Color-Sensitive Register Mark Sensor for Printing Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current multicolor printing processes require numerous and complex detectors for register and color control, leading to increased effort and costs, especially due to the need for additional color measuring areas and expensive camera systems.
Innovation Solution
A color-sensitive register mark sensor is used to detect both register mark positions and acquire color information, allowing for simultaneous control and monitoring, reducing the need for multiple detectors and expensive camera systems, and enabling early recognition of color deviations to prevent rejects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple detectors (camera systems and color sensors) are used for register and color control, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The register mark sensor is designed to perform multiple functions: it detects register mark positions for registration control and simultaneously acquires color information for color control. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate camera systems and color sensors, reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision through the sensor's ability to capture both spatial and color data from the same optical path
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the register control function and color control function into a single integrated measurement system. The register mark sensor merges position detection and color measurement capabilities, allowing both types of control to be performed using one detector rather than multiple separate detectors, thereby simplifying the overall system architecture
2Measurement precision
If additional color measuring areas are printed on the printing material, then color control accuracy is improved, but ink consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The register marks serve dual purposes: they provide positional information for registration control and simultaneously serve as color measurement areas for color control. By making the register marks multi-functional, the system eliminates the need for separate color measuring areas, thereby maintaining color control accuracy without additional ink consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The register marks are designed to provide their own color information for control purposes. Instead of requiring separate color measuring areas that would need to be printed with additional ink, the existing register marks themselves are used as the measurement target for color control, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating redundant ink usage
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach significantly reduces the effort and costs associated with color and register control, enhances color sensitivity for early warning of deviations, and allows for automatic compensation, thereby minimizing rejects and ink usage.
Implementation Method 1
The material web is illuminated constantly or in a pulsed manner by using a suitable light source (white or colored light), and the reflected light is detected by the sensor and evaluated.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling a printing operation includes detecting at least one position and/or an extent of a register mark located on a printing material by means of a register mark sensor, and using the detected at least one position and/or the extent of the register mark for register control. The method further includes acquiring at least one item of color information by means of the same register mark sensor during the printing operation, carrying out color monitoring with at least the at least one item of color information, and determining a color deviation with respect to a reference value. Furthermore, the method includes defining a threshold value for the color deviation, and outputting a warning and/or automatically making a change from good to poor products when the threshold value for the color deviation is exceeded.