Recording apparatus, sheet position adjustment method for recording apparatus, computer-readable storage medium, and computer program product

Abstract

The present application provides a recording apparatus, a sheet position adjustment method for a recording apparatus, a computer-readable storage medium, and a computer program product. The recording apparatus includes a recording section, a conveying section configured to convey a sheet in a forward direction and a reverse direction while applying tension to the sheet, a position detection section configured to detect a position of the sheet in a width direction of the sheet, a position adjustment section configured to adjust the position of the sheet in the width direction, and a control section configured to execute a position adjustment operation in which, after a recording operation of the recording section, the sheet is conveyed in the reverse direction, and then, while adjusting the position of the sheet in the width direction using the position adjustment section, the sheet is conveyed in the forward direction by the conveying section. A conveying distance of the sheet in the reverse direction in the position adjustment operation is determined based on a detection result of the position detection section.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a recording apparatus for recording images on a thin film and a method for adjusting the position of the thin film in the recording apparatus. Background Technology

[0002] Traditionally, inkjet recording devices are known as recording devices used to eject ink onto a continuous sheet-like recording medium wound on a roller and record characters and images. In line head recording devices of such inkjet recording devices, ink droplets are ejected from the recording head in conjunction with the transport of the recording medium, while the recording head is not moving in the transport direction of the recording medium relative to the body, and characters and images are recorded on the recording medium.

[0003] When recording is performed intermittently on a continuous sheet-like recording medium, blank areas (wasted paper areas) where no image is formed are created between the recording position of an image and the next recording position. Japanese Patent 6540033 discloses a configuration in which, in order to reduce the wasted paper area, the recording medium is transported in the opposite direction to that during the recording operation after the recording operation. Summary of the Invention

[0004] On the other hand, when the recording medium is conveyed while being taut by rollers or the like, its position in the width direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the recording medium may become displaced. In the above configuration, if the position of the recording medium in the width direction is displaced when the recording medium is conveyed in the opposite direction, the positions of characters and images recorded on the recording medium by subsequent recording operations may become displaced from the target position, and the image appearance may deteriorate.

[0005] The present invention was made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and the object of the present invention is to provide a recording device that can reduce the area of ​​paper waste and suppress the degradation of image appearance.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the recording device according to the present invention includes:

[0007] Recording section, used to record images onto a thin film;

[0008] The conveying unit is used to convey the sheet in a forward direction and in a reverse direction opposite to the forward direction, while applying tension to the sheet;

[0009] A position detection unit is used to detect the position of the sheet in the width direction of the sheet, the width direction intersecting the positive direction;

[0010] A position adjustment unit is used to adjust the position of the sheet in the width direction on the upstream side of the recording unit along the positive direction; and

[0011] The control unit performs a position adjustment operation, in which, after the recording operation of the recording unit and the sheet is conveyed in the reverse direction, the position of the sheet is adjusted by the position adjustment unit in the width direction while the sheet is conveyed in the forward direction by the conveying unit.

[0012] The conveying distance of the sheet along the reverse direction during the position adjustment operation is determined based on the detection result of the position detection unit.

[0013] Furthermore, to achieve the above objective, a method for adjusting the position of a film in a recording device is provided. The recording device includes: a recording unit for recording an image on a film; a transport unit for transporting the film along a forward direction and a reverse direction opposite to the forward direction, while applying tension to the film; a position detection unit for detecting the position of the film in the width direction, which intersects the transport direction; and a position adjustment unit for adjusting the position of the film in the width direction upstream of the recording unit along the forward direction. The film position adjustment method includes the following steps:

[0014] Reverse transport is performed, wherein, after the recording operation is completed, the sheet is transported in the reverse direction for a transport distance determined based on the detection result of the position detection unit; and

[0015] The sheet is conveyed in the forward direction, wherein, after completing the step for conveying in the reverse direction, the sheet is conveyed in the forward direction while the position of the sheet is adjusted in the width direction using the position adjustment unit.

[0016] The present invention can provide a recording device that can reduce the area of ​​paper waste and suppress the degradation of image appearance.

[0017] Other features of the invention will become clear from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the internal configuration of the recording device according to the first embodiment;

[0019] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the transport section housing of the recording section according to the first embodiment;

[0020] Figure 3 This is a perspective view of the recording head lifting mechanism according to the first embodiment;

[0021] Figure 4A and Figure 4B This is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the serration correction unit according to the first embodiment;

[0022] Figure 5A and Figure 5B This is a diagram illustrating the condition of the sheet during the first recording operation according to the first embodiment;

[0023] Figure 6A and Figure 6B This is a diagram showing the state of the sheet after the first recording operation according to the first embodiment has ended;

[0024] Figure 7A and Figure 7B This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the sheet during reverse transport according to the first embodiment;

[0025] Figure 8A and Figure 8B This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the sheet after the reverse conveying according to the first embodiment has been completed;

[0026] Figure 9A and Figure 9B This is a diagram showing the state of the sheet after the position adjustment operation according to the first embodiment has been completed;

[0027] Figure 10A and Figure 10B This is a diagram illustrating the condition of the sheet during the second recording operation according to the first embodiment;

[0028] Figure 11A and Figure 11B This is a diagram illustrating the scenario where the second recording operation was performed on the winding sheet;

[0029] Figure 12 This is a diagram illustrating the situation where a second recording operation was performed on a sheet that had been positioned.

[0030] Figure 13 This is a flowchart of the pre-printing steps according to the first embodiment;

[0031] Figure 14 This is a block diagram of the control system of the recording device according to the first embodiment;

[0032] Figure 15 This is an explanatory diagram of the method for calculating the second conveying distance according to the first embodiment;

[0033] Figure 16 This is an explanatory diagram of the method for determining the meandering correction function f(b) according to the first embodiment;

[0034] Figure 17A and Figure 17B This is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the recording device according to the first modified example;

[0035] Figure 18This is an explanatory diagram of the calculation method for the second conveying distance according to the second variation;

[0036] Figure 19 This is a graph showing the relationship between the temperature of the drying section and the drying preparation time according to the second embodiment;

[0037] Figure 20 This is an explanatory diagram of the method for calculating the second conveying distance according to the second embodiment;

[0038] Figure 21 This is an explanatory diagram of the method for calculating the second conveying distance according to the second embodiment;

[0039] Figure 22 This is a flowchart of the pre-printing steps according to the second embodiment; and

[0040] Figure 23 This is a flowchart of the determination of the reprint operation according to the second embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0041] In the following description, embodiments (examples) of the invention will be presented with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the size, material, shape, or relative arrangement of the constituent elements described in the embodiments may be appropriately varied according to the configuration of the device to which the invention is applicable or various conditions. Therefore, the size, material, shape, or relative arrangement of the constituent elements described in the embodiments is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the following embodiments.

[0042] First Embodiment

[0043] Recording equipment

[0044] The recording device 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. Figure 1 This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of recording device 1. Recording device 1 is a high-speed line printer that uses a continuous sheet (hereinafter referred to as sheet S) wound into a roller shape at its ends as the recording medium. In the following description, Figure 1 The vertical direction will be defined as the vertical direction of recording device 1. Figure 1 The left-right direction will be defined as the left-right direction of the recording device 1, and the depth direction of the paper from the near side to the far side will be defined as the width direction of the sheet. The transport direction of the sheet in the recording device 1 is a direction that intersects with the width direction of the sheet and is approximately perpendicular to the width direction.

[0045] The recording device 1 according to the first embodiment includes an unwinding roller section 2, a first zigzag section 3, a first main conveyor section 4, a zigzag correction section 5, a conveyor detection section 6, and a recording section 7. The recording device 1 also includes a conveyor tension detection section 9, a recorded image position detection section 10, a scanner section 11, a second main conveyor section 12, a second zigzag section 13, a winding roller section 14, a maintenance section 15, a drying section 40, and a cooling section 50. These units are all arranged within the recording device 1. Note that the recording device 1 includes a portion of multiple of the above-described units. Hereinafter, if necessary, these units will be described by adding suffixes to distinguish similar units that are multiple from each other.

[0046] like Figure 1 As shown by the solid lines, the sheet S is conveyed along the sheet transport path of the recording device 1 and processed in each unit. In the following text, the direction in the conveying direction of the sheet S from the unwinding roller 2, which holds one end of the sheet S in a roller shape, to the winding roller 14, which holds the other end of the sheet S in a roller shape, will be described as forward D1. Conversely, the direction in the conveying direction of the sheet S, opposite to forward D1, from the winding roller 14 to the unwinding roller 2, will be described as reverse D2. Furthermore, the conveying of the sheet S along forward D1 will be described as forward conveying, while the conveying of the sheet S along reverse D2 will be described as reverse conveying.

[0047] The conveying section of the recording device 1 mainly consists of multiple rollers arranged along the sheet conveying path, and is configured to convey the sheet S along the forward direction D1 and the reverse direction D2. Furthermore, the recording device 1 conveys the sheet S along the sheet conveying path to the first recording step section and the second recording step section.

[0048] The first recording step section includes a first recording section 7a, a first drying section 40a, and a first cooling section 50a, and records and fixes an image on the film S. The second recording step section includes a second recording section 7b, a second drying section 40b, and a second cooling section 50b, and records and fixes an image on the film S that has passed through the first recording step section. In other words, the recording device 1 can continuously record images on the film S by passing the film S through the first recording step section and the second recording step section. Furthermore, the recording device 1 can selectively determine the recording steps according to the recording conditions, and perform image recording operations on the film S only using the selected recording step section.

[0049] The unwinding roller section 2 is a unit for holding and supplying the sheet S wound into a roller shape. The unwinding roller section 2 is configured to store the unwinding roller and pull out and supply the sheet S. Note that the number of rollers that can be stored is not limited to one, and a configuration that stores two, three, or more than three rollers and selectively pulls out and supplies the sheet S is also possible. Furthermore, the unwinding roller section 2 is rotated by a drive motor (not shown) so that the roller can be rotated independently in both the forward and reverse directions.

[0050] The first jogging section 3 is a unit used to apply a certain tension to the sheet S between the unwinding roller section 2 and the first main conveying section 4. In the first jogging section 3, tension is applied to the sheet S by a tension applying member (not shown).

[0051] The first main conveying section 4 is a unit for conveying the sheet S along the sheet conveying path and applying tension to the sheet S between the first main conveying section 4 and the second main conveying section 12. The first main conveying section 4 includes a roller for rotating by a drive motor (not shown), which tensions and conveys the sheet S.

[0052] The bend correction unit 5 is a unit used to adjust the position of the sheet S in the width direction and correct the bend of the sheet S in the width direction during tensioning and conveying. As the bend correction unit 5, the recording device 1 includes a first bend correction unit 5a and a second bend correction unit 5b. The first bend correction unit 5a is located upstream of the first recording unit 7a on the sheet conveying path. The second bend correction unit 5b is located upstream of the second recording unit 7b and downstream of the first cooling unit 50a on the sheet conveying path.

[0053] The transport detection unit 6 is a unit used to pre-detect the transport speed of the sheet S and the markings printed on the sheet S to control the image formation timing of the recording unit 7. As the transport detection unit 6, the recording device 1 includes a first transport detection unit 6a and a second transport detection unit 6b. The first transport detection unit 6a is located on the sheet transport path downstream of the first meandering correction unit 5a and upstream of the first recording unit 7a. The second transport detection unit 6b is located on the sheet transport path downstream of the second meandering correction unit 5b and upstream of the second recording unit 7b. The first transport detection unit 6a and the second transport detection unit 6b are respectively used to control the image formation timing in the first recording unit 7a and the second recording unit 7b.

[0054] The recording unit 7 is a sheet processing unit for applying a liquid composition (ink) from above to a conveyed sheet S using the recording head 22 and recording (forming) an image onto the sheet S. The sheet conveying path in the recording unit 7 is formed by guide rollers 23 arranged in an upwardly convex arc shape, ensuring a gap relative to the recording head 22 when a certain tension is applied to the sheet S. In the recording unit 7, a plurality of recording heads 22 are arranged along the sheet conveying path. Each recording head 22 according to the first embodiment is a line recording head.

[0055] As the recording unit 7, the recording device 1 includes a first recording unit 7a and a second recording unit 7b. The first recording unit 7a and the second recording unit 7b are arranged in separate positions, with the second recording unit 7b located downstream of the first recording unit 7a in the forward direction D1. The first recording unit 7a includes a total of two recording heads 22 corresponding to W (white) ink and the reaction liquid. The second recording unit 7b includes a total of eight recording heads 22, which correspond to Bk (black), Y (yellow), M (magenta), and C (cyan), as well as the reaction liquid and three spot colors. Ink is supplied to the recording heads 22 from ink tanks (not shown) via ink tubes.

[0056] A reaction solution refers to a liquid containing components used to increase the viscosity of ink. In this context, increasing the viscosity of ink means that a chemical reaction or physical adsorption occurs due to contact between the pigments or resins constituting the ink and the components used to increase the viscosity, resulting in an increase in ink viscosity. Increasing the viscosity of ink is not limited to increasing the overall viscosity of the ink, but also includes a localized increase in viscosity caused by the partial aggregation of the components constituting the ink (such as pigments or resins). There are no particular limitations on the components used to increase the viscosity of ink, and they can be metal ions or polymer flocculants. For example, substances that alter the pH of the ink and cause the pigments in the ink to aggregate can be used as components to increase the viscosity of ink; organic acids can be used for this purpose.

[0057] By applying a reaction solution before the ink is applied to the film S, the ink that has reached the film S can be immediately fixed onto the film S. Therefore, bleeding, where adjacent inks mix with each other, can be suppressed. When applying this invention, the color type, number of colors, and number of recording heads 22 are not limited to the above configuration. Furthermore, as an inkjet method, methods using heat-dissipating elements, piezoelectric elements, electrostatic elements, and MEMS elements can be employed, etc.

[0058] The recording unit 7 includes a transport housing 71 provided with a plurality of positioning members 711 for positioning the recording head 22. Figure 2 This is a perspective view showing details of the transport housing 71 of the recording unit 7. Positioning members 711 are provided relative to each recording head 22, such that one positioning member 711 is provided on one side of the sheet S and two positioning members 711 are provided on the other side, thus clamping the sheet S in the width direction. Furthermore, the recording head 22 is provided with positioning portions 221a, 221b, and 221c corresponding to the positioning members 711.

[0059] The recording head 22 is arranged opposite the recording surface of the film S and is configured to be able to approach and separate from the film S. Figure 3 This is a diagram showing the lifting mechanism of the recording head 22. Figure 3As shown, the recording head 22 includes a recording head support shaft 27, which is rotatably supported from below by a recording head holding portion 26 for holding and raising / lowering the recording head 22. The recording head holding portion 26 is raised / lowered along a lifting guide rail 29 provided in a recording head lifting frame 28 via a drive mechanism (not shown) provided inside the recording head holding portion 26. Although the recording head 22, as an inkjet head, is used in the first embodiment to apply ink to the sheet S, the method of applying ink to the sheet in the recording unit 7 is not limited to this. For example, the reaction liquid can be applied to the sheet S by using a roller, a die coating device (die coating machine), or a blade coating device (blade coating machine) instead of the recording head 22.

[0060] The conveying tension detection unit 9 is a unit used to detect the tension applied to the sheet S during tensioning and conveying between the first main conveying unit 4 and the second main conveying unit 12. The recording image position detection unit 10 is a unit used to detect the displacement of the image formed on the sheet S in the recording unit 7 during the recording operation and to correct the image displacement. In the first embodiment, the conveying tension detection unit 9 and the recording image position detection unit 10 are located on the positive downstream side of the first recording unit 7a and the first drying unit 40a, and on the positive upstream side of the second recording unit 7b and the second drying unit 40b.

[0061] The drying unit 40 is a unit used to reduce the liquid components included in the liquid composition applied to the film S in the recording unit 7 and to improve the fixing performance between the film S and the ink. As the drying unit 40, the recording apparatus 1 includes a first drying unit 40a and a second drying unit 40b. The first drying unit 40a is located on the downstream side of the first recording unit 7a in the film transport path. The second drying unit 40b is located on the downstream side of the second recording unit 7b in the film transport path.

[0062] The drying unit 40 blows air onto the film S on which the image has been recorded, drying the applied ink. Inside the drying unit 40, air is applied at least from one side of the ink-applying surface of the film S as it passes through, so that the ink-applying surface of the film S is dried. As a drying method, in addition to applying air, methods such as irradiating the surface of the film S with electromagnetic waves (ultraviolet or infrared rays, etc.) or conductive heat transfer methods such as contacting a heating element with the film S can be used, or a combination of these methods can be used.

[0063] The cooling unit 50 is a unit used to cool the film S that has passed through the drying unit 40 for fixing, to cure the softened ink, and to suppress the amount of temperature change of the film S in the downstream steps of the recording apparatus 1. As the cooling unit 50, the recording apparatus 1 includes a first cooling unit 50a and a second cooling unit 50b. The first cooling unit 50a is located on the forward downstream side of the first drying unit 40a on the film transport path. The second cooling unit 50b is located on the forward downstream side of the second drying unit 40b on the film transport path.

[0064] Inside the cooling section 50, for the passing sheet S, air at a temperature lower than that of the sheet S is applied at least from one side of the ink-applying surface of the sheet S to cool the ink-applying surface of the sheet S. As a cooling method, in addition to applying air, a conductive heat transfer method that brings the heat-radiating member into contact with the sheet S can also be used, or a combination of these methods can be used.

[0065] The scanner unit 11 is a unit used to read the test image formed on the sheet S in the recording unit 7, detect the displacement or density of the image, and make corrections for the final printing before final printing. The scanner unit 11 is located on the forward downstream side of the second cooling unit 50b on the sheet transport path.

[0066] The second main conveying unit 12 is a unit for conveying the sheet S while applying tension to the sheet S together with the first main conveying unit 4, and for adjusting the tension of the sheet S. The second main conveying unit 12 includes a roller that is driven to rotate by a motor (not shown), and the roller speed is controlled by a tension control unit (not shown) based on the tension value detected by the conveying tension detection unit 9.

[0067] As an additional configuration for adjusting the tension of the sheet S, a configuration can be added to the recording device 1 to adjust the tension of the sheet S by means of a clutch (not shown) capable of controlling the torque coupled to the drive. In this case, two tension control methods become available: a torque control method that controls the torque value sent from the clutch and a speed control method that controls the roller speed of the second main conveyor 12. In a preferred configuration, these two tension control methods can be switched from one method to the other depending on the purpose of tension control, or both methods can be used simultaneously.

[0068] The second gyratory section 13 is a unit used to apply a certain sheet tension between the second main conveying section 12 and the winding roller section 14. In the second gyratory section 13, tension is applied to the sheet S by a tension applying member (not shown).

[0069] The winding roller section 14 is a unit for winding the recorded sheet S onto a winding core. Note that the number of rollers that can be collected is not limited to one, and can be configured such that two, three, or more than three winding cores are provided, and selectively switching winding cores are used to collect the sheet S. The winding roller section 14 is rotatably controlled by a drive motor so that the rollers can be rotated independently in both the forward and reverse directions.

[0070] By controlling the forward or reverse rotation of the drive motors of the unwinding roller section 2 and the winding roller section 14, the sheet S is conveyed along the forward direction D1 and the reverse direction D2. Even in the case of reverse conveying, tensioning and conveying are performed between the first main conveying section 4 and the second main conveying section 12 in a manner similar to forward conveying. Depending on the recorded processing content, a configuration of cutting continuous sheets with a cutter and stacking the cut sheets S can be used instead of a configuration of winding the sheet S onto a winding core.

[0071] The control unit 31 is a unit responsible for controlling all parts of the entire recording device 1. The control unit 31 includes a CPU, storage devices, a controller including various control units, an external interface, and an operation unit 32 for user input and output. The operation of the recording device 1 is controlled by the control unit 31 based on commands from the controller or from a host device 33 (such as a host computer) connected to the controller via the external interface.

[0072] The maintenance unit 15 is a unit that includes a mechanism for restoring the ejection performance of the recording head 22. As a restoration mechanism for the recording head 22, for example, a cover mechanism for protecting the ink ejection surface of the recording head 22, a wiping mechanism for wiping the ink ejection surface, or an adsorption mechanism for using negative pressure to adsorb ink from inside the recording head 22 from the ink ejection surface. Furthermore, the maintenance unit 15 includes a drive mechanism and a guide rail (neither shown), and is capable of reciprocating horizontally along the guide rail. During maintenance of the recording head 22, the maintenance unit 15 moves to directly below the recording head 22; when not performing maintenance, the maintenance unit 15 moves to a position a certain distance from directly below the recording head 22. The maintenance unit 15 includes a first maintenance unit 15a corresponding to the first recording unit 7a and a second maintenance unit 15b corresponding to the second recording unit 7b.

[0073] The transport section of the recording device 1 includes multiple guide rollers. A winding guide roller R1 is located downstream of the second recording section 7b and winds around the surface opposite the ink application surface of the sheet S at a certain winding angle. Two winding guide rollers R1 are arranged on the sheet transport path between the second recording section 7b and the second drying section 40b, and transport the sheet S in a generally parallel, folding-back manner. One of the winding guide rollers R1 is located at approximately the same height as the second recording section 7b, while the other winding guide roller R1 is located at approximately the same height as the second drying section 40b and below the second recording section 7b.

[0074] The winding guide roller R2 is a roller located between the first cooling section 50a and the second meander correction section 5b on the sheet transport path, and is wound at a certain winding angle around the surface opposite to the ink application surface of the sheet S. The winding guide roller R2 guides the sheet S, which has passed through the first cooling section 50a, upward toward the second meander correction section 5b.

[0075] The winding guide roller R3 is a roller located downstream of the second cooling section 50b on the sheet transport path, on the opposite side of the ink application surface of the sheet S, and is wound at a certain winding angle. The winding guide roller R3 guides the sheet S that has passed through the second cooling section 50b downwards.

[0076] The tortuous mechanism of thin sheet S and its effects

[0077] Next, the meandering mechanism of the thin film S that may appear in recording device 1 and its effects will be described. The thin film S is formed by traversing... Figure 1 The sheet S is conveyed at high speed by a set of rollers in the conveying section of the shown sheet conveying path. At this time, the sheet S is brought into contact with the rollers by essentially pressing the rollers only through tension. Therefore, when the sheet S is subjected to a deflection force in the width direction due to air entrapment, changes in conveying tension, or misalignment between rollers, so-called wavy-out may occur, meaning the sheet S travels at a position deviating from the predetermined sheet conveying path. When an image is formed on the wavy sheet S, the image formation position in the width direction changes, severely impairing the image appearance in the product. Therefore, the recording device 1 according to the first embodiment includes a wavy-out correction unit 5 for correcting the wavy sheet S to return it to the predetermined conveying position.

[0078] Configuration and control of the meander correction unit

[0079] Next, we will refer to Figure 4A and Figure 4B The configuration of the serpentine correction unit 5 according to this embodiment will be described in more detail. Figure 4A This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the meander correction section 5 as viewed from the width direction of the sheet S, and the configuration of the meander correction section 5 is shown. Figure 4BThis is a schematic top view of the meander correction unit 5. Note that the first meander correction unit 5a and the second meander correction unit 5b are configured in a similar manner.

[0080] The bend correction unit 5 is a position adjustment unit used to adjust the width direction position of the sheet S on the upstream side of the forward direction D1 of the recording unit 7. The bend correction unit 5 includes a holder 5c for holding two bend correction rollers R5, a detection sensor 5d for detecting the conveying position of the sheet S in the width direction, and a rotation shaft 5e for rotatably supporting the holder 5c. The bend correction unit 5 adjusts the width direction position of the sheet S while conveying it using the bend correction rollers R5, and corrects positional displacement relative to an ideal position. The holder 5c is rotatable about a rotation shaft perpendicular to the rotation axis of the bend correction rollers R5. While the bend correction rollers R5 are conveying the sheet S, the conveying position of the sheet S in the width direction is adjusted by rotating the holder 5c to tilt it relative to the conveying direction of the sheet S. The bend correction unit 5 can adjust the width direction position of the sheet S by sequentially rotating the holder 5c while detecting the width direction position of the sheet S using the detection sensor 5d.

[0081] Driven rollers R6 are arranged upstream and downstream of the serpentine correction roller R5 on the forward direction D1, respectively. The serpentine correction rollers R5 and driven rollers R6 are arranged such that the tangent L1 connecting the two serpentine correction rollers R5 to each other and the tangent L2 connecting the two driven rollers R6 to each other are approximately parallel, and the winding angle θ of the driven rollers R6 is approximately 90°. This arrangement and configuration ensures the positional adjustment capability of the serpentine correction section 5 and reduces the risk of wrinkles appearing on the sheet S.

[0082] The detection sensor 5d is a sensor used to detect the transport position of the sheet S in the width direction by measuring the position of one end (hereinafter referred to as the "side end") of the sheet S in the width direction using an ultrasonic sensor. As the detection sensor 5d, an optical sensor such as a fiber optic sensor or an optical camera used to measure the reference position of the printed recording pattern can be used. In other words, when applying this invention, the position detection method is not limited to the method using an ultrasonic sensor.

[0083] The detection sensor 5d is ideally positioned on the forward downstream side of the bend correction section 5. In the first embodiment, the detection sensor 5d is positioned between the bend correction roller R5 located on the forward downstream side of the two bend correction rollers R5 and the driven roller R6 located on the forward downstream side relative to the bend correction roller R5. In the bend correction section 5, when the detection sensor 5d detects the side end position of the sheet S, the phase of the holder 5c changes, such that the side end position of the sheet S is assumed to be an ideal position. When the sheet S is conveyed while the holder 5c is rotating, the sheet S becomes twisted between the bend correction roller R5 and the driven roller R6, and the side end position of the sheet S is gradually adjusted to the ideal position.

[0084] Before reprinting (position adjustment operation)

[0085] Next, the pre-printing steps performed in the first embodiment to adjust the position of the sheet S before reprinting will be described. In the first embodiment, the control unit 31 is configured to perform a position adjustment operation as a sheet position adjustment method in the pre-printing steps after the first recording operation, and then perform a second recording operation. In this case, the first recording operation and the second recording operation respectively include image recording by the recording unit 7, drying by the drying unit 40, and cooling by the cooling unit 50. Figure 5A and Figures 5B to 9A and Figure 9B The accompanying drawings illustrate an operation example of the recording device 1, executed by the control unit 31 in the sequence of a first recording operation (printing process), a position adjustment operation, and a second recording operation (reprinting process). The arrows in these drawings indicate the rotation direction of the main roller during the operation of the recording device 1.

[0086] First, as the first recording operation, the operation of the recording device 1 when performing a predetermined printing process on the sheet S will be described. Figure 5A This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the main configuration of the recording device 1. Figure 5A This shows the situation where the first record operation is being performed. Figure 5B Is Figure 5A The diagram shows a schematic top view of the meander correction unit 5 in its current state. During the first recording operation, while the sheet S is being conveyed along the forward direction D1, an image IMa is recorded onto the sheet S in the recording unit 7, and the image IMa is fixed onto the sheet S by passing through the drying unit 40 and the cooling unit 50. Furthermore, the sheet S is conveyed such that the image IMa, having passed through the cooling unit 50, moves to the first stop position P1 of the winding roller unit 14. At this time, as... Figure 5A As shown, the control unit 31 controls the transport unit to transport the sheet S, so that the rear end of the forward D1 of the image IMa is located at the first stop position P1.

[0087] In the first recording operation, the bend in the sheet S is corrected in the bend correction unit 5. At this time, as... Figure 5B As shown, the meandering correction unit 5 adjusts the position of the sheet S in the width direction so that the position of the side end of the sheet S in the recording unit 7 is equal to the target side end position Q1. In other words, the target side end position Q1 is the target position (ideal position) in the width direction during the recording operation of the sheet S.

[0088] Next, the state of recording device 1 after the first recording operation has ended will be described. Figure 6A This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the main configuration of the recording device 1. Figure 6A This shows the situation after the first recording operation has ended. Figure 6B Is Figure 6A The diagram shows a schematic top view of the meandering correction unit 5 in the indicated state. At this time, the feeding of the sheet S is stopped when the rear end of the forward direction D1 of the image IMa is located at the first stop position P1. At this time, the area of ​​the sheet S between the first stop position P1 and the recording position is a blank area where no image is formed. Furthermore, in the recording unit 7, the side end of the sheet S is located at the target side end position Q1 in a manner similar to that during the first recording operation. In this state, when the next recording operation begins, the blank area between the first stop position P1 and the recording position becomes a waste paper area. In particular, when recording operations are repeatedly and intermittently performed on the same sheet S, the waste paper area increases. Therefore, in the first embodiment, a pre-printing step is performed to reduce the waste paper area before starting the next recording operation.

[0089] Although in the first embodiment the first stop position P1 is located near the winding roller section 14, the first stop position P1 is not limited to this configuration when applying the present invention. For example, the first stop position P1 may be located on the splicing table (not shown) instead of on the winding roller section 14. Furthermore, the first stop position P1 can be switched between during test pattern printing and during normal printing.

[0090] Next, the position adjustment operation performed after the first recording operation will be described in detail. In the position adjustment operation, after the reverse D2 transport (reverse transport) of the sheet S, the forward D1 transport (forward transport) is performed.

[0091] In the position adjustment operation, the sheet S is first conveyed along the reverse direction D2. Figure 7A This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the main configuration of the recording device 1. Figure 7A This illustrates the scenario where the initial position adjustment operation is performed and the sheet S is conveyed in reverse. Figure 7B Is Figure 7A A schematic top view of the meandering correction section 5 in the state shown. Figure 7A and Figure 7BThis illustrates a scenario where the sheet S has been reverse-transported and moved to the second stop position P2. In this operational example, the second stop position P2 is a position near the recording position in the recording unit 7. In other words, when the sheet S is transported from... Figure 6A The state shown is transmitted in reverse to Figure 7A In the state shown, the rear end of the positive D1 of the image IMa on the thin film S is near the start of recording.

[0092] exist Figure 7A In the state shown, when the next recording operation (reprinting) begins, the image can be recorded adjacent to the rear end of the forward D1 of the image IMa in the longitudinal direction (conveyance direction) of the sheet S. Therefore, by reverse conveying the sheet S after the first recording operation is completed, so that the image IMa recorded on the sheet S in the first recording operation returns to the recording unit 7, the increase of the waste area of ​​the sheet S can be suppressed. At this time, the conveying distance of the sheet S (or in other words, the distance from the first stop position P1 to the second stop position P2) will be referred to as the first conveying distance U1.

[0093] However, in the first embodiment, during the reverse transport of the sheet S, the holder 5c of the kink correction unit 5 does not rotate and stops while maintaining the rotation angle during the first recording operation. This is to prevent the following situation: rotating the holder 5c during reverse transport would cause a sudden change in the feeding direction of the kink correction roller R5 relative to the transport direction of the sheet S, resulting in wrinkles in the sheet S. In other words, since no adjustment of the width direction position of the sheet S is performed by the kink correction unit 5 during reverse transport, there is a risk that the sheet S may become kinked if it is transported to the second stop position P2.

[0094] Figure 7B The following situation is illustrated: Due to the reverse transport of the sheet S, the side end of the sheet S in the recording unit 7 is not at the target side end position Q1, but is instead located at the side end position Q2 by displacement. When the subsequent second recording operation is performed in this state, the image IMb is finally recorded at the position shifted from the ideal position of the sheet S in the width direction. Note that... Figure 7B The position of sheet S shown is an example of a situation where sheet S has been meandering during reverse transport, and does not indicate a specific position where sheet S is expected to be present when sheet S is actually meandering.

[0095] Figure 11A and Figure 11B The following scenario is illustrated: the image IMb is recorded at a position shifted from the ideal position on the sheet S in the width direction. Figure 11A The following top view shows the sheet S as viewed from one side of the ink application surface, and illustrates the relative position of the sheet S with respect to the recording unit 7 during the first and second recording operations. Figure 11A In the diagram, the slice S during the first recording operation is indicated by a solid line, while the slice S during the second recording operation is indicated by a dashed line. Furthermore, Figure 11B The following is a top view, viewed from one side of the ink application surface, showing the thin film S with images IMa and IMB formed after the first and second recording operations have ended.

[0096] In the first recording operation, since the meandering of the slice S has been corrected by the meandering correction unit 5, the side end of the slice S is located at the target side end position Q1, and the image IMa is recorded at a position separated from the side end of the slice S by a gap G1. On the other hand, in the second recording operation, when in Figure 7A and Figure 7B When the second recording operation is performed in the indicated state, the side end of the sheet S is located at side end position Q2, which is shifted from the target side end position Q1, and the image IMb is recorded at a position separated from the side end of the sheet S by a gap G2, where gap G2 is different from gap G1. Furthermore, the image IMb is recorded on the sheet S with an ideal position shifted from the width direction, and the width direction positions of images IMa and IMb are ultimately changed.

[0097] Therefore, in the first embodiment, a position adjustment operation is performed after the first recording operation is completed and before the second recording operation begins, so that not only the position of the sheet S in the longitudinal direction is adjusted, but also the position in the width direction is adjusted, in order to reduce the area of ​​paper waste and suppress the degradation of the image appearance. Specifically, in order to correct the kinking of the sheet S in the position adjustment operation before reprinting, the control unit 31 controls the sheet S to be transported in the reverse direction D2, so as to ensure the transport length of the sheet S is transported in the forward direction D1. Furthermore, in the first embodiment, even after the image IMa reaches the second stop position P2, the sheet S continues to be transported in the reverse direction, and then the sheet S is transported in the forward direction after the kinking of the sheet S has been corrected.

[0098] This will be described in the position adjustment operation, from Figure 7A The state shown is further followed by the operation of conveying the sheet S along the reverse direction D2. Figure 8A This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the main configuration of the recording device 1. Figure 8A This shows the situation where the sheet S has been further reverse-fed and the image IMa has reached the third stop position P3. The third stop position P3 is the position upstream of the forward direction D1 of the meandering correction unit 5 (on the unwinding roller 2 side). Figure 8B Is Figure 8A The diagram shows a schematic top view of the meandering correction unit 5 in the indicated state. In the following text, the distance from the second stop position P2 to the third stop position P3 will be referred to as the second conveying distance U2.

[0099] The second conveying distance U2 is the conveying distance required for the serpentine correction unit 5 to adjust the side end position of the sheet S at the recording position to the target side end position Q1 when the sheet S is conveyed forward. In the first embodiment, the second conveying distance U2 is calculated based on the detection result of the detection sensor 5d on the side end position of the sheet S. Details of the calculation method for the second conveying distance U2 will be provided later. Furthermore, by making the... Figure 7A and Figure 7B The state shown indicates that the thin sheet S is transported in reverse, and the serration of the thin sheet S further increases. For example... Figure 8B As shown, since the sheet S is transported in reverse by the distance obtained by adding the first transport distance U1 and the second transport distance U2, the side end of the sheet S is located at the side end position Q3, which has a larger displacement than the side end position Q2.

[0100] Next, we will describe from Figure 8A The state shown (after reverse conveying) is the operation of forward conveying sheet S. Figure 9A This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the main configuration of the recording device 1. Figure 9A This shows the situation where the sheet S has been conveyed in the forward direction and the position adjustment operation has been completed. Figure 9B Is Figure 9A The diagram shows a schematic top view of the meandering correction unit 5 in the indicated state. During the position adjustment operation, the sheet S is conveyed along the forward direction D1, such that after the rear end of the image IMa in the forward direction D1 reaches the third stop position P3, the rear end of the image IMa in the forward direction D1 moves to the second stop position P2. Furthermore, during the forward conveying of the sheet S, the meandering correction unit 5 adjusts the position of the sheet S in the width direction, such that the side end of the sheet S is located at the target side end position Q1. Moreover, once the rear end of the image IMa in the forward direction D1 on the sheet S is located at the second stop position P2 and the side end of the sheet S is located at the target side end position Q1, the position adjustment operation is completed.

[0101] Figure 10A This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the main configuration of the recording device 1. Figure 10A This shows the situation where the second record operation is being performed. Figure 10B Is Figure 10A The diagram shows a schematic top view of the meandering correction unit 5 in its indicated state. Once the position adjustment operation is completed, a second recording operation is then performed. Since the position of the sheet S in the transport direction was adjusted by the position adjustment operation, a new image IMb is recorded on the sheet S during the second recording operation so that it is adjacent to the image IMa already recorded in the first recording operation in the transport direction. Furthermore, since the width direction position of the sheet S was adjusted by the position adjustment operation, the image IMb is recorded at an ideal position in the width direction on the sheet S.

[0102] Figure 12 This illustrates the scenario where an image is recorded at the ideal position on the film S through a position adjustment operation. Figure 12 This is a top view of the sheet S as seen from one side of the ink application surface. Due to the position adjustment operation in the pre-printing step, the image IMa recorded by the first recording operation and the image IMb recorded by the second recording operation are recorded at the same position in the width direction of the sheet S. In other words, the gap G1 from the side end of the sheet S to the image IMa and the gap G2 from the side end of the sheet S to the image IMb become equal to each other.

[0103] As described above, by performing a position adjustment operation after the first recording operation to adjust the position of the sheet S in the transport direction and width direction, the image IMa is adjusted to be adjacent to the recording position, and the position of the side end of the sheet S is adjusted to be located at the target side end position Q1. Therefore, according to the above configuration, the paper waste area of ​​the sheet S can be reduced, and at the same time, the width direction position of the image recording position can be adjusted to suppress the degradation of the image appearance during the second recording operation.

[0104] Examples of sequence operations

[0105] The following will illustratively describe the sequence of operations in the steps before printing. Figure 13 This is a flowchart illustrating the sequence of operations before reprinting. The position adjustment operation performed as a pre-printing step is broadly divided into: a reverse conveying step of conveying sheet S along the reverse direction D2 and a forward conveying step of conveying sheet S along the forward direction D1.

[0106] After the print job (first recording operation) is executed, the control unit 31 receives a start command for the pre-printing step and performs the pre-printing step. When the pre-printing step begins, firstly, as step (S) 101 below, the control unit 31 stops the kink correction of the kink correction unit 5 and begins the reverse transport of the sheet S. In the reverse transport step of the sheet S, in order to prevent miscorrection by the kink correction unit 5 during reverse transport, the kink correction of the kink correction unit 5 is stopped during reverse transport. At this time, the kink correction unit 5 is expected to stop while retaining the rotation angle of the previous print job. Furthermore, since no printing operation is performed during reverse transport, the transport speed of reverse transport can be set to any speed. In order to prevent an increase in kink due to a decrease in tension during transport, the tension applied to the sheet S during reverse transport is expected to be equal to or greater than the tension during the recording operation.

[0107] When reverse conveying begins, as in S102, processing to monitor the conveying distance of the reverse conveying is performed. Furthermore, when the conveying distance along the reverse direction D2 reaches a first conveying distance U1 (or in other words, when the conveying distance ≥ U1), the process transitions to S103. The first conveying distance U1 is the distance from the first stop position P1 to the second stop position P2. The conveying distance along the reverse direction D2 can be measured by an encoder, etc., or derived from the set conveying speed and time. In this operational example, the first conveying distance U1 is preset to a predetermined value.

[0108] In S103, the side position of the sheet S after being conveyed a first conveying distance U1 is detected. Since the width direction position of the sheet S is detected by the detection sensor 5d of the bend correction unit 5, the bend amount of the sheet S is measured. Subsequently, in S104, a second conveying distance U2 is calculated based on the detection result of the detection sensor 5d. By adopting the configuration of calculating the second conveying distance U2 based on the detection result of the detection sensor 5d (or in other words, the side position of the sheet S), the control unit 31 can set a suitable second conveying distance U2 and prevent the sheet S from being excessively reverse-conveyed. Therefore, the increase in downtime due to the pre-printing step can be suppressed. Details of the method for calculating the second conveying distance U2 based on the detection result of the detection sensor 5d will be provided later.

[0109] In this operational example, the amount of tortuosity is detected and the second conveying distance U2 is calculated during the reverse conveying of the sheet S. When applying this invention, the following configuration can be adopted: once the conveying distance along the reverse D2 reaches the first conveying distance U1, the conveying is temporarily stopped, and the amount of tortuosity is detected and the second conveying distance U2 is calculated during the stop.

[0110] S105 is the process of monitoring the conveying distance after the conveying distance along the reverse D2 exceeds the first conveying distance U1. Once the conveying distance along the reverse D2 reaches the sum of the first conveying distance U1 and the second conveying distance U2 (or in other words, when the conveying distance ≥ U1 + U2 is satisfied), the process transitions to S106.

[0111] In S106, the reverse transport of sheet S is stopped, and the reverse transport step ends. Subsequently, in S107, the control unit 31 begins transporting sheet S along the forward direction D1. Furthermore, when the forward transport step begins, the control unit 31 begins the bend correction of the bend correction unit 5. In other words, during the forward transport step, sheet S is transported forward while adjusting its position in the width direction.

[0112] S108 is a process for monitoring the forward conveying distance. Due to S108, it is confirmed that the conveying distance along the forward direction D1 is equal to the second conveying distance U2, and the image recorded on the sheet S in the previous print job has returned to the second stop position P2. The conveying distance along the forward direction D1 can be measured similarly by an encoder, or similarly derived from measurements of the set conveying speed and time.

[0113] Once the conveying distance along the forward direction D1 reaches the second conveying distance U2, which is the target conveying distance, in S109, the control unit 31 sends a print start enable signal and ends the pre-printing step. After the pre-printing step ends, the next print job can start immediately, or the conveying can be temporarily stopped and the system can be switched to standby mode. In the case of executing a print job immediately, printing is performed by adjusting the conveying speed to a suitable speed and using pre-printed marking patterns or other timing adjustments.

[0114] control system

[0115] The control system of recording device 1 will be described next. Figure 14 This is a block diagram of the control system of the recording apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. During the recording operation (printing operation), commands are sent from the control unit 31 to the first main conveyor unit 4, the second main conveyor unit 12, the unwinding roller unit 2, and the winding roller unit 14, respectively, to operate at a preset conveying speed and rotation direction. Furthermore, the control unit 31 can operate the drying unit 40 and the cooling unit 50 to control the temperature in each unit.

[0116] The conveying tension detection unit 9 measures the conveying tension when powered by the control unit 31. In the first embodiment, after the control unit 31 receives the detected value of the tension of the sheet S detected by the conveying tension detection unit 9, the control unit 31 issues a command to change the conveying speed to the first main conveying unit 4 and the second main conveying unit 12 to adjust the conveying tension. Alternatively, the following configuration can be adopted: the conveying tension detection unit 9 is controlled in a closed manner in the first main conveying unit 4 and the second main conveying unit 12 without involving the control unit 31. During both forward and reverse conveying, the operation of the first main conveying unit 4, the second main conveying unit 12, the unwinding roller unit 2, and the winding roller unit 14 is controlled by the control unit 31 in a similar manner.

[0117] The bend correction unit 5 operates by receiving commands from the control unit 31 for power supply and commands for start and stop control. The detection sensor 5d receives power from the bend correction unit 5 and sends the detected bend amount of the sheet S to the bend correction unit 5. The bend correction unit 5 adjusts the correction amount based on the bend amount of the sheet S sent from the detection sensor 5d. In the first embodiment, since the control unit 31 only issues commands to the bend correction unit 5 for start and stop correction control, the correction operation of the bend correction unit 5 is essentially independently controlled. In the reverse conveying operation described above, the detection sensor 5d sends the measured bend amount of the sheet S to the control unit 31. In the position adjustment operation, the control unit 31 calculates the second conveying distance U2 based on the received bend amount and issues commands to the first main conveying unit 4, the second main conveying unit 12, the unwinding roller unit 2, and the winding roller unit 14 respectively, to continue the reverse conveying by an amount corresponding to the second conveying distance U2.

[0118] Second method for determining conveying distance

[0119] Next, the method for determining the second conveying distance U2 will be described based on the above operation example. Figure 15 This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the calculation method for the second conveying distance U2. Figure 15 This is a graph showing the position of the side end of the sheet S in the recording unit 7 on the vertical axis and the position of the image on the sheet S in the transport direction on the horizontal axis. In this operational example, the position of the sheet S in the transport direction is indicated based on the position of the image IMa recorded in the recording operation immediately preceding the position adjustment operation.

[0120] When calculating the second conveying distance U2, the meandering function f(a) during the reverse conveying is first obtained. The meandering function f(a) is a function representing the relationship between the conveying distance and the side position of sheet S during the reverse conveying of sheet S in the position adjustment operation. The meandering function f(a) is obtained based on the position and side position of sheet S in the conveying direction before the start of reverse conveying, and the position and side position of sheet S in the conveying direction after sheet S has been conveyed for the first conveying distance U1. In this operation example, the side position of sheet S when image IMa is located at the first stop position P1 is the target side position Q1, and the side position of sheet S when image IMa is located at the second stop position P2 is the side position Q2. If the position of image IMa in the conveying direction is represented by X and the side position of sheet S is represented by Y, then the meandering function f(a) is a function of the points expressed as X = P1, Y = Q1 and X = P2, Y = Q2. As an example, Figure 15 This illustrates the case where the meandering function f(a) is a linear function.

[0121] Next, the second conveying distance U2 is calculated based on the meandering function f(a) and the meandering correction function f(b). In this case, the meandering correction function f(b) is a pre-set function that represents the relationship between the conveying distance of sheet S during the forward conveying of sheet S in the position adjustment operation and the meandering correction amount. The meandering correction function f(b) is used to calculate the conveying distance required to complete the meandering correction for sheet S. The meandering correction function f(b) is a function of points expressed as X = P2, Y = Q1. As an example, Figure 15 The case where the meandering correction function f(b) is a linear function is shown.

[0122] The second conveying distance U2 is determined based on the meandering function f(a) and the meandering correction function f(b). Specifically, the intersection of the meandering function f(a) and the meandering correction function f(b) is obtained, and when the coordinates of this intersection are expressed as X = P3, Y = Q3, the third stop position P3 and the side position Q3 are determined. Furthermore, the second conveying distance U2 is determined, which is the distance from the second stop position P2 to the third stop position P3. In other words, in the first embodiment, the second conveying distance U2 is calculated based on the preset target side position Q1, the first stop position P1, the second stop position P2, and the meandering correction function f(b), as well as the side position Q2 and the meandering function f(a) obtained during the position adjustment operation.

[0123] Next, an example of the method for determining the meandering correction function f(b) will be described. Figure 16 This is an illustration of the method for determining the meandering correction function f(b). Figure 16 A graph is shown, with the vertical axis representing the correction amount for the side end position of the sheet S and the horizontal axis representing the conveying distance of the sheet S. The meandering correction function f(b) can be determined based on the experimental results of the meandering correction of the sheet S, which have been performed in advance by the meandering correction unit 5. In the first embodiment, since the slope of the meandering correction function f(b), which is a linear function, has been obtained in advance through experiments, the recording device 1 is configured to calculate the second conveying distance U2. Since the meandering correction function f(b) varies depending on the equipment layout or conveying tension to be applied, it is preferable to determine the meandering correction function f(b) through experiments or analysis based on the equipment to be applied.

[0124] As described above, according to the first embodiment, since the position of the sheet S in the transport direction and width direction can be adjusted by performing a position adjustment operation after the recording operation, the area of ​​paper waste can be reduced and the degradation of the image appearance can be suppressed. Furthermore, in the first embodiment, since the transport distance in the reverse transport is determined based on the amount of tortuosity during the reverse transport, the position adjustment operation can be performed efficiently without excessively extending the reverse transport distance.

[0125] Variations of the first embodiment

[0126] Next, variations of the first embodiment according to the present invention will be described. In the following description of the variations, components similar to those in the first embodiment will be indicated by the same reference numerals and their descriptions will be omitted, and only the characteristic components of the variations will be described.

[0127] First, a first modified example will be described. The first modified example differs from the first embodiment in the configuration of the position detection unit for detecting the position of the sheet S in the width direction.

[0128] Figure 17A It is a schematic cross-sectional view of the recording device 1 according to the first modified example. Figure 17A This illustrates a situation where a recording operation is being performed to record an image IMa on a thin film S. Figure 17B Is Figure 17A The diagram shows a schematic top view of the meandering correction unit 5 in its indicated state. In the first embodiment, the detection sensor 5d serves as a control sensor for the meandering correction unit 5 and a sensor for detecting the displacement of the sheet S in the width direction in the recording unit 7. On the other hand, the first modified example differs from the first embodiment in that, in addition to the detection sensor 5d, a detection sensor 5f is also provided.

[0129] A detection sensor 5f is positioned near the recording unit 7 and detects the position of the sheet S in the width direction. By arranging a position detection unit for detecting the position of the sheet S in the width direction near the recording unit 7 in this manner, the amount of swerving in the recording unit 7 can be detected with higher accuracy, and swerving correction can be performed with higher accuracy.

[0130] Next, a second variation will be described. The second variation differs from the first embodiment in the method for calculating the second conveying distance U2.

[0131] Figure 18 This is a graph illustrating the calculation method for the second conveying distance U2 according to the second variation. Figure 18 In the curve diagram shown, with Figure 15 The graph shown is similar in that the vertical axis represents the position of the side end of the sheet S in the recording section 7, and the horizontal axis represents the position of the image on the sheet S in the transport direction.

[0132] In the first embodiment, the meandering function f(a) is determined to be a linear function based on two points expressed as X = P1, Y = Q1 and X = P2, Y = Q2. On the other hand, in the second variation, during the reverse transport of the sheet S from the first stop position P1 to the second stop position P2, the side end position of the sheet S is measured multiple times by the detection sensor 5d. Furthermore, the meandering function f(a) is determined based on the multiple measured results, and the second transport distance U2 is calculated based on the meandering function f(a) and the meandering correction function f(b). As an example, Figure 18 The diagram illustrates the case where the swerving correction function f(b) is an nth-order function (where n is an integer greater than or equal to 2). In this way, by determining the swerving function f(a) based on a larger amount of detection data, f(a) will more accurately represent the swerving state of the sheet S, and a more suitable second conveying distance U2 can be calculated. Therefore, the swerving of the sheet S can be corrected more reliably during position adjustment operations, and downtime due to position adjustment operations can be reduced.

[0133] Second Embodiment

[0134] Next, a second embodiment according to the present invention will be described. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the method for determining the second conveying distance U2. In the following description of the second embodiment, components similar to those in the first embodiment will be indicated by the same reference numerals and their descriptions will be omitted, and only the characteristic components of the second embodiment will be described.

[0135] In the first embodiment, a second transport distance U2 is determined based on the detection result of the detection sensor 5d in order to adjust the position of the sheet S in the width direction (winding correction). On the other hand, in the second embodiment, in addition to the detection result of the detection sensor 5d, the second transport distance U2 is also determined based on the fixing temperature during the recording operation in the drying unit 40.

[0136] Temperature adjustment of drying section 40

[0137] First, the temperature adjustment of the drying unit 40 after the recording operation will be described. The temperature of the drying unit 40 during the recording operation will be referred to as the fixing temperature TU. When the sheet S is held inside the drying unit 40 at the fixing temperature TU, there is a risk of problems such as deformation of the sheet S due to heating. In view of this, after the recording operation is completed, it is preferable to control the temperature of the drying unit 40 to decrease from the fixing temperature TU to the standby temperature TL while continuously conveying the sheet S. In this case, the standby temperature TL is a temperature that will not adversely affect the sheet S.

[0138] In the second embodiment, the position adjustment operation in the pre-printing step begins immediately after the recording operation is completed. In the pre-printing step, the reverse transport of the sheet S begins first. When the reverse transport of the sheet S begins, the temperature of the drying unit 40 is the fixing temperature TU. Subsequently, while the sheet S is being transported in reverse, the temperature of the drying unit 40 is reduced from the fixing temperature TU to the standby temperature TL. Once the temperature of the drying unit 40 has dropped to the standby temperature TL, the transport of the sheet S can be stopped. In the second embodiment, the transport speed during the forward transport of the sheet S in the recording operation is the printing speed VV, while the transport speed during the reverse transport of the sheet S in the aforementioned position adjustment operation is the transport speed VL1. To avoid adverse effects on the sheet S, the transport speed VL1 is slower than the printing speed VV.

[0139] When the position adjustment operation is completed and the next recording operation begins, the drying unit 40 must be reheated from the standby temperature TL to the fixing temperature TU in order to fix the image onto the film S. In the second embodiment, the temperature of the drying unit 40 is heated to the fixing temperature TU during the forward transport after the reverse transport in the position adjustment operation. The transport speed of the film S during the forward transport during the position adjustment is VL2. To avoid adverse effects on the film S, the transport speed VL2 is slower than the printing speed VV.

[0140] As described above, by combining the temperature reduction and increase of the drying section 40 with the position adjustment operation, it is possible to suppress the increase in downtime while preventing deformation of the sheet S. On the other hand, when the amount of swerving of the sheet S due to reverse transport is small and the second transport distance U2 is short, there is a risk that the temperature of the drying section 40 may not be able to rise to the fixing temperature TU during the forward transport of the sheet S in the position adjustment operation. In view of this, in the second embodiment, the second transport distance U2 is determined as the transport distance during reverse transport, so that a sufficient transport distance can be ensured to raise the temperature of the drying section 40 to the fixing temperature TU.

[0141] Figure 19 This is an explanatory graph showing the relationship between the temperature of the drying section 40 and the drying preparation time H required to raise the temperature of the drying section 40 from the standby temperature TL to the fixing temperature TU. The fixing temperature TU is set for each material of the sheet S. When the fixing temperature TU is high, the fixing time can be set shorter, and the printing speed VV can also be set higher. Conversely, when the fixing temperature TU is high, the drying preparation time H required to raise the temperature of the drying section 40 from the standby temperature TL to the fixing temperature TU increases.

[0142] As an example, Figure 19The fixing temperature TUa and drying preparation time Ha for material A, and the fixing temperature TUb and drying preparation time Hb for material B are shown. For example, when the standby temperature TL is 30°C, material A is PVC (polyvinyl chloride), and the fixing temperature TUa is 50°C, the drying preparation time Ha is 60 seconds. For example, when the standby temperature TL is 30°C, material B is PET (polyethylene terephthalate), and the fixing temperature TUb is 100°C, the drying preparation time Hb is 120 seconds.

[0143] The transport distance required to reheat the temperature of the drying section 40 to the fixing temperature TU is referred to as the reheat transport distance UD. The reheat transport distance UD is obtained by multiplying the drying preparation time H by the transport speed VL2. In the second embodiment, the transport speed VL2 during the forward transport in the position adjustment operation is set to 50 mm / s. Therefore, in the case of material A described above, the reheat transport distance UD is calculated to be 60 × 0.05 = 3 meters. In the case of material B described above, the reheat transport distance UD is calculated to be 120 × 0.05 = 6 meters. If the second transport distance U2, which is the transport distance from the second stop position P2 during the reverse transport of the sheet S, is equal to or longer than the reheat transport distance UD, it can be described as ensuring a sufficient transport distance for reheating.

[0144] Note that the various values ​​mentioned above, such as fixing temperature TU, standby temperature TL, and sheet transport speed VL2, are merely examples and can be modified as needed. Furthermore, the sheet transport speed VL1 during reverse transport can be set such that the temperature of the drying section 40 drops from the fixing temperature TU to the standby temperature TL before the sheet S reaches the third stop position P3. Setting these values ​​according to the material of the sheet S and the equipment configuration allows for fixing the image at a suitable temperature and reduces the time required for position adjustment operations.

[0145] Second method for determining conveying distance

[0146] Next, the method for determining the second conveying distance U2 according to the second embodiment will be described in detail. When determining the second conveying distance U2, in addition to the reheating conveying distance UD described above, a correction conveying distance UE required to adjust the position of the sheet S in the width direction is also used. The correction conveying distance UE is the distance required to adjust the position of the sheet S in the width direction during the forward conveying of the sheet S in the position adjustment operation.

[0147] The corrected transport distance UE of the sheet S is calculated in a manner similar to the second transport distance U2 in the first embodiment. In other words, the corrected transport distance UE is calculated based on the meandering function f(a) and the meandering correction function f(b). The meandering function f(a) is determined based on the first stop position P1, the second stop position P2, and the side end position Q2 of the sheet S detected by the detection sensor 5d. The meandering correction function f(b) is a pre-set function.

[0148] In the second embodiment, the following configuration is adopted: the reheating transport distance UD and the correction transport distance UE are calculated, and the larger of them is used as the second transport distance U2. This configuration enables the adjustment of the width direction position of the sheet S in the position adjustment operation performed after the recording operation, and enables the temperature of the drying section 40 to be reliably raised to the fixing temperature TU.

[0149] Figure 20 and Figure 21 These are explanatory diagrams illustrating an example of the method for determining the second conveying distance U2. Figure 20 and Figure 21 A graph is shown, with the vertical axis representing the side end position of the film S in the recording unit 7 and the horizontal axis representing the position of the image on the film S in the transport direction. Figure 20 and Figure 21 In the diagram, the position of the sheet S that has been transported in reverse from the second stop position P2 by a reheating transport distance UD is shown as the reheating position PD, and the position of the sheet S that has been transported in reverse from the second stop position P2 by a correction transport distance UE is shown as the correction position PE.

[0150] Figure 20 An example is shown where the corrected transport distance UE is greater than the reheating transport distance UD. When UE > UD, selecting the reheating transport distance UD as the second transport distance U2 (UD = U2) results in the second transport distance U2 being shorter than the corrected transport distance UE, and hinders sufficient adjustment of the width direction position of the sheet S during the forward transport in the position adjustment operation. As a result, the side position of the sheet S cannot be adjusted to the target side position Q1, and the width direction position of the image recorded on the sheet S is shifted. In view of this, in the second embodiment, when UE > UD, the corrected transport distance UE is selected as the second transport distance U2 (U2 = UE), and the third stop position P3 after the reverse transport of the sheet S is equal to the corrected position PE (P3 = PE).

[0151] Figure 21An example is shown where the reheating transport distance UD is greater than the correction transport distance UE. When UD > UE, selecting the correction transport distance UE as the second transport distance U2 (UE = U2) results in the second transport distance U2 being shorter than the reheating transport distance UD, and hinders the sufficient raising of the temperature of the drying section 40 during the forward transport in the position adjustment operation. As a result, fixing in the drying section 40 cannot be performed properly, and there is a risk of image defects. In view of this, in the second embodiment, when UD > UE, the reheating transport distance UD is selected as the second transport distance U2 (U2 = UD), and the third stop position P3 after the reverse transport of the sheet S is equal to the reheating position PD (P3 = PD).

[0152] As described above, according to the second embodiment, since the position of the sheet S in the transport direction and width direction can be adjusted by performing a position adjustment operation after the recording operation, the area of ​​paper waste can be reduced and the degradation of the image appearance can be suppressed. Furthermore, since the temperature of the drying section 40 can be lowered and raised during the position adjustment operation, adverse effects on the sheet S and the degradation of the image appearance can be suppressed. Moreover, since the position adjustment of the sheet S and the temperature adjustment of the drying section 40 can be performed in parallel, the increase in downtime can be suppressed.

[0153] Examples of sequence operations

[0154] Next, the sequence of operations in the pre-printing step according to the second embodiment will be described illustratively. Figure 22 This is a flowchart illustrating the sequence of operations before reprinting. The position adjustment operation performed as a pre-printing step is broadly divided into a reverse transport step, which transports the sheet S in the reverse direction D2, and a forward transport step, which transports the sheet S in the forward direction D1. In the second embodiment, a cooling step, which lowers the temperature of the drying section 40 to the standby temperature TL, is performed in parallel with the reverse transport step, and a heating step, which raises the temperature of the drying section 40 to the fixing temperature TU, is performed in parallel with the forward transport step.

[0155] Since the control unit 31 receives a start command for the pre-reprinting step after executing the print job (first recording operation), the pre-reprinting step is executed. First, in S201, the reheating transport distance UD of the material of the sheet S according to the reprinted print job (second recording operation) is obtained. The control unit 31 obtains information related to the material of the sheet S based on input information to the operation unit 32, etc.

[0156] Next, in S202, the control unit 31 stops the bend correction of the bend correction unit 5 and begins the reverse transport of the sheet S. At this time, the transport speed of the sheet S is the transport speed VL1. Furthermore, in S203, the temperature of the drying unit 40 begins to decrease. During the reverse transport of the sheet S, the temperature of the drying unit 40 is controlled so that it gradually decreases from the fixing temperature TU to the standby temperature TL.

[0157] When reverse conveying begins, as in S204, the process of monitoring the conveying distance in the reverse direction is performed. Furthermore, when the conveying distance along the reverse direction D2 reaches a first conveying distance U1 (or in other words, when the conveying distance ≥ U1), the process transitions to S205. The conveying distance along the reverse direction D2 can be measured by an encoder, or derived from measurements of the set conveying speed and time. In this operational example, the first conveying distance U1 is preset to a predetermined value.

[0158] In S205, the side position of the sheet S, which has been conveyed a first conveying distance U1, is detected. Since the conveying position of the sheet S in the width direction is detected by the detection sensor 5d of the bend correction unit 5, the bend amount of the sheet S is measured. Subsequently, in S206, the correction conveying distance UE is calculated based on the detection result of the detection sensor 5d. By employing a configuration that calculates the correction conveying distance UE based on the detection result of the detection sensor 5d (or in other words, the side position of the sheet S), the control unit 31 can set a suitable second conveying distance U2 and prevent the sheet S from being excessively conveyed in reverse. In this way, both the reheating conveying distance UD required to raise the temperature of the drying unit 40 from the standby temperature TL to the fixing temperature TU and the correction conveying distance UE required to adjust the width direction position of the sheet S are obtained.

[0159] In S207, the control unit 31 compares the reheating conveying distance UD and the correction conveying distance UE, and in a subsequent step, selects the larger value as the second conveying distance U2. Specifically, when UD > UE (yes in S207), the process transitions to S208, and U2 = UD is adopted. On the other hand, when UD ≤ UE (no in S207), the process transitions to S209, and U2 = UE is adopted.

[0160] Furthermore, in S210, a second conveying distance U2 is determined. When determining the second conveying distance U2, the reheating conveying distance UD or the corrected conveying distance UE can be used as is, or the value can be corrected if necessary due to individual differences or installation environment factors. When determining the second conveying distance U2, the gap between the image IMa in the first recording operation and the image IMb in the second recording operation is appropriately considered, as well as the acceleration distance required to increase the conveying speed of the sheet S from the conveying speed VL2 for reheating to the printing speed VV for the recording operation. For example, in S210, U2 is updated to U2 + gap amount + acceleration distance, which allows for more detailed adjustment of the conveying direction position of the sheet S.

[0161] S211 is the process of monitoring the conveying distance after the conveying distance along the reverse D2 exceeds the first conveying distance U1. Once the conveying distance along the reverse D2 reaches the sum of the first conveying distance U1 and the second conveying distance U2 (or in other words, when the conveying distance ≥ U1 + U2 is satisfied), the process transitions to S212.

[0162] In S212, the control unit 31 determines whether the temperature of the drying unit 40 is equal to or lower than the standby temperature TL. When the temperature of the drying unit 40 is not equal to or lower than the standby temperature TL ("No" in S212), the process transitions to S213, and a warning intended for the user is displayed. The user who has received the warning inputs to the operation unit 32 whether to continue printing as is or stop printing. If printing is stopped ("Yes" in S214), the steps before re-printing end.

[0163] When the temperature of the drying section 40 is equal to or lower than the standby temperature TL in S212 ("Yes" in S212), or when it is determined in S214 to continue printing ("No" in S214), the process transitions to S215. In S215, the reverse transport of the sheet S is stopped. When each operation is performed normally, since the temperature of the drying section 40 is equal to or lower than the standby temperature TL when the reverse transport of the sheet S is stopped, deformation of the sheet S is suppressed.

[0164] In S216, the control unit 31 starts the forward conveying of the sheet S at a conveying speed VL2. At this time, the meandering correction unit 5 begins to correct the meandering and the temperature of the drying unit 40 is increased. In other words, during the forward conveying of the sheet S, the adjustment of the width direction position of the sheet S and the reheating of the drying unit 40 are performed in parallel.

[0165] In S217, the control unit 31 monitors the temperature of the drying unit 40 and the side position of the sheet S. The temperature of the drying unit 40 is monitored by a temperature sensor (not shown) to determine whether the temperature has risen to the fixing temperature TU. The side position of the sheet S is monitored to determine whether it has been adjusted to the target side position Q1. When it is confirmed that the temperature of the drying unit 40 has risen to or above the fixing temperature TU, and the side position of the sheet S is equal to the target side position Q1, the process transitions to S218. Note that regarding the side position of the sheet S, an acceptable tolerance for the amount of bend relative to the target side position Q1 can be set, and a judgment can be made regarding whether the amount of bend of the sheet S is within the tolerance.

[0166] In step S218, the control unit 31 increases the conveying speed of the sheet S from the conveying speed VL2 to the printing speed VV. This step allows for uninterrupted recording operations at a suitable conveying speed when performing a printing job immediately following the pre-printing step. Furthermore, even if the conveying is temporarily stopped after the pre-printing step, the duration of the pre-printing step can be shortened.

[0167] S219 is a process for monitoring the forward conveying distance. Due to S219, it is confirmed that the conveying distance along the forward direction D1 is equal to the second conveying distance U2 and the image recorded on the sheet S in the previous print job has returned to the second stop position P2. The conveying distance along the forward direction D1 can be measured similarly by an encoder, or similarly derived from measurements of the set conveying speed and time.

[0168] Once the conveying distance along the forward direction D1 reaches the second conveying distance U2, which is the target conveying distance, in S220, the control unit 31 sends a print start enable signal and ends the pre-printing step. After the pre-printing step ends, the next print job can start immediately, or the conveying can be temporarily stopped and the system can be switched to standby mode. When executing a print job immediately, printing is performed by adjusting the conveying speed to a suitable speed and using pre-printed marking patterns or other adjustments to the timing.

[0169] Judgment to perform a reprint operation

[0170] Next, we will describe a control example for determining whether to perform a reprint operation (second record operation). Figure 23 This is a flowchart of the decision to perform a reprint operation.

[0171] When a print job is notified, print preparation is first performed in S301. During print preparation, the control unit 31 controls the first main transport unit 4, the second main transport unit 12, the unwinding roller unit 2, and the winding roller unit 14 to transport the sheet S at a low speed, the kink correction unit 5 corrects the kink of the sheet S, and the drying unit 40 is heated to the fixing temperature TU.

[0172] Once printing preparation is complete, the printing operation (first recording operation) begins in S302. In the first recording operation, the transport speed of the sheet S is increased to the printing speed VV, and an image is formed on the sheet S by the recording unit 7 at the printing speed VV.

[0173] In S303, the control unit 31 determines whether to perform a reprint operation (second recording operation). If the next print job is set before the previous print operation (first recording operation) ends, the next print job is executed as a reprint operation.

[0174] If no next print job has been set ("No" in S303), the process transitions to S304. In S304, as the previous print operation ends, while the sheet S is being transported at low speed, the control unit 31 lowers the temperature of the drying unit 40 from the fixing temperature TU to the standby temperature TL. Subsequently, the transport of the sheet S is stopped, and the recording device 1 is stopped.

[0175] When the next print job is set ("Yes" in S303), the process transitions to S305. In S305, the aforementioned pre-printing steps are performed. Furthermore, in S306, with the conveying direction and width direction position of the sheet S adjusted and the temperature of the drying section 40 raised to the fixing temperature TU, the reprinting operation begins.

[0176] After the reprint operation begins, in S307, it is determined whether to continue the reprint operation. If a next print job has been set ("Yes" in S307), the process transitions to S305 again, and the pre-reprint steps are performed after the currently executing print job has finished. On the other hand, if no next print job has been set ("No" in S307), the process transitions to S304, and then the recording device 1 is stopped.

[0177] Other embodiments

[0178] Note that the configuration of the recording device 1 and the operational sequence of the steps before reprinting described above are merely examples of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Furthermore, not all components in the above embodiments are essential for applying the present invention.

[0179] For example, although multiple recording heads 22 are provided in the recording unit 7 in the above embodiment, only one recording head 22 may be provided. In addition, the recording head 22 does not necessarily have to be a full-line head, and can be used in a serial manner as follows: ink is discharged from the recording head 22 to form an ink image while the carriage on which the recording head 22 is mounted moves in the paper width direction.

[0180] Furthermore, a process described as being performed by one device can be executed by multiple devices in a shared manner. Alternatively, a process described as being performed by different devices can be executed by one device. In a computer system, which function is implemented by which hardware component can be modified in a flexible way.

Claims

1. A recording device, comprising: Recording section, used to record images onto a thin film; The conveying unit is used to convey the sheet in a forward direction and in a reverse direction opposite to the forward direction, while applying tension to the sheet; A position detection unit is used to detect the position of the sheet in the width direction of the sheet, the width direction intersecting the positive direction; A position adjustment unit is used to adjust the position of the sheet in the width direction on the upstream side of the recording unit along the positive direction; as well as The control unit performs a position adjustment operation, in which, after the recording operation of the recording unit and the sheet is conveyed in the reverse direction, the position of the sheet is adjusted by the position adjustment unit in the width direction while the sheet is conveyed in the forward direction by the conveying unit. The conveying distance of the sheet along the reverse direction during the position adjustment operation is determined based on the detection result of the position detection unit.

2. The recording device according to claim 1, wherein Determine the transport distance along the reverse direction such that the image recorded during the recording operation moves to the upstream side of the recording unit along the forward direction.

3. The recording device according to claim 1, wherein The conveying distance in the opposite direction is the conveying distance required by the position adjustment unit to adjust the position of the sheet in the width direction to the target position.

4. The recording device according to claim 1, in, The conveying distance in the reverse direction is the sum of a predetermined first conveying distance and a second conveying distance determined based on the detection results.

5. The recording device according to claim 4, in, The first transport distance is the distance from a first stop position to a predetermined second stop position, where the first stop position is the position of the image on the film after the recording operation has ended.

6. The recording device according to claim 5, in, The second stop position is a position near the recording position of the recording unit.

7. The recording device according to claim 5, in, The second conveying distance is determined based on a meandering function and a predetermined meandering correction function, wherein the meandering function is determined based on the first stop position, the second stop position, and the detection result.

8. The recording device according to claim 1, further comprising: A drying section, used to dry the image on the film already recorded in the recording section, is located downstream of the recording section along the positive direction. In addition to the detection results of the position detection unit, the conveying distance of the sheet in the reverse direction during the position adjustment operation is also determined based on the fixing temperature in the drying unit during the recording operation.

9. The recording device according to claim 8, in, During the position adjustment operation, the control unit lowers the temperature of the drying unit to a predetermined standby temperature and then raises the temperature to the fixing temperature.

10. The recording device according to claim 8, in, The control unit selects the larger of the correction conveying distance and the reheating conveying distance as the conveying distance in the reverse direction, wherein the correction conveying distance is determined based on the detection result and the reheating conveying distance is determined based on the fixing temperature.

11. The recording device according to claim 10, in, The correction conveying distance is the conveying distance required by the position adjustment unit to adjust the position of the sheet in the width direction to the target position, and the reheating conveying distance is the conveying distance required to raise the temperature of the drying unit to the fixing temperature.

12. The recording device according to claim 10, in, The reheating conveying distance is determined based on the fixing temperature, the sheet conveying speed during the position adjustment operation, and the drying preparation time required to raise the temperature of the drying section to the fixing temperature.

13. The recording device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, in, During the position adjustment operation, while the sheet is being conveyed in the reverse direction, the control unit stops the position adjustment unit from adjusting the position of the sheet.

14. The recording device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, in, During the position adjustment operation, the tension applied to the sheet during the reverse conveying of the sheet is equal to or greater than the tension applied to the sheet during the recording operation.

15. The recording device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, in, The conveying speed of the sheet during the position adjustment operation is less than the conveying speed of the sheet during the recording operation.

16. The recording device according to claim 15, in, In addition to the detection results, the transport distance in the reverse direction is determined based on the acceleration distance required to increase the transport speed of the sheet in the position adjustment operation to the transport speed of the sheet in the recording operation.

17. The recording device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, further comprising: The unwinding roller section is used to hold one end of the sheet in a roller shape and supply the sheet; as well as The winding roller section is used to hold the other end of the sheet in a roller shape and wind the sheet.

18. The recording device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, in, The recording unit includes a line recording head that is positioned along the transport path of the sheet.

19. A method for adjusting the position of a film in a recording device, the recording device comprising: Recording section, used to record images onto a thin film; The conveying unit is used to convey the sheet in a forward direction and in a reverse direction opposite to the forward direction, while applying tension to the sheet; A position detection unit is used to detect the position of the sheet in the width direction of the sheet, which intersects the conveying direction; And a position adjustment unit, used to adjust the position of the sheet in the width direction on the upstream side of the recording unit along the positive direction, the sheet position adjustment method including the following steps: Reverse transport is performed, wherein, after the recording operation is completed, the sheet is transported in the reverse direction for a transport distance determined based on the detection result of the position detection unit; and The sheet is conveyed in the forward direction, wherein, after completing the step for conveying in the reverse direction, the sheet is conveyed in the forward direction while the position of the sheet is adjusted in the width direction using the position adjustment unit.

20. The method for adjusting the position of the film in the recording device according to claim 19, in, The recording device further includes a drying unit for drying the image on the film that has been recorded in the recording unit. The method for adjusting the position of the thin slice further includes the following steps: The temperature of the drying section is reduced to a predetermined standby temperature, and this temperature reduction is performed in parallel with the step of performing the reverse conveying; and The temperature of the drying section is raised to the fixing temperature during the recording operation, and this temperature increase is performed in parallel with the forward transport step. In addition to the detection results, the conveying distance of the sheet used in the reverse conveying step is also determined based on the fixing temperature.

21. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program that causes a computer to perform the sheet position adjustment method according to claim 19 or 20.

22. A computer program product comprising a program that causes a computer to perform the sheet positioning method according to claim 19 or 20.

Images