Liquid discharge apparatus, control device, liquid discharge method, and program

Abstract

To provide a liquid discharge device capable of easily imaging a resultant product after discharging a liquid.SOLUTION: A liquid ejection device (1) is provided with a liquid ejection section which ejects a liquid, a support body which supports a recording medium to which the liquid is ejected, a pre-treatment application mechanism which applies a pre-treatment liquid before the liquid is ejected onto the recording medium, and a control section (500) which controls the liquid ejection section and the pre-treatment application mechanism, wherein the control section can execute a first operation mode in which the liquid ejection section ejects the liquid onto the recording medium to which the pre-treatment liquid has been applied, and a second operation mode in which the liquid is not ejected from the liquid ejection section after the pre-treatment liquid has been applied onto the recording medium.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a liquid ejection device, a control device, a liquid ejection method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, a liquid ejection device that ejects liquid onto a cloth medium is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The liquid ejection device described in Patent Document 1 applies a treatment liquid to the cloth medium to control the cohesion of other liquids on the surface of the cloth medium, and then performs a printing process using ink. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] For example, when checking the result after discharging liquid onto a recording medium, the result may be different from what was imagined before discharging the liquid. For example, discarding the result that is different from what was imagined would result in wasting the recording medium and the liquid.

[0004] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a liquid ejection device that makes it easy to visualize the resultant product after ejecting the liquid onto a recording medium before ejecting the liquid onto the recording medium. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A liquid ejection device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a liquid ejection unit that ejects liquid, a support that supports a recording medium onto which the liquid is ejected, a pretreatment application mechanism that applies a pretreatment liquid before ejecting the liquid onto the recording medium, and a control unit that controls the liquid ejection unit and the pretreatment application mechanism, and the control unit is capable of executing a first operating mode in which the liquid ejection unit ejects liquid onto the recording medium to which the pretreatment liquid has been applied, and a second operating mode in which the liquid ejection unit does not eject liquid after the pretreatment liquid has been applied to the recording medium. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a liquid ejection device that allows a user to easily visualize the resultant product after ejecting the liquid onto a recording medium before ejecting the liquid onto the recording medium. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view illustrating a liquid ejection device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating a liquid ejection device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] 1 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a liquid ejection device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4(A) is a plan view showing a T-shirt on which an image has been printed as expected, Figure 4(B) is a plan view showing a T-shirt on which an image different from the expected has been printed through test printing, and Figure 4(C) is a plan view showing a T-shirt on which an image has been printed as expected through test printing. [Figure 5] 2A to 2C are process diagrams showing the procedure of the liquid ejection method according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] 10A to 10C are process diagrams showing the procedure of a liquid ejection method according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] A liquid ejection device 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be appropriately simplified or omitted.

[0009] [Liquid discharge device 1] Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a liquid ejection device 1 according to an embodiment. Fig. 2 is a plan view illustrating the liquid ejection device 1 according to an embodiment. Fig. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the hardware configuration of the liquid ejection device 1 according to an embodiment.

[0010] 1 and 2 show mutually orthogonal X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis directions. The X-axis direction is the movement direction of carriages 20A and 20B and is the main scanning direction. The Y-axis direction is the direction along the transport direction of the recording medium and is the sub-scanning direction. The Y-axis direction may be the front-to-rear direction of the liquid ejection device 1. The Z-axis direction is the up-to-down direction. These X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis directions may be arbitrary directions and do not have to be orthogonal. The "direction" may not only be one direction but also include the opposite direction.

[0011] 1 and 2 is a liquid ejection device that ejects liquid onto a recording medium. The liquid is, for example, ink. In the liquid ejection device 1, the liquid ejected is not limited to ink.

[0012] The liquid ejection device 1 is, for example, a textile printing device. The textile printing device is an injection type garment (fabric) printer (textile printing printer), and may be a DTP (Direct to Garment) or TP (Direct to Film) printer. In the textile printing device, a piece of fabric such as a T-shirt is set on a platen, which is a support, as a printing medium. The liquid ejection device 1, which is a textile printing device, will be described below. The recording medium is, for example, a T-shirt (see FIG. 4) 110, but may also be other fabrics. The recording medium is not limited to fabric.

[0013] The liquid ejection device 1 includes ejection heads 10A and 10B, carriages 20A and 20B, a platen 30, and a carriage 40.

[0014] [Carriage 20A] 2 carries a plurality of ejection heads 10A. The carriage 20A moves the ejection heads 10A in the main scanning direction (X-axis direction). The liquid ejection device 1 includes a timing belt 22, a main scanning motor 23, and main scanning guide rods 24 and 25.

[0015] The carriage 20A moves back and forth in the main scanning direction along two main scanning guide rods 24 together with a timing belt 22 driven by a main scanning motor 23.

[0016] The carriage 20A is equipped with a linear encoder sensor 26. The linear encoder sensor 26 detects the position of the carriage 20A in the X-axis direction by reading the slits in the encoder sheet. The carriage 20A is driven based on a drive signal output from the control unit 500.

[0017] [Discharge head 10A] The ejection head 10A has a pressure chamber for storing liquid, a vibration plate for generating pressure on the liquid inside the pressure chamber, a flow path through which the liquid flows, and a nozzle plate on which nozzles for ejecting the liquid are formed. The nozzle plate also has a nozzle row formed with a plurality of nozzles aligned in the sub-scanning direction.

[0018] The carriage 20 is equipped with a head tank that stores ink. The ink in the head tank is supplied to the ejection head 10A. A cartridge is installed in the liquid ejection device 1. The head tank and cartridge are connected via a tube that forms a flow path through which the ink flows. The liquid ejection device 1 also has a pump that transports ink. The ink in the cartridge is transported by the pump, flows through the flow path in the tube, and is replenished into the head tank.

[0019] The liquid ejection device 1 can eject ink of Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), K (black), and W (white). The liquid ejection device 1 is equipped with cartridges 27 that store each ink.

[0020] The liquid ejection device 1 also includes a maintenance unit 60. The maintenance unit 60 is disposed at a position facing the guide rod 24 in the Z-axis direction and outside the liquid ejection region in the X-axis direction. The liquid ejection region is a region where liquid can be ejected onto a recording medium, and may be a printing region.

[0021] The maintenance unit 60 has a wiping member that cleans the nozzle surface of the ejection head 10A and a suction mechanism that sucks the nozzle surface. The wiping member may be a wiper made of rubber or the like, or a web made of nonwoven fabric or the like.

[0022] [Carriage 20B] The carriage 20B carries a plurality of ejection heads 10B. The carriage 20B moves the ejection heads 10B in the main scanning direction (X-axis direction). The liquid ejection device 1 includes a timing belt 22, a main scanning motor 23, and main scanning guide rods 24 and 25 for moving the carriage 20B. The carriage 20B moves back and forth in the main scanning direction, similar to the carriage 20A.

[0023] Furthermore, the carriage 20B is equipped with a linear encoder sensor 26, similar to the carriage 20A.

[0024] [Discharge head 10B] The ejection head 10B has a pressure chamber that stores liquid, a vibration plate that generates pressure on the liquid inside the pressure chamber, a flow path through which the liquid flows, and a nozzle plate on which nozzles that eject the liquid are formed. The nozzle plate also has a nozzle array in which multiple nozzles are lined up in the sub-scanning direction. The ejection head 10B may have the same configuration as the ejection head 10A.

[0025] The carriage 20 is equipped with a head tank that stores pretreatment liquid. The pretreatment liquid in the head tank is supplied to the ejection head 10B. A cartridge is installed in the liquid ejection device 1. The head tank and cartridge are connected via a tube that forms a flow path through which the pretreatment liquid flows. The liquid ejection device 1 also includes a pump that transfers the pretreatment liquid. The pretreatment liquid in the cartridge is transferred by the pump, flows through the flow path in the tube, and is replenished in the head tank.

[0026] The liquid ejection device 1 is equipped with a cartridge 25 that stores a pretreatment liquid for pretreatment.

[0027] [Platen 30] The platen 30 supports a T-shirt, which is a recording medium. The T-shirt is placed on the platen 30. The platen 30 is a rectangular stage (support). The platen 30 is movable in the sub-scanning direction (Y-axis direction) along guide rails 31.

[0028] [Platen movement mechanism] The liquid ejection device 1 includes a platen drive mechanism for moving the platen 30. The platen drive mechanism includes a sub-scanning motor that is a power source for moving the platen 30, a guide rail 31 that guides the movement of the platen 30, and a timing belt 32 that transmits the power of the sub-scanning motor to the platen 30. The stage drive mechanism may also include a ball screw, a rack and pinion, a pulley, a slider, or the like.

[0029] The liquid ejection device 1 also includes a housing 101. An operation panel 4 is provided on the front side of the housing 101. Inside the housing 101, for example, a controller board 510 and a power supply unit are also provided.

[0030] [Printing behavior] In the liquid ejection device 1, when a printing operation (textile printing operation) is started, first, the platen 30 is moved to a printing start position.

[0031] After that, carriage 20A moves one scan to the right or left, ejecting ink to create an image, and when this is complete, platen 30 moves an appropriate amount toward the front of the machine (line feed processing). This moves the T-shirt to the next printing position. Furthermore, once platen 30 has completed its movement, carriage 20A prints another scan under the control of controller board 510, etc.

[0032] That is, every time the carriage 40 that transports the platen 30 performs a line feed operation, the ejection head 10A performs a moving operation while ejecting ink from the ejection head 10A, and this is repeated to form an image.

[0033] When printing (textile printing) is completed, the platen 30 is transported to the front side of the machine, where printing is completed.

[0034] [Preprocessing operation] In the liquid ejection device 1, a pretreatment operation is performed on the recording medium before the printing operation. In the pretreatment operation, a pretreatment liquid is applied in advance to the position where ink will be ejected in the printing operation. In other words, in the printing operation, ink is ejected to the position where the pretreatment liquid has been applied. The position where the pretreatment liquid is applied and the position where the ink is applied are the same. Note that "same" includes "approximately the same." By visually checking the recording medium, the user can confirm the position, shape, and size on the recording medium of the area where the pretreatment liquid has been applied. By checking the recording medium on which the pretreatment liquid has been applied, the user can confirm the position, shape, and size on the recording medium of the image that will be formed after the ink has been ejected.

[0035] In the liquid ejection device 1, when the pre-processing operation is started, first, the platen 30 is moved to the printing start position.

[0036] The operation of carriage 20B is the same as that of carriage 20A. When carriage 20B moves one scan to the right or left, pretreatment liquid is ejected and an image is formed, and the platen 30 moves an appropriate amount toward the front of the machine (line feed processing) in time with the completion of this movement. This moves the T-shirt to the next position. The next position is the position in the Y-axis direction where the pretreatment liquid is applied. Furthermore, after the movement of the platen 30 is completed, carriage 20B ejects pretreatment liquid for another scan under the control of the controller board 510, etc.

[0037] That is, every time the carriage 40 that transports the platen 30 performs a line feed operation, the ejection head 10A performs a moving operation while ejecting ink from the ejection head 10A, and this is repeated to form an image using the pretreatment liquid.

[0038] When the pre-treatment operation in this example is completed, the platen 30 is transported to the front of the machine, and the pre-treatment operation is completed. After the pre-treatment operation is completed, the liquid ejection device 1 executes the printing operation as described above. Note that, as will be described later, after the pre-treatment operation is completed, the liquid ejection device 1 can end its operation without executing the printing operation on the T-shirt to which the pre-treatment has been applied.

[0039] [Hardware configuration of liquid ejection device 1] Next, the hardware configuration of the liquid ejection device 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the hardware configuration of the liquid ejection device 1 according to an embodiment. The liquid ejection device 1 includes a control unit 500. The control unit 500 has a controller board 510, print control boards 511A and 511B, main scanning control boards 512A and 512B, and a sub scanning control board 513.

[0040] A printer driver 515 is connected to the control unit 500. The printer driver 515 generates print data. The printer driver 515 may generate print data in a host device such as an information processing terminal such as a PC (Personal Computer), an image reading device such as an image scanner, or an imaging device such as a digital camera. The printer driver 515 generates dot pattern data for image output in the liquid ejection device 1.

[0041] [Control unit 500] The control unit 500 includes a CPU (Center Processing Unit) 501, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 502, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 503, and an NVRAM (Non-Volatile Random Access Memory) 504.

[0042] The CPU 501 is a calculation unit that controls the overall operation of the liquid ejection device 1. The CPU 501 controls the movement of the platen 30, the movement of the carriages 20A, 20B, and 40, the liquid ejection operation by the ejection head 10A, and the pretreatment liquid ejection operation by the ejection head 10B. The ROM 502 is a read-only non-volatile storage medium. The ROM 502 stores programs such as firmware. The RAM 503 is a volatile storage medium that can read and write information at high speed. The RAM 503 is used as a working area when the CPU 501 processes information.

[0043] The NVRAM 504 is a non-volatile storage medium that can read and write information, and stores the OS (Operating System), various control programs, application programs, and the like.

[0044] The program is read into the RAM 503, and the CPU 501 performs calculations in accordance with the program loaded into the RAM 503, thereby executing various functions.

[0045] The controller board 510 further includes an I / F 505 and an I / O 506. The I / F 505 is responsible for sending and receiving signals. The controller board 510 performs integrated control of image formation and determines the head drive profile, main scanning drive profile, and sub-scanning drive profile.

[0046] [Operation Panel 4] The liquid ejection device 1 includes an operation panel 4. The operation panel 4 is connected to a control unit 500. The operation panel 4 is an input unit that can be operated and input by a user. The operation panel 46 may be, for example, a liquid crystal panel. The user can operate the operation panel 4 to change the settings of printing conditions. The user can also operate the operation panel 4 to change the settings of various conditions. The user can operate the operation panel 4 to change the operation mode, which will be described later. Information input via the operation panel 4 is sent to the control unit 500. The operation panel 4 may be a display unit and an input unit of a terminal (PC) connected to the control unit 500.

[0047] [Printed control board 511A] The printing control board 511A generates a drive waveform for driving the ejection head 10A to eject liquid based on the head drive profile, and outputs printing data (image data) and various associated data for selectively driving the pressure generating unit (e.g., a piezoelectric element) of the ejection head 10A.

[0048] [Main scanning control board 512A] The main scanning control board 512A controls the driving of the main scanning motor 13A based on the main scanning drive profile, and drives the carriage 20A in the main scanning direction.

[0049] [Head driver 17A] The head driver 17A supplies a voltage based on the drive waveform to the piezoelectric element, causing the ejection head 10A to eject liquid. By selecting the drive waveform, the print control board 511A can eject droplets of different sizes, such as large droplets, medium droplets, and small droplets.

[0050] [Printed control board 511B] The printing control board 511B generates a drive waveform for driving the ejection head 10B to eject the pretreatment liquid based on the head drive profile, and outputs printing data (image data) and various associated data for selectively driving the pressure generating unit (e.g., a piezoelectric element) of the ejection head 10B.

[0051] [Main scanning control board 512B] The main scanning control board 512B controls the driving of the main scanning motor 13B based on the main scanning drive profile, and drives the carriage 20B in the main scanning direction.

[0052] [Head driver 17B] The head driver 17B supplies a voltage based on the drive waveform to the piezoelectric element, causing the liquid to be ejected from the ejection head 10B. The print control board 511B can eject droplets of different sizes, such as large droplets, medium droplets, and small droplets, by selecting the drive waveform.

[0053] [Sub-scanning control board 513] The sub-scanning control board 513 controls the driving of the sub-scanning motor 33 based on the sub-scanning driving profile, and drives the platen 30 in the sub-scanning direction.

[0054] [Operating mode] The liquid ejection device 1 can execute a plurality of operation modes. The control unit 500 can control the plurality of operation modes. The liquid ejection device 1 can execute a first operation mode and a second operation mode.

[0055] [Operating mode 1] The first operating mode includes an operation of ejecting ink from the ejection head 10A onto a T-shirt on which the pretreatment liquid has been applied. The first operating mode includes a pretreatment operation and a printing operation. By executing the first operating mode, the liquid ejection device 1 executes the pretreatment operation and the printing operation. The first operating mode is a normal printing mode.

[0056] [Second operating mode] The second operating mode includes an operation of ejecting pretreatment liquid from the ejection head 10B onto the T-shirt, but does not eject ink from the ejection head 10A. The second operating mode includes only the pretreatment operation, but does not include the printing operation. By executing the second operating mode, the liquid ejection device 1 executes only the pretreatment operation. By executing the second operating mode, the liquid ejection device 1 can obtain a T-shirt on which the pretreatment liquid has been applied and before the ink has been ejected. The second operating mode is a mode for executing test printing without ejecting ink.

[0057] [T-shirt] Fig. 4(A) is a plan view showing T-shirt 110A on which an image has been printed as expected, Fig. 4(B) is a plan view showing T-shirt 110B on which an image different from the expected has been printed by test printing, and Fig. 4(C) is a plan view showing T-shirt 110C on which an image different from the expected has been printed by test printing. T-shirts 110A, 110B, and 100C are examples of recording media. When there is no need to distinguish between T-shirts 110A, 110B, and 100C, they will be referred to as T-shirt 100.

[0058] 4A, an image 121 is printed on a T-shirt 110A at a position corresponding to the left chest, for example. The image 121 is printed as intended by the user. The image 121 is printed by ejecting ink from the ejection head 10A in the first operating mode.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 4(B), an image 122 is formed on the left chest of the T-shirt 110B. This image 122 is not what the user expected. The image 122 is larger than expected and is positioned further off than expected. The image 122 is formed by ejecting the pretreatment liquid during test printing. The image 122 is formed by executing the second operating mode.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 4(C), an image 123 is formed on the left chest of the T-shirt 110C. This image 123 is as expected by the user. The image 123 is formed by ejecting the pretreatment liquid during test printing. The image 122 is formed by executing the second operation mode.

[0061] [Liquid ejection method according to the embodiment] Next, a liquid ejection method according to an embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a process diagram showing the steps of the liquid ejection method according to an embodiment. The liquid ejection device 1 can execute part or all of the liquid ejection method. The steps shown in FIG. 5 include processes executed by the liquid ejection device 1, processes executed by devices external to the liquid ejection device 1, and processes executed by the user. In the liquid ejection method, the processes shown in FIG. 5 can be executed repeatedly.

[0062] First, the printer driver 515 generates a print image file (step S11). The printer driver 515 may determine the size of the image to be printed. Next, the control unit 500 inputs image information (step S12). The printer driver 515 inputs image information related to the print image file.

[0063] Next, the user places a T-shirt on the platen 30 (step S13). Next, the control unit 500 determines whether or not test printing has been selected (step S14). If test printing has been selected (step S14; NO), the control unit 500 executes the process of step S15. If test printing has not been selected, the control unit 500 executes the process of step S21 (step S21). The user can select whether or not to perform test printing by operating the operation panel, for example. The user may also select whether or not to perform test printing using a terminal connected to the liquid ejection device 1. As described above, test printing is the second operating mode, in which a pre-processing operation is performed but a printing operation is not performed.

[0064] In step S15, the liquid ejection device 1 executes a pretreatment operation. The control unit 500 drives the carriage 20B and the carriage 40 to eject the pretreatment liquid from the ejection head 10B.

[0065] Next, the liquid ejection device 1 ends the pre-treatment operation (step S16). When the control unit 500 has completed ejection of the pre-treatment liquid based on the image information, the control unit 500 ends the pre-treatment operation.

[0066] Next, the user checks the T-shirt on which the pretreatment liquid has been applied (step S17). The user can visually check the image formed by applying the pretreatment liquid. The user can check the position, shape, and size of the image. The checking operation may be performed by, for example, using a sensor to detect the image formed by the pretreatment liquid.

[0067] Next, the user makes changes (step S18). After checking, the user can change the settings as needed. For example, the user may change the size, position, shape, etc. of the image. The user may also change the placement of the T-shirt. After checking, if no changes are necessary, the settings do not need to be changed. After the processing of step S18 is completed, the processing here ends. In the liquid ejection method, after the completion of step S18, step S11 or step S13 may be executed.

[0068] In step S21, the liquid ejection device 1 executes a pretreatment operation. The control unit 500 drives the carriage 20B and the carriage 40 to eject the pretreatment liquid from the ejection head 10B. Step S21 is executed when test printing is not executed from the beginning, or when step S14 is executed again after test printing has been executed.

[0069] In step S22, the liquid ejection device 1 executes a printing operation. The control unit 500 drives the carriage 20A and the carriage 40 to eject ink from the ejection head 10A.

[0070] In step S23, the liquid ejection device 1 fixes the ink on the T-shirt. After step S23 is completed, the process here ends.

[0071] The fixing method is not particularly limited and is appropriately selected depending on the purpose. The liquid ejection device 1 may be equipped with a heating device such as a heat press machine that applies heat and pressure at the same time, a hot air drying fixing machine that blows hot air, or a conveyor heater that transports the recording medium on a conveyor below a heat source. The liquid ejection device 1 does not have to be equipped with a heating device. For example, after printing, the ink may be fixed by leaving the recording medium to dry naturally, or the T-shirt may be removed from the platen 30 and fixed using a heating device separate from the liquid ejection device 1.

[0072] In the liquid ejection method, the ejection amount of the pre-treatment liquid in step S15 may be different from the ejection amount of the pre-treatment liquid in step S21. The "ejection amount" may be the amount of droplets ejected from the ejection head 10B. The user can change the ejection amount of the pre-treatment liquid in the first operation mode (step S21) and the ejection amount of the pre-treatment liquid in the second operation mode (step S15) by operating the operation panel 4.

[0073] [Operation and effect of the liquid ejection device 1 according to the first embodiment] The liquid ejection device 1 comprises an ejection head (liquid ejection unit) 10A that ejects ink, a platen (support) 30 that supports a T-shirt (recording medium) 110 onto which the liquid is ejected, an ejection head (pretreatment application mechanism) 10B that applies a pretreatment liquid before ejecting the ink onto the T-shirt 110, and a control unit 500 that controls the ejection head 10A and the ejection head 10B. The control unit 500 is capable of executing a first operating mode in which ink is ejected from the ejection head 10A onto the T-shirt 110 to which the pretreatment liquid has been applied, and a second operating mode in which ink is not ejected from the ejection head 10B after the pretreatment liquid has been applied to the T-shirt 110.

[0074] According to this liquid ejection device 1, by executing the second operating mode, it is possible to check the T-shirt 110 without printing using ink. By checking the T-shirt 110 on which the pretreatment liquid has been applied, it is possible to check the position, size, and shape of the image after printing. With the liquid ejection device 1, it is possible to check the images 122, 123 formed by the pretreatment liquid on the actual T-shirt 110, rather than the image displayed on the display unit. If the image 122 formed by the pretreatment liquid differs from what was expected, it is possible to reset it. Furthermore, by washing the T-shirt 110 on which the pretreatment liquid has been applied, the pretreatment liquid can be washed away. This allows the T-shirt 110 on which test printing has been performed to be reused, thereby reducing waste.

[0075] Furthermore, in the liquid ejection device 1, the liquid ejection unit includes an ejection head (first liquid ejection head) that ejects ink, and the pretreatment application mechanism includes an ejection head (second liquid ejection head) 10B that ejects pretreatment liquid. By ejecting the pretreatment liquid using the ejection head 10B, the pretreatment liquid can be accurately landed. The ejection head 10A can eject ink, and the ejection head 10B can eject the pretreatment liquid in the same way. The ejection head 10A can form an image 121, and the ejection head 10B can form an image 123 in the same way.

[0076] Furthermore, in the liquid ejection device 1, the control unit 500 can cause the ejection head 10B to eject a first discharge amount of pretreatment liquid in the first operation mode, and can cause the ejection head 10B to eject a second discharge amount of the treatment liquid, which is different from the first discharge amount, in the second operation mode. For example, by making the second discharge amount in the second operation mode smaller than the first discharge amount in the first operation mode, it is possible to reduce the amount of pretreatment liquid used in test printing.

[0077] For example, the second discharge amount in the second operating mode may be greater than the first discharge amount in the first operating mode. In this case, by increasing the second discharge amount, it becomes easier to see patterns or characters that are difficult to see because they are made up of relatively thin lines.

[0078] The liquid discharger 1 also includes an operation panel (input unit) 4 for inputting user operations, and the control unit 500 can change the second discharge amount based on the input. This allows the discharge amount of the pre-treatment liquid in the second operation mode to be changed in accordance with the user's input operation.

[0079] [Liquid ejection device 1 according to the second embodiment] Next, a liquid ejection device 1 according to a second embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is a process diagram showing the steps of a liquid ejection method according to the second embodiment. The steps shown in FIG. 6 can be executed in the liquid ejection device 1 according to the second embodiment. The device configuration of the liquid ejection device 1 according to the second embodiment may be the same as that of the liquid ejection device 1 according to the first embodiment. Note that in the description of the second embodiment, explanations similar to those of the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0080] In the procedure shown in FIG. 6, the process of step S19 is executed after step S18. In step S19, the control unit 500 determines whether or not to perform printing. The control unit 500 can determine whether or not to perform a printing operation after the second operating mode based on an operation input by the user. If the control unit 500 determines that printing is to be performed, the process proceeds to step S22, where printing is executed. If the control unit 500 determines that printing is not to be performed, the process ends here without executing printing. Furthermore, if the confirmation operation of step S17 uses a sensor provided in the liquid ejection device 1, the sensor may detect an image formed by the pretreatment liquid, and the control unit 500 may compare the size, position, shape, etc. of the image with image data to determine whether or not to perform a printing operation.

[0081] If the pretreatment liquid image 123 is as expected, the user can select to execute the printing operation (first operation mode), and if the pretreatment liquid image 122 is not as expected, the user can select not to execute the printing operation. In this case, the user may select to execute test printing again (second operation mode).

[0082] At this time, if the ejection amount of the pretreatment liquid in step S15 is smaller than the ejection amount of the pretreatment liquid in step S21, application of additional pretreatment liquid is required. For example, if it is determined in step S19 that printing is to be performed (step S19; YES), application of additional pretreatment liquid is performed before executing step S22. In this case, for example, a user may input the ejection amount of the additional pretreatment liquid, and the control unit 500 may determine the ejection amount of the additional pretreatment liquid based on the user's operation input. The control unit 500 may also automatically determine the ejection amount of the additional pretreatment liquid. In this case, the control unit 500 may determine the ejection amount of the additional pretreatment liquid from the difference between the first ejection amount in the first operating mode and the second ejection amount in the second operating mode.

[0083] [Liquid ejection system according to the third embodiment] The liquid ejection system according to the third embodiment includes a liquid ejection device 1 and a control device that controls the liquid ejection device 1. The control device includes a control unit 500 that controls the ejection head 10A and the ejection head 10B. The control unit 500 is capable of executing a first operation mode in which ink is ejected from the ejection head 10A onto a recording medium that has been coated with a pretreatment liquid, and a second operation mode in which, after the pretreatment liquid has been applied to the recording medium, the operation is terminated without ejecting ink from the ejection head 10A.

[0084] [Processing circuit] Each function of the above-described embodiments can be realized by one or more processing circuits. Here, the term "processing circuit" in this specification includes a processor programmed to perform each function by software, such as a processor implemented by an electronic circuit, as well as devices such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or a conventional circuit module designed to perform each function described above.

[0085] One aspect of the present invention may be as follows. <1> a liquid ejection unit that ejects liquid; a support for supporting a recording medium onto which the liquid is ejected; a pretreatment application mechanism that applies a pretreatment liquid to the recording medium before the liquid is ejected; a control unit that controls the liquid discharge unit and the pretreatment coating mechanism, The control unit a first operation mode in which the liquid is ejected from the liquid ejection unit onto the recording medium on which the pretreatment liquid has been applied; a second operation mode in which the liquid is not ejected from the liquid ejection unit after the pretreatment liquid has been applied to the recording medium. <2> the liquid ejection section includes a first liquid ejection head that ejects the liquid, the pretreatment application mechanism includes a second liquid ejection head that ejects the pretreatment liquid, <1> The liquid ejection device according to claim 1. <3> The control unit the step of determining whether to perform a printing operation after applying the pretreatment liquid to the recording medium; <1> or <2> The liquid ejection device according to claim 1. <4> The control unit In the first operation mode, the pretreatment liquid is ejected from the second liquid ejection head at a first ejection amount, In the second operation mode, the pretreatment liquid is discharged from the second liquid discharge head at a second discharge amount that is different from the first discharge amount. <2> The liquid ejection device according to claim 1. <5> an input unit for inputting an operation by a user; The control unit is capable of changing the second discharge amount based on the input. <4> The liquid ejection device according to claim 1. <6> A control device for controlling a liquid ejection device including a liquid ejection unit that ejects a liquid, a support that supports a recording medium onto which the liquid is ejected, and a pretreatment application mechanism that applies a pretreatment liquid to the recording medium before the liquid is ejected, a control unit that controls the liquid discharge unit and the pretreatment coating mechanism, The control unit a first operation mode in which the liquid is ejected from the liquid ejection unit onto the recording medium on which the pretreatment liquid has been applied; a second operation mode in which the liquid is not ejected from the liquid ejection unit after the pretreatment liquid has been applied to the recording medium. <7> a step of applying a pretreatment liquid to a first recording medium, and then executing a first operation mode in which a liquid is ejected onto the first recording medium on which the pretreatment liquid has been applied; and after applying the pretreatment liquid to a second recording medium, executing a second operating mode in which no liquid is ejected onto the second recording medium on which the pretreatment liquid has been applied. <8> A program that causes a computer to execute a process of controlling an operation of discharging a liquid from a liquid discharge unit onto a recording medium after the pretreatment liquid has been applied, The program a process of applying a pretreatment liquid to a first recording medium, and then executing a first operation mode in which the liquid is ejected from the liquid ejection unit onto the first recording medium on which the pretreatment liquid has been applied; and a process of executing a second operation mode in which, after applying the pretreatment liquid to a second recording medium, the liquid is not ejected from the liquid ejection unit onto the second recording medium on which the pretreatment liquid has been applied. [Explanation of symbols]

[0086] 1 Liquid discharge device 4 Operation panel (input section) 10A Discharge head (liquid discharge unit, first liquid discharge head) 10B Discharge head (pretreatment application mechanism, second liquid discharge head) 30 Platen (support) 110,110AT shirt (recording medium) 110B T-shirt (first recording medium) 100C T-shirt (secondary recording medium) 500 control section [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0087] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-103809

Claims

1. a liquid ejection unit that ejects liquid; a support for supporting a recording medium onto which the liquid is ejected; a pretreatment application mechanism that applies a pretreatment liquid to the recording medium before the liquid is ejected; a control unit that controls the liquid discharge unit and the pretreatment coating mechanism, The control unit a first operation mode in which the liquid is ejected from the liquid ejection unit onto the recording medium on which the pretreatment liquid has been applied; a second operation mode in which the liquid is not ejected from the liquid ejection unit after the pretreatment liquid has been applied to the recording medium.

2. the liquid ejection section includes a first liquid ejection head that ejects the liquid, The liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the pretreatment application mechanism includes a second liquid ejection head that ejects the pretreatment liquid.

3. The control unit The liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a determination is made as to whether or not to execute a printing operation after applying the pretreatment liquid to the recording medium.

4. The control unit In the first operation mode, the pretreatment liquid is ejected from the second liquid ejection head at a first ejection amount, The liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein in the second operation mode, the pretreatment liquid is ejected from the second liquid ejection head at a second ejection amount that is different from the first ejection amount.

5. an input unit for inputting an operation by a user; The liquid ejection device according to claim 4 , wherein the control unit is capable of changing the second ejection amount based on the input.

6. A control device for controlling a liquid ejection device including a liquid ejection unit that ejects a liquid, a support that supports a recording medium onto which the liquid is ejected, and a pretreatment application mechanism that applies a pretreatment liquid to the recording medium before the liquid is ejected, a control unit that controls the liquid discharge unit and the pretreatment coating mechanism, The control unit a first operation mode in which the liquid is ejected from the liquid ejection unit onto the recording medium on which the pretreatment liquid has been applied; a second operation mode in which the liquid is not ejected from the liquid ejection unit after the pretreatment liquid has been applied to the recording medium.

7. a step of applying a pretreatment liquid to a first recording medium, and then executing a first operation mode in which a liquid is ejected onto the first recording medium on which the pretreatment liquid has been applied; and after applying the pretreatment liquid to a second recording medium, executing a second operating mode in which no liquid is ejected onto the second recording medium on which the pretreatment liquid has been applied.

8. A program that causes a computer to execute a process of controlling an operation of discharging a liquid from a liquid discharge unit onto a recording medium after the pretreatment liquid has been applied, The program a process of executing a first operation mode in which, after applying the pretreatment liquid to a first recording medium, the liquid is ejected from the liquid ejection unit onto the first recording medium on which the pretreatment liquid has been applied; and a process of executing a second operating mode in which, after applying a pretreatment liquid to a second recording medium, the liquid is not ejected from the liquid ejection unit onto the second recording medium on which the pretreatment liquid has been applied.

Images