Method for aligning a printed pattern on a printed medium and printing apparatus

The method of printing alignment marks on both edge regions and adjusting alignment using optical detection units in printing apparatuses addresses alignment challenges, achieving precise color plane alignment with reduced waste.

JP2025522151APending Publication Date: 2025-07-10BOBST ITAL SPA
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2025525401
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2022-07-11
Filing Date
2023-07-04
Publication Date
2025-07-10

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing printing apparatuses face challenges in accurately aligning multiple color planes, leading to significant waste due to the need to cut off alignment mark areas that do not contribute to the final print.

Method used

A method involving printing alignment marks on both outer edge regions of a printing medium, using optical detection units to adjust horizontal and vertical alignment, and reducing mark width on one edge region to minimize waste while maintaining high-precision alignment.

Benefits of technology

High-precision alignment is achieved with reduced waste by adjusting alignment marks' widths and using optical detection units, ensuring accurate color plane alignment and minimizing material loss.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

In a printing apparatus (10) having at least a first printing unit (16) and a second printing unit (18), a method for aligning a printing pattern on a printing medium (30), wherein each printing unit (16, 18) includes a printing roller (24, 25), the second printing unit (18) includes an optical detection unit (26), the printing medium (30) includes a first outer edge region (35) and a second outer edge region (37) opposite to the first outer edge region (35), and moves longitudinally from the first printing unit (16) to the second printing unit (18). One method step includes printing a first alignment mark (38) on the first outer edge region (35) of the printing medium (30) and a second alignment mark (40) on the second outer edge region (37) opposite to the first outer edge region (35) by the first printing unit (16). Further method steps include determining the horizontal and vertical positions of the first alignment mark (38) in the first outer edge region (35) using the detection unit (26), and adjusting the vertical and / or horizontal alignment based on the position of the first alignment mark (38). Another method step includes, after adjusting the vertical and / or horizontal alignment based on the position of the first alignment mark (38), printing a third alignment mark (46) on the first outer edge region (35) of the printing medium (30) and a fourth alignment mark (48) on the second outer edge region (37) by the second printing unit (18). The maximum widths of the second and fourth alignment marks (40, 48) on the second outer edge region (37) are smaller than the maximum widths of the first and third alignment marks (38, 46) on the first outer edge region (35). Further, a printing apparatus (10) is provided.
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Citation Information

Patent Citations

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