Printer, control method, and control program

Abstract

To provide a printer, a control method and a control program which can properly cure ink ejected to an object to be printed and suppress non-ejection of ink.SOLUTION: A printer comprises a head, a lamp, a first sensor and a CPU. The head ejects photo-curable ink to an object to be printed held on a platen. The lamp emits light to the object to be printed having ink ejected thereto. The first sensor is provided in the printer and detects the temperature in the printer. The CPU makes the first sensor obtain the temperature in the printer (S1). The CPU obtains a duty ratio indicating a printing rate at the time when ink is ejected into an ejection area of the object to be printed on the basis of printing data (S3). The CPU sets the illuminance of light that is emitted by the lamp on the basis of the temperature obtained by the first sensor and the obtained duty ratio (S9, S17, S23 and S25).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a printer, a control method, and a control program. [Background technology]

[0002] The printer described in Patent Document 1 is equipped with a humidity sensor. The humidity sensor is placed at a predetermined position on the platen or carriage. The humidity sensor detects the humidity around the printer. The printer controls the amount of ultraviolet light irradiated onto the ink from the ultraviolet irradiation device according to the humidity detected by the humidity sensor.

[0003] The printer described in Patent Document 2 is equipped with an outside air sensor. The outside air sensor is installed outside the printer. The outside air sensor detects the humidity and temperature around the printer. The printer controls the amount of ultraviolet light irradiated onto the ink from the ultraviolet irradiation device based on the humidity and temperature detected by the outside air sensor. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-138460 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-299232 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The above printer controls the illuminance based on at least one of temperature and humidity, but the illuminance required to cure the ink also changes when the duty ratio, which indicates the printing rate in the printing area among the printing conditions, changes. For example, as the duty ratio decreases, the illuminance of ultraviolet light required to cure the ink increases.

[0006] In cases where the print rate is high and the duty ratio is high, the UV irradiance may be set based solely on the temperature and humidity detection results. If printing is performed at the set irradiance and a low duty ratio with a low print rate, the UV irradiance required to cure the ink may be insufficient. This may cause the printer to be unable to properly cure the ink.

[0007] Furthermore, in cases where the print rate is low and the duty ratio is low, the UV irradiance may be set based solely on the temperature and humidity detection results. When printing is performed at the set irradiance and a high duty ratio and the print rate is high, the UV light reflected from the print medium may harden the ink in the nozzles. This can cause the printer to be unable to eject ink from the head.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a printer, a control method, and a control program that can appropriately cure ink ejected onto a print object and prevent ink from failing to be ejected. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] A printer according to a first aspect of the present invention is a printer that performs printing on a printing object based on specified printing data, and is equipped with a head that ejects photocurable ink onto the printing object supported by a platen, a lamp that irradiates light onto the printing object onto which the ink has been ejected, a first sensor that is provided within the printer and detects the temperature within the printer, and a controller, wherein the controller causes the first sensor to acquire the temperature within the printer, acquires a duty ratio that indicates the printing rate when the ink is ejected onto the ejection area of the printing object based on the printing data, and sets the illuminance of the light emitted by the lamp based on the temperature that the first sensor has acquired and the acquired duty ratio.

[0010] The printer sets the illuminance of the light emitted by the lamp based on the temperature and duty ratio, thereby enabling the printer to appropriately cure the ink ejected onto the printing object while preventing ink from failing to be ejected.

[0011] The first sensor may be provided in the head and detect the temperature of the head. The printer can set the illuminance of the light emitted by the lamp based on the head temperature and the duty ratio. Therefore, the printer can further reduce the possibility of ink in the nozzles hardening and causing ejection failure.

[0012] The underside of the head may be provided with a plurality of nozzles for ejecting the ink, and the first sensor may be provided below the side of the head and detect the temperature of the nozzles. The printer may be provided with a sensor on the side of the head to detect the temperature of the nozzles. Therefore, the printer can set the illuminance of the light emitted by the lamp based on the temperature of the nozzles. Therefore, the printer can further reduce the possibility of ink in the nozzles hardening and resulting in ejection failure.

[0013] The printer may further include a second sensor disposed within the printer for detecting humidity within the printer, and the controller may cause the second sensor to detect the humidity within the printer, and may set the illuminance of the light emitted by the lamp based on the temperature acquired by the first sensor, the acquired duty ratio, and the humidity acquired by the second sensor. Some types of ink are susceptible to humidity-related effects on the illuminance of light used for curing. The printer may more precisely set the illuminance of the light emitted by the lamp based on the temperature, duty ratio, and humidity. In this case, the printer may further suppress curing of the ink in the nozzles while appropriately curing the ink.

[0014] The first sensor and the second sensor may be an integrated sensor, thereby enabling space saving of the printer.

[0015] The controller may increase the illuminance of the light emitted from the lamp at a first rate, which is the predetermined rate of change, as the temperature decreases when the ink printing rate on the ejection area is at a high duty ratio, which is higher than a reference duty ratio, and may increase the illuminance of the light emitted from the lamp at a second rate, which is a rate of change smaller than the first rate, as the temperature decreases when the ink printing rate on the ejection area is at a low duty ratio, which is lower than the reference duty ratio. The printer can linearly increase or decrease the illuminance of the light according to the relationship between the reference duty ratio or low duty ratio and the temperature. This allows the printer to easily set the optimal illuminance.

[0016] The head may be capable of changing the size of the ink droplets ejected, and the controller may increase the illuminance of the light emitted by the lamp as the size of the droplets ejected from the head becomes smaller when the duty ratio is low, where the printing rate of the ink relative to the ejection area is lower than a reference duty ratio. When the duty ratio is low, the printer sets the illuminance of the light emitted by the lamp based on the size of the droplets. Therefore, the printer can further prevent the ink in the nozzles from hardening and resulting in ejection failure while appropriately curing the ink ejected onto the printing object.

[0017] The controller may increase the illuminance of the light emitted from the lamp as the temperature detected by the first sensor decreases. When the printer has a low duty ratio, the illuminance of the light emitted from the lamp is set based on the droplet size and temperature. Therefore, the printer can appropriately harden the ink ejected onto the printing object while preventing the ink in the nozzles from hardening and resulting in ejection failure.

[0018] The print data is data for printing overlapping layers of the ink, including at least a first layer and a second layer, on the print object, and the controller may, before printing the first layer, cause the first sensor to detect a first temperature, acquire a first duty ratio indicating a print rate in printing the first layer based on the print data, set a first irradiance of the light to be irradiated by the lamp based on the first temperature detected by the first sensor and the acquired first duty ratio, and cause the lamp to irradiate the light at the set first irradiance in a state where the ink of the first layer has been ejected onto the print object, and after printing the first layer and before printing the second layer, cause the first sensor to detect a second temperature, acquire a second duty ratio indicating a print rate in printing the second layer based on the print data, set a second irradiance of the light to be irradiated by the lamp based on the second temperature detected by the first sensor and the acquired second duty ratio, and cause the lamp to irradiate the light at the set second irradiance in a state where the ink of the second layer has been ejected onto the print object. When printing multiple ink layers, the printer sets the lamp light intensity for each ink layer. This allows the printer to set the appropriate light intensity even if the environmental temperature changes during printing. Therefore, the printer can appropriately harden the ink ejected onto the print target while preventing the ink in the nozzles from hardening and resulting in ejection failure.

[0019] The head may eject the ultraviolet-curable ink onto the printing object, and the lamp may irradiate the printing object with ultraviolet light. Even when the printer is equipped with a lamp that irradiates ultraviolet light to cure the ultraviolet-curable ink, the printer can achieve the same effects as the printer of the first aspect.

[0020] A control method according to a second aspect of the present invention is a control method for a printer comprising a head that ejects photocurable ink onto a printing object supported by a platen, a lamp that irradiates light onto the printing object onto which the ink has been ejected, and a first sensor that is provided within the printer and detects the temperature within the printer, and is characterized by comprising: a first acquisition step of having the first sensor acquire the temperature within the printer; a second acquisition step of acquiring, based on print data, a duty ratio that indicates the printing rate when the ink is ejected onto the ejection area of the printing object; and a setting step of setting the illuminance of the light emitted by the lamp based on the temperature acquired by the first sensor in the first acquisition step and the duty ratio acquired in the second acquisition step.

[0021] By using the above control method, the printer can obtain the same effects as the printer of the first aspect.

[0022] A control program according to a third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that it causes a computer of a printer equipped with a head that ejects photocurable ink onto a printing object supported by a platen, a lamp that irradiates light onto the printing object onto which the ink has been ejected, and a first sensor that is provided within the printer and detects the temperature within the printer to execute the following steps: a first acquisition step of having the first sensor acquire the temperature within the printer; a second acquisition step of acquiring a duty ratio that indicates the printing rate when the ink is ejected onto the ejection area of the printing object based on print data; and a setting step of setting the illuminance of the light emitted by the lamp based on the temperature acquired by the first sensor in the first acquisition step and the duty ratio acquired in the second acquisition step.

[0023] By executing the control program, the printer obtains the same effects as the printer of the first aspect. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the printer 1 as seen from above the front right. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which a first sensor 38 is attached to a head 10. [Figure 3] 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the printer 1. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the rate of change in illuminance required to cure ink depending on environmental conditions. [Figure 5] 1 is a chart showing the relationship between environmental conditions and the illuminance required to cure ink. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing a main process. [Figure 7] 7 is a flowchart showing the main processing, which is a continuation of FIG. 6. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] A printer 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The top, bottom, lower left, upper right, lower right, and upper left in Fig. 1 correspond to the top, bottom, front, rear, right, and left of the printer 1, respectively.

[0026] The schematic configuration of the printer 1 will be described with reference to Figure 1. As shown in Figure 1, the printer 1 includes a transport mechanism 6, a lifting mechanism 9, a platen 5, a pair of rails 11, and a carriage 20. The transport mechanism 6 is provided at the bottom of the printer 1. The transport mechanism 6 includes a pair of rails 12. The pair of rails 12 extend in the front-to-rear direction and are aligned with each other in the left-to-right direction.

[0027] The lifting mechanism 9 is provided above the transport mechanism 6. The lifting mechanism 9 is supported by a pair of rails 12.

[0028] The platen 5 is provided above the lifting mechanism 9. The platen 5 is a plate. The platen 5 is supported by the lifting mechanism 9. The platen 5 moves up and down as the lifting mechanism 9 expands and contracts in the up and down direction.

[0029] The platen 5 moves back and forth by the movement of the lifting mechanism 9. A printing object is placed on the upper surface of the platen 5. The printing object is, for example, plate-shaped or sheet-shaped, and is made of, for example, cloth, paper, plastic, or metal.

[0030] The pair of rails 11 are provided above the platen 5. The pair of rails 11 extend in the left-right direction and are aligned with each other in the front-rear direction. The carriage 20 is provided between the pair of rails 11 in the front-rear direction. The carriage 20 is a plate. The carriage 20 is supported by the pair of rails 11. The carriage 20 moves in the left-right direction along the pair of rails 11 by being driven by a main scanning motor 31.

[0031] The heads 10 are fixed to the carriage 20. The number of heads 10 is not limited to a specific number, but in this embodiment, two heads 10 are mounted on the carriage 20. The two heads 10 are rectangular parallelepiped-shaped and are aligned in the front-to-rear direction.

[0032] A lamp 50 is provided on the right side of the head 10. The number of lamps 50 is not limited to a specific number, but in this embodiment, two lamps 50 are provided. That is, in this embodiment, the printer 1 is provided with the same number of lamps 50 as the number of heads 10. The lamp 50 is rectangular and includes an ultraviolet light emitting diode 51.

[0033] An ultraviolet light emitting diode 51 shown in Fig. 3 is formed on the underside of the lamp 50. As shown in Fig. 1, the underside of the lamp 50 is located above the platen 5 and faces the platen 5 from above. By emitting light from the ultraviolet light emitting diode 51 shown in Fig. 3, the lamp 50 irradiates the printing object with ultraviolet light downward from the underside of the lamp 50.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 1, a mounting section 8 is provided on the right side of the printer 1. A plurality of cartridges 3 are mounted in the mounting section 8. Each cartridge 3 contains white ink, color ink, etc. A fixed member 17 is fixed to the rear side of the rear rail 11 of the pair of rails 11. The fixed member 17 supports tubes 15. Ink flows from each cartridge 3 through the tubes 15 and is supplied to each head 10.

[0035] As shown in Figure 2, a nozzle surface 101 is formed on the underside of the head 10. The nozzle surface 101 is located above the platen 5 and faces the platen 5 from above. A plurality of nozzles 101a are formed in the nozzle surface 101. The head 10 ejects ink downward from the plurality of nozzles 101a in the nozzle surface 101 toward a printing target. As an example, the ink is so-called ultraviolet-curable ink, which is cured by irradiation with ultraviolet light.

[0036] The head 10 can change the size of the ink ejected from the nozzles 101a. In this embodiment, for example, the size of the ink droplets ejected from the head 10 can be changed between two sizes: when the ink droplets are large (hereinafter also referred to as "L droplets"), and when the ink droplets are small (hereinafter also referred to as "S droplets").

[0037] A first sensor 38 is provided below the front surface of the head 10. The first sensor 38 detects the temperature of the head 10. In this embodiment, the first sensor 38 is provided on the front side of the head 10, but it may also be provided on the rear side of the head 10.

[0038] The electrical configuration of the printer 1 will be described with reference to Figure 3. The printer 1 is equipped with a control board 40. The control board 40 is provided with a CPU 41, a ROM 42, a RAM 43, and a flash memory 44. The CPU 41 controls the printer 1 and is electrically connected to the ROM 42, the RAM 43, and the flash memory 44.

[0039] The ROM 42 stores control programs for the CPU 41 to control the operation of the printer 1, information required by the CPU 41 when executing various programs, etc. The RAM 43 temporarily stores various data used in the control programs, etc.

[0040] The flash memory 44 is non-volatile and stores print data for printing, etc. The print data includes information on the duty ratio, which indicates the printing rate when ink is ejected onto the ejection area of the printing object, information on overcoating to form multiple layers, etc.

[0041] The CPU 41 is electrically connected to the main scanning motor 31, the sub-scanning motor 32, the head drive unit 33, the lift motor 34, the ultraviolet light-emitting diode 51, the operation unit 37, and the first sensor 38. The main scanning motor 31, the sub-scanning motor 32, the head drive unit 33, the lift motor 34, the ultraviolet light-emitting diode 51, and the drive motor 71 are driven under the control of the CPU 41. The lift mechanism 9 shown in FIG. 1 moves back and forth along a pair of rails 12 by driving the sub-scanning motor 32. The lift mechanism 9 shown in FIG. 1 expands and contracts up and down by driving the lift motor 34. The head 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is driven by a head drive unit 33 composed of pressure elements, heating elements, etc. The head 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 ejects ink downward from nozzles 101a of a nozzle surface 101 toward a printing object by driving the head drive unit 33.

[0042] The operation unit 37 is a touch panel or the like, and outputs information according to user operations to the CPU 41. By operating the operation unit 37, the user can input print instructions to the printer 1 to start printing, etc. The first sensor 38 transmits the detection result of the temperature of the head 10 to the CPU 41.

[0043] According to the configuration of the printer 1 described above, a print object is placed on the platen 5, and printing begins with the platen 5 moving backward. When printing begins, the head 10 ejects ink, and the carriage 20 moves back and forth left and right while the lamp 50 emits ultraviolet light. This causes ink to adhere to the print object, and the ultraviolet light hits the adhered ink. The ink hardens due to the ultraviolet light and becomes fixed on the print object. After the carriage 20 has moved back and forth, the platen 5 moves forward a predetermined amount. The printer 1 repeats these operations to print on the print object.

[0044] 4, the illuminance of ultraviolet light required to cure ink varies depending on the duty ratio during printing, environmental conditions such as temperature, etc. In this embodiment, as an example, a duty ratio of 33% is considered to be a low duty ratio, and a duty ratio of 100% is considered to be a high duty ratio.

[0045] For example, when the duty ratio is low and the temperature is 18°C, the illuminance required to cure the ink is 1.5W / cm 2 When the duty ratio is low and the temperature is 25°C, the illuminance required for curing the ink is 1.2W / cm 2 When the duty ratio is low and the temperature is 30°C, the illuminance required for curing the ink is 1.0 W / cm 2 That is, in the case of a low duty ratio, as the temperature decreases, the required illuminance increases linearly at a predetermined gradient α1.

[0046] On the other hand, when the duty ratio is high and the temperature is 18°C, the illuminance required to cure the ink is 1.2 W / cm 2 In this case, the illuminance required for ink curing is 0.3 W / cm compared to the case of a low duty ratio. 2 When the duty ratio is high and the temperature is 25°C, the illuminance required for ink curing is 0.6W / cm 2 In this case, the illuminance required for ink curing is 0.6 W / cm compared to the case of a low duty ratio. 2In other words, when the duty ratio is high, as the temperature decreases, the illuminance required to cure the ink increases linearly at a predetermined slope α2. The slope α2 has a larger rate of change than the slope α1. Furthermore, as the duty ratio increases, the rate of change in illuminance relative to temperature also increases.

[0047] As shown in Figure 5, the illuminance of ultraviolet light required for curing varies depending on the size of the ink droplets. Table A shows the illuminance required for curing ink when the ink droplets ejected from the head 10 are large (L droplets). Under conditions of a low duty ratio and high temperature, the illuminance required for curing the ink is 1.2 W / cm. 2 Under low duty ratio and low temperature conditions, the illuminance required for ink curing is 1.5W / cm 2 Under high duty ratio and high temperature conditions, the illuminance required for ink curing is 0.6 W / cm 2 In addition, under high duty ratio and low temperature conditions, the illuminance required for ink curing is 1.2 W / cm 2 is.

[0048] Table B shows the illuminance required for curing ink when the ink droplets ejected from the head 10 are small S-shaped droplets. Under conditions of low duty ratio and high temperature, the illuminance required for curing ink is 2.4 W / cm 2 Under low duty ratio and low temperature conditions, the illuminance required for ink curing is 3.0 W / cm 2 Under high duty ratio and high temperature conditions, the illuminance required for ink curing is 0.6 W / cm 2 In addition, under high duty ratio and low temperature conditions, the illuminance required for ink curing is 1.2 W / cm 2 is.

[0049] When comparing Table A and Table B, under high duty ratio and high temperature conditions, the illuminance required for ink curing is 0.6 W / cm for both. 2 Similarly, under high duty ratio and low temperature conditions, the illuminance required for ink curing is 1.2 W / cm 2Therefore, when the duty ratio is high, there is little need for the printer 1 to consider the size of the ink droplets.

[0050] On the other hand, under conditions of a low duty ratio and high temperature, the illuminance required to cure the ink of an S droplet is twice that required for the ink of an L droplet. Similarly, under conditions of a low duty ratio and low temperature, the illuminance required to cure the ink of an S droplet is twice that required for the ink of an L droplet. Therefore, when the printer 1 is operating at a low duty ratio, it is desirable to change the illuminance taking into account the size of the ink droplets.

[0051] Figure 6, The main processing will be described with reference to Figure 7. The user places a print object on the platen 5. The user operates the operation unit 37 (see Figure 3) to input a print instruction to the printer 1. When the print instruction is input, the CPU 41 reads and runs a control program from the ROM 42, thereby executing the main processing.

[0052] When the main process starts, the CPU 41 acquires the temperature of the head 10 using the first sensor 38 (S1). The CPU 41 acquires the duty ratio based on the print data (S3). The CPU 41 determines whether the duty ratio is a high duty ratio based on the print data (S5). For example, the high or low of the duty ratio is determined based on a reference duty ratio of 50%. In this case, a duty higher than the reference duty ratio is defined as a high duty ratio, and a duty ratio lower than the reference duty ratio is defined as a low duty ratio.

[0053] If it is determined that the duty ratio is high (S5: YES), the CPU 41 determines whether the temperature of the head 10 detected by the first sensor 38 is high (S7). The determination of whether the temperature is high is made, for example, based on a predetermined reference temperature of 25°C. A temperature higher than the reference temperature is defined as high temperature, and a temperature lower than the reference temperature is defined as low temperature.

[0054] If the first sensor 38 determines that the temperature of the head 10 is high (S7: YES), the CPU 41 sets the ultraviolet light emitted by the lamp 50 to an appropriate illuminance under conditions of a high duty ratio and high temperature (S9). Note that, according to Tables A and B in FIG. 5, under conditions of a high duty ratio, the illuminance required to cure the ink does not depend on the size of the droplets ejected. Therefore, when the duty ratio is high, the CPU 41 does not need to take the size of the droplets into consideration. In this case, the CPU 41 refers to, for example, Table A or Table B, and sets the illuminance of the ultraviolet light to 0.6 W / cm. 2 The CPU 41 advances the process to S11.

[0055] On the other hand, if the first sensor 38 determines that the temperature of the head 10 is low (S7: NO), the CPU 41 sets the ultraviolet light emitted by the lamp 50 to an optimum illuminance under conditions of a high duty ratio and low temperature (S17). In this case, for example, the CPU 41 refers to Table A or Table B and sets the illuminance of the ultraviolet light to 1.2 W / cm 2 The CPU 41 advances the process to S11.

[0056] On the other hand, if it is determined that the duty ratio is low (S5: NO), the CPU 41 determines whether the size of the ink droplets ejected from the head 10 is L (S19). Note that, according to Tables A and B, under conditions of a low duty ratio, the optimal illuminance of ultraviolet light changes depending on the size of the ejected droplets. Therefore, the CPU 41 sets the illuminance of ultraviolet light according to the size of the droplets.

[0057] If it is determined that the ink droplets are large L balls (S19: YES), the CPU 41 determines whether the temperature of the head 10 detected by the first sensor 38 is high (S21). If it is determined that the temperature of the head 10 detected by the first sensor 38 is high (S21: YES), the CPU 41 sets the ultraviolet light emitted by the lamp 50 to an optimum illuminance under the conditions of a low duty ratio, L balls, and high temperature (S23). In this case, for example, the CPU 41 refers to Table A and sets the illuminance of the ultraviolet light to 1.2 W / cm 2The CPU 41 advances the process to S11.

[0058] On the other hand, if the first sensor 38 determines that the temperature of the head 10 is low (S21: NO), the CPU 41 sets the ultraviolet light emitted by the lamp 50 to an optimum illuminance under the conditions of a low duty ratio, L lamps, and low temperature (S25). In this case, for example, the CPU 41 refers to Table A and sets the illuminance to 1.5 W / cm 2 The CPU 41 advances the process to S11.

[0059] On the other hand, if it is determined that the droplets are small S droplets (S19: NO), the CPU 41 determines whether the temperature of the head 10 detected by the first sensor 38 is high (S27). If it is determined that the temperature of the head 10 detected by the first sensor 38 is high (S27: YES), the CPU 41 sets the ultraviolet light emitted by the lamp 50 to an optimum illuminance under the conditions of a low duty ratio, S droplets, and high temperature (S29). In this case, for example, the CPU 41 refers to Table B and sets the illuminance of the ultraviolet light to 2.4 W / cm 2 The CPU 41 advances the process to S11.

[0060] If the first sensor 38 determines that the temperature of the head 10 is low (S27: NO), the CPU 41 sets the ultraviolet light emitted by the lamp 50 to an optimum illuminance under the conditions of a low duty ratio, S lamps, and low temperature (S31). In this case, for example, the CPU 41 refers to Table B and sets the illuminance of the ultraviolet light to 3.0 W / cm 2 The CPU 41 advances the process to S11.

[0061] Once the illuminance of the ultraviolet light emitted by the lamp 50 has been set, the CPU 41 executes printing processing based on the print data (S11). As a result, ink is ejected from the head 10 onto the print object, and an ink layer is formed on the print object. In order to cure the ink ejected onto the print object, the CPU 41 causes the lamp 50 to irradiate the formed ink layer with ultraviolet light at the set illuminance (S13).

[0062] The CPU 41 determines whether to print the next ink layer based on the print data (S15). If it determines that the next ink layer will be printed (S15: YES), the CPU 41 returns the process to S1. In this case, the CPU 41 again acquires data such as the duty ratio and temperature (S1, S3), and cures the next ink layer at the optimal illuminance based on the acquired data (S13). On the other hand, if it determines that the next ink layer will not be printed (S15: NO), the CPU 41 ends the main process.

[0063] As described above, the CPU 41 causes the first sensor 38 to acquire the temperature of the head 10. Based on the print data, the CPU 41 acquires the duty ratio, which indicates the printing rate when ink is ejected onto the ejection area of the print target. The CPU 41 sets the illuminance of the ultraviolet light emitted by the lamp 50 based on the temperature acquired by the first sensor 38 and the acquired duty ratio.

[0064] This allows the printer 1 to appropriately cure the ink ejected onto the printing object, while preventing ink from failing to be ejected.

[0065] The first sensor 38 is provided in the head 10 and detects the temperature of the head 10. The printer 1 can set the illuminance of the ultraviolet light emitted by the lamp 50 based on the temperature and duty ratio of the head 10. Therefore, the printer 1 can further reduce the possibility that the ink in the nozzle 101a will harden and cause ejection failure.

[0066] When printing multiple ink layers, the printer 1 sets the ultraviolet irradiance of the lamp 50 for each ink layer. This allows the printer 1 to set an appropriate ultraviolet irradiance even if the environmental temperature changes during printing. Therefore, the printer 1 can appropriately harden the ink ejected onto the printing object while preventing the ink in the nozzle 101a from hardening and resulting in ejection failure.

[0067] The head 10 ejects ultraviolet-curable ink onto a printing object. The lamp 50 irradiates ultraviolet light onto the printing object. Even when the printer 1 is equipped with the lamp 50 that irradiates ultraviolet light to cure the ultraviolet-curable ink, it is possible to prevent the ink in the nozzles 101a from curing and resulting in non-ejection.

[0068] The present invention can be modified in various ways from the above-described embodiment. The various modifications described below can be combined with each other as long as no contradictions arise. The printer 1 in the above-described embodiment uses ultraviolet-curable ink. However, the printer 1 may also use ink that hardens when irradiated with visible light or infrared light, for example. In this case, the lamp 50 may emit visible light or infrared light depending on the duty ratio and temperature.

[0069] In the above embodiment, the first sensor 38 is provided in front of the head 10 and detects the temperature of the head 10. However, the first sensor 38 may be provided at any position on the head 10. The first sensor 38 may also be provided inside the head 10 and detect the temperature inside the head 10. The first sensor 38 may also be provided at any location inside the printer 1 and detect the temperature inside the printer 1. In this case, the illuminance of the ultraviolet light may be set in relation to the temperature inside the printer 1. The first sensor 38 may also be provided on the nozzle surface 101 of the head 10 and detect the temperature of the nozzles 101a. Therefore, the printer 1 can set the illuminance of the ultraviolet light emitted by the lamp 50 based on the temperature of the nozzles 101a. Therefore, the printer 1 can further reduce the possibility of the ink in the nozzles 101a hardening and resulting in ejection failure.

[0070] In the above embodiment, the first sensor 38 is provided. However, the first sensor 38 does not necessarily have to be provided. In this case, the illuminance of the ultraviolet light may be set based on the detection result of a temperature sensor built into the head 10, for example.

[0071] In the above embodiment, one first sensor 38 is provided on the front head 10. However, the first sensor 38 may be provided on the rear head 10 in addition to the front head 10. In this case, the CPU 41 may set the illuminance of the ultraviolet light emitted by the lamp 50 in accordance with the temperature of each head 10. Lamp 50 The ultraviolet irradiance of the front and rear lamps 50 is set according to the temperature of the head 10 to which they are attached.

[0072] In the above embodiment, the printer 1 set the illuminance of the ultraviolet light based on the temperature detection result by the first sensor 38. However, the printer 1 may further include a second sensor that detects humidity inside the printer. In this case, the second sensor may be provided at any position inside the printer. In this case, the CPU 41 may set the illuminance of the ultraviolet light emitted by the lamp 50 based on the temperature acquired by the first sensor 38, the acquired duty ratio, and the humidity acquired by the second sensor. Therefore, if the illuminance of the ultraviolet light used to cure the ink is susceptible to humidity, the printer 1 can further suppress curing of the ink in the nozzle 101a while appropriately curing the ink.

[0073] The second sensor may be provided in the head 10 inside the printer, or may be provided on the nozzle surface 101. Furthermore, the first sensor 38 and the second sensor may be an integrated sensor. In this case, the printer 1 can be made more space-saving.

[0074] In the main processing of the above embodiment, the CPU 41 references Tables A and B to set the illuminance of ultraviolet light based on the duty ratio and temperature conditions. Alternatively, the CPU 41 may reference the graph of FIG. 4 to set the illuminance of ultraviolet light. This allows the CPU 41 to set the illuminance of ultraviolet light in stages based on the duty ratio and temperature conditions. Therefore, when the duty ratio is high, where the ink coverage rate relative to the ejection area is higher than a reference duty ratio, the CPU 41 may increase the illuminance of ultraviolet light emitted by the lamp 50 at a slope α2, which is a predetermined rate of change, as the temperature decreases. Furthermore, when the duty ratio is low, where the ink coverage rate relative to the ejection area is lower than the reference duty ratio, the CPU 41 may increase the illuminance of ultraviolet light emitted by the lamp 50 at a slope α1, which is a rate of change smaller than the slope α2, as the temperature decreases. The printer 1 High duty ratio Alternatively, the illuminance of the ultraviolet light can be increased or decreased linearly according to the relationship between the low duty ratio and the temperature. Therefore, the printer 1 can easily set the optimum illuminance.

[0075] In the above embodiment, Tables A and B define a duty ratio of 33% as a low duty ratio and a duty ratio of 100% as a high duty ratio. However, the printer 1 may be provided with tables that allow for detailed setting of appropriate illuminance in relation to other duty ratios. In this case, the illuminance required for ink curing may be set appropriately depending on the other duty ratios.

[0076] In the above embodiment, Tables A and B define a temperature of 25°C as a reference temperature, with temperatures below 25°C defined as low, and temperatures above 25°C defined as high. In contrast, the printer 1 may be provided with tables that allow for detailed setting of appropriate illuminance in relation to other temperatures. In this case, the illuminance required for curing the ink may be set appropriately depending on the other temperatures.

[0077] In the above embodiment, the CPU 41 set the illuminance of the ultraviolet light emitted by the lamp 50 according to two conditions: high temperature and low temperature. In contrast, the CPU 41 may increase the illuminance of the ultraviolet light emitted by the lamp 50 as the temperature detected by the first sensor 38 becomes lower. In this case, for example, when the duty ratio is low, the printer 1 sets the illuminance of the ultraviolet light emitted by the lamp 50 based on the droplet size and temperature. Therefore, the printer 1 can appropriately harden the ink ejected onto the printing object while preventing the ink in the nozzle 101a from hardening and resulting in ejection failure.

[0078] In the above embodiment, the head 10 was capable of changing the size of the ink droplets ejected between L and S sizes. Alternatively, the head 10 may be capable of continuously varying the size of the ink droplets ejected. In this case, when a low duty ratio, in which the ink coverage rate relative to the ejection area is lower than a reference duty ratio, is used, the CPU 41 may increase the illuminance of the ultraviolet light emitted by the lamp 50 as the size of the droplets ejected from the head 10 decreases. In this case, when the duty ratio is low, the printer 1 sets the illuminance of the ultraviolet light emitted by the lamp 50 based on the droplet size. Therefore, the printer 1 can further appropriately harden the ink ejected onto the printing object while preventing the ink in the nozzle 101a from hardening and resulting in ejection failure.

[0079] In the above embodiment, the reference duty ratio was set to 50%. However, the reference duty ratio may be set as appropriate. In the above embodiment, the reference temperature was set to 25°C. However, the reference temperature may be set as appropriate.

[0080] In the above embodiment, ultraviolet light, visible light, and infrared light correspond to the "light" of the present invention. The head 10 corresponds to the "head" of the present invention. The lamp 50 corresponds to the "lamp" of the present invention. The platen 5 corresponds to the "platen" of the present invention. The first sensor 38 corresponds to the "first sensor" of the present invention. The CPU 41 corresponds to the "controller" of the present invention. The slope α2 corresponds to the "first ratio" of the present invention. The slope α1 corresponds to the "second ratio" of the present invention. The processing of S1 performed by the CPU 41 corresponds to the "first acquisition step" of the present invention. The processing of S3 performed by the CPU 41 corresponds to the "second acquisition step" of the present invention. The processing of S9, S17, S23, S25, S29, and S31 performed by the CPU 41 correspond to the "setting steps" of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0081] 1. Printer 3 cartridges 5 Platen 10 heads 20 carriages 38 First Sensor 41 CPU 50 Lamp 101 Nozzle surface 101a nozzle α1, α2 slope

Claims

1. A printer that performs printing on a print target based on predetermined print data, a head that ejects photocurable ink onto the printing object supported by a platen; a lamp that irradiates light onto the printing object onto which the ink is ejected; a first sensor provided within the printer for detecting a temperature within the printer; Controller and Equipped with The controller causing the first sensor to obtain the temperature within the printer; a duty ratio indicating a printing rate when the ink is ejected onto an ejection area of the printing object based on the print data; setting an illuminance of the light emitted by the lamp based on the temperature acquired by the first sensor and the acquired duty ratio; In the case where the printing rate of the ink with respect to the ejection area is a high duty ratio that is higher than a reference duty ratio that is a reference, as the temperature decreases, the illuminance of the light irradiated by the lamp is increased at a first rate that is a predetermined rate of change; a printer characterized in that, when the printing rate of the ink with respect to the ejection area is a low duty ratio that is lower than the reference duty ratio, as the temperature decreases, the illuminance of the light irradiated from the lamp is increased at a second rate that is a rate of change smaller than the first rate.

2. 2. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the first sensor is provided in the head and detects the temperature of the head.

3. A plurality of nozzles for ejecting the ink are provided on the bottom surface of the head, 3. The printer according to claim 2, wherein the first sensor is provided below a side surface of the head and detects the temperature of the nozzle.

4. a second sensor provided within the printer for detecting humidity within the printer; Equipped with The controller causing the second sensor to detect the humidity within the printer; A printer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the illuminance of the light emitted by the lamp is set based on the temperature acquired by the first sensor, the acquired duty ratio, and the humidity acquired by the second sensor.

5. 5. The printer according to claim 4, wherein the first sensor and the second sensor are an integrated sensor.

6. A printer that performs printing on a print target based on predetermined print data, a head that ejects photocurable ink onto the printing object supported by a platen; a lamp that irradiates light onto the printing object onto which the ink is ejected; a first sensor provided within the printer for detecting a temperature within the printer; Controller and Equipped with The controller causing the first sensor to obtain the temperature within the printer; a duty ratio indicating a printing rate when the ink is ejected onto an ejection area of the printing object based on the print data; setting an illuminance of the light emitted by the lamp based on the temperature acquired by the first sensor and the acquired duty ratio; the head is capable of changing the size of the ink droplets to be ejected, The controller A printer characterized in that, when the printing rate of the ink with respect to the ejection area is a low duty ratio that is lower than a reference duty ratio, the illuminance of the light irradiated by the lamp increases as the size of the droplets ejected from the head becomes smaller.

7. The controller 7. The printer according to claim 6, wherein the illuminance of the light emitted from the lamp is increased as the temperature detected by the first sensor becomes lower.

8. the print data is data for printing layers of the ink, including at least a first layer and a second layer, on the printing object by overlapping them; The controller causing the first sensor to detect a first temperature before printing the first layer; acquiring a first duty ratio indicating a printing rate in printing the first layer based on the print data; setting a first illuminance of the light to be emitted by the lamp based on the first temperature detected by the first sensor and the acquired first duty ratio; With the first layer of ink being ejected onto the printing object, the lamp is caused to irradiate the light at the set first illuminance; causing the first sensor to detect a second temperature after printing the first layer and before printing the second layer; acquiring a second duty ratio indicating a printing rate in printing the second layer based on the print data; setting a second illuminance of the light to be irradiated by the lamp based on the second temperature detected by the first sensor and the acquired second duty ratio; A printer as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the lamp is irradiated with light at the set second illuminance while the second layer of ink has been ejected onto the printing object.

9. the head ejects the ultraviolet curable ink onto the printing object, 9. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the lamp irradiates the printing object with ultraviolet light.

10. a head that ejects photocurable ink onto a printing object supported by a platen; a lamp that irradiates light onto the printing object onto which the ink is ejected; a first sensor provided in the printer for detecting a temperature inside the printer; A method for controlling a printer comprising: a first acquisition step of causing the first sensor to acquire the temperature inside the printer; a second acquisition step of acquiring a duty ratio indicating a printing rate when the ink is ejected onto an ejection area of the printing object based on print data; a setting step of setting an illuminance of the light irradiated by the lamp based on the temperature acquired by the first sensor in the first acquisition step and the duty ratio acquired in the second acquisition step; a first increasing step of increasing the illuminance of the light emitted from the lamp at a first rate that is a predetermined rate of change as the temperature decreases when the printing rate of the ink with respect to the ejection area is a high duty ratio that is higher than a reference duty ratio that is a reference; and a second increasing step of increasing the illuminance of the light irradiated from the lamp at a second rate that is a rate of change smaller than the first rate as the temperature decreases when the printing rate of the ink with respect to the ejection area is a low duty ratio that is lower than the reference duty ratio.

11. a head that ejects photocurable ink onto a printing object supported by a platen; a lamp that irradiates light onto the printing object onto which the ink is ejected; a first sensor provided in the printer for detecting a temperature inside the printer; A method for controlling a printer comprising: a first acquisition step of causing the first sensor to acquire the temperature inside the printer; a second acquisition step of acquiring a duty ratio indicating a printing rate when the ink is ejected onto an ejection area of the printing object based on print data; a setting step of setting an illuminance of the light irradiated by the lamp based on the temperature acquired by the first sensor in the first acquisition step and the duty ratio acquired in the second acquisition step; Equipped with the head is capable of changing the size of the ink droplets to be ejected, an increasing step of increasing the illuminance of the light emitted from the lamp as the size of the droplets ejected from the head becomes smaller when the printing rate of the ink with respect to the ejection area is a low duty ratio that is lower than a reference duty ratio that is a reference; A control method comprising:

12. A head that ejects photocurable ink onto a printing object supported by a platen; a lamp that irradiates light onto the printing object onto which the ink is ejected; a first sensor provided in the printer for detecting a temperature inside the printer; On the printer's computer, a first acquisition step of causing the first sensor to acquire the temperature inside the printer; a second acquisition step of acquiring a duty ratio indicating a printing rate when the ink is ejected onto an ejection area of the printing object based on print data; a setting step of setting an illuminance of the light irradiated by the lamp based on the temperature acquired by the first sensor in the first acquisition step and the duty ratio acquired in the second acquisition step; a first increasing step of increasing the illuminance of the light emitted from the lamp at a first rate that is a predetermined rate of change as the temperature decreases when the printing rate of the ink with respect to the ejection area is a high duty ratio that is higher than a reference duty ratio that is a reference; and a second increasing step of increasing the illuminance of the light irradiated from the lamp at a second rate that is a rate of change smaller than the first rate as the temperature decreases when the printing rate of the ink with respect to the ejection area is a low duty ratio that is lower than the reference duty ratio.

13. a head that ejects photocurable ink onto a printing object supported by a platen; a lamp that irradiates light onto the printing object onto which the ink is ejected; a first sensor provided in the printer for detecting a temperature inside the printer; On the printer's computer, a first acquisition step of causing the first sensor to acquire the temperature inside the printer; a second acquisition step of acquiring a duty ratio indicating a printing rate when the ink is ejected onto an ejection area of the printing object based on print data; a setting step of setting an illuminance of the light irradiated by the lamp based on the temperature acquired by the first sensor in the first acquisition step and the duty ratio acquired in the second acquisition step; Execute the head is capable of changing the size of the ink droplets to be ejected, The computer, an increasing step of increasing the illuminance of the light emitted from the lamp as the size of the droplets ejected from the head becomes smaller when the printing rate of the ink with respect to the ejection area is a low duty ratio that is lower than a reference duty ratio that is a reference; A control program characterized by causing the program to execute the above.

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