JP2012032384A - Printing inspection apparatus, printing inspection method, plate to be used for printing predetermined pattern by the printing inspection method - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is a simple and versatile print inspection method and print inspection apparatus that visually inspect a printing position of invisible ink and inspect printing accuracy.
A printing inspection method according to the present invention forms a print pattern using invisible ink on an end region 21b of a work, and then applies a liquid containing a coloring material only around the print pattern of the end region 21b. Then, the print pattern 22 is visualized and the print position of the print pattern 22 is inspected.
[Selection] Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing inspection apparatus and a printing inspection method capable of visually detecting a printing position of invisible ink, and a plate used for printing a predetermined pattern by the printing inspection method.

  In recent years, in order to prevent falsification of printed matter, an image pattern that is invisible under visible light may be printed using ink that is colored with light other than visible light such as ultraviolet light or infrared light. The application of such a pattern is not limited to the above-mentioned application. For example, when a pattern is formed on a component (transparent substrate) mounted at a light emission position such as a light source device, the pattern is colorless and transparent. If formed using invisible ink, the light emission efficiency can be prevented from being lowered. Further, conventionally, a method for inspecting whether or not such an invisible pattern is formed at a predetermined position is also known.

  In Patent Document 1, as shown in FIG. 23, a step of preparing a pattern forming body 105 having a wettability pattern composed of a lyophilic region 103 and a lyophobic region 104 on the surface of a substrate 101, and the lyophilic property described above. An inspection method for the pattern forming body 105, which includes a step of attaching the inspection liquid 106 to the region 103 and a step of inspecting the inspection liquid 106 attached to the lyophilic region 103 using the laser irradiation device 107 and the light receiving element 109. Disclosure. As the inspection liquid 106, a non-contaminating inspection liquid is used in order to directly handle the pattern forming body 105 on which the inspection liquid 106 is adhered as a product.

  Patent Document 2 discloses a method of detecting a print pattern by printing with invisible ink, and then irradiating light having an invisible energy component and imaging reflected light.

  Patent Document 3 discloses a technique for identifying the position of the invisible ink and detecting the positional shift of the invisible ink by printing the visible ink and the invisible ink adjacent to each other and inspecting the printing result of the visible ink. is doing.

  Patent Document 4 discloses a method of inspecting a work on which a transparent resin is printed, and inspecting by integrating (projecting) pixel values (brightness) in the print pattern direction.

Patent No. 3975067 (Registered on June 22, 2007) JP 2000-127515 A (published on May 9, 2000) JP 2005-132027 A (released May 26, 2005) Patent No. 3003924 (Registered on November 19, 1999)

  However, none of the methods described in Patent Documents 1 to 4 described above is sufficient.

  Specifically, in the case of the method of Patent Document 1, there is a problem that liquid management is complicated. Specifically, when the vapor pressure is high, there is a problem that the inspection liquid 106 shown in FIG. In the case of the method of Patent Document 1, it is necessary to use a non-contaminating test solution. If a contaminating test solution is used, a process for removing it is necessary, and the process becomes complicated.

  In the case of the technique of Patent Document 2, there is a problem that the ink material is limited to an ink material that reacts to light having invisible energy. That is, if a transparent ink that is difficult to detect with light having a visible or invisible energy component is used, the print result cannot be inspected.

  In the case of the technique disclosed in Patent Document 3, a plurality of colors are formed on the same screen of the transfer material by transferring the color material on the molten ink ribbon having a plurality of colors to the transfer material (intermediate transfer film) with a thermal head. Since it is a printing method, it is difficult to print using a printing method using liquid ink, and there is a problem that the printing method is limited.

  In the case of the technique disclosed in Patent Document 4, the print pattern must be thickened to some extent for optical detection. That is, there is a problem that detection is difficult when the printed pattern is thin (0.1 to 0.2 μm).

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its purpose is to provide a simple and versatile print inspection method for visually detecting the printing position of invisible ink and inspecting the printing accuracy, and printing. It is to provide a plate used for printing a predetermined pattern by an inspection apparatus and the print inspection method.

That is, in order to solve the above-described problem, the print inspection method according to the present invention provides:
A printing step in which a predetermined pattern is printed on an end region of the printing surface using invisible ink, and the ink is more repellent than a portion adjacent to the pattern in the end region; A printing process using ink showing liquidity;
A liquid application step of applying a liquid that is repelled by the pattern after the printing step and is mixed with a coloring material only to the end region in the printing surface;
And an inspection step of inspecting the printing accuracy of the pattern from the shape of the liquid film formed by the liquid after the liquid application step.

  According to said structure, management of the said liquid is easy. Because the coloring material is mixed, the location of the liquid is clear. Moreover, since the viscosity change etc. can be visually confirmed, it is easy to carry out regular maintenance. Furthermore, it can be visually confirmed that the substrate to which the colored liquid is not attached is a substrate before inspection.

  Further, according to the above configuration, since the pattern is provided in the end region of the printing surface and only the periphery (end region) is contaminated (the liquid formed by mixing the coloring material is attached), for example, the printing surface Even in the case where an element as described later is formed in the central region, the central region is not contaminated. Therefore, it is not necessary to remove the contaminating liquid (liquid film), and the liquid film can be used for the next step while being formed. That is, it is possible to improve throughput without requiring a step of removing the contaminating liquid (liquid film).

  Further, since the contaminating liquid formed by mixing the coloring material remains without being removed, the print pattern can be confirmed at an arbitrary timing thereafter.

  In addition, according to the above configuration, since the invisible ink pattern is visualized using the contaminating liquid obtained by mixing the coloring material, it is visualized using light having invisible energy as in the prior art. In contrast, transparent ink that is difficult to detect with light having an invisible energy component can be used, and there are many options for invisible ink.

  Moreover, according to said structure, it can print using the printing method using liquid ink.

  Moreover, according to said structure, since a printing pattern is visualized using a visible liquid, it can test | inspect even when a printing pattern is as thin as 0.1-0.2 micrometer. Moreover, the fact that it may be thin also means that consumption of ink can be suppressed.

  Therefore, the printing inspection method according to the present invention is versatile and can visually inspect the printing position of the invisible ink easily.

In addition to the above configuration, the printing inspection method according to the present invention includes:
On the printed surface, an element formation region for forming an element is provided in a region different from the end region,
In the printing step, it is preferable to form a liquid film for forming a partial configuration of the element using the ink in the element forming area at the same time as printing the ink in the end area.

  According to said structure, the one part process of the process of manufacturing the element in the said element formation area and the process of printing the said ink to the said edge area | region can be implement | achieved in a single process. Therefore, the tact time can be shortened.

  Further, as described above, in the case of the present invention, the contaminated liquid formed by mixing the coloring materials is not removed, and the print pattern is confirmed any time after the liquid film is formed. be able to. That is, by visualizing the print pattern, it can be determined whether or not a liquid film for forming a partial configuration of the element is formed.

Further, another print inspection method according to the present invention provides a solution to the above-described problem.
An invisible ink is used for the element formation region and the end region on the printed surface having an element formation region for forming an element and an end region provided in a region different from the element formation region. A printing step of simultaneously printing and forming a predetermined pattern, and a printing step using, as the ink, an ink that is more liquid-repellent than a portion adjacent to the predetermined pattern in each of the regions;
After the printing step, the liquid is repelled by the predetermined pattern printed in the end region, and the liquid formed by mixing a coloring material is used only for the end region in the printing surface. A liquid application process to be applied to
After the liquid application step, an inspection step for inspecting the printing accuracy of the predetermined pattern printed in the end region from the shape of the liquid film formed by the liquid is characterized.

  According to said structure, management of the said liquid is easy. Because the coloring material is mixed, the location of the liquid is clear. Moreover, since the viscosity change etc. can be visually confirmed, it is easy to carry out regular maintenance. Furthermore, it can be visually confirmed that the substrate to which the colored liquid is not attached is a substrate before inspection.

  Further, according to the above configuration, since a pattern is provided in the end region of the printing surface and only the periphery (end region) is contaminated, an element as described later is formed in the central region of the printing surface, for example. Even if it is, the central area is not contaminated. Therefore, it is not necessary to remove the contaminating liquid (liquid film), and the liquid film can be used for the next step while being formed. That is, it is possible to improve throughput without requiring a step of removing the contaminating liquid (liquid film).

  Further, since the contaminating liquid formed by mixing the coloring material remains without being removed, the print pattern can be confirmed at an arbitrary timing thereafter.

  In addition, according to the above configuration, since the invisible ink pattern is visualized using the contaminating liquid obtained by mixing the coloring material, it is visualized using light having invisible energy as in the prior art. In contrast, transparent ink that is difficult to detect with light having an invisible energy component can be used, and there are many options for invisible ink.

  Moreover, according to said structure, it can print using the printing method using liquid ink.

  Moreover, according to said structure, since a printing pattern is visualized using a visible liquid, it can test | inspect even when a printing pattern is as thin as 0.1-0.2 micrometer. Moreover, the fact that it may be thin also means that consumption of ink can be suppressed.

  Therefore, the printing inspection method according to the present invention is versatile and can visually inspect the printing position of the invisible ink easily.

  Furthermore, according to the above configuration, the predetermined pattern in the end region and the predetermined pattern in the element formation region can be formed in a single step.

In addition to the above configuration, the printing inspection method according to the present invention includes:
In the printing step, it is preferable to print the predetermined pattern using relief printing.

  Specifically, it is preferable to print a pattern having at least one of a quadrangular shape, a frame shape, a circular shape, or a ring shape as the predetermined pattern using the relief printing.

  According to the above configuration, relief printing is used. In letterpress printing, the edge state of the pattern is influenced by the printing direction in principle. Specifically, when printing, for example, a rectangular frame-shaped pattern using letterpress printing, the two mutually opposing sides constituting the frame shape are slightly blurred on the upstream edge in the printing direction. On the other hand, the downstream edge in the printing direction is clearer than the upstream edge. The clear side has a clear boundary with the liquid film formed by the liquid application process. Therefore, if an inspection is performed using a clearer side, a highly accurate inspection can be performed.

In addition to the above configuration, the printing inspection method according to the present invention includes:
In the printing process,
A pattern for forming an element for forming a liquid film for forming a part of the structure of the element using the ink is printed on the element forming area using relief printing as the predetermined pattern of the element forming area. do it,
A pattern having at least one of a square shape, a frame shape, a circular shape, or a ring shape, and a dummy pattern different from the pattern are printed on the end region using relief printing as the predetermined pattern of the end region. And
The dummy pattern preferably has the same shape as at least a part of the element forming pattern.

  In letterpress printing, printing is performed while pressing a plate against a printing material. Therefore, it is important that the letterpress and the printing material are brought into substantially uniform contact within a printing region.

  However, the pattern formation state in the printing direction may be different between the predetermined pattern in the element formation region (element formation pattern) and the predetermined pattern in the end region that is the print inspection pattern. The element forming pattern and the print inspection pattern have different pressing pressures on the relief printing at the time of printing, and a difference occurs in the amount of extension of the relief printing in the printing direction. As a result, the element formation pattern is printed at a normal position, but the print inspection pattern is less extended in the printing direction, and the distance between the print inspection patterns is shorter than the equivalent distance portion of the element formation pattern. Therefore, it may be printed as if it is misaligned.

  In order to improve this, in the printing inspection method according to the present invention, as described above, a dummy pattern substantially the same as the element pattern is formed in the end region. As a result, the extension amount during printing of the element formation pattern and the print inspection pattern (rectangular shape, frame shape, circular shape, or ring-shaped pattern) is substantially the same. As a result, the positional deviation of the element pattern and the positional deviation of the print inspection pattern are substantially the same, and the positional deviation detection accuracy is improved. As a result, the occurrence of defects due to printing misalignment is reduced, which is effective in reducing costs.

In addition to the above configuration, the printing inspection method according to the present invention includes:
It is preferable to form a plurality of the predetermined patterns on the printing surface in the printing step.

  According to the above configuration, if the printing accuracy is inspected using two patterns having different formation positions, if the position is shifted, a part of the pattern is not visualized by the liquid film. The degree (degree) of positional deviation can be confirmed.

In addition to the above configuration, the printing inspection method according to the present invention includes:
A resin material is preferably applied as the liquid.

  According to said structure, since a liquid film is formed with resin, there exists intensity | strength. Therefore, even when another printing body is laminated on the printing surface of a certain printing body having the printing surface, a resin liquid film is formed between the printing body and the printing body. Serves as a spacer between. In particular, when elements are formed in areas other than the end area of the printing surface, stacking without such spacers causes the printed bodies to contact each other and destroy the elements, reducing product quality. It also takes time to transport and transport. However, if the resin liquid film functions as a spacer, the product quality does not deteriorate because there is no contact as described above. Moreover, since it can be laminated, it is compact and easy to transport and transport.

Moreover, in order to solve the above-described problem, still another print inspection method according to the present invention is provided.
A printing step in which a predetermined pattern is printed on an end region of the printing surface using invisible ink, and the ink is more repellent than a portion adjacent to the pattern in the end region; A printing process using ink showing liquidity;
A liquid application step of applying a liquid that is repelled by the pattern after the printing step and is mixed with a coloring material only to the end region in the printing surface;
An inspection step for inspecting the printing accuracy of the pattern from the shape of the liquid film formed by the liquid after the liquid application step,
In the printing step, a frame-shaped or ring-shaped pattern is printed as the predetermined pattern,
The liquid application step is characterized in that the liquid is applied only to a region surrounded by the frame-shaped or ring-shaped pattern.

  According to the above configuration, in addition to the above-described effects, the application area is small compared to the case where the liquid is applied to the entire surface of the end region, so that the amount of liquid used is reduced and the cost is reduced. can do.

In order to solve the above problems, the print inspection apparatus according to the present invention
Printing means for forming a predetermined pattern by printing an invisible ink on an end region on the printing surface, and the ink is more repellent than a portion adjacent to the pattern in the end region. Printing means using ink showing liquidity;
A liquid liquid repelled by the pattern formed by the printing means, and a liquid application means for applying the liquid obtained by mixing a coloring material only to the end region in the printing surface;
And an inspection means for inspecting the printing accuracy of the pattern from the shape of the liquid film of the liquid formed by the liquid application means.

  According to the above configuration, the printing inspection apparatus according to the present invention can easily manage the liquid. Because the coloring material is mixed, the location of the liquid is clear. Moreover, since the viscosity change etc. can be visually confirmed, it is easy to carry out regular maintenance. Furthermore, it can be visually confirmed that the substrate to which the colored liquid is not attached is a substrate before inspection.

  Further, according to the above configuration, since a pattern is provided in the end region of the printing surface and only the periphery (end region) is contaminated, an element as described later is formed in the central region of the printing surface, for example. Even if it is, the central area is not contaminated. Therefore, it is not necessary to remove the contaminating liquid (liquid film), and the process can proceed to the next manufacturing process while the liquid film is formed. That is, the process of removing the contaminating liquid is not required, and the throughput can be improved.

  Further, since the contaminating liquid formed by mixing the coloring material remains without being removed, the print pattern can be confirmed at an arbitrary timing thereafter.

  In addition, according to the above configuration, since the invisible ink pattern is visualized using the contaminating liquid obtained by mixing the coloring material, it is visualized using light having invisible energy as in the prior art. In contrast, transparent ink that is difficult to detect with light having an invisible energy component can be used, and there are many options for invisible ink.

  Moreover, according to said structure, it can print by the printing method using liquid ink.

  Moreover, according to said structure, since a printing pattern is visualized using a visible liquid, it can test | inspect even when a printing pattern is as thin as 0.1-0.2 micrometer. Moreover, the fact that it may be thin also means that consumption of ink can be suppressed.

  Therefore, the printing inspection apparatus according to the present invention is versatile and can visually and easily inspect the printing position of the invisible ink.

In addition to the above configuration, the print inspection apparatus according to the present invention includes:
The printing means is preferably a relief printing machine.

  In letterpress printing, the edge state of the pattern is influenced by the printing direction in principle. Specifically, when printing, for example, a rectangular frame-shaped pattern using letterpress printing, the two mutually opposing sides constituting the frame shape are slightly blurred on the upstream edge in the printing direction. On the other hand, the downstream edge in the printing direction is clearer than the upstream edge. The clear side has a clear boundary with the liquid film formed by the liquid application means. Therefore, if an inspection is performed using a clearer side, a highly accurate inspection can be performed.

In order to solve the above problems, a plate used for printing a predetermined pattern in the printing inspection method according to the present invention is as follows.
An invisible ink is used for the element formation region and the end region on the printed surface having an element formation region for forming an element and an end region provided in a region different from the element formation region. A printing process in which a predetermined pattern is simultaneously printed, and a printing process using an ink that exhibits liquid repellency as compared with a portion adjacent to the predetermined pattern in each region as the ink. , A plate for printing the predetermined pattern using relief printing,
A first pattern for printing an element forming pattern for forming a liquid film for forming a partial configuration of the element using the ink as the predetermined pattern of the element forming region;
A second pattern for printing a pattern of at least one of a square shape, a frame shape, a circular shape or a ring shape as the predetermined pattern of the end region, and a dummy pattern different from the at least one shape pattern A third pattern for printing, and
The third pattern is characterized in that it has the same shape as at least a part of the first pattern.

  In letterpress printing, printing is performed while pressing a plate against a printing material. Therefore, it is important that the letterpress and the printing material are brought into substantially uniform contact within a printing region.

  However, the pattern formation state in the printing direction may be different between the predetermined pattern in the element formation region (element formation pattern) and the predetermined pattern in the end region that is the print inspection pattern. The element forming pattern and the print inspection pattern have different pressing pressures on the relief printing at the time of printing, and a difference occurs in the amount of extension of the relief printing in the printing direction. As a result, the element formation pattern is printed at a normal position, but the print inspection pattern is less extended in the printing direction, and the distance between the print inspection patterns is shorter than the equivalent distance portion of the element formation pattern. Therefore, it may be printed as if it is misaligned.

  In order to improve this, the plate used for the printing inspection method according to the present invention is configured such that a dummy pattern substantially the same as the element pattern can be formed in the end region as described above. . Thereby, the extension amount at the time of printing with the pattern for element formation and the pattern for printing inspection (a square shape, a frame shape, a circular shape, or a ring-shaped pattern) can be made substantially the same. As a result, the positional deviation of the element pattern and the positional deviation of the print inspection pattern are substantially the same, and the positional deviation detection accuracy is improved. As a result, the occurrence of defects due to printing misalignment is reduced, which is effective in reducing costs.

  Also, one of the maintenance items of the letterpress printing machine is cleaning the letterpress surface. The purpose is to improve the printing quality by wiping off the dirt adhering to the letterpress surface with a cloth or the like. However, if the surface of the relief printing plate is repeatedly washed, a pattern for printing a predetermined pattern on the edge region of the plate may be damaged due to damage during washing.

  However, according to the above configuration, not only a pattern (second pattern) for printing a predetermined pattern in the end region, but also a pattern (third pattern) for printing a dummy pattern is provided. Compared to the case where only a pattern (second pattern) for printing a predetermined pattern is provided in the end region, damage to the pattern (second pattern) for printing the predetermined pattern in the end region is reduced. can do.

  Therefore, the plate used for printing the predetermined pattern in the printing inspection method according to the present invention can reduce the cost by extending the life of the plate compared with the case where the pattern for printing the dummy pattern is not provided. can do.

  According to the present invention, a printing inspection method, a printing inspection apparatus, and a printing inspection method capable of visually and simply inspecting a printing position of invisible ink that are versatile and for printing a predetermined pattern by the printing inspection method. You can provide a version to use.

It is a top view of the workpiece | work used for the printing inspection method in one Embodiment of this invention. It is the partial top view of the workpiece | work which showed the outline | summary of the printing inspection method in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a side view of the flexographic relief printing machine provided in the printing inspection apparatus used for the printing inspection method in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the plate cylinder provided in the flexographic relief printing machine shown in FIG. It is the figure which showed the upper surface of the workpiece | work from the left side of a paper surface, the upper surface of the printing result printed using the plate | version | printing cylinder of the flexographic relief printing press shown in FIG. 3, and the upper surface of the workpiece | work after printing. It is an enlarged view of a printing pattern. It is a figure of the liquid coating device provided in the printing inspection apparatus used for the printing inspection method in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the state which visualized the printing pattern. It is the figure which showed another aspect of the printing pattern visualization method. It is a figure which shows another aspect of the printing pattern visualization method. It is a side view which shows the state which accumulated the some workpiece | work. It is a figure which shows another aspect of the printing pattern visualization method. It is the figure which visualized the printing pattern. It is the figure which visualized the printing pattern. It is a figure which shows another aspect of the printing pattern visualization method. It is the figure which visualized the printing pattern. It is the figure which visualized the printing pattern. It is a partial top view of the plate used for the printing inspection method in one embodiment of the present invention. It is the figure which visualized the printing pattern. It is a partial top view of the plate on which no dummy pattern is formed. It is the figure which visualized the printing pattern. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the automatic maintenance of the plate | version | printing in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows a prior art.

[Embodiment 1]
The print inspection method and the print inspection apparatus according to the present invention can be widely used for manufacturing translucent products such as LED packages and color filters used in liquid crystal display devices, for example. Therefore, hereinafter, a print inspection method and a print inspection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8 by taking an LED package manufacturing process as an example.

(work)
First, FIG. 1 is a top view showing a configuration of a workpiece which is a target to be printed using the print inspection method according to the embodiment of the present invention and which is a target to be inspected for the print result.

  The work 20 shown in FIG. 1 has a substrate in which an LED package region (element formation region) 21a, which is a region in which a plurality of LED packages 30 are formed vertically and horizontally, is provided in the central region of the surface (printed surface). It is.

  An end region 21b surrounding the LED package region 21a is further provided on the surface of the work 20.

  As will be described later, in the print inspection method of the present embodiment, the print pattern 22 formed using colorless and transparent ink in the end region 21b is formed around the print pattern 22 in the end region 21b with a liquid containing a coloring material. It is to be contaminated and visualized. When the end region 21b is contaminated, the LED package region 21a is not contaminated. Therefore, it is one of the points of the present invention to prevent the LED package in the LED package region 21a from being adversely affected by contamination. That is, the LED package region 21a is a contamination-inhibiting region, and the end region 21b is a contamination-possible region.

  In addition, although the wiring 31a and 31b are formed in the edge area | region 21b of FIG. 1, since this wiring 31a and 31b is not the structure directly built in the LED package 30 of the LED package area 21a, It is less affected by contamination and is thus formed in the contaminatable area.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, since the LED package area 21a (contamination prohibited area) is in the center of the work, the outer peripheral area is set as a contaminatable area. However, the present invention is not limited to this and can be contaminated. The position of the area does not matter on the work as long as it is an area excluding the contamination prohibited area.

(Outline of printing inspection method)
FIG. 2 shows an enlarged view of the area A which is a part of the end region 21b shown in FIG. The outline of the print inspection method of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  The state shown by (a) in FIG. 2 shows a state in which the print pattern 22 is formed using colorless and transparent ink in the end region 21b. Although the print pattern 22 is invisible when the print pattern 22 is formed, for convenience of explanation, the print pattern 22 is indicated by a broken line in FIG.

  Next, (b) in FIG. 2 is a state in which the invisible print pattern 22 is visualized in an inspection process that is a subsequent process of the print process in which the print pattern 22 is formed in (a) in FIG. . The inspection process (visualization) is performed by applying a liquid containing a coloring material only around the printed pattern 22 in the end region 21b to form a liquid film. This liquid film is not removed after formation. In this specification, leaving the liquid film containing the coloring material as it is is called “contamination”. However, although the coloring material (liquid film) remains on the substrate (work) but is an area where the LED is not formed, the entire area is cut off and is not included in the final LED package.

  One of the points of this embodiment is that the printing process is performed simultaneously with a certain process in the manufacturing process of the LED package. This is because the invisible ink used in the printing process is the same material as the material for forming a part of the components of the LED package. That is, at the same time as forming a configuration for building a part of the components of the LED package in the LED package (exactly, the LED package is not a complete product at this time), the printing is performed on the end region 21b. The pattern 22 is printed.

  The printing of the printing pattern 22 is performed using a relief plate, details of which will be described later. On the relief plate, the relative positions of the uneven portion having a shape for forming the partial configuration of the LED package and the uneven portion having a shape to be a printing pattern are strictly designed. However, when the relief printing plate faces the workpiece 20 in the printing process, there may be a case where positional deviation occurs or printing is insufficient. Therefore, the inspection step is performed to inspect (detect) such a printing defect by visualizing the print pattern.

  Specifically, wirings 31a and 31b are formed on the workpiece 20 in the previous process of the printing process, and the relative positions of the wirings 31a and 31b and the electrodes or wirings of the LED package are correctly configured. When the positional relationship between the wiring 31a and 31b and the printing pattern formed by performing letterpress printing is inspected using the positions 31b and 31b as position indicators, the portion for forming the partial configuration of the letterpress LED package becomes the inside of the LED package. It is possible to determine whether or not the desired position (that is, a position suitable as a formation position for forming the partial configuration of the LED package) is aligned.

(Details of print inspection method and configuration of print inspection device)
(Printing process and printing device)
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a printing apparatus used in the above-described printing process.

  In the present embodiment, the printing process is performed using the flexographic relief printing press 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the flexographic relief printing machine 1 includes a plate cylinder 2, a stage 3, an anilox roll 9, a doctor blade 5, and an ink supply mechanism 6.

  The invisible ink to be printed on the workpiece 20 is supplied by the ink supply mechanism 6 onto the anilox roll 9 that is rotated by a predetermined amount. As the configuration of the ink supply mechanism 6, a configuration including an ink tank 7 and an ink pump 8 as shown in FIG.

  The invisible ink supplied to the anilox roll 9 is uniformly spread on the anilox roll 9 by the doctor blade 5 brought into contact with the anilox roll 9.

  The invisible ink on the anilox roll 9 is supplied onto the plate 4 by bringing the plate 4 adhered on the plate cylinder 2 rotating in synchronization with the rotation of the anilox roll 9 into contact with the anilox roll 9.

  The stage 3 is configured so that the workpiece 20 can be placed thereon. The stage 3 is configured to move in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 3 in synchronism with the plate cylinder 2 by a driving means (not shown).

  Accordingly, the invisible ink on the plate 4 is transferred to the work 20 when the plate 4 on the plate cylinder 2 and the work 20 come into contact with the movement of the stage 3.

  The method for placing the workpiece 20 on the stage 3 is not particularly limited, and may be realized by a conventionally known method and configuration.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the printing process is performed simultaneously with a certain process in the manufacturing process of the LED package.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the plate cylinder 2 has a roller structure that rotates about a central axis O as a rotation axis. Here, FIG. 4 is a side view of the plate cylinder 2 viewed from the curved surface side. As shown in FIG. 4, the plate 4 is adhered to the plate cylinder 2 along the curved surface. On the outer surface of the plate 4, there is a shape corresponding to the configuration for forming part of the components of each LED package 30 shown in FIG. 1 and the unevenness of the shape to be the print pattern 22 shown in FIGS. Concavities and convexities are provided.

  The flexographic relief printing press 1 is provided with an invisible ink supply unit (not shown) so that a predetermined amount of invisible ink can be supplied to the plate 4 of the plate cylinder 2.

  The plate cylinder 2 to which a predetermined amount of invisible ink is supplied to the plate 4 rotates around the central axis O as a rotation axis while contacting the surface of the work 20 placed on the stage 3 as shown in FIG. The ink having the above shape formed on the plate 4 is transferred (printed) onto the surface of the workpiece 20. At this time, since the ink has more liquid repellency than the surface of the workpiece 20, the shape can be maintained on the surface of the workpiece 20.

  Further, in order to transfer the transfer ink uniformly and without interruption, it is necessary to press the plate 4 against the work 20 while crushing the plate 4 by a predetermined amount. Thus, for example, at least one of the plate cylinder 2 and the stage 3 is provided with pressing means (not shown).

  Further, a cushioning material (not shown) for absorbing the impact is disposed between the stage 3 and the workpiece 20 so that the workpiece 20 is not excessively impacted when pressed.

  The transfer by the flexographic relief printing machine 1 is preferable because the pressing force (printing pressure) may be relatively light, and even when the workpiece 20 is thin, good transfer can be realized without breaking.

  The shape for the printing pattern 22 (FIGS. 1 and 2) formed on the outer surface of the plate 4 and the configuration shape for forming a part of the components of each LED package 30 (FIG. 1) These are not particularly limited, and may be determined according to the configuration.

  In FIG. 5, the left side of the paper is the surface of the work 20 placed on the stage 3 (the surface before transfer), the center of the paper is the printing result by the plate 4, the right side of the paper is the print pattern 22 on the work 20, and the LED package 30. The shape for forming a part of the constituent elements of FIG. 2 shows the surface of the workpiece 20 after being transferred onto the workpiece 20.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the workpiece 20 is substantially rectangular, and the print pattern 22 is configured to be formed at four corners of the rectangle. Further, the plate 4 is produced so that two printed patterns 22 having different shapes, ie, a frame-shaped pattern 23 and a ring-shaped pattern 24 are transferred to each corner (FIG. 5).

  When flexographic relief printing is used as described above, the shapes of the frame-shaped pattern 23 and the ring-shaped pattern 24 have the following merits.

  First, FIG. 6 is an enlarged view showing a frame-shaped pattern 23 and a ring-shaped pattern 24 transferred using flexographic relief printing. Flexographic letterpress printing is generally a rotary printing method as shown in FIG. 3, and the frame-shaped pattern 23 and the ring-shaped pattern 24 to be formed, as shown in FIG. Is affected. Specifically, when printing the square frame-shaped pattern 23, the two opposite sides constituting the frame shape are respectively slightly upstream on the upstream side in the printing direction, that is, the printing start side S is slightly unclear. On the other hand, the downstream edge in the printing direction, that is, the printing end side E becomes clearer than the upstream edge. Further, the edge R of the side along the printing direction is printed with a sharpness between the printing start side S and the printing end side E from the printing start side S to the printing end side E.

  As described above, since the sharpness of the edge is different between the printing start side S and the printing end side E, it is possible to perform a highly accurate inspection by performing the inspection described later using the clear side. .

  Note that the shape of the print pattern does not have to be a frame shape or a ring shape, and may be a geometric pattern or a character. Even in such a shape, the difference in the degree of sharpness is the same as described above. You can turn it on. In addition to the above-described difference in the degree of sharpness, in addition to the above, one or a plurality of shapes can be selected from a rectangle, a circle, or an ellipse.

  Further, as the printing pattern, the frame shape and the ring shape may be inferior to the rectangular shape and the circular shape in terms of plate durability during letterpress printing. By adopting a rectangular shape or a circular shape, the durability of the plate can be improved more than the frame shape or the ring shape.

  The plate 4 can be made of a photosensitive resin, but is not limited to this, and it is possible to select a material that is resistant to ink and that does not break even if it contacts a workpiece. preferable.

  Moreover, the shape of the frame-shaped pattern 23 and the ring-shaped pattern 24 can be formed by applying patterning light to the photosensitive resin plate 4.

(ink)
Here, the invisible ink transferred from the plate 4 to the workpiece 20 will be described.

  Invisible ink is colorless and transparent ink.

  In addition, even if it is not completely colorless and transparent, it can be used as the ink as long as it is hardly visible. That is, the gist of the present invention is to visualize a printing pattern obtained by transferring an invisible ink formed in an end region by forming a liquid film with a liquid containing a coloring material to be applied in a subsequent process. It is. As long as it does not deviate from this purpose, it may not be completely colorless and may not be completely transparent.

  The invisible ink does not need to contain a fluorescent material or a material that is excited by light of a predetermined wavelength, for example. Although it does not matter, the present invention does not visualize the printed pattern using these materials.

  Specific examples of the invisible ink include black ink and carbon black, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

  If printing can be satisfactorily realized using such invisible ink, the shape for forming a part of the components of the LED package 30 is set to a predetermined position as shown on the right side of FIG. It becomes possible to form with invisible ink. However, if the alignment between the workpiece 20 and the plate 4 fails, a product made of invisible ink is formed at a position other than a predetermined position, which adversely affects the product quality of the LED package 30. However, since the ink is invisible as described above, the shape for forming a part of the components of the LED package 30 formed with the invisible ink, the printed pattern 22 can be visually recognized as it is, or It is not possible to capture and analyze as an image by capturing the image as it is. Therefore, with these methods, it is not possible to determine whether printing has been performed satisfactorily. Therefore, when the printing process described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6 is completed, the printing pattern 22 is visualized, and an inspection process for inspecting the printing result as to whether or not printing has been performed is performed.

(Inspection process and inspection equipment)
In the inspection step, first, the contaminating liquid 40 obtained by mixing the coloring material is applied only to the end region 21b on the workpiece 20 using the liquid application apparatus 10 shown in FIG. The liquid coating apparatus 10 may be configured as a part of one apparatus combined with the flexographic relief printing press 1 or may be configured separately from the flexographic relief printing press 1. Further, the transfer of the workpiece 20 from the flexographic relief printing machine 1 to the liquid coating apparatus 10 can be performed by the driving means (not shown) as it is by the stage 3 of FIG.

  The coating method from the liquid coating apparatus 10 to the end region 21b of the workpiece 20 is not particularly limited, but a method that can control the coating region so that the coating solution does not adhere to the LED package region 21a is used.

  Specifically, a dispensing method, a stamp method, or the like can be employed.

(liquid)
Here, the liquid 40 applied from the liquid applying apparatus 10 to the end region 21b of the workpiece 20 will be described.

  When the liquid 40, which is a contaminating liquid obtained by mixing coloring materials, is applied and the solvent evaporates, a liquid film 40 'is formed.

  Specific examples of the liquid 40 include those using carbon black or the like as a coloring material and silicon resin or the like as a solvent, but are not limited to these examples, and the conditions described above are used. It is possible to employ the liquid 40 as long as it satisfies the requirements.

  As described above, the liquid film is not limited to the liquid film formation by the self-alignment of the liquid 40, and the technique is not particularly limited as long as the liquid film can be formed around the print pattern 22.

(Visualization)
FIGS. 8A and 8B show a liquid film 40 ′ formed by applying the liquid 40 as described above to the end region 21 b where the print pattern 22 is formed. 8A is a view showing the entire surface of the workpiece 20, and FIG. 8B is an enlarged view of the area B shown in FIG. 8A.

  As described above, the liquid 40 is applied only to the periphery of the print pattern 22 in the end region 21 b of the workpiece 20. That is, as shown in FIG. 8A, the liquid is applied only to the four corners of the work 20, as with the print pattern 22.

  Then, the liquid film 40 ′ is formed by the mechanism described above, and the periphery of the print pattern 22 is dyed, whereby the print pattern 22 of the invisible ink is visualized. If the positional relationship between the wiring 31a and the print pattern 22 is clearly set at the time of design, as shown in FIG. 8B, the wiring 31a and the print pattern 22 can be visualized as described above. By measuring the distance, it is possible to determine that the position of the invisible ink transferred (printed) in the printing process is at a desired position if it is within the design distance. On the other hand, when the distance is outside the design distance, it can be determined that the transfer position of the invisible ink is not at a desired position, and the product has or is highly likely to have a defect. .

  An imaging device can be used for visualizing and inspecting in this way.

(Operational effect of this embodiment)
As described above, when the print inspection method and the print inspection apparatus according to the present embodiment are used, when the print pattern is visualized, the print pattern is printed and dyed (contaminated) only in the contaminatable area on the workpiece 20. If an element is formed in the prohibited region, the element quality is not deteriorated without contaminating the element. Further, it can be used as the next step or product while the liquid film 40 ′ (FIGS. 8A and 8B) is formed. That is, the process of removing the liquid film 40 ′ is not required, and the throughput can be improved.

  In addition, since the liquid film 40 'formed by mixing the coloring material remains without being removed, the print pattern can be confirmed at an arbitrary timing thereafter.

  Furthermore, if the printing inspection method and printing inspection apparatus of this embodiment are used, management of the liquid 40 is easy. Because the coloring material is mixed, the location of the liquid is clear. Moreover, since the viscosity change etc. can be visually confirmed, it is easy to carry out regular maintenance. Furthermore, it can be visually confirmed that the substrate to which the colored liquid is not attached is a substrate before inspection.

  Further, since the contaminating liquid formed by mixing the coloring material remains without being removed, the print pattern can be confirmed at an arbitrary timing thereafter.

  In addition, according to the above configuration, since the invisible ink pattern is visualized using the contaminating liquid obtained by mixing the coloring material, it is visualized using light having invisible energy as in the prior art. In contrast, transparent ink that is difficult to detect with light having an invisible energy component can be used, and there are many options for invisible ink.

  Moreover, according to said structure, it can print using the printing method using liquid ink.

  Moreover, according to said structure, since a printing pattern is visualized using a visible liquid, it can test | inspect even when a printing pattern is as thin as 0.1-0.2 micrometer. Moreover, the fact that it may be thin also means that consumption of ink can be suppressed.

  Therefore, the printing inspection method according to the present invention is versatile and can visually inspect the printing position of the invisible ink easily.

  Moreover, if the printing inspection method and the printing inspection apparatus of the present embodiment are used, a part of the LED package manufacturing process in the LED package area 21a and the ink printing process in the end area 21b are performed simultaneously. As a result, the tact time can be shortened.

  Further, as described above, the print pattern can be confirmed at any time. That is, it is possible to determine whether or not a shape for forming a part of the constituent elements of the LED package is formed by visualizing the print pattern.

[Embodiment 2]
Another embodiment of the print inspection method according to the present invention will be described below.

  In the first embodiment described above, the liquid 40 is applied to the entire surface of the corner portion in the end region 21b of the workpiece 20 using the liquid applying apparatus 10 (FIG. 7). In the present embodiment, however, the frame-shaped pattern is used. After the two printed patterns 22 having different shapes, ie, 23 and the ring-shaped pattern 24, are transferred, the above-mentioned contamination property is applied only to the contamination-possible region in the central portion of the frame-shaped pattern 23 and the ring-shaped pattern 24. A liquid film 40 'is formed by adhering a liquid.

  FIG. 9 shows a state in which the liquid film 40 ′ is formed in the present embodiment. (A) in FIG. 9 is a top view of the entire workpiece, and (b) in FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the region C shown in (a) in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the method of supplying the liquid to a very narrow region such as the central portion of the frame-shaped pattern 23 and the ring-shaped pattern 24 can be performed using a dispenser, but is not limited thereto. is not.

  As described above, if the contaminating liquid is supplied only to the contaminatable region exposed at the central portion of the frame-shaped pattern 23 and the ring-shaped pattern 24, the amount of the liquid used is compared with that of the first embodiment. Can be reduced.

  Moreover, since it can dye | stain by non-contact by using a dispenser, an exchange member becomes unnecessary and it can expect a running cost fall.

[Embodiment 3]
Hereinafter, another embodiment of the print inspection method according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In the first embodiment described above, the liquid film 40 ′ for visualizing the print pattern 22 is intended only for visualization. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the liquid crystal is formed to prevent the formation surface of the LED package 30 on the workpiece 20 from coming into contact with the back surface of another workpiece. A feature is that the film 40 ′ is formed thick on the workpiece 20.

  In order to form thickly, it can implement | achieve by giving sclerosis | hardenability to the said contaminating liquid. Specifically, the liquid 40 can be made curable by containing a curable resin material. Such a liquid 40 can also be applied using the same method as in the first embodiment.

  By forming the liquid film 40 'thick, the workpieces 20 can be overlapped as shown in FIG. Even if they are overlapped in this way, the LED package 30 forming surface on a certain workpiece 20 does not come into contact with the back surface of another overlapped workpiece 20, and there is no possibility of damaging the LED package 30 forming surface. That is, the liquid film 40 ′ and the back surface of the workpiece 20 function as a cover for the LED package 30 formation surface, and the LED package 30 formation surface can be protected from an external impact or the like.

  Further, if the workpieces 20 can be overlapped as shown in FIG. 11, there is also an advantage that transportation and conveyance are easy.

[Embodiment 4]
Another embodiment of the print inspection method according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

  In the first embodiment described above, as shown in FIG. 8B, the distance between the wiring 31a and the print pattern 22 is measured. If the measured distance is the same as the design distance, printing is performed. If it is determined that the position of the invisible ink transferred (printed) in the process is at the desired position, and the measured distance deviates from the design distance, the invisible ink transfer position is inappropriate. It is judged that it was. In other words, the reference for determining that the transfer position of the invisible ink is inappropriate is only one value of design distance. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, even if the position of the invisible ink does not completely match the desired position, it is possible to make a determination with a certain allowable range to the extent that the product quality is not hindered. It has become.

  FIG. 12 is a top view showing one corner portion of the workpiece 20. When viewed on the XY plane (work surface) shown in FIG. 12, in this embodiment, the invisible ink print pattern is divided into four stages in two stages in the Y-axis direction and two stages in the X-axis direction. Patterns 22a to 22d are formed. The four first divided print patterns 22a, the second divided print pattern 22b, the third divided print pattern 22c, and the fourth divided print pattern 22d are all the same size and the same shape, and all are perpendicular to the Y-axis direction. This is a quadrangular pattern having a straight edge and an edge perpendicular to the X-axis direction.

  More specifically, the first divided print pattern 22a and the second divided print pattern 22b are arranged so as to be shifted from each other in the Y-axis direction and the X-axis direction, and are perpendicular to the Y-axis direction on the side close to each other. The sides are arranged in a straight line along the X-axis direction. That is, the coordinates (x1, y1) indicating the center position of the first divided print pattern 22a are different from the coordinates (x2, y2) indicating the center position of the second divided print pattern 22b. The first divided print pattern 22a has a length Y1 along the Y-axis direction, and the second divided print pattern 22b has a length Y2 along the Y-axis direction.

  In addition, the third divided print pattern 22c and the fourth divided print pattern 22d are arranged so as to be shifted from each other in the Y-axis direction and the X-axis direction. They are arranged in a straight line along the direction. That is, the coordinates (x3, y3) indicating the center position of the third divided print pattern 22c are different from the coordinates (x4, y4) indicating the center position of the fourth divided print pattern 22d. The third divided print pattern 22c has a length X1 along the X-axis direction, and the fourth divided print pattern 22d has a length X2 along the X-axis direction.

  Note that the coordinates (x1, y1), the coordinates (x2, y2), the coordinates (x3, y3), and the coordinates (x4, y4) are different from each other.

  In addition, the third divided print pattern 22c and the fourth divided print pattern 22d are arranged on the basis of a wiring or the like that is orthogonal to the first divided print pattern 22a and the second divided print pattern 22b. To do.

  FIG. 12 shows a state in which these four first divided print patterns 22a to 22d are formed at the most reference positions on the workpiece. That is, the state formed as designed is shown. As shown in FIG. 12, when the liquid film 40 'is formed by staining (contaminating) other than the wiring pattern of the workpiece, the first divided print pattern 22a and the fourth divided print pattern 22d are visualized. On the other hand, the second divided print pattern 22b and the third divided print pattern 22c are not visualized. When the length along the Y-axis direction of the visualized first divided print pattern 22a is measured, the length Y1 is in the case of FIG. On the other hand, when the length along the X-axis direction of the visualized fourth divided print pattern 22d is measured, the length X2 is obtained in the case of FIG.

  On the other hand, in FIG. 12, the second divided print pattern 22b and the third divided print pattern 22c are not visualized because they are formed on the wiring 31a.

  Next, FIG. 13 shows a work showing another visualization state. The state shown in FIG. 13 shows a state that is within an allowable range in the print inspection.

  In FIG. 13, the first divided print pattern 22a, the third divided print pattern 22c, and the fourth divided print pattern 22d are visualized, and the second divided print pattern 22b is not visualized. However, when the length along the Y-axis direction of the visualized first divided print pattern 22a is measured, the length is shorter than the length Y1 in the case of FIG. That is, the first divided print pattern 22a is only partially visualized. In FIG. 13, the length along the X-axis direction of the visualized fourth divided print pattern 22d is X2, but along the X-axis direction of the visualized portion of the third divided print pattern 22c. The length of the third divided print pattern 22c is shorter than the length X1 along the X-axis direction. That is, the third divided print pattern 22c is only partially visualized.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, it is possible to determine that the print result is good if a certain allowable range is provided without being limited to one value of the design distance.

  In the present embodiment, the allowable range in the Y-axis direction is −Y1 <measured Y <Y2. On the other hand, the allowable range in the X-axis direction is set to −X1 <measured X <X2.

  That is, in the present embodiment, a print pattern that can represent the lower limit value and the upper limit value of the allowable range in the Y-axis direction is formed, and printing that can represent the lower limit value and the upper limit value of the allowable range in the X-axis direction. A pattern is formed.

  In addition, two print patterns are formed in the Y-axis direction and two print patterns are formed in the X-axis direction so that it can be determined at a glance whether it is within the allowable range. There is no limit to the number of patterns formed.

  Finally, an example in which it is determined that the print result is defective (unsuitable) is shown in FIG. In FIG. 14, neither the first divided print pattern 22a indicating the allowable range in the Y-axis direction nor the second divided print pattern 22b is visualized. Further, the third divided print pattern 22c and the fourth divided print pattern 22d indicating the allowable range in the X-axis direction are both visualized, and in addition, the third divided print that is the lower limit value of the allowable range in the X-axis direction. A stained region is visible between the end of the pattern 22c and the wiring 31a. This state indicates that the printing position of the printing pattern is greatly deviated from the desired position. That is, this result means that the positional deviation also occurs in the configuration made of the same material as the printed pattern formed in the LED package 30 in the LED package region 21a. Therefore, it shows that the product quality of the LED package 30 is bad. In this way, the work that can be determined to be misaligned is separately collected from the work that is not misaligned.

  Hereinafter, still another aspect will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 15 shows a state in which these four first divided print patterns 22a to 22d are formed at the most reference positions on the workpiece. That is, the state formed as designed is shown. As shown in FIG. 15, when the workpiece 40 is dyed (contaminated) to form a liquid film 40 ', the first divided print pattern 22a to the fourth divided print pattern 22d are visualized. In this case, the second divided print pattern 22b and the third divided print pattern 22c on the wiring 31a and the first divided pattern 22a and the fourth divided pattern 22d not on the wiring 31a are visualized with different densities or colors. Here, the density or color when the printed pattern on the wiring 31a is visualized is expressed as a wiring color, and the density or color when the printed pattern that is not on the wiring 31a is visualized is expressed as a substrate color. When the above notation is used in the state of FIG. 15, by staining the work, the second divided print pattern 22b and the third divided print pattern 22c on the wiring 31a are visualized in the wiring color, and also on the wiring 31a. The first divided pattern 22a and the fourth divided pattern 22d that are not present can be expressed as being visualized in the substrate color. When the length along the Y-axis direction of the first divided print pattern 22a visualized in the substrate color is measured, the length Y1 is in the case of FIG. On the other hand, when the length along the X-axis direction of the fourth divided print pattern 22d visualized in the substrate color is measured, in the case of FIG. 15, the length is X2.

  On the other hand, when the length along the Y-axis direction of the second divided print pattern 22b visualized in the wiring color is measured, the length Y2 is obtained in the case of FIG. On the other hand, when the length along the X-axis direction of the third divided print pattern 22c visualized in the wiring color is measured, the length X1 is in the case of FIG.

  Next, FIG. 16 shows a work showing another visualization state. The state shown in FIG. 16 shows a state that is within an allowable range in the print inspection.

  In FIG. 16, the portion of the first divided print pattern 22a that is not on the wiring 31a, the portion of the third divided print pattern 22c that is not on the wire 31a, and the fourth divided print pattern 22d are visualized in the substrate color, and the first divided print is printed. The portion of the pattern 22a on the wiring 31a and the portion of the second divided printing pattern 22b and the third divided printing pattern 22c on the wiring 31a are visualized in the wiring color. However, when the length along the Y-axis direction of the first divided print pattern 22a visualized in the substrate color is measured, the length is shorter than the length Y1 in the case of FIG. That is, it can be seen that the print result is shifted within Y1 in the Y-axis direction. In FIG. 16, the length along the X-axis direction of the fourth divided print pattern 22d visualized in the substrate color is X2, but the portion visualized in the substrate color of the third divided print pattern 22c. The length along the X-axis direction is shorter than the length X1 along the X-axis direction of the third divided print pattern 22c. That is, it can be seen that the print result is shifted within X1 in the X-axis direction.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, it is possible to determine that the print result is good if a certain allowable range is provided without being limited to one value of the design distance.

  In the present embodiment, the allowable range in the Y-axis direction is −Y1 <measured Y <Y2. On the other hand, the allowable range in the X-axis direction is set to −X1 <measured X <X2.

  That is, in the present embodiment, a print pattern that can represent the lower limit value and the upper limit value of the allowable range in the Y-axis direction is formed, and printing that can represent the lower limit value and the upper limit value of the allowable range in the X-axis direction. A pattern is formed.

  In addition, two print patterns are formed in the Y-axis direction and two print patterns are formed in the X-axis direction so that it can be determined at a glance whether it is within the allowable range. There is no limit to the number of patterns formed.

  Finally, an example in which it is determined that the printing result is defective (unsuitable) is shown in FIG. In FIG. 17, both the first divided print pattern 22a and the second divided print pattern 22b showing the allowable range in the Y-axis direction are visualized in the wiring color. In addition, the third divided print pattern 22c and the fourth divided print pattern 22d indicating the allowable range in the X-axis direction are both visualized in the substrate color, and in addition, the lower limit value of the allowable range in the X-axis direction. A stained region is visible between the edge of the three-division print pattern 22c and the wiring 31a. This state indicates that the printing position of the printing pattern is greatly deviated from the desired position. That is, this result means that the positional deviation also occurs in the configuration made of the same material as the printed pattern formed in the LED package 30 in the LED package region 21a. Therefore, it shows that the product quality of the LED package 30 is bad. In this way, the work that can be determined to be misaligned is separately collected from the work that is not misaligned.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the print result is determined within a certain allowable range without being measured, the time for measurement becomes unnecessary, which contributes to the improvement of the tact time.

  In addition, by printing the print pattern at each diagonal position of the workpiece and performing a position shift inspection at each diagonal position, it is possible to inspect whether there is a rotational deviation in the workpiece. That is, when the positional deviation is within the allowable range at both the diagonal positions of the workpiece, it indicates that there is no rotational deviation.

  In addition, according to the configuration in which a plurality of print patterns are provided so as to be shifted from each other as in the present embodiment, it is possible to give a grade even to a work with good print results. For example, the ranking shown in FIG. 12 is A, and the ranking shown in FIG.

  Furthermore, although the print patterns 22a to 22d shown in FIGS. 12 to 17 are quadrangular, the shape of the print pattern is not limited to this, and a triangle, a rhombus, a circle, or the like can also be applied.

[Embodiment 5]
Hereinafter, another embodiment of the print inspection method according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In the first embodiment described above, the configuration in which the print inspection pattern (print pattern 22) is formed in the end region 21b of the workpiece has been described. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, in addition to the print inspection pattern (print pattern 22), a dummy pattern is formed in the element formation region (LED package region 21a) in the work end region 21b. A first dummy pattern 52 having the same shape as the element forming pattern 51 to be formed, and (ii) a second dummy pattern 53 and a third dummy pattern 54 having the same shape as a part of the shape of the element forming pattern 51 are formed. The point is different.

  FIG. 18 is a partial top view of a plate 4 ′ used for letterpress printing in the present embodiment. FIG. 19 is a partial top view of the work showing a print pattern in a state where the plate 4 ′ shown in FIG. 18 is printed on the work. FIG. 19 shows a state in which the plate 4 ′ of FIG. 18 is printed, so that the top and bottom are reversed from the top and bottom shown in FIG. For convenience of explanation, the print pattern is visualized in FIG.

  The plate 4 ′ shown in FIG. 18 includes an LED corresponding area (element corresponding area) 81a that is an area facing the LED package area 21a (FIG. 19) of the work at the time of printing, and an end area 21b (FIG. 19) of the work at the time of printing. And an end corresponding region 81b which is a region opposite to the region.

  A first pattern 510 for printing the element forming pattern 51 (FIG. 19) is provided in the LED corresponding area 81a of the plate 4 ′.

  Further, in the edge corresponding area 81b of the plate 4 ', four types of second patterns for printing a print inspection pattern on the edge area 21b and two kinds of second patterns for printing a dummy pattern on the edge area 21b. Three patterns are formed. Hereinafter, the four types of second patterns and the two types of third patterns will be described.

(Pattern for printing inspection patterns)
The four types of second patterns are the second (1) pattern 560 for printing the first print inspection pattern 56 in the end region 21b, and the second print inspection pattern 57 in the end region 21b. The second (2) pattern 570 for printing, the second (3) pattern 580 for printing the third print inspection pattern 58 in the end region 21b, and the fourth print inspection in the end region 21b. And a second (4) pattern 590 for printing the pattern 59 for use.

  The first print inspection pattern 56 (FIG. 19) printed by the 2- (1) pattern 560 shown in FIG. 18 is a pattern for aligning with the workpiece that is the printing object.

  A second print inspection pattern 57 (FIG. 19) printed by the second- (2) pattern 570 shown in FIG. 18 is a pattern for detecting a print misalignment in the Y-axis direction.

  A third print inspection pattern 58 (FIG. 19) printed by the second- (3) pattern 580 shown in FIG. 18 is a pattern for detecting a print misalignment in the X-axis direction.

  A fourth print inspection pattern 59 (FIG. 19) printed by the second- (4) pattern 590 shown in FIG. 18 is a pattern used in the inspection of another process.

(Pattern for printing dummy pattern)
The two types of third patterns are a third (1) pattern 520 having the same shape as the first pattern 510 and a third (2) having the same shape as a part of the first pattern 510. ) Pattern 530 and a third (3) pattern 540.

  The said 3- (1) pattern 520 is provided in the vicinity of the said 4 types of 2nd pattern formed in the area | region corresponding to the corner | angular part of the edge area | region 21b (FIG. 19) of a workpiece | work. The 3- (1) pattern 520 is composed of a plurality of the same shape as the first pattern 510 formed in the LED corresponding region (element corresponding region) 81a and arranged at the same interval.

  The 3- (2) pattern 530 is composed of a pattern 530a and a pattern 530b provided so as to sandwich the 2- (2) pattern 570.

  The 3- (3) pattern 540 is composed of a pattern 540 a and a pattern 540 b provided so as to sandwich the 2- (3) pattern 580.

(Print inspection of this embodiment)
Next, details of the print inspection realized in the present embodiment will be described based on a workpiece printed by relief printing using the plate 4 ′.

  Here, when the effect of this embodiment is described, the configurations shown in FIGS. 20 and 21 are given as comparative configurations. 20 is a partial top view of the plate 4, and FIG. 21 is a partial top view of the workpiece. The difference between the plate 4 ′ used in the present embodiment shown in FIG. 18 and the plate 4 shown in FIG. 20 is the third pattern for printing the dummy pattern, that is, the third (1-) pattern 520 to the third ( 3) Whether the pattern 540 is formed on the plate 4 or not. That is, FIG. 20 shows a second pattern for printing the first to fourth print inspection patterns 56 to 59 shown in FIG. 21, that is, the second (1) pattern 560 to the second (4) pattern 590. Only the end corresponding region 81b is formed. FIG. 21 can be said to have a configuration equivalent to the configuration realized by the above-described print inspection method of the first embodiment.

  The cross marks shown in FIGS. 19 and 21 indicate the element center position 63 of each element forming pattern 51. 19 and 21 indicate the end portions 61 and 62 of the wiring 31b, respectively. Note that the cross mark and the dashed line are not printed on the work but are shown on the display image in a pseudo manner when the upper surface of the work is imaged by a camera or the like in the inspection process.

  First, the comparative configuration will be described. As shown in FIG. 21, the center of the element formation pattern 51 coincides with the element center position 63 and the end portion 61 coincides with the center of the third inspection pattern 58. . On the other hand, the end 62 does not coincide with the center of the second inspection pattern 57. That is, a positional deviation occurs in the Y-axis direction. This positional deviation is caused by the fact that the dummy pattern is not printed.

  In letterpress printing, the printing surface of the plate 4 is slightly crushed between the plate copper 2 and the printing surface when transferring the ink by bringing the printing surface formed of resin or the like into contact with the printing surface. And is in contact with the printing surface while being slightly extended in the printing direction. Therefore, when the dummy pattern is not printed, the second pattern for printing the first to fourth print inspection patterns 56 to 59, that is, the second (1) pattern 560 to the second (4) pattern 590, Only pressure is applied during letterpress printing. This is the cause of the positional deviation in the Y-axis direction.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 19, in the present embodiment, the center of the element forming pattern 51 coincides with the element center position 63, and the end 61 coincides with the center of the third print inspection pattern 58. The end 62 coincides with the center of the second print inspection pattern 57.

  In the present embodiment, a first dummy pattern 52 is formed around the first print inspection pattern 56, and a second dummy pattern 53 is formed around the second print inspection pattern 57. A third dummy pattern 54 is formed around each print inspection pattern 58.

  Thus, in the present embodiment, the first to third dummy patterns 52 to 54 are replaced with the first to third print inspection patterns without forming the first to third print inspection patterns 56 to 58 alone. It is formed around 56-58. Further, the shape of the first dummy pattern 52 is the same as the shape of the element forming pattern 51. The shapes of the second dummy pattern 53 and the third dummy pattern 54 are the same as part of the shape of the element forming pattern 51.

  With such a configuration, the pressing pressure applied to the element forming pattern 51 at the time of letterpress printing, the first to third printing inspection patterns 56 to 58 and the first to third dummy patterns 52 to 51 in the end region 21b. The pressing pressure applied to the portion 54 during letterpress printing can be made substantially the same. Therefore, in this embodiment, the pressing pressure of the relief printing at the time of printing is substantially the same in the element forming pattern 51 portion and the first to fourth printing inspection patterns 56 to 59 in the printing direction of the relief printing plate. A difference hardly occurs between the extension amount of the element forming pattern 51 and the extension amounts of the first to fourth print inspection patterns 56 to 59. As a result, the difference between the distance between the element forming patterns 51 and the distance between the first patterns 510 in the plate 4 ′, the distance between the first to fourth printing inspection patterns 56 to 58, and the number in the plate 4 ′. The difference in distance from the distance between the 2- (1) pattern 560 to the second (3) pattern 580 is substantially the same, and the same pattern arrangement as the pattern arrangement provided on the plate 4 ′ is generated without causing a positional shift. Can be printed.

  Then, the first to third dummy patterns 52 to 54 are printed, and the positional deviations of the second print inspection pattern 57 and the third print inspection pattern 58 are measured from the end portions 61 and 62, whereby the element Printing deviation of the forming pattern 51 can be detected with high accuracy. That is, it is possible to detect a printing shift with higher accuracy than when no pattern for printing a dummy pattern is provided in the end corresponding region 81b.

  Therefore, the use of the plate 4 ′ provided with the third (1) pattern 520 to the third (3) pattern 540 for printing the dummy pattern is the third (1) for printing the dummy pattern. Printing displacement can be measured with higher accuracy than using the plate 4 not provided with the pattern 520 to the third (3) pattern 540.

(Maintenance of plate 4 ')
In this embodiment, the dummy pattern is printed by providing the plate 4 'with the 3- (1) pattern 520 to the 3- (3) pattern 540 for printing the first to third dummy patterns 52-54. The life of the plate 4 'can be extended as compared with the printing inspection method that does not.

  Here, a general plate maintenance method is to remove the plate 4 mounted on the plate copper 2 (FIG. 3) from the plate copper 2, and remove the foreign matter adhering to the surface of the plate 4 and the residue of the printing ink. A method of wiping with a cloth soaked in is used.

  At this time, it is necessary not to damage the pattern formed on the surface of the plate 4, but pressure is inevitably applied to the surface of the plate 4.

  In this case, in the plate 4 in which the pattern for printing the dummy pattern is not provided, pressure is applied only to the pattern for printing the print inspection pattern, while the 3- (1) pattern 520- In the plate 4 ′ in which the third (3) pattern 540 is provided, the third (1) pattern 520 to the third (3) pattern 540 and the second (1) pattern 560 to the second (4) Pressure is applied to both patterns 590. Therefore, the plate 4 ′ provided with the pattern for printing the dummy pattern is more dispersed in pressure than the plate 4 on which the pattern is not formed, and the second (1) pattern 560 to the second -(4) The pressure applied to the pattern 590 is reduced.

  As a result, it is possible to prevent the second (1) pattern 560 to the second (4) pattern 590 from being damaged during maintenance, so that the replacement period of the plate 4 'can be lengthened. Therefore, the running cost can be reduced.

(Automatic maintenance of version 4)
Hereinafter, the maintenance of the plate 4 will be described. FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram for explaining automatic maintenance of the plate 4. As shown in the figure, the automatic maintenance in the present embodiment wipes off foreign matters adhering to the surface of the plate 4 and printing ink residues in the state where the plate 4 is mounted on the plate copper 2. The cleaning unit 73 is equipped with a wiping member 71 and an elastic member 72, and the elastic member 72 supports the wiping member 71. A moving mechanism (not shown) causes the cleaning unit 73 to contact or retract the plate 4, so that the wiping member 71 wipes off the surface of the plate of the plate 4.

  When the plate 4 is in the position shown in FIG. 22A, the moving mechanism brings the wiping member 71 into contact with the plate 4. While maintaining the state in which the wiping member 71 is in contact with the plate 4, the plate copper 2 and the plate 4 are rotated until the plate 4 is positioned at the position shown in FIG. Wipe off any dirt on the surface. Thereafter, the wiping member 71 is separated (retracted) from the plate 4 as shown in FIG. Then, the copper plate 2 and the plate 4 rotate to the position shown in FIG. If further maintenance is required, the above operation is repeated to wipe off foreign matter adhering to the surface of the plate 4 and printing ink residue.

  In such a maintenance method, since it is not necessary to remove the plate 4 from the plate copper 2, the time for removing the plate 4 from the plate copper 2 can be shortened, and maintenance can be performed between printings. In addition, since automatic maintenance can eliminate the difference in maintenance work between workers that may occur when performing manual maintenance, the state of the surface of the plate 4 (foreign matter adhering to the surface of the plate 4 and The state where the printing ink residue or the like remains in the plate 4 is also more uniform than in the case of manual maintenance, and contributes to the stabilization of the printing quality.

(Durability of plate 4)
Table 1 below is a table showing the results of the durability test of the plate 4 by the maintenance method described above.

  As shown in the table, the plate 4 on which the 3- (1) pattern 520 to the 3- (3) pattern 540 are not provided is damaged when the number of washings is 800, whereas the plate 3- (1 ) The plate 4 ′ provided with the pattern 520 to the third (3) pattern 540 is damaged when the number of cleanings is 1600 times. Therefore, the plate 4 ′ provided with the third (1) pattern 520 to the third (3) pattern 540 can endure approximately twice as many times of cleaning as compared with the case where the pattern is not provided. It was shown to have

  That is, in the plate 4 ′ provided with the third (1) pattern 520 to the third (3) pattern 540, only the second (1) pattern 560 to the second (4) pattern 590 are washed. The burden can be prevented. That is, by forming the third (1) pattern 520 to the third (3) pattern 540, the pressure applied to the second (1) pattern 560 to the second (4) pattern 590 can be dispersed. it can. As a result, a more durable plate can be obtained as compared with a case where a pattern for printing a dummy pattern is not provided.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope shown in the claims, and embodiments obtained by appropriately combining technical means disclosed in different embodiments. Is also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  The present invention can be widely used to manufacture translucent products such as LED packages and color filters used in liquid crystal display devices.

1 Flexo letterpress printing machine (printing inspection equipment, printing means)
2 Plate cylinder 3 Stage 4, 4 'plate 5 Doctor blade 6 Ink supply mechanism 7 Ink tank 8 Ink pump 9 Anilox roll 10 Liquid coating device (liquid coating means)
20 Work 21a LED package area 21b End area 22 Print pattern 22a First divided print pattern 22b Second divided print pattern 22c Third divided print pattern 22d Fourth divided print pattern 23 Frame-shaped pattern 24 Ring-shaped pattern 30 LED package 31a Wiring 31b Wiring 40 Liquid 40 'Liquid film 51 Element forming pattern 52 First dummy pattern 53 Second dummy pattern 54 Third dummy pattern 56 First printing inspection pattern 57 Second printing inspection pattern 58 Third printing Inspection pattern 59 Fourth printing inspection pattern 61 End 62 End 71 Wiping member 72 Elastic member 73 Cleaning unit 81a LED corresponding area 81b End corresponding area 510 First pattern 520 Third 3- (1) pattern 530 Third (2) Pattern 540 3- 3) pattern 540a, b pattern 560 second-1 pattern 570 a 2- (2) pattern 580 a 2- (3) pattern 590 a 2- (4) pattern

Claims (12)

A printing step in which a predetermined pattern is printed on an end region of the printing surface using invisible ink, and the ink is more repellent than a portion adjacent to the pattern in the end region; A printing process using ink showing liquidity;
A liquid application step of applying a liquid that is repelled by the pattern after the printing step and is mixed with a coloring material only to the end region in the printing surface;
A printing inspection method including an inspection step of inspecting the printing accuracy of the pattern from the shape of a liquid film formed by the liquid after the liquid application step. On the printed surface, an element formation region for forming an element is provided in a region different from the end region,
In the printing step, the ink is printed on the edge region, and at the same time, a liquid film for forming a partial configuration of the element is formed using the ink in the element formation region. The printing inspection method according to claim 1. An invisible ink is used for the element formation region and the end region on the printed surface having an element formation region for forming an element and an end region provided in a region different from the element formation region. A printing step of simultaneously printing and forming a predetermined pattern, and a printing step using, as the ink, an ink that is more liquid-repellent than a portion adjacent to the predetermined pattern in each of the regions;
After the printing step, the liquid is repelled by the predetermined pattern printed in the end region, and the liquid formed by mixing a coloring material is used only for the end region in the printing surface. A liquid application process to be applied to
A printing inspection method comprising, after the liquid application step, an inspection step of inspecting a printing accuracy of the predetermined pattern printed in the end region from a shape of a liquid film formed by the liquid.   The printing inspection method according to claim 1, wherein in the printing step, the predetermined pattern is printed using letterpress printing.   The printing inspection method according to claim 4, wherein a pattern having at least one of a quadrangular shape, a frame shape, a circular shape, or a ring shape is printed as the predetermined pattern by using the relief printing. In the printing process,
A pattern for forming an element for forming a liquid film for forming a part of the structure of the element using the ink is printed on the element forming area using relief printing as the predetermined pattern of the element forming area. do it,
A pattern having at least one of a square shape, a frame shape, a circular shape, or a ring shape, and a dummy pattern different from the pattern are printed on the end region using relief printing as the predetermined pattern of the end region. And
The print inspection method according to claim 3, wherein the dummy pattern has the same shape as at least a part of the element forming pattern.   The printing inspection method according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the predetermined patterns are formed on the printing surface in the printing step.   The printing inspection method according to claim 1, wherein a resin material is applied as the liquid. A printing step in which a predetermined pattern is printed on an end region of the printing surface using invisible ink, and the ink is more repellent than a portion adjacent to the pattern in the end region; A printing process using ink showing liquidity;
A liquid application step of applying a liquid that is repelled by the pattern after the printing step and is mixed with a coloring material only to the end region in the printing surface;
An inspection step for inspecting the printing accuracy of the pattern from the shape of the liquid film formed by the liquid after the liquid application step,
In the printing step, a frame-shaped or ring-shaped pattern is printed as the predetermined pattern,
In the liquid application step, the liquid is applied only to a region surrounded by the frame-shaped or ring-shaped pattern. Printing means for forming a predetermined pattern by printing an invisible ink on an end region on the printing surface, and the ink is more repellent than a portion adjacent to the pattern in the end region. Printing means using ink showing liquidity;
A liquid liquid repelled by the pattern formed by the printing means, and a liquid application means for applying the liquid obtained by mixing a coloring material only to the end region in the printing surface;
A printing inspection apparatus comprising: an inspection unit that inspects the printing accuracy of the pattern from the shape of the liquid film of the liquid formed by the liquid application unit.   The printing inspection apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the printing unit is a relief printing machine. An invisible ink is used for the element formation region and the end region on the printed surface having an element formation region for forming an element and an end region provided in a region different from the element formation region. A printing process in which a predetermined pattern is simultaneously printed, and a printing process using an ink that exhibits liquid repellency as compared with a portion adjacent to the predetermined pattern in each region as the ink. , A plate for printing the predetermined pattern using relief printing,
A first pattern for printing an element forming pattern for forming a liquid film for forming a partial configuration of the element using the ink as the predetermined pattern of the element forming region;
A second pattern for printing a pattern of at least one of a square shape, a frame shape, a circular shape or a ring shape as the predetermined pattern of the end region, and a dummy pattern different from the at least one shape pattern A third pattern for printing, and
The shape of the third pattern is the same as the shape of the first pattern and / or the same as a part of the shape of the first pattern, and is used for printing a predetermined pattern by a printing inspection method. Edition.

Images