as shown in FIG. 6, the base end 24a at the rear R is connected to the main body 16 so as to be movable up and down. Specifically, the base end 24a side of the lift table 24 is fixed to a chain 72 provided in the main body 16 via a bracket. The chain 72 is endless and is looped between sprockets 74 provided at the top and bottom of the main body 16. When viewed in plan view as in FIG. 5, each sprocket 74 is provided at both ends of a rotating shaft 76 extending in the width direction. Therefore, two chains 72 are provided on each of the left and right sides in the width direction of the main body 16, and upper and lower sprockets 74 are provided for each chain 72.

As shown in FIG. 6, a lifting mechanism 77 is provided within the main body 16. The lifting mechanism 77 includes a motor 78 for the lifting table. The motor 78 for the lifting table is controlled by the stacker control unit 40 so that it can rotate forward and backward. The rotation output of the motor 78 for the lifting table is transmitted to a worm gear (lifting mechanism) 82 via a timing belt 80. The worm gear 82 rotates a wheel 84, which in turn rotates a spur gear 86 that meshes with the teeth of the wheel 84. The spur gear 86 is fixed to the rotating shaft 76, which rotates the rotating shaft 76 and the sprocket 74, which in turn drives the chain 72 and raises and lowers the lifting table 24.

Wheels 88 are provided on the underside of the base end 24a of the lift table 24, and the wheels 88 run along the front surface 16a of the main body 16. This allows the lift table 24 to rise and fall in a cantilevered manner relative to the main body 16.

For example, as shown in FIG. 6, a power receiving head (power receiving device) 90 is provided at the front F of the stacker 1. The power receiving head 90 is fixed to the front end 12a of the base 12. One end of a power supply cable 92 is electrically connected to the power receiving head 90, and the other end of the power supply cable 92 is electrically connected to a battery 94 (see FIG. 4) in the main body 16.

The battery 94 is, for example, a lithium ion battery, and is equipped with a battery management device 97 (see FIG. 9). The battery management device 97 manages the charge state of the battery 94 and outputs battery information to the stacker control unit 40.

The power receiving head 90 faces the power supply head 96 at a predetermined position such as the receiving position PS1 (see FIG. 1) or the paper feed position PS2 (see FIG. 2). The power receiving head 90 is supplied with power from the power supply head 96, for example, in a non-contact manner. The power supply head 96 is installed at a position corresponding to the stop position of the stacker 1 relative to the printing machine 3 and the paper folding machine 5. The power supply head 96 is equipped with a power outlet 96a, which is connected to a power source installed nearby. The power supply method is not limited to non-contact and may be a contact type. The installation position of the power supply head 96 is not limited to the vicinity of the printing machine 3 and the paper folding machine 5, and can be appropriately installed at a predetermined position where the stacker 1 stops periodically.

As shown in FIG. 4, the automated guided vehicle 20 is provided on its top surface with a communication unit 101 that transmits and receives signals to and from a higher-level device, the transport management device 203 (see FIG. 10), and an ID reading unit 105. The ID reading unit 105 reads the stacker ID 13 fixed to the underside of the base 12. The communication unit 101 and the ID reading unit 105 are connected to an automated guided vehicle control unit 103 that controls the automated guided vehicle 20 so that signals can be transmitted and received.

The upper part of the automated guided vehicle 20 is provided with a lifting platform 20b that moves up and down. The lifting platform 20b rises to lift the stacker 1 from the floor surface FL, and the automated guided vehicle 20 travels in this state to transport the stacker 1 to a predetermined position. When the automated guided vehicle 20 reaches the destination position, the lifting platform 20b is lowered to place the legs 14 of the stacker 1 on the floor surface FL and place the stacker 1 in the predetermined position. After placing the stacker 1 in the predetermined position, the automated guided vehicle 20, for example, retreats from under the stacker 1 and moves to the next destination. The travel schedule of the automated guided vehicle 20 is managed by a transport management device 203 (FIG. 10), and the automated guided vehicle 20 travels according to transport instruction information received from the transport management device 203.

Figure 9 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of stacker 1. As shown in Figure 9, stacker 1 is equipped with a stacker control unit 40. Stacker control unit 40 is equipped with, for example, a CPU 120, a storage unit 121 for storing programs executed by CPU 120, and a main memory 122 that functions as a work area when each program is executed. Storage unit 121 is, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a flash memory, etc.

As an example, a series of processes for realizing the various controls described above is stored in the storage unit 121 in the form of a program, and the CPU 120 reads this program into the main memory 122 and executes information processing and arithmetic processing to realize the various controls. The program may be pre-installed in the storage unit 121, provided in a state stored in a computer-readable storage medium, or distributed via wired or wireless communication means. Examples of computer-readable storage media include magnetic disks, magneto-optical disks, CD-ROMs, DVD-ROMs, and semiconductor memories.

The stacker 1 also includes a communication unit 18 for communicating with a stacker management device (see FIG. 10), the printing machine 3, and various processing machines (e.g., the paper folder 5 and the creasing machine 6), which will be described later. The stacker control unit 40 and the communication unit 18 are connected via a bus, and the communication unit 18 transmits various information to a specified destination based on instructions from the stacker control unit 40, and outputs information received from each device to the stacker control unit 40.

For example, the communication unit 18 has a communication function for establishing communication according to various communication standards depending on the communication destination. As an example, communication with the printing machine 3 and various processing machines (e.g., the paper folder 5, the creasing machine 6, etc.) is performed using short-range communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), and communication with the stacker management device 202 (see FIG. 10), which is located relatively remotely, and its higher-level system, the printing management device 201 (see FIG. 10), is performed using wide-area communication (e.g., wireless LAN, etc.). In addition, communication with each stacker management device 202 and the printing management device 201 may be based on a specific communication protocol used in the printing field.

The stacker control unit 40 is also connected to the positioning motors 38, 56, vertical movement motor 46, linear cylinder 62, and lift table motor 78 via a bus, and controls each of these components. Specifically, the stacker control unit 40 receives job information from the stacker management device 202 or the printing management device 201, and controls the various motors 38, 46, 56, 78, and linear cylinder 62 based on the job information.

The stacker control unit 40 is also connected via a bus to a battery management device (microcomputer) 97 that manages the battery 94. The stacker control unit 40 receives battery information (e.g., remaining battery capacity, etc.) from the battery management device 97, and transmits this battery information to the stacker management device 202 (see FIG. 10) via the communication unit 18, for example.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a printing system 200 including the stacker 1 and the automatic guided vehicle 20 described above.
10, the printing system 200 includes a printing overall management device 201, a stacker management device 202, a transport management device 203, a printing press management device 204, and a converting machine management device 205 as a management system 210. The management devices 201 to 205 that make up the management system 210 may be configured to be capable of communicating with each other.

The printing system 200 also includes a stacker 1 managed by a stacker management device 202, an automated guided vehicle 20 managed by a transport management device 203, a printing machine 3 controlled by a printing machine management device 204, and various processing machines managed by a processing machine management device 205. In FIG. 10, a paper folder 5 and a creasing machine 6 are shown as examples of processing machines.

The printing management device 201 is configured to be able to communicate with the stacker management device 202, the transport management device 203, the printing machine management device 204, and the converting machine management device 205, and manages the entire printing system 200 based on information from these management devices. Details of the printing management device 201 will be described later.

The stacker management device 202 is a management device that is configured to be able to communicate with each of the multiple stackers 1 and manages each stacker 1. The stacker management device 202 has stacker management information in which, for example, a stacker ID, an operation status, current location information, operation information, and battery information are associated. The operation status is set to "operational state" when a job is assigned, and to "standby state" when a job is not assigned. The current location information is registered as the stacker's location information. This location information may be coordinate information, or when paper discharge reception or paper feeding is being performed, the current location may be identified by associating it with the ID of the printing machine 3 or the processing machine. The operation information is the accumulated operation time, the elapsed time since the previous operation, etc. The battery information is, for example, the battery charging rate and the remaining battery capacity. The stacker management device 202 communicates with each stacker 1 at a predetermined timing to receive the operation status, current location information, operation information, and battery information from each stacker 1, and updates the stacker management information based on this information.

When the stacker management device 202 receives a job ID and job information from the printing management device 201, it determines one of the stackers 1 to execute the job based on the stacker management information described above. For example, the stacker management device 202 has a predetermined evaluation calculation formula that includes parameters such as the time elapsed since the last operation, the remaining battery capacity, and the distance between the device specified in the job information (e.g., the printing machine 3, the paper folder, etc.) and the current position. The stacker management device 202 then calculates an evaluation value by substituting the above parameters of each stacker 1 whose operation status is "standby state" from the stacker management information into the evaluation calculation formula. Then, the stacker with the highest evaluation value is selected as the stacker to execute the job. Note that in the evaluation calculation formula, parameters may be weighted according to importance.

The transport management device 203 is a management device that manages the operation of multiple unmanned guided vehicles (unmanned guided vehicles) 20. The transport management device 203 is configured to be able to communicate with each unmanned guided vehicle 20. Each unmanned guided vehicle 20 is assigned an individual unmanned guided vehicle ID. Details of the transport management device 203 will be described later.

The printing management device 201, the transport management device 203, and each automated guided vehicle 20 each have map information of the premises. This allows the automated guided vehicles to move to the desired location in response to instructions from the printing management device 201 and the transport management device 203. In addition, it is preferable that the coordinate information also includes the positions of the printing machine 3 and each processing machine (e.g., the paper folder 5, the creasing machine 6, etc.).

The printing press management device 204 is a management device that manages the printing press 3. For example, when the printing press management device 204 receives job information from the printing overall management device 201, it outputs the job information to the printing press 3. Also, when the printing press management device 204 receives a job completion signal from the printing press 3, it outputs a job completion signal to the printing overall management device 201. The printing press management device 204 may also accumulate operation information, abnormality detection, etc. of the printing press 3. This information is useful during maintenance and inspection.

The processing machine management device 205 is a management device that manages processing machines that perform processes downstream of the printing machine 3. In FIG. 1, a paper folder 5 and a creasing machine 6 are shown as examples of processing machines, but the processing machines are not limited to this example. In addition, the processing machine management device 205 may accumulate operation information, abnormality detection, etc. of each processing machine.

Note that FIG. 10 illustrates an example in which the printing system 200 includes two stackers 1, three automated guided vehicles 20, one printing machine 3, a paper folder 5, and a creasing machine 6, but the number of each of these devices is not limited to the illustrated embodiment. In other words, it is sufficient that at least one of each device is provided.

11 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the print management device 201 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 11, the print management device 201 has a computer, and includes, for example, a CPU 211, a storage unit 212, a main memory 213, a communication unit 214, an input unit 215, and a display unit 216.
The CPU 211 controls the entire printing system 200 using, for example, an OS (Operating System) stored in a memory unit 212 connected via a bus, and performs various processes by executing various programs stored in the memory unit 212.

The storage unit 212 is, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a flash memory, etc., and stores, for example, an OS such as Windows (registered trademark) for controlling the entire printing system 200, applications for printing operations, and various data and files. The storage unit 212 also stores programs for implementing various processes and various data required to implement various processes.

The main memory 213 is composed of writable memory such as cache memory and RAM (Random Access Memory), and is used as a working area for reading the execution program of the CPU 211, writing processing data by the execution program, etc.

The communication unit 214 functions as an interface for connecting to a network to communicate with other devices and for transmitting and receiving information.
The input unit 215 is a user interface, such as a keyboard, a mouse, or a touch panel, that allows the user to give instructions to the print management apparatus 201 .
The display unit 216 has a display screen configured by, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an organic EL (Electro Luminescence), or the like, and displays the results of application software programs executed by the CPU 211, and the like.
The input unit 215 and the display unit 216 may be connected to the print management device 201 via a network or the like, and may be configured to allow remote input operations and remote display.

The hardware configurations of the stacker management device 202, the transport management device 203, the printing machine management device 204, and the finishing machine management device 205 are also substantially the same as that of the printing management device 201. That is, each of the management devices 202 to 205 includes a CPU, main memory, a storage unit, a communication unit, an input unit, a display unit, etc. Furthermore, the input unit and the display unit may be configured to be remotely operable.

Next, the functions of the print management device 201 according to this embodiment will be described. A series of processes for realizing the various functions described below are stored in the storage unit 212 shown in FIG. 11 in the form of a program, as an example, and the CPU 211 reads this program into the main memory 213 and executes information processing and calculation processing to realize the various functions. The program may be pre-installed in the storage unit 212, provided in a state stored in a computer-readable storage medium, or distributed via wired or wireless communication means. Examples of computer-readable storage media include magnetic disks, magneto-optical disks, CD-ROMs, DVD-ROMs, and semiconductor memories.

FIG. 12 is a functional block diagram showing an example of functions provided in the print management device 201. As shown in FIG. 12, the print management device 201 includes, for example, a memory unit 212, a job management unit 222, a processing unit 223, and a communication unit 214.

The memory unit 212 stores a job management list. The job management list is a list in which the production schedule of the printed matter produced by the printing system 200 is registered. For example, the job management list registers, for each job ID (job identification information) assigned to the printed matter, job information in which the production process procedure for producing the printed matter is registered, and job status, etc.

The job information is various information required to produce a printed matter, and includes, for example, paper information and work information.
The paper information includes, for example, the paper size, the paper thickness, the number of prints, the number of sheets of paper that make up the printed matter, and the number of copies of the printed matter to be created.
The work information includes the manufacturing process procedure for the printed matter, the ID of the printing and finishing machine used in the manufacturing process, and the setting parameters thereof.
For example, in the case of folding paper after printing, the manufacturing process procedure is registered in the order of the printing machine 3 and then the folding machine 5. Also, setting parameters such as shelf height and guide position are registered as work information in association with the printing machine ID of the printing machine 3. Also, processing specifications and offset information of the paper feed position for each folding machine ID are registered in association with the folding machine ID of the folding machine 5.
Furthermore, as the job information, for example, JDF written in a standard format in the printing technology field can be used.

Job status is registered as "Completed," "In Progress," "Incomplete," etc. for each production process of the printed matter (e.g., "Printing," "Folding," etc.).

The job management unit 222 performs operations such as adding new items, updating, and deleting items from the job management list stored in the memory unit 212. For example, when a request for the production of a new printed matter is received via the input unit 215 (see FIG. 11) or the communication unit 214, the job management unit 222 assigns a job ID to the requested printed matter and registers the job information in the job management list, thereby updating the job management list.

When the job management unit 222 receives a job completion signal via the communication unit 214, it updates the job status in the job management list based on the job completion signal. This makes it possible to distinguish between completed jobs, incomplete jobs, and jobs in progress, and to determine up to which step of a job in progress has been completed. This makes it possible to manage the progress of jobs.

In addition, the job management unit 222 may change the processing order of jobs (job IDs) whose status on the printing machine 3 is “incomplete” in the job management list, depending on the job progress of processing machines such as the paper folder 5 and the creasing machine 6.
For example, when there are more than a certain number of jobs to be processed in any of the processing machines (e.g., a paper folder) or when there are more than a certain number of sheets to be processed, the job execution order is changed so that jobs that do not include that processing machine (e.g., a paper folder) and whose status on the printing machine 3 is "incomplete" are executed first. This makes it possible to reduce printed work-in-progress and improve production efficiency.

The processing unit 223 creates instruction information to be sent to each of the management devices 202-205 based on the job management list. Each of the management devices 202-205 operates various devices under their management based on the instruction information, so that the print processing process in the printing system 200 proceeds stably and smoothly based on the job information. The series of processing steps executed by the processing unit 223 will be described later.

The communication unit 214 transmits various instruction information etc. created by the processing unit 223 to a destination specified by the processing unit 223, and outputs information received from the various management devices 202 to 205 etc. to the processing unit 223.

FIG. 13 is a functional block diagram showing an example of functions of the transport management device 203 according to the present embodiment.
The transportation management device 203 includes a storage unit 231 , an information acquisition unit 232 , a determination unit 233 , and a communication unit 234 .
The memory unit 231 stores transport management information in which, for example, an automated guided vehicle ID, an operation status, current location information, operation information, battery information, and the like are associated with each other.
The operation status is "operating" if stacker transport is currently assigned, "standby" if stacker transport is not assigned, and "charging" if charging is in progress. The current position information is registered as the position information of the automatic guided vehicle 20. The operation information is, for example, the accumulated operation time, the elapsed time since the previous operation, etc. The battery information is, for example, the battery charging rate and the remaining battery capacity.

The various information constituting the transport management information described above is merely an example, and only a portion of the information may be registered, or other parameters may be additionally registered.
The information acquisition unit 232 communicates with each automated guided vehicle 20 at a predetermined timing, acquires the above-mentioned battery information, current location information, and operation information, and updates the transportation management information stored in the memory unit 231.

When the determination unit 233 receives transport instruction information including the stacker ID, position information, and transport destination information of the stacker to be transported from the printing management device 201, the determination unit 233 determines one of the automated guided vehicles 20 that will transport the stacker 1 based on the transport management information stored in the storage unit 231. For example, the transport management device 203 has a predetermined evaluation calculation formula including parameters such as the elapsed time from the last operation, the cumulative operating time, the remaining battery capacity, and the distance from the position information of the stacker 1 to be transported. Then, the evaluation value is calculated by acquiring the above parameters of the automated guided vehicle 20 whose current operation status is "standby state" from the transport management information and substituting them into the evaluation calculation formula. Then, the automated guided vehicle 20 with the highest evaluation value is selected as the automated guided vehicle that executes the transport instruction information. Note that in the evaluation calculation formula, parameters may be weighted according to importance.
The communication unit 234 establishes communication with the automatic guided vehicle 20 and communication with the print supervision management device 201, thereby realizing mutual communication.

Next, a print production management process executed by the management system 210 including the above-described print overall management device 201 will be described with reference to the drawings.
Fig. 14 is a flowchart mainly showing an example of the procedure of the process executed by the printing overall management device 201, stacker management device 202, and transport management device 203 in the printed matter production management process of the management system 210 related to the printing process. Fig. 15 is a flowchart mainly showing an example of the procedure of the process executed by the printing overall management device 201, stacker management device 202, and transport management device 203 in the printed matter production management process of the management system 210 related to the processing process.

As shown in FIG. 14, first, the printing management device 201 determines the job ID for starting the production of printed matter based on the job management list (SA1). Then, it transmits the determined job ID and the job information associated with that job ID to the stacker management device 202 and the printing press management device 204 (see FIG. 10) (SA2). The printing press management device 204 transmits the received job ID and job information to the printing press 3. Having received the job ID and job information, the printing press 3 goes into a standby state until it receives a preparation completion signal from the stacker 1.

Meanwhile, when the stacker management device 202 receives the job ID and job information from the print overall management device 201, it determines the stacker 1 that will execute the job based on the stacker management information (SA3), and transmits the stacker information, including the stacker ID and current position information of the determined stacker 1, associated with the job ID and to the print overall management device 201 (SA4). The stacker management device 202 also transmits the job ID and job information to the determined stacker 1. The stacker management device 202 also changes the operation status of the stacker 1 to which the job is assigned to "operating" in the stacker management information.

The stacker control unit 40 (see FIG. 9) of the stacker 1 receives the job ID and job information and controls the lift table motor 78 based on the job information. This causes the lift table motor 78 to operate and position the lift table at a height position that is individually set according to the type of printing machine 3. This makes it possible to properly receive paper discharged from the printing machine 3 during printing. The stacker control unit 40 also controls the positioning motors 38, 56 and the up-down movement motor 46. This positions the front-to-rear position of the stopper 26 and the widthwise position of the paper width guide 28 to positions according to the size of the paper S described in the print job.

In FIG. 14, when the printing management device 201 receives stacker information and a job ID from the stacker management device 202, it creates transport instruction information based on the received stacker information, job ID, and job information, and transmits it to the transport management device 203 (SA5). The transport instruction information includes the current position information of stacker 1, the stacker ID, and information on the receiving position PS1 of the printing machine 3.

The transport management device 203 determines the automated guided vehicle 20 that will transport the stacker 1 based on the transport instruction information and the transport management information, and transmits the transport instruction information to the determined automated guided vehicle 20 (SA6). In addition, the transport management device 203 changes the operation status of the automated guided vehicle 20 to which the transport instruction has been assigned to "operating state" in the transport management information.

The automated guided vehicle 20 that has received the transport instruction information moves the stacker 1 to the receiving position PS1 of the printing machine 3 based on the transport instruction information. When the automated guided vehicle 20 arrives at the position of the stacker 1, the stacker ID 13 may be read by the ID reading unit 105, and a check may be made to see whether the stacker ID included in the transport instruction information matches the stacker ID read by the ID reading unit 105. By performing such a check process, it is possible to reliably move the stacker 1 that is the target of the transport instruction, even if, for example, multiple stackers 1 are placed in close proximity.

When the automated guided vehicle 20 places the stacker 1 at the receiving position PS1 of the printing machine 3 based on the transport instruction information, it transmits a transport completion signal to the stacker 1 and also transmits the transport completion signal and its own automated guided vehicle ID to the transport management device 203. The automated guided vehicle 20 may transmit a transport completion signal to the stacker 1 via the transport management device 203 and the stacker management device 202. Furthermore, the communication between the automated guided vehicle 20 and the stacker 1 described below may be performed directly between the two, or may be performed indirectly between the two via the transport management device 203 and the stacker management device 202.

When the transport management device 203 receives the transport completion signal and the automated guided vehicle ID (SA7), it transmits a transport completion signal to the print management device 201 (SA8). The transport management device 203 also acquires battery information of the automated guided vehicle 20 that received the transport completion signal, and determines whether the remaining battery capacity is equal to or less than a predetermined lower limit. As a result, if the remaining battery capacity is equal to or less than the lower limit, it transmits charging instruction information to the automated guided vehicle 20 to guide it to the battery station, and changes the operation status of the transport management information to "charging state". If the remaining battery capacity exceeds the lower limit, it changes the operation status to "standby state".

On the other hand, for example, the stacker 1 that has received a transport completion signal from the automated guided vehicle 20 transmits a preparation completion signal to the printing machine 3. Also, the battery 94 (see FIG. 9 ) of the stacker 1 receives power from a power supply head 96 provided in the vicinity of the printing machine 3 via a power receiving head 90 as necessary.
When the printing press 3 receives a preparation completion signal from the stacker 1, it starts printing based on the job information received from the printing press management device 204. It sends a print start signal to the printing press management device 204. The printing press management device 204 manages the status. The printing press management device 204 may also send the print start signal to the printing overall management device 201.

A sensor that detects the discharged paper is provided near the paper discharge port 3b of the printing machine 3. The printing machine 3 counts the number of printed sheets based on the detection signal from the sensor and transmits the count to the stacker 1. The stacker control unit 40 of the stacker 1 controls the lift table motor 78 based on the count and the paper thickness obtained from the job information. This allows the lift table to descend according to the number of sheets stacked, making it possible to receive the paper discharged from the printing machine 3 at an appropriate position.

When the printing press 3 detects that the count has reached the number of printed sheets specified in the job information, it sends a print job completion signal to the stacker 1 located at the receiving position PS1 and to the printing press management device 204.

When the stacker control unit 40 of the stacker 1 (see FIG. 9) receives a print job completion signal, it controls the motor 78 for the lifting table to lower the lifting table to the position when moving. Furthermore, the stacker control unit 40 controls the linear cylinder 62 to tilt the loading shelf 22 at a predetermined angle in preparation for transport to the processing machine, which is the next process. For example, as shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the tilt mechanism 60 of the stacker 1 sets the front F side of the loading shelf 22 higher than the rear R side. This prevents the paper S loaded on the loading shelf 22 from scattering and falling from the open side where the stopper 26 and each paper width guide 28 are not provided when the stacker 1 travels toward the front F by the automatic guided vehicle 20.

On the other hand, when the printing press management device 204 receives a print job completion signal from the printing press 3, it transmits the printing press ID, the job ID, and the print job completion signal to the printing overall management device 201.

When the print management device 201 receives a print job completion signal or the like (SA9), it updates the job management list by changing the status of the printing process of the job ID in the job management list to "Completed" (SA10). Then, it returns to step SA1 and determines the next job ID to be executed from the job management list. This causes the printing process of the next job ID to be executed to be executed, and the above-mentioned processing is performed on the determined job.

When the print management device 201 receives a print job completion signal as described above (SB1 in FIG. 15), it identifies the processing machine (e.g., the paper folder 5) that will perform the processing step from the job information associated with the job ID that received the print job completion signal, and transmits the processing machine ID, job ID, and job information to the processing machine management device 205 (SB2). At this time, the stacker ID of stacker 1 that feeds paper to the processing machine may also be transmitted.

The processing machine management device 205 receives this information and transmits the job ID, job information, and stacker ID to the processing machine (e.g., the paper folder 5) identified from the processing machine ID. For example, when the paper folder 5 receives the job ID and job information, it changes the settings based on the job information and goes into a standby state for the job until the stacker 1 moves to and is positioned at the paper feed position PS2.

The printing management device 201 also creates transport instruction information for moving the stacker 1, which is located at the receiving position PS1 of the printing machine 3, to the paper feed position of the paper folder 5, and transmits it to the transport management device 203 (SB3). The transport instruction information may include paper information (e.g., paper size, paper thickness, number of sheets) loaded on the stacker ID in addition to the stacker ID and current position information of the stacker. The transport instruction information may also include offset information for the paper feed position of the paper folder 5. The transport instruction information may also include information regarding the paper feed direction for the paper folder 5 (e.g., vertical or horizontal). The position information of the receiving position PS1 of the printing machine 3 may also be used as the current position information of the stacker.

The transport management device 203 determines the automated guided vehicle 20 that will transport stacker 1 based on the transport instruction information and transport management information, and transmits the transport instruction information to the determined automated guided vehicle 20 (SB4). The automated guided vehicle 20 that has received the transport instruction information moves stacker 1 from the receiving position PS1 of the printing machine 3 to the paper feed position PS2 of the paper folder 5 based on the transport instruction information. When the automated guided vehicle 20 arrives at the position of stacker 1, the stacker ID 13 may be read by the ID reading unit, and a comparison may be made to determine whether the stacker ID included in the transport instruction information matches the stacker ID read by the ID reading unit 105.

In addition, while being transported by the automated guided vehicle 20, the loading shelf 22 in the stacker 1 is inclined at a predetermined angle. This prevents the paper S loaded on the loading shelf 22 from scattering and falling from the open side where the stopper 26 and each paper width guide 28 are not provided during travel, making it possible to realize stable travel.

The automated guided vehicle 20 may also adjust the acceleration or speed during transport according to the paper information included in the transport instruction information. For example, the weight of the paper loaded in the stacker 1 can be estimated based on the number of sheets of paper, the paper size, and the paper thickness. The automated guided vehicle 20 achieves stable driving by adjusting the acceleration or speed according to the total weight of the stacker 1 obtained from this information. The transport management device 203 may estimate the paper load weight from paper information such as the number of sheets of paper, and include the estimated load information in the transport instruction information sent to the automated guided vehicle 20.

The automated guided vehicle 20 moves the stacker 1 to the paper feed position PS2 of the paper folder 5, and controls the orientation of the stacker 1 so that the paper feed direction of the stacker 1 is appropriate based on information about the paper feed direction for the paper folder 5 contained in the transport instruction information. This makes it possible to install the stacker 1 in an appropriate orientation so that the paper feed direction is appropriate according to the paper feed direction of the paper folder 5, even if the sheet discharge direction in the printing machine 3 differs from the sheet feed direction in the paper folder 5.

Furthermore, the automated guided vehicle 20 adjusts the position of the center line CL1 of the stacker 1 relative to the center line CL2 of the paper folder 5 when viewed in a plan view, based on the offset information included in the transport instruction information. For example, the positional relationship between the center line CL1 of the stacker 1 and the center line CL2 of the paper folder 5 changes depending on whether the desired folding position is in the center of the paper or offset from the center of the paper for the paper folder 5, in which the attachment position of a knife (not shown) for folding paper is on the center line CL2.
For example, if the desired folding position is offset from the center of the paper for a paper folder 5 whose knife position is on center line CL2, it is necessary to align center line CL1 of stacker 1 with paper feed position PS2 that corresponds to the offset. Since paper feed position PS2 differs depending on the paper folder 5, paper size, desired folding position, etc., the transport instruction information sent to automatic guided vehicle 20 includes offset information as information related to paper feed position PS2.

For example, when the offset is zero, the automated guided vehicle 20 positions the stacker 1 at a position where the center line CL2 of the paper folder 5 coincides with the center line CL1 of the stacker 1 when viewed in a plan view, as shown in FIG. 16. When the offset is not zero, the automated guided vehicle 20 positions the stacker 1 at a position where the center line CL1 of the stacker 1 is offset from the center line CL2 of the paper folder 5, as shown in FIG. 17, depending on the offset.

When the automated guided vehicle 20 positions the stacker 1 at the sheet feeding position PS2 according to the offset information, it transmits a transport completion signal to the stacker 1 and also transmits the transport completion signal and its own automated guided vehicle ID to the transport management device 203.
When the transport management device 203 receives the transport completion signal and the automatic guided vehicle ID (SB5), it transmits a transport completion signal to the printing overall management device 201 (SB6).
The transport management device 203 also acquires battery information of the automated guided vehicle 20 that received the transport completion signal, and determines whether the remaining battery capacity is equal to or less than a predetermined lower limit. If the result shows that the remaining battery capacity is equal to or less than the lower limit, it transmits charging instruction information to the automated guided vehicle 20 to guide it to a battery station, and changes the operation status of the transport management information to "charging state." If the remaining battery capacity exceeds the lower limit, it changes the operation status to "standby state."

Meanwhile, the stacker control unit 40 of the stacker 1, which has received a transport completion signal from the automated guided vehicle 20, controls the linear cylinder 62 to return the loading shelf 22 to a horizontal state. Furthermore, the stacker control unit 40 acquires information on the processing process (e.g., information on the height of the lifting table, etc.) from the job information already received from the stacker management device 202, and controls the vertical movement motor 46 and the lifting table motor 78 based on the acquired information.

This causes the lift table motor 78 to operate, and the stack shelf 22 is positioned at the height of the paper feed that is individually set according to the type of the paper folder 5. Furthermore, the stacker control unit 40 operates the vertical movement motor 46 (see FIG. 6) to displace the stopper 26 of the stacker 1 downward, as shown in FIG. 18. This is to prevent interference between the paper separator 5a of the paper folder 5 and the stopper 26.
Furthermore, the battery 94 of the stacker 1 receives power from a power supply head 96 provided in the vicinity of the paper folder 5 via the power receiving head 90 as necessary.

When the stacker control unit 40 has completed positioning and is ready to feed paper to the paper folder 5, it sends a ready signal to the paper folder 5. When the paper folder 5 receives the ready signal from the stacker 1, it determines whether or not the top surface of the lift table of the stacker 1 has been detected by a top surface detection sensor (not shown) provided near the paper feed opening of the paper folder 5.

As a result, if the top surface has not been detected, the paper folder 5 sends a command to the stacker 1 to raise the lift table. This causes the stacker control unit 40 to control the lift table motor 78 to raise the lift table. This operation is performed until the top surface of the lift table is detected by the top surface detection sensor. Then, when the top surface of the lift table is detected by the top surface detection sensor, the paper folder 5 determines that the lift table of the stacker 1 is positioned in an appropriate position, and starts folding based on the job information received from the processing machine management device 205.

In addition, before starting a job, the paper folder 5 may acquire the stacker ID of stacker 1 and perform a comparison process to check whether the acquired stacker ID matches the stacker ID associated with the job ID to be started. By performing such a comparison, it is possible to confirm whether a stacker matching the job to be started is placed at the paper feed position PS2.

A sensor that detects discharged sheets is provided near the paper outlet of the paper folder 5. The paper folder 5 counts the number of processed sheets based on a detection signal from the sensor. The number of processed sheets is sent to the stacker 1 directly from the paper folder 5 or via the processing machine management device 205 and the stacker management device 202. The stacker control unit 40 controls the lift table motor 78 according to the relationship between the remaining number of sheets and the height of the paper feed unit of the paper folder 5, and moves the lift table to an appropriate height position according to the progress of processing.
Then, when the folder 5 detects that the count has reached the number of processed sheets specified in the job information, it sends a processing job completion signal to the stacker 1 located at the paper feed position PS2 and the processing machine management device 205.

When the stacker control unit 40 of stacker 1 receives the processing job completion signal, it controls the lift table motor 78 to lower the lift table to the position at the time of movement. Stacker 1 also transmits the processing job completion signal and its own stacker ID to the stacker management device 202. When the stacker management device 202 receives the processing job completion signal (SB7), it changes the operation status of the received stacker ID to "standby state" (SB8).

On the other hand, when the converting machine management device 205 receives a conversion job completion signal from the paper folder 5 , it transmits the paper folder ID, the job ID, and the conversion job completion signal to the printing overall management device 201 .
When the print management device 201 receives a processing job completion signal or the like (SB9), it updates the job management list by changing the status of the processing step of the job ID in the job management list to "Complete" (SB10). Then, it returns to step SB1 and waits until it receives the next print job completion signal. If it has already received a print job completion signal, it executes the subsequent process.

As described above, the present embodiment provides the following advantageous effects.
For example, the printing overall management device 201 creates transport instruction information for transporting the stacker 1 loaded with the paper S discharged from the printing machine 3 from the receiving position PS1 of the printing machine 3 to the paper feed position PS2 of the next processing machine (e.g., the paper folder 5) and transmits the information to the transport management device 203. This makes it possible to automatically move the stacker 1 from the printing machine 3 to the processing machine, which is the next process, using the unmanned guided vehicle 20, thereby enabling labor saving.

In addition, by including at least one of the sheet size, sheet thickness, and number of sheets loaded by stacker 1 in the transport instruction information, the weight of stacker 1 can be estimated based on this information. This makes it possible to select an appropriate unmanned guided vehicle 20 for transporting stacker 1, taking into account the weight of the stacker. Furthermore, when stacker 1 is transporting, stable running can be achieved by setting an appropriate speed or acceleration based on this paper information.

In addition, by including in the transport instruction information the processing machine identification information assigned to each processing machine and offset information for the sheet supply position in the processing machine, it is possible to set up the stacker 1 at an appropriate paper supply position according to the desired folding position, even if the sheet supply position differs depending on the type of processing machine, paper size, and fold shape. This makes it possible to realize stable and smooth sheet supply.

In addition, based on the job information, transport instruction information is generated to transport stacker 1 that is not loaded with paper to receiving position PS1 of printing machine 3, so stacker 1 can be automatically moved to printing machine 3, further reducing the number of workers required.

In addition, by including the stacker ID in the transport instruction information, even if multiple stackers 1 are installed close to each other, it is possible to prevent erroneous transport of a stacker 1 that is not the intended transport target by performing a match based on the stacker ID.

In addition, by including information regarding the supply direction of the paper S to the processing machine in the transport instruction information, even if the discharge direction of the paper S in the printing machine 3 differs from the supply direction of the paper S in the processing machine, it is possible to supply the paper S in an appropriate direction according to the processing specifications of each processing machine.

Although the present invention has been described above using the embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. Various modifications or improvements can be made to the above embodiments without departing from the gist of the invention, and such modifications or improvements are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.
Furthermore, the various processing flows described in the above embodiments are also just examples, and unnecessary steps may be deleted, new steps may be added, or the processing order may be rearranged, without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

In the above embodiment, communication is performed between the printing overall management device 201 and each of the management devices 202 to 205, but the functions of the management devices 202 to 205 may be included in the printing overall management device 201. In addition, communication between the automatic guided vehicle 20 and the printing overall management device 201 is performed via the transport management device 203, but information may be exchanged directly between the automatic guided vehicle 20 and the printing overall management device 201 without the transport management device 203. The same applies to the other management devices, and for example, information may be exchanged directly between the stacker 1, the printing machine 3, various processing machines, and the printing overall management device 201.
In addition, any one of the management devices may have the functions of the other management devices. For example, the processing machine management device 205 may have the functions of the stacker management device 202 and the transport management device 203.

<Modification 1>
In the above embodiment, the folding machine 5 is described as an example of a processing machine that feeds paper from the stacker 1, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in Fig. 19, the present invention can also be applied to a creasing machine 6 as a processing machine. That is, if the creasing machine 6 is registered as a process subsequent to the printing machine 3 in the job information, it is possible to stably feed paper to the creasing machine 6 by performing the same process as described above.
In the case of the creasing machine 6, for example, the stacker control unit 40 of the stacker 1 controls the lifting table motor 78 in accordance with the relationship between the number of sheets of paper S loaded and the height of the paper feeding section of the creasing machine 6, and adjusts the lifting table to an appropriate height position as processing progresses.

<Modification 2>
In the above-described embodiment, the stacker 1 is moved by the automated guided vehicle 20, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in Fig. 20 and Fig. 21, casters 110 may be provided on each of the legs 14 of some stackers 1 so that the stacker 1 can run without using the automated guided vehicle 20. In this case, a handle 112 is provided on the upper rear side of the main body 16, and an operator transports the stacker 1. The stacker 1 is positioned at a fixed position such as the receiving position PS1 or the paper feed position PS2 by caster stoppers 110a (see Fig. 20) attached to the casters 110.

In such a case, the stacker ID 13 is provided on the underside of the front F side of the base 12, and an ID reading unit 114 is installed near a processing machine such as the printing machine 3 or the paper folder 5. The data received by the ID reading unit 114 is transmitted to the control unit of the processing machine such as the printing machine 3 or the paper folder 5.
The stacker 1 may be provided with a running device such as a running motor so as to be self-propelled.

The inclination angle of the stacking shelf 22 while the stacker 1 is moving may be changed according to the amount of paper S loaded. For example, the inclination angle may be made larger when the amount of paper S loaded is small than when it is large.

The inclination angle of the loading shelf 22 may be changed according to the magnitude of acceleration (including deceleration, which is negative acceleration) when the stacker 1 is traveling. For example, when the acceleration of the stacker 1 is large, the inclination angle is made larger than when the acceleration is small.

<Modification 3>
The transport instruction information transmitted in step SB3 or step SB4 (see FIG. 15) may include information regarding the orientation of the paper S discharged from the printing machine 3 to the stacker 1, in other words, the loading direction of the paper S in the stacker 1. For example, the transport instruction information may include information indicating whether the paper S is loaded in the stacker 1 in the portrait orientation or the landscape orientation.

The automated guided vehicle 20 may transport the stacker 1 so that the longitudinal direction of the paper S is the traveling direction, based on information regarding the orientation of the paper S contained in the transport instruction information.

For example, the automated guided vehicle 20 may be provided with a rotation mechanism that rotates the stacker 1 around a vertical axis, and the loading direction of the stacker 1 relative to the traveling direction of the automated guided vehicle 20 may be rotated around the vertical axis by the rotation mechanism. The rotation mechanism may include, for example, a rotating table that is provided on the upper part of the automated guided vehicle 20 and supports the stacker 1, a rotating shaft that supports the rotating table rotatably around the vertical axis relative to the main body of the automated guided vehicle 20, and a rotating motor that rotates the rotating shaft around the vertical axis.

In this way, the transport instruction information includes information regarding the loading direction of the paper S in the stacker 1, so the automated guided vehicle 20 can transport the stacker 1 so that the direction of travel is the same as the longitudinal direction of the paper S. This makes it possible to prevent the sheets from collapsing during transport.

<Modification 4>
The transportation management device 203 may include information on the travel route along which the automated guided vehicle 20 travels and information on singular points on the travel route in the transportation instruction information transmitted to the automated guided vehicle 20. The singular points include at least one of floor inclination information, floor step information, temperature, humidity, air volume of the air conditioning, and air direction of the air conditioning.

The automated guided vehicle 20 may adjust its speed and acceleration or reconstruct its driving route based on information about singular points on the driving route contained in the transportation instruction information.

For example, if there is an inclination of a predetermined angle or more relative to the direction intersecting the traveling direction, the automated guided vehicle 20 may reconstruct a route to bypass the inclined section, or may rotate the orientation of the stacker 1 relative to the traveling direction so that the longitudinal direction of the paper S loaded on the stacker 1 just before the inclined section is in the same direction as the inclined direction.

In addition, if there is a downward slope in the traveling direction, the automated guided vehicle 20 may reconstruct a detour route that avoids the downward slope. In addition, as shown in FIG. 8, when the stacker 1 is traveling with the loading shelf 22 inclined at a predetermined angle, the automated guided vehicle 20 may adjust the loading slope of the paper S before the inclined section so that the difference between the downward slope angle and the inclination angle of the paper S becomes small, and then travel through the downward slope section. For example, the automated guided vehicle 20 may rotate the orientation of the stacker 1 by 180 degrees to reduce the difference between the downward slope angle and the inclination angle of the paper S, and then travel through the downward slope section.

In addition, if there is an incline on the travel route, the vehicle may travel at a slower than normal speed on the incline section.

In addition, if there is a step on the floor, for example, if paper S is loaded on stacker 1, a detour route may be created, but if no paper S is loaded, the stacker may pass through as is.

In addition, the paper S is easily affected by temperature and humidity, such as absorbing moisture at high humidity, condensing due to sudden temperature changes, and static electricity and scattering of paper dust at low humidity. Generally, temperature and humidity are adjusted at printing sites. However, for example, if the travel route included in the transport instruction information received from the transport management device 203 includes a movement across buildings (movement of paper from a warehouse to a processing site), there is a possibility that the paper S will pass through an area where the temperature and humidity are not adjusted. In such a case, for example, when the paper S is loaded on the stacker 1, the travel route may be reconstructed so that the paper S moves only through areas where the humidity and temperature are adjusted. Also, when the paper S is not loaded on the stacker 1, the paper S may pass through an area where the temperature and humidity are not adjusted without changing the route. Also, for example, since the paper S includes paper that is not easily affected by temperature and humidity (for example, resin film, etc.), the need for a route change may be determined depending on the type and state of the paper S loaded on the stacker 1.

In addition, if the airflow rate of the air conditioning is greater than a specified value, the route may be reconstructed to bypass the section with the strong airflow rate, or the orientation of stacker 1 may be rotated just before that section so that the main body 16 of stacker 1 faces upwind.

In this way, the transport instruction information includes information on the travel route along which stacker 1 will travel from its source to its destination, and on singular points on that travel route, so that automated guided vehicle 20 can adjust the transport speed and acceleration, reconstruct the travel route, and adjust the orientation of stacker 1 in response to factors such as the inclination of the floor. This makes it possible to prevent the collapse of the stack of paper S during transport.

<Modification 5>
In the above embodiment, a case where one stacker 1 is required for one job has been described as an example, but there are also cases where multiple stackers 1 are required to execute one job. For example, if the number of sheets in one job is set to 5000 sheets and the maximum stacking capacity of the stacker 1 is 3000 sheets, two stackers 1 are required. In such a case, the stacker management device 202 determines multiple stackers 1 that will execute the job. The print management device 201 creates transport instruction information based on information on the multiple stackers 1 determined by the stacker management device 202. At this time, the transport instruction information may include stacker IDs of the multiple stackers 1 that will execute one job.

In addition, depending on the job, the next processing machine may be fed in the order of the last paper discharged from the printing machine 3. In such a case, it is necessary to change (reverse) the order of the stackers 1 that load the paper S discharged from the printing machine 3 and the order of the stackers 1 that feed the paper to the next processing machine. In order to deal with such a case, the transport instruction information transmitted from the printing management device 201 may include at least one of the order of the stackers 1 that load the paper S discharged from the printing machine 3 and the order of the stackers 1 that supply the paper S to the next processing machine. This makes it possible to smoothly supply the paper S even if the order of the stackers 1 that load the paper S discharged from the printing machine 3 is different from the order of the stackers 1 that supply the paper S to the next processing machine.
By including such information in the transport instruction information, even if the number of sheets in one job exceeds the maximum number that the stacker 1 can hold, the job can be executed smoothly.

In the above-described embodiment and each modified example, paper has been described as an example of the medium transported by the stacker 1, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can also be applied to sheet-like media such as resin film.

A rotation mechanism may be provided that rotates the loading shelf 22 around the vertical axis, and the stacker control unit 40 may rotate the loading shelf 22 around the vertical axis. The rotation mechanism may be provided, for example, between the loading shelf 22 and the lifting table 24, and may include a rotation shaft that supports the loading shelf 22 rotatably around the vertical axis relative to the lifting table 24, and a rotation motor that rotates the loading shelf 22 around the rotation shaft.

By providing a rotation mechanism, after receiving the paper S from the printing machine 3, the stacking shelf 22 can be rotated 90 degrees and then accessed by a sheet processing machine such as the paper folder 5, and the paper S can be fed in a state rotated 90 degrees from the time of receipt. Also, as described above, instead of using a rotation mechanism that rotates the stacking shelf 22, the entire stacker 1 can be rotated by the automated guided vehicle 20 to change the orientation of the paper S.

1 Stacker (sheet stacking device)
3 Printing machine 3a Back side 3b Paper discharge port 5 Paper folding machine (processing machine)
5a Paper separator 6 Crissing machine (processing machine)
7 Communication section 10 Shelf section 12 Base 12a Front end 13 Stacker ID (identification information)
14 Leg portion 16 Main body portion 16a Front surface 18 Communication portion 20 Automatic guided vehicle (automatic guided vehicle device)
20a Wheel 20b Lifting platform 22 Loading shelf 22a Base end 24 Lifting table 24a Base end 26 Stopper 26a Upper and lower racks 28 Paper width guide 30 Stopper running groove 32 Bracket 34 Slide guide shaft 36 Feed screw 38 Positioning motor 40 Stacker control section 42 Pinion gear 44 Rotating shaft 46 Up-down movement motor 48 Paper width guide running groove 50 Bracket 52 Slide guide shaft 54 Feed screw 56 Positioning motor 60 Tilt mechanism 62 Linear cylinder 64 Rod 66 Rotating pin 68 Fulcrum pin 70 Arm 72 Chain 74 Sprocket 76 Rotating shaft 77 Lifting mechanism 78 Lifting table motor 80 Timing belt 82 Worm gear (lifting mechanism)
84 Wheel 86 Spur gear 88 Wheel 90 Power receiving head (power receiving device)
92 Power supply cable 94 Battery 96 Power supply head 96a Power outlet 97 Battery management device 101 Communication unit 103 Unmanned transport control unit 105 ID reading unit 110 Caster 110a Caster stopper 112 Handle 114 ID reading unit 120 CPU
121 Storage unit 122 Main memory 200 Printing system 201 Printing overall management device 202 Stacker management device 203 Transport management device 204 Printing machine management device 205 Converting machine management device 210 Management system 211 CPU
212 Storage unit 213 Main memory 214 Communication unit 215 Input unit 216 Display unit 222 Job management unit 223 Processing unit 231 Storage unit 232 Information acquisition unit 233 Determination unit 234 Communication unit CL1 (of stacker) center line CL2 (of folding machine) center line F (of base) front FL Floor surface PS1 Receiving position PS2 Paper feed position (supply position)
R (back of base) S Paper

Claims (13)

A printing management device that is communicably connected to a transport management device that manages a plurality of unmanned transport devices that transport a sheet stacking device capable of stacking sheets discharged from a printing machine,
a processing unit that generates transport instruction information for transporting the sheet stacking device, on which the sheets discharged from the printing machine are stacked, from a sheet receiving position of the printing machine to a sheet supplying position of a next processing machine by any one of the unmanned transport devices, based on job information in which a manufacturing process procedure for producing a printed matter is registered;
a communication unit that transmits the transport instruction information to the transport management device ;
The transport instruction information includes information regarding the orientation of the sheet discharged from the printing press to the sheet stacking device . The printing management device according to claim 1, wherein the transport instruction information includes at least one of the sheet size, sheet thickness, and number of sheets to be loaded by the sheet loading device. The printing management device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the transport instruction information includes processing machine identification information individually assigned to the processing machine and offset information of the sheet supply position in the processing machine. The printing management device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the transport instruction information includes information regarding the paper feed direction of the stacker relative to the processing machine. A printing management device that is communicably connected to a transport management device that manages a plurality of unmanned transport devices that transport a sheet stacking device capable of stacking sheets discharged from a printing machine,
a processing unit that generates transport instruction information for transporting the sheet stacking device, on which the sheets discharged from the printing machine are stacked, from a sheet receiving position of the printing machine to a sheet supplying position of a next processing machine by any one of the unmanned transport devices, based on job information in which a manufacturing process procedure for producing a printed matter is registered;
a communication unit that transmits the transport instruction information to the transport management device;
Equipped with
A printing management device, in a case where multiple sheet stacking devices are required to execute one job, wherein the transport instruction information includes identification information of the multiple sheet stacking devices executing one job, and at least one of the order of the sheet stacking devices that stack sheets discharged from the printing machine and the order of the sheet stacking devices that supply sheets to the next processing machine. A printing overall management device as described in any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein the processing unit generates transport instruction information for transporting the sheet stacking device that does not have the sheet loaded thereon to a sheet receiving position of the printing press based on the job information. 7. The printing management device according to claim 1, wherein the transport instruction information includes identification information that is individually assigned to the sheet stacking device. A conveyance management device that manages a plurality of unmanned conveying devices that convey a sheet stacking device capable of stacking sheets discharged from a printing machine,
an information acquisition unit that acquires at least one of battery information, operation information, and current position information of each of the automated guided vehicles;
a determination unit that, when receiving transport instruction information for transporting the sheet stacking device, determines one of the unmanned transport devices based on the information acquired by the information acquisition unit and the transport instruction information;
a communication unit that transmits the transport instruction information to the determined automated transport device,
A transport management device, wherein the transport instruction information includes at least one of the sheet size, sheet thickness, and number of sheets to be loaded by the sheet loading device, identification information of the sheet loading device, and identification information of the printing machine or processing machine to which the sheet loading device is to transport, as well as information regarding the orientation of the sheet to be discharged from the printing machine to the sheet loading device. the transport instruction information includes information on a travel route from a transport source of the sheet stacking device to a transport destination and information on a singular point on the travel route;
The transport management device according to claim 8 , wherein the specific points include at least one of floor inclination information, floor step information, temperature, humidity, air volume of air conditioning, and air direction of air conditioning. A printing management device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 ,
A printing system comprising the transport management device according to claim 8 or 9 . A step of generating transport instruction information for transporting a sheet stacking device on which sheets discharged from the printing machine are stacked to a sheet supply position of a processing machine that performs a next process, based on job information describing work information for producing a printed matter;
a step of transmitting the transport instruction information to a transport management device that manages a plurality of unmanned transport devices that transport the sheet stacking device ;
The method , wherein the transport instruction information includes information regarding the orientation of the sheet discharged from the printing machine to the sheet stacking device . A step of generating transport instruction information for transporting a sheet stacking device on which sheets discharged from the printing machine are stacked to a sheet supply position of a processing machine that performs a next process, based on job information describing work information for producing a printed matter;
transmitting the transport instruction information to a transport management device that manages a plurality of unmanned transport devices that transport the sheet stacking device;
The computer executes
When multiple sheet loading devices are required to execute one job, the transport instruction information includes identification information of the multiple sheet loading devices executing one job, and at least one of the order of the sheet loading devices that load sheets discharged from a printing machine and the order of the sheet loading devices that supply sheets to the next processing machine. A program for causing a computer to function as the printing management device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 .