Technical Field
[0001] The present invention is related to a transfer apparatus and a transfer method thereof
in which a transfer material is transferred to a base material to be transferred using
a plate cylinder and an impression cylinder.
Background art
[0002] EP 0 987 205 A1 describes a storage device for receiving a loop section of a flexible material web
moving in a transport direction between a feed area upstream of the storage device
and a downstream discharge area.
[0003] A transfer apparatus in which a transfer material is transferred to a base material
to be transferred is disclosed in
Japanese Patent No.3650197.
[0004] The transfer apparatus disclosed in
Japanese Patent No.3650197 is provided with an embossing mechanism (corresponding to a transfer part of the
present invention) constituted by a cylinder for embossing (corresponding to a plate
cylinder of the present invention) and an impression cylinder, a carrying means for
carrying wound foil for embossing (corresponding to a transfer material of the present
invention), and a layer of material (corresponding to a base material to be transferred
of the present invention) etc..
[0005] And the wound foil for embossing and the layer of material are advanced and passed
between the cylinder for embossing and the impression cylinder while being stacked
together, so that the wound foil is embossed (corresponding to "transferred" in the
present invention) to the layer of material by a metal plate for embossing of the
cylinder for embossing (corresponding to a transfer face of the present invention).
[0006] Still more, in a period until starting next embossing after finishing one embossing,
the wound foil for embossing is moved backwardly while its carrying speed is decelerated
by controlling the carrying means to reduce a distance between a precedingly embossed
area and a subsequently embossed area in the wound foil, so that an amount of area
in the wound foil for embossing which is carried while being unused for embossing
is reduced, waste of the wound foil for embossing is thereby reduced.
[0007] According to the transfer apparatus disclosed in
Japanese Patent No.3650197, an amount of area in the wound foil for embossing which is carried while being unused
for embossing may be reduced to some extent, however such reduced amount of area is
small and the waste of the wound foil for embossing can be hardly reduced.
[0008] Therefore, inventors of the present invention developed a transfer apparatus in which
an amount of area of a transfer material which is carried while being untransferred
can be reduced, so that the waste of the transfer material can be significantly reduced.
[0009] The transfer apparatus developed by the inventors will be described based on from
Fig.8 to Fig.11.
[0010] Fig.8 is a schematic view of a transfer part of the transfer apparatus developed
by the inventors, a transfer part 102 is comprised of a plate cylinder 100 and an
impression cylinder 101. The plate cylinder 100 has a transfer face 103, the transfer
face 103 is provided on an embossing plate 104. A face other than the transfer face
103 of the plate cylinder 100 is a non-transfer face 105.
[0011] The plate cylinder 100 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction at a fixed speed
according to a transfer speed and is not rotated in the clockwise direction. The impression
cylinder 101 is rotated in the clockwise direction at the same speed as the plate
cylinder 100 and is not rotated in the counterclockwise direction.
[0012] A transfer material 106 and a base material to be transferred 107 are carried by
step-back rollers (not shown) in the forward direction (direction of an arrow a) and
backward direction (direction of an arrow b) respectively.
[0013] The transfer apparatus rotates the plate cylinder 100 and the impression cylinder
101 at the transfer speed in synchronization with each other, and carries the transfer
material 106 and the base material to be transferred 107 in the forward direction
by forwardly rotating the step-back rollers (not shown) to make them pass between
the plate cylinder 100 and the impression cylinder 101 while being stacked each other.
The transfer material 106 is transferred to the base material to be transferred 107
by the transfer face 103 of the plate cylinder 100 and a peripheral surface of the
impression cylinder 101 while the plate cylinder 100 makes one rotation (revolution).
[0014] When transfer is finished, the transfer apparatus rotates the step-back rollers (not
shown) in the backward direction, while the plate cylinder 100 makes one rotation,
to perform (or take) step back of the transfer material 106 and the base material
to be transferred 107 by carrying them in the backward direction by a prescribed distance,
so that an area available for transfer of the transfer material 106 and an area of
the base material to be transferred 107 where the transfer material 106 is to be transferred
are adjusted. And the transfer apparatus carries the transfer material 106 and the
base material to be transferred 107 in the forward direction by forwardly rotating
the step-back rollers (not shown) again to perform transfer at the time of second
rotation of the plate cylinder 100.
[0015] Note that, such step back control of the transfer material 106 and the base material
to be transferred 107 includes acceleration and deceleration control while being backwardly
carried. The step back control will be detailed later.
[0016] Now, carrying actions of the transfer material 106 and the base material to be transferred
107 to the plate cylinder 100 and a transfer operation by the transfer face 103 will
be described based on Figs.9A to 9F.
[0017] In Figs.9A to 9F, frames each corresponding to a distance needed for transfer by
the transfer face 103 are provided on the transfer material 106 and the base material
to be transferred 107 to facilitate an understanding of the carrying action and the
transfer operation. Note that, in an actual transfer apparatus, such frames are not
provided on the transfer material 106 and the base material to be transferred 107.
A framed hatched area of the base material to be transferred 107 indicates an area
where the transfer is not performed (area for use in other purpose such as printing
other than transfer), a framed blank area (hereinafter referred to a blank area) indicates
an area where the transfer is to be performed.
[0018] A dot line indicates a transfer position 108 where the transfer material 106 and
the base material to be transferred 107 are nipped by the transfer face 103 of the
plate cylinder 100 and the peripheral surface of the impression cylinder 101.
[0019] Fig.9A shows a state before starting transfer, in which the transfer face 103 is
displaced from the transfer position 108.
[0020] From such state, the plate cylinder 100 is rotated, and the transfer material 106
and the base material to be transferred 107 are carried in a forward direction (direction
of the arrow a) at a same transfer speed in synchronization with each other.
[0021] As shown in Fig.9B, when the transfer face 103 is moved to the transfer position
108, the transfer face 103 transfers the transfer material 106 to the base material
to be transferred 107. An area of the transfer material 106 which has been used for
transfer is defined as (1), an area of the base material to be transferred 107 to
which the transfer material 106 has been transferred is defined as (A) .
[0022] As shown in Fig.9C, when the non-transfer face 105 of the plate cylinder 100 passes
through the transfer position 108, the step back is performed to carry the transfer
material 106 backwardly (direction of the arrow b) by a prescribed distance, so that
the transfer material 106 is returned by the prescribed distance. Thereafter, as shown
in Fig.9D, the transfer face 103 is brought to the transfer position 108 by carrying
forwardly the transfer material 106 at the time of second rotation of the plate cylinder
100.
[0023] At this time, an area (2) of the transfer material 106 is matched with the transfer
position 108, so that the area (2) is used for transfer by the transfer face 103.
The area (2) of the transfer material 106 is an area adjacent to and on an upstream
side of the area (1) of the transfer material 106 in a carrying direction, the area
(1) having been used for transfer at the time of first rotation of the plate cylinder
100.
[0024] The step back of the base material to be transferred 107 is performed to carry backwardly
and return it by a prescribed distance in a state shown in Fig.9C. A return distance
of the base material to be transferred 107 is different from a return distance of
the transfer material 106. Thereafter, the base material to be transferred 107 is
forwardly carried in synchronization with the transfer material 106, so that a blank
area (B) of the base material to be transferred 107 is matched with the transfer position
108, when the transfer face 103 is moved to the transfer position 108 at the time
of second rotation of the plate cylinder 100 as shown in Fig.9D, the transfer material
106 is transferred to the blank area (B).The blank area (B) of the base material to
be transferred 107 is a blank area closest to and on the upstream side of the area
(A) of the base material to be transferred 107 in the carrying direction, the area
(A) to which the transfer material 106 has been transferred by the transfer face 103
at the time of first rotation of the plate cylinder 100.
[0025] As shown in Fig.9E, the step back of the transfer material 106 is performed to carry
it backwardly by a prescribed distance and return the transfer material 106 by the
prescribed distance, while the non-transfer face 105 of the plate cylinder 100 passes
through the transfer position 108. Thereafter, the transfer material 106 is forwardly
carried so that the transfer face 103 is brought to the transfer position 108 at the
time of third rotation of the plate cylinder 100 as shown in Fig.9F.
[0026] At this time, an area (3) of the transfer material 106 is matched with the transfer
position 108 so that the area (3) is used for transfer by the transfer face 103. The
area (3) of the transfer material 106 is an area adjacent to and on the upstream side
of the area (2) of the transfer material 106 in the carrying direction, the area (2)
having been used for transfer at the time of second rotation of the plate cylinder
100.
[0027] The step back of the base material to be transferred 107 is performed (or taken)
to carry backwardly and return it by the prescribed distance in a state shown in Fig.9E.
Thereafter, the base material to be transferred 107 is forwardly carried in synchronization
with the transfer material 106, so that a blank area (C) of the base material to be
transferred 107 is matched with the transfer position 108 when the transfer face 103
is moved to the transfer position 108 at the time of third rotation of the plate cylinder
100 as shown in Fig.9F, and the transfer material 106 is transferred to the blank
area (C). The blank area (C) of the base material to be transferred 107 is a blank
area closest to and on the upstream side of the area (B) of the base material to be
transferred 107 in the carrying direction, the area (B) to which the transfer material
106 has been transferred by the transfer face 103 at the time of second rotation of
the plate cylinder 100.
[0028] Control for carrying action of the transfer material 106 will be described based
on Fig.10 and Fig.11. Fig.10 is a schematic view of the control for carrying action
of the transfer material at the time of first and second rotations of the plate cylinder
of the transfer apparatus developed by the inventors, Fig.11 is a schematic view of
the control for carrying action of the transfer material at the time of first rotation
to sixth rotation of the plate cylinder of the transfer apparatus developed by the
inventors.
[0029] As shown in Fig.10, a distance needed for transfer by the transfer face 103 is defined
as L. L is a distance equivalent to a top-bottom size (a length in a rotational direction)
of the transfer face 103 plus a minimum blank space needed for transfer.
[0030] A distance of the frame in a rotational direction of the plate cylinder 100 as shown
in Figs.9, 10, 11 is L.
[0031] When the rotation of the plate cylinder 100 shifts from first rotation to second
rotation, in other words, after finishing transfer by the transfer face 103 at the
time of first rotation, the transfer material 106 forwardly carried at the transfer
speed is decelerated and stopped. Thereafter, the step back of the transfer material
106 is performed, the step back is performed in the following manner.
[0032] The transfer material 106 at a stop is accelerated backwardly (in a return direction)
up to a prescribed carrying speed so that it is carried at the prescribed carrying
speed. Thereafter, to stop the step back, the prescribed carrying speed is decelerated,
so that the carrying action in the backward direction is stopped at a prescribed distance.
The carrying action for the prescribed distance in the backward direction including
the acceleration and the deceleration is the step back. A distance until reaching
at the prescribed carrying speed from stopping is defined as an acceleration distance
during the step back, a distance until stopping from the carrying speed is defined
as a deceleration distance during the step back. Note that, regarding the carrying
action during the step back, it is possible to switch acceleration to deceleration
immediately after accelerating to the prescribed carrying speed, without providing
a distance over which the transfer material is carried at the prescribed carrying
speed.
[0033] Moreover, the transfer material 106 at a stop is accelerated and carried at the transfer
speed in the forward direction, until starting the transfer by the transfer face 103
at the time of second rotation of the plate cylinder 100.
[0034] A distance until stopping the transfer material 108 from a state that it is forwardly
carried at the transfer speed by decelerating it (a deceleration distance after transferring)
is defined as β. And, a distance until the transfer material 108 reaches at the transfer
speed by forwardly accelerating it from a state that it is at a stop after performing
the step back (an acceleration distance before transferring) is defined as α.
[0035] The deceleration distance β after transferring and the acceleration distance α before
transferring are parameters determined depending on characteristics of a driving motor
for rotationally driving the step-back rollers (not shown), the carrying speed, a
return distance due to the step back, and a length of the non-transfer face 105 of
the plate cylinder 100.
[0036] The deceleration distance β after transferring and the acceleration distance α before
transferring are automatically determined by using a known control device which is
recommendable from the characteristics of the driving motor.
[0037] Moreover, setting of the acceleration distance during the step back over which the
transfer material 106 is carried in the backward direction (return direction), the
deceleration distance during the step back and the carrying speed during the step
back are also determined in the same way as the deceleration distance β after transferring
and the acceleration distance α before transferring.
[0038] A distance over which the transfer material 106 is backwardly carried during one
step back is defined as a return distance R10. The return distance R10 will be described
below.
[0039] As shown in Fig.10, the area (2) of the transfer material 106 which is used for transfer
by the transfer face 103 at the time of second rotation of the plate cylinder 100
is an area adjacent to and on the upstream side of the area (1) of the transfer material
106 in the carrying direction, the area (1) having been used for transfer by the transfer
face 103 at the time of first rotation of the plate cylinder 100.
[0040] Therefore, since the transfer at the time of second rotation starts from a position
on the upstream side of the area (1) in the carrying direction (an end position of
transfer), the return distance R10 can be derived from α+β.
[0041] In Fig.10, since α=2L, β=2L, the return distance R10 is the distance of 4L. The carrying
distance R in one rotation of the plate cylinder in the forward direction is the distance
of 5L.
[0042] As shown in Fig.11, the area (3) of the transfer material 106 which is used for transfer
at the time of third rotation of the plate cylinder 100 is an area adjacent to and
on the upstream side of the area (2) in the carrying direction, the area (2) having
been used for transfer at the time of second rotation.
[0043] The area (4) of the transfer material 106 which is used for transfer at the time
of fourth rotation of the plate cylinder 100 is an area adjacent to and on the upstream
side of the area (3) in the carrying direction, the area (3) having been used for
transfer at the time of third rotation.
[0044] The area (5) of the transfer material 106 which is used for transfer at the time
of fifth rotation of the plate cylinder 100 is an area adjacent to and on the upstream
side of the area (4) in the carrying direction, the area (4) having been used for
transfer at the time of fourth rotation.
[0045] The area (6) of the transfer material 106 which is used for transfer at the time
of sixth rotation of the plate cylinder 100 is an area adjacent to and on the upstream
side of the area (5) in the carrying direction, the area (5) having been used for
transfer at the time of fifth rotation.
[0046] Moreover, when the rotation of the plate cylinder 100 shifts from second rotation
to third rotation, when the rotation of the plate cylinder 100 shifts from third rotation
to fourth rotation, when the rotation of the plate cylinder 100 shifts from fourth
rotation to fifth rotation, when the rotation of the plate cylinder 100 shifts from
fifth rotation to sixth rotation, the return distance R10 is the distance of 4L.
[0047] Note that, in Fig.11, in order to facilitate an understanding, drawing is simplified
by assuming α and β as 0 (α=0, β=0).
[0048] The step back of return distance of R10=4L is also repeated in like manner at every
rotation of the plate cylinder 100 at the time of sixth or later rotation of the plate
cylinder 100, whereby the transfer can be always performed without wasting the transfer
material 106.
[0049] According to the transfer apparatus developed by the inventors, since areas adjacent
to and on the upstream side of areas in the carrying direction which have been used
for transfer of the transfer material 106 are used for transfer in order, the transfer
material 106 is effectively utilized without wasting.
Summary of the invention
Problems to be solved by the invention
[0050] When performing transfer using the transfer apparatus developed by the inventors,
defects as follows may sometimes occur.
[0051] When the carrying direction of the transfer material 106 is switched to the forward
direction or to the backward direction by performing the step back, a rotational direction
and a rotational speed of the step-back rollers (not shown) are controlled. However,
a rotational speed control and a stop position control of the step-back rollers (not
shown) would sometimes become unstable due to a rotary inertia force of the step-back
rollers (not shown), which may result in an unstable behavior of the transfer material
106.
[0052] Moreover, when switching the carrying direction of the transfer material 106, an
inertia force may act on the transfer material 106 in the carrying direction before
switching. Due to such inertia force, when the transfer material 106 has poor followability
to a change of the forward or backward rotation of the step-back rollers (not shown)
for carrying the transfer material 106, the transfer material 106 would likely be
deformed or split so that the carrying action of the transfer material 106 would sometimes
become unstable.
[0053] Due to instability in behavior and unstable carrying action of the transfer material
106, transfer failure would occur, and the yield would be degraded. This would occur
whenever the step back of the transfer material 106 is performed.
[0054] The present invention has been made to solve abovementioned problems, and its object
is to provide a transfer apparatus and transfer method thereof, in which a transfer
material can be effectively utilized without wasting, and carrying action of the transfer
material can be stabilized and the yield can be improved by reducing the number of
times of the step back of transfer material. The abovementioned problems are thus
resolved by a transfer apparatus and a transfer method as defined in the independent
claims.
Means for solving the problems
[0055] A transfer apparatus of the present invention comprises a transfer part, a carrying
part of a transfer material carrying the transfer material to the transfer part, a
carrying part of a base material to be transferred carrying the base material to be
transferred to the transfer part and a control part, wherein the transfer part has
an impression cylinder and a plate cylinder, the plate cylinder has a transfer face
which contacts with a peripheral surface of the impression cylinder and a non-transfer
face which does not contact with the peripheral surface of the impression cylinder,
wherein the transfer face is provided on an embossing plate which is shorter than
the whole peripheral length of the plate cylinder, and wherein a face of the plate
cylinder other than the transfer face is a non-transfer face; wherein the carrying
part of the transfer material has step-back rollers and carries the transfer material
forwardly by rotating forwardly the step-back rollers and the transfer material backwardly
by rotating backwardly the step-back rollers, the carrying part of the base material
to be transferred has step-back rollers and carries the base material to be transferred
forwardly by rotating forwardly the step-back rollers and the base material to be
transferred backwardly by rotating backwardly the step-back rollers, the step-back
rollers of the carrying part of the transfer material and the step-back rollers of
the carrying part of the base material to be transferred are forwardly rotated to
carry forwardly the transfer material and the base material to be transferred, so
that the transfer material is transferred to the base material to be transferred by
the transfer face of the plate cylinder and the peripheral surface of the impression
cylinder, and the step-back rollers of the carrying part of the transfer material
and the step-back rollers of the carrying part of the base material to be transferred
are backwardly rotated, so that step back of the transfer material and the base material
to be transferred is performed to carry them backwardly through a gap between the
non-transfer face of the plate cylinder and the peripheral surface of the impression
cylinder. According to the invention the plate cylinder of the transfer part has only
one transfer face and performs transfer once for one rotation of the plate cylinder,
the control part continuously repeats multiple times a transfer operation of one cycle
at which transfer is performed multiple times by rotating the plate cylinder any multiple
times, while the transfer material is continuously and forwardly carried, and controls
the step back to carry the transfer material backwardly, so that an area of the transfer
material to be used for a first transfer at next cycle comes to an area adjacent to
and on an upstream side of an area in the carrying direction, which has been used
for a first transfer at the previous cycle, when performing transfer at the next cycle
after finishing transfer at one cycle, and wherein the control part controls the step
back for backwardly carrying the base material to be transferred for each rotation
of the plate cylinder.
[0056] In an embodiment of the transfer apparatus, the control part judges whether an available
area for transfer exists within a range of the transfer material which has been used
for transfer up to the previous cycle, when performing transfer at the next cycle
after finishing transfer at one cycle, controls the step back for backwardly carrying
the transfer material so that the area of the transfer material to be used for the
first transfer at the next cycle comes to the area adjacent to and on the upstream
side of the area in the carrying direction, which has been used for the first transfer
at the previous cycle, when it exists, and controls the step back for backwardly carrying
the transfer material so that the area of the transfer material to be used for the
first transfer at the next cycle comes to an area adjacent to and on the upstream
side of an area in the carrying direction, which has been used for the last transfer
at the previous cycle, when it does not exist.
[0057] In an embodiment of the transfer apparatus, the control part judges that the available
area for transfer does not exist, when the number of times of repeated cycles is matched
with an available number of times of transfer within a distance between transfer faces
corresponding to a length of an outer periphery of the plate cylinder, and that the
available area for transfer exists, when being not matched.
[0058] In a transfer method of a transfer apparatus comprising a transfer part to transfer
a transfer material to a base material to be transferred comprising a plate cylinder
having only one transfer face and an impression cylinder, wherein the transfer face
is provided on an embossing plate which is shorter than the whole peripheral length
of the plate cylinder, and wherein a face of the plate cylinder (other than the transfer
face is a non-transfer face, step-back rollers for carrying the transfer material
forwardly and backwardly by being rotated forwardly and backwardly, and step-back
rollers for carrying the base material to be transferred forwardly and backwardly
by being rotated forwardly and backwardly, the transfer method for performing transfer
in which transfer is performed by continuously repeating multiple times transfer operation
of one cycle at which transfer is performed multiple times by rotating the plate cylinder
any multiple times, while the transfer material is continuously and forwardly carried
comprising the steps of: judging whether the number of times of rotation of the plate
cylinder is matched with the number of times of rotation of the plate cylinder at
one cycle, every time when finishing a transfer operation at one rotation of the plate
cylinder, carrying continuously and forwardly the transfer material to continue performing
transfer at that cycle, when judged not to be matched, performing step back of the
transfer material by rotating backwardly the step-back rollers to carry backwardly
the transfer material for finishing transfer at that cycle and to perform transfer
at the next cycle, when judged to be matched, wherein a distance over which the transfer
material is carried backwardly is a distance making it possible that an area of the
transfer material to be used for a first transfer at the next cycle comes to an area
adjacent to and on an upstream side of an area in the carrying direction, which has
been used for a first transfer at the previous cycle. According to the invention,
the method further comprises the step of performing the step back for carrying the
base material to be transferred backwardly by rotating the step-back rollers backwardly
for each rotation of the plate cylinder.
[0059] In embodiments of the transfer method of the transfer apparatus of the present invention,
the method further comprises the steps of: judging whether an available area for transfer
exists within the range of the used transfer material for transfer until the previous
cycle after finishing one cycle and when performing transfer at the next cycle, and
performing the step back of the transfer material to carry it backwardly by rotating
the step-back rollers backwardly, wherein the distance over which the transfer material
is carried backwardly is a distance making it possible that the area of the transfer
material to be used for the first transfer at the next cycle comes to the area adjacent
to and on the upstream side of the area in the carrying direction, which has been
used for the first transfer at the previous cycle, when judged that it exists, and,
performing the step back of the transfer material to carry it backwardly by rotating
the step-back rollers backwardly, wherein the distance over which the transfer material
is carried backwardly is a distance making it possible that the area of the transfer
material to be used for the first transfer at the next cycle comes to the area adjacent
to and on the upstream side of an area in the carrying direction, which has been used
for the last transfer at the previous cycle, when judged that it does not exist.
[0060] In an embodiment of the transfer method of the transfer apparatus of the present
invention, the method further comprises the steps of: judging that the available area
for transfer does not exist, when the number of times of repeated cycle is matched
with an available number of times of transfer within a distance between transfer faces
corresponding to a length of an outer periphery of the plate cylinder, and judging
that the available area for transfer exists, when being not matched.
Advantageous Effects of the Invention
[0061] According to the transfer apparatus and its transfer method, the transfer material
can be effectively utilized without wasting, and the number of times of step backs
can be reduced so that the carrying action of the transfer material can be stabilized
and the yield can be improved.
Brief Description of Drawings
[0062]
Fig.1 is a front view of the whole of one example of a transfer apparatus of an embodiment
of the present invention.
Fig.2 is a schematic view of a plate cylinder of a transfer part of the present invention.
Fig.3A to 3H are views explaining a carrying action of a transfer material and a base
material to be transferred and a transfer operation by a transfer face of the transfer
apparatus of the present invention.
Fig.4 is a schematic view of control for carrying action of the transfer material
at first cycle to second cycle of the plate cylinder of the embodiment.
Fig.5 is a schematic view of the control for carrying action of the transfer material
at first cycle to eighth cycle of the plate cylinder of the embodiment.
Fig.6 is a diagraph comparably showing carrying states of the transfer material and
the base material to be transferred in the transfer apparatus of the present invention
and carrying states of a transfer material and a base material to be transferred in
a transfer apparatus developed by the inventors.
Fig.7 is a flowchart of a control method of the transfer apparatus of the present
invention.
Fig.8 is a schematic view of a transfer part of the transfer apparatus developed by
the inventors.
Figs.9A to 9F are views explaining the carrying actions of the transfer material and
the base material to be transferred and a transfer operation by a transfer face of
the transfer apparatus developed by the inventors.
Fig.10 is a schematic view of a control for carrying action of the transfer material
at the time of first and second rotations of a plate cylinder of the transfer apparatus
developed by the inventors.
Fig.11 is a schematic view of the control for carrying action of the transfer material
at the time of first to sixth rotation of the plate cylinder of the transfer apparatus
developed by the inventors.
Preferred Embodiments of the Invention
[0063] A whole constitution of a transfer apparatus of the present invention will be described
based on Fig.1. Fig.1 is a front view of the whole of one example of the transfer
apparatus of an embodiment of the present invention.
[0064] A transfer apparatus 1 of the present invention comprises a transfer part 2, a supply
part 3 of a transfer material, a collection part 4 of the transfer material, a control
part 5, and a carrying part of a base material to be transferred (not shown), etc.,
and a carrying part of the transfer material is constituted by the supply part 3 of
the transfer material and the collection part 4 of the transfer material. The transfer
part 2, the supply part 3 of the transfer material, the collection part 4 of the transfer
material, and the control part 5 are provided on a main body 1a of the apparatus.
Note that, a portion on which the control part 5 is provided is not limited to the
main body 1a of the apparatus, it may be provided on other portion than the main body
1a of the apparatus.
[0065] The transfer part 2 has a plate cylinder 20 and an impression cylinder 21.
[0066] As shown in Fig.2, the plate cylinder 20 has a transfer face 22, the transfer face
22 is provided on an embossing plate 23 which is shorter than the whole peripheral
length of the plate cylinder 20. A face of the plate cylinder 20 other than the transfer
face 22 is a non-transfer face 24. In other words, the plate cylinder 20 has only
one transfer face 22.
[0067] As shown in Fig.1, the plate cylinder 20 and the impression cylinder 21 are synchronously
rotated by one drive motor (not shown) at a fixed speed according to the transfer
speed. The plate cylinder 20 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction and is not
rotated in the clockwise direction. The impression cylinder 21 is rotated in the clockwise
direction and is not rotated in the counterclockwise direction.
[0068] A transfer material 6 supplied from the supply part 3 of the transfer material and
a base material to be transferred 7 carried by the carrying part of the base material
to be transferred (not shown) are carried through a gap between the plate cylinder
20 and the impression cylinder 21. The transfer material 6 and the base material to
be transferred 7 are nipped by the transfer face 22 of the plate cylinder 20 and a
peripheral surface of the impression cylinder 21, the non-transfer face 24 of the
plate cylinder 20 and the peripheral surface of the impression cylinder 21 have a
gap there-between, the transfer material 6 and the base material to be transferred
7 are carried through the gap.
[0069] The transfer material 6 and the base material to be transferred 7 are nipped by the
transfer face 22 of the plate cylinder 20 and the peripheral surface of the impression
cylinder 21, so that the transfer material 6 is transferred to the base material to
be transferred 7.
[0070] The control part 5 which is for example a CPU (Central Processing Unit) controls
a carrying action of the transfer material 6 and the base material to be transferred
7 and rotations of the plate cylinder 20 and the impression cylinder 21.
[0071] A heating mechanism (not shown) is provided in the plate cylinder 20, therefore,
the transfer part 2 of the embodiment is a heat transfer part to transfer the transfer
material 6 to the base material to be transferred 7 by heating the transfer face 22
of the plate cylinder 20 at a temperature, for example, from about 150°C to 200°C.
The transfer part in which the plate cylinder 20 is not heated may be configured as
well. For the transfer part in which the plate cylinder 20 is not heated, a pasting
device may be provided on the upstream side of the plate cylinder in the carrying
direction, so that transfer is performed to the pasted base material to be transferred.
[0072] The supply part 3 of the transfer material carries the transfer material 6 toward
the gap between the plate cylinder 20 and the impression cylinder 21 of the transfer
part 2.
[0073] The supply part 3 of the transfer material has an unwinding shaft 30, a feed roller
31 on the supplying side provided on the downstream side of the unwinding shaft 30
in the supplying direction, a buffer device 32 on the supplying side provided on the
downstream side of the feed roller 31 on the supplying side in the supplying direction,
and a step-back roller 33 on the supplying side provided on the downstream side of
the buffer device 32 on the supplying side in the supplying direction.
[0074] The transfer material 6 in a roll shape is fitted to the unwinding shaft 30.
[0075] The feed roller 31 on the supplying side is rotationally driven only in an unwinding
direction (the counterclockwise direction) by a driving motor (not shown), and the
transfer material 6 is wound around the outer peripheral surface of it. A nip roller
34 is provided at least at one position within a winding range of the transfer material
6 of the feed roller 31 on the supplying side, so that the transfer material 6 is
held by the feed roller 31 on the supplying side and the nip roller 34.
[0076] The feed roller 31 on the supplying side is rotationally driven, so that the transfer
material 6 in a roll shape which is fitted to the unwinding shaft 30 is unwound and
carried toward the buffer device 32 on the supplying side.
[0077] The buffer device 32 on the supplying side is a loop-vacuum which holds the transfer
material 6 downward in the shape of U in a box 35 using vacuum pressure.
[0078] The step-back roller 33 on the supplying side is rotated forwardly or backwardly
by a driving motor (not shown), and around the outer peripheral surface of it, the
transfer material 6 fed from the buffer device 32 on the supplying side is wound.
A nip roller 36 is provided at least at one position within the winding range of the
transfer material 6 of the step-back roller 33 on the supplying side, so that the
transfer material 6 is held by the step-back roller 33 on the supplying side and the
nip roller 36 and the transfer material 6 can be carried forwardly or backwardly.
[0079] The collection part 4 of the transfer material collects the transfer material 6 in
other region than the region which has been used for transfer at the transfer part
2, in other words the transfer material 6 which has not been used for transfer.
[0080] The collection part 4 of the transfer material has a step-back roller 40 on the collecting
side, a buffer device 41 on the collecting side provided on the downstream side of
the step-back roller 40 on the collecting side in the collecting direction, a feed
roller 42 on the collecting side provided on the downstream side of the buffer device
41 on the collecting side in the collecting direction, and a winding shaft 43 provided
on the downstream side of the feed roller 42 on the collecting side in the collecting
direction.
[0081] The step-back roller 40 on the collecting side is rotated forwardly and backwardly
by a driving motor (not shown), and around the outer peripheral surface of it, the
transfer material 6 which has not been used is wound.
[0082] A nip roller 44 is provided at least at one position within the winding range of
the transfer material 6 of the step-back roller 40 on the collecting side, so that
the transfer material 6 which has not been used for transfer can be carried while
being held by the step-back roller 40 on the collecting side and the nip roller 44.
[0083] The buffer device 41 on the collecting side is a loop vacuum which holds the transfer
material 6 which has not been used for transfer downward in the shape of U in a box
45 using vacuum pressure.
[0084] The feed roller 42 on the collecting side is rotationally driven only in the collecting
direction (counterclockwise direction), around the outer peripheral surface of it,
the transfer material which has not been used for transfer is wound
[0085] A nip roller 46 is provided at least at one position within the winding range of
the transfer material 6 of the feed roller 42 on the collecting side, so that the
transfer material 6 which has not been used for transfer is held by the feed roller
42 on the collecting side and the nip roller 46.
[0086] The transfer material 6 held in the buffer device 41 on the collection side having
not been used for transfer is carried toward the winding shaft 43 by rotationally
driving the feed roller 42 on the collecting side.
[0087] The winding shaft 43 is rotationally driven only in the winding direction (counterclockwise
direction) by a driving motor (not shown) and collects the transfer material 6 which
has not been used for transfer by winding it.
[0088] The step-back roller 33 on the supplying side and the step-back roller 40 on the
collecting side are rotated forwardly in synchronization with each other when performing
transfer, and forwardly carry the transfer material 6.
[0089] When a position of the area to be used for transfer of the transfer material 6 is
adjusted, the step-back roller 33 on the supplying side and the step-back roller 40
on the collecting side are repeatedly rotated forwardly or backwardly in synchronization
with each other, so that the transfer material 6 is intermittently carried while the
transfer material 6 is carried alternatively forwardly or backwardly. This operation
will be described later.
[0090] The buffer device 32 on the supplying side absorbs a change of tension generated
in the transfer material 6 between the feed roller 31 on the supplying side and the
step-back roller 33 on the supplying side, when the transfer material 6 is carried
backwardly.
[0091] The buffer device 41 on the collecting side absorbs a change of tension generated
in the transfer material 6 between the feed roller 42 on the collecting side and the
step-back roller 40 on the collecting side, when the transfer material 6 is carried
backwardly.
[0092] The base material to be transferred 7 is carried toward the transfer part 2 from
a sheet feeding device of the carrying part of the base material to be transferred
(not shown) provided at a distance from the transfer apparatus 1, and the base material
to be transferred 7 to which the transfer material 6 is transferred at the transfer
part 2 is collected by a sheet discharge device of the carrying part of the base material
to be transferred (not shown) provided at a distance from the transfer apparatus 1.
[0093] It may be configured so that, a printing unit is provided between the transfer apparatus
1 and the sheet feeding device of the carrying part of the base material to be transferred
(not shown), the base material to be transferred 7 is carried to the transfer part
2 after having been subject to printing and the transfer is performed to the printed
base material to be transferred 7.
[0094] Moreover, it may be configured so that, a printing unit is provided between the transfer
apparatus 1 and the sheet discharge device (not shown) of the carrying part of the
base material to be transferred, printing is performed on the base material to be
transferred 7 to which the transfer has been finished.
[0095] In order to adjust a position of the area where the base material to be transferred
7 is to be transferred with respect to the rotational position of the plate cylinder
20, a step-back roller on the upstream side (not shown) and a step-back roller on
the downstream side (not shown) are respectively provided on the upstream side in
the carrying direction and on the downstream side in the carrying direction separated
at the transfer part 2 in the carrying path of the base material to be transferred,
for example, at the sheet feeding device (not shown) and at the sheet discharge device(not
shown) of the base material to be transferred.
[0096] The step-back roller on the upstream side (not shown) and the step-back roller on
the downstream side (not shown) are forwardly (in the direction of the arrow a) and
backwardly (in the direction of the arrow b) rotated in synchronization with each
other, and forwardly and backwardly carry the base material to be transferred 7, so
that the position of the area of the base material to be transferred 7 where the transfer
material 6 is to be transferred is adjusted.
[0097] The transfer material 6 and the base material to be transferred 7 are intermittently
carried by controlling the step-back roller 33 on the supplying side, the step-back
roller 40 on the collecting side, the step-back roller on the upstream side (not shown)
and the step-back roller on the downstream side (not shown) by the control part 5.
[0098] The transfer material 6 is mainly composed of 4 layers of a film layer, a releasing
layer, a foil layer and a glue layer, gold foil and silver foil are available as foil.
The transfer material 6 is not limited thereto.
[0099] As the base material to be transferred 7, a tack-seal paper composed of a surface
substrate, an adhesive and a releasing paper is mainly used. The base material to
be transferred 7 is not limited thereto.
[0100] The transfer by the transfer part 2 is performed in such manner as follows.
[0101] The transfer material 6 and the base material to be transferred 7 are carried to
the gap between the plate cylinder 20 and the impression cylinder 21, while the glue
layer of the transfer material 6 and the surface substrate of the base material to
be transferred 7 are in contact and overlapped with each other, the transfer material
6 and the base material to be transferred 7 are nipped by a heated transfer face 22
of the plate cylinder 20 and the impression cylinder 21.
[0102] The glue layer is fused by the heated transfer face 22, so that the area of the transfer
material 6 being brought into contact with the transfer face 22 is pasted to the surface
substrate of the base material to be transferred 7. When the transfer material 6 and
the base material to be transferred 7 are carried and freed from nipping of the heated
transfer face 22, the temperature goes down and the glue is solidified.
[0103] After the glue has been solidified, the foil of the transfer material 6 is separated
by a releasing roller (not shown) provided between the transfer part 2 and the step-back
roller 40 on the collecting side into an area pasted to the surface substrate of the
base material to be transferred 7 and an area unpasted to the surface substrate of
the base material to be transferred 7.
[0104] The foil in the unpasted area is carried by the step-back roller 40 on the collecting
side toward the winding shaft 43 together with the film layer and the releasing layer
of the transfer material 6. When the foil in the unpasted area is separated, only
glued foil remains on the base material to be transferred 7 and the transfer is finished.
[0105] While the transfer part 2 in which the plate cylinder 20 is not heated may be configured,
for the transfer part in which the plate cylinder 20 is not heated, the transfer shall
be performed through a method in which the transfer material is glued to the base
material to be transferred by using the glue applied to the base material to be transferred
on the upstream side of the transfer part, and shall be performed by nipping the base
material to be transferred and the transfer material by the transfer face of the plate
cylinder and the peripheral surface of the impression cylinder after the glue has
been applied to the base material to be transferred. Therefore, when the transfer
part in which the plate cylinder 20 is not heated is used, the gluing device shall
be provided on the upstream side of the transfer part.
[0106] The carrying action of the transfer material 6 and the base material to be transferred
7 with respect to the plate cylinder 20 and a transfer operation by the transfer face
22 will be described based on Figs.3A to 3H.
[0107] In Figs. 3A to 3H, the transfer material 6 and the base material to be transferred
7 may be provided with frames each corresponding to a distance needed for transfer
by the transfer face 22, so as to facilitate an understanding of the carrying action
and the transfer operation. Note that, in an actual transfer apparatus, the transfer
material 6 and the base material to be transferred 7 are not provided with the frames.
The framed hatched area of the base material to be transferred 7 is an area where
the transfer is not performed (an area used for other purpose than transfer e.g. printing),
the framed blank area (herein after referred to as a blank area) is an area where
the transfer is performed. The area of the base material to be transferred 7 where
the transfer is not performed (the hatched area in Figs.3A to 3H) is determined depending
on a design of a product to be manufactured by the transfer apparatus.
[0108] A broken line indicates a transfer position 25 where the transfer material 6 and
the base material to be transferred 7 are nipped by the transfer face 22 of the plate
cylinder 20 and the peripheral surface of the impression cylinder 21.
[0109] Fig.3A shows a state before starting of transfer in which the transfer face 22 is
displaced from the transfer position 25.
[0110] From the state, the plate cylinder 20 is rotated, and the transfer material 6 and
the base material to be transferred 7 are synchronously carried at the same transfer
speed in the forward direction (direction of the arrow a).
[0111] As shown in Fig.3B, the transfer face 22 performs first transfer of the transfer
material 6 to the base material to be transferred 7, when the transfer face 22 is
moved to the transfer position 25 at the time of first rotation of the plate cylinder
20. An area used for transfer of the transfer material 6 is defined as (1), and an
area of the base material to be transferred 7 to which the transfer material 6 has
been transferred is defined as (A).
[0112] As shown in Fig.3C, when the non-transfer face 24 of the plate cylinder 20 passes
through the transfer position 25 after finishing transfer at the time of first rotation
of the plate cylinder 20, the base material to be transferred 7 is carried backwardly
(in the direction of the arrow b),whereby the step back is performed. In other words,
the base material to be transferred 7 is backwardly carried by a prescribed distance
through the gap between the non-transfer face 24 of the plate cylinder 20 and the
peripheral surface of the impression cylinder 21. This motion is the step back. Note
that this step back includes controls of the acceleration and the deceleration of
the base material to be transferred 7 while it is backwardly carried. The details
of such step back control will be described later.
[0113] At this time, the transfer material 6 is continued to be forwardly carried.
[0114] After the base material to be transferred 7 has been carried backwardly by the prescribed
distance, the base material to be transferred 7 is carried forwardly in synchronization
with the transfer material 6. The distance over which the base material to be transferred
7 is, as shown in Fig. 3D, backwardly carried (the return distance due to the step
back) is determined, so that a blank area (B) of the base material to be transferred
7 is matched with the transfer position 25, when the transfer face 22 is moved to
the transfer position 25 at the time of second rotation of the plate cylinder 20.
The blank area (B) of the base material to be transferred 7 is a blank area nearest
to and on the upstream side of the area (A) of the base material to be transferred
7 in the carrying direction, to which the transfer material 6 has been transferred
by the transfer face 22 at the time of first rotation of the plate cylinder 20.
[0115] As shown in Fig.3D, the transfer material 6 is transferred to the blank area (B)
of the base material to be transferred 7, when the transfer face 22 is moved to the
transfer position 25 at the time of second rotation of the plate cylinder 20. An area
used for transfer of the transfer material 6 at this time is defined as (2).
[0116] As shown in Fig.3E, when the non-transfer face 24 of the plate cylinder 20 passes
through the transfer position 25 after finishing transfer at the time of second rotation
of the plate cylinder 20, the step back is performed to carry backwardly the base
material to be transferred 7. At this time, the transfer material 6 is continued to
be forwardly carried.
[0117] After the base material to be transferred 7 has been backwardly carried by the prescribed
distance, the base material to be transferred 7 is forwardly carried in synchronization
with the transfer material 6. The return distance due to the step back of the base
material to be transferred 7 is the same as that described above, and determined,
as shown in Fig.3F, so that a blank area (C) of the base material to be transferred
is matched with the transfer position 25, when the transfer face 22 is moved to the
transfer position 25 at the time of third rotation of the plate cylinder 20. The blank
area (C) of the base material to be transferred 7 is the blank area nearest to and
on the upstream side of the area (B) of the base material to be transferred 7 in the
carrying direction, to which the transfer material 6 has been transferred by the transfer
face 22 at the time of second rotation of the plate cylinder 20.
[0118] As shown in Fig.3F, the transfer material 6 is transferred to the blank area (C)
of the base material to be transferred 7, when the transfer face 22 is moved to the
transfer position 25 at the time of third rotation of the plate cylinder 20. An area
used for transfer of the transfer material 6 at this time is defined as (3).
[0119] In other words, the plate cylinder 20 is rotated 3 times, while the transfer material
6 is continuously carried in the forward direction, the transfer material 6 is transferred
3 times in succession to the base material to be transferred 7 by performing the step
back of the base material to be transferred 7 for each rotation of the plate cylinder
20. This operation is performed at one cycle.
[0120] As shown in Fig.3G, after finishing transfer at the time of third rotation of the
plate cylinder 20(after finishing last transfer at one cycle), and when the non-transfer
face 24 of the plate cylinder 20 passes through the transfer position 25, the step
back is applied to the transfer material 6 and the base material to be transferred
7 to carry them in the backward direction, so that the transfer material 6 and the
base material to be transferred 7 are respectively carried and returned by the prescribed
distance through the gap between the non-transfer face 24 of the plate cylinder 20
and the peripheral surface of the impression cylinder 21 in the backward direction.
The return distance of the transfer material 6 and the return distance of the base
material to be transferred 7 are different. Thereafter, the transfer material 6 and
the base material to be transferred 7 are synchronously carried in the forward direction
(see Fig.3H).
[0121] The return distance of the base material to be transferred 7 due to the step back
is the same as previously described and determined, as shown in Fig.3H, so that the
blank area (D) of the base material to be transferred 7 is matched with the transfer
position 25, when the transfer face 22 is moved to the transfer position 25 at the
time of fourth rotation of the plate cylinder 20. The blank area (D) of the base material
to be transferred 7 is the blank area closest to and on the upstream side of the blank
area (C)of the base material to be transferred 7 in the carrying direction, to which
the transfer material 6 has been transferred by the transfer face 22 at the time of
third rotation of the plate cylinder 6.
[0122] As shown in Fig.3H, the return distance of the transfer material 6 due to the step
back is determined so that an area (4) of the transfer material 6 is matched with
the transfer position 25, when the transfer face 22 is moved to the transfer position
25 at the time of fourth rotation of the plate cylinder 20 (at the time of first transfer
at second cycle) .The area (4) of the transfer material 6 is the area adjacent to
and on the upstream side of the area (1) of the transfer material 6 in the carrying
direction, the area (1) having been used for transfer by the transfer face 22 at the
time of first rotation of the plate cylinder 20. The area (4) of the transfer material
6 is transferred to the blank area (D) of the base material to be transferred 7 by
the transfer face 22.
[0123] The transfer operation at one cycle is performed by the control part 5 as follows.
[0124] The control part 5 counts the number of times of rotation of the plate cylinder 20,
and judges whether count number of times of rotation of the plate cylinder 20 agrees
with the number of times of rotation of the plate cylinder at one cycle.
[0125] When the control part 5 judges that they do not agree, since the transfer operation
at one cycle has not been finished yet, the transfer material 6 is continued to be
carried in the forward direction to continue transfer.
[0126] When the control part 5 judges that they agree, since the transfer operation at one
cycle has been finished, the transfer material 6 which is carried at the transfer
speed in the forward direction is decelerated to stop, then the step back of the transfer
material 6 is performed. After having been performed the step back, the transfer material
6 is accelerated up to the transfer speed and transfer at the next cycle is started.
[0127] The step back of the transfer material 6 is performed as follows.
[0128] For example, the step-back roller 33 on the supplying side and the step-back roller
40 on the collecting side are backwardly rotated in synchronization with each other
to carry the transfer material 6 in the backward direction (direction of the arrow
b) by the prescribed distance.
[0129] To stabilize the carrying action of the transfer material 6, the rotational speed
of the step-back roller on the downstream side is controlled to be faster than the
rotational speed of the step-back roller on the upstream side in the carrying direction.
By this control, such condition would be maintained that sufficient tension capable
of carrying the transfer material 6 always acts between the step-back roller 33 on
the supplying side and the step-back roller 40 on the collecting side, so that the
transfer material 6 is stably carried. Note that, the step-back rollers for carrying
the base material to be transferred 7 (not shown) as well may be similarly controlled.
[0130] At this time, tension of the transfer material 6 between the step-back roller 33
on the supplying side and the feed roller 31 on the supplying side and tension of
the transfer material 6 between the step-back roller 40 on the collecting side and
the feed roller 42 on the collecting side may change respectively, but such changes
of tension may be absorbed by the buffer device 32 on the supplying side and the buffer
device 41 on the collecting side respectively.
[0131] After the transfer material 6 has been returned by the prescribed distance by being
carried in the backward direction, the step-back roller 33 on the supplying side and
the step-back roller 40 on the collecting side are forwardly and synchronously rotated
to carry the transfer material 6 in the forward direction.
[0132] The step back of the base material to be transferred 7 is performed by controlling
the step-back roller (not shown) on the upstream side and the step-back roller (not
shown) on the downstream side of the carrying part of the base material to be transferred
(not shown), in the same manner as that previously described with respect to the step-back
roller 33 on the supplying side and the step-back roller 40 on the collecting side.
[0133] The control for carrying action of the transfer material 6 will be described based
on Fig.4 and Fig.5. Fig.4 is a schematic view of the control for carrying action of
the transfer material at the time of first rotation (first cycle) to sixth rotation
(second cycle) of the plate cylinder of the embodiment, and Fig.5 is a schematic view
of the control for carrying action of the transfer material at the time of first rotation
(first cycle) to fourth rotation (eighth cycle) of the plate cylinder of the embodiment.
[0134] As shown in Fig.4, a distance needed for transfer by the transfer face 22 is defined
as L. L is a distance equivalent to top and bottom size (a length in the rotational
direction) of the transfer face 22 plus the minimum blank space needed for transfer.
[0135] A distance between the transfer faces, that is, an outer peripheral length of the
plate cylinder 20 (a distance from a position where the transfer face starts to transfer
at the time of first rotation of the plate cylinder to a subsequent position where
the transfer face starts to transfer at the time of second rotation of the plate cylinder)
is defined as M.
[0136] The outer peripheral length of the plate cylinder 20 is a length of an outer periphery
of a virtual circle having a radius of distance from the rotation center of the plate
cylinder 20 to the transfer face 22.
[0137] The number of times of rotation of the plate cylinder 20 at one cycle (the number
of times of transfer at one cycle) is defined as S. In this description, the number
of times of rotation at one cycle S of the plate cylinder 20 is 3.
[0138] The available number of times of transfer within the distance between transfer faces
is defined as N. N can be derived from the distance M between the transfer faces and
the distance L needed for transfer by the transfer face 22. That is, N=M÷L.
[0139] The distance L needed for transfer by the transfer face 22 is determined based on
accuracy of the top-and-bottom size of the transfer face 22 and of the carrying action
of the transfer material 6, the distance M between the transfer faces (length of the
outer periphery of the plate cylinder) is determined based on the size of the plate
cylinder 20, and as the available number of times of transfer N within the distance
between the transfer faces can be derived from L and M, N can be also determined based
on a size of the plate cylinder 20 etc..
[0140] In this embodiment, N is 6, there are 5 frames between areas used for transfer of
the transfer material 6 at the 1 cycle, for example between the area (1) and the area
(2). In other words, the available number of times of transfer within the distance
between the transfer faces includes the first transfer.
[0141] Moreover, in the transfer material 6 after finishing the transfer at the first cycle
in Fig.4, a blank area between the area (1) and the area (2), and a blank area between
the area (2) and the area (3) are unused areas generated at the first cycle.
[0142] In other words, the available number of times of transfer in the unused areas is
N-1.
[0143] N is an integral number in the embodiment, but when M is not an integer multiple
of L, a remainder is left in N. The remainder in N means that there exists an area
left unused which has a distance less than the distance L needed for transfer by the
transfer face 22 and is thereby unavailable for transfer, when performing the transfer
in the unused area as shown in Figs.3(A to H) to Fig.5. In the following description,
N is assumed to be an integral number in which the remainder is cut off.
[0144] As shown in Fig.4,at the first cycle, the area (1) of the transfer material 6 is
used for transfer by the transfer face 22 at the time of first rotation of the plate
cylinder 20, the area (2) of the transfer material 6 is used for transfer by the transfer
face 22 at the time of second rotation of the plate cylinder 20, and the area (3)
of the transfer material 6 is used for transfer by the transfer face 22 at the time
of third rotation of the plate cylinder 20.
[0145] When the cycle shifts from first cycle to second cycle, in other words, after finishing
the last transfer at the first cycle, the transfer material 6 which is carried at
the transfer speed in the forward direction is decelerated and stopped. Thereafter,
the step back of the transfer material 6 is performed. Such step back is performed
in the following manner.
[0146] The transfer material 6 at a stop is accelerated to the prescribed carrying speed
in the backward direction (return direction) and carried at the prescribed carrying
speed. Thereafter, to stop the step back, the transfer material 6 is decelerated from
the prescribed carrying speed, and the carrying action is stopped at a prescribed
distance in the backward direction. The carrying action for prescribed distance in
the backward direction including the acceleration and the deceleration is the step
back. A distance until reaching at the prescribed carrying speed from stopping is
defined as an acceleration distance during the step back. A distance until stopping
from the carrying speed is defined as a deceleration distance during the step back.
Note that, the carrying speed during the step back may be decelerated immediately
after having been accelerated to the prescribed carrying speed, without providing
the distance over which the transfer material 6 is carried at the prescribed carrying
speed.
[0147] Moreover, the transfer material 6 at a stop is accelerated and carried at the transfer
speed in the forward direction, until starting the transfer by the transfer face 22
at the second cycle.
[0148] A distance until stopping the transfer material 6 from a state that it is forwardly
carried at the transfer speed by decelerating it (a deceleration distance after transferring)
is defined as β. And, a distance until the transfer material 6 reaches at the transfer
speed by forwardly accelerating it from a state that it is at a stop after performing
the step back (an acceleration distance before transferring) is defined as α.
[0149] The deceleration distance β after transferring and the acceleration distance α before
transferring are parameters determined by characteristics of the driving motor for
rotationally driving the step-back roller 33 on the supplying side and the step-back
roller 40 on the collecting side as shown in Fig.1, the carrying speed, the return
distance due to the step back, and the length of the non-transfer face 24 of the plate
cylinder 20.
[0150] The deceleration distance β after transferring and the acceleration distance α before
transferring are automatically determined by using a known control device which is
recommendable from the characteristics of the driving motor.
[0151] Moreover, settings of the acceleration distance during the step back over which the
transfer material 6 is carried in the backward direction (return direction), the deceleration
distance during the step back, and the carrying speed during the step back are also
determined in the same way as the deceleration distance β after transferring and the
acceleration distance α before transferring.
[0152] A distance over which the transfer material 6 is carried by one step back in the
backward direction is defined as a return distance R1, the return distance R1 will
be described in the followings.
[0153] As shown in Fig.4, the area (4) of the transfer material 6 which is used for transfer
by the transfer face 22 at the time of first rotation of the plate cylinder 20 at
the second cycle is an area adjacent to and on the upstream side of the area (1) of
the transfer material 6 in the carrying direction, the area (1) having been used for
transfer by the transfer face 22 at the time of first rotation of the plate cylinder
20 at the first cycle.
[0154] The area (5) of the transfer material 6 which is used for transfer by the transfer
face 22 at the time of second rotation of the plate cylinder 20 at the second cycle
is an area adjacent to and on the upstream side of the area (2) of the transfer material
6 in the carrying direction, the area (2) having been used for transfer by the transfer
face 22 at the time of second rotation of the plate cylinder 20 at the first cycle.
[0155] The area (6) of the transfer material 6 which is used for transfer by the transfer
face 22 at the time of third rotation of the plate cylinder 20 at the second cycle
is an area adjacent to and on the upstream side of the area (3) of the transfer material
6 in the carrying direction, the area (3) having been used for transfer by the transfer
face 22 at the time of third rotation of the plate cylinder 20 at the first cycle.
[0156] Therefore, the return distance R1 can be derived from the following formula (1).
[0157] Since the number of times of rotation S of the plate cylinder 20 at one cycle is
3 and the distance M between the transfer faces is 6 times of L as shown in Fig.4,
from the formula (1), the return distance R1 is 6L×2+α+β, and as α and β each have
the distance of 2L, the return distance R1 is the distance of 16L. Moreover, the carrying
distance R in the forward direction at one cycle is the distance of 17L.
[0158] As shown in Fig.4, when the cycle shifts from first cycle to second cycle, the transfer
material 6 has only to be carried in backward direction by the distance of 16L.
[0159] As shown in Fig.5, the return distance R1 when the second cycle shifts from second
cycle to third cycle, the return distance R1 when third cycle shifts to fourth cycle,
the return distance R1 when fourth cycle shifts to fifth cycle, and the return distance
R1 when fifth cycle shifts to sixth cycle are each the distance of 16L. Note that,
in Fig.5, to facilitate an understanding, α and βare assumed as 0 (α=0, β=0) and the
drawing is simplified.
[0160] The area (7) of the transfer material 6 which is used for transfer by the transfer
face 22 at the time of first rotation of the plate cylinder 20 at the third cycle
is an area adjacent to and on the upstream side of the area (4) in the carrying direction,
the area (4) having been used for transfer by the transfer face 22 at the time of
first rotation of the plate cylinder 20 at the second cycle.
[0161] The area (8) of the transfer material 6 which is used for transfer by the transfer
face 22 at the time of second rotation of the plate cylinder 20 at the third cycle
is an area adjacent to and on the upstream side of the area (5) in the carrying direction,
the area (5) having been used for transfer by the transfer face 22 at the time of
second rotation of the plate cylinder 20 at the second cycle.
[0162] The area (9) of the transfer material 6 which is used for transfer by the transfer
face 22 at the time of third rotation of the plate cylinder 20 at the third cycle
is an area adjacent to and on the upstream side of the area (6) in the carrying direction,
the area (6) having been used for transfer by the transfer face 22 at the time of
third rotation of the plate cylinder 20 at the second cycle.
[0163] The area (10) of the transfer material 6 which is used for transfer by the transfer
face 22 at the time of first rotation of the plate cylinder 20 at the fourth cycle
is an area adjacent to and on the upstream side of the area (7) in the carrying direction,
the area (7) having been used for transfer by the transfer face 22 at the time of
first rotation of the plate cylinder 20 at the third cycle.
[0164] The area (11) of the transfer material 6 which is used for transfer by the transfer
face 22 at the time of second rotation of the plate cylinder 20 at the fourth cycle
is an area adjacent to and on the upstream side of the area (8) in the carrying direction,
the area (8) having been used for transfer by the transfer face 22 at the time of
second rotation of the plate cylinder 20 at the third cycle.
[0165] The area (12) of the transfer material 6 which is used for transfer by the transfer
face 22 at the time of third rotation of the plate cylinder 20 at the fourth cycle
is an area adjacent to and on the upstream side of the area (9) in the carrying direction,
the area (9) having been used for transfer by the transfer face 22 at the time of
third rotation of the plate cylinder 20 at the third cycle.
[0166] The area (13) of the transfer material 6 which is used for transfer by the transfer
face 22 at the time of first rotation of the plate cylinder 20 at the fifth cycle
is an area adjacent to and on the upstream side of the area (10) in the carrying direction,
the area (10) having been used for transfer by the transfer face 22 at the time of
first rotation of the plate cylinder 20 at the fourth cycle.
[0167] The area (14) of the transfer material 6 which is used for transfer by the transfer
face 22 at the time of second rotation of the plate cylinder 20 at the fifth cycle
is an area adjacent to and on the upstream side of the area (11) in the carrying direction,
the area (11) having been used for transfer by the transfer face 22 at the time of
second rotation of the plate cylinder 20 at the fourth cycle.
[0168] The area (15) of the transfer material 6 which is used for transfer by the transfer
face 22 at the time of third rotation of the plate cylinder 20 at the fifth cycle
is an area adjacent to and on the upstream side of the area (12) in the carrying direction,
the area (12) having been used for transfer by the transfer face 22 at the time of
third rotation of the plate cylinder 20 at the fourth cycle.
[0169] The area (16) of the transfer material 6 which is used for transfer by the transfer
face 22 at the time of first rotation of the plate cylinder 20 at the sixth cycle
is an area adjacent to and on the upstream side of the area (13) in the carrying direction,
the area (13) having been used for transfer by the transfer face 22 at the time of
first rotation of the plate cylinder 20 at the fifth cycle.
[0170] The area (17) of the transfer material 6 which is used for transfer by the transfer
face 22 at the time of second rotation of the plate cylinder 20 at the sixth cycle
is an area adjacent to and on the upstream side of the area (14) in the carrying direction,
the area (14) having been used for transfer by the transfer face 22 at the time of
second rotation of the plate cylinder 20 at the fifth cycle.
[0171] The area (18) of the transfer material 6 which is used for transfer by the transfer
face 22 at the time of third rotation of the plate cylinder 20 at the sixth cycle
is an area adjacent to and on the upstream side of the area (15) in the carrying direction,
the area (15) having been used for transfer by the transfer face 22 at the time of
third rotation of the plate cylinder 20 at the fifth cycle.
[0172] As shown in Fig.5, when the cycle shifts from sixth cycle (the same number of times
of cycle as the available number of times of transfer N within the distance between
transfer faces) to seventh cycle (a cycle of available number of times of transfer
N+1 within the distance between transfer faces), if the transfer is performed by using
the return distance R1 derived from the formula (1), the area (19) to use for transfer
by the transfer face 22 at the time of first rotation of the plate cylinder 20 at
the seventh cycle will be an area adjacent to and on the upstream side of the area
(16) in the carrying direction, the area (16) having been used for transfer by the
transfer face 22 at the time of first rotation of the plate cylinder 20 at the sixth
cycle, the area(16) has been already used for transfer.
[0173] In other words, when transfer at the sixth cycle is finished, since all areas on
the downstream side of the area (18) in the carrying direction, the area (18) having
been used for transfer at the end of sixth cycle, have been already used for transfer
(within a used range), a new area available for transfer is needed.
[0174] Therefore, the return distance R1 shall be the distance derived from the formula
(2) and an area of the transfer material 6 used for transfer by the transfer face
22 at the time of first rotation of the plate cylinder 20 in the seventh cycle is
defined as (19) adjacent to and on the upstream side of the area (18) in the carrying
direction, the area (18) having been used for transfer by the transfer face 22 at
the time of third rotation of the plate cylinder 20 at the sixth cycle, when the sixth
cycle shifts to seventh cycle, after finishing transfer by the transfer face 22 at
the time of third rotation of the plate cylinder 20 at the sixth cycle.
[0175] This area (19) is a new area.
[0176] This is performed by the control part 5. For example, the control part 5 counts the
number of times of cycle (hereinafter referred to a cycle number), when the counted
cycle number is not matched with the available number of times of transfer N within
the distance between the transfer faces, the control part 5 judges that there exists
an area available for transfer within the used range and determines the return distance
R1 due to the step back of the transfer material 6 as the distance (M×(S-1)+α+β) derived
from the formula (1).
[0177] When the counted cycle number is matched with the available number of times of transfer
N within the distance between the transfer faces, the control part 5 judges that there
does not exist any area available for transfer within the used range, and determines
the return distance R1 due to the step back of the transfer material 6 as the distance
(α+β) derived from the formula (2).
[0178] The area (20) of the transfer material 6 to be used for transfer by the transfer
face 22 at the time of second rotation of the plate cylinder 20 at the seventh cycle
and the area (21) of the transfer material 6 to be used for transfer by the transfer
face 22 at the time of third rotation of the plate cylinder 20 at the seventh cycle
are new areas.
[0179] When the cycle shifts from seventh cycle to eighth cycle, the return distance R1
shall be the distance derived from the formula (1).
[0180] The area (22) of the transfer material 6 to be used for transfer by the transfer
face 22 at the time of first rotation of the plate cylinder 20 at the eighth cycle
is an area adjacent to and on the upstream side of the area (19) in the carrying direction,
the area (19) having been used for transfer by the transfer face 22 at the time of
first rotation of the plate cylinder 20 at the seventh cycle.
[0181] The area (23) of the transfer material 6 to be used for transfer by the transfer
face 22 at the time of second rotation of the plate cylinder 20 at the eighth cycle
is an area adjacent to and on the upstream side of the area (20) in the carrying direction,
the area (20) having been used for transfer by the transfer face 22 at the time of
second rotation of the plate cylinder 20 at the seventh cycle.
[0182] The area (24) of the transfer material 6 to be used for transfer by the transfer
face 22 at the time of third rotation of the plate cylinder 20 at the eighth cycle
is an area adjacent to and on the upstream side of the area (21) in the carrying direction,
the area (21) having been used for transfer by the transfer face 22 at the time of
third rotation of the plate cylinder 20 at the seventh cycle.
[0183] In other words, the return distance R1 of the transfer material 6 due to the step
back at the time of shifting of cycle shall be the distance derived from the former
formula (1) until the cycle number reaches the available number of times of transfer
N within the distance between the transfer faces. In the embodiment, it is the distance
of 16L.
[0184] The return distance R1 of the transfer material 6 due to the step back when the cycle
shifts from sixth cycle (the same number of times of cycle as the available number
of times of transfer N within the distance between transfer faces) to the seventh
cycle (the cycle of available number of times of transfer N+1 within the distance
between transfer faces) shall be the distance derived from the formula (2). In the
embodiment, it is the distance of 4L.
[0185] According to the transfer apparatus 1 of the embodiment, all unused areas of the
transfer material 6 generated at the first cycle can be used for transfer at the sixth
cycle.
[0186] Therefore, the transfer material 6 can be effectively used without wasting.
[0187] In the above description, since the distance M between transfer faces 20 is assumed
to be 6L, the available number of times N of transfer within the distance between
the transfer faces is 6, but the return distance R1 can be determined as follows when
N is changed by values of M, L.
[0188] Where a natural number (a positive integer) is defined as k, the transfer cycle is
defined as P, the return distance R1 due to the step back at the P-th cycle shall
be the distance derived from the former formula (2) when P satisfies the following
formula (3), and the distance derived from the former formula (1) when P does not
satisfy the following formula (3).
[0189] When P satisfies the formula (3) means that the transfer cycle is an integral multiple
of N, and when P does not satisfy the formula (3) means that the transfer cycle is
not the integral multiple of N.
[0190] When comparing the number of times of step back of the transfer material 6 according
to the transfer apparatus 1 of the embodiment with the number of times of step back
of the transfer material 106 according to the transfer apparatus developed by the
inventors of the present invention, the result is as follows.
[0191] According to the transfer apparatus 1 of the embodiment, the step back of the transfer
material 6 is performed for each cycle during which the plate cylinder 20 is rotated
several times, whereas, according to the transfer apparatus developed by the inventors,
the step back of the transfer material 106 is performed for each rotation of the plate
cylinder 100, therefore, with respect to the number of times of step back of the transfer
material 6,106, it is smaller in the transfer apparatus 1 of the embodiment.
[0192] Therefore, by reducing the number of times of step back , an effect of rotary inertia
force acting on the step-back rollers 33, 40 when being decelerated after transferring,
when being accelerated before transferring and when being accelerated and decelerated
during the step back can be reduced, thus the rotational speed control and stop position
control of the step-back rollers 33, 40 are prevented from being unstable due to the
rotary inertia force of the step-back rollers 33, 40 which would make the behavior
of the transfer material 6 unstable, the carrying action of the transfer material
6 can be thereby stabilized. Moreover, the effect of inertia force acting on the transfer
material 6 when being decelerated after transferring, when being accelerated before
transferring and when being accelerated and decelerated during step the back can be
reduced, the carrying action of the transfer material 6 can be thereby stabilized.
From those, the yield can be improved.
[0193] Fig.6 provides a diagraph comparably showing a carrying state of the transfer material
6 and a carrying state of the base material to be transferred 7 in the transfer apparatus
1 of the embodiment, and a carrying state of the transfer material 106 and a carrying
state of the base material to be transferred 107 in the transfer apparatus developed
by the inventors.
[0194] Fig.6 is the diagraph comparably showing carrying states of the transfer material
and the base material to be transferred, a horizontal axis indicates the number of
times of rotation of the plate cylinder, a vertical axis indicates normalized values
of values provided by dividing carrying distances of the transfer material and the
base material to be transferred with the distance L needed for transfer by the transfer
face 22. In short, one scale is L. Change toward a negative direction with respect
to the vertical axis indicates the carrying action in the backward direction due to
the step back.
[0195] The carrying state of the base material to be transferred 7 in the transfer apparatus
1 of the embodiment and the carrying state of the base material to be transferred
107 in the transfer apparatus developed by the inventors are shown by the same solid
line X, and it can be confirmed that the base material to be transferred 7 in the
transfer apparatus 1 of the embodiment and the base material to be transferred 107
in the transfer apparatus developed by the inventors are carried in an identical manner
and each position of areas where the base materials to be transferred 7,107 are transferred
is controlled by performing the step back at every rotation of the plate cylinders.
[0196] The carrying state of the transfer material 6 in the transfer apparatus 1 of the
embodiment is indicated by a broken line Y, it can be confirmed that step back is
performed for each 3 times of rotation (one cycle) of the plate cylinder 20 and the
position of area to be used for transfer of the transfer material 6 is controlled.
[0197] The carrying state of the transfer material 106 in the transfer apparatus developed
by the inventors is indicated by a dashed line Z, it can be confirmed that the step
back is performed for each rotation of the plate cylinder 100 and the position of
area to be used for transfer of the transfer material 106 is controlled.
[0198] As mentioned above, as the vertical axis indicates the carrying distance, the change
toward the negative direction indicates the step back, then the return distance R1
of the transfer material 6 and the return distance R10 of the transfer material 106
are corresponding to the absolute values of the distances while changing toward negative,
it can be confirmed that the return distance R1 of the transfer material 6 in the
transfer apparatus 1 of the embodiment is the distance of 16L, and the return distance
R10 of the transfer material 106 in the transfer apparatus developed by the inventors
is 4L.
[0199] Moreover, it can be confirmed that the step back of the transfer material 106 in
the transfer apparatus developed by the inventors is performed 3 times, while the
step back of the transfer material 6 in the transfer apparatus 1 of the embodiment
is performed once.
[0200] Moreover, the carrying distance r1 over which the base material to be transfer 7
in the transfer apparatus 1 of the embodiment is carried forwardly during one rotation
of the plate cylinder 20 is 5L, and the carrying distance r1 over which the base material
to be transferred 107 in the transfer apparatus developed by the inventors is carried
forwardly during one rotation of the plate cylinder 100 is also 5L,the carrying distance
r1 in the forward direction of the two are identical.
[0201] As mentioned above, since the step back of the transfer material 106 in the transfer
apparatus developed by the inventors is performed 3 times, while the step back of
the transfer material 6 in the transfer apparatus 1 of the embodiment is performed
once, the carrying distances R over which the transfer material 6 in the transfer
apparatus 1 of the embodiment is carried forwardly when performing transfer operation
is the distance of 17L, the carrying distance R over which the transfer material 106
in the transfer apparatus developed by the inventors is carried forwardly when performing
transfer operation is the distance of 5L, the carrying distances R in the forward
direction of the two are different.
[0202] Moreover, it would be understood from the dotted line Y in Fig.6 that the number
of times of step back of the transfer material 6 becomes smaller, the larger the number
of times of rotation S of the plate cylinder 20 at one cycle becomes.
[0203] Though the number of times of rotation S of the plate cylinder 20 at one cycle can
be freely set, the maximum value is determined by the distance M between the transfer
faces (the length of the outer periphery of the plate cylinder 20) and characteristics
of the driving motor (not shown) for controlling a rotational drive of the step-back
rollers 33,40.
[0204] In this embodiment, the maximum value is used as the number of times of rotation
S of the plate cylinder 20 at one cycle, so that the number of times of step back
of the transfer material 6 becomes the least value.
[0205] A control method of the transfer apparatus 1 of the embodiment will be described
based on a flowchart shown in Fig.7.
[0206] Such parameters as L, M, S required for transfer and such parameters as the carrying
speed which are used in a usual transfer apparatus or a usual printing apparatus are
entered to the control part 5 of the transfer apparatus. Step 1 (S1).
[0207] Start of the transfer operation is selected. Step 2 (S2) .
[0208] Settings of the return distance R1((M×(S-1)+α+β), (α+β)), etc. are performed according
to the entered parameters, and the carrying action of the transfer material 6 and
the base material to be transferred 7 is started, at this time, a count variable i
for counting the number of times of cycle of transfer is 0, a count variable j for
counting the number of times of rotation (the number of times of transfer)of the plate
cylinder 20 is 0 (i=0, j=0). Step 3 (S3).
[0209] The transfer material 6 and the base material to be transferred 7 are synchronously
carried at the fixed transfer speed, meanwhile the transfer is performed for one rotation
of the plate cylinder 20, then, 1 is added to the count variable j for counting the
number of times of rotation of the plate cylinder 20 (j=j+1). Step 4 (S4).
[0210] The step back of the base material to be transferred 7 is performed for each rotation
of the plate cylinder 20. Step 5 (S5).
[0211] It is judged whether the count variable j of the number of times of rotation of the
plate cylinder 20 is (j=S), in other words, whether transfer for one cycle is finished,
processes of step 4 and step 5 are repeated until the condition is satisfied. Step
6 (S6).
[0212] The variable j is returned to 0 (j=0), when the condition of j=S is satisfied and
the transfer for one cycle is finished. In other words, a count of number of rotation
of the plate cylinder 20 is reset, and at the same time, 1 is added to the count variable
i for counting the number of times of cycle of transfer (i=i+1). Step 7 (S7).
[0213] It is judged whether unused area which has not been used for transfer exists based
on a condition of i=N after finishing the transfer for one cycle, and the setting
value of step back of the transfer material 6 (return distance R1) is determined.
Step 8 (S8).
[0214] Since the unused area exits within the range of used areas when the condition of
i=N is not satisfied, the step back of the transfer material 6 is performed taking
the distance (M×(S-1)+α+β) derived from the formula (1) as the return distance R1.
Step 9 (S9).
[0215] Since the whole of unused areas within the range of used areas are in used state
for transfer when the condition of i=N is satisfied, the step back of the transfer
material 6 is performed taking the distance (α+β) derived from the formula (2) as
the return distance R1. Step 10 (S10).
[0216] At the same time, the variable i is returned to 0 (i=0), in other words, the count
of the cycle number of transfer is reset. Step 11 (S11).
[0217] The processes from Step 4 (S4) to Step 11 (S11) are repeatedly performed to intermittently
carry the transfer material 6 (the carrying action including the step back) so that
unused areas generated in the transfer material 6 may be used for transfer.
[0218] Note that, as a finishing control of transfer is a known control in which transfer
is finished according to a condition designated to the control part 5 in Step 1 or
a stop operation by an operator of the transfer apparatus, which is the same as in
the usual transfer apparatus or printing apparatus, it is omitted from the flowchart.
[0219] As is clear from the above description, the transfer apparatus 1 of the embodiment
can reduce the number of times of step back of the transfer material 6 compared to
the transfer apparatus developed by the inventors.
[0220] In the embodiment, while the distance L needed for transfer by the transfer face
22, the number of times of rotation of the plate cylinder 20 at one cycle, etc. are
entered to the control part 5, in addition, the length C of a transferred base material
to be transferred 7 generated during one rotation of the plate cylinder 20 is entered
to the control part 5. The length C of the transferred base material to be transferred
7 generated during one rotation of the plate cylinder 20 is determined based on a
design of a product to be manufactured. The maximum available value of the length
C is the value in a range from 127.0 mm to 355.6 mm, the upper limit and the lower
limit are determined according to the length of embossing plate 23 of the plate cylinder
20.
[0221] The distance L needed for transfer by the transfer face 22 is entered according to
a pattern to be transferred. The distance L can be set at a value between 5 mm and
355.6 mm (the maximum value of C). The length C is the length of the transferred base
material to be transferred 7 which is generated during one rotation of the plate cylinder
20, and the length C is longer than the distance L needed for transfer by the transfer
face 22.
[0222] Therefore, as L is needed to satisfy C≧L, the possible maximum value of L is the
maximum value of C.
[0223] Moreover, the distance M between the transfer faces is the outer peripheral length
of the plate cylinder 20. Since the plate cylinder 20 is not exchanged in the embodiment,
M is a specific value according to the structure of transfer apparatus 1.
[0224] As mentioned above, in the present invention, the maximum value of the number of
times of rotation S at one cycle of the plate cylinder 20 is determined according
to the distance M between transfer faces (the outer peripheral length of the plate
cylinder 20) and the characteristics of the driving motor for controlling the rotational
drive of the step-back rollers 33, 40. The value S of the embodiment can be set up
to 20.
[0225] In the embodiment, when the values of L, S, C entered to the control part 5 are out
of said setting range and when L>C, the condition enabling transfer is not satisfied.
When the condition enabling transfer is not satisfied, the control part 5 judges it
as an error, the transfer operation is not performed. At the same time, the error
is displayed by a means (not shown).
[0226] The maximum and minimum values of L, S, C shown here are one of examples. The maximum
and minimum values of L, S, C are determined based on the structure of the transfer
apparatus 1 such as the outer peripheral length of the plate cylinder 20.
[0227] Moreover, the return distance due to the step back of the base material to be transferred
7 is determined based on the length C of the transferred base material to be transferred
7 generated during one rotation of the plate cylinder 20.