Method for registering patterns on a web

Abstract

A method for registering patterns on a web to provide independent scale control in both the lateral and longitudinal directions is provided. The method includes routing the web over a first roller; routing the web over a second roller and stabilizing the web; applying a pattern to the web using process hardware; measuring registration of the pattern and providing an error signal; controlling lateral position error using the error signal; controlling longitudinal position error using the error signal; controlling lateral scale error using the error signal; and controlling longitudinal scale error using the error signal. The method provides independent scale control in both the lateral and longitudinal directions. Independent scale control avoids non-linear distortions otherwise imposed by attempting to accomplish both corrections by stretching the web in both directions.

1 . A method for registering patterns on a web, comprising the steps of:
 routing the web over a first roller;   routing the web over a second roller and stabilizing the web;   applying a pattern to the web using process hardware;   measuring registration of the pattern and providing an error signal;   controlling lateral position error using the error signal; and   controlling longitudinal position error using the error signal.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  including the step of controlling the lateral position error by controlling web position with a web guider. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  including the step of controlling the lateral position error by moving the process hardware laterally. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  including the step of controlling the longitudinal position error by synchronizing the action of the process hardware with the longitudinal motion of the web. 
   
   
       5 . A method for registering patterns on a web, comprising the steps of:
 routing the web over a first roller;   routing the web over a second roller and stabilizing the web;   applying a pattern to the web using process hardware;   measuring registration of the pattern and providing an error signal;   controlling lateral scale error using the error signal; and   controlling longitudinal scale error using the error signal.   
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5  including the step of controlling the temperature of the process hardware to control lateral scale error. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 5  including the step of adjusting the process hardware to control lateral scale error. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 5  including the step of controlling the temperature of the first and second rollers. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 5  including the step of controlling the temperature of the first and second rollers to control longitudinal scale error. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9  including the step of controlling the position of the first roller to control web tension and longitudinal position error. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 5  including the step of controlling the temperature of the first and second rollers to control lateral scale error. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11  including the step of controlling the position of the first roller to control web tension and longitudinal position error. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 5  where the process hardware is an ink jet print head. 
   
   
       14 . A method for registering patterns on a web, comprising the steps of:
 routing the web over a first roller;   routing the web over a second roller and stabilizing the web;   applying a pattern to the web using process hardware;   measuring registration of the pattern and providing an error signal;   controlling lateral position error using the error signal; and   controlling lateral scale error using the error signal.   
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14  including the step of controlling the lateral position error by controlling web position with a web guider. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 14  including the step of controlling the lateral position error by moving the process hardware laterally. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 14  including the step of controlling the lateral scale error by synchronizing the action of the process hardware with the lateral motion of the web. 
   
   
       18 . A method for registering patterns on a web, comprising the steps of:
 routing the web over a first roller;   routing the web over a second roller and stabilizing the web;   applying a pattern to the web using process hardware;   measuring registration of the pattern and providing an error signal;   controlling longitudinal position error using the error signal; and   controlling longitudinal scale error using the error signal.   
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18  including the step of controlling the temperature of the process hardware to control longitudinal scale error. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 18  including the step of adjusting the process hardware to control longitudinal position error. 
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 18  including the step of controlling the temperature of the first and second rollers. 
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 18  including the step of controlling the temperature of the first and second rollers to control longitudinal scale error. 
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 22  including the step of controlling the position of the first roller to control web tension and longitudinal position error. 
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 18  including the step of controlling the temperature of the first and second rollers to control longitudinal scale error. 
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 24  including the step of controlling the position of the first roller to control web tension and longitudinal position error.