EP1619154A2 - Device for the synchronization of an operation cycle of a device with the sequence of movement of a material moved along a path and method for the use of this device - Google Patents

Abstract

The assembly to synchronize the movement of material (01) along a movement path (B) during a process cycle, e.g. paper through a printing press, uses a structure (03) on the material surface (02) which is scanned by an image sensor (06) in at least two discrete successive time points for an image. The image data (18) are passed to an evaluation unit (07) where the structure shift is detected through its movement, for signals (08,11) to be transmitted to synchronize the printing press clock generator (09) and the working of a line camera (12) or laser perforator.

Description

The invention relates to a device for synchronizing a working cycle of a device with a sequence of movement of a moving material along a movement path according to the preamble of claim 1 and a method of using this device according to the preamble of claim 75.

For example, on a printing press, z. B. a web-fed printing press or a sheet-fed press, especially in an offset printing press, the problem arises that with a movement of a moving through the printing press substrate z. B. involved in the manufacturing process of a printed product to be produced by the printing product or to monitor the printing process for quality control or to support a printing device of the printing press to synchronize or at least to control. In this case, in the manufacturing process of the printed product, the movement of the printing material through the printing press in the case of a web-like configuration of the printing material z. B. at a speed between 10 m / s and 12 m / s or in the case of an arcuate configuration of the substrate z. B. between 15,000 sheets / h and 18,000 sheets / h or in each case with even greater speed values.

A printing process monitoring device may be a sensor system, wherein the sensor system z. B. is formed as an imaging system, wherein the imaging system z. B. has a line scan camera, wherein the line scan camera with at least one line of photosensitive sensor elements directed transversely to the transport direction of the printing material at least from a part of a surface of the Substrate line by line takes a picture. However, the image lines taken sequentially by the line scan camera only lead to a meaningful image of the surface of the printing material if the individual recorded image lines always correlate with traveled distances of the same length directed by the moving printing material in its transport direction, ie if the individual recorded image lines follow one another as equidistantly as possible and map in their juxtaposition as completely as possible at least part of the surface of the printing material. To synchronize a line scan camera with the movement of the printing material, it is necessary that the signal synchronizing the process of image recording already after very short distances traveled by the substrate and thus after a very short time, if z. B. the same applied to the substrate printed image should be at least almost completely imaged by a sequence of image lines. The length of such a route is usually measured in the range of significantly less than 1 mm.

An involved in the manufacturing process of the printed matter device may alternatively or additionally z. B. also be a perforator, in particular a laser perforator, with each of which a perforation is introduced into the substrate to the division in constant sections, which in turn leads to good results, if the perforator is activated at precisely such times, after the substrate each distance of equal length have been covered. In practice, it is necessary for the production of printed products with an equal section length that the same distance traveled by the printing substrate for a large number of printed products to be produced is determined with consistently high accuracy. During the manufacturing process, therefore, a disturbing influence on the length of the sections should be avoided.

A signal with which the device to be synchronized with the movement of the printing material can be synchronized, z. B. be obtained by that with a rotary body of the printing machine, in particular a printing material-carrying cylinder or a printing material-carrying roller, a rotary encoder is connected, wherein the rotary encoder in response to the rotation of the rotary body provides a correlated with a distance traveled by the printing material signal, the signal from a control device for controlling the synchronizing device is used. Such a device is z. Example, in US 6,715,417 B2, wherein an encoder with a forme cylinder, a transfer cylinder or a counter-pressure cylinder of a printing machine is coaxially connected, wherein an encoder provided by the correlating with the rotation of the cylinder signal is used to a reading time for receiving a To set a printing field applied color measuring field, which is dispensed with a further determination of the position of the printing material.

However, a rotary encoder provides erroneous results as soon as a slip occurs between the surface of the printing material and the lateral surface of the rotary body, which can not be excluded in particular if the printing material wraps around the rotary body only partially, but in the manufacturing process of the printed product in the printing press Is the rule. Also, the rotating body may wear out in the manufacturing process of the printed product, resulting in a change in its circumferential length. For these reasons, it is not guaranteed that the signal generated by the encoder continued reliable with the actual distance traveled by the substrate with the z. B. correlated to the synchronization of a line scan camera or a perforator required accuracy.

To avoid the formation of slippage and the use of a particular against the body rotation elastic spring friction wheel with a z. B. rubberized lateral surface little helpful, because by the contact of the friction wheel with the surface of the printing material of the substrate or even a printed image applied to the surface can take damage. This disadvantage is especially in the Production of high-quality printed products unacceptable, which is why the generation of the signal required for the synchronization should be non-contact and free of feedback for the substrate. Incidentally, a friction wheel for a guided between it and the rotating body printing slip can not be completely excluded.

The use of a rotary encoder also fails z. B. on a sheet-fed press, in which the substrate is transported after passing through the last printing unit by a guided on a chain system gripper system, because this predominantly does not provide a suitable rotational body having transport path virtually no way to arrange the encoder. However, the generation of the signal required for synchronization should also z. B. be possible for a stamped by a pure linear motion movement of the printing material.

Because of the disadvantages associated with motion detection of the substrate by means of a rotary encoder mounted on a rotary body, JP 10038901 A has proposed a non-contact speed measuring device, wherein a CCD area image sensor of a portion of a web of material focused by a focused on the surface of the web Lens takes an image and an image processor evaluates an output signal of the image sensor in a high-pass process with respect to a speed of the material web. However, control or even synchronization of a device operating with high precision as a function of a distance traveled by the printing material is neither possible with the speed measuring device described in JP 10038901 A, nor is there any indication of this.

The present invention contemplates that the basis of synchronization of a high precision device with a path traveled by the substrate is a real time accurate determination of the distance traveled along the path of movement of the substrate. To synchronize with high-precision equipment with the distance covered by the substrate, the determination of the length of the distance must be carried out very quickly and virtually without delay in view of the high speed at which the movement of the printing material through the printing press.

DE 35 02 406 A1 discloses a method and a device for the continuous, non-contact determination of the length of an undivided, moving body, in particular a continuous casting, with optically specific surface structure, each with an optical device at two different times a snapshot of the moved body is recorded and stored, wherein the two snapshots coincide with each other except for an offset caused by the movement of the body, wherein the offset of a partial length of the body is determined, this determination is cyclically at high speed and wherein the measurement signal from a computing unit for controlling one of these length measuring device downstream cutting device can be used.

The invention has for its object to provide a device for synchronizing a working cycle of a device with a movement of a moving material along a movement path and a method for using this device, wherein the device, the determination of a distance traveled by the substrate at high speed distance in real time performed with high accuracy.

The object is achieved by the features of claim 1 or 74.

The advantages that can be achieved with the invention are, in particular, that a distance traveled by the material along a path of movement can be reliably determined with high accuracy even for a very short length of the path even when the material is at a very high speed emotional. The determination of the distance covered by the material is non-contact and thus wear-free, both on a plane and on a curved surface of the material. On the basis of the determined distance, a signal is generated in the preferred embodiment, for. B. involved in the manufacturing process of the printing product to be produced by the printing press or to monitor the printing process or to convey the printing material or any other high-precision device of the printing press with the distance covered by the material or at least to control. In addition, the proposed device can be realized inexpensively. Preferably, a lighting device is provided which favors the measurement made by the image sensor by a change in contrast or a contrast enhancement.

Another advantage is that even a movement of the material directed sideways to the movement path can be detected. From a recognized, z. B. unintentional sideways movement of the material, a correction signal can be generated either to correct the movement of the material or to track an image taken by the device.

An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawings and will be described in more detail below, whereby further advantages will become apparent.

Fig. 1

eine Prinzipdarstellung der vorgeschlagenen Vorrichtung;

Fig. 2 bis 4

hinsichtlich der Oberfläche des Materials unterschiedliche Anordnungen eines Bildsensors der Vorrichtung und einer ihm zugeordneten Beleuchtungsquelle.

Show it:

Fig. 1

a schematic diagram of the proposed device;

Fig. 2 to 4

with respect to the surface of the material different arrangements of an image sensor of the device and an associated illumination source.

According to FIG. 1, the device for determining a distance S traveled by a moving material 01 along a movement path B has an image sensor 06, wherein the material 01 is a surface 02 parallel to the movement path B, that is, H. surface 02 having at least one structure 03 lying in the plane of trajectory B, wherein image sensor 06 images the same structure 03 in an image at at least two discrete successive points in time at the same magnification and at the same time correlating image data 18 with the respective image an evaluation unit 07 leads, wherein the image data 18 generated at different times in relation to each other due to the movement of the material 01 have a shift of the structure 03. The evaluation unit 07 preferably calculates mathematically from the displacement of the structure 03, taking into account the magnification of the distance traveled by the material 01 distance S. Known, fixed, d. H. immutable mechanical relationships z. B. in the pixel arrangement of the image sensor 06 can be used in the evaluation of the image data 18 to quantify the distance traveled by the material 01 distance S as a mechanical reference or scale.

In the preferred embodiment, the evaluation unit 07 sets, after a distance S traveled by the material 01, preferably at distances S of the same length traveled by the material 01, a signal 08 for the synchronization of an operation to be synchronized with the distance S traveled by the material 01. The remote from the evaluation unit 07 and optionally processed signal 08 thus has the effect of a clock 09. A clock provided by the 09 available, z. B. pulse-like signal 11, whose clock-giving property in one embodiment may also already be included in the remote from the evaluation unit 07 signal 08, is used to synchronize at least one particularly working with high precision device 12 with the distance covered by the material 01 distance S. or to control. The at least one device 12 is thus a device 12 operating in a work cycle to be synchronized, ie, the workflow of this Device 12 is subdivided into a multiplicity of recurring sections, wherein a length or duration of these sections is to be matched to the movement sequence of the material 01 moved along a movement path B. For example, exactly one working cycle of the device 12 takes place after each distance S traveled by the material 01.

The at least one device 12 is z. B. as a material 01 in its processing process monitoring, processing or conveying device 12 is formed. In particular, the device 12 is designed as a line scan camera 12 or as a perforator 12, preferably as a laser perforator 12. The signal 11 provided by the clock 09 may also be used to synchronize a plurality of devices 12 with the distance S traveled by the material 01 of the material 01 moved along the path of movement B, e.g. B. a line scan camera 12 and a perforator 12 or another the material 01 in its processing process monitoring, processing or conveying device 12th

The material 01 is preferably a substrate 01, the z. B. in the form of a web of material 01, z. B. a paper web 01 or a film 01, or a sheet 01 or more successively to be printed sheet 01 is formed.

The movement path B of the material 01 indicated in FIG. 1 by an arrow can run in a straight line or curved along a curved line. In the preferred embodiment, the movement path B of the material 01 runs within a printing press operating in an offset printing method, wherein the movement path B can also run along at least part of a lateral surface of a roller arranged in the printing press or of a cylinder arranged there. Depending on the course of the movement path B, the surface 02 of the material 01 is flat or curved, in particular convex.

The structure 03 of the material 01 preferably consists of a structure consisting of microscopic parts, for. B. of fibers of the printing material 01, in particular of paper fibers, from a on the surface 02 of the material 01 applied one or more layer coating, for. B. from an applied printing ink or from a plurality successively printed on one another printing inks, or from an application of the material 01. The structure 03 of the material 01 preferably forms from the surface 02 of the material 01 exalted protruding or deepened in it relief.

The image sensor 06 is z. B. as a surface image sensor 06, preferably formed as a CCD chip having surface camera 06. The image sensor 06 is designed, in particular, as an area camera 06 with a partially readable CMOS image sensor, wherein an image field of the area camera 06 can be adjusted, in particular, limited in size. The size of the image field of the area camera 06 can be adapted in particular to a refresh rate of the area camera 06. The image field of the image sensor 06 can therefore have different operating positions.

An arranged between the surface 02 of the material 01 and the image sensor 06 optics 13, z. As an existing at least one lens and / or at least one mirror optical system projects a preferably rectangular portion 14 of the surface 02 of the material 01, which is shown in Fig. 1 with a dash-dotted outline, along an optical axis 16 the image field of the image sensor 06, wherein the optical axis 16 with the surface 02 of the material 01 an angle γ of z. B. 45 ° to 90 °. The projected onto the image field of the image sensor 06 part 14 of the surface 02 of the material 01 determined for the preferably stationary image sensor 06 a scanning 14. Between the surface 02 of the material 01 and one of the surface 02 of the material 01 facing end face 17 of the optics 13 remains a distance A13 from a mechanically movable element, for. B. of a handling device of the printing press, in particular of a gripper system, at Need to go through. The at least one device for determining a distance S traveled by the moving material 01 along the movement path B thus operates in any case with respect to the surface 02 of the material 01 without contact. The distance A13 measures in the range between 10 mm and 1,000 mm, preferably between 50 mm and 400 mm.

The optical system 13 forms the part 14 of the surface 02 of the material 01, in particular the structure 03 contained in this part 14 of the surface 02 of the material 01, at a plurality of successive discrete points in time at an identical magnification on the image field of the image sensor 06 , Due to the small size of the structure 03, the magnification is selected such that the image of the structure 03 on the image field of the image sensor 06 on a scale of 1: 1 or even in the form of an enlargement. The image sensor 06 has a suitable resolution with regard to its pixels, at least in its image field. The optics 13 is z. B. formed as a telecentric lens, so that a z. B. caused by vibrations of the material 01 change of the distance A13, the image of the structure 03 on the image field of the image sensor 06 is not possible or only very slightly changed. In particular, in the image of the surface 02 of a very thin, soft material 01, z. As paper of low grammage or z. B. made of a plastic film, the use of a telecentric optics 13 is advantageous because a telecentric optics 13 a slight distance variation, as they are in the transport of very thin, soft material 01 z. B. may occur due to vibrations and / or wave formation compensated, which is why z. B. caused by vibrations and / or wave formation distance variations do not immediately lead to a negative impact on the measurement result. Incidentally, the use of a telecentric optical system 13 also enables an error-free detection of the surface 02 of a material 01 guided along a curved or curved trajectory B. The use of a telecentric optical system 13 saves tracking of the measuring distance, ie in particular of the distance A13. Because of the distance tolerance of the telecentric optics 13 is also a recalibration z. B. the image data 18 of the image sensor 06 evaluating evaluating unit 07 is not required.

In the evaluation unit 07, the image data 18 supplied by the image sensor 06, which correlate with images which the image sensor 06 has taken at two different points in time from the same structure 03, with a suitable algorithm, for. B. a correlation method, analyzed and z. B. evaluated by a measurement to that effect, which shift the structure has taken 03 due to the interim movement of the material 01. In this case, the displacement of the structure 03 is quantified, at least with regard to the length of the displacement vector. Taking into account the magnification, the evaluation unit 07 then determines the distance S traveled by the material 01.

In the two-dimensional image field of the image sensor 06, a lateral displacement to the movement path B of the material 01 can also be ascertained, in that the evaluation unit 07 determines the direction of the displacement and optionally the extent of the lateral offset of the structure 03 detected from the displacement. Thus, the evaluation unit 07 can provide a further signal 19, optionally after a corresponding preparation or amplification, available, which correlates with the lateral offset of the structure 03 and thus also with the structure 03 having stationary material 01, wherein this signal 19 thereto it is possible to use at least one further device, in particular the high precision device 12. The two-dimensional image field of the image sensor 06 can also be used to produce a precise, always similar image of the structure 03 by a lateral movement of the material 01 in the evaluating unit 07 evaluating the image data 18 of the image sensor 06 by applying a correction method, for. B. an image processing method, is computationally compensated, so that made by the evaluation unit 07 determination of the distance traveled by the material 01 distance S unaffected by the sideways movement of the material 01 takes place. A Sideways movement of the material 01 may, for. B. be the result of tolerance-related, incorrectly adjusted, worn and / or even damaged guide elements for guiding the material 01. An applicable correction method can provide for defining or redefining a start pixel of each image line of the image sensor 06 depending on the signal 19 correlating with the lateral offset of the structure 03, as soon as the signal 19 reaches a previously determined, e.g. B. reaches or exceeds the limit stored in the evaluation unit 07.

The signals required for the synchronization of the device 12 signals 08; 11 or the signal 19 required for controlling a device with respect to a lateral movement of the material 01 can therefore be provided in real time because the displacement of a structure 03 which does not change its shape along its displacement path can be evaluated quickly by the evaluation unit 07, wherein As already described, the displacement of image data 18 generated at two different points in time results in their relation to one another as a result of the movement of the material 01. The structure 03 therefore remains unchanged in its shape at at least two different times at which the image sensor 06 images it. After mapping the structure 03 on the image field of the image sensor 06 at a first time, the evaluation unit 07 only needs to determine which coordinates this now known structure 03 at a second time within the image field of the image sensor 06 and the change in the coordinates z. B. determine by a difference, the coordinates determine a position of at least a portion of the structure 03 within the image field of the image sensor 06. The evaluation method applied by the evaluation unit 07 therefore requires that the image data 18 generated at at least two different times have a sufficient overlapping area with respect to the image field of the image sensor 06 having the structure 03, and that both image data 18 at least partially map the structure 03. The image refresh rate of the image sensor 06 is preferably adapted to the speed of the moving material 01 or at least adaptable. If the speed of the moving material 01 is very low, the distance S of the material 01 covered between two consecutive image recordings can have a limiting effect on the image refresh rate of the image sensor 06, because the successive image recordings must have the mentioned sufficient overlap area, so that the displacement of the structure 03 within the Image field of the image sensor 06 can be determined. In this case, the low speed of the moving material 01, an intermediate clock can be determined reliably by interpolation or extrapolation from previous image recordings.

The proposed device accordingly has the particular advantages that it quickly determines the distance S traveled by the moving material 01 due to the low evaluation time due to the method, and is also capable of detecting and quantifying a displacement of only a very short length. Therefore, the proposed device can also be used to synchronize picture lines of a line scan camera 12. The image repetition rate of the image sensor 06 is significantly higher than the line clock of the line camera 12. The length of the displacement vector of the evaluation of the evaluation unit 07 to be evaluated displacement of the structure 03 is also extremely small, if covered by the moving material 01 between two images S distance in the field a local blur of the to be controlled by the evaluation unit 07 device 12 is located.

It is advantageous to place the scanning location 14 of the image sensor 06, ie the part 14 of the surface 02 of the material 01 projected onto the image field of the image sensor 06, as close as possible to the location at which a device 12 to be synchronized or at least to be controlled the material 01 acts. Thus, the scanning 14 of the image sensor 06 z. B. cover the line-shaped Abtastspur a synchronized line camera 12 at least partially. As a result, the existing from the image acquisition and image analysis and z. B. acting on the line camera 12 timing chain resistant to a spontaneous change in the speed of the material 01st

Preferably, at least the scanning location 14 of the image sensor 06 illuminating illumination source 21 is provided, wherein the illumination source 21 z. B. as a constant light source 21 or as a flash light source 21 is executed. The brightness of the illumination source 21 or its flash duration or optionally also the exposure time of the image field of the image sensor 06 are z. B. adapted to the particular nature of the surface 02 of the material 01 or at least customizable. In particular, when the scanning location 14 of the image sensor 06 and the line-shaped scanning track of a line camera 12 to be synchronized overlap at least partially, the light color of the illumination source 21 and the color sensitivity of the image field of the image sensor 06 are advantageously chosen such that they are outside of that of the line camera 12 for their Image capture used spectral range are to avoid mutual interference of line scan camera 12 and image sensor 06. If the image recording of the line camera 12 z. B. takes place in the visible spectrum, for the color sensitivity of the image field of the image sensor 06 and the adapted light color of the illumination source 21, the range z. B. the infrared or ultraviolet radiation can be used. This ensures that the line scan camera 12 and the image sensor 06 operate independently of each other and without mutual interference with respect to their respective image recordings, since their respective spectral sensitivity is free of overlap by the differently selected spectral ranges, even if the scan location 14 of the image sensor 06 and the line scan trace of the to be synchronized line camera 12 coincide locally.

The illumination source 21 is also like the image sensor 06 associated optics 13 spaced from the surface 02 of the material 01, for. B. at a distance A21, wherein the distance A21 from a mechanically movable element, for. B. by a handling device of the printing press, in particular by a gripper system, if necessary can be traversed. The distance A21 measures z. B. in the area between 30 mm and 200 mm, preferably between 80 mm and 140 mm.

The illumination source 21 is arranged to the surface 02 of the material 01 such that the structure 03 is highlighted on the surface 02 of the material 01 with the light emitted by the illumination source 21. For this purpose, the illumination source 21 is arranged with its optical axis 22 at an angle α to the optical axis 16 of the optical system 13, wherein the angle α z. B. between 0 ° and 90 °, in particular between 45 ° and 90 °. The light irradiated by the illumination source 21 along its optical axis 22 at the angle α onto the surface 02 of the material 01 then generates a shadow of the structure 03, whereby image contrasts are enhanced. A solid angle ω at which the illumination source 21 emits its light is preferably narrow and is z. Between 0.00006 sr and 0.05 sr.

For different textures of the surface 02 of the material 01 and its structure 03, various arrangements of the illumination source 21 may be advantageous, wherein the arrangements z. B. at a distance A21 of the illumination source 21 from the surface 02 of the material 01 or at the angle α, the illumination source 21 with its optical axis 22 to the optical axis 16 of the optics 13 occupy different. Two different arrangements of the illumination source 21 are shown by way of example in FIG. In any case, the evaluation unit 07 can control the operation and optionally also the operating position of the illumination source 21 with a signal 24 transmitted to a control device 23, the control device 23 in turn acting on the illumination source 21 with a corresponding signal 26.

As FIGS. 2 to 4 show, with regard to the surface 02 of the material 01, different arrangements of the image sensor 06 and the illumination source 21 assigned to it can be provided. For a matte surface 02 of the material 01 and / or its structure 03, an arrangement according to FIG. 1 or 2 is advantageous, wherein the optical axis 16 of the optical system 13 with the surface 02 of the material 01 a Angle γ of 90 ° and the angle α between the optical axis 16 of the optics 13 and the optical axis 22 of the illumination source 21 is selected to be greater than 45 °. The light irradiated by the illumination source 21 onto the surface 02 of the material 01 then takes place as a grazing light.

For a specular, highly reflective surface 02 of the material 01 and / or its structure 03, an arrangement according to FIG. 3 can lead to better results, wherein the incident on the surface 02 of the material 01 at an angle of incidence of ½ α light under a the Incident angle of ½ α at least almost corresponding angle of failure of also ½ α hits the image field of the image sensor 06, whereby at the pixels on the image field of the image sensor 06, a particularly high signal level is generated. In this case, a reflective surface 27 does not necessarily have to be arranged parallel to the other surface 02 of the material 01, as indicated by a dashed line in FIG. 3 and a solder 28 orthogonal to it. At a sampling location 14 not homogeneous even, but z. B. wavy or ramp-shaped surface 27, the arrangement of the image sensor 06 and its associated illumination source 21 is preferably determined by the orientation of the largest surface portion of the surface 27.

Figs. 1 and 4 show a device with several, z. B. two illumination sources 21, which can be selectively used. For this purpose, the evaluation unit 07 controls z. B. the control device 23, whereby a switchover between the illumination sources 21 takes place. The illumination sources 21 each have different angles β1 with their respective optical axis 22; β2 to the surface 02; 27 of the material 01 on. The right in Fig. 4 illumination source 21 is preferably suitable for illuminating a shiny, reflective surface 02; 27, since with respect to the surface 02; 27 and the optical axis 16 of the image sensor 06 is arranged under the provision of incident angle equal to the angle of reflection, whereas the left in Fig. 4 illumination source 21 is more for illuminating a rough, matte Surface 02; 27 is suitable.

In particular, if the image refresh rate of the image sensor 06 is higher than is required to generate the signal 08 for synchronization of a process to be synchronized with the traveled distance S of the material 01, an evaluation of at least one image acquisition of the image sensor that is not required to generate the signal 08 can be performed Be used 06 that the proposed device automatically to a condition of the surface 02; 27 of the material 01 adapts. If the evaluation of at least one image acquisition of the image sensor 06 which is not required to generate the signal 08 results in the image of the structure 03 being overexposed or underexposed on the image field of the image sensor 06, the evaluation unit 07 can be used for example. B. adjust the brightness of the illumination source 21 or the flash duration or, optionally, alternatively, the exposure time of the image field of the image sensor 06 automatically. If the evaluation of at least one image acquisition of the image sensor 06 that is not required to generate the signal 08 shows that the image contrast of the structure 03 imaged on the image field of the image sensor 06 is too low and thus falls below a preset threshold value, the evaluation unit 07 can eg. B. switch between the multiple, controlled by her lighting sources 21 and one for the currently present surface 02; 27 of the material 01 bring more suitable illumination source 21 used, which thus for the currently present surface 02; 27 of the material 01 produces the highest image contrast for the structure 03 imaged on the image field of the image sensor 06. This automatic adaptation of the proposed device is preferably carried out before the next required for generating the signal 08 image acquisition. Due to the automatic adaptation, the proposed device becomes a self-learning system.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

01

Material, substrate, web, paper web, foil, sheet

02

surface

03

structure

04

-

05

-

06

Image sensor, area image sensor, area camera

07

evaluation

08

signal

09

clock

10

-

11

signal

12

Set up, line scan camera, perforator, laser perforator

13

optics

14

Part of the surface (02), scanning location

15

-

16

optical axis (06; 13)

17

front

18

image data

19

signal

20

-

21

Illumination source, constant light source, flash light source

22

optical axis (21)

23

control device

24

signal

25

-

26

signal

27

surface

28

solder

A13

distance

A21

distance

B

trajectory

S

route

α

angle

β1; β2

angle

γ

angle

ω

solid angle

Claims (77)

Device for synchronizing a working cycle of a device (12) with a movement sequence of a material (01) moved along a movement path (B), wherein the material (01) moved along the movement path (B) covers at least one path (S) in its movement sequence, wherein the material (01) has a surface (02) lying in the plane of the movement path (B) with at least one structure (03), wherein an image sensor (06) displays the structure (03) at least two consecutive discrete times in each case in one image wherein the image sensor (06) respectively passes image data (18) correlating to the respective image to an evaluation unit (07), wherein the structure (03) at the time of its subsequent imaging with respect to the time of its previous imaging as a result of the movement of the material (01 ), wherein the evaluation unit (07) determines from the displacement of the structure (03) the distance (S) traveled by the material (01) , wherein the evaluation unit (07) after the distance traveled by the material (01) (S) a signal (08; 11) for synchronization of the power stroke of the device (12), characterized in that in its working clock with the signal (08; 11) of the evaluation unit (07) synchronized device (12) is designed at least as a line scan camera (12) the line scan camera (12) records an image line by line in its working cycle at least from a part of the surface (02) of the material (01). Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the image sensor (06) images the structure (03) imaged at at least two successive discrete points in time in a respective image scale which is identical in each case to these points in time. Apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the evaluation unit (07) from the displacement of the structure (03), taking into account the magnification of the distance traveled by the material (01) distance (S) determined. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the image refresh rate of the image sensor (06) is higher than the line clock of the line scan camera (12). Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the evaluation unit (07) in each case of the material (01) covered distances (S) of equal length the signal (08; 11) for synchronization with the traveled distance (S) of the material (01) to be synchronized line scan camera (12) settles. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the evaluation unit (07) with its signal (08; 11) synchronizes or at least controls a further device (12) operating with high precision. Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the further device (12) as a material (01) monitoring, processing or conveying device (12) is formed. Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the further device (12) as a perforator (12) is formed. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the material (01) is a printing material (01). Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the material (01) is formed as a material web (01). Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the material (01) is formed as a sheet (01). Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the material (01) a plurality of successively to be printed or printed sheets (01). Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the movement path (B) of the material (01) is rectilinear or extends along a curved line. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the movement path (B) of the material (01) extends in a printing machine. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the movement path (B) of the material (01) along at least part of a lateral surface of a roller or a cylinder extends. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the surface (02) of the material (01) is formed flat or curved. Apparatus according to claim 16, characterized in that the surface (02) of the material (01) is convexly curved. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the structure (03) of the material (01) is formed as an existing of microscopic parts structure. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the structure (03) of the material (01) consists of its fibers. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the structure (03) of the material (01) consists of a on the surface (02) of the material (01) applied single-layer or multi-layer coating. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the structure (03) of the material (01) consists of an application of the material (01). Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the structure (03) of the material (01) forms a relief projecting from the surface (02) of the material (01) or recessed into it. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the image sensor (06) is designed as a surface image sensor (06). Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the image sensor (06) is designed as a surface camera (06). Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the image sensor (06) comprises a CCD chip. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the image sensor (06) is designed as a CMOS image sensor. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the image sensor (06) has a partially readable image field. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the image sensor (06) has an image field with an adjustable size. Apparatus according to claim 28, characterized in that the size of the image field is adaptable or adapted to a refresh rate of the image sensor (06). Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the image sensor (06) images the structure (03) on its image field on a scale of 1: 1. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the image sensor (06) magnifies the structure (03) on its image field magnified. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that between the surface (02) of the material (01) and the image sensor (06) arranged optics (13) has a part (14) of the surface (02) of the material (01) along an optical Projected axis (16) on the image field of the image sensor (06). Apparatus according to claim 32, characterized in that the projected part (14) of the surface (02) of the material (01) is rectangular. Apparatus according to claim 32, characterized in that the optical axis (16) with the surface (02) of the material (01) forms an angle (γ) of 45 ° to 90 °. Apparatus according to claim 32, characterized in that the optics (13) is designed as a telecentric lens. Apparatus according to claim 32, characterized in that the optic (13) with its the surface (02) of the material (01) facing the end face (17) at a distance (A13) from the surface (02) of the material (01) is arranged , Apparatus according to claim 36, characterized in that the distance (A13) from the end face (17) of the optical system (13) to the surface (02) of the material (01) in the range between 10 mm and 1000 mm. Apparatus according to claim 36, characterized in that the distance (A13) from the end face (17) of the optical system (13) to the surface (02) of the material (01) in the range between 50 mm and 400 mm. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the image repetition rate of the image sensor (06) is adapted to the speed of the moving material (01) or at least adaptable. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the structure (03) remains unchanged in shape at the at least two different times at which the image sensor (06) images it. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that at least two of the image data (18) generated at different times at least partially map the structure (03). Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that at least two of the image data (18) generated at different times have an overlapping region with regard to the image field of the image sensor (06) having the structure (03). Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the evaluation unit (07) determines a change of coordinates, wherein the coordinates determine a position of at least part of the structure (03) within the image field of the image sensor (06), wherein the change to be determined from a difference between the coordinates of the structure (03) recorded at a first and at a second time on the image field of the image sensor (06). Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the evaluation unit (07) determines the direction of displacement. Device according to claim 44, characterized in that the evaluation unit (07) determines the extent of a lateral offset of the structure (03) recognized from the displacement. Apparatus according to claim 45, characterized in that the evaluation unit (07) provides a signal (19) correlating with the lateral offset of the structure (03). Apparatus according to claim 46, characterized in that the evaluation unit (07) controls the at least one device (12) with the signal (19) correlating with the lateral offset of the structure (03). Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that on the image field of the image sensor (06) projected part (14) of the surface (02) of the material (01) is arranged close to the location at which the device to be synchronized or at least to be controlled (12) acting on the material (01). Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the part (14) projected onto the image field of the image sensor (06) at least partially overlaps the surface (02) of the material (01) and a line-shaped scanning track of the line camera (12) to be synchronized. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that a at least the scanning location (14) of the image sensor (06) illuminating illumination source (21) is provided. Apparatus according to claim 50, characterized in that the illumination source (21) is designed as a constant light source (21). Apparatus according to claim 50, characterized in that the illumination source (21) is designed as a flash light source (21). Device according to claim 50 or 52, characterized in that the brightness of the illumination source (21) or its duration of flash is adapted or at least adaptable to the nature of the surface (02) of the material (01). Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the exposure time of the image field of the image sensor (06) to the nature of the surface (02) of the material (01) adapted or at least adaptable. Apparatus according to claim 50, characterized in that, in the case of an at least partial overlap of the scanning location (14) of the image sensor (06) and the scanning track of the line camera (12) to be synchronized, the light color of the illumination source (21) and the color sensitivity of the image field of the image sensor (06 ) are outside of the spectral range used by the line scan camera (12) for their image acquisition. Apparatus according to claim 50, characterized in that the light color of the illumination source (21) and the color sensitivity of the image field of the image sensor (06) are in the range of infrared or ultraviolet radiation. Apparatus according to claim 50, characterized in that the illumination source (21) from the surface (02) of the material (01) at a distance (A21) is arranged. Apparatus according to claim 57, characterized in that the distance (A21) is between 30 mm and 200 mm. Apparatus according to claim 57, characterized in that the distance (21) is between 80 mm to 140 mm. Apparatus according to claim 50, characterized in that the illumination source (21) with its optical axis (22) at an angle (α) to the optical axis (16) of the optical system (13) is arranged. Apparatus according to claim 60, characterized in that the angle (α) is between 0 ° and 90 °. Apparatus according to claim 60, characterized in that the angle (α) is between 45 ° and 90 °. Apparatus according to claim 50, characterized in that a solid angle (ω) at which the illumination source (21) emits its light is between 0.00006 sr and 0.05 sr. Device according to claim 50, characterized in that the light irradiated by the illumination source (21) at an angle of incidence (½ α) on the surface (02) of the material (01) is at least approximately corresponding to the angle of incidence (½ α) α) meets the image field of the image sensor (06). Device according to Claim 50, characterized in that, in the case of a surface (27) which is not homogeneously formed at the scanning location (14), the arrangement of the image sensor (06) and its associated illumination source (21) depends on the orientation of the largest surface portion of the surface (27). is determined. Apparatus according to claim 50, characterized in that at least two illumination sources (21) are provided, the respective optical axis (22) of the illumination sources (21) having different angles (β1, β2) to the surface (02; 27) of the material (01). form. Apparatus according to claim 66, characterized in that the at least two illumination sources (21) are selectively usable. Apparatus according to claim 66, characterized in that one of the evaluation unit (07) controlled control device (23) brings the at least two illumination sources (21) optionally used. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by an automatic adaptation to a condition of the surface (02, 27) of the material (01). Apparatus according to claim 69, characterized in that the evaluation unit (07) with at least one image recording of the image sensor (06) which is not necessary for the generation of the signal (08) for the synchronization of the process to be synchronized with the traveled distance (S) of the material (01). the device adapts to a nature of the surface (02, 27) of the material (01), wherein the image refresh rate of the image sensor (06) is higher than that required to generate the signal (08). Apparatus according to claim 70, characterized in that the evaluation unit (07) in the case of overexposure or in the case of underexposure of the at least one for generating the signal (08) not required mapping of the structure (03) on the image field of the image sensor (06) respectively adjusts the brightness of the illumination source (21) or its flash duration and / or the exposure time of the image field of the image sensor (06). Apparatus according to claim 66, characterized in that the evaluation unit (07) optionally uses that illumination source (21) which, for the currently present surface (02; 27) of the material (01), has the highest image contrast for the image field of the image sensor (06) shown structure (03) produced. Apparatus according to claim 69 or 70, characterized in that the evaluation unit (07) carries out the adaptation before the next image recording required for generating the signal (08). Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the evaluation unit (07) the signal (08, 11) for synchronization with the distance traveled (S) of the material (01) to be synchronized means (12) by an interpolation or extrapolation from generated at different times image data (18) generated. Method of using the device according to one of Claims 1 to 74, characterized by an arrangement of the device in a printing machine. Method according to claim 75, characterized by an arrangement of the device in a printing press designed as a web-fed printing press or as a sheet-fed press. A method according to claim 75, characterized by an arrangement of the device in a printing press operating in an offset printing method.

Images