JP2001232765A - Printed material inspection equipment in cardboard box making machines - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] A stepboard box making machine equipped with a printing unit,
Inspection of the state during printing is performed by in-line visual image processing. Kind Code: A1 A printed matter inspection apparatus in a cardboard box making machine provided with a printing unit, comprising: a detection unit including an input camera that captures picture information printed on a cardboard sheet; and a detection unit for each pixel detected by the detection unit. Image signal
A control unit for comparing with a pre-input reference value to determine an abnormality of a printed matter; a unit for removing an abnormally printed cardboard sheet from a transport line when an abnormality is determined by the control unit; and displaying an image of the determination result Means for recording abnormal defects and alarm means activated by a command from the control means. The detection means including the input camera is inspected at an appropriate position after the final printing unit to inspect the entire surface of the printed matter. The printed matter of the cardboard sheet is inspected in-line.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a cardboard box making machine provided with a printing unit, in which the state of a printed matter being printed is compared in-line with a standard state to detect an abnormality in the printed matter and to perform abnormally printed cardboard. The present invention relates to a printed matter inspection apparatus for discharging a sheet.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, in the case of the corrugated cardboard box making industry, when a cosmetic printed matter is boxed, a printed sheet is pasted on the upper surface of a corrugated cardboard sheet, and then a ruled line,
It has become the mainstream to make boxes such as grooving. In this case, the inspection of the printed matter has already been carried out in the preceding printing step, and the box-making method based on this inspection is suitable for mass-forming. However, if the number of boxes to be produced is not so large, if a sheet pre-printed on this is used by attaching it to a corrugated cardboard sheet, there is a problem in terms of production cost. Requests have emerged in recent years. In the case of printing directly on the corrugated cardboard sheet, the printed matter was inspected off-line after the completion of the box-making process by visual inspection of the operator. This is an existing cardboard box making machine, for in-line inspection,
If you try to install an inspection device, there is no installation space due to the structure of the box making machine, and in addition, it is impossible to inspect in-line because of problems such as vibration of the cardboard sheet being conveyed. I didn't.

[0003]

However, according to the conventional off-line inspection after the completion of the box forming process, the state during printing did not exceed the range of the visual inspection of the worker.
Workers cannot clearly see what defects have occurred during printing, and accidents such as ink splashes,
I always worked with anxiety about an accident that was pointed out as a serious drawback of the user such as missing prints. in addition,
If continuous defects occur during machine operation due to off-line inspection, action on defective parts cannot be taken promptly, resulting in a large loss of defective raw materials.
There has been a problem that the number of man-hours due to printing failure becomes extremely large, for example, all the lots become defective.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and the present invention provides a printed matter inspection apparatus for a cardboard box making machine having a printing unit in an in-line state. The reference pattern signal is read out according to the real pattern actually printed on the corrugated cardboard sheet, compared with the current print information pattern, and output to the determination circuit to determine the quality of the printed matter. . That is, according to the present invention, a detection unit including an input camera that captures picture information of a printed matter is provided at an appropriate position via a final printing unit of a box making machine. This position is preferably provided with a suction feed transfer unit for transporting the corrugated cardboard sheet while suctioning it with air, after the final printing unit so that the conveyed corrugated cardboard sheet does not vibrate. It is preferable to provide it at an appropriate position in the unit. Then, the entire surface of the cardboard sheet conveyed while being sucked by air is detected by a plurality of CCD cameras. In addition, a beam sensor for detecting the conveyed cardboard sheet and transmitting an operation command signal to the camera is provided in a range of 200 mm to 30 mm from the front upstream side of the camera.

Next, there is provided control means for comparing the image signal for each pixel detected by the detection means with a reference value inputted in advance and for judging an abnormality of a printed matter. Further, a means is provided for directly removing the abnormally printed cardboard sheet from the transport line when an abnormality is determined by the control means. Furthermore,
When abnormal printing is determined, an image is displayed by means for transmitting an abnormality to the alarm device and displaying the inspection result. In addition, the inspection results are recorded. Further, when the abnormally printed cardboard sheet is not directly removed, a label attaching means for attaching a label to the abnormally printed cardboard sheet is provided at an appropriate position downstream of the cardboard sheet transport direction detecting means. Alternatively, the sheet to which this label is attached may be manually or automatically removed.

[0006]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In FIGS. 1 and 2, in a cardboard box making machine provided with a printing unit, the paper supplied from a paper feeding section 1 is provided. The cardboard sheet 2 has printing units 3a, 3b,
3c, printed in several colors, and discharged onto the conveyer 5 via the delivery section 4. The delivery section 4 gives time until the printing ink dries naturally, and has a predetermined length. The corrugated cardboard sheet 2 from which the printing ink has been naturally dried passes through the delivery section 4,
It is stored in the stacker unit of the next step via the connecting conveyor 5, or enters the die cut section, is punched into a predetermined mold by a knife cylinder and an anvil cylinder, and is sent to the next step.

Here, the delivery section 4 provided next to the final printing unit is preferably a corrugated cardboard sheet 2.
, A suction feed transfer unit that transports the air while suctioning it with air. And the cardboard sheet 2 conveyed while being sucked by air
Is detected with a plurality of CCD cameras.
This is because the corrugated cardboard sheet is conveyed while being sucked by air, so that there is little vertical vibration of the sheet, which is extremely convenient for inspection with a CCD camera.

In FIG. 2, FIG. 3, and FIG.
Is a CCD image sensor camera unit that converts light information on a test surface printed on a cardboard sheet into an electric signal. The floodlight 12 is for illuminating to the brightness required for capturing an image of the inspection surface of the cardboard sheet with a camera. Generally, a high-frequency fluorescent lamp is used.

A signal processing panel (control means) 13 processes an electric signal from the camera of the photodetector 11 to detect and detect a defect.
The A / D converter 13a, the CPU 13b,
The signal processing board (control means) comprises a reference memory 13c for storing a good product sample as a reference value as a reference value, and an image display circuit 13d.
4. Color defect image display monitor CRT 15, printer operation system 16, video printer 17,
It is connected to an alarm device 18 and a labeler 19. The beam sensor 14 detects the leading end of the conveyed cardboard sheet 2 and transmits an operation command signal to the CCD camera 11.
In the range of m, it is preferable that the thickness be set to 100 mm to 50 mm.

The color defect image display device 15 of the display of the inspection result display means performs color display with the defect portion at the center of the monitor. The printer operation system 16 aggregates the defect information for each lot,
It is printed and used as post-process data.Switching operation modes, inputting parameters for defect detection,
It is used for selecting an output signal, monitoring defect information, and the like. The video printer 17 performs filing of past images. The alarm device 18 has a stacking type rotary light alarm. The labeler 19 is automatically attached to a fixed position of a target sheet at the time of detecting a defect, and is provided on a path in the middle of sheet conveyance of the cardboard box making machine.

In FIG. 5, a sheet discharging device 20, which is a means for discharging the abnormally printed corrugated cardboard sheet from the transport line, is provided on the connecting conveyor 5 via a delivery section. That is, the connecting conveyor 5 has a discharge end 5b as a fulcrum, and a discharge end 5a at the tip is vertically movable by the air cylinder 6 so that the corrugated cardboard sheet conveyed in the horizontal direction is operated by the air cylinder 5a. At this time, the connecting conveyor 5 is lifted, and the sheet is naturally dropped downward and removed.

The embodiment of the present invention is configured as described above. Next, the outline of the inspection will be described.
First, various conditions are set in advance for the operation of the cardboard box making machine. Thereafter, test printing is performed, and non-defective sample information is stored as a reference pattern in the master memory 13 c of the signal processing board (control means) 13. Fix it. Next, the box making machine is operated again, and the entire surface of one corrugated cardboard sheet 2 is detected by the photodetector 11 including a CCD camera as a detecting means and monitored for each corrugated cardboard sheet. If any other defect (defective product) appears, the controller 13 discriminates the defect and then removes the defective sheet directly from the transport line and outputs it to the alarm signal unit 18 and the defect image display unit 15. Alternatively, when the defective sheet is not directly removed from the transport line, a label is attached to a predetermined position of the transport sheet, and then the defective product with the label is discharged.

3 and 4, the corrugated cardboard sheet 2 is illuminated by an illumination projector 12, and in this case, an input camera light receiving device comprising three CCD cameras and the like is used. The image information of the reflected light from the pattern printed on the cardboard sheet 2 is taken in from the container 11 as an image signal. The CPU 13b of the signal processing board (control means) 13 controls the start timing and the sampling timing of the signal capture of the input camera based on the timing pulse from the beam sensor 14 arranged in the deliver 4 passing through the final printing unit. The input image signal is digitized by the A / D converter 13a, and the image signal at the time when the image signal is determined to be a normal printed matter is used as a reference signal in the reference memory 13a.
c, the printed matter is inspected by the CPU 13
This is performed by comparing with the reference signal at b.

As a method of the comparison inspection, there are processes such as difference, differentiation, integration and the like, and these can be appropriately applied. For example, in the differentiation process, a faint defect is easily recognized by differentiating a weak defect signal in the video signal.
On the other hand, in the difference processing, a video signal is converted into a digital signal, and the difference in gradation in the scanning direction (width direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the cardboard sheet) is compared. Because of digital processing, contour extraction faithful to the print pattern can be performed. In the line flow direction (corrugated cardboard sheet conveyance direction) difference processing, as in the scan direction difference processing, digital conversion is performed, and then the difference in gradation in the flow direction is compared. By adding this processing, the part that has not been inspected by the normal difference processing is
Inspection becomes possible.

In this example, there are four types of detection circuits,
If each circuit is named A, B, C, D, the differential output A is
It detects streak-like defects in the flow direction and faint defects. The difference detection B is for detecting ink flying, foreign matter adhesion, misregistration, and the like.
Is for detecting missing characters and missing printing. Further, the Y difference detection D is for detecting ink flying or foreign matter. Depending on the type of defect, detection may be performed by a plurality of circuits.

A printed matter whose error from a normal printed matter is not within an allowable range is judged to be abnormal by the signal processing board (control means) 13. As a result of the comparison inspection, when it is determined that the printed matter is abnormal, first, as shown in FIG. 5, the signal processing board (control means) 13 uses the pressure fluid of the sheet discharge device 20 such as the air cylinder 6. Activate When the air cylinder 6 is operated, the connecting conveyor 5 supporting the air cylinder moves one of the discharge ends 5a with the discharge end 5b as a fulcrum.
Rises up. Then, the corrugated cardboard sheet 2 conveyed in the horizontal direction is naturally dropped downward by its own weight due to the disconnection of the connection between the delivery section 4 and the connecting conveyor 5, and is removed from the conveying line. If the defective sheet 2 is not removed directly from the transport line, a label is attached to the abnormally printed cardboard sheet 2 at an appropriate position on the downstream side of the detection means in the sheet transport direction by the label attaching means 19. , Then remove this defective item manually or
It may be removed automatically.

The signal processing panel (control means) 13 is connected to the inspection result display means and the alarm means, and displays an abnormality on the CRT display 15 and transmits the abnormality to the alarm 18 to notify the operator of the abnormality. Inform. Further, the judgment and inspection results (for example, the defect address and the number of non-defective products, defective products, defects, etc.) obtained by the signal processing panel (control means) 13 are printed out from the printer operation system 16 via the printer 17. You.

[0018]

As described above, the present invention relates to a cardboard box making machine provided with a printing unit, which is provided with a detecting means including an input camera for detecting a cardboard sheet conveyed while being sucked by air through a final printing unit. Provided at an appropriate position in the suction feed transfer unit so as to inspect the entire surface of the printed matter, read the reference pattern signal according to the real pattern actually printed on the corrugated cardboard sheet in an inline state, and read the current print information. Compared with the conventional case, the output is output to the judgment circuit to judge the quality of the printed matter, and the judgment result is displayed as an image, stored, and the defective product is discharged. The operator can see what defects have occurred during printing.
Images can be checked and, when continuous defects occur, action can be taken promptly on defective parts, so that the loss of raw materials can be prevented to a minimum, and there is no possibility that one lot will be out, and printing defects will occur. Can reduce man-hours.
In addition, since the results of the abnormalities are stored, by analyzing the information such as the type and shape of the detected defect based on the result, the cause of the defect can be determined, and the accuracy and speed of the countermeasure can be improved. It is possible to obtain the effect that the exact number of defective products can be grasped and the counting can be controlled.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a cardboard box making machine equipped with the apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a connection relationship of respective constituent members showing an example of an apparatus for implementing the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a control relationship showing an example of an apparatus for implementing the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic side view illustrating an example of a corrugated cardboard sheet discharging unit on which abnormal printing is performed.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Photodetector (detection means) 13 Signal processing board (control means) 15 Inspection result display means 16 Inspection result display means 17 Inspection result storage means 18 Alarm means 19 Label sticking means 20 Abnormal sheet exclusion means

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G01N 21/892 G06T 1/00 300 G06T 1/00 300 B41F 33/14 G F-term (Reference) 2C250 EA02 EA12 EA36 EB43 EC01 2G051 AA01 AA90 CA04 DA06 DA13 EA11 EB01 FA01 3E075 BA02 CA01 DA27 DE23 FA07 FA12 GA01 GA05 5B057 AA01 AA12 BA02 CA08 CB06 CC01 DA15 DA20 DB08

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A printed matter inspection apparatus for a cardboard box making machine having a printing unit, comprising: a detection unit including an input camera for capturing picture information printed on a cardboard sheet; and a pixel detected by the detection unit. A control unit that compares each image signal with a reference value input in advance and determines an abnormality of a printed matter; and a unit that removes an abnormally printed cardboard sheet from a transport line when an abnormality is determined by the control unit. A means for displaying an image of the determination result and recording an abnormal defect, and a warning means which is activated by a command from the control means, and a detection means including the input camera, at an appropriate position after the final printing unit, Printing in a corrugated box making machine characterized by being provided so as to inspect the entire surface of a printed material and configured to inspect a printed material of a corrugated cardboard sheet in-line. Object inspection device. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the means for removing the abnormally printed corrugated cardboard sheet from the transport line includes a fluid supported by the connecting conveyor between a delivery section that has passed through the final printing unit and a connection conveyor connected to the delivery section. 2. The printed matter inspection apparatus for a cardboard box making machine according to claim 1, wherein the connection is divided by a vertical lifting / lowering device utilizing pressure. And means for removing the abnormally printed corrugated cardboard sheet from the transport line, wherein the means for removing the corrugated cardboard sheet from the transport line includes
2. A means for attaching a label to a corrugated cardboard sheet at an appropriate position on the downstream side of the detecting means, and thereafter manually or automatically removing the sheet on which the label is attached, wherein the sheet is attached to the cardboard sheet. Printed material inspection equipment for cardboard box making machines. 4. A cardboard box making machine provided with a printing unit is characterized in that a suction feed transfer unit for conveying a cardboard sheet while suctioning it with air is provided next to the final printing unit. Claim 1,
A printed matter inspection apparatus in the cardboard box making machine according to claim 2 or 3. 5. A printed matter inspection apparatus for a cardboard box making machine provided with a printing unit, comprising: a detection unit including an input camera for capturing picture information printed on a cardboard sheet; and a pixel detected by the detection unit. A control unit that compares each image signal with a reference value input in advance and determines an abnormality of a printed matter; and a unit that removes an abnormally printed cardboard sheet from a transport line when an abnormality is determined by the control unit. A means for displaying an image of the judgment result and recording an abnormal defect, and an alarm means which is activated by a command from the control means. A sheet is provided at an appropriate position of the suction feed transfer unit for transporting the sheet while being suctioned by air so as to inspect the entire surface of the printed material. A beam sensor for detecting an incoming corrugated cardboard sheet and transmitting an operation command signal to the camera is provided in a range from 200 mm to 30 mm on the front upstream side of the camera, and configured to inspect printed matter of the corrugated cardboard sheet in-line. A printed matter inspection device for a cardboard box making machine.