Printing apparatus and method for controlling the printing apparatus

Abstract

Multiple heads are used to perform the dispensing operation efficiently. [Solution] The printing apparatus comprises a plurality of heads for ejecting ink, a storage unit for storing setting information regarding the settings of the plurality of heads, and a control unit that performs an ejection operation to eject ink from the plurality of heads based on the setting information stored in the storage unit. The setting information includes empty information regarding the setting that at least one of the plurality of heads is an empty head. When an empty head exists among the plurality of heads, the control unit controls the ejection operation to eject ink from the heads that are not empty heads, and to prevent ink from being ejected from the empty head.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing apparatus and a method for controlling the same.

Background Art

[0002] As a printing apparatus for performing printing on a medium, for example, an inkjet printing apparatus that ejects ink from a plurality of heads onto the medium is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003] [[ID=!1]] [[ID=!2]] [[ID=!3]]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] [[ID=!5]]In the above-described printing apparatus, when performing a ejection operation, it is detected whether there are any problems such as nozzle clogging or ink non-filling for each head, and the operation is performed when no head with a problem is detected. That is, if even one head with a problem is detected, an error occurs and the operation is not performed. On the other hand, when performing a ejection operation using a plurality of heads, depending on the operation content, some heads may not be used. Therefore, for example, even if a problem is detected only in a head that is not scheduled to be used, the ejection operation will not be performed.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to provide a printing apparatus and a method for controlling the same that can efficiently perform a ejection operation using a plurality of heads.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The printing apparatus according to the present invention comprises a plurality of heads for ejecting ink, a storage unit for storing setting information relating to the settings of the plurality of heads, and a control unit that performs an ejection operation to eject the ink from the plurality of heads based on the setting information stored in the storage unit, wherein the setting information includes empty information relating to setting at least one of the plurality of heads to be an empty head, and the control unit controls the ejection operation to cause the heads that are not empty heads to eject the ink, and the empty head not to eject the ink, when an empty head exists among the plurality of heads.

[0007] The present invention relates to a control method for a printing apparatus comprising: a plurality of heads for ejecting ink; a storage unit for storing setting information relating to the settings of the plurality of heads; and a control unit for performing an ejection operation to eject the ink from the plurality of heads based on the setting information stored in the storage unit, wherein the setting information includes empty information relating to setting at least one of the plurality of heads to be an empty head, and when an empty head exists among the plurality of heads, the ejection operation is controlled to cause the heads that are not empty heads to eject the ink, and to prevent the empty head from ejecting the ink. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, a dispensing operation can be performed efficiently using multiple heads. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows the configuration of the discharge unit as viewed from below (from the -Z side). [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a control unit. [Figure 4]Figure 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of ink set information. [Figure 5] Figure 5 schematically illustrates another example of inkset information. [Figure 6] Figure 6 schematically illustrates another example of inkset information. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of defect information. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a control method for a printing apparatus according to an embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and if there are multiple embodiments, they may be constructed by combining these embodiments.

[0011] In this embodiment, directions in the figure will be explained using the XYZ coordinate system. In this XYZ coordinate system, the plane parallel to the floor on which the printing device is placed is defined as the XY plane. In this XY plane, the scanning direction of the ejection unit 10 and head 11 (main scanning direction), which will be described later, will be denoted as the Y direction, and the direction perpendicular to the Y direction on the XY plane (sub-scanning direction) will be denoted as the X direction. The direction perpendicular to the XY plane will be denoted as the Z direction. In the X, Y, and Z directions, the direction of the arrow in the figure is the + direction, and the direction opposite to the direction of the arrow is the - direction. In this embodiment, the +Z direction may be denoted as upward.

[0012] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a printing apparatus 100 according to an embodiment. The printing apparatus 100 shown in Figure 1 is a three-dimensional manufacturing apparatus (three-dimensional printer) that creates an object 5 by additive manufacturing. Additive manufacturing is a method of creating an object 5 by stacking multiple layers, for example. In this embodiment, the object 5 is, for example, a three-dimensional structure. Here, we will explain using the case where the object is created based on information regarding the shape and color of the three-dimensional structure to be created as an example, but we are not limited to this case, and the object may be created without using information regarding color, for example.

[0013] Except for the points described below, the printing device 100 may have the same or similar configuration as a known three-dimensional printer. Furthermore, the printing device 100 may be, for example, an inkjet printer that prints characters, images, etc., on various media, or it may be an inkjet printer with some of its configurations modified.

[0014] As shown in Figure 1, the printing apparatus 100 comprises an ejection unit 10, a build plate 20, a drive unit 30, and a control unit 40.

[0015] The ejection unit 10 ejects ink, which will be the material for the molded object 5, to form an ink layer, flattens the formed ink layer, and hardens the flattened ink layer. The ejection unit 10 has a plurality of heads 11, a flattening roller section 18, and an ultraviolet irradiation section 19. The plurality of heads 11 eject ink. Each head 11 has a plurality of nozzles 11a on the surface facing the build plate 20. The plurality of nozzles 11a are arranged, for example, in a line in the sub-scanning direction. The plurality of nozzles 11a eject ink toward the build plate 20. The flattening roller section 18 flattens the ink layer that has landed on the build plate 20. The ultraviolet irradiation section 19 hardens the ink layer by irradiating it with ultraviolet light. The detailed configuration of the ejection unit 10 will be described later. The printing apparatus 100 has an ink supply source (not shown) that supplies ink to the ejection unit 10.

[0016] The shaping table 20 supports the shaped object 5. The shaping table 20 has a working surface 20a. The ink ejected from the head 11 lands on the working surface 20a. The ink layer is formed on the working surface 20a. By laminating the ink layer on the working surface 20a, the shaped object 5 is formed on the working surface 20a. The shaping table 20 is movable in the Z direction by a Z drive mechanism 34 of a drive unit 30 described later. Note that the shaping table 20 may be movable in the X direction and the Y direction.

[0017] The drive unit 30 moves the ejection unit 10 in the main scanning direction. By moving the ejection unit 10 in the main scanning direction, a plurality of heads 11 provided in the ejection unit 10 move in the main scanning direction. Further, the main scanning operation is, for example, an operation of ejecting ink while moving in a preset main scanning direction (Y direction in the figure).

[0018] The drive unit 30 includes a carriage 31, a Y drive mechanism 32, an X drive mechanism 33, and a Z drive mechanism 34. The carriage 31 holds the ejection unit 10. The carriage 31 is movable in the Y direction (main scanning direction) by the Y drive mechanism 32. The Y drive mechanism 32 moves the carriage 31 in the Y direction. The Y drive mechanism 32 has a Y guide 32a. The Y guide 3 a extends in the Y direction and guides the carriage 31 in the Y direction. The Y drive mechanism 32 has a drive unit (not shown) for moving the carriage 31 in the Y direction. The X drive mechanism 33 moves the Y drive mechanism 32 in the X direction. The X drive mechanism 33 has an X guide 33a. The X guide 33a guides the Y drive mechanism 32 in the Y direction. The X drive mechanism 33 has a drive unit (not shown) for moving the Y drive mechanism 32 in the X direction. The Z drive mechanism 34 moves the shaping table 20 in the Z direction. The Z drive mechanism 34 has a Z guide 34a. The Z guide 34a extends in the Z direction and guides the shaping table 20 in the Z direction. The Z drive mechanism 34 has a drive unit (not shown) for moving the shaping table 20 in the Z direction.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the ejection unit 10 as viewed from below (-Z side). As shown in FIG. 2, the ejection unit 10 has a first ink set 12 composed of a plurality of heads 11. The first ink set 12 includes heads 13y(Y), 13m(M), 13c(C), 13k(K) for colored inks, a head 14(W) for white ink, a head 15(CL) for clear ink, a head 16(SP1) for modeling material, and a head 17(SP2) for support material. Each head 11 has an ink tank (not shown) for storing ink respectively.

[0020] The heads 13y to 13k for colored inks, the head 14 for white ink, the head 15 for clear ink, and the head 16 for modeling material eject inks containing an ultraviolet curable resin that cures by irradiating ultraviolet rays, for example.The heads 13y to 13k for colored inks, the head 14 for white ink, the head 15 for clear ink, and the head 16 for modeling material are arranged in a state of being aligned in the main scanning direction (Y direction). Also, the heads 13y to 13k for colored inks, the head 14 for white ink, the head 15 for clear ink, and the head 16 for modeling material are arranged in a state where their positions in the sub-scanning direction (X direction) are aligned.

[0021] The heads 13y to 13k for colored inks eject inks of different colors respectively. The heads 13y to 13k for colored inks eject inks of ultraviolet curable inks of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) colors respectively. The head 14 for white ink ejects an ink of white (W) ultraviolet curable ink.

[0022] The head 16 for modeling material ejects a modeling ink containing a modeling material for forming the outline of the model 5. The modeling material is formed using an ultraviolet curable resin that cures by irradiating ultraviolet rays, for example. As the modeling ink, for example, white ink, clear ink, or the like can be used. In this embodiment, the outline of the model 5 is formed with the modeling ink, and the model 5 is colored by forming an ink layer of colored ink on the surface of the model 5.

[0023] The clear ink head 15 dispenses UV-curable clear ink. Clear ink is, for example, a colorless and transparent (T) ink. Clear ink contains UV-curable resin and does not contain colorants.

[0024] The support material head 17 ejects ink containing support material (S). The support material is used, for example, to support a part of the molded object 5 that protrudes horizontally from a position above the work surface 20a. The support material includes, for example, an ultraviolet-curable resin. It is preferable to use a material for the support material that can be dissolved in a solvent such as water after the molding of the molded object 5. The support material may be any known material as appropriate.

[0025] The ultraviolet irradiation unit 19 irradiates the ink layer formed on the work surface 20a of the build plate 20 with ultraviolet light. Light sources such as ultraviolet LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes), metal halide lamps, and mercury lamps are used in the ultraviolet irradiation unit 19. The ultraviolet irradiation units 19 are arranged on both sides of the first ink set 12 in the main scanning direction (Y direction) (UV1, UV2).

[0026] The flattening roller section 18 flattens the ink layer formed on the work surface 20a of the build plate 20. The flattening roller section 18 is positioned on one side of the first ink set 12 in the main scanning direction (Y direction). The flattening roller section 18 is positioned between the first ink set 12 and the ultraviolet irradiation section 19 in the main scanning direction (Y direction). The flattening roller section 18 has a flattening roller 18a that contacts the ink layer on the work surface 20a.

[0027] The control unit 40 comprehensively controls the entire printing device 100. Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the control unit 40. The control unit 40 controls the operation for creating the object 5 by controlling each part of the printing device 100. The control unit 40 includes a communication unit 41, an operation unit 42, an output unit 43, a detection unit 44, a storage unit 45, and a processing unit 46.

[0028] The communication unit 41 communicates with external devices via wired or wireless means.

[0029] The operation unit 42 can input information to the control unit 40. In this embodiment, the operation unit 42 may be, for example, a keyboard, microphone, and mouse, but is not limited to these, and may be other input devices such as a touch panel. The operation unit 42 can, for example, allow a user to input commands for setting the empty head, which will be described later, by operating the operation unit 42. The operation unit 42 receives molding information when the user operates the operation unit 42.

[0030] The output unit 43 outputs various types of information. For example, the output unit 43 displays information stored in the storage unit 45 and information output by the processing unit 46. The output unit 43 may be a display device such as a liquid crystal display, but other output devices may also be used.

[0031] The detection unit 44 detects whether or not each of the multiple heads 11 is filled with ink. The detection unit 44 may also be capable of detecting the amount of ink to be filled into the multiple heads 11.

[0032] The storage unit 45 stores information such as various programs and data. The storage unit 45 includes storage such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) and an SSD (Solid State Drive). The storage unit 45 stores setting information related to the settings of multiple heads 11. The setting information includes ink set information, malfunction information, and molding information. The setting information can be set and changed, for example, by the user inputting predetermined commands using the operation unit 42.

[0033] The ink set information is information that shows the correspondence between each print head 11 and the type of ink ejected from that print head 11. The ink set information is stored in the storage unit 45 in a pre-set state, for example.

[0034] The ink set information includes void information. The void information is information regarding the setting to treat at least one of the multiple heads 11 as void. Hereinafter, the head 11 treated as void will be referred to as void head 11V. Specifically, the void information indicates whether or not each of the multiple heads 11 is set as void head 11V. The void information can be set and changed for each head 11, for example, by the user inputting a command using the operation unit 42. In this embodiment, among the multiple heads 11, a head 11 that is not intended to be used in the ejection operation due to malfunctions such as unfilled ink or clogged nozzles can be set as void head 11V. Also, for example, if printing can be performed without using some of the multiple heads 11, those some heads 11 can be set as void head 11V.

[0035] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of ink set information. The ink set information shown in Figure 4 (hereinafter referred to as the first ink set information) indicates the correspondence between the head 11 and the type of ink in the first ink set 12 described above. In other words, the first ink set information indicates that, from the -Y side to the +Y side, the heads are: molding material head 16 (molding material), white ink head 14 (white ink), clear ink head 15 (clear ink), colored ink head 13y (yellow ink), colored ink head 13m (magenta ink), colored ink head 13c (cyan ink), colored ink head 13k (black ink), and support material head 17 (support material).

[0036] Figure 5 schematically shows another example of ink set information. The ink set information shown in Figure 5 (hereinafter referred to as the second ink set information) is obtained by changing the settings of the four colored ink heads 13y, 13m, 13c, and 13k from the first ink set information described above to empty head 11V. In this way, the ink set information before and after the setting change can be stored in the storage unit 45 as separate ink set information.

[0037] Figure 6 schematically shows another example of ink set information. The ink set information shown in Figure 6 (hereinafter referred to as the third ink set information) shows that, from the -Y side to the +Y side, the heads are: the molding material head 16 (molding material), the clear ink head 15h (hard clear ink), and the clear ink head 15s (soft clear ink). The next four heads 11 on the +Y side are empty heads 11V, and the head 11 furthest to the +Y side is the support material head 17 (support material). In this way, the ink set information can be set in advance so that empty heads 11V exist and stored in the storage unit 45.

[0038] The malfunction information indicates whether or not a malfunction has occurred in each of the multiple print heads 11, such as the ink not being filled or the nozzle 11a being clogged. The malfunction information can be set or updated, for example, based on the detection results of the detection unit 44 that detects the status of the multiple print heads 11.

[0039] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of malfunction information. The malfunction information shown in Figure 6 indicates whether or not a malfunction has occurred in each of the print heads 11 in the first ink set 12 described above. In the example shown in Figure 7, a malfunction has occurred in the white ink print head 14, while the other print heads 11 are not malfunctioning.

[0040] The molding information includes, for example, shape information relating to the shape of the object 5 to be molded, color information relating to the color, and ink usage information indicating the type of ink used to form the object 5. Examples of color information include, but are not limited to, information indicating the proportion of each color in the CMYK color system, which is the color system of the inks of the printing device 100. Examples of ink set information include the following: first ink set information, second ink set information, third ink set information, etc.

[0041] Furthermore, the storage unit 45 stores a control program for the printing device that, for example, if there is an empty head among the multiple heads 11, controls the ejection operation to eject ink from the heads that are not empty, and prevents ink from being ejected from the empty head.

[0042] The processing unit 46 performs various information processing. The processing unit 46 includes a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and memory such as ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory). The processing unit 46 has an acquisition unit 47, a determination unit 48, and a print control unit 49.

[0043] The acquisition unit 47 acquires the setting information acquired via the communication unit 41 and the setting information stored in the storage unit 45.

[0044] The determination unit 48 determines, based on the malfunction information, whether or not a malfunction (such as incomplete ink filling or clogging) has occurred in each of the multiple heads 11. The determination unit 48 determines, based on the empty information, whether or not an empty head 11V exists among the multiple heads 11. If the determination unit 48 determines that an empty head 11V exists, it determines, based on the ink set information and the ink used information, whether or not the type of ink corresponding to the empty head 11V is used in the ejection operation.

[0045] The print control unit 49 controls the printing operation based on the acquired setting information and the determination result of the determination unit 48. The printing operation includes a drive operation in which the drive unit 30 moves the carriage 31 and the build plate 20, and an ejection operation in which ink is ejected from multiple heads 11.

[0046] The print control unit 49 outputs a malfunction error if it determines from the determination result of the determination unit 48 that a malfunction has occurred in a head 11 that is not the empty head 11V, and does not output a malfunction error if it determines that a malfunction has occurred in the empty head 11V.

[0047] The print control unit 49 controls the machine to prevent the ejection operation by outputting an operation error to the output unit 43 if it is determined that the type of ink corresponding to the empty head 11V will not be used in the ejection operation. The print control unit 49 controls the machine to not output an operation error if it is determined from the determination result of the determination unit 48 that the type of ink corresponding to the empty head 11V will not be used in the ejection operation.

[0048] Based on the determination result of the determination unit 48, the print control unit 49 controls the ejection operation so that ink is ejected from the heads 11 that are not empty heads 11V, and not from the empty heads 11V, if there is an empty head 11V among the multiple heads 11. Based on the determination result of the determination unit 48, the print control unit 49 controls the operation so that ink is ejected using the necessary heads 11 among the multiple heads 11 if there is no empty head 11V among the multiple heads 11.

[0049] The print control unit 49 performs the printing operation by performing both a drive operation and an ejection operation. Specifically, the print control unit 49 moves the carriage 31 in the main scanning direction (Y direction) and the sub-scanning direction (X direction) while ejecting ink from multiple heads 11 to form an ink layer on the work surface 20a of the build plate 20, and performs the printing operation by moving the build plate 20 in the Z direction according to the height of the ink layer.

[0050] In the control unit 40, the processor in the processing unit 46 reads various programs and loads them into memory, thereby executing information processing corresponding to the functions of each of the above-mentioned units. Examples of various programs include programs received by the communication unit 41, programs stored in the storage unit 45, and programs recorded on an external recording medium. The control unit 40 functions as an information processing device (computer) that executes various information processing. Note that other information processing devices different from the control unit 40 may execute various programs, or the control unit 40 and other information processing devices may cooperate to execute various programs.

[0051] Next, a method for controlling the printing device 100 will be described. Figure 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a control method for the printing device according to the embodiment. As shown in Figure 8, first, the acquisition unit 47 of the control unit 40 acquires setting information (step S10). In step S10, the acquisition unit 47 acquires ink set information, malfunction information, empty space information, and molding information.

[0052] After the setting information is acquired, the determination unit 48 makes a determination based on the setting information (step S20). In step S20, the determination unit 48 determines, based on the malfunction information, whether or not there are any malfunctions (such as unfilled ink or clogging) in the multiple heads 11. The determination unit 48 also determines, based on the empty information, whether or not there is an empty head 11V among the multiple heads 11. If the determination unit 48 determines that there is an empty head 11V, it determines, based on the ink set information and the ink used information, whether or not the type of ink corresponding to the empty head 11V was scheduled to be used in the ejection operation.

[0053] If the result of the determination in step S20 indicates that no malfunctions have occurred in any of the heads 11 (Yes in step S30) and there are no empty heads 11V among the multiple heads 11 (No in step S40), the print control unit 49 causes the multiple heads 11 to perform normal ejection operations during the printing operation (step S50). In other words, in step S50, the print control unit 49 controls the heads to perform standard ejection operations, that is, to eject ink using the heads 11 that are necessary based on the molding information from among the multiple heads 11.

[0054] Furthermore, if the determination in step S20 indicates that no malfunctions have occurred in any of the heads 11 (Yes in step S30), and that there is a blank head 11V among the multiple heads 11 (Yes in step S40), and that the type of ink corresponding to the blank head 11V is not scheduled to be used in the ejection operation (Yes in step S60), then the print control unit 49 will perform the ejection operation without using the blank head 11V (step S70). In step S70, the print control unit 49 controls the ejection operation so that the heads 11 that are not blank heads 11V eject ink, and the blank head 11V does not eject ink.

[0055] On the other hand, if the determination in step S20 indicates that malfunctions have occurred in multiple heads 11 (No. in step S30), and the malfunctioning head 11 is not an empty head 11V (No. in step S80), the print control unit 49 causes the output unit 43 to output a malfunction error (step S90).

[0056] Furthermore, if the determination in step S20 indicates that no malfunctions have occurred in any of the heads 11 (Yes in step S30), and that there is a blank head 11V among the multiple heads 11 (Yes in step S40), and that the type of ink corresponding to the blank head 11V was scheduled to be used in the ejection operation (No in step S60), then the print control unit 49 causes the output unit 43 to output an operation error (step S100).

[0057] As described above, the printing apparatus 100 according to this embodiment includes a plurality of heads 11 for ejecting ink, a storage unit 45 for storing setting information regarding the settings of the plurality of heads 11, and a control unit 40 that performs an ejection operation to eject ink from the plurality of heads 11 based on the setting information stored in the storage unit 45. The setting information includes empty information regarding the setting that at least one of the plurality of heads 11 is an empty head 11V. When an empty head 11V exists among the plurality of heads 11, the control unit 40 controls the ejection operation to eject ink from the heads 11 that are not empty heads 11V, and to prevent ink from being ejected from the empty heads 11V.

[0058] Furthermore, the control method for the printing apparatus 100 according to this embodiment includes a plurality of heads 11 that eject ink, a storage unit 45 that stores setting information regarding the settings of the plurality of heads 11, and a control unit 40 that performs an ejection operation to eject ink from the plurality of heads 11 based on the setting information stored in the storage unit 45. The setting information includes empty information regarding the setting that at least one of the plurality of heads 11 is an empty head 11V, and if an empty head 11V exists among the plurality of heads 11, the ejection operation is controlled to eject ink from the heads 11 that are not empty heads 11V, and to prevent the empty head 11V from ejecting ink.

[0059] With these configurations, empty information is provided as setting information for multiple heads 11. If an empty head 11V exists among the multiple heads 11, the system controls the ejection operation so that ink is not ejected from the empty head 11V. By designating heads 11 that are not intended to be used as empty heads 11V, errors can be avoided, and the ejection operation can be performed efficiently using multiple heads. In addition, since ink is not ejected from the empty head 11V during the ejection operation, it is not necessary to fill the empty head 11V with ink. Therefore, the wasteful consumption of ink can be suppressed.

[0060] In the printing apparatus 100 according to this embodiment, the setting information includes malfunction information indicating whether or not a malfunction has occurred in each of the multiple heads 11. Based on the malfunction information, the control unit 40 determines whether or not there is a malfunctioning head 11 among the multiple heads 11. If it determines that a malfunction has occurred in a head 11 that is not an empty head 11V, it outputs a malfunction error. If it determines that a malfunction has occurred in the empty head 11V, it does not output a malfunction error.

[0061] With this configuration, if a malfunction is detected in the empty head 11V, no malfunction error is output, making it possible to perform ejection operations efficiently using multiple heads.

[0062] The printing apparatus 100 according to this embodiment further includes an operation unit 42 to which commands for changing setting information can be input, and the control unit 40 can set the empty head 11V based on the commands input by the operation unit 42.

[0063] With this configuration, by inputting a command via the operation unit 42, the desired head 11 can be made into an empty head 11V.

[0064] In the printing apparatus 100 according to this embodiment, the setting information includes ink set information that shows the correspondence between each head 11 and the type of ink ejected from the head 11, and ink usage information that shows the type of ink used in the ejection operation. Based on the ink set information and the ink usage information, the control unit 40 determines whether or not the type of ink corresponding to the empty head 11V is used in the ejection operation. If it determines that the type of ink corresponding to the empty head 11V is used, it outputs an operation error and does not perform the ejection operation. If it determines that the type of ink corresponding to the empty head 11V is not used, it performs the ejection operation without outputting an operation error.

[0065] With this configuration, if it is determined that the type of ink used is not the type corresponding to the empty head 11V, the ejection operation will proceed without outputting an operational error, making it possible to perform ejection operations efficiently using multiple heads.

[0066] The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and modifications can be made as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the print control unit 49 may automatically change the settings so that the head 11 that is determined to be malfunctioning based on the determination result of the determination unit 48 becomes an empty head 11V. In this way, the head 11 that is malfunctioning among the multiple heads 11 can be automatically set as an empty head 11V by the control unit 40, thereby reducing the effort required for the operator to make settings.

[0067] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the ejection operation was described using the case of ejecting ink from the head 11 during printing as an example, but it is not limited to this case. The ejection operation may also include, for example, an operation during maintenance to suppress clogging of the nozzle 11a, such as ejecting ink from the head 11 or ejecting ink from the head 11 by suction. In this case, even during maintenance, ink consumption in the empty head 11V can be avoided. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 5...Printed object, 10...Ejection unit, 11...Head, 11V...Empty head, 11a...Nozzle, 12...First ink set, 13c, 13k, 13m, 13y...Head for colored ink, 14...Head for white ink, 15, 15h, 15s...Head for clear ink, 16...Head for printing material, 17...Head for support material, 18...Planing roller section, 18a...Planing roller, 19...UV light 20... Projection unit, 20a... Build table, 30... Work surface, 31... Carriage, 32... Y drive mechanism, 32a... Y guide, 33... X drive mechanism, 33a... X guide, 34... Z drive mechanism, 34a... Z guide, 40... Control unit, 41... Communication unit, 42... Operation unit, 43... Output unit, 44... Detection unit, 45... Memory unit, 46... Processing unit, 47... Acquisition unit, 48... Judgment unit, 49... Printing control unit, 100... Printing device

Claims

1. Multiple print heads that eject ink, The device includes a storage unit that stores setting information relating to the settings of multiple heads, and a control unit that performs an ejection operation to eject the ink from the multiple heads based on the setting information stored in the storage unit. Equipped with, The setting information includes empty information relating to the setting that at least one of the multiple heads is an empty head. The control unit, when a blank head is present among the multiple heads, controls the ejection operation to cause the heads that are not blank to eject the ink, and to prevent the blank head from ejecting the ink. Printing device.

2. The aforementioned configuration information includes malfunction information indicating whether or not a malfunction has occurred in each of the multiple heads. Based on the malfunction information, the control unit determines whether or not there is a malfunctioning head among the multiple heads, and outputs a malfunction error if it determines that the malfunction is in a head that is not an empty head, and does not output a malfunction error if it determines that the malfunction is in an empty head. The printing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The system further includes an operating unit into which commands to change the aforementioned setting information can be input. The control unit can set the empty head based on the command input by the operation unit. The printing apparatus according to claim 1.

4. The control unit can set the head experiencing a malfunction among the multiple heads as the empty head. The printing apparatus according to claim 1.

5. The setting information includes ink set information indicating the correspondence between each of the heads and the type of ink ejected from the head, and ink usage information indicating the type of ink used in the ejection operation. The control unit determines, based on the ink set information and the ink used information, whether the type of ink corresponding to the empty head was intended to be used in the ejection operation. If it determines that the type of ink corresponding to the empty head was intended to be used, it outputs an operation error and prevents the ejection operation from being performed. If it determines that the type of ink corresponding to the empty head was not intended to be used, it does not output an operation error and allows the ejection operation to be performed. The printing apparatus according to claim 4.

6. Multiple print heads that eject ink, The device includes a storage unit that stores setting information relating to the settings of multiple heads, and a control unit that performs an ejection operation to eject the ink from the multiple heads based on the setting information stored in the storage unit. A control method for a printing apparatus comprising: The setting information includes empty information relating to the setting that at least one of the multiple heads is an empty head. If a blank head exists among the multiple heads, the ejection operation is controlled so that the heads that are not blank heads eject the ink, and the blank heads do not eject the ink. A method for controlling a printing device.

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