DE20107263U1 - Device for labeling assemblies - Google Patents

Description

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Description

Device for labelling assemblies

The invention relates to a device for labeling assemblies.

The labeling of assemblies (e.g. electronic, electrical, electromechanical or mechanical assemblies) is necessary so that the desired or required connections between the (peripheral) assemblies and/or other components of (automation) systems can be made quickly and reliably. In addition, the labeling of assemblies is necessary to ensure reliable status monitoring of the associated system and to be able to clearly assign status changes (e.g. voltage changes).

The electronic components are identified using labels on which the required information (e.g. component type and assignment of inputs, outputs and LEDs) is printed. The information to be printed on the labels is stored locally in a user database and then edited and printed out in MS Excel or MS Word, for example. The size of the labels and the exact position of the labels must be determined by the user. Updates to the user database, which arise, for example, from the addition of further components or from changes to existing components, must be carried out by the user on their own responsibility. These changes are time-consuming and, if handled incorrectly, can lead to errors.

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a device for labelling assemblies, which

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This enables fast and reliable labeling of these assemblies.

The object is achieved according to the invention in a device of the type mentioned at the outset by the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are each the subject of further claims.

The device for labeling modules designed according to claim 1 comprises a local computer with user software and at least one user database in which layout templates for module labeling labels are stored, as well as at least one printer for printing labeling labels for the modules. According to the invention, read access to a project database containing the required module-specific data can be carried out via the local computer. The module-specific data stored in the project database can be combined with the layout templates stored in the user database using the user software. Furthermore, the module-specific data can be printed out via the printer onto the labeling labels in accordance with the layout templates using the user software.

The configuration database contains the module-specific data, i.e. all data that is required for labeling the modules. This data includes, for example, the type of module, the number and type of inputs and outputs, as well as the symbolic names and the like. The module-specific data for the module of the selected hardware configuration can be easily combined by the user with the corresponding layout templates from the user database. The user software determines the symbols or addresses associated with the selected modules. The module-specific labels are printed out on a printer using this information.

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The device according to the invention makes it possible to generate and print labels for all peripheral modules of an automation system from the module-specific data stored in the configuration database.

According to an embodiment according to claim 2, the user software can be made available on at least one CD-ROM and copied from there to the user's local computer.

Alternatively, according to an embodiment according to claim 3, the application software can be installed on the user's local computer via download from an Internet server.

In a device according to claim 4, an open interface is advantageously provided for the user database, via which newly created layout templates for labels can be fed. The layout templates for the labels are preferably available in HTML format, and it is particularly advantageous if each layout template is arranged on a single HTML page.

Due to the open interface, layout templates created by the user can be added to the user database. This is relatively easy, especially with HTML/CSS applications (Hyper Text Markup Language/Cascade Style Sheet).

Claims (6)

1. Device for labelling assemblies, which has a local computer with user software and at least one user database in which layout templates for labelling labels of assemblies are stored, and at least one printer for printing labelling labels for the assemblies, wherein - read access to a configuration database containing the required module-specific data is possible via the local computer, and - the user software can combine the module-specific data stored in the configuration database with the layout templates stored in the user database and - the user software can print the assembly-specific data via the printer on labels according to the layout templates. 2. Device according to claim 1, wherein - the application software is stored on at least one CD-ROM and can be copied from there to the local computer. 3. Device according to claim 1, wherein - the user software can be installed on the local computer via download from an Internet server. 4. Device according to claim 1, wherein - newly created layout templates for labels can be fed into the user database via an open interface. 5. Device according to claim 1 or 4, wherein - the layout templates of the labels are available in HTML format for all assemblies. 6. Device according to claim 5, wherein - each layout template is arranged on a single HTML page.