JP2023135240A - Ink jet printer - Google Patents

Abstract

To shorten a time from execution of operation of printing start by an operator to taking out a medium from a table after printing end.SOLUTION: An ink jet printer includes: a color ink nozzle; a layer ink nozzle; a table to mount a medium on; a first movement mechanism for moving the table in a first direction; a second movement mechanism for relatively moving the color ink nozzle and the layer ink nozzle relative to the table in a second direction crossing the first direction; and a radiation part for emitting light to color ink and layer ink discharged to the medium in a range overlapping in the first direction. When printing is performed by discharging process color ink and/or layer ink from the color ink nozzle and/or the layer ink nozzle to the medium while reciprocating the table at least one time, printing is started while moving the table from a position of the table, on which the medium can be mounted, to a position of the color ink nozzle and/or the layer ink nozzle.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

The present invention relates to an inkjet printer. More specifically, the present invention provides process color ink and ink such as white ink or clear ink that can be printed in multiple layers over the process color ink using an inkjet method on a medium. The present invention relates to an inkjet printer that prints by ejecting water.

In this specification and claims, "inks such as white ink and clear ink that can be printed over process color inks in a multilayer manner" are collectively referred to as "multilayer ink" as appropriate. That's it.

In this specification and claims, "media" includes not only recording media such as various types of recording paper made of paper such as plain paper, but also resins such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyester. It includes various things made of various materials, such as sheets made of materials, metal plates made of aluminum or iron, relatively thick plates such as glass plates and wood plates. do.

Furthermore, in this specification and the claims, the term "inkjet method" includes various continuous methods such as a binary deflection method or continuous deflection method, and various on-demand methods such as a thermal method or a piezoelectric element method. , refers to a printing method using inkjet technology using various conventionally known methods, and the term "inkjet printer" comprehensively refers to an apparatus that performs printing using the above-described inkjet technology.

Generally, the entire operation is controlled by a computer system, and it is equipped with a table (mounting table) on which media such as recording paper is placed, and is placed above the medium placed on the table in a predetermined direction with respect to the table. A carriage that can move relatively to the media is installed, and an ink head that ejects ink from ink nozzles using an inkjet method is mounted on this carriage, and ink is ejected from the ink nozzles of this ink head onto the media using an inkjet method. Inkjet printers are known that perform desired printing.

Note that the moving direction of the carriage in such an inkjet printer will be appropriately referred to as a "main scanning direction" in this specification and claims.

In the above-mentioned inkjet printer, the table on which the media is placed is configured to be movable relative to the carriage in a direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction. It is possible to print on a desired location on the media.

Note that in this specification and the claims, a direction perpendicular to the "main scanning direction" will be appropriately referred to as a "sub-scanning direction."

By the way, as disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2018-69738, a color ink nozzle that discharges process color ink with photocurability by an inkjet method and a multilayer ink with photocurability by an inkjet method are disclosed. Some inks are equipped with a multi-layer ink nozzle to promote curing by irradiating light onto the process color ink or multi-layer ink ejected onto the media from the color ink nozzle or multi-layer ink nozzle.

According to the inkjet printer disclosed in JP-A-2018-69738, when printing clear ink over process color ink or white ink, first print the media from the printing start position in the sub-scanning direction. Printing is performed on the media using process color ink or white ink while transporting it in the direction toward the end position (forward direction), and then the media is transported in the direction from the print end position to the print start position in the sub-scanning direction (reverse direction). Printing with clear ink was being carried out while pulling back.

Furthermore, unlike the inkjet printer disclosed in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-69738, a printer that prints while moving a table on which media is placed also uses clear ink over process color ink or white ink. When printing, printing was performed on the media with process color ink or white ink while moving the table in the forward direction, and then printing with clear ink was performed while moving the table in the reverse direction.

Therefore, when the table is moved back and forth between the forward and reverse directions, depending on the order of the table's movement directions (forward and reverse), the media placed on the table may be There have been problems in that it may take a long time to eject ink to print, or it may take a long time to wait until the printed media is removed from the table after printing is completed.

JP2018-69738A

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned various problems of the prior art.

An object of the present invention is to provide an inkjet printer that allows an operator to shorten the time from the time an operator performs an operation to start printing until the time when the media is taken out from the table after printing is completed. This is what I am trying to do.

In order to achieve the above object, the inkjet printer according to the present invention moves the table from the position when the operator places the media on the table when printing by moving the table back and forth at least once. Printing is started at the same time.

Therefore, according to the inkjet printer of the present invention, when printing by moving the table back and forth at least once, printing can always be started from the side of the table where the media was placed. It becomes possible to shorten the time from executing an operation to ejecting ink onto the media and printing.

In addition, in order to achieve the above object, the inkjet printer according to the present invention is configured such that when printing by reciprocating the table at least once, the printer moves the media toward the position when the operator places the media on the table. The printing is terminated as soon as the table is moved.

Therefore, according to the inkjet printer of the present invention, when printing by moving the table back and forth at least once, printing can always be completed at the position of the table when the media was placed. This makes it possible to shorten the waiting time until the printed media is taken out.

That is, the inkjet printer according to the present invention includes a color ink nozzle that ejects process color ink, a multilayer ink nozzle that ejects multilayer ink that overlaps with the process color ink, a table on which a medium is placed, and a first a first moving mechanism that moves the color ink nozzle and the layered ink nozzle relative to the table in a second direction intersecting the first direction; an irradiation unit that irradiates light to an overlapping range in the first direction with respect to the color ink and the multilayer ink ejected to the color ink nozzle and the multilayer ink while reciprocating the table at least once; When printing by ejecting the process color ink and/or multilayer ink onto the medium from the multilayer ink nozzle, the color ink nozzle and/or Printing is started while moving the table toward the position of the multilayer ink nozzle.

Therefore, according to the inkjet printer according to the present invention, printing can be started from the position where the media is placed on the table, so the time from executing the printing start operation to discharging ink onto the media and printing is Time can be shortened.

Further, the inkjet printer according to the present invention includes a color ink nozzle that discharges process color ink, a multilayer ink nozzle that discharges multilayer ink that overlaps with the process color ink, a table on which a medium is placed, and a first a first moving mechanism that moves the color ink nozzle and the layered ink nozzle relative to the table in a second direction intersecting the first direction; an irradiation unit that irradiates light to an overlapping range in the moving direction of the table to the color ink and the layered ink ejected to the color ink nozzle while reciprocating the table at least once. And/or when printing by ejecting the process color ink and/or multilayer ink onto the medium from the multilayer ink nozzle, place the medium on the table from the position of the color ink nozzle and/or the multilayer ink nozzle. Printing is completed while moving the table toward a position where the table can be placed.

Therefore, according to the inkjet printer of the present invention, printing ends at a position where the operator can take out the media placed on the table from the table, so it is difficult for the operator to remove the media from the table after printing. The waiting time until taking out can be shortened.

Further, in the inkjet printer according to the present invention, information regarding the order of movement directions when the table is moved back and forth at least once is stored in print job data. be.

Therefore, according to the inkjet printer according to the present invention, the order of the conveyance direction when the table is reciprocated at least once and conveyed is automatically determined without depending on the operator's operation, which improves convenience. can do.

Further, in the inkjet printer according to the present invention, the multilayer ink includes at least white ink or clear ink, and the color ink nozzle and the multilayer ink nozzle are arranged in a staggered arrangement. It was made to look like this.

Therefore, according to the inkjet printer according to the present invention, the printable range is widened by one-time relative movement of the color ink nozzle and the multilayer ink nozzle with respect to the medium, and the productivity of printing work can be improved.

Further, in the inkjet printer according to the present invention, in the inkjet printer according to the present invention described above, the color ink nozzle is arranged closer to the second moving mechanism than the multilayer ink nozzle.

Therefore, according to the inkjet printer of the present invention, the influence of the vibrations generated by the second moving mechanism is suppressed from reaching the color ink nozzles, so that the process color ink discharge state in the color ink nozzles due to the vibrations is suppressed. The color ink nozzle can eject process color ink in a stable state.

Further, in the inkjet printer according to the present invention described above, when printing using only one of the color ink nozzle and the multilayer ink nozzle, the color ink nozzle used for printing or Printing is performed while moving on the table from the multilayer ink nozzle toward the color ink nozzle or the multilayer ink nozzle that is not used for printing.

Therefore, according to the inkjet printer of the present invention, it is possible to secure a sufficient area where light is irradiated to the area where the color ink or multilayer ink is ejected onto the media, and the color ink or multilayer ink can be irradiated with light. It becomes easier to control curing.

Since the present invention is configured as described above, it is possible to shorten the time from when an operator performs an operation to start printing until when the operator takes out the media from the table after printing is completed. It has the excellent effect of

FIG. 1 is a perspective structural explanatory diagram schematically showing an inkjet printer according to an example of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing the inkjet printer shown in FIG. 1 with the main body case removed. FIG. 3 is a plan view schematically showing the inkjet printer shown in FIG. 1 with the main body case removed, and shows a state in which the table is located at the most downstream side in the sub-scanning direction. FIG. 4 is a plan view schematically showing the inkjet printer shown in FIG. 1 with the main body case removed, and shows a state in which the table is located at the most upstream side in the sub-scanning direction. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the arrangement of an ink head and a light irradiation device in a plan view of the inkjet printer shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a block configuration explanatory diagram showing a functional configuration related to implementation of the present invention of the control device in the inkjet printer shown in FIG. FIGS. 7A and 7B are conceptual diagrams for explaining the printing order of print data by the inkjet printer shown in FIG. Note that FIG. 7(a) shows the printing order in the normal mode. Further, FIG. 7(b) shows the printing order in the pullback mode. FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C are explanatory diagrams schematically showing the printing operation of the inkjet printer shown in FIG. 1 under the first printing condition. FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 9C are explanatory diagrams schematically showing the printing operation of the inkjet printer shown in FIG. 1 under the second printing condition. FIGS. 10A, 10B, and 10C are explanatory diagrams schematically showing the printing operation under the third printing condition by the inkjet printer shown in FIG. FIGS. 11A and 11B are explanatory diagrams schematically showing the printing operation of the inkjet printer shown in FIG. 1 under the third printing condition. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of command specifications related to implementation of the present invention. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a printing origin, which is a printing start position of print data by the inkjet printer of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An example of an embodiment of an inkjet printer according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(I) Description of the overall configuration of the inkjet printer according to the present invention

FIG. 1 is a perspective structural explanatory diagram schematically showing an inkjet printer according to an example of an embodiment of the present invention.

Further, FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing the structure of the inkjet printer shown in FIG. 1 with the main body case removed.

Further, FIG. 3 is a plan view schematically showing the inkjet printer shown in FIG. 1 with the main body case removed, and shows a state in which the table is located at the most downstream side in the sub-scanning direction. .

Furthermore, FIG. 4 is a plan view schematically showing the inkjet printer shown in FIG. 1 with the main body case removed, and shows a state in which the table is located at the most upstream side in the sub-scanning direction. There is.

Further, FIG. 5 shows an explanatory diagram schematically showing the arrangement of an ink head and a light irradiation device in a plan view of the inkjet printer shown in FIG. 1.

In the following description, the Y direction in the XYZ orthogonal coordinate system indicates the main scanning direction (second direction), which is the moving direction of the carriage 32 (described later), and the X direction in the XYZ orthogonal coordinate system is In the XY plane, a sub-scanning direction (first direction) intersecting in a direction orthogonal to the Y direction (main scanning direction) is shown, and the Z direction in the XYZ orthogonal coordinate system is a height direction orthogonal to the XY plane.

Furthermore, in the following explanation, for convenience of explanation, regarding the Y direction (main scanning direction), the left side of the paper in which FIG. Regarding the direction), the lower side of the page showing Figure 1 is the front direction, and the upper side is the rear direction, and regarding the Z direction (height direction), the lower side of the page showing Figure 1 is the downward direction. At the same time, the explanation will be made assuming that the upper side is the upward direction.

Further, in the sub-scanning direction, the rear side is appropriately referred to as the "upstream side", and the front side is appropriately referred to as the "downstream side".

Further, in the sub-scanning direction, the direction from the upstream side to the downstream side is referred to as the "forward direction", and the direction from the downstream side to the upstream side is referred to as the "reverse direction".

It should be noted that the above-mentioned directions are merely directions determined for the convenience of explanation, and are not intended to limit the manner in which the inkjet printer is installed, nor do they limit the present invention in any way. Of course not.

Reference numeral 10 indicates a so-called flatbed type inkjet printer, which is a large inkjet printer that is longer in the main scanning direction than a home inkjet printer, and is used for commercial purposes, for example.

The entire operation of such an inkjet printer 10 is controlled by a control device 100 constituted by a computer system constructed by a microcomputer, etc., and the control device 100 controls printing on the media 5 according to print data. Execute.

Such print data may be supplied from the outside and taken into the control device 100 of the inkjet printer 10, or may be generated by the control device 100 of the inkjet printer 10.

Note that in this embodiment, the control device 100 is illustrated as being disposed inside the main body case 12 (see FIG. 1), but the control device 100 may be disposed outside the main body case 12. Of course it's a good thing.

The inkjet printer 10 includes a base member 60, a main body case 12 attached to the base member 60, a carriage moving mechanism 20, a table moving mechanism 38, an ink head unit 30, and a maintenance device 70. has been done.

The inkjet printer 10 also includes a main body frame 14 that supports a carriage moving mechanism 20 and an ink head unit 30.

The table moving mechanism 38 includes a first slide rail 51 and a second slide rail 52 that support a table unit 40 (described later) movably in the sub-scanning direction, and a table 48 that is a mounting base on which the media 5 is placed. The table unit 40 has a table unit 40, and a moving device 41 that moves the table unit 40 in the sub-scanning direction.

Here, the ink head unit 30 is disposed inside the main body case 12 and above the table unit 40.

Such an ink head unit 30 includes an ink head 34, a carriage 32 on which the ink head 34 is mounted, a light irradiation device 80L attached to the carriage 32 on the left side of the ink head 34, and a light irradiation device 80L attached to the carriage 32 on the right side of the ink head 34. The light irradiation device 80R is attached to the carriage 32.

Further, a front cover 13C is provided at the center of the front part of the main body case 12, and a left cover 13L is provided at the left side of the front part of the main body case 12. A right cover 13R is provided on the right side.

These front cover 13C, left cover 13L, and right cover 13R are configured to be openable and closable with respect to the main body case 12, and the front cover 13C is provided with a window 13W.

This window 13W is formed of, for example, a transparent acrylic plate, and the operator can visually check the inside of the main body case 12 through the window 13W.

The base member 60 is attached to the lower part of the main case 12 and supports the main case 12.

More specifically, the base member 60 includes a central base member 61, a left base member 62 located to the left of the central base member 61, and a right base member 63 located to the right of the central base member 61. It is composed of

The table unit 40 described above is configured to move on this central base member 61 in the sub-scanning direction.

The main body frame 14 is supported by the above-mentioned left base member 62 and right base member 63 and is disposed on the base member 60.

Such a main body frame 14 connects a left base wall 15L extending upward from the left base member 62, a right base wall 15R extending upward from the right base member 63, and an upper end of the left base wall 15L and an upper end of the right base wall 15R. It has a supporting wall 16.

Note that the left base wall 15L is located to the left of the table unit 40, and the right base wall 15R is located to the right of the table unit 40.

Further, the support wall 16 is formed to extend in the main scanning direction, and is disposed above the base member 60.

Furthermore, the inkjet printer 10 is formed with an opening 14H that is surrounded by the support wall 16 of the main body frame 14 and the base member 60 and penetrates in the sub-scanning direction.

This opening 14H is set to a size that allows the table unit 40 to pass through the opening 14H when the table unit 40 moves in the sub-scanning direction.

Further, the inkjet printer 10 is provided with a guide rail 18 that extends in the main scanning direction and is disposed above the opening 14H and along the front surface of the support wall 16.

The guide rail 18 is arranged above the table unit 40.

Further, a carriage 32 of the ink head unit 30 is slidably provided on the guide rail 18, and the guide rail 18 guides the movement of the carriage 32 in the main scanning direction.
The carriage moving mechanism 20 is a mechanism that moves the carriage 32 in the main scanning direction relative to the medium 5 placed on the table 48 of the table unit 40.

Although the configuration of the carriage moving mechanism 20 is not particularly limited, in this embodiment, the carriage moving mechanism 20 includes a left pulley 21, a right pulley 22, and an endless belt 23. , and a carriage motor 24.

Here, the left pulley 21 is provided to the left of the left end of the guide rail 18 , and the right pulley 22 is provided to the right of the right end of the guide rail 18 .

The left pulley 21 and the right pulley 22 are fixed to the support wall 16, and the belt 23 is wound around the left pulley 21 and the right pulley 22.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the carriage motor 24 is connected to the pulley 22 on the right side, but the carriage motor 24 may be connected to the pulley 21 on the left side.

In this embodiment, the belt 23 runs between the left pulley 21 and the right pulley 22 as the carriage motor 24 is driven and the right pulley 22 rotates.

The carriage 32 is attached to the belt 23 so as to be slidably engaged with the guide rail 18.

The carriage 32 is arranged above the table 48, and as the belt 23 is driven by the carriage motor 24 and the carriage 32 moves in the main scanning direction, the ink heads 32 mounted on the carriage 32 are moved. The light irradiation devices 80L and 80R move in the main scanning direction.

The ink head 34 includes a color ink head 34a equipped with a color ink nozzle that discharges process color ink, and a multilayer ink head 34b equipped with a multilayer ink nozzle that discharges multilayer ink. The color ink nozzles of the head 34a and the multilayer ink nozzles of the multilayer ink head 34b are arranged in a staggered manner.

More specifically, the color ink nozzles of the color ink head 34a and the multilayer ink nozzles of the multilayer ink head 34b are such that the color ink head 34a is arranged on the right side in the main scanning direction, and the multilayer ink head 34b is arranged on the left side. In addition, the color ink heads 34a are staggered in the sub-scanning direction so that they are closer to the guide rail 18 than the multilayer ink heads 34b.

Here, the color ink head 34a includes a color ink nozzle 34a-1 that discharges black (K) ink, a color ink nozzle 34a-2 that discharges yellow (Y) ink, and a color ink nozzle 34a-2 that discharges magenta (M) ink. It includes a color ink nozzle 34a-3 that discharges ink, and a color ink nozzle 34a-4 that discharges cyan (C) ink.
However, the order in which the color ink nozzles are attached is not particularly limited.

The multilayer ink head 34b also includes multilayer ink nozzles 34b-1 and 34b-2 that eject white (W) ink, a multilayer ink nozzle 34b-3 that ejects primer (Pr), and clear ink. A multilayer ink nozzle 34b-4 that discharges (Cl) is provided. However, the order in which the multilayer ink nozzles are attached is not particularly limited.

These color ink nozzles 34a-1, 34a-2, 34a-3, 34a-4 and multilayer ink nozzles 34b-1, 34b-2, 34b-3, 34b-4 each have a plurality of nozzles in the sub-scanning direction. It is configured as an array of arranged nozzles.

In addition, the interiors of the color ink nozzles 34a-1, 34a-2, 34a-3, 34a-4 and the multilayer ink nozzles 34b-1, 34b-2, 34b-3, 34b-4 are under negative pressure (lower than atmospheric pressure). pressure).

By the way, the color ink nozzles 34a-1, 34a-2, 34a-3, 34a-4 of the color ink head 34a and the multilayer ink nozzles 34b-1, 34b-2, 34b-3, 34b-4 of the multilayer ink head 34b are It is known that the farther away from the guide rail 18 that guides the movement of the carriage 32 in the main scanning direction, the worse the ink landing accuracy becomes due to the influence of vibrations when the carriage 32 moves in the main scanning direction.

For this reason, in the staggered arrangement according to the present embodiment, process color ink, which requires higher landing precision than multi-layer ink, is ejected in order to suppress the negative effect on printing results caused by the above-mentioned deterioration of ink landing precision. The color ink head 34a equipped with color ink nozzles 34a-1, 34a-2, 34a-3, and 34a-4 is installed at a position closer to the guide rail 18 than the multilayer ink head 34b, and the process color ink has higher landing accuracy. The multi-layer ink head 34b, which includes multi-layer ink nozzles 34b-1, 34b-2, 34b-3, and 34b-4 that do not require the above, is installed at a position farther from the guide rail 18 than the color ink head 34a.

Furthermore, by arranging the color ink nozzles of the color ink head 34a and the multilayer ink nozzles of the multilayer ink head 34b in a staggered manner, one movement of the carriage 32 in the main scanning direction, that is, one main scanning operation (pass) The printable area becomes wider, and the productivity of printing processing can be improved.

Note that in this embodiment, for example, a photocurable ink is used as the process color ink and the multilayer ink. Examples of photocurable inks include ultraviolet curable inks that have the property of curing when irradiated with ultraviolet rays.

The process color ink is used to form a printed image on the media 5. These process color inks contain a colorant such as a pigment, a photopolymerizable monomer, and a photopolymerization initiator system, and if necessary, various other additives such as a photosensitizer, a polymerization inhibitor, a scavenger, Contains antioxidants, ultraviolet absorbers, plasticizers, surfactants, leveling agents, thickeners, dispersants, antifoaming agents, preservatives, solvents, etc.

In addition, the white ink in the multilayer ink contains a coloring agent such as a white pigment, a photopolymerizable monomer, and a photopolymerization initiator system, and if necessary, various other additives, such as a photosensitizer, a polymerization Contains inhibitors, scavengers, antioxidants, ultraviolet absorbers, plasticizers, surfactants, leveling agents, thickeners, dispersants, antifoaming agents, preservatives, solvents, etc.

Furthermore, the primer in the multilayer ink is used to improve the fixability between the media 5 and the process color ink or white ink. These primers do not contain colorants such as pigments, but instead contain a photopolymerizable monomer, a photopolymerization initiator system, a binder (binder resin), and, if necessary, various additives similar to process color inks. I'm here. Note that the color of the primer includes, for example, transparent, white, and gray.

Furthermore, the clear ink in the multilayer ink is ejected onto the surface of the process color ink or white ink, and serves as an overcoat layer covering the process color ink or white ink. Such clear ink does not contain a coloring agent such as a pigment, but contains a photopolymerizable monomer and a photopolymerization initiator system, and if necessary, contains various additives similar to process color inks.
The light irradiation devices 80L and 80R are devices that irradiate light (for example, ultraviolet rays) to the photocurable ink (for example, ultraviolet curable ink) discharged onto the medium 5.

The light irradiation device 80L is arranged on the left side of the multilayer ink head 34b, while the light irradiation device 80R is arranged on the right side of the color ink head 34a. It is fixed at 32.

Therefore, the light irradiation devices 80L and 80R are movable in the main scanning direction along the guide rail 18 via the carriage 32 as the carriage moves.

The light irradiation devices 80L and 80R are arranged in three areas, a first area 80-1, a second area 80-2, and a third area 80-3, which are arranged in order from the front side to the rear side along the sub-scanning direction. The light irradiation intensity in each of the first region 80-1, second region 80-2, and third region 80-3 can be controlled.

Note that in this embodiment, the first region 80-1, the second region 80-2, and the third region 80-3 are configured to have the same irradiation area.

The front edge 80-1a of the first region 80-1 is located at the frontmost nozzle position of the multilayer ink nozzles 34b-1, 34b-2, 34b-3, and 34b-4 in the multilayer ink head 34b. It is located on the front side.

On the other hand, the rear edge 80-3a of the third region 80-3 is located at a position lower than the rearmost nozzle position of the color ink nozzles 34a-1, 34a-2, 34a-3, and 34a-4 in the color ink head 34a. It is located at the rear.

Therefore, the light irradiation devices 80L and 80R apply color ink nozzles 34a-1, 34a-2, 34a-3, 34a-4 and multilayer ink nozzles 34b-1, 34b-2, 34b-3, 34b to the media 5. The color ink and multilayer ink ejected from -4 can be irradiated with light in overlapping ranges in the moving direction of the table 48.

Note that, for example, an LED can be used as a light source for the first region 80-1, second region 80-2, and third region 80-3 in the light irradiation devices 80L and 80R.
Next, the table moving mechanism 38 is a mechanism that moves the table 48 of the table unit 40 in the sub-scanning direction.

The table unit 40 includes a table 48 and a table carriage 47 that supports the table 48 so as to be movable in the sub-scanning direction.

This table carriage 47 is supported by a first slide rail 51 and a second slide rail 52.

The table 48 has a rectangular shape in which the length in the sub-scanning direction is shorter than the length in the main scanning direction, and the medium 5 is placed on the top surface.

Note that the length of the table 48 in the sub-scanning direction may be longer than the length in the main-scanning direction, or the length in the sub-scanning direction and the length in the main-scanning direction may be the same.

The table 48 is arranged below the support wall 16 and below the ink head unit 30, and is configured to be movable in the sub-scanning direction by the moving device 41.

The moving device 41 is disposed on the base member 60 and includes a front pulley 42, a rear pulley 43, an endless belt 44, and a drive motor 45.

Here, the front pulley 42 is provided on the front side of the central base member 61 of the base member 60, while the rear pulley 43 is provided on the rear side of the central base member 61.

The belt 44 is wound around a front pulley 42 and a rear pulley 43, and a drive motor 45 is connected to the rear pulley 43. However, the drive motor 45 may be connected to the front pulley 42.

In this embodiment, the belt 44 is configured to run between the front pulley 42 and the rear pulley 43 by driving the drive motor 45 and rotating the rear pulley 43. There is.

Since the table carriage 47 of the table unit 40 is attached to the belt 44, when the belt 44 is driven by the drive motor 45, the table unit 40 moves along the first slide rail 51 and the second slide rail 52. It will move in the scanning direction.

That is, the moving device 41 can move the table 48 in the sub-scanning direction (that is, in the forward direction and in the reverse direction).

Here, FIG. 3 shows a state where the table 48 is located at the most downstream side in the sub-scanning direction, that is, the most forward side, and FIG. 4 shows a state where the table 48 is located at the most upstream side in the sub-scanning direction, that is, the most The state shown is that it is located on the rear side. When the table 48 is in the position shown in FIG. 3, the media 5 can be placed on the table 48 by opening the front cover 13C. That is, in this embodiment, the position of the table 48 in FIG. 3 is the position of the table on which the media can be placed. However, the position of the table where media can be placed is not limited to this, and may be any position that is close to the opening that connects the internal space and external space of the inkjet printer, and where there is no obstruction to the operation of placing the media on the table. Bye.

Note that in FIGS. 3 and 4, illustration of the carriage moving mechanism 20 and the like is omitted in order to improve the visibility of the drawings.
Further, the inkjet printer 10 includes an ink cartridge accommodating portion 19 as a accommodating portion that stores ink and accommodates an ink cartridge (not shown) connected to the ink head 34.

The ink cartridge accommodating portion 19 is provided on the left base member 62 at the rear of the main body frame 14 .

Although this embodiment shows a case where three ink cartridge accommodating sections 19 are provided side by side in the main scanning direction, the number of ink cartridge accommodating sections 19 is limited to three. isn't it.

Further, the ink cartridge is configured to be inserted into the ink cartridge accommodating portion 19 through an opening 19H formed in the left base wall 15L of the main body frame 14.

Next, the maintenance device 70 includes a wiping device that wipes the nozzle surface where the color ink nozzles of the color ink head 34a are located and a nozzle surface where the multilayer ink nozzles of the multilayer ink head 34b are located, and a wiping device that wipes the nozzle surface where the color ink nozzles of the color ink head 34a are located, and a It includes a cleaning device that forcibly sucks ink from the nozzles and the multilayer ink nozzles of the multilayer ink head 34b.

The maintenance device 70 is provided on the right base member 63 in front of the main body frame 14 .

Furthermore, the maintenance device 70 is disposed to the right of the table unit 40 and below the ink head unit 30.

The front end 70F of the maintenance device 70 is located on the downstream side in the sub-scanning direction, that is, on the front side, from the upstream end 48B of the table 48 in the sub-scanning direction when the table 48 is located at the most downstream side in the sub-scanning direction. To position.

The inkjet printer 10 has a partition for restricting access from outside the movement space of the table 48 (for example, on the left base member 62) to inside the movement space of the table 48 (for example, the center base member 61). A wall 90 is provided.

This partition wall 90 is made of a plate-like member and is arranged below the support wall 16 and on the side (in this embodiment, on the left side) of the table 48 in the main scanning direction. has been done.

Further, the inkjet printer 10 is equipped with the control device 100 as described above, and the operator controls the inkjet printer 10 by operating various operators provided on the operation panel 200. The movement can be controlled.

That is, although detailed illustrations are omitted, the operation panel 200 includes operators for performing various operations, including operators for selecting print data when printing on the media 5, and operation statuses of the operators. A display section for displaying the following information is provided.

(II) Description of the functional configuration of the control device in the inkjet printer according to the present invention

FIG. 6 shows a block configuration explanatory diagram showing the functional configuration related to implementation of the present invention of the control device in the inkjet printer shown in FIG. 1.

The control device 100 includes, as a functional configuration related to the implementation of the present invention, a printing condition determining unit 102 that determines the type of ink used for printing the print data and the ink layer conditions from the print data, and a printing condition determining unit A print mode switch setting section 104 switches the print mode according to the determination result of step 102 and sets the print mode; A printing order switching setting section 106 switches the printing order and sets the printing order, and a color ink head 34a performs printing processing based on print data sent in the printing order set by the printing order switching setting section 106. and a print processing section 108 that controls the multilayer ink head 34b.

More specifically, the printing condition determining unit 102 determines which of the first printing condition, the second printing condition, and the third printing condition is applicable.

Here, the first printing condition is a case in which printing is performed only with process color ink and a case in which white ink is printed on top of process color ink while the table is moved in one direction.

Further, the second printing condition is a case in which printing is performed using only white ink or clear ink, and a case in which process color ink is printed on top of white ink while the table is moved in one direction.

Furthermore, the third printing condition is printing process color ink on white ink or primer while the table is moving in one direction, and printing clear ink on top of the process color ink while the table is moving in the other direction. This is the case when printing on .

Next, the print mode switching setting section 104 sets the normal mode and pullback mode as the print mode.

Here, the normal mode is a mode in which printing is executed while moving the table 48 in the forward direction from the upstream side to the downstream side.

On the other hand, the pullback mode is a mode in which printing is executed while moving the table 48 in the opposite direction from the downstream side to the upstream side.

The print mode switching setting section 104 sets the normal mode when the printing condition determining section 102 determines that the first printing condition is the first printing condition.

Further, the print mode switching setting section 104 sets the pullback mode when the printing condition determining section 102 determines that the second printing condition is set.

Further, when the printing condition determining section 102 determines that the third printing condition is selected, the printing mode switching setting section 104 prints in the pullback mode until the process color ink is printed on the white ink or primer, and When printing clear ink over process color ink, print in normal mode.

In this embodiment, a case will be described in which the print mode switching setting unit 104 sets the print mode as described above under the third printing condition, but the present invention is not limited to this. Under the third printing condition, the setting unit 104 prints white ink or primer in a pullback mode, prints process color ink on top of the white ink or primer, and further prints clear ink on top of the process color ink. When printing, the print mode may be set to print in normal mode.

Next, the print order switching setting section 106 switches the printing order when printing the print data depending on whether the normal mode is set by the print mode switching setting section 104 or the pullback mode is set.

Referring to FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b), a case in which the alphabet "A" is printed will be specifically explained. In the normal mode, the alphabet "A" is printed from the top to the bottom as shown in FIG. 7(a). If the printing order is set so that it is printed toward Set to .

Then, the print order switching setting unit 106 transfers the print data to the print processing unit 108 in units of one band (range that can be printed by the movement of the carriage 32 in the main scanning direction) in accordance with the above-described print order.

The print processing unit 108 controls the color ink head 34a and the multilayer ink head 34b based on the print data transferred from the print order switching setting unit 106, and prints each band on the media 5.

In this embodiment, in order to simplify the explanation and make it easier to understand the present invention, the inkjet printer 10 moves the carriage 32 once in the main scanning direction, that is, performs one main scanning operation. A case will be described in which printing of one band is completed by (pass).

(III) Description of the operation of the inkjet printer according to the present invention and description of its control method

In the above configuration, the overall operation of the inkjet printer 10 is controlled by the control device 100, but the general operation when the inkjet printer 10 prints on the media 5 is described in the patent cited above. Since conventional techniques disclosed in literature etc. may be used, a detailed explanation thereof will be omitted, and in the following, FIGS. Only matters related to the implementation of the present invention will be described with reference.

Note that FIGS. 8(a), 8(b), and 8(c) are explanatory diagrams schematically showing the printing operation under the first printing condition by the inkjet printer shown in FIG. 1.

Further, FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 9C are explanatory diagrams schematically showing the printing operation of the inkjet printer shown in FIG. 1 under the second printing condition.

Further, FIGS. 10(a), 10(b), and 10(c) are explanatory diagrams schematically showing the printing operation under the third printing condition by the inkjet printer shown in FIG. 1.

Further, FIGS. 11(a) and 11(b) are explanatory diagrams schematically showing the printing operation of the inkjet printer shown in FIG. 1 under the third printing condition.

(III-1) Description of printing operation under the first printing condition

When the printing condition determination unit 102 determines that the first printing condition is met, there are two cases: printing with only process color ink and printing white ink on top of process color ink, but the explanation will be simplified. In order to facilitate understanding of the present invention, the case where printing is performed only with process color ink will be mainly described.

As described above, the printing mode switching setting unit 104 sets the normal mode when the printing condition determining unit 102 determines that the first printing condition is the first printing condition.

When the normal mode is set by the print mode switching setting unit 104, as shown in FIG. 3, the control device 100 moves the table 48 to the downstream position (this is the position of the table 48 shown in FIG. 3), To enable an operator to easily place media 5 on a table 48.

After the worker places the media 5 on the table 48, when the worker operates the start operator on the operation panel 200, the control device 100 moves the table 48 to the upstream position (the position of the table 48 shown in FIG. 4). Printing is started after the table 48 is moved to the position shown in FIG. 4 (from the position of the table 48 shown in FIG. Printing is performed (see FIG. 8(b)).

During this printing, the print order switching setting section 106 transfers the print data to the print processing section 108 in units of bands according to the printing order in the normal mode.

The print processing unit 108 performs printing processing for each band of print data transferred from the print order switching setting unit 106, and after printing the last band of print data, prints the print operation under the first printing condition. The process ends (see FIG. 8(c)).

The case of printing white ink on process color ink will be explained with reference to FIG. 8(b). When printing white ink on process color ink, this main scanning operation will When ejecting color ink, white ink may be ejected onto the band where process color ink was ejected in the previous main scanning operation.

As explained above, according to the printing operation performed by the inkjet printer 10 under the first printing condition, as shown in FIG. 8(b), during the current main scanning operation, the irradiation units 80L and 80R It becomes possible to irradiate the area where the process color ink is ejected by the scanning operation, and the irradiation section of the irradiation parts 80L and 80R after the process color ink is ejected can be widened, making it easier to control the curing of the process color ink. .

Note that by adjusting the illuminance of the first area 80-1, second area 80-2, and third area 80-3 of the irradiation units 80L and 80R, the process color ink and white ink can be cured more effectively. can be controlled.

(III-2) Description of printing operation under second printing condition

When the printing condition determining unit 102 determines that the second printing condition is met, there are two cases: printing only white ink or clear ink and printing process color ink on top of white ink. In order to simplify the description and make it easier to understand the present invention, the case where printing is performed only with white ink or clear ink will be mainly described.

As described above, the print mode switching setting section 104 sets the pullback mode when the printing condition determining section 102 determines that the second printing condition is set.

When the print mode switching setting unit 104 sets the pullback mode, the control device 100 moves the table 48 to the downstream position (the position of the table 48 shown in FIG. 3), as shown in FIG. (See FIG. 9(a).), the operator can easily place the media 5 on the table 48.

After the operator places the media 5 on the table 48, when the operator operates the start operator on the operation panel 200, printing is started, and the table 48 is moved in the opposite direction (from the position of the table 48 shown in FIG. (This is the direction toward the position of the table 48 shown in FIG. 4.) Printing with white ink or clear ink is performed (see FIG. 9(b)).

During this printing, the print order switching setting unit 106 transfers the print data to the print processing unit 108 in units of bands according to the print order in the pullback mode.

The print processing unit 108 performs printing processing for each band of print data transferred from the print order switching setting unit 106, and after printing the last band of print data, prints the print operation under the second printing condition. The process ends (see FIG. 9(c)).

The case of printing process color ink on white ink will be explained with reference to FIG. 9(b). When printing process color ink on white ink, white When ejecting ink, process color ink may be ejected onto the band where white ink was ejected in the previous main scanning operation.

As explained above, according to the printing operation of the inkjet printer 10 under the second printing condition, printing can be started from the position of the table 48 when the media 5 is placed on the table 48, so the printing can be started. The time from performing the operation to ejecting ink onto the media 5 and printing can be shortened.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 9(b), during the current main scanning operation, the irradiation units 80L and 80R can irradiate the range where white ink or clear ink was ejected during the previous main scanning operation. Since the light irradiation section by the irradiation sections 80L and 80R after discharging the white ink or the clear ink can be widened, it becomes easier to control the curing of the white ink or the clear ink.

Note that by adjusting the illuminance of the first area 80-1, second area 80-2, and third area 80-3 of the irradiation units 80L and 80R, the white ink or clear ink can be cured more effectively. can be controlled.

(III-3) Explanation of printing operation under the third printing condition

When the printing condition determining unit 102 determines that the third printing condition is the third printing condition, the printing mode switching setting unit 104 prints in the pullback mode until the process color ink is printed on the white ink or the primer, and the process color ink is When printing clear ink on , set the mode to print in normal mode.

First, when the print mode switching setting unit 104 sets the pullback mode, the control device 100 moves the table 48 to the downstream position (the position of the table 48 shown in FIG. 3), as shown in FIG. (see FIG. 10(a)), so that the operator can easily place the media 5 on the table 48.

After the operator places the media 5 on the table 48, when the operator operates the start operator on the operation panel 200, printing is started, and the table 48 is moved in the opposite direction (from the position of the table 48 shown in FIG. (This is the direction toward the position of the table 48 shown in FIG. 4.) Printing of white ink or clear ink and process color ink is performed (see FIG. 10(b)).

During this printing, the print order switching setting unit 106 transfers the print data to the print processing unit 108 in units of bands according to the print order in the pullback mode.

The print processing unit 108 performs print processing for each band of print data transferred from the print order switching setting unit 106, and after printing the last band of print data, ends the print operation in the pullback mode. Then, printing in the normal mode in which the table 48 is moved in the forward direction (from the position of the table 48 shown in FIG. 4 to the position of the table 48 shown in FIG. 3) is started (see FIG. 10(c)). refer.).

During this printing, the print order switching setting unit 106 transfers the print data to the print processing unit 108 in units of one band according to the print order in the normal mode, and performs printing (see FIG. 11(a)). )do.

The print processing unit 108 performs printing processing for each band of print data transferred from the print order switching setting unit 106, and after printing the last band of print data, prints the print operation under the first printing condition. The process ends (see FIG. 11(b)).

Note that, under the third printing condition, the print mode switching setting unit 104 prints white ink or primer in the pullback mode, prints process color ink on top of the white ink or primer, and then prints the process color ink on top of the white ink or primer. Even if the print mode is set to print in the normal mode when clear ink is printed thereon, the moving direction of the table 48 is determined in accordance with the print mode in the same way as described above.

As explained above, according to the printing operation of the inkjet printer 10 under the third printing condition, printing can be started from the position of the table 48 when the media 5 is placed on the table 48, so the printing can be started. The time from performing the operation to ejecting ink onto the media 5 and printing can be shortened.

Further, since the table 48 is located in front when printing is finished, the operator can easily take out the media 5 from the table 48, and the waiting time from when printing is finished until the media 5 is taken out can be shortened.

Furthermore, since printing can be completed by moving the table 5 back and forth once in the reverse direction and forward direction, the printing efficiency is improved compared to the conventional method.

(IV) Description of the effects of the inkjet printer according to the present invention

As explained above, according to the inkjet printer 10 according to the present invention, when printing by moving the table 48 back and forth, the process from executing the printing start operation to discharging ink onto the media 5 and printing is performed. Time can be shortened.

Further, according to the inkjet printer 10 according to the present invention, it is possible to shorten the waiting time until the printed medium 5 is taken out from the table 48 after printing is completed.

Furthermore, according to the inkjet printer 10 according to the present invention, when printing is performed by reciprocating the table 48, it becomes easy to control the curing state of the ink ejected onto the medium 5.
(V) Description of other embodiments and modifications

The embodiments described above are merely illustrative, and the present invention can be implemented in various other forms. That is, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various omissions, substitutions, changes, etc. can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

For example, the above embodiment may be modified as shown in (V-1) to (V-5) below.

(V-1) Although detailed explanation has been omitted in the above-described embodiment, when operating the inkjet printer 10, it may be operated as follows.

That is, information regarding the order of the moving direction of the table 48 may be stored in advance as print job data for each print data, and the order of the moving direction of the table 48 may be automatically determined in advance.

In this way, since the order of the moving directions of the table 48 is automatically determined, there is no need for the operator to set the order of the moving directions of the table 48, and the burden on the operator can be reduced.

Specifically, for example, RIP software set on a personal computer that controls the inkjet printer 10 determines the color to be printed and the configuration of the ink head arrangement according to the print data to be printed, and the The moving direction is switched between normal mode (table 48 is moved in the forward direction) and pullback mode (table 48 is moved in the reverse direction).

At the same time, the order of print data to be sent to the inkjet printer 10 is also changed according to the moving direction of the table 48.

More specifically, the personal computer that controls the inkjet printer 10 issues commands as shown in FIG. 12 to the inkjet printer 10 for each print job, thereby instructing the direction of movement of the table 48 and the order in which print data is sent out. do.

Upon receiving the command, the inkjet printer 10 first identifies the moving direction of the table 48, and depending on the print data, assigns an ink nozzle (color ink nozzle of the color ink head 34a or multilayer ink nozzle of the multilayer ink head 34b). Switch.

For example, in the case of the normal mode in which printing is performed in the forward direction, data is assigned and printed from the color ink nozzles of the color ink head 34a.

On the other hand, in the pullback mode in which printing is performed in the reverse direction, data is allocated and printed from the multilayer ink nozzles of the multilayer ink head 34b.

(V-2) In the above-described embodiment, in order to simplify the explanation and make it easier to understand the present invention, the inkjet printer 10 moves the carriage 32 once in the main scanning direction, that is, once. Although the case where printing of one band is completed with the pass (main scanning operation) has been described, it is of course not limited to this, and printing of one band may be completed with multiple passes. .

(V-3) In the above-described embodiment, a detailed explanation of the print start position when printing in normal mode is omitted, but as described below, the print start position when printing in normal mode is may be set.

That is, conventionally, after the table 48 is moved to the most upstream position, which is a preset fixed position, the printing origin, which is the printing start position of the print data on the medium 5, is set to the color ink nozzle of the color ink head 34a. The table 48 was moved in the forward direction so that it was at the starting position, and then printing was started.

With such a method, the processing up to the start of printing becomes complicated and takes time. Therefore, in the inkjet printer 10 of the present invention, the size of the print data (PS command ) may be used to control the movement of the table 48.

To explain specifically with reference to FIG. 13, the inkjet printer 10 recognizes a PS (PAGE SIZE) command sent from the RIP software of the personal computer that controls the inkjet printer 10, ), it is necessary to return the table 48 to the upstream side, but at this time, the table 48 is returned so that the printing origin is at the shortest position.

Note that the shortest position is a position where the printing origin coincides with the most upstream color ink nozzle in the color ink head 34a.

In addition, explaining FIG. 13, the range defined by the PS command is called a logical page, this work area is called a hard clip, and the size of the logical page is specified by the length of the PS command and the width of the PS command. Parameters are specified in plot units (1/1016 inch, 1/40 mm). A logical page refers to an area in which one or more printed images exist.

(V-4) In the embodiment described above, the color ink head 34a is equipped with black, cyan, magenta, and yellow color ink nozzles, but the types of color ink are not limited to these. As the color ink, light black, light cyan, light magenta, light yellow, orange, red, green, or blue ink may be installed.

(V-5) It goes without saying that the embodiments described above and the various other embodiments and modifications shown in (V-1) to (V-4) above may be combined as appropriate. be.

The present invention is suitable for use in an inkjet printer that performs printing by ejecting process color ink and ink such as white ink or clear ink that can be printed over the process color ink in a multilayered manner.

5 Media 10 Inkjet printer 12 Main body case 13C Front cover 13L Left cover 13R Right cover 13W Window 14 Main body frame 14H Opening 15L Left base wall 15R Right base wall 16 Support wall 18 Guide rail 19 Ink cartridge housing 19H Opening 20 Carriage movement mechanism ( 2nd movement mechanism)
21, 22 Pulley 23 Belt 24 Carriage motor 30 Ink head unit 32 Carriage 34 Ink head 34a Color ink head 34a-1, 34a-2, 34a-3, 34a-4 Color ink nozzle 34b Multilayer ink head 34b-1, 34b- 2, 34b-3, 34b-4 Multilayer ink nozzle 38 Table movement mechanism (first movement mechanism)
40 Table unit 41 Moving device 42, 43 Pulley 44 Belt 45 Drive motor 47 Table carriage 48 Table 48B End portion 51 First slide rail 52 Second slide rail 60 Base member 61 Central base member 62 Left base member 63 Right base member 70 Maintenance Device 70F Front end 80L, 80R Light irradiation device (irradiation part)
80-1 First area 80-1a Front edge 80-2 Second area 80-3 Third area 80-3a Rear edge 90 Partition wall 100 Control device 102 Printing condition determination unit 104 Print mode switching setting unit 106 Printing order Switching setting section 108 Print processing section 200 Operation panel

Claims (6)

A color ink nozzle that discharges process color ink;
a multilayer ink nozzle that discharges multilayer ink that overlaps the process color ink;
A table for placing media;
a first moving mechanism that moves the table in a first direction;
a second moving mechanism that moves the color ink nozzle and the layered ink nozzle relative to the table in a second direction intersecting the first direction;
an irradiation unit that irradiates light to an overlapping range in the first direction with respect to the color ink and the multilayer ink discharged onto the medium;
When printing by ejecting the process color ink and/or multilayer ink onto the medium from the color ink nozzle and/or multilayer ink nozzle while reciprocating the table at least once, the medium is placed on the table. An inkjet printer characterized in that printing is started while moving the table from a possible position of the table toward a position of the color ink nozzle and/or the multilayer ink nozzle. A color ink nozzle that discharges process color ink;
a multilayer ink nozzle that discharges multilayer ink that overlaps the process color ink;
A table for placing media;
a first moving mechanism that moves the table in a first direction;
a second moving mechanism that moves the color ink nozzle and the layered ink nozzle relative to the table in a second direction intersecting the first direction;
an irradiation unit that irradiates light to an overlapping range in the moving direction of the table with respect to the color ink and the multilayer ink discharged onto the medium;
When printing is performed by discharging the process color ink and/or multilayer ink onto the medium from the color ink nozzle and/or multilayer ink nozzle while reciprocating the table at least once, the color ink nozzle and/or the multilayer ink An inkjet printer characterized in that printing is completed while moving the table from a position of a multilayer ink nozzle toward a position of the table where the medium can be placed on the table. The inkjet printer according to claim 1 or 2,
An inkjet printer characterized in that information regarding the order of movement directions in reciprocating the table at least once is stored in print job data. The inkjet printer according to any one of claims 1, 2 or 3,
The multilayer ink includes at least white ink or clear ink,
An inkjet printer, wherein the color ink nozzles and the layered ink nozzles are arranged in a staggered arrangement. The inkjet printer according to claim 4,
An inkjet printer, wherein the color ink nozzles are arranged closer to the second moving mechanism than the multilayer ink nozzles. The inkjet printer according to claim 4,
When printing using only one of the color ink nozzle and the multilayer ink nozzle,
An inkjet printer characterized in that printing is performed while moving on the table from the color ink nozzle or the multilayer ink nozzle used for printing toward the color ink nozzle or the multilayer ink nozzle that is not used for printing.

Images