WO2012147612A1 - 画像形成装置、および、画像が形成された缶体の製造方法 - Google Patents
画像形成装置、および、画像が形成された缶体の製造方法 Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2012147612A1 WO2012147612A1 PCT/JP2012/060590 JP2012060590W WO2012147612A1 WO 2012147612 A1 WO2012147612 A1 WO 2012147612A1 JP 2012060590 W JP2012060590 W JP 2012060590W WO 2012147612 A1 WO2012147612 A1 WO 2012147612A1
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- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- image forming
- image
- ink
- unit
- units
- Prior art date
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B61/00—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages
- B65B61/26—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for marking or coding completed packages
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J3/00—Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed
- B41J3/407—Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed for marking on special material
- B41J3/4073—Printing on three-dimensional objects not being in sheet or web form, e.g. spherical or cubic objects
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41F—PRINTING MACHINES OR PRESSES
- B41F17/00—Printing apparatus or machines of special types or for particular purposes, not otherwise provided for
- B41F17/08—Printing apparatus or machines of special types or for particular purposes, not otherwise provided for for printing on filamentary or elongated articles, or on articles with cylindrical surfaces
- B41F17/14—Printing apparatus or machines of special types or for particular purposes, not otherwise provided for for printing on filamentary or elongated articles, or on articles with cylindrical surfaces on articles of finite length
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41F—PRINTING MACHINES OR PRESSES
- B41F17/00—Printing apparatus or machines of special types or for particular purposes, not otherwise provided for
- B41F17/08—Printing apparatus or machines of special types or for particular purposes, not otherwise provided for for printing on filamentary or elongated articles, or on articles with cylindrical surfaces
- B41F17/14—Printing apparatus or machines of special types or for particular purposes, not otherwise provided for for printing on filamentary or elongated articles, or on articles with cylindrical surfaces on articles of finite length
- B41F17/20—Printing apparatus or machines of special types or for particular purposes, not otherwise provided for for printing on filamentary or elongated articles, or on articles with cylindrical surfaces on articles of finite length on articles of uniform cross-section, e.g. pencils, rulers, resistors
- B41F17/22—Printing apparatus or machines of special types or for particular purposes, not otherwise provided for for printing on filamentary or elongated articles, or on articles with cylindrical surfaces on articles of finite length on articles of uniform cross-section, e.g. pencils, rulers, resistors by rolling contact
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J11/00—Devices or arrangements of selective printing mechanisms, e.g. ink-jet printers or thermal printers, for supporting or handling copy material in sheet or web form
- B41J11/0015—Devices or arrangements of selective printing mechanisms, e.g. ink-jet printers or thermal printers, for supporting or handling copy material in sheet or web form for treating before, during or after printing or for uniform coating or laminating the copy material before or after printing
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J11/00—Devices or arrangements of selective printing mechanisms, e.g. ink-jet printers or thermal printers, for supporting or handling copy material in sheet or web form
- B41J11/0015—Devices or arrangements of selective printing mechanisms, e.g. ink-jet printers or thermal printers, for supporting or handling copy material in sheet or web form for treating before, during or after printing or for uniform coating or laminating the copy material before or after printing
- B41J11/002—Curing or drying the ink on the copy materials, e.g. by heating or irradiating
- B41J11/0021—Curing or drying the ink on the copy materials, e.g. by heating or irradiating using irradiation
- B41J11/00214—Curing or drying the ink on the copy materials, e.g. by heating or irradiating using irradiation using UV radiation
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J11/00—Devices or arrangements of selective printing mechanisms, e.g. ink-jet printers or thermal printers, for supporting or handling copy material in sheet or web form
- B41J11/0015—Devices or arrangements of selective printing mechanisms, e.g. ink-jet printers or thermal printers, for supporting or handling copy material in sheet or web form for treating before, during or after printing or for uniform coating or laminating the copy material before or after printing
- B41J11/002—Curing or drying the ink on the copy materials, e.g. by heating or irradiating
- B41J11/0021—Curing or drying the ink on the copy materials, e.g. by heating or irradiating using irradiation
- B41J11/00216—Curing or drying the ink on the copy materials, e.g. by heating or irradiating using irradiation using infrared [IR] radiation or microwaves
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J3/00—Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed
- B41J3/407—Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed for marking on special material
- B41J3/4073—Printing on three-dimensional objects not being in sheet or web form, e.g. spherical or cubic objects
- B41J3/40733—Printing on cylindrical or rotationally symmetrical objects, e. g. on bottles
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B61/00—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages
- B65B61/02—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for perforating, scoring, slitting, or applying code or date marks on material prior to packaging
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D23/00—Details of bottles or jars not otherwise provided for
- B65D23/08—Coverings or external coatings
- B65D23/0807—Coatings
- B65D23/0814—Coatings characterised by the composition of the material
- B65D23/0828—Coatings characterised by the composition of the material consisting mainly of paints or lacquers
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D25/00—Details of other kinds or types of rigid or semi-rigid containers
- B65D25/20—External fittings
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D25/00—Details of other kinds or types of rigid or semi-rigid containers
- B65D25/34—Coverings or external coatings
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J11/00—Devices or arrangements of selective printing mechanisms, e.g. ink-jet printers or thermal printers, for supporting or handling copy material in sheet or web form
- B41J11/0015—Devices or arrangements of selective printing mechanisms, e.g. ink-jet printers or thermal printers, for supporting or handling copy material in sheet or web form for treating before, during or after printing or for uniform coating or laminating the copy material before or after printing
- B41J11/002—Curing or drying the ink on the copy materials, e.g. by heating or irradiating
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T29/00—Metal working
- Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a can body, and a method for manufacturing a can body on which an image is formed.
- the formation of an image on a can is generally performed by a printing method called offset printing.
- digital printing using an inkjet or the like has become widespread.
- the formation speed of an image becomes slow and the number of cans which can form an image per unit time will decrease.
- the image is formed on the can body, for example, while the can body is moved and the image forming portion for forming an image on the can body is moved together with the can body and the can body is being moved. be able to.
- the image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied corresponds to each of the cans that are transported by the transport unit and the transport unit that sequentially transports the can bodies and the can body that is transported by the transport unit.
- An image forming apparatus including an image forming unit.
- each of the image forming mechanisms forms an image on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical can body, and the conveying means rotates the can body while rotating the can body in the circumferential direction. It can be characterized by being conveyed.
- each of the image forming mechanisms may be provided so as to maintain a certain posture.
- each of the plurality of image forming units may be provided so as to be able to advance and retreat with respect to the can body.
- Each of the image forming mechanisms may further include a curing unit that cures an image formed on the can by the plurality of image forming units.
- each of the plurality of image forming units forms an image on the can body by discharging ink from an ink discharge head toward the can body, and each of the plurality of image forming units includes the ink discharge unit.
- the head may be arranged to face in a direction other than upward.
- the image forming mechanism further includes a rotating member that rotates about a predetermined center of rotation, and each of the image forming mechanisms including the plurality of image forming units is provided in the rotating member and in a circumferential direction of the rotating member.
- Each of the plurality of image forming mechanisms provided with a plurality of positions of the plurality of image forming units arranged at predetermined intervals with respect to the rotation center of the rotation member.
- each of the image forming mechanisms can be provided so as to be the same. Further, each of the plurality of image forming units forms an image on the can body by discharging ink from the ink discharge head toward the can body, and the discharge force when the ink discharge head discharges the ink It is further characterized by further comprising a changing means for changing.
- the image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied moves together with the conveying unit that sequentially conveys the can body and the can body that is conveyed by the conveying unit, and is conveyed by the conveying unit.
- a plurality of image forming units arranged radially are provided as an image forming apparatus.
- a curing unit that cures the image
- a paint is applied on the image.
- an application means a plurality of conveying members that are provided so as to circulate and receive the can formed with the image forming mechanism from the conveying means and convey the can are provided to circulate and move.
- a plurality of receiving members that receive the can body from the transport member and transport the can body, and a central axis when the plurality of transport members perform the circular movement, and the plurality of receiving members The plurality of conveying members and the plurality of receiving members may be arranged so as to coincide with a central axis when the circulation movement is performed.
- the manufacturing method of the can body on which an image is formed, to which the present invention is applied includes a can body and a plurality of image forming units
- the image forming mechanism for forming an image on the can body sequentially, and while the can body is being transported, the plurality of image forming units provided in the image forming mechanism are operated simultaneously, An image is formed on a can body.
- an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied has a can body holding portion that holds a plurality of can bodies, and an image for the plurality of can bodies that are held by the can body holding portion.
- a plurality of image forming units facing each individual can in the body are provided, and while the plurality of units are being conveyed by the conveying means,
- the image forming apparatus is characterized in that the state with respect to the image forming mechanism is changed, and the can body facing the image forming unit provided in the image forming mechanism is switched.
- each of the plurality of image forming units forms an image on the can body by discharging ink from the ink discharge head toward the can body, and each of the plurality of image forming units includes the ink discharge head. It arrange
- the can holding unit is formed in an annular shape and disposed outside the image forming mechanism, and the change in the state of the can holding unit with respect to the image forming mechanism is caused by the circumferential direction of the can holding unit. It can be characterized in that it is carried out by rotating it.
- Each of the plurality of image forming units may be provided so as to be able to advance and retreat with respect to the opposing can body.
- the image forming mechanism may further include a curing unit that cures an image formed on the can by the image forming unit.
- the image forming mechanism may further include an application unit that applies a coating material on the image formed on the can by the image forming unit.
- a plurality of conveying members that are provided so as to perform the circular movement and receive the can body on which the image is formed by the image forming mechanism from the can body holding unit and convey the can body are provided so as to perform the circular movement.
- a plurality of receiving members that receive the can body from the transport member and transport the can body, and a central axis when the plurality of transport members perform the circular movement, and the plurality of receiving members
- the plurality of conveying members and the plurality of receiving members may be arranged so as to coincide with a central axis when the circulation movement is performed.
- Each of the units provided with the image forming mechanism having a plurality of the image forming units is further provided on the rotating member, and further includes a rotating member that rotates around a predetermined center of rotation.
- the plurality of image forming units provided in each of the units are arranged at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction of the unit, and each of the units provided with a plurality of postures with respect to the rotation center of the rotating member.
- each of the units may be provided so as to be the same. Further, each of the plurality of image forming units discharges ink from the ink discharge head toward the can body to form an image on the can body, and the discharge force when the ink discharge head discharges the ink It is further characterized by further comprising a changing means for changing.
- the manufacturing method of a can body on which an image is formed, to which the present invention is applied is a can body constituted by a plurality of can bodies.
- a plurality of units including at least a group and an image forming mechanism that forms an image on the can group using a plurality of image forming units, and the plurality of units are being conveyed
- an image is formed by changing the state of the group of cans relative to the image forming mechanism and switching the can facing the image forming unit of the image forming mechanism.
- the image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied has an image forming mechanism that holds the can body and forms an image on the outer surface of the can body, and an image forming mechanism that holds the can body in advance. And a moving means that moves around a predetermined circular movement path, and the image forming mechanism is provided so as to extend in one direction, and the ink is directed toward the outer surface of the can body. And an image forming unit that forms an image on the outer surface of the image forming unit. An image forming apparatus that moves an image forming mechanism so as to move along an annular movement path.
- a plurality of image forming mechanisms may be provided, and the moving unit may move the plurality of image forming mechanisms along an annular movement path.
- the image forming unit may be arranged above the can body and eject ink toward the outer surface of the can body positioned below.
- the image forming mechanism holds the can body by inserting an insertion member having an end portion into the inside of the can body from the end side, and the insertion member can perform image formation on the can body by the image forming portion.
- it is arranged in a lying state, and when holding the can body, it can be characterized in that it is arranged so that one of the upper part and the lower part faces the end part.
- an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied has a rotating member that rotates around a predetermined center of rotation, is attached to the rotating member, and rotates around the rotating member.
- the image forming mechanism is provided to extend in one direction and ejects ink toward the outer surface of the can body.
- An image forming unit for forming an image is provided, and a direction in which a straight line extending from the rotation center of the rotating member to an image forming mechanism attached to the rotating member extends and a direction in which the image forming unit extends intersect.
- An image forming apparatus in which an image forming mechanism is arranged.
- the image forming mechanism may be arranged such that a direction in which a straight line extending from the rotation center to the image forming mechanism extends and one direction is orthogonal to each other.
- the image forming unit may be arranged along the horizontal direction.
- the image forming apparatus etc. which can increase the number of cans which can form an image per unit time can be provided.
- FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a printing machine 1 that performs printing on a can body.
- the printing machine 1 as an example of an image forming apparatus is a printing machine that forms an image on the can 10 based on digital image information.
- the printing machine 1 has a can body transport mechanism 100 that sequentially transports the can bodies 10 manufactured in a can body manufacturing process (not shown), and an outer peripheral surface of the can body 10 that has been transported by the can body transport mechanism 100.
- a can body moving mechanism 200 that moves the can body 10 while an image is formed on the image
- a first transport device 300 that transports the can body 10 on which an image is formed by the can body moving mechanism 200 are provided.
- the printing press 1 includes a heating device 400 that heats the can body 10 that is sequentially transported by the first transport device 300, and an outer peripheral surface of the can body 10 that is heated by the heating device 400 (on the can body 10).
- An application device 500 is provided as an example of an application means for applying a predetermined paint (on the formed image).
- the second conveyance device 600 that further conveys the can body 10 heated by the heating device 400 and coated with the coating material by the coating device 500 to the downstream side, and the can body 10 conveyed by the second conveyance device 600 further downstream.
- a third transport device 700 for transporting to the side is provided.
- the printing machine 1 is provided with a control unit 900 that controls each device and each mechanism unit provided in the printing machine 1.
- a control unit 900 controls each device and each mechanism unit provided in the printing machine 1.
- an image formed on the can body 10 and a printing apparatus (not shown) for baking the paint applied to the can body 10 on the can body 10 ) Is provided.
- the can body transporting mechanism 100 transports the can body 10 to the can body moving mechanism 200 positioned below by using the weight of the can body 10.
- the can body transport mechanism 100 includes guide members 110 that are provided along the vertical direction and are provided on both sides of the movement path of the can body 10. By using the guide members 110, the can body moving mechanism 200 is provided. In contrast, the can 10 is conveyed.
- the can body moving mechanism 200 is provided with a rotating member 210 that is formed in a disk shape and rotates clockwise in the drawing. Further, the can body moving mechanism 200 holds the can body 10 which is provided on the outer peripheral edge of the rotating member 210 and is sequentially transported by the can body transport mechanism 100, and moves together with the can body 10 and holds it. An image forming unit 220 that forms an image on the outer peripheral surface of the can 10 is provided.
- the rotating member 210 functioning as a part of the conveying means is arranged so that its rotating shaft is horizontal.
- the mounting surface on which the image forming unit 220 is mounted is arranged along the vertical direction.
- positioning aspect of the rotation member 210 is not limited to such an aspect.
- the rotation member 210 can be provided so that the rotation axis is along the vertical direction.
- the coating material is supplied to the tray 530 to such an extent that the finisher roll 520 is immersed.
- the paint having a certain viscosity is agitated in the tray 530 as the furnisher roll 520 rotates. Further, when the furnisher roll 520 rotates, the paint in the tray 530 adheres to the roll surface of the furnisher roll 520. The paint adhering to the furnisher roll 520 is transferred to the roll member 510 and further transferred to the can 10.
- the image forming unit 220 as an example of the image forming mechanism is provided on the outer peripheral edge of the rotating member 210 as described above.
- a plurality (20 in the present embodiment) of image forming units 220 are provided and are arranged side by side along the outer peripheral edge of the rotating member 210. Further, each of the plurality of image forming units 220 is arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the rotating member 210.
- FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the can body moving mechanism 200.
- the can moving mechanism 200 of the present embodiment is provided with a rotating member 210 that is formed in a disk shape and rotates in the clockwise direction in the drawing. Yes.
- An image forming unit 220 that holds the can body 10 and forms an image on the outer peripheral surface of the can body 10 is provided on the outer peripheral edge of the rotating member 210.
- the image forming unit 220 is provided with a turntable 221 that is formed in a disk shape and is rotatable about a center portion. Further, in the present embodiment, a holding member (mandrel) 222 that holds the can body 10 is provided at the center of the rotary table 221 so as to protrude from the rotary table 221 (provided to protrude toward the front in the figure). Yes.
- the can body 10 is inserted into the holding member 222 through an opening formed at one end of the can body 10 formed in a cylindrical shape.
- the holding member 222 is formed in a hollow shape.
- a ventilation hole is formed in the internal space of the holding member 222, and the holding member 222 holds the can body 10 by vacuum-suctioning the inside of the can body 10 through the ventilation hole. It comes to hold. Thereby, the movement with respect to the holding member 222 of the can 10 is controlled.
- the movement of the can body 10 is regulated by suction, but the movement of the can body 10 can also be regulated by a mechanical configuration such as pressing a member (not shown) against the can body 10.
- a plurality of ink ejection devices 223 that eject ink to the outer peripheral surface of the can body 10 held by the holding member 222 are provided around the holding member 222.
- a plurality of ink ejection devices 223 that form an image on the can 10 by the so-called inkjet method are provided around the holding member 222.
- six ink ejection devices 223 are provided in one image forming unit 220 so that a maximum of six colors of ink can be used.
- each of the ink ejection devices 223 as an example of the image forming unit contains inks of different colors.
- each of the ink ejection devices 223 is disposed so as to surround the holding member 222.
- each of the ink ejection devices 223 is formed in a long shape.
- the ink discharge device 223 formed in such a long shape is arranged so as to go from the center of the rotary table 221 formed in a disk shape toward the outer peripheral edge.
- each of the ink ejection devices 223 is arranged radially with the central portion of the rotary table 221 as the center. In other words, the holding members 222 are arranged radially around the center.
- the ink discharge device 223 is not arranged below the holding member 222.
- the ink ejection device 223 is disposed above the holding member 222 or on the side of the holding member 222.
- the ink discharge head (not shown) of the ink discharge device 223 comes to face downward or in the horizontal direction (horizontal direction). Dust is less likely to adhere to the ink discharge head.
- the ink discharge head of the ink discharge device 223 is oriented in a direction other than the upward direction, and dust or the like is less likely to adhere to the ink discharge head.
- the rotary table 221 can be rotated with respect to the rotary member 210.
- the rotating table 221 rotates counterclockwise in the drawing, and the posture of the image forming unit 220 is changed. There is no change in the system.
- the posture of the image forming unit 220 is maintained by rotating the rotary table 221 counterclockwise by the motor M or the like shown in FIG.
- a weight not shown
- the position of the center of gravity of the rotary table 221 is decentered, and the decentering of the center of gravity keeps the posture of the image forming unit 220 constant so that the posture of the image forming unit 220 does not change. It can also be.
- only one motor M is shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of motors M are provided so as to correspond to each of the plurality of image forming units 220.
- the posture of the image forming unit 220 when the posture of the image forming unit 220 changes, the ink discharge head of the ink discharge device 223 comes to face upward. In this case, dust or the like easily adheres to the ink discharge head. Further, when the posture of the image forming unit 220 changes, the posture of the ink discharge device 223 also changes. In this case, the amount of ink adhering to the can body 10 may fluctuate or the ink adhering position may shift. For this reason, in this embodiment, as described above, the posture of the image forming unit 220 is maintained at a constant posture.
- FIG. 3 a diagram for explaining the image forming unit 220.
- 2A is a front view of the image forming unit 220.
- FIG. FIG. 5B is a view when the image forming unit 220 is viewed from the direction of the arrow IIIB in FIG. 4A
- FIG. 4C is the image forming from the direction of the arrow IIIC in FIG. It is a figure at the time of looking at the unit 220.
- FIG. 5B is a view when the image forming unit 220 is viewed from the direction of the arrow IIIB in FIG. 4A
- FIG. 4C is the image forming from the direction of the arrow IIIC in FIG. It is a figure at the time of looking at the unit 220.
- FIG. 5B is a view when the image forming unit 220 is viewed from the direction of the arrow IIIB in FIG. 4A
- FIG. 4C is the image forming from the direction of the arrow IIIC in FIG. It is a figure at the time of looking at the
- the ink ejection device 223 can be moved back and forth with respect to the holding member 222.
- the image forming unit 220 is configured so that the ink discharge device 223 can be approached to the holding member 222 (can body 10) and the ink discharge device 223 can be separated from the holding member 222. ing.
- an advance / retreat mechanism 250 for advancing / retreating the ink ejection device 223 relative to the holding member 222 is provided.
- the advancing / retracting mechanism 250 is constituted by, for example, a so-called linear actuator having a drive section that moves linearly. More specifically, this linear actuator is composed of, for example, a linear motor or a servo motor and a ball screw.
- information about the outer diameter of the can body 10 (information about the can body 10) is input by an operator via a terminal (not shown) and transmitted from the terminal to the control unit 900 (see FIG. 1). Then, when receiving information about the outer diameter of the can body 10, the control unit 900 drives the advance / retreat mechanism 250 based on this information, and arranges the ink ejection device 223 at a position corresponding to the outer diameter of the can body 10.
- Each ink discharge device 223 is provided with a sensor for detecting the can body 10, and by using this sensor, the ink discharge device 223 can be arranged at a position corresponding to the outer diameter of the can body 10.
- the ink ejection device 223 can be automatically arranged at a position corresponding to the outer diameter of the can body 10.
- the ink discharge device 223 is automatically advanced and retracted by detecting the distance to the can body 10 with a sensor, the outer periphery is kept in a state where the distance between the outer peripheral surface of the can body 10 and the ink discharge device 223 is kept constant. Since the ink can be ejected onto the surface, the shape of the can 10 is not limited to a circle, and an image can be formed on the can 10 such as an ellipse or a rectangle. Further, by inputting the shape data of the can body 10 in advance, the ink discharge device 223 can be automatically advanced and retracted based on the shape data. Also in this case, it is possible to form an image on the can 10 having a shape other than circular.
- a servo motor M1 that is attached to the back side of the rotary table 221 and rotates the holding member 222 is provided.
- the holding member 222 holding the can 10 is rotated by the servo motor M1.
- the can 10 rotates in the circumferential direction.
- ink is ejected from each of the ink ejection devices 223 to the outer peripheral surface of the can 10. As a result, an image is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the can 10.
- the can body 10 in the depth direction of the printing press 1 (see FIG. 1), the can body 10 called a “pocket” is temporarily placed in front of the can body moving mechanism 200 in the depth direction.
- a holder H is provided (not shown in FIG. 1, see FIG. 3C).
- the pocket moves together with the image forming unit 220 on the front side of the can body moving mechanism 200.
- the can 10 is unloaded from the can transport mechanism 100 and once placed in a pocket.
- a holding member 222 installed in the image forming unit 220.
- the center of the can 10 placed in the pocket coincides with the center of the holding member 222.
- the vent of the holding member 222 sucks the can body 10 by vacuum
- the can body 10 moves to the holding member 222 side so as to slide in the pocket, and the can body 10 is inserted into the holding member 222.
- the can 10 is held by vacuum holding by the holding member 222.
- the process executed by the can moving mechanism 200 will be further described.
- information about the outer diameter of the can body 10 is acquired by the control unit 900.
- image information of an image formed on the can 10 is acquired from an external terminal such as a PC (Personal Computer).
- the advance / retreat mechanism 250 (see FIG. 3A) is driven, and the ink ejection device 223 is disposed at a position corresponding to the outer diameter of the can body 10.
- the can body 10 is sequentially supplied from the can body transport mechanism 100 to the can body moving mechanism 200, and the can body 10 is held by the holding member 222.
- Ink is ejected from each of the ink ejection devices 223.
- ink is simultaneously ejected from the plurality of ink ejection devices 223.
- the rotation of the servo motor M1 is stopped.
- the ink ejection by the ink ejection device 223 is also stopped. Thereby, it will be in the state by which the image was formed in the outer peripheral surface of the can 10 over the perimeter.
- ink is ejected simultaneously from the plurality of ink ejection devices 223 as described above, but the timing for starting ejection of ink and the timing for ending ejection of ink may not be the same.
- the start timing when ink is ejected from each ink ejection device 223 may be shifted.
- the can body 10 is inserted into the can body moving mechanism 200 until it is discharged from the can body moving mechanism 200 (until the can body 10 is delivered to the first transport device 300).
- the can 10 is rotated about 360 °.
- the cans 10 are sequentially inserted into a plurality of image forming units 220, and image formation on the cans 10 is performed by a plurality of image forming units 220 instead of a single image forming unit 220. Is done.
- image formation on the plurality of cans 10 is performed simultaneously (in parallel) while the plurality of cans 10 are being sequentially conveyed.
- the number of cans 10 that can be processed per unit time can be increased as compared with the case where the processing is performed on the cans 10 by one image forming unit 220. .
- the formation of an image on the can 10 is generally performed by a printing method called offset printing.
- the ink is once placed on the plate, and then the ink is transferred from the plate to a rubber-like sheet called a blanket, and further, the ink transferred to the blanket is transferred to the can 10.
- printing on an object is frequently performed by digital printing represented by inkjet printing.
- Digital printing does not use a plate called a printing plate as compared with offset printing, so that it is not necessary to produce a printing plate, align the printing plate with a printing machine, and clean the printing plate during printing. This simplifies the work called “setup” when changing lots, and can flexibly handle multi-product small lot production. Further, in the manufacturing process of the can 10, defects often occur in processes related to printing, and switching to digital printing can reduce defects generated in processes related to printing. Become.
- the reduction in productivity can be suppressed by, for example, providing a plurality of conveyance lines for the can body 10 and providing a printing device for each conveyance line.
- the processing speed varies. It is difficult to merge a plurality of these irregularly processed lines into one, and the conveyance efficiency is lowered. In this case, the installation area (occupied volume) of the apparatus increases.
- the configuration according to the present embodiment printing can be performed with one transport line without providing a plurality of transport lines. For this reason, in the structure in this embodiment, the fall of productivity which arises by providing a plurality of conveyance lines comes to be suppressed.
- the configuration according to the present embodiment is configured to perform printing processing on a plurality of can bodies 10 while sequentially transporting the can bodies 10 in series using a single transport line. It is difficult to invite.
- FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a comparative example of the printing press.
- the can body 10 moves in a state where the can body 10 is held by a holding member (not shown in the figure), similarly to the printing machine 1 in the present embodiment. Further, the holding member is rotated, and the can body 10 rotates.
- the ink discharge device 223 is fixed to the main body side of the printing machine 30 without moving together with the can 10.
- the cans 10 are transported to the opposing position of the ink discharge device 223 by intermittent feeding, and all the cans 10 are temporarily stopped at the opposing position.
- the can body 10 is rotated, and ink is ejected from the ink ejection device 223.
- intermittent feeding is performed again, and the can 10 is disposed at a position opposite to the adjacent ink discharge device 223.
- the can body 10 is rotated again, and ink is ejected from the adjacent ink ejection device 223 to the can body 10.
- a predetermined image is formed on the can 10 by repeatedly performing such an operation.
- this printing machine 30 it is not possible to form the entire image by simply rotating the can body 10 once, and it is necessary to rotate the can body 10 a plurality of times. For this reason, the number of can bodies 10 that can be transported per unit time is reduced.
- the ink discharge devices 223 are provided on both sides of the movement path of the can body 10 to reduce the time required for image formation. In this way, the ink discharge devices 223 are provided on both sides. Even if it is desired to form an image with a large number of colors such as six colors, it is necessary to carry the can 10 to the adjacent ink ejection device 223. In this case, productivity is reduced.
- the first transport device 300 includes a plurality of suction members 310.
- the plurality of suction members 310 are circularly moved along a predetermined path (path that draws an arc). In other words, it moves in the counterclockwise direction in the figure.
- the plurality of suction members 310 are arranged on the front side of the can moving mechanism 200 in the depth direction of the printing press 1, similarly to the can transport mechanism 100 shown in FIG. .
- the can body 10 that is held by being vacuum-sucked from a vent formed in a holding member 222 (see FIG. 2) provided in the can body moving mechanism 200,
- the vacuum is broken and pressure is applied to the bottom of the can body 10 by the compressed air, and the can body 10 is directed toward the front side of the paper surface in FIG.
- the suction member 310 holds the moved can body 10 by vacuum suction from a vent formed in the suction member 310.
- the suction member 310 is moved along the predetermined path as it is.
- the can body 10 on which an image is formed by the can body moving mechanism 200 is conveyed to the heating device 400.
- the heating device 400 includes a member similar to the holding member 222 provided in the can moving mechanism 200 (hereinafter, this member is also referred to as “holding member 222”).
- this member is also referred to as “holding member 222”.
- a plurality of holding members 222 are provided.
- the holding member 222 is circulated along a predetermined path (path that draws an arc). In other words, the holding member 222 moves in the clockwise direction in the drawing.
- Each of the holding members 222 is rotating.
- the heating device 400 in the present embodiment is disposed on the back side of the first transport device 300 in the depth direction of the printing press 1.
- delivery of the can body 10 from the 1st conveying apparatus 300 to the heating apparatus 400 is performed as follows.
- the suction member 310 that holds the can body 10 by vacuum suction breaks the vacuum by changing the inside of the vent formed in the suction member 310 from vacuum to compressed air, and the compressed air causes pressure on the bottom of the can body 10.
- the can body 10 moves to the holding member 222 in the heating device 400.
- the holding member 222 starts vacuum suction from a vent formed in the holding member 222.
- the can 10 is inserted into the holding member 222 and held by suction.
- the suction member 310 has a function of moving the position from the center with respect to the locus of movement of the suction member 310. This is because, for example, when the can body 10 is received from the holding member 222 on the image forming unit 220 and there is no moving function, there are only two contact points between the holding member 222 and the suction member 310, and instantaneously twice. Since the positions of the holding member 222 and the suction member 310 coincide with each other, it is difficult to deliver the can 10 (see FIG. 1).
- the positions of the holding member 222 and the suction member 310 coincide with each other for a certain period of time. Is certain.
- the suction member 310 of the first transport device 300 is moved from a moving path formed so as to draw an arc at a location where the first transport device 300 and the heating device 400 overlap as shown by reference numeral 1A in FIG. Once off, it will move linearly.
- the holding member 222 of the heating device 400 also moves linearly once deviates from the moving path formed so as to draw an arc where the first conveying device 300 and the heating device 400 overlap, as indicated by reference numeral 1A. To come.
- the suction member 310 and the holding member 222 move in a state of overlapping each other.
- the can 10 is transferred from the suction member 310 to the holding member 222.
- the linear movement of the suction member 310 and the linear movement of the holding member 222 are performed by using a cam or the like.
- the holding member 222 moves on the outer periphery of the roll-shaped member 510 as shown in FIG. become. Even in the portion where the heating device 400 and the second transport device 600 overlap, the holding member 222 is temporarily removed from the moving path formed so as to swell outward and draw an arc. Accordingly, the holding member 222 and the suction member 610 provided in the second transport device 600 (the structure and function are the same as those of the suction member 310 in the first transport device 300) overlap each other.
- the pin 720 (a rod-like body added to the chain 710 and transported by hooking the can body 10) provided in the third transport device 700 is also formed so as to swell outward and draw an arc.
- the moving path once deviates.
- the pin 720 and the suction member 610 overlap each other.
- the heating device 400 functioning as a curing unit includes a heating unit 410 that is provided along the movement path of the can body 10 and heats the can body 10.
- the heating section 410 includes an infrared lamp or the like (not shown), and the can 10 is heated using the infrared lamp or the like. By this heating, the ink applied to the outer peripheral surface of the can 10 is cured.
- the holding member 222 provided in the heating device 400 is rotating, so that uneven heating is less likely to occur in the can 10.
- the heating unit 410 is provided on both sides of the movement path of the can body 10, and the ink is cured in a shorter time as compared with the case where the heating unit 410 is provided only on one side of the movement path. Can be made.
- a coating material is applied to the outer peripheral surface of the can body 10 by the coating device 500.
- the fluidity of the ink constituting the image on the can body 10 remains high. This image may be destroyed.
- the can body 10 is heated so that the ink on the can body 10 is cured.
- the ink is cured by heating.
- UV (ultraviolet) curable ink is used, the ink is cured by irradiating a UV lamp.
- a coating apparatus 500 is provided on the downstream side of the heating unit 410.
- the coating apparatus 500 applies a predetermined paint to the outer peripheral surface of the can body 10.
- a protective layer is formed on the image formed on the outer peripheral surface of the can 10.
- the coating apparatus 500 includes a roll-shaped member 510, and the coating material is applied to the can body 10 by bringing the roll-shaped member 510 into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the can body 10.
- the can 10 heated by the heating device 400 and coated with the coating material by the coating device 500 is further transported by the second transport device 600.
- the second transport device 600 is configured in the same manner as the first transport device 300 and includes a plurality of suction members 610.
- the plurality of suction members 610 circulate in a counterclockwise direction along a predetermined path.
- the second transport device 600 is arranged in front of the heating device 400 in the depth direction of the printing press 1.
- the second transport device 600 is configured such that the suction member 610 is opposed to the bottom of the can body 10 held by the holding member 222 of the heating device 400. Aspirate 10. Thereby, the can 10 is conveyed to the third conveying device 700.
- the third transport device 700 is arranged on the back side of the second transport device 600 in the depth direction of the printing press 1.
- the third transport device 700 is composed of a chain 710 that moves in a clockwise direction and a plurality of pins 720 attached to the chain 710. Delivery of the can body 10 from the second transport device 600 to the third transport device 700 is performed by inserting a pin 720 into the can body 10.
- the can 10 is transported to a baking apparatus (process) (not shown) by the third transport device 700.
- FIG. 5 is a view showing another embodiment of the printing machine 1.
- a can body transport mechanism 100 that transports the can body 10 downward, and an image is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the can body 10 transported by the can body transport mechanism 100.
- a can moving mechanism 200 for moving the can 10 is provided.
- the heating device 400 is provided immediately downstream of the can moving mechanism 200 in the conveyance direction of the can 10.
- the heating device 400 is provided so as to overlap the suction member 851 of the first transport device 850 in the depth direction of the printing press 1.
- the heating device 400 and the first transport device 850 are provided so that the heating device 400 and the first transport device 850 overlap when the printing press 1 is viewed from the front side.
- the suction member 851 of the first transport device 850 is in the same position as the holding member 222 of the can moving mechanism 200 in the depth direction.
- a second transport device 860 configured in the same manner as the third transport device 700 (see FIG. 1) is provided on the back side of the first transport device 850.
- the first transport device 850 includes a plurality of suction members 851 that perform a circular movement along a path formed to draw an arc.
- the suction member 851 faces the can body 10 held by the holding member 222 of the can body moving mechanism 200, and the can body 10 is held by the suction member 851.
- the suction member 851 receives the can 10 conveyed by the holding member 222.
- the can 10 is further transported by the suction member 851 as an example of the transport member.
- the can 10 held by the suction member 851 is located on the back side at the position indicated by reference numeral 5A in FIG. 5 and is circulated along a path formed to draw an arc. It is received by the holding member 222 (the holding member 222 of the heating device 400) and is held by the holding member 222 as an example of the receiving member.
- the can 10 is further conveyed by the holding member 222 and passes through the heating unit 410 and also passes through the coating device 500 as described above.
- the ink formed on the outer peripheral surface of the can 10 is cured, and a protective layer is formed on the ink.
- the suction member 851 after delivering the can 10 to the holding member 222 of the heating device 400 passes through the inside of the heating unit 410 as indicated by reference numeral 5B in FIG.
- the can body 10 moves inward by the holding member 222 holding the can body 10 moving inward as indicated by reference numeral 5C in FIG.
- the suction member 851 moves outward.
- the holding member 222 and the suction member 851 are overlapped at a position indicated by reference numeral 5C.
- the can body 10 is transferred from the holding member 222 located on the back side to the suction member 851 located on the near side.
- the holding member 222 that has passed through the location indicated by reference numeral 5C moves inward as indicated by reference numeral 5D in order to avoid interference with the holding member 222 provided in the can moving mechanism 200.
- the can body 10 is delivered from the suction member 851 to the second transport device 860, and the can body 10 is transported to the baking device.
- the first transport device 300 is provided between the can moving mechanism 200 and the heating device 400, and the second transport is performed between the heating device 400 and the third transport device 700.
- the apparatus 600 is provided, in the present embodiment, the first transfer apparatus 300 and the second transfer apparatus 600 are omitted. Instead, a first transport device 850 is provided. In the case of such a configuration, the printing machine 1 can be downsized.
- the heating device 400 and the first transport device 850 are provided so that the heating device 400 and the first transport device 850 overlap when the printing press 1 is viewed from the front side.
- a central axis (rotary shaft) 859 when the plurality of suction members 851 perform circular movement, and a central axis (rotary shaft) 229 when the plurality of holding members 222 perform circular movement are supposed to match.
- the suction member 851 and the holding member 222 deliver the can 10
- the movement locus of the suction member 851 and the movement locus of the holding member 222 coincide with each other.
- the suction member 851 and the holding member 222 on the image forming unit 220 have a function of being movable in the axial direction by a cam or the like, so that the locus of the holding member 222 on the image forming unit 220 is changed. To match. Further, with respect to the contact portion between the roll-shaped member 510 and the holding member 222 in the coating apparatus 500, the holding member 222 moves on the outer periphery of the roll-shaped member 510. In this case, the size of the printing machine 1 in the width direction can be reduced.
- FIG. 6 and 7 are diagrams showing another embodiment of the printing machine 1.
- 6 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the printing press 1
- FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the image forming unit 220.
- the can body 10 is heated by the heating device 400 provided at a location different from the can body moving mechanism 200.
- a heating unit 224 for heating the can 10 is incorporated in a part of the image forming unit 220, and the can 10 is heated by the heating unit 224.
- the heating unit 224 is disposed on the downstream side of the ink discharge device 223 in the rotation direction of the holding member 222 (can body 10), and cures the ink attached to the can body 10 on the upstream side.
- the ink since the ink is cured immediately after the ink is applied, it is difficult for foreign matter to enter the ink.
- the heating unit 224 includes an infrared lamp (not shown) and the like, and the can 10 is heated using the infrared lamp and the like.
- the can 10 is rotated in the circumferential direction.
- the heating unit 224 is provided in the image forming unit 220, the heating device 400 illustrated in FIG. 1 and the like is omitted (see FIG. 6).
- a UV lamp is mounted instead of the heating unit 224.
- the first transport device 870 including a plurality of suction members 871 is disposed on the front side of the can body moving mechanism 200.
- the second transport device 880 including the chain 881 and the pin 882 is disposed on the back side of the first transport device 870.
- the chain 881 has a certain angle with the can body moving mechanism 200 as necessary. And installed so as to avoid mutual interference.
- the coating device 500 is provided so as to be adjacent to the can body moving mechanism 200, and while the can body 10 is being held by the image forming unit 220, the coating material on the can body 10 can be applied. Application is performed. Further, the image forming unit 220 is movable with respect to the rotation center direction, and the suction member 871 of the first transport device 870 is moved by moving the image forming unit 220 in accordance with the rotation of the rotating member 210 by a cam or the like. And the trajectory of the can 10 are made to coincide with each other. Further, the can body 10 moves on the outer periphery of the roll-shaped member 510 in the coating apparatus 500.
- the can 10 is held by the image forming unit 220 as described above, and an image is transferred to the can 10 by the ink discharge device 223 arranged around the can 10. It is formed. Further, the can body 10 is heated by a heating unit 224 provided in the image forming unit 220, and the ink on the can body 10 is cured before the can body 10 is discharged from the can body moving mechanism 200.
- the can 10 is held by the first transfer device 870. Specifically, the can 10 is sucked and held by the suction member 871 as described above. Thereafter, the pin 882 provided on the chain 881 of the second transport device 880 is inserted into the can body 10, and the can body 10 is transported by the second transport device 880.
- the heating device 400 shown in FIGS. 1 and 5 is omitted, and the printing machine 1 can be further downsized.
- the 1st conveying apparatus 300 (refer FIG. 1) which conveys the can 10 from the can moving mechanism 200 to the heating apparatus 400
- the 1st conveying apparatus 850 which conveys the can 10 from the can moving mechanism 200 to the heating apparatus 400. (Refer to FIG. 5) can be omitted, and the printing press 1 can be further reduced.
- FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating another configuration example of the printing machine 1.
- the basic configuration is the same as that of the printing machine 1 shown in FIG. 1, and different points will be described here.
- the ink ejection device 223 is attached with a certain angle with respect to the axis connecting the rotation center of the rotation member 210 and the center of each holding member 222.
- the postures of the plurality of ink ejection devices 223 provided in each of the image forming units 220 with respect to the rotation center of the rotating member 210 are the same in each of the plurality of image forming units 220 provided ( Each of the image forming units 220 is arranged so as to be constant.
- the posture of the ink discharge device 223 provided in each of the image forming units 220 changes as the rotating member 210 rotates.
- the posture of the rotating member 210 with respect to the rotation center is kept constant, but the posture with respect to other portions changes.
- the ink discharge device 223 in the image forming unit 220 at the top of the rotating member 210 is positioned below the can 10, but the image forming unit at the bottom of the rotating member 210.
- the ink discharge device 223 at 220 is positioned above the can body 10.
- ink is ejected from the ink ejection device 223 while the rotating member 210 is rotating.
- the ejected ink includes centrifugal force, gravity, and ejection force (ink ejection device). Three forces (discharge force by 223) work.
- centrifugal force when the rotating member 210 rotates at a constant angular velocity, the direction of action when the centrifugal force acts on the ink does not change.
- gravity since gravity always acts downward in the vertical direction, the direction of gravity acting on the ink differs depending on the position of the ink ejection device 223.
- the direction of the action of gravity varies depending on the position of the ink discharge device 223, the amount of ink reaching the can 10 may increase or decrease.
- the ejection force when ink is ejected from the ink ejection device 223 is set to the ink ejection device 223 ( It is desirable to perform correction (change) according to the posture (position) of the image forming unit 220).
- the ink ejection force acts in the axial direction connecting the ink ejection head of the ink ejection device 223 and the center of the can body 10.
- the gravity applied to the ink discharged from each ink discharge head is defined as the component force in the axial direction and the component force in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction, and the ink discharge is performed using the component force in the axial direction. It is desirable to correct (change) the force.
- each ink ejection device 223 can be grasped based on the position of each ink ejection device 223.
- the position of each ink ejection device 223 can be grasped based on, for example, the rotation angle of the rotation member 210.
- the rotation angle of the rotation member 210 can be grasped by attaching a sensor capable of detecting the rotation angle, such as a rotary encoder, to the rotation member 210, for example.
- centrifugal force applied to each image forming unit 220 on the rotating member 210 gradually increases until the rotating member 210 reaches a constant speed after the rotation of the rotating member 210 is started. Further, when the rotating member 210 is stopped or decelerated, the centrifugal force applied to each image forming unit 220 on the rotating member 210 gradually decreases. Even in such a case, it is desirable to correct the ink ejection force.
- the rotary encoder 210 is used to detect the angular velocity of the rotating member 210 and the angle of the rotating member 210, and the detected angular velocity and the distance from each rotation center to the ink ejection device 223 as known data and the ink Based on the mass, the centrifugal force acting on each ink ejection device 223 (each ink ejection head) is calculated. Then, the ink ejection force when ink is ejected from the ink ejection head is corrected using the calculated centrifugal force and the angle of each ink ejection device 223 calculated from the detected angle of the rotating member 210.
- the printing machine 1 shown in FIG. 8 will be further described.
- each of the plural image forming units 220 when each of the plural image forming units 220 is viewed from the rotation center of the rotating member 210, each image is displayed.
- the arrangement mode of the plurality of ink ejection devices 223 in the forming unit 220 is in the same state. More specifically, in the present embodiment, the state of the image forming unit 220 with respect to the rotating member 210 does not change even when the rotating member 210 rotates.
- the change (correction) of the ink ejection force can be performed for each image forming unit 220 (for each image forming unit 220), or for each ink ejection device 223 (for each ink ejection device 223). You can also. For example, in the image forming unit 220 located on the rightmost side in the drawing among the plurality of image forming units 220 provided on the rotating member 210 in FIG. 8, the ink ejected from the ink ejecting device 223 located on the upper portion of the can body 10. In contrast, gravity acts in the same direction as the ink ejection direction.
- gravity acts on the ink ejected from the ink ejection device 223 located below the can 10 in the direction opposite to the ink ejection direction.
- the ejection force when ink is ejected from the ink ejection device 223 located below the can body 10 is increased, and the ink is ejected from the ink ejection device 223 located above the can body 10.
- the discharge force at the time can be weakened.
- FIG. 8 illustrates the case where the can body moving mechanism 200 in FIG. 1 is changed, but the can body moving mechanism 200 shown in FIG. 5 and the can body moving mechanism 200 shown in FIG. The can body moving mechanism 200 shown in FIG.
- the can body moving mechanism 200 (can body moving mechanism 200 in which the posture of the image forming unit 220 is kept constant) shown in FIGS. Can be changed.
- the direction of gravity acting on the ink is constant, but the direction of the centrifugal force acting on the ink varies depending on the position of the image forming unit 220. Become.
- a centrifugal force directed to the right in the drawing acts on the rightmost image forming unit 220 in the drawing among the plurality of image forming units 220 provided.
- a centrifugal force directed in the left direction in the drawing acts on the image forming unit 220 located on the leftmost side.
- the ink ejection amount may vary depending on the position of the image forming unit 220.
- the ejection force when ink is ejected can be changed according to the position of the image forming unit 220 as described above. More specifically, for example, when the image forming unit 220 is located on the rightmost side in the figure, the ejection when ink is ejected from the ink ejection device 223 located on the rightmost side in the image forming unit 220. The force is increased, and the discharge force when ink is discharged from the leftmost ink discharge device 223 in the image forming unit 220 is decreased.
- FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a printing machine 1 that performs printing on a can.
- the printing machine 1 as an example of an image forming apparatus is a printing machine that forms an image on the can 10 based on digital image information.
- the can 1 is transported to the printing machine 1 by the can transport mechanism 100 and the can transport mechanism 100 that sequentially transport the cans 10 manufactured in the can manufacturing process (not shown).
- the can body moving mechanism 200 that moves the can body 10 while forming an image on the outer peripheral surface of the can body 10, and the first transport device 300 that transports the can body 10 on which the image is formed by the can body moving mechanism 200. Is provided.
- the printing press 1 includes a heating device 400 that heats the can body 10 that is sequentially transported by the first transport device 300, and an outer peripheral surface of the can body 10 that is heated by the heating device 400 (on the can body 10).
- An applicator device 500 is provided for applying a predetermined paint (on the formed image).
- the second conveyance device 600 that further conveys the can body 10 heated by the heating device 400 and coated with the coating material by the coating device 500 to the downstream side, and the can body 10 conveyed by the second conveyance device 600 further downstream.
- a third transport device 700 for transporting to the side is provided.
- the printing machine 1 is provided with a control unit 900 that controls each device and each mechanism unit provided in the printing machine 1.
- a control unit 900 controls each device and each mechanism unit provided in the printing machine 1.
- an image formed on the can body 10 and a printing apparatus (not shown) for baking the paint applied to the can body 10 on the can body 10 ) Is provided.
- the can body transporting mechanism 100 transports the can body 10 to the can body moving mechanism 200 positioned below by using the weight of the can body 10.
- the can body transport mechanism 100 includes guide members 110 that are provided along the vertical direction and are provided on both sides of the movement path of the can body 10. By using the guide members 110, the can body moving mechanism 200 is provided. In contrast, the can 10 is conveyed.
- the can body moving mechanism 200 is provided with a rotating member 210 that is formed in a disk shape and rotates clockwise in the drawing. Further, the can body moving mechanism 200 holds a plurality of can bodies 10 which are provided on the outer peripheral edge of the rotating member 210 and are sequentially transported by the can body transport mechanism 100, and moves and holds together with the can body 10 An image forming unit 220 that forms an image on the outer peripheral surface of the can body 10 is provided. In other words, the can body moving mechanism 200 holds a can body group constituted by a plurality of can bodies 10 and moves together with the can body group and forms an image on the held can body group. A forming unit 220 is provided.
- the rotating member 210 functioning as a part of the conveying means is arranged so that its rotating shaft is horizontal.
- the mounting surface on which the image forming unit 220 is mounted is arranged along the vertical direction.
- positioning aspect of the rotation member 210 is not limited to such an aspect.
- the rotation member 210 can be provided so that the rotation axis is along the vertical direction.
- the coating material is supplied to the tray 530 to such an extent that the finisher roll 520 is immersed.
- the paint having a certain viscosity is agitated in the tray 530 as the furnisher roll 520 rotates. Further, when the furnisher roll 520 rotates, the paint in the tray 530 adheres to the roll surface of the furnisher roll 520. The paint adhering to the furnisher roll 520 is transferred to the roll member 510 and further transferred to the can 10.
- the image forming unit 220 is provided on the outer peripheral edge of the rotating member 210 as described above.
- a plurality of image forming units 220 (24 in the present embodiment) are provided, and are arranged side by side along the outer peripheral edge of the rotating member 210. Further, each of the plurality of image forming units 220 is arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the rotating member 210.
- FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the can body moving mechanism 200.
- 11 and 12 are diagrams for explaining the image forming unit 220.
- FIG. FIG. 11A is a front view of the image forming unit 220.
- FIG. 5B is a view for explaining the support table 221 constituting the image forming unit 220.
- FIG. 3C is a view for explaining the rotating plate 226 constituting the image forming unit 220.
- FIG. 12A is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIIA-XIIA in FIG.
- FIG. 12B is a view when the rotary plate 226 is viewed from the direction of the arrow XIIB in FIG.
- the can body moving mechanism 200 of the present embodiment is provided with a rotating member 210 that is formed in a disk shape and rotates clockwise in the drawing. Yes.
- An image forming unit 220 that holds the can body 10 and forms an image on the outer peripheral surface of the can body 10 is provided on the outer peripheral edge of the rotating member 210.
- the image forming unit 220 in the present embodiment is provided with a support table 221 that is formed in a disk shape and supports an ink discharge device 223 that discharges ink to the can body 10 as shown in FIG. ing.
- a rotating plate 226 is provided that moves together with the support table 221, is positioned outside the support table 221, is formed in an annular shape, and can rotate with respect to the support table 221.
- the portion of the image forming unit 220 where the ink ejection device 223 is provided can be regarded as an image forming mechanism that forms an image on the can body 10 (can body group).
- the ink ejection device 223 that ejects ink to the outer peripheral surface of the can body 10 is supported by the support table 221.
- a plurality of the ink discharge devices 223 as an example of the image forming unit are provided as shown in FIG.
- each of the ink ejection devices 223 forms an image on the can 10 by a so-called inkjet method.
- one image forming unit 220 is provided with seven ink ejection devices 223 so that a maximum of seven colors of ink can be used.
- each of the ink ejection devices 223 contains different colors of ink.
- Each of the ink ejection devices 223 is formed in a long shape. Further, the ink discharge device 223 formed in such a long shape is arranged so as to go from the center of the support table 221 formed in a disk shape toward the outer peripheral edge. Further, each of the ink ejection devices 223 is radially arranged with the center portion of the support table 221 as the center.
- the ink ejection device 223 is not disposed above the horizontal line HL (see FIG. 11A) that is a horizontal line and passes through the center of the support table 221.
- the ink ejection device 223 is provided on the lower half side of the support table 221.
- the ink discharge head HD of the ink discharge device 223 is directed downward or in the horizontal direction (horizontal direction), and the ink discharge head HD has dust. It becomes difficult to adhere.
- the ink ejection head HD of the ink ejection device 223 is directed in a direction other than the upper direction, and dust or the like is less likely to adhere to the ink ejection head HD.
- the image forming unit 220 can be rotated with respect to the rotating member 210 (see FIG. 10). In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, even if the image forming unit 220 moves with the rotation of the rotating member 210, the image forming unit 220 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. The posture is not changed. Note that this rotation of the image forming unit 220 is performed by a motor M attached to the back side of the rotating member 210. Here, a plurality of motors M are provided corresponding to each of the plurality of image forming units 220 provided. In this embodiment, the posture of the image forming unit 220 is maintained using the motor M as described above. For example, a weight (not shown) is provided below the support table 221 (see FIG. 11A). By attaching, the position of the center of gravity of the image forming unit 220 is decentered, and the posture of the image forming unit 220 can be kept constant by the decentering of the center of gravity.
- the posture of the image forming unit 220 when the posture of the image forming unit 220 changes, the ink discharge head HD of the ink discharge device 223 comes to face upward. In this case, dust or the like tends to adhere to the ink discharge head HD. Further, when the posture of the image forming unit 220 changes, the posture of the ink discharge device 223 also changes. In this case, the amount of ink adhering to the can body 10 may fluctuate or the ink adhering position may shift. For this reason, in this embodiment, as described above, the posture of the image forming unit 220 is kept constant.
- the rotating plate 226 that functions as a part of the can holding unit is provided so as to protrude from the rotating plate 226 (projecting toward the front side in the figure).
- a plurality of holding members (mandrels) 222 for holding the can body 10 are provided.
- the can body 10 is inserted into the holding member 222 through an opening formed at one end of the can body 10 formed in a cylindrical shape.
- the holding member 222 is formed in a hollow shape.
- a ventilation hole is formed in the internal space of the holding member 222, and the holding member 222 holds the can body 10 by vacuum-suctioning the inside of the can body 10 through the ventilation hole. It comes to hold.
- the movement with respect to the holding member 222 of the can 10 is controlled.
- the movement of the can body 10 is regulated by suction, but the movement of the can body 10 can also be regulated by a mechanical configuration such as pressing a member (not shown) against the can body 10.
- the ink ejection device 223 can advance and retreat with respect to the holding member 222.
- the image forming unit 220 is configured so that the ink discharge device 223 can be approached to the holding member 222 (can body 10) and the ink discharge device 223 can be separated from the holding member 222.
- the ink discharge device 223 is provided so as to be movable along the radial direction of the support table 221.
- an advance / retreat mechanism 250 for advancing / retreating the ink ejection device 223 relative to the holding member 222 is provided.
- the advancing / retracting mechanism 250 is constituted by, for example, a so-called linear actuator having a drive section that moves linearly. More specifically, this linear actuator is composed of, for example, a linear motor or a servo motor and a ball screw.
- information about the outer diameter of the can body 10 is input by an operator via a terminal (not shown), and the control unit 900 (FIG. 9) is input from this terminal. To be sent). Then, when receiving information about the outer diameter of the can body 10, the control unit 900 drives the advance / retreat mechanism 250 based on this information, and arranges the ink ejection device 223 at a position corresponding to the outer diameter of the can body 10.
- Each ink discharge device 223 is provided with a sensor for detecting the can body 10, and by using this sensor, the ink discharge device 223 can be arranged at a position corresponding to the outer diameter of the can body 10.
- the ink ejection device 223 can be automatically arranged at a position corresponding to the outer diameter of the can body 10.
- the ink discharge device 223 is automatically advanced and retracted by detecting the distance to the can body 10 with a sensor, the outer periphery is kept in a state where the distance between the outer peripheral surface of the can body 10 and the ink discharge device 223 is kept constant. Since the ink can be ejected onto the surface, the shape of the can 10 is not limited to a circle, and an image can be formed on the can 10 such as an ellipse or a rectangle. Further, by inputting the shape data of the can body 10 in advance, the ink discharge device 223 can be automatically advanced and retracted based on the shape data. Also in this case, it is possible to form an image on the can 10 having a shape other than circular.
- the can body 10 in the depth direction of the printing press 1 (see FIG. 9), the can body 10 called a “pocket” is temporarily placed in front of the can body moving mechanism 200 in the depth direction.
- a holder H is provided (not shown in FIG. 9, see FIG. 12B).
- the pocket moves together with the image forming unit 220 on the front side of the can body moving mechanism 200.
- the can 10 is unloaded from the can transport mechanism 100 and once placed in a pocket.
- a holding member 222 installed in the image forming unit 220.
- the center of the can 10 placed in the pocket coincides with the center of the holding member 222.
- the can body 10 when the vent of the holding member 222 sucks the can body 10 by vacuum, the can body 10 moves to the holding member 222 side so as to slide in the pocket, and the can body 10 is inserted into the holding member 222.
- the can 10 is held by vacuum holding by the holding member 222.
- the can body 10 (can body 10 held by the holding member 222) moved from the can body transport mechanism 100 to the image forming unit 220 rotates (rotates in the circumferential direction).
- this rotation of the can 10 is performed by a rotation mechanism provided in the image forming unit 220.
- FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a rotation mechanism and the like that rotate the holding member 222 (can body 10) in the circumferential direction.
- a ring-shaped gear 227 shown in FIG. 13A is provided on the back side of the rotating plate 226 (see FIG. 11A).
- this gear 227 has a plurality of internal teeth (not shown) on the inner peripheral surface 227A, and has a plurality of external teeth (not shown) on the outer peripheral surface 227B.
- a drive gear G1 that is provided so as to mesh with the external teeth formed on the outer peripheral surface 227B and rotates the gear 227 is provided.
- a drive motor M11 for rotating the drive gear G1 is provided.
- one end portion 222A of the holding member 222 protrudes on the back side of the rotating plate 226 (see FIG. 11C) as shown in FIG. .
- teeth (not shown) formed on the outer peripheral surface of the one end portion 222A mesh with internal teeth formed on the inner peripheral surface 227A of the gear 227.
- the drive gear G1 and the gear 227 are rotationally driven by the drive motor M11, and the one end portion 222A of the holding member 222 is rotated by the gear 227 that is rotationally driven.
- each of the holding member 222 rotates, and the can 10 also rotates with this.
- a gear 231 formed in a ring shape is provided in the same manner as the gear 227.
- the gear 231 has a plurality of external teeth (not shown) on the outer peripheral surface 231A.
- a drive gear G2 that is provided to mesh with the external teeth formed on the outer peripheral surface 231A and rotates the gear 231 is provided.
- a drive motor M12 that rotates the drive gear G2 is provided.
- the gear 231 supports the rotating plate 226 (see FIG. 11C) and the gear 227 (see FIG. 13A).
- the gear 231 is rotated.
- the gear 231 rotates, the rotating plate 226 rotates, and the holding member 222 supported by the rotating plate 226 moves.
- the state of the rotating plate 226 with respect to the ink ejection device 223 changes, and the position of the holding member 222 becomes different.
- the can 10 facing the one ink ejection device 223 is switched to the other can 10.
- the can body 10 facing the one ink ejection device 223 is opposed to another ink ejection device 223 adjacent to the one ink ejection device 223 by the movement of the holding member 222. become.
- the can 10 facing the ink discharge device 223 is switched by rotating the rotating plate 226.
- the can facing the ink discharge device 223 can be rotated by rotating the support table 221 side.
- the body 10 can also be switched.
- the state of the rotary plate 226 relative to the ink discharge device 223 is changed by rotating the rotary plate 226.
- the ink discharge device of the rotary plate 226 is rotated by rotating the support table 221 side.
- the state for 223 can also be changed. Note that both the rotating plate 226 and the support table 221 may be rotated.
- the process executed by the can moving mechanism 200 will be further described.
- information about the outer diameter of the can body 10 is acquired by the control unit 900.
- image information of an image formed on the can 10 is acquired from an external terminal such as a PC (Personal Computer).
- the advance / retreat mechanism 250 (see FIG. 11B) is driven, and the ink ejection device 223 is disposed at a position corresponding to the outer diameter of the can body 10.
- the can body 10 is sequentially supplied from the can body transport mechanism 100 to the can body moving mechanism 200, and the can body 10 is held by the holding member 222.
- the rotation of the drive motor M11 causes the can body 10 to rotate in the circumferential direction, and ink is ejected from each of the ink ejection devices 223.
- ink is simultaneously ejected from the plurality of ink ejection devices 223.
- every time the rotating member 210 (see FIG. 10) makes one rotation the drive motor M12 (see FIG. 13B) is driven and the gear 231 is rotated.
- holding members 222 are provided every 30 ° in the circumferential direction of the rotating plate 226 (see FIG. 11A). In this embodiment, each time the rotating member 210 makes one rotation, The gear 231 is rotated by 30 °.
- the can 10 in which the image is formed by the ink discharge device 223 that discharges one color of ink comes to face the ink discharge device 223 adjacent to the ink discharge device 223.
- different colors of ink are ejected onto the can 10.
- the rotation of the rotating member 210 is started seven times after the discharge of the first color ink to the can 10 is started, the discharge of the seven colors of ink to the can 10 is finished. Thereafter, the can body 10 is discharged from the can body moving mechanism 200.
- the first color ink is referred to as an ink discharge device 223 (an ink discharge device 223 located on the most upstream side in the rotation direction of the rotating plate 226) (hereinafter referred to as “first ink discharge device 223”).
- the controller 900 grasps the output from the rotary encoder (not shown) and discharges the ink from the first ink discharge device 223.
- the rotation angle is grasped.
- the grasped rotation angle is hereinafter referred to as “reference angle”.
- image data is read from a page memory (not shown), and the image data is supplied by the first ink ejection device 223.
- the first ink ejection device 223 forms an image of the first color ink on the outer peripheral surface of the can body 10.
- the rotation plate 226 is rotated again, and the can body 10 on which the image formation by the first ink discharge device 223 is performed is performed on the ink discharge device 223 that discharges the second color ink (on the upstream side in the rotation direction of the rotation plate 226).
- second ink discharge device 223 To the second ink discharge device 223) (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “second ink discharge device 223”).
- ink is ejected from the second ink ejection device 223 to the outer peripheral surface of the can body 10.
- an image of the second color ink is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the can 10.
- the control part 900 subtracts the said reference angle from this grasped rotation angle, and acquires an angle difference.
- the control unit 900 starts reading image data corresponding to this angle difference among image data stored in a page memory (not shown), and sequentially supplies the read image data to the second ink ejection device 223. To do.
- the second ink ejection device 223 first forms an image based on the image data corresponding to the angle difference on the can body 10, and then converts the image based on the image data supplied following the image data to the can body. 10 in order.
- the rotation angle of the can body 10 is set as the reference angle
- the can body 10 is disposed at the origin position, and then the image formation on the can body 10 is performed. It is also possible to do. In this case, it takes time to place the can 10 at the origin position, and the number of cans that can form an image per unit time tends to decrease.
- the number of cans 10 that can form an image per unit time can be increased.
- the processing when image formation is performed by the first ink ejection device 223 and the second ink ejection device 223 has been described, but the ink ejection device 223 located further downstream than the second ink ejection device 223 is described.
- the rotation angle of the can 10 is grasped as described above, and then the angle difference is acquired. Then, an image based on the image data corresponding to the angle difference is first formed on the can 10, and then an image based on the image data read from the page memory is formed on the can 10 following the image data.
- a holding member 222 that does not hold the can body 10 is generated, as indicated by a white circle in FIG. 9B.
- the rotating plate 226 is rotated by 30 ° by the drive motor M12 (see FIG. 13B). Accordingly, a new can body 10 is supplied to the holding member 222 that is not holding the can body 10 in the supply section of the can body 10 (the supply section of the can body 10 by the can body transport mechanism 100). It becomes like this.
- the cans 10 are sequentially inserted into a plurality of image forming units 220, and image formation with respect to the cans 10 is performed not by one image forming unit 220 but by a plurality of image forming units 220. Is done.
- image formation on the plurality of cans 10 is performed simultaneously (in parallel) while the plurality of cans 10 are being sequentially conveyed. For this reason, in the printing press 1 according to the present embodiment, for example, the number of cans 10 that can be processed per unit time can be increased as compared with the case where the processing is performed on the cans 10 by one image forming unit 220. .
- the formation of an image on the can 10 is generally performed by a printing method called offset printing.
- the ink is once placed on the plate, and then the ink is transferred from the plate to a rubber-like sheet called a blanket, and further, the ink transferred to the blanket is transferred to the can 10.
- printing on an object is frequently performed by digital printing represented by inkjet printing.
- Digital printing does not use a plate called a printing plate as compared with offset printing, so that it is not necessary to produce a printing plate, align the printing plate with a printing machine, and clean the printing plate during printing. This simplifies the work called “setup” when changing lots, and can flexibly handle multi-product small lot production. Further, in the manufacturing process of the can 10, defects often occur in processes related to printing, and switching to digital printing can reduce defects generated in processes related to printing. Become.
- FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a comparative example of the printing press.
- the can body 10 moves in a state where the can body 10 is held by a holding member (not shown in the figure), similarly to the printing machine 1 in the present embodiment. Further, the holding member is rotated, and the can body 10 rotates.
- this printing machine 30 by intermittently feeding the can body 10 and repeating image formation a plurality of times, an image formed of six colors of ink is formed on the can body 10.
- this printing machine 30 only one can 10 is ejected with one color ink.
- this one color ink is ejected to a plurality of can bodies 10 instead of a single can body 10.
- the configuration of the present embodiment is more productive than the configuration shown in FIG.
- the first transport device 300 includes a plurality of suction members 310 as shown in FIG.
- the plurality of suction members 310 are circularly moved along a predetermined path (path that draws an arc). In other words, it moves in the counterclockwise direction in the figure.
- the plurality of suction members 310 are arranged on the front side of the can body moving mechanism 200 in the depth direction of the printing machine 1, similarly to the can body transport mechanism 100 shown in FIG. .
- the can body 10 that is held by being vacuum-sucked from a vent formed in a holding member 222 (see FIG. 11) provided in the can body moving mechanism 200,
- the vacuum is broken and pressure is applied to the bottom of the can body 10 by the compressed air, and the can body 10 is directed toward the front side of the paper surface in FIG.
- the suction member 310 holds the moved can body 10 by vacuum suction from a vent formed in the suction member 310.
- the suction member 310 is moved along the predetermined path as it is.
- the can body 10 on which an image is formed by the can body moving mechanism 200 is conveyed to the heating device 400.
- the heating device 400 includes a member similar to the holding member 222 provided in the can moving mechanism 200 (hereinafter, this member is also referred to as “holding member 222”).
- this member is also referred to as “holding member 222”.
- a plurality of holding members 222 are provided.
- the holding member 222 is circulated along a predetermined path (path that draws an arc). In other words, the holding member 222 moves in the clockwise direction in the drawing.
- Each of the holding members 222 is rotating.
- the heating device 400 in the present embodiment is disposed on the back side of the first transport device 300 in the depth direction of the printing press 1.
- delivery of the can body 10 from the 1st conveying apparatus 300 to the heating apparatus 400 is performed as follows.
- the suction member 310 that holds the can body 10 by vacuum suction breaks the vacuum by changing the inside of the vent formed in the suction member 310 from vacuum to compressed air, and the compressed air causes pressure on the bottom of the can body 10.
- the can body 10 moves to the holding member 222 in the heating device 400.
- the holding member 222 starts vacuum suction from a vent formed in the holding member 222.
- the can 10 is inserted into the holding member 222 and held by suction.
- the suction member 310 has a function of moving the position from the center with respect to the trajectory of the movement of the suction member 310. This is because, for example, when the can body 10 is received from the holding member 222 on the image forming unit 220 and there is no moving function, there are only two contact points between the holding member 222 and the suction member 310, and instantaneously twice. Since the positions of the holding member 222 and the suction member 310 coincide with each other, it is difficult to deliver the can 10 (see FIG. 9).
- the positions of the holding member 222 and the suction member 310 coincide with each other for a certain period of time. Is certain.
- the suction member 310 of the first transport device 300 is formed to draw an arc at the location where the first transport device 300 and the heating device 400 overlap as shown by reference numeral 1A in FIG.
- the holding member 222 moves along the moving path.
- the suction member 310 and the holding member 222 move in a state of overlapping each other. In the present embodiment, when the suction member 310 and the holding member 222 are thus overlapped, the can 10 is transferred from the suction member 310 to the holding member 222.
- the above movement of the suction member 310 at the location indicated by reference numeral 1A is performed by using a cam or the like.
- the holding member 222 moves on the outer periphery of the roll-shaped member 510 as shown in FIG. become. Note that, even in the portion where the heating device 400 and the second transport device 600 overlap, the suction provided in the second transport device 600 from the moving path formed so as to bulge outward and draw an arc. The member 610 once comes off.
- the holding member 222 provided in the heating device 400 and the suction member 610 provided in the second transport device 600 overlap each other.
- the pin 720 (a rod-like body added to the chain 710 and transported by hooking the can body 10) provided in the third transport device 700 is also formed so as to swell outward and draw an arc.
- the moving path once deviates.
- the pin 720 and the suction member 610 overlap each other.
- the heating device 400 includes a heating unit 410 that is provided along the movement path of the can 10 and heats the can 10.
- the heating section 410 includes an infrared lamp or the like (not shown), and the can 10 is heated using the infrared lamp or the like. By this heating, the ink applied to the outer peripheral surface of the can 10 is cured.
- the holding member 222 provided in the heating device 400 is rotating, so that uneven heating is less likely to occur in the can 10.
- the heating unit 410 is provided on both sides of the movement path of the can body 10, and the ink is cured in a shorter time as compared with the case where the heating unit 410 is provided only on one side of the movement path. Can be made.
- a coating material is applied to the outer peripheral surface of the can body 10 by the coating device 500.
- the fluidity of the ink constituting the image on the can body 10 remains high. This image may be destroyed.
- the can body 10 is heated so that the ink on the can body 10 is cured.
- the ink is cured by heating.
- UV (ultraviolet) curable ink is used, the ink is cured by irradiating a UV lamp.
- a coating apparatus 500 is provided on the downstream side of the heating unit 410 as in the first embodiment.
- the coating apparatus 500 applies a predetermined paint to the outer peripheral surface of the can body 10.
- a protective layer is formed on the image formed on the outer peripheral surface of the can 10.
- the coating apparatus 500 includes a roll-shaped member 510, and the coating material is applied to the can body 10 by bringing the roll-shaped member 510 into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the can body 10.
- the can 10 heated by the heating device 400 and coated with the coating material by the coating device 500 is further transported by the second transport device 600.
- the second transport device 600 is configured in the same manner as the first transport device 300 and includes a plurality of suction members 610.
- the plurality of suction members 610 circulate in a counterclockwise direction along a predetermined path.
- the second transport device 600 is arranged in front of the heating device 400 in the depth direction of the printing press 1.
- the second transport device 600 is configured such that the suction member 610 is opposed to the bottom of the can body 10 held by the holding member 222 of the heating device 400. Aspirate 10. Thereby, the can 10 is conveyed to the third conveying device 700.
- the third transport device 700 is arranged on the back side of the second transport device 600 in the depth direction of the printing press 1.
- the third transport device 700 is composed of a chain 710 that moves in a clockwise direction and a plurality of pins 720 attached to the chain 710. Delivery of the can body 10 from the second transport device 600 to the third transport device 700 is performed by inserting a pin 720 into the can body 10.
- the can 10 is transported to a baking apparatus (process) (not shown) by the third transport device 700.
- FIG. 15 is a diagram showing another form of the printing machine 1.
- a can body transport mechanism 100 that transports the can body 10 downward, and an image is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the can body 10 transported by the can body transport mechanism 100.
- a can moving mechanism 200 for moving the can 10 is provided.
- the heating device 400 is provided immediately downstream of the can moving mechanism 200 in the conveyance direction of the can 10.
- the heating device 400 is provided so as to overlap the suction member 851 of the first transport device 850 in the depth direction of the printing press 1.
- the heating device 400 and the first transport device 850 are provided so that the heating device 400 and the first transport device 850 overlap when the printing press 1 is viewed from the front side.
- the suction member 851 of the first transport device 850 is in the same position as the holding member 222 of the can moving mechanism 200 in the depth direction.
- a second transport device 860 configured in the same manner as the third transport device 700 (see FIG. 9) is provided on the back side of the first transport device 850.
- the first transport device 850 includes a plurality of suction members 851 that circulate along a path formed to draw an arc.
- the suction member 851 faces the can body 10 held by the holding member 222 of the can body moving mechanism 200, and the can body 10 is held by the suction member 851.
- the suction member 851 receives the can 10 conveyed by the holding member 222.
- the can 10 is further transported by the suction member 851 as an example of the transport member.
- the can body 10 held by the suction member 851 is located on the back side at the position indicated by reference numeral 5A in FIG. 15 and is circulated along a path formed to draw an arc. It is received by the holding member 222 (the holding member 222 of the heating device 400) and is held by the holding member 222 as an example of the receiving member.
- the can 10 is further conveyed by the holding member 222 and passes through the heating unit 410 and also passes through the coating device 500 as described above.
- the ink formed on the outer peripheral surface of the can 10 is cured, and a protective layer is formed on the ink.
- the suction member 851 after delivering the can body 10 to the holding member 222 of the heating device 400 passes through the inside of the heating unit 410 as indicated by reference numeral 5B in FIG.
- the holding member 222 holding the can body 10 moves inward at the position indicated by reference numeral 5C in FIG. .
- the suction member 851 moves outward at the location indicated by reference numeral 5C.
- the holding member 222 and the suction member 851 are overlapped at a position indicated by reference numeral 5C.
- the can body 10 is transferred from the holding member 222 located on the back side to the suction member 851 located on the near side.
- the can body 10 is delivered from the suction member 851 to the second transport device 860, and the can body 10 is transported to the baking device.
- the first transport device 300 is provided between the can moving mechanism 200 and the heating device 400, and the second transport is performed between the heating device 400 and the third transport device 700.
- the apparatus 600 is provided, in the present embodiment, the first transfer apparatus 300 and the second transfer apparatus 600 are omitted. Instead, a first transport device 850 is provided. In the case of such a configuration, the printing machine 1 can be downsized.
- the heating device 400 and the first transport device 850 are provided so that the heating device 400 and the first transport device 850 overlap when the printing press 1 is viewed from the front side.
- a central axis (rotary shaft) 859 when the plurality of suction members 851 perform circular movement, and a central axis (rotary shaft) 229 when the plurality of holding members 222 perform circular movement are supposed to match.
- the suction member 851 and the holding member 222 deliver the can 10
- the movement locus of the suction member 851 and the movement locus of the holding member 222 coincide with each other.
- the suction member 851 and the holding member 222 on the image forming unit 220 have a function of being movable in the axial direction by a cam or the like, so that the locus of the holding member 222 on the image forming unit 220 is changed. To match. Further, with respect to the contact portion between the roll-shaped member 510 and the holding member 222 in the coating apparatus 500, the holding member 222 moves on the outer periphery of the roll-shaped member 510. In this case, the size of the printing machine 1 in the width direction can be reduced.
- FIG. 16 is a diagram showing another form of the printing machine 1.
- the can body 10 is heated by the heating device 400 provided at a location different from the can body moving mechanism 200.
- a heating unit 224 for heating the can 10 is incorporated in a part of the image forming unit 220, and the can 10 is heated by the heating unit 224.
- the heating unit 224 is provided instead.
- the heating unit 224 as an example of the curing unit is disposed on the downstream side of the ink discharge device 223 in the rotation direction of the rotating plate 226 (clockwise direction in the drawing), and the can body on the upstream side.
- the ink adhering to 10 is cured.
- the configuration of the present embodiment compared to the configuration shown in FIG. 9, since the ink is cured immediately after the ink is applied, it is difficult for foreign matter to enter the ink.
- the heating unit 224 includes an infrared lamp (not shown) and the like, and the can 10 is heated using the infrared lamp and the like.
- the heating by the heating unit 224 is performed, the can body 10 is rotated in the circumferential direction by the drive motor M11 (see FIG. 13A), and uneven heating of the can body 10 is less likely to occur.
- the heating unit 224 is provided in the image forming unit 220, the heating device 400 shown in FIG. 9 and the like is omitted.
- a UV lamp is mounted instead of the heating unit 224.
- the first transport device 870 including a plurality of suction members 871 is disposed on the front side of the can body moving mechanism 200.
- the second transport device 880 including the chain 881 and the pin 882 is disposed on the back side of the first transport device 870.
- the chain 881 has a certain angle with the can body moving mechanism 200 as necessary. And installed so as to avoid mutual interference.
- the coating device 500 is provided so as to be adjacent to the can body moving mechanism 200, and while the can body 10 is being held by the image forming unit 220, the coating material on the can body 10 can be applied. Application is performed. Further, the image forming unit 220 is movable with respect to the rotation center direction, and the suction member 871 of the first transport device 870 is moved by moving the image forming unit 220 in accordance with the rotation of the rotating member 210 by a cam or the like. And the trajectory of the can 10 are made to coincide with each other. Further, the can body 10 moves on the outer periphery of the roll-shaped member 510 in the coating apparatus 500.
- the plurality of cans 10 are held by the image forming unit 220 and the cans 10 are attached to the cans 10 by the plurality of ink ejection devices 223 arranged inside the cans 10.
- an image is formed.
- the can body 10 is heated by a heating unit 224 provided in the image forming unit 220, and the ink on the can body 10 is cured before the can body 10 is discharged from the can body moving mechanism 200.
- the coating material is applied to the can body 10 by the coating device 500 before the can body 10 is discharged from the can body moving mechanism 200.
- the can 10 is held by the first transport device 870. Specifically, the can 10 is sucked and held by the suction member 871 as described above. Thereafter, the pin 882 provided on the chain 881 of the second transport device 880 is inserted into the can body 10, and the can body 10 is transported by the second transport device 880.
- the heating device 400 shown in FIGS. 9 and 15 is omitted, and the printing machine 1 can be further downsized.
- the 1st conveying apparatus 300 (refer FIG. 9) which conveys the can body 10 from the can body moving mechanism 200 to the heating apparatus 400
- the 1st conveying apparatus 850 which conveys the can body 10 from the can body moving mechanism 200 to the heating apparatus 400. (See FIG. 15) can be omitted, and the printing press 1 can be further reduced.
- FIG. 17 is a diagram showing another form of the printing machine 1. Note that the basic configuration is the same as that of the printing press 1 shown in FIG. 16, and here, differences from the printing press 1 shown in FIG.
- an application unit 225 for applying paint to the can body 10 is incorporated in a part of the image forming unit 220, and the paint is applied to the can body 10 by this application unit 225. It is like that.
- five ink discharge devices 223 are provided.
- the coating unit 225 as an example of a coating unit is arranged on the downstream side of the ink discharge device 223 and on the downstream side of the heating unit 224 in the rotation direction of the rotating plate 226 (clockwise direction in the drawing).
- the paint is applied to the outer peripheral surface of the can body 10 on which an image with ink has been formed and the heat treatment has been performed to form a protective layer on the can body 10.
- the coating unit 225 includes a roll-shaped member (not shown), and the coating material is applied to the can body 10 by bringing the roll-shaped member into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the can body 10.
- coating unit 225 can also be performed using an inkjet.
- FIG. 18 is a view showing the can moving mechanism 200 in which the image forming unit 220 is fixed to the rotating member 210.
- the can body moving mechanism 200 shown in FIGS. 9, 15, 16, and 17 the can body moving mechanism 200 shown in this figure can be used.
- the ink discharge device 223 is attached with a certain angle with respect to the axis connecting the rotation center of the rotation member 210 and the center of each image forming unit 220.
- the postures of the plurality of ink ejection devices 223 provided in each of the image forming units 220 with respect to the rotation center of the rotating member 210 are the same in each of the plurality of image forming units 220 provided ( Each of the image forming units 220 is arranged so as to be constant.
- the posture of the ink discharge device 223 provided in each of the image forming units 220 changes as the rotating member 210 rotates.
- the posture of the rotating member 210 with respect to the rotation center is kept constant, but the posture with respect to other portions changes.
- the ink discharge device 223 in the image forming unit 220 at the top of the rotating member 210 is positioned on the upper side of the image forming unit 220, but the image forming at the bottom of the rotating member 210 is performed.
- the ink discharge device 223 in the unit 220 is positioned on the lower side of the image forming unit 220.
- ink is ejected from the ink ejection device 223 while the rotating member 210 is rotating.
- the ejected ink includes centrifugal force, gravity, and ejection force (ink ejection device). Three forces (discharge force by 223) work.
- centrifugal force when the rotating member 210 rotates at a constant angular velocity, the direction of action when the centrifugal force acts on the ink does not change.
- gravity since gravity always acts downward in the vertical direction, the direction of gravity acting on the ink differs depending on the position of the ink ejection device 223.
- the direction of the action of gravity varies depending on the position of the ink discharge device 223, the amount of ink reaching the can 10 may increase or decrease.
- the ejection force when ink is ejected from the ink ejection device 223 is set. It is desirable to make correction (change) according to the posture (position) of the ink discharge device 223 (image forming unit 220).
- the ink ejection force acts in the axial direction connecting the ink ejection head HD (see FIG. 11B) of each ink ejection device 223 and the center of the can body 10. Become.
- the gravitational force applied to the ink ejected from each ink ejection head HD is defined as a component force in the axial direction and a component force in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction, and using the component force in the axial direction, It is desirable to correct (change) the ejection force.
- each ink ejection device 223 can be grasped based on the position of each ink ejection device 223.
- the position of each ink ejection device 223 can be grasped based on, for example, the rotation angle of the rotation member 210.
- the rotation angle of the rotation member 210 can be grasped by attaching a sensor capable of detecting the rotation angle, such as a rotary encoder, to the rotation member 210, for example.
- centrifugal force applied to each image forming unit 220 on the rotating member 210 gradually increases until the rotating member 210 reaches a constant speed after the rotation of the rotating member 210 is started. Further, when the rotating member 210 is stopped or decelerated, the centrifugal force applied to each image forming unit 220 on the rotating member 210 gradually decreases. Even in such a case, it is desirable to correct the ink ejection force.
- the rotary encoder 210 is used to detect the angular velocity of the rotating member 210 and the angle of the rotating member 210, and the detected angular velocity and the distance from the rotation center to the ink discharge head HD, which is known data, Based on the mass, the centrifugal force acting on each ink ejection device 223 (each ink ejection head HD) on each image forming unit 220 is calculated. The ink ejection force when ink is ejected from the ink ejection head HD is corrected using the calculated centrifugal force and the angle of each ink ejection device 223 calculated from the detected angle of the rotating member 210.
- the can body moving mechanism 200 shown in FIG. 18 will be further described.
- the arrangement of the plurality of ink ejection devices 223 in each image forming unit 220 is in the same state. More specifically, in the present embodiment, the state of the image forming unit 220 with respect to the rotating member 210 does not change even when the rotating member 210 rotates.
- the change (correction) of the ink ejection force can be performed for each image forming unit 220 (for each image forming unit 220), or for each ink ejection device 223 (for each ink ejection device 223). You can also. For example, among the plurality of image forming units 220 provided on the rotating member 210 in FIG. 18, the image forming unit 220 positioned on the rightmost side in the drawing discharges from the ink discharge device 223 positioned below the center of the support table 221. Gravity acts on the ink to be applied in the same direction as the ink ejection direction.
- gravity acts on the ink ejected from the ink ejection device 223 located above the center of the support table 221 in the direction opposite to the ink ejection direction.
- the ejection force when ink is ejected from the ink ejection device 223 positioned below the center of the support table 221 is weakened, and the ink ejection device 223 positioned above the center of the support table 221 is used. Therefore, it is possible to increase the ejection force when the ink is ejected.
- ink is ejected in the can body moving mechanism 200 shown in FIGS. 9, 15, 16, and 17 (can body moving mechanism 200 in which the posture of the image forming unit 220 is kept constant).
- the discharge force can be changed.
- the direction of action of gravity acting on the ink is constant, but the direction of action of centrifugal force acting on the ink varies depending on the position of the image forming unit 220. Become.
- a centrifugal force directed to the right in the drawing acts on the rightmost image forming unit 220 in the drawing among the plurality of image forming units 220 provided.
- a centrifugal force directed in the left direction in the drawing acts on the image forming unit 220 located on the leftmost side.
- the ink ejection amount may vary depending on the position of the image forming unit 220.
- the ejection force when ink is ejected can be changed according to the position of the image forming unit 220 as described above. More specifically, for example, when the image forming unit 220 is located on the rightmost side in the figure, the ejection when ink is ejected from the ink ejection device 223 located on the rightmost side in the image forming unit 220. The force is weakened, and the ejection force when ink is ejected from the ink ejection device 223 located on the leftmost side in the image forming unit 220 is increased.
- FIG. 19 is a view of the printing press 1 that performs printing on the can as viewed from above.
- the printing machine 1 as an example of an image forming apparatus is a printing machine that forms an image on the can 10 based on digital image information.
- the printing machine 1 holds the can body transport mechanism 100 that sequentially transports the can bodies 10 manufactured in the can body manufacturing process (not shown), and the can body 10 transported by the can body transport mechanism 100.
- a can body moving mechanism 200 that moves the can body 10 while forming an image on the outer peripheral surface of the can body 10
- a first transport device 910 that transports the can body 10 on which an image is formed by the can body moving mechanism 200 are provided. Is provided.
- the printing press 1 further includes a second transport device 920 that further transports the can body 10 transported by the first transport device 910 to the downstream side, and a can body 10 transported by the second transport device 920 to the downstream side.
- the printing machine 1 is provided with a control unit 900 that controls each device and each mechanism unit provided in the printing machine 1. Note that an image formed on the can body 10 and a paint applied to the can body 10 are printed on the can body 10 on the downstream side of the fourth transport device 940 in the transport direction of the can body 10 (not shown). ) Is provided.
- FIG. 20 is a view when the can body moving mechanism 200 is viewed from above.
- the can body moving mechanism 200 as an example of the image forming mechanism is provided with a rotating member 210 that is formed in a disk shape and is rotated counterclockwise by a motor (not shown). Yes.
- the can body moving mechanism 200 includes a plurality of image forming units 220 that are attached to the outer peripheral edge of the rotating member 210 and form an image on the outer peripheral surface of the can body 10 that has been transported by the can body transport mechanism 100. Is provided.
- each of the image forming units 220 moves together with the can body 10 while holding the can body 10 that has been transported by the can body transport mechanism 100, and during the movement, the can body 10 Image formation is performed.
- Each of the image forming units 220 forms an image on the can 10 while moving around the rotation center of the rotating member 210 and moving along the annular moving path.
- the rotating member 210 functioning as a part of the moving means is arranged so that its rotation axis is along the vertical direction.
- the rotating member 210 is disposed such that the mounting surface on which the image forming unit 220 is mounted is along the horizontal direction.
- positioning aspect of the rotation member 210 is not limited to such an aspect,
- the rotation member 210 can also be provided so that a rotating shaft may follow a horizontal direction. Note that when the rotation member 210 is arranged so that the rotation axis is along the vertical direction as in the present embodiment, the direction of the action of gravity acting on each image forming unit 220 does not change.
- the image forming unit 220 is attached to the outer peripheral edge of the rotating member 210 as described above.
- a plurality (eight in this embodiment) of image forming units 220 are provided and are arranged side by side along the outer peripheral edge of the rotating member 210. Further, each of the plurality of image forming units 220 is arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the rotating member 210.
- the can body 10 when an image is formed on the can body 10 by the image forming unit 220, the can body 10 is first received in the carry-in area shown in FIG. Thereafter, the can body 10 moves in the counterclockwise direction in the drawing as the rotating member 210 rotates, and image formation is performed on the outer peripheral surface of the can body 10 during this movement. In other words, image formation on the can 10 is performed in the printing region shown in FIG. When the image formation on the can body 10 is completed, the can body 10 is discharged in the discharge area shown in FIG. Thereafter, the can 10 is further transported downstream by the first transport device 910 (see FIG. 19).
- FIG. 21 a diagram for explaining the image forming unit 220.
- 2A is a view when the image forming unit 220 is viewed from above
- FIG. 2B is a view when the image forming unit 220 is viewed from the direction of the arrow XXIB in FIG.
- FIG. 4C is a view when the image forming unit 220 is viewed from the direction of the arrow XXIC in FIG.
- each of the image forming units 220 is disposed along the vertical direction, and its lower end is fixed to the rotating member 210 (see FIG. 20).
- a first fixing plate 280 is provided.
- each of the image forming units 220 is disposed along the vertical direction and in a relationship orthogonal to the first fixed plate 280.
- a second fixed plate 281 fixed to the first fixed plate 280 is provided.
- each of the image forming units 220 is provided so as to protrude from the second fixing plate 281 and is disposed substantially horizontally and supported by the second fixing plate 281.
- a support member 282 is provided.
- a holding member (mandrel) 222 that is inserted into the can body 10 and holds the can body 10
- a connection member 283 that connects the holding member 222 and the support member 282 are provided.
- the holding member 222 as an example of the insertion member is formed in a cylindrical shape. Further, the holding member 222 has one end 222A and the other end 222B as shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, when the holding member 222 is inserted into the can body 10, the holding member 222 is inserted into the can body 10 with the one end portion 222A of the holding member 222 as the head.
- a shaft 284 is provided so as to penetrate both the connection member 283 and the support member 282, and fix the connection member 283 to the support member 282.
- connection member 283 rotates around the shaft 284.
- a rotation mechanism that rotates the connecting member 283 about the shaft 284 is provided.
- a servo motor M3 is provided as shown in FIG.
- the servo motor M3 rotates the connecting member 283 around the shaft 284.
- the servo motor M3 is supported by a second fixed plate 281 as shown in FIG.
- the servo motor M3 is provided on the side opposite to the side on which the holding member 222 is provided with the second fixed plate 281 interposed therebetween.
- the rotating mechanism includes, for example, a servo motor M3 attached to the back surface of the second fixed plate 281, a worm (not shown) housed in the support member 282 and driven by the servo motor M3, and the connecting member 283 side. And a worm wheel (not shown) provided so as to mesh with the worm.
- FIG. 22 is a view showing a state after the connection member 283 is rotated by the rotation mechanism.
- the servo motor M3 attached to the back surface of the second fixed plate 281 is rotated, the worm housed in the support member 282 is rotated.
- the worm wheel provided on the connection member 283 side rotates.
- the connection member 283 rotates about the shaft 284 as shown in FIGS.
- the holding member 222 hangs down and the tip of the holding member 222 faces downward as shown in FIG.
- the can body is located below the can body moving mechanism 200.
- the transport mechanism 100 and the first transport device 910 can be provided.
- the can body moving mechanism 200 and the can body transport mechanism 100 can be stacked, and the can body moving mechanism 200 and the first transport device 910 can be stacked. In this case, the occupation area of the printing press 1 can be reduced.
- the holding member 922A (see FIG. 25) provided in the second transfer device 920 is also movably provided so that its tip faces downward, and its tip is upward. It is provided to be movable so as to face.
- the second transfer device 920 and the first transfer device 910 can be stacked, and the second transfer device 920 and the third transfer device 930 can be stacked. In this case, as described above, the occupation area of the printing press 1 can be reduced.
- the holding member 222 provided in the image forming unit 220 hangs downward only, and the can body 10 is supplied from below the holding member 222, and below the holding member 222.
- the can body 10 is moved and the can body 10 is removed.
- the tip of the holding member 222 is directed upward, the can body 10 is supplied from above the holding member 222, and the can body 10 is moved toward the upper side of the holding member 222 to move the can body 10 It can also be set as the structure which removes.
- the tip of the holding member 222 is directed to either the upper side or the lower side, and when the can body 10 is removed from the holding member 222, It can also be set as the structure which orient
- the image forming unit 220 will be further described with reference to FIG. 21 again.
- a servo motor (not shown) is attached to the connection member 283, and the rotation shaft of the servo motor is connected to the holding member 222.
- the holding member 222 is moved by the servo motor. Rotate in the circumferential direction.
- the holding member 222 is inserted into the can body 10 through an opening formed at one end of the can body 10 formed in a cylindrical shape. Note that the other end of the can 10 is closed.
- the holding member 222 is formed hollow, and the holding member 222 is formed with a vent (not shown).
- the holding member 222 holds the can body 10 by vacuum-sucking the inside of the holding member 222 (can body 10) through the vent. Thereby, the movement with respect to the holding member 222 of the can 10 is controlled.
- the movement of the can body 10 is regulated by suction, but the movement of the can body 10 can also be regulated by a mechanical configuration such as pressing a member (not shown) against the can body 10. .
- ink discharge is performed to discharge ink to the outer peripheral surface of the can body 10 held by the holding member 222 around the holding member 222.
- a plurality of devices (inkjet heads) 223 are provided.
- a plurality of ink ejection devices 223 that form an image on the can 10 by the so-called inkjet method are provided around the holding member 222.
- one image forming unit 220 is provided with four ink ejection devices 223 so that a maximum of four colors of ink can be used.
- each of the ink ejection devices 223 as an example of the image forming unit contains inks of different colors.
- Each of the ink ejection devices 223 is disposed along the axial direction of the holding member 222 (the axial direction of the can body 10), and is formed in a long shape as shown in FIG.
- each of the ink ejection devices 223 is in a state where one end in the longitudinal direction is supported by the second fixing plate 281.
- each of the ink ejection devices 223 is arranged radially with the center portion of the holding member 222 as the center, as shown in FIG.
- the ink ejection device 223 is disposed above the holding member 222.
- the ink discharge head (ink discharge port) 223A (see FIG. 21B) of the ink discharge device 223 comes to face downward. Dust or the like is less likely to adhere to the ink discharge head 223A.
- the ink ejection device 223 when the ink ejection device 223 is provided above the holding member 222 and ink is ejected downward, the ink ejected from the ink ejection device 223 is prevented from returning to the ink ejection device 223. As a result, the ink ejection device 223 is less likely to become dirty. In this case, the number of head cleanings can be reduced, and the maintainability is improved.
- the holding member 222 and the ink discharge device 223 are arranged along a tangent line that contacts the outer peripheral edge of the rotating member 210 formed in a disk shape. Each of them is arranged.
- the plurality of ink ejection heads 223A (see FIG. 21B) provided in each ink ejection device 223 are arranged in a line along the longitudinal direction of the ink ejection device 223. Yes. More specifically, each ink ejection device 223 is arranged so that the ink ejection heads 223A are arranged along the direction in which the tangent line extends. More specifically, in the present embodiment, the holding member 222 and the ink ejection device 223 are arranged along the tangential direction of a circle that is a movement locus when the image forming unit 220 rotates accompanying the rotating member 210. Yes.
- the image forming unit 220 is provided with an ink storage portion 286 that stores ink supplied to each of the ink ejection devices 223.
- an ink storage portion 286 is provided below the ink discharge device 223.
- the ink storage portion 286 is provided above the ink discharge device 223.
- the ink storage portion 286 is provided below the ink discharge device 223.
- a second ink storage unit having a larger capacity than the ink storage unit 286 may be further provided, and ink may be supplied from the second ink storage unit to the ink storage unit 286.
- the ink discharge device 223 is arranged in a lying state (horizontal state).
- the pressure when ink is supplied to each of the plurality of ink discharge heads 223A provided in the ink discharge device 223 is different for each ink discharge head 223A. Different things can happen. In other words, the pressure when ink is supplied to the ink discharge head 223A located below increases, and the pressure when ink is supplied to the ink discharge head 223A located above decreases. It can happen.
- the ink discharge head 223A located above is less likely to be supplied with ink relative to the ink discharge head 223A located below, whereas the ink discharge head 223A located below is located above. Since the ink supply pressure becomes stronger than the ink discharge head 223A, the ink may leak out. Further, in such a case, the ink discharge amount differs for each ink discharge head 223A. On the other hand, when the ink ejection device 223 is placed in a laid state as in the present embodiment, such a problem is less likely to occur.
- FIG. 23 is a diagram when the can transport mechanism 100 is viewed from above, and FIG. 24 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the can transport mechanism 100.
- the can transport mechanism 100 includes a first transport unit 121 that sequentially transports a plurality of can bodies 10 in a line, and the can body transported by the first transport unit 121. And a second conveyance unit 122 that individually conveys 10.
- the guide member 110 is provided in the both sides of the movement path
- the second transport unit 122 is provided with a rotating member 126 that is formed in an annular shape and rotates in the clockwise direction in the drawing while holding a plurality of transport members 125.
- each of the transport members 125 has a protruding portion 125A protruding from the side surface (on the side surface positioned outside) on the side surface positioned on the outer peripheral surface side of the rotating member 126.
- each of the conveying members 125 conveys the can body 10 toward the downstream side in the rotation direction of the rotating member 126 by supporting the can body 10 on the side surface of the protruding portion 125A.
- a recess that is recessed on the inner side of the protrusion 125A is formed on a support surface that supports the can body 10 of the protrusion 125A (a contact surface that contacts the can body 10 of the protrusion 125A).
- the support surface for supporting the can body 10 is provided with a vent hole. When the can body 10 is transported by the transport member 125, the can body 10 is sucked through the vent hole. Yes.
- the conveying member 125 can move along the radial direction of the rotating member 126. More specifically, the rotation member 126 is formed with a through-hole 126 ⁇ / b> A that is formed from the outer peripheral surface side to the inner peripheral surface side of the rotation member 126. In this embodiment, the conveying member 125 is accommodated in the through hole 126A, and the conveying member 125 moves while being guided by the inner wall of the through hole 126A.
- the through holes 126A are arranged every 60 ° in the circumferential direction of the rotating member 126, and a total of six through holes are provided. In the present embodiment, the conveying member 125 is accommodated in each of the six through holes 126A provided.
- a guide member 127 that guides the conveying member 125 is provided inside the annular rotating member 126.
- the outer circumferential edge of the guide member 127 is circular, and a part of the outer circumferential edge is recessed inward.
- the guide member 127 has a recess 127 ⁇ / b> A formed at a part of the outer peripheral edge.
- the outer peripheral edge of the guide member 127 is formed so as to draw an arc, and is also formed so as to draw an arc in a portion where the recess 127A is formed.
- a roll-shaped rotating member 125B is attached to each of the transport members 125.
- the conveying member 125 is pressed toward the guide member 127 by an urging member (not shown), and the rotating member 125B is pressed against the outer peripheral edge of the guide member 127.
- the rotating member 125 ⁇ / b> B has a role of reducing the frictional force generated between the guide member 127 and the conveying member 125.
- the operation of the can transport mechanism 100 will be described.
- one can body 10 located on the most downstream side of the can bodies 10 transported by the first transport unit 121 is transported by the transport member 125. It is supported by the protrusion 125A.
- the can 10 moves downstream as the rotating member 126 rotates in the clockwise direction.
- the can 10 reaches the can moving mechanism 200 (see FIG. 19) and is held by the image forming unit 220 provided in the can moving mechanism 200.
- the second can 10 is transferred to the second conveyance unit 122 as shown in FIGS. Supplied.
- the second can body 10 is supported by another transport member 125 located upstream of the transport member 125 that transports the first can body 10.
- the third and subsequent can bodies 10 are sequentially supplied to the second transport section 122, and these can bodies 10 are supported by the transport members 125 that are sequentially approaching and transported downstream.
- the first transport device 910 is disposed below the can body moving mechanism 200.
- the first transport device 910 includes a plurality of suction members 911.
- the plurality of suction members 911 are circularly moved along a predetermined path (path that draws an arc). In other words, it moves in the clockwise direction in the figure.
- the can 10 is held by the holding member 222 by being vacuum-sucked from a vent formed in the holding member 222 (see FIG. 21) provided in the image forming unit 220. It has become.
- compressed air is supplied into the holding member 222 through the vent.
- the vacuum is broken and pressure is applied to the bottom of the can 10 by the compressed air, and the can 10 moves in the direction (downward) indicated by the arrow 7A in FIG.
- the suction member 911 waiting under the can body 10 sucks the can body 10, whereby the suction body 911 holds the can body 10.
- the suction member 911 moves along the path shown in FIG. 19 and reaches the second transport device 920.
- the suction member 911 moves along the moving path of the holding member 222 provided in the image forming unit 220. Move along. Thereby, delivery of the can 10 from the holding member 222 to the suction member 911 is more reliably performed.
- the suction member 911 does not move along the movement path of the holding member 222, there are only two contact points between the holding member 222 and the suction member 911, and it may be difficult to deliver the can body 10.
- the movement trajectory of the suction member 911 and the movement trajectory of the holding member 222 coincide with each other, so that the can body 10 can be delivered more reliably.
- the suction member 911 moves along the movement path of the holding unit 922 provided in the second transport device 920 when passing below the second transport device 920 (FIG. 19, FIG. 25). Further, as shown in FIG. 19, when the suction member 932 provided in the third transport device 930 also passes over the second transport device 920, the moving path of the holding unit 922 provided in the second transport device 920. Move along. Further, the suction member 932 provided in the third transport device 930 moves along the movement path of the pin 942 provided in the fourth transport device 940 when passing above the fourth transport device 940.
- the transport member 125 (see FIG. 19) provided in the can body transport mechanism 100 also moves along the movement path of the holding member 222 provided in the image forming unit 220 when moving below the can body moving mechanism 200. Move. Note that the movement of the conveying member 125 along the movement path of the holding member 222 is realized by the rotation member 125B entering the recess 127A formed in the guide member 127 (see FIG. 23).
- the 2nd conveying apparatus 920 includes a rotating plate 921 that rotates counterclockwise, and a can that is attached to the outer peripheral edge of the rotating plate 921 and is conveyed by the first conveying device 910.
- a plurality of holding units 922 that hold 10 are provided.
- each of the holding units 922 is arranged at a predetermined interval in the circumferential direction of the rotating plate 921. Further, as shown in FIG. 25, each holding unit 922 has a holding member 922A that is formed in a cylindrical shape and is inserted into the can body 10 to hold the can body 10, and one end of the holding member 922A.
- a rotation mechanism 922B is provided that supports the side and rotates the holding member 922A around the one end side as a rotation center. Further, a servo motor (not shown) that rotates the holding member 922A in the circumferential direction is provided.
- the rotation mechanism 922B Similar to the rotation mechanism that rotates the connection member 283 (see FIG. 21B) in the image forming unit 220, the rotation mechanism 922B includes a motor (not shown), a worm (not shown) driven by the motor, and a holding member. It can be configured by a worm wheel (not shown) that is provided on the 922A side and meshes with the worm.
- the holding member 922A is provided to be rotatable in the circumferential direction, and a servo motor (not shown) that rotates the holding member 922A in the circumferential direction is provided.
- the second transfer device 920 is provided with a heating device 923 configured to heat the can body 10 that is configured by an infrared heater or the like and is held by a holding unit 922.
- a coating material coating device 924 is provided on the downstream side of the heating device 923 in the rotation direction of the rotating plate 921 to apply a coating material on the outer peripheral surface of the can body 10 to form a protective layer.
- the coating material application device 924 includes a rotating roll-shaped member, and the coating material is applied to the can body 10 by bringing the roll-shaped member into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the can body 10.
- the image formation on the can 10 can be performed using an ink curable by heat, or can be performed using an ultraviolet curable ink.
- a lamp for irradiating ultraviolet rays is installed instead of the heating device 923.
- the coating of the can body 10 (formation of the protective layer) is performed by ejecting ink that is located on the most downstream side in the rotation direction of the can body 10 among the plurality of ink ejection devices 223 provided in the image forming unit 220. It can also be performed by discharging paint from the device 223 to the can 10.
- the paint can be dried in each image forming unit 220 by providing each image forming unit 220 with an infrared heater.
- the third transport device 930 is disposed above the second transport device 920. Further, similarly to the first transport device 910, the third transport device 930 is provided with a plurality of suction members 932 that suck the bottom of the can body 10 and hold the can body 10.
- the third transport device 930 is provided with a support member 931 that is disposed above the suction member 932 and supports the suction member 932.
- the bottom portion of the can 10 that has been transported by the second transport device 920 is first supported by the suction member 932. Thereafter, the suction member 932 moves to above the fourth transport device 940. Then, when the suction by the suction member 932 is released, the can body 10 falls downward, and the can body 10 is delivered to the fourth transport device 940.
- the fourth transport device 940 is disposed below the third transport device 930. Further, as shown in FIG. 19, the fourth transport device 940 includes a chain 941 that moves in a counterclockwise direction in the drawing, and a plurality of pins 942 attached to the chain 941.
- the delivery of the can body 10 from the third transport device 930 to the fourth transport device 940 is performed by inserting a pin 942 into the inside of the can body 10 dropped from the third transport device 930.
- the can 10 is transported to a printing apparatus (process) (not shown) by the fourth transport device 940, and ink and paint on the outer peripheral surface of the can 10 are burned in the printing apparatus. Done.
- the can body 10 is transported below the can body moving mechanism 200 by the can body transport mechanism 100.
- the holding member 222 with the one end 222A facing downward is waiting above the can 10.
- the air inside the holding member 222 is discharged through the vent of the holding member 222, and the can 10 is sucked by the holding member 222 accordingly.
- the holding member 222 is inserted into the inside of the can body 10.
- the rotation mechanism provided in the image forming unit 220 of the can body moving mechanism 200 is driven, and the holding member 222 is in a lying state, and the can held by the holding member 222 as indicated by reference numeral 7B in FIG.
- the body 10 becomes horizontal.
- the drive of the servo motor is started, and the can 10 rotates in the circumferential direction.
- the servo motor M3 attached to the second fixing plate 281 see FIG. 21A).
- the worm 291 is attached to the shaft, and the worm wheel 292 is rotated by the rotation of the worm 291, and the connection member 283 supported by the worm wheel 292 is rotated about the shaft 284 as a rotation center.
- the connecting member 283 is provided with a servo motor 293 for rotating the holding member 222 in the circumferential direction.
- the shaft 294 of the servo motor 293 is a hollow shaft, and a holding member 222 is connected to one end thereof. A ventilation hole is formed in the holding member 222, and the holding member 222 is sucked from the ventilation hole. Holds the can 10.
- a rotatable pipe with a built-in bearing is connected to the other end of the shaft 294 of the servo motor 293, and is connected to a vacuum pump or a blower via an electromagnetic vacuum valve.
- the suction negative pressure from a vacuum pump or the like passes through a hole provided in the shaft 294 of the servo motor 293 through an electromagnetic vacuum valve as necessary, and the ventilation hole of the holding member 222
- the suction negative pressure that causes the holding member 222 to hold the can body 10 can be generated. Further, when switching the electromagnetic vacuum valve, the suction negative pressure can be immediately destroyed by supplying atmospheric pressure or compressed air.
- the can 10 reaches the lower side of the second transport device 920 as the suction member 911 moves.
- a holding member 922A in a state where the axis is along the vertical direction is waiting above the can body 10.
- the air inside the holding member 922A is discharged through the vent and the suction of the can body 10 by the suction member 911 is released.
- the can 10 moves toward the holding member 922 ⁇ / b> A, and the holding member 922 ⁇ / b> A is inserted into the can 10.
- the holding member 922A moves toward the third transport device 930 and is driven by a servo motor (not shown) to rotate in the circumferential direction. Further, the rotation mechanism 922B for rotating the holding member 922A is driven, and the holding member 922A is in a state of lying down horizontally. Thereby, the can 10 is also in a state of lying horizontally. Thereafter, the can 10 is heated by the heating device 923 (see FIG. 19), and the ink attached to the outer peripheral surface of the can 10 is cured. Next, the coating material is applied to the outer peripheral surface of the can body 10 by the coating material application device 924 (see FIG. 19), and a protective layer is formed on the surface of the can body 10.
- the rotation mechanism 922B for rotating the holding member 922A is driven again, and the holding member 922A is arranged so that the bottom of the can 10 faces upward as indicated by reference numeral 7E.
- air is supplied to the inside of the holding member 922A through the ventilation hole formed in the holding member 922A, and the can body 10 moves upward in the drawing.
- a suction member 932 is waiting above the can body 10.
- the can body 10 is held by the suction member 932 and moves toward the fourth transport device 940.
- the suction of the can body 10 by the suction member 932 is finished, and the can body 10 falls downward. Thereafter, the can 10 is supported by the pins 942 and then conveyed to the baking process.
- the pin 942 can be provided so as to move in the vertical direction, and the pin 942 can be disposed closer to the can body 10 when the can body 10 is dropped.
- the suction member 911 provided in the first transfer device 910 and the suction member 932 provided in the third transfer device 930 can also be provided so as to move in the vertical direction.
- the holding member 222 and the ink ejection device 223 are arranged along a tangent line that contacts the outer peripheral edge of the rotating member 210 formed in a disk shape.
- the longitudinal direction of the ink ejection device 223 starts from one end in the longitudinal direction of the ink ejection device 223.
- the ink discharge device 223 moves with the other end in the direction as the rear end. Further, the ink discharge device 223 moves along the annular movement path.
- the image forming units 220 are arranged. In the case of this configuration of the present embodiment, the amount of ink discharged to the can body 10 is suppressed from being different in the longitudinal direction of the can body 10.
- the centrifugal force acting on the ink ejection device 223 is different for each part of the ink ejection device 223.
- the centrifugal force acting on the portion of the ink discharge device 223 away from the center of the rotation member 210 (hereinafter referred to as “outer portion”) becomes large, and the rotation member of the ink discharge device 223 becomes large.
- the centrifugal force acting at the portion close to the center of 210 (hereinafter referred to as “center side portion”) becomes small.
- the way the ink is discharged is easily changed between the outer portion and the central portion, and the amount of ink discharged to the can body 10 is likely to be different in the longitudinal direction of the can body 10.
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Abstract
Description
また、缶体への画像の形成は、例えば、缶体を移動させるとともにこの缶体に画像を形成する画像形成部を缶体と供に移動させ、缶体を移動させている最中に行うことができる。ところで、このように画像形成部を移動させる場合、画像形成部に対して外力が作用するようになり、画像形成が安定してなされず、形成される画像の質の低下を招くおそれがある。
本発明の目的は、単位時間当たりに画像を形成することができる缶体の個数を増加させることができる画像形成装置等を提供することにある。
また、本発明の他の目的は、画像形成部を移動させることにより生じうる画質の低下を抑えることができる画像形成装置を提供することにある。
また、前記画像形成機構の各々は、一定の姿勢を保つことができるように設けられていることを特徴とすることができる。
さらに、前記複数の画像形成部の各々は、前記缶体に対し進退可能に設けられていることを特徴とすることができる。
また、前記画像形成機構の各々には、前記複数の画像形成部によって前記缶体に形成された画像を硬化させる硬化手段が更に設けられていることを特徴とすることができる。
さらに、前記複数の画像形成部の各々は、インク吐出ヘッドから前記缶体に向けてインクを吐出させることで当該缶体に画像を形成し、前記複数の画像形成部の各々は、前記インク吐出ヘッドが上方以外の方向を向くように配置されていることを特徴とすることができる。
また、予め定められた回転中心を中心に回転する回転部材を更に備え、前記複数の画像形成部を備えた前記画像形成機構の各々は、前記回転部材に設けられるとともに当該回転部材の周方向において予め定められた間隔をおいて配置され、前記画像形成機構の各々に設けられた前記複数の画像形成部の、前記回転部材の前記回転中心に対する姿勢が、複数設けられた当該画像形成機構の各々において同じとなるように、当該画像形成機構の各々は設けられていることを特徴とすることができる。
さらに、前記複数の画像形成部の各々は、インク吐出ヘッドから前記缶体に向けてインクを吐出させることで当該缶体に画像を形成し、前記インク吐出ヘッドがインクを吐出する際の吐出力を変更する変更手段を更に備えることを特徴とすることができる。
また、循環移動を行うように設けられ、前記画像形成機構により画像が形成された前記缶体を前記搬送手段から受け取り当該缶体を搬送する複数の搬送部材と、循環移動を行うように設けられ、前記搬送部材から前記缶体を受け取り、当該缶体を搬送する複数の受け取り部材と、を更に備え、前記複数の搬送部材が前記循環移動を行う際の中心軸と、前記複数の受け取り部材が前記循環移動を行う際の中心軸とが一致するように、当該複数の搬送部材および当該複数の受け取り部材は配置されていることを特徴とすることができる。
また、複数の前記画像形成部の各々は、インク吐出ヘッドから缶体に向けてインクを吐出させることで当該缶体に画像を形成し、複数の前記画像形成部の各々は、前記インク吐出ヘッドが上方以外の方向を向くように配置されていることを特徴とすることができる。
さらに、前記缶体保持部は、環状に形成されるとともに前記画像形成機構の外側に配置され、前記缶体保持部の前記画像形成機構に対する状態の前記変化は、当該缶体保持部が周方向に回転することで行われることを特徴とすることができる。
また、複数の前記画像形成部の各々は、対峙する缶体に対し進退可能に設けられていることを特徴とすることができる。
また、前記画像形成機構には、前記画像形成部によって缶体に形成された画像の上に塗料を塗布する塗布手段が更に設けられていることを特徴とすることができる。
さらに、循環移動を行うように設けられ、前記画像形成機構により画像が形成された缶体を前記缶体保持部から受け取り当該缶体を搬送する複数の搬送部材と、循環移動を行うように設けられ、前記搬送部材から缶体を受け取り、当該缶体を搬送する複数の受け取り部材と、を更に備え、前記複数の搬送部材が前記循環移動を行う際の中心軸と、前記複数の受け取り部材が前記循環移動を行う際の中心軸とが一致するように、当該複数の搬送部材および当該複数の受け取り部材は配置されていることを特徴とすることができる。
また、予め定められた回転中心を中心に回転する回転部材を更に備え、複数の前記画像形成部を有する前記画像形成機構を備えた前記ユニットの各々は、前記回転部材に設けられるとともに当該回転部材の周方向において予め定められた間隔をおいて配置され、前記ユニットの各々に設けられた複数の前記画像形成部の、前記回転部材の前記回転中心に対する姿勢が、複数設けられた当該ユニットの各々において同じとなるように、当該ユニットの各々は設けられていることを特徴とすることができる。
さらに、複数の前記画像形成部の各々は、インク吐出ヘッドから前記缶体に向けてインクを吐出させることで当該缶体に画像を形成し、前記インク吐出ヘッドがインクを吐出する際の吐出力を変更する変更手段を更に備えることを特徴とすることができる。
また、画像形成部は、缶体よりも上方に配置され、下方に位置する缶体の外面に向けてインクを吐出することを特徴とすることができる。
さらに、画像形成機構は、端部を有した挿入部材を缶体の内部に端部側から挿入することで缶体の保持を行い、挿入部材は、画像形成部による缶体への画像形成がなされる際、寝た状態で配置され、缶体の保持を行う際、上方および下方のいずれか一方を端部が向くように配置されることを特徴とすることができる。
また、画像形成部は、水平方向に沿うように配置されていることを特徴とすることができる。
また、本発明によれば、画像形成部を移動させることにより生じうる画質の低下を抑えることができる画像形成装置を提供することができる。
以下、添付図面を参照して、本発明の実施の形態について説明する。
図1は、缶体に印刷を行う印刷機1の一例を模式的に示した図である。
画像形成装置の一例としてのこの印刷機1は、デジタルの画像情報に基づき缶体10に画像を形成する印刷機である。ここで、印刷機1には、不図示の缶体製造工程にて製造された缶体10を順次搬送する缶体搬送機構100、缶体搬送機構100により搬送されてきた缶体10の外周面に対する画像の形成を行いながらこの缶体10を移動させる缶体移動機構200、缶体移動機構200によって画像が形成された缶体10を搬送する第1搬送装置300が設けられている。
同図に示すように、また、上記にて説明したように、本実施形態の缶体移動機構200には、円盤状に形成され且つ図中時計回り方向に回転する回転部材210が設けられている。また、回転部材210の外周縁に、缶体10を保持するとともにこの缶体10の外周面に対して画像を形成する画像形成ユニット220が設けられている。
本実施形態における画像形成ユニット220は、円盤状に形成されるとともに中心部を回転中心として回転可能な回転テーブル221が設けられている。また本実施形態では、回転テーブル221の中心部に、回転テーブル221から突出して設けられ(図中手前側に突出して設けられ)、缶体10を保持する保持部材(マンドレル)222が設けられている。
本実施形態では、缶体移動機構200による処理に先立ち、まず、缶体10の外径についての情報が制御部900によって取得される。また、缶体10に形成される画像の画像情報がPC(Personal Computer)などの外部の端末から取得される。その後、取得した上記外径についての情報に基づき、進退機構250(図3(A)参照)が駆動され、缶体10の外径に応じた位置にインク吐出装置223が配置される。
ここで、本実施形態における構成では、インクジェットによる印刷方式を採用しているものの、上記のように、複数の缶体10に対する画像形成処理が同時に行われる。また一つの缶体10に対する画像形成処理が複数のインク吐出装置223により行われる。このため、本実施形態における構成では、インクジェットによる印刷方式を採用した場合に生じうる生産性の低下を抑制可能となる。
図4に示す印刷機30では、本実施形態における印刷機1と同様に、保持部材(本図では不図示)によって缶体10が保持された状態で、缶体10は、移動していく。また、保持部材の回転がなされ、缶体10は自転する。ところでこの印刷機30では、インク吐出装置223が缶体10とともに移動せずに、印刷機30の本体側に固定された状態となっている。
なお、この印刷機30では、缶体10の移動経路の両側にインク吐出装置223を設け、画像形成に要する時間の短縮化を図っているが、このように、両側にインク吐出装置223を設けたとしても、6色など多数の色のインクで画像を形成したい場合には、隣接するインク吐出装置223に缶体10を運ぶ必要が生じる。そしてこの場合、生産性が低下してしまう。
第1搬送装置300は、図1に示すように、複数の吸引部材310を備えている。ここでこの複数の吸引部材310は、予め定められた経路(円弧を描く経路)に沿って循環移動を行っている。付言すると、図中反時計回り方向への移動を行っている。また、この複数の吸引部材310は、図3(C)にて示した缶体搬送機構100と同様に、印刷機1の奥行き方向において、缶体移動機構200よりも手前側に配置されている。
同様に、第1搬送装置300の吸引部材310は、図1の符号1Aに示すように、第1搬送装置300と加熱装置400とが重なる箇所において、円弧を描くように形成された移動経路から一旦外れ、直線的に移動するようになる。また加熱装置400の保持部材222も、符号1Aに示すように、第1搬送装置300と加熱装置400とが重なる箇所において、円弧を描くように形成された移動経路から一旦外れ、直線的に移動するようになる。また、符号1Aに示す箇所において、吸引部材310と保持部材222とは、互いに重なった状態で移動するようになる。そして本実施形態では、このように、吸引部材310と保持部材222との重なりが生じているときに、吸引部材310から保持部材222へ缶体10が受け渡される。
図5に示す印刷機1では、上記と同様に、缶体10を下方へ搬送する缶体搬送機構100、缶体搬送機構100により搬送されてきた缶体10の外周面に対する画像の形成を行いながらこの缶体10を移動させる缶体移動機構200が設けられている。また本実施形態では、缶体10の搬送方向において、缶体移動機構200のすぐ下流側に、加熱装置400が設けられている。
上記にて説明した実施形態では、缶体移動機構200とは別の箇所に設けられた加熱装置400によって缶体10が加熱される構成であったが、本実施形態では、図7に示すように、画像形成ユニット220の一部に、缶体10を加熱する加熱ユニット224が組み込まれ、この加熱ユニット224により缶体10が加熱されるようになっている。
本実施形態における構成では、図1、5で示した加熱装置400が省略され、印刷機1の更なる小型化が図られる。また、缶体移動機構200から加熱装置400へ缶体10を搬送する第1搬送装置300(図1参照)、缶体移動機構200から加熱装置400へ缶体10を搬送する第1搬送装置850(図5参照)なども省略可能となり、印刷機1をさらに小さくすることができる。
図8は、印刷機1の他の構成例を示した図である。なお、基本的な構成は、図1に示した印刷機1と同様であり、ここでは異なる点を説明する。
付言すると、本実施形態の構成では、インク吐出装置223のインク吐出ヘッドと缶体10の中心を結ぶ軸線方向にインクの吐出力は作用するようになる。ここで、各インク吐出ヘッドから吐出されるインクにかかる重力を、上記軸線方向における分力と、この軸線方向に直交する方向の分力とし、この軸線方向における分力を用いて、インクの吐出力を補正(変更)することが望ましくなる。
以下、添付図面を参照して、本発明の実施の形態について説明する。
図9は、缶体に印刷を行う印刷機1の一例を模式的に示した図である。
画像形成装置の一例としてのこの印刷機1は、デジタルの画像情報に基づき缶体10に画像を形成する印刷機である。ここで、印刷機1には、第1の実施形態と同様、不図示の缶体製造工程にて製造された缶体10を順次搬送する缶体搬送機構100、缶体搬送機構100により搬送されてきた缶体10の外周面に対する画像の形成を行いながらこの缶体10を移動させる缶体移動機構200、缶体移動機構200によって画像が形成された缶体10を搬送する第1搬送装置300が設けられている。
本実施形態における画像形成ユニット220には、同図(A)に示すように、円盤状に形成され、缶体10に対してインクを吐出するインク吐出装置223を支持する支持テーブル221が設けられている。また、この支持テーブル221と共に移動するとともに、この支持テーブル221の外側に位置し、且つ、環状に形成され、この支持テーブル221に対する回転が可能な回転板226が設けられている。なお、画像形成ユニット220のうちのインク吐出装置223が設けられている箇所は、缶体10(缶体群)に対して画像を形成する画像形成機構として捉えることができる。
なお本実施形態では、このようにモータMを利用して、画像形成ユニット220の姿勢を保つようにしたが、例えば、支持テーブル221(図11(A)参照)の下部に不図示の錘を取り付けることで、画像形成ユニット220の重心の位置を偏心させ、この重心の偏心によって、画像形成ユニット220の姿勢を一定に保つことができる。
また本実施形態では、缶体搬送機構100から画像形成ユニット220へ移動した缶体10(保持部材222により保持された缶体10)は、自転する(周方向に回転する)。ここで缶体10のこの回転は、画像形成ユニット220に設けられた回転機構により行われる。
上記では説明を省略したが、回転板226(図11(A)参照)の裏側には、図13(A)に示すリング状のギア227が設けられている。ここでこのギア227は、内周面227Aに複数の内歯(不図示)を有しており、また、外周面227Bに複数の外歯(不図示)を有している。また本実施形態では、外周面227Bに形成された外歯に噛み合うように設けられ、ギア227を回転させる駆動ギアG1が設けられている。また、この駆動ギアG1を回転させる駆動モータM11が設けられている。
本実施形態では、缶体移動機構200による処理に先立ち、まず、缶体10の外径についての情報が制御部900によって取得される。また、缶体10に形成される画像の画像情報がPC(Personal Computer)などの外部の端末から取得される。その後、取得した上記外径についての情報に基づき、進退機構250(図11(B)参照)が駆動され、缶体10の外径に応じた位置にインク吐出装置223が配置される。
その後、回転板226の回転が再び行われ、第1インク吐出装置223よる画像形成がなされた缶体10は、2色目のインクを吐出するインク吐出装置223(回転板226の回転方向において上流側から2番目に位置するインク吐出装置223)(以下、「第2インク吐出装置223」と称することがある)に到達する。
ここで、本実施形態では、第2インク吐出装置223からインクの吐出が開始される際にも、ロータリエンコーダからの出力が把握され、缶体10の回転角度が把握される。そして、制御部900は、把握したこの回転角度から上記基準角度を減じ、角度差を取得する。その後、制御部900は、不図示のページメモリに格納されている画像データのうち、この角度差に応じた画像データから読み出しを開始し、読み出した画像データを第2インク吐出装置223に順次供給する。
ここで、例えば、第2インク吐出装置223による画像形成が開始されるに際し、缶体10の回転角度を上記基準角度とし缶体10を原点位置に配置したうえで、缶体10への画像形成を行うことも可能ではある。ところで、この場合、原点位置に缶体10を配置するのに時間を要し、単位時間当たりに画像を形成することができる缶体の個数が減少しやすくなる。本実施形態のように、角度差に応じた画像データから読み出しを開始する場合、単位時間当たりに画像を形成することができる缶体10の個数を増加させることができるようになる。
ここで、本実施形態における構成では、インクジェットによる印刷方式を採用しているものの、上記のように、複数の缶体10に対する画像形成処理が同時に行われる。このため、本実施形態における構成では、インクジェットによる印刷方式を採用した場合に生じうる生成性の低下を抑制可能となる。
図14に示す印刷機30では、本実施形態における印刷機1と同様に、保持部材(本図では不図示)によって缶体10が保持された状態で、缶体10は、移動していく。また、保持部材の回転がなされ、缶体10は自転する。
第1の実施形態と同様、第1搬送装置300は、図9に示すように、複数の吸引部材310を備えている。ここでこの複数の吸引部材310は、予め定められた経路(円弧を描く経路)に沿って循環移動を行っている。付言すると、図中反時計回り方向への移動を行っている。また、この複数の吸引部材310は、図12(B)にて示した缶体搬送機構100と同様に、印刷機1の奥行き方向において、缶体移動機構200よりも手前側に配置されている。
同様に、第1搬送装置300の吸引部材310は、図9の符号1Aに示すように、第1搬送装置300と加熱装置400とが重なる箇所において、円弧を描くように形成され且つ外側に向かって膨らむように形成された移動経路から一旦外れ、保持部材222の移動経路に沿って移動するようになる。また、符号1Aに示す箇所において、吸引部材310と保持部材222とは、互いに重なった状態で移動するようになる。そして本実施形態では、このように、吸引部材310と保持部材222との重なりが生じているときに、吸引部材310から保持部材222へ缶体10が受け渡される。
加熱装置400は、第1の実施形態と同様、缶体10の移動経路に沿って設けられ缶体10を加熱する加熱部410を有している。ここでこの加熱部410は、赤外線ランプ等(不図示)を備えておりこの赤外線ランプ等を利用して、缶体10の加熱を行う。そしてこの加熱によって、缶体10の外周面に塗布されたインクが硬化する。なお本実施形態では、加熱装置400に設けられた保持部材222が自転を行っており、缶体10に加熱むらが生じにくくなっている。また本実施形態では、缶体10の移動経路の両側に、加熱部410が設けられており、移動経路の片側にのみ加熱部410が設けられている場合に比べ、より短い時間でインクを硬化させることができる。
図15に示す印刷機1では、上記と同様に、缶体10を下方へ搬送する缶体搬送機構100、缶体搬送機構100により搬送されてきた缶体10の外周面に対する画像の形成を行いながらこの缶体10を移動させる缶体移動機構200が設けられている。また本実施形態では、缶体10の搬送方向において、缶体移動機構200のすぐ下流側に、加熱装置400が設けられている。
上記にて説明した実施形態では、缶体移動機構200とは別の箇所に設けられた加熱装置400によって缶体10が加熱される構成であったが、本実施形態では、図16に示すように、画像形成ユニット220の一部に、缶体10を加熱する加熱ユニット224が組み込まれ、この加熱ユニット224により缶体10が加熱されるようになっている。なお上記では、インク吐出装置223が7つ設けられた場合を説明したが、本実施形態では、インク吐出装置223を1つ取り外し、替わりに、加熱ユニット224を設けている。
なお基本的な構成は図16に示した印刷機1と同様であり、ここでは図16に示した印刷機1とは異なる点を説明する。
本実施形態では、図17に示すように、画像形成ユニット220の一部に、缶体10に塗料を塗布する塗布ユニット225が組み込まれ、この塗布ユニット225により缶体10に塗料が塗布されるようになっている。なお本実施形態では、加熱ユニット224および塗布ユニット225の2つユニットを組み込むため、インク吐出装置223が5つ設けられた構成となっている。
図18は、回転部材210に対して画像形成ユニット220が固定された缶体移動機構200を示した図である。図9、図15、図16、図17にて示した缶体移動機構200に替えて、本図に示す缶体移動機構200を用いることができる。
付言すると、本実施形態の構成では、各インク吐出装置223のインク吐出ヘッドHD(図11(B)参照)と、缶体10の中心とを結ぶ軸線方向にインクの吐出力は作用するようになる。ここで、各インク吐出ヘッドHDから吐出されるインクにかかる重力を、上記軸線方向における分力と、この軸線方向に直交する方向の分力とし、この軸線方向における分力を用いて、インクの吐出力を補正(変更)することが望ましくなる。
以下、添付図面を参照して、本発明の実施の形態についてさらに説明する。
図19は、缶体に印刷を行う印刷機1を上方から眺めた場合の図である。
画像形成装置の一例としてのこの印刷機1は、デジタルの画像情報に基づき缶体10に画像を形成する印刷機である。ここで、印刷機1には、不図示の缶体製造工程にて製造された缶体10を順次搬送する缶体搬送機構100、缶体搬送機構100により搬送されてきた缶体10を保持するとともに缶体10の外周面に対する画像の形成を行いながらこの缶体10を移動させる缶体移動機構200、缶体移動機構200によって画像が形成された缶体10を搬送する第1搬送装置910が設けられている。
画像形成機構の一例としての缶体移動機構200には、第1の実施形態と同様、円盤状に形成され且つ不図示のモータにより図中反時計回り方向に回転する回転部材210が設けられている。また、缶体移動機構200には、この回転部材210の外周縁に取り付けられ、缶体搬送機構100により搬送されてきた缶体10の外周面に対して画像を形成する画像形成ユニット220が複数設けられている。ここで、画像形成ユニット220の各々は、缶体搬送機構100により搬送されてきた缶体10を保持しながらこの缶体10と供に移動し、移動を行っている最中に、缶体10への画像形成を行う。また、画像形成ユニット220の各々は、回転部材210の回転中心を中心に周回移動を行うとともに環状の移動経路に沿って移動を行いながら缶体10への画像形成を行う。
また、本実施形態の画像形成ユニット220では、図21(A)に示すようにサーボモータM3が設けられている。ここで、このサーボモータM3は、接続部材283をシャフト284を中心に回転させる。なお、このサーボモータM3は、図21(A)に示すように、第2固定板281により支持されている。また、このサーボモータM3は、第2固定板281を挟み保持部材222が設けられている側とは反対側に設けられている。
なお、上記回転機構は、例えば、第2固定板281背面に付設されたサーボモータM3と、支持部材282の内部に収められこのサーボモータM3により駆動するウォーム(不図示)と、接続部材283側に設けられウォームと噛み合うように設けられたウォームホイル(不図示)とにより構成することができる。
本実施形態の画像形成ユニット220では、接続部材283にサーボモータ(不図示)が付設され、また前記サーボモータの回転軸は保持部材222に連結されていて、前記サーボモータにより、保持部材222は周方向に回転する。
図23は、缶体搬送機構100を上方から眺めた場合の図であり、図24は、缶体搬送機構100の動作を説明するための図である。
図23に示すように、缶体搬送機構100は、複数個の缶体10を一列に並べた状態で順次搬送する第1搬送部121と、この第1搬送部121により搬送されてきた缶体10を個別に搬送する第2搬送部122とを備えている。
また、第2搬送部122には、第1搬送部121から缶体10を1つ受け取りこの缶体10を搬送する搬送部材125が複数設けられている。また、第2搬送部122には、円環状に形成され、複数の搬送部材125を保持しながら図中時計回り方向に回転する回転部材126が設けられている。
本実施形態では、まず、同図(A)に示すように、第1搬送部121により搬送されてきた缶体10のうちの最も下流側に位置する1つの缶体10が、搬送部材125の突出部125Aによって支持される。その後、同図(B)、(C)に示すように、この缶体10は、回転部材126の時計回り方向の回転に伴って下流側へと移動する。その後、この缶体10は、缶体移動機構200(図19参照)に達し、缶体移動機構200に設けられた画像形成ユニット220により保持されるようになる。
第1搬送装置910は、図25に示すように、缶体移動機構200より下方に配置されている。また、第1搬送装置910は、複数の吸引部材911を備えている。ここで、この複数の吸引部材911は、図19に示すように、予め定められた経路(円弧を描く経路)に沿って循環移動を行っている。付言すると、図中時計回り方向への移動を行っている。
第2搬送装置920には、図19に示すように、反時計回り方向に回転を行う回転板921と、この回転板921の外周縁に取り付けられ第1搬送装置910により搬送されてきた缶体10を保持する複数の保持ユニット922とが設けられている。
第3搬送装置930は、図25に示すように、第2搬送装置920の上方に配置されている。また、第3搬送装置930には、第1搬送装置910と同様に、缶体10の底部を吸引して缶体10を保持する吸引部材932が複数設けられている。また、第3搬送装置930には、吸引部材932の上方に配置されこの吸引部材932を支持する支持部材931が設けられている。ここで、本実施形態では、第2搬送装置920によって搬送されてきた缶体10の底部が吸引部材932によりまず支持される。その後、この吸引部材932が第4搬送装置940の上方まで移動する。そして、吸引部材932による吸引が解除されることで、缶体10が下方に落下し、缶体10が第4搬送装置940へと受け渡される。
第4搬送装置940は、図25に示すように、第3搬送装置930の下方に配置されている。また、第4搬送装置940は、図19に示すように、図中反時計回り方向に周回移動を行うチェーン941と、チェーン941に取り付けられた複数のピン942とを備えている。ここで、第3搬送装置930から第4搬送装置940への缶体10の受け渡しは、第3搬送装置930から落下した缶体10の内部にピン942が挿入されることで行われる。なお、本実施形態では、この第4搬送装置940によって、缶体10は不図示の焼き付け装置(工程)へ搬送され、この焼き付け装置では、缶体10の外周面上のインクや塗料の焼き付けが行われる。
本実施形態では、まず、缶体搬送機構100によって、缶体移動機構200の下方に缶体10が搬送される。ここで、このとき、缶体10の上方には、一端部222Aが下方を向いた状態の保持部材222が待機している。その後、保持部材222の通気口を通じて保持部材222の内部の空気が排出され、これに伴い、缶体10が保持部材222により吸引される。そしてこの吸引により、缶体10の内部に保持部材222が挿入された状態となる。
缶体10が水平状態となった後、本実施形態では、4つのインク吐出装置223の各々からインクが吐出される。そして、缶体10が360°回転すると、インクの吐出が停止される。これにより、缶体10の外周面に画像が形成された状態となる。
その後、画像形成ユニット220に設けられた回転機構が再び駆動され、同図の符号7Cに示すように、保持部材222により保持されている缶体10が下方を向いた状態となる。付言すると、缶体10の底部が下方を向くように缶体10が配置される。その後、通気口を通じて保持部材222の内部に空気が供給されるとともに、第1搬送装置910に設けられた吸引部材911による吸引が開始される。これにより、矢印7Aに示すように、缶体10は図中下方に向かって移動し吸引部材911により保持されるようになる。
Claims (30)
- 缶体を順次搬送する搬送手段と、
前記搬送手段により搬送される前記缶体と共に移動するとともに、当該搬送手段により搬送される当該缶体の各々に対応するように複数設けられ、当該缶体に画像を形成する画像形成機構と、を備え、
前記画像形成機構の各々には、互いに異なる色の画像を前記缶体に対して同時に形成可能な複数の画像形成部が設けられていることを特徴とする画像形成装置。 - 前記画像形成機構の各々は、筒状に形成された前記缶体の外周面に対して画像を形成し、
前記搬送手段は、前記缶体を周方向に回転させながら当該缶体を搬送することを特徴とする請求項1記載の画像形成装置。 - 前記画像形成機構の各々は、一定の姿勢を保つことができるように設けられていることを特徴とする請求項1又は2に記載の画像形成装置。
- 前記複数の画像形成部の各々は、前記缶体に対し進退可能に設けられていることを特徴とする請求項1乃至3の何れかに記載の画像形成装置。
- 前記画像形成機構の各々には、前記複数の画像形成部によって前記缶体に形成された画像を硬化させる硬化手段が更に設けられていることを特徴とする請求項1乃至4の何れかに記載の画像形成装置。
- 前記複数の画像形成部の各々は、インク吐出ヘッドから前記缶体に向けてインクを吐出させることで当該缶体に画像を形成し、
前記複数の画像形成部の各々は、前記インク吐出ヘッドが上方以外の方向を向くように配置されていることを特徴とする請求項1乃至5の何れかに記載の画像形成装置。 - 予め定められた回転中心を中心に回転する回転部材を更に備え、
前記複数の画像形成部を備えた前記画像形成機構の各々は、前記回転部材に設けられるとともに当該回転部材の周方向において予め定められた間隔をおいて配置され、
前記画像形成機構の各々に設けられた前記複数の画像形成部の、前記回転部材の前記回転中心に対する姿勢が、複数設けられた当該画像形成機構の各々において同じとなるように、当該画像形成機構の各々は設けられていることを特徴とする請求項1記載の画像形成装置。 - 前記複数の画像形成部の各々は、インク吐出ヘッドから前記缶体に向けてインクを吐出させることで当該缶体に画像を形成し、
前記インク吐出ヘッドがインクを吐出する際の吐出力を変更する変更手段を更に備えることを特徴とする請求項1乃至7の何れかに記載の画像形成装置。 - 缶体を順次搬送する搬送手段と、
前記搬送手段により搬送される前記缶体と共に移動するとともに、当該搬送手段により搬送される当該缶体の各々に対応するように複数設けられ、当該缶体に画像を形成する画像形成機構と、を備え、
前記画像形成機構の各々には、前記缶体が設けられている箇所を中心として放射状に配置された複数の画像形成部が設けられていることを特徴とする画像形成装置。 - 前記画像形成機構によって前記缶体に画像が形成された後、当該画像を硬化させる硬化手段と、
前記硬化手段による画像の硬化が行われた後、当該画像の上に塗料を塗布する塗布手段と、を更に備えることを特徴とする請求項9記載の画像形成装置。 - 循環移動を行うように設けられ、前記画像形成機構により画像が形成された前記缶体を前記搬送手段から受け取り当該缶体を搬送する複数の搬送部材と、
循環移動を行うように設けられ、前記搬送部材から前記缶体を受け取り、当該缶体を搬送する複数の受け取り部材と、を更に備え、
前記複数の搬送部材が前記循環移動を行う際の中心軸と、前記複数の受け取り部材が前記循環移動を行う際の中心軸とが一致するように、当該複数の搬送部材および当該複数の受け取り部材は配置されていることを特徴とする請求項9又は10に記載の画像形成装置。 - 缶体、および、複数の画像形成部を備え当該缶体に画像を形成する画像形成機構を順次搬送し、
前記缶体が搬送されている最中に、前記画像形成機構に設けられた前記複数の画像形成部を同時に動作させ、当該缶体に画像を形成することを特徴とする、画像が形成された缶体の製造方法。 - 複数の缶体を保持する缶体保持部と、当該缶体保持部により保持される当該複数の缶体に対して画像を形成する画像形成機構と、を備えるユニットと、
前記ユニットを複数搬送する搬送手段と、を備え、
前記ユニットに設けられた前記画像形成機構には、前記缶体保持部に保持される複数の缶体のうちの個々の缶体に対峙する画像形成部が複数設けられ、
前記搬送手段によって複数の前記ユニットが搬送されている最中に、個々の当該ユニットにて、前記缶体保持部の前記画像形成機構に対する状態が変化し、当該画像形成機構に設けられた前記画像形成部に対峙する缶体が切り替わることを特徴とする画像形成装置。 - 前記ユニットの搬送に伴い移動する前記画像形成機構は、一定の姿勢を保ちながら当該移動を行うことを特徴とする請求項13記載の画像形成装置。
- 複数の前記画像形成部の各々は、インク吐出ヘッドから缶体に向けてインクを吐出させることで当該缶体に画像を形成し、
複数の前記画像形成部の各々は、前記インク吐出ヘッドが上方以外の方向を向くように配置されていることを特徴とする請求項13又は14に記載の画像形成装置。 - 前記缶体保持部は、環状に形成されるとともに前記画像形成機構の外側に配置され、
前記缶体保持部の前記画像形成機構に対する状態の前記変化は、当該缶体保持部が周方向に回転することで行われることを特徴とする請求項13乃至15の何れかに記載の画像形成装置。 - 複数の前記画像形成部の各々は、対峙する缶体に対し進退可能に設けられていることを特徴とする請求項13乃至16の何れかに記載の画像形成装置。
- 前記画像形成機構には、前記画像形成部によって缶体に形成された画像を硬化させる硬化手段が更に設けられていることを特徴とする請求項13乃至17の何れかに記載の画像形成装置。
- 前記画像形成機構には、前記画像形成部によって缶体に形成された画像の上に塗料を塗布する塗布手段が更に設けられていることを特徴とする請求項13乃至18の何れかに記載の画像形成装置。
- 循環移動を行うように設けられ、前記画像形成機構により画像が形成された缶体を前記缶体保持部から受け取り当該缶体を搬送する複数の搬送部材と、
循環移動を行うように設けられ、前記搬送部材から缶体を受け取り、当該缶体を搬送する複数の受け取り部材と、を更に備え、
前記複数の搬送部材が前記循環移動を行う際の中心軸と、前記複数の受け取り部材が前記循環移動を行う際の中心軸とが一致するように、当該複数の搬送部材および当該複数の受け取り部材は配置されていることを特徴とする請求項13乃至19の何れかに記載の画像形成装置。 - 予め定められた回転中心を中心に回転する回転部材を更に備え、
複数の前記画像形成部を有する前記画像形成機構を備えた前記ユニットの各々は、前記回転部材に設けられるとともに当該回転部材の周方向において予め定められた間隔をおいて配置され、
前記ユニットの各々に設けられた複数の前記画像形成部の、前記回転部材の前記回転中心に対する姿勢が、複数設けられた当該ユニットの各々において同じとなるように、当該ユニットの各々は設けられていることを特徴とする請求項13記載の画像形成装置。 - 複数の前記画像形成部の各々は、インク吐出ヘッドから前記缶体に向けてインクを吐出させることで当該缶体に画像を形成し、
前記インク吐出ヘッドがインクを吐出する際の吐出力を変更する変更手段を更に備えることを特徴とする請求項13乃至21の何れかに記載の画像形成装置。 - 複数の缶体により構成される缶体群と、複数の画像形成部を用いて当該缶体群に対して画像を形成する画像形成機構と、により少なくとも構成されるユニットを複数搬送し、
複数の前記ユニットが搬送されている最中に、個々の当該ユニットにて、前記画像形成機構に対する前記缶体群の状態を変化させ、当該画像形成機構が有する前記画像形成部に対峙する缶体を切り替えることを特徴とする、画像が形成された缶体の製造方法。 - 缶体を保持するとともに当該缶体の外面に画像を形成する画像形成機構と、
缶体を保持した前記画像形成機構を予め定められた箇所を中心として周回移動させ予め定められた環状の移動経路に沿って移動させる移動手段と、
を備え、
前記画像形成機構には、一方向に延びるように設けられ前記缶体の外面に向けてインクを吐出し当該外面に画像を形成する画像形成部が設けられ、
前記移動手段は、前記画像形成部の前記一方向における一端部を先頭として当該画像形成部の当該一方向における他端部を後端として当該画像形成部が前記環状の移動経路に沿って移動するように前記画像形成機構を移動させることを特徴とする画像形成装置。 - 前記画像形成機構は、複数設けられ、
前記移動手段は、複数の前記画像形成機構を前記環状の移動経路に沿って移動させることを特徴とする請求項24記載の画像形成装置。 - 前記画像形成部は、前記缶体よりも上方に配置され、下方に位置する当該缶体の外面に向けてインクを吐出することを特徴とする請求項24又は25に記載の画像形成装置。
- 前記画像形成機構は、端部を有した挿入部材を前記缶体の内部に当該端部側から挿入することで当該缶体の保持を行い、
前記挿入部材は、前記画像形成部による前記缶体への画像形成がなされる際、寝た状態で配置され、当該缶体の保持を行う際、上方および下方のいずれか一方を前記端部が向くように配置されることを特徴とする請求項24乃至26の何れかに記載の画像形成装置。 - 予め定められた回転中心を中心として回転する回転部材と、
前記回転部材に取り付けられ、当該回転部材の回転に伴い周回移動を行うとともに缶体を保持し、当該缶体の外面に画像を形成する画像形成機構と、
を備え、
前記画像形成機構には、一方向に延びるように設けられ前記缶体の外面に向けてインクを吐出し当該外面に画像を形成する画像形成部が設けられ、
前記回転部材の前記回転中心から当該回転部材に取り付けられた前記画像形成機構に向かう直線が延びる方向と、前記画像形成部が延びる方向である前記一方向とが交差するように、当該画像形成機構が配置されていることを特徴とする画像形成装置。 - 前記回転中心から前記画像形成機構に向かう前記直線が延びる方向と前記一方向とが直交するように、当該画像形成機構が配置されていることを特徴とする請求項28記載の画像形成装置。
- 前記画像形成部は、水平方向に沿うように配置されていることを特徴とする請求項28又は29に記載の画像形成装置。
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