JP2014117818A - Printer and printing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer and a printing method that even though a printed object elongates and contracts in the width direction while printing on the printed object using each printing unit, can automatically correct elongation and contraction in the width direction of the printed object in a short time and reduce a printing loss required for adjustment.SOLUTION: On the basis of detection information of a plurality of register marks detected by a register mark detection section (a register mark detector), width-wise misregister quantity of a printed object in at least two different locations in the width direction of the printed object (a web W) are individually calculated, and then an elongation/contraction amount in the width direction of the printed object is calculated on the basis of the plurality of calculated width-wise misregister quantity and variables of tension of the printed object is calculated based on the elongation/contraction amount. Based on the calculated variables of tension of the printed object, tension of the printed object disposed at a location further upstream in the feed direction of the printed object than a printing unit provided with the register mark detection section is changed.

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing machine and a printing method in which a plurality of printing units that perform printing on a continuously conveyed material such as a belt-like film and paper are arranged in series.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a multicolor gravure printing machine, a printer in which a plurality of printing units that perform multicolor printing on a web such as a film or paper is arranged in series is known. Here, when a strip-like web having a variable width such as a porous paper, a thick paper having a basis weight of 100 g / m ² or more, or a thick film is used as a printing material, the width direction of the web by printing or drying for each color. Web width registration due to web expansion / contraction, web tension difference between printing units, web width expansion / contraction due to moisture absorption, web roll expansion / contraction due to wear of guide rolls, etc. May not be performed accurately. In this case, since the pattern width for each color is different, there is a problem that the pattern of the finished product is shifted for each color. Further, there is a problem that even if the lateral registration of one side of the web is performed, the lateral registration of the opposite side is shifted.

  In order to solve such a problem, Patent Document 1 discloses a web width direction by detecting a register mark attached to the web by a plurality of register mark detectors arranged at different positions in the web width direction. A technique is disclosed in which the amount of expansion and contraction in the printing unit is calculated, and when the web expands and contracts in the width direction during printing by each printing unit, the pressing force of the impression cylinder against the plate cylinder of the printing unit is changed.

  In Patent Document 2, the amount of variation in the width direction of the web is measured in each printing unit. When the web width is widened, the drying temperature in the drying furnace of the printing unit is increased or the wind speed is increased. A technique has been disclosed that automatically adjusts the web width by lowering the drying temperature in the drying oven of the printing unit or lowering the wind speed when the printing unit shrinks.

JP 2008-238547 A JP-A-8-118610

  In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, even when the web expands and contracts in the width direction while printing is performed by each printing unit, such expansion and contraction in the width direction of the web can be corrected. By changing the pressing force of the impression cylinder with respect to the printing cylinder, the printing pressure of the printing cylinder with respect to the web changes, so that the amount of ink transferred from the printing cylinder to the web changes. Here, when the amount of ink transferred from the plate cylinder to the web changes, there is a problem that the color of the pattern of the finished product changes compared to before changing the pressing force of the impression cylinder against the plate cylinder of the printing unit. is there.

  Further, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 2, when changing the drying conditions in the drying furnace of the printing unit, for example, when the temperature and the air volume in the drying furnace are lower than the current state, the drying capacity in the drying furnace is reduced. Resulting in. In this case, printing failure may occur due to the phenomenon that the ink transferred to the web does not completely dry.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of such points, and even when the printing material expands and contracts in the width direction while being printed by each printing unit, it is based on the amount of expansion and contraction in the width direction of the printing material. The expansion and contraction in the width direction of the printing material is automatically corrected in a short time by changing the tension of the printing material at a location upstream in the feeding direction of the printing material than the printing unit provided with the registration mark detection unit. It is an object of the present invention to provide a printing machine and a printing method that can reduce the printing loss required for such adjustment.

  The printing press of the present invention is a plurality of printing units arranged in series, and each printing unit presses the plate cylinder for printing on a strip-shaped substrate to be continuously conveyed, and the plate cylinder A plurality of registration marks having different positions in the width direction of the substrate to be printed by the plate cylinder of each printing unit. A plurality of printing units attached to the substrate and a second and subsequent printing units from the upstream side in the feeding direction of the substrate among the plurality of printing units to be printed rather than the plate cylinder of the printing unit A registration mark detection unit that detects a plurality of registration marks attached to the printed material by a plate cylinder of each printing unit, and a plurality of registration marks by the registration mark detection unit. Based on the detection information of the mark, a width registration deviation amount calculation unit that calculates a width registration deviation amount of the printing material at two or more different positions in the width direction of the printing material, and the width registration deviation calculation unit A tension fluctuation amount calculation unit that calculates an amount of expansion / contraction in the width direction of the printing material based on the calculated plurality of width registration deviation amounts, and calculates a fluctuation amount of the tension of the printing material based on the expansion / contraction amount, and the tension fluctuation A tension that changes the tension of the printed material at a location upstream in the feed direction of the printed material relative to the printing unit provided with the register mark detecting unit based on the variation amount of the printed material tension calculated by the amount calculating unit. And an adjusting mechanism.

  According to such a printing machine, the printed material at two or more different positions in the width direction of the printed material based on the detection information of the plurality of registered marks by the registered mark detecting unit by the width registered deviation amount calculating unit. Each of the width registration deviation amounts is calculated, and the tension fluctuation amount calculation unit calculates the amount of expansion / contraction in the width direction of the printing material based on the plurality of width registration deviation amounts calculated by the width registration deviation amount calculation unit. Based on the amount, the amount of change in tension of the substrate is calculated. Then, based on the fluctuation amount of the tension of the printed material calculated by the tension fluctuation amount calculation unit, the tension of the printed material at a position upstream in the feeding direction of the printed material with respect to the printing unit provided with the register mark detection unit is calculated. It is changed by a tension adjustment mechanism. As a result, even if the substrate is expanded or contracted in the width direction while printing is performed by each printing unit, the expansion and contraction in the width direction of the substrate is automatically performed in a short time by changing the tension of the substrate on the upstream side. Can be corrected automatically. For this reason, the printing loss required for the adjustment with respect to the expansion / contraction of the to-be-printed material in the width direction can be reduced.

  In the printing press of the present invention, the registration mark detector includes a plurality of registration mark detectors installed at different positions in the width direction of the substrate, and each of the registration mark detectors is a plate of each of the printing units. It may correspond to a plurality of registration marks that are attached to the printing material by the cylinder and that have different positions in the width direction of the printing material.

  In this case, each of the registration mark detectors may be composed of a pair of left and right ones installed at positions near both ends in the width direction of the substrate.

  In the printing press of the present invention, the first absolute value of the width registration deviation amount of one of the printed materials out of the width registration deviation amounts of the two printed materials calculated by the width registration deviation calculation unit is preset. When it is smaller than the predetermined size, the tension fluctuation amount calculation unit may be configured such that the width registration deviation amount of the other printed material is an amount of expansion and contraction in the width direction of the printed material.

  In the printing press according to the aspect of the invention, the tension adjusting mechanism may be configured such that the expansion / contraction amount in the width direction of the printing material calculated by the tension fluctuation amount calculation unit is smaller than a second predetermined size set in advance. The tension of the printed material at a location upstream in the feeding direction of the printed material relative to the printing unit provided with the registration mark detection unit may not be changed.

  In the printing press of the present invention, the registration mark detection unit detects a plurality of registration marks attached to the printing material every rotation of the plate cylinder of the printing unit, and the width registration deviation amount The calculation unit is configured to calculate the width registration deviation amount of the printing material at two or more different positions in the width direction of the printing material for each rotation of the plate cylinder of the printing unit, and the tension variation The amount calculation unit calculates the amount of fluctuation in the tension of the printed material based on the average value of the expansion and contraction amounts in the width direction of the plurality of the most recent printed materials calculated before the calculation of the amount of fluctuation in the tension of the printed material. You may come to do.

  The printing machine of the present invention includes a storage unit that stores a plurality of coefficients in association with printing conditions corresponding to each coefficient, and an input unit for inputting printing conditions, and the tension fluctuation amount calculation unit includes: Based on the calculated amount of expansion / contraction in the width direction of the substrate and the coefficient stored in the storage unit corresponding to the printing condition input by the input unit, the variation amount of the tension of the substrate is calculated. It may be.

  In the printing machine of the present invention, an infeed unit may be disposed upstream of the plurality of printing units in the feeding direction of the substrate, and the tension adjusting mechanism may be provided in the infeed unit.

  Alternatively, the tension adjusting mechanism may be provided in a printing unit disposed upstream of the printing unit in which the register mark detection unit is provided in the feeding direction of the substrate.

  The printing method of the present invention is a plurality of printing units arranged in series, and each printing unit presses the plate cylinder for printing on a belt-like printed material that is continuously conveyed, and the plate cylinder A plurality of registration marks having different positions in the width direction of the substrate to be printed by the plate cylinder of each printing unit. A printing method using a printing machine including a plurality of printing units adapted to be attached to a substrate, wherein the second and subsequent printing units from the upstream side in the feeding direction of the substrate among the plurality of printing units. A registration mark detector provided downstream of the printing cylinder in the feeding direction of the printing unit detects a plurality of registration marks attached to the printing medium by the printing cylinder of each printing unit. And a step of calculating width registration deviation amounts of the printing material at two or more different positions in the width direction of the printing material based on detection information of a plurality of registration marks by the registration mark detection unit, A step of calculating an amount of expansion / contraction in the width direction of the substrate based on the calculated plurality of width registration deviation amounts, a step of calculating a variation amount of the tension of the substrate based on the amount of expansion / contraction, and the calculated tension of the substrate And a step of changing the tension of the printed material at a location upstream of the printing unit provided with the register mark detection unit in the feeding direction of the printed material.

  According to such a printing method, based on detection information of a plurality of registration marks by the registration mark detection unit, the width registration deviation amounts of the printing material at two or more different positions in the printing material width direction are respectively calculated. Then, the expansion / contraction amount in the width direction of the printing material is calculated based on the calculated plurality of width registration deviation amounts, and the variation amount of the tension of the printing material is calculated based on the expansion / contraction amount. Then, based on the calculated amount of fluctuation of the tension of the printed material, the tension of the printed material at a location upstream of the printing unit provided with the registration mark detection unit in the feeding direction of the printed material is changed. As a result, even if the substrate is expanded or contracted in the width direction while printing is performed by each printing unit, the expansion and contraction in the width direction of the substrate is automatically performed in a short time by changing the tension of the substrate on the upstream side. Can be corrected automatically. For this reason, the printing loss required for the adjustment with respect to the expansion / contraction of the to-be-printed material in the width direction can be reduced.

  According to the printing machine and the printing method of the present invention, the width direction of the printing material can be changed by changing the tension of the printing material on the upstream side even when the printing material expands and contracts in the width direction while being printed by each printing unit. Can be automatically corrected in a short time, and printing loss required for such adjustment can be reduced.

1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a printing press according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing configurations of an infeed unit and one printing unit (specifically, a second color printing unit) in the printing press shown in FIG. 1. It is a figure which shows each registration mark attached | subjected to the web by each printing unit. It is a formula for calculating the tension fluctuation amount. It is a chart figure which shows the printing method by the printing machine shown in FIG. It is a table | surface which shows the relationship between the some printing conditions memorize | stored in the memory | storage part, and the coefficient corresponding to each printing condition.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 to FIG. 6 are diagrams showing a printing machine according to the present embodiment and a printing method using such a printing machine. Of these, FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing the overall configuration of the printing press according to the present embodiment, and FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the printing unit of the 2nd color. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing each registration mark given to the web by each printing unit. FIG. 4 is an equation for calculating the tension fluctuation amount, and FIG. 5 is a chart showing a printing method by the printing machine shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a table showing a relationship between a plurality of printing conditions and coefficients corresponding to the printing conditions stored in the storage unit.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the printing press according to this embodiment has an infeed unit 40 that applies tension to a belt-shaped web W such as a film or paper that is continuously conveyed in the direction of an arrow, and a conveyance from the infeed unit 40. The gravure printing machine includes a plurality of, for example, three printing units 10a, 10b, and 10c that perform printing of different colors on the web W to be printed. In this case, the first printing unit 10a is a first color printing unit, the second printing unit 10b is a second color printing unit, and the third printing unit 10c is a third color printing unit. The gravure printing machine according to the present embodiment is provided with register controllers 30 and 32 for controlling the printing units 10b and 10c, respectively, and a line controller 34 for controlling the infeed unit 40. Hereinafter, each component of such a gravure printing machine will be described in detail.

  The infeed unit 40 is provided on the downstream side of the infeed roller 41 in the feed direction of the web W, the nip roller 42 that sandwiches the web W between the infeed roller 41, and the infeed roller 41. 1 and a dancer roller 45 that can reciprocate in the direction of the arrow 1. An infeed motor 43 that rotates the infeed roller 41 is connected to the infeed roller 41. The dancer roller 45 is connected to an air cylinder (not shown) that reciprocates the dancer roller 45 in the direction of the arrow in FIG.

  The web W sent to the infeed unit 40 is nipped between the infeed roller 41 and the nip roller 42. Further, by changing the rotation speed of the infeed roller 41, a speed difference is generated between the infeed roller 41 and a plate cylinder 11a of the first color printing unit 10a described later, and the tension of the web W is changed. It has become so. Further, the tension of the web W can be changed by adjusting the position of the dancer roller 45.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, an infeed motor control unit 47 is connected to the infeed motor 43. The drive of the infeed motor 43 is controlled by the infeed motor control unit 47, and the rotational speed of the infeed roller 41 is adjusted accordingly.

  The first printing unit (first color printing unit) 10a is provided with a printing cylinder 11a and an impression cylinder that presses the printing cylinder 11a to form a nip portion between the printing cylinder 11a. 12a and a side drive motor 13a that is connected to the plate cylinder 11a and drives the plate cylinder 11a. The web W whose tension is adjusted by the infeed unit 40 is the plate cylinder 11a and the impression cylinder 12a. The web W is printed by being sent to the nip portion between the two. Further, when printing is performed on the web W by the plate cylinder 11a in the printing unit 10a, the plate cylinder 11a is provided with a plurality of registration marks whose positions in the width direction of the web W are different from each other. It has become. Specifically, register marks 20a and 20b (see FIGS. 2 and 3) are respectively provided in the vicinity of both ends in the width direction of the web W by the plate cylinder 11a.

  The second and third printing units (second color and third color printing units) 10b and 10c have substantially the same configuration, and printing cylinders 11b and 11c, printing cylinder 11b, 11c is pressed to connect the plate cylinders 11b and 11c to the plate cylinders 11b and 11c, and the plate cylinders 11b and 11c are driven to drive the plate cylinders 11b and 11c. Side drive motors 13b and 13c to be driven, and the web W is fed to the nip portion between the plate cylinders 11b and 11c and the impression cylinders 12b and 12c, thereby printing the web W. It has become so. In the printing units 10b and 10c, when printing is performed on the web W by the plate cylinders 11b and 11c, the positions of the plate cylinders 11b and 11c in the width direction of the web W are different from each other. Multiple register marks are added. Specifically, for example, in the printing unit 10b, register marks 20c and 20d (see FIGS. 2 and 3) are respectively provided in the vicinity of both ends in the width direction of the web W by the plate cylinder 11b.

  In each of the printing units 10b and 10c, the side drive motor control units 17b and 17c are connected to the side drive motors 13b and 13c, respectively. The drive of each side drive motor 13b, 13c is controlled by the corresponding side drive motor controller 17b, 17c.

  Each of the printing units 10b and 10c further includes a pair of left and right registration mark detectors 15b and 15c that are provided on the downstream side of the plate cylinders 11b and 11c and detect a registration mark on the web W, respectively. In FIG. 1, only one registration mark detector 15b, 15c is shown, but in actuality, each of the registration mark detectors 15b, 15c is near both ends of the web W as shown in FIG. In FIG. Here, the pair of left and right registration mark detectors 15b provided in the second printing unit 10b is configured such that the registration marks 20a and 20b attached to the web W by the first printing unit 10a and the web by the second printing unit 10b. The register marks 20c and 20d attached to W are respectively detected. The pair of left and right registration mark detectors 15c provided in the third printing unit 10c includes registration marks 20c and 20d attached to the web W by the second printing unit 10b and the web W by the third printing unit 10c. A register mark (not shown) attached to each is detected.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the gravure printing machine according to the present embodiment is provided with a line controller 34 for calculating a tension fluctuation amount in the infeed unit 40. Here, the line controller 34 includes a width registration deviation amount calculation unit 34a, a tension fluctuation amount calculation unit 34b that calculates a tension fluctuation amount based on the width registration deviation amount calculated by the width registration deviation amount calculation unit 34a, and an input. It has a unit 34c and a storage unit 34d. Based on the detection information of each registration mark transmitted from each of the registration mark detectors 15b and 15c, the width registration deviation amount calculation unit 34a has two different MS (man side) and GS (gear side) in the width direction of the web W. The width misregistration amount of the web W at one location is calculated. In addition, MS (man side) means the near side of the web W in FIG. 2, and GS (gear side) means the back side of the web W in FIG. With respect to the calculation method of the width registration deviation amount in the width registration deviation amount calculation unit 34a, an example in which the registration mark detection information by the registration mark detector 15b provided in the second printing unit 10b is used will be described. 3 will be described. In FIG. 3, the registration marks 20a and 20b attached to the web W by the first printing unit 10a and the web W by the second printing unit 10b are respectively attached to the MS (man side) and the GS (gear side) of the web W. Registered marks 20c and 20d are shown. Here, when the web W does not expand or contract in the width direction while being conveyed from the plate cylinder 11a of the first printing unit 10a to the plate cylinder 11b of the second printing unit 10b, the registration mark 20a and the registration mark The position in the width direction of 20c is substantially the same, and the position in the width direction of the register mark 20b and the register mark 20d is also substantially the same. However, when the web W expands and contracts in the width direction while being conveyed from the plate cylinder 11a of the first printing unit 10a to the plate cylinder 11b of the second printing unit 10b, as shown in FIG. The position in the width direction of 20a and the register mark 20c and the position in the width direction of the register mark 20b and the register mark 20d are different.

When the coordinate axis is determined as shown in FIG. 3 in the width register deviation calculation unit 34a, the deviation amount in the width direction of the register mark 20c with respect to the register mark 20a becomes the man side width register deviation amount E _k (M). The shift amount in the width direction of the register mark 20d with respect to the mark 20b is the gear side width register shift amount E _k (G). In this way, the width registration deviation amounts E _k (M) and E _k (G) on the man side and the gear side of the web W are calculated by the width registration deviation amount calculation unit 34a.

The tension fluctuation amount calculation unit 34b is based on the width registration deviation amounts E _k (M) and E _k (G) of the web W on the man side and the gear side calculated by the width registration deviation calculation unit 34a. The amount of expansion / contraction at is calculated. Specifically, the expansion / contraction amount in the width direction of the web W is expressed by an equation E _k (G) −E _k (M). The tension fluctuation amount calculation unit 34b calculates the tension fluctuation amount of the web W in the infeed unit 40 based on the expansion / contraction amount in the width direction of the web W. More specifically, the tension fluctuation amount calculation unit 34b calculates the tension fluctuation amount ΔT of the web W in the infeed unit 40 by an expression as shown in FIG. In the formula shown in FIG. 4, a is a coefficient that varies depending on the type of web W (material, thickness, width, etc.) and printing conditions such as the drying temperature. A method for setting the coefficient a will be described later. The tension fluctuation amount ΔT calculated by the tension fluctuation amount calculation unit 34 b is transmitted to the infeed motor control unit 47 of the infeed unit 40. Then, the infeed motor control unit 47 controls the infeed motor 43 so that the infeed motor 43 varies the rotational speed of the infeed roller 41 so that the tension of the web W is changed by the tension variation amount ΔT. I do.

  Thus, in the infeed unit 40, the infeed motor 43 and the infeed motor control unit 47 change the tension of the web W based on the tension fluctuation amount ΔT of the web W calculated by the tension fluctuation amount calculation unit 34b. A tension adjusting mechanism is configured.

  As described above, the input unit 34c and the storage unit 34d are connected to the tension fluctuation amount calculation unit 34b of the line controller 34. The storage unit 34d stores a plurality of coefficients “a” in association with printing conditions corresponding to each coefficient “a”. FIG. 6 shows a table showing the relationship between a plurality of printing conditions and the coefficient a corresponding to each printing condition stored in the storage unit 34d. As shown in FIG. 6, the magnitude of the coefficient a used in the equation shown in FIG. 4 varies depending on the type of web W (web A, web B), drying temperature, and the like. The input unit 34c includes, for example, an operation touch panel provided in the gravure printing machine, and the input unit 34c allows the operator to input printing conditions such as the type of the web W and the drying temperature. It has become. When the tension fluctuation amount calculation unit 34b calculates the tension fluctuation amount ΔT, the operator inputs the print conditions such as the type of the web W and the drying temperature in advance using the input unit 34c. The coefficient a stored in the storage unit 34d corresponding to the printing conditions is used.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the register controllers 30 and 32 for calculating the plate cylinder control amounts in the side-drive motor control units 17b and 17c of the printing units 10b and 10c are respectively provided to the printing units 10b. 10c. Here, the register controllers 30 and 32 calculate the plate cylinder control amount based on the width register deviation amount calculation units 30a and 32a and the width register deviation amount calculated by the width register deviation amount calculation units 30a and 32a. Plate cylinder control amount calculation units 30b and 32b are provided. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the width register deviation amount calculation unit 30a of the register controller 30 corresponding to the printing unit 10b is based on the manside register mark detector 15b of the pair of left and right register mark detectors 15b. Based on the transmitted detection information of the registration marks 20a, 20c, the manside width registration deviation amount in the width direction of the web W is calculated. Similarly, the width register deviation amount calculation unit 32a of the register controller 32 corresponding to the printing unit 10c receives each register mark (not shown) transmitted from the manside register mark detector 15c of the pair of left and right register mark detectors 15c. )), The manside width misregistration amount in the width direction of the web W is calculated.

Regarding the method of calculating the plate cylinder control amount in the plate cylinder control amount calculation units 30b and 32b of the register controllers 30 and 32, the plate cylinder control by the plate cylinder control amount calculation unit 30b of the register controller 30 corresponding to the second printing unit 10b. The amount will be described as an example. The plate cylinder control amount calculation unit 30b of the registration controller 30 calculates the plate cylinder control amount based on the man-side width registration deviation amount E _k (M) of the web W calculated by the width registration deviation amount calculation unit 30a. It has become. More specifically, the plate cylinder control amount calculation unit 30b sets the mandrel width registration deviation amount E _k (M) of the web W calculated by the width registration deviation amount calculation unit 30a as the plate cylinder movement amount S _k. It has become. The plate cylinder control amount calculation unit 30b calculates the driving time of the plate cylinder 11b from the plate cylinder movement amount _Sk and the movement speed of the plate cylinder 11b in the width direction of the web W as the plate cylinder control amount. Yes. More specifically, the plate cylinder control amount calculation unit 30b calculates the plate cylinder driving time T _k by dividing the plate cylinder movement amount S _k by the movement speed V _a of the plate cylinder 11b in the width direction of the web W. . The plate cylinder control amount calculated by the plate cylinder control amount calculation unit 30b is transmitted to the side drive motor control unit 17b. The side drive motor control unit 17b then moves the plate cylinder 11b in the width direction of the web W by the side drive motor 13b based on the plate cylinder control amount calculated by the plate cylinder control amount calculation unit 30b. The side drive motor 13b is controlled. Specifically, the Saidore drive motor 13b to the plate cylinder 11b by drive time T _k min of the plate cylinder 11b is moved in the width direction of the web W. Note that the width registration deviation amount calculation unit 32a and the plate cylinder control amount calculation unit 32b of the registration controller 32 corresponding to the printing unit 10c are the same as the width registration deviation amount calculation unit 30a and the plate cylinder control amount calculation unit 30b of the registration controller 30. Is to be performed.

  Next, the operation of the gravure printing machine having such a configuration (specifically, a printing method by the gravure printing machine) will be described with reference to the chart shown in FIG.

  The operator inputs the printing conditions such as the type of the web W and the drying temperature in advance through the input unit 34c of the line controller 34. Accordingly, the magnitude of the coefficient a used for calculating the tension fluctuation amount ΔT described later is determined based on the relationship between the printing conditions and the coefficient stored in the storage unit 34d (see the table shown in FIG. 6). Be able to.

  When a belt-like web W such as a film or paper that is continuously conveyed is conveyed to the gravure printing machine shown in FIG. 1, the web W is first conveyed to the infeed unit 40, and in this infeed unit 40, the web W Is adjusted by the in-feed roller 41. Then, the web W whose tension is adjusted by the infeed unit 40 is then sent to the first printing unit 10a. The web W sent to the first printing unit 10a is sandwiched between the plate cylinder 11a and the impression cylinder 12a to be printed in the first color. At this time, register marks 20a and 20b are attached to the vicinity of both end portions (man side and gear side) of the web W by the plate cylinder 11a.

  The web W on which the first color has been printed by the first printing unit 10a is then sent to the second printing unit 10b. The web W sent to the second printing unit 10b is sandwiched between the plate cylinder 11b and the impression cylinder 12b to be printed in the second color. At this time, register marks 20c and 20d are attached to the vicinity of both ends (man side and gear side) of the web W by the plate cylinder 11b. Next, the registration marks 20a to 20d on the web W sent from the plate cylinder 11b are detected by the pair of left and right registration mark detectors 15b (STEP 1-1 and STEP 1-2 in FIG. 5), and these registration marks. Signals relating to the positional information 20a to 20d are sent from the respective registration mark detectors 15b to the width registration deviation amount calculation unit 34a of the line controller 34. Further, a signal relating to the positional information of the registration marks 20 a and 20 c is sent from the manside registration mark detector 15 b in the width direction of the web W to the width registration deviation amount calculation unit 30 a of the registration controller 30.

Based on the positional information of the registration marks 20a and 20c sent from the registration mark detector 15b, the width registration deviation calculation unit 30a of the registration controller 30 calculates the manside width registration deviation amount E _k (M) on the web W. Calculate (STEP 2-1 in FIG. 5). As described above, the manside width registration deviation amount E _k (M) in the web W is calculated as the registration deviation in the width direction of the registration mark 20c with respect to the registration mark 20a. Here, when the absolute value of the manside width misregistration amount E _k (M) in the web W is equal to or larger than a predetermined size x set in advance (“NO” in STEP 3 in FIG. 5), the width Information related to the width registration deviation amount E _k (M) on the manside of the web W calculated by the registration deviation amount calculation unit 30a is sent to the plate cylinder control amount calculation unit 30b. Note that the predetermined size x set in advance is preferably a very small positive number close to 0 (for example, x = 0.1 mm). Then, the plate in the cylinder control amount calculating section 30b, Mann-side lateral register displacement amount E _{k (M)} is a plate cylinder moving amount S _k, the plate cylinder 11b of the drive time by using the plate cylinder moving amount S _k T _k is calculated as the drive control amount (STEP 4 in FIG. 5). The drive control amount calculated by the plate cylinder control amount calculation unit 30b (specifically, the drive time T _k of the plate cylinder 11b) is transmitted to the side drive motor control unit 17b. Then, as described above, Saidore driving motor control unit 17b, by Saidore drive motor 13b to the plate cylinder 11b by drive time T _k min of the plate cylinder 11b to move in the width direction of the web W, for Saidore drive The motor 13b is controlled (STEP 5 in FIG. 5).

On the other hand, if the absolute value of the manside width misregistration amount E _k (M) in the web W is smaller than a predetermined size x set in advance (“YES” in STEP 3 in FIG. 5), the web W The lateral registration of one end in the width direction (specifically, the man side) is appropriately performed, and the width misregistration amount E _k (M) of the man side is almost 0, and only on the gear side of the web W It is considered that there is a misregistration in the width direction. In such a case, the width registration deviation amount calculation unit 34a of the line controller 34 is based on the position information of the registration marks 20a to 20d sent from the registration mark detector 15b, and the manside width registration in the web W. The shift amount E _k (M) and the gear side width register shift amount E _k (G) are calculated (STEP 2-1 and STEP 2-2 in FIG. 5).

Here, the absolute value of the amount of expansion / contraction in the width direction of the web W obtained by subtracting the man side width misregistration amount E _k (M) from the gear side width misregistration amount E _k (G) (ie, | E _{If the value of k} (G) −E _k (M) |) is smaller than the predetermined size y set in advance (“YES” in STEP 6 in FIG. 5), the web W is the first printing unit. Since the web W is considered to have hardly expanded or contracted in the width direction while being conveyed from the plate cylinder 11a of 10a to the plate cylinder 11b of the second printing unit 10b, the fluctuation of the tension of the web W in the infeed unit 40 is Not done. The predetermined size y set in advance is preferably a very small positive number close to 0 (for example, y = 0.1 mm). On the other hand, when the absolute value of the amount of expansion / contraction in the width direction of the web W (that is, the value of | E _k (G) −E _k (M) |) is equal to or larger than a predetermined size y ( (“NO” in STEP 6 in FIG. 5), the web W is expanded and contracted in the width direction while the web W is conveyed from the plate cylinder 11 a of the first printing unit 10 a to the plate cylinder 11 b of the second printing unit 10 b. Therefore, the tension of the web W in the infeed unit 40 is changed. Specifically, the information relating to the width registration deviation amounts E _k (M) and E _k (G) of the web W on the man side and the gear side calculated by the width registration deviation calculation unit 34a is the plate cylinder control amount calculation unit. 34b, and the plate cylinder control amount calculation unit 34b calculates the tension fluctuation amount ΔT by the equation shown in FIG. 4 (STEP 7 in FIG. 5). The tension fluctuation amount ΔT calculated by the plate cylinder control amount calculation unit 34 b is transmitted to the infeed motor control unit 47 of the infeed unit 40. As described above, the infeed motor control unit 47 causes the infeed motor 43 to vary the rotational speed of the infeed roller 41 so that the tension of the web W varies by the amount of tension variation ΔT. The feed motor 43 is controlled (STEP 8 in FIG. 5). In addition, as shown in FIG. 5, the detection of the registration marks 20a to 20d on the man side and the gear side of the web W is performed every rotation of the plate cylinder 11b.

  In this way, by changing the tension of the web W in the infeed unit 40 based on the tension fluctuation amount ΔT calculated by the tension fluctuation amount calculation unit 34b of the line controller 34, printing is performed by each of the printing units 10a and 10b. Even if the web W expands and contracts in the width direction during this time, the web W is distorted between the infeed unit 40 and the first printing unit 10a, thereby shortening the expansion and contraction of the web W in the width direction. It will be possible to correct automatically in time. That is, when the web W extends in the width direction while being transported from the plate cylinder 11a of the first printing unit 10a to the plate cylinder 11b of the second printing unit 10b, the tension of the web W in the infeed unit 40. By reducing the tension by the amount of fluctuation ΔT, the web W is distorted between the infeed unit 40 and the first printing unit 10a, thereby reducing the amount of elongation in the width direction of the web W. Can do. On the other hand, when the web W contracts in the width direction while being transported from the plate cylinder 11a of the first printing unit 10a to the plate cylinder 11b of the second printing unit 10b, the tension of the web W in the infeed unit 40. By increasing the tension by the amount of fluctuation ΔT, the web W is distorted between the infeed unit 40 and the first printing unit 10a, thereby reducing the amount of shrinkage in the width direction of the web W. Can do.

The web W on which the second color has been printed by the second printing unit 10b is then sent to the third printing unit 10c. The web W sent to the third printing unit 10c is sandwiched between the plate cylinder 11c and the impression cylinder 12c, and the third color printing is performed. At this time, register marks (not shown) are attached to the vicinity of both ends (man side and gear side) of the web W by the plate cylinder 11c. Next, a registration mark on the web W sent from the plate cylinder 11c by the registration mark detector 15c, specifically, the registration marks 20c, 20d and the third mark given to the web W by the second printing unit 10b. Registration marks (not shown) attached to the web W are detected by the printing unit 10c, and signals relating to positional information of these registration marks are sent from the respective registration mark detectors 15c to the width registration deviation amount calculation unit 34a of the line controller 34. Sent. Further, a signal relating to the positional information of the registration mark attached to the manside of the web W is sent from the manside registration mark detector 15 c in the width direction of the web W to the width registration deviation calculating unit 32 a of the registration controller 32. In the register controller 32, the same control as that of the register controller 30 is performed, and the width registration deviation amount on the manside of the web W calculated by the width registration deviation calculation unit 32a is equal to or larger than a predetermined size x set in advance. In this case, in the plate cylinder control amount calculation unit 32b, the man side width registration deviation amount E _k (M) is set as the plate cylinder movement amount S _k, and by using this plate cylinder movement amount S _k , The drive time _Tk is calculated as the drive control amount. Then, Saidore driving motor control unit 17c to move the plate cylinder 11c only driving time T _k min of the plate cylinder 11c by Saidore drive motor 13c in the width direction of the web is W, the control of Saidore drive motor 13c Do.

On the other hand, when the absolute value of the manside width misregistration amount E _k (M) on the web W is smaller than a predetermined size x, the width misregistration amount calculation unit 34a of the line controller 34 Based on the positional information of each registration mark (not shown) sent from the registration mark detector 15c, the man side width registration deviation amount E _k (M) and the gear side width registration deviation amount E _k ( G) is calculated respectively. Then, the absolute value of the expansion / contraction amount in the width direction of the web W obtained by subtracting the man side width registration deviation amount E _k (M) from the gear side width registration deviation amount E _k (G) (ie, | E _k (G) −E _k (M) |) is equal to or larger than a predetermined size y set in advance, the web W moves from the plate cylinder 11b of the second printing unit 10b to the third printing unit. It is considered that the web W in the infeed unit 40 fluctuates in the infeed unit 40 because it is considered that it has expanded and contracted in the width direction while being conveyed to the plate cylinder 11c of 10c. Specifically, in the plate cylinder control amount calculation unit 34b, the tension fluctuation amount ΔT is calculated by the equation shown in FIG. 4, and the calculated tension fluctuation amount ΔT is the infeed motor control unit 47 of the infeed unit 40. Sent to. Then, the infeed motor control unit 47 controls the infeed motor 43 so that the infeed motor 43 changes the rotation speed of the infeed roller 41 so that the tension of the web W is changed by the tension fluctuation amount ΔT. I do. In the gravure printing machine according to the present embodiment, the absolute value of the expansion / contraction amount in the width direction of the web W between the second printing unit 10b and the third printing unit 10c is set to a predetermined value. When the height is equal to or greater than y, instead of changing the tension of the web W in the infeed unit 40, the tension of the web W in the first printing unit 10a immediately upstream of the second printing unit 10b is changed. It may be like this.

As described above, according to the gravure printing machine and the printing method according to the present embodiment, the width registration deviation amount calculation unit 34a of the line controller 34 converts, for example, the detection information of the plurality of registration marks 20a to 20d by the registration mark detector 15b. Based on the width registration deviation amounts E _k (M) and E _k (G) at the two positions on the man side and the gear side in the width direction of the web W, the width fluctuation amount calculation unit 34b calculates the width registration deviation amount. The amount of expansion and contraction in the width direction of the web W (= E _k (G) −E _k (M) based on the man side and gear side width misregistration amounts E _k (M) and E _k (G) calculated by the calculation unit 34a. )) Is calculated, and the tension fluctuation amount ΔT is calculated based on the amount of expansion and contraction. Then, based on the tension fluctuation amount ΔT of the web W calculated by the tension fluctuation amount calculation unit 34b, the upstream side in the feed direction of the web W from the second printing unit 10b provided with the registration mark detector 15b. The tension of the web W at the location, specifically, the infeed unit 40 is changed by a tension adjusting mechanism (specifically, the infeed motor 43 and the infeed motor control unit 47). Thus, even when the web W expands and contracts in the width direction while being printed by each of the printing units 10a and 10b, the expansion and contraction in the width direction of the web W is shortened by changing the tension of the web W on the upstream side. It will be possible to correct automatically in time. For this reason, the printing loss required for the adjustment with respect to the expansion / contraction of the web W in the width direction can be reduced.

Further, in the gravure printing machine according to the present embodiment, the tension fluctuation amount calculation unit 34b calculates the tension fluctuation amount ΔT by an equation as shown in FIG. Here, as shown in FIG. 4, in calculating the tension fluctuation amount ΔT, the width direction of the web W of the latest multiple times (n times) calculated before the calculation of the tension fluctuation amount ΔT. Based on the average value of the amount of expansion / contraction at (= E _k (G) −E _k (M)), the tension fluctuation amount ΔT of the web W is calculated. Thus, by calculating the tension fluctuation amount ΔT using the average value of the amount of expansion and contraction in the width direction of the most recent (n times) web W, the tension of the web W on the upstream side is changed. It can prevent that the tension | tensile_strength of this web W changes abruptly.

  Further, in the gravure printing machine according to the present embodiment, in the storage unit 34d of the line controller 34, a plurality of coefficients a are set to the printing conditions corresponding to the coefficients a (specifically, the type of the web W, the drying temperature, etc.). It is made to memorize in association with. Then, the tension fluctuation amount calculation unit 34b adds the coefficient a stored in the storage unit 34d corresponding to the printing condition input by the input unit 34c to the expansion / contraction amount of the web W calculated by the width registration deviation amount calculation unit 34a. By multiplying, the tension fluctuation amount ΔT of the web W is calculated.

  Note that the printing press and the printing method according to the present embodiment are not limited to the above-described aspects, and various changes can be made.

  For example, when the web W expands and contracts in the width direction while the web W is transported by each of the printing units 10a, 10b, and 10c, the above-described in-conversion is necessary to correct such expansion and contraction in the width direction of the web W. The method is not limited to a method of changing the tension of the web W in the feed unit 40. In the present invention, based on the tension fluctuation amount ΔT of the web W calculated by the tension fluctuation amount calculation unit 34b of the line controller 30, the upstream side in the web W feeding direction with respect to the printing unit provided with the register mark detector. By changing the tension of the web W at this location, the expansion and contraction in the width direction of the web W can be corrected. Specifically, for example, a method of changing the tension of the web W in the printing unit arranged on the upstream side in the feeding direction of the web W from the printing unit provided with the registration mark detector may be used. Even with such a method, the expansion and contraction in the width direction of the web W can be corrected. More specifically, as described above, when the web W expands and contracts in the width direction while being conveyed from the plate cylinder 11b of the second printing unit 10b to the plate cylinder 11c of the third printing unit 10c, When the registration mark is detected by the registration mark detector 15c provided in the third printing unit 10c, the tension fluctuation amount calculating unit 34b calculates the tension fluctuation amount ΔT of the web W. At this time, the second fluctuation amount ΔT is calculated. You may change the tension | tensile_strength of the web W in the 1st printing unit 10a arrange | positioned nearest the upstream in the feed direction of the web W rather than the printing unit 10b.

In the line controller 34, one of the width registration deviation amounts E _k (M) and E _k (G) of the man side and gear side width registration deviations calculated by the width registration deviation calculation unit 34a ( Specifically, for example, when the absolute value of the manside width misregistration amount E _k (M)) is smaller than a predetermined size x set in advance (“YES” in STEP 3 in FIG. 5), the tension The fluctuation amount calculation unit 34b may be configured such that the other width registration deviation amount (specifically, the gear side width registration deviation amount E _k (G)) is the expansion / contraction amount of the web W. That is, in STEP 6 and STEP 7 of FIG. 5, the magnitude E _k (G) −E _k (M) may be replaced with E _k (G). Further, in this case, when the absolute value of the other width registration misalignment amount (specifically, the gear side width misregistration amount E _k (G)) is smaller than a predetermined size y set in advance. May be configured not to change the tension of the web W at a location upstream of the printing unit such as the infeed unit 40 in which the registration mark detection unit is provided in the web W feeding direction.

  Further, with respect to the tension fluctuation amount ΔT of the web W calculated by the tension fluctuation amount calculation unit 34b, the expansion / contraction amount of the web W even if a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the tension fluctuation of the web W on the upstream side. Is not smaller than a predetermined size y set in advance, it is considered that the web W is not properly corrected for expansion and contraction. In such a case, the operation of each of the printing units 10a to 10c is stopped so that the operator can manually adjust the expansion / contraction of the web W. In such a case, an alarm may be issued to the operator by sound from a speaker or the like, or by display on a monitor or the like. As a result, an operator who operates the gravure printing machine can immediately recognize that the gravure printing machine is not properly correcting the expansion and contraction of the web W.

  In the above-described embodiment, the plate cylinder drive time is used as the plate cylinder control amount calculated by the plate cylinder control amount calculation units 30b and 32b of the register controllers 30 and 32. There is no limit. As the plate cylinder control amount calculated by the plate cylinder control amount calculation units 30b and 32b, other than the plate cylinder driving time, specifically, for example, the plate cylinder movement amount itself may be used.

  In a further modification, the registration controllers 30 and 32 may be omitted in a gravure printing machine as shown in FIG. That is, even when only the line controller 34 for controlling the infeed unit 40 is installed, the operations of STEP3 to STEP5 in FIG. 5 are omitted, but the operations of STEP6 to STEP8 in FIG. 5 can be performed. Thus, even when the web W expands and contracts in the width direction while being printed by each of the printing units 10a and 10b, the expansion and contraction in the width direction of the web W is shortened by changing the tension of the web W on the upstream side. It will be possible to correct automatically in time.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the example in which the register mark is provided in the vicinity of both end portions of the web W by the plate cylinder of each printing unit has been described, but it is attached to the web W by the plate cylinder of each printing unit. The registered mark to be used is not limited to such a mode. If a plurality of register marks are attached to the web W by the plate cylinder of each printing unit, the number of register marks may be three or more. When three or more register marks are attached to the web W by the plate cylinder of each printing unit, the number of register mark detectors is three or more corresponding to the number of register marks. Further, the position of the registration mark attached to the web W by the plate cylinder of each printing unit is not limited to the vicinity of both ends of the web W. As a modification, for example, one of the plurality of registration marks may be attached near the end of the web W, and the other registration mark may be attached near the center in the width direction of the web W. Good.

  Further, in the chart shown in FIG. 5, detection of the man side and gear side registration marks of the web W is performed every rotation of the plate cylinder 11b. It is not limited to being performed every rotation of the body 11b. For example, the tension of the web W may be changed by controlling the infeed motor 43 of the infeed unit 40 once every several rotations of the plate cylinder 11b.

10a, 10b, 10c Printing units 11a, 11b, 11c Plate cylinders 12a, 12b, 12c Impression cylinders 13a, 13b, 13c Side drive motors 15b, 15c Registration mark detectors 17b, 17c Side control motor controllers 20a-20d Mark 30 Registration controller 30a Width registration deviation amount calculation unit 30b Plate cylinder control amount calculation unit 32 Registration controller 32a Width registration deviation amount calculation unit 32b Plate cylinder control amount calculation unit 34 Line controller 34a Width registration deviation amount calculation unit 34b Tension fluctuation amount calculation Unit 34c input unit 34d storage unit 40 infeed unit 41 infeed roller 42 nip roller 43 infeed motor 45 dancer roller 47 infeed motor control unit

Claims (10)

A plurality of printing units arranged in series, each printing unit comprising: a plate cylinder that performs printing on a belt-like printed material that is continuously conveyed; and the plate cylinder by pressing the plate cylinder A plurality of registration marks that are located at different positions in the width direction of the printing material by the plate cylinder of each printing unit. A plurality of printing units,
Among the plurality of printing units, the second and subsequent printing units from the upstream side in the feeding direction of the printing material are provided on the downstream side in the feeding direction of the printing material from the printing drum of the printing unit, and the printing drums of the printing units A registration mark detection unit for detecting a plurality of registration marks attached to the substrate by
A width registration deviation amount calculation unit that calculates width registration deviation amounts of the printing material at two or more different positions in the width direction of the printing material based on detection information of a plurality of registration marks by the registration mark detection unit; ,
Tension fluctuation that calculates the amount of expansion / contraction in the width direction of the printing material based on the plurality of width registration deviation amounts calculated by the width registration deviation amount calculation unit, and calculates the amount of fluctuation in tension of the printing material based on the amount of expansion / contraction A quantity calculator;
Based on the fluctuation amount of the tension of the printed material calculated by the tension fluctuation amount calculation unit, the tension of the printed material at a location upstream in the feeding direction of the printed material with respect to the printing unit provided with the register mark detection unit is calculated. A tension adjustment mechanism to be changed,
With a printing machine.   The registration mark detection unit includes a plurality of registration mark detectors installed at different positions in the width direction of the printing material, and each of the registration mark detectors is attached to the printing material by a plate cylinder of each printing unit. The printing machine according to claim 1, wherein the printing machine corresponds to a plurality of registration marks whose positions are different in the width direction of the substrate.   3. The printing machine according to claim 2, wherein each of the registration mark detectors includes a pair of left and right ones installed at positions near both ends in the width direction of the substrate.   When the absolute value of the width registration deviation amount of one of the two printed materials is smaller than the first predetermined size set in advance among the width registration deviation amounts of the two printed materials calculated by the width registration deviation amount calculation unit. The printing machine according to claim 3, wherein the tension fluctuation amount calculation unit is configured such that a width registration deviation amount of the other printed material is an amount of expansion and contraction in the width direction of the printed material.   The tension adjustment mechanism is provided with the registration mark detection unit when the expansion / contraction amount in the width direction of the printing material calculated by the tension fluctuation amount calculation unit is smaller than a second predetermined size set in advance. The printing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the tension of the printing material at a location upstream of the printing unit in the feeding direction of the printing material is not changed. The register mark detection unit is configured to detect a plurality of register marks attached to the substrate for each rotation of the plate cylinder of the printing unit,
The width registration deviation amount calculation unit calculates the width registration deviation amount of the printing material at two or more different positions in the width direction of the printing material for each rotation of the plate cylinder of the printing unit. And
The tension fluctuation amount calculation unit is based on an average value of expansion / contraction amounts in the width direction of a plurality of latest printing objects calculated prior to the calculation of the fluctuation amount of the tension of the printing material. The printing press according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the amount is calculated. A storage unit that stores a plurality of coefficients in association with printing conditions corresponding to each coefficient;
An input unit for inputting printing conditions;
With
The tension fluctuation amount calculation unit is configured to calculate the tension of the substrate based on the calculated amount of expansion / contraction in the width direction of the substrate and the coefficient stored in the storage unit corresponding to the printing condition input by the input unit. The printing press according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the amount of fluctuation is calculated.   8. The infeed unit is arranged upstream of the plurality of printing units in the feeding direction of the substrate, and the tension adjusting mechanism is provided in the infeed unit. The printing machine described in.   8. The tension adjustment mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the tension adjustment mechanism is provided in a printing unit disposed upstream of the printing unit in which the registration mark detection unit is provided in the feeding direction of the printing material. The printing machine described. A plurality of printing units arranged in series, each printing unit comprising: a plate cylinder that performs printing on a belt-like printed material that is continuously conveyed; and the plate cylinder by pressing the plate cylinder A plurality of registration marks that are located at different positions in the width direction of the printing material by the plate cylinder of each printing unit. A printing method using a printing press having a plurality of printing units,
In the second and subsequent printing units from the upstream side in the feeding direction of the printing material among the plurality of printing units, the registration mark detection unit provided on the downstream side in the feeding direction of the printing material from the plate cylinder of the printing unit, Detecting a plurality of registration marks attached to the printed material by the plate cylinder of each printing unit;
A step of calculating width registration deviation amounts of the printing object at two or more different positions in the width direction of the printing material based on detection information of a plurality of registration marks by the registration mark detection unit;
Calculating the amount of expansion / contraction in the width direction of the printing material based on the calculated plurality of width registration deviation amounts, and calculating the amount of variation in tension of the printing material based on the amount of expansion / contraction,
A step of changing the tension of the printing material at a location upstream of the printing unit in the feeding direction of the printing material based on the calculated amount of fluctuation in the tension of the printing material;
A printing method comprising:

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