Printing device

Abstract

To firmly cure an ultraviolet curable ink while suppressing deterioration of throughput.SOLUTION: A printer 1 executes first control which executes discharge of an ultraviolet curable ink from a print head 3 and radiation of ultraviolet ray from an ultraviolet ray irradiation section 4 while executing first movement along a main scanning direction A from a print start position Ps side up to a print finish position Pe side and second movement along a sub-scanning direction B and second control which executes radiation of ultraviolet ray from the ultraviolet ray irradiation section 4 without executing discharge of the ultraviolet curable ink from the print head 3 while executing the first movement and the second movement from the print finish position Pe side up to the print start position Ps side. A second speed to be a moving speed of the print head 3 and the ultraviolet ray radiation section 4 of the first movement in the second control is faster than a first speed to be a moving speed of the print head 3 and the ultraviolet ray radiation section 4 of the first movement in the first control in the printer.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing device. [Background technology]

[0002] Printing devices of various configurations have been used in the past. Among them, there is a printing device that forms an image by ejecting ultraviolet curable ink onto a medium. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an inkjet printer as a printing device of such configuration, which forms an image by ejecting ultraviolet curable ink and irradiating ultraviolet light while reciprocating an ejection means for the ultraviolet curable ink and an ultraviolet light irradiation means. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2009-208227 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Here, in a printing device that forms an image by discharging ultraviolet curable ink onto a medium, if the amount of ultraviolet irradiation is insufficient, the ultraviolet curable ink will not be cured sufficiently, and there is a risk that the image will be damaged if something comes into contact with the ultraviolet curable ink, or that something that comes into contact with the ultraviolet curable ink will be stained. Therefore, the inkjet printer of Patent Document 1 is capable of increasing the amount of ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet irradiation means when the ultraviolet irradiation means moves back and forth. However, if the amount of ultraviolet light is increased, the amount of ultraviolet light reaching the ejection means of the ultraviolet curable ink will also increase, and the ultraviolet curable ink in the nozzle of the ejection means may harden and cause nozzle clogging. For this reason, there is a limit to increasing the amount of ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet irradiation means. On the other hand, if the speed of the reciprocating movement of the ultraviolet irradiation means is reduced in order to irradiate the ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet irradiation means for a long time, the throughput will decrease significantly. Therefore, the object of the present invention is to reliably cure the ultraviolet curable ink while suppressing a decrease in throughput. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to solve the above problem, a printing device of the present invention includes a print head configured to be capable of reciprocating in a first direction and ejecting ultraviolet curable ink onto a medium, an ultraviolet irradiating unit configured to be capable of reciprocating in the first direction together with the print head and irradiating ultraviolet light onto the ultraviolet curable ink ejected onto the medium, a first movement unit that moves the print head and the ultraviolet irradiating unit in the first direction, a second movement unit that moves the print head, the ultraviolet irradiating unit, and the medium relatively in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and control of the first movement, which is the movement of the print head and the ultraviolet irradiating unit in the first direction, the second movement, which is the relative movement of the print head, the ultraviolet irradiating unit, and the medium in the second direction, the ejection of the ultraviolet curable ink from the print head, and the irradiation of ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet irradiating unit. and a control unit which performs a first control of ejecting the ultraviolet curable ink from the print head and irradiating the ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet irradiation unit while executing the first movement and the second movement from the print end position side of the medium to the print end position side of the medium, and a second control of irradiating the ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet irradiation unit while executing the first movement and the second movement from the print end position side to the print start position side without ejecting the ultraviolet curable ink from the print head, and is characterized in that a second speed which is the movement speed of the print head and the ultraviolet irradiation unit during the first movement in the second control is faster than a first speed which is the movement speed of the print head and the ultraviolet irradiation unit during the first movement in the first control.

[0006] In addition, a printing device of the present invention for solving the above problem includes a print head configured to be able to reciprocate in a first direction and eject ultraviolet curable ink onto a medium, an ultraviolet irradiating unit configured to be able to reciprocate in the first direction together with the print head and irradiate ultraviolet light onto the ultraviolet curable ink ejected onto the medium, a first movement unit that moves the print head and the ultraviolet irradiating unit in the first direction, a second movement unit that moves the print head, the ultraviolet irradiating unit, and the medium relatively in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and a control unit that controls the first movement, which is the movement of the print head and the ultraviolet irradiating unit in the first direction, the second movement, which is the relative movement of the print head, the ultraviolet irradiating unit, and the medium in the second direction, the ejection of the ultraviolet curable ink from the print head, and the irradiation of the ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet irradiating unit, and the control unit is The present invention is capable of executing a first control that executes the first movement and the second movement from a printing start position side of the recording medium to a printing end position side of the medium, while ejecting the ultraviolet curable ink from the print head and irradiating the ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet irradiation unit; a second control that moves the print head and the ultraviolet irradiation unit from the printing end position side to the printing start position side; and a third control that executes the irradiation of the ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet irradiation unit without ejecting the ultraviolet curable ink from the print head, while executing the first movement and the second movement from the printing start position side to the printing end position side, wherein a second speed, which is the movement speed of the print head and the ultraviolet irradiation unit in the third control, is faster than a first speed, which is the movement speed of the print head and the ultraviolet irradiation unit for the first movement in the first control. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic plan view of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a schematic front view of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic bottom view of a carriage of a printing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4]1 is a schematic side view of a carriage of a printing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] 5 is a schematic side view of a carriage of a printing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, seen from the opposite side to FIG. 4. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic bottom view of an example of a carriage of a printing device according to an embodiment different from the printing devices of FIGS. 1 to 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 4 is a flowchart of a printing method that can be implemented using a printing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 6 is a flowchart of a printing method, different from that of FIG. 5, that can be implemented using a printing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] First, the present invention will be briefly described. In order to solve the above problem, a printing device according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a print head configured to be capable of reciprocating in a first direction and ejecting ultraviolet curable ink onto a medium, an ultraviolet irradiating unit configured to be capable of reciprocating in the first direction together with the print head and irradiating ultraviolet light onto the ultraviolet curable ink ejected onto the medium, a first movement unit that moves the print head and the ultraviolet irradiating unit in the first direction, a second movement unit that moves the print head, the ultraviolet irradiating unit, and the medium relatively in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and a first movement that is the movement of the print head and the ultraviolet irradiating unit in the first direction, a second movement that is the relative movement of the print head, the ultraviolet irradiating unit, and the medium in the second direction, ejection of the ultraviolet curable ink from the print head, irradiation of the ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet irradiating unit, and a control unit that controls the above-mentioned. The control unit is capable of executing a first control of ejecting the ultraviolet curable ink from the print head and irradiating the ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet irradiation unit while executing the first movement and the second movement from the print end position side of the medium to the print end position side of the medium, and a second control of irradiating the ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet irradiation unit while executing the first movement and the second movement from the print end position side to the print start position side, without ejecting the ultraviolet curable ink from the print head, and characterized in that a second speed, which is the movement speed of the print head and the ultraviolet irradiation unit during the first movement in the second control, is faster than a first speed, which is the movement speed of the print head and the ultraviolet irradiation unit during the first movement in the first control.

[0009] According to this aspect, in addition to the first control in which the first movement and the second movement are performed from the print start position side to the print end position side, while the ultraviolet curable ink is ejected from the print head and the ultraviolet irradiation unit is irradiated with ultraviolet light, the second control can be performed in which the first movement and the second movement are performed from the print end position side to the print start position side, while the ultraviolet irradiation unit is irradiated with ultraviolet light without ejecting the ultraviolet curable ink from the print head. Therefore, in addition to the first control, the second control can irradiate ultraviolet light reliably, and the ultraviolet curable ink can be reliably cured. Also, the second speed, which is the movement speed of the print head and the ultraviolet irradiation unit in the first movement in the second control, is faster than the first speed, which is the movement speed of the print head and the ultraviolet irradiation unit in the first movement in the first control. Therefore, the second control can be performed in a short time, and a decrease in throughput can be suppressed.

[0010] A printing device of a second aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the first aspect, a second relative movement speed, which is the speed of the relative movement of the second movement in the second control, is faster than a first relative movement speed, which is the speed of the relative movement of the second movement in the first control.

[0011] According to this aspect, the second relative movement speed, which is the speed of the relative movement of the second movement in the second control, is faster than the first relative movement speed, which is the speed of the relative movement of the second movement in the first control. Therefore, since the second relative movement speed in the second control is also fast in addition to the second speed in the second control, the second control can be performed in a particularly short time, and a decrease in throughput can be effectively suppressed.

[0012] A printing device of a third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the first or second aspect, the control unit executes the first control and the second control so that the degree of curing of the ultraviolet curable ink ejected onto the medium after executing the first control and then the second control is 97% or more.

[0013] According to this aspect, the first control and the second control are executed so that the degree of curing of the ultraviolet curable ink ejected onto the medium after executing the second control after executing the first control is 97% or more. This prevents the ultraviolet curable ink ejected onto the medium from being insufficiently cured after executing the second control, and prevents damage to the image and dirt on objects that come into contact with the ultraviolet curable ink.

[0014] A fourth aspect of the printing device of the present invention is characterized in that, in any one of the first to third aspects, the control unit controls the integrated irradiation amount of ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet irradiation unit in the second control to be less than the integrated irradiation amount of ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet irradiation unit in the first control.

[0015] According to this aspect, the integrated amount of ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet light irradiating unit in the second control is controlled to be smaller than the integrated amount of ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet light irradiating unit in the first control. That is, for example, in the case where the irradiation intensity of ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light irradiating unit is set to be equal in the first control and the second control, the second control can be executed in a short time. Therefore, a decrease in throughput can be effectively suppressed.

[0016] A fifth aspect of the printing device of the present invention is characterized in that, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, it is provided with a cleaning unit that cleans the print head in accordance with the control of the control unit, and the control unit controls the irradiation intensity of the ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet irradiation unit in the second control to be higher than the irradiation intensity of the ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet irradiation unit in the first control, and controls the cleaning frequency of the print head by the cleaning unit in the second control to be higher than the cleaning frequency of the print head by the cleaning unit in the first control.

[0017] According to this aspect, the irradiation intensity of ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet irradiating unit in the second control is controlled to be higher than the irradiation intensity of ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet irradiating unit in the first control, and the cleaning frequency of the print head by the cleaning unit in the second control is controlled to be higher than the cleaning frequency of the print head by the cleaning unit in the first control. If the irradiation intensity is increased, there is a risk that ultraviolet light will reach the nozzles of the print head and harden the ultraviolet curable ink in the nozzles, but by increasing the cleaning frequency, it is possible to properly remove the hardened ultraviolet curable ink, and the risk of nozzle clogging can be reduced.

[0018] A printing device according to a sixth aspect of the present invention includes a print head configured to be reciprocable in a first direction and to eject ultraviolet curable ink onto a medium, an ultraviolet irradiation unit configured to be reciprocable in the first direction together with the print head and to irradiate ultraviolet light onto the ultraviolet curable ink ejected onto the medium, a first movement unit configured to move the print head and the ultraviolet irradiation unit in the first direction, a second movement unit configured to relatively move the print head, the ultraviolet irradiation unit, and the medium in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and a control unit configured to control the first movement which is the movement of the print head and the ultraviolet irradiation unit in the first direction, the second movement which is the relative movement of the print head, the ultraviolet irradiation unit, and the medium in the second direction, the ejection of the ultraviolet curable ink from the print head, and the irradiation of ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet irradiation unit, and the control unit is configured to perform printing on the medium. The present invention is capable of executing a first control that executes the first movement and the second movement from the printing start position side to the printing end position side of the medium, while ejecting the ultraviolet curable ink from the print head and irradiating the ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet irradiation unit; a second control that moves the print head and the ultraviolet irradiation unit from the printing end position side to the printing start position side; and a third control that executes the irradiation of the ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet irradiation unit without ejecting the ultraviolet curable ink from the print head, while executing the first movement and the second movement from the printing start position side to the printing end position side, wherein a second speed, which is the movement speed of the print head and the ultraviolet irradiation unit in the third control, is faster than a first speed, which is the movement speed of the print head and the ultraviolet irradiation unit for the first movement in the first control.

[0019] According to this aspect, in addition to the first control in which the print head ejects ultraviolet curable ink and the ultraviolet irradiation unit irradiates ultraviolet light while executing the first and second movements from the print start position side to the print end position side, and the second control in which the print head and the ultraviolet irradiation unit move from the print end position side to the print start position side, it is possible to execute a third control in which the ultraviolet irradiation unit irradiates ultraviolet light while executing the first and second movements from the print start position side to the print end position side without ejecting ultraviolet curable ink from the print head. Therefore, in addition to the first control, the third control can irradiate ultraviolet light reliably, and the ultraviolet curable ink can be reliably cured. Also, the second speed, which is the movement speed of the print head and the ultraviolet irradiation unit in the first movement in the third control, is faster than the first speed, which is the movement speed of the print head and the ultraviolet irradiation unit in the first movement in the first control. Therefore, the third control can be executed in a short time, and a decrease in throughput can be suppressed.

[0020] A printing device of a seventh aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the sixth aspect, a second relative movement speed, which is the speed of the relative movement of the second movement in the third control, is faster than a first relative movement speed, which is the speed of the relative movement of the second movement in the first control.

[0021] According to this aspect, the second relative movement speed, which is the speed of the relative movement of the second movement in the third control, is faster than the first relative movement speed, which is the speed of the relative movement of the second movement in the first control. Therefore, since the second relative movement speed in the third control is also fast in addition to the second speed in the third control, the third control can be performed in a particularly short time, and a decrease in throughput can be effectively suppressed.

[0022] An eighth aspect of the printing device of the present invention is characterized in that, in the sixth or seventh aspect, the control unit executes the first control, the second control, and the third control so that the degree of curing of the ultraviolet curable ink ejected onto the medium after executing the first control and the second control and then the third control is 97% or more.

[0023] According to this aspect, the first control, the second control, and the third control are executed so that the degree of curing of the ultraviolet curable ink ejected onto the medium after executing the third control after executing the first and second controls is 97% or more. This prevents the ultraviolet curable ink ejected onto the medium from being insufficiently cured after executing the third control, and prevents damage to the image and dirt on objects that come into contact with the ultraviolet curable ink.

[0024] A ninth aspect of the printing device of the present invention is characterized in that, in any one of the sixth to eighth aspects, the control unit controls the integrated irradiation amount of ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet irradiation unit in the third control to be less than the integrated irradiation amount of ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet irradiation unit in the first control.

[0025] According to this aspect, the integrated amount of ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet light irradiating unit in the third control is controlled to be less than the integrated amount of ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet light irradiating unit in the first control. That is, for example, in the case where the irradiation intensity of ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light irradiating unit is set to be equal in the first control and the third control, the third control can be executed in a short time. Therefore, a decrease in throughput can be effectively suppressed.

[0026] A tenth aspect of the printing device of the present invention is characterized in that, in any one of the sixth to ninth aspects, it is provided with a cleaning unit that cleans the print head in accordance with the control of the control unit, and the control unit controls the irradiation intensity of the ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet irradiation unit in the third control to be higher than the irradiation intensity of the ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet irradiation unit in the first control, and controls the cleaning frequency of the print head by the cleaning unit in the third control to be higher than the cleaning frequency of the print head by the cleaning unit in the first control.

[0027] According to this aspect, the irradiation intensity of ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet irradiating unit in the third control is controlled to be higher than the irradiation intensity of ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet irradiating unit in the first control, and the cleaning frequency of the print head by the cleaning unit in the third control is controlled to be higher than the cleaning frequency of the print head by the cleaning unit in the first control. If the irradiation intensity is increased, there is a risk that ultraviolet light will reach the nozzles of the print head and harden the ultraviolet curable ink in the nozzles, but by increasing the cleaning frequency, it is possible to properly remove the hardened ultraviolet curable ink, and the risk of nozzle clogging can be reduced.

[0028] A printing device of an eleventh aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in any one of the sixth to tenth aspects, the control unit executes the first control so that the degree of curing of the ultraviolet curable ink ejected onto the medium after execution of the first control is 50% or more.

[0029] According to this aspect, the first control is executed so that the degree of curing of the ultraviolet curable ink ejected onto the medium after execution of the first control is 50% or more. Therefore, the ultraviolet curable ink ejected onto the medium after execution of the first control is sufficiently provisionally cured, thereby suppressing misalignment and bleeding, and suppressing deterioration of image quality.

[0030] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, an overview of a printing device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0031] As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the printing device 1 of this embodiment includes a placement unit 7 on which a medium M to be printed is placed. The printing device 1 also includes a carriage 2 provided with a print head 3 shown in Fig. 3 and an ultraviolet irradiation unit 4 shown in Figs. 3, 4, and 5. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the carriage 2 is attached to a guide rail 6 of a gantry 5. Here, the carriage 2 is configured to be able to reciprocate in a forward direction A1 and a backward direction A2 along a main scanning direction A corresponding to the extension direction of the guide rail 6. The gantry 5 is also configured to be able to reciprocate in directions B1 and B2 along a sub-scanning direction B perpendicular to the main scanning direction A with the carriage 2 mounted thereon so as to be able to reciprocate along the main scanning direction A, relative to the placement unit 7.

[0032] Here, Fig. 1 shows a state in which the carriage 2 is in the home position. As shown in Fig. 2, a cleaning unit 8 equipped with a wiper and a suction cap capable of cleaning the print head 3 is provided at the home position. The printing device 1 of this embodiment ejects ultraviolet-curable ink from the print head 3 toward the medium M and irradiates ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet irradiation unit 4 while repeating the reciprocating movement of the carriage 2 along the main scanning direction A and the movement of the gantry 5 along the sub-scanning direction B by an amount corresponding to a predetermined number of passes, thereby forming an image on the medium M. The ejection direction C of the ultraviolet-curable ink from the print head 3 is vertically downward.

[0033] 1 along the sub-scanning direction B while moving the carriage 2 back and forth along the main scanning direction A, and form an image on the medium M by ejecting ultraviolet-curable ink from the print head 3 and irradiating ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet irradiation unit 4. Here, moving the gantry 5 from the print start position Ps side to the print end position Pe side includes not only moving the gantry 5 from the print start position Ps to the print end position Pe, but also moving the gantry 5 from a position before or past the print start position Ps to a position before or past the print end position Pe in the direction B1, which is the movement direction of the gantry 5. Similarly, when the gantry 5 is moved from the print end position Pe to the print start position Ps, this also includes the case where the gantry 5 is moved from the print end position Pe to the print start position Ps, as well as the case where the gantry 5 is moved from a position before or past the print end position Pe to a position before or past the print start position Ps in direction B2, which is the movement direction of the gantry 5.

[0034] However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. For example, instead of a configuration in which the gantry 5 is moved along the sub-scanning direction B relative to the medium M placed on the placement unit, a configuration in which the medium M placed on the placement unit is moved along the sub-scanning direction B may be used. Furthermore, a configuration in which the medium M is transported in a transport direction corresponding to the sub-scanning direction B by a transport roller or the like may be used. A detailed printing method using the printing device 1 of this embodiment will be described later.

[0035] Here, the printing device 1 of this embodiment is configured to be able to use, as ultraviolet curing inks, black ink, cyan ink, magenta ink, yellow ink, gray ink, red ink, light cyan ink, and light magenta ink, which are color inks for forming an image on the medium M, white ink for forming a base before or after forming an image on the medium M, and varnish ink (transparent ink) for coating the image formed on the medium M. Then, it is possible to form an image on the medium M in a mode for forming an image on the medium M using only color inks, a mode for forming an image on the medium M using color inks and white ink, a mode for forming an image on the medium M using color inks and varnish ink, and a mode for forming an image on the medium M using color inks, white ink, and varnish ink.

[0036] In the printing device 1 of this embodiment, each of the color inks, the white ink, and the varnish ink contains an ultraviolet curing material that is cured by irradiation with ultraviolet light, and is an ultraviolet curing ink. However, inks other than ultraviolet curing inks may be used for any of the color inks, the white ink, and the varnish ink. Furthermore, there is no particular limitation on the type of ultraviolet curing material contained in the ultraviolet curing ink or the types of other contained materials.

[0037] Here, in the printing device 1 of this embodiment, the medium M can be a paper dedicated for inkjet printing such as plain paper, high-quality paper, and glossy paper. In addition, the medium M can be, for example, a plastic film that has not been surface-treated for inkjet printing, i.e., has no ink absorbing layer, and a substrate such as paper coated with plastic or a substrate with a plastic film attached thereto. The plastic is not particularly limited, but examples thereof include polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, polystyrene, polyurethane, polyethylene, and polypropylene. In addition, the medium M can be a material to be printed. The material to be printed refers to fabrics, clothes, and other clothing products that are the subject of printing. Fabrics include woven fabrics, knitted fabrics, nonwoven fabrics, and the like made of natural fibers such as cotton, silk, and wool, chemical fibers such as nylon, or composite fibers made by mixing these. Additionally, clothing and other clothing products include sewn T-shirts, handkerchiefs, scarves, towels, shopping bags, cloth bags, curtains, sheets, bed covers, and other furniture, as well as fabrics that exist as parts before or after cutting.

[0038] Next, a detailed configuration of the carriage 2 will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 5. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the carriage 2 has an area 2a, and areas 2b and 2c provided on either side of the area 2a in the main scanning direction A. As shown in Figure 3, a plurality of print heads 3 are provided in the area 2a, ultraviolet ray irradiation units 4A and 4C are provided in the area 2b, and ultraviolet ray irradiation units 4B and 4D are provided in the area 2c.

[0039] 3 is a view of the carriage 2 from the nozzle surface side where the nozzles N of the print heads 3 are provided, and in detail, two print heads 3A that eject black ink, cyan ink, magenta ink, and yellow ink, two print heads 3B that eject gray ink, red ink, light cyan ink, and light magenta ink, two print heads 3C that eject white ink, and two print heads 3D that eject varnish ink are provided in the area 2a. The two print heads 3A, the two print heads 3B, the two print heads 3C, and the two print heads 3D are arranged such that the nozzles N partially overlap when viewed from the main scanning direction A, and are arranged from the front side to the rear side in the direction B1 in the order of the print head 3C, the print head 3A, the print head 3B, and the print head 3D. In addition, both of the two print heads 3A have nozzle rows arranged in the main scanning direction A from left to right in Figure 3 in the following order: a nozzle row that is a row of nozzles N that ejects cyan ink, a nozzle row that ejects magenta ink, a nozzle row that ejects yellow ink, and a nozzle row that ejects black ink. Both of the two print heads 3B have nozzle rows arranged in the main scanning direction A from left to right in Figure 3 in the following order: a nozzle row that ejects gray ink, a nozzle row that ejects red ink, a nozzle row that ejects light magenta, and a nozzle row that ejects light cyan.

[0040] The ultraviolet irradiation unit 4A provided in the region 2b and the ultraviolet irradiation unit 4B provided in the region 2c are disposed on both sides of the print head 3A and the print head 3B in the main scanning direction A, and are disposed so as to overlap the print head 3C, the print head 3A, and the print head 3B as viewed from the main scanning direction A. The ultraviolet irradiation unit 4C provided in the region 2b and the ultraviolet irradiation unit 4D provided in the region 2c are disposed at positions shifted from each other as viewed from the main scanning direction A. However, the light source 4c2 and the light source 4d2 overlap in part as viewed from the main scanning direction A. The ultraviolet irradiation unit 4C and the ultraviolet irradiation unit 4D are both disposed behind the print head 3D in the direction B1, and as can be seen by comparing FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the installation position of the ultraviolet irradiation unit 4D in the vertical direction is lower than the installation position of the ultraviolet irradiation unit 4C in the vertical direction. Each ultraviolet irradiation unit has a light source and a cover that covers the light source, with ultraviolet irradiation unit 4A having a cover 4a1 and a light source 4a2, ultraviolet irradiation unit 4B having a cover 4b1 and a light source 4b2, ultraviolet irradiation unit 4C having a cover 4c1 and a light source 4c2, and ultraviolet irradiation unit 4D having a cover 4d1 and a light source 4d2.

[0041] The irradiation intensity of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation unit 4A and the ultraviolet irradiation unit 4B is stronger than that from the ultraviolet irradiation unit 4C and the ultraviolet irradiation unit 4D. The irradiation intensity of the ultraviolet irradiation unit 4D is equal to that of the ultraviolet irradiation unit 4C, but since the installation position of the ultraviolet irradiation unit 4D in the vertical direction is lower than that of the ultraviolet irradiation unit 4C in the vertical direction as described above, the relative irradiation intensity of the ultraviolet irradiation unit 4D with respect to the ultraviolet irradiation unit 4C on the surface of the medium M is slightly stronger than that of the ultraviolet irradiation unit 4C. In the printing device 1 of this embodiment, the carriage 2 is configured as described above, but is not limited to such a configuration. There is no particular limitation on the arrangement or number of the print head 3 and the ultraviolet irradiation unit 4 provided on the carriage 2, and the print head 3 and the ultraviolet irradiation unit 4 may not be arranged on one carriage 2 as long as they are configured to be reciprocated along the main scanning direction A.

[0042] For example, the carriage 2 may have a configuration as shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the carriage 2 of the printing device 11 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the carriage 2 of the printing device 11, two print heads 3E and 3F are provided in the region 2d, and an ultraviolet ray irradiation unit 4E is provided in the region 2e. FIG. 6 is a diagram of the carriage 2 as seen from the nozzle surface side of the print head 3, and in detail, the print head 3E that ejects black ink, cyan ink, magenta ink, yellow ink, gray ink, red ink, light cyan ink, and light magenta ink, and the print head 3F that ejects white ink and varnish ink are provided in the region 2d. The two print heads 3E and the print head 3F are arranged in the order of the print head 3E and the print head 3F from the front side to the rear side in the direction B1. 3 in the main scanning direction A, the print head 3E has nozzle rows arranged in the following order: a nozzle row ejecting cyan ink, a nozzle row ejecting magenta ink, a nozzle row ejecting yellow ink, a nozzle row ejecting black ink, a nozzle row ejecting gray ink, a nozzle row ejecting red ink, a nozzle row ejecting light magenta, and a nozzle row ejecting light cyan, and the print head 3F has nozzle rows arranged in the following order: four nozzle rows ejecting varnish ink and four nozzle rows ejecting white ink, from left to right in the main scanning direction A in Fig. 3. The ultraviolet irradiator 4E has a cover 4e1 and a light source 4e2.

[0043] Next, the electrical configuration of the printing device 1 of this embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 5 will be described with reference to Figure 7. The electrical configuration of the printing device 11 shown in Figure 6 is similar. As shown in Figure 7, the printing device 1 of this embodiment includes a control unit 20. The control unit 20 includes a CPU 21 that is responsible for the overall control of the printing device 1. The CPU 21 is connected, via a system bus 22, to a ROM 23 that stores various control programs executed by the CPU 21, and a RAM 24 that can temporarily store data.

[0044] The CPU 21 is connected to a head drive unit 25 for driving the print head 3 that ejects ultraviolet curable ink via a system bus 22. The CPU 21 is also connected to an irradiation unit drive unit 29 for driving the ultraviolet irradiator 4 via the system bus 22.

[0045] The CPU 21 is also connected, via the system bus 22, to a motor drive unit 26 which is connected to a carriage motor 27 and a gantry motor 28. Here, the carriage motor 27 is a motor for moving the carriage 2 carrying the print heads 3 and the like back and forth in the main scanning direction A. The gantry motor 28 is a motor for moving the gantry 5 back and forth in the sub-scanning direction B.

[0046] Furthermore, the CPU 21 is connected via the system bus 22 to an input / output unit 30 which is connected to a PC 31 for transmitting and receiving data such as print data and signals.

[0047] Here, the printing device 1 of this embodiment includes a print head 3 configured to be movable back and forth in a main scanning direction A as a first direction and ejecting ultraviolet curable ink onto a medium M, and an ultraviolet irradiation unit 4 configured to be movable back and forth in the main scanning direction A together with the print head 3 and irradiating ultraviolet rays onto the ultraviolet curable ink ejected onto the medium M, which are mounted on a carriage 2. The carriage 2 and the carriage motor 27 serve as a first moving unit that moves the print head 3 and the ultraviolet irradiation unit 4 in the main scanning direction A, and the gantry 5 and the gantry motor 28 serve as a second moving unit that moves the carriage 2 and the medium M relatively in a sub-scanning direction B as a second direction intersecting the first direction. The control unit 20 controls the first movement, which is the movement of the carriage 2 in the main scanning direction A, the second movement, which is the relative movement of the gantry 5 and the medium M in the sub-scanning direction B, the ejection of ultraviolet curable ink from the print head 3, and the irradiation of ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation unit 4. A printing method executable by the printing device 1 of this embodiment, which is executed under the control of the control unit 20, will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0048] First, a description will be given of a printing method executable by the printer 1 of this embodiment, which is shown in the flowchart of Fig. 8. In the printing method of this embodiment, first, in step S110, print data is input from the PC 31 or the like.

[0049] Next, in step S120, the control unit 20 executes a first control by controlling each component of the printing device 1. Here, the first control refers to control by the control unit 20 that moves the carriage 2 from the print start position Ps side of the medium M to the print end position Pe side of the medium M. In the first control, the control unit 20 further executes the ejection of ultraviolet curable ink from the print head 3 and the irradiation of ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation unit 4 while executing the first movement and the second movement. In the printing method of this embodiment represented by the flowchart of FIG. 8, the ejection of ultraviolet curable ink onto the medium M is completed by the first control.

[0050] Next, in step S130, the control unit 20 executes the second control by controlling each component of the printing device 1, and the printing method of this embodiment ends with the end of this step. Here, the second control is control by the control unit 20 that moves the carriage 2 from the print end position Pe side to the print start position Ps side. In the second control, the control unit 20 further executes the first movement and the second movement while irradiating ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiating unit 4 without ejecting ultraviolet curable ink from the print head 3. That is, in the printing method of this embodiment represented by the flowchart of FIG. 8, the second control corresponds to an additional ultraviolet irradiation process that complements the ultraviolet irradiation performed during the first control.

[0051] Thus, in the printing method of this embodiment, in addition to the first control in which the print head 3 ejects ultraviolet curable ink and the ultraviolet irradiation unit 4 irradiates ultraviolet light while executing the first and second movements from the print start position Ps side to the print end position Pe side, the second control in which the ultraviolet irradiation unit 4 irradiates ultraviolet light without ejecting ultraviolet curable ink from the print head 3 while executing the first and second movements from the print end position Pe side to the print start position Ps side is executed. Therefore, in addition to the first control, the second control can irradiate ultraviolet light reliably, and the ultraviolet curable ink can be reliably cured. In addition, in the second control, the time required for the additional ultraviolet light irradiation process is the time required for the carriage 2 to return from the print end position Pe side to the print start position Ps side, that is, the time required for the carriage 2 to return to the home position. Therefore, by executing the printing method of this embodiment, time can be used efficiently.

[0052] In addition, the printing device 1 of this embodiment, under the control of the control unit 20, makes the second speed, which is the moving speed of the carriage 2 in the first movement in the second control of step S130, faster than the first speed, which is the moving speed of the carriage 2 in the first movement in the first control of step S120. Therefore, the second control can be executed in a short time, and a decrease in throughput can be suppressed. Note that, here, "making the second speed faster" does not only mean that the speed during the moving operation in the reciprocating movement of the carriage 2 along the main scanning direction A is faster, but also means that even if the speed during the moving operation is the same, the stop time when moving in the forward direction A1 changes to moving in the return direction A2 and the stop time when moving in the return direction A2 changes to moving in the forward direction A1 are short.

[0053] In addition, the printing device 1 of this embodiment can make the second relative movement speed, which is the speed of the relative movement of the second movement in the second control of step S130, faster than the first relative movement speed, which is the speed of the relative movement of the second movement in the first control of step S120, by the control of the control unit 20. In this way, in addition to the second speed in the second control, the second relative movement speed in the second control is also faster, so that the second control can be executed in a particularly short time, and a decrease in throughput can be effectively suppressed. Note that here, "making the second relative movement speed faster" does not only mean that the speed during the movement operation of the gantry 5 is faster, but also means that, for example, when the gantry 5 is moved intermittently, even if the speed during the movement operation is the same, the amount of movement of the gantry 5 per intermittent movement is large or the stop time of the gantry 5 due to the intermittent movement is short.

[0054] Furthermore, in the printing method of this embodiment, the control unit 20 executes the first control and the second control so that the degree of curing of the ultraviolet curable ink ejected onto the medium M after executing the first control in step S120 and then executing the second control in step S130 is 97% or more. This prevents the ultraviolet curable ink ejected onto the medium M from being insufficiently cured after executing the second control, and prevents damage to the image formed on the medium M and staining of the hands of an operator who touches the ultraviolet curable ink ejected onto the medium M.

[0055] Furthermore, in the printing method of this embodiment, the control unit 20 executes the first control so that the degree of curing of the ultraviolet curable ink ejected onto the medium M after execution of the first control in step S120 is 50% or more. As a result, the ultraviolet curable ink ejected onto the medium M after execution of the first control is sufficiently provisionally cured, thereby suppressing misalignment and bleeding, and suppressing deterioration of image quality. Furthermore, since the degree of curing of the ultraviolet curable ink required in the second control is less than 50%, it is easy to execute the second control in a shorter time than the first control.

[0056] In addition, in the printing method of this embodiment, the control unit 20 controls the cumulative irradiation amount of ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light irradiation unit 4 in the second control of step S130 to be less than the cumulative irradiation amount of ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light irradiation unit 4 in the first control of step S120. In the printing method of this embodiment, for example, it is possible to make the irradiation intensity of ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light irradiation unit 4 equal in the first control and the second control, or to make the irradiation intensity of ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light irradiation unit 4 in the second control higher than the irradiation intensity of ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light irradiation unit 4 in the first control, as described later. In this case, the second control can be executed in a short time by controlling the cumulative irradiation amount of ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light irradiation unit 4 in the second control to be less than the cumulative irradiation amount of ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light irradiation unit 4 in the first control. Therefore, by executing the second control in a short time, it is possible to effectively suppress a decrease in throughput.

[0057] As described above, the printing device 1 of this embodiment includes a cleaning unit 8 capable of cleaning the print head 3, and the cleaning unit 8 cleans the print head 3 according to the control of the control unit 20. Here, the control unit 20 can control the irradiation intensity of the ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light irradiation unit 4 in the second control of step S130 to be higher than the irradiation intensity of the ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light irradiation unit 4 in the first control of step S120. When such control is performed, the cleaning frequency of the print head 3 by the cleaning unit 8 in the second control can be controlled to be higher than the cleaning frequency of the print head 3 by the cleaning unit 8 in the first control. If the irradiation intensity is increased, there is a risk that the ultraviolet light will reach the nozzles N of the print head 3 and the ultraviolet curable ink in the nozzles N will harden, but by increasing the cleaning frequency, it is possible to properly remove the cured ultraviolet curable ink, and the risk of nozzle clogging can be reduced.

[0058] Next, a printing method executable by the printing device 1 of this embodiment and shown in the flowchart of Fig. 9 will be described. In the printing method of this embodiment, steps S110 and S120 are similar to the printing method shown in the flowchart of Fig. 8, so detailed description will be omitted. However, step S130 in the printing method of this embodiment differs from the printing method shown in the flowchart of Fig. 8 in that the first movement and irradiation of ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light irradiation unit 4 are not executed.

[0059] 9, in the printing method of this embodiment, after step S130 is completed, a third control in step S140 is executed. The third control is control by the control unit 20 that moves the carriage 2 from the print start position Ps side to the print end position Pe side. Furthermore, in the third control, the control unit 20 executes the irradiation of ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation unit 4 while executing the first movement and the second movement, without ejecting ultraviolet curable ink from the print head 3. That is, in addition to the first control in which the carriage 2 is caused to make a first and second movement from the print start position Ps to the print end position Pe while ejecting ultraviolet curable ink from the print head 3 and irradiating ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet irradiation unit 4, and the second control in which the carriage 2 is caused to move from the print end position Pe to the print start position Ps, a third control is executed in which the carriage 2 is caused to make a first and second movement from the print start position Ps to the print end position Pe while irradiating ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet irradiation unit 4 without ejecting ultraviolet curable ink from the print head 3. Therefore, ultraviolet light can be reliably irradiated by the third control in addition to the first control, and the ultraviolet curable ink can be reliably cured.

[0060] Furthermore, the printing device 1 of this embodiment, under the control of the control unit 20, makes the second speed, which is the movement speed of the carriage 2 in the third control in step S140, faster than the first speed, which is the movement speed of the carriage 2 in the first movement in the first control in step S120. Therefore, the third control can be executed in a short time, and a decrease in throughput can be suppressed.

[0061] Furthermore, the printing device 1 of this embodiment can, through the control of the control unit 20, make the second relative movement speed, which is the speed of the relative movement of the second movement in the third control of step S140, faster than the first relative movement speed, which is the speed of the relative movement of the second movement in the first control of step S120. In this way, since the second relative movement speed in the third control as well as the second speed in the third control are faster, the third control can be executed in an especially short time, and a decrease in throughput can be effectively suppressed.

[0062] Furthermore, in the printing method of this embodiment, the control unit 20 executes the first control, the second control, and the third control so that the degree of curing of the ultraviolet curable ink ejected onto the medium M after executing the first control in step S120 and the second control in step S130 and then executing the third control in step S140 is 97% or more. This prevents the ultraviolet curable ink ejected onto the medium M from being insufficiently cured after executing the third control, and prevents damage to the image formed on the medium M and staining of the hands of an operator who touches the ultraviolet curable ink ejected onto the medium M.

[0063] 6, in the printing method of this embodiment, the control unit 20 executes the first control so that the degree of curing of the ultraviolet curable ink ejected onto the medium M after execution of the first control in step S120 is 50% or more. Therefore, the ultraviolet curable ink ejected onto the medium M after execution of the first control is sufficiently provisionally cured, thereby suppressing misalignment and bleeding, and suppressing deterioration of image quality. Furthermore, since the degree of curing of the ultraviolet curable ink required in the second control is less than 50%, it is easy to execute the second control in a shorter time than the first control.

[0064] In the printing method of this embodiment, the control unit 20 controls the cumulative irradiation amount of ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light irradiation unit 4 in the third control in step S140 to be less than the cumulative irradiation amount of ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light irradiation unit 4 in the first control in step S120. In the printing method of this embodiment, for example, it is possible to make the irradiation intensity of ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light irradiation unit 4 equal in the first control and the third control, or to make the irradiation intensity of ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light irradiation unit 4 in the third control higher than the irradiation intensity of ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light irradiation unit 4 in the first control, as described later. In this case, the third control can be executed in a short time by controlling the cumulative irradiation amount of ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light irradiation unit 4 in the third control to be less than the cumulative irradiation amount of ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light irradiation unit 4 in the first control. Therefore, by executing the third control in a short time, it is possible to effectively suppress a decrease in throughput.

[0065] Furthermore, the control unit 20 can perform control so that the irradiation intensity of ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light irradiation unit 4 in the third control in step S140 is higher than the irradiation intensity of ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light irradiation unit 4 in the first control in step S120. When performing such control, the control unit 20 can perform control so that the frequency of cleaning the print head 3 by the cleaning unit 8 in the third control is higher than the frequency of cleaning the print head 3 by the cleaning unit 8 in the first control. By performing such control by the control unit 20, the risk of nozzle clogging and the like occurring can be reduced.

[0066] The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention described in the claims, and it goes without saying that these modifications are also included in the scope of the present invention. For example, the printing device 1 and the printing device 11 may implement a printing method different from the printing method shown in the flowcharts of Figures 8 and 9, and may perform only the first control after step S110, or may perform a fourth movement of moving the carriage 2 from the print end position Pe side to the print start position Ps side after step S130, and may further perform the movement of the carriage 2 from the print start position Ps side to the print end position Pe side and the movement of the carriage 2 from the print end position Pe side to the print start position Ps side as many times as necessary. In addition, processing according to the print mode can be performed for each of the first movement to the fourth movement and the subsequent movement of the carriage 2 from the print start position Ps side to the print end position Pe side and the movement of the carriage 2 from the print end position Pe side to the print start position Ps side. The printing mode includes a mode for printing using white ink, color ink, and varnish ink, a mode for printing using color ink and varnish ink without using white ink, a mode for printing using only color ink, a mode for first discharging white ink onto the medium M to print a background, and then discharging color inks onto the background to print an image, a mode for first discharging color ink onto the medium M to print an image, and then discharging white ink onto the background to print an image, etc. The processing according to the printing mode includes whether or not ultraviolet light is irradiated from the ultraviolet light irradiation unit 4, and if it is irradiated, whether the entire ultraviolet light irradiation unit 4 is irradiated or only a part of the area, such as only an area adjacent to the print head 3 that ejected the ink or only an area located downstream in the traveling direction of the carriage 2 in the sub-scanning direction B from the print head 3 that ejected the ink, and further includes the irradiation intensity of the ultraviolet light irradiation unit 4, a combination of the irradiation intensity and irradiation position of the ultraviolet light irradiation unit 4, the movement speed of the first movement, the movement speed of the second movement, and combinations thereof. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 1...printing device, 2...carriage (first moving part), 2a...area, 2b...area, 2c...area, 2d...area, 2e...area, 3...print head, 3A...print head, 3B...print head, 3C...print head, 3D...print head, 3E...print head, 3F...print head, 4...ultraviolet ray irradiation section, 4A...ultraviolet ray irradiation section, 4B...ultraviolet ray irradiation section, 4C...ultraviolet ray irradiation section, 4D...ultraviolet ray irradiation section, 4E...ultraviolet ray irradiation section, 4a1...cover, 4a2...light source, 4b1...cover, 4b2...light source, 4c1...cover, 4c2...light source, 4d1...cover Bar light source, 4d2...light source, 4e1...cover, 4e2...light source, 5...gantry (second moving part), 6...guide rail, 7...mounting part, 8...cleaning part, 11...printing device, 20...control part, 21...CPU, 22...system bus, 23...ROM, 24...RAM, 25...head driving part, 26...motor driving part, 27...carriage motor (first moving part), 28...gantry motor (second moving part), 29...irradiation part driving part, 30...input / output part, 31...PC, M...medium, N...nozzle, Pe...printing end position, Ps...printing start position

Claims

1. A print head configured to be reciprocally movable in a first direction and configured to eject ultraviolet-curable ink onto a medium. and, The ink jet head is configured to be movable back and forth in the first direction together with the print head, and the ink jet head is configured to be movable back and forth in the first direction together with the print head. an ultraviolet ray irradiation unit that irradiates the ultraviolet ray curable ink with ultraviolet rays; a first moving unit that moves the print head and the ultraviolet ray irradiation unit in the first direction; The print head, the ultraviolet ray irradiation unit, and the medium are aligned in a second direction intersecting the first direction. a second moving unit that moves the first moving unit relative to the first moving unit; a first movement which is a movement of the print head and the ultraviolet ray irradiation unit in the first direction; a second movement in which the print head and the ultraviolet ray irradiation unit are moved relative to the medium in two directions; The ultraviolet curable ink is discharged from the print head, and the ultraviolet ray is emitted from the ultraviolet ray irradiation unit. A control unit that controls the irradiation of external radiation; Equipped with The control unit is configured to control the first recording medium from a printing start position side to a printing end position side of the medium. The ultraviolet curable ink is ejected from the print head while the first movement and the second movement are being performed. a first control for executing the output of the ink from the ink-jet printer and the irradiation of ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light irradiation unit; The printing is performed while executing the first movement and the second movement from the printing position side to the printing start position side. The ultraviolet ray irradiation unit is not used to eject the ultraviolet ray curable ink from the print head. and a second control for executing the irradiation of the ultraviolet light from the first control and the second control. The control unit is configured to control an integrated irradiation amount of the ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light irradiation unit in the second control. is smaller than the integrated irradiation amount of the ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light irradiation unit in the first control. Control the The moving speed of the print head and the ultraviolet ray irradiation unit during the first movement in the first control The speed of the print head and the purple ink in the first movement in the second control is faster than the first speed. A printing device, wherein the second speed, which is the moving speed of the external radiation irradiation unit, is fast.

2. 2. The printing device according to claim 1, than a first relative movement speed which is the speed of the relative movement of the second movement in the first control. The second relative movement speed, which is the speed of the relative movement of the second movement in the second control, is A printing device characterized by its speed.

3. 3. The printing device according to claim 1, The control unit is configured to control the amount of ink ejected onto the medium after the first control is executed and the second control is executed. The first control and the second control are performed so that the degree of curing of the ultraviolet curable ink is 97% or more. A printing apparatus characterized by executing two controls.

4. 4. The printing device according to claim 1, a cleaning unit that cleans the print head under the control of the control unit, The control unit is configured to control the irradiation intensity of the ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light irradiation unit in the second control. The irradiation intensity of the ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light irradiation unit in the first control is set to be higher than that in the first control. and controlling the frequency of cleaning the print head by the cleaning unit in the second control. is set to be higher than the frequency of cleaning of the print head by the cleaning unit in the first control. A printing apparatus characterized in that the printing apparatus is controlled to:

5. A print head configured to be reciprocally movable in a first direction and configured to eject ultraviolet-curable ink onto a medium. and, The ink jet head is configured to be movable back and forth in the first direction together with the print head, and the ink jet head is configured to be movable back and forth in the first direction together with the print head. an ultraviolet ray irradiation unit that irradiates the ultraviolet ray curable ink with ultraviolet rays; a first moving unit that moves the print head and the ultraviolet ray irradiation unit in the first direction; The print head, the ultraviolet ray irradiation unit, and the medium are aligned in a second direction intersecting the first direction. a second moving unit that moves the first moving unit relative to the first moving unit; a first movement which is a movement of the print head and the ultraviolet ray irradiation unit in the first direction; a second movement in which the print head and the ultraviolet ray irradiation unit are moved relative to the medium in two directions; The ultraviolet curable ink is discharged from the print head, and the ultraviolet ray is emitted from the ultraviolet ray irradiation unit. A control unit that controls the irradiation of external radiation; Equipped with The control unit is configured to control the first recording medium from a printing start position side to a printing end position side of the medium. The ultraviolet curable ink is ejected from the print head while the first movement and the second movement are being performed. a first control for executing the output of the ink from the ink-jet printer and the irradiation of ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light irradiation unit; a print head and an ultraviolet ray irradiation unit are moved from the print start position side to the print start position side; 2 control, and the first movement and the second movement from the printing start position side to the printing end position side. While performing the above, the ultraviolet curable ink is ejected from the print head. and a third control for causing the ultraviolet ray irradiation unit to irradiate the ultraviolet ray without using the ultraviolet ray irradiation unit. the law of nature, The control unit is configured to control an integrated irradiation amount of the ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light irradiation unit in the third control. is smaller than the integrated irradiation amount of the ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light irradiation unit in the first control. Control the The moving speed of the print head and the ultraviolet ray irradiation unit during the first movement in the first control The movement speed of the print head and the ultraviolet ray irradiation unit in the third control is faster than the first speed, The second speed, which is a dynamic speed, is fast.

6. 6. The printing device according to claim 5, than a first relative movement speed which is the speed of the relative movement of the second movement in the first control. The second relative movement speed, which is the speed of the relative movement of the second movement in the third control, is A printing device characterized by its speed.

7. 7. The printing device according to claim 5, The control unit executes the third control after executing the first control and the second control. so that the degree of curing of the ultraviolet curable ink ejected onto the medium is 97% or more. A printing apparatus comprising: a first control, the second control, and the third control.

8. 8. The printing device according to claim 5, a cleaning unit that cleans the print head under the control of the control unit, The control unit is configured to control the irradiation intensity of the ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light irradiation unit in the third control. The irradiation intensity of the ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light irradiation unit in the first control is set to be higher than that in the first control. and controlling the frequency of cleaning the print head by the cleaning unit in the third control. is set to be higher than the frequency of cleaning of the print head by the cleaning unit in the first control. A printing apparatus characterized in that the printing apparatus is controlled to:

9. 9. The printing device according to claim 1, The control unit is configured to control the ultraviolet curable ink ejected onto the medium after the first control is executed. a printing apparatus, characterized in that the first control is executed so that the degree of cure of 。

10. A print head configured to be capable of reciprocating in a first direction and ejecting ultraviolet-curable ink onto a medium. and, The ink jet head is configured to be movable back and forth in the first direction together with the print head, and the ink jet head is configured to be movable back and forth in the first direction together with the print head. an ultraviolet ray irradiation unit that irradiates the ultraviolet ray curable ink with ultraviolet rays; a first moving unit that moves the print head and the ultraviolet ray irradiation unit in the first direction; The print head, the ultraviolet ray irradiation unit, and the medium are aligned in a second direction intersecting the first direction. a second moving unit that moves the first moving unit relative to the first moving unit; a first movement which is a movement of the print head and the ultraviolet ray irradiation unit in the first direction; a second movement in which the print head and the ultraviolet ray irradiation unit are moved relative to the medium in two directions; The ultraviolet curable ink is discharged from the print head, and the ultraviolet ray is emitted from the ultraviolet ray irradiation unit. A control unit that controls the irradiation of external radiation; Equipped with The control unit is configured to control the first recording medium from a printing start position side to a printing end position side of the medium. The ultraviolet curable ink is ejected from the print head while the first movement and the second movement are being performed. a first control for executing the output of the ink from the ink-jet printer and the irradiation of ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light irradiation unit; The printing is performed while executing the first movement and the second movement from the printing position side to the printing start position side. The ultraviolet ray irradiation unit is not used to eject the ultraviolet ray curable ink from the print head. and a second control for executing the irradiation of the ultraviolet light from the first control and the second control. The control unit is configured to control the ultraviolet curable ink ejected onto the medium after the first control is executed. The first control is executed so that the degree of cure of the The moving speed of the print head and the ultraviolet ray irradiation unit during the first movement in the first control The speed of the print head and the purple ink in the first movement in the second control is faster than the first speed. A printing device, wherein the second speed, which is the moving speed of the external radiation irradiation unit, is fast.

11. A print head configured to be capable of reciprocating in a first direction and ejecting ultraviolet-curable ink onto a medium. and, The ink jet head is configured to be movable back and forth in the first direction together with the print head, and the ink jet head is configured to be movable back and forth in the first direction together with the print head. an ultraviolet ray irradiation unit that irradiates the ultraviolet ray curable ink with ultraviolet rays; a first moving unit that moves the print head and the ultraviolet ray irradiation unit in the first direction; The print head, the ultraviolet ray irradiation unit, and the medium are aligned in a second direction intersecting the first direction. a second moving unit that moves the first moving unit relative to the first moving unit; a first movement which is a movement of the print head and the ultraviolet ray irradiation unit in the first direction; a second movement in which the print head and the ultraviolet ray irradiation unit are moved relative to the medium in two directions; The ultraviolet curable ink is discharged from the print head, and the ultraviolet ray is emitted from the ultraviolet ray irradiation unit. A control unit that controls the irradiation of external radiation; Equipped with The control unit is configured to control the first recording medium from a printing start position side to a printing end position side of the medium. The ultraviolet curable ink is ejected from the print head while the first movement and the second movement are being performed. a first control for executing the output of the ink from the ink-jet printer and the irradiation of ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light irradiation unit; a print head and an ultraviolet ray irradiation unit are moved from the print start position side to the print start position side; 2 control, and the first movement and the second movement from the printing start position side to the printing end position side. While performing the above, the ultraviolet curable ink is ejected from the print head. and a third control for causing the ultraviolet ray irradiation unit to irradiate the ultraviolet ray without using the ultraviolet ray irradiation unit. the law of nature, The control unit is configured to control the ultraviolet curable ink ejected onto the medium after the first control is executed. The first control is executed so that the degree of cure of the The moving speed of the print head and the ultraviolet ray irradiation unit during the first movement in the first control The movement speed of the print head and the ultraviolet ray irradiation unit in the third control is faster than the first speed, The second speed, which is a dynamic speed, is fast.

12. A print head configured to be capable of reciprocating in a first direction and ejecting ultraviolet-curable ink onto a medium. and, The ink jet head is configured to be movable back and forth in the first direction together with the print head, and the ink jet head is configured to be movable back and forth in the first direction together with the print head. an ultraviolet irradiating unit that irradiates the ultraviolet curable ink with ultraviolet light; a first moving unit that moves the print head and the ultraviolet ray irradiation unit in the first direction; The print head, the ultraviolet ray irradiation unit, and the medium are aligned in a second direction intersecting the first direction. a second moving unit that moves the first moving unit relative to the first moving unit; a first movement which is a movement of the print head and the ultraviolet ray irradiation unit in the first direction; a second movement in which the print head and the ultraviolet ray irradiation unit are moved relative to the medium in two directions; The ultraviolet curable ink is discharged from the print head, and the ultraviolet ray is emitted from the ultraviolet ray irradiation unit. A control unit that controls the irradiation of external radiation; a cleaning unit that cleans the print head under the control of the control unit; Equipped with The control unit is configured to control the first recording medium from a printing start position side to a printing end position side of the medium. The ultraviolet curable ink is ejected from the print head while the first movement and the second movement are being performed. a first control for executing the output of the ink from the ink-jet printer and the irradiation of ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light irradiation unit; The printing is performed while executing the first movement and the second movement from the printing position side to the printing start position side. The ultraviolet ray irradiation unit is not used to eject the ultraviolet ray curable ink from the print head. and a second control for executing the irradiation of the ultraviolet light from the first control and the second control. The control unit is configured to control the irradiation intensity of the ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light irradiation unit in the second control. The irradiation intensity of the ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light irradiation unit in the first control is set to be higher than that in the first control. and controlling the frequency of cleaning the print head by the cleaning unit in the second control. is set to be higher than the frequency of cleaning of the print head by the cleaning unit in the first control. Controlled to The moving speed of the print head and the ultraviolet ray irradiation unit during the first movement in the first control The speed of the print head and the purple ink in the first movement in the second control is faster than the first speed. A printing device, wherein the second speed, which is the moving speed of the external radiation irradiation unit, is fast.

13. A print head configured to be movable back and forth in a first direction and ejecting ultraviolet-curable ink onto a medium. and, The ink jet head is configured to be movable back and forth in the first direction together with the print head, and the ink jet head is configured to be movable back and forth in the first direction together with the print head. an ultraviolet ray irradiation unit that irradiates the ultraviolet ray curable ink with ultraviolet rays; a first moving unit that moves the print head and the ultraviolet ray irradiation unit in the first direction; The print head, the ultraviolet ray irradiation unit, and the medium are aligned in a second direction intersecting the first direction. a second moving unit that moves the first moving unit relative to the first moving unit; a first movement which is a movement of the print head and the ultraviolet ray irradiation unit in the first direction; a second movement in which the print head and the ultraviolet ray irradiation unit are moved relative to the medium in two directions; The ultraviolet curable ink is discharged from the print head, and the ultraviolet ray is emitted from the ultraviolet ray irradiation unit. A control unit that controls the irradiation of external radiation; a cleaning unit that cleans the print head under the control of the control unit; Equipped with The control unit is configured to control the first recording medium from a printing start position side to a printing end position side of the medium. The ultraviolet curable ink is ejected from the print head while the first movement and the second movement are being performed. a first control for executing the output of the ink from the ink-jet printer and the irradiation of ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light irradiation unit; a print head and an ultraviolet ray irradiation unit are moved from the print start position side to the print start position side; 2 control, and the first movement and the second movement from the printing start position side to the printing end position side. While performing the above, the ultraviolet curable ink is ejected from the print head. and a third control for causing the ultraviolet ray irradiation unit to irradiate the ultraviolet ray without using the ultraviolet ray irradiation unit. the law of nature, The control unit is configured to control the irradiation intensity of the ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light irradiation unit in the second control. The irradiation intensity of the ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light irradiation unit in the first control is set to be higher than that in the first control. and controlling the frequency of cleaning the print head by the cleaning unit in the second control. is set to be higher than the frequency of cleaning of the print head by the cleaning unit in the first control. Controlled to The moving speed of the print head and the ultraviolet ray irradiation unit during the first movement in the first control The movement speed of the print head and the ultraviolet ray irradiation unit in the third control is faster than the first speed, The second speed, which is a dynamic speed, is fast.

Images