EP0313541A1 - Process for controlling and maintaining register of a web of preprinted material with initial automatic register adjustment - Google Patents

Process for controlling and maintaining register of a web of preprinted material with initial automatic register adjustment Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0313541A1
EP0313541A1 EP88870160A EP88870160A EP0313541A1 EP 0313541 A1 EP0313541 A1 EP 0313541A1 EP 88870160 A EP88870160 A EP 88870160A EP 88870160 A EP88870160 A EP 88870160A EP 0313541 A1 EP0313541 A1 EP 0313541A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
memory
strip
address
sequence
register
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EP88870160A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0313541B1 (en
Inventor
Marc Gustave Minschart
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Individual
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Individual
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Priority to AT88870160T priority Critical patent/ATE57160T1/en
Publication of EP0313541A1 publication Critical patent/EP0313541A1/en
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H23/00—Registering, tensioning, smoothing or guiding webs
    • B65H23/04—Registering, tensioning, smoothing or guiding webs longitudinally
    • B65H23/18—Registering, tensioning, smoothing or guiding webs longitudinally by controlling or regulating the web-advancing mechanism, e.g. mechanism acting on the running web
    • B65H23/188—Registering, tensioning, smoothing or guiding webs longitudinally by controlling or regulating the web-advancing mechanism, e.g. mechanism acting on the running web in connection with running-web
    • B65H23/1882—Registering, tensioning, smoothing or guiding webs longitudinally by controlling or regulating the web-advancing mechanism, e.g. mechanism acting on the running web in connection with running-web and controlling longitudinal register of web
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41F—PRINTING MACHINES OR PRESSES
    • B41F13/00—Common details of rotary presses or machines
    • B41F13/02—Conveying or guiding webs through presses or machines
    • B41F13/025—Registering devices
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41F—PRINTING MACHINES OR PRESSES
    • B41F33/00—Indicating, counting, warning, control or safety devices
    • B41F33/0081—Devices for scanning register marks
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41P—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO PRINTING, LINING MACHINES, TYPEWRITERS, AND TO STAMPS
    • B41P2233/00—Arrangements for the operation of printing presses
    • B41P2233/10—Starting-up the machine
    • B41P2233/13—Pre-registering
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2557/00—Means for control not provided for in groups B65H2551/00 - B65H2555/00
    • B65H2557/20—Calculating means; Controlling methods
    • B65H2557/264—Calculating means; Controlling methods with key characteristics based on closed loop control
    • B65H2557/2644—Calculating means; Controlling methods with key characteristics based on closed loop control characterised by PID control

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method of regulating or keeping a register, with automatic initial registration, of a pre-printed strip of material in shaping machines.
  • initial registration or “marking” is understood here to mean the process during which, each time the shaping machine is started or restarted, the preprinted web and the shaping tool are initially brought into register, that is to say in a condition such that the tool acts at each cycle at the desired location on the strip, relative to the preprinted format that it carries.
  • This registration therefore implies on the one hand a synchronization of the tool and the strip, and on the other hand an adjustment in position (generally angular, the tool being rotary) of the tool relative to the bandaged.
  • the "in-line” machines are machines in which a blank strip is treated at the start, and the strip passes through successive workstations following a continuous path, in a substantially taut state, while the various tools are ordered by the same tree.
  • Offline machines are machines in which a strip which has already undergone processing (usually printing) is treated in a machine at one or more independent work stations.
  • the machines "in line” have an essentially stable operation by design, being in perfect synchronism with the printed pattern, because the printing units are mechanically wedged on the same drive axis as the shaping tools.
  • the fact of carrying out all the operations at the same time on a white strip at the start avoids all problems of re-recording when restarting after a stop, accidental or not.
  • the shaping tools must be brought into the correct position in relation to the printing (position error).
  • the register (tracking) of such a machine drifts as a function of the slip, of the repetitive printing length, and the like.
  • markers used to determine the position of the formats printed on the strip with respect to working members ensuring the shaping. These markers have the form of printed marks, surrounded by blank printing areas, and photoelectric cells are arranged in the machine, facing the markers path, while an encoder is secured to the control shaft of the working organ.
  • the encoder provides pulses whose relative position and frequency are related to the position and speed of the working member, and these pulses are used to activate the signal from the photocell in a extending "window" over a predetermined distance on either side of the ideal or reference position of the reference mark with respect to the working member.
  • the signal of the cell is analyzed in the window, in analog form, by a register which identifies, compared to the background signal of the blank margin, the signal due to the mark, determines the difference between the actual position and the position of reference mark, and make the corrections required to bring the mark to the reference position.
  • registers ensure correct positioning of the reference mark, and therefore correct maintenance of the registration, in the "online” machines, the operation of which is essentially stable, as said above, which means that the reference mark is naturally maintained within the limits of a fairly narrow “window” on either side of the register position.
  • the analysis of the signal from the cell or other detector is limited to a window which is chosen so that the chosen format marker appears there alone, in a very distinct and isolated manner (for example other color markers or the like may also be required for subsequent printing and processing).
  • the method of the invention makes it possible to identify one benchmark among others, and to easily switch from one benchmark to another, for example of a different width. , or to define the mark by a part of the printed format itself, so as to be able to remove the margin of the strip which should normally remain blank from printing, with the exception of the marks, and thus to reduce the scrap of material.
  • known systems do not identify a determined mark, but only move the window until a printed mark falls therein giving a satisfactory signal to serve as a mark (generally a mark printed with a minimum blank area on both sides).
  • a mark generally a mark printed with a minimum blank area on both sides.
  • An object of the invention is therefore to provide a method for regulating or maintaining the registration of a continuous strip of material in a shaping station of a machine, by means of marks provided on the strip, and d an index pulse of the shaping member of said station, in which a train of position pulses is produced whose relative position with respect to the index pulse is a measure of the instantaneous position of the member of shaping during each of its cycles, and whose frequency is a measure of its speed of movement, a detector signal is picked up, a function of a difference in property between the bottom of the strip and the marks it bears, from which the difference between the actual position and the reference position of the reference mark is determined and, from the difference thus determined, the desired correction is applied to bring back the 'deviation towards zero, said method consisting in, in order to allow an initial registration and an automatic maintenance of a preprinted tape, - choose a marker along the length of the printed format, and determine its set position, - determine and store, in the form of a digital sequence, at least one characteristic of the
  • said characteristics of the chosen mark are its width, in the direction of travel of the pre-printed strip, and its shape, and the number of pulses of position, and therefore of memory addresses, over which it extends, and a sequence of theoretical digital values for the sampled detector signal is determined from its shape.
  • said characteristics of the reference mark chosen are its width, in the direction of travel of the pre-printed strip, and its color, and the number of pulses of position, and therefore memory addresses, over which it extends, and a sequence of theoretical digital values for the sampled detector signal is determined from its color.
  • each index pulse causes the digital values subsequent to successive addresses, whose origin is the start address of the memory, to be written into memory.
  • the analysis of the content of the memory consists in calculating, in a first locating mode, or initial registration, at each address of the memory and over the extent of a complete cycle of the machine , from the central address of the envisaged sequence, a function of the sequence of theoretical numerical values and of the sequence of real numerical values, having a minimum or a maximum when the detected mark has the same width and the same shape or color as the predefined coordinate system, and to keep the minimum minimorum or the maximum maximorum associated with the corresponding address, the latter representing said central address sought.
  • the read and write operations in memory being exclusive, and the analysis of the content of the memory therefore interrupting the write operation
  • the analysis of the content of the memory for a given cycle (i ) starts after writing into memory, during this cycle, the numerical value to which has been assigned the memory address (x k ) which is the last of those corresponding to the analysis period, and therefore of non-writing, of the previous cycle (i - 1)
  • the analysis relates to the numerical values covering a cycle of the machine, starting from the following address (x k + 1) to the said address (x k ), considering memory as a closed loop.
  • a regulation zone is defined which extends over an interval having a predefined maximum deviation on either side of the theoretical position of the reference mark with respect to the shaping member and, when the correction has brought the mark in this zone, the content of the memory is analyzed, in a second regulation mode, on a corresponding reduced zone.
  • the difference between the closest value and the theoretical value is compared and, when this difference is greater than a predefined value, the regulation mode is deactivated to analyze the entire content of the memory, according to the tracking mode process.
  • FIG. 1 there is shown schematically a shaping station of a processing machine - a cutting machine in the example chosen - of a preprinted web, in which a web 1 of preprinted material, cut of a supply coil (not shown), passes in the direction of arrow F in a device 2 with supply roller and pressure roller, then in front of a photoelectric cell 3, before reaching a rotary knife 4, mechanically connected to an encoder 5.
  • the feed roller of the device 2 is driven by a motor M1, via a phase shifter 6, the phase shift input of which is controlled by a correction motor M2.
  • the rotary knife 4 is driven in synchronism with the motor M1.
  • the register is ensured by the register 10 essentially comprising a sensor 11, a power control 12 for the correction motor M2, a processing unit (CPU) 13, a device 14 for access and display for the operator, and a power supply 15.
  • the register 10 essentially comprising a sensor 11, a power control 12 for the correction motor M2, a processing unit (CPU) 13, a device 14 for access and display for the operator, and a power supply 15.
  • the signal from the photocell 3, and the signal from the encoder 5 are supplied to the sensor 11 which includes a sampling circuit 21, which receives at its input 21a the signal from the cell 3, samples it in synchronism with the encoder pulses, received at its input 21b and, by means of an analog-digital converter, supplies a value at its output 21c digital corresponding to the instantaneous amplitude of the cell signal.
  • the encoder signals consist of a train of identical position pulses, extending over one revolution of the encoder, and an index pulse for each revolution of the encoder, and therefore of the knife.
  • the encoder position pulse train also supplies the increment input 22a of the counter 22, which provides at its output 22c a position and addressing signal at the input 23b of a memory 23 receiving at its input 23 has the instantaneous digital value of the signal from cell 3 for the corresponding pulse from the encoder.
  • Each digital value of the sampled signal is thus placed in memory at an address whose serial number corresponds to that of the corresponding pulse of the encoder, and therefore to the associated position of the rotary knife 4.
  • the index pulse of the encoder feeds the reset input 23b of the counter, and causes the reset of the latter, the digital values received at the input 23a of the memory after a pulse of index being therefore written from the first address in memory, and replacing the values written in the previous cycle.
  • the output 22c of the counter also supplies the processing unit (CPU) 13, which controls the analysis of the memory.
  • CPU processing unit
  • the processing unit triggers, during a writing cycle, the analysis of the memory from the first value significant beyond the gap resulting from the previous cycle, so that the gap moves from cycle to cycle in memory.
  • the analysis during the writing cycle (i - 1) has interrupted writing to the address x k
  • the analysis during the cycle i will be triggered immediately after writing the new value at the address x k , and will relate to the sequence of addresses starting from x k + 1 to reach x k , considering the memory as a closed loop.
  • the first encoder cycle, terminated by the first index pulse, will generally be incomplete.
  • the processing unit (CPU) 13 can either neglect this incomplete first cycle, without performing an analysis, or, if it has in memory the number N of encoder position pulses for a complete cycle, perform the first analysis when it has received from the counter 22 a number N of pulses.
  • the processing unit then performs the analysis of the memory, and keeps in memory the position of the counter at the end of the analysis, position from which the following analysis will be carried out, relating to a complete cycle.
  • the latter then processes the signal and sends the desired correction signal to the control circuit 24 of the correction motor, acting on the phase shifter 6 to advance or delay the advance of the preprinted web 1 relative to the rotary knife 4.
  • FIG. 3 is a graph showing the curve of evolution of the signal from cell 3, at the input 21a of the sampling circuit 21 (curve a), and of the function calculated in the processing unit (CPU) 13 (curve b); for ease of representation, the horizontal axis has been divided into successive portions I to X, together covering a complete cycle of the rotary knife.
  • Figure 4 is an operating flowchart of the method of the invention operating in two modes, namely a locating mode and a regulation mode.
  • locating mode is meant here an operating mode in which the content of all the memory 23, covering one revolution of the rotary knife 4, is analyzed to identify and locate the chosen locus. It is in this mode that the register is automatically placed when the machine is started, and it can also be the only operating mode, in a simplified version of the process.
  • the content of the memory is analyzed to identify and locate the series of numerical values best corresponding to the reference defined by the operator.
  • Block 101 validates the identified benchmark; if the benchmark is invalidated, no action is taken until the next cycle; if the benchmark is validated, the processing unit examines the speed of the machine (block 102) to determine whether it falls within a possibly prescribed speed interval (the method of the invention is essentially speed independent).
  • the system simply verifies that it is instructed to operate automatically. It is indeed useful to provide for a deactivation of the register by the operator in certain cases, for example in the presence of a zone of pre-printed tape of poor quality, unusable, for which it is not useful to carry out a setting register.
  • the system In block 104, the system generates the correction signal desired for the phase shifter.
  • a correction In the locating mode, a correction purely proportional to the error is suitable, but it is of course possible to provide for a correction by means of a PI (proportional-integrator) or PID (proportional-integrator-derivative) regulator; these correction methods are well known, and there is no need to dwell on them here.
  • PI proportional-integrator
  • PID proportional-integrator-derivative
  • the error is compared to a predefined error interval; if the error leaves the predefined interval, the system continues to operate in tracking mode. If it falls in the interval, the system activates the regulation mode, placing the desired setpoint in block 107.
  • the benchmark has been identified and brought back into the predefined error interval at block 105.
  • the system is then content to analyze the memory in the corresponding memory zone, to locate the marker and calculate its position (block 200).
  • the localized reference mark is validated or invalidated in block 201, its invalidation causing a return to the locating mode (block 204).
  • the reference being validated in block 201 the system monitors the speed of the machine in block 202 to determine whether it falls within a possibly prescribed speed interval.
  • phase shifter motor Depending on the position calculated in block 200, and in the presence of an activation instruction in block 203, it then applies the desired correction signal to the phase shifter motor, via a PI regulator (proportional -integrator).
  • PI regulator proportional -integrator
  • the operator introduces (by his keyboard or another suitable device) at least the width (in the direction of travel of the strip) of the mark which he has chosen, and possibly his color code, and chooses an operating speed of the machine, generally the lowest possible speed of the latter ensuring its correct operation.
  • this zone is not in itself critical, and is independent of the width of the marker. Depending on the precision of the processing unit calculations (for example 8, 16 or 32 bit microprocessor), and the number of encoder pulses per unit length of the rotary knife (and therefore the interval length separating two samples of the detector signal), this width must be simply sufficient to provide a significant number of “zero” digital values (that is to say corresponding in fact to the digital values associated with the virgin material).
  • This blank area on either side of the marker is used, in tracking mode, to distinguish markers of the same color, but of different width.
  • the processing unit calculates the number of samples of the signal, and therefore the corresponding number of memory addresses to which the digital values must have a value determined by the color code. On either side of these values, the processing unit associates a number of "zero" values (in the sense mentioned above) corresponding to the predefined blank interval on either side of the reference.
  • a reference mark in the processing unit in the form a0 bX a0, where a and b respectively represent the width of the blank area and of the signal, relative to the pulses of the encoder, 0 the associated digital value to the blank strip, and X the numerical value associated with the color code of the marker.
  • the register samples the detector signal (curve a in Figure 3) in synchronism with the encoder pulses (in the simplest case, on each encoder pulse, but one can also provide a sampling every 2, 3, 4 ... pulses).
  • Each sample of the analog signal is converted into a digital value, in an analog-to-digital converter, and the successive digital values obtained on a cycle of the rotary knife 4 are stored in the memory 23, at successive addresses.
  • the encoder index pulse resets the counter 22 to zero, the following values then being written into memory from the start address, replacing the previous values.
  • the analysis process then begins, when the processing unit has received a position signal from the counter corresponding to the end of the previous analysis.
  • the analysis step can be 1, for maximum precision, but in practical cases we can be satisfied with a larger step, for example 2, 3, 4 ..., depending on the quality printing and the width of the mark, the precision of the processing unit and the nature of the blank background of the material (uniform or non-uniform background).
  • the register selects the address presenting the absolute minimum of the function b.
  • the serial number in the memory of the address retained at the end of exploration is a measure of the position of the center of the coordinate system with respect to the index pulse of the encoder, from which one easily draws the position of the center of the coordinate system with respect to the shaping tool, and therefore the numerical difference between this position and the zero reference position.
  • the register still verifies that the benchmark it has identified is a valid benchmark, by comparing the value of the minimum obtained with a threshold value, on either side of zero. If the identified marker does not satisfy this condition, the tracking process is stopped on this cycle, and resumed at the end of the next cycle of the shaping member.
  • the register then supplies the phase shifter motor with a signal proportional to the difference, in order to correct it, in a known manner.
  • the error can be permanently displayed on the operator's console, so that the operator can decide at the appropriate time to increase the speed of the machine to its operating speed.
  • Starting at low speed has the obvious advantage of reducing waste, since the phase shifter, given the limited power and speed of its motor, allows greater correction per cycle at low machine speed. .
  • the benchmark is already identified and located within a predefined interval, and the corrections to be made at this stage are reduced.
  • the analysis of the memory 23 is limited here to an analysis of the zone corresponding to the predefined interval.
  • the processing unit will here trigger the analysis when the position signal of the counter 22 will indicate to it that the sampling has extended until the end of the interval concerned, and will extend its analysis over said interval, which must be greater than the width of the mark, increased by the maximum position error allowed in regulation mode, on either side of the ideal position.
  • the register In the event of rejection, the register automatically returns to tracking mode, to analyze the complete content of the memory.
  • the position error is supplied to a PI regulator, which supplies the appropriate correction signal, in known manner, to the phase shifter, and the operation is repeated in the following cycle.
  • an ideal detector signal is shown between A and B on line VII; this signal comprises a zone of zero level, A-A ′ and B-B ′ on either side of a peak of marked amplitude and having a constant amplitude plateau.
  • Such a signal corresponds to the signal of a cell in front of which a printed mark passes, of width (in the direction of travel of the strip) greater than the width of the beam of the cell; in the case of line VII, the printed mark is separated from the printed format by a blank area on both sides, while it is embedded in a uniform print format or colored background in the case of the line IV.
  • the amplitude of the signal is a function of the color of the marker, and possibly its length (direction perpendicular to the direction of travel of the strip) and its width (direction of travel of the strip), if these are less than the beam length and width the photoelectric cell; in practice, however, it is generally arranged for the length and width of the marker to be greater than the corresponding dimensions of the cell beam, so that these parameters do not intervene.
  • the method of the invention allows the identification of a mark of the desired width on a uniform background, the curve b having for this mark l 'characteristic evolution with a marked minimum, separated by two maxima, the minimum having however, in the case where the background is colored, a value deviating more strongly from the zero value, than in the case where the background is white.
  • an input of the background color code can be provided on the operator console, allowing the value "0" of the sequence a0 bX a0 of set values to be adjusted to a value corresponding to that generated. by the background signal of the band, to bring the minimum value to zero.
  • the method of the invention also makes it possible, by placing the mark in the form of a digital sequence, to choose a mark in the printed format itself, provided that it is sufficiently characteristic.
  • such a complex reference mark can no longer be entered in the register by its width and color alone, but it can be entered for example by examination by the operator of the content of the memory 23 after a cycle of the machine, to determining the minimum width zone having the desired uniqueness characteristic, the content of this zone of the memory then being transferred into the setpoint.
  • the method is of course not limited to the example of application described, relating to a rotary knife shaping machine, but applies to any process in which a strip runs in synchronism with a tool - rotary or not working on a cycle, and the position of which can be defined unequivocally with respect to an encoder or the like placed on its control shaft.
  • each station being provided with its own register - possibly working on separate markers - and loops of compensation being provided for the band between each post.
  • the processing unit can calculate in tracking mode a function other than the described minimum function, for example a function having a maximum at the location of the benchmark.
  • the analysis of the memory does not have to be done every cycle either, but can be done every 2, 3, 4 ... cycles. In this case, as in the case of the operating mode with regulation, with window, the analysis can always be triggered at the same address, the problem of the "gap" not arising.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Inking, Control Or Cleaning Of Printing Machines (AREA)
  • Controlling Rewinding, Feeding, Winding, Or Abnormalities Of Webs (AREA)
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Abstract

1. Process for the regulation or keeping in register of a continuous strip of material in a working station of a machine, by means of reference marks provided on the strip and of an index impulse of the working element of the said station, in which a train of position impulses is produced, the relative position of which in relation to the index impulse is a measure of the momentary position of the working element in the course of each of its cycles, and the frequency of which is a measure of its speed of displacement, a reference mark pre-impressed on the strip is selected and its ordered position is determined, and a detector signal is picked up continuously, which is a function of the difference of property between the bottom of the strip and the marks which it bears, from which one determines the offset between the real position and the ordered position of the reference mark and, as from the offset thus determined, the desired correction is applied to return the offset towards zero, characterised in that for the purpose of permitting an automatic initial setting into register and an automatic maintenance of register of a pre-impressed strip in an off-line machine, it consists in : determining and storing, in the form of a numerical sequence, at least one characteristic of the selected reference mark, acting upon the detector signal, sampling the detector signal continuously in synchronous manner on the position impulses, between the index impulses, and writing the results into the memory, in the form of numerical values, at successive addresses, periodically analysing the content of the memory in order to locate therein the sequence of numerical values which best corresponds to that determined as a function of the selected reference mark, and calculating the offset between the real position and the ordered position of the reference mark, from a specific address of the said sequence, and of the associated position of the working element.

Description

L'invention concerne un procédé de régulation ou de maintien en registre, avec mise en registre initiale automatique, d'une bande préimprimée de matériau dans des machines de façonnage.The invention relates to a method of regulating or keeping a register, with automatic initial registration, of a pre-printed strip of material in shaping machines.

Par mise en registre initiale ou encore repérage, on entend ici le processus au cours duquel, à chaque mise ou remise en marche de la machine de façonnage, la bande préimprimée et l'outil de façonnage sont amenés initialement en registre, c'est-à-dire dans une condition telle que l'outil agit à chaque cycle à l'endroit voulu de la bande, par rapport au format préimprimé qu'elle porte. Cette mise en registre implique donc d'une part une mise en synchronisme de l'outil et de la bande, et d'autre part un réglage en position (généralement angulaire, l'outil étant rotatif) de l'outil par rapport à la bande.The term “initial registration” or “marking” is understood here to mean the process during which, each time the shaping machine is started or restarted, the preprinted web and the shaping tool are initially brought into register, that is to say in a condition such that the tool acts at each cycle at the desired location on the strip, relative to the preprinted format that it carries. This registration therefore implies on the one hand a synchronization of the tool and the strip, and on the other hand an adjustment in position (generally angular, the tool being rotary) of the tool relative to the bandaged.

Dans la technique de l'impression et du façonnage, ou plus généralement du traitement d'une bande de matériau, et pour effectuer plusieurs opérations sur une même bande de matériau, on connaît essentiellement deux types de machines, à savoir les machines "en ligne" et les machine "hors ligne".In the printing and shaping technique, or more generally the processing of a strip of material, and for carrying out several operations on the same strip of material, two types of machine are known, namely "in-line" machines "and the machines" offline ".

Les machines "en ligne" sont des machines dans lesquelles l'on traite une bande vierge au départ, et la bande passe dans les postes de travail successifs en suivant un trajet continu, dans un état en substance tendu, tandis que les divers outils sont commandés par le même arbre.The "in-line" machines are machines in which a blank strip is treated at the start, and the strip passes through successive workstations following a continuous path, in a substantially taut state, while the various tools are ordered by the same tree.

Les machines "hors ligne" sont des machines dans lesquelles on traite une bande qui a déjà subi un traitement (généralement une impression) dans une machine à un ou plusieurs postes de travail indépendants."Offline" machines are machines in which a strip which has already undergone processing (usually printing) is treated in a machine at one or more independent work stations.

Les problèmes qui posent les machines "en ligne" et "hors ligne" sont fondamentalement différents.The problems with "online" and "offline" machines are fundamentally different.

Ainsi, les machines "en ligne" ont un fonctionnement essentiellement stable par conception, étant en synchronisme parfait avec le motif imprimé, car les groupes imprimants sont calés mécaniquement sur le même axe d'entraînement que les outils de façonnage. Le fait d'effectuer toutes les opérations en même temps sur une bande blanche au départ évite tous les problèmes de remise en registre lors de la remise en route après un arrêt, accidentel ou non.Thus, the machines "in line" have an essentially stable operation by design, being in perfect synchronism with the printed pattern, because the printing units are mechanically wedged on the same drive axis as the shaping tools. The fact of carrying out all the operations at the same time on a white strip at the start avoids all problems of re-recording when restarting after a stop, accidental or not.

Une fois la machine réglée pour que les outils successifs (à partir du 2nd, le premier travaillant sur une bande vierge) soient en registre avec la bande, les variations inévitables se feront dans un sens et dans l'autre autour de la position en registre correcte, et ceci même en l'absence de toute correction.Once the machine has been adjusted so that the successive tools (from the 2nd, the first working on a blank tape) are in register with the band, the inevitable variations will be done in one direction and in the other around the position in register correct, even in the absence of any correction.

Par contre, les machines "hors ligne" ont un fonctionnement essentiellement instable.On the other hand, "offline" machines operate essentially unstable.

Deux problèmes se posent en substance pour mettre en registre une telle machine.Two problems arise in essence to register such a machine.

Premièrement, il faut arriver à faire correspondre le vitesse de bande et la vitesse des outils de manière à avoir un tour d'outil pour une avance d'une impression de papier (erreur de vitesse). Ce problème a plusieurs origines, par exemple:
- il y a toujours du glissement entre la bande et les rouleaux d'entraînement,
- le développement mécanique de la machine est constant, alors que la longueur de répétition de l'impression varie à l'intérieur d'une même bobine, et à fortiori au cours d'un tirage (ensemble des bobines).First, you have to match the tape speed and the tool speed so that you have a tool revolution for a paper print advance (speed error). This problem has several origins, for example:
- there is always slippage between the belt and the drive rollers,
- the mechanical development of the machine is constant, while the repetition length of the printing varies within the same reel, and a fortiori during a print run (set of reels).

Deuxièmement, il faut amener les outils de façonnage en position correcte par rapport à l'impression (erreur de position).Secondly, the shaping tools must be brought into the correct position in relation to the printing (position error).

Ce problème est plus important dans une telle machine "hors ligne". En effet, il est par exemple pratiquement impossible de passer, ou d'insérer initialement, la bande préimprimée en registre, ce qui veut dire que, après une casse de bande par exemple, on est obligé de faire une nouvelle mise en registre.This problem is more serious in such an "offline" machine. Indeed, it is for example practically impossible to pass, or to insert initially, the preprinted tape in register, which means that, after a break in tape for example, one is obliged to make a new registration.

Sans système automatique de correction, le registre (repérage) d'une telle machine dérive en fonction du glissement, de la longueur répétitive d'impression, et analogues.Without an automatic correction system, the register (tracking) of such a machine drifts as a function of the slip, of the repetitive printing length, and the like.

Une fois réglées, les machines "en ligne" ne posent essentiellement plus qu'un problème de régulation, même après un arrêt ou un incident (casse de papier), tous les postes étant en pratique "calés" les uns par rapport aux autres par le réglage initial.Once adjusted, the machines "in line" essentially pose only a problem of regulation, even after a stop or an incident (paper breakage), all the stations being in practice "wedged" with each other by the initial setting.

De tels systèmes de régulation sont connus dans la technique, par exemple par les documents US-A-3 594 552 et US-A-4 318 176.Such regulation systems are known in the art, for example from documents US-A-3,594,552 and US-A-4,318,176.

Dans une zone vierge de la bande, on dispose des repères servant à déterminer la position des formats imprimés sur la bande par rapport à des organes de travail assurant le façonnage. Ces repères ont la forme de marques imprimées, entourées de zones vierges d'impression, et des cellules photoélectriques sont disposées dans la machine, en regard du trajet des repères, tandis qu'un encodeur est solidarisé de l'arbre de commande de l'organe de travail.In a blank area of the strip, there are markers used to determine the position of the formats printed on the strip with respect to working members ensuring the shaping. These markers have the form of printed marks, surrounded by blank printing areas, and photoelectric cells are arranged in the machine, facing the markers path, while an encoder is secured to the control shaft of the working organ.

L'encodeur fournit des impulsions dont la position relative et la fréquence sont liées à la position et à la vitesse de l'organe de travail, et ces impulsions sont utilisées pour activer le signal de la cellule photoélectrique dans une "fenêtre" s'étendant sur une distance prédéterminée de part et d'autre de la position idéale ou de consigne du repère par rapport à l'organe de travail.The encoder provides pulses whose relative position and frequency are related to the position and speed of the working member, and these pulses are used to activate the signal from the photocell in a extending "window" over a predetermined distance on either side of the ideal or reference position of the reference mark with respect to the working member.

Le signal de la cellule est analysé dans la fenêtre, sous forme analogique, par un registre qui identifie, par rapport au signal de fond de la marge vierge, le signal dû au repère, détermine l'écart entre la position réelle et la position de consigne du repère, et effectue les corrections voulues pour amener le repère vers la position de consigne.The signal of the cell is analyzed in the window, in analog form, by a register which identifies, compared to the background signal of the blank margin, the signal due to the mark, determines the difference between the actual position and the position of reference mark, and make the corrections required to bring the mark to the reference position.

Ces registres assurent un positionnement correct du repère, et donc un maintien correct de la mise en registre, dans les machines "en ligne", dont le fonctionnement est essentiellement stable, comme dit ci-dessus, ce qui fait que le repère se maintient naturellement dans les limites d'une "fenêtre" assez étroite de part et d'autre de la position de registre.These registers ensure correct positioning of the reference mark, and therefore correct maintenance of the registration, in the "online" machines, the operation of which is essentially stable, as said above, which means that the reference mark is naturally maintained within the limits of a fairly narrow "window" on either side of the register position.

Le problème posé par les machines "hors ligne", traitant une bande préimprimée, est fondamentalement différent.The problem with "offline" machines processing a preprinted web is fundamentally different.

En effet, le fonctionnement d'une telle machine est essentiellement instable, comme on l'a dit ci-dessus.Indeed, the operation of such a machine is essentially unstable, as was said above.

Les systèmes de régulation connus, du type mentionnés ci-dessus, travaillant dans une fenêtre limitée, ne permettent pas une mise en registre initiale automatique, mais exigent au contraire une mise en registre, au moins approximative, manuellement. Compte tenu de la nature instable du traitement "hors ligne", le repère a constamment tendance à sortir de la fenêtre prédéfinie et, dès que le repère est sorti de ladite fenêtre, le processus de régulation doit être arrêté, pour effectuer une nouvelle mise en registre manuelle, approximative. De même après une casse de la bande.Known regulation systems, of the type mentioned above, working in a limited window, do not allow automatic initial registration, but on the contrary require manual registration, at least approximately. Given the unstable nature of the "offline" processing, the marker constantly tends to leave the predefined window and, as soon as the marker has left this window, the regulation process must be stopped in order to carry out a new setting. manual register, approximate. Likewise after a tape breakage.

Ceci est à l'évidence coûteux en temps et en marchandise (gâche de la bande préimprimée).This is obviously costly in time and in goods (waste of the preprinted web).

Il existe dès lors dans la technique un besoin pour un procédé assurant un repérage, ou mise en registre initiale, automatique dans une machine "hors ligne" travaillant sur une bande préimprimée, et assurant le maintien de cette mise en registre dans les conditions de fonctionnement instable de ces machines.There is therefore a need in the art for a method ensuring automatic identification, or initial registration, in an "offline" machine working on a preprinted web, and ensuring that this registration is maintained under operating conditions. unstable of these machines.

Pour résoudre ce problème, et permettre une mise en registre initiale automatique, il ne suffit pas d'étendre à un cycle complet l'étendue de la fenêtre dans laquelle le signal de la cellule est analysé. En effet, selon la technique connue, l'analyse du signal de la cellule ou autre détecteur est limitée à une fenêtre qui est choisie pour que le repère de format choisi y apparaisse seul, de manière bien distincte et isolée (par exemple d'autres repères de couleurs ou analogues pouvant également être requis pour l'impression et le traitement ultérieurs).To solve this problem, and to allow an automatic initial registration, it is not enough to extend the scope of the window in which the cell signal is analyzed to a complete cycle. Indeed, according to the known technique, the analysis of the signal from the cell or other detector is limited to a window which is chosen so that the chosen format marker appears there alone, in a very distinct and isolated manner (for example other color markers or the like may also be required for subsequent printing and processing).

Pour résoudre ce problème il faut donc, en plus d'étendre la fenêtre à un cycle complet, trouver un procédé permettant d'identifier de manière fiable le repère de format par rapport au signal de fond.To solve this problem, it is therefore necessary, in addition to extending the window to a complete cycle, to find a method making it possible to reliably identify the format marker with respect to the background signal.

Remarquons aussi que les registres existants ne fonctionnent qu'à partir d'un seuil de vitesse déterminé (± 20% de la vitesse maximale).Note also that the existing registers only operate from a determined speed threshold (± 20% of maximum speed).

Pour minimiser la gâche, il est intéressant de procéder à la mise et/ou remise en registre en marche lente (± 3% de la vitesse maximale), puis de monter, en registre, juqu'à la vitesse de production.To minimize waste, it is advantageous to start and / or re-register in slow motion (± 3% of maximum speed), then go up, in register, to production speed.

L'ajustement manuel entraîne une gâche importante. Il présente d'autre part l'inconvénient de dépendre de l'habilité de l'opérateur et, lorsque la machine comprend un seul axe et plusieurs postes de travail successifs, il se complique du fait que l'ajustement en amont influence bien sûr les postes en aval, avec nécessité de réaliser cet ajustement successivement d'amont an aval, ce qui augmente la gâche et les risques d'erreur.Manual adjustment results in significant waste. On the other hand, it has the disadvantage of depending on the skill of the operator and, when the machine comprises a single axis and several successive workstations, it is complicated by the fact that the upstream adjustment naturally influences the downstream stations, with the need to make this adjustment successively from upstream to downstream, which increases waste and the risk of error.

De plus, cette opération doit être répétée après chaque accident de fabrication.In addition, this operation must be repeated after each manufacturing accident.

Selon l'invention, on se propose de fournir un procédé de régulation, avec mise en registre initiale automatique, d'une bande préimprimée par rapport à un organe de travail, fonctionnant de manière indépendante de la vitesse de la machine, de la marche lente de la machine à la vitesse maximame, et assurant la mise en registre après quelques cycles de fonctionnement, de manière à réduire la gâche inévitable.According to the invention, it is proposed to provide a method of regulation, with automatic initial registration, of a strip pre-printed by compared to a working member, operating independently of the speed of the machine, of the slow running of the machine at maximum speed, and ensuring the recording after a few operating cycles, so as to reduce the inevitable waste.

En plus de simplifier la mise en registre et de réduire la gâche, le procédé de l'invention permet d'identifier un repère parmi d'autres, et de passer facilement d'un repère à un autre, par exemple d'une largeur différente, ou encore de définir le repère par une partie du format imprimé lui-même, de manière à pouvoir supprimer la marge de la bande qui doit normalement rester vierge d'impression, à l'exception des repères, et à réduire ainsi les rebuts de matériau.In addition to simplifying registration and reducing waste, the method of the invention makes it possible to identify one benchmark among others, and to easily switch from one benchmark to another, for example of a different width. , or to define the mark by a part of the printed format itself, so as to be able to remove the margin of the strip which should normally remain blank from printing, with the exception of the marks, and thus to reduce the scrap of material.

Il est important de souligner ici la différence entre des registres existants, qui positionnent une fenêtre par rapport à un repère qu'ils se "choisissent" librement parmi d'autres, imprimés sur une marge vierge de la bande, et le procédé de l'invention, qui identifie parmi d'autres un repère qui est imposé par l'opérateur, et qui ne se trouve pas nécessairement sur une marge vierge, mais peut être tout ou partie du format préimprimé lui-même.It is important to underline here the difference between existing registers, which position a window with respect to a mark which they "freely" choose among others, printed on a blank margin of the strip, and the process of invention, which identifies among others a mark which is imposed by the operator, and which is not necessarily on a blank margin, but may be all or part of the preprinted format itself.

En effet, les systèmes connus n'identifient pas un repère déterminé, mais ne font que déplacer la fenêtre jusqu'à ce que tombe dans celle-ci une marque imprimée donnant un signal satisfaisant pour servir de repère (en général une marque imprimée avec une zone vierge minimale de part et d'autre). En général il existera plusieurs marques ainsi satisfaisantes sur la longueur du format et, en cas de dérive importante, par exemple, le système peut ainsi passer de son repère à une autre marque, donnant un signal équivalent, mais entraînant une perte de la mise en registre.In fact, known systems do not identify a determined mark, but only move the window until a printed mark falls therein giving a satisfactory signal to serve as a mark (generally a mark printed with a minimum blank area on both sides). In general there will be several marks thus satisfactory over the length of the format and, in the event of significant drift, for example, the system can thus pass from its reference mark to another mark, giving an equivalent signal, but causing a loss of setting register.

Un but de l'invention est donc de fournir un procédé de régulation ou de maintien de la mise en registre d'une bande continue de matériau dans un poste de façonnage d'une machine, au moyen de repères prévus sur la bande, et d'une impulsion d'index de l'organe de façonnage dudit poste, dans lequel on produit un train d'impulsions de position dont la position relative par rapport à l'impulsion d'index est une mesure de la position instantanée de l'organe de façonnage au cours de chacun de ses cycles, et dont la fréquence est une mesure de sa vitesse de déplacement, on capte un signal de détecteur, fonction d'une différence de propriété entre le fond de la bande et les marques qu'elle porte, à partir duquel on détermine l'écart entre la position réelle et la position de consigne du repère et, à partir de l'écart ainsi déterminé, on applique la correction voulue pour ramener l'écart vers zéro,
ledit procédé consistant à, en vue de permettre une mise en registre initiale et un maintien en registre automatiques d'une bande préimprimée,
- choisir un repère sur la longueur du format imprimé, et déterminer sa position de consigne,
- déterminer et stocker, sous forme d'une suite numérique, au moins une caractéristique du repère choisi, agissant sur le signal de détecteur,
- échantillonner en continu le signal de détecteur de manière synchrone sur les impulsions de position, entre les impulsions d'index, et écrire les résultats en mémoire, sous forme de valeurs numériques, à des adresses successives,
- analyser périodiquement le contenu de la mémoire pour localiser dans celle-ci la suite de valeurs numériques correspondant le mieux à celle déterminée en fonction du repère choisi, et
- calculer l'écart entre la position réelle et la position de consigne du repère, à partir d'une adresse déterminée de ladite suite, et de la position y associée de l'organe de façonnage.An object of the invention is therefore to provide a method for regulating or maintaining the registration of a continuous strip of material in a shaping station of a machine, by means of marks provided on the strip, and d an index pulse of the shaping member of said station, in which a train of position pulses is produced whose relative position with respect to the index pulse is a measure of the instantaneous position of the member of shaping during each of its cycles, and whose frequency is a measure of its speed of movement, a detector signal is picked up, a function of a difference in property between the bottom of the strip and the marks it bears, from which the difference between the actual position and the reference position of the reference mark is determined and, from the difference thus determined, the desired correction is applied to bring back the 'deviation towards zero,
said method consisting in, in order to allow an initial registration and an automatic maintenance of a preprinted tape,
- choose a marker along the length of the printed format, and determine its set position,
- determine and store, in the form of a digital sequence, at least one characteristic of the chosen benchmark, acting on the detector signal,
- continuously sample the detector signal synchronously on the position pulses, between the index pulses, and write the results in memory, in the form of numerical values, at successive addresses,
- periodically analyze the content of the memory to locate in it the series of numerical values best corresponding to that determined according to the chosen benchmark, and
calculating the difference between the actual position and the reference position of the reference frame, from a determined address of said sequence, and from the associated position there of the shaping member.

Selon une autre caractéristique du procédé de l'invention, lesdites caractéristiques du repère choisi sont sa largeur, dans le sens du défilement de la bande préimprimée, et sa forme, et l'on calcule à partir de sa largeur le nombre d'impulsions de position, et donc d'adresses de mémoire, sur lequel il s'étend, et on détermine à partir de sa forme une suite de valeurs numériques théoriques pour le signal de détecteur échantillonné.According to another characteristic of the process of the invention, said characteristics of the chosen mark are its width, in the direction of travel of the pre-printed strip, and its shape, and the number of pulses of position, and therefore of memory addresses, over which it extends, and a sequence of theoretical digital values for the sampled detector signal is determined from its shape.

Selon une autre caractéristique du procécédé de l'invention, lesdites caractéristiques du repère choisi sont sa largeur, dans le sens du défilement de la bande préimprimée, et sa couleur, et l'on calcule à partir de sa largeur le nombre d'impulsions de position, et donc d'adresses de mémoire, sur lequel il s'étend, et on détermine à partir de sa couleur une suite de valeurs numériques théoriques pour le signal de détecteur échantillonné.According to another characteristic of the process of the invention, said characteristics of the reference mark chosen are its width, in the direction of travel of the pre-printed strip, and its color, and the number of pulses of position, and therefore memory addresses, over which it extends, and a sequence of theoretical digital values for the sampled detector signal is determined from its color.

Selon encore une autre caractéristique, chaque impulsion d'index entraîne l'écriture en mémoire des valeurs numériques postérieures à des adresses successives, dont l'origine est l'adresse de début de la mémoire.According to yet another characteristic, each index pulse causes the digital values subsequent to successive addresses, whose origin is the start address of the memory, to be written into memory.

Selon une autre caractéristique, l'analyse du contenu de la mémoire consiste à calculer, dans un premier mode de repérage, ou de mise en registre initiale, en chaque adresse de la mémoire et sur l'étendue d'un cycle complet de la machine, à partir de l'adresse centrale de la suite envisagée, une fonction de la suite de valeurs numériques théoriques et de la suite de valeurs numériques réelles, présentant un minimum ou un maximum lorsque le repère détecté présente la même largeur et la même forme ou couleur que le repère prédéfini, et à conserver le minimum minimorum ou le maximum maximorum associés à l'adresse correspondante, celle-ci représentant ladite adresse centrale cherchée.According to another characteristic, the analysis of the content of the memory consists in calculating, in a first locating mode, or initial registration, at each address of the memory and over the extent of a complete cycle of the machine , from the central address of the envisaged sequence, a function of the sequence of theoretical numerical values and of the sequence of real numerical values, having a minimum or a maximum when the detected mark has the same width and the same shape or color as the predefined coordinate system, and to keep the minimum minimorum or the maximum maximorum associated with the corresponding address, the latter representing said central address sought.

Selon une autre caractéristique, les opérations de lecture et d'écriture en mémoire étant exclusives, et l'analyse du contenu de la mémoire interrompant donc l'opération d'écriture, l'analyse du contenu de la mémoire pour un cycle donné (i) débute après l'écriture en mémoire, au cours de ce cycle, de la valeur numérique à laquelle a été attribuée l'adresse (xk) de mémoire qui est la dernière de celles correspondant à la période d'analyse, et donc de non-écriture, du cycle précédent (i - 1), et l'analyse porte sur les valeurs numériques couvrant un cycle de la machine, en partant de l'adresse suivante (xk + 1) jusqu'à ladite adresse (xk), en considérant la mémoire comme une boucle fermée.According to another characteristic, the read and write operations in memory being exclusive, and the analysis of the content of the memory therefore interrupting the write operation, the analysis of the content of the memory for a given cycle (i ) starts after writing into memory, during this cycle, the numerical value to which has been assigned the memory address (x k ) which is the last of those corresponding to the analysis period, and therefore of non-writing, of the previous cycle (i - 1), and the analysis relates to the numerical values covering a cycle of the machine, starting from the following address (x k + 1) to the said address (x k ), considering memory as a closed loop.

Selon une autre caractéristique, l'on définit une zone de régulation s'étendant sur un intervalle présentant un écart maximum prédéfini de part et d'autre de la position théorique du repère par rapport à l'organe de façonnage et, lorsque la correction a amené le repère dans cette zone, on analyse le contenu de la mémoire, dans un second mode de régulation, sur une zone réduite correspondante.According to another characteristic, a regulation zone is defined which extends over an interval having a predefined maximum deviation on either side of the theoretical position of the reference mark with respect to the shaping member and, when the correction has brought the mark in this zone, the content of the memory is analyzed, in a second regulation mode, on a corresponding reduced zone.

Selon une autre caractéristique, l'on compare l'écart entre la valeur la plus proche et la valeur théorique et, lorsque cet écart est supérieur à une valeur prédéfinie, on désactive le mode de régulation pour analyser tout le contenu de la mémoire, suivant le processus du mode de repérage.According to another characteristic, the difference between the closest value and the theoretical value is compared and, when this difference is greater than a predefined value, the regulation mode is deactivated to analyze the entire content of the memory, according to the tracking mode process.

D'autres aspects, caractéristiques et avantages de l'invention apparaîtront de la description qui suit, en liaison avec les dessins annexés qui donnent, uniquement à titre d'exemple, un mode de réalisation de l'invention, et dans lesquels:

  • La figure 1 est une représentation schématique d'un mode de réalisation de l'invention,
  • La figure 2 est un schéma plus détaillé d'une partie du registre de la figure 1,
  • La figure 3 est un graphique représentant l'évolution du signal du détecteur au cours d'un cycle, ainsi que l'évolution correspondante d'une fonction de ce signal et du signal de consigne produit par le repère choisi, et
  • La figure 4 est un ordinogramme du processus de repérage-régulation selon l'invention.
Other aspects, characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description, in conjunction with the drawings annexed which give, by way of example only, an embodiment of the invention, and in which:
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of the invention,
  • FIG. 2 is a more detailed diagram of part of the register of FIG. 1,
  • FIG. 3 is a graph showing the evolution of the detector signal during a cycle, as well as the corresponding evolution of a function of this signal and of the setpoint signal produced by the chosen benchmark, and
  • Figure 4 is a flowchart of the tracking-regulation process according to the invention.

En se reportant à la figure 1, on y a représenté schématiquement un poste de façonnage d'une machine de traitement - une machine de découpage dans l'exemple choisi - d'une bande préimprimée, dans lequel une bande 1 de matériau préimprimé, débitée d'une bobine d'alimentation (non représentée), passe dans le sens de la flèche F dans un dispositif 2 à rouleau débiteur et roulette de pression, puis devant une cellule photoélectrique 3, avant d'atteindre un couteau rotatif 4, relié mécaniquement à un encodeur 5.Referring to Figure 1, there is shown schematically a shaping station of a processing machine - a cutting machine in the example chosen - of a preprinted web, in which a web 1 of preprinted material, cut of a supply coil (not shown), passes in the direction of arrow F in a device 2 with supply roller and pressure roller, then in front of a photoelectric cell 3, before reaching a rotary knife 4, mechanically connected to an encoder 5.

Le rouleau débiteur du dispositif 2 est entraîné par un moteur M1, par l'intermédiaire d'un déphaseur 6, dont l'entrée de déphasage est commandée par un moteur de correction M2. Le couteau rotatif 4 est entraîné en synchronisme avec le moteur M1.The feed roller of the device 2 is driven by a motor M1, via a phase shifter 6, the phase shift input of which is controlled by a correction motor M2. The rotary knife 4 is driven in synchronism with the motor M1.

La mise en registre est assurée par le registre 10 comprenant essentiellement un capteur 11, une commande en puissance 12 pour le moteur de correction M2, une unité de traitement (CPU) 13, un dispositif 14 d'accès et d'affichage pour l'opérateur, et une alimentation 15.The register is ensured by the register 10 essentially comprising a sensor 11, a power control 12 for the correction motor M2, a processing unit (CPU) 13, a device 14 for access and display for the operator, and a power supply 15.

A la figure 2, on a représenté shématiquement le bloc 11 du capteur.In Figure 2, the block 11 of the sensor is shown schematically.

Comme on le voit au figures 1 et 2, le signal de la cellule photoélectrique 3, et le signal de l'encodeur 5 sont fournis au capteur 11 qui comprend un circuit d'échantillonnage 21, qui reçoit à son entrée 21a le signal de la cellule 3, l'échantillonne en synchronisme avec les impulsions de l'encodeur, reçues à son entrée 21b et, au moyen d'un convertisseur analogique-numérique, fournit à sa sortie 21c une valeur numérique correspondant à l'amplitude instantanée du signal de la cellule.As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the signal from the photocell 3, and the signal from the encoder 5 are supplied to the sensor 11 which includes a sampling circuit 21, which receives at its input 21a the signal from the cell 3, samples it in synchronism with the encoder pulses, received at its input 21b and, by means of an analog-digital converter, supplies a value at its output 21c digital corresponding to the instantaneous amplitude of the cell signal.

Les signaux de l'encodeur sont constitués d'un train d'impulsions de position identiques, s'étendant sur une révolution de l'encodeur, et d'une impulsion d'index pour chaque révolution de l'encodeur, et donc du couteau rotatif 4 auquel il est couplé mécaniquement dans le rapport 1/1.The encoder signals consist of a train of identical position pulses, extending over one revolution of the encoder, and an index pulse for each revolution of the encoder, and therefore of the knife. rotary 4 to which it is mechanically coupled in the ratio 1/1.

Le train d'impulsions de position de l'encodeur alimente également l'entrée d'incrémentation 22a du compteur 22, qui fournit à sa sortie 22c un signal de position et d'adressage à l'entrée 23b d'une mémoire 23 recevant à son entrée 23a la valeur numérique instantanée du signal de la cellule 3 pour l'impulsion correspondante de l'encodeur. Chaque valeur numérique du signal échantillonné est ainsi placée en mémoire à une adresse dont le numéro d'ordre correspond à celui de l'impulsion correspondante de l'encodeur, et donc à la position associée du couteau rotatif 4.The encoder position pulse train also supplies the increment input 22a of the counter 22, which provides at its output 22c a position and addressing signal at the input 23b of a memory 23 receiving at its input 23 has the instantaneous digital value of the signal from cell 3 for the corresponding pulse from the encoder. Each digital value of the sampled signal is thus placed in memory at an address whose serial number corresponds to that of the corresponding pulse of the encoder, and therefore to the associated position of the rotary knife 4.

L'impulsion d'index de l'encodeur alimente l'entrée de remise à zéro 23b du compteur, et entraîne la remise à zéro de celui-ci, les valeurs numériques reçues à l'entrée 23a de la mémoire après une impulsion d'index étant donc inscrites à partir de la première adresse de la mémoire, et remplaçant les valeurs inscrites au cycle précédent.The index pulse of the encoder feeds the reset input 23b of the counter, and causes the reset of the latter, the digital values received at the input 23a of the memory after a pulse of index being therefore written from the first address in memory, and replacing the values written in the previous cycle.

La sortie 22c du compteur alimente également l'unité de traitement (CPU) 13, qui commande l'analyse de la mémoire.The output 22c of the counter also supplies the processing unit (CPU) 13, which controls the analysis of the memory.

Les opérations d'écriture et de lecture ne peuvent être effectuées simultanément dans la mémoire 23. Dès lors, au cours des cyles successifs de la machine, il existe toujours dans la suite des valeurs inscrites en mémoires une suite limitée, ou lacune, de valeurs "résiduelles", dont l'étendue et la position correspondent à la durée et au moment de l'analyse de la mémoire par l'unité de traitement (CPU) 13, au cours d'un cycle précédent, analyse pendant laquelle aucune valeur n'a pu être inscrite.The writing and reading operations cannot be carried out simultaneously in the memory 23. Consequently, during the successive cycles of the machine, there always exists in the sequence of values written into memories a limited sequence, or gap, of values "residual", the extent and position of which correspond to the duration and at the time of the analysis of the memory by the processing unit (CPU) 13, during a previous cycle, analysis during which no value n 'could be registered.

Pour résoudre ce problème de la lacune dans la mémoire, on s'arrange selon l'invention pour que ces valeurs résiduelles soient toujours des valeurs écrites au cours du cycle d'écriture immédiatement précédent. Pour ce faire, l'unité de traitement déclenche, au cours d'un cycle d'écriture, l'analyse de la mémoire à partir de la première valeur significative au-delà de la lacune résultant du cycle précédent, de telle sorte que la lacune se déplace d'un cycle à l'autre dans la mémoire.To solve this problem of the gap in the memory, it is arranged according to the invention so that these residual values are always values written during the immediately preceding writing cycle. To do this, the processing unit triggers, during a writing cycle, the analysis of the memory from the first value significant beyond the gap resulting from the previous cycle, so that the gap moves from cycle to cycle in memory.

Si donc l'analyse au cours du cycle d'écriture (i - 1) a interrompu l'écriture jusqu'à l'adresse xk, l'analyse au cours du cycle i sera déclenchée juste après l'écriture de la nouvelle valeur à l'adresse xk, et portera sur la suite d'adresses partant de xk + 1 pour aboutir à xk, en considérant la mémoire comme une boucle fermée.If therefore the analysis during the writing cycle (i - 1) has interrupted writing to the address x k , the analysis during the cycle i will be triggered immediately after writing the new value at the address x k , and will relate to the sequence of addresses starting from x k + 1 to reach x k , considering the memory as a closed loop.

Cette analyse, englobant des valeurs du cycle précédent, introduit bien sûr une certaine erreur théorique. Toutefois, cette erreur est en pratique négligeable, compte tenu du taux de correction appliqué à chaque cycle, et de la dimension réduite de la lacune par rapport à l'étendue de la mémoire.This analysis, including values from the previous cycle, of course introduces a certain theoretical error. However, this error is in practice negligible, given the correction rate applied to each cycle, and the reduced size of the gap compared to the extent of the memory.

Le premier cycle de l'encodeur, terminé par la première impulsion d'index, sera généralement incomplet. L'unité de traitement (CPU) 13 peut soit négliger ce premier cycle incomplet, sans effectuer d'analyse soit, si elle possède en mémoire le nombre N d'impulsions de position de l'encodeur pour un cycle complet, effectuer la première analyse lorsqu'elle a reçu du compteur 22 un nombre N d'impulsions.The first encoder cycle, terminated by the first index pulse, will generally be incomplete. The processing unit (CPU) 13 can either neglect this incomplete first cycle, without performing an analysis, or, if it has in memory the number N of encoder position pulses for a complete cycle, perform the first analysis when it has received from the counter 22 a number N of pulses.

L'unité de traitement effectue alors l'analyse de la mémoire, et conserve en mémoire la position du compteur à la fin de l'analyse, position à partir de laquelle s'effectuerea l'analyse suivante, portant sur un cycle complet.The processing unit then performs the analysis of the memory, and keeps in memory the position of the counter at the end of the analysis, position from which the following analysis will be carried out, relating to a complete cycle.

Celle-ci traite alors le signal et envoie le signal de correction voulu au circuit de commande 24 du moteur de correction, agissant sur le déphaseur 6 pour avancer ou retarder le défilement de la bande préimprimée 1 par rapport au couteau rotatif 4.The latter then processes the signal and sends the desired correction signal to the control circuit 24 of the correction motor, acting on the phase shifter 6 to advance or delay the advance of the preprinted web 1 relative to the rotary knife 4.

La figure 3 est un graphique présentant la courbe d'évolution du signal de la cellule 3, à l'entrée 21a du circuit d'échantillonnage 21 (courbe a), et de la fonction calculée dans l'unité de traitement (CPU) 13 (courbe b); pour la facilité de la représentation, l'axe horizontal a été divisé en portions successives I à X, couvrant ensemble un cycle complet du couteau rotatif.FIG. 3 is a graph showing the curve of evolution of the signal from cell 3, at the input 21a of the sampling circuit 21 (curve a), and of the function calculated in the processing unit (CPU) 13 (curve b); for ease of representation, the horizontal axis has been divided into successive portions I to X, together covering a complete cycle of the rotary knife.

La figure 4 est un ordinogramme de fonctionnement du procédé de l'invention fonctionnant suivant deux modes, à savoir un mode de repérage et un mode de régulation.Figure 4 is an operating flowchart of the method of the invention operating in two modes, namely a locating mode and a regulation mode.

Par "mode de repérage", on entend ici un mode de fonctionnement dans lequel le contenu de toute la mémoire 23, couvrant une révolution du couteau rotatif 4, est analysé pour identifier et localiser le repère choisi. C'est dans ce mode que se place automatiquement le registre à la mise en marche de la machine, et ce peut également être le seul mode de fonctionnement, dans une version simplifiée du procédé.By "locating mode" is meant here an operating mode in which the content of all the memory 23, covering one revolution of the rotary knife 4, is analyzed to identify and locate the chosen locus. It is in this mode that the register is automatically placed when the machine is started, and it can also be the only operating mode, in a simplified version of the process.

Ce mode de repérage apparaît dans la partie de droite de la figure 4.This tracking mode appears in the right part of Figure 4.

Dans le bloc 100, le contenu de la mémoire est analysé pour identifier et localiser la suite de valeurs numériques correspondant le mieux au repère défini par l'opérateur.In block 100, the content of the memory is analyzed to identify and locate the series of numerical values best corresponding to the reference defined by the operator.

Le bloc 101 assure la validation du repère identifié; si le repère est invalidé, aucune action n'est entreprise jusqu'au cycle suivant; si le repère est validé, l'unité de traitement examine la vitesse de la machine (bloc 102) pour déterminer si elle rentre dans un intervalle de vitesse éventuellement prescrit (le procédé de l'invention est par essence indépendant de la vitesse).Block 101 validates the identified benchmark; if the benchmark is invalidated, no action is taken until the next cycle; if the benchmark is validated, the processing unit examines the speed of the machine (block 102) to determine whether it falls within a possibly prescribed speed interval (the method of the invention is essentially speed independent).

Dans le bloc 103, le système vérifie simplement qu'il a pour instruction de fonctionner en automatique. Il est en effet utile de prévoir une désactivation du registre par l'opérateur dans certains cas, par exemple en présence d'une zone de bande préimprimée de mauvaise qualité, inutilisable, pour laquelle il n'est pas utile d'effectuer une mise en registre.In block 103, the system simply verifies that it is instructed to operate automatically. It is indeed useful to provide for a deactivation of the register by the operator in certain cases, for example in the presence of a zone of pre-printed tape of poor quality, unusable, for which it is not useful to carry out a setting register.

Dans le bloc 104, le système engendre le signal de correction voulu pour le déphaseur. Dans le mode de repérage, une correction purement proportionnelle à l'erreur convient, mais l'on peut bien sûr prévoir une correction par l'intermédiaire d'un régulateur PI (proportionnel-intégrateur) ou PID (proportionnel-intégrateur-dérivateur); ces modes de correction sont bien connus, et il n'y a pas lieu de s'y attarder ici.In block 104, the system generates the correction signal desired for the phase shifter. In the locating mode, a correction purely proportional to the error is suitable, but it is of course possible to provide for a correction by means of a PI (proportional-integrator) or PID (proportional-integrator-derivative) regulator; these correction methods are well known, and there is no need to dwell on them here.

Dans le bloc 105, l'erreur est comparée à un intervalle d'erreur prédéfini; si l'erreur sort de l'intervalle prédéfini, le système continue à fonctionner en mode de repérage. Si elle tombe dans l'intervalle, le système active le mode de régulation, en plaçant la consigne voulue dans le bloc 107.In block 105, the error is compared to a predefined error interval; if the error leaves the predefined interval, the system continues to operate in tracking mode. If it falls in the interval, the system activates the regulation mode, placing the desired setpoint in block 107.

Dans le mode de régulation (partie de gauche de la figure 4), le repère a été identifié et ramené dans l'intervalle d'erreur prédéfini au bloc 105. Le système se contente alors d'analyser la mémoire dans la zone mémoire correspondante, pour localiser le repère et calculer sa position (bloc 200).In the regulation mode (left part of FIG. 4), the benchmark has been identified and brought back into the predefined error interval at block 105. The system is then content to analyze the memory in the corresponding memory zone, to locate the marker and calculate its position (block 200).

Le repère localisé est validé ou invalidé dans le bloc 201, son invalidation entraînant le retour au mode de repérage (bloc 204).The localized reference mark is validated or invalidated in block 201, its invalidation causing a return to the locating mode (block 204).

Le repère étant validé dans le bloc 201, le système contrôle la vitesse de la machine dans le bloc 202 pour déterminer si elle rentre dans un intervalle de vitesse éventuellement prescrit.The reference being validated in block 201, the system monitors the speed of the machine in block 202 to determine whether it falls within a possibly prescribed speed interval.

Il vérifie ensuite l'instruction de fonctionnement en automatique (bloc 203).It then checks the automatic operating instruction (block 203).

En fonction de la position calculée dans le bloc 200, et en présence d'une instruction d'activation dans le bloc 203, il applique alors le signal de correction voulu au moteur du déphaseur, par l'intermédiaire d'un régulateur PI (proportionnel-intégrateur).Depending on the position calculated in block 200, and in the presence of an activation instruction in block 203, it then applies the desired correction signal to the phase shifter motor, via a PI regulator (proportional -integrator).

Le mode de fonctionnement du procédé de l'invention sera expliqué ci-après plus en détail.The mode of operation of the method of the invention will be explained below in more detail.

A la mise en route de la machine de façonnage du matériau en bande, l'opérateur introduit (par son clavier ou un autre dispositif approprié) dans le registre au moins la largeur (dans le sens de défilement de la bande) du repère qu'il a choisi, et éventuellement son code de couleur, et choisit une vitesse de fonctionnement de la machine, généralement la vitesse la plus basse possible de celle-ci assurant son fonctionnement correct.When the machine for shaping the strip material is started up, the operator introduces (by his keyboard or another suitable device) at least the width (in the direction of travel of the strip) of the mark which he has chosen, and possibly his color code, and chooses an operating speed of the machine, generally the lowest possible speed of the latter ensuring its correct operation.

Idéalement, pour assurer de manière simple une identification et une localisation correctes du repère, celui-ci doit être entouré de part et d'autre d'une zone vierge. La largeur de cette zone n'est pas en soi critique, et est indépendante de la largeur du repère. En fonction de la précision des calculs de l'unité de traitement (par exemple microprocesseur à 8, 16 ou 32 bits), et du nombre d'impulsions de l'encodeur par unité de longueur du couteau rotatif (et donc de l'intervalle de longueur séparant deux échantillonnages du signal du détecteur), cette largeur doit être simplement suffisante pour fournir un nombre significatifs de valeurs numériques "nulles" (c'est-à-dire correspondant en fait aux valeurs numériques associées au matériau vierge).Ideally, to ensure simple identification and correct location of the marker, it should be surrounded on either side by a blank area. The width of this zone is not in itself critical, and is independent of the width of the marker. Depending on the precision of the processing unit calculations (for example 8, 16 or 32 bit microprocessor), and the number of encoder pulses per unit length of the rotary knife (and therefore the interval length separating two samples of the detector signal), this width must be simply sufficient to provide a significant number of “zero” digital values (that is to say corresponding in fact to the digital values associated with the virgin material).

Cette zone vierge de part et d'autre du repère sert, en mode de repérage, à distinguer des repères de même couleur, mais de largeur différente.This blank area on either side of the marker is used, in tracking mode, to distinguish markers of the same color, but of different width.

Sur base de la largeur du repère, et du nombre d'impulsions de l'encodeur par cycle, l'unité de traitement calcule le nombre d'échantillons du signal, et donc le nombre correspondant d'adresses de mémoire auxquelles les valeurs numériques doivent avoir une valeur déterminée par le code de couleur. De part et d'autre de ces valeurs, l'unité de traitement associe un nombre de valeurs "nulles" (dans le sens mentionné plus haut) correspondant à l'intervalle vierge prédéfini de part et d'autre du repère.On the basis of the width of the mark, and the number of pulses of the encoder per cycle, the processing unit calculates the number of samples of the signal, and therefore the corresponding number of memory addresses to which the digital values must have a value determined by the color code. On either side of these values, the processing unit associates a number of "zero" values (in the sense mentioned above) corresponding to the predefined blank interval on either side of the reference.

Il en résulte un repère de consigne dans l'unité de traitement, sous la forme a0 bX a0, ou a et b représentent respectivement la largeur de la zone vierge et du signal, rapportées aux impulsions de l'encodeur, 0 la valeur numérique associée à la bande vierge, et X la valeur numérique associée au code de couleur du repère.This results in a reference mark in the processing unit, in the form a0 bX a0, where a and b respectively represent the width of the blank area and of the signal, relative to the pulses of the encoder, 0 the associated digital value to the blank strip, and X the numerical value associated with the color code of the marker.

Pendant le défilement de la bande dans la machine, le registre échantillonne le signal du détecteur (courbe a de la figure 3) en synchronisme avec les impulsions de l'encodeur (dans le cas le plus simple, sur chaque impulsion de l'encodeur, mais l'on peut également prévoir un échantillonnage toutes les 2, 3, 4 ... impulsions).While the tape is running through the machine, the register samples the detector signal (curve a in Figure 3) in synchronism with the encoder pulses (in the simplest case, on each encoder pulse, but one can also provide a sampling every 2, 3, 4 ... pulses).

Chaque échantillon du signal analogique est converti en valeur numérique, dans un convertisseur analogique-numérique, et les valeurs numériques successives obtenues sur un cycle du couteau rotatif 4 sont stockées dans la mémoire 23, à des adresses successives.Each sample of the analog signal is converted into a digital value, in an analog-to-digital converter, and the successive digital values obtained on a cycle of the rotary knife 4 are stored in the memory 23, at successive addresses.

A la fin du cycle, l'impulsion d'index de l'encodeur remet le compteur 22 à zéro, les valeurs suivantes étant alors inscrites en mémoire à partir de l'adresse de début, en remplaçant les valeurs précédentes. Le processus d'analyse débute ensuite, lorsque l'unité de traitement a reçu du compteur un signal de position correspondant à la fin de l'analyse précédente.At the end of the cycle, the encoder index pulse resets the counter 22 to zero, the following values then being written into memory from the start address, replacing the previous values. The analysis process then begins, when the processing unit has received a position signal from the counter corresponding to the end of the previous analysis.

Dans l'unité de traitement, cette analyse consiste, pour chaque adresse successive i [i variant de xk (adresse de fin d'analyse au cycle i - 1) à xk - 1, en considérant la mémoire comme une boucle fermée)], à calculer une fonction évoluant comme la somme des différences en valeur absolue entre la valeur numérique X

Figure imgb0001
en mémoire et la valeur numérique Xy correspondante dans la consigne, sur la largeur du repère de consigne, soit pour les adresses y = i - (2a + b)/2 à i + (2a + b)/2. Le pas d'analyse peut être de 1, pour la précision maximum, mais l'on peut se contenter dans des cas pratiques d'un pas plus grand, par exemple de 2, 3, 4 ..., en fonction de la qualité d'impression et de la largeur du repère, de la précision de l'unité de traitement et de la nature du fond vierge du matériau (fond uniforme ou non uniforme).In the processing unit, this analysis consists, for each successive address i [i varying from x k (end of analysis address in cycle i - 1) to x k - 1, considering the memory as a closed loop) ], to calculate an evolving function like the sum of the differences in value absolute between the numerical value X
Figure imgb0001
in memory and the corresponding numerical value X y in the setpoint, over the width of the setpoint mark, i.e. for the addresses y = i - (2a + b) / 2 to i + (2a + b) / 2. The analysis step can be 1, for maximum precision, but in practical cases we can be satisfied with a larger step, for example 2, 3, 4 ..., depending on the quality printing and the width of the mark, the precision of the processing unit and the nature of the blank background of the material (uniform or non-uniform background).

Une telle fonction (courbe b de la figure 3) présente un minimum centré sur le repère, encadré par deux maxima, comme on le voit le plus clairement aux lignes IV et VII de la figure 3.Such a function (curve b in FIG. 3) has a minimum centered on the reference frame, framed by two maxima, as can be seen most clearly in lines IV and VII of FIG. 3.

Au cours de son analyse itérative de la mémoire, le registre sélectionne l'adresse présentant le minimum absolu de la fonction b. Le numéro d'ordre dans la mémoire de l'adresse retenue en fin d'exploration est une mesure de la position du centre du repère par rapport à l'impulsion d'index de l'encodeur, d'où l'on tire facilement la position du centre du repère par rapport à l'outil de façonnage, et donc l'écart numérique entre cette position et la position de consigne zéro.During its iterative analysis of the memory, the register selects the address presenting the absolute minimum of the function b. The serial number in the memory of the address retained at the end of exploration is a measure of the position of the center of the coordinate system with respect to the index pulse of the encoder, from which one easily draws the position of the center of the coordinate system with respect to the shaping tool, and therefore the numerical difference between this position and the zero reference position.

A ce stade, le registre vérifie encore que le repère qu'il a identifié est un repère valable, en comparant la valeur du minimum obtenu à une valeur de seuil, de part et d'autre de zéro. Si le repère identifié ne satisfait pas cette condition, le processus de repérage est arrêté sur ce cycle, et repris à la fin du cycle suivant de l'organe de façonnage.At this stage, the register still verifies that the benchmark it has identified is a valid benchmark, by comparing the value of the minimum obtained with a threshold value, on either side of zero. If the identified marker does not satisfy this condition, the tracking process is stopped on this cycle, and resumed at the end of the next cycle of the shaping member.

Le repère identifié étant validé, le registre fournit alors au moteur du déphaseur un signal proportionnel à l'écart, pour assurer la correction, de manière connue.The identified benchmark being validated, the register then supplies the phase shifter motor with a signal proportional to the difference, in order to correct it, in a known manner.

L'erreur peut être affichée en permanence sur le pupitre de l'opérateur, de telle sorte que celui-ci peut décider au moment opportun d'augmenter la vitesse de la machine jusqu'à sa vitesse de régime. La mise en route à vitesse réduite présente l'avantage évident de réduire la gâche, du fait que le déphaseur, compte tenu de la puissance et de la vitesse limitées de son moteur, permet une correction par cycle plus importante à faible vitesse de la machine.The error can be permanently displayed on the operator's console, so that the operator can decide at the appropriate time to increase the speed of the machine to its operating speed. Starting at low speed has the obvious advantage of reducing waste, since the phase shifter, given the limited power and speed of its motor, allows greater correction per cycle at low machine speed. .

Lorsque l'écart tombe en dessous d'une valeur de seuil de part et d'autre de la position de consigne, le registre passe en mode de régulation.When the deviation falls below a threshold value on either side of the setpoint position, the register switches to regulation.

Dans ce mode de régulation, le repère est déjà identifié et localisé dans un intervalle prédéfini, et les corrections à effectuer à ce stade sont réduites.In this regulation mode, the benchmark is already identified and located within a predefined interval, and the corrections to be made at this stage are reduced.

L'analyse de la mémoire 23 se limite ici à une analyse de la zone correspondant à l'intervalle prédéfini. L'unité de traitement déclenchera ici l'analyse lorsque le signal de position du compteur 22 lui indiquera que l'échantillonnage s'est étendu jusqu'à la fin de l'intervalle concerné, et étendra son analyse sur ledit intervalle, qui doit être supérieur à la largeur du repère, augmentée de l'erreur de position maximale admise en mode de régulation, de part et d'autre de la position idéale.The analysis of the memory 23 is limited here to an analysis of the zone corresponding to the predefined interval. The processing unit will here trigger the analysis when the position signal of the counter 22 will indicate to it that the sampling has extended until the end of the interval concerned, and will extend its analysis over said interval, which must be greater than the width of the mark, increased by the maximum position error allowed in regulation mode, on either side of the ideal position.

Ici aussi, une validation du repère est souhaitable, pour s'assurer que le repère se trouve bien dans la zone prédéfinie de la mémoire.Here too, a validation of the reference is desirable, to ensure that the reference is indeed in the predefined area of the memory.

En cas de rejet, le registre repasse automatiquement en mode de repérage, pour analyser le contenu complet de la mémoire.In the event of rejection, the register automatically returns to tracking mode, to analyze the complete content of the memory.

En cas de validation, l'erreur de position est fournie à un régulateur PI, qui fournit le signal de correction approprié, de manière connue, au déphaseur, et l'opération est répétée au cycle suivant.In the event of validation, the position error is supplied to a PI regulator, which supplies the appropriate correction signal, in known manner, to the phase shifter, and the operation is repeated in the following cycle.

En se reportant à la figure 3, un signal de détecteur idéal est représenté entre A et B à la ligne VII; ce signal comprend une zone de niveau nul, A-A′ et B-B′ de part et d'autre d'un pic d'amplitude marquée et présentant un palier d'amplitude constante. Un signal analogue, mais obtenu pour un repère situé sur une zone imprimée, figure à la ligne IV, où l'on voit que le signal est non-nul de part et d'autre du pic.Referring to Figure 3, an ideal detector signal is shown between A and B on line VII; this signal comprises a zone of zero level, A-A ′ and B-B ′ on either side of a peak of marked amplitude and having a constant amplitude plateau. A similar signal, but obtained for a reference located on a printed area, appears in line IV, where we see that the signal is non-zero on both sides of the peak.

Un tel signal correspond au signal d'une cellule devant laquelle passe une marque imprimée, de largeur (dans le sens du defilement de la bande) supérieure à la largeur du faisceau de la cellule; dans le cas de la ligne VII, la marque imprimée est séparée du format imprimé par une zone vierge de part et d'autre, tandis qu'elle est noyée dans un format d'impression ou un fond coloré uniforme dans le cas de la ligne IV.Such a signal corresponds to the signal of a cell in front of which a printed mark passes, of width (in the direction of travel of the strip) greater than the width of the beam of the cell; in the case of line VII, the printed mark is separated from the printed format by a blank area on both sides, while it is embedded in a uniform print format or colored background in the case of the line IV.

L'amplitude du signal est fonction de la couleur du repère, et éventuellement de sa longueur (sens perpendiculaire au sens de défilement de la bande) et de sa largeur (sens de défilement de la bande), si celles-ci sont inférieures à la longueur et à la largeur du faisceau de la cellule photoélectrique; en pratique, on s'arrange toutefois généralement pour que la longueur et la largeur du repère soient supérieures aux dimensions correspondantes du faisceau de la cellule, de telle sorte que ces paramètres n'interviennent pas.The amplitude of the signal is a function of the color of the marker, and possibly its length (direction perpendicular to the direction of travel of the strip) and its width (direction of travel of the strip), if these are less than the beam length and width the photoelectric cell; in practice, however, it is generally arranged for the length and width of the marker to be greater than the corresponding dimensions of the cell beam, so that these parameters do not intervene.

Comme on peut s'en rendre compte à la lecture de la figure 3, ligne IV, le procédé de l'invention permet l'identification d'un repère de la largeur voulue sur un fond uniforme, la courbe b présentant pour ce repère l'évolution caractéristique avec un minimum marqué, séparé par deux maxima, le minimum ayant toutefois, dans le cas où le fond est coloré, une valeur s'écartant plus fortement de la valeur nulle, que dans le cas où le fond est blanc.As can be seen from reading Figure 3, line IV, the method of the invention allows the identification of a mark of the desired width on a uniform background, the curve b having for this mark l 'characteristic evolution with a marked minimum, separated by two maxima, the minimum having however, in the case where the background is colored, a value deviating more strongly from the zero value, than in the case where the background is white.

On peut prévoir pour ce cas, sur le pupitre de l'opérateur, une entrée de code de couleur de fond, permettant d'ajuster la valeur "0" de la suite a0 bX a0 de valeurs de consigne à une valeur correspondant à celle engendrée par le signal de fond de la bande, pour ramener à zéro la valeur du minimum.For this case, an input of the background color code can be provided on the operator console, allowing the value "0" of the sequence a0 bX a0 of set values to be adjusted to a value corresponding to that generated. by the background signal of the band, to bring the minimum value to zero.

Le procédé de l'invention permet également, grâce à la mise en consigne du repère sous la forme d'une suite numérique, de choisir un repère dans le format imprimé lui-même, pour autant qu'il soit suffisamment caractéristique.The method of the invention also makes it possible, by placing the mark in the form of a digital sequence, to choose a mark in the printed format itself, provided that it is sufficiently characteristic.

Un tel repère complexe ne peut cependant plus être entré en consigne dans le registre par ses seules largeur et couleur, mais il peut l'être par exemple par examen par l'opérateur du contenu de la mémoire 23 après un cycle de la machine, pour déterminer la zone de largeur minimum présentant la caractéristique d'unicité voulue, le contenu de cette zone de la mémoire étant alors transféré dans la consigne.However, such a complex reference mark can no longer be entered in the register by its width and color alone, but it can be entered for example by examination by the operator of the content of the memory 23 after a cycle of the machine, to determining the minimum width zone having the desired uniqueness characteristic, the content of this zone of the memory then being transferred into the setpoint.

Le procédé n'est bien sûr pas limité à l'exemple d'application décrit, relatif à une machine de façonnage à couteau rotatif, mais s'applique à tout processus dans lequel une bande défile en synchronisme par rapport à un outil - rotatif ou non - travaillant sur un cycle, et dont la position peut être définie de manière univoque par rapport à un encodeur ou analogue disposé sur son arbre de commande.The method is of course not limited to the example of application described, relating to a rotary knife shaping machine, but applies to any process in which a strip runs in synchronism with a tool - rotary or not working on a cycle, and the position of which can be defined unequivocally with respect to an encoder or the like placed on its control shaft.

Il s'applique sans difficulté à des machines effectuant plusieurs façonnages, chaque poste étant pourvu de son propre registre - travaillant éventuellement sur des repères distincts - et des boucles de compensation étant prévues pour la bande entre chaque poste.It can be easily applied to machines carrying out several shapings, each station being provided with its own register - possibly working on separate markers - and loops of compensation being provided for the band between each post.

Il n'est également pas limité à la fonction mathématique décrite en exemple.It is also not limited to the mathematical function described in the example.

Ainsi, l'unité de traitement peut calculer en mode de repérage une fonction autre que la fonction à minimum décrite, par exemple une fonction présentant un maximum à l'endroit du repère.Thus, the processing unit can calculate in tracking mode a function other than the described minimum function, for example a function having a maximum at the location of the benchmark.

Le mode de correction utilisé, proportionnel ou par régulateur proportionnel-intégrateur, ne fait pas en soi partie de l'invention, ces types de correction étant bien connus dans la technique.The correction mode used, proportional or by proportional-integrator regulator, is not in itself part of the invention, these types of correction being well known in the art.

L'analyse de la mémoire ne doit pas non plus se faire à chaque cycle, mais peut l'être tous les 2, 3, 4 ... cycles. Dans ce cas, comme dans le cas du mode de fonctionnement en régulation, avec fenêtre, l'analyse peut toujours être déclenchée à la même adresse, le problème de la "lacune" ne se posant pas.The analysis of the memory does not have to be done every cycle either, but can be done every 2, 3, 4 ... cycles. In this case, as in the case of the operating mode with regulation, with window, the analysis can always be triggered at the same address, the problem of the "gap" not arising.

Egalement, bien que l'on ait décrit un mode de réalisation avec une seule mémoire, dans laquelle l'écriture doit être interrompue pendant la durée de la lecture aux fins d'analyse par l'unité de traitement (CPU), il est bien entendu évident pour l'homme du métier que l'on peut mettre en oeuvre le procédé de l'invention en utilisant par exemple deux mémoires utilisées en alternance en écriture et en lecture. Dans ce cas, les valeurs numériques sont écrites dans la première mémoire, tandis que la lecture se fait dans la seconde, au cours d'un cycle, tandis qu'au cycle suivant la lecture se fait dans la première, et l'écriture dans la seconde. Un telle mise en oeuvre supprime également le problème de la "lacune" mentionné précédemment.Also, although an embodiment has been described with a single memory, in which the writing must be interrupted for the duration of the reading for the purposes of analysis by the processing unit (CPU), it is indeed understood obvious to the skilled person that one can implement the method of the invention using for example two memories used alternately in writing and reading. In this case, the numerical values are written in the first memory, while the reading is done in the second, during a cycle, while in the following cycle the reading is done in the first, and the writing in the second. Such an implementation also eliminates the problem of "gap" mentioned above.

Claims (8)

1. Procédé de régulation ou de maintien de la mise en registre d'une bande continue de matériau dans un poste de façonnage d'une machine, au moyen de repères prévus sur la bande, et d'une impulsion d'index de l'organe de façonnage dudit poste, dans lequel on produit un train d'impulsions de position dont la position relative par rapport à l'impulsion d'index est une mesure de la position instantanée de l'organe de façonnage au cours de chacun de ses cycles, et dont la fréquence est une mesure de sa vitesse de déplacement, on capte un signal de détecteur, fonction d'une différence de propriété entre le fond de la bande et les marques qu'elle porte, à partir duquel on détermine l'écart entre la position réelle et la position de consigne du repère et, à partir de l'écart ainsi déterminé, on applique la correction voulue pour ramener l'écart vers zéro,
caractérisé en ce que, en vue de permettre une mise en registre initiale et un maintien en registre automatiques d'une bande préimprimée, il consiste à
- choisir un repère sur la longueur du format imprimé, et déterminer sa position de consigne,
- déterminer et stocker, sous forme d'une suite numérique, au moins une caractéristique du repère choisi, agissant sur le signal de détecteur,
- échantillonner en continu le signal de détecteur de manière synchrone sur les impulsions de position, entre les impulsions d'index, et écrire les résultats en mémoire, sous forme de valeurs numériques, à des adresses successives,
- analyser périodiquement le contenu de la mémoire pour localiser dans celle-ci la suite de valeurs numériques correspondant le mieux à celle déterminée en fonction du repère choisi, et
- calculer l'écart entre la position réelle et la position de consigne du repère, à partir d'une adresse déterminée de ladite suite, et de la position y associée de l'organe de façonnage.1. Method for regulating or maintaining the registration of a continuous strip of material in a shaping station of a machine, by means of marks provided on the strip, and an index pulse of the shaping member of said station, in which a train of position pulses is produced whose relative position with respect to the index pulse is a measure of the instantaneous position of the shaping member during each of its cycles , and whose frequency is a measure of its speed of movement, we pick up a detector signal, which is a function of a difference in property between the bottom of the strip and the marks it bears, from which we determine the difference between the actual position and the reference position of the reference mark and, from the deviation thus determined, the desired correction is applied to bring the deviation back to zero,
characterized in that, in order to allow initial registration and automatic registration of a pre-printed strip, it consists of
- choose a marker along the length of the printed format, and determine its set position,
- determine and store, in the form of a digital sequence, at least one characteristic of the chosen benchmark, acting on the detector signal,
- continuously sample the detector signal synchronously on the position pulses, between the index pulses, and write the results in memory, in the form of numerical values, at successive addresses,
- periodically analyze the content of the memory to locate in it the series of numerical values best corresponding to that determined according to the chosen benchmark, and
calculating the difference between the actual position and the reference position of the reference frame, from a determined address of said sequence, and from the associated position there of the shaping member. 2. Procédé selon la revendication 1, caractérisé
- en ce que lesdites caractéristiques du repère choisi sont sa largeur, dans le sens du défilement de la bande préimprimée, et sa forme,
- et en ce que l'on calcule à partir de sa largeur le nombre d'impulsions de position, et donc d'adresses de mémoire, sur lequel il s'étend, et on détermine à partir de sa forme une suite de valeurs numériques théoriques pour le signal de détecteur échantillonné.2. Method according to claim 1, characterized
- in that said characteristics of the chosen mark are its width, in the direction of travel of the preprinted strip, and its shape,
- and in that the number of pulses is calculated from its width of position, and therefore of memory addresses, over which it extends, and a sequence of theoretical digital values is determined from its shape for the sampled detector signal. 3. Procédé selon la revendication 1, caractérisé
- en ce que lesdites caractéristiques du repère choisi sont sa largeur, dans le sens du défilement de la bande préimprimée, et sa couleur,
- et en ce que l'on calcule à partir de sa largeur le nombre d'impulsions de position, et donc d'adresses de mémoire, sur lequel il s'étend, et on détermine à partir de sa couleur une suite de valeurs numériques théoriques pour le signal de détecteur échantillonné.3. Method according to claim 1, characterized
- in that said characteristics of the chosen mark are its width, in the direction of travel of the preprinted strip, and its color,
- and in that the number of position pulses, and therefore memory addresses, over which it extends is calculated from its width, and a series of numerical values is determined from its color theoretical for the sampled detector signal. 4. Procédé selon la revendication 1, 2 ou 3, caractérisé en ce que chaque impulsion d'index entraîne l'écriture en mémoire des valeurs numériques postérieures à des adresses successives, dont l'origine est l'adresse de début de la mémoire.4. Method according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that each index pulse causes the writing in memory of the digital values subsequent to successive addresses, the origin of which is the start address of the memory. 5. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, caractérisé en ce que l'analyse du contenu de la mémoire consiste à calculer, dans un premier mode de repérage ou de mise en registre initiale, en chaque adresse de la mémoire et sur l'étendue d'un cycle complet de la machine, à partir de l'adresse centrale de la suite envisagée, une fonction de la suite de valeurs numériques théoriques et de la suite de valeurs numériques réelles, présentant un minimum ou un maximum lorsque le repère détecté présente la même largeur et la même forme ou couleur que le repère prédéfini, et à conserver le minimum minimorum ou le maximum maximorum associés à l'adresse correspondante, celle-ci représentant ladite adresse centrale cherchée.5. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the analysis of the content of the memory consists in calculating, in a first identification or initial registration mode, in each address of the memory and over the extent of a complete machine cycle, from the central address of the envisaged sequence, a function of the sequence of theoretical numerical values and of the sequence of actual numerical values, presenting a minimum or a maximum when the detected mark has the same width and the same shape or color as the predefined mark, and to keep the minimum minimorum or the maximum maximorum associated with the corresponding address, the latter representing said central address sought. 6. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 5, caractérisé en ce que les opérations de lecture et d'écriture en mémoire étant exclusives, et l'analyse du contenu de la mémoire interrompant donc l'opération d'écriture, l'analyse du contenu de la mémoire pour un cycle donné (i) débute après l'écriture en mémoire, au cours de ce cycle, de la valeur numérique à laquelle a été attribuée l'adresse (xk) de mémoire qui est la dernière de celles correspondant à la période d'analyse, et donc de non-écriture, du cycle précédent (i - 1), et l'analyse porte sur les valeurs numériques couvrant un cycle de la machine, en partant de l'adresse suivante (xk + 1) jusqu'à ladite adresse (xk), en considérant la mémoire comme une boucle fermée.6. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the operations of reading and writing in memory being exclusive, and the analysis of the content of the memory therefore interrupting the writing operation, l analysis of the memory content for a given cycle (i) begins after writing into memory, during this cycle, the numerical value to which the last memory address (x k ) has been assigned those corresponding to the period of analysis, and therefore of non-writing, of the previous cycle (i - 1), and the analysis relates to the numerical values covering a cycle of the machine, starting from the following address ( x k + 1) to said address (x k ), considering memory like a closed loop. 7. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, caractérisé en ce que l'on définit une zone de régulation s'étendant sur un intervalle présentant un écart maximum prédéfini de part et d'autre de la position théorique du repère par rapport à l'organe de façonnage et, lorsque la correction a amené le repère dans cette zone, on analyse le contenu de la mémoire, dans un second mode de régulation, sur une zone réduite correspondante.7. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that one defines a regulation zone extending over an interval having a predefined maximum deviation on either side of the theoretical position of the reference by with respect to the shaping member and, when the correction has brought the reference mark to this zone, the content of the memory is analyzed, in a second regulation mode, on a corresponding reduced zone. 8. Procédé selon la revendication 7, caractérisé en ce que l'on compare l'écart entre la valeur la plus proche et la valeur théorique et, lorsque cet écart est supérieur à une valeur prédéfinie, on désactive le mode de régulation pour analyser tout le contenu de la mémoire, suivant le processus de la revendication 5.8. Method according to claim 7, characterized in that the difference between the closest value and the theoretical value is compared and, when this difference is greater than a predefined value, the regulation mode is deactivated to analyze all the content of the memory according to the process of claim 5.
EP88870160A 1987-10-20 1988-10-19 Process for controlling and maintaining register of a web of preprinted material with initial automatic register adjustment Expired - Lifetime EP0313541B1 (en)

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AT88870160T ATE57160T1 (en) 1987-10-20 1988-10-19 METHOD OF CONTROLLING OR MAINTAINING THE REGISTER OF A WEB OF PRE-PRINTED MATERIAL WITH AN INITIAL AUTOMATIC REGISTER ADJUSTMENT.

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BE8701190A BE1001012A3 (en) 1987-10-20 1987-10-20 Process for tracking and control of the implementation of a registry material web preprinted.
BE8701190 1987-10-20

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US4994975A (en) 1991-02-19
DE3860750D1 (en) 1990-11-08
ATE57160T1 (en) 1990-10-15
CA1325835C (en) 1994-01-04
BE1001012A3 (en) 1989-06-13
EP0313541B1 (en) 1990-10-03
GR3001221T3 (en) 1992-07-30
ES2018717B3 (en) 1991-05-01

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