JP2006256205A - Multi-color impression printing device, multi-color impression printing method and printing register mark - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a multi-color impression printing device which can precisely perform a printing registration process, even when meshy cells are formed in the surface of each plate cylinder, and a multi-color impression printing method and a printing register mark. <P>SOLUTION: A first color printing means 10a puts a reference register mark 40a with a feed direction segment and a width direction segment to a printing substrate W. Second color and following printing means 10b, 10c and 10d put register marks 40b, 40c and 40d each with a feed direction edge and a width direction edge to a printing substrate W. A registration means 30 performs the printing registration process so that the feed direction edge of each register mark 40b, 40c and 40d is divided into two equal parts by the width direction segment of the reference register mark 40a and the width direction edge of each register mark 40b, 40c and 40d is divided into two equal parts by the feed direction segment of the register mark 40a. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a multicolor printing apparatus such as gravure printing, a multicolor printing method, and a printing register mark, and in particular, even when a mesh-like depression (cell) is formed on the surface of each plate cylinder. The present invention relates to a multicolor printing apparatus, a multicolor printing method, and a printing register mark that can perform registration with high accuracy.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a multicolor printing apparatus that performs multicolor printing on a printing substrate such as a film or paper using a plurality of plate cylinders is known.
Such a conventional multicolor printing apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 10 to 14. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, the multicolor printing apparatus includes a first color printing unit 10a that performs printing on a printing substrate W such as a film or paper continuously conveyed in the direction of an arrow, and a first color. And a plurality of, for example, three printing units 10b, 10c, and 10d that sequentially print different colors on the printing substrate W. In this case, the first printing means 10a in the feeding direction of the printing substrate W prints the first color (black) on the printing substrate W, and the second printing means 10b prints the second color (cyan). The third printing unit 10c performs printing of the third color (magenta), and the fourth printing unit 10d performs printing of the fourth color (yellow).
Specifically, each of the printing units 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d has plate cylinders 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d that are in contact with the printing substrate W, and ink on the plate cylinders 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d. Is transferred to the printing substrate W, whereby printing of each color is performed.

The plate cylinders 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d of the printing units 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d provided in series are provided with the registration marks 50a, 50b, 50c, and 50d having the same shape on the printing substrate W, respectively. It has become. Each of these registration marks 50a, 50b, 50c, 50d is attached to the print substrate W so as to be arranged in the vertical direction along the feeding direction of the print substrate W (arrow direction in FIG. 10) as shown in FIG.
On the further downstream side of the printing means 10d for the fourth color, a registration mark detection means 20 such as a photoelectric sensor for detecting these registration marks 50a, 50b, 50c, 50d is provided, and the registration mark detection means. A registration means 60 is provided for performing printing registration based on the positional relationship between the plurality of registration marks 50a, 50b, 50c, and 50d detected by 20.

  According to such a multicolor printing apparatus, the registration marks 50a, 50b, 50c, and 50d are detected by the photoelectric sensor of the registration mark detection means 20, and the positional relationship between the registration marks 50a, 50b, 50c, and 50d. Specifically, for example, the vertical separation distance D shown in FIG. Specifically, for example, the vertical registration distance D shown in FIG. 10 is set to a desired size so that the positional relationship between the registration marks 50a, 50b, 50c, and 50d is kept constant. Registration of printing is performed so as to be maintained (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  Further, the registration mark detection means 20 is not limited to one using a photoelectric sensor, and an image including the registration marks 50a, 50b, 50c, 50d on the printed board W is picked up by a CCD camera (CCD area sensor camera). There may be. The registration unit 60 calculates the position coordinates of the registration marks 50a, 50b, 50c, and 50d on the printed board W from the captured images, and performs printing registration so that these positional relationships are kept constant. (For example, refer to Patent Document 2).

As another conventional multi-color printing apparatus, as shown in FIGS. 12A to 12D and FIG. 13, the first color printing unit 10a is spaced along the width direction of the printing substrate W at equal intervals. The plurality of (for example, three) cross-shaped reference registration marks 50a are attached to the printing substrate W (see FIG. 12A), and the second, third, and fourth color printing units 10b, 10c, and 10d are provided. The reference register mark 50a is composed of four portions arranged symmetrically with respect to the cross-shaped portions 50a ₁ and 50a ₂ extending in the vertical and horizontal directions (that is, arranged in four quadrants of the cross shape). There are known registration marks 50b, 50c and 50d (see FIGS. 12B to 12D and FIG. 13).

In such a multicolor printing apparatus, as shown in FIG. 14, in the registration means 60, portions 50a ₁ and 50a ₂ extending in the vertical direction or the horizontal direction of the reference registration mark 50a, and the registration marks 50b and 50c. , 50d, the positional relationship with any one of the four parts, specifically, the aforementioned 4 in the width direction (left-right direction in FIG. 14) and the feed direction (up-down direction in FIG. 14) of the printed board W. The distances d ₁ and d ₂ between any one of the two portions and the portions 50a ₁ and 50a ₂ of the reference registration mark 50a are measured. The registration unit 60 performs printing registration so that the separation distances d ₁ and d ₂ are maintained at a predetermined separation distance d (see, for example, Patent Documents 3 and 4).

JP-A-8-230169 JP-A-9-1785 JP-A-8-174802 JP-A-8-224862

  By the way, when performing, for example, gravure printing (intaglio printing) using a multicolor printing apparatus as shown in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the printing cylinders 11a, 11b of the printing units 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, As the plates 11c and 11d, intaglio plate cylinders made by photolithography are used, and fine mesh-like depressions (cells) 15 are formed on the surfaces of these plate cylinders 11a, 11b, 11c and 11d. (See FIG. 2). The mesh-shaped recess 15 extends obliquely at a fixed angle with respect to the feeding direction of the printed substrate W to form a mesh (for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-63160). The depression 15 forms an ink layer on the surface of each of the plate cylinders 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d, and the ink layer is transferred to the printing substrate W to transfer gradations such as photographs and paintings. Is reproduced.

  However, in this case, since the depression 15 is formed on the surface of each plate cylinder 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, each register mark 50a attached to the printed board W by the plate cylinder 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d. , 50b, 50c, and 50d, the edges 51a, 51b, 51c, and 51d do not have a linear shape, but have, for example, an uneven shape as shown in FIG. The shape of the irregularities of the edges 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d of the registration marks 50a, 50b, 50c, 50d is the registration of the mesh-like depressions 15 formed on the surfaces of the plate cylinders 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d. Depending on the positional relationship between the marks 50a, 50b, 50c, 50d (that is, the relative distance between the recess 15 and the edges 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d of the register marks 50a, 50b, 50c, 50d) (See FIG. 11).

  Here, the pitch (halftone dot pitch) between the mesh-like recesses 15 formed on the surfaces of the plate cylinders 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d is about 145 μm. However, if the accuracy of the printing position is increased to about ± 50 μm, it is greatly affected by the difference in the shape of the unevenness of the edges 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d, and the desired printing cannot be registered. There is.

  Further, when printing is performed using a multicolor printing apparatus as shown in Patent Documents 3 and 4 described above, the printing substrate W itself is changed due to tension applied to the printing substrate W during printing, changes in the surrounding environment, and the like. When the expansion / contraction occurs, it is difficult to register the desired printing, and it is greatly affected by the difference in the shape of the aforementioned irregularities at the edges of the respective registration marks 50b, 50c, 50d. There is a problem that registration cannot be performed (see FIG. 14).

  The present invention has been made in consideration of such points, and even when a mesh-like depression (cell) is formed on the surface of each plate cylinder, printing registration is performed with high accuracy. An object of the present invention is to provide a multicolor printing apparatus, a multicolor printing method, and a printing register mark.

  The present invention performs printing on a printing substrate that is continuously fed and has a plurality of printing units provided in series having plate cylinders that attach register marks to the printing substrate, and printing is performed by the plate cylinders of the printing units. A registration mark detection unit that detects a plurality of registration marks attached to the substrate; and a registration unit that performs registration of printing based on a positional relationship between the plurality of registration marks detected by the registration mark detection unit. The printing means located on the most upstream side in the printing substrate feed direction among the printing means has a reference register having a feed direction line segment extending in the print substrate feed direction and a width direction line segment extending in the width direction of the print substrate. A mark is attached to the printed circuit board, and the second and subsequent printing means in the printed board feed direction of the printing means are each provided with a feed direction edge and a mark extending in the printed board feed direction. A register mark having a width direction edge extending in the width direction of the substrate is attached to each printed circuit board so as to overlap a reference register mark, and the registering means is attached by each of the second and subsequent printing means in the feed direction of the printed circuit board. The edge in the feed direction of each registered mark is bisected by the width direction line segment of the reference register mark, and the edge in the width direction of each register mark is bisected by the feed direction line segment of the reference register mark The multicolor printing apparatus is characterized by performing printing registration as described above.

  Further, the present invention is a printing process for performing printing on a printing substrate that is continuously fed by a plate cylinder and attaching a registration mark to the printing substrate, the printing step being sequentially performed a plurality of times, and each of the printing steps A registration mark detection step for detecting a plurality of registration marks attached to the printed circuit board, and a registration step for performing registration of printing based on the positional relationship of the plurality of registration marks detected by the registration mark detection step; In each printing step, when printing on the printed board on the most upstream side in the feed direction of the print substrate, a feed direction line segment extending in the print substrate feed direction and a width direction line segment extending in the width direction of the print substrate A reference register mark having a reference mark is attached to a printed circuit board, and a printing direction edge and a printed circuit board that extend in the feeding direction of the printed circuit board when printing on the printed circuit board for the second time and thereafter A register mark having a width direction edge extending in the width direction is attached to each printed circuit board so as to overlap with a reference register mark, and each register provided when printing on the printed circuit board in the second and subsequent registration steps is performed. Printing is performed so that the edge in the feed direction of the mark is bisected by the line segment in the width direction of the reference register mark, and the edge in the width direction of each register mark is bisected by the line segment in the feed direction of the reference register mark Is a multi-color printing method characterized in that registration is performed.

  Further, the present invention provides a plurality of printing registration marks attached to a printing substrate by different plate cylinders, the feeding direction being attached by the most upstream plate cylinder in the feeding direction of the printing substrate and extending in the feeding direction of the printing substrate. A reference register mark having a line segment and a width direction line segment extending in the width direction of the printed circuit board, and each of the second and subsequent plate cylinders in the feed direction of the printed circuit board are respectively attached so as to overlap the reference register mark. Each registration mark having a registration direction edge extending in the feeding direction and each registration mark having a width direction edge extending in the width direction of the printed circuit board, and is attached by each of the second and subsequent plate cylinders in the feeding direction of the printed circuit board The edge in the feed direction is bisected by the width direction line segment of the reference register mark, and the width direction edge of each register mark depends on the feed direction line segment of the reference register mark. A printing register marks, characterized by being used in order to perform the registration of the print to be bisected.

  According to such a multicolor printing apparatus, a multicolor printing method, and a printing register mark, the position of the center point of each feed direction edge is calculated, and the width direction line segment of the reference register mark passes through these center points. In addition, the position of the midpoint of each edge in the width direction is calculated, and it is determined whether or not the feed direction line segment of the reference register mark passes through these midpoints. . For this reason, when performing printing registration, the influence due to the difference in the uneven shape of the edge in the feed direction and the difference in the uneven shape at the edge in the width direction are reduced, and the influence of the expansion and contraction of the printing substrate W itself is reduced. Since it can be reduced, printing registration can be performed with high accuracy based on the positional relationship between a plurality of registration marks.

In the multicolor printing apparatus of the present invention, in the reference register mark attached to the print substrate by the printing means located on the most upstream side in the feed direction of the print substrate, the feed direction line segment and the width direction line segment are the midpoints of the line segments. Is preferably orthogonal.
Further, in the multicolor printing method of the present invention, the feed direction line segment and the width direction line segment of the reference registration mark attached to the print substrate in the most upstream printing process in the print substrate feed direction are the middle of each line segment. It is preferable that the points are orthogonal.
According to such a multi-color printing apparatus and multi-color printing method, the register mark is composed of cross-shaped intersecting line segments, and the position of each register mark with respect to the cross-shaped intersecting line segments is visually determined. Since it is possible to easily determine whether or not it is the position of the printing position, it is possible to more reliably perform printing registration.

In the multicolor printing apparatus of the present invention, each registration mark attached to the printing substrate by each of the second and subsequent printing means in the feeding direction of the printing substrate is composed of a line segment associated with each side of a square or a rectangle. Is preferred.
Further, in the multicolor printing method of the present invention, each register mark attached to the print substrate in each of the second and subsequent printing steps in the print substrate feed direction is composed of a line segment related to each side of a square or rectangle. Preferably it is.
According to such a multicolor printing apparatus and multicolor printing method, whether or not the feed direction line segment and the width direction line segment of the reference register mark bisect each width direction edge and feed direction edge, respectively. This can be easily determined, and the accuracy of printing registration can be further improved.

In the multicolor printing apparatus of the present invention, the register marks attached to the print substrate by the second and subsequent printing means in the feed direction of the print substrate have similar shapes having different sizes. Each subsequent printing means preferably attaches each registration mark to the printed circuit board so as to overlap with one reference registration mark.
Further, in the multicolor printing method of the present invention, in each of the printing steps, when the printing is performed on the printing substrate for the second time or later, the registration marks attached to the printing substrate are of similar shapes having different sizes. In each of the second and subsequent printing steps, each register mark is preferably attached to the printed circuit board so as to overlap with one reference register mark.
According to such a multi-color printing apparatus and multi-color printing method, the number of reference registration marks can be reduced to one, and the area of the area where the registration marks are attached on the printing substrate W can be reduced. Furthermore, since it is possible to determine whether or not the reference registration mark and the overlapping state of the registration marks are in a desired state by visual observation, it is possible to more reliably perform printing registration.

  According to the multicolor printing apparatus, the multicolor printing method, and the printing register mark of the present invention, the position of the midpoint of each edge in the feed direction is calculated, and the width direction line segment of the reference register mark passes through these midpoints. In addition, the position of the midpoint of each edge in the width direction is calculated, and it is determined whether or not the feed direction line segment of the reference register mark passes through these midpoints. . For this reason, when performing printing registration, the influence due to the difference in the uneven shape of the edge in the feed direction and the difference in the uneven shape at the edge in the width direction are reduced, and the influence of the expansion and contraction of the printing substrate W itself is reduced. Since it can be reduced, printing registration can be performed with high accuracy based on the positional relationship between a plurality of registration marks.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
1 to 5 are diagrams showing an embodiment of a multicolor printing apparatus according to the present invention. Among these, FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a general multicolor printing apparatus, and FIG. 2 shows a configuration of depressions (cells) formed in each plate cylinder of the multicolor printing apparatus of FIG. It is a perspective view.
3 (a) to 3 (d) are explanatory views showing register marks provided on the printed circuit board by the printing means of the multicolor printing apparatus of the present embodiment, and FIG. FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing all the registration marks attached to the printing substrate in the multicolor printing apparatus of the embodiment, and FIG. 5 is an enlarged view showing details of each registration mark of FIG.

  The multicolor printing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 includes a first color printing unit 10a for first printing on a printing substrate W such as a film or paper continuously conveyed in the direction of an arrow, and a first color printing unit. 10a, an in-line type provided with a plurality of, for example, three printing units 10b, 10c, and 10d that sequentially print different colors on the printing substrate W. In this case, the first printing means 10a in the feeding direction of the printing substrate W prints the first color (black) on the printing substrate W, and the second printing means 10b prints the second color (cyan). The third printing unit 10c performs printing of the third color (magenta), and the fourth printing unit 10d performs printing of the fourth color (yellow). Here, the printing substrate W is sent out from the supply roll 18 and is taken up by the take-up roll 19 through the printing units 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d.

The printing units 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d provided in series are provided with the same registration marks (print registration marks) 40a, 40b, 40c, and 40d of the respective colors on the printing substrate W. Here, a registration mark detection means 20 for detecting these registration marks 40a, 40b, 40c, and 40d is provided further downstream of the printing means 10d for the fourth color. Registration means 30 is provided for performing registration of printing based on the positional relationship between the plurality of detected registration marks 40a, 40b, 40c, and 40d.
Each component of such a multicolor printing apparatus will be described in detail below.

  The first color printing means 10a is connected to the printing cylinder 11a, the impression cylinder 12a that performs printing by sandwiching the printing substrate W between the printing cylinder 11a, and the printing cylinder 11a. And a register motor 13a for rotating the motor. When printing the first color on the printing substrate W in the first color printing unit 10a, the plate cylinder 11a has a plurality of reference registration marks 40a (for example, on the printing substrate W as shown in FIG. 3A). 3) It is supposed to be attached. Here, the number of reference registration marks 40a attached to the printing substrate W is the same as the number of second and subsequent printing units in the feeding direction of the printing substrate W among the printing units. Further, the registration marks 40a are spaced at equal intervals along the width direction of the printed board W as shown in FIG.

  The second color printing unit 10b, the third color printing unit 10c, and the fourth color printing unit 10d have substantially the same configuration as the first color printing unit 10a, and each has a printing plate cylinder. 11b, 11c, and 11d and plate cylinders 11b, 11c, and 11d are connected to plate cylinders 11b, 11c, and 11d, and printing cylinders 11b, 11c, and 11d, respectively. It has register motors 13b, 13c, and 13d for rotationally driving the plate cylinders 11b, 11c, and 11d, respectively. When printing the second, third, and fourth colors on the printing substrate W in each of the printing units 10b, 10c, and 10d, the plate cylinders 11b, 11c, and 11d are registered marks 40b on the printing substrate W, respectively. , 40c, 40d.

As each of the plate cylinders 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d, an intaglio plate cylinder printed by a photoengraving method is used. The surface of these plate cylinders 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d has fine mesh-like depressions ( Cell) 15 is formed. The mesh-like recess 15 extends obliquely at a fixed angle with respect to the feeding direction of the printed substrate W, and the screen angle is not set (helio engraving method, see FIG. 2). The depression 15 forms an ink layer on the surface of each of the plate cylinders 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d, and the ink layer is transferred to the printing substrate W to transfer gradations such as photographs and paintings. Can be reproduced.
The shape of the recess 15 formed on the surface of each plate cylinder 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d is different from one plate cylinder to another, and this allows moire (points or lines to be distributed geometrically regularly). The occurrence of interference patterns that occur when the images are superimposed is suppressed. Further, the pitch (halftone dot pitch) between the depressions 15 in each of the plate cylinders 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d is about 145 μm.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the three registration marks 40a attached to the printed board W by the first color printing means 10a are each composed of line segments related to each side of a square (or a rectangle), Each registration mark 40 a has a feed direction line segment 40 a ₁ extending in the feed direction of the print substrate W and a width direction line segment 40 a ₂ extending in the width direction of the print substrate W. Feed direction segments 40a ₁ and the width direction line 40a ₂ is adapted to orthogonally at the midpoint of each line segment _40a 1, 40a _2.

As shown in FIGS. 3B to 3D and FIG. 4, the second color printing means 10b, 10c, and 10d correspond to the register marks 40a attached by the first color printing means 10a, respectively. The registration marks 40b, 40c, and 40d are attached to the printed circuit board W so as to overlap the registration marks 40a.
The registration marks 40b, 40c, and 40d are each composed of a line segment related to each side of a square (or a rectangle). Here, of the sides of the registration marks 40b, 40c, and 40d, one side extending in the feeding direction of the printed board W is defined as one side extending in the width direction of the printing board W, 40b ₁ , 40c ₁ , 40d ₁ . Are defined as width direction edges 40b ₂ , 40c ₂ , 40d ₂ .

  The registration mark detection means 20 is composed of, for example, a CCD camera 20a facing the surface on which printing is performed on the printing substrate W, and a reference registration mark 40a attached to the printing substrate W and the respective registration marks 40b, 40c, 40d. An image including is picked up. An image captured by the CCD camera 20a is, for example, as shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the registration means 30 includes a controller 31 connected to the CCD camera 20a of the registration mark detection means 20, and printing plates 10b, 10c, and 10d for the second, third, and fourth colors. Compensation rollers 32b, 32c, and 32d provided on the upstream side of the cylinders 11b, 11c, and 11d, and compensation motors 33b, 33c, and 33d connected to the compensation rollers 32b, 32c, and 32d, respectively.

Each compensator roller 32b, 32c, 32d adjusts the amount of tension applied to the printing substrate W sent to the plate cylinders 11b, 11c, 11d by changing its position, and registers the feeding direction of the printing substrate W. To do.
These compensator rollers 32b, 32c, and 32d are driven by compensator motors 33b, 33c, and 33d, respectively, so that their positions change. The compensator motors 33b, 33c, and 33d are fed from the controller 31 to the feed direction register. An alignment signal is sent to control the drive.

  Further, the controller 31 sends width direction registration signals to the register motors 13a, 13b, 13c, and 13d of the printing units 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d, respectively, and the plate by the register motors 13a, 13b, 13c, and 13d is sent. The driving of the cylinders 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d is controlled to perform registration in the width direction of the printed board W.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment having such a configuration will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, the printing substrate W sent out from the supply roll 18 is first sent to the first color printing means 10a. At this time, the plate cylinder 11a is rotationally driven by the register motor 13a, and the printing substrate W sent to the first color printing means 10a is sandwiched between the plate cylinder 11a and the impression cylinder 12a to be rotationally driven and The first color (black) is printed. At this time, a plurality of (for example, three) reference registration marks 40 a are attached to the printing substrate W by the plate cylinder 11 a so as to be separated from each other at equal intervals along the width direction of the printing substrate W.

  The printing substrate W on which printing has been performed by the first color printing unit 10a is then sent to the second color printing unit 10b. At this time, the plate cylinder 11b is rotationally driven by the register motor 13b, and the printing substrate W sent to the second color printing means 10b is sandwiched between the plate cylinder 11b and the impression cylinder 12b that are rotationally driven. The second color (cyan) is printed. At this time, as shown in FIGS. 3B and 4, the registration mark 40 b is attached to the printing substrate W by the plate cylinder 11 b so as to overlap the reference registration mark 40 a.

The printing substrate W that has been printed by the second color printing unit 10b is then sent to the third color (magenta) printing unit 10c for printing. The action of the third color printing means 10c on the printing substrate W is substantially the same as the action of the second color printing means 10b described above.
Similarly, the printing substrate W that has been printed by the third color printing unit 10c is then sent to the fourth color (yellow) printing unit 10d for printing. The operation of the printing means 10d for the fourth color on the printing substrate W is substantially the same as that of the printing means 10b and 10c for the second and third colors.
Here, as shown in FIGS. 3C, 3D, and 4, the printing means for the third and fourth colors is the same as the register mark 40b attached to the printing substrate W by the printing means 10b for the second color. The printing cylinders 11c and 11d of 10c and 10d are provided with the registration marks 40c and 40d on the printed circuit board W so as to overlap the corresponding registration marks 40a of the respective standards.

  The printed board W on which printing has been performed by the fourth color printing unit 10 d is then sent to the registration mark detection unit 20. In this registration mark detection means 20, the CCD camera 20a captures an image including each registration mark attached to the printed board W as shown in FIG. Thereafter, the printed substrate W is wound up by the winding roll 19.

  On the other hand, the image picked up by the CCD camera 20 a is sent to the controller 31 of the registering means 30. The controller 31 determines whether or not the positional relationship of the registration marks 40b, 40c, and 40d with respect to the reference registration mark 40a in the image captured by the CCD camera 20a is a preset positional relationship. Do.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the controller 31 first determines the widths of the register marks 40b, 40c, and 40d attached by the printing units 10b, 10c, and 10d for the second, third, and fourth colors. It is determined whether the direction end edges 40b ₂ , 40c ₂ , and 40d ₂ are equally divided by the feed direction line segment 40a ₁ of the reference registration mark 40a.

Here, each plate cylinder 11a, 11b, 11c, by 15 depressions on the surface of the 11d is formed, the register mark 40b, 40c, the widthwise end edge _40b 2 of _40d, 40c 2, 40d ₂ are uneven It has become. However, since it is determined whether or not the width direction edges 40b ₂ , 40c ₂ , 40d ₂ are bisected by the feed direction line segment 40a ₁ of the reference registration mark 40a, these width direction edges 40b _{2, 40c} 2, 40d ₂ of the unevenness difference by each widthwise end edges while reducing the influence of shape _{40b 2,} 40c 2, 40d can calculate the position of the _second midpoint.

When the width direction edges 40b ₂ , 40c ₂ , 40d _{2 of the} register marks 40b, 40c, 40d are equally divided by the feed direction line segment 40a ₁ of the reference register mark 40a, that is, the feed direction line segment 40a _{When 1} passes over the midpoint of each width direction edge 40b ₂ , 40c ₂ , 40d ₂ , there is no misregistration in the width direction of printing, and there is no need to register in the width direction of printing. Is determined by the controller 31.
On the other hand, for example, the feeding direction line 40a ₁ is not bisected by the register mark 40c widthwise end edge 40c not through the _second middle point upward segment 40a ₁ feed the widthwise end edges 40c ₂ If this is detected, the controller 31 sends a width direction registration signal to the register motor 13c of the printing means 10c, and the plate cylinder 11c corrects the width direction registration deviation of the printed circuit board W to adjust the width direction edge. to return to the state 40c ₂ is bisected by the feed direction line 40a _1, the register motor 13c drives the plate cylinder 11c (see FIG. 5).

  In this way, by sending the width direction registration signal from the controller 31 of the registration means 30 to the register motors 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d of the printing means 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d, Make the desired registration.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the controller 31 feeds the registration marks 40b, 40c, and 40d attached by the printing means 10b, 10c, and 10d for the second, third, and fourth colors. It is determined whether or not the edges 40b ₁ , 40c ₁ , 40d ₁ are bisected by the width direction line segment 40a ₂ of the reference registration mark 40a.

Here, the depressions 15 are formed on the surfaces of the plate cylinders 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d, so that the feed direction edges 40b ₁ , 40c ₁ , and 40d ₁ of the registration marks 40b, 40c, and 40d are uneven. It has become. However, since it is determined whether or not the feed direction edges 40b ₁ , 40c ₁ , 40d ₁ are equally divided by the width direction line segment 40a ₂ of the reference registration mark 40a, these feed direction edges 40b _{1, 40c 1,} 40d ₁ of the unevenness difference the feed direction end while reducing the influence of edge shape _{40b 1,} 40c _1, 40d 1 of it is possible to calculate the position of the middle point.

When the feed direction end edges 40b ₁ , 40c ₁ , 40d _{1 of the} registration marks 40b, 40c, 40d are equally divided by the width direction line segment 40a ₂ of the reference registration mark 40a, that is, the width direction line segment 40a. _{When 2} passes over the midpoint of each feed direction edge 40b ₁ , 40c ₁ , 40d ₁ , there is no registration error in the print feed direction, and there is no need to register the print feed direction. Is determined by the controller 31.
On the other hand, the feeding direction edge 40c ₁ is not bisected by the width direction line 40a ₂ no example in the width direction line 40a ₂ passes over the middle point of the feed direction edge 40c ₁ of the register mark 40c If it is detected, the controller 31 compensator motor 33c to feed the feed direction registration signals, printed substrate W feeding direction of the feeding and correct the misregistration direction edge 40c ₁ is the width direction line 40a _The compensator motor 33c drives the compensator roller 32c so as to return to the state of being divided into two equal parts by _2. The compensator roller 32c applies a desired tension to the printing substrate W (see FIG. 5).

  In this way, a desired registration in the printing feed direction is performed by sending a feed direction registration signal from the controller 31 of the registration means 30 to each compensator motor 33b, 33c, 33d.

As described above, according to the multicolor printing apparatus, the multicolor printing method, and the printing register mark of the present embodiment, the reference register mark 40a attached by the printing means 10a on the most upstream side has the second number. a subsequent printing means 10b, 10c, and 10d and the widthwise line 40a ₂ extending in the width direction of the feeding direction segments 40a ₁ and printed board W extending in the feed direction of each printed substrate W with a same number, the second The registration marks 40b, 40c, 40d respectively attached by the subsequent printing means 10b, 10c, 10d are feed direction edges 40b ₁ , 40c ₁ , 40d ₁ extending in the feed direction of the print substrate W and the width of the print substrate W. It has widthwise end edge _40b 2 extending in a _direction, 40c _2, 40d 2, respectively. Then, the feed direction end edges 40b ₁ , 40c ₁ , 40d _{1 of} the respective registration marks 40b, 40c, 40d attached by the second and subsequent printing means 10b, 10c, 10d in the feed direction of the print substrate W are the reference registers. each register mark 40b by the width direction line 40a ₂ of the mark 40a while being bisected, 40c, the widthwise end edge _40b 2 of _40d, 40c _2, 40d 2 of the reference register mark 40a feeding direction line 40a ₁ The printing is registered so that it is divided in half.
Here, the positions of the midpoints of the respective feed direction edges 40b ₁ , 40c ₁ , 40d ₁ are calculated, and it is determined whether or not the width direction line segment 40a ₂ of the reference register mark 40a passes through these midpoints. performs, whether the feed direction line 40a ₁ of the register mark 40a of the reference these midpoints passing calculates the position of the midpoint of each widthwise end edge _{40b 2,} 40c _2, 40d 2 Judgment is being made. For this reason, the influence by the difference in uneven shape of the feed direction edges 40b ₁ , 40c ₁ , 40d _{1 and} the influence by the difference in uneven shape of the width direction edges 40b ₂ , 40c ₂ , 40d ₂ are reduced, and the printed board Since the influence of the expansion and contraction of W itself can be reduced, printing registration can be performed with high accuracy based on the positional relationship between a plurality of registration marks.

Further, the register mark 40a in the reference given to the printing substrate W by the printing unit 10a on the most upstream side in the feeding direction of the printed substrate W, the feeding direction segments 40a ₁ and the width direction line 40a ₂ is a line segment midpoint Therefore, the register mark 40a is composed of cross-shaped intersecting line segments, and the positions of the register marks 40b, 40c, and 40d with respect to the cross-shaped intersecting line segments are visually determined. Therefore, it is possible to easily perform registration of printing.

Further, the register marks 40b, 40c, and 40d that are attached to the print substrate W by the second and subsequent printing means 10b, 10c, and 10d in the feeding direction of the print substrate W are each configured by a line segment related to each side of a square or a rectangle. because it is the reference register mark 40a feeding direction segments 40a ₁ and the width direction line 40a ₂ are each widthwise end edge _40b 2 _of, 40c 2, 40d ₂ and the feed direction edges _{40b 1,} 40c 1, 40d It is possible to easily determine whether or not ₁ is divided into two equal parts, and the accuracy of printing registration can be further improved.

The multicolor printing apparatus and the multicolor printing method according to the present embodiment are not limited to the above-described modes, and various changes can be made.
Next, modified examples of the multicolor printing apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 9, the same parts as those in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

The registration marks 40a attached to the printed board W by the printing means 10a are not limited to a plurality of marks arranged in the width direction of the printed board W, as shown in FIGS. 6 (a) to 6 (d) and FIG. In addition, the first color printing means 10a has only one reference register mark 40a on the print substrate W, and the second, third, and fourth color printing means 10b, 10c, and 10d have the one reference register. Registration marks 40b, 40c, and 40d may be attached to the printed board W so as to overlap the mark 40a.
At this time, the registration marks 40b, 40c, and 40d that are attached to the printing substrate W by the printing units 10b, 10c, and 10d of the second, third, and fourth colors are shown in FIGS. 6B to 6D. Thus, it consists of the line segment which concerns on each side of the similar-shaped square from which a magnitude | size mutually differs.

The registration mark detection means 20 captures an image in which a reference registration mark 40a and registration marks 40b, 40c, 40d as shown in FIG.
Based on this captured image, the registering means 30 is configured so that the feed direction edges 40b ₁ , 40c ₁ , 40d _{1 of} the second and subsequent register marks 40b, 40c, 40d are in the width direction of the reference register mark 40a. It is determined whether or not the line segment 40a ₂ is equally divided into two, and the width direction edges 40b ₂ , 40c ₂ , 40d ₂ of the register marks 40b, 40c, 40d are fed in the reference register mark 40a. the line segments 40a ₁ performs the control unit 31 determines whether or not bisected.

The controller 31 divides the feed direction edge 40b ₁ , 40c ₁ , 40d ₁ into two equal parts by the width direction line segment 40a _{2 and the} width direction edge 40b ₂ , 40c ₂ , 40d ₂ becomes the feed direction line segment 40a. _When it is detected that the image is divided into two equal parts by _1, it is determined that there is no misregistration in printing and it is not necessary to perform registration.
On the other hand, for example, by the width direction line 40a ₂ or feeding direction line 40a ₁ of the feeding direction edge 40c ₁ and / or widthwise end edges 40c ₂ the reference register mark 40a of register mark 40c that are not bisected Is determined, the registration unit 30 performs registration in the printing feed direction and / or the width direction by the above-described method.

  As described above, according to the present modification, the registration marks 40b, 40c, and 40d attached to the print substrate W by the second and subsequent printing units 10b, 10c, and 10d in the feeding direction of the print substrate W have the same size. The second and subsequent printing means 10b, 10c, and 10d attach the registration marks 40b, 40c, and 40d to the printing substrate W so as to overlap the single reference registration mark 40a. Therefore, the number of reference registration marks 40a can be set to one, and the area of the area on the printed board W where the registration marks are attached can be reduced. Furthermore, since it is possible to determine whether or not the overlapping state of the reference registration mark 40a and the registration marks 40b, 40c, and 40d is a desired state by visual observation, the registration of printing can be performed more reliably. Can do.

  Further, as other modifications, as shown in FIGS. 8A to 8D and FIG. 9, the color contact mark (color register control mark) 45a, 45b, 45c, 45d of each color conventionally used, The first color printing unit 10a may perform printing registration using a plurality of reference registration marks 40a attached to the color contact marks 45a, 45b, 45c, and 45d.

More specifically, the first color printing unit 10 a attaches a reference registration mark 40 a extending along the width direction of the printing substrate W to the printing substrate W. Wherein each register mark 40a is composed of one width direction line 40a ₂ extending in the width direction of the four feeding direction segments 40a ₁ and a printing substrate W, each extending in the feeding direction of the printed substrate W.

Further, the first to fourth color printing units 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d superimpose the color contact marks 45a, 45b, 45c, and 45d of the respective colors that have been conventionally used on the above-described reference registration marks 40a. It is attached to the printed board W.
Here, the color contact marks 45a, 45b, 45c, and 45d are, respectively, feed direction end edges 45a ₁ , 45b ₁ , 45c ₁ , 45d extending in the feed direction of the printed board W as shown in FIGS. ₁ and _{one having a} width direction edge 45a ₂ , 45b ₂ , 45c ₂ , 45d ₂ are used.

The registration means 30 is based on the images as shown in FIG. 9 captured by the CCD camera 20a of the registration mark detection means 20, and feed direction edges 45a ₁ , 45b of the color contact marks 45a, 45b, 45c, 45d of the respective colors. ₁ , 45 c ₁ , 45 d ₁ is determined whether or not the reference register mark 40 a is divided into two equal parts by the width direction line segment 40 a ₂ , and the width direction ends of the respective color contact marks 45 a, 45 b, 45 c, 45 d are determined. The controller 31 determines whether the edges 45a ₂ , 45b ₂ , 45c ₂ , 45d ₂ are bisected by the feed direction line segments 40a ₁ of the reference registration mark 40a.

The controller 31 bisects the feed direction end edges 45a ₁ , 45b ₁ , 45c ₁ , 45d _{1 of the} color contact marks 45a, 45b, 45c, 45d by the width direction line segment 40a ₂ of the reference register mark 40a. And when it is detected that the width direction edges 45a ₂ , 45b ₂ , 45c ₂ , 45d ₂ are bisected by the respective feed direction line segments 40a ₁ of the reference registration mark 40a, the misregistration of printing It is determined that it has not occurred and no registration is required.
On the other hand, for example, the feed direction edge 45c ₁ and / or the width direction edge 45c _{2 of the} color contact mark 45c is not bisected by the width direction line segment 40a ₂ or the feed direction line segment 40a ₁ of the reference registration mark 40a. Is determined, the registration unit 30 performs registration in the printing feed direction and / or the width direction by the above-described method.

  In this way, the registration unit 30 can perform printing registration using the color contact marks 45a, 45b, 45c, and 45d of each color conventionally used.

Further, the register mark detection means 20 is not limited to the one using the CCD camera 20a, but may be any other one as long as it can detect the position coordinates of the register mark on the print substrate W.
Further, the registration mark detection means 20 is not limited to one in which one CCD camera 20a is installed only at the subsequent stage of the fourth printing means 10d on the most downstream side, for example, a plurality (three) of CCDs You may install the camera 20a in the back | latter stage of the 2nd, 3rd, 4th printing means 10b, 10c, 10d, respectively. As a result, the detection speed of each registration mark in the registration mark detection means 20 is increased, and the control time for printing registration can be shortened.

  Further, the registering means for registering the printing in the feeding direction of the printing substrate W is not limited to the one using the compensator rollers 32b, 32c, 32d and the compensator motors 33b, 33c, 33d. , 13b, 13c, and 13d, by controlling the driving of the plate cylinders 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d, not only the registration in the width direction of printing but also the registration in the feeding direction of printing is performed. Also good. In this case, both the feed direction registration signal and the width direction registration signal are sent from the controller 31 to the register motors 13a, 13b, 13c, and 13d.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a general multicolor printing apparatus. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the hollow (cell) formed in each plate cylinder of the multicolor printing apparatus of FIG. (A)-(d) is explanatory drawing which shows each registration mark which each printing means of the multicolor printing apparatus of this Embodiment attached | subjected to the printing substrate. It is explanatory drawing which shows all the registration marks attached to the printing substrate in the multicolor printing apparatus of embodiment of this invention. It is an enlarged view which shows the detail of each registration mark of FIG. (A)-(d) is explanatory drawing which shows each registration mark attached to the printed circuit board in the modification of embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows all the registration marks attached to the printed circuit board by each printing means which concerns on FIG. (A)-(d) is explanatory drawing which shows each registration mark attached to the printed circuit board in the other modification of embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows all the registration marks attached to the printed circuit board by each printing means which concerns on FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows each registration mark which each printing means of the conventional multicolor printing apparatus attached to the printing substrate. It is an enlarged view which shows the detail of the registration mark of FIG. (A)-(d) is explanatory drawing which shows each other registration mark which each printing means of the conventional multicolor printing apparatus attached to the printing substrate. It is explanatory drawing which shows all the conventional register marks attached to the printed circuit board by each printing means which concerns on FIG. It is an enlarged view which shows the detail of each register mark of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

10a, 10b, 10c, 10d Printing means 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d Plate cylinders 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d Impression cylinders 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d Register motor 15 Recess (cell)
18 Supply roll 19 Winding roll 20 Registration mark detection means 20a CCD camera 30 Registration means 31 Controllers 32b, 32c, 32d Compensation rollers 33b, 33c, 33d Compensation motor 40a Reference registration mark 40a ₁ feed direction line segment 40a ₂ width direction line segment 40b, 40c, 40d register mark _{40b 1,} 40c _1, 40d 1 feeding direction edge _{40b 2,} 40c _2, 40d 2 widthwise end edges 45a, 45b, 45c, 45d Colorcon mark (color register control mark)
45a ₁ , 45b ₁ , 45c ₁ , 45d ₁ feed direction edge 45a ₂ , 45b ₂ , 45c ₂ , 45d ₂ width direction edge 50a, 50b, 50c, 50d register mark 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d edge 60 register Matching means

Claims (9)

A plurality of printing means provided in series having a plate cylinder for performing printing on a continuously sent printing substrate and attaching a register mark to the printing substrate;
Register mark detecting means for detecting a plurality of register marks attached to the printed circuit board by the plate cylinder of each printing means;
Registration means for performing registration of printing based on the positional relationship of a plurality of registration marks detected by the registration mark detection means;
With
Among the printing means, the printing means located on the most upstream side in the feeding direction of the printed circuit board includes a reference register mark having a feeding direction line segment extending in the feeding direction of the printing board and a width direction line segment extending in the width direction of the printing board. Is attached to the printed circuit board,
Among the printing means, each of the second and subsequent printing means in the printing substrate feeding direction is based on a registration mark having a feeding direction edge extending in the printing board feeding direction and a width direction edge extending in the width direction of the printing board. Attached to each printed circuit board so that it overlaps with the registration mark of
In the registering means, the feed direction edge of each register mark attached by each of the second and subsequent printing means in the feed direction of the printed circuit board is divided into two equal parts by the width direction line segment of the reference register mark. A multi-color printing apparatus characterized by performing printing registration so that an end edge in a width direction of a registration mark is bisected by a feed direction line segment of a reference registration mark.   The reference register mark attached to the printed board by the printing means located on the most upstream side in the feeding direction of the printed board is characterized in that the feeding direction line segment and the width direction line segment are orthogonal to each other at the midpoint of each line segment. The multicolor printing apparatus according to 1.   3. The register mark attached to the printed circuit board by each of the second and subsequent printing means in the feeding direction of the printed circuit board is composed of a line segment related to each side of a square or a rectangle. Multicolor printing device.   The register marks attached to the print substrate by the second and subsequent printing means in the feed direction of the print board are of similar shapes with different sizes, and each of the second and subsequent print means has a register mark. 4. The multicolor printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the multi-color printing apparatus is attached to a printed circuit board so as to overlap with one reference registration mark. 5. A printing process in which printing is performed on a printing substrate that is continuously fed by a plate cylinder and a register mark is attached to the printing substrate, and the printing step is performed sequentially a plurality of times;
A registration mark detection step of detecting a plurality of registration marks attached to the printed circuit board by each printing step;
A registration step of performing registration of printing based on a positional relationship of a plurality of registration marks detected by the registration mark detection step;
With
In each printing step, a reference having a feeding direction line segment extending in the feeding direction of the printing substrate and a width direction line segment extending in the width direction of the printing substrate when printing on the printing substrate at the most upstream side in the feeding direction of the printing substrate. A registration mark having a feed direction edge extending in the feed direction of the print substrate and a width direction edge extending in the width direction of the print substrate when printing on the print substrate for the second time and thereafter is provided. Attach to each printed circuit board so that it overlaps the standard registration mark,
In the registering step, the edge in the feed direction of each register mark attached when printing on the printing substrate for the second time and thereafter is divided into two equal parts by the width direction line segment of the reference register mark, and each register mark A multi-color printing method characterized in that printing registration is performed so that the edge in the width direction is divided into two equal parts by a feed direction line segment of a reference register mark.   6. The feed direction line segment and the width direction line segment of a reference register mark attached to the print substrate in the printing process at the most upstream side in the feed direction of the print substrate are orthogonal to each other at the midpoint of each line segment. The multicolor printing method described.   7. Each register mark attached to the printed circuit board in each of the second and subsequent printing steps in the feeding direction of the printed circuit board is composed of a line segment associated with each side of a square or a rectangle. Multi-color printing method.   In each of the printing processes, when the printing is performed on the printing substrate for the second and subsequent times, the registration marks attached to the printing substrate have similar shapes having different sizes, and each of the second and subsequent printing steps. The multi-color printing method according to claim 5, wherein each register mark is attached to a printed circuit board so as to overlap with one reference register mark. A plurality of printing registration marks attached to the printed circuit board by different plate cylinders,
A reference register mark having a feed direction line segment attached to the most upstream plate cylinder in the feed direction of the print board and extending in the feed direction of the print board and a width direction line segment extending in the width direction of the print board; Each register having a feed direction edge extending in the feed direction of the printed circuit board and a width direction edge extending in the width direction of the printed circuit board is attached to each of the second and subsequent plate cylinders in the feed direction so as to overlap the reference register mark. Mark and
The feed direction edge of each register mark attached by the second and subsequent plate cylinders in the feed direction of the printed circuit board is divided into two equal parts by the width direction line segment of the reference register mark, and the width direction edge of each register mark A printing register mark is used for registering printing so that the image is divided into two equal parts by a feed direction line segment of the reference register mark.

Images