Printing device
By employing composite motion control and enhanced cleaning in the printing apparatus, the problems of image damage and nozzle clogging caused by insufficient curing of UV-curable inks have been solved, achieving efficient printing processing.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202210223309.1
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2021-03-09
- Filing Date
- 2022-03-07
- Publication Date
- 2026-02-27
- Estimated Expiration
- 2042-03-07
AI Technical Summary
Existing printing equipment is prone to image damage and object contamination when UV-curable inks are not cured sufficiently. At the same time, increasing the amount of UV irradiation can cause nozzle clogging and reduce processing efficiency.
The printing head and ultraviolet irradiation unit move back and forth in the first direction, and the movement is controlled by a control unit, including a first control and a second control. The first control sprays ink and irradiates ultraviolet light when moving between the printing start and end positions, and the second control irradiates ultraviolet light only when moving in the opposite direction. The control unit also increases the intensity of ultraviolet irradiation and the cleaning frequency to prevent clogging.
It achieves reliable curing of UV-curable inks, reduces image damage and object contamination, improves processing efficiency, and reduces the risk of nozzle clogging.
Smart Images

Figure CN115042527B_ABST
Abstract
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present application relates to a printing device. BACKGROUND
[0002] Various types of printing devices have been used in the past. Among them, there is a printing device that ejects ultraviolet-curable ink onto a medium to form an image. For example, a inkjet printer that performs ejection of ultraviolet-curable ink and ultraviolet irradiation while moving an ejection unit of ultraviolet-curable ink and an ultraviolet irradiation unit to and fro, thereby forming an image, is disclosed in Patent Literature 1 as a printing device of this type.
[0003] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-208227
[0004] Here, in a printing device that ejects ultraviolet-curable ink onto a medium to form an image, when the amount of ultraviolet irradiation is insufficient, the curing of the ultraviolet-curable ink becomes insufficient, there is a concern that an object contacting the ultraviolet-curable ink will damage the image, and there is a concern that an object contacting the ultraviolet-curable ink will be contaminated. Therefore, the inkjet printer of Patent Literature 1 is able to increase the light amount of ultraviolet irradiated from the ultraviolet irradiation unit when moving in the return direction of the ultraviolet irradiation unit during to-and-fro movement. However, when the light amount of ultraviolet is increased, the amount of ultraviolet reaching the ejection unit of ultraviolet-curable ink also increases, and sometimes the ultraviolet-curable ink in the nozzle of the ejection unit will cure and nozzle clogging or the like will occur. Therefore, there is a limit to the amount of irradiation of ultraviolet irradiated from the ultraviolet irradiation unit. On the other hand, in order to irradiate ultraviolet irradiated from the ultraviolet irradiation unit for a long time, if the speed of to-and-fro movement of the ultraviolet irradiation unit is reduced, the processing efficiency will be significantly reduced. Therefore, the object of the present application is to reliably cure ultraviolet-curable ink while suppressing reduction in processing efficiency. SUMMARY
[0005] The printing device of the present application for solving the above problems is characterized by comprising: a print head configured to be able to move back and forth in a first direction and to eject ultraviolet-curable ink to a medium; an ultraviolet irradiation section configured to be able to move back and forth in the first direction together with the print head and to irradiate ultraviolet rays to the ultraviolet-curable ink ejected to the medium; a first moving section that moves the print head and the ultraviolet irradiation section in the first direction; a second moving section that relatively moves the print head and the ultraviolet irradiation section with the medium in a second direction intersecting the first direction; and a control section that controls a first movement of the print head and the ultraviolet irradiation section in the first direction, a second movement of the print head and the ultraviolet irradiation section with the medium in the second direction, ejection of the ultraviolet-curable ink from the print head, and irradiation of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation section, the control section being able to execute: a first control that executes the first movement and the second movement from a print start position side of the medium to a print end position side of the medium while executing the ejection of the ultraviolet-curable ink from the print head and the irradiation of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation section; and a second control that executes the first movement and the second movement from the print end position side to the print start position side while not executing the ejection of the ultraviolet-curable ink from the print head and executing the irradiation of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation section, the moving speed of the print head and the ultraviolet irradiation section in the first movement in the second control being faster than the moving speed of the print head and the ultraviolet irradiation section in the first movement in the first control.
[0006] In addition, the printing device of the present application for solving the above problem is provided with: a print head configured to be able to move back and forth in a first direction, and to eject ultraviolet-curable ink to a medium; an ultraviolet irradiation section configured to be able to move back and forth in the first direction together with the print head, and to irradiate ultraviolet rays to the ultraviolet-curable ink ejected to the medium; a first moving section that moves the print head and the ultraviolet irradiation section in the first direction; a second moving section that relatively moves the print head and the ultraviolet irradiation section with the medium in a second direction intersecting the first direction; and a control section that controls first movement of the print head and the ultraviolet irradiation section in the first direction, second movement of the print head and the ultraviolet irradiation section with the medium in the second direction, ejection of the ultraviolet-curable ink from the print head, and irradiation of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation section, the control section being able to execute: first control that executes the first movement and the second movement from a print start position side of the medium to a print end position side of the medium, and executes ejection of the ultraviolet-curable ink from the print head and irradiation of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation section; second control that moves the print head and the ultraviolet irradiation section from the print end position side to the print start position side; and third control that executes the first movement and the second movement from the print start position side to the print end position side, and executes irradiation of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation section without executing ejection of the ultraviolet-curable ink from the print head, the moving speed of the print head and the ultraviolet irradiation section in the third control being faster than the moving speed of the print head and the ultraviolet irradiation section in the first movement in the first control. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0007] Figure 1 is a brief plan view of a printing device according to an embodiment of the present application.
[0008] Figure 2 is a brief front view of a printing device according to an embodiment of the present application.
[0009] Figure 3 is a brief bottom view of a carriage of a printing device according to an embodiment of the present application.
[0010] Figure 4 is a brief side view of a carriage of a printing device according to an embodiment of the present application.
[0011] Figure 5 is a brief sectional view of the opposite side of a carriage of a printing device according to an embodiment of the present application. Figure 4 is a brief sectional view of the opposite side of a carriage of a printing device according to an embodiment of the present application.
[0012] Figure 6 is a brief plan view of an example of a carriage of a printing device according to an embodiment different from the printing device of Figures 1 to 5
[0013] Figure 7 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a printing device according to an embodiment of the present application.
[0014] Figure 8 is a flowchart of a printing method that can be performed using a printing device according to an embodiment of the present application.
[0015] Figure 9 is a flowchart of a printing method that can be performed using a printing device according to an embodiment of the present application, which is different from the printing method of Figure 5
[0016] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0017] 1... printing device, 2... carriage (first moving section), 2a... area, 2b... area, 2c... area, 2d... area, 2e... area, 3... print head, 3A... print head, 3B... print head, 3C... print head, 3D... print head, 3E... print head, 3F... print head, 4... ultraviolet irradiation section, 4A... ultraviolet irradiation section, 4B... ultraviolet irradiation section, 4C... ultraviolet irradiation section, 4D... ultraviolet irradiation section, 4E... ultraviolet irradiation section, 4al... cover, 4a2... light source, 4bl... cover, 4b2... light source, 4cl... cover, 4c2... light source, 4dl... cover light source, 4d2... light source, 4el... cover, 4e2... light source, 5... frame (second moving section), 6... guide rail, 7... placement section, 8... cleaning section, 11... printing device, 20... control section, 21... CPU, 22... system bus, 23... ROM, 24... RAM, 25... head driving section, 26... motor driving section, 27... carriage motor (first moving section), 28... frame motor (second moving section), 29... irradiation section driving section, 30... input / output section, 31... PC, M... medium, N... nozzle, Pe... print end position, Ps... print start position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] First, the present application will be briefly described.
[0019] The printing device according to a first aspect of the present application is characterized by comprising: a print head configured to be able to move back and forth in a first direction and to eject ultraviolet-curable ink onto a medium; an ultraviolet irradiation section configured to be able to move back and forth in the first direction together with the print head and to irradiate ultraviolet rays onto the ultraviolet-curable ink ejected onto the medium; a first moving section that moves the print head and the ultraviolet irradiation section in the first direction; a second moving section that relatively moves the print head and the ultraviolet irradiation section with respect to the medium in a second direction that intersects the first direction; and a control section that controls a first movement of the print head and the ultraviolet irradiation section in the first direction, a second movement of the print head and the ultraviolet irradiation section with respect to the medium in the second direction, ejection of the ultraviolet-curable ink from the print head, and irradiation of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation section, the control section being able to execute: a first control that executes the first movement and the second movement from a print start position side of the medium to a print end position side of the medium while executing the ejection of the ultraviolet-curable ink from the print head and the irradiation of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation section; and a second control that executes the first movement and the second movement from the print end position side to the print start position side while not executing the ejection of the ultraviolet-curable ink from the print head and executing the irradiation of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation section, the print head and the ultraviolet irradiation section being moved at a second speed in the first movement in the second control that is faster than a first speed at which the print head and the ultraviolet irradiation section are moved in the first movement in the first control.
[0020] According to the present aspect, in addition to the first control that executes the first movement and the second movement from the print start position side to the print end position side while executing the ejection of the ultraviolet-curable ink from the print head and the irradiation of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation section, the second control that executes the first movement and the second movement from the print end position side to the print start position side while not executing the ejection of the ultraviolet-curable ink from the print head and executing the irradiation of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation section is also able to be executed. Therefore, in addition to the first control, the ultraviolet rays are also able to be reliably irradiated by the second control, and the ultraviolet-curable ink is able to be reliably cured. In addition, the print head and the ultraviolet irradiation section are moved at the second speed in the first movement in the second control that is faster than the first speed at which the print head and the ultraviolet irradiation section are moved in the first movement in the first control. Therefore, the second control is able to be executed in a short time, and a decrease in processing efficiency is able to be suppressed.
[0021] The printing device of the second aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the first aspect, the speed of the relative movement of the second movement in the second control, i.e., a second relative movement speed, is faster than the speed of the relative movement of the second movement in the first control, i.e., a first relative movement speed.
[0022] According to the present aspect, the speed of the relative movement of the second movement in the second control, i.e., a second relative movement speed, is faster than the speed of the relative movement of the second movement in the first control, i.e., a first relative movement speed. Thus, in addition to the second speed in the second control, the second relative movement speed in the second control is also fast, and thus the second control can be performed in particularly short time, and the decrease in processing efficiency can be effectively suppressed.
[0023] The printing device of the third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the first or second aspect, the control section performs the first control and the second control such that the degree of curing of the ultraviolet-curable ink ejected to the medium after the second control is performed after the first control is performed reaches 97% or more.
[0024] According to the present aspect, the first control and the second control are performed such that the degree of curing of the ultraviolet-curable ink ejected to the medium after the second control is performed after the first control is performed reaches 97% or more. Thus, after the second control is performed, the insufficient curing of the ultraviolet-curable ink ejected to the medium is suppressed, and the image damage and the contamination of the object in contact with the ultraviolet-curable ink are suppressed.
[0025] The printing device of the fourth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in any one of the first to third aspects, the control section controls such that the cumulative irradiation amount of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation section in the second control is less than the cumulative irradiation amount of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation section in the first control.
[0026] According to the present aspect, the control is performed such that the cumulative irradiation amount of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation section in the second control is less than the cumulative irradiation amount of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation section in the first control. That is, for example, in a case where the irradiation intensity of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation section is equal in the first control and the second control, or the like, the second control can be performed in short time. Thus, the decrease in processing efficiency can be effectively suppressed.
[0027] The printing device of the fifth aspect of the present application is characterized in that, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, a cleaning section that cleans the print head under the control of the control section is provided, the control section controls so that the irradiation intensity of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation section in the second control is higher than the irradiation intensity of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation section in the first control, and controls so that the frequency of cleaning the print head by the cleaning section in the second control is higher than the frequency of cleaning the print head by the cleaning section in the first control.
[0028] According to the present aspect, the control is such that the irradiation intensity of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation section in the second control is higher than the irradiation intensity of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation section in the first control, and the control is such that the frequency of cleaning the print head by the cleaning section in the second control is higher than the frequency of cleaning the print head by the cleaning section in the first control. When the irradiation intensity is increased, there is a concern that the ultraviolet rays reach the nozzles of the print head and so on, and the ultraviolet curable ink in the nozzles is cured, but by increasing the cleaning frequency, the ultraviolet curable ink that has been cured can be properly removed, and the concern that nozzle clogging and so on will occur can be reduced.
[0029] The printing device of the sixth aspect of the present application is characterized by comprising: a print head configured to be able to move back and forth in a first direction and to eject ultraviolet-curable ink to a medium; an ultraviolet irradiation section configured to be able to move back and forth in the first direction together with the print head and to irradiate ultraviolet rays to the ultraviolet-curable ink ejected to the medium; a first moving section that moves the print head and the ultraviolet irradiation section in the first direction; a second moving section that relatively moves the print head and the ultraviolet irradiation section with the medium in a second direction that intersects the first direction; and a control section that controls a first movement of the print head and the ultraviolet irradiation section in the first direction, a second movement of the print head and the ultraviolet irradiation section with the medium in the second direction, ejection of the ultraviolet-curable ink from the print head, and irradiation of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation section, the control section being able to execute: a first control that causes the first movement and the second movement to be performed from a print start position side of the medium to a print end position side of the medium while causing the ejection of the ultraviolet-curable ink from the print head and the irradiation of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation section to be performed; a second control that moves the print head and the ultraviolet irradiation section from the print end position side to the print start position side; and a third control that causes the first movement and the second movement to be performed from the print start position side to the print end position side while causing the irradiation of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation section to be performed without causing the ejection of the ultraviolet-curable ink from the print head to be performed, the moving speed of the print head and the ultraviolet irradiation section in the first movement in the third control being faster than the moving speed of the print head and the ultraviolet irradiation section in the first movement in the first control.
[0030] According to the present aspect, in addition to the first control that causes the first movement and the second movement to be performed from a print start position side to a print end position side while causing the ejection of the ultraviolet-curable ink from the print head and the irradiation of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation section to be performed, and the second control that moves the print head and the ultraviolet irradiation section from the print end position side to the print start position side, the third control that causes the first movement and the second movement to be performed from the print start position side to the print end position side while causing the irradiation of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation section to be performed without causing the ejection of the ultraviolet-curable ink from the print head to be performed can be executed. Thus, in addition to the first control, the ultraviolet rays can be reliably irradiated by the third control, and the ultraviolet-curable ink can be reliably cured. Furthermore, the moving speed of the print head and the ultraviolet irradiation section in the first movement in the third control is faster than the moving speed of the print head and the ultraviolet irradiation section in the first movement in the first control. Thus, the third control can be performed in a short time, and a decrease in processing efficiency can be suppressed.
[0031] The printing device of the seventh aspect of the present application is characterized in that, in the sixth aspect, the speed of the relative movement of the second movement in the third control, that is, a second relative movement speed, is faster than the speed of the relative movement of the second movement in the first control, that is, a first relative movement speed.
[0032] According to the present aspect, the speed of the relative movement of the second movement in the third control, that is, a second relative movement speed, is faster than the speed of the relative movement of the second movement in the first control, that is, a first relative movement speed. Therefore, in addition to the second speed in the third control, the second relative movement speed in the third control is also fast, and thus the third control can be performed in particularly short time, and the decrease in processing efficiency can be effectively suppressed.
[0033] The printing device of the eighth aspect of the present application is characterized in that, in the sixth or seventh aspect, the control section performs the first control, the second control, and the third control so that the degree of curing of the ultraviolet-curable ink ejected to the medium after the third control is performed after the first control and the second control is performed reaches 97% or more.
[0034] According to the present aspect, the first control, the second control, and the third control are performed so that the degree of curing of the ultraviolet-curable ink ejected to the medium after the third control is performed after the first control and the second control is performed reaches 97% or more. Therefore, after the third control is performed, the insufficient curing of the ultraviolet-curable ink ejected to the medium is suppressed, and the image damage and the contamination of the object in contact with the ultraviolet-curable ink are suppressed.
[0035] The printing device of the ninth aspect of the present application is characterized in that, in any one of the sixth to eighth aspects, the control section controls so that the cumulative irradiation amount of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation section in the third control is less than the cumulative irradiation amount of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation section in the first control.
[0036] According to the present aspect, the control is performed so that the cumulative irradiation amount of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation section in the third control is less than the cumulative irradiation amount of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation section in the first control. That is, for example, in the case where the irradiation intensity of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation section is equal in the first control and the second control, and the like, the third control can be performed in short time. Therefore, the decrease in processing efficiency can be effectively suppressed.
[0037] The printing device of the tenth aspect of the present application is characterized in that, in any one of the sixth to ninth aspects, a cleaning section that cleans the print head under control of the control section is provided, the control section controls so that the intensity of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation section in the third control is higher than the intensity of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation section in the first control, and controls so that the frequency of cleaning the print head by the cleaning section in the third control is higher than the frequency of cleaning the print head by the cleaning section in the first control.
[0038] According to the present aspect, the intensity of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation section in the third control is controlled to be higher than the intensity of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation section in the first control, and the frequency of cleaning the print head by the cleaning section in the third control is controlled to be higher than the frequency of cleaning the print head by the cleaning section in the first control. When the intensity of the irradiation is increased, there is a concern that the ultraviolet rays reach the nozzles of the print head and the ultraviolet curable ink in the nozzles is cured, but the cured ultraviolet curable ink can be appropriately removed by increasing the cleaning frequency, and the concern that the nozzles are clogged and the like can be reduced.
[0039] The printing device of the eleventh aspect of the present application is characterized in that, in any one of the sixth to tenth aspects, the control section performs the first control so that the degree of curing of the ultraviolet curable ink that is ejected to the medium after the first control is performed is 50% or more.
[0040] According to the present aspect, the first control is performed so that the degree of curing of the ultraviolet curable ink that is ejected to the medium after the first control is performed is 50% or more. Therefore, the ultraviolet curable ink that is ejected to the medium after the first control is performed is sufficiently temporarily cured, and position deviation and bleeding are suppressed, and the decrease in image quality is suppressed.
[0041] Embodiments relating to the present application will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, the outline of a printing device 1 relating to an embodiment of the present application will be described with reference to FIG. 1. Figures 1 to 5 The outline of the printing device 1 relating to an embodiment of the present application will be described.
[0042] As shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the printing device 1 of the present embodiment is provided with a placement section 7 that places a medium M to be printed. In addition, a carriage 2 that is provided with a print head 3 shown in Figure 3 and an ultraviolet irradiation section 4 shown in Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 is provided. As shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown in FIG. 1, the carriage 2 is mounted to the guide rail 6 of the frame 5. Here, the carriage 2 is configured to reciprocate in the main scanning direction A corresponding to the extending direction of the guide rail 6 in the forward direction Al and the return direction A2. In addition, the frame 5 is configured to be able to reciprocate in the sub scanning direction B, which is orthogonal to the main scanning direction A, in the direction Bl and the direction B2 with respect to the placement portion 7 in a state where the carriage 2 is mounted to the frame 5 in a manner that is able to reciprocate in the main scanning direction A.
[0043] Here, Figure 1 indicates a state where the carriage 2 is positioned at the initial position. Note that, as shown in FIG. 2, a cleaning portion 8 provided with a wiper capable of cleaning the print head 3, a suction cap, or the like is provided at the initial position. The printing device 1 of the present embodiment repeatedly performs reciprocating movement of the carriage 2 in the main scanning direction A and movement of the frame 5 in the sub scanning direction B by a movement amount corresponding to a prescribed number of passes while ejecting ultraviolet curable ink from the print head 3 and irradiating ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation portion 4 to form an image on the medium M. Note that the direction C in which the ultraviolet curable ink is ejected from the print head 3 is vertically downward. Figure 2
[0044] By driving in this manner, the printing device 1 of the present embodiment forms an image on the medium M by reciprocating the carriage 2 in the main scanning direction A while moving the frame 5 in the sub scanning direction B from the print start position Ps side to the print end position Pe side as shown in FIG. 1, and ejecting ultraviolet curable ink from the print head 3 and irradiating ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation portion 4. Here, moving the frame 5 from the print start position Ps side to the print end position Pe side is intended to include, in addition to the case where the frame 5 is moved from the print start position Ps to the print end position Pe, the case where the frame 5 is moved from a position closer to the print start position Ps than the print start position Ps or a position past the print start position Ps to a position closer to the print end position Pe than the print end position Pe in the direction Bl that is the direction of movement of the frame 5. Similarly, the case where the frame 5 is moved from the print end position Pe side to the print start position Ps side is intended to include, in addition to the case where the frame 5 is moved from the print end position Pe to the print start position Ps, the case where the frame 5 is moved from a position closer to the print end position Pe than the print end position Pe or a position past the print end position Pe to a position closer to the print start position Ps than the print start position Ps in the direction B2 that is the direction of movement of the frame 5. Figure 1
[0045] However, the present application is not limited to this configuration. For example, a configuration in which the medium M placed on the placement portion is moved in the sub-scanning direction B can be adopted instead of the configuration in which the frame 5 is moved in the sub-scanning direction B with respect to the medium M placed on the placement portion. Further, a configuration in which the medium M is conveyed in a conveyance direction corresponding to the sub-scanning direction B by a conveyance roller or the like can be adopted. Note that a detailed printing method using the printing device 1 of the present embodiment will be described later.
[0046] In the present embodiment, the printing device 1 is configured to be able to use, as ultraviolet-curable inks, black ink, cyan ink, magenta ink, yellow ink, gray ink, light cyan ink, and light magenta ink as color inks for forming an image on the medium M, white ink for forming a base on the medium M before or after forming an image, and varnish ink (clear ink) for coating an image formed on the medium M. Thus, an image can be formed on the medium M by a mode of forming an image on the medium M using only the color inks, a mode of forming an image on the medium M using the color inks and the white ink, a mode of forming an image on the medium M using the color inks and the varnish ink, and a mode of forming an image on the medium M using the color inks, the white ink, and the varnish ink.
[0047] Note that in the printing device 1 of the present embodiment, each of the color inks, the white ink, and the varnish ink contains an ultraviolet-curable material that is cured by irradiation of ultraviolet rays, and is an ultraviolet-curable ink. However, any of the color inks, the white ink, and the varnish ink can use an ink other than an ultraviolet-curable ink. Further, the type of the ultraviolet-curable material contained in the ultraviolet-curable ink, the type of other contained materials, and the like are not particularly limited.
[0048] In this embodiment, as the medium M, a dedicated paper for inkjet printing such as plain paper, quality paper, and glossy paper, or the like can be used. In addition, as the medium M, for example, a plastic film that has not been subjected to surface treatment for inkjet printing, that is, has not been formed with an ink absorbing layer, and a material to which a plastic has been applied on a base material such as paper, and a material to which a plastic film has been attached can be used. As the plastic, there is no particular limitation, and for example, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, polystyrene, polyurethane, polyethylene, and polypropylene can be cited. In addition, as the medium M, a printed material can be used. The printed material refers to cloth, clothing, other apparel products, or the like that are the subject of printing. The cloth includes textiles, knitted goods, nonwoven fabrics, or the like of natural fibers such as cotton, silk, wool, or the like, chemical fibers such as nylon, or the like, or composite fibers obtained by mixing these fibers. In addition, the clothing, other apparel products include, in addition to T-shirts, handkerchiefs, scarves, towels, tote bags, cloth bags, curtains, bedspreads, bed covers, or the like of furniture, or the like after sewing, cloth or the like before and after cutting that exist as parts in a state before sewing.
[0049] Next, the details of the carriage 2 will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 5 The details of the carriage 2 will be described. As shown in Figure 2 and Figure 3 The carriage 2 has a region 2a, and regions 2b and 2c that are provided on both sides of the region 2a in the main scanning direction A. Thus, as shown in Figure 3 , the plurality of print heads 3 are provided in the region 2a, the ultraviolet irradiation section 4A and the ultraviolet irradiation section 4C are provided in the region 2b, and the ultraviolet irradiation section 4B and the ultraviolet irradiation section 4D are provided in the region 2c.
[0050] Figure 3 is a view of the carriage 2 as viewed from the nozzle face side of the nozzles N of the print heads 3 provided with the nozzles. In detail, two print heads 3A that eject black ink, cyan ink, magenta ink, and yellow ink, two print heads 3B that eject gray ink, red ink, light cyan ink, and light magenta ink, two print heads 3C that eject white ink, and two print heads 3D that eject varnish ink are provided in the region 2a. The two print heads 3A, the two print heads 3B, the two print heads 3C, and the two print heads 3D are arranged so that a part of the nozzles N overlap each other as viewed from the main scanning direction A, and the print heads 3C, the print heads 3A and the print heads 3B, and the print heads 3D are arranged in this order from the front side to the rear side in the direction B1. In addition, the two print heads 3A are each arranged in the main scanning direction A from left to right in the region 2a in the order of a nozzle row of nozzles N that eject cyan ink, a nozzle row that ejects magenta ink, a nozzle row that ejects yellow ink, and a nozzle row that ejects black ink. The two print heads 3B are each arranged in the main scanning direction A from left to right in the region 2a in the order of a nozzle row of nozzles N that eject gray ink, a nozzle row that ejects red ink, a nozzle row that ejects light cyan ink, and a nozzle row that ejects light magenta ink. Figure 3 In addition, the two print heads 3A are each arranged in the main scanning direction A from left to right in the region 2a in the order of a nozzle row of nozzles N that eject cyan ink, a nozzle row that ejects magenta ink, a nozzle row that ejects yellow ink, and a nozzle row that ejects black ink. The two print heads 3B are each arranged in the main scanning direction A from left to right in the region 2a in the order of a nozzle row of nozzles N that eject gray ink, a nozzle row that ejects red ink, a nozzle row that ejects light cyan ink, and a nozzle row that ejects light magenta ink. Figure 3The nozzle rows are arranged in the order of a nozzle row ejecting gray ink, a nozzle row ejecting red ink, a nozzle row ejecting light magenta ink, and a nozzle row ejecting light cyan ink from left to right in the drawing.
[0051] In addition, the ultraviolet irradiation section 4A provided in the region 2b and the ultraviolet irradiation section 4B provided in the region 2c are arranged on both sides with the respective print heads 3A and 3B in the main scanning direction A, and are arranged so as to overlap the print head 3C and the print heads 3A and 3B when viewed in the main scanning direction A. In addition, the ultraviolet irradiation section 4C provided in the region 2b and the ultraviolet irradiation section 4D provided in the region 2c are arranged at positions that are offset when viewed in the main scanning direction A. However, the light source 4c2 and the light source 4d2 overlap in part of the region when viewed in the main scanning direction A. In addition, the ultraviolet irradiation section 4C and the ultraviolet irradiation section 4D are each arranged at a position that is further to the rear than the print head 3D in the direction B1, as is apparent from the comparison between FIG. 6 and FIG. 7. Figure 4 and Figure 5 As is apparent, the ultraviolet irradiation section 4D is arranged at a position that is lower in the vertical direction than the ultraviolet irradiation section 4C. Each of the ultraviolet irradiation sections has a light source and a cover that covers the light source, the ultraviolet irradiation section 4A has the cover 4a1 and the light source 4a2, the ultraviolet irradiation section 4B has the cover 4b1 and the light source 4b2, the ultraviolet irradiation section 4C has the cover 4c1 and the light source 4c2, and the ultraviolet irradiation section 4D has the cover 4d1 and the light source 4d2.
[0052] Note that the irradiation intensity of the ultraviolet rays of the ultraviolet irradiation section 4A and the ultraviolet irradiation section 4B is stronger than the irradiation intensity of the ultraviolet rays of the ultraviolet irradiation section 4C and the ultraviolet irradiation section 4D. In addition, the irradiation intensity of the ultraviolet irradiation section 4D is equal to the irradiation intensity of the ultraviolet rays of the ultraviolet irradiation section 4C, but as described above, the ultraviolet irradiation section 4D is arranged at a position that is lower in the vertical direction than the ultraviolet irradiation section 4C, and thus the relative irradiation intensity of the ultraviolet irradiation section 4D with respect to the ultraviolet irradiation section 4C in the surface of the medium M is somewhat stronger than the ultraviolet irradiation section 4C. In the printing device 1 of the present embodiment, the carriage 2 is configured as described above, but is not limited to this configuration. The arrangement, number, and the like of the print heads 3 and the ultraviolet irradiation sections 4 provided in the carriage 2 are not particularly limited, and can be a configuration in which the print heads 3 and the ultraviolet irradiation sections 4 are not provided in one carriage 2.
[0053] For example, the carriage 2 can also be configured as shown in FIG. 8. Figure 6 Figure 6 is a view that shows the carriage 2 of a printing device 11 according to an embodiment of the present application. In the carriage 2 of the printing device 11, two print heads 3E and 3F are provided in the region 2d, and an ultraviolet irradiation section 4E is provided in the region 2e.Figure 6 This diagram shows the carriage 2 as viewed from the nozzle side of the printhead 3. Specifically, printhead 3E, which sprays black, cyan, magenta, yellow, gray, red, light cyan, and light magenta inks, and printhead 3F, which sprays white and varnish inks, are positioned in area 2d. The two printheads 3E and 3F are arranged in the order of printhead 3E, printhead 3F, from the front side to the rear side in direction B1. Furthermore, printhead 3E is positioned in the main scanning direction A from... Figure 3 The nozzle array in the printhead 3F is arranged from left to right in the following order: nozzles for cyan ink, magenta ink, yellow ink, black ink, gray ink, red ink, light magenta ink, and light cyan ink. The printhead 3F moves along the main scanning direction A from... Figure 3 The nozzle rows are arranged from left to right in the following order: four rows of nozzles that spray varnish ink and four rows of nozzles that spray white ink. Additionally, the ultraviolet irradiation unit 4E includes a cover 4e1 and a light source 4e2.
[0054] Next, use Figure 7 right Figures 1 to 5 The electrical configuration of the printing apparatus 1 in this embodiment shown will be described. It should be noted that, regarding... Figure 6 The electrical configuration of the printing apparatus 11 shown is also the same. (As in...) Figure 7 As shown, the printing apparatus 1 of this embodiment includes a control unit 20. The control unit 20 is equipped with a CPU 21 that manages the control of the entire printing apparatus 1. The CPU 21 is connected via a system bus 22 to a ROM 23 that stores various control programs executed by the CPU 21 and a RAM 24 that can temporarily store data.
[0055] CPU 21 is connected via system bus 22 to head drive unit 25 for driving the printing head 3 that ejects UV-curable ink. Additionally, CPU 21 is connected via system bus 22 to irradiation unit drive unit 29 for driving UV irradiation unit 4.
[0056] Furthermore, the CPU 21 is connected to the motor drive unit 26 via the system bus 22, which is connected to the carriage motor 27 and the frame motor 28. Here, the carriage motor 27 is a motor for reciprocating the carriage 2, which carries each printhead 3, etc., in the main scanning direction A. The frame motor 28 is a motor for reciprocating the frame 5 in the sub-scanning direction B.
[0057] Furthermore, the CPU21 is connected to the input / output unit 30 via the system bus 22, which is connected to the PC31 used for transmitting and receiving data and signals such as printing data.
[0058] In this embodiment, the printing apparatus 1 includes, on the carriage 2, a printing head 3 configured to reciprocate along a main scanning direction A (a first direction) to spray ultraviolet-curable ink onto a medium M; and an ultraviolet irradiation unit 4 configured to reciprocate along the main scanning direction A with the printing head 3 to irradiate the ultraviolet-curable ink sprayed onto the medium M with ultraviolet light. Furthermore, the carriage 2 and carriage motor 27 function as a first moving part that moves the printing head 3 and ultraviolet irradiation unit 4 along the main scanning direction A, while the frame 5 and frame motor 28 function as a second moving part that moves the carriage 2 and the medium M relative to each other along a sub-scanning direction B (a second direction intersecting the first direction). Thus, the control unit 20 controls the movement of the carriage 2 towards the main scanning direction A (first movement), the relative movement of the frame 5 and the medium M towards the sub-scanning direction B (second movement), the spraying of ultraviolet-curable ink from the printing head 3, and the irradiation of ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet irradiation unit 4. Hereinafter, refer to... Figure 8 and Figure 9 The printing method that can be executed by the printing apparatus 1 of this embodiment and is executed under the control of the control unit 20 will be described.
[0059] First, regarding Figure 8 The printing method shown in the flowchart can be performed by the printing apparatus 1 of this embodiment. In the printing method of this embodiment, firstly, printing data is input from PC 31 or the like in step S110.
[0060] Next, in step S120, the control unit 20 performs first control by controlling each component in the printing apparatus 1. Here, the first control refers to the control performed by the control unit 20 to move the carriage 2 from the printing start position Ps side of the medium M to the printing end position Pe side of the medium M. In the first control, the control unit 20 further performs the first and second movements while simultaneously ejecting ultraviolet-curable ink from the print head 3 and irradiating ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet irradiation unit 4. Figure 8 In the printing method of this embodiment shown in the flowchart, the ejection of ultraviolet-curable ink for medium M is completed by a first control.
[0061] Next, in step S130, the control unit 20 performs a second control by controlling each component in the printing apparatus 1, thus ending the printing method of this embodiment. Here, the second control refers to the control performed by the control unit 20 to move the carriage 2 from the printing end position Pe side to the printing start position Ps side. In the second control, the control unit 20 further performs the first and second movements while preventing the ejection of UV-curable ink from the print head 3 and instead irradiating the print head 3 with ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet irradiation unit 4. That is, in… Figure 8In the printing method of the present embodiment shown in the flowchart, the second control corresponds to an additional ultraviolet irradiation process that supplements the ultraviolet irradiation performed at the time of the first control.
[0062] Thus, in the printing method of the present embodiment, in addition to the first control in which the first movement and the second movement are performed from the printing start position Ps side to the printing end position Pe side, and in which the ultraviolet-curable ink is ejected from the print head 3 and the ultraviolet rays are irradiated from the ultraviolet irradiation section 4, the second control is performed in which the first movement and the second movement are performed from the printing end position Pe side to the printing start position Ps side, and in which the ultraviolet rays are irradiated from the ultraviolet irradiation section 4 without ejecting the ultraviolet-curable ink from the print head 3. Thus, in addition to the first control, the ultraviolet rays can be reliably irradiated by the second control, and the ultraviolet-curable ink can be reliably cured. In addition, in the second control, the time during which the carriage 2 is returned from the printing end position Pe side to the printing start position Ps side, i.e., the time during which the carriage 2 is returned to the initial position, is set as the time taken for the additional ultraviolet irradiation process. Thus, by performing the printing method of the present embodiment, time can be efficiently used.
[0063] In addition, the printing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, by the control of the control section 20, makes the movement speed of the carriage 2 in the first movement in the second control of step S130, i.e., the second speed, faster than the movement speed of the carriage 2 in the first movement in the first control of step S120, i.e., the first speed. Thus, the second control can be performed in a short time, and a decrease in processing efficiency can be suppressed. Note that, here, "making the second speed faster" not only means making the speed during the movement operation period in the to-and-fro movement of the carriage 2 along the main scanning direction A faster, but also includes, in terms of meaning, a case where, even if the speed during the movement operation period is the same, the stop time when the movement from the outward direction Al is switched to the movement in the return direction A2, and the stop time when the movement from the return direction A2 is switched to the movement in the outward direction Al are short, and the like.
[0064] In addition, the printing device 1 of the present embodiment is able to make the speed of the relative movement of the second movement in the second control of step S130, that is, the second relative movement speed, faster than the speed of the relative movement of the second movement in the first control of step S120, that is, the first relative movement speed, by the control of the control section 20. In this way, the second relative movement speed in the second control is made faster in addition to the second speed in the second control, and thus the second control is able to be performed in a particularly short time, and the decrease in processing efficiency is able to be effectively suppressed. Note that, here, "making the second relative movement speed faster" not only means making the speed during the movement of the frame 5 faster, but also includes, in terms of meaning, for example, a case where the amount of movement of the frame 5 for one time of intermittent movement is large even if the speed during the movement is the same, a case where the stop time of the frame 5 for intermittent movement is short, and the like.
[0065] In addition, in the printing method of the present embodiment, the control section 20 performs the first control and the second control such that the degree of curing of the ultraviolet curable ink ejected to the medium M after the second control of step S130 is performed after the first control of step S120 is performed reaches 97% or more. Thus, the curing of the ultraviolet curable ink ejected to the medium M after the second control is performed is suppressed from being insufficient, and the image formed on the medium M is suppressed from being damaged, and the hands of the worker who comes into contact with the ultraviolet curable ink ejected to the medium M are suppressed from being contaminated.
[0066] In addition, in the printing method of the present embodiment, the control section 20 performs the first control such that the degree of curing of the ultraviolet curable ink ejected to the medium M after the first control of step S120 is performed reaches 50% or more. Thus, the ultraviolet curable ink ejected to the medium M after the first control is performed is sufficiently temporarily cured, and thus the position deviation and bleeding are suppressed, and the image quality is suppressed from decreasing. Moreover, the degree of curing of the ultraviolet curable ink required in the second control can be less than 50%, and thus it becomes easy to perform the second control in a shorter time than the first control.
[0067] In addition, in the printing method of the present embodiment, the control section 20 performs control so that the cumulative irradiation amount of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation section 4 in the second control of step S130 is less than the cumulative irradiation amount of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation section 4 in the first control of step S120. In the printing method of the present embodiment, for example, the irradiation intensity of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation section 4 in the first control and the second control can be made equal, or the irradiation intensity of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation section 4 in the second control can be made higher than the irradiation intensity of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation section 4 in the first control, as described later. In this way, by controlling so that the cumulative irradiation amount of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation section 4 in the second control is less than the cumulative irradiation amount of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation section 4 in the first control, it is possible to perform the second control in a short time. Therefore, by performing the second control in a short time, it is possible to effectively suppress a decrease in processing efficiency.
[0068] In addition, as described above, the printing device 1 of the present embodiment is provided with the cleaning section 8 capable of cleaning the print head 3, and the cleaning section 8 cleans the print head 3 in accordance with the control of the control section 20. Here, the control section 20 can perform control so that the irradiation intensity of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation section 4 in the second control of step S130 is higher than the irradiation intensity of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation section 4 in the first control of step S120. In this case, by performing such control, it is possible to control so that the cleaning frequency of the print head 3 by the cleaning section 8 in the second control is higher than the cleaning frequency of the print head 3 by the cleaning section 8 in the first control. When the irradiation intensity is increased, there is a concern that the ultraviolet rays reach the nozzles N and the like of the print head 3, and the ultraviolet-curable ink in the nozzles N is cured, but by increasing the cleaning frequency, it is possible to appropriately remove the cured ultraviolet-curable ink, and it is possible to reduce the concern that nozzle clogging and the like occurs.
[0069] Next, the printing method capable of being performed by the printing device 1 of the present embodiment, which is shown in the flowchart of Figure 9 is explained. Step S110 and step S120 of the printing method of the present embodiment are the same as the printing method shown in the flowchart of Figure 8 , and thus detailed explanation is omitted. However, step S130 in the printing method of the present embodiment is different from the printing method shown in the flowchart of Figure 8 in that the first movement is not performed and the ultraviolet rays are not irradiated from the ultraviolet irradiation section 4.
[0070] In the printing method of the present embodiment, as described above, the control section 20 performs control so that the cumulative irradiation amount of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation section 4 in the second control of step S130 is less than the cumulative irradiation amount of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation section 4 in the first control of step S120. In the printing method of the present embodiment, for example, the irradiation intensity of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation section 4 in the first control and the second control can be made equal, or the irradiation intensity of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation section 4 in the second control can be made higher than the irradiation intensity of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation section 4 in the first control, as described later. In this way, by controlling so that the cumulative irradiation amount of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation section 4 in the second control is less than the cumulative irradiation amount of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation section 4 in the first control, it is possible to perform the second control in a short time. Therefore, by performing the second control in a short time, it is possible to effectively suppress a decrease in processing efficiency. Figure 9As shown, after the step S130 ends, the third control of the step S140 is executed. The third control refers to the control by the control section 20 to move the carriage 2 from the print start position Ps side to the print end position Pe side. Also, the control section 20 executes the first movement and the second movement while executing the irradiation of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation section 4 in the third control. That is, in addition to the first control to execute the first movement and the second movement of the carriage 2 from the print start position Ps side to the print end position Pe side while executing the ejection of the ultraviolet curable ink from the print head 3 and the irradiation of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation section 4, and the second control to move the carriage 2 from the print end position Pe side to the print start position Ps side, the third control to execute the first movement and the second movement of the carriage 2 from the print start position Ps side to the print end position Pe side while executing the irradiation of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation section 4 without executing the ejection of the ultraviolet curable ink from the print head 3 is executed. Therefore, in addition to the first control, the ultraviolet rays can be reliably irradiated by the third control, and the ultraviolet curable ink can be reliably cured.
[0071] In addition, the printing device 1 of the present embodiment can make the moving speed of the carriage 2 in the third control of the step S140, that is, the second speed faster than the moving speed of the carriage 2 in the first movement in the first control of the step S120, that is, the first speed, by the control of the control section 20. Therefore, the third control can be executed in a short time, and the decrease in the processing efficiency can be suppressed.
[0072] In addition, the printing device 1 of the present embodiment can make the speed of the relative movement of the second movement in the third control of the step S140, that is, the second relative movement speed faster than the speed of the relative movement of the second movement in the first control of the step S120, that is, the first relative movement speed, by the control of the control section 20. In this way, in addition to the second speed in the third control, the second relative movement speed in the third control also becomes faster, and therefore the third control can be executed in a particularly short time, and the decrease in the processing efficiency can be effectively suppressed.
[0073] In addition, in the printing method of the present embodiment, the control section 20 executes the first control, the second control, and the third control so that the degree of curing of the ultraviolet curable ink ejected to the medium M after the execution of the first control of the step S120 and the second control of the step S130 and after the execution of the third control of the step S140 reaches 97% or more. Therefore, the insufficient curing of the ultraviolet curable ink ejected to the medium M after the execution of the third control is suppressed, and the damage to the image formed on the medium M, the contamination of the hands of the operator who contacts the ultraviolet curable ink ejected to the medium M, and the like are suppressed.
[0074] Note that, in the printing method of the present embodiment, the same also applies to the case where the first control of the step S110 is executedFigure 8 The printing method shown in the flowchart of FIG. 10 is the same as the printing method shown in the flowchart of FIG. 8, and the control section 20 performs the first control so that the degree of curing of the ultraviolet-curable ink ejected to the medium M after the first control of step S120 is performed reaches 50% or more. Therefore, the ultraviolet-curable ink ejected to the medium M after the first control is performed is sufficiently temporarily cured, so that position displacement and bleeding are suppressed, and a decrease in image quality is suppressed. Also, the degree of curing of the ultraviolet-curable ink required in the third control can be less than 50%, so that it becomes easy to perform the third control in a shorter time than the first control.
[0075] In the printing method of the present embodiment, the control section 20 controls so that the cumulative irradiation amount of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation section 4 in the third control of step S140 is less than the cumulative irradiation amount of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation section 4 in the first control of step S120. In the printing method of the present embodiment, for example, the irradiation intensity of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation section 4 in the first control and the third control can be made equal, or the irradiation intensity of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation section 4 in the third control can be made higher than the irradiation intensity of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation section 4 in the first control, as described later. In this way, by controlling so that the cumulative irradiation amount of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation section 4 in the third control is less than the cumulative irradiation amount of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation section 4 in the first control, it becomes possible to perform the third control in a short time. Therefore, by performing the third control in a short time, it becomes possible to effectively suppress a decrease in processing efficiency.
[0076] In addition, the control section 20 can control so that the irradiation intensity of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation section 4 in the third control of step S140 is higher than the irradiation intensity of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation section 4 in the first control of step S120. In this case, by performing such control, it becomes possible to control so that the cleaning frequency of the print head 3 by the cleaning section 8 in the third control is higher than the cleaning frequency of the print head 3 by the cleaning section 8 in the first control. By the control section 20 performing such control, it becomes possible to reduce the concern that nozzle clogging and the like will occur.
[0077] Note that the present application is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the application recited in the claims, and of course they are included in the scope of the present application. For example, the printing device 1 and the printing device 11 can also be implemented with the printing device 2 and the printing device 12, respectively, and the printing method of the present embodiment can also be applied to the printing device 2 and the printing device 12. Figure 8 and Figure 9In the printing method shown in the flowchart of Fig. 1, the printing method can be different from the printing method shown in the flowchart of Fig. 1. In this case, the first control can be performed only after step S110, or the fourth movement of moving the carriage 2 from the printing end position Pe side to the printing start position Ps side can be performed after step S130, and the movement of the carriage 2 from the printing start position Ps side to the printing end position Pe side and the movement of the carriage 2 from the printing end position Pe side to the printing start position Ps side can be performed as many times as necessary. In addition, the processing corresponding to the printing mode can be performed for the first movement to the fourth movement and the movement of the carriage 2 from the printing start position Ps side to the printing end position Pe side and the movement of the carriage 2 from the printing end position Pe side to the printing start position Ps side. The printing mode refers to a mode in which white ink, color ink, and varnish ink are used for printing, a mode in which white ink is not used and color ink and varnish ink are used for printing, a mode in which only color ink is used for printing, a mode in which white ink is first ejected to print a background on the medium M and color ink is then ejected to print an image thereon, a mode in which color ink is first ejected to print an image on the medium M and white ink is then ejected to print a background thereon, and the like. In addition, the processing corresponding to the printing mode can include whether or not ultraviolet rays are emitted from the ultraviolet ray emitting portion 4, in the case of emission, whether or not the entire ultraviolet ray emitting portion 4 is caused to emit, or only a region adjacent to the print head 3 from which ink is ejected or only a region located on a downstream side of the travel direction of the carriage 2 with respect to the print head 3 from which ink is ejected in the sub-scanning direction B, and the like, the emission intensity of the ultraviolet ray emitting portion 4, the combination of the emission intensity of the ultraviolet ray emitting portion 4 and the emission position, the movement speed of the first movement, the movement speed of the second movement, and the like, and combinations thereof.
Claims
1. A printing device characterized by comprising: Possessing: a print head configured to be able to move back and forth in a first direction, to eject ultraviolet-curable ink to a medium; an ultraviolet irradiation section configured to be able to move back and forth in the first direction together with the print head, to irradiate ultraviolet rays to the ultraviolet-curable ink ejected to the medium; a first movement section that moves the print head and the ultraviolet irradiation section in the first direction; a second movement section that relatively moves the print head and the ultraviolet irradiation section with the medium in a second direction intersecting the first direction; and a control section that controls first movement of the print head and the ultraviolet irradiation section in the first direction, second movement of the print head and the ultraviolet irradiation section with the medium in the second direction, ejection of the ultraviolet-curable ink from the print head, and irradiation of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation section, the control section being able to execute: first control that executes the first movement and the second movement from a print start position side of the medium to a print end position side of the medium, and executes ejection of the ultraviolet-curable ink from the print head and irradiation of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation section; and second control that executes the first movement and the second movement from the print end position side to the print start position side, and executes irradiation of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation section without executing ejection of the ultraviolet-curable ink from the print head, the control section controlling so that the cumulative irradiation amount of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation section in the second control is less than the cumulative irradiation amount of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation section in the first control, the movement speed of the print head and the ultraviolet irradiation section in the first movement in the second control being faster than the movement speed of the print head and the ultraviolet irradiation section in the first movement in the first control.
2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the relative movement speed in the second movement in the second control is faster than the relative movement speed in the second movement in the first control.
3. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control section executes the first control and the second control so that the degree of curing of the ultraviolet-curable ink ejected to the medium after the second control is executed after the first control is executed reaches 97% or more.
4. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the printing apparatus possesses a cleaning section that cleans the print head in accordance with control by the control section, The control section controls so that the irradiation intensity of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation section in the second control is higher than the irradiation intensity of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation section in the first control, and controls so that the frequency of cleaning the print head by the cleaning section in the second control is higher than the frequency of cleaning the print head by the cleaning section in the first control.
5. A printing device characterized by comprising: Possesses: a print head configured to be able to move back and forth in a first direction and to eject ultraviolet curable ink to a medium; an ultraviolet irradiation section configured to be able to move back and forth in the first direction together with the print head and to irradiate ultraviolet rays to the ultraviolet curable ink ejected to the medium; a first moving section that moves the print head and the ultraviolet irradiation section in the first direction; a second moving section that relatively moves the print head and the ultraviolet irradiation section with the medium in a second direction intersecting the first direction; and a control section that controls the first moving, the second moving, the ejection of the ultraviolet curable ink from the print head, and the irradiation of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation section, the first moving being the movement of the print head and the ultraviolet irradiation section in the first direction, the second moving being the relative movement of the print head and the ultraviolet irradiation section with the medium in the second direction, the control section being able to perform: a first control that executes the first moving and the second moving from a print start position side of the medium to a print end position side of the medium while executing the ejection of the ultraviolet curable ink from the print head and the irradiation of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation section; a second control that moves the print head and the ultraviolet irradiation section from the print end position side to the print start position side; and a third control that executes the first moving and the second moving from the print start position side to the print end position side while not executing the ejection of the ultraviolet curable ink from the print head but executing the irradiation of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation section, the control section controls so that the cumulative irradiation amount of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation section in the third control is less than the cumulative irradiation amount of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation section in the first control, the moving speed of the print head and the ultraviolet irradiation section in the third control, that is, a second speed, is faster than the moving speed of the print head and the ultraviolet irradiation section in the first control, that is, a first speed.
6. The printing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the relative moving speed of the second moving in the third control, that is, a second relative moving speed, is faster than the relative moving speed of the second moving in the first control, that is, a first relative moving speed.
7. The printing apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, wherein The control section executes the first control, the second control, and the third control so that the degree of curing of the ultraviolet-curable ink ejected to the medium after the third control is executed after the first control and the second control is executed reaches 97% or more.
8. The printing apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that The printing apparatus is provided with a cleaning section that cleans the print head under control of the control section, The control section controls so that the intensity of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation section in the third control is higher than the intensity of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation section in the first control, and controls so that the frequency of cleaning the print head by the cleaning section in the third control is higher than the frequency of cleaning the print head by the cleaning section in the first control.
9. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 5, characterized in that The control section executes the first control so that the degree of curing of the ultraviolet-curable ink ejected to the medium after the first control is executed reaches 50% or more.
10. A printing device characterized by comprising: provided with: a print head configured to be able to move back and forth in a first direction and eject ultraviolet-curable ink to a medium; an ultraviolet irradiation section configured to be able to move back and forth in the first direction together with the print head and irradiate ultraviolet rays to the ultraviolet-curable ink ejected to the medium; a first moving section that moves the print head and the ultraviolet irradiation section in the first direction; a second moving section that relatively moves the print head and the ultraviolet irradiation section with the medium in a second direction that intersects the first direction; and a control section that controls the first movement of the print head and the ultraviolet irradiation section in the first direction, the second movement of the print head and the ultraviolet irradiation section with the medium in the second direction, the ejection of the ultraviolet-curable ink from the print head, and the irradiation of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation section, The control section is able to execute: a first control that executes the first movement and the second movement from a print start position side of the medium to a print end position side of the medium while executing the ejection of the ultraviolet-curable ink from the print head and the irradiation of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation section; and a second control that executes the first movement and the second movement from the print end position side to the print start position side while not executing the ejection of the ultraviolet-curable ink from the print head and executing the irradiation of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation section, The control section executes the first control so that the degree of curing of the ultraviolet-curable ink ejected to the medium after the first control is executed reaches 50% or more, The moving speed of the print head and the ultraviolet irradiation section in the first movement in the second control is faster than the first speed, which is the moving speed of the print head and the ultraviolet irradiation section in the first movement in the first control.
11. A printing device characterized by comprising: Possessing: a print head configured to be able to move back and forth in a first direction and to eject ultraviolet-curable ink to a medium; an ultraviolet irradiation section configured to be able to move back and forth in the first direction together with the print head and to irradiate ultraviolet to the ultraviolet-curable ink ejected to the medium; a first moving section that moves the print head and the ultraviolet irradiation section in the first direction; a second moving section that relatively moves the print head and the ultraviolet irradiation section with the medium in a second direction intersecting the first direction; and a control section that controls the first movement, the second movement, the ejection of the ultraviolet-curable ink from the print head, and the irradiation of the ultraviolet from the ultraviolet irradiation section, the first movement being the movement of the print head and the ultraviolet irradiation section in the first direction, and the second movement being the relative movement of the print head and the ultraviolet irradiation section with the medium in the second direction, the control section being able to execute: a first control that executes the first movement and the second movement from a print start position side of the medium to a print end position side of the medium and executes the ejection of the ultraviolet-curable ink from the print head and the irradiation of the ultraviolet from the ultraviolet irradiation section; a second control that moves the print head and the ultraviolet irradiation section from the print end position side to the print start position side; and a third control that executes the first movement and the second movement from the print start position side to the print end position side and executes the irradiation of the ultraviolet from the ultraviolet irradiation section without executing the ejection of the ultraviolet-curable ink from the print head, the control section executing the first control so that the degree of curing of the ultraviolet-curable ink ejected to the medium after the execution of the first control reaches 50% or more, the moving speed of the print head and the ultraviolet irradiation section in the first movement in the third control being faster than the first speed, which is the moving speed of the print head and the ultraviolet irradiation section in the first movement in the first control. Possessing:
12. A printing device characterized by comprising: a print head configured to be able to move back and forth in a first direction and to eject ultraviolet-curable ink to a medium; an ultraviolet irradiation section configured to be able to move back and forth in the first direction together with the print head and to irradiate ultraviolet to the ultraviolet-curable ink ejected to the medium; a first moving section that moves the print head and the ultraviolet irradiation section in the first direction; a second moving section that relatively moves the print head and the ultraviolet irradiation section with the medium in a second direction intersecting the first direction; a control section that controls the first movement, the second movement, the ejection of the ultraviolet-curable ink from the print head, and the irradiation of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet ray irradiation section, the first movement being the movement of the print head and the ultraviolet ray irradiation section in the first direction, the second movement being the relative movement of the print head and the ultraviolet ray irradiation section and the medium in the second direction, and a cleaning section that cleans the print head in accordance with the control of the control section, the control section being capable of performing: first control in which the first movement and the second movement are performed from the print start position side of the medium to the print end position side of the medium, and the ejection of the ultraviolet-curable ink from the print head and the irradiation of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet ray irradiation section are performed; and second control in which the first movement and the second movement are performed from the print end position side to the print start position side, and the ejection of the ultraviolet-curable ink from the print head is not performed while the irradiation of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet ray irradiation section is performed, the control section controlling so that the irradiation intensity of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet ray irradiation section in the second control is higher than the irradiation intensity of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet ray irradiation section in the first control, and controlling so that the frequency of cleaning of the print head by the cleaning section in the second control is higher than the frequency of cleaning of the print head by the cleaning section in the first control, the movement speed of the print head and the ultraviolet ray irradiation section in the first movement in the second control being faster than the movement speed of the print head and the ultraviolet ray irradiation section in the first movement in the first control.
13. A printing device characterized by comprising: provided with: a print head configured to be able to move back and forth in a first direction, and to eject ultraviolet-curable ink to a medium; an ultraviolet ray irradiation section configured to be able to move back and forth in the first direction together with the print head, and to irradiate ultraviolet rays to the ultraviolet-curable ink ejected to the medium; a first movement section that moves the print head and the ultraviolet ray irradiation section in the first direction; a second movement section that relatively moves the print head and the ultraviolet ray irradiation section and the medium in a second direction intersecting the first direction; a control section that controls the first movement, the second movement, the ejection of the ultraviolet-curable ink from the print head, and the irradiation of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet ray irradiation section, the first movement being the movement of the print head and the ultraviolet ray irradiation section in the first direction, the second movement being the relative movement of the print head and the ultraviolet ray irradiation section and the medium in the second direction; and a cleaning section that cleans the print head in accordance with the control of the control section, the control section being capable of performing: first control in which the first movement and the second movement are performed from the print start position side of the medium to the print end position side of the medium, and the ejection of the ultraviolet-curable ink from the print head and the irradiation of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet ray irradiation section are performed; the second control moves the print head and the ultraviolet irradiation section from the print end position side to the print start position side; and the third control executes the first movement and the second movement from the print start position side to the print end position side without executing the ejection of the ultraviolet curable ink from the print head while executing the irradiation of the ultraviolet from the ultraviolet irradiation section, the control section controls so that the irradiation intensity of the ultraviolet from the ultraviolet irradiation section in the second control is higher than the irradiation intensity of the ultraviolet from the ultraviolet irradiation section in the first control, and controls so that the frequency of the cleaning of the print head by the cleaning section in the second control is higher than the frequency of the cleaning of the print head by the cleaning section in the first control, the moving speed of the print head and the ultraviolet irradiation section in the third control, that is, a second speed, is faster than the moving speed of the print head and the ultraviolet irradiation section in the first movement in the first control, that is, a first speed.
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