TW202135947A - Ink circulation device to ensure the temperature and flow rate of the ink supplied to the plurality of ink circulating heads to be truly uniform - Google Patents

Abstract

The subject of the invention is that in the case of supplying ink to a plurality of ink circulating heads with one ink circulating circuit, the temperature and flow rate of the ink supplied to the plurality of ink circulating heads are truly uniform. The solution of the invention is as follows: in an ink circulation device, input-side common manifolds 111 and output-side common manifolds 112 are respectively arranged on an input side and an output side of heads HD1 to HD5, and five flow paths are arranged such that the five flow path are from the input-side common manifolds 111 to the output-side common manifolds 112 via the heads HD1 to HD5. The five flow paths are constructed such that the length and piping impedance of pipes are the same as each other. In the input-side common manifolds 111, the ink is adjusted to a desired temperature by an input-side common manifold temperature controller TR13 including an input-side common manifold heater HE13. In a first individual block 121, a third individual block 123, a fifth individual block 125, a seventh individual block 127 and a ninth individual block 129 on the input side, the ink temperature is adjusted to be uniform by respective arranged temperature controllers TRi including individual block heaters HEi of the heads.

Description

Ink circulation device

The present invention relates to an ink circulation device, which is used to dispense a plurality of inks The circulation head supplies ink, and the plurality of ink circulation heads eject solder resist ink, which is a relatively high-viscosity ink.

In order to cover the surface of the printer substrate and protect the circuit pattern, a solder resist pattern is formed on the printed substrate. An ink jet device is known as a solder resist pattern forming device. In order to form a solder resist pattern, a plurality of ink jet hands eject solder resist ink to a printed circuit board. There may be cases where such an inkjet device has an ink circulation device for supplying solder resist ink to a plurality of inkjet heads. The solder resist ink used here has thermal curability and UV (Ultra Violet; ultraviolet) curability and high viscosity. Therefore, considering this point, the ink circulation device is configured to uniformize the flow rate of the ink supplied to the plurality of inkjet heads, and has a solder resist ink for heating the ink to be supplied to the plurality of inkjet heads. The heater.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2019-1000 is related to the ink circulation device disclosed in this case, and describes a liquid circulation device for supplying liquid to be ejected from a plurality of through flow-type heads (paragraph [0036] to [0048], Figure 5). The liquid circulation device of Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-1000 has a pressure sub-tank (220), a first manifold (230), a plurality of heads (100), a second manifold (240), and a decompression The secondary tank (210) returns to the circulation path of the pressurized secondary tank (220). In this circulation path, a solenoid valve (232) is provided in the supply path (231) from the first manifold (230) to each head (100), and also from each head (100) to each second manifold ( The discharge path (241) of 240) is provided with a solenoid valve (242).

In addition, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2009-233589 describes an ink supply device for supplying ink to a plurality of ink circulation type heads and circulating the ink in the plurality of ink circulation type heads (claims in the scope of patent application) 1. Paragraphs [0016] to [0018]). The ink supply device of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-233589 is provided with: a supply manifold section, which is composed of an ink supply section, a circulation pump section (4), a supply manifold (18), etc.; and a recovery manifold section, It is composed of a recovery manifold (17), etc.; and an ink ejection part (5); in order to keep the ink temperature in the head at an appropriate temperature, a thermostat ( 27).

[The problem to be solved by the invention]

In the inkjet device used to eject solder resist ink or UV ink, when an ink circulation device (an ink circulation circuit) supplies ink to a plurality of inkjet heads, due to the viscosity of the ink Higher, so the ink is circulated at a high temperature above 45°C. Therefore, it is necessary to reduce the deviation of the temperature of the ink supplied to the plurality of inkjet heads and the deviation of the flow rate of the ink.

In contrast, in the liquid circulation device described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-1000, the liquid is supplied from the first manifold to the plurality of heads (100) via the plurality of supply paths (231), and from the plurality of heads (100). ) Are respectively discharged through a plurality of discharge paths (241), whereby the flow rate of the liquid supplied to the plurality of heads (100) is uniformized. However, there is no description in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-1000 that is useful for adjusting the temperature of the liquid supplied to the plurality of heads (100).

In the ink supply device described in JP 2009-233589 A, in order to maintain the ink temperature in the head at an appropriate temperature, a thermostat (27) is provided between the supply manifold and the recovery manifold. However, in the process of supplying ink from the supply manifold to the plurality of ink circulation type heads, a deviation may occur in the temperature of the ink, and the ink temperature in the plurality of ink circulation type heads may not be uniformized.

Therefore, in the case where a relatively high viscosity ink such as solder resist ink is supplied to a plurality of ink circulation type heads by an ink circulation circuit, it is desirable to supply the ink to the plurality of ink circulation type heads. The temperature and flow rate are surely uniformized. [Means to solve the problem]

The first aspect of the present invention is an ink circulation device that circulates ink through a circulation loop of a plurality of inkjet heads of the ink circulation type and supplies ink to the plurality of inkjet heads; The circulation device is equipped with: a supply-side manifold and a discharge-side manifold, which are respectively arranged on the upstream and downstream sides of the plurality of inkjet heads in the circulation circuit; and a plurality of supply-side branch paths constitute the circulation circuit. One part is used to supply the ink in the supply side manifold to the plurality of inkjet heads; the plurality of discharge side branch paths constitute a part of the foregoing circulation circuit, which is used to transfer the ink in the plurality of inkjet heads Ink materials are respectively discharged to the aforementioned discharge-side manifold; a common thermostat includes a heater for heating the ink in the aforementioned supply-side manifold to adjust the temperature of the aforementioned ink; and a plurality of individual thermostats, The heaters respectively include heaters for heating the inks respectively supplied to the plurality of inkjet heads via the plurality of supply side branch paths, and respectively adjust the temperature of the inks with the same target temperature.

The second aspect of the present invention is the same as the first aspect of the present invention, wherein from the supply side manifold to the plurality of the discharge side manifold via the plurality of supply side branch paths and the plurality of discharge side branch paths respectively The two branch path systems are configured such that the length of the pipe and the impedance of the pipe become the same.

The third aspect of the present invention is the same as the second aspect of the present invention, which further includes a plurality of individual valves for opening and closing a plurality of the aforementioned branch paths respectively.

The fourth aspect of the present invention is the same as the third aspect of the present invention, wherein a plurality of the aforementioned individual valves are configured to be able to adjust the flow rate.

The fifth aspect of the present invention is the same as the second aspect of the present invention, which further includes: a plurality of supply-side individual valves which respectively open and close a plurality of the aforementioned supply-side branch paths; and a plurality of discharge-side individual valves which respectively open and close A plurality of the aforementioned branching paths on the discharge side.

The sixth aspect of the present invention is the same as the fifth aspect of the present invention, which further includes: a bypass flow path from the supply side manifold to the discharge side manifold; and a bypass valve, Open and close the aforementioned bypass flow path.

The seventh aspect of the present invention is the sixth aspect of the present invention, further comprising: a supply tank for storing ink to be supplied to the plurality of inkjet heads via the supply side manifold; and a circulation tank Store ink discharged from a plurality of inkjet heads through the discharge side manifold; flow path for discharging ink from the discharge side manifold to the circulation tank; for conveying ink from the circulation tank The flow path to the aforementioned supply tank; the flow path used to supply ink from the aforementioned supply tank to the aforementioned supply-side manifold; a pressure adjustment device that sets the air pressure of the aforementioned supply tank to a positive pressure; a pressure reduction adjustment device, The air pressure of the circulation tank is set to a negative pressure; and the control unit controls a plurality of the supply side individual valves, a plurality of the discharge side individual valves, the bypass valve, the pressure adjustment device, and the pressure reduction adjustment device ; The control unit is a method in which a plurality of the supply side individual valves and a plurality of the discharge side individual valves become closed and the bypass valves become open during a predetermined standby period when the ink circulation device is activated Controls the bypass valve, the supply-side individual valves, and the discharge-side individual valves; the control unit is used as the air pressure of the supply tank during the predetermined standby period when the ink circulation device is activated The difference between the set positive pressure and the atmospheric pressure becomes larger than the difference between the steady state positive pressure and the atmospheric pressure belonging to the positive pressure set as the pressure of the supply tank in the steady state operation state of the ink circulation device. And the difference between the negative pressure set as the air pressure of the circulation tank and the atmospheric pressure becomes greater than the steady-state negative pressure and the negative pressure set as the air pressure of the circulation tank in the steady-state operating state of the ink circulation device. The pressure adjustment device and the pressure reduction adjustment device are controlled so that the difference between the atmospheric pressures is large; the control unit uses a plurality of the supply side individual valves and a plurality of the discharge side individual valves when the standby period elapses. The bypass valve, the supply-side individual valves, and the discharge-side individual valves are controlled such that the bypass valve becomes the open state and the bypass valve becomes the closed state, and the air pressure of the supply tank becomes the steady-state positive pressure and the foregoing The pressure adjustment device and the pressure reduction adjustment device are controlled in such a way that the air pressure of the circulation tank becomes the steady state negative pressure. [Efficacy of invention]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of supplying ink to a plurality of inkjet heads in a circulation loop, not only the ink in the supply side manifold is heated to adjust the temperature of the ink, but also the ink from the supply side is heated. The manifolds respectively supply the inks of the inkjet heads via the plurality of supply-side branch paths to adjust the temperature of the inks at the same target temperature. Thereby, the ink temperature in a plurality of inkjet heads supplied with ink through one ink circulation circuit can be uniformized surely.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the plurality of branch paths from the supply side manifold to the discharge side manifold are configured to have the same pipe length and pipe impedance, the flow rate of the ink in the plurality of branch paths is uniform Therefore, the deviation of the ink supply amount to the plurality of inkjet heads can be suppressed.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, a plurality of branch paths from the supply side manifold to the discharge side manifold can be opened and closed by a plurality of individual valves, respectively.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the flow rate of the ink in the plurality of branch paths can be adjusted by the plurality of individual valves provided in the plurality of branch paths from the supply side manifold to the discharge side manifold. Therefore, it is possible to complement the configuration in which the length of the piping of the plurality of branch paths and the piping impedance are the same, so that the flow rate of the ink in the plurality of branch paths can be surely uniformized.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, a plurality of supply-side branch paths can be opened and closed by a plurality of supply-side individual valves, and a plurality of discharge-side branch paths can be opened and closed by a plurality of discharge-side individual valves.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, by opening the bypass valve, the ink supplied to the supply side manifold can be transported to the discharge side manifold via the bypass flow path without being supplied to the inkjet head side.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, during the standby period when the ink circulation device is activated, a plurality of the supply side individual valves and a plurality of the discharge side individual valve systems become closed and the bypass valve systems become open . In addition, the difference between the positive pressure of the air pressure belonging to the supply tank and the atmospheric pressure is set to be larger than the difference between the steady-state positive pressure of the supply tank and the atmospheric pressure, and the negative pressure of the air pressure belonging to the supply tank is set to be greater than the atmospheric pressure. The difference of is set to be larger than the difference between the steady-state negative pressure of the supply tank and the atmospheric pressure. By changing to increase the difference between the negative pressure of the supply tank and the positive pressure of the circulation tank, the flow rate of the ink becomes larger than that in the steady state circulation. During the standby period at startup, the mixed air bubbles are prevented from flowing to the inkjet head side while the ink circulation device is stopped. The mixed air bubbles are discharged to the outside of the tank in a shorter time than before. The temperature rise of the piping part that constitutes the flow path is accelerated, and the time to reach the steady-state ink temperature is shorter than before.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[1. Overall composition] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the overall structure of a solder resist ink jetting device equipped with an ink circulation device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, as shown in FIG. 1, the XYZ orthogonal coordinate system is defined, and two horizontal directions orthogonal to each other are defined as the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, and the upward direction of the vertical direction is defined as the Z-axis direction. The solder resist ink jetting device is provided with a base 2 and a support structure 6 fixed to the base 2. A Y-axis direction moving mechanism 4 is provided on the base 2 and an X-axis direction moving mechanism 3 is provided on the side of the support structure 6 . The X-axis direction moving mechanism 3 includes a linear motor (not shown) and the like for moving the carriage as the inkjet moving body 30 along a guide rail 41. The Y-axis direction moving mechanism 4 includes two guide rails 21 and 21 extending in the Y-axis direction. The table 10 is installed in a state where it is guided by the two guide rails 21 and 21 and can move in the Y-axis direction. These two guide rails 21,21. The Y-axis direction moving mechanism 4 includes a linear motor and the like (not shown) for moving the table 10 along the guide rail 21.

As described above, the inkjet moving body 30 is attached to the guide rails 41 and 41 so as to be movable in the X-axis direction via the elevating mechanism 5, and the elevating mechanism 5 functions as a Z-axis direction moving mechanism. Therefore, the inkjet movable body 30 is configured to be movable not only in the X-axis direction but also in the Z-axis direction. The inkjet movable body 30 includes a head 31 for ejecting solder resist ink, and a circulation mechanism main body 33 for supplying solder resist ink to the head 31.

The stage 10 is a member for mounting a printed circuit board for which a solder resist pattern is to be formed by spraying a solder resist ink from the head 31, and is equipped with a mechanism for fixing the mounted printed circuit board on the stage (not shown) Show).

In addition, the solder resist ink jetting device is equipped with a control unit 50 and is configured such that the control unit 50 controls the X-axis direction moving mechanism 3, the Y-axis direction moving mechanism 4, and the lifting mechanism 5, so that it can be arbitrarily changed within a predetermined range. The relative positional relationship between the head 31 in the inkjet movable body 30 and the printed circuit board placed on the upper surface of the table 10. In addition, as described later, the control unit 50 is also used to control the flow and temperature of the solder resist ink in the ink circulation device of this embodiment, and also functions as a control unit that is a component of the ink circulation device. effect.

[2. Composition of ink circulation device] Next, the ink circulation device of this embodiment will be described. The ink circulation device is equipped with: a part (hereinafter referred to as the "ink circulation system" or "ink circulation circuit") that constitutes the circulation flow path of the solder resist ink, which is equivalent to the spray nozzle shown in Figure 1 The head 31 and the circulation mechanism body 33 in the ink moving body 30, etc.; and the control unit 50, which is used to control the flow and temperature of the solder resist ink (hereinafter also referred to as "ink") in the ink circulation system .

Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the ink circulation system of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the ink circulation system of this embodiment is composed of a circulation tank ink circulation part, a circulation bracket piping part, and a head. Among them, the head is included in the head 31 shown in FIG. 1, and the ink circulation part of the circulation tank and the circulation bracket piping part are included in the circulation mechanism main body 33 shown in FIG. 1.

As shown in FIG. 2, the ink circulation part of the circulation box includes a replenishment tank 101, a circulation tank 102, a supply tank 103, a first common path solenoid valve SV11, a second common path solenoid valve SV12, a first liquid delivery pump EP1, a second The second liquid feeding pump EP2, the filter FL used to remove foreign matter, etc., several level sensors used to detect whether the ink in the replenishing tank 101, the circulation tank 102, and the supply tank 103 has reached the upper limit and the lower limit, etc. ( level sensor) LV. The ink supplied to the ink circulation device from the outside via the flow path 200 is first stored in the replenishing tank 101. A flow path (hereinafter referred to as the "first common flow path") 211 is provided between the replenishment tank 101 and the circulation tank 102, and the replenishment tank 101 is removed by the first liquid delivery pump EP1 provided in the first common flow path 211 The ink is delivered to the circulation tank 102 via the first common path solenoid valve SV11. A flow path (hereinafter referred to as the "second common flow path") 212 is provided between the circulation tank 102 and the supply tank 103. The ink of φ is sent to the supply tank 103 via the second common path solenoid valve SV12 and the filter FL. In addition, the replenishment tank 101, the circulation tank 102, and the supply tank 103 are arranged at the same height (the same position in the vertical direction), and are circulated in the ink circulation system shown in FIG. 2 in such a way that the ink flows appropriately. The air pressure in the tank 102 is adjusted to a negative pressure Pn, and the air pressure in the supply tank 103 is adjusted to a positive pressure Pp (details will be described later). The heating tube thermostat TR12, the input side common manifold thermostat TR13, and the thermostats TR1 to TR9 to adjust the ink temperature of each heating part in this embodiment include the heating tube heater HE12, and the input side common The manifold heater 13, the head individual block heaters HE1 to HE9, and a temperature sensor thermostat (temperature sensor thermostat), and each heater is controlled so as to become the temperature set by the control unit 50.

As shown in Figure 2, the circulation bracket piping part is the input side common manifold 111 as the supply side manifold, the output side common manifold 112 as the discharge side manifold, and the thermostat including the heating pipe heater E12 (below (Called "heating pipe thermostat") TR12, the input manifold liquid temperature sensor TS6 for detecting the temperature of the ink in the common manifold 111 on the input side, and the first individual path solenoid valve SV1 as a head individual valve To the tenth individual path solenoid valve SV10, and the first coupler (coupler) CV1 to the tenth coupler CV10. The first individual path solenoid valve SV1 to the tenth individual path solenoid valve SV10 may also be valves that can continuously adjust the flow rate of the ink flowing in the corresponding flow path. Furthermore, the recirculating bracket piping part includes ten individual blocks composed of the first individual block 121 to the tenth individual block 130. The head system includes five inkjet heads composed of a first head HD1 to a fifth head HD5 (hereinafter also referred to simply as "heads HD1 to HD5"). The input side common manifold 111 is equipped with a thermostat (hereinafter referred to as "input side common manifold thermostat TR13"), and the input side common manifold thermostat TR13 includes an input side common manifold heater HE13. The first individual block 121, the third individual block 123, the fifth individual block 125, the seventh individual block 127, and the ninth individual block 129 of the individual blocks belonging to the input side are the heads for ink supply. The blocks respectively include the thermostats TR1, TR3, TR5, TR7, TR9 of the head individual block heaters HE1, HE3, HE5, HE7, and HE9 (hereinafter referred to as "head individual block thermostats"). In addition, head thermostats TS1 to TS5 are installed on the heads HD1 to HD5, respectively. The head thermostats TS1 to TS5 are head thermostats that output the temperature equivalent to the corresponding heads HD1, HD2, HD3, HD4, and HD5 (approximately equal to the liquid temperature of the ink in the heads HD1, HD2, HD3, HD4, and HD5). Temperature TSt1 to TSt5. In addition, the common manifold 111 on the input side and the common manifold 112 on the output side both have an ink buffer function.

As shown in Figure 2, the ink circulation system is provided with a flow path 213 for ink supply from the supply tank 103 to the input-side common manifold (hereinafter also referred to as "input manifold") 111, which flows in The path (hereinafter referred to as the "third common flow path") 213 is provided with a heating tube heater HE12. The third common flow path 213 is branched at the input side common manifold 111 into five ink supply flow paths composed of the first individual flow path 201 to the fifth individual flow path 205, as one of these supply side branch paths The first individual flow paths 201 to the fifth individual flow paths 205 are respectively connected to the first individual block 121, the third individual block 123, and the fifth individual block 125 belonging to the five ink supply head individual blocks. , The seventh individual block 127, the ninth individual block 129. In addition, these first individual flow paths 201 to fifth individual flow paths 205 are respectively provided with first individual path solenoid valves SV1 to fifth individual path solenoid valves SV5, and are respectively provided with a first coupling CV1 and a third coupling CV3 , The fifth coupling CV5, the seventh coupling CV7, and the ninth coupling CV9. The first individual flow path 201 to the fifth individual flow path 205 are in the first individual block 121, the third individual block 123, the fifth individual block 125, the seventh individual block 127, and the ninth individual block 129, respectively. It is divided into two flow paths and respectively connected to the supply ports of the first head HD1 to the fifth head HD5. In addition, each head HDi (i=1 to 5) has two supply ports for receiving ink and two discharge ports for discharging ink.

Each head HDi (i=1 to 5) is an ink circulation type ejection head, and is configured to correspond to the ink that is not ejected from the nozzles of the head HDi through one of the inks supplied from the two supply ports The nozzles are discharged from two discharge ports.

Two discharge ports at the first head HD1 to the fifth head HD5 are connected to the second individual block 122, the fourth individual block 124, the sixth individual block 126, and the eighth individual block 128, respectively. The flow path of the tenth individual block 130. Thereby, the ink discharged from the first head HD1 to the fifth head HD5 is transported to the second individual block 122, the fourth individual block 124, the sixth individual block 126, and the fourth individual block respectively through two flow paths. Eight individual blocks 128 and tenth individual blocks 130; in these second individual blocks 122, fourth individual blocks 124, sixth individual blocks 126, eighth individual blocks 128 and tenth individual blocks 130 respectively A flow path for ink discharge is connected. That is, the second individual block 122, the fourth individual block 124, the sixth individual block 126, the eighth individual block 128, and the tenth individual block 130 are respectively connected to flow paths for ink discharge The sixth individual flow path 206 to the tenth individual flow path 210 as these discharge-side branch paths are connected to the output-side common manifold (hereinafter also referred to as "output Manifold”) 112. A second coupler CV2, a fourth coupler CV4, a sixth coupler CV6, an eighth coupler CV8, and a tenth coupler CV10 are respectively provided in the sixth individual flow paths 206 to the tenth individual flow path 210, and are respectively provided There are a sixth individual path solenoid valve SV6 to a tenth individual path solenoid valve SV10.

A fourth common flow path 214 for discharging ink is provided between the output manifold 112 and the circulation tank 102. The fourth common flow path 214 is used to connect the sixth individual flow path 206 to the tenth individual flow path. The ink discharged from the path 210 is conveyed to the circulation tank 102.

In addition, in the ink circulation system, a bypass flow path 215 from the input manifold 111 to the output manifold 112 is provided, and a bypass solenoid valve SV13 is provided in the bypass flow path 215. Although the bypass solenoid valve (also called the bypass solenoid valve as the input-output common manifold valve) SV13 is opened in the start-up temperature control program described later, it is closed in the subsequent steady-state temperature control program (refer to the following Steps S102 and S122 in FIG. 5).

In the ink circulation system constructed in the above manner, in order to be supplied to the first head HD1 during steady-state operation (in the steady-state operation state after the start of the temperature regulation program and the steady-state temperature regulation program described later) The ink volume to the fifth head HD5 is uniformized, from the input manifold 111 through the first individual flow path 201 to the fifth individual flow path 205, the first head HD1 to the fifth head HD5, and the sixth individual flow path 206 to the sixth individual flow path 206 The five flow path systems from ten individual flow paths 210 to the output manifold 112 are configured such that the lengths of these pipes and the pipe impedance become the same as each other. In addition, in this configuration, it is preferable to make the length and piping impedance of the pipes of the first individual flow path 201 to the fifth individual flow path 205 on the supply side the same as each other, and set the sixth individual flow path 206 on the discharge side to be the same. The piping length and piping impedance to the tenth individual flow path 210 are made the same as each other. In addition, the first individual path solenoid valves SV1 to fifth individual path solenoid valves SV5 respectively provided in the first individual flow paths 201 to fifth individual flow paths 205 for ink supply connected to the input manifold 111 are configured to be able to Manually adjust the flow rate. Thereby, the amount of ink supplied to the first head HD1 to the fifth head HD5 can be uniformized more reliably. In addition, the sixth individual path solenoid valves SV6 to the tenth individual path solenoid valves SV10 of the sixth individual flow path 206 to the tenth individual flow path 210 connected to the output manifold 112 for ink discharge are also configured to be able to Adjust the flow rate.

As described above, in the ink circulation system described above, the air pressure in the circulation tank 102 is adjusted to the negative pressure Pn, and the air pressure in the supply tank 103 is adjusted to the positive pressure Pp. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, in order to adjust the air pressure inside the circulation tank 102 to a negative pressure (pressure lower than atmospheric pressure) Pn, a pressure reduction regulator 152 is connected to the circulation tank 102; in order to supply the inside of the tank 103 The air pressure of is adjusted to a positive pressure (a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure) Pp, and a pressure adjusting device 153 is connected to the supply tank 103. The pressure reduction adjustment device 152 is composed of, for example, a vacuum pump, a pressure reduction buffer tank, and a pressure adjustment mechanism (regulator). The pressure adjustment device 153 is, for example, an air compressor (compressor), a pressure buffer tank, and pressure The adjustment mechanism (adjuster), etc. are constituted. These pressure reduction adjustment device 152 and pressure adjustment device 153 are configured to be able to operate in a manner described later under the control of the control unit 50.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the control unit 50 of this embodiment. The control unit 50 is equipped with a CPU (Central Processing Unit; central processing unit) 511, ROM (Read Only Memory) 512, and RAM (Random Access Memory) 513, and has flow valve control The interface 521, the head control interface 522, the pressure control interface 523, the heater control interface 525, the target temperature setting interface 527, and the temperature monitoring interface 529 are used as interfaces for controlling the flow and temperature of the ink in the circulation system shown in FIG. The CPU511, ROM512, RAM513, flow valve control interface 521, head control interface 522, pressure control interface 523, heater control interface 525, target temperature setting interface 527, and temperature monitoring interface 529 of the various components of the control unit 50 are through The system bus bars are connected to each other. The ink circulation control processing program is stored in the ROM 512. The CPU 511 executes the ink circulation control processing program while using the RAM 513 as a working memory, thereby controlling the flow and temperature of the ink in the ink circulation system. In addition, the ink droplet ejection control of the heads HD1 to HD5 based on the pattern formation data is performed.

Here, the flow path valve control interface 521 is used for the CPU 511 to control the opening and closing of the first common path solenoid valve SV11, the second common path solenoid valve SV12, and the bypass solenoid valve SV13, as well as the first individual path solenoid valves SV1 to the tenth individual path. The opening and closing interface of the path solenoid valve SV10. The head control interface 522 is the following interface: used to send pattern formation data to the heads HD1 to HD5, and cause the heads HD1 to HD5 to eject liquid droplets (ink droplets), thereby allowing the heads HD1 to HD5 to perform patterns based on the pattern formation data form. In the case of sending pattern formation data of different contents to the heads HD1 to HD5, there is a possibility that the ink ejection amount from the heads HD1 to HD5 may become uneven. The pressure control interface 523 is used to control the interfaces of the pressure reduction adjustment device 152 and the pressure adjustment device 153, and the pressure reduction adjustment device 152 and the pressure adjustment device 153 are used to adjust the air pressure of the circulation tank 102 and the supply tank 103, respectively. The heater control interface 525 is used to control the heating tube heater HE12, the input side common manifold heater HE13, and the individual block heaters HE1, HE3, HE5, HE7, HE9 to turn on (ON) and cut off (OFF) The interface. The target temperature setting interface 527 is used to set the target temperature Tk1 of the heating tube thermostat TR12, the target temperature Ti1 of the input-side common manifold thermostat TR13, and the individual block thermostats TR1, TR3, TR5, TR7, TR9 The interface of the target temperature Th1. The temperature monitoring interface 529 is used to obtain the head thermostat temperatures TSt1 to TSt5 respectively output from the head thermostats TS1 to TS5 and the input side common manifold liquid temperature TSt6 output from the input manifold liquid temperature sensor TS6.

In addition, the system bus in the control unit 50 is also connected via the system bus to control the X-axis direction moving mechanism 3, the Y-axis direction moving mechanism 4, and the lifting mechanism 5 shown in FIG. 1 and from the heads HD1 to HD5. The interface for controlling the ejection volume of ink. In addition, the ROM512 also stores the solder resist pattern forming processing program. The CPU511 uses the RAM513 as the operating memory while executing the solder resist pattern forming processing program, thereby performing the X-axis direction movement mechanism 3 and the Y-axis direction movement mechanism through these interfaces 4 and the control of the elevating mechanism 5 and the control of the ink ejection from the heads HD1 to HD5, so that a solder resist pattern is formed on the printed circuit board placed on the table 10. Since the details of these configurations and operations are the same as in the past and are not directly related to the features of this embodiment, the description is omitted.

[3. Action of ink circulation device] Next, the control processing based on the ink circulation control processing program will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, and 5, thereby explaining the operation of the ink circulation device of this embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a control process (hereinafter referred to as "ink circulation control process") for controlling the flow and temperature of the ink in the ink circulation device of this embodiment. In this embodiment, when the ink circulation device is activated, the ink circulation control process of FIG. 5 is started; in the ink circulation control process, the CPU 511 in the control unit 50 is based on the ink circulation control process through the flow path valve The control interface 521, the head control interface 522, the pressure control interface 523, the heater control interface 525, the target temperature setting interface 527, and the temperature monitoring interface 529 control each part of the ink circulation device in the following manner. In addition, the ink circulation device is configured such that when the ink circulation device is activated, the first liquid feeding pump EP1 and the second liquid feeding pump EP2 start to operate, and then respond to the positions in the replenishment tank 101, the circulation tank 102, and the supply tank 103. The detection result of the quasi-sensor controls the operations of the first liquid feeding pump EP1 and the second liquid feeding pump EP2. The details of this structure are the same as before.

In the ink circulation control process in this embodiment, first, the start-up temperature adjustment program (S100) is executed. The start-up temperature adjustment program (S100) is used to remove bubbles in the ink circulation system and shorten the startup time. In the startup execution program, the initial setting of the flow path valve (S102), the initial setting of the tank pressure (S104), and the initial setting of the thermostat (S106) are performed.

In the initial setting of the flow path valve (S102), the first individual path solenoid valve SV1 to the tenth individual path solenoid valve SV10 as the head individual valve are closed, and the bypass solenoid valve SV13 as the input-output common manifold valve is opened.

In the initial setting of tank pressure (S104), the air pressure in the supply tank 103 (positive pressure Pp) is set to a high positive pressure value PpH, and the air pressure in the circulation tank 102 (negative pressure Pn) is set to a high negative pressure value PnH . In this embodiment, at least a high positive pressure value PpH belonging to a predetermined positive pressure value with a large difference from the atmospheric pressure and a low positive pressure value PpL belonging to a predetermined positive pressure value with a small difference from the atmospheric pressure are prepared as the supply tank The setting value of the air pressure (positive pressure) Pp in 103, and prepare at least one of the high negative pressure value PnH which belongs to the predetermined negative pressure value with the larger difference from the atmospheric pressure and the predetermined negative pressure value which belongs to the predetermined negative pressure value with the smaller difference from the atmospheric pressure The low negative pressure value PnL is used as the set value of the air pressure (negative pressure) Pn in the circulation tank 102.

In the initial setting of the thermostat (S106), the heating pipe heater HE12 and the input side common manifold heater HE13 are turned on. In addition, the ink temperature in the input manifold 111 is obtained from the input manifold liquid temperature sensor TS6 as the input side common manifold liquid temperature Tst6, and the target temperature of the heating tube heater HE12 is set based on the input side common manifold liquid temperature TSt6. Tk1 is set to the heating pipe thermostat TR12 and the target temperature Ti1 of the input-side common manifold heater HE13 is set to the input-side common manifold thermostat TR13. Thereby, the heating pipe heater HE12 is heated to the corresponding target temperature Tk1 and the input side common manifold heater HE13 is heated to the corresponding target temperature Ti1. Furthermore, the head individual block heaters HE1, HE3, HE5, HE7, and HE9 are turned on. In addition, the predetermined temperature is set as the target temperature Th1 to the head individual block thermostats TR1, TR3, TR5, TR7, TR9 according to the head thermostat temperatures TSt1 to TSt5. Thereby, the ink temperature in the first individual block 121, the third individual block 123, the fifth individual block 125, the seventh individual block 127, and the ninth individual block 129 is heated to the target temperature Th1.

When this start-up temperature adjustment program (S100 composed of S102 to S106) ends, it waits until the input-side common manifold liquid temperature TSt6 reaches the predetermined temperature T1 (S110).

Fig. 6 is a diagram showing the flow of ink in the ink circulation system during the standby period, that is, the ink circulation system during the period after the start temperature adjustment program (S100) is executed until the steady state temperature adjustment program (S120) is started A diagram of the ink flow in. During the standby period, the first individual path solenoid valve SV1 to the tenth individual path solenoid valve SV10 as the head individual valve are closed and the bypass solenoid valve SV13 as the input-output common manifold valve is opened, as shown in FIG. 6 , The ink does not flow in the first individual flow path 201 to the tenth individual flow path 210, the ink is in the supply tank 103 → input manifold 111 → bypass flow path 215 → output manifold 112 → fourth common flow path The path 214 → circulation tank 102 → second common flow path 212 → supply tank 103 circulates. At this time, since the air pressure (positive pressure Pp) of the supply tank 103 is a high positive pressure value PpH and the air pressure of the circulation tank 102 (negative pressure Pn) is a high negative pressure value PnH, it is consistent with the stability after the steady-state temperature adjustment program described later. The flow rate (circulation amount) of the compared ink in the state operation becomes larger.

When the common manifold liquid temperature TSt6 on the input side reaches the predetermined temperature T1, the steady-state temperature adjustment procedure is started (S120). In the steady-state temperature regulation program, the steady-state setting of the flow path valve (S122), the steady-state setting of the tank pressure (S124), and the steady-state setting of the thermostat (S126) are performed.

In the steady state setting of the flow path valve (S122), the first individual path solenoid valve SV1 to the tenth individual path solenoid valve SV10 as the head individual valve are opened, and the bypass solenoid valve SV13 of the input-output common manifold valve is closed.

In the steady state setting of the tank pressure (S124), the air pressure in the supply tank 103 (positive pressure Pp) is set to a low positive pressure value PpL, and the air pressure in the circulation tank 102 (negative pressure Pn) is set to a low negative pressure value PnL.

In the steady state setting of the thermostat (S126), the heating pipe heater HE12 is continuously set to the on state, and the input side common manifold heater HE13 is also continuously set to the on state. In addition, the input side common manifold liquid temperature TSt6 is acquired from the input manifold liquid temperature sensor TS6, and the target temperature Tk2 of the heating tube heater HE12 is set to the heating tube thermostat TR12 based on the input side common manifold liquid temperature TSt6 And the target temperature Ti2 of the input side common manifold heater HE13 is set to the input side common manifold thermostat TR13. Here, these target temperatures Tk2 and Ti2 are selected so as to become larger than each of the target temperatures Tk1 and Ti1 in the start-up temperature adjustment program.

Furthermore, the individual head block heaters HE1, HE3, HE5, HE7, and HE9 are continuously set to the ON state, and the head individual block thermostats TR1, TR3, TR5, TR7, TR9 are set to the head thermostat temperature TSt1 to TSt5 is used as the basis to set the predetermined temperature Th2 as the target temperature, thereby setting the first individual block 121, the third individual block 123, the fifth individual block 125, the seventh individual block 127, and the ninth individual block 129 The temperature of the ink inside is heated to a predetermined temperature Th2. Here, the predetermined temperature Th2 is selected to be a temperature (Th2>Th1) higher than the predetermined temperature (target temperature Th1) in the startup temperature adjustment program.

When the above-mentioned steady state temperature adjustment program (constituted by S122 to S126) S120 ends, the ink system of each head HD1 to HD5 becomes a steady state operation that is maintained at the target temperature (temperature equivalent to the predetermined temperature Th2) state.

Fig. 7 is a diagram showing the flow of ink in the ink circulation system in a steady-state operation state. In the steady-state operating state, the first individual path solenoid valve SV1 to the tenth individual path solenoid valve SV10 as the head individual valve are opened and the bypass solenoid valve SV13 as the input-output common manifold valve is closed, as shown in Figure 7 As shown, the ink does not flow in the bypass flow path 215, and the ink is in the supply tank 103 → the input manifold 111 → the first individual flow path 201 to the fifth individual flow path 205 → the first individual block 121, the third individual flow path 205 Individual block 123, fifth individual block 125, seventh individual block 127, ninth individual block 129 → first head HD1 to fifth head HD5 → second individual block 122, fourth individual block 124, Sixth individual block 126, eighth individual block 128, tenth individual block 130 → sixth individual flow path 206 to tenth individual flow path 210 → output manifold 112 → fourth common flow path 214 → circulation tank 102 →Second common flow path 212 →Supply tank 103 This path circulates. At this time, since the air pressure (positive pressure Pp) of the supply tank 103 is a low positive pressure value PpL and the air pressure of the circulation tank 102 (negative pressure Pn) is a low negative pressure value PnL, the ink system is higher than the above-mentioned standby period (S110) When the flow rate is still small, the flow rate is circulating during steady-state operation.

While maintaining the above-mentioned steady-state operating state, the heads HD1 to HD5 perform pattern formation on the printed circuit board placed on the table. That is, the heads HD1 to HD5 eject ink based on the pattern formation data. Since the pattern formation data sent to the heads HD1 to HD5 generally have different contents, the heads HD1 to HD5 eject different amounts of ink. In this embodiment, thermostats TR1, TR3, TR5, TR7, and TR9 are interposed between the first individual flow path 201 to the fifth individual flow path 205, and the thermostats TR1, TR3, TR5, TR7, and TR9 are The temperature of the ink flowing in the first individual flow path 201 to the fifth individual flow path 205 is controlled in a uniform manner. Therefore, even in the case where the heads HD1 to HD5 eject different amounts of ink, the ink of a uniform temperature can be supplied to the heads HD1 to HD5. Thereby, it is possible to ensure high quality for pattern formation on the printed circuit board.

In addition, in this embodiment, the thermostats TR1, TR3, TR5, TR7, and TR9 are arranged at positions close to the heads HD1 to HD5. That is, the piping length from the first individual flow path 201 to the fifth individual flow path 205 from the thermostats TR1, TR3, TR5, TR7, TR9 to the heads HD1 to HD5 is proportional to the length from the input side common manifold 111 to The piping length of the first individual flow path 201 to the fifth individual flow path 205 up to the thermostats TR1, TR3, TR5, TR7, and TR9 is short. Thereby, the ink with high temperature uniformity adjusted by the thermostats TR1, TR3, TR5, TR7, and TR9 can be supplied to the heads HD1 to HD5 while maintaining substantially the original temperature. As a result, the quality of pattern formation on the printed circuit board can be improved even higher.

In addition, even in the case where the piping length and piping impedance of the first individual flow path 201 to the fifth individual flow path 205 are different, by sandwiching the first individual flow path 201 to the fifth individual flow path 205 The individual path solenoid valve SV1 to the fifth individual path solenoid valve SV5 (thereby, the ink flow rate can be adjusted individually in each of the heads HD1 to HD5) and the thermostats TR1, TR3, TR5, TR7, TR9 (thereby, can Each of the heads HD1 to HD5 adjusts the ink temperature individually) to supply ink of a uniform temperature to the heads HD1 to HD5. That is, the first individual flow path 201 to the fifth individual flow path 205 interposed between the input side common manifold 111 and the heads HD1 to HD5 can be separated by the thermostats TR1, TR3, TR5, TR7, and TR9. The possible difference in ink temperature is corrected and supplied to the heads HD1 to HD5.

The ink circulation device of this embodiment is equipped with the following two: the input-side common manifold thermostat TR13, which can heat the entire ink circulation circuit; and the thermostats TR1, TR3, TR5, TR7, and TR9, which are separate Ground heating head HD1 to HD5. Therefore, in the case where the temperature of the ink needs to be raised in a short time like starting the temperature adjustment program S100 (refer to FIG. 5), it is necessary to use the input side common manifold thermostat TR13 to precisely adjust the supply to the heads HD1 to HD5. In the steady-state temperature control program S120 (refer to FIG. 5) of the ink temperature, it can be used by using the input-side common manifold thermostat TR13 and the thermostats TR1, TR3, TR5, TR7, and TR9 in combination. In this way, the thermostat can be used efficiently.

[4. Efficacy] In the above embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, an ink circulation system is used to supply ink to the five heads HD1 to HD5, which are provided on the input side (upstream side) and output side (downstream side) of these heads HD1 to HD5. There are an input manifold 111 and an output manifold 112; in the steady state operation state, the ink passes from the input manifold 111 through the first individual flow path 201 to the fifth individual flow path 205, and the first head HD1 to the fifth head HD5 And the sixth individual flow path 206 to the tenth individual flow path 210 reach the five flow path cycles of the output manifold 112, whereby the ink system is individually supplied to the five heads HD1 to HD5. In addition, as described above, the five flow path systems are configured such that the lengths of the pipes and the pipe impedance are the same as each other. Thereby, the ink flow rates in the five flow paths for supplying ink to the five heads HD1 to HD5 are uniformized. In addition, in this embodiment, the first individual path solenoid valve SV1 to the fifth individual path solenoid valve SV5 of the first individual flow path 201 to the fifth individual flow path 205 respectively provided on the input side of the five heads HD1 to HD5 are all It is constructed in a way that can adjust the flow rate. Therefore, even in the case where the ink flow rates of the above five flow paths are not sufficiently uniformized by the above configuration, the flow rates can be adjusted by the first individual path solenoid valve SV1 to the fifth individual path solenoid valve SV5, As a result, the ink flow rates of the above five flow paths can be surely uniformized.

In addition, in this embodiment, in the third common flow path 213, the ink is heated and adjusted to a desired temperature by the heating tube thermostat TR12 including the heating tube heater HE12; in the input manifold 111, The ink is heated and adjusted to the desired temperature by a thermostat (input-side common manifold thermostat TR13) that includes the input-side common manifold heater HE13; in addition, it is also in the first individual on the input side The block 121, the third individual block 123, the fifth individual block 125, the seventh individual block 127, and the ninth individual block 129 are respectively arranged in the first individual block 121 to the tenth individual block 130 Temperature adjustment of the first individual block 121, the third individual block 123, the fifth individual block 125, the seventh individual block 127, and the ninth individual block 129 of the first individual block 121, the third individual block 123, the seventh individual block 127, and the ninth individual block 129 The temperature controller (head individual block thermostat) TRi (i=1 to 5) adjusts the ink temperature and uniformizes the ink temperature. Thereby, the ink temperature in the five heads HD1 to HD5 that are supplied with ink through one ink circulation system can be surely uniformized. In the case of ink with a relatively high viscosity such as solder resist ink used in the ink circulation device, this kind of temperature uniformity is effective in achieving uniformity of the ink ejection amount from the five heads HD1 to HD5. of.

In addition, in this embodiment, when the ink circulation device is activated, the startup temperature adjustment program (refer to FIG. 5) is executed, and the first individual path solenoid valve SV1 to the tenth individual path solenoid valve SV10 are closed and the tank 103 is supplied When the air pressure (positive pressure Pp) is set to a high positive pressure value PpH and the air pressure (negative pressure Pn) of the circulation tank 102 is set to a high negative pressure value PnH, the ink is supplied to the tank 103 → input manifold 111 → side The path 215 → output manifold 112 → circulation tank 102 → supply tank 103 circulates (refer to FIG. 6). Thereby, the air bubbles mixed in during the stop of the ink circulation device are prevented from flowing toward the head side (heads HD1 to HD5), and the mixed air bubbles are discharged to the outside of the tank in a shorter time than before. In addition, as the flow rate of the ink increases, the temperature rise of the ink and the piping portion that constitute the flow path is accelerated, and the time to reach the steady-state ink temperature is shorter than before.

Furthermore, according to this embodiment, since the air pressure of the circulation tank 102 (negative pressure Pn) and the air pressure of the supply tank 103 (positive pressure Pp) can be changed, this function can also be used to provide the following function: weak flushing of ink ( purge), make the pressure of the meniscus fluctuate to perform cleaning (cleaning). In addition, the opening and closing of the first individual path solenoid valve SV1 to the tenth individual path solenoid valve SV10 respectively provided on the input side and the output side of the heads HD1 to HD5 are independently controlled, so that each head can also be flushed with ink. purge) and cleaning. Furthermore, even when normally closed solenoid valves are used as these first individual path solenoid valves SV1 to tenth individual path solenoid valves SV10, the ink circulation device or the device equipped with the ink circulation device does not have a holding power supply (standby power supply) In this case, the ink can also be prevented from flowing out from the heads HD1 to HD5.

[5. Examples of changes] The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and various changes can be further applied as long as it does not deviate from the scope of the present invention. For example, in the above embodiment, although one ink circulation system is used to supply ink to five heads HD1 to HD5 (refer to FIG. 2), it may be configured such that one ink circulation system supplies four or less heads or six The above plural heads supply ink.

In addition, the ink circulation device of the above embodiment is a device that constitutes the main part of the solder resist ink jetting device. Although solder resist ink is used, the present invention can also be applied to inks that use other types of inks. Material circulation device. However, the present invention is particularly effective in the case of using solder resist ink, which has a relatively high viscosity.

2: base 3: X-axis direction moving mechanism 4: Y-axis direction moving mechanism 5: Lifting mechanism 6: Supporting structure 10 stages 21, 41: rail 30: Inkjet mobile 31: head 33: Circulation mechanism body 50: Control Department 101: Supplementary Slot 102: Circulation slot 103: supply tank 111: Common manifold on the input side (input manifold) 112: Common manifold on the output side (output manifold) 121: The first individual block 122: second individual block 123: The third individual block 124: The fourth individual block 125: Fifth individual block 126: The sixth individual block 127: The seventh individual block 128: Eighth individual block 129: Ninth individual block 130: Tenth individual block 152: Decompression adjustment device 153: Pressure adjustment device 200: flow path 201 to 205: the first individual flow path to the fifth individual flow path 206 to 210: The sixth individual flow path to the tenth individual flow path 211: The first common flow path (flow path) 212: Second common flow path (flow path) 213: The third common flow path (flow path) 214: Fourth common flow path (flow path) 215: Bypass flow path 511: CPU 512:ROM 513: RAM 521: Flow path valve control interface 522: Head Control Interface 523: Pressure control interface 525: Heater control interface 527: Target temperature setting interface 529: Temperature monitoring interface CV1: first coupling CV2: second coupling CV3: third coupling CV4: Fourth coupling CV5: Fifth coupling CV6: sixth coupling CV7: seventh coupling CV8: Eighth coupling CV9: Ninth coupling CV10: Tenth coupling EP1: The first liquid delivery pump EP2: Second liquid delivery pump FL: filter HD1 to HD5: head (first head to fifth head) HDi: Head HE1 to HE9: Head individual block heater HE12: Heating tube heater HE13: Common manifold heater on the input side HEi: Head individual block heater LV: Level sensor Pn: negative pressure PnH: high negative pressure value PnL: Low negative pressure value Pp: positive pressure PpH: high positive pressure value PpL: Low positive pressure value SV1 to SV5: The first individual path solenoid valve to the fifth individual path solenoid valve (the individual path solenoid valve on the input side, that is, the individual valve on the supply side) SV6 to SV10: The sixth individual path solenoid valve to the tenth individual path solenoid valve (the individual path solenoid valve on the output side, that is, the individual valve on the discharge side) SV11: The first common path solenoid valve SV12: Second common path solenoid valve SV13: Bypass solenoid valve T1: temperature Th1, Ti1, Ti2, Tk1, Tk2: target temperature Th2: predetermined temperature TR1, TR3, TR5, TR7, TR9: the first individual block thermostat (thermostat) TR12: Heating tube thermostat TR13: Input side common manifold thermostat Tri: Thermostat TS1 to TS5: head thermostat TS6: Input manifold liquid temperature sensor TSt1 to TSt5: head thermostat temperature TSt6: Liquid temperature of the common manifold on the input side

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the overall structure of a solder resist ink jetting device equipped with an ink circulation device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Fig. 2] is a diagram showing the structure of the flow path in the ink circulation device of the above-mentioned embodiment. Fig. 3 is a diagram for explaining the tank pressure adjustment in the ink circulation device of the above embodiment. Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the control unit in the ink circulation device of the above-mentioned embodiment. [Fig. 5] is a flowchart showing a control process for controlling the flow and temperature of the ink in the ink circulation device of the above-mentioned embodiment. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing the flow of ink in the ink circulation system during the period after the start-up procedure is executed until the steady-state temperature adjustment procedure is started in the above-mentioned embodiment. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing the flow of ink in the steady state operation state of the ink circulation system in the above embodiment.

101: Supplementary Slot

102: Circulation slot

103: supply tank

111: Common manifold on the input side (input manifold)

112: Common manifold on the output side (output manifold)

121: The first individual block

122: second individual block

123: The third individual block

124: The fourth individual block

125: Fifth individual block

126: The sixth individual block

127: The seventh individual block

128: Eighth individual block

129: Ninth individual block

130: Tenth individual block

200: flow path

201 to 205: the first individual flow path to the fifth individual flow path

206 to 210: The sixth individual flow path to the tenth individual flow path

211: The first common flow path (flow path)

212: Second common flow path (flow path)

213: The third common flow path (flow path)

214: Fourth common flow path (flow path)

215: Bypass flow path

CV1: first coupling

CV2: second coupling

CV3: third coupling

CV4: Fourth coupling

CV5: Fifth coupling

CV6: sixth coupling

CV7: seventh coupling

CV8: Eighth coupling

CV9: Ninth coupling

CV10: Tenth coupling

EP1: The first liquid delivery pump

EP2: Second liquid delivery pump

FL: filter

HD1 to HD5: head (first head to fifth head)

HE1 to HE9: Head individual block heater

HE12: Heating tube heater

HE13: Common manifold heater on the input side

LV: Level sensor

Pp: positive pressure

SV1 to SV5: The first individual path solenoid valve to the fifth individual path solenoid valve (the individual path solenoid valve on the input side, that is, the individual valve on the supply side)

SV6 to SV10: The sixth individual path solenoid valve to the tenth individual path solenoid valve (the individual path solenoid valve on the output side, that is, the individual valve on the discharge side)

SV11: The first common path solenoid valve

SV12: Second common path solenoid valve

SV13: Bypass solenoid valve

TR1, TR3, TR5, TR7, TR9: the first individual block thermostat (thermostat)

TR12: Heating tube thermostat

TR13: Input side common manifold thermostat

TS1 to TS5: head thermostat

TS6: Input manifold liquid temperature sensor

TSt6: Liquid temperature of the common manifold on the input side

Claims (7)

An ink circulation device which circulates the ink through a circulation loop of a plurality of ink-jet heads of the ink-circulation type and supplies ink to the plurality of the aforementioned ink-jet heads; The aforementioned ink circulation device is equipped with: The supply side manifold and the discharge side manifold are respectively arranged on the upstream side and downstream side of the plurality of inkjet heads in the aforementioned circulation circuit; A plurality of supply-side branch paths constitute a part of the aforementioned circulation circuit for supplying the ink in the aforementioned supply-side manifold to the plurality of aforementioned inkjet heads respectively; A plurality of discharge-side branch paths constitute a part of the aforementioned circulation circuit for discharging the ink in the plurality of aforementioned inkjet heads to the aforementioned discharge-side manifold respectively; The common thermostat includes a heater for heating the ink in the supply side manifold to adjust the temperature of the ink; and A plurality of individual thermostats respectively include heaters for heating the inks respectively supplied to the plurality of inkjet heads through the plurality of supply side branch paths, and respectively adjust the inks with the same target temperature temperature. The ink circulation device described in claim 1, wherein a plurality of branch paths from the supply-side manifold to the discharge-side manifold via a plurality of the supply-side branch paths and a plurality of the discharge-side branch paths respectively Because the length of the piping and the resistance of the piping become the same. The ink circulation device described in claim 2, which is further provided with: a plurality of individual valves which respectively open and close a plurality of the aforementioned branch paths. The ink circulation device described in claim 3, wherein a plurality of the aforementioned individual valves are configured to be able to adjust the flow rate. The ink circulation device described in claim 2, which further includes: A plurality of supply-side individual valves respectively open and close a plurality of the aforementioned supply-side branch paths; and A plurality of discharge-side individual valves respectively open and close a plurality of the aforementioned discharge-side branch paths. The ink circulation device as described in claim 5, which further includes: The bypass flow path is from the aforementioned supply-side manifold to the aforementioned discharge-side manifold; and The bypass valve opens and closes the aforementioned bypass flow path. The ink circulation device described in claim 6, which further includes: The supply tank stores the ink to be supplied to the plurality of inkjet heads through the supply side manifold; Circulation tank, which stores the ink discharged from the plurality of inkjet heads through the discharge side manifold; Used to discharge ink from the aforementioned discharge-side manifold to the flow path of the aforementioned circulation groove; The flow path used to transport ink from the aforementioned circulation tank to the aforementioned supply tank; The flow path used to transport ink from the supply tank to the supply side manifold; The pressure adjustment device sets the air pressure of the aforementioned supply tank to a positive pressure; The pressure reduction adjustment device sets the air pressure of the aforementioned circulation tank to a negative pressure; and The control unit controls a plurality of the aforementioned supply-side individual valves, a plurality of the aforementioned discharge-side individual valves, the aforementioned bypass valve, the aforementioned pressure adjustment device, and the aforementioned pressure reduction adjustment device; The control unit controls the supply side individual valves and the discharge side individual valves in a closed state and the bypass valve in an open state during a predetermined standby period when the ink circulation device is activated. The aforementioned bypass valve, a plurality of the aforementioned supply-side individual valves, and a plurality of the aforementioned discharge-side individual valves; When the ink circulation device is activated, the control unit has a difference between the positive pressure set as the air pressure of the supply tank and the atmospheric pressure during the predetermined standby period. In the operating state, the difference between the steady-state positive pressure and the atmospheric pressure belonging to the positive pressure set as the air pressure of the aforementioned supply tank is still greater, and the difference between the negative pressure and the atmospheric pressure set as the air pressure of the aforementioned circulation tank becomes greater than the aforementioned In the steady-state operating state of the ink circulation device, the pressure adjustment device and the pressure reduction adjustment device are controlled so that the difference between the steady-state negative pressure and the atmospheric pressure belonging to the negative pressure set as the air pressure of the circulation tank is still large ； The control unit controls the bypass valve and the supply side such that the supply side individual valves and the discharge side individual valves become open and the bypass valves become closed when the standby period elapses. Side individual valve and a plurality of the aforementioned discharge side individual valves, and control the pressure adjustment device and the pressure reduction adjustment such that the air pressure of the supply tank becomes the steady positive pressure and the air pressure of the circulation tank becomes the steady negative pressure Device.

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