Drying apparatus, drying control method, and storage medium

Abstract

The invention relates to a drying apparatus, a drying control method, and a storage medium which contribute to adjustment of a heating state of a medium. The drying device is provided with: a housing provided with an internal space for accommodating a platen on which a medium in a state in which ink or processing liquid is applied is placed, and an opening connected to the internal space and having a size that allows the platen to pass therethrough; the heater is used for heating air; a fan that conveys heated air, which is air heated by the heater, to the internal space; and a control unit. The control unit controls at least one of the heater and the fan in a housed state in which the platen is housed in the internal space, and switches a blowing state of the heated air delivered by the fan from a first blowing state to a second blowing state different from the first blowing state.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a drying device, a drying control method and a storage medium. Background Art

[0002] In order to improve the fixing of ink applied to the medium by the printer, a drying device is known for drying the medium coated with ink or processing liquid. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a heating device for heating the medium coated with ink placed on a tray in a non-contact manner.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-34984

[0006] In the above-mentioned heating device, for example, it is conceivable to dry the medium by using a fan to deliver heated air to the internal space of the tray for accommodating the medium. In this case, the heating device is provided with an opening of such a size that not only the medium but also the tray can enter the internal space from the outside of the heating device. Therefore, the heated air can easily escape from the internal space to the outside of the heating device through the opening of such a size. Therefore, it is difficult to adjust the temperature of the air in the internal space, the air volume of the fan, and other air supply conditions in the heating device, and it is difficult to adjust the heating state of the medium. Summary of the invention

[0007] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a drying device, a drying control method, and a storage medium that facilitate adjustment of a heating state of a medium.

[0009] Means for solving problems

[0010] The first embodiment of the drying device of the present invention comprises: a shell, which is provided with an internal space and an opening, the internal space accommodating a pressure plate, the pressure plate carrying a medium coated with ink or a processing liquid, the opening being connected to the internal space and having a size for the pressure plate to pass through; a heater for heating air; a fan for conveying the air heated by the heater, i.e., heated air, to the internal space; and a control unit, which controls at least one of the heater and the fan when the pressure plate is accommodated in the internal space, and switches the air supply state of the heated air conveyed by the fan from a first air supply state to a second air supply state different from the first air supply state.

[0011] According to the first aspect, the control unit switches the blowing state of the heated air from the first blowing state to the second blowing state, thereby adjusting the blowing state of the heated air in the storage state. Therefore, the drying device contributes to the adjustment of the heating state of the medium.

[0012] In the drying device, the control unit may control the fan to switch the air volume of the fan from a first air volume to a second air volume different from the first air volume, thereby switching the air supply state from the first air supply state to the second air supply state. The drying device helps to adjust the heating state of the medium according to the progress of evaporation of water in ink or processing liquid on the medium, for example.

[0013] In the drying device, the control unit may switch the air volume from the first air volume to the second air volume that is larger than the first air volume. For example, when the amount of water in the ink or the treatment liquid on the medium is large, the fluidity of the ink or the treatment liquid on the medium is higher than when the amount of water in the ink or the treatment liquid on the medium is small. In the drying device, when the fluidity of the ink or the treatment liquid on the medium is high, the heated air of the second air volume, that is, the relatively strong wind, is prevented from contacting the ink or the treatment liquid on the medium. Therefore, the drying device helps to prevent the ink or the treatment liquid on the medium from flowing due to the wind.

[0014] In the drying device, the control unit may control the heater to switch the heating temperature of the heater from a first temperature to a second temperature different from the first temperature, thereby switching the air supply state from the first air supply state to the second air supply state. The drying device helps to adjust the heating state of the medium according to the progress of evaporation of water in ink or processing liquid on the medium, for example.

[0015] In the drying device, the control unit may switch the heating temperature from the first temperature to the second temperature lower than the first temperature. For example, when the air is heated at the second temperature, i.e., a relatively low temperature, from the beginning, the drying time may be prolonged. The control unit heats the air at the first temperature, i.e., a relatively high temperature, before heating the air at the second temperature. Therefore, the drying device helps to prevent the drying time from being prolonged.

[0016] In the drying device, the control unit may obtain the amount of ink or the treatment liquid applied to the medium, and switch the air supply state from the first air supply state to the second air supply state based on the obtained amount of application. For example, when the amount of ink or the treatment liquid applied to the medium is large, the evaporation of water in the ink or the treatment liquid on the medium progresses slowly. Therefore, the drying device helps to adjust the heating state of the medium according to the evaporation of water in the ink or the treatment liquid on the medium, for example.

[0017] In the drying device, the control unit may control the fan to switch the air volume of the fan from the first air volume to the second air volume different from the first air volume when the first switching timing is reached, thereby switching the air supply state from the first air supply state to the second air supply state, and control the heater to switch the heating temperature of the heater from the first temperature to the second temperature different from the first temperature when the second switching timing is reached later than the first switching timing, thereby switching the air supply state from the second air supply state to a third air supply state different from the second air supply state. The control unit switches the air volume from the first air volume to the second air volume earlier than when the second switching timing is earlier than the first switching timing. Therefore, the drying device helps to adjust the air volume before the evaporation of water in the ink or the processing liquid on the medium progresses considerably.

[0018] Alternatively, the drying device may include: a pipe connecting the fan to a blow-out port, the blow-out port opening toward the internal space and blowing the heated air delivered by the fan into the internal space; and a louver provided at the blow-out port in a swingable manner, wherein the control unit swings the louver in the stored state. The blowing direction of the heated air from the blow-out port is changed by the louver, so that the temperature distribution of the air in the internal space is easily uniform. Therefore, the drying device helps to suppress uneven progress of evaporation of water in the ink or the processing liquid on the medium.

[0019] In the drying device, the tube may be connected to each of the plurality of blowing outlets arranged in a specific direction, the louver may be provided at each of the plurality of blowing outlets, and the control unit may swing the plurality of louvers in the specific direction. In the specific direction, the temperature distribution of the air in the internal space is likely to become uniform. Therefore, the drying device helps to suppress uneven progress of evaporation of water in the ink or the processing liquid on the medium in the specific direction.

[0020] In the drying device, the control unit may control the conveying unit that conveys the pressing plate in the internal space in the accommodation state, so that the pressing plate is reciprocated in the internal space. Even if the temperature distribution of the air in the internal space is uneven, or the wind strength at each position in the internal space is uneven, the heating state of the medium is not likely to be uneven because the pressing plate is reciprocated. Therefore, the drying device helps to suppress the uneven progress of evaporation of water in the ink or the processing liquid on the medium.

[0021] Alternatively, the drying device may include a tube that connects the fan to each of a plurality of outlets, the plurality of outlets opening toward the internal space and blowing the heated air delivered by the fan into the internal space, the plurality of outlets being arranged in the internal space along a conveying direction of a conveying unit that conveys the press plate, and the control unit controlling the conveying unit in the accommodation state so that the press plate is conveyed along the conveying direction by a distance greater than the interval between a pair of adjacent outlets among the plurality of outlets. For example, the wind strength is different at a position between a pair of adjacent outlets in the conveying direction and at a position of the outlet. By conveying the press plate along the conveying direction by a distance greater than the interval between a pair of adjacent outlets, a predetermined position of the medium on the press plate is easily passed through both a position between a pair of outlets and a position of the outlet in the conveying direction. Therefore, the drying device helps to suppress uneven progress of evaporation of water in ink or a processing liquid on the medium in the conveying direction.

[0022] Alternatively, in the drying device, a branch path branched from a main path for conveying the platen extends to the internal space, and in the housing, the platen carrying the medium before or after the ink is ejected by the inkjet printer is conveyed from the main path via the branch path, and the control unit controls the conveying unit in the accommodation state to reciprocate the platen on the branch path. Even if the platen is reciprocated along the conveying direction on the branch path, the platen on the branch path is unlikely to obstruct the conveying of other platens on the main path. Therefore, the drying device helps to suppress uneven progress of evaporation of water in the ink or treatment liquid on the medium in the conveying direction while suppressing obstruction of the conveying of other platens on the main path.

[0023] The drying control method of the second aspect of the present invention includes a switching process, in which at least one of a heater for heating air and a fan for conveying the air heated by the heater, that is, heated air, to the internal space is controlled in a state where the pressing plate is contained in an internal space, and the air supply state of the heated air conveyed by the fan is switched from a first air supply state to a second air supply state different from the first air supply state, wherein the internal space is provided in a housing and connected to an opening of a size through which the pressing plate can pass, and the pressing plate carries a medium in a state coated with ink or a processing liquid. The second aspect contributes to the adjustment of the heating state of the medium in the same manner as the first aspect.

[0024] The storage medium of the third aspect of the present invention stores a drying control program, and the drying control program causes a computer to perform the following switching process: when the pressing plate is accommodated in the internal space, at least one of a heater for heating air and a fan for conveying the air heated by the heater, that is, heated air, to the internal space is controlled to switch the air supply state of the heated air conveyed by the fan from a first air supply state to a second air supply state different from the first air supply state, wherein the internal space is provided in the housing and connected to an opening of a size through which the pressing plate can pass, and the pressing plate carries a medium in a state coated with ink or a processing liquid. The third aspect contributes to the adjustment of the heating state of the medium in the same manner as the first aspect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Figure 1 1 is a top view schematically showing the printing system 1 .

[0026] Figure 2 It is a three-dimensional view of the pressing plate 10.

[0027] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram showing the interior of the first drying device 4A as viewed from the front.

[0028] Figure 4 It is a block diagram showing the electrical structure of the first drying device 4A.

[0029] Figure 5 : is a flowchart of the first drying control process.

[0030] Figure 6 The first drying control treatment is followed by Figure 5 Flowchart of the process.

[0031] Figure 7 It is a diagram showing the first setting table 145 .

[0032] Figure 8 This is a diagram showing the relationship between the elapsed time, the target air volume, and the target temperature in the case of full-area coating.

[0033] Fig. 9 It is a diagram showing the second setting table 146 .

[0034] Fig.10 This is a diagram showing the relationship between the elapsed time, the target air volume, and the target temperature in the case of partial coating.

[0035] Fig.11 This is a diagram of a blow-out chamber 438 in which a louver 47 is provided.

[0036] Description of symbols

[0037] 1. Printing System

[0038] 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D printers

[0039] 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D first drying device

[0040] 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E, 6F Second Drying Device

[0041] 10 Pressure plate

[0042] 40 Space

[0043] 41 Shell

[0044] 43 Air supply path

[0045] 44 Heater

[0046] 45 Fan

[0047] 49 Transportation Road

[0048] 71 Main Path

[0049] 141CPU

[0050] 412 Pass

[0051] 439 Blowing Outlet

[0052] 494 handling motor. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0053] A printing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 The printing system 1 shown is a system that performs pre-processing, printing processing, and post-processing on the media M placed on the plurality of platens 10 in the order of pre-processing, printing processing, and post-processing while conveying the plurality of platens 10. In the pre-processing of the present embodiment, the coating processing, the first drying processing, and the hot pressing processing are performed in the order of coating processing, the first drying processing, and the hot pressing processing. In the post-processing of the present embodiment, the second drying processing is performed. The details of each processing will be described later.

[0054] Reference Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 , the structure of the printing system 1 is described. Figure 1 In Figure 1 The top, bottom, left, right, back of the paper and front of the paper are respectively set as the back, front, left, right, bottom and top of the printing system 1. Figure 1As shown, the printing system 1 includes multiple printers 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, a coating device 3A, multiple first drying devices 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, multiple hot pressing devices 5A, 5B, multiple second drying devices 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E, 6F, a conveying device 7 and a pressing plate 10.

[0055] The plurality of printers 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D are devices that perform printing processing. Printing processing is a process of printing an image by applying liquid ink to a medium M. In the present embodiment, the printers 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D are inkjet printers that perform printing on a medium M such as cloth or paper.

[0056] The printer 2A is arranged to the right of the main path 71 described later. For example, the surface on which the entrances for the platen 10 to the printers 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D are provided is set as the front surface. In this case, the left surface of the printer 2A becomes the front surface of the printer 2A. The printer 2B is arranged to the left of the printer 2A. The front surface of the printer 2B faces the front surface of the printer 2A across the main path 71. The printer 2C is arranged behind the printer 2A. The front surface of the printer 2C faces the same direction as the front surface of the printer 2A. The printer 2D is arranged to the left of the printer 2C. The front surface of the printer 2D faces the front surface of the printer 2C across the main path 71.

[0057] The printers 2B, 2C, and 2D have the same structure as the printer 2A. Therefore, the structure of the printer 2A is described below, and the description of the structures of the printers 2B, 2C, and 2D is omitted. The printer 2A includes an inkjet head 21, a main scanning conveying mechanism 22, and a sub-scanning conveying mechanism 23. The inkjet head 21 includes a nozzle (not shown). The inkjet head 21 is driven by a head driving element (not shown) to eject ink from the nozzle. The colors of the ink are, for example, white (W), black (K), yellow (Y), cyan (C), and magenta (M).

[0058] The main scanning conveying mechanism 22 is driven by a main scanning motor (not shown) to convey the inkjet head 21 in the main scanning direction. In the printer 2A, the main scanning direction is the front-back direction. The sub-scanning conveying mechanism 23 is driven by a sub-scanning motor (not shown) to convey the platen 10 in the sub-scanning direction. In the printer 2A, the sub-scanning direction is the left-right direction.

[0059] The printer 2A controls the main scanning conveyance mechanism 22 and the sub-scanning conveyance mechanism 23 to move the medium M relative to the inkjet head 21 in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction. The printer 2A controls the inkjet head 21 to eject ink from the nozzles while moving the medium M relative to the inkjet head 21. Thus, a printing process of applying ink to the medium M is performed, and an image is printed on the medium M.

[0060] The coating device 3A is a device for performing coating processing. The coating processing is performed before the printing processing. The coating processing is a processing of coating the processing liquid on the medium M. The processing liquid is a base coating agent, for example, an aqueous solution containing a cationic polymer or a polyvalent metal salt. The polyvalent metal salt is, for example, calcium chloride or calcium nitrite. The processing liquid improves the fixing of the ink to the medium M and the color development of the ink.

[0061] The coating device 3A is arranged in front of the printer 2A at a position to the right of the main path 71. For example, the surface where the entrance of the platen 10 to the coating device 3A is provided is set as the front surface. In this case, the left surface of the coating device 3A becomes the front surface of the coating device 3A. The coating device 3A includes a coating unit 31 and a conveying path 32. The coating unit 31 is a sprayer in this embodiment, which sprays the processing liquid. In addition, the coating unit 31 can also be a spray head, a coating scraper, etc.

[0062] The conveying path 32 branches to the right from the main path 71 described later and extends to the coating device 3A. The conveying path 32 conveys the platen 10 in the left-right direction by driving a conveying motor (not shown) of the conveying path 32. The conveying path 32 has the same structure as the conveying path 49 described later. Therefore, the description of the structure of the conveying path 32 is omitted. In the coating device 3A, the coating unit 31 sprays the processing liquid onto the medium M on the platen 10 in a state where the platen 10 is arranged directly below the coating unit 31 through the conveying path 32. Thus, a coating process of coating the medium M with the processing liquid is performed.

[0063] The plurality of first drying devices 4A, 4B, 4C, and 4D are devices that perform a first drying process. The first drying process is performed after the coating process and before the printing process. The first drying process is a process that evaporates water in the process liquid coated on the medium M by the coating process by drying the medium M in a high-temperature atmosphere. As a result, the fixation of the solute in the process liquid to the medium M is improved.

[0064] The first drying devices 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D are arranged between the printers 2A, 2B and the coating device 3A in the front-rear direction. The arrangement relationship of the first drying devices 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D is the same as that of the printers 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D.

[0065] The plurality of first drying devices 4A, 4B, 4C, and 4D have the same structure. Therefore, the structure of the first drying device 4A will be described as an example, and the description of the structures of the plurality of first drying devices 4B, 4C, and 4D will be omitted. The first drying device 4A includes a conveying path 49. The conveying path 49 branches to the right from the main path 71 described later and extends to the first drying device 4A. The conveying path 49 passes through Figure 4The conveyance motor 494 shown is driven to convey the platen 10 in the left-right direction. Therefore, the conveyance direction in the conveyance path 49 is the left-right direction.

[0066] In the present embodiment, the conveying path 49 is composed of a pair of belt conveyors 491 and 492. The belt conveyor 491 is arranged at the front end of the conveying path 49. The belt conveyor 492 is arranged at the rear end of the conveying path 49. The pair of belt conveyors 491 and 492 extend in parallel to each other in the left-right direction. The rotation axis of each of the pair of belt conveyors 491 and 492 extends in the front-back direction. The detailed structure of the first drying device 4A will be described later.

[0067] The plurality of heat pressing devices 5A and 5B are devices that perform heat pressing treatment. The heat pressing treatment is performed after the first drying treatment and before the printing treatment. The heat pressing treatment is a treatment that pressurizes the medium M at a high temperature to evaporate the water in the treatment liquid remaining in the medium M in the first drying treatment. As a result, the fixation of the solute in the treatment liquid to the medium M is improved. In addition, the heat pressing treatment is a treatment that smoothes the burrs on the printing surface of the medium M and flattens the printing surface of the medium M into a flat surface. As a result, the printing quality of the medium M by the printers 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D is improved.

[0068] The heat press devices 5A and 5B are arranged between the printers 2A and 2B and the first drying devices 4C and 4D in the front-rear direction. The arrangement relationship between the heat press devices 5A and 5B is the same as the arrangement relationship between the printers 2A and 2B.

[0069] The hot press device 5B has the same structure as the hot press device 5A. Therefore, the structure of the hot press device 5A is described below, and the description of the structure of the hot press device 5B is omitted. The hot press device 5A includes a stamping unit 51, a heating unit 52, and a conveying path 53. The stamping unit 51 is driven by a stamping motor (not shown) to move in the vertical direction. The stamping unit 51 moves downward to push the medium M onto the mounting plate 13 (see FIG. 1 ) described later. Figure 2 The heating unit 52 heats the punching unit 51.

[0070] The conveying path 53 branches rightward from the main path 71 described later and extends to the hot pressing device 5A. The conveying path 53 conveys the platen 10 in the left-right direction by driving a conveying motor (not shown) of the conveying path 53. The conveying path 53 has the same structure as the conveying path 49. Therefore, the description of the structure of the conveying path 53 is omitted. In the hot pressing device 5A, the platen 10 is arranged directly below the punching part 51 through the conveying path 53, and the punching part 51 heated by the heating part 52 presses the medium M. Thus, a hot pressing process in which the medium M is pressurized at a high temperature is performed.

[0071] The plurality of second drying devices 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E, and 6F are devices that perform a second drying process. The second drying process is performed after the printing process. The second drying process is a process that dries the medium M in a high-temperature atmosphere to evaporate the water in the ink applied to the medium M by the printing process. As a result, the fixing of the pigment or dye in the ink to the medium M is improved.

[0072] The plurality of second drying devices 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E, and 6F are arranged at positions behind the printers 2C and 2D. The arrangement relationship of the plurality of second drying devices 6A, 6B, 6C, and 6D is the same as the arrangement relationship of the plurality of printers 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D. Moreover, the plurality of second drying devices 6E and 6F are arranged in the left-right direction across the main path 71 and are arranged behind the plurality of second drying devices 6C and 6D. The plurality of second drying devices 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E, and 6F have the same structure as the first drying device 4A. Therefore, the description of the structure of the plurality of second drying devices 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E, and 6F is omitted.

[0073] The conveying device 7 conveys the platen 10 in a manner of sequentially performing a coating process, a first drying process, a hot pressing process, a printing process, and a second drying process. The conveying device 7 includes a main path 71 and a transfer mechanism 81 to 89. The main path 71 has a double-layer structure, and includes an outgoing path 72, a return path (not shown), and elevator mechanisms 74 and 75. The outgoing path 72 extends in the front-to-back direction from a position in front of the coating device 3A to a position in the rear of the second drying devices 6E and 6F in the second layer portion. The return path extends in the front-to-back direction from a position in front of the coating device 3A to a position in the rear of the second drying devices 6E and 6F in the first layer portion. That is, the return path is arranged directly below the outgoing path 72 and extends in parallel with the outgoing path 72.

[0074] The outgoing path 72 is driven by a conveying motor (not shown) of the outgoing path 72 to convey the pressing plate 10 from the front to the rear. In the present embodiment, the outgoing path 72 is composed of a pair of belt conveyors 721 and 722. The belt conveyor 721 is arranged at the left end of the outgoing path 72. The belt conveyor 722 is arranged at the right end of the outgoing path 72. The pair of belt conveyors 721 and 722 extend in parallel to each other in the front-to-back direction. The respective rotating axes of the pair of belt conveyors 721 and 722 extend in the left-to-right direction. The return path has the same structure as the outgoing path 72, and is driven by a conveying motor (not shown) of the return path to convey the pressing plate 10 from the rear to the front.

[0075] The elevator mechanism 74 is arranged at the front end of the main path 71. The elevator mechanism 75 is arranged at the rear end of the main path 71. Therefore, the outgoing path 72 and the return path are located between the elevator mechanism 74 and the elevator mechanism 75 in the front-back direction. The elevator mechanisms 74 and 75 are driven by respective lifting motors (not shown) to rise and fall between a position at the same height as the outgoing path 72 (second floor portion) and a position at the same height as the return path (first floor portion). Furthermore, the elevator mechanisms 74 and 75 are driven by respective conveying motors (not shown) to convey the press plate 10 in the front-back direction.

[0076] In the present embodiment, the elevator mechanism 74 is composed of a pair of belt conveyors 741 and 742. The belt conveyor 741 is arranged at the left end of the elevator mechanism 74. The belt conveyor 742 is arranged at the right end of the elevator mechanism 74. The pair of belt conveyors 741 and 742 extend in parallel to each other in the front-rear direction. The rotation axis of each of the pair of belt conveyors 741 and 742 extends in the left-right direction. The elevator mechanism 75 has the same structure as the elevator mechanism 74. Therefore, the description of the structure of the elevator mechanism 75 is omitted.

[0077] The delivery mechanisms 81 to 89 are arranged between a pair of belt conveyors 721 and 722 in the left-right direction. The delivery mechanisms 81 to 89 are arranged in the order of delivery mechanisms 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, and 89 from the front to the rear on the outgoing path 72. The delivery mechanisms 81 to 89 convey the press plate 10 in the left-right direction, respectively, and deliver the press plate 10 between the outgoing path 72 and the conveying mechanisms of the devices respectively adjacent to the outgoing path 72. For example, the delivery mechanism 81 delivers the press plate 10 between the outgoing path 72 and the conveying path 32 of the coating device 3A. The delivery mechanism 82 delivers the press plate 10 between the outgoing path 72 and the conveying path 49 of the first drying device 4A. Moreover, the delivery mechanism 82 delivers the press plate 10 between the outgoing path 72 and the conveying path (not shown) of the first drying device 4B.

[0078] The handover mechanism 84 hands over the platen 10 between the outgoing path 72 and the conveying path 53 of the hot press device 5A. Furthermore, the handover mechanism 84 hands over the platen 10 between the outgoing path 72 and the conveying path (not shown) of the hot press device 5B. The handover mechanism 85 hands over the platen 10 between the outgoing path 72 and the sub-scanning conveying mechanism 23 of the printer 2A via the connecting conveying path 85A. Furthermore, the handover mechanism 85 hands over the platen 10 between the outgoing path 72 and the sub-scanning conveying mechanism (not shown) of the printer 2B via the connecting conveying path 85B. The handover mechanism 86 hands over the platen 10 between the outgoing path 72 and the sub-scanning conveying mechanism (not shown) of the printer 2C via the connecting conveying path 86A. Furthermore, the handover mechanism 86 hands over the platen 10 between the outgoing path 72 and the sub-scanning conveying mechanism (not shown) of the printer 2D via the connecting conveying path 86B.

[0079] The delivery mechanisms 81, 83 to 89 have the same structure as the delivery mechanism 82. Therefore, the structure of the delivery mechanism 82 is described below, and the description of the structures of the delivery mechanisms 81, 83 to 89 is omitted. In the present embodiment, the delivery mechanism 82 is raised and lowered between a position below the outgoing path 72 and a position above the outgoing path 72 by driving a lifting motor (not shown) of the delivery mechanism 82. Moreover, the delivery mechanism 82 is driven by a rotating motor (not shown) so that the pressure plate 10 on the delivery mechanism 82 rotates in a clockwise direction or a counterclockwise direction when viewed from above. In the case where the medium M is, for example, a T-shirt, the delivery mechanism 82 switches the direction of the pressure plate 10 in such a way that the collar of the T-shirt faces the traveling direction of the pressure plate 10.

[0080] In this embodiment, the delivery mechanism 82 is composed of a pair of belt conveyors 821 and 822. The belt conveyor 821 is arranged at the front end of the delivery mechanism 82. The belt conveyor 822 is arranged at the rear end of the delivery mechanism 82. The pair of belt conveyors 821 and 822 extend in parallel to each other in the left-right direction. The rotation axis of each of the pair of belt conveyors 821 and 822 extends in the front-back direction.

[0081] exist Figure 2 In Figure 2 The upper, lower, upper left, lower right, lower left and upper right of the pressure plate 10 are respectively set as the upper, lower, left, right, front and rear of the pressure plate 10. Figure 2 As shown, the platen 10 includes a tray 11, a support 12, and a mounting plate 13. The tray 11 has a rectangular shape in a plan view, and receives, for example, a hanging portion of the medium M mounted on the mounting plate 13. The support 12 extends upward from the upper surface of the tray 11.

[0082] The mounting plate 13 is mounted on the support table 12 and has a rectangular shape when viewed from above. The medium M is placed on the mounting plate 13. In the present embodiment, the medium M placed on the mounting plate 13 is also referred to as "the medium M on the platen 10". The size of the mounting plate 13 is not limited to a specific size, but for example, the length in the left-right direction is about 40 cm, and the length in the front-back direction is about 40 cm. The height of the entire platen 10 in the up-down direction is not limited to a specific size, but for example, it is about 30 cm.

[0083] A printing area R1 and a non-printing area R2 are defined. The printing area R1 is an area surrounded by the outer shape of an image printed by the printing process in the medium M when viewed from above. When the outer shape of the image is, for example, rectangular, the printing area R1 has a rectangular shape. The non-printing area R2 is an area outside the printing area R1 in the medium M when viewed from above.

[0084] Reference Figure 1, the flow of the operation of the printing system 1 is described. For convenience, it is assumed that when the operation of the printing system 1 starts, the transfer mechanisms 81 to 89 are respectively arranged below the outgoing path 72, and the elevator mechanisms 74 and 75 are respectively arranged at the same height as the outgoing path 72.

[0085] When the pressing plate 10 is arranged on the elevator mechanism 74, Figure 2 The rear of the pressure plate 10 is shown facing Figure 1 The user mounts the medium M on the platen 10 while the platen 10 is disposed on the elevator mechanism 74. When the medium M is, for example, a T-shirt, the medium M is mounted on the platen 10 with the collar of the T-shirt facing the rear of the platen 10. The elevator mechanism 74 transports the platen 10 to the rear and delivers it to the outgoing path 72.

[0086] The outgoing path 72 conveys the platen 10 to the rear to the delivery mechanism 81. The delivery mechanism 81 rises to a position above the outgoing path 72. Thus, the platen 10 is delivered from the outgoing path 72 to the delivery mechanism 81. The delivery mechanism 81 rotates the platen 10 90° clockwise when viewed from above, and conveys the platen 10 to the right. Thus, the platen 10 is delivered from the delivery mechanism 81 to the conveying path 32. The coating device 3A performs coating processing.

[0087] When the coating process of the coating device 3A is completed, the conveying path 32 conveys the platen 10 to the left and delivers it to the delivery mechanism 81. The delivery mechanism 81 rotates the platen 10 90 degrees counterclockwise in a plan view and descends to a position below the outgoing path 72. Thus, the platen 10 is delivered from the delivery mechanism 81 to the outgoing path 72.

[0088] The delivery method of the press plate 10 by the delivery mechanisms 82 to 89 is the same as the delivery method of the press plate 10 by the delivery mechanism 81. Therefore, the description of the delivery of the press plate 10 by the delivery mechanisms 82 to 89 will be omitted or simplified below.

[0089] The outgoing path 72 transports the pressing plate 10 to the rear to the delivery mechanism 82 or the delivery mechanism 83. Depending on which of the first drying devices 4A, 4B, 4C, and 4D performs the first drying process, it is determined to which of the delivery mechanisms 82 and 83 the pressing plate 10 is transported. For example, the case where the first drying device 4A performs the first drying process is described. In this case, the pressing plate 10 is transported to the delivery mechanism 82 and is delivered from the outgoing path 72 to the delivery mechanism 82. The delivery mechanism 82 transports the pressing plate 10 to the right and delivers it to the conveying path 49. The first drying device 4A performs the first drying process. When the first drying process of the first drying device 4A is completed, the conveying path 49 transports the pressing plate 10 to the left and delivers it to the delivery mechanism 82. The delivery mechanism 82 delivers the pressing plate 10 to the outgoing path 72.

[0090] The outgoing path 72 transports the platen 10 to the rear and delivers it to the delivery mechanism 84. For example, the case where the hot pressing device 5A performs a hot pressing process is described. In this case, the delivery mechanism 84 transports the platen 10 to the right and delivers it to the transport path 53. The hot pressing device 5A performs a hot pressing process. When the hot pressing process of the hot pressing device 5A is completed, the transport path 53 transports the platen 10 to the left and delivers it to the delivery mechanism 84. The delivery mechanism 84 delivers the platen 10 to the outgoing path 72.

[0091] The outgoing path 72 conveys the platen 10 to the rear to the delivery mechanism 85 or the delivery mechanism 86. Depending on which of the printers 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D performs the printing process, it is determined to which of the delivery mechanisms 85 and 86 the platen 10 is conveyed. For example, the case where the printer 2A performs the printing process is described. In this case, the platen 10 is conveyed to the delivery mechanism 85 and is delivered to the delivery mechanism 85 from the outgoing path 72. The delivery mechanism 85 conveys the platen 10 to the right and delivers it to the sub-scanning delivery mechanism 23 via the connecting delivery path 85A. The printer 2A performs the printing process. When the printing process of the printer 2A is completed, the sub-scanning delivery mechanism 23 conveys the platen 10 to the left and delivers it to the delivery mechanism 85 via the connecting delivery path 85A. The delivery mechanism 85 delivers the platen 10 to the outgoing path 72.

[0092] The outgoing path 72 conveys the platen 10 to the rear to the delivery mechanism 87, the delivery mechanism 88 or the delivery mechanism 89. Depending on which of the second drying devices 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E, and 6F performs the second drying process, it is determined to convey the platen 10 to which of the delivery mechanisms 87, 88, and 89. For example, the case where the second drying device 6A performs the second drying process is described. In this case, the platen 10 is conveyed to the delivery mechanism 87 and delivered to the delivery mechanism 87 from the outgoing path 72. The delivery mechanism 87 conveys the platen 10 to the right and delivers it to the conveying path (omitted from the figure) of the second drying device 6A. The second drying device 6A performs the second drying process. When the second drying process of the second drying device 6A is completed, the conveying path (omitted from the figure) of the second drying device 6A conveys the platen 10 to the left and delivers it to the delivery mechanism 87. The delivery mechanism 87 delivers the platen 10 to the outgoing path 72.

[0093] The outward path 72 transports the platen 10 backward and delivers it to the elevator mechanism 75. The elevator mechanism 75 descends to the same height as the return path (not shown). The elevator mechanism 75 transports the platen 10 forward and delivers it to the return path. The return path transports the platen 10 forward in a state where the elevator mechanism 74 is arranged at the same height as the return path, and delivers it to the elevator mechanism 74. While the platen 10 is being transported from the elevator mechanism 75 to the elevator mechanism 74 via the return path, the user removes the medium M with the image printed thereon from the platen 10. For example, the user removes the medium M with the image printed thereon from the platen 10 in a state where the platen 10 is arranged on the elevator mechanism 75. Thereafter, the user mounts the next medium M on the platen 10 in a state where the platen 10 is arranged on the elevator mechanism 74. Thereafter, the same actions based on the printing system 1 are repeated.

[0094] Reference Figure 3 , the detailed structure of the first drying device 4A is described. The first drying device 4A includes a shell 41, a baffle 42, a conveying path 49, an air supply path 43, a heater 44, a fan 45, a temperature sensor 46, a first position sensor 481 and a second position sensor 482. The shell 41 is a rectangular parallelepiped and has a box shape. A space 40 is provided inside the shell 41. The space 40 is an area surrounded by the inner wall of the shell 41. Hereinafter, the space 40 is also expressed as "inside the shell 41". An exhaust port 413 is provided in the upper left portion of the shell 41. The exhaust port 413 is an opening connected to the space 40. The exhaust port 413 discharges the air in the shell 41 to the outside of the shell 41.

[0095] A through-port 412 is provided on the left surface 411 of the shell 41. The through-port 412 is an opening that penetrates the left surface 411 in the left-right direction. The through-port 412 is an area defined by the edge of the opening provided on the left surface 411. The through-port 412 is connected to the space 40. The through-port 412 is rectangular when viewed from the left side, and has a size through which the pressing plate 10 can pass. That is, the length of the through-port 412 in the left-right direction is greater than the length of the pressing plate 10 as a whole in the left-right direction. The length of the through-port 412 in the up-down direction is greater than the length of the pressing plate 10 as a whole in the up-down direction. The size of the through-port 412 is not limited to a specific size, but for example, the length in the front-to-back direction is about 50 cm, and the length in the up-down direction is about 40 cm. Therefore, the pressing plate 10 can move in and out of the shell 41 through the through-port 412.

[0096] The baffle 42 is supported by the left surface 411 of the housing 41 so as to be movable in the up-down direction. The baffle 42 is a plate and has a rectangular shape when viewed from the left side. The baffle 42 opens the through-port 412 by moving upward, and covers the through-port 412 by moving downward. The baffle 42 covers the through-port 412, thereby suppressing the movement of air inside and outside the housing 41 through the through-port 412.

[0097] The conveying path 49 is disposed at the lower part of the space 40 and extends in the left-right direction. The left end of the conveying path 49 is disposed near the left surface 411 of the housing 41. The conveying path 49 is disposed at a height when the delivery mechanism 82 is raised above the forward path 72 in the vertical direction.

[0098] The air supply passage 43 is a pipe that constitutes an air flow path. In the present embodiment, the air supply passage 43 includes an external air inlet passage 431, connection passages 432, 433, a heating chamber 434, a connection passage 435, an air supply chamber 436, a connection passage 437, and a blow-out chamber 438. The right end of the external air inlet passage 431 is open to the outside air. The left end of the external air inlet passage 431 is connected to the right end of the connection passage 432 and the lower end of the connection passage 433, respectively. A valve 430 is provided in the external air inlet passage 431. The valve 430 is open at normal times. The valve 430 is closed when the first drying device 4A is not used for a long time. Thus, the valve 430 inhibits foreign matter such as dust from entering the housing 41 via the external air inlet passage 431.

[0099] The left end of the connection path 432 is connected to the housing 41. The heating chamber 434 is connected to the upper end of the connection path 433. The lower end of the connection path 435 is connected to the heating chamber 434. The air supply chamber 436 is connected to the upper end of the connection path 435. The right end of the connection path 437 is connected to the air supply chamber 436. The blow-out chamber 438 is connected to the left end of the connection path 437. The blow-out chamber 438 is arranged in the upper part of the space 40. The lower surface of the blow-out chamber 438 is arranged above the conveying path 49 and faces the conveying path 49 in the up-down direction.

[0100] A plurality of outlets 439 are provided on the lower surface of the blowing chamber 438. The plurality of outlets 439 are arranged in the left-right direction and open downward toward the space 40. Among the plurality of outlets 439, a distance S between a pair of outlets 439 adjacent to each other in the left-right direction is constant.

[0101] The heater 44 is accommodated in the heating chamber 434. The heater 44 is a heat source, and heats the air in the heating chamber 434. Hereinafter, the air heated by the heater 44 is referred to as "heated air". The fan 45 is accommodated in the air supply chamber 436. The fan 45 is a blower, and sends air toward the heating chamber 434.

[0102] The temperature sensor 46 is disposed in the blowing chamber 438 to detect the temperature of the air in the blowing chamber 438. The temperature sensor 46 is a thermistor in the present embodiment, but may also be a thermocouple, an infrared sensor, etc. The first position sensor 481 is disposed in the first housing position P31 described later to detect the pressing plate 10 located in the first housing position P31. The second position sensor 482 is disposed in the second housing position P32 described later to detect the pressing plate 10 located in the second housing position P32. The first position sensor 481 and the second position sensor 482 are respectively proximity switches in the present embodiment, but may also be limit switches, infrared sensors, etc.

[0103] For example, in the front-rear direction of the pressing plate 10 ( Figure 3 In the left-right direction of the mounting plate 13, a detection plate is provided at the center of the mounting plate 13. The first position sensor 481 detects the detection plate when the detection plate passes through the first receiving position P31, thereby detecting the pressing plate 10 located at the first receiving position P31. The second position sensor 482 detects the detection plate when the detection plate passes through the second receiving position P32, thereby detecting the pressing plate 10 located at the second receiving position P32.

[0104] The drying action of the first drying device 4A is described. The press plate 10 on which the medium M coated with the treatment liquid is placed, that is, the press plate 10 on which the medium M subjected to the coating treatment is placed is placed in the space 40. The state in which the press plate 10 is placed in the space 40 is referred to as the "contained state". The drying action is performed in the contained state. In the drying action, the heater 44 heats the air in the heating chamber 434. The fan 45 delivers air toward the heating chamber 434. Thus, the heated air flows from the heating chamber 434 in the order of the connecting path 435, the air supply chamber 436, and the connecting path 437. The heated air flowing from the connecting path 437 to the blowing chamber 438 is blown out from the blowing chamber 438 to the downward direction of the space 40 via the plurality of blowing outlets 439. The heated air blown out from the plurality of blowing outlets 439 contacts the medium M on the press plate 10 in the space 40. Thus, in the medium M on the press plate 10, the water in the treatment liquid evaporates.

[0105] Moreover, in the present embodiment, during the drying operation, the conveying path 49 reciprocates the pressing plate 10 between the first receiving position P31 and the second receiving position P32 in the left-right direction. The first receiving position P31 and the second receiving position P32 are positions on the conveying path 49. The second receiving position P32 is a position to the right of the first receiving position P31. In the left-right direction, the distance D between the first receiving position P31 and the second receiving position P32 is larger than the interval S. In the present embodiment, the position of the pressing plate 10 is in the front-to-back direction ( Figure 3In the present embodiment, the position of the pressing plate 10 is determined by the position of the detection plate in the pressing plate 10. Regardless of where the pressing plate 10 is located between the first receiving position P31 and the second receiving position P32, the entire pressing plate 10 is disposed in the space 40.

[0106] The air supply state in the first drying device 4A will be described. The air supply state is the state of heated air sent to the space 40 by the fan 45. For example, when at least one of the air volume of the fan 45 and the heating temperature of the heater 44 is different, the air supply state is different.

[0107] For example, in the first drying process, when the air supply state is different, the heating state of the medium M on the platen 10 changes. Specifically, when the heating temperature is too high, the medium M may be burned or discolored. When the air volume is too large, the processing liquid on the medium M may flow from the target area to the outside.

[0108] When the heating temperature is too low or the air volume is too small, the drying of the medium M may be slow. Therefore, the processing time of the first drying process may be prolonged, or the medium M may be insufficiently dried. For example, when the medium M is insufficiently dried, insufficient fixing of the processing liquid to the medium M occurs, and fixing of the ink to the medium M by the printing process and the color development of the ink may be deteriorated. In addition, bleeding of the processing liquid applied to the medium M by the coating process and the ink applied to the medium M by the printing process may become noticeable. The first drying device 4A contributes to the adjustment of the heating state of the medium M by executing the first drying control process described later.

[0109] In addition, in the present embodiment, the air supply state does not include a state where the rotation of the fan 45 and the heating of the heater 44 are stopped. Therefore, starting the rotation of the fan 45 and the heating of the heater 44 from a state where the rotation of the fan 45 and the heating of the heater 44 are stopped does not mean that the air supply state is switched. Similarly, stopping the rotation of the fan 45 and the heating of the heater 44 from a state where the rotation of the fan 45 and the heating of the heater 44 are being performed does not mean that the air supply state is switched.

[0110] Reference Figure 4 , the electrical structure of the first drying device 4A is described. The first drying device 4A includes a CPU 141, a ROM 142, a RAM 143, and a flash memory 144. The CPU 141 is responsible for controlling the first drying device 4A and functions as a processor. The CPU 141 controls the first drying process, for example. The CPU 141 is electrically connected to the ROM 142, the RAM 143, and the flash memory 144.

[0111] ROM142 stores a control program for CPU141 to control the operation of the first drying device 4A, information required by CPU141 when executing various programs, etc. The control program includes a program for executing the first drying control process described later (see Figure 5 , Figure 6 ) is a first drying control program. RAM 143 temporarily stores various data used in the control program. Flash memory 144 is non-volatile and stores a set temperature, a set air volume, etc. The set temperature is the heating temperature of heater 44 set by the user via operation unit 483. The set air volume is the air volume of fan 45 set by the user via operation unit 483.

[0112] The transport motor 494 is electrically connected to the CPU 141 via the drive circuit 493. The transport motor 494 drives the transport path 49. The drive circuit 493 controls the transport motor 494 based on a control signal from the CPU 141. The opening and closing motor 422 is electrically connected to the CPU 141 via the drive circuit 421. The opening and closing motor 422 opens and closes the shutter 42. The drive circuit 421 controls the opening and closing motor 422 based on a control signal from the CPU 141.

[0113] The fan motor 452 is electrically connected to the CPU 141 via the drive circuit 451. The fan motor 452 rotates when energized, and blows air from the fan 45. The drive circuit 451 controls the rotation speed of the fan motor 452 based on a control signal from the CPU 141. For example, the higher the rotation speed of the fan motor 452, the greater the air volume of the fan 45.

[0114] The heating resistor 442 is electrically connected to the CPU 141 via the drive circuit 441. The heating resistor 442 generates heat by being energized, and the heater 44 heats the air. The drive circuit 441 controls the heating temperature of the heating resistor 442 based on a control signal from the CPU 141. For example, the greater the voltage applied to the heating resistor 442, the higher the heating temperature of the heating resistor 442.

[0115] The temperature sensor 46, the first position sensor 481, the second position sensor 482, the operation unit 483, and the communication unit 484 are electrically connected to the CPU 141. The temperature sensor 46 outputs a signal indicating the detected temperature to the CPU 141. The CPU 141 controls the heater 44 based on the signal from the temperature sensor 46 so that the temperature of the heated air becomes a target temperature described later. The first position sensor 481 outputs a signal indicating whether the pressing plate 10 is located at the first storage position P31 to the CPU 141. The second position sensor 482 outputs a signal indicating whether the pressing plate 10 is located at the second storage position P32 to the CPU 141.

[0116] The operation unit 483 is a touch panel display or the like, and displays various information, and outputs information corresponding to the user's operation to the CPU 141. The user operates the operation unit 483 to preset the set temperature and the set air volume.

[0117] The communication unit 484 is a controller for communicating with other devices by wire or wirelessly. The CPU 141 communicates with, for example, other devices of the printing system 1 through the communication unit 484. The other devices of the printing system 1 are the printers 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, the coating device 3A, the first drying device 4B, 4C, 4D, the heat pressing device 5A, 5B, the second drying device 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E, 6F, and the conveying device 7. The other devices of the printing system 1 are respectively equipped with a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a flash memory, a communication unit, and the like.

[0118] In particular, the first drying devices 4B, 4C, and 4D each have the same electrical structure as the first drying device 4A. Furthermore, the second drying devices 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E, and 6F each have the same electrical structure as the first drying device 4A. The ROMs of the second drying devices 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E, and 6F store a second drying control program for executing a second drying control process (not shown) described later instead of the first drying control program.

[0119] Reference Figures 5 to 10 , the first drying control process is described. Hereinafter, the case where the CPU 141 executes the first drying control process in the first drying device 4A is described. In the first drying devices 4B, 4C, and 4D, each CPU executes the first drying control process in the same manner as the first drying device 4A. When the first drying device 4A is powered on, the CPU 141 reads the first drying control program from the ROM 142 and operates, thereby executing the first drying control process. In the first drying control process, the CPU 141 performs the first drying process, that is, controls the drying action of the first drying device 4A.

[0120] like Figure 5 As shown, when the first drying control process is started, the CPU 141 determines whether the platen 10 is transferred from the transfer mechanism 82 to the conveying path 49 (see Figure 3 )(S21). For example, the control unit (not shown) of the conveying device 7 sends a handover notification to the first drying device 4A when the press plate 10 is handed over from the handover mechanism 82 to the conveying path 49. When the CPU 141 does not receive the handover notification from the conveying device 7, it determines that the press plate 10 has not been handed over from the handover mechanism 82 to the conveying path 49 (S21: No). In this case, the CPU 141 repeats the determination of S21 until the handover notification is received.

[0121] When the CPU 141 receives the handover notification from the conveying device 7 via the communication unit 484, it determines that the platen 10 has been handed over from the handover mechanism 82 to the conveying path 49 (S21: Yes). In this case, the CPU 141 controls the conveying motor 494 based on the detection signal from the first position sensor 481 to convey the platen 10 to the first storage position P31 (see Figure 3 )(S22). Thus, the storage state is achieved. The CPU 141 controls the opening and closing motor 422 to close the baffle 42 (refer to Figure 3 )(S23).

[0122] As described below, CPU141 sets the first switching timing T1, the second switching timing T2, and the end timing T3 described below based on at least one of the coating pattern of the coating process and the coating amount of the processing liquid applied to the medium M by the coating process (both in the present embodiment). The coating pattern has two coating ranges: partial coating and full coating. Partial coating is a coating pattern in which there is an area on the medium M where the processing liquid is not applied when viewed from above. That is, partial coating is a coating pattern in which the processing liquid is applied to only a portion of the medium M when viewed from above. In the present embodiment, partial coating is a printing area R1 (refer to Figure 2 ) is coated with the treatment liquid and in the non-printing area R2 (refer to Figure 2 ) is a coating pattern in which the treatment liquid is not applied. The full-area coating is a coating pattern in which there is no area on the medium M to which the treatment liquid is not applied when viewed from above. That is, the full-area coating is a coating pattern in which the treatment liquid is applied to both the printing area R1 and the non-printing area R2 in the medium M, that is, to the entire area of ​​the medium M when viewed from above. In this embodiment, the user can operate the operating unit (not shown) of the printing system 1 to set the coating pattern of the coating process.

[0123] The amount of treatment liquid applied is "small", "medium" and "large" (see Figure 7 , Fig. 9 ). "Less", "Medium", and "More" represent the relative coating amounts of the processing liquid in each coating pattern. For example, "Less" of local coating represents the least coating amount of the processing liquid among "Less", "Medium", and "More" of local coating. "More" of local coating represents the greatest coating amount of the processing liquid among "Less", "Medium", and "More" of local coating. "Medium" of local coating represents the coating amount of the processing liquid between "Less" and "More" of local coating. For example, "Less" of global coating is not limited to being equal to the amount of "Less" of local coating, and is sometimes more than "Medium" of local coating. In the present embodiment, the user can operate the operating unit (not shown) of the printing system 1 to set the coating amount of the processing liquid applied to the medium M, that is, the spray amount of the processing liquid from the coating unit 31.

[0124] The CPU 141 obtains the coating pattern of the coating process and the coating amount of the treatment liquid applied to the medium M by the coating process (S24). In the process of S24, for example, the CPU 141 sends a request instruction of information (hereinafter referred to as "coating process information") respectively indicating the coating pattern and the coating amount of the treatment liquid to the coating device 3A via the communication unit 484. When the control unit of the coating device 3A receives the request instruction of the coating process information, it sends the coating process information to the first drying device 4A. The CPU 141 receives the coating process information from the coating device 3A via the communication unit 484, and stores the received coating process information in the RAM 143.

[0125] The CPU 141 determines whether the obtained coating pattern is full-area coating (S25). If the coating pattern is full-area coating (S25: Yes), the CPU 141 directs the processing to Figure 6 If the coating pattern is partial coating (S25: No), the CPU 141 transfers the processing to S31. Figure 6 The S51 transfer is shown.

[0126] The following describes the process for full-area coating. Figure 6 As shown, CPU 141 sets the adjustment temperature to the target temperature (refer to Figure 8 )(S31). Figure 8 The dotted line indicates the target temperature ( Fig.10 The target temperature is the heater 44 (refer to Figure 3 ) is stored in RAM 143. The adjusted temperature is a heating temperature of the heater 44 that is higher than the set temperature. The adjusted temperature may be higher than the upper limit of the set temperature that can be set, may be a temperature that is higher than the set temperature by a specified ratio, may be a temperature that is higher than the set temperature by a specified temperature, or may be calculated based on the set temperature.

[0127] CPU 141 sets the adjusted air volume to the target air volume (refer to Figure 8 )(S32). Figure 8 The solid line indicates the target air volume ( Fig.10 The target air volume is fan 45 (refer to Figure 3 ) is stored in RAM 143. The adjusted air volume is the air volume of fan 45 that is smaller than the set air volume. The adjusted air volume may be smaller than the lower limit of the set air volume that can be set, may be an air volume that is smaller than the set air volume by a specified ratio, may be an air volume that is smaller than the set air volume by a specified amount, or may be calculated based on the set air volume.

[0128] The CPU 141 refers to the first setting table 145 (refer to Figure 7), based on the coating amount of the treatment liquid obtained in the process of S24, the first switching timing T1, the second switching timing T2 and the end timing T3 are set (S33). The first switching timing T1 is the timing for switching the target air volume. The second switching timing T2 is the timing for switching the target temperature. The end timing T3 is the timing for stopping the drying action of the first drying device 4A.

[0129] Reference Figure 7 The first setting table 145 will be described. The first setting table 145 is stored in the flash memory 144. Hereinafter, the timing for starting the drying operation is referred to as "start timing T0" (refer to Figure 8 ) The time from the start timing T0 to the arrival of an arbitrary timing is called "arrival time".

[0130] The first setting table 145 determines the arrival times of the first switching timing T1, the second switching timing T2, and the end timing T3 according to the coating amount of the processing liquid. In the present embodiment, when the coating amount of the processing liquid is "small", "medium", and "large", "2 minutes", "3 minutes", and "4 minutes" are respectively determined as the arrival time of the first switching timing T1. For example, when the wind of a set air volume is brought into contact with the medium M, the processing liquid on the medium M sometimes flows. In the first setting table 145, the first switching timing T1 is determined based on, for example, the time until the processing liquid on the medium M is evaporated to the extent that the processing liquid on the medium M will not flow even if the wind of a set air volume is brought into contact with the medium M. In addition, in the second setting table 146 described later (refer to Fig. 9 ) also determines the first switching timing T1 based on the same time.

[0131] As the arrival time of the second switching timing T2, "3 minutes", "4 minutes" and "5 minutes" are determined. For example, when the medium M contains sufficient processing liquid, the temperature of the medium M will not exceed the specified temperature even if the wind with adjusted temperature is brought into contact with the medium M. The specified temperature is, for example, 100°C. In the first setting table 145, the second switching timing T2 is determined based on, for example, the time until the processing liquid on the medium M is evaporated to the extent that the temperature of the medium M exceeds the specified temperature when the wind with adjusted temperature is brought into contact with the medium M. For example, the second switching timing T2 is the timing when the evaporated amount of water in the processing liquid applied to the medium M becomes 80% to 90% of the amount of water in the processing liquid applied to the medium M. As the arrival time of the end timing T3, "4 minutes", "5 minutes" and "6 minutes" are determined.

[0132] According to the structure of the first setting table 145, for example, when the amount of treatment liquid applied increases, the arrival time of the first switching timing T1 becomes longer. When the amount of treatment liquid applied increases, the arrival time of the second switching timing T2 becomes longer. When the amount of treatment liquid applied increases, the arrival time of the end timing T3 becomes longer.

[0133] When the amount of treatment liquid applied is "small", the arrival time "3 minutes" of the second switching timing T2 is longer than the arrival time "2 minutes" of the first switching timing T1, and the arrival time "4 minutes" of the end timing T3 is longer than the arrival time "3 minutes" of the second switching timing T2. When the amount of treatment liquid applied is "medium" or "large", the arrival time of the second switching timing T2 is longer than the arrival time of the first switching timing T1, and the arrival time of the end timing T3 is longer than the arrival time of the second switching timing T2. Therefore, among the first switching timing T1, the second switching timing T2, and the end timing T3, the first switching timing T1 arrives first. The second switching timing T2 arrives after the first switching timing T1 arrives. The end timing T3 arrives after the second switching timing T2 arrives.

[0134] As an example, the case where the coating amount of the treatment liquid is "medium" will be described. In this case, Figure 6 In the process of S33 shown in FIG. 1 , the CPU 141 refers to the first setting table 145 to determine "3 minutes", "4 minutes", and "5 minutes" corresponding to the coating amount "medium" of the treatment liquid as the arrival times of the first switching timing T1, the second switching timing T2, and the end timing T3. The CPU 141 sets the first switching timing T1 based on the determined "3 minutes", sets the second switching timing T2 based on the determined "4 minutes", and sets the end timing T3 based on the determined "5 minutes".

[0135] like Figure 6 As shown, the CPU 141 starts the drying operation in the storage state (S34). Figure 8 In the process of S34, the CPU 141 controls the heating resistor 442 to drive the heater 44 at the target temperature set as the adjustment temperature in the process of S31 (see Figure 3 ). Thus, the heating chamber 434 (refer to Figure 3 ) is heated to the adjusted temperature. The CPU 141 controls the fan motor 452 to drive the fan 45 (see FIG. 4 ) at the target air volume set as the adjusted air volume in the process of S32. Figure 3 ). Thus, the air is heated to adjust the air volume to the space 40 (refer to Figure 3 )delivery.

[0136] Furthermore, the CPU 141 controls the conveying motor 494 based on the detection signals from the first position sensor 481 and the second position sensor 482 to reciprocate the platen 10 in the left-right direction between the first storage position P31 and the second storage position P32 in the conveying path 49 (see Figure 3 ). Through the drying action, the water in the processing liquid evaporates in the medium M on the pressing plate 10.

[0137] The CPU 141 determines whether the first switching timing T1 (see Figure 8 )(S41). When the first switching timing T1 is not reached (S41: No), the CPU 141 repeats the determination of S41 until the first switching timing T1 is reached. When the first switching timing T1 is reached (S41: Yes), the CPU 141 switches the target air volume from the adjusted air volume to the set air volume (S42). Thus, the CPU 141 controls the fan motor 452 to drive the fan 45 at the target air volume set as the set air volume in the process of S42 (see Figure 3 Therefore, the heated air is directed to the space 40 at a set air volume greater than the adjusted air volume (see Figure 3 ) transport. In the accommodation state, the air supply state is switched by switching the target air volume from the adjusted air volume to the set air volume.

[0138] The CPU 141 determines whether the second switching timing T2 (see Figure 8 )(S43). When the second switching timing T2 is not reached (S43: No), the CPU 141 repeats the determination of S43 until the second switching timing T2 is reached. When the second switching timing T2 is reached (S43: Yes), the CPU 141 switches the target temperature from the adjustment temperature to the set temperature (S44). Thus, the CPU 141 controls the heating resistor 442 to drive the heater 44 at the target temperature set as the set temperature in the process of S44 (see Figure 3 ). Therefore, the heating chamber 434 (refer to Figure 3 ) is heated at a set temperature lower than the adjustment temperature. In the accommodation state, the air supply state is switched by switching the target temperature from the adjustment temperature to the set temperature.

[0139] The CPU 141 determines whether the end timing T3 set in the process of S33 has been reached (see Figure 8 )(S45). When the end timing T3 has not been reached (S45: No), the CPU 141 repeats the determination of S45 until the end timing T3 is reached.

[0140] When the end timing T3 is reached (S45: Yes), the CPU 141 stops the drying operation (S46). Specifically, the CPU 141 stops the power supply to the heating resistor 442 and turns the heater 44 (see Figure 3 ) is stopped. CPU 141 stops driving the fan motor 452, and makes the fan 45 (refer to Figure 3 ) stops rotating. The CPU 141 stops driving the conveying motor 494, and stops conveying the platen 10 by the conveying path 49. The CPU 141 transfers the processing to the processing of S71.

[0141] The processing in the case of partial application will be described. The CPU 141 sets the set temperature to the target temperature (see Fig.10 )(S51). CPU 141 sets the adjusted air volume to the target air volume (refer to Fig.10 )(S52). CPU141 reference Fig. 9 The second setting table 146 (see Fig. 9 ), based on the coating amount of the processing liquid obtained in the process of S24, the first switching timing T1 and the end timing T3 are set (S53).

[0142] Reference Fig. 9 The second setting table 146 will be described. The second setting table 146 is stored in the flash memory 144. The second setting table 146 determines the arrival time of each of the first switching timing T1 and the end timing T3 according to the coating amount of the processing liquid.

[0143] In this embodiment, when the amount of treatment liquid applied is "small", "medium", and "large", "1 minute", "2 minutes", and "3 minutes" are determined as the arrival time of the first switching timing T1, respectively. As the arrival time of the end timing T3, "2 minutes", "3 minutes", and "4 minutes" are determined.

[0144] According to the configuration of the second setting table 146, for example, when the amount of the process liquid applied is large, the time to reach the first switching timing T1 becomes longer. When the amount of the process liquid applied is large, the time to reach the end timing T3 becomes longer.

[0145] When the amount of treatment liquid applied is "small", the arrival time of the end timing T3 "2 minutes" is longer than the arrival time of the first switching timing T1 "1 minute". When the amount of treatment liquid applied is "medium" and "large", the arrival time of the end timing T3 is also longer than the arrival time of the first switching timing T1. Therefore, the end timing T3 arrives after the arrival of the first switching timing T1.

[0146] As an example, the case where the coating amount of the treatment liquid is "medium" will be described. In this case, Figure 6In the process of S53 shown in the figure, the CPU 141 refers to the second setting table 146, and determines "2 minutes" and "3 minutes" corresponding to the coating amount "medium" of the treatment liquid as the arrival time of the first switching timing T1 and the end timing T3, respectively. The CPU 141 sets the first switching timing T1 based on the determined "2 minutes", and sets the end timing T3 based on the determined "3 minutes".

[0147] like Figure 6 As shown, the CPU 141 starts the drying operation in the storage state (S54). Fig.10 In the process of S54, the CPU 141 controls the heating resistor 442 to drive the heater 44 at the target temperature set as the set temperature in the process of S51 (see Figure 3 ). Thus, the heating chamber 434 (refer to Figure 3 ) is heated to the set temperature. The CPU 141 controls the fan motor 452 to drive the fan 45 (see Figure 3 ). Thus, the air is heated to adjust the air volume to the space 40 (refer to Figure 3 The CPU 141 controls the conveying motor 494 based on the detection signals from the first position sensor 481 and the second position sensor 482 to reciprocate the platen 10 in the left-right direction between the first storage position P31 and the second storage position P32 (see Figure 3 ). Through the drying action, the water in the processing liquid evaporates in the medium M on the pressing plate 10.

[0148] The CPU 141 determines whether the first switching timing T1 (see Fig.10 )(S61). When the first switching timing T1 is not reached (S61: No), the CPU 141 repeats the determination of S61 until the first switching timing T1 is reached. When the first switching timing T1 is reached (S61: Yes), the CPU 141 switches the target air volume from the adjusted air volume to the set air volume (S62). Thus, the CPU 141 controls the fan motor 452 to drive the fan 45 at the target air volume set as the set air volume in the process of S62 (see Figure 3 Therefore, the heated air is directed to the space 40 at a set air volume greater than the adjusted air volume (see Figure 3 ) transport. In the accommodation state, the air supply state is switched by switching the target air volume from the adjusted air volume to the set air volume.

[0149] The CPU 141 determines whether the end timing T3 set in the process of S53 has been reached (see Fig.10)(S63). When the end timing T3 has not been reached (S63: No), the CPU 141 repeats the determination of S63 until the end timing T3 is reached.

[0150] When the end timing T3 is reached (S63: Yes), the CPU 141 stops the drying operation (S64). Specifically, the CPU 141 stops the power supply to the heating resistor 442 and turns the heater 44 (see Figure 3 ) is stopped. CPU 141 stops driving the fan motor 452, and makes the fan 45 (refer to Figure 3 ) stops rotating. The CPU 141 stops driving the conveying motor 494, causing the conveying path 49 (refer to Figure 3 ) The conveyance of the platen 10 is stopped. The CPU 141 shifts the processing to the processing of S71.

[0151] When the drying operation is stopped in the process of S46 or S64, the CPU 141 controls the opening and closing motor 422 to open the damper 42 (see Figure 3 )(S71). The CPU 141 controls the conveying motor 494 to move the conveying path 49 (see Figure 3 ) to the left of the platen 10 (S72). Thus, the platen 10 is transferred to the transfer mechanism 82 (refer to Figure 1 ) is handed over. CPU 141 returns the processing to Figure 5 The judgment of S21 is shown.

[0152] The second drying control process is described. Hereinafter, the case where the CPU of the second drying device 6A executes the second drying control process is described. In the second drying devices 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E, and 6F, the respective CPUs execute the second drying control process similarly to the second drying device 6A. When the second drying device 6A is powered on, the CPU of the second drying device 6A reads the second drying control program from the ROM of the second drying device 6A and executes the second drying control process. In the second drying control process, the CPU of the second drying device 6A performs the second drying process, that is, controls the drying action of the second drying device 6A.

[0153] In the second drying control process, similarly to the first drying control process, the process from Figure 5 The processing of S21 shown in FIG. Figure 6 Hereinafter, the differences between the contents of the respective processes of the second drying control process and the respective processes of the first drying control process will be mainly described.

[0154] The CPU of the second drying device 6A is Figure 5 In the process of S21 shown in FIG. 1 , it is determined whether the platen 10 is transferred from the transfer mechanism 87 (see Figure 1 ) is delivered to the conveying path of the second drying device 6A (S21). When the platen 10 is not delivered to the conveying path of the second drying device 6A by the delivery mechanism 87 (S21: No), the CPU of the second drying device 6A repeats the determination of S21.

[0155] When the platen 10 is delivered from the delivery mechanism 87 to the conveying path of the second drying device 6A (S21: YES), the CPU of the second drying device 6A sends the processing to Figure 5 The process of S22 shown is transferred. By the process of S22, the platen 10 on which the medium M coated with ink is placed, that is, the platen 10 on which the medium M subjected to the printing process is placed is accommodated in the space (inside the housing) of the second drying device 6A.

[0156] The CPU of the second drying device 6A is Figure 5 In the process of S24 shown, the print pattern of the print process and the amount of ink applied to the medium M by the print process, that is, the amount of ink ejected from the inkjet head 21, are obtained respectively. In the present embodiment, the user can operate the operating unit (not shown) of the printing system 1 to set the print pattern of the print process. Specifically, there are two types of print patterns: partial printing and full-area printing. Partial printing is a print pattern in which there is an area on the medium M where ink is not applied when viewed from above. That is, partial printing is a print pattern in which ink is applied only to a portion of the medium M when viewed from above. Full-area printing is a print pattern in which there is no area on the medium M where ink is not applied when viewed from above. That is, full-area printing is a print pattern in which ink is applied to the entire area of ​​the medium M when viewed from above.

[0157] In this embodiment, the user can operate an operation unit (not shown) of the printing system 1 to set the amount of ink applied to the medium M, that is, the amount of ink ejected from the inkjet head 21. For example, a larger amount of ink applied improves image quality.

[0158] The CPU of the second drying device 6A is Figure 5 In the process of S25 shown in FIG. 1 , it is determined whether the print pattern is full-area print. If the print pattern is full-area print (S25: Yes), the CPU of the second drying device 6A sends the process to Figure 6 If the print pattern is partial printing (S25: No), the CPU of the second drying device 6A transfers the processing to S31. Figure 6 The S51 transfer is shown.

[0159] The CPU of the second drying device 6A is Figure 6 In the process of S33 shown, a third setting table (not shown) is referred to, and the first switching timing T1, the second switching timing T2, and the end timing T3 are set based on the amount of ink applied.

[0160] The third setting table is stored in the flash memory of the second drying device 6A. The basic structure of the third setting table is similar to that of the first setting table 145 (refer to Figure 7 ). The first setting table 145 determines the arrival time of the first switching timing T1, the second switching timing T2, and the end timing T3 according to the coating amount of the processing liquid. In contrast, the third setting table determines the arrival time of the first switching timing T1, the second switching timing T2, and the end timing T3 according to the coating amount of the ink. The arrival times determined by the third setting table may be the same as or different from the arrival times determined by the first setting table 145. In this embodiment, the arrival times determined by the third setting table are longer than the arrival times determined by the first setting table 145.

[0161] The CPU of the second drying device 6A is Figure 6 In the process of S53 shown, a fourth setting table (not shown) is referred to, and the first switching timing T1 and the end timing T3 are set based on the amount of ink applied.

[0162] The fourth setting table is stored in the flash memory of the second drying device 6A. The basic structure of the fourth setting table is similar to that of the second setting table 146 (see Fig. 9 ). The second setting table 146 determines the arrival time of each of the first switching timing T1 and the end timing T3 according to the coating amount of the processing liquid. In contrast, the fourth setting table determines the arrival time of each of the first switching timing T1 and the end timing T3 according to the coating amount of the ink. The arrival times determined by the fourth setting table may be the same as or different from the arrival times determined by the second setting table 146. In this embodiment, the arrival times determined by the fourth setting table are longer than the arrival times determined by the second setting table 146.

[0163] pass Figure 6 In the drying operation of the process of S34 or S54 shown in FIG. 1 , water in the ink evaporates from the medium M on the platen 10. The CPU of the second drying device 6A is Figure 6 In the process of S72 shown in FIG. 1 , the conveying motor of the second drying device 6A is controlled to convey the pressing plate 10 to the left in the conveying path of the second drying device 6A. Thus, the pressing plate 10 is conveyed to the transfer mechanism 87 (see FIG. 1 ). Figure 1 ) handover.

[0164] The main effects of the above-described embodiments are described. Hereinafter, a certain air supply state is referred to as a "first air supply state", and an air supply state different from the first air supply state is referred to as a "second air supply state". Furthermore, an air supply state different from the second air supply state is referred to as a "third air supply state". The third air supply state may be the same as or different from the first air supply state.

[0165] In the first drying device 4A, the CPU 141 controls at least one of the heater 44 and the fan 45 in the storage state, and switches the air supply state of the heated air delivered by the fan 45 from the first air supply state to the second air supply state. Thus, in the storage state, the air supply state of the heated air is adjusted. Therefore, the first drying device 4A helps to adjust the heating state of the medium M.

[0166] The CPU 141 controls the fan 45 to switch the air volume of the fan 45 from the adjusted air volume to the set air volume, thereby switching the air supply state from the first air supply state to the second air supply state. Thus, the first drying device 4A helps to adjust the heating state of the medium M according to the progress of evaporation of water in the processing liquid on the medium M, for example.

[0167] For example, when the amount of water in the processing liquid on the medium M is high, the fluidity of the processing liquid on the medium M becomes higher than when the amount of water in the processing liquid on the medium M is low. The CPU 141 switches the target air volume from the adjusted air volume to the set air volume that is larger than the adjusted air volume. Thus, in the first drying device 4A, when the fluidity of the processing liquid on the medium M is high, the heated air of the set air volume, that is, the relatively strong wind, is prevented from contacting the processing liquid on the medium M. Therefore, the first drying device 4A helps to prevent the processing liquid on the medium M from flowing due to the wind.

[0168] The CPU 141 controls the heater 44 to switch the target temperature of the heater 44 from the adjustment temperature to the set temperature, thereby switching the air supply state from the first air supply state to the second air supply state. Thus, the first drying device 4A helps to adjust the heating state of the medium M according to the progress of evaporation of water in the processing liquid on the medium M, for example.

[0169] For example, when the air is heated at a set temperature, i.e., a relatively low temperature, from the beginning, the drying time may be prolonged. The CPU 141 switches the target temperature from the adjustment temperature to a set temperature lower than the adjustment temperature. That is, the CPU 141 heats the air at the adjustment temperature, i.e., a relatively high temperature, before heating the air at the set temperature. Therefore, the first drying device 4A helps to prevent the drying time from being prolonged.

[0170] For example, when the amount of the treatment liquid applied to the medium M is large, the progress of evaporation of the water in the treatment liquid on the medium M becomes slow. The CPU 141 obtains the amount of the treatment liquid applied to the medium M, and switches the air supply state from the first air supply state to the second air supply state based on the obtained application amount. Therefore, the first drying device 4A helps to adjust the heating state of the medium M according to the progress of evaporation of the water in the treatment liquid on the medium M, for example.

[0171] When the first switching timing T1 is reached, the CPU 141 controls the fan 45 to switch the air volume of the fan 45 from the adjusted air volume to the set air volume different from the adjusted air volume, thereby switching the air supply state from the first air supply state to the second air supply state. When the second switching timing T2 is reached later than the first switching timing T1, the CPU 141 controls the heater 44 to switch the target temperature based on the heater 44 from the adjusted temperature to the set temperature different from the adjusted temperature, thereby switching the air supply state from the second air supply state to the third air supply state different from the second air supply state. Thus, compared with the case where the second switching timing T2 is earlier than the first switching timing T1, the CPU 141 switches the target air volume from the adjusted air volume to the set air volume earlier. Therefore, the first drying device 4A helps to adjust the air volume before the evaporation of the water in the treatment liquid on the medium M progresses considerably. In the above embodiment, the CPU 141 switches the target air volume from the adjusted air volume to the set air volume larger than the adjusted air volume before the evaporation of the water in the treatment liquid on the medium M progresses considerably. Thus, the first drying device 4A helps to suppress the drying time from becoming longer.

[0172] The CPU 141 controls the conveying motor 494 in the storage state to reciprocate the platen 10 in the space 40. Thus, even if the temperature distribution of the air in the space 40 is uneven or the wind strength at each position in the space 40 is uneven, the heating state of the medium M is not easily uneven because the platen 10 is reciprocated. Therefore, the first drying device 4A helps to suppress the uneven progress of evaporation of water in the processing liquid on the medium M.

[0173] The plurality of blowing outlets 439 are arranged in the conveying direction. Therefore, for example, the wind strength is different between a position between a pair of adjacent blowing outlets 439 in the conveying direction and the position of the blowing outlet 439. The CPU 141 controls the conveying motor 494 in the storage state to convey the platen 10 along the conveying direction by a distance D greater than the interval S between a pair of adjacent blowing outlets 439 among the plurality of blowing outlets 439. Thus, a predetermined position of the medium M on the platen 10 easily passes through both the position between the pair of blowing outlets 439 and the position of the blowing outlet 439 in the conveying direction. Therefore, the first drying device 4A helps to suppress uneven progress of evaporation of water in the processing liquid on the medium M in the conveying direction.

[0174] The conveying path 49 branches off from the main path 71 and extends to the space 40. In the housing 41, the platen 10 carrying the medium M before ink is ejected by the printers 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D is conveyed from the main path 71 through the conveying path 49. The CPU 141 controls the conveying motor 494 in the stored state to reciprocate the platen 10 on the conveying path 49. Thus, since the conveying path 49 branches off from the main path 71, even if the platen 10 is reciprocated in the conveying direction in the conveying path 49, the platen 10 on the conveying path 49 is unlikely to hinder the conveying of other platens 10 in the main path 71. Therefore, the first drying device 4A helps to suppress uneven progress of evaporation of water in the processing liquid on the medium M in the conveying direction while suppressing obstruction of the conveying of other platens 10 in the main path 71.

[0175] The main effects of the first drying device 4A have been described above. The first drying device 4A dries the processing liquid on the medium M. In contrast, the second drying device 6A is different from the first drying device 4A in that it dries the ink on the medium M. With regard to the drying of the ink, the second drying device 6A has the same effects as those of the first drying device 4A with respect to the processing liquid.

[0176] In the above-mentioned embodiment, the first drying device 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D and the second drying device 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E, 6F respectively correspond to the "drying device" of the present invention. The pressing plate 10 corresponds to the "pressing plate" of the present invention. The space 40 corresponds to the "internal space" of the present invention. The through port 412 corresponds to the "opening" of the present invention. The housing 41 corresponds to the "housing" of the present invention. The heater 44 corresponds to the "heater" of the present invention. The fan 45 corresponds to the "fan" of the present invention. The CPU 141 corresponds to the "control unit" and the "computer" of the present invention. The processes of S42, S44 and S62 respectively correspond to the "switching process" of the present invention.

[0177] The target air volume is equivalent to the "air volume" of the present invention. The adjusted air volume is equivalent to the "first air volume" of the present invention. The set air volume is equivalent to the "second air volume" of the present invention. The target temperature is equivalent to the "heating temperature" of the present invention. The adjusted temperature is equivalent to the "first temperature" of the present invention. The set temperature is equivalent to the "second temperature" of the present invention. The blow-out port 439 is equivalent to the "blow-out port" of the present invention. The air supply path 43 is equivalent to the "tube" of the present invention. The conveying motor 494 is equivalent to the "conveying unit" of the present invention. The main path 71 is equivalent to the "main path" of the present invention. The conveying path 49 is equivalent to the "branch path" of the present invention. The printers 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D are respectively equivalent to the "inkjet printers" of the present invention.

[0178] The present invention can also be modified from the above-mentioned embodiment. The above-mentioned embodiment and various modified examples can also be combined with each other as long as no contradiction occurs. The changes to the first drying device 4A can also be applied to the first drying devices 4B, 4C, and 4D, and can also be applied to the second drying devices 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E, and 6F as long as no contradiction occurs.

[0179] like Fig.11 As shown, louvers 47 may be respectively provided at the plurality of blowing outlets 439. The louvers 47 are composed of a pair of blades. The louvers 47 are supported by a pair of shafts 471 so as to be able to swing. The pair of shafts 471 are respectively located at the left and right ends of the blowing outlet 439 and extend in the front-to-back direction. The plurality of louvers 47 are respectively connected to the louver motor 470 via a transmission mechanism. The louver motor 470 swings the plurality of louvers 47 in the left-right direction via the transmission mechanism. In this case, in the drying action processed in S34 and S54, the CPU 141 may also control the louver motor 470 to swing the plurality of louvers 47 in the left-right direction. During the swinging of the plurality of louvers 47, the CPU 141 may stop the pressing plate 10 or reciprocate the pressing plate 10 in the left-right direction.

[0180] According to the structure of the plurality of louvers 47, the blowing direction of the heated air from the plurality of blowing outlets 439 is changed by the plurality of louvers 47, so that the temperature distribution of the air in the space 40 is easily uniform. Therefore, the first drying device 4A helps to suppress the uneven progress of evaporation of water in the processing liquid on the medium M.

[0181] Furthermore, the swing direction of the plurality of louvers 47 is the left-right direction, which is consistent with the direction in which the plurality of air outlets 439 are arranged. Therefore, the temperature distribution of the air in the space 40 is easily uniform in the left-right direction. Therefore, the first drying device 4A helps to suppress the uneven progress of evaporation of water in the processing liquid on the medium M in the left-right direction.

[0182] When the above-mentioned change is applied to the second drying device 6A, the second drying device 6A helps to suppress the uneven progress of evaporation of water in the ink on the medium M in the left-right direction. In addition, the swing direction of the plurality of louvers 47 may intersect with the direction in which the plurality of blowing ports 439 are arranged. For example, the louvers 47 may swing in the front-back direction.

[0183] Other variations are described. The types of the multiple printers 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D are not limited to specific types. For example, the printers 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D may be UV (Ultra-Violet) printers that print while irradiating ultraviolet light to the medium M, or screen printers that perform screen printing. For example, in the case where the printers 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D are UV printers or screen printers, the medium M may be glass, pottery, plastic, etc., or may be a shape including a curved surface. The types of the multiple printers 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D may also be different from each other. The first drying devices 4A, 4B, 4C, and 4D may also have different structures from each other. The second drying devices 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E, and 6F may have different structures from each other, or may have a structure different from that of the first drying devices 4A, 4B, 4C, and 4D.

[0184] The number of the plurality of printers 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, the number of the coating devices 3A, the number of the plurality of first drying devices 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, the number of the plurality of heat pressing devices 5A, 5B, and the number of the plurality of second drying devices 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E, 6F are not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments. For example, the printing system 1 may only include the first drying device 4A among the plurality of first drying devices 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D. The number of the first drying devices 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D may also be different from the number of the printers 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D. Moreover, the printing system 1 may omit all of the plurality of heat pressing devices 5A, 5B. The printing system 1 may omit one of the plurality of first drying devices 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D and the plurality of second drying devices 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E, 6F. The printing system 1 may also omit one of the pre-processing and the post-processing.

[0185] In the above-mentioned embodiment, the conveying path 49 branching from the main path 71 extends to the space 40. In contrast, the first drying device 4A may omit the conveying path 49 and be arranged on the main path 71. For example, the first drying device 4A may be arranged on the outgoing path 72 with the left surface 411 facing the front of the printing system 1. In this case, since the through port 412 becomes the entrance for the platen 10 to enter the housing 41, for example, an exit for the platen 10 to exit from the housing 41 may be provided on the surface of the housing 41 opposite to the left surface 411. The main path 71 may be a one-layer structure or may not be circulated.

[0186] In the above-mentioned embodiment, the plurality of blowing outlets 439 may be arranged in the front-to-back direction, or may be arranged in a grid or staggered manner. A single blowing outlet 439 may also be provided in the blowing chamber 438. In the left-right direction, the distance D between the first receiving position P31 and the second receiving position P32 may be the same as the interval S, or may be smaller than the interval S. The CPU 141 may also transport the pressing plate 10 from one of the first receiving position P31 and the second receiving position P32 in a one-way manner to the other during the period from the start of the drying action to the stop. During the drying action, the CPU 141 may stop the pressing plate 10, or may rotate the pressing plate 10 in a clockwise direction or a counterclockwise direction when viewed from above.

[0187] In the above embodiment, the second switching timing T2 is reached after the first switching timing T1 is reached. In contrast, the second switching timing T2 may be reached before the first switching timing T1 is reached. That is, the CPU 141 may switch the target temperature from the adjusted temperature to the set temperature before switching the target air volume from the adjusted air volume to the set air volume.

[0188] In the above-mentioned embodiment, the first switching timing T1, the second switching timing T2, and the end timing T3 are set based on the coating amount of the treatment liquid. In contrast, part or all of the first switching timing T1, the second switching timing T2, and the end timing T3 may be set based on other parameters instead of or on the coating amount of the treatment liquid. Other parameters are, for example, the type of treatment liquid, the type of ink, the type of medium M, etc. Part or all of the first switching timing T1, the second switching timing T2, and the end timing T3 may be predetermined regardless of the coating amount of the treatment liquid, etc.

[0189] In the above embodiment, the adjusted temperature is higher than the set temperature. On the contrary, the adjusted temperature may be lower than the set temperature. In the above embodiment, the adjusted air volume is smaller than the set air volume. On the contrary, the adjusted air volume may be larger than the set air volume.

[0190] In the above embodiment, the set air volume and the set temperature are set by the user. In contrast, one or both of the set air volume and the set temperature may not be set by the user. That is, for example, the set air volume and the adjusted air volume may be fixed values ​​different from each other.

[0191] In the above-described embodiment, the CPU 141 may omit the determination of S25. That is, the CPU 141 may execute any one of the processes of S31 to S46 and the processes of S51 to S64 regardless of the coating pattern.

[0192] In the above embodiment, in the case of full-area coating, the CPU 141 controls both the heater 44 and the fan 45 in the storage state to switch the target temperature and the target air volume. In the case of partial coating, the CPU 141 does not switch the target temperature in the storage state, and controls the fan 45 to switch the target air volume. In contrast, the CPU 141 may also control the heater 44 to switch the target temperature without switching the target air volume in the storage state. For example, in each process of S31 to S46, the CPU 141 may also omit the judgment of S41 and the process of S42.

[0193] The number of times the air supply state is switched is not limited to once or twice in the above-mentioned embodiment, and may be three or more times. For example, in the above-mentioned embodiment, CPU141 may switch the target temperature from the set temperature to the adjusted temperature of the above-mentioned embodiment after the second switching timing T2 and before the end timing T3, or may switch to other adjusted temperatures. Other adjusted temperatures are temperatures different from the adjusted temperatures of the above-mentioned embodiment. Other adjusted temperatures may be higher than the set temperature, or lower than the set temperature. For example, CPU141 may also switch the target temperature from the adjusted temperature of the above-mentioned embodiment to other adjusted temperatures after the start timing T0 and before the second switching timing T2. The target air volume may also be changed in the same manner as the target temperature.

[0194] In the above embodiment, the CPU 141 sets the first switching timing T1, the second switching timing T2, and the end timing T3, respectively, based on the first setting table 145. Alternatively, the CPU 141 may calculate the first switching timing T1, the second switching timing T2, and the end timing T3, respectively, based on the coating amount of the treatment liquid, and set the calculated values.

[0195] In the above-described embodiment, an encoder may be provided on the conveying motor 494 instead of the first position sensor 481 and the second position sensor 482. The CPU 141 may determine the position of the platen 10 based on the detection signal from the encoder.

[0196] In the above embodiment, in the judgment of S21, the CPU 141 judges whether the platen 10 is handed over from the handover mechanism 82 to the conveying path 49 based on whether the handover notification is received from the conveying device 7. In contrast, a sensor may be provided at the position where the platen 10 is handed over from the handover mechanism 82 to the conveying path 49, and the CPU 141 judges whether the platen 10 is handed over from the handover mechanism 82 to the conveying path 49 based on the detection signal from the sensor.

[0197] In the above embodiment, the CPU 141 can control not only the first drying device 4A but also a part or all of other devices of the printing system 1. The CPU 141 can also be arranged at a position separated from the first drying device 4A. The control unit of the conveying device 7 can also control the conveying motor 494.

[0198] The shape of the housing 41 is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment. For example, the exhaust port 413 may not be provided in the housing 41. The shape of the air supply path 43 is also not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment. For example, the positional relationship between the heating chamber 434 and the air supply chamber 436 may be reversed. For example, the air supply path 43 may omit one or both of the external air introduction path 431 and the connection path 432. The first drying device 4A may also omit the air supply path 43. In this case, the heater 44 and the fan 45 may also be respectively arranged in the space 40.

[0199] In the above embodiment, the platen 10 carrying the medium M coated with the treatment liquid is transported to the first drying device 4A, and the platen 10 carrying the medium M coated with ink is transported to the second drying device 6A. On the other hand, the platen 10 carrying the medium M coated with the treatment liquid and the platen 10 carrying the medium M coated with ink may both be transported to the first drying device 4A, for example.

[0200] A microcomputer, ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), etc. may be used instead of CPU 141. The drying control process may also be distributed by multiple processors. Non-temporary storage media such as ROM 142 and flash memory 144 may be any storage medium that can retain information regardless of the period of storage of the information. Non-temporary storage media may not include temporary storage media (e.g., transmitted signals). The control program may be downloaded from a server connected to a network not shown (i.e., sent as a transmission signal) and stored in ROM 142 or flash memory 144. In this case, the control program may be stored in a non-temporary storage medium such as a HDD possessed by the server.

Claims

1. A drying device, characterized in that: have: The housing is provided with an internal space and an opening, wherein the internal space accommodates a pressing plate, the pressing plate carries a medium coated with ink or a treatment liquid, and the opening is connected to the internal space and is large enough for the pressing plate to pass through; A heater, for heating the air; a fan for conveying the air heated by the heater, i.e., heated air, to the inner space; and Control Department, The control unit controls at least one of the heater and the fan when the pressure plate is accommodated in the internal space to switch the air supply state of the heated air delivered by the fan from a first air supply state to a second air supply state different from the first air supply state.

2. The drying device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The control unit controls the fan to switch the air volume of the fan from a first air volume to a second air volume different from the first air volume, thereby switching the air supply state from the first air supply state to the second air supply state.

3. The drying device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The control unit switches the air volume from the first air volume to the second air volume that is larger than the first air volume.

4. The drying device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The control unit controls the heater to switch a heating temperature of the heater from a first temperature to a second temperature different from the first temperature, thereby switching the air blowing state from the first air blowing state to the second air blowing state.

5. The drying device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The control unit switches the heating temperature from the first temperature to the second temperature lower than the first temperature.

6. The drying device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The control unit obtains the amount of ink or the processing liquid applied to the medium, The control unit switches the air supply state from the first air supply state to the second air supply state based on the acquired coating amount.

7. The drying device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The control unit controls the fan to switch the air volume of the fan from a first air volume to a second air volume different from the first air volume when a first switching timing is reached, thereby switching the air supply state from the first air supply state to the second air supply state. When reaching a second switching timing later than the first switching timing, the control unit controls the heater to switch the heating temperature of the heater from a first temperature to a second temperature different from the first temperature, thereby switching the air supply state from the second air supply state to a third air supply state different from the second air supply state.

8. The drying device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The drying device comprises: a pipe connecting the fan to a blow-out port, the blow-out port opening toward the interior space and blowing the heated air delivered by the fan into the interior space; as well as The louver is swingably disposed at the air outlet. The control unit causes the louver to swing in the stored state.

9. The drying device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The tube is connected to each of the plurality of blowing outlets arranged in a specific direction. The louver is provided at each of the plurality of air outlets. The control unit causes the plurality of louvers to swing in the specific direction.

10. The drying device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The control unit controls the conveying unit that conveys the press plate in the internal space in the stored state, and reciprocates the press plate in the internal space.

11. The drying device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The drying device includes a duct that connects the fan to each of a plurality of blow-out ports, the plurality of blow-out ports open toward the internal space and blow the heated air conveyed by the fan into the internal space. The plurality of blowing outlets are arranged in the internal space along a conveying direction of a conveying portion that conveys the pressing plate. The control unit controls the conveying unit in the stored state so as to convey the pressing plate in the conveying direction by a distance greater than a distance between a pair of adjacent blowing outlets among the plurality of blowing outlets.

12. The drying device according to claim 10, characterized in that: A branch path branching from the main path for conveying the platen extends to the inner space, In the housing, the platen on which the medium is placed before or after the ink is ejected by the inkjet printer is conveyed from the main path via the branch path. The control unit controls the conveying unit in the stored state to reciprocate the platen on the branch path.

13. A drying control method, characterized in that: Including switching processing, In the switching process, in a state where the pressure plate is accommodated in the internal space, at least one of a heater for heating the air and a fan for conveying the air heated by the heater, i.e., heated air, to the internal space is controlled to switch the air supply state of the heated air conveyed by the fan from a first air supply state to a second air supply state different from the first air supply state. The internal space is arranged in a shell and connected to an opening of a size through which the pressure plate can pass. The pressure plate carries a medium coated with ink or a processing liquid.

14. A storage medium storing a drying control program, wherein the drying control program causes a computer to execute the following switching process: When the pressing plate is accommodated in the internal space, at least one of a heater for heating the air and a fan for conveying the air heated by the heater, i.e., the heated air, to the internal space is controlled to switch the air supply state of the heated air conveyed by the fan from a first air supply state to a second air supply state different from the first air supply state. The internal space is arranged in a shell and connected to an opening of a size through which the pressing plate can pass. The pressing plate carries a medium coated with ink or a processing liquid.

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