Method for determining the relative position of first and second imaging devices, method of correcting a position of a point of projection of the devices, printing form exposer, printing unit, printing unit group and printing press

A method of determining a relative position of first and second imaging devices, which comprises:

• setting an image on a first imaging medium assigned to the first imaging device and on a second imaging medium assigned to the second imaging device;
• setting an image from a group of mutually different reference patterns and a basic pattern with the second imaging device on the second imaging medium assigned to the second imaging device, each reference pattern of the group of reference patterns being assigned uniquely to one relative position;
• setting an image of at least one test pattern with the first imaging device on the first imaging medium assigned to the first imaging device;
• printing-off the first and second imaging media, having images set by the first and second imaging devices, onto a printing material for printing-off a test pattern, having an image set by the first imaging device, over the basic pattern, for producing a combination pattern with an area coverage;
• identifying a reference pattern from the group of reference patterns, the identified reference pattern having an area coverage coinciding with the area coverage of the combination pattern;
• and
• identifying a relative position associated with the identified reference pattern of the group of reference patterns.

A printing form exposer, comprising:

• first and second imaging devices;
• a controlled actuator mechanism for moving said first and second imaging devices relative at least to one of an imaging medium and one another;
• and
• a control unit including an electronic unit having a memory unit with a computer program stored therein for correcting a position of said first and second imaging devices by at least one of said controlled actuator mechanism and a changing timed triggering.

A printing unit, comprising:

• first and second imaging devices;
• a controlled actuator mechanism for moving said first and second imaging devices relative to at least one of an imaging medium and one another;
• and
• a control unit including an electronic unit having a memory unit with a computer program stored therein for correcting a position of said first imaging device by at least one of said controlled actuator mechanism and a changing timed triggering.

A printing unit group, comprising:

• first and second printing units;
• a first imaging device assigned to said first printing unit and a second imaging device assigned to said second printing unit;
• a controlled actuator mechanism for moving said first and second imaging devices relative to at least one of imaging media and one another;
• and
• a control unit including an electronic unit having a memory unit with a computer program stored therein for correcting a position of said first imaging device by at least one of said controlled actuator mechanism and a changing timed triggering.

A printing press, comprising:

• a printing unit with first and second imaging devices;
• a controlled actuator mechanism for moving said first and second imaging devices relative to at least one of an imaging medium and one another;
• and
• a control unit including an electronic unit having a memory unit with a computer program stored therein for correcting a position of said first imaging device by at least one of said controlled actuator mechanism and a changing timed triggering.

A printing press, comprising:

• a printing unit group having first and second printing units;
• a first imaging device assigned to said first printing unit and a second imaging device assigned to said second printing unit;
• a controlled actuator mechanism for moving said first and second imaging devices relative to at least one of imaging media and one another;
• and
• a control unit including an electronic unit having a memory unit with a computer program stored therein for correcting a position of said first imaging device by at least one of said controlled actuator mechanism and a changing timed triggering.