Printing Plate Optical Marker Segmentation for Detection Precision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing plates with optical markers face challenges in precise and reliable detection, especially for small markers, due to ambient conditions and material properties, leading to potential positioning errors in multi-color printing.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an optically detectable inner structure within the periphery of the marker, which provides additional optical edges and contrast, enhancing detection reliability and precision, and is integrated into the printing plate to reduce manufacturing complexity and prevent marker loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If the marker size is reduced to minimize disturbance to the printing result, then the marker becomes less visible and harder to detect, but detection precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The marker is segmented into an outer periphery and an inner optically detectable structure. This segmentation allows the marker to provide multiple detection features (outer boundary and inner structure) even when the overall marker size is small, thereby maintaining detection precision while minimizing disturbance to the printing result.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner structure of the marker is designed with specific optical properties that differ from the rest of the marker and the printing plate. This local quality enhancement creates high-contrast optical features within the small marker area, improving detectability and precision without increasing the overall marker size.
2Reliability
If ambient conditions and material properties are considered in marker design, then detection reliability improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The marker design incorporates optically detectable structures with specific optical parameters (reflectivity, absorption, contrast) that are optimized for reliable detection under various ambient conditions. By carefully selecting and controlling these optical parameters rather than complicating the overall structure, the marker achieves high reliability without excessive manufacturing complexity.
3Measurement precision
If the marker is made larger to improve detection quality, then detection precision improves, but the marker disturbs the printing result more
Solution Approach 1:
The marker is divided into functional segments: an outer periphery that can be minimized in size to reduce printing disturbance, and an inner optically detectable structure that provides the necessary detection precision. This segmentation allows optimization of each part for its specific function without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of increasing the two-dimensional area of the marker, the invention enhances detection precision by adding structural complexity in the vertical/dimensional sense through the inner optically detectable structure. This allows high-precision detection without increasing the marker's footprint on the printing plate.
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
The enhanced marker design allows for high-precision and reliable detection of printing plates, minimizing the impact of ambient conditions and material properties, and is cost-effective to produce, especially for small markers, thereby improving positioning accuracy in printing machines.
Implementation Method 1
the optically detectable structure has a certain regularity and is provided on purpose, i.e. optical noise is not considered to be an optically detectable structure. Since the optically detectable structure is arranged within the periphery, it will also be designated an inner structure in the following. Especially when comparing the marker according to the invention to a known marker which relies on the detection of its periphery only, it results that the marker according to the invention offers more optical edges, i.e. border lines between areas of different optical characteristics, and more contrast, i.e. differences in optical characteristics along an edge.
Data Source
AI summary
A printing plate (10) having at least one optical marker (12, 14) for detecting a position of the printing plate (10) is described. The optical marker (12, 14) comprises an optically detectable structure (18) being positioned within a periphery (20) of the marker (12, 14). Furthermore, a method for detecting a position of a printing plate (10) is presented. Additionally, a control unit (38) for a system (36) for detecting a position of a printing plate (10) and a system (36) for detecting a position of a printing plate (10) are explained. Moreover, a computer program comprising computer readable program code means for causing steps of the method is defined.