JP7239766B1 - Misregistration detection device, printing machine, method for manufacturing printed matter, and misregistration detection program - Google Patents

Abstract

A misregistration detection device, a printing press, a misregistration detection method, and a misregistration detection program capable of detecting misregistration with higher accuracy in multicolor printing are provided.
SOLUTION: A printing machine 10 for printing in three or more colors using a plurality of plate cylinders 12 is provided with a misregistration detection device 40. - 特許庁The misregistration detection device 40 detects the position of each color registration mark 50 printed on the printing material 14 by the misregistration detection sensor 42 . Then, the misregistration detection device 40 calculates the amount of misalignment between the registration mark 50 of the reference color and the registration mark 50 of the other color, and calculates the amount of misalignment between the registration mark 50 of the other color and the registration mark 50 of the different color. Then, it is determined whether or not the amount of deviation is equal to or greater than a predetermined allowable value.
[Selection drawing] Fig. 5

Description

The present invention relates to a misregistration detection device, a printing machine, a method for manufacturing printed matter , and a misregistration detection program.

Multi-color printing using a plurality of plate cylinders is performed by superimposing printing patterns of each color on a substrate to be printed. For this reason, the printed pattern of the acceptable product is obtained by printing each color without deviation. On the other hand, if even one color is deviated, the product is not acceptable, and if the amount of deviation exceeds the allowable value, it is treated as non-conforming and the printed material is discarded.

The permissible value of such a deviation amount is appropriately set as necessary, but in recent years, the permissible value demanded by the market has become smaller with the advancement of printing technology. For this reason, technical developments are being made to detect the amount of deviation.

For example, in Patent Document 1, the amount of printing misregistration is detected based on the relative positions of a printing register mark of a reference color arranged at a predetermined position on a printed matter and a printing register mark of another color arranged in the vicinity thereof, A multi-color printing press is described in which detected misalignment amounts are input to operate correction drives such as register correction motors in each printing unit.

JP-A-2002-137368

However, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-200010, the amount of misregistration between the printing register marks of the reference color and the printing register marks of the other colors is only detected independently and controlled, and the misregistration amounts of the other colors are detected. is neither mentioned nor suggested.

For example, if a printed register mark of a certain other color is shifted to the right by 0.5 mm with respect to the reference color, and a printed register mark of another different color is shifted to the left by 0.5 mm from the reference color, these other colors The mutual deviation is 1.0 mm in the horizontal direction. If the permissible value for the amount of deviation is 0.6 mm, the amount of deviation between these other colors exceeds the permissible value. However, in the method described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-200002, which detects only the amount of deviation between the reference color and other colors, it is not recognized that the amount of deviation between such other colors exceeds the allowable value.

Further, for example, the same applies to the case of calculating the amount of deviation between two print registration marks that are consecutive in the front-rear direction without providing a reference color. That is, there are cases where the amount of misalignment between two consecutive printed register marks of different colors satisfies the allowable value, but the amount of misalignment between discontinuous printed register marks of different colors does not satisfy the allowable value. .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a misregistration detection apparatus, a printing press, a misregistration detection method, and a misregistration detection program capable of detecting misregistration with higher accuracy in multicolor printing.

A misregistration detection device according to a first aspect of the present invention is a misregistration detection device provided in a printing press that performs printing in three or more colors using a plurality of plate cylinders, and includes registration marks for each color printed on a material to be printed. detection means for detecting the position of the reference color registration mark; first deviation amount calculation means for calculating a deviation amount between the registration mark of the reference color and the registration mark of the other color; A second deviation amount calculating means for calculating a deviation amount from the registration mark, and a determination means for determining whether or not the deviation amount is equal to or larger than a predetermined allowable value.

According to this configuration, for three or more colors printed on an object to be printed, the amount of misregistration with respect to the reference color is detected, and the amount of misregistration between other colors is detected based on the print position of the registration mark. to detect. Therefore, in this configuration, the misregistration amount between two colors is detected not only with the reference color but also with the other colors in a round-robin manner, and the misregistration can be detected with higher accuracy in multi-color printing.

A misregistration detecting device according to a second aspect is the misregistration detecting device according to the first aspect, further comprising storage control means for storing in a storage means the position and color of the printed material at which the amount of misregistration equal to or greater than the allowable value has occurred. good too. According to this configuration, it is possible to confirm the position where misregistration occurs after printing is completed.

A misregistration detecting device according to a third aspect is a misregistration detecting device according to the first aspect or the second aspect, wherein the printing machine is controlled so that the amount of misregistration that is equal to or greater than the allowable value is less than the allowable value. A control means may be provided. According to this configuration, it is possible to eliminate misregistration during execution of printing on the printing material.

A misregistration detecting device according to a fourth aspect is the misregistration detecting device according to the third aspect, wherein the reference color is a color printed by the plate cylinder on the most upstream side with respect to the conveying direction of the material to be printed, and The machine control means adjusts the controlled portion required for printing the other color so that the amount of deviation is less than the allowable value when the amount of deviation between the reference color and the other color is greater than or equal to the allowable value. When the misalignment amount equal to or greater than the allowable value occurs between the other colors, the controlled portion required for printing the other color on the downstream side in the conveying direction of the printed material may be controlled.

According to this configuration, the control target when misregistration occurs between two colors is the control target portion corresponding to the color on the downstream side in the conveying direction of the printed material. As a result, regardless of the color in which misregistration occurs, the controllable portions on the downstream side in the transport direction are always controlled with the reference color on the most upstream side as the origin. Thus, the present arrangement can resolve misregistration during printing without creating a control conflict.

A misregistration detecting device according to a fifth aspect is the misregistration detecting device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein A mark sticking device may be provided for sticking a mark on the position of the printed material where the amount of deviation is less than the allowable value. According to this configuration, the operator can directly check the area of the printed material where misregistration occurs.

A misregistration detection device according to a sixth aspect is the misregistration detection device according to any one of the first aspect to the fifth aspect, wherein the registration marks of the reference color and the registration marks of the other color are alternately generated on the substrate. The first shift amount calculating means calculates a shift amount between the registration mark of the other color and the registration mark of the reference color printed in front of the other color. may According to this configuration, the deviation amount between the reference color and the other colors can be detected with higher accuracy.

A printing press according to a seventh aspect is a printing press that prints on a printing material in three or more colors using a plurality of plate cylinders, and includes the misregistration detection device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects.

The misregistration detection method of the eighth aspect is a misregistration detection method performed in a printing press that performs printing in three or more colors using a plurality of plate cylinders, and the positions of the registration marks of each color printed on the substrate to be printed are detected. a first step of detecting by a detection means; a second step of calculating a deviation amount between the registration mark of the reference color and the registration mark of the other color by a first deviation amount calculating means; and the registration mark of the other color. A third step of calculating a deviation amount from the registration mark of the other color by a second deviation amount calculating means, and a fourth process of determining whether or not the deviation amount is equal to or larger than a predetermined allowable value by a determining means. and have

A misregistration detection program according to a ninth aspect causes a computer included in a misregistration detection apparatus in printing of three or more colors using a plurality of plate cylinders to detect the position of each color registration mark printed on a printing material by means of a detection means. a first step; a second step of calculating a deviation amount between the registration mark of the reference color and the registration mark of the other color by a first deviation amount calculating means; A third step of calculating a deviation amount from the registration mark by a second deviation amount calculating means, and a fourth step of determining whether or not the deviation amount is equal to or larger than a predetermined allowable value by a determining means are executed. .

According to the present invention, misregistration can be detected with higher accuracy in multicolor printing.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a printing press according to an embodiment; FIG. 3A and 3B are schematic diagrams of a misregistration detection sensor and a registration mark according to the present embodiment; FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing detection signals of registration marks according to the present embodiment; FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a detection signal of a misregistered registration mark according to the present embodiment; 2 is a functional block diagram of the misregistration detection device of the present embodiment; FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a combination of printing units to be controlled when misregistration occurs according to the embodiment; 7 is a flow chart showing the flow of misregistration determination processing according to the present embodiment; 7 is a flow chart showing the flow of misregistration determination processing according to the present embodiment;

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the embodiment described below is an example of the case of carrying out the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the specific configuration described below. In carrying out the present invention, a specific configuration according to the embodiment may be appropriately adopted.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a printing press 10 of this embodiment. The printing press 10 of the present embodiment uses a plurality of plate cylinders 12 to print on a printing material 14 with three or more colors. As an example, the printing machine 10 of the present embodiment performs gravure printing on the printing material 14 with inks of four colors, black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y). This is just an example, and the printing machine 10 may perform multicolor printing with three or more colors, and the colors are not limited to the above colors, and may include white, blue, green, and the like. Further, the printing machine 10 does not need to be a gravure printing machine as long as it prints with the plate cylinder 12 .

The printing press 10 of this embodiment includes a feeding section 20, a printing unit 22, a drying section 24, and a winding section 26 in this order from the upstream side in the conveying direction of the printing material 14. As shown in FIG. A printing unit 22 and a drying unit 24 are provided for each color. That is, the printing unit 22 and the drying section 24 of this embodiment are provided for each of black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y) ink. Further, the printer 10 is appropriately provided with transport rollers 28 for transporting the material to be printed 14 . The transport roller 28 includes a driven roller, a nip roller 29 and a compensator roll (not shown in FIG. 1), which will be described later.

In the present embodiment, the color printed by the plate cylinder 12 (printing unit 22) on the most upstream side with respect to the conveying direction of the material to be printed 14 is used as a reference color for misregister detection, which will be described later. The reference color of this embodiment is black.

The feeding unit 20 is a roller that continuously feeds the material to be printed 14 . In the printing press 10 of the present embodiment, for example, the printed material 14 is conveyed by a driven nip roller 29, and the delivery unit 20 rotates following the conveyance of the printed material 14. As shown in FIG. The printing material 14 of the present embodiment is, for example, a transparent film material that is bagged after printing, but is not limited to this, and may be any printing material 14 that can be continuously fed out by the feeding unit 20. .

The printing unit 22 is a device for printing each color on the substrate 14 . The printing press 10 of this embodiment includes a printing unit 22K, a printing unit 22C, a printing unit 22M, and a printing unit 22Y from the upstream side in the conveying direction of the printing material 14 . Printing unit 22K prints black on substrate 14, printing unit 22C prints cyan on substrate 14, printing unit 22M prints magenta on substrate 14, and printing unit 22Y prints yellow on substrate 14. Print. In the following description, K indicated after the symbol indicates black, C indicates cyan, M indicates magenta, and Y indicates yellow. .

The printing unit 22 of this embodiment comprises a bucket 30 , an ink roller 32 , a plate cylinder 12 , an impression cylinder 34 and a doctor blade 36 .

Each color of ink is stored in the bucket 30 , and the ink is supplied to the plate cylinder 12 by a rotating ink roller 32 . An ink film is formed on the surface by supplying ink to the plate cylinder 12 . A doctor blade 36 removes excess ink adhering to the surface of the plate cylinder 12 . Then, the printing material 14 conveyed to the printing unit 22 is conveyed while being pressed by the rotating plate cylinder 12 and the impression cylinder 34, whereby the ink film is transferred and printing is performed.

The drying section 24 dries the printing material 14 in order to fix the ink transferred to the printing material 14 .

The winding unit 26 is provided at the most downstream side of the printing press 10 and winds up the printed material 14 that has been printed.

Further, the printing press 10 of this embodiment includes a misregistration detection device 40 . The misregistration detection device 40 includes a plurality of misregistration detection sensors 42 , a misregistration control device 44 , and a mark pasting device 46 .

The misregistration detection sensor 42 is a sensor for detecting the position of each color registration mark 50 (see FIG. 2) printed on the printing material 14 . The registration mark 50 is also called a colored contact mark, and is a mark continuously printed for each color on the printing material 14 for detecting misregistration (color contact is a registered trademark).

One misregistration detection sensor 42 of the present embodiment is provided between the printing unit 22 and the drying section 24 . That is, a misregistration detection sensor 42C is provided downstream of the printing unit 22C, a misregistration detection sensor 42M is provided downstream of the printing unit 22M, and a misregistration detection sensor 42Y is provided downstream of the printing unit 22Y. Be prepared. A detection signal from the misregistration detection sensor 42 is output to the misregistration control device 44 .

The mark sticking device 46 sticks a mark on the position of the printed material 14 where the amount of misregistration is greater than or equal to the allowable value and on the position of the printed material 14 where the amount of misregistration is less than the allowable value.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the misregistration detection sensor 42 and the registration mark 50. As shown in FIG. The registration marks 50 are continuously formed linearly at regular intervals on at least one of the left edge and the right edge of the printing material 14 .

In this embodiment, registration marks 50K of the reference color (black) and registration marks 50C, 50M, and 50Y of other colors (cyan, magenta, and yellow) are alternately printed in the conveying direction of the printing material 14 . That is, the registration mark 50K1, the registration mark 50C, the registration mark 50K2, the registration mark 50M, the registration mark 50K3, and the registration mark 50Y are continuously printed on the printing material 14 in this order. The registration marks 50K1 to 50K3 are printed by the printing unit 22K, the registration mark 50C is printed by the printing unit 22C, the registration mark 50M is printed by the printing unit 22M, and the registration mark 50Y is printed by the printing unit 22Y. The black registration mark 50K is the reference color registration mark 50, and is used as the origin of control for eliminating misregistration, which will be described later.

As an example, the registration mark 50 of the present embodiment is an isosceles right triangle having sides in the transport direction of the printed material 14 and in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction. The registration mark 50 may be of any other shape such as a trapezoid as long as it has a suitable shape.

The misregistration detection sensor 42 of the present embodiment includes, as an example, a light emitting section 52 and a light receiving section 54 . The light emitting unit 52 irradiates light to the printing position of the registration mark 50 on the printing material 14 . The light receiving section 54 is provided facing the light emitting section 52 with the printed material 14 interposed therebetween, and receives light from the light emitting section 52 . Since the light emitting unit 52 continuously irradiates the printing material 14 with light, the light passes through the printing material 14 and is detected by the light receiving unit 54 when an area without the registration mark 50 passes through the irradiation line of the light. On the other hand, when the registration mark 50 passes through the irradiation line of light, the light is blocked by the registration mark 50 and the light receiving section 54 does not detect the light. As another form of the misregistration detection sensor 42, the light-emitting portion 52 and the light-receiving portion 54 are arranged adjacent to each other, and a reflector is arranged to face the light-emitting portion 52 and the light-receiving portion 54 with the printed material 14 interposed therebetween. may In this form, the light from the light emitting section 52 is reflected by the reflector and received by the light receiving section 54 .

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a detection signal of the registration mark 50. As shown in FIG. Note that FIG. 3 shows, as an example, a row of registration marks 50 detected by the misregistration detection sensor 42Y. As shown in FIG. 3, in the present embodiment, the light emitting unit 52 and the A light receiving portion 54 is arranged.

When the registration mark 50 passes through the irradiation line of the light from the light emitting section 52, the detection signal (light amount) of the light receiving section 54 decreases, while the detection signal (light amount) increases when the registration mark 50 does not pass. A detection signal of the registration mark 50 by such a light receiving section 54 is transmitted to the misregistration control device 44 .

The misregistration control device 44 of the present embodiment recognizes the detection start time S of the registration mark 50 and the detection end time E of the registration mark 50, and sets the detection start time difference between two registration marks 50 adjacent in the front-rear direction to .DELTA.SS. , and the detection end time difference is ΔEE. Note that time, which is the vertical axis shown in FIG. 3, corresponds to the detection position of the registration mark 50 . Therefore, the detection start time difference ΔSS and the detection end time difference ΔEE are values reflecting the amount of positional deviation between the two registration marks 50 for which the difference is calculated. The detection start time difference ΔSS reflects misregistration in the vertical direction (conveyance direction of the printed material 14), and the detection end time difference ΔEE reflects misregistration in the horizontal direction (direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction).

Next, misregistration will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a detection signal of the misregistered registration mark 50. As shown in FIG. In FIG. 4, the positions of the registration marks 50 indicated by dashed lines are the positions of the registration marks 50 when there is no misregistration. In the example of FIG. 4, the detection start time difference .DELTA.SS in the case where there is no deviation between the two registration marks 50 that follow each other is on the order of microseconds at the commercial printing speed. seconds (hereafter referred to as “standard time difference ΔSS _n ”, where n means each color and is represented by the symbol CMY). Also, if the misregistration is ±0.6 mm, it is considered unacceptable, and when this is converted to time, it is ±3 seconds. Therefore, if the amount of misregistration is ±3 seconds or more, the misregistration tolerance will be exceeded.

More specifically, the detection start time difference ΔSS _K1C between the registration mark 50C and the preceding registration mark 50K1 in FIG. 4 is 5 seconds, and the detection end time difference ΔEE _K1C is 3 seconds. Then, since the standard time difference ΔSS _C -ΔSS _K1C =5 seconds−5 seconds=0 seconds, there is no vertical misalignment between the registration marks 50C and 50K1. On the other hand, since ΔEE _K1C -ΔSS _K1C =3 seconds-5 seconds=-2 seconds, the registration mark 50C is deviated to the left in the figure from its original position. This misregistration does not exceed the allowable value because the amount of misregistration is -2 seconds.

The detection start time difference ΔSS _K2M between the registration mark 50M and the preceding registration mark 50K2 in FIG. 4 is 7 seconds, and the detection end time difference ΔEE _K2M is 9 seconds. Then, since the standard time difference ΔSS _M - ΔSS _K2M = 5 seconds - 7 seconds = -2 seconds and ΔEE _K2M - ΔSS _K2M = 9 seconds - 7 seconds = +2 seconds, the registration mark 50M is It is shifted to the rear and to the right. These misregistrations do not exceed the permissible values because the respective misregistration amounts are -2 and +2 seconds.

The detection start time difference ΔSS _K3Y between the registration mark 50Y and the preceding registration mark 50K3 in FIG. 4 is 3 seconds, and the detection end time difference ΔEE _K3Y is 5 seconds. Then, the standard time difference ΔSS _Y - ΔSS _K3Y = 5 seconds - 3 seconds = +2 seconds, and ΔEE _K3Y - ΔSS _K3Y = 5 seconds - 3 seconds = +2 seconds. and shifted to the right. These misregistrations do not exceed the permissible value because the amount of misregistration is +2 seconds for each. Up to this point, the first deviation amount calculation for calculating the deviation amount between the registration mark 50K of the reference color and the registration marks 50C, 50M, and 50Y of the other colors has been described.

From here, the calculation of the second deviation amount for calculating the deviation amount between the registration mark 50 of another color and the registration mark 50 of a different color will be described. First, the deviation amount between the registration mark 50M and the registration mark 50C is calculated. The vertical deviation amount between the registration mark 50M and the registration mark 50C is ΔSS _K2M -ΔSS _K1C =7 seconds-5 seconds=+2 seconds. That is, the registration mark 50M is shifted backward by 2 seconds with respect to the registration mark 50C. Further, the lateral deviation amount between the registration mark 50M and the registration mark 50C is (ΔEE _K2M -ΔSS _K2M )-(ΔEE _K1C -ΔSS _K1C )=(9 seconds-7 seconds)-(3 seconds-5 seconds)=+4. seconds. That is, the registration mark 50M is shifted to the right by 4 seconds with respect to the registration mark 50C, and this misregistration exceeds the allowable value.

Next, the deviation amount between the registration mark 50Y and the registration mark 50C is calculated. The amount of vertical deviation between the registration mark 50Y and the registration mark 50C is ΔSS _K3Y -ΔSS _K1C =3 seconds-5 seconds=-2 seconds. That is, the registration mark 50Y is shifted two seconds ahead of the registration mark 50C. Further, the amount of lateral deviation between the registration mark 50Y and the registration mark 50C is (ΔEE _K3Y -ΔSS _K3Y )-(ΔEE _K1C -ΔSS _K1C )=(5 seconds-3 seconds)-(3 seconds-5 seconds)=+4. seconds. That is, the registration mark 50Y is shifted to the right by 4 seconds with respect to the registration mark 50C, and this misregistration exceeds the allowable value.

Next, the deviation amount between the registration mark 50Y and the registration mark 50M is calculated. The amount of vertical deviation between the registration mark 50Y and the registration mark 50M is ΔSS _K3Y -ΔSS _K2M =3 seconds-7 seconds=-4 seconds. That is, the registration mark 50Y is shifted ahead of the registration mark 50M by 4 seconds, which exceeds the misregistration tolerance. Further, the amount of lateral deviation between the registration mark 50Y and the registration mark 50M is (ΔEE _K3Y -ΔSS _K3Y )-(ΔEE _K2M -ΔSS _K2M )=(5 seconds-3 seconds)-(9 seconds-7 seconds)=0. seconds.

As described with reference to FIG. 4, although the amount of deviation between the registration mark 50 of the reference color and the registration marks 50 of the other colors satisfies the allowable value, the amount of deviation between the registration marks 50 of the other colors is the allowable value. may not be satisfied. Therefore, the misregistration detection device 40 of the present embodiment detects not only the misregistration amount between the reference color and the other colors, but also the misregistration amount between the other colors. That is, the deviation amounts of three or more colors are detected in a brute-force manner.

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of the misregistration detection device 40 of this embodiment. The misregistration detection device 40 includes the misregistration detection sensor 42, the misregistration control device 44, and the marking device 46, as described above.

The misregistration control device 44 includes a first misregistration amount calculation section 60 , a second misregistration amount calculation section 62 , a misregistration determination section 64 , a memory control section 66 , a printer control section 68 , and a storage section 70 .

The first shift amount calculating section 60 calculates shift amounts between the black registration mark 50K, which is the reference color, and the registration marks 50C, 50M, 50Y of other colors, cyan, magenta, and yellow. The first deviation amount calculator 60 of the present embodiment computes the amount of deviation between the other color registration marks 50C, 50M, and 50Y and the reference color registration mark 50K printed in front of them.

The second shift amount calculator 62 calculates the amount of shift between the registration mark 50 of another color and the registration mark 50 of a different color. That is, the second shift amount calculator 62 of the present embodiment calculates the shift amount between registration marks 50 of different colors. Specifically, the amount of deviation between the registration marks 50C and 50M, the amount of deviation between the registration marks 50C and 50Y, and the amount of deviation between the registration marks 50M and 50Y are calculated.

The misregistration determination unit 64 determines whether the amount of misalignment calculated by the first misalignment amount calculation unit 60 and the second misalignment amount calculation unit 62 is equal to or greater than a predetermined allowable value.

The storage control unit 66 causes the storage unit 70 to store the position and color of the printing material 14 where the amount of deviation equal to or greater than the allowable value has occurred. The position of the printing material 14 is the position in the longitudinal direction (longitudinal direction) of the printing material 14 specified by the registration mark 50 where the deviation amount is equal to or greater than the allowable value.

The printing press control unit 68 controls the printing press 10 so that the amount of deviation that is equal to or greater than the allowable value is less than the allowable value. The printer control unit 68 of this embodiment controls the controlled units required for printing the other colors so that the amount of misalignment becomes less than the permissible value when the amount of misalignment between the reference color and the other colors exceeds the permissible value. do. Further, when a misalignment amount exceeding the allowable value occurs between other colors, the printer control section 68 controls the controlled sections required for printing of the other color on the downstream side in the conveying direction of the printing material 14 .

Controlled units controlled by the printing press control unit 68 of the present embodiment are, for example, the compensator roll 72 and the side rail 74 . In the following description, the compensator roll 72 and the sidelay 74, which are controlled parts, are also described as part of the printing unit 22. FIG.

The compensator roll 72 is a type of the transport roller 28, and is provided on the upstream side in the transport direction of the printed material 14 for each of the printing units 22C, 22M, and 22Y. As the compensator roll 72 moves vertically, the path length of the printed material 14 changes. The printer control unit 68 eliminates the vertical misregistration by controlling the vertical movement of the compensator roll 72 corresponding to the color in which the misalignment occurs in the vertical direction (conveyance direction).

A side tray 74 is provided for each of the printing units 22C, 22M, and 22Y, and moves the plate cylinder 12 in the rotation axis direction. The printing press control unit 68 eliminates the misregistration in the lateral direction by controlling the side rail 74 corresponding to the color in which the misalignment occurs in the lateral direction.

Here, FIG. 6 is a diagram showing combinations of the printing units 22 that are controlled when misregistration occurs.

As shown in FIG. 6, the black printing unit 22, which is the reference color, is not subject to control. The cyan print unit 22 is subject to control if the comparison between black and cyan causes misregistration. Also, the magenta print unit 22 is subject to control when misregistration occurs due to the comparison between black and magenta and between cyan and magenta. In addition, the yellow print unit 22 is subject to control when black-yellow, cyan-yellow, and magenta-yellow comparisons cause misregistration. That is, the printing unit 22 to be controlled when misregistration occurs is the printing unit 22 on the downstream side in the conveying direction of the printed material 14 .

In this manner, the printing press control section 68 of the present embodiment sets the printing unit 22 corresponding to the color on the downstream side in the transport direction of the printing material 14 as the control target when misregistration occurs between two colors. As a result, the printing unit 22 on the downstream side in the transport direction is always controlled with the reference color (black) on the most upstream side as the origin, regardless of the color in which misregistration occurs. Further, as will be described later, after the control to eliminate misregistration between the reference color and other colors, control is performed to eliminate misregistration between the other colors. Therefore, the misregistration detection device 40 of the present embodiment can eliminate misregistration during printing without causing a conflict of control.

Next, misregistration determination processing including control of the printing press 10 will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the flow of misregistration determination processing between a reference color and another color. The misregistration determination process is executed by the misregistration detection device 40 when the printer 10 starts printing on the printing material 14 .

First, in step 100, the first deviation amount calculator 60 selects n-color registration marks 50 to be subjected to misregistration determination from the reference color black. The n colors are cyan, magenta, and yellow. Note that the selected colors (registration marks 50) have an order, and are selected in order of printing by the printing unit 22 on the upstream side in the conveying direction of the printing material 14. FIG. That is, step 100 of the present embodiment repeatedly selects cyan, magenta, and yellow in the order of n colors to be compared with black, or selects reference colors in the order in which the printing material 14 reaches the printing units 22 of each n colors. Compare black with its n-color registration marks 50 .

In the next step 102, the first deviation amount calculator 60 computes the amount of deviation between the black registration mark 50, which is the reference color, and the registration mark 50 of n colors. Specifically, when the n color is cyan, the first deviation amount calculator 60 calculates the amount of deviation between the registration mark 50K1 detected by the misregistration detection sensor 42C and the registration mark 50C. Further, when the n color is magenta, the first deviation amount calculator 60 calculates the amount of deviation between the registration mark 50K2 detected by the misregistration detection sensor 42M and the registration mark 50M. When the n color is yellow, the first deviation amount calculator 60 calculates the amount of deviation between the registration mark 50K3 detected by the misregistration detection sensor 42Y and the registration mark 50Y.

In the next step 104, the misregistration determining unit 64 determines whether or not the detection start time difference .DELTA.SS of the amount of deviation between the reference color and the n colors is equal to or greater than the allowable value. , and if the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 116 . That is, in the case of an affirmative determination, it is a case where misregistration exceeding the allowable value has not occurred.

At step 106 , the storage control unit 66 causes the storage unit 70 to store the positions and colors at which the detection start time difference ΔSS is equal to or greater than the allowable value.

In the next step 108 , the compensator roll 72 is controlled by the printer controller 68 so that the detection start time difference ΔSS is less than the allowable value, and the process proceeds to step 116 . Note that the compensator roll 72 to be controlled is the compensator roll 72 arranged on the upstream side of the printing unit 22 that printed the color with the detection start time difference ΔSS equal to or greater than the allowable value.

Specifically, when a color is shifted forward in the transport direction, by moving the compensator roll 72 immediately before the printing unit 22 that printed this color, the path length of the printed material 14 up to the printing unit 22 is adjusted. lengthen the This causes the substrate 14 to reach the plate cylinder 12 of the printing unit 22 later than before, thereby eliminating misregistration. On the other hand, if the color is shifted backward in the transport direction, the path length of the printed material 14 to the printing unit 22 is shortened by moving the compensator roll 72 immediately before the printing unit 22 that printed this color. do. This allows the substrate 14 to reach the plate cylinder 12 of the printing unit 22 earlier than before, thereby eliminating misregistration.

At step 110 after step 102, the misregistration determining unit 64 determines whether or not the detection end time difference .DELTA.EE of the amount of deviation between the reference color and the n colors is equal to or greater than the allowable value. , and if the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 116 .

At step 112, the storage control unit 66 causes the storage unit 70 to store the positions and colors at which the detection end time difference ΔEE is equal to or greater than the allowable value. By storing the positions and colors at which the detection start time difference ΔSS and the detection end time difference ΔEE are equal to or greater than the allowable value in the storage unit 70, the operator can identify the position where the misregistration occurs after the printing of the printing material 14 is completed. I can confirm.

In the next step 114, the printing press controller 68 controls the side rail 74 so that the detection end time difference .DELTA.EE is less than the allowable value, and the process proceeds to step 116. FIG. Note that the side tray 74 to be controlled is the side tray 74 of the printing unit 22 that printed the color for which the detection end time difference ΔEE is equal to or greater than the allowable value.

At step 116, the first deviation amount calculating section 60 determines whether or not a stop signal for the printing press 10 has been output. On the other hand, if the determination is negative, the process returns to step 100 and repeats the selection of n colors and the calculation of the amount of deviation between the reference color and the n colors.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing the flow of misregistration determination processing between another color and a different color. The misregistration determination process is executed by the misregistration detection device 40 when the printer 10 starts printing on the printing material 14 .

First, in step 200, the second misalignment amount calculator 62 selects n colors and m colors to be subjected to misregistration determination. The n-color and m-color are either cyan, magenta, or yellow. The color to be determined (registration mark 50) is a color that has been compared with the reference color and has been compared with other colors existing on the upstream side in the conveying direction of the printing material 14. FIG. Note that the completion of the comparison means a state in which the printing press 10 is also being controlled to eliminate misregistration.

In this embodiment, yellow is selected as the n color after magenta is selected as the n color (see also FIG. 6). Then, if the n color is magenta, the m color must be cyan and the comparison with black must have already been completed. Also, when the n color is yellow, the comparison with black has already been completed, cyan is first selected as the m color, and after the comparison with cyan is completed, magenta is selected as the m color. Thus, step 200 of the present embodiment repeatedly selects n colors and m colors to be compared with each other in the above order.

In the next step 202, the second deviation amount calculator 62 computes the amount of deviation between the registration mark 50 of n colors and the registration mark 50 of m colors.

Specifically, for example, when the n color is magenta and the m color is cyan, the registration mark 50M detected by the misregistration detection sensor 42M and the misregistration detection sensor 42C or the misregistration detection sensor 42M are detected. The second deviation amount calculator 62 calculates the amount of deviation from the registered registration mark 50C.

When the n color is yellow and the m color is cyan, the registration mark 50Y detected by the misregistration detection sensor 42Y and the registration mark 50C detected by the misregistration detection sensor 42C or the misregistration detection sensor 42Y The second deviation amount calculator 62 calculates the deviation amount of .

When the n color is yellow and the m color is magenta, the registration mark 50Y detected by the misregistration detection sensor 42Y and the registration mark 50M detected by the misregistration detection sensor 42M or the misregistration detection sensor 42Y The second deviation amount calculator 62 calculates the deviation amount of .

In the next step 204, the misregistration determining unit 64 determines whether or not the detection start time difference .DELTA.SS of the amount of deviation between the n color and the m color is equal to or greater than the allowable value. , and if the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 216 . That is, in the case of an affirmative determination, it is a case where misregistration exceeding the allowable value has not occurred.

At step 206 , the storage control unit 66 causes the storage unit 70 to store the positions and colors at which the detection start time difference ΔSS is equal to or greater than the allowable value.

In the next step 208 , the compensator roll 72 is controlled by the printer controller 68 so that the detection start time difference ΔSS is less than the allowable value, and the process proceeds to step 216 . Note that the compensator roll 72 to be controlled is the compensator roll 72 arranged on the upstream side of the printing unit 22 that printed the n colors whose detection start time difference ΔSS is equal to or greater than the allowable value.

At step 210 after step 202, the misregistration determining unit 64 determines whether or not the detection end time difference .DELTA.EE of the amount of deviation between the n color and the m color is equal to or greater than the allowable value. , and if the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 216 .

At step 212, the storage control unit 66 causes the storage unit 70 to store the positions and colors at which the detection end time difference ΔEE is equal to or greater than the allowable value.

In the next step 214, the printing press controller 68 controls the side rail 74 so that the detection end time difference .DELTA.EE is less than the allowable value, and the process proceeds to step 216. FIG. Note that the side tray 74 to be controlled is the side tray 74 of the printing unit 22 that has printed n colors in which the detection end time difference ΔEE is equal to or greater than the allowable value.

At step 216, the first deviation amount calculation unit 60 determines whether or not a stop signal for the printing press 10 has been output. On the other hand, if the determination is negative, the process returns to step 100 to repeat the selection of n and m colors and the calculation of the deviation amount between n and m colors.

In this way, the misregistration detection device 40 of the present embodiment detects the amount of misregistration from the reference color for three or more colors printed on the printing material 14, and performs misregistration between other colors. The deviation amount is detected based on the printed position of the registration mark 50 . Therefore, the misregistration detection device 40 of the present embodiment detects the amount of misregistration between two colors by round-robining not only the reference color but also the other colors, and can detect the misregistration with higher accuracy in multi-color printing.

The printing press 10 may be a plate cylinder phase variable printing press (so-called sectional drive printing press) in which each plate cylinder 12 can be individually rotated by a drive motor. The controlled portion of the printing press 10 includes motor control for controlling the drive speed of the plate cylinder 12 of the color in which misregistration occurs in the vertical direction (conveyance direction) and the plate cylinders 12 on the downstream side of the plate cylinder 12. become a department. The motor control section maintains synchronism between these plate cylinders 12 and changes them with the same amount of operation to correct the phase. For this reason, when misregistration occurs in the vertical direction, the printer control unit 68 performs phase control between the plate cylinders 12 via the motor control unit to eliminate the misregistration.

Next, the operation of the mark sticking device 46 will be described. As described above, the mark pasting device 46 affixes marks to the position of the printed material 14 where the amount of deviation is equal to or greater than the allowable value and the position of the printed material 14 where the amount of deviation of the allowable value is eliminated. As a result, the operator can directly confirm the area of the substrate 14 where the misregistration occurred, and remove the misregistered portion from the substrate 14 as necessary.

Therefore, the misregistration determination unit 64 transmits a misregistration occurrence signal indicating the position (timing to affix a mark) at which the amount of misalignment exceeds the allowable value to the mark affixing device 46 . The mark sticking device 46 sticks a mark on the printed material 14 based on the received misregistration start signal.

When the amount of misregistration becomes equal to or greater than the allowable value, the misregistration determining unit 64 continuously transmits the misregistration occurrence signal until the amount of misregistration becomes less than the allowable value. Even if the misregistration occurrence signal is received, the mark is attached only to the position corresponding to the misregistration occurrence signal received first. Then, the mark attaching device 46 attaches a mark to the printing material 14 indicating that the misregistration has been eliminated at the timing when the continuous misregistration occurrence signals have been received. Note that the mark pasting device 46 may stick a mark indicating that the misregistration has been eliminated a predetermined length behind the position indicated by the last misregistration occurrence signal.

Alternatively, the misregistration determination unit 64 may transmit a misregistration elimination signal to the mark sticking device 46 when the misregistration amount equal to or greater than the allowable value becomes less than the allowable value. That is, the mark sticking device 46 controls the mark sticking device 46 so as to stick a mark at the position indicated by the misregistration elimination signal when the misregistration elimination signal is received. The misregistration determination unit 64 may transmit the misregistration elimination signal after, for example, a predetermined second or more has passed since the misregistration amount is less than the allowable value. In addition, attaching such a mark is also useful in a misregistration detection apparatus that does not have the second misregistration amount calculation means.

Although the present invention has been described using the above embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. Various changes or improvements can be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the gist of the invention, and forms with such changes or improvements are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

In the above embodiment, the printing press 10 has a plurality of misregistration detection sensors 42 corresponding to each color. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Only one may be provided on the downstream side of the . In this embodiment, the single misregistration detection sensor 42 detects all the registration marks 50 and determines the amount of misregistration for each color.

In the above embodiment, the misregistration detection sensor 42 includes the light receiving unit 54 and the light emitting unit 52, but the present invention is not limited to this. It's okay. In this form, the registration mark 50 is recognized from the image photographed by the camera, and the misregistration amount of each color is determined.

In the above embodiment, the mode of controlling the printing press 10 so as to eliminate the misregistration when the misregistration exceeds the allowable value has been described. It is also possible to simply store the position and color of the misregistration in the storage section 70 without performing the above. In addition, the printing press 10 may be stopped when misregistration exceeding an allowable value occurs.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 printing machine 12 plate cylinder 40 misregistration detector 42 misregistration detection sensor (detection means)
46 mark sticking device 50 registration mark 60 first deviation amount calculation section (first deviation amount calculation means)
62 Second shift amount calculator (second shift amount calculator)
64 Misregistration determination unit (determination means)
66 storage control unit (storage control means)
68 printer control unit (printer control means)
70 storage unit (storage means)
72 compensator roll (controlled part)
74 Sideley (controlled part)

Claims (9)

A misregistration detection device provided in a printing machine that performs printing in four or more colors using a plurality of plate cylinders,
detection means for detecting the positions of the registration marks of each color printed on the substrate;
a first shift amount calculating means for calculating a first shift amount between the registration mark of the reference color and the registration marks of a plurality of other colors;
a second shift amount calculating means for calculating a second shift amount between one color of the registration marks of the plurality of other colors and the other registration marks of the remaining other colors;
determination means for determining whether the first deviation amount and the second deviation amount are equal to or greater than a predetermined allowable value;
A misregistration detection device comprising: 2. The misregistration detection according to claim 1 , further comprising storage control means for storing, in a storage means, the position and color of the printed material at which at least one of the first deviation amount and the second deviation amount equal to or greater than the allowable value has occurred. Device. 3. The registration according to claim 1, further comprising printing press control means for controlling the printing press so that the first deviation amount and the second deviation amount, which are equal to or greater than the allowable value, are less than the allowable value. Deviation detector. The reference color is a color printed by the plate cylinder on the most upstream side with respect to the conveying direction of the material to be printed,
The printing press control means
When the first deviation amount equal to or greater than the allowable value occurs between the reference color and the other color, controlling the controlled portion required for printing the other color so that the first deviation amount becomes less than the allowable value. death,
When the second shift amount equal to or greater than the allowable value occurs between the other colors, controlling the controlled unit required for printing the other color on the downstream side in the conveying direction of the printed material;
4. The misregistration detection device according to claim 3. The position of the printed material at which the first deviation amount or the second deviation amount is equal to or greater than the allowable value, and the position of the printed material at which the first deviation amount or the second deviation amount equal to or greater than the allowable value is less than the allowable value. 3. The misregistration detection apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a mark sticking device for sticking a mark on the position of the printed material. The registration mark of the reference color and the registration mark of the other color are alternately printed on the printing material in a conveying direction of the printing material,
3. The method according to claim 1, wherein said first deviation amount calculating means calculates said first deviation amount between said registration mark of said other color and said registration mark of said reference color printed ahead thereof. A misregistration detection device as described. A printing machine that prints on a substrate with four or more colors using a plurality of plate cylinders,
A printing press comprising the misregistration detection device according to claim 1 or 2. A method for producing a printed matter performed by a printing press that performs printing in four or more colors using a plurality of plate cylinders,
a first step of detecting the positions of the registration marks of each color printed on the material to be printed by means of a detection means;
a second step of calculating a first deviation amount between the registration mark of the reference color and the registration marks of a plurality of other colors by a first deviation amount calculating means;
a second deviation amount calculation means for calculating a second deviation amount between one color of the registration marks of the plurality of other colors and the other registration marks of the remaining other colors by round-robin process and
and a fourth step of determining whether or not the first deviation amount and the second deviation amount are equal to or greater than a predetermined allowable value by a determination means. In a computer equipped with a misregistration detection device in printing of four or more colors using a plurality of plate cylinders,
a first step of detecting the positions of the registration marks of each color printed on the material to be printed by means of a detection means;
a second step of calculating a first deviation amount between the registration mark of the reference color and the registration marks of a plurality of other colors by a first deviation amount calculating means;
a second deviation amount calculation means for calculating a second deviation amount between one color of the registration marks of the plurality of other colors and the other registration marks of the remaining other colors by round-robin process and
and a fourth step of determining whether or not the first deviation amount and the second deviation amount are equal to or greater than a predetermined allowable value.

Images