JP2017047388A - Inkjet printer and manufacturing apparatus of etching metal plate - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an inkjet printer which produces a printed matter even on an elongated workpiece with high productivity, and to provide a manufacturing apparatus of an etching metal plate.SOLUTION: A manufacturing apparatus 100 of an etching metal plate has a masking device 30. The masking device 30 includes: an inkjet head 305 for discharging droplets of a masking agent to a metal plate serving as a workpiece; a movable table 302 which faces the inkjet head 305, is disposed so as to reciprocate in an X direction, and used to support the metal plate at a position facing the inkjet head 305; and a frame 304 which supports the inkjet head 305 relative to the movable table 302 at a desired position along a Y direction intersecting with the X direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to an inkjet printing apparatus and an etching metal plate manufacturing apparatus.

  A metal plate having a design property due to unevenness on the surface is useful as a part of a product that requires a high-class feeling like an elevator door material. As a masking method of the metal plate in etching for forming irregularities on the surface of the metal plate, an ultraviolet (UV) curable ink is applied to the metal plate by an inkjet printing apparatus, and the ink is irradiated with UV. A method of forming a desired pattern image on a metal plate using a cured film of the ink is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The inkjet printing apparatus can form a fine pattern image, and can also form the pattern image on metal plates of various sizes by moving the inkjet head in the plane direction.

JP 2012-162615 A

  Since the etching metal plate generally requires more designability, the etching metal plate manufacturing apparatus is required to be adaptable to the production of a small variety of products. According to such a viewpoint, since the inkjet head can move relatively in the width direction and the length direction of the workpiece, the inkjet printing apparatus can freely correspond to the size of the workpiece. Yes, it is preferable.

  On the other hand, in an inkjet printing apparatus, normally, in order to continue appropriate printing, a head maintenance process such as a nozzle check process and an inkjet head cleaning process is periodically performed. Further, a head maintenance device (nozzle check device, head cleaning device, etc.) for the head maintenance process is usually arranged at a position where a workpiece does not reach during printing. Of course, printing is interrupted during the head maintenance process.

  In the ink jet printing apparatus that prints a work while moving the ink jet head in both the length direction and the width direction of the work as described above, the head maintenance device is disposed at a position far from the print position on the work. Therefore, the printing interruption time for the head maintenance process tends to be longer. Such a tendency becomes more conspicuous as the size of the workpiece becomes larger or longer. As described above, the inkjet printing apparatus still has room for improvement from the viewpoint of increasing the productivity in printing a long and large workpiece.

  It is a first object of the present invention to provide an ink jet printing apparatus capable of producing printed matter with high productivity even for a long workpiece.

  Moreover, this invention makes it the 2nd subject to provide the manufacturing apparatus of the etching which can manufacture an etching metal plate with high productivity also to a long metal plate.

  The present inventors appropriately define the relative movement between the ink jet head and the work so that the distance from the ink jet head to the head maintenance device is constant. As a result, the present invention has been completed.

  That is, the present invention provides, as means for solving at least the first problem, an inkjet head for ejecting droplets of the ink onto a work to which ink is applied, an inkjet head facing the inkjet head, and A workpiece moving device arranged to reciprocate along the first printing direction and supporting the workpiece at a position facing the inkjet head; and in a second printing direction intersecting the first printing direction There is provided an ink jet printing apparatus having a head support device that supports the ink jet head with respect to the work moving device at a desired position along the head.

  Moreover, this invention has a masking apparatus for producing the cured film of a masking agent in the part to be protected of the surface of a metal plate as a means for solving the said 2nd subject at least, and the said cured film An etching apparatus for performing an etching process on the metal plate; and a masking cured film removing apparatus for removing the cured film from the etched metal plate, wherein the masking apparatus supplies the masking agent to the metal plate. An etching metal plate manufacturing apparatus, which is the above-described ink jet printing apparatus using ink, is provided.

  According to the present invention, a printed matter can be manufactured with high productivity even for a long workpiece, and an etching metal plate can be manufactured with high productivity even for a long metal plate. .

It is a figure which shows typically the structure of the manufacturing apparatus of the etching metal plate which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows typically the structure of the inkjet printing apparatus which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows typically the structure of the inkjet printing apparatus which concerns on other embodiment of this invention.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 1 schematically shows a configuration of an etching metal plate manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the etching metal plate manufacturing apparatus 100 includes a metal plate transport device 10, and a pretreatment device 20, a masking device 30, and a dryer 40 along the transport direction X of the transport device 10. , An etching apparatus 50, a cleaning apparatus 60, a masked cured film removing apparatus 70, a cleaning apparatus 80, and a laminating apparatus 90. A metal plate corresponds to a workpiece.

  The conveying apparatus 10 is an apparatus for conveying a metal plate in the process direction (X direction), and is, for example, a roller table as shown in FIG. The transport apparatus 10 includes a plurality of drive rollers 101, and the drive rollers 101 are arranged in the X direction, and each of the drive rollers 101 is arranged so that its axis is along the Y direction orthogonal to the transport direction X. The conveyance apparatus 10 should just be an apparatus which can convey a metal plate to a desired direction. Other examples of the transfer device 10 include a robot arm, a belt conveyor, a turntable, a chain conveyor, a wheel conveyor, and a ball conveyor.

  The pretreatment device 20 is a device for applying a treatment suitable for applying the masking agent to the metal plate to which the masking agent is applied. The pretreatment device 20 includes, for example, a nozzle for applying a base treatment liquid to a metal plate and a drying device for drying the metal plate coated with the base treatment liquid. The base treatment liquid is a solution or dispersion of a component that enhances the adhesion of the masking agent to the metal plate. For example, the inorganic alkaline cleaning liquid for degreasing, the organic alkaline cleaning liquid for degreasing, or the metal stain for dissolving and removing. An inorganic acidic cleaning solution.

  The masking apparatus 30 is an ink jet printing apparatus for producing a cured film of a masking agent on a portion to be protected on the surface of a metal plate. As shown in FIG. 2, the masking device 30 includes a printing stage 301, a moving table 302, a conveyance roller 303, a mount 304, an inkjet head 305, a nozzle check device 306, a head cleaning device 307, and a UV lamp 308.

  The printing stage 301 is a part that supports a part of the transport apparatus 10 and various apparatuses and members for inkjet printing.

  The moving table 302 is arranged so as to reciprocate between the solid line portion and the broken line portion in FIG. 2 along the X direction. The moving table 302 faces the inkjet head 305 and is reciprocally movable along the first printing direction (X direction), and supports a work (metal plate) at a position facing the inkjet head 305. Device.

  The moving table 302 is, for example, a vacuum table, and adjusts the pressure in the chamber by a rectangular chamber, a plurality of vents opened on the upper surface thereof, and air supply to the chamber or exhaust from the chamber. And a reciprocating mechanism for reciprocating the chamber. The vents are regularly arranged in the X direction and the Y direction.

  The reciprocating mechanism is, for example, a linear motor actuator. The reciprocating mechanism can be appropriately selected from devices capable of reciprocating the chamber along the X direction. Another example of the reciprocating mechanism includes a rack and pinion mechanism.

  The workpiece moving device can be appropriately selected from devices capable of supporting the workpiece in a reciprocating manner along the X direction with respect to the inkjet head 305. Another example of the workpiece moving device includes a robot arm.

  The conveyance roller 303 is a driving roller for conveying the metal plate on the conveyance device 10 from the conveyance device 10 to the moving table 302 or conveying the metal plate on the movement table 302 onto the conveyance device 10.

  The gantry 304 is, for example, a gantry-type pedestal that straddles the transport device 10 and the printing stage 301 along the Y direction. The inkjet head 305 is disposed on the gantry 304 so as to be movable in the Y direction.

  The gantry 304 serves as a guide for guiding the inkjet head 305 to an arbitrary position in the Y direction, and includes a reciprocating mechanism capable of moving and supporting the inkjet head 305 to a desired position in the Y direction. The gantry 304 corresponds to a head support device that reciprocally supports the inkjet head with respect to the work moving device along a second printing direction (Y direction) intersecting the X direction. As the reciprocating mechanism, the inkjet head 305 supported by the gantry 304 can be appropriately selected from devices that can move along the Y direction. Examples of the reciprocating mechanism include a rack and pinion mechanism and a linear motor actuator.

  The inkjet head 305 is a device for ejecting ink droplets onto a work to which ink is to be applied. As the inkjet head 305, a known inkjet head having a plurality of inkjet nozzles can be used.

  The inkjet head 305 has a UV lamp 3051 on one end side in the X direction. The UV lamp 3051 is disposed integrally with the inkjet head 305 behind the inkjet head 305 in the X direction, and radiates active energy rays for irradiating the ink on the workpiece with active energy rays for curing the ink on the workpiece. Applicable to the device. The UV lamp 3051 is, for example, a UV light emitting diode.

  The active energy ray can be appropriately selected based on the curability of the ink from among the electromagnetic waves that cure the ink. Examples of active energy rays other than ultraviolet rays include infrared rays, visible rays, X-rays, electron beams, alpha rays, beta rays and gamma rays. The UV lamp 3051 can be appropriately selected according to the type of the active energy ray. Examples of the UV lamp 3051 other than the light emitting diode include a gallium lamp, a high-pressure mercury lamp, a metal halide lamp, a hot cathode tube, and the like. A cold cathode tube is included.

  The ink supplied to the inkjet head 305 is a masking agent. The masking agent can be appropriately selected from ink compositions having sufficient adhesion to metal and curability. As the masking agent, for example, an ink-jet ink composition described in Patent Document 1 can be used.

  The nozzle check device 306 is disposed at one end of the reciprocating path of the inkjet head 305 in the Y direction. Specifically, the nozzle check device 306 is disposed between the drive rollers 101 and below one end of the gantry 304. The nozzle check device 306 is a device for inspecting whether or not the ejection of ink from the inkjet nozzles is as set. For example, as is well known, a transparent sheet such as a PET sheet and printed on the transparent sheet. And a device for determining the suitability of the test pattern.

  The head cleaning device 307 is disposed at the other end of the reciprocating path of the inkjet head 305 in the Y direction. Specifically, the head cleaning device 307 is disposed on the other end side of the moving table 302 in the Y direction and below the other end portion of the gantry 304. The head cleaning device 307 is a device for removing clogging of inkjet nozzles, and for example, a known cleaning device can be used.

  Both the nozzle check device 306 and the head cleaning device 307 correspond to a head maintenance device that is disposed on the reciprocating motion path of the inkjet head 305 in the Y direction and maintains the intended operation of the inkjet head 305. The head maintenance device can be appropriately selected from devices capable of performing inspection or work for maintaining the expected operation of the inkjet head 305. The head maintenance device includes a wiping device for an inkjet head surface and a wiping rubber cleaning device by dipping in a solvent.

  The UV lamp 308 corresponds to the active energy ray irradiation apparatus described above, and is, for example, a gallium lamp. The UV lamp 308 is disposed on the transport device 10 so as to irradiate the metal plate transported by the transport device 10 with ultraviolet rays (UV) on the downstream side of the transport device 10 in the X direction with respect to the transport roller 303. ing.

  The dryer 40 is a device for removing volatile components such as moisture and solvent remaining on the masked metal plate. In addition, by heating the metal plate, there is an effect of removing the residual stress generated when the masking agent is cured and improving the adhesion between the masking layer and the metal plate. The dryer 40 is preferably a device capable of drying the metal plate being conveyed, and examples of the dryer include a hot air dryer, an infrared heater (far, medium or near), and an induction heating device. .

  The etching apparatus 50 is an apparatus for performing an etching process on the metal plate having the cured film. The etching apparatus 50 includes, for example, a hydrochloric acid tank for spraying a hydrochloric acid aqueous solution on the surface of the metal plate on the cured film side, and a plurality of etchings arranged in the X direction for spraying a second iron chloride aqueous solution on the surface. It has a tank, a nozzle for spraying a cleaning liquid for cleaning the etched surface of the metal plate, and a smut removing device for removing smut generated by the etching from the surface. The cleaning liquid is, for example, a liquid obtained by diluting an etching liquid 20 to 50 times.

  The hydrochloric acid aqueous solution and the ferric chloride aqueous solution are both etching solutions, and other examples of the etching solution include cupric chloride aqueous solution, sulfuric acid aqueous solution, nitric acid aqueous solution and phosphoric acid aqueous solution. The smut removing device is, for example, a rotating roll brush.

  The cleaning device 60 is a device for washing the metal plate after the etching process. The cleaning device 60 includes, for example, a nozzle for spraying water on the surface of the metal plate and an air knife for removing water on the surface.

  The masking cured film removing apparatus 70 is an apparatus for removing the cured film of the masking agent from the etched metal plate. The masked cured film removing device 70 includes, for example, a nozzle for spraying a swelling liquid that swells the cured film onto a metal plate, a swelling liquid recovery tank for collecting the swelling liquid sprayed on the metal plate, and swelling of the cured film. A mesh belt conveyor for collecting and taking out the cured film pieces in the swelling liquid (recovered liquid) in the swelling liquid recovery tank generated by the above, and floating matter in the recovered liquid discharged from the swelling liquid recovery tank A strainer for collecting the collected liquid, an inspection apparatus for inspecting the composition of the recovered liquid from which the suspended solids are removed, an adjustment tank in which the recovered liquid in which the composition has been inspected is stored, a raw liquid tank in which the stock solution of the swelling liquid is stored, And it has the cured film piece collection tank for accommodating the cured film piece collected by the mesh belt conveyor.

  The cleaning device 80 is a device for cleaning the metal plate from which the cured film has been removed. The cleaning device 80 includes, for example, a nozzle for spraying a cleaning liquid (for example, water) on a metal plate, a cleaning water recovery tank for storing cleaning water flowing down from the metal plate, a brush for rubbing the surface of the metal plate, A strainer for collecting the solid matter in the wash water discharged from the wash water recovery tank, and a new water supply pipe for replenishing the wash water from which the solid content has been removed by the strainer as necessary. Have.

  The laminating apparatus 90 is an apparatus for attaching a film for preventing scratches to the surface of the etched metal plate that has been etched.

Next, the operation state of the etching metal plate manufacturing apparatus 100 will be described.
The metal plate is transported by the transport device 10 at a speed of, for example, 0.3 to 5.0 m / min. The metal plate is a plate having a predetermined size and a rectangular planar shape. For example, the metal plate has a length of 2 to 5 m, a width of 1 to 1.5 m, and a thickness of 0.5 to 3. 0 mm. The material of the metal plate can be appropriately determined from known metals and alloys that can be etched, for example, stainless steel.

The metal plate is transported to the pretreatment device 20 at the above speed by the transport device 10 with the longitudinal direction of the metal plate being along the transport direction. The surface of the metal plate that has passed through the pretreatment device 20 is to be etched (for example, the upper surface). It is dried by a drying device arranged in a downstream portion of 20. As the ground treatment liquid, a known treatment liquid according to the purpose can be used. For example, for the purpose of improving the adhesion of the masking agent, a ground treatment liquid having the following composition is used. The drying temperature in the said drying of a metal plate is 60-80 degreeC in the temperature of a metal plate, for example.
Sodium hydroxide 28 parts by weight Sodium carbonate 13 parts by weight Water 59 parts by weight

  The pre-processed (base treatment) metal plate is transported to the masking device 30 by the transport device 10. The metal plate is transported by the transport roller 303 from the transport device 10 onto a moving table 302 at a position upstream of the printing stage 301 (a position indicated by a solid line in FIG. 2). The driving roller 101 and the conveying roller 303 upstream from the gantry 304 convey the workpiece from the upstream side in the workpiece conveying direction, and then to the workpiece moving device disposed on one end side of the reciprocating motion path of the workpiece moving device. This corresponds to a first workpiece transfer device for transferring a workpiece along a direction (Y direction) intersecting the transfer direction.

  The metal plate transported onto the moving table 302 is fixed on the moving table 302 by generating a negative pressure in the chamber due to exhaust in the chamber of the moving table 302 and generating intake air from the vent hole into the chamber. Is done.

  The inkjet head 305 moves to a print start position in the Y direction, for example, one end (print position Y1) in the Y direction at the print position, and is fixed. Then, the moving table 302 continuously moves along the X direction from the upstream position to the downstream position (the position indicated by the broken line in FIG. 2), and the inkjet head 305 should be formed at the printing position Y1. A droplet of ink (masking agent) is ejected onto the metal plate in accordance with the image, and the masking agent is applied to an unetched portion (a portion to be protected at the time of etching) of the upper surface of the metal plate at the printing position Y1. The masking agent on the metal plate is irradiated with ultraviolet rays from the UV lamp 3051 immediately after the discharge of the droplet of the masking agent, whereby the masking agent is cured.

  When the movement table 302 moves downstream and printing in the X direction at the printing position Y1 ends, the movement table 302 moves to the upstream side, and the inkjet head 305 moves to the next printing position (printing position Y2 in the Y direction). ) And fixed. Similarly to printing at the printing position Y1, while moving the moving table 302 to the downstream side, droplets of the masking agent are ejected from the inkjet head 305 to the metal plate and ultraviolet rays are applied from the UV lamp 3051 to the masking agent on the metal plate. Is printed in the X direction at the printing position Y2. In this way, by moving the metal plate in the X direction while fixing the inkjet head 305 at the printing position in the Y direction, the inkjet head 305 is scanned over the entire surface of the metal plate relative to the metal plate. Print the surface of the.

  The head maintenance process is performed at the start of printing or at specific intervals during printing. In the head maintenance process, first, the movement of the moving table 302 in the X direction is temporarily stopped. Then, the inkjet head 305 moves to the nozzle check device 306 on one end side in the Y direction. Then, whether or not the nozzles of the inkjet head 305 are discharged is checked.

  If no problem is found in the ejection of the masking agent droplets from the nozzles, the inkjet head 305 returns to the printing position in the Y direction when it is temporarily stopped. Then, the moving table 302 starts to move in the X direction, the droplets of the masking agent are ejected from the ink jet head 305, and the printing is resumed from the printing position thus temporarily stopped.

  If a problem is found in the ejection of the masking agent droplets from the nozzle, the inkjet head 305 moves from the position of the nozzle check device 306 to the head cleaning device 307 on the other end side in the Y direction. Then, the head is cleaned and the clogging of the nozzle is removed. Then, the inkjet head 305 moves again to the nozzle check device 306 and receives a nozzle check. Then, if it is confirmed that the problem has been solved, printing from the printing position that has been paused is resumed as described above.

The masking agent has a property of being cured by irradiation with active energy rays, and is a liquid composition that can be discharged from the inkjet head 305. As the masking agent, the ink-jet ink composition described in Patent Document 1 is suitably used, and has, for example, the following composition. The following photopolymerization initiator 1 is 1-hydroxycyclohexyl phenyl ketone, and the photopolymerization initiator 2 is bis (2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl) phenylphosphine oxide.
Bis [2- (methacryloyloxy) ethyl] hydrogen phosphate 6.0 parts by mass 2- (methacryloyloxy) ethyl dihydrogen phosphate 5.0 parts by mass Dipropylene glycol diacrylate 10.0 parts by mass Dimethylacrylamide 15.0 parts by mass Parts Isobornyl acrylate 44.5 parts by mass 2-acryloyloxyethyl succinic acid 5.5 parts by mass Photoinitiator 1 9.0 parts by mass Photoinitiator 2 5.0 parts by mass

  As described above, the metal plate coated (printed) with the masking agent arrives at the downstream position. Then, by supplying air to the chamber, the inside of the chamber becomes positive pressure, and air is ejected from the vent, whereby the metal plate on the moving table 302 is conveyed onto the conveying roller 303 and is conveyed by the conveying roller 303. It is conveyed onto the apparatus 10. The driving roller 101 and the conveying roller 303 on the downstream side of the gantry 304 convey the workpiece supported by the workpiece moving device disposed on the other end side of the reciprocating path of the workpiece moving device along the Y direction. Then, it corresponds to a second workpiece transfer device for further transferring the workpiece downstream in the X direction.

  The upper surface of the metal plate transported to the transport device 10 is irradiated with UV from the UV lamp 308 along with the transport by the transport device 10, and as a result, the ink on the metal plate is completely cured. Thus, the masking agent printed on the upper surface of the metal plate is cured, and a cured film of the masking agent is formed on the portion of the surface of the metal plate to be protected.

  As described above, in the masking device 30, the transport direction of the workpiece and the first printing direction are both the X direction and parallel to the longitudinal direction of the workpiece, the direction intersecting the transport direction and the second direction. The printing directions are both the Y direction and parallel to the short direction of the workpiece.

  The metal plate masked as described above is transported to the dryer 40 by the transport device 10, dried, and transported to the etching device 50. While the metal plate is transported at the above speed by the transport device 10 in the etching apparatus 50, hydrochloric acid is first sprayed on the upper surface of the metal plate, and then an aqueous solution of ferric chloride is sprayed. Then, the solid matter (smut) on the upper surface of the metal plate generated by the etching process is removed from the upper surface by the smut removing device arranged in the downstream portion of the etching device 50. The etching process is performed at 50 to 80 ° C., for example. Thus, the etching process is performed on the metal plate having the cured film.

  The metal plate subjected to the etching process is transported to the cleaning device 60 by the transport device 10. In the cleaning device 60, while the metal plate is being transported at the above speed by the transport device 10, water is sprayed on the top surface, and then air is blown off by blowing air from the air knife. Thus, the upper surface of the metal plate is cleaned.

  The etched metal plate whose upper surface has been cleaned is transported to the masking cured film removing device 70 by the transport device 10. In the masked cured film removing apparatus 70, a swelling liquid having a desired temperature (for example, 50 to 80 ° C.) is sprayed from the nozzle and applied to the upper surface of the metal plate being conveyed by the conveying apparatus 10 at the above speed.

The swelling liquid is a liquid that can swell the cured film. For example, the swelling liquid is a liquid that penetrates into the cured film or enters the interface between the cured film and the surface of the metal plate, and peels the cured film from the surface of the metal plate. The swelling liquid is appropriately selected according to the composition of the cured film. For example, when the curable material of the masking agent contains the polyfunctional (meth) acrylic acid compound, the liquid contains benzyl alcohol. For example, it has the following composition.
Benzyl alcohol 35 parts by weight Sodium 2,4-xylenesulfonate 15 parts by weight Water 50 parts by weight

  In the swelling liquid, benzyl alcohol is mainly a solvent for the cured film, and the content of benzyl alcohol in the swelling liquid is preferably 25 to 65% by mass, and preferably 30 to 40% by mass. More preferred. Sodium 2,4-xylene sulfonate is a surfactant, and the surfactant is mainly a solubilizer of benzyl alcohol in water. Other examples of such surfactants include sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate, polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether and stearyl trimethyl ammonium chloride.

  The content of the surfactant in the swelling liquid is preferably 3 to 20% by mass, and more preferably 10 to 20% by mass. The water is a liquid medium in the swelling liquid. The content of water in the swelling liquid is preferably 20 to 60% by mass, and more preferably 40 to 55% by mass. Moreover, the content ratio (mass ratio) of water with respect to benzyl alcohol is preferably 0.3 to 2.5, and more preferably 1.2 to 2.0.

  In addition, the said swelling liquid may further contain the other component in the range in which the removal by the swelling of the said cured film is implement | achieved. Examples of the other components include caustic alkalis that do not contribute to dissolution of the cured film (for example, less than 1.0% by mass) and alcohol solvents such as isopropyl alcohol and butyl cellosolve.

  In addition, it is preferable that the temperature of the swelling liquid of the said composition is 70 degrees C or less. When the temperature of the swelling liquid exceeds 70 ° C., the evaporation rate of water is increased, the composition of the swelling liquid is changed, and as a result, there is a concern that the peeling performance is deteriorated, which is not preferable.

  The swelling liquid applied to the upper surface of the metal plate causes the cured film to swell and peel while the metal plate is conveyed through the masking cured film removing apparatus 70, and the swelling liquid recovery tank together with the cured film piece. To flow down. Thus, the cured film is removed from the etched metal plate.

  The swelling liquid (recovered liquid) stored in the swelling liquid recovery tank is guided to the pool portion, and the cured film piece in the recovered liquid is scooped and collected by the mesh belt of the mesh belt conveyor, It is conveyed and accommodated in the said cured film piece collection tank. The recovered liquid in which the cured film pieces are collected is sent from the swelling liquid recovery tank to the inspection apparatus via a strainer, and is stored in the adjustment tank. Then, in accordance with the composition of the recovered liquid detected by the inspection device, insufficient material among the materials of the swelling liquid is supplied from the stock solution tank. The recovered liquid whose temperature and composition are adjusted in the adjustment tank is supplied to the nozzle and reused as a swelling liquid.

  The metal plate from which the cured film has been removed is transported to the cleaning device 80 by the transport device 10. Water as a cleaning liquid is sprayed from the nozzle onto the etched surface (upper surface) of the metal plate being conveyed at the above speed by the conveying device 10, and the upper surface is rubbed with the brush that is driven to rotate. To be washed. The cleaning water is recovered in the cleaning liquid recovery tank, sent to the nozzle through the strainer, and reused as the cleaning liquid. In addition, it is more preferable that the composition of the swelling liquid is simple from the viewpoint of easy and reliable reuse.

  The cleaned metal plate is conveyed, for example, under an air knife (not shown) as necessary, and unnecessary water on the upper surface of the metal plate is removed from the upper surface. Thus, the metal plate etched and cleaned to have the desired unevenness is conveyed to the laminating apparatus 90 by the conveying apparatus 10 at the above speed.

  The laminating apparatus 90 attaches a film for preventing scratches to the surface of the etched metal plate. The film is supplied to the upper surface of the metal plate passing through the laminating apparatus 90, is in close contact with a roller, for example, and is cut with a cutter. In this way, an etching metal plate is manufactured.

  As described above, in general, in an inkjet printing apparatus, flushing (ink discarding) and head cleaning are periodically performed to prevent clogging of an inkjet head.

  Here, a first case is assumed in which the moving table 302 is fixed and the inkjet head 305 is moved in the longitudinal direction (X direction) of the metal plate for printing. In the first case, the retracted position (the position of the head maintenance device) for head cleaning and flushing is a position that is out of the place where the metal plate is to be fixed, so that the inkjet head 305 moves to the retracted position. The distance becomes longer. In addition, it is necessary to accelerate and decelerate the inkjet head 305 at both ends of the reciprocating movement path by a device for moving the inkjet head 305, for example, a linear motor guide (linear motor actuator). In the first case, time for these movements and acceleration and deceleration is required. In particular, since the linear motor guide is generally unsuitable for inching, sufficient acceleration and deceleration are required, and more time is required for them than in a device capable of inching.

  Further, a second case is assumed in which the moving table 302 is fixed and the inkjet head 305 is moved in the short direction (Y direction) of the metal plate for printing. In the second case, since the inkjet head 305 is moved in the Y direction, the number of reciprocating movements of the inkjet head 305 is larger than that in the first case in which the inkjet head 305 is moved in the X direction. Become more. For this reason, in the second case, more time is required for acceleration and deceleration than in the first case. Also in the second case, as in the first case, the retracted position is a position that is out of the place where the metal plate is to be fixed. Therefore, the moving distance of the inkjet head 305 to the retracted position is become longer.

  As described above, in both the first case and the second case, the moving time of the inkjet head 305 for the head maintenance process is considerably required, and this moving time is necessary for the manufacture of inkjet printing and the etching metal plate. Is an indirect work time, which is a time loss from the viewpoint of productivity. Note that there is more time loss in the second case than in the first case.

  On the other hand, the masking device 30 performs ink jet printing by moving the moving table 302 on which the metal plate is placed at a high speed. For the X direction, the moving distance of the moving table 302 can be set according to the size of the metal plate. In the Y direction, the arrangement (movement range) of the inkjet head 305 on the gantry 304 can be set according to the width of the metal plate. Therefore, it is possible to cope with the difference in size of the metal plate.

  In the masking device 30, the ink head jet 305 is fixed in the X direction, the moving table 302 is moved, and the inkjet head 305 is not moved in the X direction (scanning movement). Accordingly, the retracted position of the ink jet head 305 in the head maintenance process is always at a specific position in the Y direction of the print position, so that the print position is close to the print position and at a certain distance for each print position. Therefore, the moving distance of the jet head 305 for head maintenance is short, the time loss due to the movement is constant, and the time loss is much smaller than in the first and second cases.

  Further, the masking device 30 does not require high-speed movement of the inkjet head 305 in the Y direction. Therefore, frequent acceleration and deceleration of the inkjet head 305 does not occur. Therefore, time loss due to movement of the inkjet head 305 does not occur. Since the time loss as described above is reduced, fluctuations (decrease) in printing efficiency due to a long work and large prints are suppressed.

  In the masking device 30, since the reciprocating direction of the moving table 302 is the X direction, the masking device 30 can be provided along a straight conveyance path of the metal plate by the conveyance device 10. For this reason, it is possible to make the conveyance path | route of the metal plate a linear form except an inkjet printing process. In general, the etching metal plate is continuously manufactured while being conveyed in a straight line. For this reason, it is possible to easily incorporate the masking device 30 into an existing etching metal plate manufacturing apparatus.

  As apparent from the above description, the inkjet printing apparatus includes an inkjet head (inkjet head 305) for ejecting droplets of the ink onto a work (metal plate) to which ink (masking agent) is to be applied, A work moving device (moving table 302) that faces the ink jet head and is reciprocally movable along the first printing direction (X direction) and supports the work at a position facing the ink jet head. And a head support device (base 304) for supporting the inkjet head with respect to the workpiece moving device at a desired position along a second printing direction (Y direction) that intersects the first printing direction. Therefore, the ink jet printing apparatus can produce printed matter with high productivity even for a long work as compared with the ink jet printing apparatus that prints by moving the ink jet head with respect to a fixed work.

  Further, it further includes a head maintenance device (nozzle check device 306 and head cleaning device 307) for maintaining the intended operation of the inkjet head on the movement path of the inkjet head in the second printing direction. This is advantageous in shortening the time required for maintenance of the ink jet head, and is therefore more effective from the viewpoint of increasing the productivity of the printed matter.

  Active energy for irradiating the ink on the work with active energy rays that are integrally disposed with the ink-jet head behind the ink-jet head in the first printing direction and harden the ink on the work. Further having a line irradiation device (UV lamp 3051) is more effective from the viewpoint of producing a high-quality printed matter since the ink wetting and spreading on the workpiece is suppressed, and the workpiece is like a metal plate. It is more effective in the case of a non-penetrating work in which the ink does not permeate (the ink droplet ejected on the work is dried as it is).

  Further, the workpiece moving device is configured to be able to support the workpiece having a length in the first printing direction of 2 m or more and a length in the second printing direction of 1 m or more. This is more effective from the viewpoint of further enhancing the effect of shortening the time for maintenance of the ink jet head.

  In the inkjet printing apparatus, the first printing direction is a longitudinal direction of the workpiece, the second printing direction is a short direction of the workpiece, and the inkjet printing apparatus is a longitudinal direction of the workpiece. The workpiece is transported along the direction (X direction), and then the workpiece moving device disposed on one end side of the reciprocating motion path of the workpiece moving device along the short direction (Y direction) of the workpiece. A first workpiece conveyance device for conveying a workpiece, and the workpiece supported by the workpiece movement device arranged on the other end side of the reciprocation path of the workpiece movement device in the short direction of the workpiece. And a second workpiece transfer device for transferring the workpiece along the longitudinal direction of the workpiece, and further including a second workpiece transfer device for conveying the workpiece along the longitudinal direction of the workpiece. From the viewpoint of facilitating incorporation into existing equipment (etching metal plate manufacturing equipment, painted metal plate manufacturing equipment, other metal plate manufacturing, processing or processing equipment) Even more effective.

  In addition, as described above, the inkjet printing apparatus is fixed with respect to the first printing direction, and the workpiece is moved from the inkjet head fixed at the first printing position in the second printing direction to the first. A step of ejecting ink droplets onto the work while moving in the first printing direction to print a portion along the first printing direction of the work; and moving the inkjet head in the second printing direction. The inkjet head is maintained by the step of disposing the inkjet head at a second printing position in the second printing direction and the head maintenance device in the reciprocating path in the second printing direction of the inkjet head. And an inkjet printing method including the steps.

  In addition, the etching metal plate manufacturing apparatus etches the masking device 30 (230) for producing a cured film of a masking agent on a portion to be protected on the surface of the metal plate and the metal plate having the cured film. An etching apparatus 50 for performing the treatment, and a masking cured film removing apparatus 70 for removing the cured film from the etched metal plate, and the masking apparatus 30 (230) is the ink jet printing apparatus. . Therefore, the etching metal plate manufacturing apparatus has a higher productivity for a long metal plate than a conventional etching metal plate manufacturing apparatus that performs masking processing of the metal plate by inkjet printing. Can be manufactured.

  In addition, the said inkjet printing apparatus is applicable besides the manufacturing apparatus of the said etching metal plate, and can be applied to the printing of the said workpiece | work alone. Examples other than the metal plate of the workpiece applicable to the inkjet printing apparatus include a coated film, a resin film such as a PET film, a resin sheet, and a resin molded body.

  The UV lamp 3051 includes a first irradiation device that irradiates active energy rays in the first wavelength region so as to irradiate ink droplets on the metal plate with active energy rays in two different wavelength regions; And a second irradiation apparatus that irradiates active energy rays in the second wavelength region. The irradiation of the active energy ray by the second irradiation apparatus may be performed simultaneously with or after the irradiation of the active energy ray by the first irradiation apparatus. The fact that the UV lamp 3051 includes the first irradiation device and the second irradiation device is effective, for example, from the viewpoint of preventing insufficient curing inside the ink droplets.

  Moreover, the inkjet head 305 may be attached to the mount 304 so that rotation is possible so that it can be reversed in a X direction. Alternatively, the UV lamps 3051 may be disposed on both sides of the inkjet nozzle in the X direction. According to the above configuration, printing is possible not only in the forward path in the X direction but also in the backward path, which is more advantageous from the viewpoint of increasing the printing efficiency of the metal plate (workpiece) and the productivity of the etching metal plate.

  The head maintenance device may be arranged only on one side in the Y direction. Such an arrangement is more advantageous from the viewpoint of shortening the time required for the head maintenance process.

  In the inkjet printing apparatus and the etching metal plate manufacturing apparatus according to the present embodiment, the first printing direction can be configured in the Y direction. A masking apparatus in such an etching metal plate manufacturing apparatus is shown in FIG. 3, for example. As shown in FIG. 3, the masking device 230 is configured such that the moving table 302 can reciprocate in the Y direction, and the gantry 304 is located at the center of the reciprocating movement path of the moving table 302 in the Y direction. Are arranged across the moving table 302, and are configured in the same manner as the masking device 30 described above except that the first transport direction and the second transport direction are parallel but not on a straight line.

  The above form is advantageous for printing a large workpiece in the width direction, and is more advantageous for constructing an etching metal plate manufacturing apparatus using two existing manufacturing lines provided side by side.

  As is clear from the above description, the inkjet printing apparatus is suitable for forming a high-definition image on a non-permeable work such as a metal plate. It is suitable for manufacturing an etched metal plate subjected to various etchings at low cost and with high productivity.

  The above-described inkjet printing apparatus can further reduce the time required for maintenance of the inkjet head in printing on a large-sized workpiece, and can further increase the productivity of printed matter of such workpiece and products using the workpiece. it can. Therefore, further improvement in productivity of the printed matter and the etched metal plate of the workpiece and further popularization thereof are expected.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Conveyance apparatus 20 Pre-processing apparatus 30,230 Masking apparatus 40 Dryer 50 Etching apparatus 60,80 Cleaning apparatus 70 Masking cured film removal apparatus 90 Laminating apparatus 100 Etching metal plate manufacturing apparatus 101 Drive roller 301 Printing stage 302 Moving table 303 Conveyance Roller 304 Base 305 Inkjet head 306 Nozzle check device 307 Head cleaning device 308, 3051 UV lamp

Claims (6)

An inkjet head for ejecting droplets of the ink onto a work to be coated with ink;
A workpiece moving device arranged to face the inkjet head and reciprocate along a first printing direction, and to support the workpiece at a position facing the inkjet head;
A head support device that supports the inkjet head with respect to the workpiece moving device at a desired position along a second printing direction that intersects the first printing direction;
Having
Inkjet printing device.   The inkjet printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a head maintenance device for maintaining an expected operation of the inkjet head on a movement path of the inkjet head in the second printing direction.   Active energy ray irradiation for irradiating the ink on the work with active energy rays that are integrally disposed with the ink jet head behind the ink jet head in the first printing direction and cure the ink on the work. The inkjet printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an apparatus.   The workpiece moving device is configured to be able to support the workpiece having a length in the first printing direction of 2 m or more and a length in the second printing direction of 1 m or more. The inkjet printing apparatus according to any one of 3. The first printing direction is the longitudinal direction of the workpiece, and the second printing direction is the short direction of the workpiece,
The workpiece is transported along the longitudinal direction of the workpiece, and then the workpiece is transported along the short direction of the workpiece to the workpiece moving device disposed on one end side of the reciprocating motion path of the workpiece moving device. A first workpiece transfer device for
The workpiece supported by the workpiece moving device disposed on the other end side of the reciprocating motion path of the workpiece moving device is transported along the short direction of the workpiece, and then along the longitudinal direction of the workpiece. A second workpiece transfer device for carrying out the workpiece;
Further having
The ink jet printing apparatus according to claim 4. A masking device for producing a cured film of a masking agent on the portion of the surface of the metal plate to be protected;
An etching apparatus for performing an etching process on the metal plate having the cured film;
A masked cured film removing device for removing the cured film from the etched metal plate;
Have
The masking device is the ink jet printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the ink is the masking agent.
Etching metal plate manufacturing equipment.

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