JP2001010032A - Stereoscopic surface printer, contact type printhead and method for printing by stereoscopic surface printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a stereoscopic surface printer capable of printing by automatically adopting a suitable scanning format in response to a shape of an object to be printed, a method therefor and a contact type printhead suitable for the printer. SOLUTION: If an object 301 to be printed as shown is, for example, printed by discharging an ink jet from a Z-axis direction, since an undulation of a height in the Z-axis direction of a Y-axis direction is smoother than that of an X-axis direction, a total moving amount of a carriage in the Z-axis direction can be reduced when the Y-axis direction is used as a main scanning direction and sub-scanned in the X-axis direction. Thus, in the case of printing, a high acceleration, a silencing and an energy conservation can be conducted.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for printing a three-dimensional object (a three-dimensional printing apparatus), a method, and a contact print head suitable for the apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As an apparatus for performing printing on a three-dimensional object, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 6-236144, a printing target surface having a three-dimensional shape is arranged so as to face an XY plane. Means for causing the print head to face the print target surface in the Z-axis direction, disposing the print head on a carriage, and freely scanning the carriage in each of the X, Y, and Z axes. A printing apparatus that realizes printing on the print target surface is known.

In such a printing apparatus, a carriage movement control in the Z-axis direction for appropriately maintaining a distance between a head and a printing target, that is, a so-called paper interval, when performing main scanning and sub-scanning on the XY plane. Was an important technical element and difficult.

[0004] Further, as described in the above-mentioned publication, a non-contact type print head in which a head and a print target do not contact each other, such as an ink jet head, is used as a print head used in an apparatus for printing on a three-dimensional target. Techniques using a head are known.

[0005]

However, the above-mentioned conventional apparatus has the following problems.

The printing apparatus performs printing in a predetermined fixed scanning format (mode), and does not have a method of actively reducing the total movement amount of the carriage in the Z-axis direction. Therefore, depending on the shape of the printing target, the total amount of movement of the carriage in the Z-axis direction can be easily reduced simply by switching the directions of the main scanning and the sub-scanning. In this case, the scanning is performed, and the processing is made redundant.

[0007] There are irregularities on the surface of the three-dimensional object to be printed, and it is difficult to maintain a constant sheet interval between the print head and the object to be printed. Variations between the sheets cause a decrease in print quality.

On the other hand, a contact print head is considered to be an effective means for printing on a three-dimensional object without being affected by the space between sheets.

However, even with a contact type print head, the amount of irregularities that can be absorbed by the suspension is naturally limited. If the undulation of the three-dimensional object in the direction of the print nozzle (print ball) arrangement of the head exceeds the extendable amount of the suspension, the print nozzle separates from the print target, and is a deadly print as a contact print head. There is a problem that an impossible state appears.

The present invention has been made under such circumstances, and a three-dimensional printing apparatus and method capable of automatically adopting an appropriate scanning format according to the shape of a printing target and performing printing. And a contact print head suitable for the apparatus.

[0011]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, a three-dimensional printing apparatus is provided with the following (1) to (3).
(5), (8) to (12), the contact print head is configured as in the following (6), (7), and the printing method of the three-dimensional printing apparatus is as follows (13). , (14).

(1) A print target surface having a three-dimensional shape to be printed is arranged facing the XY plane, a print head is opposed to the print target surface in the Z-axis direction, and the print head is arranged on a carriage. In a three-dimensional printing apparatus that includes means for freely scanning the carriage in each of the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis directions to realize printing on the printing target surface, the shape of the printing target surface is changed in the Z-axis direction. Storage means for storing height information corresponding to each XY coordinate, and a scanning format for performing main scanning in the X-axis direction and sub-scanning in the Y-axis direction based on the information stored in the storage means. First calculating means for calculating the total movement amount of the carriage in the Z-axis direction in advance, and calculating the total movement amount of the carriage in the Z-axis direction in a scanning format in which main scanning is performed in the Y-axis direction and sub-scanning is performed in the X-axis direction. Second calculating means for calculating in advance; Serial first calculating means, the three-dimensional surface printing apparatus and a adopted scan format smaller of previously calculated total moving amount print control means for printing by the second calculation means.

(2) In the three-dimensional printing apparatus described in the above (1), the printing head is constituted by a single nozzle inkjet nozzle for printing one pixel.

(3) In the three-dimensional printing apparatus described in (1), the print head has a configuration in which single-jet ink jet nozzles for printing one pixel are arranged in a row.
The carriage includes a print head rotating unit that rotates the print head while keeping the print head parallel to the XY plane, and controls the print head rotating unit so that the nozzle row always faces a direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction. Three-dimensional surface printing apparatus provided with a control means for performing the following.

(4) In the three-dimensional printing apparatus described in (1), the print head has a configuration in which single-jet ink jet nozzles for printing one pixel are arranged in a row.
Control means for controlling the rotation of the printing object so that the nozzle row always faces in a direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction; Three-dimensional printing machine equipped.

(5) The three-dimensional printing apparatus according to any one of (1) to (4), further comprising: means for dividing the print target surface into a plurality of parts in advance and managing the print target surface; A three-dimensional surface printing apparatus for independently adopting and printing the scanning format on each of the divided surfaces.

(6) A contact print head for performing printing by contacting a print target medium, wherein the contact print head has a structure in which means for printing one pixel are arranged in a line. Means for printing one pixel are each disposed on a head chassis by a movable support means such as a spring, and the action of the support means causes the one pixel to be affected by a change in the distance between the print medium surface and the head chassis. A contact print head which performs printing while each of the means for printing is always pressed against the surface of the printing target medium.

(7) In the contact print head according to (6), the means for printing one pixel receives an ink jet discharge nozzle for each of a plurality of color inks and an ink droplet discharged from the discharge nozzle. A contact print head which is an ink-jet ball-point pen having a ball and a ball.

(8) A contact type print head in which a print target surface having a three-dimensional shape is arranged facing the XY plane, and rows of elements for printing one pixel are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction. The print head is placed on a carriage so as to face the surface to be printed from the Z-axis direction,
In a three-dimensional surface printing apparatus which includes means for freely scanning in each of the directions of the axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis and realizes printing on the surface to be printed, the shape of the surface to be printed is set as height information in the Z-axis direction. Storage means for storing in correspondence with XY coordinates; and, based on the information stored in the storage means, a main scanning in the X-axis direction and a sub-scanning in the Y-axis direction. Calculating means for calculating in advance the total movement amount of the carriage and second calculation for calculating in advance the total movement amount of the carriage in the Z-axis direction in a scanning format in which main scanning is performed in the Y-axis direction and sub-scanning is performed in the X-axis direction. A three-dimensional printing apparatus comprising: a printing unit that prints by using a scanning format having a larger total movement amount calculated in advance by the first calculation unit and the second calculation unit.

(9) In the three-dimensional printing apparatus described in (8), the carriage is provided with a print head rotating means for rotating the contact type head while keeping the contact type head parallel to the XY plane, and the one pixel. A three-dimensional surface printing apparatus comprising control means for controlling the print head rotating means so that a row of elements for printing is always oriented in a direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction.

(10) In the three-dimensional printing apparatus described in (8), a printing object rotating means for rotating the printing object while keeping the printing object parallel to the XY plane, and an array of elements for printing the one pixel. And a control unit for controlling the printing object rotating unit so that the printing unit always faces a direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction.

(11) In the three-dimensional printing apparatus according to any one of (8) to (10), there is provided a means for dividing the print target surface into a plurality of pieces in advance and managing the print target face, and wherein the print control means comprises A three-dimensional surface printing apparatus for independently adopting and printing the scanning format on each of the divided surfaces.

(12) In the three-dimensional surface printing apparatus according to any one of (8) to (11), the contact print head is the three-dimensional print head according to (6) or (7). Surface printing device.

(13) The print target surface of the print target having a three-dimensional shape is arranged facing the XY plane, the print head is opposed to the print target surface in the Z-axis direction, and the print head is disposed on the carriage. A printing method in a three-dimensional printing apparatus that includes means for freely scanning the carriage in each of the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis directions and realizes printing on the printing target surface. Step A for storing the shape as height information in the Z-axis direction corresponding to each XY coordinate, and scanning for performing main scanning in the X-axis direction and sub-scanning in the Y-axis direction based on the information stored in Step A In advance, the total amount of movement of the carriage in the Z-axis direction is calculated in advance, and the total amount of movement of the carriage in the Z-axis direction is calculated in advance in a scanning format in which main scanning is performed in the Y-axis direction and sub-scanning is performed in the X-axis direction. Step B Printing methods of the three-dimensional surface printing apparatus comprising the steps C to the scanning format smaller of the total moving amount calculated employing printed in step B.

(14) The print target surface of the print target having a three-dimensional shape is arranged facing the XY plane, the contact print head is opposed to the print target surface in the Z-axis direction, and the print head is placed on the carriage. And the carriage is positioned on the X axis, the Y axis,
A printing method in a three-dimensional surface printing apparatus that includes means for freely scanning in each direction of the Z axis and realizes printing on the printing target surface, wherein the shape of the printing target surface is set as height information in the Z axis direction. Step A for storing in correspondence with XY coordinates
And X based on the information stored in step A
The total amount of movement of the carriage in the Z-axis direction when the main scanning in the axial direction and the sub-scanning in the Y-axis direction are calculated in advance, and the main scanning in the Y-axis direction and the sub-scanning in the X-axis direction are performed. Step B of calculating a total movement amount of the carriage in the Z-axis direction in advance;
A printing method for a three-dimensional surface printing apparatus, comprising: a step C of printing by adopting the scanning format having the larger total movement amount calculated in step B.

[0026]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to an example of a "device for printing on a three-dimensional object" (also referred to as a three-dimensional surface printing device) and a contact type print head. Note that the present invention is not limited to the three-dimensional printing apparatus, but can be similarly implemented in the form of a printing method.

[0027]

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a physical configuration of an "apparatus for printing on a three-dimensional object" which is Embodiment 1.

Reference numeral 0110 denotes a host device, which is a computer device comprising a computing device, an input device, an output device, and a storage device (not shown) because it is a known technology.

Numeral 0140 is a schematic diagram of a main part of an apparatus for printing on a three-dimensional object according to the present embodiment, which is constituted by the following elements.

The apparatus main body 0140 is provided with a mounting table 0141 on which a printing object 0190 is mounted. On the mounting surface of the mounting table 0141, the carriage 0180 is provided with an X axis (width), a Y axis (depth), and a Z axis (high). A) carriage moving means 0150 for moving the carriage in the direction S). The carriage 0180
On the top, an inkjet nozzle 0181 that ejects cyan ink droplets, an inkjet nozzle 0182 that ejects magenta ink droplets, an inkjet nozzle 0183 that ejects yellow ink droplets, and an ink jet nozzle that ejects black ink droplets The ink jet nozzle 0184 is disposed.

The distance between the tip of each ink jet nozzle and the colored surface of the printing object 0190 is always kept at an appropriate distance according to the characteristics of the ink jet nozzle.

The carriage moving means 0150 includes a pair of Y-axis direction moving devices 0 provided on both sides of the mounting table 0141.
156, an X-axis direction moving device 0155 provided between the pair of Y-axis moving devices 0156, and an X-axis direction moving device 015
5, a Z-axis direction moving device slidably provided on
And X-axis, Y-axis and Z-axis direction moving devices 0155, 015
X-axis, Y-axis and Z-axis provided in 6,0157 respectively
It comprises motors 0151,0152,0153 for axial movement. The Z-axis direction moving device 0157 has a Z-axis direction movable section (not shown), and a carriage 0180 is detachably attached to the Z-axis direction movable section. Host device 0
The motors 0151 and 015 are controlled by a control signal from the motor 110.
2, 0153 performs printing processing by appropriately scanning the carriage 0180 according to the surface shape of the printing target 0190.

Although not shown, the host device 0110
It is possible to capture and store in advance the three-dimensional shape of the surface of the print target 0190 inside the apparatus by a three-dimensional scanner or the like. As is apparent from the form, the printing apparatus 0140 is also configured as a three-dimensional scanner if a contact type three-dimensional scanner head is provided on the carriage 0180. In such a configuration, the printing process is started in advance. Previously, the printing device 0140 sent the printing target 019
The three-dimensional shape of the zero surface can be captured and stored.

The print object 019 having a fixed form
Regarding the three-dimensional shape of 0, it is also possible to take in from a server on the network via the network. By using these techniques, for example, if the surface shape of a three-dimensional object, which is a known mass product, is uploaded to a WWW server on the Internet, the user can use the three-dimensional object as a print target 0190 when performing colored printing. It is possible to divert the three-dimensional shape without having to input the three-dimensional shape of the print target 0190 by itself.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a logical configuration of an apparatus for printing a three-dimensional object according to the present embodiment.

The print control device 0201 includes a host device 01
The print data transmitted from the printer 10 is analyzed and the printing device 01 is analyzed.
An appropriate control signal is issued to each device on 40.

The carriage moving means 0150 controls the operation of the carriage and includes the following components.

The motor control circuit 0202 is a circuit for controlling each motor for controlling the movement of the carriage.
The scanning of the carriage 0180 is realized by appropriately controlling the motors 0151, 0152, 0153 based on the control signal issued from the print control device 0201.

The carriage 0180 has a print head mounted thereon, and sends control signals issued from the print control device 0201 to the nozzles 0181 and 0118 via the ejection control circuit 0203.
82, 0183, 0184, and appropriately controls the ejection of ink droplets to achieve coloring of the printing target 0190.

In FIG. 3, a solid 301 is an example of an object to be printed 0190 prepared for specifically explaining the operation of the apparatus of the present embodiment. The height data is illustrated by a wire frame. Here, the solid 301 is characterized in that it has a three-dimensional shape that is relatively undulating in the Y-axis direction, though it is highly undulated in the X-axis direction.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing numerical values of height data of the solid body 301 in the Z-axis direction as a correlation table with respective coordinates in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. The undulation amount of the Z-axis calculated in the X-axis direction calculated by the calculation means described later is described in the rightmost column, and the undulation amount of the Z-axis calculated in the Y-axis direction is written in the bottommost row. .

FIGS. 5 and 6 are schematic diagrams showing variations of the scanning format (mode) of the carriage 0180 on the printing target 0190.

FIG. 5 shows a case where the main scanning is performed in the X-axis direction and the sub-scanning is performed in the Y-axis direction. 501 indicates the locus of the carriage 0180 in the main scanning, and 502 indicates the locus of the carriage 0180 in the sub-scanning. Is shown.

FIG. 6 shows a case where the main scanning is performed in the Y-axis direction and the sub-scanning is performed in the X-axis direction. 601 indicates the locus of the carriage 0180 in the main scanning, and 602 indicates the locus of the carriage 0180 in the sub-scanning. Is shown.

Comparing the two scanning formats shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 and applying them specifically to the solid 301, the height of the height data in the Z-axis direction with respect to the Y-axis direction is gentle. It is obvious that the operation amount of the motor for moving in the Z-axis direction 0153 can be further reduced when the scanning method of No. 6 is adopted. If the operation amount of the motor 0153 can be reduced,
It is possible to realize rationalization, high-speed processing, low noise, and energy saving of the processing.

The means for automatically selecting the scanning means in FIG. 6 based on the shape of the three-dimensional object 301, which is the feature of this embodiment, will be described with reference to a flowchart.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a process which is a feature of the present embodiment.
This shows a determination means for automatically selecting an appropriate scanning means from the surface shape of 0.

When the printing process is started in step 701, height data in the Z-axis direction of the printing target 0190 is detected in step 702. For a specific example of the detection means,
Since it has already been described in the description of FIG. 1, the description is omitted here.

In step 703, the total movement amount of the carriage 0180 in the Z-axis direction when the main scanning is performed in the X-axis direction and the sub-scanning is performed in the Y-axis direction as illustrated in FIG. Substitute -y.

In step 704, the total movement amount of the carriage 0180 in the Z-axis direction when the main scanning is performed in the Y-axis direction and the sub-scanning is performed in the X-axis direction as illustrated in FIG. Substitute -x.

In step 705, a comparison judgment process is performed.
DistanceZx-y <DistanceZy-x
If so, the process proceeds to step 706; otherwise, the process proceeds to step 707.

In step 706, the printing process is performed by performing main scanning in the X-axis direction and sub-scanning in the Y-axis direction as illustrated in FIG.

In step 707, the printing process is performed by performing main scanning in the Y-axis direction and sub-scanning in the X-axis direction, as illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the contents of step 703. It should be noted that the contents of step 704 can be realized by exchanging the description about the X axis and the Y axis in FIG. 8, and the description is omitted.

When the process is started in step 801, in steps 802 and 803, the counters Counter_y,
Initialize Counter_x.

Distance_Zxy (Count
er_y) indicates the total movement amount of the carriage 0180 in the Z-axis direction when the carriage 0180 is main-scanned in the X-axis direction at the Y-axis coordinate value Counter_y.

In step 804, Distance_
Initialize Zxy (Counter_y).

In step 805, High_Z
(Counter_x, Counter_y) indicates that the X-axis coordinate is Counter_x and the Y-axis coordinate is Counter.
_Y indicates the height in the Z-axis direction at the point, which is data that has already been detected in step 702.

According to the calculation formula described in step 805,
The amount of movement in the Z-axis direction when the carriage 0180 moves between two adjacent points in the X-axis direction is represented by Distance_Z.
xy (Counter_y).

At step 806, the counter Count
r_x is incremented.

In step 807, Limit_x indicates the maximum length of the print target 0190 in the X-axis direction. If data in the X-axis direction still exists, the flow returns to step 805 to return Distance_Zxy (Counter_y).
Is continued, otherwise proceeds to step 808 to increment Counter_y.

In step 809, Limit_y indicates the maximum length of the print target 0190 in the Y-axis direction. If there is still data in the Y-axis direction, the flow returns to step 803, and Distance_Zx-y for the incremented Counter_y is returned. A new calculation process of (Counter_y) is started, otherwise, step 810
Proceed to.

The Distance_ calculated as described above
Zx-y (Counter_y) corresponds to the value described in the rightmost column in FIG.

In step 810, Counter_y
Is initialized, and the Dista already described in step 703 is executed.
nceZx-y is initialized.

The calculation of DistanceZxy is performed by the loop processing of steps 811, 812, and 813, and the processing ends in step 814.

When the above-described processing is applied to the three-dimensional object 301 which is a specific example of the printing object 0190, it is possible to automatically select the scanning means of FIG. 6 which is an appropriate scanning format.

With the above arrangement, the movement of the carriage in the Z-axis direction can be integrated when the carriage is moved in the sub-scanning direction, and the movement of the carriage in the Z-axis direction during the main scanning can be minimized. The processing can be rationalized, speeded up, noise reduced, and energy saved.

(Embodiment 2) The physical configuration of the "apparatus for printing on a three-dimensional object" of this embodiment is the same as that of FIG.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a theoretical configuration of the apparatus of this embodiment.

The print control device 0901 is connected to the host device 01
The print data transmitted from the printer 10 is analyzed, and the printing device 09 is analyzed.
An appropriate control signal is issued to each device on 40.

The carriage moving means 0150 controls the operation of the carriage and includes the following components.

The motor control circuit 0202 is a circuit for controlling each motor for controlling the movement of the carriage.
The scanning of the carriage 0180 is realized by appropriately controlling the motors 0151, 0152, and 0153 based on the control signal issued from the print control device 0901.

The carriage 0180 has a print head mounted thereon, and sends control signals issued from the print control unit 0901 to the nozzles 0181 and 0118 via the ejection control circuit 0203.
82, 0183, 0184, and appropriately controls the ejection of ink droplets to achieve coloring of the printing target 0190.

Reference numeral 901 denotes a head nozzle arrangement surface rotation control circuit which rotates the print head while keeping the print head parallel to the XY plane, so that the print head is always oriented in a direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction. This is control means to which head rotation means is applied.

FIG. 3 shows an example of an object to be printed in this embodiment, and FIG. 4 shows an actual data value of the object.
Variations of the scanning means of the carriage on the print target are the same as in FIGS.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the processing of the present embodiment, and shows a determination means for automatically selecting an appropriate scanning format from the surface shape of the printing target 0190.

When the printing process is started in step 1001, the height data of the printing target 0190 in the Z-axis direction is detected in step 1002. A specific example of the detection means has already been described in the description of FIG.

In step 1003, the total movement amount of the carriage 0180 in the Z-axis direction when the main scanning is performed in the X-axis direction and the sub-scanning is performed in the Y-axis direction as illustrated in FIG. Substitute -y.

In step 1004, the total movement amount of the carriage 0180 in the Z-axis direction when the main scanning is performed in the Y-axis direction and the sub-scanning is performed in the X-axis direction as illustrated in FIG. Substitute -x.

At step 1005, a comparison judgment process is performed, and DistanceZx-y <DistanceZy
If −x, the process proceeds to step 1006; otherwise, the process proceeds to step 1008.

In step 1006, the nozzle arrangement surface of the print head is set at an angle perpendicular to the X-axis direction, which is the main scanning direction, by using the head nozzle arrangement surface control circuit 901.

In step 1007, the printing process is performed by performing main scanning in the X-axis direction and sub-scanning in the Y-axis direction as illustrated in FIG.

In step 1008, the nozzle arrangement surface of the print head is set at an angle perpendicular to the Y-axis direction, which is the main scanning direction, by using the head nozzle arrangement surface control circuit 901.

In step 1009, the printing process is performed by performing main scanning in the Y-axis direction and sub-scanning in the X-axis direction, as illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 11 illustrates the operation of step 1006 in an easily understood manner. Reference numeral 1101 denotes each nozzle, and 1102 denotes a nozzle arrangement surface. When the main scanning direction is the X-axis direction, the arrangement surface of the print head is set at an angle perpendicular to the X-axis direction as shown in the figure.

FIG. 12 illustrates the operation of step 1008 in an easily understood manner. When the main scanning direction is the Y-axis direction, the nozzle array surface of the print head is set at an angle perpendicular to the Y-axis direction as shown in the figure.

When the above-described processing is applied to the three-dimensional object 301, which is a specific example of the print object 0190, an appropriate scanning format is automatically selected as shown in FIG. 5 or FIG.
In addition, it is possible to always set the nozzle arrangement surface of the print head in an appropriate direction.

(Embodiment 3) The physical configuration of the "device for printing on a three-dimensional object" of this embodiment is the same as that of FIG. 1 and the logical configuration thereof is the same as that of FIG.

In FIG. 13, a solid 1301 is an example of a print object 0190 prepared for specifically explaining the operation of the apparatus of this embodiment. The height data is illustrated by a wire frame. Here, the solid 1301 is
In the X-axis direction, up to the X-coordinate value 24, the undulation is more intense than in the Y-axis direction.
The feature is that it has a three-dimensional shape in which the undulation is gentler than in the axial direction.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing numerical values of height data of the solid 1301 in the Z-axis direction as a correlation table with respective coordinates in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. The undulation of the Z-axis calculated in the X-axis direction calculated by the means already described in FIG. 8 is described in the rightmost column, and the undulation of the Z-axis calculated in the Y-axis direction is recorded in the bottommost row. Have been.

FIGS. 15 and 16 show a feature of the apparatus of this embodiment, in which a print target surface is divided into a plurality of parts in advance and managed, and print control means is independently provided for each of the divided sides. The effect of printing in correspondence is illustrated in an easy-to-understand manner.

In FIG. 15, 1501, 1502, 1
Reference numerals 503 and 1504 denote management areas obtained by dividing the solid 1301 into a plurality.

FIG. 16 shows a state in which an optimum carriage scanning format is made to correspond to each of the divided areas by the method described in the first embodiment. 3D
As can be seen from the characteristics of the shape of 301, 1501, 15
In 02, the main scanning is performed in the Y-axis direction, and in 1503 and 1504, the main scanning is performed in the X-axis direction, so that the carriage movement operation in the Z-axis direction during the main scanning can be suppressed.

FIG. 17 shows a feature of the apparatus of this embodiment, in which means for preliminarily dividing a print target face into a plurality of pieces and managing the print control means for each of the split faces are provided independently. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a process of performing printing in correspondence with the above.

When the printing process is started in step 1701, the process proceeds to step 1702, where the printing target surface is equally divided into Nx in the X-axis direction and Ny in the Y-axis direction.
rface (Counter_x, Counter_
It is managed under the name of y).

In step 1703, Counter_y
In step 1704, Counter_x is initialized.

In step 1705, Surface (Counter_x, Cou) is obtained by using the means described in FIG.
tern_y), DistanceZx-y, D
Calculate the instanceZy-x.

At step 1706, the Distance
Zxy and DistanceZy-x are compared, and D
If instanceZx-y is small, step 1707
To perform the main scanning in the X-axis direction and the sub-scanning in the Y-axis direction to perform Surface (Counter_x, Counter
— Y) is printed, and the flow advances to step 1709. Dista
If nceZy-x is smaller, the flow advances to step 1708 to perform main scanning in the Y-axis direction and sub-scanning in the X-axis direction to perform Surf.
ace (Counter_x, Counter_y) is printed, and the flow advances to step 1709.

Steps 1709, 1710, 1711,
According to 1712, a loop is configured so that processing can be performed on all the print target surfaces.

When the processing for all the divided surfaces is completed, the processing is ended in step 1713.

When the above processing is applied to the solid 1301 which is a specific example of the print object 0190, an appropriate scan format can be applied to the entire target surface even for a print object having complicated undulations. Can correspond.

In the second and third embodiments, the nozzle arrangement surface is rotated so that the nozzle row is oriented in an appropriate direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can be similarly implemented in such a manner as to be oriented in various directions.

(Embodiment 4) FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an ink-jet ball-point pen used in a "contact type print head" of Embodiment 4.

Numeral 1801 denotes a housing of the ink-jet ball-point pen, and numeral 1802 denotes a ball. 1803 is an ink tank provided for each color ink,
For example, inks such as cyan, magenta, and yellow are stored separately.

Reference numeral 1804 denotes an inkjet discharge nozzle provided for each color ink.
Discharge toward 002.

The ink droplets landed on the ball 1802 are printed on the printing object 1806 by rotating the ball 1802 by contact with the printing object 1806.

FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration which is a feature of this embodiment.

Reference numeral 2001 denotes a print head chassis.
Reference numeral 2002 denotes an extendable spring. The housing 1801 of the ink-jet ball-point pen is movably arranged on the head chassis 2001 by the spring of 2002. Further, a plurality of ink-jet ballpoint pens are attached to the head chassis 2
By arranging the print head on the print head 001, the print head can be used in a printing apparatus that performs printing by main scanning and sub scanning, similarly to a conventional inkjet serial printer. As 2002, an appropriate elastic body such as air can be used other than a spring.

FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram showing the functions of the present embodiment. Even when the print target 1806 is not flat but has irregularities, the spring 2002 acts like a suspension, so that the spring 2002 acts on the print target without being affected by the paper between the head chassis and the print target. Printing can be performed with the ball pressed.

With the above arrangement, the contact print head is supported by the suspension-shaped member and printing is performed by pressing against the medium to be printed, so that it is possible to flexibly cope with three-dimensional irregularities without being affected by a change between sheets. A three-dimensional printing device can be configured.

Fifth Embodiment FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram showing a physical configuration of a “device for printing a three-dimensional object” according to a fifth embodiment.

[0112] Reference numeral 0110 denotes a host device, which is a computer device comprising a computing device, an input device, an output device, and a storage device (not shown) because it is a known technology.

Numeral 2101 is a schematic view of the main part of the apparatus of this embodiment, which is constituted by the following elements.

The apparatus main body 2101 is provided with a mounting table 0141 on which an object to be printed 0190 is mounted. On the mounting surface of the mounting table 0141, the carriage 2102 is mounted with an X axis (width), a Y axis (depth), and a Z axis (high). A) carriage moving means 0150 for moving the carriage in the direction S). The carriage 2102
On the upper side, there is provided an ink-jet ball-point pen print head for printing full-color ink droplets shown in Example 4,
In the ballpoint pen, an inkjet nozzle 2103 that ejects a cyan ink droplet, an inkjet nozzle 2104 that ejects a magenta ink droplet, an inkjet nozzle 2105 that ejects a yellow ink droplet,
An inkjet nozzle 2106 for ejecting black ink droplets is provided.

The carriage moving means 0150 includes a pair of Y-axis direction moving devices 0 provided on both sides of the mounting table 0141.
156, an X-axis direction moving device 0155 provided between the pair of Y-axis moving devices 0156, and an X-axis direction moving device 015
5, a Z-axis direction moving device slidably provided on
And X-axis, Y-axis and Z-axis direction moving devices 0155, 015
X-axis, Y-axis and Z-axis provided in 6,0157 respectively
It comprises motors 0151,0152,0153 for axial movement. The Z-axis direction moving device 0157 has a Z-axis direction movable section (not shown), and a carriage 2102 is detachably attached to the Z-axis direction movable section. Host device 0
The motors 0151 and 015 are controlled by a control signal from the motor 110.
2,0153 performs printing processing by appropriately scanning the carriage 2102 in accordance with the surface shape of the printing target 0190.

Although not shown, the host device 0110
It is possible to capture and store in advance the three-dimensional shape of the surface of the print target 0190 inside the apparatus by a three-dimensional scanner or the like. As is apparent from the form, the printing apparatus 2101 can be realized as a three-dimensional scanner by mounting a contact type three-dimensional scanner head on the carriage 2102. In such a configuration, the printing process is started in advance. Previously, the printing object 019 was sent from the printing apparatus 2101.
The three-dimensional shape of the zero surface can be captured and stored.

Further, a print object 019 having a fixed form
Regarding the three-dimensional shape of 0, it is also possible to take in from a server on the network via the network. By using these techniques, for example, if the surface shape of a three-dimensional object, which is a known mass product, is uploaded to a WWW server on the Internet, the user can use the three-dimensional object as a print target 0190 when performing colored printing. It is possible to divert the three-dimensional shape without having to input the three-dimensional shape of the print target 0190 by itself.

FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram showing a logical configuration of an apparatus for printing a three-dimensional object according to the present embodiment.

The print control device 0201 is the host device 01
The print data transmitted from the printer 10 is analyzed and the printing device 21
01 issues an appropriate control signal to each device.

The carriage moving means 0150 controls the operation of the carriage and includes the following components.

The motor control circuit 0202 is a circuit for controlling each motor for controlling the movement of the carriage.
The scanning of the carriage 0180 is realized by appropriately controlling the motors 0151, 0152, 0153 based on the control signal issued from the print control device 2201.

The carriage 2102 is equipped with an ink-jet ball-point pen print head, and
1 is transmitted to the nozzles 2103, 2104, 2105, and 2106 via the ejection control circuit 2203, and the ejection of the ink droplet is appropriately controlled.
90 is achieved.

Reference numeral 2201 denotes a head nozzle (print ball) array surface rotation control circuit which rotates the print head while keeping the print head parallel to the XY plane so that the nozzle row (print ball row) is always in the main scanning direction. This is control means for performing control so as to face in a direction orthogonal to the direction.

In FIG. 23, a solid 301 is an example of a print object 0190 prepared for specifically explaining the operation of the apparatus of the present embodiment. Of height data in a wire frame. Here, the solid 301 is X
It is characterized by having a three-dimensional shape that is relatively gentle in the Y-axis direction, although it is highly undulated in the axial direction.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a numerical value of height data of the solid 301 in the Z-axis direction as a correlation table with respective coordinates in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. The undulation amount of the Z-axis calculated in the X-axis direction calculated by the calculation means described later is described in the rightmost column, and the undulation amount of the Z-axis calculated in the Y-axis direction is written in the bottommost row. .

FIGS. 25 and 26 are schematic diagrams showing variations of the scanning format of the carriage 2102 on the print target 0190. FIG.

FIG. 25 shows the main scanning in the X-axis direction and the sub-scanning in the Y direction.
A case where the scanning is performed in the axial direction is shown, where 501 indicates the trajectory of the carriage 2102 in the main scanning, and 502 indicates the trajectory of the carriage 2102 in the sub-scanning.

Reference numeral 503 denotes a chassis of the ink-jet ball-point pen print head shown in the fourth embodiment, and reference numeral 504 denotes an extendable spring. The housing 5 in which the single print ball 506 of the ink-jet ball-point pen is stored by the spring 504
05 is movable on the head chassis 503. In addition, a plurality of ink-jet ballpoint pens are arranged on the head chassis 503, and this printhead can be used in a printing apparatus that performs printing by main scanning and sub-scanning, similarly to a conventional ink-jet serial printer.

When a scan as shown in FIG. 25 is performed on an object having a three-dimensional shape that is very undulating in the X-axis direction but relatively gentle in the Y-axis direction like the solid 301, Since the unevenness of the solid in the arrangement direction of the print ball row, that is, the Y-axis direction is gentle, printing can be performed in a state where the solid 301 and the print ball 506 are always in contact as shown in FIG.

FIG. 26 shows a case in which the main scanning direction is performed in the Y-axis direction and the sub-scanning is performed in the X-axis direction. Reference numeral 601 denotes the trajectory of the carriage 2102 in the main scanning, and 602 denotes the trajectory of the carriage 2102 in the sub-scanning. The trajectory is shown.

When a scan as shown in FIG. 26 is performed on a target having a three-dimensional shape that is relatively undulating in the X-axis direction but relatively gentle in the Y-axis direction, like the solid 301, The unevenness of the solid in the arrangement direction of the print ball row, that is, the X-axis direction is severe, and there is a problem that the solid 301 and the print ball 506 are separated as shown in FIG.

Hereinafter, means for automatically selecting the scanning format shown in FIG. 25 from the shape of the solid 301, which is a feature of the present embodiment, will be described with reference to a flowchart.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing processing which is a feature of this embodiment.
This shows a determination means for automatically selecting an appropriate scanning format from the surface shapes of the 90.

When the printing process is started in step 2701, height data of the printing target 0190 in the Z-axis direction is detected in step 2702. A specific example of the detection means has already been described in the description of FIG.

In step 2703, the total movement amount of the carriage 2102 in the Z-axis direction when the main scanning is performed in the X-axis direction and the sub-scanning is performed in the Y-axis direction as illustrated in FIG. 25 is calculated. Substitute -y.

In step 2704, the total movement amount of the carriage 2102 in the Z-axis direction when the main scanning is performed in the Y-axis direction and the sub-scanning is performed in the X-axis direction as illustrated in FIG. 26, and the variable DistanceZy is calculated. Substitute -x.

In step 2705, a comparison judgment process is performed, and DistanceZx-y> DistanceZy
If it is -x, the process proceeds to step 2706; otherwise, the process proceeds to step 2708.

In step 2706, the nozzle arrangement surface of the print head is set at an angle perpendicular to the X-axis direction, which is the main scanning direction, by using the head nozzle arrangement surface rotation control circuit 2201.

In step 2707, the printing process is performed by performing main scanning in the X-axis direction and sub-scanning in the Y-axis direction, as illustrated in FIG.

In step 2708, the nozzle arrangement surface of the print head is set at an angle perpendicular to the Y-axis direction, which is the main scanning direction, by using the head nozzle arrangement surface rotation control circuit 2201.

In step 2709, the printing process is performed by performing main scanning in the X-axis direction and sub-scanning in the Y-axis direction as illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing the contents of step 2703. Step 270
It is clear that the contents of 4 can be realized by exchanging the description about the X axis and the Y axis in FIG. 28, and the description is omitted.

When the processing is started in step 2801,
In steps 2802 and 2803, the counter Counter
_Y and Counter_x are initialized.

Distance_Zxy (Count
er_y) indicates the total movement amount of the carriage 2102 in the Z-axis direction when the carriage 2102 is main-scanned in the X-axis direction at the Y-axis coordinate value Counter_y.

At step 2804, the Distance
_Zxy (Counter_y) is initialized.

At step 2805, High_
Z (Counter_x, Counter_y) is X
The axis coordinate is Counter_x, the Y axis coordinate is Count
r_y indicates a height in the Z-axis direction at a point,
The data has already been detected in step 2702.

According to the calculation formula described in step 2805, the amount of movement in the Z-axis direction when the carriage 2102 moves between two adjacent points in the X-axis direction is represented by Distance.
_Zxy (Counter_y).

At step 2806, the counter Count is set.
er_x is incremented.

At step 2807, Limit_x is
The maximum length of the print target 0190 in the X-axis direction is shown.
If there is data in the axial direction, the flow returns to step 2805 to return Distance_Zxy (Counter_
The addition processing of y) is continued, otherwise step 280
Proceeding to 8, increments Counter_y.

At step 2809, Limit_y is
Indicates the maximum length of the print target 0190 in the Y-axis direction.
If there is data in the axial direction, the flow returns to step 2803 to return Distance_Zx-y (Counter_Z) to the incremented Counter_y.
The calculation processing of y) is newly started, and otherwise proceeds to step 2810.

The Distance_ calculated as described above
Zx-y (Counter_y) corresponds to the value described in the rightmost column in FIG.

At step 2810, Counter_
y and the Dist already described in step 703
Initialize annceZx-y.

The calculation of DistanceZxy is performed by the loop processing of steps 2811, 2812, and 2813, and the processing ends in step 2814.

FIG. 29 is a diagram illustrating the operation of step 2706 in an easily understood manner. Reference numeral 2901 denotes each printing ball, and 2902 denotes an arrangement surface of the printing balls. When the main scanning is in the X-axis direction, the arrangement surface of the printing balls is set at an angle perpendicular to the X-axis direction as shown in the figure.

FIG. 30 illustrates the operation of step 2708 in an easily understood manner. When the main scanning is in the Y-axis direction, the ball arrangement surface of the print head is set at an angle perpendicular to the Y-axis direction as shown in the figure.

When the above processing is applied to the three-dimensional object 301 which is a specific example of the print object 0190, it is possible to automatically select an appropriate scanning format as shown in FIG.

With the above configuration, it is possible to automatically select the scanning format in which the three-dimensional object has the least undulation in the direction in which the print nozzles (printing balls) of the print head are arranged, and the contact type print head can always be used as a medium to be printed. Scanning can be performed in a state of contact with the printer, thereby improving print quality.

(Embodiment 6) The physical configuration of the "apparatus for printing on a three-dimensional object" of this embodiment is the same as that of FIG. 21 and the logical configuration thereof is the same as that of FIG.

In FIG. 31, a solid 1101 is an example of a print object 0190 prepared for specifically explaining the operation of the apparatus of this embodiment, and the surface shape of the print object is defined by the Z-axis with respect to the XY plane. The height data is illustrated by a wire frame. Here, the solid 1101 is
In the X-axis direction, up to the X-coordinate value 24, the undulation is more intense than in the Y-axis direction.
The feature is that it has a three-dimensional shape in which the undulation is gentler than in the axial direction.

FIG. 32 is a diagram showing a numerical value of height data of the solid 1101 in the Z-axis direction as a correlation table with respective coordinates in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. 28, the Z-axis undulation calculated in the X-axis direction is written in the rightmost column, and the Z-axis undulation calculated in the Y-axis direction is written in the lowest row. Have been.

FIG. 33 and FIG. 34 show a feature of the apparatus of the present embodiment, in which a print target surface is divided into a plurality of pieces in advance and managed, and a judgment means is independently provided for each of the divided faces. The effect of performing printing is shown in an easy-to-understand manner.

In FIG. 33, 3301, 3302, 3
Reference numerals 303 and 3304 denote management areas obtained by dividing the three-dimensional object 1101 into a plurality.

FIG. 34 shows how the optimum carriage scanning format is made to correspond to each of the divided areas by the method described in the fifth embodiment. 3D
As can be seen from the characteristics of the shape of 101, 3301, 33
The main scanning in the X-axis direction in 02 and the main scanning in the Y-axis direction in 3303 and 3304 can suppress the phenomenon of the print ball row deviating from the three-dimensional body during the main scanning.

FIG. 35 shows a feature of the apparatus of this embodiment, in which means for preliminarily dividing a print target surface into a plurality of pieces and managing the print control means for each of the divided faces are provided independently. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a process of performing printing in correspondence with the above.

When the printing process is started in step 3501, the process proceeds to step 3502, where the printing target surface is equally divided into Nx in the X-axis direction and Ny in the Y-axis direction.
rface (Counter_x, Counter_
It is managed under the name of y).

In step 3503, Counter_y
In step 3504, Counter_x is initialized.

In step 3505, Surface (Counter_x, Co
unter_y), DistanceZx-y,
Calculate DistanceZy-x.

At step 3506, the Distance
Zxy and DistanceZy-x are compared, and D
If instanceZx-y is large, step 3507
To perform the main scanning in the X-axis direction and the sub-scanning in the Y-axis direction to perform Surface (Counter_x, Counter
— Y) is printed, and the flow advances to step 3509. Dista
If nceZy-x is large, the process proceeds to step 3508 to perform main scanning in the Y-axis direction and sub-scanning in the X-axis direction to perform Surf.
ace (Counter_x, Counter_y) is printed, and the flow advances to step 3509.

Steps 3509, 3510, 3511,
A loop is formed by 3512 so that processing can be performed on all print target surfaces.

When the processing for all the divided surfaces is completed, the processing ends in step 3513.

When the above processing is applied to the three-dimensional object 1101 which is a specific example of the print object 0190, an appropriate scan format can be applied to the entire target surface even for a print object having complicated undulations. Can correspond.

In the fifth and sixth embodiments, the ball arrangement surface is rotated so that the print ball array is oriented in an appropriate direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Can be similarly implemented in such a way as to be oriented in the appropriate direction.

[0173]

As described above, according to the present invention,
It is possible to provide a three-dimensional surface printing apparatus and method capable of automatically adopting and printing an appropriate scanning format according to the shape of a printing target, and a contact print head suitable for the apparatus.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a logical configuration of the first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a print target.

FIG. 4 shows a height of the print target shown in FIG.
Figure showing the axis and Y axis coordinates

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a scanning format.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a scanning format.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing details of step 703 in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a logical configuration of the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of step 1006 in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of step 1008 in FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 illustrates an example of a print target.

14 is a diagram showing the height of the print target shown in FIG. 13 in the Z-axis direction by X-axis and Y-axis coordinates.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating division of a print target surface.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a scanning format in each divided area.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the operation of the third embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an ink-jet ball-point pen used in Embodiment 4.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram of a head configuration.

FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram of a head function.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a fifth embodiment;

FIG. 22 is a block diagram showing a logical configuration of the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 23 illustrates an example of a print target.

24 is a diagram showing the height of the print target shown in FIG. 23 in the Z-axis direction by X-axis and Y-axis coordinates.

FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram of a scanning format.

FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram of a scanning format.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing the operation of the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing details of step 2703 in FIG. 27;

FIG. 29 is an explanatory diagram of step 2706 in FIG. 27.

FIG. 30 is an explanatory view of step 2708 in FIG. 27;

FIG. 31 illustrates an example of a print target.

32 is a diagram showing the height in the Z-axis direction of the printing target shown in FIG. 31 in X-axis and Y-axis coordinates.

FIG. 33 is a diagram showing division of a print target surface.

FIG. 34 is a diagram showing a scanning format in each divided area.

FIG. 35 is a flowchart showing the operation of the sixth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 0155 X-axis direction moving device 0156 Y-axis direction moving device 0157 Z-axis direction moving device 0180 Carriage 0190 Print target 0201 Print control device 0202 Motor control circuit

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Daisaku Ide 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Takashi Horikoshi 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Within non-corporation (72) Inventor Takumi Suzuki 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo F-term within Canon Inc. (reference) 2C056 EA01 EA25 EB06 EB46 EC03 EC11 EC28 FA09 FA15 FB09 FB10 FD13 HA03 HA11 HA12 HA38 HA58 HA60 KD10

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. A print target surface having a three-dimensional shape to be printed is disposed facing an XY plane, a print head is opposed to the print target surface in the Z-axis direction, and the print head is disposed on a carriage. A three-dimensional printing apparatus for realizing printing on the printing target surface by providing means for freely scanning the carriage in each of the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis directions. Storage means for storing height information corresponding to each of the XY coordinates, and a scanning method for performing main scanning in the X-axis direction and sub-scanning in the Y-axis direction based on the information stored in the storage means. The first calculating means for calculating the total amount of movement of the carriage in the Z-axis direction in advance and the total amount of movement of the carriage in the Z-axis direction in a scanning format in which main scanning is performed in the Y-axis direction and sub-scanning is performed in the X-axis direction. A second calculating means for calculating, 3. A three-dimensional printing apparatus, comprising: a first calculating unit; and a printing control unit that performs printing by adopting a scanning format having a smaller total movement amount calculated in advance by the second calculating unit. 2. The three-dimensional printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print head includes a single nozzle inkjet nozzle that prints one pixel. 3. The three-dimensional printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing head has a configuration in which single-jet ink jet nozzles for printing one pixel are arranged in a row, and the carriage is configured to connect the printing head to the XY plane. And a control means for controlling the print head rotating means so that the nozzle row always faces in a direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction. 3D printing device. 4. The three-dimensional printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print head has a configuration in which single nozzle inkjet nozzles for printing one pixel are arranged in a row, and a print target is arranged in parallel with the XY plane. A three-dimensional surface, comprising: a printing object rotating means for rotating the print object while rotating the nozzle array; and a control means for controlling the printing object rotating means so that the nozzle row always faces in a direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction. Printing device. 5. The three-dimensional printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: means for dividing the print target surface into a plurality of pieces in advance and managing the plurality of print target faces, and wherein the print control means includes: A three-dimensional surface printing apparatus, which independently adopts the above-described scanning format and prints on each of the surfaces. 6. A contact print head for performing printing by contacting a printing target medium, wherein the contact print head has a configuration in which means for printing one pixel are arranged in a line. The means for printing pixels are each arranged on a head chassis by a movable support means such as a spring, and the action of the support means prints the one pixel irrespective of a change in the distance between the print medium surface and the head chassis. A contact type print head, wherein each of the means for performing printing always presses against the surface of the print target medium. 7. A contact print head according to claim 6, wherein said means for printing one pixel includes an ink jet discharge nozzle for each of a plurality of color inks, and a ball for receiving ink droplets discharged from said discharge nozzle. A contact-type print head, which is an ink-jet ball-point pen having: 8. A contact type print head in which a print target surface having a three-dimensional shape is arranged facing the XY plane and a row of elements for printing one pixel is arranged in a direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction. The print head is disposed on a carriage so as to face the target surface in the Z-axis direction, and the carriage is moved to the X-axis and Y-axis.
In a three-dimensional plane printing apparatus which includes means for freely scanning in the directions of the axis and the Z-axis and realizes printing on the surface to be printed, the shape of the surface to be printed is set as height information in the Z-axis direction for each X-axis.
Storage means for storing the information in correspondence with the Y coordinate; and, based on the information stored in the storage means, in the Z-axis direction of the carriage in a scanning format for performing main scanning in the X-axis direction and sub-scanning in the Y-axis direction. Calculating means for calculating in advance the total movement amount of the carriage and second calculation for calculating in advance the total movement amount of the carriage in the Z-axis direction in a scanning format in which main scanning is performed in the Y-axis direction and sub-scanning is performed in the X-axis direction. And a printing control means for printing by adopting a scanning format having a larger total moving amount calculated in advance by the first calculating means and the second calculating means. 9. The three-dimensional printing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the carriage includes a print head rotating unit that rotates the contact type head while keeping the contact type head parallel to the XY plane, and prints the one pixel. 3. A three-dimensional printing apparatus, comprising: control means for controlling the print head rotating means so that a row of elements to be printed always faces in a direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction. 10. The three-dimensional printing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the printing object rotating means for rotating the printing object while keeping the printing object parallel to the XY plane, and a row of elements for printing the one pixel are always provided. A three-dimensional surface printing apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls the printing target rotating unit so as to face a direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction. 11. The three-dimensional printing apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising: means for dividing the print target surface into a plurality of pieces in advance and managing the plurality of print target faces, wherein the print control means includes: A three-dimensional surface printing apparatus, which independently adopts the above-described scanning format and prints on each of the surfaces. 12. A three-dimensional surface printing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said contact type print head is the contact type print head according to claim 6 or 7. Printing device. 13. A print target surface having a three-dimensional shape to be printed is disposed facing the XY plane, a print head is opposed to the print target surface in the Z-axis direction, and the print head is disposed on a carriage. A printing method for a three-dimensional surface printing apparatus that includes means for freely scanning the carriage in each of the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis directions to realize printing on the printing target surface, wherein the shape of the printing target surface is A in which is stored as height information in the Z-axis direction corresponding to each of the XY coordinates, and a main scanning in the X-axis direction and a sub-scanning in the Y-axis direction based on the information stored in this step A In advance, the total amount of movement of the carriage in the Z-axis direction is calculated in advance, and the total amount of movement of the carriage in the Z-axis direction in a scanning format in which main scanning is performed in the Y-axis direction and sub-scanning is performed in the X-axis direction is calculated in advance. Step B and this step And C. printing using the scanning format having the smaller total movement amount calculated in step B. 14. A print target surface having a three-dimensional shape to be printed is arranged facing the XY plane, a contact print head is opposed to the print target surface in the Z-axis direction, and the contact print head is moved to a carriage. On the X axis, Y
A printing method in a three-dimensional surface printing apparatus for realizing printing on the print target surface by providing means for freely scanning in each direction of an axis and a Z axis, wherein the shape of the print target surface is represented by height information in the Z-axis direction. And a step A in which the main scanning is performed in the X-axis direction and a sub-scanning is performed in the Y-axis direction based on the information stored in step A. Step B in which the total movement amount is calculated in advance, and the total movement amount of the carriage in the Z-axis direction when the main scanning is performed in the Y-axis direction and the sub-scanning is performed in the X-axis direction.
And a step C of printing by adopting the scanning format having the larger total movement amount calculated in step B.