JP6437734B2 - Inkjet printer - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an inkjet printer.

  Conventionally, it is required to produce a small number of various kinds of three-dimensional printed materials such as balls (for example, soccer balls). In order to print such a printed material that is produced in a small variety of products, an ink jet printer having a jig for accurately positioning the printed material in the horizontal direction or the vertical direction has been used (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2012-603 A

  In the above-described inkjet printer disclosed in Patent Document 1, when the shape of a printing target to be printed is changed, each part of the jig is used to accurately position the printing target in the horizontal direction or the vertical direction. There was a need to reassemble, and there was a tendency for labor to prepare for printing to increase.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an ink jet printer that can print the outer surface of a substrate having a variety of shapes while suppressing labor for preparation work. And

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, an ink jet printer according to the present invention is an ink jet printer that prints an outer surface of a three-dimensional printed material, and includes a holding unit that holds the printed material. A coarse position adjusting means for changing a vertical distance between an outer surface of the printing medium held by the holding unit and a carriage for printing the outer surface by being operated, and held by the holding unit. A conveying means having a precision position adjusting means capable of changing a vertical distance between the outer surface of the printing medium and the carriage; and the printing medium held by the holding section during printing of the carriage. Control means for controlling the precision position adjusting means so that the vertical distance between the outer surface and the carriage becomes an appropriate distance.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to roughly adjust the vertical distance between the outer surface of the printing medium held by the holding portion by the coarse position adjusting means and the carriage, and during the printing, the precise position adjustment is performed by the control means. By controlling the means, the vertical distance between the outer surface of the printing medium and the carriage can be appropriately adjusted so as to be an appropriate distance. Therefore, by holding the printing medium in the holding section, it is possible to print the printing medium having a wide variety of shapes. The surface can be printed.

  In addition, since the rough distance adjustment means can roughly adjust the vertical distance between the outer surface of the printing medium held by the holding portion and the carriage, the precision position adjustment means can be adjusted during printing. A range for adjusting the vertical distance between the outer surface and the carriage can be suppressed. Therefore, the time required to print the outer surface of the printing medium can be suppressed.

  In the ink jet printer, the transport unit may include a horizontal moving unit that moves the holding unit in a sub-scanning direction of the carriage.

  In this invention, since the conveying means includes the horizontal moving means for moving the holding portion in the sub-scanning direction, it is possible to print the outer surface of the printing medium having a wide variety of shapes. In addition, since the transport unit moves the holding unit with respect to the carriage, the follow-up speed of the distance between the outer surface of the printing medium and the carriage by the precise position adjusting unit can be increased.

  In the ink jet printer, the horizontal moving unit includes a horizontal moving table that supports the fine position adjusting unit and moves in the sub-scanning direction, and the fine position adjusting unit moves the holding unit in the vertical direction. It can be made to.

  In the present invention, since the precision position adjustment means is supported on the horizontal movement table of the horizontal movement means, the precision position adjustment means moves the holding portion in the vertical direction, and the precision position adjustment means removes the printing medium from the substrate. The follow-up speed of the distance between the surface and the carriage can be increased.

  In the ink jet printer, the conveying unit may include a vertical axis rotating unit that relatively rotates the holding unit and the carriage around an axis parallel to the vertical direction.

  In this invention, since the conveying means is provided with the vertical axis rotating means for rotating the holding portion, that is, the printing medium and the carriage relative to each other around the axis parallel to the vertical direction, the printing objects having a wider variety of shapes. A variety of patterns can be printed depending on the body.

  In the ink jet printer, the precise position adjusting unit includes a vertical moving table that supports the vertical axis rotating unit and moves in a vertical direction, and the vertical axis rotating unit sets the holding unit in the vertical direction. It can be rotated about a parallel axis.

  In this invention, since the vertical axis rotation means is supported on the vertical movement table, the precision position adjustment means rotates the holding portion around the axis parallel to the vertical direction, and the precision position adjustment means described above. The follow-up speed around the axis can be increased.

  Further, in the ink jet printer, the transport means is a horizontal axis that rotates the printing medium supported by the vertical movement table and held by the holding unit around an axis parallel to the main scanning direction of the carriage. A rotation means may be provided.

  In the present invention, since the conveying means includes a horizontal axis rotation means for rotating the printing medium around an axis parallel to the main scanning direction of the carriage, the printing medium is aligned with the axis parallel to the main scanning direction during printing. It can rotate around and can print a wide variety of patterns on a substrate having a wider variety of shapes.

  In the ink jet printer, the coarse position adjusting unit may move a printing unit having the carriage in the vertical direction, and the fine position adjusting unit may move the holding unit in the vertical direction.

  In this invention, since the coarse position adjusting means moves the printing unit in the vertical direction, the coarse position adjusting means moves the printing unit in the vertical direction, and the fine position adjusting means moves the holding unit. For this reason, after the position of the printing unit is once adjusted by the coarse position adjusting means, the position of the holding unit is adjusted during printing by the fine position adjusting means. Therefore, since the precision position adjusting means moves only the holding portion in the vertical direction during printing, the distance between the outer surface of the printing medium being printed and the carriage can be set to an appropriate distance.

  The ink jet printer according to the present invention has an effect that it is possible to print the outer surface of a substrate to be printed having various shapes while suppressing labor for preparation work.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the inkjet printer according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a front view of the ink jet printer according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a side view of the ink jet printer according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the ink jet printer according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a front view illustrating the positional relationship between the projection unit and the printing medium of the ink jet printer according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a plan view of a printing medium printed by the ink jet printer according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a state in which the projection unit of the ink jet printer according to the embodiment projects a new pattern to be printed on the outer surface of the printing medium.

  Embodiments of an ink jet printer according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, this invention is not limited by this embodiment. In addition, constituent elements in the following embodiments include those that can be easily replaced by those skilled in the art or those that are substantially the same.

Embodiment
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the inkjet printer according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a front view of the ink jet printer according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a side view of the ink jet printer according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the ink jet printer according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a front view illustrating the positional relationship between the projection unit and the printing medium of the ink jet printer according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a plan view of a printing medium printed by the ink jet printer according to the embodiment.

  The ink jet printer 1 shown in FIG. 1 ejects ink that is cured by irradiating ultraviolet rays onto the outer surface WS of the three-dimensional printed material W shown in FIG. The outer surface WS of the printing medium W is printed by irradiating ultraviolet rays to cure the ink.

  The to-be-printed body W is configured by attaching a plurality of skin panels to the outside of a core (not shown) made of a tube. Before the printing object W is printed by the ink jet printer 1, a plurality of skin panels are attached to the outside of the core portion and are in an assembled state. That is, the substrate W printed by the inkjet printer 1 of the present invention is a finished product such as the soccer ball described above. Before the printing object W is printed by the inkjet printer 1, an existing pattern PE (characters, pictures, graphics, etc. may be collectively referred to on the outer surface WS, and is indicated by a slanted parallel diagonal line in FIG. 6). It is printed. The print object W has a new pattern PN to be printed that is different from the existing pattern by the inkjet printer 1 (shown by dense parallel diagonal lines in FIG. 6) at a location where the existing pattern PE is not printed on the outer surface WS. ) Is printed.

  The ink jet printer 1 newly prints a new pattern PN to be printed on the outer surface WS of a spherical substrate W on which an existing pattern PE is printed. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the inkjet printer 1 includes a holding unit 10 that holds the printing medium W, a projection unit 40 that magnifies and projects a still image, a coarse position adjustment unit 51, and a holding unit. 10, and a printing unit 50 that prints the outer surface WS of the printing medium W, a control unit 104 (shown in FIG. 1), and the like.

  The holding unit 10 is provided on the apparatus main body 2 of the ink jet printer 1 and holds the printing medium W. The holding unit 11 has a projection position (shown by a solid line in FIG. 1) and a printing position (FIG. 1). Transporting means 12 for transporting it over the two-dot chain line.

  The holding part 11 is formed in a ring shape whose inner diameter is smaller than the outer diameter of the printing medium W and is installed on the conveying means 12. The holding unit 11 holds the printing medium W by placing the printing medium W on the upper side.

  The conveying unit 12 moves the holding unit 11 in parallel with the sub-scanning direction (shown in FIG. 1) of the carriage 103 (shown in FIG. 1) of the printing unit 50, thereby moving the holding unit 11 to the projection position and the printing position. It is moved over. The projection position is a position where the holding unit 11 is positioned below the projection unit 40 and the printing medium W held by the holding unit 11 is projected by the projection unit 40. The printing position is a position where the holding unit 11 is positioned below the printing unit 50 and the printing medium W held by the holding unit 11 is printed by the printing unit 50.

  The transport unit 12 includes a horizontal moving unit 13 that moves the holding unit 11 parallel to the sub-scanning direction, a precision position adjusting unit 14 that moves the holding unit 11 in the vertical direction, a vertical axis rotation unit 35, and a horizontal axis. And rotating means 15.

  The horizontal moving means 13 is provided on the apparatus main body 2. The horizontal moving means 13 includes a plurality of guide rails 16 parallel to the sub-scanning direction and a slider 18 provided movably, a motor 17 for rotating a lead screw (not shown) parallel to the sub-scanning direction around the axis, A nut that is screwed into the screw and a horizontal movement table 19 attached to the slider 18 are provided. The horizontal movement unit 13 moves the horizontal movement table 19, that is, the holding unit 11 in the sub-scanning direction between the projection position and the printing position by the motor 17 rotating the lead screw around the axis.

  The precision position adjusting means 14 can change the vertical distance between the outer surface WS of the printing medium W held by the holding unit 11 and the carriage 103 of the printing unit 50 by moving the holding unit 11 in the vertical direction. It is a thing. The precision position adjusting means 14 is supported by the horizontal movement table 19 of the horizontal movement means 13. The precision position adjusting means 14 includes a fixed table 20 fixed on a horizontal movement table 19, a motor 21 attached to the fixed table 20, and a driving force of the motor 21 transmitted through a belt 22 and the like in the vertical direction. A lead screw 23 rotated around a parallel axis and a vertical movement table 25 attached to a nut 24 screwed to the lead screw 23 are provided. The vertical movement table 25 is provided above the fixed table 20, and moves in the vertical direction when the lead screw 23 is rotated by the motor 21. The vertical movement table 25 is attached with and supports the vertical axis rotation means 35, the horizontal axis rotation means 15, and the holding unit 11. The precision position adjusting means 14 moves the vertical movement table 25, that is, the holding unit 11 in the vertical direction by the motor 21 rotating the lead screw 23 around the axis.

  The vertical axis rotation means 35 rotates the holding unit 11 around an axis P1 (shown in FIGS. 2 and 3) parallel to the vertical direction, thereby causing the holding unit 11 and the carriage 103 to move relative to each other about the axis P1. It is intended to rotate. The vertical axis rotation means 35 is constituted by a motor or the like fixed to the vertical movement table 25. The vertical axis rotation means 35 fixes the holding part 11 on the surface thereof. In the present embodiment, the center C of the printing medium W held by the holding unit 11 is disposed on the axis P <b> 1 that is the rotation center of the holding unit 11.

  The horizontal axis rotation means 15 is supported by the vertical movement table 25, and causes the printing medium W held by the holding unit 11 to have an axis P2 (see FIGS. 2 and 2) parallel to the main scanning direction (shown in FIG. 1) of the carriage 103. (Shown in FIG. 4). The horizontal axis rotation means 15 includes a pair of clamping portions 26 and an axis rotation portion 28 that rotates a clamping pad 27 of the clamping portion 26.

  The pair of sandwiching portions 26 are disposed at positions that sandwich the holding portion 11 in the main scanning direction of the printing unit 50. The pair of clamping portions 26 are attached to the vertical movement table 25. The pair of sandwiching parts 26 are attached to the cylinder unit 30 in which the rod 29 approaches or separates from the printing medium W held by the holding unit 11, and attached to the tip of the rod 29 of the cylinder unit 30. And a sandwiching pad 27 for sandwiching. The sandwiching pad 27 is supported by the rod 29 so as to be rotatable around the axis. The shaft rotation unit 28 includes a motor 34 fixed to the vertical movement table 25 and the like. A pulley 33 and the like are attached to the output shaft of the motor 34. A belt 32 is stretched between the pulley 33 and a pulley 31 provided coaxially with the clamping pad 27 of one clamping unit 26.

  The horizontal axis rotation means 15 is held by the holding unit 11 when the rod 29 of the cylinder unit 30 extends to hold the printing medium W between the holding pads 27 and the motor 34 rotates the holding pads 27. The printed material W is rotated about an axis P2 parallel to the main scanning direction. Further, when the printing medium W is not rotated by the horizontal axis rotation means 15, the rod 29 is contracted and the clamping pad 27 is spaced from the printing medium W.

  The projection means 40 is configured by a known projector or the like that includes a laser diode that emits light of each wavelength of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) as a light source. The projection unit 40 is supported by the printing unit 50 and is disposed above the projection position holding unit 11. FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a state in which the projection unit of the ink jet printer according to the embodiment projects a new pattern to be printed on the outer surface of the printing medium.

  As shown in FIG. 5, for example, in the front view and the side view of the inkjet printer 1, the projection unit 40 has an irradiation region R disposed on a straight line L that passes through the center C of the printing medium W. As a still image, the projecting unit 40 includes at least a part of the existing pattern PE (shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 7) on the outer surface WS of the printing medium W held by the holding unit 11 and a new print target. A pattern PN (indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 7) is enlarged and projected. Further, the projection means 40 has at least a part of the existing pattern PE and a new pattern PN to be printed so as to have the same size as the existing pattern PE printed on the outer surface WS of the substrate W. Are combined and projected on the outer surface WS.

  In the present embodiment, the projection unit 40 covers the pattern PE1 around the new pattern PN to be printed out of the existing pattern PE as the at least part of the existing pattern PE together with the new pattern PN to be printed. Projecting onto the outer surface WS of the printed body W. In the present invention, the pattern PE1 around the new pattern PN to be printed among the existing patterns PE is the entire periphery around the new pattern PN to be printed among the existing patterns PE. FIG. 2 shows an existing pattern PE that is closest to the new pattern PN. In addition, the projection unit 40 applies all the existing patterns PE on the hemisphere centering on the new pattern PN to be printed among the existing patterns PE on the outer surface WS of the substrate W held by the holding unit 11. You may project.

  The rough position adjusting means 51 is operated by the operator in the vertical distance between the outer surface WS of the printing medium W held by the holding unit 11 and the carriage 103 of the printing unit 50 that prints the outer surface WS. It is something to change. In the present embodiment, the coarse position adjusting unit 51 is operated by an operator to move the printing unit 50 having the carriage 103 with respect to the apparatus main body 2 in the vertical direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the coarse position adjusting means 51 includes a rotary handle 52 provided on the apparatus main body 2 so as to be rotatable about an axis parallel to the vertical direction, and a pulley attached to the rotary handle 52. 53, a pair of rotatable pulleys 55 having an endless belt 54 spanned between them and a pair of lead screws 56 attached to the printing unit 50 by screwing with nuts 57 attached to the pulleys 55. ing. The pair of pulleys 55 and the lead screw 56 are arranged at positions where the printing position holder 11 is sandwiched in the main scanning direction. The coarse position adjustment means 51 rotates the lead screw 56 around the axis via the pulley 55 and the like, and moves the printing unit 50 in the vertical direction when the rotary handle 52 is rotated around the axis by the operator. .

  As shown in FIG. 1, the printing unit 50 includes a Y bar 101 provided in the main scanning direction, an ink tank 102, and a carriage 103. The ink tank 102 stores ink to be ejected onto the outer surface WS of the printing medium W positioned by the printing position holding unit 11. Here, the ink tank 102 separately stores M (magenta), C (cyan), Y (yellow), and K (black) inks. The ink stored in the ink tank 102 is an ink whose degree of cure changes when exposed by being irradiated with ultraviolet rays.

  The carriage 103 prints a new pattern PN to be printed on the outer surface WS of the substrate W positioned by the printing position holding unit 11. The carriage 103 can reciprocate along the Y bar 101 in the main scanning direction parallel to the horizontal direction. The carriage 103 prints the outer surface WS of the printing medium W while moving the ejection unit 109 that ejects ink and the ultraviolet irradiator 108 that irradiates ultraviolet rays in the main scanning direction. The carriage 103 is controlled to move in a direction (main scanning direction) orthogonal to the printing conveyance direction (sub-scanning direction) of the printing medium W. The carriage 103 includes a holder 107 and a pair of ultraviolet irradiators 108 as exposure units provided on both sides of the holder 107 in the main scanning direction.

  A discharge unit 109 is disposed on a holder 107 included in the carriage 103. The discharge unit 109 includes a plurality of discharge nozzles (not shown), and any of M (magenta), C (cyan), Y (yellow), and K (black) stored in the ink tank 102. It is provided so that ink of any color can be ejected. The ejection unit 109 ejects ink of a color corresponding to the content to be printed from the ejection nozzle. Note that the combination of colors ejected from the ejection unit 109 may be other than this. The ejection nozzles of the ejection unit 109 include, for example, a printer head that ejects ink facing the printing medium W, various ink channels that connect the ink tank 102 and the printer head, regulators and pumps provided on the ink channel, and the like. It is comprised including.

  Here, the printer head is configured to include at least a head unit that ejects ink, and is connected to the ink tank 102 via an ink flow path. The ejection nozzles of the ejection unit 109 can eject ink in the ink tank 102 from each head unit of the printer head to the printing medium W by a predetermined ejection amount by an inkjet method by driving a pump by a piezo element. it can.

  Each ultraviolet irradiator 108 can be exposed to the ink ejected onto the printing medium W. Each ultraviolet irradiator 108 includes, for example, an LED module that can irradiate ultraviolet rays.

  The control unit 104 controls each part of the inkjet printer 1 including the transport unit 12, the projection unit 40, the discharge unit 109, each ultraviolet irradiator 108, and the like. The control unit 104 includes a discharge control unit 104a, an exposure control unit 104b, a pattern conversion unit 104c, a projection control unit 104d, a drive control unit 104e, and the like in terms of functional concept. The control means 104 is composed of hardware such as an arithmetic unit and a memory, and a program for realizing these predetermined functions.

  The discharge control unit 104a included in the control unit 104 controls a piezo element of a pump of each discharge nozzle of the discharge unit 109, and controls the discharge amount, discharge timing, discharge period, and the like of ink discharged from the discharge nozzle. . The exposure control unit 104b controls the ultraviolet irradiators 108 and the like, and controls the intensity of the ultraviolet rays irradiated from the ultraviolet irradiators 108, the exposure timing, the exposure period, and the like. The pattern conversion unit 104c sets an ejection control amount and an exposure control amount in accordance with input information input from an input device 200 such as a PC or various terminals connected to the control unit 104 by wire / wireless. .

  In the pattern conversion unit 104c, as input information, for example, image information input via the input device 200 or the like, and a new pattern PN (character, character) to be printed on the outer surface WS of the substrate W to be printed. Image information such as a pattern or a figure is input. Based on this input information, the pattern conversion unit 104c generates a print pattern to be a new pattern PN to be printed on the outer surface WS of the printing medium W, and discharge control capable of realizing the generated print pattern Amount and exposure control amount. The ejection control unit 104a controls ejection by the ejection nozzle of the ejection unit 109 based on the ejection control amount calculated by the pattern conversion unit 104c, and the exposure control unit 104b sets the exposure control amount calculated by the pattern conversion unit 104c. Based on this, the exposure by each ultraviolet irradiator 108 is controlled.

  The projection control unit 104d sets a still image to be projected by the projection unit 40 in accordance with input information input from the input device 200 such as a PC or various terminals connected to the control unit 104 by wire / wireless. is there. The projection control unit 104d has, as input information, for example, image information input via the input device 200 or the like, and at least a part of an existing pattern PE that is desired to be projected on the outer surface WS of the printing medium W; Image information such as a new pattern PN to be printed is input. Based on this input information, the projection control unit 104d generates a projection pattern that becomes at least a part of an existing pattern PE to be projected onto the outer surface WS of the printing medium W and a new pattern PN to be printed, and generates the projection pattern. The projection by the projection unit 40 is controlled based on the projected pattern.

  The drive control unit 104e generates drive patterns for the motors 17, 21, and 34 and the cylinder unit 30 of the transport unit 12 based on a program stored in advance, and the motor 17 of the transport unit 12 based on the generated drive pattern. , 21, 34, the motor of the cylinder unit 30 and the vertical axis rotation means 35 are controlled.

  In addition, the control unit 104 controls operations of the projection unit 40, the conveyance unit 12, the printing unit 50, and the like according to an operation command input from the operation device 300 including a plurality of button switches. The operation device 300 is used to appropriately change the position, size, and pattern of a new pattern PN projected by the projection unit 40 and printed by the printing unit 50.

  During printing of the printing medium W that discharges ink from the discharge unit 109, the control unit 104 is configured to print the outer surface WS of the printing medium W held by the holding unit 11 to which the ink discharged from the discharge nozzles adheres to the carriage. The distance in the vertical direction from the 103 discharge nozzles is detected by a sensor (not shown) provided in the printing unit 50. The control unit 104 controls the motor 21 of the precision position adjustment unit 14 so that the vertical distance detected by the sensor described above becomes an appropriate distance during printing of the carriage 103.

  In the inkjet printer 1 configured as described above, the carriage 103 reciprocates in the main scanning direction with respect to the printing medium W positioned on the printing position holding unit 11 in accordance with control by the control unit 104. Ink is ejected to the outer surface WS of the printing medium W with a predetermined printing width by the ejection unit 109. The ink jet printer 1 then cures the ink that has landed on the printing medium W by irradiating and exposing the ultraviolet ray irradiating device at a predetermined timing according to the control by the control unit 104. In this way, the carriage 103 prints a new pattern PN to be printed on the outer surface WS of the printing medium W.

  Further, the inkjet printer 1 changes the drive voltage of the piezo element of each discharge nozzle according to the distance between the outer surface WS of the printing medium W to which the ink discharged from the discharge nozzle adheres and the discharge nozzle. The size and discharge speed of the ink liquid to be discharged can be changed. In addition, when increasing the volume of ink to be ejected, in addition to enlarging a single droplet of ink to be ejected, the speed of the ink liquid ejected earlier is the speed of the ink liquid ejected immediately thereafter. In order to make the operation slower, a plurality of discharged ink liquids may be combined in the air, for example, by narrowing the ink discharge interval.

  The ink jet printer 1 moves the printing medium W relative to the carriage 103 in the printing position in the printing conveyance direction (sub-scanning direction) with respect to the carriage 103 according to the predetermined printing width, and is held by the holding unit 11. The printed body W is rotated about an axis P2 parallel to the main scanning direction and an axis P1 parallel to the vertical direction, and the printed body W held by the holding unit 11 on the motor 21 of the precision position adjusting means 14 is rotated. This is repeated while appropriately moving in the vertical direction, and a new pattern PN to be printed is printed on the outer surface WS of the printing medium W. During this time, the control unit 104 controls the ejection amount, ejection timing, ejection period, and the like of the ink ejected from each ejection nozzle of the ejection unit 109 by the ejection control unit 104a, and the exposure control unit 104b irradiates from each ultraviolet irradiator 108. Control the intensity of ultraviolet rays. Thereby, the inkjet printer 1 can print a new pattern PN on the outer surface WS of the substrate W in accordance with the print pattern generated by the pattern conversion unit 104c.

  Next, a printing method using the above-described inkjet printer 1 will be described. The printing method is a method of newly printing a new pattern PN to be printed, which is different from the existing pattern PE, on the outer surface WS of the spherical printed body W on which the existing pattern PE is printed. In the printing method, first, an operator registers processing content information including at least a part of an existing pattern PE projected by the projection unit 40 and image information of a new pattern PN to be printed from the input device 200, When a processing operation start command is input from the operation device 300, printing is started. When a processing operation start command is input from the operation device 300, the control unit 104 positions the holding unit 11 at the projection position, and at least a part of the existing pattern PE and a new pattern to be printed from the projection unit 40. Together with PN, it is projected onto the holding unit 11. Then, the operator places the printing medium W on the holding unit 11. Then, as shown in FIG. 7, at least a part of the existing pattern PE (indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 7) and a new pattern on the outer surface WS of the printing medium W on which the existing pattern PE is printed. PN (indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 7) is projected.

  Then, the operator positions the printing medium W on the holding unit 11 based on the projected existing pattern PE and the existing pattern PE already printed on the outer surface WS of the printing medium W. At this time, the operator adjusts the position of the printing object W with respect to the holding unit 11 so that the projected existing pattern PE overlaps the existing pattern PE already printed on the outer surface WS of the printing object W. . Then, the operator positions the printing medium W at a position where the projected existing pattern PE overlaps the existing pattern PE already printed on the outer surface WS of the printing medium W.

  Thereafter, the operator rotates the rotary handle 52 to adjust the height of the printing unit 50 to such a height that the printing medium W held by the holding unit 11 can move to the printing position. Then, a print start command is input from the operation device 300. In addition, when adjusting the height of the printing unit 50, it is desirable to adjust so that the distance of the printing unit 50 and the outer surface WS of the to-be-printed body W hold | maintained at the holding | maintenance part 11 may become as small as possible.

  Then, the control unit 104 moves the holding unit 11 holding the printing medium W to the printing unit by the transport unit 12. The control means 104 moves the carriage 103 in the main scanning direction, moves the printing medium W in the sub-scanning direction by the conveying means 12, and causes the horizontal axis rotation means 15 to move around the axis P2 parallel to the main scanning direction. The printing medium W is appropriately rotated, the holding unit 11 is appropriately rotated around the axis P1 parallel to the vertical direction by the vertical axis rotating unit 35, and the holding unit 11 is appropriately moved in the vertical direction by the precise position adjusting unit 14. On the other hand, a new pattern PN to be printed is printed on the outer surface WS of the substrate W by the carriage 103 of the inkjet printer 1. When the printing of the new pattern PN to be printed is completed, the control unit 104 stops the movement of the carriage 103 in the main scanning direction, and then moves the holding unit 11 holding the printing medium W to the projection position. Then, the operator removes the printing medium W on which the new pattern PN to be printed is printed from the holding unit 11 and ends the printing method.

  The inkjet printer 1 according to the above embodiment roughly adjusts the vertical distance between the outer surface WS of the printing medium W held by the holding unit 11 and the discharge unit 109 of the carriage 103 by the coarse position adjusting unit 51. During the printing, the precise position adjusting means 14 is controlled by the control means 104, so that the vertical distance between the outer surface WS of the printing medium W and the ejection portion 109 of the carriage 103 becomes an appropriate distance. Is adjusted as appropriate. For this reason, since the inkjet printer 1 can print the printing medium W having a wide variety of shapes by holding the printing medium W in the holding unit 11, it is possible to suppress the labor for preparation work. The outer surface WS of the substrate W having various shapes can be printed.

  In addition, the inkjet printer 1 can roughly adjust the vertical distance between the outer surface WS of the printing medium W held by the holding unit 11 and the discharge unit 109 of the carriage 103 by the coarse position adjusting unit 51. . For this reason, the inkjet printer 1 can suppress the range in which the vertical distance between the outer surface WS of the printing medium W and the carriage 103 of the precision position adjusting unit 14 is adjusted during printing. That is, the inkjet printer 1 can suppress the range in which the precision position adjusting unit 14 moves the holding unit 11 in the vertical direction during printing. Therefore, the inkjet printer 1 can suppress the time required to print the outer surface WS of the substrate W even if the holding unit 11 is moved in the vertical direction during printing.

  In addition, since the ink jet printer 1 includes the horizontal moving unit 13 that causes the conveying unit 12 to move the holding unit 11 in the sub-scanning direction, the printing medium W held by the holding unit 11 as needed during printing. It can be moved in the sub-scanning direction, and the outer surface WS of the printing medium W having various shapes can be printed reliably. Further, since the transport unit 12 moves the holding unit 11, that is, the printing medium W in the sub-scanning direction with respect to the carriage 103, the sub-scanning is performed as compared with the case where the printing unit 50 is moved in the sub-scanning direction. The follow-up speed of the printing medium W in the direction can be increased.

  In addition, since the inkjet printer 1 supports the precision position adjustment means 14 on the horizontal movement table 19 of the horizontal movement means 13, the precision position adjustment means 14 moves the holding unit 11, that is, the printing medium W in the vertical direction. It will be. Therefore, in the inkjet printer 1, the tracking speed of the distance between the outer surface WS of the printing medium W and the discharge unit 109 of the carriage 103 by the precise position adjusting unit 14 is higher than when the printing unit 50 is moved in the vertical direction. You can speed up.

  Further, the inkjet printer 1 includes a vertical axis rotation unit 35 in which the conveyance unit 12 relatively rotates the holding unit 11, that is, the printing medium W and the carriage 103 around the axis P <b> 1 parallel to the vertical direction. Therefore, the printing medium W can be rotated around the axis P1 parallel to the vertical direction during printing, and a wide variety of printing can be performed on the printing medium W having various shapes.

  Further, since the inkjet printer 1 supports the vertical axis rotation means 35 on the vertical movement table 25, the precision position adjustment means 14 rotates the holding unit 11 around the axis P1 parallel to the vertical direction. The follow-up speed around the axis P1 can be increased by the precise position adjusting means 14.

  In addition, the inkjet printer 1 includes the horizontal axis rotation means 15 that causes the conveyance means 12 to rotate the printing medium W about the axis P2 parallel to the main scanning direction of the carriage 103, so that the printing medium is printed during printing. W can be rotated about an axis P2 parallel to the main scanning direction, and a wide variety of printing can be performed on the substrate W having a wider variety of shapes.

  In the inkjet printer 1, since the coarse position adjusting unit 51 moves the printing unit 50 in the vertical direction, the coarse position adjusting unit 51 moves the printing unit 50 in the vertical direction, and the fine position adjusting unit 14 moves the holding unit 11. It will be moved. For this reason, after the position of the printing unit 50 is once adjusted by the coarse position adjusting means 51, the position of the holding unit 11 is adjusted by the fine position adjusting means 14 during printing. Therefore, since the precision position adjusting unit 14 moves only the holding unit 11 in the vertical direction during printing, the inkjet printer 1 appropriately sets the distance between the outer surface WS of the printing medium W and the carriage 103 during printing. Can be a great distance.

  Further, the inkjet printer 1 includes a projection unit 40 that projects at least a part of an existing pattern PE and a new pattern PN to be printed. Therefore, in the inkjet printer 1 and the printing method, before printing by the carriage 103, at least a part of the existing pattern PE projected by the projection unit 40 and the existing pattern printed on the outer surface WS of the printing medium W are printed. Based on the PE, the printing medium W can be easily positioned at a predetermined position.

  In the inkjet printer 1, the projecting unit 40 projects at least a part of the existing pattern PE and the new pattern PN to be printed onto the outer surface WS of the printing medium W. For this reason, the inkjet printer 1 and the printing method, for example, when positioning the printing medium W, the existing pattern PE already printed on the printing medium W, the uneven shape of the outer surface WS of the printing medium W, etc. At the same time, not only the position of the new pattern PN to be printed and the area to be printed, but also the pattern (color, design, etc.) of the outer surface WS of the printed object W after printing can be easily grasped.

  Further, in the inkjet printer 1, the projection unit 40 projects the pattern PE1 around the new pattern PN to be printed as a part of the existing pattern PE, so that the projected pattern PE (PE1), PN, etc. Based on this, the printing medium W can be easily positioned.

  Further, in the inkjet printer 1, since the irradiation area R is disposed on the straight line L passing through the center C of the printing medium W with the projection unit 40, the patterns PE and PN projected by the projection unit 40 are the printed body W. Can be prevented from being distorted on the outer surface WS.

  In the above-described embodiment, the printed body W is a spherical soccer ball. However, in the present invention, the printed body W is not limited to this and may have various three-dimensional shapes. In short, in the present invention, the printing medium W is not limited to a spherical one, and may be shoes such as sports shoes, tires for various vehicles, and shafts. In short, the printing medium W has a three-dimensional shape. Any thing can be used. In the present invention, it is desirable to replace the holding unit 11 with an appropriate shape according to the shape of the printing medium W.

  Further, in the present invention, the horizontal movement unit 13, the precise position adjustment unit 14, and the vertical axis rotation unit 35 of the conveyance unit 12 move the carriage 103 of the printing unit 50 in a predetermined direction without moving the holding unit 11. Alternatively, both the holding unit 11 and the carriage 103 of the printing unit 50 may be moved in a predetermined direction. Furthermore, in the present invention, the coarse position adjusting unit 51 may move the holding unit 11 in the vertical direction without moving the carriage 103 of the printing unit 50 in the vertical direction. Both the holding unit 11 and the carriage 103 may be moved. May be moved in the vertical direction.

  As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In the present invention, the embodiment can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, combinations of changes, and the like can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Inkjet printer 11 Holding part 12 Conveying means 13 Horizontal moving means 14 Precision position adjusting means 15 Horizontal axis rotating means 19 Horizontal moving table 25 Vertical moving table 35 Vertical axis rotating means 50 Printing unit 51 Coarse position adjusting means 103 Carriage 104 Control Means W Substrate WS Outer surface

Claims (5)

An inkjet printer that prints the outer surface of a three-dimensional printed material,
A holding unit for holding the substrate,
Coarse position adjusting means for changing a vertical distance between an outer surface of the printing medium held by the holding unit and a carriage for printing the outer surface by being operated;
Precise position adjusting means capable of changing a vertical distance between an outer surface of the printing medium held by the holding unit and the carriage;
A horizontal movement table that supports the precision position adjusting means and moves in the sub-scanning direction of the carriage ;
Control means for controlling the precision position adjusting means so that the vertical distance between the outer surface of the printing medium held by the holding portion and the carriage becomes an appropriate distance during printing of the carriage; ,
With
The precise position adjusting means moves the holding portion in the vertical direction, and the precise position adjusting means moves the holding portion in the vertical direction, whereby the outer surface of the printing medium and the carriage are moved by the control means. The inkjet printer is controlled so that the vertical distance is an appropriate distance.   2. The ink jet printer according to claim 1, further comprising a vertical axis rotating unit that relatively rotates the holding unit and the carriage around an axis parallel to a vertical direction. The precision position adjustment means includes a vertical movement table that supports the vertical axis rotation means and moves in a vertical direction,
The inkjet printer according to claim 2, wherein the vertical axis rotation means rotates the holding portion around an axis parallel to the vertical direction.   4. The apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a horizontal axis rotation unit that rotates the printing medium supported by the vertical movement table and held by the holding unit around an axis parallel to a main scanning direction of the carriage. The inkjet printer described in 1. The inkjet printer according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the rough position adjusting unit moves a printing unit having the carriage in a vertical direction.

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