WO2021090719A1

WO2021090719A1 - Printing device, conveyance device, and method for producing printed matter

Info

Publication number: WO2021090719A1
Application number: PCT/JP2020/040066
Authority: WO
Inventors: 河崎　英敏; 田代　勝巳
Original assignee: 富士フイルム株式会社
Priority date: 2019-11-06
Filing date: 2020-10-26
Publication date: 2021-05-14

Abstract

Provided are a printing device, a conveyance device, and a method for producing a printed matter, which enable, while achieving reduction in device height, appropriate conveyance of a film base material having an image printed thereon by applying thereon a water-based color ink and a water-based white ink. The conveyance device for conveying an impermeable web-shaped film base material along a conveyance path is provided with a non-contact conveyance part that is disposed between a second suction drum for sucking the conveyed film base material and a drying part for drying a water-based color ink and a water-based white ink applied on the film base material, and that blows air from an outlet port so as to convey the film base material in a floated state. The elongation rate of the film base material at the non-contact conveyance unit is 1% or lower, and the floating amount of the film base material is 0.1-2.0 mm.

Description

Printing equipment, transport equipment, and manufacturing methods for printed matter

The present invention relates to a printing device, a transport device, and a method for manufacturing a printed matter, and particularly relates to a technique for floating a base material and transporting it without contact.

A printing device using a non-contact transport means for floating a base material and transporting it without contact is known. For example, Patent Document 1 has a levitation transfer nozzle that ejects air supplied from a blower or the like to float a film before and after a batch processing device, and an intermittent transfer device that changes the transfer direction of the film by the levitation transfer nozzle. Is disclosed. Patent Document 1 exemplifies screen printing and inkjet printing as batch processing.

Further, there is known a so-called back-printed matter in which an image printed on a printed surface of a transparent substrate is visually recognized through the substrate from the surface opposite to the printed surface. In the back-printed printed matter, the concealment of the color image is enhanced by printing the color image with the water-based color ink and then printing the white background image with the water-based white ink.

In Patent Document 2, regarding the water-based white ink, "a water-based white ink composition containing titanium oxide, organic fine particles, a binder resin and water, and titanium oxide is 35 to 35 to the total amount of the ink composition. A water-based white ink composition containing 50% by weight (omitted) is described.

Further, Patent Document 3 describes a technique capable of suppressing the height of the printing apparatus by using the non-contact conveying means.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-188113 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2012-184321 JP-A-2019-119609

In the water-based inkjet printing machine roll base material transfer method using a non-contact transfer means, when the same transfer tension is applied to film substrates having different tensile elastic moduli and conveyed, the film substrate having a small tensile elastic modulus is stretched and printed. When the addition of the transport tension is eliminated, the image returns to its original state due to elastic deformation, so that the degree of contraction of the image increases and the image is deformed. On the other hand, a film base material having a large tensile elastic modulus is difficult to stretch, so its influence is small.

Further, in back printing, when white ink having a thick ink layer and a large specific gravity is applied after applying the color ink, the components having a large specific gravity in the white ink settle and the water content of the ink surface increases, so that the ink There was a problem that the viscosity of the surface became low and white ink flowed.

Furthermore, the water-based white ink has improved the dispersibility technology of titanium oxide, so that the hiding property of the color image can be ensured even if the content of titanium oxide is small. Along with this, the resistance of the water-based white ink to the sprayed air of the non-contact transport means is lowered and it becomes easy to flow, and the image may be adversely affected by ink flow, ink repelling and the like.

Further, Patent Document 3 includes a suction roller that sucks a printing medium as a base material, and four front-stage ejection heads eject process color ink, a rear-stage ejection head ejects white ink, and an upward reversing member. Is disclosed as an air turn bar which is a non-contact transport means. However, the relationship between the tensile elastic modulus, elongation, thickness, width, transfer tension, and air volume of the air turn bar of the print medium is not specified, and the problems to be solved by the present inventors are not focused on. Furthermore, the titanium oxide content of the white ink is not specified.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and is a printing apparatus for appropriately transporting a film substrate on which an image is printed by applying a water-based color ink and a water-based white ink while reducing the height of the apparatus. An object of the present invention is to provide a transport device and a method for manufacturing printed matter.

One aspect of the printing apparatus for achieving the above object is to dispose of a transport device for transporting a web-like film substrate having impermeable property along a transport path and a position facing the transported film substrate. A printing unit for printing an image by applying a water-based color ink and a water-based white ink to the film base material, and a water-based color ink and water-based material arranged on the downstream side of the transport path from the printing unit and applied to the film base material. The transport device is provided with a drying portion for drying the white ink, is arranged at a position facing the printing portion, is arranged with a plurality of pass rollers supporting the film substrate, and is arranged on the upstream side of the transport path with respect to the printing portion. A first suction drum that adsorbs the film substrate, and a second suction drum that is arranged downstream of the transport path from the printing section and upstream of the transport path from the drying section and adsorbs the film substrate, and transport. A non-contact transport section, which is arranged between the second suction drum of the path and the drying section, blows air from the air outlet to float and transport the film substrate, and a transfer tension of the film substrate in the non-contact transfer section. A tension control unit that controls the elongation rate of the film base material to 1% or less, and controls the amount of air blown out according to the film base material to increase the floating amount of the film base material to 0.1 mm or more and 2.0 mm or less. It is a printing apparatus including a blowout amount control unit.

According to this aspect, air is blown out from the outlet to float the film base material, and the amount of air blown out is controlled according to the film base material. Therefore, the water-based color ink is made while reducing the height of the device. And the film substrate on which the image is printed by applying the water-based white ink can be appropriately conveyed.

The printing unit is arranged on the downstream side of the transport path from the color inkjet head for applying the water-based color ink to the film base material and the film base material containing titanium oxide in an amount of 5% by weight or more and 15% by weight or less. It is preferable to include a white inkjet head for applying the water-based white ink. This aspect can be applied to a printing apparatus that applies water-based color ink and water-based white ink by an inkjet head. Further, even when a relatively high-moisture water-based white ink containing 5% by weight or more and 15% by weight or less of titanium oxide is applied, the water-based white ink does not flow or is repelled, and the film base material is used. Can be transported appropriately. In this specification,% by weight is synonymous with% by mass.

It is preferable to provide a primer coating section that is arranged on the upstream side of the transport path from the printing section and that coats the film substrate with a water-based primer that thickens by reacting with the water-based color ink and the water-based white ink. This aspect can be applied to a printing apparatus that applies an aqueous primer that thickens by reacting with an aqueous color ink and an aqueous white ink.

It is preferable to provide a reforming treatment section that is arranged on the upstream side of the transport path from the primer coating section and modifies the film substrate. Thereby, the adhesion between the film base material and the water-based primer and the water-based ink can be improved.

For the non-contact transport unit, it is preferable to change the direction of the transport path from downward to upward. As a result, it is possible to reduce the height (miniaturization) and cost of the printing apparatus. Here, "downward" refers to a direction in which the vehicle travels downward from the horizontal direction, and "upward" refers to a direction in which the vehicle travels upward from the horizontal direction.

It is preferable that the tension control unit increases the transport tension applied to the film base material as the tensile elastic modulus of the film base material increases. Thereby, the film base material can be appropriately conveyed.

It is preferable that the blowout amount control unit controls the amount of air blown out to make the floating amount of the film base material uniform in the non-contact transfer part regardless of the transfer tension. Thereby, the film base material can be appropriately conveyed.

The tensile elastic modulus of the film substrate is 1 GPa or more and 4 GPa or less, the thickness is 12 μm or more and 25 μm or less, and the width is 300 mm or more and 1200 mm or less. It is preferable to do so. Thereby, the film base material can be appropriately conveyed.

The tension control unit preferably controls the transport tension to 10 N or more and 30 N or less when the tensile elastic modulus of the film substrate is 1 GPa, the thickness is 15 μm, and the width is 600 mm. As a result, the elongation rate of the film base material can be reduced to 1% or less.

The blowout amount control unit preferably controls the blowout amount of air to 2 m ³ / min or more and 10 m ³ / min or less. Thereby, the floating amount of the film base material can be set to 0.1 mm or more and 2.0 mm or less.

The tension control unit preferably controls the transport tension to 10 N or more and 120 N or less when the tensile elastic modulus of the film substrate is 4 GPa, the thickness is 12 μm, and the width is 600 mm. As a result, the elongation rate of the film base material can be reduced to 1% or less.

The blowout amount control unit preferably controls the blowout amount of air to 2 m ³ / min or more and 21 m ³ / min or less. Thereby, the floating amount of the film base material can be set to 0.1 mm or more and 2.0 mm or less.

Further, the tension control unit preferably controls the transport tension to 10 N or more and 60 N or less when the tensile elastic modulus of the film substrate is 2 GPa, the thickness is 20 μm, and the width is 600 mm. As a result, the elongation rate of the film base material can be reduced to 1% or less.

The tension control unit controls the transfer tension by the difference between the rotation speed of the second suction drum and the rotation speed of the drive roller that is arranged on the downstream side of the transfer path from the non-contact transfer unit and is in contact with the film substrate. Is preferable. Thereby, the transport tension can be appropriately controlled.

Further, the transfer device is arranged between the second suction drum of the transfer path and the drive roller, and includes a tension pickup roller that detects the transfer tension, and the tension control unit uses the transfer tension detected by the tension pickup roller. It is preferable to control the transport tension based on this. Thereby, the transport tension can be appropriately controlled.

It is preferable that the transport device includes a unwinding roll that unwinds the film base material before transport and a take-up roll that winds up the film base material after transport, and transports the film base material by a roll-to-roll method. Thereby, the film base material can be appropriately conveyed from the unwinding roll to the winding roll.

One aspect of the transport device for achieving the above object is a printing unit for printing an image by applying a water-based color ink and a water-based white ink on a web-like film base material having impermeable property, and a film base material. A transport device that transports a film substrate along a transport path in which a drying portion for drying the applied water-based color ink and water-based white ink is arranged, and is arranged at a position facing the printing portion and is a film base. A plurality of pass rollers that support the material, a first suction drum that is arranged on the upstream side of the transport path from the printing section and adsorbs the film substrate, and a transport path that is downstream of the transport path from the printing section and more than the drying section. The second suction drum, which is arranged on the upstream side of the path and adsorbs the film base material, is arranged between the second suction drum and the drying portion of the transport path, and air is blown out from the outlet to blow the film base material. A non-contact transport unit that floats and transports, a tension control unit that controls the transport tension of the film base material in the non-contact transport unit to reduce the elongation rate of the film base material to 1% or less, and air depending on the film base material. This is a transport device including a blow-out amount control unit that controls the blow-out amount of the film and sets the floating amount of the film substrate to 0.1 mm or more and 2.0 mm or less.

According to this aspect, it is possible to appropriately transport a film base material on which an image is printed by applying a water-based color ink and a water-based white ink while reducing the height of the device.

One aspect of the method for producing a printed matter for achieving the above object is a transport step of transporting a non-permeable web-like film base material along a transport path by a transport device, and a transport film base material. In the printing unit arranged at the opposite positions, the printing step of applying the water-based color ink and the water-based white ink to the film base material to print the image and the printing unit arranged at the position facing the conveyed film base material. A printing process in which a water-based color ink and a water-based white ink are applied to a film base material to print an image, and a water-based color ink applied to the film base material by a drying portion arranged on the downstream side of the transport path from the printing portion. A drying step of drying the water-based white ink and a drying step of drying the water-based white ink are provided, and the transport step includes a support step of supporting the film substrate by a plurality of pass rollers arranged at positions facing the printing section and an upstream of the transport path from the printing section. The first suction step of adsorbing the film substrate by the first suction drum which is arranged on the side and adsorbs the film substrate, and is arranged on the downstream side of the transport path from the printing part and on the upstream side of the transport path from the drying part. The second suction step of adsorbing the film base material by the second suction drum that adsorbs the film base material, and the blowing of the non-contact transport portion arranged between the second suction drum and the drying portion of the transport path. A non-contact transfer process in which air is blown from an outlet to float and transfer the film base material, and a tension control that controls the transfer tension of the film base material in the non-contact transfer unit to reduce the elongation rate of the film base material to 1% or less. It is a method for producing a printed matter including a step and a blowout amount control step of controlling the amount of air blown out according to the film base material and setting the floating amount of the film base material to 0.1 mm or more and 2.0 mm or less.

According to the present invention, it is possible to appropriately transport a film base material on which an image is printed by applying a water-based color ink and a water-based white ink while reducing the height of the apparatus.

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of the inkjet printing apparatus 10. FIG. 2 is a side view showing the configuration of the corona processing unit. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the first non-contact turn portion. FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing the floating transfer of the film base material by the first non-contact turn portion. FIG. 5 is a front view of the hot air heater. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of an inkjet printing apparatus. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing details of the electrical configuration of the jetting control unit and the jetting unit. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a method of manufacturing a printed matter using an inkjet printing apparatus. FIG. 9 is a graph showing the relationship between the elongation rate of the film base material and the transport tension for floating transport, and the air volume for floating transport and the transport tension. FIG. 10 is a graph showing the relationship between the air volume of the floating transport and the floating amount of the film base material. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing each printing condition and evaluation result of the example and the comparative example of printing the film base material by the inkjet printing apparatus. FIG. 12 is a graph showing the relationship between the tensile elastic modulus and the transport tension.

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

<Printing equipment>
[Configuration of inkjet printing equipment]
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of the inkjet printing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment. The inkjet printing device 10 is a printing device that prints an image on a web-shaped film substrate 1 which is a non-penetrating medium by a single pass method. The film base material 1 is a transparent medium used for flexible packaging. The film base material 1 is, for example, ONY (Oriented Nylon), OPP (Oriented Poly Propylene), or PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate). The inkjet printing apparatus 10 manufactures a back-printed printed matter in which the printing target is visually recognized from the side opposite to the printing surface with respect to the film base material 1.

Note that non-penetration means having non-penetration with respect to the water-based primer and water-based ink described later. Flexible packaging refers to packaging made of a material that deforms depending on the shape of the article to be packaged. Transparency means that the transmittance of visible light is 30% or more and 100% or less, and preferably 70% or more and 100% or less.

As shown in FIG. 1, the inkjet printing apparatus 10 includes a transport unit 20, an unwinding unit 30, a precoat unit 50, a jetting unit 80, a main drying unit 100, and a winding unit 120. It is composed.

[Transport section]
The transport unit 20 (an example of a transport device) transports the film base material 1 from the unwinding unit 30 to the winding unit 120 along a transport path.

The unwinding unit 30 includes an unwinding roll 32. The unwinding roll 32 includes a rotatably supported reel (not shown). A film base material 1 before the image is printed (an example before transportation) is wound on the reel in a roll shape. On the other hand, the take-up unit 120 includes a take-up roll 122. The take-up roll 122 includes a rotatably supported reel (not shown). One end of the film base material 1 is connected to the reel. The take-up roll 122 includes a take-up motor (not shown) for rotationally driving the reel.

The transport unit 20 includes a plurality of pass rollers 22 that function as guide rollers. The transport unit 20 includes a plurality of pass rollers 22, a first suction drum 84 corresponding to the main feed roller, a first drive roller 34 corresponding to the sub feed roller, a coating roller 54, and a second suction drum. The film base material 1 is conveyed by the 86, the third drive roller 106, the fourth drive roller 130, and the take-up roll 122.

Further, the transport unit 20 includes a first tension pickup roller 23, a second tension pickup roller 24, a third tension pickup roller 25, a fourth tension pickup roller 26, and a fifth tension pickup roller 27. And the sixth tension pickup roller 28 detect the transport tension of the film base material 1, respectively. The transport tension is a tensile force that the film base material 1 receives in the traveling direction of the film base material 1.

The transport unit 20 rotationally drives the first suction drum 84 by a motor (not shown) to unwind the film base material 1 from the unwinding roll 32. Further, the transport unit 20 rotationally drives the reel of the take-up roll 122 by the take-up motor to wind the printed (example after transport) film base material 1 on the take-up roll 122.

The transport unit 20 guides the film base material 1 unwound from the unwinding roll 32 by the

pass rollers

22, 22, ..., The unwinding unit 30, the precoat unit 50, the jetting unit 80, the main drying unit 100, and the winding unit 20. The parts 120 are conveyed in this order.

In this way, the film base material 1 is conveyed by the conveying unit 20 in a roll-to-roll manner along the conveying path from the unwinding roll 32 to the take-up roll 122. In this specification, the transport path of the film base material 1 may be simply referred to as a “transport path”. Further, the length of the printed surface of the film base material 1 in the direction orthogonal to the traveling direction of the film base material 1 is referred to as the width of the film base material 1. The length in the direction orthogonal to the printing surface of the film base material 1 is called the thickness of the film base material 1.

[Unwinding part]
The unwinding unit 30 includes an unwinding roll 32, a first drive roller 34, a second drive roller 36, and a corona processing unit 38.

Pass rollers

22, 22, ... Are arranged in the transport path of the unwinding portion 30. The film base material 1 unwound from the unwinding roll 32 is guided by the

pass rollers

22 and 22 and conveyed to the first drive roller 34.

The first drive roller 34 is rotated by a motor (not shown) and comes into contact with the film base material 1 to convey the film base material 1. The film base material 1 conveyed by the first drive roller 34 is conveyed to the second drive roller 36. The second drive roller 36 is rotated by a motor (not shown) and comes into contact with the film base material 1 to convey the film base material 1.

The film base material 1 conveyed by the second drive roller 36 is conveyed to a position facing the corona processing unit 38.

The corona processing unit 38 (an example of the reforming processing unit) is arranged on the upstream side of the transport path from the precoat unit 50. The corona treatment unit 38 applies a corona discharge treatment to the printed surface of the film substrate 1 to improve the adhesion between the water-repellent printed surface and the water-based primer and the water-based ink.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing the configuration of the corona processing unit 38. The corona processing unit 38 includes a pass roller 40, a counter electrode roller 42, a pass roller 44, and a discharge electrode 46. The film base material 1 is guided by the

pass rollers

40 and 44 and wound around the upper peripheral surface of the counter electrode roller 42. The discharge electrode 46 is arranged at a position facing the upper peripheral surface of the counter electrode roller 42. Although not shown, 5 to 10 discharge electrodes 46 are provided. The corona processing unit 38 generates a corona discharge in the gap between the counter electrode roller 42 and the discharge electrode 46. As a result, the film base material 1 conveyed by the counter electrode roller 42 is subjected to a corona discharge treatment, and the printed surface of the film base material 1 is surface-modified.

The surface free energy of the printed surface of the film substrate 1 is surface-modified by corona discharge treatment to 40 mN / m or more and 60 mN / m or less, which is the surface free energy suitable for an aqueous mixture of an aqueous primer and an aqueous ink. As described above, the corona treatment unit 38 can ensure the wettability of the printed surface of the film substrate 1 suitable for the aqueous mixture.

Returning to the description of FIG. 1, the film base material 1 having a modified printing surface is guided by the

pass rollers

22 and 22 and conveyed to the first tension pickup roller 23. The film base material 1 whose transfer tension is detected by the first tension pickup roller 23 is guided by the pass roller 22 and conveyed from the unwinding portion 30 to the precoat portion 50.

[Pre-coat part]
The precoat portion 50 (an example of the primer coating portion) is arranged on the upstream side of the transport path with respect to the jetting portion 80. The precoat portion 50 applies an aqueous primer to the printed surface of the film substrate 1. The water-based primer is a liquid containing water and a component that aggregates, insolubilizes, or thickens the color material component in the water-based ink, and thickens by reacting with the water-based color ink and the water-based white ink. The amount of the water-based primer applied is about 1/10 of the amount of the water-based ink applied by the jetting unit 80. The viscosity of the aqueous primer is 0.5 cP or more and 5.0 cP or less. In addition, 1cP is 0.001Pa · s.

The precoat portion 50 includes a coater 52 and a PC (Precoat) drying portion 58.

Pass rollers

22, 22, ... Are arranged in the transport path of the precoat portion 50. The film base material 1 conveyed from the unwinding portion 30 is guided by the

pass rollers

22, 22, ..., And is conveyed to a position facing the coater 52.

The coater 52 is a chamber doctor type coater. The coater 52 includes a coating roller 54, a chamber 55, an opposing roller 56, and a blade (not shown). The coating roller 54 is rotated by a motor (not shown). Chamber 55 stores the aqueous primer. The coater 52 supplies an aqueous primer to the surface of the coating roller 54 that rotates from the chamber 55. The blade scrapes off excess aqueous primer on the surface of the rotating coating roller 54. The coating roller 54 sandwiches the film base material 1 with the opposing roller 56, brings the surface to which the water-based primer is supplied into contact with the printing surface of the film base material 1, and brings the water-based primer supplied to the surface to the film base material. Apply to the printing surface of 1.

The coater 52 is not limited to the chamber doctor type coater, and a direct gravure coater or a kiss reverse coater may be applied.

The film base material 1 coated with the aqueous primer is guided by the

pass rollers

22, 22, ..., And is conveyed to a position facing the PC drying portion 58.

The PC drying section 58 corresponds to a precoat (PC) drying means for drying the aqueous primer applied to the printed surface of the film substrate 1 by the precoat section 50. The PC drying unit 58 includes a hot air heater (not shown). The hot air heater has two slit nozzles (not shown) that span the entire width of the film substrate 1. The PC drying unit 58 blows warm air from the slit nozzle of the warm air heater toward the printing surface of the film substrate 1 to dry the aqueous primer.

The film base material 1 on which the aqueous primer has been dried is transported from the precoat portion 50 to the jetting portion 80.

[Jeting section]
The jetting unit 80 prints an image on the printing surface of the film base material 1. The jetting unit 80 controls the temperature of the film substrate 1 to 23 ° C. or higher and 30 ° C. or lower from the viewpoint of maintaining print quality. The jetting unit 80 includes a first non-contact turn unit 60, a first suction drum 84, a second suction drum 86, a color printing unit 88, a white printing unit 90, and a second non-contact turn. A unit 92 is provided.

The film base material 1 conveyed from the precoat portion 50 is conveyed to the second tension pickup roller 24. The film base material 1 whose transfer tension is detected by the second tension pickup roller 24 is guided by the

pass rollers

22 and 22 and is conveyed to the first non-contact turn portion 60.

The first non-contact turn portion 60 changes the direction of the transport path (the traveling direction of the film base material 1) from downward to upward without contacting the printed surface of the film base material 1. That is, the film base material 1 guided downward by the pass roller 22 is guided upward by the first non-contact turn portion 60.

In the present specification, "downward" refers not only to the direction directly below but also to the direction in which the vehicle travels downward from the horizontal direction. Similarly, "upward" refers to a direction in which the vehicle travels upward from the horizontal direction, not limited to the direction directly above.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the first non-contact turn portion 60. The first non-contact turn portion 60 includes a turn bar 62. The turn bar 62 has a front surface, a back surface, and a lower surface, and a transport plate 64 having a U-shaped cross section, and two

side plates

66, 66, which form a side surface and cover both ends of the transport plate 64, and an upper surface. It is composed of a top plate 68 that covers the upper end of the transport plate 64 and a top plate 68.

The transport plate 64 is composed of a curved surface portion 64A curved in an arc shape and a flat surface portion 64B extending from both ends of the arc of the curved surface portion 64A. The transport plate 64 corresponds to a blowing surface that blows air onto the film base material 1. On the entire surface of the curved surface portion 64A and the flat surface portion 64B, a plurality of outlets 64C having the same size are arranged in a staggered manner at predetermined pitches in the vertical and horizontal directions. The pitch of the outlet 64C is preferably set according to the hole diameter of the outlet 64C. The outlet 64C is a circular through hole.

The inside of the turn bar 62 is divided into three

rooms

72A, 72B, and 72C at equal intervals by two

partition plates

70, 70, and the air flow between the rooms is blocked. Further, the top plate 68 is provided with

air ducts

74A, 74B, 74C for supplying air to each of the three

rooms

72A, 72B, 72C. Blowers (not shown) are connected to the

air ducts

74A, 74B, and 74C, respectively.

As the turn bar 62, an air turn bar TBA or TBE manufactured by BELLMATIC Co., Ltd. can be used.

The air supplied from the blower to the

air ducts

74A, 74B, 74C is blown out from the outlet 64C. The temperature of the air blown out from the outlet 64C is room temperature. The film base material 1 floats from the transport plate 64 by the air blown from the outlet 64C, and is floated and transported to the turn bar 62 without contact. The levitation transport is synonymous with levitation transport, non-contact transport, and air float transport.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing the floating transfer of the film base material 1 by the first non-contact turn portion 60. A color ink layer 1A and a white ink layer 1B are formed on the printing surface of the film base material 1. According to the first non-contact turn portion 60, the film base material 1 can be conveyed without contacting the color ink layer 1A and the white ink layer 1B.

In the present embodiment, the first non-contact turn portion 60 turns the direction of the transport path by 180 degrees, but the change in the direction of the transport path is not limited to 180 degrees, and the traveling direction before and after the turn is from downward to upward. It should be changed to.

Returning to the description of FIG. 1, the first non-contact turn portion 60 floats the film base material 1 from the transport plate 64 by a predetermined levitation amount (a predetermined distance from the blowout surface) to guide the transport path of the film base material 1. Turn 180 degrees from downward to upward. The film base material 1 turned by the first non-contact turn portion 60 is conveyed to the first suction drum 84.

The first suction drum 84 is arranged on the upstream side of the transport path from the color printing unit 88 and the white printing unit 90.

The first suction drum 84 is rotated by a motor (not shown), and the film base material 1 is attracted to the outer peripheral surface and conveyed. The first suction drum 84 has a plurality of suction holes (not shown) on the outer peripheral surface. The first suction drum 84 sucks the film base material 1 on the outer peripheral surface by sucking the suction holes by a pump (not shown).

The film base material 1 conveyed by the first suction drum 84 is supported and guided by

pass rollers

22, 22, ... Arranged at regular intervals along the transfer path, and is conveyed to the third tension pickup roller 25. Will be done. The film base material 1 whose transfer tension is detected by the third tension pickup roller 25 is transferred to the second suction drum 86.

The second suction drum 86 is arranged on the downstream side of the transport path from the color printing section 88 and the white printing section 90 and on the upstream side of the transport path from the main drying section 100. The second suction drum 86 is rotated by a motor (not shown) to attract and convey the film base material 1 to the outer peripheral surface. The configuration of the second suction drum 86 is the same as that of the first suction drum 84.

A color printing unit 88, a white printing unit 90, and an inspection unit 97 are arranged in a transport path between the first suction drum 84 and the second suction drum 86. That is, the first suction drum 84 and the second suction drum 86 are arranged before and after the color printing unit 88, the white printing unit 90, and the inspection unit 97. The first suction drum 84 and the second suction drum 86 are arranged before and after the color printing unit 88, the white printing unit 90, and the inspection unit 97 because the film does not come into contact with the printing surface of the film substrate 1. This is to set the transport tension on the base material 1.

The film base material 1 conveyed from the first suction drum 84 is conveyed to a position facing the color printing unit 88. The color printing unit 88 applies a water-based color ink to the printing surface of the film substrate 1 to print a color image. The color printing unit 88 includes an inkjet head (integration bar) 96K, 96C, 96M, 96Y (an example of a color inkjet head).

The inkjet heads 96K, 96C, 96M, and 96Y eject water-based inks of black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y), respectively. The water-based ink refers to an ink in which a coloring material such as a dye or a pigment is dissolved or dispersed in water and a solvent soluble in water. As the pigment of each water-based ink, an organic pigment is used. The viscosity of each water-based ink is 0.5 cP or more and 5.0 cP or less. Water-based ink is supplied to each of the inkjet heads 96K, 96C, 96M, and 96Y from an ink tank of a corresponding color (not shown) via a piping path (not shown).

The inkjet heads 96K, 96C, 96M, and 96Y are each composed of a line-type recording head that can be printed by scanning once with respect to the film substrate 1 conveyed by the conveying unit 20. In the inkjet heads 96K, 96C, 96M, 96Y, nozzle surfaces (not shown) are arranged so as to face the

pass rollers

22, 22, .... That is, the inkjet heads 96K, 96C, 96M, 96Y are arranged at regular intervals along the transport path.

A plurality of nozzles, which are water-based ink ejection ports, are two-dimensionally arranged on each nozzle surface of the inkjet heads 96K, 96C, 96M, and 96Y. The nozzle surface refers to the discharge surface on which the nozzle is formed. A water-repellent film is formed on each nozzle surface of the inkjet heads 96K, 96C, 96M, and 96Y.

The inkjet heads 96K, 96C, 96M, and 96Y can each be configured by connecting a plurality of head modules in the width direction of the film base material 1.

A droplet of water-based ink is ejected from at least one of the inkjet heads 96K, 96C, 96M, and 96Y toward the printing surface of the film substrate 1 conveyed by the conveying unit 20, and the ejected droplet is a film base. By adhering to the material 1, an image is printed on the printing surface of the film base material 1.

Although the configuration using four colors of water-based ink is shown here, the ink color and the number of colors are not limited to this embodiment. For example, an inkjet head that ejects light color inks such as light magenta and light cyan, special color inks such as green, orange, and violet, clear ink, and metallic ink may be added. Further, the arrangement order of the inkjet heads of each color is not limited.

The film base material 1 on which the color image is printed by the color printing unit 88 is conveyed to a position facing the white printing unit 90.

The white printing unit 90 is arranged on the downstream side of the transport path from the color printing unit 88. The white printing unit 90 applies a water-based white ink to the printing surface of the film substrate 1 to print a white background image. Titanium oxide is used as the pigment of the water-based white ink, and the specific gravity is relatively larger than that of the organic pigment of the color ink, and the entire ink liquid is relatively heavy. The white printing unit 90 includes inkjet heads 96W1 and 96W2.

The configurations of the inkjet heads 96W1 and 96W2 (an example of the white inkjet head) are the same as those of the inkjet heads 96K, 96C, 96M, and 96Y. White water-based ink is supplied to the inkjet heads 96W1 and 96W2 from an ink tank (not shown) via a piping path (not shown). In the inkjet heads 96W1 and 96W2, nozzle surfaces (not shown) are arranged to face the

pass rollers

22 and 22, respectively. That is, the inkjet heads 96W1 and 96W2 are arranged at regular intervals along the transport path.

A droplet of water-based white ink is ejected from at least one of the inkjet heads 96W1 and 96W2 toward the printing surface of the film substrate 1 conveyed by the conveying unit 20, and the ejected droplets are discharged onto the film substrate 1. By adhering, a white background image is printed on the printing surface of the film base material 1.

Although the configuration using two inkjet heads 96W1 and 96W2 is shown here, only one inkjet head may be used, or three or more inkjet heads may be used.

The water-based color ink and water-based white ink applied to the printed surface of the film base material 1 in the jetting portion 80 undergo a condensation thickening reaction by the water-based primer applied to the printed surface of the film base material 1 in the precoat portion 50.

The film base material 1 on which the white background image is printed by the white printing unit 90 is guided by the pass roller 22 and conveyed to a position facing the inspection unit 97.

The inspection unit 97 inspects a test pattern image such as a nozzle check pattern printed on the film substrate 1 on the inkjet heads 96K, 96C, 96M, 96Y, 96W1 and 96W2. The inspection unit 97 includes a first scanner 98 and a second scanner 99. The first scanner 98 and the second scanner 99 include an imaging device that captures a test pattern image printed on the printed surface of the film substrate 1 and converts it into an electric signal, respectively. A color CCD (Charge Coupled Device) linear image sensor can be used as the image pickup device. A color CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) linear image sensor can be used instead of the color CCD linear image sensor.

The first scanner 98 and the second scanner 99 are respectively arranged on the print surface side of the film base material 1, and the test pattern image printed on the print surface of the film base material 1 is read from the print surface side. The test pattern image read by the first scanner 98 and the second scanner 99 is determined by a determination unit (not shown), and a defective nozzle is identified.

The film base material 1 whose test pattern image has been inspected by the inspection unit 97 is guided downward by the second suction drum 86 and conveyed to the second non-contact turn unit 92.

The second non-contact turn portion 92 (an example of the non-contact transport portion) is arranged between the second suction drum 86 of the transport path and the main drying section 100, and is particularly immediately after the white printing section 90 in the transport path. Be placed. The second non-contact turn portion 92 changes the direction of the transport path from downward to upward without contacting the printed surface of the film substrate 1. The configuration of the second non-contact turn portion 92 is the same as that of the first non-contact turn portion 60. The second non-contact turn portion 92 floats the film base material 1 with a predetermined levitation amount and turns it 180 degrees. The second non-contact turn portion 92 may be provided with a drying function by air blowing. According to the second non-contact turn portion 92, since it does not come into contact with the printed surface, it does not affect the image printed on the printed surface.

The amount of air blown by the second non-contact turn unit 92 is controlled by the air volume control unit 192 (see FIG. 7). Further, the second non-contact turn portion 92 may be provided with a temperature control device for controlling the temperature of the blown air. The temperature of the air is involved in the elongation of the film substrate 1. Further, the air volume of air is related to the floating amount of the film base material 1.

The film base material 1 turned by the second non-contact turn portion 92 is guided by the

pass rollers

22, 22, ..., And is conveyed to the fourth tension pickup roller 26.

The film base material 1 whose transfer tension is detected by the fourth tension pickup roller 26 is transferred from the jetting section 80 to the main drying section 100. In this way, the inkjet printing apparatus 10 turns the film substrate 1 in a non-contact manner between printing and drying. By changing the direction of the transport path from downward to upward by the second non-contact turn portion 92, the transport path can be made straight, and the height and cost of the inkjet printing apparatus 10 can be reduced. Can be done. Reducing the height of the device means making the total height of the device less than 3 m, more preferably 2 m or less.

A spare (not shown) that preheats the film base material 1 between the second suction drum 86 and the second non-contact turn portion 92 of the transport path for the purpose of increasing the viscosity of the water-based color ink and the water-based white ink. A heating unit may be provided. The preheating unit may be, for example, an IR (InfraRed) heating unit, a warm air heating unit, or an electromagnetic wave (microwave) heating unit. Since the film substrate 1 deforms at about 60 ° C., an electromagnetic wave heating unit using an electromagnetic wave having a wavelength selectively absorbed by the water-based color ink and the water-based white ink is preferable.

[Main drying part]
The main drying section 100 is arranged on the downstream side of the transport path with respect to the jetting section 80. The main drying unit 100 dries the water-based ink applied to the printed surface of the film substrate 1. The main drying unit 100 includes a plurality of hot air heaters 104 and a third drive roller 106.

Pass rollers

22, 22, ... Are arranged in the transport path of the main drying section 100. The film base material 1 conveyed from the jetting unit 80 is guided by the

pass rollers

22, 22, ..., And is conveyed to the third drive roller 106.

A plurality of hot air heaters 104 are arranged in the transport path of the main drying unit 100 to the third drive roller 106.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the hot air heater 104A, which is one of the hot air heaters 104, as viewed from the jetting unit 80. The hot air heater 104 includes a blowing surface 108. A plurality of round nozzles 110 are arranged on the air blowing surface 108. Warm air is blown from each of the round nozzles 110. The configuration of the other hot air heater 104 is the same as that of the hot air heater 104A.

Returning to the description of FIG. 1, each of the hot air heaters 104 including the hot air heater 104A is arranged with the air blowing surface 108 facing the printing surface of the film base material 1. Each hot air heater 104 blows warm air from the round nozzle 110 toward the printing surface of the film base material 1 to dry the water-based ink.

The film base material 1 whose water-based ink has been dried by the warm air heater 104 is conveyed to the third drive roller 106. The third drive roller 106 is rotated by a motor (not shown) and comes into contact with the film base material 1 to convey the film base material 1.

The film base material 1 conveyed by the third drive roller 106 is guided by the

pass rollers

22, 22, ..., And is conveyed from the main drying section 100 to the winding section 120.

[Winding section]
The take-up unit 120 includes a take-up roll 122, an inspection unit 124, a fourth drive roller 130, a fifth drive roller 132, and a pressing roller 136.

Pass rollers

22, 22, ... Are arranged in the transport path of the winding unit 120. The film base material 1 conveyed from the main drying section 100 is guided by the pass roller 22 and conveyed to the fifth tension pickup roller 27. The film base material 1 whose transfer tension is detected by the fifth tension pickup roller 27 is guided by the pass roller 22 and conveyed to a position facing the inspection unit 124.

The inspection unit 124 inspects the image printed on the printed surface of the film base material 1. The inspection unit 124 includes a third scanner 126 and a fourth scanner 128. The configuration of the third scanner 126 and the fourth scanner 128 is the same as that of the first scanner 98 and the second scanner 99.

The third scanner 126 and the fourth scanner 128 are respectively arranged on the opposite side of the printing surface of the film base material 1, and read the image printed on the printing surface of the film base material 1 from the opposite side of the printing surface. .. The quality of the image read by the third scanner 126 and the fourth scanner 128 is determined by a determination unit (not shown).

The film base material 1 whose image has been inspected by the inspection unit 124 is guided by the pass roller 22 and conveyed to the fourth drive roller 130. The fourth drive roller 130 is rotated by a motor (not shown) and comes into contact with the film base material 1 to convey the film base material 1. The film base material 1 conveyed by the fourth drive roller 130 is conveyed to the fifth drive roller 132. The fifth drive roller 132 is rotated by a motor (not shown) and comes into contact with the film base material 1 to convey the film base material 1.

The film base material 1 conveyed by the fifth drive roller 132 is guided by the

pass rollers

22, 22, ... And is conveyed to the sixth tension pickup roller 28. The film base material 1 whose transfer tension is detected by the sixth tension pickup roller 28 is guided by the pass roller 22 and wound on the take-up roll 122.

A holding roller 136 is arranged at a position facing the take-up roll 122. The pressing roller 136 is provided at the tip of the swing arm 138. The swing arm 138 presses the pressing roller 136 against the film base material 1 wound on the winding roll 122 by a pressing means (not shown).

As described above, the inkjet printing apparatus 10 adopts the pass roller method of printing on the film base material 1 with the inkjet head located on the pass roller, so that the color printing unit 88 can print the four inkjet heads 96K, 96C, 96M, 96Y. Even if it is arranged, the height of the apparatus can be suppressed, and the height of the inkjet printing apparatus 10 is reduced. When the inkjet head is arranged on the drawing drum, the drum diameter becomes 2 to 3 m or more, and it is not possible to realize a low height of the apparatus.

[Control system for inkjet printing equipment]
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the inkjet printing apparatus 10. The inkjet printing apparatus 10 includes a user interface 170, a storage unit 172, a general control unit 174, a transfer control unit 176, an unwinding control unit 178, a precoat control unit 180, a jetting control unit 182, and a main drying unit. It includes a control unit 184 and a take-up control unit 186.

The user interface 170 includes an input unit (not shown) and a display unit (not shown) for the user to operate the inkjet printing device 10. The input unit is, for example, an operation panel that receives input from a user. The display unit is, for example, a display that displays image data and various types of information. The user can have the inkjet printing apparatus 10 print a desired image by operating the user interface 170. Further, the user may input the type of the film base material 1 in the user interface 170.

The storage unit 172 stores a program for controlling the inkjet printing device 10 and information necessary for executing the program. The storage unit 172 is composed of a hard disk (not shown) or a non-temporary recording medium such as various semiconductor memories. The storage unit 172 may store print data indicating an image to be printed on the film substrate 1.

The integrated control unit 174 performs various processes according to the program stored in the storage unit 172, and controls the overall operation of the inkjet printing apparatus 10.

The transport control unit 176 controls the transport unit 20. The transport control unit 176 controls the rotation of a motor or the like (not shown) and rotates the film base material 1 at a predetermined speed to transport the film base material 1 in a roll-to-roll manner. Further, the transport control unit 176 includes a first tension pickup roller 23, a second tension pickup roller 24, a third tension pickup roller 25, a fourth tension pickup roller 26, and a fifth tension pickup roller. 27 and the sixth tension pickup roller 28 are controlled to detect the transport tension of the film base material 1, respectively.

The unwinding control unit 178 controls the rotation of a motor (not shown) to rotate the first drive roller 34 and the second drive roller 36 at predetermined speeds, respectively. Further, the unwinding control unit 178 controls the corona processing unit 38 to perform a corona discharge treatment on the film base material 1 to modify the printed surface of the film base material 1.

The precoat control unit 180 controls the coater 52. That is, the precoat control unit 180 controls the rotation of the motor (not shown) of the coating roller 54, rotates the coating roller 54 at a predetermined speed, and applies the aqueous primer to the printed surface of the film substrate 1 by the coating roller 54. Let me. Further, the precoat control unit 180 controls heating of the PC drying unit 58 by a hot air heater (not shown), and dries the aqueous primer applied to the printed surface of the film substrate 1 by the hot air heater.

The jetting control unit 182 controls the jetting unit 80 and the third drive roller 106 of the main drying unit 100. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing details of the electrical configuration of the jetting control unit 182 and the jetting unit 80. The jetting control unit 182 includes a print control unit 188, a tension control unit 190, and an air volume control unit 192.

The print control unit 188 controls the color print unit 88 and the white print unit 90.

The print control unit 188 controls the ejection of ink by the inkjet heads 96K, 96C, 96M, 96Y based on the print data. That is, the print control unit 188 uses the inkjet heads 96K, 96C, 96M, and 96Y to liquid the black, cyan, magenta, and yellow water-based inks at the timing when the film substrate 1 passes through the positions facing the nozzle surfaces. Drops are ejected toward the film substrate 1. As a result, a color image is printed on the printing surface of the film base material 1.

Further, the print control unit 188 controls the ink ejection by the inkjet heads 96W1 and 96W2 based on the print data. That is, the jetting control unit 182 directs the white water-based ink droplets toward the film base material 1 at the timing when the film base material 1 passes through the positions facing the nozzle surfaces by the inkjet heads 96W1 and 96W2. Discharge. As a result, a white background image is printed on the printing surface of the film substrate 1. The white background image is not limited to the image printed on the entire surface of the color image area, and may be an image selectively printed with respect to the color image area.

Further, the print control unit 188 controls the imaging by the inspection unit 97 to read the test pattern image printed on the film substrate 1. The print control unit 188 causes the first scanner 98 and the second scanner 99 to read the test pattern image at the timing when the test pattern image printed on the film substrate 1 passes through the position facing the inspection unit 97. .. The print control unit 188 may store the images read by the first scanner 98 and the second scanner 99 in the storage unit 172. The print control unit 188 controls a determination unit (not shown) to identify defective nozzles from the images read by the first scanner 98 and the second scanner 99.

The tension control unit 190 controls the transport tension, which is the tension in the moving direction of the film base material 1 which is levitated and transported by the second non-contact turn portion 92. The tension control unit 190 controls the rotation speed of the third drive roller 106 with respect to the rotation speed of the second suction drum 86, and the transfer tension of the film base material 1 detected by the fourth tension pickup roller 26 is preset. A difference in rotational speed is given to the second suction drum 86 and the third drive roller 106 so as to obtain the transferred transfer tension. The tension control unit 190 sets a higher transport tension as the tensile elastic modulus (Young's modulus) of the film base material 1 is larger, and sets a lower transport tension as the tensile elastic modulus of the film base material 1 is smaller. Make the elongation amount of the material 1 uniform.

In the following, the transport tension of the film base material 1 that is levitated and transported by the second non-contact turn portion 92 may be referred to as “floating transport transport tension”.

The tension control unit 190 makes a first tension with respect to the rotation speed of the first suction drum 84 or the coating roller 54 so that the transport tension of the film substrate 1 detected by the first tension pickup roller 23 becomes a desired tension. The rotation speed of the drive roller 34 may be controlled. Further, the tension control unit 190 rotates the coating roller 54 with respect to the rotation speed of the first suction drum 84 so that the transport tension of the film base material 1 detected by the second tension pickup roller 24 becomes a desired tension. The speed may be controlled.

The tension control unit 190 of the second suction drum 86 with respect to the rotation speed of the first suction drum 84 so that the transport tension of the film base material 1 detected by the third tension pickup roller 25 becomes a desired tension. The rotation speed may be controlled. Further, the tension control unit 190 uses a fourth drive roller with respect to the rotation speed of the third drive roller 106 so that the transport tension of the film base material 1 detected by the fifth tension pickup roller 27 becomes a desired tension. The rotation speed of 130 may be controlled. Further, the tension control unit 190 of the take-up roll 122 with respect to the rotation speed of the fifth drive roller 132 so that the transport tension of the film base material 1 detected by the sixth tension pickup roller 28 becomes a desired tension. The rotation speed may be controlled.

The air volume control unit 192 (an example of the blowout volume control unit) controls the second non-contact turn unit 92. The air volume control unit 192 selects and switches the amount of air blown out (air volume) from the outlet 64C of the second non-contact turn unit 92 from at least two types of set values according to the type of the film base material 1. By controlling the air volume of the air, the air volume control unit 192 makes the levitation amount of the film base material 1 levitation and conveyed by the second non-contact turn unit 92 uniform regardless of the transfer tension.

If the floating amount is too small, the film base material 1 comes into contact with the turn bar 62 to block and cause image defects when transporting a printed matter having a high printed surface height (a large amount of applied water-based ink). Blocking is a phenomenon in which the ink applied to the film base material 1 is transferred to another member when the printed surface of the film base material 1 comes into contact with another member.

On the other hand, if the floating amount is too large, the meandering amount of the film base material 1 is increased, and the color printing section 88 and the white printing section 90 on the upstream side of the transport path of the second non-contact turn portion 92 are misaligned. It may occur, or the water-based ink applied to the printed surface of the film substrate 1 may flow to cause image defects.

In the present embodiment, the air volume control unit 192 controls the amount of air blown out according to the transfer tension set by the tension control unit 190, so that the film substrate is levitated and conveyed by the second non-contact turn unit 92. Make the levitation amount of 1 uniform regardless of the transport tension. It should be noted that a larger radius of the curved surface portion 64A (see FIG. 3) of the turn bar 62 is preferable in order to increase the blowout amount because a larger number of outlets 64C can be arranged.

The air volume control unit 192 may control the amount of air blown out from the air outlet 64C of the first non-contact turn unit 60, if necessary.

In the following, the amount of air blown out from the outlet 64C of the second non-contact turn portion 92 is referred to as the “air volume for floating transfer”, and the amount of air blown from the outlet surface of the film base material 1 floated and conveyed by the second non-contact turn portion 92. The levitation amount of is sometimes referred to as "the levitation amount of levitation transport".

Returning to the description of FIG. 6, the main drying control unit 184 controls the main drying unit 100. The main drying control unit 184 controls heating by the hot air heater 104. The main drying control unit 184 controls the temperature and air volume of the hot air heater 104 to dry the water-based ink.

The take-up control unit 186 controls the rotation of a motor (not shown) to rotate the fourth drive roller 130 and the fifth drive roller 132 at predetermined speeds, respectively. The take-up control unit 186 controls the image pickup by the inspection unit 124 to read the image printed on the film base material 1. The take-up control unit 186 causes the third scanner 126 and the fourth scanner 128 to read the image at the timing when the image printed on the film substrate 1 passes through the position facing the inspection unit 124. The take-up control unit 186 may store the images read by the third scanner 126 and the fourth scanner 128 in the storage unit 172.

Further, the take-up control unit 186 controls a determination unit (not shown) to determine the quality of the image printed on the film substrate 1 from the images read by the third scanner 126 and the fourth scanner 128. The determination unit may read the data of the non-defective image from the storage unit 172 and compare it with the read image to determine the quality of the image. Further, the take-up control unit 186 may control the stamp processing for selecting defective images.

<Manufacturing method of printed matter>
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a method of manufacturing a printed matter using the inkjet printing apparatus 10.

In step S1, the user inputs the type of the film base material 1 used for printing by the user interface 170. The user may input the tensile elastic modulus of the film substrate 1.

In step S2 (an example of the transport process), the transport unit 20 starts transporting the film base material 1. That is, the transport unit 20 rotationally drives the first suction drum 84 by a motor (not shown) to unwind the film base material 1 from the unwinding roll 32. Further, the transport unit 20 rotationally drives the reel of the take-up roll 122 by a take-up motor (not shown) to wind the film base material 1 on the take-up roll 122. As a result, the transport unit 20 transports the film base material 1 from the unwinding roll 32 to the winding roll 122 in a roll-to-roll manner.

In step S3, the corona processing unit 38 applies a corona discharge treatment to the printed surface of the film base material 1.

In step S4, the precoat portion 50 applies an aqueous primer to the printed surface of the film substrate 1.

In step S5, the PC drying unit 58 dries the aqueous primer applied to the printed surface of the film substrate 1.

In step S6 (an example of the first suction step and the second suction step), the jetting unit 80 sucks the film base material 1 by the first suction drum 84 and the second suction drum 86.

In step S7 (an example of the non-contact transfer step), the second non-contact turn portion 92 directs the film base material 1 guided in the downward transfer path by the second suction drum 86 to the printed surface in a non-contact upward direction. Guide to the transport route.

In step S8 (an example of the tension control step), the tension control unit 190 rotates to the second suction drum 86 and the third drive roller 106 based on the transfer tension detected by the fourth tension pickup roller 26. By giving a speed difference, the transport tension of the film base material 1 which is levitated and transported by the second non-contact turn portion 92 is adjusted to a preset transport tension. The transport tension is set according to the type of the film base material 1 input in step S1. Further, the transport tension may be set according to the tensile elastic modulus of the film base material 1. A table showing the relationship between the type of the film base material 1 and the tensile elastic modulus may be stored in the storage unit 172.

In step S9 (an example of the blowout amount control step), the air volume control unit 192 controls the amount of air blown out from the air outlet 64C of the second non-contact turn unit 92, so that the second non-contact turn unit 92 The amount of levitation of the film base material 1 to be levitation-conveyed is adjusted. The amount of air blown out is set according to the set tension set in step S8. As a result, the floating amount of the film base material 1 becomes uniform regardless of the transport tension.

In step S10 (an example of a support process and a printing process), the color printing unit 88 prints a color image on the printing surface of the film substrate 1. Further, in step S11 (an example of a support step and a printing step), the white printing unit 90 prints a white background image on the printing surface of the film base material 1.

In step S12 (an example of the drying step), the main drying unit 100 dries the water-based ink applied to the printed surface of the film substrate 1.

In step S13, the inspection unit 124 inspects the image printed on the printed surface of the film substrate 1. After that, the film base material 1 is wound on the winding roll 122, and the production of the printed matter is completed.

<Relationship between air volume and transport tension>
FIG. 9 is a graph showing the relationship between the elongation rate of the film base material 1 and the transport tension for floating transport, and the relationship between the air volume for floating transport and the transport tension.

The tensile elastic modulus of the film substrate 1 used in the inkjet printing apparatus 10 is 1 GPa for ONY, 2 GPa for OPP, and 4 GPa for PET. The method for measuring the tensile elastic modulus is based on JIS K7127 (ISO527-3) and ASTM D882.

The lower limit of the transport tension is a value at which the film base material 1 does not wrinkle due to transport and the film base material 1 does not break, and there is no difference depending on the material of the film base material 1 and is 10 N or more. Further, the upper limit of the transport tension is a value at which the elongation rate of the film base material 1 is 1%.

As shown in the first quadrant of FIG. 9, the elongation rate of the film base material 1 and the transport tension are in a proportional relationship. The value at which the elongation rate of the film base material 1 is 1% is the minimum when the ONY is transported and the maximum when the PET is transported. As described above, it is preferable that the inkjet printing apparatus 10 uniformly conveys the elongation amount regardless of the type of the film base material 1.

In the present embodiment, the tension control unit 190 conveys the transport tension proportional to the tensile elastic modulus when the tensile elastic modulus of the film substrate 1 is 1 GPa or more and 4 GPa or less, the thickness is 12 μm or more and 25 μm or less, and the width is 300 mm or more and 1200 mm or less. Is set, and the elongation rate of the film base material 1 is set to 0% or more and 1% or less. In the present embodiment, ONY having a tensile elastic modulus of 1 GPa, a thickness of 15 μm, and a width of 600 mm has a preferable transport tension of 10 N or more and 30 N or less, and has a tensile elastic modulus of 2 GPa, a thickness of 20 μm, and a width of 600 mm. The preferred transport tension is 10 N or more and 60 N or less, and the preferred transport tension of PET having a tensile elastic modulus of 4 GPa, a thickness of 12 μm and a width of 600 mm is 10 N or more and 120 N or less. As described above, since the tensile elastic modulus of PET is four times the tensile elastic modulus of ONY, the upper limit of the transport tension of PET is four times the transport tension of ONY.

The preferable transport tension of the film base material 1 is proportional to the thickness of the film base material 1. That is, the range of the transport tension when the thickness of the film base material 1 is changed may be, for example, when the thickness is changed from 12 μm to 25 μm, the value of each transport tension may be multiplied by 25/12.

Further, the preferable transport tension of the film base material 1 is proportional to the width of the film base material 1. That is, the range of the transport tension when the width of the film base material 1 is changed may be, for example, when the width is changed from 600 mm to 1000 mm, the value of each transport tension may be multiplied by 1000/600.

The printed matter printed on the film substrate 1 by the inkjet printing apparatus 10 is a back-printed printed matter. Therefore, the concealment property of the color image by the background image of the white ink becomes a problem, and the lower limit of the content of the white pigment of the white ink is determined from the desired concealment property.

Aqueous white ink using titanium oxide as a white pigment generally contains about 30% by weight of titanium oxide. On the other hand, the water-based white ink according to the present embodiment uses rutile-type titanium oxide having a stable structure, and the content of titanium oxide is small by optimizing the particle size and dispersibility. Also secures concealment. The water-based white ink according to the present embodiment contains 5% by weight or more and 15% by weight or less (10 ± 5% by weight) of titanium oxide having a specific weight of 4.2.

However, since the water-based white ink having a relatively low titanium oxide content has a relatively large amount of water, it is affected when air is blown onto the printing surface of the film base material 1 coated with the water-based white ink. , There is a problem that water-based white ink flows or is repelled. Therefore, the air volume of the air blown to the film base material 1 in the floating transfer is limited according to the content of titanium oxide. FIG. 9 shows a case where the upper limit of the air volume is set to 15 m ³ / min as an example.

On the other hand, the lower limit of the air volume in the floating transfer is the air volume at which the film base material 1 can float from the blowing surface.

Further, if the floating amount of the film base material 1 in the floating transport is too large, meandering failure of the film base material 1 occurs, and if it is too small, blocking occurs. Therefore, it is necessary to appropriately control the amount of levitation. The preferred levitation amount is, for example, 0.1 mm or more and 2.0 mm or less.

Here, the floating amount of the film base material 1 in the floating transfer is determined by the air volume and the transfer tension. In the second quadrant of FIG. 9, a straight line showing the relationship between the air volume and the transport tension of the levitation transport when the levitation amount is the upper limit (2.0 mm) and the levitation transport when the levitation amount is the lower limit (0.1 mm). A straight line showing the relationship between the air volume and the transport tension is shown.

In view of the above, in the second quadrant of FIG. 9, a straight line indicating the upper limit of the levitation amount, a straight line indicating the lower limit of the levitation amount, the lower limit of the transfer tension which is the transfer tension when the ONY is conveyed, and the PET are conveyed. The upper limit of the transport tension, which is the transport tension at the time of the film, the upper limit of the air volume determined by the composition of the white water-based ink, the lower limit of the air volume, and the air volume and the transport tension in the area surrounded by the film base material 1 are appropriate. It can be seen that the air volume and the transport tension can be transported to.

FIG. 10 is a graph showing the relationship between the air volume of the floating transport and the floating amount of the film base material 1. The unit of air volume is m ³ / min, and the unit of levitation volume is mm. FIG. 10 shows a case where ONY, OPP, and PET are conveyed with transfer tensions of 25N, 50N, and 100N, respectively. This transport tension is a transport tension in which the elongation rate of the film base material 1 is 1%, which is the upper limit of the permissible range. Here, the thicknesses of ONY, OPP, and PET are 15 μm, 20 μm, and 12 μm, respectively. The widths of ONY, OPP, and PET are all 600 mm.

As shown in FIG. 10, in order to reduce the floating amount to 0.1 mm or more and 2.0 mm or less, the air volume when transporting ONY having a transport tension of 25 N is 2.0 m ³ / min or more and 10.0 m ³ or less. You can see that it should be set to. The air volume when transporting an OPP having a transport tension of 50 N may be 6.5 m ³ / min or more and 14.5 m ³ or less, and the air volume when transporting a PET having a transport tension of 100 N is 2. It can be seen that the ^{ratio should be 0.0 m 3} / min or more and 21.0 m ^{3 or less.}

For a standard wind pressure of ^{1.5 kPa (air volume 3.9 m 3} / min) = 15 gf / cm ² ^{, for example, the weight per 1 cm 2} of a PET having a thickness of 12 μm ^{is 0.000156 gf, and 1 cm 2 of} a PET having a thickness of 25 μm. The weight per unit is 0.000325 gf. As described above, since the weight of the film base material 1 is ^{sufficiently small with respect to the wind pressure of 15 gf / cm 2} , the thickness of the film base material 1 does not need to be considered in the relationship between the air volume and the levitation amount.

<Example>
It was confirmed that the film base material 1 can be appropriately transported and printed by setting the conditions of the transport tension and the air volume according to the film base material 1. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing each printing condition and evaluation result of the example and the comparative example of printing the film base material 1 by the inkjet printing apparatus 10.

The parameters of the printing conditions are the type and tensile elastic modulus of the film substrate 1, the transfer tension of the levitation transfer, the titanium oxide content of the white ink, the air volume of the levitation transfer, and the levitation amount of the levitation transfer. In the titanium oxide content of the white ink of FIG. 11, the center represents 10% by weight, and the lower limit represents 5% by weight.

The items to be evaluated are low profile of the device, blocking, image quality (white unevenness), substrate shrinkage, and printing misalignment. Judgment was made for each item, and A, B, and C were classified. A and B are within the permissible range, and C is out of the permissible range.

The classification of the judgment of the device's low profile is as follows.

A: 2 m or less B: Greater than 2 m and less than 3 m C: 3 m or more The classification of blocking judgment is as follows.

A: Water-based ink is not transferred to the pass roller and the surface unevenness on the printed surface is not visually visible. B: Water-based ink is not transferred to the pass roller and the surface unevenness on the printed surface is visually within the limit C: Water-based ink is transferred to the pass roller, and the surface unevenness on the printing surface is visually out of limit. When the ink flows due to the air blown onto the printing surface of the film substrate 1, and ink repelling occurs, white unevenness occurs. The classification of the judgment of image quality (white unevenness) is as follows.

A: White unevenness is not visually visible B: White unevenness is visually within the limit C: White unevenness is not visually visible C: Water-based ink is applied when the transport tension of the film substrate 1 is high. Then, when the transfer tension is no longer applied after printing, the base material shrinks and the image is deformed. Therefore, it is preferable that the shrinkage of the base material is small. The classification of the determination of substrate shrinkage is as follows.

A: 1% or less B: Greater than 1% and less than 3% C: 3% or more In the jetting portion 80 of the inkjet printing apparatus 10, the first suction drum 84 and the second suction drum 86 form a film base material 1. Although the water-based ink is applied in a restrained state, there is a floating transfer by the first non-contact turn portion 60 immediately before the first suction drum 84 in the transfer path, and the second suction drum 86 is immediately after the second contact drum 86. Since there is levitation transfer by the non-contact turn portion 92 of the above, if the amount of meandering in the levitation transfer is large, printing deviation occurs in the color printing section 88 and the white printing section 90. The amount of meandering of the film base material 1 at the positions facing the color printing unit 88 and the white printing unit 90 is preferably within 0.5 pixels (several μm). The classification of the determination of printing misalignment is as follows.

A: Meandering amount of floating transport is 0.1 mm or less B: Meandering amount of floating transport is larger than 0.1 mm and less than 0.3 mm C: Meandering amount of floating transport is 0.3 mm or more This is the case where the material is ONY and the titanium oxide content is center.

In the first embodiment, the transport tension is 25 N, the air volume is 3.7 m ³ / min, and the levitation amount is 1.1 mm of the center. In Example 1, all evaluation items were judged as A.

In the second embodiment, the transport tension is 10 N, the air volume is 2.0 m ³ / min, and the levitation amount is the lower limit of 0.1 mm. In Example 2, blocking was a B-judgment, and the other evaluation items were A-judgments.

In Example 3, the transport tension is 30 N, the air volume is 10.0 m ³ / min, and the levitation amount is 2.0 mm, which is the upper limit. In Example 3, all evaluation items were judged as A.

In this way, when the base material is ONY, if the transport tension is set to 10 N or more and 30 N or less, the air volume is set to ^{the range of 2.0 m 3} / min or more and 10.0 m ³ / min or less, so that the levitation amount is 0. It was found that it can be 1.1 mm or more and 2.0 mm or less, and can be appropriately conveyed and printed.

In Example 4, the base material is OPP, the transport tension is 50 N, the titanium oxide content is center, the air volume is 8.1 m ³ / min, and the levitation amount is 1.1 mm of the center. In Example 4, the judgment was A in all the evaluation items. In this way, when the base material is OPP and the transport tension is set to 50 N ^{, the levitation amount can be set to 1.1 mm by setting the air volume to 8.1 m 3} / min, and the transfer and printing can be performed appropriately. I found that I could do it.

Examples 5 to 7 are cases where the base material is PET and the titanium oxide content is the center.

In the fifth embodiment, the transport tension is 100 N, the air volume is 14.5 m ³ / min, and the levitation amount is 1.1 mm of the center. In Example 5, the judgment was A in all the evaluation items.

In Example 6, the transport tension is 10 N, the air volume is 13.0 m ³ / min, and the levitation amount is the lower limit of 0.1 mm. In Example 6, blocking was a B-judgment, and the other evaluation items were A-judgments.

In Example 7, the transport tension is 120 N, the air volume is 21.0 m ³ / min, and the levitation amount is 2.0 mm, which is the upper limit. In Example 7, the image quality was B-judgment, and the other evaluation items were A-judgment.

In Example 8, the base material is PET, the transport tension is 120 N, the titanium oxide content is the lower limit, the air volume is 21.0 m ³ / min, and the levitation amount is the upper limit of 2.0 mm. Since the titanium oxide content is the lower limit, the water content of the water-based white ink is relatively large and it is easy to flow. In Example 8, the image quality was B-judgment, and the other evaluation items were A-judgment.

In this way, when the base material is PET, when the transport tension is set to 10 N or more and 120 N or less, the air volume is set to ^{the range of 13.0 m 3} / min or more and 21.0 m ³ / min or less, so that the levitation amount is 0. It was found that the thickness could be 1 mm or more and 2.0 mm or less, and that the transfer and printing could be performed appropriately.

As shown in Examples 1 to 8, the transport tension is set according to the tensile elastic modulus of the film base material 1, and the air volume of the levitation transport is set to the air volume in which the levitation amount is in the range of 0.1 mm or more and 2.0 mm or less. As a result, it was found that the evaluation items of low profile, blocking, image quality, substrate shrinkage, and printing misalignment can be cleared. That is, in transporting a printed matter in which a web-shaped film base material 1 having impermeable property is coated with a water-based ink having a thick ink layer and easily flowing, the film base materials 1 having different tensile elastic moduli can be transported with the same floating amount. it can.

The set value of air volume corresponding to the film substrate 1 is, for example, if the substrate is a ONY 3.7 m ³ / min, in the case of OPP 8.1 m ³ / min, in the case of PET 14.5 m ³ / min ,. The air volume control unit 192 may select and switch the air volume for floating transport from at least two types (here, three types) of set values according to the type of the film base material 1.

Comparative example 1 is a case where there is no turn due to floating transportation. In Comparative Example 1, the base material is OPP, the transport tension is 50 N, and the titanium oxide content is the center. In Comparative Example 1, the reduction in height was judged as C. As described above, it was found that the reduction of the height of the device cannot be achieved without applying the floating transfer.

In Comparative Example 2, the base material is ONY, the transport tension is 25 N, the titanium oxide content is center, the air volume is 1.8 m ³ / min, and the levitation amount is 0.05 mm, which is smaller than the lower limit. In Comparative Example 2, blocking was a C judgment. As described above, it was found that when the levitation amount was lower than the lower limit, the water-based ink was transferred to the pass roller, and the surface unevenness on the printed surface was visually out of the limit.

In Comparative Example 3, the base material is PET, the transport tension is 100 N, the titanium oxide content is center, the air volume is 26.0 m ³ / min, which is larger than the upper limit, and the levitation amount is 2.0 mm, which is the upper limit. In Comparative Example 3, the image quality and the print misalignment were judged as C. As described above, it was found that when the air volume was larger than the upper limit, the occurrence of white unevenness was visually out of the limit and the meandering amount was 0.3 mm or more.

In Comparative Example 4, the base material is PET, the transport tension is 140 N, which is larger than 120 N, the titanium oxide content is center, the air volume is 15.6 m ³ / min, and the levitation amount is 0.1 mm, which is the lower limit. In Comparative Example 4, the base material shrinkage was judged as C. As described above, it was found that when the transport tension is higher than the upper limit, the shrinkage of the base material is out of the limit.

In Comparative Example 5, the base material is ONY, the transport tension is 5N smaller than 10N, which is the lower limit, the titanium oxide content is center, the air volume is 1.0 m ³ / min, which is smaller than the lower limit, and the levitation amount is 0.1 mm. .. In Comparative Example 5, blocking and printing misalignment were judged as C. In this way, when the transport tension is smaller than the lower limit and the air volume is smaller than the lower limit, the water-based ink is transferred to the pass roller, the planar unevenness on the printing surface is visually out of the limit, and the meandering amount is 0.3 mm. It turned out that the above was out of the limit.

<Relationship between tensile modulus and transport tension>
FIG. 12 is a graph showing the relationship between the tensile elastic modulus and the transport tension. The plot positions of points C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6, and C7 in FIG. 12 are the plot positions of Example 1, Example 2, Example 3, Example 4, Example 5, Example 6, and Example 7, respectively. The conditions of the tensile elastic modulus and the transport tension of the above are shown.

The solid straight line L1 connecting the points C3 and C7 indicates the condition that the transport tension at which the elongation rate of the film base material is 1% is the upper limit value. Further, the broken straight line L2 connecting the points C2 and the point C indicates a condition in which the transport tension at which the film base material is not wrinkled or sagging due to the transport is the lower limit value. Further, the straight line L3 of the alternate long and short dash line connecting the points C1 and C5 indicates the condition of the standard transport tension value.

According to this embodiment, when the tensile elastic modulus of the film substrate is 1 GPa or more and 4 GPa or less, the thickness is 12 μm or more and 25 μm or less, and the width is 300 mm or more and 1200 mm or less, the transport tension between the straight line L1 and the straight line L2 is set. By doing so, it was found that the elongation rate of the film base material was set to 0% or more and 1% or less, and the film base material could be conveyed without causing wrinkles and sagging in the film base material.

<Others>
In the embodiments described so far, for example, the integrated control unit 174, the transport control unit 176, the unwinding control unit 178, the precoat control unit 180, the jetting control unit 182, the main drying control unit 184, the winding control unit 186, and printing. The hardware structure of the processing unit that executes various processes such as the control unit 188, the tension control unit 190, and the air volume control unit 192 is various processors as shown below. Various processors include a CPU (Central Processing Unit), which is a general-purpose processor that executes software (programs) and functions as various processing units, and a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), which is a processor specialized in image processing. Dedicated to execute specific processing such as programmable logic device (PLD), ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), which is a processor whose circuit configuration can be changed after manufacturing FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), etc. A dedicated electric circuit or the like, which is a processor having a designed circuit configuration, is included.

One processing unit may be composed of one of these various processors, or two or more processors of the same type or different types (for example, a plurality of FPGAs, or a combination of a CPU and an FPGA, or a CPU and a CPU. It may be composed of a combination of GPUs). Further, a plurality of processing units may be configured by one processor. As an example of configuring a plurality of processing units with one processor, first, one processor is configured by a combination of one or more CPUs and software, as represented by a computer such as a server and a client. There is a form in which the processor functions as a plurality of processing units. Secondly, as typified by System On Chip (SoC), there is a form in which a processor that realizes the functions of the entire system including a plurality of processing units with one IC (Integrated Circuit) chip is used. is there. As described above, the various processing units are configured by using one or more various processors as a hardware-like structure.

Furthermore, the hardware structure of these various processors is, more specifically, an electric circuit (circuitry) in which circuit elements such as semiconductor elements are combined.

The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above-described embodiment. The configurations and the like in each embodiment can be appropriately combined between the respective embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

1 ... Film substrate 1A ... Color ink layer 1B ... White ink layer 10 ... Inkjet printing device 20 ... Conveying unit 23 ... First tension pickup roller 24 ... Second tension pickup roller 25 ... Third tension pickup roller 26 ... Fourth tension pickup roller 27 ... Fifth tension pickup roller 28 ... Sixth tension pickup roller 30 ... Unwinding portion 32 ... Unwinding roll 34 ... First drive roller 36 ... Second drive roller 38 ... Corona processing Part 40 ... Pass roller 42 ... Counter electrode roller 44 ... Pass roller 46 ... Discharge electrode 50 ... Precoat part 52 ... Coater 54 ... Coating roller 55 ... Chamber 56 ... Opposing roller 58 ... PC drying part 60 ... First non-contact turn part 62 ... Turn bar 64 ... Conveyor plate 64A ... Curved surface 64B ... Flat surface 64C ... Outlet 66 ... Side plate 68 ... Top plate 70 ... Partition plate 72A ... Room 72B ... Room 72C ... Room 74A ... Air duct 74B ... Air duct 74C ... Air duct 80 ... Jetting 84 ... 1st suction drum 86 ... 2nd suction drum 88 ... Color printing section 90 ... White printing section 92 ... Second non-contact turn section 96K ... Inkjet head 96C ... Inkjet head 96M ... Inkjet head 96Y ... Inkjet head 96W1 ... Inkjet head 96W2 ... Inkjet head 97 ... Inspection unit 98 ... First scanner 99 ... Second scanner 100 ... Main drying unit 104 ... Warm air heater 104A ... Warm air heater 106 ... Third drive roller 108 ... Blower surface 110 ... Round nozzle 120 ... Winding unit 122 ... Winding roll 124 ... Inspection unit 126 ... Third scanner 128 ... Fourth scanner 130 ... Fourth drive roller 132 ... Fifth drive roller 136 ... Pressing roller 138 ... Swing Arm 170 ... User interface 172 ... Storage unit 174 ... General control unit 176 ... Transfer control unit 178 ... Unwinding control unit 180 ... Precoat control unit 182 ... Jetting control unit 184 ... Main drying control unit 186 ... Winding control unit 188 ... Print control unit 190 ... Tension control unit 192 ... Air volume control unit

Claims

A transport device that transports a non-permeable web-like film substrate along a transport path,
A printing unit that is arranged at a position facing the film substrate to be conveyed and that applies water-based color ink and water-based white ink to the film substrate to print an image.
A drying portion, which is arranged on the downstream side of the transport path from the printing portion and dries the water-based color ink and the water-based white ink applied to the film base material,
With
The transport device is
A plurality of pass rollers arranged at positions facing the printing portion and supporting the film substrate, and
A first suction drum, which is arranged on the upstream side of the transport path with respect to the printing unit and adsorbs the film substrate,
A second suction drum, which is arranged on the downstream side of the transport path with respect to the printing portion and on the upstream side of the transport path with respect to the drying portion and adsorbs the film base material,
A non-contact transport unit, which is arranged between the second suction drum and the drying portion of the transport path and blows air from an outlet to float and transport the film base material.
A tension control unit that controls the transport tension of the film base material in the non-contact transport unit and makes the elongation rate of the film base material 1% or less.
A blowout amount control unit that controls the amount of air blown out according to the film base material and sets the floating amount of the film base material to 0.1 mm or more and 2.0 mm or less.
A printing device equipped with.
The printing unit
A color inkjet head that applies the water-based color ink to the film substrate, and
A white inkjet head arranged on the downstream side of the transport path with respect to the color inkjet head, and applying the water-based white ink containing titanium oxide in an amount of 5% by weight or more and 15% by weight or less on the film base material.
The printing apparatus according to claim 1.
Claim 1 is provided with a primer coating unit which is arranged on the upstream side of the transport path with respect to the printing unit and which coats the film substrate with an aqueous primer which thickens by reacting with the water-based color ink and the water-based white ink. Or the printing apparatus according to 2.
The printing apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a modification processing unit that is arranged on the upstream side of the transport path from the primer coating unit and modifies the film substrate.
The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the non-contact transport unit changes the direction of the transport path from downward to upward.
The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the tension control unit increases the transport tension applied to the film base material as the tensile elastic modulus of the film base material increases.
The printing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the blowout amount control unit controls the amount of air blown out to make the floating amount of the film base material in the non-contact transport unit uniform regardless of the transport tension.
The tensile elastic modulus of the film substrate is 1 GPa or more and 4 GPa or less, the thickness is 12 μm or more and 25 μm or less, and the width is 300 mm or more and 1200 mm or less.
The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the tension control unit sets the transport tension in proportion to the tensile elastic modulus of the film substrate.
The printing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the tension control unit controls the transport tension to 10 N or more and 30 N or less when the tensile elastic modulus of the film substrate is 1 GPa, the thickness is 15 μm, and the width is 600 mm.
The printing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the blowout amount control unit controls the blowout amount of the air to 2 m 3 / min or more and 10 m 3 / min or less.
The tension control unit is any one of claims 8 to 10 that controls the transport tension to 10 N or more and 120 N or less when the tensile elastic modulus of the film substrate is 4 GPa, the thickness is 12 μm, and the width is 600 mm. The printing apparatus described in.
The printing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the blowout amount control unit controls the blowout amount of the air to 2 m 3 / min or more and 21 m 3 / min or less.
The tension control unit is based on the difference between the rotation speed of the second suction drum and the rotation speed of a drive roller arranged downstream of the non-contact transfer unit and in contact with the film substrate. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12, which controls the transport tension.
The transport device includes a tension pickup roller that is arranged between the second suction drum of the transport path and the drive roller and detects transport tension.
The printing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the tension control unit controls the transport tension based on the transport tension detected by the tension pickup roller.
The transport device is
An unwinding roll that unwinds the film base material before transportation, and
A take-up roll that winds up the film base material after transportation,
With
The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the film substrate is conveyed by a roll-to-roll method.
A printing unit for printing an image by applying water-based color ink and water-based white ink to a non-permeable web-like film base material, and drying to dry the water-based color ink and water-based white ink applied to the film base material. A transport device for transporting the film base material along a transport path in which the ink base is arranged.
A plurality of pass rollers arranged at positions facing the printing portion and supporting the film substrate, and
A first suction drum, which is arranged on the upstream side of the transport path with respect to the printing unit and adsorbs the film substrate,
A second suction drum, which is arranged on the downstream side of the transport path with respect to the printing portion and on the upstream side of the transport path with respect to the drying portion and adsorbs the film base material,
A non-contact transport unit, which is arranged between the second suction drum and the drying portion of the transport path and blows air from an outlet to float and transport the film base material.
A tension control unit that controls the transport tension of the film base material in the non-contact transport unit and makes the elongation rate of the film base material 1% or less.
A blowout amount control unit that controls the amount of air blown out according to the film base material and sets the floating amount of the film base material to 0.1 mm or more and 2.0 mm or less.
Conveying device equipped with.
A transport process in which a non-permeable web-like film substrate is transported along a transport path by a transport device, and
A printing step of applying a water-based color ink and a water-based white ink to the film base material and printing an image in a printing unit arranged at a position facing the transported film base material.
A printing step of applying a water-based color ink and a water-based white ink to the film base material by a printing unit arranged at a position facing the transported film base material and printing an image.
A drying step of drying the water-based color ink and the water-based white ink applied to the film base material by a drying part arranged on the downstream side of the transport path from the printing part.
With
The transfer process is
A support step of supporting the film substrate by a plurality of pass rollers arranged at positions facing the printing portion, and
A first adsorption step of adsorbing the film substrate by a first suction drum which is arranged on the upstream side of the transport path from the printing unit and adsorbs the film substrate.
A second adsorption that is arranged on the downstream side of the transport path with respect to the printing portion and on the upstream side of the transport path with respect to the drying portion and adsorbs the film base material by a second suction drum that adsorbs the film base material. Process and
A non-contact transport step in which air is blown out from an outlet of a non-contact transport portion arranged between the second suction drum and the drying portion of the transport path to float and transport the film base material.
A tension control step of controlling the transport tension of the film base material in the non-contact transport unit to reduce the elongation rate of the film base material to 1% or less.
A blowout amount control step of controlling the amount of air blown out according to the film base material and setting the floating amount of the film base material to 0.1 mm or more and 2.0 mm or less.
A method of manufacturing a printed matter comprising.