EP3720719A1

EP3720719A1 - Printing method for a digital printing device

Info

Publication number: EP3720719A1
Application number: EP18827251.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jan Franck
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-12-05
Filing date: 2018-12-04
Publication date: 2020-10-14
Anticipated expiration: 2038-12-04
Also published as: US11453214B2; IL275100A; US20200391506A1; CA3083778C; EP3720719B1; WO2019111147A1; CA3083778A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a printing method for a digital printing device, comprising a printhead having a plurality of printing systems and comprising at least one control apparatus for feeding control signals to the printing systems for the production of ink drops. Each printing system has a nozzle, at least one ink chamber and an activator, e.g. a piezoelectric activator, which is associated with the at least one ink chamber, for the discharge of ink drops from the ink chamber in question via the nozzle in question onto a substrate to be printed on, as a response to a control signal. In the control apparatus, only a signal waveform for the control signal having a specified time curve is stored for ink drops of all sizes, comprising, for example, optionally an initial waiting time, a first edge, followed by a first holding time, and after the first holding time a second, opposite edge, optionally followed by a second holding time. The size and/or speed of ink drops is varied by virtue of the fact that, at most for a single, intrinsic drop size, the entire stored waveform is transferred as a control signal to the activator in question, while for all other, effective drop sizes, only part of the common, stored waveform is transferred to the activator in question, namely one or more selected portions, while one or more other portions of the stored, common waveform are not supplied to the activator in question in the control signal.

Description

Printing method for a digital printing device

The invention is directed to a printing method for a digital printing apparatus comprising a printhead having a plurality of printing systems and at least one driving means for supplying to the printing systems drive signals for generating ink droplets, each printing system comprising one nozzle, at least one ink chamber and one associated therewith. For example, a piezoelectric activator for ejecting drops of ink from the respective ink chamber through the respective nozzle to a substrate to be printed in response to a drive signal.

As an indirect or analog printing process, offset printing is one of the most widely used printing techniques for book, newspaper, advertising and packaging printing. Before printing, an individual printing plate is first produced, from which the ink is first transferred to a blanket cylinder during the printing process, and from there to the substrate to be printed. For each motif and each color, a separate printing plate is required. The comparatively high quality of the offset printing is due to a comparatively low resolution, z. 150lpi or 120lpi (grid of 150 halftone dots or 120 halftone dots per square inch), but with almost infinite dot sizes available for each dot. Thus, for a given grid size, the color intensity of white to z. B. 100% magenta alone be realized by the increase in size of the color dots.

In digital printing, on the other hand, a printing plate is dispensed with and the printed image is instead transferred from a computer directly to a printing device. Inkjet printers or laser printers are particularly suitable as printing devices. By dispensing with a printing plate is the digital printing - especially for smaller runs - easier, faster and cheaper. In common inkjet printers or ink jet printers, for example with piezo print heads, the pressure is controlled either by individual electrostatic charging of a continuous ink jet, which can then be deflected in response to its electrical charge in a field (continuous inkjet process, CIJ), or by the discharge of individual Drop on demand (drop-on-demand method, DOD).

However, such digital printers usually only control 2 or 3 different drop sizes per ink, which correspond to the dot sizes of offset printing. While this is barely noticeable when printing texts or other black and white documents with a strong contrast between light and dark, inkjet printers are less suitable for printing color photographs or black and white images with shades of gray. If, for this purpose, it is attempted to divide each individual pixel into a smaller grid of, for example, 4 by 4 smaller dots and then to print 0, 1, 2 ... 15, 16 of these smaller grid dots, one can already have 16 different color intensities differ; however, these smaller halftone halftone dots of a pixel are still perceptible to the eye as dots or, at any rate, as visual disturbances, or even as a so-called moiré effect, i.e., microscopic structures repeating regularly, thereby producing a clearly perceptible or even obvious macroscopic pattern. In addition, the resolution of a pixel in, for example. 16 small halftone dots would reduce the printing speed extremely, because now instead of a single pressure pulse 16 pressure pulses are required. Furthermore, complex algorithms are needed to suppress the above-mentioned moiré effect as well as the like adverse effects.

The aim of the industry is a printing technique that makes use of the advantages of both printing techniques without their disadvantages. The requirements for Such printing technique can be described as follows: the advantages of off-set printing, namely high quality at low resolution, high speed, stable printing over a long period of time, but without the disadvantages of offset printing, ie the need to make printing plates, but rather a digital one Control, for example, for the purpose of rapid motif change, etc. in this direction, although many attempts have been made, but it encountered time and again on problems that present in the current state of the art as follows:

To achieve the quality of offset printing purely optically, the digital printing requires a much higher resolution as described above. A high print speed with such a high physical resolution requires a very high number of print nozzles with corresponding high density / resolution and high firing frequency (1200 dpi = 48 kHz / 2400 dpi = 96 kHz) and at the same time very small drops (1 pl to 5 pl). In order to ensure a high pressure stability over a long period of time, systems are partly built redundantly with "replacement nozzles" for incorrectly printing nozzles and corresponding technical devices, which recognize the same nozzles as defective and replace accordingly.

For the mechanical engineer, this means a very high demand on mechanical components, especially with regard to the adjustment of the printheads, which must be perfectly aligned in the range of a few micrometers to each other. At the same time, these machines require complex monitoring of the nozzles, e.g. In the form of optical detection of defective nozzles during printing and replacement of these nozzles. The entire material transport must be adapted to the digital printing, since air turbulence distract the small drops from 1 pl to 5 pl strongly. Both the software and the hardware must be able to send enormous amounts of print data to the printing units that need to be pre-processed for digital printing - similar to rip software. Since print data usually comes from the pre-press with a resolution of 150 to 300 dpi, with each pixel assigned an exact color value, this means for the print data the image is upscaled or falsified to 1200 x 1200 or 1200 x 2400 dpi. The pure file grows uncompressed already on the 16 to 32-fold. In addition, there are various algorithms which, on the one hand, conceal the mechanical tolerances of the machine and at the same time have to reproduce the perfect printed image without any effects that are recognizable to the human eye plus conventional color management for color fidelity, etc.

The production of printheads with an ever higher physical resolution (nozzle density) and smaller and smaller drops also causes problems for printhead manufacturers. Smallest mechanical deviations in the production, and / or nozzles, which do not work, lead to an enormous reject in the production and to a correspondingly high final price of the printheads.

Equally complex is the work of the ink manufacturer or printhead electronics developer.

An alternative approach to the development of a printing machine having the above-mentioned properties - high quality at low resolution, high speed, stable long term printing without the use of printing plates - would be to drive a printhead to be similar to the offset for each pixel print a drop in the appropriate drop size.

Therefore, an attempt has already been made to change the number and / or size of the drops with the nozzle size remaining the same. The usual way for this is the duplication of the drive pulses per Bioldpunkt. Depending on the time interval in which these drive pulses follow each other, either several drops are generated, or - when the individual drops in the region of the nozzle or in flight connect to each other - larger drops. This makes it possible to realize darker colors per pixel, for example a darker gray up to black. A reduction of the drop size in order to improve the gray scale is not possible with it. In addition, for such an increase in the number or size of drops, a plurality of pressure pulses are required, which in turn suffers the printing speed. Incidentally, it has been found that larger ink drops usually have a higher speed than smaller ink droplets, which can be manifested in the form of a non-uniform print image.

From the disadvantages of the prior art described results in the problem initiating the invention, a generic printing method for an ink jet print head such that the drop size and / or speed can be influenced or adjusted with the least possible effort. Of particular interest is the question of whether a uniform drop velocity can be ensured despite different droplet sizes.

The solution to this problem succeeds in that within the scope of the control device for ink droplets of all sizes only a single waveform for the drive signal with a predetermined time course is deposited, for example, optionally comprising an initial waiting time, a first edge, followed by a first hold time, and in Following the first hold time, a second, opposite flank, possibly followed by a second hold time, wherein the size and / or speed of ink drops is varied by the fact that at a single, intrinsic drop size, the entire stored waveform as Trigger signal is transmitted to the respective activator, while for all other effective droplet sizes, only a part of the common, stored waveform is transmitted to the activator in question, namely one or more selected sections, while one or more other sections of the stored, common waveform in Frame of the drive signal from the respective activator be kept.

Preferably, in the context of the drive device for generating ink droplets of different sizes, a single waveform for the drive signal with a predetermined time course in the form of a single pressure pulse deposited, comprising a first edge to increase the volume of an ink chamber by means of the respective activator, followed by a first hold time, while sucking the ink into the respective ink chamber, and a second flank for reducing the volume of the respective ink chamber by the respective activator, followed by a second hold time during which an ink drop is shot out of the associated nozzle, thereby achieving the different drop size in that at most with a single droplet size, the entire waveform is transmitted as a drive signal to the relevant activator, while for all other droplet sizes one or more sections of the stored common Waveform, consisting of first edge, first hold time, second edge and second hold time, are kept away from the respective activator in the context of the drive signal.

The inventor has found that the suppression of one or more sections of a stored common waveform can significantly and reliably influence the droplet size, ie it is possible to generate droplets of significantly different size, the repeatability being very precise, ie the different drop sizes are met with great precision. On the other hand, the individual suppression of individual sections of a stored, common waveform a more flexible influence on the drop size. By way of example, the times of use and termination of the portions of the common waveform to be transmitted can be influenced analogously, ie continuously, while the number of different drop sizes can be counted for different waveforms to be stored. This advantage results in particular from the fact that in the present method, not all pulses are shown or hidden as this example. When printing multiple drops is applied to change the number of drops, but that individual periods of a single pressure pulse off or faded ,

The invention recommends to use a drive stage with a switched output for driving an activator, or preferably a drive stage with a controlled or regulated output. In this context, a switched output should be understood to mean a shading which can switch back and forth between two or more predetermined, preferably constant voltages on the output side, that is, for example between 0 V and 20 V. In this case, an edge is used as the transition between these constant voltages not predetermined, but the output always follows with the highest possible speed the respectively switched constant voltage value. In the case of a controlled or regulated output, several or ideally even intermediate voltages are possible. It is within the scope of the invention that the drive circuit is high-impedance during non-switched sections of the stored waveform at its connected to an activator drive output. In this high-impedance state, the activator is virtually left to itself. It is therefore recommended an activator "with a memory" that can save its last set state. It has proven to be favorable that the drive output of the drive circuit connected to an activator is constructed in the manner of a push-pull circuit with two transistors connected in series on the output side. These transistors can be operated in different ways. Eienrseits can be switched on amit each one of two supply voltages to the output, so for example. V _a , _s = 0 V or V _a , _s = 20 V. On the other hand can thus build a control loop, said serving as an output, common node Both transistors can take any intermediate values between the two supply voltages, that is, for example, 0 V <V _{a, r} <20 V.

The two output side connected in series transistors connected to an activator drive output of the drive circuit should be in the non-connected state both high-impedance on the output side to give the connected activator the opportunity not to be influenced by the drive circuit; Rather, then the currently prevailing ink pressure or vacuum could affect the output voltage, so that an immediate response to changing environmental conditions is possible.

In the context of the activation of an activator according to the invention, the arrangement should be such that during the first or second flank the volume of an ink chamber is increased by means of the activator in question, and ink is sucked into the respective ink chamber during the first or second hold time immediately following ,

On the other hand, during the other, second or first flank, the volume of the respective ink chamber should be reduced by means of the respective activator, and an ink drop is shot out of the associated nozzle during the immediately following, second or first hold time. Particular advantages arise when the activator is a piezo element is used which is in contact with an ink chamber in the region of an ink nozzle to influence the volume of the ink chamber. By applying different voltages, such a piezoelectric element can be both contracted and expanded, so that with a single, controllable element both the loading or sucking the ink chamber can be effected with ink, as well as the ejection or shooting off of an ink droplet. If the piezoelectric element has conductive coatings on two mutually opposite sides, then these can be used as electrodes in order to control the piezoelectric element.

By the piezoelectric element between the two opposing pads is electrically non-conductive, an applied as a result of a voltage applied electric charge remains constant at high impedance output of the drive circuit.

The electrical charge applied to the piezoelectric element during a charging phase depends on the one hand on the applied voltage and on the other hand on the duration of the charging phase.

The invention can be further developed such that in each case at least two intervals are selected from the stored waveform and transmitted to the activator.

At least two selected and transmitted to the activator intervals should not follow each other directly. The invention provides that the intervals transmitted to the activator are selected from a first or second hold time. It is preferred by the invention that in each case no edge is transferred to the activator in the case of one, several or all effective droplet sizes. By no stored edge is transmitted, but rather only - all or part - some or all holding phases, instead of predetermined edges, a new setpoint is given to which the output voltage can approach automatically.

The invention obtains an advantageous development in that the stored waveform comprises two or more successive drive pulses, each of which has a first edge, followed by a first hold time, and, following the first hold time, a second, opposite edge, possibly followed by a second hold time. Primarily, a first drive pulse serves to form an ink droplet, and the second drive pulse serves for its shaping, in particular the reduction or supplementation, and / or the modification of its movement, in particular the acceleration or deceleration.

Two or more drive pulses of the stored waveform may differ from one another, in particular with respect to the slope of the first edge and / or the second edge, and / or with regard to the first hold time and / or the second hold time, and / or with respect to the amplitude of the first and / or second amplitude. or second hold time, and / or with respect to the rise or fall time during the first edge and / or the second edge. Thus, the different requirements for different drive pulses can be taken into account.

The amount of ink flowing into the ink chamber during a holding time when the volume of the ink chamber is increased depends on the degree of increase in the volume and on the duration of the relevant volume increase. On the other hand, the volume of an ink droplet shot out during an edge in which the volume of the respective ink chamber is reduced by the subject activator increases with the slope of the respective edge in which the volume within the ink chamber is reduced. Although the slope of an edge is specified only exceptionally explicitly, so for example. If necessary, an intrinsic drop size, the entire, stored waveform is passed as a drive signal to the print head; in most other cases, only holding phases are switched through, with the slope in a transition phase then being maximal, and thus higher than in the intrinsic drop size. This effect can be so strong that the stored waveform when fully forwarded to the printhead is unable to produce an ink drop in the absence of a sufficient slope, but this is only possible if, due to the switching of the invention between constant voltage values, a higher one Flank slope is achieved.

In addition, the volume of an ink droplet thrown out during an edge of a drive pulse may increase with the duration of the effective hold time immediately thereafter because the drop can meanwhile be undisturbed and thus grow to its full size.

On the other hand, the duration of the immediately following an edge, effective holding time is determined by the time interval of a subsequent edge of the drive signal.

A flank of a second drive pulse, increasing the volume within the ink chamber (again) prior to the tearing off of the ink drop dispensed during a first drive pulse, is capable of reducing the volume of the ink drop because, as a result, a major portion of the ink drop is retained, ie, a subsequent to the drop break, the chamber volume increasing edge pulls quasi a portion of the drop back again. Further, it should be noted that an edge of a second drive pulse decreasing the volume within the ink chamber (again) after the ink pulse formed during a first drive pulse may increase the volume of the ink drop, namely when an additional amount of ink is discharged as a result.

After the formation of an ink drop during a first drive pulse, an additional amount of ink may be dispensed if there is a sufficient amount of ink between the edge boosting the volume within the ink chamber (again) and a subsequent edge of a second drive pulse decreasing the volume within the ink chamber (again) was sucked into the ink chamber, and when the volume within the ink chamber (again) decreasing edge is sufficiently steep. It is within the scope of the teaching of the invention that the speed of an ink droplet thrown out during an edge of an actuation pulse increases with the amplitude or the lift of the edge of the actuation pulse. Because with increasing amplitude increased pressure can be built up and thus a higher force, which has a stronger acceleration of the ink to higher speeds result.

Since the amplitude of the edge of a drive pulse increases with the duration of the actively impressed charging current for the activator, the speed of the ink droplets can be influenced with this duration of the charging current. An ink droplet which is too fast in and of itself can be shortened by the duration of the charging current, that is to say the actively switched through current Hold phase, be set slower, and too slow an ink drop is faster by extending the duration of the charging current.

The duration of the actively impressed charge current for the activator should be smaller for larger drop sizes than for smaller drop sizes, so that the speed of an ink droplet thrown out during an edge of a drive pulse is approximately the same for all droplet sizes.

Further features, details, advantages and effects on the basis of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention and from the drawing. Hereby shows:

Fig. 1 is a waveform for driving a nozzle of a printhead according to the prior art;

FIG. 2 shows a common waveform stored in accordance with the invention for the generation of drive signals for a digital printing system; FIG.

3 shows a control signal transmitted to a printing system with a partial enlargement in the region of an edge;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 of another embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 5 is a transmitted to a printing system drive signal for the

Generation of an ink drop having a volume of 5 pl (picoliter);

Fig. 5a is a transmitted to a printing system drive signal for the

Generation of an ink drop having a volume of 7 pl; FIG. 5b shows a drive signal, which is transmitted to a printing system, for the generation of an ink droplet having a volume of 10 pl; FIG.

Fig. 5c is a transmitted to a printing system drive signal for the

Generation of an ink drop having a volume of 12 pl;

Fig. 5d a transmitted to a printing system drive signal for the

Producing an ink drop having a volume of 14 pl;

Fig. 5e a transmitted to a printing system drive signal for the

Producing an ink drop having a volume of 17 pl;

Fig. 5f a transmitted to a printing system drive signal for the

Producing an ink drop having a volume of 21 pl;

Fig. 6 shows another embodiment of the invention in a representation corresponding to Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 shows a again modified embodiment of the invention in one

Representation of FIG. 6;

Fig. 8 shows a further modified embodiment of the invention similar to

Representation of Fig. 6;

9a shows a stored waveform as a drive signal completely transmitted to a printing system for generating an intrinsic ink droplet at a speed v-i;

Fig. 9b another, transmitted to a printing system drive signal in

Form of two subsections of the stored waveform, for the generation of an ink drop at a speed of 1, 1 FIG. 9c shows a further modified drive signal transmitted to a printing system in the form of two other subsections of the stored waveform in order to generate an ink drop at a speed of 1.2 * Vi; FIG.

Fig. 9d a yet changed, transmitted to a printing system

Drive signal, comprising two again differently selected subsections of the stored waveform, for the purpose of generating an ink drop at a speed of 1, 4 * v ^

Fig. 9e a further modified, transmitted to a printing system

Drive signal comprising two other subsections of the stored waveform, whereupon the generated ink drop has a velocity of 0.9 * Vi;

FIG. 10 is an exemplary summary view of a plurality of time signals illustrating the selection and composition of respective different portions of the stored waveform into different drive signals for particular ink drop sizes; FIG.

Fig. 11a is a stored waveform for a drive pulse with a

Amplitude of 20V;

Fig. 11b shows a drive pulse partially transferred to a printing system, but with the holding phases completely transferred so that the amplitude of 20 V is maintained;

Fig. 11c, in turn, partially transmitted to a printing system

Activation pulse, although not the first holding phase is completely transferred so that the amplitude in the region of both edges is reduced from 20 V to 16 V; such as

Fig. 11d, in turn, partially transferred to a printing system

Ansteuerimpuls, where now the second holding phase is not completely transmitted, so that the amplitude in the region of the second edge of 20 V is reduced to 16 volts.

In Fig. 1, the usual in the prior art approach is shown to change the gray level on a pixel, namely by a corresponding multiplication of the number of drive pulses in the region of the pixel in question. Are there instead of a single drive pulse two or - as shown in Figure 1 - generates three control pulses and sent to the relevant printing system, the multiple amount of an ink jet droplet reaches the relevant, to be printed pixel. If a single ink drop is 7 pl (picoliters) in size, two ink drops have 14 pl, and three ink drops have 21 pl. Depending on how large the intervals between individual drive pulses are, either individual drops are generated, which are superimposed on the substrate to be printed or add, or the ink droplets unite already in the area of the nozzle or during the flight and then come in as single, big drops on the substrate. However, a reduction of the ink drop size - for example, to less than 7 pl - is not possible in this way, and also the creation of drops with intermediate sizes - so for example. Drops with a volume of 10 pl - is thus impossible.

In Fig. 2 it can be seen how a waveform 1 used by the invention looks to produce all ink drops of different sizes.

It can be seen the inactive starting position 2 at the voltage level 0V, to which the level at the end of the stored pulse sequence returns again. This is preferably an extreme value of the available voltage level. The other extreme value in the present example forms a voltage level of -20 V, which represents the lowest voltage level in FIG.

As can be seen from Fig. 2, the stored waveform 1 after the output value 2 has a first edge 3 during which the volume inside the ink chamber of the printing system in question increases, followed by a first hold time 4 in which the ink has an opportunity to flow into them due to the negative pressure in the enlarged ink chamber. This is then followed by a second flank 5, in which the volume of the ink chamber is reduced, followed by a second waiting time 6 in which a drop from the ink chamber is fired through the nozzle towards the substrate to be printed. The entire sequence, consisting of an initial waiting time 2, first edge 3, first holding time 4, second edge 5 and second holding time 6, consists of a sequence duration T of, for example, 10 ps in total. Of the total sequence duration T, for example, one fifth each of the initial waiting time 2, the first edge 3, the first holding time 4, the second edge 5 and the second holding time 6 can be omitted, in the present example in each case 2 ps.

By way of example, it can be seen in FIG. 5 a that a droplet having a size of 7 pl is generated during a complete passage of this stored waveform 2 as a drive sequence.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show two ways in which the stored waveform 2 can be converted into a drive signal 7, T for a printing system. In this case, the output or the output stage of the drive amplifier may be formed identically in both cases, for example, with two interconnected transistors such that their collector-emitter paths in Row lie. Both transistors can then be turned on counter-cyclically, so that always one of them conducts, the other not. Depending on the switching state, the potential at the connection node between the two transistors is then optionally at the upper potential (in this case 0 V) or at the lower potential (in this case -20 V).

Such an output can therefore be easily used to switch between two voltage levels, as shown in FIG. The slope of the flanks 8, 9 of the Ansteuersignais is then not specified, but depends on the circumstances of the printing system, in particular according to its capacity, and on the other hand according to the available energy or the maximum of the amplifier output available power. However, then the course of the flanks 8, 9 is relatively smooth, as shown in FIG. 3a.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 4, the fact is exploited that with suitable control of two series-connected transistors of an amplifier output, any intermediate value between the two input voltages (here 0 V on the one hand and -20 V on the other hand) can be generated. A very precise control of the amplifier output would, for example, possible by a feedback of the output voltage and a comparison with a predetermined setpoint, then by means of a controller, the identity of the two voltages (possibly multiplied by a factor, which is characterized by using a voltage divider in the actual value at the amplifier output) can be ensured. In such a case, a stored waveform 2 can be fed as a variable of time to the setpoint input of such an amplifier, and this then provides exactly this voltage (or a multiple thereof) at its output as a drive signal for a printing system. On the other hand, to be able to feed a stored, ie stored in the form of digital values waveform as analog setpoint in such an amplifier stage, is a digital-to-analog conversion of the stored waveform. 1 required. Because the output value of a digital-to-analog converter used for this purpose can only be adjusted stepwise - the stored digital values of the waveform 1 are limited to a finite number of bits - one recognizes in the edges 8 ', 9' of the output signal of an amplifier operated in this way or in the drive signal 7 'generated therefrom, a plurality of small steps 10, as shown in FIG. 4.

These stages 10 are irrelevant to the printing process according to the current state of the art, or they were ignored or not noticed. However, the following can be stated. The steps trigger microvibrations in the piezo element which, while partially attenuated by the ink, ultimately still affect the formation of drops to the extent that there are assumed ideal values for the waveform of a single drop, individually for each different printhead. These ideal values for the flanks and hold times were defined as the resonance of the printhead because drop formation at these values has been found to be ideal. Shorter times and longer times, respectively, resulted in a decrease in dripping, most likely because the ink attenuated the microvibrations too little or too much, thereby adversely affecting the drop. However, it has already been found in the publication WO 2017/009 705 A2 that a significant shortening of the drive period relative to the resonance period by more than 1.5 times positively influences drop formation, presumably because, after a certain shortening time of the edge time Vibrations are reduced so much that again a favorable or even better influence on the droplet formation is obtained in relation to the assumed ideal value, in particular due to a reduction in the number of stages and thus the amount and duration of the vibrations during the drop formation.

This advantage makes use of the invention in the following, as shown in Figures 5 to 5f, which shows the drive signal 7 ', as it effectively arrives at a printing system. To the right is always the time axis to think, up the time-dependent amplitude of the drive signal 7 '. In this case, a solid line means that at the respective times the voltage of the drive signal T is explicitly specified and transmitted to the relevant printing system, while a dashed line means that the drive signal is not specified at these times. Either no trigger signal is generated at these times, or this is not transmitted to the activator of the printing system. This could be done, for example, by interrupting the supply line between the activation stage and activator, or by blocking both transistors of the output stage of the relevant amplifier. It is also possible in this case to separate the control loop or disconnect or disconnect the setpoint of the control loop. As can be seen from FIG. 5, for example, such a shortening of the drive signal 7 'to the second half of the stored waveform 1, in conjunction with a shortening of the second holding time 6, causes the ink chamber to fill less, on the one hand, and consequently also The generated ink drop is smaller than usual, so for example. Only has a volume of 5 pl. This is achieved by controlling only the second half of the first holding time 4 and the first half of the second holding time 6 to the activator.

If, for example, only the first half of the first holding time 4 and the second half of the second holding time 6 are turned on to the activator according to FIG. 5 b, a drop of the size 10 pl is obtained. This is presumably because there is a long interval between the two predetermined periods, within which the ink has a long time to flow into the ink chamber.

An even larger drop with a volume of about 12 pl is obtained according to FIG. 5c, for example, in that only the first half of the first holding time 4 but the entire second hold time 6 is passed through. As a result, the drop has a long time to form outside the nozzle because the pressure within the ink chamber is long maintained.

If both holding times 4, 6 of the stored wave function 1 are completely transferred to the activator of the printing system, but not the flanks 3, 5, ink droplets having a size of approximately 14 pl are obtained. On the one hand, at least during the entire first holding time 4 ink flows into the ink chamber; however, this ink flow is not stopped by a second flank 5 because the second flank 5 is suppressed. Therefore, more ink can flow into the ink chamber than in the case of FIG. 5a.

If one waits after activation eienr first holding time 4 with the second holding time 6 even longer than it corresponds to the second edge 5, so can an even larger amount of ink flow into the ink chamber, and obtained according to Fig. 5e a droplet size of 17 pl and according to FIG. FIG. 5f - here, with respect to FIG. 5e, even longer waiting for the second activation phase - a droplet size of even 21 pl.

FIGS. 6 to 8 show further possibilities of how the drive signal 7 'can be further optimized. Here, the modifiable in accordance with the figures 5 to 5f part of the Ansteuersignais, so the initial waiting time 11, the first edge 8, the este hold time 12, the second edge 9 and the second hold time 13, always in the middle of the illustrated drive sequence to find.

For example. For example, the initial waiting time 11 can be preceded by a small pre-firing pulse 14, which has an increasing effect on the drop volume. As a result, for example, a vibration of the system can be controlled, which may have special steep edges result.

Alternatively or additionally, after the modifiable drive pulse, a counter-pulse 15 with reduced amplitude can be generated, which on the drop quantity has a reducing effect. Thus, the tearing of the drop can be prematurely triggered.

Fig. 7 shows a wave with a pre-pulse 14, as well as two waveforms 1 to produce one drop, the two drops have the same size, so that in this way one pixel can be assigned to two or more equally sized drops of ink. Preferably, no separate drop is generated by the pre-pulse, but an optionally immediately following drops influence.

It should also be shown in FIG. 8 that the first, controllable pulse with initial waiting time 11, first edge 8, first holding time 12, second edge 9 and second holding time 13 can also be followed by at least one further, preferably controllable pressure pulse 17, so that one Pixel also two or more ink drops of different sizes can be assigned.

If, for example, two or more sequences according to FIGS. 5 a to 5 f are sent one behind the other, an amount of ink of 42 μl can be put on paper or onto the substrate in a comparatively short time interval of only 20 μl. For this purpose, the double time would be required by the usual method of FIG.

If one uses the possibilities described in FIGS. 5 and 5a to 5f by way of example for three consecutive droplets of droplets which are assigned to a pixel, then ideally (including the zero pulse) one can generate three differently sized droplets with in each case eight possible droplet sizes that is, there are a total of 8 * 8 * 8 = 512 different gray and / or brightness levels.

By means of the invention, therefore, many drops are obtained from a small nozzle with, for example, a nominal droplet size of 7 μl Drop sizes, for example, in a range of 5 pl or less to 50 pl or more.

In doing so, it is possible to generate even more different intermediate drop sizes and thus correspondingly many degrees of gray or brightness.

Furthermore, the size of pre-fire pulses or counter-pulses can also be influenced in a corresponding manner. The present invention thus obtains from one and the same nozzle all the required droplet sizes in order to print with a comparable offset, low physical resolution and, as it produces a high optical print quality. That is, for example, for a picture to be printed at a resolution of 300 × 300 dpi, despite a high printing speed of e.g. 1 m / sec. only a firing frequency of 12 kHz needed.

In addition, when using the method according to the invention, the demands on the software and / or hardware and / or on the mechanical engineering significantly lower than in the prior art. The production of printheads with a low nozzle resolution or nozzle density and large nozzles is considerably easier by the invention. As can be seen from FIGS. 9a to 9e, the method according to the invention offers yet another advantage, because the selection of suitable subsections of the stored waveform also influences the drop speed. First, the complete signal to form an intrinsic droplet according to Fig. 9a is to be considered, which corresponds to Fig. 5a and thus one Drops of size 7 pl supplies. The velocity of this "intrinsic drop" of size 7 pl should be referred to as Vj.

If only the sections A and B according to FIG. 9b are transmitted to the printing unit, this corresponds to the procedure according to FIG. 5c; Thus, an ink droplet of the size 12 pl is produced, wherein the partial section A corresponds to the partial section 4 in FIG. 5c, while the partial section B is to be equated to the partial section 6 in FIG. 5c. It turns out that in this case the drop velocity is slightly increased, namely now at v = 1, 1 * Vi.

Similarly, one can control the printing unit as in Figures 9c and 5d. One then obtains an ink droplet of the size 14 pl at a drop speed of v = 1, 1 * ν · |.

If one controls the printing unit as in FIGS. 9d or 5f, then one obtains an ink droplet of size 21 pl at a drop speed of v = 1.4 * vi. On the other hand, a drive according to FIG. 9e shows that the intrinsic drop velocity v- _{1 can} also be undershot, namely by a drive which corresponds approximately to a mixture of FIGS. 5 and 5b.

The inventor has found that a combination of two or more drive pulses 18, 19 results in additional adjustment parameters, which make it possible to vary the two variables drop size and drop speed in different ways.

Accordingly, one of a plurality of different procedures for producing an ink drop of a desired size, respectively that mask for the forwarded to the printing unit Select subsections of the common waveform that give identical or nearly identical drop velocities.

The result is shown in Fig. 10:

As can be seen, the first drive pulse 18 takes a longer period of time than the following, second drive pulse 19. This is due to the fact that the first drive pulse 18 takes a longer time than the following, second drive pulse 19. because the slope of the edge 3a "of the first control pulse 18 has a lower slope than the corresponding edge 3b" of the second control pulse 19, and also the edge 5a "is flatter than the edge 5b" greater than the hold time 4b "of the second drive pulse 19.

In addition, the levels of the holding times 4a "and 4b" could be different, but this is not realized in the embodiment of FIG.

The parameters of the deposited waveform 1 "are chosen such that with this single waveform 1", ink drops of different size but the same speed can be generated.

Below the stored waveform 1 "are mapped various steer signals 20a" to 20z "which are virtually inverted, that is, only the subsections of the waveform 1" are switched through to the printing unit during the low phases of the respective control signal 20a "to 20z".

It turns out, however, that the complete switching through of both drive pulses 18, 19 with the control signal 20y "no Ink drops deliver. This is because the slope of the flanks 3a "and 5a" of the first drive pulse 18 is relatively low; The resulting ink droplet is comparatively slow and moderate and is completely retracted by the following second drive pulse 19.

In the case of the control signal 20x ", the second drive pulse 19 is not switched through, and an ink droplet of the size 10 pl is obtained, which, however, is comparatively slow, precisely because of the small slope of the flanks 3a" and 5a ".

On the other hand, the control signal 20z "only forwards the second drive pulse 19 to the connected print unit while suppressing the first drive pulse 18. Although the edges 3b" and 5b "are slightly steeper than the edges 3a" and 5a "of the first drive pulse 18, respectively the holding phase 4b "is too short for an ink droplet of sufficient size to form and, in addition, to be released from the printing unit with a sufficient impulse; again, no ink drop is formed at all. However, it can be seen that the special control signals 20a "to 20e" provide ink droplets of different sizes, but which have the same droplet velocity:

The single "intrinsic" ink droplet generated at the control signal 20x "from the first drive pulse 18 comes closest to the drive signal 20c", which also provides an ink drop with a volume of 10 pl, which, however, is significantly faster than the one with the control signal 20x "generated ink drops. The control signal 20x "only switches on the hold phase 4b" of the second drive pulse 19 and a time-delayed part of the second hold phase 6b "of this second drive pulse 19. In contrast to the control signal 20z", however, the edges 3b "and 5b" are not predetermined but it gets abruptly from switched high impedance to the respective voltage level 4b "or 6b", so that there is a maximum slope of the actual adjacent edges, which allows a loosening of the drop. In addition, not the immediately adjoining section 6b "is switched through, but first passes a waiting time in which the ink chamber can fill in. Because of the steep flanks, the ink droplet releases from the printhead and at the control signal 20c" under comparatively high pressure therefore receives a comparatively high speed v. Starting from the control signal 20c "which, with selective switching of parts of the second control pulse 19, yields an ink droplet with the volume 10 pl, the control signal 20d" leads to a comparable procedure relating to the first drive pulse 18; by selectively switching portions thereof, an ink drop of 12 pl volume is generated but at the same velocity v.

The control signal 20e "represents a slightly modified combination of the two control signals 20c" and 20d ", wherein in each case a subsection of the first holding phase 4a" and the second holding phase 6a "of the first AnSteuerimpulses 18 is turned on, and in each case a subsection of the first holding phase 4b" and the second hold phase 6b "of the second drive pulse 19. The long waiting time before the switched-through section 6b" can initiate a second ink drop, presumably before the droplet tear of the ink droplet applied during the first drive pulse 18, ie, these two ink droplets are either originally linked together or unite in flight and therefore encounter as a single drop of ink on the substrate to be printed on. With this method one receives a drop with a volume of 16 pl; the speed v is equal to the speed generated by the control signals 20c "and 20d". Starting from the control signal 20x ", which was originally discarded because of the too slow ink drop, but with a steeper second flank (at 5a"), a sufficiently fast ink droplet is applied, but not enlarged by means of two through-connected partial sections 4b ", 6b" of the second control pulse 19 but is downsized. Here comes the total third flank (at 3b ") again relatively shortly after the initially applied ink drop, but not as fast as the control signal 2 Oy". In the manner of a counterpulse, therefore, the portions of the second drive pulse 19 can not completely retract the applied ink drop, but reduce its volume. The resulting ink drop has a volume of 6 pl at the same speed v.

The control signal 20a "results in a further reduction of the ink droplet volume, which is achieved by only passing through two separate sections 4a", 6a "of the first drive pulse. and 5a ") become steeper, and thus the ink droplet receives a comparable or even greater initial velocity, but at the same time less ink is drawn into the ink chamber due to the shortening of the ink loading phase to the plateau of the holding phase 4a", and therefore only a smaller ink plug is formed , From this, a partial volume is then withdrawn again, in the manner of a counterpulse, by the partially activated second drive pulse 19. Finally, an ink drop of only 4 pl is obtained, but due to the high initial speed again at the speed v.

As can be seen, it is thus possible to generate ink droplets of the sizes 4 pl, 6 pl, 10 pl, 12 pl and 16 pl from the single, stored waveform 1 "by masking and switching through specific subsections by means of the control signals 20a" to 20e ". however, they all have the same drop velocity v. FIGS. 11a to 11d show a further possibility of influencing the droplet size and / or speed, which can be used as activators, in particular when piezo elements are used. FIG. 11a shows a stored waveform 1, which follows the waveform 1 Fig. 2 corresponds. One recognizes the holding phases 2, 4, 6 and the two flanks 3, 5. The amplitude is at each flank 3, 5 each 20 V.

FIGS. 11b to 11d show how different subsections 4, 6 are switched through to the connected printing unit from this uniform waveform 1 by means of different control signals.

According to Fig. 11b, the holding phases 4 and 6 are completely switched through. The result is that the output transistors of the drive stage, which naturally can only drive a limited current, have enough time for the electrodes on the two opposite sides of the piezoelement to be completely at the voltage of 0 V on the one hand and then to the voltage of 20 V on the other hand. The course of the voltage 21 between the two electrodes of the piezoelectric element follows the predetermined waveform 1 quite exactly, as can be clearly seen in FIG. 11b.

In contrast, in FIG. 11c, the holding phase 4 is not completely switched through, but only to a very small extent, for example for a period of about a quarter or fifth of the entire holding phase 4. This is so short that the switch-through duration between the two high-impedance phases of the output stage of the drive circuit is not sufficient to bring enough charge carriers to the electrodes of the piezoelectric element, which are required to lower the voltage 21 between those of initially 20 V to 0 V. Rather, the stroke or the amplitude in the region of the flank 3 is shortened, and the voltage 21 drops, for example, only by about 16 V, ie from 20 V to 4 V. Since then durchgechalteten holding phase 6, however, long enough, the voltage 21 then strives again completely against 20 V. Since the piezoelectric element but does not perform the full stroke, but, for example, only a stroke of 4/5 of maximum amplitude, the chamber volume increases only to a correspondingly reduced extent. It is sucked less ink, and therefore can be discharged at the second edge, even a drop of ink with a smaller volume, for example. With a reduced to about 4/5 of the volume of FIG. 11 b value.

11d shows a different procedure, but has a similar effect: Here is not you switching through the holding phase 4 significantly shortened, but the switching of the holding phase 6. The voltage 21 between the electrodes of the piezo element therefore follows first the edge 3 of the stored Waveform 1 almost exactly, so even with a Amplidudenhub of 20 V. So it is the maximum possible amount of ink sucked into the ink chamber. However, the large reduction of the switched holding phase 6 means that the voltage 21 in the region of the edge 5 does not have sufficient opportunity to rise again to the full value of 20 V. Due to the umzuladenden electrode capacitances can be achieved with the applied amount of charge only a voltage 21 of about 16V. In turn, only a smaller quantity of ink is dispensed from the printing unit, in the present example again only in a size order of 4/5 of the maximum value according to FIG. 11b.

Another possibility for influencing the amplitudes of a drive signal is, in addition to the ground potential 0 V not only a single supply voltage - for example. 20 V - provide, but several, Thus, for example, 16 V and 20 V, between which can be switched if necessary - for example, between each two AnSteuerimpulsen 18, 19.

***

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 waveform

2 initial waiting time

3 first flank

4 first hold time

5 second flank

6 second hold time

7 control signal

8 flank

9 flank

10 level

11 waiting time

12 first hold time

13 second holding time

14 pre-fire impulse

15 counterpulse

16 postpulse

17 consecutive pressure pulse

18 first drive pulse

19 second drive pulse

20 control signal

21 tension

Claims

claims

A printing method for a digital printing apparatus, comprising a printhead having a plurality of printing systems, and at least one drive means for supplying to the printing systems drive signals for generating ink drops, each printing system each having a nozzle, at least one ink chamber and a piezoelectric activator associated therewith for ejecting drops of ink from the respective ink chamber through the respective nozzle onto a substrate to be printed in response to a drive signal, characterized in that in the context of the drive device for ink droplets of all sizes only a single waveform (1) for the drive signal (7,7 ') is deposited with a predetermined time course, for example, optionally comprising an initial waiting time (2), a first edge (3), followed by a first holding time (4), and following the first holding time (4) a second, opposite Flank (5), followed if necessary by a two tenth hold time (6), wherein the size and / or speed of ink droplets is varied by the fact that at most, with a single, intrinsic drop size, the entire deposited waveform (1) is transmitted as a drive signal (7,7 ') to the respective activator during for all other effective drop sizes, only a portion of the common, stored waveform (1) is transferred to the respective activator, namely one or more selected portions, while one or more other portions of the stored common waveform (1) are within the drive signal (7,7 ') are kept away from the activator concerned.

2. Printing method according to claim 1, characterized in that a drive stage is used with a switched output or preferably a drive stage with a controlled or regulated output.

3. Printing method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the drive circuit is not high-switched sections of the stored waveform (1) at its connected to an activator drive output high impedance.

4. Printing method according to claim 3, characterized in that the connected to an activator drive output of

Drive circuit is constructed in the manner of a push-pull circuit with two output side connected in series transistors.

5. Printing method according to claim 4, characterized in that the two output side connected in series transistors of a

Piezoelement connected drive output of the drive circuit in non-connected state both high output side are high. 6. Printing method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that during the first or second flank (3,5), the volume of an ink chamber is increased by means of the respective activator, and during the immediately following, first or second holding time (4,

6) ink is sucked into the respective ink chamber.

7. Printing method according to claim 6, characterized in that during the other, second or first edge (5,3), the volume of the respective ink chamber is reduced by means of the respective activator, and during the immediately following, second or first holding time (6 , 4) an ink drop is shot out of the associated nozzle.

8. Printing method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a piezoelectric element is used as the activator, which is in contact with an ink chamber in the region of an ink nozzle to influence the volume of the ink chamber.

9. Printing method according to claim 8, characterized in that the piezoelectric element has on two opposite sides of conductive coatings, which can be used as electrodes.

10. Printing method according to claim 9, characterized in that the piezoelectric element between the two opposing pads is electrically non-conductive, so that a voltage applied as a result of an applied voltage at high impedance output of the drive circuit remains constant.

11. Printing method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the applied during a charging phase to the piezoelectric element electrical charge is dependent on the applied voltage, as well as the duration of the charging phase.

12. Printing method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that from the stored waveform (1) in each case at least two intervals are selected and transmitted to the activator.

13. Printing method according to claim 12, characterized in that at least two selected and transmitted to the activator intervals do not follow one another directly.

14. Printing method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transmitted to the activator intervals from a first or second holding time (4,6) are selected.

15. Printing method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at one, several or all effective drop sizes no edge (3,5) is transmitted to the activator.

16. Printing method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stored waveform (1) comprises two or more consecutive AnSteuerimpulse, each comprising a first edge (3), followed by a first holding time (4), and in Connection to the first holding time (4) a second, opposite edge (5), possibly followed by a second holding time (6).

17. Printing method according to claim 16, characterized in that two or more drive pulses of the stored waveform (1) differ from each other with respect to the slope of the first edge (3) and / or the second edge (5), and / or in terms of the first hold time (4) and / or the second hold time (6), and / or the amplitude of the first and / or second hold time (4,6), and / or the rise or fall time during the first edge (3) and / or the second flank (5).

18. Printing method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the volume of ink flowing into the ink chamber during a holding time when the volume of the ink chamber is increased depends on the increase in the volume, and / or on the duration of the relevant volume increase.

19. Printing method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the volume of a during a flank (5,3), wherein the volume of the respective ink chamber is reduced by means of the respective activator, the ink droplet which has dropped increases with the slope of the respective flank (5, 3) in which the volume within the ink chamber is reduced.

20. A printing method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the volume of an ink droplet thrown out during an edge (5, 3) of an actuation pulse increases with the duration of the effective holding time immediately following it.

21. Printing method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the duration of the immediately adjacent to an edge, effective holding time is determined by the time interval of a subsequent edge of the drive signal.

22. Printing method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that before the tearing of the ink droplet dispensed during a first drive pulse following, the volume within the ink chamber (again) increasing flank of a second drive pulse reduces the volume of the ink drop, because as a result a larger part the ink drop is retained.

23. A printing method according to claim 1, wherein an edge of a second drive pulse that reduces the volume within the ink chamber (again) after the ink droplet formed during a first drive pulse increases the volume of the ink droplet when an additional quantity of ink is dispensed as a result ,

Printing method according to claims 22 and 23, characterized in that an additional quantity of ink is dispensed after the ink droplet formed during a first drive pulse when between the volume eviscerating the volume within the ink chamber (again) and a subsequent volume inside the ink chamber (again) decreasing edge of a second drive pulse, a sufficient amount of ink has been sucked into the ink chamber, and if the flank reducing the volume within the ink chamber (again) is sufficiently steep.

25. Printing method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the speed of an ink drop which has dropped out during an edge (5, 3) of a drive pulse increases with the amplitude of the edge (5, 3) of the drive pulse.

26. Printing method according to claim 25, characterized in that the amplitude of the edge (5,3) of an AnSteuerimpulses increases with the duration of the actively impressed charging current for the activator.

27. Printing method according to claim 26, characterized in that the duration of the actively impressed charging current for the activator is smaller with larger drop sizes than with smaller drop sizes.

28. Printing method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the speed of an ink drop dropped out during an edge (5, 3) of an activation pulse is kept constant for all drop sizes.