JP6079158B2 - Inkjet printing system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an inkjet printing system.

  Conventionally, screen printing equipment using a dyeing die has been used for printing on cotton, silk, wool, chemical fiber, blended fabric, etc. In recent years, due to improvements in the technology of inkjet printers, printing by the inkjet method has been used. Inkjet textile printing apparatuses that perform printing have attracted attention (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  Ink-jet printing does not require the dye used in screen printing, and a digitized design can be used. Therefore, it is possible to quickly respond to a fine design change according to the customer's request, and to greatly reduce the production time. In addition, there is an advantage that the degree of freedom in design is large, such as being able to express color gradation.

  When performing printing using an inkjet printing apparatus, for example, a sample is printed in advance using a small printing apparatus, the design is appropriately changed according to the state of the sample, and then the inkjet printing apparatus is used. There is a case where the main printing is performed.

JP 2009-173443 A

  However, the printing operation environment such as the number of heads and the size of the object to be printed is different between the printing apparatus for sample printing and the inkjet printing apparatus for main printing. For this reason, the sample printed medium and the main printed medium may have different colors.

  In view of the circumstances as described above, it is an object of the present invention to provide an ink jet printing system capable of suppressing a difference in printing state between media printed in different printing environments. To do.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to solve at least a part of the problems described above, and the invention can be implemented as the following forms or application examples.

Application Example 1 An inkjet printing system according to this application example includes a first head unit that ejects a first liquid onto a first medium, and performs printing on the first medium using predetermined printing data. A first printing apparatus that performs the operation, and a second head unit that ejects a second liquid to a second medium different from the first medium, and printing the second medium using the printing data. A second printing apparatus that performs the operation, and an adjustment apparatus that individually adjusts the printing operations of the first printing apparatus and the second printing apparatus so that the states of the first medium and the second medium after printing correspond to each other. The second printing apparatus includes: the second liquid landing dots that are landed on the second medium so that the printing state of the second medium approaches the printing state of the first medium by the adjusting device. It is characterized by adjusting the landing size.

  According to this application example, the printing operations of the first printing apparatus and the second printing apparatus are individually adjusted so that the states of the first medium and the second medium after printing by the first printing apparatus and the second printing apparatus correspond to each other. Therefore, the printing state can be adjusted by individually adjusting the printing operations of the first printing apparatus and the second printing apparatus. In addition, by adjusting the landing size of the landing dot of the second liquid that is landed on the second medium by the second textile printing device, the state of the second medium can be relatively easily matched to the state of the first medium. Can be made. As a result, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a difference in the printing state between media printed in different printing environments.

  Application Example 2 In the ink jet textile printing system according to the application example described above, it is preferable that the nozzles of the second head unit that eject the second liquid are arranged at a higher density than the nozzles of the first head unit. .

  According to this application example, since the dot size of the landing dot of the second liquid to be landed on the second medium can be precisely adjusted, the adjustment of bringing the printing state of the second medium closer to the printing state of the first medium can be performed. It becomes possible.

  Application Example 3 In the ink jet printing system according to the application example described above, the first printing apparatus uses the first medium so that the first head unit and the first medium face each other with a first gap. A second support unit configured to support the second medium such that the second head unit and the second medium face each other with a second interval. It is preferable that the adjusting device is capable of individually adjusting the first interval and the second interval.

  According to this application example, the adjustment device can individually adjust the first interval between the first head unit and the first medium and the second interval between the second head unit and the second medium. By adjusting the second interval, it is possible to suppress a difference between the printing states of the first medium and the second medium.

  Application Example 4 In the inkjet printing system according to the application example described above, the first printing apparatus moves the first medium and the first head unit relative to each other in a first direction at a first speed. The second printing apparatus has a second moving unit that relatively moves the second medium and the second head unit in a second direction at a second speed, and adjusts the second medium. The apparatus is preferably capable of individually adjusting the first speed and the second speed.

  According to this application example, the first printing apparatus includes the first moving unit that relatively moves the first medium and the first head unit in the first direction at the first speed, and the second printing apparatus includes the first printing unit. Since it has a second moving part that relatively moves the two medium and the second head part in the second direction at the second speed, and the adjusting device can individually adjust the first speed and the second speed, By adjusting the first transport speed and the second transport speed, it is possible to suppress a difference between the printing states of the first medium and the second medium.

  Application Example 5 In the inkjet printing system according to the application example, the first head unit includes a first temperature adjusting unit that adjusts the temperature of the first liquid, and the second head unit includes the first head unit. It is preferable that a second temperature adjustment unit that adjusts the temperature of the two liquids is provided, and the adjustment device is capable of individually adjusting a temperature adjustment operation by the first temperature adjustment unit and the second temperature adjustment unit.

  According to this application example, the adjustment device individually performs the temperature adjustment operation by the first temperature adjustment unit that adjusts the temperature of the liquid in the first head unit and the second temperature adjustment unit that adjusts the temperature of the liquid in the second head unit. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the difference in the printing state between the first medium and the second medium by adjusting the operations of the first temperature control unit and the second temperature control unit.

1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of an ink jet textile printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The figure which shows the structure of the main textile printing apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. The top view which shows the structure of the head unit of the main textile printing apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. The figure which shows the structure of the sample textile printing apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a head according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a head according to the present embodiment. The block diagram which shows the structure of the main controller which concerns on this embodiment. The block diagram which shows the structure of a part of main controller which concerns on this embodiment. The figure which shows the one aspect | mode of the textile printing operation controlled by the main controller which concerns on this embodiment. The figure which shows the one aspect | mode of the textile printing operation controlled by the main controller which concerns on this embodiment. The figure which shows the one aspect | mode of the textile printing operation controlled by the main controller which concerns on this embodiment. The figure which shows typically the textile printing state controlled by the sample textile printing apparatus which concerns on this embodiment.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an overall configuration of an inkjet textile printing system SYS according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, the ink jet printing system SYS includes a main printing apparatus (first printing apparatus) 100, a sample printing apparatus (second printing apparatus) 200, and a main control apparatus (adjustment apparatus) 300.

  The main textile printing apparatus 100 prints the recording medium M1 by forming an image on the recording medium M1 using an inkjet mechanism. In textile printing using an ink jet mechanism, a dyeing pattern used in screen textile printing is unnecessary, and since a digitized design can be used, color gradation can be expressed. There is an advantage that the degree of freedom is large.

  As the recording medium M1, for example, a cloth such as cotton, silk, wool, chemical fiber, and mixed spinning is used. In the present embodiment, a configuration in which an image is formed on a strip-shaped recording medium M1 by a roll method will be described as an example. It doesn't matter.

  The sample printing apparatus 200 performs sample printing on the recording medium M2 by forming an image on the recording medium M2 different from the recording medium M1. Similar to the main printing apparatus 100, the sample printing apparatus 200 performs printing using an ink jet mechanism. By providing the sample printing apparatus 200, when printing is performed by the main printing apparatus 100, a sample can be formed in advance using the sample printing apparatus 200, and the design can be appropriately changed according to the state of the sample. For this reason, it can contribute to the freedom of design.

  The main control device 300 controls the printing operations of the main printing device 100 and the sample printing device 200 in an integrated manner. In the present embodiment, the printing operations of the main printing apparatus 100 and the sample printing apparatus 200 are individually performed so that the states of the recording medium M1 after printing by the main printing apparatus 100 and the recording medium M2 after printing by the sample printing apparatus 200 correspond to each other. (Details will be described later). For this reason, according to the difference in the printing operation between the main printing apparatus 100 and the sample printing apparatus 200, the recording medium M1 after printing and after printing without preparing image data (printing data) for each printing apparatus. The state of the recording medium M2 can be made to correspond.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the main textile printing apparatus 100.
As shown in FIG. 2, the textile printing apparatus (liquid ejecting apparatus) 100 includes a recording medium supply unit 10, a recording medium transport unit 20, a recording medium collection unit 30, an inkjet unit 40, and a maintenance unit 50. Each part of the main printing apparatus 100 is attached to the frame part FR.

  The recording medium supply unit 10 supplies the recording medium M1 on which no image is formed. The recording medium supply unit 10 includes a shaft part 11 and a bearing part 12.

  The shaft portion 11 is formed in a cylindrical shape or a columnar shape, and is provided to be rotatable in the circumferential direction. A belt-like recording medium M1 is wound around the shaft 11 in a roll shape. The shaft portion 11 is detachably attached to the bearing portion 12. For this reason, for example, the shaft portion 11 around which the recording medium M1 is wound can be attached to the bearing portion 12.

  The bearing portion 12 rotatably supports both ends of the shaft portion 11 in the axial direction. The bearing unit 12 has a rotation drive unit (not shown) that drives the shaft unit 11 to rotate. The rotation drive unit rotates the shaft unit 11 in the direction in which the recording medium M1 is sent out. The operation of the rotation drive unit is controlled by the main controller 300, for example.

  The recording medium transport unit 20 transports the recording medium M <b> 1 between the recording medium supply unit 10 and the recording medium collection unit 30. The recording medium conveyance unit 20 includes a conveyance roller 21, a conveyance roller 22, a conveyance belt 23, a belt rotation roller 24, a belt rotation roller 25, a conveyance roller 26, a drying unit 27, and a conveyance roller 28.

  The conveyance roller 21 relays the recording medium M <b> 1 between the recording medium supply unit 10 and the conveyance roller 22. The conveyance roller 22 is provided so as to be able to sandwich the recording medium M <b> 1 with the conveyance belt 23, for example. The conveyance roller 22 supports the recording medium M <b> 1 on the conveyance belt 23.

  The conveyance belt 23 is formed in an endless shape, and is hung on the belt rotation roller 24 and the belt rotation roller 25. The conveyance belt 23 is held in a state where a predetermined tension is applied so that a portion between the belt rotation roller 24 and the belt rotation roller 25 is parallel to the floor surface. An adhesive layer (not shown) that adheres the recording medium M <b> 1 is provided on the surface (support surface 23 a) of the transport belt 23. The conveyor belt 23 supports the recording medium M1 on the support surface 23a on which the adhesive layer is provided.

  The belt rotation roller 24 and the belt rotation roller 25 support the inner peripheral surface 23 b of the conveyance belt 23. A configuration in which a support portion that supports the conveyance belt 23 is provided between the belt rotation roller 24 and the belt rotation roller 25 may be employed. The belt rotation roller 24 rotates as the conveyance belt 23 rotates. The belt rotation roller 25 is rotated by a rotation driving unit such as a motor MTR1. Motor MTR1 is controlled by main controller 300.

  The conveyance belt 23 is rotated by the rotation of the belt rotation roller 25, and the belt rotation roller 24 is rotated by the rotation of the conveyance belt 23. By the rotation of the conveyance belt 23, the recording medium M1 supported by the conveyance belt 23 is conveyed in a predetermined conveyance direction. In the present embodiment, the direction from the belt rotation roller 24 toward the belt rotation roller 25 is the conveyance direction. Therefore, for example, when the belt rotation roller 24 and the belt rotation roller 25 are compared, the belt rotation roller 24 is disposed on the upstream side in the transport direction, and the belt rotation roller 25 is disposed on the downstream side in the transport direction.

  The transport roller 26 relays the recording medium M <b> 1 transported by the transport belt 23. The drying unit 27 is provided between the transport roller 26 and the transport roller 28, and dries the ink ejected to the recording medium M1. The conveyance roller 28 relays the recording medium M1 that has passed through the drying unit 27 to the recording medium collection unit 30.

  The recording medium collection unit 30 collects the recording medium M1 conveyed by the recording medium conveyance unit 20. The recording medium recovery unit 30 includes a shaft portion 31 and a bearing portion 32.

  The shaft portion 31 is formed in a cylindrical shape or a columnar shape, and is provided to be rotatable in the circumferential direction. A belt-like recording medium M1 is wound around the shaft portion 31 in a roll shape. The shaft portion 31 is detachably attached to the bearing portion 32. For this reason, for example, in a state where the recording medium M1 is wound around the shaft portion 31, the recording medium M1 can be removed together with the shaft portion 31 by removing the shaft portion 31 from the bearing portion 32.

  The bearing portion 32 rotatably supports both ends of the shaft portion 31 in the axial direction. The bearing portion 32 has a rotation drive unit (not shown) that rotates the shaft portion 31. The rotation drive unit rotates the shaft unit 31 in the direction in which the recording medium M1 is wound. The operation of the rotation drive unit is controlled by the main controller 300, for example.

  The ink jet unit 40 ejects ink onto the recording medium M1. The ink jet unit 40 includes a head unit HU and a unit moving unit 41. The head unit HU has twelve heads H1 to H12 each having an ejection surface Ha that ejects ink. A plurality of nozzles NZ that eject ink are formed on each ejection surface Ha.

  The ejection surface Ha is directed to the recording medium M <b> 1 that is transported by the transport belt 23. An interval (platen gap) between the ejection surface Ha and the recording medium M1 is set to be a predetermined distance or more, for example, 2.0 mm or more. The platen gap may be, for example, 2.7 mm or more depending on the type of the recording medium M1. The unit moving unit 41 moves the head unit HU in a direction crossing the transport direction (for example, the width direction of the recording medium M1).

  The ink jet unit 40 is provided with a platen gap adjusting mechanism 42. As the platen gap adjusting mechanism 42, for example, a cam mechanism or the like is used. The platen gap adjusting mechanism 42 moves the head unit HU in the facing direction of the ejection surface Ha and the recording medium M1. Further, the ink jet unit 40 is provided with a temperature adjusting unit 43 that adjusts the temperature of the ink in the heads H1 to H12.

  The maintenance unit 50 performs maintenance of the conveyor belt 23. The maintenance unit 50 includes a processing unit 51, a base 52, and a moving unit 53. The processing unit 51 includes, for example, a maintenance unit that removes foreign matters such as ink, dust, and lint attached to the transport belt 23, and an adhesive layer repair unit that repairs the adhesive layer when the adhesive layer of the transport belt 23 deteriorates. And a mechanism for performing various processes on the conveyor belt 23. The base 52 supports the processing unit 51. The base 52 may have an elevating unit that moves the processing unit 51 up and down. The moving unit 53 integrally moves the processing unit 51 and the base 52 along the floor surface.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the head unit HU. FIG. 3 shows a configuration when the head unit HU is viewed from the recording medium M1 side.
As shown in FIG. 3, the head unit HU has a plurality of heads H1 to H12. The plurality of heads H1 to H12 are arranged in the order of heads H1, H2,..., H12 from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction.

  Four nozzle rows L are formed in each of the plurality of heads H1 to H12. In each of the heads H <b> 1 to H <b> 12, different color inks (for example, yellow, magenta, cyan, and black) are ejected for each nozzle row L. Each nozzle row L is provided with 180 nozzles NZ in the transport direction. Therefore, the total number of nozzles NZ formed in one nozzle row L for each of the heads H1 to H12 is 2160.

  In designing the head unit HU, the heads H1 to H12 are arranged so that 2160 nozzles NZ in each nozzle row L are arranged at an equal pitch in the transport direction. For this reason, the adjacent heads are arranged so as to be displaced in the width direction of the recording medium M1. Specifically, the heads H2, H4, H6, H8, H10, and H12 are respectively shifted in the width direction of the recording medium M1 with respect to the heads H1, H3, H5, H7, H9, and H11. Note that the distance between the nozzle NZ arranged on the most upstream side in the carrying direction and the nozzle NZ arranged on the most downstream side in the carrying direction is S1.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of the sample textile printing apparatus 200.
A sample textile printing apparatus 200 shown in FIG. 4 is an apparatus that performs a printing process while conveying a recording medium M2 different from the recording medium M1, for example. The recording medium M2 is preferably composed of the same material as the recording medium M1, but may be composed of a material different from the recording medium M1, such as paper or plastic.

  The sample textile printing apparatus 200 includes a housing PB, an ink jet unit IJ that ejects ink onto the recording medium M2, an ink supply unit IS that supplies ink to the ink jet unit IJ, and a transport unit CV that transports the recording medium M2. And a maintenance unit MN that performs a maintenance operation of the inkjet unit IJ.

  The housing PB is formed so that the conveyance direction of the recording medium M2 is the short direction, and the direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the recording medium M2 is the longitudinal direction. The ink jet unit IJ, the ink supply unit IS, the transport unit CV, the maintenance unit MN, and the main controller 300 are attached to the housing PB. A platen 213 is provided in the housing PB. The platen 213 is a support member that supports the recording medium M2. The platen 213 is disposed at the center in the longitudinal direction of the housing PB. The platen 213 has a flat surface 213a directed to the ink jet unit IJ. The flat surface 213a is used as a support surface that supports the recording medium M2.

  The transport unit CV includes a transport roller RL and a motor MTR2 that drives the transport roller RL. The transport unit CV transports the recording medium M2 from the medium supply unit PB1 of the housing PB to the inside of the housing PB, and discharges the recording medium M2 from the medium discharge unit PB2 of the housing PB to the outside of the housing PB. The transport unit CV transports the recording medium M2 so that the recording medium M2 passes over the platen 213 inside the housing PB. The conveyance unit CV is configured such that the main control device 300 controls the conveyance timing, the conveyance amount, and the like.

The ink jet unit IJ includes a head H that ejects ink and a head moving unit AC that holds and moves the head H. The head H reciprocates in the longitudinal direction of the housing PB (direction intersecting the transport direction of the recording medium M2: first direction). The head H ejects ink toward the recording medium M2 sent onto the platen 213. The head H has an ejection surface Ha on which ink is ejected. A plurality of nozzles NZ are formed on the ejection surface Ha. The plurality of nozzles NZ are arranged side by side along the conveyance direction of the recording medium M2, and constitute a nozzle row NL. The nozzle row NL is provided in a plurality of rows, for example, 4 rows in the first direction. The ejection surface Ha is directed to the flat surface 213a of the platen 213. The configuration of the head H is substantially the same as the configuration of the heads H1 to H12 arranged in the head unit HU. However, the plurality of nozzles NZ formed on the ejection surface Ha of the head H are arranged in the main printing apparatus 100. The head units HU are arranged at a higher density than the plurality of nozzles NZ formed on the ejection surfaces Ha of the heads H1 to H12.
The inkjet unit IJ is provided with a platen gap adjusting mechanism 242. As the platen gap adjusting mechanism 242, for example, a cam mechanism or the like is used. The platen gap adjusting mechanism 242 moves the head H in the facing direction of the ejection surface Ha and the recording medium M2. The ink jet unit IJ is provided with a temperature adjustment unit 243 that adjusts the temperature of the ink in the head H.

  The head moving unit AC moves the head H in the longitudinal direction of the housing PB. The head moving unit AC has a carriage 204 for fixing the head H. The carriage 204 is in contact with a guide shaft 208 that extends in the longitudinal direction of the housing PB. The head moving unit AC includes a mechanism for moving the carriage 204 along the guide shaft 208, such as a pulse motor 209, a driving pulley 210, an idle pulley 211, a timing belt 212, and the like.

  The ink supply unit IS supplies ink to the head H. A plurality of ink cartridges IC are accommodated in the ink supply unit IS. The sample textile printing apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment has a configuration (off-carriage type) in which the ink cartridge IC is accommodated at a position different from the head H.

  The ink supply unit IS has a supply tube TB that connects the head H and the ink cartridge IC. The supply tube TB is provided for each ink cartridge IC. In the present embodiment, four ink cartridge ICs each containing different types of ink are provided. The four ink cartridges IC are connected to the four nozzle rows NL of the head H through the supply tube TB and the sub tank 202, respectively.

  The maintenance unit MN is provided in an area (home position) outside the area where printing is performed on the recording medium M2. The maintenance unit MN includes a capping unit CP that covers the ejection surface Ha of the head H, a wiping unit WP that wipes the ejection surface Ha, and the like. A suction pump SC is connected to the capping unit CP. Waste ink discharged from the head H to the maintenance unit MN is collected in a waste liquid collection unit (not shown).

5 and 6 are diagrams showing the internal configurations of the heads H1 to H12 and the head H described above.
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the head H <b> 1 to the head H <b> 12 and the head H are obtained by stacking the pressure chamber plate 351 on the nozzle substrate 325 and further stacking the vibration plate 352 on the pressure chamber plate 351. .

  The pressure chamber plate 351 is formed with a liquid pool 355 that is always filled with the heads H1 to H12 and the ink supplied to the head H. The liquid pool 355 includes a vibration plate 352, a nozzle substrate 325, and a wall portion. It consists of a space surrounded by (not shown). The ink is supplied to the liquid pool 355 via the liquid supply hole 353 of the vibration plate 352. The pressure chamber plate 351 is formed with a pressure chamber 358 partitioned by a plurality of head partition walls 357.

  The pressure chambers 358 are provided corresponding to the respective nozzles NZ, and the number of pressure chambers 358 and the number of nozzles NZ are the same. Ink is supplied from the liquid pool 355 to the pressure chamber 358 via a supply port 356 positioned between the two head partition walls 357. A set of the pressure chamber 358, the nozzle NZ, and the supply port 356 of the head partition wall 357 is arranged in a line along the liquid pool 355.

  As shown in FIG. 6, piezoelectric elements (first drive element, second drive element) 359 are arranged on the vibration plate 352 corresponding to the respective pressure chambers 358. The piezoelectric element 359 has a piezoelectric layer sandwiched between a lower electrode and an upper electrode. When a driving signal is applied between the electrodes, ink is ejected from the corresponding nozzle NZ. .

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of main controller 300.
As shown in FIG. 7, the main controller 300 includes a moving speed adjusting unit 310, a drive signal adjusting unit 320, a gap adjusting unit 330, a temperature adjusting unit 340, a transport speed adjusting unit 350, and a dot size adjusting unit. 360.

  The moving speed adjustment unit 310 individually adjusts the first moving speed of the heads H1 to H12 constituting the head unit HU of the main printing apparatus 100 and the second moving speed of the head H of the sample printing apparatus 200.

  The drive signal adjustment unit 320 individually generates a first drive signal for driving the piezoelectric elements 359 provided in the heads H1 to H12 and a second drive signal for driving the piezoelectric elements 359 provided in the head H. adjust. As shown in FIG. 8, the drive signal adjustment unit 320 includes a drive waveform adjustment unit 321 that adjusts waveforms of the first drive signal and the second drive signal applied to the piezoelectric element 359, and a waveform generation that generates an adjusted waveform. 322 and an output unit 323 that outputs the generated waveform (drive signal). The output unit 323 outputs a waveform (drive signal) to the head unit HU or the head H.

  The gap adjusting unit 330 controls the platen gap adjusting mechanism 42 of the main printing apparatus 100 and the platen gap adjusting mechanism 242 of the sample printing apparatus 200 individually to control the platen between the head unit HU and the recording medium M1. The gap and the platen gap between the head H and the recording medium M2 are individually adjusted.

  The temperature adjustment unit 340 individually adjusts the temperature adjustment operations of the temperature adjustment unit 43 of the main printing apparatus 100 and the temperature adjustment unit 243 of the sample printing apparatus 200.

  The conveyance speed adjustment unit 350 individually adjusts the conveyance speed of the recording medium M1 in the main textile printing apparatus 100 and the conveyance speed of the recording medium M2 in the sample textile printing apparatus 200. The conveyance speed adjustment unit 350 individually adjusts the control signal of the motor MTR1 that rotates the belt rotation roller 25 of the main printing apparatus 100 and the control signal of the motor MTR2 that rotates the conveyance roller RL of the sample printing apparatus 200. In addition, each said adjustment information may be put together in each of the main textile printing apparatus 100 and the sample textile printing apparatus 200 in the main control apparatus 300, and may be sent to each apparatus.

  The dot size adjustment unit individually adjusts the output dot size corresponding to the input dot data of the image to be printed in the main printing apparatus 100 and the output dot size corresponding to the input dot data of the image to be printed in the sample printing apparatus 200. .

  Next, the operation of the inkjet textile printing system SYS configured as described above will be described. In the present embodiment, after the sample printing apparatus 200 creates a sample printed product using the data of the image to be printed (printing data), the main printing apparatus 100 uses the same printing data as the printing data to make the regular printed product. Is generated. Hereinafter, it demonstrates in order.

  First, the main controller 300 causes the sample printing apparatus 200 to perform a printing operation. The main control device 300 arranges the recording medium M2 on the −Z side of the head H by the transport unit CV. After disposing the recording medium M2, the main control device 300 moves the head H and drives the piezoelectric element 359 of the nozzle NZ based on the image data (printing data) of the image to be printed (second drive signal). Enter.

  The textile printing data is electronic data generated by predetermined software, for example. The printing data is first set with a design using drawing software, etc., separated using color separation software, assigned colors using the assignment software, and intermediate data is generated. Halftone processing is performed on the intermediate data by predetermined software, and dot data corresponding to an image to be printed is generated, and then printing data is generated. In the present embodiment, the image data to be printed is common between the main printing apparatus 100 and the sample printing apparatus 200. Accordingly, printing data having the same format and the like is used between the main printing apparatus 100 and the sample printing apparatus 200 which are different models.

  When a drive signal is input to the piezoelectric element 359, the piezoelectric element 359 expands and contracts and ink is ejected from the nozzle NZ. A desired image is printed and formed on the recording medium M2 by the ink ejected from the nozzle NZ. By the above operation, a sample printed matter is created. Note that after creating the sample printed matter, the user may examine the printing state such as the hue of the sample printed matter, and if necessary, change the printing data and create the sample printed matter again.

  Next, the main control device 300 causes the main printing device 100 to perform a printing operation using the same printing data as the printing data of the finally created sample printed matter. The main control device 300 inputs printing data to the main printing device 100. After that, the main controller 300 causes the recording medium M1 to form an image corresponding to the input textile data. At this time, a plurality of printing data may be arranged in a tile shape according to the size of the recording medium to form an image on the recording medium M1.

  The main control device 300 rotates the shaft 11 and sends out the recording medium M1 from the recording medium supply unit 10. The recording medium M1 sent out from the recording medium supply unit 10 is supported by the conveyance belt 23 via the conveyance roller 21 and the conveyance roller 22. The main controller 300 rotates the belt rotation roller 25 to move the transport belt 23 in the transport direction. By this operation, the recording medium M1 is transported in the transport direction by the transport belt 23.

  After the recording medium M1 reaches a predetermined position on the conveyance belt 23, the main controller 300 causes the nozzles NZ to eject ink while moving the head H in the width direction of the recording medium M1. The main controller 300 moves the recording medium M1 by a predetermined distance (S1) in the transport direction every time the head H scans the recording medium M1 once in the width direction. The main controller 300 rotates the belt rotation roller 25 by a predetermined angle in one movement. In this way, the main control device 300 intermittently moves the recording medium M1 in the transport direction, scans the head H, and ejects ink from the nozzles NZ, thereby forming a predetermined image on the recording medium M1. Is done.

  The main controller 300 moves the recording medium M1 on which the image is formed to the downstream side of the transport belt 23. The recording medium M <b> 1 that has moved to the downstream side of the conveyance belt 23 reaches the recording medium collection unit 30 via the conveyance roller 26, the drying unit 27, and the conveyance roller 28. The main control device 300 rotates the shaft portion 31 to wind the recording medium M1 around the shaft portion 31. In this way, the recording medium M1 (regular printed material) on which the image is formed is collected.

  In the above-described operation, conventionally, in the printing operation of the main printing apparatus 100 and the printing operation of the sample printing apparatus 200, in order to make the printing state (color shade, etc.) between the regular printed material and the sample printed material as close as possible, Each printing operation is performed so that the operating conditions such as the movement speed of the piezoelectric element 359, the driving signal of the piezoelectric element 359, the platen gap, the temperature of the head (ink), and the conveyance speed of the recording medium are the same. On the other hand, in practice, the main printing apparatus 100 and the sample printing apparatus 200 differ in the number of heads and the size of the recording medium and in the printing environment. Accordingly, the printing operation is performed under the same operation condition in different printing environments, and as a result, the printing state such as the hue may be different between the regular printed material and the sample printed material.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the main control device 300 is used to individually adjust the above operating conditions for the main printing device 100 and the sample printing device 200, so that the regular printed material and the sample printed material are adjusted. We try to make the printing state as close as possible.
In the present embodiment, the plurality of nozzles NZ formed on the ejection surface Ha of the head H of the sample printing apparatus 200 are the plurality of nozzles NZ formed on the ejection surface Ha of each of the heads H1 to H12 of the head unit HU in the main printing apparatus 100. The nozzle NZ is arranged at a higher density than the nozzle NZ. As a result, the dot size of the ink landing dots that are landed on the recording medium M2 by the sample textile printing apparatus 200 is precisely adjusted, and the printing state of the recording medium M2 by the sample textile printing apparatus 200 is changed to that of the recording medium M1 by the main textile printing apparatus 100. Adjustments closer to the printing state are possible.

  As such an adjustment operation, for example, the main control device 300 uses the moving speed adjusting unit 310 and the first moving speeds of the heads H1 to H12 constituting the head unit HU of the main printing apparatus 100 and the sample printing apparatus 200. It is possible to individually adjust the second moving speed of the head H.

  Further, as the adjustment operation, the main control device 300 uses the drive signal adjustment unit 320 to provide the waveform of the first drive signal for driving the piezoelectric elements 359 provided in the heads H1 to H12 and the head H. It is possible to individually generate the waveform of the second drive signal for driving the piezoelectric element 359 to be driven.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a waveform of a drive signal supplied to the piezoelectric element 359. FIG. 9A shows a waveform of a drive signal supplied to the piezoelectric element (first drive element) 359 provided in the head H1 to the head H12 of the main textile printing apparatus 100. FIG. FIG. 9B shows the waveform of the drive signal supplied to the piezoelectric element (second drive element) 359 provided on the head H of the sample textile printing apparatus 200. 9A and 9B, the vertical axis indicates the voltage value, and the horizontal axis indicates the time.

  As shown in FIG. 9A, in the graph of the first drive signal supplied to the first drive element, the voltage value increases from 0 (V) to V1 (V) from time t1 to time t2, From t2 to time t3, the voltage value maintains V1 (V), from t3 to time t4, the voltage value drops from V1 (V) to V2 (V), and from t4 to time t5, the voltage value decreases to V2 (V ) And the voltage value rises to 0 (V) from time t5 to time t6.

  As shown in FIG. 9B, in the graph of the second drive signal supplied to the second drive element, the voltage value increases from 0 (V) to V3 (V) from time t1 to time t2, From t2 to time t3, the voltage value is maintained at V3 (V), from t3 to time t4, the voltage value is decreased from V3 (V) to V4 (V), and from t4 to time t5, the voltage value is V4 (V ) And the voltage value rises to 0 (V) from time t5 to time t6. At this time, the voltage value V3 and the voltage value V4 are made different from the voltage value V1 and the voltage value V2, respectively, or the time t1 to the time t6 are shifted, so that the first drive signal and the second drive signal are The waveforms can be different between.

  Further, the main control device 300 uses the temperature adjustment unit 340 to individually adjust the temperature adjustment operations of the temperature adjustment unit 43 of the main textile printing device 100 and the temperature adjustment unit 243 of the sample textile printing device 200, and individually adjust the ink temperature. It is possible to adjust to.

  Further, main controller 300 uses conveyance speed adjustment unit 350 to individually adjust the conveyance speed of recording medium M1 in main textile printing apparatus 100 and the conveyance speed of recording medium M2 in sample textile printing apparatus 200. In this case, the conveyance speed adjustment unit 350 individually adjusts the control signal of the motor MTR1 that rotates the belt rotation roller 25 of the main printing apparatus 100 and the control signal of the motor MTR2 that rotates the conveyance roller RL of the sample printing apparatus 200. To do.

  FIG. 10A shows the waveform of the drive signal supplied to the motor MTR1 of the main textile printing apparatus 100. FIG. FIG. 10B is a waveform of a drive signal supplied to the motor MTR2 of the sample textile printing apparatus 200. 10A and 10B, the vertical axis indicates the voltage value, and the horizontal axis indicates the time.

  As shown in FIG. 10A, a pulse waveform having a voltage value of V0 and a period of t0 is supplied to the motor MTR1 four times from time t11 to time t12, and after a predetermined period, From time t13 to time t14, a similar pulse waveform having a voltage value of V0 and a period of t0 is supplied four times. In this case, the head unit HU is scanned and the ink is ejected before time t11, between time t12 and time t13, and after time t14.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 10B, a pulse waveform having a voltage value of V0 and a period of t0 is supplied to the motor MTR2 three times from time t21 to time t22, and a predetermined period is set. Thereafter, from time t23 to time t24, a similar pulse waveform having a voltage value of V0 and a period of t0 is supplied four times. In this case, the head H is scanned and the ink is ejected before time t21, between time t22 and time t23, and after time t24.

In the above operation, the main textile printing apparatus 100 supplies four pulse signals for each scan of the head unit HU. On the other hand, when four pulse signals are similarly supplied to the sample textile printing apparatus 200, the landing positions are shifted between the main textile printing apparatus 100 and the sample textile printing apparatus 200. Absent. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the sample textile printing apparatus 200 is configured such that the number of pulses varies between 3 and 5 for each scan of the head H, for example. Thereby, the landing of the ink can be evenly arranged in the transport direction.

  Further, the main controller 300 uses the gap adjuster 330 to individually control the adjustment amounts by the platen gap adjusting mechanism 42 of the main printing apparatus 100 and the platen gap adjusting mechanism 242 of the sample printing apparatus 200, and the head unit HU. The platen gap between the recording medium M1 and the platen gap between the head H and the recording medium M2 are individually adjusted.

  FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B are diagrams showing an operation of adjusting the platen gap using the platen gap adjusting mechanism 42 or the platen gap adjusting mechanism 242. FIG. As shown in FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B, portions of the cam portion of the platen gap adjusting mechanism 42 or the platen gap adjusting mechanism 242 having different diameters are used as head units HU (head H1 to head H12) or head H. By bringing them into contact, the platen gap can be adjusted (platen gap G1 and platen gap G2).

In the individual control of the main printing apparatus 100 and the sample printing apparatus 200 by the main control apparatus 300 of the ink jet printing system SYS as described above, the sample printing apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment has landed ink landing dots that land on the recording medium M2. A major feature is that the printing state of the recording medium M2 is made to correspond to the printing state of the recording medium M1 by the main printing apparatus 100 by adjusting the size. This will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 12 is a diagram schematically showing a printing state controlled by the sample printing apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment.
12A to 12C show unit drawing of the recording medium M2 by causing the main controller 300 to land ink droplets having different dot sizes on the recording medium M2 from the nozzles NZ of the head H of the sample textile printing apparatus 200. FIG. The mode which changed the textile printing state of field D is shown typically.
That is, the printing state P1 shown in FIG. 12A shows a state in which large-sized dots (large dots) 342L are formed on the recording medium M2 by ejecting large-sized ink droplets from the plurality of nozzles of the head H. ing. In the printing state P2 shown in FIG. 12B, a large size ink droplet and a small size ink droplet are ejected from a plurality of nozzles of the head H, and the large size dot 342L is small on the recording medium M2. The figure shows a state in which sized dots (small dots) 342S are formed. Further, FIG. 12C shows the printing state P3 in which the ratio of the dots 342S having a smaller size than that in FIG. 12B is increased and the dots 342L having the larger size and the dots 342S having the smaller size are arranged.
The shades of the printing states P1 to P3 are controlled to P1>P2> P3 in order from the darker.

In this way, the dot size adjustment unit 360 of the main controller 300 adjusts the dot size of the landing dots without changing the placement of the landing dots of the ink droplets that are landed on the recording medium M2 by the sample textile printing device 200. The printing state of the recording medium M2 can be brought close to the printing state of the recording medium M1 by the main printing apparatus 100 relatively easily and with high definition.
Although not shown in the drawing, the main controller 300 adds more control to form medium-sized dots between the large-sized dots 342L and the small-sized dots 342S from the head H, thereby achieving more precise printing. It becomes possible to control the state. Further, by arranging the nozzles with high density, it is possible to adjust the dot size on the recording medium M2 by precisely controlling the landing positions of a plurality of dots.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the states of the recording medium M1 (regular printed matter) and the recording medium M2 (sample printed matter) after printing by the main printing apparatus 100 and the sample printing apparatus 200 correspond to each other. Since the main controller 300 for individually adjusting the printing operation of the printing apparatus 100 and the sample printing apparatus 200 is provided, the printing operation of the main printing apparatus 100 and the sample printing apparatus 200 is individually adjusted to adjust the printing state. It becomes possible. In addition, by adjusting the dot size of the landing dots of the ink droplets that are landed on the recording medium M2 by the sample textile printing apparatus 200, the printing state of the recording medium M2 can be changed relatively easily and with high definition. Thus, the printing state of the recording medium M1 can be approached.
Accordingly, it is possible to suppress a difference in printing state such as a hue between the recording medium M1 and the recording medium M2 that have been printed in different printing environments.

The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and appropriate modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the main control device 300 is provided independently of the main printing apparatus 100 and the sample printing apparatus 200 has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a configuration (adjustment device) having the same function as that of the main control device 300 may be individually provided inside the main printing device 100 and the sample printing device 200. In this case, the main control device 300 transmits an adjustment signal to a portion corresponding to the adjustment device, and controls each printing operation in the main printing device 100 and the sample printing device 200.

In addition, the main control device 300 may be provided inside the sample printing apparatus 200, and the main control device 300 may be configured to adjust the printing operation of the sample printing apparatus 200.
Alternatively, a plurality of main control devices 300 may be provided corresponding to each of the main printing apparatus 100 and the sample printing apparatus 200.

  In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the recording medium M1 is transported is described as an example. However, the recording medium M1 and the head unit may be relatively moved.

  The head unit may be a line head type.

  SYS ... inkjet printing system, 100 ... main printing device, 200 ... sample printing device, 300 ... main control device, M1, M2 ... recording medium, HU ... head unit, Ha ... jetting surface, H1-H12, H ... head, NZ ... Nozzle, L ... Nozzle row, IJ ... Inkjet unit, 40 ... Inkjet unit, 42, 242 ... Platen gap adjusting mechanism, 43, 243 ... Temperature adjusting unit, 310 ... Moving speed adjusting unit, 320 ... Drive signal adjusting unit, 330 ... Gap adjustment part, 340 ... Temperature adjustment part, 342L ... Large size dot, 342S ... Small size dot, 350 ... Conveyance speed adjustment part, 359 ... Piezoelectric element.

Claims (5)

A main printing apparatus having a first head for ejecting a first liquid to the first medium, and performing a printing operation on the first medium using predetermined printing data;
A sample printing apparatus having a second head for ejecting a second liquid to a second medium different from the first medium, and performing a printing operation on the second medium using the printing data;
An adjusting device for individually adjusting the printing operation of the first printing device and the second printing device so that the states of the first medium and the second medium after printing correspond to each other,
The sample printing apparatus adjusts the landing size of the landing dot of the second liquid that is landed on the second medium so that the printing state of the second medium approaches the printing state of the first medium by the adjusting device. An ink-jet printing system characterized by: 2. The inkjet printing system according to claim 1, wherein the nozzles of the second head portion that eject the second liquid are arranged at a higher density than the nozzles of the first head portion. The main textile printing apparatus has a first support part that supports the first medium such that the first head part and the first medium face each other with a first interval,
The sample textile printing apparatus has a second support part that supports the second medium such that the second head part and the second medium face each other with a second gap therebetween.
The inkjet printing system according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment device is capable of individually adjusting the first interval and the second interval. The main textile printing apparatus includes a first moving unit that relatively moves the first medium and the first head unit in a first direction at a first speed;
The sample printing apparatus has a second moving unit that relatively moves the second medium and the second head unit in a second direction at a second speed,
The inkjet printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the adjusting device is capable of individually adjusting the first speed and the second speed. The first head part has a first temperature adjusting part for adjusting the temperature of the first liquid,
The second head part has a second temperature adjusting part for adjusting the temperature of the second liquid,
5. The inkjet according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment device is capable of individually adjusting a temperature adjustment operation by the first temperature adjustment unit and the second temperature adjustment unit. Printing system.

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