Printing device and control method of printing device

Abstract

To provide a printing device and a control method of a printing device which can suppress the risk that receiving members are used up in the middle of printing, so that the printing is interrupted.SOLUTION: A printing device comprises a liquid discharge part that discharges liquid to perform printing on a medium, a liquid receiving part and a control part. The liquid receiving part has receiving members that receive liquid discharged by flushing by the liquid discharge part irrespective of printing, a feeding-out part on which the receiving members are set, and a winding-up part that winds up the receiving members. When receiving a signal for starting a printing job, the control part obtains amounts of the receiving members that can be used in flushing and predicted usages of the receiving members that are predicted to be used in the flushing in the printing job, when feeding the receiving members at a reference feeding rate per unit (S11-S13). When the amounts of the receiving members that can be used are smaller than the predicted usages (YES in S14), the control part performs extension operation of changing the reference feeding rate per unit to a feeding rate per unit that is smaller than the reference feeding rate to execute the printing job (S23).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing device that includes a liquid ejection unit that ejects liquid, and a method for controlling the printing device. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a droplet ejection device that includes a ejection head (an example of a liquid ejection section) having nozzles that eject droplets onto a medium, and a flushing unit. The flushing unit is a device that performs a flushing operation to eject droplets from the nozzles in advance before the droplets ejected from the nozzles land on an ejection target. The droplet ejection device has a flushing (blank ejection) function that ejects droplets from the nozzles of the liquid ejection section onto an ejection target different from the ejection target, such as a substrate, thereby discharging thickened liquid from the nozzles.

[0003] The flushing unit has a sheet member (an example of a receiving member) made of a cloth or the like that receives droplets ejected from the nozzles of the ejection head during flushing. The flushing unit includes a supply reel (an example of a feeding section) that supplies the sheet member to a position facing the nozzle face of the ejection head, and a take-up reel (an example of a take-up section) that takes up the sheet member supplied from the supply reel. The sheet member can be moved (sent) from the supply reel to the take-up reel by driving an actuator.

[0004] It should be noted that even when the droplet ejection device is a printing device that prints on a medium such as paper by ejecting droplets of ink or the like onto the medium, flushing is still performed to eject the thickened ink or other liquid from the nozzles. For this reason, the above-mentioned flushing unit is also used in printing devices. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-247923 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, with the flushing unit described in Patent Document 1, if the entire sheet material has been moved from the supply reel to the take-up reel during printing, the sheet material cannot be sent any further to a position facing the nozzle face. In this case, there is a problem that flushing is not possible, and printing is interrupted. Note that the timing at which it is determined that flushing is not possible is not limited to when the entire sheet material has been moved from the supply reel to the take-up reel, but also includes when the remaining amount of sheet material reaches a preset value (a value greater than zero (>0)) that indicates that flushing is not to be performed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A printing device that solves the above problem comprises a liquid ejection unit that prints on a medium by ejecting liquid, a liquid receiving unit that receives the liquid that the liquid ejection unit ejects by flushing unrelated to the printing, and a control unit, wherein the liquid receiving unit has a receiving member that receives the liquid, a feed unit in which the receiving member is set, and a take-up unit that winds up the receiving member, and when the control unit receives a start signal for a print job, it obtains the available amount of the receiving member that can be used for flushing and the predicted amount of the receiving member that is predicted to be used for flushing in the print job if the receiving member is sent at a standard feed amount per unit, and if the available amount is smaller than the predicted amount, it changes the standard feed amount per unit to a feed amount smaller than the standard feed amount per unit and performs an extension operation to execute the print job.

[0008] A control method for a printing device that solves the above problem includes a liquid ejection unit that prints on a medium by ejecting liquid, and a liquid receiving unit that receives the liquid ejected by the liquid ejection unit by flushing unrelated to the printing, the liquid receiving unit having a receiving member that receives the liquid, a feed unit in which the receiving member is set, and a take-up unit that winds up the receiving member, and includes, upon receiving a start signal for a print job, obtaining an available amount of the receiving member that can be used for flushing and a predicted amount of the receiving member that is predicted to be used for flushing in the print job if the receiving member is sent at a standard feed amount per unit, and if the available amount is smaller than the predicted amount, performing an extension operation to change the standard feed amount per unit to a feed amount smaller than the standard feed amount per unit and execute the print job. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic front cross-sectional view showing a printing apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic front cross-sectional view showing a state in which the liquid discharge portion is at a discharge position facing the liquid receiving portion. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional front view showing an example of the liquid receiving portion. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the printing device. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the extension operation selection screen. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an error screen. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the notification screen. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing an error screen that appears when the receiving member runs out. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the print preparation processing routine. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a print preparation processing routine in the second embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a print preparation processing routine in the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] (First embodiment) A first embodiment of a printing device will be described below with reference to the drawings. The printing device is, for example, an inkjet printer that prints images such as text and photographs by ejecting ink, which is an example of a liquid, onto a medium such as paper or fabric.

[0011] <Printing device> In the printing device 11 shown in FIG. 1, three directions that intersect (for example, are perpendicular to) each other are shown in an XYZ coordinate system, and are referred to as the X direction, Y direction, and Z direction, respectively. The X direction and Y direction intersect (for example, are perpendicular to) each other, for example, in a horizontal plane. The X direction is the scanning direction in which the liquid ejection unit 23 moves in the printing device 11, and is therefore also referred to as the scanning direction X. The X direction is also the direction in which the medium 99 is transported in the portion where printing is performed by ejecting liquid from the liquid ejection unit 23. The Y direction is a direction that intersects (for example, is perpendicular to) the scanning direction X in the horizontal plane. The Z direction is a direction parallel to the vertical direction, and is therefore also referred to as the vertical direction Z.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the printing device 11 includes a housing 12. The printing device 11 includes a medium feeding unit 13. The medium feeding unit 13 is configured to feed out a medium 99. The medium feeding unit 13 is housed in, for example, the housing 12. The medium feeding unit 13 has a feeding spindle 14. The feeding spindle 14 rotatably holds a roll body 100 on which the medium 99 is wound up. The feeding spindle 14 holds the medium 99 before printing. As the feeding spindle 14 rotates, the medium 99 is fed out from the medium feeding unit 13. The feeding spindle 14 may be driven to rotate by a motor, or may be rotated by being pulled by the medium 99.

[0013] The printing device 11 includes a medium take-up unit 15. The medium take-up unit 15 is configured to take up the medium 99. The medium take-up unit 15 is housed in, for example, the housing 12. The medium take-up unit 15 has a take-up shaft 16. Similar to the supply shaft 14, the take-up shaft 16 rotatably holds the roll body 100. The take-up shaft 16 holds the medium 99 after printing. As the take-up shaft 16 rotates, the medium take-up unit 15 takes up the medium 99. The take-up shaft 16 is driven to rotate by, for example, a motor.

[0014] The printing device 11 includes a support unit 17. The support unit 17 supports the medium 99. The support unit 17 is housed in, for example, the housing 12. The support unit 17 supports the medium 99 from below, for example. The support unit 17 supports the medium 99 from the time the medium 99 is fed from the medium feeding unit 13 to the time the medium is taken up by the medium winding unit 15. Printing is performed on the area of the medium 99 that is supported by the support unit 17.

[0015] The printing device 11 includes a transport unit 18. The transport unit 18 is configured to transport a medium 99. The transport unit 18 is housed in, for example, the housing 12. The transport unit 18 transports the medium 99 from the medium feed unit 13 toward the medium winding unit 15. The transport unit 18 transports the medium 99 in a first direction A1 on the support unit 17, for example. The transport unit 18 transports the medium 99 intermittently, for example. Specifically, the transport unit 18 stops while liquid is being ejected onto an area of the medium 99 that is supported by the support unit 17. The transport unit 18 transports the medium 99 after liquid has been ejected onto an area of the medium 99 that is supported by the support unit 17. The transport unit 18 may transport not only a long medium 99 that is continuous from the roll body 100, but also single sheets of medium 99.

[0016] The transport unit 18 has one or more transport rollers 19. The transport rollers 19 are located, for example, inside the housing 12. The transport rollers 19 transport the medium 99 by rotating. The medium 99 is wound around the transport rollers 19. The transport rollers 19 may sandwich the medium 99. The medium 99 is transported by the rotation of the transport rollers 19. The transport rollers 19 include, for example, rollers that are driven to rotate by a motor. The transport rollers 19 form a transport path for the medium 99 inside the housing 12.

[0017] The printing device 11 includes a drying unit 21. The drying unit 21 is configured to dry the medium 99 after printing. The drying unit 21 dries the medium 99 as it is transported from the support unit 17 to the medium winding unit 15. The drying unit 21 is located, for example, inside the housing 12. The drying unit 21 is located, for example, directly below the support unit 17. The drying unit 21 may include a heater that heats the medium 99. The drying unit 21 may include a blower that blows gas onto the medium 99.

[0018] The printing device 11 includes a carriage 22. The carriage 22 is configured to move back and forth in the scanning direction X. By moving back and forth in the scanning direction X, the carriage 22 passes through a position facing the support unit 17. The carriage 22 is located, for example, above the support unit 17.

[0019] The scanning direction X includes a first direction A1 and a second direction A2. The second direction A2 is the opposite direction to the first direction A1. In the printing device 11, the direction in which the carriage 22 moves coincides with the direction in which the medium 99 moves on the support unit 17. Therefore, the printing device 11 is a lateral printer. In the case of a lateral printer, the carriage 22 may also be able to move in the sub-scanning direction Y. Note that the printing device 11 may also be a serial printer in which the medium 99 is transported in a direction different from the scanning direction X. The printing device 11 may also be a serial printer in which the scanning direction in which the carriage 22 moves is different from the X direction in which the medium 99 is transported.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 2, the printing device 11 includes a liquid ejection unit 23. The liquid ejection unit 23 is mounted on a carriage 22. The liquid ejection unit 23 is configured to eject liquid onto a medium 99. The liquid ejection unit 23 performs printing on the medium 99 by ejecting the liquid onto the medium 99. The liquid ejection unit 23 has a nozzle surface 25 in which one or more nozzles 24 open. The liquid ejection unit 23 ejects liquid from the nozzles 24.

[0021] The liquid ejection unit 23 has one or more piezoelectric elements 26. The liquid ejection unit 23 has the same number of piezoelectric elements 26 as the nozzles 24. When a voltage is applied to the piezoelectric elements 26, the pressure inside the nozzles 24 changes. When the piezoelectric elements 26 change the pressure inside the nozzles 24, liquid is ejected from the nozzles 24.

[0022] The piezoelectric element 26 can change the pressure inside the nozzle 24 so that the liquid is not ejected from the nozzle 24. In other words, by changing the pressure inside the nozzle 24, the piezoelectric element 26 can vibrate the liquid inside the nozzle 24 so that the liquid is not ejected from the nozzle 24. In this way, the liquid ejection unit 23 can perform micro-vibrations that vibrate the liquid inside the nozzle 24. The micro-vibrations agitate the liquid inside the nozzle 24. As a result, thickening of the liquid inside the nozzle 24 is eliminated. The liquid ejection unit 23 performs micro-vibrations as appropriate, for example, before printing or during printing. The micro-vibrations are performed while the liquid ejection unit 23 is stopped.

[0023] The liquid discharger 23 discharges liquid onto an area of the medium 99 that is supported by the support unit 17. The liquid discharger 23 is, for example, a line head that can discharge liquid simultaneously across the width of the medium 99. The liquid discharger 23 moves back and forth in the scanning direction X together with the carriage 22. This allows the liquid discharger 23 to discharge liquid across the entire area of the medium 99 that is supported by the support unit 17.

[0024] The liquid discharger 23 is displaced to a plurality of positions by moving in the scanning direction X. The liquid discharger 23 is not limited to a position facing the support unit 17, but can also be displaced to a position not facing the support unit 17. The liquid discharger 23 may move back and forth between positions facing the support unit 17 during printing, or may move back and forth to positions not facing the support unit 17 during an operation separate from printing.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 1, the printing device 11 includes a pressurizing unit 31. The pressurizing unit 31 is configured to apply pressure inside the liquid ejection unit 23. The pressurizing unit 31 is connected to the liquid ejection unit 23. The pressurizing unit 31 is, for example, a pump. The pressurizing unit 31 supplies liquid to a flow path (not shown) communicating with the nozzle 24 by applying pressure. The liquid ejection unit 23 is connected to a liquid supply source (not shown) such as an ink cartridge or ink tank through a flow path. The pressurizing unit 31 supplies liquid from the liquid supply source by applying pressure to the flow path (not shown) communicating with the nozzle 24 to make up for the amount of liquid consumed when the liquid ejection unit 23 ejects liquid from the nozzle 24.

[0026] The flow path applied by the pressurizing unit 31 may be a circulation flow path that passes through the liquid ejection unit 23. In this case, the pressurizing unit 31 may perform a circulation operation to circulate the liquid in the circulation flow path. The liquid, such as ink, contains a colorant. The colorant is, for example, a pigment or a dye. Depending on the type of liquid, the colorant (for example, a pigment) may be prone to settling over time. When using a liquid in which the colorant is prone to settling, a circulation operation may be performed to circulate the liquid through the circulation flow path. The circulation operation agitates the colorant in the liquid, thereby suppressing settling of the colorant.

[0027] The printing device 11 includes a liquid receiving portion 32. The liquid receiving portion 32 receives the liquid discharged from the nozzles 24 due to maintenance. When the liquid ejection portion 23 performs maintenance, the liquid receiving portion 32 receives the liquid discharged from the nozzles 24.

[0028] The liquid discharger 23 is displaced to the flushing position FP. The flushing position FP is a position where the liquid is discharged from the nozzle 24 due to maintenance of the liquid discharger 23. This maintenance discharges, for example, air bubbles, foreign matter, and the like together with the liquid from inside the nozzle 24. The flushing position FP is, for example, a position shifted in the second direction A2 from the position facing the support part 17.

[0029] The printing device 11 is equipped with a wiping unit 37. The wiping unit 37 wipes the nozzle surface 25 by coming into contact with the nozzle surface 25. When the wiping unit 37 wipes the nozzle surface 25, liquid adhering to the nozzle surface 25 is removed. In other words, the wiping unit 37 wipes the liquid ejection unit 23. The wiping unit 37 wipes the nozzle surface 25 after cleaning, for example. When cleaning is performed, liquid is discharged from the nozzles 24, causing liquid to adhere to the nozzle surface 25. For this reason, it is preferable for the wiping unit 37 to wipe the nozzle surface 25 after cleaning. This removes liquid adhering to the nozzle surface 25.

[0030] The liquid discharger 23 is displaced to a removal position WP facing the wiping unit 37. The removal position WP is a position where the liquid adhering to the nozzle surface 25 is removed. The removal position WP is a position where the liquid discharger 23 is shifted in the second direction A2 from the position where the liquid discharger 23 faces the support unit 17, for example.

[0031] The wiping unit 37 is aligned with the liquid receiving unit 32 in the scanning direction X, for example. In one example, the wiping unit 37 is disposed at a position shifted in the second direction A2 from the liquid receiving unit 32. When the liquid ejector 23 is located at the removal position WP, for example, the liquid ejector 23 faces the wiping unit 37. The wiping unit 37 comes into contact with the nozzle surface 25 by approaching the liquid ejector 23 at the removal position WP. Note that the wiping unit 37 may come into contact with the nozzle surface 25 by the liquid ejector 23 at the removal position WP approaching the wiping unit 37. The wiping unit 37 wipes the nozzle surface 25 by moving relative to the liquid ejector 23 in a direction along the nozzle surface 25 while in contact with the nozzle surface 25.

[0032] The printing device 11 includes a contact portion 42. The contact portion 42 moistens the nozzles 24 by contacting the nozzle surface 25. The contact portion 42 is, for example, a cap 42C. The contact portion 42 contacts the nozzle surface 25 to form a space that communicates with the nozzles 24. In other words, the contact portion 42 caps the liquid ejection portion 23. The capping keeps the nozzles 24 moist. As a result, the risk of the nozzles 24 becoming clogged is reduced.

[0033] The liquid discharger 23 may wait at a retracted position CP facing the contact portion 42 until printing starts. During this wait, the liquid discharger 23 is displaced to the retracted position CP facing the contact portion 42. The retracted position CP is a position where the liquid discharger 23 stops when not printing, for example, when waiting for input of a start signal for a print job PJ. The liquid discharger 23 waits at the retracted position CP when not performing printing. In other words, the retracted position CP is the home position of the liquid discharger 23. The retracted position CP is, for example, a position shifted in the second direction A2 from a position facing the support portion 17. When printing starts, for example, when a start signal for a print job PJ is input, the liquid discharger 23 is displaced from the retracted position CP in the first direction A1 toward the position of the support portion 17.

[0034] The liquid ejection unit 23 moves back and forth in the scanning direction X. The support unit 17 is positioned at a position offset in the first direction A1 from the liquid receiving unit 32, the wiping unit 37, and the contact unit 42. During printing, the liquid ejection unit 23 moves in the first direction A1 from the retracted position CP. The liquid ejection unit 23 moves in the first direction A1 and the second direction A2 within a range facing the support unit 17. For example, during the process of reciprocating within a range facing the support unit 17, the liquid ejection unit 23 ejects droplets of ink or the like from the nozzles 24, thereby printing on the portion of the medium 99 supported by the support unit 17.

[0035] The pressurizing unit 31 also forcibly discharges the liquid from the nozzles 24. That is, the pressurizing unit 31 applies pressure inside the liquid discharger 23, thereby performing cleaning, which forcibly discharges the liquid from the nozzles 24 of the liquid discharger 23. Cleaning is a maintenance process in which air bubbles, foreign matter, and the like are discharged from the nozzles 24 along with the liquid by forcibly discharging the liquid from the nozzles 24. Therefore, the pressurizing unit 31 causes the liquid discharger 23 to perform cleaning as maintenance.

[0036] 1, the printing device 11 includes a control unit 50. The control unit 50 controls the printing device 11. The control unit 50 controls, for example, the medium feeding unit 13, the medium winding unit 15, the transport unit 18, the drying unit 21, the carriage 22, the liquid ejection unit 23, the pressurizing unit 31, the liquid receiving unit 32, the wiping unit 37, and the contact unit 42. The control unit 50 controls the feed amount per unit of the receiving member 33 in the liquid receiving unit 32, etc.

[0037] The control unit 50 may control the pressurizing unit 31 to perform a circulation operation at predetermined time intervals, circulating the liquid in the circulation flow path that passes through the liquid ejection unit 23. The circulation operation effectively eliminates settling of coloring matter (e.g., pigment) in the liquid. The control unit 50 may also perform the circulation operation after printing is completed. This allows the next printing to be performed smoothly. The control unit 50 may also perform the circulation operation when the power of the printing device 11 is switched from off to on. When the power is switched from off to on, the liquid often stagnates for a long time. Therefore, the circulation operation can agitate the coloring matter that has settled in the liquid. The control unit 50 may change the length of time that the circulation operation continues or the circulation strength.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 1, the printing device 11 includes a display unit 61. The display unit 61 displays information. The display unit 61 is, for example, a liquid crystal display. The display unit 61 may display information notified by the control unit 50. The display unit 61 may display information related to the circulation operation. The information related to the circulation operation is, for example, the time remaining until the circulation operation is completed. During the circulation operation, the display unit 61 may display, for example, the length of time required for the circulation operation, the time remaining until the circulation operation is completed, the time at which the circulation operation will be completed, etc.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 1 , the printing device 11 includes a selection unit 62. The selection unit 62 is configured to be operated by a user. The selection unit 62 is, for example, a touch panel. The selection unit 62 may also be a button, a lever, a switch, or the like. The user operates the selection unit 62 to operate the printing device 11. For example, the user issues instructions to the printing device 11 by operating the selection unit 62. The printing device 11 may also include an operation panel 60 including a display unit 61 and the selection unit 62.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 1, the printing device 11 includes a reception unit 63. The reception unit 63 is configured to receive operations from a user. The reception unit 63 is connected to the selection unit 62. The reception unit 63 is connected to a host device 90, which is an example of an external device. The host device 90 may be, for example, a personal computer. The reception unit 63 is, for example, a communication interface.

[0041] The reception unit 63 receives operations from the selection unit 62. The reception unit 63 receives operations from the host device 90. Specifically, the reception unit 63 receives a print job PJ and its start signal from the user. The control unit 50 executes the print job PJ based on the start signal received by the reception unit 63. Note that the functions of the host device 90 may be provided in the printing device 11. In this case, the configuration may be such that the user can provide the print job PJ and its start signal to the reception unit 63 by operating the selection unit 62.

[0042] <Configuration of the liquid receiving portion 32, the wiping portion 37, and the contact portion 42> Next, the configurations of the liquid receiving portion 32, the wiping portion 37, and the contact portion 42 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

[0043] The liquid receiving portion 32 has a receiving member 33. The receiving member 33 is a member that absorbs liquid. The receiving member 33 is, for example, a cloth. The receiving member 33 receives the liquid discharged from the nozzle 24 and absorbs the liquid.

[0044] The liquid receiving portion 32 receives liquid discharged from the nozzle 24 by, for example, flushing. Flushing is a maintenance operation in which liquid is ejected from the nozzle 24 to prevent clogging of the nozzle 24. Flushing causes, for example, thickened liquid to be discharged from the nozzle 24. Flushing is performed by applying a voltage to the piezoelectric element 26. Therefore, the liquid receiving portion 32 receives liquid discharged by flushing as maintenance. The amount of liquid discharged into the liquid receiving portion 32 by flushing is smaller than the amount of liquid discharged into the liquid receiving portion 32 by cleaning.

[0045] The liquid receiving portion 32 is aligned with the support portion 17 in the scanning direction X, for example. In one example, the liquid receiving portion 32 is positioned in the second direction A2 relative to the support portion 17. The liquid receiving portion 32 receives the liquid discharged from the liquid discharger 23 when the liquid discharger 23 is positioned opposite the liquid receiving portion 32. More specifically, the liquid receiving portion 32 receives the liquid discharged from the liquid discharger 23 when the liquid discharger 23 is positioned at the flushing position FP. The flushing position FP is the position where the liquid discharger 23 faces the liquid receiving portion 32.

[0046] Flushing may be performed while the liquid discharger 23 is stopped at the flushing position FP. Flushing may also be performed while the liquid discharger 23 is moving in the first direction A1 during printing. In other words, flushing may be performed while the liquid discharger 23 is passing through the flushing position FP during printing.

[0047] The liquid receiving section 32 has, for example, a pair of holding rollers 34. The receiving member 33 is wound around the pair of holding rollers 34. In other words, the receiving member 33 is suspended between the pair of holding rollers 34. In this way, the pair of holding rollers 34 hold the receiving member 33. By the pair of holding rollers 34 holding the receiving member 33, an area facing the nozzle surface 25 is formed in the receiving member 33. The receiving member 33 receives the liquid in this area.

[0048] The liquid receiving unit 32 has, for example, a feeding unit 35 and a winding unit 36. The feeding unit 35 supplies unused receiving member 33. The winding unit 36 collects used receiving member 33 by winding it up. For example, the feeding unit 35 and the winding unit 36 rotate each time the receiving member 33 receives a certain amount of liquid through flushing. More specifically, the control unit 50 controls the feed amount per unit of the receiving member 33 by controlling the liquid receiving unit 32. When flushing is required, the liquid discharge unit 23 moves to the flushing position FP and discharges liquid from all of the nozzles 24 toward the receiving member 33.

[0049] During capping, the nozzles 24 communicate with a substantially closed space formed by the nozzle surface 25 and the cap 42C. During capping, the liquid in the nozzles 24 is moistened by the vapor of the liquid remaining in the cap 42C. Therefore, during capping, the viscosity of the liquid in the nozzles 24 is suppressed. During printing, the liquid ejection unit 23 is in an uncapped state, so the liquid in the nozzles 24 is exposed to the atmosphere. The liquid in the nozzles 24 thickens as its solvent evaporates or volatilizes. During printing, droplets are ejected from nozzles 24 selected from all the nozzles 24 based on image data. The ejection of droplets refreshes the liquid in the nozzles 24. Meanwhile, the viscosity of the liquid in non-ejecting nozzles 24 increases. In this way, the viscosity of the liquid in non-ejecting nozzles 24 increases over time during printing.

[0050] Therefore, during printing, the liquid in the non-ejecting nozzles 24 thickens depending on the printing time, the length of the medium printed, the amount of printing, etc. Therefore, during printing, flushing is performed each time a flushing timing corresponding to the printing time, the length of the medium printed, the amount of printing, etc. is reached. Flushing is also performed before and after printing. For example, if the flushing timing is managed based on the printing time, flushing is performed every time a predetermined time within a range of 5 to 30 seconds (for example, 20 seconds) has elapsed.

[0051] The wiping unit 37 has a wiping member 38. The wiping member 38 is a member that comes into contact with the nozzle surface 25. The wiping member 38 is, for example, a cloth. The wiping member 38 absorbs liquid adhering to the nozzle surface 25, thereby removing the liquid from the nozzle surface 25. The wiping unit 37 has, for example, one or more pressure rollers 39. The pressure roller 39 is a roller that presses the wiping member 38 against the nozzle surface 25. This allows the wiping member 38 to come into close contact with the nozzle surface 25. The wiping unit 37 has, for example, a feed unit 40 and a take-up unit 41. The feed unit 40 feeds out unused wiping members 38 before they are used for wiping. The take-up unit 41 collects used wiping members 38 by winding them up. For example, the feed unit 40 and the take-up unit 41 rotate each time the wiping member 38 wipes the nozzle surface 25 a predetermined number of times.

[0052] The contact portion 42 is aligned with the wiping portion 37 in the scanning direction X, for example. In one example, the contact portion 42 is disposed at a position shifted in the second direction A2 from the wiping portion 37. The contact portion 42 faces the nozzle surface 25, for example, when the liquid ejection portion 23 is located at the retracted position CP. In this state, the contact portion 42 approaches the liquid ejection portion 23, causing the contact portion 42 to come into contact with the nozzle surface 25. Note that the liquid ejection portion 23 may approach the contact portion 42, causing the contact portion 42 to come into contact with the nozzle surface 25.

[0053] The contact unit 42 is, for example, a cap 42C that can contact the nozzle surface 25. The cap 42C receives the liquid that is forcibly discharged from the nozzles 24 of the liquid discharge unit 23 during cleaning. When the cap 42C contacts the nozzle surface 25, a substantially closed space that communicates with the nozzles 24 is formed between the nozzle surface 25 and the cap 42C. When the pressurizing unit 31 pressurizes the liquid discharge unit 23 in this capping state, the liquid is forcibly discharged from the nozzles 24. The cap 42C is connected to a waste liquid storage unit (not shown) through a discharge tube (not shown). When a suction pump (not shown) provided midway through this discharge tube is driven, the waste liquid received by the cap 42C is collected in the waste liquid storage unit through the discharge tube. Note that instead of pressure cleaning by the pressurizing unit 31, cleaning may be suction cleaning, which is performed by driving a suction pump in the capping state. In suction cleaning, the liquid is forcibly discharged from the nozzles 24 by driving a suction pump to create a negative pressure in the substantially closed space formed by the nozzle surface 25 and the cap 42C.

[0054] The liquid receiving portion 32 may receive the liquid discharged from the nozzle 24 during cleaning. In this case, the liquid discharge portion 23 is located at the flushing position FP during cleaning. In this state, the liquid discharge portion 23 is pressurized by the pressurizing portion 31, thereby forcibly discharging the liquid from the nozzle 24. The receiving member 33 may be fed by a predetermined feed amount each time cleaning is performed.

[0055] <Configuration of liquid receiving portion 32> Next, the configuration of the liquid receiving portion 32 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 3 , the liquid receiving unit 32 may have a receiving member 33, a feeding unit 35 in which the receiving member 33 is set, and a winding unit 36 that winds up the receiving member 33 fed out from the feeding unit 35. The receiving member 33 receives liquid. That is, an unused receiving member 33 is set in the feeding unit 35. The feeding unit 35 feeds out the set receiving member 33. The winding unit 36 winds up the receiving member 33. More specifically, the winding unit 36 winds up the receiving member 33 fed out from the feeding unit 35. The receiving member 33 receives the liquid ejected from the nozzle 24 of the liquid ejection unit 23 midway along the path from being fed out from the feeding unit 35 to being wound up by the winding unit 36.

[0056] The liquid receiving unit 32 may have a pair of holding rollers 34. The pair of holding rollers 34 guide the receiving member 33 along the feed direction FD parallel to the nozzle surface 25. The pair of holding rollers 34 are arranged on the upstream and downstream sides of the feed direction FD. The pair of holding rollers 34 are arranged at the same height in the vertical direction Z. The pair of holding rollers 34 guide the receiving member 33, which is sent from the payout unit 35 to the winding unit 36, in the feed direction FD midway along the feed path.

[0057] The feeding unit 35 and the winding unit 36 may be housed in a case 32A. The case 32A may have an opening that exposes the portion of the receiving member 33 guided by the pair of holding rollers 34 to the liquid discharge unit 23.

[0058] The unwinding unit 35 rotatably holds an unused receiving member 33 wound in a roll. The unwinding unit 35 unwinds and feeds out the sheet-like receiving member 33 by rotating in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 3. The unwinding unit 35 has a unwinding spindle 71. A first roll body 72 on which an unused receiving member 33 is wound in a roll is set on the unwinding spindle 71. The unwinding unit 35 is composed of the unwinding spindle 71 and the first roll body 72 set on the unwinding spindle 71.

[0059] The winding unit 36 has a winding shaft 73. The used receiving member 33 is wound around the winding shaft 73 as a roll-shaped second roll body 74. The receiving member 33 is wound into a roll as the winding shaft 73 rotates. The winding unit 36 is composed of the winding shaft 73 and the second roll body 74 wound around the winding shaft 73.

[0060] The payout spindle 71, the take-up spindle 73, and the pair of holding rollers 34 are rotatably supported with their respective rotation axes parallel to each other. In the example shown in Fig. 3, the rotation axes of the payout spindle 71, the take-up spindle 73, and the pair of holding rollers 34 are parallel to the Y direction. The pair of holding rollers 34 guide the receiving member 33 wound around each of them, thereby guiding the receiving member 33 to a path parallel to the nozzle surface 25 of the liquid ejection unit 23. In other words, the portion of the receiving member 33 guided by the pair of holding rollers 34 is maintained parallel to the nozzle surface 25 of the liquid ejection unit 23 when it is in the flushing position FP.

[0061] 3, the liquid receiving unit 32 may have a drive unit 75 as an example of a drive source for feeding the receiving member 33. The drive unit 75 may be configured to rotate the winding unit 36 in the winding direction shown by the arrow in FIG. 3, for example, to wind up the receiving member 33. In this case, the winding unit 36 may wind up the receiving member 33, thereby unwinding an unused receiving member 33 from the unwinding unit 35. In other words, the winding unit 36 may actively rotate, and the unwinding unit 35 may be configured to follow the rotation of the winding unit 36.

[0062] The drive unit 75 may drive the unwinding unit 35 instead of the winding unit 36. In this case, the drive unit 75 may rotate the unwinding unit 35 so as to unwind an unused receiving member 33 in the unwinding direction shown by the arrow in Fig. 3. The drive unit 75 may be configured to rotate the unwinding spindle 71 in the unwinding direction, for example, to wind up the used receiving member 33 onto the second roll body 74 attached to the unwinding spindle 71.

[0063] Furthermore, the drive unit 75 may drive both the payout unit 35 and the winding unit 36. In this case, the payout unit 35 and the winding unit 36 may be driven by one common drive unit 75. The drive unit 75 may be, for example, one common drive unit that drives both the payout spindle 71 and the winding spindle 73. The payout unit 35 and the winding unit 36 may each be driven by an individual drive unit 75. The drive unit 75 may be, for example, two drive units that individually drive the payout spindle 71 and the winding spindle 73.

[0064] The drive unit 75 synchronously drives and rotates the payout spindle 71 and the winding spindle 73. The drive force of the drive unit 75 can feed the receiving member 33 in the feed direction FD from the payout unit 35 toward the winding unit 36. Note that at least one of the pair of holding rollers 34 may be rotated by the drive force of the drive unit 75.

[0065] The driving unit 75 may be, for example, a motor 75M. The driving unit 75 may be an actuator other than the motor 75M. The driving unit 75 may be any actuator that can feed the receiving member 33 in the feed direction FD.

[0066] The driving unit 75 may be controlled by the control unit 50. By controlling the driving unit 75 by the control unit 50, the feed amount per unit of the receiving member 33 may be controlled. 3, the gap between the nozzle surface 25 and the receiving member 33 is set to a predetermined value. For example, the gap may be set to a predetermined value within a range of 0.1 to 10 mm.

[0067] When the liquid ejector 23 is at the flushing position FP shown in FIG. 3 , facing the receiving member 33 across a gap, all of the nozzles 24 eject droplets ID simultaneously. The droplets ID ejected simultaneously from all of the nozzles 24 land on the receiving member 33. The droplets ID that land on the receiving member 33 adhere to the receiving member 33 as liquid IL. The liquid IL that adheres to the receiving member 33 is absorbed by the receiving member 33 or accumulates on the receiving member 33. If the droplets ID ejected from the nozzles 24 are ink that dries easily, the liquid IL dries before it is completely absorbed by the receiving member 33, and the dried liquid IL is likely to accumulate on the receiving member 33. On the other hand, if the droplets ID ejected from the nozzles 24 of the liquid ejector 23 are ink that does not dry easily, the liquid IL that adheres to the receiving member 33 is likely to be absorbed by the receiving member 33.

[0068] If the gap is too large, there is a possibility that minute droplets ID ejected from the nozzles 24, such as mist, may scatter into the air without reaching the receiving member 33. If the proportion of droplets ID that scatter without landing on the receiving member 33 increases, the scattered mist or the like may cause contamination inside the housing 12 of the printing device 11. For this reason, the gap may be set to a value equal to or less than a predetermined upper limit.

[0069] On the other hand, if the gap is too small, the droplets ID ejected from the nozzles 24 may bounce off after landing on the receiving member 33 and then adhere to the nozzle surface 25. The liquid adhering to the nozzle surface 25 may cause color mixing by mixing with the liquid inside the nozzles 24, or may come into contact with the liquid ejected from the nozzles 24 during printing, causing the flight path of the droplets ID to change. For this reason, the gap may be set to a value equal to or greater than a predetermined lower limit.

[0070] For this reason, the gap may be set to a predetermined value within a predetermined range. The gap may be set to an appropriate value depending on the nozzle diameter, droplet size, ejection force, ink type, ink viscosity, etc. Therefore, the gap may be a value outside the range of 0.1 to 10 mm.

[0071] The control unit 50 may set the feed amount per unit of the receiving member 33 taking into consideration factors such as the ease with which the liquid (e.g., ink) dries and the gap. If the liquid dries easily, dried matter (including thickened matter) of the liquid IL will accumulate on the receiving member 33. The control unit 50 may feed the receiving member 33 at a timing and feed amount per unit that will prevent this deposit from contacting the nozzle surface 25. Furthermore, if the liquid is difficult to dry, the liquid remains in a liquid state even after being absorbed by the receiving member 33. If the amount of liquid absorbed in the discharge target area of the receiving member 33 exceeds a predetermined value, leakage may occur, such as the absorbed liquid dripping from the lower surface (rear surface) of the receiving member 33 due to its own weight. For this reason, the control unit 50 may feed the receiving member 33 at a timing and feed amount per unit that will prevent the liquid from leaking from the lower surface of the receiving member 33.

[0072] During the flushing operation, the control unit 50 may detect the presence or absence and amount (remaining amount) of the receiving member 33 in the payout unit 35. That is, the control unit 50 may detect whether the first roll body 72 is attached to the payout spindle 71, or may detect the amount of the first roll body 72 attached to the payout spindle 71. The control unit 50 may detect the presence or absence and amount of the receiving member 33 using a detection unit 65 (see FIG. 4 ), such as a weight sensor or an optical sensor. The control unit 50 may notify the user when the receiving member 33 is gone from the payout spindle 71 or when the amount of the receiving member 33 remaining on the payout spindle 71 is low. The control unit 50 may prompt the user to replenish or replace the receiving member 33, for example, by displaying information prompting the user to replenish or replace the receiving member 33 on the display unit 61.

[0073] <Electrical configuration of the printing device 11> Next, the electrical configuration of the printing device 11 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. The printing device 11 receives a print job PJ from, for example, a host device 90. The print job PJ includes image data and printing condition information. The host device 90 includes a display unit 91 and a selection unit 92.

[0074] The control unit 50 is electrically connected to the display unit 61 and the selection unit 62 that constitute the operation panel 60. The control unit 50 is electrically connected to the detection unit 65. The detection unit 65 detects the presence and amount of the receiving member 33 in the dispensing unit 35 of the liquid receiving unit 32. The detection unit 65 may be, for example, a weight sensor or an optical sensor. For example, the weight sensor may be configured to detect the weight of the receiving member 33 set in the dispensing unit 35 and detect the amount of the receiving member 33 based on the detected weight. Furthermore, for example, the optical sensor may be configured to optically detect the distance to the receiving member 33 set in the dispensing unit 35 and detect the amount of the receiving member 33 based on the detected distance. Note that the detection unit 65 may use other known detection methods as long as they can detect the amount of the receiving member 33 in the dispensing unit 35.

[0075] The liquid discharger 23, the moving mechanism 27, the transport unit 18, the pressurizing unit 31, the liquid receiving unit 32, the wiping unit 37, and the contact unit 42 are electrically connected to the control unit 50. The control unit 50 controls the liquid discharger 23, the moving mechanism 27, the transport unit 18, the pressurizing unit 31, the liquid receiving unit 32, the wiping unit 37, and the contact unit 42.

[0076] The control unit 50 also includes a computer 50C. The computer 50C includes a central processing unit (CPU), read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), and storage (not shown). The control unit 50 controls the transport of the medium 99 in the printing device 11 and the printing operation of the liquid ejection unit 23 on the medium 99. Specifically, the control unit 50 is not limited to a system that performs all of its own processes using software. For example, the control unit 50 may include a dedicated hardware circuit (e.g., an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC)) that performs hardware processing for at least some of the processes it performs. That is, the control unit 50 may be configured as a circuit including one or more processors that operate according to a computer program (software), one or more dedicated hardware circuits that perform at least some of the various processes, or a combination thereof. The processor includes a CPU and memory such as RAM and ROM, which stores program code or instructions configured to cause the CPU to execute the memory and processes. The memory, i.e., computer-readable medium, includes any available medium accessible by a general-purpose or dedicated computer 50C.

[0077] The computer 50C includes a first counter 51, a second counter 52, and a memory unit 53. The first counter 51 counts a count value indicating the position of the carriage 22. The computer 50C resets the first counter 51 when the carriage 22 is at the origin position in the scanning direction X. The movement mechanism 27 that moves the carriage 22 includes a linear encoder (not shown) that can output a number of pulse signals proportional to the amount of movement of the carriage 22 in the scanning direction X. The computer 50C determines whether the movement direction of the carriage 22 is the first direction A1 or the second direction A2 based on the phase of the pulse signal from the linear encoder. The computer 50C increments the number of pulse edges of the pulse signal from the linear encoder when the movement direction of the carriage 22 is the first direction A1. On the other hand, the computer 50C decrements the number of pulse edges of the pulse signal from the linear encoder when the movement direction of the carriage 22 is the second direction A2. In this way, the control unit 50 obtains the current position of the carriage 22 in the scanning direction X based on the count value of the first counter 51. The second counter 52 counts a count value related to the feed amount of the receiving member 33 of the liquid receiving section 32. Details of the counting process of the second counter 52 will be described later.

[0078] The memory unit 53 stores a program PR. The program PR is executed by the control unit 50 (more specifically, the computer 50C). The control unit 50 controls the printing device 11 by having the computer 50C execute the program PR. This control includes print control and display control. The program PR includes a program for a print preparation processing routine shown in the flowchart of Figure 9. The print preparation processing is used to determine feeding conditions such as the timing and amount of feeding of the receiving member 33 in the liquid receiving unit 32. Details of the print preparation processing will be described later.

[0079] The control unit 50 controls the liquid ejection unit 23 to perform printing control for ejecting liquid such as ink from the nozzles 24. If the printing device 11 is a lateral printer, the control unit 50 may control the movement of the carriage 22 in the scanning direction X and the sub-scanning direction Y by controlling the movement mechanism 27. The control unit 50 controls the transport unit 18 to transport the medium 99 in the scanning direction X during printing or between printings. Note that if the printing device 11 is a serial printer, the transport unit 18 may transport the medium 99 in a direction (e.g., the Y direction or the X direction) different from the scanning direction (e.g., the X direction or the Y direction) of the liquid ejection unit 23.

[0080] The control unit 50 performs maintenance on the liquid ejection unit 23 at a predetermined time. The control unit 50 manages the predetermined time for performing maintenance. The control unit 50 manages the flushing time, which is the time to perform flushing as one type of maintenance. The control unit 50 manages at least one of the medium print length, printing time, print volume, etc. from the time the previous flushing was completed. The control unit 50 determines that the flushing time has arrived when at least one of the medium print length, printing time, print volume, etc. reaches a threshold value. The control unit 50 may manage any one of the medium print length, printing time, or print volume, and determine that the flushing time has arrived when one of the managed items reaches a threshold value. As an example, the flushing time may be managed by the print time. In this case, the threshold value may be set to a predetermined value within a range of 5 to 30 seconds (e.g., 20 seconds). When it is time for flushing, the control unit 50 moves the carriage 22 to the flushing position FP and then performs flushing by ejecting liquid from all the nozzles 24 of the liquid ejection unit 23 at the flushing position FP toward the receiving member 33.

[0081] The flushed droplets are absorbed by or deposited on the receiver member 33. The receiver member 33 becomes soiled with liquid such as ink that adheres to it during flushing. The amount of liquid in one flushing is sufficiently small compared to the amount that the receiver member 33 can accommodate. Therefore, multiple flushings are performed on the same target discharge area of the receiver member 33. The control unit 50 drives the drive unit 75 to feed the receiver member 33 a predetermined feed amount in the feed direction FD each time the amount of liquid that has adhered to the receiver member 33 during flushing reaches a predetermined threshold. By feeding the receiver member 33, the control unit 50 changes the target discharge area of the receiver member 33 that faces the nozzle surface 25 from the portion soiled with liquid IL to a new, unused portion.

[0082] For example, in FIG. 3, the liquid IL adheres to the discharge target area of the receiver member 33 facing the nozzles 24. The amount of feeding of the receiver member 33 per time may be longer than the liquid-adhered length of the discharge target area in the feed direction FD by a predetermined margin, or may be approximately the same as the liquid-adhered length. Furthermore, the amount of feeding of the receiver member 33 per time may be shorter than the liquid-adhered length. Each time the amount of liquid IL adhering to the discharge target area of the receiver member 33 due to flushing reaches a predetermined threshold, the control unit 50 drives the drive unit 75 by a predetermined drive amount, thereby feeding the receiver member 33 in the feed direction FD by a predetermined feed amount. Note that in this embodiment, the feed amount of the receiver member 33 is variable.

[0083] The control unit 50 determines whether the amount of liquid IL adhering to the discharge target area of the receiver member 33 has reached a predetermined threshold. The amount of liquid IL adhering to the discharge target area of the receiver member 33 can be determined based on the value of at least one parameter used to manage the flushing timing, such as the medium print length, printing time, or print volume, measured from the time the receiver member 33 was last advanced. Each time the control unit 50 advances the receiver member 33, it resets the measured value of the parameter used to manage the flushing timing and starts a new measurement.

[0084] The second counter 52 is used to measure the value (measured value) of a parameter used to manage the flushing timing. The control unit 50 resets the second counter 52 each time the receiving member 33 is fed. The control unit 50 causes the second counter 52 to count the measured value of the parameter. The control unit 50 acquires the measured value of the parameter based on the count value of the second counter 52. The control unit 50 controls the liquid receiving unit 32 to feed the receiving member 33 once each time the count value of the second counter 52 reaches a predetermined threshold.

[0085] As described above, in this embodiment, the feeding operation of the receiver member 33 is performed intermittently, by performing the operation each time the value of at least one parameter, such as the medium printing length, printing time, or printing volume, reaches a predetermined threshold. That is, the control unit 50 performs an intermittent feeding operation that feeds the receiver member 33 intermittently. Here, the feed amount of the receiver member 33 per unit is specified using one of the parameters, such as the medium printing length, printing time, or printing volume, as a unit. The control unit 50 feeds the receiver member 33 by a predetermined feed amount per unit. For example, if the unit is the medium printing length, the control unit 50 feeds the receiver member 33 by a predetermined feed amount per unit of medium printing length. Furthermore, if the unit is printing time, the control unit 50 feeds the receiver member 33 by a predetermined feed amount per unit of printing time. Furthermore, if the unit is printing volume, the control unit 50 feeds the receiver member 33 by a predetermined feed amount per unit of printing volume.

[0086] Furthermore, the feeding operation of the receiving member 33 is not limited to an intermittent feeding operation. It may also be a constant speed feeding operation in which the receiving member 33 is fed at a constant speed. In short, it is sufficient if the feeding operation feeds the receiving member 33 by a predetermined feed amount per unit. Here, in this embodiment, the predetermined feed amount of the receiving member 33 per unit is set as the reference feed amount, which is the default (reference). By default, the control unit 50 performs a feeding operation in which the receiving member 33 is fed by the reference feed amount per unit.

[0087] When the control unit 50 receives a start signal for a print job PJ, it acquires the available amount of the receiving member 33 that can be used for flushing and the estimated amount of the receiving member 33 that is estimated to be used for flushing in the print job PJ. The estimated amount of use is acquired on the assumption that the receiving member 33 is fed at a standard feed amount per unit. If the available amount is smaller than the estimated amount of use, the control unit 50 performs an extension operation to execute the print job PJ by changing the standard feed amount per unit to a feed amount smaller than the standard feed amount per unit.

[0088] In other words, the control unit 50 has a function of performing an extension operation to postpone the replacement time of the receiving member 33 by changing the feed amount per unit of the receiving member 33 to a feed amount smaller than the reference feed amount. The media printing length that can be printed on the medium 99 can be extended until the amount of unused receiving member 33 (usable amount) reaches the replacement set value C (end value) at which the receiving member 33 should be replaced. In other words, the feed operation can be extended so that the replacement time when the amount of unused receiving member 33 reaches the replacement set value C that prompts replacement of the receiving member 33 can be postponed.

[0089] The liquid receiving unit 32 performs a feeding operation to intermittently feed the receiving member 33 by a predetermined feed amount. The reference feed amount per unit is the reference frequency at which the feeding operation of feeding the receiving member 33 by the reference feed amount is performed once per unit. For example, if the unit is the medium printing length, the reference frequency is the frequency at which the receiving member 33 is fed once by the reference feed amount per unit printing length. For example, if the unit is the printing time, the reference frequency is the frequency at which the receiving member 33 is fed once by the reference feed amount per unit printing time. For example, if the unit is the printing volume, the reference frequency is the frequency at which the receiving member 33 is fed once by the reference feed amount per unit printing volume. If the available amount is smaller than the predicted usage amount, the control unit 50 changes the reference frequency to a feed amount smaller than the reference feed amount and performs an extension operation to execute the print job PJ.

[0090] In the extension operation, the feed amount per unit is changed to a feed amount smaller than the reference feed amount. In other words, the feed amount per unit changed by the extension operation is smaller than the reference feed amount per unit. Furthermore, the feed frequency determined by the feed amount per unit changed by the extension operation is the change frequency. The change frequency is smaller than the reference frequency.

[0091] The changed feed amount per unit is calculated so that when the print job PJ is completed, the available amount of the receiving member 33 becomes the replacement setting value C when replacement of the receiving member 33 is prompted. The changed frequency is calculated so that when the print job PJ is completed, the available amount becomes 0 (zero). Here, the available amount of "0" is not limited to an available amount of exactly "0", but is defined to include an available amount within a range that can be recognized as "0" taking into account variation.

[0092] If the calculated feed amount per unit is equal to or less than the lower limit, the control unit 50 changes the reference feed amount to the lower limit and executes the print job PJ. If the control unit 50 changes the reference feed amount to the lower limit, the control unit 50 displays on the display unit 61 a message that printing will be interrupted. If the control unit 50 changes the reference feed amount to the lower limit, the control unit 50 may display on the display unit 91 of the host device 90 a message that printing will be interrupted.

[0093] The extension operation is executed when the extension operation is enabled. The printing device 11 is configured to allow the user to select whether to execute the extension operation using the selection unit 62. The user can select, by operating the selection unit 62, whether to enable or disable the extension operation, which postpones the replacement time when the remaining amount (usable amount) of the receiving member 33 reaches the replacement setting value C, until all printing based on the print job PJ is completed. The control unit 50 enables the extension operation when execution of the extension operation is selected using the selection unit 62.

[0094] The control unit 50 performs display control to display various screens on the display unit 61. The control unit 50 causes the display unit 61 to display various screens including the screens SC1 to SC4 shown in Figures 5 to 8. Instead of or in addition to the display unit 61, the control unit 50 may cause the display unit 91 of the host device 90 to display various screens including the screens SC1 to SC4.

[0095] The control unit 50 displays an extension operation selection screen SC1 shown in FIG. 5 on the display unit 61 (91) so that the user can select whether to enable or disable the extension operation for the feeding operation of the receiving member 33. By displaying the extension operation selection screen SC1 shown in FIG. 5 on the display unit 61 (91), the user can set whether to enable or disable the extension operation by operating the selection unit 62. The extension operation selection screen SC1 has an enable button 81 and a disable button 82. For example, the extension operation is disabled by default. The extension operation selection screen SC1 shown in FIG. 5 includes a message M1 asking, "Do you want to enable the extension operation?" For example, on the extension operation selection screen SC1 shown in FIG. 5, a user who wishes to enable the extension operation may enable the extension operation by selecting the enable button 81 by operating the selection unit 62. For example, on a touch-panel display unit 61 (91), the user may touch the enable button 81 to enable the extension operation. If the user selects the OK button 83 with the extension operation enabled, the extension operation is set to be enabled. The control unit 50 may write whether the extension action is valid or invalid, for example, as a flag value, in a predetermined storage area of the storage unit 53. The control unit 50 may determine whether the extension action is valid or invalid based on the flag value read from the predetermined storage area of the storage unit 53.

[0096] Furthermore, if the extension operation is disabled and the control unit 50 predicts that the amount of unused receiving members 33 will reach the end value during printing, it causes the display unit 61 (91) to display an error screen SC2 shown in Fig. 6. This error screen SC2 has a message M2, a YES button 85, and a NO button 86.

[0097] Furthermore, the control unit 50 displays a notification screen SC3 (information screen) shown in Fig. 7. The control unit 50 can predict that printing based on the print job PJ will be interrupted if the usable amount, which is the actual amount (remaining amount) of unused receiving member 33, is less than the predicted usage amount, which is the amount of unused receiving member 33 required to complete all printing based on the print job PJ. In this case, the control unit 50 displays a notification screen SC3 on the display unit 61 (91) as shown in Fig. 7, which includes a message M3 indicating that the receiving member 33 will need to be replaced during printing. The notification screen SC3 has an OK button 83 and a Cancel button 84.

[0098] The control unit 50 also displays an error screen SC4 shown in Fig. 8. When the amount (remaining amount) of unused receiving members 33 reaches the end value, the control unit 50 displays the error screen SC4 on the display unit 61 (91), including a message M4 saying "Receiving members 33 are gone. Please replace the receiving members 33." The error screen SC4 has an OK button 83 and a cancel button 84.

[0099] The control unit 50 shown in FIG. 4 also manages the cleaning timing, which is the time to perform cleaning as part of maintenance. The control unit 50 manages at least one of the elapsed time and the media print length since the last cleaning. The control unit 50 determines that the cleaning timing has arrived when the elapsed time exceeds a predetermined time threshold. The control unit 50 also determines that the cleaning timing has arrived when the media print length exceeds a predetermined length threshold. The printing device 11 may also include a nozzle inspection unit (not shown) that detects whether the nozzles 24 are clogged. In this case, when the nozzle inspection unit detects a clogged, defective nozzle, the control unit 50 may determine that the time to detect the defective nozzle is the time to clean. When the cleaning timing arrives, the control unit 50 causes the liquid ejection unit 23 to perform cleaning. That is, the control unit 50 moves the carriage 22, for example, to the retracted position CP and forcibly ejects liquid from the nozzles 24 of the liquid ejection unit 23 in the retracted position CP. At this time, the discharge of liquid from the nozzle 24 may be performed by pressure cleaning, in which the control unit 50 controls the pressurizing unit 31, or by suction cleaning, in which the control unit 50 controls the suction pump. Note that cleaning may also be performed by the liquid discharge unit 23 discharging the liquid from the nozzle 24 toward the receiving member 33 of the liquid receiving unit 32 at the flushing position FP.

[0100] Furthermore, the control unit 50 manages the remaining amount of liquid in a liquid cartridge, which is an example of a liquid supply source. If the liquid cartridge is, for example, an ink cartridge, the control unit 50 manages the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge. When the liquid in the liquid cartridge reaches a preset end value, the control unit 50 displays information on the display unit 61 urging the user to replace the liquid cartridge. The liquid supply source may also be a liquid tank (for example, an ink tank). In this case, the control unit 50 manages the amount of liquid in the liquid tank. When the liquid in the liquid tank reaches a preset end value, the control unit 50 may display information on the display unit 61 urging the user to refill the liquid tank with liquid.

[0101] The control unit 50 also manages the amount of unprinted medium 99 in the roll 100 held on the payout spindle 14 of the medium payout unit 13. The printing device 11 may include a detection unit (not shown), such as a weight sensor or an optical sensor, and detect the amount of unprinted medium 99 in the roll 100 based on the detection results of the detection unit. The control unit 50 may also manage the amount of unprinted medium 99 in the roll 100 using a payout amount calculated based on the initial amount of the roll 100 input by the user through the selection unit 62 and the number of rotations of the payout spindle 14. Here, the initial amount input by the user may be an initial value that can specify, for example, the weight, wound length, roll diameter, etc. of the roll 100 in the medium payout unit 13. The initial value may also be the product number of the roll 100 and information that it has been replaced with a new one. When the amount of the roll 100 in the medium payout unit 13 reaches a preset end value, the control unit 50 displays information on the display unit 61 urging the user to replace the roll 100.

[0102] Here, cleaning operations, replacement / replenishment of the liquid supply source by the user, and replacement of the roll body 100 by the user are interruption operations that interrupt printing. When one of these interruption operations should be performed and printing is in progress at that time, the control unit 50 interrupts the printing operation. After the printing operation is interrupted, the control unit 50 resumes the interrupted printing operation when it detects that the interrupted operation that caused the interruption has been completed. Note that replacement of the receiving member 33 when the amount of unused receiving member 33 reaches the replacement set value C also interrupts the printing operation. In this embodiment, the interruption of printing when the amount of unused receiving member 33 reaches the replacement set value C is suppressed by performing the extension operation described above.

[0103] <Operation of the First Embodiment> Next, the operation of the printing device 11 in the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The print preparation process routine executed by the control unit 50 will be described below with reference to FIG. 9. Specifically, the computer 50C included in the control unit 50 executes the print preparation process routine. This print preparation process routine sets a feed frequency, which is an example of the feed amount per unit of the receiving member 33. The control unit 50 executes the print preparation process routine upon receiving a start signal for a print job PJ. In this print preparation process, the control unit 50 sets a feed frequency for the receiving member 33 to be used during printing based on the received print job PJ. In the following, the receiving member 33 is assumed to be fabric 33A, for example. Therefore, in the flowchart shown in FIG. 9, the "estimated usage amount of the receiving member 33" will be referred to as the "estimated usage amount of fabric," the "usable amount of the receiving member 33" will be referred to as the "usable fabric amount," the "remaining amount of the receiving member 33" will be referred to as the "remaining fabric amount," the "reference feeding frequency of the receiving member 33" will be referred to as the "reference fabric feeding frequency," and the "feed frequency of the receiving member 33" will be referred to as the "fabric feeding frequency." An example is also shown in which the replacement setting value C for when the receiving member 33 should be replaced is set to "0 (zero)."

[0104] When the control unit 50 receives one or more print jobs PJ, it executes a print preparation processing routine shown in the flowchart of Fig. 9. In this print preparation processing routine, the control unit 50 performs print preparation processing based on the next print job PJ to be executed among the one or more print jobs PJ for which the control unit 50 has received a start signal.

[0105] First, in step S11, the control unit 50 calculates the predicted usage amount of the fabric 33A after job printing. For example, the control unit 50 calculates the predicted usage amount of the fabric 33A at the time when all printing based on one print job PJ is completed.

[0106] In the next step S12, the control unit 50 acquires the current usable amount of the receiving member 33 (e.g., usable cloth amount). The control unit 50 acquires, for example, the current remaining cloth amount. In this embodiment, the processing of steps S11 and S12 corresponds to "when a start signal for a print job PJ is received, acquiring the usable amount of the receiving member 33 that can be used for flushing and the predicted amount of the receiving member 33 that is predicted to be used for flushing in the print job PJ when the receiving member 33 is fed at the reference feed amount per unit."

[0107] In the next step S13, the control unit 50 compares the predicted usage amount and the usable amount of the fabric 33A to obtain the remaining amount of fabric. For example, the control unit 50 obtains the remaining amount of fabric after printing by subtracting the predicted usage amount from the usable amount of fabric 33A at the start of the current print job PJ. For example, if there is a shortage of fabric 33A before printing based on the print job PJ is completed, the remaining amount of fabric obtained as a result of this calculation will be less than 0.

[0108] In step S14, the control unit 50 determines whether the remaining amount of cloth after printing is 0 (zero) or less. That is, the control unit 50 determines whether the remaining amount of cloth calculated in step S13 is equal to or less than a replacement set value C (for example, 0). If the remaining amount of cloth is not equal to or less than the replacement set value C (for example, 0) (that is, if it exceeds the replacement set value C), the control unit 50 proceeds to step S15. On the other hand, if the remaining amount of cloth is equal to or less than the replacement set value C (for example, 0), the control unit 50 proceeds to step S16.

[0109] Here, for convenience, the replacement set value C, which is the remaining amount when the user is prompted to replace the receiving member 33, is set to "0." The replacement set value C may or may not be 0. In short, the replacement set value C may be any remaining amount (remaining amount of fabric) of the receiving member 33 that is set so as to prompt the user to replace the receiving member 33. This replacement set value C may be a value obtained by adding a small margin to 0. For example, the replacement set value C may be 1 cm, 5 cm, 10 cm, etc. Furthermore, a replacement set value C greater than 0 may be the dimension of a nozzle formation region (in other words, a discharge target region) where a plurality of nozzles 24 are formed in the feed direction FD on the nozzle surface 25 of the liquid discharge unit 23. In this way, the replacement set value C may be a value greater than 0. Therefore, the unit of the extension operation, the replacement set value C may be set to a value greater than 0 (for example, 5 cm), and it may be determined in step S14 whether the remaining amount of fabric is equal to or less than the replacement set value C.

[0110] In step S15, the control unit 50 sets the standard fabric feed frequency. The standard fabric feed frequency is set as the default. The process of setting the standard fabric feed frequency includes, for example, a process of restoring the standard fabric feed frequency to the default standard fabric feed frequency if a feed frequency other than the standard fabric feed frequency was set in printing based on the previous print job PJ. In other words, if there is no shortage of receiving member 33 when printing based on the print job PJ, the feed amount per unit of receiving member 33 is set to the standard feed amount. In this embodiment, in which the receiving member 33 is fed intermittently, the receiving member 33 is set to be fed at the standard feed frequency. For example, in an example in which the receiving member 33 is fabric, the control unit 50 sets the standard fabric feed frequency.

[0111] In step S16, the control unit 50 determines whether the extension action is valid. If the control unit 50 determines that the extension action is not valid (i.e., invalid), the control unit 50 proceeds to step S17. On the other hand, if the control unit 50 determines that the extension action is valid, the control unit 50 proceeds to step S21.

[0112] The user sets whether to enable or disable the extension action by operating the selection unit 62 by displaying the extension action selection screen SC1 shown in FIG. 5 on the display unit 61 (91) in advance. For example, the extension action is set to disabled by default, and a user who wants to enable the extension action may select enable by operating the selection unit 62. For example, on the extension action selection screen SC1 shown in FIG. 5, the user operates the selection unit 62 to select the enable button 81. For example, if the display unit 61 (91) is a touch panel, the user may select enable of the extension action by touching the enable button 81. The user selects the OK button 83 with the enable button 81 selected. The control unit 50, which receives this selection signal, sets the extension action to enabled. For example, information (e.g., a flag value) regarding whether the extension action is enabled or disabled is stored in a predetermined storage area of the storage unit 53. In the determination process of step S16, the control unit 50 may determine whether the extension action is enabled based on, for example, the value of the flag read from the predetermined storage area of the storage unit 53.

[0113] If the extension operation is invalid (step S16: NO), the control unit 50 proceeds from step S16 to step S17, and executes the processes of steps S17 to S20. More specifically, in step S17, the control unit 50 displays an error. That is, the control unit 50 displays the error screen SC2 shown in FIG. 6 on the display unit 61 (91). The user reads the message M2 on the error screen SC2 displayed on the display unit 61 (91). This error screen SC2 includes a message M2 that notifies the user that printing may be interrupted due to replacement of the receiving member 33, but asks the user whether or not to continue printing. If the user wishes to continue printing even if the printing is interrupted, the user operates the selection unit 62 to select the YES button 85 on the error screen SC2. On the other hand, if the user does not wish printing to be interrupted, the user operates the selection unit 62 to select the NO button 86 on the error screen SC2, indicating that the user does not wish to continue printing. The control unit 50, which receives an operation signal based on the user's operation of the selection unit 62, executes the process of step S18.

[0114] That is, in step S18, the control unit 50 determines whether or not to continue printing. When the control unit 50 receives an operation signal when the user presses the YES button 85 on the error screen SC2 to indicate that they want to continue printing, the control unit 50 determines that they have selected to continue printing. On the other hand, when the control unit 50 receives an operation signal when the user presses the NO button 86 on the error screen SC2 to indicate that they do not want to continue printing, the control unit 50 determines that they have selected not to continue printing. When the control unit 50 determines that they have selected to continue printing (step S18: YES), the control unit 50 proceeds to step S19. On the other hand, when the control unit 50 determines that they have not selected to continue printing (step S18: NO), the control unit 50 proceeds to step S20.

[0115] In step S19, the control unit 50 sets a standard cloth feed frequency. That is, the control unit 50 sets the receiving member 33 to be fed at a standard feed amount per unit. If the receiving member 33 is cloth, the control unit 50 sets the standard feed amount per unit. For example, in a configuration in which the cloth is intermittently fed at the standard feed amount per unit, the control unit 50 sets the standard cloth feed frequency. The standard cloth feed frequency is, for example, a default feed frequency. That is, in step S19, the control unit 50 sets the same standard cloth feed frequency as in step S15. In this case, if the remaining cloth amount is 0 or less (step S14: YES), the control unit 50 sets the standard cloth feed frequency. Therefore, if printing is continued as is, there is a possibility that printing will be interrupted to replace the receiving member 33.

[0116] Meanwhile, in step S20, the control unit 50 suspends printing. That is, when the control unit 50 receives an operation signal from the selection unit 62 indicating that printing will not continue, the control unit 50 suspends the print job PJ without executing it, even if it has received a start signal for the print job PJ. In this case, for example, the user may select to enable the extension operation on the extension operation selection screen SC1 shown in FIG. 5 and test whether the print job PJ can be executed without interrupting printing by performing the extension operation. The error screen SC2 shown in FIG. 6, displayed in step S17, may display the print length, number of prints, or number of prints that can be printed for the image specified in the print job PJ at the standard fabric feed frequency. In this case, the user may re-instruct the print job PJ with the printing condition information changed to the displayed print length, number of prints, etc. The control unit 50 may also determine whether the print job PJ can be completed without interruption if the extension operation is performed. If the control unit 50 determines that the print job PJ can be completed without interruption, the control unit 50 may display information, such as a message recommending the selection of enabling the extension operation on the error screen SC2 shown in FIG. 6 or another guidance screen.

[0117] On the other hand, in step S21, the control unit 50 calculates the cloth feed frequency as a process when the extension operation is enabled (step S16: YES). That is, the control unit 50 calculates a cloth feed frequency at which all printing based on the print job PJ can be completed before the remaining cloth amount reaches the replacement set value C (e.g., 0) at which the receiving member 33 (cloth 33A) should be replaced. This cloth feed frequency is calculated as a value smaller than the reference cloth feed frequency. In a configuration in which the cloth 33A is intermittently fed by a feed amount, the feed amount per unit of cloth 33A is given as the cloth feed frequency at which the cloth 33A is fed once by a predetermined feed amount per unit. For example, if the unit is the printing length, the cloth feed frequency is the frequency at which the cloth 33A is fed once by a predetermined feed amount per unit of printing length.

[0118] For example, the predicted usage amount obtained in step S11 is ΔL1, and the available amount obtained in step S12 is ΔL2. The reference fabric feed frequency is F0. In this case, the fabric feed frequency F1 is calculated using the formula F1 = (ΔL2 / ΔL1) * F0. As an example, the reference fabric feed frequency F0 is the frequency at which the fabric 33A is fed once by a predetermined feed amount (e.g., 20 cm) for every 10 m of printing length on the medium 99. In this case, for example, the unit printing length is 10 m. The predicted usage amount ΔL1 is 1 m, and the available amount ΔL2 is 0.5 m. In this case, ΔL2 / ΔL1 in the formula F1 = (ΔL2 / ΔL1) * F0 is 0.5. Therefore, the fabric feed frequency F1 is given by F1 = F0 / 2. In other words, the fabric feed frequency F1 is 1 / 2 of the reference fabric feed frequency. In the above example, where the reference fabric feed frequency F0 is once per 10 m of printing length, it is expressed as F0 = 1 (times / 10 m). In this case, when F1 = F0 / 2, the fabric feed frequency F1 is given as 0.5 (times / 10 m).

[0119] Here, the number of times the fabric 33A is fed is a natural number. Therefore, for example, fabric feed frequency F1 = 0.5 is the frequency at which the fabric 33A is fed once by a predetermined feed amount (e.g., 20 cm) for every 20 m of printing length of the medium 99. Thus, fabric feed frequency F1 (an example of a change frequency) is (ΔL2 / ΔL1) times the reference fabric feed frequency F0 (an example of a reference frequency). Note that the "unit" and "feed amount" may be selected appropriately depending on the model, device size, printing resolution, ink type, and size of the liquid ejection unit 23 (e.g., the dimensions of the nozzle formation area) of the printing device 11. While an example of an intermittent feed operation is shown here, the feed operation may also be a constant-speed feed operation. In other words, it is sufficient for the receiving member 33 to be fed by a predetermined feed amount per unit.

[0120] In the next step S22, the control unit 50 determines whether the calculated cloth feeding frequency is less than the lower limit. If the cloth feeding frequency is not less than the lower limit (step S22: NO), the control unit 50 proceeds to step S23. On the other hand, if the cloth feeding frequency is less than the lower limit (step S22: YES), the control unit 50 proceeds to step S24.

[0121] In step S23, the control unit 50 changes the cloth feed frequency to the calculated frequency. In this embodiment, the processes of steps S13, S14 (YES), S16 (YES), S21, and S23 correspond to "if the available amount is smaller than the predicted usage amount, change the standard feed amount per unit to a feed amount smaller than the standard feed amount per unit and perform an extension operation to execute the print job PJ."

[0122] On the other hand, in step S24, the control unit 50 changes the cloth feeding frequency to the lower limit value instead of the calculated cloth feeding frequency. That is, the control unit 50 changes the reference cloth feeding frequency to the lower limit value of the feeding frequency.

[0123] When the cloth feed frequency is changed to the lower limit in this way, in the next step S25, the control unit 50 causes the display unit 61 (91) to display the notification screen SC3 shown in FIG. 7. The notification screen SC3 includes a message M3 indicating that the receiving member 33 (e.g., cloth) will need to be replaced during printing. After confirming that the receiving member 33 will need to be replaced during printing, the user selects the OK button 83 on the notification screen SC3 by operating the selection unit 62. Note that the control unit 50 may confirm that the cloth feed frequency is set to the lower limit when it receives an operation signal indicating that the OK button 83 on the notification screen SC3 has been operated.

[0124] <Printing operation> In this way, when the control unit 50 finishes the print preparation process, the control unit 50 executes the printing instructed in the print job PJ. In other words, the control unit 50 executes the printing instructed in the print job PJ. During this printing, the control unit 50 controls the liquid receiving unit 32 based on the settings made in the print preparation process.

[0125] Specifically, the print job PJ includes image data and printing condition information. The control unit 50 executes printing of an image based on the image data specified in the print job PJ according to the printing conditions specified in the printing condition information. The control unit 50 executes this printing and also feeds the receiving member 33 (e.g., fabric) at the feed amount per unit (e.g., fabric feed frequency) set in the print preparation process.

[0126] For example, if there is a sufficient amount of receiving member 33 (remaining amount of cloth) remaining for the printing length specified in print job PJ, cloth 33A is fed at the standard cloth feeding frequency set in step S15. In other words, cloth 33A is fed at the default feeding frequency. More specifically, the feeding operation of cloth 33A is performed at a frequency where cloth 33A is fed by the standard feeding amount per unit printing length, with the printing length being the unit.

[0127] In this case, the control unit 50 measures the printing length from the point in time when the previous feeding operation of the fabric 33A was performed. When the printing length reaches the unit length, the control unit 50 feeds the fabric 33A by the reference feed amount. That is, the control unit 50 drives the motor 75M of the liquid receiving unit 32 by the reference drive amount, thereby performing a feeding operation to feed the fabric 33A by the reference feed amount.

[0128] On the other hand, if the remaining amount of cloth is insufficient (step S14: YES) and the extension operation is enabled (step S16: YES), the cloth feeding frequency is set (steps S21 to S23). That is, the standard cloth feeding frequency is changed to a cloth feeding frequency lower than the standard cloth feeding frequency (step S23). In this case, during printing, the cloth 33A is fed at the changed cloth feeding frequency.

[0129] Furthermore, the cloth feed frequency is adjusted to a value at which the remaining amount of cloth reaches the replacement setting value C (e.g., 0) when all printing based on the print job PJ is completed. In other words, an extension operation is adopted to extend the replacement period for the cloth 33A. Therefore, when the printing of images based on the print job PJ is completed for the specified number of prints, printing is stopped. When printing stops, the remaining amount of cloth 33A reaches the replacement setting value C. Therefore, the control unit 50 displays an error screen SC4 shown in FIG. 8 on the display unit 61 (91) to prompt the user to replace the receiving member 33 (cloth 33A). Therefore, the user does not need to replace the cloth 33A during printing, and interruptions to printing based on the print job PJ can be avoided. Therefore, there is no need to replace the cloth 33A in advance before starting the print job PJ to avoid interruptions to printing. Furthermore, the cloth 33A in the liquid receiving unit 32 can be used up more frequently. This allows the cloth 33A to be used effectively without waste. This also leads to a reduction in the frequency with which the fabric 33A of the liquid receiving portion 32 needs to be replaced.

[0130] Upon reading message M4 on error screen SC4 displayed on display unit 61 (91), the user replaces fabric 33A. For example, if liquid receiving unit 32 is configured so that only fabric 33A can be replaced, the used first roll body 72 (e.g., core material) is removed from winding unit 36, and a new first roll body 72 is set in feeding unit 35. On the other hand, if liquid receiving unit 32 is configured so that it can be replaced unit by unit, the user replaces the used liquid receiving unit 32 with a new liquid receiving unit 32.

[0131] Once the receiving member 33 has been replaced, the user operates the OK button 83 on the error screen SC4 shown in Fig. 8. The control unit 50 then performs a process to check whether the fabric 33A or the liquid receiving unit 32 has been replaced. Once the control unit 50 confirms that the fabric 33A or the liquid receiving unit 32 has been replaced correctly, it starts printing based on the next print job PJ if it has received a start signal for the next print job PJ.

[0132] Furthermore, if the calculated cloth feeding frequency is less than the lower limit (step 22: YES), the reference cloth feeding frequency is changed to the lower limit of the feeding frequency. Therefore, the cloth 33A is fed at the lower limit cloth feeding frequency. Therefore, for example, if the liquid is a liquid that dries easily, such as resin ink, it is possible to prevent a deposit on the cloth 33A, including thickened or dried liquid IL due to flushing, from contacting the nozzle surface 25 of the liquid ejection unit 23. That is, the feeding operation of the cloth 33A is performed before the deposit on the cloth 33A contacts the nozzle surface 25. As a result, it is possible to reliably prevent a deposit on the cloth 33A from contacting the nozzle surface 25 of the liquid ejection unit 23. Furthermore, for example, if the liquid is a liquid that does not dry easily, such as water-based ink, the liquid IL due to flushing is absorbed by the cloth 33A. The feeding operation of the cloth 33A is performed before the amount of liquid IL absorbed by the cloth 33A exceeds a predetermined value and before the elapsed time since the liquid absorption started exceeds a predetermined time. This prevents the liquid absorbed by the fabric 33A from leaking due to its own weight, such as dripping from the underside of the fabric 33A.

[0133] However, if a lower limit is set for the feed frequency of the fabric 33A, there is a possibility that printing based on the print job PJ will be interrupted. For this reason, the user is notified of the possibility that printing will be interrupted on the notification screen SC3 (FIG. 7). This allows the user to know in advance that printing will be interrupted even if the extension operation is valid, and that printing operations will be performed contrary to the user's intentions. In other words, the user can accept that printing will be interrupted and continue printing to use up all of the fabric 33A without waste.

[0134] Also, if the user has disabled the extension operation (step S16: NO), the user can select whether to continue printing on the error screen SC2 shown in Fig. 6. Therefore, in this case too, the user can be aware in advance that printing will be interrupted and that a printing operation contrary to the user's intention will be performed. In other words, the user can continue printing to use up all of the fabric 33A without waste, after understanding that printing will be interrupted.

[0135] <Effects of the first embodiment> Therefore, according to the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. (1-1) The printing device 11 includes a liquid ejection unit 23 that prints on a medium 99 by ejecting liquid, a liquid receiving unit 32, and a control unit 50. The liquid receiving unit 32 includes a receiving member 33 that receives the liquid ejected by the liquid ejection unit 23 during flushing unrelated to printing, a feed unit 35 on which the receiving member 33 is set, and a take-up unit 36 that winds up the receiving member 33. Upon receiving a start signal for a print job PJ, the control unit 50 acquires the available amount of receiving member 33 that can be used for flushing and the estimated amount of receiving member 33 that is estimated to be used for flushing in the print job PJ if the receiving member 33 is fed at a standard feed amount per unit. If the available amount is smaller than the estimated amount, the control unit 50 performs an extension operation to execute the print job PJ by changing the standard feed amount per unit to a feed amount smaller than the standard feed amount per unit. According to this configuration, by changing the feed amount per unit of the receiving member 33 in accordance with the available amount, it is possible to reduce the risk of printing being interrupted due to the running out of available receiving member 33 during printing.

[0136] (1-2) The liquid receiving unit 32 performs a feed operation to intermittently feed the receiving member 33 by a predetermined feed amount. The standard feed amount per unit is the standard frequency at which a feed operation is performed once at the standard feed amount per unit. If the available amount is smaller than the predicted usage amount, the standard frequency is changed to a feed amount smaller than the standard feed amount, and an extension operation is performed to execute the print job PJ. With this configuration, by using up the receiving member 33 to the amount that requires replacement, it is possible to reduce the risk of an incomplete amount remaining and causing printing to be interrupted when the next print job PJ is executed.

[0137] (1-3) The changed feed amount per unit is calculated so that the usable amount at the time when the print job PJ is completed becomes the replacement setting value C when prompting replacement of the receiving member 33. With this configuration, by using up the receiving member 33 until the amount that requires replacement is reached, it is possible to reduce the risk of an incomplete amount remaining and causing printing to be interrupted when the next print job PJ is executed.

[0138] (1-4) The change frequency is calculated so that the available amount becomes zero when the print job PJ is completed. With this configuration, by completely using up the receiving member 33, it is possible to reduce the risk of an incomplete amount remaining and causing printing to be interrupted when the next print job PJ is executed.

[0139] (1-5) If the calculated feed amount per unit is equal to or less than the lower limit, the control unit 50 changes the reference feed amount to the lower limit and executes the print job PJ. This configuration can prevent leakage of liquid from the receiving member 33 or accumulation of dried liquid on the receiving member 33, which can occur if the feed amount per unit of the receiving member 33 is reduced too much. For example, if the liquid is a water-based ink or other liquid that does not dry easily, this can prevent leakage of liquid absorbed by the receiving member 33 from leaking from the receiving member 33 due to its own weight. Furthermore, for example, if the liquid is a resin ink or other liquid that dries easily, this can prevent excessive accumulation of dried liquid on the receiving member 33 to the extent that it comes into contact with the nozzle surface 25 of the liquid ejection unit 23.

[0140] (1-6) The printing device 11 is equipped with a display unit 61 that displays information. When the control unit 50 changes the reference feed amount to the lower limit, the control unit 50 displays on the display unit 61 that printing will be interrupted. This configuration allows the user to be aware of the printing interruption in advance, improving usability for the user. For example, the user can be aware of the printing interruption due to the need to replace the receiving member 33 during printing in advance. This allows the user to choose, for example, whether to continue printing as is or to interrupt printing and replace the receiving member 33.

[0141] (1-7) The extension operation is executed when the execution of the extension operation is enabled. According to this configuration, the extension operation is executed only when the execution of the extension operation is enabled, which can improve productivity compared to when the extension operation is disabled.

[0142] (1-8) The printing device 11 includes a selection unit 62 that selects whether to execute the extension operation. The control unit 50 enables the execution of the extension operation when execution of the extension operation is selected by the selection unit 62. This configuration allows the user to select execution of the extension operation using the selection unit 62, improving usability for the user.

[0143] (1-9) The printing device 11 includes a liquid ejection unit 23 and a liquid receiving unit 32. The liquid receiving unit 32 has a receiving member 33 that receives the liquid, a payout unit 35 on which the receiving member 33 is set, and a take-up unit that takes up the receiving member 33. The control method for the printing device 11 includes the following (a) and (b).

[0144] (a) Upon receiving a start signal for a print job PJ, the available amount of receiving member 33 that can be used for flushing and the predicted amount of receiving member 33 that is predicted to be used for flushing in the print job PJ when the receiving member 33 is sent at a standard feed amount per unit are obtained. (b) If the available amount is smaller than the predicted usage amount, an extension operation is performed to change the standard feed amount per unit to a feed amount smaller than the standard feed amount per unit and execute the print job PJ. According to this method, by changing the feed amount per unit of the receiving member 33 to match the available amount of the receiving member 33, it is possible to reduce the risk of printing being interrupted due to running out of available receiving member 33 midway through printing.

[0145] (1-10) The control method of the printing device 11 may include the following (c). (c) The changed feed amount per unit is calculated so that the usable amount at the time when the print job PJ is completed becomes the replacement setting value C when prompting replacement of the receiving member 33. According to this method, by using up the receiving member 33 until it reaches the replacement time, it is possible to reduce the risk of an incomplete amount of receiving member 33 remaining, which will cause printing to be interrupted when the next print job PJ is executed.

[0146] (Second embodiment) Next, a printing device 11 according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 10 . The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the content of the print preparation processing routine. In the first embodiment, the fabric feed frequency was set as an example of the feed amount per unit of the receiving member 33 based on a comparison between the predicted usage amount of the receiving member 33 required to complete all printing based on one print job PJ and the available amount. In contrast, in the second embodiment, when start signals for multiple print jobs PJ are received, the fabric feed frequency is set as an example of the feed amount per unit of the receiving member 33 based on a comparison between the predicted usage amount of the fabric 33A required to complete all printing based on the multiple print jobs PJ and the available amount. That is, upon receiving start signals for multiple print jobs PJ, the control unit 50 acquires the available amount of the receiving member 33 and the predicted usage amount of the receiving member 33 for the multiple print jobs PJ. If the available amount of the receiving member 33 is smaller than the predicted usage amount, the control unit 50 performs an extension operation to execute the multiple print jobs PJ by changing the standard feed amount per unit to a feed amount smaller than the standard feed amount per unit. Other configurations than the print preparation process are the same as those of the first embodiment. The print preparation process of the second embodiment will be described below. As in the first embodiment, the receiving member 33 is taken as an example of cloth 33A. As in the first embodiment, the reference feed amount per unit is taken as an example of the reference cloth feed frequency (an example of the reference frequency), and the feed amount per unit of the receiving member 33 is taken as an example of the cloth feed frequency (an example of the change frequency). An example will be described in which the replacement setting value C is 0 (zero).

[0147] When the control unit 50 receives a start signal for one or more print jobs PJ, it executes a print preparation processing routine shown in the flowchart of Fig. 10. More specifically, the computer 50C constituting the control unit 50 executes the print preparation processing routine.

[0148] First, in step S31, the control unit 50 determines whether there are multiple print jobs PJ. If there is only one print job PJ that has currently been received, the control unit 50 proceeds to step S32. On the other hand, if there are multiple print jobs PJ that have currently been received, the control unit 50 proceeds to step S35.

[0149] If only one print job PJ has been received, the control unit 50 executes the processes of steps S32 to S34. That is, the control unit 50 performs the same processes as steps S11 to S13 in the first embodiment by performing the processes of steps S32 to S34. Through these processes, the control unit 50 calculates the predicted usage amount of the fabric 33A when printing of one print job PJ is completed (step S32). The control unit 50 acquires the current (job start) usable amount of the fabric 33A (step S33). The predicted usage amount and usable amount of the fabric 33A are compared. By comparing these predicted usage amount and usable amount of the fabric 33A, the remaining amount of fabric when printing of this one print job PJ is completed is acquired. For example, the control unit 50 subtracts the predicted usage amount from the usable amount of the fabric 33A (step S34). If there is a shortage of fabric 33A, the calculation result will be less than 0.

[0150] On the other hand, if there are multiple accepted print jobs PJ, the control unit 50 executes the processes of steps S35 to S37. That is, by the processes of steps S35 to S37, the control unit 50 compares the predicted usage amount of fabric 33A required to complete the multiple print jobs PJ with the available amount of fabric 33A at the start of the multiple print jobs PJ. For example, the control unit 50 obtains the remaining amount of fabric by subtracting the predicted usage amount from the available amount of fabric 33A.

[0151] The processing in steps S40 to S51 is the same as the processing in steps S14 to S25 in the first embodiment. In step S40, if there is one print job PJ, the control unit 50 determines whether the remaining amount of cloth acquired in step S34 is equal to or less than the replacement set value C (for example, 0). On the other hand, if there are multiple print jobs PJ, the control unit 50 determines whether the remaining amount of cloth acquired in step S37 is equal to or less than the replacement set value C (for example, 0).

[0152] Then, if the remaining cloth amount is equal to or less than the replacement set value C (step S40: YES), the control unit 50 determines in step S42 whether the extension operation is enabled. If the extension operation is enabled (step S42: YES), the control unit 50 calculates the cloth feed frequency at which the remaining cloth amount at the time of completion of printing will be exactly the replacement set value C (step S47). This changed cloth feed frequency (changed frequency) is calculated as a value smaller than the standard cloth feed frequency (standard frequency). For example, if start signals for multiple print jobs PJ have been received (step S31: YES), the control unit 50 adjusts the feed frequency of the cloth 33A so that the remaining cloth amount reaches the replacement set value C when printing based on all of the multiple print jobs PJ is completed.

[0153] If the calculated cloth feed frequency is not less than the lower limit (step S48: NO), the control unit 50 changes the reference feed frequency to the cloth feed frequency (step S49). On the other hand, if the calculated cloth feed frequency is less than the lower limit (step S48: YES), the control unit 50 changes the feed frequency to be changed from the reference feed frequency to the lower limit (step S50). When the reference cloth feed frequency is changed to the lower limit, in step S51, the control unit 50 displays a notification screen SC3 shown in FIG. 7 on the display unit 61 (91).

[0154] If the extension operation is disabled (step S42: NO), the control unit 50 executes the processes of steps S43 to S46. The processes of steps S43 to S46 are the same as the processes of steps S17 to S20 in the first embodiment. Furthermore, in step S40, if the remaining cloth amount is not equal to or less than 0 (step S40: NO), the control unit 50 sets a standard cloth feeding frequency. That is, the control unit 50 sets a standard feeding amount per unit.

[0155] In this way, when the control unit 50 finishes the print preparation process, it executes the print job PJ. During the execution of this print job PJ, the control unit 50 controls the liquid receiving unit 32 to perform a feeding operation to feed the fabric 33A at the fabric feeding frequency set in the print preparation process. This feeding operation of the fabric 33A is basically the same as in the first embodiment, but the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that, if there are multiple print jobs PJ, an extension operation is performed to adjust the feeding amount (feeding frequency) so as to postpone the replacement of the receiving member 33 until printing based on all of the multiple print jobs PJ is completed.

[0156] More specifically, when there are multiple print jobs PJ, the processing in steps S35 to S37 sets the feeding frequency of the receiving member 33 so that the remaining amount of the receiving member 33 reaches the replacement set value C when the printing of the image data specified in the multiple print jobs PJ is completed for all the specified number of times. Specifically, the control unit 50 executes the processing in the following procedure. The predicted usage amount of the fabric 33A when the printing of the image data specified in the multiple print jobs PJ is completed for all the specified number of times is calculated (step S35). The predicted usage amount of the fabric 33A is compared with the usable amount of the fabric 33A at the start of the multiple print jobs PJ to obtain the remaining amount of fabric after the multiple jobs are printed (step S37). For example, the control unit 50 obtains the remaining amount of fabric by subtracting the predicted usage amount from the usable amount of fabric 33A at the start of the jobs.

[0157] If the remaining amount of cloth is 0 or less (step S40: YES) and the extension operation is enabled (step S42: YES), the standard cloth feed frequency is changed to a smaller cloth feed frequency (step S49). The cloth feed frequency at this time is calculated as a value at which the cloth 33A just reaches the replacement set value C when all printing based on the multiple print jobs PJ is completed. Therefore, all printing based on the multiple print jobs PJ can be completed without replacing the cloth 33A midway.

[0158] As described above, in the second embodiment, when there are multiple print jobs PJ, the feed amount of the fabric 33A is adjusted so that the remaining amount of fabric reaches the replacement set value C when all printing based on the multiple print jobs PJ is completed. Then, the extension operation is performed using the adjusted feed amount. Therefore, when printing of all images based on the multiple print jobs PJ is completed, printing is stopped and the remaining amount of fabric 33A reaches the replacement set value C. Therefore, the control unit 50 displays an error screen SC4 shown in FIG. 8 that prompts the user to replace the receiving member 33 (fabric 33A). Therefore, the user does not need to replace the fabric 33A in the middle of printing based on multiple print jobs PJ for which a start signal has been received. In other words, interruptions to printing based on multiple print jobs PJ can be avoided. For example, the frequency with which the fabric 33A can be used up increases.

[0159] If the cloth feed frequency acquired in steps S35 to S37, S40, S42, and S47 is less than the lower limit (step S48: YES), the control unit 50 may repeat the processes of steps S32 to S34, S40 to S42, and S47 for the next print job PJ. In this case, for one print job PJ, if the cloth feed frequency acquired in step S47 is equal to or greater than the lower limit (step S48: NO), printing can be completed to the end without replacing the cloth 33A midway.

[0160] <Effects of the second embodiment> Therefore, according to the second embodiment, in addition to the effects (1-1) to (1-10) of the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0161] (2-1) When the control unit 50 receives a start signal for multiple print jobs PJ, it acquires the available amount and the predicted usage amount for the multiple print jobs PJ. If the available amount is smaller than the predicted usage amount, it performs an extension operation to execute the multiple print jobs PJ by changing the standard feed amount per unit to a feed amount smaller than the standard feed amount per unit. With this configuration, even when multiple print jobs PJ are submitted consecutively, it is possible to reduce the risk of printing being interrupted due to the running out of available receiving members 33 midway through printing. In other words, it is possible to complete all printing based on the multiple print jobs PJ without interruption.

[0162] (Third embodiment) Next, a printing device 11 according to a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 11 . The third embodiment differs from the first and second embodiments in the content of the print preparation processing routine. In the previous embodiments, interruption operations other than replacement of the receiving member 33 (fabric replacement) were not taken into consideration when determining the fabric feed frequency. In contrast, the third embodiment sets the feed amount per unit of the receiving member 33 (e.g., fabric feed frequency) taking other interruption operations into consideration. That is, upon receiving a start signal for a print job PJ, the control unit 50 determines whether an interruption operation that interrupts the print job PJ has occurred during execution of the print job PJ. If the available amount of the receiving member 33 is smaller than the predicted amount and an interruption operation has occurred, the control unit 50 changes the standard feed amount per unit to the feed amount per unit and executes the print job PJ. The feed amount per unit is calculated so that the available amount of the receiving member 33 until the execution of the print job PJ is interrupted due to an interruption operation becomes the replacement setting value C, which should prompt replacement of the receiving member 33. Other configurations other than the print preparation processing are the same as those of the first embodiment. The print preparation processing of the third embodiment will now be described. As in the first embodiment, the receiving member 33 is exemplified as cloth 33A. As in the first embodiment, the reference feed amount per unit is the reference cloth feed frequency (an example of the reference frequency), and the feed amount per unit of the receiving member 33 is exemplified as the cloth feed frequency (an example of the change frequency). An example will be described in which the replacement set value C is 0 (zero).

[0163] When the control unit 50 receives a start signal for the print job PJ, it executes a print preparation processing routine shown in the flowchart of Fig. 11. More specifically, the computer 50C constituting the control unit 50 executes the print preparation processing routine.

[0164] The control unit 50 sequentially executes the processes of steps S61 to S65. Here, the processes of steps S61 to S65 are the same as the processes of steps S11 to S14 and S16 in the first embodiment. First, the control unit 50 calculates the predicted usage amount of the fabric 33A after printing based on one print job PJ for which a start signal has been received (step S61). Next, the control unit 50 acquires the current usable amount of fabric (step S62). Next, the control unit 50 acquires the remaining amount of fabric by comparing the predicted usage amount and the usable amount of fabric 33A (step S63). For example, the control unit 50 acquires the remaining amount of fabric from the calculation result of subtracting the predicted usage amount from the usable amount of fabric 33A. Furthermore, the control unit 50 determines whether the remaining amount of fabric is 0 or less. If the remaining amount of fabric is 0 or less, the control unit 50 proceeds to step S65. If the remaining amount of fabric is not 0 or less, the control unit 50 proceeds to step S73. In step S65, the control unit 50 determines whether the extension operation is enabled. If the extension operation is not valid (i.e., invalid), the process proceeds to step S66, and the processes of steps S66 to S69 are executed. The processes of steps S66 to S69 are the same as the processes of steps S17 to S20 in the first embodiment. In this third embodiment, the processes of steps S70 to S78 differ from the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0165] In step S70, the control unit 50 determines whether an interruption operation has occurred. That is, when the print job PJ is executed, the control unit 50 determines whether an interruption operation that interrupts printing has occurred before the execution of the executed print job PJ is completed. Here, an interruption operation is an operation that interrupts printing other than replacing the cloth 33A (receiving member 33). Examples of interruption operations include a cleaning operation and a substrate replacement. The control unit 50 performs a cleaning operation according to the print history. The print history includes the print length, the print time, the number of prints, etc. For example, if the print history is the print length, a cleaning operation is performed once every predetermined print length, such as 100 m or 200 m. If the print history is the print time, a cleaning operation is performed once every predetermined print time, such as one hour or two hours. The substrate is the medium 99 or the liquid supply source. The liquid supply source is, for example, an ink cartridge. That is, substrate replacement is replacement of the medium 99 or the liquid supply source. When the medium 99 is supplied in the form of a roll 100, replacing the medium 99 is a roll replacement in which the user sets a new roll 100 in the medium feeding unit 13. Replacing the liquid supply source is a cartridge replacement in which the user replaces the ink cartridge with a new one when the liquid, such as ink, in the ink cartridge reaches its end. Thus, examples of interruption operations include a cleaning operation performed by the control unit 50, a roll replacement operation performed by the user, and a cartridge replacement operation performed by the user.

[0166] The control unit 50 manages the timing of the next cleaning operation based on the printing history. The control unit 50 determines whether a cleaning operation is required during the execution of the current print job PJ based on the printing history information from the end of the previous cleaning and the predicted printing history information based on the current print job PJ. The control unit 50 also manages the remaining amount of the roll 100 on the medium supply unit 13. When the remaining amount of the roll 100 on the medium supply unit 13 reaches an end value, the control unit 50 stops printing and prompts the user to replace the roll. Specifically, the control unit 50 acquires the current remaining amount of the roll 100 on the medium supply unit 13. The control unit 50 acquires the predicted print length based on the image data included in the current print job PJ and the number of prints. The control unit 50 determines whether a roll replacement operation is required during the execution of the current print job PJ based on the acquired current remaining amount of the roll 100 and the predicted print length. The control unit 50 also manages the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge. When the remaining amount of liquid in the ink cartridge reaches the end value, the control unit 50 stops printing and prompts the user to replace the cartridge. Specifically, the control unit 50 acquires the current remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge. The control unit 50 acquires the predicted amount of liquid to be consumed based on the image data included in the current print job PJ and the number of prints. The control unit 50 determines whether a cartridge replacement operation will be necessary during the execution of the current print job PJ based on the current remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge and the predicted amount of liquid to be consumed.

[0167] If the control unit 50 predicts that at least one of these pre-specified interruption operations is necessary during the execution of the current print job PJ, it determines that an interruption operation is present. If the control unit 50 determines that no interruption operation is present (step S70: NO), it proceeds to step S71. On the other hand, if the control unit 50 determines that an interruption operation is present (step S70: YES), it proceeds to step S72. Note that the at least one pre-specified interruption operation may be only one, two, or all three of cleaning operation, roll body replacement (medium replacement), and cartridge replacement. Furthermore, there may be other interruption operations specified besides these three.

[0168] In step S71, the control unit 50 calculates the cloth feeding frequency. That is, the control unit 50 calculates the cloth feeding frequency at which the remaining cloth amount reaches the replacement set value C (for example, 0) when all printing based on the print job PJ is completed. In other words, the control unit 50 calculates the feeding amount per unit at which the usable amount (remaining cloth amount) of the receiving member 33 (cloth 33A) just reaches the replacement set value C when all printing based on the print job PJ is completed. Since this is an example in which the cloth 33A is fed intermittently, the cloth feeding frequency at which the cloth 33A is fed once by a predetermined feeding amount per unit is calculated as the feeding amount per unit of the cloth 33A.

[0169] In step S72, the control unit 50 determines whether the remaining amount of cloth at the time of the interruption is 0 or less. That is, the control unit 50 calculates the predicted usage amount of the cloth 33A (the predicted usage amount of the receiving member 33) at the time when printing was interrupted due to the interruption during execution of the print job PJ. The control unit 50 compares this predicted usage amount of the cloth 33A with the usable amount (step S62) to obtain the remaining amount of cloth at the time of printing interruption due to the interruption. For example, the control unit 50 obtains the remaining amount of cloth at the time of printing interruption due to the interruption from the calculation result of subtracting the predicted usage amount from the usable amount of the cloth 33A. Then, the control unit 50 determines whether the remaining amount of cloth at the time of the interruption is 0 or less, which is an example of the replacement set value C. If the remaining amount of cloth at the time of the interruption is not 0 or less, the control unit 50 proceeds to step S73. On the other hand, if the remaining amount of cloth at the time of the interruption is 0 or less, the control unit 50 proceeds to step S74. Note that although the replacement set value C is 0 (zero) in this example, it may be a value greater than 0.

[0170] In step S73, the control unit 50 sets a standard cloth feed frequency. This process is the same as the process in step S15 in the first embodiment. That is, the control unit 50 sets a default standard cloth feed frequency. If there is no shortage of unused receiving members 33 by the time the execution of the print job PJ is interrupted due to an interruption operation, the feed amount per unit of the receiving member 33 is set to the standard feed amount. In this example in which the receiving member 33 is fed intermittently, the control unit 50 sets the receiving member 33 to be fed at the standard feed frequency. In an example in which the receiving member 33 is cloth, the control unit 50 sets the standard cloth feed frequency.

[0171] In step S74, the control unit 50 calculates the cloth feeding frequency. That is, the control unit 50 calculates the cloth feeding frequency so that the remaining amount of cloth when the execution of the print job PJ is interrupted due to the interruption operation becomes the replacement set value C (for example, 0). In other words, the control unit 50 calculates the feed amount per unit of the receiving member 33 so that the remaining amount of the receiving member 33 just reaches the replacement set value C at the time when the execution of the print job PJ is interrupted due to the interruption operation. In an example in which the receiving member 33 is fed intermittently, the control unit 50 calculates the cloth feeding frequency as the feed amount per unit of the receiving member 33. The cloth feeding frequency is the frequency at which the cloth 33A, which is an example of the receiving member 33, is fed once by a predetermined feed amount per unit.

[0172] In step S75, the control unit 50 determines whether the cloth feeding frequency is less than the lower limit. This process is the same as the process in step S22 in the first embodiment. If the cloth feeding frequency is not less than the lower limit (step S75: NO), the control unit 50 proceeds to step S76. On the other hand, if the cloth feeding frequency is less than the lower limit (step S75: YES), the control unit 50 proceeds to step S77.

[0173] In step S76, the control unit 50 changes the cloth feed frequency to the calculated frequency. This process is the same as the process in step S23 in the first embodiment. However, in this third embodiment, the cloth feed frequency when an interruption occurs is a value at which the remaining amount of cloth 33A becomes the replacement setting value C at the time when the execution of the print job PJ is interrupted due to the interruption. The control unit 50 changes the cloth feed frequency from the default standard cloth feed frequency, which is an example of a standard frequency, to the cloth feed frequency, which is an example of a change frequency.

[0174] In step S77, the control unit 50 changes the cloth feeding frequency to the lower limit value. This process is the same as the process in step S24 in the first embodiment. In the next step S78, the control unit 50 displays a notification screen SC3. This process is similar to the process of step S25 in the first embodiment. The control unit 50 causes the display unit 61 (91) to display the notification screen SC3 shown in FIG. 7. After the user confirms the message M3 on the notification screen SC3, informing them that the receiving member 33 (e.g., fabric) will need to be replaced during printing, the user selects the OK button 83 by operating the selection unit 62. Note that the control unit 50 may confirm the setting of the lower limit value when an operation signal indicating that the OK button 83 has been operated on the notification screen SC3 is input.

[0175] In this way, when the control unit 50 finishes the print preparation process, it executes the print job PJ. Before, during, and after this printing, the control unit 50 performs a feeding operation to feed the fabric 33A at the fabric feeding frequency set in the print preparation process. In this third embodiment, when the extension operation is enabled and an interruption operation occurs, the fabric 33A is intermittently fed at a fabric feeding frequency such that the remaining amount of the receiving member 33 when the execution of the print job PJ is interrupted due to the interruption operation just reaches the replacement set value C.

[0176] When a print job PJ being executed is interrupted due to an interruption operation, the remaining amount of fabric 33A at this time reaches the replacement set value C. For example, if the interruption operation is a cleaning operation, the control unit 50 performs the cleaning operation after the printing is interrupted and also displays an error screen SC4 (FIG. 8) on the display unit 61 (91) that prompts the user to replace the receiving member 33. Furthermore, if the interruption operation is a cartridge replacement or roll body replacement, the control unit 50 displays information prompting the user to perform the interruption operation and the error screen SC4 on the display unit 61 (91) after the printing is interrupted.

[0177] The user can replace the receiving member 33 by taking advantage of the timing when the ongoing print job PJ is interrupted due to an interruption operation. This prevents the ongoing print job PJ from being interrupted twice due to separate causes, namely, an interruption operation and replacement of the receiving member 33. This reduces the frequency with which the print job PJ needs to be interrupted, improving the production efficiency of printed materials. Furthermore, the receiving member 33 can be used up more frequently.

[0178] <Effects of the third embodiment> Therefore, according to the third embodiment, in addition to the effects (1-2) to (1-10) of the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0179] (3-1) When the control unit 50 receives a start signal for the print job PJ, it determines whether there is an interruption operation that will interrupt the print job PJ while it is being executed. If the available amount of the receiving member 33 is smaller than the predicted amount of use and there is an interruption operation, the control unit 50 changes the standard feed amount per unit to the feed amount per unit and executes the print job PJ. The feed amount per unit is calculated so that the available amount up until the time the execution of the print job PJ is interrupted by the interruption operation becomes the replacement setting value C that should prompt replacement of the receiving member 33. With this configuration, when printing is interrupted by an interruption operation, time can be used effectively by using up the receiving member 33 at the same time.

[0180] The above embodiment can be modified as shown in the following modified examples. Furthermore, the above embodiment and the modified examples shown below can be appropriately combined to form further modified examples, or the modified examples shown below can be appropriately combined to form further modified examples.

[0181] The setting of whether to enable the extension operation is not limited to a user selection using the selection unit 62. The control unit 50 may determine whether to enable the extension operation, and if it determines that the extension operation should be enabled, set the extension operation to enabled. Alternatively, the control unit 50 may be configured to always compare the available amount of the receiving member 33 with the predicted usage amount, and always perform the extension operation if the available amount is smaller than the predicted usage amount.

[0182] In each embodiment, a cleaning operation may be performed in which liquid is discharged from the nozzles 24 of the liquid ejection unit 23 onto the receiving member 33 of the liquid receiving unit 32. In this case, the predicted usage amount of the receiving member 33 predicted to be used in flushing in the print job PJ may include the predicted usage amount of the receiving member 33 associated with the cleaning operation (the predicted usage amount for cleaning). For example, the control unit 50 determines whether a cleaning operation is performed during the completion of printing based on the print job PJ. If a cleaning operation is performed, the control unit 50 may calculate the predicted usage amount of the receiving member 33 by adding the predicted usage amount of the receiving member 33 predicted to be used in flushing in the print job PJ when the receiving member 33 is fed at a reference feed amount per unit to the predicted usage amount of the receiving member 33 associated with the cleaning operation. The available amount of the receiving member 33 available for flushing is not limited to the available amount available only for flushing, and may also include the available amount used for the cleaning operation. Furthermore, regardless of whether a cleaning operation is performed, the predicted usage amount of the receiving member 33 predicted to be used in flushing may be a value predicted to be used only for flushing. In this case, the usable amount of the receiving member 33 may be the usable amount that can be used for flushing alone, excluding the usable amount that is predicted to be used in cleaning operations from the total usable amount of the receiving member 33 at the start of the print job.

[0183] In the second embodiment, the process relating to the interruption operation in the third embodiment (for example, steps S70 to S72, S74) may be added. In other words, the process in the second embodiment and the process in the third embodiment may be combined.

[0184] In the third embodiment, in the printing device 11 that uses an ink tank as a liquid supply source, the interruption operation may be an ink refill operation for refilling the ink tank with ink. In other words, the interruption operation may be replacement / refilling of the liquid supply source.

[0185] In the third embodiment, in a printing device 11 that includes a cassette as a medium supply unit, the interruption operation may be a medium refill operation in which the user refills the cassette with medium 99 when the cassette runs out of medium 99.

[0186] When the substrate reaches the replacement time, the control unit 50 issues a notification urging the user to replace the substrate. If the substrate is a medium 99 such as paper, the control unit 50 issues a notification urging the user to replenish or replace the medium 99. If the substrate is a liquid cartridge such as an ink cartridge, the control unit 50 issues a notification urging the user to replace the liquid cartridge.

[0187] In the third embodiment, if the wiping member 38 of the wiping unit 37 is a cloth wiper, the interruption operation may be an operation of replacing the wiping member 38 that is prompted to the user when the remaining amount of the wiping member 38 reaches the replacement set value C. Note that the replacement of the wiping member 38 may be configured to replace the roll body of the wiping member 38, or may be configured to replace the wiping unit 37 as a whole unit.

[0188] In the third embodiment, if the printing device 11 is equipped with a replaceable waste liquid storage unit (for example, a waste liquid recovery tank), the interruption operation may be replacement of the waste liquid storage unit. In the third embodiment, in the case of the printing device 11 in which printing is interrupted for a flushing operation, the interrupted operation may be the flushing operation.

[0189] In the third embodiment, if the printing apparatus 11 is one in which printing is interrupted for a wiping operation, the interruption operation may be a wiping operation that wipes the nozzle surface 25 of the liquid ejection unit 23.

[0190] In the third embodiment, the cleaning operation as an interrupted operation may be performed when the measured time since the end of the previous cleaning operation reaches a threshold value, or when the printing length or number of printed sheets since the end of the previous cleaning operation reaches a threshold value.

[0191] The nozzle inspection unit that checks whether a cleaning operation is necessary may, for example, be one that drives a drive element (e.g., piezoelectric element 26) that operates to eject ink from the nozzle 24 to the extent that ink is not ejected from the nozzle 24, and checks for the presence of a defective nozzle based on the residual vibration that acts on the ink in a cavity (ink chamber) that communicates with the nozzle 24. In this case, the nozzle inspection unit detects the presence of foreign matter or air bubbles mixed in the ink in the nozzle 24, the presence of thickened ink in the nozzle 24, and the presence of foreign matter such as paper dust adhering around the opening of the nozzle 24.

[0192] The liquid ejection unit 23 may have a nozzle 24 that ejects pigment ink and a nozzle 24 that ejects dye ink. In this case, a plurality of liquid receiving units 32 may be provided to separately receive flushing from the nozzles 24 that eject pigment ink and flushing from the nozzles 24 that eject dye ink. In this case, the feed amount per unit of the receiving member 33 may differ depending on the type of ink received by the receiving member 33. In this case, the replacement process for one of the two liquid receiving units 32 may be treated as an interruption process, and the feed amount per unit for the extension operation of the other may be determined.

[0193] When the receiving member 33 is a fabric, it may be a nonwoven fabric, a woven fabric, a knitted fabric, or the like. The receiving member 33 is not limited to cloth. The receiving member 33 may be, for example, paper or cellulose. For example, it may be roll paper for flushing. The receiving member 33 may also be a sponge sheet. In short, the receiving member 33 may be made of any material that can absorb at least a portion of the liquid, such as ink, ejected by flushing from the nozzles of the liquid ejection unit 23.

[0194] The liquid receiving unit 32 is not limited to a type in which the winding unit 36 actively winds the liquid and the unwinding unit 35 is driven by the winding unit 36. For example, the liquid receiving unit 32 may be a type in which the unwinding unit 35 actively unwinds the liquid and the winding unit 36 is driven by the winding unit 36. In this case, the winding unit 36 may be biased by a biasing means such as a power spring so as to rotate in the winding direction. Furthermore, the unwinding unit 35 and the winding unit 36 may both be configured to operate actively. That is, the unwinding unit 35 and the winding unit 36 may each be driven by the driving force of a motor 75M serving as a drive source. In this case, the motor 75M may be provided separately for the unwinding unit 35 and the winding unit 36, or a single motor may be provided commonly for the unwinding unit 35 and the winding unit 36.

[0195] The liquid receiving unit 32 is not limited to a configuration that performs an intermittent feed operation that feeds the receiving member 33 intermittently, but may also be configured to feed the receiving member 33 at a constant speed. In other words, it is sufficient that the receiving member 33 is fed at a predetermined feed amount per unit. The feed amount per unit is set as the default (reference) when it is a reference feed amount, and the feed amount is changed to a smaller feed amount than the reference feed amount during the extension operation. In other words, it is sufficient that the reference feed amount per unit is changed to a smaller feed amount during the extension operation. The "unit" per unit may be any of the print length, print time, and print amount. The print amount may be the amount of ink ejected from the nozzles 24 for printing. The amount of ink may be determined based on pixel values of image data in the print job PJ, or may be determined by measuring the amount of ink ejected from the nozzles 24 by the liquid ejection unit 23. Furthermore, the print length is not limited to the print length when the medium 99 is in a roll, but may also include the number of prints when the medium 99 is in the form of cut sheets, etc. That is, the unit may be the number of printed sheets of the medium 99. The printing length may or may not include the length of the margins of the medium 99. The printing time may or may not include the time required to transport the margins of the medium 99. The printing time may or may not include the time required for flushing (blank ejection) and wiping (wiping) during printing. The feed amount per unit may be the feed amount per unit printing length, the feed amount per unit number of printed sheets, the feed amount per unit printing time, or the feed amount per unit print volume. As long as the feeding amount per unit is a predetermined amount, the feeding operation of the receiving member 33 may be an intermittent feeding operation that feeds the receiving member 33 intermittently, or a constant-speed feeding operation that feeds the receiving member 33 continuously at a constant speed. Instead of a constant-speed feeding operation, the feeding operation of the receiving member 33 may be a variable-speed feeding operation in which the speed changes. Furthermore, the unit may be a unit related to printing other than print length, print time, print volume, etc., or a unit other than units related to printing. In the latter case, the unit may simply be time, or the medium transport length, etc.

[0196] The printing device 11 may be a lateral type as described in the above embodiment, or a serial type. Furthermore, it may be a line type in which the liquid ejection unit 23 extends in the width direction of the medium 99. A line type printing device 11 (line printer) includes a line type liquid ejection unit 23 that is elongated and longer than the width of the medium 99. Characters or images are printed on the medium 99 by simultaneously ejecting liquid from the nozzles 24 of the line type liquid ejection unit 23 across the entire width of the medium 99 while the medium 99 is transported at a constant speed. In the line type printing device 11, the liquid ejection unit 23 and the liquid receiving unit 32 move relative to each other, positioning them in a flushing position. After flushing is performed in this state, the liquid ejection unit 23 and the support unit 17 move relative to each other to a printing position in which they face each other, thereby printing on the medium 99. For example, the liquid receiving unit 32 may be configured to move to a flushing position FP, where the receiving member 33 faces the nozzle surface 25 of the liquid ejection unit 23 across a predetermined gap.

[0197] The medium 99 is not limited to paper, but may be an envelope, cardboard, fabric, synthetic resin film, laminated medium, or the like. In the above embodiment, the printing device 11 may be a liquid ejection device that ejects a liquid other than ink. Note that the state of the liquid ejected as minute droplets from the liquid ejection device includes granular, teardrop-like, and string-like tails. The term "liquid" as used herein refers to any material that can be ejected from the liquid ejection device. For example, the term "liquid" refers to any material in a liquid phase, including fluids such as high or low viscosity liquids, sols, gel water, other inorganic solvents, organic solvents, solutions, liquid resins, and liquid metals (metal melts). The term "liquid" also refers to not only liquids as a single state of matter, but also to particles of functional materials, such as solid pigments and metal particles, dissolved, dispersed, or mixed in a solvent. Typical examples of liquids include inks and liquid crystals, as described in the above embodiment. Here, "ink" encompasses various liquid compositions, such as general water-based inks and oil-based inks, as well as gel inks and hot-melt inks. Specific examples of liquid ejection devices include liquid ejection devices that eject liquids containing dispersed or dissolved materials such as electrode materials and color materials used in the manufacture of liquid crystal displays, electroluminescent (EL) displays, surface-emitting displays, and color filters. Other examples include liquid ejection devices that eject bioorganic materials used in biochip manufacturing, liquid ejection devices used as precision pipettes to eject sample liquids, textile printing devices, and microdispensers. Furthermore, the liquid ejection device may eject transparent resin liquids, such as ultraviolet-curable resins, onto substrates to form micro-hemispherical lenses (optical lenses) used in optical communication devices. Furthermore, if these liquid ejection devices are configured to include a liquid receiving unit 32 having a receiving member 33 that receives liquid ejected by flushing from the nozzles of the liquid ejection unit, an extension operation can be employed to adjust the feed rate per unit of the receiving member 33. Thus, in the printing device 11 described herein, the liquid ejected from the nozzles 24 of the liquid ejection unit 23 is not limited to ink, and various functional liquids may be used. "Printing" in the printing device 11 is defined as drawing (forming) characters, images, wiring patterns, pixel patterns, etc. on a medium 99 such as paper or a substrate using liquid such as ink or functional liquid ejected from the nozzles 24 of the liquid ejection section 23.In this respect, the print job PJ is not limited to job data that instructs drawing on a medium 99 such as paper by ejecting ink, but is a concept that includes job data that instructs drawing on a medium 99 such as a substrate by ejecting functional liquid.

[0198] The technical concepts and effects that can be understood from the above-described embodiment and modified examples will be described below. (A) A printing device includes a liquid ejection unit that prints on a medium by ejecting liquid, a liquid receiving unit that receives the liquid ejected by the liquid ejection unit during flushing unrelated to the printing, and a control unit. The liquid receiving unit has a receiving member that receives the liquid, a feed unit to which the receiving member is set, and a take-up unit that winds up the receiving member. When the control unit receives a start signal for a print job, it acquires an available amount of the receiving member that can be used for flushing and an estimated amount of the receiving member that is estimated to be used for flushing in the print job if the receiving member is fed at a standard feed amount per unit. If the available amount is smaller than the estimated amount, it changes the standard feed amount per unit to a feed amount smaller than the standard feed amount per unit and performs an extension operation to execute the print job. With this configuration, by changing the feed amount per unit of the receiving member to match the available amount, it is possible to reduce the risk of printing being interrupted due to running out of available receiving member midway through printing.

[0199] (B) In the printing device described in (A) above, the liquid receiving unit performs a feed operation to intermittently feed the liquid receiving member by a predetermined feed amount, the reference feed amount per unit is a reference frequency that is a frequency at which the feed operation to feed the liquid by the reference feed amount per unit is performed once, and if the usable amount is smaller than the predicted usage amount, the reference frequency may be changed to a feed amount smaller than the reference feed amount, and the extension operation to execute the print job may be performed. With this configuration, by using up the liquid receiving member to the amount that requires replacement, it is possible to reduce the risk of printing being interrupted due to an incomplete amount remaining when the next print job is executed.

[0200] (C) In the printing device described in (A) above, the changed feed amount per unit may be calculated so that the usable amount becomes a replacement setting value when prompting replacement of the receiving member at the time the print job is completed. With this configuration, by using up the receiving member until it reaches the replacement time, it is possible to reduce the risk of printing being interrupted when the next print job is executed due to an incomplete amount of receiving member remaining.

[0201] (D) In the printing device described in (B) above, the change frequency may be calculated so that the available amount becomes zero when the print job is completed. Note that the available amount of zero (0) is not limited to an available amount of exactly zero, but is defined to include an available amount within a range that can be recognized as zero in consideration of variation. With this configuration, by completely using up the receiving member, it is possible to reduce the risk of an incomplete amount remaining and causing printing to be interrupted when the next print job is executed.

[0202] (E) In the printing device described in (B) above, if the calculated feed amount per unit is equal to or less than a lower limit, the control unit may change the reference feed amount to the lower limit and execute the print job. This configuration can prevent liquid leakage from the receiving member or accumulation of dried liquid on the receiving member, which can be prevented if the feed amount per unit of the receiving member is reduced too much.

[0203] (F) The printing device described in (E) above may include a display unit that displays information, and the control unit may display a message on the display unit indicating that printing will be interrupted if the reference feed amount is changed to the lower limit. This configuration allows the user to be aware of the printing interruption in advance, improving usability. For example, the user can be aware of the printing interruption due to the need to replace the receiving member during printing.

[0204] (G) In the printing device described in (A) above, the extension operation may be executed when the extension operation is enabled. With this configuration, the extension operation is executed only when the extension operation is enabled, thereby improving productivity compared to when the extension operation is disabled.

[0205] (H) The printing device described in (G) above may further include a selection unit that selects whether to execute the extension operation, and the control unit may enable the extension operation when execution of the extension operation is selected by the selection unit. With this configuration, the execution of the extension operation can be selected by the selection unit, improving usability for the user.

[0206] (I) In the printing device described in (A) above, when the control unit receives the start signal for the print job, it may determine whether an interruption to interrupt the print job will occur during execution of the print job, and if the available amount is smaller than the predicted usage amount and an interruption has occurred, change the reference feed amount per unit to the feed amount per unit calculated so that the available amount until the execution of the print job is interrupted by the interruption becomes a replacement setting value that prompts replacement of the receiving member, and then execute the print job. With this configuration, when printing is interrupted due to an interruption, time can be effectively utilized by using up the receiving member at the timing of the interruption.

[0207] (J) In the printing device described in any one of (A) to (I) above, when the control unit receives the start signals for the multiple print jobs, it may acquire the available amount and the predicted usage amount for the multiple print jobs, and if the available amount is smaller than the predicted usage amount, it may perform the extension operation of changing the reference feed amount per unit to a feed amount smaller than the reference feed amount and executing the multiple print jobs. With this configuration, even when multiple print jobs are submitted consecutively, it is possible to reduce the risk of printing being interrupted due to running out of receiving material midway through printing.

[0208] (K) A control method for a printing device includes a liquid ejection unit that prints on a medium by ejecting liquid, and a liquid receiving unit that receives the liquid ejected by the liquid ejection unit during flushing unrelated to the printing, the liquid receiving unit having a receiving member that receives the liquid, a feed unit in which the receiving member is set, and a take-up unit that winds up the receiving member, the control method including, upon receiving a start signal for a print job, acquiring an available amount of the receiving member that can be used for flushing and an estimated amount of the receiving member that is estimated to be used for flushing in the print job if the receiving member is fed at a standard feed amount per unit, and, if the available amount is smaller than the estimated amount, performing an extension operation to change the standard feed amount per unit to a feed amount smaller than the standard feed amount per unit and execute the print job. According to this method, by changing the feed amount per unit of the receiving member to match the available amount, it is possible to reduce the risk of printing being interrupted due to running out of available receiving member midway through printing.

[0209] (L) In the control method for a printing device described in (K) above, the changed feed amount per unit may be calculated so that the usable amount at the time the print job is completed becomes a replacement setting value for prompting replacement of the receiving member. According to this method, by using up the amount until the replacement time is reached, it is possible to reduce the risk of an incomplete amount of receiving member remaining and causing printing to be interrupted when the next print job is executed. [Explanation of symbols]

[0210] 11...printing device, 12...casing, 13...medium feeding section, 14...feeding shaft, 15...medium winding section, 16...winding shaft, 17...support section, 18...conveying section, 19...conveying roller, 21...drying section, 22...carriage, 23...liquid ejecting section, 24...nozzle, 25...nozzle surface, 26...piezoelectric element, 27...moving mechanism, 31...pressure section, 32...liquid receiving section, 32A...case, 33...receiving member, 33A...cloth, 34...holding roller, 35...feeding section, 36... Winding unit, 37...wiping unit, 38...wiping member, 39...pressing roller, 40...feeding unit, 41...winding unit, 42...contact unit, 42C...cap, 50...control unit, 50C...computer, 51...first counter, 52...second counter, 53...storage unit, 60...operation panel, 61...display unit, 62...selection unit, 63...reception unit, 65...detection unit, 71...feeding spindle, 72...first roll body, 73...winding spindle, 74...second roll body, 75...drive unit , 75M...motor, 81...enable button, 82...disable button, 83...OK button, 84...cancel button, 85...YES button, 86...NO button, 90...host device, 91...display unit, 92...selection unit, 99...medium, 100...roll body, X...scanning direction, Y...sub-scanning direction, Z...vertical direction, A1...first direction, A2...second direction, FP...flushing position, WP...removal position, CP...retraction position, PJ...print job, FD... Feed direction, ID...droplet, IL...liquid, PR...program, L0...print length, L1...print length, SC1...extension operation selection screen, M1...message, SC2...error screen, M2...message, SC3...alert screen, M3...message, SC4...error screen, M4...message, C...replacement setting value, ΔL1...estimated usage amount, ΔL2...usable amount, F0...standard fabric feed frequency (an example of standard frequency), F1...fabric feed frequency (an example of change frequency).

Claims

1. a liquid ejection unit that ejects liquid to print on a medium; a liquid receiving portion that receives the liquid that is discharged by the liquid discharge portion during flushing regardless of the printing; a control unit, The liquid receiving portion is a receiving member for receiving the liquid; a feeding section in which the receiving member is set; a winding section that winds up the receiving member; and The control unit When a print job start signal is received, a usable amount of the receiving member usable for the flushing; and a predicted amount of the receiving member that is predicted to be used in the flushing in the print job when the receiving member is fed at a reference feed amount per unit; and A printing device characterized in that, when the available amount is smaller than the predicted usage amount, an extension operation is performed to execute the print job by changing the standard feed amount per unit to a feed amount smaller than the standard feed amount per unit.

2. 2. The printing device according to claim 1, the liquid receiving section performs a feeding operation of intermittently feeding the receiving member by a predetermined feeding amount, The standard feed amount per unit is a standard frequency, which is the frequency at which the feed operation is performed once per unit at the standard feed amount, and when the available amount is smaller than the predicted usage amount, the standard frequency is changed to a change frequency that changes the feed amount to a value smaller than the standard feed amount, and then the printing device performs the extension operation to execute the print job.

3. 2. The printing device according to claim 1, A printing device characterized in that the changed feed amount per unit is calculated so that the usable amount becomes the replacement setting value when prompting replacement of the receiving member at the time the print job is completed.

4. 3. The printing device according to claim 2, The printing device is characterized in that the change frequency is calculated so that the available amount becomes zero when the print job is completed.

5. 3. The printing device according to claim 2, When the calculated feed amount per unit is equal to or less than a lower limit, the control unit changes the reference feed amount to the lower limit and executes the print job.

6. 6. The printing device according to claim 5, A display unit for displaying information is provided, The printing device is characterized in that, when the control unit changes the reference feed amount to the lower limit value, the display unit displays a message to the effect that printing will be interrupted.

7. 2. The printing device according to claim 1, The printing device is characterized in that the extension operation is executed when the extension operation is enabled.

8. 8. The printing device according to claim 7, a selection unit for selecting whether to execute the extension operation, The printing device is characterized in that the control unit enables the extension operation when execution of the extension operation is selected in the selection unit.

9. 2. The printing device according to claim 1, When the control unit receives the start signal of the print job, it determines whether or not there is an interruption operation to interrupt the print job during execution of the print job; A printing device characterized in that, when the available amount is smaller than the predicted usage amount and an interruption operation occurs, the standard feed amount per unit is changed to the feed amount per unit calculated so that the available amount until the execution of the print job is interrupted by the interruption operation becomes a replacement setting value that should prompt replacement of the receiving member, and then the print job is executed.

10. 10. The printing device according to claim 1, The control unit When the start signals for the plurality of print jobs are received, The usable amount; the predicted usage amount for the plurality of print jobs; A printing device characterized in that, when the available amount is smaller than the predicted usage amount, the extension operation is performed by changing the standard feed amount per unit to a feed amount smaller than the standard feed amount and executing the multiple print jobs.

11. A control method for a printing device comprising: a liquid ejection unit that prints on a medium by ejecting liquid; and a liquid receiving unit that receives the liquid ejected by the liquid ejection unit by flushing unrelated to the printing, wherein the liquid receiving unit has a receiving member that receives the liquid, a payout unit in which the receiving member is set, and a take-up unit that takes up the receiving member, When a print job start signal is received, a usable amount of the receiving member usable for the flushing; and obtaining a predicted amount of the receiving member that is predicted to be used in the flushing in the print job when the receiving member is fed at a reference feed amount per unit; A control method for a printing device, characterized by including: if the available amount is smaller than the predicted usage amount, performing an extension operation to change the standard feed amount per unit to a feed amount smaller than the standard feed amount per unit and execute the print job.

12. The printing device control method according to claim 11, A control method for a printing device, characterized in that the changed feed amount per unit is calculated so that the usable amount becomes the replacement setting value when prompting replacement of the receiving member at the time the print job is completed.

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