JP6855043B2 - Printing plate calibration equipment, calibration method, and printing plate delivery method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a printing plate calibration device, a calibration method, and a printing plate delivery method. In particular, the present invention relates to a flexographic printing plate calibration device, a calibration method, and a flexographic printing plate delivery method.

Conventionally, there has been an inspection machine (calibration device) that inspects the print plate after producing the print plate (Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 inspects the surface unevenness of a printing plate with a laser.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2010-214944

However, when the entire printing plate is inspected with a laser, measurement time and data processing take time. Therefore, a method of actually printing with a calibrator using a printing plate and inspecting the printed matter by taking time and manpower is performed. In other words, it takes time and manpower.

Therefore, an object of the present application is to provide a method and an apparatus for inspecting a printed plate without spending time and manpower.

In order to solve the above problems, a first roll for holding a printing plate, a second roll for holding an object, and a measurement for measuring an ink pattern transferred to the surface of the object by the first roll. A printing plate proofreading apparatus having a unit, a first control unit that controls the first roll, the second roll, and the measurement unit is used.

Further, the first step of winding the produced printing plate around the outer periphery of the first roll, the second step of winding the object to be wound around the second roll, and the interval between the first roll and the second roll are adjusted. The third step, the fourth step of applying ink to the printing plate, the fifth step of rotating the first roll and the second roll to transfer the ink to the surface of the object, and the above. A printing plate calibration method is used in which the sixth step of measuring the ink on the object by the measuring unit and the first step to the sixth step are performed a plurality of times.

Further, a printing plate delivery method in which a plurality of printing plates, printed matter printed by the plurality of printing plates, and pattern data obtained by synthesizing pattern data printed by the plurality of printing plates are delivered to a printing company. Is used.

In the present invention, the printing plate can be inspected without spending time and manpower.

Sectional drawing of the calibration apparatus of Embodiment 1. (A)-(h) The figure which shows the measurement data of the calibration apparatus of Embodiment 1. (A)-(b) The figure which combined the measurement data by the calibration apparatus of Embodiment 1. Sectional drawing of the calibration apparatus of Embodiment 2. Sectional drawing of the calibration apparatus of Embodiment 3 Sectional drawing of the calibration apparatus of Embodiment 4 (A)-(c) The figure which shows the flow of sale of the printing plate of Embodiment 5.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be illustrated.
(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the calibration device of the first embodiment.
<Device configuration>
The calibration device of the first embodiment includes a first roll 11, a second roll 12, a control unit 17, a measurement unit 15, and an ink supply unit 18.

The first roll 11 is a cylindrical metal roll, and the printing plate 14 is set on the outer periphery thereof.
The second roll 12 is a cylindrical metal roll, and the object 16 is set on the outer periphery thereof.

The measuring unit 15 is an optical measuring instrument such as an image sensor, and measures the pattern of ink printed on the object 16. It suffices if the pattern can be measured by other than the image sensor.
The control unit 17 controls the entire calibration device such as the first roll 11, the second roll 12, and the measurement unit 15. It is also possible to process and record the measurement data measured by the measuring unit 15. The device may be controlled by the first control unit, and the measurement data may be processed by the second control unit.

The ink supply unit 18 applies ink to the printing plate 14. The ink supply unit 18 may be eliminated, and a person may apply ink to the printing plate 14.
<Process>
In the first step, the produced printing plate 14 is wound around the outer circumference of the first roll 11.

In the second step, the object 16 is wound around the second roll 12. In the first and second steps, the distance between the first roll 11 and the second roll 12 can be relatively separated. Although not shown, there is a mechanism for that purpose. The first and second steps may be performed in the reverse order.
In the third step, the first roll 11 and the second roll 12 are brought close to each other.

In the fourth step, the ink supply unit 18 applies ink to the printing plate 14. You may apply the ink manually.
In the fifth step, the first roll 11 and the second roll 12 are rotated. The ink is transferred to the surface of the object 16.

In the sixth step, the ink on the object 16 is measured by the measuring unit 15.
The first to sixth steps are repeated a plurality of times for the number of printing plates 14 required for the completed pattern. When, for example, four colors are used to produce one printed matter, the number of printing plates 14 is at least four. There is a printing plate 14 for each color.

After repeating the above, in the seventh step, the measurement data measured by the measuring unit 15 is superimposed on the control unit 17 for each printing plate 14. As a result, the image of the printed matter which is the completed pattern can be known. The control unit 17 may use a control unit different from the control of the device and the control of the measurement data.
A plurality of types of ink may be used throughout the entire process, but one type is preferable. This eliminates the need to change the color of the ink. This is because it can be processed on the measurement data.

The setting of the printing plate 14 on the first roll 11 does not require strict alignment. This is because the control unit 17 can perform processing on the measurement data. That is, the mark 19 is attached to the printing plate 14, and the portion of the mark 19 is also printed on the object 16. This is because each measurement data overlaps with the portion of the mark 19 as a reference. It is preferable that there are three or more marks 19 on one printing plate 14.

The order of each process does not have to be this order, and the order can be changed to the extent possible.
<Data processing>
The measurement data will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (h).

2 (a), 2 (b), 2 (e), and 2 (f) are plan views of the printing plate 14. 2 (c), 2 (d), 2 (g), and 2 (h) are plan views of the pattern (ink) on the object 16 printed by the printing plate 14, respectively. .. This pattern is the data measured by the measuring unit 15.

In this case, it is a case where one printed matter is produced by four colors and four printing plates 14.
Next, data composition will be described.
FIG. 3 (a) is simply a result of synthesizing FIGS. 2 (c), 2 (d), 2 (g), and 2 (h). FIG. 3 (b) is the result of synthesizing FIG. 2 (c), FIG. 2 (d), FIG. 2 (g), and FIG. 2 (h) by changing the desired colors on the data.

By changing the color on the measurement data, the target printed matter, FIG. 3B, can be obtained.
The printing plate 14 can be inspected by inspecting FIG. 3 (b).
Here, the inspection is to compare and inspect the original data for producing the printing plate 14 and the measurement data (FIG. 3B) on the control unit 17 (personal computer or the like). The design of the pattern of the printing plate 14, the position of the pattern of the printing plate 14, the height of the pattern of the printing plate 14, and the like are digitally collated and inspected. Both may be visually inspected.

As described above, the printing plate 14 can be inspected without using a plurality of colors. The alignment between the first roll 11 and the printing plate 14 and the alignment between the second roll 12 and the object 16 need not be rigorous. As described above, the mark 19 allows the alignment on the control unit 17. This is because it can be adjusted on the measurement data.

Even if there is a mistake in the printing plate 14 or a setting error, it can be corrected on the measurement data.
The object 16 may not be measured by the measuring unit 15, but may be measured separately by a scanner or the like. Similar to the above, the data can be superimposed to form the image of FIG. 3 (b).

(Embodiment 2)
The second embodiment will be described with reference to the cross-sectional view of FIG. Matters not described are the same as those in the first embodiment.
Unlike the first embodiment, the position of the measuring unit 15 is on the first roll 11.

The measuring unit 15 measures the ink on the printing plate 14 supplied by the ink supply unit 18. It takes time to measure the shape of the convex portion of the printing plate 14 without ink due to problems such as contrast.
However, it is easy to apply ink to the convex portion of the printing plate 14 and measure the ink portion. Since the ink portion is actually printed, the pattern to be transferred can be measured by measuring the ink portion. As a result, the same pattern as in the first embodiment can be measured.

<Process>
The process is the process of the first embodiment, in which the operation part of the second roll 12 is deleted. Further, the measuring unit 15 measures the ink on the printing plate 14.
<Effect>
In addition to the effect of the first embodiment, the second roll 12 and the object 16 are not required, which can be further simplified.

(Embodiment 3)
The third embodiment will be described with reference to the cross-sectional view of FIG. Matters not described are the same as those in the first embodiment.
Unlike the first embodiment, the method of supplying the object 16 is different. The object 16 is supplied as a continuous sheet. The object 16 is supplied from the object roll 23 to the second roll 12 via the supply roll 20. Further, the object 16 is wound up from the second roll 12 by the recovery roll 21.

The measuring unit 15 is arranged at a place where the object 16 is attached with tension, after being printed on the object 16 by the second roll 12.
<Process>
Only the differences from the process of the first embodiment will be described. In the second step, it is not necessary to wind the object 16 around the second roll 12. The object 16 is continuously supplied.

<Effect>
There is no need to replace the object 16. The object 16 can be continuously supplied in the same state. The measuring unit 15 can measure the object 16 in a flat state.
(Embodiment 4)
The fourth embodiment will be described with reference to the cross-sectional view of FIG. Matters not described are the same as those in the first and second embodiments.

Unlike the second embodiment, there is no first roll 11 and there is a flat base 22. Ink is supplied to the printing plate 14 on this, and the pattern of the ink is measured by the measuring unit 15.
<Process>
In the first step, the produced printing plate 14 is set on the flat table 22.

In the second step, the ink supply unit 18 applies ink to the printing plate 14. You may apply the ink manually.
In the third step, the ink on the printing plate 14 is measured by the measuring unit 15. The measuring unit 15 moves relative to the printing plate 14.

The first to third steps are repeated for the number of printing plates 14 required for the completed pattern. For example, when four colors are used to produce one printed matter, the number of printing plates 14 is four. There is a printing plate 14 for each color.
After repeating the above, in the fourth step, the measurement data measured by the measuring unit 15 is superimposed on the control unit 17 for each printing plate 14. As a result, the image of the printed matter which is the completed pattern can be known.

<Effect>
The printing plate 14 can be easily inspected by a mechanism without the first roll 11 and the second roll 12.
(Embodiment 5)
The fifth embodiment is a method of using the data (FIG. 3 (b)) obtained in any of the first to fourth embodiments.

FIG. 7A shows the flow between companies in the transaction of the printing plate 14. The printing company orders the printing plate 14 from the plate making company in order to print on cardboard or the like. The plate making company manufactures a printing plate 14 and delivers the printing plate 14 to the printing company.
The printing company prints on cardboard or the like using the printing plate 14. The printing company delivers cardboard and other items to another company.

In this case, the plate manufacturing company does not simply deliver only the printing plate 14 to the printing company, but also delivers the object 26, which is the printed matter printed by the printing plate 14, as the inspection result.
The printing company can inspect the object 26 by looking at it. In this case, the pattern data (digital data) can be delivered together with the printed matter printed as the object 26. The printing company can inspect by comparing and differentizing the delivered pattern data and the pattern data at the time of ordering. In addition, the delivered pattern data can be stored and managed together with the printing plate 14.

The plate making company can further deliver the one shown in FIG. 7 (b) to the printing company. That is, the printing plate 14, the object 26, and the printing condition 27.
The printing condition 27 is a condition for producing the object 26. In particular, it is the data of the distance between the first roll 11 and the second roll 12 of FIGS. 1 and 5. It will be helpful when the printing company sets the printing plate 14 on the printing machine.

Further, it is preferable to combine the types of the printing plate 14 as the printing condition 27. The type of the printing plate 14 is a plate made of a sheet material, a plate made of a liquid material, or the like. It is more preferable to add the thickness of the printing plate 14.
It is preferable for storage that the object 26 and the printing condition 27 are delivered as digital data.

It is preferable that the printing condition 27 is also digitized and combined (combined) with the digital data of the object 26.
In FIG. 7C, a plurality of printing conditions 37 are further delivered.

The plurality of conditions are, for example, a plurality of distances between the first roll 11 and the second roll 12 in FIG. By changing some of these distances, the resulting print plate 14 and its plurality of pattern data can be delivered.
The printing company can set the printing plate 14 in the printing machine with reference to the plurality of printing conditions 37. The plurality of printing conditions 37 may be pattern data printed by changing the type of ink.

(Note)
The above embodiments can be combined.
The data is preferably digital data. Easy to process.

The printing plate calibration device and calibration method of the present application can be widely used in the fields of printing plates and printing machines.

11 ... 1st roll, 12 ... 2nd roll, 14 ... Printed matter, printed matter, 15 ... Measuring unit, 16, 26 ... Object, 17 ... Control unit, 18 ... Ink supply unit, 19 ... Mark, 20 ... Supply Roll, 21 ... Recovery roll, 22 ... Flatbed, 23 ... Object roll, 27, 37 ... Printing conditions, 28 ... Correction conditions.

Claims (7)

The first roll that holds the print plate and
The second roll that holds the object and
A measuring unit that measures the pattern of the ink transferred by the first roll on the surface of the object, and a measuring unit.
A first control unit that controls the first roll, the second roll, and the measurement unit, and
It is a printing plate calibration device that has
A printing plate calibration device having a second control unit that synthesizes a plurality of the above patterns into one pattern. Further, a supply roll for supplying the object to the second roll and
The printing plate calibration apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a collection roll for collecting the object. The first roll that holds the print plate and
A measuring unit that measures the pattern of ink supplied to the surface of the printing plate, and a measuring unit.
A first control unit that controls the first roll and the measurement unit,
It is a printing plate calibration device that has
A printing plate calibration device having a second control unit that synthesizes a plurality of the above patterns into one pattern. The first step of winding the produced printing plate around the outer circumference of the first roll, and
The second process of winding the object around the second roll,
A third step of adjusting the interval between the first roll and the second roll, and
The fourth step of applying ink to the printing plate and
The fifth step of rotating the first roll and the second roll to transfer the ink to the surface of the object, and
The sixth step of measuring the ink on the object with the measuring unit, and
A printing plate calibration method in which the first step to the sixth step are performed a plurality of times. The method for calibrating a printing plate according to claim 4 , further comprising a seventh step of synthesizing the measurement data in the sixth step obtained as a result of performing the plurality of times. A plurality of the printing plates used in claim 5, said the object printed in claim 5, printing method delivery of the synthesized pattern data in the claims 5 and delivered to a printing company. The method for delivering a printing plate according to claim 6 , further comprising printing conditions when the ink is transferred to the object.

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