inkjet printer

Abstract

To shorten a time from execution of operation of printing start by an operator to taking out a medium from a table after printing end.SOLUTION: An ink jet printer includes: a color ink nozzle; a layer ink nozzle; a table to mount a medium on; a first movement mechanism for moving the table in a first direction; a second movement mechanism for relatively moving the color ink nozzle and the layer ink nozzle relative to the table in a second direction crossing the first direction; and a radiation part for emitting light to color ink and layer ink discharged to the medium in a range overlapping in the first direction. When printing is performed by discharging process color ink and / or layer ink from the color ink nozzle and / or the layer ink nozzle to the medium while reciprocating the table at least one time, printing is started while moving the table from a position of the table, on which the medium can be mounted, to a position of the color ink nozzle and / or the layer ink nozzle.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an inkjet printer. More specifically, the present invention relates to an inkjet printer that discharges and prints ink such as white ink and clear ink, which can also be printed in layers on a medium (media) by an inkjet method over a process color ink.

[0002] In this specification and the claims, "ink such as white ink and clear ink that can also be printed in layers over a process color ink" will be collectively referred to as "overlay ink" as appropriate.

[0003] Also, in this specification and the claims, "media" includes not only recording media such as various types of recording papers made of papers such as plain paper, but also sheets formed from resin materials such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyester, metal plates formed from aluminum, iron, etc., glass plates, wood plates, and other relatively thick plate materials, and various materials formed from various materials.

[0004] Furthermore, in this specification and the claims, "inkjet method" means a printing method by inkjet technology using various known techniques including various continuous methods such as binary deflection method or continuous deflection method, and various on-demand methods such as thermal method or piezoelectric element method, and "inkjet printer" comprehensively means a device that performs printing by the above-described inkjet technology.

Background Art

[0005] In general, an inkjet printer is known in which the overall operation is controlled by a computer system, and which is equipped with a table (platform) on which media such as recording paper is placed, and a carriage is arranged above the media placed on the table and is movable relative to the table in a predetermined direction, and an ink head that ejects ink from ink nozzles using an inkjet method is mounted on this carriage, and ink is ejected from the ink nozzles of this ink head onto the media using an inkjet method to perform the desired printing.

[0006] In this specification and in the claims, the direction of movement of the carriage in such an inkjet printer will be appropriately referred to as the "main scanning direction."

[0007] In the inkjet printer described above, the table on which the media is placed is configured to be movable relative to the carriage in a direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction, thereby enabling printing to be done on the desired location on the media placed on the table.

[0008] In this specification and in the claims, the direction perpendicular to the "main scanning direction" will be appropriately referred to as the "sub-scanning direction."

[0009] Incidentally, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2018-69738, there is a device that includes a color ink nozzle that ejects photocurable process color ink by an inkjet method and a layer ink nozzle that ejects photocurable layer ink by an inkjet method, and the curing of the process color ink or layer ink ejected onto the media from the color ink nozzle or layer ink nozzle is accelerated by irradiating it with light.

[0010] According to the inkjet printer disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2018-69738, when printing clear ink over process color ink or white ink, first, the media is transported in the direction from the printing start position to the printing end position in the sub-scanning direction (forward direction) while printing with process color ink or white ink on the media, and then the media is pulled back in the direction from the printing end position to the printing start position in the sub-scanning direction (reverse direction) while printing with clear ink.

[0011] Furthermore, unlike the inkjet printer disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2018-69738 mentioned above, in printers that print while moving a table on which media is placed, when printing clear ink over process color ink or white ink, the process color ink or white ink is printed onto the media while the table is moved in the forward direction, and then the clear ink is printed while the table is moved in the reverse direction.

[0012] Therefore, when moving the table back and forth in the forward and reverse directions, depending on the order in which the table moves forward and backward, there were problems such as the time from initiating the print operation to ejecting ink onto the media placed on the table and printing becoming longer, or the waiting time from the end of printing until the printed media is removed from the table becoming longer. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0013] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2018-69738 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0014] This invention was made in view of the various problems of the prior art described above.

[0015] The objective of this invention is to provide an inkjet printer that can shorten the time from when the operator initiates the printing process until the media is removed from the table after printing is complete. [Means for solving the problem]

[0016] To achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the inkjet printer according to the present invention is configured such that when printing is performed by moving the table back and forth at least once, the table moves from the position in which the operator placed the media on the table and printing begins at the same time.

[0017] Therefore, with the inkjet printer according to the present invention, when printing by moving the table back and forth at least once, printing can always be started from the side of the table where the media was placed, thus shortening the time from executing the print start operation to ejecting ink onto the media and printing.

[0018] Furthermore, in order to achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the inkjet printer according to the present invention is configured such that when printing by moving the table back and forth at least once, the table is moved toward the position where the operator placed the media on the table and the printing is terminated.

[0019] Therefore, with the inkjet printer according to the present invention, when printing by moving the table back and forth at least once, printing can always be completed at the position of the table where the media was placed, thus shortening the waiting time from the end of printing until the printed media is removed from the table.

[0020] In other words, the inkjet printer according to the present invention comprises a color ink nozzle for ejecting process color ink, a layer ink nozzle for ejecting layer ink to be layered with the process color ink, a table on which media is placed, a first moving mechanism for moving the table in a first direction, a second moving mechanism for moving the color ink nozzle and the layer ink nozzle relative to the table in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and an illumination unit for irradiating the color ink and the layer ink ejected onto the media with light in an overlapping area in the first direction. When printing by ejecting the process color ink and / or layer ink from the color ink nozzle and / or layer ink nozzle onto the media while moving the table back and forth at least once, printing is started while moving the table from a position on which the media can be placed toward the position of the color ink nozzle and / or layer ink nozzle.

[0021] Therefore, with the inkjet printer according to the present invention, printing can be started from the side where the media is placed on the table, thus shortening the time from executing the print start operation to ejecting ink onto the media and printing.

[0022] Further, the inkjet printer according to the present invention includes a color ink nozzle that discharges process color ink, a multilayer ink nozzle that discharges multilayer ink that overlaps with the process color ink, a table on which a medium is placed, a first moving mechanism that moves the table in a first direction, a second moving mechanism that relatively moves the color ink nozzle and the multilayer ink nozzle in a second direction intersecting the first direction with respect to the table, and an irradiation unit that irradiates light in a range overlapping in the moving direction of the table with respect to the color ink and the multilayer ink discharged onto the medium. When printing by discharging the process color ink and / or the multilayer ink from the color ink nozzle and / or the multilayer ink nozzle onto the medium while reciprocating the table at least once, printing is ended while moving the table from the position of the color ink nozzle and / or the multilayer ink nozzle toward the position of the table where the medium can be placed on the table.

[0023] Therefore, according to the inkjet printer of the present invention, printing ends at a position where an operator can take out the medium placed on the table from the table. Thus, the waiting time for the operator from the end of printing until taking out the medium can be shortened.

[0024] Also, the inkjet printer according to the present invention is such that information regarding the order of the moving direction when reciprocating the table at least once in the inkjet printer according to the present invention described above is stored in print job data.

[0025] Therefore, according to the inkjet printer of the present invention, the order of the conveyance direction when reciprocating and conveying the table at least once is automatically determined without depending on the operation of the operator, so the convenience can be improved.

[0026] Further, the inkjet printer according to the present invention is the inkjet printer according to the present invention described above, wherein the multi-layer ink contains at least white ink or clear ink, and the color ink nozzles and the multi-layer ink nozzles are arranged in a staggered manner.

[0027] Therefore, according to the inkjet printer of the present invention, the range that can be printed by a single relative movement of the color ink nozzles and the multi-layer ink nozzles with respect to the medium becomes wider, and the productivity of the printing operation can be improved.

[0028] Further, the inkjet printer according to the present invention is the inkjet printer according to the present invention described above, wherein the color ink nozzles are arranged closer to the second moving mechanism than the multi-layer ink nozzles.

[0029] Therefore, according to the inkjet printer of the present invention, the influence of the vibration generated by the second moving mechanism on the color ink nozzles is suppressed, so that the influence of the vibration on the ejection state of the process color ink in the color ink nozzles is suppressed, and the color ink nozzles can eject the process color ink in a stable state.

[0030] So Further, the inkjet printer according to the present invention is the inkjet printer according to the present invention described above, wherein when printing using only one of the color ink nozzles and the multi-layer ink nozzles, the table is moved while printing from the color ink nozzle or the multi-layer ink nozzle used for printing toward the color ink nozzle or the multi-layer ink nozzle not used for printing.

[0031] Therefore, according to the inkjet printer of the present invention, it becomes possible to sufficiently secure a section where light is irradiated on the range where color ink or multi-layer ink is ejected onto the medium, and it becomes easier to control the curing of the color ink or multi-layer ink by light. [Effects of the Invention]

[0032] As described above, the present invention has the excellent effect of shortening the time from when the operator initiates the printing process until the media is removed from the table after printing is complete. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0033] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view illustrating an inkjet printer according to an example of an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a schematic perspective diagram illustrating the inkjet printer shown in Figure 1 with the main unit case removed. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a schematic plan view of the inkjet printer shown in Figure 1 with the main body case removed, showing the table in the downstream position in the sub-scanning direction. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a schematic plan view of the inkjet printer shown in Figure 1 with the main body case removed, showing the table positioned furthest upstream in the sub-scanning direction. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating the arrangement of the ink head and light irradiation device in a plan view of the inkjet printer shown in Figure 1. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a block diagram illustrating the functional configuration of the control device in the inkjet printer shown in Figure 1, related to the implementation of the present invention. [Figure 7] Figures 7(a) and 7(b) are conceptual diagrams illustrating the printing order of print data by the inkjet printer shown in Figure 1. Figure 7(a) shows the printing order in normal mode, while Figure 7(b) shows the printing order in retraction mode. [Figure 8] Figures 8(a), 8(b), and 8(c) are schematic diagrams illustrating the printing operation under the first printing conditions using the inkjet printer shown in Figure 1. [Figure 9] Figures 9(a), 9(b), and 9(c) are schematic diagrams illustrating the printing operation under the second printing conditions using the inkjet printer shown in Figure 1. [Figure 10] Figures 10(a), (b), and (c) are schematic diagrams illustrating the printing operation under the third printing condition using the inkjet printer shown in Figure 1. [Figure 11] Figures 11(a) and 11(b) are schematic diagrams illustrating the printing operation under the third printing condition using the inkjet printer shown in Figure 1. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is an explanatory diagram of the command specifications related to the implementation of the present invention. [Figure 13] Figure 13 is an explanatory diagram of the print origin, which is the starting position for printing the print data from the inkjet printer shown in Figure 1. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0034] Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the inkjet printer according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0035] (I) Description of the overall configuration of the inkjet printer according to the present invention

[0036] Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective diagram illustrating an inkjet printer according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Furthermore, Figure 2 shows a schematic perspective diagram illustrating the inkjet printer shown in Figure 1 with the main unit case removed.

[0038] Furthermore, Figure 3 is a schematic plan view showing the inkjet printer shown in Figure 1 with the main body case removed, where the table is located at the furthest downstream position in the sub-scanning direction.

[0039] Furthermore, Figure 4 is a schematic plan view showing the inkjet printer shown in Figure 1 with the main body case removed, where the table is located at the upstream side in the sub-scanning direction.

[0040] Furthermore, Figure 5 shows a schematic diagram illustrating the arrangement of the ink head and light irradiation device in a plan view of the inkjet printer shown in Figure 1.

[0041] In the following explanation, the Y direction in the XYZ Cartesian coordinate system refers to the main scanning direction (second direction), which is the direction of movement of the carriage 32 (described later). The X direction in the XYZ Cartesian coordinate system refers to the sub-scanning direction (first direction), which intersects the Y direction (main scanning direction) in the XY plane in a direction perpendicular to it. The Z direction in the XYZ Cartesian coordinate system refers to the height direction perpendicular to the XY plane.

[0042] Furthermore, in the following explanation, for the sake of clarity, the Y direction (main scanning direction) will be described as the left side of the page on which Figure 1 is drawn, and the right side, and the X direction (sub-scanning direction) will be described as the front side of the page on which Figure 1 is drawn, and the top side, and the Z direction (height direction) will be described as the down up side.

[0043] Furthermore, in the sub-scanning direction, the rear side will be appropriately referred to as the "upstream side," and the front side will be appropriately referred to as the "downstream side."

[0044] Furthermore, in the sub-scanning direction, the direction moving from the upstream side to the downstream side is referred to as the "forward direction," and the direction moving from the downstream side to the upstream side is referred to as the "reverse direction."

[0045] It should be noted that the directions mentioned above are merely defined for the sake of explanation and do not in any way limit the installation configuration of the inkjet printer, nor do they limit the present invention in any way.

[0046] Reference numeral 10 indicates a so-called flatbed type inkjet printer, which is a large inkjet printer with a longer main scanning direction compared to a home inkjet printer, and is used, for example, for commercial purposes.

[0047] The operation of such an inkjet printer 10 is controlled by a control device 100, which is composed of a computer system such as a microcomputer, and the control device 100 performs printing on the media 5 according to the print data.

[0048] Such print data may be supplied from an external source and taken into the control device 100 of the inkjet printer 10, or it may be generated by the control device 100 of the inkjet printer 10.

[0049] In this embodiment, the control device 100 is shown as being located inside the main body case 12 (see Figure 1), but it goes without saying that the control device 100 may also be located outside the main body case 12.

[0050] Such an inkjet printer 10 comprises a base member 60, a main body case 12 attached to the base member 60, a carriage movement mechanism 20, a table movement mechanism 38, an ink head unit 30, and a maintenance device 70.

[0051] Furthermore, the inkjet printer 10 includes a carriage movement mechanism 20 and a main frame 14 that supports the ink head unit 30.

[0052] The table moving mechanism 38 includes a first slide rail 51 and a second slide rail 52 that support the table unit 40 (described later) so as to be movable in the sub-scanning direction, a table unit 40 having a table 48 which is a mounting base on which the media 5 is placed, and a moving device 41 that moves the table unit 40 in the sub-scanning direction.

[0053] Here, the ink head unit 30 is positioned above the table unit 40 inside the main body case 12.

[0054] Such an inkhead unit 30 comprises an inkhead 34, a carriage 32 on which the inkhead 34 is mounted, a light irradiation device 80L attached to the carriage 32 on the left side of the inkhead 34, and a light irradiation device 80R attached to the carriage 32 on the right side of the inkhead 34.

[0055] Furthermore, a front cover 13C is provided in the center of the front of the main case 12, a left cover 13L is provided on the left side of the front of the main case 12, and a right cover 13R is provided on the right side of the front of the main case 12.

[0056] These front cover 13C, left cover 13L, and right cover 13R are configured to be openable and closable relative to the main case 12, and the front cover 13C is provided with a window 13W.

[0057] This window 13W is formed, for example, from a transparent acrylic plate, allowing the worker to see inside the main case 12 through the window 13W.

[0058] The base member 60 is attached to the lower part of the main body case 12 and supports the main body case 12.

[0059] More specifically, the base member 60 is composed of a central base member 61, a left base member 62 located to the left of the central base member 61, and a right base member 63 located to the right of the central base member 61.

[0060] The table unit 40 described above is configured to move on the central base member 61 in the sub-scanning direction.

[0061] The main frame 14 is supported by the left base member 62 and the right base member 63 described above and is mounted on the base member 60.

[0062] This main frame 14 includes a left base wall 15L extending upward from the left base member 62, a right base wall 15R extending upward from the right base member 63, and a support wall 16 connecting the upper end of the left base wall 15L and the upper end of the right base wall 15R.

[0063] The left base wall 15L is located to the left of the table unit 40, and the right base wall 15R is located to the right of the table unit 40.

[0064] Furthermore, the support wall 16 is formed to extend in the main scanning direction and is positioned above the base member 60.

[0065] Furthermore, the inkjet printer 10 has an opening 14H that penetrates in the sub-scanning direction, which is formed so as to be surrounded by the support wall 16 of the main frame 14 and the base member 60.

[0066] The opening 14H is set to be large enough for the table unit 40 to pass through when the table unit 40 moves in the sub-scanning direction.

[0067] Furthermore, the inkjet printer 10 is provided with a guide rail 18 that extends in the main scanning direction and is positioned above the opening 14H along the front surface of the support wall 16.

[0068] These guide rails 18 will be positioned above the table unit 40.

[0069] Furthermore, the carriage 32 of the ink head unit 30 is slidably mounted on the guide rail 18, and the carriage 32 is guided to move in the main scanning direction by the guide rail 18. The carriage movement mechanism 20 is a mechanism that moves the carriage 32 relative to the media 5 placed on the table 48 of the table unit 40 in the main scanning direction.

[0070] The configuration of the carriage movement mechanism 20 is not particularly limited, but in this embodiment, the carriage movement mechanism 20 is configured to include a left pulley 21, a right pulley 22, an endless belt 23, and a carriage motor 24.

[0071] Here, the left pulley 21 is located to the left of the left end of the guide rail 18, and the right pulley 22 is located to the right of the right end of the guide rail 18.

[0072] These left pulley 21 and right pulley 22 are fixed to the support wall 16, and the belt 23 is wrapped around the left pulley 21 and the right pulley 22.

[0073] In this embodiment, the carriage motor 24 is connected to the right pulley 22, but it may also be connected to the left pulley 21.

[0074] In this embodiment, the carriage motor 24 is driven, causing the right pulley 22 to rotate, which in turn causes the belt 23 to travel between the left pulley 21 and the right pulley 22.

[0075] The carriage 32 is attached to the belt 23 so as to be slidably engaged with the guide rail 18.

[0076] These carriages 32 are positioned above the table 48, and as the carriage 32 moves in the main scanning direction as the belt 23 is driven by the carriage motor 24, the ink head 34 and light irradiation devices 80L and 80R mounted on the carriage 32 also move in the main scanning direction.

[0077] The ink head 34 is configured to include a color ink head 34a equipped with color ink nozzles for ejecting process color ink and a layered ink head 34b equipped with layered ink nozzles for ejecting layered ink, with the color ink nozzles of the color ink head 34a and the layered ink nozzles of the layered ink head 34b arranged in a staggered configuration.

[0078] More specifically, the color ink nozzles of the color ink head 34a and the overlay ink nozzles of the overlay ink head 34b are staggered in such a positional relationship that the color ink head 34a is positioned to the right and the overlay ink head 34b is positioned to the left in the main scanning direction, and the color ink head 34a is positioned closer to the guide rail 18 than the overlay ink head 34b in the sub-scanning direction.

[0079] Here, the color ink head 34a is equipped with a color ink nozzle, which includes a color ink nozzle 34a-1 for ejecting black (K) ink, a color ink nozzle 34a-2 for ejecting yellow (Y) ink, a color ink nozzle 34a-3 for ejecting magenta (M) ink, and a color ink nozzle 34a-4 for ejecting cyan (C) ink. However, the installation order of the color ink nozzles is not particularly limited.

[0080] Furthermore, the layered ink head 34b includes layered ink nozzles 34b-1 and 34b-2 for ejecting white (W) ink, layered ink nozzle 34b-3 for ejecting primer (Pr), and layered ink nozzle 34b-4 for ejecting clear (Cl). However, the mounting order of the layered ink nozzles is not particularly limited.

[0081] These color ink nozzles 34a-1, 34a-2, 34a-3, 34a-4 and the layered ink nozzles 34b-1, 34b-2, 34b-3, 34b-4 are each configured as a nozzle row with multiple nozzles arranged in the sub-scanning direction.

[0082] Furthermore, the interiors of the color ink nozzles 34a-1, 34a-2, 34a-3, 34a-4 and the layered ink nozzles 34b-1, 34b-2, 34b-3, 34b-4 are set to negative pressure (a pressure lower than atmospheric pressure).

[0083] Incidentally, it is known that the ink placement accuracy of the color ink nozzles 34a-1, 34a-2, 34a-3, and 34a-4 of the color ink head 34a, and the layered ink nozzles 34b-1, 34b-2, 34b-3, and 34b-4 of the layered ink head 34b deteriorates as they move further away from the guide rail 18 that guides the movement of the carriage 32 in the main scanning direction, due to the effects of vibrations when the carriage 32 moves in the main scanning direction.

[0084] Therefore, in the staggered arrangement of this embodiment, in order to suppress the adverse effects on the printing results caused by the deterioration of ink placement accuracy as described above, the color ink head 34a, equipped with color ink nozzles 34a-1, 34a-2, 34a-3, and 34a-4 that eject process color inks, which require higher placement accuracy than the layered inks, is installed closer to the guide rail 18 than the layered ink head 34b, while the layered ink head 34b, equipped with layered ink nozzles 34b-1, 34b-2, 34b-3, and 34b-4, which do not require the same level of placement accuracy as the process color inks, is installed further away from the guide rail 18 than the color ink head 34a.

[0085] Furthermore, by staggering the color ink nozzles of the color ink head 34a and the layered ink nozzles of the layered ink head 34b, the printable area can be increased with a single movement of the carriage 32 in the main scanning direction, i.e., with a single main scanning operation (pass), thereby improving the productivity of the printing process.

[0086] In this embodiment, for example, photocurable inks are used as process color inks and overlay inks. Examples of photocurable inks include UV-curable inks that harden when exposed to ultraviolet light.

[0087] Process color inks are used to form printed images on media 5. These process color inks contain colorants such as pigments, photopolymerizable monomers and photopolymerization initiator systems, and optionally other additives such as photosensitizers, polymerization inhibitors, scavengers, antioxidants, UV absorbers, plasticizers, surfactants, leveling agents, thickeners, dispersants, defoamers, preservatives, and solvents.

[0088] Furthermore, the white ink in the layered ink contains a coloring agent such as a white pigment, a photopolymerizable monomer, and a photopolymerization initiator system, and optionally contains other various additives such as photosensitizers, polymerization inhibitors, scavengers, antioxidants, UV absorbers, plasticizers, surfactants, leveling agents, thickeners, dispersants, defoamers, preservatives, and solvents.

[0089] Furthermore, the primer in the layered ink is used to improve the adhesion between media 5 and process color ink or white ink. These primers do not contain colorants such as pigments, but contain photopolymerizable monomers, a photopolymerization initiator system, and a binder resin, and may contain various additives similar to those in process color inks as needed. The primer can be transparent, white, gray, etc.

[0090] Furthermore, the clear ink within the layered ink is ejected onto the surface of the process color ink or white ink, acting as an overcoat layer that covers the process color ink or white ink. This clear ink does not contain colorants such as pigments, but contains a photopolymerizable monomer and a photopolymerization initiator system, and may contain various additives similar to those in the process color ink as needed. The light irradiation devices 80L and 80R are devices that irradiate light (for example, ultraviolet light) onto the photocurable ink (for example, ultraviolet ink) dispensed onto the media 5.

[0091] The light irradiation device 80L is located to the left of the multilayer ink head 34b, while the light irradiation device 80R is located to the right of the color ink head 34a. These light irradiation devices 80L and 80R are fixed to the carriage 32.

[0092] Therefore, the light irradiation devices 80L and 80R can move along the guide rail 18 via the carriage 32 in the main scanning direction as the carriage moves.

[0093] The light irradiation devices 80L and 80R are divided into three regions: a first region 80-1, a second region 80-2, and a third region 80-3, which are arranged sequentially from the front to the rear along the sub-scanning direction. The light irradiation intensity in each of these regions can be controlled.

[0094] In this embodiment, the first region 80-1, the second region 80-2, and the third region 80-3 are configured to each have the same irradiation area.

[0095] Furthermore, the front edge 80-1a of the first region 80-1 is located further forward than the nozzle position of the furthest forward layer ink nozzles 34b-1, 34b-2, 34b-3, and 34b-4 in the layer ink head 34b.

[0096] On the other hand, the rear edge 80-3a of the third region 80-3 is located further back than the rearmost nozzle position of the color ink nozzles 34a-1, 34a-2, 34a-3, and 34a-4 in the color ink head 34a.

[0097] Therefore, the light irradiation devices 80L and 80R can irradiate light onto the color ink and layer ink ejected from the color ink nozzles 34a-1, 34a-2, 34a-3, 34a-4 and the layer ink nozzles 34b-1, 34b-2, 34b-3, 34b-4 on the media 5, in an overlapping area in the direction of movement of the table 48.

[0098] Furthermore, LEDs can be used as light sources for the first region 80-1, the second region 80-2, and the third region 80-3 in the light irradiation devices 80L and 80R, respectively. Next, the table moving mechanism 38 is a mechanism that moves the table 48 of the table unit 40 in the sub-scanning direction.

[0099] The table unit 40 comprises a table 48 and a table carriage 47 that supports the table 48 so as to be movable in the sub-scanning direction.

[0100] This table carriage 47 is supported by a first slide rail 51 and a second slide rail 52.

[0101] The table 48 is formed in a rectangular shape, with the length in the sub-scanning direction being shorter than the length in the main scanning direction, and the media 5 is placed on its upper surface.

[0102] Furthermore, the length of table 48 in the sub-scanning direction may be longer than the length in the main scanning direction, or the length in the sub-scanning direction and the length in the main scanning direction may be the same.

[0103] These tables 48 are positioned below the support wall 16 and below the ink head unit 30, and are configured to be movable in the sub-scanning direction by the moving device 41.

[0104] The moving device 41 is positioned on the base member 60 and comprises a front pulley 42, a rear pulley 43, an endless belt 44, and a drive motor 45.

[0105] Here, the front pulley 42 is provided on the front side of the central base member 61 of the base member 60, while the rear pulley 43 is provided on the rear side of the central base member 61.

[0106] The belt 44 is wrapped around the front pulley 42 and the rear pulley 43, and the drive motor 45 is connected to the rear pulley 43. However, the drive motor 45 may also be connected to the front pulley 42.

[0107] In this embodiment, the drive motor 45 is driven, causing the rear pulley 43 to rotate, which in turn causes the belt 44 to travel between the front pulley 42 and the rear pulley 43.

[0108] Since the table carriage 47 of the table unit 40 is attached to the belt 44, when the belt 44 is driven by the drive motor 45, the table unit 40 moves along the first slide rail 51 and the second slide rail 52 in the sub-scanning direction.

[0109] In other words, the moving device 41 can move the table 48 in the sub-scanning direction (i.e., forward and reverse directions).

[0110] Here, Figure 3 shows the state in which the table 48 is located at the furthest downstream side, i.e., the furthest forward side, in the sub-scanning direction, and Figure 4 shows the state in which the table 48 is located at the furthest upstream side, i.e., the furthest rear side, in the sub-scanning direction. When the table 48 is in the position shown in Figure 3, the front cover 13C can be opened and the media 5 can be placed on the table 48. In other words, in this embodiment, the position of the table 48 in Figure 3 is the position of the table on which media can be placed. However, the position of the table on which media can be placed is not limited to this, and any position that is close to the opening connecting the internal and external spaces of the inkjet printer and does not obstruct the operation of placing media on the table is acceptable.

[0111] Note that in Figures 3 and 4, the carriage movement mechanism 20 and other components have been omitted from the illustration to improve the visibility of the drawings. Furthermore, the inkjet printer 10 includes an ink cartridge storage section 19, which stores ink and houses ink cartridges (not shown) connected to the ink head 34.

[0112] This ink cartridge housing 19 is located at the rear of the main frame 14, on the left base member 62.

[0113] In this embodiment, the case where three ink cartridge storage units 19 are arranged in the main scanning direction is shown, but the number of ink cartridge storage units 19 is not limited to three.

[0114] Furthermore, the ink cartridge is configured to be inserted into the ink cartridge housing 19 through an opening 19H formed in the left base wall 15L of the main frame 14.

[0115] Next, the maintenance device 70 includes a wiping device that wipes the nozzle surface where the color ink nozzles of the color ink head 34a are located and the nozzle surface where the layered ink nozzles of the layered ink head 34b are located, and a cleaning device that forcibly sucks ink from the color ink nozzles of the color ink head 34a and the layered ink nozzles of the layered ink head 34b.

[0116] The maintenance device 70 is located on the right base member 63, in front of the main frame 14.

[0117] Furthermore, the maintenance device 70 is positioned to the right of the table unit 40 and below the ink head unit 30.

[0118] The front end 70F of the maintenance device 70 is located downstream in the sub-scanning direction, i.e., forward, than the upstream end 48B of the table 48 in the sub-scanning direction when the table 48 is in the downstream position in the sub-scanning direction.

[0119] The inkjet printer 10 is equipped with partition walls 90 to restrict access from outside the movement space of the table 48 (for example, on the left base member 62) to inside the movement space of the table 48 (for example, on the central base member 61).

[0120] This partition wall 90 is made of a plate-like member and is located below the support wall 16, and is positioned to the side of the table 48 in the main scanning direction (to the left in this embodiment).

[0121] Furthermore, as described above, the inkjet printer 10 is equipped with a control device 100, and the operator can control the operation of the inkjet printer 10 by operating various controls provided on the operation panel 200.

[0122] In other words, although detailed illustrations are omitted, the control panel 200 is equipped with various controls for performing operations, including controls for selecting print data when printing to media 5, and a display unit for displaying the operation status of said controls.

[0123] (II) Description of the functional configuration of the control device in the inkjet printer according to the present invention

[0124] Figure 6 shows a block diagram illustrating the functional configuration of the control device in the inkjet printer shown in Figure 1, which is relevant to the implementation of the present invention.

[0125] The control device 100 is configured as a functional configuration related to the implementation of the present invention and includes: a print condition determination unit 102 that determines the type of ink to be used for printing and the ink overlay conditions from the print data; a print mode switching setting unit 104 that switches the print mode according to the determination result of the print condition determination unit 102 and sets the print mode; a print order switching setting unit 106 that switches the print order of the print data when printing according to the print mode set by the print mode switching setting unit 104 and sets the print order; and a print processing unit 108 that controls the color ink head 34a and the overlay ink head 34b to perform printing processing based on the print data sent in the print order set by the print order switching setting unit 106.

[0126] More specifically, the print condition determination unit 102 determines whether the print condition is the first print condition, the second print condition, or the third print condition.

[0127] Here, the first printing condition refers to printing using only process color inks, and printing white ink on top of process color inks during one-way table movement.

[0128] Furthermore, the second printing condition refers to cases where only white ink or clear ink is used for printing, as well as cases where process color ink is printed on top of white ink during one-way table movement.

[0129] Furthermore, the third printing condition is when process color ink is printed on top of white ink or primer during a table movement in one direction, and clear ink is printed on top of the process color ink during a table movement in the other direction.

[0130] Next, the print mode switching setting unit 104 sets the print mode to normal mode and pull-back mode.

[0131] Here, "normal mode" refers to the mode in which printing is performed while moving table 48 in a forward direction from upstream to downstream.

[0132] On the other hand, the pull-back mode is a mode in which printing is performed while moving table 48 in the reverse direction from downstream to upstream.

[0133] The print mode switching setting unit 104 sets the normal mode when the print condition determination unit 102 determines that the first print condition is met.

[0134] Furthermore, the print mode switching setting unit 104 sets the pull-back mode when the print condition determination unit 102 determines that the second print condition is met.

[0135] Furthermore, when the print mode switching setting unit 104 determines that the print condition determination unit 102 is in the third print condition, it prints in pull-back mode until process color ink is printed on top of white ink or primer, and then prints in normal mode when clear ink is printed on top of the process color ink.

[0136] In this embodiment, the printing mode switching setting unit 104 is described as setting the printing mode when the third printing condition is met, but it is not limited to this. The printing mode switching setting unit 104 may also set the printing mode so that when the third printing condition is met, white ink or primer is printed in pull-back mode, process color ink is printed on top of the white ink or primer, and then clear ink is printed on top of the process color ink, in normal mode.

[0137] Next, the print order switching setting unit 106 switches the print order when printing the print data depending on whether the normal mode is set or the pull-back mode is set by the print mode switching setting unit 104.

[0138] Referring to Figures 7(a) and 7(b), let's take printing the letter "A" as an example. In normal mode, if the printing order is set so that the letter "A" is printed from top to bottom as shown in Figure 7(a), then in reverse mode, the printing order is reversed so that the letter "A" is printed from bottom to top as shown in Figure 7(b).

[0139] The print order switching setting unit 106 then transfers the print data to the print processing unit 108 in units of one band (the range that can be printed by the operation of the carriage 32 in the main scanning direction) according to the print order described above.

[0140] The print processing unit 108 controls the color ink head 34a and the overlay ink head 34b based on the print data transferred from the print order switching setting unit 106, and performs printing on the media 5 one band at a time.

[0141] In this embodiment, in order to simplify the explanation and facilitate understanding of the present invention, we will describe the case in which the inkjet printer 10 completes printing one band in one movement of the carriage 32 in the main scanning direction, that is, in one main scanning operation (pass).

[0142] (III) Description of the operation of the inkjet printer according to the present invention and the description of its control method.

[0143] In the above configuration, the inkjet printer 10 is controlled by the control device 100 for its overall operation. However, the general operation of the inkjet printer 10 when printing on the media 5 can be described using the conventional technology disclosed in the patent documents cited above, so a detailed explanation will be omitted. Below, only matters related to the implementation of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 8(a)(b)(c) to 11(a)(b).

[0144] Figures 8(a), 8(b), and 8(c) schematically illustrate the printing operation under the first printing conditions using the inkjet printer shown in Figure 1.

[0145] Furthermore, Figures 9(a), 9(b), and 9(c) show schematic diagrams illustrating the printing operation under the second printing conditions using the inkjet printer shown in Figure 1.

[0146] Furthermore, Figures 10(a), (b), and (c) show schematic diagrams illustrating the printing operation under the third printing condition using the inkjet printer shown in Figure 1.

[0147] Furthermore, Figures 11(a) and 11(b) show schematic diagrams illustrating the printing operation under the third printing condition using the inkjet printer shown in Figure 1.

[0148] (III-1) Description of printing operation under the first printing conditions

[0149] When the printing condition determination unit 102 determines that the first printing condition is met, there are two cases: printing with process color ink only and printing white ink on top of the process color ink. However, in order to simplify the explanation and facilitate understanding of the present invention, the case of printing with process color ink only will be mainly described.

[0150] As described above, the print mode switching setting unit 104 sets the normal mode when the print condition determination unit 102 determines that the first print condition is met.

[0151] When the normal mode is set by the print mode switching setting unit 104, the control device 100 moves the table 48 to a downstream position (the position of the table 48 shown in Figure 3), as shown in Figure 3, so that the operator can easily place the media 5 on the table 48.

[0152] After the operator places the media 5 on the table 48, when the operator operates the start control on the control panel 200, the control device 100 moves the table 48 to the upstream position (the position of the table 48 shown in Figure 4) and then starts printing. The process color printing is performed as the table 48 moves in the forward direction (from the position of the table 48 shown in Figure 4 toward the position of the table 48 shown in Figure 3) (see Figure 8(b)).

[0153] During this printing process, the print order switching setting unit 106 transfers the print data to the print processing unit 108 in one-band units according to the print order of the normal mode.

[0154] The printing processing unit 108 performs printing processing for each band of print data transferred from the print order switching setting unit 106, and terminates the printing operation under the first printing condition after printing the print data for the final band (see Figure 8(c)).

[0155] Regarding printing white ink on top of process color ink, as explained with reference to Figure 8(b), when printing white ink on top of process color ink, the white ink should be ejected in the same band where the process color ink was ejected in the previous main scanning operation when the process color ink is ejected during the current main scanning operation.

[0156] As explained above, when the inkjet printer 10 performs printing under the first printing conditions, as shown in Figure 8(b), during the current main scanning operation, the irradiation units 80L and 80R can irradiate the area where process color ink was ejected in the previous main scanning operation. This allows for a wider irradiation area by the irradiation units 80L and 80R after the ejection of process color ink, making it easier to control the curing of the process color ink.

[0157] Furthermore, by adjusting the illuminance of the first region 80-1, the second region 80-2, and the third region 80-3 of the irradiation units 80L and 80R, respectively, the curing of process color inks and white inks can be controlled more effectively.

[0158] (III-2) Description of printing operation under the second printing conditions

[0159] When the printing condition determination unit 102 determines that the second printing condition is met, there are two cases: printing only white ink or clear ink, and printing process color ink on top of white ink. However, in order to simplify the explanation and facilitate understanding of the present invention, the case of printing only white ink or clear ink will be mainly described.

[0160] As described above, the print mode switching setting unit 104 sets the pull-back mode when the print condition determination unit 102 determines that the second print condition is met.

[0161] When the print mode switching setting unit 104 sets the pull-back mode, the control device 100 moves the table 48 to the downstream position (the position of the table 48 shown in Figure 3) (see Figure 9(a)) so that the operator can easily place the media 5 on the table 48.

[0162] After the operator places the media 5 on the table 48, printing begins when the operator operates the start control on the control panel 200. White ink or clear ink is printed while the table 48 moves in the reverse direction (from the position of the table 48 shown in Figure 3 towards the position of the table 48 shown in Figure 4) (see Figure 9(b)).

[0163] During this printing process, the print order switching setting unit 106 transfers the print data to the print processing unit 108 in one-band units according to the print order of the pull-back mode.

[0164] The printing processing unit 108 performs printing processing for each band of print data transferred from the print order switching setting unit 106, and terminates the printing operation under the second printing condition after printing the print data for the final band (see Figure 9(c)).

[0165] Regarding the case of printing process color ink on top of white ink, as explained with reference to Figure 9(b), when printing process color ink on top of white ink, when ejecting white ink with the current main scanning operation, the process color ink should be ejected to the same band from which white ink was ejected in the previous main scanning operation.

[0166] As explained above, when the inkjet printer 10 performs printing under the second printing conditions, printing can be started from the position of the table 48 when the media 5 is placed on the table 48. Therefore, the time from executing the print start operation to ejecting ink onto the media 5 and printing can be shortened.

[0167] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 9(b), during this main scanning operation, the irradiation units 80L and 80R can irradiate the area where white ink or clear ink was ejected in the previous main scanning operation. This allows for a wider irradiation area by the irradiation units 80L and 80R after the ejection of white ink or clear ink, making it easier to control the curing of the white ink or clear ink.

[0168] Furthermore, by adjusting the illuminance of the first region 80-1, the second region 80-2, and the third region 80-3 of the irradiation section 80L and 80R, respectively, the curing of white ink or clear ink can be controlled more effectively.

[0169] (III-3) Description of printing operation under the third printing condition

[0170] When the print condition determination unit 102 determines that the third print condition is met, the print mode switching setting unit 104 sets the mode to print in pullback mode until process color ink is printed on top of the white ink or primer, and then print in normal mode when clear ink is printed on top of the process color ink.

[0171] First, when the print mode switching setting unit 104 sets the pull-back mode, the control device 100 moves the table 48 to the downstream position (the position of the table 48 shown in Figure 3) (see Figure 10(a)) so that the operator can easily place the media 5 on the table 48.

[0172] After the operator places the media 5 on the table 48, printing begins when the operator operates the start control on the control panel 200. White ink or clear ink and process color ink are printed while the table 48 moves in the reverse direction (from the position of the table 48 shown in Figure 3 to the position of the table 48 shown in Figure 4) (see Figure 10(b)).

[0173] During this printing process, the print order switching setting unit 106 transfers the print data to the print processing unit 108 in one-band units according to the print order of the pull-back mode.

[0174] The print processing unit 108 performs printing processing for each band of print data transferred from the print order switching setting unit 106. Once the print processing for the final band's print data is completed, it terminates the pull-back mode printing operation and starts printing in normal mode, moving the table 48 in the forward direction (from the position of the table 48 shown in Figure 4 towards the position of the table 48 shown in Figure 3) (see Figure 10(c)).

[0175] During this printing process, the print order switching setting unit 106 transfers print data to the print processing unit 108 in one-band units according to the print order of the normal mode and performs printing (see Figure 11(a)).

[0176] The printing processing unit 108 performs printing processing for each band of print data transferred from the print order switching setting unit 106, and terminates the printing operation under the first printing condition after printing the print data for the final band (see Figure 11(b)).

[0177] Furthermore, even if the print mode switching setting unit 104 sets the print mode so that when the third print condition is met, white ink or primer is printed in pull-back mode, process color ink is printed on top of the white ink or primer, and then clear ink is printed on top of the process color ink, the direction of movement of the table 48 is determined according to the print mode in the same manner as described above.

[0178] As explained above, with the printing operation of the inkjet printer 10 under the third printing conditions, printing can be started from the position of the table 48 when the media 5 is placed on the table 48, thus shortening the time from executing the print start operation to ejecting ink onto the media 5 and printing.

[0179] Furthermore, since the table 48 is positioned forward when printing is complete, the operator can easily remove the media 5 from the table 48, thus reducing the waiting time from the end of printing until the media 5 is removed.

[0180] Furthermore, since printing can be completed by moving Table 5 back and forth in both directions, printing efficiency is improved compared to conventional methods.

[0181] (IV) Explanation of the operation and effects of the inkjet printer according to the present invention

[0182] As described above, the inkjet printer 10 according to the present invention makes it possible to shorten the time from executing the print start operation to ejecting ink onto the media 5 and printing when printing by moving the table 48 back and forth.

[0183] Furthermore, the inkjet printer 10 according to the present invention makes it possible to shorten the waiting time from the completion of printing until the printed media 5 is removed from the table 48.

[0184] Furthermore, with the inkjet printer 10 according to the present invention, it becomes easier to control the curing state of the ink ejected onto the media 5 when printing by moving the table 48 back and forth. (V) Description of other embodiments and variations

[0185] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative, and the present invention can be implemented in various other forms. That is, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various omissions, substitutions, modifications, etc., can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0186] For example, the above-described embodiment may be modified as shown in (V-1) to (V-5) below.

[0187] (V-1) In the above-described embodiment, detailed explanations have been omitted, but the inkjet printer 10 may be operated as follows.

[0188] In other words, information regarding the order of movement directions of table 48 may be stored in advance as print job data for each print data, so that the order of movement directions of table 48 is automatically determined in advance.

[0189] In this way, the order of movement of table 48 is automatically determined, eliminating the need for operators to set the order of movement of table 48, thereby reducing the burden on operators.

[0190] Specifically, for example, depending on the print data to be printed, the RIP software set on the personal computer that controls the inkjet printer 10 determines the configuration of the colors to be printed and the arrangement of the ink heads, and switches the direction of movement of the table 48 between normal mode (the table 48 moves forward) and pull-back mode (the table 48 moves backward).

[0191] At the same time, the order of the print data sent to the inkjet printer 10 is also switched according to the direction of movement of the table 48.

[0192] More specifically, a personal computer controlling the inkjet printer 10 issues commands to the inkjet printer 10 for each print job, as shown in Figure 12, instructing it on the direction of movement of the table 48 and the order in which the print data is sent.

[0193] Upon receiving the command, the inkjet printer 10 first identifies the direction of movement of the table 48 and, depending on the print data, switches the assigned ink nozzle (either the color ink nozzle of the color ink head 34a or the overlay ink nozzle of the overlay ink head 34b).

[0194] For example, in normal printing mode, which prints in the forward direction, data is assigned and printed from the color ink nozzles of the color ink head 34a.

[0195] On the other hand, in the reverse printing mode, data is assigned and printed from the overlay ink nozzles of the overlay ink head 34b.

[0196] (V-2) In the embodiments described above, in order to simplify the explanation and facilitate understanding of the present invention, the inkjet printer 10 was described as completing the printing of one band in one movement of the carriage 32 in the main scanning direction, i.e., in one pass (main scanning operation). However, it is of course not limited to this, and the printing of one band may be completed in multiple passes.

[0197] (V-3) In the embodiments described above, a detailed explanation of the print start position when printing in normal mode has been omitted, but the print start position when printing in normal mode may be set as described below.

[0198] In other words, conventionally, the table 48 was moved to the uppermost position, which was a predetermined fixed position, and then the table 48 was moved forward so that the print origin, which is the starting position of the print data on the media 5, was at the starting position of the color ink nozzle of the color ink head 34a, and then printing was started.

[0199] In such methods, the process leading up to the start of printing becomes complicated and time-consuming. Therefore, in the inkjet printer 10 of the present invention, the movement of the table 48 may be controlled according to the size of the print data (PS command) so that the table 48 can be moved and printing can be performed in the shortest and fastest time possible.

[0200] Referring to Figure 13, the inkjet printer 10 recognizes the PS (PAGE SIZE) command sent from the RIP software of the personal computer that controls the inkjet printer 10. In the case of printing in normal mode (moving the table 48 in the forward direction), it is necessary to return the table 48 to the upstream side. At this time, the table 48 is returned so that the print origin is in the shortest possible position.

[0201] The shortest position is the position where the print origin coincides with the upstream color ink nozzle on the color ink head 34a.

[0202] To explain Figure 13, the area defined by the PS command is called a logical page, and this working area is called a hard clip. The size of the logical page is specified by the length and width of the PS command. The parameters are specified in plot units (1 / 1016 inch, 1 / 40 millimeter). A logical page is an area where one or more print images exist.

[0203] (V-4) In the embodiments described above, the color ink head 34a was equipped with black, cyan, magenta, and yellow color ink nozzles, but the types of color inks are not limited to these. Light black, light cyan, light magenta, light yellow, orange, red, green, and blue inks may also be equipped as color inks.

[0204] (V-5) Of course, the embodiments described above, as well as the various other embodiments and modifications shown in (V-1) to (V-4) above, may be combined as appropriate. [Industrial applicability]

[0205] The present invention is suitable for use in inkjet printers that print by ejecting process color ink and other inks such as white ink or clear ink, which can be printed in layers on top of the process color ink. [Explanation of symbols]

[0206] 5 Media 10 Inkjet Printers 12 Main unit case 13C Front Cover 13L Left Cover 13R Right Cover 13W window 14 Main frame 14H opening 15L Left base wall 15R Right base wall 16 Supporting wall 18 Guide rails 19. Ink cartridge storage compartment 19H opening 20. Carriage movement mechanism (second movement mechanism) 21,22 Pulley 23 belts 24 Carriage Motors 30 Inkhead Units 32 Carriage 34 Inkheads 34a Color Ink Head 34a-1, 34a-2, 34a-3, 34a-4 Color Ink Nozzles 34b Multi-layer ink head 34b-1, 34b-2, 34b-3, 34b-4 Multilayer Ink Nozzles 38 Table movement mechanism (first movement mechanism) 40 Table Units 41 Mobile device 42,43 Pulley 44 belts 45 Drive motor 47 Table Carriage 48 tables 48B End 51. First slide rail 52. Second slide rail 60 Base member 61 Central base member 62 Left base component 63 Right base member 70 Maintenance equipment 70F front end 80L,80R Light irradiation device (irradiation part) 80-1 1st area 80-1a Forward edge 80-2 Second area 80-3 Area 3 80-3a rear edge 90 partition walls 100 Control device 102 Printing condition judgment section 104 Print Mode Switching Setting Section 106 Print order switching setting section 108 Printing Processing Unit 200 Control Panel

Claims

1. A row of color nozzles arranged in a first direction, which ejects process color inks, A first layer nozzle row is arranged in the first direction, comprising a plurality of first layer ink nozzles that eject a first layer ink to be layered with the process color ink, A row of second layer nozzles arranged in the first direction, which are layered with the process color ink and discharge a second layer ink different from the first layer ink, A table for placing media, A first moving mechanism for moving the table in a first direction, A second moving mechanism moves the color nozzle row, the first layer nozzle row, and the second layer nozzle row in a second direction intersecting the first direction relative to the table, A control device that controls the color nozzle row, the first multilayer nozzle row, the second multilayer nozzle row, and the first moving mechanism to perform printing based on print data. It has, In the first direction, when the direction from the positions of the color nozzle row, the first layer nozzle row, and the second layer nozzle row toward the position of the table on which the media can be placed is defined as the forward direction, and the direction opposite to the forward direction is defined as the reverse direction, The control device is When printing by ejecting the process color ink, the first layer ink, and the second layer ink from the color nozzle row, the first layer nozzle row, and the second layer nozzle row onto the media while moving the table back and forth at least once, printing is started by ejecting the first layer ink from the first layer nozzle row while moving the table in the reverse direction, and printing is ended by ejecting the second layer ink from the second layer nozzle row while moving the table in the forward direction. An inkjet printer characterized by the following features.

2. In the inkjet printer according to claim 1, The media has an irradiation unit that irradiates light onto the process color ink, the first double layer ink, and the second double layer ink that have been ejected onto the media. An inkjet printer characterized by the following features.

3. In the inkjet printer according to either claim 1 or 2, The first layered ink is a white ink. The aforementioned second layer ink is a clear ink. An inkjet printer characterized by the following features.

4. In the inkjet printer according to any one of claims 1, 2, or 3, The aforementioned color nozzle row, the first double-layer nozzle row, and the second double-layer nozzle row are arranged in a staggered configuration. An inkjet printer characterized by the following features.

5. In the inkjet printer according to claim 4, The second moving mechanism has guide rails on which the color nozzle row, the first double-layer nozzle row, and the second double-layer nozzle row are slidably mounted. The aforementioned color nozzle row is positioned closer to the guide rail than the first and second double-layer nozzle rows. An inkjet printer characterized by the following features.

6. In the inkjet printer according to claim 1, The system includes an irradiation unit that irradiates light onto the process color ink, the first layer ink, and the second layer ink discharged onto the media. The aforementioned color nozzle row is arranged in the opposite direction to the first and second layer nozzle rows, The irradiation unit irradiates light in the first direction to an area that overlaps with the color nozzle row, the first layer nozzle row, and the second layer nozzle row. The control device is When printing by ejecting the process color ink onto the media from only the aforementioned color nozzle row, the table is moved in the forward direction from the start to the end of printing. When printing by ejecting the first or second layer ink onto the media from only one of the first or second layer nozzle rows, the table is moved in the reverse direction from the start to the end of printing. An inkjet printer characterized by the following features.

7. A row of color nozzles arranged in a first direction, which ejects process color inks, A row of layered ink nozzles arranged in the first direction for dispensing a layered ink that is layered with the process color ink, A table for placing media, A first moving mechanism for moving the table in a first direction, A second moving mechanism moves the color nozzle row and the layered nozzle row in a second direction intersecting the first direction with respect to the table, An irradiation unit that irradiates light onto the process color ink and the layered ink ejected onto the media, A control device that controls the color nozzle row, the layered nozzle row, and the first moving mechanism to perform printing processing based on print data. It has, In the first direction, when the direction from the position of the color nozzle row and the layered nozzle row toward the position of the table on which the media can be placed is defined as the forward direction, and the direction opposite to the forward direction is defined as the reverse direction, The aforementioned color nozzle row is arranged in the opposite direction to the aforementioned layered nozzle row. The irradiation unit irradiates light in the area overlapping with the color nozzle row and the layered nozzle row in the first direction. The control device is When printing by ejecting the process color ink onto the media from only the aforementioned color nozzle row, the table is moved in the forward direction from the start to the end of printing. When printing by ejecting the layered ink onto the media only from the layered nozzle row, the table is moved in the reverse direction from the start to the end of printing. An inkjet printer characterized by the following features.

Images