Adaptive registration during precision graphics cutting from multiple sheets

摘要

A method and programmed apparatus for cutting graphics from substantially-identical sheets with graphics and registration marks printed thereon using a plotter and controlled cutter and sensor movable over the sheets, including: (1) sensing work-surface positions of the marks of a sheet and calculating an expected work-surface position for each such mark based on the work-surface positions of other marks of the sheet; (2) classifying each mark as active or inactive based on a first error criterion and applying the classification to corresponding marks of a subsequent sheet, the active marks being fewer than the total number of printed marks; (3) sensing the work-surface positions of the active marks of the subsequent sheet; and (4) cutting the graphics from the subsequent sheet based on the sensed positions of the active marks, thereby reducing the time for accurate cut-processing of the subsequent sheet.

主权项

1. In a method for cutting graphics areas from a multiplicity of substantially-identical sheets having registration marks at predetermined positions at and about the graphics areas, including (a) providing a plotter for sequentially receiving the sheets, (b) providing a sensor operatively connected to the plotter for moving over a work surface and configured to sense work-surface positions of registration marks of the sheets, (c) providing a cutter operatively connected with respect to the sensor and movable to cut the graphics areas from a sheet in response to sensed registration-mark positions with respect to the work surface, and (d) providing a programmed controller operatively connecting the cutter to the sensor to control cutter movement, the improvement comprising:
sensing the work-surface positions of the registration marks of a sheet and calculating an expected work-surface position for each registration mark based on the work-surface positions of at least some of the other registration marks; classifying each registration mark as active or inactive based on a first error criterion and applying the classification to corresponding marks of a subsequent sheet, the active marks being fewer than the total number of registration marks; sensing the work-surface positions of the active registration marks of the subsequent sheet; and cutting the graphics area(s) from the subsequent sheet based on the sensed positions of the active marks,thereby reducing the time for accurate cut-processing of the subsequent sheet.