JP2006256215A - 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: Each printing means 10a, 10b, 10c and 10d puts a register mark 40a, 40b, 40c and 40d to a printing substrate W. Each register mark 40a, 40b, 40c and 40d consists of a first portion and a second portion which are represented by symmetric point and have their respective edges extending in a feed direction and a width direction. A registration means 30 performs a printing registration process so that the positional relationship between intersections 43a, 43b, 43c and 43d of a median line of the feed direction edges of the first and the second portion and a median line of the width direction edges of the first and the second portion, can be kept uniform. <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, 9 and 10. 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. 9) 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. 9 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).

JP-A-8-230169 JP-A-9-1785

  By the way, when performing, for example, gravure printing (intaglio printing) using the above-described multicolor printing apparatus, the plate cylinders 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d of the printing units 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d are obtained by photolithography. An intaglio plate cylinder which has been printed is 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 certain angle with respect to the feeding direction of the printed substrate W to form a mesh (see, 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 printing substrate W by the plate cylinder 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d. , 50b, 50c, and 50d, the end edges 51a, 51b, 51c, and 51d are not linear, but are uneven 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. 10).

  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. If the accuracy of the printing position is adjusted to about ± 50 μm, the influence of the uneven shape of the edges 51 a, 51 b, 51 c, 51 d is greatly affected, and the desired printing cannot be registered. There is.

  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. Each registration mark attached to the printed circuit board by each printing means is composed of a first part and a second part which are symmetrical with respect to each other, and these first part and second part are fed to the printed circuit board. Each of the registration marks detected by the registration mark detection means has a feeding direction edge extending in the direction and a width direction edge extending in the width direction of the printed circuit board. The middle line of the first part in the feed direction and the middle line of the second part in the feed direction edge, and the middle line of the first part width direction edge and the second part of the width direction edge The multicolor printing apparatus is characterized in that printing registration is performed so as to keep the positional relationship between the intersections of each of the printing points constant.

  Further, the present invention includes a first portion and a second portion that perform printing on a printing substrate that is continuously fed by a plate cylinder and are point-symmetric with respect to each other. A printing process in which a register mark having a feeding direction edge extending in the feeding direction of the printed circuit board and a width direction edge extending in the width direction of the printed circuit board is attached to the printed circuit board, and the printing is performed sequentially a plurality of times. A registration mark detection step for detecting a plurality of registration marks attached to the printed circuit board by each printing step, and a feed direction edge of the first portion in each registration mark detected by the registration mark detection step And the positional relationship between the intersections of the middle line of the feeding direction edge of the second part and the middle line of the width direction edge of the first part and the width line edge of the second part are kept constant. A look at the print Is a multi-color printing process, characterized in that it and a registration step of performing combined.

  Further, the present invention is a plurality of printing registration marks attached to a printing substrate by different plate cylinders, which are composed of a first part and a second part which are point-symmetric with respect to each other. The second part has 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 print board, respectively, and the feed direction edge of the first part and the feed direction of the second part Intersections between the center line of the edge and the center line of the first part in the width direction and the center line of the second part in the width direction edge are provided, and printing is performed so as to keep the positional relationship between the intersections constant. This is a printing register mark that is used for performing registration of a print.

  According to such a multicolor printing apparatus, a multicolor printing method, and a printing register mark, the influence of the shape of the unevenness of the feeding direction edge of the first portion and the feeding direction edge of the second portion of each register mark is affected. It is possible to average, and it is possible to average the influence of the unevenness shape of the widthwise edge of the first portion and the widthwise edge of the second portion. For this reason, it is not necessary to consider the influence due to the difference in the shape of these irregularities, so that it is possible to accurately perform printing registration based on the positional relationship between the intersections of the plurality of registration marks.

In the multicolor printing apparatus of the present invention, it is preferable that each printing unit attaches the registration mark to the printing substrate so that the intersections of the registration marks attached to the printing substrate overlap each other.
In the multicolor printing method of the present invention, it is preferable that the register marks are attached to the print substrate so that the intersections of the register marks attached to the print substrate overlap each other in the respective printing steps.
According to such a multicolor printing apparatus and multicolor printing method, it is possible to more reliably detect the positional relationship between the intersections of the register marks on the print substrate, and therefore, the intersections of the register marks are shifted. By performing printing registration so as not to occur, the accuracy of the registration can be further improved. Furthermore, since it is possible to determine whether or not the overlapping state of the registration marks is a desired state by visual observation, it is possible to more reliably perform printing registration.

In the multicolor printing apparatus of the present invention, it is preferable that the sizes of the registration marks attached to the printing substrate by the printing units are different from each other.
In the multicolor printing method of the present invention, it is preferable that the size of each registration mark attached to the printing substrate in each printing step is different from each other.
According to such a multicolor printing apparatus and a multicolor printing method, it is possible to more reliably detect the feed direction edge and the width direction edge of the first portion and the second portion of each register mark. Therefore, the position of the intersection point in each registration mark can be calculated more accurately, and this can improve the accuracy of printing registration.

  According to the multicolor printing apparatus, the multicolor printing method, and the printing register mark of the present invention, the influence of the shape of the unevenness of the feed direction edge of the first portion and the feed direction edge of the second portion of each register mark is affected. It is possible to average, and it is possible to average the influence of the unevenness shape of the widthwise edge of the first portion and the widthwise edge of the second portion. For this reason, it is not necessary to consider the influence due to the difference in the shape of these irregularities, so that it is possible to accurately perform printing registration based on the positional relationship between the intersections of the 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 according to the present embodiment, and FIG. FIG. 5 is an enlarged view showing details of each registration mark, and FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a printing registration procedure by the multicolor printing apparatus of the present embodiment.

  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. A plurality of, for example, three printing units 10b, 10c, and 10d, each of which is provided on the downstream side of 10a and sequentially prints different colors on the printing substrate W, are provided. 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 by the first color printing unit 10a, the plate cylinder 11a attaches a registration mark 40a to the printing substrate W.

  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 registration mark 40a attached to the printing substrate W by the first color printing means 10a is a first portion 40a ₁ of the same right-angled isosceles triangle that is point-symmetric with respect to each other. If and a second portion 40a ₂ Prefecture. Specifically, the first portion 40a ₁ having a right-angled isosceles triangle has a feed direction edge 41a ₁ and a width direction edge 42a ₁ which are orthogonal to each other. As shown in FIG. The direction end edge 41 a ₁ extends in the feeding direction of the printing substrate W, and the width direction edge 41 a ₂ extends in the width direction of the printing substrate W. Similarly, the second portion 40 a ₂ having a right isosceles triangle has a feeding direction edge 41 a ₂ extending in the feeding direction of the printing substrate W and a width direction edge 42 a ₂ extending in the width direction of the printing substrate W. .

Similarly, as shown in FIGS. 3B, 3C, and 3D, registration marks 40b, 40c, 40c, 40c, which are attached to the printing substrate W by the second, third, and fourth color printing units 10b, 10c, and 10d. Reference numeral 40d has the same shape as the register mark 40a described above, and each of the first part 40b ₁ , 40c ₁ , 40d ₁ and the second part 40b ₂ , each of which is a right-angled isosceles triangle that is point-symmetric with respect to each other, 40c ₂ and 40d ₂ .
The first portions 40b ₁ , 40c ₁ , 40d ₁ of the right isosceles triangles extend in the width direction of the print substrate W and the feed direction edge 41b _1, 41c ₁ , 41d ₁ extending in the feed direction of the print substrate W. and a widthwise end edges _{42b 1, 42c 1, 42d 1} . The second portions 40b ₂ , 40c ₂ , and 40d ₂ of the right isosceles triangles are respectively provided in the feed direction end edges 41b _2, 41c ₂ , 41d ₂ and the width direction of the print board W extending in the feed direction of the print board W. and a widthwise end edge _{42b 2,} 42c _2, 42d 2 extending.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 5, the printing means 10 a, 10 b, 10 c are arranged so that the registration marks 40 a, 40 b, 40 c, 40 d attached to the printing substrate W are sequentially arranged along the feeding direction of the printing substrate W. The 10d printing cylinders 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d are configured to attach the registration marks 40a, 40b, 40c, and 40d to the printed board W, respectively.

  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 images including the registration marks 40a, 40b, 40c, and 40d attached to the printing substrate W are displayed. It is supposed to take an image. 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, 32c changes the position thereof, adjusts the amount of tension applied to the printing substrate W sent to the plate cylinders 11b, 11c, 11d, 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, the first portion 40a ₁ and the second consisting of portions 40a ₂ register marks 40a plate cylinder 11a of the isosceles right triangle having the same shape which is point symmetry with each other as shown in FIG. 3 (a) It is attached to the printed board 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, the first portion 40b ₁ and the second consisting of portions 40b ₂ register mark 40b is a plate cylinder 11b of the isosceles right triangle having the same shape which is point symmetry with each other as shown in FIG. 3 (b) It is attached to the printed board W.
Here, as shown in FIG. 5, the second color printing means 10 b is arranged so that the second registration mark 40 b is spaced apart from the first registration mark 40 a in the feeding direction of the printing substrate W. A register mark 40b is attached.

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 and 3D, the third and fourth color printing units 10c and 10d are similar to the register mark 40b attached to the printing substrate W by the second color printing unit 10b. The registration marks 40c, 40d attached to the printed circuit board W by the plate cylinders 11c, 11d of the printing cylinders 11c, 11d are _first- shaped portions 40c ₁ , 40d ₁ and second portions 40c of the same right-angled isosceles triangle that are symmetrical with respect to each other. ₂ and 40d ₂ . Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the third and fourth color marks 40c and 40d are sequentially arranged so as to be spaced apart from each other in the feed direction of the printed board W with respect to the second registration mark 40b. The printing means 10c and 10d are provided with register marks 40c and 40d on the printed board W, respectively.

  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 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d 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 between the registration marks 40a, 40b, 40c, and 40d in the image captured by the CCD camera 20a is a preset positional relationship.

Specifically, the controller 31, for example, the first color register mark 40a, in the first feeding direction edges 41a ₁ part 40a ₁ and the feed direction edge 41a ₂ of the second portion 40a ₂ It calculates the position of the line 41a _3, also calculates the position of the midline 42a ₃ of the first widthwise end edges 42a ₁ part 40a ₁ and the widthwise end edge 42a ₂ of the second portion 40a _2. Then, the controller 31 calculates the coordinates (x, y) on the printed substrate W at the intersection (central portion) 43a of the midline 42a ₃ and the middle line 41a ₃ of the register mark 40a.
The coordinate x is a coordinate along the width direction of the print substrate W, and the coordinate y is a coordinate along the feed direction of the print substrate W.

Here, since the depression 15 is formed on the surface of the plate cylinder 11a, the feed direction end edges 41a ₁ and 41a ₂ and the width direction end edges 42a ₁ and 42a ₂ have an uneven shape. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view showing details of the concavo-convex shape of each edge by enlarging the inside of the chain line portion of the register mark 40 of FIG. However, when calculating the intersection point (center portion) 43a of the coordinates (x, y) in the register mark 40a, a first feeding direction edges 41a ₁ part 40a ₁ and second feed direction edge portions 40a ₂ 41a ₂ and midline 41a _3, and since the first widthwise end edges 42a ₁ part 40a ₁ and is used midline 42a ₃ of the widthwise end edges 42a ₂ of the second portion 40a _2, feed it is possible to average the influence of the shape of the concavo-convex direction edges 41a ₁ and the feed direction edge 41a _2, also to average the influence of the shape of the uneven widthwise edges 42a ₁ and the widthwise end edge 42a ₂ (See the middle line 41a ₃ and the middle line 42a _{3 in} FIG. 4).

  Similarly, the controller 31 calculates the coordinates (x, y) on the printed board W of the intersections (center portions) 43b, 43c, 43d at the registration marks 40b, 40c, 40d, respectively.

Then, in the controller 31, when the sizes of the x coordinates of the intersections (center portions) 43a, 43b, 43c, 43d at the register marks 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d are all the same as the preset values, printing is performed. It is determined that there is no registration in the width direction of the image, and it is not necessary to perform registration in the width direction of printing.
On the other hand, for example, when the size of the x coordinate of the central portion 43c of the registration mark 40c is different from a preset value, the controller 31 sends a width direction registration signal to the register motor 13c of the printing means 10c. The register motor 13c drives the plate cylinder 11c so that the plate cylinder 11c corrects the misregistration in the width direction of the printing substrate W and the size of the x coordinate of the intersection (center portion) 43c returns to a preset value. .

  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, in the controller 31, the magnitudes e ₁ , e ₂ , e ₃ of the differences in the y coordinates between the adjacent central portions 43a, 43b, 43c, 43d of the register marks 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d are all set in advance. When the value is the same as the value e, it is determined that there is no registration misalignment in the printing feed direction and it is not necessary to perform registration in the printing feed direction.

On the other hand, for example, when the magnitude e ₂ of the difference between the y coordinate of the central portion 43b of the register mark 40b and the y coordinate of the central portion 43c of the register mark 40c is different from a preset value e, the controller 31 is to return to the compensator motor 33c to feed the feed direction registration signal, the magnitude e ₂ is a preset value e of the difference between the y coordinate by modifying the feeding direction of the misregistration of printing the substrate W, compensator motor 33c Drives the compensator roller 32c, and the compensator roller 32c applies a desired tension to the print substrate W.

  In this way, 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 register marks 40a (40b, 40c, 40d) attached to the printing substrate W are point-symmetric with each other. The first part 40a ₁ (40b ₁ , 40c ₁ , 40d ₁ ) and the second part 40a ₂ (40b ₂ , 40c ₂ , 40d ₂ ) are composed of the first part 40a ₁ and the second part 40a. ₂ has feed direction edges 41a ₁ , 41a ₂ parallel to the feed direction of the printed circuit board W and width direction edges 42a ₁ , 42a ₂ parallel to the width direction of the printed circuit board W, respectively. It includes a first portion 40a ₁ of the feeding direction edges 41a ₁ and second portion 40a ₂ of the middle line 41a ₃ of the feed direction edge 41a ₂ of one register mark 40a, the first Intersection 43a and the other register mark 40b between the widthwise edges 42a ₁ and second portions 40a midline 42a ₃ of the widthwise end edges 42a ₂ of ₂ minute 40a _1, 40c, 40d of the intersection 43b, 43c, 43d The registration of printing is performed so that the positional relationship between and can be kept constant.
Mean Therefore, each register mark 40a (40b, 40c, 40d) of the first portion of the 40a _first feeding direction edges 41a ₁ and second portion 40a ₂ of the feeding direction edge 41a ₂ irregularities in the shape effect of can be of, also can be averaged the effect of the shape of the first portion 40a ₁ of the widthwise end edges 42a ₁ and the second width-direction end edges 42a ₂ parts 40a ₂ uneven. For this reason, it is not necessary to consider the influence due to the difference in the shape of these irregularities, so the positional relationship between the intersections (center portions) 43a, 43b, 43c, 43d of the plurality of register marks 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d Based on this, it is possible to accurately perform printing registration.

The multicolor printing apparatus, the multicolor printing method, and the printing register mark 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 this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8, the same parts as those of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

Each registration mark 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d attached to the printed circuit board W by each printing means 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d is two of the same right-angled isosceles triangles that are point-symmetric with each other as shown in FIG. It is not limited to what consists of one part.
As each registration mark 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d, for example, rectangular first portions 40a ₁ , 40b ₁ , 40c ₁ , 40d that are point-symmetric with each other as shown in FIGS. ₁ and the second portion 40a ₂ , 40b ₂ , 40c ₂ , 40d ₂ may be used. Here, the registration marks 40a, 40b, 40c, and 40d have the same size as shown in FIGS. 6A to 6D, but are symmetric with respect to the x coordinate and / or the y coordinate. Alternatively, those rotated by 90 ° are used.
In this case, the respective first portions 40a ₁ , 40b ₁ , 40c ₁ , 40d ₁ are feed direction edges 41a ₁ , 41b ₁ , 41c ₁ , 41d ₁ extending in the feed direction of the printed board W and the width of the printed board W. has a width extending in the direction direction edges _{42a 1, 42b 1, 42c 1} , 42d 1. Each of the second portions 40a ₂ , 40b ₂ , 40c ₂ , 40d ₂ has feed direction edges 41a ₂ , 41b ₂ , 41c ₂ , 41d ₂ extending in the feed direction of the print substrate W and the width direction of the print substrate W. Width direction edges 42 a ₂ , 42 b ₂ , 42 c ₂ , 42 d ₂ extending in the horizontal direction.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 7, the printing cylinders 11a, 11b, and 11c of the printing units 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d are arranged so that the registration marks 40a, 40b, 40c, and 40d attached to the printing substrate W overlap each other. , 11d attach the registration marks 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d to the printed circuit board W, respectively.

More specifically, the printing means 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d are such that the intersections (center portions) 43a, 43b, 43c, and 43d of the registration marks 40a, 40b, 40c, and 40d are substantially at the same position. The registration marks 40a, 40b, 40c, and 40d are attached to the printed circuit board W, respectively. As described above, the intersections (center portions) 43a, 43b, 43c, and 43d are the intersections of the middle lines 41a ₃ , 41b ₃ , 41c ₃ , 41d ₃ and the middle lines 42a ₃ , 42b ₃ , 42c ₃ , 42d ₃ , respectively. I mean.

For example, the registration mark detection unit 20 captures images in which the registration marks 40a, 40b, 40c, and 40d overlap each other as shown in FIG.
The registering means 30 calculates whether or not the coordinates (x, y) of the intersections 43a, 43b, 43c, 43d at the register marks 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d match based on the captured images. When the coordinates (x, y) of the intersections 43a, 43b, 43c, and 43d coincide with each other, it is determined that there is no registration misregistration in printing and it is not necessary to perform registration.
On the other hand, for example, when the coordinates (x, y) of the intersection 43c of the registration mark 40c are deviated from the intersections of the other registration marks, the registration means 30 performs the printing feed direction and / or width by the method described above. Register the direction.

  As described above, according to the present modification, the registration marks 40a, 40b, 40c, and the intersection marks 43a, 43b, 43c, and 43d at the registration marks 40a, 40b, 40c, and 40d attached to the printed circuit board W overlap each other. Since 40d is attached to the printed circuit board W, the positional relationship between the intersections 43a, 43b, 43c, and 43d at the registration marks 40a, 40b, 40c, and 40d on the printed circuit board W can be more reliably detected. For this reason, the registration accuracy can be further improved by performing printing registration so that the intersections 43a, 43b, 43c, and 43d of the registration marks 40a, 40b, 40c, and 40d are not shifted. Furthermore, since it is possible to determine whether or not the overlapping state of the registration marks 40a, 40b, 40c, and 40d is a desired state by visual observation, it is possible to perform printing registration more reliably.

As another modification, as shown in FIG. 8, rectangular first portions 40 a ₁ , 40 b that are point-symmetric with each other as the registration marks 40 a, 40 b, 40 c, 40 d attached to the printed circuit board W. ₁ , 40 c ₁ , 40 d ₁ and the second portion 40 a ₂ , 40 _{b 2} , 40 c ₂ , 40 d _2, and the shape and size of each of the registration marks 40 a, 40 _b , 40 c, 40 d are mutually different. It may be different.
In each register mark shown in FIG. 8, the same components as those shown in FIG.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, the first color registration mark 40a and the second color registration mark 40b are approximately four times as large as the third color registration mark 40c and the fourth color registration mark 40d. It is the size of. As a result, the feed direction end edges 41a ₁ and 41a ₂ and the width direction end edges 42a ₁ and 42a ₂ of the first color registration mark 40a and the feed direction end edges 41b ₁ and 41b _{2 of} the second color registration mark 40b are obtained. And the width direction edges 42b ₁ and 42b ₂ are fed to the feed direction edges 41c ₁ and 41c ₂ and the width direction edges 42c ₁ and 42c _{2 of} the third color registration mark 40c, and the fourth color registration mark 40d. The direction edge 41d ₁ , 41d ₂ and the width direction edge 42d ₁ , 42d ₂ can be clearly distinguished from each other, and the register mark detection means 20 can reliably identify each width direction edge and each feed direction edge. Can be detected.

As described above, according to the present modification, the sizes of the registration marks 40a, 40b, 40c, and 40d attached to the printed board W are different from each other, and therefore the first of the registration marks 40a, 40b, 40c, and 40d. The respective feed direction edges and width direction edges of the portions 40a ₁ , 40b ₁ , 40c ₁ , 40d ₁ and the second portions 40a ₂ , 40b ₂ , 40c ₂ , 40d ₂ can be detected more reliably. For this reason, the positions of the intersections 43a, 43b, 43c, and 43d at each of the registration marks 40a, 40b, 40c, and 40d can be calculated more accurately, thereby further improving the accuracy of printing registration. .

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 embodiment of this invention gave to the printing substrate. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view showing details of each register mark in FIG. 3. It is explanatory drawing which shows the procedure of the printing registration by the multi-color printing apparatus of embodiment of this invention. (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 the state in which each registration mark of FIG. 6 overlapped. It is explanatory drawing which shows all the registration marks attached to the printed circuit board in the other modification of embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows each registration mark which each printing means of the conventional multicolor printing apparatus attached to the printing substrate. FIG. 10 is an enlarged view showing details of the register mark in FIG. 9.

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 motors 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d Registration marks 40a ₁ , 40b ₁ , 40c ₁ , 40d ₁ first portion 40a ₂ , 40b ₂ , 40c ₂ , 40d ₂ second portion 41a ₁ , 41b ₁ , 41c ₁ , 41d ₁ first direction feed direction edge 41a ₂ , 41b ₂ 41c ₂ , 41d ₂ , _second direction feed direction edge 41a ₃ , 41b ₃ , 41c ₃ , 41d ₃ middle line 42a ₁ , 42b ₁ , 42c ₁ , 42d ₁ width direction edge 42a _{2 of} the first part 42b ₂ , 42c ₂ , 42d ₂ Width direction edges 42a ₃ , 42b ₃ , 42c ₃ , 42 of the second part d ₃ midline 43a, 43b, 43c, 43d intersection (central portion)
50a, 50b, 50c, 50d Registration marks 51a, 51b Edge 60 Registration means

Claims (7)

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
Each registration mark attached to the printed circuit board by each of the printing means is composed of a first part and a second part that are point-symmetric with respect to each other, and the first part and the second part are the feeding direction of the printed board. Each having a feed direction edge extending in the width direction and a width direction edge extending in the width direction of the printed circuit board,
The registering means includes a middle line of the feeding direction edge of the first part and a feeding direction edge of the second part and a width of the first part in each of the registration marks detected by the register mark detecting means. A multi-color printing apparatus characterized by performing printing registration so as to keep the positional relationship between intersections between the direction edge and the middle line of the width direction edge of the second portion constant.   2. The multicolor printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the printing units attaches the registration mark to the printing substrate so that the intersections of the registration marks attached to the printing substrate overlap each other.   3. The multicolor printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the size of each registration mark attached to the printing substrate by each printing means is different from each other. A printing cylinder performs printing on a printing substrate that is continuously fed and is composed of a first portion and a second portion that are point-symmetric with each other. These first portion and second portion are the printing substrate. A printing process for attaching a register mark having a feed direction edge extending in the feed direction and a width direction edge extending in the width direction of the printed board to the printed board, the printing process being sequentially performed 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;
In each registration mark detected by the registration mark detection step, the middle line of the feeding direction edge of the first part and the feeding direction edge of the second part, the width direction edge of the first part, and the second part. A registration process for registering the printing so that the positional relationship between the intersections with the middle line of the width direction edge of each part is kept constant;
A multicolor printing method characterized by comprising:   5. The multicolor printing method according to claim 4, wherein in each printing step, the registration marks are attached to the printing substrate so that the intersections of the registration marks attached to the printing substrate overlap each other.   6. The multicolor printing method according to claim 5, wherein the size of each registration mark attached to the printing substrate in each printing step is different from each other. A plurality of printing registration marks attached to the printed circuit board by different plate cylinders,
The first part and the second part are point-symmetric with respect to each other, and the first part and the second part have a feed direction edge extending in the feed direction of the printed board and a width extending in the width direction of the print board. Each having a directional edge,
The intersection of the median line of the feed direction edge of the first part and the feed direction edge of the second part and the median line of the width direction edge of the first part and the width direction edge of the second part is Provided,
A printing register mark, which is used for registering printing so as to keep the positional relationship between the intersections constant.

Images