JP2020163582A - Inkjet printer - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an inkjet printer comprising at least two underlayer head fitting parts and at least two color head fitting parts.SOLUTION: A carriage 20C is provided with first head fitting parts 111A and 111B to which white ink heads 101A and 101B, or a discharge printing ink head respectively can be fitted. A front side of the carriage 20C is provided with second head fitting parts 211A and 211B to which color printing heads 201A and 201B, or a special color ink head respectively can be fitted. In between the first head fitting part 111A and the second head fitting part 211A, a planar flat part 320 is disposed. Also in between the first head fitting part 111B and the second head fitting part 211B, a planar flat part 320 is disposed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

The present invention relates to an inkjet printer.

An inkjet printer that ejects ink that base-treats a printing medium prior to ejecting printing ink is known. For example, the inkjet printer described in Patent Document 1 is arranged at a predetermined pitch along the transport direction of printing paper, and has a first nozzle row for ejecting printing ink and a row upstream of the first nozzle row in the transport direction. It is arranged in the area and includes a second nozzle row capable of ejecting printing ink or precoat ink. In the inkjet printer, the second nozzle row capable of injecting the precoat ink is arranged on the upstream side in the transport direction from the first nozzle row in which the printing ink is ejected. Therefore, when the precoat ink is used, first, the precoat ink is ejected from the second nozzle row toward the print medium to form the base layer on the print medium, and then the base layer is formed from the first nozzle. Printing ink is sprayed onto the area. As a result, the permeation of the printing ink into the printing medium is suppressed, so that high-quality printing becomes possible.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2015-147426

However, in the above-mentioned conventional inkjet printer, the second nozzle row can eject printing ink or precoat ink, but cannot eject a discharge printing agent that removes the color of the printing medium. Further, the first nozzle row can only eject printing ink of a predetermined color. Therefore, there is a problem that the head to be mounted cannot be selectively changed.

An object of the present invention is to provide an inkjet printer including at least two base head mounting portions and at least two color head mounting portions. Another object of the present invention is to secure a drying time for the liquid discharged from the base printing head to quickly perform good printing.

In the inkjet printer of one aspect of the present invention, both base heads, which are a head for white ink that ejects white ink to a print medium or a head for a discharge agent that ejects a discharge agent that removes the color of the print medium, are selected. At least two base head mounting portions that can be specifically mounted, a scanning device that scans the base head in the main scanning direction with respect to the print medium, and the main scanning direction rather than the base head mounting portion. A head for coloring at least two colors of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black inks, or a head for white ink, a head for a discharge agent, and the color, which are arranged on the downstream side in the orthogonal sub-scanning direction. Is characterized in that it is provided with at least two color head attachment portions capable of selectively attaching both special color heads for special color inks having different colors.

In this case, the white head or the discharge agent head can be selectively attached to the base head mounting portion, and the two-color color head or the spot color head can be selectively attached to the color head mounting portion. Even if printing is performed with the white head or the discharge agent head and printing is performed with the two-color head or the special color head without stopping the printing, the printing drying time is increased by the white head or the discharge agent head. It can be secured and good printing can be performed.

Further, two heads of the same type may be attached to at least one of the two base head attachment portions or the two color head attachment portions. In this case, the amount of ink in the scanning direction can be increased.

Further, different types of heads may be attached to at least one of the two base head attachment portions or the two color head attachment portions. In this case, it can be applied to various printings as compared with the case where both heads are attached.

The base head mounting portion and the color head mounting portion are arranged apart from each other in a direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction, and are flat and flat between the base head mounting portion and the color head mounting portion. A unit may be provided.

In this case, a flat portion is provided between the base head mounting portion and the color head mounting portion, and another head is not provided between the base head mounting portion and the color head mounting portion. It takes time for the printed portion by the head attached to the base head attachment portion to come into contact with the ink from the head attached to the color head attachment portion. Therefore, the possibility that the printed portion by the head attached to the base head mounting portion is smeared by the ink from the head attached to the color head mounting portion is reduced.

Further, the base head and the color head or the spot color correspond to the base head mounting portion and the color head mounting portion, and the color head or the spot color head. A maintenance mechanism for maintaining the head, or at least one space of the base head and the ink flow path for supplying ink to the color head or the spot color head may be provided.

In this case, a maintenance mechanism and an ink flow path can be attached to the space.

Further, the base head and a control unit for controlling the ejection of ink from the color head or the spot color head are provided, and the control unit includes the ink ejected by the substrate head, the color ink, or the color ink. Printing may be performed together in the same scanning on the printing medium with the spot color ink.

In this case, printing can be executed together in the same scanning of the ink ejected by the base head and the color ink or the spot color ink on the printing medium. Therefore, the printing time can be shortened as compared with the ink for printing in the order of the base ink, the color ink, and the spot color ink in different relative scanning.

Further, the base head, the color head, and a control unit for controlling the ejection of ink from the spot color head are provided, and the control unit includes the color head and the spot color head for attaching the color head. When attached to, printing is performed on the area of the printing medium printed by the ink ejected by the base head in the same scanning of the color ink and the spot color ink on the printing medium. You may do it.

In this case, printing can be executed on the area of the print medium printed by the ink ejected by the base head in the same scanning on the print medium with the color ink and the spot color ink. Therefore, the printing time can be shortened with respect to the area of the print medium printed by the ink ejected by the base head for printing in different relative scanning in the order of color ink and spot color ink.

Further, the base head, the color head, and a control unit for controlling the ejection of ink from the special color head are provided, and the control unit includes the color head and the special color head for attaching the color head. When attached to, printing may be executed together in the same scanning of the ink ejected by the base head, the color ink, and the spot color ink onto the printing medium.

In this case, printing can be executed together in the same scanning of the ink ejected by the base head, the color ink, and the spot color ink on the printing medium. Therefore, the printing time can be shortened as compared with the ink ejected by the base head, the color ink, and the spot color ink, which are printed in different relative scans in this order.

Further, the base head and a control unit for controlling the ejection of ink from the color head or the spot color head are provided, and the control unit removes the color of the print medium from the liquid ejected by the base head. In the case of a discharge printing agent, printing by the color head or the spot color head can be started at either the scanning position including the discharge printing start position by the base head or the scanning position including the discharge completion position by the discharge agent head. After the position is set, color printing or spot color printing with the color of the color head or the spot color head or the spot color ink may be performed on the area of the print medium printed for the base with the base ink. ..

In this case, printing on the printing medium with the color ink or printing with the special color ink can be performed on the area of the printing medium printed by the discharge printing agent.

Further, a control unit for controlling the ejection of ink from the base head and the color head is provided, and the control unit has the white ink head or the discharge printing agent head as the base head mounting portion. If so, either the scanning position including the discharge printing start position by the discharge agent head or the scanning position including the discharge printing completion position by the discharge agent head is set as the start position of printing for white ink by the white ink head. The printing on the printing medium with the white ink ejected by the white ink head and the color head or the spot color head of the color head or the spot color head are printed on the print medium area printed by the discharge printing agent. Color printing or spot color printing with color or the spot color ink may be performed.

In this case, printing on the printing medium with the white ink ejected by the white ink head and color printing with the color of the color head or the spot color head or the color printing with the spot color ink are performed on the area of the print medium printed by the discharge printing agent. Spot color printing can be performed.

Further, as compared with the case where the ink discharged by the base head is not the discharge agent, when the ink discharged by the base head is the discharge agent, the ink is discharged from at least one of the color head or the spot color head. The control unit may control the base head or the spot color head so that the amount of ink to be ink is reduced.

In this case, when the ink ejected by the base head is the discharge printing agent, the amount of ink ejected from at least one of the color head and the spot color head can be saved.

Further, when the base head is attached to the base head mounting portion and the color head and the spot color head are attached to the color head mounting portion, the ink ejected by the base head, the color. In the first print mode in which the ink and the spot color ink are simultaneously printed on the print medium, or in the area of the print medium printed by the ink ejected by the base head, the color is A setting means for setting at least one of the ink and the second print mode for executing simultaneous printing on the print medium by the spot color ink may be provided.

In this case, either the first print mode or the second print mode can be set by the setting means. Therefore, the print mode can be set according to the ink.

When the base head is mounted on the base head mounting portion and the color head and the spot color head are mounted on the color head mounting portion, the ink discharged by the base head, the ink of the color. The first print mode for executing simultaneous printing on the print medium with the spot color ink, or the area of the print medium printed with the ink ejected by the base head, the ink of the color. Further, a setting means for setting one of the second print modes for executing simultaneous printing on the print medium by the spot color ink may be provided.

In this case, one of the first print mode and the second print mode can be set by the setting means. Therefore, the print mode can be set according to the ink.

Further, in the first print scan in which the inkjet printer prints on the print medium, the base head and the base head and the base head and the color are upstream of the color head or the spot color head in the main scanning direction. The head for printing or the spot color head may be located, and the base head and the head for coloring or the spot color head may be located downstream in the main scanning direction in the final printing scan.

In this case, the base head, the color head, or the spot color head can print by scanning.

Further, the mounting portion of the base head and the mounting portion of the color head are arranged so that the nozzle row of the base head and the nozzle row of the color head are aligned or parallel to each other. You may. In this case, since the background printing head and the color head are attached so that the nozzle row of the background printing head and the nozzle row of the color head are aligned or parallel to each other, the background printing head and the color head are used. Printing can be performed by scanning with the drive motor 19 whose head is a scanning device.

L: The distance between the head mounted on the base head mounting portion and the head mounted on the color head mounting portion, Tpw: the portion printed by the head nozzle of the head mounted on the base head mounting portion. Time until the nozzle of the head attached to the color head mounting portion prints, Tcr: total time of main scanning return, Tw: weight time, Ln: length of nozzle row in sub-scanning direction, In: In terms of the number of interlaces
L ≧ (Tpw · Ln) / ((Tcr + Tw) · In) may be used.

When the condition of L ≧ (Tpw ・ Ln) / ((Tcr + Tw) ・ In) is satisfied, the discharge of the head attached to the base head mounting portion and the discharge of the head attached to the color head mounting portion It is not necessary to provide a weight time in between, and the printing time can be shortened as compared with the case where the weight time is provided.

Further, the base head and the color head may be mounted on one carriage. In this case, the base head and the color head are scanned by scanning one carriage.

Further, the flat portion is longer in the sub-scanning direction than the length of the head mounted on the base head mounting portion or the color head mounting portion in the sub-scanning direction, and the base head mounting portion and the color head mounting portion are formed. May be separated in the sub-scanning direction from the length in the sub-scanning direction of the head mounted on the base head mounting portion or the color head mounting portion.

In this case, an additional head mounting portion can be provided on the flat portion. Therefore, a head that ejects a discharge printing agent or a head that ejects special color ink can be selectively attached as an additional head to the additional head mounting portion to support various printing. Further, when the additional head is not attached, a drying time for the liquid discharged from the base printing head can be secured, and good printing can be performed quickly.

Further, the base head mounting portion and the color head mounting portion are arranged apart from each other in a direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction, and ink is formed between the base head mounting portion and the color head mounting portion. An additional head mounting portion to which an additional head for discharging the ink can be mounted may be provided.

In this case, the additional head can be selectively attached to the additional head attachment portion to support various printing. Further, when the additional head is not attached, a drying time for the liquid discharged from the base head can be secured, and good printing can be performed quickly.

The additional head may eject at least one ink of a discharge printing agent that removes the color of the print medium, or an ink ejected by the base head and a special color ink different from the ink of the color. In this case, the additional head can be selectively attached to the additional head attachment portion to support various printing. Further, when the additional head is not attached, a drying time for the liquid discharged from the base head can be secured, and good printing can be performed quickly.

It is a perspective view of the printer 1. It is a perspective view of the printer 1 which removed the housing 2. It is a top view of the structure of maintenance part 141, 142. It is a block diagram which shows the electrical structure of the printer 1. It is a top view of the carriage 20A. It is a top view of the carriage 20B. It is a top view of the carriage 20B. It is a top view of the carriage 20B. It is a top view of the carriage 20B. It is a top view of the carriage 20B. It is a top view of the carriage 20C. It is a top view of the carriage 20C. It is a top view of the carriage 20C. It is a top view of the carriage 20D. It is a top view of the carriage 20E. It is a top view of the maintenance unit 145A. It is a top view of the maintenance unit 145B. It is a figure of the ink flow path 70A. It is a figure of the ink flow path 70B. It is a figure of the ink flow path 70C. It is a flowchart of the ink amount setting process. It is a flowchart of a mode setting process. It is a flowchart of a print process. It is a figure which shows the nozzle surface 60 of a head. It is a figure which shows the positional relationship of the carriage 20C which moves toward the platen 5 at the base printing start position. It is a figure which shows the positional relationship of the carriage 20C which moves toward the platen 5 at the color printing start position. It is a figure which shows the positional relationship of the carriage 20C which moves toward the platen 5 at the printing start position with the spot color ink. It is a figure which shows the positional relationship of the carriage 20C which moves toward the platen 5 at the discharge printing start position. It is a figure which shows the positional relationship of the carriage 20C which moves toward the platen 5 at the color printing start position. It is a figure which shows the positional relationship of the carriage 20C which moves toward the platen 5 at the printing start position with the spot color ink. It is a figure which shows the positional relationship of the carriage 20C which passed through the platen 5 at the printing completion position with the spot color ink.

<Mechanical configuration of printer 1>
The printer 1 is a serial type inkjet printer that prints by ejecting a liquid onto a cloth such as a T-shirt and a printing medium (not shown) such as paper. The printer 1 discharges, for example, five types of inks (white (W), black (K), yellow (Y), cyan (C), and magenta (M)) that are different from each other as liquids downward. , Print a color image on a print medium. In the following description, among the five types of ink, white ink is referred to as white ink, and when the four color inks of black, cyan, yellow, and magenta are collectively referred to as color ink.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the printer 1 includes a housing 2, a platen drive mechanism 6, a platen 5, a tray 4, a frame 10, a guide shaft 9, a rail 11, a carriage 20, a head 100, 200, and a drive belt. A maintenance unit 141, 142 (see FIG. 3) and the like are provided in the 101, the drive motor 19, and the non-printing area 140 described later. The housing 2 has a box shape having openings on each of the front surface and the back surface. An operation unit 47 is provided at a position on the right front side of the housing 2. The operation unit 47 includes a display 49 and an operation button 46. The operation button 46 is operated when the user inputs instructions regarding various operations of the printer 1. The display 49 is a liquid crystal display (LCD) capable of displaying various information.

The platen drive mechanism 6 uses a motor (not shown) provided at the rear end as a drive source to drive the platen 5 and the tray 4 in the front-rear direction (hereinafter, not shown) of the housing 2 along a pair of guide rails (not shown). , Also referred to as "sub-scanning direction"). The platen 5 has a rectangular plate shape in a plan view. A printing medium, which is a cloth such as a T-shirt, is placed on the upper surface of the platen 5. The tray 4 has a rectangular shape in a plan view and is provided below the platen 5. When the operator places the T-shirt or the like on the platen 5, the tray 4 receives the sleeve or the like of the T-shirt and protects the sleeve or the like from contacting other parts inside the housing 2.

The frame body 10 has a rectangular frame shape in a plan view. The frame body 10 is installed on the upper part of the housing 2. The frame body 10 supports the guide shaft 9 and the rail 11 on the inside, respectively. The carriage 20 is supported so as to be conveyed in the left-right direction (hereinafter, also referred to as “main scanning direction”) along the guide shaft 9. The heads 100 and 200, and the head 300 described later, are mounted on the carriage 20. The head 100 is located behind the head 200. As shown in FIG. 24, nozzle surfaces 60 are provided on the bottom surfaces of the heads 100 and 200 and the head 300 described later. On the nozzle surface 60, a fine nozzle 61 is mounted in the front-rear direction (sub-scanning direction). A plurality of nozzle rows 62 provided in the above are provided. The nozzle length, which is the length of the nozzle row 62 in the front-rear direction, is Ln. Ink droplets are ejected downward from the nozzle 61 by driving the piezoelectric element. When printing on a print medium when the platen 5 moves from the rear side to the front side, the rear side of the nozzle surface 60 is the upstream side (the side to be printed first) in the sub-scanning direction. As for the printing start positions of the color printing head 200, the base printing head 100, and the additional head 300, the rearmost nozzle used for printing in each head is located at the rearmost side of the printing area. The length of the nozzle surface 60 in the sub-scanning direction is H. The heads in this case all have the same outer shape and nozzle surface 60 even if the inks to be ejected are different.

The drive belt 101 has a strip shape that is bridged along the left-right direction inside the frame body 10. The drive motor 19 can rotate in the forward and reverse directions, and is connected to the carriage 20 via a drive belt 101. While the platen 5 conveys the print medium in the front-rear direction (conveyance direction, sub-scanning direction), ink is ejected from the heads 100, 200, and 300 that reciprocate in the left-right direction by driving the drive motor 19, so that the printer 1 Is printed on a print medium.

A mounting portion 3 is provided on the right side of the printer 1. In the present embodiment, the cartridge 30 is connected to the mounting portion 3. The cartridge 30 is a cartridge that supplies the liquid contained in the cartridge 30 to the head of the printer 1.

<Structure of maintenance section>
The structure of the maintenance unit will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, maintenance units 141 and 142 are provided in the non-printing area 140 below the movement paths of the heads 100 and 200, respectively. The maintenance units 141 and 142 include a wiper 81, a nozzle cap 91, an exhaust cap 93, and the like. In the maintenance units 141 and 142, various maintenance operations such as purging and wiping the nozzle surface are executed in order to recover the ink ejection performance of the heads 100 and 200 and ensure the print quality of the printer 1. The purge is an operation in which the heads 100 and 200 are covered with the nozzle cap 91 and the exhaust cap 93, respectively, and ink containing foreign matter or air bubbles is discharged from the heads 100 and 200 and the like. By executing the purge, the printer 1 can reduce the possibility that ink containing foreign matter and air bubbles is sucked from the heads 100 and 200, for example, and a ejection failure occurs in the heads 100 and 200. The nozzle surface wiping is an operation of wiping the excess ink and the like remaining on the surface of the nozzle surface 60 of the heads 100 and 200 with the wiper 81. An empty space 143 for the maintenance unit for maintaining the additional head 300 is provided between the maintenance units 141 and 142.

<Electrical configuration of printer 1>
The electrical configuration of the printer 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The printer 1 includes a CPU 40 that controls the printer 1. The CPU 40 includes a ROM 41, a RAM 42, a head drive unit 43, a main scan drive unit 44, a sub scan drive unit 45, an ASIC 18, a display control unit 48, an operation processing unit 50, a cartridge sensor 33, and a head sensor 34 for a bus 39. It is electrically connected via.

The ROM 41 stores a control program, initial values, and the like for the CPU 40 to control the operation of the printer 1. Various data, flags, and the like used in the control program are temporarily stored in the RAM 42. The head drive unit 43 is electrically connected to the heads 100 and 200 that eject ink, drives piezoelectric elements provided in the ejection channels of the heads 100 and 200 (see FIG. 2), and ejects ink from the nozzles. Let me.

The main scanning drive unit 44 includes a drive motor 19 (see FIG. 2) and moves the carriage 20 in the main scanning direction. The sub-scanning drive unit 45 drives the platen drive mechanism 6 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) to move the platen 5 (see FIG. 1) in the sub-scanning direction. The ASIC 18 controls the head drive unit 43, the main scan drive unit 44, and the sub scan drive unit 45. The cartridge sensor 33 detects the attachment / detachment and type of the cartridge 30 containing the ink. The head sensor 34 detects the type of head attached to the base printing head attachment portion 110. The head sensor 34 is provided on the base printing head mounting portion 110, is composed of a plurality of microswitches as an example, detects the unevenness of the additional head 300, and detects the type of the additional head 300. Note that the CPU 40 can eject the respective inks by the heads 100, 200, and 300 (described later) when the carriage 20 moves in either the left or right direction. The CPU 40 can eject the respective inks by the heads 100, 200, and 300 when the platen 5 moves in any of the front and rear directions. Hereinafter, the head 100 is also referred to as a "base printing head 100", the head 200 is also referred to as a "color printing head 200", and the head 300 is also referred to as an "additional head 300".

<Structure of carriage 20A>
The carriage 20A, which is an example of the carriage 20, will be described with reference to FIG. The carriage 20A is a rectangle that is long in the front-rear direction when viewed in a plan view. As shown in FIG. 5, a head printing head mounting portion 110 for base printing is provided on the rear side of the carriage 20A. The base printing head 100 is attached to the base printing head mounting portion 110. An example of the head 100 is a white ink head. The base printing head mounting portion 110 has an opening (not shown) for exposing the nozzle surface (not shown) on the lower surface of the head 100 downward, and a screw hole (not shown) for fixing the head 100. It is provided. A head mounting portion 210 for color printing is provided on the front side of the carriage 20A. A head 200 for color printing is attached to the head attachment portion 210 for color printing. An example of the head 200 is a head for yellow, magenta, cyan, and black. Further, in the color printing head mounting portion 210, an opening (not shown) for exposing the nozzle surface (not shown) on the lower surface of the head 200 downward and a screw hole (not shown) for fixing the head 200 are provided. ) Is provided. Further, the base printing head 100 and the color printing head 200 are arranged apart from each other in the sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction. The separation distance (FIG. 5: La = m1 + m2) is more than twice the value M obtained by (Equation 1) described later.

That is, in FIG. 5, m1 and m2 are distances when one additional head 300 is virtually arranged between the first head 101A and the second head 201A. In FIG. 5, it is assumed that the additional head 300, the first head 101A, and the second head 201A are aligned in the sub-scanning direction, and their nozzle rows are also in a straight line in the sub-scanning direction. In FIG. 5, M is an bleeding prevention distance obtained by the same mathematical formula as L based on the same idea as L with respect to the first head 100 or the second head 200 with respect to the additional head 300. The magnitude relation of these distances is m1 ≧ M, m2 ≧ M, and La = m1 + m2 ≧ 2M. Therefore, even if one additional head 300 is arranged between the first head 101A and the second head 201A in FIG. 5, bleeding of the ink of the additional head 300 is prevented.

As shown in FIG. 5, an additional head mounting portion 310 is provided between the base printing head mounting portion 110 and the color printing head mounting portion 210. An additional head 300 is attached to the additional head mounting portion 310. That is, an additional head mounting portion 310 to which the additional head 300 can be mounted is provided between the base printing head 100 and the color printing head 200. An example of the additional head 300 is a head 301 for a special color ink that ejects a special color ink that is an ink of a specific color different from yellow, magenta, cyan, black, and white, or a discharge printing that removes the color of a print medium. The discharge ink head 302 for ejecting ink. Examples of spot color inks are fluorescent colors, gold, silver, metallic colors, pastel colors and the like. In the drawing, among the heads for background printing 100, the white head is "W", and among the color printing heads 200, the heads for yellow, magenta, cyan, and black are "C", and the head for spot color ink 301. Is indicated by “S”, and the discharge ink head 302 is indicated by “D”. As an example, the color printing head 200 ejects inks of at least two colors of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black.

<Structure of carriage 20B>
An example carriage 20B of the carriage 20 will be described with reference to FIG. The carriage 20B is a rectangle that is long in the front-rear direction when viewed in a plan view. As shown in FIG. 6, similarly to the carriage 20A, the carriage 20B includes a base printing head mounting portion 110A, an additional head mounting portion 310A, and a base printing head mounting portion 110A from the rear side to the front side of the carriage 20B. A head mounting portion 210A for color printing is provided. Further, in the carriage 20B, on the right side of the base printing head mounting portion 110A, the additional head mounting portion 310A, and the color printing head mounting portion 210A, the base printing head mounting portion 110B is added from the rear side to the front. A head mounting portion 310B and a color printing head mounting portion 210B are provided. The base printing head mounting portion 110B is provided so as to be offset forward by a predetermined length from the base printing head mounting portion 110A. Further, the additional head mounting portion 310B is also provided so as to be displaced forward by a predetermined length from the additional head mounting portion 310A. Further, the color printing head mounting portion 210B is also provided so as to be displaced forward by a predetermined length from the color printing head mounting portion 210A.

The base printing head mounting portions 110A and 110B, the additional head mounting portions 310A and 310B, and the color printing head mounting portions 210A and 210B are the base printing head mounting portion 110, the additional head mounting portion 310, and the carriage 20A, respectively. It has the same structure as the color printing head mounting portion 210. White ink heads 101A and 101B are attached to the base printing head attachment portions 110A and 110B. Further, color printing heads 201A and 201B are attached to the color printing head mounting portions 210A and 210B. No additional head is attached to the additional head attachment portions 310A and 310B. Further, the separation distance (FIG. 6: Lb = m3 + m4) between the white ink head 101A and the color printing head 201A in the sub-scanning direction is more than twice the value M obtained by (Equation 1) described later.

That is, in FIG. 6, m3 and m4 are the assumed distances as in FIG. 5 when one additional head 300 is virtually arranged between the first head 101A and the second head 201A. In FIG. 6, it is assumed that the additional head 300, the first head 101A, and the second head 201A are aligned in the sub-scanning direction, and their nozzle rows are also in a straight line in the sub-scanning direction. In FIG. 6, M is an bleeding prevention distance obtained by the same mathematical formula as L based on the same idea as L with respect to the first head 101A or the second head 201A with respect to the additional head 300. The magnitude relation of these distances is m3 ≧ M, m4 ≧ M, and Lb = m3 + m4 ≧ 2M. Therefore, even if one additional head 300 is arranged between the first head 101A and the second head 201A in FIG. 6, bleeding of the ink of the additional head 300 is prevented.

FIG. 7 shows a state in which the spot color ink heads 301A and 301B are attached to the additional head attachment portions 310A and 310B of the carriage 20B shown in FIG. 6, respectively. FIG. 8 shows a state in which the discharge ink heads 302A and 302B are attached to the additional head attachment portions 310A and 310B of the carriage 20B shown in FIG. 6, respectively. FIG. 9 shows a state in which the discharge ink head 302A is attached to the additional head mounting portion 310A of the carriage 20B shown in FIG. 6, and the spot color ink head 301B is attached to the additional head mounting portion 310B. FIG. 10 shows a state in which the spot color ink head 301A is attached to the additional head mounting portion 310A of the carriage 20B shown in FIG. 6 and the discharge printing ink head 302B is attached to the additional head mounting portion 310B.

<Structure of carriage 20C>
An example carriage 20C of the carriage 20 will be described with reference to FIG. Carriage 20C is an embodiment of the present invention. The carriage 20C has the same shape as the carriage 20B when viewed in a plan view, and is a rectangle long in the front-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 11, the first head mounting portion 111A is provided on the left side and the rear side of the carriage 20C from the center. The first head is attached to the first head attachment portion 111A. An example of the first head is the white ink head 101A or the discharge ink head 302A. The first head mounting portion 111A has an opening (not shown) for exposing the nozzle surface (not shown) on the lower surface of the first head downward, and a screw hole (not shown) for fixing the first head. Is provided. A second head mounting portion 211A is provided on the front side of the carriage 20C. A second head is attached to the second head attachment portion 211A. An example of the second head is a color printing head 201A or a spot color ink head 301A. Further, the second head mounting portion 211A has an opening (not shown) for exposing the nozzle surface (not shown) on the lower surface of the second head downward, and a screw hole (not shown) for fixing the second head. (Omitted) is provided. Therefore, the first head and the second head are arranged apart from each other in the sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction. Unlike the carriage 20B, a flat flat portion 320 is provided between the first head mounting portion 111A and the second head mounting portion 211A, and no additional head mounting portion is provided.

Further, in the carriage 20C, on the right side of the first head mounting portion 111A and the second head mounting portion 211A, the first head mounting portion 111B and the second head mounting portion 211B are located from the rear side to the front. It is provided. A flat flat portion 320 is provided between the first head mounting portion 111B and the second head mounting portion 211B, and no additional head mounting portion is provided. Further, the first head mounting portion 111B is provided so as to be displaced forward by a predetermined length from the first head mounting portion 111A. Further, the second head mounting portion 211B is also provided so as to be displaced forward by a predetermined length from the second head mounting portion 211A. The first head mounting portion 111B and the second head mounting portion 211B have the same structure as the first head mounting portion 111A and the second head mounting portion 211A, respectively. An example of the first head attached to the first head mounting portion 111B is a white ink head 101B or a discharge ink head 302B. Further, an example of the second head attached to the second head mounting portion 211B is a color printing head 201B for yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, or a color different from yellow, magenta, cyan, black, and white. It is a special color ink head 301B which is an ink of a specific color. In FIG. 11, white ink heads 101A and 101B are attached to the first head attachment portions 111A and 111B of the carriage 20C. Further, color printing heads 201A and 201B are attached to the second head attachment portions 211A and 211B.

The flat portion 320 is longer in the sub-scanning direction than the length in the sub-scanning direction of the head mounted on the first head mounting portion 111A or the second head mounting portion 211A, and the first head mounting portion 111A or the second The head mounting portion 211A is separated in the sub-scanning direction from the length of the head mounted on the first head mounting portion 111A or the second head mounting portion 211A in the sub-scanning direction. The same applies to the first head mounting portion 111B and the second head mounting portion 211B.

In FIG. 12, the white ink heads 101A and 101B are attached to the first head attachment portions 111A and 111B of the carriage 20C, the color printing head 201B is attached to the second head attachment portion 211A, and the second head attachment portion is attached. The state in which the special color ink head 301B is attached to 211B is shown. In FIG. 13, the discharge ink head 302A is attached to the first head attachment portion 111A of the carriage 20C, the white ink head 101B is attached to the first head attachment portion 111B, and the second head attachment portions 211A and 211B are attached. , The state in which the color printing heads 201A and 201B are attached, respectively.

In FIG. 13, the discharge ink heads 302A and 302B are attached to the first head attachment portions 111A and 111B of the carriage 20C, and the color printing heads 201A and 201B are attached to the second head attachment portions 211A and 211B, respectively. Indicates the state of printing.

<Structure of carriage 20D>
An example carriage 20D of the carriage 20 will be described with reference to FIG. The carriage 20D is a rectangle that is long in the front-rear direction when viewed in a plan view. As shown in FIG. 14, the first head mounting portion 111A is provided on the leftmost side and the rear side of the carriage 20D. The first head is attached to the first head attachment portion 111A. An example of the first head is the white ink head 101A. The first head mounting portion 111A has an opening (not shown) for exposing the nozzle surface (not shown) on the lower surface of the first head downward, and a screw hole (not shown) for fixing the first head. Is provided. A second head mounting portion 211A is provided on the front side of the first head mounting portion 111A. A second head is attached to the second head attachment portion 211A. An example of the second head is the color printing head 201A. Further, the second head mounting portion 211A has an opening (not shown) for exposing the nozzle surface (not shown) on the lower surface of the second head downward, and a screw hole (not shown) for fixing the second head. (Omitted) is provided. The first head and the second head are arranged apart from each other in the sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction. The separation distance (FIG. 14: Lc = m5 + m6 + m7) is three times or more the value M obtained by (Equation 1) described later. No additional head mounting portion is provided between the first head mounting portion 111A and the second head mounting portion 211A.

That is, in FIG. 14, in m5 to m7, virtual heads (dashed lines) corresponding to the additional head 300 are virtually arranged between the first head 101A and the second head 201A in a row in the two sub-scanning directions. This is the assumed distance as in FIG. In FIG. 15, it is assumed that the two virtual heads corresponding to the additional head 300, the first head 101A, and the second head 201A are aligned in the sub-scanning direction, and their nozzle rows are also in a straight line in the sub-scanning direction. .. In FIG. 14, M is an bleeding prevention distance obtained by the same mathematical formula as L with respect to the first head 101A or the second head 201A with respect to the virtual head corresponding to the additional head 300, based on the same idea as L. The magnitude relation of these distances is m5 ≧ M, m6 ≧ M, m7 ≧ M, Lc = m5 + m6 + m7 ≧ 3M. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 14, even if two virtual heads corresponding to the additional head 300 are arranged in a row in the sub-scanning direction between the first head 101A and the second head 201A. Bleeding of the ink of the virtual head corresponding to the additional head 300 is prevented.

Further, in the carriage 20D, on the right side of the first head mounting portion 111A and the second head mounting portion 211A, the first head mounting portion 111B and the second head mounting portion 211B are located from the rear side to the front side. It is provided. No additional head mounting portion is provided between the first head mounting portion 111B and the second head mounting portion 211B. Further, the first head mounting portion 111B is provided so as to be displaced forward by a predetermined length from the first head mounting portion 111A. Further, the second head mounting portion 211B is also provided so as to be displaced forward by a predetermined length from the second head mounting portion 211A. In the carriage 20D, the first head mounting portion 111C and the second head mounting portion 211C are provided on the right side of the first head mounting portion 111B and the second head mounting portion 211B from the rear side to the front. ing. No additional head mounting portion is provided between the first head mounting portion 111C and the second head mounting portion 211C. Further, the first head mounting portion 111C is provided so as to be displaced forward by a predetermined length from the first head mounting portion 111B. Further, the second head mounting portion 211C is also provided so as to be displaced forward by a predetermined length from the second head mounting portion 211B. The first head mounting portions 111B1 and 111C and the second head mounting portions 211B and 211C have the same structure as the first head mounting portion 111A and the second head mounting portion 211A, respectively. An example of the first head attached to the first head attachment portions 111A to 111C is the white ink heads 101A to 101C. Further, an example of the second head attached to the second head attachment portions 211A to 211C is the color printing heads 201A to 201C.

<Structure of carriage 20E>
The carriage 20E of the fifth embodiment of the carriage 20 will be described with reference to FIG. The carriage 20E is a rectangle that is long in the front-rear direction when viewed in a plan view. As shown in FIG. 15, the first head mounting portion 111A is provided on the leftmost side and the rear side of the carriage 20E. The first head is attached to the first head attachment portion 111A. An example of the first head is the white ink head 101A. The first head mounting portion 111A has an opening (not shown) for exposing the nozzle surface (not shown) on the lower surface of the first head downward, and a screw hole (not shown) for fixing the first head. Is provided. A second head mounting portion 211A is provided on the front side of the carriage 20E. A second head is attached to the second head attachment portion 211A. An example of the second head is a color printing head 201A for yellow, magenta, cyan, and black. Further, the second head mounting portion 211A has an opening (not shown) for exposing the nozzle surface (not shown) on the lower surface of the second head downward, and a screw hole (not shown) for fixing the second head. (Omitted) is provided. The first head and the second head are arranged apart from each other in the sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction. The separation distance (FIG. 15: Ld = m8 + m9 + m10 + m11) is four times or more the value M obtained by (Equation 1) described later. No additional head mounting portion is provided between the first head mounting portion 111A and the second head mounting portion 211A.

That is, in FIG. 15, in m8 to m11, virtual heads (dashed lines) corresponding to the additional head 300 are virtually arranged between the first head 101A and the second head 201A in a row in the three sub-scanning directions. This is the assumed distance as in FIG. In FIG. 15, it is assumed that the three virtual heads corresponding to the additional head 300, the first head 101A, and the second head 201A are aligned in the sub-scanning direction, and their nozzle rows are also in a straight line in the sub-scanning direction. .. In FIG. 15, M is an bleeding prevention distance obtained by the same mathematical formula as L with respect to the first head 101A or the second head 201A with respect to the virtual head corresponding to the additional head 300, based on the same idea as L. The magnitude relation of these distances is m8 ≧ M, m9 ≧ M, m10 ≧ M, m11 ≧ M, Ld = m8 + m9 + m10 + m11 ≧ 4M. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 15, even if three virtual heads corresponding to the additional head 300 are arranged in a row in the sub-scanning direction between the first head 101A and the second head 201A, Bleeding of the virtual head corresponding to the additional head 300 is prevented.

Further, in the carriage 20E, on the right side of the first head mounting portion 111A and the second head mounting portion 211A, the first head mounting portion 111B and the second head mounting portion 211B are located from the rear side to the front side. It is provided. No additional head mounting portion is provided between the first head mounting portion 111B and the second head mounting portion 211B. Further, the first head mounting portion 111B is provided so as to be displaced forward by a predetermined length from the first head mounting portion 111A. Further, the second head mounting portion 211B is also provided so as to be displaced forward by a predetermined length from the second head mounting portion 211A. In the carriage 20E, the first head mounting portion 111C and the second head mounting portion 211C are provided on the right side of the first head mounting portion 111B and the second head mounting portion 211B from the rear side to the front. ing. No additional head mounting portion is provided between the first head mounting portion 111C and the second head mounting portion 211C. Further, the first head mounting portion 111C is provided so as to be displaced forward by a predetermined length from the first head mounting portion 111B. Further, the second head mounting portion 211C is also provided so as to be displaced forward by a predetermined length from the second head mounting portion 211B.

On the right side of the first head mounting portion 111C and the second head mounting portion 211C, the first head mounting portion 111D and the second head mounting portion 211D are provided from the rear side to the front. No additional head mounting portion is provided between the first head mounting portion 111D and the second head mounting portion 211D. Further, the first head mounting portion 111D is provided so as to be displaced forward by a predetermined length from the first head mounting portion 111C. Further, the second head mounting portion 211D is also provided so as to be displaced forward by a predetermined length from the second head mounting portion 211C. The first head mounting portions 111B, 111C, 111D and the second head mounting portions 211B, 211C, 211D have the same structure as the first head mounting portion 111A and the second head mounting portion 211A, respectively. An example of the first head attached to the first head attachment portions 111A to 111D is the white ink heads 101A to 101D. Further, an example of the second head attached to the second head attachment portions 211A to 211D is the color printing heads 201A to 201D.

<Structure of maintenance unit 145A>
A maintenance unit 145A corresponding to the carriage 20B, which is an example of the carriage 20, will be described with reference to FIG. The maintenance unit 145A shown in FIG. 16 corresponds to the carriage 20B shown in FIG. The maintenance unit 145A is provided in the non-printing area 140 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 16, in the maintenance unit 145A, the maintenance unit 141A is provided on the left side and the rear side on the base 146 having a rectangular shape in a plan view, and the maintenance unit 142A is provided on the left side and the front side. There is. An empty space 143A is provided between the maintenance unit 141A and the maintenance unit 142A. Maintenance units 141B and 142B are provided on the right side of the maintenance units 141A and 142A. An empty space 143B is provided between the maintenance unit 141B and the maintenance unit 142B. The maintenance units 141B and 142B are provided so as to be displaced forward by a predetermined length with respect to the maintenance units 141A and 142A, respectively. The structure of the maintenance units 141A, 142A, 141B, 142B is the same as that of the maintenance unit 141 shown in FIG.

<Structure of maintenance unit 145B>
A maintenance unit 145B corresponding to the carriage 20B, which is an example of the carriage 20, will be described with reference to FIG. The maintenance unit 145B shown in FIG. 17 corresponds to the carriage 20B shown in FIG. 7. The maintenance unit 145B is provided in the non-printing area 140 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 17, the maintenance unit 145B is provided with maintenance units 141A, 144A, 142A on the left side and from the rear side to the front on the base 146 having a rectangular shape in a plan view. Maintenance units 141B, 144B, 142B are provided on the right side of the maintenance units 141A, 144A, 142A from the rear side to the front side. The maintenance units 141B, 144B, and 142B are provided so as to be displaced forward by a predetermined length with respect to the maintenance units 141A, 144A, and 142A, respectively. The structure of the maintenance units 141A, 144A, 142A, 141B, 144B, 142B is the same as that of the maintenance unit 141 shown in FIG. The maintenance units 144A and 144B have been added to the empty space 143 shown in FIG. 3 due to the increase in the number of heads.

<Structure of ink flow path 70A>
The structure of the ink flow path 70A for supplying ink from the cartridge 30 to the head will be described with reference to FIG. The ink flow path 70A corresponds to the carriage 20B shown in FIG. Y, M, C, K, and W cartridges 30 are mounted on the mounting portion 3. A lid 32 is provided on the unused housing portion 31 of the mounting portion 3. One end of the tube 71 is connected to the Y, M, C, and K cartridges 30. The tube 71 shows a state in which tubes of each color of Y, M, C, and K are put together. The tube 71 branches into tubes 71A and 71B on the way. The other end of the tube 71A is connected to the color printing head 201A, and the other end of the tube 71B is connected to the color printing head 201B. Further, one end of the tube 72 is connected to the W cartridge 30. The tube 72 branches into tubes 72A and 72B on the way. The other end of the tube 72A is connected to the white ink head 101A, and the other end of the tube 72B is connected to the white ink head 101B.

<Structure of ink flow path 70B>
The structure of the ink flow path 70B will be described with reference to FIG. The ink flow path 70B corresponds to the carriage 20B shown in FIG. 7. The Y, M, C, K, and W cartridges 30 (not shown) and the spot color inks S1, S2, S3, and S4 cartridges 30 (not shown) are connected to the mounting portion 3. The spot color inks S1, S2, S3, and S4 may be the same color or different colors. One end of the tube 71 is connected to the Y, M, C, and K cartridges 30 (not shown). The tube 71 shows a state in which tubes of each color of Y, M, C, and K are put together. The tube 71 branches into tubes 71A and 71B on the way. The other end of the tube 71A is connected to the color printing head 201A, and the other end of the tube 71B is connected to the color printing head 201B. Further, one end of the tube 72 is connected to the W cartridge 30 (not shown). The tube 72 branches into tubes 72A and 72B on the way. The other end of the tube 72A is connected to the white ink head 101A, and the other end of the tube 72B is connected to the white ink head 101B.

Further, one end of the tube 74 is connected to the cartridge 30 (not shown) of the spot color inks S1 to S4. The tube 74 shows a state in which the tubes of the spot color inks S1 to S4 are put together. The tube 74 branches into tubes 74A and 74B on the way. The other end of the tube 74A is connected to the spot color ink head 301A, and the other end of the tube 74B is connected to the spot color ink head 301B. The tube 74 is configured to correspond to the spot color inks S1 to S4 and the four cartridges 30. As the tube 74, one to a maximum of four cartridges 30 of the spot color inks S1 to S4 may be selectively used according to the print content and the color of the spot color inks S1 to S4. A plurality of cartridges 30 of the spot color inks S1 to S4 of the same color may be mounted, and the spot color inks S1 to S4 may be supplied to the single spot color ink heads 301A and 301B from the plurality of cartridges 30 at the same time or by switching. An on-off valve (not shown) is provided in the flow path of the spot color inks S1 to S4 of the unused tube 74 so as not to affect the used tube 74.

<Structure of ink flow path 70C>
The structure of the ink flow path 70C will be described with reference to FIG. The ink flow path 70C corresponds to the carriage 20B shown in FIG. A Y, M, C, K, and W cartridge 30 (not shown) and a discharge ink cartridge 30 (not shown) are connected to the mounting portion 3. A lid 32 is provided on the unused housing portion 31 of the mounting portion 3. One end of the tube 71 is connected to the Y, M, C, and K cartridges 30 (not shown). The tube 71 shows a state in which tubes of each color of Y, M, C, and K are put together. The tube 71 branches into tubes 71A and 71B on the way. The other end of the tube 71A is connected to the color printing head 201A, and the other end of the tube 71B is connected to the color printing head 201B. Further, one end of the tube 72 is connected to the W cartridge 30 (not shown). The tube 72 branches into tubes 72A and 72B on the way. The other end of the tube 72A is connected to the white ink head 101A, and the other end of the tube 72B is connected to the white ink head 101B. Further, one end of the tube 73 is connected to the discharge printing ink (D) cartridge 30 (not shown). The tube 73 branches into tubes 73A and 73B on the way. The other end of the tube 73A is connected to the discharge ink head 302A, and the other end of the tube 73B is connected to the discharge ink head 302A.

<Distance L between leading nozzles that does not cause bleeding>
Hereinafter, the distance L between the leading nozzles where bleeding does not occur will be described with reference to FIG. A second head (color printing head 200 (C)) is printed on a portion printed by a leading nozzle (not shown) on the rear end side of the first head (base printing head 100 (W)) of the carriage 20A shown in FIG. Assuming that the time until the first nozzle prints is Tpw,
L: Distance between head nozzles, that is, the head nozzle (not shown) on the rear end side of the first head (base printing head 100 (W)) and the head of the second head (color printing head 200 (C)). Distance to the nozzle,
Tpw: Time until the nozzle of the second head prints on the portion printed by the nozzle of the first head of the first head.
Tcr: total time of main scan,
Tw: Weight time,
Cw: Number of platen feeds Ln: Length of nozzle row in the sub-scanning direction (hereinafter, also referred to as "nozzle length")
In: When the number of interlaces is taken as Tpw = (total time of main scan + weight time), (distance between head nozzles / nozzle length), number of interlaces Therefore, Tpw = (Tcr + Tw), Cw = (Tcr + Tw), (L) / Ln) ・ In
Here, by substituting Cw = (L / Ln) · In into the above equation and summarizing L,
L = (Tpw · Ln) / ((Tcr + Tw) · In) ... (Equation 1)
Therefore, in order to prevent bleeding
L ≧ (Tpw ・ Ln) / ((Tcr + Tw) ・ In) ・ ・ ・ (Equation 2)
Is desirable.
The above-mentioned idea may be applied to the additional head 300 arranged between the first head 100 and the second head 200 in order to prevent bleeding.

<Ink amount setting process>
The ink amount setting process will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 21. Since the CPU 40 is connected to the operation unit 47 or the printer 1, the CPU 40 detects the type of the base head when there is an instruction to set the ink amount from a terminal device such as a PC (S11: YES). (S12). If the CPU 40 does not determine that the ink amount setting instruction has been given (S11: NO), the processing returns to S11. The CPU 40 detects the type of the base head attached to the base printing head mounting portion 110 detected by the head sensor 34, and when the discharge ink head 302 is detected (S13: YES), the ink amount reduction process is performed. (S14). The CPU 40 stores in the RAM 42 a flag that reduces the amount of ink in printing with the special color ink or in color printing as compared with the case where the base head is not the discharge ink head 302 in the ink amount reducing process. If the CPU 40 does not detect the discharge ink head 302 (S13: NO), the CPU 40 ends the ink amount setting process.

<Mode setting process>
The mode setting process will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 22. When the CPU 40 is connected to the operation unit 47 or the printer 1 and therefore receives an instruction for mode setting processing from a terminal device such as a PC (S21: YES), the CPU 40 determines whether the mode is the first print mode (S21: YES). S22). If the CPU 40 does not determine that the mode setting process has been instructed (S21: NO), the process returns to S21. When the CPU 40 determines that the instruction is for the first print mode (S22: YES), the CPU 40 stores a flag indicating the first print mode in the RAM 42 (S23). Further, the CPU 40 does not determine that the instruction is for the first print mode (S22: NO), and if it determines that the instruction is for the second print mode (S24: YES), sets a flag indicating the second print mode to the RAM 42. It is stored in (S25). As an example of the first print mode, as shown in FIG. 12, white ink heads 101A and 101B are attached to the first head attachment portions 111A and 111B as base heads, and the second head attachment portions 211A are colored. When the printing head 201B is attached and the special color ink head 301B is attached to the second head attachment portion 211B, printing is performed together in the same scanning on the printing medium with the white ink, the color ink, and the special color ink. The print mode to execute.

Further, the second print mode is a mode in which printing is executed on the area of the print medium printed by the base ink in the same scanning with the color ink and the spot color ink. The CPU 40 does not determine that the instruction is for the first print mode (S22: NO), and does not determine that the instruction is for the second print mode (S24: NO), and ends the mode setting process.

<Printing process>
The printing process will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 23. When the CPU 40 is connected to the operation unit 47 or the printer 1 and therefore receives an instruction for printing processing from a terminal device such as a PC (S31: YES), the CPU 40 determines whether it is the first print mode (S32). ). When the flag stored in the RAM 42 is the flag of the first print mode, the CPU 40 determines that it is the first print mode (S32: YES), and prints in the first print mode (S33). The CPU 40 determines that the flag stored in the RAM 42 is not the flag of the first print mode (S32: NO), but is the second print mode (S34: YES) in the case of the second print mode (S34: NO). YES), printing is performed in the second print mode (S35). When the flag stored in the RAM 42 does not determine the second print mode (S34: NO), the CPU 40 ends the process. If the CPU 40 does not determine that the print processing instruction has been given (S31: NO), the CPU 40 returns the processing to S31. When the flag for reducing the amount of ink is stored in the RAM 42, the CPU 40 prints in color at the time of printing in the first print mode (S33) and at the time of printing in the second print mode (S35). Alternatively, the amount of ink in printing with the special color ink is reduced as compared with the case where the discharge printing ink is not used as the base ink. The amount to be reduced is set in advance according to the print medium.

With reference to FIGS. 25 to 27, the printing process in the first printing mode by the carriage 20C provided with the base printing heads 101A and 101B for ejecting white ink, the color printing head 201A, and the spot color ink head 301B. An example will be described. The rectangular area A1 surrounded by the positions P1, P2, P3, and P4 shown in FIG. 25 is an area that requires base printing. As shown in FIG. 25, the CPU 40 moves the platen 5 to the scanning position L2 including the position P3 which is the base printing start position by the base printing head 101A. Next, the CPU 40 reciprocates the carriage 20C in the left-right direction from the position P3 to the area A1 in which the background printing is required, and ejects white ink from the nozzle 61 (see FIG. 24) of the background printing head 101A to prepare the background. Start printing. The CPU 40 sequentially moves the platen 5 forward (in the direction of arrow A), reciprocates the carriage 20C in the left-right direction, and performs background printing by the background printing heads 101A and 101B.

Next, when the carriage 20C moves to the right from the state shown in FIG. 26 and the front end of the nozzle row 62 (see FIG. 24) of the color printing head 201A faces the position P3, the CPU 40 is used for color printing. Discharge of color ink is started from the head 201A. Next, as shown in FIG. 27, when the front end of the nozzle row 62 (see FIG. 24) of the spot color ink head 301B faces the position P3, the CPU 40 starts ejecting the spot color ink from the spot color ink head 301B. To do. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 27, the CPU 40 prints together in the same scan (same main scan) on the print medium by the white ink for the base, the color ink, and the spot color ink.

In the above embodiment, if the inks of the plurality of heads are ejected at the same time, the printing time is shorter than that at the same time. "Printing together in the same scan" by a plurality of heads in the above embodiment does not mean that the plurality of heads eject ink to the same area at the same time. The area where the plurality of heads eject ink is different for each head. "Printing together in the same scan" means that each head ejects ink to each facing region during one scan (movement in the main scanning direction). That is, it is desirable that the timing at which the plurality of heads eject ink is the same, but the ink may be separately shifted for each head for the convenience of power supply and control.

Next, the CPU 40 ends the ejection of the white ink from the underprinting heads 101A and 101B when the underprinting heads 101A and 101B complete the ejection of the white ink to the position P2. Further, the CPU 40 ends the ejection of the color ink from the color printing head 201A when the ejection of the color ink to the position P2 is completed by the color printing head 201A. Further, when the special color ink head 301B completes the discharge of the special color ink to the position P2, the CPU 40 finishes the discharge of the special color ink from the special color ink head 301B.

An example of printing processing in the second printing mode by the carriage 20C provided with the discharge ink heads 302A and 302B, the color printing head 201A, and the spot color ink head 301B will be described with reference to FIGS. 28 to 30. As shown in FIG. 28, the CPU 40 moves the platen 5 to the scanning position L1 including the position P1 which is the discharge printing start position by the discharge ink head 302A, and then moves the carriage 20C to the right to determine the area where discharge printing is required. Discharge ink is ejected from the nozzle 61 (see FIG. 24) of the discharge ink head 302A with respect to A1, and discharge printing is started. Therefore, the CPU 40 performs discharge printing by moving the platen 5 from the front side to the rear side. The CPU 40 sequentially moves the platen 5 backward (in the direction of arrow B), reciprocates the carriage 20C in the left-right direction, and performs discharge printing by the discharge ink heads 302A and 302B. When the discharge of the discharge ink to the position P4 is completed, the CPU 40 finishes the discharge of the discharge ink from the discharge ink heads 302A and 302B.

Next, the CPU 40 moves the platen 5 in the direction of arrow A (forward) in FIG. 29. Next, as shown in FIG. 29, the platen 5 is moved so that the front end of the nozzle row 62 (see FIG. 24) of the color printing head 201A comes to the scanning position including the position P3. Next, when the carriage 20C moves to the right from the state shown in FIG. 29 and the front end of the nozzle row 62 (see FIG. 24) of the color printing head 201A faces the position P3, the CPU 40 is used for color printing. Discharge of color ink is started from the head 201A. Next, from the state shown in FIG. 30, when the carriage 20C moves to the right and the front end of the nozzle row 62 (see FIG. 24) of the spot color ink head 301B faces the position P3, the CPU 40 uses the spot color ink. Discharge of special color ink is started from the head 301B. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 27, the CPU 40 prints together in the area A1 where the discharge ink is ejected and discharged in the same scan (same main scan) on the print medium by the color ink and the spot color ink. The CPU 40 finishes ejecting the color ink from the color printing head 201A when the ejection of the color ink is completed up to the position P2, and when the ejection of the spot color ink is completed up to the position P2, the CPU 40 is discharged from the spot color ink head 301B. Ends the ejection of the special color ink. FIG. 31 is a diagram showing the positional relationship of the carriage 20C that has passed through the platen 5 at the printing completion position with the spot color ink. As shown in FIG. 31, the CPU 40 moves the platen 5 forward (in the direction of arrow A) in order to take out the printed print medium. Further, the carriage 20A moves to the left and returns to the standby position.

<Operation effect of printer 1 of the embodiment>
In the printer 1 of the above embodiment, the white ink heads 101A and 101B or the discharge ink heads 302A and 302B can be selectively attached to the first head attachment portions 111A and 111B, and the color printing head 201A or the spot color can be attached. The ink head 301A can be selectively attached to the second head attachment portions 211A and 211B. Therefore, even if printing is performed by the white ink heads 101A and 101B or the discharge ink heads 302A and 302B and printing is performed by the color printing head 201A or the special color ink head 301A without stopping the printing, the white ink head 101A , 101B, or the discharge ink heads 302A and 302B can secure the drying time for printing, and good printing can be performed.

Further, in the printer 1, since two heads of the same type are mounted on at least one of the two first head mounting portions 111A and 111B or the second head mounting portions 211A and 211B, the amount of ink in the scanning direction can be increased. it can.

Further, in the printer 1, since different types of heads are mounted on at least one of the two first head mounting portions 111A and 111B or the second head mounting portions 211A and 211B, the same heads are mounted on both of them. Compared to the case, it can be applied to various printing.

Further, in the printer 1, the first head mounting portions 111A and 111B and the second head mounting portions 211A and 211B are arranged apart from each other in a direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction, and the first head mounting portions 111A and 111B and the second head are arranged apart from each other. A flat flat portion 320 is provided between the mounting portions 211A and 211B. Therefore, another head is not provided between the first head mounting portions 111A and 111B and the second head mounting portions 211A and 211B. It takes a long time for the printed portion by the heads mounted on the first head mounting portions 111A and 111B to come into contact with the ink from the heads mounted on the second head mounting portions 211A and 211B, and the first head mounting portions 111A, The possibility that the printed portion by the head mounted on the 111B is smeared by the ink from the head mounted on the second head mounting portions 211A and 211B is reduced.

Further, in the printer 1, a maintenance mechanism and an ink flow path can be attached to the empty spaces 143A and 143B corresponding to the heads attached to the first head attachment portions 111A and 111B and the second head attachment portions 211A and 211B.

Further, in the printer 1, printing can be executed together in the same scanning of the ink ejected by the base head and the color ink or the spot color ink on the print medium. Therefore, the printing time can be shortened as compared with the ink for printing in the order of the base ink, the color ink, and the spot color ink in different relative scanning.

Further, in the printer 1, printing can be executed on the region of the print medium printed by the ink ejected by the base head in the same scanning on the print medium with the color ink and the spot color ink. Therefore, the printing time can be shortened with respect to the area of the print medium printed by the ink ejected by the base head for printing in different relative scanning in the order of color ink and spot color ink.

Further, in the printer 1, printing can be executed together in the same scanning of the ink ejected by the base head, the color ink, and the spot color ink on the printing medium. Therefore, the printing time can be shortened as compared with the ink ejected by the base head, the color ink, and the spot color ink, which are printed in different relative scans in this order.

Further, in the printer 1, printing on the printing medium with the color ink or printing with the special color ink can be performed on the area of the printing medium printed by the discharge printing ink.

Further, in the printer 1, the printing on the printing medium by the white ink ejected by the white ink head and the color or spot color ink of the color head or the spot color head are used for the area of the print medium printed by the discharge printing ink. Color printing or spot color printing can be performed.

Further, in the printer 1, when the ink ejected by the base head is discharge ink, the amount of ink ejected from at least one of the color head and the spot color head can be saved.

Further, in the printer 1, at least one of the first print mode and the second print mode can be set by the setting means. Therefore, the print mode can be set according to the ink.

Further, in the printer 1, one of the first print mode and the second print mode can be set by the setting means. Therefore, the print mode can be set according to the ink.

Further, in the printer 1, the base head, the color head, or the spot color head can print by scanning.

Further, in the printer 1, the background printing head and the color head are attached so that the nozzle row of the background printing head and the nozzle row of the color head are aligned or parallel to each other, so that the background printing head and the color head are mounted. The head can print by scanning with the drive motor 19.

Further, in the printer 1, when the condition of L ≧ (Tpw · Ln) / ((Tcr + Tw) · In) is satisfied, the heads mounted on the first head mounting portions 111A and 111B are discharged and the second head mounting portion is mounted. It is not necessary to provide a weight time between the discharge of the heads attached to the 211A and 211B, and the printing time can be shortened as compared with the case where the weight time is provided.

Further, in the printer 1, since the base head and the color head are mounted on one carriage, the base head and the color head are scanned by scanning one carriage.

In the printer 1, an additional head mounting portion can be provided on the flat portion 320. Therefore, a head that ejects discharge ink or a head that ejects spot color ink can be selectively attached as an additional head to the additional head mounting portion to support various printing. Further, when the additional head is not attached, a drying time for the liquid discharged from the base printing head can be secured, and good printing can be performed quickly.

In the printer 1, additional head mounting portions 310A and 310B can be provided between the first head mounting portions 111A and 111B and the second head mounting portions 211A and 211B, respectively, so that the additional head mounting portions 310A and 310B can be provided. The discharge ink heads 302A and 302B or the spot color ink heads 301A and 301B can be selectively attached as additional heads to support various printing.

Since the additional head ejects at least one of the discharge printing ink that removes the color of the print medium, or the ink ejected by the base head and the special color ink different from the ink of the color, the additional head mounting portions 310A and 310B An additional head can be selectively attached to the ink to support a variety of printing. Further, when the additional head is not attached, a drying time for the liquid discharged from the base head can be secured, and good printing can be performed quickly.

The printer 1 is an example of the "injection printer" of the present invention. The base printing head 100 and the white ink heads 101A to 101D are examples of the "white ink head" of the present invention. The discharge ink heads 302, 302A, and 302B are examples of the "discharge agent head" of the present invention. The color printing heads 200, 201A to 201D are examples of the "color head" of the present invention. The additional head 300, the spot color ink head 301, and the spot color ink heads 301A and 301B are examples of the "spot color head" of the present invention. The base printing head mounting portion 110 and the first head mounting portions 111A to 111D are examples of the "base printing head mounting portion" of the present invention. The second head mounting portions 211A to 211D are examples of the "color head mounting portions" of the present invention. The spot color ink head 301 and the discharge printing ink head 302 are examples of the "additional head" of the present invention. The CPU 40 is an example of the "control unit" of the present invention. The two-color inks of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black ejected by the color printing head 200 are an example of the "two-color ink" of the present invention. The drive motor 19 is an example of the "scanning device" of the present invention. The CPU 40 that executes the mode setting process is an example of the "setting means" of the present invention.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible. For example, in the ink amount setting process, instead of the additional head type detection process (S12), the user inputs the head type to be mounted on the printer 1 from the operation unit 47, and the CPU 40 automatically inputs the head type based on the input result. Ink weight loss may be set to. Further, the CPU 40 may automatically analyze the print data to be printed by the printer 1, and the CPU 40 may automatically set the ink reduction based on the analysis result. As an example of automatic analysis, after the CPU 40 ejects ink by the head for the entire area where the head attached to the first head mounting portions 111A and 111B ejects ink, a head different from the head ejects liquid. This is the case when it is analyzed that it is discharged. The CPU 40 may execute automatic analysis based on the ejection order of each head and the overlap of printing positions. Further, in the printer 1, drive control such as voltage, current, waveform, and timing for driving the carriage 20 may be appropriately changed according to the number and types of heads attached to the carriage 20. The change in the drive control may be determined by an input operation by the user. In addition, the drive control can be changed by automatically detecting the number and type of heads attached to the carriage 20 and automatically analyzing the number and type of heads from the printed image and process. , It may be determined automatically.

In the printing process described above, when the carriage 20A moves from left to right, printing is started on the area A1, so that the start position (position) of discharge printing, base printing, and color printing is on the left end side of the area A1. P1) is located. If printing is started on the area A1 when the carriage 20A moves from right to left, the start position (position P2) of discharge printing, base printing, and color printing is located on the right end side of the area A1. .. All of the start positions of discharge printing, base printing, and color printing are located only on the left end side or the right end side of area A1, but any of the start positions of discharge printing, base printing, and color printing is on another side. There may be.

In the above-mentioned printing process, when the platen 5 moves from the back to the front and printing is started on the area A1 that needs to be printed, discharge printing, base printing, and color printing are performed on the rear side of the area A1. The starting position of is located. If printing is started on the area A1 when the platen 5 moves from the front to the back, the start positions of discharge printing, base printing, and color printing may be located on the front side of the area A1. Further, the start positions of discharge printing, base printing, and color printing are not limited to those located only on the rear side or the front side of the area A1, and any of the start positions of discharge printing, base printing, and color printing is different. It may be on the side of.

In addition, the difficulty of drying ink depends on the working environment. Therefore, when it is desired to increase the time interval between the discharge printing, the background printing, and the color printing instead of widening the distance between the base printing head 100, the discharge ink head 302, and the color printing head 200, the work efficiency is increased. Even if the value is lowered, discharge printing, base printing, and color printing may be performed in two round trips in the front-rear direction of the platen 5. For example, in the printer 1, discharge printing may be performed when the platen 5 is conveyed from the rear side to the front side. Next, the base printing may be performed when the platen 5 is conveyed from the front side to the rear side. Next, color printing may be performed when the platen 5 is conveyed from the front side to the rear side. In this case, the time for each interval of discharge printing, base printing, and color printing can be extended to secure the ink drying time. The discharge printing is performed when the platen 5 is transported from the back to the front in order to visually check whether the discharge printing portion is formed. The final color printing is done with the platen 5 from the back side to the front side. Therefore, the printed print medium can be taken out immediately.

Further, either the scanning position including the discharge printing start position P1 by the discharge ink head 302 or the scanning position including the discharge completion position P4 by the discharge ink head 302 is set to the color printing head 200 or the base printing head 100. It may be adjusted to the scanning position including the printing start position. In this case, even when the color printing head 200, the background printing head 100, and the additional head 300 print in exactly the same area, the printing start position of the color printing head 200 and the background printing head 100 is , It is not always necessary to be the discharge printing start position P1 by the discharge printing ink head 302. The end position P2 of the printing area on the opposite side of the scan in the scanning including the discharge printing start position P1 by the discharge ink head 302 may be the printing start position of the color printing head 200 or the base printing head 100. The discharge printing completion position P4 by the additional head 300 may be set as the printing start position of the color printing head 200 or the base printing head 100. The end position P3 of the printing area on the opposite side of the scan in the scanning including the discharge printing completion position P4 by the discharge ink head 302 may be the printing start position of the color printing head 200 or the base printing head 100. The discharge printing starts from the position PI, but the base printing may start from P2 and the color printing may start from P4. The start position may be set as appropriate in consideration of the printed image, the drying time of the ink, and the like. The standby position of the carriage 20 is on the right side, but it may be on the left side.

As shown in FIGS. 25 to 30, when a plurality of heads of the same type are provided in the main scanning direction of the carriage 20B and the heads of the same type are arranged so as to be offset in the sub-scanning direction, the heads of the same type are of the same type. Which part of which head of the heads is to be the printing start position is determined as follows. With respect to printing by a plurality of heads of the same type, the moving direction of the platen 5 in the sub-scanning direction (arrow B direction in FIG. 28, arrow A direction in FIGS. 25 to 27, 29, and 30) is specified. The side on which the platen 5 moves in the moving direction as the printing progresses is the printing downstream side, and the opposite side is the printing upstream side. Among a plurality of heads of the same type, the head whose nozzle row on the downstream side of each head is located on the upstream side of printing is specified. Further, with respect to the specified head, the printing start position may be determined with reference to the end of the nozzle row on the downstream side of printing, which is located on the downstream side of printing most. In FIG. 28, it is assumed that the downstream side of printing is the rear side in the drawing, and the rear side of the discharge ink head 302B in the right column of the left and right two rows of heads is the side including the printing start position. In FIGS. 25 to 27, 29, and 30, the downstream side of printing is the front side in the drawing, and of the two left and right rows of head rows, the front side of the head in the left row is the side including the printing start position. In FIG. 25, the front side of the white ink head 101A, and in FIG. 26, the front side of the color printing head 201A is the side including the printing start position. Regarding claim 3, different types of heads are attached to at least one of the two base head attachment portions or the two color head attachment portions, for example, as follows. There are two base printing head attachment portions 110A and 110B on the carriage 20C, and the discharge ink head 102 is attached to one of them, and the white ink head 101A is attached to the other. It seems that there are two color head mounting parts (color printing head mounting parts) 210A and 210B on the carriage 20C, one of which is the color printing head 201A and the other of which is the spot color ink head 301A. It is in a state.

In the present invention, the discharge ink and the discharge agent are agents that have the effect of removing the color of the object to be printed, and do not have the effect of imparting color to the color of the object to be printed by any dye or pigment. However, the discharge printing ink may be a chemical that causes an action of removing the color of the object to be printed, and may also have an action of imparting a color to the color of the object to be printed by some kind of dye or pigment. For the discharge printing ink, the action of removing the color of the object to be printed is indispensable, but the action of imparting a color to the color of the object to be printed by some kind of dye or pigment is not essential.

1 Printer 3 Mounting part 5 Platen 6 Platen drive mechanism 19 Drive motor 20 Carriage 20A to 20E Carriage 30 Cartridge 31 Housing unit 33 Cartridge sensor 34 Head sensor 40 CPU
42 RAM
47 Operation unit 61 Nozzle 62 Nozzle row 70A to 70C Ink flow path 100 Base printing head 101A to 101D White ink head 110, 110A, 110B Base printing head mounting part 111A to 111D First head mounting part 200, 201A to 201D Color printing heads 210, 210A, 210B Color printing head mounting parts 211A to 211D Second head mounting parts 300 Additional heads 301, 301A, 301B Special color ink heads 302, 302A, 302B Discharge ink heads 310, 310A, 310B added Head mounting part 320 Flat part

Claims (20)

For at least two substrates to which both substrate heads, which are a head for white ink that ejects white ink to a print medium or a head for a discharge agent that ejects a discharge agent that removes the color of the print medium, can be selectively attached. Head mounting part and
A scanning device that scans the base head in the main scanning direction with respect to the print medium.
A head for coloring at least two colors of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black inks, or the head for coloring, which is arranged on the downstream side of the sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction from the base head mounting portion. It is characterized by having at least two color head mounting portions capable of selectively mounting both a white ink head, the discharge agent head, and a spot color head for spot color ink having a color different from the color. Ink printer. The inkjet printer according to claim 1, wherein two heads of the same type are attached to at least one of the two base head attachment portions or the two color head attachment portions. The inkjet printer according to claim 1, wherein different types of heads are attached to at least one of the two base head attachment portions or the two color head attachment portions. The base head mounting portion and the color head mounting portion are arranged apart from each other in a direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction.
The inkjet printer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a flat flat portion is provided between the base head mounting portion and the color head mounting portion. The base head and the color head or the spot color head corresponding to the base head mounting portion and the color head mounting portion, and the color head or the spot color head, and the color head or the spot color head. Claims 1 to 4, wherein at least one space of a maintenance mechanism for performing maintenance or an ink flow path for supplying ink to the base head and the color head or the spot color head is provided. The inkjet printer described in any of them. A control unit for controlling ink ejection from the base head and the color head or the spot color head is provided.
Any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the control unit performs printing together in the same scanning of the printing medium with the ink ejected by the base head and the color ink or the spot color ink. Ink printer described in. A control unit for controlling the ejection of ink from the base head, the color head, and the spot color head is provided.
When the color head and the spot color head are attached to the color head mounting portion, the control unit has the color with respect to the area of the print medium printed by the ink ejected by the base head. The inkjet printer according to any one of claims 1, 3 to 6, wherein printing is performed together in the same scanning of the ink and the spot color ink on the printing medium. A control unit for controlling the ejection of ink from the base head, the color head, and the spot color head is provided.
When the color head and the spot color head are attached to the color head mounting portion, the control unit delivers the ink ejected by the base head, the color ink, and the spot color ink to the printing medium. The inkjet printer according to any one of claims 1, 3 to 7, wherein printing is performed together in the same scanning. A control unit for controlling ink ejection from the base head and the color head or the spot color head is provided.
When the liquid discharged by the base head is a discharge printing agent that removes the color of the print medium, the control unit may perform a scanning position including a discharge printing start position by the base head, or complete discharge printing by the discharge agent head. After setting any of the scanning positions including the position to the start position of printing by the color head or the spot color head, the color head or the color head or the color head or the above with respect to the area of the print medium printed for the base with the base ink. The inkjet printer according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein color printing or spot color printing with the color of the spot color head or the spot color ink is performed. A control unit for controlling the ejection of ink from the base head and the color head is provided.
When the white ink head or the discharge printing agent head is attached to the base head mounting portion, the control unit is a scanning position including a discharge printing start position by the discharge printing agent head, or the discharge printing agent head. After setting any of the scanning positions including the discharge printing completion position by the white ink head to the start position of the white ink printing by the white ink head, the white ink is used for the area of the printing medium printed by the discharge printing agent. From claims 1 and 3, wherein printing on the printing medium with the white ink ejected by the head and color printing or spot color printing with the color of the color head or the spot color head or the spot color ink are performed. 9. The inkjet printer according to any one of 9. When the ink discharged by the base head is the discharge agent, the ink discharged from at least one of the color head or the spot color head is compared with the case where the ink discharged by the base head is not the discharge agent. The inkjet printer according to claim 10, wherein the control unit controls the color head or the spot color head so that the amount is small. When the base head is attached to the base head mounting portion and the color head and the spot color head are attached to the color head mounting portion, the ink discharged by the base head, the ink of the color. , And the first print mode in which printing is performed together in the same scanning on the print medium by the spot color ink, or the area of the print medium printed by the ink ejected by the base head, the color. 1, 3 to 7, wherein a setting means for setting at least one of a second print mode for executing printing together in the same scanning of the ink and the spot color ink on the print medium is provided. The inkjet printer described in any of them. When the base head is attached to the base head mounting portion and the color head and the spot color head are attached to the color head mounting portion, the ink discharged by the base head, the ink of the color. , And the first print mode in which printing is performed together in the same scanning on the print medium by the spot color ink, or the area of the print medium printed by the ink ejected by the base head, the color. Any of claims 1, 3 to 7, wherein the printing means for setting one of the second printing mode for executing printing together in the same scanning of the ink and the spot color ink on the printing medium is provided. Inkjet printer described in. In the first print scan in which the inkjet printer prints on the print medium, the base head and the color head or the special color head are upstream in the main scanning direction of the base head and the color head. Or the spot color head is located
The inkjet printer according to any one of claims 1, 3 to 13, wherein in the final print scan, the base head and the color head or the spot color head are located downstream in the main scanning direction. .. The mounting portion of the base head and the mounting portion of the color head are arranged so that the nozzle row of the base head and the nozzle row of the color head are aligned or parallel to each other. The inkjet printer according to any one of claims 1 to 14. L: The distance between the head mounted on the base head mounting portion and the head mounted on the color head mounting portion,
Tpw: Time until the nozzle of the head attached to the color head mounting portion prints on the portion printed by the head nozzle of the head attached to the base head mounting portion.
Tcr: total time of main scan return,
Tw: Weight time,
Ln: Length of nozzle row in sub-scanning direction In: L ≧ (Tpw · Ln) / ((Tcr + Tw) · In) in the case of the number of interlaces, according to claims 1 to 15. The inkjet printer described in any of them. The inkjet printer according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the base head and the color head are mounted on one carriage. The flat portion is longer in the sub-scanning direction than the length of the head attached to the base head mounting portion or the color head mounting portion in the sub-scanning direction, and the base head mounting portion and the color head mounting portion are described. The inkjet printer according to claim 4, wherein the head attached to the base head mounting portion or the color head mounting portion is separated in the sub-scanning direction from the length in the sub-scanning direction. The base head mounting portion and the color head mounting portion are arranged apart from each other in a direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction.
The method according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein an additional head mounting portion to which an additional head for ejecting ink can be mounted is provided between the base head mounting portion and the color head mounting portion. The described inkjet printer. 19. The additional head is characterized in that it ejects at least one ink of a discharge printing agent that removes the color of the print medium, or an ink ejected by the base head and a special color ink different from the ink of the color. Ink printer described in.

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