Control device, printing device, printing method, and manufacturing method

Abstract

This control device is used in a printing device that performs printing and the control device comprises: discharge heads having a plurality of nozzles for discharging fluid to an object; and an inspection unit having an inspection region for receiving the fluid discharged from the discharge heads. This control device comprises a control unit that uses detection result information, in which a nozzle to be inspected is associated with detection results obtained by detecting, on the basis of the fluid discharged to the inspection region, the discharge position and / or the discharge amount of the fluid discharged from the nozzle and the discharge position and / or the discharge amount of the nozzle, to select a nozzle according to reference information that includes at least two different reference ranges of accuracy based on the detection results, and cause a printing process to be executed.

Description

Control device, printing device, printing method, and manufacturing method

[0001] This specification discloses a control device, a printing device, a printing method, and a manufacturing method.

[0002] Conventionally, there have been proposed printing devices that perform printing in multiple operating modes, including a first mode in which ink is ejected from a first head and a second head, and a second mode in which ink is not ejected from any head other than the one being used, thereby achieving high color reproducibility (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This printing device is said to be able to prevent degradation of color reproducibility due to individual differences in color reproduction between heads.

[0003] JP 2022-149494 A

[0004] There is a demand for a printing device to perform printing processing in a more suitable manner.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve such problems, and its main purpose is to provide a control device, a printing device, a printing method, and a manufacturing method that can perform printing processing in a more suitable manner depending on the fluid ejection state.

[0006] The present disclosure has adopted the following means to achieve the above-mentioned main object.

[0007] That is, the control device disclosed herein is a control device used in a printing device that performs a printing process and that is equipped with an ejection head having a plurality of nozzles that eject fluid onto an object and an inspection unit that has an inspection area that receives the fluid ejected from the ejection head, and that is equipped with a control unit that uses detection result information that detects the ejection position and / or ejection amount on the inspection area of ​​the fluid ejected from each nozzle based on the fluid ejected into the inspection area and associates the detection results with the nozzle, and selects the nozzle according to reference information that includes at least two or more different reference ranges of accuracy according to the detection results, and executes the printing process.

[0008] This control device uses information on at least one of the nozzle ejection position and ejection volume, and selects nozzles using multiple reference ranges to execute the printing process, so it can select nozzles according to the type of printing process.As a result, this control device can execute the printing process in a more suitable manner depending on the fluid ejection state.

[0009] 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing an example of a printing system 10. A schematic explanatory diagram showing an example of the structure of a printing device 11 seen from diagonally front. An explanatory diagram showing an example of the outline of each discharge unit and a moving unit 26. An explanatory diagram showing an example of the outline of an inspection unit 70. A flowchart showing an example of a molded object production processing routine. An explanatory diagram showing an example of an overview of a molding process. A flowchart showing an example of an inspection maintenance processing routine. An explanatory diagram showing an example of the operation of the inspection unit 70. An explanatory diagram showing an example of detection result information 24. An explanatory diagram showing an example of a distribution process of a discharged object 78.

[0010] This embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing an example of a printing system 10 according to the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing an example of the structure of a printing device 11 as viewed obliquely from the front. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the outline of a first ejection unit 30, a second ejection unit 35, and a moving unit 26. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the outline of an inspection unit 70. In this embodiment, the left-right direction (X-axis), the front-back direction (Y-axis), and the up-down direction (Z-axis) are as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3.

[0011] The printing system 10 includes a printing device 11, a mounting device 12, and an information processing device 80. The printing system 10 is configured as a production line in which the printing device 11 forms a shaped object as a first process, forms predetermined components on the shaped object as a second process, and then the mounting device 12 mounts components. The printing device 11 may form a wiring (circuit) pattern as a conductive material as the second process, and the mounting device 12 may mount components P at predetermined positions on the conductive material. In addition to the mounting device 12, the printing system 10 may also include one or more mounting-related devices, such as a printing device that prints solder as a viscous fluid on the shaped object, a print inspection device that inspects the printing results, a mounting inspection device that inspects the mounting results, and a transport device that transports the shaped object. While the printing system 10 shown in FIG. 1 includes one mounting device 12, multiple mounting devices 12 may also be included.

[0012] The mounting device 12 is a device that mounts components P on a shaped object formed by the printing device 11. The mounting device 12 includes a control device, a transport processing unit 13, a component supply unit 14, an imaging unit 16, a mounting unit 17, an operation panel, and a communication unit. The control device is configured as a microprocessor centered around a mounting control unit such as a CPU, and controls the entire device. The control device outputs control signals to the transport processing unit 13, the component supply unit 14, the imaging unit 16, the mounting unit 17, and the operation panel, and inputs signals from the transport processing unit 13, the component supply unit 14, the imaging unit 16, the mounting unit 17, and the operation panel. The control device includes a storage unit, which is a large-capacity storage medium such as a flash memory. The storage unit stores mounting information including information on the components P to be mounted, the arrangement order and positions of the components to be mounted on the shaped object, and the installation position of a feeder 15 that picks up the components. The transport processing unit 13 carries in, transports, fixes at the mounting position, and carries out the pallet 60 on which the shaped object is placed. The component supply unit 14 is a unit that supplies components P to the mounting unit 17. The component supply unit 14 mounts feeders 15 having reels holding components in one or more mounting units. The imaging unit 16 is a camera that captures images of the upward direction and captures images of the components P held by the mounting head 19 of the mounting unit 17. The operation panel is a unit that accepts input from the worker and presents information to the worker. This operation panel includes a display unit and an operation unit with a touch panel and buttons. The mounting unit 17 is a unit that collects components P from the component supply unit 14 and places them on the shaped object fixed to the transport processing unit 13. The mounting unit 17 includes a head moving unit 18, a mounting head 19, and a collection member. The head moving unit 18 includes a slider that moves in the X and Y directions along a guide rail, and a motor that drives the slider. The mounting head 19 is removably attached to the slider, picks up one or more components, and is moved in the X and Y directions by the head moving unit 18. One or more picking members are removably attached to the underside of the mounting head 19. The picking members may be suction nozzles that use negative pressure to pick up components, or may be mechanical chucks that mechanically hold components. The communication unit is an interface that exchanges information with external devices such as the printing device 11 and the information processing device 80.

[0013] The printing device 11 is a three-dimensional modeling device that ejects a fluid onto a target to form and manufacture a shaped object having a substrate, a conductive material, or the like. The shaped object may include, for example, a substrate, a conductive material formed on and / or within the substrate, and components disposed on and / or within the substrate. The target is a pallet 60 at the initial stage of modeling. The pallet 60 refers to the object formed on the pallet 60, including the substrate, circuitry, conductive material, and the like. The material to be modeled is not particularly limited, and examples include resin and ceramics. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the printing device 11 includes a control device 20, a memory unit 22, a moving unit 26, a flattening unit 29, a first discharging unit 30, a first maintenance unit 33, a first curing unit 34, a second discharging unit 35, a second maintenance unit 38, a second curing unit 39, a dispenser unit 40, a pressing unit 45, an inspection unit 70, an operation panel 48, and a communication unit 49. The printing device 11 also includes, as its device structure, a first gantry 51, a second gantry 52, a third gantry 53, and a housing 54. Here, the printing device 11 will be described as a device that primarily performs a process of forming, for example, a base material of an insulator-shaped object using the first discharging unit 30, and then forming a conductive material such as a circuit pattern on the formed insulator using the second discharging unit 35. Note that the first discharging unit 30 and the second discharging unit 35 are collectively referred to simply as "discharging units," the first maintenance unit 33 and the second maintenance unit 38 are collectively referred to simply as "maintenance units," and the first curing unit 34 and the second curing unit 39 are collectively referred to simply as "curing units."

[0014] The control device 20 is configured as a microprocessor centered on a print control unit 21 such as a CPU, and controls the entire printing device 11. The control device 20 exchanges information with a memory unit 22 and each unit. The memory unit 22 is, for example, a large-capacity storage medium such as a flash memory. The memory unit 22 stores modeling job information 23, detection result information 24, reference information 25, and the like. The modeling job information 23 includes, for example, information on the shape and size of the object to be manufactured and information on conductive materials such as circuit patterns to be formed on the substrate. The detection result information 24 is information that associates the nozzles 32a and 37a (see FIG. 3 ) with the detection results of detecting the discharge position and / or discharge amount of the fluid discharged from the nozzles 32a and 37a on the inspection area 71 based on the fluid discharged into the inspection area 71. The detection result information 24 stores the nozzle displacement amount in the X direction, the Y direction, the discharge amount, and the like. The detection result information 24 is stored in the storage unit 22 after the discharge inspection process for the discharge units is performed. The reference information 25 is information that includes at least two or more reference ranges of different accuracy corresponding to the detection results. The reference information 25 includes, for example, a first discharge position reference range Px1, Py1 that indicates the range of the amount of deviation of the discharge position and includes an upper limit and a lower limit for obtaining an acceptable standard print result, a second discharge position reference range Px2, Py2 that is less accurate than the first discharge position reference range Px1, Py1, i.e., the amount of deviation of the discharge position is large and the number of nozzles used is expanded, and a discharge position tolerance range Ppx, Ppy that indicates the maximum amount of deviation of the discharge position that is acceptable (see FIG. 9 , described later). The reference information 25 also includes, for example, a first discharge amount reference range A1 that indicates the range of deviation in the discharge amount, including upper and lower limits for obtaining an acceptable standard print result, a second discharge amount reference range that is less accurate than the first discharge amount reference range A1, i.e., the amount of deviation in the discharge amount is large and the number of nozzles used is expanded, and a discharge amount allowable range Ap that indicates the maximum amount of deviation in the discharge amount that is allowable. The printing device 11 executes the modeling process based on the information stored in the memory unit 22.

[0015] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 , the moving unit 26 is a stage that moves a pallet 60, which is an object onto which the fluid is ejected. The moving unit 26 includes a support section 27 and a support moving section 28. The support section 27 supports and fixes the pallet 60, on which the object is placed in the printing region 61. The support moving section 28 is a drive section that moves the support section 27 along a printing path that runs along the front-to-rear direction in the center of the housing 54, and raises and lowers the support section 27 to relatively change the distance between the ejection head and the object. The support moving section 28 may have a linear drive section, which may be configured by a linear motor, a ball screw mechanism, or the like.

[0016] The pallet 60 is a plate-like member having an area where a modeled object is formed, and is removably attached to the support part 27. The pallet 60 has a modeling area 61, a receiving area, etc. A removable film is attached to the upper surface of the pallet 60, and the next modeled object can be produced by replacing this film. The modeling area 61 is a printing area where a modeled object is formed by the first discharging unit 30, a predetermined pattern is formed on the modeled object by the second discharging unit 35, and a liquid material is applied to a target object by the dispenser unit 40. The receiving area is an area that receives unnecessary fluid or liquid material discharged from the first discharging head 32, the second discharging head 37, and the application head 42.

[0017] The first discharging unit 30 is a unit that discharges a fluid serving as a base material for forming a model onto a modeling region 61 of the pallet 60. The first discharging unit 30 is movably disposed to the left of a first gantry 51, which is fixed to a front region in the Y-axis direction of a housing 54 of the printing device 11. The first discharging unit 30 includes a first moving unit 31, a first discharging head 32, and a first fluid processing unit. The first moving unit 31 includes a slider that moves along the X-axis direction while being guided by a guide rail, and a motor that drives the slider. The first discharging head 32 is attached to the slider, and the first discharging head 32 moves along the X-axis direction in accordance with the movement of the slider. The first moving unit 31 moves the first discharging head 32 between a standby position and a discharging position on the pallet 60. The first discharging head 32 is a structural fluid discharging head that discharges the fluid that forms the model from a nozzle 32a onto a target object, such as the pallet 60, to form the model. The first ejection head 32 has a nozzle 32a and an ejection drive unit. A plurality of nozzles 32a are formed on the nozzle plate. The nozzles 32a are openings that eject the fluid supplied from the first fluid processing unit onto the pallet 60. The ejection drive unit ejects the fluid toward the pallet 60, and may be, for example, a piezoelectric element. The fluid ejected by the first ejection head 32 may be, for example, a liquid curable resin (e.g., ultraviolet curable resin, thermosetting resin, two-component mixed curable resin, etc.), a thermoplastic resin, or a liquid material such as a slurry obtained by mixing a solvent with a solid material such as an inorganic substance. The first fluid processing unit is a unit that delivers the fluid and includes a first supply tank that stores the fluid and a first recovery tank that stores the recovered fluid.

[0018] The first maintenance unit 33 is a unit that seals and protects the first ejection head 32, and performs ejection maintenance based on the ejection state of the first ejection head 32. The first maintenance unit 33 has, for example, a first cap that seals the first ejection head 32, a first ejection receiving portion that receives fluid ejected from the first ejection head 32, and a first cleaning portion that cleans the first ejection head 32. The ejection maintenance includes, for example, performing a flushing process and performing a process of wiping and cleaning the nozzle plate of the first ejection head 32.

[0019] The first curing unit 34 is a unit that performs a predetermined process on the fluid discharged from the first discharging head 32 onto the pallet 60 or onto a model that has been cured on the pallet 60, thereby curing the fluid. The first curing unit 34 may be a unit that irradiates the fluid discharged onto the modeling region 61 with light of a predetermined wavelength, such as ultraviolet light, to cure the fluid. The first curing unit 34 may also be a unit that dries or bakes the fluid depending on its material. For example, every time a layer of fluid is formed on the modeling region 61 by the first discharging head 32, the pallet 60 is moved below the first curing unit 34 to cure the fluid.

[0020] The second dispensing unit 35 is a unit that dispenses a fluid onto the pallet 60 or onto the shaped object, which serves as a conductive material for forming circuits or the like inside or on the surface of the shaped object. The second dispensing unit 35 is movably disposed to the right of the first gantry 51, which is fixed to the front region of the housing 54 in the Y-axis direction. The second dispensing unit 35 includes a second moving unit 36, a second dispensing head 37, and a second fluid processing unit. The second moving unit 36 ​​includes a slider that moves along the X-axis direction while guided by a guide rail, and a motor that drives the slider. The second dispensing head 37 is attached to the slider, and the second dispensing head 37 moves along the X-axis direction in response to the movement of the slider. The second moving unit 36 ​​moves the second dispensing head 37 between a standby position and a dispensing position on the pallet 60. The second dispensing head 37 is a circuit fluid dispensing head that dispenses fluid onto an object such as the pallet 60 to form a conductive material. The second ejection head 37, like the first ejection head 32, has a nozzle 37a and an ejection drive unit. Since the second ejection head 37 has the same structure and function as the first ejection head 32, detailed description thereof will be omitted. Examples of the fluid ejected by the nozzle 37a include a liquid mixture in which a solid is mixed with a solvent, or a liquid solution in which a resin is dissolved in a solvent. Examples of this fluid include a conductive paste in which metal particles are dispersed in a resin that hardens when heated, or a metal ink conductive fluid. For example, in a conductive paste, when the resin hardens and shrinks, the dispersed metal particles come into contact with the resin. This allows the conductive paste to exhibit conductivity. The resin in the conductive paste is, for example, an organic adhesive, and exhibits adhesive strength upon hardening. The first ejection head 32 and the second ejection head 37 are collectively referred to simply as "ejection heads," and the nozzle 32a and the nozzle 37a are collectively referred to simply as "nozzles."

[0021] The second maintenance unit 38 is a unit that seals and protects the second ejection head 37, and also performs ejection maintenance based on the ejection state of the second ejection head 37. The second maintenance unit 38 has, for example, a second cap that seals the second ejection head 37, a second ejection receiving portion that receives fluid ejected from the second ejection head 37, and a second cleaning portion that cleans the second ejection head 37. The ejection maintenance includes the flushing process and cleaning process described above.

[0022] The second curing unit 39 is a unit that performs a predetermined process on the fluid ejected from the second discharging head 37 onto the building region 61 of the pallet 60 or onto a hardened model on the pallet 60, thereby hardening the fluid. The second curing unit 39 may be configured to harden the fluid ejected onto the building region 61 by irradiating it with light of a predetermined wavelength, such as infrared light. The second curing unit 39 may also be configured to dry or bake the fluid depending on its material. For example, every time a layer of fluid is formed on the pallet 60 by the second discharging head 37, the pallet 60 is moved underneath the second curing unit 39, and the second curing unit 39 hardens the fluid.

[0023] The flattening unit 29 flattens the surface of the fluid dispensed onto the pallet 60 and / or the model using a flattening member. The flattening member may be, for example, a flattening roller that rotates relative to the model, or a flat flattening blade.

[0024] The dispenser unit 40 applies a liquid material to a model on a pallet 60. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the dispenser unit 40 is movably disposed on a second gantry 52 fixed to a central region in the Y-axis direction of a housing 54 of the printing apparatus 11. The dispenser unit 40 is disposed on a transport path for carrying the pallet 60 to and from the mounting apparatus 12. The dispenser unit 40 is configured to perform processes such as carrying the pallet 60 in and out, detecting the amount of application, capturing images, and measuring the height in addition to the coating process using a dispenser 43. The dispenser unit 40 is composed of a moving coating unit 41, a coating head 42, and a discharge amount detection unit. The coating head 42 of the dispenser unit 40 is equipped with a working unit 50 including an imaging unit 44, a height detection unit, and a mounting and transport unit. The moving coating unit 41 includes a slider that moves along the X-axis direction while being guided by a guide rail disposed on the second gantry 2, and a motor that drives the slider. A dispensing head 42 is attached to the slider, and the dispensing head 42 moves along the X-axis direction as the slider moves. As shown in FIG. 1 , the dispensing movement unit 41 moves the dispensing head 42 between a dispensing position above the pallet 60 in the central region along the X-axis of the housing 4, a carry-in / out position on the mounting device 12 side, and a retracted position on the opposite side from the mounting device 12. The dispensing head 42 is provided with a dispenser 43 for dispensing a conductive paste, a filler, or the like. The dispenser 43 has an outlet for dispensing a liquid material and is equipped with a syringe for containing the liquid material. The syringe is a columnar member containing the liquid material, and discharges the liquid material from an outlet provided at the tip below by pressure applied from above. Examples of liquid materials include multiple types of resins with different viscosities and conductivities, such as resins with dispersed conductive materials and insulating resins.

[0025] The imaging unit 44 is a camera that captures images of the downward direction, i.e., the pallet 60 side. The imaging unit 44 captures images of, for example, the model in the modeling area 61 and the inspection area 71 of the inspection unit 70. The height detection unit is configured as a sensor that moves a contact terminal at its tip downward and determines the height of the contacted object based on the position of contact with the object. The mounting transport unit is used to transport the pallet 60 to the mounting device 12 side, which is an area outside the printing path, and to transport the pallet 60 from the mounting device 12. The mounting transport unit has a rod structure that can extend downward, and moves the pallet 60 by contacting its tip with the edge of the pallet 60 and pushing it out or hooking and retracting it. The discharge amount detection unit detects the weight of the liquid material dispensed from the dispenser 43. The discharge amount detection unit applies an arbitrary pressure to the dispenser 43 and measures the amount of liquid material dispensed from the syringe per unit time. Using this measurement value, the control device 20 controls the discharge amount of the liquid material to an appropriate value.

[0026] The pressing unit 45 is a unit that presses the object on the pallet 60, or a liquid material applied to the pallet 60 or the object. The pressing unit 45 is disposed on a third gantry 53 that is fixed to a rear region in the Y-axis direction of the housing 54 of the printing device 11. The pressing unit 45 may heat and press the object. The pressing unit 45 is composed of a pressing section that presses the object using a pressing member 46, a heating section that heats the pressing section, and a pressing and transporting section 47 that transports the pallet 60 in and out. The pressing member 46 is a member that comes into contact with and presses the object. When the pressing unit 45 includes a heating section, the pressing member 46 is a member that comes into contact with the object and presses and heats it. The pressing and transporting section 47 transports the pallet 60 in and out of the pressing unit 45, which is disposed in a position outside the movement lane of the moving unit 26. The pressing and conveying section 47 may be mechanically similar to the mounting and conveying section of the working section 50 .

[0027] The inspection unit 70 is used in a printing device having an ejection head that ejects fluid and inspects the ejection state of the fluid. The inspection unit 70 is disposed on the support section 27 that supports the pallet 60 of the moving unit 26 and moves in conjunction with the movement of the support section 27 by the support movement section 28. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 , the inspection unit 70 includes an inspection area 71 and a feed section 74. The inspection area 71 includes a mark substrate 72 and a reference mark 73 provided on the mark substrate 72. The inspection unit 70 lands fluid on the surface of a film 77 fixed on the mark substrate 72 and then feeds out the film 77, thereby eliminating the need for processes such as cleaning the mark substrate 72 and efficiently performing multiple ejection inspections. The film 77 is preferably a transparent resin film, and its material and thickness can be appropriately determined to facilitate ejection inspection.

[0028] The mark substrate 72 is an area where ejection inspection of the first ejection head 32 and the second ejection head 37 is performed, and reference marks 73 are formed according to the nozzle pitch of the first ejection head 32 and the second ejection head 37. The mark substrate 72 is a plate-like body on which the reference marks 73 are formed. The mark substrate 72 may be formed, for example, of a transparent material such as a glass plate or a resin plate. The reference marks 73 serve as a reference for the position and amount of fluid ejected from the nozzles 32a of the first ejection head 32 and the nozzles 37a of the second ejection head 37. The shape of the reference marks 73 may be any of a circle, rectangle, polygon, star, etc., but a circle is more preferable from the perspective of determining the center position and calculating the area. The control device 20 can determine whether the fluid ejection state of a nozzle is normal based on the positional relationship between the fluid ejection position and the reference marks 73, the ejection area, etc.

[0029] The feed unit 74 feeds the film 77 along a predetermined feed direction D on the mark substrate 72. The feed unit 74 includes a feed roller 75, an intermediate roller, a take-up roller 76, and a drive unit (not shown). The feed roller 75 is a roller around which the film 77 is wound and is a driven roller that feeds out the film 77 in response to the rotation of the take-up roller 76. The intermediate roller is disposed between the feed roller 75 and the take-up roller 76 and is a driven roller that supports the film 77. The take-up roller 76 is driven to rotate by a drive unit such as a drive motor and winds up the film 77 that has been fed from the feed roller 75 and onto which the fluid has been ejected. The feed roller 75 is replaced with a new one when all of the film 77 has been wound onto the take-up roller 76.

[0030] The operation panel 48 is a unit that receives input from the operator and presents information to the operator. The operation panel 48 includes a display unit and an operation unit with a touch panel and buttons. The communication unit 49 is an interface that exchanges information with external devices such as the mounting device 12 and the information processing device 80.

[0031] The information processing device 80 is configured as a management server that manages the printing system 10. The information processing device 80 includes an information control unit 81, a storage unit 82, a communication unit 89, a display unit, and an input device. The information control unit 81 has a CPU and controls the entire device. The storage unit 82 is a large-capacity storage device such as a flash memory. The storage unit 82 stores modeling job information 83 including information similar to the modeling job information 23 and detection result information 84 including information similar to the detection result information 24. The communication unit 89 exchanges information with external devices such as the printing device 11 and the mounting device 12 via a network such as a LAN. The information control unit 81 sets the modeling job information 83 and transmits it via the communication unit 89 based on requests from the printing device 11 and the mounting device 12. The display unit is a display that displays images. The input device includes a keyboard, a mouse, and the like that accept input from a user.

[0032] Next, the 3D modeling process of the printing device 11 configured as described above will be described. Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a modeling object production process routine executed by the print control unit 21 of the control device 20. This routine is stored in the storage unit 22 and is executed by the control device 20 after the operator inputs a command to execute the production process. When this routine starts, the print control unit 21 of the control device 20 first reads and acquires the modeling job information 23 from the storage unit 22 (S100). Note that the print control unit 21 may also acquire the modeling job information 23 from the information processing device 80.

[0033] Here, the modeling process will be described. While the printing device 11 is capable of producing a multi-layered model, for convenience of explanation, the following description focuses on a single-layered model. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an outline of the modeling process, in which FIG. 6A illustrates the printing process of a substrate S, FIG. 6B illustrates the printing process of a circuit E such as wiring, FIG. 6C illustrates the printing process of a cavity C, FIG. 6D illustrates the application process of a conductive material B and an underfill U, FIG. 6E illustrates the mounting process of a component P, and FIG. 6F illustrates the application process of a filler F. In the modeling process, the print control unit 21 prints and cures the substrate S ( FIG. 6A ), prints and cures the circuit E on the substrate S ( FIG. 6B ), prints and cures the cavity C thereon ( FIG. 6C ), applies the conductive material B and the underfill U ( FIG. 6D ), mounts the component P ( FIG. 6E ), fills with the filler F ( FIG. 6F ), and, as appropriate, applies pressure and heat using a pressing unit 45 to fix the component P. Furthermore, in this modeling process, additional substrates S may be printed and cured as needed, and components P may be mounted in multiple layers. The printing device 11 produces a modeled object O through this modeling process. The substrate S and the cavity C may be made of the same material or different materials. The circuit E and the conductive material B may be made of the same material or different materials. The underfill U and the filling material F may be made of the same material or different materials.

[0034] After S100, the print control unit 21 determines whether it is time to inspect and maintain the first ejection unit 30 and the second ejection unit 35 (S110). This timing may be, for example, when new production starts, when a predetermined number of shaped objects, such as five or ten, have been produced, or when a predetermined time, such as 30 minutes or one hour, has passed. If it is time to inspect and maintain, the print control unit 21 executes an inspection and maintenance process for the first ejection head 32 and / or the second ejection head 37 (S120). In this process, the print control unit 21 executes the maintenance process using the first maintenance unit 33 and the second maintenance unit 38, and executes the inspection process using the inspection unit 70.

[0035] The inspection and maintenance process will now be described in more detail. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of an inspection and maintenance process routine. This routine is stored in the storage unit 22 and executed by the control device 20 in S120 of the object production process routine. When this routine starts, the print control unit 21 of the control device 20 first executes a maintenance process (S300). In the maintenance process, the print control unit 21 executes maintenance processes for the first ejection unit 30 and the second ejection unit 35 using the first maintenance unit 33 and the second maintenance unit 38. Examples of maintenance processes include flushing the ejection head and cleaning the nozzle plate with a cleaning member. After executing the maintenance process, the print control unit 21 executes an inspection process (S310 to S360). 8A is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the operation of the inspection unit 70, with Fig. 8A being an explanatory diagram of the mark substrate 72, Fig. 8B being a diagram showing the film 77 being draped over, Fig. 8C being a diagram showing the discharged material 78 being discharged onto the film 77, Fig. 8D being a diagram showing the discharged material 78 being imaged by the imaging section 44, and Fig. 8E being a diagram showing the film 77 being fed out after inspection. Here, for the sake of convenience, the discharge inspection process of the first discharge unit 30 will be mainly described, and the discharge inspection process of the second discharge unit 35 will be omitted, but the second discharge unit 35 can also be performed in the same manner as described below.

[0036] When executing the inspection process, the print control unit 21 first moves the inspection unit 70 to the inspection position and controls the movement unit 26 and the first movement unit 31 to move the first ejection head 32 above the inspection unit 70 (S310, FIG. 8B). Next, the print control unit 21 executes an ejection process to eject fluid onto the film 77 (S320, FIG. 8C), captures an image of the ejected material 78 using the imaging unit 44, and performs image processing (S330, FIG. 8D). In the ejection process, the print control unit 21 moves the first ejection head 32 in a predetermined direction along the Y axis at a predetermined pitch to eject fluid into the area between the upper and lower reference marks 73, for example. Next, the print control unit 21 sets the nozzles for recording the measurement results (S340). The print control unit 21 may set the nozzles in order of nozzle numbers, which are assigned along the nozzle formation direction and serve as identifiers for the nozzles.

[0037] Next, the print control unit 21 obtains detection results including the ejection position and ejection amount of the set nozzle, and stores the detection results in the storage unit 22 in association with the nozzle identifier (S350). The print control unit 21 obtains information on the amount of misalignment of the ejection position based on, for example, the positional relationship between the reference mark 73 and the ejected object 78. The print control unit 21 may obtain the amount of misalignment along the X-axis direction and the amount of misalignment along the Y-axis direction as the detection result of the amount of misalignment. Alternatively, the print control unit 21 may obtain the direction and distance of the misalignment as the detection result of the amount of misalignment. Furthermore, the print control unit 21 may obtain the droplet diameter from the diameter of the droplet of the ejected object 78 as the detection result of the amount of ejection. If the droplet has a major axis and a minor axis, the print control unit 21 may determine the major axis as the droplet diameter, the minor axis as the droplet diameter, or the average of the major axis and the minor axis as the droplet diameter. Alternatively, the print control unit 21 may determine the area of ​​the discharged material 78 as a result of detecting the discharge amount, and acquire the area ratio as discharge amount information based on the area value of the standard discharged material 78. The print control unit 21 may also determine the area of ​​the discharged material 78, and acquire the discharge amount as volume and / or weight based on the area value of the standard discharged material 78.

[0038] Next, the print control unit 21 determines whether all the detection results of the nozzles that ejected fluid into the inspection area 71 this time have been recorded (S360). If all the detection results of the nozzles imaged this time have not been recorded, the print control unit 21 executes the processes from S340 onward. That is, the print control unit 21 sets the next nozzle and repeatedly executes the process of recording the detection results. On the other hand, if all the detection results of the nozzles imaged this time have been recorded in S360, the print control unit 21 feeds the film 77 along the feed direction D and causes the take-up roller 76 to take it up (S370, FIG. 8E). Next, the print control unit 21 determines whether the process of acquiring the detection results of all the nozzles has been completed (S380). If the process of acquiring the detection results of all the nozzles has not been completed, the print control unit 21 executes the processes from S310 onward. That is, the print control unit 21 ejects fluid into the inspection area 71 from nozzles for which no detection results have been obtained, and then causes the image capture unit 44 to capture the detection results. For example, if the first ejection head 32 has a large number of nozzles and one ejection of fluid onto the inspection area 71 is insufficient, the first ejection head 32 may be moved to eject the fluid multiple times.

[0039] On the other hand, when the process of acquiring the detection results for all nozzles is completed in S380, the print control unit 21 updates the detection result information 24 based on the detection results recorded in the memory unit 22 (S390) and then terminates this routine. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the detection result information 24, with FIG. 9A being an example of the detection result of the ejection position, and FIG. 9B being an example of the detection result of the ejection amount. The detection result information 24 includes the positional deviation in the X-axis direction and the positional deviation in the Y-axis direction as the ejection position, and the droplet diameter as the ejection amount. FIG. 9 also illustrates an example of the reference range of the reference information 25. The reference information 25 includes, as the reference ranges for the ejection position, a first ejection position reference range Px1, Py1, a second ejection position reference range Px2, Py2, and an acceptable ejection position range Ppx, Ppy. The reference information 25 also includes, as the reference ranges for the ejection amount, a first ejection amount reference range A1, a second ejection amount reference range A2, and an acceptable ejection amount range Ap.

[0040] Returning to the description of the object production processing routine, after S120 or when it is not inspection / maintenance time in S110, the print control unit 21 determines whether the execution mode has been set (S130). If the execution mode has not been set, the print control unit 21 acquires the execution mode specified by the operator and reads and acquires the detection result information 24 and the reference information 25 from the storage unit 22 (S140). The operator operates the operation panel 48 to input the execution mode in advance. The execution modes may include, for example, a high-resolution printing processing mode and a high-speed printing processing mode. The high-resolution printing processing mode is a mode in which nozzles within a first ejection position reference range Px1, Py1 are selected and used to obtain standard print results based on the detected ejection positions. Furthermore, the high-resolution printing processing mode is a mode in which nozzles within a first ejection amount reference range A1 are selected and used to obtain standard print results based on the detected ejection amount. The high-speed printing mode is a mode in which nozzles are selected and used within a second ejection position reference range Px2, Py2, where the detected ejection positions extend the number of nozzles used compared to the first ejection position reference range Px1, Py1. The high-speed printing mode is a mode in which nozzles are selected and used within a first ejection amount reference range A1, where the detected ejection amount is standard, to obtain print results. The high-speed printing mode is a mode in which nozzles are selected and used within a second ejection amount reference range A2, where the detected ejection amount extends the number of nozzles used compared to the first ejection amount reference range A1.

[0041] Next, the print control unit 21 checks the currently set execution mode (S150). If the execution mode is the high-resolution printing mode, the detection result information 24 and the reference information 25 are used to select nozzles within a first standard, such as the first ejection position standard range Px1, Py1 and the first ejection volume standard range A1 (S160). The selected nozzles are used in subsequent printing processes. In the high-resolution printing mode, nozzles with smaller ejection position deviations and ejection volume deviations are selected for use in the printing process. On the other hand, if the execution mode is the high-speed printing mode (S150), the detection result information 24 and the reference information 25 are used to select nozzles within a second standard, such as the second ejection position standard range Px2, Py2 and the second ejection volume standard range A2, in which the number of nozzles used is greater than within the first standard (S170). In the high-speed printing mode, even nozzles with larger ejection position deviations and ejection volume deviations are selected for use in the printing process.

[0042] After S160 or S170, or when the execution mode has been set in S130, the print control unit 21 checks the modeling process to be executed based on the modeling job information 23 (S180). If the process to be executed is a structural material ejection process, the print control unit 21 executes a first printing process using the first ejection head 32 (S190). The print control unit 21 executes a process to print a structural fluid based on a print image of the object, executes a planarization process using the planarization unit 29, and hardens the structural fluid using the first curing unit 34. This process forms a structure in the modeling region 61. Furthermore, if the process to be executed is a conductive material ejection process in S180, the print control unit 21 executes a second printing process using the second ejection head 37 (S200). In the second printing process, the print control unit 21 also executes a process to print a conductive fluid onto the target object based on the print image of the object. This process forms a model having a circuit E in the modeling region 61.

[0043] Furthermore, in S180, when the process to be executed is a coating process using the dispenser 43, the print control unit 21 executes the coating process using the coating head 42 (S210). In the coating process, the print control unit 21 causes the coating head 42 to execute the coating of underfill U, the coating of conductive material B, the coating of filler material F, and the like. The print control unit 21 also causes the pressing unit 45 to execute a hardening process of the liquid material. Furthermore, in S180, when the process to be executed is a mounting process of components P, the print control unit 21 causes the mounting transport unit of the working unit 50 to execute a carry-out process and a carry-in process of the pallet 60 to the mounting device 12 (S220). After carrying the pallet 60 into the mounting device 12, the mounting device 12 executes a placement process of the components P based on the mounting job information. Here, the mounting device 12 places the components P set in the mounting order on the shaped object based on the mounting job information. When the mounting process is completed and the object on which the component P is placed is transported into the printing device 11, the printing control unit 21 causes the dispenser 43 to apply the filler F as necessary and causes the pressing unit 45 to perform the pressing process.

[0044] After S190 to S220, the print control unit 21 determines whether all production processes have been completed (S230). If all production processes have not been completed, the print control unit 21 executes the processes from S110 onwards. On the other hand, if the production processes have been completed in S230, the print control unit 21 ends this routine. In this way, the print control unit 21 sets the nozzles to be used based on the detection result information 24 and produces a shaped object in various execution modes.

[0045] Here, the correspondence between the components of this embodiment and the components of the present disclosure will be clarified. The printing device 11 of this embodiment corresponds to an example of the printing device of the present disclosure, the inspection unit 70 corresponds to an example of the inspection section, the inspection area 71 corresponds to an example of the inspection area, the control device 20 corresponds to an example of the control device, the print control unit 21 corresponds to an example of the control unit, the detection result information 24 corresponds to an example of the detection result information, the reference information 25 corresponds to an example of the reference information, the first ejection head 32 and the second ejection head 37 correspond to an example of the ejection head, and the nozzle 32a and the nozzle 37a correspond to an example of the nozzle. Note that in this embodiment, by explaining the operation of the printing device 11, examples of the manufacturing method, printing device control method, and information processing method of the present disclosure will also be clarified.

[0046] The control device 20 of the present embodiment described above is used in a printing device that performs printing processes and includes an inspection unit 70 as an inspection section having a discharge head with multiple nozzles that discharge fluid onto a target object and an inspection area 71 that receives the fluid discharged from the discharge head. The control device 20 also includes a print control unit 21 that uses detection result information 24 that associates the detection results of detecting the discharge position and / or discharge amount of fluid discharged from each nozzle on the inspection area 71 based on the fluid discharged into the inspection area 71 with the nozzle, and selects nozzles based on reference information 25 that includes at least two or more different reference ranges of accuracy corresponding to the detection results, and executes the printing process. The control device 20 executes the printing process by selecting nozzles based on information on at least one of the nozzle discharge position and discharge amount and multiple reference ranges, thereby selecting nozzles according to the type of printing process. Therefore, the control device 20 can execute a more suitable type of printing process depending on the fluid discharge state. In addition, the print control unit 21 selects nozzles by setting a threshold level based on the ejection position accuracy and ejection volume (ejection diameter), and when high-precision modeling is required, the threshold can be raised and the number of selected nozzles can be reduced, and when high-speed modeling is required, the threshold can be lowered and the number of selected nozzles can be increased, prioritizing modeling speed.

[0047] The print control unit 21 also uses the nozzle ejection position as a detection result to execute two printing processes: a high-resolution printing process that selects and uses nozzles whose ejection position falls within the first ejection position reference range Px1, Py1; and a high-speed printing process that selects and uses nozzles whose ejection position falls within the second ejection position reference range Px2, Py1, where the ejection position is less accurate than the first ejection position reference range Px1, Py1, i.e., where the ejection position deviation is greater and the number of nozzles used is expanded. The control device 20 can execute printing processes that are more suitable for high-speed and high-resolution printing modes depending on the fluid ejection position. Furthermore, the print control unit 21 uses the nozzle ejection rate as a detection result to execute two printing processes: a high-resolution printing process that selects and uses nozzles whose ejection rate falls within the first ejection rate reference range A1, and a high-speed printing process that selects and uses nozzles whose ejection rate falls within the second ejection rate reference range A2, where the ejection rate is less accurate than the first ejection rate reference range A1, i.e., where the ejection rate deviation is greater and the number of nozzles used is expanded. The control device 20 can execute a printing process that is more suitable for high-speed, high-resolution printing depending on the fluid discharge amount. The print control unit 21 uses the nozzle discharge position and discharge amount as detection results and executes two printing processes: a high-resolution printing process that selects and uses nozzles whose discharge positions fall within a first discharge position reference range Px1, Py1 and whose discharge amounts fall within a first discharge amount reference range A1; and a high-speed printing process that selects and uses nozzles whose discharge positions fall within a second discharge position reference range Px2, Py2 and whose discharge amounts fall within a second discharge amount reference range A2 and whose discharge amounts fall within a second discharge amount reference range A2 and whose discharge amounts fall within a second discharge amount reference range A2 and whose discharge amounts fall within a second discharge amount reference range A2 and whose discharge amounts fall within a second discharge amount reference range A2 and whose discharge amounts fall within a second discharge amount reference range A2 and whose discharge positions fall within a second discharge amount reference range A2 and whose discharge amounts ... amounts fall within a second discharge amount reference range A2 and whose discharge positions fall within a second discharge amount reference range A1 and whose discharge amounts fall within a second discharge amount reference range A2 and whose discharge amounts fall within a second discharge amount reference range A2 and whose discharge amounts fall within a second discharge amount reference range A Furthermore, the print control unit 21 acquires an execution mode to be executed in the print process, which includes at least a high-resolution print process and a high-speed print process, and selects nozzles corresponding to the acquired execution mode based on the detection result information 24 and the reference information 25. This control device 20 can execute a print process that is more suitable for the print mode corresponding to the acquired execution mode.The print control unit 21 may acquire the execution mode based on an input from an operator, or may acquire the execution mode according to the execution job of the print process.

[0048] The printing device 11 also includes a discharge head having multiple nozzles that discharge fluid onto an object, an inspection unit 70 having an inspection area 71 that receives the fluid discharged from the discharge head, and the above-described control device 20. Because the printing device 11 includes the control device 20, it is possible to execute a more suitable printing process depending on the fluid discharge state. Furthermore, in the printing device 11, the discharge head is a discharge head for one or more three-dimensional modeling devices that either discharges a fluid that forms a model onto an object or discharges a fluid that forms a predetermined pattern on an object. In the printing device 11, it is possible to execute a more suitable printing process depending on the fluid discharge state in a three-dimensional modeling device that obtains a model as a printed object.

[0049] It goes without saying that the control device 20, printing device 11, and printing system 10 of the present disclosure are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be implemented in various forms as long as they fall within the technical scope of the present disclosure.

[0050] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the detection result information 24 includes the detection results of the ejection position and the ejection amount, but is not limited to this and may include either one. Similarly, the print control unit 21 may select nozzles based on either the ejection position or the ejection amount.

[0051] In the above-described embodiment, the reference information 25 includes two reference ranges, a first reference range and a second reference range, but is not limited to this and may include three or more reference ranges. Depending on the reference ranges, other execution modes, such as a standard print processing mode, an ultra-high speed print processing mode, and an ultra-high resolution print processing mode, may be added.

[0052] In the above-described embodiment, the control device 20 is described as executing high-resolution printing and high-speed printing. However, this is not limited thereto, and multiple reference ranges may be used when selecting nozzles. For example, the print control unit 21 may use the nozzle discharge rate as a detection result, select first nozzles whose discharge rate is greater than a predetermined range, and second nozzles whose discharge rate is less than the predetermined range, and distribute the first and second nozzles for use in the printing process. Here, the print control unit 21 may execute, for example, a normal printing mode in which nozzles within a first discharge rate reference range A1 are selected for printing, and a distributed printing process mode in which nozzles within the second discharge rate reference range A2 are selected and distributed for use, including first nozzles whose discharge rate exceeds the upper limit of the first discharge rate reference range A1 and is equal to or less than a second discharge rate reference range A2, and second nozzles whose discharge rate is below the lower limit of the first discharge rate reference range A1 and is equal to or greater than the lower limit of the second discharge rate reference range A2. Figure 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the distribution process of the discharged material 78. 10, the dispersion process distributes ejected objects 78a from nozzles with a high ejection rate and ejected objects 78b from nozzles with a low ejection rate, thereby distributing the ejected objects 78 more uniformly. Examples of the dispersion process include distributing ejected objects 78b near ejected objects 78a, and distributing ejected objects 78a near ejected objects 78b. With this control device 20, even if the fluid ejection rates are different, distributing the nozzles can produce a more suitable printed product.

[0053] In the above-described embodiment, the ejection head includes a first ejection head 32 which is a structural fluid ejection head and a second ejection head 37 which is a conductive fluid ejection head, but this is not particularly limited to this, and one of them may be omitted, or another ejection head may be included.

[0054] In the above-described embodiment, the printing device 11 is a three-dimensional modeling device that produces a modeled object, but is not limited to this as long as it produces a printed object. For example, the printing device 11 may be an inkjet printer that ejects a fluid such as ink onto a printing medium such as paper.

[0055] In the above-described embodiment, the present disclosure has been described as the printing system 10, but is not particularly limited to this, and may be the printing device 11 alone, or the control device 20 alone. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the printing system 10, the printing device 11, and the control device 20 are described, but the present disclosure may be a method for manufacturing a shaped object, a control method for the printing device 11, a printing method, or a program thereof.

[0056] The present disclosure may be configured as follows: For example, a printing method of the present disclosure is a printing method executed by a computer and used in a printing device that performs a printing process and that includes a discharge head having a plurality of nozzles that discharge a fluid onto an object and an inspection unit having an inspection area that receives the fluid discharged from the discharge head, the printing method including the steps of: using detection result information that associates detection results obtained by detecting the discharge positions and / or discharge amounts of the nozzles based on the fluid discharged into the inspection area with the nozzles; and selecting the nozzles according to reference information that includes at least two or more different reference ranges of accuracy according to the detection results, and performing the printing process.

[0057] In this printing method, similar to the control device described above, it is possible to select nozzles according to the mode of printing process, and therefore it is possible to execute a more suitable mode of printing process according to the ejection state of the fluid. Note that in this printing method, various modes of the control device described above may be adopted, or steps may be added that realize each function of the control device described above.

[0058] The manufacturing method disclosed herein is a manufacturing method for a molded object that is used in a printing device that performs a printing process and is executed by a computer, the printing device having an ejection head with multiple nozzles used in one or more three-dimensional modeling devices that either ejects a fluid that forms a molded object onto an object or ejects a fluid that forms a predetermined pattern on an object, and an inspection unit having an inspection area that receives the fluid ejected from the ejection head, and includes the steps of: using detection result information that detects the ejection position and / or ejection amount of the fluid ejected from each nozzle on the inspection area based on the fluid ejected into the inspection area and associates the detection results with the nozzle, and selecting the nozzles according to reference information that includes at least two or more different reference ranges of accuracy according to the detection results, and performing the printing process.

[0059] In this manufacturing method for a molded object, similar to the above-described control device, it is possible to select nozzles according to the mode of printing process, and therefore it is possible to execute a more suitable mode of printing process according to the ejection state of the fluid. Note that in this manufacturing method, various modes of the above-described control device may be adopted, or steps may be added that realize each function of the above-described control device.

[0060] This specification also discloses the technical idea of ​​changing "the control device according to claim 2 or 3" to "the control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3" in claim 4 as originally filed, the technical idea of ​​changing "the control device according to claim 1 or 2" to "the control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4" in claim 5 as originally filed, the technical idea of ​​changing "the control device according to claim 2 or 3" to "the control device according to any one of claims 1 to 5" in claim 6 as originally filed, and the technical idea of ​​changing "the control device according to claim 1 or 2" to "the control device according to any one of claims 1 to 6" in claim 7 as originally filed.

[0061] The present disclosure is applicable to the technical field of devices that eject fluids and manufacture shaped objects.

[0062] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 Printing system, 11 Printing device, 12 Mounting device, 13 Conveyance processing unit, 14 Component supply unit, 15 Feeder, 16 Imaging unit, 17 Mounting unit, 18 Head moving unit, 19 Mounting head, 20 Control device, 21 Print control unit, 22 Memory unit, 23 Forming job information, 24 Detection result information, 25 Reference information, 26 Moving unit, 27 Support unit, 28 Support moving unit, 29 Flattening unit, 30 First discharge unit, 32 First discharge head, 32a Nozzle, 33 First maintenance unit, 34 First curing unit, 35 Second discharge unit, 37 Second discharge head, 37a Nozzle, 38 Second maintenance unit, 39 Second curing unit, 40 Dispenser unit, 41 Application moving unit, 42 Application head, 43 Dispenser, 44 Imaging unit, 45 Pressing unit, 46 Pressing member, 47 Pressing and conveying unit, 48 Operation panel, 49 Communication unit, 50 Working unit, 51 First gantry, 52 Second gantry, 53 Third gantry, 54 Housing, 57 Discharge amount detection unit, 60 Pallet, 61 Printing area, 65 Object, 70 Inspection unit, 71 Inspection area, 72 Mark substrate, 73 Reference mark, 74 Feeding unit, 75 Feeding roller, 76 Winding roller, 77 Film, 78, 78a, 78b Discharged material, 80 Information processing device, 81 Information control unit, 82 Memory unit, 83 Printing job information, 84 Detection result information, 89 Communication unit, B Conductive material, C Cavity, D Feed direction, E Circuit, F Filler material, O Printed object, P Component, S Base material, T Tracking range, U Underfill.

Claims

1. A control device used in a printing device that performs a printing process and that is equipped with a discharge head having multiple nozzles that discharge fluid onto an object and an inspection unit that has an inspection area that receives the fluid discharged from the discharge head, wherein the control device uses detection result information that detects the discharge position and / or discharge amount of the fluid discharged from each nozzle on the inspection area based on the fluid discharged into the inspection area and associates the detection results with the nozzle, and selects the nozzle according to reference information that includes at least two or more different reference ranges of accuracy that correspond to the detection results, and performs the printing process.

2. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit uses the nozzle ejection position as the detection result and executes a high-resolution printing process in which nozzles whose ejection positions are within a first ejection position reference range are selected and used, and a high-speed printing process in which nozzles whose ejection positions are within a second ejection position reference range that is less accurate than the first ejection position reference range are selected and used.

3. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit uses the detection result as the discharge volume of the nozzle and executes a high-resolution printing process that selects and uses nozzles whose discharge volume falls within a first discharge volume standard range, and a high-speed printing process that selects and uses nozzles whose discharge volume falls within a second discharge volume standard range whose discharge volume is less precise than the first discharge volume standard range.

4. The control device described in claim 2 or 3, wherein the control unit uses the detection results for the ejection position and ejection volume of the nozzles and executes a high-resolution printing process in which the control unit selects and uses nozzles whose ejection positions are within a first ejection position reference range and whose ejection volumes are within a first ejection volume reference range, and a high-speed printing process in which the control unit selects and uses nozzles whose ejection positions are within a second ejection position reference range that is less accurate than the first ejection position reference range and whose ejection volumes are within a second ejection volume reference range that is less accurate than the first ejection volume reference range.

5. A control device as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit uses the detection result of the ejection volume of the nozzle, selects a first nozzle whose ejection volume is greater than a predetermined range, and a second nozzle whose ejection volume is less than the predetermined range, and distributes the first nozzle and the second nozzle for use in the printing process.

6. A control device as described in claim 2 or 3, wherein the control unit acquires an execution mode to be executed in a printing process including at least a high-resolution printing process and a high-speed printing process, and selects nozzles corresponding to the acquired execution mode based on the detection result information and reference information.

7. A printing device comprising: an ejection head having a plurality of nozzles that eject a fluid onto an object; an inspection unit having an inspection area that receives the fluid ejected from the ejection head; and the control device according to claim 1 or 2.

8. The printing device according to claim 7, wherein the ejection head is an ejection head for one or more three-dimensional modeling devices that ejects a fluid onto an object to form a model, or ejects a fluid onto an object to form a predetermined pattern.

9. A printing method executed by a computer and used in a printing device that performs printing processing and that is equipped with a discharge head having multiple nozzles that discharge fluid onto an object and an inspection unit that has an inspection area that receives the fluid discharged from the discharge head, the printing method including the steps of: using detection result information that associates the detection results, which detect the discharge position and / or discharge amount of the fluid discharged from each nozzle on the inspection area based on the fluid discharged into the inspection area, with the nozzle; and selecting the nozzle according to reference information that includes at least two or more different reference ranges of accuracy according to the detection results, and performing the printing processing.

10. A method for manufacturing a modeled object, which is used in a printing device that performs a printing process and is equipped with a discharge head having multiple nozzles used in one or more three-dimensional modeling devices that either discharges a fluid that forms a model onto an object or discharges a fluid that forms a predetermined pattern on an object, and an inspection unit that has an inspection area that receives the fluid discharged from the discharge head, and is executed by a computer, the method comprising the steps of: using detection result information that detects the discharge position and / or discharge amount of the fluid discharged from each nozzle on the inspection area based on the fluid discharged into the inspection area and associates the detection results with the nozzle, and selecting the nozzle according to reference information that includes at least two or more different reference ranges of accuracy according to the detection results, and performing the printing process.

Images