JP2015155171A - Ink discharge type printer, ink discharge type printing system, ink discharge type printing control method and ink discharge type printing control program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ink discharge type printer which can surely prevent nozzle clogging of a recording head for recording an image on a three-dimensional shaped printed matter.

SOLUTION: An ink discharge type printer 10 comprises a recording head 13h in which a plurality of nozzles for discharging ink droplets to a transferred printed matter are arranged over a prescribed length in a main scan direction orthogonal to the transfer direction, drives the nozzles less than the total number of the nozzles in the lengthwise direction as a drive object nozzle group on the basis of image data to form an image on the printed matter, moves the drive object nozzle group in the main scan direction by the prescribed number of nozzles for each image formation on the prescribed number of printed matters on the basis of the same image to make a printing control unit 39 form an image, obtains non-use periods continuously for each nozzle, and when the non-use nozzle in which the non-use period reaches a basic threshold appears, moves the drive object nozzle group to the position where the driven nozzle driven with the image data among the drive object nozzle group corresponds to the non-use nozzle to form an image.

COPYRIGHT: (C)2015,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an ink ejection printing apparatus, an ink ejection printing system, an ink ejection printing control method, and an ink ejection printing control program, and more specifically, a nozzle clogging of a recording head that records an image on a three-dimensional printed material. The present invention relates to an ink ejection printing apparatus, an ink ejection printing system, an ink ejection printing control method, and an ink ejection printing control program.

  Ink-jet printers such as inkjet printers are usually used for recording images on various printed materials such as paper, roll paper, film, etc. Recently, cardboard (including those assembled in a box shape), etc. It is also used for recording images on a three-dimensional printed material.

  As an ink ejection printing apparatus, a serial system that records an image by ejecting ink droplets toward a printing material while moving a recording head having a nozzle in the main scanning direction, and a recording head having a recording width nozzle There is a line system in which an image is recorded by ejecting ink droplets onto a printing material in a state in which printing is stopped.

  As an ink ejection type printing apparatus for recording an image on a three-dimensional printed material such as cardboard, the printed material is bulky like cardboard and is conveyed by a conveying device such as a belt conveyor. A discharge type printing apparatus is not suitable.

  Therefore, a line-type ink ejection printing apparatus has been conventionally used as an ink ejection printing apparatus that records an image on a three-dimensional printed material such as cardboard.

  This line-type ink ejection printing apparatus includes a recording head in which nozzles are formed at least over the recording length in the main scanning direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of a three-dimensional printed material such as cardboard.

  In such an ink ejection type printing apparatus, when similar image data continues, the nozzle that ejects ink and the nozzle that does not eject ink are fixedly determined, and the nozzle that does not eject ink droplets is dried. May cause clogging.

  Conventionally, a recording medium transport unit that transports a recording medium in the apparatus, and a line head in which a plurality of nozzles that eject ink are arranged to perform recording on the transported recording medium, the same image When recording a plurality of images continuously, the line head performs recording on the recording medium by shifting the entire image by one or a plurality of dots in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the recording medium for each one or a plurality of sheets. A technique is disclosed (see Patent Document 1).

  That is, in this conventional technique, when recording a plurality of the same image continuously, the line head is shifted by one or a plurality of dots by one or a plurality of dots in the main scanning direction, that is, in the nozzle row direction. To record on a recording medium.

  However, in the above prior art, since the entire image is only shifted by one or more dots in the nozzle row direction for each one or a plurality of images, nozzle clogging can be effectively removed. There was a problem that I could not.

  That is, when the nozzle row length is longer than the width of the image data, in order for the nozzle at the end position in the nozzle row direction to be used for ink ejection, the same image is repeatedly formed, and the image data Need to shift. As a result, there is a possibility that nozzles that may be clogged due to ink drying appear before being used for ink ejection.

  Therefore, the present invention eliminates clogging caused by drying of a plurality of nozzles that move in the sub-scanning direction relative to the three-dimensional printed material and are arranged in a row in the main scanning direction and eject ink onto the printed material. The purpose is to prevent.

  In order to achieve the above object, an ink ejection type printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of nozzles that eject ink droplets onto a substrate to be conveyed have a predetermined length in a main scanning direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction. And a recording head disposed over the nozzle and a number of the nozzles smaller than the total number of the nozzles in the length direction are driven based on image data as a nozzle group to be driven to form an image on the substrate A control unit; a non-ejection period calculation unit that obtains a non-ejection period that is continuously in a non-ejection state for each of the nozzles; and the drive for each image formation on a predetermined number of the prints based on the same image. The target nozzle group is moved in the main scanning direction by a predetermined number of nozzles to cause the image formation control unit to form an image, and a non-ejection nozzle in which the non-ejection period has reached a predetermined threshold period appears. Then, a control unit that moves the drive target nozzle group to a position corresponding to the non-ejection nozzle among the drive target nozzle group driven by the image data, and causes the image formation control unit to form an image. It is characterized by having.

  According to the present invention, clogging due to drying of nozzles that move in the sub-scanning direction relative to the three-dimensional printed material and are arranged in a row in the main scanning direction and eject ink onto the printed material. Can be prevented.

1 is a schematic perspective view of an ink ejection printing system to which a first embodiment of the present invention is applied. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of an ink ejection type printing apparatus portion. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a recording head in which nozzle rows are formed. 1 is a block configuration diagram of an ink ejection printing apparatus. Explanatory drawing of the movement state of a drive object nozzle group. 6 is a flowchart showing nozzle movement printing control processing. The flowchart which shows a non-use period calculation process. The flowchart which shows a drive object nozzle group movement setting process. Explanatory drawing of a nozzle movement control process when the nozzle for which the non-use period became the basic threshold occurs. Explanatory drawing of a nozzle movement printing control process when the nozzle with the non-use period used as the basic threshold of 2nd Example of this invention generate | occur | produces. 12 is a flowchart illustrating nozzle movement printing control processing according to the second embodiment. The flowchart which shows the drive target nozzle group movement setting process of 2nd Example. Explanatory drawing of the nozzle movement printing control process based on determination of the non-use period using two threshold values. 10 is a flowchart illustrating nozzle movement printing control processing according to a third embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating nozzle movement printing control processing for determining a movement direction based on a length of a non-use period. 10 is a flowchart illustrating nozzle movement printing control processing according to a fourth embodiment.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, since the Example described below is a suitable Example of this invention, various technically preferable restrictions are attached | subjected, However, The range of this invention is unduly limited by the following description. However, not all the configurations described in the present embodiment are essential constituent elements of the present invention.

  1 to 12 are diagrams showing a first embodiment of an ink ejection printing apparatus, an ink ejection printing system, an ink ejection printing control method, and an ink ejection printing control program according to the present invention. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an ink ejection printing system 1 to which a first embodiment of an ink ejection printing apparatus, an ink ejection printing system, an ink ejection printing control method, and an ink ejection printing control program of the present invention is applied.

  In FIG. 1, in an ink ejection printing system 1, a belt conveyor 2 is supported by legs 3 and arranged at a predetermined height position from the floor surface. The belt conveyor (conveying device) 2 has a predetermined width, is supported by the frame 3 so as to be rotatable at both ends in the conveying direction, and a frame 3 longer than the width in the conveying direction (the arrow direction in FIG. 1). The driving roller 4 and the driven roller 5 that are connected, the guide roller or guide plate disposed between the driving roller 4 and the driven roller 5, the driving motor 6 that rotationally drives the driving roller 4, and the driving roller 4 and the driven roller 5 are stretched. The endless belt-like transport belt 7 and the like passed are provided.

  The belt conveyor 2 conveys the conveyance belt 7 in the conveyance direction at a predetermined conveyance speed by the drive motor 6 being rotationally driven. For example, a cardboard box or the like is placed on the transport belt 7 as a three-dimensional printed material Pb (see FIG. 5 or the like) on the conveyor belt 7, and transports the printed material Pb in the transport direction at a constant transport speed.

  In the ink ejection type printing system 1, an ink ejection type printing device 10 is disposed in the middle of the conveying direction of the belt conveyor 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the ink ejection printing apparatus 10 is fixed to the frame 3 by being divided into positions facing each other with the conveyance belt 7 of the belt conveyor 2 interposed therebetween. In the ink ejection type printing apparatus 10, a base 11 is fixed to a frame 3 on one side of the belt conveyor 2, and a carriage support unit 12, a carriage 13, a movable part 14, and an ink cartridge mounted on the base 11. 15, a maintenance unit 16, a control unit 17, a power supply unit 18, a guide fence 19, a distance detection sensor 20 (see FIG. 1), and the like are mounted. Further, in the ink ejection printing apparatus 10, a pedestal 21 is fixed to the frame 3 on the other side of the belt conveyor 2, and a pair of pressing rollers 22 a and 22 b and a printed material detection sensor 23 are placed on the pedestal 21. Is installed.

  The carriage support unit 12 is fixed on the base 11 and supports the carriage 13 so as to be movable in the vertical direction (main scanning direction) and the transport direction (sub-scanning direction).

  The carriage 13 is mounted with a recording head 13h (see FIG. 3) in which a plurality of nozzle rows 13y, 13m, 13k, and 13c (see FIG. 3) are formed on the surface on the conveying belt 7 side.

  In the recording head 13h, the nozzle rows 13y, 13m, 13k, and 13c are formed in the direction indicated by the nozzle row direction in FIG. 2 (perpendicular to the conveyance surface of the conveyance belt 7), and each nozzle row 13y, In 13m, 13k, and 13c, a large number of nozzles are arranged in the main scanning direction. The recording head 13h selectively ejects ink droplets from each nozzle at an appropriate ejection speed. Each of the nozzle rows 13y, 13m, 13k, and 13c of the recording head 13h mounted on the carriage 13 discharges ink once onto the printing material Pb that passes on the transport belt 7, and has the maximum print width in the nozzle row direction. Nozzles having a length capable of printing are arranged in the nozzle row direction.

  In the recording head 13h, when the ink ejection printing apparatus 10 performs printing with only one color, nozzles for one color are arranged as nozzle rows. In FIG. 3, the recording head 13h shows a case where printing is performed with four colors of ink of Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and K (black). The nozzle rows 13y, 13m, 13k, and 13c are arranged.

  The movable unit 14 moves the carriage 13 in the width direction that is parallel to the conveyance direction and the conveyance surface of the conveyance belt 7 and orthogonal to the conveyance direction while the carriage 13 is supported by the carriage support unit 12. That is, the movable portion 14 includes a width direction movable portion 14a and a conveyance direction movable portion 14b, and the carriage 13 is supported on the carriage support unit 12 by the width direction movable portion 14a and the conveyance direction movable portion 14b. It is moved in the width direction and the transport direction (sub-scanning direction).

  The carriage 13 is moved in the vertical direction (main scanning direction) with respect to the transport belt 7 by the carriage movable unit 12 a while being supported by the carriage support unit 12.

  Therefore, the carriage 13 is moved in the width direction, the transport direction, and the main scanning direction by the movable portion 14 and the carriage movable portion 12a.

  The ink cartridge 15 is exchangeably stored in a cartridge storage portion (not shown) provided on the base 11, and supplies ink to the nozzles of the recording head 13h through an ink tube (not shown). The ink cartridge 15 is provided with a waste ink tank 15a for storing waste ink.

  The maintenance unit 16 performs capping in order to maintain and restore the printing performance of the nozzles of the recording head 13h, and also performs ink reception during idle ejection.

  As will be described later, the control unit 17 controls the overall operation of the ink ejection printing apparatus 10 to print an image on the three-dimensional printed material Pb and executes the ink ejection printing control method of the present invention. To do.

  The power supply unit 18 generates power supply power of various voltage values and current values necessary for the ink ejection printing apparatus 10 from commercial power supply supplied from the outside via a power cord, and each part of the ink ejection printing apparatus 10 To supply.

  The guide fence 19 positions the printing material Pb conveyed on the conveying belt 7 with respect to the recording head 13h.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the distance detection sensor 20 is disposed in front of the carriage 13 in the transport direction of the printed material Pb. For example, a reflective optical sensor or the like is used. The distance detection sensor 20 detects a change in shape (unevenness) of the printing surface by measuring the distance from the printing surface of the substrate Pb.

  The pressing rollers 22a and 22b are rotatably held by an arm, and the arm is attached to the base 21 in the width direction of the conveying belt 7 with respect to the surface of the conveying belt 7. It is attached so that it can rotate in parallel. The pressing rollers 22a and 22b press the printed material Pb transported on the transport belt 7 by the transport belt 7 against the guide fence 19 and transport the position facing the recording head 13h in close contact with the guide fence 19. Let

  The substrate detection sensor 23 detects the substrate Pb conveyed by the conveyance belt 7 on the conveyance belt 7 to the ink ejection printing apparatus 10.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the ink ejection printing apparatus 10 is configured as a block. The control unit 17, the operation panel 51, the ink cartridge 15, the head driver 52, the carriage movable unit 12a, and the width direction movable unit 14a. , A conveyance direction movable portion 14b, a maintenance unit 16, pressing rollers 22a and 22b, a linear encoder 53, a substrate detection sensor 23, a distance detection sensor 20, and the like.

  The control unit 17 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 31, ROM (Read Only Memory) 32, RAM (Random Access Memory) 33, NVRAM (Nonvolatile Random Access Memory) 34, ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 35, I / O 36. A host I / F 37, an ink supply unit 38, a print control unit 39, a carriage movement control unit 40, a motor control unit 41, a maintenance control unit 42, a roller control unit 43, and the like.

  The ROM 32 stores in advance a basic program of the ink ejection printing apparatus 10, an ink ejection printing control program described later, and data necessary for executing these programs. In particular, the ROM 32 stores a drive waveform corresponding to the amount of change in the shape of the printing surface, and stores a driving waveform pattern for driving the recording head 13h in accordance with the inclination angle of the printing surface, for example, as will be described later.

  The CPU 31 uses the RAM 33 as a work memory based on a program in the ROM 32 to control each unit of the ink ejection printing apparatus 10 and execute a basic sequence as the ink ejection printing apparatus 10, and an ink described later. The discharge type printing control method is executed.

  In other words, the ink ejection printing apparatus 10 includes a ROM, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory), an EPROM, a flash memory, a flexible disk, a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), and a CD-RW (Compact Disc Rewritable). Ink ejection for executing the ink ejection printing control method of the present invention recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), an SD (Secure Digital) card, and an MO (Magneto-Optical Disc) By reading the print control program and introducing it into the ROM 32 or the like, the print object moves in the sub-scanning direction relative to a solid-shaped print object Pb, which will be described later, and is arranged in a row in the main scan direction. Built as an ink ejection printing device that prevents clogging due to drying of nozzles that eject ink to Pb, The ink ejection printing system 1 is constructed as an ink ejection printing system including an ink ejection printing apparatus 10. This ink ejection printing control program is a computer-executable program written in a legacy programming language such as assembler, C, C ++, C #, Java (registered trademark), an object-oriented programming language, or the like. Can be stored and distributed.

  When the substrate detection sensor 23 detects the substrate Pb or its leading edge, the CPU 31 controls the operation of the roller controller 43 to press the substrate Pb against the guide fence 19 with an appropriate pressing force. Further, the CPU 31 drives the print control unit 39 to control the drive of the recording head 13h via the head driver 52, and prints a print image on the substrate Pb. As described later, the CPU 31 causes the distance detection sensor 20 to detect the distance between the printing surface of the printing material Pb and the recording head 13h when printing the print image on the printing material Pb, and performs print control according to the distance. Drive control of the head driver 52 is performed via the unit 39, and drive control processing for controlling ink ejection from the recording head 13h is executed.

  Further, a CPU (control means, non-ejection period timing means) 31 uses a timing function provided by a timing section (not shown) built in the control section 17 so that each nozzle row 13y, 13m, 13k, 13c A non-use period (non-discharge period), which is a continuous non-discharge period that is not continuously used for ink droplet discharge, is obtained. Then, the CPU 31 sets the basic threshold stored in the ROM 32 as a threshold period in which the non-use period may cause nozzle clogging due to ink drying and a predetermined margin period before reaching the basic threshold. Compare with your reserve threshold. When the non-use period reaches the basic threshold value and the reserve threshold value, the CPU 31 controls the movement of the drive target nozzle group, which will be described later, and performs an ink ejection printing control process for preventing nozzle clogging.

  The NVRAM 34 is a non-volatile memory that retains stored contents even when the ink ejection printing apparatus 10 is powered off. The NVRAM 34 is data that needs to be retained even when the power of the ink ejection printing apparatus 10 is turned off, for example, the contents of the mode instruction from the operation panel 51, the initial setting values of the printing conditions, the normal setting command, and the operation panel. The setting values of the printing conditions that are set by the setting operation at 51 and should be backed up are stored under the control of the CPU 31.

  The ASIC 35 performs various image processing using the RAM 33 and outputs it to the print control unit 39 as drive data for the recording head 13h.

  The ink supply unit 38 supplies ink from the ink cartridge 15 to the recording head 13 h under the control of the CPU 31.

  The print control unit (image formation control means) 39 controls the drive of the head driver 52 based on the drive data. The head driver 52 prints a print image on the printing surface of the substrate Pb by ejecting ink droplets corresponding to the print data from the nozzles of each recording head 13h under the control of the print control unit 39. That is, the print control unit 39 generates a drive waveform for driving the recording head 13h, and print data for selectively driving a pressure generating unit (not shown) of the recording head 13h and various data accompanying the print data to the head driver 52. Output.

  The ROM 32 stores a drive waveform pattern which is drive waveform pattern data, and the print control unit 39 performs D / A (digital / analog) conversion on the drive waveform pattern read out from the ROM 32 by the CPU 31. Generate a drive waveform. The print control unit 39 generates a drive waveform composed of one or a plurality of drive waveform pulses and outputs the drive waveform to the head driver 52.

  In addition, the ROM 32 stores, for example, how many dots and in the main scanning direction the number of times the same target image is printed and how many nozzles and the main scanning direction are used to move the drive target nozzle group used to print the image. Stored in advance. In this embodiment, for example, when the same image is continuously printed once or a plurality of times, the ROM 32 moves the nozzle group to be driven as a whole one by one, and the initial movement direction is as follows. The direction (direction approaching the belt conveyor 2) is stored.

  The ROM 32 sets the movement direction of the drive target nozzle group by switching the movement direction to the opposite direction when the nozzle at the end position in the movement direction of the drive target nozzle group moves to the end nozzle in the movement direction. The moving direction switching condition is stored.

  Further, the ROM 32 stores a basic threshold value (threshold period) and a preliminary threshold value (second threshold period) as conditions for performing irregular movement for eliminating nozzle clogging based on the movement position of the nozzle group to be driven. The basic threshold is a threshold period in which nozzle clogging may occur due to ink drying because the nozzles are not used continuously for ink droplet ejection, and the preliminary threshold has a predetermined period of time before reaching the basic threshold. It is the threshold period that we have.

  Further, the ROM 32 stores movement amount data of the carriage 13 in the main scanning direction for printing an image at the same printing position of the printing material Pb in the main scanning direction in accordance with the movement of the drive target nozzle group.

  The carriage movement control unit 40 controls the movement of the carriage 13 in the main scanning direction by controlling the driving of the carriage movable unit 12 a under the control of the CPU 31.

  The motor control unit 41 controls the movement of the carriage 13 in the width direction and the conveyance direction by controlling the driving of the width direction movable unit 14 a and the conveyance direction movable unit 14 b under the control of the CPU 31.

  The maintenance control unit 42 controls the operation of the maintenance unit 16 under the control of the CPU 31, performs capping in order to maintain and restore the printing performance of the nozzles of the recording head 13h, and receives ink during idle ejection. Do.

  The roller controller 43 controls the pressing force of the printing material Pb against the guide fence 19 by the pressing rollers 22a and 22b under the control of the CPU 31.

  The linear encoder 53 detects the rotation of the motor that drives the width direction movable portion 14a, the conveyance direction movable portion 14b, and the carriage movable portion 12a, and outputs the detection result to the CPU 31 via the I / O 36.

  The I / O 36 receives signals from the linear encoder 53, the substrate detection sensor 23, the distance detection sensor 20, and other sensors, and outputs an input signal to the CPU 31.

  The operation panel 51 includes various operation keys and a display (for example, a liquid crystal display). The operation panel 51 performs various operations necessary for operating the ink ejection printing apparatus 10 from the operation keys, and notifies the operator of the operation content from the operation keys and the ink ejection printing apparatus 10 on the display. Displays various information.

  The host I / F 37 includes an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer, an image reading apparatus such as an image scanner, and the like that sends print data to the ink ejection printing apparatus 10 to perform printing (image formation). A host device Hs such as an imaging device such as a digital camera is connected by a dedicated line or a LAN (Local Area Network). The host device Hs generates print data and control signals by the printer driver installed therein, and transfers them to the host I / F 37.

  The ink ejection printing apparatus 10 performs print processing of a print image based on the print data that the host I / F 37 receives from the host apparatus Hs.

  Note that the ink ejection printing system 1 may generate dot pattern data for printing out by the ink ejection printing apparatus 10 or the host apparatus Hs. That is, the ink ejection printing apparatus 10 may store font data in the ROM 32, and the CPU 31 may generate dot pattern data based on the print data. Further, the printer driver of the host device Hs may develop the print data into bitmap data and transmit it to the ink ejection printing apparatus 10.

  The head driver 52 serially receives print data (dot pattern data) corresponding to one line printed by the recording head 13 h from the print control unit 39. The head driver 52 performs recording by selectively applying a driving waveform pulse constituting a driving waveform supplied from the driving waveform generating unit of the print control unit 39 to the pressure generating hand for each nozzle of the recording head 13h. Each nozzle of the head 13h is driven individually.

  The head driver 52 includes, for example, a shift register that inputs a clock signal and serial data that is print data, a latch circuit that latches a register value of the shift register using a latch signal, and an output value of the latch circuit A changing level conversion circuit (level shifter) and an analog switch array whose on / off is controlled by the level shifter are provided. The head driver 52 selectively applies a required drive waveform pulse included in the drive waveform to the pressure generating portion of the recording head 13h by controlling on / off of the analog switch array.

  That is, the print control unit 39 adjusts the storage position of the print data (image data) to the head driver 52 under the control of the CPU 31, so that the position of the entire image data in the main scanning direction, that is, the drive target nozzle group. Controls the position in the main scanning direction.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. In the ink ejection printing system 1 according to the present embodiment, the ink ejection printing apparatus 10 moves in the sub-scanning direction relative to the three-dimensional printed material Pb and is arranged in a row in the main scanning direction. Clogging due to drying of nozzles that discharge ink to the substrate Pb is prevented.

  That is, the ink ejection printing system 1 prints out an image having a predetermined size and shape such as a barcode and product-related information on a three-dimensional printed material Pb such as cardboard conveyed on the belt conveyor 2. .

  In the nozzle rows 13y, 13m, 13k, and 13c formed in the recording head 13h, a larger number of nozzles than the number of nozzles used in one image formation are arranged in the nozzle row direction.

  Therefore, if nozzles used for image formation are set as drive target nozzle groups, and nozzles other than the drive target nozzle group are not used for printing for a long time, there is a possibility that nozzle clogging may occur due to drying of ink. In the ink ejection type printing apparatus 10, the recording head 13h is capped by the maintenance unit 16 during standby time when printing is not performed, so that the nozzles are prevented from being dried and the printing performance can be maintained. It has been.

  Therefore, under the control of the CPU 31, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, the ink ejection printing apparatus 10 prints the same image once or a plurality of prescribed times, from FIG. 5 (a) to FIG. 5 (b). From FIG. 5B to FIG. 5C, the drive target nozzle group GN is moved (shifted) by one dot. FIG. 5 shows a case where the nozzle rows 13y, 13m, 13k, and 13c are arranged with 24 nozzles from the nozzle n1 to the nozzle n24. However, the number of nozzles is not limited to 24. Absent.

  FIG. 5A shows a case where an image is formed using the nozzles n4 to n10 as the drive target nozzle group GN. FIG. 5B shows a state in which the same image is printed once or a predetermined number of times and the drive target nozzle group GN is moved downward by one dot to form an image. FIG. 5C shows the state shown in FIG. 5B, in which the same image is further printed once or a plurality of prescribed times, and the drive target nozzle group GN is moved downward by one dot to form an image. It shows the state.

  FIG. 5 shows a state where one dot corresponds to one nozzle. That is, the ink ejection printing apparatus 10 performs printing while moving the drive target nozzle group GN in the main scanning direction at every predetermined timing, thereby clogging the nozzles n1 to n24 of the nozzle rows 13y, 13m, 13k, and 13c. Nozzle movement printing processing is performed to prevent this.

  Although not shown in FIG. 5, the ink ejection printing apparatus 10 controls the drive of the carriage drive unit 12a via the carriage movement control unit 40 under the control of the CPU 31 to move the drive target nozzle group GN. The carriage 13 is moved in the main scanning direction in the direction opposite to the direction, and an image is formed at the same position in the main scanning direction on the substrate Pb. Further, FIG. 5 shows the drive target nozzle group GN divided into the upper seven nozzles and the lower nozzle, and the ink ejection printing apparatus 10 uses these as a drive target nozzle group GN to perform nozzle movement printing. Process.

  However, even when the nozzle movement printing process is performed, nozzle clogging may occur when the number of nozzles in the drive target nozzle group GN is smaller than the number of nozzles in the nozzle rows 13y, 13m, 13k, and 13c. .

  That is, in this case, if nozzle movement printing processing is performed in which the drive target nozzle group GN is sequentially moved in one direction in the nozzle rows 13y, 13m, 13k, and 13c by predetermined dots, the nozzle rows 13y, 13m, 13k, and 13c It may take a period of time for the drive target nozzle group GN to reach the end nozzle. As a result, nozzle clogging may occur at the nozzles at the ends of the nozzle rows 13y, 13m, 13k, and 13c.

  Therefore, the ink ejection printing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment performs a nozzle movement printing control process as shown in FIG. That is, the CPU 31 checks whether the same image has been printed a plurality of times (step S101). When the same image has not been printed a plurality of times (NO in step S101), the movement process of the drive target nozzle group GN is not performed. A normal printing process is performed and the process is terminated (step S102).

  When the same image is printed a plurality of times in step S101 (when YES in step S101), the CPU 31 first controls the print control unit 39 to execute printing of image data (step S103), and the total number of times. It is checked whether printing has been completed (step S104).

  In step S104, when printing of the same number of times has not been completed (NO in step S104), the CPU 31 calculates a non-use period of each nozzle (step S105).

  Next, the CPU 31 checks whether there is a nozzle whose non-use period has exceeded the basic threshold (step S106), and when there is no nozzle whose non-use period has exceeded the basic threshold (when NO in step S106), it is the same. It is checked whether the image has been printed a specified number of times (step S107).

  In step S107, when the same image has not been printed a predetermined number of times (NO in step S107), the CPU 31 returns to step S103 and performs the same processing as above (steps S103 to S107).

  When the same image has been printed a predetermined number of times in step S107 (YES in step S107), the CPU 31 controls the print control unit 39 to move the image data, that is, the drive target nozzle group GN in the movement direction. One dot is shifted (step S108). When the CPU 31 shifts the image data by one dot, the CPU 31 returns to step S103 and performs the same processing as described above from the printing of the image data (steps S103 to S108).

  If there is a nozzle whose non-use period exceeds the basic threshold value in step S106 (YES in step S106), the CPU 31 prints dots (dots used for printing) on the nozzle whose non-use period exceeds the basic threshold value. The image data is shifted so as to be assigned (step S109). That is, even when the nozzle movement printing process is performed, if a nozzle whose non-use period exceeds the basic threshold appears, the nozzle is preferentially assigned to a print dot.

  In step S104, when printing of the same number of times for the same image is completed (YES in step S104), the CPU 31 ends the nozzle movement printing control process.

  CPU31 performs the non-use period calculation process of each nozzle in said step S105 as shown in FIG. In this non-use period calculation process, the CPU 31 calculates non-use periods for all nozzles of the recording head 13h in the order of nozzles set in advance. That is, when the CPU 31 shifts to the non-use period calculation process for each nozzle, it first acquires the current time (step S201) and checks whether the non-use period has been calculated for all nozzles (step S202).

  When the calculation of the non-use period for all the nozzles is not completed in step S202 (NO in step S202), the CPU 31 obtains the difference time between the current time and the start time for the processing target nozzle. . When obtaining the difference time, the CPU 31 stores the difference time in a memory (for example, NVRAM 34) in association with the nozzle (step S203). Here, the start time is the time when the print command is generated and the recording head 13 h is removed from the capping by the maintenance unit 16. That is, in the ink ejection printing apparatus 10, since the recording head 13h is capped by the maintenance unit 16 and moisturized during non-printing, the ink is prevented from drying and nozzle clogging. This period is excluded from the non-use period.

  After calculating and storing the differential time for one nozzle, the CPU 31 returns to step S202 and performs the same processing as above from checking whether the non-use period has been calculated for all nozzles (steps S202 and S203).

  If the non-use period is calculated for all nozzles in step S202 (YES in step S202), the CPU 31 ends the non-use period calculation process.

  Then, the CPU 31 performs setting processing of the moving direction and moving amount of the drive target nozzle group GN in step S109 of FIG. 6 as shown in FIG.

  That is, the CPU 31 checks whether or not the unused nozzle is in the nozzle row upward direction from the position of the current image (driving target nozzle group GN) (step S301).

  In step S301, when the unused nozzle is located above the image position in the nozzle row (YES in step S301), the CPU 31 starts from the top print dot in the image data (driving target nozzle group GN). The number of dots up to the unused nozzle is calculated (step S302). The print dots here are dots corresponding to the nozzle (drive nozzle) located at the top of the nozzles to which the image data is assigned in the image data, that is, the drive target nozzle group GN. I mean.

  That is, even if the nozzles are in the drive target nozzle group GN, there are drive nozzles to which image data is assigned and drive, and non-use nozzles to which no image data is assigned and not used for printing.

  The CPU 31 sets the calculated number of dots as the image shift amount, that is, the movement amount of the drive target nozzle group GN, and ends the drive target nozzle group movement setting process (step S303).

  In step S301, when the unused nozzle is not above the image position in the nozzle row (NO in step S301), the CPU 31 determines that the unused nozzle is lower than the position of the current image (driving target nozzle group GN). It is checked whether the direction is correct (step S304).

  If it is determined in step S304 that the unused nozzle is located below the image position in the nozzle row (YES in step S304), the CPU 31 starts from the bottom print dot in the image data (driving target nozzle group GN). The number of dots up to the unused nozzle is calculated (step S305).

  The CPU 31 sets the calculated number of dots as an image shift amount (a movement amount of the drive target nozzle group GN), and ends the drive target nozzle group movement setting process (step S303).

  In step S304, when the unused nozzle is not below the nozzle row from the image position (NO in step S304), the CPU 31 prints a print dot in the image data (driving target nozzle group GN) closest to the unused nozzle. Search is performed (step S306). The print dot here means a dot corresponding to a nozzle (drive nozzle) to which image data is assigned in the image data (drive target nozzle group GN).

  The CPU 31 calculates the number of dots from the print dot in the image data (drive target nozzle group GN) closest to the unused nozzle to the unused nozzle (step S307).

  The CPU 31 sets the calculated number of dots as an image shift amount (a movement amount of the drive target nozzle group GN), and ends the drive target nozzle group movement setting process (step S303).

  That is, in this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, the drive target nozzle group GN is moved downward one dot at a time from the position of FIG. Thus, the drive target nozzle group GN moves to the position of FIG. When the non-use period of the nozzles 1 to 3 reaches the basic threshold at the time of FIG. 9B, the CPU 31 positions the drive target nozzle group GN at the nozzles 1 to 3 as shown in FIG. 9C. Move to position.

  Although not shown in FIG. 9, when a non-use nozzle is generated in the drive target nozzle group GN, it is a nozzle to which image data is assigned in the drive target nozzle group GN, and is the most non-use nozzle. The number of dots up to a print dot closest to the nozzle, i.e., the non-use nozzle, is used as the amount of movement of the image data, i.e., the drive target nozzle group GN.

  As a result, it is possible to move the drive target nozzle group GN so that nozzles whose non-use period has reached the basic threshold are used preferentially, thereby preventing the nozzles from drying and nozzle clogging. Can do.

  As described above, in the ink ejection printing system 1 according to the present embodiment, the ink ejection printing apparatus 10 has a main scan in which a plurality of nozzles that eject ink droplets onto the printed material Pb to be conveyed are orthogonal to the conveyance direction. The print head 13h disposed in a direction over a predetermined length and the number of the nozzles smaller than the total number of the nozzles in the length direction are driven as nozzle groups GN to be driven based on the image data to be printed. A print control unit (image formation control unit) 39 that forms an image on Pb, and a CPU (non-ejection period calculation unit) that calculates a non-use period (non-ejection period) that is continuously in a non-ejection state for each nozzle. ) 11 and image formation on the print control unit 39 by moving the drive target nozzle group GN in the main scanning direction by the predetermined number of nozzles every time an image is formed on a predetermined number of printed materials Pb based on the same image. When a non-use nozzle (non-ejection nozzle) whose non-use period has reached a predetermined basic threshold (threshold period) appears, the drive nozzle driven by the image data in the drive target nozzle group GN becomes non-use A CPU (control means) 31 that moves the drive target nozzle group GN to a position corresponding to the nozzle and causes the print control unit 39 to form an image.

  Accordingly, the ink ejection printing apparatus 10 is a nozzle that moves in the sub-scanning direction relative to the three-dimensional printed material Pb and is arranged in a row in the main scanning direction and ejects ink onto the printed material Pb. Among them, the drive target nozzle group GN that is in the drive target range by the image data is driven while moving in the main scanning direction to form an image. Further, when a non-use nozzle whose non-use period has become a basic threshold appears, the ink ejection printing apparatus 10 moves and drives the drive target nozzle group GN to a position where the non-use nozzle becomes a drive nozzle. As a result, it is possible to prevent the nozzles from being clogged by drying before the nozzles need to be preliminarily ejected, and to improve usability while preventing waste of ink.

  Further, the ink ejection printing system 1 of the present embodiment includes a belt conveyor (conveying device) 2 that conveys a three-dimensional printed material (printed material) Pb at a constant speed, and a printed material Pb that is conveyed by the belt conveyor 2. On the other hand, an ink ejection printing apparatus 10 including an ink ejection printing apparatus 10 that forms an image by ejecting ink in a stopped state, wherein the ink ejection printing apparatus 10 is transported. A recording head 13h in which a plurality of nozzles that eject ink droplets to Pb are disposed over a predetermined length in the main scanning direction orthogonal to the transport direction, and a number smaller than the total number of the nozzles in the length direction The nozzles GN to be driven as the drive target nozzle group GN based on the image data to form an image on the printing material Pb, and the nozzle A CPU (non-ejection period calculation means) 31 for obtaining a non-use period (non-ejection period) that is continuously in an ink non-ejection state every time, and for each image formation on a predetermined number of printed materials Pb based on the same image The drive target nozzle group GN is moved in the main scanning direction by a predetermined number of nozzles to form an image in the print control unit 39, and the non-use nozzle whose non-use period has reached a predetermined basic threshold (threshold period) ( When a non-ejection nozzle) appears, the print control unit 39 moves the drive target nozzle group GN to a position corresponding to the non-use nozzle in the drive target nozzle group GN. And a CPU (control means) 31 for image formation.

  Accordingly, the ink ejection printing apparatus 10 is a nozzle that moves in the sub-scanning direction relative to the three-dimensional printed material Pb and is arranged in a row in the main scanning direction and ejects ink onto the printed material Pb. Among them, the drive target nozzle group GN that is in the drive target range by the image data is driven while moving in the main scanning direction to form an image. Further, when a non-use nozzle whose non-use period has become a basic threshold appears, the ink ejection printing apparatus 10 moves and drives the drive target nozzle group GN to a position where the non-use nozzle becomes a drive nozzle. As a result, it is possible to prevent the nozzles from being clogged by drying before the nozzles need to be preliminarily ejected, and to improve usability while preventing waste of ink.

  Furthermore, in the ink ejection type printing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, a plurality of nozzles that eject ink droplets to the conveyed printing material Pb are disposed over a predetermined length in the main scanning direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction. Image formation in which the number of nozzles smaller than the total number in the length direction of the nozzles mounted on the recording head 13h is driven as a drive target nozzle group GN to form an image on the substrate Pb by driving based on image data A control processing step, a non-ejection period calculation processing step for obtaining a non-use period (non-ejection period) that is continuously in a non-ejection state for each nozzle, and a predetermined number of prints Pb based on the same image For each image formation, the drive target nozzle group GN is moved in the main scanning direction by a predetermined number of nozzles to form an image in the image formation control processing step, and the non-use period When a non-use nozzle (non-discharge nozzle) that has reached a predetermined basic threshold (threshold period) appears, the drive nozzle driven by the image data in the drive target nozzle group GN reaches a position corresponding to the non-use nozzle. An ink ejection printing control method is executed, which includes a control processing step of moving the drive target nozzle group GN and forming an image in the image formation control processing step.

  Accordingly, the ink ejection printing apparatus 10 is a nozzle that moves in the sub-scanning direction relative to the three-dimensional printed material Pb and is arranged in a row in the main scanning direction and ejects ink onto the printed material Pb. Among them, the drive target nozzle group GN that is in the drive target range by the image data is driven while moving in the main scanning direction to form an image. Further, when a non-use nozzle whose non-use period has become a basic threshold appears, the ink ejection printing apparatus 10 moves and drives the drive target nozzle group GN to a position where the non-use nozzle becomes a drive nozzle. As a result, it is possible to prevent the nozzles from being clogged by drying before the nozzles need to be preliminarily ejected, and to improve usability while preventing waste of ink.

  In addition, the ink ejection printing apparatus 10 according to the present exemplary embodiment has a control processor such as the CPU 31 that has a plurality of nozzles that eject ink droplets onto the transported printed material Pb in the main scanning direction orthogonal to the transport direction. A number of nozzles smaller than the total number in the length direction of the nozzles mounted on the recording head 13h disposed over the length is driven as a drive target nozzle group GN based on image data, and the substrate is printed. An image formation control process for forming an image on Pb, a non-ejection period calculation process for obtaining a non-use period (non-ejection period) in which ink is continuously ejected for each nozzle, and a predetermined number based on the same image Each time the image is formed on the substrate Pb, the drive target nozzle group GN is moved in the main scanning direction by a predetermined dot to form an image by the image formation control process, and the non-use When a non-use nozzle (non-discharge nozzle) that has reached a predetermined basic threshold (threshold period) appears, a position in which the drive nozzle driven by the image data in the drive target nozzle group GN corresponds to the non-use nozzle Up to this point, an ink ejection printing control program for executing the control process of moving the drive target nozzle group GN and forming an image by the image formation control process is installed.

  Accordingly, the ink ejection printing apparatus 10 is a nozzle that moves in the sub-scanning direction relative to the three-dimensional printed material Pb and is arranged in a row in the main scanning direction and ejects ink onto the printed material Pb. Among them, the drive target nozzle group GN that is in the drive target range by the image data is driven while moving in the main scanning direction to form an image. Further, when a non-use nozzle whose non-use period has become a basic threshold appears, the ink ejection printing apparatus 10 moves and drives the drive target nozzle group GN to a position where the non-use nozzle becomes a drive nozzle. As a result, it is possible to prevent the nozzles from being clogged by drying before the nozzles need to be preliminarily ejected, and to improve usability while preventing waste of ink.

  Further, in the ink ejection type printing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, the CPU 31 as the control unit uses the non-use of the image data when the non-use nozzle (non-discharge nozzle) exists in the drive target nozzle group GN. Among the nozzles, the drive nozzle closest to the non-use nozzle moves the drive target nozzle group GN to a position corresponding to the non-use nozzle and causes the print control unit 39 to form an image.

  Therefore, even when there is a nozzle that is not a drive target in the drive target nozzle group GN and the nozzle reaches a non-use period, the nozzle can be appropriately set as a drive target. As a result, it is possible to prevent the nozzles from being clogged by drying before the nozzles need to be preliminarily ejected, and to improve usability while preventing waste of ink.

  The ink ejection printing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment further includes a carriage movable unit (head moving unit) 12a that moves the recording head 13h in the main scanning direction, and the CPU 31 serving as the control unit includes a carriage 12a. The recording head 13h is moved to a position where the image forming position of the image on the substrate Pb is constant according to the movement of the drive target nozzle group GN.

  Therefore, nozzle clogging can be prevented by moving the drive target nozzle group GN while keeping the image forming position on the printing material Pb constant. As a result, the usability of the ink ejection printing apparatus 10 can be improved.

  10 to 12 are diagrams illustrating a second embodiment of the ink ejection printing apparatus, the ink ejection printing system, the ink ejection printing control method, and the ink ejection printing control program according to the present invention.

  The present embodiment is applied to an ink ejection printing system similar to the ink ejection printing system 1 of the first embodiment. In the description of this embodiment, the first embodiment will be described as necessary. The description will be made using the reference numerals used in the above as they are.

  The ink ejection printing system 1 according to the present embodiment performs an appropriate nozzle movement printing control process when a plurality of nozzles whose non-use period exceeds the basic threshold occurs.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 10, the ink ejection printing apparatus 10 drives one dot when the same image is printed a prescribed number of times in the state of the drive target nozzle group GN in FIG. 10A, as in the first embodiment. A nozzle movement printing control process for moving the target nozzle group GN is performed. Then, when the nozzle movement printing control process is sequentially performed and, as shown in FIG. 10B, when a plurality of nozzles whose non-use period becomes the basic threshold value are generated at the stage where four dots are moved, FIG. ), The drive target nozzle group GN is moved so that more non-use nozzles enter the drive target nozzle group GN. In FIG. 10, when the non-use period of the nozzles 1 to 3 and the nozzles 23 and 24 becomes the basic threshold at the stage of FIG. Move to enter.

  Then, the ink ejection printing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment performs a nozzle movement printing control process as shown in FIG. In FIG. 11, the same step numbers are assigned to the same processing steps as those in the nozzle movement printing control processing of FIG. 6 of the first embodiment, and the description thereof is simplified.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the CPU 31 checks whether the same image has been printed a plurality of times (step S101). When the same image has not been printed a plurality of times, the normal printing process is performed without performing the movement process of the drive target nozzle group GN. To end the process (step S102).

  When the same image is printed a plurality of times in step S101, the CPU 31 first prints the image data (step S103), and checks whether the printing has been completed for all times (step S104).

  In step S104, when printing of the same number of times has not been completed, the CPU 31 calculates a non-use period of each nozzle (step S105).

  Next, the CPU 31 checks whether there is a nozzle whose non-use period exceeds the basic threshold (step S106). If there is no non-use nozzle whose non-use period exceeds the basic threshold, has the same image been printed a specified number of times? A check is made (step S107).

  When the same image has not been printed a predetermined number of times in step S107, the CPU 31 returns to step S103 and performs the same processing as above (steps S103 to S107).

  When the same image is printed a predetermined number of times in step S107, the CPU 31 shifts the image data, that is, the drive target nozzle group GN by one dot in the movement direction (step S108). When the CPU 31 shifts the image data by one dot, the CPU 31 returns to step S103 and performs the same processing as described above from the printing of the image data (steps S103 to S108).

  If there is an unused nozzle whose non-use period exceeds the basic threshold in step S106, the CPU 31 checks whether there are a plurality of non-use nozzles whose non-use period exceeds the basic threshold (step S401).

  In step S401, when there is one unused nozzle whose non-use period exceeds the basic threshold (NO in step S401), the CPU 31 prints dots (used for printing) on the nozzle whose non-use period exceeds the basic threshold. The image data is shifted so as to allocate dots (step S109). When the image data is shifted, the CPU 31 returns to step S103 to perform the same processing as described above from the printing of the image data (steps S103 to S109, S401).

  In step S401, when there are a plurality of non-use nozzles whose non-use period exceeds the basic threshold (YES in step S401), the CPU 31 drives the image data (drive) so as to assign print dots to more non-use nozzles. The target nozzle group GN) is shifted (step S402). When the image data is shifted, the CPU 31 returns to step S103 to perform the same processing as described above from the printing of the image data (steps S103 to S109, S401, S402).

  When printing of the same number of times for the same image is completed in step S104, the CPU 31 ends the nozzle movement printing control process.

  Then, the CPU 31 performs the setting process of the moving direction and moving amount of the drive target nozzle group GN in step S402 of FIG. 11 as shown in FIG.

  That is, the CPU 31 first sets “0” in a register that stores the “number of usable non-use nozzles” (step S501), and the upper limit at which the image data (driving target nozzle group GN) can be shifted upward. Is checked (step S502).

  If the upper limit of the image data that can be shifted upward has not been reached in step S502 (NO in step S502), the CPU 31 shifts the entire image data (driving target nozzle group GN) by one dot upward. (Step S503).

  The CPU 31 calculates the number of unused nozzles used when printing the image data at a position shifted by one dot upward (step S504). The CPU 31 checks whether or not the calculated number of unused nozzles is greater than the number of nozzles stored in the “number of available unused nozzles” register (step S505).

  In step S505, when the calculated number of unused nozzles is equal to or less than the number of nozzles in the “number of available unused nozzles” register (NO in step S505), the CPU 31 returns to step S502 and performs the same processing as described above. (Steps S502 to S505).

  If the calculated number of unused nozzles is larger than the number of nozzles in the “available unused nozzle number” register in step S505 (YES in step S505), the CPU 31 registers the “available unused nozzle number” register. Then, the number of unused nozzles calculated in step S504 is set (step S506).

  When the CPU 31 sets the number of non-use nozzles in the “number of non-use nozzles that can be used” register, the CPU 31 returns to step S502 and performs the same processing as above (steps S502 to S506).

  If the upper limit of the image data that can be shifted upward has been reached in step S502 (YES in step S502), the CPU 31 shifts the entire image data (driving target nozzle group GN) upward. Return to the previous position (step S507). That is, the CPU 31 starts printing and returns the position of the image data (driving target nozzle group GN) to the initial position where the movement of the image data (driving target nozzle group GN) is started.

  When the position of the image data is returned, the CPU 31 checks whether the image data (driving target nozzle group GN) has reached an upper limit that can be shifted downward (step S508).

  If the upper limit of the image data that can be shifted downward has not been reached in step S508 (NO in step S508), the CPU 31 shifts the entire image data (driving target nozzle group GN) by one dot downward. (Step S509).

  The CPU 31 calculates the number of unused nozzles that are used when the image data is printed at a position shifted downward by one dot (step S510). The CPU 31 checks whether or not the calculated number of unused nozzles is greater than the number of nozzles stored in the “number of available unused nozzles” register (step S511).

  In step S511, when the calculated number of unused nozzles is equal to or less than the number of nozzles in the “number of available unused nozzles” register (NO in step S511), the CPU 31 returns to step S508 and performs the same processing as described above. (Steps S508 to S511).

  When the calculated number of non-use nozzles is larger than the number of nozzles in the “usable non-use nozzle number” register in step S511 (YES in step S511), the CPU 31 registers the “number of non-use nozzles that can be used” register. In step S512, the number of unused nozzles calculated in step S510 is set.

  When the CPU 31 sets the number of unused nozzles in the “usable unused nozzle number” register, the CPU 31 returns to step S508 and performs the same processing as above (steps S508 to S512).

  If the upper limit of the image data that can be shifted downward is reached in step S508 (YES in step S508), the CPU 31 shifts the shift amount stored in the “number of usable non-use nozzles” register. (Movement amount) is set as the current shift amount (step S513). When the current shift amount is set, the CPU 31 ends the drive target nozzle group movement setting process.

  As described above, in the ink ejection printing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, when the CPU 31 as the control unit includes a plurality of non-use nozzles (non-discharge nozzles), a larger number of the non-use nozzles among the plurality of non-use nozzles. Moves the drive target nozzle group GN to a position corresponding to the drive nozzle of the drive target nozzle group GN, and causes the print control unit 39 to form an image.

  Therefore, even when there are a plurality of nozzles that have reached the non-use period, more non-use nozzles can be appropriately driven. As a result, it is possible to prevent the nozzles from being clogged by drying before the nozzles need to be preliminarily ejected, and to improve usability while preventing waste of ink.

  FIGS. 13 and 14 are diagrams showing a third embodiment of the ink ejection printing apparatus, ink ejection printing system, ink ejection printing control method, and ink ejection printing control program of the present invention.

  The present embodiment is applied to an ink ejection printing system similar to the ink ejection printing system 1 of the first embodiment. In the description of this embodiment, the first embodiment will be described as necessary. The description will be made using the reference numerals used in the above as they are.

  The ink ejection printing system 1 according to the present embodiment performs the nozzle movement printing control process by determining the non-use period based on two threshold values.

  That is, the ink ejection type printing apparatus 10 of the ink ejection type printing system 1 determines the non-use period based only on the basic threshold as in the first and second embodiments, and a plurality of nozzles reach the basic threshold. In this case, as described above, the image data (driving target nozzle group GN) is moved so as to assign more unused nozzles to the print dots. However, a non-use nozzle that has reached the basic threshold value but has not been assigned to a print dot may require preliminary ejection in order to prevent nozzle clogging.

  Therefore, the ink ejection printing apparatus 10 of the ink ejection printing system 1 according to the present embodiment sets a preliminary threshold (second threshold period) for determining an unused nozzle in a non-use period shorter than the basic threshold (threshold period). To do. Then, when a nozzle whose non-use period reaches the preliminary threshold value is generated, the ink ejection printing apparatus 10 moves the image data (driving target nozzle group GN) so as to assign a print dot to the nozzle.

  For example, in the case of FIG. 13, when the same image is printed a prescribed number of times in the state of the drive target nozzle group GN, a nozzle movement printing process for moving the one-dot drive target nozzle group GN is performed, as shown in FIG. When the nozzles 1 to 3 and the nozzles 23 and 24 reach the preliminary threshold value after the three dots are moved, first, as shown in FIG. 13B, more non-use nozzles are driven target nozzle groups. The drive target nozzle group GN is moved so as to enter the GN. That is, the drive target nozzle group GN is moved so that the nozzles 1 to 3 enter the drive target nozzle group GN. However, since the non-use period of the nozzles 23 and 24 is between the reserve threshold and the basic threshold, the non-use period between the reserve threshold and the basic threshold is next, as shown in FIG. The used nozzle is moved so as to enter the drive target nozzle group GN.

  Then, the ink ejection printing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment performs the nozzle movement printing control process as illustrated in FIG. In FIG. 14, the same step numbers are assigned to the same processing steps as those in the nozzle movement printing control processing of FIG. 6 of the first embodiment, and the description thereof is simplified.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the CPU 31 checks whether the same image has been printed a plurality of times (step S101). When the same image has not been printed a plurality of times, the normal printing process is performed without performing the movement process of the drive target nozzle group GN. To end the process (step S102).

  When the same image is printed a plurality of times in step S101, the CPU 31 first prints the image data (step S103), and checks whether the printing has been completed for all times (step S104).

  In step S104, when printing of the same number of times has not been completed, the CPU 31 calculates a non-use period of each nozzle (step S105).

  Next, the CPU 31 checks whether there is a nozzle whose non-use period is between the preliminary threshold and the basic threshold (step S601).

  In step S601, when there is no nozzle whose non-use period is between the preliminary threshold and the basic threshold (NO in step S601), the CPU 31 checks whether the same image has been printed a specified number of times (step S107).

  When the same image has not been printed a predetermined number of times in step S107, the CPU 31 returns to step S103 and performs the same processing as above (steps S103 to S105, S601, S107).

  When the same image is printed a predetermined number of times in step S107, the CPU 31 shifts the image data, that is, the drive target nozzle group GN by one dot in the movement direction (step S108). When the CPU 31 shifts the image data by one dot, the CPU 31 returns to step S103 and performs the same processing as described above from the printing of the image data (steps S103 to S105, S601, S107, and S108).

  If there is a nozzle whose non-use period is between the reserve threshold and the basic threshold in step S601, the CPU 31 checks whether there are a plurality of nozzles whose non-use period is between the reserve threshold and the basic threshold (step S602).

  In step S602, when there is one non-use nozzle whose non-use period is between the reserve threshold and the basic threshold (NO in step S602), the CPU 31 prints print dots on the nozzles whose non-use period exceeds the reserve threshold. The image data (driving target nozzle group GN) is shifted so as to be allocated (step S603). When the image data is shifted, the CPU 31 returns to step S103 and performs the same processing as described above from the printing of the image data (steps S103 to S105, S107, S108, S601 to S603).

  If there are a plurality of non-use nozzles whose non-use period is between the preliminary threshold and the basic threshold in step S602 (YES in step S602), the CPU 31 assigns print dots to more non-use nozzles. The image data (driving target nozzle group GN) is shifted (step S604). The drive target nozzle group movement setting process in this case is the same as in FIG. When the CPU 31 shifts the image data, the CPU 31 returns to step S103 and performs the same processing from the printing of the image data as described above (steps S103 to S105, S107, S108, and S601 to S604).

  When printing of the same number of times for the same image is completed in step S104, the CPU 31 ends the nozzle movement printing control process.

  That is, in the case of FIG. 13, the nozzles 1 to 3 and the nozzles 23 and 24 simultaneously reach the preliminary threshold at the stage of FIG. 13A. In this case, first, as shown in FIG. The image data (driving target nozzle group GN) is shifted so that more unused nozzles become printing dots (driving nozzles). After printing the image data in this state, since the nozzle 23 and the nozzle 24 are continuously between the basic threshold and exceeding the preliminary threshold, printing dots are printed on the nozzle 23 and the nozzle 24 as shown in FIG. The image data is shifted so as to be assigned. Therefore, the nozzles 23 and 24 can also prevent nozzle clogging while avoiding wasteful ink consumption by preliminary ejection.

  As described above, in the ink ejection printing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, the CPU 31 as the control unit has a preliminary threshold (second threshold period) in which the non-use period (non-ejection period) is shorter than the basic threshold (threshold period). When the second non-ejection nozzle that has reached the position appears, the drive target nozzle group GN is moved to a position corresponding to the second non-ejection nozzle in the drive target nozzle group GN, and the print control unit 39 To form an image.

  Therefore, the non-use nozzle can be driven as a drive nozzle based on the preliminary threshold before reaching the state where the preliminary discharge is necessary, and nozzle clogging can be prevented more efficiently.

  15 to 17 are diagrams showing a fourth embodiment of the ink ejection printing apparatus, the ink ejection printing system, the ink ejection printing control method, and the ink ejection printing control program according to the present invention.

  The present embodiment is applied to an ink ejection printing system similar to the ink ejection printing system 1 of the first embodiment. In the description of this embodiment, the first embodiment will be described as necessary. The description will be made using the reference numerals used in the above as they are.

  The ink ejection printing system 1 of the present embodiment performs a nozzle movement printing control process for determining the moving direction of the image data (driving target nozzle group GN) based on the non-use period of the nozzles.

  That is, the ink ejection printing apparatus 10 normally has a predetermined number of dots (for example, one dot) every time the same image is printed a predetermined number of times in the upward or downward direction in the nozzle rows 13y, 13m, 13k, and 13c. The image data (driving target nozzle group GN) is moved for printing. The ink ejection printing apparatus 10 basically moves in the reverse direction when the movement of the drive target nozzle group GN reaches the upper end or the lower end of the nozzle rows 13y, 13m, 13k, and 13c.

  Then, when a nozzle whose non-use period reaches the threshold value is generated, the ink ejection printing apparatus 10 moves the image data (driving target nozzle group GN) so that the nozzle is assigned to the printing dot (driving nozzle).

  With the above moving method alone, the non-use period is close to the threshold value, but there is a possibility that a nozzle that reaches the threshold value may occur when moved in the moving direction.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 15, the ink ejection printing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment determines the moving direction of the image data, that is, the drive target nozzle group GN, based on the length of the non-use period of the nozzles. . In FIG. 15, the non-use period of the nozzles 1 to 3 has reached the preliminary threshold value in the state of FIG. 15B that is shifted downward by 3 dots from the state of no shift shown in FIG. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 15C, the CPU 31 shifts the image data (driving target nozzle group GN) so as to assign the nozzles 1 to 3 to the printing dots. After the CPU 31 performs printing a predetermined number of times (one or a plurality of times) after that, the CPU 31 determines the next shift direction as the direction in which the nozzle of the longest non-use period exists, and is shown in FIG. In this way, the shift is performed by a predetermined dot (1 dot in FIG. 15). That is, in FIG. 15D, the upward direction is the movement direction (shift direction) assuming that the non-use period of nozzles such as the nozzle 24 is the longest. When the uppermost nozzle of the drive target nozzle group GN is assigned to the print dot, the next lowermost movement of the drive target nozzle group GN is assigned to the print dot in the next upward movement. The image data (driving target nozzle group GN) is moved so that the lowest print dot of the image data is assigned to the lowest nozzle in the nozzle row. That is, when the uppermost nozzle of the drive target nozzle group GN is assigned to the print dot, if the image data (drive target nozzle group GN) is simply shifted one dot upward, the nozzle row 13y. , 13m, 13k, and 13c, the print dots of the image data are removed from the uppermost nozzles, and printing cannot be performed.

  Then, the ink ejection printing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment performs the nozzle movement printing control process as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17. In FIGS. 16 and 17, the same step numbers are assigned to the same processing steps as those in the nozzle movement printing control processing of FIG. 6 of the first embodiment, and the description thereof is simplified.

  As shown in FIG. 16, the CPU 31 checks whether the same image has been printed a plurality of times (step S101). When the same image has not been printed a plurality of times, a normal printing process is performed without performing the movement process of the drive target nozzle group GN. To end the process (step S102).

  When the same image is printed a plurality of times in step S101, the CPU 31 first prints the image data (step S103), and checks whether the printing has been completed for all times (step S104).

  In step S104, when printing of the same number of times has not been completed, the CPU 31 calculates a non-use period of each nozzle (step S105).

  Next, the CPU 31 checks whether there is a nozzle whose non-use period is between the reserve threshold and the basic threshold (step S701).

  In step S701, when there is no nozzle whose non-use period is between the preliminary threshold and the basic threshold (NO in step S701), the CPU 31 checks whether the same image has been printed a specified number of times (step S107).

  When the same image has not been printed a predetermined number of times in step S107, the CPU 31 returns to step S103 and performs the same processing as above (steps S103 to S105, S701, S107).

  When the same image is printed a predetermined number of times in step S107, the CPU 31 checks whether or not the previous shift is a normal one-dot shift (step S702), as shown in FIG. That is, the CPU 31 checks whether the previous shift is a shift in which image data is allocated to a nozzle whose non-use period has reached the threshold value.

  In step S702, if the previous shift is a normal one-dot shift (YES in step S702), the CPU 31 moves the image data, that is, the drive target nozzle group GN in the movement direction (shift direction). One dot is shifted (step S108). When the CPU 31 shifts the image data by one dot, the CPU 31 returns to step S103 and performs the same processing as described above from the printing of the image data (steps S103 to S105, S107, S108, S701, and S702).

  In step S702, when the previous shift is not a normal one-dot shift (NO in step S702), the CPU 31 determines the longest non-nozzle used for printing when shifted downward by one dot. It is determined whether the use period is longer than the longest non-use period among the nozzles used for printing when the dot is shifted upward (step S703).

  In step S703, if the longest non-use period among the nozzles used when shifting one dot downward is longer than the longest non-use period among the nozzles used when shifting one dot upward (When YES in step S703), the CPU 31 shifts the image data (driving target nozzle group GN) downward by one dot (step S704).

  When the CPU 31 shifts the image data, the CPU 31 returns to step S103 and performs the same processing as above (steps S103 to S105, S107, S108, S701 to S704).

  In step S703, the longest non-use period among the nozzles used when shifting one dot downward is equal to or shorter than the longest non-use period among the nozzles used when shifting one dot upward. (When NO in step S703), the CPU 31 shifts the image data (driving target nozzle group GN) upward by one dot (step S705).

  When the image data is shifted, the CPU 31 returns to step S103 in FIG. 16 and performs the same processing as above (steps S103 to S105, S107, S108, and S701 to S705).

  If there is a nozzle whose non-use period is between the reserve threshold and the basic threshold in step S701 in FIG. 16, the CPU 31 checks whether there are a plurality of nozzles whose non-use period is between the reserve threshold and the basic threshold. (Step S706).

  In step S706, when there is one nozzle whose non-use period is between the preliminary threshold and the basic threshold (NO in step S706), the CPU 31 assigns print dots to nozzles whose non-use period exceeds the pre-threshold threshold. The image data (driving target nozzle group GN) is shifted to (step S707). When the CPU 31 shifts the image data, the CPU 31 returns to step S103 and performs the same processing from the printing of the image data (steps S103 to S105, S107, S108, S701 to S707).

  If there are a plurality of nozzles whose non-use period is between the preliminary threshold value and the basic threshold value in step S706 (YES in step S706), the CPU 31 assigns image data to assign more print dots to the non-use nozzles. (Driving target nozzle group GN) is shifted (step S708). The drive target nozzle group movement setting process in this case is the same as in FIG. When the image data is shifted, the CPU 31 returns to step S103 to perform the same processing as described above from the printing of the image data (steps S103 to S105, S107, S108, S701 to S708).

  When printing of the same number of times for the same image is completed in step S104, the CPU 31 ends the nozzle movement printing control process.

  That is, as described above, as shown in FIG. 15C, when the immediately preceding shift is not a normal one-dot shift, the CPU 31 determines that the nozzle with the longest non-use period is in the shifted direction. The direction to be a printing dot is determined as the shift direction.

  As described above, in the ink ejection printing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, the CPU 31 as the control unit positions the non-use nozzle (second non-ejection nozzle) corresponding to the print nozzle (drive nozzle) of the drive target nozzle group GN. If the drive target nozzle group GN is moved to cause the print control unit 39 to perform image formation, the next movement direction of the drive target nozzle group GN is the presence of the nozzle with the longest non-use period (non-ejection period). The direction in which the nozzle group GN moves is the direction in which the nozzle group GN is driven.

  Therefore, after performing the movement using the nozzle that is in the non-use period as the drive nozzle, the drive target nozzle group GN is moved in the direction in which there is a nozzle that may be in the non-use period next to form an image. it can. As a result, nozzle clogging can be prevented more effectively.

  The invention made by the present inventor has been specifically described based on the preferred embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to that described in the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. It goes without saying that it is possible.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ink-jet printing system 2 Belt conveyor 3 Leg part 3 Frame 4 Drive roller 5 Driven roller 6 Drive motor 7 Conveyor belt 10 Ink-jet printer 11 Base 12 Carriage support unit 13 Carriage 13a Recording head 14 Movable part 14a Width direction Movable part 14b Transport direction movable part 15 Ink cartridge 16 Maintenance unit 17 Control part 18 Power supply part 19 Guide fence 20 Distance detection sensor 21 Base 22a, 22b Pressing roller 23 Printed object detection sensor 31 CPU
32 ROM
33 RAM
34 NVRAM
35 ASIC
36 I / O
37 Host I / F
38 Ink Supply Unit 39 Print Control Unit 40 Carriage Movement Control Unit 41 Motor Control Unit 42 Maintenance Control Unit 43 Roller Control Unit 51 Operation Panel 52 Head Driver 53 Linear Encoder Pb Printed Material

JP 2009-190374 A

Claims (9)

A recording head in which a plurality of nozzles that eject ink droplets to a substrate to be conveyed are disposed over a predetermined length in a main scanning direction orthogonal to the conveying direction;
Image forming control means for driving the number of nozzles smaller than the total number of the nozzles in the length direction as drive target nozzle groups based on image data to form an image on the printed material;
A non-ejection period calculating means for obtaining a non-ejection period in which the ink is in a non-ejection state continuously for each nozzle;
For each image formation on a predetermined number of the prints based on the same image, the drive target nozzle group is moved in the main scanning direction by a predetermined number of nozzles to form an image on the image formation control unit, and the non-ejection period When a non-ejection nozzle that has reached a predetermined threshold period appears, the driving nozzle group is moved to a position corresponding to the non-ejection nozzle of the driving nozzle group driven by the image data. Control means for causing the image formation control means to form an image;
An ink-jet printing apparatus comprising: The control means includes
When the non-ejection nozzle exists in the drive target nozzle group, the drive target nozzle group is moved to a position corresponding to the non-ejection nozzle among the drive nozzles based on the image data. 2. The ink discharge type printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming control unit is moved to form an image. The control means includes
When there are a plurality of the non-ejection nozzles, the image of the plurality of non-ejection nozzles is moved to a position where a larger number of the non-ejection nozzles correspond to the driving nozzles of the nozzle group to be driven. The ink ejection printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image formation is performed by the formation control unit. The control means includes
When a second non-ejection nozzle that has reached a second threshold period in which the non-ejection period is shorter than the threshold period, the drive nozzle of the drive target nozzle group reaches a position corresponding to the second non-ejection nozzle, The ink ejection printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the drive target nozzle group is moved to cause the image formation control unit to form an image. The control means includes
When the second non-ejection nozzle is moved to a position corresponding to the drive nozzle of the drive target nozzle group and the image formation control unit performs image formation, the next drive target nozzle group 5. The ink ejection printing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the movement direction of the nozzles having the longest non-ejection period is a movement direction of the nozzle group to be driven. The ink ejection type printing apparatus comprises:
A head moving means for moving the recording head in the main scanning direction;
The control means includes
6. The head moving means moves the recording head to a position where an image forming position of the image on the substrate is constant according to the movement of the drive target nozzle group. The ink ejection printing apparatus according to any one of the above. A conveying device that conveys a three-dimensional printed material at a constant speed; and an ink ejection printing device that discharges ink in a stopped state to form an image on the printed material conveyed by the conveying device. An ink discharge printing system provided,
The ink ejection type printing apparatus comprises:
A recording head in which a plurality of nozzles that eject ink droplets to a substrate to be conveyed are disposed over a predetermined length in a main scanning direction orthogonal to the conveying direction;
Image forming control means for driving the number of nozzles smaller than the total number of the nozzles in the length direction as drive target nozzle groups based on image data to form an image on the printed material;
A non-ejection period calculating means for obtaining a non-ejection period in which the ink is in a non-ejection state continuously for each nozzle;
For each image formation on a predetermined number of the prints based on the same image, the drive target nozzle group is moved in the main scanning direction by a predetermined number of nozzles to form an image on the image formation control unit, and the non-ejection period When a non-ejection nozzle that has reached a predetermined threshold period appears, the driving nozzle group is moved to a position corresponding to the non-ejection nozzle of the driving nozzle group driven by the image data. Control means for causing the image formation control means to form an image;
An ink ejection type printing system comprising: The total number of the nozzles mounted in the length direction of the recording head mounted on the recording head in which a plurality of nozzles that eject ink droplets onto the substrate to be transported are disposed over a predetermined length in the main scanning direction orthogonal to the transport direction. An image formation control processing step of forming an image on the substrate by driving the nozzles based on the image data as a drive target nozzle group having a smaller number of nozzles;
A non-ejection period calculation processing step for obtaining a non-ejection period that is continuously in an ink non-ejection state for each nozzle;
For each image formation on a predetermined number of prints based on the same image, the drive target nozzle group is moved in the main scanning direction by a predetermined number of nozzles to form an image in the image formation control processing step, and the non-ejection When a non-ejection nozzle whose period has reached a predetermined threshold period appears, the driving nozzle group is moved to a position corresponding to the non-ejection nozzle in the driving target nozzle group. A control processing step for forming an image in the image formation control processing step,
An ink ejection printing control method comprising: To the control processor,
The total number of the nozzles mounted in the length direction of the recording head mounted on the recording head in which a plurality of nozzles that eject ink droplets onto the substrate to be transported are disposed over a predetermined length in the main scanning direction orthogonal to the transport direction. An image formation control process in which a smaller number of the nozzles are driven as a drive target nozzle group and driven based on image data to form an image on the substrate;
A non-ejection period calculation process for obtaining a non-ejection period that is continuously in an ink non-ejection state for each nozzle;
For each image formation on a predetermined number of the substrates based on the same image, the drive target nozzle group is moved in the main scanning direction by a predetermined dot to form an image by the image formation control process, and the non-ejection period is predetermined. When a non-ejection nozzle that has reached the threshold period of time appears, the drive target nozzle group is moved to a position corresponding to the non-ejection nozzle of the drive target nozzle group to which the drive nozzle driven by the image data corresponds to the image. A control process for forming an image in the formation control process;
An ink ejection printing control program characterized by causing

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