JP2024008618A - Misregister detection device, printer, manufacturing method of printed matter, and misregister detection program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a misregister detection device, a printer, a misregister detection method, and a misregister detection program with which misregister can be detected at higher accuracy in multicolor printing.SOLUTION: A printer 10 for performing printing with three or more colors by employing a plurality of plate cylinders 12 comprises a misregister detection device 40. The misregister detection device 40 utilizes a misregister detection sensor 42 to detect a position of a register mark 50 of each color to be printed on a printing object 14. Further, the misregister detection device 40 calculates a deviation amount between a reference color register mark 50 and an other color register mark 50, and calculates a deviation amount between the other color register mark 50 and a different other color register mark 50, in order to determine whether the deviation amount is equal to a prescribed tolerance or higher.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

The present invention relates to a misregistration detection device, a printing machine, a misregistration detection method, and a misregistration detection program.

Multicolor printing using a plurality of plate cylinders is performed by superimposing printed patterns of each color on a substrate. Therefore, each color is printed without misalignment, resulting in an acceptable printed pattern. On the other hand, if even one color deviates, the product will not pass, and if the amount of deviation exceeds the allowable value, it will be treated as non-conforming, and the printing material will be discarded.

Such a tolerance value for the amount of deviation is appropriately set as necessary, but in recent years, with the advancement of printing technology, the tolerance value required by the market has become smaller. For this reason, technological development is being carried out to detect the amount of deviation.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses that the amount of printing misregistration is detected based on the relative position of a printing registration mark of a reference color placed at a predetermined position on a printed matter and a printing registration mark of another color placed in the vicinity thereof, A multicolor printing press is described in which a detected amount of deviation is input to operate a correction drive unit such as a register correction motor in each printing unit.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2002-137368

However, in Patent Document 1, the amount of misregistration between the printing register mark of the reference color and the printing register mark of other colors is only detected and controlled independently, and the amount of misregistration between the other colors can be detected. There is no mention or suggestion of this.

For example, if the printing register mark of a certain other color is shifted to the right by 0.5 mm with respect to the reference color, and the printing register mark of a different color is further shifted by 0.5 mm to the left with respect to the reference color, The mutual deviation is 1.0 mm in the left and right direction. If the allowable amount of deviation is 0.6 mm, the amounts of deviation between these other colors exceed the allowable value. However, in the method described in Patent Document 1, which detects only the amount of deviation between the reference color and other colors, such amount of deviation between the other colors is not recognized as exceeding a tolerance value.

Furthermore, the same applies to the case where, for example, the amount of deviation between two consecutive printing register marks in the front-back direction is calculated without providing a reference color. In other words, although the amount of deviation between two consecutive printing register marks of other colors satisfies the tolerance value, the amount of deviation between two consecutive printing register marks of other colors may not satisfy the tolerance value. .

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a misregistration detection device, a printing machine, a misregistration detection method, and a misregistration detection program that can detect misregistration with higher accuracy in multicolor printing.

The first aspect of the present invention is a misregistration detection device that is included in a printing press that prints in three or more colors using a plurality of plate cylinders, and includes registration marks for each color printed on a substrate. detection means for detecting the position of the registration mark of the other color; first deviation amount calculation means for calculating the amount of deviation between the registration mark of the reference color and the registration mark of the other color; The apparatus includes a second deviation amount calculation means for calculating an amount of deviation from the registration mark, and a determination means for determining whether the deviation amount is equal to or greater than a predetermined tolerance value.

According to this configuration, for three or more colors printed on a printing material, the amount of misregistration with respect to the reference color and the amount of misregistration between other colors are detected based on the printing position of the registration mark. Detect. Therefore, with this configuration, the amount of misregistration between two colors is detected not only with the reference color but also with other colors, and misregistration can be detected with higher accuracy in multicolor printing.

The misregistration detection device of the second aspect is the misregistration detection device of the first aspect, further comprising a storage control means for storing in a storage means the position and color of the printing substrate in which the amount of deviation that is equal to or greater than the tolerance value has occurred. Good too. According to this configuration, the position where misregistration has occurred can be confirmed after printing is completed.

The misregistration detection device of the third aspect is the misregistration detection device of the first aspect or the second aspect, which controls the printing press so that the amount of deviation that is equal to or greater than the tolerance value becomes less than the tolerance value. Control means may also be provided. According to this configuration, it is possible to eliminate misregistration while printing on a printing medium.

A misregistration detection device according to a fourth aspect is the misregistration detection device according to the third aspect, wherein the reference color is a color printed by the plate cylinder on the most upstream side with respect to the conveying direction of the printing material, and the The machine control means controls the controlled portion required for printing the other color so that when the amount of deviation that is equal to or greater than the tolerance value occurs between the reference color and the other color, the amount of deviation becomes less than the tolerance value. If the amount of deviation that is equal to or greater than the allowable value occurs between the other colors, a controlled section required for printing the other colors on the downstream side of the printing medium in the conveyance direction may be controlled.

According to this configuration, when misregistration occurs between two colors, the control target is the controlled portion corresponding to the color on the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the printing medium. As a result, regardless of the color in which misregistration has occurred, the controlled portions on the downstream side in the transport direction are always controlled with the most upstream reference color as the origin. Therefore, this configuration can eliminate misregistration during printing without causing control conflicts.

The misregistration detection device of a fifth aspect is the misregistration detection device of any one of the first to fourth aspects, in which the position of the printing substrate where the amount of deviation is equal to or greater than the tolerance value, and The printing apparatus may include a mark pasting device that pastes a mark at a position on the printing medium where the deviation amount is less than the allowable value. According to this configuration, the operator can directly confirm the area of the printing medium where misregistration has occurred.

In the misregistration detection device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the registration mark of the reference color and the registration mark of the other color are arranged alternately on the printing substrate. The registration mark is printed on the printing material in the conveying direction, and the first deviation amount calculation means calculates the amount of deviation between the registration mark of the other color and the registration mark of the reference color printed in front of the registration mark. You can. According to this configuration, the amount of deviation between the reference color and other colors can be detected with higher accuracy.

A printing press according to a seventh aspect is a printing press that prints on a substrate in three or more colors using a plurality of plate cylinders, and includes the misregistration detection device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects.

The misregistration detection method of the eighth aspect is a misregistration detection method performed in a printing machine that prints three or more colors using a plurality of plate cylinders, and the method detects the misregistration by detecting the position of a registration mark of each color printed on a substrate. a first step of detecting by a detection means; a second step of calculating a deviation amount between the registration mark of the reference color and the registration mark of another color by a first deviation amount calculation means; and a second step of calculating the deviation amount between the registration mark of the reference color and the registration mark of the other color; a third step of calculating the amount of deviation from the registration mark of the different color by a second deviation amount calculating means; and a fourth step of determining by a determining means whether the deviation amount is greater than or equal to a predetermined tolerance value. and has.

The misregistration detection program of the ninth aspect causes a computer included in a misregistration detection device in printing of three or more colors using a plurality of plate cylinders to detect the position of a registration mark of each color printed on a printing material using a detection means. a first step; a second step of calculating a deviation amount between the registration mark of the reference color and the registration mark of another color by a first deviation amount calculation means; A third step of calculating the amount of deviation from the registration mark by a second deviation amount calculating means, and a fourth step of determining by a determining means whether or not the amount of deviation is greater than or equal to a predetermined tolerance value. .

According to the present invention, misregistration can be detected with higher accuracy in multicolor printing.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a printing press according to an embodiment. It is a schematic diagram of a misregistration detection sensor and a registration mark of this embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a detection signal of a registration mark according to the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a detection signal of a registration mark in which misregistration occurs according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the misregistration detection device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing combinations of printing units that are controlled when misregistration occurs in the present embodiment. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of misregistration determination processing according to the present embodiment. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of misregistration determination processing according to the present embodiment.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In addition, the embodiment described below shows an example of the case where the present invention is implemented, and the present invention is not limited to the specific configuration described below. In implementing the present invention, specific configurations depending on the embodiments may be adopted as appropriate.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a printing press 10 of this embodiment. The printing press 10 of this embodiment uses a plurality of plate cylinders 12 to print on a substrate 14 in three or more colors. As an example, the printing machine 10 of this embodiment performs gravure printing on the printing material 14 using four colors of ink: black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y). This is just an example, and the printing machine 10 may be one that performs multicolor printing using three or more colors, and the colors are not limited to the above colors, and may include white, blue, green, etc. Further, the printing press 10 does not need to be a gravure printing type as long as it prints using the plate cylinder 12.

The printing press 10 of this embodiment includes a feeding section 20, a printing unit 22, a drying section 24, and a winding section 26 in this order from the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the printing material 14. Note that the printing unit 22 and drying section 24 are provided for each color. That is, the printing unit 22 and drying section 24 of this embodiment are provided for each of black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y) inks. Further, the printing machine 10 is appropriately provided with a conveyance roller 28 for conveying the substrate 14 to be printed. Note that the conveyance roller 28 includes a driven roller, a nip roller 29 described later, and a compensator roll (not shown in FIG. 1).

In this embodiment, the reference color for detecting misregistration, which will be described later, is the color printed by the printing cylinder 12 (printing unit 22) on the most upstream side with respect to the conveyance direction of the printing material 14. The reference color in this embodiment is black.

The feeding unit 20 is a roller that continuously feeds out the printing material 14. For example, in the printing press 10 of the present embodiment, the printing medium 14 is conveyed by a driven nip roller 29, and the feeding unit 20 rotates as the printing medium 14 is conveyed. The printing material 14 of this embodiment is, for example, a transparent film material that is made into a bag after printing, but is not limited to this, and any printing material 14 that can be continuously fed out by the feeding section 20 may be used. .

The printing unit 22 is a device for printing each color on the printing material 14. The printing press 10 of this embodiment includes a printing unit 22K, a printing unit 22C, a printing unit 22M, and a printing unit 22Y from the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the printing material 14. The printing unit 22K prints black on the substrate 14, the printing unit 22C prints cyan on the substrate 14, the printing unit 22M prints magenta on the substrate 14, and the printing unit 22Y prints yellow on the substrate 14. Print. In the following explanation, K written after the symbol indicates that it corresponds to black, C indicates that it corresponds to cyan, M indicates that it corresponds to magenta, and Y indicates that it corresponds to yellow. .

The printing unit 22 of this embodiment includes a bucket 30, an ink roller 32, a plate cylinder 12, an impression cylinder 34, and a doctor blade 36.

Ink of each color is stored in the bucket 30, and the ink is supplied to the plate cylinder 12 by a rotating ink roller 32. When ink is supplied to the plate cylinder 12, an ink film is formed on the surface. Note that excess ink adhering to the surface of the plate cylinder 12 is removed by a doctor blade 36. Then, the printing material 14 conveyed to the printing unit 22 is conveyed while being pressurized by the rotating plate cylinder 12 and the impression cylinder 34, so that the ink film is transferred and printing is performed.

The drying section 24 dries the printing material 14 in order to fix the ink transferred to the printing material 14.

The winding unit 26 is provided at the most downstream side of the printing press 10 and winds up the printed material 14 after printing has been completed.

Furthermore, the printing press 10 of this embodiment includes a misregistration detection device 40. The misregistration detection device 40 includes a plurality of misregistration detection sensors 42 , a misregistration control device 44 , and a mark pasting device 46 .

The misregistration detection sensor 42 is a sensor for detecting the position of each color registration mark 50 (see FIG. 2) printed on the printing material 14. The registration mark 50 is also called a colored contact mark, and is a mark that is continuously printed in each color on the printing medium 14 in order to detect misregistration (color contact is a registered trademark).

One misregistration detection sensor 42 of this embodiment is provided between the printing unit 22 and the drying section 24. That is, a misregistration detection sensor 42C is provided on the downstream side of the printing unit 22C, a misregistration detection sensor 42M is provided on the downstream side of the printing unit 22M, and a misregistration detection sensor 42Y is provided on the downstream side of the printing unit 22Y. Be prepared. A detection signal from the misregistration detection sensor 42 is output to the misregistration control device 44 .

The mark affixing device 46 affixes marks to the position of the printed material 14 where the amount of misregistration is equal to or greater than the tolerance value, and at the position of the printed material 14 where the amount of misregistration equal to or greater than the tolerance value becomes less than the permitted value.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the misregistration detection sensor 42 and the registration mark 50. The registration marks 50 are continuously formed in a straight line at regular intervals on at least one of the left end and the right end of the printing medium 14 .

In this embodiment, the reference color (black) registration mark 50K and the other color (cyan, magenta, yellow) registration marks 50C, 50M, and 50Y are alternately printed toward the conveying direction of the printing material 14. That is, the registration mark 50K1, the registration mark 50C, the registration mark 50K2, the registration mark 50M, the registration mark 50K3, and the registration mark 50Y are successively printed on the printing material 14 in this order. The registration marks 50K1 to 50K3 are printed by the printing unit 22K, the registration mark 50C is printed by the printing unit 22C, the registration mark 50M is printed by the printing unit 22M, and the registration mark 50Y is printed by the printing unit 22Y. Note that the black registration mark 50K is a reference color registration mark 50, and is used as the origin of control for eliminating misregistration, which will be described later.

The registration mark 50 of this embodiment is, for example, a right isosceles triangle having sides in the conveying direction of the printing material 14 and in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction, but the registration mark 50 is not limited to this, and can detect misregistration. The registration mark 50 may have any other shape, such as a trapezoid, as long as it has the same shape.

The misregistration detection sensor 42 of this embodiment includes, as an example, a light emitting section 52 and a light receiving section 54. The light emitting unit 52 irradiates light to the printing position of the registration mark 50 on the printing medium 14 . The light receiving section 54 is provided to face the light emitting section 52 with the substrate 14 in between, and receives light from the light emitting section 52 . Since the light emitting section 52 continuously irradiates light onto the printing material 14, when an area without the registration mark 50 passes on the irradiation line of the light, the light passes through the printing material 14 and is detected by the light receiving section 54. On the other hand, when the registration mark 50 passes over the light irradiation line, the light is blocked by the registration mark 50 and the light receiving section 54 does not detect the light. In another embodiment of the misregistration detection sensor 42, the light emitting section 52 and the light receiving section 54 are arranged adjacent to each other, and the reflecting plate is arranged opposite to the light emitting section 52 and the light receiving section 54 with the printing medium 14 in between. You can. In this case, the light from the light emitting section 52 is reflected by the reflecting plate and received by the light receiving section 54.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a detection signal of the registration mark 50. Note that FIG. 3 shows, as an example, a row of registration marks 50 detected by the misregistration detection sensor 42Y. As shown in FIG. 3, in this embodiment, the light emitting unit 52 and A light receiving section 54 is arranged.

When the registration mark 50 passes over the light irradiation line of the light emitting section 52, the detection signal (light amount) of the light receiving section 54 decreases, while when the registration mark 50 does not pass, the detection signal (light amount) increases. Such a detection signal of the registration mark 50 by the light receiving section 54 is transmitted to the misregistration control device 44.

The misregistration control device 44 of this embodiment recognizes the detection start time S of the registration mark 50 and the detection end time E of the registration mark 50, and sets the detection start time difference between two registration marks 50 adjacent in the front and back direction as ΔSS. , the detection end time difference is ΔEE. Note that time, which is the vertical axis shown in FIG. 3, corresponds to the detection position of the registration mark 50. Therefore, the detection start time difference ΔSS and the detection end time difference ΔEE have values that reflect the amount of shift between the positions of the two registration marks 50 for which the difference has been calculated. The detection start time difference ΔSS reflects the misregistration in the vertical direction (the conveyance direction of the printing material 14), and the detection end time difference ΔEE reflects the misregistration in the left-right direction (the direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction).

Next, misregistration will be explained with reference to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a detection signal of the registration mark 50 where misregistration has occurred. In FIG. 4, the position of the registration mark 50 indicated by a broken line is the position of the registration mark 50 when no misregistration occurs. In addition, in the example of FIG. 4, the detection start time difference ΔSS when there is no deviation between two successive registration marks 50 is at the level of microseconds at commercial printing speeds, but here, for the sake of explanation, it is assumed that seconds (hereinafter referred to as "standard time difference ΔSS _n ". n means each color and is represented by the symbols CMY). Further, if the misregistration is ±0.6 mm, it is considered non-conforming, and when converted to time, it is ±3 seconds. Therefore, if the amount of deviation exceeds ±3 seconds, the permissible value of misregistration will be exceeded.

More specifically, the detection start time difference ΔSS _K1C between the registration mark 50C in FIG. 4 and the preceding registration mark 50K1 is 5 seconds, and the detection end time difference ΔEE _K1C is 3 seconds. Since the standard time difference ΔSS _C -ΔSS _K1C = 5 seconds - 5 seconds = 0 seconds, no vertical misregistration occurs between the registration mark 50C and the registration mark 50K1. On the other hand, since ΔEE _K1C - ΔSS _K1C = 3 seconds - 5 seconds = -2 seconds, the registration mark 50C is shifted to the left in the figure with respect to its original position. This misregistration does not exceed the allowable value because the amount of misregistration is -2 seconds.

Further, the detection start time difference ΔSS _K2M between the registration mark 50M in FIG. 4 and the preceding registration mark 50K2 is 7 seconds, and the detection end time difference ΔEE _K2M is 9 seconds. Then, the standard time difference ΔSS _M - ΔSS _K2M = 5 seconds - 7 seconds = -2 seconds, and ΔEE _K2M - ΔSS _K2M = 9 seconds - 7 seconds = +2 seconds, so the registration mark 50M is relative to its original position. This means that it has shifted backward and to the right. These misregistrations do not exceed the allowable value because the respective misregistration amounts are -2 and +2 seconds.

Further, the detection start time difference ΔSS _K3Y between the registration mark 50Y in FIG. 4 and the preceding registration mark 50K3 is 3 seconds, and the detection end time difference ΔEE _K3Y is 5 seconds. Then, the standard time difference ΔSS _Y - ΔSS _K3Y = 5 seconds - 3 seconds = +2 seconds, and ΔEE _K3Y - ΔSS _K3Y = 5 seconds - 3 seconds = +2 seconds, so the registration mark 50Y is located in front of the original position. and is shifted to the right. Since each of these misregistrations has a deviation amount of +2 seconds, the permissible value is not exceeded. The above is a description of the first deviation amount calculation for calculating the deviation amount between the registration mark 50K of the reference color and the registration marks 50C, 50M, and 50Y of other colors.

From here, a second deviation amount calculation for calculating the deviation amount between the registration mark 50 of another color and the registration mark 50 of a different color will be explained. First, the amount of deviation between the registration mark 50M and the registration mark 50C is calculated. The amount of displacement in the vertical direction between the registration mark 50M and the registration mark 50C is ΔSS _K2M - ΔSS _K1C = 7 seconds - 5 seconds = +2 seconds. That is, the registration mark 50M is shifted 2 seconds backward with respect to the registration mark 50C. Also, the amount of deviation in the left and right direction between the registration mark 50M and the registration mark 50C is (ΔEE _K2M - ΔSS _K2M ) - (ΔEE _K1C - ΔSS _K1C ) = (9 seconds - 7 seconds) - (3 seconds - 5 seconds) = +4 Seconds. That is, the registration mark 50M is shifted to the right by 4 seconds with respect to the registration mark 50C, and this misregistration exceeds the allowable value.

Next, the amount of deviation between the registration mark 50Y and the registration mark 50C is calculated. The amount of displacement in the vertical direction between the registration mark 50Y and the registration mark 50C is ΔSS _K3Y - ΔSS _K1C = 3 seconds - 5 seconds = -2 seconds. That is, the registration mark 50Y is shifted forward by 2 seconds with respect to the registration mark 50C. Also, the amount of deviation in the horizontal direction between the registration mark 50Y and the registration mark 50C is (ΔEE _K3Y - ΔSS _K3Y ) - (ΔEE _K1C - ΔSS _K1C ) = (5 seconds - 3 seconds) - (3 seconds - 5 seconds) = +4 Seconds. That is, the registration mark 50Y is shifted to the right by 4 seconds with respect to the registration mark 50C, and this misregistration exceeds the allowable value.

Next, the amount of deviation between the registration mark 50Y and the registration mark 50M is calculated. The amount of displacement in the vertical direction between the registration mark 50Y and the registration mark 50M is ΔSS _K3Y - ΔSS _K2M = 3 seconds - 7 seconds = -4 seconds. That is, the registration mark 50Y is shifted forward by 4 seconds with respect to the registration mark 50M, which exceeds the tolerance value for misregistration. Also, the amount of deviation in the horizontal direction between the registration mark 50Y and the registration mark 50M is (ΔEE _K3Y - ΔSS _K3Y ) - (ΔEE _K2M - ΔSS _K2M ) = (5 seconds - 3 seconds) - (9 seconds - 7 seconds) = 0 Seconds.

As explained with reference to FIG. 4, although the amount of deviation between the registration marks 50 of the reference color and the registration marks 50 of other colors satisfies the tolerance value, the amount of deviation between the registration marks 50 of other colors satisfies the tolerance value. may not be met. Therefore, the misregistration detection device 40 of this embodiment detects not only the amount of deviation between the reference color and other colors, but also the amount of deviation between other colors. That is, the amount of deviation of three or more colors is detected in a round-robin manner.

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of the misregistration detection device 40 of this embodiment. As described above, the misregistration detection device 40 includes the misregistration detection sensor 42, the misregistration control device 44, and the mark pasting device 46.

The misregistration control device 44 includes a first misregistration amount calculation section 60 , a second misregistration amount calculation section 62 , a misregistration determination section 64 , a storage control section 66 , a printing press control section 68 , and a storage section 70 .

The first shift amount calculation unit 60 calculates the shift amount between the reference color black registration mark 50K and the other colors cyan, magenta, and yellow registration marks 50C, 50M, and 50Y. Note that the first deviation amount calculation unit 60 of this embodiment calculates the deviation amount between the registration marks 50C, 50M, and 50Y of other colors and the registration mark 50K of the reference color printed in front of these registration marks.

The second shift amount calculation unit 62 calculates the shift amount between the registration mark 50 of another color and the registration mark 50 of a different color. That is, the second shift amount calculation unit 62 of this embodiment calculates the mutual shift amount between the registration marks 50 of different colors. Specifically, the amount of deviation between the registration mark 50C and the registration mark 50M, the amount of deviation between the registration mark 50C and the registration mark 50Y, and the amount of deviation between the registration mark 50M and the registration mark 50Y are calculated.

The misregistration determination section 64 determines whether the misregistration amounts calculated by the first misalignment amount calculation section 60 and the second misalignment amount calculation section 62 are greater than or equal to a predetermined allowable value.

The storage control unit 66 causes the storage unit 70 to store the position and color of the printing substrate 14 where the amount of deviation exceeding the allowable value has occurred. The position of the printing material 14 is the position in the longitudinal direction (vertical direction) of the printing material 14 specified by the registration mark 50 where the amount of deviation is equal to or greater than the allowable value.

The printing press control unit 68 controls the printing press 10 so that the amount of deviation that is equal to or greater than the allowable value becomes less than the allowable value. The printing press control unit 68 of the present embodiment controls the controlled parts required for printing the other colors so that when a deviation amount greater than a tolerance value occurs between the reference color and another color, the deviation amount becomes less than the tolerance value. do. Further, when a deviation amount greater than the allowable value occurs between the other colors, the printing press control section 68 controls the controlled section required for printing the other colors on the downstream side of the printing medium 14 in the conveying direction.

Controlled units controlled by the printing press control unit 68 of this embodiment include, for example, the compensator roll 72 and the sidelay 74. In the following description, the compensator roll 72 and the side tray 74, which are controlled parts, will also be described as part of the printing unit 22.

The compensator roll 72 is a type of conveyance roller 28, and one compensator roll 72 is provided on the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the printing medium 14 for each of the printing units 22C, 22M, and 22Y. By moving the compensator roll 72 in the vertical direction, the path length of the printing medium 14 changes. The printing press control unit 68 performs control to vertically move the compensator roll 72 corresponding to the color that is misaligned in the vertical direction (transportation direction), thereby eliminating misregistration in the vertical direction.

The side tray 74 is provided for each of the printing units 22C, 22M, and 22Y, and moves the plate cylinder 12 in the direction of the rotation axis. The printing press control unit 68 controls the side tray 74 corresponding to the color in which the horizontal misregistration occurs, thereby eliminating the misregistration in the horizontal direction.

Here, FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a combination of printing units 22 that are controlled when misregistration occurs.

As shown in FIG. 6, the printing unit 22 of black, which is the reference color, is not controlled. The cyan printing unit 22 becomes a control target when a misregistration occurs due to a comparison between black and cyan. Furthermore, the magenta printing unit 22 becomes a control target when misregistration occurs due to comparison between black and magenta and between cyan and magenta. Further, the yellow printing unit 22 is to be controlled when misregistration occurs due to comparisons between black and yellow, cyan and yellow, and magenta and yellow. That is, the printing unit 22 to be controlled when misregistration occurs is the printing unit 22 on the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the printing material 14.

In this manner, the printing press control unit 68 of the present embodiment controls the printing unit 22 corresponding to the color on the downstream side in the transport direction of the printing medium 14 when a misregistration occurs between two colors. As a result, regardless of the color in which the misregistration occurs, the printing unit 22 on the downstream side in the transport direction is always controlled with the most upstream reference color (black) as the origin. Furthermore, as will be described later, after the control to eliminate the misregistration between the reference color and other colors, the control is performed to eliminate the misregistration between the other colors. Therefore, the misregistration detection device 40 of this embodiment can eliminate misregistration during printing without causing a control conflict.

Next, misregistration determination processing including control of the printing press 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of misregistration determination processing between the reference color and other colors. The misregistration determination process is executed by the misregistration detection device 40 at the same time that the printing machine 10 starts printing on the substrate 14 .

First, in step 100, the first deviation amount calculation unit 60 selects registration marks 50 of n colors to be determined for misregistration with respect to the reference color black. The n color is any one of cyan, magenta, and yellow. Note that the selected colors (registration marks 50) have an order, and are selected in the order in which they are printed by the printing unit 22 on the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the printing material 14. That is, in step 100 of this embodiment, cyan, magenta, and yellow are repeatedly selected in the order of n colors to be compared with black, or the reference colors are selected in the order in which the printing material 14 reaches the printing unit 22 of each n color. Compare black and the n-color registration mark 50.

In the next step 102, the first deviation amount calculation unit 60 calculates the deviation amount between the registration mark 50 of black, which is the reference color, and the registration mark 50 of n color. Specifically, when the n color is cyan, the first shift amount calculation unit 60 calculates the shift amount between the registration mark 50K1 and the registration mark 50C detected by the misregistration detection sensor 42C. Further, when the n color is magenta, the first deviation amount calculation unit 60 calculates the deviation amount between the registration mark 50K2 and the registration mark 50M detected by the misregistration detection sensor 42M. When the n color is yellow, the first deviation amount calculation unit 60 calculates the deviation amount between the registration mark 50K3 and the registration mark 50Y detected by the misregistration detection sensor 42Y.

In the next step 104, the misregistration determining unit 64 determines whether or not the detection start time difference ΔSS of the amount of deviation between the reference color and the n color is equal to or greater than a tolerance value, and if the determination is negative, the process moves to step 106. , in the case of an affirmative determination, the process moves to step 116. That is, in the case of an affirmative determination, it is a case where a misregistration exceeding a tolerance value has not occurred.

In step 106, the storage control unit 66 causes the storage unit 70 to store the position and color where the detection start time difference ΔSS is equal to or greater than the allowable value.

In the next step 108, the printing press control unit 68 controls the compensator roll 72 so that the detection start time difference ΔSS is less than the allowable value, and the process moves to step 116. Note that the compensator roll 72 to be controlled is the compensator roll 72 disposed upstream of the printing unit 22 that has printed the color in which the detection start time difference ΔSS is equal to or greater than the allowable value.

Specifically, when a color is shifted forward in the transport direction, by moving the compensator roll 72 immediately before the printing unit 22 that printed this color, the path length of the printing material 14 to reach the printing unit 22 can be changed. lengthen. This causes the printing material 14 to reach the plate cylinder 12 of the printing unit 22 later than before, thereby eliminating misregistration. On the other hand, if the color is shifted backward in the conveyance direction, by moving the compensator roll 72 immediately before the printing unit 22 that printed this color, the path length of the substrate 14 to reach the printing unit 22 can be shortened. do. This allows the printing material 14 to reach the plate cylinder 12 of the printing unit 22 earlier than before, thereby eliminating misregistration.

In step 110 proceeding from step 102, the misregistration determining unit 64 determines whether or not the detection end time difference ΔEE among the amount of deviation between the reference color and the n color is greater than or equal to the allowable value, and if the determination is negative, step 112 If the determination is affirmative, the process moves to step 116.

In step 112, the storage control unit 66 causes the storage unit 70 to store the position and color where the detection end time difference ΔEE is equal to or greater than the allowable value. Note that by storing the position and color where the detection start time difference ΔSS and the detection end time difference ΔEE exceed the allowable value in the storage unit 70, the operator can identify the position where misregistration has occurred after printing of the printing material 14 is completed. Can be confirmed.

In the next step 114, the printing press control unit 68 controls the sidelay 74 so that the detection end time difference ΔEE is less than the allowable value, and the process moves to step 116. Note that the sideray 74 to be controlled is the sideray 74 of the printing unit 22 that has printed the color for which the detection end time difference ΔEE is equal to or greater than the allowable value.

In step 116, the first deviation amount calculation unit 60 determines whether or not a stop signal for the printing press 10 has been output, and if the determination is affirmative, the misregistration determination process is ended. On the other hand, if the determination is negative, the process returns to step 100, and the selection of n colors and the calculation of the amount of deviation between the reference color and n colors are repeated.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of misregistration determination processing between another color and a different color. The misregistration determination process is executed by the misregistration detection device 40 at the same time that the printing machine 10 starts printing on the substrate 14 .

First, in step 200, the second deviation amount calculation unit 62 selects n colors and m colors to be subjected to misregistration determination. The n color and the m color are cyan, magenta, or yellow. The color to be determined (registration mark 50) is a color for which comparison with the reference color has been completed and comparison with other colors present on the upstream side of the printing medium 14 in the conveyance direction has been completed. Note that the end of the comparison refers to a state in which the printing press 10 is also controlled to eliminate misregistration.

In this embodiment, after magenta is selected as the n color, yellow is selected as the n color (see also FIG. 6). If the n color is magenta, the m color is cyan, and the comparison with black must already be completed. Further, when the n color is yellow, the comparison with black has already been completed, cyan is selected first as the m color, and magenta is selected as the m color after the comparison with cyan is completed. In this way, step 200 of this embodiment repeatedly selects n colors and m colors to be compared with each other in the above order.

In the next step 202, the second deviation amount calculation unit 62 calculates the deviation amount between the registration marks 50 of n colors and the registration marks 50 of m colors.

Specifically, for example, when the n color is magenta and the m color is cyan, the registration mark 50M detected by the misregistration detection sensor 42M and the registration mark 50M detected by the misregistration detection sensor 42C or the misregistration detection sensor 42M. The second deviation amount calculation unit 62 calculates the deviation amount from the registered registration mark 50C.

Further, when the n color is yellow and the m color is cyan, the registration mark 50Y detected by the misregistration detection sensor 42Y and the registration mark 50C detected by the misregistration detection sensor 42C or the misregistration detection sensor 42Y. The second deviation amount calculation unit 62 calculates the deviation amount.

Further, when the n color is yellow and the m color is magenta, the registration mark 50Y detected by the misregistration detection sensor 42Y and the registration mark 50M detected by the misregistration detection sensor 42M or the misregistration detection sensor 42Y. The second deviation amount calculation unit 62 calculates the deviation amount.

In the next step 204, the misregistration determining unit 64 determines whether or not the detection start time difference ΔSS of the amount of deviation between the n color and the m color is greater than or equal to an allowable value, and in the case of a negative determination, the process moves to step 206. , in the case of an affirmative determination, the process moves to step 216. That is, in the case of an affirmative determination, it is a case where a misregistration exceeding a tolerance value has not occurred.

In step 206, the storage control unit 66 causes the storage unit 70 to store the position and color where the detection start time difference ΔSS is equal to or greater than the allowable value.

In the next step 208, the printing press control unit 68 controls the compensator roll 72 so that the detection start time difference ΔSS is less than the allowable value, and the process moves to step 216. Note that the compensator roll 72 to be controlled is the compensator roll 72 disposed upstream of the printing unit 22 that has printed the color for which the detection start time difference ΔSS is equal to or greater than the allowable value, that is, the n color.

In step 210, which is a transition from step 202, the misregistration determining unit 64 determines whether the detection end time difference ΔEE among the deviation amounts between the n color and the m color is greater than or equal to a tolerance value, and in the case of an affirmative determination, step 212 If the determination is negative, the process moves to step 216.

In step 212, the storage control unit 66 causes the storage unit 70 to store the position and color where the detection end time difference ΔEE is equal to or greater than the allowable value.

In the next step 214, the printing press control unit 68 controls the sidelay 74 so that the detection end time difference ΔEE is less than the allowable value, and the process moves to step 216. Note that the sideray 74 to be controlled is the sideray 74 of the printing unit 22 that has printed the color for which the detection end time difference ΔEE is equal to or greater than the allowable value, that is, the n color.

In step 216, the first deviation amount calculation unit 60 determines whether or not a stop signal for the printing press 10 has been output, and in the case of an affirmative determination, the misregistration determination process is ended. On the other hand, in the case of a negative determination, the process returns to step 100, and the selection of the n color and the m color and the calculation of the amount of deviation between the n color and the m color are repeated.

As described above, the misregistration detection device 40 of this embodiment detects the misregistration amount with respect to the reference color and the mutual misregistration of other colors for three or more colors printed on the printing material 14. The amount of deviation is detected based on the printing position of the registration mark 50. Therefore, the misregistration detection device 40 of this embodiment detects the amount of misregistration between two colors not only with the reference color but also with other colors, and can detect misregistration with higher accuracy in multicolor printing.

Note that the printing press 10 may be a variable-plate cylinder phase printing machine (so-called sectional drive printing machine) in which each plate cylinder 12 can be rotated individually by a drive motor. The controlled unit in this printing press 10 is a motor control that controls the drive speed of the plate cylinder 12 of the color in which the registration has occurred in the longitudinal direction (conveying direction) and each plate cylinder 12 downstream from the plate cylinder 12. Becomes a department. The motor control section maintains the synchronism between these plate cylinders 12 and changes the phase with the same amount of operation to correct the phase. Therefore, if a longitudinal misregistration occurs, the printing press control section 68 performs phase control between the plate cylinders 12 via the motor control section, thereby eliminating the misregistration.

Next, the operation of the mark pasting device 46 will be explained. As described above, the mark affixing device 46 affixes marks at the position of the printing medium 14 where the amount of deviation is equal to or greater than the tolerance value, and at the position of the printing medium 14 where the deviation has reached the tolerance value and has been eliminated. Thereby, the operator can directly confirm the area of the printing medium 14 where the misregistration has occurred, and remove the area where the misregistration has occurred from the printing medium 14 if necessary.

Therefore, the misregistration determination unit 64 transmits a misregistration occurrence signal indicating the position (timing at which the mark is pasted) where the amount of misalignment exceeds the allowable value to the mark pasting device 46. The mark affixing device 46 affixes a mark to the printing material 14 based on the received misregistration start signal.

When the amount of misregistration exceeds a tolerance value, the misregistration determination unit 64 continuously transmits a misregistration occurrence signal until the amount of misregistration becomes less than the tolerance value. Even if a misregistration occurrence signal is received, a mark is pasted only at the position corresponding to the first received misregistration occurrence signal. Then, the mark attaching device 46 attaches a mark indicating that the misregistration has been resolved to the printing material 14 at the timing when the reception of the continuous misregistration occurrence signal is completed. Note that the mark affixing device 46 may affix a mark indicating that the misregistration has been resolved a predetermined distance behind the position indicated by the last misregistration occurrence signal.

Note that the present invention is not limited to this, and the misregistration determination unit 64 may transmit a misregistration elimination signal to the mark pasting device 46 when the amount of misalignment that is equal to or greater than the tolerance value becomes less than the tolerance value. That is, when the mark pasting device 46 receives the misregistration elimination signal, it controls the landmark pasting device 46 so as to paste the mark at the position indicated by the misregistration elimination signal. Note that the timing at which the misregistration determination unit 64 transmits the misregistration elimination signal may be, for example, after a predetermined number of seconds or more have elapsed in which the amount of misalignment is less than the allowable value. Further, pasting of such a mark is also useful in a misregistration detection device without a second misalignment amount calculation means.

Although the present invention has been described above using the above embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the range described in the above embodiments. Various changes or improvements can be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the gist of the invention, and forms with such changes or improvements are also included within the technical scope of the present invention.

In the embodiment described above, the printing press 10 includes a plurality of misregistration detection sensors 42 corresponding to each color, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the misregistration detection sensor 42 is connected to the last printing unit 2 Only one may be provided on the downstream side of the. In this case, only one misregistration detection sensor 42 is provided to detect all the registration marks 50, and the amount of misregistration of each color is determined.

In the above embodiment, the misregistration detection sensor 42 has been described as having the light receiving section 54 and the light emitting section 52, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the misregistration detection sensor 42 is a camera that photographs the registration mark 50. But that's fine. In this case, the registration mark 50 is recognized from an image taken with a camera, and the amount of misregistration of each color is determined.

In the above embodiment, the printing press 10 is controlled so that the misregistration is resolved when the misregistration exceeds the allowable value. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the printing press 10 is controlled It is also possible to simply store the position and color of the misregistration in the storage unit 70 without performing the above steps. Further, if a misregistration exceeding a tolerance value occurs, the printing press 10 may be stopped.

10 Printing machine 12 Plate cylinder 40 Misregistration detection device 42 Misregistration detection sensor (detection means)
46 Mark pasting device 50 Registration mark 60 First deviation amount calculation unit (first deviation amount calculation means)
62 Second deviation amount calculation unit (second deviation amount calculation means)
64 Misregistration judgment unit (judgment means)
66 Memory control unit (memory control means)
68 Printing press control unit (printing press control means)
70 Storage unit (storage means)
72 Compensator roll (controlled part)
74 Sidelay (controlled part)

The present invention relates to a misregistration detection device, a printing machine, a method for manufacturing printed matter , and a misregistration detection program.

Claims (9)

A misregister detection device included in a printing press that prints in three or more colors using multiple plate cylinders,
a detection means for detecting the position of each color registration mark printed on the printing material;
first deviation amount calculation means for calculating the deviation amount between the registration mark of a reference color and the registration mark of another color;
a second deviation amount calculation means for calculating a deviation amount between the registration mark of the other color and the registration mark of the different color;
determining means for determining whether the amount of deviation is greater than or equal to a predetermined tolerance;
A misregistration detection device comprising: 2. The misregistration detecting device according to claim 1, further comprising a storage control means for storing in a storage means the position and color of the printing substrate in which the amount of deviation exceeding the tolerance value has occurred. The misregistration detection device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a printing press control means for controlling the printing press so that the amount of deviation that is equal to or greater than the allowable value becomes less than the allowable value. The reference color is a color printed by the plate cylinder on the most upstream side with respect to the conveyance direction of the printing medium,
The printing press control means includes:
If the amount of deviation that is equal to or greater than the allowable value occurs between the reference color and the other color, controlling a controlled unit required for printing the other color so that the amount of deviation is less than the allowable value;
If the deviation amount that is equal to or greater than the allowable value occurs between the other colors, controlling a controlled unit required for printing the other colors on the downstream side in the conveying direction of the printing medium;
The misregistration detection device according to claim 3. comprising a mark affixing device that affixes a mark to a position of the printing material where the deviation amount is equal to or greater than the tolerance value and a position of the printing material where the deviation amount greater than or equal to the tolerance value becomes less than the tolerance value; The misregistration detection device according to claim 1 or claim 2. The registration mark of the reference color and the registration mark of the other color are alternately printed on the printing substrate toward the conveyance direction of the printing substrate,
The register according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first deviation amount calculation means calculates the deviation amount between the registration mark of the other color and the registration mark of the reference color printed in front of the registration mark. Misalignment detection device. A printing machine that prints on a substrate in three or more colors using multiple plate cylinders,
A printing press comprising the misregistration detection device according to claim 1 or 2. A method for detecting misregistration performed in a printing press that prints three or more colors using multiple plate cylinders, the method comprising:
a first step of detecting the position of the registration mark of each color printed on the printing material by a detection means;
a second step of calculating a deviation amount between the registration mark of a reference color and the registration mark of another color by a first deviation amount calculation means;
a third step of calculating a deviation amount between the registration mark of the other color and the registration mark of the different color by a second deviation amount calculation means;
a fourth step of determining whether or not the amount of deviation is greater than or equal to a predetermined tolerance value;
A misregistration detection method having the following. A computer equipped with a misregistration detection device for printing of three or more colors using multiple plate cylinders,
a first step of causing a detection means to detect the position of each color registration mark printed on the printing material;
a second step of calculating a deviation amount between the registration mark of a reference color and the registration mark of another color by a first deviation amount calculation means;
a third step of calculating a deviation amount between the registration mark of the other color and the registration mark of the different color by a second deviation amount calculation means;
a fourth step of determining whether or not the amount of deviation is greater than or equal to a predetermined tolerance value;
A misalignment detection program to run.

Images