JP2019166727A - Printer and printing method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a technique capable of printing a pattern from one side to the other side of both principal surfaces of a printing object medium through an end surface.SOLUTION: In the end transfer, the bite amount Δ23 of an end surface Se with respect to a blanket 23 is controlled so that the blanket 23 does not contact both principal surfaces Sm1, Sm2 due to the elastic deformation. Namely, the extrusion of conductive ink is suppressed by pressing the blanket 23 to the vicinity of the end surface Se of both principal surfaces Sm1, Sm2 of a substrate S. Consequently, a conductive pattern Pc from one side to the other side of both principal surfaces Sm1, Sm2 of the substrate S through the end surface Se can be printed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for performing printing from one main surface to the other main surface of an object to be printed via an end surface.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a technique for printing on a printing medium having a three-dimensional shape using a transfer member composed of an elastic body such as silicone rubber has been used. Specifically, as shown in Patent Documents 1 and 2, by pushing the print medium into the transfer member to which the ink is attached, the transfer member is moved along the step or curved surface of the print medium, Ink is transferred to a printing medium. Such a printing technique can be utilized for various applications.

JP, 2006-182728, A JP 2013-198996 A

  As an example, there is a display field represented by a liquid crystal display. That is, in this field, the need for an increase in size is increasing year by year. However, if the display substrate is increased in size, it becomes difficult to handle the substrate. Therefore, a technique for arranging a large display by arranging a plurality of small displays has been studied. However, in the conventional display, wiring such as a power line and a signal line is arranged outside the display unit. For this reason, the periphery of the border between adjacent small displays is occupied by the wiring, which becomes noticeable as a break in the display unit.

  Therefore, it is required to perform wiring on the main surface opposite to the display portion of both main surfaces of the substrate so as to keep the cuts of the display portion narrow. For that purpose, in order to realize electrical connection between the wiring on the opposite side of the display unit and the display unit, it is necessary to form a pattern on the substrate from one of the main surfaces of the substrate to the other through the end surface. is there. Therefore, it is conceivable to print such a pattern on the edge of the substrate by the printing technique described above.

  However, it has been difficult to form a desired pattern even by such a printing technique. That is, if the transfer member is pressed near the end surfaces of both main surfaces of the substrate by causing the end surface of the substrate to bite into the transfer member, the ink may be pushed out. As a result, there is a problem that ink does not remain in the vicinity of the end surfaces of both main surfaces of the substrate. Such a problem is not limited to a display substrate, and may occur in common when printing the above-described patterns on various print media.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technique that enables printing of a pattern that reaches from one of the two main surfaces of the printing medium to the other through the end surface.

  A printing apparatus according to the present invention includes a transfer member having an elastic body, an ink attaching portion for attaching ink to the elastic body, a medium holding portion for holding a printing medium, and a printing medium held by the medium holding portion. A drive unit that moves relative to the transfer member in the movement direction and a biting operation that causes the elastic body to bite the end surface of the print medium in the movement direction are executed by the drive unit, whereby ink is transferred from the elastic body to the print medium. And a control unit that prints on the print medium a pattern that extends from one of the two main surfaces of the print medium to the other through the end surface, and the control unit performs the biting operation once, In both of the main surfaces, the main surface end transfer region extending in the moving direction from the end surface and the end transfer for transferring the ink to the end transfer region including the end surface are performed. main Controlling the bite amount of the end face with respect to the elastic member so as not to contact the.

  The printing method according to the present invention performs an adhesion process for attaching ink to an elastic body of a transfer member, and a biting operation for causing the end surface of the printing medium to bite into the elastic body in the moving direction, thereby removing the ink from the elastic body. And a transfer step of printing on the print medium a pattern that is transferred to the print medium and extending from one of the two main surfaces of the print medium to the other via the end face. In the transfer step, the biting operation is executed once. Thus, the main surface end transfer region extending in the movement direction from the end surface on both main surfaces and the end transfer for transferring the ink to the end transfer region including the end surface are performed, and the elastic body is elastic in the end transfer. The amount of biting of the end surface with respect to the elastic body is controlled so as not to contact both main surfaces by deformation.

  In the present invention (printing apparatus and printing method) configured as described above, the edge transfer is executed by executing the biting operation once. This end transfer is performed by transferring ink from one end of both main surfaces of the print medium to the other by transferring ink to the main surface end transfer region extending in the moving direction from the end surfaces on both main surfaces and the end transfer region including the end surfaces. A pattern extending through the end surface is printed on the printing medium. At this time, in the end portion transfer, the amount of biting of the end surface with respect to the elastic body is controlled so that the elastic body does not contact both main surfaces due to elastic deformation. That is, the ink is suppressed from being pushed out by pressing the transfer member near the end faces of both main surfaces of the substrate. As a result, it is possible to print a pattern that reaches from one of the main surfaces of the printing medium to the other through the end surface.

  In the end transfer, it is possible to make ink adhere to both main surfaces without bringing the elastic body into contact with both main surfaces. That is, since the ink adhering to the elastic body has a certain thickness, the ink adhering to the elastic body on both sides of the end surface comes into contact with both main surfaces as the end surface of the printing medium comes into contact with the elastic body. Is transcribed. Alternatively, as the end surface of the printing medium bites into the elastic body, a part of the ink sandwiched between the end surface of the printing medium and the elastic body is pushed out and transferred to both main surfaces.

  In addition, the control unit transfers the ink to both the main surfaces by bringing the elastic body that is elastically deformed by the biting operation that causes the end surface to bite the elastic body with a larger amount of biting than the edge transfer. The printing apparatus may be configured to execute main surface transfer and connect the ink transferred by the main surface transfer and the ink transferred by the edge transfer. Alternatively, in the transfer step, the elastic body elastically deformed by the biting operation that causes the end surface to bite into the elastic body with a larger amount of biting than the edge transfer is brought into contact with both main surfaces to transfer the ink to both main surfaces. The printing method may be configured such that the main surface transfer is executed, and the ink transferred by the main surface transfer and the ink transferred by the edge transfer are connected. In such a configuration, even if the length of ink that can be transferred to both main surfaces by end transfer is insufficient for the required pattern, the shortage can be compensated for by the main surface transfer.

  In the main surface transfer, the larger the amount of biting into the elastic body of the end surface, the more the area where ink is transferred moves away from the end surface in the moving direction, and the control unit performs multiple main surface transfer while changing the biting amount. In addition, the printing apparatus may be configured so that inks transferred by a plurality of main surface transfers are connected to each main surface. Alternatively, in the main surface transfer, as the amount of biting into the elastic body on the end surface increases, the area where the ink is transferred moves away from the end surface in the moving direction, and in the transfer process, a plurality of main surface transfer is performed while changing the amount of biting in. In addition, the printing method may be configured so that inks transferred by a plurality of main surface transfers are connected to each main surface. In such a configuration, it is possible to sufficiently secure the length of the ink transferred to both the main surfaces by executing a plurality of main surface transfers.

  By the way, when performing multiple main surface transfers, if the ink transferred to both main surfaces in the previous main surface transfer comes into contact with an elastic body that bites into the end surface of the printing medium in the subsequent main surface transfer, Impact may occur. Therefore, the control unit may configure the printing apparatus so as to execute in order from the main surface transfer in which the amount of biting into the elastic body at the end surface is large. Alternatively, in the transfer process, the printing method may be configured to execute in order from the main surface transfer in which the amount of biting into the elastic body at the end surface is large. As a result, the subsequent main surface transfer can be executed while suppressing the influence on the ink transferred by the previous main surface transfer.

  In addition, if the end transfer is performed prior to the main surface transfer, an elastic body that bites into the end surface of the printing medium by the main surface transfer may affect the ink transferred by the end transfer. Therefore, the control unit may configure the printing apparatus so as to execute the end portion transfer after completing the main surface transfer. Alternatively, in the transfer step, the printing method may be configured such that the end surface transfer is executed after the main surface transfer is completed.

  In addition, the control unit performs the biting operation after the ink transferred by the main surface transfer and the edge transfer is fixed on the printing medium, and prints so that the surface shape of the ink on both main surfaces is equalized. An apparatus may be configured. Alternatively, in the transfer process, the ink transferred by the main surface transfer and the edge transfer is fixed on the printing medium, and then the biting operation is executed so that the surface shape of the ink on both main surfaces is equalized. A method may be configured. As a result, the pattern can be printed while the thickness of the ink on both main surfaces of the printing medium is made uniform.

  In addition, the control unit performs the overlapping transfer in which the inks transferred by the plurality of main surface transfers are overlapped, and connects the ink transferred by the overlapping transfer and the ink transferred by the end transfer to connect the printing device May be configured. Alternatively, in the transfer step, a printing method is performed such that overlapping transfer in which ink transferred by a plurality of main surface transfers is overlapped is performed, and ink transferred by overlapping transfer is connected to ink transferred by edge transfer. May be configured. With this configuration, the pattern can be printed while ensuring the thickness of the ink on both main surfaces of the printing medium.

  Various configurations of the transfer member are conceivable. For example, the printing member or the printing method may be configured such that the transfer member further includes a roller that rotates in a rotation direction around a rotation axis parallel to the end surface, and the elastic body is provided on the circumferential surface of the roller. good.

  At this time, the ink adhering unit adheres the ink to be transferred to different positions in the rotation direction by different biting operations, and the control unit prints the ink to be transferred by the biting operation by adjusting the rotation angle of the roller. The printing apparatus may be configured so that the ink to be transferred is transferred to the printing medium in each of the different biting operations by executing the biting operation after being aligned with the medium. Alternatively, in the attachment process, ink to be transferred is attached to different positions in the rotational direction by different biting operations, and in the transfer process, the ink to be transferred by the biting operation is applied to the printing medium by adjusting the rotation angle of the roller. The printing method may be configured so that the ink to be transferred is transferred to the printing medium in each of the different biting operations by performing the biting operation after alignment. In such a configuration, the ink to be transferred in each biting operation can be aligned with the end surface of the printing medium by a simple operation such as rotating the roller, and can be accurately transferred to the printing medium.

  Further, the control unit adjusts the position of the printing medium held by the medium holding unit relative to the transfer member, and moves the position of the printing medium from a virtual plane parallel to the movement direction through the rotation axis. The printing apparatus may be configured so that the length in the moving direction of the portion existing on one of the two principal surfaces and the portion existing on the other of the two principal surfaces of the pattern are different. . Alternatively, in the transfer step, the position of the print medium is adjusted relative to the transfer member, and the position of the print medium is removed from the virtual plane parallel to the movement direction through the rotation axis. The printing method may be configured such that the length in the moving direction of the portion existing on one of the two main surfaces is different from the length existing on the other of the two main surfaces. In such a configuration, the length of the pattern in the moving direction between the portion existing on one of the main surfaces and the portion existing on the other of the pattern is adjusted by a simple operation of adjusting the position of the printing medium with respect to the transfer member. Can be different.

  In addition, the printing apparatus may be configured to further include a cleaner that removes ink from the elastic body. Alternatively, the printing method may be configured to further include a step of removing ink from the elastic body with a cleaner. Thus, unnecessary ink can be removed from the elastic body, and contamination of the print medium with such ink can be suppressed.

  Further, the printing apparatus or the printing method may be configured so that the ink is a solvent-based ink and the elastic body is made of silicone rubber. In such a configuration, since the elastic body made of silicone rubber tends to repel ink that is solvent-based ink, the ink can be reliably transferred from the elastic body to the printing medium by the biting operation. Furthermore, since the particles adhering to the printing medium tend to be captured by the elastic body, the particles can be removed from the printing medium along with the biting operation.

  In addition, the printing apparatus may be configured to further include a static eliminator that neutralizes the printing medium on which the biting operation has been performed. Alternatively, the printing method may be configured so as to further include a step of neutralizing the printing medium on which the biting operation has been performed with a static eliminator. In such a configuration, static electricity generated when the printing medium is separated from the elastic body after the biting operation can be removed from the printing medium.

  In addition, a contact member that contacts the print medium while being flush with the end surface of the print medium held by the medium holding unit is further provided so that the end face and the contact member bite into the elastic body in the biting operation. A printing apparatus may be configured. Alternatively, in the biting operation, the printing method may be configured such that the abutting member that is disposed flush with the end surface of the print medium and contacts the print medium and the end surface bite into the elastic body. Thereby, ink can be appropriately transferred to the periphery of the edge of the end surface of the printing medium.

  Further, the printing apparatus or the printing method may be configured so that the contact member is disposed on both sides of the printing medium held by the medium holding unit. Accordingly, the ink can be appropriately transferred to the periphery of both edges of the end surface of the printing medium.

  Further, the printing apparatus may be configured to further include a support member that supports the print medium from the side opposite to the moving direction of the end face of the print medium. Alternatively, in the transfer step, the printing method may be configured such that the printing medium is supported by the support member from the opposite side of the moving direction of the end surface of the printing medium. In such a configuration, the print medium can be firmly supported by the support member against a reaction from the elastic body caused by the biting operation. As a result, the ink can be satisfactorily transferred to the printing medium.

  Further, the printing apparatus and the printing method may be configured so that the ink is a conductive ink. Thus, it is possible to print a conductive pattern that reaches from one of the two main surfaces of the print medium to the other through the end surface.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to print a pattern that reaches from one of the two main surfaces of the printing medium to the other through the end surface.

1 is a front view schematically showing an embodiment of a printing apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a part of a configuration included in the printing apparatus of FIG. 1. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method for acquiring a displacement of conductive ink. The flowchart which shows the 1st example of the printing method of an electroconductive pattern. The perspective view which shows typically an example of the operation | movement performed according to the flowchart of FIG. The fragmentary sectional view which shows typically the biting operation performed with the flowchart of FIG. The fragmentary sectional view which shows typically the electroconductive pattern printed by the flowchart of FIG. The flowchart which shows the 2nd example of the printing method of an electroconductive pattern. The fragmentary sectional view which shows typically the biting operation performed with the flowchart of FIG. The fragmentary sectional view which shows typically the electroconductive pattern printed by the flowchart of FIG. The front view which shows typically the modification of the printing apparatus which concerns on this invention. FIG. 6 is a front view schematically showing another modification of the printing apparatus according to the present invention. The fragmentary sectional view which shows typically the electroconductive pattern printed by the modification of the printing method of an electroconductive pattern. The partial front view which shows typically the modification of the operation | movement which a printing apparatus can perform. The figure which shows the experimental result which calculated | required the relationship between biting amount (DELTA) 23 and the transfer pattern T. FIG. The figure which shows the experimental result which compared the transfer pattern of the center and the left end when not providing a side support member.

  FIG. 1 is a front view schematically showing an embodiment of a printing apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing a part of the configuration of the printing apparatus of FIG. In FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and the following figures, the XYZ orthogonal coordinate which has the perpendicular direction Z is shown suitably. This printing apparatus 1 can be used for printing a conductive pattern (wiring pattern) on a substrate S, and can be particularly suitably used for printing on a substrate S for a display such as a liquid crystal display. Here, description will be made assuming that the substrate S is a glass substrate for a liquid crystal display.

  The printing apparatus 1 includes a transfer member 2, an ink attachment portion 3 that attaches solvent-based conductive ink to the transfer member 2, and a substrate holding portion that holds a substrate S to which the conductive ink attached to the transfer member 2 is transferred. 4 and a driving unit 5 that individually applies a driving force in the movement direction X (horizontal direction) to the ink adhering unit 3 and the substrate holding unit 4 by a linear motor, for example.

  The transfer member 2 includes a cylindrical blanket cylinder 22 supported by the printing apparatus 1 so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis 21 parallel to a width direction Y (horizontal direction) orthogonal to the movement direction X, and an outer periphery of the blanket cylinder 22. And a blanket 23 provided with a predetermined thickness on the surface. The blanket 23 is made of silicone rubber and has elasticity. The blanket 23 rotates around the rotation shaft 21 integrally with the blanket cylinder 22 and has a cylindrical outer peripheral surface. As described above, the transfer member 2 is a transfer roller that has a cylindrical shape as a whole and is rotatable around the rotation shaft 21.

  The ink attaching part 3 attaches the conductive ink to the transfer member 2 by the same mechanism as that of so-called analog printing technology. That is, the ink adhering unit 3 includes a plate stage 31 that horizontally supports the plate B, and an ink filling unit 32 that fills the plate B supported by the plate stage 31 with conductive ink. The plate stage 31 is supported by the printing apparatus 1 so as to be movable in the movement direction X under the driving force of the driving unit 5. The ink filling unit 32 fills the conductive ink into the concave portion of the plate B by filling the conductive ink into the plate B from the dispenser and then sliding the doctor blade onto the plate B.

  The ink adhering unit 3 moves the plate stage 31 in the movement direction X to convey the plate B filled with the conductive ink below the transfer member 2. Then, the plate B passes under the blanket 23 in the movement direction X while contacting the outer peripheral surface of the blanket 23, and the blanket 23 rotates in synchronization with the movement of the plate B. As a result, the conductive ink filled in the plate B adheres to the blanket 23, and a transfer pattern T corresponding to the plate B is formed. Thus, when the blanket 23 receives the conductive ink from the plate B, the ink adhering portion 3 retracts the plate stage 31 from below the blanket 23. The transfer member 2 can be moved up and down in the vertical direction Z. While the conductive ink is received from the plate B, the transfer member 2 is in contact with the plate B at a lower position, while the plate stage 31 is being retracted, the upper position above the lower position. Separate from plate B at the position.

  The substrate S held by the substrate holding part 4 is a rectangular parallelepiped flat plate, and includes a first main surface Sm1, a second main surface Sm2 that faces the first main surface Sm1, a first main surface Sm1, and a second main surface. Sm2 and an end face Se extending between the ends. The first main surface Sm1 and the second main surface Sm2 are parallel, and the end surface Se is orthogonal to the first main surface Sm1 and the second main surface Sm2.

  The substrate holding unit 4 includes a substrate stage 41 that holds the substrate S horizontally and a drive table 42 that drives the substrate stage 41. The substrate stage 41 holds the substrate S so that the first main surface Sm1 and the second main surface Sm2 are parallel to the movement direction X and the end surface Se is orthogonal to the movement direction X, and moves the end surface Se of the substrate S in the movement direction. X is opposed to the outer peripheral surface of the blanket 23.

  The substrate holding unit 4 includes a pair of side support members 411 that support the substrate S on the substrate stage 41 from both sides in the width direction Y, and a rear support member that supports the substrate S from the opposite side of the movement direction X of the end surface Se. 412. Each of the side support members 411 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape and abuts on the substrate S from the width direction Y. The end surface 411e of each side support member 411 is disposed flush with the end surface Se of the substrate S while facing the blanket 23 from the moving direction X. Further, the rear support member 412 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and comes into contact with the substrate S from the movement direction X.

  Thus, the height of the substrate S held on the substrate stage 41 is adjusted with respect to the blanket 23 by the drive table 42. As a result, the position of the virtual plane V21 that is parallel to the movement direction X through the rotation shaft 21 and the position of the substrate S coincide with each other in the vertical direction Z. Here, the position of the substrate S in the vertical direction Z is represented by the position of the geometric center of gravity of the end surface Se. In the state where the position of the virtual plane V21 and the position of the substrate S match in the vertical direction Z, the first main The distance between the surface Sm1 and the virtual plane V21 is equal to the distance between the second main surface Sm2 and the virtual plane V21.

  With the height of the substrate S thus adjusted, the driving table 42 receives the driving force of the driving unit 5 and moves in the movement direction X toward the blanket 23. As a result, a biting operation for causing the end surface Se of the substrate S to bite into the blanket 23 in the movement direction X is performed. In this biting operation, the end surface Se of the substrate S bites into the blanket 23 after contacting the blanket 23 at the contact position Lc. Further, the end surface 411 e of each side support member 411 provided flush with the end surface Se of the substrate S also touches the blanket 23 and then bites into the blanket 23. Further, the rear support member 412 supports the substrate S against a reaction from the blanket 23 caused by the biting operation.

  At this time, prior to the end surface Se of the substrate S coming into contact with the blanket 23, the rotation angle of the transfer member 2 is adjusted in the rotation direction Dc around the rotation shaft 21, and the transfer pattern T is in contact with the contact position Lc. Aligned. As a result, the transfer pattern T is transferred to the end surface Se of the substrate S that has bitten into the blanket 23. Thus, a conductive pattern is printed on the substrate S. The details of the conductive pattern printing method will be described later.

In addition, the printing apparatus 1 includes a controller 9 that controls the transfer member 2, the ink attachment unit 3, the substrate holding unit 4, and the driving unit 5. The controller 9 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a RAM (Random Access).
It is a computer having a processor constituted by a memory) and a storage device constituted by a hard disk drive (HDD). The above-described filling of the conductive ink into the plate B, the adhesion to the blanket 23 and the transfer to the substrate S are executed based on the control of the controller 9.

  Furthermore, the printing apparatus 1 is provided with alignment cameras 61 and 62. The alignment camera 61 images the position of the conductive ink attached to the blanket 23, and the alignment camera 62 images the position of the conductive ink transferred to the substrate S. Then, the positional deviation of the conductive ink before and after the transfer to the substrate S is obtained from the imaging results of the alignment cameras 61 and 62. Such a positional shift corresponds to a positional shift between the conductive ink on the blanket 23 and the substrate S held by the substrate holding unit 4, and the transfer position of the conductive ink onto the substrate S is adjusted based on this positional shift. Thus, the conductive ink can be transferred to the target position of the substrate S.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a method for acquiring the displacement of the conductive ink. The flowchart of FIG. 9 is executed based on the control of the controller 9. First, the ink adhering portion 3 forms a predetermined alignment pattern made of conductive ink on the blanket 23 (step S101). Such an alignment pattern is constituted by one line extending in the rotation direction Dc along the peripheral surface of the blanket 23, for example. However, the shape of the alignment pattern is not limited to this. Then, the alignment camera 61 images the alignment pattern on the blanket 23, that is, the alignment pattern before transfer (step S102), and the controller 9 determines the alignment pattern before transfer in the width direction Y based on the imaging result of the alignment camera 61. The position is calculated (step S103).

  Subsequently, the biting operation is performed, and the alignment pattern is transferred from the blanket 23 to the end surface Se of the substrate S (step S104). Then, the alignment camera 62 images the alignment pattern on the substrate S, that is, the alignment pattern after transfer (step S105), and the controller 9 moves the alignment pattern in the width direction Y after the transfer based on the imaging result of the alignment camera 62. The position is calculated (step S106). Further, the controller 9 calculates a positional deviation ΔY between the position calculated in step S103 and the position calculated in step S106, and stores this (step S107).

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a first example of a conductive pattern printing method, FIG. 5 is a perspective view schematically showing an example of an operation executed according to the flowchart of FIG. 4, and FIG. 6 is a flowchart of FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view schematically showing the biting operation performed in FIG. 7, and FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view schematically showing the conductive pattern printed by the flowchart of FIG.

  The conductive pattern printing method of FIG. 4 is executed based on the control of the controller 9. In step S <b> 201, the ink transfer portion 3 forms an end transfer pattern Te made of conductive ink on the blanket 23. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the end transfer pattern Te is composed of a plurality of lines arranged in the width direction Y, and each line extends in the rotation direction Dc along the peripheral surface of the blanket 23 and is orthogonal to the width direction Y.

  In step S202, the alignment camera 61 images the end transfer pattern Te on the blanket 23, that is, the end transfer pattern Te before transfer, and the controller 9 calculates the position of the end transfer pattern Te in the width direction Y. . In step S203, the drive table 42 adjusts the position of the substrate S in the width direction Y based on the positional deviation ΔY acquired by the positional deviation acquisition method of FIG. 3 and the position of the edge transfer pattern Te calculated in step S202. (alignment). As a result, the position where the end transfer pattern Te is transferred to the substrate S can be matched with a predetermined target position in the width direction Y. It should be noted that if steps S202 and S203 are performed on the substrate S on which printing is performed first, the steps S202 and S203 can be omitted on the substrate S on which printing is performed after the second time.

  In step S204, the controller 9 adjusts the rotation angle of the transfer member 2 in the rotation direction Dc, thereby positioning the end transfer pattern Te on the blanket 23 at the contact position Lc. As a result, the end transfer pattern Te and the end surface Se of the substrate S face each other in the movement direction X as shown in the column of step S204 in FIG.

  In step S205, the biting operation is executed, and the end surface Se of the substrate S bites into the blanket 23 at the contact position Lc, and at the same time, the end surface 411e of each side support member 411 bites into the blanket 23 at both sides of the contact position Lc. In this biting operation, the biting amount of the end surface Se of the substrate S with respect to the blanket 23 is controlled to the state shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the biting amount Δ23 is an amount by which the outer peripheral surface of the blanket 23 is recessed in the movement direction X due to elastic deformation accompanying the biting operation. The biting amount Δ23 is determined by the position of the end surface Se when the end surface Se first contacts the blanket 23 as the end surface Se moves in the movement direction X, and when the end surface Se most bites into the blanket 23 (when the biting operation is completed). This is the distance in the movement direction X from the position of the end face Se. In the biting operation in step S205, the biting amount Δ23 is adjusted so that the elastically deformed blanket 23 does not contact the first main surface Sm1 and the second main surface Sm2 of the substrate S.

  By this biting operation, the conductive ink is transferred from the blanket 23 to the end surface Se of the substrate S. Further, the conductive ink is also transferred to the first main surface Sm1 and the second main surface Sm2 of the substrate S. That is, since the pattern of the conductive ink formed on the blanket 23 has a certain thickness, the end surface Se of the substrate S comes into contact with the blanket 23 on both sides (upper and lower sides in FIG. 6) of the end surface Se. The conductive ink on the blanket 23 is transferred in contact with both main surfaces Sm1, Sm2. Alternatively, as the end surface Se of the substrate S bites into the blanket 23, a part of the conductive ink sandwiched between the end surface Se of the substrate S and the blanket 23 is pushed and transferred to both the main surfaces Sm1 and Sm2. Is done. Thus, as shown in FIG. 7, the end transfer pattern is formed on the end transfer region Re formed by the end surface Se of the substrate S and a part (main surface end transfer region Rem) on both main surfaces Sm1 and Sm2. Edge transfer for transferring Te is performed.

  That is, the end portion transfer region Re includes a main surface end portion transfer region Rem extending in the movement direction X from the end surface Se on each of the first main surface Sm1 and the second main surface Sm2. Then, the end transfer pattern Te transferred to the end transfer region Re by the end transfer is transferred from the main surface end transfer region Rem on the first main surface Sm1 to the main surface end transfer region on the second main surface Sm2. It extends to Rem through the end face Se. This end transfer pattern Te functions as a conductive pattern Pc that electrically connects the first main surface Sm1 and the second main surface Sm2.

  When the transfer of the end portion transfer pattern Te is thus completed, the end surface Se of the substrate S is separated from the blanket 23 in the movement direction X as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 (step S206). Incidentally, in step S201, a margin with respect to the end transfer pattern Te is provided in the rotation direction Dc, and the conductive ink is adhered to the blanket 23. Therefore, as shown in the column “S206” in FIG. 5, the conductive ink remains on the blanket 23 after the end portion transfer pattern Te is peeled off.

  As described above, in the first example of the present embodiment, the edge transfer is performed by performing the biting operation once. In this end portion transfer, the conductive ink is transferred to the main surface end portion transfer region Rem extending in the movement direction X from the end surface Se end surface of both the main surfaces Sm1 and Sm2 of the substrate S and the end portion transfer region Re including the end surface Se. Thus, the conductive pattern Pc extending from one of the main surfaces Sm1 and Sm2 of the substrate S to the other through the end surface Se is printed on the substrate S. At this time, in the end portion transfer, the biting amount Δ23 of the end surface Se with respect to the blanket 23 is controlled so that the blanket 23 does not contact both the main surfaces Sm1 and Sm2 due to elastic deformation. That is, when the blanket 23 is pressed near the end surfaces Se of both the main surfaces Sm1 and Sm2 of the substrate S, the conductive ink is suppressed from being pushed out. As a result, it is possible to print the conductive pattern Pc that reaches from one of the main surfaces Sm1 and Sm2 of the substrate S to the other through the end surface Se.

  The first example of the present embodiment also has the following advantages. That is, the conductive pattern Pc that connects both the main surfaces Sm1 and Sm2 through the end surface Se of the substrate S is printed by the biting operation (step S205) that bites the end surface Se of the substrate S into the blanket 23 to which the conductive ink is attached. Is done. Therefore, it is not necessary to form physical holes such as through holes in the substrate S. As a result, both main surfaces of the substrate S are maintained while maintaining the strength of the substrate S and suppressing an increase in required time and cost. It is possible to realize electrical connection between Sm1 and Sm2.

  By the way, the conductive pattern Pc extending from one of the main surfaces Sm1 and Sm2 of the substrate S to the other through the end surface Se is formed by using a dispenser with a conductive material without using printing using the above-described biting operation. It can also be performed by applying to the substrate S. However, in order to accurately move the dispenser with respect to the substrate S according to the shape of the conductive pattern Pc, it is necessary to highly control the positional relationship between the dispenser and the substrate S in a three-dimensional manner. Moreover, high cost is required for producing a dispenser having a nozzle suitable for the shape of the conductive pattern. On the other hand, in this embodiment, since position control and preparation of a dispenser are not required, it is advantageous compared with the case where a dispenser is used.

  In addition, a side support member 411 that is in contact with the substrate S from the width direction Y while being flush with the end surface Se of the substrate S held by the substrate holding unit 4 is provided. In the biting operation, the end surface Se and the side support member 411 bite into the blanket 23. In such a configuration, the side support member 411 suppresses a phenomenon in which the blanket 23 flows to the side of the end surface Se in the width direction Y and the transfer position of the conductive ink shifts at the periphery of the end surface Se in the width direction Y. The Therefore, the conductive ink can be appropriately transferred to the periphery of the edge in the width direction Y of the end surface Se of the substrate S.

  Further, the side support members 411 are arranged on both sides in the width direction Y of the substrate S held by the substrate holding unit 4. Thereby, the conductive ink can be appropriately transferred to the periphery of both edges of the end surface Se of the substrate S.

  In step S205, the rear support member 412 supports the substrate S from the side opposite to the moving direction X of the end surface Se of the substrate S. In such a configuration, the substrate S can be firmly supported by the rear support member 412 against the reaction from the blanket 23 caused by the biting operation. As a result, the ink can be satisfactorily transferred to the substrate S.

  The conductive ink is a solvent-based ink, and the blanket 23 can be made of silicone rubber. In this configuration, since the silicone rubber blanket 23 tends to repel the conductive ink which is solvent-based ink, the conductive ink can be reliably transferred from the blanket 23 to the substrate S by the biting operation. Further, when the blanket 23 is made of silicone rubber, particles adhering to the substrate S tend to be captured by the blanket 23. Therefore, the particles can be removed from the substrate S along with the biting operation.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a second example of the conductive pattern printing method, FIG. 9 is a partial sectional view schematically showing a biting operation executed in the flowchart of FIG. 8, and FIG. 10 is a flowchart of FIG. It is a fragmentary sectional view which shows typically the electroconductive pattern printed by this. In the following, differences from the above embodiment will be mainly described, and common points will be denoted by corresponding reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate. However, it goes without saying that the same effect can be obtained by providing the configuration common to the above embodiment.

  The conductive pattern printing method of FIG. 8 is executed under the control of the controller 9. In this printing method, the above-described end portion transfer and main surface transfer are executed in combination. Here, the main surface transfer is performed by bringing the blanket 23 elastically deformed by the biting operation to bite the end surface Se into the blanket 23 with a larger biting amount Δ23 than the end portion transfer, and contacting both the main surfaces Sm1 and Sm2. This is an operation of transferring the property ink to both the main surfaces Sm1 and Sm2. By using such main surface transfer in combination, even if the length of the conductive pattern Pc on both main surfaces Sm1 and Sm2 is insufficient only by end transfer, this shortage can be compensated.

  In step S301, the required number Nx of main surface transfer is set. The necessary number Nx may be set by an input operation to the controller 9 by the user, or may be automatically set by the controller 9. In the latter case, the controller 9 can set the number of times Nx necessary for printing the conductive pattern Pc according to the calculation result. Here, for example, it is assumed that the number of times Nx is set to two. Accordingly, by executing the subsequent steps, two main surface transfers and one end surface transfer are sequentially performed.

  In step S302, the first main surface transfer pattern Tm1, the second main surface transfer pattern Tm2, and the end transfer pattern Te are formed on the blanket 23 with conductive ink. The transfer patterns Tm1, Tm2, and Te are formed at different positions on the blanket 23 in the rotation direction Dc. These transfer patterns Tm1, Tm2, and Te include a plurality of lines arranged in the width direction Y, similarly to the above-described end transfer pattern Te.

  In step S303, the alignment camera 61 images at least one of the transfer patterns Tm1, Tm2, and Te before transfer. In step S304, the position of the substrate S is adjusted in the width direction Y based on the imaging result (alignment). Details of Steps S303 and S304 are the same as Steps S202 and S203 described above, and are therefore omitted.

  In step S305, the number N of executions of main surface transfer is set to zero, and in step S306, the number N of executions is incremented (increased once). In step S307, the controller 9 adjusts the rotation angle of the transfer member 2 in the rotation direction Dc, so that the Nth (first) main surface transfer pattern Tm1 with respect to the contact position Lc, in other words, the substrate. Alignment with the end surface Se of S is performed.

  In step S308, the main surface transfer is executed by the biting operation, and the end surface Se of the substrate S bites into the blanket 23 at the contact position Lc, and at the same time, the end surfaces 411e of the respective side support members 411 enter the blanket 23 on both sides of the contact position Lc. Bite. In this biting operation, the biting amount of the end surface Se of the substrate S with respect to the blanket 23 is controlled to the state shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the amount of biting Δ23 in the main surface transfer in step S308 is larger than the amount of biting Δ23 in the end transfer described above, and the elastically deformed blanket 23 is The surfaces Sm1 and Sm2 are contacted. In such a biting operation, the conductive ink sandwiched between the blanket 23 and the two main surfaces Sm1 and Sm2 in the contact range C is pushed out in the movement direction X, and both the outer side of the contact range C with respect to the blanket 23. It adheres to main surfaces Sm1 and Sm2. As a result, as shown in FIG. 10, the conductive ink selectively adheres to the main surface transfer region Rm1 away from the end surface Se in the movement direction X on both main surfaces Sm1 and Sm2, and the main surface transfer pattern Tm1 is transferred. Is done.

  As described above, in the biting operation in step S308, main surface transfer is performed in which the elastically deformed blanket 23 is brought into contact with both main surfaces Sm1 and Sm2 to transfer the conductive ink to both main surfaces Sm1 and Sm2. In this main surface transfer, as the amount of biting of the end surface Se into the blanket 23 increases, the main surface transfer region Rm1 to which the conductive ink is transferred moves away from the end surface Se in the movement direction X. Therefore, the amount of biting Δ23 in the main surface transfer is adjusted according to the length of the conductive pattern Pc to be printed on both the main surfaces Sm1 and Sm2.

  Incidentally, in the main surface transfer, the conductive ink adheres to the main surface transfer region Rm1 away from the end surface Se in the movement direction X in each of the main surfaces Sm1 and Sm2, and the main surface transfer pattern Tm1 is transferred. That is, the main surface transfer pattern Tm1 is composed of conductive ink that is separated at two locations. Therefore, the main surface transfer pattern Tm1 formed on the blanket 23 in the above-described step S302 may be composed of conductive ink separated in two places in the rotation direction Dc. In this case, the alignment in step S307 can be executed by adjusting the rotation angle of the transfer member 2 so that the contact position Lc is positioned at the center of the two conductive inks. However, in step S302, the main surface transfer pattern Tm1 may of course be formed on the blanket 23 by using a linear continuous conductive ink.

  When the first main surface transfer in step S308 is completed, the controller 9 moves the end surface Se of the substrate S away from the blanket 23 in the movement direction X (step S309), and the number of executions N of the main surface is the required number Nx ( = 2) is determined (step S310). Here, since the number of executions N (= 1) is less than the required number of times Nx, “NO” is determined in step S310, the process returns to step S306, and the number of executions N is incremented (increased once). Step S307 is executed.

  In step S307, the controller 9 adjusts the rotation angle of the transfer member 2 in the rotation direction Dc, so that the Nth (second) main surface transfer pattern Tm2 with respect to the contact position Lc, in other words, the substrate S Alignment with the end surface Se is performed. In step S308, the second main surface transfer is executed. The amount Δ23 of the second main surface transfer is smaller than the amount Δ23 of the first main surface transfer. As a result, as shown in FIG. 10, the main surface transfer region Rm2 in which the conductive ink adheres to both main surfaces Sm1 and Sm2 in the second main surface transfer is the main surface transfer region Rm1 in the first main surface transfer. Is closer to the end face Se. Thus, the main surface transfer pattern Tm2 is transferred to the main surface transfer region Rm2 adjacent to the main surface transfer region Rm1 on both main surfaces Sm1 and Sm2, and the main surface transfer patterns Tm1 and Tm2 are connected in the movement direction X.

  Incidentally, the main surface transfer pattern Tm2 is also transferred to the main surface transfer region Rm2 away from the end surface Se in the movement direction X, similarly to the main surface transfer pattern Tm1. Therefore, the formation of the main surface transfer pattern Tm2 in step S302 and the alignment of the main surface transfer pattern Tm2 in step S307 can be performed in the same manner as the operation described above for the main surface transfer pattern Tm1.

  When the second main surface transfer in step S308 is completed, the controller 9 moves the end surface Se of the substrate S away from the blanket 23 in the movement direction X (step S309), and the number of executions N of the main surface is the required number Nx ( = 2) is determined (step S310). Here, since the number of executions N (= 2) is equal to the required number of times Nx, “YES” is determined in the step S310, and the process proceeds to a step S311.

  In steps S311 to S313, operations similar to those in steps S204 to S206 described above are executed. As a result, the end transfer pattern Te is transferred to the end transfer region Re adjacent to the main surface transfer region Rm2 of both the main surfaces Sm1 and Sm2, and the main surface transfer patterns Tm1 and Tm2 and the ends of the main surfaces Sm1 and Sm2 respectively. The partial transfer pattern Te is connected. In this way, the conductive pattern Pc connecting the main surface transfer patterns Tm1, Tm2 and the end transfer pattern Te, in other words, the conductivity that continues from one of the main surfaces Sm1, Sm2 of the substrate S to the other through the end surface Se. A pattern Pc is printed on the substrate S.

  As described above, also in the second example of the present embodiment, in the end portion transfer, the biting amount Δ23 of the end surface Se with respect to the blanket 23 is controlled so that the blanket 23 does not contact both the main surfaces Sm1 and Sm2 due to elastic deformation. Has been. Therefore, it is possible to print the conductive pattern Pc that reaches from one of the main surfaces Sm1 and Sm2 of the substrate S to the other through the end surface Se.

  Further, in this second example, the blanket 23 elastically deformed by the biting operation (step S308) for biting the end surface Se into the blanket 23 with a larger biting amount than the end transfer contacts both the main surfaces Sm1 and Sm2. Thus, main surface transfer for transferring the conductive ink to both main surfaces Sm1 and Sm2 is executed. Then, the conductive ink transferred by the main surface transfer (main surface transfer patterns Tm1, Tm2) and the conductive ink transferred by the end transfer (end transfer pattern Te) are connected. In such a configuration, even if the length of the conductive ink (end transfer pattern Te) that can be transferred to both main surfaces Sm1 and Sm2 by end transfer is insufficient with respect to the required conductive pattern Pc, The shortage can be compensated for by surface transfer.

  Incidentally, in the main surface transfer, the main surface transfer regions Rm1 and Rm2 to which the conductive ink is transferred are moved away from the end surface Se in the moving direction X as the amount of penetration Δ23 of the end surface Se into the blanket 23 increases. Therefore, the controller 9 executes a plurality of main surface transfers while changing the amount of biting Δ23 (step S308), and the respective conductive inks (main surface transfer patterns Tm1, Tm2) transferred by the plurality of main surface transfers. Connection is made on the surfaces Sm1 and Sm2. In such a configuration, it is possible to sufficiently secure the length of the conductive ink transferred to both the main surfaces Sm1 and Sm2 by executing a plurality of main surface transfers.

  Incidentally, when performing a plurality of main surface transfers, the blanket 23 in which the end surface Se of the substrate S bites into the conductive ink transferred to the both main surfaces Sm1 and Sm2 in the previous main surface transfer comes into contact. Then, this conductive ink may be affected. Therefore, the controller 9 executes in order from the main surface transfer in which the bite amount Δ23 of the end surface Se into the blanket 23 is large. As a result, the subsequent main surface transfer can be executed while suppressing the influence on the conductive ink transferred by the previous main surface transfer.

  Further, if the end transfer is performed prior to the main surface transfer, the blanket 23 into which the end surface Se of the substrate S bites by the main surface transfer may affect the conductive ink transferred by the end transfer. In order to prevent this, the controller 9 executes the end portion transfer after completing the main surface transfer.

  Further, the ink attaching unit 3 attaches the conductive ink to be transferred at different positions in the rotation direction Dc by different biting operations (step S302). The controller 9 adjusts the rotation angle of the transfer member 2 to align the conductive ink to be transferred with the biting operation with respect to the substrate S (steps S307 and S311), and then executes the biting operation (step S307). Steps S308 and S312). As a result, the conductive ink to be transferred is transferred to the substrate S in each of different biting operations. In such a configuration, the conductive ink to be transferred in each biting operation is aligned with the end surface Se of the substrate S and transferred to the substrate S accurately by a simple operation such as rotating the transfer member 2. Can do.

  FIG. 11 is a front view schematically showing a modification of the printing apparatus according to the present invention. This modified example is different from the above example in that it further includes a cleaning roller 71 and a static eliminator 72, and the other points are common to the above example.

  The cleaning roller 71 abuts on the outer peripheral surface of the blanket 23 while being supported by the printing apparatus 1 so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis parallel to the rotation axis 21, and rotates following the rotation of the blanket 23. The outer peripheral surface of the cleaning roller 71 has an adhesive force, and captures deposits on the outer peripheral surface of the blanket 23. In particular, the controller 9 moves a region of the blanket 23 that is a target of transfer (end portion transfer, main surface transfer) to the cleaning roller 71. Accordingly, the cleaning roller 71 removes the conductive ink remaining on the blanket 23 after the transfer from the blanket 23.

  The static eliminator 72 is a so-called ionizer, and neutralizes the substrate S held by the substrate holding unit 4. In particular, the controller 9 causes the static eliminator 72 to neutralize the substrate S separated from the blanket 23 by the above-described steps S206, S309, S313, and the like.

  As described above, in this modification, the cleaning roller 71 that removes the conductive ink from the blanket 23 is provided. As a result, unnecessary conductive ink can be removed from the blanket 23 and contamination of the substrate S by the conductive ink can be suppressed.

  Incidentally, the configuration of the cleaning roller 71 can be appropriately changed. For example, a metal roller can be used as the cleaning roller 71. In this case, the conductive ink attached to the cleaning roller 71 may be removed with scissors or the like.

  In addition, a static eliminator 72 is provided to neutralize the substrate S on which the biting operation has been performed. In such a configuration, static electricity generated when the substrate S and the blanket 23 are separated after the biting operation can be removed from the substrate S. Therefore, for example, it is possible to prevent dust from adhering to the substrate S due to static electricity, or electronic components to be mounted later on the substrate S on which the conductive pattern Pc is printed being affected by static electricity.

  FIG. 12 is a front view schematically showing another modification of the printing apparatus according to the present invention. In the above example, the blanket 23 is provided over the entire circumferential direction of the outer peripheral surface of the blanket cylinder 22. However, in another modification of FIG. 12, a blanket 23 is partially provided in the circumferential direction of the blanket cylinder 22.

  That is, two arc-shaped blankets 23 are attached to the outer peripheral surface of the blanket cylinder 22 while being separated from each other. Of the two blankets 23, the other blanket 23 contacts the cleaning roller 71 in a state where one blanket 23 faces the end surface Se of the substrate S from the moving direction X. Therefore, the controller 9 can perform the removal of the conductive ink from the other blanket 23 by the cleaning roller 71 while executing the transfer of the conductive ink to the substrate S by the one blanket 23.

  In the embodiment described above, the printing apparatus 1 corresponds to an example of the “printing apparatus” of the present invention, the transfer member 2 corresponds to an example of the “transfer member” of the present invention, and the rotating shaft 21 corresponds to the “printing apparatus” of the present invention. The blanket cylinder 22 corresponds to an example of the “roller” of the present invention, the blanket 23 corresponds to an example of the “elastic body” of the present invention, and the ink adhering portion 3 corresponds to the “rotary shaft” of the present invention. The substrate holding unit 4 corresponds to an example of the “medium holding unit” of the present invention, the driving unit 5 corresponds to an example of the “driving unit” of the present invention, and the controller 9 corresponds to the present example. Steps S205 and S312 correspond to an example of “end transfer” of the present invention, and step S308 corresponds to an example of “main surface transfer” of the present invention. The transfer area Re corresponds to an example of the “end transfer area” of the present invention, and the main surface end transfer The area Rem corresponds to an example of the “main surface end portion transfer region” of the present invention, the biting amount Δ23 corresponds to an example of the “biting amount” of the present invention, and the cleaning roller 71 corresponds to an example of the “cleaner” of the present invention. The static eliminator 72 corresponds to an example of the “static eliminator” of the present invention, the substrate S corresponds to an example of the “printed medium” of the present invention, and the conductive pattern Pc is an example of the “pattern” of the present invention. The rear support member 412 corresponds to an example of the “support member” of the present invention, step S201 or step S302 corresponds to an example of the “attachment step” of the present invention, and step S205 or steps S308, S312 This corresponds to an example of the “transfer process” of the invention.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications other than those described above can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Therefore, changes as exemplified below may be added as appropriate.

  FIG. 13 is a partial sectional view schematically showing a conductive pattern printed by a modification of the conductive pattern printing method. In this modification, in the conductive pattern printing method of FIG. 8, the transfer is executed a plurality of times (twice) for each of the main surface transfer region Rm1, the main surface transfer region Rm2, and the end transfer region Re. As a result, in the main surface transfer region Rm1, two layers of conductive ink (main surface transfer pattern Tm1) are superimposed, and in the main surface transfer region Rm2, two layers of conductive ink (main surface transfer pattern Tm2) are overlapped. In the end transfer pattern Te, two layers of conductive ink (end transfer pattern Te) are overlaid. And these are connected and the electroconductive pattern Pc is comprised.

  In this way, the controller 9 performs overlapping main surface transfer (overlapping transfer) in which conductive inks transferred by a plurality of main surface transfers are overlapped, and the conductive ink transferred by the overlapping main surface transfer and end transfer The conductive ink transferred by the step is connected. With such a configuration, it is possible to secure the thickness of the conductive ink on both main surfaces Sm1 and Sm2 of the substrate S and obtain the conductive pattern Pc having good electrical characteristics.

  Further, the controller 9 executes the duplicate transfer a plurality of times while changing the amount of biting Δ23. Thereby, it is possible to sufficiently secure the length of the conductive ink transferred to both the main surfaces Sm1 and Sm2.

  In addition, the controller 9 performs overlapping end transfer to superimpose conductive ink transferred by a plurality of end transfers, and the conductive ink transferred by overlapping end transfer and the conductivity transferred by main surface transfer. Connect the ink. With such a configuration, it is possible to secure the thickness of the conductive ink on the edge transfer region Re of the substrate S and obtain the conductive pattern Pc having good electrical characteristics.

  FIG. 14 is a partial front view schematically showing a modification of the operation that can be executed by the printing apparatus. In the same figure, three positions Lo, Lu and Ld of the substrate S are shown. The position Lo coincides with the position of the virtual plane V21 and corresponds to the position of the substrate S shown in the above example. On the other hand, the positions Lu and Ld deviate from the virtual plane V21 in the normal direction of the virtual plane V21. The drive table 42 can selectively position the substrate S at one of the positions Lo, Lu, and Ld.

  By performing the transfer while the substrate S is positioned at the position Lo, it is possible to print the conductive pattern Pc having the same length in the movement direction X on both the main surfaces Sm1 and Sm2, as in the above example. On the other hand, when the transfer is executed while the substrate S is positioned at the position Lu, the length of the two main surfaces Sm1, Sm2 on the second main surface Sm2 closer to the virtual plane V21 is farther from the virtual plane V21. The conductive pattern Pc longer than the length of the first main surface Sm1 can be printed. Alternatively, when the transfer is performed while the substrate S is positioned at the position Ld, the length of the first main surface Sm1 closer to the virtual plane V21 out of the two main surfaces Sm1 and Sm2 is far from the virtual plane V21. The conductive pattern Pc longer than the length on the second main surface Sm2 can be printed.

  As described above, the controller 9 adjusts the position of the substrate S held by the substrate holding unit 4 with respect to the transfer member 2 and removes the position of the substrate S from the virtual plane V <b> 21. The lengths in the movement direction X of the portion existing on one of the two main surfaces Sm1 and Sm2 and the portion existing on the other of the two main surfaces Sm1 and Sm2 are made different. In such a configuration, by a simple operation of adjusting the position of the substrate S with respect to the transfer member 2, the conductive pattern Pc includes a portion existing on one of the main surfaces Sm1 and Sm2 and a portion existing on the other. The length in the moving direction X can be varied.

  The adjustment of the position of the substrate S with respect to the transfer member 2 may be performed by a configuration in which the transfer member 2 is moved, instead of the configuration in which the substrate S is moved by the substrate holding unit 4. Alternatively, these configurations may be executed in combination.

  Incidentally, the method of making the lengths of the conductive patterns Pc on both the main surfaces Sm1 and Sm2 different is of course not limited to the example of FIG. That is, by adjusting the position of the transfer pattern according to the rotation angle of the transfer member 2 with the substrate S positioned at the position Lo, the length of the conductive ink transferred to the first main surface Sm1 and the second main ink are transferred. The length of the conductive ink transferred to the surface Sm2 can be made different. Alternatively, the lengths of the conductive patterns Pc on the main surfaces Sm1 and Sm2 are made different while using both the position adjustment of the substrate S with respect to the transfer member 2 and the position adjustment of the transfer pattern by the rotation angle of the transfer member 2. Also good.

  By the way, the conductive pattern Pc printed on the substrate S as in the above example is fixed to the substrate S through baking. Therefore, after the substrate S is baked, the above-described printing apparatus 1 can be used as in the following example. In this example, when the baked substrate S is set on the substrate holding unit 4, the controller 9 performs a biting operation. Then, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, the blanket 23 is pressed against the concavo-convex shape of the surface of the conductive ink (that is, the conductive pattern Pc) transferred to the substrate S by the main surface transfer and the end portion transfer. Level. Thereby, the thickness of the conductive ink on both main surfaces Sm1 and Sm2 of the substrate S can be made uniform, and the conductive pattern Pc having good electrical characteristics can be obtained.

  Further, the order of executing the main surface transfer and the end portion transfer is not limited to the example of FIG. That is, when baking is performed for each transfer, the main surface transfer may be performed after the end portion transfer, or a plurality of main surface transfers may be performed in order from the main surface transfer with the smallest biting amount Δ23.

  In step S302 in FIG. 8, the transfer patterns Tm1, Tm2, and Te are formed on the blanket 23 at a time. However, before performing the transfer by each biting operation, a transfer pattern to be transferred by the biting operation may be formed on the blanket 23.

  Further, the configuration of the blanket 23 can be changed as appropriate. Therefore, the thickness of the blanket 23 may be designed according to the maximum value of the amount of biting Δ23 in the biting operation performed in printing the conductive pattern Pc. Specifically, the thickness of the blanket 23 may be designed to be larger than the maximum value of the biting amount Δ23, more preferably 5 times or more of the maximum value.

  Further, the transfer member 2 does not need to have the roller shape as described above, and may have a flat plate shape, for example.

  Further, the biting operation may be performed not by moving the substrate S but by moving the transfer member 2. Alternatively, the biting operation may be executed using both the movement of the substrate S and the movement of the transfer member 2.

  Further, the method of attaching the conductive ink to the blanket 23 can be changed as appropriate. Therefore, for example, the conductive ink may be attached to the blanket 23 by discharging the conductive ink by an inkjet method.

  Various specific dimensions and shapes of the conductive pattern Pc to be printed are also conceivable. For example, according to the above printing method, it is also possible to print the conductive pattern Pc in which a plurality of wirings are arranged at a pitch of 100 μm or less. Further, in the above example, the case where the conductive pattern Pc configured by a straight line (wiring) extending in parallel with the moving direction X on both the main surfaces Sm1 and Sm2 is printed is illustrated. However, it is also possible to print the conductive pattern Pc constituted by a straight line (wiring) extending obliquely with respect to the moving direction X.

  3, the conductive ink formed on the blanket 23 was imaged for the positional deviation between the conductive ink before transfer to the substrate S and the substrate S held by the substrate holding unit 4. Based on the results. However, based on the result of imaging the alignment mark on the plate B by the alignment camera 61, the positional deviation may be obtained.

  Further, the specific composition of the conductive ink and the blanket 23 is not limited to the above example. Accordingly, conductive ink other than solvent-based ink may be used, or a material different from silicone rubber may be used for the blanket 23.

  The print medium is not limited to the display substrate S. Therefore, even when performing decorative printing on a printing medium such as a container different from the substrate S, printing can be performed in the same manner as described above. In particular, the above-described embodiment is extremely suitable for performing decorative printing on an end portion of a printing medium having the same shape as the substrate S described above, that is, a flat plate shape. Moreover, the ink used for decorative printing need not be a conductive ink.

Experimental Results Next, experimental results related to the above embodiment will be described. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing experimental results for determining the relationship between the biting amount Δ23 and the transfer pattern T. FIG. In the figure, experimental results are shown for each of the biting amounts Δ23 of 100 μm, 300 μm, 500 μm, and 700 μm. As shown in the figure, as the amount of biting Δ23 increases, the end opposite to the end face Se of the transfer pattern T (the lower end in the figure) moves away from the end face Se. When the amount of biting Δ23 is small (100 μm, 300 μm), the transfer pattern T extends from the end surface Se in the movement direction X without leaving a gap with the end surface Se. On the other hand, when the amount of biting Δ23 is large (500 μm and 700 μm), it can be confirmed that the transfer pattern T is separated from the end surface Se with a gap between the end surface Se. As described above, the conductive ink sandwiched between the blanket 23 and both main surfaces Sm1 and Sm2 of the substrate S is pushed out in the moving direction X, and on the main surfaces Sm1 and Sm2 outside the blanket 23. By adhering.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram showing experimental results comparing transfer patterns between the center and the left end when the side support member is not provided. From the figure, the transfer pattern T at the center in the width direction Y extends straight with respect to the movement direction X, while the transfer pattern T at the left end in the width direction Y tilts to the left as it moves away from the end surface Se. Can be confirmed. On the other hand, when the side support member 411 is provided as described above, the inclination in the width direction Y can be suppressed.

  The present invention can be suitably used to realize electrical connection between both main surfaces of a substrate for a liquid crystal display. However, the application target of the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can also be used to realize electrical connection between both main surfaces of a substrate other than the substrate for a liquid crystal display. Furthermore, it can be used for decorative printing on a printing medium such as a container different from the substrate.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Printing apparatus 2 ... Transfer member 21 ... Rotating shaft 22 ... Blanket cylinder (roller)
23 ... Blanket (elastic body)
3 ... Ink adhesion part 4 ... Substrate holding part (medium holding part)
5 ... Drive unit 71 ... Cleaning roller (cleaner)
72 ... Static eliminator 9 ... Controller (control unit)
Δ23: Biting amount S205, S312 ... End transfer S308 ... Main surface transfer Pc ... Conductive pattern Re ... End transfer region Rem ... Main surface end transfer region S ... Substrate (print medium)

Claims (34)

A transfer member having an elastic body;
An ink adhering portion for adhering ink to the elastic body;
A medium holding unit for holding a printing medium;
A drive unit that moves the printing medium held in the medium holding unit relative to the transfer member in a moving direction;
The ink is transferred from the elastic body to the print medium by performing a biting operation that causes the end face of the print medium to bite into the elastic body in the moving direction, thereby transferring the ink to the print medium. A controller that prints a pattern extending from one of the two main surfaces to the other through the end surface on the print medium;
The controller performs the biting operation once to transfer the ink to the main surface end transfer region extending in the moving direction from the end surface and the end transfer region including the end surface on both the main surfaces. A printing apparatus that executes end transfer and controls an amount of biting of the end surface with respect to the elastic body so that the elastic body does not come into contact with both main surfaces due to elastic deformation in the end transfer.   The control unit brings the ink into contact with the two main surfaces by causing the elastic body elastically deformed by the biting operation to cause the elastic body to bite the end surface with a larger amount of biting than the end transfer. 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein main surface transfer is performed to transfer to both the main surfaces, and the ink transferred by the main surface transfer is connected to the ink transferred by the end portion transfer. In the main surface transfer, as the amount of biting into the elastic body of the end surface increases, the region to which the ink is transferred is separated from the end surface in the moving direction,
3. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control unit executes a plurality of the main surface transfers while changing the amount of biting, and connects the ink transferred by the plurality of the main surface transfers on each of the main surfaces. .   The printing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the control unit executes the main surface transfer in order from a large amount of biting into the elastic body of the end surface.   5. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control unit executes the end portion transfer after the main surface transfer is completed. 6.   The control unit performs the biting operation after the ink transferred by the main surface transfer and the end portion transfer is fixed to the printing medium, and changes the surface shape of the ink on the two main surfaces. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 5, which is leveled.   The control unit performs overlapping transfer to superimpose the ink transferred by the plurality of main surface transfers, and connects the ink transferred by the overlapping transfer and the ink transferred by the end transfer. The printing apparatus according to claim 2.   8. The transfer member according to claim 1, wherein the transfer member further includes a roller that rotates in a rotation direction about a rotation axis parallel to the end surface, and the elastic body is provided on a peripheral surface of the roller. The printing apparatus as described. The ink adhering unit adheres the ink to be transferred by different biting operations to different positions in the rotation direction,
The control unit performs different biting operations by performing the biting operation after aligning the ink to be transferred by the biting operation with respect to the print medium by adjusting the rotation angle of the roller. The printing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the ink to be transferred is transferred to the printing medium.   The control unit adjusts the position of the printing medium held by the medium holding unit relative to the transfer member, and passes the rotating shaft through a virtual plane parallel to the moving direction. The length in the moving direction of a portion existing on one of the two principal surfaces and a portion existing on the other of the two principal surfaces of the pattern are varied by removing the position of the print medium. The printing apparatus according to 8 or 9.   The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a cleaner that removes the ink from the elastic body. The ink is a solvent-based ink,
The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the elastic body is made of silicone rubber.   The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a static eliminator that neutralizes the printing medium on which the biting operation has been performed. A contact member that contacts the print medium while being flush with the end surface of the print medium held by the medium holding unit;
The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein in the biting operation, the end surface and the contact member bite into the elastic body.   The printing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the contact member is disposed on both sides of the print medium held by the medium holding unit.   The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a support member that supports the print medium from a side opposite to the moving direction of the end surface of the print medium.   The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ink is a conductive ink. An attaching step of attaching ink to the elastic body of the transfer member;
The ink is transferred from the elastic body to the printing medium by performing a biting operation that causes the end face of the printing medium to bite into the elastic body in the moving direction, and from one of the two main surfaces of the printing medium. A transfer step of printing on the printing medium a pattern extending to the other side through the end face,
In the transfer step, the biting operation is performed once, whereby the ink is transferred to the main surface end transfer region extending in the movement direction from the end surface on both the main surfaces and to the end transfer region including the end surface. A printing method for performing end portion transfer and controlling an amount of biting of the end surface with respect to the elastic body so that the elastic body does not come into contact with both the main surfaces due to elastic deformation in the end portion transfer.   In the transfer step, the elastic body, which is elastically deformed by the biting operation that causes the elastic body to bite into the elastic body with a larger amount of biting than the edge transfer, is brought into contact with the two main surfaces to cause the ink to flow. The printing method according to claim 18, wherein main surface transfer is performed to transfer to both the main surfaces, and the ink transferred by the main surface transfer is connected to the ink transferred by the end portion transfer. In the main surface transfer, as the amount of biting into the elastic body of the end surface increases, the region to which the ink is transferred is separated from the end surface in the moving direction,
20. The printing method according to claim 19, wherein, in the transfer step, a plurality of main surface transfers are performed while changing the amount of biting, and the plurality of inks transferred by the main surface transfer are connected to each main surface. .   21. The printing method according to claim 20, wherein in the transfer step, the main surface transfer is performed in order from a large amount of biting of the end surface into the elastic body.   The printing method according to any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein, in the transfer step, the end portion transfer is executed after the main surface transfer is completed.   In the transfer step, the ink transferred by the main surface transfer and the end portion transfer is fixed on the printing medium, and then the biting operation is performed to change the surface shape of the ink on both main surfaces. 23. The printing method according to any one of claims 19 to 22, wherein the leveling is performed.   In the transfer step, overlap transfer is performed to superimpose the ink transferred by the plurality of main surface transfers, and the ink transferred by the overlap transfer is connected to the ink transferred by the end transfer. The printing method according to claim 19.   25. The transfer member according to any one of claims 18 to 24, wherein the transfer member further includes a roller that rotates in a rotation direction about a rotation axis parallel to the end surface, and the elastic body is provided on a peripheral surface of the roller. The printing method described. In the attaching step, the ink to be transferred by different biting operations is attached to different positions in the rotation direction,
In the transfer step, by adjusting the rotation angle of the roller, the biting operation is performed by aligning the ink to be transferred with the biting operation with respect to the printing medium, and then performing the biting operation. 26. The printing method according to claim 25, wherein the ink to be transferred is transferred to the printing medium.   In the transfer step, the position of the print medium is adjusted relative to the transfer member, and the position of the print medium is removed from a virtual plane parallel to the movement direction through the rotation shaft. 27. The printing method according to claim 25 or 26, wherein lengths in the moving direction of a portion existing on one of the two main surfaces and a portion existing on the other of the two main surfaces of the pattern are made different. .   28. The printing method according to claim 18, further comprising a step of removing the ink from the elastic body by a cleaner. The ink is a solvent-based ink,
The printing method according to any one of claims 18 to 28, wherein the elastic body is made of silicone rubber.   30. The printing method according to any one of claims 18 to 29, further comprising a step of neutralizing the printing medium on which the biting operation has been performed by a neutralizer.   The said biting operation | movement WHEREIN: The contact member which contact | connects the said to-be-printed medium while arrange | positioning flush | planar with the said end surface of the said to-be-printed medium, and the said end surface bite into the said elastic body. The printing method described.   32. The printing method according to claim 31, wherein the contact member is disposed on both sides of the printing medium held by the medium holding unit.   The printing method according to any one of claims 18 to 32, wherein, in the transfer step, the printing medium is supported by a support member from a side opposite to the moving direction of the end surface of the printing medium. The printing method according to any one of claims 18 to 33, wherein the ink is a conductive ink.

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