JP5381114B2 - Fluid ejecting apparatus and fluid ejecting method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a fluid ejecting apparatus and a fluid ejecting method.

As a fluid ejecting apparatus, an ink jet printer that prints an image by ejecting fluid (for example, ink) onto various media such as paper, cloth, and film is known.
Some printers use ink that cures when irradiated with ultraviolet rays (ultraviolet curable ink). Among them, there has been proposed a printer that prints Braille by curing ultraviolet curable ink landed on a medium in a raised state (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP2008-80598

By the way, there is an increasing demand for high-quality images that have an uneven surface and can be enjoyed visually and tactilely as well as images that capture content only by tactile sense such as Braille. However, when an image having a concavo-convex surface is printed with only colored ultraviolet curable ink, unevenness in density occurs, for example, because the convex part is printed darker than the concave part.
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to form a high-quality image having a concavo-convex surface.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the main present invention includes a nozzle that ejects a colorless fluid that cures when irradiated with electromagnetic waves, an irradiation unit that irradiates the colorless fluid with the electromagnetic waves, and an image. For a plurality of regions defined on the medium, dots are formed in each of the regions by ejecting the colorless fluid from the nozzles to the regions, and the dots formed in the regions are A control unit configured to irradiate the electromagnetic wave from the irradiation unit, the nozzle and the irradiation unit move in a predetermined direction with respect to the medium, and the irradiation unit moves in the predetermined direction with respect to the nozzle. A first irradiation unit positioned on one side and a second irradiation unit positioned on the other side of the predetermined direction with respect to the nozzle, and the nozzle and the irradiation unit move to one side of the predetermined direction When you do When the nozzle sprays the colorless fluid, the second irradiation unit irradiates the electromagnetic wave, and the nozzle and the irradiation unit move to the other side in the predetermined direction, the nozzle causes the colorless fluid to flow. The time from when the first irradiation unit irradiates the electromagnetic wave and the colorless fluid is injected until the electromagnetic wave is irradiated from the second irradiation unit, and the colorless fluid is injected. The time until the electromagnetic wave is irradiated from the first irradiation unit is equal, and the control unit controls the number of dots to be superimposed on each region based on the height data set for each region When the plurality of dots are overlapped on the region, the irradiation unit irradiates the plurality of dots with the electromagnetic waves a plurality of times, and the last irradiation of the electromagnetic waves among the plurality of irradiations with the electromagnetic waves. Compared to other said The irradiation of the wave, and to shorten the irradiation time and to weaken the irradiation intensity, a fluid jet apparatus of at least one.
Other features of the present invention will become apparent from the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

1 is a configuration block diagram of a printing system. 2A is a schematic sectional view of the printer, and FIG. 2B is a schematic top view of the printer. FIG. 3A is a diagram illustrating a carriage, and FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating a difference in dots of colorless ink due to a difference in irradiation conditions. 4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating images printed by the printer. It is a figure which shows the flow of the printing method example 1, 6A to 6F are diagrams for explaining a printing method example 1. FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the printing method of a comparative example. 10 is a diagram illustrating a flow of a printing method example 2. FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a printing method example 2; It is a figure for demonstrating the printing method of a comparative example. It is a figure which shows the modification of the area | region which forms the dot of a colorless ink. It is a figure which shows the modification of the image whose surface is uneven | corrugated shape. It is a figure which shows the modification of the image whose surface is uneven | corrugated shape.

  At least the following will be made clear by the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

Specifically, (A) a nozzle that ejects a colorless fluid that cures when irradiated with electromagnetic waves, (B) an irradiation unit that irradiates the colorless fluid with the electromagnetic waves, and (C) an image-formed medium. A fluid ejector comprising: a control unit that defines a plurality of regions and controls the height of the colorless fluid cured in each region based on height data set in each region; Realize the device.
According to such a fluid ejecting apparatus, it is possible to form a high-quality image having an uneven surface.

In this fluid ejecting apparatus, the control unit ejects the colorless fluid from the nozzle to the region based on the height data set in each region, and the irradiation unit performs the colorless fluid ejection on the region. Changing the number of times that the operation of irradiating the colorless fluid with the electromagnetic wave is performed for each region.
According to such a fluid ejecting apparatus, the height of the colorless fluid in each region can be controlled.

In this fluid ejecting apparatus, the control unit makes the distance from the nozzle to the medium in the previous operation different from the distance from the nozzle to the medium in the subsequent operation.
According to such a fluid ejecting apparatus, it is possible to land the colorless fluid at a more accurate position.

In this fluid ejecting apparatus, the control unit has a timing of ejecting the colorless fluid from the nozzle in the previous operation and a timing of ejecting the colorless fluid from the nozzle in the subsequent operation. Make it different.
According to such a fluid ejecting apparatus, it is possible to land the colorless fluid at a more accurate position.

In this fluid ejecting apparatus, the control unit is configured to control the electromagnetic wave radiated from the irradiation unit to the colorless fluid ejected to the region based on the height data set in each region. Change irradiation conditions for each region.
According to such a fluid ejecting apparatus, the height of the colorless fluid in each region can be controlled.

In the fluid ejecting apparatus, the first region in which the first height is set among the plurality of regions, and the second region in which the second height lower than the first height is set. In the region, the control unit assigns one nozzle to one of the first regions, and assigns one nozzle to a plurality of the second regions.
According to such a fluid ejecting apparatus, it is possible to easily control the height of the colorless fluid.

In this fluid ejecting apparatus, the colorless fluid is ejected onto a medium on which an image is formed with a colored fluid, and the size of the pixels constituting the image formed on the medium with the colored fluid is more than The area is larger.
According to such a fluid ejecting apparatus, it is possible to easily control the height of the colorless fluid.

Further, it is a fluid ejection method for ejecting a colorless fluid that hardens when irradiated with electromagnetic waves, and a plurality of areas are defined on a medium on which an image is formed, and the height data set in each of the areas is based on And jetting the colorless fluid to each of the regions, and controlling the height of the colorless fluid cured in each of the regions.
According to such a fluid ejecting method, the surface has an uneven shape and a high-quality image can be formed.

=== About Printer 1 ===
FIG. 1 is a configuration block diagram of a printing system. 2A is a schematic cross-sectional view of the printer 1, and FIG. 2B is a schematic top view of the printer 1. Assume that the printer 1 of the present embodiment performs printing on continuous paper (hereinafter, paper S). First, when the printer 1 receives print data from the computer 70, the controller 10 controls each unit (conveyance unit 20, drive unit 30, head unit 40, irradiation unit 50) to form an image on the paper S. The state in the printer 1 is monitored by the detector group 60, and the controller 10 controls each unit based on the detection result.

  The transport unit 20 transports the paper S from the upstream side to the downstream side along the direction in which the paper S continues (hereinafter referred to as the transport direction). In the printing area during printing, the sheet S is vacuum-sucked from below, and the sheet S is held at a predetermined position.

  The drive unit 30 freely moves the carriage 31 in the X direction corresponding to the transport direction and the Y direction corresponding to the width direction of the paper S. The drive unit 30 includes an X axis stage 32 that moves the carriage 31 in the X direction, and a Y axis stage 33 that moves the X axis stage 31 in the Y direction.

  The head unit 40 has a head 41 for ejecting ink onto the paper S. On the lower surface of the head 41, a plurality of nozzles that are ink ejection portions are provided. Each nozzle is provided with a pressure chamber (not shown) containing ink and a drive element (for example, a piezo element) for ejecting ink by changing the capacity of the pressure chamber. When a drive signal (drive waveform) is applied to the drive element, the drive element is deformed, and the pressure chamber expands and contracts along with the deformation, and ink is ejected.

  The irradiation unit 50 is for curing the “ultraviolet curable ink” ejected from the head 41, and has two irradiation units (a first irradiation unit 51 and a second irradiation unit 52).

  Summarizing the movement of each unit, first, a paper portion that has not yet been printed by the transport unit 20 is supplied to the printing area. Then, the carriage 31 (head 41) is moved in the X direction (conveyance direction) by the X-axis stage 32, and ink is ejected from the nozzles to the paper S in the printing area during this movement, and the paper S is moved in the X direction. A line of dots along the line is formed. Thereafter, the carriage 31 is moved in the Y direction (width direction) by the Y axis stage 33 via the X axis stage 32, and then the ink is ejected from the nozzles while the carriage 31 (head 41) is moved again in the X direction. Is injected. As described above, the dot formation operation by the movement of the carriage 31 in the X direction and the movement operation of the carriage 31 in the Y direction are alternately repeated to determine the position of the dot formed by the previous dot formation operation. Dots are formed at different positions to complete the image. When the printing of the paper portion located in the printing area is completed, the paper portion that has not yet been printed by the transport unit 20 is supplied again to the printing area. Then, the paper portion that has been printed is cut into a necessary size on the downstream side in the transport direction (not shown).

  FIG. 3A is a diagram showing the head 41, the first irradiation unit 51, and the second irradiation unit 52 mounted on the carriage 31. Hereinafter, the head unit 40 and the irradiation unit 50 will be described in detail. FIG. 3A is a diagram of the carriage 31 as viewed from above, and is a diagram virtually showing the arrangement of nozzles and the like. The head 41 is provided at the center of the carriage 31, the first irradiation unit 51 is provided on the left side (downstream side) in the X direction (conveyance direction), and the second irradiation unit 52 is provided on the right side (upstream side) in the X direction. It has been.

  On the lower surface of the head 41, there are provided nozzles that eject colored ink (yellow, magenta, cyan, black) and nozzles that eject colorless and transparent ultraviolet curable ink (hereinafter also referred to as colorless ink). . Here, the ultraviolet curable ink is an ink that cures when irradiated with ultraviolet rays, and is prepared by adding an auxiliary agent such as an antifoaming agent or a polymerization inhibitor to a mixture of a vehicle, a photopolymerization initiator and a pigment. . The vehicle is prepared by adjusting the viscosity of a photopolymerization-curing oligomer, monomer or the like with a reactive diluent. The ink includes both water-based ink and oil-based ink. In this embodiment, the colored ink is not an ultraviolet curable ink. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the colored ink may be an ultraviolet curable ink. Further, the colorless and transparent ultraviolet curable ink is not limited to completely transparent. Although details will be described later, in the present embodiment, after colored ink is ejected onto the paper S, colorless ink is ejected thereon. Therefore, the colorless ink may be a semi-transparent ink that can transmit an image formed with the colored ink.

  The nozzles are arranged at a predetermined nozzle pitch D in the width direction for each type of ink to be ejected. In order from the right in the X direction, a black nozzle row K that ejects black ink, a cyan nozzle row C that ejects cyan ink, a magenta nozzle row M that ejects magenta ink, and a yellow that ejects yellow ink. A nozzle row Y and a colorless nozzle row UV that ejects colorless ink are provided.

  The first irradiation unit 51 and the second irradiation unit 52 are provided with lamps (for example, metal halide lamps and LEDs) that irradiate the colorless ink ejected onto the paper S with ultraviolet rays and cure the colorless ink. .

  FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating the difference in the dots of the colorless ink due to the difference in the irradiation conditions. When the intensity of ultraviolet rays to be irradiated is increased with respect to a predetermined amount of colorless ink landed on the paper S and the colorless ink is cured in a short time, the colorless ink is in a state of height (swelling) before spreading on the paper S. Cured). Conversely, when the intensity of the ultraviolet light applied to the colorless ink is weakened and the colorless ink is cured for a long time, the colorless ink spreads on the paper S and is cured in a flat state with no height. That is, by changing the irradiation conditions (ultraviolet light intensity / irradiation time) of the ultraviolet rays that irradiate the colorless ink, it is possible to change the state in which the colorless ink is cured (the height and the dot diameter of the colorless ink dots).

  Also, if the size of the colorless ink dots (the amount of ink used to form the dots) is different, the degree of dot rise (the height of the colorless ink dots) will be different even when irradiated under the same irradiation conditions. I can do it. For example, when irradiation is performed with a large dot (a large amount of ink) under the irradiation condition that is cured in a state where the small dot (a small amount of ink) is raised to a relatively high level (upper right diagram in FIG. 3B), there is no height spread. It can be cured in the state (lower right figure of FIG. 3B). This is because the energy required for curing differs depending on the ink amount of dots.

  By the way, in the printer 1 of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2B, the carriage 31 moves in the X direction and the Y direction, and ink is ejected from the head 41 while the carriage 31 moves in the X direction. Is formed. Further, it is assumed that ink is ejected from the head 41 when the carriage 31 moves from the right side to the left side in the X direction and when the carriage 31 moves from the left side to the right side. Therefore, irradiation units are provided on the left side and the right side in the X direction with respect to the head 41 (colorless nozzle row UV). By doing so, the colorless ink ejected from the colorless nozzle row UV when the carriage 31 moves from the left side to the right side in the X direction can be cured by the first irradiation unit 51, and the carriage 31 is moved from the right side in the X direction. The colorless ink ejected from the colorless nozzle array UV when moving to the left can be cured by the second irradiation unit 52.

  The irradiation unit is not limited to the left side and the right side in the X direction with respect to the head 41, and the irradiation unit may be provided only on one side. For example, when the irradiation unit (first irradiation unit 51) is provided only on the left side of the head 41, colorless ink is ejected only when the carriage 31 moves from the left side to the right side, or the carriage 31 is moved from the right side. After the colorless ink is ejected when moving to the left, the colorless ink ejected when the carriage 31 moves from the left to the right may be cured. In the printer 1 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the distance from the colorless nozzle row UV to the first irradiation unit 51 is different from the distance from the colorless nozzle row UV to the second irradiation unit 52. Therefore, when the carriage 31 moves from the left side to the right side and when the carriage 31 moves from the right side to the left side, the time from when the colorless ink is ejected from the nozzle to when the ultraviolet rays are irradiated by the irradiation unit is different. Therefore, another colorless nozzle row UV may be provided on the rightmost side in the X direction (on the right side of the black nozzle row K) to equalize the time from when the colorless ink is ejected to when the ultraviolet rays are irradiated. .

=== About the printing method ===
4A and 4B are diagrams for describing an image printed by the printer 1 of the present embodiment. 4A is a top view of a mountain image, and FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of the mountain image along line AA ′ shown in FIG. 4A. The “mountain image” shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B is an image A (black portion) whose height (vertical direction) with respect to the paper S is “X1” and a height with respect to the paper S is “X2”. An image B (cross portion) and an image C (white portion) whose height with respect to the paper S is “X3” are configured. For example, when a mountain image is printed, if the mountain portion swells in the vertical direction with respect to the paper S, it is easier to determine that the image represents a mountain. Further, it is possible to enjoy by touching the ridges that are raised with respect to the paper S. As described above, in the present embodiment, a three-dimensional image, that is, an image having an uneven surface is formed so that an image can be enjoyed visually and tactilely.

  By the way, as shown in FIG. 3B, the ultraviolet curable ink (colorless ink) can adjust the height of the ink to be cured by adjusting the intensity and irradiation time of the ultraviolet rays applied to the ink. Therefore, the printer 1 of the present embodiment first forms a mountain image (shaded portion in FIG. 4B) with the colored ink YMCK on the paper S, and then colorless ink (ultraviolet curing) on the image formed with the colored ink. The projections and depressions are formed by ejecting the ink. In other words, a two-dimensional image is formed with colored ink, and a three-dimensional image is formed with colorless ink. In FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B, in order to distinguish the image C from the image A, the concavo-convex portion formed with the colorless ink is blacked or crossed, but the concavo-convex portion is colorless and transparent.

  When such a three-dimensional image is formed, the user sets “height data” indicating which image portion is to be set to what height on the application software or the like. For example, when forming the images shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the user sets the height data of the highest image A to “X1” and sets the height data of the next highest image B to “X2”. The height data of the lowest image C is set to “X3”.

  The printer driver stored in the memory of the computer 70 performs printing for causing the printer 1 to form a three-dimensional image based on the two-dimensional image data (mountain image data) and the height data. Create data. In the present embodiment, a two-dimensional image is printed with colored ink, and the surface irregularities are formed with colorless ink. Therefore, the printer driver includes print data for forming a two-dimensional image using the colored ink nozzle row YMCK, print data for forming an uneven portion on the surface using the colorless ink nozzle row UV, and Create After creating the print data, the printer driver transmits the print data to the printer 1. Hereinafter, a printing method of the printer 1 that forms a stereoscopic image will be described in detail.

<About Printing Method Example 1>
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a flow of the printing method example 1, and FIGS. 6A to 6F are diagrams for explaining the printing method example 1. FIG. When receiving the print data from the computer 70, the controller 10 of the printer 1 first prints a two-dimensional image on the paper S using the colored ink nozzle row YMCK (S001).

  Next, the controller 10 of the printer 1 confirms the presence / absence of data regarding colorless ink (S002). When there is data on colorless ink, it means that an uneven portion is formed with colorless ink on a two-dimensional image formed with colored ink. On the contrary, when there is no data regarding colorless ink (S002 → NO), printing is ended because only a two-dimensional image is printed on the paper S with colored ink.

  When there is data regarding colorless ink (S002 → YES), the colorless ink is ejected onto the image of the colored ink to form the uneven portion. By the way, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, in the image printed by the printer 1 of the present embodiment, the height from the paper S differs depending on the location on the paper S (from the image A to the image C). That is, in the present embodiment, uneven portions having different heights are formed with colorless ink on a colored ink image in multiple steps. Therefore, in this printing method example 1, as shown in the flow of FIG. 5, the operation of ejecting colorless ink and irradiating ultraviolet rays (S003) is repeatedly performed. Then, when there is no data about colorless ink (S004 → YES), printing is terminated. In printing method example 1, images having different heights are formed by varying the number of times of performing the operation of irradiating ultraviolet rays by ejecting colorless ink.

  Hereinafter, a method for forming the concavo-convex portion with colorless ink will be described in detail. Here, when the computer 70 in which the printer driver is installed creates print data relating to colorless ink, the computer 70 defines a plurality of “regions” on the paper S on which the colored ink image is formed. The printer driver sets the height data corresponding to each area based on the height data set by the user. Then, based on the height data set for each area, the number of times of performing the operation of irradiating the colorless fluid on the area from the irradiation unit with the colorless ink from the nozzle is changed for each area. . (It should be noted that the computer 70 determines the number of times to perform the operation of ejecting the colorless ink and irradiating the ultraviolet rays according to the printer driver. However, the ejection of the colorless ink from the nozzle is performed based on the print data relating to the ejection of the colorless ink. It is the controller 10 of the printer 1 that controls the irradiation of the ultraviolet rays, so that the computer 70 and the controller 10 of the printer 1 correspond to a “control unit”, and a printing system in which the computer 70 and the printer 1 are connected to each other. Corresponds to “fluid ejector”).

  The size of the “region” set on the paper S on which the color image is formed is larger than the size of “pixel (minimum unit for forming dots)” set when the color ink image is formed. Good. The smaller the pixel size set when forming the colored ink image, the higher the quality of the colored ink image. On the other hand, it is not necessary to control the height of the image for each very small area because the uneven portions formed with colorless ink are enjoyed by human touch. If the “area” is set too small, the amount of print data is unnecessarily increased, or the time interval for ejecting colorless ink from the nozzles is shortened, thereby prolonging the printing time. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the size of the “region” set on the paper S on which the colored image is formed is larger than the size of the “pixel” constituting the colored ink image.

  6A to 6F, for the sake of explanation, in the paper S on which the colored ink image is formed, the region A, the region B, the region C, the region D, the region E, the region F, and the region G are sequentially arranged from the left side in the X direction. , Region H. Further, an image A (FIG. 4B) whose height data is “X1” is formed in the regions C and D, and an image B whose height data is “X2” is formed in the regions B, E, and F. The image C having the height data “X3” is formed in the region A, the region G, and the region H.

  6A and 6B, when the carriage 31 (the head 41 and the first irradiation unit 51) moves from the left side to the right side in the X direction, colorless ink is ejected onto the paper S on which the color ink image is formed, and ultraviolet rays are injected. It is a figure which shows a mode that it irradiates. This single movement of the carriage 31 in the X direction is referred to as a “pass”, and FIGS. 6A and 6B are diagrams illustrating operations performed in the same path. First, as shown in FIG. 6A, the colorless ink is ejected from the colorless nozzle row UV of the head 41 onto the areas A to H of the paper S on which the color ink image is formed. Then, as illustrated in FIG. 6B, the colorless ink ejected to the regions A to H is irradiated with ultraviolet rays from the first irradiation unit 51. As a result, cured colorless ink dots are formed in the regions A to H, and the height from the paper S to the colorless ink dots is “X3”. That is, an image C having a height “X3” from the sheet S is formed in the areas A, G, and H. Therefore, it is not necessary to eject colorless ink to the areas A, G, and H in the subsequent passes.

  6C and 6D are diagrams showing operations performed in the same path. In the next pass, when the carriage 31 (the head 41 and the second irradiation unit 52) moves from the right side to the left side in the X direction, as shown in FIG. Colorless ink is ejected from the colorless nozzle row UV. Then, as illustrated in FIG. 6D, the colorless ink ejected to the regions B to F is irradiated with ultraviolet rays from the second irradiation unit 52. As a result, as shown in FIG. 6D, in the areas B to F, two colorless ink dots are formed so as to overlap each other, and the height from the paper S to the colorless ink dots (the upper part thereof) is “X2”. Become. That is, an image B having a height “X2” from the sheet S is formed in the regions B, E, and F. Therefore, it is not necessary to eject colorless ink to the areas B, E, and F in the subsequent passes.

  6E and 6F are diagrams illustrating operations performed in the same path. In the next pass, when the carriage 31 (the head 41 and the first irradiation unit 51) moves from the left side to the right side in the X direction, as shown in FIG. Colorless ink is ejected from the colorless nozzle row UV. Then, as shown in FIG. 6F, the colorless ink ejected to the region C and the region D is irradiated with ultraviolet rays from the first irradiation unit 51. As a result, as shown in FIG. 6F, in the area C and the area D, three colorless ink dots are overlapped and the height from the paper S to the colorless ink dots (the upper part thereof) is “X1”. Become. That is, the image A having the height “X1” from the sheet S is formed in the region C and the region D.

  To summarize the above, for the region (region A, G, H) where the image C having the lowest height is formed, the operation of ejecting the colorless ink and irradiating the ultraviolet rays is performed only once, and then the highest For the region (regions B, E, and F) where the low-profile image B is formed, the operation of ejecting the colorless ink and irradiating the ultraviolet rays is performed twice, and the region where the highest image A is formed For (regions C and D), the operation of ejecting colorless ink and irradiating ultraviolet rays is performed three times. In other words, as the image height increases, colorless ink is ejected and ultraviolet rays are emitted in many passes. As a result, one colorless ink dot is formed in the area where the image C is formed, two colorless ink dots are overlapped in the area where the image B is formed, and the colorless ink dot is formed in the area where the image A is formed. Are formed in an overlapping manner. Thus, images with different heights on the paper S are formed.

  That is, in the printing method example 1, by changing the number of times of performing the operation of ejecting the colorless ink and irradiating the ultraviolet rays (the number of repetitions) for each region defined on the paper S on which the color ink image is formed, The height of an image formed with colorless ink is varied in multiple steps.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a printing method of a comparative example different from the printing method example 1. FIG. Here, it is assumed that an image having a concavo-convex surface is printed using only a colored ultraviolet curable ink (hereinafter referred to as a colored ink) without using a colorless ink. Similarly to the printing method example 1, by changing the number of times of performing the operation of ejecting the colored ink and irradiating the ultraviolet rays for each region defined on the paper S, images having different heights are formed. As a result, in the regions C and D where the highest image A is formed, three colored ink dots are overlapped, and in the regions B, E and F where the next highest image B is formed, two colored inks are formed. In the regions A, G, and H in which the ink dots are formed to overlap and form the image C having the lowest height, one colored ink dot is formed.

  As in this comparative example, if the number of colored ink dots to be superimposed is varied to make the image height different, the colored ink dots will not be formed even if images having different heights are formed at the same density. Many overlapping regions (for example, regions C and D) are visually recognized dark, and regions (for example, regions A, G, and H) where colored ink dots are not frequently overlapped are visually recognized light. In other words, by changing the number of times of performing the operation of spraying colored ink and irradiating ultraviolet rays for each region, when trying to form images having different heights (when trying to form an image having an uneven surface), Density unevenness occurs in the image.

  On the other hand, in the printing method example 1 of the present embodiment, first, a two-dimensional image is formed with colored ink on the paper S, and then a colorless ink dot is overlapped to thereby form an image with an uneven surface. Can be formed. Therefore, even in a region where a high image is formed, the colored ink is not overlaid, so that it can be prevented from being viewed darkly, and uneven density with a region where another image is formed can be prevented. For this reason, according to the printing method example 1, it is possible to form an image with high image quality and an image having an uneven surface with colorless ink.

  Further, in the printing method example 1, the height of the image for each region is controlled by changing the number of overlapping colorless ink dots. Therefore, the size of the colorless ink dots formed on the paper S can all be the same. Therefore, the amount of colorless ink ejected from the colorless nozzle row UV and the irradiation condition of ultraviolet rays can be made the same, and printing control becomes easy. In order to overlap a plurality of colorless ink dots, the pass (for example, FIG. 6B and FIG. 6D) in the middle of ejecting the colorless ink weakens the irradiation intensity of ultraviolet rays compared to the last pass (for example, FIG. 6F), The irradiation time may be reduced. By doing so, the colorless ink dots formed in the middle pass are in a semi-cured state (not completely cured), and the colorless ink dots ejected in the later pass and the colorless ink already ejected This makes it possible to form an image (uneven portion) that is difficult to peel off and strengthens the connection with the dots.

  In addition, in the printing method example 1, since the dots of the colorless ink are overlapped, the distance between the nozzle and the landing position of the colorless ink ejected from the nozzle (the upper portion of the colorless ink dot) (hereinafter referred to as “colorless ink”) as the printing proceeds. , Called PG (paper gap)). Since the printer 1 according to the present embodiment ejects colorless ink from the head 41 moving in the X direction, there is a possibility that the landing position of the colorless ink in the X direction is shifted if the PG is different. As a result, the dots of colorless ink are not correctly overlapped and an image having the correct height cannot be formed.

  Therefore, in the printing method example 1, the position of the head 41 is raised with respect to the paper S or the position of the paper S is lowered with respect to the head 41 as the dots of colorless ink are overlapped. In other words, the distance from the nozzle to the medium in the previous pass (operation) is different from that in the subsequent pass, and the distance from the nozzle to the medium in the subsequent pass is longer than the distance from the nozzle to the medium in the previous pass. To do. By doing so, PG can always be kept constant even if dots of colorless ink are formed in an overlapping manner. As a result, the colorless ink dots can be landed at the correct position, and an image with the correct height can be formed.

  For example, referring to FIGS. 6A to 6F, in the state where colorless ink has not yet been ejected (FIG. 6A), the distance between the head 41 and the lower portion of the paper S is “X4”, and the color ink image Colorless ink is ejected on the surface. The distance “Xf” from the colored ink image to the head 41 (nozzle) at this time is defined as a predetermined PG. In the state where colorless ink is ejected in the next pass (FIG. 6C), the colorless ink is ejected where one colorless ink dot is formed. Therefore, the position of the head 41 is increased so that the distance from one colorless ink dot to the head 41 becomes “Xf” which is a predetermined PG, and the distance between the head 41 and the lower portion of the paper S is set to “ “X5” is longer than “X4”. Similarly, in the last pass (FIG. 6E), the position of the head 41 is increased so that the distance from the two colorless ink dots to the head 41 becomes “Xf” which is a predetermined PG. The distance from the lower part of the sheet S is set to “X6”, which is longer than “X5”.

  Further, by making the distance PG between the nozzle and the landing position of the colorless ink ejected from the nozzle constant, the colorless ink dot is not necessarily landed at the correct position. For example, the timing at which colorless ink is ejected from the nozzles may be different between the previous pass (operation) and the subsequent pass. As the number of colorless ink dots superimposed increases, the time until the colorless ink lands decreases. Therefore, the timing at which the colorless ink is ejected from the nozzles may be delayed as the colorless ink dots are superimposed. Specifically, in order to eject colorless ink from a nozzle, generation of a drive waveform applied to a drive element (piezo element) corresponding to the nozzle may be delayed. By doing so, the control of the timing for ejecting colorless ink becomes complicated, but even if there is no mechanism for changing the height of the head 41 or lowering the position of the paper S, the dot of the colorless ink is landed at the correct position. Can be made.

<Printing method example 2>
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a flow of the printing method example 2 of the present embodiment, and FIGS. 9A to 9F are diagrams for explaining the printing method example 2. Similar to the above-described printing method example 1, when the print data is received from the computer 70, the controller 10 of the printer 1 first prints a two-dimensional image with colored ink on the paper S (S101), on the surface of the image. It is determined whether or not to form an uneven portion (S102).

  Here, as described above (FIG. 3B), the colorless UV curable ink (colorless ink) changes the height of the colorless ink dots to be cured by changing the irradiation conditions (ultraviolet light intensity and irradiation time) of the ultraviolet light. be able to. Further, when the dot size (the amount of ink ejected from the nozzle) is different, the irradiation condition is changed depending on the amount of ink, so that it can be cured to a desired dot height. Therefore, in printing method example 2, a relatively large amount of colorless ink is ejected to a region where a high image (for example, image A in FIG. 4B) is formed, and the irradiation intensity of ultraviolet rays is increased to shorten the time. To cure colorless ink. On the other hand, a relatively small amount of colorless ink is ejected to a region where an image having a low height (for example, image C in FIG. 4B) is formed, and the colorless ink is taken over a long period of time by reducing the irradiation intensity of ultraviolet rays. To cure.

  That is, in this printing method example 2, the irradiation condition of the ultraviolet rays from the irradiation unit is made different for each region defined on the paper S on which the colored ink image is formed. Therefore, as shown in the flow of FIG. 8, first, the irradiation condition of the irradiation unit is set (S103), and the same amount of colorless ink is applied in the same pass to the area where the image of the same height is formed. Spray and cure ultraviolet light under the same irradiation conditions. Then, the irradiation conditions of the irradiating unit are reset for areas where images having different heights are formed, and colorless ink is irradiated in different passes to cure the colorless ink. This is repeated until there is no colorless ink data.

  Hereinafter, the printing method example 2 will be specifically described. As in the printing method example 1 described above, a plurality of “regions” are defined on the medium on which the color ink image is formed, the image A is formed in the regions C and D, and the image B is formed in the regions B, E, and F. , And an image C is formed in the areas A, G, and H. The printer driver sets the height data corresponding to each area based on the height data set by the user. Then, based on the height data set for each region, it is determined for each region which irradiation condition (which pass) the colorless ink ejected to the region is to be cured. (Note that the irradiation condition for each region is determined by the computer 70 in accordance with the printer driver. However, the control of the emission of colorless ink from the nozzle and the irradiation of ultraviolet rays based on the print data relating to the emission of the colorless ink is performed. The controller 10 of the printer 1. Therefore, the computer 70 and the controller 10 of the printer 1 correspond to a “control unit”).

  9A and 9B show operations performed in the same pass. When the carriage 31 (the head 41 and the first irradiation unit 51) moves from the left side to the right side in the X direction, an image of colored ink is formed. It is a figure which shows a mode that a colorless ink is injected to the paper S which irradiated, and an ultraviolet-ray is irradiated. First, as shown in FIG. 9A, colorless ink is ejected onto the areas C and D by “Y1pl”. Then, as illustrated in FIG. 9B, the colorless ink ejected to the regions C and D is irradiated with ultraviolet rays from the first irradiation unit 51. At this time, the amount of colorless ink (Y1pl) ejected from the nozzle is the largest, the ultraviolet intensity from the first irradiation part is the strongest, and the colorless ink is cured in the shortest time. As a result, in the area C and the area D, the height from the paper S to the colorless ink dots is “X1”, and the image A is formed.

  9C and 9D show operations performed in the same path, and when the carriage 31 (the head 41 and the second irradiation unit 52) moves from the right side to the left side in the X direction, as shown in FIG. 9C, For areas B, E, and F, colorless ink is ejected from the colorless nozzle array UV of the head 41 by an amount “Y2pl” that is smaller than the ink amount (Y1pl) ejected in the previous pass. Then, as shown in FIG. 9D, the second irradiation unit 52 irradiates the colorless ink jetted to the regions B, E, and F with the ultraviolet light having a weaker intensity than the irradiation intensity of the previous pass (FIG. 9B). Irradiate for a longer time than the time of irradiation with ultraviolet rays in the previous pass. As a result, in the areas B, E, and F, the height from the sheet S is “X2”, and the image B is formed. That is, in the regions B, E, and F, colorless ink dots that are lower in height than the colorless ink dots formed in the regions C and D are formed.

  9E and 9F show the operation performed in the same pass, and when the carriage 31 (the head 41 and the first irradiation unit 51) moves from the left side to the right side in the X direction, as shown in FIG. 9E, For areas A, G, and H, colorless ink is ejected from the colorless nozzle array UV of the head 41 in an amount “Y3pl” that is smaller than the ink amount (Y2pl) ejected in the previous pass. Then, as shown in FIG. 9F, the first irradiation unit 51 irradiates the colorless ink jetted in the regions A, G, and H from the first irradiation unit 51 with ultraviolet light having an intensity lower than the irradiation intensity of the previous pass (FIG. 9D). Irradiate for a longer time than the time of irradiation with ultraviolet rays in the previous pass. As a result, in the areas A, G, and H, the height from the sheet S is “X3”, and the image C is formed. That is, in the regions A, G, and H, colorless ink dots that are lower in height than the colorless ink dots formed in the regions B, E, and F are formed.

  As described above, in the printing method example 2, in order to form images having different heights, the irradiation conditions (irradiation intensity and irradiation time) of the ultraviolet rays are determined for each region defined on the paper S on which the colored ink image is formed. , Make them different. Here, it is assumed that the areas defined on the paper S are all the same size, and the dot diameters of the colorless ink formed in each area are equal. Therefore, the amount of colorless ink to be ejected is increased in a region where an image having a high height is formed. In the printing method example 2, since it is only necessary to change the irradiation condition for each pass, it is easy to control the irradiation condition.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a printing method of a comparative example. Here, it is assumed that images having different heights are formed using only colored ultraviolet curable ink (hereinafter referred to as colored ink) without using colorless ink. Similarly to the printing method example 2, it is assumed that the height of the dots of the colored ink formed in each region is controlled by changing the irradiation conditions of the ultraviolet rays applied to the colored ink.

  Specifically, a large amount of colored ink is ejected to areas (areas C and D) where an image A having a high height is formed, the intensity of ultraviolet irradiation is increased, and the dots of colored ink are cured in a short irradiation time. To do. On the other hand, a small amount of colored ink is ejected to the region (region A, G, H) where the low-height image C is formed, and the irradiation intensity of ultraviolet rays is weakened, and the dots of the colored ink are used over a long irradiation time. To cure. By doing so, the height of the image can be varied for each region.

  As in this comparative example, when the height of the image is varied by changing the irradiation condition of the ultraviolet rays applied to the dots of the colored ink, the colored color spreading on the paper S while adjusting the height of the dots. It is necessary to accurately adjust the size of the ink dot diameter. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, if the amount of the colored ink ejected to the region where the image C having a low height is large or the time for irradiating the colored ink with ultraviolet rays is excessively long, the region As a result, a large dot that protrudes from the surface is formed. As a result, the dots of colored ink are overlapped, and the portion is visually recognized darkly. On the other hand, if the amount of the colored ink ejected to the area where the high image A is formed is small, or if the irradiation intensity of the ultraviolet rays irradiating the colored ink is too strong, dots smaller than the area are formed, and white streaks are formed. Will occur. In addition, even if the area is the same size, a larger amount of colored ink is ejected in the area where the high image A is formed than in the area where the low image C is formed. The dots of the colored ink in the area where the image A is formed are visually recognized darkly, and density unevenness occurs.

  On the other hand, in the printing method example 2 of the present embodiment, first, a two-dimensional image is formed on the paper S with colored ink, and then the colorless ink is ejected, and the irradiation condition for the colorless ink is changed, thereby changing the surface. Forms an image having a concavo-convex shape. Therefore, even if the dot diameter of the colorless ink is made small due to an error, white streaks can be prevented from appearing on the image, and even if the dot diameter of the colorless ink is large and overlapped, the density can be visually recognized as dark. Can be prevented. For this reason, according to the printing method example 2, it is possible to form an image having a high image quality and an uneven surface with colorless ink.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a modified example of “regions” for forming colorless ink dots. Up to this point, as shown in FIGS. 9A to 9F, one colorless ink dot is formed for each region, that is, one nozzle is assigned to one region, but this is not restrictive. When the same amount of ink is ejected from the nozzle, the dot diameter of the colorless ink having a low height can be made larger than the dot diameter of the colorless ink having a high height. Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 11, a region (3) to a region (6) (corresponding to the second region where the second height is set) for forming a low-height image, It is assumed that there are a region (1) to a region (2) (corresponding to a first region where the first height is set) for forming a high image. In this case, one nozzle is assigned to each of the regions (1) and (2), one colorless ink dot is formed, and the same one nozzle is assigned to the regions (3) and (4). One colorless ink dot is formed in two areas. Similarly, one colorless ink dot is formed in the region (5) and the region (6). At this time, the irradiation conditions for irradiating the colorless ink in the region (1) and the region (2) with ultraviolet rays are different from the irradiation conditions for irradiating the colorless ink in the regions (3) to (6) with ultraviolet rays. By doing so, it is possible to reduce the number of times the colorless ink is ejected in a pass for forming a low-height image, and to reduce the amount of print data. That is, the control for forming the uneven image is facilitated.

  In the present embodiment, when images having different heights are formed, the images are formed by different passes. That is, an image formed in one pass is an image having the same height, but is not limited thereto. For example, the images A and B having different heights may be formed in the same pass. However, in the printing method example 2, images having different heights are formed by changing the irradiation conditions of the ultraviolet rays. Therefore, forming images having different heights in the same pass means that irradiation is performed for each region in the same pass. Since the conditions (irradiation intensity and irradiation time) are changed, the control of the irradiation unit is complicated. That is, by separately providing passes for forming images of different heights, the irradiation condition of ultraviolet rays in the same pass can be made constant, and the control of the irradiation unit becomes easy.

  Further, there is a limit to the amount of colorless ink that can be ejected from one nozzle. That is, as in this printing method example 2, when the uneven shape is formed on the surface by adjusting the amount of colorless ink ejected from the nozzle and the irradiation condition, the height of the image that can be formed is limited. Therefore, the printing method example 1 and the printing method example 2 may be combined to form an image having an uneven surface. For example, when an image that is higher than the height that can be formed in one pass and an image that is lower than that are formed, when forming a low image, the irradiation intensity is weakened and ultraviolet rays are irradiated for a long time. To do. On the other hand, when forming a high image, the irradiation intensity is increased, the ultraviolet rays are irradiated for a short time, and the colorless ink dots are formed on the previously formed colorless ink dots in the next pass. Overlapping to form. By doing so, images according to various height data can be formed.

<Modification>
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a modified example of an image having an uneven surface. FIG. 12 shows a view of the image D (shaded portion) from above and a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA ′. Up to this point, an image having a height with respect to the paper S, such as a mountain image shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, has been described as an example. In this case, the user inputs “+ (plus) data” as the height data. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and if the user wants to form a certain image lower than the other images, “− (minus) data” may be input as height data for the certain image. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, when the height data for the image D (shaded portion) is “−X4”, the portion of the image D is formed to be lower by “X4” than the other portions. It shows that. In this case, the printer driver creates print data that ejects colorless ink to an area other than the image D. Then, the printer 1 does not eject colorless ink to the image D, and the colorless ink is ejected so that the height is higher by “X4” than the area where the image D is formed in an area other than the image D. Irradiate with ultraviolet rays. As a result, the height of the portion of the image D can be reduced by “X4” compared to the other portions.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a modified example of an image having an uneven surface. Up to this point, the height data is input to the user for the image on which the unevenness is to be formed, and the overall height of the image is controlled, but this is not restrictive. For example, only the edge (outline) of the image may be raised with respect to the paper S. After an image as shown in FIG. 13 is formed on the paper S with colored ink, colorless ink is ejected only to the area corresponding to the thick line portion (border portion) in the drawing. By doing so, the edge of the image can be raised more than the other image portions. Further, not only the edge of the image, but only the edge of the character “2008” shown in FIG. 13 may be raised more than the other parts.

  In the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3A, the head 41 is provided with only one colorless nozzle array UV and only one type of colorless ink is ejected. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The head 41 may be provided with a plurality of colorless nozzle rows UV. For example, the viscosity of the colorless ink ejected from the nozzles may be different between one colorless nozzle row UV1 and the other colorless nozzle row UV2.

  For example, when an image having a high height is formed, a colorless ink having a high viscosity is used. When an image having a low height is formed, a colorless ink having a low viscosity is preferably used. Normally, a colorless ink having a high viscosity hardly spreads on the surface of the paper S. Conversely, a colorless ink having a low viscosity tends to spread on the surface of the paper S. Therefore, even if the ultraviolet irradiation conditions (irradiation intensity and time) are the same, a colorless ink having a high viscosity tends to form a high image, and a colorless ink having a low viscosity tends to form a low image. Therefore, it becomes easy to control the height of an image formed with colorless ink. Then, by using colorless inks having different viscosities and further changing the irradiation conditions, it is possible to adjust the image height of the colorless ink in more stages.

  Further, by using colorless inks having different viscosities, images having different tactile sensations can be formed. For example, by ejecting colorless ink having different viscosities on one image portion and another image portion on the paper S, the tactile sensation of one image portion can be made different from the tactile sensation of another image portion. Images can be formed.

=== Other Embodiments ===
The fluid ejecting apparatus and the like according to the present invention have been described above based on the above embodiment, but the above-described embodiment is for facilitating the understanding of the present invention and limits the present invention. is not. The present invention can be changed and improved without departing from the gist thereof, and the present invention includes the equivalents thereof.

  In the above-described embodiment, the ultraviolet curable colorless ink is ejected onto the medium on which the colored ink image is formed to form the uneven shape on the surface. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The ink is not limited to the ink that is cured when irradiated with ultraviolet rays, but may be an ink that is cured by an electromagnetic wave such as an electron beam, an X-ray, visible light, or infrared light.

  In the above-described embodiment, as a method for changing the irradiation condition for controlling the height of the colorless ink, there are a case where the intensity is increased and irradiation is performed in a short time, and a case where the intensity is decreased and irradiation is performed for a long time. However, it is not limited to this. For example, the irradiation conditions may be changed between when the intensity is increased and irradiation is performed in a short time, and when the intensity is decreased and irradiation is performed in the same short time (or shorter time). In this way, when the strength is reduced, the ink can be cured in a flat state without any rise of ink. However, when this strength is weak and short, the colorless ink may be insufficiently cured. Therefore, after completing a predetermined amount of medium, such as one page, with a path involving ink ejection and ejection after ejection, the entire surface of the page is irradiated with sufficient intensity to remove colorless ink that has not been sufficiently cured. It should be cured. In other words, the colorless ink can be cured flatly only by changing the intensity of the irradiation conditions.

  Further, not only the intensity of the ultraviolet rays and the irradiation time are changed, but also the time from when the ink is ejected until the irradiation of the ultraviolet rays is started may be changed. By lengthening the time until the start of UV irradiation, the colorless ink can be cured in a spread state without a height (lower right diagram in FIG. 3B), and conversely, the time until starting UV irradiation. By shortening, colorless ink can be cured in a raised state (upper right diagram in FIG. 3B). For example, the moving speed of the carriage 31 may be adjusted as a method of changing the time for irradiating the colorless ink with ultraviolet rays or the time from when the ink is ejected until the ultraviolet rays are started to be emitted.

  In the above-described embodiment, the printer 1 ejects the colorless ink nozzle row UV immediately after forming the image on the medium with the colored ink nozzle row YMCK of the head 41. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when a medium on which a color ink image has been formed in advance by the printer 1 is set in the printer 1 again, colorless ink may be ejected, and the color ink image may be generated by a printing apparatus different from the printer 1. Colorless ink may be ejected onto the formed medium. Further, the present invention is not limited to ejecting colorless ink onto an image formed with colored fluid ink such as YMCK ink, and it is sufficient that a visible image is formed on the medium ejecting colorless ink. It may be an image formed with ink or an image formed with a photoreceptor. In addition, the image in which the uneven shape is formed with the colorless ink is not limited to the use for visually and tactile enjoyment, and the medium can have a function of preventing forgery by the uneven shape of the colorless ink.

  In the printing method examples (FIGS. 5 and 8) shown in the above-described embodiment, the colorless ink is used only when an image having an uneven surface is formed. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a colorless ink may be used to smooth the surface of a two-dimensional image formed with colored ink and give a glossy appearance.

  In the above-described embodiment, the computer 70 creates print data according to the printer driver. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the controller 10 of the printer 1 may create print data. In this case, the printer 1 corresponds to a fluid ejecting apparatus, and the controller 10 corresponds to a control unit.

  In the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the continuous paper S is transported to the printing area, and the head 41 moves in the X direction and the Y direction with respect to the paper S in the printing area. Although a printer that ejects ink from the moving head 41 to form an image is described as an example, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, a printer that passes the medium under the head where the nozzles are arranged in the width direction of the medium (cut paper) and the irradiation unit, ejects ink onto the continuously conveyed medium, and cures ultraviolet rays into colorless ink (So-called line head printer) may also be used. Also, a serial printer that alternately repeats the operation of ejecting ink onto the medium while moving the head in the direction intersecting the nozzle array direction and curing the colorless ink and the operation of transporting the medium in the nozzle array direction. Good.

  In the above-described embodiment, the ink jet printer is exemplified as the fluid ejecting apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to various industrial apparatuses. For example, a textile printing apparatus for applying a pattern to a fabric, a display manufacturing apparatus such as a color filter manufacturing apparatus or an organic EL display, a DNA chip manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing a DNA chip by applying a solution in which DNA is dissolved to a chip, and the like. Also, the present invention can be applied.

  The ink ejection method is not limited to the piezo method in which a fluid is ejected by applying a voltage to the drive element (piezo element) to expand and contract the ink chamber, and bubbles are generated in the nozzle using a heating element. And a thermal method in which fluid is ejected by the bubbles may be used.

1 printer,
10 controller, 11 interface, 12 CPU, 13 memory,
14 unit control circuit, 20 transport unit, 30 drive unit,
31 Carriage, 32 X axis stage, 33 Y axis stage,
40 head units, 41 heads, 50 irradiation units, 51 first irradiation unit,
52 2nd irradiation part, 60 detector groups, 70 computers

Claims (5)

A nozzle that ejects a colorless fluid that cures when irradiated with electromagnetic waves;
An irradiation unit for irradiating the colorless fluid with the electromagnetic wave;
Dots are formed in each of the regions by ejecting the colorless fluid from the nozzles to the regions with respect to a plurality of regions defined on the medium on which the image is formed. A control unit that irradiates the electromagnetic waves from the irradiation unit to the dots;
Have
The nozzle and the irradiation unit move in a predetermined direction with respect to the medium,
The irradiation unit includes a first irradiation unit positioned on one side of the predetermined direction with respect to the nozzle, and a second irradiation unit positioned on the other side of the predetermined direction with respect to the nozzle,
When the nozzle and the irradiation unit move to one side in the predetermined direction, the nozzle ejects the colorless fluid, the second irradiation unit emits the electromagnetic wave, and the nozzle and the irradiation unit When moving to the other side of the predetermined direction, the nozzle ejects the colorless fluid, the first irradiation unit irradiates the electromagnetic wave,
The time from when the colorless fluid is ejected until the electromagnetic wave is irradiated from the second irradiation unit, and the time after the colorless fluid is ejected until the electromagnetic wave is irradiated from the first irradiation unit Is equal to the time of
The control unit controls the number of dots to be superimposed on each region based on height data set for each region, and when the plurality of dots are superimposed on the region, the control unit controls the number of the dots from the irradiation unit. Irradiating the dot with the electromagnetic wave multiple times,
The fluid ejection device that makes the irradiation of the other electromagnetic wave at least one of reducing the irradiation intensity and shortening the irradiation time as compared with the last irradiation of the electromagnetic wave among the plurality of times of the irradiation of the electromagnetic wave. . The fluid ejection device according to claim 1,
Among the plurality of regions, a first region in which a first height is set, and a second region in which a second height lower than the first height is set,
The controller is configured to increase the number of times the electromagnetic wave is applied to the dots in the first region more than the number of times the electromagnetic wave is applied to the dots in the second region.
Fluid ejection device. The fluid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The control unit, when overlapping a plurality of the dots in the region, the distance from the nozzle to the medium when forming a subsequent dot of the plurality of dots in the region, the plurality of the plurality of dots in the region Make longer than the distance from the nozzle to the medium when forming the previous dot among the dots,
Fluid ejection device. The fluid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
When the controller overlaps the plurality of dots in the region, the control unit causes the region to have a timing for ejecting the colorless fluid from the nozzle in the case of forming a subsequent dot among the plurality of dots in the region. The timing when the colorless fluid is ejected from the nozzle when the previous dot is formed among the plurality of dots is delayed.
Fluid ejection device. A plurality of areas defined on a medium on which an image is formed, a nozzle that ejects a colorless fluid that cures when irradiated with electromagnetic waves, and a first irradiation unit and a second irradiation unit that irradiate electromagnetic waves in a predetermined direction. While moving , forming a dot in each of the regions, a fluid ejection method of irradiating electromagnetic waves to the dots formed in each of the regions,
Based on the height data set for each of the regions, controlling the number of dots to be superimposed on each of the regions,
When the nozzle, the first irradiation unit, and the second irradiation unit move to one side of the predetermined direction, the nozzle ejects the colorless fluid and the other of the predetermined direction with respect to the nozzle When the second irradiation unit located on the side irradiates the electromagnetic wave and the nozzle, the first irradiation unit, and the second irradiation unit move to the other side in the predetermined direction, the nozzle is the colorless. The first irradiation unit located on one side in the predetermined direction with respect to the nozzle irradiates the electromagnetic wave, and the colorless fluid is injected, and then the electromagnetic wave is Equalizing the time until irradiation from the irradiation unit and the time from when the colorless fluid is ejected until the electromagnetic wave is irradiated from the first irradiation unit;
When a plurality of the dots are overlapped in the region, the electromagnetic waves are irradiated to the plurality of dots a plurality of times, and the other electromagnetic waves compared to the last irradiation of the electromagnetic waves among the plurality of irradiations of the electromagnetic waves. Irradiating at least one of reducing the irradiation intensity and shortening the irradiation time;
A fluid ejection method comprising:

Images