JP5584458B2 - Printing apparatus and printing method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus and a printing method for rotating a plate cylinder provided with a plate and sequentially printing on a traveling material for each product, and more particularly to a technique for aligning a printing position with a predetermined position on a product.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a flexographic printing machine is known that continuously prints a sheet-like material that runs continuously at regular intervals for each product. The flexographic printing press is a rotary printing press that performs printing on a material by rotating a plate cylinder provided with a printing plate and supplying ink to the printing plate. Flexographic printing machines include a center drum system, a stack system, and an inline system. In particular, in-line flexographic printing presses are composed of a printing unit consisting of a plate cylinder and an impression cylinder. By adding a printing unit, the number of printing colors can be increased relatively easily. It is more useful than other methods in that color printing can be performed.

  There is a rotary type of such an in-line type flexographic printing machine. For example, a plate cylinder circumference (hereinafter referred to as a plate cylinder circumference) is fixed, and a plate is printed in accordance with the product length of the printed material. A flexographic printing machine that performs printing by controlling acceleration / deceleration of rotation of a cylinder is known (see Patent Document 1). Specifically, this flexographic printing machine runs the material at a constant speed, and controls the acceleration / deceleration of the rotation of the plate cylinder between the end of printing and the start of printing of the next product, Absorbs the difference between plate cylinder circumference and product length. Thereby, the plate provided on the rotating plate cylinder can be matched with the printing position for each product in the traveling material.

  Also known is a flexographic printing machine that performs printing by fixing the plate cylinder circumference and controlling the acceleration (deceleration) of the impression cylinder according to the product length of the printed material (patent) Reference 2). Specifically, this flexographic printing machine rotates the plate cylinder at a constant speed, and adds rotation of the impression cylinder (material travel) between the end of printing and the start of printing of the next product. By controlling the deceleration, the difference between the plate cylinder circumference and the product length is absorbed. Thereby, the plate provided on the rotating plate cylinder can be matched with the printing position for each product in the traveling material.

  By the way, in order to perform multicolor printing on the traveling material, it is necessary to perform processing for aligning the printing position with a predetermined position on the product for each printing unit. In the inline flexo printing machine, in the case of the drive shaft method, the material is controlled by a single-axis motor. Therefore, the mechanical position using a compensator is used to shift the material position in the feed direction for each printing unit. The printing position was aligned with the predetermined position above (see Patent Document 3). Specifically, the tension of the material is adjusted by changing the position of the compensator (compensation roller) by driving the compensation motor (see Patent Document 3, paragraph 31). Thereby, since the registration of the feeding direction of the material sent to the plate cylinder is performed, the position of the material can be shifted in the feeding direction, and the printing position can be adjusted to a predetermined position on the product. On the other hand, in the case of the sectional drive system, a mechanical mechanism using a compensator is unnecessary, and the printing position is adjusted to a predetermined position on the product by shifting the phase of the plate cylinder controlled individually for each printing unit. It was.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 58-197084 JP 2008-265010 A JP 2006-256233 A

  However, in the flexo printing press using the drive shaft method, as described above, the printing position of the material is shifted by the mechanical mechanism using the compensator. There was a problem that good products could be produced. Also, the position of the compensator is adjusted by driving the compensator and gradually changing the position, and the position of the compensator is adjusted for each printing unit (for each printing color). There was also a problem that it took time to make adjustments. Further, since it is necessary to adjust the position of the compensator every time the product is changed, there is a problem that it takes time each time the order is changed to change the product.

  On the other hand, in the flexographic printing press using the sectional drive method, as described above, the phase of the plate cylinder is gradually shifted by driving the plate cylinder motor, and the printing position is aligned with a predetermined position on the product. There is a problem that it takes time to make adjustments for registering the printing because it is necessary to do so. Similarly, there is a problem that it takes time each time an order is changed to change a product.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and the object of the present invention is to adjust the printing position on the material (registering) when sequentially printing on the traveling material by the rotating plate cylinder. It is an object of the present invention to provide a printing apparatus and a printing method that can easily perform adjustment and reduce adjustment time.

In order to achieve the above object, a printing apparatus according to the present invention has a mark at a predetermined position for each product obtained by dividing a material by a predetermined product length, and uses a mark signal detected by a mark sensor as a mark detection signal. By inputting, rotating the plate cylinder provided with the plate, and aligning the predetermined position for each product of the traveling material with the plate, the printing apparatus sequentially performs printing to the preset reference speed instruction. Based on the reference position command generated by the printing reference unit, the printing reference unit for generating the reference speed command for determining the rotational speed of the plate cylinder, and the reference position command for determining the rotational position of the plate cylinder. in phase, and wherein at a speed of the reference speed command generated by the print reference unit, generates a plate cylinder velocity command for rotating the plate cylinder, controls the rotation of the said plate cylinder by said plate cylinder velocity command The printing cylinder control unit, and the period from the start to the end of printing on the material, and at the same speed as the plate cylinder speed command, and the period from the end of printing to the start of the next printing, the travel of the material by acceleration and deceleration to produce a material speed command Ru combined predetermined position for the next product to the plate, and a feed control unit for controlling the feed for running the material by the material velocity command The feed control unit inputs a mark detection signal from the mark sensor, calculates an actual product length based on the timing at which the mark detection signal is input, and determines a printing start timing based on the actual product length. When a material speed command is generated, and the input speed of the mark detection signal changes according to the change in the installation position of the mark sensor. Which is a command for shifting the timing of the print start in response to a change in the input timing, and wherein the.

The printing apparatus according to the present invention is also provided with a plate in which a mark is attached at a predetermined position for each product obtained by dividing the material by a predetermined product length, and a mark signal detected by the mark sensor is input as a mark detection signal. The printing cylinder is rotated based on a preset reference speed instruction in a printing apparatus that sequentially performs printing by rotating the printing cylinder and aligning a predetermined position for each product of the traveling material with the printing plate. A reference speed command for determining the rotation speed of the printing cylinder, a printing reference portion for generating a reference position command for determining the rotational position of the plate cylinder, a phase according to the reference position command generated by the printing reference portion, and A plate cylinder control unit for generating a plate cylinder speed command for rotating the plate cylinder at a speed of the reference speed command generated by the printing reference unit, and for controlling the rotation of the plate cylinder according to the plate cylinder speed command; Previous For the period from the start to the end of printing on the material, the travel is performed at the same speed as the plate cylinder speed command, and for the period from the end of the printing to the start of the next printing, the travel of the material is accelerated or decelerated. In accordance with the change in the input timing of the mark detection signal that accompanies the predetermined position of the next product with the plate and the change in the installation position of the mark sensor, a material speed command that shifts the printing start timing is issued. A feed control unit that generates and controls feed for running the material according to the material speed command, and the feed control unit inputs a mark detection signal from the mark sensor and inputs the mark detection signal An actual product length calculation unit for calculating the actual product length based on the determined timing, and a reference based on a change in the plate cylinder position indicating the rotational position of the plate cylinder A degree command (VA) is generated, a difference between a preset plate cylinder circumference and an actual product length calculated by the actual product length calculation unit is calculated, and a value of the difference is preset in a counter, A result obtained by subtracting from the preset value with the rotation of the plate cylinder and the running of the material by the counter is a count value, and a command according to the count value, the plate cylinder perimeter and the actual product length, A material deviation speed command (VC) in which the printing start timing is shifted according to the difference value between the two is generated, and the material deviation speed command (VC) is subtracted from the reference speed command (VA) to obtain a tuning speed command ( VA-VC) is generated based on a tuning speed command (VA-VC) generation unit, an actual product length calculated by the actual product length calculation unit, and a preset print length, The calculated stop distance is a counter The stop speed command (VB) generation that generates a stop speed command (VB) according to the count value is set as a count value by subtracting from the preset value as the material travels by the counter. And a stop speed command (VB) generated by the stop speed command (VB) generation unit and a synchronization speed command (VA-VC) generated by the synchronization speed command (VA-VC) generation unit And a selector that outputs the material speed command.

  In the printing apparatus according to the present invention, the plate cylinder control unit calculates a difference between a position indicated by the reference position command generated by the printing reference unit and a plate cylinder position indicating the rotation position of the plate cylinder. A subtractor that outputs a plate position deviation, a multiplier that multiplies the plate position deviation output by the subtractor with a preset gain and outputs a plate position deviation speed command, and the printing reference unit. An adder that adds the plate position deviation speed command output by the multiplier to the generated reference speed command and outputs the plate cylinder speed command is provided.

  The printing apparatus according to the present invention includes a printing unit controller for each color in order to perform multi-color printing, and one printing unit controller among the plurality of printing unit controllers for each color. Comprises the printing reference unit, the plate cylinder control unit, and the feed control unit, and among the plurality of printing unit control devices for each color, the other printing unit control device includes the plate cylinder control unit and the printing cylinder control unit. A feed control unit is provided.

  Further, in the printing apparatus according to the present invention, the plate cylinder control unit indicates a rotation position of the plate cylinder, in addition to a preset starting position correction amount, in addition to the subtractor, the multiplier and the adder. A second adder for adding to the plate cylinder position and outputting the corrected plate cylinder position; and the subtractor outputs the position indicated by the reference position command generated by the print reference unit and the adder. The difference between the corrected plate cylinder position and the corrected plate cylinder position is calculated, and the plate position deviation is output.

  The printing apparatus according to the present invention includes a printing unit controller for each color in order to perform multicolor printing, and the printing unit controller includes the printing reference unit, the plate cylinder controller, and the feed. In accordance with a control unit and a preset selection signal, a reference speed command and a reference position command generated by the printing reference unit are input and output to the plate cylinder control unit, or another printing unit A reference speed command and a reference position command generated by a printing reference unit provided in the control device for a printer are input, and a switch for outputting to the plate cylinder control unit is provided. Among the control devices for the plurality of printing units for each color, A switch provided in one printing unit control device inputs a reference speed command and a reference position command generated by the printing reference unit according to the selection signal, and outputs them to the plate cylinder control unit. The selection signal is set, and among the plurality of printing unit controllers for each color, a switch provided in another printing unit controller is a printing reference provided in the one printing unit controller. The selection signal is set so that the reference speed command and the reference position command generated by the printing unit are input and output to the plate cylinder control unit.

Further, the printing method according to the present invention is provided with a plate in which a mark is attached to a predetermined position for each product obtained by dividing the material by a predetermined product length, and a mark signal detected by the mark sensor is input as a mark detection signal. In a printing method in which printing is performed sequentially by rotating a given plate cylinder and aligning a predetermined position for each product of the traveling material with the plate, based on a preset reference speed instruction, the plate cylinder generating a reference velocity command to determine the rotational speed of the steps of: generating a reference position command for determining the rotational position of the plate cylinder, the phase corresponding to the reference position command, and a speed of the reference speed command, the A step of generating a plate cylinder speed command for rotating the plate cylinder, controlling the rotation of the plate cylinder according to the plate cylinder speed command, and a period from the start to the end of printing on the material, Together to travel at a cylinder speed command and the same speed, for the period from the end of the printing to the start of the next printing, the material velocity and position Ru suit the versions of the following products traveling by acceleration and deceleration of said material generates a command, have a, and controlling the feed for running the material by the material velocity command, controlling the feed, enter the mark detection signal from the mark sensor, the mark detection The actual product length is calculated based on the timing when the signal is input, the material speed command for determining the printing start timing is generated based on the actual product length, and the material speed command changes the installation position of the mark sensor. If the input timing of the mark detection signal changes along with this, the print start timing is shifted according to the change in the input timing. It is characterized in that.

  As described above, according to the present invention, a plate cylinder speed command for rotating the plate cylinder is generated based on the reference speed command and the reference position command, and the plate cylinder is controlled to rotate. Also, it is a command consisting of a speed pattern that is the same as the rotational speed of the plate cylinder and a speed pattern by acceleration / deceleration from the end of printing to the start of the next printing, according to the timing of detecting the mark attached to each product. Thus, the printing start position on the product is shifted, the material speed command is generated so that the printing position is aligned with the predetermined position on the product, and the material is controlled to travel. This eliminates the need to use a mechanical mechanism with a compensator to adjust the printing position on the material (registration), and it is not necessary to adjust the phase of the plate cylinder. Become. Therefore, registration can be performed easily, and adjustment time can be shortened. Further, defective products are not produced due to the influence of mechanical accuracy.

1 is a diagram illustrating an outline of the overall configuration of a flexographic printing machine including a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure explaining the pattern of M2, M4, and M6 speed command, the printing procedure to material, and the movement of material. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing unit control apparatus that performs printing control for a first color. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control apparatus for printing units which performs printing control of the 2nd color. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a printing reference | standard part. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a plate cylinder control part. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a feed control part. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a selector. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing unit control device shared between printing units. It is a flowchart explaining the process of a printing reference | standard part. It is a flowchart explaining the process of a plate cylinder control part. It is a flowchart explaining the process of a real product length calculation part. It is a flowchart explaining the process of a VA-VC production | generation part. It is a flowchart explaining the process of a VB production | generation part. It is a flowchart explaining the process of a selector. It is a figure explaining the process of a reference position converter. It is a figure explaining the relationship between the pattern of a M2 speed command, material, and the size of a plate cylinder. It is a figure explaining the motion of the material with respect to the plate cylinder rotated at a fixed speed. 3 is a time chart for explaining a basic operation of the printing unit 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a basic operation of the printing unit 1. 6 is a time chart for explaining the operation when the installation position of the mark sensor 16-1 is changed during the basic operation of the printing unit 1. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an operation when the installation position of the mark sensor 16-1 is changed during the basic operation of the printing unit 1.

The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
A feature of the present invention is that, for each printing unit, the printing cylinder is rotated by a printing cylinder motor at a constant speed common to all printing units, and printing is started in accordance with the timing of detecting a mark attached to each product. The printing position is adjusted to a predetermined position on the product by shifting the timing and controlling the material to be accelerated / decelerated and controlled at a constant speed by a feed motor. Thereby, the printing position on the material can be adjusted (registered) without using a mechanical mechanism by the compensator.

[Flexo printing machine]
First, the flexographic printing machine will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an outline of the overall configuration of a flexographic printing machine including a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The flexographic printing machine 10 includes three printing units 1, 2, 3, a dancer 11-4, an unwinding machine 4, a winder 5, and a printing device 30. The material 6 travels from the unwinder 4 to the winder 5 via the printing units 1, 2, 3 and the dancer 11-4, and is fed by the first printing unit 1 for each product of a predetermined length (product length). The first color is printed, the second color is printed by the second printing unit 2, and the third color is printed by the third printing unit 3.

  Printing control for three-color printing is performed by a printing apparatus 30 including printing unit controllers 31-1, 31-2, and 31-3. The printing unit control device 31-1 controls the rotational speed of the plate cylinder 13-1 and the traveling speed of the material 6 provided in the printing unit 1 that performs printing of the first color. Similarly, the printing unit control device 31-2 controls the rotational speed of the plate cylinder 13-2 and the traveling speed of the material 6 provided in the printing unit 2 that performs printing of the second color, and the printing unit control device 31- 3 controls the rotational speed of the plate cylinder 13-3 and the traveling speed of the material 6 provided in the printing unit 3 for printing the third color. The printing unit control device 31-1 performs control for printing the first color by aligning the printing position with a predetermined position on the product. Similarly, the printing unit control device 31-2 performs control for printing the second color by aligning the printing position with a predetermined position on the product, and the printing unit control device 31-3 performs predetermined control on the product. Control for performing print control of the third color by aligning the print position with the position is performed.

  The unwinder 4 unwinds the material 6, and the winder 5 winds the material 6 that has been printed in three colors by the printing units 1, 2, and 3. The dancer 11-4 is provided between a later-described feed 15-3 provided in the printing unit 3 and the winder 5, and a certain amount of material is taken up when the material 6 is taken up by the winder 5. 6 Reserving is performed. A certain amount of accumulation is performed so that the feed 15-3 does not become a load on the winder 5 when the feed 15-3 travels the material 6 and the winder 5 winds up the material 6. It is. Further, when the dancer 11-4 is not provided, the winder 5 is affected by the tension applied to the material 6 by the feed 15-3, and the material 6 cannot be wound up. Because it grows.

  The printing unit 1 includes a dancer 11-1, an impression cylinder 12-1, a plate cylinder 13-1, an anilox roll 14-1, a feed 15-1, a mark sensor 16-1, a dryer 17-1, a plate cylinder motor ( M1) 18-1, a plate cylinder encoder 19-1, a feed motor (M2) 20-1, and a feed encoder 21-1.

  The dancer 11-1 is provided between the unwinding machine 4 and the feed 15-1, so that the unwinding machine 4 does not become a load on the feed 15-1 when the feed 15-1 travels the material 6. Therefore, a certain amount of material 6 is stored. This is because when the dancer 11-1 is not provided, the feed 15-1 is affected by the tension applied to the material 6 by the unwinding machine 4, and the material 6 cannot run at an appropriate speed. This is because the material 6 extends.

  The impression cylinder 12-1 and the plate cylinder 13-1 sandwich the traveling material 6 and perform printing at a predetermined position on the product in the material 6 by the plate 22-1 provided in the plate cylinder 13-1. The anilox roll 14-1 transfers the ink for printing to the plate 22-1 provided in the plate cylinder 13-1. The plate cylinder motor 18-1 is driven in accordance with the M1 speed command from the printing unit controller 31-1, and rotates the plate cylinder 13-1 and the anilox roll 14-1. The plate cylinder encoder 19-1 is a pulse signal (plate cylinder encoder signal) for detecting the rotational position (plate cylinder position) and rotational speed of the plate cylinder 13-1 as the plate cylinder motor 18-1 is driven. ) To the printing unit control device 31-1.

  The feed 15-1 causes the material 6 to travel by rotation. The feed motor 20-1 is driven according to the M2 speed command from the printing unit controller 31-1, and rotates the feed 15-1 to cause the material 6 to travel. As the feed motor 20-1 is driven, the feed encoder 21-1 sends a pulse signal (feed encoder signal) for detecting the travel position and travel speed of the material 6 to the printing unit controller 31-1. Output.

  The mark sensor 16-1 detects a mark attached to a predetermined position for each product on the material 6, and outputs a mark detection signal to the printing unit controller 31-1. The installation position of the mark sensor 16-1 is adjusted to align the printing position with a predetermined position on the product. When the installation position of the mark sensor 16-1 is changed, the mark detection timing is different, and the interval at which the mark detection signal is output by the mark sensor 16-1 is also different. The print start timing can be shifted according to the difference in the time output interval of the mark detection signal, and the print position can be adjusted to a predetermined position on the product. Details will be described later. The mark dryer 17-1 dries the material 6 inserted and printed by the impression cylinder 12-1 and the plate cylinder 13-1.

  The printing unit 2 has the same configuration as the printing unit 1, and includes a dancer 11-2, an impression cylinder 12-2, a plate cylinder 13-2, an anilox roll 14-2, a feed 15-2, and a mark sensor 16-2. , Dryer 17-2, plate cylinder motor (M3) 18-2, plate cylinder encoder 19-2, feed motor (M4) 20-2, and feed encoder 21-2. A plate 22-2 is provided in the plate cylinder 13-2.

  The dancer 11-2 is provided between the feed 15-1 and the feed 15-2 of the printing unit 1, and when the feed 15-2 travels the material 6, the feed 15-1 is loaded with the feed 15-2. In order to prevent this, a certain amount of material 6 is stored. This is because the feed 15-2 controls the travel of the material 6 independently of the feed 15-1 of the printing unit 1. Further, when the dancer 11-2 is not provided, the feed 15-2 is affected by the tension applied to the material 6 by the feed 15-1, and the material 6 is moved at an appropriate speed regardless of the feed 15-1. This is because the material 6 cannot be traveled and the material 6 extends. Accordingly, the printing unit 2 that performs printing of the second color independently adjusts the printing position to a predetermined position on the product by independently controlling the material 6 independently of the printing unit 1 that performs printing of the first color. be able to.

  Since the impression cylinder 12-2, the plate cylinder 13-2, and the like are the same as those of the printing unit 1, their descriptions are omitted here.

  The printing unit 3 has the same configuration as the printing units 1 and 2, and includes a dancer 11-3, an impression cylinder 12-3, a plate cylinder 13-3, an anilox roll 14-3, a feed 15-3, and a mark sensor 16. -3, dryer 17-3, plate cylinder motor (M5) 18-3, plate cylinder encoder 19-3, feed motor (M6) 20-3, and feed encoder 21-3. A plate 22-3 is provided on the plate cylinder 13-3.

  The dancer 11-3 is provided between the feed 15-2 and the feed 15-3 of the printing unit 2, and when the feed 15-3 travels the material 6, the feed 15-2 is loaded with the feed 15-3. In order to prevent this, a certain amount of material 6 is stored. This is because the feed 15-3 controls the travel of the material 6 independently of the feed 15-2 of the printing unit 2 and the feed 15-1 of the printing unit 1. Further, when the dancer 11-3 is not provided, the feed 15-3 is affected by the tension applied to the material 6 by the feed 15-2, and the material 6 is moved to an appropriate speed regardless of the feed 15-2. This is because the material 6 cannot be traveled and the material 6 extends. As a result, the printing unit 3 that performs printing of the third color independently controls the travel of the material 6 independently of the printing unit 2 that performs printing of the second color and the printing unit 1 that performs printing of the first color. The printing position can be adjusted to a predetermined position on the product.

  Since the impression cylinder 12-3, the plate cylinder 13-3, and the like are the same as those of the printing units 1 and 2, description thereof is omitted here.

  The printing unit control device 31-1 of the printing apparatus 30 generates a reference speed command and a reference position command based on a preset reference speed instruction, and outputs the reference speed command and the reference position command to the printing unit control device 31-. 2 and 31-3. Further, the printing unit controller 31-1 receives the plate cylinder encoder signal from the plate cylinder encoder 19-1, calculates the plate cylinder position, and M1 based on the plate cylinder position, the reference position command, and the reference speed command. A speed command is generated, and the M1 speed command is output to the plate cylinder motor 18-1. Further, the printing unit control device 31-1 receives the mark detection signal from the mark sensor 16-1 and also receives the feed encoder signal from the feed encoder 21-1, the input timing of the mark detection signal, and the feed encoder signal. The travel pattern of the material 6 is generated based on the plate cylinder position, the plate cylinder circumferential length B0, and the product length L, such as the travel position and travel speed of the material 6 obtained from the above, and the M2 speed command is sent to the feed motor 20-1. Output.

  As described above, the printing unit control device 31-1 controls the feed 15-1 by the M2 speed command and rotates the material 6 in a state where the plate cylinder 13-1 is rotated at a constant speed by the M1 speed command. Accelerate, constant speed, decelerate and stop. In this case, the material 6 is controlled to travel at a constant speed during printing so as to follow the rotation of the plate cylinder 13-1, and based on the input timing of the mark detection signal, that is, based on the installation position of the mark sensor 16-1. The printing position of the plate 22-1 provided on the plate cylinder 13-1 is adjusted to a predetermined position on the product. As a result, the first color is printed in the printing unit 1.

  Here, the preset reference speed instruction indicates the rotational speed of the plate cylinders 13-1, 13-2, and 13-3 at the time of printing and the traveling speed of the material 6 in all the printing units 1, 2, and 3. These are common instructions. Similarly, the reference speed command and the reference position command generated based on the reference speed instruction are instructions common to all the printing units 1, 2, and 3. Similarly, the preset plate cylinder circumference B0 and the product length L are data commonly used in all the printing units 1, 2, and 3.

  The printing unit control device 31-2 receives the reference speed command and the reference position command from the printing unit control device 31-1, and also inputs the plate cylinder encoder signal from the plate cylinder encoder 19-2, thereby receiving the plate cylinder position. Is calculated, an M3 speed command is generated based on the plate cylinder position, the reference position command, and the reference speed command, and the M3 speed command is output to the plate cylinder motor 18-2. Similarly to the printing unit controller 31-1, the printing unit controller 31-2 receives a mark detection signal from the mark sensor 16-2 and a feed encoder signal from the feed encoder 21-2. The travel pattern of the material 6 is generated based on the input timing of the mark detection signal, the travel position and travel speed of the material 6 obtained from the feed encoder signal, the plate cylinder position, the plate cylinder circumferential length B0, and the product length L. , M4 speed command is output to the feed motor 20-2.

  In this way, the printing unit control device 31-2 controls the feed 15-2 by the M4 speed command and rotates the material 6 while the plate cylinder 13-2 is rotated at a constant speed by the M3 speed command. Accelerate, constant speed, decelerate and stop. In this case, the material 6 is travel controlled at a constant speed during printing so as to follow the rotation of the plate cylinder 13-2, and based on the input timing of the mark detection signal, that is, based on the installation position of the mark sensor 16-2. Then, the printing position of the plate 22-2 provided on the plate cylinder 13-2 is adjusted to a predetermined position on the product. As a result, the printing unit 2 performs the second color printing.

  The printing unit control device 31-3 is the same as the printing unit control device 31-2. In this way, the printing unit control device 31-3 controls the feed 15-3 by the M6 speed command in a state where the plate cylinder 13-3 is rotated at a constant speed by the M5 speed command, and the material 6 travels. Accelerate, constant speed, decelerate and stop. In this case, the material 6 is controlled to travel at a constant speed during printing so as to follow the rotation of the plate cylinder 13-3, and based on the input timing of the mark detection signal, that is, based on the installation position of the mark sensor 16-3. Thus, the printing position of the plate 22-3 provided on the plate cylinder 13-3 is adjusted to a predetermined position on the product. As a result, the third color is printed in the printing unit 3.

  FIG. 2 shows patterns of M2, M4, and M6 speed commands (travel patterns of material 6), which are speed commands of the feeds 15-1, 15-2, and 15-3 in the printing units 1, 2, and 3; It is a figure explaining the printing procedure and the movement of the material. As shown in FIG. 2, the M2 speed command is a command for printing (1) at a predetermined position for each product of the material 6, and is a speed transition between acceleration (u to v) and constant speed (v to w). This is a command in which a speed pattern composed of VA-VC and speed transition VB of deceleration (w to x) and stop (x to y) is repeated. Specifically, the M2 speed command starts acceleration when the starting end of the product is at the insertion position of the plate cylinder 13-1 (u), and the plate 22-1 provided in the plate cylinder 13-1 It is a pattern that takes a trajectory (x) that is constant speed (v to w) during a period at the insertion position, then decelerates, and stops when the end of the product is at the insertion position of the plate cylinder 13-1. Here, the constant speed (v to w) in the speed transition VA-VC is the same as the rotational speed of the plate cylinder 13-1 rotating at a constant speed. The printing unit controller 31-1 of the printing apparatus 30 shown in FIG. 1 generates such a speed pattern and outputs it to the feed motor 20-1 as an M2 speed command. As a result, the material 6 travels in this speed pattern.

  The M4 speed command of the feed 15-2 in the printing unit 2 and the M6 speed command of the feed 15-3 in the printing unit 3 are also used for printing (2) and (3) at predetermined positions for each product of the material 6, respectively. It is a directive. The printing unit controllers 31-2 and 31-3 of the printing apparatus 30 shown in FIG. 1 generate such a speed pattern and output it to the feed motors 20-2 and 20-3 as M4 and M6 speed commands. To do. As a result, the material 6 travels in this speed pattern.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of continuous products are produced on the material 6 by forming prints (1), (2), and (3) for each product of the product length L. The material 6 is previously marked with a product length L interval for each product.

  Printing (1) is performed at a predetermined position by the plate cylinder 13-1 and the impression cylinder 12-1 when the material 6 travels at the same speed as the plate cylinder 13-1 (v to w). Similarly, the printing (2) is performed at a predetermined position by the printing cylinder 13-2 and the impression cylinder 12-2 when the material 6 is traveling at the same speed as the printing cylinder 13-2. Is moved to a predetermined position by the plate cylinder 13-3 and the impression cylinder 12-3 when the material 6 is traveling at the same speed as the plate cylinder 13-3.

  The start positions of printing (1), (2), and (3) are M2, M4, and M6 based on changes in the input timing of the mark detection signal, that is, the installation positions of the mark sensors 16-1, 16-2, and 16-3. By controlling the travel of the material 6 according to the speed command, it can be adjusted to a predetermined position on the product. In the printing (1), since the displacement amount k1 = 0, the description of k1 is omitted. The area of the trapezoid constituting the M2, M4, and M6 speed commands is the product length L, and the lateral width (time) of the trapezoid corresponds to the product length L. The deviation amounts k2 and k3 are determined by changing the installation positions of the mark sensors 16-2 and 16-3.

  Note that the M2 speed command shown in FIG. 2 indicates a case where the circumference of the plate cylinder 13-2 (plate cylinder circumference B0) is longer than the product length L, and the material 6 accelerates at a constant speed (during printing). Speed), deceleration and stop patterns. On the other hand, even when the plate cylinder circumferential length B0 is shorter than the product length L, it can be controlled by the printing apparatus 30 shown in FIG. Printing speed), acceleration, and constant speed (a speed faster than the rotation speed of the plate cylinder for adjusting the printing start position of the next product to the position of the plate). In addition, the M2 speed command may be composed of a pattern of only acceleration, constant speed (speed during printing) and deceleration, or a pattern of only deceleration, constant speed (speed during printing) and acceleration. Sometimes it is done. In the following embodiment, a case where the plate cylinder perimeter B0 is longer than the product length L will be described. The same applies to the M4 speed command and the M6 speed command. The plate cylinder circumference B0 is longer than the maximum print length printed on the material 6.

  Thus, according to the flexographic printing machine 10 shown in FIG. 1, the material 6 travels through the printing units 1, 2, and 3, so that the printing unit 1 makes a product of a predetermined length (product length L). The first color is printed at a predetermined position (print (1) in FIG. 2), the second color is printed at a predetermined position by the printing unit 2 (print (2)), and the third color is printed at a predetermined position by the printing unit 3 ( Printing (3)), three-color printing is performed.

[Printing device / printing unit controller]
Next, the printing unit control devices 31-1, 31-2, and 31-3 of the printing device 30 illustrated in FIG. 1 will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing unit control device 31-1 that performs printing control of the first color for the printing unit 1. The printing unit control device 31-1 includes a printing reference unit 32, a plate cylinder control unit 33-1, and a feed control unit 34-1.

  The printing reference unit 32 generates a reference speed command based on a preset reference speed instruction, generates a reference position command based on the reference speed command, and sends the reference speed command and the reference position command to the plate cylinder control unit 33- 1 and the printing unit control devices 31-2 and 31-3. Details of the print reference unit 32 will be described later.

  The plate cylinder control unit 33-1 receives a reference position command and a reference speed command from the printing reference unit 32, and also inputs a plate cylinder encoder signal from the plate cylinder encoder 19-1, and determines the plate cylinder position from the plate cylinder encoder signal. , And an M1 speed command is generated by feedforward control based on the plate cylinder position, the reference position command, and the reference speed command, and the M1 speed command is output to the plate cylinder motor 18-1. As a result, the plate cylinder 13-1 rotates at a constant speed indicated by the M1 speed command. Further, the plate cylinder control unit 33-1 outputs the plate cylinder position to the feed control unit 34-1. Details of the plate cylinder control unit 33-1 will be described later.

  The feed control unit 34-1 receives the plate cylinder position from the plate cylinder control unit 33-1 and also receives a mark detection signal from the mark sensor 16-1 and a feed encoder signal from the feed encoder 21-1. The feed control unit 34-1 sets the plate cylinder position, the input timing of the mark detection signal, the travel position of the material 6 obtained from the feed encoder signal, etc., and the plate cylinder circumference B0 and the product length L set in advance. Based on this, a travel pattern of the material 6 is generated and output to the feed motor 20-1 as an M2 speed command. Details of the feed control unit 34-1 will be described later.

  As described above, the printing unit control device 31-1 controls the feed 15-1 by the M2 speed command and rotates the material 6 in a state where the plate cylinder 13-1 is rotated at a constant speed by the M1 speed command. Acceleration, constant speed, deceleration and stop are performed, and during printing, the material 6 is controlled to travel at a constant speed, and the printing position is adjusted to a predetermined position on the product. As a result, the first color is printed in the printing unit 1.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing unit control device 31-2 that performs printing control of the second color on the printing unit 2. As illustrated in FIG. The printing unit controller 31-2 includes a plate cylinder controller 33-2 and a feed controller 34-2.

  When the printing unit control device 31-1 shown in FIG. 3 is compared with the printing unit control device 31-2 shown in FIG. 4, the printing unit control devices 31-1, 31-2 are both plate cylinder control units. 3-1, 33-2 and the feed control units 34-1 and 34-2 are common. On the other hand, the printing unit control device 31-1 is provided with a printing reference unit 32, whereas the printing unit control device 31-2 is different in that the printing reference control unit 32 is not provided.

  The plate cylinder controller 33-2 of the printing unit controller 31-2 receives the reference speed command and the reference position command from the printing unit controller 31-1, and the plate cylinder encoder 19-2 from the plate cylinder encoder 19-2. A signal is input, and the M3 speed command is generated by feedforward control based on the plate cylinder position, the reference position command, and the reference speed command in the same manner as the plate cylinder control unit 33-1, and the M3 speed command is used as the plate cylinder motor 18. Output to -2. As a result, the plate cylinder 13-2 rotates at a constant speed indicated by the M3 speed command. Further, the plate cylinder control unit 33-2 outputs the plate cylinder position to the feed control unit 34-2. Details of the plate cylinder control unit 33-2 will be described later.

  The feed control unit 34-2 receives the plate cylinder position from the plate cylinder control unit 33-2, and also receives a mark detection signal from the mark sensor 16-2 and a feed encoder signal from the feed encoder 21-2. Then, the feed control unit 34-2 sets the plate cylinder position, the input timing of the mark detection signal, the travel position of the material 6 obtained from the feed encoder signal, etc., and the plate cylinder circumference B0 and the product length L set in advance. Based on this, a travel pattern of the material 6 is generated and output to the feed motor 20-2 as an M4 speed command. Details of the feed control unit 34-2 will be described later.

  In this way, the printing unit control device 31-2 controls the feed 15-2 by the M4 speed command and rotates the material 6 while the plate cylinder 13-2 is rotated at a constant speed by the M3 speed command. Acceleration, constant speed, deceleration and stop are performed, and during printing, the material 6 is controlled to travel at a constant speed, and the printing position is adjusted to a predetermined position on the product. As a result, the printing unit 2 performs the second color printing.

  The configuration of the printing unit control device 31-3 that performs printing control for the third color on the printing unit 3 is the same as that of the printing unit control device 31-2, and thus the description thereof is omitted here.

  In addition, the M2, M4, and M6 speed commands, which are travel patterns of the material 6 generated by the printing unit control devices 31-1, 31-2, and 31-3, have different patterns depending on the printing position and the printing length. . Along with this pattern difference, the travel of the material 6 also differs for each of the printing units 1, 2, and 3. This difference in travel depends on the dancers 11-1, 11-2, 11-3, and 11-4. Can be absorbed.

[Print standard section]
Next, the printing reference unit 32 of the printing unit controller 31-1 shown in FIG. 3 will be described. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the print reference unit 32. FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the processing of the print reference unit 32. The print reference unit 32 includes a ramp circuit 101 and a reference position converter 102.

  The ramp circuit 101 inputs a preset reference speed instruction, and when there is a change in the reference speed instruction, it calculates the input reference speed instruction so that the steep change is reduced and a ramp-like change is obtained. A reference speed command is generated (step S1001). Then, the ramp circuit 101 outputs the reference speed command to the reference position converter 102, the plate cylinder controller 33-1 and the printing unit controllers 31-2 and 31-3 (step S1002).

  The reference position converter 102 receives the reference speed command from the ramp circuit 101, converts the reference speed command into a position command that repeats from a position of 0 to a predetermined maximum value in a cycle inversely proportional to the value of the reference speed command. Is generated (step S1003). Then, the reference position converter 102 outputs a reference position command to the plate cylinder control unit 33-1 and the printing unit controllers 31-2 and 31-3 (step S1004).

  FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining processing of the reference position converter 102. The reference position command output by the reference position converter 102 is a command indicating the rotational position when the plate cylinders 13-1, 13-2, and 13-3 are rotated once, and is inversely proportional to the value of the reference speed command. In the cycle, for example, a value gradually increasing from 0 to the maximum value H is taken. (1) shows a case where the value of the reference speed command is larger than (2), and the period at that time is shorter than (2). On the other hand, (2) shows a case where the value of the reference speed command is smaller than (1), and the period at that time is longer than (1). That is, the cycle t1 <t2.

  As described above, the print reference unit 32 generates the reference speed command and the reference position command based on the reference speed instruction. The reference speed command is a command for rotating the plate cylinders 13-1, 13-2, and 13-3 of the printing units 1, 2, and 3 at a constant speed, and the reference position command is the printing units 1, 2, and 3. When the plate cylinders 13-1, 13-2, and 13-3 are rotated at a constant speed, the rotation cylinders are aligned and synchronized in position.

[Plate cylinder control unit]
Next, the plate cylinder controller 33-1 of the printing unit controller 31-1 shown in FIG. 3 will be described. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the plate cylinder control unit 33-1. FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining processing of the plate cylinder control unit 33-1. The plate cylinder control unit 33-1 includes a position detector 111, an adder 112, a subtractor 113, a multiplier 114, and an adder 115.

  The position detector 111 receives a plate cylinder encoder signal including a signal indicating the origin of the plate cylinder 13-1 from the plate cylinder encoder 19-1, and a plate cylinder position (of the plate cylinder 13-1 of the plate cylinder 13-1) based on the origin. The signal indicating the rotational position (angle) is detected and output to the adder 112 and the feed control unit 34-1 (step S1101). For example, the position detector 111 detects data that changes from a 0 ° position to a 360 ° position (rotation position data when the plate cylinder 13-1 makes one rotation), with the origin being 0, as the plate cylinder position. The signal indicating the origin of the plate cylinder 13-1 is a signal indicating that the rotating plate cylinder 13-1 is in a predetermined position. That is, the position detector 111 calculates a rotational position (angle) with reference to the origin, and detects the calculated rotational position as a plate cylinder position.

  The plate cylinder position output by the position detector 111 is the rotational position (starting position of the plate 22-1) at which printing starts on the material 6 by the plate 22-1 provided on the plate cylinder 13-1. ), And the rotation position (end point position of the plate 22-1) at the timing when the printing on the material 6 is completed by the plate 22-1 is recognized. The rotation position setting values indicating the plate cylinder positions at the start and completion of printing are stored in advance in the printing unit control device 31-1.

  The adder 112 inputs the plate cylinder position from the position detector 111, inputs a preset starting position correction amount OF, adds the starting position correction amount OF to the plate cylinder position, and corrects the corrected plate cylinder position. Is output to the subtracter 113 (step S1102). The subtractor 113 receives the corrected plate cylinder position from the adder 112 and also receives a reference position command from the printing reference unit 32, and subtracts the corrected plate cylinder position from the reference position command to obtain a plate position deviation. It is obtained and output to the multiplier 114 (step S1103). This starting position correction amount OF is data for determining the phase of the plate cylinder 13-1. Details will be described later.

  The multiplier 114 receives the plate position deviation from the subtractor 113, multiplies the gain K, obtains a plate position deviation speed command, and outputs it to the adder 115 (step S1104). The adder 115 receives the plate position deviation speed command from the multiplier 114 and the reference speed command from the printing reference unit 32, and adds the plate position deviation speed command to the reference speed command to generate an M1 speed command. (Step S1105). The adder 115 outputs the M1 speed command to the plate cylinder motor 18-1 (step S1106).

  When the plate cylinder control unit 33-1 is operating stably, the plate position deviation output by the subtractor 113 is 0, and the adder 115 outputs the reference speed command as the M1 speed command. . On the other hand, when the plate cylinder 13-1 is not rotated at the position indicated by the reference position command, the plate position deviation speed command is generated by the subtractor 113 and the multiplier 114 so as to rotate at that position. The unit 115 adds the plate position deviation speed command to generate an M1 speed command and outputs it. When the plate cylinder 13-1 rotates at the position indicated by the reference position command, the plate position deviation becomes 0, and the plate cylinder control unit 33-1 operates stably. That is, the plate cylinder 13-1 rotates at a constant speed according to the M1 speed command.

  As described above, the plate cylinder control unit 33-1 can rotate the plate cylinder 13-1 at a constant speed of the reference speed command obtained from the preset reference speed instruction by the M1 speed command. Further, the plate cylinder control unit 33-1 synchronously controls the position indicated by the reference position command and the plate cylinder position by feedforward control by the position detector 111, the adder 112, the subtractor 113, and the multiplier 114. Thus, the plate cylinder 13-1 can be rotated while aligning the plate cylinder position with the position indicated by the reference position command. For example, even if a deviation occurs in the plate cylinder position due to a roll slip of the plate cylinder 13-1, the plate cylinder position is adjusted to the position indicated by the reference position command without accumulating the deviation. be able to. In this case, since the reference position command is a common command between the printing units 1, 2, 3, in the printing units 1, 2, 3, the plate cylinders 13-1, 13-2 are placed at a common position indicated by the reference position command. , 13-3, the plate cylinders 13-1, 13-2, 13-3 can be rotated while the plate cylinder positions are respectively adjusted. The phases of the plate cylinders 13-1, 13-2, and 13-3 can be set by a starting position correction amount OF input to the adder 112 of each printing unit 1, 2, and 3, as will be described later.

  The printing cylinder control unit 31-2 of the printing unit controller 31-2 and the printing cylinder controller 33-3 of the printing unit controller 31-3 shown in FIG. Since it is the same as that of the first plate cylinder control unit 33-1, the description thereof is omitted here.

[Feed control unit]
Next, the feed control unit 34-1 of the printing unit control device 31-1 shown in FIG. 3 will be described. FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the feed control unit 34-1. The feed control unit 34-1 includes an actual product length calculation unit 210, a VA-VC generation unit (tuning speed command generation unit) 220, a VB generation unit (stop speed command generation unit) 230, and a selector 240.

  The actual product length calculation unit 210 receives the plate cylinder position from the plate cylinder control unit 33-1 and also receives the mark detection signal from the mark sensor 16-1 and the feed encoder signal from the feed encoder 21-1. Then, the actual product length calculation unit 210 receives the preset product length L, calculates the actual product length RL based on the input timing of the mark detection signal, and generates the actual product length RL from the VA-VC generation unit 220 and the VB generation. Output to the unit 230. Here, the actual product length RL is a value that changes as the installation position of the mark sensor 16-1 is changed, in other words, a value that changes as the input timing of the mark sensor signal changes. When the actual product length RL changes, the acceleration start point of the material deviation speed command VC moves and the printing position changes. That is, when the installation position of the mark sensor 16-1 is changed, the input timing of the mark sensor signal is changed, the actual product length RL is changed, the acceleration start point of the material deviation speed command VC is moved, and the printing position is changed. Can be changed.

  The VA-VC generation unit 220 inputs the plate cylinder position from the plate cylinder control unit 33-1, the feed encoder signal from the feed encoder 21-1, and the actual product length RL from the actual product length calculation unit 210. . The VA-VC generation unit 220 calculates a reference speed command VA that is the rotational speed of the plate cylinder 13-1 based on the change amount of the plate cylinder position, and outputs the reference speed command VA to the VB generation unit 230. In addition, the VA-VC generation unit 220 sets the input plate cylinder position and a preset rotation position setting value indicating the plate cylinder position when printing is completed (plate cylinder position corresponding to the end position of printing (2)). Based on the above, a print completion is generated and output to the VB generation unit 230 and the selector 240. The VA-VC generation unit 220 subtracts the actual product length RL from the preset plate cylinder circumference B0, and the subtraction result, the subsequent plate cylinder position, and the travel position of the material 6 indicated by the feed encoder signal. Based on the above, the material deviation speed command VC is calculated. The VA-VC generation unit 220 outputs a tuning speed command that is a reference speed command VA-material deviation speed command VC to the selector 240, calculates a rate R based on the reference speed command VA, and generates a VB generation unit 230. Output to.

  The VB generation unit 230 receives the actual product length RL from the actual product length calculation unit 210 and the feed encoder signal from the feed encoder 21-1, and also completes printing, the rate R and the reference speed command from the VA-VC generation unit 220. Enter VA. Then, the VB generation unit 230 calculates a stop speed command VB based on the actual product length RL, the travel position of the material 6 indicated by the subsequent feed encoder signal, and outputs the stop speed command VB to the selector 240.

  The selector 240 receives the print completion and VA-VC from the VA-VC generation unit 220 and VB from the VB generation unit 230, and outputs VA-VC or VB to the feed motor 20-1 as an M2 speed command.

  FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the pattern of the M2 speed command and the size of the material 6 and the plate cylinder 13-1. The pattern of the M2 speed command generated by the feed control unit 34-1 includes acceleration and constant speed transition VA-VC generated by the VA-VC generation unit 220, and deceleration and stop generated by the VB generation unit 230. The velocity transition VB of

  The material 6 is marked at a distance of m from the starting end of the product at intervals of the product length L at predetermined locations for each product. M2 speed, where c is the distance from the beginning of the product to the printing start position of printing (1) by the plate cylinder 13-1, a is the printing length, and b is the distance from the printing end position to the end of the product. The distance traveled by the acceleration of VA-VC constituting the command (the area of the acceleration portion in the M2 speed command pattern) is c. Further, the distance traveled by the constant speed of VA-VC (area of the constant speed portion) is a, and the distance traveled by the deceleration of VB (area of the deceleration portion), that is, the stop distance is b. In this case, the travel distance of the material 6 by acceleration, constant speed and deceleration from time t0 to time t3 is c + a + b, and this distance is product length L = a + b + c.

  FIG. 17 shows a schematic diagram when the plate cylinder 13-1 is extended linearly. The difference between the plate cylinder circumference B0 and the product length L is B0-L, and the plate cylinder circumference B0 is longer than the product length L by B0-L. While the plate cylinder 13-1 is rotated by a distance B0-L corresponding to this difference, the material 6 is stopped.

  Here, when the plate cylinder circumferential length B0 = product length L, the feed control unit 34-1 may generate an M2 speed command having the same constant speed as that of the plate cylinder 13-1 always rotating at a constant speed. Thus, the material 6 always travels at the same constant speed (VA) as the plate cylinder 13-1 without being accelerated or decelerated. On the other hand, when the plate cylinder perimeter B0 ≠ product length L, the feed control unit 34-1 keeps the printing start position of the next product printing (1) constant for a time corresponding to the difference B0-L. In order to match the position of the plate of the plate cylinder 13-1 rotating at a speed, it is necessary to generate an M2 speed command including a stop period. In this case, from time t3 to time t4, the plate cylinder 13-1 rotates by a distance B0-L, but the material 6 stops.

  On the other hand, the pattern of the M4 speed command generated by the feed control unit 34-2 includes the acceleration and constant speed transition VA-VC and the deceleration and stop speed transition VB, similarly to the pattern of the M2 speed command. .

  FIG. 18 is a diagram for explaining the movement of the material 6 with respect to the plate cylinder 13-1 rotating at a constant speed in the printing unit 1. The feed control unit 34-1 generates the M2 speed command shown in FIG. 17 so that the material 6 operates in the order of (1) to (4) shown in FIG. In FIG. 18, (1) shows a state at time t1 (see FIG. 17) when the material 6 finishes the acceleration travel and starts the constant speed travel. Assuming that the printing start position at a distance c from the starting end of the product is a1, at this time t1, the starting point of the plate 22-1 provided on the plate cylinder 13-1 rotating at a constant speed is on the printing start position a1. That is, the printing start position a1 of the material 6 exists at the insertion position between the plate cylinder 13-1 and the impression cylinder 12-1 where the material 6 is inserted, and the starting point of the plate 22-1 exists. Yes. Printing starts from here, and the running speed of the material 6 and the rotational speed of the plate cylinder 13-1 become the same.

  (2) shows a state at time t2 when the material 6 finishes traveling at a constant speed and starts decelerating traveling. Assuming that the printing end position of the product is a2, at this time t2, the end point of the plate 22-1 provided on the plate cylinder 13-1 rotating at a constant speed is on the printing end position a2, and the printing ends here. . That is, the printing end position a2 of the material 6 exists at the insertion position of the plate cylinder 13-1, and the end point of the plate 22-1 exists.

  (3) shows a state at time t3 when the material 6 finishes decelerating and stops. At this time t3, the material 6 stops at a position past a predetermined distance from the end point of the plate 22-1 provided on the plate cylinder 13-1 rotating at a constant speed. In this case, the end of the product (the start end of the next product) exists at the insertion position of the plate cylinder 13-1.

  (4) shows a state at time t4 when the material 6 finishes stopping and starts acceleration travel. At this time t4, the material 6 starts traveling at a position a predetermined distance before the starting point of the plate 22-1 provided on the plate cylinder 13-1 rotating at a constant speed. In this case, the end of the product (the start end of the next product) exists at the insertion position of the plate cylinder 13-1.

[Real product length calculation section]
Next, the actual product length calculation unit 210 of the feed control unit 34-1 illustrated in FIG. 7 will be described. As described above, the actual product length calculation unit 210 inputs the plate cylinder position, the mark detection signal, and the feed encoder signal, and uses the preset product length L to calculate the actual product length RL according to the input timing of the mark detection signal. The actual product length RL is calculated and output to the VA-VC generation unit 220 and the VB generation unit 230. With reference to FIG. 7, the actual product length calculation unit 210 includes a mark detector 211 and a mask processing unit 212.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining processing of the actual product length calculation unit 210. When the mark detector 211 of the actual product length calculator 210 receives the mark detection signal from the mark sensor 16-1, the mark detector 211 outputs the mark detection signal to the mask processor 212 (step S1201). The mask processing unit 212 inputs the mark detection signal from the mark detector 211 and also inputs the feed encoder signal from the feed encoder 21-1, and based on the feed encoder signal, the time when the traveling of the material 6 is stopped and The time during which the material 6 is traveling is calculated, the mask time is set based on these times, and the mask signal is output to the mark detector 211 from when the mark detection signal is input until the mask time elapses. .

  The mark detector 211 receives the mask signal from the mask processing unit 212, and ignores the input of the mark detection signal while inputting the mask signal (step S1202). Further, the mark detector 211 inputs the plate cylinder position from the plate cylinder control unit 33-1, and inputs the plate cylinder position at the timing when the mark detection signal is inputted when the mask signal is not inputted, and then the mark detection signal. The actual product length RL is calculated using the difference between the plate cylinder position at the timing and the preset value when the product length L is converted into the plate cylinder position (step S1203). Then, the mark detector 211 outputs the actual product length RL to the VA-VC generation unit 220 and the VB generation unit 230 (step S1204).

  The mark detector 211 compares the input plate cylinder position with a preset rotation position setting value indicating the plate cylinder position when printing is completed. The actual product length RL is calculated and output at the timing. That is, the actual product length RL output by the mark detector 211 is updated at the timing of printing completion.

  As described above, the actual product length calculation unit 210 calculates the actual product length RL based on the input timing of the mark sensor signal, the product length L, and the like. Accordingly, the VA-VC generation unit 220 and the VB generation unit 230 can generate the M2 speed command using the actual product length RL accompanying the expansion and contraction of the material 6. Therefore, even if expansion or contraction occurs due to the material 6 or the like, the travel speed of the material 6 is not affected by it, so that the printing position on the material 6 is accurately printed at a predetermined position without being shifted. Can do.

  Further, the actual product length calculation unit 210 calculates the actual product length RL at the timing of completion of printing, and outputs the actual product length RL to the VA-VC generation unit 220 and the VB generation unit 230. As a result, the VA-VC generation unit 220 and the VB generation unit 230 perform the presetting of the counter based on the latest actual product length RL when printing is not performed, and the M2 speed command for printing of the next product Can be generated. Therefore, printing can be performed with high accuracy from a preset print start position on the material 6.

[VA-VC generator]
Next, the VA-VC generation unit 220 of the feed control unit 34-1 illustrated in FIG. 7 will be described. As described above, the VA-VC generation unit 220 inputs the plate cylinder position, the feed encoder signal, the actual product length RL, and the like, calculates the reference speed command VA that is the rotation speed of the plate cylinder 13-1, and then determines the plate cylinder position. The printing completion is generated, and the actual product length RL is subtracted from the preset plate cylinder circumference B0, and the subtraction result, the subsequent plate cylinder position, the travel position of the material 6 indicated by the feed encoder signal, etc. Based on this, a material deviation speed command VC is calculated. The VA-VC generation unit 220 outputs the print completion to the VB generation unit 230, outputs the reference speed command VA-material deviation speed command VC to the selector 240, and calculates the rate R based on the reference speed command VA. And output to the VB generation unit 230.

  Referring to FIG. 7, the VA-VC generation unit 220 includes a varicam 221, an F / V filter 222, a subtractor 223, an adder / subtractor 224, a tuning side counter 225, a rate variable unit 226, an acceleration calculator 227, and a multiplier 228. And a subtractor 229.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating the processing of the VA-VC generation unit 220. The F / V filter 222 of the VA-VC generation unit 220 receives the plate cylinder position from the plate cylinder control unit 33-1 and uses a converter that converts a frequency into a voltage and a filter that removes a signal of a predetermined frequency (step S1301). ), A reference speed command VA that is the rotational speed of the plate cylinder 13-1 is generated and output to the subtractor 229, the rate variable unit 226, and the VB generation unit 230 (step S1302).

  The varicam 221 inputs the plate cylinder position from the plate cylinder control unit 33-1, compares the plate cylinder position with a preset rotational position setting value indicating the plate cylinder position when printing is completed, and when they match. The printing completion is determined (step S1303), and the printing completion is output to the tuning counter 225, the VB generation unit 230, and the selector 240.

  The subtractor 223 receives the actual product length RL from the actual product length calculation unit 210, subtracts the actual product length RL from a preset plate cylinder circumference B0, and adds and subtracts the subtraction result (B0-RL). Output to. The adder / subtractor 224 receives the subtraction result (B0-RL) from the subtractor 223, the feed encoder signal from the feed encoder 21-1, and the plate cylinder position from the plate cylinder control unit 33-1, respectively. -RL) is subtracted from the sum of the feed encoder signal and the addition / subtraction result is output to the tuning counter 225.

  The tuning counter 225 inputs the addition / subtraction result from the adder / subtractor 224 and also inputs the print completion from the variable cam 221. Then, the tuning counter 225 presets the input addition / subtraction result (B0-RL) as a count value at the timing when printing completion is input (step S1304). Thereafter, the tuning-side counter 225 subtracts the count value with the input of the plate cylinder position by the rotation of the plate cylinder 13-1 (step S1305), and the count value with the input of the feed encoder signal by the travel of the material 6 Addition (step S1306), and the addition / subtraction count value is output to the multiplier 228 as the material deviation speed command count value VC ′. That is, the tuning counter 225 presets B0-RL as a count value at the timing when printing completion is input, subtracts the count value with the subsequent input of the plate cylinder position, and counts with the input of the feed encoder signal. Add the values.

  The acceleration calculator 227 receives the actual product length RL from the actual product length calculation unit 210, sets the preset product length L, the preset distance c from the start end of the product to the print start position, and the preset value. The acceleration is calculated from the printed length a and the actual product length RL, and is output to the multiplier 228. For example, the actual print length is calculated from the relationship between the product length L and the actual product length RL and the preset print length a, and the acceleration distance P0 = (actual product length RL−actual print length) / 2 is calculated. The acceleration is calculated using the actual distance (acceleration distance P0) with respect to c and the value of a constant speed during printing. Thereby, even if it is a case where the material 6 expands and contracts, the acceleration according to the expansion-contraction amount is computable.

  The rate variable unit 226 receives the reference speed command VA from the F / V filter 222 and sets a rate R for correcting the acceleration calculated by the acceleration calculator 227 according to the value of the input reference speed command VA. Output to the multiplier 228 and the VB generator 230. Specifically, the rate variable unit 226 sets the rate R to 1 when the reference speed command VA is the maximum value as the rotational speed of the plate cylinder 13-1, and sets the reference speed when the reference speed command VA is less than the maximum value. The rate R is set in the range of 0 to 1 in proportion to the value of the command VA.

The multiplier 228 inputs the material deviation speed command count value VC ′ from the tuning side counter 225, inputs acceleration from the acceleration calculator 227, and inputs rate R from the rate variable unit 226. The multiplier 228 multiplies the input acceleration by a gain for making the acceleration calculated in advance, multiplies the rate R according to the printing speed, and multiplies the result by the material deviation speed command count value VC ′. Then, the resulting material deviation speed command VC is output to the subtractor 229 (step S1307). For example, when the maximum frequency of the feed motor 20-1 (M2) at a constant speed during printing of the plate cylinder 13-1 is F0, the gain is set to the acceleration distance P0- (P0-Z / 2). Here, Z = √ ((P0 ² −4 ² −F0 ² ) / (4 × π ² × response frequency)).

  FIG. 19 is a time chart for explaining the basic operation of the printing unit 1. (1) is a reference speed command VA, (2) is a material deviation speed command VC, (3) is VA-VC, (4) is a stop speed command VB, (5) is an M2 speed command, and (6) is printing completed. The horizontal axis indicates time.

  In (1), the reference speed command VA output by the F / V filter 222 is the rotational speed of the plate cylinder 13-1, and maintains a constant speed VA with respect to the time axis. In (2), the material deviation speed command VC is a command obtained by the multiplier 228 multiplying the material deviation speed command count value VC ′ output from the tuning side counter 225 by a gain or the like. Therefore, the material deviation speed command count value VC ′ also has the same pattern as the material deviation speed command VC. The material deviation speed command count value VC ′ is B0−RL at the timing of completion of printing, and thereafter gradually decreases to zero. The material deviation speed command VC is a value corresponding to B0-RL (a value obtained by multiplying a gain or the like in the multiplier 228) at the completion timing of printing, and then gradually decreases to zero.

  Since the plate cylinder 13-1 rotates at a constant speed, the plate cylinder position increases at a constant rate as time passes. Further, the travel position data based on the feed encoder signal decelerates and stops after the printing of the material 6 is completed, and therefore decreases as time elapses after the printing is completed, and maintains a constant value when the material 6 stops. Accordingly, the material deviation speed command count value VC ′ after the completion of printing gradually decreases to 0 with B0-RL as a vertex, and remains zero until the next printing completion is input. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 19 (2), the material deviation speed command VC gradually decreases and maintains zero until the next print completion is input.

  Returning to FIG. 13, the subtractor 229 receives the reference speed command VA from the F / V filter 222 and also receives the material deviation speed command VC from the multiplier 228, and receives the material deviation speed command VC from the reference speed command VA. The subtraction is performed, and the subtraction result VA-VC is output to the selector 240 (step S1308). The subtraction result VA-VC output from the subtractor 229 has the pattern shown in FIG. Here, in FIG. 19 (3), the area of the triangle from time t0 to time t1 is the distance c shown in FIG. 17, and the area of the rectangle from time t1 to t2 is shown in FIG. Distance a.

  As described above, in the printing unit 1, the VA-VC generation unit 220 presets B0-RL to the count value at the timing of printing completion, and counts as the plate cylinder 13-1 rotates and the material 6 travels. The VA-VC shown in FIG. 19 (3) is generated using a tuning counter 225 that decreases the value and maintains zero, and a multiplier 228 that multiplies the count value by a gain or the like. As a result, the acceleration and constant speed portion M2 speed commands can be generated.

  FIG. 20 is a diagram for explaining the printing (1) position on the product for the basic operation in the printing unit 1 shown in FIG. In FIG. 20, the mark sensor signal input from the mark sensor 16-1 is input at a constant time interval mt1. The M2 speed command is generated by reflecting the actual product length RL corresponding to the position of the plate 22-1 according to the input timing of the mark sensor signal. Here, as long as the time interval mt1 indicating the input timing of the mark sensor signal is the same, the calculated actual product length RL is the same value, and the feed pitch as the feed image is RL and does not change. In FIG. 19 (2), B0-RL also has the same value, and VC has the same timing and the same size pattern in the same cycle. As a result, the M2 speed command also has the same timing and the same size in the same cycle. Pattern. Accordingly, in FIG. 19 (3), the timing of t0 (acceleration start time) is the same in each pattern, so that printing (1) is performed at the same position within the actual product length RL that is the product pitch of the material 6. It will be.

  Next, in the printing unit 1, during the basic operation shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the operation when the installation position of the mark sensor 16-1 is changed, that is, the operation when the printing position is adjusted. explain. 21 and 22 are diagrams for explaining the operation. Now, during the basic operation in which the input timing of the mark sensor signal is the time interval mt1, the installation position of the mark sensor 16-1 is changed and the time interval of the mark sensor signal is shortened from mt1 to mt1 ′. To do. Then, RL ′ shorter than the RL during the basic operation is calculated as the actual product length.

  21 and 22, the time interval of the mark sensor signal input from the mark sensor 16-1 is changed from a constant mt1 to mt1 '. The M2 speed command is generated by reflecting the actual product lengths RL and RL ′ corresponding to the position of the plate 22-1 according to the input timing of the mark sensor signal. Here, since the time interval indicating the input timing of the mark sensor signal is shortened from mt1 to mt1 ′, the calculated actual product length is also shortened from RL to RL ′. B0-RL ′ in FIG. It becomes larger than B0-RL during operation. Since the vertex of VC is B0-RL ′, which is a position above B0-RL, in FIG. 21 (3), VA-VC changes to a pattern shifted to the right (delayed) as the vertex becomes higher. (Δt ′> Δt in FIG. 21 (3)). On the other hand, the trapezoidal area of the M2 speed command is the actual product length, and the printing length is the same because the plate 22-1 is the same. Therefore, the acceleration calculator 227 shown in FIG. 7, and the stop distance calculator 231 and the deceleration calculator 233, which will be described later, have an acceleration larger than that of the actual product length RL, according to the input actual product length RL ′. A short stop distance and a large deceleration are calculated respectively. As a result, an M2 speed command pattern is generated so that the trapezoidal area becomes RL ′ (see the M2 speed command pattern P1 in FIG. 21 (5) and FIG. 22). In other words, the feed pitch as the feed image changes from RL to RL ′ and becomes shorter.

  Therefore, as shown in the part of the material 6 in FIG. 22, the printing (1 ′) is performed at a position where the printing (1) is shifted to the right side in the same product pitch in the material 6. Since the printing (1 ′) position is determined by the pattern P1 of the M2 speed command, it is determined by the actual product length RL ′ for determining the pattern, that is, the time interval mt1 ′ that is the input timing of the mark sensor signal. be able to. That is, the printing position can be adjusted by changing the installation position of the mark sensor 16-1. Thereby, the printing position on the product can be adjusted to a predetermined position.

  The time interval indicating the input timing of the mark sensor changes from mt1 to mt1 'and then returns to the original time interval mt1. This is because it remains fixed after the installation position of the mark sensor 16-1 is changed. Accordingly, since the actual product length returns to RL, the subsequent printing is performed at the same printing position (print (1 ')) as when the actual product length is RL'.

[VB generator]
Next, the VB generation unit 230 of the feed control unit 34-1 illustrated in FIG. 7 will be described. As described above, the VB generation unit 230 inputs the actual product length RL, the feed encoder signal, the print completion, the rate R, and the like. When the printing is completed, the actual product length RL and the material 6 indicated by the subsequent feed encoder signal 6 The stop speed command VB is calculated based on the travel position and the like and output to the selector 240. With reference to FIG. 7, the VB generation unit 230 includes a stop distance calculator 231, a stop-side counter 232, a deceleration calculator 233, a multiplier 234, and a speed limiter 235.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining processing of the VB generation unit 230. The stop distance calculator 231 receives the actual product length RL from the actual product length calculation unit 210, and is set in advance from the preset product length L and the position where the material 6 stops from the printing end position of the product. The actual stop distance is calculated from the distance b, the preset print length a, and the actual product length RL, and is output to the stop counter 232. For example, the stop distance calculator 231 calculates the actual print length from the relationship between the product length L and the actual product length RL and the preset print length a, and the stop distance = (actual product length RL−actual print length) / 2 may be calculated. Thereby, even if it is a case where the material 6 expands and contracts, the stop distance according to the expansion-contraction amount is computable.

  The stop-side counter 232 inputs a stop distance from the stop distance calculator 231, and a feed encoder signal indicating the travel position of the material 6 from the feed encoder 21-1 and also inputs print completion from the VA-VC generation unit 220. (Step S1401). The stop-side counter 232 presets the stop distance to the count value at the timing when printing completion is input (step S1402), and subtracts the count value by the input of the feed encoder signal accompanying the travel of the material 6 (step S1403). The count value of the subtraction result is output to the multiplier 234 as the stop speed command count value VB ′.

  In FIG. 19 (4), the stop speed command VB is obtained by multiplying the stop speed command count value VB ′ output by the stop-side counter 232 by the multiplier 234 and the speed limiter 235 limiting the speed. This is the command obtained. Accordingly, the stop speed command count value VB 'also has the same pattern as the stop speed command VB. The stop speed command count value VB ′ is a value corresponding to the stop distance at the completion timing of printing, and thereafter gradually decreases to zero. Similarly, the stop speed command VB is a value corresponding to the stop distance at the timing of completion of printing (a value obtained by applying a gain and a limit in the multiplier 234 and the speed limiter 235, resulting in VA as a result), and then gradually. It becomes small and becomes zero.

  Returning to FIG. 7, the deceleration calculator 233 inputs the actual product length RL from the actual product length calculation unit 210, and the preset product length L and the position where the material 6 starts to travel (product start end). A preset distance c from the print start position to the print start position, a preset print length a, and a preset distance from the print end position of the product to the position where the material 6 stops (end end of the product). The deceleration is calculated by b and the actual product length RL, and is output to the multiplier 234. For example, the actual printing length is calculated from the relationship between the product length L and the actual product length RL, the deceleration distance = (actual product length RL−actual printing length) / 2 is calculated, the actual distance (deceleration distance) with respect to the distance b, and The deceleration is calculated using a constant speed value during printing. Thereby, even if it is a case where the material 6 expands and contracts, the deceleration according to the expansion-contraction amount is computable.

  The multiplier 234 inputs the stop speed command count value VB ′ from the stop side counter 232, inputs the deceleration from the deceleration calculator 233, and the rate R from the VA-VC generation unit 220. Then, the multiplier 234 multiplies the input deceleration by a gain for making a deceleration calculated in advance, and multiplies the rate R according to the printing speed, and the result is added to the stop speed command count value VB ′. Multiplication is performed, and the resulting stop speed command VB is output to the speed limiter 235.

  Returning to FIG. 14, the speed limiter 235 inputs the stop speed command VB after multiplication from the multiplier 234, and also inputs the reference speed command VA from the VA-VC generation unit 220, and the stop speed command VB is the reference speed command. The speed limit is applied to the stop speed command VB so as not to become larger than VA, and the stop speed command VB after the speed limit process is output to the selector 240 (step S1404). Thereby, since the stop speed command VB can be limited to a command equal to or less than the reference speed command VA, it is possible to prevent the travel speed of the material 6 from changing suddenly at the timing of completion of printing. Therefore, since the material 6 is not accelerated suddenly and an extra load is not applied, the material 6 can be smoothly run.

  As described above, in the printing unit 1, according to the VB generation unit 230, the stop distance from the printing end position of the product to the position where the material 6 stops (end end of the product) at the timing of printing completion is set as the count value. A stop counter 232 that presets and decreases the count value as the material 6 travels to maintain zero, a multiplier 234 that multiplies the count value by a gain, and the stop speed command VB is higher than the reference speed command VA The stop speed command VB shown in FIG. 19 (4) is generated using the speed limiter 235 that limits the speed so as not to increase. As a result, the M4 speed command for the deceleration and stop portions can be generated.

〔selector〕
Next, the selector 240 of the feed control unit 34-1 shown in FIG. 7 will be described. As described above, the selector 240 inputs printing completion, VA-VC and VB, and outputs VA-VC or VB to the feed motor 20-1 as an M2 speed command.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the selector 240. FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining the processing of the selector 240. The selector 240 includes a comparator 241, a latch circuit 242, and a switch 243. The selector 240 outputs VA-VC as an M2 speed command when VA-VC is a positive value, and outputs VB as an M2 speed command when VA-VC is 0 or a negative value.

  The comparator 241 receives VA-VC from the VA-VC generation unit 220, outputs an ON control signal when VA-VC> 0, and outputs an OFF control signal when VA-VC ≦ 0. . The latch circuit 242 receives a control signal from the comparator 241, inputs printing completion from the VA-VC generation unit 220, and outputs a switching control signal to the switch 243. Specifically, when an ON control signal is input from the comparator 241, the latch circuit 242 sets an output and outputs an ON switching control signal. Further, when printing completion is input while the ON switching control signal is being output, the latch circuit 242 resets the output and outputs an OFF switching control signal.

  The switch 243 receives VA-VC from the VA-VC generation unit 220, VB from the VB generation unit 230, and a switching control signal from the latch circuit 242. When printing completion is not input (step S1501) and VA-VC> 0 (step S1503), the switching control signal is turned ON. The switch 243 outputs VA-VC as the M2 speed command when the switch control signal is ON (step S1504). Further, when printing completion is input, the switching control signal is turned OFF, and the switch 243 outputs VB as an M2 speed command when the switching control signal is OFF (step S1502).

  In FIG. 19 (5), the M2 speed command is a command in which (3) VA-VC and (4) VB are combined. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 19 (3), (4), and (5), the M2 speed command is VA-VC when VA-VC> 0 and VA-VC ≦ 0 when printing is completed. After that, VB is a command that is synthesized until VA-VC> 0. That is, the selector 240 shown in FIG. 8 inputs VA-VC in FIG. 19 (3), VB in (4), and printing completion in (6), and performs the above-described processing, whereby M2 in (5). Outputs speed command.

  Thus, in the printing unit 1, according to the selector 240, when VA-VC> 0, VA-VC is output as the M2 speed command. As a result, the travel of the material 6 is accelerated from the stop state to the same constant speed as that of the plate cylinder 13-1, and printing is started from the print start position of the product. The selector 240 outputs VA as an M2 speed command until VA-VC <0 since VA-VC <0 when printing is completed. As a result, the travel of the material 6 is decelerated from the same constant speed as that of the plate cylinder 13-1 after the printing of the product is completed, and is stopped. And when VA-VC> 0, it will accelerate from a stop state and will become a fixed speed.

  As described above, according to the printing apparatus 30 according to the embodiment of the present invention, in the printing unit control apparatuses 31-1, 31-2, and 31-3 for the printing units 1, 2, and 3, the plate cylinder control unit 33 is provided. -1, 33-2, and 33-3 generate M1, M3, and M5 speed commands based on the common reference speed command and reference position command generated by the printing reference unit 32, and the plate cylinder motor 18- The plate cylinders 13-1, 13-2, 13-3 are controlled to rotate at a constant speed by 1, 18-2, 18-3. Further, the feed control units 34-1, 34-2, and 34-3 perform printing (1), (2), and (3) based on the input timing of the mark detection signal, that is, the mark sensor 16-1. , 16-2, 16-3, M2, M4, M6 speed commands are generated so that printing (1), (2), and (3) can be performed from a predetermined position, and the feed motor 20-1 , 20-2 and 20-3, the material 6 is subjected to acceleration / deceleration and traveling control at a constant speed. Thus, while rotating the plate cylinders 13-1, 13-2, 13-2 at a constant speed, the printing position is aligned with a predetermined position on the product in the material 6, and printing (1) (2) (3) is performed. It can be carried out. Therefore, it is not necessary to use a mechanical mechanism by the compensator for adjusting (registering) the printing position on the product in the material 6, and the phases of the plate cylinders 13-1, 13-2, 13-3 are adjusted. Since it is not necessary, the mechanism and processing for that purpose are unnecessary. Therefore, registration can be easily performed, and registration adjustment time can be shortened. Further, defective products are not produced due to the influence of mechanical accuracy.

[Common printing unit control unit]
Next, a configuration example when the printing unit control devices 31-1, 31-2, and 31-3 of the printing device 30 provided for each of the printing units 1, 2, and 3 are shared will be described. FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing unit control apparatus shared by the printing units 1 to 3. The printing unit controller 31 includes a printing reference unit 32, a plate cylinder control unit 33, a feed control unit 34, and a switch 35.

  The printing reference unit 32, the plate cylinder control unit 33, and the feed control unit 34 are the printing reference unit 32, the plate cylinder control units 33-1, 33-2, and the feed control units 34-1, 34 shown in FIGS. -2, the description is omitted here.

  The switch 35 inputs a reference speed command and a reference position command from the print reference unit 32, or inputs a reference speed command and a reference position command from another printing unit control device, and prints according to a preset selection signal. One of the commands on the reference unit 32 side or another printing unit control device side is selected, and the selected reference speed command and reference position command are output to the plate cylinder control unit 33.

  In the example of the flexographic printing machine 10 illustrated in FIG. 1, the printing unit control device 31-1 includes the printing reference unit 32, and the printing unit control devices 31-2 and 31-3 do not include the printing reference unit 32. . Therefore, the printing unit control device 31 used as the printing unit control device 31-1 outputs the reference speed command and the reference position command input from the printing reference unit 32 to the plate cylinder control unit 33 according to the selection signal. This is the same as the configuration shown in FIG. On the other hand, the printing unit control device 31 used as the printing unit control devices 31-2 and 31-3 has a reference signal input from another printing unit control device (printing unit control device 31-1) by a selection signal. The speed command and the reference position command are output to the plate cylinder control unit 33. This is the same as the configuration shown in FIG. That is, the selection signal is set in advance depending on whether or not the reference speed command and the reference position command output from the print reference unit 32 are used.

  As described above, according to the printing unit control device 31 shown in FIG. 9, the printing unit control device 31 is used as the printing unit control devices 31-1, 31-2, and 31-3 to control the printing unit. In the apparatus 31-1, a selection signal is set so that a command from the printing reference unit 32 is output to the plate cylinder control unit 33. In the printing unit controllers 31-2 and 31-3, other printing units are set. The selection signal is set so that the command from the control device 31-1 is output to the plate cylinder control unit 33. As a result, the printing unit control devices 31-1, 31-2, and 31-3 can be shared. Therefore, the common printing unit control device 31 may be used every time the number of printing colors increases. It is possible to easily cope with an increase in the number of printing colors.

[Plate cylinder phase setting]
Next, processing for controlling the rotation of the plate cylinders 13-1, 13-2, 13-3 at a predetermined phase and a constant speed will be described. As shown in FIG. 6, the plate cylinder control unit 33-1 of the printing unit control device 31-1 generates an M1 speed command at a constant speed so that the plate cylinder position is aligned with the position indicated by the reference position command. The plate cylinder 13-1 is controlled to rotate at a constant speed. Further, the adder 112 inputs a preset starting position correction amount OF and corrects the plate cylinder position, so that the plate cylinder control unit 33-1 has a phase shifted by the starting position correction amount OF. The body 13-1 is rotationally controlled. That is, the plate cylinder 13-1 can be rotated at a predetermined phase by the activation position correction amount OF.

  Therefore, in order to rotate the plate cylinders 13-1, 13-2, 13-3 at a predetermined phase, the operator sets the starting position correction amounts OF of the printing units 1, 2, 3 at the time of operation adjustment. To do. By setting such a starting position correction amount OF, for example, printing is performed at the same timing in the printing units 1, 2, and 3.

  If the starting position correction amount OF is not set, the printing units 1, 2 and 3 perform printing at independent timings. Therefore, the dancer 11- 1, 11-2, 11-3, and 11-4, and the positions of the dancers 11-1, 11-2, 11-3, and 11-4 vary individually. On the other hand, by setting the starting position correction amount OF as described above, the influence of the looseness of the material 6 is simultaneously reflected on the dancers 11-1, 11-2, 11-3, 11-4. These effects are absorbed as a whole. That is, the position fluctuations of the dancers 11-1, 11-2, 11-3, and 11-4 can be minimized.

  The present invention has been described with reference to the embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the technical idea thereof. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the example of the flexographic printing machine 10 including the printing units 1, 2, and 3 that perform three-color printing is shown. However, the present invention is limited to the number of printing colors and the number of printing units. Absent. For example, when performing four-color printing, the flexo printing machine 10 including four printing units may be used. Also in this case, the printing unit control device 31 is provided for each of the four printing units, and the printing reference unit 32 may be provided in one place in common.

1, 2, 3 Printing unit 4 Unwinding machine 5 Winding machine 6 Material 10 Flexo printing machine 11 Dancer 12 Imprint cylinder 13 Plate cylinder 14 Anilox roll 15 Feed 16 Mark sensor 17 Dryer 18 Plate cylinder motor 19 Plate cylinder encoder 20 Feed motor 21 Feed encoder 22 Plate 30 Printing device 31 Printing unit control device 32 Printing reference unit 33 Plate cylinder control unit 34 Feed control unit 35 Switch 101 Lamp circuit 102 Reference position converter 111 Position detector 112 Adder 113 Subtractor 114 Multiplier 115 Adder 210 Actual product length calculation unit 211 Mark detector 212 Mask processing unit 220 VA-VC generation unit 221 Varicam 222 F / V filter 223 Subtractor 224 Adder / Subtractor 225 Tuning side counter 226 Rate variable unit 227 Acceleration Calculator 2 8 Multiplier 229 Subtractor 230 VB generator 231 Stop distance calculator 232 Stop side counter 233 Deceleration calculator 234 Multiplier 235 Speed limiter 240 Selector 241 Comparator 242 Latch circuit 243 Switch VA Reference speed command VB Stop speed command VC Material deviation speed command VB 'Stop speed command count value VC' Material deviation speed command count value B0 Plate cylinder circumference L Product length RL Actual product length k1, k2, k3 Deviation amount OF Start position correction amount

Claims (7)

A mark is attached at a predetermined position for each product obtained by dividing the material by a predetermined product length, the mark signal detected by the mark sensor is input as a mark detection signal, the plate cylinder provided with the plate is rotated, and traveling In a printing apparatus that sequentially performs printing by matching a predetermined position for each product of the material that is in the plate,
Based on a preset reference speed instruction, generates a reference speed command for determining the rotational speed of the plate cylinder, and generates a reference position command for determining the rotational position of the plate cylinder;
In phase corresponding to the reference position command generated by the print reference portion, and, at the rate of the reference speed command generated by the print reference unit, generates a plate cylinder velocity command for rotating the plate cylinder A plate cylinder control unit that controls the rotation of the plate cylinder according to the plate cylinder speed command;
For the period from the start to the end of printing on the material, the travel is performed at the same speed as the plate cylinder speed command, and the travel of the material is accelerated or decelerated for the period from the end of printing to the start of the next printing. Te generates a material velocity command a predetermined position Ru suit the versions of the following products, and a feed control unit for controlling the feed for running the material by the material speed command,
The feed control unit
A mark detection signal is input from the mark sensor, an actual product length is calculated based on the timing at which the mark detection signal is input, and the material speed command for determining a printing start timing based on the actual product length is generated.
The material speed command is a command in which the print start timing is shifted in accordance with the change in the input timing when the input timing of the mark detection signal changes in accordance with the change in the installation position of the mark sensor. A printing apparatus characterized by the above. A mark is attached at a predetermined position for each product obtained by dividing the material by a predetermined product length, the mark signal detected by the mark sensor is input as a mark detection signal, the plate cylinder provided with the plate is rotated, and traveling In a printing apparatus that sequentially performs printing by matching a predetermined position for each product of the material that is in the plate,
Based on a preset reference speed instruction, generates a reference speed command for determining the rotational speed of the plate cylinder, and generates a reference position command for determining the rotational position of the plate cylinder;
Generating a plate cylinder speed command for rotating the plate cylinder at a phase according to the reference position command generated by the printing reference unit and at a speed of the reference speed command generated by the printing reference unit; A plate cylinder control unit that controls rotation of the plate cylinder according to the plate cylinder speed command;
For the period from the start to the end of printing on the material, the travel is performed at the same speed as the plate cylinder speed command, and the travel of the material is accelerated or decelerated for the period from the end of printing to the start of the next printing. A material speed command in which the printing start timing is shifted in accordance with the change in the input timing of the mark detection signal accompanying the change of the mark sensor setting position to the predetermined position of the next product on the plate. A feed control unit for controlling the feed for running the material according to the material speed command,
The feed control unit
An actual product length calculation unit that inputs a mark detection signal from the mark sensor and calculates an actual product length based on the timing at which the mark detection signal is input;
A reference speed command (VA) is generated based on a change in the plate cylinder position indicating the rotation position of the plate cylinder, and a predetermined plate cylinder circumference and an actual product length calculated by the actual product length calculation unit are generated. The difference between the two is calculated, the difference value is preset in a counter, and the counter subtracts the preset value as the plate cylinder rotates and the material travels as a count value. And a material deviation speed command (VC) in which the printing start timing is shifted in accordance with the value of the difference between the plate cylinder perimeter and the actual product length, and the reference speed command (VA A tuning speed command (VA-VC) generating unit for subtracting the material deviation speed command (VC) from the above and generating a tuning speed command (VA-VC);
A stop distance is calculated based on the actual product length calculated by the actual product length calculation unit and a preset print length, the calculated stop distance is preset in a counter, and the material travels by the counter. A stop speed command (VB) generating unit that generates a stop speed command (VB) according to the count value by using a result obtained by subtracting from the preset value as a count value.
The tuning speed command (VA-VC) generated by the tuning speed command (VA-VC) generation unit and the stop speed command (VB) generated by the stop speed command (VB) generation unit are switched and selected. And a selector for outputting the material speed command. The printing apparatus according to claim 2,
The plate cylinder controller
A subtractor for calculating a difference between a position indicated by the reference position command generated by the printing reference unit and a plate cylinder position indicating the rotational position of the plate cylinder, and outputting a plate position deviation;
A multiplier for multiplying a plate position deviation output by the subtractor by a preset gain and outputting a plate position deviation speed command;
An adder that adds the plate position deviation speed command output by the multiplier to the reference speed command generated by the printing reference unit and outputs the plate cylinder speed command. apparatus. The printing apparatus according to claim 3.
In order to perform multicolor printing, each color unit is equipped with a printing unit controller.
Of the plurality of printing unit controllers for each color, one printing unit controller includes the printing reference section, the plate cylinder controller, and the feed controller.
Of the plurality of printing unit controllers for each color, another printing unit controller includes the plate cylinder controller and the feed controller. The printing apparatus according to claim 4,
In addition to the subtractor, the multiplier and the adder, the plate cylinder control unit,
A second adder for adding a preset starting position correction amount to the plate cylinder position indicating the rotational position of the plate cylinder and outputting the corrected plate cylinder position;
The subtractor calculates a difference between the position indicated by the reference position command generated by the printing reference unit and the corrected plate cylinder position output by the adder, and outputs a plate position deviation; A printing apparatus characterized by that. The printing apparatus according to claim 3.
In order to perform multicolor printing, each color unit is equipped with a printing unit controller.
The printing unit control device comprises:
The printing reference unit, the plate cylinder control unit, the feed control unit, and
In response to a preset selection signal, a reference speed command and a reference position command generated by the printing reference unit are input and output to the plate cylinder control unit, or provided for another printing unit control device. A switch for inputting a reference speed command and a reference position command generated by the printing reference unit and outputting them to the plate cylinder control unit;
A switch provided in one printing unit controller among the plurality of printing unit controllers for each color inputs a reference speed command and a reference position command generated by the printing reference unit according to the selection signal. The selection signal is set to output to the plate cylinder control unit,
Among the plurality of printing unit controllers for each color, the switch provided in the other printing unit controller includes a reference speed command and a reference generated by the printing reference unit provided in the one printing unit controller. The printing apparatus, wherein the selection signal is set so that a position command is input and output to the plate cylinder control unit. A mark is attached at a predetermined position for each product obtained by dividing the material by a predetermined product length, the mark signal detected by the mark sensor is input as a mark detection signal, the plate cylinder provided with the plate is rotated, and traveling In the printing method of performing printing sequentially by matching the predetermined position for each product of the material that is in the plate,
Generating a reference speed command for determining the rotational speed of the plate cylinder based on a preset reference speed instruction, and generating a reference position command for determining the rotational position of the plate cylinder;
In phase corresponding to the reference position command, and a speed of the reference speed command, generates a plate cylinder velocity command for rotating the plate cylinder, the step of rotation control said plate cylinder by said plate cylinder velocity command When,
For the period from the start to the end of printing on the material, the travel is performed at the same speed as the plate cylinder speed command, and the travel of the material is accelerated or decelerated for the period from the end of printing to the start of the next printing. Te generates a material velocity command a predetermined position Ru suit the versions of the following products, have a, and controlling the feed for running the material by the material speed command,
The step of controlling the feed comprises:
A mark detection signal is input from the mark sensor, an actual product length is calculated based on the timing at which the mark detection signal is input, and the material speed command for determining a printing start timing based on the actual product length is generated.
The material speed command is a command in which the print start timing is shifted in accordance with the change in the input timing when the input timing of the mark detection signal changes in accordance with the change in the installation position of the mark sensor. A printing method characterized by the above.

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