JP2020163785A - Substrate treatment method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a technique capable of correcting a treatment position or the position of a substrate in a width direction based on the detection result of the width-directional edge position of a long belt-like substrate while assuring a physical relationship in the width direction.SOLUTION: A substrate treatment method comprises: a process (a) of measuring the width-directional relative position Dw to a reference place Pb, of the edge 91 of a place whose position in a conveyance direction is equal to that of the place Pb when defining one place on the side plate 141 pivotally supporting a conveyance roller 12 for conveying the substrate as the reference place Pb; and a process (b) of correcting the treatment position of the substrate or the position thereof in the width direction on the basis of the measurement result by the process (a). Thereby, the treatment position of the substrate and also the position of the substrate can be corrected in the width direction while assuring a positional relation in the above direction. Accordingly, since a treatment can be carried out to an original suitable position on the surface of the substrate, treatment quality is improved.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to a base material treatment method for treating a base material while transporting a long strip-shaped base material in the longitudinal direction.

Conventionally, there is known a base material processing apparatus that performs various treatments on a base material while transporting a long strip-shaped base material in the longitudinal direction by a plurality of rollers. In such a base material processing apparatus, the position of the base material deviates from the original appropriate position in the width direction, which may lead to deterioration of processing quality. Therefore, for example, Patent Document 1 describes a technique for detecting such a deviation of the base material in the width direction and correcting the processing position on the base material in the width direction.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-132207

Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for transporting a long print medium and performing printing while correcting the print position from the side edge position of the print medium. Specifically, the print position is corrected based on the result of detecting the difference between the side edge position before the displacement and the side edge position after the displacement of the print medium. However, if the positional relationship between the detection unit and the print medium in the width direction is not guaranteed due to a shift from the place where the detection unit that detects the side edge position of the print medium should be originally arranged, etc. When the print position is corrected, an error may occur between the corrected print position and an appropriate print position.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and is based on the result of detecting the position in the width direction of the edge of the long strip-shaped base material while guaranteeing the positional relationship in the width direction. An object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of correcting the processing position in the width direction or the position of the base material in the width direction.

In order to solve the above problems, in the first invention of the present application, a long strip-shaped base material is transported in the longitudinal direction along a transport path composed of a plurality of rollers, and at a processing position on the transport path. A base material treatment method for treating a base material, in which one place on a support member that pivotally supports the roller is used as a reference point, and a) an edge of a base material whose position in the transport direction is the same as that of the reference point. , The step of measuring the relative position in the width direction with respect to the reference point, and b) based on the measurement result in the step a), the processing position on the base material is corrected in the width direction, or the position of the base material is corrected in the width direction. Including the step of correcting to.

The second invention of the present application is the base material processing method of the first invention, and in the step a), the position of the edge in the width direction and the width direction of the reference portion while the sensor moves in the width direction. The relative position is measured by measuring the position.

The third invention of the present application is the base material processing method of the first invention or the second invention, wherein the support member extends in the transport direction, and each of the plurality of rollers extends in the width direction about a rotation axis. It is a side plate that rotatably supports the shaft.

The fourth invention of the present application is the base material treatment method of any one of the first to third inventions, and before the step b), c) the reference point and the transport direction in the support member. In the step of adjusting the detection position separated from the above in the width direction based on the measurement result in the step a), and in the step of d) performing the process and adjusting the detection position in the step c), the base material. Further includes a step of acquiring time-dependent data by continuously or intermittently detecting the position of the edge in the width direction, and in the step b), the measurement result by the step a) and the step d). Based on the time-lapse data acquired in the above, the processing position on the base material is corrected in the width direction, or the position of the base material is corrected in the width direction.

The fifth invention of the present invention is the base material treatment method of the fourth invention, and in the step b), the base material is based on the measurement result by the step a) and the time-lapse data acquired in the step d). By predicting the displacement of the base material in the width direction, the processing position on the base material is corrected in the width direction, or the position of the base material is corrected in the width direction.

The sixth invention of the present application is the base material treatment method of the fourth invention or the fifth invention, and in the step b), the treatment position to the base material is widened on the downstream side in the transport direction from the detection position. Correct in the direction, or correct the position of the substrate in the width direction.

The seventh invention of the present application is the base material treatment method of any one of the fourth to sixth inventions, and in the step b), the base material is on the upstream side in the transport direction from the treatment position. Correct the position of in the width direction.

The eighth invention of the present application is the base material treatment method of any one of the fourth to seventh inventions, and the reference point is located downstream of the detection position in the transport direction.

The ninth invention of the present application is the base material treatment method of any one invention from the first invention to the eighth invention, and in the step b), at least one position or direction of the plurality of rollers is moved, or The position of the base material is corrected in the width direction by swinging with respect to the transport direction.

The tenth invention of the present application is the base material treatment method of any one of the first to ninth inventions, and at the treatment position, as the treatment, ink is ejected onto the surface of the base material to produce an image. Record.

The eleventh invention of the present application is the base material treatment method of the tenth invention, and in the step b), the ink ejection position on the surface of the base material is corrected in the width direction as the correction of the treatment position.

The twelfth invention of the present application is the base material treatment method of any one of the first to ninth inventions, in which a treatment substance is supplied to the surface of the base material as the treatment at the treatment position.

According to the first to twelfth inventions of the present application, based on the result of measuring the relative position in the width direction of the edge of the base material with respect to the reference point on the support member that pivotally supports the roller that conveys the base material. The processing position on the material is corrected in the width direction, or the position of the base material is corrected in the width direction. Thereby, the processing position on the base material can be corrected in the width direction, or the position of the base material can be corrected in the width direction while guaranteeing the positional relationship in the width direction. As a result, the treatment can be performed at an originally appropriate position on the surface of the base material, so that the treatment quality is improved.

In particular, according to the fourth invention of the present application, while performing the treatment, the processing position on the base material is corrected in the width direction in response to the change over time in the position of the edge of the base material in the width direction, or the base material is treated. The position can be corrected in the width direction. As a result, the processing can be performed at a more appropriate position, so that the processing quality is further improved.

In particular, according to the tenth and eleventh inventions of the present application, an image can be recorded at an original appropriate position on the surface of the base material even when the length in the width direction of the base material is extended due to the ejection of ink.

It is a figure which showed the structure of the image recording apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a top view of the image recording apparatus in the vicinity of the image recording unit which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which showed typically the structure of the fixed type sensor which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which conceptually showed the operation procedure of the fixed sensor and the mobile sensor which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a graph which showed the example of the time-lapse data which shows the time-dependent change of the position in the width direction of the edge of the printing paper which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which conceptually showed the function in the control part which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which conceptually showed the function in the control part which concerns on a modification. It is a top view of the image recording apparatus in the vicinity of the image recording part which concerns on a modification.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<1. First Embodiment>
<1-1. Image recording device configuration>
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an image recording device 1 which is an example of a base material processing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The image recording device 1 transfers an image on the printing paper 9 by ejecting ink from a plurality of recording heads 21 to 24 toward the printing paper 9 while conveying the printing paper 9 which is a long strip-shaped base material. This is an inkjet printing device for recording. As shown in FIG. 1, the image recording device 1 includes a transport mechanism 10, an image recording unit 20, a fixed sensor 30, a cap unit 40, a mobile sensor 430, a control unit 50, and a display unit 60.

The transport mechanism 10 is a mechanism for transporting the printing paper 9 in the transport direction along the longitudinal direction thereof. The transport mechanism 10 of the present embodiment has a plurality of rollers including a winding roller 11, a plurality of transport rollers 12, and a winding roller 13, and a support member 14 (see FIG. 2 to be described later). The printing paper 9 is unwound from the unwinding roller 11 and is conveyed along a conveying path composed of a plurality of conveying rollers 12. Each of the plurality of transfer rollers 12 guides the printing paper 9 to the downstream side of the transfer path by rotating around a rotation axis extending in the width direction (orthogonal and horizontal direction with respect to the transfer direction; the same applies hereinafter). To do. Further, the printed paper 9 after being conveyed is collected by the take-up roller 13.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the image recording device 1 in the vicinity of the image recording unit 20. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the support member 14 rotatably supports each of the plurality of rollers about the above-mentioned rotation axis. Hereinafter, among the support members 14, the portions of the support members 14 extending in the transport direction in pairs on both sides of the plurality of transport rollers 12 in the width direction are referred to as “side plates 141”. The side plate 141 rotatably supports a plurality of transfer rollers 12 about a rotation axis.

The printing paper 9 moves below the plurality of recording heads 21 to 24 substantially parallel to the arrangement direction of the plurality of recording heads 21 to 24. At this time, the recording surface of the printing paper 9 is directed upward (recording heads 21 to 24). Further, the printing paper 9 is hung on a plurality of transport rollers 12 in a state where tension is applied. As a result, slack and wrinkles of the printing paper 9 during transportation are suppressed.

The image recording unit 20 is a processing unit that ejects ink droplets (hereinafter referred to as “ink droplets”) onto the printing paper 9 conveyed by the conveying mechanism 10. The image recording unit 20 of the present embodiment includes a first recording head 21, a second recording head 22, a third recording head 23, and a fourth recording head 24. The first recording head 21, the second recording head 22, the third recording head 23, and the fourth recording head 24 are arranged along the transport path of the printing paper 9.

Each of the four recording heads 21 to 24 covers the entire width direction of the printing paper 9. Further, as shown by a broken line in FIG. 2, a plurality of nozzles 201 arranged in parallel with the width direction of the printing paper 9 are provided on the lower surface of each of the recording heads 21 to 24. Each recording head 21 to 24 is directed from the plurality of nozzles 201 toward the upper surface of the printing paper 9, and is composed of K (black), C (cyan), M (magenta), and Y (yellow), which are color components of a multicolor image. Ink droplets of each color are ejected.

That is, the first recording head 21 ejects K-color ink droplets onto the upper surface of the printing paper 9 at the first position P1 on the transport path. The second recording head 22 ejects C-color ink droplets onto the upper surface of the printing paper 9 at the second position P2 on the downstream side of the first position P1. The third recording head 23 ejects M-color ink droplets onto the upper surface of the printing paper 9 at the third position P3 on the downstream side of the second position P2. The fourth recording head 24 ejects Y-color ink droplets onto the upper surface of the printing paper 9 at the fourth position P4 on the downstream side of the third position P3. In the present embodiment, the first position P1, the second position P2, the third position P3, and the fourth position P4 are arranged at equal intervals along the transport direction of the printing paper 9.

The four recording heads 21 to 24 record a single color image on the upper surface of the printing paper 9 by ejecting ink droplets. Then, a multicolor image is formed on the upper surface of the printing paper 9 by superimposing the four monochromatic images. Therefore, if the ejection positions of the ink droplets from the four recording heads 21 to 24 deviate from the original appropriate positions on the printing paper 9 in the width direction, the image quality of the printed matter deteriorates. Suppressing such an error in the ejection position of ink droplets on the printing paper 9 within an allowable range is an important factor for improving the print quality of the image recording apparatus 1.

The image recording unit 20 of the present embodiment is a so-called one-pass type recording unit. That is, the four recording heads 21 to 24 do not reciprocate in the width direction. The image recording unit 20 ejects ink droplets from each of the recording heads 21 to 24 while the printing paper 9 passes under the four recording heads 21 to 24 only once, thereby forming an image on the upper surface of the printing paper 9. To record. However, the image recording unit 20 has an elevating mechanism (not shown). When the elevating mechanism is operated, the four recording heads 21 to 24 move in the vertical direction between the descending position close to the upper surface of the printing paper 9 and the ascending position retracted above the descending position.

A drying processing unit for drying the ink discharged on the recording surface of the printing paper 9 may be further provided on the downstream side of the recording heads 21 to 24 in the transport direction. The drying processing unit dries the ink by, for example, spraying a heated gas toward the printing paper 9 to vaporize the solvent in the ink adhering to the printing paper 9. However, the drying processing unit may dry the ink by another method such as heating with a heat roller or light irradiation.

The fixed sensor 30 is a detection unit that detects the position of the edge (edge in the width direction) 91 of the printing paper 9 in the width direction at the detection position Pa on the transport path. Specifically, the fixed sensor 30 is a sensor for detecting the relative position of the edge 91 of the printing paper 9 with respect to the first reference point Pc (see FIG. 2) which is a part of the side plate 141. The fixed sensor 30 is fixed to the side plate 141 described above by bolting or the like. As will be described in detail later, the position of the fixed sensor 30 in the width direction is adjusted by an operator or the like according to the width of the printing paper 9 set on the transport path. Further, the worker or the like inputs information regarding the width of the newly set printing paper 9 to the control unit 50 via an interface such as a touch panel.

FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing the structure of the fixed sensor 30. As shown in FIG. 3, the fixed sensor 30 has a floodlight 301 located above one edge 91 of the printing paper 9 and a line sensor 302 located below the one edge 91. The floodlight 301 irradiates parallel light downward. The line sensor 302 has a plurality of light receiving elements 321 arranged in the width direction. As shown in FIG. 3, outside the edge 91 of the printing paper 9, the light emitted from the floodlight 301 is incident on the light receiving element 321 and the light receiving element 321 detects the light. On the other hand, inside the edge 91 of the printing paper 9, the light emitted from the floodlight 301 is blocked by the printing paper 9, so that the light receiving element 321 does not detect the light. The fixed sensor 30 detects the position of the edge 91 of the printing paper 9 in the width direction based on the presence or absence of light detection in the plurality of light receiving elements 321. As the fixed sensor 30, instead of using such a transmissive edge sensor, for example, a reflective optical sensor, a CCD camera, or the like may be used. Further, the fixed sensor 30 may detect the position of the edge 91 of the printing paper 9 in two dimensions in the transport direction and the width direction.

The control unit 50 corrects the signal output from the light receiving element 321 in the width direction according to the adjusted position of the fixed sensor 30, so that the edge 91 of the printing paper 9 with reference to the first reference point Pc The relative position of (hereinafter referred to as "first relative position Dw1") is grasped. If the position of the fixed sensor 30 is not adjusted correctly, the first relative position Dw1 grasped by the control unit 50 may be inaccurate.

The image recording device 1 intermittently detects the position of the edge 91 of the printing paper 9 in the width direction by the fixed sensor 30 while performing the printing process by the image recording unit 20. As a result, the fixed sensor 30 acquires the time-dependent data Ed indicating the time-dependent change of the position of the edge 91 in the width direction (more specifically, the above-mentioned first relative position Dw1) at the detection position Pa. Then, the fixed sensor 30 outputs a detection signal indicating the obtained time-lapse data Ed to the control unit 50. However, the fixed sensor 30 may be configured to continuously detect the position of the edge 91 of the printing paper 9 in the width direction.

The detection position Pa of the present embodiment is set to only one position separated from the second reference point Pb, which will be described later, on the upstream side in the transport direction. That is, in the present embodiment, one fixed sensor 30 arranged at one detection position Pa acquires time-dependent data Ed indicating a change over time in the position of the edge 91 of the printing paper 9 in the width direction. However, the number of fixed sensors 30 included in the image recording device 1 may be two or more. For example, fixed sensors 30 are arranged at the above-mentioned detection position Pa and the second detection position on the downstream side of the fourth position P4 and the second reference point Pb, respectively, in the width direction of the edge 91 of the printing paper 9. Time-lapse data Ed indicating the time-dependent change of the position may be acquired.

The cap unit 40 is a unit for protecting the lower surface of the recording heads 21 to 24. The cap unit 40 is provided for each recording head 21 to 24. When the recording heads 21 to 24 are arranged in the raised positions described above, the cap unit 40 covers the lower surface of the recording heads 21 to 24 to dry the nozzle 201 and adhere foreign matter to the nozzle 201. To prevent. The cap unit 40 may have a cleaning function for cleaning the lower surface of the nozzle 201.

As shown in FIG. 2, the image recording device 1 includes a moving mechanism 41 that moves the cap unit 40 in the width direction. When the moving mechanism 41 is operated, the cap unit 40 has a position in the first width direction (the position of the solid line in FIG. 2) between the recording heads 21 to 24 and the printing paper 9 in the axial direction, and the printing paper 9. It moves in the width direction with and from the second width direction position (the position of the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 2) retracted to the side of the transport path. As the moving mechanism 41, for example, a mechanism that converts the rotational motion of the motor into a linear motion in the width direction by a ball screw is used.

The mobile sensor 430 is a sensor for detecting the relative position of the edge 91 of the printing paper 9 with respect to the second reference point Pb which is a part of the side plate 141. The second reference point Pb is an example of the "reference point" in the present invention. The mobile sensor 430 is fixed to one of the four cap units 40. Specifically, the mobile sensor 430 is fixed near the end of the cap unit 40 in the width direction opposite to the position in the second width direction. When the moving mechanism 41 described above is operated, the mobile sensor 430 moves in the width direction together with the cap unit 40. During this movement, the mobile sensor 430 detects the position in the width direction between the pair of edges 91 of the printing paper 9 and the second reference portion Pb of the side plate 141. As the mobile sensor 430, for example, a photo sensor that irradiates light downward in the vertical direction and detects the position of the object from the presence or absence of light received by the reflected light reflected from the object is used. However, as the mobile sensor 430, a transmissive edge sensor, a CCD camera, or the like may be used.

In the present embodiment, one location in the transport direction of the side plate 141 is set as the second reference portion Pb. Then, the mobile sensor 430 is arranged at the same position in the transport direction as the second reference point Pb. When the printing process is started, the mobile sensor 430 is moved in the width direction from the above-mentioned first width direction position to the second width direction position by driving the cap unit 40. During this movement, the mobile sensor 430 uses the positions W1 and W2 in the width direction of the pair of edges 91 of the printing paper 9 at the same positions as the second reference point Pb in the transport direction, and the second reference point of the side plate 141. The position W3 in the width direction of the location Pb is detected. As a result, the relative positions of the positions W1 and W2 in the width direction with respect to the position W3 (hereinafter, referred to as "second relative position Dw2") are measured. Further, the mobile sensor 430 outputs the measurement result of the second relative position Dw2 to the control unit 50. Further, the mobile sensor 430 measures the dimensions of the printing paper 9 in the width direction based on the detection results of the positions W1 and W2 in the width direction of the pair of edges 91. Further, the mobile sensor 430 can also measure the separation distance between the position W2 and the position W3. After the cap unit 40 moves to the second width direction position, the four recording heads 21 to 24 move from the ascending position to the descending position.

The control unit 50 is a means for controlling the operation of each unit in the image recording device 1. As conceptually shown in FIG. 1, the control unit 50 is composed of a computer having a processor 501 such as a CPU, a memory 502 such as a RAM, and a storage unit 503 such as a hard disk drive. The computer program CP is stored in the storage unit 503. Further, as shown by a broken line in FIG. 1, the control unit 50 includes the above-mentioned transport mechanism 10, four recording heads 21 to 24, a fixed sensor 30, a moving mechanism 41, a mobile sensor 430, and a display described later. Each is electrically connected to the unit 60. The control unit 50 controls the operation of each of these units according to the computer program CP. More specifically, the control unit 50 operates each unit by temporarily reading the computer program CP stored in the storage unit 503 into the memory 502 and performing arithmetic processing by the processor 501 based on the computer program CP. Control.

The display unit 60 has a display that displays a detection result by the fixed sensor 30 and a measurement result by the mobile sensor 430.

<1-2. Sensor operating procedure and correction method in the width direction of printing paper>
Subsequently, the operation procedure of the fixed sensor 30 and the mobile sensor 430 and the correction method in the width direction of the printing paper 9 will be described in more detail.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart conceptually illustrating the operation procedure of the fixed sensor 30 and the mobile sensor 430 in the stage before the printing process is mainly performed. In the present embodiment, as a pre-stage of performing the printing process, a worker or the like first inputs information about the printing paper 9 newly set in the image recording device 1 to the control unit 50 via an interface such as a touch panel (). Step S1). The information input here includes the size of the printing paper 9 in the width direction. Next, the printing paper 9 is hung on the plurality of transport rollers 12 of the transport mechanism 10 (step S2). At this time, the printing paper 9 is arranged below the four recording heads 21 to 24 so as to be straight in the transport direction near the center in the width direction between the pair of side plates 141. Next, a worker or the like adjusts the position of the fixed sensor 30 in the width direction according to the width of the printing paper 9 (step S3). Specifically, when printing is performed on the wide printing paper 9, the fixed sensor 30 is moved outward in the width direction. Further, when printing is performed on the narrow printing paper 9, the fixed sensor 30 is moved inward in the width direction. As a result, the edge 91 on one side of the printing paper 9 is located between the floodlight 301 of the fixed sensor 30 and the line sensor 302.

Next, the edge 91 of the printing paper 9 is detected by using the fixed sensor 30 whose position in the width direction is adjusted in step S3. The storage unit 503 of the control unit 50 stores information indicating the position of the fixed sensor 30 corresponding to the size in the width direction of the printing paper input in step S1 described above. Based on this information, the control unit 50 corrects the detected value of the fixed sensor 30 in the width direction. As a result, the relative position (first relative position Dw1) of the edge 91 (hereinafter, referred to as “detection edge 91a”) of the printing paper 0 detected by the fixed sensor 30 with respect to the first reference point Pc is detected (step S4). ..

Subsequently, the control unit 50 conveys the printing paper 9 in the conveying direction until the detection edge 91a is located below the mobile sensor 430 (step S5).

Next, the control unit 50 moves the cap unit 40 from the first width direction position to the second width direction position by driving the moving mechanism 41. As a result, while moving the mobile sensor 430 in the width direction, the position W1 in the width direction of one edge 91 of the printing paper 9 and the width direction of the other edge 91 (detection edge 91a described above) of the printing paper 9 The position W2 and the position W3 in the width direction of the second reference point Pb of the side plate 141 are detected. Then, the control unit 50 measures the relative position (second relative position Dw2) in the width direction of the position W2 with respect to the position W3 (step S6). The measurement result of the second relative position Dw2 is displayed, for example, on the display of the display unit 60. As a result, it is possible to grasp the position of the printing paper 9 in the width direction with reference to the side plate 141 in which the misalignment is unlikely to occur.

Further, the control unit 50 calculates the actual size of the printing paper 9 in the width direction based on the measurement result of the mobile sensor 430 (step S7). More specifically, the separation distance between the position W1 and the position W2 is calculated. The calculated value of the actual size of the printing paper 9 in the width direction is also displayed on the display of the display unit 60.

Subsequently, the control unit 50 or the worker or the like determines that the calculated size of the printing paper 9 in the width direction is equal to or less than the maximum width (for example, 300 mm) that can be handled (printable) by the image recording device 1. Whether or not it is determined (step S8). Then, when it is determined that the size of the printing paper 9 in the width direction exceeds the maximum width (step S8: NO), the control unit 50 stops the printing process (step S9) and displays the display unit 60. , Display different size messages. As a result, the operator or the like is urged to confirm the size of the printing paper 9.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the actual size of the printing paper 9 in the width direction is equal to or less than the maximum width (step S8: Yes), the control unit 50 is in the width direction of the fixed sensor 30 adjusted in step S3 described above. It is determined whether or not the position corresponds to the second relative position Dw2 measured in step S6 described above (step S10). More specifically, the difference between the first relative position Dw1 and the second relative position Dw2 is calculated. This difference corresponds to the adjustment position error of the fixed sensor 30. Then, the control unit 50 determines whether or not the calculated difference is within the allowable range. When the difference is within the permissible range (step S10: Yes), the control unit 50 starts the printing process (step S11).

The first relative position Dw1 and the second relative position Dw2 are the positions of the same detection edge 91a of the printing paper 9 in the width direction with respect to the side plate 141. Therefore, the fact that there is a difference exceeding the permissible range between the first relative position Dw1 and the second relative position Dw2 indicates that the error in the position of the fixed sensor 30 adjusted in step S3 is large. Therefore, when the difference between the first relative position Dw1 and the second relative position Dw2 exceeds the permissible range (step S10: NO), the control unit 50 stops the printing process and displays the fixed sensor on the display unit 60. A message prompting the readjustment of 30 is displayed (step S12).

In the printing process of step S11, the fixed sensor 30 continuously or intermittently detects the position of the edge 91 of the printing paper 9 in the width direction at the detection position Pa while performing the printing process by the image recording unit 20. As a result, the fixed sensor 30 acquires the time-dependent data Ed indicating the time-dependent change in the position of the edge 91 in the width direction at the detection position Pa. Then, the fixed sensor 30 outputs a detection signal indicating the obtained time-lapse data Ed to the control unit 50. FIG. 5 is a graph showing an example of time-dependent data Ed. In the graph of FIG. 5, the horizontal axis indicates the time, and the vertical axis indicates the position of the edge 91 in the width direction.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram conceptually showing the functions used in the printing process in the control unit 50. As shown in FIG. 6, the control unit 50 includes a displacement prediction unit 51, a displacement control unit 52, a drive unit 53, and a print instruction unit 54. The functions of the displacement prediction unit 51, the displacement control unit 52, the drive unit 53, and the print instruction unit 54 are realized by operating the processor 501 based on the computer program CP.

The displacement prediction unit 51 prints based on the time-dependent data Ed related to the detection signal input from the fixed sensor 30 and the measurement result of the second relative position Dw2 input from the mobile sensor 430 during the printing process. The amount of displacement in the width direction of the portions of the four recording heads 21 to 24 on the paper 9 located below in the vertical direction is predicted. The displacement prediction unit 51 predicts the displacement amount in the width direction while compensating for the adjustment position error of the fixed sensor 30 calculated in step S10. As a result, even if the fixed sensor 30 deviates by a small amount from the place where it should be originally arranged, the printing position by the recording heads 21 to 24 is correctly corrected in the width direction based on the time-lapse data Ed from the fixed sensor 30. Can be done. Similarly, the position of the printing paper 9 can be adjusted in the width direction.

However, the displacement prediction unit 51 determines the amount of displacement in the width direction of the portions of the four recording heads 21 to 24 of the printing paper 9 located below in the vertical direction based only on the above-mentioned time-lapse data Ed during the printing process. You may predict. For example, the displacement prediction unit 51 specifies the meandering frequency included in the time-lapse data Ed when it is determined from the time-lapse data Ed that the printing paper 9 meanders periodically in the width direction. Then, the displacement prediction unit 51 determines the amount of displacement in the width direction of the portions located vertically below the four recording heads 21 to 24 of the printing paper 9 based on the specified meandering frequency and the time-dependent data Ed. Predict. Then, the displacement prediction unit 51 outputs the displacement prediction information Se indicating the predicted result to the displacement control unit 52.

The displacement control unit 52 calculates the correction amount of the position of the printing paper 9 in the width direction so as to cancel the displacement amount predicted by the displacement prediction information Se input from the displacement prediction unit 51. Then, the displacement control unit 52 outputs a correction command signal Sf indicating the calculated correction amount to the drive unit 53.

During the printing process, the drive unit 53 rotationally drives at least one of a plurality of rollers including the unwinding roller 11, the plurality of conveying rollers 12, and the winding roller 13 at a constant rotational speed, whereby the printing paper 9 Is transported along the transport path. Further, when the correction command signal Sf is input from the displacement control unit 52, the drive unit 53 receives at least one of the plurality of transfer rollers 12 based on the correction command signal Sf (in the present embodiment, the transfer roller 121 (FIG. FIG. 2))) move the position or direction, or swing in the transport direction. As a result, the position of the printing paper 9 with respect to the image recording unit 20 is corrected in the width direction. As a result, the print quality is improved.

In the present embodiment, the position of the transport roller 121 or the position of the transport roller 121 is located on the downstream side in the transport direction from the detection position Pa and on the upstream side in the transport direction from the first position P1 to the fourth position P4 where the ink droplets are ejected. The position of the printing paper 9 is corrected in the width direction by moving the orientation or swinging the printing paper 9 with respect to the conveying direction (step S13). As a result, the position of the printing paper 9 is corrected in the width direction before the printing process is performed, so that the printing quality is improved. However, the position where the position of the printing paper 9 is corrected in the width direction is not limited to this.

The print instruction unit 54 controls the ink droplet ejection operation in each of the four recording heads 21 to 24. The print instruction unit 54 outputs the discharge command signal Sb to the four recording heads 21 to 24 based on the submitted image data I. The ejection command signal Sb includes information indicating the nozzle 201 to eject the ink droplet, the size of the ink droplet, and the ejection timing of the ink droplet. Each of the four recording heads 21 to 24 ejects ink droplets of a designated size from the nozzle 201 designated by the ejection command signal Sb at a designated timing. As a result, an image corresponding to the image data I is formed on the upper surface of the printing paper 9.

As described above, in the image recording device 1, first, while moving the mobile sensor 430 in the width direction, the positions W1 and W2 in the width direction of the pair of edges 91 of the printing paper 9 and the second reference point Pb. By detecting the position w3 in the width direction, the second relative position Dw2 in the width direction of the positions W1 and W2 with respect to the position W3 is measured. Then, based on the measurement result of the second relative position Dw2 and the time-lapse data Ed detected by the second relative position Dw2 type sensor 30, the position of the printing paper 9 is set in the width direction below the four recording heads 21 to 24. Correct to. As a result, the position of the printing paper 9 can be corrected in the width direction while guaranteeing the positional relationship between the printing paper 9, the support member 14, the fixed sensor 30, and the mobile sensor 430 in the width direction. As a result, the printing process can be performed at the originally appropriate position on the surface of the printing paper 9, so that the printing quality is surely improved. The position of the printing paper 9 may be corrected in the width direction only based on the measurement result of the second relative position Dw2. Further, the recording positions of the four recording heads 21 to 24 may be corrected with reference to the position W3 based only on the measurement result of the second relative position Dw2.

<2. Modification example>
Although the exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram conceptually showing the functions in the control unit 50 according to the modified example. As shown in FIG. 7, the image recording apparatus 1 may correct the position of ink ejected to the printing paper 9 in the width direction instead of correcting the position of the printing paper 9 in the width direction. In this case, the displacement control unit 52 calculates the correction amount in the width direction of the ink ejection position based on the displacement prediction information Se input from the displacement prediction unit 51. Then, the displacement control unit 52 outputs a correction command signal Sp indicating the calculated correction amount to the print instruction unit 54.

When the correction command signal Sp is input from the displacement control unit 52, the print instruction unit 54 further adds a correction amount in the width direction of the ink ejection position to the ejection command signals Sb output to the four recording heads 21 to 24 described above. Include information indicating. Each of the four recording heads 21 to 24 corrects the position of the nozzle 201 designated by the discharge command signal Sb in the width direction by the amount of correction specified by the correction command signal Sb. As a result, the ink ejection position on the printing paper 9 is corrected in the width direction. As a result, the print quality is similarly improved.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the fixed sensor 30 detects the position of the edge 91 only on one end side in the width direction of the printing paper 9. However, as shown in the modified example of FIG. 8, the fixed sensor 30 may detect the positions of the edges 91 at both ends of the printing paper 9 in the width direction. By doing so, even if only one end side of the printing paper 9 in the width direction is extended due to ink ejection, or the entire printing paper 9 is meandering and is unevenly conveyed to one end side in the width direction, the details can be obtained. Based on the grasped result, the position of ejecting ink to the printing paper 9 or the position of the printing paper 9 can be corrected in the width direction.

Further, in the above embodiment, the mobile sensor 430 is fixed to the cap unit 40. However, the mobile sensor 430 may be provided separately from the cap unit 40. In that case, a moving mechanism for moving the mobile sensor 430 in the width direction may be provided separately from the moving mechanism 41 for moving the cap unit 40 in the width direction.

Further, in FIG. 2 described above, the nozzles 201 are arranged in a row in the width direction in each of the recording heads 21 to 24. However, in each recording head 21 to 24, the nozzles 201 may be arranged in two or more rows.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, four recording heads 21 to 24 are provided in the image recording device. However, the number of recording heads in the image recording device may be 1 to 3 or 5 or more. For example, in addition to the K, C, M, and Y colors, a recording head that ejects a special color ink may be provided.

Further, the above-mentioned image recording device 1 records an image on the printing paper 9 by an inkjet method. However, the base material processing apparatus of the present invention may be an apparatus for recording an image on printing paper by a method other than inkjet (for example, electrophotographic method or exposure).

Further, in the above-mentioned image recording device 1, the image recording unit 20 performs a process of recording an image at a processing position of the printing paper 9 as a base material. However, even if the base material processing apparatus supplies a processing substance other than ink (for example, a resist liquid or various coating materials) to the surface of the base material as a treatment at a processing position on the transport path. Good. Further, the base material processing apparatus of the present invention is used for processing (for example, processing other than supply of a processing substance) on a transport path of a long strip-shaped base material (for example, resin film, metal foil, etc.) other than general paper. For example, pattern exposure, drawing with a laser, etc.) may be performed.

In addition, each element appearing in the above-described embodiment or modification may be appropriately combined as long as there is no contradiction.

1 Image recording device 9 Printing paper 10 Transport mechanism 11 Unwinding roller 12 Conveying roller 13 Winding roller 14 Support member 20 Image recording unit 21 1st recording head 22 2nd recording head 23 3rd recording head 24 4th recording head 30 Fixed Type sensor 40 Cap unit 41 Moving mechanism 50 Control unit 51 Displacement prediction unit 52 Displacement control unit 53 Drive unit 54 Printing instruction unit 60 Display unit 91 Edge 121 Transport roller 141 Side plate 430 Mobile sensor Dw1 1st relative position Dw2 2nd relative position Ed Time-lapse data Pa Detection position Pb 2nd reference point Pc 1st reference point

Claims (12)

A base material treatment method for treating a base material at a treatment position on the transport path while transporting a long strip-shaped base material in the longitudinal direction along a transport path composed of a plurality of rollers.
Using one location on the support member that supports the roller as a reference location,
a) A step of measuring the relative position in the width direction with respect to the reference point of the edge of the base material at a position equal to the reference point in the transport direction.
b) A step of correcting the processing position on the base material in the width direction or correcting the position of the base material in the width direction based on the measurement result in the step a).
Substrate treatment method including. The base material treatment method according to claim 1.
In the step a), the base material processing method measures the relative position by measuring the position in the width direction of the edge and the position in the width direction of the reference portion while the sensor moves in the width direction. .. The base material treatment method according to claim 1 or 2.
A base material treatment method, wherein the support member is a side plate that extends in the transport direction and rotatably supports each of the plurality of rollers about a rotation axis extending in the width direction. The base material treatment method according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
Before step b)
c) A step of adjusting the detection position of the support member separated from the reference point in the transport direction in the width direction based on the measurement result in the step a).
d) A step of acquiring time-lapse data by continuously or intermittently detecting the position in the width direction of the edge of the base material at the detection position adjusted in the step c) while performing the process. ,
Have more
In the step b), the processing position on the base material is corrected in the width direction or the position of the base material is set in the width direction based on the measurement result in the step a) and the time-lapse data acquired in the step d). Base material treatment method to correct to. The base material treatment method according to claim 4.
In the step b), the processing position on the base material is widened by predicting the displacement in the width direction of the base material based on the measurement result in the step a) and the time-dependent data acquired in the step d). A base material processing method that corrects in the direction or in the width direction of the base material. The base material treatment method according to claim 4 or 5.
In the step b), a base material processing method in which the processing position on the base material is corrected in the width direction or the position of the base material is corrected in the width direction on the downstream side in the transport direction from the detection position. The base material treatment method according to any one of claims 4 to 6.
In the step b), a base material treatment method for correcting the position of the base material in the width direction on the upstream side in the transport direction from the treatment position. The base material treatment method according to any one of claims 4 to 7.
A base material treatment method in which the reference point is located downstream of the detection position in the transport direction. The base material treatment method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.
In the step b), a base material processing method for correcting the position of a base material in the width direction by moving at least one position or direction of the plurality of rollers or swinging the plurality of rollers with respect to the transport direction. The base material treatment method according to any one of claims 1 to 9.
A base material treatment method in which ink is ejected onto the surface of a base material to record an image as the treatment at the treatment position. The base material treatment method according to claim 10.
In the step b), as the correction of the processing position, the base material processing method of correcting the ink ejection position on the surface of the base material in the width direction. The base material treatment method according to any one of claims 1 to 9.
A base material treatment method in which a treatment substance is supplied to the surface of a base material as the treatment at the treatment position.

Images