printer

Abstract

To provide a printer capable of applying a solution efficiently.SOLUTION: A printer 10 includes: a supporting stand 12 for supporting a printed matter 5; a print head 20 which discharges an ink to the printed matter 5 supported by the supporting stand 12; a first carriage 22 which is configured to be movable in a main scanning direction Y and holds the print head 20; a solution tank 32 in which a solution to be sprayed to the printed matter 5 is stored; an air supply passage including a flexible tube and connected to an air compressor 91 which generates compressed air; a spray device 31 with which the solution tank 32 and the tube are connected and atomizes the solution with the compressed air generated by the air compressor 91 to spray the solution to the printed matter 5; a second carriage 40 which is configured to be movable in the main scanning direction Y and holds a spray gun 31; and a main scanning direction moving device 50 which moves the first carriage 22 and the second carriage 40 in the main scanning direction Y.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Printers equipped with an ink head that ejects ink for image printing and a dispenser that ejects liquid for other uses have been known for some time. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a printer that is equipped with an ink head that ejects ink and a dispenser that ejects decorative ink that is a non-Newtonian fluid containing a pigment with large particle diameters, and that is capable of highly decorative designs. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-104334 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In a printing device, for example, a liquid agent for forming a base layer or a liquid agent for forming a top coat on a medium may be applied to the medium. Such liquid agents are often applied over a wide area of ​​the medium. However, it is difficult to quickly apply the liquid agent over a wide area on the printing substrate using an ink head or dispenser such as that described in Patent Document 1.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a printer that can more efficiently apply a liquid agent to a printing substrate. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The printer disclosed herein comprises a support table that supports a substrate to be printed, a print head that ejects ink toward the substrate supported by the support table, a first carriage that is configured to be movable in a main scanning direction and that holds the print head, a tank that stores a liquid to be sprayed onto the substrate, an air supply path that has a flexible tube and is connected to a compressor that generates compressed air, a spray device to which the tank and the tube are connected and that atomizes the liquid using the compressed air generated by the compressor and sprays it toward the substrate, a second carriage that is configured to be movable in the main scanning direction and that holds the spray device, and a main scanning direction movement device that moves the first carriage and the second carriage in the main scanning direction.

[0007] The printer described above can spray a liquid agent for pre- or post-printing treatment using a spray device. The fine particles of the liquid agent sprayed by the spray device spread as they approach the substrate. This allows the liquid agent to be applied to a wide area of ​​the substrate at once. Therefore, this printer can more efficiently apply the liquid agent to the substrate. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a printer according to an embodiment; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of the print carriage and spray carriage. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a fluid supply system for a print head and a spray gun. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a spray carriage. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a printer. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a front view of a print carriage and a spray carriage according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] [First embodiment] A printer according to one embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the embodiment described here is not intended to limit the present invention. Furthermore, components and parts that perform the same function are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions will be omitted or simplified as appropriate. In the following description, when viewing the printer from the front, the direction away from the printer is referred to as the front, and the direction toward the printer is referred to as the rear. Furthermore, the reference numerals F, Rr, L, R, U, and D in the drawings represent the front, rear, left, right, top, and bottom, respectively. The left-right direction is the main scanning direction of the printer. The front-to-back direction is the sub-scanning direction of the printer. In the drawings, the main scanning direction is represented by the reference numeral Y. The sub-scanning direction X is represented by the reference numeral X. The main scanning direction Y and the sub-scanning direction X are perpendicular to each other. However, these directions are merely used for convenience of explanation and do not limit the installation mode of the printer.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a printer 10 according to one embodiment. The printer 10 prints an image on a substrate 5 placed on a support table 12 by ejecting ink from a print head 20 that moves in a main scanning direction Y and a sub-scanning direction X. The printer 10 also sprays a liquid agent for pre- or post-printing treatment from a spray unit 30 that moves in the main scanning direction Y and the sub-scanning direction X. The printer 10 thereby performs pre- or post-printing treatment on the substrate 5 placed on the support table 12. The liquid agent sprayed from the spray unit 30 may be a treatment liquid for base treatment of the substrate 5, such as a primer ink. The liquid agent sprayed from the spray unit 30 may also be a topcoat liquid, such as a clear ink, that forms a topcoat layer on the ink. The liquid agent sprayed from the spray unit 30 is not particularly limited.

[0011] In this embodiment, the ink is a photocurable ink. The ink may contain a UV-curable resin that hardens when exposed to ultraviolet light in a specific wavelength range. However, the ink components, color, etc. are not particularly limited. The ink may be a process color ink such as CMYK, or a special color ink such as white ink or metallic ink.

[0012] The printing substrate 5 is an object on which an image is printed and on which pre-processing or post-processing of the image printing is performed. The printing substrate 5 may be, for example, recording paper or a resin sheet. However, the material and shape of the printing substrate 5 are not particularly limited. The printing substrate 5 may have a three-dimensional shape. The number of printing substrates 5 may be two or more. The material of the printing substrate 5 may be, for example, paper, resin, metal, wood, fabric, glass, etc.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 10 includes a printer main body 11, a support table 12 that supports the substrate 5, a print head 20, a light irradiation device 21, a print carriage 22 that holds the print head 20 and the light irradiation device 21, a spray unit 30, a spray carriage 40 that holds the spray unit 30, a main scanning direction moving device 50 that moves the print carriage 22 and the spray carriage 40 in the main scanning direction Y, a sub-scanning direction moving device 60 that moves the print carriage 22 and the spray carriage 40 in the sub-scanning direction X, and a control device 120.

[0014] The printer body 11 is a box-shaped member that supports the main parts of the printer 10. The printer body 11 directly or indirectly supports the support table 12, print head 20, light irradiation device 21, print carriage 22, spray unit 30, spray carriage 40, main scanning direction movement device 50, sub-scanning direction movement device 60, and control device 120. The support table 12 is exposed above the printer body 11. The support table 12 is a flat plate-shaped member. The upper surface of the support table 12 forms a placement surface 12a on which the printing substrate 5 is placed. The placement surface 12a extends along a horizontal plane. The main scanning direction Y and the sub-scanning direction X are directions that are approximately parallel to the placement surface 12a.

[0015] The main scanning direction movement device 50 moves the print carriage 22 and the spray carriage 40 in the main scanning direction Y. As will be described in detail later, the print carriage 22 and the spray carriage 40 are configured to be connectable or disconnectable. When the print carriage 22 and the spray carriage 40 are connected, the main scanning direction movement device 50 moves them together. When the print carriage 22 and the spray carriage 40 are separated, the main scanning direction movement device 50 moves only the spray carriage 40 independently.

[0016] The main scanning direction movement device 50 includes a guide rail 51, a belt 52, and a carriage motor 53 (see FIG. 5). The guide rail 51 is provided above the support base 12. The guide rail 51 extends in the main scanning direction Y. The print carriage 22 and the spray carriage 40 are engaged with the guide rail 51 so as to be movable in the main scanning direction Y. The print carriage 22 and the spray carriage 40 are configured to be movable in the main scanning direction Y along the guide rail 51. In this embodiment, the spray carriage 40 is disposed to the left of the print carriage 22. The main scanning direction movement device 50 moves the spray carriage 40 in the main scanning direction Y along the guide rail 51. A belt 52 extending in the main scanning direction Y is fixed to the upper rear surface of the spray carriage 40. The belt 52 is connected to the carriage motor 53. When the carriage motor 53 rotates, the belt 52 runs in the main scanning direction Y. As a result, the spray carriage 40 moves in the main scanning direction Y along the guide rail 51.

[0017] The printer 10 includes a coupling mechanism 70 that couples or decouples the print carriage 22 and the spray carriage 40. FIG. 2 is a front view of the print carriage 22 and the spray carriage 40. As shown in FIG. 2, the coupling mechanism 70 includes a right coupling member 71 attached to the print carriage 22 and a left coupling member 72 attached to the spray carriage 40. The right coupling member 71 is attached to the left side of the print carriage 22. The left coupling member 72 is attached to the right side of the spray carriage 40. In this embodiment, the coupling mechanism 70 couples the print carriage 22 and the spray carriage 40 using magnetic force. One of the right coupling member 71 and the left coupling member 72 includes a magnet, and the other includes a magnetic material that is attracted to the magnet. However, the coupling mechanism 70 is not limited to one that uses magnetic force, and may include other components such as an engaging member. The print carriage 22 and the spray carriage 40 are coupled when the right coupling member 71 and the left coupling member 72 come into contact with each other.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1 , the guide rail 51 is supported by a gate-shaped gantry 80. The gantry 80 engages with a rail (not shown) provided on the top surface of the printer body 11. The rail (not shown) extends in the sub-scanning direction X. The gantry 80 is movable in the sub-scanning direction X along the rail. The gantry 80 includes a central portion 81 located in the center of the main scanning direction Y and extending in the main scanning direction Y, a right portion 82 located to the right of the central portion 81, and a left portion 83 located to the right of the central portion 81. The central portion 81 is positioned above the support base 12. The guide rail 51 is fixed to the front surface of the central portion 81. The right portion 82 is configured in a box shape capable of accommodating the print carriage 22. The left portion 83 is configured in a box shape capable of accommodating the print carriage 22 and the spray carriage 40.

[0019] A cap (not shown) is mounted on the print head 20 inside the right section 82 of the gantry 80. When the printer is on standby for printing, the cap is mounted on the print head 20. Hereinafter, the position of the print carriage 22 at which the cap can be mounted on the print head 20 is referred to as the home position. The home position is located inside the right section 82 of the gantry 80. A locking device (not shown) that immobilizes the print carriage 22 is also located inside the right section 82 of the gantry 80. The locking device includes a locking actuator 73 (see FIG. 5 ) that switches the print carriage 22 between a state in which it is immobile and a state in which it is released and movable. When the print carriage 22 is to be separated from the spray carriage 40, the print carriage 22 is positioned at the home position and is fixed by the locking device. When the spray carriage 40 moves leftward in this state, the right-side connecting member 71 and the left-side connecting member 72 separate, and the connection between the spray carriage 40 and the print carriage 22 is released. As a result, the main scanning direction moving device 50 can move the spray carriage 40 independently of the print carriage 22.

[0020] The sub-scanning direction moving device 60 moves the gantry 80 in the sub-scanning direction X. This causes the guide rails 51 to move in the sub-scanning direction X, and the print carriage 22 and spray carriage 40 engaged with the guide rails 51 move in the sub-scanning direction X. The sub-scanning direction moving device 60 is equipped with a gantry motor 61 (see FIG. 5) that moves the gantry 80.

[0021] The print head 20 ejects ink toward the printing substrate 5 supported by the support base 12. In this embodiment, the print head 20 is an inkjet print head. In this embodiment, the term "inkjet type" refers to inkjet printing using various conventionally known methods, including various continuous types such as binary deflection type or continuous deflection type, and various on-demand types such as thermal type or piezoelectric element type. However, the type of the print head is not limited to the inkjet type. The print head 20 is provided above the support base 12. A plurality of nozzles (not shown) for ejecting ink are formed on the underside of the print head 20.

[0022] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the liquid supply system of the print head 20 and the spray unit 30. As shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of ink cartridges 23 are connected to the print head 20 via ink flow paths 24 (however, all but two systems are not shown). The ink cartridges 23 contain ink. As shown in FIG. 1, the ink cartridges 23 are attached to an ink cartridge attachment section 84 provided at the top of the left section 83 of the gantry 80. As shown in FIG. 3, each ink flow path 24 is provided with an ink pump 25 that supplies ink from the ink cartridge 23 to the print head 20.

[0023] Light irradiation devices 21 are provided on the right and left sides of the print carriage 22. The light irradiation devices 21 irradiate light to harden the ink that has been ejected from the print head 20 and landed on the printing substrate 5. If the liquid agent sprayed from the spray unit 30 has the same photo-hardening properties as the ink, the liquid agent is hardened by the light irradiated from the light irradiation devices 21.

[0024] The spray unit 30 is a unit that sprays atomized liquid toward the printing substrate 5 supported by the support base 12. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the spray carriage 40. As shown in FIG. 4, the spray unit 30 includes a spray gun 31, a liquid tank 32 connected to the spray gun 31, and a mist catcher 33. Note that some components such as the print carriage 22 and guide rail 51 are not shown in FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 4, the spray gun 31 includes a spray nozzle 31a from which the liquid is sprayed, a spray valve 31b, a liquid supply port 31c, a valve control air supply port 31d, and an atomization air supply port 31e. The liquid tank 32 is a tank that stores the liquid to be sprayed onto the printing substrate 5, and is connected to the liquid supply port 31c of the spray gun 31. The liquid tank 32 includes a cylindrical reservoir 32 a for storing the liquid, and a liquid pressure control air supply port 32 b provided at the top of the liquid tank 32 .

[0025] 3, the liquid supply system of the spray unit 30 includes an air compressor 91 and an air supply path 92 connected to the air compressor 91. The air compressor 91 is an example of a compression device that generates compressed air. In this embodiment, the air compressor 91 is built into the printer 10. However, the printer 10 does not necessarily have to include the air compressor 91, and compressed air may be supplied from, for example, an external compression device.

[0026] The air compressor 91 is provided in a location separate from and spaced apart from the spray carriage 40. This allows the spray carriage 40 to be made smaller and lighter. As shown in FIG. 1, in this embodiment, the air compressor 91 is housed in a housing space 11a provided inside the printer main body 11. The housing space 11a is provided below the mounting surface 12a of the support base 12.

[0027] 3, the air supply path 92 includes a common path 92a connected to the air compressor 91 and three paths 92b, 92c, and 92d branching off from the common path 92a. The hydraulic control air path 92b is connected to the hydraulic control air supply port 32b of the liquid tank 32 and supplies air for supplying the liquid to the spray gun 31. The valve control air supply path 92c is connected to the valve control air supply port 31d of the spray gun 31 and supplies air for driving the spray valve 31b. The atomizing air supply path 92d is connected to the atomizing air supply port 31e of the spray gun 31 and supplies air for atomizing the liquid.

[0028] The spray valve 31b is a valve that opens or closes communication between the liquid agent supply port 31c and the spray nozzle 31a. The spray valve 31b is configured to open or close communication between the liquid agent supply port 31c and the spray nozzle 31a when compressed air is supplied to the valve control air supply port 31d, and to close communication between the liquid agent supply port 31c and the spray nozzle 31a when the supply of compressed air is stopped. When compressed air is supplied to the hydraulic control air supply port 32b of the liquid agent tank 32 and the spray valve 31b is opened, the liquid agent is supplied to the spray nozzle 31a. The liquid agent is atomized (also referred to as atomization) by compressed air supplied to the atomizing air supply port 31e and sprayed from the spray nozzle 31a. However, the configuration of the spray unit 30 is not particularly limited. The spray unit 30 may include, for example, an electrically driven spray valve 31b. The liquid agent tank 32 may be provided at a location separate from the spray gun 31, for example, at a location other than the spray carriage 40.

[0029] 3, the common flow path 92a is provided with a filter regulator 93 that adjusts the pressure of the compressed air generated by the air compressor 91 and removes oil mist and the like. The hydraulic pressure control air flow path 92b is provided with a regulator 94 that adjusts the pressure of the compressed air downstream, and a solenoid valve 95 that opens and closes the flow path.

[0030] The valve-controlled air supply path 92c is provided with a solenoid valve 98 that opens and closes the path. The atomization air supply path 92d is provided with a regulator 99 that adjusts the pressure of the compressed air downstream, and a solenoid valve 100 that opens and closes the path. However, the configuration of the air supply path 92 is not limited to the one described above. For example, each of the solenoid valves 95, 98, and 100 may be replaced with a different type of valve, such as an air-driven valve.

[0031] At least the portion of the air supply path 92 connected to the spray unit 30 is made of flexible tubing. This portion is the portion that spans between the printer body 11 and the spray carriage 40. In this embodiment, the entire air supply path 92 is made of flexible tubing. However, the portion of the air supply path 92 away from the spray unit 30 may not be made of flexible tubing but may be made of, for example, a fixed material. In this embodiment, the portions 92b1, 92c1, and 92d1 of the air supply path 92 downstream of the solenoid valves 95, 98, and 100 of the hydraulic pressure control air flow path 92b, the valve control air supply path 92c, and the atomization air supply path 92d are made of flexible tubing. However, if another component is provided downstream of the solenoid valves 95, 98, or 100 of the air supply path 92, only the portion downstream of that component may be made of flexible tubing. Hereinafter, the tubes connected to the spray unit 30 will also be designated by the symbols 92b1, 92c1, and 92d1.

[0032] The spray gun 31 is connected to a liquid agent tank 32 and tubes 92c1 and 92d1 of an air supply path 92. The spray gun 31 atomizes the liquid agent using compressed air generated by an air compressor 91 and sprays it toward the printing substrate 5. The spray nozzle 31a, from which the liquid agent is sprayed, is provided at the bottom end of the spray gun 31. The liquid agent sprayed from the spray nozzle 31a spreads downward. Therefore, the spray nozzle 31a can apply the liquid agent to a wide area at once. The mist catcher 33 collects the mist of the liquid agent generated when the liquid agent is sprayed. The mist catcher 33 is attached to the spray carriage 40 so as to surround the periphery of the spray nozzle 31a. The mist in the mist catcher 33 is sucked into and collected by the mist collection port 33a. Although not shown in the figure, a flexible tube is also connected to the mist collection port 33a.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 4, the spray carriage 40 includes a spray gun support portion 41 that supports the spray gun 31, and a tube holding portion 42 that holds tubes. The spray gun support portion 41 is a flat plate-shaped member that extends in the vertical direction and the main scanning direction Y. A linear motion block (not shown) is fixed to the back surface of the spray gun support portion 41. The linear motion block is slidably engaged with a guide rail 51. A belt 52 (see FIG. 1) is also fixed to the back surface of the spray gun support portion 41. The spray unit 30 is fixed to the front surface of the spray gun support portion 41.

[0034] The tube holding portion 42 extends rearward (toward the guide rail 51) from the upper end of the spray gun support portion 41. The tube holding portion 42 extends in the primary scanning direction Y and the secondary scanning direction X. The tube holding portion 42 includes a plurality of retaining rings 42a. Each retaining ring 42a is annular and allows tubes to be inserted therethrough. Tubes 92b1, 92c1, and 92d1 of the hydraulic control air flow path 92b, the valve control air supply path 92c, and the atomization air supply path 92d, as well as a mist collection tube, are inserted through the retaining rings 42a.

[0035] The tubes 92b1, 92c1, 92d1 and the mist collection tube are housed in a cable protection and guide device 101 behind the tube holding portion 42. The cable protection and guide device 101 is provided along the central portion 81 of the gantry 80. The cable protection and guide device 101 is a tubular member whose bending position changes depending on the position of the spray carriage 40 in the main scanning direction Y. The cable protection and guide device 101 prevents the tubes 92b1, 92c1, 92d1 and the mist collection tube from being pulled or rubbing against other components due to the movement of the spray carriage 40.

[0036] The control device 120 is housed in the right portion 82 of the gantry 80. FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the printer 10. The control device 120 is electrically connected to the print head 20, the light irradiation device 21, the ink pump 25, the carriage motor 53, the gantry motor 61, the locking actuator 73, the solenoid valve 95 of the hydraulic control air flow path 92b, the solenoid valve 98 of the valve control air supply path 92c, and the solenoid valve 100 of the atomization air supply path 92d, and is configured to be able to control these components. The air compressor 91 may be driven autonomously to maintain a constant pressure of compressed air, or may be controlled by the control device 120. The configuration of the control device 120 is not particularly limited. The control device 120 is, for example, a microcomputer. The hardware configuration of the microcomputer is not particularly limited, but may include, for example, an interface (I / F) for receiving print data and the like from an external device such as a host computer, a central processing unit (CPU) for executing instructions from a control program, a read only memory (ROM) for storing the program executed by the CPU, a random access memory (RAM) used as a working area for expanding the program, and a storage device such as a memory for storing the program and various data. Note that the control device 120 does not necessarily have to be provided inside the printer 10, and may be, for example, a computer or the like installed outside the printer 10 and connected to the printer 10 via wired or wireless communication so as to be able to communicate with the printer 10.

[0037] The control device 120 controls the solenoid valve 95 of the hydraulic control air flow path 92b, the solenoid valve 98 of the valve control air supply path 92c, and the solenoid valve 100 of the atomization air supply path 92d to spray the liquid from the spray unit 30, and also controls the carriage motor 53 to move the spray carriage 40 in the main scanning direction Y. This causes the liquid to be applied to a location below the movement path of the spray carriage 40. The control device 120 repeats the above operation while moving the position of the gantry 80 in the sub-scanning direction X, thereby applying the liquid for pre-processing or post-processing of image printing to a desired location on the printing substrate 5.

[0038] An example of the process of spraying a liquid agent from the spray unit 30 and printing an image is described below. Here, we will explain an example in which a primer ink for surface preparation of the printing substrate 5 is sprayed as the liquid agent. The primer ink is assumed to be photocurable. In this example, the spraying of the liquid agent from the spray unit 30 is performed prior to image printing. In the process of spraying the liquid agent from the spray unit 30, first, the print carriage 22 is moved to the home position. This movement is performed by moving the spray carriage 40 while the print carriage 22 and the spray carriage 40 are connected. Next, the print carriage 22 is fixed so that it cannot move by a locking device. In this state, the spray carriage 40 is moved to the left to separate the spray carriage 40 from the print carriage 22. This allows the spray carriage 40 to move independently of the print carriage 22. A cap is attached to the print head 20 remaining in the home position. This prevents the primer ink sprayed from the spray unit 30 from adhering to the print head 20.

[0039] Next, while only the spray carriage 40 is moved in the main scanning direction Y, the spray unit 30 sprays primer ink. The primer ink is sprayed only in the area in the main scanning direction Y that is set to be applied with primer ink. In this embodiment, the spray carriage 40 moves in the main scanning direction Y. Therefore, it is possible to apply primer ink only to the desired area in the main scanning direction Y. After that, the gantry 80 is moved in the sub-scanning direction X, and the spray position of the primer ink in the sub-scanning direction X is changed. The printer 10 applies primer ink to the desired position on the printing substrate 5 by repeating the above operation while sequentially changing the position of the gantry 80.

[0040] When application of the primer ink is complete, the spray carriage 40 is moved to the right and reconnected to the print carriage 22. The print carriage 22 is released from its locking device. This allows the print carriage 22 to move in the main scanning direction Y. The cap is separated from the print head 20. In the example described here, the print carriage 22 is moved in the main scanning direction Y, and the gantry 80 is moved intermittently in the sub-scanning direction X, while the light irradiation device 21 irradiates light to harden the primer ink. This hardens the primer ink on the printing substrate 5. An image is then printed using the print head 20. However, details of image printing will not be described here.

[0041] The above process is one example. For example, if the liquid sprayed from the spray unit 30 is a topcoat liquid (e.g., a photocurable transparent ink) for post-processing of image printing, the topcoat liquid is sprayed after the image is printed.

[0042] [Effects of the first embodiment] The following describes the effects of the printer 10 according to the first embodiment. The printer 10 according to this embodiment includes a support base 12 that supports a substrate 5, a print head 20 that ejects ink toward the substrate 5 supported by the support base 12, a print carriage 22 that is configured to be movable in the main scanning direction Y and that holds the print head 20, a liquid agent tank 32 that stores the liquid agent to be sprayed onto the substrate 5, an air supply path 92 that has flexible tubes 92c1 and 92d1 and is connected to an air compressor 91 that generates compressed air, a spray gun 31 to which the liquid agent tank 32 and the tubes 92c1 and 92d1 are connected and that atomizes the liquid agent using the compressed air generated by the air compressor 91 and sprays it toward the substrate 5, a spray carriage 40 that is configured to be movable in the main scanning direction Y and that holds the spray gun 31, and a main scanning direction moving device 50 that moves the print carriage 22 and the spray carriage 40 in the main scanning direction Y. According to this printer 10, a liquid agent for pre- or post-printing treatment (for example, primer ink or clear ink for topcoat) can be sprayed by the spray gun 31. The fine particles of the liquid agent sprayed by the spray gun 31 spread as they approach the substrate 5. This makes it possible to apply the liquid agent to a wide area of ​​the substrate 5 at once. Therefore, according to the printer 10 of this embodiment, the liquid agent for pre- or post-printing treatment can be applied to the substrate 5 more efficiently.

[0043] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the spray carriage 40 that holds the spray unit 30 is moved in the main scanning direction Y. Therefore, it is possible to apply the liquid only to desired areas of the printing substrate 5 in the main scanning direction Y. This makes it possible to prevent the liquid from being applied to areas where it is not needed and affecting those areas, as well as to prevent an increase in the amount of liquid consumed due to the application of the liquid to areas where it is not needed.

[0044] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the portion of the air supply path 92 connected to the spray gun 31 is configured with flexible tubes 92b1, 92c1, and 92d1. The flexible tubes 92b1, 92c1, and 92d1 are freely movable. This makes it easy to connect the air supply path 92 to the spray unit 30, which moves together with the spray carriage 40.

[0045] In this embodiment, both the print carriage 22 and the spray carriage 40 are movably engaged with guide rails 51 that extend in the main scanning direction Y. With this configuration, the print carriage 22 and the spray carriage 40 are engaged with and move on a common guide rail 51, which reduces the number of components of the printer 10. However, the print carriage 22 and the spray carriage 40 may each be movably engaged with separate guide rails that extend in the main scanning direction Y.

[0046] In this embodiment, the main scanning direction moving device 50 is configured to be able to move the spray carriage 40 independently of the print carriage 22. With this configuration, even though the print carriage 22 and the spray carriage 40 are engaged with a common guide rail 51, the print head 20 can be separated from the spray unit 30 when spraying liquid from the spray unit 30. This prevents the liquid sprayed from the spray unit 30 from adhering to the print head 20. More specifically, in this embodiment, the printer 10 includes a connecting mechanism 70 that connects or disconnects the print carriage 22 and the spray carriage 40, and the main scanning direction moving device 50 moves the spray carriage 40 along the guide rail 51. With this configuration, both the spray carriage 40 and the print carriage 22 can be moved by a single main scanning direction moving device 50, and it can also move only the spray carriage 40. However, the printer 10 may also include a first moving device that moves the spray carriage 40 in the main scanning direction Y and a second moving device that moves the print carriage 22 in the main scanning direction Y.

[0047] In this embodiment, the printer 10 has an air compressor 91 built into the printer 10. With this configuration, the printer 10 can be installed in an environment where compressed air is not available, and the spray unit 30 can spray the liquid agent. The air compressor 91 is provided away from the spray carriage 40. By providing the air compressor 91 in a location other than the spray carriage 40, the moving spray carriage 40 can be made smaller and lighter. However, the printer 10 does not have to be equipped with an air compressor 91, and compressed air (e.g., factory air) generated by a device external to the printer 10 can also be used.

[0048] In this embodiment, the printer 10 has an accommodation space 11a in the printer body 11 that is provided below the mounting surface 12a of the support base 12, and the air compressor 91 is accommodated in the accommodation space 11a. With this configuration, the space in the printer 10 below the mounting surface 12a can be effectively utilized to accommodate the air compressor 91. Because printers often have dead space below the mounting surface of the support base, this space is utilized to accommodate the air compressor 91 in this embodiment. Furthermore, with this configuration, the heavy air compressor 91 is accommodated in the printer body 11 and is not installed in a moving part of the printer 10, so the burden on the moving parts of the printer 10 is reduced.

[0049] In the printer 10 according to this embodiment, the liquid tank 32 is provided on the spray carriage 40. This allows the liquid tank 32 and the spray gun 31 to be located close to each other, enabling the liquid to be smoothly supplied to the spray gun 31. Furthermore, since there is no need to extend the flow path connecting the liquid tank 32 and the spray gun 31 outside the spray carriage 40, it is possible to avoid difficulties in managing the flow path.

[0050] The liquid sprayed from the spray unit 30 may be a treatment liquid for base treatment of the printing substrate 5, or may be a topcoat liquid for forming a topcoat layer on the ink. If the liquid is such a liquid, base treatment of the printing substrate 5 or formation of a topcoat layer can be carried out efficiently. However, the type and use of the liquid sprayed from the spray unit 30 are not particularly limited.

[0051] [Second embodiment] In the second embodiment, the main scanning direction moving device includes a moving body separate from the print carriage and the spray carriage, which is engaged with a guide rail so as to be movable in the main scanning direction. In the following description of the second embodiment, components that perform the same functions as those in the first embodiment will be designated by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment. Furthermore, duplicated descriptions will be omitted or simplified.

[0052] 6 is a front view of the print carriage 22 and spray carriage 40 according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, the main scanning direction movement device 50 according to this embodiment includes a moving body 54 engaged with a guide rail 51 so as to be movable in the main scanning direction Y. The moving body 54 is provided between the print carriage 22 and the spray carriage 40. The main scanning direction movement device 50 is configured to move the moving body 54 in the main scanning direction Y.

[0053] The printer 10 includes a first connecting portion 74 that connects or disconnects the print carriage 22 and the movable body 54, and a second connecting portion 75 that connects or disconnects the spray carriage 40 and the movable body 54. The configurations of the first connecting portion 74 and the second connecting portion 75 may be the same as or different from the connecting mechanism 70 of the first embodiment. The configurations of the first connecting portion 74 and the second connecting portion 75 are not particularly limited.

[0054] In this embodiment, the printer 10 is equipped with a first locking device (not shown) that immobilizes the print carriage 22. The first locking device locks the print carriage 22 at the end position (here, the right end) of the movable range of the print carriage 22 and the spray carriage 40 on the print carriage 22 side. The printer 10 also is equipped with a second locking device (not shown) that immobilizes the spray carriage 40. The second locking device locks the spray carriage 40 at the end position (here, the left end) of the movable range of the print carriage 22 and the spray carriage 40 on the spray carriage 40 side. With this configuration, the main scanning direction moving device 50 can not only move the spray carriage 40 independently of the print carriage 22, but also move the print carriage 22 independently of the spray carriage 40. Note that the method for separating the print carriage 22 from the movable body 54 and the method for separating the spray carriage 40 from the movable body 54 are not particularly limited.

[0055] With this configuration, the print carriage 22 and the spray carriage 40 can be moved independently, allowing the use of a carriage motor 53 with a small driving force. Also, because the print carriage 22 and the spray carriage 40 are each lighter than the combined body of the two, vibrations associated with the movement and stopping of the print carriage 22 and the spray carriage 40 can be suppressed.

[0056] [Other embodiments] Several preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, in addition to the above-described embodiments, the technology disclosed herein can be implemented in various other ways. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the number of spray units 30 was one, and only one type of liquid agent could be applied from a component other than the print head 20. However, the printer may be equipped with multiple spray devices and may be able to spray multiple types of liquid agent. The multiple spray devices may each be held in a separate spray carriage, or some or all of them may be held in the same spray carriage.

[0057] In the above-described embodiment, the air compressor 91 is provided at a location other than the spray carriage 40. However, the air compressor may be provided at the spray carriage. Conversely, the liquid agent tank may be provided at a location other than the spray carriage. Even when the air compressor and the liquid agent tank are provided at a location other than the spray carriage, their installation locations are not particularly limited.

[0058] The configuration of the printer is not particularly limited unless otherwise specified. For example, the technology disclosed herein can be used in small flatbed printers and printers that print on roll media. The printing method is also not particularly limited. The ink may be a photocurable ink, or may be, for example, a solvent ink or a water-based ink. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 5 Printing material 10 Printers 12 Support stand 20 print heads 22 Print carriage (first carriage) 31 Spray gun (spray device) 32 Liquid tank (tank) 40 Spray Carriage (Second Carriage) 50 Main scanning direction moving device 51 Guide rail 54 Mobile body (second embodiment) 60 Sub-scanning direction moving device 70 Connection mechanism 74 First connecting portion (second embodiment) 75 Second connecting portion (second embodiment) 91 Air compressor (compression device) 92 Air supply line 92c1, 92d1 tubes

Claims

1. A support table that supports a printing substrate; a print head that ejects ink toward the printing material supported by the support table; a first carriage configured to be movable in a main scanning direction and holding the print head; A tank that stores the liquid to be sprayed onto the printing substrate; an air supply line having a flexible tube and connected to a compressor that generates compressed air; a spray device connected to the tank and the tube, which atomizes the liquid agent using compressed air generated by the compressor and sprays the atomized liquid agent toward the printing substrate; a second carriage configured to be movable in the main scanning direction and holding the spray device; a guide rail extending in the main scanning direction and with which the first carriage and the second carriage are engaged so as to be movable in the main scanning direction; a main scanning direction moving device that moves the first carriage and the second carriage in the main scanning direction; Equipped with The second carriage includes: a support part having a front surface on which the spray device is supported and a back surface to which a linear motion block that engages with the guide rail is fixed; a holding portion formed integrally with the support portion and holding the tube, The main scanning direction moving device is configured to be movable along the guide rail, The holding portion is provided on an upper surface side of the support portion.

2. a coupling mechanism for coupling or separating the first carriage and the second carriage; the main scanning direction moving device moves the second carriage along the guide rail; The printer of claim 1 .

3. The tank is provided on the second carriage.

3. The printer according to claim 1 or 2.

4. A support table for supporting a substrate to be printed; a print head that ejects ink toward the printing substrate supported by the support table; a first carriage configured to be movable in a main scanning direction and holding the print head; A tank that stores the liquid to be sprayed onto the printing substrate; an air supply line having a flexible tube and connected to a compressor that generates compressed air; a spray device connected to the tank and the tube, which atomizes the liquid agent using compressed air generated by the compressor and sprays the atomized liquid agent toward the printing substrate; a second carriage configured to be movable in the main scanning direction and holding the spray device; a guide rail extending in the main scanning direction and with which the first carriage and the second carriage are engaged so as to be movable in the main scanning direction; a main scanning direction moving device that moves the first carriage and the second carriage in the main scanning direction along the guide rail; a coupling mechanism that couples or separates the first carriage and the second carriage, The tank is provided at a position on the second carriage farther from the connecting mechanism than the spray device. Printer.

5. the main scanning direction moving device is configured to be able to move the second carriage independently of the first carriage; 5. The printer according to claim 2 or 4.

6. the main scanning direction moving device includes a moving body that is engaged with the guide rail so as to be movable in the main scanning direction and is provided between the first carriage and the second carriage, and is configured to move the moving body in the main scanning direction; a first connecting portion that connects or separates the first carriage and the moving body; a second coupling portion that couples or separates the second carriage and the moving body, The printer according to claim 5 .

7. the compression device is an air compressor built into the printer, The air compressor is provided at a distance from the second carriage. The printer according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. a printer body supporting the support table; the printer body has an accommodation space provided below a placement surface of the support table on which the printing material is placed, The air compressor is accommodated in the accommodation space. The printer of claim 7.

9. The liquid is a treatment liquid for base treatment of the printing substrate. The printer according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. the liquid is a topcoat liquid that forms a topcoat layer on the ink; The printer according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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