JP2008149522A - Print control method of printer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a deterioration of print quality due to a lack of paper feed time occurring in the case of high-speed printing as the center of print position slips off for the center of shuttle stroke due to the mounting backlash of crank mechanism components incident to the assemblage of components and the change over time by neither using an expensive sensor such as a linear sensor which is conventionally used for generating a print element drive timing, nor making the dimensional precision of components severe, nor requiring periodic replacement or enhanced rigidity. <P>SOLUTION: Print element drive timing data for shifting the center of such a print position that the right and left nonprinting times are equalized and matching the centers of shuttle stroke and print position is selected from a plurality of kinds of print element drive timing data and set, thus preventing a deterioration of print quality in printing. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing control method for a printing apparatus having a shuttle mechanism using a crank mechanism.

  In a printing apparatus having a shuttle mechanism using a crank mechanism and reciprocatingly moving a hammer bank provided with a plurality of printing elements (for example, dot printing hammers) by this shuttle mechanism, a member whose operation is synchronized with the shuttle mechanism The actual position of the printing element is predicted by using a printing method using a linear motion position sensor (hereinafter referred to as a linear sensor) disposed in the position or a position signal of an expensive rotary encoder having a large number of slits, and shuttle A method has been developed to reduce the variation in the non-printing time by controlling the speed of the motor in the vicinity of the reverse position (see Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).

  FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of a crank type shuttle mechanism using a linear sensor. The eccentric cam 22 attached to the motor shaft by the motor 31 is rotated in the direction of arrow A. The hammer bank 20 integrated with the shuttle mechanism and the crank 21 attached to the eccentric cam 22 are moved to the arrow B. Reciprocate in the girder direction as shown. As shown in the upper left of FIG. 1, the diameter of a circle whose radius is the distance difference between the crank center position and the motor shaft center (hereinafter referred to as crank eccentricity) is the amplitude of the reciprocating motion of the hammer bank 20.

  The linear sensor 32 is disposed on a member (an arm 33 in this example) whose operation is synchronized with the hammer bank 20 and can recognize the exact position of the hammer bank 20 by synchronizing with the linear motion of the hammer bank 20. Therefore, when the hammer bank 20 moves, a printing element driving timing is generated based on a signal output from the linear sensor 32 at every predetermined displacement, and the generated printing element driving timing is directed toward the printing paper by the printing element driving circuit. As a result, the printing element is driven and printing is performed.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of the position signal output of the linear sensor when the sensor signal of the linear sensor 32 is output at an interval of 1/180 inch and the drive timing of the printing element is generated at an interval of 1/180 inch, that is, 180 dpi. By using the linear sensor 32, the print position can be monitored directly from the reciprocating motion of the hammer bank 20, so that the center of the print position does not deviate from the center of the shuttle stroke, and printing at a predetermined position is possible. Thus, the non-printing time from the last printing element drive in the stroke with the left end and the right end to the first printing element drive in the next stroke (hereinafter referred to as the left and right printing non-printing time) becomes equal.

JP 2000-127544 A JP-A-2-209278 JP-A-62-74664

  In a printing apparatus having a shuttle mechanism using a conventional crank mechanism, printing is performed by using the position signal of the linear sensor or by controlling the speed of the shuttle motor near the reversal position using the signal of a high-resolution rotary encoder. Although the outside time is secured, the high resolution linear sensor and the high resolution rotary encoder required for accurately detecting the shuttle position are generally expensive, and there is a problem that the equipment becomes expensive. there were. To solve this problem, calculation is performed using a DC motor with a stable rotational speed and an inexpensive rotary encoder attached to the motor shaft without using an expensive linear sensor or expensive rotary encoder. A method for generating the drive timing of the element is conceivable.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of the configuration of a crank-type shuttle mechanism using a rotary encoder. The eccentric cam 22 attached to the motor shaft by the motor 31 is rotated in the direction of arrow A. The hammer bank 20 integrated with the shuttle mechanism and the crank 21 attached to the eccentric cam 22 are moved to the arrow B. Reciprocate in the girder direction as shown. Similar to the configuration of the linear sensor described above, the diameter of a circle whose radius is the crank eccentric amount as shown in the upper left in the figure is the amplitude of the reciprocating motion of the hammer bank 20.

  The rotary encoder 30 can recognize the reverse position of the hammer bank 20 by synchronizing with the rotational motion of the motor 31. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, the reverse position of the hammer bank 20 is detected by the home signal of the rotary encoder 30, and the print element drive timing data is set based on the set print element drive timing data based on the reverse position. Print out the drive timing. Note that the signal of the rotary encoder 30 may be output at an arbitrary interval, and the drive timing of the printing element may be generated based on this. In this way, the printing element drive timing is generated based on the signal output from the rotary encoder 30 as the hammer bank 20 moves, and the printing element is printed through the printing element drive circuit according to the generated printing element drive timing. It is driven toward the paper and printing is performed.

  However, if a DC motor is used for the shuttle motor, fine speed control cannot be performed, so speed control (acceleration / deceleration control) cannot be performed in the reverse section, and as a result, it is not possible to secure the non-printing time. End up. Therefore, when the rotary encoder operation and the hammer bank operation are misaligned due to parts assembly and backlash of crank mechanism parts due to changes over time, etc., and as a result, the printing center is shifted in the digit direction. Due to the imbalance between the printing time at the left end and the right end, paper feed cannot be made within the printing outside time at one end of the shuttle reversal section at the time of high-speed printing, resulting in a decrease in printing quality. Regarding the influence of deviation between the center of the shuttle stroke and the center of the printing position, tighten the dimensional accuracy of the crank mechanism parts, replace the crank mechanism parts regularly, and further increase the rigidity of the crank mechanism parts. However, in these cases, the number of man-hours and the unit price of parts are increased, resulting in an increase in cost.

  As a method for solving the above problem, in the correction method of the non-printing time described in Patent Document 3, the non-printing time is secured by adjusting the printing position of the printing element at the start of printing, and the correction amount of the printing start position is set. The print element drive timing is corrected uniformly using the print position to correct the print position to a desired print position. However, in the method described in Patent Document 3, since the printing element is linearly moved by the serial carriage, the correction amount is uniform. However, in the method using the DC motor and the crank mechanism described above, the crank mechanism In the “correction of the influence caused by the shift of the center of the shuttle stroke and the center of the printing position” that occurs due to part mounting play or the like, the correction amount for each printing element drive timing is not uniform. The reason will be described below.

As shown in the explanatory diagram of FIG. 10, the operation of the rotary encoder and the operation of the hammer bank are misaligned due to the assembling of the crank mechanism parts due to parts assembly and aging, etc., and as a result, the printing center is shifted to the right side. In order to ensure the maximum non-printing time at the right end of the shuttle, the left and right non-printing times must be matched so that the print center position (dotted line It is necessary to move the position) to the left end side by L (solid line position) and align it with the center of the shuttle stroke. At this time, the correction angles θ ₁ and θ ₂ for correcting the printing position from the printing positions A and B (white circles) before correction to the desired printing positions A ′ and B ′ (black circles) are θ ₁ ≠ θ ₂ . Yes, if the motor rotation speed is constant, the correction amount is t ₁ ≠ t ₂ . Therefore, when the print center position and the center of the shuttle stroke are matched, the correction amount (time amount) of the printing element driving timing cannot be uniformly corrected for each printing element driving timing. That is, even with the correction method of Patent Document 3, even if the non-printing time can be secured, it is not possible to print at each desired printing position. From the above, the present invention can be achieved by assembling parts and changing with time without increasing costs. It is an object of the present invention to prevent the influence caused by the shift of the center of the shuttle stroke and the center of the printing position, which occurs due to the generated looseness of the crank mechanism parts. In other words, an object of the present invention is to ensure paper feed time even during high-speed printing in order to prevent deterioration in print quality due to lack of paper feed time that occurs during high-speed printing. It is another object of the present invention to automatically correct an influence caused by a shift of the center of the shuttle stroke and the center of the printing position due to a change with time. It is an object of the present invention to make these adjustments without complicating the drive timing correction of the printing elements.

  The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems uses a hammer bank which is mounted with a plurality of printing elements and reciprocates along the girder direction, and a crank mechanism for reciprocating the hammer bank. When the center of the print position is shifted in the digit direction with respect to the center of the shuttle stroke, the center of the print position is shifted in the digit direction so that the center of the shuttle stroke and the print position are By setting the printing element drive timing data with the center matched, the deviation of the printing position is corrected, and the left and right printing outside time is made equal.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the non-printing time from the last printing element driving in an arbitrary stroke to the first printing element driving in the next stroke is measured at the left end and the right end, respectively. The deviation of the center of the printing position from the center of the shuttle stroke is corrected by selecting the printing element drive timing at which the non-printing time becomes equal at the left end and the right end from the measurement result.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the printing apparatus has a plurality of printing modes, each of the printing modes has a plurality of types of printing element drive timing data, and the center of the shuttle stroke. The printing element drive timing data is set for each printing mode according to the deviation amount of the center of the printing position.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the first aspect, there is a threshold value with respect to a change with time, and the correction according to the first aspect is performed according to the threshold value, thereby printing the center of the shuttle stroke due to the change with time. The deviation of the center of the position is automatically corrected.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing element drive having a cumulative printing time counter and correcting the deviation of the center of the printing position from the center of the shuttle stroke according to the cumulative printing time. The timing is automatically set.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the fourth aspect, the printing system has a cumulative home signal counter and prints on the center of the shuttle stroke due to a change with time in accordance with the cumulative motor rotation speed obtained from the cumulative home signal number. The printing element driving timing in which the deviation of the center of the position is corrected is automatically set.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided the printing element according to the fourth aspect, wherein the deviation of the center of the printing position with respect to the center of the shuttle stroke due to a change with time is corrected by a combination of the cumulative printing time and the cumulative motor rotation speed. The drive timing data is automatically updated and set.

  According to the present invention, without using an expensive sensor such as a linear sensor, and without stricter dimensional accuracy, periodic replacement, and increased rigidity, the assembly of the crank mechanism parts due to parts assembly and changes over time, etc. It is possible to prevent deterioration in print quality due to insufficient paper feed time during high-speed printing, which occurs when the center of the printing position is shifted from the center of the shuttle stroke due to backlash or the like.

  First, an outline of a printing apparatus having a shuttle mechanism portion using a crank mechanism used in the present invention and reciprocating a hammer bank provided with a plurality of printing elements by the shuttle mechanism portion will be described.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of a schematic configuration of the printing apparatus. A hammer bank 51 having a plurality of printing elements (not shown) rotates an eccentric cam 60 attached to the motor shaft by a motor 59 in the direction of arrow E, and a crank 61 attached to the hammer bank 51 and the eccentric cam 60. As a result, the hammer bank 51 is reciprocated in the girder direction as shown by an arrow C. Further, the hammer bank 51 is disposed so as to face the platen 54 for supporting the printing force via the ink ribbon 52 and the printing paper 53. Each time a plurality of printing elements are driven in a timely manner during the reciprocating motion of the hammer bank 51, characters, figures, etc. are printed on the printing paper 53 in the form of a dot matrix. In the printing process, the printing paper 53 is fed in the row direction (D direction in the drawing) at appropriate times by a paper feeding mechanism unit 56 including a tractor 55 and a paper feeding motor 57. Control of these operations is performed by the control device 62.

  FIG. 6 shows a schematic configuration of the hammer bank 51. The hammer bank 51 is composed of a plurality of printing elements, each of which has a configuration in which a hammer pin 71 is attached to the tip of the leaf spring 70, and the bending energy previously given to the leaf spring 70 is released by the release electromagnetic coil 72. Then, dot printing is performed on the printing paper 76 via the ink ribbon 75. Then, the plate spring 70 repeats a series of operations until it returns to the contact position with the comb yoke 74 by the return of the magnetic attractive force of the permanent magnet 73 to perform printing.

  The printing apparatus having the above configuration has a plurality of types of printing modes. For example, the first print mode is a normal print mode that prints 16-dot size characters at a rate of 200 lines / minute, and the second print mode is a high-quality print that prints 24 dot-size characters at a rate of 100 lines / minute. The print mode and the third print mode are high-speed print modes for printing 12-dot size characters at a speed of 350 lines / minute. By appropriately using these, it is possible to perform printing suitable for the purpose.

  Next, FIG. 7 shows an extracted control circuit of a part related to the present invention in the control device 62 described above.

  The control circuit of this example is connected to the rotary encoder 1 to measure the time from the home signal input, the timer 2 and the time data measured by the timer 2 are compared with the print element drive timing data, and printing is performed at the timing when the values match. Comparator 3 that outputs a signal to element drive timing generation means 4, print element drive timing generation means 4 that receives a signal from comparator 3 and drives a print element, and print element drive timing data as required A printing element driving timing correction unit 5 that performs correction and outputs the printing element driving timing data to the comparator 6 is provided.

  Further, the configuration of the printing element drive timing correction unit 5 adjusts the print start position by the adder / subtractor 8 as shown in FIG. 8 at the timing when the clock of the oscillator 6 is divided by the frequency divider 7 (referred to as fading adjustment). ) Fading adjustment means 9, printing element driving timing data holding means 10 holding a plurality of printing element driving timing data, each of which is shifted by a different amount in the center of the printing position for each printing mode, and the printing element driving timing data. Corresponding preset print element drive timing data is set and stored from a preset value (for example, -12 to +12 for each print mode), and stored right and left non-printing time balanced print element drive timing data for each print mode. Setting means 11 and left and right non-printing time balanced printing element driving timing data for each printing mode An adder / subtractor 8 that adds a correction value to the printing element drive timing data output from the determining means 11 by fading adjustment, a timer 12 that measures the left / right printing outside time, and the number of input home signals is counted and accumulated in the temporal change correcting means 13. A cumulative home signal counter 14 that sends the number of home signal inputs, a cumulative print time counter 15 that counts the number of print times and sends the cumulative print time number to the temporal change correction means 13, a cumulative home signal counter 14 and a cumulative print time counter 15 From the respective threshold values held, whether or not correction is necessary is determined. If correction is necessary, the left and right non-printing time is set in the left / right non-printing time balanced printing element drive timing data setting unit 11 for each printing mode. From the time-varying correction means 13 for performing correction by updating and setting printing element drive timing data having the same That.

  In the above configuration, the print element drive timing correction unit 5 sets the optimum print element drive timing data for each printing mode described above, and according to the print element drive timing data set based on the home signal of the rotary encoder 1. By generating and printing the printing element drive timing, the left and right printing outside time is balanced.

  Specifically, first, fading adjustment is performed by the fading adjustment means 9 using the clock of the frequency divider 7. The fading adjustment described here is to adjust the deviation of the print start position caused by the deviation of the rotary sensor output with respect to both ends of the actual hammer position as shown in FIG. Specifically, if the rotary sensor output is delayed with respect to both ends of the actual hammer position and the print start position is delayed accordingly, adjustment is made to advance the print start position. If the print start position is advanced with respect to both ends of the hammer position, the print start position is adjusted to be delayed. In this adjustment, only the print start position is adjusted, and the interval between the print element drive timings does not change.

Next, after the center of the print position of the forward path and the return path in the shuttle reciprocation is made coincident, a plurality of types (for example, 25 types) of print element drive timing data for each print mode are stored in the print element drive timing data holding means 10. The timer 2 is reset by the home signal output from the rotary encoder 1, and the left and right non-printing time balanced print element drive timing data setting means 11 for each print mode sets the value of the print element drive timing data for each print mode. Are read from the printing element drive timing data holding means 10 and set, and the set printing element drive timing data is corrected by fading adjustment by the adder / subtractor 8, and then the value of the timer 2 and the printing element drive timing data are compared in the comparator 3. The printing element drive timing is the time when the values match The printing element driving timing is generated using the generating means 4 and the printing element is driven, and the left and right printing non-printing times when using the respective printing element driving timing data are measured using the timer 12, respectively. The following calculation is performed by the non-printing time balanced printing element drive timing data setting means 11.
(Measured value of non-printing time at the right end)-(Measured value of non-printing time at the left end)
The printing element drive timing data that minimizes the calculation result is set in the left / right non-printing time balanced printing element drive timing data setting unit 11 for each printing mode as printing element drive timing data used for printing. By repeating the above, finally, the printing element drive timing data having the closest left and right printing outside time for each printing mode is set in the right and left printing outside time balanced printing element driving timing data setting means 11 for each printing mode (center of printing position). This is called correction, and the correction method is shown in a flowchart in FIG. 9).

  Then, using the set printing element driving timing data, the timer 2 is reset by the home signal output from the rotary encoder 1, and printing after setting is performed from the left and right non-printing time balanced printing element driving timing data setting means 11 for each printing mode. The value of the element drive timing data is sequentially read and corrected by fading adjustment by the adder / subtractor 8, and then the printing is performed at the time when the value of the timer 2 matches the value of the set print element drive timing data in the comparator 3. By generating the printing element driving timing using the element driving timing generating unit 4 and driving the printing element for printing, it is possible to balance the left and right printing outside time in each printing mode.

In this example, the print element drive timing data with which the left and right non-printing times are the same is automatically selected and set. However, the following method may be used. First, the left and right printing outside times are respectively measured using the timer 12, and the following calculation is performed.
(Measured value of non-printing time at the right end)-(Measured value of non-printing time at the left end)
Then, the result of the above calculation is printed, the printing element driving timing data having the smallest value is selected for each printing mode, and the setting value corresponding to the selected printing element driving timing data is manually and directly printed. The center of the printing position is corrected with respect to the center of the shuttle stroke.

  Hereinafter, the printing position center correction and the correction principle will be described. The print element drive timing data is stored in the print element drive timing data holding means 10 in plural types (for example, 25 types) for each print mode.

  FIG. 10 shows an example of print position center correction. The diagram shown in FIG. 10 is a case where the center of the printing position is shifted to the right end side with respect to the center of the shuttle stroke, and the left and right printing outside time is unbalanced. It is easy to run out. Therefore, by performing the printing position center correction described above, the left and right printing outside time is made equal as shown by the black thick line in FIG. 10, and the center of the printing position is shifted to the left end side to match the center of the shuttle stroke. As compared with the case where the center of the shuttle stroke and the center of the printing position are deviated from each other, it is possible to secure the paper feeding time at the time of high speed printing, and it is possible to prevent the print quality from being deteriorated at the time of high speed printing. The print center position is moved slightly in advance to prevent print quality deviation, which is a problem when using the prior art, that is, the print position deviation caused by correcting the print element drive timing with a uniform correction amount. (For example, up to ± 1mm for every 50μm) By calculating and having a plurality of printing element drive timing tables, performing the above correction using each printing element drive timing table, and setting the optimum printing element drive timing table I can deal with it.

  If the center of the print position is shifted to the left end side with respect to the center of the shuttle stroke, print element drive timing data for correcting the center of the print position is set on the right end side in the same manner as described above. By making the center of the shuttle stroke coincide with the center of the shuttle stroke, it is possible to secure a paper feed time during high-speed printing as compared with the case where the center of the shuttle stroke and the center of the printing position are deviated, and it is possible to prevent deterioration in print quality. The print position center correction is generally performed at the time of shipment or maintenance, and may be performed at the same time as fading adjustment.

  In addition, the print center position is corrected by adjusting the mounting backlash of the crank mechanism parts using a micrometer or the like with respect to the print center position deviation amount obtained by this correction at the time of shipment or maintenance, and the shuttle stroke The center of printing and the printing center position may be made to coincide.

  There are two types of changes with time. The change can be caused by the accumulated printing time in which the parts deteriorate with the printing time, and the change by time due to the wear of the parts due to the accumulated reciprocating motion of the shuttle mechanism, that is, the accumulated motor rotation speed. In this example, since there are a plurality of types of printing modes, the correspondence between the accumulated printing time and the accumulated motor rotation speed is not established. Therefore, in this example, when the value of the cumulative printing time counter 15 exceeds a certain value (for example, every 1000 hours), or the cumulative motor rotation number obtained from the cumulative home signal counter 14 is a certain value (for example, every 400 million rotations). The time-dependent correction means 13 has both values as above as threshold values, and when either one of the threshold values is exceeded, the print position center correction is performed at the time of printing stop, and the left and right non-printing time balance for each printing mode The printing element driving timing data set in the printing element driving timing data setting means 11 is updated, and the imbalance between the left and right printing outside time due to the change with time is corrected. It should be noted that the left-right printing outside time with respect to the change with time may be balanced by either the cumulative printing time or the cumulative motor rotation speed.

  By the above method, without using an expensive sensor such as a linear sensor, and without tightening the dimensional accuracy of parts, periodic replacement, and increasing rigidity, parts of the crank mechanism due to parts assembly and changes over time, etc. With mounting looseness, etc., it is possible to prevent the influence of the center of the print position from deviating from the center of the shuttle stroke, that is, to prevent deterioration in print quality due to insufficient paper feed time that occurs during high-speed printing. In this case, the paper feed time can be secured. Further, the imbalance between the left and right printing outside time due to the change over time can be automatically corrected, and the paper feeding time can be secured even during high-speed printing, so that it is possible to prevent the printing quality from being deteriorated.

  In a printing device equipped with a shuttle mechanism using a crank mechanism, parts without using expensive sensors such as linear sensors, without stricter dimensional accuracy, periodic replacement, and increased rigidity. Prevents the effect of shifting the center of the print position with respect to the center of the shuttle stroke, which occurs due to assembly mechanism and changes over time, etc., that is, print quality due to insufficient paper feed time that occurs during high-speed printing The paper feed time can be secured even during high-speed printing. Further, the imbalance between the left and right printing outside time due to the change over time can be automatically corrected, and the paper feeding time can be secured even during high-speed printing, so that it is possible to prevent the printing quality from being deteriorated.

Schematic which shows an example of the structure of the crank-type shuttle mechanism part using a linear sensor. The timing chart example of the shuttle stroke center detection method at the time of using a linear sensor. 9 is a timing chart example of a printing element drive control method when a rotary encoder is used. Schematic which shows an example of a structure of the shuttle mechanism part of the crank system using a rotary encoder. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a printing apparatus. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a hammer bank 51. FIG. 3 is a control block diagram for implementing the printing control method of the present invention. An example of fading adjustment. 6 is a flowchart example of print position center correction according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a specific example of print position center correction according to the present invention (the center of the print position is closer to the right end than the center of the shuttle stroke).

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Rotary encoder, 2 ... Timer, 3 ... Comparator, 4 ... Printing element drive timing production | generation means, 5 ... Printing element drive timing correction | amendment part, 6 ... Oscillator, 7 ... Frequency divider, 8 ... Adder / subtractor, 9 ... Fading Adjustment means, 10 ... printing element drive timing data holding means, 11 ... left and right non-printing time balanced print element drive timing data setting means for each printing mode, 12 ... timer, 13 ... aging change correction means, 14 ... cumulative home signal counter, 15 ... Cumulative printing time counter, 20 ... Hammer bank, 21 ... Crank, 22 ... Eccentric cam, 30 ... Rotary encoder, 31 ... Motor, 32 ... Linear sensor, 51 ... Hammer bank, 52 ... Ink ribbon, 53 ... Printing paper, 54 ... Platen, 55 ... Tractor, 56 ... Paper feed mechanism, 57 ... Paper feed motor, 59 ... Motor, 60 The eccentric cam, 61 ... Crank, 62 ... controller, 70 ... plate spring, 71 ... Hanmapin, 72 ... release electromagnetic coil, 73 ... permanent magnet, 74 ... Komuyoku, 75 ... ink ribbon 76 ... printing paper.

Claims (7)

  A printing apparatus comprising a hammer bank having a plurality of printing elements and reciprocating along a digit direction, and a shuttle mechanism using a crank mechanism for reciprocating the hammer bank. On the other hand, when the center of the print position is shifted in the digit direction, the print element drive timing data is set by shifting the center of the print position in the digit direction and matching the center of the shuttle stroke with the center of the print position. A printing control method for a printing apparatus, wherein the deviation of the printing apparatus is corrected.   The printing control method for a printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the non-printing time from the last printing element drive in an arbitrary stroke to the first printing element drive in the next stroke is measured at the left end and the right end, respectively, and from the measurement result A printing control method for a printing apparatus, comprising: correcting a deviation between a center of a shuttle stroke and a center of a printing position by selecting a printing element driving timing at which a non-printing time becomes equal at a left end and a right end.   The printing control method for a printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing apparatus has a plurality of printing modes, each of the printing modes has a plurality of types of printing element drive timing data, and the printing position with respect to the center of the shuttle stroke. A printing control method for a printing apparatus, wherein printing element drive timing data is set for each printing mode in accordance with a center deviation amount.   A printing control method for a printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing apparatus has a threshold value corresponding to a change with time, and the correction of the claim 1 is performed according to the threshold value, whereby the print position with respect to the center of the shuttle stroke due to the change with time is changed. A printing control method for a printing apparatus, wherein the deviation of the center is automatically corrected.   5. A printing control method for a printing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said printing element driving timing data is automatically converted into a printing element drive timing data having a cumulative printing time counter and correcting a deviation of the center of the printing position with respect to the center of the shuttle stroke according to the cumulative printing time. Printing control method for a printing apparatus, characterized by:   5. A printing control method for a printing apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a cumulative home signal counter, wherein the center of the print position relative to the center of the shuttle stroke due to a change with time is determined in accordance with the cumulative motor rotational speed obtained from the cumulative home signal number. A printing control method for a printing apparatus, which automatically updates and sets the printing element drive timing data with the deviation corrected.   5. The printing control method for a printing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the printing element drive timing data is obtained by correcting a deviation of the center of the printing position with respect to the center of the shuttle stroke due to a change with time by a combination of the cumulative printing time and the cumulative motor rotation speed. A printing control method for a printing apparatus, characterized by automatically updating and setting.

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