JP2017024338A - Letterpress printing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a letterpress printing machine which eliminates lowering of printing accuracy based on deformation of a letterpress and so on, and achieves enhancement of printing accuracy.SOLUTION: A letterpress 21 comprises a print image original form part and a register mark original form part which transfers a register mark onto a film F. Cameras (imaging devices) 7a, 7b are provided at a position where the register mark is overlooked. A position adjustment device is provided which drives movement of a plate cylinder 2 in a plane direction (XY plane direction) and a revolution direction. The letterpress further comprises a control part (controller) 104 which specifies a position of each register mark from data obtained by the cameras 7a, 7b and records the position as each positional data, issues a command to the position adjustment device to move a position of each positional data to a position of target positional data, and performs transfer while gradually displacing the plate cylinder 2 in the plane direction and the revolution direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a letterpress printing machine provided with a letterpress made of an elastic material.

  As this type of letterpress printer, there is known one having a plate cylinder in which a letterpress (flexographic version) formed of an elastic material is wound around the outer periphery (for example, Patent Document 1). That is, the letterpress printing machine supplies a fixed amount of ink (printing substance) to the surface of the letterpress, and then transfers the ink to a printing material (base material) such as paper or plastic film based on the rotation of the plate cylinder. A type of printing machine. The letterpress printing machine includes a plate cylinder as a transfer cylinder as described above and directly transfers the ink to the printing material, and the blanket cylinder after transferring the ink from the plate cylinder to the blanket cylinder. There is a configuration in which the ink is indirectly transferred to the printing material using the transfer cylinder as a transfer cylinder.

  The relief plate is formed of a sheet of a predetermined thickness having flexibility such as synthetic resin and rubber, and the ink formed on the surface and the depression formed on the surface of the relief plate is applied to the printing material or the blanket cylinder. It is designed to transcribe.

  In other words, since the relief printing plate is made of an elastic material having flexibility, even if the projections and depressions are accurately formed on the surface thereof, the displacement due to the positional displacement that occurs when the plate is attached to the plate cylinder and the elasticity due to the action of external force. Due to the deformation or the like, the position of the convex part or the concave part changes although it is minute.

  For this reason, even when using a relief plate formed with an accuracy of, for example, about 1 μm for the projections and recesses, a positional deviation of, for example, about ± 100 μm may occur when transferring to a printed material using a relief printing machine. There was a problem.

  Therefore, as a result of extensive research, the present inventor attempts to improve printing accuracy by transferring the transfer cylinder to the printing material while slightly displacing the transfer cylinder in the plane direction and the turning direction around the axis perpendicular to the plane. I got the knowledge that I can do it.

JP2013-031985A

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and relief printing that can improve the printing accuracy by eliminating the decrease in printing accuracy that occurs due to misalignment or elastic deformation that occurs in the relief printing plate. The challenge is to provide a machine.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 1 is directed to a printing substance adhering to an outer peripheral portion of a relief plate made of an elastic material attached to an outer periphery of a plate cylinder. Or a letterpress printing machine that transfers the blanket cylinder to the blanket cylinder after transferring it from the plate cylinder to the blanket cylinder, and the transfer cylinder applies a predetermined pressure to the blank. By rotating while acting, the printing material adhering to the outer peripheral portion of the transfer cylinder is gradually transferred as a print image to the printing material, and the relief printing plate transfers the printing image to the printing material. The printing image original shape portion for performing the printing, and the printing for specifying the position of the printing image on at least one of the left side and the right side of the printing direction in which the printing image is gradually transferred to the substrate. Between directions And having an alignment mark original shape portion for transferring at least two alignment marks to the substrate, and each alignment is located at a position where an overhead view of the surface on which the alignment mark is transferred can be seen on the substrate. An image pickup device for obtaining data for specifying the position of each alignment mark by picking up an image of the mark is provided, and a predetermined plane direction enabling transfer to the substrate by the transfer cylinder and a direction perpendicular to the plane. A position adjustment device for driving the transfer cylinder in a turning direction around the axis is provided, and the position of each alignment mark is specified from the data obtained by the imaging device, and each position is determined as the position of each alignment mark. The position data is recorded as data, and the position data is compared with the target position data recorded as the position to be the target of each alignment mark. In order to correct the position data to the position, a command is issued to the position adjusting device, and the transfer cylinder is gradually displaced in the plane direction and the swivel direction, and control is performed to transfer the transfer cylinder from the transfer cylinder to the substrate. It is characterized in that a control device is provided.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, each of the target position data is data based on a position of each of the alignment mark original shape portions indicated in the design of the relief printing plate. Yes.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the target position data is a transfer after the second layer among the transfer performed by stacking a plurality of layers on the substrate to be laminated. Position data that is targeted for subsequent transfer, and obtained by specifying the position of each alignment mark transferred to the substrate at least before the subsequent transfer by the imaging device and the control device It is characterized by data.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to third aspects, the control device includes the position data adjacent to each other on at least one of the left side and the right side of the printing direction of the printed material. Are connected with a straight line, and at least one predetermined position on the straight line is used as linear interpolation position data for specifying the position of the image, and the adjacent target position data corresponding to the adjacent position data is connected. A position corresponding to the linear interpolation position data in a straight line is set as target linear interpolation position data, and the position adjusting device is used to correct the position indicated by the linear interpolation position data to be the position indicated by the target linear interpolation position data. It is characterized by issuing a command to.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to third aspects, the control device includes three or more adjacent ones on at least one of the left side and the right side of the printing direction of the printed material. A curve that sequentially passes the position data in the printing direction is specified by the least square method, and at least one predetermined position on the curve between the adjacent position data is specified as the position of the print image. And a target curve that sequentially passes the target position data corresponding to the three or more position data in the printing direction is specified as a target curve by least squares, and the adjacent target positions A position corresponding to the curve interpolation position data on the target curve between the data is set as the target curve interpolation position data, and is indicated by the curve interpolation position data. In order to fix such also a position indicated by the target curve interpolation position data for the position, is characterized by being adapted to emit a command to said position adjusting device.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, for example, when the relief plate is attached to the plate cylinder, the positional deviation such as the inclination of the relief plate with respect to the axial direction of the plate cylinder is small. This misalignment also occurs as it is in the print image and the alignment marks transferred from the transfer cylinder to the substrate.

  Further, since the relief plate attached to the plate cylinder receives external forces of different sizes from various directions, it will be somewhat elastically deformed. For this reason, even if the relief printing plate is correctly attached to the regular position of the plate cylinder without error, a positional shift due to elastic deformation will occur. This will occur for each alignment mark as it is.

  Furthermore, even when an ideal state is assumed in which the relief plate is accurately attached to the regular position of the plate cylinder without error and is not subjected to the action of external force at all, the printed material is, for example, wound up on a take-up roll. The positional displacement caused by the deformation also occurs in the print image and each alignment mark transferred from the transfer cylinder to the substrate.

  The imaging device can obtain data for specifying the position of each alignment mark on the printing material by imaging each alignment mark transferred to the printing material. Then, the control device specifies the position of each alignment mark on the substrate from the data obtained by the imaging device, and records each position as position data of each alignment mark.

  On the other hand, the target position data is ideal position data that the position data of each alignment mark should be a target. For example, the data obtained based on the position of each alignment mark original portion shown in the design of the relief printing Can be used. Further, the target position data is position data targeted at the time of the subsequent transfer, which is the transfer after the second layer among the transfer performed by superimposing a plurality of layers in the multi-layer printing, and is at least before the subsequent transfer. In addition, it is possible to use position data obtained by specifying the position of each alignment mark transferred to the substrate by the imaging device and the control device.

  When the position data of each alignment mark original design portion on the relief printing plate is used as the target position data, first, the printing image and each alignment mark are actually transferred using the relief printing plate. Position data is acquired by the imaging device and the control device. Then, in the next transfer, the transfer is performed while gradually displacing the transfer cylinder in the plane direction and the turning direction so that the position data of each alignment mark acquired previously becomes the position of the target position data.

  As a result, when the relief plate is mounted inclined, for example, in the axial direction of the plate cylinder, the transfer cylinder is gradually displaced in the swivel direction and necessary so that the position data of each alignment mark becomes the target position data. Accordingly, the transfer is performed while gradually displacing in the plane direction, so that it is possible to obtain a high-precision image in which the inclination is corrected.

  In addition, even when the relief plate attached to the plate cylinder is elastically deformed by an external force, the transfer cylinder is gradually displaced in the plane direction and the turning direction so that the position data of each alignment mark becomes the target position data. However, since the transfer is performed, it is possible to print a highly accurate print image in which the positional deviation due to the elastic deformation of the relief printing is eliminated.

  Further, even when the printing material itself is deformed by the action of tension or the like, the transfer cylinder is gradually displaced in the plane direction or the like so that the position data of each alignment mark becomes the target position data. The positional shift caused by the deformation can be corrected, and a highly accurate printed image after the correction can be obtained.

  As a result of the above, it is possible to repeatedly obtain a high-precision image very close to the original image formed on the relief plate before being mounted on the plate cylinder. For this reason, if the dimensional accuracy of the relief plate is, for example, about ± 1 μm and the positioning accuracy by the position adjusting device is also, for example, about ± 1 μm, there is an advantage that it is possible to obtain at least printing accuracy of ± 2 μm or less. is there.

  On the other hand, when the position data of each alignment mark transferred before the subsequent transfer in the multi-layer printing is used as the target position data, the print image transferred later is accurately superimposed on the print image transferred previously. be able to. That is, it is possible to improve the quality of laminated printing.

  According to the invention described in claim 2, since the data based on the position of each alignment mark original shape portion shown in the design of the relief plate is used as each target position data, it is formed on the relief plate before being mounted on the plate cylinder. A highly accurate printed image close to the positional accuracy of the original image can be transferred repeatedly.

  According to the third aspect of the invention, since the position data of each alignment mark transferred before the subsequent transfer is used as the target position data, the image transferred after the transfer image is transferred before. It is possible to perform layered printing that is accurately superimposed on each other. That is, it is possible to improve the quality of laminated printing.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the predetermined position on the straight line connecting the position data of the adjacent alignment marks in the printing direction is the linear interpolation position data for specifying the position of the print image, and the position of the adjacent alignment mark The position corresponding to the linear interpolation position data in the straight line connecting the adjacent target position data corresponding to the data is set as the target linear interpolation position data, and the position indicated by the linear interpolation position data is also the position indicated by the target linear interpolation position data. Therefore, the position of the transfer cylinder is gradually corrected by issuing a command to the position adjustment device, so even between adjacent alignment marks, the image can be printed with an accuracy closer to the dimensional accuracy of the original letterpress. Can be transferred, and the quality of laminated printing can be further improved.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the predetermined position on the curve connecting the position data of the adjacent alignment marks in the printing direction is the curve interpolation position data for specifying the position of the print image, and the position of the adjacent alignment mark The position corresponding to the curve interpolation position data in the curve connecting the adjacent target position data corresponding to the data is set as the target curve interpolation position data, and the position indicated by the curve interpolation position data is also the position indicated by the target curve interpolation position data. Since the position of the transfer cylinder is gradually corrected by issuing a command to the position adjustment device, the mark with an accuracy very close to the dimensional accuracy of the original relief plate is also present between adjacent alignment marks. The image can be transferred repeatedly, and the quality of the laminated printing can be further improved.

  In addition, when the position data of each alignment mark and each target position data are located on a straight line, the above curve and the target curve should be obtained as a function of a multidimensional curve of two or more dimensions using the least square method. However, the result is a one-dimensional straight line function. That is, the curve specified by the least square method and the target curve are concepts including a straight line.

Brief description of a letterpress printing machine of a roll-to-roll system shown as an embodiment of the present invention, wherein ink attached to a letterpress of a plate cylinder is directly transferred to a film using the plate cylinder as a transfer cylinder FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure of the XYtheta stage part in the same relief printing machine, Comprising: (a) is a top view, (b) is a B arrow view of (a), (c) is a horizontal movement rotary joint part. It is sectional drawing which shows the concept of. In the same letterpress printing machine, when the letterpress is mounted obliquely with respect to the plate cylinder and elastic deformation is caused by the action of external force, the correction contents of the image are shown using the image transferred to the film. It is explanatory drawing, (a) shows an ideal image and each alignment mark after a relief printing plate was attached to a printing cylinder in a predetermined position and direction accurately and without elastic deformation and transferred. FIG. 4 is a plan view of a principal part of a film showing the position of each alignment mark as target position data, and (b) is attached with the relief plate shown in (a) being inclined with respect to the axial direction of the plate cylinder. In addition, in the case where elastic deformation is caused by the action of an external force, it is an explanatory plan view of the main part of the film showing the printed image and each alignment mark after being transferred as it is using the relief printing plate, (c) is (b) Inclination and elastic change shown in FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a first image for correcting a print image using a letterpress plate in which printing occurs, and the position data of the first left and right alignment marks at the forefront of printing are also the same for the first left and right If the plate cylinder as the transfer cylinder is displaced in the turning direction (clockwise direction in the figure) so that the position of the target position data is obtained, and the transfer is performed in this state, the image and the alignment marks that will be obtained. And (d) is a diagram showing a second image for further correcting the print image in addition to the correction shown in (c), showing the target position data and the like. Position the plate cylinder in the axial direction of the plate cylinder (to the right in the figure) so that the position data of the second left and right alignment marks from the leading edge is the same as the position of the second left and right target position data. Transfer while displacing, the second left and right position data Is an explanatory plan view of the main part of the film showing the image, the alignment marks, the target position data, etc. after moving to the second left and right target position data, respectively. (E) is shown by (d). FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a third image for further correcting the print image in addition to the correction, and the position data of each of the third left and right alignment marks from the leading edge of the printing is the same as the third left and right target position data. The position of the plate cylinder is transferred while being displaced in the axial direction of the plate cylinder (right direction in the figure) so that the position becomes the position, and the third left and right position data becomes the third left and right target position data. It is principal part plane explanatory drawing of the film which shows the printing image after each moving, each alignment mark, each target position data, etc. It is explanatory drawing which shows the correction content of the subsequent printing image using the printing image transferred later, in order to aim at the adaptation of the printing position before and after, when performing laminated printing on a film with the same relief printing press, (a) Is a plane explanatory view of the main part of the film showing the image of the first layer and each alignment mark after being transferred using the first letterpress and the position of each alignment mark as target position data. b) Each image of the second layer and the alignment of the second layer, which is simply transferred from the image of the first layer and each target position data shown in FIG. It is principal part plane explanatory drawing of the film which shows a mark, (c) is a figure which shows the 1st image which corrects the image of a 2nd layer, after using the 2nd letterpress shown in (b) as it is. Yes, the position data of the first left and right alignment marks at the printing front of the second layer image The plate cylinder as the transfer cylinder is displaced in the axial direction (left direction in the figure) and displaced in the turning direction (clockwise direction in the figure) so that it becomes the position of the first left and right target position data. FIG. 3 is a plan view of a main part of a film showing a second layer image, each position data, a first layer image, each target position data, and the like that would be obtained if transfer was performed in this state. (D) is a figure which shows the 2nd image which corrects the image of a 2nd layer further in addition to the correction shown by (c), and is the position of each 2nd right and left alignment mark from the printing frontmost. Transfer the plate cylinder while displacing the position of the plate cylinder in the axial direction of the plate cylinder (right direction in the figure) so that the data becomes the position of the second left and right target position data. Mark on the second layer after the position data has moved to the second left and right target position data, respectively FIG. 6 is a plan view of the main part of the film showing each position data, first layer image, each target position data, etc., (e) is a second layer image in addition to the correction shown in (d). Is a diagram showing a third image for correcting the position of the plate cylinder so that the position data of the third left and right alignment marks from the leading edge of printing is the same as the position of the third left and right target position data. The second layer after the position is transferred while being displaced in the axial direction of the plate cylinder (right direction in the figure), and the third left and right position data is moved to the third left and right target position data, respectively. FIG. 3 is a plan view of a main part of the film showing the image, position data, first layer image, target position data, and the like. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the correction contents of an image using the image when the image transferred to the film changes in the printing direction with respect to the original image portion of the letterpress in the same letterpress printing machine. (A) shows an ideal image and each alignment mark after the transfer corresponding to the shape and size of the relief printing, and the essential points of the film in which the position of each alignment mark is indicated as target position data. It is a partial plan view, and (b) is a film that shows a state in which a print image and each alignment mark are enlarged in the printing direction by an effect such as elongation of the film by simply transferring using the relief printing plate shown in (a). FIG. 4C is a diagram illustrating a first image for correcting a print image using the relief printing plate shown in FIG. 5B as it is. (B) The principal plane of the film that confirms that the position data of the first left and right alignment marks at the leading edge of the printing correspond to the positions of the first left and right target position data. It is explanatory drawing, (d) is a figure which shows the 2nd image which corrects a printing image from the state shown in (c), and the positional data of each 2nd right and left alignment mark from the printing frontmost is the same. Transfer is performed while displacing the plate cylinder as a transfer cylinder in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction (upward in the figure) so that the position of each second target position data is left and right. It is principal part plane explanatory drawing of a film which shows the image after position data moved to each 2nd target position data on either side, each alignment mark, each target position data, etc., (e) is (d). In addition to the correction shown in, further correct the image It is a figure which shows a 3rd image, A plate cylinder is the axial direction so that the position data of each 3rd left and right alignment mark from the printing front may become the position of each 3rd left and right target position data. The image is transferred while being displaced in a direction perpendicular to the upper side (upward in the figure), and the third left and right position data is moved to the third left and right target position data, respectively, the alignment mark, It is principal part plane explanatory drawing of the film which shows each target position data. In the same letterpress printing machine, when the letterpress is inclined with respect to the plate cylinder and is elastically deformed by the action of external force, an explanation is given of the correction contents of the image using the image transferred to the film. (A) shows the ideal image and each alignment mark after the relief plate is attached to the plate cylinder in a predetermined direction accurately and without elastic deformation and transferred, and The position of the alignment mark is set as target position data, the target position data adjacent in the printing direction on the left side and the right side of the printing direction are connected by straight lines, and the points obtained by dividing the straight lines into three equal parts are the first points. FIG. 4 is a plan view of a principal part of a film shown as fourth left and right target linear interpolation position data, and (b) is attached with the relief plate shown in (a) being inclined with respect to the axial direction of the plate cylinder. Elastic change due to the action of external force In this case, the printed image and the alignment marks after being transferred as they are using the relief printing plate are shown, and the position data of the alignment marks adjacent to the printing direction on the left side and the right side of the printing direction are straight lines. And (c) is an explanatory plan view of the main part of the film showing the points obtained by dividing each straight line into three equal parts as first to fourth left and right linear interpolation position data. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a first image for correcting a print image using the letterpress plate in which the inclination and elastic deformation are generated as they are, and the position data of the first left and right alignment marks at the forefront of printing are the same. This is obtained if the plate cylinder as the transfer cylinder is displaced in the turning direction (clockwise in the figure) so as to be the position of the first left and right target position data, and transfer is performed in this state. Wax image, alignment mark And (d) is a diagram showing a second image for further correcting the print image in addition to the correction shown in (c), showing the target position data and the like. The position of the plate cylinder is displaced in the axial direction of the plate cylinder (right direction in the figure) so that the first left linear interpolation position data from the front end side is also the position of the first left target linear interpolation position data. The main part plane explanation of the film showing the image, each alignment mark, each target position data, etc. after the image is transferred while the first left linear interpolation position data is moved to the first left target linear interpolation position data. (E) is a figure which shows the 3rd image which corrects a printed image in addition to the correction shown in (d), and the linear interpolation position data on the second left side from the printing front end side is the same. To be the position of the second left target linear interpolation position data After the position of the plate cylinder is transferred while being displaced in the axial direction of the plate cylinder (right direction in the figure), the second left linear interpolation position data is moved to the second left target linear interpolation position data, respectively. It is principal part plane explanatory drawing which shows a printing image, each alignment mark, each target position data, etc., (f) shows the 4th image which corrects a printing image further in addition to the correction shown in (e). In the figure, the position of the plate cylinder is set in the axial direction of the plate cylinder so that the position data of the second left and right alignment marks from the printing front end are the positions of the second left and right target position data. The image is transferred while being displaced in the right direction in the figure), and the second left and right position data is moved to the second left and right target position data, respectively, the alignment mark, each target position data, etc. It is principal part plane explanatory drawing of the film which shows. In the same letterpress printing machine, when the letterpress is inclined with respect to the plate cylinder and is elastically deformed by the action of external force, an explanation is given of the correction contents of the image using the image transferred to the film. (A) shows the ideal image and each alignment mark after the relief plate is attached to the plate cylinder in a predetermined direction accurately and without elastic deformation and transferred, and The position of the alignment mark is set as target position data, the target position data adjacent in the printing direction on the left side and the right side of the printing direction are connected by straight lines, and the points obtained by dividing the straight lines into three equal parts are the first points. FIG. 4 is a plan view of a principal part of a film shown as fourth left and right target linear interpolation position data, and (b) is attached with the relief plate shown in (a) being inclined with respect to the axial direction of the plate cylinder. Elastic change due to the action of external force In this case, the printed image and the alignment marks after being transferred as they are using the relief printing are shown, and the position data of the alignment marks on the left side and the right side of the printing direction are sequentially passed in the printing direction. The points of the film are shown as the first to fourth left and right curve interpolation position data, which are obtained by dividing the portion between adjacent alignment marks in the curve into three equal parts in the printing direction. FIG. 4C is a partial plan view, and FIG. 4C is a diagram showing a first image for correcting a print image using the letterpress plate having the inclination and deformation shown in FIG. The plate cylinder as the transfer cylinder is displaced in the turning direction (clockwise direction in the figure) so that the position data of the first left and right alignment marks are the same as the positions of the first left and right target position data. FIG. 7 is a plan view of a main part of the film showing an image, each alignment mark, each target position data, and the like that would be obtained if the image was transferred in the state, and (d) is a modification shown in (c). In addition, it is a diagram showing a second image for further correcting the print image, so that the first left-hand curve interpolation position data is also the position of the first left-hand target linear interpolation position data from the printing front end side. After transferring the position of the plate cylinder while displacing it in the axial direction of the plate cylinder (right direction in the figure), the first left linear interpolation position data is moved to the first left target linear interpolation position data, respectively. It is principal part plane explanatory drawing which shows a printing image, each alignment mark, each target position data, etc., (e) shows the 3rd image which corrects a printing image further in addition to the correction shown in (d). It is a figure, the curve interpolation position data of the second left side from the printing most advanced side Transfer the plate cylinder while displacing the position of the plate cylinder in the axial direction of the transfer axis (right direction in the figure) so that the data becomes the position of the second left target linear interpolation position data, and the second left curve interpolation It is principal part plane explanatory drawing of the film which shows the image after position data each moved to the 2nd left target linear interpolation position data, each alignment mark, each target position data, etc., (f) is (e) FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a fourth image for correcting the printed image in addition to the correction shown in FIG. 6, and the second left and right target positions are the same as the position data of the second left and right alignment marks from the leading edge of printing. The position of the plate cylinder is transferred while being displaced in the axial direction of the plate cylinder (right direction in the figure) so that it becomes the data position, and the second left and right position data is the second left and right target positions. Imprint, each alignment mark and each eye after moving to data It is a main part plan view of the film showing the location data and the like. A relief printing machine shown as another first example of the relief printing machine, wherein the ink adhering to the relief plate of the printing cylinder is transferred from the printing cylinder to the blanket cylinder, and then the blanket cylinder is used as a transfer cylinder. It is a schematic explanatory drawing which shows the relief printing machine transferred to a film indirectly. It is a schematic explanatory drawing of the sheet-fed type letterpress printing machine shown as another 2nd example of the said letterpress printing machine. It is a schematic explanatory drawing of the relief printing machine shown as the other 3rd example of the above relief printing machine. It is a schematic explanatory drawing of the relief printing machine shown as another 4th example of the said relief printing machine.

  An embodiment of the relief printing machine of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the relief printing machine 1 shown in this embodiment is a sheet cylinder (paper or resin) that is a transfer cylinder provided as a transfer cylinder provided so as to wind a relief 21 around its outer periphery. By rotating while applying a predetermined pressure to the printed material (base material) F, the printing substance adhering to the upper surface of the convex portion (not shown) of the relief plate 21 is transferred to the surface of the film F, thereby An image A (see, for example, FIG. 3B) having a shape corresponding to an image original shape portion (not shown) having a predetermined shape formed by the upper surface of the convex portion of the relief plate 21 is transferred to the film F. It has become.

  Here, the relief printing machine 1 shows an example of a roll-to-roll system, and the strip-shaped film F unwound from the unwinding roll 1a is wound around the winding roll 1b at a constant speed. In the process, the print image A is transferred to the film F. Between the unwinding roll 1a and the winding roll 1b, for example, an edge guider 1c having four rolls is provided on the front side (unwinding roll 1a side) of the plate cylinder 2. The edge guider 1c is configured to prevent the film F from meandering by guiding both side edges of the film F. The axial directions of the rotation shafts of the four rolls of the unwinding roll 1a, the winding roll 1b, and the edge guider 1c are held parallel to each other in a state of facing the horizontal direction.

  The plate cylinder 2 is configured such that the axial direction of the rotation shaft is held in the horizontal direction and is held in parallel by the unwinding roll 1a, the winding roll 1b, etc. in principle, and rotates around the rotation axis. By being driven, the film F rotates at a peripheral speed synchronized with the moving speed of the film F. In this case, the axial direction of the plate cylinder 2 is parallel to the film F, and the film F extends and moves in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the plate cylinder 2 in principle. Here, the direction in which the film F extends between the unwinding roll 1a and the winding roll 1b is defined as the X-axis direction, and the upper surface of the film F (the surface on which the print image A is transferred) is orthogonal to the X-axis direction. Is the Y-axis direction. That is, both the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction face the horizontal direction and are orthogonal to each other. In the X-axis direction, the direction toward the take-up roll 1b of the film F is defined as the positive (+) direction, and in the Y-axis direction, the direction toward the left side on the upper surface of the film F with respect to the X-axis direction is defined as the positive direction. On the other hand, a predetermined plane direction enabling transfer from the plate cylinder 2 to the film F is assumed to coincide with an XY plane (that is, a horizontal plane) including both the X axis and the Y axis. It corresponds to a plane that passes through the contact portion between the relief plate 21 of the plate cylinder 2 and the film F and faces the tangential direction of the plate cylinder 2. A direction orthogonal to the XY plane (that is, a vertical direction) is defined as a Z-axis direction. In the Z-axis direction, a direction toward the upper side with respect to the XY plane is a positive direction. An impression cylinder 3 that supports the film F from below is provided below the plate cylinder 2. The impression cylinder 3 has a function of stably applying the pressure to the film F by receiving the pressure acting from the plate cylinder 2. The axial direction of the impression cylinder 3 is basically directed to the Y-axis direction, and is rotated at a peripheral speed synchronized with the plate cylinder 2 and the film F. The plate cylinder 2 and the impression cylinder 3 are driven to move by a predetermined amount in the XY plane direction and the θ rotation angle direction (turning direction) around the Z axis by a position adjusting device 5 described later. That is, the axial directions of the plate cylinder 2 and the impression cylinder 3 can be changed by a predetermined amount with respect to the Y-axis direction (direction orthogonal to the X-axis direction).

  Further, the relief plate 21 mounted on the plate cylinder 2 is supplied with the printing material from the anilox roll 4, whereby the printing material attached to the upper surface of the convex portion of the relief plate 21 is transferred to the film F. Yes.

  The anilox roll 4 receives the printing material supplied from the collar part 41 on its outer peripheral surface. That is, the collar part 41 supplies the stored printing material to the outer peripheral surface of the anilox roll 4. The collar 41 is provided with a doctor 41 a for adjusting the printing material to a certain thickness and supplying it to the anilox roll 4. Further, as the printing material, various inks prepared to have an appropriate viscosity or the like according to the type of printing are used. For example, when printing an electrode, a circuit or the like that requires conductivity, the printing material is a liquid containing particles, nanoparticles or nanowires made of conductive metal such as silver or copper. What has been constructed (so-called conductive ink, conductive printing substance) will be used.

  The plate cylinder 2, the impression cylinder 3, the anilox roll 4, the collar 41, and the doctor 41a are elements constituting the printing function unit 101 in the relief printing press 1 shown in FIG. The printing function unit 101 supports and accommodates the plate cylinder 2, the impression cylinder 3, the anilox roll 4, the collar 41, the doctor 41 a, the plate cylinder 2, various motors, speed reducers, and other various members. Thus, the structure is provided with a support structure 101a composed of a frame or the like.

  On the upper side of the printing function unit 101, an XYθ stage unit 102, a Z stage unit 103, and a control unit (control device) 104 are provided so as to sequentially overlap. The printing function unit 101, the XYθ stage unit 102, the Z stage unit 103, and the control unit 104 constitute a printing unit 100. The upper end of the printing unit 100 is fixed to the main body (not shown) of the relief printing press 1. It has become so.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the XYθ stage unit 102 includes a position adjustment device 5. As shown in FIG. 2B, the position adjusting device 5 is configured so that the lower part of the printing unit 100 in the printing function unit 101 is in the horizontal direction (XY plane direction) with respect to the upper part of the Z stage unit 103. ) And can be driven to rotate around the Z axis. The position adjusting device 5 in this case is provided on the XYθ stage unit 102 with the X axis shown in FIG. 2A oriented in the X axis direction and the Y axis oriented in the Y axis direction. Further, the driveable range of the position adjusting device 5 is 9 mm in the X-axis direction, 11.5 mm in the Y-axis direction, and ± 5 degrees in the θ rotation angle direction (turning direction) around the Z-axis that is the vertical axis. . Note that, as described above, the X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis correspond to the coordinate axes of the orthogonal coordinate system, and the XY plane composed of the X axis and the Y axis faces the horizontal direction (that is, the direction along the film F). The Z axis is oriented perpendicular to the XY plane.

  The configuration of each member of the position adjusting device 5 is as follows. That is, the position adjusting device 5 includes a lower plate portion 51, an upper plate portion 52, a horizontal movement rotary joint portion 53, and first to third linear actuators 54, 55, and 56.

  The lower plate portion 51 and the upper plate portion 52 are formed of a rectangular metal plate (for example, a steel plate, an aluminum plate, etc.), and have a rigidity higher than a predetermined thickness to prevent elastic deformation as much as possible. ing. The lower plate portion 51 is connected at its lower surface side to the support structure 101 a of the printing function unit 101, and the upper plate portion 52 is connected at its upper surface side to the Z stage portion 103.

  As shown in FIG. 2C, the horizontal movement rotary joint portion 53 includes a lower slider 53a, an upper slider 53b, a plurality of rolling elements 53c, and a retainer 53d. The rolling element 53c is formed of a steel ball, and is between the lower slider 53a and the upper slider 53b, and maintains the lower slider 53a and the upper slider 53b in parallel while maintaining the horizontal direction. And a smooth relative movement in the θ rotation angle direction. The retainer 53d has a function of preventing the rolling element 53c from falling off between the lower slider 53a and the upper slider 53b. The lower slider 53 a is fixed to the center of the upper surface of the lower plate portion 51, and the upper slider 53 b is fixed to the center of the lower surface of the upper plate portion 52. The horizontal movement rotary joint portion 53 configured in this way is also highly rigid as a whole.

  The first and third linear actuators 54 and 56 are located between the lower plate portion 51 and the upper plate portion 52 as shown in FIGS. It is provided on both sides of the horizontal movement rotary joint portion 53 in the axial direction. As for each of the first and third linear actuators 54 and 56, one end portion in the expansion / contraction direction is connected to the lower plate portion 51 and the other end portion is connected to the upper plate portion 52. The second linear actuator 55 is provided between the lower plate portion 51 and the upper slider 53b, and is provided on the outer side of the horizontal movement rotary joint portion 53 in a state where the expansion / contraction direction is basically directed to the X-axis direction. Yes. The second linear actuator 55 also has one end portion in the expansion / contraction direction connected to the lower plate portion 51 and the other end portion connected to the upper plate portion 52.

  The position adjusting device 5 configured as described above controls the upper plate portion 52 with respect to the lower plate portion 51 by controlling the first to third linear actuators 54, 55, and 56 to expand and contract individually. Thus, it can be displaced within a range of 9 mm in the X-axis direction, 11.5 mm in the Y-axis direction, and ± 5 degrees in the θ rotation angle direction. The resolution as the positioning accuracy of the position adjusting device 5 is 1 μm in each direction in the X axis direction and the Y axis direction, and is based on the resolution in each direction in the X axis direction and the Y axis direction in the θ rotation angle direction. The value is determined by Thereby, the position adjusting device 5 can accurately move and drive the plate cylinder 2 and the impression cylinder 3 in the XY plane direction (plane direction) and the θ rotation angle direction (turning direction around the Z-axis direction). Yes.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the Z stage unit 103 is configured so that a lower part (excluding the impression cylinder 3) of the printing unit 100 than the XYθ stage part 102 is a part above the control unit 104 of the printing unit 100. Further, a fine displacement element (not shown) that can be finely displaced in units of 10 nm (nanometers) in parallel with the vertical direction is provided. That is, the pressure acting on the film F from the plate cylinder 2 can be kept constant by changing up and down according to the variation in the thickness of the relief plate 21, whereby the image A transferred to the film F can be kept constant. The dimensional accuracy is improved. The fine displacement element is provided at a position corresponding to each end of the plate cylinder 2 in the axial direction, and the plate cylinder 2 can be adjusted to be inclined in the vertical direction with respect to the XY plane. ing.

  The control unit 104 performs basic control related to printing such as the rotation speeds of the plate cylinder 2 and the impression cylinder 3, and controls the first to third linear actuators 54, 55, and 56, thereby printing function unit 101. (That is, the plate cylinder 2 and the impression cylinder 3 which are the constituent elements) can be adjusted to be displaced with the above-described movement range and resolution.

  That is, the plate cylinder 2 and the impression cylinder 3 can be displaced within a range of 9 mm in the X-axis direction, 11.5 mm in the Y-axis direction, and ± 5 degrees in the θ rotation angle direction based on the position adjusting device 5. In each of the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, positioning can be performed with a resolution of 1 μm.

  In other words, since the position adjusting device 5 transfers the print image A to a predetermined position on the film F, the basic position of the plate cylinder 2 is set in the direction along the film F (that is, the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction). In addition, it is possible to make adjustments so as to be displaced with a resolution of 1 μm or to be rotationally displaced about the Z axis.

  On the other hand, the printed image A may be linear, curved, or any planar shape having a predetermined spread. In this example, for example, as shown in FIG. A rectangular shape having a predetermined spread is shown.

  Further, the printing cylinder 2 rotates while applying a predetermined pressure to the film F, so that the printing substance supplied to the outer peripheral surface of the relief plate 21 is changed into a film as shown in FIG. The image is gradually transferred to F as a square-shaped image A. In this case, the printed image A has the printing front end positioned on the positive (+) side in the X-axis direction, and the final printing end positioned on the negative (−) side in the X-axis direction. That is, the positive and negative directions with respect to the printing direction of the print image A are opposite to the moving direction F1 of the film F.

  As shown in FIG. 3 (b), the relief plate 21 has two or more pluralities spaced on the left side and the right side of the printing direction on the film F in order to specify the position of the print image A. Each alignment mark original shape portion (not shown) for transferring the alignment marks M11 to M31 and M12 to M32 (three in this example) is provided. The original image portion (not shown) of the relief plate 21 is formed in a rectangular shape so that a rectangular printed image A in which a pair of opposing sides are located on the left and right in the printing direction is transferred to the film F. . Further, the alignment marks M11 to M31 and M12 to M32 are on virtual straight lines parallel to the left and right sides of the printing direction in the print image A, and one end, the other end, and the center of each side in the longitudinal direction are respectively provided. It is transferred to the position corresponding to.

  Further, the letterpress printing machine 1 is provided with the alignment marks M11 to M31 and M12 to M32 at positions where the surfaces of the alignment marks M11 to M31 and M12 to M32 on the film F can be seen from above. Cameras (imaging devices) 7a and 7b that obtain data for specifying the positions of the alignment marks M11 to M31 and M12 to M32 by imaging are provided. In this example, the camera 7a is arranged above the left alignment marks M11 to M31 in the printing direction on the film F, and is mainly arranged to specify the positions of the left alignment marks M11 to M31. . The camera 7b is disposed above the right alignment marks M12 to M32, and is mainly disposed to specify the positions of the right alignment marks M12 to M32. It should be noted that the cameras 7a and 7b may have a narrow angle of view capable of individually capturing the alignment marks M11 to M31 and M12 to M32, or may have a wide angle of view capable of simultaneously capturing a plurality of the alignment marks M11 to M31 and M12 to M32. Good.

  Then, the control unit 104 identifies the positions of the alignment marks M11 to M31 and M12 to M32 from the data obtained by the cameras 7a and 7b, and sets these positions as position data D11 to D32 of the alignment marks M11 to M32. Each position data D11 is recorded and compared with each of the position data D11 to D32 and the target position data D11t to D32t (see FIG. 3) recorded as the positions of the alignment marks M11 to M32. In order to correct the position of -D32 to be the position of each target position data D11t-D32t, a command is issued to the position adjusting device 5 to gradually displace the plate cylinder 2 and the impression cylinder 3 in the XY plane direction and the θ rotation angle direction. The printing material is controlled to be transferred from the plate cylinder 2 to the film F.

  A method of correcting the print image A using the relief printing press 1 configured as described above will be described below.

  FIG. 3 shows the image A based on the image A transferred to the film F when the relief plate 21 is attached obliquely to the plate cylinder 2 and is elastically deformed by the action of external force. It shows about the procedure to correct.

  FIG. 3A shows an ideal printed image At and the alignment marks M11t to M32t after the relief plate 21 is attached to the plate cylinder 2 accurately and without elastic deformation in a predetermined direction and transferred. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the main part of the film showing the positions of the alignment marks M11t to M32t as target position data D11t to D32t. The target position data D11t to D32t should be input to the control unit 104 in advance, and suitable data as target values such as data obtained from the design data of the relief plate 21 is used. Here, as each of the target position data D11t to D32t, data indicating the position of each alignment mark original shape portion shown in the design of the relief plate 21 is used. In addition, as described above, the pair of opposing sides of the rectangular printed image At faces the printing direction, and the alignment marks M11t to M32t are positioned outside the sides.

  When the relief plate 21 is attached to the plate cylinder 2, some misalignment occurs with respect to the plate cylinder 2 and elastically deforms by receiving an external force to some extent. FIG. 3B shows a case where the relief plate 21 shown in FIG. 3A is attached obliquely with respect to the axial direction of the plate cylinder 2 and is elastically deformed into a rhombus shape by the action of an external force. The image A transferred on the film F by transferring the plate cylinder 2 as it is, the alignment marks M11 to M32, the position data D11 to D32 of the alignment marks M11 to M32, and the like are shown. In this case, by correcting the position data D11 to D32 to the respective positions of the target position data D11t to D32t, it is possible to obtain an image A that is close to the target ideal image At. Note that the printed image A shows an example in which it is extremely deformed and displaced for comparison with the printed image At.

  FIG. 3C is a diagram showing a first image for correcting the print image after using the relief printing plate having the inclination and deformation shown in FIG. The plate cylinder 2 is displaced in the θ rotation direction (clockwise direction in the figure) so that the position data D11 and D12 of the left and right alignment marks M11 and M12 are also the positions of the first target position data D11t and D12t. The image A, the alignment marks M11, the position data D11, and the like that would be obtained if the image was transferred onto the film F in this state are shown. In other words, by rotating and displacing the plate cylinder 2 around the Z axis, the printing top position of the print image A can be approximated to the printing top position of the target printing image At.

  FIG. 3D is a diagram showing a second image for correcting the printed image A in addition to the correction shown in FIG. 3C, and the positions of the second left and right alignment marks M21 and M22. Transfer is performed while displacing the position of the plate cylinder 2 in the axial direction (right arrow direction in the figure) of the plate cylinder 2 so that the data D21 and D22 are also the positions of the second target position data D21t and D22t, The second position data D21, D22 shows the image A, the alignment marks M11, and the position data D11, etc. after the second position data D21, D22 are moved to the second target position data D21t, D22t. Thereby, the portion corresponding to each of the second position data D21 and D22 from the printing leading edge position in the print image A can be approximated to the target print image At.

  FIG. 3E is a diagram showing a third image for correcting the printed image A in addition to the correction shown in FIG. 3D, and the positions of the third left and right alignment marks M31 and M32 Transfer is performed while displacing the position of the plate cylinder 2 in the axial direction (the direction of the right arrow in the figure) so that the data D31 and D32 are also the positions of the third target position data D31t and D32t. The position data D31, D32 show the image A after the movement to the third target position data D31t, D32t, the alignment marks M11, and the position data D11. As described above, the entire print image A can be approximated to the target ideal print image At.

  Next, FIG. 4 shows a procedure for correcting the printed image A to be transferred later in order to adapt the printing position of each layer when performing the laminated printing on the film F using the relief printing press 1. It is a thing.

  FIG. 4A shows the image At of the first layer and the alignment marks M11t to M32t after being transferred using the first relief plate 21, and the positions of the alignment marks M11t to M32t are set as target position data. It is principal part plane explanatory drawing of the film F shown as D11t-D32t. The target position data D11t to D32t are obtained by the cameras 7a and 7b and the control unit 104 after the first layer printed image At is transferred, and recorded in the control unit 104. That is, the target position data D11t to D32t are obtained by actually viewing the positions of the alignment marks M11t to M32t transferred onto the film F together with the image At of the first layer with the cameras 7a and 7b. The printed image At of the first layer has a rectangular shape, a pair of opposite sides facing the printing direction, and the alignment marks M11t to M32t are located outside the sides as shown in FIG. ). However, the first layer printing image At and the target position data D11t to D32t are printed on the first relief plate 21 due to the positional displacement at the time of attaching the first relief plate 21 to the plate cylinder 2 and elastic deformation due to external force. The shape of the image original shape portion and the position of the alignment mark original shape portion are different.

  FIG. 4B shows the second layer simply transferred from the first layer print image At and the target position data D11t to D32t shown in FIG. The image A and the alignment marks M11 to M32 of the second layer are shown. In FIG. 4B, the second layer printed image A or the like is caused by the positional displacement at the time of attaching the second relief plate 21 to the plate cylinder 2 or elastic deformation due to an external force. It is explicitly shown in an example of extremely deformed or displaced that it is transferred to a different shape, position or the like. However, the deviation of the shape and position of each layer in actual laminated printing is a minute range of about 0.1 mm.

  FIG. 4C is a diagram showing a first image for correcting the image A of the second layer using the second relief plate 21 shown in FIG. 4B as it is. The plate cylinder 2 is pivoted so that the position data D11 and D12 of the first left and right alignment marks M11 and M12 at the printing front end of the image A are also the positions of the first target position data D11t and D12t. If it is displaced in the direction (left direction in the figure) and displaced in the θ rotation direction (clockwise direction in the figure), and the image is transferred onto the film F in this state, the mark of the second layer will be obtained. The image A, the position data D11, the first layer image At, the target position data D11t, and the like are shown. That is, the printing cylinder 2 is displaced in the axial direction and rotated around the Z-axis, so that the printing leading edge of the first layer printing image At is targeted at the printing leading edge position of the printing image A of the second layer. It is possible to move to a position that approximates the position.

  FIG. 4D is a diagram showing a second image for correcting the image A of the second layer in addition to the correction shown in FIG. 4C, and the second left and right alignment marks M21. The position of the plate cylinder 2 is displaced in the axial direction of the plate cylinder 2 (the direction of the right arrow in the figure) so that the position data D21 and D22 of M22 are also the positions of the second target position data D21t and D22t. The second position data D21, D22 are transferred to the second target position data D21t, D22t, and the second layer image A, each position data D11,. Image At and each target position data D11t ... are shown. That is, by displacing the plate cylinder 2 in its axial direction (Y-axis direction in this example), portions corresponding to the second position data D21 and D22 from the printing frontmost position in the image A of the second layer. Can be moved to a position approximating the image At of the first layer.

  FIG. 4 (e) is a diagram showing a third image for correcting the printed image A of the second layer in addition to the correction shown in FIG. 4 (d), and the third left and right alignment marks M31. The position of the plate cylinder 2 is displaced in the axial direction of the plate cylinder 2 (the direction of the right arrow in the figure) so that the position data D31 and D32 of M32 are also the positions of the third target position data D31t and D32t. The third layer position data D31, D32 are moved to the third target position data D31t, D32t, and the second layer image A, each position data D11,. Image At and each target position data D11t ... are shown. As described above, the entire printed image A of the second layer can be accurately transferred so as to almost completely overlap the printed image At of the first layer.

  Next, FIG. 5 shows a procedure for correcting the image A when the size of the image A transferred to the film F with respect to the letterpress 21 provided in the letterpress printing machine 1 changes in the printing direction. Is shown.

  FIG. 5A shows an ideal print image At and each of the alignment marks M11t to M11t after the transfer having the same shape and dimensions as those of an unillustrated image original shape portion and alignment mark original shape portion formed on the relief plate 21. It is a principal part top view of the film F which showed M32t and showed the position of each said alignment mark M11t-M32t as target position data D11t and D32t. The target position data D11t to D32t are data that can be obtained from the design data of the relief plate 21 as in the case of FIG. 3A, and are input to the control unit 104 in advance. Also here, as each of the target position data D11t to D32t, data indicating the position of each alignment mark original shape portion shown in the design of the relief plate 21 is used. Note that a pair of opposing sides of the rectangular printed image At faces the printing direction, and the alignment marks M11t to M32t are located outside the sides.

  In FIG. 5B, the printing image A and the alignment marks M11 to M32 are printed in the printing direction by simply transferring onto the film F using the relief plate 21 shown in FIG. It is the figure which showed clearly that it is in the state expanded in position. In this case, by correcting the position data D11 to D32 to the positions of the target position data D11t to D32t, it is possible to obtain an image A that is close to the ideal image At.

  FIG. 5C shows a first image for correcting the printed image A using the relief plate 21 shown in FIG. 5B as it is, but an example of the printed image A simply enlarged in the printing direction. Therefore, the position data D11 and D12 of the first left and right alignment marks M11 and M12 at the leading edge of printing are in a state corresponding to the positions of the first target position data D11t and D12t. It is a figure which shows this simply.

  FIG. 5D is a diagram showing a second image for correcting the printed image A from the state shown in FIG. 5C. The position data D21 of the second left and right alignment marks M21, M22, Transfer is performed while displacing the plate cylinder 2 in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction (the upward arrow direction in the drawing, that is, the X-axis direction) so that D22 is also the position of each of the second target position data D21t and D22t. The second position data D21 and D22 indicate the image A after the movement to the second target position data D21t and D22t, the alignment marks M11, and the target position data D11t. That is, by displacing the plate cylinder 2 in the X-axis direction, the shape and size of the print image At targeting the portion corresponding to each of the second position data D21 and D22 from the printing frontmost position in the print image A is obtained. Can be approximated.

  FIG. 5 (e) is a diagram showing a third image for further correcting the printed image A in addition to the correction shown in FIG. 5 (d), and the positions of the third left and right alignment marks M31 and M32 While displacing the plate cylinder 2 in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction (the arrow direction in the figure, that is, the X-axis direction) so that the data D31 and D32 are also the positions of the third target position data D31t and D32t. After the transfer, the third position data D31, D32 are moved to the third target position data D31t, D32t, and the print image A, the alignment marks M11, the target position data M11t, etc. are shown. Yes. As described above, the entire print image A can be approximated to the target ideal print image At.

  3 to 5 show examples in which three alignment marks for specifying the print image A are provided on the left side and the right side in the printing direction of the film F, respectively. By increasing the number, the printed image A can be precisely corrected at short intervals in the printing direction, so that the printed image A can be approximated more accurately to the target printed image At. That is, the printing accuracy can be improved.

  FIG. 6 shows a printing image A that is transferred to the film F when the relief printing plate 21 is inclined with respect to the printing drum 2 and is deformed by the action of an external force. The procedure for correcting the printed image A is shown. Therefore, in this respect, the content is the same as that of the correction procedure shown in FIG. However, here, adjacent alignment marks are connected by a straight line, a predetermined position of the straight line is specified as linear interpolation position data, and the position of the image A is printed at shorter intervals in dimension using the position of the linear interpolation position data. It is intended to improve printing accuracy by making corrections possible.

  FIG. 6A shows an ideal printed image At and each alignment mark M11t after transfer in a square shape in a state where the relief plate 21 is attached to the plate cylinder 2 in a predetermined direction accurately and without deformation. To M32t, and the positions of the respective alignment marks M11t to M32t are set as target position data D11t to D32t, and adjacent target position data (D11t and D21t and D21t and D31t) are connected to each other by straight lines, and the respective points obtained by dividing the straight lines into three equal parts are first-fourth target linear interpolation position data I11t to I41t, and are principal part plan views of film F. is there. The target position data D11t to D32t are data that can be obtained from the design data of the relief plate 21, and the target linear interpolation position data I11t to I41t can be theoretically obtained by calculation from the target position data D11t to D32t. That is, the control unit 104 receives the target position data D11t to D32t, calculates target linear interpolation position data I11t to I41t, and records these data D11t to D32t and I11t to I41t in the storage unit. Become. The pair of opposing sides of the square-shaped image At extends in the printing direction, and the alignment marks M11t to M32t are located outside the sides as described above.

  FIG. 6B shows the case where the relief plate 21 shown in FIG. 6A is attached obliquely with respect to the axial direction of the plate cylinder 2 and is deformed in a curve by the action of an external force. The printed image A and the alignment marks M11 to M32 transferred on the film F by the transfer are shown, and at least one of the left and right sides in the printing direction (in this example, the left side corresponding to the target linear interpolation position data I11t to I41t) ), The position data (D11 and D21 and D21 and D31) of the adjacent alignment marks (M11 and M21 and M21 and M31) located in the straight line are connected by straight lines, and the respective points obtained by dividing the straight lines into three equal parts are defined as first points. To fourth linear interpolation position data I11 to I41. In this case, the position data D11 to D32 and the linear interpolation position data I11 to I41 are corrected to the respective positions of the target position data D11t to D32t and the target linear interpolation position data I11t to I41t corresponding thereto, respectively. As a result, an image close to the desired ideal image At can be obtained.

  FIG. 6C is a diagram showing a first image for correcting the printed image A using the letterpress 21 having the inclination and deformation shown in FIG. 6B as it is. The plate cylinder 2 is rotated in the θ rotation direction (clockwise direction in the figure) so that the position data D11 and D12 of the first left and right alignment marks M11 and M12 are also the positions of the first target position data D11t and D12t. The image A, the alignment marks M11..., The target position data D11t... And the like that would be obtained if the images were transferred in this state. In other words, by rotating and displacing the plate cylinder 2 around the Z axis, the printing top position of the print image A can be approximated to the printing top position of the target printing image At.

  FIG. 6D is a diagram showing a second image for further correcting the image in addition to the correction shown in FIG. 6C, and the first linear interpolation position data I11 is also the first target straight line. Transfer is performed while displacing the position of the plate cylinder 2 in the axial direction (right arrow direction in the figure) of the plate cylinder 2 so as to be the position of the interpolation position data I11t, and the first linear interpolation position data I11 is the first target. The image A after the movement to the linear interpolation position data I11t, the alignment marks M11, and the target position data D11t are shown. That is, by displacing the plate cylinder 2 in the axial direction, the portion corresponding to the first linear interpolation position data I11 from the printing front end side in the print image A can be approximated to the target print image At.

  FIG. 6E is a diagram showing a third image for further correcting the printed image A in addition to the correction shown in FIG. 6D, and the second linear interpolation position data I21 is also the second target. The position of the plate cylinder 2 is transferred while being displaced in the axial direction (right arrow direction in the figure) so that the position of the linear interpolation position data I21t is obtained, and the second linear interpolation position data I21 is transferred to the second target linear interpolation position. The image A after the movement to the data I21t, the alignment marks M11, and the target position data D11t are shown. That is, by displacing the plate cylinder 2 in the axial direction, the portion corresponding to the second linear interpolation position data I21 from the printing front end side in the print image A can be approximated to the target print image At.

  FIG. 6 (f) is a diagram showing a fourth image for correcting the printed image A in addition to the correction shown in FIG. 6 (e), and the positions of the second left and right alignment marks M 21 and M 22. Transfer is performed while displacing the position of the plate cylinder 2 in the axial direction (right arrow direction in the figure) of the plate cylinder 2 so that the data D21 and D22 are also the positions of the second target position data D21t and D22t, The second position data D21 and D22 indicate the image A after the movement to the second target position data D21t and D22t, the alignment marks M11, and the target position data D11t. That is, by displacing the plate cylinder 2 in the axial direction, the portion corresponding to each of the second position data D21 and D22 from the printing frontmost position in the print image A can be approximated to the target print image At. it can.

  Then, from the third linear interpolation position data I31 in the image A to the portion corresponding to the third position data D31 and D32, the plate cylinder 2 is transferred while being displaced in the axial direction in the same manner as described above. Accordingly, the portions corresponding to the third position data D31 and D32 from the second position data D21 and D22 in the print image A can also be approximated to the target print image At. However, the display in FIG. 6 of the portions corresponding to the third position data D31 and D32 from the second position data D21 and D22 is omitted.

  In FIG. 6, the first to fourth linear interpolation position data I11 to I41 are obtained by dividing each of two straight lines connecting adjacent position data (D11 and D21 and D21 and D31) into three equal parts. An example is shown in which the system is specified. That is, an example in which two predetermined positions on the straight line are specified by dividing the straight line into three equal parts has been shown. However, by dividing the straight line into two equal parts or more than four equal parts, A position may be specified, and the position may be used as linear interpolation position data. Further, if a predetermined position can be specified, a method for specifying the position by equal division may not be used. The same applies to the target linear interpolation position data I11t to I41t. However, it is necessary to set each target linear interpolation position data I11t to I41t to be a position corresponding to each linear interpolation position data I11 to I41. In the above example, by dividing each straight line into three equal parts, the correspondence between each target linear interpolation position data and each linear interpolation position data is obtained.

  FIG. 7 shows a printing image A that is transferred to a film F when the relief printing plate 21 is obliquely attached to the printing drum 2 and is deformed by the action of an external force. The procedure for correcting the printed image A is shown. Therefore, in this respect, the content is the same as that of the correction procedure shown in FIG. However, here, adjacent alignment marks are connected by a curve, a predetermined position of the curve is used as curve interpolation position data, and the image A is corrected at a shorter interval in dimension using the position of the curve interpolation position data. Therefore, it is intended to further improve the printing accuracy.

  FIG. 7A shows an ideal printed image At and each alignment mark M11t after transfer in a square shape in a state where the relief plate 21 is attached to the plate cylinder 2 in a predetermined direction accurately and without deformation. To M32t, and the positions of the respective alignment marks M11t to M32t are set as target position data D11t to D32t, and adjacent target position data (D11t and D11t) positioned on at least one of the left side and the right side in the printing direction (left side in this example). D21t and D21t and D31t) are connected to each other by straight lines, and the respective points obtained by dividing the straight lines into three equal parts are first-fourth target linear interpolation position data I11t to I41t, and are principal part plan views of film F. is there. The target position data D11t to D32t are data that can be obtained from the design data of the relief plate 21, and the target linear interpolation position data I11t to I41t can be theoretically obtained by calculation from the target position data D11t to D32t. That is, the control unit 104 receives the target position data D11t to D32t, calculates target linear interpolation position data I11t to I41t, and records these data D11t to D32t and I11t to I41t in the storage unit. Become. Note that a pair of opposing sides of the square-shaped image At extends in the printing direction, and the alignment marks M11t to M32t are located outside the sides. That is, the information obtained from FIG. 7A is the same as the information obtained from FIG. A curve that passes through the three alignment marks M11t, M21t, and M31t may be obtained by the least square method. However, since the alignment marks M11t, M21t, and M31t are located on a straight line, the curve is calculated by the least square method. The result is a straight line. However, when the alignment marks M11t, M21t, and M31t are arranged at positions on the curve, a curve passing through the alignment marks M11t, M21t, and M31t is obtained by the least square method.

FIG. 7B shows the case where the relief plate 21 shown in FIG. 7A is mounted obliquely with respect to the axial direction of the plate cylinder 2 and is deformed in a curved line by the action of an external force. The printed image A and the alignment marks M11 to M32 that are transferred onto the film F by the transfer are shown, and at least one of the left and right sides of the printing direction (in this example, the side corresponding to the target linear interpolation position data I11t to I41t) Are connected by continuous curves that sequentially pass through the position data D11 to D31 of the three alignment marks M11 to M31 located on the left side), and the portions between adjacent alignment marks (M11 and M21 and M21 and M31) in the curve The respective points obtained by dividing into three equal parts in the printing direction (X-axis direction) are shown as first to fourth curve interpolation position data I11 to I41. In this case, since the curve passes through three points, it can be obtained as a quadratic function. That is, under the condition that the direction of the film F toward the take-up roll 1b is the + direction of the X-axis direction, and the direction orthogonal to the X-axis and toward the left side in the drawing is the + direction of the Y-axis direction, the curve is Y = A + bX + cX ² can be obtained by a quadratic function. (If the number of alignment marks is 3 or more, for example, five, the curve passing through each of the five alignment marks can be expressed by a quartic function of Y = a + bX + cX ² + dX ³ + eX ^4. That is, alignment is performed. If the number of marks is n, the curve is an (n-1) degree function.) Then, the position data D11 to D32 and the curve interpolation position data I11 to I41 are respectively converted into target position data D11t to D32t, By correcting each position of the target linear interpolation position data I11t to I41t, a print image A that is close to the target ideal print image At can be obtained.

  FIG. 7C is a diagram showing a first image for correcting the printed image A using the letterpress 21 having the inclination and deformation shown in FIG. The plate cylinder 2 is rotated in the θ rotation direction (clockwise direction in the figure) so that the position data D11 and D12 of the first left and right alignment marks M11 and M12 are also the positions of the first target position data D11t and D12t. The image A, the alignment marks M11..., The target position data D11t... And the like that would be obtained if the images were transferred in this state. In other words, by rotating and displacing the plate cylinder 2 around the Z axis, the printing top position of the print image A can be approximated to the printing top position of the target printing image At.

  FIG. 7D is a diagram showing a second image for further correcting the image in addition to the correction shown in FIG. 7C, and the first curve interpolation position data I11 is also the first target curve. Transfer is performed while displacing the position of the plate cylinder 2 in the axial direction (right arrow direction in the figure) of the plate cylinder 2 so as to be the position of the interpolation position data I11t, and the first curve interpolation position data I11 is the first target. The image A after moving to the curve interpolation position data I11t, the alignment marks M11, and the target position data D11t are shown. That is, by displacing the plate cylinder 2 in the axial direction, a portion corresponding to the first curve interpolation position data I11 from the printing front end side in the print image A can be approximated to the target print image At.

  FIG. 7E is a diagram showing a third image for further correcting the printed image A in addition to the correction shown in FIG. 7D, and the second curve interpolation position data I21 is also the second target. The position of the plate cylinder 2 is transferred while being displaced in the axial direction (right arrow direction in the figure) so as to be the position of the linear interpolation position data I21t, and the second curve interpolation position data I21 is the second target linear interpolation position. The image A after the movement to the data I21t, the alignment marks M11, and the target position data D11t are shown. That is, by displacing the plate cylinder 2 in the axial direction, a portion corresponding to the second curve interpolation position data I21 from the printing front end side in the print image A can be approximated to the target print image At.

  FIG. 7F is a diagram showing a fourth image for correcting the printed image A in addition to the correction shown in FIG. 7E, and the positions of the second left and right alignment marks M21 and M22. Transfer is performed while displacing the position of the plate cylinder 2 in the axial direction (right arrow direction in the figure) of the plate cylinder 2 so that the data D21 and D22 are also the positions of the second target position data D21t and D22t, The second position data D21 and D22 indicate the image A after the movement to the second target position data D21t and D22t, the alignment marks M11, and the target position data D11t. That is, by displacing the plate cylinder 2 in the axial direction, the portion corresponding to each of the second position data D21 and D22 from the printing frontmost position in the print image A can be approximated to the target print image At. it can.

  Then, from the third curve interpolation position data I31 in the image A to the portion corresponding to the third position data D31 and D32, the plate cylinder 2 is transferred while being displaced in the axial direction in the same manner as described above. Accordingly, the portions corresponding to the third position data D31 and D32 from the second position data D21 and D22 in the print image A can also be approximated to the target print image At. However, the display in FIG. 7 of the portions corresponding to the third position data D31 and D32 from the second position data D21 and D22 is omitted.

  In FIG. 7, one continuous curve between adjacent position data (D11 and D21 and D21 and D31) is divided into three equal parts in the printing direction between each of the first to fourth. In the example, the curve interpolation position data I11 to I41 are specified. That is, an example in which two predetermined positions on the curve between each of the adjacent position data by dividing the curve into three equal parts is specified, and each position is indicated by curve interpolation position data. By dividing the curve between the two parts into two or more equal parts, one or more predetermined positions on the curve between the respective parts may be specified, and the position may be used as curve interpolation position data. . In addition, as long as a predetermined position on the curve can be specified, it is not necessary to use a method of equally dividing the curve between each other, and the direction of equally dividing may not be the printing direction (that is, the X axis direction). Good.

  On the other hand, for the target linear interpolation position data I11t to I41t, each straight line is specified by a position divided into three equal parts, but each straight line may be specified at one or more predetermined positions as described above. Good. However, it is necessary to set each target linear interpolation position data I11t to I41t to be a position corresponding to each curve interpolation position data I11 to I41. In the above example, by dividing into three equal parts in the X-axis direction, correspondence between each interpolation position of the straight line and the curve is taken. The correspondence between the interpolation positions is the same when the target linear interpolation position data I11t to I41t become the target curve interpolation position data I11t to I41t when the interpolation is performed using a curve.

  As shown in FIG. 7, by using the curve interpolation position data I11 to I41, for example, the curved deformation of the image A between the alignment marks M11 and M21 and between the alignment marks M21 and M31 in the printing direction. Since the prediction can be made more accurately, the image A can be corrected with the target image At. That is, by increasing the number of alignment marks M11..., It is possible to obtain an image that is closer to the target printed image At. However, the alignment marks M11. It will be limited and the number will be limited. On the other hand, since the curve interpolation position data I11. Therefore, a greater effect can be obtained in improving the printing accuracy.

  In the embodiment shown in each of the above drawings, the relief printing press 1 is shown in which the printing cylinder 2 is used as a transfer cylinder and the printing material is directly transferred from the printing cylinder 2 to the film F. As shown in FIG. 8, the relief printing machine 1 transfers ink from the plate cylinder 2 to the blanket cylinder 20, and then uses the blanket cylinder 20 as a transfer cylinder to indirectly transfer the ink from the blanket cylinder 20 to the film F. It may be configured so as to be transferred.

  In addition, as the relief printing machine 1, a roll-to-roll type is shown, but for example, as shown in FIG. 9, with respect to a film (substrate) F held on a flat support surface 61a in a printing table 61. The plate cylinder 2 may be constituted by a sheet-type relief printing machine 6 that moves while rotating. However, in the case of the sheet-type relief printing press 6, the film F is held in a stationary state on the support surface 61a of the printing table 61, and the entire printing unit 100 including the plate cylinder 2 is the relief printing press 6. Is moved and driven at a speed synchronized with the peripheral speed of the plate cylinder 2 in the direction along the support surface 61a of the printing table 61 (that is, the direction along the film F). Therefore, the sheet-fed relief printing press 6 is provided with a tuning drive device (not shown) that moves and drives the printing unit 100 at a speed synchronized with the peripheral speed of the plate cylinder 2. The tuning drive device is configured to reliably return the plate cylinder 2 to the reference position for transferring the print image A on the plate cylinder 2 to a predetermined position. The position adjusting device 5 can also accurately return to the reference position based on the function of moving the plate cylinder 2 in the X axis direction, the Y axis direction, and the θ rotation direction. The sheet-fed letterpress printing machine 6 may also be configured with a blanket cylinder 20 shown in FIG.

  Further, in the relief printing press 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 8, the impression cylinder 3 is moved in the XY plane direction and the θ rotation angle direction around the Z axis by the position adjusting device 5 together with the plate cylinder 2 and the blanket cylinder 20. Although the structure configured to be drivable is shown, the impression cylinder 3 may be configured not to be displaced in the XY plane direction and the θ rotation angle direction.

  However, in this case, for example, by rotating the plate cylinder 2 in the θ rotation angle direction, the parallelism between the plate cylinder 2 and the impression cylinder 3 is lowered. The surface pressure acting on 3 changes in the axial direction. In this case, since the adjustment in the θ rotation angle direction is a minute angle of ± 5 degrees or less (± 1 degree or less in the actual printing state), the surface pressure changes linearly in the axial direction of the plate cylinder 2. Will do.

  For this reason, the printing unit 100 is configured to rotate the plate cylinder 2 in the θ rotation angle direction with one end of the plate cylinder 2 as a fulcrum. To prevent. In addition, the surface pressure that changes linearly in the axial direction toward the other end of the plate cylinder 2 is caused by the fine displacement element (not shown) provided at a position corresponding to the other end of the plate cylinder 2. By making a slight displacement in the vertical direction with respect to the XY plane, it is possible to adjust so as to be constant in the axial direction. The adjustment amount by the fine displacement element is calculated by the control unit 104 as an optimum value for making the surface pressure constant based on the θ rotation angle, and is output from the control unit 104 to the fine displacement element. Yes.

  As described above, even when the impression cylinder 3 is held at a fixed position, the entire print image A can be accurately printed close to the target ideal print image At and accurately superimposed. Can be printed.

  FIG. 10 shows an example of a relief printing press that holds the impression cylinder 3 at a fixed position. The relief printing machine 8 shown in FIG. 10 has a configuration in which a plurality of (three in this example) printing units 100 are provided along the peripheral surface of one impression cylinder 3. The printing unit 100 is configured as described above, except for the impression cylinder 3, and illustrations of the components other than the plate cylinder 2 and the anilox roll 4 are omitted.

  In the letterpress printing machine 8, the film F moves as the impression cylinder 3 rotates, and a plurality of stacked printings are performed by sequentially transferring from the plate cylinder 2 positioned on the upstream side in the moving direction of the film F. Can be done.

  In this case, each alignment mark transferred to the film F by the plate cylinder 2 immediately before the subsequent plate cylinder 2 is read by the cameras 7a and 7b, the position is specified by the control unit 104, and the position data obtained thereby is used as the target position data. As follows, the position of the subsequent plate cylinder 2 in the XY plane direction, the θ rotation angle direction with one end portion of the subsequent plate cylinder 2 as a fulcrum, and the change of the θ rotation angle direction of the subsequent plate cylinder 2 Control is performed to adjust the other end up and down with a fine displacement element.

  Thus, for example, the film F or the like is deformed such as being stretched after being transferred by the first plate cylinder 2 and after being dried by the drying device 81 until being printed by the second plate cylinder 2. In addition, it is possible to perform laminated printing with accurate alignment. In other words, in addition to the positional deviation of the relief plate 21 and the like, even when a factor that causes deformation of the printed image A due to drying or conveyance is added immediately before the subsequent transfer, accurate stacked printing is performed. It can be carried out. As a result, it is possible to continuously obtain a print image A that is one repeat length and accurately stacked. In FIG. 10, 1 d is a guide roller for winding the film F around the impression cylinder 3.

  Then, in a state where the film F is wound around the impression cylinder 3, the film F is attracted to the outer peripheral surface of the impression cylinder 3 by a vacuum action or the like, and rotates integrally with the impression cylinder 3. Further, since a plurality of plate cylinders 2 are arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the impression cylinder 3, it is not allowed to displace in synchronization with a specific plate cylinder 2. That is, the impression cylinder 3 needs to be stably held at a predetermined position. The XY plane is a plane that passes through the contact portion between the relief plate 21 of the plate cylinder 2 and the film F and faces the tangential direction of the plate cylinder 2, and the direction differs depending on each plate cylinder 2.

  On the other hand, FIG. 11 shows a letterpress printing machine 9 that continuously obtains a print image A having a repeat length of 1 and is accurately laminated and printed in the course of conveying the film F linearly. Yes, except for the film F being conveyed linearly, the basic configuration is the same as the relief printing press 8 shown in FIG. Further, in the relief printing press 9 shown in FIG. 11, each impression cylinder 3 is stably held at a predetermined position. Further, in FIGS. 10 and 11, an example in which the plate cylinder 2 is used as a transfer cylinder is shown, but it goes without saying that the above-described blanket cylinder 20 may be used as a transfer cylinder.

  In addition, the printing material contains liquid organic EL materials (light-emitting polymers), liquid polyimide, and organic materials including any of polythiophene, polyacetylene, polyaniline, polyphenylenevinylene, polyfluorene, polypyrrole, and organic semiconductors. It may be a liquid or a fluid such as a liquid, water-based ink, UV ink, oil-based ink, process ink, intermediate color ink, waterless ink, or other ink.

  Furthermore, although the example in which the minimum unit displaceable by the position adjusting device 5 is 1 μm is shown, the position adjusting device 5 has a displacement amount of 1 μm or more and less than 100 μm as the minimum unit. The reference position may be adjustable. Here, the reason why it is set to 1 μm is that even if the positioning accuracy of the actuator used in the position adjusting device 5 is minimum, it is about 1 μm. Also, the reason why the thickness is less than 100 μm is that printing with a precision of about 100 μm can be performed based on the relief plate attached to the plate cylinder even in the current technology.

  The camera 7a is provided so that the alignment marks M11, M21, M31, M11t, M21t, and M31t on the left side in the printing direction can be imaged, and the camera 7b can image the alignment marks M12, M22, M32, M12t, M22t, and M32t. However, these cameras may be provided on one of the left and right sides in the printing direction. For this camera, even if it is possible to obtain data for specifying the position of each alignment mark by imaging a plurality of alignment marks at the same time, imaging is performed for each alignment mark at time intervals. By doing so, it may be possible to obtain data for specifying the position of each alignment mark.

  Further, in correcting the position of the image A shown in FIGS. 3 to 7, the position data D11 to D32 of the alignment marks M11 to M32 are moved to the target position data D11t to D32t, and are positioned on the left and right in the printing direction. The position converting device 5 is configured to control the position of the plate cylinder 2 so that both the position data D11 to D31 and D12 to D32 move to the corresponding left and right target position data D11t to D31t and D12t to D32t. Here, for example, considering the case where the position of the plate cylinder 2 is controlled to move both the left and right position data D11 and D12 to the corresponding target position data D11 and D12, the cameras 7a and 7b are actually used. Since the dimension between the position data D11 and D12 obtained by calculation by the control unit 104 changes under the influence of the elastic deformation of the relief plate 21 or the like, each of the position data D11 and D12 is the target position data D11t , D12t is less likely to match simultaneously.

  Therefore, for example, the plate cylinder 2 is displaced in the θ rotation direction so that the straight line passing through the left and right position data D11 and D12 has the same inclination as the straight line passing through the corresponding left and right target position data D11t and D12t, and By moving the plate cylinder 2 in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction to move one of the left and right position data, for example, the left position data D11 to the corresponding left target position data D11t, the left position data D11. Is corrected to a position that matches the left target position data D11t, and predetermined control means for correcting the right position data D12 to a position that approximates the right target position data D12t is provided in the control unit 104 as a program. Become.

  That is, the position of the plate cylinder 2 is controlled so that the position data data D11 to D31 and D12 to D32 positioned on the left and right in the printing direction are moved to the corresponding left and right target position data D11t to D31t and D12t to D32t. For example, the left position data D11 to D31 are moved to the same position as the left target position data D11t, and the right position data D12 is moved to a position similar to the right target position data D12t. It is possible.

  Further, for example, the plate cylinder 2 is displaced in the θ rotation direction so that the straight line passing through the left and right position data D11 and D12 has the same inclination as the straight line passing through the corresponding left and right target position data D11t and D12t. By moving the plate cylinder 2 in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction to move the center position between the left and right position data D11, D12 to the center position between the target position data D11t, D12t, the left position The control unit 104 may be provided with a control unit that corrects the data D11 to a position similar to the left target position data D11t and the right position data D12 to a position similar to the right target position data D12t. Good.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the linear interpolation position data I11 to I41 and the curve interpolation position data I11 to I41 are configured to correct the position and the like using only the left side data. You may comprise so that a position etc. may be corrected using the linear interpolation position data I12-I42 of right side, and curve interpolation position data I12-I42 with this left side data. That is, the plate cylinder 2 is moved in the θ rotation direction and the X-axis direction in order to move the left and right linear interpolation position data I11 to I41 and I12 to I42 to the left and right target linear interpolation position data I11t to I41t and I12t to I42t, respectively. Further, it may be displaced in the Y-axis direction. Further, the plate cylinder 2 is moved in the θ rotation direction and the X-axis direction so as to move the left and right curve interpolation position data I11 to I41 and I12 to I42 to the left and right target curve interpolation position data I11t to I41t and I12t to I42t, respectively. Further, it may be displaced in the Y-axis direction.

  However, in this case as well, as described above, for example, the left linear interpolation position data I11 is corrected so as to move to a position that coincides with the left target linear interpolation position data I11t, and the right linear interpolation position data I12. Similarly, it is possible to cope with this by correcting to move to a position approximate to the target linear interpolation position data I12t on the right side. Also. The left linear interpolation position data I11 is also corrected to a position approximated to the left target linear interpolation position data I11t, and the right linear interpolation position data I12 is corrected to a position approximated to the right target linear interpolation position data I12t. It may be.

  In addition, as for each alignment mark original shape portion, what is formed on the relief plate 21 in order to transfer each alignment mark arranged at equal intervals on a straight line extending in the printing direction onto the film F is shown. As long as the alignment marks are arranged at intervals in the direction, alignment marks that are not arranged at equal intervals on a straight line may be transferred. However, it is necessary that the position of the alignment mark can be specified.

  On the other hand, in each of the above-described embodiments, an example in which ink is supplied to the plate cylinder 2 via the anilox roll 4 has been described. However, from the ink supply means such as a predetermined nozzle without using the anilox roll 4. You may comprise so that ink may be uniformly supplied to the surface of the letterpress 21 of the plate cylinder 2. FIG.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Letterpress printing machine 2 Plate cylinder 5 Position adjustment apparatus 7a, 7b Camera (imaging apparatus)
20 blanket cylinder 21 letterpress 104 control unit (control device)
A Image At At target image F Film (printed material)
D11 to D32 Position data D11t to D32t Target position data I11 to I42 Linear interpolation position data, Curve interpolation position data I11t to I42t Target linear interpolation position data M11 to M32 Alignment mark M11t to M32t Target alignment mark

Claims (5)

The printing material attached to the outer periphery of the relief printing plate made of an elastic material mounted on the outer periphery of the plate cylinder is transferred to the blanket cylinder directly or using the plate cylinder as a transfer cylinder. A relief printing machine that indirectly transfers to a substrate as a cylinder,
The transfer cylinder rotates while applying a predetermined pressure to the printed material, thereby gradually transferring the printing material attached to the outer peripheral portion of the transfer cylinder to the printed material as a print image. And
The relief plate has a printing image original shape portion for transferring the print image to the printing material, and is provided on at least one of the left side and the right side of the printing direction for gradually transferring the printing image to the printing material. And an alignment mark original shape portion for transferring at least two alignment marks to the printing material at intervals in the printing direction in order to specify the position of the print image,
An image pickup device that obtains data for identifying the position of each alignment mark by imaging each alignment mark is provided at a position where the surface to which the alignment mark is transferred in the substrate can be viewed,
For driving the transfer cylinder in a plane direction along a plane passing through a contact portion between the relief plate of the transfer cylinder and the substrate and facing a tangential direction of the transfer cylinder and a turning direction around an axis perpendicular to the plane. A position adjusting device is provided,
The position of each alignment mark is specified from the data obtained by the imaging device, and each position is recorded as the position data of each alignment mark. The position data and the position to be the target of each alignment mark are A command is issued to the position adjusting device to compare the recorded target position data with each other and to correct the position of each position data to the position of each target position data. And a letterpress printing machine comprising a controller for controlling the transfer from the transfer cylinder to the substrate while being gradually displaced in the turning direction.   2. The letterpress printing machine according to claim 1, wherein each target position data is data based on a position of each alignment mark original shape portion indicated in the design of the letterpress.   The target position data is position data targeted at the time of the subsequent transfer that is the transfer after the second layer among the transfer performed by stacking a plurality of layers on the substrate to perform the multi-layer printing, and the subsequent transfer 2. The letterpress printing machine according to claim 1, wherein the position data is obtained by specifying the position of each alignment mark transferred to the printing material at least before by the imaging device and the control device. The control device connects adjacent position data on at least one of the left side and the right side of the printing direction on the printed material with a straight line, and specifies the position of the print image on at least one predetermined position on the straight line. And linear interpolation position data for
And the position corresponding to the linear interpolation position data in the straight line connecting the adjacent target position data corresponding to the adjacent position data is set as the target linear interpolation position data,
4. A command is issued to the position adjusting device to correct the position indicated by the linear interpolation position data so as to be the position indicated by the target linear interpolation position data. The letterpress printing machine according to any one of the above. The control device specifies, by a least square method, a curve that sequentially passes three or more adjacent position data in the printing direction on at least one of the left side and the right side of the printing direction in the substrate, At least one predetermined position on the curve between adjacent position data as curve interpolation position data for specifying the position of the image,
In addition, a curve that sequentially passes the target position data corresponding to the three or more position data in the printing direction is specified as a target curve by a least square method, and the target curve data between the adjacent target position data is The position corresponding to the curve interpolation position data at the target curve interpolation position data,
4. A command is issued to the position adjusting device to correct the position indicated by the curve interpolation position data so as to be the position indicated by the target curve interpolation position data. The letterpress printing machine according to any one of the above.

Images