WO2020202854A1

WO2020202854A1 - Mesh position specifying device, printing plate manufacturing system, printing plate pattern creation device, storage medium, screen mesh stretched body, mesh position specifying method, printing plate manufacturing method, and printing plate pattern creation method

Info

Publication number: WO2020202854A1
Application number: PCT/JP2020/006302
Authority: WO
Inventors: 喜代治田中; 哲夫法貴
Original assignee: 株式会社写真化学
Priority date: 2019-03-29
Filing date: 2020-02-18
Publication date: 2020-10-08
Also published as: JPWO2020202854A1; JP7125174B2

Abstract

According to the present invention, it is possible to specify the arrangement position of a mesh yarn provided in a mesh stretched body for manufacturing a screen printing plate, and refer to the arrangement position when creating pattern data for a screen opening. This mesh position specifying device comprises: an image capturing means for capturing an image of a screen mesh; a specific processing means for specifying, on the basis of the obtained captured image, the respective arrangement positions of a plurality of the mesh yarns in the mesh stretched body, for each repeating unit in the screen mesh, and generating mesh position data described by rearranging the coordinate values of the arrangement positions specified for each repeating unit in the order along the extending direction of the mesh yarn; and an associating means for associating the mesh position data with identification information for uniquely identifying the mesh stretched body to be image-captured, wherein the specific processing means generates the mesh position data in a data format by which the arrangement positions of the plurality of mesh yarns can be substantially reproduced when creating the pattern data.

Description

Mesh position identification device, printing plate making system, printing plate pattern making device, storage medium, screen mesh upholstery, mesh position specifying method, printing plate making method, and printing plate pattern making method

The present invention relates to a screen printing plate and a screen mesh upholstery used for producing the same, and more particularly to specifying a formation position of a mesh position in the screen mesh upholstery and producing a screen printing plate according to the formation position.

A printing plate for screen printing (screen printing plate) is such that an emulsion is applied on a mesh structure (mesh structure) woven so that mesh threads (warp threads and weft threads) made of metal or nylon wire rod intersect with each other. Among the coating films formed by the emulsion, the portion of the pattern (printing pattern) to be formed by printing has an opening (screen opening). When high-definition printing is performed by screen printing, the state of such a mesh structure in the screen printing plate used, for example, printing of fine wiring patterns performed in the manufacturing process of electronic devices, affects the quality of the final product. May be given.

One example is the formation of current collecting electrodes (busbar electrodes and finger electrodes) of a solar cell. From the viewpoint of cost merit, the current collecting electrode is formed by screen-printing a conductive paste (electrode paste) to form a printing pattern (paste film) on the substrate according to the electrode shape, and then firing. Although it is formed, it is required to have a uniform shape at every position and to have constant electrical characteristics.

However, in such a screen printing plate for forming a current collecting electrode, when the screen opening provided corresponding to the electrode pattern is located at the intersection of the warp and the weft, printing using the screen printing plate is performed. It is known that the narrow paste film formed is deformed such as thickened and thinned. In such a case, the conductive characteristics of the individual bus bar electrodes and the finger electrodes differ in the formed current collecting electrodes, and in an extreme case, defects such as disconnection may occur. Therefore, regarding the formation of the current collecting electrode of the solar cell, the pattern design is performed so that the screen opening does not overlap with the intersection position of the mesh thread, thereby avoiding the variation in the characteristics of the current collecting electrode.

Further, regarding the problem that the pattern is deformed in the vicinity of the intersection of the mesh threads when forming the print pattern by screen printing, bias tensioning is performed to give a predetermined inclination to the plate frame when the warp threads and the weft threads are stretched. And, by using a screen printing plate of the screen in which the size of the screen opening corresponding to the printing pattern is an integral multiple of the sum of the opening size of the screen mesh and the diameter of the mesh thread, the printing pattern ( Specifically, a mode for ensuring the shape accuracy of the recognition mark pattern) is already known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

On the other hand, printing is performed by using a pattern printing plate in which a removable coating layer is formed around the core material as the mesh yarn and the coating layer of the mesh yarn exposed at the screen opening is removed. A mode for ensuring accuracy is already known (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

In recent years, there has been a demand for miniaturization of the print line width during screen printing due to demands for miniaturization, high integration, and high efficiency of electronic devices. For example, in the case of the above-mentioned example of the current collecting electrode of a solar cell, miniaturization of the electrode line width has been required for the purpose of improving power generation efficiency.

On the other hand, in the screen printing plate, the positions of the mesh threads forming the mesh structure should be regularly and evenly spaced, but in reality, the positions are slightly due to the results of the weaving process and the stretching and bonding process to the plate frame. Can vary. Therefore, it may be slightly different even between screen printing plates manufactured under the same conditions. In advancing the miniaturization of the print line width described above, the influence of such positional variation of the mesh thread cannot be ignored. However, such variation is a random phenomenon with no regularity and is not reproducible. In addition, it goes without saying that the mesh yarn has a random positional variation, and that the intersection position of the warp yarn and the weft yarn also has a random positional variation.

Neither Patent Document 1 nor Patent Document 2 makes any disclosure or suggestion regarding dealing with such random positional variation of mesh threads.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-347424 JP-A-10-315648

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is possible to specify the arrangement position of the mesh thread provided in the screen mesh upholstery used for producing the screen printing plate, and further, the screen is arranged according to the arrangement position. It is an object of the present invention to provide a technique capable of creating pattern data of a screen opening in a state in which a specified mesh thread arrangement position can be referred to when producing a printing plate.

In order to solve the above problems, in the first aspect of the present invention, the arrangement positions of a plurality of mesh threads constituting the screen mesh stretched on the screen mesh stretched body used for producing the screen printing plate are specified. Based on an image pickup means for imaging the screen mesh of the screen mesh upholstery body, which is a target for specifying the arrangement positions of the plurality of mesh threads, and an image captured by the image pickup means for the screen mesh. The arrangement position of each of the plurality of mesh threads in the screen mesh upholstery is specified for each repetition unit in the screen mesh, and the coordinate value of the arrangement position specified for each repetition unit is set to the plurality of mesh threads. Specific processing means for generating mesh position data described by rearranging in order along each extending direction, the mesh position data, and the screen mesh upholstery body to be imaged by the imaging means. The specific processing means comprises associating means for associating the above with identification information that can be uniquely identified, and the specific processing means uses the mesh position data as the arrangement position of the plurality of mesh threads when creating pattern data for screen printing plate production. Is generated in a substantially reproducible data format.

A second aspect of the present invention is the mesh position specifying device according to the first aspect, wherein the specific processing means uses the position of each pair of edges of the plurality of mesh threads as the arrangement position of the screen. It is characterized in that it is specified for each repeating unit in the mesh, and the coordinate values of the arrangement position are described in the mesh position data in the order along the extending direction of each of the plurality of mesh threads.

A third aspect of the present invention is the mesh position specifying device according to the second aspect, wherein the specific processing means has a extending direction of each of the plurality of mesh threads in the captured image of the screen mesh. The inside of a quadrilateral having substantially parallel four sides is set as a specific range of arrangement positions of the plurality of mesh threads in the captured image, and the mesh openings belonging to the same row or column within the specific range. A line segment for specifying the arrangement position of each of the plurality of mesh threads is set for each array, and the position where the line segment intersects the pair of edges of each of the plurality of mesh threads is set to the plurality of meshes. It is characterized in that it is specified as each arrangement position of the thread.

A fourth aspect of the present invention is the mesh position specifying device according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the specifying processing means is described in a device coordinate system unique to the mesh position specifying device. Each of the plurality of mesh threads is provided with a coordinate conversion means for converting the coordinate values to the coordinate values in the plate coordinate system unique to the screen mesh upholstery body, which is the target for specifying the arrangement position of the plurality of mesh threads. The coordinate value of the arrangement position of is specified based on the device coordinate system, the specified coordinate value is converted into the coordinate value in the plate coordinate system by the coordinate conversion means, and then described in the mesh position data. , Characterized by.

A fifth aspect of the present invention is the mesh position specifying device according to the fourth aspect, wherein the imaging means is provided in advance on the screen mesh stretched body, and the plate is provided on the screen mesh stretched body. The plate coordinate system setting mark that can be used for setting the coordinate system is imaged, and the coordinate conversion means obtains the device coordinates based on the imaging result of the plate coordinate system setting mark in the device coordinate system by the imaging means. The conversion relationship between the system and the plate coordinate system is specified, and based on the conversion relationship, the coordinate values of the respective arrangement positions of the plurality of mesh threads specified based on the device coordinate system are set in the plate coordinate system. It is characterized by converting to coordinate values.

A sixth aspect of the present invention is the printing plate manufacturing system, wherein the mesh position specifying device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects and the screen mesh upholstery body when manufacturing the screen printing plate. A printing plate pattern creating device that creates pattern data describing a pattern of a screen opening formed on a screen mesh, and forming a pattern of the screen opening on the screen mesh upholstery based on the pattern data. A printing plate making apparatus for producing the screen printing plate is provided, and the printing plate pattern creating apparatus associates with the mesh position data based on the description of the mesh position data generated by the mesh position specifying device. The screen mesh is reproduced by a predetermined display means so that the arrangement position of the screen mesh in the screen mesh upholstery body to be produced of the screen printing plate based on the pattern data can be reproduced. The pattern data can be created with reference to the above, and the identified information associated with the mesh position data is associated with the created pattern data. In the printing plate manufacturing apparatus, the pattern data is described. The screen mesh stretched body corresponding to the identification information associated with the pattern data is characterized in that a pattern of the screen opening is formed based on the pattern data.

A seventh aspect of the present invention is the printing plate manufacturing system according to the sixth aspect, wherein in the printing plate pattern making apparatus, the screen mesh is arranged according to the arrangement position of the screen mesh reproduced by the display means. It is characterized in that the arrangement position and / or size of the components of the pattern data can be adjusted.

An eighth aspect of the present invention is a printing plate pattern creating device that creates pattern data describing a pattern of screen openings formed on a screen mesh of a screen mesh upholstery when producing a screen printing plate. The screen printing plate based on the pattern data, which is associated with the mesh position data based on the description of the mesh position data generated in the mesh position specifying device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects. The arrangement position of the screen mesh in the screen mesh upholstery to be produced can be reproduced by a predetermined display means, and the pattern data can be created while referring to the reproduced screen mesh. The pattern data created is associated with the identification information associated with the mesh position data.

A ninth aspect of the present invention is the printing plate pattern creating apparatus according to the eighth aspect, in which the arrangement position of the component of the pattern data is arranged according to the arrangement position of the screen mesh reproduced by the display means. And / or the size is adjustable.

A tenth aspect of the present invention is a storage medium, in which the mesh position data generated by the mesh position specifying device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects is stored and the mesh position data is stored. The identification information associated with the above is described in the mesh position data or directly attached to the mesh position data.

An eleventh aspect of the present invention is a screen mesh upholstery in which a pattern of screen openings is formed on a screen mesh when a screen printing plate is produced, and the mesh according to any one of the first to fifth aspects. The position specifying device is characterized in that the mesh position data generated for the screen mesh stretched body is associated with the identification information.

A twelfth aspect of the present invention is a method for specifying the arrangement position of a plurality of mesh threads constituting the screen mesh stretched on the screen mesh stretched body used for producing a screen printing plate. Based on the imaging step of imaging the screen mesh of the screen mesh upholstery body, which is the object of specifying the arrangement position of the plurality of mesh threads, by a predetermined imaging means, and the image captured of the screen mesh obtained by the imaging step. , The arrangement position of each of the plurality of mesh threads in the screen mesh upholstery is specified for each repetition unit in the screen mesh, and the coordinate value of the arrangement position specified for each repetition unit is set to the plurality of meshes. A specific processing step of generating mesh position data described by rearranging the threads in the order along the extending direction of each thread, the mesh position data, and the screen mesh upholstery to be imaged by the imaging means. The specific processing step includes an association step of associating the body with identification information that can uniquely identify the body, and in the specific processing step, the mesh position data is used for creating pattern data for screen printing plate production of the plurality of mesh threads. It is characterized in that the arrangement position is generated in a substantially reproducible data format.

A thirteenth aspect of the present invention is a printing plate manufacturing method, wherein a mesh position data generation step of generating the mesh position data by the mesh position specifying method according to the twelfth aspect and a predetermined printing plate pattern creating apparatus are used. A printing plate pattern creating step of creating pattern data describing a pattern of a screen opening formed on the screen mesh of the screen mesh upholstery body when producing the screen printing plate, and a predetermined printing plate producing A printing plate manufacturing step of manufacturing the screen printing plate by forming a pattern of the screen opening in the screen mesh upholstery based on the pattern data using an apparatus is provided, and the printing plate pattern is created. In the step, the screen to be produced of the screen printing plate based on the pattern data, which is associated with the mesh position data based on the description of the mesh position data generated in the mesh position data generation step. The arrangement position of the screen mesh in the mesh stretched body can be reproduced by a predetermined display means, and the pattern data can be created while referring to the reproduced screen mesh, and the created pattern data can be created. In addition, the identification information associated with the mesh position data is associated with the screen mesh upholstery body corresponding to the identification information associated with the pattern data in the printing plate manufacturing step. On the other hand, it is characterized in that a pattern of the screen opening is formed based on the pattern data.

A fourteenth aspect of the present invention is a method for creating a printing plate pattern for creating pattern data describing a pattern of screen openings formed on a screen mesh of a screen mesh upholstery when producing a screen printing plate. , The target for producing the screen printing plate based on the pattern data, which is associated with the mesh position data based on the description of the mesh position data generated by the mesh position specifying method according to the twelfth aspect. In the reproduction step of reproducing the arrangement position of the screen mesh in the screen mesh stretched body on a predetermined display means, the creation step of creating the pattern data while referring to the reproduced screen mesh, and the created pattern data. , The association step of associating the identification information associated with the mesh position data.

According to the first to ninth and twelfth to fourteenth aspects of the present invention, the arrangement position of the mesh thread of the screen mesh, which may randomly vary during tensioning, is a fine repeating unit such as an individual mesh opening. It is possible to create pattern data and print plates in consideration of the arrangement position. This makes it possible to produce a screen printing plate having excellent printing accuracy.

Further, according to the tenth and eleventh aspects, it is not necessary to create the pattern data following the generation of the mesh position data, and each process is remotely performed, including the subsequent production of the screen printing plate. It is also possible to do it in the place where it was done. That is, the production of the pattern data and the subsequent process of producing the screen printing plate using the pattern data can be separated temporally and spatially from the specification of the arrangement position of the mesh yarn.

It is a figure which shows the screen mesh stretched body (mesh stretched body) 10. It is an enlarged view of the screen mesh 2. It is a figure which shows the schematic structure of the mesh position specifying apparatus 100. It is a functional block diagram which shows the functional component which concerns on the identification of the mesh position in the mesh position specifying apparatus 100. It is a figure which illustrates the relationship between the opening formation target range RE1 and the image pickup range RE2 by a camera 111. It is a figure for demonstrating the 1st coordinate conversion processing. It is a figure which shows the process procedure in the mesh position specifying process. It is a figure which illustrates the assignment of the opening address and the assignment of the mesh thread number. It is a figure for demonstrating the setting of the mesh position specific target range by the specific target range setting unit 162. It is a figure for demonstrating the setting of the mesh position specific line group by the specific target range setting unit 162. It is a figure which shows the position of the left and right edge of a warp thread 2y, and the position of the upper and lower edge of a weft thread 2x corresponding to the screen mesh 2. It is a figure which illustrated the mesh full position data DD in tabular form. It is a figure which illustrated the stretch body mesh position data DE in tabular form. It is a figure which shows the contour image P2 which reproduced the position of the edge of the mesh thread 2m based on the description content of the stretched body mesh position data DE. It is a figure which shows the mesh redevelopment P3 which reproduced the mesh thread 2m. It is a figure which shows the relationship between various data generated in the process from the identification of a mesh position to the production of a screen printing plate which is a post-process, and the mesh upholstery body 10. It is a figure for demonstrating one aspect of using the stretch body mesh position data DE. It is a figure which shows the schematic structure about the printing plate making system 1000 together with the relationship between the mesh upholstery body 10 to make a printing plate which is used for making a screen printing plate, and the screen printing plate 20 which is finally made. It is a figure which shows the flow of the screen printing plate manufacturing process performed by using the printing plate manufacturing system 1000, particularly about the process after the mesh position data DF with identification information is created. It is a figure which shows the state which formed the electrode paste film Z2β on the substrate W2 for a solar cell. It is a figure which shows the initial design pattern PT2β for making the screen printing plate used for forming the electrode paste film Z2β. It is the figure which superposed the layer which gives a mesh position pattern PT2m as the base layer of the layer which gives a design pattern PT2 in CAD200. It is a figure which illustrates the screen printing plate 20 produced based on the design pattern PT2. It is a figure which shows the state which formed the electrode paste film Z2 on the substrate W2 for a solar cell.

<Screen mesh upholstery>
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a screen mesh stretched body (hereinafter, also simply referred to as a mesh stretched body) 10 which is a processing target of the invention according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1A, the mesh upholstery 10 is a mesh 2 stretched on a plan-view rectangular plate frame 1 made of a metal such as aluminum.

The screen mesh 2 is roughly formed by weft threads 2x and warp threads arranged at equal intervals so that a large number of weft threads 2x and a large number of warp threads 2y, each of which is a mesh thread 2 m made of a metal or nylon wire, intersect (orthogonally) with each other. It has a mesh structure (mesh structure) woven so that a substantially rectangular mesh opening MO is formed by two adjacent two of 2y.

The mesh upholstery body 10 forms a constituent member of a screen printing plate, which is a printing plate used when performing screen printing. In the screen printing plate, a coating film made of an emulsion is formed on the screen mesh 2 in a manner in which a portion corresponding to a predetermined pattern (printing pattern) to be formed by screen printing is an opening (screen opening). It is configured by being provided in. In other words, the mesh upholstery 10 can be said to be a semi-finished product produced in the middle of a series of processes for producing a screen printing plate.

Normally, the screen opening is provided not in the entire surface of the screen mesh 2 but in a predetermined range (hereinafter, opening target range) RE1 in a substantially central portion.

Further, FIG. 1 (b) shows an xy coordinate system (hereinafter, plate coordinate system α) set in the mesh upholstery body 10 shown in FIG. 1 (a). In the plate coordinate system α, the unit of the coordinate value is mm.

The plate coordinate system α is a coordinate system peculiar to the mesh upholstery body 10 or a screen printing plate produced by using the mesh upholstery body 10. The plate coordinate system α is used, for example, when specifying the position of the mesh thread 2m constituting the screen mesh 2.

For example, as shown in FIG. 1B, marks M1 and M2 for setting two coordinates are marked on two portions facing each other across the screen mesh 2 of the plate frame 1, and marks M1 and M2 are formed. If a mark M3 for further coordinate setting is marked on a side different from the edge, the intersection of the line segment LX connecting the marks M1 and M2 and the line segment LY passing through the mark M3 and orthogonal to the line segment LX. Is the origin (x, y) = (0, 0) of the plate coordinate system α, the extending direction of the line segment LX is the x-axis direction, and the extending direction of the line segment LY is the y-axis direction.

In the present embodiment, the plate coordinate system α is defined so that the extending direction of the weft 2x is the horizontal axis and the extending direction of the warp 2y is the vertical axis. This is because the marks M1, M2, and M3 are provided so that the line segment LX substantially coincides with the extending direction of the weft 2x and the extending direction of the line segment LY substantially coincides with the extending direction of the warp 2y. , Will be realized. In FIG. 1B, the plate coordinate system α is defined so that the opening target range RE1 is located in the first quadrant (the range in which both the x and y values are positive). This is not an essential aspect.

Further, in the present embodiment, for convenience, the extending direction of one of the two edges of the plate frame 1 orthogonal to each other coincides with the x-axis direction of the plate coordinate system α with the left-right direction in the drawing, and the extension of the other edge. It is assumed that the current direction coincides with the vertical direction in the drawing in the y-axis direction. As a result, the positive side in the x-axis direction may be referred to as the right side, the negative side in the x-axis direction as the left side, the positive side in the y-axis direction as the upper side, the negative side in the y-axis direction as the lower side, and the like.

Note that the method of setting the plate coordinate system α is not limited to the above mode. For example, the marks M1 to M3 may be provided on the edge portion of the plate frame 1, or may be provided in the screen mesh 2.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the screen mesh 2. The screen mesh 2 can be generally regarded as being provided so that the weft threads 2x and the warp threads 2y are provided at equal intervals and orthogonal to each other as described above. However, more strictly speaking, the individual weft threads 2x and the warp threads 2y do not necessarily form a strict straight line, and are locally localized as shown in FIG. Displaced and meandering. In addition, the intervals between the weft threads 2x and the warp threads 2y are not always constant.

Therefore, for example, even if the arrangement positions and spacings of the weft threads 2x and the warp threads 2y, which are originally intended when the mesh upholstery body 10 is manufactured, are known, such a local deviation occurs by itself. It does not mean that the actual position of the mesh thread 2 m of the mesh upholstery body 10 is specified.

In the present embodiment, by applying the apparatus and procedure described later, the (drawing view) upper end position Ex1 and the (drawing view) lower end position Ex2 of the weft thread 2x constituting the mesh opening MO, and the warp thread 2y (drawing). By obtaining the coordinates of the left end position Ey1 (viewing) and the right end position Ey2 (viewing the drawing), the positions of the individual mesh threads 2m (weft thread 2x and warp thread 2y) in the mesh upholstery body 10 are specified.

It should be noted that specifying the positions of the four mesh threads 2 m forming one mesh opening MO also means specifying the positions of the mesh opening MO. In view of this point, hereinafter, the specification of each mesh thread 2 m as described above is also simply referred to as the specification of the mesh position.

<Mesh position identification device>
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a mesh position specifying device 100 that specifies a mesh position in the mesh upholstery body 10 in the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing functional components related to the identification of the mesh position in the mesh position specifying device 100.

The mesh position specifying device 100 includes an imaging unit 110 (an imaging unit 110) including a stage 101 on which the mesh extension body 10 is placed and a camera (imaging means) 111 that images the mesh extension body 10 mounted on the stage 101 from above. FIG. 4), control of the operation of the illumination unit 120 (FIG. 4) including the illumination light source 121 that irradiates the screen mesh 2 with illumination light from below the stage 101 when imaging with the camera 111, and the operation of each unit of the mesh position specifying device 100. It is mainly provided with a processing device 130 that is responsible for the arithmetic processing necessary for specifying the mesh position.

In the mesh position specifying device 100, the device coordinate system β (X, Y, Z) is defined in advance, and the position on the stage 101 and the arrangement position of the camera 111 and the illumination light source 121 are set in the device coordinate system β. It is designed to be described by (X, Y, Z). In the device coordinate system β as well, the unit of the coordinate value is mm as in the plate coordinate system α.

The stage 101 is provided on the upper surface thereof so that the mesh upholstery body 10 can be placed and fixed in a horizontal posture. In addition, at least the opening target range RE1 so that the illumination light from the illumination light source 121 arranged below is irradiated to at least the entire opening target range RE1 in the mounted and fixed state. The portion corresponding to is made of a transparent material such as glass.

The imaging unit 110 includes a camera 111 and a moving mechanism 112 that moves the camera 111. By being moved by the moving mechanism 112, the camera 111 can image the mesh upholstery 10 mounted and fixed on the stage 101 at arbitrary imaging positions in the horizontal plane and in the vertical direction.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the opening target range RE1 and the imaging range RE2 by the camera 111. For the sake of simplicity, the mesh upholstery 10 is placed on the stage 101 so that the two orthogonal sides of the opening formation target range RE1 coincide with the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction of the device coordinate system β, respectively. It shall be placed and fixed.

The imaging range RE2 of the camera 111 is set smaller than the opening target range RE1 of the screen mesh 2 in the mesh upholstery 10 in order to secure the resolution of the captured image. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5A, when imaging one opening target range RE1, imaging is repeated while shifting the imaging range RE2 in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. As a result, the positions of the centers (imaging centers) O of the imaging range RE2 at the individual imaging positions are arranged at equal intervals in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. This is realized, for example, by moving the camera 111 so that the imaging center O sequentially moves in the order shown by the arrow AR0 in FIG. 5B each time the imaging at a certain imaging position is completed. .. In FIG. 5B, the camera 111 is moved in such a manner that only the X-axis coordinate of the imaging center O is different from the initial imaging position and the Y-axis coordinate is kept the same, and the camera 111 is moved at all the imaging positions in the moving direction. After imaging, move from the initial imaging position to a position where only the Y-axis coordinate of the imaging center O is different, and only the X-axis coordinate of the imaging center O is different from that position, and the Y-axis coordinates are kept the same. The camera 111 is moved and the imaging is performed at all the imaging positions in the moving direction, and the imaging is performed at all the imaging positions. However, this is not an essential aspect and the imaging is performed. The order may be out of order.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 5A, imaging targeting the opening formation target range RE1 is performed at different imaging positions while overlapping the edge portions of the imaging range RE2. This is to enable suitable alignment (matching) when integrating the imaging data obtained by imaging at individual imaging positions. Therefore, the moving distance (shift amount) of the camera 111 when the imaging position is changed is set to a value smaller than the size of the imaging range RE2 in the moving direction.

The lighting unit 120 includes a lighting light source 121 and a moving mechanism 122 that moves the lighting light source 121. As described above, when imaging the one opening target range RE1, the imaging is repeated while changing the imaging position, and the illumination light needs to be irradiated under the same conditions regardless of the imaging position. Therefore, the illumination light source 121 is moved by the moving mechanism 122 in association with the movement of the camera 111. The moving mechanism 112 of the camera 111 and the moving mechanism 122 of the illumination light source 121 may be integrated. In other words, the camera 111 and the illumination light source 121 may be attached to one moving mechanism.

In the mesh position specifying device 100, the mesh upholstery 10 mounted and fixed on the stage 101 is imaged by the camera 111 from above with the illumination light source 121 irradiating the illumination light from below. In the captured image, the mesh thread 2 m becomes a dark part, and the mesh opening MO becomes a bright part.

The processing device 130 includes a processing control unit 131 including a CPU 131a, a ROM 131b, and a RAM 131c, a display unit 132 including a display or the like, an operation unit 133 including a keyboard or a touch panel, and a storage unit 134 including a hard disk or the like. To be equipped. The processing device 130 can be realized by, for example, a general-purpose computer.

In the mesh position specifying device 100, when a predetermined processing program (not shown) stored in the storage unit 134 is executed by the processing control unit 131, various functional components shown in FIG. 4 are combined with the processing control unit 131. It has come to be realized as a virtual component in.

Specifically, the image pickup processing unit 140, the movement control unit 145, the lighting control unit 150, the first coordinate conversion unit 155A, the second coordinate conversion unit 155B, the mesh position information processing unit 160, and the data integration processing. The unit 165 and the association processing unit 170 are mainly realized.

The imaging processing unit 140 controls the imaging by the camera 111, acquires the data (imaging data) obtained as a result of the imaging from the camera 111, and performs a predetermined process in the processing control unit 131.

Specifically, the imaging processing unit 140 causes the camera 111 to perform imaging related to the three marks M1 to M3 provided on the plate frame 1 of the mesh upholstery body 10, and marks for the respective marks M1 to M3. Acquire the imaging data Dα.

Further, as will be described in detail later, the imaging processing unit 140 causes the camera 111 to perform imaging in the imaging range RE2 of the same size at each of a plurality of predetermined imaging positions as shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, the imaging data obtained by imaging at the i-th imaging position (targeting the i-th imaging range RE2) is referred to as the i-mesh imaging data DAi.

The image pickup processing unit 140 also plays a role of displaying the image (live view) captured by the camera 111 on the display unit 132.

The movement control unit 145 controls the operation of the movement mechanism 112 of the camera 111 and the movement mechanism 122 of the illumination light source 121. Further, in the movement control unit 145, the imaging position information (information for specifying the range to be imaged) when the camera 111 performs imaging is generated based on the position of the moving mechanism 112 at the time of imaging. .. The imaging position information is added to the mark imaging data Dα and the i-mesh imaging data DAi acquired by the imaging processing unit 140. Alternatively, the camera 111 itself may be provided with an imaging position specifying function such as GPS, and imaging position information based on the imaging position specifying function may be added to the imaging data generated by imaging.

The illumination control unit 150 controls the irradiation of illumination light at the time of imaging by the camera 111.

The first coordinate conversion unit 155A determines the coordinate positions of individual pixels in the image captured by the camera 111 (the image represented by the image captured by the camera 111) based on the predetermined first coordinate conversion information IC1. , Responsible for the process of converting to coordinates in the device coordinate system β (first image conversion process).

Since the pixel positions described in the imaging data obtained by the camera 111 merely represent the positions in the captured image represented by the imaging data, when the imaging positions are different and the imaging is performed a plurality of times, the actual image is actually taken. Although the imaging positions are different, the pixel positions are not distinguished between the captured images. Therefore, in the mesh position specifying device 100, it is specified which position of the mesh upholstery body 10 which is the image pickup object corresponds to each pixel in the captured image, and the pixel value (color density value) at the pixel position is specified. Is performed in the first image conversion process so that it can be handled as a value at the pixel position described in the device coordinate system β.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the first coordinate conversion process. FIG. 6A shows a camera coordinate system γ (Column (C): Row (R)) which is a coordinate system set in the image captured by the camera 111. The image captured by the camera 111 has a rectangular structure in which Nc pixels are arranged in the Column direction (C direction: horizontal direction) and Nr pixels are arranged in the Row direction (R direction: vertical direction), and has a camera coordinate system. γ is defined so that the upper left end of the captured image is the origin (0,0) and the lower right end is the coordinates (Nc, Nr). Therefore, the coordinates of the imaging center O in the camera coordinate system γ are (Nc / 2, Nr / 2). Further, as shown in FIG. 6A, an arbitrary pixel position in the camera coordinate system γ is expressed as (C, R).

On the other hand, FIG. 6B shows the imaging range of the camera 111 by the device coordinate system β. Now, the coordinates of the imaging center O represented by the device coordinate system β are expressed as (Xc, Yc), and an arbitrary pixel position (C, R) in the camera coordinate system γ is expressed as (X, Y) in the device coordinate system β. I decided to.

In other words, FIG. 6 shows an arbitrary pixel position (C, R) represented by the camera coordinate system γ in the captured image obtained by performing imaging with (Xc, Yc) as the imaging center in the device coordinate system β. ) Is converted to the pixel position (X, Y) in the device coordinate system β.

In this case, assuming that the pixel size in the image captured by the camera 111 is Sc (μm) in the C direction and Sr (μm) in the R direction.
X = Xc + (C-Nc / 2) · Sc / 1000 ... (1)
Y = Yc- (R-Nr / 2) ・ Sr / 1000 ・・・ (2)
Is established.

Nc, Nr, Sc, and Sr are known values unique to the camera 111, and equations (1) and (2) including these values are stored in the storage unit 134 in advance as the first coordinate conversion information IC1. .. Since the values of Nc, Nr, Sc, and Sr are the same unless the specifications of the camera 111 (lens to be used, resolution, etc.) are changed, the first coordinate conversion information IC1 is usually the mesh position specifying device 100. Pre-specified and fixedly retained prior to use of the device.

Then, the first coordinate conversion unit 155A determines the pixel positions of the imaging data (mark imaging data Dα, i-mesh imaging data DAi) generated by performing imaging on a certain imaging center O (Xc, Yc). It is converted into coordinate positions (X, Y) in the device coordinate system β based on the equations (1) and (2). The mark imaged data Dα that has undergone coordinate conversion is further subjected to coordinate conversion in the second coordinate conversion unit 155B described below. On the other hand, the i-th processing target data DBi is generated by performing the first coordinate conversion processing on the i-mesh imaging data DAi.

The second coordinate conversion unit 155B is in charge of the process of converting the coordinates represented by the device coordinate system β into the coordinates represented by the plate coordinate system α (second coordinate conversion process). Since the mesh tensioning body 10 is usually used for producing a printing plate in a device different from the mesh positioning device 100, the position coordinates of the mesh thread 2m in each mesh stretching body 10 are the mesh tensioning. It is more practical to use the plate coordinate system α, which is a coordinate system unique to the body 10.

In the second coordinate conversion unit 155B, first, the extension of the line segments LX and LY described above is performed based on the mark imaging data Dα which is the imaging data of the coordinates setting marks M1 to M3 provided on the mesh extension body 10. The angle (tilt angle) θ formed by the X-axis and Y-axis of the device coordinate system β in the current direction and the coordinates (X0, 0,) in the device coordinate system β at the origin (x, y) = (0, 0) in the plate coordinate system α. Y0) is specified. At this time, arbitrary coordinates (X, Y) in the device coordinate system β are converted into coordinates (x, y) in the plate coordinate system α by the following equation.

x = (XX0) cosθ + (Y−Y0) sinθ ・・・ (3)
y =-(XX0) sinθ + (Y-Y0) cosθ ... (4)

The values of the tilt angle θ and the coordinates (X0, Y0) specified by the second coordinate conversion unit 155B, and the equations (3) and (4) are stored in the storage unit 134 as the second coordinate conversion information IC2. .. The second coordinate conversion information IC2 is unique to each mesh upholstery body 10, and is generated each time a different mesh upholstery body 10 is targeted for specifying the mesh position.

Then, the second coordinate conversion unit 155B describes all the mesh threads existing in the opening formation target range RE1 of one mesh upholstery body 10, which is described in the mesh full position data DD described later by using the device coordinate system β. The coordinate position of 2 m is converted into a description using the plate coordinate system α by using the second coordinate conversion information IC2, and a process of outputting as the stretched body mesh position data DE is performed.

The mesh position information processing unit 160 targets the i-th processing target data DBi generated by the first coordinate conversion unit 155A and described by using the device coordinate system β, and the mesh in the captured image represented by the data. Responsible for the process of specifying the position of the thread 2 m (position in the device coordinate system β).

When the mesh position information processing unit 160 acquires the i-th processing target data DBi, the mesh position information processing unit 160 applies a known image processing method such as edge detection processing or binarization processing to the i-th processing target data DBi, and applies the i-th processing target data DBi. In the captured image represented by the data DBi, the pixel region included in the mesh thread 2m and the pixel region included in the mesh opening MO are discriminated. As described above, in the image captured by the image captured by the camera 111, the mesh thread 2 m is the dark part and the mesh opening MO is the bright part. Therefore, the dark part is also formed by the image processing in the mesh position information processing unit 160. The bright portion is recognized as the pixel region corresponding to the mesh thread 2 m, and the bright portion is recognized as the pixel region corresponding to the mesh opening MO.

The mesh position information processing unit 160 further includes an address assignment unit 161, a specific target range setting unit 162, and a mesh position coordinate identification unit 163.

The address assignment unit 161 assigns an address to a pixel region representing each mesh opening MO in the captured image represented by the i-th processing target data DBi, and the shape of the pixel region recognized as corresponding to the mesh thread 2 m. Based on the above, a mesh thread number is assigned to a pixel area representing each mesh thread 2 m.

The specific target range setting unit 162 sets a range for specifying the mesh position (position coordinate specific target range) for the captured image represented by the i-th processing target data DBi as a processing target, and further, the position coordinate specific target range. Is responsible for setting the line segment (mesh position characteristic line group) used to specify the mesh position.

The mesh position coordinate identification unit 163 specifies the position of the mesh thread 2 m based on the captured image represented by the i-th processing target data DBi and the mesh position characteristic line group set by the specific target range setting unit 162. Responsible for processing.

As a result of these various processes in the mesh position information processing unit 160, the generator of the i-th process target data DBi in the opening formation target range RE1 which is the total specific target range of the mesh position in the mesh extension body 10. The i-th partial position information data DCi that describes the position information of the mesh thread 2m included in the imaging range RE2 for a certain captured image is generated.

The data integration processing unit 165 performs imaging at all imaging positions of the opening formation target range RE1, and processes each imaging data in the first coordinate conversion unit 155A and the mesh position information processing unit 160. All the i-th processing target data DBi obtained as a result of the information processing are integrated to generate a mesh full position data DD that describes the mesh position for the entire range RE1 for forming one opening.

The association processing unit 170 uniquely identifies the mesh upholstery body 10 whose mesh position is specified by the mesh position identification device 100 (processing target). The upholstery body identification information ID is converted into the second coordinate conversion unit. It is responsible for associating the actually specified mesh position generated by 155B with the stretched body mesh position data DE described in the plate coordinate system α and outputting it as the mesh position data DF with identification information.

The stretched body identification information ID is information unique to the mesh stretched body 10 that can distinguish individual mesh stretched bodies 10. The stretched body identification information ID is set by a predetermined number, symbol, character string, or a combination thereof.

<Mesh position identification process>
Next, the mesh position specifying process executed by the mesh position specifying device 100 will be described. In the following, the description will be made on the assumption that a screen printing plate is produced for the mesh upholstery body 10 whose mesh position is specified by the process.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a processing procedure in the mesh position specifying process. In the following description, it is assumed that the screen mesh 2 is stretched in the mesh stretched body 10 so that the weft threads 2x and the warp threads 2y are substantially parallel to the plate frame 1. Further, it is assumed that the image pickup in the image pickup range RE2 by the camera 111 is performed at the image pickup positions of all Q points. That is, i = 1 to Q. Further, it is assumed that the (processing target) upholstery body identification information ID is set in advance in the mesh upholstery body 10 which is the target for specifying the mesh position and is used for the screen printing plate manufacturing process.

As shown in FIG. 7, in the mesh position specifying process, when the mesh upholstery body 10 which is the target for specifying the mesh position is placed on the stage 101 of the mesh position specifying device 100 (step S1), first, the camera 111 sequentially images the three marks M1 to M3 for setting coordinates provided in the plate frame 1 of the mesh upholstery body 10 (step S2), and the image pickup processing unit 140 captures the mark imaging data Dα for each of them. Generate.

Preferably, the stage 101 of the mesh upholstery 10 is placed so that the weft 2x is substantially along the X-axis direction of the device coordinate system β and the warp 2y is substantially along the Y-axis direction.

Imaging of the marks M1 to M3 is performed with the imaging center O of the camera 111 positioned at the center of each. Preferably, by fixing the formation position of the marks M1 to M3 on the mesh stretched body 10 and the mounting position of the mesh stretched body 10 on the stage 101, the imaging position when imaging the marks M1 to M3 is also fixed. The images of the marks M1 to M3 are automatically processed by defining that the marks M1 to M3 are present within the imaging range when the imaging is performed at the position. In such a case, the movement control unit 145 in response to the imaging execution instruction given by the operator operating the operation unit 133 drives the movement mechanism 112 to move the camera 111 to the positions of the respective marks M1 to M3. Each time the camera 111 reaches the position, the camera 111 takes an image under the control of the image processing unit 140, which is a series of operations automatically performed.

Alternatively, the operator of the mesh position specifying device 100 performs a predetermined operation on the operation unit 133 while confirming the image pickup position of the camera 111 by visually recognizing the image captured image (live view) displayed on the display unit 132. The movement control unit 145 in response to the movement instruction of the camera 111 may drive the movement mechanism 112 to move the camera 111 to the position.

Since the illumination light from the illumination light source 121 does not pass through the metal plate frame 1, it is not essential to irradiate the illumination light when imaging the marks M1 to M3. Therefore, the imaging may be performed in a state of only external light, or the mesh position specifying device 100 includes an epi-illumination light source for mark imaging (not shown), and the marks M1 to the light source are used. The mode may be performed with the M3 illuminated.

When the mark imaging data Dα is generated for each of the marks M1 to M3, the second coordinate conversion information IC2 that describes the conversion relationship for converting the device coordinate system β to the plate coordinate system α is specified based on them. (Step S3).

Specifically, first, the first coordinate conversion unit 155A temporarily converts the mark imaging data Dα described in the camera coordinate system γ into data in the device coordinate system β. When such conversion is performed, the second coordinate conversion unit 155B specifies the coordinate positions of the marks M1 to M3 based on the mark imaging data Dα after the conversion. Then, from those specified coordinate positions, the angle (tilt angle) θ formed by the extension directions of the line segments LX and LY with the X-axis and Y-axis of the device coordinate system β and the origin (x, in the plate coordinate system α). The coordinates (X0, Y0) in the device coordinate system β of y) = (0,0) are specified, and the equations (3) and (4) including those values are stored as the second coordinate conversion information IC2. Store in 134.

Preferably, the second coordinate conversion unit 155B also uses the coordinate values in the device coordinate system β of the three marks M1 to M3 used to obtain the tilt angle θ and the coordinates (X0, Y0) as the coordinate values of the plate coordinate system α. The coordinate value after the conversion is also included in the second coordinate conversion information IC2.

Next, with i = 1 as the initial value (step S4), the screen mesh 2 is imaged by the camera 111 at the i-th imaging position (step S5).

Specifically, the movement control unit 145 drives the movement mechanism 112 to move the camera 111 to the i-th imaging position. Then, when the camera 111 reaches the position, the camera 111 performs imaging in the imaging range RE2 under the control of the imaging processing unit 140, and the imaging processing unit 140 generates the i-mesh imaging data DAi. .. Further, the first coordinate conversion unit 155A converts each pixel position described in the camera coordinate system γ in the i-mesh imaging data DAi into the coordinates in the device coordinate system β based on the first coordinate conversion information IC1. , Is output as the i-th processing target data DBi.

In such imaging, for example, the shift amount when moving the camera 111 to the first imaging position where i = 1 and the next imaging position after the imaging at a certain imaging position is completed by the operation of the operation unit 133 by the operator. Is set in advance according to the size of the imaging range RE2, and is automatically processed.

Alternatively, if the placement position of the mesh upholstery body 10 on the stage 101 is fixedly determined, the position of the opening formation target range RE1 which is the specific target of the mesh position is also fixedly determined. The i-th imaging position when repeating imaging in the imaging range RE2, which is smaller than the opening formation target range RE1 while shifting the imaging position, including the case of i = 1, can also be determined in advance. Therefore, in such a case, the movement of the camera 111 to the position and the imaging at the position can all be performed by automatic processing.

When the i-th processing target data DBi is generated, a known image processing method is applied by the mesh position information processing unit 160, and in the captured image represented by the i-th processing target data DBi, the pixel area corresponding to the mesh thread 2m is applied. After the pixel area corresponding to the mesh opening MO is determined, the address assigning unit 161 assigns the opening address to the captured image represented by the i-th processing target data DBi (step S6). , The mesh thread number is assigned (step S7).

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the assignment of the opening address and the assignment of the mesh thread number for the captured image P1i represented by the i-th processing target data DBi. Since the device coordinate system β is applied to the i-th processing target data DBi, the positions of the pixels in the captured image P1i are also represented by the device coordinate system β. In other words, the position coordinates of the mesh opening MO and the image of the mesh thread 2m in the captured image P1i are obtained by imaging the i-mesh imaging data DAi, which is the generator of the i-th processing target data DBi, by imaging with the camera 111. It is the same as the actual position coordinates of the mesh opening MO and the mesh thread 2 m in the imaging range RE2 at the time.

FIG. 8A shows how the opening address is assigned. In the captured image P1i, a region having a relatively high brightness that is visually recognized in a substantially rectangular shape is an image of the opening (opening image) IMo. Since the opening image IMo is an image of the mesh opening MO of the screen mesh 2, it is naturally arranged two-dimensionally in the captured image P1i. The address assigning unit 161 is an image (weft image IMx, warp image) of a mesh thread 2m (weft thread 2x, warp thread 2y) composed of regions having relatively low brightness on all sides of these opening image IMos included in the captured image P1i. An opening address is assigned only to those surrounded by IMy). In other words, the opening address is not given to the opening image IMo of the mesh opening MO that is incompletely (cut off) in the outer peripheral portion of the captured image P1i. Further, the opening image IMos to which the opening addresses are assigned are arranged in a rectangular shape.

Specifically, opening column numbers A, B, C, ... Are assigned in the X-axis direction, and

opening row numbers

0, 1, 2, ... Are assigned in the Y-axis direction, and these openings are assigned. The address of each opening image IMo is determined by the combination of the column number and the opening row number. In the captured image P1i shown in FIG. 8A, 11 opening row numbers A to L (however, I is not used) are assigned from the side with the smaller X-axis coordinates, and 0 from the side with the smaller Y-axis coordinates. Nine opening line numbers of ~ 8 are assigned. That is, 11 × 9 = 99 opening images IMo exist in the captured image P1i.

On the other hand, FIG. 8B shows how the mesh thread number is assigned. The mesh thread number is assigned to all the weft image IMx and the warp image IMy surrounding the opening image IMo to which the opening address is assigned.

Specifically, for the weft image IMx, weft numbers h0, h1, h2 ... Are assigned from the side with the smaller Y-axis coordinates, and for the warp image IMy, the warp numbers v0, v1 are given from the side with the smaller X-axis coordinates. , V2, ... Are given. In the captured image P1i shown in FIG. 8B, since eight opening images IMo are separated by nine weft image IMx in the Y-axis direction, nine mesh thread numbers h0 to h9 are assigned. Has been done. Further, since 11 opening images IMo are separated by 12 warp image IMy in the X-axis direction, 12 mesh thread numbers v0 to v11 are assigned.

Both the opening address and the mesh thread number are given as serial numbers in all the captured images obtained by capturing the images at different imaging positions. However, in the case of the opening row number given in the alphabet, after all A to Z (excluding I) are assigned, 2A to 2Z, 3A to 3Z, ... Are sequentially assigned. However, the same opening address or mesh thread number is assigned to the opening image IMo, the weft image IMx, and the warp image IMy that are captured in duplicate. This means that unique identification information is given to all the mesh opening MO and the mesh thread 2m included in the opening formation target range RE1.

When the opening address and the mesh thread number are assigned, the specific target range setting unit 162 then coordinates a part of the captured image P1i represented by the i-th processing target data DBi to specify the mesh thread 2m. It is set as a range (mesh position specification target range) (step S8). Roughly speaking, a portion of the range to which the mesh thread number is assigned in the captured image P1i, excluding the peripheral portion, is set as the mesh position identification target range. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the setting of the mesh position specific target range by the specific target range setting unit 162.

As shown in FIG. 9A, the specific target range setting unit 162 is a two-dimensional (rectangular) position in the captured image P1i of all the opening image IMos to which the opening addresses are assigned. Among them, a quadrilateral Q1Q2Q4Q3 composed of four points Q1 to Q4 belonging to each of the opening image IMos at the four corners is set. The point Q1 is the point with the smallest X and Y coordinates among the four points, and the point Q2 is a point set so that the line segment Q1Q2 extending from the point Q1 is substantially parallel to the weft image IMx. , Point Q3 is a point where the line segment Q1Q3 extending from the point Q1 is set to be substantially parallel to the warp image IMy. At the point Q4, the line segment Q2Q4 is parallel to the line segment Q1Q3 and the line segment Q3Q4. Is a point set so as to be parallel to the line segment Q1Q2. Preferably, the quadrilateral Q1Q2Q4Q3 is rectangular. The inside of the obtained quadrilateral Q1Q2Q4Q3 is the position coordinate identification target range.

More specifically, the above-mentioned quadrilateral Q1Q2Q4Q3 is derived from each of the two opening image IMos that are diagonally located and therefore farthest from each other, out of all the opening image IMos to which the opening addresses are assigned. The two selected points (points Q1 and Q4, or points Q2 and Q3) are defined as diagonal lines, and are specified as a quadrilateral having four sides substantially parallel to the weft image IMx and the warp image Imy.

FIG. 9B shows the luminance profile PF1 along the line segment Q1Q2 when the quadrilateral Q1Q2Q4Q3 is set in this way. In the luminance profile PF1, the luminance is high at the opening image IMo corresponding to the mesh opening MO, and the luminance is low at the warp image IMy corresponding to the mesh thread 2 m (specifically, the warp thread 2y). High and low are repeated. Then, the specific target range setting unit 162 specifies the midpoint (group) MP1 in each of the former high-luminance ranges.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9A, the specific target range setting unit 162 also for each of the line segment Q3Q4, the line segment Q1Q3, and the line segment Q2Q4 at the midpoint (group) at the opening image IMo in the same manner as described above. ) Specify MP2, midpoint (group) MP3, and midpoint (group) MP4.

When the midpoints (groups) MP1 to MP4 are specified, the specific target range setting unit 162 subsequently sets the mesh position specifying line group (step S9). FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the setting of the mesh position specifying line group by the specific target range setting unit 162.

Specifically, the specific target range setting unit 162 specifies a line segment connecting the midpoint MP1 and MP2 having the same opening row number in the midpoint group MP1 and the midpoint group MP2. More specifically, the equations of the straight lines in the device coordinate system β for these line segments are specified. Similarly, in the midpoint group MP3 and the midpoint group MP4, a line segment connecting the midpoint MP3 and MP4 having the same opening line number is specified. These line segments form a mesh position specifying line group. In the case shown in FIG. 10A, nine line segments B0-B8, C0-C8, D0-D8, E0-E8, F0-F8, G0-G8 connecting the opposing midpoints MP1 and MP2. , H0-H8, J0-J8, K0-K8, and seven line segments A1-L1, A2-L2, A3-L3, A4-L4, A5-L5, connecting the opposing midpoints MP3 and MP4. A6-L6 and A7-L7 form a mesh position specifying line group.

When the mesh position specifying line group is set, the mesh position coordinate specifying unit 163 specifies the position coordinates (partial mesh position coordinates) of the mesh thread 2 m for the mesh position specifying line group (step S10). This is a process of identifying a portion where the brightness changes significantly as an edge (end portion) of the mesh thread 2 m in the brightness profile along each line segment forming the mesh position specifying line group.

For example, in the brightness profile PF2 of the line segment A1-L1 connecting the midpoints MP3 and MP4 defined in the opening image IMo whose opening addresses are A1 and L1, the brightness is high as shown in FIG. 10 (b). Areas and low-brightness areas are repeated alternately. In the luminance profile PF2, the portion that changes from the high luminance region to the low luminance region corresponds to the left end position of the warp yarn 2y, and the portion that changes from the low luminance region to the high luminance region corresponds to the right end position of the warp yarn 2y. ..

Similarly, the luminance profile PF3 in the line segment F0-F8 connecting the midpoints MP1 and MP2 defined in the opening image IMo whose opening addresses are F0 and F8 is also high as shown in FIG. 10 (c). The luminance region and the low luminance region are alternately repeated, and in the luminance profile PF3, the portion where the luminance region changes from the luminance region to the low luminance region corresponds to the lower end position of the weft 2x, and from the low luminance region to the high luminance region. The part that changes with corresponds to the upper end position of the weft thread 2x.

The mesh position coordinate identification unit 163 targets all the mesh position identification line groups belonging to the mesh position identification target range, and from the brightness change in such a luminance profile, the positions of the left and right edges of the warp 2y and the top and bottom of the weft 2x Identify the position of the edge of.

In the following, among the points where the warp threads 2y of the mesh thread numbers v1 to v10 belonging to the mesh position identification target range and the mesh position identification line group intersect, the p-th left side from the side with the smaller value in the Y-axis direction. The edge is represented by v1 (p) L to v10 (p) L, and the right edge is represented by v1 (p) R to v10 (p) R. Further, among the points where the weft threads 2x of the mesh thread numbers h1 to h8 and the mesh position specifying line group intersect, the lower edge p from the side having the smallest value in the X direction is h1 (p) D to h8 (p). ) D, and the upper edge is represented as h1 (p) U to h8 (p) U. Here, (p) is referred to as a point number.

In such a case, for example, the X coordinate of v1 (p) L is expressed as X1pL, the Y coordinate is expressed as Y1pL, and the X coordinate of v1 (p) R is expressed as X1pR, and the Y coordinate is expressed as Y1pR. Further, the X coordinate of h1 (p) D is expressed as X1pD, the Y coordinate is expressed as Y1pD, and the like, the X coordinate of h1 (p) U is expressed as X1pU, and the Y coordinate is expressed as Y1pU. For example, as shown in FIG. 10 (b), v5 (1) L = (X51L, Y51L), and as shown in FIG. 10 (c), h4 (5) U = (X45U, Y45U). As a matter of course, each actual coordinate value is specified as a concrete numerical value.

Like these v1 (p) L to v10 (p) L, v1 (p) R to v10 (p) R, h1 (p) D to h8 (p) D, h1 (p) U to h8 (p) U The coordinates of the left and right edge positions of the warp thread 2y and the positions of the upper and lower edges of the weft thread 2x, which are included in the mesh position specification target range determined based on the captured image P1i represented by the i-th processing target data DBi, are set. The data set that describes the partial mesh position coordinates for the i-th imaging range and the partial mesh position coordinates specified based on the captured image P1i is referred to as the i-th partial position information data DCi. That is, it can be said that the mesh position coordinate specifying unit 163 is responsible for generating the i-th partial position information data DCi.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the positions of the left and right edges of the warp 2y and the positions of the upper and lower edges of the weft 2x described in the i-part position information data DCi in correspondence with the screen mesh 2. However, in FIG. 11, the meandering of the mesh thread 2 m is exaggerated.

As shown in FIG. 11, the individual coordinates described in the i-th partial position information data DCi are the positions (representative values) of the two weft threads 2x and the two warp threads 2y forming the respective mesh opening MO. ..

When the partial mesh position coordinates are specified and the i-th partial position information data DCi is generated, the processing based on the captured image P1i corresponding to the i-th imaging range ends.

The identification of the partial mesh position coordinates for the captured image corresponding to the other imaging range remains, and the processing for the entire imaging range (that is, the entire opening target range RE1) has not been completed (that is, that is). When (not i = Q) (NO in step S11), i = i + 1 (step S12), and the image pickup position by the camera 111 is shifted by driving the movement mechanism 112 under the control of the movement control unit 145. , The processing after step S5 is repeated.

However, when the imaging position is shifted in the X-axis direction, the camera 111 is moved so that at least two rows of mesh openings MO in the conventional imaging range overlap in the new imaging range, and the camera 111 is moved in the Y-axis direction. When shifting the imaging position, the camera 111 is moved so that at least two rows of mesh openings MO in the conventional imaging range overlap in the new imaging range. Preferably, once defined, the overlapping range in each axial direction remains unchanged until imaging for the entire imaging range is complete. In such a case, if the movement amount of the camera 111 is set in advance (for example, based on the first captured image P11) in anticipation of the overlapping range, then the imaging position is automatically moved and the images are captured at all the imaging positions. Can be done.

When the processing from imaging to the identification of the partial mesh position coordinates for the entire imaging range is completed (that is, i = Q) (YES in step S11), the data integration processing unit 165 performs all (all). The i-th partial position information data DCi (of Q) is integrated to generate one mesh full position data DD (step S13).

Specifically, in all the i-th partial position information data DCi of 1 = 1 to Q, the position coordinates of the left and right edges of the warp 2y and the weft, which are described for each line segment constituting the mesh position specific line group. The position coordinates of the upper and lower edges of 2x are grouped into the position coordinates of the left edge and the position coordinates of the right edge for the warp threads 2y having the same mesh thread number, and the weft threads 2x have the same mesh thread number. Group to the position coordinates of the upper edge and the position coordinates of the lower edge.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating the mesh full position data DD in a tabular format. In FIG. 12, it is assumed that n warp threads 2y and m weft threads 2x exist in the opening formation target range RE1. That is, each warp thread 2y corresponds to a mesh thread number (warp thread number) of v1 to vm, and each weft thread 2x corresponds to a mesh thread number (weft thread number) of h1 to hm. The point numbers correspond to the number of mesh openings MO (number of rows) counted from the smaller Y coordinate in the opening formation target range RE1 for the warp threads 2y, and in the opening formation target range RE1 for the weft threads 2x. It corresponds to the number of mesh opening MOs (number of columns) counted from the smaller X coordinate.

In FIG. 12, for example, the coordinates of the left edge of the warp with the warp number v2 at the (j) th opening from the smallest X coordinate are (X2jL, Y2jL), and the coordinates of the right edge. Is expressed as (X2jR, Y2jR). The same applies to the weft.

The mesh full position data DD is the position coordinates of the edges of all the mesh threads 2 m included in the opening formation target range RE1 for each location of the mesh opening MO, in other words, for each repeating unit in the screen mesh 2. The position coordinates of the edge of the above are the data described in the device coordinate system β in the order along the extending direction of the mesh thread 2 m.

When the mesh full position data DD is generated in such an embodiment, the second coordinate conversion unit 155B uses the second coordinate conversion information IC2 to convert all the coordinate values described in the mesh full position data DD into the plate coordinate system. It is converted into the coordinate value at α (step S14). The data generated by such conversion is referred to as stretched body mesh position data DE.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the stretched body mesh position data DE in the same tabular format as the mesh full position data DD. Therefore, the format of the stretched body mesh position data DE shown in FIG. 13 is the same as the mesh total position data DD shown in FIG. 12, but the specific coordinate values giving the positions of the edges of the respective mesh threads 2 m are specific. The values are different for both.

For example, in FIG. 13, the coordinates of the left edge of the warp with the warp number v2 at the (j) th opening from the smallest X coordinate are (x2jL, y2jL), and the coordinates of the right edge. Is expressed as (x2jR, y2jR), but these specific coordinate values are the coordinates of the left edge (X2jL, Y2jL) and the coordinates of the right edge (X2jR, Y2jR) for the same position of the same warp, respectively. ) Is different from the specific value.

The upholstery mesh position data DE is the position coordinates of the edges of all the mesh threads 2 m included in the opening formation target range RE1 at each location of the mesh opening MO, in other words, the repetition in the screen mesh 2. The data describes the edge position coordinates for each unit in the plate coordinate system α in the order along the extending direction of the mesh thread 2 m.

The fact that the position of the edge of the mesh thread 2 m is represented by the plate coordinate system α means that in the upholstery mesh position data DE, the position of the edge of the mesh thread 2 m is the imaging source of the data. It means that it is described in the coordinate system peculiar to the mesh upholstery body 10 for which the image is captured. Further, from the viewpoint of producing the screen printing plate, the stretched body mesh position data DE is provided on the mesh stretched body 10 created based on the mesh stretched body 10 for which the screen printing plate is manufactured. It is unique data.

This means that by reading the description content of the stretched body mesh position data DE, the positions of the edges of all the mesh threads 2 m included in the opening formation target range RE1 in the mesh stretched body 10 from which the stretched body is created can be determined. , Means to be able to grasp.

On the other hand, FIG. 14 shows a contour in which the edge position (that is, the contour position) of the mesh thread 2 m is reproduced corresponding to the range shown in FIG. 11 based on the description content of the stretched body mesh position data DE. It is a figure which shows the image P2. Specifically, a coordinate point described in the stretched body mesh position data DE that gives the position of the left edge (L) or the right edge (R) having the same mesh thread number (warp thread number or weft number) is used. A continuous line formed by connecting in the order of point numbers is shown in the figure. In FIG. 14, for example, the continuous line corresponding to the left edge of the warp number v2 is referred to as Lv2L, the continuous line corresponding to the right edge of the warp number v7 is referred to as Lv7R, and the like. Similarly, the continuous line corresponding to the upper edge of the weft number h2 is referred to as Lh2U, the continuous line corresponding to the lower edge of the weft number h8 is referred to as Lh8D, and the like.

The continuous line approximates the position of the edge of the actual mesh thread 2 m. Moreover, the positions of all the mesh openings MO are reflected in the generation process. This means that by referring to the description contents of the stretched body mesh position data DE, the specific stretched position of the mesh thread 2 m in the mesh stretched body 10 to be produced of the screen printing plate can be grasped. .. In other words, the stretched body mesh position data DE can be effectively used as data describing the mesh position of the mesh stretched body 10.

FIG. 15 shows a mesh redevelopment P3 that reproduces the mesh thread 2 m by filling the space between the continuous lines paired horizontally or vertically based on the contour image P2 shown in FIG. 14 (set as a low-luminance region). It is a figure which shows. As shown in mesh redevelopment P3, the mesh thread 2 m and the mesh opening MO are suitably reproduced by using the stretched body mesh position data DE. It is also possible to make the shape of the mesh thread 2 m closer to the actual shape by performing the smoothing process on the continuous line.

However, the stretched body mesh position data DE itself does not include information that identifies the mesh stretched body 10 that was the creation source. Since the stretched body mesh position data DE is unique to the mesh stretched body 10 from which it was created, it has a significance of existence only when both are associated with each other. Therefore, the stretched body mesh position data DE is associated with the stretched body identification information ID that identifies (processes) the mesh stretched body 10 that is the creation source of the stretched body mesh position data DE in the association processing unit 170 (step S15). In the present embodiment, the data in which the stretched body mesh position data DE and the stretched body identification information ID are associated with each other is particularly referred to as a mesh position data DF with identification information. When such an association is made, the mesh position specifying process in the mesh position specifying device 100 is completed. The details of the association will be described below.

The created upholstery mesh position data DE or mesh position data DF with identification information is stored in the storage unit 134, or is connected to a storage device (hard disk, mesh position identification device 100) outside the device via a network. It is stored (stored) in a predetermined storage medium (for example, DVD-RAM, DVD-RW, USB memory, SD card, etc.) that is portable (for example, a server).

As described above, when the coordinate values of the plate coordinate system α of the three marks M1 to M3 are included in the second coordinate conversion information IC2, the coordinate values are also described in the stretched body mesh position data DE. Will be done.

<Details of association>
As described above, the stretched body identification information ID is set in various formats such as a predetermined number, symbol, character string, or a combination thereof, and the stretched body mesh position data by the association processing unit 170. There are also various specific modes of associating the DE with the upholstery body identification information ID.

For example, the mesh position data DF with identification information is generated by adding the stretched body identification information ID set by the number or symbol as it is as one of the data items in the stretched body mesh position data DE. The stretched body identification information ID is held as independent data to the last, and the information associating the data with the stretched body mesh position data DE is set as the mesh position data DF with the identification information. It may be in this mode. Further, the stretched body identification information ID may be attached as the data file name of the stretched body mesh position data DE.

Further, the stretched body mesh position data DE is stored in a portable storage medium, and the stretched body identification information ID is printed or pasted on the stored storage medium itself outside the mesh position specifying device 100. It may be a mode physically attached in the mode. In that case, the stretched body identification information ID may be attached in the form of characters or symbols as they are, or may be attached in an encrypted form such as a bar code or a two-dimensional code. Good. In such a case, the association processing unit 170 is not an indispensable component in the mesh position specifying device 100.

In the end, the mesh position data DF with identification information does not have to be a single piece of data described in a predetermined format, and the stretcher identification information ID for a mesh stretcher 10 and the mesh stretcher It suffices as long as it is one-to-one association with the stretched body mesh position data DE created based on the structure 10.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the relationship between various data generated in the process from the identification of the mesh position to the production of the screen printing plate, which is a subsequent step, and the mesh upholstery body 10.

In producing a screen printing plate using the mesh upholstery body 10, to refer to the upholstery body mesh position data DE created based on the mesh upholstery body, as shown in FIG. 16, the upholstery body In order to distinguish not only the mesh position data DE but also the mesh upholstery body 10 itself from which it was generated, in other words, the mesh upholstery body 10 and the upholstery body 10 It is necessary to give the stretched body identification information ID so that there is a one-to-one correspondence with the mesh position data DE. In the present embodiment, the mesh upholstery body 10 to which the upholstery body identification information ID is given in this way prior to being used for producing the printing plate is particularly referred to as the mesh upholstery body 10A with identification information. ..

Regarding the assignment of the stretched body identification information ID to the mesh stretched body 10, various modes such as printing, pasting, and engraving are assumed. In that case, the stretched body identification information ID may be attached in the form of characters or symbols as they are, or may be attached in an encrypted form such as a bar code or a two-dimensional code. Good.

Generally, when a screen printing plate is produced using the mesh upholstery body 10, a printing plate pattern creating device such as CAD is used to create a screen opening corresponding to a predetermined pattern (printing pattern) to be formed by screen printing. A pattern data DP describing the arrangement pattern for the mesh stretched body 10 is created, but in the conventional method, the positions of the individual mesh threads 2 m stretched on the mesh stretched body 10 cannot be specified in advance. Therefore, normally, the position of the mesh thread 2 m is not taken into consideration when creating the pattern data DP. At best, the size of the mesh thread 2 m and the design size of the mesh opening MO, which are selected and set when the mesh upholstery body 10 is manufactured, can be grasped. That is, the actual positions of the individual mesh threads 2 m on the mesh upholstery 10 were not specified.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 16, the individual mesh positioning device 100 forms the screen mesh 2 stretched on the mesh stretched body 10 which is the target for producing the screen printing plate. The stretcher mesh position data DE in which the position of the mesh thread 2 m is specified in advance is generated, and the stretcher identification information ID unique to the mesh stretcher is capable of identifying each mesh stretcher 10. Is associated with the upholstery mesh position data DE. As a result, when creating the pattern data DP that determines the arrangement pattern of the screen opening, the arrangement of the mesh threads 2 m can be referred to based on the stretched body mesh position data DE.

For example, when creating the pattern data DP, a layer describing continuous lines indicating the contour positions of the individual mesh threads 2 m as shown in FIG. 14 is provided based on the stretched body mesh position data DE, and the mesh threads 2 m are provided. It is realized by the aspect of designing a pattern in another layer while referring to the contour position of. Since the continuous line shown in FIG. 14 is expressed as vector data by connecting the coordinates described in the stretched body mesh position data DE in order, for example, a general print plate pattern such as CAD is created. It is fully available in the device.

The stretched body identification information ID is also associated with the pattern data DP created by using the stretched body mesh position data DE in the above manner. The pattern data DP associated in this way is referred to as a pattern data DPA with identification information. The association between the pattern data DP and the upholstery identification information ID in the pattern data DPA with identification information may be the same as the association between the upholstery mesh position data DE and the upholstery identification information ID.

Then, when producing the screen printing plate, the screen opening is based on the pattern data DP associated with the same stretched body identification information ID for the mesh stretched body 10 to which a certain stretched body identification information ID is given. A part is provided.

FIG. 17 is a diagram for exemplifying one aspect of using the stretched body mesh position data DE. Now, as shown in FIG. 17A, consider a case where a certain printing pattern Z1 (substantially rectangular in FIG. 17A) is desired to be formed by screen printing of a paste on a certain printing object (work) W1. .. It is assumed that the tolerance range TR1 shown by the broken line is preset for the print pattern Z1. That is, if the print pattern Z1 is within the tolerance range TR1, there is a degree of freedom in the formation position (positional deviation is allowed).

On the other hand, in FIG. 17B, when creating the pattern data DP for producing the screen printing plate used for forming the printing pattern Z1, the screen opening OP1β for forming the printing pattern Z1 is designed for the printing pattern Z1. The initial pattern PT1β provided at the position is shown. However, in FIG. 17B, the initial pattern PT1β is superposed on the base pattern PT1m in which the stretched body mesh position data DE associated with the mesh stretched body 10 used for the creation is read. ing. The outline of the mesh thread 2m is shown in the base pattern PT1m.

In the case shown in FIG. 17B, the right end of the screen opening OP1β in the drawing overlaps with the intersection of the contour lines of the warp threads 2y and the contour lines of the weft threads 2x indicated by, for example, arrows AR1 and AR2. When screen printing is performed using a screen printing plate provided with a screen opening in this arrangement, the print pattern Z1 may be deformed from a desired shape and formed.

In the process of creating the pattern data DP in the conventional method, the information of the base pattern PT1m indicating the arrangement state of the mesh thread 2m was not obtained, so that the screen opening is tentatively arranged as shown in FIG. 17B. It was difficult to prevent this even when the part was provided.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, it is possible to actually realize the state of superposition as shown in FIG. 17B, and therefore, in the process of creating the pattern data DP, the base pattern PT1m Further, in the initial pattern PT1β, there is an overlap between the intersection of the warp yarn 2y and the weft yarn 2x and the screen opening OP1β as shown in FIG. 17B in the initial pattern PT1β. Even if, for example, as shown by the arrow AR3 in FIG. 17C, the formation position of the screen opening OP1 is shifted so as not to overlap with the intersection within the tolerance range TR1 for printing plate formation. It can also be the pattern PT1.

For such a shift of the formation position of the screen opening OP1, a predetermined tolerance range is allowed for the arrangement position, while a screen printing plate is used for a print object that is required to have the shape as designed. Suitable for forming by screen printing.

<Printing plate making system>
FIG. 18 shows the schematic configuration of the printing plate manufacturing system 1000 for manufacturing the screen printing plate described above with the printing plate manufacturing target mesh upholstery 10 used for manufacturing the screen printing plate and finally prepared. It is a figure which shows with the relationship with the screen printing plate 20.

The printing plate manufacturing system 1000 includes a mesh position specifying device 100 already described in detail, a printing plate pattern creating CAD 200 which is a printing plate pattern creating device, and a printing plate manufacturing device 300.

The mesh position specifying device 100 specifies the mesh position in the opening target range RE1 of the print plate production target mesh upholstery 10 in the above-described embodiment, and provides the stretched body mesh position data DE describing the result. Output. The stretched body identification information ID unique to the stretched body 10 is associated with the stretched body mesh position data DE.

Further, the print plate pattern creation CAD200 is realized, for example, by loading and executing predetermined CAD software on a general-purpose computer.

In the print plate pattern creation CAD200, as shown in FIG. 17, it is possible to design a pattern for a print plate in a state where the contour line of the mesh thread 2 m is read into the base layer based on the upholstery mesh position data DE. It is also possible to adjust the arrangement of the screen opening depending on how the screen opening and the contour line of the mesh thread 2m overlap.

The printing plate making apparatus 300 can coat the screen mesh 2 of the mesh upholstery 10 with an emulsion and form (exposure) a screen opening based on the pattern data DP created by the printing plate pattern making CAD200. , Known devices can be applied.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing the flow of the screen printing plate manufacturing process performed by using the printing plate manufacturing system 1000, particularly the processing after the mesh position data DF with identification information is created.

First, the upholstery identification information ID of the upholstery body identification information ID of the print plate production target mesh upholstery 10 for which the mesh position data DF with identification information is created in advance, which is used for producing the screen print plate (which is the production target), is specified. (Step S101), the printing plate pattern creation CAD (hereinafter referred to as CAD) 200 is read with the stretched body mesh position data DE associated with the stretched body identification information ID, so that the display means (not shown) of the CAD 200 is not shown. The mesh position of the mesh upholstery 10 for printing plate production is visibly reproduced on the (display screen) (step S102). As illustrated in FIG. 13, the stretched body mesh position data DE is data in which the coordinate points of the edges of the mesh thread 2 m are described in a predetermined arrangement order. Therefore, based on the data in the CAD 200, FIG. It is easy to reproduce the position of the edge of the mesh thread 2 m as a continuous line as illustrated. In FIG. 13, the stretched body mesh position data DE is shown in a tabular format, but the format is merely an example, and the actual stretched body mesh position data DE is data suitable for reading in the CAD 200. It may be described in a format.

Preferably, the mesh position is reproduced in the base layer. The mesh position may be reproduced by using the contour line as shown in FIG. 14, or a bright and dark image similar to the captured image of the actual screen mesh 2 as shown in FIG. 15 is used. You may.

When the mesh position is reproduced, the operator of the CAD200 designs the pattern of the screen opening and creates the pattern data DP while referring to the redevelopment of the mesh position shown on the display screen (step S103). The design of the screen opening pattern referred to here includes not only the case of performing a new design but also the case of adjusting the pre-made initial pattern data DP according to the redevelopment of the mesh position.

When creating the pattern data DP, as described above, when the end of the screen opening part (component of the pattern data) constituting the pattern data DP overlaps with the intersection of the warp 2y and the weft 2x. For example, if it is judged that a problem may occur during actual printing when the screen printing plate is produced with the same arrangement, the parts that make up the pattern data DP may be arranged as necessary. Fine adjustment of the size is performed.

Note that such fine adjustment may be performed automatically by image processing in the CAD 200. For example, when the degree of overlap between the end of the screen opening part constituting the pattern data DP and the intersection of the warp 2y and the weft 2x exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the arrangement of the part is predetermined. This is achieved by having the CAD 200 perform a process such as shifting within the tolerance range.

The created pattern data DP is associated with the stretched body identification information ID of the mesh stretched body 10, and the pattern data DPA with the identification information is created (step S104).

The created pattern data DPA with identification information is delivered to the printing plate making apparatus 300. The operator of the print plate making apparatus 300 uses the mesh upholstery body 10 to which the same upholstery body identification information ID as the upholstery body identification information ID included in the pattern data DPA with the identification information is attached to be the target for producing the print plate. (Step S105).

In the printing plate manufacturing apparatus 300, a screen printing plate is manufactured using the pattern data DP associated with the stretched body identification information ID for the acquired mesh stretched body 10, specifically, the mesh stretched body. The coating of the emulsion on the screen mesh 2 of 10 and the exposure of the formed portion of the screen opening based on the description content of the pattern data DP are performed (step S106). As a result, the screen printing plate 20 is completed. Since a known technique can be applied to the screen printing plate manufacturing process in the printing plate manufacturing apparatus 300, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

As described above, when the coordinate values of the plate coordinate system α of the three marks M1 to M3 are described in the stretched body mesh position data DE, the coordinates related to the pattern data DP generated in the CAD 200. The value is described. Then, the coordinate values coincide with the coordinate positions described in the pattern data DP by the marks M1 to M3 formed on the mesh upholstery 10 for printing plate production when the screen printing plate 20 is produced by the printing plate manufacturing apparatus 300. As such, the printing plate production target mesh upholstery body 10 is positioned. As a result, the plate coordinate system α set in the print plate production target mesh upholstery 10 is reproduced in the print plate production apparatus 300.

In the printing plate manufacturing system 1000 according to the present embodiment, the mesh position specifying device 100 specifies the mesh position for a certain printing plate manufacturing target mesh stretching body 10, and the CAD 200 performs the mesh stretching. The pattern data DP is created on the premise that the body 10 is the target for producing the screen printing plate, and the printing plate manufacturing target mesh upholstery 10 for which the pattern data DP is created in the printing plate manufacturing apparatus 300 is created. It is not always necessary to continuously produce the target screen printing plate.

As described above, the unique upholstery body identification information ID that uniquely identifies each of the mesh upholstery bodies 10 to be produced on the printing plate is set for all the mesh upholstery bodies 10 and is stretched. By being associated with body mesh position data DE and pattern data DP. That is, in the CAD 200 and the printing plate making apparatus 300, the stretched body mesh position data DE or the pattern data DP of the target mesh stretched body 10 is associated with them at an appropriate timing when the processing is to be performed. It is possible to easily take out (read) from a predetermined storage location based on the upholstery body identification information ID.

This means that the mesh positioning device 100, the CAD 200, and the printing plate manufacturing device 300 constituting the printing plate manufacturing system 1000 do not have to be integrated, and the data can be stored through a network or by using a portable storage medium. If delivery is possible, one mesh upholstery 10 is associated with the upholstery mesh position data DE and the pattern data DP created based on the one mesh upholstery 10 via the upholstery identification information ID. As long as it means that each may be provided separately. In such cases, it is permissible for the devices to be installed at remote locations.

From another point of view, this means that as long as the individual mesh upholstery 10 by the upholstery identification information ID, the upholstery mesh position data DE, and the pattern data DP are associated with each other. Even if the upholstery mesh position data DE in the mesh position specifying device 100 for the mesh upholstery 10, the pattern data DP, and the screen printing plate 20 in the printing plate making apparatus 300 are repeated at independent timings. It also means that it is good.

For example, the mesh positions of a large number of mesh upholstery bodies 10 are specified in advance, and the upholstery mesh position data DE or the mesh position data DF with identification information produced based on the mesh positions are collectively stored in a predetermined storage location, or It is also possible to store the data individually on a portable storage medium. In such a case, the upholstery mesh position data DE associated with the upholstery identification information ID of the mesh upholstery 10 to be produced of the screen printing plate 20 is read at the stage when it becomes necessary to perform the subsequent processing. It will be issued and used to create the pattern data DP.

As described above, according to the mesh position specifying device 100 and the printing plate manufacturing system 1000 including the mesh position specifying device 100 according to the present embodiment, in the mesh position specifying device 100, the mesh tensioning target for producing the screen printing plate is applied. The mesh position of the screen mesh 2 stretched on the body 10 is specified in advance. In addition, the upholstery mesh position data DE describing the specified mesh position is associated with an upholstery identification information ID unique to the mesh upholstery that can identify the individual mesh upholstery 10.

As a result, when creating the pattern data DP that determines the arrangement pattern of the screen opening in the printing plate pattern creation CAD200, the pattern of the screen opening is formed using the pattern data DP based on the stretched body mesh position data DE. It is possible to refer to the mesh arrangement for the mesh upholstery body 10. In general, when the mesh thread 2 m is stretched, the arrangement position may vary randomly. However, according to the present embodiment, the pattern data DP can be created while referring to the mesh position, so that the pattern takes the variation into consideration. Data DP can be created.

In particular, when the end of a certain screen opening overlaps with the intersection of the mesh threads, the arrangement position of the parts on the pattern data DP corresponding to the screen opening can be appropriately shifted as necessary. .. In such a case, it is possible to suppress the deformation of the printing pattern caused by the end portion of the screen opening being formed at the intersection position of the mesh threads in the screen printing plate.

That is, the mesh position specifying device 100 and the printing plate manufacturing system 1000 including the mesh position specifying device 100 according to the present embodiment contribute to the manufacturing of a screen printing plate having excellent printing accuracy.

Further, since the stretched body mesh position data DE and the stretched body 10 are associated with each other by the stretched body identification information ID, the creation of the pattern data DP and the production of the screen printing plate in the printing plate manufacturing apparatus 300 can be performed. It is not necessary to continuously identify the mesh position.

For example, as described above, the stretched body mesh position data DE is stored in the portable storage medium in advance, and the stretched body mesh position data DE and the stretched body identification information ID are associated with each other. In this case, the worker of the print plate pattern creation CAD200 concerned at an arbitrary timing when the pattern data DP is created in the print plate pattern creation CAD200, which has passed a considerable time from the creation of the upholstery mesh position data DE. It is also possible to acquire the storage medium, read the stretched body mesh position data DE stored, and refer to it when creating the pattern data DP.

Alternatively, if the stretched body mesh position data DE associated with the stretched body identification information ID is stored in advance in a storage device accessible from the outside such as a predetermined server, the screen printing plate 20 is to be produced. The worker of the print plate pattern creation CAD200 that has acquired the stretched body identification information ID of the mesh stretched body 10 accesses the server and is associated with the acquired stretched body identification information ID. It is also possible to read the mesh position data DE and use it for creating the pattern data DP.

Moreover, these measures can be taken even when the mesh position specifying device 100, the printing plate pattern creating CAD 200, and the printing plate making device 300 are remote from each other. In such a case, the delivery of the mesh upholstery body 10 and the delivery of the upholstery mesh position data DE can be performed separately.

That is, the production of the pattern data DP and the subsequent process of producing the screen printing plate using the pattern data DP can be separated temporally and spatially from the identification of the mesh position.

This is also applicable to, for example, the case where the mesh upholstery body 10 for which the upholstery body mesh position data DE is generated is sold to a third party. That is, the mesh upholstery body 10 in which the mesh position is specified in advance and the upholstery mesh position data DE is generated is the upholstery body identification information for specifying the upholstery body mesh position data DE and the mesh upholstery body 10. It is possible to sell the mesh position data DF with identification information associated with the ID as a set with the storage medium in which the DF is stored. Alternatively, the mesh upholstery body 10 in which the mesh position is specified in advance and the upholstery mesh position data DE is generated and then stored in a predetermined server is used as an upholstery body for specifying the mesh upholstery body 10. It is also possible to sell the product together with the access right based on the identification information ID.

<Example of application of solar cells to printing plates for electrode printing>
In the following, as an example of producing the screen printing plate 20 using the printing plate manufacturing system 1000, a case where the screen printing plate 20 used for printing the electrode paste film to be the current collecting electrode of the solar cell is manufactured will be described. ..

The current collecting electrode is an electrode provided on one main surface of the substrate for a solar cell, and is formed by a wide bus bar electrode extending in one direction and a bus bar electrode extending vertically from each of the bus bar electrodes. , It is composed of a large number of narrow finger electrodes which are repeatedly provided while being separated in the extending direction of the bus bar electrode. The current collecting electrode is formed by printing and forming a pattern of an electrode paste film having a portion corresponding to each of a bus bar electrode and a finger electrode on a substrate for a solar cell, and then firing the substrate together with the substrate. It is desirable that the finger electrodes have a uniform shape (width) from the viewpoint of current collection efficiency, etc., while the formation positions are ideally evenly spaced, but individually. It is assumed that some displacement (tolerance) is allowed.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a state in which the electrode paste film Z2β is formed on the substrate W2 for a solar cell. The electrode paste film Z2β shown in FIG. 20 includes one busbar portion Z2βb corresponding to the busbar electrode and a large number of finger portions Z2βf each corresponding to the finger electrode. For convenience of illustration and explanation, the width of the bus bar portion Z2βb and the finger portion Z2βf shown in FIG. 20 is larger than the actual one, and the number of finger portions Z2βf is also considerably smaller than the actual one.

By design, it is ideal that the finger electrodes are repeatedly arranged at equal intervals in the extending direction of the bus bar electrodes. Hereinafter, the finger portions Z2βf being arranged at equal intervals in the electrode paste film serving as the current collecting electrode is referred to as an ideal arrangement so that the arrangement at equal intervals is realized in the current collecting electrodes. In the electrode paste film Z2β shown in FIG. 20, the finger portion Z2βf is formed in this ideal arrangement.

However, for each finger portion Z2βf, it is assumed that displacement from the ideal arrangement within a predetermined tolerance range corresponding to the tolerance of each finger electrode is allowed.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an initial design pattern PT2β for producing a screen printing plate used for forming the electrode paste film Z2β shown in FIG. 20. The initial design pattern PT2β includes a bus bar part PAb that serves as a screen opening for forming the bus bar portion Z2βb, and a finger portion PAf that serves as a screen opening for forming the finger portion Z2βf. In the initial design pattern PT2β, the finger portion parts PAf are arranged at equal intervals so that the ideal arrangement is realized in the finger portion Z2βf.

FIG. 22 is a diagram in which layers giving the mesh position pattern PT2m are superimposed as a base layer of the layer giving the design pattern PT2 in the CAD 200 constituting the printing plate manufacturing system 1000. The design pattern PT2 is a modification of a part of the initial design pattern PT2β. In FIG. 22, the ends of both are offset for convenience of illustration, but in reality, the sizes of both are the same.

The mesh position pattern PT2m is formed by reading the mesh position described in the stretched body mesh position data DE created based on the mesh stretched body 10 to be produced of the screen printing plate 20 into the CAD 200. ..

In the case shown in FIG. 22, with respect to one finger part part PAfa provided in the initial design pattern PT2β, one side portion thereof is a weft line Lha representing a position where a weft thread exists in the mesh position pattern PT2m. It shows a state in which the weft is close to or intersects with the intersection Ca with the warp line Lva indicating the presence of the weft. Further, with respect to another finger part PAfb also provided in the initial design pattern PT2β, one end thereof is close to or intersects the intersection Cb of the weft line Lhb and the warp line Lvb in the mesh position pattern PT2m. ing.

Therefore, when the screen printing plate 20 is manufactured with the initial design pattern PT2β in the ideal arrangement, the screen opening formed corresponding to the finger portion parts PAfa and PAfb is formed. In such a case, the printing film is deformed at the portion corresponding to those screen openings, and it is difficult to actually obtain the electrode paste film Z2β having the finger portion Z2βf having the shape shown in FIG. Conceivable.

In order to avoid such a problem, as shown by arrows AR4 and AR5 in FIG. 22, regarding the arrangement position of the finger portion parts PAfa and PAfb whose ends are close to or intersect with the intersection of the warp 2y and the weft 2x. , It is preferable to use the design pattern PT2 shifted so that such proximity or intersection is eliminated (within the tolerance range).

FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating a screen printing plate 20 produced by the printing plate manufacturing apparatus 300 using the design pattern PT2 in which such a shift is made in the CAD 200. In the screen printing plate 20, the emulsion film 3 is formed on the screen mesh 2 (not shown), and the screen opening OPz is formed in the manner set in the design pattern PT2. The shape of the screen opening OPz of the screen printing plate 20 shown in FIG. 23 reflects the shift of the finger portion parts PAfa and PAfb shown in FIG. 22, and the positions of the corresponding finger openings OPfa and OPfb are other. It shifts from the evenly spaced arrangement of the openings.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a state in which the electrode paste film Z2 is formed on the substrate W2 for a solar cell by using the screen printing plate 20 shown in FIG. 23. In the electrode paste film Z2, the formation positions of the unit finger portions Zfa and Zfb are shifted from the equidistant arrangement formed by the other unit finger portions in accordance with the shift of the finger openings OPfa and OPfb. However, the shapes of the unit finger portions Zfa and Zfb are kept uniform.

<Modification example>
In the above-described embodiment, the mesh position specifying device 100 specifies the coordinates of the portion of the mesh thread 2 m (weft thread 2x and warp thread 2y) forming the mesh opening MO, whereby the stretched body mesh position is specified. Data DE was generated, but instead of this, the coordinates of the intersection of the weft 2x and the warp 2y (the center point of the intersection of the two) were specified, and the stretched body mesh position data was used as the data describing the coordinates. It may be an aspect of generating DE. Also in such a case, the position coordinates for each repeating unit in the screen mesh 2 can be described in the order along the extending direction of the mesh thread 2 m.

Alternatively, the coordinates of the center line of the mesh thread 2m and the line width are derived from the coordinates of the left and right edges of the warp thread 2y and the coordinates of the upper and lower edges of the weft thread 2x, and the stretched body mesh position is used as the data describing these. It may be an aspect of generating data DE.

In the above-described embodiment, among all the opening image IMos to which the opening addresses are assigned in the captured image P1i, each of the two opening image IMos located diagonally and therefore farthest from each other. The two points selected from are set as diagonal lines, and the inside of the quadrilateral having four sides substantially parallel to the weft image IMx and the warp image Imy is set as the position coordinate specification target range for specifying the mesh position. Is not an essential aspect. For example, an opening image IMo at a position deviated from the diagonal position may be selected to specify the quadrilateral, and the inside thereof may be set as the position coordinate specification target range. If at least the inside of the quadrilateral containing three or more opening image IMos to which the opening addresses are given in each of the extending direction of the weft 2x and the extending direction of the warp 2y is set as the position coordinate identification target range. Good. However, when the position coordinate specification target range is determined in this way, the mesh thread 2 whose mesh position is specified based on the range is only a part of the mesh thread 2m shown in the captured image P1i, and is the same. It becomes necessary to repeat the identification while specifying different position coordinate identification target ranges. Therefore, from the viewpoint of efficiency, it can be said that the method of the above-described embodiment is excellent.

In the above-described embodiment, the mesh position in the mesh upholstery body 10 before the coating with the emulsion is applied is specified by the mesh position specifying device 100, but instead of this, the screen mesh 2 is previously used. On the other hand, the screen mesh 2 of the mesh stretched body (coated mesh stretched body) coated with an emulsion may be the target for specifying the mesh position by the mesh position specifying device 100. In that case, by setting the illumination light by the illumination light source 121 when imaging with the camera 111 to a dedicated one, the mesh position is set based on the captured image in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment. Can be identified. In that case, in step S106 of FIG. 19, only the exposure of the formed portion of the screen opening based on the description content of the pattern data DP is performed.

Claims

A device for specifying the arrangement position of a plurality of mesh threads constituting the screen mesh stretched on the screen mesh stretcher used for producing a screen printing plate.
An imaging means for imaging the screen mesh of the screen mesh upholstery body, which is a target for specifying the arrangement positions of the plurality of mesh threads, and
Based on the image of the screen mesh captured by the imaging means, the arrangement position of each of the plurality of mesh threads in the screen mesh upholstery is specified for each repeating unit in the screen mesh, and is specified for each repeating unit. A specific processing means for generating mesh position data in which the coordinate values of the arranged positions are rearranged in the order along the extending directions of the plurality of mesh threads and described.
An association means for associating the mesh position data with identification information that can uniquely identify the screen mesh upholstery body to be imaged by the imaging means.
With
The specific processing means generates the mesh position data in a data format in which the arrangement positions of the plurality of mesh threads are substantially reproducible when creating pattern data for screen printing plate production.
A mesh positioning device characterized by this.
The mesh position specifying device according to claim 1.
The specific processing means specifies the position of each pair of edges of the plurality of mesh threads as the arrangement position for each repeating unit in the screen mesh, and in the mesh position data, the coordinate value of the arrangement position. Is described in the order along the extending direction of each of the plurality of mesh threads.
A mesh positioning device characterized by this.
The mesh positioning device according to claim 2.
The specific processing means is
In the captured image of the screen mesh, the inside of the quadrilateral having four sides substantially parallel to the extending direction of each of the plurality of mesh threads is a specific range of the respective arrangement positions of the plurality of mesh threads in the captured image. Set as
A line segment for specifying the arrangement position of each of the plurality of mesh threads is set for each arrangement of the mesh openings belonging to the same row or column within the specific range.
A position where the line segment intersects the pair of edges of each of the plurality of mesh threads is specified as a position of each of the plurality of mesh threads.
A mesh positioning device characterized by this.
The mesh positioning device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
The specific processing means
The coordinate value described in the device coordinate system peculiar to the mesh position specifying device is converted into the coordinate value in the plate coordinate system peculiar to the screen mesh upholstery body which is the target for specifying the arrangement position of the plurality of mesh threads. Coordinate conversion means,
With
The coordinate values of the respective arrangement positions of the plurality of mesh threads are specified based on the device coordinate system, and the specified coordinate values are converted into the coordinate values in the plate coordinate system by the coordinate conversion means. Described in the mesh position data,
A mesh positioning device characterized by this.
The mesh position specifying device according to claim 4.
The imaging means images a plate coordinate system setting mark that can be used for setting the plate coordinate system on the screen mesh stretched body, which is provided in advance on the screen mesh stretched body.
The coordinate conversion means specifies the conversion relationship between the device coordinate system and the plate coordinate system based on the imaging result of the plate coordinate system setting mark in the device coordinate system by the image pickup means, and the conversion relationship is established. Based on this, the coordinate values of the respective arrangement positions of the plurality of mesh threads specified based on the device coordinate system are converted into the coordinate values in the plate coordinate system.
A mesh positioning device characterized by this.
The mesh position identifying device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
A printing plate pattern creating device for creating pattern data describing a pattern of screen openings formed on the screen mesh of the screen mesh upholstery when producing the screen printing plate.
A printing plate making apparatus for manufacturing the screen printing plate by forming a pattern of the screen opening in the screen mesh upholstery based on the pattern data.
With
The printing plate pattern creating device
In the screen mesh upholstery that is associated with the mesh position data based on the description of the mesh position data generated by the mesh position specifying device and is the target for producing the screen printing plate based on the pattern data. The arrangement position of the screen mesh can be reproduced by a predetermined display means.
The pattern data can be created while referring to the reproduced screen mesh, and
The identification information associated with the mesh position data is associated with the created pattern data.
In the printing plate making apparatus, a pattern of the screen opening is formed on the screen mesh upholstery corresponding to the identification information associated with the pattern data based on the pattern data.
A printing plate making system characterized by this.
The printing plate manufacturing system according to claim 6.
In the printing plate pattern creating device, the arrangement position and / or size of the component of the pattern data can be adjusted according to the arrangement position of the screen mesh reproduced by the display means.
A printing plate making system characterized by this.
It is a printing plate pattern creating device that creates pattern data describing a pattern of screen openings formed on the screen mesh of a screen mesh upholstery when producing a screen printing plate.
The screen printing plate based on the pattern data, which is associated with the mesh position data based on the description of the mesh position data generated by the mesh position specifying device according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The arrangement position of the screen mesh in the screen mesh upholstery body to be produced can be reproduced by a predetermined display means.
The pattern data can be created while referring to the reproduced screen mesh, and
The identification information associated with the mesh position data is associated with the created pattern data.
A printing plate pattern creation device characterized by this.
The printing plate pattern creating apparatus according to claim 8.
The arrangement position and / or size of the component of the pattern data can be adjusted according to the arrangement position of the screen mesh reproduced by the display means.
A printing plate pattern creation device characterized by this.
The mesh position data generated by the mesh position specifying device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 is stored, and the identification information associated with the mesh position data is described in the mesh position data. A storage medium, characterized in that it is made or directly attached.
A screen mesh upholstery in which a pattern of screen openings is formed on the screen mesh when the screen printing plate is produced.
The mesh position specifying device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, is characterized in that the mesh position data generated for the screen mesh upholstery body is associated with the identification information. Screen mesh upholstery.
It is a method of specifying the arrangement position of a plurality of mesh threads constituting the screen mesh stretched on the screen mesh stretcher used for producing the screen printing plate.
An imaging step of imaging the screen mesh of the screen mesh upholstery body, which is a target for specifying the arrangement positions of the plurality of mesh threads, by a predetermined imaging means.
Based on the captured image of the screen mesh obtained by the imaging step, the arrangement position of each of the plurality of mesh threads in the screen mesh upholstery is specified for each repeating unit in the screen mesh, and for each repeating unit. A specific processing step of generating mesh position data described by rearranging the coordinate values of the arrangement positions specified in the above in the order along the extending directions of the plurality of mesh threads, and
An association step of associating the mesh position data with identification information that can uniquely identify the screen mesh upholstery body to be imaged by the imaging means.
With
In the specific processing step, the mesh position data is generated in a data format in which the arrangement positions of the plurality of mesh threads are substantially reproducible when creating pattern data for screen printing plate production.
A method for identifying a mesh position, which is characterized in that.
A mesh position data generation step of generating the mesh position data by the mesh position specifying method according to claim 12.
Using a predetermined printing plate pattern creating device, a printing plate pattern is created that describes pattern data of a screen opening formed on the screen mesh of the screen mesh upholstery when the screen printing plate is produced. Process and
A printing plate manufacturing step of manufacturing the screen printing plate by forming a pattern of the screen opening in the screen mesh upholstery based on the pattern data using a predetermined printing plate manufacturing device.
With
In the printing plate pattern creation process,
Based on the description of the mesh position data generated in the mesh position data generation step, the screen mesh upholstery body to be produced of the screen printing plate based on the pattern data, which is associated with the mesh position data. The arrangement position of the screen mesh in the above can be reproduced by a predetermined display means.
The pattern data can be created while referring to the reproduced screen mesh, and
The identification information associated with the mesh position data is associated with the created pattern data.
In the printing plate manufacturing step, a pattern of the screen opening is formed on the screen mesh stretched body corresponding to the identification information associated with the pattern data based on the pattern data.
A method for producing a printing plate, which is characterized in that.
It is a method of creating a printing plate pattern that creates pattern data that describes a pattern of screen openings formed on the screen mesh of a screen mesh upholstery when producing a screen printing plate.
The screen to be produced of the screen printing plate based on the pattern data, which is associated with the mesh position data based on the description of the mesh position data generated by the mesh position specifying method according to claim 12. A reproduction step of reproducing the arrangement position of the screen mesh in the mesh stretched body on a predetermined display means, and
The creation process of creating the pattern data while referring to the reproduced screen mesh, and
An association step of associating the created pattern data with the identification information associated with the mesh position data, and
A printing plate pattern creation method, characterized in that.