Printer

Abstract

The utility model provides a printer which can automatically cut a base material for printing. According to the utility model, the printer comprises the following components: a carrying part which carries a base material for printing along a Y-axis direction; a printing unit having: a first driving device provided above the transport unit and driving in the X-axis direction; the printing head is driven by the first driving device to print the base material from the upper part of the base material; the cutting part is provided with a second driving device which is arranged above the conveying part and drives along the X-axis direction; and the cutter is driven by the second driving device to cut the base material from the upper part of the base material.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of printing technology, and in particular to a printer. Background Technology

[0002] Printers are widely used in offices and for personal use. There are many types of printers, including UV printers (Ultraviolet LED Inkjet Printers). A UV printer is a plate-free, full-color digital printer. It can print photo-quality colors on flat, cylindrical, or prismatic substrates such as acrylic, wood, and metal, without material limitations. For example, the printer prints the desired text and images onto the substrate. After printing, the printed image needs to be cut. In current processes, the printer typically prints the image, and then the operator directly operates a cutter to cut it. This cutting method is usually inconvenient and inefficient. Utility Model Content

[0003] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this invention proposes a printer that can automatically cut the substrate for printing.

[0004] The printer according to this utility model includes: a conveying unit for conveying a printing substrate along the Y-axis direction; a printing unit having: a first driving device disposed above the conveying unit and driving it along the X-axis direction; a printing nozzle driven by the first driving device to print on the substrate from above; and a cutting unit having: a second driving device disposed above the conveying unit and driving it along the X-axis direction; and a cutter driven by the second driving device to cut the substrate from above.

[0005] Beneficial effects:

[0006] The printer of this invention can automatically cut the printing substrate.

[0007] In some implementations, the cutter is a laser.

[0008] In some embodiments, the power of the laser is above 8W and below 50W.

[0009] In some embodiments, the laser is an engraving laser.

[0010] In some embodiments, the first drive device and the second drive device are configured to place the print head and the cutter side by side along the X-axis; the print head is in a shielded position when the cutter cuts the substrate.

[0011] In some embodiments, a first gantry frame is also included, which is erected above the transport unit; the first drive unit and the second drive unit are respectively mounted on the first gantry frame.

[0012] In some embodiments, the device further includes a retainer for holding the substrate; the retainer is detachably mounted on the transport unit and transported by the transport unit.

[0013] In some embodiments, the retainer is formed with a mesh-like retaining portion for holding the substrate.

[0014] In some embodiments, a module structure is also included, the module structure comprising: a base; a first transmission part and a second transmission part, arranged side by side and parallel to each other on the base; a first guide part and a second guide part, arranged side by side and parallel to each other on the base; a first drive motor, disposed on one side of the base along its length and connected to the first transmission part; and a second drive motor, disposed on the other side of the base along its length and connected to the second transmission part; the first drive motor, the first transmission part, and the first guide part constitute the first drive device; and the second drive motor, the second transmission part, and the second guide part constitute the second drive device.

[0015] In some embodiments, a Z-axis drive unit is also included, on which the conveying unit is mounted and driven by the Z-axis drive unit to move closer to or further away from the printing unit and the cutting unit along the Z-axis direction.

[0016] In some embodiments, the printing unit further includes a third driving device that drives the print head along the Z-axis; the print head is mounted to the first driving device; and the first driving device is mounted to the third driving device.

[0017] In some embodiments, the cutting section further includes a fourth driving device that drives along the Z-axis; the cutter is mounted to the second driving device; and the second driving device is mounted to the fourth driving device.

[0018] In some embodiments, a detection unit is also included, which is disposed above the transport unit and spaced apart from the printing unit along the Y-axis; the detection unit includes a camera and / or a scanner.

[0019] In some embodiments, a cleaning unit is also included, which cleans the surface of the substrate.

[0020] In some embodiments, the cleaning unit includes a cleaning brush and / or a vacuuming structure.

[0021] In some embodiments, the substrate is a plastic sheet, a wood sheet, or a metal sheet. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 This is a top-view perspective perspective of one embodiment of the printer of this utility model.

[0023] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A stereoscopic view of the printer from an upward angle.

[0024] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A stereoscopic view of the printer from another perspective.

[0025] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of one embodiment of the printer holder of this utility model.

[0026] Figure 5 yes Figure 3 A schematic diagram of one embodiment of the detection unit in the image.

[0027] Figure 6 This is a perspective view of the main parts of another embodiment of the printer of this utility model.

[0028] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the main view direction of the key part.

[0029] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0030] 101: Handling unit; 102: Printing unit; 103: Cutting unit; 104: Substrate; 105: First drive unit; 106: Printing nozzle; 107: Second drive unit; 108: Cutter; 109: Machine base; 110: Printing platform; 111: First mounting base; 112: Frame; 113: First gantry; 114: Third drive unit; 115: First Z-axis drive motor; 116: First lead screw transmission assembly; 117: First Z-axis guide unit; 118: Second gantry; 119: Second mounting base; 120: Laser; 121: Fourth drive unit; 122: Second Z-axis drive motor ; 123: Second lead screw drive assembly; 124: Second Z-axis guide part; 125: Cage; 126: Holder part; 127: Cavity; 128: Third gantry frame; 129: Detection part; 130: Camera; 131: Housing; 132: Controller; 133: Scanner; 134: Cleaning part; 135: Cleaning brush; 136: Vacuuming structure; 137: Module structure; 138: Base; 139: First transmission part; 140: Second transmission part; 141: First guide part; 142: Second guide part; 143: First drive motor; 144: Second drive motor; 145: Ink pad. Detailed Implementation

[0031] The embodiments of this implementation are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain this implementation, and should not be construed as limiting this implementation.

[0032] In the description of this embodiment, it should be understood that the orientation descriptions, such as up, down, front, back, left, right, etc., are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this embodiment and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this embodiment.

[0033] In the description of this embodiment, "several" means one or more, "multiple" means two or more, "greater than," "less than," and "exceeding" are understood to exclude the stated number, while "above," "below," and "within" are understood to include the stated number. The use of "first" and "second" in the description is merely for distinguishing technical features and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance, or implicitly indicating the number of indicated technical features, or implicitly indicating the order of the indicated technical features.

[0034] In the description of this embodiment, unless otherwise explicitly limited, terms such as setting, installing, and connecting should be interpreted broadly, and those skilled in the art can reasonably determine the specific meaning of the above terms in this embodiment in conjunction with the specific content of the technical solution.

[0035] Reference Figures 1 to 7 The printer of the embodiment will be described. It should also be noted that, for ease of illustration, the components shown in the various figures are not strictly corresponding. That is, in some views, for the sake of convenience, some components may be shown or some components may be omitted.

[0036] Main reference Figures 1 to 3 The printer according to the embodiment includes a transport unit 101, a printing unit 102, and a cutting unit 103. The transport unit 101 transports a printing substrate 104 along the Y-axis direction. The printing unit 102 has a first drive device 105 and a print head 106. The first drive device 105 is disposed above the transport unit 101 and is driven along the X-axis direction. The print head 106 is driven by the first drive device 105 to print on the substrate 104 from above. The cutting unit 103 has a second drive device 107 and a cutter 108. The second drive device 107 is disposed above the transport unit 101 and is driven along the X-axis direction. The cutter 108 is driven by the second drive device 107 to cut the substrate 104 from above.

[0037] The printer of this embodiment can automatically cut the printing substrate 104. Specifically, by configuring a cutting unit 103 that is independent of the printing unit 102, and by driving the cutter 108 along the X-axis direction via the second drive device 107 as the cutting unit 103, the substrate 104 can be automatically cut. Furthermore, since the printing unit 102 and the cutting unit 103 use independent drive devices for each other, when the cutting unit 103 cuts the substrate 104, the print head 106 of the printing unit 102 can be reset to its initial state (for example, the print head 106 is in a position covered by the ink pad 145 (described later)), thereby suppressing dust and other contamination of the print head 106 caused by cutting.

[0038] The substrate 104 that can be printed by the printer as an embodiment includes, for example, substrates 104 that can be used in various printers such as UV printers and DTF printers. These substrates 104 include: ordinary paper such as coated paper, matte paper, and art paper; specialty paper such as synthetic paper, metallic paper, and transparent paper; coated paper; adhesive paper; magnetic paper; and thick cardstock. In addition, the substrate 104 is not limited to these types of paper. The substrate 104 can also be plastic such as acrylic (PMMA), polycarbonate (PC), ABS, PET / PETG, polypropylene (PP), PVC, and polystyrene (PS); film; metal such as aluminum alloy and stainless steel; and wood. When the substrate 104 is paper, the paper can be continuously transported by the transport unit 101 in the form of a rolled sheet or in sheets.

[0039] The printer in this embodiment includes a base 109, which may be constructed from aluminum profiles. A transport unit 101 spans the base 109 along its Y-axis. Furthermore, a printing platform 110, serving as the printer, can be directly mounted on the transport unit 101. The transport unit 101 includes a belt drive mechanism capable of continuous transport along the Y-axis. This belt drive mechanism may include a rectangular frame 112 constructed from aluminum profiles, which is directly mounted on the base 109. A retaining plate (not shown) may be mounted on the frame 112 to hold the substrate 104. The drive belt of the belt drive mechanism may be a belt, the width of which approximately spans the X-axis of the frame 112. Furthermore, multiple first adsorption holes (not shown) are formed on the belt. These first adsorption holes can be distributed in a rectangular array on the belt. Through these first adsorption holes, when printing, for example, a thin film substrate 104, the substrate 104 can be reliably held on the belt, suppressing film lifting and the like. The drive belt of the belt drive mechanism can also be a synchronous belt. The synchronous belt includes two belts, which are located on both sides of the frame 112 of the transport section 101 in the X-axis direction.

[0040] An adsorption device (not shown) may be provided on the printer base 109. This adsorption device is used to stably hold the substrate 104, which is in the form of a thin film, on the transport section 101 during printing or cutting. The adsorption device may include a blower. The adsorption device is installed at the center of the frame 112 of the transport section 101 in the X-axis direction. For example, multiple blowers may be included in the adsorption device, and they may be mounted on a holding plate, located below the printing section 102 and / or the cutting section 103 in the Z-axis direction. When a belt drive mechanism is selected, the adsorption device and the first adsorption hole of the belt are opposite each other, and the substrate 104 is adsorbed onto the belt through the first adsorption hole. Furthermore, multiple second adsorption holes (not shown) may be formed on the holding plate, and these second adsorption holes may be distributed in a rectangular array. When a synchronous belt is selected for the belt drive mechanism, the adsorption device can adsorb the substrate 104 onto the holding plate through these second adsorption holes.

[0041] The printer includes a first gantry 113, which is mounted on a frame 112 or a machine base 109 of a transport unit 101. A first drive unit 105 is mounted on the first gantry 113 and drives it along the X-axis. The first drive unit 105 may be, for example, a slide module combining an X-axis drive motor, a belt drive mechanism, and a linear guide rail assembly extending along the X-axis. A first mounting base 111 is mounted on the first drive unit 105, and a print head 106 is mounted on the first mounting base 111. The first mounting base 111 is mounted on the linear guide rail assembly of the first drive unit 105 and connected to the belt drive mechanism, so that the first mounting base 111 can be driven by the first drive unit 105 to feed along the X-axis, thereby driving the print head 106 to move along the X-axis. The print head 106 may be, for example, a known print head 106, such as a print head 106 for a UV printer or a print head 106 for a DTF printer. It should be noted that the printing unit 102 may include multiple printheads 106. The multiple printheads 106 may be the same printhead 106 or different printheads 106. For example, the printheads 106 may all be printheads 106 for UV printers, or all be printheads 106 for DTF printers, or a combination of printheads 106 for UV printers and printheads 106 for DTF printers.

[0042] Reference Figure 1 as well as Figure 6An ink pad 145 is provided at one end of the first gantry 113 along the X-axis. The ink pad 145 can be a device known in the art for preventing the print head 106 from being clogged by dust or other contaminants in the initial state of the printer. When the print head 106 is not in operation, the print head 106 is driven by the first drive device 105 to a position above the ink pad 145 and thus shielded by the ink pad 145.

[0043] Additionally, the printing unit 102 may also include a third driving device 114, which drives the device along the Z-axis. In this configuration, the first driving device 105 is mounted to the third driving device 114 via a first gantry 113 (i.e., the first gantry 113 is mounted on the third driving device 114) and is driven by the third driving device 114 along the Z-axis. Specifically, the third driving device 114 includes a first Z-axis drive motor 115, two first lead screw drive assemblies 116, and two first Z-axis guide portions 117 (e.g., linear guides). The first Z-axis drive motor 115 is located at the lower part of the transport unit 101. The two first lead screw drive assemblies 116 and the two first Z-axis guide portions 117 are located at both ends of the transport unit 101 in the X-axis direction and are mounted to the frame 112 of the transport unit 101. The two first lead screw drive assemblies 116 are respectively connected to the first Z-axis drive motor 115. The first gantry 113 is mounted on the first Z-axis guide 117 and connected to the first lead screw drive assembly 116. Thus, when the third drive device 114 drives along the Z-axis direction, the first gantry 113 and the first drive device 105 mounted on the first gantry 113 are driven together along the Z-axis direction.

[0044] The cutting section 103 and the printing section 102 can be spaced apart along the Y-axis. The cutting section 103 can be positioned on one side or the other side of the printing section 102 along the Y-axis, as needed. The printer may include a second gantry 118, which is mounted on the frame 112 or the machine base 109 of the transport section 101. A second drive unit 107 is mounted on the second gantry 118 and drives it along the X-axis. The second drive unit 107 may be, for example, a slide module combining an X-axis drive motor, a belt drive mechanism, and a linear guide rail assembly extending along the X-axis. A second mounting base 119 is mounted on the second drive unit 107, and the cutter 108 is mounted on the second mounting base 119. The second mounting base 119 is mounted on the linear guide rail assembly of the second drive unit 107 and connected to the belt drive mechanism, so that the second mounting base 119 can be driven by the second drive unit 107 to feed along the X-axis, thereby moving the cutter 108 along the X-axis.

[0045] The cutter 108 may include a laser 120, which is mounted on a second mounting base 119. While the power of the laser 120 is not particularly limited as long as it can cut the paper substrate 104, it can be selected as an engraving laser to make the mounting space required for the laser 120 more compact. The power of the laser 120 is preferably 50W or less; for example, the laser 120 can be selected from any of 50W, 40W, 30W, 20W, 15W, 10W, 8W, 5W, 4W, 1.6W, 1W, and 500mW. Furthermore, in order to cut materials such as acrylic plastic sheets and thin metal sheets, the laser 120 can have a power of 8W or more but less than 50W, 8W or more but less than 40W, or 8W or more but less than 20W.

[0046] By using this engraving laser 120, it can be used not only as a cutter 108, but also as an engraving tool when necessary.

[0047] Additionally, the cutting section 103 may also include a fourth driving device 121, which drives along the Z-axis direction. In this configuration, the second driving device 107 is mounted to the fourth driving device 121 via a second gantry 118 (i.e., the second gantry 118 is mounted on the fourth driving device 121) and is driven by the fourth driving device 121 along the Z-axis direction. Specifically, the fourth driving device 121 includes a second Z-axis drive motor 122, two second lead screw drive assemblies 123, and two second Z-axis guides 124 (e.g., linear guides). The second Z-axis drive motor 122 is located at the lower part of the transport section 101. The two second lead screw drive assemblies 123 and the two second Z-axis guides 124 are located at both ends of the transport section 101 in the X-axis direction and are mounted to the frame 112 of the transport section 101. The two second lead screw drive assemblies 123 are respectively connected to the second Z-axis drive motor 122. The second gantry 118 is mounted to the first Z-axis guide 117 and connected to the second lead screw drive assembly 123. Thus, when the fourth drive device 121 drives along the Z-axis direction, the second gantry 118 and the second drive device 107 mounted on the second gantry 118 are driven together along the Z-axis direction.

[0048] Continue to refer to Figure 6 as well as Figure 7The printer in this embodiment may further include a cleaning unit 134, which cleans the surface of the substrate 104. Specifically, the cleaning unit 134 cleans the surface of the substrate 104 before the printing unit 102 prints on it, improving the cleanliness of the substrate 104 surface, thereby improving the adhesion of ink to the substrate 104 surface and improving print quality. The cleaning unit 134 may include a cleaning brush 135 and / or a suction structure 136 for vacuuming. Both the cleaning brush 135 and / or the suction structure 136 can be commercially available products. The cleaning brush 135 and / or the suction structure 136 of the cleaning unit 134 can be directly mounted on the second mounting base 119 and driven by the second drive device 107 to clean the surface of the substrate 104. Furthermore, the cleaning unit 134 can be activated according to the actual process requirements. For example, in the case where cutting is performed first and then printing, the cleaning unit 134 can clean the surface of the substrate 104 simultaneously with the cutting action of the laser 120. In the case where printing is performed first and then cutting, the cleaning unit 134 can clean the surface of the substrate 104 before printing, and after printing is completed and cutting is performed, the cleaning unit 134 can clean the surface of the substrate 104 again, thereby preventing cutting dust and other particles from adhering to the surface of the substrate 104.

[0049] Continue to refer to Figure 4 The printer in this embodiment may further include a retainer 125 for holding the printing substrate 104, and the retainer 125 is detachably mounted on the transport unit 101. The retainer 125 may be, for example, a component made of a metal material such as stainless steel, with a mesh-like retaining portion 126 formed on its surface, which holds the printing substrate 104. For example, the retainer 125 may have a cavity 127 in the middle, and the mesh-like retaining portion 126 may directly cover the cavity 127. The retainer 125 may be placed directly on the belt of the transport unit 101, or the retainer 125 may be detachably fixed to the belt of the transport unit 101 by various fixing structures such as screws and clips. By using this retainer 125, it is possible to prevent the laser emitted from the laser 120 from directly acting on the transport unit 101, thus preventing damage to the belt or other components of the transport unit 101.

[0050] Continue to refer to Figure 5To determine the trajectory of the substrate 104 to be cut by the cutter 108, the printer in this embodiment further includes a detection unit 129 for detecting the trajectory of the image of the substrate 104 to be printed. The detection unit 129 is disposed above the transport unit 101, and the detection unit 129 and the printing unit 102 are spaced apart along the Y-axis direction. For example, a third gantry 128 may be mounted on the frame 112 of the transport unit 101, and the detection unit 129 is mounted on the third gantry 128 and located at the middle of the third gantry 128 in the X-axis direction. The detection unit 129 may include a camera 130. The number of cameras 130 is not particularly limited, as long as they can cover the image on the substrate 104 to be printed; there may be one or more. The camera 130 may be, for example, a CMOS image camera, and the resolution of these cameras 130 may be 5 megapixels or higher. When the detection unit 129 includes multiple cameras 130, the images captured by these cameras 130 are synthesized using conventional, existing methods to determine the trajectory of the image to be cut. Then, the second drive device 107 drives the cutter 108 to cut the substrate 104 according to this trajectory. The detection unit 129 includes a mounting housing 131, in which multiple cameras 130 are spaced apart along the X-axis and embedded. Furthermore, the controllers 132 and other components of the cameras 130 can also be housed within the mounting housing 131. Thus, the cameras 130 can be mounted as a single unit.

[0051] Reference Figure 5 Furthermore, the inspection unit 129 may also use a scanner 133, which may be, for example, a scanner whose length direction is along the X-axis, and whose scanning range covers the entire image on the printing substrate 104 along the X-axis. Alternatively, the inspection unit 129 may include either a camera 130 or a scanner 133 separately, or it may include both a camera 130 and a scanner 133 simultaneously.

[0052] In the printer of this embodiment, the printing substrate 104 can be automatically cut. Specifically, by configuring a cutting unit 103 that is independent of the printing unit 102, and by driving the cutter 108 along the X-axis direction via the second drive device 107 as the cutting unit 103, the substrate 104 can be automatically cut. Furthermore, since the printing unit 102 and the cutting unit 103 use independent drive devices for each other, when the cutting unit 103 cuts the substrate 104, the print head 106 of the printing unit 102 can be reset to its initial state (for example, the print head 106 is in a position covered by the ink pad 145), thereby suppressing dust and other contamination of the print head 106 caused by cutting.

[0053] Furthermore, by using an engraving laser 120 with a power of 8W or more but less than 50W, the overall size of the laser 120 can be kept small, allowing it to cut a wider variety of substrate materials 104. For example, in addition to cutting various types of paper, it can also cut flat sheets with high rigidity and hardness, such as plastic sheets, wood sheets, and metal sheets. Thus, the range of cutting capabilities of the printer can be expanded without increasing the overall structure of the printer. In particular, by using a laser 120 with a power of 8W or more but less than 50W as the cutter 108, it is very convenient to cut substrate materials 104 that are difficult for the operator to cut manually, improving the cutting efficiency and accuracy of the substrate materials 104.

[0054] As a concrete example, the printer in this embodiment can be a UV printer, performing UV printing on an acrylic sheet serving as the substrate 104. Specifically, first, after the print head 106 completes the image printing on the substrate 104, the detection unit 129 detects the actual printed image trajectory, and then the laser 120 of the cutting unit 103 performs cutting according to the image trajectory. Since the power of the laser 120 is 8W or more and 50W or less, the acrylic sheet can be cut smoothly and efficiently.

[0055] Furthermore, this is not the only option. For example, the acrylic sheet serving as the substrate 104 can be cut before printing; that is, the cutting section 103 can cut according to the trajectory of an image pre-stored in the UV printer system. Then, printing can be performed after the cutting is completed. Since cutting with the laser 120 may cause the edges of the substrate 104's outline to burn, printing after cutting allows ink to cover these potentially burnt edges, thereby improving print quality.

[0056] Furthermore, by using the engraving laser 120, images can be engraved on these substrates 104. Moreover, by using this engraving laser 120, the surface of the substrate 104 can be treated to increase friction, thereby improving ink adhesion when printing on the substrate 104 without requiring any other pretreatment of the substrate 104.

[0057] In the printer of the embodiment, by configuring a holder 125 for holding the printing substrate 104, direct damage to the transport section 101 and the like by the laser 120 can be suppressed. Furthermore, by having a grid-shaped holding portion 126 and a cavity 127 in the holder 125, damage to the holder 125 by the laser 120 can be reduced.

[0058] In the printer of the embodiment, by configuring a detection unit 129 for detecting the trajectory of the image of the substrate 104 to be printed, the substrate 104 can be cut more accurately according to the actual required cutting trajectory.

[0059] In the printer of the embodiment, by using a CMOS image camera 130 as a detection unit 129, it is possible to suppress the increase in printer cost.

[0060] In the printer of the embodiment, by configuring the third drive device 114 and the fourth drive device 121, the printer can adapt to more substrates 104 of different thicknesses, and the cutting distance of the cutter 108 can be adjusted appropriately. Thus, the substrate 104 can continue to be printed and cut at an appropriate distance.

[0061] In this embodiment, although an example of laser 120 with a power of 50W or less is given, it is not limited to this. If there is sufficient installation space, the power of laser 120 can be increased.

[0062] In this embodiment, although the example of a belt drive mechanism for the transport unit 101 is given, it is not limited to this. The transport unit 101 may also be a slide module structure that is substantially similar to that of the first drive device 105 and the second drive device 107. Alternatively, the transport unit 101 may also include a flat chain drive mechanism, etc.

[0063] In this embodiment, although an example of using a laser 120 for the cutter 108 has been described, the implementation is not limited to this. The cutter 108 may also be a cutting blade (not shown), which is rotatably mounted to the second mounting base 119 in a plane formed by the X-axis and Z-axis. The cutting blade may be, for example, a disc-shaped cutting blade, and is rotatably mounted to the second mounting base 119 via a support shaft or the like. Furthermore, the cutting blade is also driven by a motor.

[0064] In this embodiment, although an example is described where the first drive unit 105 is mounted to the first gantry 113 and the second drive unit 107 is mounted to the second gantry 118, the embodiment is not limited thereto. For example, the first drive unit 105 and the second drive unit 107 can also be configured such that the print head 106 and the cutter 108 are side by side along the X-axis, as long as the print head 106 is in a shielded position when the cutter 108 cuts the substrate 104.

[0065] Specifically, in this embodiment, the first drive device 105 and the second drive device 107 can be integrated into a module structure 137 with two independent drive devices. This module structure 137 includes a base 138, on which are disposed parallel first transmission parts 139 and second transmission parts 140 (e.g., belt drive mechanisms), and parallel first guide parts 141 and second guide parts 142 (e.g., linear guides). A first drive motor 143 and a second drive motor 144 are respectively disposed at both ends of the base 138. The first drive motor 143 is connected to the first transmission part 139, and the second drive motor 144 is connected to the second transmission part 140. When the first guide part 141 and the second guide part 142 each use linear guides, the linear sliders of the first guide part 141 and the second guide part 142 are parallel to each other along the extending direction of the base 138.

[0066] In this module structure 137, the first drive motor 143, the first transmission part 139, and the first guide part 141 can be used as the first drive device 105, and the print head 106 is mounted to the first guide part 141 via the first mounting base 111. Furthermore, the second drive motor 144, the second transmission part 140, and the second guide part 142 can be used as the second drive device 107, and the cutter 108 is mounted to the second guide part 142 via the second mounting base 119. Thus, the module structure 137 integrates the independent first drive device 105 and the second drive device 107, and arranges the print head 106 and the cutter 108 side-by-side along the extending direction of the base 138. It should be noted that the first guide part 141 and the second guide part 142 are listed separately only for ease of explanation. In fact, the first guide part 141 and the second guide part 142 can be a combination. For example, when using a linear slide rail as the first guide part 141 and the second guide part 142, the print head 106 and the cutter 108 are mounted on different sliders, but share the same guide rail.

[0067] In this embodiment, the module structure 137 can be mounted on the first gantry 113 in a manner extending along the X-axis, with the end of the module structure 137 where the first drive motor 143 is mounted facing the end where the ink pad 145 is mounted. When the printer is operating, for example, when the print head 106 prints on the substrate 104, the second drive device 107 of the module structure 137 drives the cutter 108 to a position that avoids the printing trajectory of the print head 106, thereby preventing the cutter 108 and the print head 106 from interfering with each other; when the cutter 108 cuts the substrate 104, the first drive device 105 drives the print head 106 to a position shielded by the ink pad 145 (i.e., the initial position).

[0068] In this embodiment, the print head 106 and the cutter 108 are arranged side by side along the X-axis, thus allowing the print head 106 and the cutter 108 to be configured without increasing the overall size of the printer along the Y-axis. Consequently, the printer of this embodiment can be used in a wider range of applications.

[0069] In other embodiments, the first drive unit 105 and the second drive unit 107 may be respectively mounted in the first gantry 113. Specifically, for example, the first drive unit 105 may be mounted on one side of the first gantry 113 in the Y-axis direction, and the second drive unit 107 may be mounted on the other side of the first gantry 113 in the Y-axis direction. In this way, the second gantry 118 can be omitted, allowing the printing unit 102 and the cutting unit 103 to operate independently, and suppressing the increase in the overall size of the printer along the Y-axis direction to a certain extent. Thus, the printer of this embodiment can be used in more applications.

[0070] In this embodiment, although an example of the detection unit 129 being installed on the third gantry 128 has been described, it is not limited thereto. The detection unit 129 can be installed in any position as needed. For example, the detection unit 129 can also be installed on the first gantry 113.

[0071] In this embodiment, although an example has been described where the transport unit 101 is fixed to the machine base 109 and the printing unit 102 and the cutting unit 103 can move up and down along the Z-axis, the embodiment is not limited to this. It is also possible that the printing unit 102 and the cutting unit 103 are fixed to the machine base 109, while the transport unit 101 can move up and down along the Z-axis. For example, the printer in this embodiment may also include a Z-axis drive unit (not shown), which is mounted on the machine base 109, and the transport unit 101 is mounted on the Z-axis drive unit and driven by the Z-axis drive unit to move closer to or further away from the printing unit 102 and the cutting unit 103 along the Z-axis. In this case, the Z-axis drive unit may also be configured with reference to the structure of the third drive device 114 (or the fourth drive device 121).

[0072] In this embodiment, although an example including the detection unit 129 has been described, it is not limited to this. The cutting trajectory can also be preset in advance in the specific image to be printed, at the same time as the printing trajectory, so that it is not necessary to perform detection again after printing.

[0073] Although embodiments of this implementation have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes, modifications, substitutions and variations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of this implementation, the scope of which is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. Printer, characterized in that, include: The transport section transports the printing substrate along the Y-axis. The printing unit has: The first driving device is disposed above the conveying part and drives along the X-axis direction; The printhead, driven by the first drive device, prints onto the substrate from above. The cutting section has: The second drive unit is located above the transport unit and drives along the X-axis direction; The cutter, driven by the second drive device, cuts the substrate from above.

2. The printer of claim 1, wherein, The cutter is a laser.

3. The printer of claim 2, wherein, The power of the laser is above 8W and below 50W.

4. The printer according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The laser is a laser used for engraving.

5. The printer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The first drive device and the second drive device are configured to align the print head and the cutter side by side along the X-axis. When the cutter cuts the substrate, the print head is in a shielded position.

6. The printer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein It also includes a first gantry crane, which is erected above the transport unit; The first drive unit and the second drive unit are respectively installed on the first gantry.

7. The printer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by Also includes: A retainer for holding the substrate; The cage is detachably mounted on the transport unit and is transported by the transport unit.

8. The printer of claim 7, wherein, The retainer has a mesh-like retaining portion for holding the substrate.

9. The printer of claim 5, wherein, It also includes a module structure, which comprises: Base; The first transmission unit and the second transmission unit are arranged side by side and parallel to each other on the base; The first guide portion and the second guide portion are arranged side by side and parallel to each other on the base; The first drive motor is located on one side of the base along its length and is connected to the first transmission part; The second drive motor is located on the other side of the base along its length and is connected to the second transmission unit; The first drive motor, the first transmission part, and the first guide part constitute the first drive device; The second drive motor, the second transmission part, and the second guide part constitute the second drive device.

10. The printer of claim 1, 2, 3, or 9, wherein, It also includes a Z-axis drive unit, on which the conveying unit is mounted and driven by the Z-axis drive unit to move closer to or further away from the printing unit and the cutting unit along the Z-axis direction.

11. The printer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by, The printing unit also includes a third driving device, which drives along the Z-axis direction; The printhead is mounted to the first drive device; The first drive unit is installed on the third drive unit.

12. The printer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The cutting section also includes a fourth driving device, which drives along the Z-axis direction; The cutter is mounted to the second drive device; The second drive unit is installed on the fourth drive unit.

13. The printer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by, It also includes a detection unit, which is disposed above the conveying unit and spaced apart from the printing unit along the Y-axis; The detection unit includes a camera and / or a scanner.

14. The printer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by, It also includes a cleaning unit that cleans the surface of the substrate.

15. The printer of claim 14, wherein, The cleaning unit includes a cleaning brush and / or a vacuuming structure.

16. The printer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein The substrate is a plastic board, a wood board, or a metal board.

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