Method of controlling the relative position between printed patterns and non-printed patterns on a web-shaped material and a system used in the method

A system used in a method of manufacturing a material web having a printed pattern in register position with a non-printed pattern or recurring feature on the material web, comprising:

• g) a station for providing a printed material web, wherein at least one pattern is printed together with at least one, printed, two-dimensional register mark on the web,
• h) a station for creating a non-printed pattern or recurring feature on the web, and, impressing means for simultaneously, and in synchronisation with the creation of the non-printed pattern or feature, creating an indentation having a three-dimensional topographic configuration, such that a shadow is created from the indentation when illuminated, on the web at a pre-determined distance from the printed register mark,
• i) an optical sensor system for determining the position of the said shadow relative to the position of the printed mark by detecting the shadow produced by said three-dimensional indented configuration when illuminated, and by simultaneously detecting the printed mark(s),
• j) a comparation means for comparing the value of the measured position of the shadow relative to the position of the printed mark with a pre-set value, and
• k) controlling means for regulating the operation of creating said non-printed pattern or recurring feature as well as said synchronised, impressed indentation and/or for regulating the printing operation, in order to adjust the measured value to the pre-set value.