JPH06110191A - Plate inspecting device for process mask - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To automatically and accurately perform the plate inspection of the process mask such as a cut mask. CONSTITUTION:An inspection point determination part 22 finds inspection points corresponding to figure shapes according to respective figure data drawn on a block copy. In this case, all the figures drawn on the block copy are not inspected, but figures to be inspected are specified by a figure specification part 30, etc. Then a photosensor 14 is moved above a negative film and the cut mask, placed one over the other, by a plate inspection decision part 23 according to the determined inspection points and when, for example, the cut line of the cut mask is positioned within the line width of the line drawing negative film, it is decided that the cut mask is proper from variation in light intensity detected by the photosensor 14.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a plate-making mask plate inspection apparatus for inspecting a plate-making mask by superposing a plate-making mask such as a cut mask or a scribe and a photographing film such as a negative film.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As shown in FIG. 11, a cut mask, which is a plate-making mask, is produced by photographing a plate 1 to make a negative film 2, and then punching holes 3 in the negative film 2.
Open and overlap the masking film 4. The mask film 4 is, for example, a red light-shielding film formed on a light-transmitting sheet, and the holes 3 are provided in advance. After overlapping in this way, the mask film 4 is cut along the line drawn on the negative film 2, and as a result, the cut mask 5 is produced.

Conventionally, the cut mask 5 was manually created, but in recent years, it has been created using an automatic drawing machine. In this case, a photographic film or the like obtained by photographing the block copy is placed on a coordinate input means such as a tablet or digitizer, and the coordinate values and shape data of the figure formed on the photographic film or the like are input to an external computer. , These data are re-input to the computer of the automatic drawing machine online or offline such as a floppy disk, and the drawing machine creates a plate making mask such as a cut mask based on these data.

Further, in the case of making a plate making mask such as a cut mask by reading the plate making using a coordinate reading means such as a scanner and inputting it to an external computer or a computer of an automatic drawing machine side, the plate making itself is automatically made. In some cases, a mask is created by a drafting machine, and the created data is directly input to an external computer or a computer on the side of the automatic drafting machine to create a plate-making mask such as a cut mask.

By the way, the cut mask 5 thus produced is inspected as to whether or not the negative film 2 has been cut correctly. This plate inspection is performed by superposing the cut mask 5 and the negative film 2 and checking whether the cut line on the cut mask 5 is aligned with the line on the line drawing negative film 2 or is deviated. And
This plate inspection work is performed visually by a worker using a loupe or a microscope along a narrow cut line.

As a result of the plate inspection, if the cut mask 5 is proper, the required number of copies of the cut mask 5, for example, n sheets are prepared, and the plate inspection work is also performed on the cut masks of these copies.

On the other hand, if the cut mask 5 is improper,
Check again for the mismatch. If this reconfirmation is also inappropriate, it is determined as a defective cut mask.

[0008]

As described above, the plate inspection of the cut mask 5 is performed by superposing the cut mask 5 and the negative film 2 and visually by an operator using a loupe or a microscope. There is a risk of being overlooked, and eye fatigue is given to the worker.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a plate-making mask plate inspection apparatus capable of automatically and accurately performing plate-plate mask inspection such as a cut mask.

[0010]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a plate-making mask by superimposing a photographic film or the like obtained by line-photographing the plate-making, and a plate-making mask made on the basis of the photographic film or the plate-making. In a plate-making mask plate inspection apparatus that performs plate inspection, an inspection point determining unit that obtains an inspection point according to the shape of a figure formed on a master plate or a plate-making mask, a sensor that detects light intensity, and an inspection unit According to the point, the photographic film mask and the plate-making film are moved upwardly, and a plate-making mask for achieving the above object is provided with a plate-inspection judging means for making a plate-inspection judgment for the plate-making mask based on the detection information from the sensor. It is a plate inspection device.

Further, the plate making mask plate inspection apparatus of the present invention is provided with a figure designating means for designating a figure for which an inspection point is to be obtained, out of the figures formed on the plate making mask.

[0012]

By providing such means, the inspection point determining means can determine the inspection point according to the shape of the figure formed on the master block or the plate-making mask. In this case, not all the figures formed on the master block or the plate-making mask are inspected, but the figures to be inspected are designated.

After that, the sensor is moved to the upper side where the photographic film and the plate-making mask are superposed by the plate-inspection judging means in accordance with the determined inspection point, and the light intensity detected by the sensor at this time causes, for example, a cut mask. When the cut line of is located within the line width of the negative film, it is determined as an appropriate cut mask.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a plate making mask plate inspection apparatus applied to an automatic drawing machine. A movable arm 11 that is movable in the Y-axis direction is provided on the drawing board 10. The movable arm 11 has a longitudinal direction, that is, X
A head 12 that is movable in the axial direction is provided. A pen or a cutter for making a cut mask is mounted on the head 12. These movable arms 1
The drive circuit 13 drives and controls the head 1 and the head 12.

As shown in FIG. 2, the drawing board 10 has a light table function. In this light table, a fluorescent lamp 102 is arranged below a light-transmissive glass plate 101, and the light from the fluorescent lamp 102 is scattered so that the glass plate 101 has a uniform illuminance. .
Further, each vacuum hole 103 is formed in the glass plate 101, and the internal air is exhausted by the vacuum pump 104. Therefore, when the mask film is placed on the glass plate 101, each vacuum hole 1
The mask film is sucked onto the glass plate 101 by the air sucked from 03.

A photo sensor 14 is mounted on the head 12. The photo sensor 14 outputs as a light intensity signal according to the received light intensity.

A plurality of protrusions 15 are provided below the drawing board 10.
Is provided with a pin bar 16.

On the other hand, the control processor 20 includes a main control unit 2
1 is provided, and the inspection point determination unit 22, the plate inspection determination unit 23, and the cutting work unit 24 are operated in accordance with the instruction of the main control unit 21.
The alarm unit 25 is activated, and data is written to and read from the graphic data memory 26 and the sensor memory 27.

The drive circuit 13 is connected to the main control section 21 through an output section 28, and graphic data and the like is inputted from an external computer through an input section 29, and a light intensity signal from the photosensor 14 is inputted. It is like this.

Here, from the external computer, in addition to the graphic data, commands such as start, stop,
Control information such as return to origin, pen information (pen number, up / down, etc.) mounted on the head 12, line type information such as broken line,
Attribute information such as layers and output modes, graphic codes, and coordinate data are input.

The graphic data from the input unit 29 is stored in the graphic data memory 26. This graphic data represents the boundaries of each graphic and page drawn on the block, and is composed of drawing size, drawing reference points, plate making frame, and the like.

The inspection point determining section 22 has a function of reading out each figure data stored in the figure data memory 26 and calculating and obtaining an inspection point corresponding to the shape of the figure as a coordinate value.

For example, if the figure is a triangle, FIG.
As shown in (a), the inspection points a1 to a3 are obtained on each side. In this case, the coordinate values of the inspection points a1 to a3 have the coordinates of the vertices of the triangle as graphic data, and are calculated from these coordinate values. Also, if the figure is a quadrangle, the inspection points a4 to a7 are obtained on each side shown in FIG. 7B, and if it is an ellipse, as shown in FIG. Inspection points a8 to a11
Is required. In the case of an ellipse, the contact point when a rectangle is circumscribed on the ellipse as shown in FIG.
.About.a14 or each of the inspection points a13, a14, or the points on the ellipse. In addition, as a figure,
Each inspection point for arcs and star shapes is also calculated and calculated.

Further, the inspection point determining section 22 has a function of the figure designating section 30. This figure designation part 3
Reference numeral 0 designates the graphic data required for the inspection among the graphic data stored in the graphic data memory 26, and is composed of a keyboard or the like. Further, when the coordinate value or shape data of a figure formed on a photographic film or the like is input to an external computer by a coordinate input means such as a tablet or a digitizer, the graphic data can be designated as other designated data through the coordinate input means. It can also be input to an external computer together with the data. In addition, this figure designation unit 30
In addition to the above, the inspection point determination unit 22 has a function of designating a portion to be inspected at the time of plate inspection, such as a plate making frame.

Explaining a cut mask intended for the one placed on a page object, as shown in FIG. 5, each page A, B requires a mask such as a photograph Fa, Fb at the end thereof. When there is a pattern to be printed, and each of the pages C and D has a designated color shade in the background portion of the pattern, each inspection point b on the plate making frame and each inspection point c1 and c2 on the boundary line of each page Is specified. In the figure, "●" is a point at which a document is read and input.

Further, FIG. 6 shows a case where two horizontal surfaces are imprinted, and each inspection point b on the plate making frame and each inspection point c3 on the boundary between the pages E and F are designated. Further, FIG. 7 shows a case where the images are placed on three horizontal surfaces (double-door),
Each inspection point b on the plate making frame and each inspection point c4, c5 on each boundary line of each page G, H, I is designated.

The line block frame and the boundary line between the pages are the longest line segments in the graphic data, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, and the minimum and maximum values of the X-axis coordinates and the Y-axis coordinates are set. Since the minimum value and the maximum value of are connected, the data can be easily searched from the graphic data.

Therefore, the inspection point determining unit 22 reads out the graphic data and the plate making frame designated by the graphic designating unit 30 from the graphic data memory 26, and determines the inspection points according to the graphic shape of only the designated graphic data. At the same time as calculating and obtaining as coordinate values, it has a function of automatically calculating and obtaining inspection points as coordinate values even if the plate making frame or the like is not designated by the figure designation unit 30.

The plate inspection determination unit 23 is an inspection point determination unit 2
Photo sensor 14 according to the inspection point determined from 2
Is moved above the drawing board 10 on which the cut mask and the negative film are placed in an overlapping manner. At this time, the photosensor 1
It has a function of performing plate inspection determination on the plate-making mask by the light intensity detected by 4.

Specifically, in the plate inspection determination, the cut line of the cut mask is determined by the light intensity detected by the photosensor 14.
The plate-making mask has a function of determining that it is appropriate when it is located within the line width of the negative film. As a result of this plate inspection judgment,
If the plate-making mask is improper, the plate inspection determination unit 23 has a function of sounding an alarm device 31 such as a buzzer via the alarm unit 25.

The plate inspection determination unit 23 has the position coordinates of each vacuum hole 103 formed in the glass plate 101 shown in FIG. 2, and when the inspection point and the vacuum hole 103 overlap, this inspection point is set. It has a function of changing the distance by a predetermined distance.

The cutting work unit 24 is provided in the graphic data memory 2
It has a function of applying a movement control signal of the head 12 to the drive circuit 13 in accordance with the graphic data stored in 6 and cutting the mask film with a cutter mounted on the head 12 to create a cut mask.

Next, the operation of the apparatus constructed as described above will be described.

The negative film 40 shown in FIG. 8 is created by photographing the block copy, and each graphic data obtained from the negative film 40 or the block copy is input from the external computer through the input unit 29 to store the graphic data memory. 26. In this negative film 40, a light-transmitting line 42 as a plate making frame is drawn on a black portion.

On the other hand, the mask film is set by being fitted into the pin bar 16 on the drawing board 10.

In this state, the cutting work section 24 gives the drive circuit 13 a movement control signal for the head 12 in accordance with the graphic data stored in the graphic data memory 26. By the drive of the drive circuit 13, the head 12 moves on the drawing board 10 according to the graphic data by the movement of the movable arm 11 in the Y-axis direction and the movement of the movable arm 11 in the X-axis direction, and the mask film is mounted by the mounted cutter. Cut to create a cut mask. FIG. 9 shows such a cut mask 4
1 and the cut line 43 corresponding to the plate making frame is drawn.

Next, plate inspection is performed on the created cut mask 43.

First, the cut mask 41 shown in FIG. 9 is placed on the drawing board 10 and fitted and set on the pin bar 16, and then the negative film 40 shown in FIG. 8 is superposed on the cut mask 41. The pin bar 16 is fitted and set.

On the other hand, the graphic designating unit 30 designates a graphic requiring inspection by a key input operation by an operator. In this case, the plate making frame and the boundary line of each page are specified in advance to be inspected, and when the graphic data is input to the external computer, the specified one is the graphic designating unit 30.
There is no need to specify again with.

The inspection point determining section 22 is provided in the graphic designating section 3
When the figure is designated from 0, the designated figure data and the coordinates of the plate making frame are retrieved from the figure data memory 26 and read out, and the coordinate value of the inspection point according to the shape of the figure is calculated and obtained.

Here, the inspection of the cut line 43 of the cut mask 41 will be described for the case between the reading points PQ. This reading point is a coordinate point input by an external computer.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged view between the reading points PQ when the cut mask 41 and the negative film 41 are superposed. A light-transmitting line 42 as a plate making frame is drawn on a black portion of the negative film 40, and a cut line 43 is arranged in the line 42 of the negative film 40. This is because the width of the cut line 43 is narrower than the width K of the line 42 of the plate making frame. Therefore, the line 42 of the plate making frame
The red light-shielding film of the cut mask 41 is seen inside, and the cut line 43 exists there.

The inspection point determining unit 22 obtains coordinates f1 and f2 at preset distances m and n from the respective reading points P and Q in order to inspect the reading PQ on the plate making frame, and these coordinates f1. , F2 are scanned in the direction orthogonal to the line 42 of the plate making frame to obtain the end coordinates f3, f4. The inspection point determination unit 22 then determines the coordinates f1 and f2.
And f3 and f4 are passed to the plate inspection determination unit 23 through the output unit 28.

The plate inspection determination unit 23 creates a movement command from the received coordinates f1, f2 and f3, f4 and gives it to the drive circuit 13.

As a result, the head 12 moves on the drawing board 10, stops when the photo sensor 14 reaches the coordinate f1, and then moves toward the coordinate f3.

At this time, the photosensor 14 scans the black portion of the negative film 40, the red light shielding film portion of the cut mask 41, the cut line 43, the light shielding film portion again, and the black portion of the line drawing negative film 40. ,
A light intensity signal corresponding to the light intensity from these portions is output. In this case, the light intensity from the light shielding film portion is the highest, followed by the cut line 43 and the black portion of the negative film 40 in this order.

Similarly to the above, the photo sensor 14 reaches the coordinate f1 by the movement of the head 12 and temporarily stops, then moves toward the coordinate f3, and detects the light intensity at this time. The light detection signal output from the photo sensor 14 is
It is stored in the sensor memory 27 through the input unit 29.

Next, the plate inspection determination unit 23 uses the sensor memory 27.
The sensor light detection signal stored in is read, and the plate inspection determination for the cut mask 41 is performed based on the change in the light intensity.

That is, if the cut line 43 is located within the predetermined range R within the width of the line 42 of the negative film, the cut mask 41 is determined to be appropriate. The determination result is displayed on a display not shown.

However, as a result of the plate inspection judgment, the cut line 43
Is not within the predetermined range R, the plate inspection determination unit 23
Activates an alarm device 31 such as a buzzer via the alarm unit 25. At the same time, the plate inspection determination unit 23 stores the coordinates determined to be improper, for example, f2 and f4.

After that, the inspection is performed again on the portion determined to be improper. In this case, the photosensor 14 may be scanned for the coordinates f2 and f4 determined to be improper.

In the above description, each reading point PQ on the plate making frame
The inspection between the inspections has been described. For example, if the specified figure is a triangle, each inspection point a as shown in FIG.
The coordinates of 1 to a3 are obtained, and the photosensor 14 is scanned in a direction orthogonal to each side at the inspection points a1 to a3 to detect the light intensity thereof.

As described above, in the above-described embodiment, the inspection point corresponding to the figure shape is obtained, and the photosensor 14 is caused to scan above the negative film 40 and the cut mask 41 in accordance with the inspection point. Since the plate inspection is determined by the light intensity detected by the photo sensor 14, the inspection point can be calculated and obtained according to the shape of the figure, for example, a triangle or an ellipse,
By inspecting at these inspection points, it is possible to automatically inspect the cut mask 41. Therefore, the width of the line 42 on the negative film 40 is 100 μm.
Therefore, it is not necessary to visually inspect the cutting line 43 narrower than that, and the burden on the worker can be reduced.

Further, at the time of this plate inspection, since the figures requiring inspection can be designated, it is not necessary to inspect all the figures drawn on the block. For example, the border line between the photographs and the inspection are required. It is possible to limit the inspection to only the circular arc, the ellipse, the plate making frame, and the boundary line between the impositioned pages, so that the inspection time of the entire plate inspection can be shortened. When this designation is made, it may be designated for each figure requiring inspection, or it may be designated that all triangles, for example, of all the figures in the composition are inspected.

Further, when the cut mask 41 is determined to be inappropriate, the alarm is given to the inappropriate portion and the coordinates thereof are stored, so that the inappropriate portion can be known and the inspection is performed again. In addition, it can automatically inspect only the improper parts. Further, the improper portion can be displayed on the display or printed out.

The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and may be modified within the scope of the invention.

For example, in the above-mentioned one embodiment, the case where the invention is applied to the automatic drawing machine has been described, but it may be a machine dedicated to the plate inspection device for the plate-making mask. In this case, as the drawing board 10, the photo sensor 14 is configured to be movable above the light table, and the control processing device 20 includes an inspection point determination unit 22 and a plate inspection determination unit 2 which operate according to a command from the main control unit 21.
3 and an alarm unit 25, and a graphic data memory 26
The sensor memory 27 may be provided so that data can be written and read. Further, the drive circuit 13 is connected through the output unit 28, graphic data or the like is input from an external computer through the input unit 29, and the light intensity signal from the photosensor 14 is input.

As described above, if a dedicated machine for plate inspection is used, the operational efficiency of plate making can be improved. That is, after creating the cut mask with the automatic drawing machine as described above,
In this automatic drawing machine, the cut mask and the negative film are superposed and the plate is inspected. Therefore, when creating a plurality of cut masks, it is necessary to wait for the completion of plate inspection before creating the next cut mask. On the other hand, if a dedicated machine for plate inspection is used, the next cut mask can be created at the same time as plate inspection.

The plate inspection may be performed semi-automatically. In this case, the cut mask, each mechanism for automatically attaching and removing the line drawing negative film to the pin bar 16 of the drawing board 10, the mechanism for automatically switching the vacuum hole 103 for performing the suction action according to the size of the cut mask, the inspection It suffices to provide a loader mechanism or the like that conveys the cut mask to a position according to the determination result of the plate.

Further, not only the photo sensor 14 but also a line sensor or a TV camera may be used. In the case of a TV camera, a magnifying lens is attached to the optical system to obtain a magnified image of the cut line.

[0062]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a plate-making mask plate inspection apparatus capable of automatically and accurately inspecting a plate-making mask such as a cut mask.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment when a plate-making mask plate inspection apparatus according to the present invention is applied to an automatic drawing machine.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a light table applied to the same device.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing inspection points in each figure in the same apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing inspection points for an elliptical shape in the same device.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing inspection points for imposition of four sides with the same device.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing inspection points for imposition of two horizontal surfaces in the same apparatus.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing inspection points for imposition of three horizontal surfaces in the same apparatus.

FIG. 8 is an external view of a negative film.

FIG. 9 is an external view of a cut mask.

FIG. 10 is a view showing an inspection function of plate inspection.

FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a conventional plate inspection method.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 ... Drawing board, 11 ... Movable arm, 12 ... Head, 14 ...
Photo sensor, 16 ... Pin bar, 20 ... Control processing device, 2
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Main control part, 22 ... Inspection point determination part, 23 ... Plate inspection determination part, 24 ... Cut work part, 26 ... Graphic data memory, 27 ... Sensor memory, 30 ... Graphic designation part, 40 ... Negative film, 41 ... Cut mask, 101 ... glass plate,
102 ... Fluorescent lamp, 103 ... Vacuum hole, 104 ... Vacuum pump.

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A plate-making mask for performing plate inspection on the plate-making mask by superimposing a film-making film or the like obtained by line-photographing the plate-making and a plate-making mask made on the basis of the film or the plate-making. In the plate inspection apparatus, an inspection point determining unit that obtains an inspection point according to the shape of a figure formed on the master block or the plate making mask, a sensor that detects light intensity, and the sensor, according to the inspection point, A plate-making mask, comprising: a plate-making determination means for moving the upper side of the photographic film or the like and the plate-making film which are superposed on each other, and performing plate-making determination on the plate-making mask based on detection information from the sensor. Plate inspection device. 2. The plate-making mask plate inspection apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a figure designating unit for designating a figure for which an inspection point is to be obtained, out of the figures formed on the plate-making mask.