JP7278841B2 - cutter and printer - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to cutting machines and printers.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-99758 discloses, for example, a sheet consisting of a base sheet and a surface sheet attached to the base sheet with an adhesive, and a cut is made in the surface sheet so that a part of the surface sheet is used as the base. A cutting device is disclosed for use in applications that leave on the sheet and separate other portions from the base sheet.

JP 2018-99758 A

By the way, when cutting only the surface sheet by cutting, the sheet is thinly cut. In such a cutting process, for example, a test cut is performed in advance, and the operation is repeated without peeling off the surface sheet from the cut. In the test cut, the cutting pressure or the protrusion amount of the cutting blade is adjusted in order to obtain an appropriate cut depth. In addition, work is done manually without peeling the surface sheet from the cut. In such work, it may be difficult to immediately find the position where the cut is made by visual inspection. A cut position in the sheet where a cut is formed by the cutting process is appropriately referred to as a "cut position" herein. Note that the cutting process is a process of cutting the sheet. Here, "cutting the sheet" means cutting only the surface sheet by a cutting process and not cutting the base sheet to which the surface sheet is attached, or cutting the surface sheet and the underlying base sheet. Including both when cutting both. Also, the sheet is also appropriately referred to as a medium.

The cutting machine proposed here includes a transport device configured to transport a medium along a predetermined transport path, and a cutter configured to cut the medium transported along the transport path. It includes a unit, a light that irradiates a predetermined area of the medium transport path, and a control device. The control device includes a storage unit M1 that stores cutting positions for cutting the media. Furthermore, the control device operates the conveying device and the cutter unit to cut the media based on the cutting position stored in the storage unit M1, and after the processing A1 is executed, the light is irradiated by the light. A2 is configured to move the cutting position to the marked area and stop processing A2.

Further, the printer proposed here includes a transport device configured to transport a medium along a predetermined transport path, a platen arranged along the transport path, and a platen being transported along the platen. A print unit configured to print on a medium, a cutter unit configured to cut the medium being transported along the transport path, and irradiating a predetermined area of the media transport path with light. It has a light and a controller. The control device includes a storage unit N1 that stores print positions for printing on media, and a storage unit N2 that stores cutting positions for cutting media. Furthermore, the control device 60 operates the transport device and the print unit to perform processing B1 for printing on the medium based on the print position stored in the storage unit N1, and operates the transport device and the cutter unit to operate the storage unit N2. and a process B3 of moving the cutting position to the area illuminated by the light and stopping after the process B1 is executed. is configured as follows.

According to such a cutting machine and printer, the cutting position is moved to the area illuminated by the light and stopped, so that the cutting position in the cutting process can be easily confirmed.

FIG. 1 is a front view of the printer 10. FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the medium 80a. FIG. 4 is a plan view schematically showing the test-cut medium 80a.

The cutting machine and printer proposed here will be described below with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments described herein are, of course, not intended to limit the invention. Also, each drawing is schematically drawn and does not necessarily reflect the actual thing. Each drawing only shows an example and does not limit the present invention unless otherwise specified. Further, members and portions that perform the same functions are given the same reference numerals as appropriate, and overlapping descriptions are omitted.

FIG. 1 is a front view of the printer 10. FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the printer 10 is a device for printing characters, pictures, etc. on a medium 80a. In FIG. 1, the medium 80a is partially cut away on the front side along the transport path 16a, and the structure of the printer 10 hidden by the medium 80a is exposed. The printing method of the printer 10 is not particularly limited. Here, the printer 10 will be described using an ink jet printer as an example. The printer 10 is a printer with a cutting function, and satisfies the configuration of the cutting machine proposed here. Here, based on the printer 10, a printer with a cutting machine and a cutting function will be described.

In this specification, the term "inkjet type" means an ink supply method in which ink in a liquid phase is ejected as fine droplets from a print head to adhere the ink to a target position. The method of forming ink droplets is not particularly limited. Methods of forming ink droplets include, for example, various continuous methods such as a binary deflection method and a continuous deflection method, and various on-demand methods such as a thermal method and a piezoelectric element method.

In addition, the type of ink used for inkjet printing is not particularly limited, and essentially includes various liquids (including fluids, viscous substances, etc.) containing colorants and solvents (which may be dispersion media). ). The colorant may be at least one of pigment and dye, and the solvent may contain at least one of aqueous solvent, oil solvent and volatile solvent. Further, the ink may contain various additives, resin components, etc. for enhancing various properties such as fixability, color developability, and weather resistance. The types of pigments and dyes are not particularly limited, and may be one or more of various compounds used in this type of ink. Such inks typically include so-called pigment-based inks, dye-based inks, solvent pigment inks, and the like. Also, a so-called UV ink containing a photocurable resin that is cured when UV light (ultraviolet rays) is applied may be used. Unless otherwise specified, the printing method of the printer 10, the type of ink, and the like are not limited.

<Roll media 80>
The roll medium 80 is a target for printing by the inkjet printer 10 . The roll medium 80 is obtained by winding a flexible and long medium 80a into a roll. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the medium 80a. The medium 80a, as shown in FIG. 3, includes a base sheet 80a1 and a surface sheet 80a2 attached to the base sheet 80a1 with an adhesive. The medium 80a may be wound around, for example, a core, a paper tube, or the like. Although the roll media 80 is used for the printer 10 in this embodiment, the media 80 a is not limited to the roll media 80 . For example, although illustration is omitted, the medium 80a may be a print medium used for sheet-fed printing.

Materials of the media 80a are polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polycarbonate (PC), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polystyrene (PS), acrylic resin (PMMA), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene. Polymer materials such as (ABS) copolymers and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), organic materials such as paper, natural leather, cotton, hemp, and silk, metal materials such as aluminum alloys, gold, silver, copper, and stainless steel, Materials containing at least one of inorganic materials such as pottery, ceramics, and glass can be widely used. These materials may be processed into fabrics such as woven fabrics and non-woven fabrics, or may be formed or processed into sheets. The media 80a may be subjected to a surface treatment to enhance water absorption and drying properties, or may not be subjected to such treatment. Specifically, it may be a sheet or film made of resin such as polyvinyl chloride or polyester, tarpaulin, or other media.

Symbol Y in the drawing represents the main scanning direction. Reference character X in the drawings indicates the sub-scanning direction. In this embodiment, the media 80a is delivered to the printer 10 from back to front. Thus, the sub-scanning direction X is oriented in the front-rear direction of the printer 10 . A long medium 80a pulled out from the roll medium 80 is conveyed along the sub-scanning direction X. As shown in FIG. At this time, the width direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the medium 80a coincides with the main scanning direction Y. As shown in FIG. The front of the printer 10 is set in the direction in which the media 80a pulled out from the roll media 80 is delivered from the printer 10, that is, the front of the printer 10. As shown in FIG.

Left, right, top, and bottom refer to the left, right, top, and bottom of the operator when looking at the printer 10 from the operator in front of the printer 10 (in front of the printer 10). Symbols F, Rr, L, R, U, and D in the drawings represent front, rear, left, right, up, and down, respectively. The main scanning direction Y is the moving direction of the print unit 18, which will be described later. In the illustrated example, the main scanning direction Y is oriented in the horizontal direction. The sub-scanning direction X is a direction intersecting with the main scanning direction Y, and is the direction in which the roll medium 80 is conveyed. In this embodiment, the sub-scanning direction X is set orthogonal to the main scanning direction Y. As shown in FIG.

<Printer 10>
Printer 10, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, includes platen 12, holder 14, transport device 16, print unit 18, cutter unit 20, first light 26, and second light 27. , a controller 60 and a casing 70 .

<Casing 70>
The casing 70 is a housing elongated along the main scanning direction Y, as shown in FIG. The casing 70 is supported by left and right stands 71L and 71R attached to the bottom surface. The platen 12 , print unit 18 , cutter unit 20 , controller 60 and the like are housed within casing 70 .

<Platen 12>
The platen 12 is a member that supports a roll medium 80 to be printed. The platen 12 is installed on the transport path 16a of the media 80a pulled out from the roll media 80. As shown in FIG. A medium 80a is transported onto the platen 12, and printing is performed on the transported medium 80a. As shown in FIG. 2, the upper surface of the platen 12 is provided with a flat portion so that high-definition printing is possible. The platen 12 is arranged in the casing 70 such that the plane portion thereof is substantially horizontal. The platen 12 extends along the main scanning direction Y at the central portion of the casing 70 in the main scanning direction Y. As shown in FIG. The platen 12 in this embodiment is configured by a plate-like metal member.

<Holder 14>
The holder 14 is a member that rotatably holds the roll media 80 . In this embodiment, the holder 14 is arranged outside the casing 70 behind and below the casing 70 . Outside the casing 70 , the holder 14 rotatably holds the winding shaft of the roll media 80 in the main scanning direction Y at the rear and lower side of the casing 70 . A long medium 80 a is fed in a direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction Y from the roll medium 80 held by the holder 14 . The medium 80a is also called a recording medium.

<Conveyor 16>
The transport device 16 is configured to transport the media 80a along a predetermined transport path 16a. In this embodiment, the roll medium 80 held by the holder 14 is pulled out and transported along the platen 12 in a predetermined transport direction. A device configured for reverse transport. In this embodiment, the “conveyance direction” means the direction in which the media 80 a is conveyed forward with respect to the platen 12 . The “direction opposite to the transport direction” means the direction in which the medium 80a is transported backward with respect to the platen 12. FIG.

In this embodiment the transport device 16 comprises a grit roller 31 and a pinch roller 32 . The grit roller 31 is a columnar or cylindrical roller member. In this embodiment, a plurality of grit rollers 31 are positioned on platen 12 . The grit roller 31 is embedded in the platen 12 with the axis of the column or cylinder aligned with the main scanning direction Y, and the upper surface of the grit roller 31 exposed from the flat surface. The pinch roller 32 is a columnar or cylindrical roller member. The pinch roller 32 is arranged above the grit roller 31 with its columnar or cylindrical axis aligned with the main scanning direction Y. As shown in FIG. The pinch roller 32 and the grid roller 31 sandwich the medium 80a conveyed along the upper surface of the platen 12 from above and below. Although not shown, the pinch rollers 32 are configured such that their vertical positions can be freely adjusted according to the thickness of the media 80a, and are configured to pinch the media 80a with a required compression pressure. good.

The grit roller 31 is rotationally driven by a feed motor 31a. The pinch roller 32 follows the grit roller 31 and the media 80a. The media 80a on the platen 12 moves forward or backward in the sub-scanning direction X by rotating the grit roller 31 . The moving direction of the media 80 a is determined by the rotating direction of the grit roller 31 . That is, when the grit roller 31 rotates forward, the medium 80a is transported forward along the sub-scanning direction X. As shown in FIG. When the grit roller 31 rotates backward, the medium 80a is transported backward along the sub-scanning direction X. As shown in FIG. The conveying speed of the medium 80a is adjusted by controlling the rotational speed of the feed motor 31a. The grit roller 31 and the pinch roller 32 are examples of the configuration of the conveying device 16 that moves the roll media 80 on the platen 12 in the sub-scanning direction X. As shown in FIG.

<Print unit 18>
The print unit 18 is arranged above the platen 12 so as to face the flat portion. Print unit 18 performs printing on media 80 a on platen 12 . The print unit 18 of this embodiment includes a print head 18a and a moving device 18b.

The print head 18a is an inkjet head in this embodiment. An inkjet head incorporates, for example, an ink channel, a nozzle plate, a thin film piezo element, and the like. By applying a voltage, the piezoelectric element is driven to eject ink droplets from the nozzle plate. It should be noted that the print unit 18 is not limited to the inkjet system unless otherwise specified.

The moving device 18b is composed of a guide rail 33, pulleys 34A and 34B, a driving device 35, a belt 36, and a carriage 38, as shown in FIGS. The guide rail 33 extends along the main scanning direction Y above the platen 12 . The carriage 38 is a member that holds the print head 18a. The carriage 38 is slidably engaged with the guide rail 33 in front of the guide rail 33 . The carriage 38 is positioned above and slightly behind the platen 12 so that the nozzles of the print head 18 a mounted on the carriage 38 are positioned above the platen 12 .

Carriage 38 is fixed to belt 36 . The belt 36 is an endless belt, and is wound around pulleys 34B and 34A provided above the left and right ends of the platen 12, respectively. The pulley 34A is connected to the driving device 35. As shown in FIG. The belt 36 and the pulley 34B are driven by driving the pulley 34A forward or backward by the driving device 35 . As a result, the carriage 38 moves leftward or rightward in the main scanning direction Y along the guide rail 33 . At the same time, the print head 18a moves in the main scanning direction Y leftward or rightward. By controlling the driving device 35 in this manner, the print head 18a is scanned left and right along the main scanning direction Y. As shown in FIG.

The print head 18a is configured to be freely moved in the main scanning direction Y by a moving device 18b. Printing is performed by moving the print head 18a in the main scanning direction Y and ejecting ink toward the medium 80a.

<Guide 40, heater 42>
In this embodiment, printer 10 includes guide 40 in front of platen 12 . The upper surface of the guide 40 is curved downward from the horizontal direction. The rear end of the upper surface of the guide 40 is configured to be flush with the front end of the upper surface of the platen 12 . The guide 40 hangs forward from the rear end of the printer 10 obliquely downward. The guide 40 supports the medium 80a in front of the platen 12. As shown in FIG. The guide 40 is composed of a curved plate-shaped member made of a plastic member. In this embodiment, a heater 42 is provided on the bottom surface of the guide 40 . A heater 42 is a device for heating the guide 40 . The heater 42 can quickly dry the printed medium 80a and fix the ink to the medium 80a.

<Decompression device 23>
In this embodiment, the printer 10 is equipped with a pressure reducing device 23 . The platen 12 and the guide 40 are preferably provided with a ventilation channel (not shown) that communicates with the decompression device 23 and generates a negative pressure. In addition, the upper surfaces of the platen 12 and the guides 40 may be provided with ventilation holes communicating with the ventilation channels. It is preferable that such a vent hole forms an appropriate negative pressure on the upper surfaces of the platen 12 and the guide 40 to attract the media 80a. As a result, the media 80a are attracted to the platen 12 and the guides 40, respectively. In this embodiment, the decompression device 23 is provided on the bottom surface of the platen 12 .

In this embodiment, the printer 10 includes a take-up holder 15 that holds a core on which the media 80a is taken up at a lower front portion of the platen 12. As shown in FIG. If the medium 80 a printed by the printer 10 is long, it is preferably configured so that it can be wound up by a core held in the winding holder 15 . This prevents the media 80a from being folded or wrinkled after printing. In this embodiment, the printer 10 feeds out the media 80a along the platen 12 from the roll media 80 held by the holder 14, and winds the media 80a onto the core held by the take-up holder 15. FIG. The medium 80a is transported by so-called roll-to-roll.

<Cutter unit 20>
The cutter unit 20 is configured to cut the medium 80a being transported along the transport path 16a. In this embodiment, the cutter unit 20 is configured to cut the media 80a being transported along the platen 12. As shown in FIG. The cutter unit 20 may include, for example, a cutter configured to press the cutting edge toward the medium 80a being conveyed along the platen 12. As shown in FIG. Such a cutter may be mounted on the carriage 38 of the moving device 18b of the print unit 18, for example. In this case, the cutter mounted on the carriage 38 moves in the main scanning direction Y by controlling the moving device 18b. The medium 80a moves in the sub-scanning direction X by controlling the conveying device 16. As shown in FIG. By controlling the moving device 18b and the conveying device 16, the relative position between the medium 80a and the cutter is controlled. Furthermore, the medium 80a is cut into a predetermined shape by controlling the protrusion amount of the cutting edge of the cutter. The control device 60 controls the conveying device 16, the moving device 18b, and the cutter unit 20 to cut the media 80a along predetermined cutting lines (also referred to as cutting lines). At this time, the depth to which the medium 80a is cut is also controlled, and for example, it can be cut in a perforated form. The depth of cutting may be adjusted, for example, by adjusting the force with which the cutting edge of the cutter is applied to the media 80a.

<Lights 26, 27>
The lights 26 and 27 are devices that irradiate predetermined areas R1 and R2 of the transport path 16a of the medium 80a with light. In this embodiment, a first light 26 and a second light 27 are provided.

The first light 26 is configured to irradiate the medium 80a transported along the transport path 16a with light toward the side on which the print unit 18 prints. In this embodiment, first light 26 is attached to casing 70 . The first light 26 is directed in front of and above the platen 12 so as to illuminate a predetermined region R1 of the transport path 16a. The first light 26 can irradiate the surface of the medium 80a with light. The first light 26 can also be used as a light to check the quality of the print, color tone when the light hits it, and the like. Further, the direction of the light source of the first light 26 is preferably set so that the light is incident at a predetermined angle with respect to the normal line direction of the medium 80a passing through the transport path.

The second light 27 is configured to irradiate the surface of the medium 80a transported along the transport path 16a with light toward the surface opposite to the side on which the print unit 18 prints. In this embodiment, the second light 27 is arranged so as to illuminate the back side of the medium 80a in a predetermined region R2 of the transportation path of the medium 80a. The second light 27 can function as a light for confirming print quality when the medium 80a is cloth or see-through material that transmits light, for example. See-through materials that transmit light are used, for example, in backlit advertising signs. In this case, it is used to check the color tone when the backlight is applied.

The first light 26 and the second light 27 are preferably configured so as to irradiate the media 80a in the width direction along the main scanning direction Y, respectively. The first light 26 and the second light 27 may be composed of elongated lights (light sources) arranged along the main scanning direction Y. As shown in FIG. Also, the first light 26 and the second light 27 may be composed of a plurality of lights (light sources) arranged along the main scanning direction Y. FIG. In this embodiment, as will be described later, the first light 26 or the second light 27 for inspecting the color tone of the print is also used as a light for facilitating visual recognition of the cutting position. Aside from the first light 26 or the second light 27 for inspecting the color tone of the print, a light for facilitating visual recognition of the cutting position may be provided.

In this embodiment, the area R1 illuminated by the first light 26 and the area R2 illuminated by the second light 27 are preferably set at positions that are easily visible to the operator. For example, the position near the front of the platen 12 where the media 80a is ejected from the platen 12, the transport path from the platen 12 to the take-up holder 15, and the like are positions that are easily visible to the operator.

For example, this embodiment includes a guide 40 in front of the platen 12 . The upper surface of the guide 40 is curved downward from the horizontal direction. The first light 26 is configured to irradiate the surface of the medium 80a transported along the transport path 16a on the side where the cutter unit 20 cuts the medium 80a. The first light 26, as shown in FIG. 2, is configured to irradiate light from above the medium 80a that is fed along the curved portion of the guide 40 downward from the horizontal direction. In the region R1 irradiated with light by the first light 26, the irradiation direction of the light emitted from the first light 26 is inclined with respect to the surface where the medium 80a is cut by the cutter unit 20. FIG.

At the portion where the medium 80a is cut by the cutter unit 20, slight unevenness is generated on the medium 80a along the cut line. In this embodiment, the irradiation direction of the light emitted from the first light 26 is tilted with respect to the normal direction of the medium 80a. shadows are likely to occur. Therefore, it becomes easier to visually recognize the cut line and the cut position.

From the viewpoint of causing shadows on the medium 80a due to slight unevenness of the medium 80a along the cut line, the irradiation direction of the light emitted from the first light 26 is set at an appropriate angle with respect to the medium 80a. It should be set. For example, the irradiation direction of the light emitted from the first light 26 is inclined in the range of, for example, 20 degrees or more, preferably 30 degrees or more, and 70 degrees or less, preferably 60 degrees or less, with respect to the medium 80a. Good. More preferably, the irradiation direction of the light emitted from the first light 26 is inclined with respect to the medium 80a in the range of 35 degrees or more and 55 degrees or less, more preferably in the range of 40 degrees or more and 50 degrees or less. .

Further, in this embodiment, the irradiation direction of the first light 26 is set in the vertical direction, and the upper surface of the guide 40 is curved downward from the horizontal direction, and the medium 80a is conveyed along the curved portion. is illuminated. Alternatively, the irradiation direction of the first light 26 may be tilted with respect to the horizontally conveyed medium 80a. It should be noted that the upper surface of the medium 80a is easily visible from the front of the portion where the upper surface of the guide 40 is curved downward from the horizontal direction in front of the platen 12 . By irradiating light from the first light 26 at an appropriate angle to such a portion, shadows along the cut line can be easily seen from the front. Such a portion makes it easy for a worker standing in front to peel off the surface sheet 80a2 of the cut media 80a. Therefore, the upper surface of the guide 40 is curved downward from the horizontal direction in front of the platen 12 in order to make it easier to visually recognize the cutting position from the front and to easily peel off the top sheet 80a2 of the cut medium 80a. A region R1, which is irradiated with light by a light, is preferably set in the portion where the light is applied.

In this embodiment, the transportation path 16a of the medium 80a has a plurality of areas illuminated by the light. In this manner, there may be a plurality of areas irradiated with light by the light on the transport path 16a of the medium 80a. Further, in this embodiment, the transport path 16a of the medium 80a has a plurality of areas illuminated by the light, but the transport path 16a of the medium 80a may have only one area illuminated by the light. . Also, the first light 26 and the second light 27 may be linear (or bar-shaped) lights extending along the width direction (sub-scanning direction) of the medium 80a. A plurality of first lights 26 and second lights 27 may be arranged along the width direction (sub-scanning direction) of the medium 80a. Further, in this embodiment, there are a first light 26 and a second light 27 as lights for irradiating the transport path 16a of the medium 80a with light. Either one of the first light 26 and the second light 27 may be the light for irradiating the transport path 16a of the medium 80a.

<Control device 60>
The control device 60 is a device that comprehensively controls the overall operation of the printer 10 . Each unit of the control device 60 and the control unit may be configured by hardware such as an electronic circuit, or may be configured to be functionally realized by a central processing unit (CPU) executing a computer program. may have been In the former case, the control device 60 uses, for example, a CPU provided in a known personal computer or general-purpose computer, a ROM (read only memory) and a RAM (random access memory) in which programs executed by the CPU are stored. It is feasible. In this embodiment, the control device 60 includes a storage section that stores electronic information and a processing section that performs arithmetic processing according to a predetermined program. Each function of the control device 60 can be embodied by cooperation between software for causing a computer to execute predetermined processing and hardware incorporated in or controlled by the computer.

In this embodiment, the control device 60 comprises a storage section N1 and a storage section N2, as shown in FIG. The control device 60 is also configured to execute processes B1 to B5. The control device 60, as shown in FIG. 1, includes processing units b1 to b5 for executing processes B1 to B5, respectively.

<Memory unit N1>
The storage unit N1 stores print positions. The print position is a position where printing is performed on the medium 80a. The print position is specified, for example, by position coordinates set with respect to the medium 80a. In the print position, for example, the print position, color, and the like are specified according to the position coordinates set with respect to the medium 80a. Defined based on data created by printing software.

<Memory unit N2>
The storage unit N2 stores cutting positions for cutting the medium 80a. As for the cutting position, for example, the position where the medium 80a is cut is specified according to the position coordinates set for the medium 80a. Here, the storage unit N2 may further store a peeling position determined as at least one of the cutting positions. Further, the cutting positions stored in the storage unit N2 may include cutting positions for forming so-called cut lines. Note that the cutting position may be configured to be specified by a coordinate system set for the medium 80a, for example. Also, the cut position may be stored so as to be specified as a line along the line along which the medium 80a is cut.

For example, in the example shown in FIG. 3, the medium 80a includes a base sheet 80a1 and a surface sheet 80a2 attached to the base sheet 80a1 with an adhesive. A capital letter "A" is printed on the medium 80a. In process B2, the cutter unit 20 is operated to set the first cut line L1 around the print area S1 in which the capital letter "A" is printed on the medium 80a. Further, a second cutline L2 is set along a rectangular frame S2 surrounding the capital letter "A". Furthermore, castri lines L3 are set in the rectangular frame S2.

A scraping line L3 is a cutting line for neatly peeling the top sheet 80a2 from the base sheet 80a1. Further, in this embodiment, the peeling position P1 is set in the rectangular frame S2. The peeling position P1 is the position where the cut topsheet 80a2 starts to be peeled off. The peeling position P1 is set at a corner of a rectangular frame S2 defined by the second cutline L2.

For example, in the form shown in FIG. 3, the topsheet 80a2 is peeled off from the peeling position P1 set at the corner of the rectangular frame S2 defined by the second cutline L2 and turned up. When the topsheet 80a2 is turned up, the topsheet 80a2 is peeled off along the second cut line L2 and further along the cut line L3 set in the rectangular frame S2. The surface sheet 80a2 is easily peeled off from the base sheet 80a1 by the castri line L3. Since the topsheet 80a2 can be easily peeled off from the base sheet 80a1 along the cut line L3, the topsheet 80a2 can be easily peeled off along the first cutline L1. Therefore, it becomes easier to leave the print area S1 along the first cut line L1 neatly on the base sheet 80a1.

By setting the appropriate scrap line in this way, the top sheet 80a2 can be easily peeled off from the base sheet 80a1 when the top sheet 80a2 is peeled off from the base sheet 80a1. Thus, the topsheet 80a2 is prevented from being torn or torn at the portion where the topsheet 80a2 should remain on the base sheet 80a1. Note that the position where the castri line L3 is formed is not limited to the form in FIG. 3, and can be determined from the viewpoint of peeling the top sheet 80a2 cleanly from the base sheet 80a1. Also, the peeling position P1 can be set at any position.

In this case, the control device 60 stores the print position in the storage unit N1 so that the print area S1 in which the capital letter "A" is printed is specified. It is preferable that the storage unit N2 stores cut positions determined so that the top sheet 80a2 is cut along the first cut line L1, the second cut line L2, and the cut line L3. Further, it is preferable that a predetermined peeling position P1 is further stored in at least one of the cutting positions in the storage part N2. Moreover, the peeling position P1 may be set to the castri line L3.

In this embodiment, controller 60, for example, operates transport device 16 and print unit 18 to print a capital letter "A" along print area S1. Next, the control device 60 operates the conveying device 16 and the cutter unit 20 to cut the top sheet 80a2 of the medium 80a along the first cut line L1, the second cut line L2 and the cut line L3. That is, the topsheet 80a2 is cut along the first cutline L1, the second cutline L2 and the castri line L3. After the top sheet 80a2 of the medium 80a is cut along the first cut line L1, the second cut line L2, and the cut line L3, the control device 60 operates the conveying device 16 and the print unit 18 to A capital letter "A" may be printed along the print area S1.

<Processing B1>
The process B1 is a process of operating the conveying device 16 and the print unit 18 to print on the medium 80a based on the print position stored in the storage section N1. The controller 60 scans the print unit 18 in the main scanning direction Y according to a predetermined program, and causes the print unit 18 to eject ink onto the medium 80a. Further, the medium 80a is sequentially fed in the sub-scanning direction X and printed on the medium 80a. As a result, a predetermined print is applied to a predetermined position on the medium 80a. The print position and the like are determined according to data prepared in advance. The control device 60 sequentially feeds the medium 80a in the sub-scanning direction X, and the ink ejection position is also controlled by the scanning position of the print unit 18. FIG. For this reason, the control device 60 holds the printed position as data on the medium 80a.

<Processing B2>
Processing B2 is processing for operating the conveying device 16 and the cutter unit 20 to cut the medium 80a being conveyed along the conveying path 16a based on the cutting position stored in the storage unit N2. In this embodiment, the control device 60 moves the media 80a back and forth along the sub-scanning direction X, and while scanning the cutter unit 20 left and right along the main scanning direction Y, moves the blade of the cutter unit 20. Manipulate. For example, the direction of the blade of the cutter unit 20 may be changed by contact with the media 80a. Also, the blade of the cutter unit 20 is pressed against the media 80a with a predetermined load. Moreover, the blade of the cutter unit 20 is appropriately separated from the medium 80a at the position where the medium 80a is not cut. The control device 60 cuts the medium 80a by operating the cutter unit 20 and the conveying device 16 according to the cutting positions stored in the storage section N2.

Processing B2 may include processing for forming a predetermined cut line on the media. The peeling position P1 and the scraping line L3 may be formed at a plurality of predetermined positions on the medium. For example, in process B2, peeling positions P1 and scraping lines L3 may be set at a plurality of positions along the sub-scanning direction X on the roll medium 80 .

<Processing B3>
A process B3 is a process of moving the cut position of the medium 80a to the area illuminated by the light after the process B1 is executed, and stopping the cut position. In this embodiment, the process B3 is a process of moving the cutting position to the area illuminated by the first light 26 or the second light 27 and stopping. By the processing of the processing B3, the cutting position moves to the region R1 illuminated by the first light 26 or to the region R2 illuminated by the second light 27, and stops. Therefore, the cut position is irradiated with light. When the cut position is irradiated with light, a shadow along the cut of the cut surface sheet 80a2 and gloss due to the edge of the cut can be confirmed. Therefore, the cut position of the topsheet 80a2 is easily visible. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, there are a region R1 illuminated by the first light 26 and a region R2 illuminated by the second light 27. FIG. As described above, lights may be provided at appropriate locations to illuminate the cut locations. It should be noted that the process to be stopped may be a temporary stop. The stopping process may be stopped for a predetermined period of time, for example. Further, the control device 60 may include a processing unit that cancels the suspension caused by the suspension processing.

Further, in process B3, in this embodiment, the printer 10 has a region R1 illuminated by the first light 26 and a region R2 illuminated by the second light 27 . In the process B3, the cutting position may be moved and stopped to be selectively set to either one of the regions R1 and R2. In this way, when there are multiple areas irradiated with light by the light, any one or more of the multiple areas can be selectively set as the area where the cutting position moves and stops. It may be configured to allow For example, the cutting position may be configured to sequentially move and stop only in the region R1. Also, the cutting position may be configured to sequentially move and stop only in the region R2. Also, the cutting position may move and stop in both the region R1 and the region R2.

Here, the control device 60 stores the cutting position for processing B2 for cutting the medium 80a. By operating the transport device 16, the control device 60 shifts the cut position where the medium 80a is cut to the region R1 illuminated by the first light 26 or the region R2 illuminated by the second light 27. It can be moved and stopped. In the region R1 illuminated by the first light 26 or the region R2 illuminated by the second light 27, the break in the top sheet 80a2 formed at the cut position is easily visible. Therefore, the cut quality can be easily confirmed, and the cut surface sheet 80a2 can be easily peeled off.

Here, when the peeling position P1 is stored in the storage unit N2, in the process B3, the peeling position P1 is irradiated with light from the region R1 irradiated by the first light 26 or by the second light 27. It may be configured to move to the designated region R2 and stop. Such processing makes it easier to see the position where the surface sheet 80a2 is to be peeled off. At this time, the operator should confirm the position where the topsheet 80a2 is to be peeled off, and peel off the cut topsheet 80a2.

Further, a plurality of peeling positions P1 may be stored in the storage unit N2. In this case, the process B3 is configured to sequentially move the plurality of peeling positions P1 to the region R1 illuminated by the first light 26 or to the region R2 illuminated by the second light 27 and then stop. may be By such processing, the position where the surface sheet 80a2 is peeled off is sent to the region R1 illuminated by the first light 26 or the region R2 illuminated by the second light 27 in order. For this reason, the position where the surface sheet 80a2 is peeled off moves to a position where it is easier to visually recognize. At this time, the operator should confirm the position where the topsheet 80a2 is to be peeled off, and peel off the cut topsheet 80a2 in order. Even when there are a plurality of cut topsheets 80a2, the workability of peeling off the topsheets 80a2 is improved.

Further, the cutting positions stored in the storage unit N2 may include cutting positions for forming the castri line L3 (see FIG. 3) as described above. In this case, the process B2 may include a process of forming castri lines L3 on the medium 80a. Further, the process B3 may be configured to move the position where the castri line L3 is formed to the regions R1 and R2 illuminated by the light and stop. As a result, the position of the castri line L3 moves to a position that is easily visible. Therefore, it becomes easier to confirm the cut quality of the cast line L3. In addition, when the surface sheet 80a2 cut from the cut line L3 is turned up and the surface sheet 80a2 is peeled off, the work becomes easier.

Further, the cutting positions stored in the storage unit N2 may include cutting positions for forming a plurality of cast lines L3. In this case, the process B2 may include a process of forming a plurality of castri lines L3 on the medium 80a. Further, the process B3 may be configured to sequentially move the plurality of positions where the castri lines L3 are formed to the regions R1 and R2 illuminated by the light, and then stop. As a result, the cast lines L3 are sequentially moved to positions where they are easily visible. Therefore, it becomes easier to confirm the cut quality of each cast line L3. Further, when the surface sheet 80a2 cut from each cut line L3 is turned up and the surface sheet 80a2 is peeled off, the work becomes easier.

<Processing B4>
Process B4 is a process of performing a predetermined test cut on the medium 80a by operating the conveying device 16 and the cutter unit 20 before the process B1 is executed. Process B5 is a process of moving the position where the test cut is performed to the regions R1 and R2 illuminated by the light after the process B4 is executed, and stopping.

Such a test cut can be performed mainly to check cut quality before printing or cutting to be printed on the medium 80a. FIG. 4 is a plan view schematically showing the test-cut medium 80a. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the test cut T consists of a first test cut line TL1 cut into a circle and a second test cut cut into a square inside the circle partitioned by the first test cut line TL1. The topsheet 80a2 is cut along the line TL2. In this case, the surface sheet 80a2 is peeled off in the region T1 outside the square and inside the circle if it is cut appropriately. FIG. 4 shows a state where the surface sheet 80a2 is peeled off in the area T1 outside the square and inside the circle. The inner square region T2 and the circular outer region T3 are in a state where the surface sheet 80a2 remains.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 4, cut quality is confirmed by peeling off the area T1 outside the square and inside the circle along the first test cut line TL1. For example, if the square outer and circular inner region T1 and the inner square region T2 are peeled off separately, it can be determined that the cutter pressure of the cutter unit 20 is appropriate. However, when the square outer and circular inner region T1 and the inner square region T2 are peeled off together, the cutter pressure of the cutter unit 20 is increased when the base sheet 80a1 is cut. judged to be inappropriate. Such a test cut may be performed to check the cutting pressure on the medium 80a before performing predetermined printing and cutting.

In the test cut, it is necessary to remove the cut surface sheet 80a2 in order to check the cut quality. However, even in such a test cut, the sharper the blade of the cutter unit 20 and the better the cut quality, the better the first test cut line TL1 and the second test cut line TL2. Each is difficult to confirm. In the test cut, the medium 80a is usually not printed. For this reason, it may be difficult to find the cut position in the test cut.

According to processing B4 and processing B5 proposed here, after processing B4 for making test cuts, the positions where test cuts are made move to regions R1 and R2 illuminated by the light and stop. . Therefore, the first test cut line TL1 and the second test cut line TL2 of the test cut T can be easily confirmed. In addition, since the position cut by the test cut moves to the regions R1 and R2 where the light was originally irradiated by the light and stops, the operator does not feel the cut by the test cut. Easy to find the position.

Here, the proposed printer has been described on the basis of printer 10, which is a printer with a cutting function. The printer 10 proposed here satisfies the configuration of the cutter proposed here.

Taking the printer 10 shown in FIG. 1 as an example, the cutting machine proposed here includes a conveying device 16 configured to convey a medium 80a along a predetermined conveying path 16a, and a conveying device 16 a cutter unit 20 configured to cut the medium 80a that is being conveyed along, lights 26 and 27 that irradiate predetermined areas R1 and R2 of the conveying path 16a of the medium 80a, and a control device 60.

The control device 60 includes a storage unit M1 that stores cutting positions for cutting the medium 80a. Control device 60 may be configured to execute process A1 and process A2. Here, the process A1 is a process of operating the conveying device 16 and the cutter unit 20 to cut the medium 80a based on the cutting position stored in the storage section M1. The process A2 is a process of moving the cutting position to the area illuminated by the lights 26 and 27 and stopping after the process A1 is executed. In this manner, the storage unit N2 of the printer 10 described above functions as the storage unit M1 of the cutting machine. Processing B2 of the control device 60 of the printer 10 corresponds to processing A1 of the cutter. Processing B3 of the control device 60 of the printer 10 corresponds to processing A2 of the cutter. Thus, the printer 10 satisfies the configuration of the cutting machine proposed here. For the processing A1 and A2 executed by the storage unit M1 and the control device in the cutting machine proposed here, the description of the storage unit N2, the processing B2 and the processing B3 of the printer 10 described above can be referred to. Since the printer 10 has a cutting machine, the configuration of the cutting machine has already been explained in the printer 10, so the explanation will be omitted. The cutting machine proposed here can of course also be configured as a cutting-only machine.

As described above, various embodiments of the cutting machine and printer proposed here have been described, but the cutting machine and printer proposed here are not limited to the above-described embodiments. In addition, the cutting machine and printer proposed here can be modified in various ways, and each component and each process mentioned here can be omitted or combined as appropriate as long as no particular problem occurs. .

10 Printer 12 Platen 14 Holder 15 Winding Holder 16 Conveying Device 16a Conveying Path 18 Print Unit 18a Print Head 18b Moving Device 20 Cutter Unit 23 Decompression Device 26 First Light 27 Second Light 31 Grit Roller 31a Feed Motor 32 Pinch Roller 33 Guide Rail 34A Pulley 34B Pulley 35 Driving device 36 Belt 38 Carriage 40 Guide 42 Heater 60 Control device 70 Casing 71L, 71R Stand 80 Roll media 80a Media 80a1 Base sheet 80a2 Surface sheets b1 to b5 Processing unit L1 First cutting line L2 Second cutting line L3 Casting lines N1, N2 Memory part P1 Peeling position R1 Area R2 illuminated by first light 26 Area S1 illuminated by second light 27 Print area S2 Rectangular frame T Test cut TL1 First test cut Line TL2 Second test cut line X Sub-scanning direction Y Main scanning direction

Claims (15)

a transport device configured to transport media along a predetermined transport path;
a cutter unit configured to cut a medium being transported along the transport path;
a light that irradiates a predetermined area of the media transport path;
a control device;
The control device is
A storage unit M1 storing a cutting position for cutting the medium conveyed along the conveying path, and
A process A1 of operating the conveying device and the cutter unit to cut the medium based on the cutting position stored in the storage unit M1;
After the processing A1 is executed, a processing A2 of moving the cutting position stored in the storage unit M1 to a predetermined area illuminated by the light from the light in the transportation path of the medium and stopping the cut position. configured to run
cutting machine. The storage unit M1 further stores a peeling position determined in at least one of the cutting positions,
The process A2 is configured to move the peeling position stored in the storage unit M1 to a predetermined area irradiated with light by the light in the transportation path of the medium and stop the peeling position.
A cutting machine according to claim 1. A plurality of the peeling positions are stored in the storage unit M1,
The process A2 is configured to sequentially move the plurality of peeling positions stored in the storage unit M1 to a predetermined area illuminated by the light from the light in the transport path of the medium , and stop the peeling positions. 2. The cutting machine of claim 1, wherein: The cutting positions stored in the storage unit M1 include cutting positions for forming cast lines,
The process A1 includes a process of forming a castri line on the medium,
In the processing A2, the position where the castri line stored in the storage unit M1 is formed is moved to a predetermined area irradiated by the light by the light in the transportation path of the medium , and stopped. configured,
A cutting machine according to any one of claims 1-3. The cutting positions stored in the storage unit M1 include cutting positions for forming a plurality of cast lines,
The processing A1 includes processing for forming a plurality of castri lines on the medium,
In the processing A2, the plurality of positions where the castri lines stored in the storage unit M1 are formed are sequentially moved to a predetermined area illuminated by the light from the light in the transportation path of the medium , and then stopped. configured to allow
A cutting machine according to any one of claims 1-3. The light is configured to irradiate a surface of the medium conveyed along the conveying path on a side where the cutter unit cuts the medium, and
6. Any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein in a region irradiated with light by said light, the irradiation direction of the light irradiated from said light is inclined with respect to a surface on which said medium is cut by said cutter unit. A printer as described in paragraph 1. a transport device configured to transport media along a predetermined transport path;
a platen arranged along the transport path;
a print unit configured to print on media being conveyed along the platen;
a cutter unit configured to cut a medium being transported along the transport path;
a light that irradiates a predetermined area of the media transport path;
a control device;
The control device is
a storage unit N1 storing a print position for printing on a medium conveyed along the conveying path;
a storage unit N2 storing a cutting position for cutting the medium conveyed along the conveying path, and
A process B1 of operating the conveying device and the print unit to print on a medium based on the print position stored in the storage unit N1;
a process B2 of operating the conveying device and the cutter unit to cut the medium based on the cutting position stored in the storage unit N2;
After the process B1 is executed, a process B3 of moving the cutting position stored in the storage unit N2 to a predetermined area illuminated by the light by the light in the transport path of the medium and stopping the cut position. configured to run
printer. The storage unit N2 further stores a peeling position determined in at least one of the cutting positions,
The process B3 is configured to move the peeling position stored in the storage unit N2 to a predetermined area irradiated with light by the light in the transportation path of the medium and stop the peeling position.
A printer according to claim 7. A plurality of the peeling positions are stored in the storage unit N2,
The processing B3 is configured such that the plurality of peeling positions stored in the storage unit N2 are sequentially moved to a predetermined area illuminated by the light from the light in the transportation path of the medium , and then stopped. 8. A printer as claimed in claim 7. The cutting positions stored in the storage unit N2 include cutting positions for forming cast lines,
The process B2 includes a process of forming a castri line on the medium,
After the process B2, the process B3 moves the position for forming the castri line stored in the storage unit N2 to a predetermined position irradiated with light by the light in the transport path of the medium. configured to move to and stop the area,
A printer as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 9. The cutting positions stored in the storage unit N2 include a plurality of cutting positions for forming cast lines,
The process B2 includes a process of forming a plurality of cast lines on the medium,
In the process B3, after the process B2, a plurality of cut positions for forming the cast line stored in the storage unit N2 are set in advance by the light irradiated by the light in the transportation path of the medium . 10. A printer as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 9, arranged to sequentially move to defined areas and stop. The control device is
a process B4 of performing a predetermined test cut on the medium by operating the conveying device and the cutter unit before the process B1 is executed;
After the process B4 is executed, a process B5 of moving the position where the test cut is performed to a predetermined area illuminated by the light from the light in the transport path of the medium and stopping the process. A printer as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 11, adapted to run. 13. The light according to any one of claims 7 to 12, wherein the light is configured to irradiate the medium transported along the transport path with light toward a side on which the print unit prints. Printer listed. The cutter unit is configured to cut a surface of a medium conveyed along the conveying path to which the light is irradiated, and
14. The printer according to claim 13, wherein in a region irradiated with light by said light, the irradiation direction of the light irradiated from said light is inclined with respect to a surface on which said medium is cut by said cutter unit. 13. The light is configured to irradiate the surface of the medium conveyed along the conveying path with light toward the surface opposite to the side on which the print unit prints. A printer according to any one of .

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