APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PRINTING ROLL CLEANING

Abstract

The invention relates to a device and method for cleaning the surface of a printing roll, such as an anilox roll. The device includes a laser-equipped assembly adapted to project a laser beam on the surface of the printing roll. The laser-equipped assembly uses a reflector and a lens to guide the laser beam along a predetermined path on the surface of the printing roll. In some embodiments, an autofocus system may be included to move the lens so that the desired focal point for the laser beam on the printing roll surface is achieved.

Claims

1. An apparatus for cleaning a printing roll, the apparatus comprising: a mount adapted to rotatably secure the printing roll; a laser-equipped assembly, the laser-equipped assembly comprising: a laser source configured to generate and direct a laser beam; a reflector positioned to receive the laser beam from the laser source and to redirect the laser beam across a path; and a lens adapted to receive the laser beam from the reflector and to focus the laser beam to a focal position; and an autofocus system comprising: a carrier operatively connected with the lens and adapted to adjust the position of the lens relative to a surface of the printing roll; and a distance determiner.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the reflector is a reciprocating reflector.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the laser-equipped assembly comprises a housing and the lens is positioned within the housing, the housing further defining an aperture through which the laser beam is directed, the aperture further comprising at least one lateral shield adapted to occlude a portion of the aperture.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the lateral shield is adjustable to occlude a greater or lesser portion of the aperture.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the reflector is a rotatable polygonal reflector and redirects the laser beam across a unidirectional path.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, the distance determiner comprising an active autofocus system.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, the active autofocus system comprising: an energy emitter configured to transmit an emitted energy at the surface of the printing roll and to reflect reflected energy from the surface of the printing roll; an energy receiver adapted to receive the reflected energy and generate a signal representing a characteristic of the reflected energy; and a processor programmed to determine a distance of the surface of the printing roll to the laser assembly based on the signal, the processor further programmed to actuate the carrier to adjust the position of the lens relative to the surface of the printing roll such that the focal position of the laser is positioned as desired on the printing roll surface.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, the active autofocus system comprising a triangulation system, the triangulation system comprises: a second laser source adapted to direct a second laser beam on the printing roll surface, a camera adapted to determine a location where the second laser beam contacts the printing roll surface, and a processor programmed to calculates based on triangulation the distance of the laser assembly to the printing roll surface.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, the emitter is configured to emit at least one of a laser beam, an infrared light, a collimated light beam, and an ultrasonic signal.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the signal comprises at least one of a receipt time for the reflected energy and an intensity of the reflected energy.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, the distance determiner comprising a passive autofocus system.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, the passive autofocus system comprising a phase detector.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, the passive autofocus system comprising a contrast detector.

14. An apparatus for cleaning a printing roll, the apparatus comprising: a support adapted to position a laser-equipped assembly comprising an autofocus system in operative proximity to the printing roll; the laser-equipped assembly mounted with the support, the assembly comprising: a laser source configured to generate and direct a laser beam; and a movable reflector positioned to receive the laser beam from the laser source and to repeatably redirect the laser beam along a predetermined path; and a lens adapted to receive the laser beam from the reflector and to direct the laser beam to a focal position; and the autofocus system comprising: a carrier operatively connected to the lens; an emitter configured to transmit an emitted energy at the surface of the printing roll such that a reflected energy from the surface of the printing roll is subsequently reflected; an energy receiver adapted to receive the reflected energy and generate a signal representing a characteristic of the reflected energy; a processor programmed to determine the distance of the surface of the printing roll to the laser assembly based on the signal and to actuate the carrier to adjust the position of the lens relative to the surface of the printing roll.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the reflector is a reciprocating reflector.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the laser-equipped assembly comprise a housing, wherein the lens is positioned within the housing, the housing further defining an aperture through which the laser beam is directed, the aperture further comprising at least one lateral shield adapted to occlude a portion of the aperture.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the lateral shield is adjustable.

18. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the reflector is a rotatable polygonal reflector and redirects the laser beam across a unidirectional path.

19. The apparatus of claim 14, the emitter configured to emit at least one of a laser beam, an infrared light, or a collimated light beam.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the characteristic of the reflected energy comprises at least one of a receipt time of the reflected energy and an intensity of the reflected energy.

21. An apparatus for cleaning a printing roll, the apparatus comprising: a mount comprising a plurality of parallel rollers adapted to support and the printing roll; a drive system operatively connected to the parallel rollers, the drive system rotating the plurality of parallel rollers; a laser-equipped assembly mounted on a conveyor, the conveyer adapted to move the assembly parallel to the printing roll on the mount, the laser-equipped assembly comprising: a laser source configured to generate and direct a laser beam, a reflector positioned to receive the laser beam from the laser source and to redirect the laser beam across a path, a lens adapted to receive the laser beam from the polygonal reflector and to focus the laser beam to a focal position; and an autofocus system comprising, a carrier operatively connected with the lens and adapted to adjust the position of the lens relative to a surface of the printing roll, and a distance determiner.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the reflector is a reciprocating reflector.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the laser-equipped assembly comprise a housing, wherein the lens is positioned within the housing, the housing further defining an aperture through which the laser beam is directed, the aperture further comprising at least one lateral shield adapted to occlude a portion of the aperture.

24. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the reflector is a rotatable polygonal reflector and redirects the laser beam across a unidirectional path.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and form a part of the specification, schematically illustrate one or more exemplary embodiments of the invention and, together with the general description given above and detailed description given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention, and wherein:

[0025] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an anilox roll cleaning apparatus in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the anilox roll cleaning apparatus of FIG. 1 without the anilox roll;

[0027] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the laser assembly of FIG. 1 shown in an assembled state;

[0028] FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the laser assembly of FIG. 2 with an external housing removed to show the interior

[0029] FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective schematic view of a laser source and a reciprocating reflector according a preferred embodiment of the invention;

[0030] FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective schematic view of a laser source and a rotating polygonal reflector according to an alternative preferred embodiment of the invention; and

[0031] FIG. 6 is an enlarged side schematic view of a laser beam engaging the surface of an anilox roll with the laser assembly shown with the external housing removed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are now described with reference to the Figures. Reference numerals are used throughout the detailed description to refer to the various elements and structures. Although the following detailed description contains many specifics for the purposes of illustration, a person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that many variations and alterations to the following details are within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following embodiments of the invention are set forth without any loss of generality to, and without imposing limitations upon, the claimed invention. The present invention relates to a system for removing materials such as paint and other coatings from various surfaces, wherein the system includes a laser scanner having multiple optics. With reference now to the Figures, one or more specific embodiments of this invention shall be described in greater detail.

[0033] Referring to FIG. 1, an anilox roll cleaning machine according a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown. As discussed, the anilox roll is discussed by way of example with the understanding that the present invention is suitable for use with other printing rolls. The machine 10 includes a frame 12. Supported by the frame 12 is a conveyor 13 comprising a pair of tracks 14 and 16. Mounted with the conveyor is a laser-equipped assembly 18, which will be discussed in further detail below. Positioned parallel to the conveyor is a mount 19, which in this embodiment comprise a plurality of rollers 20 and one that is not visible in this drawing (FIG. 1A). In this embodiment, each of the pair of rollers is similarly configured. Roller 20 includes a plurality of spaced discs 21, 22, 23, and 24 rotatably secured to an axle 25. The rollers 20 and the roller not visible are aligned parallel to one another and spaced such that a variety of different sized anilox rolls, such as anilox roll 24, may be supported by the rollers. During the cleaning operation, the laser-equipped assembly 18 is moved by the conveyor 13 along and parallel to the anilox roll 24. While in this preferred embodiment, the conveyor 13 comprises a pair of tracks 14 and 16, any conveyor suitable to support and move the lase-equipped assembly parallel to the anilox roll as is known in the art may be used. The mount 19 may include other configurations, such as additional rollers, or axial mounts for rotating the anilox roll 24. Operatively connected to the mount is a drive system 26. The drive system 26 may be mechanically or electrically driven or driven by any means known in the art to cause the anilox roll 24 to be rotated. The drive may also include a fine tuning adjustment to increase or decrease the speed of the rollers.

[0034] Referring to FIG. 2, the laser-equipped assembly 18 comprises a housing 28. The housing 28 may include a plurality of exhaust ports 30, 32 to vent heat from the assembly 18. In this preferred embodiment, the housing 28 defines an aperture 34 parallel to and facing the anilox roll 24. The aperture 34 includes on lateral sides thereof a pair of lateral shields 36 and 38. The shields 36 and 38 are secured to the housing by way of bolts 40 passed through slots 42. The shields 36 occlude a portion of aperture 34. The amount of occlusion may be adjusted by varying the position of the bolts 40 within the slots 42. As will be discussed in further detail, the laser-equipped assembly 18 generates a laser beam 44, which exits through aperture 34 to focus laser energy on the surface of the anilox roll 24. The laser beam is of a power sufficient to burn away any ink or other residue in the cells of the anilox roll 24 without damaging the surface of the anilox roll itself.

[0035] Shown in FIG. 3 is a view of the interior of the laser-equipped assembly 18 with the housing 28 removed. A laser source 46 is provided to generate laser beam 44. In this particular embodiment, the laser source 46 is mounted vertically, but may alternatively be mounted horizontally. A reflector (not shown) is included in reflector assembly 48. Lens 50 is provided to receive the laser beam from the reflector after exiting the reflector assembly 48 to focus laser beam 44. Lens 50 is mounted with carrier 52 of autofocus system 54. In this embodiment, the lateral position of the lens 50 relative to the reflector assembly 48 is adjustable such that the focal point of the laser energy is adjustable. The autofocus system 54 further includes a distance determiner 56. The distance determiner 56 communicates with a programmed processor 60, which determines whether the distance of the laser assembly to the surface of the anilox roll is as desired. The processor then causes the carrier 52 to be adjusted to move the lens 50 so it is in a desired position.

[0036] It should be understood that there are various ways to measure distance, and the distance determiner 56 may utilize different methods. For example, the distance determiner 56 may include an energy emitter that emits ultrasonic sound waves or infrared light. In the first case, sound waves are emitted, and by measuring the delay in their reflection, distance to the subject is calculated. With an infrared light emitter, two emitters may be used to triangulate the distance to the anilox roll surface. Another type of distance determiner may use a laser rangefinder. Such a rangefinder uses a laser beam to determine the distance to the anilox roll surface. Similar to the ultrasonic emitter, a laser rangefinder may operate on the time of flight principle by sending a laser pulse towards the anilox roll surface measuring the time for the return reflection. Alternatively, a laser rangefinder may utilize triangulation techniques.

[0037] Alternative to the aforementioned active autofocus methods, a passive autofocus system can be used. One such method utilizes phase detection. Phase detection is achieved by dividing incoming light into pairs of images and comparing them. Another form of passive autofocus involves contrast detection, which is achieved by measuring contrast within a sensor field through a lens. The intensity difference between adjacent pixels of the sensor naturally increases with correct image focus. The optical system can thereby be adjusted until the maximum contrast is detected.

[0038] Referring to FIG. 4, one preferred embodiment of a reflector is described. The reflector 100 receives a laser beam 44 from laser source 46, which in this example is depicted as a vertically disposed laser source. The laser beam 44 strikes reflector face 102, which is mounted on reflector body 103. The laser beam 44 is then redirected as shown. The reflector body is operatively connected to an oscillator (not shown), which causes the reflector body 104 to pivot back and forth a desired magnitude and frequency. As the reflector body 104 is pivoted, the angle of the reflector face 102 relative to the laser source changes. Since the generation of the laser beam 44 is continuous, the laser beam, when it contacts the surface of the anilox roll, moves along a linear path. With the reciprocating or oscillating reflector, the laser traces a back and forth pattern. Because the reflector body, as it pivots, must decelerate, change direction, and accelerate at the ends of its cycle, the laser is directed to the edges of the linear path for a greater amount of time than in the middle of the path. This may cause burn outs. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the linear shields 36 occlude the aperture to block such portions of the laser's linear path so that the laser does not reach the anilox roll surface.

[0039] Referring to FIG. 5, an alternative preferred embodiment of a reflector is described. In this embodiment, a polygonal reflector 200 is included. Similar to the reciprocating reflector, the polygonal reflector 200 receives a laser beam 44 from laser source 46. The laser beam 44 strikes facets 202, 204, 206, 208, 210, and 212 of the polygonal reflector as it is rotated. In this embodiment a hexagonal reflector is shown, but other polygons may be used. The polygons, however, should be regular polygons. As the polygonal reflector 200 is rotated and the laser is reflected off of a facet, such as facet 202, the angle of the facet relative to the laser source 46 changes, such that the reflected laser traces a linear path on the anilox roll surface. Unlike with the reciprocating reflector, the polygonal reflector is rotated in a single direction, not back and forth. Accordingly, the laser traces a unidirectional path on the surface of the anilox roll. This configuration will not result in burn outs since the reflector moves at a constant rate. In such an embodiment, linear shields are unnecessary. Also, because there is no need to change direction, the speed at which the laser path can be traced can be higher.

[0040] Referring to FIG. 6, further explanation of the autofocus system. In this example, the lens 50 is such that the optimal distance of the lens from the anilox roll surface 70 is 150 mm. The autofocus system 54 adjusts the distance of the lens relative to the anilox roll surface 70 such that the lens is 150 mm away.

[0041] While the present invention has been illustrated by the description of exemplary embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been described in certain detail, it is not the intention of the Applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to any of the specific details, representative devices and methods, and/or illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of the applicant's general inventive concept.