JP2772163B2 - Automatic ink supply unit for flatbed calibration machine - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an automatic ink supply device, in particular, a plate surface for arranging a printing plate, a paper surface plate provided side by side on the plate surface for arranging printing paper, and a plate. an automatic ink supply apparatus flatbed proofer and a carriage capable of moving on both stools platen and Kamijoban.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art
In the proofing machine shown in the publication, a densitometer is provided on a carriage that can move on a platen and a paper platen. Thereby, the density of the density management chart printed on the printing paper on the paper surface plate is measured while moving the carriage.

In the conventional calibrator, the print density of the printing paper is measured by a densitometer provided on the carriage, and the amount of ink supplied to the carriage is controlled based on the measurement result. However, in controlling the ink supply amount, it is not sufficient to use only the density of the print paper density management chart as a control parameter. That is, as a control parameter of the ink supply amount in the carriage,
It is preferable to use not only the density of the density management chart but also the data of the picture area of the printing plate used for printing.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Sho 62-174159 discloses a device for measuring the picture area of a printing plate, which is used for measuring the picture area of the printing plate, and using the measured value as a control parameter of the ink supply amount in the carriage. The idea to do is shown.
However, in that configuration, another device for measuring the picture area is required, so that not only a dedicated space is required separately from the calibrator, but also the structure is complicated and the manufacturing cost is increased.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a self-propelled ink supply device for a flatbed proofing machine, which has a simple structure and can perform accurate ink supply by using a chart for density control and a picture area of a printing plate as control parameters. To provide.

[0006]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an automatic ink supply device, comprising: a plate surface for placing a printing plate ;
A paper surface plate for arranging printing paper arranged side by side ,
An automatic ink supply apparatus flatbed proofer and a carriage that can move on the Banjoban and Kamijoban of both stools.

This apparatus comprises a light reflection amount measuring means provided on a carriage, a picture area measuring means, and a printing density measuring means.
A step and ink supply control means. Picture area
The measuring means is obtained by moving the carriage on the platen.
On the platen based on the information
Measure the picture area of the printing plate. The print density measuring means is
Move the ridge on the paper surface plate and measure the amount of light reflection obtained.
Based on the information from the tray, it is printed on the printing paper on the
The density of the density control chart obtained is measured. Ink supply amount
The control means includes a picture area measuring means and a print density measuring means.
The amount of ink supplied to the carriage is controlled based on the measurement result. Automatic input of the flatbed calibrator according to claim 2
The key supply device according to claim 1, wherein the light reflection amount is measured.
The means includes a light projecting unit for projecting light, and light projected by the light projecting unit.
And a light receiving unit for receiving a predetermined reflected light of the reflected light.
Light on the platen obtained by turning on the platen
Obtain the amount of reflection and turn on the light emitting part on the paper surface plate.
Obtain the amount of light reflection of the density control chart on the obtained printing paper.
Things. The automatic ink of the flatbed proofing machine according to claim 3.
The supply device is the device according to claim 1 or 2,
The ink supply amount control means performs plate printing once and then
When printing on a printing plate, measure the pattern area measurement means.
In addition to the results,
The additional ink supply amount is controlled in consideration of the ink amount.

[0008]

In the automatic ink supply device of the flatbed calibrator according to the first aspect , the light reflection amount measuring means is provided on the carriage, and the light reflection amount measuring means can be used by moving the carriage. Moreover, based on the information from the light reflection amount measuring means, the pattern area measuring means and the print density measuring means
Measures the picture area and print density . Then, based on that, the ink supply amount control means controls the ink supply amount in the carriage.

Here, the light reflection amount measuring means is used to measure the pattern area.
Commonly used for measurement and print density measurement . Therefore, in this case, accurate ink supply can be performed with a simple configuration. Contract
In the automatic ink supply device of the flatbed proofing machine according to claim 2,
Light is emitted from the light emitting part of the reflection amount measuring means, and the light receiving part
And receives a predetermined reflected light of the projected light. Specifically
Is a predetermined part of the printing plate obtained by lighting on the platen.
Obtain the amount of light reflection and light it on the paper surface plate.
The light reflection amount of the density management chart on the printed paper is obtained. Contract
In the automatic ink supply device of the flatbed proofing machine according to claim 3,
Printing on the next plate after printing on the plate
At this time, the amount of additional ink supply is controlled.
The key supply amount control means adds to the measurement result of the picture area measurement means.
The amount of ink remaining in the previous printing operation
The additional ink amount is controlled in consideration of the above. Because of this, efficient
Additional supplies can be made.

[0010]

1 and 2 show a calibrator to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied. In the figure, a calibrator includes a frame 1 extending in a horizontal direction, a carriage 2 arranged on the frame 1 so as to be movable in a horizontal direction, and a damping device 4 arranged at one end (the left end in the figure) of the frame 1. It mainly has first to fourth color fixed ink rollers 14a, 15a, 16a, 17a arranged at the other end of the frame. In the center of the frame 1, a paper surface plate 5, a first color surface plate 6, a second color surface plate 7, a third color surface plate 8, and a fourth color surface plate 9 are arranged in this order from the side remote from the damping device 4. They are arranged on a straight line. On the side of the damping device 4, there is provided a registration device 3 which is used by being moved onto the platen plates 6 to 9 during printing plate registration.

The carriage 2 has a dampening water roller 91 and ink rollers 14, 15, 16, 14
17 and the first to fourth color blanket cylinders 10, 11, 12,
13 are provided. The dampening solution roller 91 comes into contact with the damping device 4 when the carriage 2 moves to one end (the left end in the figure) of the frame 1, and forms a plate when the carriage 2 moves on the platens 6 to 9. A fountain solution is supplied to the printing plates set on the boards 6 to 9. The first to fourth color ink rollers 14 to 17 are fixed ink rollers 14 a to 17 when the carriage 2 moves to the other end (the right end in the drawing) of the frame 1.
a, and supplies ink to the printing plates set on the platen plates 6 to 9 when the carriage 2 moves on the platen plates 6 to 9. 1st to 4th color blanket cylinder 1
Nos. 0 to 13 transfer the image of each printing plate onto the printing paper set on the printing platen 5 when the carriage 2 moves on the platen plates 6 to 9 and the printing platen 5. Further, the carriage 2
The measuring unit 18 is arranged at the end of the damping device 4 side. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the carriage 2 has an encoder 19 for recognizing a moving position of the carriage 2, an operation panel 21 including a display unit 20 and a keyboard (described later), and ink rollers 14 to 17. An ink supply unit 22 for supplying ink.

[0012] As shown in FIG.
An ink discharge unit 23 having a nozzle is provided. The ink discharge unit 23 is connected to the ink roller 14 by a screw rod 24.
(15, 16, 17). The screw rod 24 is connected to a motor 26 via a power transmission mechanism 25 including a pulley and a belt.

An ink supply roller 27 is provided between the ink rollers 14 (15, 16, 17) and the ink discharge section 23. The ink supply roller 27 is oscillated by a cylinder 29 via an oscillating rod 28. Further, the ink rollers 14 (15, 16, 17)
Fixed ink rollers 14a (15a, 16a, 17) rotated by a motor (not shown) provided on the frame 1
a), the fixed ink roller 14a
It rotates together with (15a, 16a, 17a) to perform the ink kneading operation. The ink supply roller 27 is omitted,
The ink roller 14 (15, 16,
It is good also as composition which supplies ink directly to 17).

The measuring unit 18 is, as shown in FIG.
It has a case 30 and a measuring unit 31 arranged in the case 30. The measurement section 31 has a large number of sensor sections 32, and each of the sensor sections 32 is exposed downward from a long hole 33 provided on the lower end surface of the case 30. Further, an optical fiber 34 is disposed adjacent to the sensor section 32, and the sensor section 32 receives reflected light of light emitted from the optical fiber 34. Optical fiber 3
At the base of 4, a halogen lamp (not shown) as a light source
Is arranged. Therefore, the tip of the optical fiber 34 on the sensor unit 32 side is a light emitting unit. Optical fiber 34
Are arranged at a pitch of 10 mm.

As shown in FIG. 9, the sensor section 32 has a motherboard 35, and the motherboard 35 is connected to an ink control section 50 described later. The sensor unit 32 has a white reference sensor unit 36, a right light feedback sensor unit 37, a left light feedback sensor unit 38, and a number of color patch sensor units 39. These sensor units 36 to 39 include an AMP board 40 and an A / D conversion board 41.
Is connected to the motherboard 35 via the.

As shown in FIG. 6, each color patch sensor unit 39 individually measures the ink density of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C) and black (BK) mounted on the mounting plate 42. And a photodiode 43 for performing the operation. On the light receiving side of the photodiode 43, complementary color filters 44 individually corresponding to these ink colors are arranged. As shown in FIG. 7, both the optical feedback sensor units 37 and 38 have the same structure as the sensor unit 39, and additionally have a feedback photodiode 43 for maintaining the light amount of the light source constant.
a. Also, the white reference sensor unit 36
Is a measurement start mark 7 described later, as shown in FIG.
It has a white reference photodiode 43b for detecting 4, 84 and measuring the light reflectance of the printing paper.
These photodiodes 43, 43a, 43b are respectively connected to the AMP substrate 40 (FIG. 9). The photodiodes 43, 43a, 43b are arranged at a pitch of 10 mm, similarly to the tip of the optical fiber 34.

As shown in FIG. 10, this calibrator has a main body side control unit 60 that controls the entire operation, and the above-described ink control unit 50. The control units 50 and 60 respectively
It includes a microcomputer having a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. Then, between the two control units 50 and 60,
Various information is exchanged in order to coordinate the operation between the two.

The ink control section 50 is a control section for controlling the operation during ink supply, and is connected to the above-described measuring unit 18, display section 20, and ink supply section 22. Further, the ink control unit 50 has a key panel 51 for inputting commands and data provided on the operation panel 21 and an FD for setting a flexible disk storing basic data.
The drive 52 and other input / output units are connected.

On the other hand, the main body side control unit 60
Is a control unit that controls the moving operation of the encoder 1 and the like.
9 is connected. Further, the main body side control unit 60 includes:
A key panel 61 provided on the operation panel 21 for an operator to input a command, a carriage driving unit 62 including a motor for reciprocating the carriage 2 and the like, and for rotating the fixed ink rollers 14a to 17a. An ink roller driving unit 63 including a motor and the like and other input / output units are connected.

FIG. 11 shows a printing plate used during the operation of the above-mentioned proofing machine, and FIG. 12 shows an example of a printed matter printed at that time. FIG. 11 shows the printing plate A set on the first color (black) platen 6. For plate A,
In addition to the picture 71, a management patch 72 composed of a large number of square patterns and a measurement start mark 74 are printed. The management patch 72 is for printing a solid patch 82 for density management on printing paper B (described later), and the entire surface is an image portion. On the other hand, FIG.
Indicates printing paper B set on the paper surface plate 5. In the state shown in the figure, printing of four colors has been completed for the printing paper B, and a pattern 81, a solid patch 82 for density management of each of Y, M, C, and BK and a measurement start mark 84 are printed on the printing paper B. Have been. The measurement start mark 84 is printed by the measurement start mark 74 of the printing plate A. Also, among the solid patches 82,
The color corresponding to the color BK is printed by the management patch 72 of the printing plate A (FIG. 11), and the other colors Y, M, C
Is printed by the management patch 72 printed on another printing plate A.

Reference numeral 83 in FIG. 12 denotes a white reference portion used as an area for measuring the light reflectance of the printing paper B itself by the white reference sensor unit 36. There is no image in the area 73 (FIG. 11) of the plate A corresponding to the white reference portion 83. In addition, an area 75 on the squeeze side of the printing plate A in FIG. 11 is an area used for calibration at the time of measuring a picture area described later,
This is an area where there is no printed image at the time of printing of the printing plate A.

Next, according to the control flowchart,
The operation of the above embodiment will be described. 13 to 19 showing control flowcharts, FIGS. 13 to 15 are control flowcharts of the main body side control unit 60, and FIGS.
Is a control flowchart of the ink control unit 50.

In the general flow main body control section 60, when the program starts,
In step S1 in FIG. 13, initialization such as arranging the carriage 2 at the right end in FIG. 1 is performed. After the initial setting, the process proceeds to step S2. In step S2, it is determined whether or not an instruction for initial ink supply has been issued via the key panel 61. If the command has not been issued, the process proceeds to step S3. In step S3, it is similarly determined whether or not an additional ink supply command has been issued via the key panel 61. If the command has not been issued, the process proceeds to step S4. In step S4, it is similarly determined whether or not a print start command has been issued via the key panel 61. If no command has been issued, the process returns to step S2. That is, in steps S2 to S4, the process waits for a command to be issued via the key panel 61.

On the other hand, when the program starts in the ink control section 50, in step P1 in FIG.
Initial settings such as setting the ink supply unit 22 to the initial position are performed. Upon completion of the initialization, the process shifts to Step P2.
In Step P2, it is determined whether a new ink supply condition has been input via the key panel 51. If there is no condition input, the program shifts to Step P3. In step P3,
It is determined whether or not an instruction for an initial ink supply operation has been issued from the main body side control unit 60. If the judgment is No, step P
Move to 4. In step P4, similarly, it is determined whether or not an additional ink supply operation command has been issued from the main body side control unit 60. When the judgment is No, the process shifts to Step P5.
In Step P5, similarly, it is determined whether or not an automatic ink supply command has been issued from the main body side control unit 60. Step P
If the determination in 5 is No, the process returns to Step P2. That is, in steps P2 to P5, the control waits for various commands to be input.

In the ink controller 50, the key panel 5
The paper quality, plate type, ink type,
Assuming that conditions relating to target density, color designation, etc. have been input, the program proceeds from step P2 to step P2 in FIG.
Move to 6. In Step P6, the input conditions are stored. When the condition storage is completed, the process returns to the main routine.

Assuming that the initial supply operator inputs an initial ink supply command to the main unit control unit 60 via the key panel 61, the program of the main unit control unit 60 shifts from step S2 to step S5 in FIG. . In step S5, an initial supply command is output to the ink control unit 50 side. Then, in step S6, an ink pile subroutine shown in FIG. 14 is executed.

In step S7 of FIG.
Is moved to the damping device 4 side. Then, in step S8, the process waits until the end of the movement path of the carriage 2 is detected. When the carriage 2 reaches the end of the movement path on the damping device 4 side, the carriage 2 is driven in the reverse direction in step S9.

In step S10, it is determined whether it is time to turn on a light source (halogen lamp) used for measurement by the measurement unit 18. In step S11, it is determined whether it is time to start measurement by the measurement unit 18. Step S10 and step S11
Is determined based on the moving position of the carriage 2 based on the encoder 19. In step S12, it is determined whether or not a roller drive command (described later) has been issued from the ink control unit 50. If the determination is No, step S
Then, the process returns to step S10 after performing other general processing.

When the lighting time has come, the determination in step S10 becomes Yes, and the process proceeds to step S14. In step S14, a lighting instruction is issued to the ink control unit 50. When the processing in step S14 is completed, step S11 is performed.
Return to Next, when it is time to start the measurement, step S11
Is YES, and the process moves to step S15.
In step S15, a measurement start command is issued to the ink control unit 50.

When the ink control unit 50 receives an initial supply command (step S5) from the main body side control unit 60, the program shifts from step P3 in FIG. 16 to step P7, and executes the initial supply subroutine in FIG. FIG.
In step P8, the process waits for the main body side control unit 60 to issue a lighting command. Upon receiving the lighting instruction, the light source of the measuring unit 18 is turned on in Step P9.
Then, in step P10, it is determined whether or not a measurement start command has been issued from the main body side control unit 60, and in step P11, it is determined whether or not the light-off time has come.

Assuming that a measurement start command (step S15) is issued from the main body side controller 60, the program shifts from step P10 to step P12. Step P1
In 2, the 0% measurement for calibration is performed by measuring the amount of reflected light in the area 75 with each photodiode 43 of the color patch sensor unit 39. 0%
Upon completion of the measurement, the process shifts to Step P13. Step P
In step 13, the pattern area drawn on the printing plate A is measured. This measurement is also performed by using the color patch sensor unit 39. That is, with the movement of the carriage 2, when the measurement unit 18 scans over the plate A, each photodiode 43 measures the amount of reflected light from the plate A at a pitch of 10 mm. Then, each photodiode 43
The voltage measured at is stored.

In step P14, the start mark 74 is detected by the white reference sensor unit 36,
It is determined whether the picture 71 has been completed. Upon completion of the picture, the determination in Step P14 becomes Yes, and the routine goes to Step P15. In Step P15, by taking a predetermined lag time after the detection of the start mark 74,
It waits until the measurement unit 18 reaches the management patch 72 of the plate A. When the measurement unit 18 reaches the management patch 72, the process shifts to Step P16, where the photodiode 43 corresponding to the color of each printing plate A measures the amount of reflected light from the management patch 72 to perform 100% measurement. In addition, pattern 7
The reason why the end position of the printing plate A and the position of the management patch 72 are detected using the start mark 74 is that these positions change according to the size of the plate A.

Then, in a step S17, it is determined whether or not there is a next printing plate. Until all the measurements for the four color printing plates are completed, the program proceeds to step P17.
From step P12, and the same measuring operation is repeated. When all the measurements for the four printing plates are completed, the determination in step P17 is No, and the program returns to step P10.

When a predetermined period elapses after the measurement for all the printing plates is completed, it is determined that the light-off time has come, and the program shifts from step P11 to step P18. In Step P18, calibration is performed using the data of the 0% measurement (Step P12) and the 100% measurement (Step P16) for each plate A of Y, M, C, and BK, and the result of the calibration is obtained. The calculation of the picture area in each of the printing plates A of Y, M, C, and BK is performed based on the reference.

In calculating the picture area, the amount of the picture is determined based on the change in the measured voltage. Here, each of the stored measurement voltages is integrated for each scanning line of each sensor, and the integrated amount is converted into a picture area for each scanning line of each sensor. At this time, the relationship between the voltage value obtained in one measurement and the pattern amount is calculated based on calibration based on 0% measurement and 100% measurement.

This calibration is performed by four kinds of complementary color filters 44, which are different from each other, for the purpose of measuring the density of the solid patch 82, due to fluctuation factors such as variations in the amount of light of the light emitting section related to the optical fiber 34 and variations in the characteristics of the photodiode 43. Since the reflected light amount conversion voltage is different for each photodiode 43 by being provided in each photodiode 43, it is executed to correct this. In this calibration, since the reflectance of the printing plate A is different due to the type of the printing plate A, the difference in the degree of baking in the printing process, and the like, an area provided on the printing plate A where printing is actually performed does not exist. It is necessary to perform this based on the amount of reflected light between the area and the area where 100% of the image exists.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 11, an area 75 for performing the 0% measurement exists as a part of the printing plate A on the quenching side for all the printing plates Y, M, C, and BK. Therefore, it is possible to perform 0% measurement on all the printing plates A by all the photodiodes 43 arranged at a pitch of 10 mm. On the other hand, the management patch 72
Since it is necessary to print the solid patch 82 on the printing paper B at a different position for each color, the printing is performed by shifting the position for each printing plate A at a pitch of 40 mm. Therefore, for example, FIG.
In the case of the BK plate A shown in FIG. 1, the BK photodiode 43 used for measuring the density of the solid patch 82 of the color BK can measure 0% and 100%.
In other photodiodes 43 for Y, M and C, 10
0% measurement cannot be performed.

For this reason, a virtual 100%
Measurements need to be determined. Therefore, a virtual 100 for the portion measured by the C, M, and Y measurement sensors is used.
The% measured value V is calculated from the 0% measured value V0 and the 0% measured value V0B and the 100% measured value V1B by the BK sensor by the following equation. V = (V0 / V0B) × V1B Accordingly, it is not necessary to provide a special 100% reference area when performing calibration on a scan line without the management patch 72. Therefore, accurate picture area measurement at a pitch of 10 mm can be performed without using a special printing plate.

Upon completion of the process in the step P18, the process shifts to a step P19. Here, the initial ink supply amount for each color is calculated based on the picture area obtained in Step P18. Here, the picture amount for each printing plate A obtained in step S18 is based on the ink supply amount for each color based on a function determined using parameters such as color, paper quality, ink type, target density, and plate type. Is converted to This ink supply amount is set to be large in a portion having a large number of patterns and small in a portion having a small number of patterns.

The image area data exists for each scanning line of 10 mm pitch where the sensor is arranged, but ink is supplied at a pitch of 40 mm corresponding to the density measuring pitch of the solid patch 82 described later. Therefore, at the first supply point by the ink discharge unit 23, the average of the supply amounts for the scanning lines of BK and C at one end is set as the ink supply amount. At the last supply point by the ink discharge unit 23, the average of the supply amounts of the M and Y scan lines at the other end is set as the ink supply amount. Then, at each supply point between the two supply points, each photodiode 4
The average of the supply amounts for the three scanning lines of M, Y, BK, and C is defined as the ink supply amount.

After calculating the ink supply amount, step P
At 20, the display unit 20 displays the initial scent data for each color. When the data display is completed, in step P21, the fixed ink roller 14
Drive commands a to 17a are performed. As a result, the main body side controller 60 determines that the determination in step S12 of FIG.
es, and the program proceeds to step S16.
In Step S16, each of the fixed ink rollers 14a to 17
is driven to rotate, and the stationary ink rollers 14a to 17a and the ink rollers 14 to 17 are synchronously rotated. Then, in step S17, the process waits for an end signal of the ink replenishment operation from the ink control unit 50.

On the ink control unit 50 side, in step P22 in FIG. 17, the ink supply unit 22 is controlled based on the calculation result in step P19, and the initial filling operation is executed. Here, the ink discharge unit 23 in FIG. 4 is driven in the longitudinal direction of the ink rollers 14 (15, 16, 17), and the ink discharge unit 23 sends the required amount of ink to the ink supply roller 27 based on the calculation result. Ink is supplied where needed. The ink supply roller 27 to which the ink is supplied is moved by the cylinder 29 to the ink roller 14 (1).
5, 16, 17), and the ink supply roller 27
Supplies ink to the ink rollers 14 (15, 16, 17).

When the initial filling operation is completed, step P23
, An operation end notification is sent to the main body side control unit 60. After notifying, the program returns to the main routine of FIG. On the other hand, in the main body side control unit that has received the operation end notification, the determination in step S17 of FIG. 13 is Yes, and the program returns to the main routine of FIG.

Additional printing After printing on a printing plate, once printing is performed on a new printing plate, an additional ink supply command is issued as necessary. When the operator issues an additional supply command to the main body side control unit 60 via the key panel 61, the program shifts from step S3 to step S26 in FIG. In step S26, an additional supply command is issued to the ink control unit 50. Then, in step S27, the ink replenishment subroutine shown in FIG. 14 is executed. The operation in the ink replenishment subroutine is the same as that in the case of the initial supply, and the description is omitted here.

The main controller 60 in step S26
When the ink supply unit 50 receives the additional supply command from the printer, the determination in Step P4 of FIG. 16 becomes Yes, and the program shifts to the additional supply subroutine of Step P27. In the additional supply subroutine in FIG.
Steps P28 to P38 are the same as steps P8 to P18 (FIG. 17) at the time of the initial supply, and a description thereof will be omitted.

In step P39, an additional ink supply amount is calculated based on the result of the calculation of the picture area in step P38. In this case, the amount of ink remaining in the previous printing operation is considered in addition to the picture area. That is, at the time of additional supply, since the ink applied during the previous printing remains on the ink roller, the ink already applied based on the calculation result obtained in the same manner as the calculation at the time of the initial supply. The amount is subtracted, which is taken as the additional ink supply.

After the processing in step P39 is completed,
The processes in Steps P40 to P43 are the same as Steps P20 to P23 (FIG. 17) at the time of the initial supply, and thus description thereof will be omitted.

Assuming that a print operation start command is issued to the main body control unit 60 via the key panel 61 in order to perform the printing (automatic supply) printing operation, the program of the main body side control unit 60 is executed from step S4 in FIG. The process moves to S36. In step S36, FIG.
The print subroutine shown in 5 is executed.

In FIG. 15, in step S37, an automatic ink supply command is issued to the ink control unit 50. In step S38, a print operation start command is issued. As a result, the printing operation on the printing paper B placed on the paper platen 5 is started using the printing plate A placed on each platen 6 to 9 and the blanket cylinders 10 to 13 in the carriage 2. Is done. In this printing operation, dampening solution is supplied to each printing plate A by the dampening solution roller 91 and the ink roller 14 is supplied.
-17 to supply ink. Next, the ink on the printing plate A is transferred to the printing paper B on the printing platen 5 by the blanket cylinders 10 to 13. Subsequently, in step S39, it is determined whether or not the lighting time of the measurement unit 18 has come. In step S40, it is determined whether the measurement start time of the measurement unit 18 has come. In the step S41, it is determined whether or not the printing operation is completed. In step S42, other processes in the printing operation such as stopping the carriage 2 at the right end of the frame 1 (FIG. 2) are performed.

When it is time to turn on the light in the measuring unit 18, the process proceeds from step S 39 to step S 43, in which a lighting command is issued to the ink control unit 50. If it is time to start measurement by the measurement unit 18, step S40
Then, the process shifts to step S44 to issue a measurement start command to the ink control unit 50.

On the other hand, in the ink control unit 50, when receiving the automatic supply command (step S37) from the main body side control unit 60, the program is changed from step P5 to step P5 in FIG.
The program proceeds to 47, where the automatic supply subroutine of FIG. 19 is executed. In FIG. 19, in step P48, the process waits for a lighting instruction from the main body side control unit 60. If a lighting instruction is received, the light source of the measuring unit 18 is turned on in Step P49. Then, in step P50, the process waits for a measurement start command (step S44) from the main body side control unit 60. When a measurement start command is received, step P
It moves to 51.

In step P51, the process waits until the measurement start mark 84 (FIG. 12) on the printing paper B is detected.
When the start mark 84 is detected, the process shifts to Step P52 after a predetermined lag time. In Step P52, the density of each solid patch 82 is measured using all the photodiodes 43 in each color patch sensor unit 39 (FIG. 9). Step P5 after concentration measurement
Move to 3. In Step P53, the process waits for the light source to be turned off. If it is time to turn off the light source, the light source is turned off in step P54. Then, the program shifts to Step P55.

In Step P55, Y, M, and Y are determined based on the result of measuring the solid patch 82 in Step P52.
The density calculation is performed for each of the colors C and BK. The calculation result is displayed on the display unit 20 in Step P56. And
In step P57, the calculated density (step P57)
55), the ink replenishment amount for each of the colors Y, M, C, and BK is calculated. Note that the reflected light amount conversion voltage differs for each sensor due to a variation factor such as variation in the light amount of the light emitting unit related to the optical fiber 34 and variation in the characteristics of the photodiode 43. Therefore, when calculating the density from the reflected light amount conversion voltage, it is necessary to perform calibration for correction based on those fluctuation factors.
This calibration is different from the above-described calibration at the time of measuring the picture area, and is a calibration for correcting a variation between the photodiodes 43 for the same color provided with the same complementary color filter 44.

At this time, since the solid patch 82 printed on the printing paper B has a different density corresponding to the amount of ink, it cannot be used as a reference at the time of calibration. For this reason, although the description is omitted here, the reference voltage relating to the desired density and the white color is measured in advance by using the printing paper on which the reference solid patch is printed and the blank paper. Then, calibration is performed on the basis of the calibration, and the calibration is used to calculate the concentration from the actual measurement data. Also, printing paper B
The amount of reflected light of the solid patch 82 printed on the top varies depending on the reflectance of the printing paper B itself. Therefore, when the above-described calculation of the ink replenishment amount is performed, the measurement result measured in step P52 is corrected based on the measurement value of the reflected light amount of the white reference unit 83 by the white reference sensor unit 36. In addition, instead of measuring the amount of reflected light of the white reference portion 83 by the white reference sensor unit 36 for performing this correction, the amount of reflected light of the non-image area 85 on the mulberry side shown in FIG. You may make it measure.

In Step P58, it is determined whether or not it is necessary to replenish the ink consumed in the previous printing operation based on the calculation result in Step P57. If the replenishment of the ink is not necessary, the process shifts to Step P59 to notify the main body side controller 60 of the operation end. On the other hand, step P
If it is determined in 58 that ink replenishment is necessary, the program shifts to Step P60. In Step P60, a roller drive command is issued to the main body side controller 60.

After finishing the printing operation, the main body side controller 60 waits for input of a roller drive command in step S45 of FIG. 15, and waits for input of an operation end notification in step S46. If the operation end notification is received before the roller drive command is received, the determination in step S46 is Yes, and the program returns to the main routine. On the other hand, if a roller drive command is issued in step P60 (FIG. 19), step S60
The determination at 45 is Yes, and the process moves to step S47. In step S47, the fixed ink rollers 14a-1a-1
7a is rotationally driven to rotate the fixed ink rollers 14a to 17a and the ink rollers 14 to 17 in the carriage 2 synchronously.

While the ink rollers 14 to 17 are being driven to rotate, the ink control unit 50 performs the steps P in FIG.
61 is executed. In Step P61, Step P5
7, the ink supply unit 22 is controlled, and each of the ink discharge units 23 controls each of the ink rollers 14 to 1.
The required amount of ink is supplied to the required positions of 7. Upon completion of the process in Step P61, the process shifts to Step P59 to output an operation end notification to the main body side control unit 60. Upon receiving the operation end notification, the main body side control unit 60 executes step S4.
6 (FIG. 15) is Yes, and the program returns to the main routine.

The above-described automatic ink supply operation during the printing operation may be performed after printing several sheets. Further, in the above-described embodiment, a four-color proofing machine that performs four-color printing in one step has been described.
It can be similarly employed in a two-color proofing machine that performs color printing.

[0059]

In the automatic ink supply device according to the present invention,
The carriage is provided with a light reflection amount measuring unit, and the printing density and the picture area are measured using the light reflection amount measuring unit, and the ink supply amount is controlled based on the measurement results. Therefore, according to the present invention, with a simple configuration,
By using the density of the density management chart and the picture area of the printing plate as control parameters, accurate ink supply can be performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a calibrator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical side view thereof.

FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway perspective view of the carriage.

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the ink supply unit.

FIG. 5 is a cutaway perspective view of the measuring unit.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the color patch sensor unit.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the optical feedback sensor unit.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of the white reference sensor unit.

FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram of a measurement unit.

FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram of a control unit.

FIG. 11 is a plan view showing an example of a printing plate.

FIG. 12 is a plan view illustrating an example of a printing sheet.

FIG. 13 is a control flowchart of a main body side control unit.

FIG. 14 is a control flowchart of a main body side control unit.

FIG. 15 is a control flowchart of a main body side control unit.

FIG. 16 is a control flowchart of an ink control unit.

FIG. 17 is a control flowchart of an ink control unit.

FIG. 18 is a control flowchart of an ink control unit.

FIG. 19 is a control flowchart of an ink control unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Carriage 5 Paper surface plate 6, 7, 8, 9 Plate surface plate 18 Measurement unit 22 Ink supply unit 50 Ink control unit 71 Picture 82 Solid patch A Printing plate B Printing paper

────────────────────────────────────────────────── (5) References JP-A-63-299931 (JP, A) JP-A-62-174159 (JP, A) JP-A-62-174158 (JP, A) (58) Field (Int.Cl. ⁶ , DB name) B41F 31/02 B41F 3/20 B41F 31/08

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A plate surface for placing a printing plate, and said plate surface
An automatic ink supply apparatus of a flatbed calibrating machine having a paper plate, and a carriage capable of moving on both stools of the plate surface plate and Kamijoban for placing printing paper provided side by side on the board, A light reflection amount measuring unit provided on the carriage, and a light reflection amount measurement unit obtained by moving the carriage on the platen.
Based on the information from the light reflection amount measuring means, the platen
A pattern area measuring means for measuring a pattern area of the upper printing plate, and a front surface obtained by moving the carriage on the paper platen.
Based on the information from the light reflection amount measuring means, the paper surface plate
Measure the density of the density management chart printed on the upper printing paper.
A constant print density measuring device, based on a measurement result by the image area measurement means and the print density measuring device, automatic ink flatbed calibration machine and a ink supply amount control means for controlling the ink supply amount in the carriage Feeding device. 2. The light reflection amount measuring means according to claim 1, wherein said light reflection amount measuring means projects light.
A light unit, and a predetermined reflected light of the light emitted by the light emitting unit
And a light receiving unit for receiving the light, and the light emitting unit is disposed on the platen.
The amount of light reflection at a predetermined location on the printing plate obtained by lighting
And lighting the light emitting section on the paper surface plate.
Reflection of the density control chart on the printing paper obtained by
2. The flatbed calibrator according to claim 1, which obtains an amount.
Moving ink supply device. 3. An ink supply amount control means, comprising:
When printing on the next printing plate after printing, the picture
In addition to the measurement results of the pattern area measurement means,
Supply of additional ink in consideration of the amount of ink remaining
3. The self-calibration device of the flatbed calibrator according to claim 1, wherein
Moving ink supply device.