JP2015202490A - Ink jet printer and printing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ink jet printer and a printing method that can print a new pattern to be printed at a proper position relative to an existing pattern.SOLUTION: An ink jet printer 1 additionally prints a new pattern to be printed, which is different from an existing pattern, on an external surface WS of a spherical print medium W on which the existing pattern is printed. The ink jet printer 1 includes a holder for holding the print medium W, a carriage 103, and projecting means 40. The carriage 103 prints the new pattern to be printed on the external surface WS of the print medium W. The projecting means 40 projects both of at least part of the existing pattern and the new pattern to be printed onto the external surface WS of the print medium W held by the holder.

Description

  The present invention relates to an inkjet printer and a printing method.

  Conventionally, in order to print a desired pattern on a printed material such as a ball, the printed material may be assembled by printing on a skin panel constituting the printed material and assembling the skin panels together (for example, , See Patent Document 1).

JP 2009-153539 A

  In the method disclosed in Patent Document 1 described above, since a pattern is printed on the skin panel before assembling the printed material, a new pattern to be printed is printed on the printed material on which the existing pattern has already been printed. It was not possible to print. In addition, when printing a new pattern to be printed on a printed material on which an existing pattern is printed, the new pattern to be printed on the existing material is controlled to prevent the appearance of the printed material from being impaired. It is required to print at an appropriate position with respect to the pattern.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to provide an ink jet printer and a printing method capable of printing a new pattern to be printed at an appropriate position with respect to an existing pattern. .

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, an inkjet printer according to the present invention provides a novel print target different from the existing pattern on the outer surface of a spherical printed material on which the existing pattern is printed. An ink jet printer that newly prints a pattern, the holding unit holding the substrate, a carriage that prints the new pattern to be printed on the outer surface of the substrate, and held by the holding unit Projection means for projecting at least a part of the existing pattern and the new pattern to be printed onto the outer surface of the substrate to be printed.

  According to the present invention, since the projection means for projecting at least a part of the existing pattern and the new pattern to be printed is provided, at least one of the existing patterns projected by the projection means before printing by the carriage. The printed body can be easily positioned at a predetermined position based on the portion and the existing pattern printed on the outer surface of the printed body. In addition, since the projecting means projects at least a part of the existing pattern and the new pattern to be printed on the outer surface of the printing object, it is already printed on the printing object when positioning the printing object. In addition to the existing pattern, the uneven shape of the outer surface of the substrate, the position of the new pattern to be printed, the area to be printed, the pattern of the outer surface of the substrate to be printed (color, design, etc.) Can be easily grasped.

  In the ink jet printer, the projection unit may include a pattern around the new pattern to be printed in the existing pattern as at least a part of the existing pattern together with the new pattern to be printed. It can project on the outer surface of the said to-be-printed body.

  In this invention, the projection unit projects a pattern around the new pattern to be printed as a part of the existing pattern, so that the printing medium can be easily positioned based on the projected pattern or the like. it can.

  The ink jet printer according to the present invention is an ink jet printer that newly prints a new pattern to be printed, which is different from the existing pattern, on the outer surface of a spherical substrate on which the existing pattern is printed, A holding unit that holds the printing object; a carriage that prints a new pattern to be printed on the outer surface of the printing object; and the printing object that is held on the outer surface of the printing object held by the holding unit. Projecting means for projecting the new pattern.

  According to the present invention, since the projection means for projecting the new pattern to be printed is provided, before printing by the carriage, the new pattern to be printed projected by the projection means and the outer surface of the substrate to be printed Based on the existing pattern being printed, the substrate to be printed can be easily positioned at a predetermined position. Further, since the projection unit projects a new pattern to be printed onto the outer surface of the printing medium, when positioning the printing medium, the existing pattern already printed on the printing medium or the printing medium is printed. In addition to the uneven shape of the outer surface, it is possible to easily grasp not only the position of the new pattern to be printed and the area to be printed, but also the pattern (color, design, etc.) of the outer surface of the printed material after printing.

  In the ink jet printer, the projection unit may be provided with an irradiation area on a straight line passing through the center of the printing medium.

  In this invention, since the irradiation area is arranged on the straight line passing through the center of the printing body, the projection means can suppress the distortion of the pattern projected by the projection means on the outer surface of the printing body. .

  In the inkjet printer, a transport unit that transports the holding unit across a projection position where the printing medium is projected by the projection unit and a printing position where the printing medium is printed by the carriage. It can be provided.

  In this invention, since the holding unit is provided with the conveying unit that conveys the holding unit between the projection position and the printing position, after the printing medium is positioned with respect to the holding unit at the projection position, the printing medium is removed from the printing medium at the printing position. A new pattern to be printed can be printed on the surface.

  In the ink jet printer, the carriage may be moved in the horizontal direction to print the new pattern to be printed on the outer surface of the printing medium.

  In this invention, since a new pattern to be printed is printed on the outer surface of the printing medium while the carriage moves in the horizontal direction, the driving voltage of a piezo element or the like that complicates the movement of the carriage during printing or ejects ink. Can be suppressed from changing according to the position of the carriage.

  Further, the printing method according to the present invention is a printing method for newly printing a new pattern to be printed, which is different from the existing pattern, on the outer surface of the spherical printed material on which the existing pattern is printed, At least a part of the existing pattern and the new pattern to be printed are projected together on the outer surface of the substrate to be printed, and the existing pattern thus projected and the outer surface of the substrate to be printed are printed. After positioning the printing object based on the existing pattern, the new pattern to be printed is printed on the outer surface of the printing object by a carriage of an inkjet printer.

  According to the present invention, at least a part of the existing pattern and a new pattern to be printed are projected. Therefore, before printing by the carriage, at least a part of the projected existing pattern and the outside of the substrate to be printed Based on the existing pattern printed on the surface, the printing medium can be easily positioned at a predetermined position. In addition, since at least a part of the existing pattern and a new pattern to be printed are projected onto the outer surface of the printing body, the existing printing already printed on the printing body is performed when positioning the printing body. Easily design not only the position of the new pattern to be printed and the area to be printed, but also the pattern (color, design, etc.) of the printed material after printing, as well as the pattern and uneven shape of the printed surface. I can grasp it.

  Further, the printing method according to the present invention is a printing method for newly printing a new pattern to be printed, which is different from the existing pattern, on the outer surface of the spherical printed material on which the existing pattern is printed, Projecting the new pattern to be printed on the outer surface of the printing body, and based on the projected new pattern to be printed and the existing pattern printed on the outer surface of the printing body, After positioning the printing medium, the new pattern to be printed is printed on the outer surface of the printing medium by a carriage of an ink jet printer.

  According to the present invention, since a new pattern to be printed is projected, before printing by the carriage, the projected new pattern to be printed and the existing pattern printed on the outer surface of the substrate to be printed. Based on this, it is possible to easily position the substrate to be printed at a predetermined position. In addition, since a new pattern to be printed is projected on the outer surface of the printing object, when positioning the printing object, the existing pattern already printed on the printing object or the outer surface of the printing object In addition to the uneven shape, it is possible to easily grasp not only the position of the new pattern to be printed and the area to be printed, but also the pattern (color, design, etc.) on the outer surface of the printed material after printing.

  In the printing method described above, a print area on which the printing medium is printed by a carriage of the inkjet printer is changed based on a new pattern to be printed on the outer surface of the printing medium. be able to.

  In this invention, since the print area is changed based on the new pattern to be printed projected on the outer surface of the substrate, the print area is set at a position where the projected new pattern to be printed is not distorted. Thus, the new pattern to be printed can be accurately printed on the outer surface of the substrate.

  The ink jet printer and the printing method according to the present invention have an effect that a new pattern to be printed can be printed at an appropriate position with respect to an existing pattern.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the inkjet printer according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a front view of the ink jet printer according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a side view of the ink jet printer according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the ink jet printer according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a front view illustrating the positional relationship between the projection unit and the printing medium of the ink jet printer according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a plan view of a printing medium printed by the ink jet printer according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a state in which the projection unit of the ink jet printer according to the embodiment projects a new pattern to be printed on the outer surface of the printing medium. FIG. 8 is a front view illustrating the positional relationship between the projection unit and the printing medium of the ink jet printer according to the first modification of the embodiment. FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a state in which the projection unit of the inkjet printer according to the first modification of the embodiment projects a new pattern to be printed on the outer surface of the printing medium. FIG. 10 is a front view illustrating the positional relationship between the projection unit and the printing medium of the inkjet printer according to the second modification of the embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of an inkjet printer and a printing method according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, this invention is not limited by this embodiment. In addition, constituent elements in the following embodiments include those that can be easily replaced by those skilled in the art or those that are substantially the same.

Embodiment
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the inkjet printer according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a front view of the ink jet printer according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a side view of the ink jet printer according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the ink jet printer according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a front view illustrating the positional relationship between the projection unit and the printing medium of the ink jet printer according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a plan view of a printing medium printed by the ink jet printer according to the embodiment.

  The ink jet printer 1 shown in FIG. 1 ejects ink that is cured by irradiating ultraviolet rays onto the outer surface WS of the spherical printed body W shown in FIG. Is applied to cure the ink and print the outer surface WS of the substrate W to be printed.

  The to-be-printed body W is configured by attaching a plurality of skin panels to the outside of a core (not shown) made of a tube. In the present embodiment, the printing body W is a soccer ball. However, in the present invention, the printed body W is not limited to this and may be any spherical shape. Furthermore, in the present invention, the printing medium W may have a flat plate shape. Before the printing object W is printed on the inkjet printer 1, a plurality of skin panels are attached to the outside of the core portion and are in an assembled state. That is, the substrate W printed by the inkjet printer 1 of the present invention is a finished product such as the soccer ball described above. Before the printing object W is printed on the ink jet printer 1, an existing pattern PE (characters, pictures, graphics, etc. may be generically named on the outer surface WS, and is indicated by a slanted parallel diagonal line in FIG. 6). It is printed. The substrate W is printed with a new pattern PN to be printed, which is different from the existing pattern PE by the inkjet printer 1 in a portion of the outer surface WS where the existing pattern PE is not printed (in FIG. Printed).

  The ink jet printer 1 newly prints a new pattern PN to be printed on the outer surface WS of a spherical substrate W on which an existing pattern PE is printed. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the inkjet printer 1 includes a holding unit 10 that holds a printing medium W, a projection unit 40 that magnifies and projects a still image, and the like. A printing unit 50 that prints the outer surface WS of the printing body W, a control device 104 (shown in FIG. 1), and the like are provided.

  The holding unit 10 is provided on the apparatus main body 2 of the ink jet printer 1 and holds the printing medium W. The holding unit 11 has a projection position (shown by a solid line in FIG. 1) and a printing position (FIG. 1). Transporting means 12 for transporting it over the two-dot chain line.

  The holding part 11 is formed in a ring shape whose inner diameter is smaller than the outer diameter of the printing medium W and is installed on the conveying means 12. The holding unit 11 holds the printing medium W by placing the printing medium W on the upper side.

  The conveying unit 12 moves the holding unit 11 across the projection position and the printing position by moving the holding unit 11 parallel to the sub-scanning direction (shown in FIG. 1) of the printing unit 50. The projection position is a position where the holding unit 11 is positioned below the projection unit 40 and the printing medium W held by the holding unit 11 is projected by the projection unit 40. The printing position is a position where the holding unit 11 is positioned below the printing unit 50 and the printing medium W held by the holding unit 11 is printed by the printing unit 50. The conveying unit 12 includes a horizontal moving unit 13 that moves the holding unit 11 in parallel with the horizontal direction over the projection position and the printing position, a vertical moving unit 14 that moves the holding unit 11 in the vertical direction, and a holding unit 11. And a printing medium rotating unit 15 that rotates the held printing medium W.

  The horizontal moving unit 13 is provided on the apparatus main body 2. The horizontal moving unit 13 includes a plurality of guide rails 16 that are parallel to the sub-scanning direction and in which a slider 18 is movably provided, a motor 17 that rotates a lead screw (not shown) that is parallel to the sub-scanning direction around the axis, A nut that is screwed into the screw and a horizontal movement table 19 attached to the slider 18 are provided. The horizontal movement unit 13 moves the horizontal movement table 19, that is, the holding unit 11 between the projection position and the printing position by the motor 17 rotating the lead screw about the axis.

  The vertical movement unit 14 is provided on the horizontal movement table 19 of the horizontal movement unit 13. The vertical moving unit 14 is parallel to the vertical direction by a fixed table 20 fixed on the horizontal moving table 19, a motor 21 attached to the fixed table 20, and a driving force of the motor 21 is transmitted via a belt 22 or the like. A lead screw 23 that is rotated around an axis and a vertical movement table 25 that is attached to a nut 24 that is screwed to the lead screw 23 are provided. The vertical movement table 25 is provided above the fixed table 20. A printing body rotating unit 15 and a holding unit 11 are attached to the vertical movement table 25. The vertical movement unit 14 moves the vertical movement table 25, that is, the holding unit 11 in the vertical direction by the motor 21 rotating the lead screw 23 around the axis.

  The to-be-printed body rotation unit 15 includes a pair of clamping units 26 and an axis rotation unit 28 that rotates the clamping pad 27 of the clamping unit 26. The pair of sandwiching portions 26 are disposed at positions that sandwich the holding portion 11 in the main scanning direction of the printing unit 50. The pair of clamping portions 26 are attached to the vertical movement table 25. The pair of sandwiching parts 26 are attached to the cylinder unit 30 in which the rod 29 approaches or separates from the printing medium W held by the holding part 11, and attached to the tip of the rod 29 of the cylinder unit 30. And a sandwiching pad 27 that sandwiches the body W. The sandwiching pad 27 is supported by the rod 29 so as to be rotatable around the axis. The shaft rotation unit 28 includes a motor 34 fixed to the vertical movement table 25 and the like. A pulley 33 and the like are attached to the output shaft of the motor 34. A belt 32 is stretched between the pulley 33 and a pulley 31 provided coaxially with the clamping pad 27 of one clamping unit 26.

  The printing body rotating unit 15 is held by the holding unit 11 when the rod 29 of the cylinder unit 30 extends to hold the printing body W between the holding pads 27 and the motor 34 rotates the holding pad 27. The printed material W is rotated about an axis parallel to the main scanning direction. Further, when the printing medium rotating unit 15 does not rotate the printing medium W, the rod 29 is reduced, and the holding pad 27 is spaced from the printing medium W.

  The projection means 40 is configured by a known projector or the like that includes a laser diode that emits light of each wavelength of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) as a light source. The projection unit 40 is supported by the printing unit 50 and is disposed above the projection position holding unit 11. FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a state in which the projection unit of the ink jet printer according to the embodiment projects a new pattern to be printed on the outer surface of the printing medium.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in the projection unit 40, for example, an irradiation region R is disposed on a straight line L passing through the center C of the printing medium W in the front view and the side view of the inkjet printer 1. As a still image, the projecting unit 40 includes at least a part of the existing pattern PE (shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 7) on the outer surface WS of the printing medium W held by the holding unit 11 and a new print target. A pattern PN (indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 7) is enlarged and projected. Further, the projection means 40 has at least a part of the existing pattern PE and a new pattern PN to be printed so as to have the same size as the existing pattern PE printed on the outer surface WS of the substrate W. Are combined and projected on the outer surface WS.

  In the present embodiment, the projection unit 40 covers the pattern PE1 around the new pattern PN to be printed out of the existing pattern PE as the at least part of the existing pattern PE together with the new pattern PN to be printed. Projecting onto the outer surface WS of the printed body W. In the present invention, the pattern PE1 around the new pattern PN to be printed among the existing patterns PE is the entire periphery around the new pattern PN to be printed among the existing patterns PE. FIG. 2 shows an existing pattern PE that is closest to the new pattern PN. In addition, the projection unit 40 applies all the existing patterns PE on the hemisphere centering on the new pattern PN to be printed among the existing patterns PE on the outer surface WS of the substrate W held by the holding unit 11. You may project.

  The printing unit 50 is supported on the apparatus main body 2 by a coarse position adjusting means 51 so as to be movable in the vertical direction. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the coarse position adjusting means 51 includes a rotary handle 52 provided on the apparatus main body 2 so as to be rotatable about an axis parallel to the vertical direction, and a pulley attached to the rotary handle 52. 53, a pair of rotatable pulleys 55 having an endless belt 54 spanned between them and a pair of lead screws 56 attached to the printing unit 50 by screwing with nuts 57 attached to the pulleys 55. ing. The pair of pulleys 55 and the lead screw 56 are arranged at positions where the printing position holder 11 is sandwiched in the main scanning direction. The coarse position adjusting unit 51 rotates the lead screw 56 around the axis via the pulley 55 and the like, and moves the printing unit 50 in the vertical direction by rotating the rotary handle 52 around the axis.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the printing unit 50 includes a Y bar 101 provided in the main scanning direction, an ink tank 102, and a carriage 103. The ink tank 102 stores ink to be ejected onto the outer surface WS of the printing medium W positioned by the printing position holding unit 11. Here, the ink tank 102 separately stores M (magenta), C (cyan), Y (yellow), and K (black) inks. The ink stored in the ink tank 102 is an ink whose degree of cure changes when exposed by being irradiated with ultraviolet rays.

  The carriage 103 prints a new pattern PN to be printed on the outer surface WS of the substrate W positioned by the printing position holding unit 11. The carriage 103 can reciprocate along the Y bar 101 in the main scanning direction parallel to the horizontal direction. The carriage 103 prints the outer surface WS of the printing medium W while moving the ejection unit 109 that ejects ink and the ultraviolet irradiator 108 that irradiates ultraviolet rays in the main scanning direction. The carriage 103 is controlled to move in a direction (main scanning direction) orthogonal to the printing conveyance direction (sub-scanning direction) of the printing medium W. The carriage 103 includes a holder 107 and a pair of ultraviolet irradiators 108 as exposure units provided on both sides of the holder 107 in the main scanning direction.

  A discharge unit 109 is disposed on a holder 107 included in the carriage 103. The discharge unit 109 includes a plurality of discharge nozzles (not shown), and any of M (magenta), C (cyan), Y (yellow), and K (black) stored in the ink tank 102. It is provided so that ink of any color can be ejected. The ejection unit 109 ejects ink of a color corresponding to the content to be printed from the ejection nozzle. Note that the combination of colors ejected from the ejection unit 109 may be other than this. The ejection nozzles of the ejection unit 109 include, for example, a printer head that ejects ink facing the printing medium W, various ink channels that connect the ink tank 102 and the printer head, regulators and pumps provided on the ink channel, and the like. It is comprised including.

  Here, the printer head is configured to include at least a head unit that ejects ink, and is connected to the ink tank 102 via an ink flow path. The ejection nozzles of the ejection unit 109 can eject ink in the ink tank 102 from each head unit of the printer head to the printing medium W by a predetermined ejection amount by an inkjet method by driving a pump by a piezo element. it can.

  Each ultraviolet irradiator 108 can be exposed to the ink ejected onto the printing medium W. Each ultraviolet irradiator 108 includes, for example, an LED module that can irradiate ultraviolet rays.

  The control device 104 controls each part of the ink jet printer 1 including the transport unit 12, the projection unit 40, the discharge unit 109, each ultraviolet irradiator 108, and the like. The control device 104 is functionally conceptually configured to include an ejection control unit 104a, an exposure control unit 104b, a pattern conversion unit 104c, a projection control unit 104d, a drive control unit 104e, and the like. The control device 104 includes hardware such as an arithmetic device and a memory, and a program for realizing these predetermined functions.

  The discharge control unit 104a included in the control device 104 controls a piezo element of a pump of each discharge nozzle of the discharge unit 109, and controls the discharge amount, discharge timing, discharge period, and the like of ink discharged from the discharge nozzle. . The exposure control unit 104b controls the ultraviolet irradiators 108 and the like, and controls the intensity of the ultraviolet rays irradiated from the ultraviolet irradiators 108, the exposure timing, the exposure period, and the like. The pattern conversion unit 104c sets an ejection control amount and an exposure control amount in accordance with input information input from an input device 200 such as a PC or various terminals connected to the control device 104 by wire / wireless. .

  In the pattern conversion unit 104c, as input information, for example, image information input via the input device 200 or the like, and a new pattern PN (character, character) to be printed on the outer surface WS of the substrate W to be printed. Image information such as a pattern or a figure is input. Based on this input information, the pattern conversion unit 104c generates a print pattern to be a new pattern PN to be printed on the outer surface WS of the printing medium W, and discharge control capable of realizing the generated print pattern Amount and exposure control amount. The ejection control unit 104a controls ejection by the ejection nozzle of the ejection unit 109 based on the ejection control amount calculated by the pattern conversion unit 104c, and the exposure control unit 104b sets the exposure control amount calculated by the pattern conversion unit 104c. Based on this, the exposure by each ultraviolet irradiator 108 is controlled.

  The projection control unit 104d sets a still image to be projected by the projection unit 40 in accordance with input information input from the input device 200 such as a PC or various terminals connected to the control device 104 by wire / wireless. is there. The projection control unit 104d has, as input information, for example, image information input via the input device 200 or the like, and at least a part of an existing pattern PE that is desired to be projected on the outer surface WS of the printing medium W; Image information such as a new pattern PN to be printed is input. Based on this input information, the projection control unit 104d generates a projection pattern that becomes at least a part of an existing pattern PE to be projected onto the outer surface WS of the printing medium W and a new pattern PN to be printed, and generates the projection pattern. The projection by the projection unit 40 is controlled based on the projected pattern.

  The drive control unit 104e generates drive patterns for the motors 17, 21, and 34 and the cylinder unit 30 of the transport unit 12 based on a program stored in advance, and the motor 17 of the transport unit 12 based on the generated drive pattern. , 21 and 34 and the cylinder unit 30 are controlled.

  The control device 104 controls operations of the projection unit 40, the transport unit 12, the printing unit 50, and the like according to an operation command input from the operation device 300 including a plurality of button switches. The operation device 300 is used to appropriately change the position, size, and pattern of a new pattern PN projected by the projection unit 40 and printed by the printing unit 50.

  In the inkjet printer 1 configured as described above, the carriage 103 reciprocally moves in the main scanning direction with respect to the printing medium W positioned on the printing position holding unit 11 in accordance with control by the control device 104. Ink is ejected to the outer surface WS of the printing medium W with a predetermined printing width by the ejection unit 109. The ink jet printer 1 then cures the ink that has landed on the printing medium W by irradiating and exposing the ultraviolet rays at a predetermined timing by the respective ultraviolet irradiators 108 in accordance with control by the control device 104. In this way, the carriage 103 prints a new pattern PN to be printed on the outer surface WS of the printing medium W.

  When the ink jet printer 1 ejects ink from the ejection unit 109, the printing unit 50 is provided with a distance between the ejection surface and the outer surface WS of the substrate W to which the ink ejected from the ejection nozzle adheres. It is detected by a sensor (not shown). The inkjet printer 1 controls the motor 21 of the vertical movement unit 14 so that the above-described distance becomes an appropriate distance.

  Further, the ink jet printer 1 can change the size and discharge speed of the ink to be discharged by changing the drive voltage of the piezo element of each discharge nozzle in accordance with the distance described above. In addition, when increasing the volume of ink to be ejected, in addition to enlarging a single droplet of ink to be ejected, the speed of the ink liquid ejected earlier is the speed of the ink liquid ejected immediately thereafter. In order to make the operation slower, a plurality of discharged ink liquids may be combined in the air, for example, by narrowing the ink discharge interval.

  The ink jet printer 1 moves the printing medium W relative to the carriage 103 in the printing position in the printing conveyance direction (sub-scanning direction) with respect to the carriage 103 according to the predetermined printing width, and is held by the holding unit 11. The printed body W is rotated around an axis parallel to the main scanning direction, and this is repeated while the printed body W held by the holding section 11 is appropriately moved in the vertical direction by the motor 21 of the vertical movement section 14. The new pattern PN to be printed is printed on the outer surface WS of the substrate W to be printed. During this time, the control device 104 controls the ejection amount, ejection timing, ejection period, and the like of the ink ejected from each ejection nozzle of the ejection unit 109 by the ejection control unit 104a, and the exposure control unit 104b irradiates from each ultraviolet irradiator 108. Control the intensity of ultraviolet rays. Thereby, the inkjet printer 1 can print a new pattern PN on the outer surface WS of the substrate W in accordance with the print pattern generated by the pattern conversion unit 104c.

  Next, a printing method using the above-described inkjet printer 1 will be described. The printing method is a method of newly printing a new pattern PN to be printed, which is different from the existing pattern PE, on the outer surface WS of the spherical printed body W on which the existing pattern PE is printed. In the printing method, first, an operator registers processing content information including at least a part of an existing pattern PE projected by the projection unit 40 and image information of a new pattern PN to be printed from the input device 200, When a processing operation start command is input from the operation device 300, printing is started. When a processing operation start command is input from the operation device 300, the control device 104 positions the holding unit 11 at the projection position, and at least a part of the existing pattern PE and a new pattern to be printed from the projection unit 40. Together with PN, it is projected onto the holding unit 11. Then, the operator places the printing medium W on the holding unit 11. Then, as shown in FIG. 7, at least a part of the existing pattern PE (indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 7) and a new pattern on the outer surface WS of the printing medium W on which the existing pattern PE is printed. PN (indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 7) is projected.

  Then, the operator positions the printing medium W on the holding unit 11 based on the projected existing pattern PE and the existing pattern PE already printed on the outer surface WS of the printing medium W. At this time, the operator adjusts the position of the printing object W with respect to the holding unit 11 so that the projected existing pattern PE overlaps the existing pattern PE already printed on the outer surface WS of the printing object W. . Then, the operator positions the printing medium W at a position where the projected existing pattern PE overlaps the existing pattern PE already printed on the outer surface WS of the printing medium W.

  Thereafter, the operator rotates the rotary handle 52 to adjust the height of the printing unit 50 to such a height that the printing medium W held by the holding unit 11 can move to the printing position. Then, a print start command is input from the operation device 300. In addition, when adjusting the height of the printing unit 50, it is desirable to adjust so that the distance of the printing unit 50 and the outer surface WS of the to-be-printed body W hold | maintained at the holding | maintenance part 11 may become as small as possible.

  Then, the control device 104 moves the holding unit 11 holding the printing medium W to the printing unit by the transport unit 12. The control device 104 moves the carriage 103 in the main scanning direction, moves the printing medium W in the sub-scanning direction by the transport unit 12, and causes the printing medium rotating unit 15 to rotate around the axis parallel to the main scanning direction. A new pattern PN to be printed is printed on the outer surface WS of the printing body W by the carriage 103 of the inkjet printer 1 while appropriately rotating the printing body W and appropriately moving the holding unit 11 in the vertical direction in the vertical movement unit 14. To do. When the printing of the new pattern PN to be printed is completed, the control device 104 stops the movement of the carriage 103 in the main scanning direction, and then moves the holding unit 11 holding the printing medium W to the projection position. Then, the operator removes the printing medium W on which the new pattern PN to be printed is printed from the holding unit 11 and ends the printing method.

  In the inkjet printer 1 and the printing method according to the above embodiment, the inkjet printer 1 includes the projection unit 40 that projects at least a part of the existing pattern PE and the new pattern PN to be printed. Therefore, in the inkjet printer 1 and the printing method, before printing by the carriage 103, at least a part of the existing pattern PE projected by the projection unit 40 and the existing pattern printed on the outer surface WS of the printing medium W are printed. Based on the PE, the printing medium W can be easily positioned at a predetermined position.

  Further, in the inkjet printer 1 and the printing method, the projection unit 40 projects at least a part of the existing pattern PE and the new pattern PN to be printed on the outer surface WS of the substrate W to be printed. For this reason, the inkjet printer 1 and the printing method, for example, when positioning the printing medium W, the existing pattern PE already printed on the printing medium W, the uneven shape of the outer surface WS of the printing medium W, etc. At the same time, not only the position of the new pattern PN to be printed and the area to be printed, but also the pattern (color, design, etc.) of the outer surface WS of the printed object W after printing can be easily grasped.

  Further, in the inkjet printer 1 and the printing method, since the projection unit 40 projects the pattern PE1 around the new pattern PN to be printed as at least a part of the existing pattern PE, the projected pattern PE, PN, etc. Based on the above, it is possible to easily position the printing medium W.

  Further, in the inkjet printer 1 and the printing method, since the irradiation region R is disposed on the straight line L passing through the center C of the printing medium W, the projection means 40 is subjected to the patterns PE and PN projected by the projection means 40. Distortion on the outer surface WS of the printed body W can be suppressed.

  In addition, the inkjet printer 1 and the printing method include a transport unit 12 that transports the holding unit 11 between the projection position and the print position. For this purpose, the inkjet printer 1 and the printing method are configured to place a new pattern PN to be printed on the outer surface WS of the printing object W at the printing position after positioning the printing object W with respect to the holding unit 11 at the projection position. Can be printed.

  In addition, the inkjet printer 1 and the printing method print a new pattern PN to be printed on the outer surface WS of the substrate W while the carriage 103 moves in the main scanning direction parallel to the horizontal direction. For this reason, the inkjet printer 1 and the printing method prevent the movement of the carriage 103 during printing from being complicated, and the drive voltage of the piezo element that ejects ink from being changed according to the position of the carriage 103 is suppressed. it can.

[Modification 1]
Next, an inkjet printer 1-1 and a printing method according to the first modification of the above-described embodiment will be described. FIG. 8 is a front view illustrating the positional relationship between the projection unit and the printing medium of the ink jet printer according to the first modification of the embodiment. FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a state in which the projection unit of the inkjet printer according to the first modification of the embodiment projects a new pattern to be printed on the outer surface of the printing medium. In FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the same parts as those in the embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  In the inkjet printer 1-1 according to the first modification, the projection unit 40 includes a new pattern PN to be printed on the outer surface WS of the substrate W held by the holding unit 11 (indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 9). Project only. In the inkjet printer 1-1 according to the first modification, the operation device 300 is used to appropriately change the position, size, and pattern of the new pattern PN projected by the projection unit 40 and printed by the printing unit 50. .

  In the printing method using the inkjet printer 1 according to the first modification, first, the operator registers processing content information including image information of a new pattern PN to be printed from the input device 200, and from the operation device 300. Printing is started when a processing operation start command is input. When a processing operation start command is input from the operation device 300, the control device 104 positions the holding unit 11 at the projection position, and projects a new pattern PN to be printed from the projection unit 40 onto the holding unit 11. Then, the operator places the printing medium W on the holding unit 11. Then, as shown in FIG. 9, a new pattern PN (indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 9) to be printed is projected onto the outer surface WS of the printing medium W on which the existing pattern PE is printed.

  Then, the operator positions the printing medium W on the holding unit 11 based on the projected new pattern PN to be printed and the existing pattern PE already printed on the outer surface WS of the printing medium W. To do. At this time, the operator operates the operation device 300 to cause the projection unit 40 to project a new pattern PN to be printed so as to suppress the distortion of the outer edge portion of the new pattern PN projected by the printing unit 50. Adjust the position and size. Thus, in the first modification, the print area to be printed on the outer surface WS of the substrate W by the carriage 103 is changed based on the new pattern PN to be printed projected on the outer surface WS. In particular, in the first modification, it is desirable that the irradiation region R be in a range indicated by, for example, a two-dot chain line closer to the center than the position indicated by the one-dot chain line in FIG.

  Thereafter, the operator operates the rotary handle 52 to adjust the height of the printing unit 50 and then inputs a print start command from the operation device 300. Then, the control device 104 moves the holding unit 11 holding the printing medium W to the printing unit by the transport unit 12. The control device 104 moves the carriage 103 in the main scanning direction, moves the printing medium W in the sub-scanning direction by the transport unit 12, and causes the printing medium rotating unit 15 to rotate around the axis parallel to the main scanning direction. A new pattern PN to be printed is printed on the outer surface WS of the printing body W by the carriage 103 of the inkjet printer 1 while appropriately rotating the printing body W and appropriately moving the holding unit 11 in the vertical direction in the vertical movement unit 14. To do.

  When the printing of the new pattern PN to be printed is completed, the control device 104 stops the movement of the carriage 103 in the main scanning direction, and then moves the holding unit 11 holding the printing medium W to the projection position. Then, the operator removes the printing medium W on which the new pattern PN to be printed is printed from the holding unit 11 and ends the printing method.

  According to the inkjet printer 1 and the printing method according to the first modification, the new pattern PN to be printed is projected onto the outer surface WS of the printing object W. Therefore, before printing by the carriage 103, the projected printing object Based on the new pattern PN and the existing pattern PE printed on the outer surface WS of the printing body W, the printing body W can be easily positioned at a predetermined position.

  Further, in the inkjet printer 1 and the printing method according to the first modification, the new pattern PN to be printed is projected onto the outer surface WS of the printing object W. Therefore, when the printing object W is positioned, the printing object In addition to the existing pattern PE already printed on W, the uneven shape of the outer surface WS of the substrate W, the position of the new pattern PN to be printed, the area to be printed, as well as the substrate W after printing The pattern (color, design, etc.) of the outer surface WS can be easily grasped.

  Further, in the inkjet printer 1 and the printing method according to the first modification, the print area is changed based on the new pattern PN to be printed projected on the outer surface WS of the substrate W, so that the print target to be projected is changed. By setting the print area at a position where the new pattern PN is not distorted, the new pattern PN to be printed can be accurately printed on the outer surface WS of the printing medium W.

[Modification 2]
Next, an inkjet printer 1-2 and a printing method according to Modification 2 of the above-described embodiment will be described. FIG. 10 is a front view illustrating the positional relationship between the projection unit and the printing medium of the inkjet printer according to the second modification of the embodiment. In FIG. 10, the same parts as those of the embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  In the inkjet printer 1-2 according to the second modification, the imaging device 200-1 configured with a CCD camera or the like is used as the input device 200. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 10, the imaging apparatus 200-1 is provided next to the projection unit 40 and the like, and is printed on the outer surface WS of the printing medium W held by the printing position holding unit 11. The pattern PE is imaged, and image information of the existing pattern PE obtained by imaging is input to the control device 104 as input information. In the inkjet printer 1-2 according to the second modification, when the imaging device 200-1 images the outer surface WS of the printing object W, the projection unit 40 generates a new pattern PN to be printed from the printing object W. It is desirable to image the outer surface WS of the printing medium W projected onto the outer surface WS and positioned at a predetermined position based on a new pattern PN or the like. In the inkjet printer 1-2 according to the second modification, the projection control unit 104d of the control device 104 includes the positional relationship between the projection unit 40 and the imaging device 200-1, and the position between the imaging device 200-1 and the holding unit 11. It is desirable to correct the image information from the relationship.

  According to the ink jet printer 1-2 and the printing method according to the modified example 2, as in the embodiment, the printing object W can be easily positioned at a predetermined position. In addition to being able to easily grasp the pattern (color, design, etc.) of the surface WS, information on the existing pattern PE printed on the outer surface WS of the substrate W can be easily input to the control device 104. Can do.

  As described above, the embodiment, modification 1 and modification 2 of the present invention have been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In the present invention, the embodiment, modification 1 and modification 2 can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, changes in combinations, and the like can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. It can be carried out.

1, 1-1, 1-2 Inkjet printer 11 Holding section 12 Conveying means 40 Projecting means 103 Carriage W Printed object WS Outer surface PN New pattern PE Existing pattern PE1 Surrounding pattern

Claims (9)

An ink jet printer that newly prints a new pattern to be printed, which is different from the existing pattern, on the outer surface of a spherical substrate on which an existing pattern is printed,
A holding unit for holding the substrate,
A carriage for printing the new pattern to be printed on the outer surface of the substrate;
A projecting means for projecting at least a part of the existing pattern and the new pattern to be printed onto the outer surface of the substrate to be printed held by the holding unit;
An ink jet printer comprising:   The projection means includes, as at least a part of the existing pattern, a pattern around the new pattern to be printed out of the existing pattern, together with the new pattern to be printed, and the outer surface of the printing medium The inkjet printer according to claim 1, wherein the inkjet printer is projected onto the inkjet printer. An ink jet printer that newly prints a new pattern to be printed, which is different from the existing pattern, on the outer surface of a spherical substrate on which an existing pattern is printed,
A holding unit for holding the substrate,
A carriage for printing the new pattern to be printed on the outer surface of the substrate;
Projecting means for projecting the new pattern to be printed on the outer surface of the substrate to be printed held by the holding unit;
An ink jet printer comprising:   4. The inkjet printer according to claim 1, wherein the projection unit has an irradiation area disposed on a straight line passing through a center of the printing medium.   And a transport unit configured to transport the holding unit between a projection position where the printing medium is projected by the projection unit and a printing position where the printing medium is printed by the carriage. Item 5. The inkjet printer according to any one of Items 1 to 4.   The ink jet printer according to claim 1, wherein the carriage moves in a horizontal direction and prints the new pattern to be printed on an outer surface of the substrate. A printing method for newly printing a new pattern to be printed, which is different from the existing pattern, on the outer surface of a spherical substrate on which an existing pattern is printed,
At least a part of the existing pattern and the new pattern to be printed are projected together on the outer surface of the substrate to be printed, and the existing pattern thus projected and the outer surface of the substrate to be printed are printed. A printing method comprising: positioning the printing medium on the basis of an existing pattern, and then printing the new pattern to be printed on the outer surface of the printing medium by a carriage of an inkjet printer. A printing method for newly printing a new pattern to be printed, which is different from the existing pattern, on the outer surface of a spherical substrate on which an existing pattern is printed,
Projecting the new pattern to be printed on the outer surface of the printing body, and based on the projected new pattern to be printed and the existing pattern printed on the outer surface of the printing body, A printing method comprising: printing a new pattern to be printed by a carriage of an ink jet printer on an outer surface of the printing body after positioning the printing body. The printing area on which the printing medium is printed by a carriage of the inkjet printer is changed based on a new pattern to be printed projected on the outer surface of the printing medium. Printing method.

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