Printing Apparatus Conveyance Control for Slitter Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
The rigidity changes of print media due to various conditions such as type, ink application, temperature, and humidity lead to instability in tension, causing deterioration in cutting accuracy of slitters in existing printing apparatuses.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus with a correction unit that adjusts parameters of conveyance rollers based on information about the print medium, including the use of detection patterns to correct driving amounts and rotation speeds, ensuring optimal tension and accuracy during cutting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the rotation speed of downstream conveyance rollers is increased to apply tension to the print medium, then cutting accuracy is improved, but when print medium rigidity changes due to ink application or environmental conditions, the tension becomes insufficient or excessive causing floating or bending that deteriorates cutting accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyance roller rotation speeds are made dynamically adjustable rather than fixed. The system continuously monitors print medium rigidity through detection patterns and real-time ink application data, then dynamically adjusts the rotation speed difference between upstream and downstream rollers to maintain optimal tension regardless of rigidity changes caused by ink saturation or environmental conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where detection patterns printed on the medium are read back by sensors to determine actual rigidity characteristics. This feedback information, combined with ink application amount data, is used to automatically adjust conveyance roller speeds, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains cutting accuracy despite variations in medium properties.
Solution Approach 3:
The system changes the operational parameters (rotation speeds) of conveyance rollers based on detected print medium characteristics. By adjusting the rotation speed difference parameter according to measured rigidity and ink application conditions, the system adapts the tension applied to the medium to maintain optimal cutting conditions across varying operational scenarios.
2Manufacturing precision
If fixed rotation speeds are used for conveyance rollers, then device complexity is reduced, but cutting accuracy deteriorates when print medium rigidity varies due to ink application or environmental conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-adjustment by automatically detecting print medium rigidity through detection patterns and autonomously calculating the appropriate conveyance roller speeds. The control unit uses built-in algorithms to process detection results and ink application data, eliminating the need for external manual adjustment mechanisms while maintaining optimal cutting conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection patterns serve multiple functions: they act as test targets for rigidity measurement, provide reference marks for positioning, and enable the system to adapt to different print medium types. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate measurement devices while achieving both characterization and control objectives.
Data Source
AI summary
To provide a technology capable of appropriately suppressing deterioration in cutting accuracy of a slitter although the rigidity of a print medium changes, a printing apparatus is equipped with: a first conveyance unit configured to convey a print medium; a printing unit configured to print an image by applying ink to the print medium conveyed by the first conveyance unit; a cutting unit disposed on a downstream side in a conveyance direction in which the print medium is conveyed by the first conveyance unit and configured to cut the print medium, which is conveyed by the first conveyance unit, along the conveyance direction; and a second conveyance unit disposed on the cutting unit, and the printing apparatus includes a correction unit configured to correct a parameter related to conveyance of at least one of the first conveyance unit and the second conveyance unit, based on information about the print medium.