NL2015516B1 - Device for positioning a flexible printing plate on a cylindrical carrier, and method of positioning a flexible printing plate on a cylindrical carrier. - Google Patents
Device for positioning a flexible printing plate on a cylindrical carrier, and method of positioning a flexible printing plate on a cylindrical carrier. Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- NL2015516B1 NL2015516B1 NL2015516A NL2015516A NL2015516B1 NL 2015516 B1 NL2015516 B1 NL 2015516B1 NL 2015516 A NL2015516 A NL 2015516A NL 2015516 A NL2015516 A NL 2015516A NL 2015516 B1 NL2015516 B1 NL 2015516B1
- Authority
- NL
- Netherlands
- Prior art keywords
- printing plate
- flexible printing
- carrier
- base
- carrier holder
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41F—PRINTING MACHINES OR PRESSES
- B41F27/00—Devices for attaching printing elements or formes to supports
- B41F27/005—Attaching and registering printing formes to supports
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41F—PRINTING MACHINES OR PRESSES
- B41F27/00—Devices for attaching printing elements or formes to supports
- B41F27/12—Devices for attaching printing elements or formes to supports for attaching flexible printing formes
- B41F27/1262—Devices for attaching printing elements or formes to supports for attaching flexible printing formes without tensioning means
- B41F27/1275—Devices for attaching printing elements or formes to supports for attaching flexible printing formes without tensioning means by means of adhesives, staples
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Inking, Control Or Cleaning Of Printing Machines (AREA)
Abstract
Device for positioning a flexible printing plate on a cylindrical carrier, comprising: - a base; - an essentially flat table having a top side which is suitable to rest a flexible printing plate upon, the table being movable with respect to the base; - a support structure for the table which is mounted on the base and which allows a sliding movement of the table; - at least one camera mounted on the base which has a field of vision suitable for detecting the actual position of a flexible printing plate that rests on the table, - a carrier holder above the table which is suitable for holding a cylindrical carrier in its axial direction while allowing a rotation of the cylindrical carrier over its axis, - the carrier holder being movable with respect to the base, - a yoke mounted on the base by which the carrier holder is movable, - separate driving means for moving the table and the carrier holder, - control means for controlling the driving means of the table and of the carrier holder, wherein the control means receive electrical signals from the camera, and wherein the controlling of the driving means is based on electrical signals received from the camera, such that a flexible printing plate is moved to a predetermined position with respect to the carrier holder, and the carrier holder is moved to a predetermined position with respect to the flexible printing plate.
Description
Device for positioning a flexible printing plate on a cylindrical carrier, and method of positioning a flexible printing plate on a cylindrical carrier.
The present invention relates to a device for positioning a flexible printing plate on a cylindrical carrier, and a method of positioning a flexible printing plate on a cylindrical carrier using such a device.
In the field of flexographic printing, it is of utmost importance that flexible printing plates are positioned with high precision onto a roller or cylindrical carrier, before the actual printing is performed. This is especially required when printing in register, wherein several layers of flexible printing plates are successively applied onto one roller, so that a print of various colours can be produced. Several devices for positioning a flexible printing plate on a roller have been developed thus far.
For instance, it is known from patent EP 1727677, which has previously been granted to the present applicant, to provide a device for automated positioning of a printing plate using a camera with connected control and driving means to position the printing plate accurately onto a carrier. The known device relies on a special manipulator unit that transports the printing plate from a table on which it is initially placed, towards a position where the printing plate is exactly positioned with respect to the carrier, and subsequently is adhered to the carrier.
Even though this device achieves a highly accurate positioning of the printing plate onto the carrier in an automated way, it has some drawbacks as well, which relate to the required manipulator unit. The manipulator unit introduces an additional moving feature in the device, which makes the functioning and design of the device more complicated. Furthermore, the action of the manipulator unit requires additional time in the process of applying a flexible printing plate on a roller.
At the same time, a general need exists in the field of flexographic printing to reduce the time required for each production step involved, especially with regard to printing in register, wherein several printing plates are to be positioned successively onto a roller in order to produce a print in several colours.
In view of the above drawbacks present in the prior art, it is an objective of the present invention, to provide both a device and a method for positioning a flexible printing plate on a cylindrical carrier, wherein the above mentioned drawbacks are reduced or eliminated.
This objective is achieved by a first aspect of the invention which relates to: A device for positioning a flexible printing plate on a cylindrical carrier, comprising: a base; an essentially flat table having a top side which is suitable to rest a flexible printing plate upon, the table being movable with respect to the base; a support structure for the table which is mounted on the base and which allows a sliding movement of the table; at least one camera mounted on the base which has a field of vision suitable for detecting the actual position of a flexible printing plate that rests on the table, a carrier holder above the table which is suitable for holding a cylindrical carrier in its axial direction while allowing a rotation of the cylindrical carrier over its axis, the carrier holder being movable with respect to the base, a yoke mounted on the base by which the carrier holder is movable, separate driving means for moving the table and the carrier holder, control means for controlling the driving means of the table and of the carrier holder, wherein the control means receive electrical signals from the camera, and wherein the controlling of the driving means is based on electrical signals received from the camera, such that a flexible printing plate is moved to a predetermined position with respect to the carrier holder, and the carrier holder is moved to a predetermined position with respect to the flexible printing plate.
In such a device, the movable table acts both as a rest for the printing plate as well as a manipulator which transports the printing plate in the correct position for applying the plate on a carrier.
As such, the device is in an elegant way, significantly simplified over the device according to the prior art, while still achieving a high degree of accuracy for positioning the plate on a carrier in an automated manner. By virtue of this simplification of the device which is based on the manipulator being integrated with the table, it was found that the device is able to achieve a significant reduction of the time required for positioning a plate on a carrier, in comparison to devices known from the prior art.
The camera should be suitable for detecting the position of reference markings that are provided on a flexible printing plate, and consequently detect the actual position of a flexible printing plate that rests on the table. This requires a specific quality of camera that has a sufficient resolution, pixel size and sensor size, also considering the precise distance between the camera lens and the object, i.e. the flexible printing plate.
An additional advantage of the device according to the invention relates to the nature of a flexographic printing plate that has a tendency to curl up at the edges of the side provided with the printing pattern. This tendency to curl up stems from the different nature of the materials used for the backing side and the printing side. Since the reference markings which are used for determining the position of the plate are provided at the edges of the plate, the curling effect compromises the accuracy of determining the actual position of a printing plate because the edges may not be lying evenly flat out on the table. In contrast, the device according to the invention wherein a carrier above the table is used, allows for a placement of the plate on the table with the printing pattern facing downwards, which automatically results in the edges spreading evenly flat out on the table.
Preferably, in the device according to the invention the table is provided with a slot extending from its top side to its bottom side; and the at least one camera is mounted on the base and directly below the table slot, and has a field of vision directed to the table slot.
It is for practical reasons preferable to mount the camera below the printing plate on the base and to provide a corresponding slot in the table, because normally the side of the printing plate containing the printing pattern is also provided with reference markings. Since the device uses a carrier above the table, it has a direct consequence that the printing pattern - as well as the reference markings - will be laid on the table facing downwards.
However, it is also envisaged in the invention to mount the camera above the table and hence above the printing plate so that a slot in the table is not required. Such a device requires still that reference markings are provided on the side of the printing plate opposite to the side provided with the printing pattern. Although less common, it may be advantageous to do so, because a print is obtained which bears no reference markings.
The device according to the invention, preferably comprises more than one, in particular two, cameras mounted on the base which have a field of vision suitable for detecting the actual position of a flexible printing plate that rests on the table.
The cameras are positioned at a distance from each other which is similar to the distance between reference markings that are commonly used on printing plates. More preferably the cameras are movable so that their distance can be adapted to the specific printing plate used.
Furthermore it is preferred in the device according to the invention, that the table is horizontally movable with respect to the base, at least in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation that the carrier holder allows. As such, the table can be positioned such that the plate is brought in the exactly required position - in this context the ‘predetermined position’ with respect to the carrier holder - for applying the plate onto the carrier. This direction is also referred to as Y-direction.
It is advantageous when the table is also horizontally moveable in a direction parallel to the said axis of rotation, also referred to as X-direction.
In order to achieve that the table is movable, the device can for instance be provided with a support structure having a guiding profile and a set of driving wheels that contact the bottom side of the table. The driving wheels are for instance actuated by a common electromotor, which is controlled by a control unit in an automated manner using a central processing unit or computer. Other common driving means are also envisaged by the invention.
In a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, the carrier holder is vertically movable with respect to the base. Such an embodiment can easily be established by providing a yoke that is vertically movable with respect to the base, for instance by pneumatic means.
Preferably, the device according to the invention, is provided with a cylindrical carrier that is held by the carrier holder in its axial orientation. The cylindrical carrier may be a roller, or a roller on which a cylindrical sleeve is applied. In either form, it is preferable that the outer surface of the cylindrical carrier is provided with an adhesive layer, which may be a separate, additional cover layer.
It is further preferred in the device according to the invention, that the control means comprise a computer which is able to compare the actual position of the flexible printing plate and its predetermined position. The device as such secures that the plate is positioned with the highest degree of accuracy.
In that context, it is particularly preferred that the computer is provided with a software program for image recognition and comparison. In particular, the software is adapted to recognize reference markings on printing plates and determine their actual position. In addition, the computer is adapted to compare the actual position with a predetermined position that is stored in the memory of the computer.
In particular it is preferred in the device according to the invention, that the control means allow the movement of the flexible printing plate to its predetermined position, by virtue of an iterative process which comprises repeating the steps of detecting the actual position of the flexible printing plate and subsequent movement of the flexible printing plate.
In a special preferred embodiment, the device according to the invention comprises a display which shows the actual position of the flexible printing plate as recorded by the camera, and its predetermined position. This display allows the user to monitor the correct operation of the device.
In addition, the display allows the user to move manually the plate into predetermined position, for instance when the precision of positioning may be less accurate than in automated manner.
As an alternative to the above first aspect of the invention, the carrier holder may be movable both horizontally and vertically, while the table may be immobile. Obviously, this requires a special type of frame along which the carrier holder is movable in both directions, which requires an adaptation of the yoke structure intended for merely vertical movements. A second aspect of the invention relates to a method of positioning a flexible printing plate on a cylindrical carrier, using the device according to the first aspect of the invention, which is provided with a cylindrical carrier that is held by the carrier holder in its axial direction, wherein the method comprises the following steps in the following order: a) a flexible printing plate having reference markings is manually placed on the table such that the reference markings are in the field of vision of the at least one camera; b) the control means control the driving means to move the table until the flexible printing plate is in a predetermined position with respect to the carrier holder c) the control means control the driving means to move the carrier holder with respect to the base towards a position wherein the cylindrical carrier that is held by the carrier holder is in contact with the flexible printing plate that is in its predetermined position as a result of step b).
By the above method, the same advantages are achieved as already explained above in regard of the first aspect of the invention, i.e. a faster processing time by using a structurally simplified design of the device.
During step b) the position of the reference markings of the flexible printing plate are detected by the camera which results in data that are sent to the control means as electrical signals.
Preferably, the method according to the invention, further comprises after step c) an additional step: d) the flexible printing plate is rolled up onto the carrier surface by rotation of the cylindrical carrier and movement of the table in an automated manner.
The final application of the plate onto the carrier requires a co-ordinated movement of the carrier and the table which is controlled by the control means. Step d) results in a situation wherein the carrier is provided with the printing plate that is ready to be used for printing, and which may be removed from the carrier after printing.
Alternatively, it is also envisaged by the invention that step d) is performed manually and not in an automated manner. For instance, the driving means may be set neutral, allowing a manual movement by a user who moves the table in the required direction.
It is preferred in the method according to the invention, that the flexible printing plate is provided with an adhesive layer on the side facing the cylindrical carrier.
The invention will be further explained by reference to the appended figures in which:
Figure 1 shows a view in perspective of the device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;
Figure 2 shows schematically a cross-section of the device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.
Figure 1 shows a device 1 for positioning a flexible printing plate on a cylindrical carrier, which is operated by a user 3.
The device 1 comprises a base 5, an essentially flat table 7 having a top side which is suitable to rest a flexible printing plate upon, the table being movable with respect to the base 5, which is provided with a slot 9 extending from its top side to its bottom side. A support structure 11 for the table is mounted on the base 5 and allows a horizontal sliding movement of the table. The table 7 is movable in two longitudinal directions: in a Y-direction (over the length of the table) as indicated by double-sided arrow y, and in X-direction (sideways) as indicated by double-sided arrow x. A camera (not visible in fig. 1, but shown in fig. 2) is mounted on the base and directly below the table slot, having a field of vision directed to the table slot. The camera is suitable for detecting the actual position of a flexible printing plate that rests on the table. A yoke 12 is mounted on the base 5 by which a carrier holder 13 is vertically movable with respect to the base. The whole yoke structure is movable by pneumatic means, such as an adjustable gas cylinder which moves the structure up and down. The carrier holder 13 holds a cylindrical carrier 15 in its axial direction while allowing a rotation of the cylindrical carrier over its axis.
Also provided but not visible in fig. 1, are separate driving means for moving the table, as well as control means for controlling the driving means of the table and of the carrier holder, which are provided inside the base 5. The control means are electrically connected to the driving means and the camera, as well as to the display 17 on which the user can check the positioning result and may control the functionality of the device.
Figure 2 shows in cross-section and schematically a variant of the device of figure 1, wherein the same constituting elements bear the same reference numbers.
The device 1 comprises a base 5, an essentially flat table 7 having a top side on which a flexible printing 20 rests. The table is movable with respect to the base 5, which is provided with a slot 9 extending from its top side to its bottom side. A support structure 11 for the table is mounted on the base 5 and allows a horizontal sliding movement of the table, as well as a guiding profile for the movement. A camera 22 with a lens 24 is mounted on the base 5 and directly below the table slot 9, which has a field of vision directed to the table slot, and is suitable for detecting the actual position of a flexible printing plate 20 that rests on the table. A yoke 12 is mounted on the base 5 by which a carrier holder 13 is vertically movable with respect to the base. The carrier holder 13 holds a cylindrical carrier 15 in its axial direction while allowing a rotation of the cylindrical carrier over its axis 26, which coincides with the axis of rotation of the carrier 15.
Also provided but not visible in fig. 2, are separate driving means for moving the table and the carrier holder.
Further provided but not visible in fig. 2, are control means for controlling the driving means of the table and of the carrier holder, which are provided inside the base 5. The control means are electrically connected to the driving means and the camera, as well as to the monitor 17 on which the user can check the positioning result and may control the functionality of the device.
Claims (13)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
NL2015516A NL2015516B1 (en) | 2015-09-28 | 2015-09-28 | Device for positioning a flexible printing plate on a cylindrical carrier, and method of positioning a flexible printing plate on a cylindrical carrier. |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
NL2015516A NL2015516B1 (en) | 2015-09-28 | 2015-09-28 | Device for positioning a flexible printing plate on a cylindrical carrier, and method of positioning a flexible printing plate on a cylindrical carrier. |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
NL2015516B1 true NL2015516B1 (en) | 2017-04-20 |
Family
ID=55077605
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
NL2015516A NL2015516B1 (en) | 2015-09-28 | 2015-09-28 | Device for positioning a flexible printing plate on a cylindrical carrier, and method of positioning a flexible printing plate on a cylindrical carrier. |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
NL (1) | NL2015516B1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN114516224A (en) * | 2020-11-19 | 2022-05-20 | 博斯特比勒费尔德有限公司 | Method and apparatus for attaching printing plates to printing cylinders |
Citations (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE655639C (en) * | 1935-04-03 | 1938-01-20 | Georg Boettinger | Process for sticking rubber clichés on the forming rollers for anil printing machines |
US4846059A (en) * | 1988-01-15 | 1989-07-11 | Press Ready Plate, Inc. | Film registration table for flexible printing plates |
WO2005090079A1 (en) * | 2004-03-23 | 2005-09-29 | Av Flexologic B.V. | Automatic mounting system |
EP2120096A1 (en) * | 2008-03-17 | 2009-11-18 | AV Flexologic B.V. | Method for arranging on a carrier a flexible printing plate manufactured substantially from photopolymer, and device for applying such a method |
GB2490029A (en) * | 2011-04-14 | 2012-10-17 | J M Heaford Ltd | Flexographic plate mounting apparatus |
EP2700503A1 (en) * | 2012-08-22 | 2014-02-26 | Color Control B.V. | Device and method for correcting the position of a movable camera for positioning flexible printing plates on a carrier |
US20140230674A1 (en) * | 2013-02-20 | 2014-08-21 | Kurt M. Sanger | System for mounting a flexographic printing plate |
-
2015
- 2015-09-28 NL NL2015516A patent/NL2015516B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
Patent Citations (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE655639C (en) * | 1935-04-03 | 1938-01-20 | Georg Boettinger | Process for sticking rubber clichés on the forming rollers for anil printing machines |
US4846059A (en) * | 1988-01-15 | 1989-07-11 | Press Ready Plate, Inc. | Film registration table for flexible printing plates |
WO2005090079A1 (en) * | 2004-03-23 | 2005-09-29 | Av Flexologic B.V. | Automatic mounting system |
EP2120096A1 (en) * | 2008-03-17 | 2009-11-18 | AV Flexologic B.V. | Method for arranging on a carrier a flexible printing plate manufactured substantially from photopolymer, and device for applying such a method |
GB2490029A (en) * | 2011-04-14 | 2012-10-17 | J M Heaford Ltd | Flexographic plate mounting apparatus |
EP2700503A1 (en) * | 2012-08-22 | 2014-02-26 | Color Control B.V. | Device and method for correcting the position of a movable camera for positioning flexible printing plates on a carrier |
US20140230674A1 (en) * | 2013-02-20 | 2014-08-21 | Kurt M. Sanger | System for mounting a flexographic printing plate |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN114516224A (en) * | 2020-11-19 | 2022-05-20 | 博斯特比勒费尔德有限公司 | Method and apparatus for attaching printing plates to printing cylinders |
EP4000932A1 (en) * | 2020-11-19 | 2022-05-25 | Bobst Bielefeld GmbH | Method and apparatus for attaching a printing plate to a printing cylinder |
US11691411B2 (en) | 2020-11-19 | 2023-07-04 | Bobst Bielefeld Gmbh | Method and apparatus for attaching a printing plate to a printing cylinder |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
EP1666251B1 (en) | Machine for in-register mounting of flexographic printing plates with a virtual data-processing system | |
US9399339B2 (en) | Method and apparatus for mounting a printing plate | |
JP2019105854A5 (en) | ||
SG147421A1 (en) | Optical position assessment apparatus and method | |
JPH04341835A (en) | Skiving apparatus for reclaimed tire | |
JP2011003616A (en) | Imprint apparatus and method of manufacturing article | |
US4226181A (en) | Method and apparatus for adjusting the position of a stencil relative to a printing table | |
US20070261580A1 (en) | Automatic Mounting System | |
US9864281B2 (en) | Movable pressing and light-shielding mechanism for digital stereo image printing and method therefor | |
NL2015516B1 (en) | Device for positioning a flexible printing plate on a cylindrical carrier, and method of positioning a flexible printing plate on a cylindrical carrier. | |
US8893620B2 (en) | Printing apparatus and printing method with measurement of a carrier thickness | |
JP6510845B2 (en) | Screen printing machine | |
GB2490029A (en) | Flexographic plate mounting apparatus | |
JP2003177411A (en) | Coating applicator and coating application method for sealant | |
JP2009222582A (en) | Chassis dynamometer | |
US8804138B2 (en) | Coating dimension measuring apparatus | |
JP2012154910A (en) | Measuring device for measuring cross-sectional shape of tire tread surface and depth of tread groove | |
TW201041748A (en) | Method and apparatus of offset printing | |
JP2015175606A (en) | Marked line stamp device and material testing machine | |
JPH0970947A (en) | Table device and printer | |
KR20230008866A (en) | Droplet measurement using a strobe LED light source | |
JP5833416B2 (en) | Belt polishing equipment | |
KR20030028184A (en) | Telescope reforming apparatus of a coil | |
JP2011230178A (en) | Marking device for spectacle lens | |
JP2764468B2 (en) | Method and apparatus for measuring ground pressure of rotating body |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
MM | Lapsed because of non-payment of the annual fee |
Effective date: 20191001 |