JP2009104005A - Image recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce influence on images, even if the interval (the pitch between laser channels) between a plurality of laser units is changed. <P>SOLUTION: Correction for a pitch A between the laser channels is designated by a user setting input part 34, and according to the correction designation, a control means causes the optical recording head H to move in the sub-scanning direction Y, at a speed higher than the ordinary feed speed to thereby increase the pitch amount per recording line, whereby elongation X of a pitch A between the laser channels is dispersed equally to recording lines L1-L4 of the recording areas of the respective adjacent laser units 2, and gaps F of recorded images, after the final recording line L4 is diffused so that the recording areas, do not overlap between partial recording areas of all adjacent laser units 2 in the sub-scanning direction Y or a gap is not formed between the recording areas. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus that performs image recording by irradiating a plate (recording medium) with laser light.

  In order to form a printing plate for lithographic printing, an aluminum plate (recording medium) coated with a sensitizer on the surface is wound around the outer periphery and a drum is rotated, and this plate is irradiated with laser light. There is an apparatus for recording (exposing) an image.

  In such an image recording apparatus, recording of an image on a plate wound around a drum is performed by turning on / off a laser beam and exposing a necessary pattern. On the other hand, sub-scanning is performed by moving a laser head provided on a drum rotating at high speed on the scale of the base.

By the way, in such an image recording apparatus, components such as the scale of the drum and the base are configured so as to reduce the influence on the image quality at the time of image recording, and the irradiation position of the laser beam and the like correspond to the variation. There are some which are corrected (see Patent Document 1).
JP 2002-98925 A

  The conventional image recording apparatus has a configuration with sub-scanning that moves the optical recording head on the scale of the base, but in order to reduce the distance of the sub-scanning movement, the number of laser units incorporated in the optical recording head There is also an increasing trend.

  And in recent years, it has become difficult to adjust all the intervals between adjacent laser units to the same interval due to an increase in the number of laser units, and even if it can be adjusted, the adjustment is shifted due to vibration of the device, etc. There was a problem that the recording position of each laser unit was shifted.

  This shift in the recording position is not so noticeable to human eyes when the recording areas of the adjacent laser units are shifted so that they overlap each other (when the interval between adjacent laser units becomes smaller than a predetermined interval). If there is no effect on the image but it is shifted so that a gap is generated between the recording areas (when the interval between adjacent laser units becomes larger than the predetermined interval), it becomes a white line and becomes the human eye. There is a problem that the image is very noticeable and affects the image.

  The present invention solves such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to reduce the influence on an image even if the interval between laser units (the pitch between laser channels) changes. It is an object to provide an image recording apparatus that can be used.

  An image recording apparatus according to the present invention includes a drum on which a plate on which an image is recorded is wound and mounted and rotation-controlled, and a plurality of laser units for recording an image on the plate against the drum in the axial direction of the drum The optical recording heads are arranged at equal intervals in the sub-scanning direction and are movable in the sub-scanning direction, the optical recording head is moved in the sub-scanning direction, and the drum is rotated in the main scanning direction orthogonal to the sub-scanning direction. An image recording apparatus for recording an image by moving the optical recording head in the sub-scanning direction and recording the plate on each plate by each laser unit between the recording areas of all adjacent laser units in the sub-scanning direction. And a control means for controlling the moving speed of the optical recording head in the sub-scanning direction so that a part of the recording head does not overlap or no gap is formed between the recording areas.

  According to the image recording apparatus of the present invention, the control means performs control to increase the feeding speed of the optical recording head, and increases the pitch amount per recording line, thereby increasing the pitch extension between the laser channels. By evenly distributing the recording areas of the recording areas of the laser units, the recording areas are partially overlapped between the recording areas of all adjacent laser units in the sub-scanning direction, or there are no gaps between the recording areas. can do. For this reason, even if the interval (pitch between laser channels) of a plurality of laser units changes, the influence on the image can be reduced.

  An image recording apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a drum on which a plate on which an image is recorded is wound and mounted and rotation-controlled, and a plurality of images for recording an image on the plate against the drum. An optical recording head having laser units arranged at equal intervals in the sub-scanning direction which is the axial direction of the drum and movable in the sub-scanning direction is provided, the optical recording head is moved in the sub-scanning direction, and the drum is moved in the sub-scanning direction. An image recording apparatus for recording an image by rotating in an orthogonal main scanning direction, wherein an optical recording head is moved in the sub-scanning direction, and a recording area to be recorded on a plate by each laser unit is all adjacent in the sub-scanning direction. Control means for controlling the moving speed of the optical recording head in the sub-scanning direction so that some of the recording areas of the laser unit overlap or no gap is formed between the recording areas. Is shall.

  With the above configuration, the control means performs control to increase the feeding speed of the optical recording head, and increases the pitch amount per recording line, so that the extension of the pitch between laser channels is recorded in each adjacent laser unit. By evenly distributing the recording lines in the area, it is possible to partially overlap the recording area between the recording areas of all adjacent laser units in the sub-scanning direction or to prevent a gap between the recording areas. For this reason, even if the interval (pitch between laser channels) of a plurality of laser units changes, the influence on the image can be reduced.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image recording apparatus according to the present invention, wherein a plate on which an image is recorded is wound and mounted and the rotation is controlled, and an image is recorded on the plate against the drum. A plurality of laser units are arranged at equal intervals in the sub-scanning direction, which is the axial direction of the drum, and an optical recording head that can move in the sub-scanning direction is provided. The optical recording head is moved in the sub-scanning direction and the drum is sub-scanned. An image recording apparatus for recording an image by rotating in a main scanning direction orthogonal to the direction, wherein the optical recording head is moved in the sub scanning direction, and the sub scanning direction of the recording area recorded on the plate by each adjacent laser unit Detecting means for detecting a gap between recording areas in the recording medium, and a gap detected between the recording areas of all adjacent laser units when a gap is detected by the detecting means Eliminated as those having a control means for the moving speed in the sub-scanning direction of the optical recording head.

  With this configuration, the detection unit detects a gap between the recording areas in the sub-scanning direction of the recording area recorded on the plate, and the control unit moves the optical recording head in the sub-scanning direction according to the detected gap. You can change the speed. For this purpose, control is performed to increase the feed speed of the optical recording head, and the pitch amount per recording line is increased, so that the extension of the pitch between the laser channels is reduced to the recording line of the recording area of each adjacent laser unit. This gap can be eliminated by dispersing evenly. For this reason, even if the interval (pitch between laser channels) of a plurality of laser units changes, the influence on the image can be reduced.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image recording apparatus for recording an image on a plate opposed to the drum, on which a plate on which an image is recorded is wound and mounted and rotated. A plurality of laser units are arranged at equal intervals in the sub-scanning direction, which is the axial direction of the drum, and an optical recording head that can move in the sub-scanning direction is provided. The optical recording head is moved in the sub-scanning direction and the drum is sub-scanned. An image recording apparatus for recording an image by rotating in a main scanning direction orthogonal to the direction, wherein the optical recording head is moved in the sub scanning direction, and the sub scanning direction of the recording area recorded on the plate by each adjacent laser unit Detecting means for detecting a gap between recording areas in the recording medium, and a gap detected between the recording areas of all adjacent laser units when a gap is detected by the detecting means Eliminated as those having a control means for the moving speed in the sub-scanning direction of the optical recording head wider the gap.

  With the above configuration, the detection unit detects a gap between the recording areas in the sub-scanning direction of the recording area recorded on the plate, and the control unit detects the gap of the detected gap in the sub-scanning direction of the optical recording head. The moving speed to can be changed. For this purpose, the optical recording head is moved in the sub-scanning direction at a higher speed as the gap is wider, and the pitch amount per recording line is increased, so that the extension of the pitch between the laser channels can be reduced for each adjacent laser. This gap can be eliminated by evenly distributing the recording lines in the recording area of the unit. For this reason, even if the interval (pitch between laser channels) of a plurality of laser units changes, the influence on the image can be reduced.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image recording apparatus according to the present invention, wherein a plate on which an image is recorded is wound and mounted and the rotation is controlled, and an image is recorded on the plate against the drum. A plurality of laser units are arranged at equal intervals in the sub-scanning direction, which is the axial direction of the drum, and an optical recording head that can move in the sub-scanning direction is provided. The optical recording head is moved in the sub-scanning direction and the drum is sub-scanned. An image recording apparatus for recording an image by rotating in a main scanning direction orthogonal to the direction, wherein the optical recording head is moved in the sub scanning direction, and the sub scanning direction of the recording area recorded on the plate by each adjacent laser unit Detecting means for detecting a gap between the recording areas in the recording medium and a gap detected between the recording areas of adjacent laser units when the detecting means detects the gap. To turn wider gap is eliminated, and has a control means for the moving speed in the sub-scanning direction of the optical recording head.

  With the above configuration, the detection means detects the gap between the recording areas in the sub-scanning direction of the recording area recorded on the plate, and the control means detects the gap of the optical recording head according to the widest gap among the detected gaps. The moving speed in the sub-scanning direction can be changed. For this purpose, control to increase the feed speed of the optical recording head and move the optical recording head in the sub-scanning direction to increase the pitch amount per recording line. By evenly dispersing the recording lines in the recording area of each laser unit, the widest gap among the gaps detected between the recording areas can be eliminated. For this reason, even if the interval (pitch between laser channels) of a plurality of laser units changes, the influence on the image can be reduced.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image recording apparatus according to the present invention for recording a drum on which a plate, on which an image is recorded, is wound and mounted and controlled in rotation, on the plate facing the drum. An optical recording head that is arranged at equal intervals in the sub-scanning direction that is the axial direction of the drum and is movable in the sub-scanning direction, and a feed screw member that moves the optical recording head by screw feeding, An image recording apparatus for recording an image by moving an optical recording head in a sub-scanning direction by rotating a feed screw member and rotating a drum in a main scanning direction orthogonal to the sub-scanning direction. The recording area that is moved in the sub-scanning direction and recorded on the plate by each laser unit is partially overlapped between the recording areas of all adjacent laser units in the sub-scanning direction. Or so that there is no gap between the recording area, and has a control means for controlling the rotational speed of the feed screw member.

  With this configuration, the control unit can change the moving speed of the optical recording head in the sub-scanning direction by changing the rotation speed of the feed screw member. For this purpose, the feed screw member is rotated rapidly to increase the feed speed of the optical recording head, and the optical recording head is moved in the sub-scanning direction at a speed faster than the normal feed speed to perform one recording. By increasing the pitch amount per line, the extension of the pitch between the laser channels is evenly distributed to the recording lines of the recording areas of each adjacent laser unit, so that the recording area to be recorded on the plate can be changed in the sub-scanning direction. In FIG. 5, it is possible to partially overlap between the recording areas of all adjacent laser units or to prevent a gap between the recording areas. For this reason, even if the interval (pitch between laser channels) of a plurality of laser units changes, the influence on the image can be reduced.

  Embodiments of an image recording apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a front view of an image recording apparatus according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view in which the image recording apparatus is partially omitted, FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a unit body of an optical recording head in the image recording apparatus, and FIG. FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing an arrangement of laser units provided in the unit main body, FIG. 6 is a front view showing a state in which a plurality of the unit main bodies are arranged, and FIG. 7 is a side view of the optical recording head. FIG. 8, FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line DD of FIG. 7, FIG. 9 is an explanatory view of the positional relationship between the unit main body and the drum, and FIG. 10 is a block of image recording control means of the image recording apparatus according to the present invention. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image recording apparatus according to the present invention includes a drum 5 and an optical recording head H, and a plate 4 that is a recording medium for recording an image by the optical recording head H is provided on the surface of the drum 5. Wrapped and attached. The plate 4 is used for a printing original plate when printing a printed material, and is in the form of a plate in which, for example, a photosensitive layer is applied to the surface of an aluminum base material as a base. The drum 5 is rotationally driven in the main scanning direction X by the main scanning motor 6. One plate 4 may be wound around the drum 5 as shown in FIG. 1, or two plates 4 may be wound around the drum 5 as shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the optical recording head H includes a unit main body 1, and the unit main body 1 has a recording magazine 3 that is a support member for arranging and supporting a large number of laser units 2. In the recording magazine 3, as shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of laser units 2 are arranged in a row R parallel to the sub-scanning direction Y, and, for example, five stages (R1 to R5) are provided in the main scanning direction X. .

  As shown in FIG. 5, the laser units 2 arranged in each row R are shifted in the sub-scanning direction Y for each row R1 to R5. That is, if the laser unit 2 at the end of R1 in the first row is the recording laser channel Ch1, the recording laser channel Ch2 is arranged in the second row R2, and the pitch between the recording laser channel Ch1 and the recording laser channel Ch2 is set to the laser channel. The pitch is between (μm). Thereafter, the recording laser channel Ch6 is provided in the first column R1 by shifting the pitch between the laser channels for each column R1 to R5 from the recording laser channel Ch3, the recording laser channel Ch4, and the recording laser channel Ch5.

  As a result, the adjacent pitch (actual arrangement pitch) of the laser units 2 arranged in the first row R1 is almost five times that in the case where they are arranged in the same row, so that the cases 2a of the laser units 2 shown in FIG. It becomes possible to arrange in the recording magazine 3 without interference. As shown in FIG. 2, in the optical recording head H, in order to record a high-resolution image on the plate 4 at a high speed, the unit main body 1 is divided into four units U1, U2, U3, U4 in the sub-scanning direction Y. And mounted on the magazine base 8 for use.

  As shown in FIG. 1, in the sub-scanning section, a slide block 32 having a female screw hole (not shown) is mounted on the magazine base 8, and a sub-scanning motor (magazine feed motor) is installed in this female screw hole. ) A ball screw 33 which is a feed screw member rotating at 7 is screwed. Therefore, the magazine base 8 is reciprocated in the sub-scanning direction Y orthogonal to the main scanning direction X by rotating the ball screw 33 forward and backward by the forward / reverse rotation driving of the sub-scanning motor 7, thereby the optical recording head H is moved back and forth. The sub scanning motor 7 reciprocates in the sub scanning direction Y.

  The laser unit 2 is disposed in the recording magazine 3 as shown in FIG. 7, and each laser unit 2 includes a laser package 12 provided in a cylindrical case 2a and the laser package as shown in FIG. The optical system 13 that irradiates the plate 4 with the laser beam emitted from the laser beam 12c as a main configuration is mainly used. The optical system 13 includes a collimating lens 9, a molded lens 10, an aperture 11, and an objective lens 18 arranged in this order on the case 2a in the laser beam traveling direction. In this case, the aperture 11 makes the diameter of the laser beam 12c molded by the molded lens 10 constant.

  The laser unit 2 configured as described above is housed in the laser unit housing portion 15 provided in the recording magazine 3 together with the pressing biasing spring 16, and the laser unit 2 is received by the pressing biasing spring 16. The container 15 is pressed against two reference surfaces 17 in the main scanning direction X and the sub-scanning direction Y.

  FIG. 9 shows the positional relationship between the unit main body 1 and the drum 5. For example, the center of the laser unit 2 in the fifth stage, that is, the center of the laser unit 2 in the third row R3 and the drum 5 are shown. When the center lines are matched and the focal point 12d of the laser beam 12c of the laser unit 2 in the third row R3 is aligned with the surface of the plate 4 wound around the drum 5, the upper and lower sides of the laser unit 2 in the third row R3 The deviation amount S between the focal point 12d of the laser beam 12c of the laser unit 2 in the fourth row R4 and the second row R2 and the focal point 12d of the laser beam 12c of the laser unit 2 in the third row R3 is the radius R of the drum 5. Is 200 mm, the defocusing occurs between the laser unit 2 in the third row L3 and the laser units 2 in the other rows.

  In order to correct this, the laser unit 2 is moved in the contact / separation direction of the plate 4 so that the focus of each laser unit 2 is adjusted so that the laser beam 12c is focused on the plate 4 on the surface of the drum 5. Has been done. When the focus adjustment of all the laser units 2 is completed, each laser unit 2 is fixed to the recording magazine 3 by means of adhesion or the like so that the adjustment position does not shift.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the image recording control means 20 includes an interface unit 23 connected to an image server 22 on the host system side via an interface, a system control unit 24 that receives control signals from the interface unit 23, A main scanning motor driver 25 as main scanning control means for controlling the scanning motor 6, a sub scanning motor driver 26 as sub scanning control means for controlling the sub scanning motor 7, a main scanning motor driver 25 and a sub scanning motor driver 26. A mechanism control unit 27 for controlling the image data, a memory (page memory or line memory corresponding to the number of recording laser channels Ch) 28 as storage means for storing image data from the interface unit 23, and reading out the image data from the memory 28. Selection to select the laser unit 2 for each line of the image A signal selector 29 is a unit, and a user setting input unit 31 for inputting the system controller user setting information 24, the CCD reading unit 34 as a detection means for reading a plate 4 that is recorded in advance. The CCD reading unit 34 recognizes the gap F between the recording areas recorded on the read plate 4, measures the dimension of the gap F, and determines the correction amount of the gap F. 35.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 11, the main scanning motor 6 and the sub-scanning motor 7 are configured such that motor rotation signals are detected by the respective encoders 6A and 7A. The system control unit 24 monitors whether each encoder is rotating normally, or performs feedback control such as servo control.

  Further, the system control unit 24 and the mechanism control unit 27 are constituted by a microcomputer 30 as control means. The microcomputer 30 calls individual images from the memory 28 based on information selected by the signal selector 29. The function as an assigning means for assigning these images to the recording laser channels Ch of the corresponding recording magazine 3 and the sub-scanning motor driver 26 are operated to move the recording magazine 3 in the sub-scanning direction Y. The recording laser channel Ch is moved to each writing position, and a function as writing position moving means for positioning each recording laser channel Ch in the recording area of the corresponding laser unit 2 is provided.

  Further, the microcomputer 30 sets the correction value when the system control unit 24 detects the setting value input from the user setting input unit 31 or the gap F between the recording areas from the plate 4 read by the CCD reading unit 34. Accordingly, the mechanism control unit 27 is instructed to control the sub-scanning motor driver (sub-scanning control means) 26, and the sub-scanning motor 7 is rotationally controlled to change the rotation speed of the ball screw 33, so that the sub-scanning motor 7 is controlled. Control means for changing the moving speed in the scanning direction Y is provided.

  This control means moves the optical recording head H in the sub-scanning direction Y so that the recording area to be recorded on the plate 4 by each laser unit 2 is equal between the recording areas of all adjacent laser units 2 in the sub-scanning direction Y. The moving speed of the optical recording head H in the sub-scanning direction is controlled so that the sections overlap or no gap is formed between the recording areas, and the control means controls the distance between the recording areas from the plate 4 read by the CCD reading section 34. When the gap F is detected, control is performed to increase the moving speed of the optical recording head H in the sub-scanning direction Y so that the gap F detected between the recording areas of all adjacent laser units 2 is eliminated.

  In addition, when the control unit detects the gap F between the recording areas from the plate 4 read by the CCD reading unit 34, the control means is configured to eliminate the gap F detected between the recording areas of all the adjacent laser units 2. Control is performed so that the moving speed of the recording head H in the sub-scanning direction Y increases as the gap F increases, and the control means detects the gap F between the recording areas from the read plate 4 by the CCD reading unit 34. In this case, control is performed to increase the moving speed of the optical recording head H in the sub-scanning direction Y so that the widest gap F among the gaps F is eliminated.

  FIG. 12 corresponds to the pitch A between the laser channels of the ideal recording laser channel Ch (Ch1, Ch2, Ch3,... ChN) and the recording laser channel Ch (Ch1, Ch2, Ch3,... ChN). The relationship of the recording pitch P of the recording lines L1-L4 of the laser unit 2 is shown. Note that L1 to L4 are displayed as recording lines and four columns are displayed as the laser unit 2 columns for the sake of simplicity of explanation, and the recording lines are actually L1 to L150. The number of columns 2 is 5 in FIG.

  In this case, the laser unit 2 makes four rounds, and accordingly, the laser unit moves in the sub-scanning direction, so that the next laser channel Ch (N + 1) can be reached and the recording area of each adjacent laser unit 2 can be reached. After the final recording line L4, there is no occurrence of a recording image gap F or an overlapping portion G of recording images, which is a recording position shift.

  However, the pitch between the laser channels is deviated from the ideal laser channel pitch A, and the pitch A between the laser channels is expanded to A + X (X is a deviation in the extending direction between the laser channels) as shown in the state before complementation in FIG. Then, even if the laser unit 2 makes four rounds, and the laser unit moves in the sub-scanning direction, it cannot reach the position that the next laser channel Ch (N + 1) takes over, and the recording area of each adjacent laser unit 2 cannot be reached. After the final recording line L4, a recording image gap F, which is a recording position shift, is generated.

  In the reverse case, as shown in the state before complementation in FIG. 13, when the laser channel pitch A narrows to AX, the recording is performed after the last recording line L4 in the recording area of each adjacent laser unit 2. An overlap portion G of the recorded image that is a position shift occurs.

Next, the operation of the image recording apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. In forming an image on the plate 4, the image data is stored in the memory (page memory or line memory) 28 from the image server 22 via the interface unit 23, and a signal is output from the memory (page memory or line memory) 28. The selector 29 reads out the image data and selects the laser unit 2 for each line of the image. At the same time, when an image signal is input from the interface unit 23 and the operation is started, the drum 5 is rotated in the main scanning direction X by the main scanning motor 6 whose rotation is controlled by the main scanning motor driver 25, and a plurality of units U1, U
The optical recording head H composed of 2... Un is reciprocated in the sub-scanning direction Y by the sub-scanning motor 7 whose feed speed is controlled by the sub-scanning motor driver 26.

  The laser unit 2 generates a laser beam 12c corresponding to the image signal. That is, the laser beam 12b emitted from the laser chip 12a becomes a laser beam 12c by the optical system 13 and is condensed on the surface of the plate 4, and an image is formed on the plate 4 based on the image data as follows. Is done.

  The photosensitive layer applied to the surface of the plate 4 is cured by, for example, a polymerization reaction on the plate 4 due to the thermal energy of the laser beam 12c, and the photosensitive layer other than the cured portion is washed away by a developing machine. An oleophilic part (inking) and a hydrophilic part (non-inking) are formed.

Each time the drum 5 rotates once and the plate 4 is moved in the main scanning direction X by one recording line, the sub-scanning control means 7 moves the unit body 1 in the sub-scanning direction Y of the plate 4 by a predetermined amount. By repeating the above and scanning the entire plate 4, an image is formed on the plate 4.

The image formed on the plate 4 is read from the memory (page memory or line memory) 28 and distributed to each laser unit 2 by the signal selector 29. When recording on the plate 4, the laser unit 2 directs the plate 4 to the plate 4. Although the laser beam 12c is irradiated, the irradiation is always controlled at the same position with respect to the main scanning direction X. That is, the next column R2 is irradiated with a delay for a preset time with respect to the column R1 to be recorded first, and the subsequent column R3 is also irradiated with a delay from the first columns R1 and R2 by the set time. The

  A printing original plate is manufactured by forming an image on the entire plate 4 as described above, and a high-resolution image is recorded at a high speed on a printing original plate having a large width.

  Next, a control flowchart for correcting the pitch between laser channels by user setting and performing sub-scanning control based on this correction instruction will be described with reference to FIG.

  When the process is started, in the microcomputer 30, the system control unit 24 determines whether or not there is an instruction to correct the laser channel pitch A from the user setting input unit 31 (step S1).

  Next, when it is determined in step S1 that there is no instruction to correct the pitch A between laser channels, a normal control signal is not sent from the system control unit 24 but a speed correction control signal of the sub-scanning motor 7 to the mechanism control unit. 27, the mechanism control unit 27 does not correct the speed of the sub-scanning motor 7 (step S2).

  In step S2, since a normal control signal is sent to the mechanism control unit 27, the mechanism control unit 27 outputs a drive signal to the sub-scanning motor driver 26, whereby the sub-scanning motor driver 26 operates to perform sub-scanning. The motor 7 is activated, the recording magazine 3 moves in the sub-scanning direction Y, and each recording laser channel Ch (Ch1, Ch2, Ch3,... ChN) moves to the recording start position (writing position) (step S3). ).

  Next, when the mechanism control unit 27 outputs a drive signal to the main scanning motor driver 25, the main scanning motor driver 25 is activated to activate the main scanning motor 6, and the drum 5 rotates in the main scanning direction X. Start (step S4).

  Next, when the mechanism control unit 27 outputs a drive signal to the sub-scanning motor driver 26, the sub-scanning motor driver 26 is actuated to activate the sub-scanning motor 7, and the recording magazine 3 is sent in the sub-scanning direction Y. Then, each recording laser channel Ch (Ch1, Ch2, Ch3,... ChN) is moved (step S5).

  The laser unit 2 corresponding to each recording laser channel Ch (Ch1, Ch2, Ch3,... ChN) generates a laser beam 12c. That is, the laser light emitted from the laser chip 12 a is focused on the surface of the plate 4 as a laser beam 12 c by the optical system 13. Accordingly, a recorded image is recorded on each of the recording lines L1 to L4 in the recording area of each laser unit 2.

  Next, recording is performed on all the specified lines (step S6), the rotation of the drum 5 is stopped (step S7), and then the feeding of the recording magazine 3 in the sub-scanning direction Y is stopped (step S8). The process ends.

  If it is determined in step S1 that there is a correction instruction to increase the pitch between laser channels (step S9), the pitch A between laser channels is A + X (where X is a value) as shown in the state before complementation in FIG. Since the gap F of the recorded image is generated between the recording areas of each laser unit 2, a control signal is sent from the system control unit 24 to the mechanism control unit 27. The mechanism control unit 27 instructs the sub-scanning motor driver 26 to correct the feed speed of the sub-scanning motor 7 (step S10).

  Next, a control signal is sent from the system control unit 24 to the mechanism control unit 27, and the mechanism control unit 27 corrects the feed speed of the sub-scanning motor 7. In this case, the flow from step S3 to step S8 is executed, but the mechanism control unit 27 outputs a drive signal corrected to increase the feed speed to the sub-scanning motor driver 26, and based on these results. Then, in step S3, the optical recording head H is moved to the recording start position (writing position), and in step S5, the rotation of the sub-scanning motor 7 is controlled so as to feed the optical recording head H (recording magazine 3). Increases speed.

  Therefore, the optical recording head H is moved in the sub-scanning direction Y at a speed higher than the normal feeding speed, and the pitch per recording line is changed from the pitch P before complementation to the pitch after complementation as shown in FIG. By increasing the pitch amount to P1, the extension X is evenly distributed to the recording lines L1 to L4 in the recording area of each adjacent laser unit 2 as shown in the state after complementation in FIG. The gap F of the recorded image after the recording line L4 is eliminated. In this case, as shown in the state after complementation in FIG. 13, overlap (overlap part) is further increased in the overlap part G generated before the complement.

  If it is determined in step S1 that there is a correction instruction to reduce the pitch between laser channels (step S11), the laser channel pitch A is set to AX as shown in the state before complementation in FIG. Since the overlap portion G of the recorded image is generated after the final recording line L4 in the recording area of each adjacent laser unit 2, the control signal is sent from the system control unit 24 to the mechanism control unit 27, and the mechanism The control unit 27 instructs the sub-scanning motor driver 26 to correct the feed speed of the sub-scanning motor 7 (step S12).

  Next, a control signal from the system control unit 24 is sent to the mechanism control unit 27, and the mechanism control unit 27 corrects the feed speed of the sub-scanning motor 7. In this case, the flow from step S3 to step S8 is executed, but the mechanism control unit 27 outputs a drive signal in which the feed speed is corrected to the sub-scanning motor driver 26, and based on these results. In step S3, the optical recording head H is moved to the recording start position (writing position). In step 5, the sub-scanning motor 7 is controlled to rotate slowly, and the optical recording head H (recording magazine 3) is fed. The speed is slow.

  Therefore, the optical recording head H is moved in the sub-scanning direction Y at a speed slower than the normal feed speed so that the narrowed laser channel pitch AX matches the normal laser channel pitch A. By reducing the pitch amount per recording line, the shrinkage X is evenly distributed to the recording lines L1 to L4 in the recording area of the adjacent laser unit 2, and the overlap portion G of the recording image after the final recording line L4 is obtained. lose.

  Next, a control flowchart for detecting the pitch between laser channels by the CCD reading unit 34 as detection means and performing sub-scanning control based on the detected correction amount will be described with reference to FIG.

  When the processing is started, the CCD reading unit 34 reads information recorded in advance on the plate 4 (step T1), and the gap recognition / correction amount determining unit 35 determines between the recording areas of the plate 4 from the read information. The gap F is recognized (step T2), the dimension of the gap F is measured (step T3), and the correction amount of the gap F is determined (step T4).

  Next, in the microcomputer 30, the system control unit 24 determines whether or not it is necessary to correct the gap F of the pitch A between the laser channels (step T5).

  Next, when it is determined in step 5 that the correction of the pitch A between laser channels is not necessary, the normal control signal is not the mechanism control signal from the system control unit 24 instead of the speed correction control signal of the sub-scanning motor 7. The mechanism control unit 27 does not correct the speed of the sub-scanning motor 7 (step T6).

  Next, since a normal control signal that does not correct the speed of the sub-scanning motor 7 is sent to the mechanism control unit 27, the mechanism control unit 27 outputs a drive signal to the sub-scanning motor driver 26. The motor driver 26 is activated to activate the sub-scanning motor 7, the recording magazine 3 is moved in the sub-scanning direction Y, and each recording laser channel Ch (Ch1, Ch2, Ch3,... ChN) is at the recording start position ( The writing position is moved (step T7).

  Next, when the mechanism control unit 27 outputs a drive signal to the main scanning motor driver 25, the main scanning motor driver 25 is activated to activate the main scanning motor 6, and the drum 5 rotates in the main scanning direction X. Start (step T8).

  Next, when the mechanism control unit 27 outputs a drive signal to the sub-scanning motor driver 26, the sub-scanning motor driver 26 is actuated to activate the sub-scanning motor 7, and the recording magazine 3 is sent in the sub-scanning direction Y. The recording laser channels Ch (Ch1, Ch2, Ch3,... ChN) are moved (step T9).

  The laser unit 2 corresponding to each recording laser channel Ch1, Ch2, Ch3,... Ch (N) generates a laser beam 12c. That is, the laser light emitted from the laser chip 12 a is focused on the surface of the plate 4 as a laser beam 12 c by the optical system 13. Accordingly, a recorded image is recorded on each of the recording lines L1 to L4 in the recording area of the laser unit 2.

  Next, recording is performed on all the prescribed lines (step T10), the rotation of the drum 5 is stopped (step T11), and then the feeding of the recording magazine 3 in the sub-scanning direction Y is stopped (step T12). The process ends.

  If it is determined in step T5 that there is a correction instruction to increase the pitch between laser channels (step T13), the laser channel pitch A is set to A + X (where X is a value) as shown in the state before interpolation in FIG. Since the gap F of the recorded image is generated between the recording areas of the adjacent laser units 2, a control signal is sent from the system control unit 24 to the mechanism control unit 27. Then, the mechanism control unit 27 instructs the sub-scanning motor driver 26 to correct the feed speed of the sub-scanning motor 7 (step T14).

  Next, a control signal is sent from the system control unit 24 to the mechanism control unit 27, and the mechanism control unit 27 corrects the feed speed of the sub-scanning motor 7. In this case, the flow from step T7 to step T12 is executed, but the mechanism control unit 27 outputs a drive signal corrected to increase the feed speed to the sub-scanning motor driver 26, and based on these results. In step T7, the optical recording head H is moved to the recording start position (writing position). In step T9, the sub-scanning motor 7 is controlled to rotate faster, and the optical recording head H (recording magazine 3) is fed. Increases speed.

  Therefore, the optical recording head H is moved in the sub-scanning direction Y at a speed higher than the normal feeding speed, and the pitch per recording line is changed from the pitch P before complementation to the pitch after complementation as shown in FIG. By increasing the pitch amount to P1, the extension X is evenly distributed to the recording lines L1 to L4 in the recording area of the adjacent laser unit 2 as shown in the state after complementation in FIG. The gap F of the subsequent recorded image is eliminated, and the widest gap F among the gaps F detected between the recording areas is eliminated.

  Further, the control means controls the rotation speed of the sub-scanning motor 7 to rotate the ball screw 33 faster, so that the optical recording head H is moved from the normal feed speed so as to reduce the enlarged pitch A + X between laser channels. By moving in the sub-scanning direction Y at a high speed and increasing the pitch amount per recording line, the extension X is evenly distributed to the recording lines L1 to L4 in the recording area of the adjacent laser unit 2, and the final recording is performed. The gap F of the recorded image after the line L4 is eliminated. In this case, as shown in the state after complementation in FIG. 13, overlap (overlap part) is further increased in the overlap part G generated before the complement.

  If it is determined in step T5 that there is a correction instruction to reduce the pitch between laser channels (step T15), the pitch A between laser channels is set to AX as shown in the state before complementation in FIG. Since the overlap portion G of the recorded image is generated after the final recording line L4 of the recording area of the laser unit 2, the control signal is sent from the system control unit 24 to the mechanism control unit 27, and the mechanism control unit 27 The sub-scan motor driver 26 is instructed to correct the feed speed of the sub-scan motor 7 (step T16).

  Next, a control signal is sent from the system control unit 24 to the mechanism control unit 27, and the mechanism control unit 27 corrects the feed speed of the sub-scanning motor 7. In this case, the flow from step S7 to step S12 is executed, but the mechanism control unit 27 outputs a drive signal in which the feed speed is corrected to the sub-scanning motor driver 26, and based on these results. In step S7, the optical recording head H is moved to the recording start position (writing position), and in step 9, control for slowing the rotation of the sub-scanning motor 7 is performed, and the optical recording head H (recording magazine 3) is fed. The speed is slow.

  Therefore, the control means moves the optical recording head H in the sub-scanning direction Y at a speed slower than the normal feed speed so as to match the narrow laser channel pitch A-X with the normal laser channel pitch A. By moving and reducing the pitch amount per recording line, the shrinkage X is evenly distributed to the recording lines L1 to L4 in the recording area of the laser unit 2, and the overlap portion of the recording image after the final recording line L4 G is lost.

  As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the user setting input unit 34 issues a correction instruction for the pitch A between laser channels, and based on this correction instruction, the control means controls the optical recording head H. By moving in the sub-scanning direction Y at a speed faster than the normal feed speed and increasing the pitch amount per recording line, the extension X of the pitch A between the laser channels is changed to the recording area of each adjacent laser unit 2. The recording areas are evenly distributed over the recording lines L1 to L4 and the gap F between the recording images after the final recording line L4 is eliminated, so that the recording area is uniform between the recording areas of all adjacent laser units 2 in the sub-scanning direction Y. It is possible to prevent the portions from overlapping or creating a gap between the recording areas. For this reason, even if the interval (the pitch between laser channels) of the plurality of laser units 2 changes, the influence on the image can be reduced.

  Further, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the CCD reading unit 34 serving as a detecting unit reads information recorded in advance on the plate 4, and the gap recognition / correction amount determining unit 35 determines the plate 4 from the read information. The gap F between the recording areas is recognized, the dimension of the gap F is measured, and the correction amount of the gap F is determined. Then, according to the determined correction amount of the gap F, the control unit can change the moving speed of the optical recording head H in the sub-scanning direction Y.

  For this purpose, the control means moves the optical recording head H in the sub-scanning direction at a speed faster than the normal feed speed, and increases the pitch amount per recording line, so that the extension X is set to each adjacent one. The gap F of the recorded image after the final recording line L4 can be eliminated by being evenly distributed on the recording lines L1 to L4 in the recording area of the laser unit 2, and one of the gaps detected between the recording areas. The widest gap can be eliminated.

  Further, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the control means controls the rotation speed of the sub-scanning motor 7 to rotate the ball screw 33 faster, thereby causing the optical recording head H to move at a speed higher than the normal feed speed. By moving in the sub-scanning direction Y and increasing the pitch amount per recording line, the extension X is evenly distributed to the recording lines L1 to L4 in the recording areas of the adjacent laser units 2 and finally. By eliminating the gap F of the recorded image after the recording line L4, the recording area to be recorded on the plate 4 is overlapped between the recording areas of all the adjacent laser units 2 in the sub-scanning direction Y or between the recording areas. A gap can be prevented. For this reason, even if the interval (the pitch between laser channels) of the plurality of laser units 2 changes, the influence on the image can be reduced.

  The image recording apparatus according to the present invention has an effect that the influence on the image can be reduced even if the interval (the pitch between the laser channels) of the plurality of laser units is changed. It is most suitable for an image recording apparatus that forms images at high speed.

Front view of an image recording apparatus according to the present invention The perspective view which a part of the image recording apparatus is omitted 1 is a perspective view of a unit main body of an optical recording head according to the present invention. Front view of the unit Explanatory drawing showing the arrangement of laser units provided in the unit body Front view with multiple units arranged Side view of the same optical recording head FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line DD in FIG. Illustration of the positional relationship between the unit body and drum Block diagram of image recording control means of image recording apparatus according to the present invention Block diagram of image recording control means Explanatory drawing showing ideal arrangement pitch of laser units Explanatory diagram of the state before and after complementation where alignment irregularities occur in the arrangement pitch of the laser units Illustration of complement method Control flowchart for correcting the pitch between laser channels by user setting and performing sub-scanning control based on this correction instruction A control flowchart in which the detecting means detects the pitch between the laser channels and performs sub-scanning control based on the detected correction amount.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Unit main body 2 Laser unit 3 Recording magazine 5 Drum 6 Main scanning control means 7 Sub scanning control means 12 Laser package 12a Laser chip 12b Monitor light (return light)
12c Laser beam 13 Optical system 14 Photo detector 20 Image recording control means 22 Image server 23 Interface unit 24 System control unit 25 Mechanism control unit 26 Memory (page memory or line memory)
27 Signal selector 30 Microcomputer (control means)
31 User setting input section 32 Slide block (sub-scanning section)
33 Ball screw (feed screw member) (sub-scanning part)
34 CCD reader (detection means)
35 Clearance recognition / correction amount determination unit (detection means)
F Clearance G Overlap H Optical recording head

Claims (5)

A drum on which a plate on which an image is recorded is wound and mounted and rotated, and a plurality of laser units for recording the image on the plate facing the drum are sub-scanned in the axial direction of the drum Optical recording heads arranged at equal intervals in the direction and movable in the sub-scanning direction, moving the optical recording head in the sub-scanning direction, and moving the drum in the main scanning direction orthogonal to the sub-scanning direction An image recording apparatus for rotating and recording the image,
The recording area in which the optical recording head is moved in the sub-scanning direction and recorded on the plate by each laser unit partially overlaps or is recorded between the recording areas of all adjacent laser units in the sub-scanning direction. An image recording apparatus comprising: control means for controlling a moving speed of the optical recording head in the sub-scanning direction so that no gap is formed between regions. A drum on which a plate on which an image is recorded is wound and mounted and rotated, and a plurality of laser units for recording the image on the plate facing the drum are sub-scanned in the axial direction of the drum Optical recording heads arranged at equal intervals in the direction and movable in the sub-scanning direction, moving the optical recording head in the sub-scanning direction, and moving the drum in the main scanning direction orthogonal to the sub-scanning direction An image recording apparatus for rotating and recording the image,
Detecting means for moving the optical recording head in the sub-scanning direction and detecting a gap between the recording areas in the sub-scanning direction of recording areas recorded on the plate by the adjacent laser units; and the detecting means Control means for increasing the moving speed of the optical recording head in the sub-scanning direction so that the gaps detected between the recording areas of all the adjacent laser units are eliminated when the gap is detected by An image recording apparatus comprising: A drum on which a plate on which an image is recorded is wound and mounted and rotated, and a plurality of laser units for recording the image on the plate facing the drum are sub-scanned in the axial direction of the drum Optical recording heads arranged at equal intervals in the direction and movable in the sub-scanning direction, moving the optical recording head in the sub-scanning direction, and moving the drum in the main scanning direction orthogonal to the sub-scanning direction An image recording apparatus for rotating and recording the image,
Detecting means for moving the optical recording head in the sub-scanning direction and detecting a gap between the recording areas in the sub-scanning direction of recording areas recorded on the plate by the adjacent laser units; and the detecting means When the gap is detected by the above, the movement speed of the optical recording head in the sub-scanning direction is increased as the gap becomes wider so that the gap detected between the recording areas of all the adjacent laser units is eliminated. An image recording apparatus comprising a control means for speeding up. A drum on which a plate on which an image is recorded is wound and mounted and rotated, and a plurality of laser units for recording the image on the plate facing the drum are sub-scanned in the axial direction of the drum Optical recording heads arranged at equal intervals in the direction and movable in the sub-scanning direction, moving the optical recording head in the sub-scanning direction, and moving the drum in the main scanning direction orthogonal to the sub-scanning direction An image recording apparatus for rotating and recording the image,
Detecting means for moving the optical recording head in the sub-scanning direction and detecting a gap between the recording areas in the sub-scanning direction of recording areas recorded on the plate by the adjacent laser units; and the detecting means The movement speed of the optical recording head in the sub-scanning direction is reduced so that the widest gap among the gaps detected between the recording areas of the adjacent laser units is eliminated when the gap is detected by An image recording apparatus comprising a control means for speeding up. A drum on which a plate on which an image is recorded is wound and mounted and rotated, and a plurality of laser units for recording the image on the plate facing the drum are sub-scanned in the axial direction of the drum An optical recording head arranged at equal intervals in the direction and movable in the sub-scanning direction, and a feed screw member for moving the optical recording head by screw feed, and rotating the feed screw member, the optical recording head An image recording apparatus for recording the image by moving the drum in a main scanning direction orthogonal to the sub-scanning direction.
The recording area in which the optical recording head is moved in the sub-scanning direction and recorded on the plate by each laser unit partially overlaps between the recording areas of all adjacent laser units in the sub-scanning direction. An image recording apparatus comprising control means for controlling the rotational speed of the feed screw member so that no gap is formed between recording areas.

Images