Printing apparatus

Abstract

To provide a printing apparatus that can achieve miniaturization while completing the curing of the entire image even when there are restrictions on the movement of components such as the mounting table in the sub-scanning direction. [Solution] A printing apparatus comprising a sub-scanning movement mechanism that performs a sub-scanning operation to move the mounting table in the sub-scanning direction, a main scanning movement mechanism that performs a main scanning operation to move at least one of the head and the light irradiation unit in the main scanning direction, and a control unit, wherein the control unit controls a normal mode in which a main scanning operation and a sub-scanning operation are alternately performed, in which a main scanning operation is performed in which a first region of the light irradiation unit, which is downstream of the upstream end of the nozzle row in the sub-scanning direction, is lit up to irradiate light, and a main scanning operation for irradiation is performed in which a region of the light irradiation unit, including a second region, which is upstream of the first region in the sub-scanning direction, is lit up to irradiate light, and the upstream end of the printable range when the mounting table is in its furthest downstream position is located upstream of the upstream end of the first region.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] In Patent Document 1, while moving a head in a scanning direction and discharging a photocurable ink, a pass for irradiating light by lighting an irradiation unit in a non-printing area on the downstream side in the conveyance direction from the downstream end of a nozzle row, and an operation of conveying a long medium such as a roll paper in the conveyance direction are alternately performed. In this printing method, after forming all dots on the medium, an insufficient irradiation area occurs. Therefore, it is disclosed that without conveying the medium, the lighting range is changed upstream by the conveyance length of the medium for one pass from the area lit in the immediately preceding pass, and the insufficient irradiation area is irradiated with light.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Among printing apparatuses, there are apparatuses that alternately perform an operation of discharging ink while moving a head and a light irradiation unit in a main scanning direction, and an operation of moving a mounting table on which a medium is placed in a sub-scanning direction, and apparatuses that alternately perform an operation of discharging ink while moving a head and a light irradiation unit in a main scanning direction, and an operation of moving the head and the light irradiation unit in a sub-scanning direction with respect to the mounting table. In these printing apparatuses, depending on the size of the housing, the moving distance of the mounting table and the moving distances of the head and the light irradiation unit in the sub-scanning direction (conveyance direction) are limited. On the other hand, in the printing apparatus for conveying a long medium described in the embodiment of Patent Document 1, there is no movement restriction of the machine in the sub-scanning direction, so there is no description or suggestion regarding this problem. In particular, when attempting to miniaturize printing equipment, the movement distance of components such as the mounting table becomes more restricted, leading to the problem that the mounting table cannot move even if there are still unirradiated areas that have not yet come into contact with the light irradiation unit. Thus, there is room for improvement in realizing a method for completing the curing of the entire image in printing equipment that has such restrictions on the movement of components in the sub-scanning direction.

[0005] The present invention aims to provide a printing apparatus that can achieve miniaturization while being able to complete the curing of the entire image even when there are restrictions on the movement of components such as the mounting table in the sub-scanning direction. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The main invention for achieving the above objective is: A mounting platform for placing media, A head having a nozzle row in which multiple nozzles that eject ink toward the media are arranged in the sub-scanning direction, A light-emitting section that emits light, A sub-scanning movement mechanism that performs a sub-scanning operation to move the aforementioned base from the upstream side to the downstream side in the sub-scanning direction, A main scanning movement mechanism that performs a main scanning operation to move at least one of the head and the light irradiation unit in a main scanning direction intersecting the sub-scanning direction, It comprises a control unit and, The control unit, A normal mode is controlled that alternately performs the main scanning operation, which illuminates the first region of the light irradiation unit downstream of the upstream end of the nozzle row in the sub-scanning direction, and the sub-scanning operation. After the last sub-scan operation in the normal mode is completed, a main scanning operation for illumination is performed to illuminate the area of ​​the light irradiation unit, including the second area upstream of the first area in the sub-scan direction, and irradiate it with light. A printing apparatus characterized in that, in the aforementioned sub-scanning direction, the upstream end of the printable range when the aforementioned mounting stand is in the most downstream position is located upstream of the upstream end of the first region. Other features of the present invention will be revealed by the description herein. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a printing apparatus that can be miniaturized and complete the curing of the entire image even when there are restrictions on the movement of components such as the mounting table in the sub-scanning direction. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is an explanatory diagram of the configuration of the printing device 1. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram of the printing system 80. [Figure 3] This is an explanatory diagram of the arrangement of the head 20 and the light irradiation unit 50. [Figure 4] Figures 4A to 4C are explanatory diagrams of the main scanning operation and the sub-scanning operation. [Figure 5] This is an explanatory diagram of the initial mode in the printing method. [Figure 6] Figures 6A and 6B are explanatory diagrams for the normal mode. [Figure 7] Figure 7A is an explanatory diagram of the normal mode, and Figure 7B is an explanatory diagram of the mounting platform 2 when it is at the limit position Pd. [Figure 8] This is an explanatory diagram of the upstream irradiation mode. [Figure 9] Figures 9A and 9B are explanatory diagrams of the upstream irradiation mode. [Figure 10] This is an explanatory diagram of the irradiation area of ​​the light irradiation unit 50. [Figure 11] Figures 11A and 11B are explanatory diagrams illustrating the case where the irradiation intensity of the light irradiation unit 50 is different. [Figure 12] Figures 12A and 12B are explanatory diagrams of modified examples of the first method. [Figure 13] This is an explanatory diagram of the printing method for the second example method. [Figure 14] Figures 14A and 14B are explanatory diagrams of the printing method for the third example method. [Figure 15] Figures 15A and 15B are explanatory diagrams of the printing apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment. [Figure 16]Explanatory drawing of the printing apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] ===First Embodiment=== <<Basic Configuration of Printing System 80>> FIG. 1 is an explanatory drawing of the configuration of the printing apparatus 1. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the printing system 80. FIG. 3 is an explanatory drawing of the arrangement of the head 20 and the light irradiation unit 50.

[0010] In the following description, the moving direction of the carriage 31 may be referred to as the "main scanning direction". Also, the moving direction of the medium M may be referred to as the "sub-scanning direction" or the "transport direction". The main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction are directions that intersect each other (here, directions that are perpendicular).

[0011] The printing system 80 includes a printing apparatus 1 and a computer 70. The computer 70 is a device for controlling the printing apparatus 1, for example, a general-purpose computer in which a printing control program is installed. The computer 70 generates a command code for controlling the printing apparatus 1 and transmits the command code to the printing apparatus 1. However, the printing system 80 may be constituted by only the printing apparatus 1 by the printing apparatus 1 realizing the functions performed by the computer 70.

[0012] The printing apparatus 1 is a device that discharges ink onto the medium M. As shown in FIG. 2, the printing apparatus 1 includes a mounting table 2 on which the medium M is placed, a head 20, a carriage unit 30, a mounting table drive unit 40, a light irradiation unit 50, and a control unit 60. The medium M is placed on the mounting table 2. The type of the medium M is not particularly limited, and examples include cut paper, film, cloth, and the like.

[0013] As shown in Figure 3, the head 20 has one or more nozzle rows 22 (eight rows in Figure 3) in which multiple nozzles 21 that eject ink toward the media M are arranged in the sub-scanning direction. Note that the drawings in this specification show the nozzle rows 22 as viewed from above the head 20. The head 20 is located on the carriage 31 and is movable in the main scanning direction together with the carriage 31.

[0014] The ink ejected from nozzle 21 is an ink that hardens when exposed to light. Examples of light-curing inks include ultraviolet-curing inks, but inks that harden when exposed to light of other wavelengths may also be used. Examples of inks include color inks (e.g., cyan ink, magenta ink, yellow ink, black ink) and special inks (e.g., clear ink, white ink, silver ink) for printing images on media M. Clear inks include gloss inks for controlling the gloss of the image and primer inks (undercoat adjustment inks) for adjusting the undercoat of media M.

[0015] The carriage unit 30 includes a carriage 31 and a carriage drive motor 32 for moving the carriage 31 in the main scanning direction. The carriage 31 is mounted on a head 20 and a light irradiation unit 50, and the carriage 31 moves in the main scanning direction guided by a guide rail 33.

[0016] The mounting platform drive unit 40 has a mounting platform drive motor 41 and is a unit for moving the mounting platform 2 in the transport direction. The driving force of the mounting platform drive motor 41 is transmitted to the mounting platform 2 via a transmission mechanism (not shown: for example, a feed screw mechanism), and the mounting platform 2 moves in the transport direction.

[0017] The light irradiation unit 50 is a device that irradiates light to cure the photocurable ink that has been ejected from the nozzle 21 and landed on the media M. For example, an LED lamp that emits ultraviolet light can be used. As shown in Figure 3, the light irradiation unit 50 has a length in the transport direction and is positioned further downstream in the transport direction than the nozzle row 22. The light irradiation unit 50 is also divided into three regions 51 to 53 from the upstream side in the transport direction, and these are called the upstream irradiation region 51, the intermediate irradiation region 52, and the downstream irradiation region 53, respectively. The three regions 51 to 53 are configured to be individually controlled to be turned on or off, and the intensity of the light irradiation can be adjusted. Note that the number of regions (regions that can be controlled on or off) that divide the light irradiation unit 50 is not limited to three.

[0018] In Figure 3, the upstream end of the light irradiation unit 50 is shifted downstream from the upstream end of the nozzle row 22, but the upstream end of the light irradiation unit 50 and the upstream end of the nozzle row 22 may coincide. Furthermore, the light irradiation unit 50 is not limited to being provided on only one side of the head 20 in the main scanning direction; it may be provided on both sides of the head 20.

[0019] The control unit 60 of the printing device 1 controls each part of the printing device 1 based on command codes from the computer 70. The control unit 60 includes, for example, an arithmetic processing unit and a memory device (not shown), and the arithmetic processing unit executes a program stored in the memory device.

[0020] <<Main scanning operation and sub-scanning operation>> Figures 4A to 4C are explanatory diagrams of the main scanning operation and the sub-scanning operation. The aforementioned mounting table drive unit 40 (sub-scanning movement mechanism) performs a sub-scanning operation to move the mounting table 2 from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction. The carriage unit 30 (main scanning movement mechanism) performs a main scanning operation to move the head 20 and the light irradiation unit 50 in the main scanning direction. In the following description, the sub-scanning operation will also be called the transport operation, and the main scanning operation will also be called a pass, and the passes may be numbered sequentially (pass 1, pass 2, ...). The control unit 60 of the printing apparatus 1 controls the mounting table drive unit 40 to perform the transport operation and controls the carriage unit 30 to perform passes.

[0021] In this embodiment, we illustrate a case where an image P1 is formed by ink in four passes, and the amount of movement of the mounting platform 2 in one transport operation is 1 / 4 the length of the nozzle row 22 (L1). However, the method of forming the image P1 by ink (number of passes, etc.) is not particularly limited.

[0022] Specifically, as shown in Figure 4A, in the first pass 1, the head 20 moves to one side of the main scanning direction (right side in the drawing) and ejects ink toward the opposing media M. Next, as shown in Figure 4B, during the transport operation, the mounting table 2 moves to the downstream side in the transport direction. Next, as shown in Figure 4C, in pass 2, the head 20 moves to the other side of the main scanning direction (left side in the drawing) and ejects ink toward the opposing media M. In the area where ink was ejected in pass 1, ink is ejected from a nozzle further downstream in pass 2. In this way, the main scanning operation and the transport operation are repeated alternately, so that a predetermined area of ​​the media M (for example, the area where ink was ejected in pass 1) is subjected to ink ejection toward the head 20 over four passes, and a part of the image P1 is formed by the ink. Note that the above is not limited to this; printing may also be performed in which the head 20 ejects ink only when moving to one side of the main scanning direction (unidirectional printing).

[0023] <<Printing method: 1st method example>> Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram of the initial mode in the printing method. The diagram shows the positional relationship between the head 20 and the light irradiation unit 50 and the mounting table 2 in the transport direction in each pass. In the following diagrams, the width of the mounting table 2 may be shown as half.

[0024] The control unit 60 of the printing apparatus 1 controls the initial mode at the start of the printing method. In this embodiment, the ink on the media M is cured using the downstream irradiation area 53 of the light irradiation unit 50, which is downstream of the nozzle row 22 in the transport direction. In the pass immediately after the start of printing, the downstream irradiation area 53 does not face the ink on the media M. Therefore, in the initial mode, the pass is performed with all areas of the light irradiation unit 50, including the downstream irradiation area 53, turned off.

[0025] As the passes (Figures 4A and 4C) and transport operations (Figure 4B) are repeated alternately, an image P1 is formed on the media M using ink. The amount of movement L1 of the mounting platform 2 during the transport operation in the initial mode is constant (here, 1 / 4 the length of the nozzle row 22). As shown in Figure 5, the initial mode is executed up to pass 9, just before the area where ink was ejected in pass 1 faces the downstream irradiation area 53 of the light irradiation unit 50.

[0026] Figures 6A, 6B, and 7A are explanatory diagrams for the normal mode. Figure 7B is an explanatory diagram when the mounting table 2 is at the limit position Pd. The control unit 60 of the printing device 1 controls the normal mode after the initial mode. In the normal mode 60, the control unit 60 alternates between a pass that illuminates the downstream irradiation area 53 and irradiates light, and a transport operation. The amount of movement L1 of the mounting table 2 during the transport operation is the same as and constant as in the initial mode.

[0027] In this embodiment, the curing of the ink (photocurable ink) that constitutes image P1 is completed in four passes. Therefore, a predetermined area of ​​the media M (for example, the area where the ink was ejected in pass 1) is irradiated with light facing the downstream irradiation area 53 over four passes, and curing is completed. However, the number of passes in which the ink is irradiated with light in normal mode is not limited to four. Also, the initial mode may be omitted, and the downstream irradiation area 53 may be turned on before the ink on the media M comes into contact with the downstream irradiation area 53.

[0028] In the following explanation, the portion of image P1 that has not yet come into contact with the downstream irradiation area 53 and is not yet irradiated with light (the portion with diagonal lines in the drawing) may be referred to as the "unirradiated area P1," the portion of image P2 that has come into contact with the downstream irradiation area 53 three times or less and is not sufficiently irradiated with light (the portion with halftone dots) may be referred to as the "insufficiently irradiated area P2," and the portion of image P3 that has come into contact with the downstream irradiation area 53 over four passes and is fully cured (the portion that is blacked out) may be referred to as the "cured area P3."

[0029] As shown in Figure 6A, even after the start of normal mode, if the upstream region of the media M faces the head 20 (nozzle row 22) and an image is to be formed, the control unit 60 causes a pass to be performed in which ink is ejected from the nozzles 21 and the downstream illumination area 53 is lit to illuminate the ink on the media M. Such passes are repeated alternately with the transport operation until the pass in which the ejection of ink to the media M is completed (pass 20 in Figure 6B).

[0030] Incidentally, in the printing device 1, the movable range of the mounting table 2 in the transport direction is set according to the size of the housing. In the following explanation, the position of the downstream end of the movable range of the mounting table 2, that is, the position of the downstream end 2D of the mounting table 2 when it is in its furthest downstream position, is sometimes referred to as the "limit position Pd".

[0031] As shown in Figure 7A, the control unit 60 compares the distance L2 in the transport direction from the downstream end 2D of the mounting table 2 to the limit position Pd in ​​the pass 20 in which ink ejection is completed with the amount of movement L1 of the mounting table 2 in the transport operation in normal mode. If the distance L2 is greater than or equal to the amount of movement L1 (L2≧L1), the control unit 60 performs a sub-scan operation even after the pass in which ink ejection is completed, moving the mounting table 2 further downstream. After that, the control unit 60 performs a pass 21 in which the downstream illumination area 53 is lit and light is irradiated without ejecting ink from the nozzle 21.

[0032] Thus, in this first method example, if the mounting table 2 can move in the transport direction even after ink ejection is complete, the normal mode continues, which alternates between a sub-scan operation of a certain amount of movement (L1) and a pass. In other words, the normal mode continues until the mounting table 2 reaches the limit position Pd or a position close to it.

[0033] Also, the housing of the printing apparatus 1 of the first embodiment is relatively small. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7B, in the conveyance direction, when the mounting table 2 is located at the most downstream side (limit position Pd), the upstream end Pp of the printable range on the mounting table 2 (here, the medium M on the mounting table 2) is located upstream of the upstream end PL of the lighting range of the light irradiation unit 50 in the normal mode (here, the downstream irradiation area 53). In other words, the distance D1 in the conveyance direction between the upstream end PL of the lighting range of the light irradiation unit 50 in the normal mode and the limit position Pd is shorter than the distance D2 in the conveyance direction between the upstream end Pp of the printable range and the limit position Pd when the mounting table 2 is located at the most downstream side (D1 < D2). In this case, the light irradiation unit 50 is arranged near the limit position Pd in the conveyance direction, and the size of the printing apparatus 1 can be reduced. Here, the size of the medium M coincides with the size of the printable range on the mounting table 2, but it is not limited to this. The "printable range on the mounting table 2" may be the maximum range on the mounting table 2 where ink can be landed. When it is possible to land ink on the entire surface of the mounting table 2, the "printable range on the mounting table 2" is the same range as the entire mounting surface of the mounting table 2. When it is possible to land ink up to a range a predetermined distance inward from the edge of the mounting table 2, the "printable range on the mounting table 2" is the range a predetermined distance inward from the edge of the mounting table 2. The medium M only needs to be placed within the "printable range on the mounting table 2".

[0034] However, as shown in FIG. 7A, in the last pass 21 of the normal mode, after the downstream irradiation area 53 irradiates light in a state where the mounting table 2 reaches the limit position Pd or a position close thereto, an unirradiated area P1 remains on the medium M. Even if the unirradiated area P1 remains, the mounting table 2 cannot move downstream (it cannot move a length equal to or greater than the movement amount L1 in the normal mode), and the unirradiated area P1 cannot face the downstream irradiation area 53. Therefore, the control unit 60 shifts from the normal mode to the upstream irradiation mode.

[0035] It should be noted that this embodiment is not limited to cases where the area of ​​the light irradiation unit 50 downstream of the nozzle row 22 is illuminated. For example, there are printing devices configured to perform normal mode by using the upstream half of the nozzle row to eject ink and illuminating the area of ​​the light irradiation unit that overlaps with the downstream half of the nozzle row in the transport direction. In that case, if the mounting table has reached the limit position or a position close to it in a pass where ink ejection using the upstream half of the nozzle row is completed, an unilluminated area will remain.

[0036] Figures 8, 9A, and 9B are explanatory diagrams for the upstream irradiation mode. Figure 10 is an explanatory diagram for the irradiation area of ​​the light irradiation unit 50. Figures 11A and 11B are explanatory diagrams for cases where the irradiation intensity of the light irradiation unit 50 is different. In the upstream irradiation mode, the control unit 60 performs a pass (main scanning operation for irradiation) to irradiate light by lighting up the area of ​​the light irradiation unit 50 that includes the area upstream of the downstream irradiation area 53 in the transport direction. In the first method example, as shown in Figure 8, the downstream irradiation area 53 is turned off, and the pass is performed by lighting up the upstream irradiation area 51 and the intermediate irradiation area 52, which are upstream of the downstream irradiation area 53. Note that if the head 20 and the light irradiation unit 50 are configured to be individually moved in the main scanning direction, in the upstream irradiation mode, the head 20 may not be moved, and only the light irradiation unit 50 may be moved.

[0037] Furthermore, in the upstream irradiation mode, the passes are performed while maintaining the position of the mounting table 2 at the end of the last transport operation in the normal mode (the transport operation between passes 20 and 21 in Figure 7A). In other words, in the first method example, no transport operation is performed after the mounting table 2 moves to the limit position Pd or a position close to it. Instead, as shown in Figure 9A, the head 20 and the light irradiation unit 50 move one or more times (four times in this case) on the mounting table 2 in the main scanning direction, irradiating the ink on the media M with light. This completes the curing of the ink in the unirradiated area P1.

[0038] As shown in Figure 8, when the normal mode ends, an un-irradiated area P1 and an under-irradiated area P2 remain on the media M. In the first method example, the area of ​​the light irradiation unit 50 facing the un-irradiated area P1, that is, the area of ​​the light irradiation unit 50 that overlaps with the un-irradiated area P1 in the transport direction, is lit. In Figure 8, the upstream irradiation area 51 and the intermediate irradiation area 52 are lit. On the other hand, the area of ​​the light irradiation unit 50 facing the under-irradiated area P2, that is, the area of ​​the light irradiation unit 50 that overlaps with the under-irradiated area P2 in the transport direction, is not lit. In Figure 8, the downstream irradiation area 53 is turned off.

[0039] As shown in Figure 10, light is irradiated not only to the area on the media M facing the illuminated area of ​​the light irradiation unit 50, but also to the surrounding area. Therefore, the under-irradiated area P2 is irradiated with light even though it does not face the upstream irradiation area 51 and the intermediate irradiation area 52. Although the amount of light irradiated to the surrounding area is less than that irradiated to the area facing the illuminated area of ​​the light irradiation unit 50, at least one pass of light is irradiated in the under-irradiated area P2 in normal mode, so the curing of the ink in the under-irradiated area P2 can be completed. Thus, as shown in Figure 9B, the curing of the entire image by the ink ejected onto the media M is completed by the upstream irradiation mode.

[0040] Furthermore, the light irradiation unit 50 not only controls the on / off state of each divided irradiation area, but also controls the irradiation intensity of each irradiation area (unit: mW / cm²). 2 In some cases, it may be possible to adjust the following. Specifically, the output (irradiation intensity) of the lamp can be adjusted by changing the duty cycle of the PWM control. In that case, the control unit 60 may make the irradiation intensity per unit area of ​​the illumination range of the light irradiation unit 50 (e.g., the opening area where the lamp is exposed on the lower surface of the light irradiation unit 50) the same or different between the normal mode and the upstream irradiation mode.

[0041] For example, suppose the control unit 60 controls the irradiation intensity per unit area of ​​the upstream irradiation region 51 and the intermediate irradiation region 52 in the upstream irradiation mode to be the same as the irradiation intensity per unit area of ​​the downstream irradiation region 53 in the normal mode. In that case, as shown in Figure 9A, it is preferable to set the number of passes in the upstream irradiation mode to 4 passes, the same as the number of passes required to complete image curing in the normal mode. By doing so, the curing of the unirradiated region P1 and the under-irradiated region P2 can be completed in the upstream irradiation mode, just as in the image cured in the normal mode.

[0042] Not limited to the above, as shown in Figure 11A, the control unit 60 may control the irradiation intensity per unit area of ​​the upstream irradiation region 51 and the intermediate irradiation region 52 in the upstream irradiation mode to be weaker than the irradiation intensity per unit area of ​​the downstream irradiation region 53 in the normal mode. In that case, it is preferable to set the number of passes in the upstream irradiation mode to be greater than the number of passes required to complete image hardening in the normal mode (4 passes) (for example, 6 passes).

[0043] In normal mode, the un-irradiated area P1 is illuminated with light in each region of the transport length L1, facing the downstream irradiation area 53. On the other hand, in upstream irradiation mode (Figure 9A), the entire un-irradiated area P1 is illuminated with light all at once in the same pass. In the downstream region of the un-irradiated area P1, there is a relatively long time between the ink landing on the media M and the light irradiation, so curing begins with the dots spread out. On the other hand, in the upstream region of the un-irradiated area P1, the time between the ink landing on the media M and the light irradiation is short, so curing begins with small dot diameters. If the dots spread differently depending on the region on the media M in this way, there is a risk that streaks may appear in the image due to minute differences in image quality.

[0044] Therefore, in the upstream irradiation mode (Figure 11A), by irradiating with light at a low irradiation intensity and increasing the number of passes (over time), the dot spread is moderately suppressed while curing occurs in the downstream area of ​​the unirradiated area P1, and the dots spread while curing occurs in the upstream area of ​​the unirradiated area P1, thus reducing the difference in dot spread. This reduces the difference in image quality within the unirradiated area P1, and also reduces the difference in image quality between the areas where curing is completed in the upstream irradiation mode (P1, P2) and the area where curing is completed in the normal mode (P3). As a result, streaks are less likely to appear in the image, and the print quality is improved.

[0045] Conversely, as shown in Figure 11B, the control unit 60 may control the irradiation intensity per unit area of ​​the upstream irradiation region 51 and the intermediate irradiation region 52 in the upstream irradiation mode to be stronger than the irradiation intensity per unit area of ​​the downstream irradiation region 53 in the normal mode. In that case, it is preferable to reduce the number of passes in the upstream irradiation mode to fewer than the number of passes required to complete image curing in the normal mode (4 passes) (for example, 2 passes). By doing so, the time in the upstream irradiation mode is shortened, and the overall printing processing time can be reduced.

[0046] One of the above irradiation intensity settings (Figures 9A, 11A, and 11B) may be fixed to the printing device 1, or the control unit 60 may change the above irradiation intensity setting as appropriate (for example, according to the printing mode). For example, when high-quality mode is set, the irradiation intensity may be weakened (Figure 11A), when high-speed printing mode is set, the irradiation intensity may be strengthened (Figure 11B), and when normal printing mode is set, the irradiation intensity may be kept the same (Figure 9A).

[0047] Furthermore, while the number of passes is varied according to the irradiation intensity of the upstream irradiation mode, this is not the only option. Conversely, the control unit 60 may change the irradiation intensity based on the number of passes in the upstream irradiation mode. The control unit 60 can change the number of passes in the upstream irradiation mode depending, for example, on the printing mode (high-quality mode or high-speed printing mode). In that case, if a predetermined area on the media M (e.g., the unirradiated area P1) has many passes facing the light irradiation unit (e.g., 6 passes in Figure 11A), it is preferable to weaken the irradiation intensity of the upstream irradiation area 51 and the intermediate irradiation area 52. Conversely, if a predetermined area on the media M has few passes facing the light irradiation unit (e.g., 2 passes in Figure 11B), it is preferable to strengthen the irradiation intensity of the upstream irradiation area 51 and the intermediate irradiation area 52.

[0048] Furthermore, in upstream illumination mode, no transport operation is performed between passes. Therefore, the control unit 60 may control whether or not to provide a waiting time between passes in upstream illumination mode. For example, the control unit 60 may control the printer to wait for a predetermined time (for example, the time required for transport operation in normal mode) after the completion of a pass before proceeding to the next pass. By doing so, the ink dots spread during the waiting time, and a smooth image can be formed. In addition, the illumination conditions can be made closer between normal mode and upstream illumination mode, making the boundaries between images formed in each mode less noticeable. Conversely, the control unit 60 may control the printer to proceed to the next pass without providing a waiting time after the completion of a pass. In that case, the time spent in upstream illumination mode is shortened, and the overall printing processing time can be reduced.

[0049] Figures 12A and 12B are explanatory diagrams of modified examples of the first method. In the normal mode described above (Figure 7A), after the pass 20 in which ink ejection is completed, a transport operation is performed, and a pass 21 is performed in which the downstream illumination area 53 is illuminated with light without ejecting ink, but this is not limited to this. For example, as shown in Figure 12A, the position of the mounting table 2 in the pass 20 in which ink ejection is completed may be at or near the limit position Pd. That is, the distance in the transport direction between the downstream end of the mounting table 2 in the pass 20 and the limit position Pd is less than the transport operation travel distance L1. In that case, in the normal mode of the first method, the pass in which the downstream illumination area 53 is lit and light is illuminated without ejecting ink from the nozzle 21 is not performed, and the system transitions to the upstream illumination mode.

[0050] Furthermore, in the upstream irradiation mode described above (Figure 8), the control unit 60 illuminates the upstream irradiation area 51 and the intermediate irradiation area 52, but this is not limited to this. For example, as shown in the left diagram of Figure 12B, the unirradiated area P1 at the end of the normal mode may not face the upstream irradiation area 51, but only the intermediate irradiation area 52. In that case, the control unit 60 should be controlled so that, as shown in the right diagram of Figure 12B, a path is taken in the upstream irradiation mode that illuminates only the intermediate irradiation area 52.

[0051] <<Printing method: 2nd method example>> Figure 13 is an explanatory diagram of the printing method of the second method example. In the upstream irradiation mode of the second method example, the area of ​​the light irradiation unit 50 facing the unirradiated area P1 (the upstream irradiation area 51 and the intermediate irradiation area 52 in Figure 13) is lit, and then the area of ​​the light irradiation unit 50 facing the under-irradiated area P2 (the downstream irradiation area 53 in Figure 13) is also lit and the pass is performed. In this way, the ink in the under-irradiated area P2 is reliably irradiated with light, and the entire image can be reliably cured.

[0052] <<Printing method: 3rd method example>> Figures 14A and 14B are explanatory diagrams of the printing method of the third method example. In the third method example, the normal mode is terminated before the mounting table 2 moves to the limit position Pd or a position close to it. That is, even if the distance L4 in the transport direction between the downstream end 2D of the mounting table 2 and the limit position Pd is greater than or equal to the transport movement distance L1 (L4≧L1), the normal mode is terminated.

[0053] For example, as shown in Figure 14A, the normal mode may be terminated in the pass where ink ejection is completed. Also, although not shown, after ink ejection is completed, the un-illuminated area P1 can be reduced by performing a transport operation and a pass that irradiates light without ejecting ink. Therefore, the normal mode may be terminated at a timing that reduces the range illuminated in the upstream irradiation mode, for example, at the timing when the un-illuminated area P1 switches from a state where it faces both the upstream irradiation area 51 and the intermediate irradiation area 52 to a state where it faces only the intermediate irradiation area 52. In the upstream irradiation mode (Figure 14B), the entire un-illuminated area P1 is irradiated with light all at once in the same pass. Therefore, terminating the normal mode earlier can shorten the overall printing processing time.

[0054] ===Second Embodiment=== Figures 15A, 15B, and 16 are explanatory diagrams of the printing apparatus 100 of the second embodiment. In the printing apparatus 100 of the second embodiment, during transport operation, the head 120 and light irradiation unit 150 move from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction, rather than the mounting table 102. The main scanning operation is the same as in the first embodiment, with the head 120 and light irradiation unit 150 moving in the main scanning direction while ejecting ink and irradiating light. In addition, the light irradiation unit 150 can be controlled to turn on and off for each of the three divided regions in the transport direction (downstream irradiation region 151, intermediate irradiation region 152, and upstream irradiation region 153).

[0055] In the case of the printing apparatus 100 of the second embodiment, the movable range of the head 120 and the light irradiation unit 150 in the transport direction is set according to the size of the housing of the printing apparatus 100. Figure 15B shows the limit position Pd, which is the position of the downstream end of the movable range of the head 120.

[0056] Therefore, in the normal mode, in which the main scanning operation, which illuminates the area of ​​the light irradiation unit 150 upstream of the downstream end of the nozzle row in the transport direction (in this case, the upstream irradiation area 153), and the transport operation of the head 120 and the light irradiation unit 150 are performed alternately, the same problems as in the first embodiment occur. In other words, when the head 120 and the light irradiation unit 150 move to the limit position Pd or a position close to it, an unirradiated area P1 remains.

[0057] Therefore, as shown in Figure 16, after the final transport operation in normal mode is completed, a pass (main scanning operation for irradiation) is performed to illuminate the area of ​​the light irradiation unit 150 that includes the area downstream of the upstream irradiation area 153 in the transport direction (here, the downstream irradiation area 151 and the intermediate irradiation area 152) and irradiate with light. In this way, the unirradiated area P1 faces the illuminated range of the light irradiation unit 150, and the curing of the entire image can be completed. Light from the intermediate irradiation area 152 is irradiated into the under-irradiated area P2 (see Figure 10), and curing is completed. However, the upstream irradiation area 153 may also be illuminated during the main scanning operation for irradiation.

[0058] ===Summary=== The printing apparatus of the first embodiment comprises a mounting table 2, a head 20, a light irradiation unit 50, a mounting table drive unit 40 (sub-scanning movement mechanism) that performs a sub-scanning operation (transport operation) to move the mounting table 2 from the upstream side to the downstream side in the sub-scanning direction (transport direction), a carriage unit 30 (main scanning movement mechanism) that performs a main scanning operation (pass) to move at least one of the head 20 and the light irradiation unit 50 in the main scanning direction, and a control unit (60). The control unit 60 controls a normal mode in which the main scanning operation, which illuminates a first region of the light irradiation unit 50 (e.g., the downstream irradiation region 53 in Figure 7A) that is downstream of the upstream end of the nozzle row in the sub-scanning direction, and irradiates light, and the sub-scanning operation are performed alternately. Then, after the last sub-scan operation in normal mode is completed, the control unit 60 performs a main scanning operation for illumination (e.g., a pass in upstream illumination mode) to illuminate the area of ​​the light irradiation unit 50, which includes the second area (e.g., the upstream irradiation area 51 and the intermediate irradiation area 52 in Figure 8) located upstream of the first area in the sub-scan direction. Furthermore, in the sub-scan direction, the upstream end Pp (Figure 7B) of the printable range when the mounting table 2 is at its furthest downstream position is located upstream of the upstream end PL of the first area (downstream irradiation area 53).

[0059] This allows the movable range of the mounting table 2 in the sub-scanning direction to be kept small, enabling miniaturization of the printing device 1. Furthermore, when using a printing method in which light irradiation is completed in the main scanning operation after dot formation is complete, there may be cases where an unirradiated area P1 remains when the mounting table 2 reaches the downstream limit position Pd or a position close to it. However, the main scanning operation for irradiation (Figure 8) can complete the curing of the entire image. In other words, since it is not necessary to extend the movable range of the mounting table 2 downstream so as to face the first area of ​​the light irradiation unit 50, the printing device 1 can be miniaturized.

[0060] The printing apparatus 100 of the second embodiment includes a mounting table 102 on which media M is placed, a head 120 having a nozzle row 122 in which a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink toward the media M are arranged in the sub-scanning direction (transport direction), a light irradiation unit 150 for irradiating light, a sub-scanning movement mechanism (not shown) that performs a sub-scanning operation (transport operation) to move the head 120 and the light irradiation unit 150 from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction, a main scanning movement mechanism (not shown) that performs a main scanning operation to move at least one of the head 120 and the light irradiation unit 150 in the main scanning direction, and a control unit (not shown). The control unit controls a normal mode in which a main scanning operation and a sub-scanning operation are alternately performed, in which a main scanning operation is performed in which a first region of the light irradiation unit 50 (e.g., the upstream irradiation region 153 in Figure 15B) located upstream of the downstream end of the nozzle row in the sub-scanning direction is lit to irradiate light. Then, after the final sub-scan operation in normal mode is completed, the control unit performs a main scanning operation for illumination by lighting up the area of ​​the light irradiation unit 150 that includes the second area downstream of the first area in the sub-scan direction (e.g., the downstream irradiation area 151 and the intermediate irradiation area 152 in Figure 16) and irradiating light. Furthermore, in the sub-scan direction, the downstream end Ppd of the printable range on the mounting table 102 (Figure 15B) is located downstream of the downstream end PLd of the first area (upstream irradiation area 153) when the head 120 and the light irradiation unit 150 are in their furthest downstream position. In other words, the distance D4 in the sub-scan direction (transport direction) between the downstream end Ppd of the printable range and the limit position Pd of the head 120 and the light irradiation unit 150 is shorter than the distance D3 in the sub-scan direction between the downstream end PLd of the first area and the limit position Pd. <D3)。

[0061] This allows the print apparatus 100 to be miniaturized because the range of movement of the head 120 and light irradiation unit 150 in the sub-scanning direction relative to the mounting table 102 is kept small. Furthermore, when using a printing method in which light irradiation is completed in the main scanning operation after the completion of dot formation, there may be cases where an unirradiated area P1 remains when the head 120 and light irradiation unit 150 reach the downstream limit position Pd. However, the main scanning operation for irradiation (Figure 16) can complete the hardening of the entire image. In other words, since it is not necessary to extend the range of movement of the head 120 and light irradiation unit 150 downstream so that the entire printable area on the mounting table 2 faces the first area of ​​the light irradiation unit 150, the print apparatus 100 can be miniaturized.

[0062] In addition, in the printing apparatus 1 of the first embodiment and the printing apparatus 100 of the second embodiment, the illumination range of the light irradiation units 50 and 150 may be changed at any timing after the last sub-scan operation of the normal mode has been completed. For example, in Figure 7A, after the transport operation following pass 20, pass 21 is performed in which the downstream irradiation area 53 (first area) is illuminated to end the normal mode, but pass 21 may be omitted and the illumination range of the light irradiation unit 50 may be changed as shown in Figure 8. In other words, the normal mode may be ended in the transport operation following pass 20. Also, for example, at the position of pass 21 in Figure 7A, the illumination range of the light irradiation unit 50 may be changed after performing multiple passes in which the downstream irradiation area 53 is illuminated. During this time, the curing of the under-irradiated area P2 can be completed while the dots in the uncured irradiation area P1 can be wetted and spread.

[0063] In the first embodiment, the control unit 60 maintains the position of the mounting platform 2 when the last sub-scan operation in normal mode (e.g., the transport operation following the pass 20 in Figure 7A) is completed, and then performs the main scan operation for irradiation (e.g., the upstream irradiation mode pass in Figure 8). In the second embodiment, the control unit may also perform the main scanning operation for irradiation, as shown in Figure 16, while maintaining the positions of the head 120 and the light irradiation unit 150 at the end of the last sub-scanning operation in normal mode.

[0064] This allows for the completion of the entire image curing even when there are restrictions on the movement of components (mounting table 2, head 120, and light irradiation unit 150) in the sub-scanning direction, and sub-scanning cannot be performed after the normal mode. Furthermore, the time required for sub-scanning can be eliminated, shortening the overall printing processing time.

[0065] However, not limited to the above, if the mounting platform 2, etc., can move in the sub-scanning direction even after the normal mode has ended, the sub-scanning operation may be performed during the main scanning operation for irradiation. For example, in the upstream irradiation mode (Figure 8), only the intermediate irradiation area 52 may be lit, and after the curing of the unirradiated area P1 facing the intermediate irradiation area 52 is completed, the sub-scanning operation may be performed to bring the remaining area of ​​the unirradiated area P1 facing the intermediate irradiation area 52.

[0066] In the first embodiment, the control unit 60, in normal mode, performs a main scanning operation (e.g., passes 10 to 20 in Figure 6) in which ink is ejected from the nozzle and the first region (downstream illumination region 53) is lit to irradiate light, followed by a main scanning operation (e.g., pass 21 in Figure 7A) in which ink is not ejected from the nozzle and the first region is lit to irradiate light. In the second embodiment, the control unit may, in normal mode, perform a main scanning operation (Figure 15B) in which ink is ejected from the nozzle and the first region (upstream illumination region 153) is lit to irradiate light, and if the head 120 and the light irradiation unit 150 can move in the sub-scanning direction, then perform a main scanning operation in which ink is ejected from the nozzle and the first region is lit to irradiate light without ejecting ink.

[0067] As a result, even after ink ejection is complete, the main scanning operation and sub-scanning operation in normal mode are performed alternately, allowing the ink to be cured under the same or similar irradiation conditions over a wide area of ​​the image, and the overall image quality can be made more uniform. Specifically, with each movement of the sub-scanning operation, the image faces the first region, the time interval from when the ink lands on the media M until the start of irradiation can be kept constant, and the number of passes required to complete curing can be kept the same.

[0068] In the first embodiment, the control unit 60 performs a main scanning operation for irradiation (Figure 8) after the distance L3 from the downstream end 2D of the mounting table 2 to the downstream end Pd of the movable range of the mounting table 2, when a certain sub-scanning operation in normal mode (the transport operation following the path 20 in Figure 7A) is completed, has become less than the movement distance L1 of the mounting table 2 in the sub-scanning operation in normal mode. In the second embodiment, the control unit also performs a main scanning operation for irradiation (Figure 16) after the distance from the downstream end 120D of the head 120 (or light irradiation unit 150) to the downstream end Pd of the movable range of the head 120 (or light irradiation unit 150) in the sub-scanning direction, when a certain sub-scanning operation in normal mode is completed, has become less than the travel distance of the head 120 and the light irradiation unit 150 in the sub-scanning operation in normal mode.

[0069] As a result, the main scanning operation in normal mode and the sub-scanning operation are performed alternately until the movement of the mounting table 2, head 120, and light irradiation unit 150 in the sub-scanning direction is restricted (until the sub-scanning operation can no longer be performed), allowing the ink to be cured under the same or similar irradiation conditions over as much of the image area as possible, and the overall image quality can be made more uniform.

[0070] In the first embodiment, the control unit 60 of the printing apparatus 1 makes the illumination intensity per unit area of ​​the illumination range of the light irradiation unit 50 in normal mode (e.g., the downstream illumination area 53 in Figure 7A) different from the illumination intensity per unit area of ​​the illumination range of the light irradiation unit 50 in the main scanning operation for irradiation (e.g., the upstream illumination area 51 and the intermediate illumination area 52 in Figure 8). The control unit of the printing apparatus 100 in the second embodiment may be similar.

[0071] This allows for image curing tailored to the application. For example, by reducing the irradiation intensity of the main scanning operation for illumination (Figure 11A), ink dots that have just landed on the media M can spread out without curing immediately. Conversely, by increasing the irradiation intensity of the main scanning operation for illumination (Figure 11B), the ink can be cured immediately, shortening the overall printing time.

[0072] In the first embodiment, the control unit 60 of the printing apparatus 1 reduces the irradiation intensity during the main scanning operation for irradiation (Figure 11A) to a lower level than the irradiation intensity in normal mode (Figure 7A). The control unit of the printing apparatus 100 in the second embodiment may be similar.

[0073] As a result, among the inks that harden during the main scanning operation for irradiation, ink dots that have a short time since landing on media M can spread out without hardening immediately, reducing differences in image quality caused by differences in dot spread. Therefore, the overall image quality can be made more uniform, streaks are less likely to appear in the image, and print quality is improved.

[0074] In the first embodiment, the control unit 60 of the printing apparatus 1 reduces the number of main scanning operations for irradiation (e.g., 2 times as shown in Figure 11B) in which a predetermined area of ​​the media M faces the light irradiation unit 50 after the normal mode (in the upstream irradiation mode) to fewer than the number of main scanning operations in which a predetermined area of ​​the media M faces the light irradiation unit 50 in the normal mode (e.g., 4 times as shown in Figure 6). The control unit of the printing apparatus 100 in the second embodiment may be similar.

[0075] This allows the ink to cure with fewer main scans after the normal mode, thereby shortening the overall printing time.

[0076] In the first embodiment, the control unit 60 of the printing apparatus 1 changes the irradiation intensity per unit area of ​​the illumination range of the light irradiation unit 50 during the main scanning operation for irradiation, based on the number of main scanning operations for irradiation in which a predetermined area of ​​the media M faces the light irradiation unit 50 after the normal mode. The control unit of the printing apparatus 100 of the second embodiment may be similar.

[0077] This allows the ink to be cured with an irradiation intensity appropriate to the number of main scanning operations for irradiation. For example, when the number of main scanning operations for irradiation is high, as shown in Figure 11A, reducing the irradiation intensity allows the dots to spread, making the overall image quality more uniform. When the number of main scanning operations for irradiation is low, as shown in Figure 11B, increasing the irradiation intensity ensures that the image is cured completely.

[0078] In the first embodiment, the control unit 60 of the printing apparatus 1 turns off the first region (downstream irradiation region 53 in Figure 8) during the main scanning operation for irradiation. In the second embodiment, the control unit of the printing apparatus 100 may also turn off the first region (upstream irradiation region 153 in Figure 16) during the main scanning operation for irradiation.

[0079] This suppresses light reflection within the housing of the printing device 1,100, thereby suppressing the hardening of ink adhering to surfaces such as the nozzles of the heads 20,120. Furthermore, even if the area opposite the first area is an under-illuminated area P2 at the end of normal mode, the light emitted by the second area can complete the hardening, thus completing the hardening of the entire image.

[0080] In the first embodiment, the first region of the printing apparatus 1 (downstream irradiation region 53 in Figure 7) is located downstream of the nozzle row 22 in the sub-scanning direction. In the second embodiment, the first region of the printing apparatus 100 (upstream irradiation region 153 in Figure 15B) is located upstream of the nozzle row 122 in the sub-scanning direction.

[0081] As a result, in normal mode, the path by which the ink lands on a predetermined area of ​​media M is different from the path by which light is shone on the ink in that predetermined area. Therefore, between the time the ink lands on media M and the time the light is shone, the ink dots can spread out, forming a smooth image. In particular, when forming an image by overlaying a clear ink (gloss ink) image on top of an image made with black and white ink or color ink, the clear ink dots spread out and become smoother, resulting in the formation of a more glossy image.

[0082] ===Other Embodiments=== The above embodiments are presented as examples and do not limit the scope of the invention. The above configurations can be combined as appropriate, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. The above embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims of the invention and its equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] 1 printing device, 2 mounting platforms, 20 heads (heads), 21 nozzles, 22 nozzle rows, 30. Carriage unit (main scanning movement mechanism), 31 carriage, 32 carriage drive motor, 33 Guide rails, 40 Mounting platform drive unit (sub-scanning movement mechanism), 41 Mounting platform drive motor, 50 Light-irradiating section, 51 Upstream irradiation area (second area), 52 Intermediate irradiation area (second area), 53 Downstream irradiation area (first area), 60 Control unit, 70 Computers, 80 printing systems, 100 printing equipment, 102 Mounting platform, 120 heads, 122 nozzle rows, 150 Light irradiation section, 151 Downstream irradiation area (second area), 152 Intermediate irradiation area (second area), 153 Upstream irradiation area (first area),

Claims

1. A mounting platform for placing media, A head having a nozzle row in which multiple nozzles that eject ink toward the media are arranged in the sub-scanning direction, A light-emitting section that emits light, A sub-scanning movement mechanism that performs a sub-scanning operation to move the aforementioned base from the upstream side to the downstream side in the sub-scanning direction, A main scanning movement mechanism that performs a main scanning operation to move at least one of the head and the light irradiation unit in a main scanning direction intersecting the sub-scanning direction, It comprises a control unit and, The control unit, A normal mode is controlled that alternately performs the main scanning operation, which illuminates the first region of the light irradiation unit downstream of the upstream end of the nozzle row in the sub-scanning direction, and the sub-scanning operation. After the last sub-scan operation of the normal mode is completed, a main scanning operation for illumination is performed to illuminate the area of ​​the light irradiation unit, including the second area upstream of the first area in the sub-scan direction, and irradiate it with light. A printing apparatus characterized in that, in the sub-scanning direction, the upstream end of the printable range when the aforementioned mounting stand is in the most downstream position is located upstream of the upstream end of the first region.

2. A printing apparatus according to claim 1, The printing apparatus is characterized in that the control unit causes the main scanning operation for irradiation to be performed while maintaining the position of the base described above when the last sub-scanning operation in the normal mode is completed.

3. A printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, The printing apparatus is characterized in that, in the normal mode, the control unit causes the main scanning operation to be performed in which, after the main scanning operation in which ink is ejected from the nozzle and the first region is lit and light is irradiated, the main scanning operation to be performed in which ink is ejected from the nozzle and the first region is lit and light is irradiated without ejecting ink from the nozzle.

4. A printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, The printing apparatus is characterized in that, in the sub-scanning direction, the control unit causes the main scanning operation for irradiation to be performed after the distance from the downstream end of the aforementioned base to the downstream end of the movable range of the aforementioned base has become less than the distance the aforementioned base moves during the sub-scanning operation in the normal mode.

5. A printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, The printing apparatus is characterized in that the control unit makes the irradiation intensity per unit area of ​​the lit area of ​​the light irradiation unit different from the irradiation intensity per unit area of ​​the lit area of ​​the light irradiation unit in the normal mode and the irradiation intensity per unit area of ​​the lit area of ​​the light irradiation unit in the main scanning operation for irradiation.

6. A printing apparatus according to claim 5, The printing apparatus is characterized in that the control unit makes the irradiation intensity in the main scanning operation for irradiation weaker than the irradiation intensity in the normal mode.

7. A printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, The printing apparatus is characterized in that the control unit reduces the number of main scanning operations for irradiation, in which a predetermined area of ​​the media faces the light irradiation unit, after the normal mode, to fewer than the number of main scanning operations in which a predetermined area of ​​the media faces the light irradiation unit during the normal mode.

8. A printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, The printing apparatus is characterized in that the control unit changes the irradiation intensity per unit area of ​​the illumination range of the light irradiation unit during the main scanning operation for irradiation, based on the number of times the main scanning operation for irradiation is performed in which a predetermined area of ​​the media faces the light irradiation unit after the normal mode.

9. A printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, The printing apparatus is characterized in that the control unit turns off the first region during the main scanning operation for irradiation.

10. A printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, A printing apparatus characterized in that the first region is located downstream of the nozzle row in the sub-scanning direction.

11. A mounting platform for placing media, A head having a nozzle row in which multiple nozzles that eject ink toward the media are arranged in the sub-scanning direction, A light-emitting section that emits light, A sub-scanning movement mechanism that performs a sub-scanning operation to move the head and the light irradiation unit from the upstream side to the downstream side in the sub-scanning direction, A main scanning movement mechanism that performs a main scanning operation to move at least one of the head and the light irradiation unit in a main scanning direction intersecting the sub-scanning direction, It comprises a control unit and, The control unit, A normal mode is controlled that alternately performs the main scanning operation, which illuminates the first region of the light irradiation unit that is upstream of the downstream end of the nozzle row in the sub-scanning direction, and the sub-scanning operation, thereby irradiating light. After the last sub-scan operation of the normal mode is completed, a main scanning operation for illumination is performed to illuminate the area of ​​the light irradiation unit, including the second area downstream of the first area in the sub-scan direction, and irradiate it with light. A printing apparatus characterized in that, in the sub-scanning direction, the downstream end of the printable range is located downstream of the downstream end of the first region when the head and the light irradiation unit are in their furthest downstream positions.

Images