WO2015198974A1

WO2015198974A1 - Inkjet ink color matching device and application of same

Info

Publication number: WO2015198974A1
Application number: PCT/JP2015/067677
Authority: WO
Inventors: 大西　勝
Original assignee: 株式会社ミマキエンジニアリング
Priority date: 2014-06-23
Filing date: 2015-06-19
Publication date: 2015-12-30
Also published as: JP2016007736A

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to reliably and easily render colors closer to the desired hues. An inkjet ink color matching device (50) according to the present invention is provided with a mixing unit (10) which formulates an ink mixture in a target color by mixing multiple inks of basic colors, an ink colorimetric unit which measures the color of the ink mixture that is discharged onto a medium (60), and a color match adjustment unit (22) which controls the mixing unit (10) so that the color of the ink mixture will be brought closer to a pre-established range when the difference between the color of the ink mixture measured by the ink colorimetric unit and the target color is outside of that range.

Description

Toning apparatus for inkjet ink and use thereof

The present invention relates to a toning device for inkjet ink and its use.

In printing using an inkjet printer, image data to be printed is converted into color separation data of, for example, yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), and the color separation data is converted into the color separation data. Then, based on the color separation data, the printer control unit controls the ink jet head to discharge ink of each color onto the print medium, and toning the ink on the medium.

Patent Document 1 describes an inkjet printing apparatus including a mixed ink head that discharges mixed ink in which colors to be printed on a recording medium are mixed in advance.

JP 2013-184408 A (published on September 19, 2013)

As described above, when a plurality of inks for expressing a desired color are ejected from each of the plurality of nozzles, the desired color is expressed on the medium. Here, there may be a concept of preparing ink that expresses a desired color on a medium by mixing a plurality of inks in advance. However, even if toning is performed in advance, the reproduced color tone may differ from the desired one depending on the surrounding environment, the characteristics of the individual inkjet head in the inkjet printer, the type of media, and the like.

Further, there is a need for a new ink-jet ink toning device that can stably and easily express colors closer to a desired color than the ink-jet printing apparatus described in Patent Document 1.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a toning device for stably and easily expressing a color closer to a desired color.

The ink-jet ink toning apparatus according to the present invention includes a mixing unit that mixes a plurality of basic color inks to prepare a mixed ink, and an ink colorimetric that measures the color of the mixed ink discharged onto a recording medium. And when the color difference between the color of the mixed ink measured by the ink colorimetric means and the preset target color is outside the preset range, the color of the mixed ink falls within the range. And a toning adjustment means for controlling the blending means so as to be close to each other.

According to the above configuration, a desired color tone may be reproduced with a mixed ink originally created depending on the surrounding environment, unevenness of ink jet head characteristics, characteristics of individual ink jet printers, media types, and the like. It is possible to prepare a mixed ink that is closer to the color.

An ink-jet ink toning apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention mixes the mixed ink by further mixing a transparent ink with the plurality of basic color inks, and the toning adjusting means includes the mixed ink. More preferably, the blending means is controlled so that the shade of the color expressed by being ejected onto the recording medium becomes a preset shade.

According to the above configuration, by adjusting the density of the mixed ink with the transparent ink, it is possible to adjust the density of the color expressed when the mixed ink is ejected onto the recording medium. Further, the mixed ink whose density is adjusted to be thin to express a light color on the recording medium can be ejected in an amount close to that of the ink for expressing a dark color. In other words, according to the ink-jet ink toning apparatus according to the above aspect, it is possible to prevent color blurring due to insufficient discharge amount of any of the basic color inks toning the mixed ink.

In the ink-jet ink toning apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention, it is more preferable that the ink-jet ink toning device for identifying whether or not the plurality of basic color inks are preset inks.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to identify whether or not the basic color ink to be formulated by the blending unit is an appropriate ink. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the mixed-tone control means from blending the mixed ink using inks having different color tones.

In the ink-jet ink toning apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention, it is more preferable that the ink-jet ink toning apparatus includes a deaeration unit that degass the gas contained in the mixed ink.

According to the above configuration, the mixed ink prepared by the preparation unit can be degassed, for example, by being stirred by the stirring unit. For this reason, when printing on a recording medium using the mixed ink, it is possible to suitably prevent the generation of bubbles.

The ink jet printing apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes an ink jet head for mixed ink that discharges the mixed ink toned by the color adjusting apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention.

According to the above configuration, information such as an image can be printed on the recording medium using the mixed ink that is toned by the toning device according to one aspect. For this reason, a printed matter in which a color closer to the desired color is reproduced is obtained.

The ink jet printing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention further includes head control means for controlling the ink jet head for mixed ink, and the head control means has a print density of the mixed ink printed on the recording medium. The discharge amount of the mixed ink may be controlled so as to have a preset density.

According to the above configuration, the density of the color expressed by discharging the mixed ink onto the recording medium can be adjusted by the head control means controlling the discharge amount of the mixed ink. For this reason, even if transparent ink is not used, the color density of the mixed ink expressed by ejecting the mixed ink onto the recording medium can be suitably adjusted.

In the ink jet printing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention, it is more preferable that the head control unit determines the ejection amount of the mixed ink by reflecting data indicating the target color.

According to the above configuration, the discharge amount of the mixed ink can be controlled by the head control means so that the printing density for expressing the target color is obtained. Therefore, the color density expressed by the mixed ink can be adjusted without using transparent ink.

An ink jet printing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of ink jet heads including the ink jet head for mixed ink, and the plurality of ink jet heads respectively scan each ink jet head in the scanning direction. It is more preferable that the trajectories are arranged so as not to overlap.

According to the above configuration, when scanning a plurality of inkjet heads including the inkjet head for mixed ink in the scanning direction, the respective trajectories when scanning the inkjet heads do not overlap. For this reason, it can prevent that each inkjet head is contaminated with the ink mist which another inkjet head discharges.

The inkjet ink toning apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention may be realized by a computer. In this case, the inkjet ink toning apparatus is operated by operating the computer as each unit included in the print control apparatus. A toning program for realizing the above in a computer and a computer-readable recording medium on which the color-coding program is recorded also fall within the scope of the present invention.

An inkjet printing method according to an aspect of the present invention is an inkjet printing method in which printing is performed using the inkjet printing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention, wherein the mixed ink is used as the mixed ink inkjet head. It is characterized by being discharged from the print.

An inkjet printing method for printing using the inkjet printing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention is also within the scope of the present invention.

In the ink jet printing method according to one aspect of the present invention, the recording medium is more preferably a fabric.

According to the above configuration, if solid printing is performed using a mixed ink that has been preliminarily mixed so that the desired color shade can be expressed, solid printing of a desired color on a fabric using a plurality of basic color inks. Unlike printing, it is possible to prevent moiré caused by a shift between the fiber mesh period of the fabric and the period of the printing resolution.

A manufacturing method of a model according to an embodiment of the present invention is a method of manufacturing a three-dimensional model by an ink jet printing method, and discharging and laminating the mixed ink from the ink jet head (ink jet head for mixed ink). It is characterized by.

According to the above configuration, the ink layer can be formed by discharging the inkjet ink adjusted to the target color. In addition, since the ink for expressing the color is a single ink that has already been prepared, the volume of the portion produced with the color is always constant. Therefore, it is possible to manufacture a three-dimensional structure while suppressing a deviation in the height of the layers to be stacked.

According to the present invention, a color closer to a desired color can be expressed stably and easily.

It is a figure explaining the outline of an ink-jet printing device including a color-adjusting device of ink-jet ink concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure explaining the outline of the deaeration means with which the toning apparatus of the inkjet ink which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention is provided. It is a figure explaining the outline of the ink jet head with which the ink jet printer concerning one embodiment of the present invention is provided. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the outline of the inkjet printing method which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention.

<Toning device 50 according to the first embodiment>
The ink-jet ink toning device 50 according to one embodiment (first embodiment) of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

As shown in FIG. 1, the ink-jet ink toning device 50 according to this embodiment includes a blending unit (mixing unit) 10 and a toning control unit (toning control unit) 20. Further, the color adjusting device 50 includes an ink color measuring unit (not shown) that measures the color of the ink ejected on the medium (recording medium) 60, and the ink color measuring unit includes the color measuring device. 50 outside. Here, the ink color measurement unit and the color adjustment control unit 20 can transmit and receive color data measured by a communication unit (not shown), or color data measured by the ink color measurement unit. Input to the color control unit 20 is possible.

In this way, by providing the ink color measurement unit outside the ink jet printing apparatus, for example, in an ink jet printing apparatus that performs printing using textile ink that develops color by steaming, color measurement is preferably performed by the ink color measurement unit. be able to. In the present embodiment, the medium 60 is a fabric.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the ink-jet ink color adjusting device 50 according to the present embodiment includes a deaeration unit (a deaeration unit) 16.

The toning device 50 according to the present embodiment controls the blending unit 10 by the toning control unit 20 to blend the mixed ink using the basic color ink. The toning device 50 discharges the toned mixed ink onto the medium 60 and measures the color of the mixed ink by the ink color measuring unit. Thereby, the toning device 50 can obtain the color difference between the measured color of the mixed ink and the target color, and can adjust the color of the mixed ink so that the color difference falls within a preset range. For this reason, the toning device 50 can tone the mixed ink so that a color closer to a desired color can be expressed.

Further, the toning device 50 adjusts the density of the mixed ink using the transparent ink so that the shade of the color expressed by discharging the mixed ink becomes a preset shade.

Thereby, it is possible to print a desired image by ejecting the mixed ink whose density is lightly adjusted to express a light color on the medium 60 in an amount close to that of the dark color ink. As described above, according to the toning device 50 according to the present embodiment, the color density can be adjusted with a certain amount of ink ejected from one inkjet head. Therefore, it is possible to color the ink jet ink corresponding to the basic color ink for toning the mixed ink and capable of preventing color blur caused by insufficient discharge amount of any one or a plurality of ink jet heads.

For this reason, the ink-jet ink toning device 50 can be used as a toning device for an ink-jet printing apparatus that needs to print a certain intermediate toning in a large area, such as a textile ink-jet printer. The toning device 50 is an ink jet printing device for repeatedly printing products and the like using the same color, and an ink jet that is required to strictly prevent variations in color tones such as printing company logos and product logos. It can be used in a printing apparatus.

[Formulation unit 10]
In response to the instruction from the toning adjustment unit 22, the blending unit 10 blends a plurality of basic color inks to blend the mixed ink into a target color.

As shown in FIG. 1, in the toning device 50 according to the present embodiment, the blending unit 10 includes an ink storage unit 11, a valve 12, an ink blending container 13, and a weight measuring unit 14. Further, the blending unit 10 includes a stirring unit (not shown) that stirs the basic color ink inside the ink blending container 13.

A plurality of ink storage units 11 are provided in the blending unit 10, and yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) are used as transparent ink (CL) and a plurality of basic color inks. Stored separately. The blending unit 10 blends the mixed ink (Cs) by supplying the transparent ink and the basic color ink stored in the ink storing unit 11 to the ink blending container 13. Moreover, each ink storage part 11 is attached so that attachment or detachment to the preparation part 10 is possible. For this reason, if the ink in the ink storage part 11 is consumed completely, it is possible to replace the ink in the entire container.

A valve 12 is provided for each ink reservoir 11. Each valve 12 is controlled to be opened and closed by an instruction from the toning adjustment unit 22. Thereby, the blending unit 10 adjusts the blending amounts of the transparent ink and the basic color ink to be mixed in the ink blending container 13.

Further, the blending unit 10 measures the blending amount of the transparent ink and the basic color ink charged into the ink blending container 13 by the weight measuring unit 14 and transmits the measured value of the blending amount of each ink to the toning adjustment unit 22. To do.

The weight measuring unit 14 measures the supply amount of the transparent ink and the basic color ink based on the weight. This makes it possible to accurately measure the blending amount of each ink without being affected by the loss of ink at the time of supply or the change in specific gravity of the ink due to a temperature change.

In the blending unit 10 of the toning device 50 according to the present embodiment, four colors of YMCK are used as the basic color ink, but the type of the basic color ink is not limited to this. For example, red (R), green (G), and blue (B) may be used as the basic color ink, and seven colors of YMCK and RGB may be used as the basic color ink. Alternatively, a light colored ink that has been diluted to a predetermined density with a transparent ink in advance may be used as the basic color ink. If a light colored ink that has been diluted to a predetermined concentration with a transparent ink in advance is used as the basic color ink, the blending unit 10 can blend the colored ink with a very small blending amount more accurately.

For the stirring means (not shown), for example, a magnetic stirrer, a stirring rod, an ultrasonic stirring device, or the like can be used. By providing the stirring means, the blending unit 10 can adjust the color of the mixed ink to be uniform.

[Toning control unit 20]
As shown in FIG. 1, in the toning device 50 according to the present embodiment, the toning control unit 20 includes a toning machine control unit 21, a toning adjustment unit 22, and an ink identification unit (ink identification unit) 25. ing.

The toning control unit 20 is connected to an image control unit (image control means) 23 that separates image data into basic color ink color data by wiring or the like.

In the toning device 50 according to this embodiment, the toning control of the mixed ink is performed by the toning control unit 20 including the toning machine control unit 21 and the toning adjustment unit 22.

(Toning machine controller 21)
The toning machine control unit 21 is for driving the toning adjustment unit 22 so as to prepare the basic color ink with the blending amount calculated by the toning machine control unit 21. The color controller control unit 21 divides the data that indicates the color, amount, and density of ink to be blended previously input by the user, YMCK obtained by receiving from the image control unit 23 or the ink colorimetry unit, which will be described later, or the like. From the data indicating the amount, color, and density of the printed ink, the blending amount of the basic color ink and the transparent ink for blending the mixed ink is calculated and transmitted to the toning adjustment unit 22.

Further, the toning machine control unit 21 controls the toning adjustment unit 22 so that a color difference between the color of the mixed ink ejected on the medium 60 and a preset target color is set in advance. The color and amount of the basic color ink to be mixed into the mixed ink so as to be inside, and the amount of transparent ink are calculated. Thereby, the toning adjustment unit 22 can adjust the color of the mixed ink so as to be closer to a desired color tone.

(Toning adjustment unit 22)
The toning adjustment unit 22 controls the blending unit 10 so that each basic color ink is blended into the blending amount acquired from the toning machine control unit 21. More specifically, the toning adjustment unit 22 opens the valve 12 of the ink storage unit 11 for each basic color ink, and supplies the basic color ink to the ink blending container 13. Thereafter, the toning adjustment unit 22 receives that the measured value of the blending amount of the basic color ink measured by the weight measuring unit 14 has reached a predetermined blending amount, and closes the valve 12. In this way, the toning adjustment unit 22 controls the blending unit 10 so as to blend the basic color inks used for blending the target color one by one. Thereby, the toning adjustment unit 22 prepares the mixed ink of the target color. In the present embodiment, the toning adjustment unit 22 and the toning machine control unit 21 that controls the toning adjustment unit 22 are shown separately. However, the toning adjustment unit included in the toning apparatus according to the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and the functions of the toning adjustment unit 22 and the toning machine control unit 21 may be integrated into one.

Further, the toning adjustment unit 22 controls the blending unit 10 to adjust the mixed ink of the target color, and then blends the transparent ink into the mixed ink, thereby obtaining the degree of shading selected by the user. Adjust the density of the mixed ink in the same way.

(Ink identification unit 25)
The ink identification unit (ink identification means) 25 identifies whether or not the plurality of basic color inks are preset inks. More specifically, the ink identification unit 25 removes the chip previously attached to the ink cartridge mounted on the ink storage unit 11 from the ink cartridge and stores it in the chip recognition unit of the ink identification unit 25, thereby Whether the ink is preset or not is identified from the product number, manufacturing number, color, and information such as the ink filling amount in the ink storage unit 11.

Thereby, the toning control unit 20 can prevent the mixed ink from being mixed using inks having different tones. Further, the toning control unit 20 can recognize the remaining amount of ink in each ink storage unit 11 of the blending unit 10.

[Ink colorimetry unit]
The ink color measurement unit measures the color of the mixed ink ejected on the medium 60 and transmits the color measurement result to the color adjuster control unit 21. The ink colorimetric unit is configured with a conventionally known sensor or the like, and may measure the color of the ink using a known color system.

Further, in the toning device according to one modification of the present invention, the ink color measurement unit may be built in the ink jet printing apparatus. For example, in an ink jet printing apparatus that performs printing using ultraviolet curable ink, an ink jet printing apparatus with a heater that performs printing using dispersed ink, and the like, an ink color measurement unit can be incorporated in the ink jet printing apparatus. As described above, whether or not the ink jet printing apparatus includes the ink colorimetric unit can be appropriately changed in design according to the type of ink used by the ink jet printing apparatus and the type of media.

[Image Control Unit 23]
The image control unit (image control means) 23 separates the data of a desired image to be printed on the medium 60 based on the color data of the basic color ink. Further, the image control unit 23 transmits desired image data to the head control unit 24 provided in the inkjet printing apparatus 100 together for each color data of the basic color ink. Accordingly, the head control unit 24 controls the inkjet head 30 and prints a desired image on the medium 60.

In the present embodiment, the embodiment has been described in which the toning device 50 obtains data indicating the amount, color, and density of ink separated into YMCK from the external image control unit 23. The ink-jet ink toning apparatus according to the present invention has a function of separating the image data into the basic color, and a function of calculating the blending amount of the basic color ink and the transparent ink for preparing the mixed ink from the separated data. The color controller control unit 21 may have these functions. Further, for example, the image control unit 23 may be provided with the function of the color adjuster control unit 21 together.

[Deaeration part 16]
The deaeration unit 16 shown in FIG. 2 deaerates the mixed ink that has finished toning by the toning device 50. As a result, when toning is performed, for example, the air contained in the mixed ink can be degassed by stirring by the stirring means. Therefore, when the mixed ink after preparation is discharged by the inkjet printing apparatus 100 according to the embodiment, bubbles are prevented from being generated in the mixed ink due to a gas such as air contained in the mixed ink. Can do.

The deaeration unit 16 can be installed without sealing the ink container 17 filled with the mixed ink after toning. Then, the inside of the deaeration unit 16 is decompressed by sucking the air inside the deaeration unit 16 from a suction port 16a communicating with a decompression unit (not shown). As a result, the mixed ink in the ink container 17 installed inside the deaeration unit 16 is deaerated. The ink container 17 is more preferably an aluminum pack that can completely block oxygen intrusion by, for example, heat sealing after degassing the mixed ink.

As a modification, the deaeration unit can also be realized by a hollow fiber filter provided in the ink flow path in the ink-jet ink toning device.

It should be noted that, for example, when toning an ink that is relatively resistant to the influence of residual gas, such as an ultraviolet curable ink, deaeration by the deaeration unit can be omitted.

<Toning device according to the second embodiment>
The ink-jet ink toning apparatus according to the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and the above modification.

For example, an ink-jet ink toning device according to one embodiment (second embodiment) uses a head control unit (head) that controls the ink-jet head 30 that ejects mixed ink shown in FIG. 1 without using transparent ink. The control means) 24 may control the color density of the mixed ink expressed on the medium 60 by controlling the discharge amount of the mixed ink discharged on the medium 60.

Also in the ink-jet ink toning apparatus according to the present embodiment, the color of the mixed ink ejected on the medium 60 is measured, and the color difference between the color of the mixed ink ejected on the medium 60 and the target color is set. The mixed ink can be toned so as to be within the range. Therefore, the color density of the mixed ink expressed by ejecting the mixed ink onto the medium 60 can be suitably adjusted without using transparent ink.

[Example of software implementation]
The control blocks (particularly the toning control unit 20, the image control unit 23, and the head control unit 24) of the toning device 50 may be realized by a logic circuit (hardware) formed in an integrated circuit (IC chip) or the like. However, it may be realized by software using a CPU (Central Processing Unit).

In the latter case, the toning device 50 includes a CPU that executes instructions of a toning program that is software that implements each function, and a ROM (in which the toning program and various data are recorded so as to be readable by a computer (or CPU)). Read Only Memory) or a storage device (these are referred to as "recording media"), a RAM (Random Access Memory) for expanding the program, and the like. And the objective of this invention is achieved when a computer (or CPU) reads the said program from the said recording medium and runs it. As the recording medium, a “non-temporary tangible medium” such as a tape, a disk, a card, a semiconductor memory, a programmable logic circuit, or the like can be used. The program may be supplied to the computer via an arbitrary transmission medium (such as a communication network or a broadcast wave) that can transmit the program. The present invention can also be realized in the form of a data signal embedded in a carrier wave in which the program is embodied by electronic transmission.

<Inkjet printing apparatus 100>
The ink jet printing apparatus 100 including the toning apparatus 50 according to one embodiment (first embodiment) of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3.

As shown in FIG. 1, an inkjet printing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment includes a toning apparatus 50 according to an embodiment, an inkjet head 30, a head control unit 24 that controls the inkjet head 30, and a head control unit 24. And an image control unit 23 for transmitting image data to be printed. Note that the image control unit 23, the head control unit 24, and the toning device 50 are as described above, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

[Inkjet head 30]
As shown in FIG. 3A, an inkjet head 30 provided in an inkjet printing apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of inkjet heads (basic color inks) for discharging a plurality of basic color inks. Inkjet head) 30 and a mixed ink jet head (mixed ink inkjet head) 30 that ejects the mixed ink toned by the toning device 50 according to the embodiment. More specifically, the inkjet head 30 includes four basic color ink jet heads 30 (Y), 30 (M), 30 (C), and 30 (K) that discharge YMCK basic color ink, and mixed ink. (Cs ₁₎ and the mixed ink (Cs ₁₎ another color mixed ink of the (Cs ₂₎ mixed ink jet head ₃₀ for ejecting (Cs 1), and a 30 (Cs _2).

If printing is performed using the inkjet head 30, printing can be performed using the mixed ink (Cs ₁ ) and the mixed ink (Cs ₂ ). Here, the mixed ink (Cs ₁ ) and the mixed ink (Cs ₂ ) are toned by the toning device 50 in advance so that the desired color shade can be expressed. For this reason, unlike the case of expressing a target color in a printed image by ejecting a plurality of basic color inks on a recording medium, the surrounding environment at the time of printing, variations in characteristics of the inkjet head, characteristics of the individual inkjet printer, It is possible to prevent the printed color from being different from the desired one depending on the type of recording medium.

In addition, if printing is performed using the inkjet head 30, printing can also be performed using basic color ink. For example, an image that requires a large number of colors such as a photographic image by ejecting basic color ink from the ink jet head 30 for basic color ink onto a medium 60 on which a ground color and a logo are printed by discharging mixed ink. Can be printed together.

In the ink jet printing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, the ink jet head 30 includes four basic ink jet heads 30 (Y), 30 (M), 30 (C), 30 (K), and two colors. Although the inkjet heads 30 (Cs ₁ ) and 30 (Cs ₂ ) for mixed ink are provided, the configuration of the inkjet head is not limited to this. For example, depending on the purpose, it may be configured to include only a plurality of mixed ink inkjet heads that discharge various types of mixed ink, or may be configured to further include basic color ink inkjet heads in the configuration. . The configuration of the inkjet head can be appropriately changed depending on the number of mixed inks to be used for printing and the number of basic color inks.

[Inkjet head 31 according to a modification]
The ink jet head provided in the ink jet printing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, as shown in FIG. 3B, in the inkjet head 31 provided in the inkjet printing apparatus 100 according to the embodiment, as a modification, a plurality of inkjet heads 31 (Y), 31 for basic color inks are provided. (M), 31 (C), 31 (K) and mixed ink inkjet heads 31 (Cs ₁ ), 31 (Cs ₂ ) scanned each inkjet head 31 in the scanning direction (Y direction). They are arranged so that the respective trajectories do not overlap.

3B is a transport direction in which the medium 60 is transported on the platen of the ink jet printing apparatus 100, and the Y direction is a scanning direction in which the ink jet head 31 scans the medium 60.

As with the inkjet head 30, the inkjet head 31 includes basic color ink inkjet heads 31 (Y), 31 (M), 31 (C), and 31 (K) that discharge basic color inks, and a mixed ink inkjet head. 31 (Cs ₁ ), 31 (Cs ₂ ). For this reason, the inkjet head 31 can perform printing similar to the inkjet head 30. Moreover, in the inkjet head 31, the inkjet heads 31 (Y), 31 (M), 31 (C), 31 (K) for the basic color inks and the inkjet heads 31 (Cs ₁ ), 31 (Cs ₂ ) for the mixed inks. Are scanned in the Y direction so that the trajectories do not overlap. For this reason, it is possible to prevent contamination of the nozzles of the inkjet head that ejects ink of other colors by the mist of the ink ejected by each inkjet head.

<Inkjet printing method according to first embodiment>
The ink jet printing method according to one embodiment (first embodiment) of the present invention will be described in more detail.

Moreover, the inkjet printing method according to the present embodiment is performed using the inkjet printing apparatus 100 according to the embodiment.

More specifically, an ink jet printing method according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a toning process for toning a mixed ink by mixing a plurality of basic color inks, and discharging onto a medium (recording medium) 60. An ink color measurement step for measuring the color of the mixed ink, and a color adjustment step for adjusting the color of the mixed ink based on a color difference between the color of the mixed ink measured by the ink color measurement step and the target color. A color adjustment step.

In the inkjet printing method according to the present embodiment, the medium 60 is used as a recording medium. In the ink jet printing method according to the embodiment, since the ink jet printing apparatus 100 is used, solid printing can be performed using a mixed ink that is toned in advance so that the target color shade can be expressed. For this reason, unlike the case where a desired image is printed on a fabric using a plurality of basic color inks, it is possible to prevent moiré caused by a shift between the fiber mesh period of the fabric and the period of the printing resolution.

The printing method according to the present embodiment is performed according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, as shown in FIG. 4, in the ink jet printing method according to the present embodiment, as the toning process, the user mixes the blending unit 10 using the toning machine control unit 21 provided in the toning device 50. Select the color of the ink and the production volume of the mixed ink. Thereafter, the toning adjustment unit 22 adjusts the mixture ink of the target color from the tonometer control unit 21, the data of the mixing ratio of the transparent ink in accordance with the degree of shade of the target color, And the production amount of mixed ink is acquired (S101).

Or, the color controller control unit 21 recognizes the color measured by the ink color measurement unit as a target color, and selects data of the mixing ratio of the mixed ink. Thereafter, the toning adjustment unit 22 acquires the data of the mixing ratio of the target color and the production amount of the mixed ink from the toning machine control unit 21 (S101).

Subsequently, the toning adjustment unit 22 determines the blending amount of the transparent ink and each basic color ink necessary for blending the mixed ink from the data of the mixing ratio of the target color and the manufacturing amount of the mixed ink selected by the user. The mixed ink is prepared by calculating and controlling the preparation unit 10 (S102).

Next, as shown in FIG. 4, the ink jet head 30 of the ink jet printing apparatus 100 discharges the mixed ink prepared by the preparation unit 10 onto the medium 60 (S103). Note that the concentration of the mixed ink may be adjusted by a transparent ink as in the ink jet printing method according to the present embodiment, or may be adjusted by the discharge amount of the mixed ink from the ink jet head 30.

Subsequently, as an ink color measurement step, the color of the mixed ink discharged on the medium 60 is measured (S104). Thereafter, the ink colorimetry unit transmits the colorimetric color data to the color adjuster control unit 21. It should be noted that the target for discharging ink first for colorimetry may be the same type of sample, not the media 60 that is the final product, which is a printed matter.

Subsequently, as the toning adjustment step, the toning machine control unit 21 determines whether or not the color difference between the color measured by the ink color measuring unit and the target color is within a predetermined range (S105). ). Here, the range of the color difference between the measured color and the target color is, for example, in the CIE Lab color system, ΔE is preferably within 10 or less, and ΔE is 5 or less. More preferably, ΔE is most preferably in the range of 3 or less. If ΔE is in the range of 10 or less, a color closer to a desired color can be expressed. For example, it is used for applications that require strict suppression of color deviation, such as logos for companies and products. A mixed ink can be obtained.

When the color adjuster control unit 21 determines that the color difference between the color measured by the ink color measurement unit and the target color is within a predetermined range, the color adjusting device 50 ends the color adjustment ( YES in S105). Thereafter, the toned mixed ink is filled in the ink container 17 and used for printing (S106).

If the color adjuster control unit 21 determines that the color difference between the color measured by the ink color measurement unit and the target color is outside the predetermined range (NO in S105), the color adjuster control unit 21 Sends an instruction to the toning adjustment unit 22 to return the color of the mixed ink to the direction of the target color in the color system based on the total amount of the mixed ink remaining in the ink blending container 13 and the color difference. The toning adjustment unit 22 mixes the basic color ink of YMCK and the transparent ink, and adjusts the color of the mixed ink. Thereafter, steps S102 to S105 are repeated until the color difference between the color of the ink ejected onto the medium 60 and the target color falls within a predetermined range (toning adjustment step). Thereafter, if the color difference falls within a predetermined range, the mixed ink is filled in the ink container 17 and used for printing (S106).

<Inkjet Printing Method According to Second Embodiment>
The inkjet printing method according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment (first embodiment). For example, in the inkjet printing method according to one embodiment (second embodiment), the head control unit 24 provided in the inkjet printing apparatus 100 controls the ejection amount of the mixed ink ejected by the inkjet head 30. Adjusts the shade of the color expressed by the mixed ink.

If it is the said structure, unlike the case where the desired image is printed on a fabric using basic color ink like the inkjet printing method which concerns on 1st Embodiment, the printed image close | similar to a solid print on a fabric is always set. Since printing can be performed, it is possible to prevent moiré caused by a shift between the fiber mesh period of the fabric and the period of the printing resolution. Further, even if transparent ink is not used, the mixed ink color can be suitably expressed by discharging the mixed ink onto the medium 60.

Note that the printing method according to the present embodiment can be performed according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, as shown in FIG. 4, in the ink jet printing method according to the present embodiment, as the toning process, the user mixes the blending unit 10 using the toning machine control unit 21 provided in the toning device 50. Select the color of the ink and the production volume of the mixed ink. After that, the toning adjustment unit 22 needs to express the mixing ratio data for adjusting the mixed ink of the target color from the color controller control unit 21, the production amount of the mixed ink, and the density of the target color. The print density data of the mixed ink is acquired (S101).

Or, the color controller control unit 21 recognizes the color measured by the ink color measurement unit as a target color, and selects data of the mixing ratio of the mixed ink. After that, the toning adjustment unit 22 receives the data of the mixing ratio of the target color, the production amount of the mixed ink, and the print density of the mixed ink necessary for expressing the density of the target color from the color controller control unit 21. Data is acquired (S101).

Subsequently, each basic adjustment necessary for the toning adjustment unit 22 to prepare the mixed ink from the data of the mixing ratio of the target color, the production amount of the mixed ink selected by the user, and the print density data of the mixed ink. The mixed ink is prepared by calculating the amount of the color ink and controlling the preparation unit 10 (S102). Further, the head control unit 24 acquires data indicating the color of the mixed ink (the target color and light and shade) from the toning adjustment unit 22 and the like. Then, the head control unit 24 determines the ejection amount of the mixed ink based on the print density of the mixed ink necessary for expressing the target shade by the mixed ink. That is, the ejection amount for realizing the desired shading is determined based on the data indicating the target color. Next, the head controller 24 controls the inkjet head 30 based on the determined ejection amount data.

Next, the ink jet head 30 controlled by the head control unit 24 discharges the mixed ink prepared by the preparation unit 10 onto the medium 60 at a predetermined discharge amount (S103).

Subsequently, as an ink color measurement step, the ink color measurement unit measures the color of the mixed ink ejected on the medium 60 (S104). Thereafter, the ink color measuring unit transmits the color measured color data to the color adjuster control unit 21.

Subsequently, as the toning adjustment step, the toning machine control unit 21 determines whether or not the color difference between the color measured by the ink color measuring unit and the target color is within a predetermined range (S105). ). When the color adjuster control unit 21 determines that the color difference between the color measured by the ink color measurement unit and the target color is within a predetermined range, the color adjusting device 50 ends the color adjustment (S105). YES). Thereafter, the toned mixed ink is filled in the ink container 17 and used for printing (S106).

If the color adjuster control unit 21 determines that the color difference between the color measured by the ink color measurement unit and the target color is outside the predetermined range (No in S105), the color adjuster control unit 21 Sends an instruction to the toning adjustment unit 22 to return the color of the mixed ink to the direction of the target color in the color system based on the total amount of the mixed ink remaining in the ink blending container 13 and the color difference. The toning adjustment unit 22 mixes the basic color ink and adjusts the color of the mixed ink. Thereafter, steps S102 to S105 are repeated until the color difference between the color of the ink ejected onto the medium 60 and the target color falls within a predetermined range. Thereafter, if the color difference falls within a predetermined range, the mixed ink is filled in the ink container 17 and used for printing (S106).

<Method for manufacturing a three-dimensional structure>
Next, the manufacturing method of the molded article which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention is demonstrated.

A manufacturing method of a modeled object according to the present invention is a method of manufacturing a three-dimensional modeled object by the ink jet printing method according to an embodiment of the present invention, and the mixed ink that has been toned by the toning adjustment step is ejected from the ink jet head. And laminate.

According to the method for manufacturing a shaped article according to the present invention, an ink layer can be formed by ejecting an inkjet ink toned to a target color. Therefore, it is possible to manufacture a three-dimensional structure in which an ink layer of a target color is stacked. In addition, since the ink for expressing the color is a single ink that has already been prepared, the volume of the portion produced with the color is always constant. Therefore, it is possible to manufacture a three-dimensional structure while suppressing a deviation in the height of the layers to be stacked.

[Additional Notes]
The ink-jet ink toning device 50 according to the present invention includes a blending unit (preparation unit) 10 that blends a plurality of basic color inks to mix the mixed ink, and the above-described mixture discharged onto the medium (recording medium) 60. A range in which a color difference between an ink color measurement unit (ink color measurement unit) that measures the color of the ink and a color of the mixed ink measured by the ink color measurement unit and a predetermined target color is set in advance When it is outside, it is characterized by comprising a toning adjustment unit (toning adjustment means) 22 for controlling the blending unit 10 so that the color of the mixed ink comes close to the range.

According to the above configuration, it is desirable that the color reproduced by the initially prepared mixed ink is different from the desired one depending on the surrounding environment, variations in characteristics of the inkjet head, characteristics of the individual inkjet printer, the type of media, and the like. It is possible to prepare a mixed ink that is closer to the color.

The ink-jet ink toning device 50 according to an aspect of the present invention further mixes a mixed ink with a transparent ink, and the toning adjustment unit 22 causes the mixed ink to be ejected onto the medium 60. More preferably, the blending unit 10 is controlled such that the shade of the color expressed by the above becomes a preset shade.

According to the above configuration, by adjusting the density of the mixed ink with the transparent ink, it is possible to adjust the density of the color expressed when the mixed ink is ejected onto the medium 60. Further, the mixed ink whose density is adjusted lightly to express a light color on the medium 60 can be ejected in an amount close to the ink for expressing a dark color. That is, according to the ink-jet ink toning apparatus 50 according to the above aspect, it is possible to prevent occurrence of color blur due to an insufficient discharge amount of any of the basic color inks toning the mixed ink.

The ink-jet ink toning apparatus 50 according to one aspect of the present invention includes an ink identification unit (ink identification unit) 25 that identifies whether the plurality of basic color inks are preset inks. It is more preferable.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to identify whether or not the basic color ink formulated by the blending unit 10 is an appropriate ink. Thereby, the toning control unit (toning control means) 20 can prevent toning the mixed ink using inks of different tones.

The ink-jet ink toning apparatus 50 according to an aspect of the present invention preferably includes a deaeration unit (a deaeration unit) 16 that degass the gas contained in the mixed ink.

According to the above configuration, the mixed ink prepared by the preparation unit 10 can be degassed, for example, by being stirred by the stirring means. For this reason, when printing on the medium 60 using the mixed ink, it is possible to suitably prevent bubbles from being generated and the discharge accuracy from being lowered.

The ink jet printing apparatus 100 according to an aspect of the present invention includes an ink jet head (ink jet head for mixed ink) 30 that discharges the mixed ink that has been toned by the toning apparatus 50 according to an aspect of the present invention.

According to the above configuration, information such as an image can be printed on the medium 60 using the mixed ink toned by the toning device 50 according to one aspect. For this reason, a printed matter in which a color closer to the desired color is reproduced is obtained.

The ink jet printing apparatus 100 according to an aspect of the present invention further includes a head control unit (head control unit) 24 that controls the ink jet head for mixed ink, and the head control unit 24 prints on the medium 60. The discharge amount of the mixed ink may be controlled so that the ink density of the mixed ink becomes a preset density.

According to the above configuration, the shade of the color expressed by ejecting the mixed ink onto the medium 60 can be adjusted by the head control unit 24 controlling the ejection amount of the mixed ink. For this reason, even if it does not use transparent ink, the lightness and darkness of the color of the mixed ink expressed by discharging mixed ink on the medium 60 can be adjusted suitably.

In the ink jet printing apparatus 100 according to an aspect of the present invention, it is more preferable that the head control unit 24 determines the ejection amount of the mixed ink by reflecting data indicating the target color.

According to the above configuration, the ejection amount of the mixed ink can be controlled by the head control unit 24 so that the printing density for expressing a desired color is obtained. Therefore, the color density expressed by the mixed ink can be adjusted without using transparent ink.

An ink jet printing apparatus 100 according to an aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of ink jet heads (basic color ink jet heads) 31 including an ink jet head (ink jet head for mixed ink) 31, and the plurality of ink jet heads 31 are mutually connected. In the scanning direction, it is more preferable that the ink jet heads (mixed ink ink jet head, basic color ink jet head) 31 are arranged so as not to overlap each other when they are scanned.

According to the above configuration, when the plurality of inkjet heads 31 including the inkjet heads (mixed ink inkjet heads) 31 are scanned in the scanning direction, each inkjet head (mixed ink inkjet head, basic color ink inkjet head) is scanned. ) The trajectories when scanning 31 do not overlap. For this reason, each inkjet head (inkjet head for mixed ink, inkjet head for basic color ink) 31 is contaminated by ink mist ejected by other inkjet heads (inkjet head for mixed ink, inkjet head for basic color ink) 31. Can be prevented.

The ink-jet ink toning apparatus 50 according to one aspect of the present invention may be realized by a computer. In this case, the ink-jet ink toning is performed by operating the computer as each unit included in the toning apparatus 50. A toning program for realizing the color device 50 by a computer and a computer-readable recording medium on which the color adjusting program is recorded also fall within the scope of the present invention.

The inkjet printing method which concerns on 1 aspect of this invention is an inkjet printing method characterized by performing printing using the inkjet printing apparatus 100 which concerns on 1 aspect of this invention, Comprising: The said mixed ink is an inkjet head (mixed ink). Ink-jet head) 30 for discharging and printing.

In the ink jet printing method according to an aspect of the present invention, the medium 60 is more preferably a fabric.

According to the above configuration, if solid printing is performed using a mixed ink that has been preliminarily mixed so that the desired color shade can be expressed, solid printing of a desired color on a fabric using a plurality of basic color inks. Unlike the case of printing, it is possible to prevent moiré caused by a shift between the mesh period of the fabric fibers and the period of the printing resolution.

A manufacturing method of a model according to one embodiment of the present invention is a method of manufacturing a three-dimensional model by an ink jet printing method, and the mixed ink is ejected from the ink jet head (ink jet head for mixed ink) 30 and stacked. .

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope shown in the claims, and embodiments obtained by appropriately combining technical means disclosed in different embodiments. Is also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

The present invention can be used for a toning device for toning ink-jet ink.

Claims

A blending means for blending mixed ink by mixing a plurality of basic color inks;
Ink color measuring means for measuring the color of the mixed ink discharged onto the recording medium;
When the color difference between the color of the mixed ink measured by the ink color measurement means and a preset target color is outside the preset range, the color of the mixed ink is brought close to the range. A toning device for inkjet ink, comprising: a toning adjusting means for controlling the blending means.
The blending means blends the mixed ink by further mixing a transparent ink with the plurality of basic color inks,
The toning adjustment means controls the blending means so that the shade of color expressed by the mixed ink being ejected onto the recording medium becomes a preset shade. The ink-jet ink toning device according to claim 1.
2. The ink-jet ink toning device according to claim 1, further comprising ink identifying means for identifying whether or not the plurality of basic color inks are preset inks.
2. The ink-jet ink toning device according to claim 1, further comprising a deaeration means for degassing the gas contained in the mixed ink.
An ink jet printing apparatus comprising an ink jet head for mixed ink that discharges the mixed ink toned by the toning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
A head control means for controlling the inkjet head for mixed ink,
6. The head control means controls the discharge amount of the mixed ink so that the print density of the mixed ink printed on the recording medium becomes a preset density. An ink jet printing apparatus as described in 1.
The ink jet printing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the head control means determines the ejection amount of the mixed ink by reflecting data indicating the target color.
A plurality of inkjet heads including the mixed ink inkjet head,
6. The ink jet printing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of ink jet heads are arranged so that respective trajectories when the ink jet heads are scanned in the scanning direction do not overlap each other.
A toning program for causing a computer to function as the toning device for inkjet ink according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the toning program causes the computer to function as each of the above means.
Printing using the inkjet printing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the inkjet printing method comprises:
An inkjet printing method, wherein the mixed ink is ejected from the mixed ink inkjet head for printing.
The inkjet printing method according to claim 10, wherein the recording medium is a fabric.
A method for producing a three-dimensional structure by the inkjet printing method according to claim 10,
A method for producing a shaped article, wherein the mixed ink is ejected from the mixed ink inkjet head and laminated.