JP2006076022A - Combination type image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a combination type image forming apparatus which adjust an image position without stopping the apparatus, and also can suppress the increase of cost. <P>SOLUTION: At an inkjet printing part 5 which prints a variable image to paper 2 with a common image (fixed image) printed at a stencilling part 4, an inkjet recording head 26 is supported to be manually movable in a direction orthogonal to the transfer direction of the paper 2, and locked at a predetermined position. The inkjet recording head 26 has a head narrower than the image formation range of the stencilling part 4. Ink discharging nozzles are arranged in a line shape in the direction orthogonal to the paper transfer direction at the head. The adjustment of the inkjet printing image in the paper transfer direction is performed by the adjustment of the printing start timing of the inkjet recording head 26. The adjustment of the inkjet printing image in the direction orthogonal to the paper transfer direction is carried out by changing the use range of the nozzles while the inkjet recording head 26 is kept fixed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a composite image forming apparatus (hereinafter, also referred to as “hybrid printing apparatus”) having a plurality of printing units with different printing methods.

There is a desire to print a part of the entire printed image as a color image, or to print a different image (including a color image) for each part. In response, so-called hybrid printing devices have been developed and put into practical use. ing.
In the hybrid printing device, for example, if the address for postcards, envelopes, DM (direct mail) documents, etc. is different from one sheet to another, the plate is advantageous in terms of cost when the common image part (fixed image part) is mass-printed. The printing is performed by printing (for example, stencil printing), and a variable image portion such as an address is performed by plateless printing (for example, ink jet printing) performed by only data control without using a plate.

In the hybrid printing apparatus, since printing is continuously performed by a plurality of printing units having different positions, there is a problem that the image position is easily shifted. The image position adjustment configuration in the plate-shaped printing unit is well known in stencil printing apparatuses and the like, and has a mechanism for moving the recording medium in the transport direction and in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction.
Similarly, in the plateless printing unit, the recording medium is moved in the transport direction and in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-334993 provides a driving unit that moves an inkjet printing unit in a direction orthogonal to the paper conveyance direction, and controls the driving unit according to the paper size to adjust the printing position by inkjet. A printing device is disclosed.
The drive means has a configuration in which the screw feed mechanism is driven by a stepping motor, and the movement amount is controlled by the number of steps.

JP 2003-334993 A

In the method disclosed in Patent Document 1, it takes time to move the inkjet printing unit itself. For this reason, it is necessary to adjust the image position in the inkjet printing unit in a state where the entire apparatus is stopped, and a reduction in work efficiency cannot be avoided.
Further, the adjustment of the image position is intended to adjust the positional deviation with respect to the plateless printing unit, and could not cope with the minute image positional deviation for each conveyance that occurred during paper feeding or conveyance.
In addition, since a driving means (moving means) driven by a stepping motor or the like is required, the configuration becomes complicated and the cost is increased.

  The main object of the present invention is to provide a composite image forming apparatus capable of adjusting the image position without stopping the apparatus and suppressing an increase in cost.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a plate printing section that performs printing using a plate and a plateless printing section that performs printing without using a plate. In the composite image forming apparatus for continuously forming the plate print image and the plateless print image, the position of the plateless print image in the transport direction of the recording medium is determined by the print start timing of the plateless print unit. It is characterized by adjusting by controlling.

  The invention described in claim 2 includes a plate printing unit that performs printing using a plate and a plateless printing unit that performs printing without using a plate. In the composite image forming apparatus that continuously forms a plateless printed image, the plateless printing unit is provided so as to be movable in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording medium and orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording medium. A plurality of image forming elements lined up in a direction, and a position in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the recording medium of the plateless printed image, and a range of use of the image forming element with the plateless printing portion fixed. It is characterized by adjusting by controlling.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the composite image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the plateless printing unit is provided so as to be movable in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the recording medium, and the conveyance of the recording medium. A plurality of image forming elements arranged in a direction orthogonal to the direction, and the position of the plateless printing image in the direction orthogonal to the recording medium conveyance direction is set to It adjusts by controlling a use range.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the composite image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the position adjustment of the plateless printed image is performed during the printing operation of the plateless printing unit. It is characterized by not.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the composite image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the plateless printing unit is disposed downstream of the plated printing unit in the recording medium conveyance direction. When the recording medium is detected at a predetermined position after exiting the plate printing section while adjusting the position of the plateless printing image, the plateless printing section performs printing at the image position before the change. It is characterized by that.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the composite image forming apparatus according to the first or third aspect, the plateless printing unit is disposed downstream of the plated printing unit in the recording medium conveyance direction, and the printing speed is changed. In this case, the printing start timing is changed according to the printing speed.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the composite type image forming apparatus according to the sixth aspect, the print start changed based on the data table of the deviation amount in the transport direction at the previously determined recording medium type and printing speed. The timing is further corrected.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the composite type image forming apparatus according to the second or third aspect, the size of the image formable range and the image data size of the plateless printing unit are determined in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording medium. The image position adjustable range is calculated, and the calculation result is displayed.

  According to a ninth aspect of the invention, in the composite type image forming apparatus according to the eighth aspect, when the image position adjustable range is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value, a message indicating that the adjustment is impossible is displayed.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the composite image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the plateless printing unit is disposed downstream of the plated printing unit in the recording medium conveyance direction, Marker for providing a marker on a recording medium, and a marker for detecting the marker on the upstream side in the recording medium conveyance direction of the plateless printing unit between the plate printing unit and the plateless printing unit Detection means is provided, and based on detection information from the marker detection means, calculates a deviation amount of the plateless printing portion in the recording medium conveyance direction or the direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction with respect to the plate printing unit, and the deviation The image position adjustment by the plateless printing unit is performed based on the amount.

  According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the composite type image forming apparatus according to the tenth aspect, the plate printing section integrally includes the marker applying means.

  According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the composite type image forming apparatus according to the tenth or eleventh aspect, in the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording medium from the size of the image formable range and the image data size of the plateless printing section. An image position adjustable range is calculated, and when the deviation amount is larger than the calculated value, the recording medium is discharged without printing by the plateless printing unit.

  According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the composite type image forming apparatus according to the tenth or eleventh aspect, in the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording medium from the size of the image formable range and the image data size of the plateless printing section. An image position adjustable range is calculated, and when the deviation amount is larger than the calculated value, the apparatus operation is stopped and an error is displayed.

  According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the composite image forming apparatus according to the thirteenth aspect, the printing operation of the plateless printing unit is stopped, and then the plated printing unit upstream of the plated printing unit in the conveyance direction of the recording medium. It is determined whether there is a recording medium in the registration roller pair that conveys the recording medium at a predetermined timing to the printing nip of the printing unit, and if it exists, the recording medium does not exist after passing through the registration roller pair. In this case, the recording medium feeding operation is immediately stopped, and then the operation of the apparatus is stopped after the recording medium leaves the plate printing unit and the plateless printing unit.

  According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the composite image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fourteenth aspects, the plate printing unit has a stencil printing configuration, and the plateless printing unit is an inkjet. It has the structure of a printing system.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, a plate printing unit that performs printing using a plate and a plateless printing unit that performs printing without using a plate include plate printing on a single recording medium. In a composite image forming apparatus that continuously forms an image and a plateless print image, the position of the plateless print image in the transport direction of the recording medium is adjusted by controlling the print start timing of the plateless printing unit Therefore, after the plateless printing portion is positioned, the position can be adjusted without moving the plateless printing portion, and the plateless printing image can be adjusted in the conveyance direction of the recording medium with a simple and low-cost configuration. The position can be adjusted freely.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, a plate printing unit that performs printing using a plate and a plateless printing unit that performs printing without using a plate include plate printing on a single recording medium. In the composite image forming apparatus that continuously forms an image and a plateless print image, the plateless printing unit is provided so as to be movable in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the recording medium, and the conveyance direction of the recording medium A plurality of image forming elements lined up in a direction orthogonal to the plate, and the use of the image forming element in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording medium of the plateless printed image while the plateless printing portion remains fixed Since the adjustment is performed by controlling the range, after the plateless printing portion is positioned, the position adjustment can be instantaneously performed without moving the plateless printing portion, and there is no need for a simple and low-cost configuration. Transport direction of recording medium Can adjust the position in the direction orthogonal freely.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the composite image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the plateless printing section is provided so as to be movable in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording medium, and the recording medium A plurality of image forming elements arranged in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording medium, and forming the image with the plateless printing portion fixed at a position in the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording medium of the plateless printing image. Since the adjustment is performed by controlling the use range of the element, it is possible to freely adjust the position of the plateless printed image in the conveyance direction of the recording medium and in the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction with a simple and low-cost configuration.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the composite image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the position adjustment of the plateless printed image is performed during the printing operation of the plateless printing unit. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the printing operation in the plateless printing unit from being interrupted and causing downtime.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the composite image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the plateless printing unit is downstream in the recording medium conveyance direction with respect to the plated printing unit. When the recording medium is detected at a predetermined position after exiting the plate printing section while adjusting the position of the plateless printing image, the plateless printing section prints at the image position before the change. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a printed matter having a large degree of positional deviation of an image being printed in the plateless printing unit.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the composite type image forming apparatus according to the first or third aspect, the plateless printing unit is disposed on the downstream side in the recording medium conveyance direction with respect to the plated printing unit, and the printing speed is increased. Is changed, the printing start timing is changed according to the printing speed, so that the displacement of the image position due to the displacement of the recording medium due to the slip or the like can be suppressed.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, in the composite type image forming apparatus according to the sixth aspect, the data is changed based on the data table of the deviation amount in the transport direction at the previously determined type of recording medium and printing speed. Since the print start timing is further corrected, it is possible to suppress the image position shift due to the position shift caused by the slip of the recording medium with high accuracy.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the composite type image forming apparatus according to the second or third aspect, from the size of the image formable range and the image data size of the plateless printing section, the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording medium. Since the image position adjustable range in the direction is calculated and the calculation result is displayed, the operator can easily determine how much adjustment is possible, so that the usability can be improved.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, in the composite type image forming apparatus according to the eighth aspect, when the image position adjustable range is equal to or less than a predetermined value, the fact that the adjustment is impossible is displayed. It is possible to prevent the occurrence of downtime due to a simple position adjustment operation.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the composite image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the plateless printing unit is disposed downstream of the plated printing unit in the recording medium conveyance direction. And a marker applying means for applying a marker on the recording medium, and the marker is detected between the plate printing unit and the plateless printing unit and upstream of the plateless printing unit in the recording medium conveyance direction. Marker detecting means is provided, and based on detection information from the marker detecting means, calculates a deviation amount of the plateless printing portion in the transport direction of the recording medium with respect to the plate printing portion or a direction orthogonal to the transport direction, Since the image position is adjusted by the plateless printing unit based on the shift amount, the image position can be changed even if the conveyance state of the recording medium changes between the plated printing unit and the plateless printing unit. Suppressing deviations with high accuracy Rukoto can.

  According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the composite type image forming apparatus according to the tenth aspect, since the plate printing unit integrally includes the marker applying means, the configuration is simplified. be able to.

  According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the composite type image forming apparatus according to the tenth or eleventh aspect, from the size of the image formable range of the plateless printing section and the image data size, the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording medium. When the image position adjustable range in the direction is calculated, and the deviation amount is larger than the calculated value, the recording medium is discharged without printing by the plateless printing unit, and thus useless prints that cannot be used are mixed. Can be prevented, and unnecessary printing in the plateless printing section can be avoided.

  According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the composite type image forming apparatus according to the tenth or eleventh aspect, from the size of the image formable range of the plateless printing section and the image data size, the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording medium. When the image position adjustable range in the direction is calculated and the deviation amount is larger than the calculated value, the operation of the device is stopped and an error is displayed. Printing can be prevented.

  According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the composite type image forming apparatus according to the thirteenth aspect, the printing operation of the plateless printing unit is stopped, and then the upstream side of the plated printing unit in the conveyance direction of the recording medium. It is determined whether there is a recording medium in the registration roller pair that conveys the recording medium at a predetermined timing to the printing nip of the plate printing unit, and if it exists, it exists after the recording medium passes through the registration roller pair. If it does not, immediately stop the feeding operation of the recording medium, and then stop the operation of the apparatus after the recording medium exits the plate printing section and the plateless printing section. Can be prevented.

  According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the composite image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fourteenth aspects, the plate printing unit has a stencil printing system configuration, and the plateless printing unit Therefore, it is possible to enjoy the low-cost characteristics of stencil printing and the convenience and ease of colorization by the ink-jet printing method.

Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
First, an outline of the configuration of the composite image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
The composite type composite image forming apparatus 1 is a sheet feeding unit 3 that feeds a sheet 2 as a recording medium, and a plate printing unit that performs stencil printing on the sheet 2 fed from the sheet feeding unit 3. A stencil printing unit 4 and a stencil printing unit 4 disposed on the downstream side of the stencil printing unit 4 in the paper transport direction, and further forms an inkjet printing image (plateless printing image) on a part of the paper 2 on which stencil printing has been performed. An inkjet printing unit 5 as a printing unit and a paper discharge unit 6 that discharges printed paper 2 to the outside of the apparatus are provided.

The paper feed unit 3 includes a paper feed tray 10 on which a large number of papers 2 are stacked, a paper feed roller 11 that feeds the paper 2 on the paper feed tray 10 one by one from the top, and a paper feed roller. And a pair of registration rollers 12 that temporarily feed the paper 2 fed by 11 toward the printing nip of the stencil printing unit 4 at a predetermined timing.
A plate making unit 7 is disposed on the upper right side of the stencil printing unit 4. The plate making unit 7 includes a master accommodating unit 14 that accommodates a master 13 as a plate wound in a roll shape, and a thermal head 15 and a platen roller 16 that are disposed downstream of the master accommodating unit 14 in the master conveying direction. A cutting means 17 for cutting the master 13 and a master conveying roller pair 18 are provided. The plate making unit 7 forms a perforated plate making image on the master 13 and conveys it toward the stencil printing unit 4.

The stencil printing unit 4 includes a plate cylinder 20 for winding a plate-making master 19 made by the plate-making unit 7 on an outer peripheral surface, and a press roller 22 provided so as to be able to contact with and separate from the outer peripheral surface of the plate cylinder 20. And a peeling claw 23 for peeling the paper 2 from the outer peripheral surface of the plate cylinder 20 and a belt transport unit 25 for transporting the peeled paper 2 while sucking the peeled paper 2 to the belt surface by the suction fan 24. An ink supply means 9 having an ink roller 21 and a doctor roller 8 is disposed inside the plate cylinder 20.
The stencil printing unit 4 supplies the paper 2 fed from the paper feeding unit 3 to the pre-printed master 19 wound on the outer peripheral surface of the plate cylinder 20 by the press roller 22, thereby supplying from the ink supply unit 9. The ink thus transferred is transferred onto the paper 2 to form a stencil print image as a plate print image on the paper 2.

On the upper left side of the plate cylinder 20, a plate removal device (not shown) that peels and discards the used master 19 from the outer peripheral surface of the plate cylinder 20 is disposed.
Further, the stencil printing unit 4 moves and adjusts the position of the stencil printing image formed on the paper 2, that is, the position of the paper 2 with respect to the plate making image of the master-making master 19 wound on the outer peripheral surface of the plate cylinder 20. A moving mechanism (not shown) is provided. As the moving mechanism (not shown), for example, the same moving mechanisms 80 and 280 disclosed in JP-A-9-104159 can be used.

The ink jet printing unit 5 includes a line type ink jet recording head 26 disposed above the transport path of the paper 2, and paper transport roller pairs 27 and 29 disposed upstream and downstream of the ink jet recording head 26 in the paper transport direction. And a guide plate 31 for conveying and guiding the paper 2 and a paper detection sensor 32 for detecting the front end of the paper 2 in the conveyance direction and setting a start reference for inkjet printing on the paper 2.
Here, the line method means that a plurality of nozzles as image forming elements that eject (eject) ink droplets are linearly formed in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the paper 2 (hereinafter also referred to as “paper width direction”). It refers to the configuration arranged in a staggered pattern.

Each pair of paper transport rollers 27 and 29 transports the paper 2 at a predetermined inkjet printing speed. The length between the printing nips of the conveying roller pair 27 and the press roller 22 is set to be larger than the length of the sheet 2, and the holding of the sheet 2 in the stencil printing unit 4 does not affect the printing in the inkjet printing unit 5. It is like that. That is, the sheet 2 that has exited the stencil printing unit 4 is temporarily opened by the belt conveyance unit 25 and is not sandwiched between the front and rear end portions in the conveyance direction.
In each pair of paper transport rollers 27 and 29, the roller located above the paper transport path is in direct contact with the stencil image formed on the paper 2, so that the circumferential surface is finely protected to prevent stains due to undried ink. It is desirable to use those having unevenness. Specifically, it is effective to attach a film or the like in which fine ceramic abrasive grains or fine glass beads are scattered on the circumferential surface of the roller.

As shown in FIG. 2, the line-type inkjet recording head 26 is configured to be movable (slidable) in the paper width direction perpendicular to the paper transport direction by a support mechanism 36.
A holding portion 71 that is guided by a guide rail 70 provided on a frame 75 and is movable in the paper width direction, which is the left-right direction in the figure, is integrally provided on the upper portion of the inkjet recording head 26. A shaft 73 supported at both ends by a frame 75 is inserted into the ink jet recording head 26 held by the holding portion 71 and can be manually moved in the paper width direction. At any position by a lock mechanism (not shown). The position can be fixed or released.
The shaft 73 is marked with a scale 73a, and the operator can set the ink jet recording head 26 at an arbitrary position by aligning the end of the ink jet recording head 26 with the scale 73a.
In the drawing, reference numeral 76 denotes a removable ink container, reference numeral 77 denotes an ink delivery pump, reference numeral 78 denotes an ink transport pipe, and reference numeral H denotes the ink jet recording head 26 in the paper width direction. The image formable length is shown.

By the support mechanism 36 described above, the rough position in the paper width direction of the inkjet print image, which is a plateless print image formed on the paper 2, is manually adjusted by matching the scale 73a.
Further, the position of the inkjet print image formed on the sheet 2 in the sheet conveyance direction is adjusted by the print start timing of the inkjet recording head 26 as described later.
The ink jet recording head 26 is sent from a personal computer 45 (see FIG. 5) connected to the composite image forming apparatus 1 or a variable data recording memory 48 (see FIG. 5) provided in the composite image forming apparatus 1. Image formation is performed based on the image data.

As shown in FIG. 6, the image formable length in the paper width direction of the inkjet recording head 26 is H, and the plate making length in the paper width direction of the stencil printing unit 4 is K. Usually, the plate making length K is set to about 290 mm in order to enable A3 size printing. However, if the image-formable length H is the same as this, the inkjet recording head 26 becomes very expensive and the reliability of image formation also decreases.
Therefore, in this embodiment, in order to make the inkjet recording head 26 inexpensive and highly reliable, the image formable length H is set to about 60 to 100 mm. In this composite type image forming apparatus 1, the portion that is desired to be subjected to variable printing by the ink jet recording head 26 is a part of the entire image area such as the addressed portion or the serial number portion. Correspondence is possible. In FIG. 6, reference numeral 28 denotes a stencil print image formed on the paper 2, and reference numeral 30 denotes an ink jet print image formed on the paper 2.

As shown in FIG. 1, a paper discharge unit 6 is disposed on the downstream side of the inkjet printing unit 5 in the paper conveyance direction. The paper discharge unit 6 includes a belt conveyance unit 34 that conveys the sheet 2 on which the inkjet print image is formed in the inkjet printing unit 5 while sucking the sheet 2 onto the belt surface with a suction fan 33, and a printed sheet conveyed by the belt conveyance unit 34. And a paper discharge tray 35 on which the paper 2 is stacked.
An image reading unit 40 is disposed above the stencil printing unit 4. The image reading unit 40 has a known configuration including a movable scanning unit 41 that reads an image on the document 42, an image sensor 43 such as a CCD to which image data scanned by the scanning unit 41 is input, and the like.
FIG. 3 shows an operation panel of the composite image forming apparatus 1. In the figure, the operation panel 50 is disposed on the upper front surface of the apparatus main body of the composite image forming apparatus 1.
The operation panel 50 includes a plate making start key 51, a print start key 52, a trial printing key 53, a stop key 54, a ten key 55, a clear key 56, a display device 57 including a 7-segment LED, a display device 58 including an LCD, and four directions. A key 59, an image position adjustment key 60, an image switching key 61, an interlocking movement key 62, an ink jet composition key 63, and the like are provided.

Various numerical values are entered in the display device 57, and the display device 58 has a hierarchical structure and displays various information. The four-way key 59 has an upper key 59a, a lower key 59b, a left key 59c, and a right key 59d, and is used for various settings. The image position adjustment key 60 is pressed when operating a moving mechanism (not shown) to move the position of the stencil image relative to the paper 2. The image switching key 61 is pressed when selecting an image whose position with respect to the paper 2 is moved, and the image moved each time the button is pressed is switched between a stencil printing image and an inkjet printing image. In the vicinity of the image switching key 61, LEDs 61a and 61b indicating images to be moved are arranged.
The interlocking movement key 62 is pressed when selecting both the stencil printing image and the ink jet printing image as images for moving the position with respect to the paper 2 and moving them in the same direction by the same movement amount. The ink jet composition key 63 is pressed when an ink jet print image is formed on the paper 2 on which the stencil print image is formed. In the vicinity of the ink jet composition key 63, LEDs 63a and 63b are disposed to indicate the case with composition and the case without composition. When there is no ink jet composition, the paper 2 is transferred from the paper transport roller pair 27 to the paper transport roller pair 29 with the ink jet recording head 26 being inoperative.

FIG. 5 is a control block diagram of the composite image forming apparatus 1. The composite image forming apparatus 1 includes an image processing device 37 as a control unit. The common print image data read by the image reading section 40 is subjected to predetermined image processing by the common image data processing apparatus 38 and then sent to the thermal head drive control apparatus 44 via the image forming section selecting means 39. Based on this data, each heating element of the thermal head 15 selectively generates heat, and the master 13 is punched.
On the other hand, the variable image data sent from the personal computer 45 is subjected to predetermined image processing by the variable image data processing device 46 and then sent to the inkjet head drive control device 47 via the image forming unit selection means 39. Based on this data, the ink jet recording head 26 ejects ink from the selected nozzle to form an image. Alternatively, variable image data sent from the variable data recording memory 48 in which necessary image data is recorded in advance is sent to the inkjet head drive control device 47 via the image forming unit selection means 39, and based on this data The inkjet recording head 26 forms an image by ejecting ink from the selected nozzle.

Based on the above-described configuration, an operation for forming a stencil print image and an inkjet print image on the paper 2 using the composite image forming apparatus 1 will be described below.
First, the inkjet recording head 26 is moved and fixed to a region where an inkjet print image is to be formed. This area is roughly set by the scale 73a. In the same printing, the fixed position of the inkjet recording head 26 is not changed.
The operator presses the ink jet composition key 63 on the operation panel 50 to light the LED 63a, sets the document 42 in the image reading unit 40, and presses the plate making start key 51.
When the plate making start key 51 is pressed, the scanning unit 41 scans the image of the document 42 and sends this data to the image sensor 43, and a plate discharging device (not shown) is activated to be used from the outer peripheral surface of the plate cylinder 20. The master-making master 19 is peeled off. After completion of the plate removal operation, the plate cylinder 20 rotates to a predetermined plate supply standby position and stops, and a clamper (not shown) provided on the outer peripheral surface is opened to enter a plate supply standby state.

When the plate cylinder 20 enters a plate feed standby state, the platen roller 16 and the master transport roller pair 18 are operated to send out the master 13. The sent master 13 is punched and made based on the image data sent to the image sensor 43 when passing through the thermal head 15. The master 13, which has been subjected to plate making and becomes a plate-made master 19, is clamped by a clamper of the plate cylinder 20, and then the plate cylinder 20 is driven to rotate at the same peripheral speed as the conveying speed of the master 13. It is wound on the outer peripheral surface of.
When the master 13 for one plate is conveyed, the cutting means 17 is operated to cut the master 13 and the winding operation is completed.

After the winding operation is completed, when the test printing key 53 is pressed by the operator, the paper feed roller 11 is operated to feed one sheet 2 from the paper feed tray 10. The fed paper 2 is temporarily stopped by the registration roller pair 12 and then fed between the plate cylinder 20 and the press roller 22 at a predetermined timing.
After the operation of the registration roller pair 12, the press roller 22 presses the peripheral surface thereof against the master 19 that has been wound on the outer peripheral surface of the plate cylinder 20, whereby the stencil image is transferred onto the paper 2. The sheet 2 to which the stencil printing image has been transferred is peeled off from the master 19 on the plate cylinder 20 by the peeling claw 23, sent to the belt transport unit 25, and further transported downstream.
The paper 2 sent by the belt transport unit 25 is further transported by the paper transport roller pair 27, and when the leading end is detected by the paper detection sensor 32, data is sent from the personal computer 45 or the variable data recording memory 48.
The ink jet recording head 26 operates based on the sent data, and an ink jet print image is formed on the paper 2. The paper 2 on which the stencil printing image and the ink jet printing image are formed is fed by the paper conveyance roller pair 29 and is discharged to the paper discharge tray 35 via the belt conveyance unit 34.

FIG. 4 shows the sheet 2 on which an image is formed by the above-described test printing. On the paper 2, a stencil print image 28 and an ink jet print image 30 are formed. A case where the test-printed paper 2 is confirmed and the positions of the images 28 and 30 are moved will be described below.
In FIG. 4, the stencil print image 28 is movable in the paper conveyance direction indicated by arrow A and the paper width direction indicated by arrow B, and the inkjet print image 30 is conveyed in the paper conveyance direction indicated by arrow AA and the paper width direction indicated by arrow BB. Can be moved to.
The operator presses the image position adjustment key 60 on the operation panel 50 before moving the images 28 and 30. When the image position adjustment key 60 is pressed, the display on the display device 58 is in the state shown in FIG.

Next, the operator selects whether the image whose position is to be adjusted is the stencil print image 28 or the inkjet print image 30. Selection is performed by pressing the image switching key 61. Each time the image switching key 61 is pressed, the image whose position is adjusted is switched to the stencil printing image 28 or the ink jet printing image 30, and the corresponding LEDs 61a and 61b are turned on. When the image to be adjusted is selected, the movement amount of the image is input in the direction in which the user wants to move next by pressing the four-way key 59.
As shown in FIG. 3, the display device 58 displays the movement amount of the stencil printing image 28 and the movement amount of the inkjet printing image 30 adjacent to each other, and further the movement amount in the paper transport direction and the movement amount in the paper width direction. Are displayed adjacent to each other. The operator adjusts the positions of the images 28 and 30 while viewing this display.

For example, when the stencil print image 28 is moved 2.5 mm downstream in the paper conveyance direction, the image switch key 61 is pressed to turn on the LED 61a, and then the left key 59c is pressed. In this example, each time the four-way key 59 is pressed, the image moving amount is incremented by 0.5 mm. Therefore, to move 2.5 mm, the left key 59c is pressed five times. Then, the display 58a of the display device 58 becomes “+2.5”, and the instruction is completed. In this example, the stencil print image 28 is not moved in the paper width direction, and the display 58d of the display device 58 remains “0”.
Next, when the inkjet print image 30 is moved 2.0 mm downstream in the paper conveyance direction, the image switch key 61 is pressed to turn on the LED 61b, and then the left key 59c is pressed four times to display the display device 58. “+2.0” is displayed on the display 58b.
Further, when the inkjet print image 30 is moved 1.5 mm toward the front side in the paper width direction, the down key 59b is pressed three times to display “−1.5” on the display 58c of the display device 58.

The position adjustment of the inkjet print image 30 in the paper conveyance direction is performed by shifting the print start timing of the inkjet recording head 26 by the inkjet head drive control device 47 based on the adjustment amount.
The adjustment amount is converted into time, and after the leading edge of the paper 2 is detected by the paper detection sensor 32, printing (printing) by the inkjet recording head 26 is started after the converted time has elapsed.
In adjusting the position of the inkjet print image 30 in the direction orthogonal to the paper transport direction, the use range (number of use) of the nozzles of the inkjet recording head 26 is controlled by the inkjet head drive control device 47 while the position of the inkjet recording head 26 is fixed. Is made by
That is, the nozzle used is changed based on the adjustment amount. In the case of the above adjustment amount, the nozzles on the back side in the paper width direction are not used by the number corresponding to the adjustment amount, and the nozzles on the near side in the paper width direction are selected as the use nozzles accordingly.
The position of the inkjet print image 30 in the direction perpendicular to the sheet conveyance direction as well as in the sheet conveyance direction is adjusted instantaneously while the inkjet recording head 26 is fixed, so that the position adjustment is performed without stopping the apparatus. be able to.
However, the position adjustment of the inkjet print image 30 is not performed during the printing operation in the inkjet printing unit 5.

As described above, the position adjustment of the ink jet print image 30 in the ink jet printing unit 5 can be performed quickly, but there may be a case where the adjustment is not in time depending on the progress of printing.
In the present embodiment, when the paper 2 is detected at a predetermined position after exiting the stencil printing unit 4, the inkjet printing unit 5 is in the middle of adjusting the position of the inkjet printed image 30. The head drive control device 47 operates the inkjet recording head 26 so as to form the inkjet print image 30 at the image position before the change.
The predetermined position is an experimentally determined position, and is determined by a signal from a paper detection sensor (not shown).

In the present embodiment, the inkjet head drive control device 47 determines the image data size received from the variable image data processing device 46 and the size H of the inkjet printable image formation range in the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the paper 2. An image position adjustable range is calculated, and the calculation result is displayed.
As shown in FIG. 7, the display device 58 displays the size H and image data size D of the inkjet printable image forming range in analog form, and can be adjusted, for example, 7 mm to the front side in the paper width direction. Digitally displays that 5mm can be adjusted on the far side.
Prior to the adjustment operation described above, the operator recognizes that adjustment in the paper transport direction and paper width direction is possible, and determines the adjustment amount based on the display.

When the image position adjustable range is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value, for example, the display device 58 displays that “position adjustment to the near side cannot be performed”. In the present embodiment, the caution (warning) is displayed when the adjustment range in the paper width direction is 0.5 mm or less. 0.5 mm means a level at which practical adjustment by visual observation is impossible, and is not a limited numerical value.
In the present embodiment, the inkjet recording head 26 is moved in the paper width direction. However, when the print area of the inkjet print image 30 is constant, the inkjet recording head 26 may be fixedly installed without using the support mechanism 36. Good. Further, the size H of the inkjet printable image formable range is increased to some extent so as to be able to cope with a slight change in the paper width direction of the print area of the inkjet print image 30, and the inkjet recording head 26 can be fixedly installed with this configuration. Good.

Next, a second embodiment will be described based on FIGS. Note that the same parts as those in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and unless otherwise specified, description of the configuration and functions already described is omitted, and only the main parts will be described (the same as in the other embodiments below).
As is well known, in the stencil printing apparatus, the printing speed can be changed to another stage (for example, three stages). When the printing speed in the stencil printing unit 4 is changed fast, the rotation speed of the paper transport roller pair 27 and 29 is increased in the ink jet printing unit 5 in order to avoid downtime of the entire apparatus.
As shown in FIG. 9, for example, when the printing speed in the stencil printing unit 4 is increased from 60 rpm to 120 rpm, the rotation speeds of the paper transport roller pairs 27 and 29 increase correspondingly. In this case, as shown in FIG. 9B, a delay of the sheet 2 occurs due to a loss due to a slip or the like between the sheet 2 and the roller of the sheet conveying roller pair 27.
If the print start timing after detection by the paper detection sensor 32 remains t1, the second image (inkjet print image) is ahead of the first image (stencil print image) in the paper conveyance direction by the amount of paper 2 sent. This will cause a misalignment.

In the present embodiment, in order to cope with this problem, the printing start timing in the inkjet printing unit 5 is changed according to the printing speed.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9C, the print start timing is delayed by t2. t2 is a unique delay value at a printing speed of 120 rpm, and is obtained experimentally.
As shown in FIG. 8, the memory 64 stores a data table of printing speed and delay value obtained in advance through experiments or the like, and the inkjet head drive control device 47 receives the printing speed received from the stencil printing unit 4. Select and set the optimum delay value based on the information.
The slip amount may vary depending on the type (paper quality, size, etc.) of the paper 2. When the type of the paper 2 is set via the operation panel 50, or when the type of the paper 2 is automatically detected by a paper type detection sensor (not shown) of the paper feeding unit 3, the inkjet head drive control device 47 performs an experiment in advance. The corresponding correction value is selected from the data table of the sheet type and the correction value (correction coefficient) obtained by the above and stored in the memory 64, and the delay value is corrected based on the selected correction value. Of course, the above data tables may be combined into one data table.

A third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
There is a distance from the stencil printing unit 4 to the ink jet printing unit 5 until the paper 2 arrives, and it is conceivable that a deviation in the paper width direction or the paper transport direction of the paper 2 occurs due to various factors.
In particular, in the above-described conveyance method in which the sheet 2 that has exited the stencil printing unit 4 passes through a section in which the sheet 2 is temporarily not sandwiched between a roller pair or a printing nip, the conveyance state of the sheet 2 tends to be unstable. This is because the so-called rampage of the paper 2 may occur.
When the sheet 2 enters the inkjet printing unit 5 in a state where the position in the sheet width direction or the sheet conveyance direction is shifted, the inkjet print image 30 is shifted from the stencil print image 28.
Further, in the stencil printing unit 4, there may be a deviation in the paper transport direction between the paper 2 and the stencil print image 28.
The present embodiment aims to deal with such a problem.

The thermal head 15 of the stencil printing unit 4 in this embodiment also serves as a marker applying unit that applies a marker to a predetermined position of the paper 2. As shown in FIG. 10, a marker detection sensor 88 as a marker detection unit that detects a marker formed by the stencil printing unit 4 is provided on the upper portion of the paper transport roller pair 27 near the downstream in the paper transport direction. The marker detection sensor 88 is composed of a reflective photosensor.
FIG. 11 shows a control block diagram in the present embodiment. The difference from the first embodiment is that the stencil printing unit main control unit 82 and the inkjet printing unit main control unit 83 are clarified, and the marker data storage unit 80 and the common image data (fixed image data) in the image processing device 37. ) Storage section 81, and the inkjet printing section 5 has marker position deviation amount detection means 84, image position data comparison means 85, image position data addition means 86, and number storage section 87. .
In this embodiment, the ink jet recording head 26 can be automatically moved in the paper width direction by a stepping motor and a screw feed mechanism as in Patent Document 1, and the position adjustment of the ink jet print image 30 is performed by the stepping motor. This is done by managing the number of steps. For this reason, a head unit positioning drive control device 89 is provided.

The thermal head 15 makes a marker at a predetermined position of the master (a position corresponding to a predetermined position at the front end in the transport direction of the paper 2) based on data from the marker data storage unit 80. As shown in FIG. 12, the marker 90 is formed at the front end corner of the paper 2.
The marker detection sensor 88 has a unit structure in which a plurality of independent reflective photosensors are arranged in the paper width direction at a predetermined narrow pitch. A detection signal from the marker detection sensor 88 is input to the marker position deviation amount detection means 84. The marker position deviation amount detection means 84 calculates the distance w1 from the reference edge (the edge position of the paper 2 when there is no deviation) f to the detected photosensor in the paper width direction, and the image position data comparison means 85. Send to. The distance when there is no position shift is w0.
The shift in the paper transport direction is made by detecting the shift amount between the paper 2 and the stencil print image 28 with a marker and matching the image start position of the inkjet printing unit 5 with the marker.

The image position data comparison means 85 calculates the amount of deviation by comparison with the data from the marker data storage unit 80 and sends it to the image position data addition means 86. The image position data adding unit 86 transmits the calculated shift amount to the inkjet head drive control device 47. The marker detection sensor 88 is not limited to the reflection type photosensor, and various types such as a sensor that can recognize the marker 90 as an image and measure the distance from the reference end f can be adopted.
The ink jet head drive control device 47 controls the use range (number of use) of the nozzles of the ink jet recording head 26 based on the deviation amount.

When the image position data comparison unit 85 determines that the deviation amount exceeds the adjustment range (nozzle change range), the ink ejection operation from the inkjet recording head 26 is stopped.
At that time, the operation of the paper conveyance unit of the inkjet printing unit 5, that is, the operation of the paper conveyance roller pairs 27 and 29 is maintained without stopping. Simultaneously with stopping the ink ejection operation, the main control unit 83 of the inkjet printing unit 5 outputs error information to the main control unit 82 of the stencil printing unit 4.
When the stencil printing unit 4 receives the error information, the stencil printing unit 4 checks whether or not the sheet 2 is present at the registration roller pair 12 (strictly before the nip) based on information from a sheet detection sensor (not shown). In this case, the sheet feeding operation of the sheet feeding unit 3 is stopped immediately after the sheet 2 passes through the registration roller pair 12 and the sheet 2 is not present.
Thereafter, after the sheet 2 is removed from the stencil printing unit 4 and the inkjet printing unit 5, the sheet conveying unit of the stencil printing unit 4 and the inkjet printing unit 5 is shifted to a stop operation.
In this case, the stop by the error information from the inkjet printing unit 5 is displayed on the display unit 58 of the operation panel 50.

By setting the stop sequence as described above, the jam state is not stopped, and the error recovery is only performed as a recovery process.
A description will be given of the number processing after error cancellation. Since it is hybrid printing, both images from the stencil printing unit 4 and the inkjet printing unit 5 are printed on the paper 2 to complete a printed matter. For this reason, when an error release key (not shown) on the operation panel 50 is pressed, the number of the ink jet printing unit 5 installed at the position for determining the completion of the printed matter is redisplayed as the number of the composite image forming apparatus 1. It is supposed to be.
The number of sheets output in the ink jet printing unit 5 is stored in the number storage unit 87, or image data information immediately before an error occurs is stored.
With such sequence control, the same processing can be used when the image data to be printed by the inkjet printing unit 5 is fixed (same every time) or variable (different every time).

  The composite image forming apparatus 1 may be configured as one system in which an inkjet printing unit (inkjet printing device) 5 is attached to a stencil printing unit (stencil printing device) 4 and electrically connected in an electrical signal manner. The unit 4 and the inkjet printing unit 5 may be configured as an integrated type provided in one housing.

1 is a schematic front view of a composite image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic side view showing a support mechanism for an ink jet recording head. It is an outline top view of an operation panel. It is a figure which shows the positional relationship of a stencil printing image and an inkjet printing image. It is a control block diagram. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the image formable width in a stencil printing part, and the image formable width in an inkjet printing part. It is a figure which shows the adjustment possible state in an inkjet printing part. It is a control block diagram in a 2nd embodiment. It is a figure which shows the change of the printing start timing with respect to the change of the printing speed in 2nd Embodiment. It is a general | schematic front view of the composite type image forming apparatus in 3rd Embodiment. It is a control block diagram in a 3rd embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a detection operation of a positional deviation amount in the paper width direction and the paper conveyance direction in the third embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 2 Paper as recording medium 4 Stencil printing part as a plate printing part 5 Inkjet printing part as a plateless printing part 15 Thermal head as a marker provision means 28 Stencil printing image as a plate printing image 30 As a plateless printing image Inkjet printed image 88 Marker detection sensor as marker detection means

Claims (15)

A plate printing unit that performs printing using a plate and a plateless printing unit that performs printing without using a plate, and continuously prints a plate printing image and a plate printing image on a single recording medium. In the composite image forming apparatus to be formed,
A composite type image forming apparatus, wherein the position of the plateless printed image in the conveyance direction of the recording medium is adjusted by controlling the printing start timing of the plateless printing unit. A plate printing unit that performs printing using a plate and a plateless printing unit that performs printing without using a plate, and continuously prints a plate printing image and a plate printing image on a single recording medium. In the composite image forming apparatus to be formed,
The plateless printing unit is provided so as to be movable in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording medium, and has a plurality of image forming elements arranged in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording medium. A composite image forming apparatus, wherein a position of an image in a direction orthogonal to a conveyance direction of a recording medium is adjusted by controlling a use range of the image forming element while the plateless printing unit is fixed. The composite image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
The plateless printing unit is provided so as to be movable in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording medium, and has a plurality of image forming elements arranged in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording medium. A composite image forming apparatus, wherein a position of an image in a direction orthogonal to a conveyance direction of a recording medium is adjusted by controlling a use range of the image forming element while the plateless printing unit is fixed. The composite image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The composite image forming apparatus, wherein the position adjustment of the plateless printing image is not performed during the printing operation of the plateless printing section. The composite image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The plateless printing unit is arranged downstream of the plated printing unit in the recording medium conveyance direction, and recording is performed at a predetermined position after exiting the plated printing unit while adjusting the position of the plateless printed image. The composite image forming apparatus, wherein when the medium is detected, the plateless printing unit performs printing at an image position before the change. The composite image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 3,
The non-plate printing unit is arranged on the downstream side in the recording medium conveyance direction with respect to the plate printing unit, and the printing start timing is changed according to the printing speed when the printing speed is changed. Type image forming apparatus. The composite image forming apparatus according to claim 6.
A composite image forming apparatus, wherein the changed print start timing is further corrected based on a data table of deviation amounts in the transport direction at the type of recording medium and printing speed obtained in advance. The composite image forming apparatus according to claim 2 or 3,
An image position adjustable range in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording medium is calculated from the size of the image formable range and the image data size of the plateless printing section, and the calculation result is displayed. Forming equipment. The composite image forming apparatus according to claim 8.
The composite image forming apparatus, wherein when the image position adjustable range is equal to or less than a predetermined value, a message indicating that adjustment is not possible is displayed. The composite image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The plateless printing unit is disposed downstream of the plated printing unit in the recording medium conveyance direction, and has a marker applying unit for applying a marker on the recording medium, and is provided between the plated printing unit and the plateless printing unit. A marker detection means for detecting the marker is provided upstream of the plateless printing section in the recording medium conveyance direction, and the recording medium conveyance direction with respect to the plate printing section based on detection information from the marker detection means Alternatively, a misalignment amount of the plateless printing unit in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction is calculated, and an image position is adjusted by the plateless printing unit based on the misalignment amount. The composite image forming apparatus according to claim 10.
The composite image forming apparatus, wherein the plate printing unit integrally includes the marker applying means. The composite image forming apparatus according to claim 10 or 11,
An image position adjustable range in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the recording medium is calculated from the size of the image formable range and the image data size of the plateless printing section, and if the deviation amount is larger than the calculated value, A composite image forming apparatus that discharges a recording medium without printing by a plate printing unit. The composite image forming apparatus according to claim 10 or 11,
When the image position adjustable range in the direction orthogonal to the recording medium conveyance direction is calculated from the size of the image formable range and the image data size of the plateless printing unit, and the deviation amount is larger than the calculated value, the apparatus operation Is stopped and an error is displayed. The composite type image forming apparatus according to claim 13.
The printing operation of the plateless printing unit is stopped, and then recording is performed on the registration roller pair that conveys the recording medium at a predetermined timing to the printing nip of the plated printing unit on the upstream side of the recording medium conveyance direction of the plated printing unit. A determination is made as to whether or not a medium is present. If the medium is present, the recording medium passes through the registration roller pair. A composite type image forming apparatus, wherein operation of the apparatus is stopped after exiting the plate printing section and the non-plate printing section. The composite image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 14,
The composite image forming apparatus, wherein the plate printing unit has a stencil printing system configuration and the plateless printing unit has an inkjet printing system configuration.

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