JP3254286B2 - Plate mask making equipment - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a plate mask making apparatus, and more particularly, to a method for exposing an unnecessary portion in a plate process.
The present invention relates to a plate mask producing apparatus for producing a plate mask for not exposing a necessary portion.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, when an original is printed on a plate using an intaglio printing machine, first, each original is printed in accordance with arrangement information. After that, the unexposed part of the part which is not related to the printing of the plate is exposed to prevent unnecessary ink from being applied at the time of printing. Must not be exposed because it is necessary for printing. Therefore, a light-shielding mask that covers this portion is provided.

Conventionally, such a light-shielding mask has been manually made. However, the light-shielding mask has to be created along the original, and has a complicated and complicated shape depending on the arrangement state, so that it takes considerable time and effort to create it. In addition, the production efficiency was low, and there was a possibility that an error would occur.

[0004]

As described above, the work efficiency of the light-shielding mask has been extremely low since the preparation of the light-shielding mask has been conventionally performed manually. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a printing plate mask producing apparatus capable of efficiently forming a light shielding mask at the time of printing.

[0005]

To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a printing plate mask producing apparatus comprising: input means for inputting graphic data generated by a graphic processing apparatus and layout data thereof; Shape offset data creating means for creating shape offset data in which the shape is offset to the outside based on the shape data, and arranging the created shape offset data according to the input arrangement data and calculating the shape data in the arrangement state. and a mask data creation means for creating mask data for the entire print Te, shape offset data creating means, graphic de entered
Figure line related to the shape of the figure required to create the mask from the data
A graphic data extraction unit for extracting only the data of
Of the intersection of lines that intersect each other
The process of finding a coordinate and dividing the line at the intersection, overlapping multiple lines
Processing to unify parts, delete lines that do not constitute a closed figure
At least one of the processes prior to calculating the shape data
A pre-processing unit that performs the pre-processing, and a pre-processing unit that performs the pre-processing.
Move the side of the data of the drawing line from a certain starting point in a predetermined direction
When a branch is encountered,
Select the side with the largest or smallest angle and return to the starting point.
Performs shape exploration and combines the data of the traced edges
In this way, shape data is calculated from the graphic line data.
A shape data calculating unit, and calculating the shape data from the calculated shape data.
A shape offset data in which the shape is offset outside by a predetermined amount
And a shape offset data generation unit that generates data
It is characterized by the following .

[0006]

Preferably, the apparatus further comprises processing machine control data generating means for generating mask processing machine control information from the generated mask data, and a processing apparatus for processing a plate mask in accordance with the generated processing machine control information. .

[0008]

In the plate mask making apparatus according to the present invention, the input means inputs the graphic data of one original prepared by a graphic processing apparatus such as a CAD and the arrangement data thereof. Next, the shape offset data creating means creates shape offset data in which the shape is offset to the outside based on the input graphic data. Preferably, the shape offset data creating means first extracts, from the input figure data, figure data necessary for creating a mask, then calculates the form data from the extracted figure data, and then calculates the form data from the calculated form data. Is generated outside by a predetermined amount. Thereafter, the mask data creating means arranges the created shape offset data according to the input arrangement data and calculates the shape data in the arrangement state to create mask data of the entire print. Then, processing machine control information of the mask is created from the created mask data by the processing machine control data creation means, and a printing plate mask is created by the working apparatus in accordance with the created processing machine control information.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a plate mask making system according to an embodiment. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes an externally connected graphic forming / editing device (for example, CAD); An interface 4 for connecting the plate mask creating devices is a data storage device for storing the graphic data of each single original created by the CAD 1 and the arrangement data thereof.

Reference numeral 5 denotes an arithmetic unit constituted by a program memory (not shown) and a CPU, and realizes the following various functional blocks. That is, reference numeral 6 denotes input means for reading graphic data and arrangement data to be processed from the data storage device 4. 7 is a shape offset data creating means,
A graphic data extraction unit 8 for extracting graphic data necessary for creating a mask from the input graphic data, and a graphic data extraction unit 8 for performing preprocessing on the extracted graphic data for facilitating subsequent calculation processing of shape data A processing unit 9; a shape data calculating unit 10 for calculating the shape data from the preprocessed graphic data; and a shape for generating shape offset data by offsetting the shape by a predetermined amount outward from the calculated shape data. And an offset data generation unit 11. Further, reference numeral 12 denotes mask data generating means for arranging the generated shape offset data in accordance with the input arrangement data, and calculating shape data in the arrangement state to generate mask data of the entire print, and 13 denotes the generated mask. This is processing machine control data generation means for generating processing machine control data from data. Reference numeral 14 denotes a plate mask processing device.

As is well known, the CAD 1 is a device for performing a graphic creation / editing process such as drawing a line, drawing a dimension, writing a character string, and the like. In this embodiment, the graphic data and the layout data of each original to be printed on a plate are designed in advance by the CAD 1. FIG. 3 shows an example of the design data. FIG. 3A shows an example of graphic data, which includes graphic data required for mask creation, dimension line drawing data and character string data not required for mask creation. FIG. 3B shows an example of the layout data, in which the graphic data (including the type, name, number, etc. of the graphic to be arranged) of each original is included in a predetermined area (each area). Information to be arranged in a predetermined manner (rotation, inversion, etc.) at the position of the graphic reference point from the reference point is included.

Using such graphic data and arrangement data, calculation of shape data for the graphic data and calculation of the shape offset data are performed, and further calculation of shape data in the arrangement state of these shape offset data. Then, control data for a processing machine such as a cutting plotter is created. FIG. 2 is a flowchart of the plate mask creation process of the embodiment.

In step S 1, a series of graphic data and arrangement data are input from the CAD 1 and stored in the data storage device 4. In step S2, the input means 6 selects and reads the first graphic data and its layout data from the data storage device 4. In step S3, the graphic data extracting unit 8 extracts only graphic data necessary for mask processing from the selected graphic data.

This extraction processing will be described with reference to a simple example shown in FIG. In FIG. 4A, among the input graphic data, the graphic data necessary for processing the plate mask are line segment data to
Which is accompanied by dimension leader lines and dimension data. FIG. 4B shows an example of storing the graphic data of FIG. 4A. From left, “L” in column 1 is a line segment, “C” is a character, and “1” in column 2 Is a graphic line, "2" is a dimension line, "1" in column 3 is a solid line, "2"
Indicates a broken line. Further, column 4 represents the number of subsequent data. For example, when column 1 is a line segment L,
The following four data respectively represent the XY coordinates of the start point and the end point of the line segment. If column 1 is the letter C,
The following eight data represent the XY coordinates of the start point of the character, the height, the width, the space between characters, the rotation angle, the number of characters, and the character code. Therefore, by extracting only the graphic data of column 2 = 1 (graphic line) from the input graphic data, the graphic data necessary for processing the plate mask is extracted. Further, column 3 = 2 which is not related to the shape of the figure
The graphic data of (broken line) may be deleted.

In step S4, the graphic data preprocessing unit 9
Performs necessary pre-processing on the extracted graphic data in advance to facilitate calculation of shape data described later.
Some examples of this preprocessing are shown in FIG. In FIG. 5A, for example, when a plurality of line segments forming a figure intersect with each other, the coordinates of the intersection are obtained, and each line segment is divided by the intersection. The same applies to the case where a line segment and a curve or a curve intersect. This makes it possible to clarify the existence of the branch and to clarify the coordinates of the start point and end point of each branch side. In FIG. 5B, when a plurality of line segments overlap, the overlapping portion is separated, and one of the overlapping portions is deleted. The same applies when the curves overlap. In this way, the graphic data can be unified for convenient search of the shape data later. In FIG. 5C, a line segment (curve) whose one end is open does not constitute a closed figure, so that it is deleted. For example, since the end point v of the graphic data V and the end point w of the graphic data W are not shared by other figures, they are deleted. In this way, unnecessary branch edges are deleted, and the burden of branch selection at the time of shape exploration is reduced. Then, in FIG. 5D, line segments (curves) on the same figure without branching are combined into one figure data. However, if there is a branch, it is left as it is. By performing the above preprocessing, graphic data as shown in FIG. 6A is obtained.

In step S5, the shape data calculation unit 10
Performs search and calculation of the shape data from the pre-processed graphic data of FIG. For this purpose, the shape data calculation unit 10 first automatically determines the starting point and direction of the shape search. That is, the start point is, for example, a vertex at which the Y coordinate in the graphic data is the minimum. However, when there are a plurality of such points as shown in the figure, the point having the smallest X coordinate is set as the start point.
Therefore, the starting point is P in the example of FIG. As for the search direction, for example, a direction of side data having a start point P at an end point and a side having the maximum angle with the X axis is set as the search direction. In the example of the drawing, the angle between the side a and the X axis is 0 degree, while the angle between the side b and the X axis is larger than 90 degrees. Therefore, the search direction is the direction of arrow c. When the side b is an arc, the tangent direction of the arc b at the point P is opposite to the X axis. Therefore, the angle formed with the X axis is 180 degrees, and the search direction is also the direction of arrow c in this case.

Next, the shape data calculation unit 10 performs a shape search of the graphic data. This shape search is performed, for example, by a method of sequentially tracing the sides pointing in each direction from the start point P toward the search direction c. Then, when a branch is encountered, the side having the largest angle with the side indicating the current direction (that is, the leftmost side in this example) is selected. When searching clockwise, it is sufficient to select a side having the smallest angle with the side indicating the current direction (that is, always the rightmost side). In this way, each side is sequentially traced, the figure data of the traced side is marked in order, and when returning to the start point P, the search is terminated. Thereafter, when the graphic data of the marked sides are combined (connected), shape data as shown in FIG. 6B is calculated. The graphic data of each side that is not marked is deleted.

In step S6, the shape offset data generating section 11 generates shape offset data in which the shape of the calculated shape data is offset to the outside thereof by d according to the specified offset amount d. This will be described with reference to FIG. By the way, the shape data calculated in the step S5 is composed of a plurality of side data, and each side data is information of a start point and an end point along the search direction c, information of a straight line or a curve, and a case of a curve. It has a generation formula for generating the curve and various parameter information associated therewith. Therefore, if the offset amount d is given to each side data or its generation formula, offset side data along each side data can be easily generated.

For example, when an offset amount of X = ± d is given to the left vertical line segment LL, line segments L2 and L1 are generated.
In this case, it is necessary to determine which can be used as shape offset data. This determination can be easily made depending on which side the offset line is generated in the direction from the start point to the end point of each side data. In this example, it is sufficient to always select the shape offset data generated on the left side in the traveling direction c.

Incidentally, for example, an arbitrary point Q may be determined inside the shape data, and the determination may be made by comparing the distance from the point Q. In this case, since the line segment L1 is far from the line segment L, the line segment L1 is selected. Similarly, since the line segment L4 is far from the line segment L, the line segment L4 is selected. When an offset amount of r = ± d is given to the radius data of the arc R, the arcs R1 and R2 are generated. In this case, since the arc R2 is farther from the arc R, the arc R2 is selected. In this case, the point Q may use the reference point of the graphic data input from CAD1.

Further, the shape offset data generating section 11 finds the intersection of each offset data side thus generated,
This is defined as the start point and end point of each side data that intersect each other.
For example, the intersection of the line segment L1 and the line segment LS is obtained, and
And the start point of the line segment LS. In this way, the generated shape offset data of each side is prepared as shape offset data of one figure. Further, if necessary, a process of rounding the intersection of the sides is performed. For example, line segment L
The intersection of line 4 and line segment L6 is replaced with a part of the arc data of radius d. In particular, when the intersection angle θ of the intersection becomes an acute angle, it is preferable to perform this rounding processing. Thus, final shape offset data is formed.

In step S7, the mask data creating means 12 first arranges a predetermined number of shape offset data of one figure in a predetermined arrangement area according to the arrangement data inputted from the CAD1. FIG. 8A shows 2 for simplicity of explanation.
The figure shows a case in which pieces of shape offset data are arranged adjacently on the left and right. Comparing this with the case of FIG. 3B, since each shape offset data has a shape offset by d outside of the original one original document data, as shown in FIG. There are overlapping parts on the left and right sides of. Furthermore, if the shape offset data is also arranged above and below FIG. 8A, a vertically overlapping portion is similarly generated.

In step S8, it is checked whether or not the generation and arrangement of the shape offset data has been completed for all the graphic data and the arrangement data inputted in step S1. If not, the process returns to step S2 to select new graphic data and its layout data. If the processing has been completed, the process proceeds to the next processing. In step S9, the mask data creating means 12 calculates the shape data in the same manner as described above, based on each of the arranged shape offset data. As a result, the overlapping portion of each shape offset data is removed, and shape data (plate mask data) as shown in FIG. 8B is obtained.

In step S10, the obtained mask data is temporarily stored in the data storage device 4. As a result, CA
D1 extracts the mask data from the data storage device 4,
It can be displayed on its own display unit (not shown). Then, the operator can evaluate the completion of the mask data by superimposing and displaying the mask data as shown in FIG. 8B on the printing original display as shown in FIG. 3B.

In step S11, the processing machine control data generating means 13 generates processing machine control data for controlling a cutting plotter or the like based on the obtained mask data. In step S12, the cutting plotter 14 cuts the mask film or the like according to the processing machine control data. As described above, according to the present embodiment, the mask data creation operation is reduced, and the operation efficiency is improved. Moreover, the graphic data and arrangement data of the CAD 1 do not need to be specially created for mask creation, and the data at the time of original design can be used as it is. Further, since no modification is made to the original design data of CAD1, there is no influence on the original design data.

[0026]

As described above, according to the present invention, CAD
Since the mask data of one original is directly created from the graphic data created by the above method, accurate mask data can be easily obtained. Further, since the mask data of the entire print is created according to the layout data of one original created by CAD or the like, the alignment can be performed easily and precisely. Furthermore, since a mask is automatically created using a film cutting plotter or the like based on the obtained mask data, an efficient and high quality mask can be created, and the mask creation efficiency can be improved and simplified.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a plate mask making system according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a plate mask creation process according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of input graphic data and arrangement data.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of extracting graphic data necessary for creating a mask from input graphic data.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating some examples of preprocessing for graphic data.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a shape search process for graphic data.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a process of creating shape offset data.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a process of creating plate mask data.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 figure creation and editing device 2 printing plate mask creation device 3 interface 4 data storage device 5 arithmetic device 6 input means 7 shape offset data creation means 12 mask data creation means 13 processing machine control data creation means 14 processing equipment

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G03F 1/00 G06F 17/50

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. Graphic data created by a graphic processing device and
Input means for inputting the arrangement data, and turning the shape outward based on the input graphic data.
Create a shape offset data
Offset data creating means;
Data according to the data
Mask to calculate mask data and create mask data for the entire print
Data creation means,The means for creating shape offset data includes: Figure shapes required to create a mask from the input figure data
Data extraction that extracts only the data of the graphic lines related to
Department and Lines that intersect each other with respect to the extracted graphic line data
The process of finding the coordinates of the intersection of and dividing the line at the intersection,
Processing to unify overlapping parts of lines, lines that do not constitute closed figures
At least one of the processes to delete
A pre-processing unit that performs pre-processing prior to exit; Starting the side of the pre-processed graphic line data
If you follow a point from a point in a predetermined direction and encounter a branch
Select the side that has the largest or smallest angle with the side that points to the specified direction
Then, a shape search to return to the starting point was performed, and the traced
By synthesizing the edge data,
A shape data calculation unit for calculating shape data, From the calculated shape data, move the shape outward by a predetermined amount.
Shape offset data to generate offset
Offset data generation unit Printing plate characterized by the following:
Mask making equipment. 2. A processing machine control data generating means for generating processing machine control information of a mask from the generated mask data, and a processing apparatus for processing a plate mask in accordance with the generated processing machine control information. The plate mask making apparatus according to claim 1.