EP3988305A1 - Method for operating a flexographic printing machine, flexographic printing machine, system and sleeve for a flexographic printing form - Google Patents

Abstract

A method according to the invention for operating a flexographic printing machine, with a printing cylinder (16, 105) carrying a sleeve (3, 105a) with at least one flexographic printing form (5, 108) and an impression cylinder (17, 106), wherein at least one parameter of the flexographic printing machine is set , is characterized in that the sleeve is marked with an ID (3a, 5a, 38, 130, 316), that the ID is recorded in a flexographic printing unit of the flexographic printing machine or in the flexographic printing machine, that the ID (3a, 5a, 38 , 130, 316) stored data are transmitted to the flexographic printing unit or the flexographic printing machine and that the data are used when setting the parameter. The invention advantageously makes it possible to print cost-effectively and with high quality in industrial flexographic printing. The method according to the invention advantageously also makes it possible to further automate the printing.

Description

invention

The invention relates to a method having the features of the preamble of claim 1.

The invention further relates to a flexographic printing machine, wherein the flexographic printing machine is operated according to a method according to the invention for printing a printing material with flexographic printing ink, having the features of the preamble of claim 27

The invention further relates to a system comprising a flexographic printing machine according to the invention and a measuring device for measuring the dot density of the flexographic printing form, having the features of the preamble of claim 30.

The invention also relates to a sleeve for use in a method according to the invention or for use in a flexographic printing machine according to the invention or for use in a system according to the invention with the features of the preamble of claim 33.

field of technology

The invention lies in the technical field of the graphics industry and there in particular in the field of operating a flexographic printing machine, i.e. a rotary printing machine for printing with flexographic printing forms. In particular, the invention is in the sub-area of controlling or regulating the machine or its drives and/or actuators to increase the print quality and productivity and/or to avoid or reduce malfunctions.

State of the art

In so-called flexographic printing, in particular in industrial, web-processing flexographic printing, there is a need to print cost-effectively at high speeds using flexographic printing forms that vary from print job to print job, and to keep the resulting waste low and the print quality high.

Changing print jobs with different print forms or different print motifs can cause problems: the print motifs can have places where a lot is printed and places where little is printed; and places where there is no or only insignificant printing.

Flexographic printing forms can be measured before printing, for example in a measuring station. The Post-Released DE102020111351A1 discloses a device for measuring elevations on the surface of a body of revolution and creates an improvement which, in particular, makes it possible to measure elevations of bodies of revolution, such as flexographic printing dots of a flexographic printing plate, quickly and with high precision. The device disclosed in the document for measuring elevations on the surface of a rotating body designed as a cylinder, roller, sleeve or plate of a printing press, e.g. a flexographic printing plate mounted on a sleeve, with a first motor for rotating the rotating body about an axis of rotation and with a Measuring device is characterized in that the measuring device for contactless measurement comprises at least one radiation source and at least one area camera.

The other documents cited and described in the aforementioned document DE3302798A1 , DE102014215648A1 , EP3251850 , DE102006060464A1 , WO2010146040A1 , ' WO2008049510A1 and the " ^smartGPS® " system from Bobst described there form further prior art. Likewise the system "ARun" of the company Allstein.

With the so-called "flying order change" between an order and a follow-up order, which should take place in a few seconds, it can happen that Various settings have to be changed, e.g. the pressure of the cylinders relative to one another, the printing speed and/or the positioning of register sensors. Manual entry and/or repositioning is disadvantageous: it takes a long time and is imprecise/prone to errors.

The one already mentioned above DE3302798A1 discloses a device for presetting on printing presses, with a contrast reading device scanning a printing plate clamped on a plate cylinder in a multifunctional manner in such a way that the register and ink zone presetting can be set directly within the printing press by means of a control signal switched via an arithmetic unit and memory unit. The area coverage of the plate and the position of the plate on the plate cylinder can be measured.

Technical task

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improvement over the prior art, which in particular makes it possible to print cost-effectively and with high quality in industrial flexographic printing.

Solution according to the invention

This object is achieved according to the invention by a method according to claim 1, a flexographic printing machine according to claim 27, a system according to claim 30 and a sleeve for a flexographic printing forme according to claim 33.

Advantageous and therefore preferred developments of the invention result from the dependent claims as well as from the description and the drawings.

A method according to the invention for operating a flexographic printing machine, with a printing cylinder carrying a sleeve with at least one flexographic printing forme or a flexographic printing cylinder and an impression cylinder, wherein at least one parameter of the flexographic printing machine is set, is characterized in that the sleeve is marked with an ID, that the ID in a flexographic printing unit of the flexographic printing machine or in the flexographic printing machine, that data stored for the ID is transmitted to the flexographic printing unit or the flexographic printing machine and that the data is used when setting the parameter.

A flexographic printing machine according to the invention, with at least one flexographic printing unit - comprising a printing cylinder carrying a sleeve with at least one flexographic printing forme or a flexographic printing cylinder, an impression cylinder and an anilox roller - wherein the flexographic printing machine is operated for printing a printing material with flexographic printing ink according to one of the preceding methods, is characterized in that that the flexographic printing machine comprises a device for detecting the ID of the sleeve.

A system according to the invention, consisting of a flexographic printing machine according to the invention and a measuring device for measuring the dot density of the flexographic printing form, is characterized in that the sleeve is marked with a machine-readable ID.

A sleeve for a flexographic printing forme, where the flexographic printing forme or the sleeve is marked with a machine-readable ID, for use in a method according to the invention or for use in a flexographic printing machine according to the invention or for use in a system according to the invention, is characterized in that the machine-readable ID is machine-readable is read out and stored on a computer for retrieval.

Advantageous Forms and Effects of the Invention

The invention advantageously makes it possible to print cost-effectively and with high quality in industrial flexographic printing. The method according to the invention advantageously also makes it possible to further automate the printing.

The invention is described and shown for a flexographic printing machine or for flexographic printing forms (letterpress). Alternatively, the invention can be used for engraved printing forms or engraved sleeves (intaglio printing). Instead of the term "flexo" can be used in this Registration therefore alternatively "deep" or "flexo or deep" can be used. Instead of “sleeve with flexographic printing form” “sleeve with engraved form” or “engraved sleeve” or “laser engraved sleeve” or “endless sleeve engraved with laser” or “endless printing form” or “endless printing sleeve” can be used.

Developments of the invention

Preferred developments of the invention (in short: developments) are described below.

• dass das Einstellen ein Steuern oder Regeln umfasst.
• dass die ID als eindeutiger Identifikator für die Hülse ausgebildet ist.
• dass der Identifikator mehrere Zeichen, insbesondere Ziffern und/oder Buchstaben und/oder Sonderzeichen, umfasst.
• dass die ID als ein eindimensionaler Code markiert ist, insbesondere ein Barcode, oder als ein zweidimensionaler Code markiert ist, insbesondere ein QR-Code, oder als ein RFID-Chip oder NFC-Chip markiert ist.
• dass die ID mit einer Einrichtung zum Erfassen der ID, insbesondere mit einem Sensor oder einer Kamera, erfasst wird.
• dass die ID und die Daten in einer - von der Flexodruckmaschine separaten - Messeinrichtung ermittelt und zur ID gespeichert werden.
• dass das Ermitteln der Daten berührungslos erfolgt.
• dass das Ermitteln der Daten mit von Tastrollen verschiedenen Mitteln erfolgt.
• dass beim Ermitteln der Daten eine Kamera zum Einsatz kommt.
• dass beim Ermitteln der Daten ein digitaler Rechner zum Einsatz kommt.
• dass beim Ermitteln der Daten eine Software und/oder Hardware zur digitalen Bildverarbeitung zum Einsatz kommt.
• dass beim Ermitteln der Daten eine KI zum Einsatz kommt.
• dass die KI rechentechnisch Lernschritte durchläuft und dabei manuelle Einstellungen und/oder Korrekturen eines Bedieners an wenigstens einem Parameter der Flexodruckmaschine berücksichtigt.
• dass die Hülse in der Messeinrichtung auf einen Trägerzylinder aufgenommen und während des Ermittelns der Daten rotiert wird und dass die Hülse danach auf dem Druckzylinder aufgenommen und während des Druckens rotiert wird.
• dass die Daten von einem digitalen Rechner und/oder digitalen Speicher der Druckvorstufe bereitgestellt werden.
• dass die Daten außerhalb der Flexodruckmaschine auf einem digitalen Rechner und/oder in einem digitalen Speicher gespeichert werden.
• dass die Daten in einer Datenbank außerhalb der Flexodruckmaschine gespeichert werden
• dass die Daten in einem Cloud-Speicher gespeichert werden.
• dass die Daten in einem Cloud-Speicher für mehrere Flexodruckmaschinen gespeichert werden.
• dass die Daten über ein Datennetz, insbesondere über ein Intranet oder über das Internet, bereitgestellt werden.
• dass die Flexodruckmaschine Daten an den digitalen Rechner und/oder Speicher übermittelt.
• dass die übermittelten Daten die ID umfassen.
• dass die übermittelten Daten von der Flexodruckmaschine oder einem separaten Sensor gemessene Messwerte umfassen.
• dass die übermittelten Daten die eine Raumfeuchtigkeit umfassen.
• dass die übermittelten Daten die eine Raumtemperatur umfassen.
• dass die Daten Folgendes umfassen: Daten zur Punktdichte der Flexodruckform, d.h. einer ortsabhängigen Dichte von druckenden Erhebungen der Flexodruckform, oder daraus rechentechnisch abgeleitete Daten.
• dass die Daten zur Punktdichte als ein Dichtevektor ausgebildet sind.
• dass die Daten beim Einstellen einer dynamischen, d.h. von der Maschinengeschwindigkeit abhängigen, Einstellung des Anpressdrucks zwischen dem Flexodruckzylinder und dem Gegendruckzylinder und/oder zwischen dem Flexodruckzylinder und einer Rasterwalze verwendet werden.
• dass die Daten beim Einstellen des Anspressdrucks auf der Antriebsseite der Flexodruckmaschine und/oder auf der Bedienseite der Flexodruckmaschine verwendet werden.
• dass die Daten beim Einstellen der Farbführung verwendet werden.
• dass die Daten beim Einstellen der Farbführungsmenge verwendet werden.
• dass die Daten beim Einstellen eines Trockners der Flexodruckmaschine verwendet werden.
• dass die Daten beim Einstellen des Energieverbrauchs der Flexodruckmaschine verwendet werden.
• dass die Daten beim Einstellen eines Voreinstellwerts für den Verbrauch von Flexodruckfarbe verwendet werden.
• dass die Daten beim Einstellen eines Voreinstellwerts für die Auswahl einer Rasterwalze verwendet werden.
• dass die Daten beim Einstellen, d.h. Erzeugen und Anzeigen, eines Vorschaubildes der Hülse und/oder der Flexodruckform verwendet werden.
• dass die Daten beim Einstellen, d.h. Erzeugen und Anzeigen, eines Vorschaubildes für einen Druckauftrag mit wenigstens zwei Hülsen und/oder mit wenigstens zwei Flexodruckformen verwendet werden.
• dass die Daten Folgendes umfassen: Shore-Werte der Hülse und/oder der Flexodruckform.
• dass die Daten beim Einstellen einer dynamischen, d.h. von der Maschinengeschwindigkeit abhängigen, Einstellung des Anpressdrucks zwischen dem Flexodruckzylinder und dem Gegendruckzylinder und/oder zwischen dem Flexodruckzylinder und einer Rasterwalze verwendet werden.
• dass die Daten beim Einstellen des sogenannten Kissprint verwendet werden.
• dass die Daten Folgendes umfassen: Plattentyp und/oder plattenspezifische Daten einer als Flexodruckplatte ausgebildeten Flexodruckform.
• dass die Daten beim Einstellen einer dynamischen, d.h. von der Maschinengeschwindigkeit abhängigen, Einstellung des Anpressdrucks zwischen dem Flexodruckzylinder und dem Gegendruckzylinder und/oder zwischen dem Flexodruckzylinder und einer Rasterwalze verwendet werden.
• dass die Daten beim Einstellen eines Voreinstellwerts für die Auswahl von CMYK-Farben und/oder Spotfarben und/oder Lacken verwendet werden.
• dass die Daten Folgendes umfassen: Kanäle, Kanalmuster, Kanalschlagmuster und/oder daraus rechentechnisch abgeleitete Daten zu schwingungskritischen Maschinengeschwindigkeiten und/oder schwingungskritischen Zylinderdrehzahlen.
• dass die Daten beim Einstellen der Maschinengeschwindigkeit verwendet werden.
• dass die Daten beim Hochfahren der Maschine verwendet werden.
• dass die Daten Folgendes umfassen: wenigstens einen druckfreien Bereich der Flexodruckform.
• dass die Daten beim Einstellen des Energieverbrauchs der Flexodruckmaschine verwendet werden.
• dass die Daten beim Einstellen eines Voreinstellwerts für den Betrieb eines Trockners verwendet werden.
• dass die Daten beim Einstellen eines Voreinstellwerts für die Auswahl aktivierter und deaktivierter Strahler, insbesondere UV-LED, des Trockners verwendet werden.
• dass die Daten Folgendes umfassen: Positionsdaten, insbesondere x-y-Koordinaten, einer Registermarke und/oder eines Farbmessfeldes der Flexodruckform.
• dass die x-Richtung die Umfangsrichtung der Hülse und die y-Richtung die dazu senkrechte Richtung der Hülse ist.
• dass die Daten zur Registermarke beim Einstellen des Farbregisters verwendet werden.
• dass die Daten zur Registermarke beim Einstellen einer Voreinstellung des Farbregisters verwendet werden.
• dass die Daten zur Registermarke beim Einstellen einer Voreinstellung für ein räumliches und/oder zeitliches Messfenster eines Registersensors verwendet werden.
• dass die Daten zum Farbmessfeld beim Einstellen einer Voreinstellung für ein räumliches und/oder zeitliches Messfenster eines Farbsensors oder eines Spektralsensors oder eines Spektralfotometers verwendet werden.
• dass die Daten beim Einstellen eines Voreinstellwerts für die Auswahl einer Druckfarbe oder einer Anzahl von Druckfarben verwendet werden.
• dass die Daten beim Einstellen eines Voreinstellwerts für die Auswahl einer Bahnspannung der zu bedruckenden Bedruckstoffbahn verwendet werden.
• dass die Daten Folgendes umfassen: Positionsdaten, insbesondere x-y-Koordinaten, der Flexodruckform auf der Hülse.
• dass die Daten Folgendes umfassen: Topografiedaten der Hülse und/oder der Flexodruckform.
• dass beim Einstellen weitere Daten verwendet werden.
• dass die weiteren Daten Druckauftrag-spezifisch sind.
• dass die weiteren Daten Folgendes umfassen: Bedruckstofftyp und/oder Bedruckstoffspezifische Daten.
• dass die weiteren Daten Folgendes umfassen: Walzentyp/-typen und/oder Walzenspezifische Daten.
• dass die weiteren Daten Folgendes umfassen: Farbtyp/-typen und/oder Farbenspezifische Daten.
• dass die weiteren Daten Folgendes umfassen: Lacktyp/-typen und/oder Lackspezifische Daten.
• dass die weiteren Daten Druckmaschinen-spezifisch sind.
• dass die weiteren Daten Folgendes umfassen: den räumlichen Abstand zwischen benachbarten Flexodruckwerken.
• dass die weiteren Daten Folgendes umfassen: Rasterwalzentyp/-typen und/oder Rasterwalzen-spezifische Daten.
• dass die weiteren Daten Folgendes umfassen: schwingungskritische Maschinengeschwindigkeiten und/oder schwingungskritische Zylinderdrehzahlen.
• dass zur Konfiguration eines Registerreglers der Flexodruckmaschine vor dem Drucken wenigstens ein Bild der Oberfläche der Hülse oder mehrerer Hülsen mit der wenigstens einen oder mehreren Flexodruckformen von einer Kamera erfasst wird und dass das Bild einer digitalen Bildverarbeitung unterzogen wird, wobei wenigstens eine oder wenigstens zwei Registermarken x-y-lokalisiert wird/werden und dass unter Verwendung der x-y-lokalisierten Registermarken-Positionsdaten das Konfigurieren des Registerreglers für das Erfassen von Registermarken automatisiert wird.
• dass zur Konfiguration des Registerreglers der Flexodruckmaschine aus den erfassten Daten rechentechnisch abgeleitet und verwendet wird, welche Registermarke der Registermarken-Konfiguration in welchem Druckwerk gedruckt wird.

A respective development of the method according to the invention can be characterized by:

• that adjusting involves controlling or regulating.
• that the ID is designed as a unique identifier for the sleeve.
• that the identifier comprises several characters, in particular numbers and/or letters and/or special characters.
• that the ID is marked as a one-dimensional code, in particular a barcode, or is marked as a two-dimensional code, in particular a QR code, or is marked as an RFID chip or NFC chip.
• that the ID is recorded with a device for recording the ID, in particular with a sensor or a camera.
• that the ID and the data are determined in a measuring device separate from the flexographic printing machine and stored with the ID.
• that the data is determined without contact.
• that the determination of the data is done with different means of feeler rollers.
• that a camera is used to collect the data.
• that a digital computer is used to determine the data.
• that software and/or hardware for digital image processing is used to determine the data.
• that an AI is used to determine the data.
• that the AI runs through learning steps in computational terms, taking into account manual settings and/or corrections by an operator on at least one parameter of the flexographic printing machine.
• that the sleeve is received on a carrier cylinder in the measuring device and is rotated during the determination of the data and that the sleeve is then received on the printing cylinder and rotated during printing.
• that the data is provided by a digital computer and/or digital memory of the pre-press.
• that the data is stored outside of the flexographic printing machine on a digital computer and/or in a digital memory.
• that the data is stored in a database outside of the flexographic press
• that the data is stored in cloud storage.
• that the data is stored in a cloud storage for several flexographic printing machines.
• that the data is provided via a data network, in particular via an intranet or via the Internet.
• that the flexographic printing machine transmits data to the digital computer and/or memory.
• that the transmitted data includes the ID.
• that the transmitted data include measured values measured by the flexographic printing machine or a separate sensor.
• that the transmitted data include a room humidity.
• that the transmitted data include a room temperature.
• that the data comprise the following: data on the point density of the flexographic printing form, ie a location-dependent density of printing elevations of the flexographic printing form, or data derived therefrom by computation.
• that the dot density data is formed as a density vector.
• that the data are used when setting a dynamic, ie dependent on the machine speed, setting of the contact pressure between the flexographic printing cylinder and the impression cylinder and/or between the flexographic printing cylinder and an anilox roller.
• that the data are used when setting the contact pressure on the drive side of the flexographic printing machine and/or on the operating side of the flexographic printing machine.
• that the data is used when adjusting the color guide.
• that the data is used in adjusting the ink guide amount.
• that the data is used when setting up a dryer of the flexographic printing machine.
• that the data is used when setting the energy consumption of the flexographic printing machine.
• that the data is used in setting a preset value for flexographic ink consumption.
• that the data is used when setting a preset value for the selection of an anilox roller.
• that the data are used when setting, ie generating and displaying, a preview image of the sleeve and/or the flexographic printing form.
• that the data are used when setting, ie generating and displaying, a preview image for a print job with at least two sleeves and/or with at least two flexographic printing forms.
• that the data includes: Shore values of the sleeve and/or the flexographic printing forme.
• that the data are used when setting a dynamic, ie dependent on the machine speed, setting of the contact pressure between the flexographic printing cylinder and the impression cylinder and/or between the flexographic printing cylinder and an anilox roller.
• that the data is used when setting the so-called kiss print.
• that the data include the following: plate type and/or plate-specific data of a flexographic printing form designed as a flexographic printing plate.
• that the data are used when setting a dynamic, ie dependent on the machine speed, setting of the contact pressure between the flexographic printing cylinder and the impression cylinder and/or between the flexographic printing cylinder and an anilox roller.
• that the data is used when setting a preset value for the selection of CMYK colors and/or spot colors and/or varnishes.
• that the data comprises: channels, channel pattern, channel beat pattern and/or data on critical vibration engine speeds and/or critical vibration cylinder speeds derived therefrom computationally.
• that the data is used when setting the machine speed.
• that the data is used when the machine is started up.
• that the data include: at least one unprinted area of the flexographic printing form.
• that the data is used when setting the energy consumption of the flexographic printing machine.
• that the data is used in setting a preset value for the operation of a dryer.
• that the data is used when setting a preset value for the selection of activated and deactivated emitters, in particular UV-LED, of the dryer.
• that the data include the following: position data, in particular xy coordinates, a register mark and/or a color measuring field of the flexographic printing form.
• that the x-direction is the circumferential direction of the sleeve and the y-direction is the direction of the sleeve perpendicular thereto.
• that the register mark data is used when adjusting the color register.
• that the registration mark data is used when setting a color register preset.
• that the data on the register mark are used when setting a preset for a spatial and/or temporal measurement window of a register sensor.
• that the data on the color measurement field are used when setting a presetting for a spatial and/or temporal measurement window of a color sensor or a spectral sensor or a spectral photometer.
• that the data is used in setting a preset value for the selection of an ink or a number of inks.
• that the data are used when setting a preset value for the selection of a web tension of the printing material web to be printed.
• that the data include the following: position data, in particular xy coordinates, of the flexographic printing form on the sleeve.
• that the data includes: topography data of the sleeve and/or the flexographic printing form.
• that further data will be used when setting up.
• that the other data is specific to the print job.
• that the further data include the following: printing material type and/or printing material-specific data.
• that the further data comprises the following: roll type(s) and/or roll-specific data.
• that the further data includes: color type(s) and/or color specific data.
• that the additional data includes: paint type(s) and/or paint specific data.
• that the further data are press-specific.
• that the further data include: the spatial distance between adjacent flexographic printing units.
• that the further data comprises the following: anilox roller type(s) and/or anilox roller-specific data.
• that the further data include the following: vibration-critical engine speeds and/or vibration-critical cylinder speeds.
• that in order to configure a register controller of the flexographic printing machine, before printing, at least one image of the surface of the sleeve or multiple sleeves with the at least one or more flexographic printing forms is captured by a camera and that the image is subjected to digital image processing, with at least one or at least two register marks xy - is/are located and that, using the xy-located register mark position data, configuring the register controller for detecting register marks is automated.
• that to configure the register controller of the flexographic printing machine, it is derived from the recorded data and used which register mark of the register mark configuration is printed in which printing unit.

• dass die Flexodruckmaschine ein weiteres Flexodruckwerk - umfassend einen weiteren eine weitere Hülse mit wenigstens einer weiteren Flexodruckform tragenden Druckzylinder, einen weiteren Gegendruckzylinder und eine weitere Rasterwalze - umfasst und dass in jedem Flexodruckwerk eine Einrichtung zum Erfassen der ID der jeweiligen Hülse vorhanden ist.
• dass wenigstens zwei Flexodruckwerke als Doppeldruckwerke mit einem zentralen Gegendruckzylinder ausgebildet sind und dass in jedem Doppeldruckwerk wenigstens eine Einrichtung zum Erfassen der ID der jeweiligen Hülse vorhanden ist.
• dass wenigstens zwei Flexodruckwerke als Doppeldruckwerke mit zwei Gegendruckzylinder ausgebildet sind und dass in jedem Doppeldruckwerk wenigstens eine Einrichtung zum Erfassen der ID der jeweiligen Hülse vorhanden ist.
• dass die Flexodruckmaschine einen Trockner zum Trocknen des Bedruckstoffs und/oder der Flexodruckfarbe umfasst.
• dass der Trockner ein Heißlufttrockner ist.
• dass der Trockner ein IR-Trockner ist.
• dass der Trockner ein UV-Trockner ist.
• dass der Trockner ein Strahlungstrockner ist, z.B. Röntgenstrahlung verwendet.
• dass der Trockner eine Trocknersteuerung umfasst.
• dass der Trockner eine Einrichtung zur Leistungseinstellung oder Leistungssteuerung oder Leistungsregelung des Trockners umfasst.
• dass beim Betrieb der Flexodruckmaschine Karton bedruckt wird.
• dass beim Betrieb der Flexodruckmaschine ein beschichteter, z.B. mit Polyethylen, beschichteter Karton bedruckt wird.
• dass beim Betrieb der Flexodruckmaschine Papier, Karton, Pappe, Folie oder Verbundmaterial bedruckt wird.
• dass die Hülse wenigstens zwei Flexodruckformen mit unterschiedlichen Druckmotiven trägt.
• dass die zwei Flexodruckformen auf der Hülse in Umfangsrichtung aufeinanderfolgend oder in axialer Richtung aufeinanderfolgend montiert sind.
• dass die Rasterwalze mit einer ID markiert ist und die ID Informationen zum Transfervolumen sowie z.B. Geometrie, Lineatur und/oder Tiefe jeweils der Näpfchen und deren Winkelung trägt.
• dass die Rasterwalze mit einer ID markiert ist und zu dieser ID Informationen, wie z.B. Transfervolumen, Geometrie, Lineatur und/oder Tiefe jeweils der Näpfchen und deren Winkelung in einem Daten Speicher oder einem Cloud-Speicher hinterlegt sind.

A respective further development of the flexographic printing machine according to the invention can be distinguished by:

• that the flexographic printing machine comprises a further flexographic printing unit - comprising a further printing cylinder carrying a further sleeve with at least one further flexographic printing forme, a further impression cylinder and a further anilox roller - and that in each flexographic printing unit there is a device for detecting the ID of the respective sleeve.
• that at least two flexographic printing units are designed as double printing units with a central impression cylinder and that at least one device for detecting the ID of the respective sleeve is present in each double printing unit.
• that at least two flexographic printing units are designed as double printing units with two impression cylinders and that each double printing unit has at least one device for detecting the ID of the respective sleeve.
• that the flexographic printing machine includes a dryer for drying the printing material and/or the flexographic printing ink.
• that the dryer is a hot air dryer.
• that the dryer is an IR dryer.
• that the dryer is a UV dryer.
• that the dryer is a radiation dryer, eg using X-ray radiation.
• that the dryer includes a dryer controller.
• that the dryer includes a device for power adjustment or power control or power regulation of the dryer.
• that cardboard is printed during operation of the flexographic printing machine.
• that during the operation of the flexographic printing machine, a coated cardboard, for example one coated with polyethylene, is printed.
• that paper, cardboard, cardboard, foil or composite material is printed during operation of the flexographic printing machine.
• that the sleeve carries at least two flexographic printing forms with different print motifs.
• that the two flexographic printing forms are mounted on the sleeve consecutively in the circumferential direction or consecutively in the axial direction.
• that the anilox roller is marked with an ID and the ID carries information on the transfer volume and, for example, geometry, linework and/or depth of the cells and their angle.
• that the anilox roller is marked with an ID and information such as transfer volume, geometry, linework and/or depth of each of the cells and their angle is stored in a data memory or a cloud memory for this ID.

• dass die ID als eindeutiger Identifikator für die Hülse ausgebildet ist.
• dass der Identifikator mehrere Zeichen, insbesondere Ziffern und/oder Buschstaben, umfasst.
• dass die ID als ein eindimensionaler Code markiert ist, insbesondere ein Barcode, oder als ein zweidimensionaler Code markiert ist, insbesondere ein QR-Code, oder als ein RFID-Chip oder NFC-Chip markiert ist.
• dass die Messeinrichtung die Punktdichte oder daraus abgeleitete Daten zusammen mit der ID direkt an die Flexodruckmaschine übermittelt.
• dass die Messeinrichtung die Punktdichte oder daraus abgeleitete Daten zusammen mit der ID indirekt an die Flexodruckmaschine übermittelt, indem die Punktdichte oder die daraus abgeleitete Daten zwischengespeichert und von der Flexodruckmaschine für das Drucken mit der Flexodruckform und/oder der Hülse abgerufen werden.
• dass das Zwischenspeichern auf einem zentralen Speicher oder einem Cloud-Speicher erfolgt.
• das System eine Mehrzahl von Rasterwalzen verschiedener Raster und/oder Rasterfeinheiten umfasst und dass die Flexodruckmaschine beim Drucken mit einer Flexodruckform mit einer Rasterwalze betrieben wird, welche aus der Mehrzahl von Rasterwalzen rechentechnisch unter Verwendung der Punktdichte der Flexodruckform oder daraus abgeleiteter Daten ausgewählt wird.
• dass die ausgewählte Rasterwalze ein Raster aufweist, welches feiner als das Raster der Flexodruckform ist.

A respective further development of the system according to the invention can be distinguished by:

• that the ID is designed as a unique identifier for the sleeve.
• that the identifier comprises several characters, in particular numbers and/or letters.
• that the ID is marked as a one-dimensional code, in particular a barcode, or is marked as a two-dimensional code, in particular a QR code, or is marked as an RFID chip or NFC chip.
• that the measuring device transmits the dot density or data derived from it together with the ID directly to the flexographic printing machine.
• that the measuring device indirectly transmits the dot density or data derived therefrom together with the ID to the flexographic printing machine by temporarily storing the dot density or the data derived therefrom and calling it up from the flexographic printing machine for printing with the flexographic printing forme and/or the sleeve.
• that the caching takes place on a central storage or a cloud storage.
• the system comprises a plurality of anilox rollers of different screens and/or screen rulings and that the flexographic printing machine is operated with a screen roller when printing with a flexographic printing forme, which is selected from the plurality of anilox rollers by computer using the point density of the flexographic printing forme or data derived therefrom.
• that the selected screen roller has a screen which is finer than the screen of the flexographic printing form.

• dass die Markierung mit der maschinenlesbaren ID unter Einsatz eines Markierungsmittels erfolgt, welches von einem RFID-Chip verschieden ist.

A respective further development of the flexographic printing forme or sleeve for a flexographic printing forme according to the invention can be characterized in that:

• that the marking with the machine-readable ID takes place using a marking means which is different from an RFID chip.

The features and combinations of features disclosed in the above sections Technical field, invention and developments as well as in the following section Working examples represent further advantageous developments of the invention - in any combination with one another.

Embodiments of the invention and figures

the Figures 1 to 5 show a flexographic printing machine, a measuring station with a measuring device (various embodiments) and a measuring method.

the figures 6 and 7 show a flexographic printing machine and a device for controlling the contact pressure or the contact pressure and figure 8 a procedure.

the figure 9 shows the captured image of a sleeve with two flexographic printing forms as an example.

Features corresponding to one another are provided with the same reference symbols in the figures. Reference symbols that are repeated in the figures have been partially omitted for the sake of clarity.

figure 1 shows a cross section of a rotatable support cylinder 1 of a measuring station 2 (alternatively called: measuring device or measuring apparatus), a sleeve 3 held on the support cylinder and a sleeve held on the sleeve - preferably by means of an adhesive tape 4 (or alternatively by means of an adhesive coating of the sleeve) on the sleeve fastened (so-called "mounting") - and at least with regard to their topography to be measured printing plate 5 (flexographic printing form) as a rotating body 6. It several flexographic printing plates 5 adjacent to one another - be mounted on the sleeve - in the axial direction and/or in the circumferential direction.

A motor 7 can be present in the measuring station for rotating the carrier cylinder during the measurement. The measuring station can be part of a so-called "mounter" (in which printing plates are mounted on carrier sleeves) or can be provided separately from a "mounter". The measuring station can be provided separately from a printing press 8 (flexographic printing press)—with at least one printing unit 9 (flexographic printing unit) for the printing plate 5 and a dryer 10 for printing and drying a preferably web-shaped printing material 11. The printing plate is preferably a flexographic printing form with a diameter of 106 mm to 340 mm. The dryer is preferably a hot air dryer and/or a UV dryer and/or an electron beam dryer and/or an IR dryer. The sleeve can be pushed laterally onto the carrier cylinder. The carrier cylinder can have openings in its outer surface, from which - to widen the sleeve and to generate an air cushion when pushed on - compressed air can be ejected. After the measurement, the sleeve with the printing plate can be removed from the measuring device and pushed onto a printing cylinder of the printing unit in the printing press. A hydraulic clamping system can also be used as an alternative to the pneumatic clamping system.

figure 1 12 also shows a digital computer and/or digital memory 39, 39b, 123, 317, 401 and/or 403. The measuring device can generate data and transmit it to the computer/memory. The data can be measured values or data derived from them, which are generated when the sleeve 3 and/or the flexographic printing form(s) 5 are measured. The computer/memory can be part of the measuring device 2 or part of the flexographic printing machine 8; or can be provided separately, e.g. as a central computer/memory (e.g. a print shop) or cloud-based. The computer/memory can transmit data to the flexographic printing machine, for example the measured values or the data derived therefrom or data further derived therefrom. The further derived data can be generated by a computer-implemented algorithm and/or an AI (Artificial Intelligence; software- and/or hardware-based, self- and machine-learning system). The computer/memory can receive data from several measuring stations and data to several Transferred to flexographic printing machine. The system consisting of flexographic printing machine(s), measuring station(s) and computer/memory allows for a high level of automation during printing, right through to autonomous printing; Error-prone inputs and/or changes to data on the part of the operator can be avoided in this advantageous way.

The measuring station 2 can be calibrated with the aid of measuring rings 12 on the carrier cylinder 1 . Alternatively, a measuring sleeve or the carrier cylinder itself can be used for calibration.

figure 1 12 also shows a digital computer and/or digital memory 39, 39b, 123, 317, 401 and/or 403. The measuring device can generate data and transmit it to the computer/memory. The data can be measured values or data derived from them, which are generated when the sleeve 3 and/or the flexographic printing form(s) 5 are measured. The computer/memory can be part of the measuring device 2 or part of the flexographic printing machine 8; or can be provided separately, e.g. as a central computer/memory (e.g. a print shop) or cloud-based. The computer/memory can transmit data to the flexographic printing machine or receive data from the flexographic printing machine, eg the measured values or the data derived therefrom or data further derived therefrom. The further derived data can be generated by a computer-implemented algorithm and/or an AI (Artificial Intelligence; software- and/or hardware-based, self- and machine-learning system). The computer/memory can receive data from a number of measurement stations and can transmit data to and receive data from a number of flexographic printing machines. The system consisting of flexographic printing machine(s), measuring station(s) and computer/memory allows for a high level of automation during printing, right through to autonomous printing; Error-prone inputs and/or changes to data on the part of the operator can be avoided in this advantageous way.

The following figures show preferred embodiments of devices for the non-contact measurement of elevations 13 on the surface 14 of a rotary body 6 designed as a flexographic printing form of the printing press 8 (cf. Figure 2C ). The elevations can be flexographic printing dots (in the grid) or flexographic printing areas (in the full area) of a flexographic printing plate. In the following exemplary embodiments the measurement of a printing plate 5 is described as an example. By measuring the printing plate, an automatic presetting of the respective optimal working pressure between the cylinders involved in the printing process, eg screen cylinder 15, impression cylinder 16 with printing plate 5 and impression cylinder 17, is made possible.

the Figures 2A to 2C show a preferred embodiment of the device for measuring the topography of a printing plate 5; Figure 2A in cross section, Figure 2B in top view and Figure 2C an enlarged section Figure 2A . According to this embodiment, the topography is preferably recorded with a plurality of devices 18 as part of a 3D radius determination with an optional reference line.

In this and the following embodiments, "2D" means that a section of the printing plate 5 (e.g. annular height profile) is scanned and "3D" means that the entire printing plate 5 (e.g. cylindrical height profile composed of annular height profiles) is scanned.

The device comprises a plurality of radiation sources 19, in particular light sources 19, preferably LED light sources, at least one reflector 20, e.g. a mirror, and at least one light receiver 21, preferably an area camera and particularly preferably a high-speed camera. In the following, light sources are assumed to be the radiation sources, i.e. visible light is emitted. Alternatively, the radiation source can emit other electromagnetic radiation, e.g., infrared. The light sources are preferably arranged in a row perpendicular to the axis of rotation 22 of the carrier cylinder 1 and produce a light curtain 23, with the carrier cylinder 1 with sleeve 3 and printing plate 5, i.e. the contour, generating a shadow 24. The reflected and then received light 25, ie essentially the emitted light 23 without the light 24 shaded by the topography 13, carries information about the topography 13 to be measured. The reflector 20 can be designed as a reflective foil.

The light source 19 is planar (area camera). The light source preferably emits visible light. The light sources 19 and receivers 21 preferably cover the Working width 26, ie the expansion of the pressure plate 5 in the direction of its axis 22 (eg 1650 mm), from. Preferably n light sources 19 and light receivers 21 can be provided, for example 2>n>69. A higher cap than 69 may be required when using smaller sized cameras. If the entire working width 26 is covered, the printing plate 5 can be measured during one revolution of the carrier cylinder 1. Otherwise, the light sources and light receivers must be moved or clocked in the axial direction 27 along the printing plate.

Inexpensive but fast-working cameras 21 are preferably used, e.g. black-and-white cameras. The cameras can record 5 individual images or a film as the printing plate rotates.

The device consisting of light sources 19, reflector 20 and light receiver 21 can preferably be moved in a direction 28 perpendicular to the axis 22 of the carrier cylinder 1 in order to direct the light strip 23 generated onto the topography 13 to be measured. A motor 29 can be present for this purpose. Provision can also be made for the reflector to be stationary and for only the light source and/or the light receiver to be moved, e.g. by a motor.

Contrary to what is shown, the topography 13 is preferably measured in a vertical direction (e.g. camera "below" and reflector "above") and not in a horizontal direction, since in this case a possible deflection of the carrier cylinder 1 and the reference object 30 can be ignored. In this preferred solution, you have to look at the Figure 2a rotated 90° clockwise.

A line-like object 30, preferably a taut thread 30 or a taut string 30, e.g. a metal wire or a carbon fiber or a knife (or a knife-like object or an object with a cutting edge) or a beam, is provided as an optional reference object 30, which a reference line 31 for the plurality of light receivers 21 is generated. The line-like object preferably extends parallel to the axis of the carrier cylinder 1 and is arranged at a small distance 32, for example 2 mm to 10 mm (maximum up to 20 mm), from its lateral surface 33 or the printing plate 5 arranged thereon.

The received light 25 also contains information about the reference object 30 that can be evaluated, e.g. its location and/or distance from the (preferably etched and therefore lower than the elevations 13) surface 14 of the printing plate 5. The reference line can be used to calculate the radial distance R of the topography 13 or the contour or the contour elevations relative to the reference object 30, preferably using digital image processing. The distance of the reference object 30 from the axis 22 of the carrier cylinder 1 is known from the arrangement and/or motorized adjustment of the reference object 30 (optionally together with light source 19 and light receiver 21 and possibly reflector 20). In this way, the radial distance between the contour elevations, i.e. the radius R of the pressure points, can be mathematically determined. Due to the use of the reference object 30 and thus the presence of shadowing caused by it or a reference line 31 corresponding to the shadowing (in the recorded image or from the received light) of each camera 21, an exact, e.g. pixel-precise alignment of the cameras to one another is not mandatory necessary. Furthermore, the reference object 30 can be used to calibrate the measuring system.

The reference object 30 can be coupled to the light source 19 and/or the motor 29 for movement or adjustment in the direction 28 . Alternatively, the reference object can have its own motor 29b for moving/adjusting.

For the initial referencing of the device, a measurement is preferably carried out with the ("empty") carrier cylinder or a measuring sleeve arranged thereon (measurement of the distance between the reference object and the surface from AS to BS).

To further initialize the device before the measurement process, the area camera 21 is preferably first moved in the direction 28 toward the carrier cylinder 1 . The movement is preferably stopped as soon as the camera detects the first elevation. Thereafter, the reference object 30 is preferably also moved in the direction 28 up to a predetermined distance, eg 2 mm, from the carrier cylinder 1 .

Alternatively, light source 19 and light receiver 21 can also be arranged on opposite sides of support cylinder 1; in this case the reflector 20 can be dispensed with.

The light source 19, the reflector 20 (if present according to the embodiment), the light receiver 21 and the optional reference object 30 preferably form a movable object (perpendicular to the axis 22 of the carrier cylinder). in particular a motorized adjustable or movable unit 34.

During the measurement, the carrier cylinder 1 rotates with the printing plate 5 located thereon, so that preferably all elevations 13 in the circumferential direction 35 can be detected. Depending on the angular position of the carrier cylinder 1, a topographical image and the radius R of individual elevations 13, e.g. flexographic printing dots, relative to the axis 22 or the diameter D (measured between opposite elevations) can be determined from this.

In the enlarged view of the Figure 2C a section of the topography 13 of the printing plate 5 is shown and the shading 24 of the topography and the shading 36 of the reference object 30 can be seen. The topography elevations 13 can be in the range from 2 μm to 20 mm.

A sensor 37 can also be provided, which detects the sleeve 3 and/or the pressure plate 5 using an identification feature 38 (cf. Figure 2B ) detected. This feature can be a barcode, a 2D code (eg QR code or data matrix code), an RFID chip or an NFC chip, for example.

The signals and/or data generated by the light receivers 21, which include information about the topography 13 of the measured surface 14 and about the reference object 30, are transmitted to a computer 39, preferably via a cable or radio link, and processed there. The computer is connected to the printing machine 8 . The computer 39 evaluates the information.

Before the measurement, the reference object 30 can be brought into the detection range of the light receiver 21 in order to calibrate the light receiver. The light receiver 21 detects and transmits the calibration signals generated to the computer 39 . The calibration data are recorded in the digital memory 40 of the computer 39 .

This makes it possible to store a virtual reference object in the computer 39 . The reference object 30 is then removed from the detection range of the light receiver 21 and the topography 39 of the surface 14 to be measured is further processed together with the virtual reference object.

The result of the evaluation is stored in a digital memory 40 of the computer, in a memory 40 of the printing press or in a cloud-based memory. The results are preferably stored in association with the respective identification feature 38 . When the printing plate 5 mounted on a sleeve (or the sleeve/flexographic printing form) is later used in the printing press 8, the identification feature 38 of the printing plate 5 or of the flexographic printing form (or the sleeve) can be read in again. The values stored for the identification feature 38 can then be called up, e.g. for the purpose of presetting. For example, it can be provided that the printing machine receives the data required for a print job from the cloud-based storage.

The result of the evaluation can preferably include up to four values: The operationally required pressure infeeds of the printing cylinder 16, i.e. the cylinder carrying the measured printing plate 5 on the two sides 41 or AS (drive side) and 42 or BS (operating side) against the impression cylinder 17 or printing material transport cylinder 17 and the operationally required print infeeds of an anilox roller 15 inking the measured printing plate 5 on the two sides 41 or AS (drive side) and 42 or BS (operating side) against the printing cylinder 16.

Furthermore, a device 43 for detecting the point density, for example via optical scanning, can be provided, preferably a CIS scanner bar (contact image sensor). a line camera, or a laser triangulation device. Alternatively, the device 43 can be a pivotable or movable mirror such that it can be used together with the light sources 19, 21 for measuring the point density. The device is preferably connected to a device for image processing and/or image evaluation, which is preferably the computer 39—or the computer 39 with corresponding programming—or which can be a further computer 39b.

A CIS scanner bar can be arranged axially parallel to the cylinder. It preferably includes LEDs for lighting and sensors for image recording (similar to a scanner bar in a commercial copier). The bar is preferably arranged at a distance of 1 to 2 cm from the surface or is positioned at this distance. The cylinder with the surface to be measured, e.g. the printing plate, rotates under the bar, which creates an image of the surface and provides an image evaluation for a point density evaluation. The data obtained from recording the dot density can also be used, for example, to select or recommend an anilox roller from a set of available anilox rollers that is optimal for printing with the recorded printing form.

the Figures 3A and 3B show a preferred embodiment of the device for measuring the topography of a printing plate 5; Figure 3A in cross section and Figure 3B in top view. According to this embodiment, the topography is preferably recorded with a laser micrometer 44 as part of a 2D diameter determination.

The device comprises a light source 19, preferably a linear LED light source 19 or a linear laser 19, and a light receiver 21, preferably a line camera 21. The laser and light receiver together form a laser micrometer 44. The light source 19 produces a light curtain 23 and the carrier cylinder 1 with sleeve 3 and pressure plate 5 creates a shading 24. The line lengths of the light source 19 and the light receiver 21 are preferably greater than the diameter D of the carrier cylinder including the sleeve and pressure plate in order to view the topography without moving the device 44 perpendicular to the axis 22 of the carrier cylinder enable. In other words: the cross-section of the carrier cylinder is completely in the light curtain.

The device 44 consisting of the light source 19 and the light receiver 21 can be moved parallel to the axis 22 of the carrier cylinder (in the direction 27) in order to cover the entire working width 26. A motor 45 can be present for this purpose.

A sensor 37 can be provided, which detects the sleeve 3 and/or the pressure plate 5 using an identification feature 38 (cf. Figure 2B ).

The signals and/or data generated by the light receivers 21 are transmitted to a computer 39, preferably via a cable or a radio link, and processed further there. The computer is connected to the printing machine 8 .

Alternatively, light source 19 and light receiver 21 can also be arranged on the same side of support cylinder 1; in this case, a reflector 20 is opposite, similar to that in FIGS Figures 2A to 2C arranged.

According to an alternative embodiment, the topography is preferably recorded with a laser micrometer 44 as part of a 2D diameter determination, in which not only a single measurement line 46, but a wider (dashed) measuring strip 47 from several (dashed) measuring lines 48 are recorded. In this exemplary embodiment, the light source 19 and light receiver 21 are preferably flat and not just in the form of lines. The light source 19 can comprise a plurality of lines of light 48 each having a width of approximately 0.1 mm and a distance of approximately 5 mm from one another. In this example, the camera is preferably designed as an area camera.

the Figures 4A and 4B show a preferred embodiment of the device for measuring the topography of a printing plate 5; Figure 4A in cross section and Figure 4B in top view. According to this embodiment, the topography is preferably recorded with a laser micrometer as part of a 2D radius determination.

The device comprises a light source 19, preferably an LED light source 19, and a light receiver 21, preferably a linear LED light source 21 or a linear laser 21. The light source 19 generates a light curtain 23 and the carrier cylinder 1 with sleeve 3 and printing plate 5 generates a shading 24.

The device consisting of the light source 19 and the light receiver 21 can preferably be moved in a direction 28 perpendicular to the axis 22 of the carrier cylinder 1 in order to direct the light curtain 23 onto the topography 13 to be measured. A motor 29 can be present for this purpose. If the light curtain 23 is wide enough and therefore covers the measuring range, the motor 29 can be dispensed with.

The signals and/or data generated by the light receivers 21 are transmitted to a computer 39, preferably via a cable or a radio link, and processed further there. The computer is connected to the printing machine 8 . Alternatively, light source 19 and light receiver 21 can also be arranged on the same side of the carrier cylinder; in this case, a reflector 20 is opposite, similar to that in FIGS Figures 2A to 2C arranged.

According to an alternative embodiment, the topography 13 is preferably recorded with a laser micrometer 44 as part of a 3D radius determination, with not just one measuring line 46 but a wider measuring strip 47 (shown in dashed lines), i.e. several measuring lines 48 being recorded at the same time. In this exemplary embodiment, the light source 19 and light receiver 21 are flat and not just in the form of lines.

According to a further alternative embodiment, the topography 13 is preferably recorded with a laser micrometer 44 as part of a 3D radius determination, with the device consisting of light source 19 and light receiver 21 preferably being able to be moved in a direction 28 perpendicular to the axis of the carrier cylinder 1 in order to Aiming the light curtain 23 at the topography 13 to be measured. A motor 29 (shown in dashed lines) can be present for this purpose.

According to an alternative embodiment, the topography 13 is preferably recorded with a laser micrometer 44 as part of a 3D radius determination, with the two latter alternative embodiments being combined.

figure 5 shows an exemplary and greatly enlarged topography measurement result of a printing plate 5 (flexographic printing form) with two printing areas 50 and two non-printing areas 51. The radial measurement results for 360° at an axial location (relative to the axis of the carrier cylinder) are shown. The non-printing areas can have been produced by etching, for example, and can therefore have a smaller radius than the printing areas.

The illustration also shows an enveloping radius 52 or an envelope 52 of those points of the pressure plate 5 with the largest radius, i.e. the highest elevations of the topography 13 at the axial location.

The point 53 of the printing plate 5 is a printing point, since this would have sufficient contact with the printing material and the ink-transferring anilox roller in printing operation with a normally set pressure or print infeed between the printing plate 5 and the printing material 11 or transport cylinder 17. Normally set pressure produces a so-called kiss print, in which the printing plate just touches the substrate and in which the flexo printing dots are not significantly squeezed.

The point 54 is a point which would just about print in the printing operation with the pressure set normally, since it would just about still be in contact with the printing material.

The two points 55 are points that would not print, since they would not have any contact with the printing material or with the anilox roller during printing with a normally set pressure.

A computer program runs on the computer 39 and calculates the radially lowest point 56 and its radial distance 57 from the envelope 52 in the printing area 50 , for example using digital image processing. This calculation is done in carried out at regular intervals in the axial direction, eg from AS to BS at all measuring points, and the respective maximum of the lowest points (ie the maximum lowest value) from AS to middle and from middle to BS is determined. The two maxima or infeed values or setting values determined from them by calculation can be selected, for example, as the respective infeed/setting on AS and BS during printing, ie the cylinder distance between the cylinders involved in printing is reduced by the infeed on AS and BS. A motor-driven threaded spindle can be used on the AS and on the BS for this purpose.

Below is a concrete numerical example:
On the one hand, the distance is deltaR=65µm and on the other, the distance is deltaR=55µm. In order for all dots 53 to 55 of the printing plate to print, 65 µm must be fed.

In all of the illustrated embodiments and the alternatives mentioned, the manufacturing-related and/or operational (due to wear and tear) concentricity of the sleeve 3 can also be measured and can be taken into account on the basis of the measurement and evaluation results during printing to improve the quality of the printed products produced. A warning can be issued if a specified concentricity tolerance is exceeded. The measurement can be carried out on smooth and porous sleeves.

Instead of light sources 19 or light emitters 19 (which emit visible light), radar emitters 19 (with appropriately adapted receivers) can also be used within the scope of the invention.

In all of the illustrated embodiments and their named alternatives, parameters for a dynamic print infeed can also be determined and transferred to the printing press. For example, a known (eg previously measured) and available to the computer 39 delayed expansion of the deformable and/or compressible pressure points 53 to 55 made of polymer material can be taken into account. or a durometer hardness of the printing plate can be used. This expansion can depend in particular on the operationally prevailing printing speed or this printing speed dependency can be taken into account. For example, at higher printing speeds, a higher pressure setting can be selected.

The printing surface of the printing plate 5 or the dot density, i.e. the locally variable density of the printing dots on the printing plate 5, (as an alternative or in addition to the printing speed) can also be taken into account: For example, with higher dot densities, a higher pressure setting can be selected and/or the dot density can be increased be used when setting the dynamic pressure adjustment.

To determine the local point density, the received light 25, ie essentially the emitted light 23 without the light 24 shadowed by the topography 13, can be used. It carries information about the topography 13 to be measured and/or its surface point density and/or its elevations.

For this purpose, a device 43 for detecting or measuring the point density, i.e. its local values, on the printing form, e.g. flexographic printing form, can also be provided, preferably a CIS scanner bar or a line camera. It can be provided, for example, based on the data obtained/calculated from the dot density determination, default values for a different pressure adjustment on AS (drive side of the printing machine) and BS (operating side of the printing machine).

Knowing the dot density of the printing plate 5 and/or the inking anilox roller 15 and/or anilox sleeve 15, the ink consumption to be expected when printing with the printing plate on a given printing material 11 can be determined by calculation. The required drying power of the dryer 10 for drying the ink on the printing material can be determined by calculation from the ink consumption. Based on the calculated, anticipated ink consumption, an ink supply to be provided can also be calculated.

A so-called channel beat pattern (caused by a channel pattern) can also be taken into account in all of the illustrated embodiments and their alternatives. A channel beat pattern is a disturbance that occurs periodically during operational rotation of the printing plate 5 and is caused by a page width or at least disturbingly wide gap or channel in the printed image, i.e. a disturbingly large area without printing dots, or another axial channel is caused. The print quality can be impaired by such channels or their channel beating pattern, since the cylinders involved in printing approach and repel rhythmically due to the kiss print position in the area of the channel that recurs during rotation. In the worst case, this can lead to unwanted density fluctuations or even print failures. An existing sewer runout pattern can preferably be recorded using a CIS measuring device 43 (e.g. the above-mentioned swiveling or movable mirror together with the area cameras) or using an area camera and evaluated by computer and compensated for the pressure infeed required for operation. For example, on the basis of the recorded channel beating pattern, it can be predicted at which speeds or rotational frequencies of a printing press vibrations would occur. These speeds or rotational frequencies are then not used during production and, for example, are overrun when the machine is started up.

Each printing plate 5 can have an individual channel beating pattern. Channels in the printing form can have a negative impact on the print result or even lead to print failures. In order to mitigate or even eliminate channel beats, the pressure plate is checked for channels in the rolling direction. If the resonant frequencies of the printing unit 9 are known, production speeds can be calculated which are particularly unfavorable for a given printing form. These printing speeds should be avoided (so-called "no go speed").

In all of the illustrated embodiments and the alternatives mentioned, register marks (or several register marks, e.g. wedges, double wedges, dots or crosshairs) can also be recorded on the printing form, e.g. using camera 21 or 43 and a downstream digital image processing, and their position is measured, stored and made available. This enables automatic adjustment of register controllers or their register sensors to the register marks or to axial positions. Errors caused by the otherwise customary manual setting of the sensors can thus be advantageously prevented. Alternatively, patterns can be captured and used to configure a register controller. Provision can also be made to automatically position a register sensor that can be moved by a motor, in particular in the axial direction. Provision can also be made for a predetermined zero point of the angular position of a printing cylinder and/or a sleeve arranged thereon to be compared with an angular value of the actual location of a printed image (e.g. glued on by hand), in particular in the circumferential direction (or of the cylinder/sleeve). An optimal starting value for the angular position of the cylinder/sleeve can be obtained from this comparison. In this way, print production can be started with reduced register deviation. The same applies to the lateral direction (or the cylinder/sleeve).

In all of the illustrated embodiments and their named alternatives, the output of the dryer 10 of the printing press 8 can also be controlled or regulated. For example, LED dryer segments can be switched off in areas where no printing ink has been transferred to the substrate, which means that advantageous energy savings and an increase in the lifespan of the LEDs are possible.

The output of the dryer 10 or the output of individual segments of the dryer for printing areas on the printing plate with a low dot density can also be advantageously reduced. This can save energy and/or extend the service life of the dryer or individual segments. Switching off or reducing can take place on the one hand in areas and on the other hand in a direction parallel and/or transverse to the axial direction of a printing plate or to the lateral direction of the printing material to be processed with it. For example, segments or modules of a dryer can be switched off in areas corresponding to gaps between printing plates (eg spaced apart, in particular glued on by hand).

In all of the illustrated embodiments and the alternatives mentioned, the respective location (on the printing plate 5) of measurement fields for print inspection systems can also be recorded and made available for further use, e.g. for setting the location of the print inspection systems.

An inline color measuring system can also be positioned in all of the illustrated embodiments and the alternatives mentioned. In order to determine the location and thus the position of the inline color measurement, image and/or pattern recognition is carried out, on the basis of which the axial position for the measurement system is determined. The inline color measurement system can be informed of free print points to allow for a free point for the calibration on the printing material.

An exemplary overall process that can be carried out with the device in a suitable embodiment is to be presented below.

• Schritt 1: Hülse 3 mit oder ohne Druckplatte 5 wird auf den mit Luft beaufschlagten Trägerzylinder 1 der Messstation 2 über das Luftkissen aufgeschoben und arretiert.
• Schritt 2: Die Hülse wird mit einer unikaten Zeichenkette 38 identifiziert. Das kann per Barcode, 2D-Code (z.B. QR-Code oder Datamatrixcode), RFID- Code oder NFC erfolgen.
• Schritt 3: Kamera 21 und optional das Referenzobjekt 30 werden gemäß Durchmesser (der Hülse mit oder ohne Druckplatte) positioniert.
• Schritt 4: Ermittlung der Topografie 13 der Druckplatte mit Bezugspunkt zur Achse 6 bzw. zum Achsmittelpunkt des Trägerzylinders 22, d.h. der Radien der Erhebungen/Druckpunkte 53 bis 55. Die Lichtquelle 19 und die Kamera 21 der Messeinrichtung 18 bewegen sich dabei ggf. axial und der Trägerzylinder rotiert (seine Winkelstellung ist über einen Encoder bekannt).
• Schritt 5: Durchführung eines Flächenscans, um Punktdichten, freie Druckstellen, druckende Flächen, Registermarken und/oder Messfelder für Inline-Farbmessung zu erkennen.
• Schritt 6: Anwendung eines auf einem Rechner 39 laufenden Topografie-Algorithmus und Auswertung der Flächen über den Flächen-Scan mit Erkennung von Kanalschlagmustern und mit Registermarkenfeld-Aufbau bzw. Inline-Farbmessung.
• Schritt 7: Optionale Ermittlung der Plattenhärte (in der Einheit Shore).
• Schritt 8: Anwendung eines Staub-Detektors und/oder eines Härchen-Detektors.
• Schritt 9: Speichern der Daten der Messergebnisse in einem digitalen Speicher 40.
• Schritt 10: Darstellung der Messergebnisse mit Hinweis auf Staub/Härchen bzw. eingeschlossenen Luftbläschen und/oder Anzeigen von Grenzwerten, wie z.B. Rundlauf, Exzentrizität und/oder Balligkeit.
• Schritt 11: Mögliche Messwiederholung oder Entfernen der Hülse, um eine weitere Hülse zu vermessen.

measurement process:

• Step 1: Sleeve 3 with or without pressure plate 5 is pushed onto air-loaded carrier cylinder 1 of measuring station 2 via the air cushion and locked.
• Step 2: The sleeve is identified with a unique character string 38. This can be done using a barcode, 2D code (e.g. QR code or data matrix code), RFID code or NFC.
• Step 3: Camera 21 and optionally the reference object 30 are positioned according to the diameter (of the sleeve with or without the pressure plate).
• Step 4: Determination of the topography 13 of the printing plate with a reference point to the axis 6 or to the center point of the axis of the carrier cylinder 22, i.e. the radii of the elevations/pressure points 53 to 55. The light source 19 and the camera 21 of the measuring device 18 may move axially and the support cylinder rotates (its angular position is known via an encoder).
• Step 5: Performing an area scan to detect dot densities, free print spots, printing areas, register marks and/or measuring patches for inline color measurement.
• Step 6: Application of a topography algorithm running on a computer 39 and evaluation of the areas via the area scan with recognition of channel beat patterns and with register mark field structure or inline color measurement.
• Step 7: Optional determination of the panel hardness (in Shore units).
• Step 8: Application of a dust detector and/or a hair detector.
• Step 9: Saving the data of the measurement results in a digital memory 40.
• Step 10: Presentation of the measurement results with reference to dust/hairs or enclosed air bubbles and/or indication of limit values such as concentricity, eccentricity and/or crowning.
• Step 11: Possible to repeat the measurement or remove the sleeve to measure another sleeve.

• Schritt 1: Hülse 3 mit Druckplatte 5 wird auf den mit Luft beaufschlagten Druckzylinder 16 der Druckmaschine 8 über das Luftkissen aufgeschoben und arretiert.
• Schritt 2: Die Hülse wird mit ihrer unikaten Zeichenkette 38 vom jeweiligen Druckwerk 9 bzw. eines dortigen Sensors identifiziert. Das kann per Barcode, 2D-Code (z.B. QR-Code oder Datamatrixcode), RFID-Code oder NFC erfolgen.
• Schritt 3: Druckwerk bzw. Druckmaschine holt sich die gespeicherten Daten zu der zugehörigen identifizierten Hülse/Druckplatte.

set-up process:

• Step 1: sleeve 3 with printing plate 5 is pushed onto the air-loaded pressure cylinder 16 of the printing machine 8 via the air cushion and locked.
• Step 2: The sleeve is identified with its unique character string 38 by the respective printing unit 9 or a sensor located there. This can be done using a barcode, 2D code (e.g. QR code or data matrix code), RFID code or NFC.
• Step 3: The printing unit or printing machine fetches the stored data for the associated sleeve/printing plate that has been identified.

• Schritt 1: Zustellung des so genannten "Kissprints" (Einstellung der Pressung bzw. des Arbeitsdrucks) für Druckzylinder 16 und Rasterzylinder 15 z.B. anhand Topografie, Rundlauf und Bedruckstoffdaten für einen optimalen Druckpunkt. Durchmesser bzw. Radius werden ermittelt. Durchmesser bzw. Radius sind aus Messung bekannt.
• Schritt 2: Berechnung des Vorregisters anhand von Registermarken-Daten auf der Druckplatte bzw. Hülsen-Bezugspunkt.
• Schritt 3: Einstellung der dynamischen Druckzustellung anhand von ermittelten Punktdichte-Werten und bedruckter Fläche und Geschwindigkeit und optional des Bedruckstoffs. Optionale Berücksichtigung der Plattenhärte (in der Einheit Shore). Schritt 3: Einstellung der optimalen Materialbahn-Geschwindigkeit z.B. anhand der Berechnung von ermittelten Resonanzfrequenzen des Druckwerks zu Druckplatte durch die Kanalschlagmuster-Erkennung.
• Schritt 5: Einstellung der optimalen Trocknungsleistung (UV oder Heißluft) anhand von Punktdichte-Werte und bedruckter Fläche, sowie Rasterzylinder-Daten (Schöpfvolumen etc.) optional dynamisch an die Warenbahngeschwindigkeit angepasst.
• Schritt 6: Berechnung des Farbverbrauchs anhand von Punktdichte-Werte und bedruckter Fläche, sowie Rasterzylinder-Daten (Schöpfvolumen etc.).
• Schritt 7: Reduzieren oder Ausschalten von LED-UV-Trockner-Sektionen an Stellen, an denen sich eine geringe Punktdichte auf der Druckplatte befindet bzw. an denen keine Trocknung benötigt wird, um auf diese Weise Energie zu sparen und die Lebensdauer der LED-Lampen zu erhöhen.
• Schritt 8: Vollautomatische Einstellung des Registerreglers anhand der gewonnen Registermarkendaten, z.B. Markenkonfiguration und automatische, axiale Positionierung des Registersensors.
• Schritt 9: Einstellen der Mess-Position für die spektrale Inline-Messung und Druckinspektion der gedruckten Farben, Informationen über Ort bzw. Messposition.

Setting process:

• Step 1: Delivery of the so-called "kiss prints" (adjustment of the pressure or the working pressure) for the printing cylinder 16 and the anilox cylinder 15, for example using topography, concentricity and printing material data for an optimal printing point. Diameter or radius are determined. Diameter and radius are known from measurements.
• Step 2: Calculation of the pre-register using register mark data on the printing plate or sleeve reference point.
• Step 3: Setting the dynamic print infeed based on determined dot density values and printed area and speed and optionally the printing material. Optional consideration of the plate hardness (in the Shore unit). Step 3: Setting the optimum material web speed, eg based on the calculation of determined resonant frequencies of the printing unit to the printing plate through channel beat pattern recognition.
• Step 5: Setting the optimal drying performance (UV or hot air) based on dot density values and printed area, as well as anilox cylinder data (cupping volume, etc.) optionally dynamically adapted to the web speed.
• Step 6: Calculation of ink consumption based on dot density values and printed area, as well as screen cylinder data (cupping volume, etc.).
• Step 7: Reduce or switch off LED UV drying sections in places where there is a low density of dots on the printing plate or where drying is not needed, thus saving energy and the lifespan of the LED lamps to increase.
• Step 8: Fully automatic setting of the register controller using the register mark data obtained, eg mark configuration and automatic, axial positioning of the register sensor.
• Step 9: Setting the measurement position for the spectral inline measurement and print inspection of the printed colors, information about the location or measurement position.

figure 6 shows an example of a web-processing flexographic printing machine 100 when carrying out a method within the scope of the invention.

The machine 100 is installed in series and has two longitudinal sides: a drive side 100a and an opposite operating side 100b. The machine processes or prints a web of printing material 102, preferably made of paper, cardboard, cardboard, foil or composite material. The web can be provided by means of a roll unwinder. The machine includes a plurality of printing units 103, preferably one after the other. Each printing unit includes at least one motor 104 for driving the printing unit or at least one cylinder of the printing unit during printing. After printing, the web can be further processed, eg punched The machine 100 comprises a plurality of printing cylinders 105 and 121, in particular flexographic printing cylinders, and associated impression cylinders 106 and anilox rollers 107 (cf. also figure 7 ). A printing form 108 (a so-called cliché) with a printed image 109 made up of printing and non-printing areas is accommodated on each printing cylinder, in particular a flexographic printing form, eg a flexographic printing plate, with raised, printing areas.

Each printing unit 103, but at least one or two printing units, preferably includes a control device 115 with a respective actuator 116 or 122.

The machine 100 also includes a digital computer 123. Connections for signaling and data exchange with the machine or its components, such as the motors 104 or actuators 116, are present but are not shown for the sake of clarity.

figure 7 shows a control device 115 when carrying out a method within the scope of the invention.

The impression cylinder 106 is accommodated on at least one side (drive side 101a or AS or operating side 101b or BS) in a frame 110 of the machine 101; the pressure cylinder 105 with its pin 111 in a bearing 112 of a bearing block 113. The bearing block can be displaced relative to the frame, preferably horizontally. A guide 114 is provided for this purpose.

There is a device 115 for controlling AS and/or BS, preferably for controlling the position of the printing cylinder 5 and/or preferably for controlling the contact pressure or the contact pressure between the printing cylinder 105 and the impression cylinder 106. The device includes an actuator 116, preferably one Electric motor 117, particularly preferably a servomotor 117, which includes an encoder 118. The transmitter 118 can be an encoder 119 or can include an encoder 119 . A spindle 120, preferably a ball screw spindle, is coupled to the actuator 116 or attached, which, in cooperation with the guide 114, converts the rotational movement of the servomotor into a linear movement of the bearing block 113.

The digital computer 123 is connected to the servomotor 116 . The digital computer can control or regulate the rotary movements of the servomotor. In this way, the position and/or the contact pressure or the contact pressure of the impression cylinder 105 on the impression cylinder 106 can be adjusted, in particular controlled or regulated. According to the invention, the adjustment can be made as a function of a point density of the flexographic printing form, i.e. a location-dependent density of printing elevations of the flexographic printing form, or data derived therefrom by computation. The adjustment can be made dynamically, in particular during printing, i.e. as a function of the rotational speed of the flexographic printing cylinder 105. A further contact pressure, i.e. a contact pressure between the flexographic printing cylinder 105 and the anilox roller 107, can be set by motor. The motor 117 or another motor (not shown) can be provided for this purpose. The further contact pressure can be set dynamically during printing, i.e. depending on the rotational speed of the printing cylinder.

figure 8 shows selected steps of a preferred embodiment of a method within the scope of the invention.

The digital computer 123 is shown schematically, which monitors the exemplary four printing units and in doing so examines or analyzes the faults by means of computation and thereby compensates for them, reduces them or prevents them. A diagram is shown for each printing unit (from top to bottom: first to fourth printing unit), with the amplitude of a disturbance being shown over the printing speed.

In the example shown, a fault 124 occurs in a first printing unit, depending on the printing speed, and a further fault 125 occurs in a further, for example third, printing unit. These faults are recognized by the digital computer 123 at the respective printing speeds. The recognition can take place by comparing the amplitude with a predetermined threshold value. For example, if a fault occurs a first printing speed 127 is detected, the printing speed can be changed until there is no fault at a second printing speed, neither on the first printing unit nor on another. The machine 1 is then operated at this second printing speed. In other words: the printing speed is, for example, increased (or reduced) until there are no faults in any of the printing units.

figure 9 shows a captured image 410 of a sleeve 300 and, by way of example, two flexographic printing forms 301 and 302. The image is preferably captured or generated by a camera 400, in particular in a measuring station 2. The image can be transmitted to a computer 401. The computer 39 can do this Figure 2a be. The image can be subjected to computational image processing. Information or data can be obtained in the process. This data can be stored for an ID or an identifier 316 of the sleeve in a digital memory 317 and made available to the flexographic printing machine when the sleeve is used, stating the ID.

A detected area 303 with a high point density and a detected area 304 with a low point density are shown as an example. The areas can be recognized and separated using image processing technology and preferably coded in color. Knowing the local dot densities of the entire flexographic printing forme 301 (and the additional flexographic printing forme 302) can be used to calculate a preset value for the so-called pressure adjustment, i.e. for setting the contact pressure between the flexographic printing cylinder and the impression cylinder (and/or anilox roller) when using the sleeve.

A captured channel 305 is also shown as an example. There are no (or essentially no) printing elevations of the flexographic printing forme 301 in the area of the channel 305. The channel 305 extends primarily in the axial y-direction and due to its y-length (and x- Width) critical with regard to possible channel impacts when passing through the printing gap and thus with regard to possible disturbing vibrations when operating the flexographic printing machine. The gaps 306 and 307, which are also shown as examples, are not critical in this regard due to their dimensions and/or adjacent/adjacent printing locations 307a. Likewise spaced the gap 308 between the two flexographic printing forms 301 and 302 mounted to one another (eg glued to the sleeve 300). However, the gap 309 between the front and rear edges of the flexographic printing form 301 can be critical. Critical gaps are identified by computation and preferably identified as channels.

A register mark 310 and a register mark 311 are also shown by way of example. Likewise, color measuring fields 312 and 313. In the example shown, the marks and fields are arranged in respective control strips 314 and 315. The marks and fields are preferably also captured by the camera 400 and recognized and separated by image processing. Your determined position data (x-y localization) are saved to the sleeve ID 316.

A so-called error mark 318 for detecting an assembly error of a flexographic printing form or several flexographic printing forms on the sleeve or on several sleeves is also shown as an example. Their position data is also saved for the sleeve ID 316.

figure 9 Figure 12 also shows a sensor 402. The sensor 402 may be a register sensor and/or a spectrometer. This is arranged in the flexographic printing unit of the flexographic printing machine and is aimed at the printing material web 11 . The sensor is connected to a computer 403 and can be moved by a motor (by means of the motor 404) in the axial y-direction 405 and can therefore be positioned automatically. Using the data generated from image 410 and making it available to the printing press when using sleeve 300, the sensor can move along printing substrate 11 to the y-position of a mark 310, 311 to be printed and detected and/or the same or another Sensor in the field 312, 313 z. B. for color inspection with a spectrometer along the printing material 11 are positioned. The sensor transmits the data generated by the sensor to the computer 403 , which can be identical to the computer 401 and/or to the computer 39 .

For the automatic configuration or setting of the register controller control, an image of a flexographic printing forme 410 is subjected to digital image processing with a camera 400, 21, 43, for example with a computer 410, with at least one register mark 310, 311 being xy-localized.

This localized x-y data of the register mark can be stored for an ID or an identifier 316 of the sleeve in a digital memory 317 and made available to the flexographic printing machine or the flexographic printing unit when the sleeve is used, stating the ID.

The flexographic printing machine or the flexographic printing unit uses the register mark position data (x-y localization) to set the register rule control. The setting of the register control also means, for example, the configuration of the register marks of a print job.

For a print job, there are usually several printing units with inks or coatings in the printing operation, in which one flexographic printing forme 410 is used for each printing unit. The position data (x-y localization) of the print marks 310, 311 for e.g. two flexographic printing forms can be different.

For this purpose, the register control of the printing machine receives the position data (x-y localization) of the print mark 310, 311 for each flexographic printing forme 410 used with the identifier 316, whereby the configuration of the register marks of the print job can be composed of several flexographic printing forms (410).

An advantageous method for configuring the register controller is that before printing, an image 410 of the surface of the sleeve is captured with the at least one flexographic printing form by a camera 400) and the image is subjected to image processing, with at least one register mark 310 being xy-localized or will; and that it automates the adjustment of a register controller for register mark detection.

Reference List

1

carrier cylinder

2

measuring station

3

sleeve

3a

ID of the sleeve

4

duct tape

5

Printing plate or flexographic printing form

5a

ID of the printing plate or flexographic printing form

6

Rotating body or flexographic printing form

7

first engine

8th

Printing machine or flexographic printing machine

9

Printing unit or flexographic printing unit

10

dryer

11

substrate

12

measuring rings

13

Elevations/Topography

14

surface

15

Anilox roller/anilox cylinder

15a

ID of the anilox roll/cylinder

16

pressure cylinder

17

Impression cylinder/printing material transport cylinder

18

measuring device

19

Radiation sources, in particular light sources

20

reflector or mirror

21

Radiation receivers, in particular light receivers, e.g. cameras

22

axis of rotation

23

Light curtain/emitted light

24

shadowing

25

reflected light

26

working width

27

axial direction

28

direction of movement

29

second engine

29b

another second engine

30

Reference object/line-like object, especially thread/string/knife/bar

31

reference line

32

Distance

33

lateral surface

34

Unit

35

circumferential direction

36

shadowing

37

sensor

38

Identification feature or ID

39

digital calculator

39b

another digital calculator

40

digital storage

41

drive side (AS)

42

Operating side (BS)

43

Device for detecting the point density

44

laser micrometer

45

third engine

46

measuring line

47

gages

48

several measurement lines

50

printing area

51

non-printing area

52

enveloping radius/envelope

53

printing point of the printing plate

54

point of the printing plate that is just about to be printed

55

non-printing point of the printing plate

56

deepest point

57

radial distance

58

marking agent

59

Measuring field for measuring shore hardness

60

engine

62

Device for recording the ID

100

rotary printing machine

100a

Drive side/AS

100b

Operating side/BS

102

substrate web

103

printing works

104

Engines

105

pressure cylinder

105a

sleeve

106

Impression cylinder

107

anilox roller

108

Printing form/cliché

109

print image

110

frame

111

cylinder pin

112

warehouse

113

bearing block

114

guide

115

Device for regulation

116

actuator

117

electric motor or servomotor

118

giver

119

encoders

120

spindle

121

Another pressure cylinder

122

actuator

123

digital calculator

124

disturbances

125

More glitches

126

output signals

127

first print speed

128

second print speed

129

dryer

130

ID

300

sleeve

301

flexographic form

302

Another flexographic form

303

Area of high point density

304

Area of low dot density

305

channel

306

Gap, non-printing spot

307

Gap, non-printing spot

307a

printing place

308

Gap between flexographic printing forms

309

gap

310

registration mark

311

registration mark

312

color patch

313

color patch

314

control strips

315

control strips

316

ID

317

Storage

318

error mark

400

camera

401

computer

402

sensor

403

computer

404

engine

405

direction of movement

410

picture

R

radial distance

D

diameter

x

direction (circumferential direction)

y

direction (axial direction)

Claims (34)

Method for operating a flexographic printing machine, with a printing cylinder (16, 105) carrying a sleeve (3, 105a) with at least one flexographic printing form (5, 108) or a flexographic printing cylinder and an impression cylinder (17, 106), wherein at least one parameter of the flexographic printing machine is set will,
characterized,
that during operation of the flexographic printing machine, paper, cardboard, cardboard, foil or composite material is printed and that the sleeve is marked with an ID (3a, 5a, 38, 130, 316) that the ID is recorded in a flexographic printing unit of the flexographic printing machine or in the flexographic printing machine that data stored for the ID is transmitted to the flexo printing unit or the flexo printing machine and that the data is used when setting the parameter. Method according to claim 1,
characterized,
that adjusting involves controlling or regulating. Method according to claim 1 or 2,
characterized,
that the ID is designed as a unique identifier for the sleeve. Method according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
that the ID and the data are determined in a measuring device (2, 18, 400) separate from the flexographic printing machine and stored with the ID. Method according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
that the data is determined without contact. Method according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
that the data are provided by a digital computer (39, 39b, 123, 317, 401, 403) and/or digital memory (39, 39b, 123, 317, 401, 403) of the prepress stage. Method according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
that the data are stored outside of the flexographic printing machine on a digital computer (39, 39b, 123, 317, 401, 403) and/or in a digital memory (39, 39b, 123, 317, 401, 403). Method according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
that the flexographic printing machine transmits data to the digital computer (39, 39b, 123, 317, 401, 403) and/or memory (39, 39b, 123, 317, 401, 403). Method according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
that the data comprise the following: data on the point density of the flexographic printing form, ie a location-dependent density of printing elevations of the flexographic printing form, or data derived therefrom by computation. Method according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
that the data are used when setting a dynamic, ie dependent on the machine speed, setting of the contact pressure between the flexographic printing cylinder and the impression cylinder and/or between the flexographic printing cylinder and an anilox roller. Method according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
that the data is used when adjusting the color guide. Method according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
that the data are used when setting a dryer (19, 129) of the flexographic printing machine. Method according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
that the data is used when setting the energy consumption of the flexographic printing machine. Method according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
that the data is used in setting a preset value for flexographic ink consumption. Method according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
that the data are used when setting a preset value for the selection of an anilox roller (15, 107). Method according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
that the data include the following: plate type and/or plate-specific data of a flexographic printing form designed as a flexographic printing plate. Method according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
that the data is used when setting a preset value for the selection of CMYK colors and/or spot colors. Method according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
that the data comprises: channels (305), channel patterns, channel beat patterns and/or vibration-critical engine speeds and/or vibration-critical cylinder speeds data derived therefrom computationally. Method according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
that the data is used when setting the machine speed. Method according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
that the data is used when setting a preset value for the selection of enabled and disabled radiators of the dryer. Method according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
that the data include the following: position data, a register mark and/or a color measuring field of the flexographic printing form. Method according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
that the register mark data is used when adjusting the color register. Method according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
that additional data is used when setting up, which is specific to the print job. Method according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
that additional data that are specific to the printing press are used when setting up. Method according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
that in order to configure a register controller of the flexographic printing machine, before printing, at least one image (410) of the surface of the sleeve or multiple sleeves with the at least one or multiple flexographic printing forms is captured by a camera (400) and that the image is subjected to digital image processing, wherein at least one or at least two register marks (310, 311) is/are xy-located and that using the xy-located register mark position data the configuration of the register controller for register mark detection is automated. Method according to claim 20,
characterized,
that to configure the register controller of the flexographic printing machine, it is derived from the recorded data and used which register mark of the register mark configuration is printed in which printing unit. Flexographic printing machine, with at least one flexographic printing unit - comprising a printing cylinder carrying a sleeve with at least one flexographic printing forme or a flexographic printing cylinder, an impression cylinder and an anilox roller - the flexographic printing machine being operated for printing a printing material with flexographic printing ink according to one of the preceding methods,
characterized,
that during the operation of the flexographic printing machine paper, cardboard, paperboard, foil or composite material is printed and that the flexographic printing machine comprises a device (62) for detecting the ID of the sleeve. Flexographic printing machine according to claim 27
characterized,
that the flexographic printing machine comprises a further flexographic printing unit - comprising a further printing cylinder carrying a further sleeve with at least one further flexographic printing forme, a further impression cylinder and a further anilox roller - and that in each flexographic printing unit there is a device (62) for detecting the ID of the respective sleeve. Flexographic printing machine according to claim 28,
characterized,
that at least two flexographic printing units are designed as double printing units with a central impression cylinder and that a device for detecting the ID of the respective sleeve is present in each double printing unit. System consisting of a flexographic printing machine according to Claim 27, 28 or 29 and a measuring device (2, 18, 400) for measuring the point density of the flexographic printing form, characterized in that
that the sleeve (3, 105a) is marked with a machine-readable ID (3a, 5a, 38, 130, 316). System according to claim 30,
characterized,
that the ID is designed as a unique identifier for the sleeve. System according to claim 30 or 31,
characterized,
that the measuring device indirectly transmits the dot density or data derived therefrom together with the ID to the flexographic printing machine by temporarily storing the dot density or the data derived therefrom and calling it up from the flexographic printing machine for printing with the flexographic printing forme and/or the sleeve. A sleeve for a flexographic printing forme, the sleeve being marked with a machine-readable ID, for use in a method according to any one of claims 1 to 26 or for use in a flexographic printing machine according to any one of claims 27 to 29 or for use in a system according to any one of claims 30 to 32,
characterized,
that the machine-readable ID (3a, 5a, 38, 130, 316) is read out by machine and stored on a computer (39, 39b, 123, 317, 401, 403) for retrieval. Sleeve for a flexographic printing form according to claim 33,
characterized,
that the marking with the machine-readable ID takes place using a marking means (58) which is different from an RFID chip.

Images