JP2008275970A - Method for forming stereoscopic/variation image and ink jet device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To accurately position a printed image and a molded lenticular lens. <P>SOLUTION: This method for forming stereoscopic/variation image of the present invention is the one for forming the stereoscopic/variation image using an ink jet device 1 with a first ink jet head 51 which delivers ink for printing and a second ink jet head 52 which delivers a resin material for lens and is provided with: an image printing process for printing a basic image I to a base sheet S by relatively scanning the first ink jet head 51; a lens element drawing process of drawing a lens element E comprised of many minute convex stripes for the lenticular lens on the basic image I by relatively scanning the second ink jet head 52 to the base sheet S; and a lens molding process of hardening the lens element E after press-contacing a lens matrix 71 for the lenticular lens to the drawn lens element E. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a three-dimensional / change image forming method and an ink jet apparatus for forming a three-dimensional / change image using a lenticular lens.

Conventionally, as a method for forming this kind of three-dimensional / change image, a resin material for a lenticular lens is laminated on a base sheet on which a print image that is the basis of a three-dimensional / change image is printed, and this is pressed by a mold A method for forming a stereoscopic / change image is known (see Patent Document 1).
JP 2002-090919 A

  However, in the conventional three-dimensional / changed image forming method, printing of the printed image and lamination of the resin material are performed by separate apparatuses, so that the base sheet-shaped printed image and the molded lenticular lens are accurately positioned. There was a problem that was difficult to match.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a method for forming a three-dimensional / change image and an ink jet apparatus capable of accurately aligning a printed image and a molded lenticular lens.

  The three-dimensional / change image forming method of the present invention is performed using a three-dimensional / change image using an ink jet apparatus that includes a first ink jet head that discharges printing ink and a second ink jet head that discharges a lens resin material. An image forming method, wherein a first inkjet head is scanned relative to a base sheet to print a basic image, and a second inkjet head is scanned relative to the base sheet. Then, a lens element drawing process for drawing a lens element composed of a large number of minute projections for a lenticular lens on a basic image, and a lens element for a lenticular lens is pressed and brought into contact with the drawn lens element, and then the lens element And a lens molding step for curing.

  The inkjet apparatus of the present invention is an inkjet apparatus that forms a three-dimensional / change image on a base sheet, and includes a first inkjet head that ejects printing ink, and a second inkjet head that ejects a lens resin material; The image printing means for printing the basic image by scanning the first inkjet head relative to the base sheet, and the lenticular on the basic image by scanning the second inkjet head relative to the base sheet Lens element drawing means for drawing a lens element composed of a large number of minute projections for a lens, a lens master for a lenticular lens, a pressing contact means for pressing the lens master against the drawn lens element, and a lens element Lens curing means for curing the lens element in a state where the lens matrix is pressed against the lens. Characterized in that was.

  According to these configurations, the basic image is printed on the base sheet and the resin material for the lens is discharged onto the basic image by the inkjet apparatus including the first inkjet head and the second inkjet head, and the lenticular lens Since the lens element is drawn, the printed basic image and the molded lenticular lens can be accurately aligned. That is, a high-quality stereoscopic / change image can be easily formed.

  In the latter case, the image printing unit has a first moving unit that relatively moves the first inkjet head, and the lens element drawing unit has a second moving unit that relatively moves the second inkjet head. The first moving means preferably doubles as the second moving means.

  According to this configuration, since the first moving unit also serves as the second moving unit, the first inkjet head and the second inkjet head can be driven under the same conditions. Note that it is also possible to efficiently form a three-dimensional / change image by following the printing of the basic image and drawing the lens element.

  In the former case, the lens resin material is composed of a photo-curing resin, and the lens matrix is composed of a translucent material. In the lens molding process, the lens element is irradiated with curing light through the lens matrix. And curing is preferred.

  In the latter case, the lens resin material is made of a light curable resin, and the lens matrix is made of a translucent material, and the lens curing means irradiates the lens element with the cured light transmitted through the lens matrix. It is preferable that the lamp is composed of a lamp.

  According to these configurations, since the lens resin material can be cured in a state of being molded with the lens matrix, a three-dimensional / change image can be formed easily and accurately.

  Hereinafter, a three-dimensional / deformed image forming method and an inkjet apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. This ink jet apparatus prints a basic image that is the basis of a stereoscopic / change image on a base sheet, draws lens elements for a lenticular lens on the basic image, and further molds it with a lens matrix to generate a stereoscopic / change image. Is formed.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an inkjet apparatus 1 includes a drawing mechanism 5 that performs a drawing process relative to a base sheet S inside a device body 3 in which an outer shell is formed by a box-shaped housing 2, and a drawing. A paper feed mechanism 6 that supplies the base sheet S to the mechanism 5, a lens molding unit 7 that performs a lens molding process on the base sheet S after the drawing process, a transport mechanism 8 that transports the base sheet S, and a base after the lens molding process. A sheet discharge mechanism 9 that discharges the sheet S to the outside of the apparatus and a control unit 10 that drives and controls them are provided. The inkjet apparatus 1 performs a drawing process on the supplied base sheet S, and performs a lens molding process on the base sheet S after the drawing process to form a three-dimensional / change image.

  Further, a supply port 11 for introducing the base sheet S is provided in the left part (the left part in the figure) of the housing 2, and a stereoscopic / change image is formed in the right part (the right part in the figure). A discharge port 12 for discharging the base sheet S is provided, and a conveyance path 13 for the base sheet S is formed on a substantially horizontal straight line connecting the supply port 11 and the discharge port 12.

  The paper feed mechanism 6 communicates with the supply port 11, feeds the base sheet S into a cassette type paper feed unit 21, feeds the base sheet S toward the transport mechanism 8, and paper feed A paper feed motor 23 that drives the roller 22. The paper feed motor 23 is driven and controlled by the control unit 10. When the paper feed roller 22 is rotated by driving the paper feed motor 23, the base sheet S is sent out from the paper feed unit 21 to the transport mechanism 8 one by one.

  The transport mechanism 8 includes a feed driving roller 31 and a feed driven roller 32 that transport the supplied base sheet S in a direction (sub-scanning direction) orthogonal to a scanning direction (main scanning direction) of a drawing mechanism 5 described later. A roller 33, a conveyance motor 34 for rotating the feed driving roller 31 forward and backward, a tip detection sensor 35 provided in the immediate vicinity of the downstream side of the feed roller 33, and a drawing mechanism 5 and a lens molding unit 7 described below are disposed below. And a table 36 on which the conveyed base sheet S is placed, and the conveyance motor 34 is driven and controlled by the control unit 10. By driving the transport motor 34, the base sheet S is transported on the table 36 while being sandwiched between the feed drive roller 31 and the feed driven roller 32, and drawing processing is started based on the detection result of the leading end detection sensor 35.

  The paper discharge mechanism 9 is provided in the vicinity of the discharge port 12, and includes a paper discharge roller 43 including a paper discharge driving roller 41 and a paper discharge driven roller 42 for discharging the base sheet S from the paper discharge port 12, and a paper discharge drive roller. A paper discharge motor 44 that rotates forward and reverse 41. The paper discharge motor 44 is driven and controlled by the control unit 10. When the paper discharge drive roller 41 is rotated by driving the paper discharge motor 44, the base sheet S after the lens molding process is discharged from the discharge port 12 to the outside of the apparatus while being sandwiched between the paper discharge drive roller 41 and the paper discharge driven roller 42. Is done.

  The drawing mechanism 5 faces the platen and the table 36 functioning as the conveyance path 13, and the first inkjet head 51 that prints the basic image I of the stereoscopic / change image on the base sheet S conveyed to the drawing position, and the basic image I A second inkjet head 52 that draws a lens element E (see FIG. 3A) made up of a large number of minute projections for a lenticular lens, and a carriage 53 on which the first inkjet head 51 and the second inkjet head 52 are mounted. A reciprocating mechanism 54 that reciprocates the first ink jet head 51 and the second ink jet head 52 in the main scanning direction (in the illustrated direction, through the carriage 53), and a drawing motor 55 that drives the reciprocating mechanism 54. And have. The first moving means and the second moving means are configured by the reciprocating mechanism 54 that is shared.

  The first inkjet head 51 has a first nozzle surface 62 on which a plurality of first nozzles 61 are formed. A first cartridge 63 that supplies ink to the first inkjet head 51 is detachably mounted on the carriage 53. Has been. In the present embodiment, a plurality of minute first nozzles 61 are formed on the first nozzle surface 62, and nozzle rows composed of the plurality of first nozzles 61 are formed in two rows with a half-nozzle pitch displacement from each other. (See FIG. 2 (b)). In the illustrated example, nine first nozzles 61 are schematically illustrated. In the present embodiment, the first cartridge 63 has four ink chambers filled with printing inks of four colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). (See FIG. 2 (a)).

  Similarly, the second inkjet head 52 has a second nozzle surface 66 on which a plurality of second nozzles 65 are formed, and the carriage 53 is supplied with a resin material for a lenticular lens supplied to the second inkjet head 52. Two cartridges 67 are detachably mounted. That is, the first inkjet head 51 and the second inkjet head 52 are built in the same carriage 53, and the first cartridge 63 and the second cartridge 67 are mounted thereon. Note that the first and second inkjet heads 51 and 52 may be incorporated in the first and second cartridges 63 and 67, respectively. In the present embodiment, the second cartridge 67 has two ink chambers filled with a photocurable resin such as an ultraviolet curable resin (see FIG. 2A). The number of nozzles of the second nozzle 65 and the arrangement configuration thereof are such that the linear density (LPI: Line Per Inch) of the lenticular lens is larger than the dot density (DPI: Dot Per Inch) of basic image printing. Further, since the resin viscosity is higher than the ink viscosity for printing, the number of nozzles of the first nozzle 61, the nozzle diameter, and the arrangement configuration thereof are different. In the illustrated example, a plurality of second nozzles 65 having a nozzle diameter larger than that of the first nozzle 61 are formed on the second nozzle surface 66, and a nozzle row including the plurality of second nozzles 65 is formed by the first ink jet. Similar to the head 51, two rows are formed with a half-nozzle pitch position shifted from each other (see FIG. 2B). Also in this case, in the illustrated example, five second nozzles 65 are schematically illustrated.

  The first cartridge 63 and the second cartridge 67 are arranged side by side in the main scanning direction (see FIG. 2A), and the first ink jet head 51 and the second ink jet head 52 are also arranged in the cartridges 63 and 67. Similarly to the above, they are arranged in the main scanning direction. That is, the first nozzle surface 62 of the first inkjet head 51 and the second nozzle surface 66 of the second inkjet head 52 are juxtaposed in the main scanning direction (see FIG. 2B). Accordingly, the first ink jet head 51 and the second ink jet head 52 are only separated by several nozzle pitches only in the main scanning direction, and do not need to be aligned in the sub scanning direction. In addition, the lens element E can be drawn with high accuracy, and the basic image I and the molded lenticular lens L can be aligned with high accuracy together with the feeding by the transport mechanism 8.

  The reciprocating mechanism 54 includes a pair of carriage guide shafts 69 and 69 that support the carriage 53 so as to freely reciprocate, a timing belt extending in parallel with the pair of carriage guide shafts 69 and 69, and a pair of timing pulleys (not shown). And one end of the carriage 53 is fixed to the timing belt. When the drawing motor 55 is driven, the timing belt travels forward and backward, whereby the carriage 53 is guided by the carriage guide shaft 69 and reciprocates (the illustrated one is in the depth direction). That is, since the carriage 53 on which both the inkjet heads 51 and 52 are mounted is moved by the reciprocating mechanism 54 (main scanning), the first inkjet head 51 and the second inkjet head 52 can be moved under the same conditions. Then, the printing ink is discharged from the first inkjet head 51 (the first nozzle 61) so as to synchronize with the reciprocation, and the second ink jet head 52 (the second nozzle of the second inkjet head 52) is followed by this. 65), the resin material is discharged. Thereby, the basic image I by the first inkjet head 51 is printed on the base sheet S, and the lens element E by the second inkjet head 52 is drawn on the basic image I (FIG. 3A). reference). In this embodiment, printing and drawing are performed only during the forward movement. Further, the image printing unit is configured by the first inkjet head 51 and the reciprocating mechanism 54, and the lens element drawing unit is configured by the second inkjet head 52 and the reciprocating mechanism 54.

  The lens molding unit 7 is disposed on the downstream side of the drawing mechanism 5 and above the table 36. The lens molding unit 7 holds the lens master 71 for the lenticular lens and the lens master 71 in a detachable manner. A pressing contact mechanism 72 supported by a frame (not shown) 3 so as to be movable up and down, and a lens curing means 73 disposed above the lens base 71.

  The lenticular lens is composed of a plurality of bowl-shaped lens elements. Correspondingly, on the lower surface of the lens matrix 71, a plurality of concave strips that are complementary to the plurality of lens elements. 75 is formed. The lens matrix 71 is made of a translucent material that transmits ultraviolet rays, such as a heat-resistant resin or quartz glass.

  The pressing contact mechanism 72 is interposed between the support frame 76 that supports the lens matrix 71 so as to be movable up and down, a lift motor 77 that moves the support frame 76 in the vertical direction, and the support frame 76 and the lift motor 77. Lead screw mechanism 78, and lift motor 77 is driven and controlled by control unit 10. By driving the elevating motor 77, the support frame 76 presses the lens matrix 71 against the drawn lens element E facing the lens molding area. More specifically, the pressing contact mechanism 72 aligns the concave strip portion 75 of the lens base 71 with a large number of fine convex strips of the discharged resin material, and makes the lens base 71 press contact. The lens curing means 73 is composed of a plurality of ultraviolet lamps 81, a reflector 82 provided on the back side of the ultraviolet lamp 81, and a light diffusion plate 83 provided on the front side of the ultraviolet lamp 81. In a state where the lens matrix 71 is pressed against the lens element E by the mechanism 72, the lens element E is irradiated with curing light (ultraviolet rays) through the lens matrix 71 (see FIG. 3B). As a result, the lens element E is cured, and a lenticular lens L based on the shape of the lens matrix 71 is formed on the basic image I (see FIG. 3C).

  The main part of the control unit 10 includes a CPU that performs various control processes, a ROM that stores control programs and control data for controlling the various mechanisms, and a RAM that serves as various work areas for the various control processes. The drawing process and the lens molding process are controlled.

  Next, with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6, the three-dimensional / changed image forming operation of the inkjet apparatus 1 will be described. In the present embodiment, a case where the drawing process is performed by following the drawing of the lens element E by the second inkjet head 52 to the printing of the basic image I by the first inkjet head 51 will be described.

  First, the lenticular lens linear density (LPI) corresponding to a desired stereoscopic / change image is selected (S01), and the lens matrix 71 corresponding to the linear density is fixed to the support frame 76 (S02). Next, the base sheet S is transported to the drawing area by the transport mechanism 8 (see FIG. 5A), and the first inkjet head 51 is driven with respect to the base sheet S sent on the transport path 13. Then, the basic image I is printed (S03), and the second inkjet head 52 that follows this is driven to draw the lens element E (S04, see FIG. 5B). When printing (drawing) is completed (S5: Yes), the lens element E on the base sheet S is transported to the lens molding area by the transport mechanism 8 as it is. When the base sheet S reaches the lens molding area and the leading end slightly bites into the paper discharge roller 43, the feeding of the base sheet S is stopped. Then, the lens master 71 is lowered by the pressing contact mechanism 72 and is brought into press contact with the lens element E (see S06, FIG. 6A). In this pressing contact state, the ultraviolet light 81 causes the curing light to be emitted from the lens master 71. (See S07, FIG. 6B). The irradiation time of the ultraviolet lamp 81 is measured by a timer of the control unit 10, and when a predetermined curing time has elapsed, the lens master 71 is raised (S 08), and the lenticular lens is formed on the basic image I by the paper discharge mechanism 9. The base sheet S on which L is formed is discharged from the discharge port 12.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the basic image I is printed on the base sheet S by the first inkjet head 51 and the lens resin material is discharged onto the basic image I by the second inkjet head 52. Since the lens element E for the lenticular lens is drawn, the printed basic image I and the molded lenticular lens L can be accurately aligned, and a high-quality stereoscopic / change image can be easily formed. it can.

  In the present embodiment, the first ink jet head 51 and the second ink jet head 52 are mounted on the same carriage 53, but may be mounted on separate carriages 53 and moved by separate moving mechanisms. In this case, the second inkjet head 52 is disposed on the downstream side of the first inkjet head 51. In this embodiment, a photo-curing resin is used as the lens resin material. For example, a thermoplastic resin is used as the lens resin material, and infrared rays are irradiated onto the lens resin material to form a lenticular lens L. May be.

It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the inkjet apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. (A) is a typical external perspective view of a 1st cartridge and a 2nd cartridge, (b) is a plane schematic diagram explaining the nozzle surface of a 1st inkjet head and a 2nd inkjet head. (A) is a schematic diagram which shows the state by which the lens element was drawn on the basic image, (b) is a schematic diagram which shows the state which irradiated the curing light to the lens element, (c) is on a basic image It is a schematic diagram which shows the state in which the lenticular lens was formed. 4 is a flowchart for explaining a three-dimensional / change image forming operation of the inkjet apparatus. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining a three-dimensional / change image forming operation of the inkjet device. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining a three-dimensional / change image forming operation of the inkjet device.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Inkjet apparatus 51 ... 1st inkjet head 52 ... 2nd inkjet head 53 ... Carriage 54 ... Reciprocating mechanism 72 ... Pressing contact mechanism 73 ... Lens hardening means 71 ... Lens master 81 ... Ultraviolet lamp E ... Lens element I ... Basis Image L ... Lenticular lens S ... Base sheet

Claims (5)

A method for forming a three-dimensional / change image, which is performed using an ink jet apparatus including a first ink jet head that ejects printing ink and a second ink jet head that ejects a lens resin material,
An image printing step of printing a basic image by scanning the first inkjet head relative to a base sheet;
A lens element drawing step of drawing a lens element composed of a large number of minute ridges for a lenticular lens on the basic image by scanning the second inkjet head relative to the base sheet;
A method of forming a three-dimensional / change image, comprising: a lens molding step of pressing the lens matrix for the lenticular lens against the drawn lens element and then curing the lens element. The lens resin material is made of a photo-curing resin, and the lens matrix is made of a translucent material,
2. The method for forming a three-dimensional / change image according to claim 1, wherein, in the lens molding step, the lens element is irradiated with curing light through the lens matrix and then cured. An inkjet apparatus that forms a three-dimensional / change image on a base sheet,
A first inkjet head that ejects printing ink;
A second inkjet head for discharging a lens resin material;
Image printing means for printing the basic image by scanning the first inkjet head relative to the base sheet;
Lens element drawing means for relatively scanning the second inkjet head with respect to the base sheet to draw lens elements composed of a large number of minute ridges for a lenticular lens on the basic image;
A lens matrix for the lenticular lens;
A pressing contact means for pressing and contacting the lens matrix to the drawn lens element;
An ink jet apparatus comprising: a lens curing unit that cures the lens element in a state where the lens matrix is pressed against the lens element. The image printing unit includes a first moving unit that relatively moves the first inkjet head,
The lens element drawing unit has a second moving unit that relatively moves the second inkjet head,
The inkjet apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the first moving unit also serves as the second moving unit. The lens resin material is made of a photo-curing resin, and the lens matrix is made of a translucent material,
5. The ink jet apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the lens curing unit includes a lamp that irradiates the lens element with curing light that is transmitted through the lens matrix.

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