JPH04259552A - Rubber stamp manufacturing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent the occurrence of problems such as the inability to perform precise carving due to the elastic deformation of rubber by cooling a rubber stamp material at lower than a glass transition point to be cured using a cooling mechanism, and carving the material with the assistance of a rotating cutter. CONSTITUTION:A cooling machine 30 is activated to cool the air in a casing 10 at lower temperature than a glass transition point. Then this cooled air is blown to the rubber stamp material 18A from a cover 26 and the material is cured by maintaining the temperature below the level of a glass transition point with the concurrent cooling of a cutter 24. If the material 18 is cooled adequately, each cutter 24A, 24B is caused to rotate and a lift drive device 14 is activated by a computer through a Z axis control part according to carving information. At the same time, an X-Y table 12 is activated through an X-Y axis control part to move a stamp body 18 three-dimensionally. Further, a print image is carved on the rubber stamp material 18A by selecting between the cutters 24A, 24B.

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a rubber stamp manufacturing apparatus for forming a stamp image by engraving a rubber stamp material. [Prior Art] When manufacturing this type of rubber plate, conventionally,
The following process was adopted. First, a letter block for rubber format is created using a phototypesetting machine in a darkroom, the letter block is pasted onto a rubber format stock for proofreading, and then the letter block is printed onto letterpress film using a plate-making camera. Record the image. Next, a letterpress resin is exposed and developed using this letterpress film to create a letterpress, and then a matrix is made using a press using this letterpress. Then, the softened rubber stamp material is press-molded using this matrix, and then fixed to a rootstock to form a rubber stamp. [Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, with this method, the process is complicated and requires a lot of equipment and equipment, which increases manufacturing costs and has low productivity. It took about 10 to 15 days, and we were unable to meet the sudden demand. Additionally, since phototypesetting and letterpress techniques were required, there was also the problem of having to secure specialized technicians. [0004] When using stamp materials made of hard materials, automatic engraving using a rotary cutter has recently been used in some cases instead of the conventional manual engraving.
Engraving of a rubber stamp material using such an automatic engraving device has never been attempted before. Furthermore, when the present inventors used this type of automatic engraving device to engrave a rubber stamp material, the rubber stamp material elastically deformed and escaped from the rotating cutter, making it impossible to obtain a clear stamped image. It was found that it was impossible to carry out the project due to the following problems. The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus that can manufacture rubber plates with high productivity, at low cost, and in a short time. [Means for Solving the Problems] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a stamp material holding mechanism that removably fixes a rubber stamp material;
a cutter rotation mechanism that rotates a cutter disposed perpendicularly to the engraving surface of the rubber stamp material around its axis; and a Z mechanism that moves at least one of the stamp material holding mechanism and the cutter rotation mechanism in a direction toward and away from the other. a directional movement mechanism; an X-Y direction movement mechanism for moving at least one of the stamp material holding mechanism and the cutter rotation mechanism in a plane direction orthogonal to the Z axis; and a rubber stamp material fixed to the stamp material holding mechanism to undergo glass transition. The invention is characterized in that it is equipped with a cooling mechanism capable of cooling down to an engraving temperature lower than that of a point. [0008] Furthermore, a computer for controlling the respective operating amounts of the Z-direction moving mechanism and the X-Y direction moving mechanism, and an image input means for inputting information on the impression to be formed on the rubber stamp material into the computer; further comprising a reduction rate input means for inputting a cooling reduction rate of the rubber stamp material from room temperature to the engraving temperature into the computer;
The computer reduces the printed image information according to the cooling reduction rate to calculate engraving information, and controls each of the Z direction movement mechanism and the XY direction movement mechanism based on this engraving information. It may also be programmed to engrave rubber stamp material. [Function] According to the apparatus of the present invention, the rubber stamp material is cooled to a temperature lower than the glass transition point and hardened by the cooling mechanism while being engraved by the rotating cutter, so that the rubber does not stick to the cutter and damage it. Problems such as inability to perform accurate engraving due to elastic deformation of the rubber can be prevented, and engraving can be carried out efficiently. Furthermore, in the apparatus of claim 2, the cooling shrinkage rate of the rubber stamp material is input, the size of the print image is reduced in accordance with this cooling shrinkage rate by the computer, the engraving information is calculated, and the cooled rubber stamp material is Since the material is engraved based on the engraving information, when the rubber stamp material returns to room temperature, the stamp image expands and becomes exactly the desired size. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a rubber plate manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 10 is an airtight casing, and inside this casing 10 there is an X-Y
A table (X-Y direction moving mechanism) 12 is arranged horizontally. On this X-Y table 12 is a lift driver (Z
A directional movement mechanism) 14 is disposed, and a chuck (stamp material holding mechanism) 16 is mounted on the elevating driver 14, which clamps and fixes a stamp body 18 to be engraved between a pair of claws. The stamp body 18 includes a sheet-like rubber stamp material 18A and a support body 18B.
It is moved horizontally by the X-Y table 12 and vertically by the lift driver 14. On the other hand, the casing 10 has a chuck 16
An engraving machine (cutter rotation mechanism) 20 is installed above. This engraving machine 20 is equipped with a pair of chucks 22 on the lower surface, and a rough cutter 24A and a finishing cutter 24B are respectively attached to these chucks 22 facing directly below. These cutters 24A and 24B have sharp tips and can freely engrave the rubber stamp material 18A by rotating at high speed. A cover 26 is fixed to the lower surface of the engraving machine 20 so as to cover up to the middle of each chuck 22 and each cutter 24A, 24B. On the bottom surface of this cover 26,
An insertion hole is formed for protruding the tip of each cutter 24, and a large number of ejection holes are formed at positions that can face the rubber stamp material 18A. Further, the cover 26 is connected to a cooler (cooling mechanism) 30 via a duct 28, and this cooler 30 is further connected to the casing 10 via a duct 32.
is connected to the bottom of the. As a result, the casing 10
After the air inside is cooled by the cooler 30, the air inside the cover 2 is cooled.
6 and is sprayed onto the rubber stamp material 18A through the ejection hole and the insertion hole. The cooling device 30 cools the rubber stamp material 18A to a temperature lower than its glass transition point. Since the glass transition point varies greatly depending on the material of the rubber, the capacity of the cooler 30 is appropriately controlled depending on the material. Note that the glass transition point is generally considered to be either the inflection point (intersection of gradient tangents) at which the dynamic elastic modulus of a substance begins to decrease, or the temperature at which the loss modulus reaches a maximum. In the case of materials, the inflection point is observed at two locations, and the change in dynamic elastic modulus at a temperature lower than the glass transition point is unclear, so in this specification, the temperature at which the loss modulus is maximum is is defined as the glass transition point. Further, it is preferable that the rubber stamp material 18A used in the present invention has a glass transition point higher than -50°C. When the glass transition point is lower than -50°C, the cooler 30 becomes large-scale and cooling cost increases. Specific materials for rubber stamp materials include butadiene acrylonitrile rubber (NBR), butadiene styrene rubber (SBR),
Examples include butadiene rubber (BR). In the case of NBR, the glass transition point can be adjusted by changing the acrylonitrile content. Next, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of this device. The lift driver 14 is connected to a computer 38 via a Z-axis control section 34, and the X-Y table 12 is connected to the computer 38 via an X-Y control section 36. The computer 38 also includes a keyboard 40, an image scanner 42, a C
While a CD camera 44 etc. is connected, as an output device,
A CRT 48 for displaying images, a printer 50, etc. are connected, and an R
An OM (dictionary recording device) is connected. FIG. 3 is an operational block diagram of the program input to the computer 38. In this program, we first create a variety of layouts that will become the outline of the impression using C.
Displayed on the RT 48, one type is selected by operating the keyboard 40, and its dimensions are input. Next, the characters to be printed in kana are entered from the keyboard 40, and the font for the print is selected, and the computer 38 is set to R.
Appropriate kanji information is called from the OM 46 and kana-kanji conversion is performed in the selected font. [0018] The ROM 46 stores in advance Mincho typeface, Gothic typeface (square Gothic typeface, round Gothic typeface), regular block typeface, gyosho typeface,
Reisho fonts, old seal fonts, various numeral fonts, various foreign fonts, rubber layout collections, etc. are recorded. If you need typefaces, logos, marks, symbols, codes, handwritten characters, etc. that are not recorded in the ROM 46, use the image scanner 42, C
The information may be input as image information using the CD camera 44 or other means. When the input of character information is completed, the character information is displayed on the CRT 48 overlapping the previously input layout. If the balance between the layout and character information is poor, the user operates the keyboard 40 in this state to appropriately transform and enlarge or reduce the character image to match the layout. The image information (layout+character information) created in this way is referred to as impression information. Next, the operator selects on the keyboard 40 whether or not the stamp material to be engraved is rubber, and if it is rubber, further inputs its cooling shrinkage rate. The cooling shrinkage rate is the dimensional shrinkage rate of the rubber stamp material 18A from room temperature to engraving temperature,
Measure it in advance by experiment. The computer 38 reduces the size of the print information according to this cooling shrinkage rate and calculates the engraving information. This process is performed because if the cooled rubber stamp material 18A is engraved based on the print image information, the print image will be larger than the desired size when the temperature returns to normal temperature. On the other hand, the cooler 30 is operated to cool the air inside the casing 10 to a temperature lower than the glass transition point, and then spray the air from the cover 26 onto the rubber stamp material 18A, thereby hardening it by keeping the temperature lower than the glass transition point. At the same time, the cutter 24 is also cooled. After the rubber stamp material 18A has sufficiently cooled, each cutter 24A, 24B is rotated, and the Z-axis controller 34 is controlled by the computer 38 based on the engraving information.
The elevator drive unit 14 is actuated via the X-Y
Operate the X-Y table 12 via the axis control unit 36,
Moving the printing body 18 three-dimensionally, each cutter 24A, 24
A stamp image is engraved on the rubber stamp material 18A while using B properly. According to experiments conducted by the present inventors, it has been found that the rotational speed of the cutter during engraving is preferably about 20,000 to 50,000 rpm. If the rotation speed was less than 20,000 rpm, the number of rotations would be insufficient and the cutter might break. Further, if the rotation speed is higher than 50,000 rpm, frictional heat will be large, and there is a possibility that the rubber stamp material cannot be maintained at a sufficiently low temperature. [0023] Furthermore, the depth of engraving is preferably 0.3~
It is assumed to be 2.0 mm. If the depth is less than 0.3 mm, a clear printed image cannot be obtained, and if the depth is deeper than 2.0 mm, the risk of breakage of the cutter increases significantly. However, this is not the case if the cutter performance and mechanical precision are improved. According to the rubber stamp manufacturing apparatus having the above configuration, the cutter 24A rotates while the rubber stamp material 18A is cooled to a temperature lower than the glass transition point and hardened by the cooler 30.
, 24B, the rubber elastically deforms and escapes from the cutters 24A, 24B, preventing problems such as inability to perform accurate engraving, and enables efficient engraving. Therefore, it is possible to significantly improve the productivity of rubber plates and reduce costs. Furthermore, since the device in this example is computer-controlled as described above, rubber sheets ordered by customers can be delivered on the spot.For example, even address sheets with a relatively large number of characters can be delivered. , it becomes possible to complete the engraving in a few minutes to more than ten minutes. Furthermore, in this device, the cooling shrinkage rate of the rubber stamp material 18A is input, and the computer 38 reduces the size of the print information according to this cooling shrinkage rate, calculates the engraving information, and then prints the cooled rubber stamp material. Since the rubber stamp material 18A is engraved based on the engraving information, when the rubber stamp material 18A returns to room temperature, the stamped image is enlarged and becomes exactly the desired size. Therefore, engraving can be performed on a rubber stamp material with the same accuracy as when using a hard stamp material, without relying on the experience of the operator. In the above-mentioned device configuration, an air curtain device is used instead of the casing 10, and the cold air from the cooler 30 is confined around the rubber stamp material 18A by air flow to cool the rubber stamp material 18A. Good too. In this case, since the engraving operation can be performed through the air flow of the air curtain, the engraving operation becomes easier than when the casing 10 is used. Furthermore, in the apparatus of the above embodiment, the cooler 30
In addition to rubber stamp materials, wood, acrylic, Bakelite, polycarbonate, aluminum alloy,
It is also possible to engrave materials such as brass. Further, other configurations of the apparatus may be changed as appropriate. For example, the cutter side may be moved in the X-Y-Z directions, or the number of cutters may be one. Furthermore, although air was used as the cooling medium in the above embodiments, the present invention is not limited to this;
Gas such as carbon dioxide gas or liquid may be used as the cooling medium, or there may be a method of engraving with the rubber stamp material placed on a cooled cooling body without using this type of fluid, or a method of engraving with the rubber stamp material placed on a cooled cooling medium, or It is also possible to place a coolant such as dry ice on the engraving machine, or to place the entire engraving machine in a freezing room and perform engraving in a cooled environment. Furthermore, with the apparatus of the present invention, it is not necessarily necessary to continue cooling the rubber stamp material during engraving, and there is a method in which engraving can be completed before the sufficiently cooled rubber stamp material is heated to a temperature higher than the glass transition point. is also possible. (Experimental Example) Next, an experimental example will be given to demonstrate the effect of the apparatus of the present invention. An apparatus having the configuration shown in FIG. 1 was actually created, and engraving was performed while cooling the rubber stamp material and measuring the surface temperature. The rubber stamp material used was butadiene acrylonitrile rubber "B-" manufactured by Showa Rubber Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.
70'', ``50-1'', and ``60-3'' (all product names), and their respective glass transition points are -33.1℃ and -
1.2℃, 0.0℃. Table 1 shows the engraving conditions and engraving results.
Shown below. [Table 1] ──────────────────────────
────────── Rubber stamp material glass transition point
Engraving temperature Engraving result
(℃) (℃)
────────────────────
────────────── B-70
-33.1 At room temperature, engraving is not possible due to rubber escape B-70 -33.1
0 Unable to engrave due to rubber escape B-70
-33.1 -8 Unable to engrave due to rubber escape B-70 -33.1
-50 Good sharpness, commercialization possible──────────
──────────────────────────
50-1 -1.2
At room temperature, engraving is not possible due to rubber escape 50-1
-1.2 0 Unable to engrave due to rubber escape 50-1 -1.2
-1.2 Burrs occur due to variations in sharpness 50
-1 -1.2 -50 Good sharpness, commercialization possible ───
──────────────────────────
────── 60-3 0
．． 0 At room temperature, engraving is not possible due to rubber escape.
60-3 0.0 0
Burrs occur due to variations in sharpness.
60-3 0.0-8
Good sharpness, commercialization possible 60-3
0.0 -50 Good sharpness, commercialization possible────────────────────────
────────── [Effect] As explained above, according to the rubber stamp manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention, the rubber stamp material is cooled to a temperature lower than the glass transition point and hardened. Since the rubber stamp material is engraved using a rotary cutter, problems such as the rubber material being elastically deformed and escaping from the cutter and not being cut can be prevented, and engraving can be performed efficiently and accurately. Therefore, compared to conventional methods using phototypesetting and letterpress printing, the productivity of rubber formats can be significantly improved and costs can be reduced. Furthermore, according to the apparatus according to claim 2 of the present invention, the cooling shrinkage rate of the rubber stamp material is input, and the size of the print information is reduced in accordance with the cooling shrinkage rate by the computer.
After calculating the engraving information, the cooled rubber stamp material is engraved based on the engraving information, so when the rubber stamp material returns to room temperature, the stamp image is enlarged to accurately achieve the desired size. therefore,
To engrave rubber stamp materials with the same accuracy as when using hard stamp materials without relying on the experience of workers.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a rubber plate manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the device.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a program of the device.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Casing 12 X-Y table (X-Y direction movement mechanism) 14
Elevating drive (Z direction moving mechanism) 16 Chuck (stamp material holding mechanism) 18 Stamp body 18A Rubber stamp material 18B Support body 20 Cutter rotation mechanism 24A, 24B Cutter 26 Cover 30 Cooler (cooling mechanism) 38 Computer

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A stamp material holding mechanism that removably fixes a rubber stamp material, a cutter rotation mechanism that rotates a cutter disposed perpendicularly to the engraving surface of the rubber stamp material about its axis, the stamp material holding mechanism and the cutter. a Z-direction moving mechanism that moves at least one of the rotation mechanisms toward the other in a direction toward and away from the other; and an X-Y direction that moves at least one of the stamp material holding mechanism and the cutter rotation mechanism in a plane direction perpendicular to the Z-axis. 1. A rubber plate manufacturing apparatus, comprising: a moving mechanism; and a cooling mechanism capable of cooling a rubber stamp material fixed to the stamp material holding mechanism to an engraving temperature lower than its glass transition point. 2. A computer that controls the respective operating amounts of the Z-direction moving mechanism and the X-Y direction moving mechanism, and an image input means for inputting information on an image to be formed on a rubber stamp material into the computer, reduction rate input means for inputting into the computer a cooling reduction rate of the rubber stamp material from room temperature to the engraving temperature, the computer reducing the print image information according to the cooling reduction rate. The rubber stamp material is programmed to calculate engraving information based on the engraving information, and to control each of the Z-direction moving mechanism and the X-Y direction moving mechanism to engrave the rubber stamp material. The rubber plate manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1.