JP7207592B2 - Recording device and recording method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a recording apparatus that performs recording by ejecting ink onto a recording medium such as printing paper, and a recording method that uses the recording apparatus.

In a recording apparatus that executes recording by ejecting ink onto the recording surface of a recording medium from a recording head to form dots, the head surface of the recording head and the recording medium supported by a supporting member such as a platen during recording are recorded. It is extremely important to set and maintain a proper constant distance to the surface in order to perform highly accurate recording. Further, when recording is performed in a state in which the distance between the head surface of the recording head and the recording surface of the recording medium supported by the support member is narrower than the proper distance, the head surface of the recording head contacts the recording surface of the recording medium. So-called head rubbing may occur. If this head rubbing occurs, the recording surface of the recording medium may be scratched or stained, or the recording head may be damaged.

Further, in order to keep the gap between the head surface of the recording head and the recording surface of the recording medium supported by the support member always at an appropriate constant distance, it is necessary to separate the head surface of the recording head from the recording medium by means of a platen or the like. It is necessary to increase or decrease the distance from the support surface (hereinafter referred to as platen gap) according to the thickness of the recording medium.

As a recording apparatus capable of increasing or decreasing the platen gap according to the thickness of the recording medium, for example, the recording apparatus described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-200000 is known. This recording apparatus includes a gap adjusting device that adjusts the gap between the head surface of the recording head and the support surface of the recording medium (recording material), and a detection device that can detect the head surface and the support surface of the recording head without contact. and by controlling the gap adjustment device based on the gap between the surfaces detected by the detection device, the gap between the head surface of the recording head and the surface of the recording medium (hereinafter referred to as the media gap) can be set to an appropriate constant. interval can be set.

JP 2009-248535 A

However, in the recording apparatus described in Patent Literature 1, when the media gap is set to a larger interval as an appropriate interval at which head rubbing does not occur according to the specification and state of the recording medium, the media gap is not so large. There is a problem that the recording quality may deteriorate compared to the case without it.
More specifically, for example, when double-sided recording (printing) is performed on a recording medium, wrinkles and twists due to swelling of the recording medium when recording on one side may occur. This is the case of avoiding head rubbing due to friction. Also, even if the recording medium does not swell, for example, if the material and thickness of the recording medium are such that the recording medium is likely to rise from the supporting surface, the medium gap is set to a larger distance to avoid head rubbing. Must. When the media gap is set to be large in this manner, the ink droplets ejected from the print head vary greatly in landing position, which may degrade the print quality. It is known that airflow generated between the head surface of the recording head and the recording surface of the recording medium is one of the factors that increase the dispersion of the landing positions. This airflow is generated, for example, by relative movement between the recording head and the recording medium.

The present invention has been made to solve at least part of the above problems, and can be implemented as the following application examples or modes.

APPLICATION EXAMPLE 1 A recording apparatus according to this application example includes a recording head having a head surface on which nozzles for ejecting ink onto a recording medium are arranged, a support portion for supporting the recording medium, and the recording head. a main scanning unit that performs a main scanning operation of moving in a scanning direction; a sub scanning unit that performs a sub scanning operation of relatively moving the recording medium with respect to the recording head in a sub scanning direction intersecting the main scanning direction; a gap adjustment unit that adjusts a gap that is the distance between the head surface and the recording surface of the recording medium supported by the support unit; and a control unit that drives and controls the main scanning unit, the sub-scanning unit, and the gap adjustment unit. and performing recording on the recording medium by repeating a pass operation for ejecting the ink from the nozzles onto the recording medium during the main scanning operation and the sub-scanning operation, wherein the control The main scanning unit stops the main scanning unit for a predetermined stop time determined based on the gap before performing the pass operation.

According to this application example, the control unit stops the main scanning unit (i.e., , stop the main scanning operation for moving the recording head in the main scanning direction). Therefore, the subsequent pass operation (the operation of ejecting ink) is performed after the momentum of the airflow (airflow generated between the head surface of the recording head and the recording surface of the recording medium) generated by the movement of the recording head weakens. can be made to run. As a result, the degree of variation in the landing positions of the ejected ink due to the influence of air currents generated between the head surface of the recording head and the recording surface of the recording medium can be reduced, and deterioration in recording quality can be suppressed.

APPLICATION EXAMPLE 2 In the recording apparatus according to the application example described above, the controller is characterized in that the larger the gap, the longer the predetermined stop time.

According to this application example, the larger the gap (the distance between the head surface and the recording surface of the recording medium supported by the support portion), the greater the predetermined stop time for stopping the main scanning operation of moving the recording head in the main scanning direction. become longer. The larger the gap, the greater the degree of variation in the ink landing position due to the influence of the air flow. After weakening the momentum of the applied airflow, the subsequent pass operation (the operation of ejecting ink) can be executed. As a result, the degree of variation in the landing positions of the ejected ink due to the influence of air currents can be reduced, and deterioration in print quality can be suppressed.

Application Example 3 In the recording apparatus according to the application example described above, the control unit is characterized in that the higher the speed of the main scanning operation, the longer the predetermined stop time.

According to this application example, the higher the speed of the main scanning operation that moves the printhead in the main scanning direction, the longer the time (predetermined stop time) for stopping the movement of the printhead. The higher the speed of the main scanning operation, the stronger the force of the air current generated thereby, which tends to increase the degree of variation in ink landing positions. Therefore, the higher the speed of the main scanning operation, the longer the time during which the print head stops moving (predetermined stop time). discharge operation) can be executed. As a result, the degree of variation in the landing positions of the ejected ink due to the influence of air currents can be reduced, and deterioration in print quality can be suppressed.

Application Example 4 In the recording apparatus according to the application example described above, the control unit increases the predetermined stop time as the length of the recording medium supported by the support unit in the main scanning direction increases. and

When performing printing by repeating a pass operation for ejecting ink from nozzles onto a recording medium and a sub-scanning operation during a main scanning operation for moving the printhead in the main scanning direction, a main scanning operation that accompanies reciprocating movement (main scanning movement). , the longer the length (that is, the width) in the main scanning direction of the recording medium supported by the supporting portion, the shorter the time from the reversal of movement of the recording head to the ejection of ink. If the time from the reversal of the movement of the print head to the time the ink is ejected is shortened, the jetted ink will be affected by air currents (generated between the head surface of the print head and the recording surface of the recording medium) that accompany the reversal of the print head. air currents).
According to this application example, the longer the length of the recording medium supported by the supporting portion in the main scanning direction, the longer the predetermined stop time. action) can be executed. As a result, the degree of variation in the landing positions of the ejected ink due to the influence of air currents can be reduced, and deterioration in print quality can be suppressed.

Application Example 5 In the printing apparatus according to the application example described above, the control unit is characterized in that the shorter the distance from the stop position of the main scanning operation to the pass operation start position, the longer the predetermined stop time. .

The shorter the distance from the stop position of the main scanning operation (that is, the position where the movement of the print head is reversed in the main scanning operation involving reciprocating movement (main scanning movement)) to the ink ejection start position, the more the print head is reversed. It is easily affected by air currents (air currents generated between the head surface of the recording head and the recording surface of the recording medium).
According to this application example, the shorter the distance from the stop position of the main scanning operation for moving the print head in the main scanning direction to the pass operation start position for ejecting ink from the nozzles onto the recording medium during the main scanning operation, the shorter the predetermined stop time. becomes longer. Therefore, the subsequent pass operation (the operation of ejecting ink) can be executed after weakening the influence of the airflow. As a result, the degree of variation in the landing positions of the ejected ink due to the influence of air currents can be reduced, and deterioration in print quality can be suppressed.

APPLICATION EXAMPLE 6 In the recording apparatus according to the application example described above, the control unit is characterized in that the smaller the size of the ink to be ejected, the longer the predetermined stop time.

The smaller the size of the ink ejected from the recording head onto the recording medium, the more likely it is to be affected by air currents (air currents generated between the head surface of the recording head and the recording surface of the recording medium).
According to this application example, the smaller the size of the ejected ink, the longer the predetermined stop time. action) can be executed. As a result, the degree of variation in the landing positions of the ejected ink due to the influence of air currents can be reduced, and deterioration in print quality can be suppressed.

Application Example 7 In the recording apparatus according to the application example described above, the control unit is characterized in that the lower the speed of the ejected ink, the longer the predetermined stop time.

The lower the speed of the ink ejected from the recording head onto the recording medium, the more likely it is to be affected by air currents (air currents generated between the head surface of the recording head and the recording surface of the recording medium).
According to this application example, the lower the velocity of the ejected ink, the longer the predetermined stop time. action) can be executed. As a result, the degree of variation in the landing positions of the ejected ink due to the influence of air currents can be reduced, and deterioration in print quality can be suppressed.

APPLICATION EXAMPLE 8 A recording method according to this application example includes a recording head having a head surface on which nozzles for ejecting ink onto a recording medium are arranged, a support portion for supporting the recording medium, and the recording head. a main scanning unit that performs a main scanning operation of moving in a scanning direction; a sub scanning unit that performs a sub scanning operation of relatively moving the recording medium with respect to the recording head in a sub scanning direction intersecting the main scanning direction; a gap adjustment unit that adjusts a gap that is the distance between the head surface and the recording surface of the recording medium supported by the support unit; and a control unit that drives and controls the main scanning unit, the sub-scanning unit, and the gap adjustment unit. and performing recording using a recording apparatus that performs recording on the recording medium by repeating a pass operation for ejecting the ink from the nozzles onto the recording medium during the main scanning operation and the sub-scanning operation. The recording method is characterized in that the main scanning portion is stopped for a predetermined stop time determined based on the gap before performing the pass operation.

According to this application example, before the pass operation is performed (that is, before ink is ejected from the nozzles onto the recording medium), the main scanning section is stopped (that is, the recording head is turned off) for a predetermined stop time that is determined based on the gap. stop the main scanning operation to move in the main scanning direction). Therefore, the subsequent pass operation (the operation of ejecting ink) is performed after the momentum of the airflow (airflow generated between the head surface of the recording head and the recording surface of the recording medium) generated by the movement of the recording head weakens. can be made to run. As a result, the degree of variation in the landing positions of the ejected ink due to the influence of air currents generated between the head surface of the recording head and the recording surface of the recording medium can be reduced, and deterioration in recording quality can be suppressed.

1 is a front view showing the configuration of a recording apparatus according to an embodiment; FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment; FIG. Schematic diagram showing an example of nozzle arrangement in a print head Conceptual diagram showing the configuration of the gap adjuster Illustration of the basic functions of the printer driver An example of a recorded image showing variations in the landing positions of ejected ink droplets An example of a recorded image showing ink droplet landing positions at a stop time of 93 ms An example of a recorded image showing ink droplet landing positions at a stop time of 150 ms Example of a recorded image showing ink droplet impact positions at a stop time of 312 ms Conceptual diagram showing the relationship between the stop position of the main scanning operation and the start position of the pass operation. Flowchart showing an example of processing of a control unit when determining a predetermined stop time Block diagrams showing configurations of different recording devices

Embodiments embodying the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The following is an embodiment of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention. It should be noted that, in each of the following figures, there are cases where the scale is different from the actual scale in order to make the explanation easier to understand. In the coordinates attached to the drawings, the Z-axis direction is the vertical direction, the +Z direction is the upward direction, the X-axis direction is the front-rear direction, the -X direction is the front direction, the Y-axis direction is the left-right direction, and the +Y direction is the left direction. The XY plane is the horizontal plane.

FIG. 1 is a front view showing the configuration of a recording apparatus 1 according to an embodiment embodying the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the same.
The recording device 1 is configured by a printer 100 and an image processing device 110 connected to the printer 100 .
The printer 100 is an inkjet printer that records a desired image on roll paper 5 as a long "recording medium" that is supplied in a rolled state based on recording data received from the image processing apparatus 110. is.

<Basic Configuration of Image Processing Apparatus>
The image processing apparatus 110 includes a printer control unit 111, an input unit 112, a display unit 113, a storage unit 114, and the like, and controls a recording job that causes the printer 100 to perform recording. The image processing device 110 is configured using a personal computer as a preferred example.
The software that the image processing apparatus 110 operates includes general image processing application software (hereinafter referred to as an application) that handles image data to be recorded, control of the printer 100, and recording data for causing the printer 100 to perform recording. It includes printer driver software to be generated (hereinafter referred to as printer driver).
That is, the image processing apparatus 110 controls the printer 100 via print data for causing the printer 100 to print a print image based on the image data.
Note that the printer driver is not limited to being configured as a functional unit by software, and may be configured by firmware, for example. The firmware is implemented in an SOC (System on Chip) in the image processing device 110, for example.

The printer control unit 111 includes a CPU 115 (Central Processing Unit 115), an ASIC 116 (Application Specific Integrated Circuit 116), a DSP 117 (Digital Signal Processor 117), a memory 118, an interface 119, etc., and centrally manages the entire recording apparatus 1.
The input unit 112 is information input means as a human interface. Specifically, for example, it is a port to which a keyboard, a mouse pointer, or an information input device is connected.
The display unit 113 is information display means (display) as a human interface, and under the control of the printer control unit 111, displays information input from the input unit 112, images to be recorded in the printer 100, and recording jobs. Information is displayed.
The storage unit 114 is a rewritable storage medium such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a memory card, and stores software for operating the image processing apparatus 110 (programs for operating by the printer control unit 111), images to be recorded, and recording jobs. Related information and the like are stored.
The memory 118 is a storage medium that secures an area for storing a program for the CPU 115 to operate, a work area for the operation, and the like, and is configured by storage elements such as RAM and EEPROM.

<Basic Configuration of Printer 100>
The printer 100 includes a recording section 10, a moving section 20, a control section 30, a gap adjusting section 60, and the like. The printer 100 that has received the recording data from the image processing apparatus 110 controls the recording section 10 , the moving section 20 , and the gap adjusting section 60 by the control section 30 to record an image on the roll paper 5 (image formation).
The recording data is image forming data obtained by converting image data so that it can be recorded by the printer 100 by an application and a printer driver provided in the image processing apparatus 110 , and includes commands for controlling the printer 100 .
Image data includes, for example, general full-color image information and text information obtained by a digital camera.

The recording section 10 includes a head unit 11, an ink supply section 12, a platen 15 as a "support section", and the like.
The moving section 20 is composed of a main scanning section 40, a sub-scanning section 50, and the like. The main scanning unit 40 includes a carriage 41, a guide shaft 42, a carriage motor (not shown), and the like. The sub-scanning section 50 includes a supply section 51, a storage section 52, a transport roller 53, and the like.

The head unit 11 includes a recording head 13 having a plurality of nozzles (nozzle group) for ejecting recording ink (hereinafter referred to as ink) as ink droplets and a head surface 13S (see FIG. 4) on which the nozzles are arranged (see FIG. 4). A control unit 14 is provided. The head unit 11 is mounted on a carriage 41 and reciprocates in the main scanning direction with the carriage 41 moving in the main scanning direction (the X-axis direction shown in FIG. 1). While moving in the main scanning direction, the head unit 11 (recording head 13) ejects ink droplets onto the roll paper 5 supported by the platen 15 under the control of the control unit 30, thereby forming dots along the main scanning direction. are formed on the roll paper 5 (raster lines).

The ink supply unit 12 includes an ink tank, an ink supply path (not shown) for supplying ink from the ink tank to the recording head 13, and the like. An ink tank, an ink supply path, and an ink supply path to nozzles that eject the same ink are provided independently for each ink.

For inks, for example, a four-color ink set in which black (K) is added to a three-color ink set of cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y) as a color ink set consisting of a dark ink composition. and so on. In addition, for example, eight colors including an ink set such as light cyan (Lc), light magenta (Lm), light yellow (Ly), and light black (Lk), which are light ink compositions in which the concentration of each colorant is lightened. color ink set.

A piezo system is used as a system for ejecting ink droplets (inkjet system). The piezo system is a system in which a pressure corresponding to a recording information signal is applied to ink stored in a pressure chamber by a piezoelectric element (piezo element), and ink droplets are ejected (ejected) from nozzles communicating with the pressure chamber for recording.
Note that the method of ejecting ink droplets is not limited to this, and other recording methods in which ink droplets are ejected to form dot groups on a recording medium may be used. For example, a method in which ink droplets are continuously ejected from the nozzle by a strong electric field between the nozzle and an acceleration electrode placed in front of the nozzle, and a recording information signal is applied from the deflection electrode while the ink droplet is flying to perform recording. Alternatively, a method that ejects ink droplets according to the recording information signal without deflecting them (electrostatic suction method), or a method that applies pressure to the ink with a small pump and mechanically vibrates the nozzle with a crystal oscillator, etc. A method of ejecting ink droplets directly, a method of heating and bubbling ink with microelectrodes according to a recording information signal, and ejecting ink droplets for recording (thermal jet method), or the like may be used.

The moving section 20 (main scanning section 40, sub-scanning section 50) moves the roll paper 5 relative to the head unit 11 (recording head 13) under the control of the control section 30. FIG.
The guide shaft 42 extends in the main scanning direction and supports the carriage 41 in a slidable manner.
That is, the main scanning unit 40 (carriage 41, guide shaft 42, carriage motor) moves the carriage 41 (that is, the recording head 13) along the guide shaft 42 in the main scanning direction under the control of the control unit 30. main scanning operation is performed.

The supply unit 51 rotatably supports a reel on which the roll paper 5 is wound, and feeds the roll paper 5 to the transport path. The storage unit 52 rotatably supports a reel for winding the roll paper 5, and winds the roll paper 5 on which recording has been completed from the transport path.
The transport roller 53 includes a driving roller that moves the roll paper 5 in the sub-scanning direction (the Y-axis direction shown in FIG. 1) that intersects the main scanning direction, a driven roller that rotates as the roll paper 5 moves, and the like. A transport path is configured to transport the paper 5 from the supply unit 51 to the storage unit 52 via the recording area of the recording unit 10 (the area where the recording head 13 moves for main scanning on the upper surface of the platen 15).
In other words, the sub-scanning section 50 (supply section 51, storage section 52, transport roller 53) relatively moves the roll paper 5 in the sub-scanning direction intersecting the main scanning direction in the recording area under the control of the control section 30. A sub-scanning operation is performed.

The control unit 30 includes an interface 31 , a CPU 32 , a memory 33 , a drive control unit 34 and the like, and controls the printer 100 .
The interface 31 is connected to the interface 119 of the image processing apparatus 110 and transmits and receives data between the image processing apparatus 110 and the printer 100 . The image processing apparatus 110 and the printer 100 may be directly connected by a cable or the like, or may be indirectly connected via a network or the like. Also, data may be transmitted and received between the image processing apparatus 110 and the printer 100 via wireless communication.

The CPU 32 is an arithmetic processing unit for controlling the printer 100 as a whole.
The memory 33 is a storage medium that secures an area for storing a program for the CPU 32 to operate, a work area for the operation, and the like, and is composed of storage elements such as RAM and EEPROM.
The CPU 32 controls the recording unit 10 and the moving unit 20 via the drive control unit 34 according to the programs stored in the memory 33 and the recording data received from the image processing device 110 .
Image data to be recorded can be acquired from an external electronic device 200 connected to the interface 119 .

The drive control unit 34 controls driving of the recording unit 10 (head unit 11, ink supply unit 12), moving unit 20 (main scanning unit 40, sub-scanning unit 50), and gap adjustment unit 60 under the control of the CPU 32. do. The drive control section 34 includes a movement control signal generation circuit 35 , an ejection control signal generation circuit 36 , a drive signal generation circuit 37 and a gap control circuit 38 .
The movement control signal generation circuit 35 is a circuit that generates signals for controlling the movement section 20 (the main scanning section 40 and the sub-scanning section 50) according to instructions from the CPU 32. FIG.
The ejection control signal generation circuit 36 is a circuit for generating head control signals for selecting nozzles for ejecting ink, selecting the amount of ink to be ejected, controlling ejection timing, etc., according to instructions from the CPU 32 based on print data. is.
The drive signal generation circuit 37 is a circuit that generates basic drive signals including drive signals for driving the piezoelectric elements of the recording head 13 .
The gap control circuit 38 is a circuit that generates a signal for controlling the gap adjusting section 60 according to instructions from the CPU 32 .
The drive control section 34 selectively drives the piezoelectric element corresponding to each nozzle based on the head control signal and the basic drive signal.

<Recording head>
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the arrangement of nozzles in the recording head 13. As shown in FIG. FIG. 3 shows the bottom surface (head surface 13S) of the recording head 13 viewed from below.
As shown in FIG. 3, the recording head 13 has four nozzle rows 130 (a black ink nozzle row K, a cyan ink nozzle row C, and a plurality of nozzles arranged at a predetermined nozzle pitch for ejecting each ink). , a magenta ink nozzle row M, and a yellow ink nozzle row Y). The nozzle rows 130 are arranged in parallel at regular intervals (nozzle row pitch) along the direction (X-axis direction) intersecting the sub-scanning direction (Y-axis direction). I'm in.
Further, each nozzle is provided with a drive element (piezoelectric element such as the piezo element described above) for driving each nozzle to eject ink droplets (not shown).

<Gap adjuster>
FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing the configuration of the gap adjusting section 60. As shown in FIG.
The gap adjusting section 60 includes a guide shaft supporting section 61 that supports both ends of the guide shaft 42 extending in the main scanning direction, is fixed to the upper surface of the platen 15 outside the recording area, and moves the guide shaft supporting section 61 vertically ( Z-axis direction), a guide shaft elevating unit 62 mounted on the carriage 41, and a gap (hereinafter referred to as a media gap MG ) is configured by a gap sensor 63 or the like capable of detecting the .

The guide shaft elevating unit 62 has a drive motor (not shown) controlled by a signal from the gap control circuit 38, and drives the drive motor to move the guide shaft support unit 61 in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). be able to. As a mechanism for moving the guide shaft support portion 61 in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction), a mechanism that rotates a PG adjustment cam, such as the automatic PG adjustment mechanism described in Patent Document 1, or a ball screw is used. It can be constructed by using a mechanism or the like that converts the rotation of the drive motor into vertical movement.

The gap sensor 63 is an optical height sensor, and senses reflected light from the roll paper 5 supported by the platen 15 to detect the media gap MG. The controller 30 can be notified. Prior to recording, the control unit 30 recognizes the data of the media gap MG detected by the gap sensor 63 and, if necessary, corrects the media gap MG to obtain optimum (or more appropriate) recording quality. Further, for example, if the guide shaft 42 is tilted in the scanning direction (tilt relative to the horizontal direction) and there is a difference in the media gap MG in the width direction of the roll paper 5, depending on the magnitude of the difference (tilt), The inclination of the guide shaft 42 can be corrected by adjusting the amount of elevation of the guide shaft elevating units 62 arranged at both ends of the guide shaft 42 .
Note that the method of detecting the media gap MG is not limited to a method of direct measurement using an optical height sensor or the like. For example, a method of calculating the media gap MG from information on the reference height position of the guide shaft support portion 61 and the thickness information of the roll paper 5 and the amount of elevation (vertical movement) by the guide shaft elevating portion 62 may be used. good.

<Basic functions of the printer driver>
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the basic functions of the printer driver.
Recording on the roll paper 5 is started by transmitting recording data from the image processing apparatus 110 to the printer 100 . The print data is generated by the printer driver.
The basic content of print data generation processing will be described below with reference to FIG.

The printer driver receives image data from the application, converts it into print data in a format that can be interpreted by the printer 100 , and outputs the print data to the printer 100 . When converting image data from an application into print data, the printer driver performs resolution conversion processing, color conversion processing, halftone processing, rasterization processing, command addition processing, and the like.

The resolution conversion process is a process of converting image data output from an application to a resolution (recording resolution) for recording on the roll paper 5 . For example, if the recording resolution is specified as 720×720 dpi, the vector format image data received from the application is converted into bitmap format image data with a resolution of 720×720 dpi. Each pixel data of the image data after resolution conversion processing is composed of pixels arranged in a matrix. Each pixel has a gradation value of, for example, 256 gradations (predetermined number of gradations) in the RGB color space. That is, the pixel data after resolution conversion indicates the gradation value of the corresponding pixel.
Pixel data corresponding to one row of pixels arranged in a predetermined direction among pixels arranged in a matrix is called raster data. The predetermined direction in which pixels corresponding to raster data are arranged corresponds to the moving direction (main scanning direction) of the recording head 13 when recording an image.

Color conversion processing is processing for converting RGB data into data in the CMYK color system space. CMYK colors are cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K). Therefore, for example, if the printer 100 uses 10 types of CMYK color inks, the printer driver generates 10-dimensional space image data in the CMYK color system based on the RGB data.
This color conversion processing is performed based on a table (color conversion lookup table LUT) that associates the gradation values of RGB data with the gradation values of CMYK color system data. The pixel data after color conversion processing is CMYK color system data of, for example, 256 gradations (predetermined number of gradations) expressed in a CMYK color system space.

Halftone processing is processing that converts data of, for example, 256 gradations (predetermined number of gradations) into data of the number of gradations that can be formed by the printer 100 (lower number of gradations than the predetermined number of gradations). By this halftone processing, for example, data representing 256 gradations can be converted to 1-bit data representing 2 gradations (with or without dots) or 4 gradations (no dots, small dots, medium dots, large dots). is converted into halftone data that determines dot formation specifications, such as 2-bit data shown in FIG. Specifically, from a dot generation rate table in which gradation values (0 to 255) correspond to dot generation rates, the dot generation rate corresponding to the gradation value (for example, in the case of 4 gradations, no dot, small dot, The pixel data is created so that the dots are dispersed and formed using the dither method, error diffusion method, etc. at the obtained generation rate. be. In this way, in halftone processing, halftone data is generated that determines dot formation specifications for dots formed by nozzle groups that eject ink of the same color (or of the same type).
That is, the halftone data arranged in a matrix form is data indicating dot formation specifications including dot formation positions and dot sizes.

The rasterization process is a process of rearranging pixel data arranged in a matrix (for example, 1-bit or 2-bit halftone data as described above) according to the order of dot formation during printing. In the rasterization process, image data composed of pixel data after halftone processing (halftone data) is allocated to each pass operation in which ink droplets are ejected while the recording head 13 (nozzle array) moves in the main scanning direction. is included. When the allocation process is completed, the pixel data arranged in a matrix are allocated to the actual nozzles forming each raster line forming the print image in each pass operation.

The command addition process is a process of adding command data corresponding to the recording method to rasterized data. The command data includes, for example, transport data related to transport specifications (movement amount and speed in the sub-scanning direction (Y-axis direction), etc.) of the recording medium (roll paper 5).
These processes by the printer driver are performed by the ASIC 116 and DSP 117 (see FIG. 2) under the control of the CPU 115, and the generated print data is sent to the printer 100 via the interface 119 by print data transmission processing. .

With the above configuration, the control unit 30 controls the carriage 41 that supports the recording head 13 along the guide shaft 42 with respect to the roll paper 5 supplied to the recording area by the sub-scanning unit 50 (supply unit 51, transport roller 53). in the main scanning direction (X-axis direction) while ejecting (applying) ink droplets from the recording head 13 and the sub-scanning direction (Y A desired image is formed (recorded) on the roll paper 5 by repeating a sub-scanning operation (feeding operation) for moving (sub-scanning) the roll paper 5 in the axial direction.

<Ink droplet impact position variation>
By the way, it is explained that, prior to recording, the control unit 30 recognizes the data of the media gap MG detected by the gap sensor 63 and, if necessary, corrects the media gap MG to obtain the optimum (or more appropriate) recording quality. However, for example, if the roll paper 5 is made of a material or has a thickness that easily rises from the supporting surface, the media gap MG is set to a larger distance so as to avoid head rubbing when the recording head 13 contacts the roll paper 5. There must be. When the media gap MG is set to be large, there is a tendency that the landing positions of the ink ejected from the recording head 13 tend to vary greatly, and the recording quality may deteriorate.
It is known that airflow generated between the head surface 13S of the recording head 13 and the recording surface of the roll paper 5 is one of the factors that increase the variation in the landing positions. This airflow is mainly generated by relative movement between the recording head 13 and the roll paper 5 .

FIG. 6 is an example of a printed image showing variations in landing positions of ink droplets simultaneously ejected from the print head 13 .
In order to ensure that an extremely small amount of ink droplets land on the roll paper 5, the initial velocity of the ink droplets is set relatively high. As a result, an ink droplet ejected from a nozzle is stretched during flight and separated into a leading main droplet and subsequent satellite droplets (smaller in size than the main droplet). FIG. 6 shows main dots formed by main droplets and satellite dots formed by satellite droplets.
The influence of the airflow generated between the head surface 13S and the recording surface of the roll paper 5 is due to the airflow generated when the movement direction is reversed in the main scanning movement (reciprocating movement) of the recording head 13 (carriage 41). thing is the biggest. For the printed image shown in FIG. 6, in order to evaluate the influence of this airflow, the print head 13 (carriage 41) is once moved in the -X direction so as to pass through the print area, and then moved in the +X direction. This is an image created by inverting and ejecting one shot of ink droplets simultaneously from all nozzles immediately after the recording head 13 enters the recording area.

As can be seen from FIG. 6, satellite droplets are susceptible to airflow due to the small size of the ink droplets, and were caused by the recording head 13 (carriage 41) moving in the X direction prior to ejection. Due to the influence of the airflow in the X direction, the droplets land in the -X direction from the landing position of the main droplet. This misalignment of the impact position causes deterioration in recording quality, such as, for example, when drawing a thin line extending in the Y-axis direction, the line becomes two lines, or the line becomes thicker and blurs. invite. Also, as will be described later, the magnitude of this landing position deviation decreases as the airflow generated between the head surface 13S and the recording surface of the roll paper 5 subsides. Therefore, in the scanning direction, a difference occurs in the degree. That is, as the carriage 41 advances in the +X direction, the airflow in the -X direction subsides, reducing the degree of deviation of the landing position. Also, the magnitude of this landing position deviation increases as the media gap MG increases.
Although the stop time of 6 ms is shown in FIG. 6, this stop time is the minimum stop time of the carriage 41 that occurs when the carriage 41 is reversed. not the time to be

<Suppression of Ink Drop Position Variation>
Therefore, in the recording apparatus of the present embodiment, in order to suppress the influence of this airflow (the influence of the airflow generated between the head surface 13S and the recording surface of the roll paper 5 as the carriage 41 is reversed), the control unit 30 , the main scanning unit 40 is stopped for a predetermined stop time determined based on the media gap MG before performing the pass operation (the operation of ejecting ink from the nozzles onto the roll paper 5 during the main scanning operation). . Specifically, the greater the media gap MG, the more likely it is to be affected by the airflow, so the controller 30 lengthens the predetermined stop time as the media gap MG increases.
Further, the recording method of the present embodiment is characterized by stopping the main scanning section 40 for a predetermined stop time determined based on the media gap MG before performing the pass operation.

It should be noted that the predetermined stop time during which the control unit 30 stops the main scanning unit 40 (that is, the time during which the drive control unit 34 stops the main scanning movement (reciprocating movement) of the carriage 41 at the reversed position) is sufficiently evaluated in advance. It is preferable to decide after performing The determined predetermined stop time is stored in a non-volatile storage medium (EEPROM or the like) that constitutes the memory 33. In recording, the control unit 30 refers to the memory 33 and stores the read predetermined stop time, the main scanning unit 40 control to stop

The evaluation performed in advance to determine the predetermined stop time is, for example, various sizes of the media gap MG set according to the type of the roll paper 5 (thickness and the degree of lifting from the platen 15), This evaluation associates an appropriate stop time of the main scanning unit 40 (a time to stop the carriage 41 at the reversed position and control the generated airflow). Therefore, the memory 33 stores a data table in which the media gap MG and the predetermined stop time are associated with each other. In recording, the control unit 30 refers to the memory 33 to read this data table, recognizes the predetermined stop time corresponding to the media gap MG set for the roll paper 5 to be recorded, and , the main scanning unit 40 is stopped.

FIGS. 7 to 9 are examples of printed images when evaluating the relationship between the time during which the main scanning unit 40 is stopped and the degree of variation in ink droplet landing positions.
FIG. 7 shows ink droplet landing positions at a stop time of 93 ms, FIG. 8 at a stop time of 150 ms, and FIG. 9 at a stop time of 312 ms. Recording is performed under the same conditions as for the recording image shown in FIG. As can be seen by comparing FIGS. 6 to 9, within the scope of this evaluation, the longer the main scanning unit 40 is stopped, the greater the degree of variation in the ink droplet landing positions (especially between the main dot and the satellite dot). difference in the landing position of the ball) is smaller. That is, it can be seen that the longer the time for which the main scanning section 40 is stopped and the longer the time for the airflow to subside, the smaller the degree of variation in the landing positions of the ink droplets.

In addition, the larger the media gap MG, the longer the flying ink droplets are exposed to the airflow, and the satellite droplets with smaller droplet sizes tend to be more susceptible to the airflow. In order to further reduce the degree of landing position deviation from the dot, it is preferable to take a longer time (predetermined stop time) for the airflow to subside as the media gap MG increases, as in the present embodiment.

It should be noted that the appropriate predetermined stop time is preferably determined not only by the size of the media gap MG, but also by various other parameters.
For example, the controller 30 preferably lengthens the predetermined stop time as the speed of the main scanning operation increases. In other words, the higher the moving speed of the carriage 41, the stronger the airflow generated.

Further, for example, the controller 30 preferably lengthens the predetermined stop time as the length of the roll paper 5 supported by the platen 15 in the main scanning direction (the width of the roll paper 5) increases.
The longer the length of the roll paper 5 in the main scanning direction (the width of the roll paper 5), the shorter the distance between the roll paper 5 and the position where the carriage 41 reverses and stops. The time from the start of main scanning movement to the ejection of ink droplets is shortened. In particular, when the distance between the recording area and the stop position of the carriage 41 is narrow, this effect becomes large, and it is necessary to discharge the ink droplets after sufficiently suppressing the generated airflow. Therefore, it is preferable that the controller 30 lengthens the predetermined stop time as the length of the roll paper 5 supported by the platen 15 in the main scanning direction (the width of the roll paper 5) increases.

Also, for example, the controller 30 preferably lengthens the predetermined stop time as the distance from the main scanning operation stop position (the position where the carriage 41 reverses and stops) to the pass operation start position is shorter.
FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram showing the relationship between the stop position of the main scanning operation and the start position of the pass operation.
FIG. 10 shows the stop position of the carriage 41 that moves in the main scanning direction when the images G1 and G2 are printed on the roll paper 5. As shown in FIG.
When printing the image G1, the carriage 41 performs main scanning movement between positions P1 and P2. The position P1 is the position where the carriage 41 is reversed and stopped on the -X side, and the position P2 is the position where the carriage 41 is reversed and stopped on the +X side.
When printing the image G2, the sub-scanning section 50 relatively moves the roll paper 5 in the sub-scanning direction by the length L, and the carriage 41 performs main-scanning movement between the positions P3 and P4. Since the roll paper 5 is moved, the positions P1 and P3 are the same positions, and the positions P2 and P4 are the same positions. It is shown as if

In the example shown in FIG. 10, the length Dn (D1 to D4) from the position where the carriage 41 reverses and stops to the pass operation start position (the position where ink ejection is started to record an image) is D1<D2. There is a relationship of <D3<D4. When the distance from the stop position of the carriage 41 to the pass operation start position fluctuates in this way, the controller 30 preferably lengthens the predetermined stop time as the length Dn is shorter. That is, when the predetermined stop time is constant, the shorter the length Dn, the shorter the time from when the carriage 41 starts the main scanning movement again until the ink droplets are ejected. Therefore, it is preferable that the controller 30 lengthens the predetermined stop time as the length Dn from the stop position of the carriage 41 to the pass operation start position (the position where ink ejection is started to record an image) is shorter.

Thus, even if the width of the roll paper 5 supported by the platen 15 is long, if the position of the image to be recorded on the roll paper 5 is far from the stop position of the carriage 41, it is necessary to lengthen the predetermined stop time. Conversely, even if the width of the roll paper 5 supported by the platen 15 is short, when the roll paper 5 is fed to a position close to the stop position of the carriage 41 on one side in the main scanning direction. Preferably, the predetermined stop time on one side in the main scanning direction is lengthened.
Also, naturally, when ink is not ejected in the subsequent main scanning operation, there is no need to provide a predetermined stop time.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing an example of the processing of the control unit 30 when determining the predetermined stop time corresponding to the length Dn.
First, in recording, the control unit 30 refers to the data table (the data table in which the media gap MG and the predetermined stop time are associated) stored in the memory 33 (step S1), and A predetermined stop time S corresponding to the set media gap MG is obtained (step S2).
Next, the control section 30 refers to the recording data and recognizes the recording position of the image to be recorded on the roll paper 5 (step S3).
Next, the control section 30 calculates a coefficient K corresponding to the recording position of the recognized image (step S4). Here, the coefficient K is a numerical value corresponding to the length Dn from the stop position of the carriage 41 to the position where ink ejection is started to record an image, and is predetermined as a function of the length Dn.
Next, the control unit 30 multiplies the predetermined stop time S acquired in step S2 by a coefficient K to determine the actual predetermined stop time W for recording an image (step S5).
If there are a plurality of lengths Dn corresponding to the images to be recorded, the predetermined stop time W obtained here is obtained as a plurality of predetermined stop times W at positions corresponding to the respective lengths Dn.

Note that the control of varying the predetermined stop time corresponding to the length Dn in the subsequent pass operation may be performed by including a command for controlling the predetermined stop time in the command included in the print data generated in advance. This is because the length Dn is known at the stage of generating print data, and the printer driver described above can be provided with a function of generating a corresponding command.

In addition, the smaller the size of the ejected ink, the more likely it is to be affected by the airflow. Therefore, it is preferable that the controller 30 lengthens the predetermined stop time as the size of the ejected ink is smaller.
The control unit 30 can recognize the size of the ink to be ejected in the subsequent pass operation by referring to the print data for printing. Therefore, in the succeeding pass operation, for example, when ejection of ink having a size smaller than a predetermined ink size (threshold size) is included, the control unit 30 can perform control to lengthen the predetermined stop time. preferable. Conversely, if it is recognized in advance that ink smaller than the threshold size will not be ejected for a period of time equivalent to the predetermined stop time until the airflow subsides, there is no need to lengthen the predetermined stop time (predetermined downtime can be shortened).

Note that the control of varying the predetermined stop time according to the size of the ink ejected in the subsequent pass operation may be performed by including a command for controlling the predetermined stop time in the command included in the print data generated in advance. This is because the ink size included in the pass operation is known at the stage of generating print data, and the printer driver described above can be provided with a function of generating a corresponding command.

In addition, the lower the speed of the ejected ink, the more likely it is to be affected by the air current. Therefore, it is preferable that the controller 30 lengthens the predetermined stop time as the speed of the ejected ink is lower.

Further, the setting of a more appropriate predetermined stop time may be specified by the user via a user interface configured using the input unit 112 and the display unit 113 .
For example, when high-quality printing is not required, such as when it is desired to check only the layout of a printed image to be printed, it is preferable to print at a higher speed. In such a case, for example, the user can select a recording mode (printing mode). , the predetermined stop time is set to 0, and the like.
Also, for example, if a "high-definition" recording mode is selected and a longer time required for recording is permitted, control is performed such as setting the predetermined stop time to the maximum value that is effective. .

As described above, according to the recording apparatus and recording method of this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
Before performing the pass operation (that is, before ink is ejected from the nozzles onto the roll paper 5), the control unit 30 stops the main scanning unit 40 (i.e., prints) for a predetermined stop time determined based on the media gap MG. The main scanning operation for moving the head 13 in the main scanning direction is stopped. Therefore, the subsequent pass operation (the operation of ejecting ink) is controlled by the momentum of the airflow (airflow generated between the head surface 13S of the recording head 13 and the recording surface of the roll paper 5) that accompanies the movement of the recording head 13. can be set to run after the is weakened. As a result, the degree of variation in the landing positions of the ejected ink due to the influence of the airflow generated between the head surface 13S of the recording head 13 and the recording surface of the roll paper 5 is reduced, and deterioration in recording quality can be suppressed. can.

In addition, the larger the media gap MG, the greater the degree of variation in ink landing positions due to the influence of the air flow. If it is lengthened, it is possible to make the subsequent pass operation (the operation of ejecting ink) after weakening the force of the airflow that affects it. As a result, the degree of variation in the landing positions of the ejected ink due to the influence of air currents can be reduced, and deterioration in print quality can be suppressed.

Further, the higher the speed of the main scanning operation, the stronger the force of the air current generated thereby, which tends to increase the degree of variation in the ink landing positions. Therefore, when the time (predetermined stop time) for stopping the movement of the recording head 13 is lengthened as the speed of the main scanning operation increases, the force of the airflow that has become strong is weakened, and then the subsequent pass operation (the ink is discharged) is reduced. discharge operation) can be executed. As a result, the degree of variation in the landing positions of the ejected ink due to the influence of air currents can be reduced, and deterioration in print quality can be suppressed.

Further, when printing is performed by repeating a pass operation for ejecting ink from the nozzles onto the roll paper 5 and a sub-scanning operation during the main scanning operation for moving the print head 13 in the main scanning direction, reciprocating movement (main scanning movement) is performed. In the accompanying main scanning operation, the longer the length (that is, the width) in the main scanning direction of the roll paper 5 supported by the platen 15, the shorter the time from the reversal of movement of the recording head 13 to the ejection of ink. Become. When the time from the reversal of the movement of the recording head 13 to the ejection of the ink is shortened, the ejected ink is reduced in airflow accompanying the reversal of the recording head 13 (the head surface 13S of the recording head 13 and the recording surface of the roll paper 5). airflow generated between Therefore, when the predetermined stop time is increased as the length of the roll paper 5 supported by the platen 15 in the main scanning direction increases, the subsequent pass operation (the operation of ejecting ink) is executed after weakening the influence of the airflow. can be made to As a result, the degree of variation in the landing positions of the ejected ink due to the influence of air currents can be reduced, and deterioration in print quality can be suppressed.

In addition, the shorter the distance from the stop position of the recording head 13 to the ink ejection start position, the more the airflow (the air current generated between the head surface 13S of the recording head 13 and the recording surface of the roll paper 5) accompanying the reversal of the recording head 13. air currents). Therefore, the shorter the distance from the stop position of the main scanning operation to the start position of the pass operation where ink is ejected from the nozzles onto the roll paper 5 during the main scanning operation, the longer the predetermined stop time, thereby weakening the influence of the airflow. A subsequent pass operation (an operation of ejecting ink) can be executed. As a result, the degree of variation in the landing positions of the ejected ink due to the influence of air currents can be reduced, and deterioration in print quality can be suppressed.

In addition, the smaller the size of the ink ejected from the recording head 13 onto the roll paper 5, the more likely it is to be affected by air currents (air currents generated between the head surface 13S of the recording head 13 and the recording surface of the roll paper 5). Therefore, the smaller the size of the ink to be ejected, the longer the predetermined stop time, so that the subsequent pass operation (the operation of ejecting ink) can be executed after the force of the airflow affecting the ink is weakened. As a result, the degree of variation in the landing positions of the ejected ink due to the influence of air currents can be reduced, and deterioration in print quality can be suppressed.

Also, the lower the speed of the ink ejected from the recording head 13 onto the roll paper 5, the more likely it is to be affected by air currents (air currents generated between the head surface 13S of the recording head 13 and the recording surface of the roll paper 5). Therefore, by lengthening the predetermined stop time as the velocity of the ejected ink is lower, the subsequent pass operation (the operation of ejecting ink) can be executed after the force of the airflow affecting the ink is weakened. As a result, the degree of variation in the landing positions of the ejected ink due to the influence of air currents can be reduced, and deterioration in print quality can be suppressed.

Further, according to the recording method according to the present embodiment, before the pass operation is performed (that is, before ink is ejected from the nozzles onto the roll paper 5), the main scanning unit 40 is stopped for a predetermined stop time determined based on the media gap MG. is stopped (that is, the main scanning operation for moving the recording head 13 in the main scanning direction is stopped). Therefore, the subsequent pass operation (the operation of ejecting ink) is controlled by the momentum of the airflow (airflow generated between the head surface 13S of the recording head 13 and the recording surface of the roll paper 5) that accompanies the movement of the recording head 13. can be set to run after the is weakened. As a result, the degree of variation in the landing positions of the ejected ink due to the influence of the airflow generated between the head surface 13S of the recording head 13 and the recording surface of the roll paper 5 is reduced, and deterioration in recording quality can be suppressed. can.

In the above-described embodiment, the recording apparatus 1 is configured by the printer 100 and the image processing apparatus 110 using a personal computer, but the configuration is not limited to this. For example, like the recording device 2 (printer 100A) shown in FIG. 12, the functions of the image processing device 110 may be provided in the control unit 30A of the printer 100A.
Specifically, the control section 30A included in the recording apparatus 2 includes an interface 31A, a CPU 32A, a memory 33A, a drive control section 34, a touch panel 113A, a storage section 114A, an ASIC 116A, and a DSP 117A. Software that operates in the control unit 30A includes an application that handles image data to be recorded and a printer driver.

An external electronic device 200 is connected to the interface 31A, and image data and the like to be recorded can be acquired.
The CPU 32A is an arithmetic processing unit for controlling the recording apparatus 2 as a whole.
The memory 33A is a storage medium that secures an area for storing a program for the CPU 32A to operate, a work area for the operation, and the like, and is composed of storage elements such as RAM and EEPROM.
The touch panel 113A is information input means and information display means as a human interface.
The storage unit 114A is a rewritable storage medium such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a memory card, and is related to software for controlling the recording device 2 (programs that operate in the control unit 30A), images to be recorded, and recording jobs. information is stored.
The printing data generation process by the printer driver is performed by the ASIC 116A and the DSP 117A under the control of the CPU 32A.

As in the above-described embodiment, the control unit 30A stops main scanning for a predetermined stop time determined based on the media gap MG before performing the pass operation (that is, before ink is ejected from the nozzles onto the roll paper 5). The unit 40 is stopped (that is, the main scanning operation for moving the recording head 13 in the main scanning direction is stopped). Therefore, the subsequent pass operation (the operation of ejecting ink) is controlled by the momentum of the airflow (airflow generated between the head surface 13S of the recording head 13 and the recording surface of the roll paper 5) that accompanies the movement of the recording head 13. can be set to run after the is weakened. As a result, the degree of variation in the landing positions of the ejected ink due to the influence of the airflow generated between the head surface 13S of the recording head 13 and the recording surface of the roll paper 5 is reduced, and deterioration in recording quality can be suppressed. can.

Reference Signs List 1, 2 recording device 5 roll paper 10 recording unit 11 head unit 12 ink supply unit 13 recording head 13S head surface 14 head control unit 15 platen 20 Moving unit 30 Control unit 31 Interface 32 CPU 33 Memory 34 Drive control unit 35 Movement control signal generation circuit 36 Discharge control signal generation circuit 37 Drive signal generation circuit 38 Gap control circuit 40 Main scanning section 41 Carriage 42 Guide shaft 50 Sub-scanning section 51 Supply section 52 Storage section 53 Conveying roller 60 Gap adjustment section 61 Guide Axis support unit 62 Guide shaft elevating unit 63 Gap sensor 100 Printer 110 Image processing device 111 Printer control unit 112 Input unit 113 Display unit 114 Storage unit 115 CPU , 116...ASIC, 117...DSP, 118...memory, 119...interface, 130...nozzle row.

Claims (10)

a recording head having a head surface on which nozzles for ejecting ink onto a recording medium are arranged;
a support for supporting the recording medium;
a carriage that carries the recording head and performs a main scanning operation that moves in a main scanning direction;
a gap adjustment unit that adjusts a gap, which is the distance between the head surface and the recording surface of the recording medium supported by the support unit;
a control unit that drives and controls the carriage and the gap adjustment unit;
an ink supply unit that supplies the ink to the recording head ,
A recording apparatus that performs recording on the recording medium by a pass operation that ejects the ink from the nozzles onto the recording medium during the main scanning operation,
The control unit stops the carriage for a predetermined stop time determined based on the gap before performing the pass operation ,
When the recording head reciprocates in the main scanning direction, the predetermined stop time is
When the carriage is reversed from the forward movement to the backward movement, or from the backward movement to the forward movement, the carriage is
A recording device, characterized in that it is time to stop . 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control unit lengthens said predetermined stop time as said gap is larger. 3. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control section lengthens the predetermined stop time as the speed of the main scanning operation increases. 4. The control unit increases the predetermined stop time as the length of the recording medium supported by the support unit in the main scanning direction increases. The recording device described in . 4. The control unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the shorter the distance from the stop position of the main scanning motion to the pass motion start position, the longer the predetermined stop time. recording device. 6. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controller lengthens the predetermined stop time as the size of the ink to be ejected is smaller. 7. The recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the controller lengthens the predetermined stop time as the velocity of the ejected ink decreases. a sub-scanning operation for relatively moving the recording medium in the sub-scanning direction with respect to the recording head;
has a sub-scanning unit that performs
Recording is performed on the recording medium by repeating the pass operation and the sub-scanning operation.
8. The recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by: a recording head having a head surface on which nozzles for ejecting ink onto a recording medium are arranged;
A supporting portion that supports the recording medium and the recording head are mounted and move in the main scanning direction.
driving and controlling the carriage that performs the main scanning operation, a gap adjustment unit that adjusts a gap that is the distance between the head surface and the recording surface of the recording medium supported by the support unit, and the carriage and the gap adjustment unit. a controller, and ink that supplies the ink to the recording head
A printing method for printing using a printing apparatus that prints on the printing medium by a pass operation that ejects the ink onto the printing medium from the nozzles during the main scanning operation, the printing method comprising:
Before performing the pass motion, a predetermined stop time determined based on the gap is
A recording method characterized by stopping a ridge . a sub-scanning operation for relatively moving the recording medium in the sub-scanning direction with respect to the recording head;
has a sub-scanning unit that performs
Recording is performed on the recording medium by repeating the pass operation and the sub-scanning operation.
10. A recording method according to claim 9, wherein recording is performed using a recording device.

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