JP5445047B2 - Inkjet head assembly jig and inkjet head assembly method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an inkjet head assembly jig and an inkjet head assembly method for incorporating (fixing) an inkjet head into a head plate.

  Conventionally, a fixing method for fixing a plurality of droplet discharge heads (inkjet heads) to a carriage plate (head plate) and a fixing device for performing the fixing method are known (see Patent Document 1). This fixing device is mounted on an assembly device that positions and bonds (temporarily fixes) a plurality of droplet discharge heads (inkjet heads) to a single carriage with high accuracy. The droplet discharge head temporarily fixed in the assembling apparatus is finally fixed by mechanical fixing means such as screwing. In the assembling apparatus, an alignment mask is introduced in advance, and reference position data of the carriage plate and the plurality of functional liquid droplet ejection heads are acquired by image recognition, and the introduced carriage plate and each functional liquid droplet ejection are based on the reference position data. Head position correction is performed. The fixing device injects an adhesive between the head holding member whose position has been corrected and the carriage, and holds the droplet discharge head until the adhesive solidifies (temporary fixing). The head holding member is temporarily fixed to the carriage with high accuracy without applying an external force unlike screwing or the like by being fixed with an adhesive. Thereby, in the subsequent main fixing, the droplet discharge head can be easily and accurately assembled to the carriage.

JP 2007-90327 A

  However, in the conventional method of fixing the droplet discharge head by the fixing device, the ink jet head may be slightly displaced due to rotational torque during the main fixing by screwing, and once the position is displaced. There is a problem that it takes time to fix the inkjet head again, such as removal of the adhesive. Furthermore, there is a problem that nozzles are clogged and the like when the used adhesive reacts with air or moisture on the nozzle surface to adhere to the nozzle surface of the inkjet head.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an inkjet head assembly jig and an inkjet head assembly method capable of easily and accurately fastening an inkjet head to a head plate.

An ink jet head assembly jig according to the present invention is an ink jet head assembly jig for fixing an ink jet head inserted through an opening to a head plate in which the opening is formed, in order to set the head plate. Set table, a head support plate for holding the inkjet head seated on the opening edge of the opening from above, a positioning frame that supports the head support plate at the end and is movably installed on the set table And a vacuum suction part that vacuum-sucks the positioning frame, and the head support plate is formed with a tool insertion hole for screwing a screw for fixing the inkjet head to the head plate. .

  In this case, it is preferable to further include a minute movement mechanism that minutely moves the positioning frame body in the X axis direction, the Y axis direction, and the Θ direction on the set table.

  Further, it is preferable to further include image recognition means for recognizing an image of the head plate positioning reference and the inkjet head positioning reference.

  According to these configurations, the inkjet head positioned on the head plate is held immovably via the head support plate by vacuum-sucking the positioning frame. For this reason, the inkjet head can be directly fastened (mainly fixed) to the head plate by screwing or the like, and temporary fixing with an adhesive or the like is not required. Therefore, the inkjet head can be aligned and fixed to the head plate with high positional accuracy. Furthermore, since the inkjet head can be finely adjusted via the head support plate by finely moving the positioning frame according to the image-recognized positioning reference, positioning can be performed easily and accurately.

  In this case, the head support plate includes a plate body supported and fixed to the positioning frame, a fastening member for fastening the inkjet head to the lower surface of the plate body, and a spacer interposed between the inkjet head and the plate body. It is preferable to have.

  According to this configuration, the ink jet head can be held on the plate body by the spacer in a state where the ink jet head is in contact with the head plate (pressed state). For this reason, there is no gap between the ink jet head and the head plate, and in the process from the vacuum suction of the positioning frame to the main fixing of the ink jet head, misalignment due to the vertical movement of the ink jet head is avoided. be able to.

An ink jet head assembly method of the present invention is an ink jet head assembly method performed using the above-described ink jet head assembly jig, and a head plate setting step of setting a head plate on which the ink jet head is mounted on a set table; A head support plate mounting step for mounting the head support plate on the positioning frame, a head positioning step for positioning the inkjet head through the head support plate while recognizing the image, and an inkjet head in a positioned state by vacuum-sucking the positioning frame And a fastening process in which the inkjet head held stationary is screwed and fixed to the head plate by screwing a screw into the tool insertion hole .

  According to this configuration, since the ink jet head is fixed by vacuum suction using the assembly jig, the positional displacement between the members and the adhesion of foreign matter on the nozzle surface do not occur as in the case of fixing by screwing or adhesive. As a result, the inkjet head can be positioned and fixed to the head plate accurately and easily.

It is an external appearance perspective view of an inkjet head. It is a top view of a head plate. It is an external appearance perspective view of the assembly jig | tool which set the inkjet head and the head plate. It is a top view of the assembly jig | tool which set the inkjet head and the head plate.

  Hereinafter, an assembly method for an inkjet head according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. This assembling method is to fix the ink jet head to the head plate in a positioned state, and is performed using a dedicated assembling jig. First, the ink jet head and the head plate will be described, and then an assembly jig and an ink jet head assembly method using the assembly jig will be described.

  The head unit 8 includes a plurality (four in this embodiment) of ink-jet heads 1 and a head plate 10 on which the plurality of ink-jet heads 1 are mounted. Each ink jet head 1 is composed of a head main body 7 that takes the form of an original ink jet head, and a sub-plate 6 that is assembled to the head main body 7 on a flange. The head body 7 and the sub plate 6 are assembled with high accuracy (aligned with high accuracy) in advance, and are brought into the assembly jig 20 of this embodiment in this state.

  As shown in FIG. 1, each inkjet head (head body 7) 1 is composed of a 2-inch inkjet head 1, and two rows of nozzles composed of a plurality of ejection nozzles 3 parallel to the nozzle surface 2. It has column 4. In this case, the two nozzle rows 4 are arranged with a 1/2 nozzle pitch position shifted in the nozzle row direction. The ink jet head (head main body 7) 1 is assembled to the sub-plate 6 via its flange.

  The sub plate 6 is an elongated flat plate plate having an opening 9 through which the nozzle surface 2 of the head body 7 is inserted, and a plurality of through holes 11 for assembling to the head plate 10 are formed on both outer sides of the opening 9. A plurality of auxiliary screw holes 12 for mounting an assembly jig 20 (head support plate 23) to be described later are formed. The ink-jet head 1 is first temporarily loosely screwed to the head plate 10 through the through hole 11 of the sub-plate 6. Thereafter, the inkjet head 1 is screwed to the assembly jig 20 via the auxiliary screw holes 12 of the sub-plate 6 to perform alignment (details will be described later).

  As shown in FIG. 2, the head plate 10 is formed in a square shape with chamfered corners made of a thick plate such as stainless steel. The head plate 10 is detected as a main reference for positioning the inkjet head 1 by a plurality of (four) mounting openings 13 for mounting a plurality of (four in this embodiment) inkjet heads 1 and a camera unit described later. A pair of slit holes 18, a plurality of fixing holes 16 for fixing to the set table 21, and a plurality of screw holes 19 (two for each inkjet head 1) for assembling the inkjet head 1 are formed. Yes. Although details will be described later, the inkjet head 1 is assembled to an assembly jig 20 described later in a state where the nozzle surface 2 faces upward and is inserted through the mounting opening 13 from above and temporarily mounted. The plurality of fixing holes 16 are also used when the head unit 8 is incorporated into the apparatus.

  Each slit hole 18 is formed at both ends of the long side direction of the head plate 10 and extends in a direction orthogonal to the nozzle row 4. The slit hole 18 is formed thinner than the other part of the head plate 10 and has a hole bottom 29 whose edge (edge) forms a highly accurate straight line. The hole bottom portion 29 forms a bottomed slit hole 18 from one side of the front and back surfaces of the head plate 10 and removes part of the hole bottom of the slit hole 18 along the slit hole 18 from the other surface. By forming a shallow groove in the hole, it is formed as the remaining part of the hole bottom. Although details will be described later, the hole bottom 29 of one slit hole 18 is recognized by the camera unit as a main reference position and serves as a reference for setting the position of the inkjet head 1. The head plate 10 is formed symmetrically in the long side direction so that no right or left error occurs during setting.

An assembly jig 20 for positioning and fixing the inkjet head 1 to the head plate 10 will be described with reference to FIGS.
The assembling jig 20 includes a set table 21 for turning the head plate 10 upside down and setting the head plate 10 in a positioning state, a rectangular positioning frame body 24 installed on the set table 21 so as to surround the head plate 10, and a positioning frame body 24. A head support plate 23 for holding the inkjet head 1 from above, and a fine movement mechanism 26 for adjusting the position of the positioning frame 24 on the set table 21. I have. The assembly jig 20 includes a vacuum suction portion 25 that is provided in an installation region of the positioning frame body 24 in the set table 21 and sucks the positioning frame body 24. The inkjet head 1 is recognized by the camera unit installed above the head support plate 23.

  The operator places and fixes the head plate 10 on which the inkjet head 1 is mounted on the set table 21. Then, the camera unit detects (image recognition) two main reference positions (slit holes 18) in the head plate 10 and one long side as an X / Y axis for positioning, and this measurement origin The X and Y coordinates of the inkjet head 1 are set based on the above. The position of the positioning frame 24 is adjusted by the minute movement mechanism 26 while recognizing the image of the nozzle row 4 of the inkjet head 1 in order to match the set coordinates. The inkjet head 1 in the positioned state is held immovable via the head support plate 23 (temporarily fixed) by vacuum suction of the positioning frame body 24 to the vacuum suction portion 25. Finally, the temporarily fixed inkjet head 1 is fastened (mainly fixed) to the head plate 10 by screwing.

  The set table 21 is formed of a thick plate such as stainless steel in a substantially square shape, and a square opening 28 facing the head plate 10 is widely formed in the center (see FIG. 4). A plurality of screw holes (not shown) for fixing the head plate 10 are formed at both opening edges of the set table 21, and the head plate 10 is placed on the opening 28 from above and fixed by screwing. To do.

  On the other hand, a seating portion of the positioning frame body 24 in the set table 21 is provided with a vacuum suction portion 25 that sucks and fixes the positioning frame body 24 to the set table 21. That is, the vacuum suction unit 25 is configured such that the installation area of the positioning frame body 24 in the set table 21 is configured as a suction table, and a plurality of suction holes (not shown) are distributed in the four-frame installation area. The plurality of suction holes communicate with the vacuum suction equipment 44 through a vacuum pipe (not shown). A manual valve 45 for turning on and off the vacuum suction is interposed in the vacuum pipe. The operator adjusts the position of the ink jet head 1 and then operates the manual valve 45 to suck the positioning frame body 24 into the vacuum suction portion 25 to hold the positioning frame body 24 and the ink jet head 1 immovably. (Temporary fixing).

  The positioning frame 24 is a rectangular frame formed of a thick plate such as stainless steel, and supports the head support plate 23 at the end and is installed on the set table 21 at a position away from the head plate 10. ing. The lower surface of the positioning frame body 24 is formed flat and smooth so as to be satisfactorily sucked by the vacuum suction portion 25. A plurality of screw holes for fixing the head support plate 23 are formed on the upper surface of the positioning frame body 24. The positioning frame body 24 is finely adjusted in the X-axis direction (left-right direction in the figure), Y-axis direction (front-rear direction in the figure), and Θ-direction by the fine movement mechanism 26 described above, The position of the inkjet head 1 is adjusted.

  The head support plate 23 includes a plate body 33 having a plurality (four in the drawing) of recognition openings 36 into which the inkjet head 1 with the nozzle surface 2 facing upward is loosely fitted, and the sub plate 6 (inkjet head 1). And left and right fastening screws (fastening members) 34, and a pair of left and right spacers (not shown) interposed between the sub-plate 6 and the plate body 33. In this case, each fastening screw 34 passes through the plate body 33 and the spacer from the upper side of the plate body 33 and is screwed into the auxiliary screw hole 12 of the sub-plate 6. The inkjet head 1 is temporarily mounted at a predetermined position so as to be pressed from above by the plate body 33 (the plate body 33 is slightly curved). The head support plate 23 has the same number of recognition openings 36 as the ink-jet head 1, and it is not necessary to rearrange the plate body 33 until the positioning of all the ink-jet heads 1 is completed. It can be carried out.

  The plate main body 33 is a stainless steel rectangular flat plate, and both ends of the plate main body 33 are supported by the positioning frame body 24 by screws. The plate body 33 is formed to have a width that covers the four mounting openings 13 of the head plate 10 and escapes the through hole 11 outside the sub plate 6. Further, the plate body 33 is provided with a tool insertion hole 15 so as to match the through hole 11 provided inside each mounting opening 13. That is, screws (not shown) for fixing the inkjet head 1 to the head plate 10 are screwed from the plate body 33 and the outside and the tool insertion hole 15. The recognition opening 36 is formed to recognize the nozzle surface 2 of the inkjet head 1 set on the set table 21 from above. The left and right fastening screws 34 are installed on both outer sides of the recognition opening 36 in order to screw the ink jet head 1.

  The spacer is interposed between the inkjet head 1 (subplate 6) and the plate body 33, and regulates the position of the inkjet head 1 in the vertical direction. The actual spacer is formed slightly longer than the gap dimension between the sub-plate 6 and the plate body 33, and the plate body 33 is slightly curved upward. As a result, the inkjet head 1 is pressed against the head plate 10, and the position of the temporarily fixed inkjet head 1 in the vertical direction can be prevented, and the inkjet head 1 can be permanently fixed to the head plate 10 with high accuracy.

  The camera unit recognizes the image of the head plate 10 for coordinate setting and recognizes the positioning reference of the nozzle surface 2 through the head support plate 23 and is installed above the set table 21. The camera unit detects the main reference position on the head plate 10 set on the set table 21 and creates the position coordinates of the inkjet head 1 based on the detection result. Fine adjustment of the position is performed while recognizing the image of the nozzle surface 2 of the inkjet head 1 so as to align with the coordinates. The camera unit preferably has a plurality of cameras.

  The micro-movement mechanism 26 includes a plurality (three) of adjustment blocks 37 incorporated so as to abut against the positioning frame 24 from the outside, and a plurality of (three) microheads installed so as to abut against each of the adjustment blocks 37. 38 and a plurality of (three) return springs 39 installed for each micro head 38. Each adjustment block 37 is rotatably installed on a base plate 46 attached on the set table 21, and a rotation roller (roller follower) 47 for pushing the positioning frame body 24 is attached to the tip of the adjustment block 37. The micro head 38 includes a first micro head 38 a installed outside the long side of the positioning frame body 24, and second and third micro heads 38 b installed separately from the outside of the short side of the positioning frame body 24. 38c. The return spring 39 includes first and second return springs 39 a and 39 b installed on the long side of the positioning frame body 24, and a third return spring 39 c installed on the short side of the positioning frame body 24. Yes.

  In this case, the positioning frame body 24 is guided by the rotating roller 47 of the first micro head 38a by the cooperation of the second and third micro heads 38b and 38c and the third return spring 39c, and is minute in the X-axis direction. It moves and is positioned in the X-axis direction. Similarly, the positioning frame 24 is guided by the rotation roller 47 of the second and third micro heads 38b and 38c by the cooperation of the first micro head 38a and the first and second return springs 39a and 39b. It moves slightly in the Y-axis direction and is positioned in the Y-axis direction. Further, the positioning frame 24 is operated in the Θ direction around the rotation roller 47 of the first micro head 38a by the cooperation of the second and third micro heads 38b and 38c and the first and second return springs 39a and 39b. Is slightly rotated and positioned in the Θ direction. In this way, the head support plate 23 is adjusted by rotating the minute movement mechanism 26 while finely adjusting the positioning frame 24 in the X-axis, Y-axis, and Θ-axis directions while taking into consideration the recognition result of the camera unit. Thus, the alignment of the inkjet head 1 is performed.

Here, a method for assembling the inkjet head 1 on the head plate 10 using the assembly jig 20 will be described.
This assembling method includes a head plate setting process in which the head plate 10 to which the inkjet head 1 is mounted is set on the set table 21, a head support plate mounting process in which the head support plate 23 is mounted on the positioning frame 24, and a head while recognizing an image. A head positioning step for positioning the inkjet head 1 via the support plate 23, a suction step for holding the positioning inkjet body 1 in a stationary state by vacuum suction of the positioning frame 24, and an inkjet head 1 held in a stationary state. And a fastening step of fixing to the head plate 10 with screws.

  In the head plate setting process, first, the nozzle surface 2 of the inkjet head 1 is faced upward and inserted into the mounting opening 13 of the head plate 10 from above, and then loosely screwed into the screw hole 19 of the head plate 10 from the through hole 11 of the sub plate 6. Stop and temporarily install. The head plate 10 is placed on the set table 21 and fixed with screws through the fixing holes 16. Subsequently, in the head support plate mounting step, the head support plate 23 is stretched over the positioning frame body 24 so as to cover all the mounting openings 13 of the head plate 10 and fixed with screws. Further, each inkjet head 1 is screwed to the head support plate 23 with a fastening screw 34 and a spacer.

  In the head positioning process, first, the head plate 10 is recognized by recognizing images of two spaced apart locations of the hole bottom 29 of the slit hole 18 in the set head plate 10 and one location on one side of the head plate 10 orthogonal thereto. 10 is recognized. Based on the image recognition results in a total of three places, the X axis and the Y axis are set, and the XY coordinates of the inkjet head 1 in the head plate 10 are created (see FIG. 4). In order to align the inkjet head 1 in the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Θ direction based on the created XY coordinates, the microhead 38 of the micro-movement mechanism 26 is recognized while the nozzle surface 2 is recognized by the camera unit. Is adjusted to slightly move the positioning frame 24. As the positioning frame 24 moves, the position of the inkjet head 1 is finely adjusted via the head support plate 23.

  After the position adjustment of the inkjet head 1 is completed, the positioning frame body 24 is sucked and fixed to the vacuum suction part 25 (suction process). As a result, the head support plate 23 is completely fixed together with the positioning frame body 24, and accordingly, the inkjet head 1 pressed from above by the head support plate 23 is also held completely stationary in the positioning state (temporary). Fixed). Then, the temporarily fixed inkjet head 1 is screwed from the tool insertion hole 15 to finally fix the inkjet head 1 to the head plate 10 (main fixing). Finally, the left and right fastening screws 34 in the fixed inkjet head 1 are loosened to release the screwed state. In this way, the assembly operation of one inkjet head 1 is completed. Subsequently, the other three inkjet heads 1 are also positioned one by one in the head positioning step, and are assembled.

  According to the above configuration, the inkjet head 1 can be directly fastened to the head plate 10 by screwing or the like, and temporary fixing with an adhesive or the like is not required. Therefore, the inkjet head 1 is aligned and fixed easily and accurately. can do. Further, since the head plate 10 itself is used as a reference for alignment, a reference pin manufactured with high accuracy as a position reference is not required, and the cost can be reduced by reducing the number of parts.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Inkjet head 10 ... Head plate 20 ... Assembly jig 21 ... Set table 23 ... Head support plate 24 ... Positioning frame body 25 ... Vacuum adsorption part 26 ... Micro movement mechanism 33 ... Plate main body 34 ... Fastening screw

Claims (5)

An assembly jig for an inkjet head for fixing the inkjet head inserted through the opening in a positioning state to a head plate in which an opening is formed,
A set table for setting the head plate;
A head support plate for holding the inkjet head seated on the opening edge of the opening from above;
A positioning frame body that supports the head support plate at an end and is movably installed on the set table;
A vacuum suction part for vacuum-sucking the positioning frame,
An assembly jig for an inkjet head, wherein a tool insertion hole for screwing a screw for fixing the inkjet head to the head plate is formed in the head support plate .   The inkjet head assembly jig according to claim 1, further comprising a minute movement mechanism that minutely moves the positioning frame body in the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Θ direction on the set table. .   The inkjet head assembly jig according to claim 1, further comprising image recognition means for recognizing an image of the positioning reference of the head plate and the positioning reference of the inkjet head. The head support plate includes a plate body supported and fixed to the positioning frame;
A fastening member for fastening the inkjet head to the lower surface of the plate body;
The assembly jig for an ink jet head according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a spacer interposed between the ink jet head and the plate body. An assembly method of an ink jet head, which is performed using the ink jet head assembly jig according to claim 1,
A head plate setting step for setting said head plate fitted with the ink jet head on the set table,
A head support plate mounting step for mounting the head support plate to the positioning frame;
A head positioning step of positioning the inkjet head via the head support plate while recognizing an image;
A suction step of vacuum-sucking the positioning frame to hold the inkjet head in a positioning state immovable;
A method of assembling the ink jet head , comprising: a fastening step of screwing and fixing the ink jet head held stationary to the head plate by screwing a screw through the tool insertion hole .

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