WO2020054530A1 - Inkjet printing apparatus and inkjet printing method - Google Patents

Inkjet printing apparatus and inkjet printing method Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2020054530A1
WO2020054530A1 PCT/JP2019/034736 JP2019034736W WO2020054530A1 WO 2020054530 A1 WO2020054530 A1 WO 2020054530A1 JP 2019034736 W JP2019034736 W JP 2019034736W WO 2020054530 A1 WO2020054530 A1 WO 2020054530A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
block
head
transport direction
nozzles
inkjet printing
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PCT/JP2019/034736
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French (fr)
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
邦治 奥田
前田　俊夫
Original Assignee
株式会社Ｓｃｒｅｅｎホールディングス
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Application filed by 株式会社Ｓｃｒｅｅｎホールディングス filed Critical 株式会社Ｓｃｒｅｅｎホールディングス
Publication of WO2020054530A1 publication Critical patent/WO2020054530A1/en

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    • 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
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a multi-pass type inkjet printing apparatus and inkjet printing method.
  • the present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and has a difference in the ink ejection performance from the nozzles between the vicinity of one end of the head and the vicinity of the other end, or printing. It is an object of the present invention to provide an ink jet printing apparatus and an ink jet printing method in which unevenness is not likely to occur in a printed image even when the feeding pitch of the medium varies.
  • a first invention of the present application is a multi-pass type ink jet printing apparatus, comprising: a head having a plurality of nozzles for discharging ink droplets; a table for holding a print medium; A transport mechanism for relatively moving the table in the transport direction, a scanning mechanism for relatively moving the head and the table in a scanning direction orthogonal to the transport direction, and the transport mechanism and the scanning mechanism alternately. And a control unit for causing the head to eject ink droplets while operating the printer.
  • the control unit is configured to: a) print the image including a first pass area to an Nth pass area; (B) distinguishing the plurality of nozzles into a first block to an (N + 1) th block arranged in the transport direction, and b) the first block of the head Printing a part of the head area; c) printing the second pass area to the Nth pass area by the second block to the Nth block of the head, respectively; and d) printing the head area. Printing the other part of the first pass area by the (N + 1) th block.
  • the second invention of the present application is the ink jet printing apparatus of the first invention, wherein the lengths L1 in the transport direction of each of the second block to the Nth block are the same, and the steps b) to d are performed.
  • the single relative movement amount of the head and the table in the transport direction by the transport mechanism is the length L1.
  • a third invention of the present application is the ink jet printing apparatus according to the second invention, wherein the plurality of nozzles belonging to the first block gradually decrease in number toward one end of the head in the transport direction.
  • a plurality of nozzles belonging to the (N + 1) th block include a plurality of effective nozzles whose number gradually decreases toward the other end in the transport direction of the head, wherein the control unit includes: In the step b), the portion of the first pass area is printed by the plurality of effective nozzles of the first block, and in the step d), the portion of the first pass region is printed by the plurality of effective nozzles of the (N + 1) th block. The other part of the one-pass area is printed.
  • a fourth invention of the present application is the ink jet printing apparatus according to the third invention, wherein the first block has a fixed inner portion in which the number of the effective nozzles is constant irrespective of the position in the transport direction, and the first block is more than the inner portion. An outer portion that is located on the one end side of the head and the number of the effective nozzles gradually decreases toward the one end, and wherein the (N + 1) th block is configured such that the number of the effective nozzles is a position in the transport direction. A constant inner portion, and an outer portion that is located closer to the other end of the head than the inner portion and the number of the effective nozzles gradually decreases toward the other end.
  • a sixth invention of the present application is the ink jet printing apparatus according to the third invention, wherein the number of the effective nozzles gradually decreases toward the one end of the head in the entire transport direction of the first block. In the whole of the (N + 1) th block in the transport direction, the number of the effective nozzles gradually decreases toward the other end of the head.
  • the seventh invention of the present application is the ink jet printing apparatus according to any one of the first invention to the sixth invention, further comprising a resolution specifying unit that specifies a printing resolution, wherein the control unit performs the step a).
  • the plurality of nozzles of the head are classified into the first block to the (N + 1) th block according to the designated resolution.
  • the eighth invention of the present application is directed to perform the relative movement of the head and the print medium in the transport direction and the relative movement of the head and the print medium in the scanning direction orthogonal to the transport direction alternately,
  • a multi-pass inkjet printing method for ejecting ink droplets from a plurality of nozzles of a head comprising: a) printing an image including a first pass area to an N-th pass area; And b) a step of printing a part of the first pass area by the first block of the head, and c) the head. D) printing the second pass area to the Nth pass area by the second block to the Nth block, respectively; and d) printing the previous image by the (N + 1) th block of the head.
  • a part of the first pass area is printed by the first block, and another part of the first pass area is printed by the (N + 1) th block.
  • the distribution mode of the effective nozzles is switched at a position different from the boundary of the block. For this reason, in the image after printing, the position of the unevenness corresponding to the boundary of the block and the position of the unevenness corresponding to the location where the distribution mode of the effective nozzles is switched are shifted in the transport direction. This makes individual unevenness less noticeable.
  • FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a part of image data after a conversion process.
  • FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating an arrangement of a plurality of blocks in a head.
  • FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a dimensional relationship between a first block to a seventh block.
  • FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically illustrating a state of a printing process performed by one head on a print target area on a print sheet.
  • FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a printing process performed by one head on a print target area on a print sheet.
  • FIG. 7 is a diagram showing hatched portions that have been printed after the end of step S31 when the image data of FIG. 6 is printed.
  • FIG. 7 is a diagram showing, in the case of printing the image data of FIG. 6, a portion to be printed after the end of step S ⁇ b> 36 by hatching.
  • FIG. 7 is a diagram showing hatched portions that are printed after the end of step S37 when the image data of FIG. 6 is printed.
  • FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically illustrating an arrangement of a plurality of blocks according to a first modification.
  • FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically illustrating an arrangement of a plurality of blocks according to a second modification.
  • FIG. 13 is a block diagram of an inkjet printing apparatus according to a third modification.
  • FIG. 1 is a top view of an inkjet printing apparatus 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a front view of the inkjet printing apparatus 1.
  • FIG. 3 is a block diagram conceptually showing the configuration of the inkjet printing apparatus 1.
  • the inkjet printing apparatus 1 prints an image on the surface of the printing paper 9 by ejecting ink from each head 40 while alternately carrying the printing paper 9 as a printing medium and scanning the heads 40.
  • a multi-pass printing apparatus A multi-pass printing apparatus.
  • the inkjet printing apparatus 1 is used for, for example, proof printing for confirming a print image before printing a large amount of printed matter in a printing factory.
  • the application of the inkjet printing apparatus 1 is not limited to proof printing.
  • the inkjet printing apparatus 1 includes a table 10, a transport mechanism 20, a transport encoder 30, four heads 40, a scanning mechanism 50, a scanning encoder 60, an operation panel 70, and a control unit 80. ing.
  • the table 10 is a plate-like member that holds the printing paper 9.
  • the table 10 is horizontally arranged on the upper surface of a base 11 installed on the floor of a factory.
  • a plurality of suction holes are provided on the upper surface of the table 10.
  • An exhaust device (not shown) is connected to each suction hole. When the exhaust device is operated, a negative pressure is generated in each suction hole.
  • the printing paper 9 is placed on the upper surface of the table 10 and is attracted to the upper surface of the table 10 by the negative pressure generated in the plurality of suction holes. Thereby, the printing paper 9 is held on the upper surface of the table 10 and the displacement of the printing paper 9 on the upper surface of the table 10 is suppressed.
  • the transport mechanism 20 is a mechanism for moving the table 10 in the transport direction with respect to the base 11 and a head 40 described later.
  • the transport mechanism 20 for example, a mechanism that converts a rotational motion output from a motor as a drive source into a linear motion via a ball screw is used.
  • another mechanism such as a linear motor may be used for the transport mechanism 20.
  • the transport encoder 30 is a sensor for detecting the position of the table 10 in the transport direction. 1 and 2, the illustration of the transport encoder 30 is omitted.
  • the transport encoder 30 for example, a rotary encoder that outputs a pulse signal at regular intervals according to the rotation of the ball screw of the transport mechanism 20 is used.
  • the transport encoder 30 outputs the obtained pulse signal to the control unit 80.
  • the control unit 80 detects the position of the table 10 in the transport direction based on the pulse signal input from the transport encoder 30.
  • the four heads 40 are mechanisms for discharging ink droplets (hereinafter, referred to as “ink droplets”) toward the upper surface of the printing paper 9.
  • the four heads 40 eject ink droplets of each color of C (Cyan), M (Magenta), Y (Yellow), and K (Black), which are color components of a multicolor image, onto the upper surface of the printing paper 9. .
  • the four heads 40 are fixed to a shuttle 41 which is a common support member.
  • the four heads 40 are arranged along a scanning direction that is a horizontal direction that is orthogonal to the transport direction of the table 10.
  • FIG. 4 is a bottom view of one head 40.
  • the lower surface of the head 40 has a rectangular ejection surface 400 whose longitudinal direction is the transport direction.
  • a plurality of nozzles 401 are regularly arranged on the ejection surface 400.
  • the other three heads 40 also have a plurality of nozzles 401.
  • ink droplets of each color are ejected from the plurality of nozzles 401 of each head 40 toward the upper surface of the printing paper 9. Then, a multicolor image is formed on the upper surface of the printing paper 9 by superimposing the single color images formed by these respective colors.
  • a so-called piezo method is used in which a voltage is applied to a piezo element to deform it, thereby pressurizing and discharging the ink in the nozzle 401.
  • the method of discharging ink droplets may be a so-called thermal method in which a heater is energized to discharge ink by heating and expanding the ink in the nozzle 401.
  • the scanning mechanism 50 is a mechanism for moving the four heads 40 in the scanning direction with respect to the base 11 and the table 10.
  • the scanning mechanism 50 for example, a mechanism that converts a rotational motion output from a motor as a driving source into a linear motion through a pair of pulleys and an annular belt stretched over the pulleys is used.
  • a mechanism using a ball screw or another mechanism such as a linear motor may be used as the scanning mechanism 50.
  • the scanning mechanism 50 When the scanning mechanism 50 is operated, the shuttle 41 moves horizontally along the scanning direction. Thereby, the four heads 40 held by the shuttle 41 also move in the scanning direction.
  • the scanning encoder 60 is a sensor for detecting the position of the head 40 in the scanning direction. 1 and 2, illustration of the scanning encoder 60 is omitted.
  • As the scanning encoder 60 for example, a rotary encoder that outputs a pulse signal at regular intervals according to the rotation of the pulley of the scanning mechanism 50 is used.
  • Scan encoder 60 outputs the obtained pulse signal to control unit 80.
  • the control unit 80 detects the position of the head 40 in the scanning direction based on the pulse signal input from the scanning encoder 60.
  • the operation panel 70 is a part that displays various information related to the inkjet printing apparatus 1 and receives input of an instruction from a user.
  • the operation panel 70 for example, a touch panel type liquid crystal display is used.
  • the operation panel 70 may be configured by a display dedicated for display and an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse.
  • the user of the inkjet printing apparatus 1 can input various information to the control unit 80 described later by operating the operation panel 70 while checking information displayed on the operation panel 70.
  • the control unit 80 is a processing unit that performs various data processing related to printing and controls the operation of each unit in the inkjet printing apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 80 of the present embodiment has a control board 81 and a data processing board 82. Each of the control board 81 and the data processing board 82 is an electric circuit board having a processor such as a CPU and various memories and operating according to a preset program.
  • the control board 81 is electrically connected to the transport mechanism 20 and the scanning mechanism 50.
  • the control board 81 transmits a control signal to a motor that is a driving source of the transport mechanism 20 and a motor that is a driving source of the scanning mechanism 50. Thereby, the operation of the transport mechanism 20 and the scanning mechanism 50 is controlled.
  • the control board 81 causes the transport mechanism 20 and the scanning mechanism 50 to operate alternately. As a result, a step-feeding operation of moving the printing paper 9 by a predetermined distance in the transport direction and a pass operation of traversing the four heads 40 in the scanning direction above the printing paper 9 are alternately performed.
  • the data processing board 82 performs various conversion processes on the image data D input from the external computer 2.
  • the image data D is input in, for example, a PDF (Portable Document Format) or a TIFF (Tagged Image File Format).
  • the conversion processing of the image data D includes, for example, color separation processing, RIP processing, resolution conversion processing, gradation conversion processing, processing of dividing page data into first to sixth pass areas P1 to P6 described below, and the like. included.
  • the data processing board 82 is electrically connected to the four heads 40.
  • the data processing board 82 transmits a control signal to the four heads 40 based on the converted image data D. Thereby, the operation of the four heads 40 is controlled.
  • the data processing board 82 detects the position of the print paper 9 in the transport direction and the position of the head 40 in the scan direction based on the pulse signals input from the transport encoder 30 and the scan encoder 60. .
  • the four heads 40 execute the ejection of the ink droplets.
  • each head 40 selectively ejects ink droplets from the nozzles 401 specified by the control signal among the plurality of nozzles 401.
  • ink of an appropriate color is ejected to an appropriate position on the printing paper 9.
  • FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of the printing process.
  • the data processing board 82 performs various conversion processes on the input image data D (step S1). ).
  • FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a part of the image data D after the conversion processing.
  • each area divided in a lattice shape represents a portion printed by one ink droplet (hereinafter, referred to as a “dot area”).
  • the converted image data D includes a first pass area P1, a second pass area P2, a third pass area P3, a fourth pass area P4, a fifth pass area P5, and a sixth pass area P6. including.
  • the unit area Pu composed of six point areas, one point area belonging to the path area P4, one point area belonging to the fifth path area P5, and one point area belonging to the sixth path area P6, is scanned.
  • a plurality is arranged along the direction and the transport direction.
  • FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically showing an arrangement of a plurality of blocks distinguished in step S2.
  • seven blocks B1 to B7 are set.
  • the seven blocks B1 to B7 include a first block B1, a second block B2, a third block B3, a fourth block B4, and a fifth block B5 from one end to the other end of the ejection surface 400 of the head 40 in the transport direction.
  • the sixth block B6, and the seventh block B7 in order.
  • the data processing board 82 recognizes the plurality of nozzles 401 of the head 40 by distinguishing them into valid nozzles and non-effective nozzles.
  • the effective nozzle is a nozzle that executes ejection of ink droplets according to an image.
  • An ineffective nozzle is a nozzle that does not execute ejection of ink droplets.
  • FIG. 7 the area where the effective nozzles are distributed is indicated by hatching.
  • a plurality of effective nozzles are distributed at a constant rate in each block.
  • the first block B1 has an inner portion B11 and an outer portion B12 located on one end side of the head 40 in the transport direction of the head 40 with respect to the inner portion B11.
  • the distribution of effective nozzles differs between the inner part B11 and the outer part B12.
  • a plurality of effective nozzles are distributed at the same ratio as the second block B2 to the sixth block B6 throughout. That is, in the inner portion B11, the number of effective nozzles is constant regardless of the position in the transport direction.
  • the outer portion B12 the number of effective nozzles gradually decreases toward one end of the head 40 in the transport direction.
  • the area where the effective nozzles are distributed in the outer portion B12 is schematically shown in a triangular shape. However, the distribution of the effective nozzles in the outer portion B12 may be discrete.
  • the seventh block B7 has an inner part B71 and an outer part B72 located on the other end side of the head 40 in the transport direction of the head 40 than the inner part B71.
  • the distribution of the effective nozzles differs between the inner portion B71 and the outer portion B72.
  • a plurality of effective nozzles are distributed at the same ratio as the second block B2 to the sixth block B6. That is, in the inner portion B71, the number of effective nozzles is constant regardless of the position in the transport direction.
  • the outer portion B72 the number of effective nozzles gradually decreases toward one end of the head 40 in the transport direction.
  • the area where the effective nozzles are distributed in the outer portion B72 is schematically shown in a triangular shape. However, the distribution of the effective nozzles in the outer portion B72 may be discrete.
  • the effective nozzle belonging to the outer portion B12 of the first block B1 and the outer portion B72 of the seventh block B7 It is preferable that the effective nozzles are arranged at positions different from each other.
  • each of the second to sixth blocks B2 to B6 in the transport direction is the same length L1.
  • This length L1 corresponds to one movement amount (step feed pitch) of the table 10 in the transport direction by the transport mechanism 20.
  • the outer part B12 of the first block B1 and the outer part B72 of the seventh block B7 are arranged at the center position in the transport direction of the area complemented by these blocks B1 and B7. .
  • the lengths of the inner portions B11 and B71 in the transport direction are both L2, and are equal.
  • the outer portion B12 of the first block B1 and the outer portion B72 of the seventh block B7 are not disposed at the center position in the transport direction of the area complemented by these blocks B1 and B7, and are not located upstream in the transport direction.
  • the present invention can be practiced even if it is shifted to the side or the downstream side.
  • step S3 When the user sets the printing paper 9 on the upper surface of the table 10 and inputs an instruction to start printing from the operation panel 70, the inkjet printing apparatus 1 executes a printing process (step S3).
  • the control board 81 causes the transport mechanism 20 and the scanning mechanism 50 to operate alternately.
  • a step feed operation for moving the print paper 9 by the length L1 in the transport direction and a pass operation for moving the four heads 40 from one end to the other end in the scanning direction are alternately performed.
  • the data processing board 82 causes the plurality of nozzles 401 of the four heads 40 to eject ink droplets during the above-described pass operation.
  • the data processing board 82 detects the position of the head 40 with respect to the printing paper 9 based on the pulse signals obtained from the transport encoder 30 and the scanning encoder 60, and, based on the position, detects an ink droplet from an appropriate nozzle 401. Is discharged.
  • FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically showing a state of a printing process performed by one head 40 on a print target area A of the printing paper 9.
  • FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of a printing process performed by one head 40 on the print target area A.
  • the printing paper 9 moves in the transport direction with respect to the head 40.
  • the position of the printing paper 9 is fixed, and the position of the head 40 is changed for each step. , The change in the relative position between the printing paper 9 and the head 40 is represented.
  • the first block B1 of the head 40 prints a part of the first pass area P1 in the print target area A (step S31). Specifically, of the plurality of nozzles 401 belonging to the first block B1, only the nozzles 401 recognized as valid nozzles execute ejection of ink droplets.
  • FIG. 11 is a diagram in which, when the image data D of FIG. 6 is printed, a portion that has been printed after the end of step S31 is hatched. As shown in FIG. 11, in step S31, a part of the plurality of point regions belonging to the first pass region P1 is printed by the first block B1. However, in step S31, other dot areas belonging to the first pass area P1 are not printed.
  • step S32 the second block B2 of the head 40 prints the second pass area P2 (step S32).
  • step S32 ink droplets are ejected from a plurality of effective nozzles belonging to the second block B2. Thereby, all the dot areas of the second pass area P2 to be printed on the print target area A are printed by the second block B2.
  • step S33 the third block B3 of the head 40 prints the third pass area P3 (step S33).
  • step S33 ink droplets are ejected from a plurality of effective nozzles belonging to the third block B3.
  • all the dot areas of the third pass area P3 to be printed on the print target area A are printed by the third block B3.
  • step S34 the fourth block B4 of the head 40 prints the fourth pass area P4 (step S34).
  • step S34 ink droplets are ejected from a plurality of effective nozzles belonging to the fourth block B4.
  • all the dot areas of the fourth pass area P4 to be printed on the print target area A are printed by the fourth block B4.
  • step S35 the fifth block B5 of the head 40 prints the fifth pass area P5 (step S35).
  • step S35 ink droplets are ejected from a plurality of effective nozzles belonging to the fifth block B5.
  • all the dot areas of the fifth pass area P5 to be printed on the print target area A are printed by the fifth block B5.
  • step S36 the sixth block B6 of the head 40 prints the sixth pass area P6 (step S36).
  • step S36 ink droplets are ejected from the plurality of effective nozzles belonging to the sixth block B6.
  • all the dot areas of the sixth pass area P6 to be printed on the print target area A are printed by the sixth block B6.
  • FIG. 12 is a diagram in which, when the image data D of FIG. 6 is printed, a portion that has been printed after the end of step S36 is hatched. As shown in FIG. 12, when steps S31 to S36 are completed, a part of the first pass area P1 and the second pass area P2 to the sixth pass area P6 have been printed. However, the other portions of the first pass area P1 have not been printed yet.
  • the seventh block B7 of the head 40 prints another portion of the first pass area P1 (step S37). Specifically, of the plurality of nozzles 401 belonging to the seventh block B7, only the nozzles 401 recognized as valid nozzles execute ejection of ink droplets.
  • FIG. 13 is a diagram in which, when the image data D of FIG. 6 is printed, a portion that has been printed after the end of step S37 is hatched. As shown in FIG. 13, in step S37, of the plurality of point areas belonging to the first pass area P1, the point area not printed in step S31 is complementarily printed by the seventh block B7. As a result, printing of all the dot areas of the first pass area P1 to be printed on the print target area A is completed.
  • each of the four heads 40 performs the printing process in steps S31 to S37. Further, the printing process of the above steps S31 to S37 is executed for all the printing target areas A on the front surface of the printing paper 9.
  • the inkjet printing apparatus 1 a part of the first pass area P1 is printed by the first block B1 of the head 40. Then, another portion of the first pass area P1 is printed by the seventh block B7 of the head 40. That is, the first pass area P1 is complementarily printed by the first block B1 located near one end in the transport direction of the head 40 and the seventh block B7 located near the other end. For this reason, even if there is a difference in the ink ejection performance between the vicinity of one end of the head 40 in the transport direction and the vicinity of the other end, the difference in the ejection performance of the printed image is not significant. Can be reduced. Further, even when the feed pitch of the printing paper 9 (step feed pitch of the table 10) varies, it is possible to reduce the unevenness of the print image due to the variation of the feed pitch.
  • the first block B1 includes an inner portion B11 and an outer portion B12.
  • the seventh block B7 includes an inner portion B71 and an outer portion B72.
  • the distribution mode of the effective nozzles is switched at a location different from the boundary between the blocks B1 to B7.
  • FIG. 9 in the printed image, the position of the unevenness M1 corresponding to the boundary between the blocks B1 to B7 and the position of the unevenness M2 corresponding to the location where the effective nozzle distribution mode is switched. Shifts in the transport direction. This makes individual unevenness less noticeable. Therefore, higher quality printing results can be obtained.
  • FIG. 14 is a diagram schematically showing an arrangement of a plurality of blocks B1 to B7 according to the first modification.
  • the first block B1 and the seventh block B7 are not divided into an inner area and an outer area. That is, in the example of FIG. 14, in the entire transport direction of the first block B1, the number of effective nozzles gradually decreases toward one end of the head 40. Further, in the entire transport direction of the seventh block B7, the number of effective nozzles gradually decreases toward the other end of the head 40.
  • a part of the first pass area P1 can be printed by the first block B1, and another part of the first pass area P1 can be printed by the seventh block B7. That is, the first pass area P1 can be complementarily printed by the first block B1 located on one end side in the transport direction of the head 40 and the seventh block B7 located on the other end side. . For this reason, even if there is a difference in the ink ejection performance between the vicinity of one end of the head 40 in the transport direction and the vicinity of the other end, the difference in the ejection performance of the printed image is not significant. Can be reduced. Further, even when the feed pitch of the printing paper 9 varies, the unevenness of the printed image due to the variation of the feed pitch can be reduced.
  • FIG. 15 is a diagram schematically showing an arrangement of a plurality of blocks B1 to B7 according to the second modification.
  • the number of effective nozzles gradually decreases toward the end.
  • the number of effective nozzles in the outer portions B12 and B72 of the first block B1 and the seventh block B7 is constant regardless of the position in the transport direction.
  • the distribution ratio of the effective nozzles in the outer portions B12 and B72 is smaller than the distribution ratio of the effective nozzles in the inner portions B11 and B71 and the other blocks B2 to B6.
  • the effective nozzle belonging to the outer portion B12 of the first block B1 and the outer portion B72 of the seventh block B7 are The effective nozzles to which they belong are arranged at positions different from each other.
  • a part of the first pass area P1 can be printed by the first block B1, and another part of the first pass area P1 can be printed by the seventh block B7. That is, the first pass area P1 can be complementarily printed by the first block B1 located on one end side in the transport direction of the head 40 and the seventh block B7 located on the other end side. . For this reason, even if there is a difference in the ink ejection performance between the vicinity of one end of the head 40 in the transport direction and the vicinity of the other end, the difference in the ejection performance of the printed image is not significant. Can be reduced. Further, even when the feed pitch of the printing paper 9 varies, the unevenness of the printed image due to the variation of the feed pitch can be reduced.
  • FIG. 16 is a block diagram of an inkjet printing apparatus 1 according to a third modification.
  • the user can specify the printing resolution R from the operation panel 70. That is, in the example of FIG. 16, the operation panel 70 functions as a resolution specifying unit that specifies the printing resolution R.
  • the resolution R specified on the operation panel 70 is input from the operation panel 70 to the data processing board 82.
  • the data processing board 82 distinguishes the plurality of nozzles 401 of the head 40 into a plurality of blocks according to the designated resolution R.
  • the data processing board 82 changes the position of the boundary between the inner part B11 and the outer part B12 of the first block B1 according to the specified resolution R.
  • the data processing board 82 changes the position of the boundary between the inner part B71 and the outer part B72 of the seventh block B7 according to the designated resolution R.
  • the designation of a plurality of blocks in each head 40 can be optimized according to the resolution R. Therefore, in the printed image, the occurrence of unevenness can be appropriately reduced for each resolution R.
  • the designation of the resolution R may be performed by means different from the operation panel 70. For example, the information on the resolution R may be input from the external computer 2 to the data processing board 82.
  • N the number N of the pass areas included in the image data D is 6, and the number N + 1 of the blocks set in the head 40 is 7.
  • N may be another integer.
  • N may be 3 to 5, or 7 or more.
  • the table 10 is moved in the transport direction by the transport mechanism 20.
  • the transport mechanism may move the head in the transport direction with respect to the stationary table. That is, the transport mechanism of the present invention may be any mechanism that relatively moves the head and the table in the transport direction.
  • the head 40 is moved in the scanning direction by the scanning mechanism 50.
  • the scanning mechanism may move the table in the scanning direction with respect to the stationary head. That is, the scanning mechanism of the present invention only needs to relatively move the head and the table in the scanning direction.
  • the data processing board 82 in the inkjet printing apparatus 1 performs the conversion processing of the image data D in step S1.
  • the conversion processing of the image data D may be performed by the external computer 2.
  • the converted image data D may be input from the computer 2 to the data processing board 82.
  • control unit 80 includes the control board 81 and the data processing board 82.
  • control unit 80 may be configured by a single circuit board.
  • control unit 80 may be configured by a computer.
  • the inkjet printing apparatus 1 has four heads 40.
  • the number of heads 40 included in the inkjet printing apparatus 1 may be one to three, or may be five or more.
  • a head 40 that ejects a special color ink in addition to each color of C (Cyan), M (Magenta), Y (Yellow), and K (Black) may be provided.
  • the inkjet printing apparatus 1 of the above embodiment is an apparatus that prints one sheet at a time on the rectangular printing paper 9.
  • the inkjet printing apparatus of the present invention may perform printing on a long strip-shaped printing paper.
  • the transport mechanism may transport the printing paper in the longitudinal direction by a plurality of rollers.
  • the printing paper 9 is used as a printing medium.
  • a substrate other than paper, such as a resin film, may be used as the print medium.
  • the shape of the details of the ink jet printing apparatus may be different from each drawing of the present application.
  • the elements appearing in the above-described embodiments and the modified examples may be appropriately combined as long as no contradiction occurs.

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  • Ink Jet (AREA)

Abstract

When an image including a first pass region to a sixth pass region is printed, a plurality of nozzles of a head are first distinguished and recognized as a first block (B1) to a seventh block (B7) arranged side by side in a conveyance direction. Next, a portion of the first pass region is printed by the first block (B1) of the head. Subsequently, the second pass region to the sixth pass region are printed by the second block (B2) to the sixth block (B6) of the head, respectively. After that, another portion of the first pass region is printed by the seventh block (B7) of the head. Thus, unevenness in a printed image can be reduced even when there is a difference in ink ejection performance between the vicinity of one end and the vicinity of the other end in the conveyance direction of the head, or even when there occurs a variation in the feeding pitch of a print medium.

Description

インクジェット印刷装置およびインクジェット印刷方法INK JET PRINTING APPARATUS AND INK JET PRINTING METHOD
　本発明は、マルチパス方式のインクジェット印刷装置およびインクジェット印刷方法に関する。 The present invention relates to a multi-pass type inkjet printing apparatus and inkjet printing method.
　従来、印刷用紙の搬送方向に対して直交する方向にヘッドを走査しつつ、ヘッドからインクを吐出することにより印刷を行う、いわゆるマルチパス方式のインクジェット印刷装置が知られている。従来のマルチパス方式のインクジェット印刷装置については、例えば、特許文献１に記載されている。 Conventionally, there is known a so-called multi-pass type ink jet printing apparatus that performs printing by ejecting ink from a head while scanning the head in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the printing paper. A conventional multi-pass type ink jet printing apparatus is described in, for example, Patent Document 1.
特開２０１６－１７５３７８号公報JP 2016-175378 A
　マルチパス方式のインクジェット印刷装置では、印刷用紙の搬送と停止とを繰り返しながら、ヘッドによる印刷を行う。このため、印刷用紙の搬送方向の送りピッチに相当する周期で、印刷後の画像にムラが発生する場合がある。この種のムラは、ヘッドに設けられた複数のノズルの間で、インクの吐出性能にばらつきがある場合に、顕著に発生する。特に、産業用途で用いられる大型のインクジェット印刷装置は、家庭用のインクジェット印刷装置と比べて、ヘッドのサイズが大きい。このため、ヘッドの一方の端部付近と他方の端部付近とで、ノズルからのインクの吐出性能に差が生じやすい。したがって、上述した送りピッチに相当する周期のムラが、特に発生しやすいという問題がある。 (4) In a multi-pass type ink jet printing apparatus, printing is performed by a head while repeatedly transporting and stopping printing paper. Therefore, unevenness may occur in the printed image in a cycle corresponding to the feed pitch in the transport direction of the printing paper. This type of unevenness occurs remarkably when there is a variation in ink ejection performance among a plurality of nozzles provided on the head. In particular, a large-sized inkjet printing apparatus used for industrial use has a larger head size than a home-use inkjet printing apparatus. For this reason, a difference tends to occur in the ejection performance of the ink from the nozzles near one end of the head and near the other end. Therefore, there is a problem that unevenness of the cycle corresponding to the above-mentioned feed pitch is particularly likely to occur.
　また、ノズルからのインクの吐出性能に差が無くとも、印刷用紙の送りピッチにばらつきが生じると、印刷後の画像に同様のムラが発生しやすいという問題がある。 (4) Even if there is no difference in the ink ejection performance from the nozzles, there is a problem that similar unevenness is likely to occur in the printed image if the printing paper feed pitch varies.
　本発明は、このような事情に鑑みなされたものであり、ヘッドの一方の端部付近と他方の端部付近との間で、ノズルからのインクの吐出性能に差がある場合でも、あるいは印刷媒体の送りピッチにばらつきが生じる場合でも、印刷後の画像にムラが生じにくいインクジェット印刷装置およびインクジェット印刷方法を提供することを目的とする。 The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and has a difference in the ink ejection performance from the nozzles between the vicinity of one end of the head and the vicinity of the other end, or printing. It is an object of the present invention to provide an ink jet printing apparatus and an ink jet printing method in which unevenness is not likely to occur in a printed image even when the feeding pitch of the medium varies.
　上記課題を解決するため、本願の第１発明は、マルチパス方式のインクジェット印刷装置であって、インク滴を吐出する複数のノズルを有するヘッドと、印刷媒体を保持するテーブルと、前記ヘッドと前記テーブルとを、搬送方向に相対移動させる搬送機構と、前記ヘッドと前記テーブルとを、前記搬送方向に対して直交する走査方向に相対移動させる走査機構と、前記搬送機構と前記走査機構とを交互に動作させつつ、前記ヘッドからのインク滴の吐出を実行させる制御部と、を備え、前記制御部は、第１パス領域～第Ｎパス領域を含む画像を印刷するときに、ａ）前記ヘッドの前記複数のノズルを、前記搬送方向に並ぶ第１ブロック～第Ｎ＋１ブロックに区別して認識する工程と、ｂ）前記ヘッドの前記第１ブロックにより、前記第１パス領域の一部分を印刷する工程と、ｃ）前記ヘッドの前記第２ブロック～前記第Ｎブロックにより、前記第２パス領域～前記第Ｎパス領域を、それぞれ印刷する工程と、ｄ）前記ヘッドの前記第Ｎ＋１ブロックにより、前記第１パス領域の他の部分を印刷する工程と、を実行する。 In order to solve the above problems, a first invention of the present application is a multi-pass type ink jet printing apparatus, comprising: a head having a plurality of nozzles for discharging ink droplets; a table for holding a print medium; A transport mechanism for relatively moving the table in the transport direction, a scanning mechanism for relatively moving the head and the table in a scanning direction orthogonal to the transport direction, and the transport mechanism and the scanning mechanism alternately. And a control unit for causing the head to eject ink droplets while operating the printer. The control unit is configured to: a) print the image including a first pass area to an Nth pass area; (B) distinguishing the plurality of nozzles into a first block to an (N + 1) th block arranged in the transport direction, and b) the first block of the head Printing a part of the head area; c) printing the second pass area to the Nth pass area by the second block to the Nth block of the head, respectively; and d) printing the head area. Printing the other part of the first pass area by the (N + 1) th block.
　本願の第２発明は、第１発明のインクジェット印刷装置であって、前記第２ブロック～前記第Ｎブロックの各ブロックの前記搬送方向の長さＬ１は、同一であり、前記工程ｂ）～ｄ）において、前記搬送機構による前記ヘッドと前記テーブルとの前記搬送方向の１回の相対移動量は、前記長さＬ１である。 The second invention of the present application is the ink jet printing apparatus of the first invention, wherein the lengths L1 in the transport direction of each of the second block to the Nth block are the same, and the steps b) to d are performed. In (1), the single relative movement amount of the head and the table in the transport direction by the transport mechanism is the length L1.
　本願の第３発明は、第２発明のインクジェット印刷装置であって、前記第１ブロックに属する複数の前記ノズルは、前記ヘッドの前記搬送方向の一端部へ向かうにつれてその数が徐々に減少する複数の有効ノズルを含み、前記第Ｎ＋１ブロックに属する複数の前記ノズルは、前記ヘッドの前記搬送方向の他端部へ向かうにつれてその数が徐々に減少する複数の有効ノズルを含み、前記制御部は、前記工程ｂ）において、前記第１ブロックの前記複数の有効ノズルにより、前記第１パス領域の前記一部分を印刷し、前記工程ｄ）において、前記第Ｎ＋１ブロックの前記複数の有効ノズルにより、前記第１パス領域の前記他の部分を印刷する。 A third invention of the present application is the ink jet printing apparatus according to the second invention, wherein the plurality of nozzles belonging to the first block gradually decrease in number toward one end of the head in the transport direction. A plurality of nozzles belonging to the (N + 1) th block include a plurality of effective nozzles whose number gradually decreases toward the other end in the transport direction of the head, wherein the control unit includes: In the step b), the portion of the first pass area is printed by the plurality of effective nozzles of the first block, and in the step d), the portion of the first pass region is printed by the plurality of effective nozzles of the (N + 1) th block. The other part of the one-pass area is printed.
　本願の第４発明は、第３発明のインクジェット印刷装置であって、前記第１ブロックは、前記有効ノズルの数が前記搬送方向の位置によらず一定の内側部分と、前記内側部分よりも前記ヘッドの前記一端部側に位置し、前記有効ノズルの数が前記一端部へ向かうにつれて徐々に減少する外側部分と、を含み、前記第Ｎ＋１ブロックは、前記有効ノズルの数が前記搬送方向の位置によらず一定の内側部分と、前記内側部分よりも前記ヘッドの前記他端部側に位置し、前記有効ノズルの数が前記他端部へ向かうにつれて徐々に減少する外側部分と、を含む。 A fourth invention of the present application is the ink jet printing apparatus according to the third invention, wherein the first block has a fixed inner portion in which the number of the effective nozzles is constant irrespective of the position in the transport direction, and the first block is more than the inner portion. An outer portion that is located on the one end side of the head and the number of the effective nozzles gradually decreases toward the one end, and wherein the (N + 1) th block is configured such that the number of the effective nozzles is a position in the transport direction. A constant inner portion, and an outer portion that is located closer to the other end of the head than the inner portion and the number of the effective nozzles gradually decreases toward the other end.
　本願の第５発明は、第４発明のインクジェット印刷装置であって、前記第１ブロックにおける前記内側部分の前記搬送方向の長さをＬ２１、前記外側部分の前記搬送方向の長さをＬ３とし、前記第Ｎ＋１ブロックにおける前記内側部分の前記搬送方向の長さをＬ２Ｎ、前記外側部分の前記搬送方向の長さをＬ３とすると、前記長さＬ１、Ｌ２１、Ｌ２Ｎ、Ｌ３は、Ｌ２１＋Ｌ２Ｎ＋Ｌ３＝Ｌ１の関係を満たす。 A fifth invention of the present application is the inkjet printing apparatus of the fourth invention, wherein a length of the inner portion in the first block in the transport direction is L21, and a length of the outer portion in the transport direction is L3. Assuming that the length of the inner portion in the transport direction in the (N + 1) th block in the transport direction is L2N and the length of the outer portion in the transport direction is L3, the lengths L1, L21, L2N, and L3 are L21 + L2N + L3 = L1. Meet.
　本願の第６発明は、第３発明のインクジェット印刷装置であって、前記第１ブロックの前記搬送方向の全体において、前記有効ノズルの数が、前記ヘッドの前記一端部へ向かうにつれて徐々に減少し、前記第Ｎ＋１ブロックの前記搬送方向の全体において、前記有効ノズルの数が、前記ヘッドの前記他端部へ向かうにつれて徐々に減少する。 A sixth invention of the present application is the ink jet printing apparatus according to the third invention, wherein the number of the effective nozzles gradually decreases toward the one end of the head in the entire transport direction of the first block. In the whole of the (N + 1) th block in the transport direction, the number of the effective nozzles gradually decreases toward the other end of the head.
　本願の第７発明は、第１発明から第６発明までのいずれか１発明のインクジェット印刷装置であって、印刷の解像度を指定する解像度指定部をさらに備え、前記制御部は、前記工程ａ）において、指定された前記解像度に応じて、前記ヘッドの前記複数のノズルを、前記第１ブロック～前記第Ｎ＋１ブロックに区別する。 The seventh invention of the present application is the ink jet printing apparatus according to any one of the first invention to the sixth invention, further comprising a resolution specifying unit that specifies a printing resolution, wherein the control unit performs the step a). In the method, the plurality of nozzles of the head are classified into the first block to the (N + 1) th block according to the designated resolution.
　本願の第８発明は、ヘッドと印刷媒体との搬送方向の相対移動と、前記ヘッドと前記印刷媒体との前記搬送方向に対して直交する走査方向の相対移動と、を交互に行いつつ、前記ヘッドの複数のノズルからインク滴を吐出する、マルチパス方式のインクジェット印刷方法であって、第１パス領域～第Ｎパス領域を含む画像を印刷するときに、ａ）前記ヘッドの前記複数のノズルを、前記搬送方向に並ぶ第１ブロック～第Ｎ＋１ブロックに区別して認識する工程と、ｂ）前記ヘッドの前記第１ブロックにより、前記第１パス領域の一部分を印刷する工程と、ｃ）前記ヘッドの前記第２ブロック～前記第Ｎブロックにより、前記第２パス領域～前記第Ｎパス領域を、それぞれ印刷する工程と、ｄ）前記ヘッドの前記第Ｎ＋１ブロックにより、前記第１パス領域の他の部分を印刷する工程と、を実行する。 The eighth invention of the present application is directed to perform the relative movement of the head and the print medium in the transport direction and the relative movement of the head and the print medium in the scanning direction orthogonal to the transport direction alternately, A multi-pass inkjet printing method for ejecting ink droplets from a plurality of nozzles of a head, the method comprising: a) printing an image including a first pass area to an N-th pass area; And b) a step of printing a part of the first pass area by the first block of the head, and c) the head. D) printing the second pass area to the Nth pass area by the second block to the Nth block, respectively; and d) printing the previous image by the (N + 1) th block of the head. A step of printing another portion of the first path region, to run.
　本願の第１発明～第８発明によれば、第１パス領域の一部分を第１ブロックにより印刷し、第１パス領域の他の部分を第Ｎ＋１ブロックにより印刷する。このため、ヘッドの搬送方向の一方の端部付近と他方の端部付近との間で、ノズルからのインクの吐出性能に差がある場合でも、その吐出性能の差に起因する印刷画像のムラを低減できる。また、印刷媒体の送りピッチにばらつきが生じる場合でも、その送りピッチのばらつきに起因する印刷画像のムラを低減できる。 According to the first to eighth aspects of the present invention, a part of the first pass area is printed by the first block, and another part of the first pass area is printed by the (N + 1) th block. For this reason, even if there is a difference in the ink ejection performance from the nozzle between the vicinity of one end of the head in the transport direction and the vicinity of the other end, the unevenness of the printed image due to the difference in the ejection performance. Can be reduced. Further, even when the feed pitch of the print medium varies, it is possible to reduce unevenness of the printed image due to the variation of the feed pitch.
　特に、本願の第４発明および第５発明によれば、ブロックの境目とは異なる箇所において、有効ノズルの分布態様が切り替わる。このため、印刷後の画像において、ブロックの境目に対応するムラの位置と、有効ノズルの分布態様が切り替わる箇所に対応するムラの位置とが、搬送方向にずれる。これにより、個々のムラが目立ちにくくなる。 Especially, according to the fourth and fifth aspects of the present invention, the distribution mode of the effective nozzles is switched at a position different from the boundary of the block. For this reason, in the image after printing, the position of the unevenness corresponding to the boundary of the block and the position of the unevenness corresponding to the location where the distribution mode of the effective nozzles is switched are shifted in the transport direction. This makes individual unevenness less noticeable.
インクジェット印刷装置の上面図である。It is a top view of an inkjet printing device. インクジェット印刷装置の正面図である。It is a front view of an inkjet printing device. インクジェット印刷装置の構成を概念的に示したブロック図である。FIG. 2 is a block diagram conceptually showing a configuration of the inkjet printing apparatus. ヘッドの下面図である。It is a bottom view of a head. 印刷処理の流れを示すフローチャートである。6 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a printing process. 変換処理後の画像データの一部分を示した図である。FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a part of image data after a conversion process. ヘッドにおける複数のブロックの配列を、模式的に示した図である。FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating an arrangement of a plurality of blocks in a head. 第１ブロック～第７ブロックの寸法関係を示した図である。FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a dimensional relationship between a first block to a seventh block. 印刷用紙のある印刷対象領域に対して、１つのヘッドが行う印刷処理の様子を、模式的に示した図である。FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically illustrating a state of a printing process performed by one head on a print target area on a print sheet. 印刷用紙のある印刷対象領域に対して、１つのヘッドが行う印刷処理の流れを示したフローチャートである。6 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a printing process performed by one head on a print target area on a print sheet. 図６の画像データを印刷する場合に、ステップＳ３１の終了後に印刷済みとなる部分をハッチングで示した図である。FIG. 7 is a diagram showing hatched portions that have been printed after the end of step S31 when the image data of FIG. 6 is printed. 図６の画像データを印刷する場合に、ステップＳ３６の終了後に印刷済みとなる部分をハッチングで示した図である。FIG. 7 is a diagram showing, in the case of printing the image data of FIG. 6, a portion to be printed after the end of step S <b> 36 by hatching. 図６の画像データを印刷する場合に、ステップＳ３７の終了後に印刷済みとなる部分をハッチングで示した図である。FIG. 7 is a diagram showing hatched portions that are printed after the end of step S37 when the image data of FIG. 6 is printed. 第１変形例に係る複数のブロックの配列を、模式的に示した図であるFIG. 9 is a diagram schematically illustrating an arrangement of a plurality of blocks according to a first modification. 第２変形例に係る複数のブロックの配列を、模式的に示した図である。FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically illustrating an arrangement of a plurality of blocks according to a second modification. 第３変形例に係るインクジェット印刷装置のブロック図である。FIG. 13 is a block diagram of an inkjet printing apparatus according to a third modification.
　以下、本発明の実施形態について、図面を参照しつつ説明する。 Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
　＜１．インクジェット印刷装置の構成について＞
　図１は、本発明の一実施形態に係るインクジェット印刷装置１の上面図である。図２は、インクジェット印刷装置１の正面図である。図３は、インクジェット印刷装置１の構成を概念的に示したブロック図である。このインクジェット印刷装置１は、印刷媒体である印刷用紙９の搬送とヘッド４０の走査とを交互に実行しつつ、各ヘッド４０からインクを吐出することにより、印刷用紙９の表面に画像を印刷する、マルチパス方式の印刷装置である。このインクジェット印刷装置１は、例えば、印刷工場において印刷物を多量に印刷する前に、印刷画像を予め確認するための校正印刷に用いられる。ただし、インクジェット印刷装置１の用途は、校正印刷には限られない。 <1. Configuration of inkjet printing device>
FIG. 1 is a top view of an inkjet printing apparatus 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front view of the inkjet printing apparatus 1. FIG. 3 is a block diagram conceptually showing the configuration of the inkjet printing apparatus 1. The inkjet printing apparatus 1 prints an image on the surface of the printing paper 9 by ejecting ink from each head 40 while alternately carrying the printing paper 9 as a printing medium and scanning the heads 40. , A multi-pass printing apparatus. The inkjet printing apparatus 1 is used for, for example, proof printing for confirming a print image before printing a large amount of printed matter in a printing factory. However, the application of the inkjet printing apparatus 1 is not limited to proof printing.
　図１～図３に示すように、インクジェット印刷装置１は、テーブル１０、搬送機構２０、搬送エンコーダ３０、４つのヘッド４０、走査機構５０、走査エンコーダ６０、操作パネル７０、および制御部８０を備えている。 As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the inkjet printing apparatus 1 includes a table 10, a transport mechanism 20, a transport encoder 30, four heads 40, a scanning mechanism 50, a scanning encoder 60, an operation panel 70, and a control unit 80. ing.
　テーブル１０は、印刷用紙９を保持する板状の部材である。テーブル１０は、工場の床面に設置される基台部１１の上面に、水平に配置される。テーブル１０の上面には、複数の吸着孔が設けられている。各吸着孔には、図示を省略した排気装置が接続されている。排気装置を動作させると、各吸着孔に負圧が生じる。印刷用紙９は、テーブル１０の上面に載置され、複数の吸着孔に生じる負圧によって、テーブル１０の上面に吸着する。これにより、テーブル１０の上面に、印刷用紙９が保持されるとともに、テーブル１０の上面における印刷用紙９の位置ずれが抑制される。 The table 10 is a plate-like member that holds the printing paper 9. The table 10 is horizontally arranged on the upper surface of a base 11 installed on the floor of a factory. A plurality of suction holes are provided on the upper surface of the table 10. An exhaust device (not shown) is connected to each suction hole. When the exhaust device is operated, a negative pressure is generated in each suction hole. The printing paper 9 is placed on the upper surface of the table 10 and is attracted to the upper surface of the table 10 by the negative pressure generated in the plurality of suction holes. Thereby, the printing paper 9 is held on the upper surface of the table 10 and the displacement of the printing paper 9 on the upper surface of the table 10 is suppressed.
　搬送機構２０は、基台部１１および後述するヘッド４０に対して、テーブル１０を搬送方向に移動させるための機構である。搬送機構２０には、例えば、駆動源であるモータから出力される回転運動を、ボールねじを介して直進運動に変換する機構が用いられる。ただし、搬送機構２０に、リニアモータ等の他の機構を用いてもよい。搬送機構２０を動作させると、テーブル１０は、搬送方向に沿って水平に移動する。これにより、テーブル１０に保持された印刷用紙９が、搬送方向に搬送される。 The transport mechanism 20 is a mechanism for moving the table 10 in the transport direction with respect to the base 11 and a head 40 described later. As the transport mechanism 20, for example, a mechanism that converts a rotational motion output from a motor as a drive source into a linear motion via a ball screw is used. However, another mechanism such as a linear motor may be used for the transport mechanism 20. When the transport mechanism 20 is operated, the table 10 moves horizontally along the transport direction. Thereby, the printing paper 9 held on the table 10 is transported in the transport direction.
　搬送エンコーダ３０は、テーブル１０の搬送方向の位置を検知するためのセンサである。図１および図２においては、搬送エンコーダ３０の図示が省略されている。搬送エンコーダ３０には、例えば、搬送機構２０のボールねじの回転に伴い一定角度毎にパルス信号を出力するロータリーエンコーダが用いられる。搬送エンコーダ３０は、得られたパルス信号を、制御部８０へ出力する。制御部８０は、搬送エンコーダ３０から入力されるパルス信号に基づいて、テーブル１０の搬送方向の位置を検知する。 The transport encoder 30 is a sensor for detecting the position of the table 10 in the transport direction. 1 and 2, the illustration of the transport encoder 30 is omitted. As the transport encoder 30, for example, a rotary encoder that outputs a pulse signal at regular intervals according to the rotation of the ball screw of the transport mechanism 20 is used. The transport encoder 30 outputs the obtained pulse signal to the control unit 80. The control unit 80 detects the position of the table 10 in the transport direction based on the pulse signal input from the transport encoder 30.
　４つのヘッド４０は、印刷用紙９の上面に向けてインクの液滴（以下「インク滴」という）を吐出する機構である。４つのヘッド４０は、多色画像の色成分となるＣ（Cyan）、Ｍ（Magenta）、Ｙ（Yellow）、Ｋ（Black）の各色のインク滴を、印刷用紙９の上面に、それぞれ吐出する。４つのヘッド４０は、共通の支持部材であるシャトル４１に固定されている。また、４つのヘッド４０は、テーブル１０の搬送方向に直交し、かつ水平な方向である走査方向に沿って、配列されている。 The four heads 40 are mechanisms for discharging ink droplets (hereinafter, referred to as “ink droplets”) toward the upper surface of the printing paper 9. The four heads 40 eject ink droplets of each color of C (Cyan), M (Magenta), Y (Yellow), and K (Black), which are color components of a multicolor image, onto the upper surface of the printing paper 9. . The four heads 40 are fixed to a shuttle 41 which is a common support member. In addition, the four heads 40 are arranged along a scanning direction that is a horizontal direction that is orthogonal to the transport direction of the table 10.
　図４は、１つのヘッド４０の下面図である。図４に示すように、ヘッド４０の下面は、搬送方向を長手方向とする長方形状の吐出面４００を有する。また、図４中に拡大して示したように、当該吐出面４００には、複数のノズル４０１が規則的に配列されている。他の３つのヘッド４０も、同様に、複数のノズル４０１を有する。印刷時には、各ヘッド４０の複数のノズル４０１から印刷用紙９の上面に向けて、各色のインク滴が吐出される。そして、これらの各色により形成される単色画像の重ね合わせによって、印刷用紙９の上面に、多色画像が形成される。 FIG. 4 is a bottom view of one head 40. As shown in FIG. 4, the lower surface of the head 40 has a rectangular ejection surface 400 whose longitudinal direction is the transport direction. Further, as shown in an enlarged manner in FIG. 4, a plurality of nozzles 401 are regularly arranged on the ejection surface 400. Similarly, the other three heads 40 also have a plurality of nozzles 401. During printing, ink droplets of each color are ejected from the plurality of nozzles 401 of each head 40 toward the upper surface of the printing paper 9. Then, a multicolor image is formed on the upper surface of the printing paper 9 by superimposing the single color images formed by these respective colors.
　ノズル４０１からのインク滴の吐出方式には、例えば、ピエゾ素子に電圧を加えて変形させることにより、ノズル４０１内のインクを加圧して吐出する、いわゆるピエゾ方式が用いられる。ただし、インク滴の吐出方式は、ヒータに通電してノズル４０１内のインクを加熱膨張させることにより吐出する、いわゆるサーマル方式であってもよい。 As a method of discharging ink droplets from the nozzle 401, for example, a so-called piezo method is used in which a voltage is applied to a piezo element to deform it, thereby pressurizing and discharging the ink in the nozzle 401. However, the method of discharging ink droplets may be a so-called thermal method in which a heater is energized to discharge ink by heating and expanding the ink in the nozzle 401.
　走査機構５０は、基台部１１およびテーブル１０に対して、４つのヘッド４０を走査方向に移動させるための機構である。走査機構５０には、例えば、駆動源であるモータから出力される回転運動を、一対のプーリと、それらのプーリに掛け渡された環状のベルトとを介して直進運動に変換する機構が用いられる。ただし、走査機構５０に、ボールねじを用いた機構や、リニアモータ等の他の機構を用いてもよい。走査機構５０を動作させると、シャトル４１が走査方向に沿って水平に移動する。これにより、シャトル４１に保持された４つのヘッド４０も、走査方向に移動する。 The scanning mechanism 50 is a mechanism for moving the four heads 40 in the scanning direction with respect to the base 11 and the table 10. As the scanning mechanism 50, for example, a mechanism that converts a rotational motion output from a motor as a driving source into a linear motion through a pair of pulleys and an annular belt stretched over the pulleys is used. . However, a mechanism using a ball screw or another mechanism such as a linear motor may be used as the scanning mechanism 50. When the scanning mechanism 50 is operated, the shuttle 41 moves horizontally along the scanning direction. Thereby, the four heads 40 held by the shuttle 41 also move in the scanning direction.
　走査エンコーダ６０は、ヘッド４０の走査方向の位置を検知するためのセンサである。図１および図２においては、走査エンコーダ６０の図示が省略されている。走査エンコーダ６０には、例えば、走査機構５０のプーリの回転に伴い一定角度毎にパルス信号を出力するロータリーエンコーダが用いられる。走査エンコーダ６０は、得られたパルス信号を、制御部８０へ出力する。制御部８０は、走査エンコーダ６０から入力されるパルス信号に基づいて、ヘッド４０の走査方向の位置を検知する。 The scanning encoder 60 is a sensor for detecting the position of the head 40 in the scanning direction. 1 and 2, illustration of the scanning encoder 60 is omitted. As the scanning encoder 60, for example, a rotary encoder that outputs a pulse signal at regular intervals according to the rotation of the pulley of the scanning mechanism 50 is used. Scan encoder 60 outputs the obtained pulse signal to control unit 80. The control unit 80 detects the position of the head 40 in the scanning direction based on the pulse signal input from the scanning encoder 60.
　操作パネル７０は、インクジェット印刷装置１に関する種々の情報を表示するとともに、ユーザからの指示の入力を受け付ける部位である。操作パネル７０には、例えば、タッチパネル式の液晶ディスプレイが用いられる。ただし、操作パネル７０は、表示専用のディスプレイと、キーボードやマウス等の入力装置とで、構成されていてもよい。インクジェット印刷装置１のユーザは、操作パネル７０に表示される情報を確認しながら、操作パネル７０を操作することにより、後述する制御部８０へ、種々の情報を入力することができる。 The operation panel 70 is a part that displays various information related to the inkjet printing apparatus 1 and receives input of an instruction from a user. As the operation panel 70, for example, a touch panel type liquid crystal display is used. However, the operation panel 70 may be configured by a display dedicated for display and an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse. The user of the inkjet printing apparatus 1 can input various information to the control unit 80 described later by operating the operation panel 70 while checking information displayed on the operation panel 70.
　制御部８０は、印刷に関する種々のデータ処理を行うとともに、インクジェット印刷装置１内の各部を動作制御する処理部である。図３に示すように、本実施形態の制御部８０は、制御基板８１と、データ処理基板８２とを有する。制御基板８１およびデータ処理基板８２は、いずれも、ＣＰＵ等のプロセッサと各種のメモリとを有し、予め設定されたプログラムに従って動作する電気回路基板である。 The control unit 80 is a processing unit that performs various data processing related to printing and controls the operation of each unit in the inkjet printing apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 80 of the present embodiment has a control board 81 and a data processing board 82. Each of the control board 81 and the data processing board 82 is an electric circuit board having a processor such as a CPU and various memories and operating according to a preset program.
　制御基板８１は、搬送機構２０および走査機構５０と電気的に接続されている。制御基板８１は、搬送機構２０の駆動源であるモータと、走査機構５０の駆動源であるモータとに対して、制御信号を送信する。これにより、搬送機構２０および走査機構５０が動作制御される。また、制御基板８１は、搬送機構２０と走査機構５０とを、交互に動作させる。その結果、印刷用紙９を搬送方向に所定の距離だけ移動させるステップ送り動作と、印刷用紙９の上方において、４つのヘッド４０を走査方向に横断させるパス動作とが、交互に実行される。 The control board 81 is electrically connected to the transport mechanism 20 and the scanning mechanism 50. The control board 81 transmits a control signal to a motor that is a driving source of the transport mechanism 20 and a motor that is a driving source of the scanning mechanism 50. Thereby, the operation of the transport mechanism 20 and the scanning mechanism 50 is controlled. The control board 81 causes the transport mechanism 20 and the scanning mechanism 50 to operate alternately. As a result, a step-feeding operation of moving the printing paper 9 by a predetermined distance in the transport direction and a pass operation of traversing the four heads 40 in the scanning direction above the printing paper 9 are alternately performed.
　データ処理基板８２は、外部のコンピュータ２から入力される画像データＤに対して、各種の変換処理を行う。画像データＤは、例えば、ＰＤＦ（Portable Document Format）またはＴＩＦＦ（Tagged Image File Format）の形式で入力される。画像データＤの変換処理には、例えば、色分解処理、ＲＩＰ処理、解像度変換処理、階調変換処理、ページデータを後述する第１パス領域Ｐ１～第６パス領域Ｐ６に分割する処理、などが含まれる。 The data processing board 82 performs various conversion processes on the image data D input from the external computer 2. The image data D is input in, for example, a PDF (Portable Document Format) or a TIFF (Tagged Image File Format). The conversion processing of the image data D includes, for example, color separation processing, RIP processing, resolution conversion processing, gradation conversion processing, processing of dividing page data into first to sixth pass areas P1 to P6 described below, and the like. included.
　また、データ処理基板８２は、４つのヘッド４０と電気的に接続されている。データ処理基板８２は、変換後の画像データＤに基づいて、４つのヘッド４０に対して、制御信号を送信する。これにより、４つのヘッド４０が動作制御される。具体的には、データ処理基板８２は、搬送エンコーダ３０および走査エンコーダ６０から入力されるパルス信号に基づいて、印刷用紙９の搬送方向の位置と、ヘッド４０の走査方向の位置とを、検知する。そして、これらの位置と、変換後の画像データＤとに応じて、４つのヘッド４０に、インク滴の吐出を実行させる。このとき、各ヘッド４０は、複数のノズル４０１のうち、制御信号により指定されたノズル４０１から、選択的にインク滴を吐出する。これにより、印刷用紙９の適切な位置に、適切な色のインクが吐出される。 (4) The data processing board 82 is electrically connected to the four heads 40. The data processing board 82 transmits a control signal to the four heads 40 based on the converted image data D. Thereby, the operation of the four heads 40 is controlled. Specifically, the data processing board 82 detects the position of the print paper 9 in the transport direction and the position of the head 40 in the scan direction based on the pulse signals input from the transport encoder 30 and the scan encoder 60. . Then, in accordance with these positions and the converted image data D, the four heads 40 execute the ejection of the ink droplets. At this time, each head 40 selectively ejects ink droplets from the nozzles 401 specified by the control signal among the plurality of nozzles 401. As a result, ink of an appropriate color is ejected to an appropriate position on the printing paper 9.
　＜２．印刷処理について＞
　続いて、上記のインクジェット印刷装置１による印刷処理について、説明する。図５は、印刷処理の流れを示すフローチャートである。 <2. About printing process>
Subsequently, a printing process performed by the above-described inkjet printing apparatus 1 will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of the printing process.
　外部のコンピュータ２からインクジェット印刷装置１へ、印刷すべき画像データＤが入力されると、まず、データ処理基板８２が、入力された画像データＤに対して、種々の変換処理を行う（ステップＳ１）。 When the image data D to be printed is input from the external computer 2 to the inkjet printing apparatus 1, first, the data processing board 82 performs various conversion processes on the input image data D (step S1). ).
　図６は、変換処理後の画像データＤの一部分を示した図である。図６では、格子状に区分された個々の領域が、１つのインク滴によって印刷される部分（以下「点領域」と称する）を表している。図６のように、変換後の画像データＤは、第１パス領域Ｐ１、第２パス領域Ｐ２、第３パス領域Ｐ３、第４パス領域Ｐ４、第５パス領域Ｐ５、および第６パス領域Ｐ６を含む。より具体的には、画像データＤ内に、第１パス領域Ｐ１に属する１つの点領域、第２パス領域Ｐ２に属する１つの点領域、第３パス領域Ｐ３に属する１つの点領域、第４パス領域Ｐ４に属する１つの点領域、第５パス領域Ｐ５に属する１つの点領域、および第６パス領域Ｐ６に属する１つの点領域、の６つの点領域により構成される単位領域Ｐｕが、走査方向および搬送方向に沿って、複数配列されている。 FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a part of the image data D after the conversion processing. In FIG. 6, each area divided in a lattice shape represents a portion printed by one ink droplet (hereinafter, referred to as a “dot area”). As shown in FIG. 6, the converted image data D includes a first pass area P1, a second pass area P2, a third pass area P3, a fourth pass area P4, a fifth pass area P5, and a sixth pass area P6. including. More specifically, in the image data D, one point area belonging to the first pass area P1, one point area belonging to the second pass area P2, one point area belonging to the third pass area P3, The unit area Pu composed of six point areas, one point area belonging to the path area P4, one point area belonging to the fifth path area P5, and one point area belonging to the sixth path area P6, is scanned. A plurality is arranged along the direction and the transport direction.
　このような画像データＤを印刷するときに、データ処理基板８２は、まず、各ヘッド４０の複数のノズル４０１を、画像データＤに含まれるパス領域の数Ｎ（本実施形態ではＮ＝６）よりも１つ多い数Ｎ＋１（本実施形態ではＮ＋１＝７）のブロックに区別して認識する（ステップＳ２）。 When printing such image data D, the data processing board 82 first sets the plurality of nozzles 401 of each head 40 to the number N of pass areas included in the image data D (N = 6 in this embodiment). The number of blocks N + 1 (N + 1 = 7 in the present embodiment), which is one more than the number of blocks, is recognized (step S2).
　図７は、ステップＳ２において区別される複数のブロックの配列を、模式的に示した図である。図７に示すように、本実施形態では、ステップＳ２において、７つのブロックＢ１～Ｂ７が設定される。７つのブロックＢ１～Ｂ７は、ヘッド４０の吐出面４００の搬送方向の一端部から他端部にかけて、第１ブロックＢ１、第２ブロックＢ２、第３ブロックＢ３、第４ブロックＢ４、第５ブロックＢ５、第６ブロックＢ６、および第７ブロックＢ７の順に、一列に配列される。 FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically showing an arrangement of a plurality of blocks distinguished in step S2. As shown in FIG. 7, in the present embodiment, in step S2, seven blocks B1 to B7 are set. The seven blocks B1 to B7 include a first block B1, a second block B2, a third block B3, a fourth block B4, and a fifth block B5 from one end to the other end of the ejection surface 400 of the head 40 in the transport direction. , The sixth block B6, and the seventh block B7 in order.
　また、データ処理基板８２は、ヘッド４０が有する複数のノズル４０１を、有効ノズルと非有効ノズルとに区別して認識する。有効ノズルは、画像に応じてインク滴の吐出を実行するノズルである。非有効ノズルは、インク滴の吐出を実行しないノズルである。図７では、有効ノズルが分布する領域を、ハッチングで示している。図７に示すように、第２ブロックＢ２～第６ブロックＢ６では、各ブロックの全体に、複数の有効ノズルが一定の割合で分布する。 {Circle around (4)} The data processing board 82 recognizes the plurality of nozzles 401 of the head 40 by distinguishing them into valid nozzles and non-effective nozzles. The effective nozzle is a nozzle that executes ejection of ink droplets according to an image. An ineffective nozzle is a nozzle that does not execute ejection of ink droplets. In FIG. 7, the area where the effective nozzles are distributed is indicated by hatching. As shown in FIG. 7, in the second block B2 to the sixth block B6, a plurality of effective nozzles are distributed at a constant rate in each block.
　第１ブロックＢ１は、内側部分Ｂ１１と、内側部分Ｂ１１よりもヘッド４０の搬送方向の一端部側に位置する外側部分Ｂ１２とを有する。内側部分Ｂ１１と外側部分Ｂ１２とは、有効ノズルの分布態様が異なる。内側部分Ｂ１１は、その全体に、複数の有効ノズルが、第２ブロックＢ２～第６ブロックＢ６と同じ割合で分布する。すなわち、内側部分Ｂ１１では、有効ノズルの数が、搬送方向の位置に拘わらず一定である。これに対し、外側部分Ｂ１２では、ヘッド４０の搬送方向の一端部へ向かうにつれて、有効ノズルの数が徐々に減少する。なお、図７では、外側部分Ｂ１２において有効ノズルが分布する領域が、模式的に三角形状で示されている。しかしながら、外側部分Ｂ１２における有効ノズルの分布は、離散的であってもよい。 The first block B1 has an inner portion B11 and an outer portion B12 located on one end side of the head 40 in the transport direction of the head 40 with respect to the inner portion B11. The distribution of effective nozzles differs between the inner part B11 and the outer part B12. In the inner portion B11, a plurality of effective nozzles are distributed at the same ratio as the second block B2 to the sixth block B6 throughout. That is, in the inner portion B11, the number of effective nozzles is constant regardless of the position in the transport direction. On the other hand, in the outer portion B12, the number of effective nozzles gradually decreases toward one end of the head 40 in the transport direction. In FIG. 7, the area where the effective nozzles are distributed in the outer portion B12 is schematically shown in a triangular shape. However, the distribution of the effective nozzles in the outer portion B12 may be discrete.
　第７ブロックＢ７は、内側部分Ｂ７１と、内側部分Ｂ７１よりもヘッド４０の搬送方向の他端部側に位置する外側部分Ｂ７２とを有する。内側部分Ｂ７１と外側部分Ｂ７２とは、有効ノズルの分布態様が異なる。内側部分Ｂ７１は、その全体に、複数の有効ノズルが、第２ブロックＢ２～第６ブロックＢ６と同じ割合で分布する。すなわち、内側部分Ｂ７１では、有効ノズルの数が、搬送方向の位置に拘わらず一定である。これに対し、外側部分Ｂ７２では、ヘッド４０の搬送方向の一端部へ向かうにつれて、有効ノズルの数が徐々に減少する。なお、図７では、外側部分Ｂ７２において有効ノズルが分布する領域が、模式的に三角形状で示されている。しかしながら、外側部分Ｂ７２における有効ノズルの分布は、離散的であってもよい。 The seventh block B7 has an inner part B71 and an outer part B72 located on the other end side of the head 40 in the transport direction of the head 40 than the inner part B71. The distribution of the effective nozzles differs between the inner portion B71 and the outer portion B72. In the inner part B71, a plurality of effective nozzles are distributed at the same ratio as the second block B2 to the sixth block B6. That is, in the inner portion B71, the number of effective nozzles is constant regardless of the position in the transport direction. On the other hand, in the outer portion B72, the number of effective nozzles gradually decreases toward one end of the head 40 in the transport direction. In FIG. 7, the area where the effective nozzles are distributed in the outer portion B72 is schematically shown in a triangular shape. However, the distribution of the effective nozzles in the outer portion B72 may be discrete.
　ただし、第１ブロックＢ１の外側部分Ｂ１２と、第７ブロックＢ７の外側部分Ｂ７２とを重ね合わせたときに、第１ブロックＢ１の外側部分Ｂ１２に属する有効ノズルと、第７ブロックＢ７の外側部分Ｂ７２に属する有効ノズルとは、互いに異なる位置に配置されることが好ましい。 However, when the outer portion B12 of the first block B1 and the outer portion B72 of the seventh block B7 overlap, the effective nozzle belonging to the outer portion B12 of the first block B1 and the outer portion B72 of the seventh block B7 It is preferable that the effective nozzles are arranged at positions different from each other.
　図７に示すように、第２ブロックＢ２～第６ブロックＢ６の各ブロックの搬送方向の長さは、いずれも同一の長さＬ１である。この長さＬ１は、搬送機構２０によるテーブル１０の搬送方向の１回の移動量（ステップ送りピッチ）に相当する。また、図８は、第１ブロックＢ１～第７ブロックＢ７の寸法関係を示した図である。後述の通り、第１ブロックＢ１と第７ブロックＢ７とは、互いに補完し合いながら、第１パス領域Ｐ１の印刷を行う。このため、内側部分Ｂ１１，Ｂ７１の搬送方向の長さをＬ２、外側部分Ｂ１２，Ｂ７２の搬送方向の長さをＬ３とすると、図８のように、Ｌ２×２＋Ｌ３＝Ｌ１の関係を満たす。 As shown in FIG. 7, the length of each of the second to sixth blocks B2 to B6 in the transport direction is the same length L1. This length L1 corresponds to one movement amount (step feed pitch) of the table 10 in the transport direction by the transport mechanism 20. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a dimensional relationship between the first block B1 to the seventh block B7. As described later, the first block B1 and the seventh block B7 print the first pass area P1 while complementing each other. Therefore, assuming that the length of the inner portions B11 and B71 in the transport direction is L2 and the length of the outer portions B12 and B72 in the transport direction is L3, the relationship of L2 × 2 + L3 = L1 is satisfied as shown in FIG.
　なお、図８においては、第１ブロックＢ１の外側部分Ｂ１２と、第７ブロックＢ７の外側部分Ｂ７２とを、これらのブロックＢ１，Ｂ７で補完される領域の搬送方向における中心位置に配置している。このため、図８の例では、内側部分Ｂ１１，Ｂ７１の搬送方向の長さは、いずれもＬ２となり、等しくなっている。しかしながら、第１ブロックＢ１の外側部分Ｂ１２と、第７ブロックＢ７の外側部分Ｂ７２とを、これらのブロックＢ１，Ｂ７で補完される領域の搬送方向における中心位置に配置せずに、搬送方向の上流側または下流側にずらして配置しても、本発明は実施可能である。この場合、内側部分Ｂ１１，Ｂ７１の搬送方向の長さは互いに異なる。具体的には、第１ブロックＢ１の内側部分Ｂ１１の搬送方向の長さをＬ２１、第７ブロックＢ７の内側部分Ｂ７１の搬送方向の長さをＬ２Ｎとすると、Ｌ２１＋Ｌ２Ｎ＋Ｌ３＝Ｌ１の関係を満たす。図８の例は、Ｌ２１＝Ｌ２Ｎの場合を示したものである。 In FIG. 8, the outer part B12 of the first block B1 and the outer part B72 of the seventh block B7 are arranged at the center position in the transport direction of the area complemented by these blocks B1 and B7. . For this reason, in the example of FIG. 8, the lengths of the inner portions B11 and B71 in the transport direction are both L2, and are equal. However, the outer portion B12 of the first block B1 and the outer portion B72 of the seventh block B7 are not disposed at the center position in the transport direction of the area complemented by these blocks B1 and B7, and are not located upstream in the transport direction. The present invention can be practiced even if it is shifted to the side or the downstream side. In this case, the lengths of the inner portions B11 and B71 in the transport direction are different from each other. Specifically, assuming that the length of the inner portion B11 of the first block B1 in the transport direction is L21 and the length of the inner portion B71 of the seventh block B7 in the transport direction is L2N, the relationship of L21 + L2N + L3 = L1 is satisfied. The example of FIG. 8 shows a case where L21 = L2N.
　ユーザが、テーブル１０の上面に印刷用紙９をセットし、操作パネル７０から印刷を開始する旨の指示を入力すると、インクジェット印刷装置１は、印刷処理を実行する（ステップＳ３）。ステップＳ３では、制御基板８１が、搬送機構２０と走査機構５０とを、交互に動作させる。これにより、印刷用紙９を搬送方向に長さＬ１だけ移動させるステップ送り動作と、４つのヘッド４０を走査方向の一端から他端まで移動させるパス動作とが、交互に実行される。また、データ処理基板８２は、上記のパス動作中に、４つのヘッド４０の複数のノズル４０１から、インク滴を吐出させる。このとき、データ処理基板８２は、搬送エンコーダ３０および走査エンコーダ６０から得られるパルス信号に基づいて、印刷用紙９に対するヘッド４０の位置を検知し、当該位置に応じて、適切なノズル４０１からインク滴を吐出させる。 (4) When the user sets the printing paper 9 on the upper surface of the table 10 and inputs an instruction to start printing from the operation panel 70, the inkjet printing apparatus 1 executes a printing process (step S3). In step S3, the control board 81 causes the transport mechanism 20 and the scanning mechanism 50 to operate alternately. As a result, a step feed operation for moving the print paper 9 by the length L1 in the transport direction and a pass operation for moving the four heads 40 from one end to the other end in the scanning direction are alternately performed. Further, the data processing board 82 causes the plurality of nozzles 401 of the four heads 40 to eject ink droplets during the above-described pass operation. At this time, the data processing board 82 detects the position of the head 40 with respect to the printing paper 9 based on the pulse signals obtained from the transport encoder 30 and the scanning encoder 60, and, based on the position, detects an ink droplet from an appropriate nozzle 401. Is discharged.
　図９は、印刷用紙９のある印刷対象領域Ａに対して、１つのヘッド４０が行う印刷処理の様子を、模式的に示した図である。図１０は、その印刷対象領域Ａに対して、１つのヘッド４０が行う印刷処理の流れを示したフローチャートである。なお、このインクジェット印刷装置１では、ヘッド４０に対して、印刷用紙９が搬送方向に移動するが、図９では、図示の便宜上、印刷用紙９の位置を固定し、ヘッド４０の位置をステップ毎に変化させることで、印刷用紙９とヘッド４０の相対位置の変化を表している。 FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically showing a state of a printing process performed by one head 40 on a print target area A of the printing paper 9. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of a printing process performed by one head 40 on the print target area A. In the inkjet printing apparatus 1, the printing paper 9 moves in the transport direction with respect to the head 40. In FIG. 9, for convenience of illustration, the position of the printing paper 9 is fixed, and the position of the head 40 is changed for each step. , The change in the relative position between the printing paper 9 and the head 40 is represented.
　図９および図１０に示すように、このインクジェット印刷装置１では、まず、ヘッド４０の第１ブロックＢ１が、印刷対象領域Ａにおける第１パス領域Ｐ１の一部分の印刷を行う（ステップＳ３１）。具体的には、第１ブロックＢ１に属する複数のノズル４０１のうち、有効ノズルとして認識されているノズル４０１のみが、インク滴の吐出を実行する。 As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, in the inkjet printing apparatus 1, first, the first block B1 of the head 40 prints a part of the first pass area P1 in the print target area A (step S31). Specifically, of the plurality of nozzles 401 belonging to the first block B1, only the nozzles 401 recognized as valid nozzles execute ejection of ink droplets.
　図１１は、図６の画像データＤを印刷する場合に、ステップＳ３１の終了後に印刷済みとなる部分をハッチングで示した図である。図１１に示すように、ステップＳ３１では、第１パス領域Ｐ１に属する複数の点領域のうち、一部の点領域が、第１ブロックＢ１により印刷される。ただし、ステップＳ３１では、第１パス領域Ｐ１に属する他の点領域は、印刷されない。 FIG. 11 is a diagram in which, when the image data D of FIG. 6 is printed, a portion that has been printed after the end of step S31 is hatched. As shown in FIG. 11, in step S31, a part of the plurality of point regions belonging to the first pass region P1 is printed by the first block B1. However, in step S31, other dot areas belonging to the first pass area P1 are not printed.
　次に、ヘッド４０の第２ブロックＢ２が、第２パス領域Ｐ２の印刷を行う（ステップＳ３２）。ステップＳ３２では、第２ブロックＢ２に属する複数の有効ノズルから、インク滴が吐出される。これにより、印刷対象領域Ａに印刷すべき第２パス領域Ｐ２の全ての点領域が、第２ブロックＢ２により印刷される。 Next, the second block B2 of the head 40 prints the second pass area P2 (step S32). In step S32, ink droplets are ejected from a plurality of effective nozzles belonging to the second block B2. Thereby, all the dot areas of the second pass area P2 to be printed on the print target area A are printed by the second block B2.
　次に、ヘッド４０の第３ブロックＢ３が、第３パス領域Ｐ３の印刷を行う（ステップＳ３３）。ステップＳ３３では、第３ブロックＢ３に属する複数の有効ノズルから、インク滴が吐出される。これにより、印刷対象領域Ａに印刷すべき第３パス領域Ｐ３の全ての点領域が、第３ブロックＢ３により印刷される。 Next, the third block B3 of the head 40 prints the third pass area P3 (step S33). In step S33, ink droplets are ejected from a plurality of effective nozzles belonging to the third block B3. Thus, all the dot areas of the third pass area P3 to be printed on the print target area A are printed by the third block B3.
　次に、ヘッド４０の第４ブロックＢ４が、第４パス領域Ｐ４の印刷を行う（ステップＳ３４）。ステップＳ３４では、第４ブロックＢ４に属する複数の有効ノズルから、インク滴が吐出される。これにより、印刷対象領域Ａに印刷すべき第４パス領域Ｐ４の全ての点領域が、第４ブロックＢ４により印刷される。 Next, the fourth block B4 of the head 40 prints the fourth pass area P4 (step S34). In step S34, ink droplets are ejected from a plurality of effective nozzles belonging to the fourth block B4. Thus, all the dot areas of the fourth pass area P4 to be printed on the print target area A are printed by the fourth block B4.
　次に、ヘッド４０の第５ブロックＢ５が、第５パス領域Ｐ５の印刷を行う（ステップＳ３５）。ステップＳ３５では、第５ブロックＢ５に属する複数の有効ノズルから、インク滴が吐出される。これにより、印刷対象領域Ａに印刷すべき第５パス領域Ｐ５の全ての点領域が、第５ブロックＢ５により印刷される。 Next, the fifth block B5 of the head 40 prints the fifth pass area P5 (step S35). In step S35, ink droplets are ejected from a plurality of effective nozzles belonging to the fifth block B5. Thus, all the dot areas of the fifth pass area P5 to be printed on the print target area A are printed by the fifth block B5.
　次に、ヘッド４０の第６ブロックＢ６が、第６パス領域Ｐ６の印刷を行う（ステップＳ３６）。ステップＳ３６では、第６ブロックＢ６に属する複数の有効ノズルから、インク滴が吐出される。これにより、印刷対象領域Ａに印刷すべき第６パス領域Ｐ６の全ての点領域が、第６ブロックＢ６により印刷される。 Next, the sixth block B6 of the head 40 prints the sixth pass area P6 (step S36). In step S36, ink droplets are ejected from the plurality of effective nozzles belonging to the sixth block B6. Thus, all the dot areas of the sixth pass area P6 to be printed on the print target area A are printed by the sixth block B6.
　図１２は、図６の画像データＤを印刷する場合に、ステップＳ３６の終了後に印刷済みとなる部分をハッチングで示した図である。図１２に示すように、ステップＳ３１～Ｓ３６が終了すると、第１パス領域Ｐ１の一部分と、第２パス領域Ｐ２～第６パス領域Ｐ６とが、印刷済みとなる。ただし、第１パス領域Ｐ１の他の部分は、まだ印刷が完了していない。 FIG. 12 is a diagram in which, when the image data D of FIG. 6 is printed, a portion that has been printed after the end of step S36 is hatched. As shown in FIG. 12, when steps S31 to S36 are completed, a part of the first pass area P1 and the second pass area P2 to the sixth pass area P6 have been printed. However, the other portions of the first pass area P1 have not been printed yet.
　最後に、ヘッド４０の第７ブロックＢ７が、第１パス領域Ｐ１の他の部分の印刷を行う（ステップＳ３７）。具体的には、第７ブロックＢ７に属する複数のノズル４０１のうち、有効ノズルとして認識されているノズル４０１のみが、インク滴の吐出を実行する。 (7) Finally, the seventh block B7 of the head 40 prints another portion of the first pass area P1 (step S37). Specifically, of the plurality of nozzles 401 belonging to the seventh block B7, only the nozzles 401 recognized as valid nozzles execute ejection of ink droplets.
　図１３は、図６の画像データＤを印刷する場合に、ステップＳ３７の終了後に印刷済みとなる部分をハッチングで示した図である。図１３に示すように、ステップＳ３７では、第１パス領域Ｐ１に属する複数の点領域のうち、ステップＳ３１で印刷されなかった点領域が、第７ブロックＢ７により、補完的に印刷される。その結果、印刷対象領域Ａに印刷すべき第１パス領域Ｐ１の全ての点領域の印刷が完了する。 FIG. 13 is a diagram in which, when the image data D of FIG. 6 is printed, a portion that has been printed after the end of step S37 is hatched. As shown in FIG. 13, in step S37, of the plurality of point areas belonging to the first pass area P1, the point area not printed in step S31 is complementarily printed by the seventh block B7. As a result, printing of all the dot areas of the first pass area P1 to be printed on the print target area A is completed.
　このインクジェット印刷装置１では、４つのヘッド４０のそれぞれが、上記のステップＳ３１～Ｓ３７の印刷処理を実行する。また、印刷用紙９の表面の全ての印刷対象領域Ａに対して、上記のステップＳ３１～Ｓ３７の印刷処理を実行する。 (4) In the inkjet printing apparatus 1, each of the four heads 40 performs the printing process in steps S31 to S37. Further, the printing process of the above steps S31 to S37 is executed for all the printing target areas A on the front surface of the printing paper 9.
　以上のように、このインクジェット印刷装置１では、第１パス領域Ｐ１の一部分を、ヘッド４０の第１ブロックＢ１により印刷する。そして、第１パス領域Ｐ１の他の部分を、ヘッド４０の第７ブロックＢ７により印刷する。すなわち、第１パス領域Ｐ１は、ヘッド４０の搬送方向の一端部付近に位置する第１ブロックＢ１と、他端部付近に位置する第７ブロックＢ７とによって、互いに補完的に印刷される。このため、ヘッド４０の搬送方向の一方の端部付近と他方の端部付近との間で、インクの吐出性能に差がある場合であっても、印刷後の画像において、その吐出性能の差に起因するムラを低減できる。また、印刷用紙９の送りピッチ（テーブル１０のステップ送りピッチ）にばらつきが生じる場合でも、その送りピッチのばらつきに起因する印刷画像のムラを低減できる。 As described above, in the inkjet printing apparatus 1, a part of the first pass area P1 is printed by the first block B1 of the head 40. Then, another portion of the first pass area P1 is printed by the seventh block B7 of the head 40. That is, the first pass area P1 is complementarily printed by the first block B1 located near one end in the transport direction of the head 40 and the seventh block B7 located near the other end. For this reason, even if there is a difference in the ink ejection performance between the vicinity of one end of the head 40 in the transport direction and the vicinity of the other end, the difference in the ejection performance of the printed image is not significant. Can be reduced. Further, even when the feed pitch of the printing paper 9 (step feed pitch of the table 10) varies, it is possible to reduce the unevenness of the print image due to the variation of the feed pitch.
　特に、本実施形態では、図７のように、第１ブロックＢ１が、内側部分Ｂ１１と外側部分Ｂ１２とを含んでいる。また、第７ブロックＢ７が、内側部分Ｂ７１と外側部分Ｂ７２とを含んでいる。このため、ブロックＢ１～Ｂ７の境目とは異なる箇所において、有効ノズルの分布態様が切り替わる。このようにすれば、図９のように、印刷後の画像において、ブロックＢ１～Ｂ７の境目に対応するムラＭ１の位置と、有効ノズルの分布態様が切り替わる箇所に対応するムラＭ２の位置とが、搬送方向にずれる。これにより、個々のムラが目立ちにくくなる。したがって、より高品質の印刷結果を得ることができる。 In particular, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the first block B1 includes an inner portion B11 and an outer portion B12. Further, the seventh block B7 includes an inner portion B71 and an outer portion B72. For this reason, the distribution mode of the effective nozzles is switched at a location different from the boundary between the blocks B1 to B7. In this way, as shown in FIG. 9, in the printed image, the position of the unevenness M1 corresponding to the boundary between the blocks B1 to B7 and the position of the unevenness M2 corresponding to the location where the effective nozzle distribution mode is switched. Shifts in the transport direction. This makes individual unevenness less noticeable. Therefore, higher quality printing results can be obtained.
　＜３．変形例＞
　以上、本発明の一実施形態について説明したが、本発明は、上記の実施形態に限定されるものではない。 <3. Modification>
As described above, one embodiment of the present invention has been described, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.
　＜３－１．第１変形例＞
　図１４は、第１変形例に係る複数のブロックＢ１～Ｂ７の配列を、模式的に示した図である。図１４の例では、第１ブロックＢ１および第７ブロックＢ７が、内側領域と外側領域とに分かれていない。すなわち、図１４の例では、第１ブロックＢ１の搬送方向の全体において、有効ノズルの数が、ヘッド４０の一端部へ向かうにつれて徐々に減少する。また、第７ブロックＢ７の搬送方向の全体において、有効ノズルの数が、ヘッド４０の他端部へ向かうにつれて徐々に減少する。 <3-1. First Modification>
FIG. 14 is a diagram schematically showing an arrangement of a plurality of blocks B1 to B7 according to the first modification. In the example of FIG. 14, the first block B1 and the seventh block B7 are not divided into an inner area and an outer area. That is, in the example of FIG. 14, in the entire transport direction of the first block B1, the number of effective nozzles gradually decreases toward one end of the head 40. Further, in the entire transport direction of the seventh block B7, the number of effective nozzles gradually decreases toward the other end of the head 40.
　このような形態であっても、第１パス領域Ｐ１の一部分を第１ブロックＢ１により印刷し、第１パス領域Ｐ１の他の部分を、第７ブロックＢ７により印刷することができる。すなわち、第１パス領域Ｐ１を、ヘッド４０の搬送方向の一端部側に位置する第１ブロックＢ１と、他端部側に位置する第７ブロックＢ７とによって、互いに補完的に印刷することができる。このため、ヘッド４０の搬送方向の一方の端部付近と他方の端部付近との間で、インクの吐出性能に差がある場合であっても、印刷後の画像において、その吐出性能の差に起因するムラを低減できる。また、印刷用紙９の送りピッチにばらつきが生じる場合でも、その送りピッチのばらつきに起因する印刷画像のムラを低減できる。 Even in such a mode, a part of the first pass area P1 can be printed by the first block B1, and another part of the first pass area P1 can be printed by the seventh block B7. That is, the first pass area P1 can be complementarily printed by the first block B1 located on one end side in the transport direction of the head 40 and the seventh block B7 located on the other end side. . For this reason, even if there is a difference in the ink ejection performance between the vicinity of one end of the head 40 in the transport direction and the vicinity of the other end, the difference in the ejection performance of the printed image is not significant. Can be reduced. Further, even when the feed pitch of the printing paper 9 varies, the unevenness of the printed image due to the variation of the feed pitch can be reduced.
　＜３－２．第２変形例＞
　図１５は、第２変形例に係る複数のブロックＢ１～Ｂ７の配列を、模式的に示した図である。上記の実施形態では、第１ブロックＢ１および第７ブロックＢ７の外側部分Ｂ１２，Ｂ７２において、有効ノズルの数が、端部へ向かうにつれて徐々に減少していた。これに対し、図１５の例では、第１ブロックＢ１および第７ブロックＢ７の外側部分Ｂ１２，Ｂ７２において、有効ノズルの数が、搬送方向の位置によらず一定となっている。ただし、外側部分Ｂ１２，Ｂ７２における有効ノズルの分布率は、内側部分Ｂ１１，Ｂ７１および他のブロックＢ２～Ｂ６における有効ノズルの分布率よりも少ない。また、第１ブロックＢ１の外側部分Ｂ１２と第７ブロックＢ７の外側部分Ｂ７２とを重ね合わせたときに、第１ブロックＢ１の外側部分Ｂ１２に属する有効ノズルと、第７ブロックＢ７の外側部分Ｂ７２に属する有効ノズルとは、互いに異なる位置に配置される。 <3-2. Second Modification>
FIG. 15 is a diagram schematically showing an arrangement of a plurality of blocks B1 to B7 according to the second modification. In the above-described embodiment, in the outer portions B12 and B72 of the first block B1 and the seventh block B7, the number of effective nozzles gradually decreases toward the end. On the other hand, in the example of FIG. 15, the number of effective nozzles in the outer portions B12 and B72 of the first block B1 and the seventh block B7 is constant regardless of the position in the transport direction. However, the distribution ratio of the effective nozzles in the outer portions B12 and B72 is smaller than the distribution ratio of the effective nozzles in the inner portions B11 and B71 and the other blocks B2 to B6. When the outer portion B12 of the first block B1 and the outer portion B72 of the seventh block B7 are overlapped, the effective nozzle belonging to the outer portion B12 of the first block B1 and the outer portion B72 of the seventh block B7 are The effective nozzles to which they belong are arranged at positions different from each other.
　このような形態であっても、第１パス領域Ｐ１の一部分を第１ブロックＢ１により印刷し、第１パス領域Ｐ１の他の部分を、第７ブロックＢ７により印刷することができる。すなわち、第１パス領域Ｐ１を、ヘッド４０の搬送方向の一端部側に位置する第１ブロックＢ１と、他端部側に位置する第７ブロックＢ７とによって、互いに補完的に印刷することができる。このため、ヘッド４０の搬送方向の一方の端部付近と他方の端部付近との間で、インクの吐出性能に差がある場合であっても、印刷後の画像において、その吐出性能の差に起因するムラを低減できる。また、印刷用紙９の送りピッチにばらつきが生じる場合でも、その送りピッチのばらつきに起因する印刷画像のムラを低減できる。 Even in such a mode, a part of the first pass area P1 can be printed by the first block B1, and another part of the first pass area P1 can be printed by the seventh block B7. That is, the first pass area P1 can be complementarily printed by the first block B1 located on one end side in the transport direction of the head 40 and the seventh block B7 located on the other end side. . For this reason, even if there is a difference in the ink ejection performance between the vicinity of one end of the head 40 in the transport direction and the vicinity of the other end, the difference in the ejection performance of the printed image is not significant. Can be reduced. Further, even when the feed pitch of the printing paper 9 varies, the unevenness of the printed image due to the variation of the feed pitch can be reduced.
　＜３－３．第３変形例＞
　図１６は、第３変形例に係るインクジェット印刷装置１のブロック図である。図１６の例では、ユーザが、操作パネル７０から、印刷の解像度Ｒを指定することができる。すなわち、図１６の例では、操作パネル７０が、印刷の解像度Ｒを指定する解像度指定部として機能する。操作パネル７０において指定された解像度Ｒは、操作パネル７０からデータ処理基板８２へ入力される。そして、データ処理基板８２は、指定された解像度Ｒに応じて、ヘッド４０の複数のノズル４０１を、複数のブロックに区別する。具体的には、データ処理基板８２は、指定された解像度Ｒに応じて、第１ブロックＢ１の内側部分Ｂ１１および外側部分Ｂ１２の境界の位置を変更する。また、データ処理基板８２は、指定された解像度Ｒに応じて、第７ブロックＢ７の内側部分Ｂ７１および外側部分Ｂ７２の境界の位置を変更する。 <3-3. Third modification>
FIG. 16 is a block diagram of an inkjet printing apparatus 1 according to a third modification. In the example of FIG. 16, the user can specify the printing resolution R from the operation panel 70. That is, in the example of FIG. 16, the operation panel 70 functions as a resolution specifying unit that specifies the printing resolution R. The resolution R specified on the operation panel 70 is input from the operation panel 70 to the data processing board 82. Then, the data processing board 82 distinguishes the plurality of nozzles 401 of the head 40 into a plurality of blocks according to the designated resolution R. Specifically, the data processing board 82 changes the position of the boundary between the inner part B11 and the outer part B12 of the first block B1 according to the specified resolution R. Further, the data processing board 82 changes the position of the boundary between the inner part B71 and the outer part B72 of the seventh block B7 according to the designated resolution R.
　このようにすれば、解像度Ｒに応じて、各ヘッド４０における複数のブロックの指定を最適化できる。したがって、印刷後の画像において、解像度Ｒ毎に、ムラの発生を適切に低減できる。なお、解像度Ｒの指定は、操作パネル７０とは別の手段で行われてもよい。例えば、外部のコンピュータ２からデータ処理基板８２へ、解像度Ｒの情報が入力されるようにしてもよい。 In this way, the designation of a plurality of blocks in each head 40 can be optimized according to the resolution R. Therefore, in the printed image, the occurrence of unevenness can be appropriately reduced for each resolution R. The designation of the resolution R may be performed by means different from the operation panel 70. For example, the information on the resolution R may be input from the external computer 2 to the data processing board 82.
　＜３－４．他の変形例＞
　上記の実施形態では、画像データＤに含まれるパス領域の数Ｎが６であり、ヘッド４０に設定されるブロックの数Ｎ＋１が７であった。しかしながら、Ｎは他の整数であってもよい。例えば、Ｎは３～５であってもよく、７以上であってもよい。 <3-4. Other Modifications>
In the above embodiment, the number N of the pass areas included in the image data D is 6, and the number N + 1 of the blocks set in the head 40 is 7. However, N may be another integer. For example, N may be 3 to 5, or 7 or more.
　また、上記の実施形態では、搬送機構２０により、テーブル１０を搬送方向に移動させていた。しかしながら、搬送機構は、静止したテーブルに対して、ヘッドを搬送方向に移動させるものであってもよい。すなわち、本発明の搬送機構は、ヘッドとテーブルとを、搬送方向に相対移動させるものであればよい。 In the above embodiment, the table 10 is moved in the transport direction by the transport mechanism 20. However, the transport mechanism may move the head in the transport direction with respect to the stationary table. That is, the transport mechanism of the present invention may be any mechanism that relatively moves the head and the table in the transport direction.
　また、上記の実施形態では、走査機構５０により、ヘッド４０を走査方向に移動させていた。しかしながら、走査機構は、静止したヘッドに対して、テーブルを走査方向に移動させるものであってもよい。すなわち、本発明の走査機構は、ヘッドとテーブルとを、走査方向に相対移動させるものであればよい。 In the above embodiment, the head 40 is moved in the scanning direction by the scanning mechanism 50. However, the scanning mechanism may move the table in the scanning direction with respect to the stationary head. That is, the scanning mechanism of the present invention only needs to relatively move the head and the table in the scanning direction.
　また、上記の実施形態では、ステップＳ１の画像データＤの変換処理を、インクジェット印刷装置１内のデータ処理基板８２が行っていた。しかしながら、画像データＤの変換処理は、外部のコンピュータ２が行ってもよい。そして、変換処理済みの画像データＤが、コンピュータ２からデータ処理基板８２へ入力されてもよい。 In the above embodiment, the data processing board 82 in the inkjet printing apparatus 1 performs the conversion processing of the image data D in step S1. However, the conversion processing of the image data D may be performed by the external computer 2. Then, the converted image data D may be input from the computer 2 to the data processing board 82.
　また、上記の実施形態では、制御部８０が、制御基板８１とデータ処理基板８２とで構成されていた。しかしながら、制御部８０は、単一の回路基板により構成されていてもよい。また、制御部８０は、コンピュータにより構成されていてもよい。 In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the control unit 80 includes the control board 81 and the data processing board 82. However, the control unit 80 may be configured by a single circuit board. Further, the control unit 80 may be configured by a computer.
　また、上記の実施形態では、インクジェット印刷装置１が４つのヘッド４０を有していた。しかしながら、インクジェット印刷装置１が有するヘッド４０の数は、１～３つであってもよく、５つ以上であってもよい。例えば、Ｃ（Cyan）、Ｍ（Magenta）、Ｙ（Yellow）、Ｋ（Black）の各色に加えて、特色のインクを吐出するヘッド４０が設けられていてもよい。 In addition, in the above embodiment, the inkjet printing apparatus 1 has four heads 40. However, the number of heads 40 included in the inkjet printing apparatus 1 may be one to three, or may be five or more. For example, a head 40 that ejects a special color ink in addition to each color of C (Cyan), M (Magenta), Y (Yellow), and K (Black) may be provided.
　また、上記の実施形態のインクジェット印刷装置１は、矩形の印刷用紙９に対して１枚ずつ印刷を行う装置であった。しかしながら、本発明のインクジェット印刷装置は、長尺帯状の印刷用紙に対して印刷を行うものであってもよい。その場合、搬送機構は、複数のローラにより印刷用紙を長手方向に搬送するものであってもよい。 {Circle around (1)} The inkjet printing apparatus 1 of the above embodiment is an apparatus that prints one sheet at a time on the rectangular printing paper 9. However, the inkjet printing apparatus of the present invention may perform printing on a long strip-shaped printing paper. In that case, the transport mechanism may transport the printing paper in the longitudinal direction by a plurality of rollers.
　また、上記の実施形態では、印刷媒体として印刷用紙９が用いられていた。しかしながら、印刷媒体として、樹脂フィルムなどの紙以外の基材が用いられてもよい。 In the above embodiment, the printing paper 9 is used as a printing medium. However, a substrate other than paper, such as a resin film, may be used as the print medium.
　また、インクジェット印刷装置の細部の形状については、本願の各図と相違していてもよい。また、上記の実施形態や変形例に登場した各要素を、矛盾が生じない範囲で、適宜に組み合わせてもよい。 細部 Further, the shape of the details of the ink jet printing apparatus may be different from each drawing of the present application. In addition, the elements appearing in the above-described embodiments and the modified examples may be appropriately combined as long as no contradiction occurs.
　１　インクジェット印刷装置
　２　コンピュータ
　９　印刷用紙
　１０　テーブル
　１１　基台部
　２０　搬送機構
　３０　搬送エンコーダ
　４０　ヘッド
　４１　シャトル
　５０　走査機構
　６０　走査エンコーダ
　７０　操作パネル
　８０　制御部
　８１　制御基板
　８２　データ処理基板
　４００　吐出面
　４０１　ノズル
　Ｄ　画像データ
　Ａ　印刷対象領域
　Ｐ１　第１パス領域
　Ｐ２　第２パス領域
　Ｐ３　第３パス領域
　Ｐ４　第４パス領域
　Ｐ５　第５パス領域
　Ｐ６　第６パス領域
　Ｐｕ　単位領域
　Ｂ１　第１ブロック
　Ｂ２　第２ブロック
　Ｂ３　第３ブロック
　Ｂ４　第４ブロック
　Ｂ５　第５ブロック
　Ｂ６　第６ブロック
　Ｂ７　第７ブロック
　Ｂ１１　内側部分
　Ｂ１２　外側部分
　Ｂ７１　内側部分
　Ｂ７２　外側部分
　Ｒ　解像度 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ink-jet printing apparatus 2 Computer 9 Printing paper 10 Table 11 Base unit 20 Transport mechanism 30 Transport encoder 40 Head 41 Shuttle 50 Scanning mechanism 60 Scan encoder 70 Operation panel 80 Control unit 81 Control board 82 Data processing board 400 Discharge surface 401 Nozzle D Image data A Print target area P1 First pass area P2 Second pass area P3 Third pass area P4 Fourth pass area P5 Fifth pass area P6 Sixth pass area Pu Unit area B1 First block B2 Second block B3 Third Block B4 Fourth block B5 Fifth block B6 Sixth block B7 Seventh block B11 Inside part B12 Outside part B71 Inside part B72 Outside part R Resolution

Claims (8)

  1. 　マルチパス方式のインクジェット印刷装置であって、
    　インク滴を吐出する複数のノズルを有するヘッドと、
    　印刷媒体を保持するテーブルと、
    　前記ヘッドと前記テーブルとを、搬送方向に相対移動させる搬送機構と、
    　前記ヘッドと前記テーブルとを、前記搬送方向に対して直交する走査方向に相対移動させる走査機構と、
    　前記搬送機構と前記走査機構とを交互に動作させつつ、前記ヘッドからのインク滴の吐出を実行させる制御部と、
    を備え、
    　前記制御部は、第１パス領域～第Ｎパス領域を含む画像を印刷するときに、
    　ａ）前記ヘッドの前記複数のノズルを、前記搬送方向に並ぶ第１ブロック～第Ｎ＋１ブロックに区別して認識する工程と、
    　ｂ）前記ヘッドの前記第１ブロックにより、前記第１パス領域の一部分を印刷する工程と、
    　ｃ）前記ヘッドの前記第２ブロック～前記第Ｎブロックにより、前記第２パス領域～前記第Ｎパス領域を、それぞれ印刷する工程と、
    　ｄ）前記ヘッドの前記第Ｎ＋１ブロックにより、前記第１パス領域の他の部分を印刷する工程と、
    を実行する、インクジェット印刷装置。     A multi-pass inkjet printing apparatus,
    A head having a plurality of nozzles for discharging ink droplets,
    A table for holding a print medium,
    A transport mechanism for relatively moving the head and the table in a transport direction,
    A scanning mechanism that relatively moves the head and the table in a scanning direction orthogonal to the transport direction;
    A control unit that performs ejection of ink droplets from the head while alternately operating the transport mechanism and the scanning mechanism;
    With
    When printing an image including the first pass area to the Nth pass area,
    a) recognizing the plurality of nozzles of the head by distinguishing them from a first block to an (N + 1) th block arranged in the transport direction;
    b) printing a portion of the first pass area by the first block of the head;
    c) printing the second pass area to the Nth pass area by the second block to the Nth block of the head, respectively;
    d) printing another portion of the first pass area by the (N + 1) th block of the head;
    , An inkjet printing device.
  2. 　請求項１に記載のインクジェット印刷装置であって、
    　前記第２ブロック～前記第Ｎブロックの各ブロックの前記搬送方向の長さＬ１は、同一であり、
    　前記工程ｂ）～ｄ）において、前記搬送機構による前記ヘッドと前記テーブルとの前記搬送方向の１回の相対移動量は、前記長さＬ１である、インクジェット印刷装置。     The inkjet printing apparatus according to claim 1,
    The length L1 in the transport direction of each of the second block to the Nth block is the same,
    In the steps b) to d), the relative movement amount of the head and the table in the transport direction by the transport mechanism in one transport direction is the length L1.
  3. 　請求項２に記載のインクジェット印刷装置であって、
    　前記第１ブロックに属する複数の前記ノズルは、前記ヘッドの前記搬送方向の一端部へ向かうにつれてその数が徐々に減少する複数の有効ノズルを含み、
    　前記第Ｎ＋１ブロックに属する複数の前記ノズルは、前記ヘッドの前記搬送方向の他端部へ向かうにつれてその数が徐々に減少する複数の有効ノズルを含み、
    　前記制御部は、
    　前記工程ｂ）において、前記第１ブロックの前記複数の有効ノズルにより、前記第１パス領域の前記一部分を印刷し、
    　前記工程ｄ）において、前記第Ｎ＋１ブロックの前記複数の有効ノズルにより、前記第１パス領域の前記他の部分を印刷する、インクジェット印刷装置。     An inkjet printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein
    The plurality of nozzles belonging to the first block include a plurality of effective nozzles whose number gradually decreases toward one end of the head in the transport direction,
    The plurality of nozzles belonging to the (N + 1) th block include a plurality of effective nozzles whose number gradually decreases toward the other end of the head in the transport direction,
    The control unit includes:
    In the step b), the portion of the first pass area is printed by the plurality of effective nozzles of the first block;
    In the ink jet printing apparatus, in the step d), the other portion of the first pass area is printed by the plurality of effective nozzles of the (N + 1) th block.
  4. 　請求項３に記載のインクジェット印刷装置であって、
    　前記第１ブロックは、
    　　前記有効ノズルの数が前記搬送方向の位置によらず一定の内側部分と、
    　　前記内側部分よりも前記ヘッドの前記一端部側に位置し、前記有効ノズルの数が前記一端部へ向かうにつれて徐々に減少する外側部分と、
    を含み、
    　前記第Ｎ＋１ブロックは、
    　　前記有効ノズルの数が前記搬送方向の位置によらず一定の内側部分と、
    　　前記内側部分よりも前記ヘッドの前記他端部側に位置し、前記有効ノズルの数が前記他端部へ向かうにつれて徐々に減少する外側部分と、
    を含む、インクジェット印刷装置。     The inkjet printing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein
    The first block includes:
    An inner portion where the number of the effective nozzles is constant regardless of the position in the transport direction,
    An outer portion that is located closer to the one end of the head than the inner portion, and the number of the effective nozzles gradually decreases toward the one end;
    Including
    The (N + 1) th block is:
    An inner portion where the number of the effective nozzles is constant regardless of the position in the transport direction,
    An outer portion that is located closer to the other end of the head than the inner portion, and the number of the effective nozzles gradually decreases toward the other end;
    An inkjet printing apparatus, comprising:
  5. 　請求項４に記載のインクジェット印刷装置であって、
    　前記第１ブロックにおける前記内側部分の前記搬送方向の長さをＬ２１、前記外側部分の前記搬送方向の長さをＬ３とし、
    　前記第Ｎ＋１ブロックにおける前記内側部分の前記搬送方向の長さをＬ２Ｎ、前記外側部分の前記搬送方向の長さをＬ３とすると、
    　前記長さＬ１、Ｌ２１、Ｌ２Ｎ、Ｌ３は、Ｌ２１＋Ｌ２Ｎ＋Ｌ３＝Ｌ１の関係を満たす、インクジェット印刷装置。     The inkjet printing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein
    In the first block, the length of the inner portion in the transport direction is L21, and the length of the outer portion in the transport direction is L3.
    Assuming that the length of the inner portion in the transport direction in the (N + 1) th block is L2N, and the length of the outer portion in the transport direction is L3,
    An inkjet printing apparatus, wherein the lengths L1, L21, L2N, and L3 satisfy a relationship of L21 + L2N + L3 = L1.
  6. 　請求項３に記載のインクジェット印刷装置であって、
    　前記第１ブロックの前記搬送方向の全体において、前記有効ノズルの数が、前記ヘッドの前記一端部へ向かうにつれて徐々に減少し、
    　前記第Ｎ＋１ブロックの前記搬送方向の全体において、前記有効ノズルの数が、前記ヘッドの前記他端部へ向かうにつれて徐々に減少する、インクジェット印刷装置。     The inkjet printing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein
    In the entire transport direction of the first block, the number of the effective nozzles gradually decreases toward the one end of the head,
    An inkjet printing apparatus, wherein the number of effective nozzles gradually decreases toward the other end of the head over the entire transport direction of the (N + 1) th block.
  7. 　請求項１から請求項６までのいずれか１項に記載のインクジェット印刷装置であって、
    　印刷の解像度を指定する解像度指定部
    をさらに備え、
    　前記制御部は、
    　前記工程ａ）において、指定された前記解像度に応じて、前記ヘッドの前記複数のノズルを、前記第１ブロック～前記第Ｎ＋１ブロックに区別する、インクジェット印刷装置。     The inkjet printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein
    It further comprises a resolution designation section for designating the print resolution,
    The control unit includes:
    An inkjet printing apparatus, wherein in the step a), the plurality of nozzles of the head are classified into the first block to the (N + 1) th block according to the specified resolution.
  8. 　ヘッドと印刷媒体との搬送方向の相対移動と、前記ヘッドと前記印刷媒体との前記搬送方向に対して直交する走査方向の相対移動と、を交互に行いつつ、前記ヘッドの複数のノズルからインク滴を吐出する、マルチパス方式のインクジェット印刷方法であって、
    　第１パス領域～第Ｎパス領域を含む画像を印刷するときに、
    　ａ）前記ヘッドの前記複数のノズルを、前記搬送方向に並ぶ第１ブロック～第Ｎ＋１ブロックに区別して認識する工程と、
    　ｂ）前記ヘッドの前記第１ブロックにより、前記第１パス領域の一部分を印刷する工程と、
    　ｃ）前記ヘッドの前記第２ブロック～前記第Ｎブロックにより、前記第２パス領域～前記第Ｎパス領域を、それぞれ印刷する工程と、
    　ｄ）前記ヘッドの前記第Ｎ＋１ブロックにより、前記第１パス領域の他の部分を印刷する工程と、
    を実行するインクジェット印刷方法。     While alternately performing relative movement in the transport direction between the head and the print medium, and relative movement in the scanning direction orthogonal to the transport direction between the head and the print medium, ink is ejected from a plurality of nozzles of the head. A multi-pass inkjet printing method for discharging droplets,
    When printing an image including the first pass area to the Nth pass area,
    a) recognizing the plurality of nozzles of the head by distinguishing them from a first block to an (N + 1) th block arranged in the transport direction;
    b) printing a portion of the first pass area by the first block of the head;
    c) printing the second pass area to the Nth pass area by the second block to the Nth block of the head, respectively;
    d) printing another portion of the first pass area by the (N + 1) th block of the head;
    Perform inkjet printing method.
PCT/JP2019/034736 2018-09-10 2019-09-04 Inkjet printing apparatus and inkjet printing method WO2020054530A1 (en)

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