JP2020131488A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

To perform work in a splicing table efficiently.SOLUTION: A printer includes: a transport part which transports a recording medium while applying tension to the recording medium; a print part which prints images to the transported recording medium; a splicing table which is provided at a transport path of the recording medium transported by the transport part and on which the recording medium may be placed; a first operation part which can operate the transport part; and a second transport part which can operate the transport part. The second operation part is disposed near the splicing table.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to a printing apparatus.

Conventionally, for example, as described in Patent Document 1, a roll-to-roll type image recording device is known. The image recording device is provided with a splicing table for the operator to connect the sheets to each other.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2015-54745

In the above image recording device, when the sheets are joined by the splicing table, it is necessary to perform a transport operation such as releasing the tension applied to the sheets and winding the sheets. Here, one operation unit for carrying operation is usually provided in the image recording device. However, if the operation unit is installed at a location away from the splicing table, the operator needs to move to the position of the operation unit each time. Therefore, there is a problem that the work becomes complicated.

The printing apparatus of the present application includes a transport unit that conveys the recording medium while applying tension to the recording medium, a printing unit that prints an image on the conveyed recording medium, and the recording medium conveyed by the transport unit. The second operation unit is provided with a splicing table provided in the transfer path on which the recording medium can be placed, a first operation unit capable of operating the transfer unit, and a second operation unit capable of operating the transfer unit. The operation unit is characterized in that it is arranged in the vicinity of the splicing table.

The second operation unit of the printing apparatus has a function of transporting the recording medium to the downstream side of the recording medium in the transport direction and an upstream of the recording medium in the transport direction of the recording medium. It is preferable to have a function of transporting to the side and a function of adjusting the tension applied to the recording medium.

It is preferable that the second operation unit of the printing device can operate the transport unit by button operation or touch panel operation.

The transport unit of the printing apparatus may have a feeding unit for feeding the recording medium toward the printing unit, and the splicing table may be provided in the transport path between the feeding unit and the printing unit. preferable.

The transport unit of the printing apparatus has a winding unit that winds up the recording medium transported from the printing unit, and the splicing table is provided in the transport path between the printing unit and the winding unit. It is preferable to be provided.

The schematic diagram which shows the structure of the printing apparatus. The external view which shows the structure of the printing apparatus. The external view which shows the structure around the 1st splicing table. The schematic which shows the structure of the 1st splicing table. The external view which shows the structure around the 2nd splicing table. Control block diagram of the printing device.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each of the following figures, in order to make each member or the like recognizable in size, the scale of each member or the like is shown differently from the actual scale.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing the configuration of the printing apparatus 1. FIG. 2 is an external view showing the configuration of the printing apparatus 1. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the XYZ Cartesian coordinate system is displayed in the drawings.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in the printing apparatus 1, a feeding unit 2, a process unit 3 as a printing unit, and a winding unit 4 are arranged. Further, a control unit 200 for controlling each unit is provided. The feeding section 2, the process section 3, and the winding section 4 are housed in a housing 10 which is an exterior member. The feeding section 2 and the winding section 4 have a feeding shaft 20 and a winding shaft 40, respectively. Then, the sheet S as a recording medium is wound around the feeding shaft 20 and the winding shaft 40 in a roll shape. Then, the sheet S is transported from the feeding shaft 20 to the process unit 3 along the transport path Pc, undergoes printing processing by the process unit 3U, and then transported to the take-up shaft 40. The type of sheet S is roughly classified into a paper type and a film type. Specific examples include high-quality paper, cast paper, art paper, coated paper and the like in the paper system, and synthetic paper, PET (Polyethylene terephthalate), PP (polypropylene) and the like in the film system. In the following description, of both sides of the sheet S, the side on which the image is recorded is referred to as a front surface, and the surface on the opposite side is referred to as a back surface.

The feeding portion 2 includes a feeding shaft 20 on which the roll body R on which the sheet S is wound in a roll shape is mounted, and a driven roller 21 around which the sheet S drawn out from the roll body R mounted on the feeding shaft 20 is wound. Has. A feeding motor is connected to the feeding shaft 20, and the feeding shaft 20 rotates as the feeding motor is driven.

Then, as the feeding shaft 20 rotates clockwise on the paper surface of FIG. 1, the sheet S of the roll body R supported by the feeding shaft 20 is fed to the process unit 3 via the driven roller 21. The roll body R has a hollow core tube, and a long sheet S is wound around the core tube. The roll body R is detachably supported by the feeding shaft 20 via a core tube. Therefore, when the sheet S of the roll body R supported by the feeding shaft 20 is used up, the core tube is removed from the feeding shaft 20 and a new core tube of the roll body R is attached to the feeding shaft 20 to roll the roll. It is possible to replace the body R.

The process unit 3 appropriately processes the sheet S fed out from the feeding unit 2 by the process unit 3U arranged along the outer peripheral surface 231a of the rotating drum 30 while supporting the sheet S on the sheet S. Is to be printed. In this process unit 3, front drive rollers 31 and rear drive rollers 32 are provided on both sides of the rotary drum 30, and the sheet S conveyed from the front drive rollers 31 to the rear drive rollers 32 is supported by the rotary drum 30. The image is printed in this state. A front drive motor is connected to the front drive roller 31, and a rear drive motor is connected to the rear drive roller 32. The front drive roller 31 rotates with the drive of the front drive motor, and the rear drive roller 32 rotates with the drive of the rear drive motor.

The front drive roller 31 has a plurality of microprojections formed by thermal spraying on the outer peripheral surface, and winds the sheet S fed out from the feeding portion 2 from the back surface side. Then, the front drive roller 31 rotates clockwise on the paper surface of FIG. 1 to convey the sheet S fed from the feeding portion 2 to the downstream side of the transport path Pc. A nip roller 31n is provided for the front drive roller 31. The nip roller 31n is in contact with the surface of the sheet S in a state of being urged toward the front drive roller 31, and sandwiches the sheet S with the front drive roller 31. As a result, the frictional force between the front drive roller 31 and the seat S is secured, and the seat S can be reliably conveyed by the front drive roller 31.

The rotating drum 30 is a cylindrical drum having a center line parallel to the Y axis. The rotating drum 30 has an outer peripheral member 231. A hollow portion 230 penetrating along the Y axis is formed in the portion partitioned by the outer peripheral member 231. Then, the sheet S is wound around the outer peripheral surface 231a of the outer peripheral member 231 surrounding the hollow portion 230. Further, the rotary drum 30 has a rotary shaft 232 in the hollow portion 230 that extends along the Y axis through its cylindrical center line. The rotary shaft 232 is rotatably supported by a support mechanism (not shown), and the rotary drum 30 rotates about the rotary shaft 232.

A sheet S transported from the front drive roller 31 to the rear drive roller 32 is wound around the outer peripheral surface 231a of the rotary drum 30 from the back surface side. Then, the rotating drum 30 supports the sheet S from the back surface side while receiving a frictional force with the sheet S and rotating in a driven manner in the transport direction Ds of the sheet S. In the process unit 3, driven rollers 33 and 34 for folding back the sheet S are provided on both sides of the winding unit around the rotating drum 30. Of these, the driven roller 33 winds the surface of the sheet S between the front drive roller 31 and the rotating drum 30, and folds the sheet S back. On the other hand, the driven roller 34 winds the surface of the sheet S between the rotating drum 30 and the rear drive roller 32, and folds the sheet S back. In this way, by folding back the sheet S on each of the upstream and downstream sides of the transport direction Ds with respect to the rotating drum 30, it is possible to secure a long winding portion of the sheet S around the rotating drum 30.

The rear drive roller 32 has a plurality of minute protrusions formed by thermal spraying on the outer peripheral surface, and winds the sheet S conveyed from the rotating drum 30 via the driven roller 34 from the back surface side. Then, the rear drive roller 32 rotates clockwise on the paper surface of FIG. 1 to convey the sheet S to the winding unit 4. A nip roller 32n is provided for the rear drive roller 32. The nip roller 32n is in contact with the surface of the sheet S in a state of being urged toward the rear drive roller 32, and sandwiches the sheet S with the rear drive roller 32. As a result, the frictional force between the rear drive roller 32 and the seat S is secured, and the seat S can be reliably conveyed by the rear drive roller 32.

The sheet S conveyed from the front drive roller 31 to the rear drive roller 32 is supported by the outer peripheral surface 231a of the rotary drum 30. Further, in the process unit 3, a process unit 3U is provided in order to print a color image on the surface of the sheet S supported by the rotating drum 30. The process unit 3U has an arc-shaped unit support member 35 along the outer peripheral surface 231a of the rotary drum 30, and the print heads 36a to 36e and the UV irradiators 37a and 37b are supported by the unit support member 35.

The four print heads 36a to 36d arranged in order in the transport direction Ds correspond to yellow, cyan, magenta, and black, and eject ink as a liquid of the corresponding color by an inkjet method from a nozzle. These four print heads 36a to 36d are arranged radially from the rotation shaft 232 of the rotation drum 30 and are arranged along the outer peripheral surface 231a of the rotation drum 30. The print heads 36a to 36d are positioned with respect to the rotary drum 30 by the unit support member 35, and face the rotary drum 30 with a slight clearance from the outer peripheral surface 231a of the rotary drum 30. As a result, each of the print heads 36a to 36d faces the surface of the sheet S wound around the rotating drum 30 with a predetermined platen gap. In this way, with the platen gap defined by the unit support member 35, the print heads 36a to 36d eject the ink, so that the ink lands at a desired position on the surface of the sheet S and a color image is displayed on the surface of the sheet S. It will be printed.

As the ink used in the print heads 36a to 36d, UV (ultraviolet) ink that is cured by irradiating with ultraviolet rays is used. Therefore, in the process unit 3U, UV irradiators 37a and 37b are provided in order to cure the ink and fix it on the sheet S. This ink curing is performed in two stages, temporary curing and main curing. A UV irradiator 37a for temporary curing is arranged between each of the four print heads 36a to 36d. That is, the UV irradiator 37a cures the ink to the extent that the shape of the ink does not collapse by irradiating it with relatively weak ultraviolet rays, and does not completely cure the ink. On the other hand, a UV irradiator 37b for main curing is provided on the downstream side of the transport direction Ds with respect to the four print heads 36a to 36d. That is, the UV irradiator 37b completely cures the ink by irradiating it with ultraviolet rays stronger than the UV irradiator 37a. In this way, the UV irradiators 37a and 37b can fix the color image printed by the plurality of print heads 36a to 36d on the surface of the sheet S.

Further, a print head 36e is provided on the downstream side of the transport direction Ds with respect to the UV irradiator 37b. The print head 36e ejects transparent UV ink from a nozzle by an inkjet method. The print head 36e is positioned with respect to the rotary drum 30 by the unit support member 35, and faces the rotary drum 30 with a slight clearance from the outer peripheral surface 231a of the rotary drum 30. As a result, the print head 36e faces the surface of the sheet S wound around the rotating drum 30 with a predetermined platen gap. In this way, with the platen gap defined by the unit support member 35, the print head 36e ejects ink, so that the ink lands at a desired position on the surface of the sheet S, and the color image of the surface of the sheet S becomes transparent ink. Be covered.

In this way, the print heads 36a to 36e and the UV irradiators 37a and 37b are mounted on the unit support member 35 to form the process unit 3U. The unit support member 35 is bridged along the X axis by two rails 351 extending along the Y axis, and is mounted on the rail 351 together with the print heads 36a to 36e and the UV irradiators 37a and 37b. It is movable along the Y axis. Then, when printing is executed on the sheet S, the unit support member 35 is positioned at the printing position facing the rotating drum 30. On the other hand, when the operator performs maintenance on the print heads 36a to 36e and the UV irradiators 37a and 37b, the unit support member 35 is positioned at a predetermined working position moved in the −Y direction. As a result, the operator can perform maintenance on the print heads 36a to 36e and the UV irradiators 37a and 37b at a work position away from the rotary drum 30.

Further, in the process unit 3, the UV irradiator 38 is provided on the downstream side in the transport direction Ds with respect to the print head 36e. The UV irradiator 38 completely cures the transparent ink ejected by the print head 36e by irradiating it with strong ultraviolet rays. Thereby, the transparent ink covering the color image can be fixed on the surface of the sheet S.

The sheet S on which the color image is printed by the process unit 3 is conveyed to the winding unit 4 by the rear drive roller 32. In addition to the winding shaft 40 around which the end of the sheet S is wound, the winding portion 4 has a driven roller 41 for winding the sheet S from the back surface side between the winding shaft 40 and the rear drive roller 32. A take-up motor is connected to the take-up shaft 40. The take-up shaft 40 rotates with the drive of the take-up motor. The take-up shaft 40 winds and supports the end of the sheet S with the surface of the sheet S facing outward. That is, when the take-up shaft 40 rotates in the clockwise direction on the paper surface of FIG. 1, the sheet S conveyed from the rear drive roller 32 is taken up by the take-up shaft 40 via the driven roller 41. The sheet S is wound around the winding shaft 40 via a core tube (not shown) that is removable from the winding shaft 40. Therefore, when the sheet S wound around the winding shaft 40 is full, the sheet S can be removed together with the core tube.
In the present embodiment, the feeding shaft 20, the driven roller 21, the front drive roller 31, the nip roller 31n, the rear drive roller 32, the nip roller 32n, the driven roller 33, 34, the driven roller 41, the rotating drum 30, the take-up shaft 40, The feeding motor, the front drive motor, the rear drive motor, and the take-up motor cooperate to form a transport unit 90 that conveys the seat S while applying tension to the seat S.

Further, the printing apparatus 1 is provided with a splicing table on which the sheet S can be placed on the transport path Pc. In the present embodiment, the splicing table includes a first splicing table 301 and a second splicing table 401. The first splicing table 301 is provided in the transport path Pc between the feeding section 2 and the process section 3. Specifically, the first splicing table 301 is a transport path Pc between the driven roller 21 and the front drive roller 31, and is arranged at a position facing the back surface of the sheet S transported along the transport path Pc. Will be done. The second splicing table 401 is provided in the transport path Pc between the process unit 3 and the take-up unit 4. Specifically, the second splicing table 401 is a transfer path Pc between the rear drive roller 32 and the driven roller 41, and is arranged at a position facing the back surface of the sheet S conveyed along the transfer path Pc. Will be done.

The first and second splicing tables 301 and 401 are used as a workbench when the operator connects the old sheet S and the new sheet S. Specifically, for example, when replacing the sheet S of the feeding shaft 20, it is necessary to connect the new sheet S to the old sheet S set in the printing apparatus 1. Therefore, the operator performs the work of connecting the upstream end of the old sheet S in the transport direction Ds and the downstream end of the new sheet S in the transport direction Ds with a splicing tape or the like on the first splicing table 301. Further, for example, when the sheet S of the take-up shaft 40 is replaced, similarly, in the second splicing table 401, the upstream end of the old sheet S in the transport direction Ds and the downstream end of the new sheet S in the transport direction Ds Perform the work of joining with splicing tape or the like. The first and second splicing tables 301 and 401 function as a workbench for performing the work of connecting the sheets S to each other, and also have a function of assisting the operator in cutting the sheets S. In the following, the work of connecting the sheets S to each other is simply referred to as splicing.

Further, the printing device 1 includes a main operation unit 250 as a first operation unit capable of operating the transport unit 90, and a second operation unit capable of operating the transport unit 90 in the same manner. In addition, there are a plurality of second operation units of this embodiment, and the second operation unit includes a feeding side operation unit 350 as a second operation unit and a take-up side operation unit 450 as a second operation unit.

As shown in FIG. 2, the main operation unit 250 is provided between the first splicing table 301 and the second splicing table 401 of the housing 10.
The main operation unit 250 is a main operation unit that operates the entire printing device 1. The main operation unit 250 is provided with a panel 251 as a display unit and a keyboard 252 as an input unit. The panel 251 is, for example, a liquid crystal display panel. A menu screen or the like is displayed on the panel 251 in addition to the image to be printed. Therefore, the operator opens the image setting screen from the menu screen by operating the keyboard 252 or the like while checking the panel 251 and various image printing conditions such as the type of the sheet S, the size of the sheet S, and the image quality. Can be set. In addition, the transport unit 90 can be operated. A touch panel or the like provided with a display unit and an input unit may be used.

The feeding side operation unit 350 is arranged in the vicinity of the first splicing table 301. The payout side operation unit 350 can operate the transport unit 90. Further, the take-up side operation unit 450 is arranged near the second splicing table 401. The take-up side operation unit 450 can operate the transport unit 90.
Hereinafter, the configurations of the first and second splicing tables 301 and 401, the feeding side operating unit 350, and the winding side operating unit 450 will be described.

First, the configuration of the first splicing table 301 and the feeding side operation unit 350 will be described. FIG. 3 is an external view showing the configuration near the first splicing table 301, and FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing the configuration of the first splicing table 301.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the first splicing table 301 is formed of a stainless steel flat plate having a thickness of about 2 mm. The first splicing table 301 has a configuration in which the + X direction end portion and the −X direction end portion of the first splicing table 301 are bent. The first splicing table 301 is short in the direction along the X axis and has a long shape along the Y axis corresponding to the width direction of the sheet S.
The front surface 302 of the first splicing table 301 is arranged substantially horizontally and faces the back surface of the sheet S transported along the transport path Pc. In the state where the sheet S is transported along the transport path Pc, a slight clearance is provided between the front surface 302 of the first splicing table 301 and the back surface of the sheet S.

The surface 302 of the first splicing table 301 is provided with a groove 310 recessed in the −Z direction. The groove 310 is provided to guide the movement of a cutting blade such as a cutter used by an operator to cut the sheet S at the time of splicing or the like.
The groove 310 is provided along the Y axis. The length dimension of the groove 310 along the Y axis is a dimension equal to or larger than the maximum width of the sheet S that can be handled by the printing apparatus 1. The width dimension of the groove 310 along the X axis is about 1 mm. The groove 310 may be curved instead of linear. Further, instead of the groove structure, a slit structure penetrating the flat plate of the first splicing table 301 may be used.

The feeding side operation unit 350 is arranged in the vicinity of the first splicing table 301. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the first splicing table 301 is arranged on the flat surface 10a of the housing 10 provided beside the end portion in the + Y direction.
The feeding side operation unit 350 can operate the transport unit 90, and has a button 360a as a function of transporting the sheet S to the downstream side of the transport direction Ds and a function of transporting the sheet S to the upstream side of the transport direction Ds. It has a button 360b and a button 360c as a function of adjusting the tension applied to the seat S. As a result, splicing can be performed smoothly. The buttons 360a to 360c may be of a push button type or a pick button type. As a result, the payout side operation unit 350 can be easily operated.

By operating the button 360a, each motor of the transport unit 90 is driven in the forward rotation direction, and the seat S can be transported to the downstream side of the transport direction Ds. Further, by operating the button 360b, each motor of the transport unit 90 is driven in the reverse rotation direction, and the seat S can be transported to the upstream side of the transport direction Ds. Further, by operating the button 360c, each motor of the transport unit 90 is stopped or driven, and the tension applied to the seat S can be adjusted.
Since the feeding side operation unit 350 is arranged in the vicinity of the first splicing table 301, when splicing is performed on the first splicing table 301, the feeding side operating unit 350 facilitates the operation of the transport unit 90.

The vicinity of the first splicing table 301 on which the feeding side operation unit 350 is arranged is a position where the operator can operate the transport unit 90 at the operator's hand without moving from the first splicing table 301 in the splicing work. Point to. Therefore, for example, the feeding side operation unit 350 may be arranged in the housing 10 beside the + X direction end portion of the first splicing table 301. Further, an arm may be provided on the housing 10 on the side of the + Y direction end or the side of the + X direction end of the first splicing table 301, and the feeding side operation unit 350 may be installed on the arm. Further, the configuration of the feeding side operation unit 350 may be such that at least one of the buttons 360a to 360c is provided, and in addition to the operation of the transport unit 90, a button or the like capable of operating the other unit or the like. May be provided.

Further, the operation of the feeding side operation unit 350 is not limited to the button operation. For example, the operation of the feeding side operation unit 350 may be a touch panel operation.

Next, the configurations of the second splicing table 401 and the take-up side operation unit 450 will be described. FIG. 5 is an external view showing a configuration near the second splicing table 401.

As shown in FIG. 5, the second splicing table 401 is formed of a stainless steel flat plate having a thickness of about 2 mm. The second splicing table 401 has a configuration in which the + X direction end portion and the −X direction end portion of the second splicing table 401 are bent. The second splicing table 401 is short in the direction along the X-axis and has a long shape along the Y-axis corresponding to the width direction of the sheet S.
The front surface 402 of the second splicing table 401 is arranged substantially horizontally and faces the back surface of the sheet S to be transported along the transport path Pc. In the state where the sheet S is transported along the transport path Pc, a slight clearance is provided between the front surface 402 of the second splicing table 401 and the back surface of the sheet S.

The surface 402 of the second splicing table 401 is provided with a groove 410 recessed in the −Z direction. Since the configuration of the groove 410 is the same as the configuration of the groove 310 in the first splicing table 301, the description thereof will be omitted.

The take-up side operation unit 450 is arranged in the vicinity of the second splicing table 401. In the present embodiment, the second splicing table 401 is arranged on the flat surface 10b of the housing 10 provided on the side of the + Y direction end portion.
The take-up side operation unit 450 can operate the transport unit 90, and has a button 460a as an operation unit for transporting the sheet S to the downstream side in the transport direction Ds and an operation for transporting the sheet S to the upstream side in the transport direction Ds. It has a button 460b as a unit and a button 460c as an operation unit for adjusting the tension applied to the seat S. As a result, splicing can be performed smoothly. The buttons 460a to 460c may be of a push button type or a pick button type. As a result, the winding side operation unit 450 can be easily operated.

By operating the button 460a, each motor of the transport unit 90 is driven in the forward rotation direction, and the seat S can be transported to the downstream side of the transport direction Ds. Further, by operating the button 460b, each motor of the transport unit 90 is driven in the reverse rotation direction, and the seat S can be transported to the upstream side of the transport direction Ds. Further, by operating the button 460c, each motor of the transport unit 90 is stopped or driven, and the tension applied to the seat S can be adjusted.
Since the take-up side operation unit 450 is arranged in the vicinity of the second splicing table 401, the take-up side operation unit 450 facilitates the operation of the transport unit 90 when splicing is performed on the second splicing table 401.

The vicinity of the second splicing table 401 in which the take-up side operation unit 450 is arranged means that the operator can operate the transport unit 90 at the operator's hand without moving from the second splicing table 401 in the splicing work. Point to the position. Therefore, for example, the take-up side operation unit 450 may be arranged in the housing 10 beside the end portion in the −X direction of the second splicing table 401. Further, an arm may be provided on the housing 10 on the side of the + Y direction end or the −X direction end of the second splicing table 401, and the take-up side operation unit 450 may be installed on the arm. Further, the winding side operation unit 450 may be configured so that at least one of the buttons 460a to 460c is provided, and in addition to the operation of the transport unit 90, the other parts can be operated. Etc. may be provided.

Further, the operation of the take-up side operation unit 450 is not limited to the button operation. For example, the operation of the take-up side operation unit 450 may be a touch panel operation.

Next, the control configuration of the printing apparatus 1 will be described. FIG. 6 is a control block diagram of the printing device 1. As shown in FIG. 6, the printing device 1 includes a control unit 200. The control unit 200 includes a main operation unit 250, a feed side operation unit 350, a take-up side operation unit 450, print heads 36a to 36e, UV irradiators 37a, 37b, 38, and a feed motor constituting a transport unit 90. It is connected to the drive motor, rear drive motor and take-up motor. Further, a drum encoder, a feeding tension sensor, a process tension sensor, and a winding tension sensor are connected to the control unit 200. The control unit 200 non-volatilely records a CPU (Central Processing Unit) for executing various programs, a RAM (Random Access Memory) for temporarily storing data and programs, various data, and various programs. It is equipped with a ROM (Read Only Memory) and an interface. Then, the CPU processes various signals input via the interface based on the data of RAM and ROM, and outputs control signals to each unit via the interface. The control unit 200 receives operation information from the main operation unit 250, the delivery side operation unit 350, or the take-up side operation unit 450, and controls the print heads 36a to 36e, the UV irradiators 37a, 37b, 38, and the transport unit 90. Then, the image printing process is executed. The main operation unit 250, the delivery side operation unit 350, and the take-up side operation unit 450 can be operated by switching each. Therefore, the control unit 200 receives operation information from one of the main operation unit 250, the delivery side operation unit 350, and the take-up side operation unit 450.

The control unit 200 controls the ink ejection timings of the print heads 36a to 36d according to the transfer of the sheet S. Specifically, the control of the ink ejection timing is executed based on the detection value of the drum encoder attached to the rotation shaft of the rotation drum 30 and detecting the rotation position of the rotation drum 30. That is, since the rotary drum 30 is driven to rotate with the transfer of the sheet S, the transfer position of the sheet S can be grasped by referring to the output of the drum encoder that detects the rotation position of the rotary drum 30. The control unit 200 generates a pts (print timing signal) signal from the output of the drum encoder, and controls the ink ejection timings of the print heads 36a to 36d based on the pts signal. As a result, the ink is ejected from the print heads 36a to 36d, the ink lands on the target position on the sheet S to be conveyed, and the image is printed. Further, the timing at which the print head 36e ejects the transparent ink is also controlled by the control unit 200 based on the output of the drum encoder. Further, the timing of turning on / off the UV irradiators 37a, 37b, 38 and the amount of irradiation light are also controlled by the control unit 200.

Further, the control unit 200 rotates the feeding motor for driving the feeding shaft 20 to supply the seat S from the feeding shaft 20 to the front drive roller 31. At this time, the control unit 200 controls the torque of the feeding motor to adjust the feeding tension of the seat S from the feeding shaft 20 to the front drive roller 31. That is, a feeding tension sensor for detecting the feeding tension is attached to the driven roller 21 arranged between the feeding shaft 20 and the front drive roller 31. This feeding tension sensor is composed of, for example, a load cell that detects a force received from the seat S. Then, the control unit 200 feedback-controls the torque of the feeding motor based on the detection result of the feeding tension sensor to adjust the feeding tension of the seat S.

Further, the control unit 200 rotates the front drive motor that drives the front drive roller 31 and the rear drive motor that drives the rear drive roller 32. As a result, the sheet S fed from the feeding section 2 passes through the process section 3. At this time, speed control is executed for the front drive motor, while torque control is executed for the rear drive motor. That is, the control unit 200 adjusts the rotation speed of the front drive motor to be constant based on the encoder output of the front drive motor. As a result, the sheet S is conveyed at a constant speed by the front drive roller 31.

On the other hand, the control unit 200 controls the torque of the rear drive motor to adjust the process tension of the seat S from the front drive roller 31 to the rear drive roller 32. That is, a process tension sensor for detecting the process tension is attached to the driven roller 34 arranged between the rotating drum 30 and the rear drive roller 32. This process tension sensor is composed of, for example, a load cell that detects a force received from the seat S. Then, the control unit 200 adjusts the process tension of the seat S by feedback-controlling the torque of the rear drive motor based on the detection result of the process tension sensor.

Further, the control unit 200 rotates the take-up motor that drives the take-up shaft 40 to take up the sheet S conveyed by the rear-drive roller 32 on the take-up shaft 40. At this time, the control unit 200 controls the torque of the take-up motor to adjust the take-up tension of the seat S from the rear drive roller 32 to the take-up shaft 40. That is, a take-up tension sensor for detecting the take-up tension is attached to the driven roller 41 arranged between the rear-drive roller 32 and the take-up shaft 40. This take-up tension sensor is composed of, for example, a load cell that detects a force received from the sheet S. Then, the control unit 200 adjusts the winding tension of the seat S by feedback-controlling the torque of the winding motor based on the detection result of the winding tension sensor.

Next, the splicing method in the printing apparatus 1 will be described. First, the splicing method in the first splicing table 301 will be described. In the present embodiment, a case where the old sheet S that has already been printed and the new sheet S are connected will be described. The splicing is performed with the print heads 36a to 36e and the UV irradiators 37a, 37b, 38 stopped driving.

Splicing in the first splicing table 301 is performed using the feeding side operation unit 350 arranged in the vicinity of the first splicing table 301.
Specifically, the operator operates the button 360b of the feeding side operation unit 350 to transport the old sheet S to the upstream side in the transport direction Ds. Specifically, the old sheet S is conveyed to a position where the cutting position of the old sheet S is placed on the first splicing table 301.

Next, the button 360c is operated to stop the driving of the feeding motor and the front drive motor. As a result, the regulation on the old sheet S is released, and the tension on the old sheet S is released.
Next, the operator moves a cutting blade such as a cutter with respect to the old sheet S placed on the first splicing table 301 along the groove 310, and cuts the old sheet S at the cutting position. Then, the roll body R on which the old sheet S mounted on the feeding shaft 20 is wound is removed from the feeding shaft 20.

Next, the roll body R on which the new sheet S is wound is mounted on the feeding shaft 20. Then, the downstream end of the new sheet S is moved to the first splicing table 301 along the transport path Pc.

Next, the operator moves a cutting blade such as a cutter along the groove 310 with respect to the new sheet S placed on the first splicing table 301, and cuts the downstream end portion of the new sheet S. By cutting the downstream end of the new sheet S, the shape of the downstream end of the new sheet S can be adjusted. Next, the operator joins the downstream end of the new sheet S and the upstream end of the old sheet S on the first splicing table 301 using splicing tape.

Next, the button 360c is operated to apply an appropriate tension to the entire spliced sheet S.

Next, a splicing method for joining the sheets S using the second splicing table 401 will be described. Hereinafter, a case where the old sheet S that has already been printed and the new sheet S are connected will be described. The splicing is performed with the print heads 36a to 36e and the UV irradiators 37a, 37b, 38 stopped driving.

Splicing in the second splicing table 401 is performed by using the take-up side operation unit 450 arranged in the vicinity of the second splicing table 401.
Specifically, the operator operates the button 460a of the take-up side operation unit 450 to transport the old sheet S to the downstream side in the transport direction Ds. Specifically, the old sheet S is conveyed to a position where the cutting position of the old sheet S is placed on the second splicing table 401.

Next, the button 460c is operated to stop the driving of the feeding motor and the front drive motor. As a result, the regulation on the old sheet S is released, and the tension on the old sheet S is released.
Next, the operator moves a cutting blade such as a cutter with respect to the old sheet S placed on the second splicing table 401 along the groove 410, and cuts the old sheet S at the cutting position. Then, the roll body R on which the old sheet S mounted on the take-up shaft 40 is wound is removed from the take-up shaft 40.

Next, the roll body R on which another sheet S is wound is mounted on the take-up shaft 40. Then, the downstream end of another sheet S is moved to the second splicing table 401 along the transport path Pc.

Next, the operator moves a cutting blade such as a cutter with respect to another sheet S placed on the second splicing table 401 along the groove 410, and cuts the downstream end portion of the other sheet S. By cutting the downstream end of the new sheet S, the shape of the downstream end of another sheet S can be adjusted. Next, the operator joins the downstream end portion of another sheet S and the upstream end portion of the old sheet S on the second splicing table 401 using splicing tape.

Next, the button 460c is operated to apply an appropriate tension to the entire spliced sheet S.

As described above, according to the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

A feeding side operation unit 350 is arranged near the first splicing table 301. Therefore, when splicing is performed on the first splicing table 301, the transfer unit 90 can be easily operated. That is, the operator does not need to move to the main operation unit 250 when operating the transport unit 90 in the splicing on the first splicing table 301. Therefore, splicing on the first splicing table 301 can be smoothly performed.
A take-up side operation unit 450 is arranged near the second splicing table 401. Therefore, when splicing is performed on the second splicing table 401, the transfer unit 90 can be easily operated. That is, the operator does not need to move to the main operation unit 250 when operating the transport unit 90 in the splicing on the second splicing table 401. Therefore, splicing on the second splicing table 401 can be smoothly performed.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various changes and improvements can be added to the above-described embodiment. A modified example will be described below.

-Modification example 1
The printing apparatus 1 of the above embodiment has a configuration including a first splicing table 301 and a second splicing table 401, but is not limited thereto. It may be configured to include either one.

The contents derived from the embodiment are described below.

The printing apparatus includes a transport unit that conveys the recording medium while applying tension to the recording medium, a printing unit that prints an image on the conveyed recording medium, and a transport route of the recording medium that is conveyed by the transport unit. The second operation unit is provided with a splicing table on which the recording medium can be placed, a first operation unit capable of operating the transport unit, and a second operation unit capable of operating the transport unit. Is arranged in the vicinity of the splicing table.

According to this configuration, of the first operation unit and the second operation unit that can operate the transport unit, the second operation unit is arranged near the splicing table. The splicing table is a place where the work of joining the recording media is performed, and the operation of the transport unit is required at the time of the work. Here, since the second operation unit is arranged near the splicing table, it is not necessary to move to the first operation unit, the operation of the transport unit becomes easy, and the work on the splicing table can be smoothly performed.

The second operation unit of the printing apparatus has a function of transporting the recording medium to the downstream side of the recording medium in the transport direction and an upstream of the recording medium in the transport direction of the recording medium. It is preferable to have a function of transporting the media to the side and a function of adjusting the tension applied to the recording medium.

According to this configuration, it is possible to smoothly perform the work of connecting the recording media on the splicing table.

It is preferable that the second operation unit of the printing device can operate the transport unit by button operation or touch panel operation.

According to this configuration, the transport unit can be easily operated.

The transport unit of the printing apparatus may have a feeding unit for feeding the recording medium toward the printing unit, and the splicing table may be provided in the transport path between the feeding unit and the printing unit. preferable.

According to this configuration, it is possible to smoothly perform the work of connecting the recording media in the vicinity of the feeding portion.

The transport unit of the printing apparatus has a winding unit that winds up the recording medium transported from the printing unit, and the splicing table is provided in the transport path between the printing unit and the winding unit. It is preferable to be provided.

According to this configuration, it is possible to smoothly perform the work of connecting the recording media in the vicinity of the winding unit.

1 ... Printing device, 2 ... Feeding unit, 3 ... Process unit, 3U ... Process unit, 4 ... Winding unit, 10 ... Housing, 10a ... Flat surface, 10b ... Flat surface, 20 ... Feeding shaft, 21 ... Driven roller , 30 ... Rotating drum, 31 ... Front drive roller, 31n ... Nip roller, 32 ... Rear drive roller, 32n ... Nip roller, 33 ... Driven roller, 34 ... Driven roller, 35 ... Unit support member, 36a to 36e ... Printing Head, 37a, 37b, 38 ... UV irradiator, 40 ... Winding shaft, 41 ... Driven roller, 90 ... Conveying part, 200 ... Control part, 230 ... Hollow part, 231 ... Outer peripheral member, 231a ... Outer surface surface, 232 ... Rotating shaft, 250 ... Main operation unit, 251 ... Panel, 252 ... Keyboard, 301 ... First splicing table, 302 ... Surface, 310 ... Groove, 350 ... Delivery side operation unit, 351 ... Rail, 360a to 360c ... Button, 401 ... Second splicing table, 402 ... Surface, 410 ... Groove, 450 ... Winding side operation unit, 460a to 460c ... Buttons.

Claims (5)

A transport unit that transports the recording medium while applying tension to the recording medium,
A printing unit that prints an image on the conveyed recording medium, and
A splicing table provided in the transport path of the recording medium transported by the transport unit and on which the recording medium can be placed,
The first operation unit that can operate the transport unit and
A second operating unit capable of operating the transport unit is provided.
The printing apparatus, wherein the second operation unit is arranged in the vicinity of the splicing table. The printing apparatus according to claim 1.
The second operation unit is
A function of transporting the recording medium to the downstream side of the recording medium in the transport direction, a function of transporting the recording medium to the upstream side of the recording medium in the transport direction, and the recording medium. A printing apparatus having a function of adjusting the tension applied. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.
The second operation unit is a printing device characterized in that the transport unit can be operated by button operation or touch panel operation. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
The transport unit has a feeding unit that feeds out the recording medium toward the printing unit.
The printing apparatus, characterized in that the splicing table is provided in the transport path between the feeding section and the printing section. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
The transport unit has a take-up unit that winds up the recording medium transported from the printing unit.
The printing apparatus, characterized in that the splicing table is provided in the transport path between the printing unit and the winding unit.

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