Inkjet Printing Mask Pattern Variation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printing using the multi-pass method often results in noticeable visible patterns due to overlapping identical patterns, which reduces print quality, especially in high-resolution printing and when the feed amount in the sub-scanning operation is small.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus and method that uses different masks for each main scanning operation to eject ink droplets to specific ejection positions, preventing the visibility of the mask pattern in the print result by shifting and varying the ejection positions relative to the nozzle spacing and ejection cycle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the multi-pass method is used to perform printing by ejecting ink droplets to part of ejection positions using a preset mask, then productivity is improved by reducing the number of ejection operations, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to noticeable visible patterns from overlapping identical mask patterns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the mask pattern variable rather than static. The controller dynamically changes the mask pattern for each main scanning operation, so that identical visible patterns do not overlap in the same positions across multiple passes. This dynamic adjustment eliminates the noticeable mask patterns while maintaining the productivity benefits of the multi-pass method.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of the mask pattern itself. Instead of using the same preset mask for all main scanning operations, the controller varies the mask pattern parameters (such as which ejection positions are selected) for each pass. This parameter variation prevents the formation of visible repeating patterns while still allowing selective ejection to part of the ejection positions, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and print quality.
2Manufacturing precision
If high-resolution printing is performed with a small mask size relative to the printing area, then manufacturing precision is improved, but object-generated harmful factors worsen due to more noticeable visible mask patterns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the mask pattern dynamic to prevent visible artifacts. Even though the mask size remains small relative to the printing area for high-resolution output, the controller changes the mask pattern for each main scanning operation. This ensures that the small mask patterns do not create noticeable visible patterns through overlapping, allowing high-resolution printing without the harmful visible artifacts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent varies the mask pattern parameters across multiple scanning operations. By changing which specific ejection positions are selected in each pass, the small mask size can be maintained for high resolution while the varying parameters prevent the formation of noticeable repeating patterns, thus eliminating the harmful visible artifacts.
3Manufacturing precision
If the feed amount in the sub scanning operation is reduced to increase the number of passes, then manufacturing precision is improved by adding more printing passes, but object-generated harmful factors worsen due to slightly shifted overlapping patterns creating visible mask patterns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by changing the mask pattern for each main scanning operation. Even though the feed amount is reduced and the number of passes is increased, causing slight shifts in overlapping patterns, the dynamic mask pattern ensures that identical visible patterns do not overlap in the same positions. This eliminates the visible mask patterns while maintaining the improved printing detail from the increased number of passes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent varies the mask pattern parameters for each pass. By changing which ejection positions are selected in each main scanning operation, the slight shifts caused by reduced feed amount do not result in visible repeating patterns. This allows the benefits of increased passes for printing detail while preventing the harmful visible mask patterns.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach effectively minimizes the visibility of the mask pattern, enhancing print quality by allowing for higher resolution and more appropriate printing without the noticeable artifacts of mask patterns.
Implementation Method 1
an inkjet head, configured to eject an ink droplet by the inkjet scheme
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure prevents a visible pattern corresponding to the pattern of a mask from being noticeable and enables more appropriate printing. A printing apparatus 10 performing printing by an inkjet scheme includes: an inkjet head 102; and a controller 20, configured to control the operation of a main scan driver 16 and a sub scan driver 18 to perform a main scanning operation multiple times on each position on a medium 50. In the main scanning operation, for at least part of ejection positions serving as ejection targets of ink droplets in the main scanning operation, the controller 20 causes the inkjet head 102 to eject an ink droplet in accordance with a mask for selecting part of the at least part of ejection positions. In the main scanning operation at one time, the controller 20 causes the inkjet head 102 to eject an ink droplet in accordance with a preset first mask. In the main scanning operation at another time different from the one time, the controller 20 causes the inkjet head 102 to eject an ink droplet in accordance with a second mask for selecting an ejection position in a pattern different from the first mask.