Textile printing equipment

Abstract

To provide a printing apparatus capable of expressing a delicate difference of finished states even with one kind of fabric.SOLUTION: A printing apparatus 11 includes: a liquid-discharging part 31 for discharging liquids to a conveyed fabric M to print; and a supplying flow passage 50 for supplying liquids contained in liquid containers 41A-41C to the liquid-discharging part 31. The printing apparatus 11 further includes: an input operation part 36 in which a user can select a finished state of the fabric M after printing; and a first temperature-adjusting part 57 capable of adjusting a temperature of a liquid in the supplying flow passage 50. The printing apparatus 11 includes: a control part 100 for controlling the first temperature-adjusting part 57 as a control object. The control part 100 controls the first temperature-adjusting part 57 so that a temperature of the liquid in the supplying flow passage 50 becomes a condition corresponding to a finished state indicated from the input operation part 36.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a textile printing apparatus equipped with a liquid ejection unit that ejects a liquid onto a fabric. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an inkjet printing device that prints on fabric by ejecting a liquid such as ink onto the fabric as an example of this type of printing device. This inkjet printing device includes a transport unit that transports the fabric and a liquid ejection unit that ejects ink onto the fabric by an inkjet method.

[0003] In this type of textile printing device, even if printing is performed using the same type of ink or other liquid under the same printing conditions, the finished state of the printed fabric will vary depending on the type of fabric (fabric type), and the state of the fabric, such as its material and thickness. Therefore, in order to achieve a desired finished state of the printed fabric, textile printing is performed using multiple types of fabric that differ in type and state of fabric. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-98215 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, there is a problem in that many different types of fabric are required to achieve different finishes on the printed fabric, and therefore there is a demand for a printing device that can achieve different finishes on the same type of fabric. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A textile printing device that solves the above problem comprises a liquid ejection unit that prints by ejecting liquid onto a transported fabric, a supply flow path for supplying the liquid contained in a liquid container to the liquid ejection unit, a selection unit that allows a user to select the finished state of the fabric after printing, a first temperature adjustment unit that can adjust the temperature of the liquid in the supply flow path, and a control unit that controls the first temperature adjustment unit as a controlled object, and the control unit controls the first temperature adjustment unit so that the temperature of the liquid in the supply flow path is in a condition corresponding to the finished state specified by the selection unit. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view showing a textile printing apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a liquid ejection device provided in the textile printing apparatus. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the textile printing device. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a finish state input screen. [Figure 6] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a printing condition determination unit. [Figure 7] Schematic diagram showing an overview of reference data. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a schematic side view showing a textile printing apparatus according to a second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the textile printing device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] (First embodiment) A first embodiment of a textile printing apparatus equipped with a liquid ejection unit will be described below with reference to the drawings. The textile printing apparatus 11 of the first embodiment is, for example, an inkjet printer that supports fabric M with a conveyor belt and ejects ink, which is an example of a liquid, onto the fabric M to print.

[0009] In FIG. 1, the printing device 11 is placed on a horizontal plane, and the direction of gravity is indicated by the Z axis, while the directions along the horizontal plane are indicated by the X axis and the Y axis. The X axis, Y axis, and Z axis are perpendicular to one another. In the following description, the direction along the X axis is also referred to as the width direction X or scanning direction X. The direction along the Y axis is also referred to as the depth direction Y, and the direction along the Z axis is also referred to as the gravity direction Z. In this case, the Y axis direction is also referred to as the transport direction Y, because it is the direction in which the fabric M is transported at the printing position where printing is performed on the fabric M. When distinguishing between the transport direction Y and the opposite direction, the transport direction Y is referred to as the +Y direction, and the opposite transport direction is referred to as the -Y direction.

[0010] <Configuration of the printing device 11> The configuration of the textile printing apparatus 11 will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the textile printing apparatus 11 includes a transport unit 20 that transports the fabric M, and a printing unit 30 that prints on the transported fabric M. The printing unit 30 includes a liquid ejection unit 31 that ejects a liquid onto the transported fabric M to perform printing. The textile printing apparatus 11 of this example is an inkjet printer in which the liquid ejection unit 31 ejects ink as an example of a liquid.

[0011] 1 and 2, the textile printing apparatus 11 may include a base 12 having a pillar-beam structure and a housing 13. The transport unit 20 and the liquid discharge unit 31 are supported by the base 12. The housing 13 covers a scanning region, which is a region where the liquid discharge unit 31 moves in the scanning direction X during printing.

[0012] The conveying unit 20 has, for example, a conveying belt 21. The conveying belt 21 is, for example, a glue belt. The conveying belt 21 has a support surface 21a that can support the fabric M. The conveying belt 21 conveys the fabric M by the movement of the support surface 21a.

[0013] The liquid discharge unit 31 performs printing on the fabric M by discharging liquid onto the fabric M supported by the conveyor belt 21. The liquid discharge unit 31 may be of a serial printing type as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, or may be of a line printing type. The serial printing type textile printing device 11 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes a carriage 32 as an example of a moving unit that mounts the liquid discharge unit 31 and is movable in the scanning direction X. The liquid discharge unit 31 is mounted on the carriage 32 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 in a position facing the support surface 21a.

[0014] The carriage 32 moves back and forth along a scanning direction X parallel to the width direction X of the fabric M. The liquid discharge unit 31 discharges liquid toward the surface of the fabric M while moving along the scanning direction X together with the carriage 32. The textile printing device 11 prints an image or the like on the surface of the fabric M by alternately performing a printing operation for one line performed by the liquid discharge unit 31 discharging liquid while moving, and a transport operation in which the transport unit 20 transports the fabric M to the next printing position.

[0015] When the liquid discharger 31 is of a line printing type, the liquid discharger 31 is configured as a line head having a number of nozzles capable of simultaneously discharging liquid across the entire width of the fabric M transported by the transport unit 20. In the textile printing device 11, the liquid discharger 31 of the line printing type prints an image or the like on the surface of the fabric M by discharging liquid toward the surface of the fabric M transported by the transport unit 20 at a predetermined transport speed.

[0016] The textile printing apparatus 11 includes a liquid supply unit 45 that supplies liquid to the liquid discharger 31. The liquid supply unit 45 includes liquid containers 41A to 41C that contain liquid, and a supply flow path 50 that supplies the liquid in the liquid containers 41A to 41C to the liquid discharger 31. The liquid supply unit 45 may include an attachment part 40 shown in FIG. 1 that is configured so that the liquid containers 41A to 41C can be detachably attached by a user.

[0017] The liquid containers 41A to 41C are, for example, liquid cartridges or liquid tanks that contain liquid. The liquid containers 41A to 41C contain the same liquid as the liquid discharged by the liquid discharger 31. The liquid discharger 31 discharges multiple types of liquid supplied from the liquid containers 41A to 41C. Examples of the liquid include ink discharged for printing on the fabric M, and pre-treatment liquid or post-treatment liquid discharged for printing on the fabric M.

[0018] The liquid container 41A contains ink, which is an example of a liquid. As shown in the example in FIG. 1, a plurality of liquid containers 41A may be provided, each containing a different color of ink. When the liquid ejection unit 31 is configured to eject a plurality of colors of ink to perform color printing, the plurality of liquid containers 41A each contain an ink of a color used by the liquid ejection unit 31 in the color printing. For example, when the liquid ejection unit 31 is configured to perform color printing with N colors of ink, the liquid container 41A includes N liquid containers 41A each containing one of the N colors of ink.

[0019] When the N colors are four, four liquid containers 41A each contain ink of four colors, for example, cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. Color printing may be performed using three colors: cyan, magenta, and yellow. The N colors are not limited to four colors, and may be one, two, three, or five or more colors. For example, the N colors may be one color, and a configuration may be provided in which one liquid container 41A contains black ink, and the liquid ejection unit 31 ejects ink onto the fabric M to perform monochrome printing (grayscale printing).

[0020] The liquid container 41B contains a pretreatment liquid, which is an example of a liquid. The liquid container 41B stores a dye-resistant agent, which is an example of a pretreatment agent. The dye-resistant agent prevents coloring due to dyeing. The liquid container 41C contains a post-treatment liquid, which is an example of a liquid. A discharge agent, which is an example of a post-treatment agent, is stored in the liquid container 41C. The discharge agent discharges the color of the fabric M. The liquid containers 41A to 41C are each formed of a cartridge or a tank.

[0021] 1 is configured as a separate body from the base 12, but may be integrally assembled with the base 12. The mounting part 40 may be configured such that, for example, when an openable cover (not shown) provided on the base 12 is opened, the liquid containers 41A to 41C are exposed in a detachable state.

[0022] 1, the liquid supply unit 45 may be configured to circulate the liquid supplied from the liquid containers 41A to 41C through a path passing through the liquid discharger 31. In this case, the supply flow path 50 may include a circulation flow path 50A that circulates the liquid through a path passing through the liquid discharger 31.

[0023] 1, the supply flow path 50 includes a flow path 53 that supplies liquid from each of the liquid containers 41A to 41C to one of the sub-tanks 51. The circulation flow path 50A includes two sub-tanks 51, 52, each of which serves as a main tank for each of the liquid containers 41A to 41C. The circulation flow path 50A includes a first flow path 54 that supplies liquid from the sub-tank 51 to the liquid ejection unit 31, a second flow path 55 that discharges liquid from the liquid ejection unit 31 to the sub-tank 52, and a third flow path 56 that returns the liquid from the sub-tank 52 to the sub-tank 51.

[0024] The two sub-tanks 51 and 52 temporarily store the liquid supplied from each of the liquid containers 41A to 41C and circulating through a path passing through the liquid discharger 31. The liquid supplied from one subtank 51 to the liquid discharger 31 is discharged to the other subtank 52 via a path that passes through the liquid discharger 31. Furthermore, the liquid is returned from the other subtank 52 to the one subtank 51. In this way, the liquid supplied from each of the liquid containers 41A to 41C is circulated so as to pass through the one subtank 51, the liquid discharger 31, and the other subtank 52 in this order, and then return to the one subtank 51 again.

[0025] Liquid supply unit 45 includes a first temperature adjustment section 57 that can adjust the temperature of the liquid in supply flow path 50. First temperature adjustment section 57 may adjust the temperature of the liquid at any position on supply flow path 50. First temperature adjustment section 57 may adjust the temperature of the liquid in circulation flow path 50A. Details of liquid supply unit 45 will be described later.

[0026] 1, the printing apparatus 11 includes an input operation unit 36 ​​that can be operated by a user, and a control unit 100 that controls the printing apparatus 11. The printing apparatus 11 may also include a display unit 37 that can display an input screen 90 (see FIG. 5) described below for inputting the finish state.

[0027] The input operation unit 36 ​​is configured to allow the user to select the finish state of the fabric M after printing. The input operation unit 36 ​​may be configured, for example, by a display unit 37 equipped with a touch panel screen. Note that the input operation unit 36 ​​may be at least one of the touch panel display unit 37 and an operation button.

[0028] The control unit 100 controls the controlled objects of the textile printing apparatus 11 so that the fabric M after printing has a desired finish state. The control unit 100 controls the conveying unit 20 (more specifically, the drive motor 26), the liquid discharge unit 31, the first temperature adjustment unit 57, etc. The first temperature adjustment unit 57 is one of the controlled objects. The liquid discharge unit 31 is also one of the controlled objects. The other controlled objects will be described later.

[0029] 2, the printing apparatus 11 includes a feeding section 14 that holds a roll R1 around which the unprinted fabric M is wound, and a winding section 15 that winds up the printed fabric M. The printing apparatus 11 may include a wrinkle suppressing device 16 that suppresses wrinkles in the fabric M, located along the fabric supply path from the feeding section 14 to the conveying section 20. The printing apparatus 11 may also include a drying section 19 that dries the printed fabric M, located along the fabric discharge path from the conveying section 20 to the winding section 15.

[0030] The feeding unit 14 has a feeding motor 27 as its drive source. The feeding motor 27 is driven to rotate in a direction in which the fabric M is unwound. When the feeding motor 27 is driven, the feeding unit 14 supplies the unprinted fabric M unwound from the roll R1 to the conveying unit 20.

[0031] Wrinkle suppression device 16 suppresses wrinkles in fabric M along the fabric supply path between feeding section 14 and conveying section 20. Wrinkle suppression device 16 has a plurality of rollers 16a to 16c around whose outer peripheries fabric M is wound. A stretching force is applied to the portion of fabric M wound with a predetermined force on the outer periphery of roller 16a, which suppresses the occurrence of wrinkles in fabric M and also removes wrinkles that have occurred upstream.

[0032] The winding unit 15 has a peeling function of peeling the printed fabric M from the conveyor belt 21. The winding unit 15 winds up the printed fabric M that has been peeled from the conveyor belt 21 with a predetermined peeling force to form a roll body R2. The winding unit 15 has a winding motor 28 as its drive source.

[0033] The drying section 19 dries the printed fabric M, for example, by heating the printed fabric M. The drying section 19 may be a hot air drying section that blows hot air, or a heater drying section that has a heating element (heater) that generates heat when electricity is applied. The drying section 19 may be a winding unit that constitutes a single device together with the winding section 15. The winding section 15 or the winding unit may be a device separate from the textile printing device 11.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 2, the textile printing device 11 has a pressing unit 17 that presses the fabric M against the support surface 21a of the conveyor belt 21, located upstream of the liquid discharge unit 31 in the conveyance direction Y. The pressing unit 17 includes a pressure roller 17a that applies pressure to the surface of the fabric M. The pressure roller 17a reciprocates along the support surface 21a in the conveyance direction Y and the reverse conveyance direction −Y while applying pressure to the fabric M, thereby bonding the fabric M to the adhesive layer 25. The fabric M is supported in a state where it is bonded to the support surface 21a of the conveyor belt 21.

[0035] The conveying section 20 includes a conveying belt 21, a driving roller 22, and a driven roller 23. The conveying belt 21 is wound around the driving roller 22 and the driven roller 23. The conveying belt 21 has an endless substrate 24 and an adhesive layer 25 provided on the outer peripheral surface of the substrate 24. The adhesive layer 25 is formed by applying an adhesive to the entire outer peripheral surface of the substrate 24. In other words, the conveying belt 21 is a glue belt having the adhesive layer 25. The conveying belt 21 has a support surface 21a on the surface of the adhesive layer 25 for supporting the fabric M. The fabric M is supported on the support surface 21a while being attached to the surface of the adhesive layer 25. The adhesive layer 25 may be made of a thermoplastic material whose adhesive strength increases when heated. The adhesive layer 25 may also be made of a material whose adhesive strength is resistant to heat change and has the required adhesive strength at room temperature.

[0036] The conveying section 20 includes a conveying motor 26 as a drive source. The conveying motor 26 is connected to the drive roller 22 so that power can be transmitted. When the conveying motor 26 is driven, the drive roller 22 rotates. When the drive roller 22 rotates, the conveying belt 21 rotates. The driven roller 23 rotates in response to the rotation of the conveying belt 21. In this way, the conveying belt 21 rotates due to the driving force of the conveying motor 26. As the conveying belt 21 rotates, the fabric M attached to the support surface 21a is conveyed. Note that the positions of the drive roller 22 and the driven roller 23 may be reversed.

[0037] 2, the textile printing apparatus 11 includes a second temperature adjustment unit 18 that adjusts the surface temperature of the conveying unit 20. The second temperature adjustment unit 18 is, for example, a heater. Note that a cleaning unit (not shown) that cleans the underside of the conveying belt 21 is provided in the area below the conveying belt 21, which is a glue belt.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 2, the liquid discharger 31 is housed in a housing 13 disposed above the conveyor 20. The liquid discharger 31 has nozzles 31N that open to a nozzle surface 31a that faces the conveyor belt 21. The nozzle surface 31a faces the support surface 21a of the conveyor belt 21 across a predetermined gap. The liquid discharger 31 discharges droplets from the nozzles 31N. The droplets discharged from the nozzles 31N land on the surface of the fabric M attached to the support surface 21a, thereby printing an image or the like on the fabric M.

[0039] The textile printing device 11 also includes a first detection unit 33 and a second detection unit 34 as examples of detection units. The first detection unit 33 and the second detection unit 34 are capable of detecting the state of the fabric M. The first detection unit 33 detects the material of the fabric M at a position upstream of the printing position (printing area). The second detection unit 34 detects the thickness of the fabric M at a position upstream of the printing position (printing area). In the example shown in FIG. 2, both detection units 33 and 34 are supported at the upstream end of the carriage 32 in the transport direction Y in an orientation that allows them to face the surface of the fabric M being transported.

[0040] 1, the textile printing apparatus 11 includes an input operation unit 36 ​​that can be operated by a user, and a control unit 100 that controls the textile printing apparatus 11. The textile printing apparatus 11 may also include a display unit 37 that can display an input screen for inputting the finish state, etc.

[0041] The input operation unit 36 ​​is configured to allow the user to select the finish state of the fabric M after printing. The input operation unit 36 ​​may be configured, for example, by a display unit 37 equipped with a touch panel screen. Note that the input operation unit 36 ​​may be at least one of the touch panel display unit 37 and an operation button.

[0042] The control unit 100 controls the control objects constituting the textile printing apparatus 11 so that the conditions for the finished state of the fabric M after printing are set to correspond to the conditions. The control unit 100 controls the transport unit 20 (more specifically, the transport motor 26), the liquid discharge unit 31, the carriage 32, the first temperature adjustment unit 57, etc. Here, the conditions for the finished state of the fabric M after printing refer to printing conditions that correspond to the finished state selected by the user. These printing conditions include a plurality of parameters.

[0043] <Configuration of liquid supply unit 45> Next, the liquid supply unit 45 provided in the textile printing apparatus 11 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 shows only a liquid supply unit to which liquid is supplied from one of the liquid containers 41A to 41C. In the example of Fig. 3, an ink-based liquid supply unit 45 that supplies ink from the liquid container 41A is shown.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 3, liquid supply unit 45 includes liquid containers 41A-41C, supply flow path 50, supply pump 58, circulation pump 59, on-off valves 61-63, filter 64, pressure tank 65, pressure-reducing tank 66, and sensors 71-77.

[0045] The supply flow path 50 includes two sub-tanks 51 and 52, flow paths 53 to 56, and a pressure chamber 35 in the liquid ejection unit 31. One or more liquid ejection units 31 are provided. In the example shown in FIG. 3, multiple (for example, four) liquid ejection units 31 are provided. Each liquid ejection unit 31 has a pressure chamber 35 therein. The pressure chamber 35 communicates with the first flow path 54, the second flow path 55, and the nozzle 31N (see FIG. 2). The pressure chamber 35 in the liquid ejection unit 31 constitutes a part of the supply flow path 50.

[0046] The circulation flow path 50A is made up of a first sub-tank 51, a first flow path 54, a pressure chamber 35, a second flow path 55, a second sub-tank 52, and a third flow path 56. Liquid (e.g., ink) circulates through the first sub-tank 51, the first flow path 54, the pressure chamber 35, the second flow path 55, the second sub-tank 52, and the third flow path 56.

[0047] The liquid ejection unit 31 is provided with a drive element (not shown) made of a piezoelectric element or a heater element for each nozzle 31N. When the drive element is driven, pressure is applied to a chamber that communicates with the pressure chamber 35 for each nozzle 31N, and some of the liquid in this chamber is ejected as droplets from the corresponding nozzle 31N.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 3 , liquid supplied from the first subtank 51 travels through the first flow path 54 and the second flow path 55, passing through the pressure chamber 35 in the liquid ejection unit 31 and then being discharged to the second subtank 52. Furthermore, the liquid is returned from the second subtank 52 to the first subtank 51 through the third flow path 56. Thus, the liquid supplied from the liquid containers 41A to 41C circulates through the first subtank 51, the pressure chamber 35 in the liquid ejection unit 31, the second subtank 52, and back to the first subtank 51. As a result, the liquid adjusted to a predetermined target temperature by the first temperature adjustment unit 57 circulates through each pressure chamber 35 in the multiple liquid ejection units 31. Here, the viscosity of the liquid depends on the temperature of the liquid. The viscosity of the liquid is controlled to the target viscosity by adjusting the temperature of the liquid to the target temperature. The size of the droplets ejected from the nozzle 31N depends on the viscosity of the liquid under the same driving force of the drive element. Therefore, the droplet size can be controlled by adjusting the temperature of the liquid. The droplet size may be adjustable to a plurality of levels, including a small size and a large size, by controlling the drive waveform of the drive voltage that drives the drive element.

[0049] The first temperature adjustment unit 57 is one of the control objects controlled by the control unit 100 to determine the finished state of the fabric M after printing. The temperature of the liquid adjusted by this first temperature adjustment unit 57 is one of the parameters that determine the finished state of the fabric M after printing.

[0050] The first temperature adjustment unit 57 is, for example, a heater. In this example, the first temperature adjustment unit 57 heats the liquid in the subtank 51. The liquid adjusted to a predetermined target temperature by the first temperature adjustment unit 57 circulates through the circulation flow path 50A in a path that passes through the liquid discharge unit 31.

[0051] The supply pump 58 is provided midway through the flow path 53. An on-off valve 61 is also provided midway through the flow path 53. When the supply pump 58 is driven with the on-off valve 61 open, the liquid in the liquid container 41A is supplied to the first sub-tank 51 through the flow path 53.

[0052] An on-off valve 62 and a filter 64 are provided at a position midway in the branched first flow path 54 that connects the first sub-tank 51 and the two liquid dischargers 31 before the branching. Each pressure chamber 35 in the two liquid ejection units 31 communicates with each pressure chamber 35 in the other two liquid ejection units 31 through a flow path (not shown). Each pressure chamber 35 in the other two liquid ejection units 31 communicates with the second sub-tank 52 through a branched second flow path 55. An on-off valve 63 is provided in the second flow path 55 at a portion midway before it branches.

[0053] The space (air chamber) above the liquid level in the first sub-tank 51 is in communication with the pressurized tank 65 through a flow path 67. The pressurized tank 65 is pressurized to a predetermined pressure. When the on-off valve 69 opens, pressurized air is supplied into the pressurized tank 65, and the pressure in the pressurized tank 65 increases.

[0054] The space (air chamber) above the liquid level in the second sub-tank 52 is in communication with the reduced pressure tank 66 through a flow path 68. The reduced pressure tank 66 is depressurized to a predetermined pressure. When the on-off valve 70 opens, air is forcibly discharged from the reduced pressure tank 66, and the pressure in the reduced pressure tank 66 decreases.

[0055] The pressure adjustment mechanism for adjusting the pressure in the pressurized tank 65 and the reduced-pressure tank 66 is not limited to the above. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which a pressurized pump (not shown) is connected to the pressurized tank 65, and the pressure in the pressurized tank 65 is increased by driving the pressurized pump. In this case, the on-off valve 69 may function as a relief valve that releases air so that the pressure in the pressurized tank 65 reaches a target pressure. Alternatively, a configuration may be adopted in which a reduced-pressure pump (not shown) is connected to the reduced-pressure tank 66, and the pressure in the reduced-pressure tank 66 is reduced by driving the reduced-pressure pump. In this case, the on-off valve 70 may function as a relief valve that takes in air so that the pressure in the reduced-pressure tank 66 reaches a target pressure.

[0056] The liquid supply unit 45 has multiple temperature sensors 71-73 that detect the temperature of the liquid in the supply flow path 50. The temperature sensor 71 detects the temperature of the liquid in the first sub-tank 51. The temperature sensor 72 detects the temperature in the flow path 53. The temperature sensor 73 detects the temperature of the liquid in the pressure chamber 35 in the liquid ejection section. Note that the configuration may include only one or two of the three temperature sensors 71-73.

[0057] The first sub-tank 51 is provided with a pressure sensor 74 that detects the pressure in the space (air chamber) above the liquid level inside the first sub-tank 51. When the pressure detected by the pressure sensor 74 falls below the target pressure to the extent that it exceeds the allowable limit, the on-off valve 69 is opened and the pressure inside the pressurized tank 65 is increased. This adjusts the pressure in the air chamber inside the first sub-tank 51 to the target pressure.

[0058] The second sub-tank 52 is provided with a pressure sensor 75 that detects the pressure in the space (air chamber) above the liquid level inside the second sub-tank 52. When the pressure detected by the pressure sensor 75 exceeds the target pressure to the extent that it exceeds the allowable limit, the on-off valve 70 is opened and the pressure inside the reduced-pressure tank 66 is reduced. This adjusts the pressure in the air chamber inside the second sub-tank 52 to the target pressure.

[0059] Here, the first pressure P1, which is the pressure in the air chamber inside the first sub-tank 51, is set higher than the second pressure P2, which is the pressure in the air chamber inside the second sub-tank 52 (P1>P2). The pressures P1 and P2 when circulating the liquid are set to values ​​that prevent the liquid from dripping from the nozzle 31N of the liquid ejection unit 31 and prevent air from being sucked into the nozzle 31N. In other words, the pressures P1 and P2 are set to values ​​that maintain the meniscus of the liquid formed in the nozzle 31N.

[0060] For example, when the textile printing apparatus 11 is in standby operation or printing mode, the circulation pump 59 is driven with the two on-off valves 62, 63 open. This causes the liquid to circulate through the circulation flow path 50A, which is made up of the first sub-tank 51, the first flow path 54, the pressure chamber 35, the second flow path 55, the second sub-tank 52, and the third flow path 56. This circulation of the liquid keeps the liquid in the pressure chamber 35 at the target temperature adjusted by the first temperature adjustment unit 57.

[0061] During cleaning of the liquid ejection unit 31, the circulation pump 59 is stopped and the on-off valve 63 is closed, and cleaning pressure is supplied from the pressurized tank 65 to the first sub-tank 51. When the on-off valve 62 opens in this pressurized state, the liquid is forcibly discharged from all nozzles 31N of the liquid ejection unit 31. This cleaning forcibly discharges foreign matter such as thickened ink and air bubbles from within the nozzles 31N together with the liquid to the outside, preventing or clearing clogging of the nozzles 31N. The liquid discharged from the nozzles 31N during cleaning is collected in a waste liquid tank (both not shown) through a cap.

[0062] The first subtank 51 is provided with a remaining amount sensor 76 that detects the amount of liquid remaining therein. The second subtank 52 is provided with a remaining amount sensor 77 that detects the amount of liquid remaining therein. When the remaining amount sensor 76 detects that the amount of liquid remaining in the first subtank 51 has reached a threshold, the supply pump 58 is driven with the on-off valve 61 open. This causes liquid to be supplied from the liquid container 41A to the first subtank 51. Furthermore, when the remaining amount sensor 77 detects that the amount of liquid remaining in the second subtank 52 has reached a threshold, the two on-off valves 62, 63 are opened with the circulation pump 59 stopped. This causes liquid to be supplied from the first subtank 51 to the second subtank 52 via the first flow path 54, the pressure chamber 35, and the second flow path 55.

[0063] The location where the first temperature adjustment unit 57 heats the liquid in the supply flow path 50 to adjust its temperature is not limited to the first sub-tank 51. The first temperature adjustment unit 57 may be provided in any location where it can heat the liquid in the supply flow path 50 to adjust its temperature. The first temperature adjustment unit 57 may be, for example, a heater that heats the downstream second sub-tank 52, or a heater that heats the liquid in the pressure chamber 35 of the liquid ejection unit 31 to adjust its temperature. The first temperature adjustment unit 57 may also be a heater that heats the liquid in the first flow path 54 between the first sub-tank 51 and the pressure chamber 35, or a heater that heats the liquid in the second flow path 55 between the pressure chamber 35 and the second sub-tank 52. The first temperature adjustment unit 57 may also be a heater that heats the liquid in the third flow path 56 that connects the second sub-tank 52 and the first sub-tank 51.

[0064] <Electrical configuration of the printing device> Next, the electrical configuration of the printing device 11 will be described with reference to FIG. 4, the control unit 100 is electrically connected to an input system including the input operation unit 36, the first detection unit 33, the second detection unit 34, the temperature sensors 71 to 73, the pressure sensors 74 and 75, and the remaining amount sensors 76 and 77. The control unit 100 is also electrically connected to a display unit 37 and the printing mechanism 11A as an output system. The printing mechanism 11A includes a feeding unit 14, a transport unit 20, a winding unit 15, a drying unit 19, a carriage 32, a liquid ejection unit 31, a liquid supply unit 45, a first temperature adjustment unit 57, and a second temperature adjustment unit 18.

[0065] The control unit 100 includes a display control unit 101 , a printing condition determination unit 102 , a printing control unit 103 , and a storage unit 104 . The display control unit 101 displays an operation screen, various messages, and the like. The operation screen includes a finish state input screen 90 shown in FIG. 9. The user can select and input a finish state on the finish state input screen 90 by operating the input operation unit 36, which is configured using the touch panel operation function of the display unit 37. The display control unit 101 also displays, on the display unit 37, multiple parameter values ​​that define the printing conditions determined by the printing condition determination unit 102. After confirming these multiple parameter values, the user can confirm the printing conditions and then operate a print start button (not shown), which starts the printing operation of the textile printing device 11.

[0066] The printing condition determination unit 102 determines a plurality of parameters that define the printing conditions corresponding to the selected finish state based on the finish state instruction value input on the finish state input screen 90. In other words, the printing condition determination unit 102 determines a plurality of parameters that define the printing conditions that will result in the finish state selected by the user.

[0067] When the printing condition determination unit 102 determines the printing conditions and the user performs an operation to confirm the conditions on the screen, the printing control unit 103 controls the driving of the printing mechanism 11A in accordance with a plurality of parameter values ​​that define the confirmed printing conditions.

[0068] The storage unit 104 stores reference data RD that the printing condition determination unit 102 refers to when determining multiple parameter values. The control unit 100 is also connected to a network NW via the communication unit 110. A server 200 is connected to the network NW. The control unit 100 may be configured to acquire from the server 200 a plurality of parameter values ​​that define printing conditions corresponding to the finish state of the fabric M after printing selected by the user. In this case, the control unit 100 requests the server 200 to perform processing of the printing condition determination unit 102. That is, the control unit 100 transmits a finish state instruction value to the server 200, thereby causing the server 200 to calculate a plurality of parameter values ​​based on the finish state instruction value. The control unit 100 may download from the server 200 a plurality of parameter values ​​that define printing conditions that will obtain the specified finish state.

[0069] The first temperature adjustment unit 57 is one of the objects controlled by the control unit 100 to obtain a selected finish state. The control unit 100 controls the first temperature adjustment unit 57 to adjust the temperature of the liquid in the supply flow path 50. In other words, the temperature of the liquid ejected by the liquid ejection unit 31 is adjusted. The control unit 100 adjusts the viscosity of the liquid by adjusting the temperature of the liquid ejected by the liquid ejection unit 31. Under the same driving strength of the liquid ejection unit 31, the size of the droplets ejected by the liquid ejection unit 31 depends on the viscosity of the liquid. Therefore, the amount of liquid per droplet ejected from the liquid ejection unit 31 changes depending on the temperature of the liquid. The amount of liquid per droplet ejected from the liquid ejection unit 31 affects the finish state of the fabric M after printing. In other words, the temperature of the liquid ejected by the liquid ejection unit 31 is one of the parameters that determine the finish state of the fabric M after printing.

[0070] The conveying unit 20 is also one of the objects to be controlled. The control unit 100 controls the conveying speed of the conveying unit 20 (more specifically, the conveying motor 26) as a controlled object so as to achieve the conditions corresponding to the finish state specified via the input operation unit 36. The conveying distance from the printing position, where the liquid ejection unit 31 ejects liquid onto the fabric M, to the drying position, where the drying unit 19 starts drying the printed fabric M, is constant. Therefore, the conveying speed of the fabric M determines the drying waiting time from when the liquid lands on the fabric M at the printing position until drying of the printed fabric M starts at the drying position. In other words, the conveying speed of the fabric M determines the drying waiting time from the end of printing until drying of the printed fabric M starts. This drying waiting time determines the ease with which the liquid penetrates the fabric M. The longer this drying waiting time, the longer the penetration time available for the landed liquid to penetrate into the fabric M, and the deeper the penetration depth of the liquid tends to be. That is, when the drying waiting time is the first waiting time, the first penetration depth tends to be smaller than the second penetration depth, which is the penetration depth of the liquid into the fabric M when the drying waiting time is the second waiting time, which is longer than the first waiting time. This penetration depth of the liquid into the fabric M affects the finished state of the fabric M after printing. In other words, the conveying speed of the fabric M after printing is one of the parameters that determine the finished state of the fabric M after printing.

[0071] The second temperature adjustment unit 18 is also one of the controlled objects. The control unit 100 controls the second temperature adjustment unit 18 as a controlled object so as to achieve the conditions corresponding to the finished state specified from the input operation unit 36. The second temperature adjustment unit 18 adjusts the surface temperature of the conveying unit 20 (more specifically, the conveying belt 21). The surface temperature of the conveying unit 20 is one of the parameters that determine the finished state of the fabric M after printing.

[0072] Furthermore, the carriage 32 is one of the control objects. The control unit 100 controls the carriage 32 as a control object so as to achieve conditions corresponding to the finish state specified from the input operation unit 36. The movement speed of the carriage 32 affects the penetration time for the liquid adhering to the surface of the fabric M to penetrate in the thickness direction of the fabric M after printing. Therefore, the movement speed of the carriage 32 is one of the parameters that determine the finish state of the fabric M after printing.

[0073] The liquid discharge unit 31 is also one of the objects to be controlled. The control unit 100 controls the liquid discharge unit 31 as a control object so as to achieve the conditions corresponding to the finish state specified via the input operation unit 36. By controlling the liquid discharge unit 31, the control unit 100 controls the amount of liquid discharged by the liquid discharge unit 31. The liquid discharge amount per droplet discharged from the liquid discharge unit 31 changes the ease of penetration of the liquid into the fabric M. When the liquid discharge amount per droplet is a first liquid discharge amount, the first penetration depth tends to be smaller than the second penetration depth, which is the penetration depth of the liquid into the fabric M when a second liquid discharge amount per droplet is used, which is a liquid discharge amount per droplet greater than the first liquid discharge amount. The liquid discharge amount per droplet determines the ease of penetration of the liquid into the fabric M, and affects the finish state of the fabric M after printing. In other words, the liquid discharge amount per droplet discharged by the liquid discharge unit 31 is one of the parameters that determine the finish state of the fabric M after printing.

[0074] The control unit 100 controls the liquid discharge unit 31, thereby controlling the discharge speed of droplets discharged by the liquid discharge unit 31. Under the same condition of the amount of liquid per droplet discharged from the liquid discharge unit 31, the ease with which the liquid penetrates into the fabric M depends on the discharge speed at which the liquid discharge unit 31 discharges the liquid. The droplet discharge speed, which determines the ease with which the liquid penetrates into the fabric M, affects the finished state of the fabric M after printing. In other words, the droplet discharge speed is one of the parameters that determine the finished state of the fabric M after printing.

[0075] Furthermore, the second temperature adjustment unit 18 is one of the objects to be controlled. The control unit 100 controls the second temperature adjustment unit 18 to adjust the temperature of the adhesive layer 25 of the conveyor belt 21, which is a glue belt. The temperature of the adhesive layer 25 affects the drying speed of the fabric M attached to the adhesive layer 25 after printing. The drying speed of the fabric M after printing determines the ease with which the liquid penetrates into the fabric M. When the drying speed is a first drying speed, the first penetration depth tends to be smaller than the second penetration depth, which is the penetration depth of the liquid into the fabric M when the drying speed is a second drying speed that is slower than the first drying speed. This penetration depth of the liquid into the fabric M affects the finished state of the fabric M after printing. In other words, the temperature of the adhesive layer 25 is one of the parameters that determine the finished state of the fabric M after printing.

[0076] The control unit 100 controls the control object so that a condition corresponding to the combination of the selected finish state and the state of the fabric M detected by the detection units 33 and 34 is met. The control unit 100 may also control the control object so that a condition corresponding to the combination of the selected finish state and the state of the fabric M input from input units 92 and 93 (described later) by operating the input operation unit 36 ​​is met. Here, the state of the fabric M includes at least one of the material of the fabric M and the thickness of the fabric M. Details of the other control objects and parameters will be described later.

[0077] <Finishing status input screen> Next, the finish condition input screen displayed on the display unit 37 will be described with reference to FIG. 5. The finish condition input screen 90 shown in FIG. 5 is an input screen for inputting the desired finish condition of the fabric M after printing by the user. The user can input values ​​and select options on the finish condition input screen 90 (hereinafter simply referred to as "input screen 90") by operating the input operation unit 36. The input screen 90 in this example can be operated by the input operation unit 36, which is configured by the touch operation function of the touch panel type display unit 37. The material input unit 92 provides options for common materials of the fabric M, such as cotton, wool, silk, blended yarn, and polyester, which belongs to synthetic fibers.

[0078] The thickness input section 93 provides options for the thickness of the fabric M. The thickness can be input by selecting a value in mm units with one or two decimal places. Furthermore, the input screen 90 has a texture selection section 94 that allows the user to select the texture, which is one of the finish states of the fabric M after printing. The texture selection section 94 has a slider that can be slid. The texture selection section 94 is composed of a slider that has a scale in which the softest texture is 0% and the hardest texture is 100%, and an operation section 94A that can be slid along the scale. The user can operate the operation section 94A to select the texture as a numerical value (%) within the range of 0 to 100%.

[0079] The input screen 90 also has a color selection section 95 that allows the user to select the color, which is one of the finish states of the fabric M after printing. The color selection section 95 is configured with a slider that has a scale in which the lightest color is 0% and the darkest color is 100%, and an operation section 95A that can be slid along the scale. The user can operate the operation section 95A to select the color as a numerical value (%) within the range of 0 to 100%. The user can specify the fabric type, material and thickness as the state of the fabric M, and the texture and color as the finish state by operating the fabric type input section 91, material input section 92, thickness input section 93, texture selection section 94, and color selection section 95.

[0080] In addition, in a configuration including the first detection unit 33 and the second detection unit 34, the material of the fabric M detected by the first detection unit 33 and the thickness of the fabric M detected by the second detection unit 34 may be displayed on the input units 92, 93. In this case, the user checks the detection results of the fabric M detected by each detection unit 33, 34 on the input units 92, 93. If they are correct, leave them as they are, but if they are incorrect, use a pull-down operation on the input units 92, 93 to change at least one of the material and thickness of the fabric M to the correct value.

[0081] The input screen 90 has an OK button 96 that is operated to confirm the input content, and a Cancel button 97 that is operated to cancel the input. The user confirms the input content and selection content by operating the OK button 96. The confirmed input value and selection value are accepted by the control unit 100.

[0082] <Processing of the printing condition determination unit 102> Next, with reference to FIG. 6, a process in which the printing condition determination unit 102 determines parameters (printing parameters) that define the printing conditions from the selected values ​​of the finish state will be described.

[0083] The control unit 100 controls the control object so that the "texture" and "color" are specified by the user through the texture selection unit 94 and the color selection unit 95, respectively, on the input screen 90. The printing condition determination unit 102 determines parameters that define the printing conditions so that the finished state (texture, color) is achieved as specified using the input operation unit 36 ​​(an example of a selection unit) and the input screen 90 (FIG. 5). The printing condition determination unit 102 reads reference data RD from the memory unit 104. The reference data RD includes multiple reference data RDi (where the subscript i is i = 1, 2, ..., n) prepared for each fabric type. Based on the input finish state indicator values ​​(texture indicator value, color indicator value), the printing condition determination unit 102 determines multiple parameters that define the printing conditions by referencing the reference data RDi corresponding to the currently input fabric type. The printing condition determination unit 102 sends the multiple parameters that define the determined printing conditions to the print control unit 103. The print control unit 103 controls the print mechanism 11A in accordance with the determined print conditions (parameters).

[0084] In this embodiment, the input operation unit 36 ​​and the texture selection unit 94 constitute an example of a selection unit. Furthermore, the input operation unit 36 ​​and the color selection unit 95 constitute an example of a selection unit. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the input operation unit 36 ​​and the material input unit 92 constitute an example of an input unit. Furthermore, the input operation unit 36 ​​and the thickness input unit 93 constitute an example of an input unit.

[0085] <Printing condition parameters corresponding to the finished state> Next, the printing condition parameters that correspond to the finished state will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 shows an overview of the reference data RD. Fig. 7 only shows the tendency of how each parameter affects the finished state.

[0086] As shown in FIG. 7, in this embodiment, there are seven parameters that define the printing conditions corresponding to the finish state selected by the user: (a) to (g) shown in the figure and below. (a) Temperature of the liquid in the supply channel 50 (liquid temperature). (b) Conveying speed of fabric M (fabric conveying speed). (c) Surface temperature of the conveying section 20 (transport surface temperature). (d) The moving speed of the carriage 32 (carriage moving speed). (e) Number of printing passes. (f)Liquid discharge amount (g) Liquid discharge rate.

[0087] As shown in Figure 7, the finished state of the fabric M after printing includes texture and color development. Different parameters have different effects on texture and color development. The control unit 100 controls the first temperature adjustment unit 57 using the parameter value of the liquid temperature shown in (a) above. In other words, the first temperature adjustment unit 57 is a control target for obtaining the finished state of the fabric M after printing selected by the user. When the liquid temperature, such as the ink temperature, is low, the viscosity of the liquid, such as the ink, increases, and the liquid, such as the ink, tends to remain on the surface of the fabric M. As a result, the color is dark, but the texture is hard. Conversely, when the liquid temperature, such as the ink temperature, is high, the viscosity of the liquid, such as the ink, decreases, and the liquid, such as the ink, tends to penetrate into the thickness direction of the fabric M. As a result, the color is light, but the texture is soft.

[0088] The control unit 100 controls the conveying unit 20 using the parameter value of the fabric conveying speed shown in (b) above. In other words, the conveying unit 20 is the object of control for obtaining the finished state of the fabric M after printing selected by the user. If the conveying speed of the fabric M is slow, it takes longer for the fabric M to reach the drying unit 19, and the ink penetration time until drying is longer, so that liquid such as ink is more likely to soak into the fabric M in the thickness direction. As a result, the color is lighter but the texture is softer. Conversely, if the conveying speed of the fabric M is fast, it takes less time for the fabric M to reach the drying unit 19, and the ink penetration time until drying is shorter, so that liquid such as ink is more likely to remain on the surface. As a result, the color is darker but the texture is harder.

[0089] The control unit 100 controls the second temperature adjustment unit 18 using the parameter value of the conveying surface temperature shown in (c) above. In other words, the second temperature adjustment unit 18 is a control target for obtaining the finished state of the fabric M after printing selected by the user. When the conveying surface temperature is low, the temperature of the fabric M itself, which comes into contact with the conveying surface, decreases, and the temperature of liquids such as ink that adhere to the fabric M or that penetrate the fabric M in its thickness direction after adhesion tends to decrease. Because the viscosity of liquids such as ink increases after adhesion to the fabric M, the liquids tend to remain on the surface of the fabric M. As a result, the color is dark but the texture is hard. Conversely, when the conveying surface temperature is high, the temperature of the fabric M itself increases, and the viscosity of liquids such as ink that adhere to the fabric M or that penetrate the fabric M in its thickness direction after adhesion decreases. Liquids such as ink with low viscosity tend to penetrate the fabric M in its thickness direction. As a result, the color is lighter but the texture is softer.

[0090] The control unit 100 controls the carriage 32 using the carriage movement speed parameter value shown in (d) above. In other words, the carriage 32 is the object of control for obtaining the finished state of the fabric M after printing selected by the user. More specifically, the carriage motor (not shown), which is the drive source of the carriage 32, is the object of control. When the carriage movement speed is slow, the interval between intermittent transport of the fabric M becomes longer, and the transport speed of the fabric M becomes slower. The time required to reach the drying unit 19 becomes longer, and the ink penetration time until drying becomes longer, so liquids such as ink tend to penetrate the thickness of the fabric M. As a result, the color becomes lighter, but the texture becomes softer. Conversely, when the carriage movement speed is fast, the interval between intermittent transport of the fabric M, which alternates with the movement of the carriage 32, becomes shorter, and the transport speed of the fabric M becomes faster. The time required to reach the drying unit 19 becomes shorter, and the ink penetration time until drying becomes shorter, so liquids such as ink tend to remain on the surface. This results in a deep color but a hard texture.

[0091] The control unit 100 controls the carriage 32 using the parameter value for the number of printing passes shown in (e) above. In other words, the carriage 32 is the object of control for obtaining the finished state of the fabric M after printing selected by the user. More specifically, the carriage motor (not shown) is the object of control. Here, the number of printing passes refers to the number of times the carriage 32 moves (passes) in the scanning direction X to print one printing line. Since the amount of ink used to print one printing line is basically the same, the greater the number of printing passes, the less ink is ejected per pass. In other words, the ink duty per pass becomes lower. The ink duty refers to the amount of ink ejected per unit area of ​​the fabric M. When the number of printing passes is low, the ink duty is high, and liquid such as ink tends to remain on the surface of the fabric M. As a result, the color is darker, but the texture becomes harder. Conversely, when the number of printing passes is high, the ink duty is low, and liquid such as ink tends to penetrate the thickness of the fabric M. This results in a lighter color but a softer texture.

[0092] The liquid ejection amount parameter shown in (f) above is the amount of liquid ejected from the liquid ejection unit 31 when one ejection is performed. The control unit 100 controls the liquid ejection unit 31 using this liquid ejection amount parameter value. In other words, the liquid ejection unit 31 is the object of control for obtaining the finished state of the fabric M after printing selected by the user. If the liquid ejection amount from the liquid ejection unit 31 is small, the ink layer will be thin. In particular, in the case of resin ink, if the liquid ejection amount is small, the amount of resin will be small. As a result, the color will be light but the texture will be soft. Conversely, if the liquid ejection amount from the liquid ejection unit 31 is large, the ink layer will be thick. In particular, in the case of resin ink, if the liquid ejection amount is large, the amount of resin will be large. As a result, the color will be dark but the texture will be hard. Note that if one ejection is performed by dividing it into two droplets, these two droplets are considered to be one ejection amount.

[0093] The control unit 100 controls the liquid discharge unit 31 using the parameter value of the liquid discharge speed shown in (g) above. In other words, the liquid discharge unit 31 is the object to be controlled in order to obtain the finished state of the fabric M after printing selected by the user. If the liquid discharge speed of the liquid discharge unit 31 is slow, the ink or other liquid droplets will not have enough force, and the ink or other liquid will accumulate on the surface of the fabric M. As a result, the color will be deep, but the texture will be hard. Conversely, if the liquid discharge speed of the liquid discharge unit 31 is fast, the ink or other liquid droplets will have enough force, and will easily penetrate in the thickness direction of the fabric M. As a result, the color will be light, but the texture will be soft.

[0094] The degree of influence of each parameter on the finished state varies depending on the fabric type. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6 , reference data RD may be prepared for each fabric type. In this case, the control unit 100 determines the parameter values ​​that define the conditions corresponding to the specified finished state by referencing the reference data RDi corresponding to the fabric type specified in the fabric type input unit 91. Furthermore, strictly speaking, the degree of influence of each parameter on the finished state also varies depending on the state of the fabric M. The state of the fabric M includes the material and thickness of the fabric M. Therefore, reference data RD may be prepared for each combination of at least one of the material and thickness of the fabric M and the fabric type. For example, the control unit 100 selects reference data RDi corresponding to the combination of at least one of the material and thickness specified in the material input unit 92 and the thickness input unit 93 and the fabric type specified in the fabric type input unit 91. The control unit 100 may determine the parameter values ​​that define the conditions corresponding to the specified finished state by referencing the selected reference data RDi.

[0095] <Operation of the First Embodiment> Next, the operation of the printing apparatus 11 of this embodiment will be described. The user operates the input operation unit 36 ​​to display the finish state input screen 90 on the display unit 37. The user inputs the type of fabric and the state of the fabric M. The user inputs the material and thickness as the state of the fabric M. That is, the user pulls down the material input section 92 on the input screen 90 to select the material of the fabric M from the options. The user also pulls down the thickness input section 93 on the input screen 90 to input the thickness of the fabric M from the options. The thickness is input, for example, in mm units to one or two decimal places.

[0096] Furthermore, the user selects the texture, which is one of the finish states of the fabric M after printing, on the input screen 90. The user selects the texture numerically (%) by sliding the operation section 94A of the texture selection section 94 on the input screen 90, which indicates the softest texture as 0% and the hardest texture as 100%.

[0097] The user also selects color development, which is one of the finish states of the printed fabric M, on the input screen 90. The user selects the color development numerically (%) by sliding the operation section 95A of the color development selection section 95, which indicates the lightest color development at 0% and the darkest color development at 100%. In this way, the user operates the fabric type input section 91, material input section 92, thickness input section 93, texture selection section 94, and color development selection section 95 to specify the fabric type, the material and thickness of the fabric M that belong to the state of the fabric M, and the texture and color development that belong to the finish state. The input screen 90 may be configured so that only either the texture selection section 94 or the color development selection section 95 can be operated. Alternatively, by operating either the texture selection section 94 or the color development selection section 95 as the priority, the other may be automatically set to the appropriate conditions.

[0098] Here, the material of the fabric M detected by the first detection unit 33 and the thickness of the fabric M detected by the second detection unit 34 may be displayed on the input screen 90. In this case, the user checks the detection results of the fabric M detected by each detection unit 33, 34 on the display contents of the input units 92, 93 of the input screen 90, and if they are correct, leaves them as they are, but if they are incorrect, operates the input units 92, 93 to change at least one of the material and thickness of the fabric M to the correct value.

[0099] When input on the input screen 90 is completed, the user presses the OK button 96. These input values ​​are then accepted by the control unit 100. Based on the accepted input values, the control unit 100 determines parameters that define the printing conditions corresponding to the desired finish state. These parameter determinations are performed by the printing condition determination unit 102.

[0100] The printing condition determination unit 102 determines multiple parameters that define the printing conditions based on multiple input values ​​and by referencing reference data RDi corresponding to the fabric type. The printing condition determination unit 102 sends the determined printing conditions (parameters) to the display control unit 101. The display control unit 101 displays a printing condition display screen (not shown) on the display unit 37, which includes values ​​for each parameter (item) that defines the determined printing conditions. The user checks each parameter value of the printing conditions on the printing condition display screen, and if satisfied, presses the OK button on the screen to confirm the printing conditions. The parameter values ​​of the confirmed printing conditions are sent from the printing condition determination unit 102 to the print control unit 103. Thereafter, when the user presses the print start button (not shown) on the operation screen (not shown), the textile printing device 11 starts printing.

[0101] The print control unit 103 controls a plurality of control objects that make up the print mechanism 11A in accordance with the parameter values ​​of the determined print conditions. As a result, an image or the like is printed on the fabric M with the "texture" specified by the user on the input screen 90 using a slide operation in the texture selection section 94 in a range of 0 to 100%, and with the color intensity specified by the user using a slide operation in the color selection section 95 in a range of 0 to 100%.

[0102] The parameter information and the like determined by the printing apparatus 11 is sent to the server 200. The server 200 improves the reference data RD based on the printing condition information collected from the multiple printing apparatuses 11. The improved reference data RD is then downloaded from the server 200 to the printing apparatus 11. This makes it easier for the printing apparatus 11 to obtain the finished state selected by the user.

[0103] Alternatively, the server 200 may acquire the selected finish state instruction value from the printing device 11, and instead of the printing condition determination unit 102, determine the parameters of the printing conditions that will result in a finish state corresponding to the finish state instruction value, and send them to the printing device 11.

[0104] <Effects of the first embodiment> According to the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. (1-1) The printing apparatus 11 includes a liquid ejection unit 31 that ejects liquid onto the transported fabric M to perform printing, and a supply flow path 50 that supplies the liquid contained in the liquid containers 41A to 41C to the liquid ejection unit 31. The printing apparatus 11 also includes selection units 94 and 95 that allow a user to select the finish state of the fabric M after printing, and a first temperature adjustment unit 57 that can adjust the temperature of the liquid in the supply flow path 50. The printing apparatus 11 also includes a control unit 100 that controls the first temperature adjustment unit 57 as a control target. The control unit 100 controls the first temperature adjustment unit 57 so that the temperature of the liquid in the supply flow path 50 meets the conditions corresponding to the finish state selected by the selection units 94 and 95. This configuration makes it possible to express different finish states even for one type of fabric M.

[0105] (1-2) The textile printing device 11 further includes a conveying unit 20 that conveys the fabric M. The control unit 100 controls the conveying speed of the conveying unit 20 as a control target so as to achieve the conditions corresponding to the finish state designated by the selection units 94 and 95. This configuration makes it possible to express subtle differences in the finish state even for one type of fabric M.

[0106] (1-3) The textile printing device 11 includes a transport unit 20 that transports the fabric M, and a second temperature adjustment unit 18 that can adjust the surface temperature of the transport unit 20. The control unit 100 controls the second temperature adjustment unit 18 as a control target so as to achieve conditions corresponding to the finish state designated by the selection units 94 and 95. With this configuration, subtle differences in finish state can be expressed even for one type of fabric M.

[0107] (1-4) The textile printing device 11 further includes a carriage 32, which is an example of a moving unit that is equipped with a liquid ejection unit 31 and can move in the scanning direction X. The control unit 100 controls the carriage 32 as a control object so as to achieve conditions corresponding to the finish state specified by the selection units 94 and 95. This configuration makes it possible to express subtle differences in the finish state even for one type of fabric M. In particular, the carriage movement speed and the number of printing passes are used as parameters. Therefore, it is possible to further express subtle differences in the finish state even for one type of fabric M.

[0108] (1-5) The control unit 100 controls the liquid discharge unit 31 as the control target so as to achieve the conditions corresponding to the finish state specified by the selection units 94 and 95. With this configuration, subtle differences in the finish state can be expressed even for one type of fabric M. In particular, the liquid discharge amount and the liquid discharge speed are used as parameters. Therefore, subtle differences in the finish state can be expressed even more even for one type of fabric M.

[0109] (1-6) The printing device 11 further includes detection units 33 and 34 that can detect the state of the fabric M. The control unit 100 controls the control target so that the conditions correspond to the combination of the selected finish state and the detected state of the fabric M. With this configuration, subtle differences in the finish state can be expressed even for one type of fabric M.

[0110] (1-7) The printing device 11 further includes a fabric type input unit 91 as an example of an input unit that can input the type of fabric M. The control unit 100 controls the control object so that the conditions correspond to the combination of the selected finish state and the input fabric type. This configuration makes it possible to express subtle differences in the finish state that take into account differences in the type of fabric M.

[0111] (1-8) The printing device 11 further includes input units 92, 93 that can input the state of the fabric M. The control unit 100 controls the control object so that the conditions correspond to the combination of the selected finish state and the input state of the fabric M. With this configuration, subtle differences in the finish state can be expressed even for one type of fabric M.

[0112] (1-9) The state of the fabric M includes at least one of the material of the fabric M and the thickness of the fabric M. According to this configuration, even with one type of fabric M, subtle differences in the finished state can be expressed.

[0113] (Second embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of a textile printing apparatus equipped with a liquid ejection unit will be described with reference to Figures 8 to 10. This textile printing apparatus 11 differs from the first embodiment in the configuration of the conveying unit 20. The conveying unit 20 is of a roller conveying type rather than a belt conveying type. Also, it differs from the first embodiment in that it is equipped with a suction unit 130 that sucks the fabric M onto the conveying surface instead of an adhesive layer 25 that attaches the fabric M to the conveying surface. Note that, for configurations common or similar to those of the textile printing apparatus 11 of the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for members, mechanisms, etc., and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0114] 8, the textile printing apparatus 11 is an inkjet printer that prints images such as characters and photographs by ejecting ink, which is an example of a liquid, onto a medium such as paper. The textile printing apparatus 11 includes a housing 13 and a base 12 that supports the housing 13.

[0115] The printing apparatus 11 includes a transport section 20 that transports the fabric M. The transport section 20 transports the fabric M along a predetermined transport path. The printing apparatus 11 includes a feed section 14 that unwinds the fabric M from a roll R1 and feeds it. The feed section 14 includes a feed motor 27 as its drive source. The transport section 20 transports the long fabric M unwound from the roll R1 by the feed section 14.

[0116] The printing device 11 includes a liquid ejection unit 31 that ejects liquid onto the transported fabric M. The liquid ejection unit 31 may be mounted on a carriage 32, which is an example of a moving unit. The carriage 32 moves along the width direction X that intersects with the transport direction Y of the fabric M in the printing area. In this way, the printing device 11 may be a serial printer in which the liquid ejection unit 31 moves relative to the fabric M. Note that the printing device 11 may also be a line printer in which the liquid ejection unit 31 is configured with a line head having multiple nozzles 31N that can simultaneously eject liquid across a range across the width direction X of the fabric M.

[0117] As shown in Fig. 8, the textile printing apparatus 11 includes a liquid supply unit 45 that supplies liquid to the liquid discharger 31. The liquid supply unit 45 has basically the same configuration as that of the first embodiment shown in Fig. 3. That is, the liquid supply unit 45 includes liquid containers 41A to 41C, a supply flow path 50, a first temperature adjustment unit 57, and the like. As in the first embodiment, the supply flow path 50 may have a circulation flow path 50A including sub-tanks 51 and 52, and the first temperature adjustment unit 57 may circulate the liquid whose temperature has been adjusted through a path that passes through the pressure chamber 35 in the liquid discharger 31.

[0118] 8, the textile printing apparatus 11 includes a winding section 15 that winds up the printed fabric M. The winding section 15 includes a winding motor 28 as its drive source. The textile printing device 11 is equipped with a tension bar 120 that applies tension to the fabric M. The tension bar 120 applies appropriate tension to the fabric M by displacing while maintaining contact with the fabric M in the area between the conveying section 20 and the winding section 15. The winding section 15 winds up the fabric M after drying the print, while tension is being applied by the tension bar 120.

[0119] The textile printing device 11 includes an upstream support section 121, a support section 122, and a downstream support section 123 that form a transport path for transporting the fabric M. The upstream support section 121 supports a pre-printed region of the fabric M. The support section 122 supports the fabric M in a portion including a printing region facing the liquid discharge section 31. The liquid discharge section 31 is positioned opposite the support section 122, and discharges liquid onto the printing region, which is a region of the transported fabric M supported by the support section 122. The downstream support section 123 supports a printed region of the fabric M. In the example shown in FIG. 8 , a transport path is formed that is trapezoidal in side view, with the outer surface of the horizontal support section 122 as the top surface and the outer surfaces of the upstream support section 121 and the downstream support section 123 as inclined surfaces.

[0120] 8, the conveying unit 20 is of a roller conveying type and includes a driving roller 125 and a driven roller 126. The driving roller 125 and the driven roller 126 rotate in a nip state that sandwiches the fabric M, thereby conveying the fabric M. The driving roller 125 is powered by a conveying motor (not shown).

[0121] As in the first embodiment, the textile printing device 11 includes a first detection unit 33 and a second detection unit 34. The first detection unit 33 detects the material of the fabric M at a position upstream of the printing position (printing area). The second detection unit 34 detects the thickness of the fabric M at a position upstream of the printing position (printing area). In the example shown in FIG. 8 , both detection units 33, 34 are supported in positions near the feed opening of the housing 13 so as to face the surface of the fabric M being transported.

[0122] As shown in Fig. 8, the textile printing apparatus 11 includes a suction unit 130 that can suck the fabric M onto the surface of the transport unit 20. The suction unit 130 is disposed below the support unit 122, and sucks the fabric M onto the support unit 122 by applying negative pressure. The suction unit 130 sucks and supports the fabric M onto the support unit 122 by applying negative pressure to suction holes 135 (see Fig. 9) that open into a support surface 122A that is the surface with which the fabric M supported by the support unit 122 comes into contact.

[0123] As shown in FIG. 8 , the textile printing apparatus 11 also has heaters 131, 132, and 133 that heat the upstream support section 121, the support section 122, and the downstream support section 123, respectively. More specifically, a preheater 131 is provided on the rear surface of the upstream support section 121, a platen heater 132 is provided on the rear surface of the support section 122, and an afterheater 133 is provided on the rear surface of the downstream support section 123. The preheater 131 preheats the portion of the fabric M before printing. The platen heater 132 heats the printing area of ​​the fabric M. The afterheater 133 heats the portion of the fabric M after printing. In this embodiment, the preheater 131 and the platen heater 132 constitute a second temperature adjustment section 18 that adjusts the surface temperature of the transport section 20. The second temperature adjusting section 18 adjusts the temperature of the conveying surface of the fabric M, thereby adjusting the temperature of the fabric M itself until the fabric M after printing reaches the drying section 19.

[0124] 8, the textile printing apparatus 11 includes a drying section 19 that heats the printed fabric M. The drying section 19 is located opposite to a portion of the transport path between the printing position by the liquid ejection section 31 and the winding section 15.

[0125] The drying section 19 has a heater tube 141, which is a heat generating element, and a fan 142. The drying section 19 dries the printed fabric M by radiant heat from the heater tube 141 and by hot air, which is air heated by the heater tube 141 and blown by the fan 142 along the conveyance path. The drying section 19 is located opposite the after-heater 133 across the downstream support section 123. Therefore, the printed fabric M is heated from both the front and back sides, accelerating the drying of the liquid. The dried printed fabric M is taken up by the winding section 15 as a roll R2.

[0126] The printing apparatus 11 includes a control unit 100. The control unit 100 comprehensively controls the printing apparatus 11. The control unit 100 controls the feeding unit 14, the conveying unit 20, the winding unit 15, the liquid discharge unit 31, the drying unit 19, etc. The control unit 100 controls the suction unit 130, which is a control target, so that the conditions corresponding to the finished state specified by operating the input operation unit 36 ​​are met.

[0127] <Configuration of suction unit 130> Next, the detailed configuration of the suction unit 130 will be described with reference to FIG. 9. As shown in FIG. 9, the support unit 122 has suction holes 135 opening in a support surface 122A with which the fabric M comes into contact. The textile printing apparatus 11 includes the suction unit 130 that generates negative pressure to apply a suction force to the suction holes 135 to suck the fabric M. A negative pressure chamber 137 is formed in the lower part of the support unit 122 and is surrounded by a cylindrical negative pressure chamber-forming member 130A attached to the support unit 122 and the support unit 122. A plurality of suction holes 135 that communicate with the negative pressure chamber 137 are opened in the support surface 122A. The suction unit 130 includes an exhaust fan 138 that exhausts air from the negative pressure chamber 137 to the outside. When the exhaust fan 138 is driven, the air from the negative pressure chamber 137 is exhausted to the outside, and the negative pressure chamber 137 becomes negative. The fabric M is sucked and supported on the support surface 122A by negative pressure acting on the plurality of suction holes 135.

[0128] The plurality of suction holes 135 are located in a printing area facing the liquid discharge unit 31 during printing. The liquid discharged from the nozzle 31N of the liquid discharge unit 31 and adhering to the surface of the fabric M is drawn toward the back surface of the fabric M by the suction force acting on the back surface (lower surface) of the fabric M from the suction holes 135. In other words, this suction force acting on the fabric M promotes the penetration of the liquid from the front surface of the fabric M toward the back surface.

[0129] A pressure detection unit 139 that detects pressure is provided inside the negative pressure chamber 137. Based on the pressure detected by the pressure detection unit 139, the control unit 100 controls the suction unit 130 so that the pressure inside the negative pressure chamber 137 becomes a predetermined set negative pressure value. In this embodiment, negative pressure is applied to the suction holes 135 even when the fabric M is being transported, and a suction force acts on the fabric M that is being transported, sucking it to the support surface 122A. Note that control may be performed so that negative pressure is not applied to the suction holes 135 when the fabric M is being transported.

[0130] <Electrical configuration of the printing device 11> FIG. 10 shows the electrical configuration of a textile printing apparatus 11 according to the second embodiment. The textile printing apparatus 11 has the electrical configuration shown in FIG. 10. The textile printing apparatus 11 according to the second embodiment has a configuration basically similar to that of the first embodiment, except for differences due to the difference in the configuration of the conveying unit 20, whether it is a roller conveying type or a belt conveying type. The textile printing apparatus 11 according to the second embodiment does not have the second temperature adjustment unit 18, which adjusts the temperature of the adhesive layer 25 of the conveying belt 21, that is present in the first embodiment. The textile printing apparatus 11 according to the second embodiment also has a suction unit 130 that applies suction force to the surface (back surface) of the fabric M opposite to the printed surface during or immediately after printing. As shown in FIG. 10, the control unit 100 controls the suction unit 130. The control unit 100 drives and controls the exhaust fan 138 of the suction unit 130 so that the pressure detected by the pressure detection unit 139 becomes the target negative pressure. The suction force acting on the back surface of the fabric M in the printing area is one of the parameters that determine the finished state of the fabric M after printing.

[0131] The control unit 100 controls the control object so that the "texture" is the one specified by the user through the texture selection unit 94 on the input screen 90, and the "color" is the one specified by the user through the color selection unit 95. The printing condition determination unit 102 determines parameters that define the printing conditions so that the finished state (texture, color) specified using the input operation unit 36 ​​and the input screen 90 (FIG. 5), which constitute an example of a selection unit, is achieved. The printing condition determination unit 102 determines multiple parameters that define the printing conditions based on the input finish state instruction values ​​(texture instruction value, color instruction value) by referencing the reference data RDi that corresponds to the fabric type at that time.

[0132] The parameters are basically the same as those of the first embodiment, but there is no temperature adjustment by the second temperature adjustment unit 18, as there is in the first embodiment, and instead there is the suction force of the suction unit 130. The greater the suction force, the easier it is for the liquid to penetrate into the fabric M. Therefore, the greater the suction force, the softer the texture and the lighter the color. That is, when the suction force is the first suction force, the texture becomes harder than when the suction force is the second suction force, which is greater than the first suction force. Also, when the suction force is the first suction force, the color becomes darker than when the suction force is the second suction force, which is greater than the first suction force.

[0133] In the textile printing device 11, a liquid is ejected from the liquid ejection unit 31 to print an image on the fabric M. During printing, the exhaust fan 138 is driven, and the fabric M is subjected to suction from the rear surface. The magnitude of this suction force determines the degree to which the liquid ejected from the liquid ejection unit 31 and adhering to the surface of the fabric M penetrates the fabric M in the thickness direction before drying. The smaller the specified texture value (the softer the specified value), the greater the suction force is set. The larger the specified color value (the darker the specified value), the smaller the suction force is set. In practice, the printing condition determination unit 102 determines the value of the suction force, which is one of the multiple parameters, based on the specified texture and color instruction values ​​and by referring to the reference data RDi corresponding to the fabric type at that time. The suction force value at this time is determined to be a value that satisfies the specified values ​​of all the multiple parameters in combination to produce a finished product. That is, the control unit 100 determines the values ​​of a total of eight parameters, including the seven parameters (a) to (g) shown in Figure 7 and the suction force parameter, by referring to the reference data RDi based on the texture indication value and color indication value.

[0134] According to the second embodiment, in addition to the effects (1-1) to (1-9) of the first embodiment, the following effects are further obtained. (2-1) The textile printing device 11 includes a conveying unit 20 that conveys the fabric M, and a suction unit 130 that can suck the fabric M onto the surface of the conveying unit 20. The control unit 100 controls the suction unit 130 as a control target so as to achieve conditions corresponding to the finish state specified via the input operation unit 36. With this configuration, subtle differences in finish state can be expressed even for one type of fabric M.

[0135] The above embodiment can be modified as shown in the following modified examples. Furthermore, the above embodiment and the modified examples shown below can be appropriately combined to form further modified examples, or the modified examples shown below can be appropriately combined to form further modified examples.

[0136] The object to be controlled to obtain the desired finish may be only the first temperature adjusting unit 57. The object to be controlled to obtain the desired finish may be only the second temperature adjusting unit 18. The control target for achieving the finished state may be the conveying section 20 alone.

[0137] The object to be controlled to obtain the finished state may be only the liquid discharge unit 31. The suction unit 130 may be the only object to be controlled to obtain the desired finish. The controlled objects to obtain the finished state may be at least two or more of the first temperature adjustment unit 57, the second temperature adjustment unit 18, the conveying unit 20, the liquid discharge unit 31, and the suction unit 130. For example, the controlled objects may be two, three, or four.

[0138] The selection unit is not limited to a slide operation that allows the selection of any value from a series of values, as long as the finish state can be selected. The selection unit may be configured, for example, as a selection method that allows one to be selected from multiple options. For example, the texture may be configured to be selected from one of three levels: soft, normal, and hard, and the color may be configured to be selected from one of three levels: light, normal, and dark. Note that the number of levels is not limited to three, and may be two or four or more.

[0139] The finish state selected by the user may be at least one of texture and color. For example, the item that the user can select as the finish state may be texture alone. Also, for example, the item that the user can select as the finish state may be color alone. Furthermore, the items that the user can select as the finish state may be three or more, including texture, color, and other items.

[0140] The control unit 100 is not limited to determining the parameter values ​​so as to satisfy conditions corresponding to the combination of the finish state and the fabric type. The control unit 100 may determine the parameter values ​​so as to satisfy conditions corresponding only to the selected finish state, without taking into account the fabric type, the material of the fabric M, or the thickness of the fabric M.

[0141] The printing condition determination unit 102 is not limited to a configuration that determines parameters by referencing reference data RD. The printing condition determination unit 102 may also be configured with a learning device or a trained model. The machine learning method adopted by the learning device or model may be deep learning. The model is obtained by performing supervised learning using a learning device that takes at least one of a texture indicator value and a color indicator value as finish state indicator values ​​as input values ​​and multiple parameters that define the printing conditions as output values. The printing condition determination unit 102 inputs a finish state indicator value selected by the user (at least one of a texture indicator value and a color indicator value) as input values ​​and outputs multiple parameters that define the conditions corresponding to the finish state as output values.

[0142] A single detector may be configured to detect both the material and thickness of the fabric M. A configuration may be provided that includes only one of the first detector 33 and the second detector 34. In other words, a configuration may be provided that includes only the first detector 33, and the control unit 100 controls the control target under conditions corresponding to the combination of the finish state and the material of the fabric M. Alternatively, a configuration may be provided that includes only the second detector 34, and the control unit 100 controls the control target under conditions corresponding to the combination of the finish state and the thickness of the fabric M.

[0143] When the conveying unit 20 is of a belt conveying type, the conveying belt 21 is not limited to a glue belt. It may be a conveying belt that adsorbs the fabric M onto the support surface 21a by an electrostatic adsorption method. The printing device 11 is not limited to a printing device that prints on fabric, but may be a printing device that prints on a medium such as paper.

[0144] The textile printing device 11 is not limited to a serial printer in which the liquid discharge unit 31 moves back and forth in the width direction X, or a line printer in which the liquid discharge unit 31 does not move in the width direction X, but may also be a lateral printer in which the liquid discharge unit 31 can move in two directions, the width direction X and the transport direction Y.

[0145] The textile printing device 11 may also have a dyeing unit that dyes the fabric M by immersing the fabric M in a liquid such as ink. The liquid ejection unit 31 is not limited to an inkjet ejection head, and may be a dispenser that ejects a liquid. The textile printing device 11 may also have both the liquid ejection unit 31 and a dyeing unit that drips a liquid such as ink onto the fabric M.

[0146] The post-treatment liquid may be a coating liquid. The pre-treatment liquid may be a bleeding prevention treatment liquid. The technical concepts grasped from the above-described embodiment and modified examples will be described below together with their effects.

[0147] (A) A textile printing device includes a liquid ejection unit that ejects liquid onto a transported fabric to perform printing, a supply flow path for supplying the liquid contained in a liquid container to the liquid ejection unit, a selection unit that allows a user to select the finished state of the fabric after printing, a first temperature adjustment unit that can adjust the temperature of the liquid in the supply flow path, and a control unit that controls the first temperature adjustment unit as a controlled object, and the control unit controls the first temperature adjustment unit so that the temperature of the liquid in the supply flow path is in a condition corresponding to the finished state specified by the selection unit.

[0148] This configuration makes it possible to express different finishes even with the same type of fabric. (B) The above-mentioned textile printing apparatus may further include a conveying unit that conveys the fabric, and the control unit may control the conveying speed of the conveying unit as the control target so as to achieve the conditions corresponding to the finished state specified by the selection unit.

[0149] This configuration makes it possible to express subtle differences in the finished state even with the same type of fabric. (C) The above-mentioned textile printing device may further include a conveying section that conveys the fabric and a second temperature adjustment section that can adjust the surface temperature of the conveying section, and the control section may control the second temperature adjustment section as the controlled object so as to achieve conditions corresponding to the finished state specified by the selection section.

[0150] This configuration makes it possible to express subtle differences in the finished state even with the same type of fabric. (D) The above-mentioned textile printing device may further include a conveying unit that conveys the fabric and a suction unit that can suck the fabric onto the surface of the conveying unit, and the control unit may control the suction unit as the control object so as to achieve conditions corresponding to the finished state specified by the selection unit.

[0151] This configuration makes it possible to express subtle differences in the finished state even with the same type of fabric. (E) The above-mentioned textile printing apparatus may further include a moving unit that is mounted with the liquid ejection unit and is movable in the scanning direction, and the control unit may control the moving unit as the object to be controlled so as to achieve conditions corresponding to the finished state specified by the selection unit.

[0152] This configuration makes it possible to express subtle differences in the finished state even with the same type of fabric. (F) In the textile printing apparatus, the control unit may control the liquid discharge unit as the control target so as to achieve a condition corresponding to the finish state designated by the selection unit.

[0153] This configuration makes it possible to express subtle differences in the finished state even with the same type of fabric. (G) The above-mentioned textile printing device may further include a detection unit capable of detecting the state of the fabric, and the control unit may control the control object so as to achieve a condition corresponding to the combination of the selected finish state and the detected state of the fabric.

[0154] This configuration makes it possible to express subtle differences in the finished state even with the same type of fabric. (H) The above-mentioned textile printing device may further include an input unit capable of inputting the state of the fabric, and the control unit may control the control object so as to achieve conditions corresponding to the combination of the selected finished state and the input state of the fabric.

[0155] This configuration makes it possible to express subtle differences in the finished state even with the same type of fabric. (I) In the above-mentioned textile printing device, the state of the fabric may include at least one of the material of the fabric and the thickness of the fabric.

[0156] This configuration makes it possible to express subtle differences in the finished state even with the same type of fabric. [Explanation of symbols]

[0157] 11...textile printing device, 12...base, 13...housing, 14...feeding section, 15...winding section, 16...wrinkle suppressing section, 16a to 16c...rollers, 17...pressure roller, 17a...pressure roller, 18...second temperature adjusting section, 19...drying section, 20...conveying section, 21...conveying belt, 21a...supporting surface, 22...driving roller, 23...driven roller, 24...substrate, 25...adhesive layer, 26...conveying motor, 27...feeding motor, 28...winding motor, 30...printing section, 31...liquid ejecting section, 31a...nozzle surface, 31N...nozzle, 32...carriage as an example of a moving section, 33...detecting section as an example of a detecting section First detection section, 34...second detection section as an example of a detection section, 35...pressure chamber, 36...input operation section constituting a selection section and an input section, 37...display section, 40...mounting section, 41A to 41C...liquid containers, 45...liquid supply unit, 50...supply flow path, 50A...circulation flow path, 51...first sub-tank, 52...second sub-tank, 53...flow path, 54...first flow path, 55...second flow path, 56...third flow path, 57...first temperature adjustment section, 58...supply pump, 59...circulation pump, 61 to 63...opening / closing valve, 64...filter, 65...pressurized tank, 66...decompressed tank, 67...flow path, 68...flow path, 69...open Closed valve, 70...opening / closing valve, 71 to 73...temperature sensors, 74, 75...pressure sensors, 76, 77...remaining amount sensors, 90...finishing condition input screen (input screen), 91...fabric type input section, 92...material input section (input section), 93...thickness input section (input section), 94...texture selection section constituting an example of a selection section, 94A...operation section, 95...color selection section constituting an example of a selection section, 95A...operation section, 96...OK button, 97...cancel button, 100...control section, 101...display control section, 102...printing condition determination section, 103...printing control section, 104...storage section, 120...tension bar, 1 21...upstream support portion, 122...support portion, 123...downstream support portion, 125...drive roller, 126...followed roller, 130...suction portion, 130A...negative pressure chamber forming member, 131...preheater, 132...platen heater, 133...after heater, 135...suction hole, 137...negative pressure chamber, 138...exhaust fan, 139...pressure detection portion, 141...heater tube, 142...fan, 200...server, M...fabric, R1...roll body, R2...roll body, NW...network, RD, RDi...reference data, X...scanning direction (width direction), Y...conveyance direction, Z...vertical direction (gravity direction).

Claims

1. A conveying section for conveying fabric; a liquid ejection unit that ejects a liquid onto the fabric being conveyed to perform printing; a supply flow path for supplying the liquid contained in the liquid container to the liquid discharge unit; a selection unit that allows a user to select a finish state of the fabric after the printing; a first temperature adjusting unit capable of adjusting the temperature of the liquid in the supply flow path; a control unit that controls the first temperature adjustment unit as a control target, The finished state of the fabric after printing includes the texture of the fabric after printing, The temperature of the liquid in the supply flow path is set to the condition corresponding to the texture designated by the selection unit. When adjusting the temperature so that the temperature is The harder the texture designated by the selection unit, the lower the temperature of the liquid in the supply flow path. A textile printing apparatus characterized by:

2. A conveying speed when conveying the fabric after printing is set to the wind speed designated by the selection unit. When adjusting the condition to correspond to the above, the control unit By controlling the conveying unit, the degree of texture designated by the selection unit becomes harder.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the conveying speed of the printed fabric is increased. The textile printing apparatus described above.

3. Further comprising a second temperature adjustment unit capable of adjusting the surface temperature of the conveying unit; The surface temperature of the conveying unit is set to a condition corresponding to the texture designated by the selection unit. When adjusting the temperature in this manner, the control unit controls the second temperature adjustment unit as the controlled object. By doing so, the harder the degree of texture designated by the selection unit, the harder the surface of the conveying unit becomes.

3. The textile printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the temperature is lowered.

4. Further comprising a suction section capable of sucking the fabric onto the surface of the conveying section, The suction force of the suction unit when sucking the fabric onto the surface of the conveying unit is selected from the selection unit When adjusting the conditions to correspond to the specified texture, the control unit By controlling the suction unit as a control target, the degree of texture designated by the selection unit can be achieved. The harder the strength, the smaller the suction force when sucking the fabric onto the surface of the conveying section.

4. The textile printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing apparatus comprises: a printing head;

5. a moving unit that mounts the liquid ejection unit and is movable in a scanning direction; The moving speed of the moving unit is set to correspond to the texture designated by the selection unit. When adjusting the moving unit as the control target to satisfy the condition, the control unit By controlling the moving unit, the harder the degree of the texture designated by the selecting unit becomes, the harder the moving unit 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the moving speed of the moving object is increased.

3. The textile printing apparatus according to claim 1.

6. When discharging the liquid onto the fabric, the amount of liquid discharged from the liquid discharge unit at one time is When adjusting the condition to correspond to the texture designated by the selection unit, The control unit controls the discharge unit as the control target, thereby The harder the texture, the more the liquid is discharged from the liquid discharge unit when the liquid is discharged onto the fabric.

6. Any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the amount of discharged liquid is increased when the liquid is discharged twice.

3. The textile printing apparatus according to claim 1.

7. Further provided is a detection unit capable of detecting the state of the fabric, The control unit selects a combination of the selected finish state and the detected state of the fabric.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the control object is controlled so as to satisfy a condition corresponding to the combination of the two. The textile printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. Further, an input unit capable of inputting the state of the fabric is provided, The control unit selects a combination of the selected finish state and the input fabric state.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the control object is controlled so as to satisfy a condition corresponding to the combination of the two. The textile printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

9. The state of the fabric includes at least one of the material of the fabric and the thickness of the fabric.

9. The textile printing apparatus according to claim 7 or 8.

Images