JPS5817308A - Device for measuring amount of ink supply - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To set the adequate amount of ink supply without experienced skill, by compensating the signal obtained by scanning an object to be measured by a photoelectric transducing element array, integrating the results, and obtaining the ratio between the area of printed part and the area of the part which is not printed. CONSTITUTION:A detecting head 11 has a mask case 10, a light source 9, and a measuring device 8 which guides the light reflected from the measuring region of the object to be measured 4 to the photoelectric transducing element array through a lens. A driving device moves the head 11 in a step shape so as to scan the entire surface of the object to be measured 4. The wavelength values of the output signal train from the individual photoelectric transducing element in the measuring device 8 are converted into continuous analog waveforms. Said analog waveforms are compensated based on the compensating constant which is obtained by the measurement with respect to a calibrating plate 5 and the results are integrated. Then the area ratio between the printed part and the part which is not printed is measured. Based on said area ratio, the amount of the ink supply is determined.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to offset printing [tI! Measure the ratio of printed and non-printed areas in the printing plate used, the proof plate printed before printing, and the situation. The present invention relates to an ink supply amount adjusting device that outputs an appropriate ink supply amount.

Conventionally, when measuring the ratio of the printed area to the non-printed area of a printing plate (printing plate, proof printing), printing plate, etc., the light source L is applied to each divided area or the entire surface. This is done by measuring the amount of reflected light.If the ζ light intensity changes as a whole and the brightness distribution changes, this becomes a major cause of measurement error.

As a countermeasure against this problem, it is generally necessary to periodically calibrate the brightness. t-#:,, When installing a brightness change detector to detect brightness changes and automatically correcting the measurement results based on this, the installation location and characteristics of the brightness change detector may vary depending on the ink supply amount. Accurate correction cannot be made unless it matches the adjustment device.

Furthermore, if the luminance distribution of the light source changes, the reflection state of the entire *mm area will also change, so in that case, fine corrections will be required for the entire adjustment area. Since the reflection state of the surrounding area (such as the size of the ratio of the printed area and the non-printed area around the gluing area) also changes, this causes an unnecessary change in the reflected light to the adjustment device, resulting in a measurement error. The influence of reflections around the wrinkle measurement area can be eliminated by providing the measuring instrument with directivity. Directivity can be improved by using a mask plate or a lens, but when using a lens, the amount of incident light decreases as it approaches the periphery of the lens from the optical axis of the lens, and as a result, the amount of incident light decreases as it approaches the periphery of the lens. There are many problems such as causing errors in the measured values.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an adjustment device that solves these problems and determines the ink supply amount based on the measurement of the ratio of printed areas and non-printed areas of proof sheets, print sheets, etc. in printing plates.

For this purpose, the ink supply amount measuring device of the present invention is provided with a mask case on L5 that blocks light from other than the measurement area, so that the measurement device can always measure the measurement area in the same state. 7) and a device having a plurality of photoelectric conversion element arrays, extracting the continuous signal of each element as the output signal of the measuring instrument and converting it into an analog waveform, By integrating this analog waveform, the area ratio of the printed area and the non-printed area is determined.
The ink supply amount is measured based on this), and the photoelectric conversion element array It is characterized in that the correction is performed using a correction constant for.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

The equipment shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 is the dark box 1 that forms the measuring section.
and a console 2 that performs operation, control, calculation, and storage.
and a printer 3 which is an output device. Measuring part O1
1!11 1 in a so0 is in a non-reflective state. At the bottom of the dark box lo, place the object to be measured 4 and the calibration 1 [5 for correcting the measured value] at the same level as the measurement image.
That's what I mean. The object to be measured 40 can be loaded and unloaded by loading and unloading the object to be measured 60 to which it is attached.

A traveling guide 7 is provided above the dark box 1, and this line guide 7Kt'E) is a unit in which the measuring instrument 8, light source box 9, and master case 1O are integrated, and the detection head 11 is connected to the traveling driving pulse motor 12. ) It is set to run.

Figure 2 is jl! The detection head 11 shown in FIG.
is provided. Mask case Ro equipped with light source box 9
d As shown in Figure 3, the bottom plate 1OAK rectangular measurement window 1o
ll), this measurement 1! The IOB is shaped to define a measurement area 5 (aXA) as shown in FIG.

Such a detection head 11 is pivoted stepwise along the traveling guide 7 in a pulse motor manner, and the measuring instrument 8 is moved from the light source 13 to the object 4 in the measurement window 10B for each measurement area 8. It is designed to receive and measure light reflected from the surface. To explain this measurement operation in more detail, first, the calibration plate 5 is measured to measure the reflected luminance distribution of the constant area S, and this is stored in the console 2 as correction information. Then, the detection head 11 is moved by the pulse sweater 12, moved to above the object to be measured 40, and then stopped. Next, measurement of the object to be measured 4 is started in the same manner, and the output from the measuring device 8 is compared with the correction information. The result is memorized as a constant value, and the detection value is set to 11 in Figure 4.
After running the distance, perform the next measurement. In this way, measure the object 4 one after another.
1 Repeat over the entire area of the object to be measured. ζIt should be noted here that the divided area of the ink/pap receiver in the printing device (not shown) K does not coincide with the measurement area S, and therefore the determination of the ink supply amount is determined for each divided area. must,
For this purpose, if the width of the divided area is C as shown in FIG. The ink supply amount is determined. In other words, the amount of ink supplied is measured once as shown in FIG. Detection head lla mask case 10. Since the light 1113 and the measuring device 8 travel in unison, there is no change in the brightness distribution state of the measurement area when measuring the calibration plate 5 or when measuring the object to be measured 4, making it possible to obtain stable and good measurement results. .

FIG. 5 shows an operational block diagram of this measuring method.

Measurement SSa lens 2o and photoelectric conversion element (Is-nS)
A photoelectric conversion element array 21 in which a large number of photoelectric conversion elements are lined up, an analog switch 22 for outputting individual O photoelectric conversion element output signals, a shift register 23 for selecting the analog switch 22, and a circuit 24 for controlling the 1)
Become. When the central control SZS built in the console 2 issues a II constant start command to the stagnation device control 26,
The elements 15.28-ng of the photoelectric conversion element array 21 are sequentially selected, and charging conversion signals corresponding to the amount of light incident on each photoelectric conversion element can be continuously obtained. The output waveform of the photoelectric conversion signal thus generated on line L1 in FIG. 5 becomes as shown in FIG. 6. ζζ is the measurement point of the measurement area in Figure 4) I
P, 2P-nP is a photoelectric conversion element 18. ! The individual wave height values shown in FIG. 6 as the tube locations corresponding to 8-n8 become the reflected light amount values of IP and 2P-np in FIG. 4.

The signal in Fig. 6 is input to the analog tIIL conversion (υ30) shown in Fig. 5, and its output waveform is as shown in Fig. There is -e of 4 which was made into .

By integrating this fIL shape with the integrator 31 (as shown in υ2) over the time from tl to tn, the measurement area S shown in FIG.
Obtain the reflected light amount value over the entire range.

Total reflection light amount value (t) in fixed area: tl to t and O waveform th in Fig. 7
``n: A problem with the scanning time and ζ of all photoelectric conversion elements.As mentioned above, the unevenness of the brightness distribution state of the measurement area S and the amount of reflected light from the measurement area surface causes measurement errors. (The amount of incident light decreases as the lens approaches the periphery of the lens from the optical axis of the lens 20), and the measured object 4 having the same amount of reflection is measured at the optical axis of the lens 200. An error will occur if the adjustment is made in the peripheral area.Then, the reflected light amount of IP, 2P-, nP (Fig. 4) of the measurement area S is determined by lS...
・Measure in advance what kind of membership state is distributed in ng, calculate and store this as a correction constant, and set the KI before integrating the waveform of the iris 7 diagram with the integral 1131.
Correction is performed using the correction constant while in the snow.

Since the calibration 1[z is arranged to perform such correction, before measuring the object to be measured 4, the calibration plate 5 is first measured and the photoelectric conversion elements 1g, ! 8-Label the output status of all. Calibration 1 for ζO [Area area 5 of the same length and same width as the measurement area S of the S company measuring instrument 8, with two colors of the same tone as the marking 51 of the object number to be measured and the non-printing area, respectively. Mu, 5
B is printed on it, and it looks like a crab in Figure 8. Therefore, the calibration plate 5 is measured 02 times with an area of 5mm for the printed area and 5mm for the area of the non-printed area. If the output waveform is ζζ as shown in Figure 9 and Figure 10, and the color tone of the printed part of the proof plate 5 is a bright color tone, then the output waveform is as shown in Figure 9, and the non-printed part is a dark color tone. If so, the output waveform will be as shown in FIG. Figure 9 and 1O
The two Os constant values shown in the nine calibration plates 5 are given to the central control unit 25 through the temple hold 33 in FIG. 5, and are stored for each charge conversion element 18,28...ng. Temple e hold 33 construction integral here! The output signal from 31 is switched to signal selection 34, converted to analog/digital converter 35, and inputted to central control section 25.

Photoelectric conversion element 1S-n80 output v8i to vSn obtained by measurement at area 5mm of the printed part shown in Figure j119
By subtracting VTt~VT in Fig. 1θ from ←) I (3) is obtained.

V8 s ”+'n v'r s , 11mVV t
~nvv1~ho ax ~nX(at ~rs VT1~n)-Rt~n
-<3) Rs-a: 114 Correction results by the regular device 32 S1-n: 11 Measurement output of the object 5 shown in the FGS diagram l111-, ll: Correction constant β: 7, Pan correction constant V: as measurement span Required value V&: Maximum value e among VVt ~ n Here, gs diagram o waveform v, ~, oh! and No.10110*Type V
Since the nine calibration plates 5 in the T1 to nFi measurements are of a single color, the peak values should be flat. Then, the central control unit 25 calculates each correction constant for the photoelectric conversion elements l5-n8 using equation (2).

Since the span correction constant #i adjusts the measurement span, it is a correction constant for the overall fluctuation of the peak value in FIGS. 9 and 10 when the photoelectric brightness decreases.

Va/VVi-ntj This is for correcting variations in the outputs of individual photoelectric elements, and of course it is also possible to correct unevenness in irradiation brightness in the measurement area 8.

The correction constants a1 to n form a pattern as shown in FIG. Then, it is stored in the central control unit 25.

By measuring the calibration plate 5 in this manner, correction constants 413 to n as shown in FIG.

In this measurement, a measurement signal as shown in FIG. 7 using the line as an analogy is generated from time 1 m to tnt''C. On the other hand, a correction constant waveform (shown at 1111) is given to the line from time tl to tn4 from the central control unit 25 via the digital/analog converter 36, and analog waveform conversion (2) is performed by 37). On the line t4, the continuous peak value of the 9 analog type II is shown, and at the same time, the measurement results on the non-printed part of the 9 calibration plate 5 are transmitted through the digital/analog converter 38 into 2-in-1 as shown in FIG. ．． , and by analog waveform conversion (3) 39), a continuous analog waveform of the peak value is placed on the line L@. And these are line 1. 1] is given to the corrector 32 along with the measured value! J) (3) Equation 0 calculation is performed and the measured am is corrected. , this output signal is integrated by an integrator 31 over a scanning time from tl to tn,
The integral value at tnt is stored in the central control unit 25.

After this, the detection head 11 travels the distance shown in FIG. 4, and performs the next measurement in the same manner. FIG. 12 shows a time chart for the determination of ζ0, in which this simple measurement is repeated over the entire surface of the object to be measured 4.

The effects of the ink supply amount measuring device according to the present invention will be explained as follows. In other words, in the past, operators had to adjust the ink pulp while checking the printing process to see if the ink supply amount was appropriate, which resulted in a lot of wasted paper until they could adjust the appropriate ink amount. In addition, this work line required a considerable amount of skill, whereas using the device of the present invention, even a non-skilled operator can easily set the appropriate amount of supply during the process. If the IydF pulp is set based on this adjustment result before printing starts, the amount of paper waste can be considerably reduced. The problem of measurement errors due to changes in optical IIO brightness and uneven brightness in the measurement area during buffing of charge conversion element characteristics has been corrected by measuring the calibration plate before adjustment Ws#I. This problem was solved by using the so-called automatic calibration method, which calculates a correction constant and measures the object while making corrections.In addition, stable results with good accuracy can be obtained. .

Furthermore, if the output of each O photoelectric conversion element of a glue measuring device is digitized and measured, a large amount of memory is required, but the present invention
This method uses a method of integrating the photoelectric conversion output of the measuring device as an analog liquid type, which has the advantage of requiring less memory and requiring less calculation time.

Similarly, if the area ratio of two-color O printed matter is measured by the amount of reflected light, it can be measured by changing the color of the calibration plate to the two colors), so it can be used in many applications other than the above-mentioned device. Of course it is possible.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 and 2 are an elevational view and an end view of an ink supply amount measuring device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the company's mask case. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the measurement area on the column measuring device. FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Figures 6, 7 and 9 to 110! lI is an explanatory diagram showing a waveform. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the enlarged calibration plate. FIG. 12 is a time chart diagram showing measurement. ! ...... Dark box 2 ...... Console 4 - ... Measured object 5 ... ... Calibration plate 8 ...... Ill meter 9...-Light source box 10...Mask case 11...Detection head 12--Pulse motor 13. ......Light source 20--Lens 21--Single power conversion element array 21--Analog switch 23--Shift register 24--Shift register control circuit 2-- Central control unit 26--Column control 30, 37, 39 +++Analog waveform conversion 31-
---Integrator 35.36.38--Converter patent applicant Japan Regulator Co., Ltd. Agent Patent attorney Sakae Ono Procedural amendment (voluntary) July 27, 1856 Haruki Shimada, Commissioner of the Japan Patent Office Indication of the Tonori case 4I Drama Sho 56-1155502 Name of the invention Relationship with the Ink Supply Quantity Measuring Device A Corrector Case Patent Applicant Name Nippon Regulator Co., Ltd. Yayo Osamu
177 Address: Tanij115-8-Ro, Nerima-ku, Tokyo Telephone: 996
-1659 Name Patent attorney (658g) Sakae Ono ψ & Date of order by Tadashi (spontaneous) a Meeting that says “Measuring device” on page 4, line 9 of the statement of contents of the amendment “Measuring device”
In the 14th line of @S page, r next to "k to block light"
``Before the measuring device'' was inserted, and the phrase ``depending on the measuring device'' in line 15 was also deleted. In page 6, line 11, the phrase ``correct by a correction constant divided by 2'' is corrected to ``the measurement result of the object to be measured is corrected by a ratio of correction constants for each element.''

Claims (1)

[Claims] A mask case and scissors that have an opening that defines the measurement area of the object to be measured and that emits light from outside the measurement area! School case K
a light source that illuminates a fixed area of the object to be measured O;
A detection head with a measuring device that guides the reflected light from the fixed area of the object and the object OIl through a lens onto an array consisting of a plurality of 0-electroelectric conversion elements is installed along the dark box. A driving device that makes it possible to scan the entire surface of the *sm standard by moving it stepwise and sequentially moving the K1m constant area; nine calibration plates printed separately in the same color and placed in the dark 11 at the same level as the object to be measured so that they can be conveniently placed opposite to the measurement area; After detecting the O output signal as a continuous signal train, ζOw
a rounding circuit for converting the t high value into a continuous analog waveform; a circuit for determining and storing a correction constant for each element in the photoelectric displacement element array based on measurements on the calibration plate; n correction circuits for correcting the output signal of the device; a circuit for integrating the analog liquid form for which the correction is performed and measuring the area ratio between the printing section and the printed section; and a printing section for printing in the measurement area. An ink supply amount adjusting device comprising: a rounding circuit that determines the ink supply amount based on the area ratio of the printing section and the non-printing section;