JP6940332B2 - Cutting device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a cutting device.

Conventionally, a cutting device for cutting a medium such as a recording paper or a plate-like body has been known. Further, a cutting device having a printing function for printing on a medium is known. For example, Patent Document 1 describes such a cutting device. In such a cutting device, for example, after printing an image on a medium, a process of cutting the periphery of the image on the medium with a cutter is performed. The position of the cut line with respect to the image is predetermined, and in order to cut the medium with high accuracy, it is necessary to minimize the positional deviation between the trajectory followed by the cutter and the predetermined cut line.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 15, when printing the image P on the medium M, a plurality of circular marks C1, C2, C3, and C4 are printed around the rectangular region W including the image P (for example, outside the four corners). Is being done. When cutting the medium M, the positions of the marks C1 to C4 are detected, and the cutter is positioned based on the positions of the marks C1 to C4. By using the marks C1 to C4 printed around the image P in this way, the positioning of the cutter can be performed with high accuracy, and the cutting accuracy can be improved. Patent Document 1 is mentioned as a prior art relating to this kind of cutting apparatus.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-260443

Here, in the cutting apparatus shown in Patent Document 1, the positions of the marks C1 to C4 are optically detected by a sensor including a light emitting element and a light receiving element. That is, the positions of the marks C1 to C4 are detected when the difference in the amount of light (for example, the voltage difference) between the reflected light reflected by the marks C1 to C4 and the reflected light reflected by the medium is equal to or more than a predetermined value. It is configured in.

By the way, when optically detecting a mark with a sensor provided with a light emitting element and a light receiving element, it has been found that it may be difficult to detect the mark depending on the material of a member (for example, a medium) provided with the mark. .. For example, when the reflectance of light in the member is relatively high, the difference in the amount of light between the amount of reflected light reflected by the medium and the amount of reflected light reflected by the mark does not exceed a predetermined value. Mark detection may not be successful.

The present invention has been made in view of this point, and an object of the present invention is to provide a cutting device capable of detecting a mark with high accuracy regardless of the material of the member provided with the mark.

The cutting device according to the present invention is provided with a mark composed of an image and a first color on the surface, and has a peripheral region located around the mark and having a second color different from the first color. A mounting table on which the medium is placed, a cutting head having a cutter arranged above the preceding table and cutting the medium mounted on the preceding table, and a cutting head control device for controlling the cutting head. A light emitting element that irradiates light toward the mark and the peripheral region, and a light receiving element that receives the reflected light reflected by the mark and the peripheral region, and the reflected light reflected by the mark. When the light amount difference, which is the difference between the first light receiving amount and the second light receiving amount of the reflected light reflected in the peripheral region, is equal to or more than a predetermined value, the mark detecting device for detecting the mark and the light emitting element It is provided with a light emitting amount control device for controlling the amount of light emitted. The light emitting amount control device reduces the amount of light emitted from the light emitting element so that the light amount difference becomes equal to or more than the predetermined value when the light amount difference is less than the predetermined value.

According to the cutting device of the present invention, when the light amount difference is less than a predetermined value, the light amount control device reduces the amount of light emitted from the light emitting element so that the light amount difference becomes equal to or more than the predetermined value. In this way, the difference in the amount of light can be increased by a simple control of reducing the amount of light emitted from the light emitting element, and the mark can be reliably detected even in a medium having a relatively high reflectance of light. Can be done.

The cutting apparatus according to the present invention is provided with a mark composed of an image and a first color on the surface, and has a peripheral region located around the mark and having a second color different from the first color. A mounting table on which the medium is placed, a cutting head having a cutter arranged above the preceding table and cutting the medium mounted on the preceding table, and a cutting head control device for controlling the cutting head. A light emitting element that irradiates light toward the mark and the peripheral region, and a light receiving element that receives the reflected light reflected in the mark and the peripheral region, and the reflected light reflected in the mark. When the light amount difference, which is the difference between the first light receiving amount and the second light receiving amount of the reflected light reflected in the peripheral region, is equal to or more than a predetermined value, the mark detecting device for detecting the mark and the above-mentioned stand are used. A print head that prints the image and the mark at a predetermined resolution on the mounted medium, and a print control device that controls the print head are provided. The print control device prints the mark at a resolution higher than the predetermined resolution by the print head so that the light amount difference becomes equal to or more than the predetermined value when the light amount difference is less than the predetermined value. do.

According to the cutting device of the present invention, when the light amount difference is less than a predetermined value, the print control device makes a mark at a resolution higher than a predetermined resolution by the print head so that the light amount difference becomes a predetermined value or more. Print. In this way, the difference in the amount of light can be increased by increasing the resolution of the mark printed on the medium, and the mark can be reliably detected even in a medium having a relatively high light reflectance.

The cutting apparatus according to the present invention is provided with a mark composed of an image and a first color on the surface, and has a peripheral region located around the mark and having a second color different from the first color. A mounting table on which the medium is placed, a cutting head having a cutter arranged above the preceding table and cutting the medium mounted on the preceding table, and a cutting head control device for controlling the cutting head. A light emitting element that irradiates light toward the mark and the peripheral region, and a light receiving element that receives the reflected light reflected by the mark and the peripheral region, and the reflected light reflected by the mark. When the light amount difference, which is the difference between the first light receiving amount and the second light receiving amount of the reflected light reflected in the peripheral region, is equal to or more than a predetermined value, the mark detecting device for detecting the mark and the above-mentioned stand are used. It includes a print head that prints the image and the mark on the mounted medium, and a print control device that controls the print head. When the light amount difference is less than the predetermined value, the print control device applies a first color to a portion of the peripheral area adjacent to the mark so that the light amount difference becomes equal to or more than the predetermined value. Prints a colored region composed of different third colors by the print head.

According to the cutting apparatus of the present invention, when the light amount difference is less than a predetermined value, the print control device is the first in the peripheral region adjacent to the mark so that the light amount difference becomes equal to or more than a predetermined value. A printing head prints a colored area composed of a third color different from the color. In this way, the difference in the amount of light can be increased by printing the area composed of the third color on the portion adjacent to the mark, and the mark is ensured even in a medium having a relatively high light reflectance. Can be detected.

The cutting apparatus according to the present invention includes a mounting table on which a medium is placed, a print head that prints an image on the medium mounted on the above-mentioned stand, a print control device that controls the print head, and a surface surface. A mark composed of a first color is provided, has a peripheral region located around the mark and having a second color different from the first color, and an image is printed on the medium by the print head. Cutting having a plate member that is placed on the pre-described pedestal and presses the medium against the pre-described pedestal, and a cutter that is arranged above the pre-described pedestal and cuts the medium placed on the pre-described pedestal. A head, a cutting head control device that controls the cutting head, a light emitting element that irradiates light toward the mark and the peripheral area, and a light receiving element that receives the reflected light reflected in the mark and the peripheral area. When the difference in the amount of light, which is the difference between the first received amount of the reflected light reflected by the mark and the second received amount of the reflected light reflected in the peripheral region, is equal to or more than a predetermined value. A mark detection device for detecting the mark and a light emission amount control device for controlling the amount of light emitted from the light emitting element are provided. The light emitting amount control device reduces the amount of light emitted from the light emitting element so that the light amount difference becomes equal to or more than the predetermined value when the light amount difference is less than the predetermined value.

According to the cutting device of the present invention, when the light amount difference is less than a predetermined value, the light amount control device reduces the amount of light emitted from the light emitting element so that the light amount difference becomes equal to or more than the predetermined value. In this way, the difference in the amount of light can be increased by a simple control of reducing the amount of light emitted from the light emitting element, and the mark can be reliably detected even in a plate member having a relatively high reflectance of light. be able to.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a cutting device capable of detecting a mark with high accuracy regardless of the material of the member provided with the mark.

It is a perspective view of the cutting apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a top view of the surface side of the medium provided with the image and the mark which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a front view which shows the state which the print head unit and the cutting head unit which concerns on 1st Embodiment are connected. It is a front view which shows the state which the print head unit and the cutting head unit which concerns on 1st Embodiment are separated. It is a front view of the cutting head unit which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram of the cutting apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram of the control device which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a graph which shows the relationship between the peripheral area and the voltage of a mark when a mark cannot be detected. It is a graph which shows the relationship between the peripheral area and the voltage of a mark when a mark can be detected. It is a flowchart which showed the procedure of printing and cutting of the medium in the cutting apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram of the control device which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which showed the procedure of printing and cutting of the medium in the cutting apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a block diagram of the control device which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a top view of the surface side of the medium provided with the image and the mark which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which showed the procedure of printing and cutting of the medium in the cutting apparatus which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the state which the media clamp which concerns on 4th Embodiment is placed on a platen. It is a top view of the surface side of the medium on which the conventional crop mark is printed.

Hereinafter, the cutting device according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The cutting device according to the present embodiment is a printing and cutting machine that prints on a medium and cuts the medium. It should be noted that the embodiments described here are, of course, not intended to particularly limit the present invention. In addition, members and parts that perform the same action are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations will be omitted or simplified as appropriate.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a cutting device 10 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the cutting device 10 prints on the medium 5. The cutting device 10 cuts the medium 5. In the present specification, "cutting" and "cutting" include a case where the entire medium 5 is cut in the thickness direction and a case where a part of the medium 5 in the thickness direction is cut.

In the following description, left, right, top, and bottom mean left, right, top, and bottom as seen from the operator in front of the cutting device 10. Further, the side approaching the worker from the cutting device 10 is the front side, and the side away from the cutting device 10 is the rear side. The symbols F, Rr, L, R, U, and D in the drawings represent front, rear, left, right, top, and bottom, respectively. The reference numeral Y in the drawing represents the main scanning direction. In the present embodiment, the main scanning direction Y is the left-right direction. The main scanning direction Y is, for example, the width direction of the medium 5. Reference numeral X in the drawing represents a sub-scanning direction. The sub-scanning direction X is a direction that intersects with the main scanning direction Y (for example, a direction that intersects vertically in a plan view). In the present embodiment, the sub-scanning direction X is the front-back direction. However, the above direction is only for convenience and should not be interpreted in a limited way.

The medium 5 of the present embodiment is a recording paper formed in a sheet shape from a resin material such as polyvinyl chloride or polyester, for example. The medium 5 is not particularly limited as long as it is at least a medium capable of cutting. The medium 5 may be a resin plate formed of an acrylic resin or the like, a metal plate formed of aluminum, iron or the like, a glass plate, a wood plate, a corrugated sheet or the like, or a plate-like body having a relatively heavy thickness and weight. , Plain paper and other papers may be used. The medium 5 may have a glossy surface. The medium 5 can be formed of a material having a high light reflectance.

As shown in FIG. 2, an image 60 and four marks 62A, 62B, 62C, and 62D are provided on the surface of the medium 5. The marks 62A to 62D are provided outside the four corners of the rectangular area 60W including the image 60, respectively. The marks 62A to 62D are composed of the first color. The first color is, for example, black. Here, the marks 62A to 62D are formed by black circles. However, the shapes of the marks 62A to 62D are not limited to circles. The marks 62A to 62D are provided diagonally upward to the left, diagonally upward to the right, diagonally downward to the left, and diagonally downward to the right in FIG. 2, respectively, in the rectangular area 60W. The mark 62B is separated from the mark 62A in the main scanning direction Y. The mark 62C is separated from the mark 62A in the sub-scanning direction X. The mark 62D is separated from the mark 62B in the sub-scanning direction X and is separated from the mark 62C in the main scanning direction Y. In this embodiment, the shapes and sizes of the marks 62A to 62D are all the same. However, some of the marks 62A-62D may differ in shape or size from the other parts. The four marks 62A to 62D are printed, for example, by the ink head 32 (see FIG. 3A) of the print head unit 30 (see FIG. 3A) described later. The medium 5 has peripheral regions 63 located around the four marks 62A to 62D, respectively. The peripheral region 63 has a second color different from the first color. The second color is, for example, white. In the present embodiment, the surface color of the medium 5 is white. The "image" is an image formed on the medium 5 by the print head unit 30, and the content thereof is not particularly limited. The image includes characters, symbols, figures, photographs and the like. Further, the upper part and the lower part of FIG. 2 represent the rear side and the front side, respectively. In the cutting device 10, printing is performed while moving the medium 5 forward.

As shown in FIG. 1, the cutting device 10 includes a main body 12, a left side cover 16L, a right side cover 16R, an upper cover 17, a central wall 18, a platen 20, a grit roller 22, and a pinch roller 24. A guide rail 26, a belt 28, a printing head unit 30, and a cutting head unit 40 are provided.

The main body 12 is supported by the stand 14. The main body 12 extends in the main scanning direction Y. The left side cover 16L is provided at the left end of the main body 12. The right side cover 16R is provided at the right end of the main body 12. The upper cover 17 is provided above the main body portion 12. The upper cover 17 connects the left side cover 16L and the right side cover 16R. The main body 12 is provided with a central wall 18 extending in the vertical direction. The central wall 18 extends in the main scanning direction Y. The central wall 18 connects the left side cover 16L and the right side cover 16R.

As shown in FIG. 1, the main body 12 is provided with a platen 20 on which the medium 5 is placed. The platen 20 is an example of a mounting table. The platen 20 is provided with a cylindrical grit roller 22. The grit roller 22 is embedded in the platen 20 with its upper surface exposed. The grit roller 22 is driven by a feed motor 38 (see FIG. 5). The grit roller 22 is an example of a moving device that moves the medium 5 in the sub-scanning direction X. A plurality of pinch rollers 24 are arranged above the grit roller 22. The pinch roller 24 faces the grit roller 22. The pinch roller 24 is configured so that the position in the vertical direction can be set according to the thickness of the medium 5. The medium 5 is sandwiched between the pinch roller 24 and the grit roller 22. The grit roller 22 and the pinch roller 24 are configured so that the medium 5 can be moved in the sub-scanning direction X while holding the medium 5.

As shown in FIG. 1, the guide rail 26 is provided on the central wall 18. The guide rail 26 is arranged above the platen 20. The guide rail 26 is arranged parallel to the platen 20. The guide rail 26 extends in the main scanning direction Y. The carriage 31 of the printing head unit 30 (see FIG. 3A) and the carriage 41 of the cutting head unit 40 (see FIG. 3A) are engaged with the guide rail 26.

As shown in FIG. 1, the belt 28 is arranged parallel to the wall surface of the central wall 18. The belt 28 extends in the main scanning direction Y. The belt 28 is an endless belt. Pulleys (not shown) are wound around the right and left ends of the belt 28. One pulley is connected to a carriage motor 39 (see FIG. 5) that drives the pulley. When the carriage motor 39 rotates, the pulley rotates, and the belt 28 travels in the main scanning direction Y.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the print head unit 30 includes a carriage 31 and an ink head 32 mounted on the carriage 31. The ink head 32 is an example of a print head. The ink head 32 is arranged above the platen 20. The ink head 32 includes a nozzle 33 for ejecting ink. The ink head 32 ejects ink onto the medium 5 placed on the platen 20 and prints an image 60 (see FIG. 2) and marks 62A to 62D. Here, five ink heads 32 are mounted on the carriage 31. The five ink heads 32 eject five different colors, for example, yellow ink, magenta ink, cyan ink, black ink, and white ink. However, the number of ink heads 32 is not limited to five. Further, the color of the ink ejected by the ink head 32 is not limited at all. The ink may be, for example, a solvent-based ink (solvent-based ink), a water-based ink, or an ultraviolet curable ink (UV ink) that is cured by receiving ultraviolet rays. Solvent-based inks contain volatile organic solvents. The water-based ink may contain at least a coloring material (colorant), resin particles (binder resin), and water as a solvent, and may further contain a water-soluble solvent as the solvent. A water-based dye ink contains a dye as a coloring material, and a water-based pigment ink contains a pigment as a coloring material. The ink head 32 ejects, for example, water-based ink.

As shown in FIG. 1, the cutting head unit 40 is arranged on the left side of the print head unit 30. The cutting head unit 40 may be arranged on the right side of the print head unit 30. As shown in FIG. 4, the cutting head unit 40 includes a cutting head 40A and a carriage 41. The cutting head 40A is mounted on the carriage 41. The cutting head 40A is arranged above the platen 20. The cutting head 40A includes a cover 42, a cutter 43, and a cutter moving mechanism 44. As shown in FIG. 3A, the carriage 41 is fixed to the belt 28. When the belt 28 travels, the carriage 41 moves along the guide rail 26 in the main scanning direction Y. The cover 42 is detachably provided on the carriage 41. The cover 42 is arranged so as to cover the voice coil motor 50 (see FIG. 5) of the cutter moving mechanism 44. The cover 42 is arranged so as not to cover the cutter 43.

The cutter 43 cuts the medium 5 placed on the platen 20. The cutter 43 cuts the medium 5 along the cut line 65 (see FIG. 2). The cutter 43 is provided in the cutter moving mechanism 44. The cutter 43 is configured to be movable in the vertical direction. As shown in FIG. 3A, the cutter 43 is provided on the left side of the cover 42. The cutter 43 may be provided on the right side of the cover 42. As shown in FIG. 4, the cutter 43 extends in a rod shape. The cutter 43 includes a main body case 43a that is detachably supported by the cutter moving mechanism 44, and a blade 43b that is arranged inside the main body case 43a and is exposed to the outside from the lower end of the main body case 43a. The medium 5 (see FIG. 1) is cut by the blade 43b of the cutter 43. As described above, the cutter 43 is moved by the carriage 41 in the main scanning direction Y. Therefore, the blade 43b of the cutter 43 moves in the main scanning direction Y.

The cutter moving mechanism 44 includes a voice coil motor 50 (see FIG. 5) that moves the cutter 43 in directions that approach and separate from the medium 5. In the present embodiment, the cutter moving mechanism 44 moves the cutter 43 in the vertical direction. As shown in FIG. 4, the cutter moving mechanism 44 is provided on the carriage 41. That is, the cutter 43 and the cutter moving mechanism 44 are provided on the carriage 41 and reciprocate in the main scanning direction Y. The carriage 41 moves the cutter 43 and the cutter moving mechanism 44 in the main scanning direction Y.

As shown in FIG. 4, the cutting device 10 includes a sensor 55. The sensor 55 is an example of a mark detection device. The sensor 55 detects marks 62A to 62D (see FIG. 2) provided on the medium 5. The sensor 55 is provided on the cutting head 40A. The sensor 55 is arranged at a position of the cutting head 40A facing the platen 20. The sensor 55 is arranged below the cover 42. The sensor 55 includes a main body 56, a light emitting element 57, and a light receiving element 58. The light emitting element 57 and the light receiving element 58 are provided in the main body 56. The light emitting element 57 is composed of, for example, an LED (that is, a light emitting diode) or the like. The light emitting element 57 irradiates light toward the marks 62A to 62D provided on the medium 5. The light emitting element 57 irradiates light toward the peripheral region 63 of the marks 62A to 62D provided on the medium 5. The amount of light emitted from the light emitting element 57 can be changed. That is, the amount of light emitted from the light emitting element 57 can be changed by changing the value of the current flowing through the light emitting element 57. The light receiving element 58 is composed of, for example, a photodiode or the like. The light receiving element 58 is provided at the same height position as the height position of the light emitting element 57. The light receiving element 58 receives the reflected light reflected by the marks 62A to 62D. The light receiving element 58 receives the reflected light reflected in the peripheral region 63 of the marks 62A to 62D provided on the medium 5.

The sensor 55 has a predetermined light amount difference, which is the difference between the first light receiving amount of the reflected light reflected at the marks 62A to 62D and the second light receiving amount of the reflected light reflected at the peripheral region 63 (see FIG. 2). When it is equal to or more than the value, the marks 62A to 62D provided on the medium 5 are detected. In the present embodiment, the sensor 55 converts the first received light amount and the second received light amount received by the light receiving element 58 into voltage values, and the first voltage value converted from the first received light amount and the second received light amount. When the voltage difference, which is the difference from the second voltage value converted from the above, is a predetermined value (for example, about 0.7V to about 1.0V) or more, the marks 62A to 62D provided on the medium 5 are detected. .. The type of the sensor 55 is not particularly limited, and various conventionally used sensors such as an optical sensor can be preferably used.

As shown in FIG. 3A, a connecting member 90 composed of magnets is provided on the left side portion of the carriage 31 of the print head unit 30. The connecting member 90 is detachably connected to the connecting member 91 provided on the carriage 41 of the cutting head unit 40. In the present embodiment, the connecting members 90 and 91 utilize magnetic force. However, the connecting members 90 and 91 are not limited to those that utilize magnetic force, and may have other configurations such as an engaging member. A receiving metal fitting 92 formed in an L shape is provided on the right side portion of the carriage 31.

As shown in FIG. 3A, a left side frame 15L is arranged at the left end portion of the platen 20. A right side frame 15R is arranged at the right end of the platen 20. The right side frame 15R is provided with a lock device 93 for locking the print head unit 30 to the standby position. The locking device 93 is a locking solenoid 95 (see FIG. 5) that moves the receiving metal fitting 94 hooked on the receiving metal fitting 92 and the receiving metal fitting 94 between the locked position (see FIG. 3B) and the unlocked position (see FIG. 3A). ) And. The locking solenoid 95 is controlled by a control device 70 (see FIG. 5) described later.

As shown in FIG. 3A, when printing is performed by the print head unit 30, the receiving metal fitting 94 is set to the unlocked position. When the carriage 41 of the cutting head unit 40 moves to the right and the connecting member 90 and the connecting member 91 come into contact with each other, the carriage 41 and the carriage 31 are connected. As a result, the print head unit 30 can move together with the cutting head unit 40 in the main scanning direction Y. On the other hand, at the time of cutting by the cutting head unit 40, as shown in FIG. 3B, the print head unit 30 is positioned at the standby position, and the receiving metal fitting 94 of the locking device 93 is set at the locking position. This prevents the print head unit 30 from moving. When the carriage 41 moves to the left, the connecting member 90 and the connecting member 91 are separated from each other, and the connection between the carriage 41 and the carriage 31 is released. As a result, the cutting head unit 40 can move in the main scanning direction Y while the print head unit 30 stands by at the standby position.

As shown in FIG. 1, an operation panel 19 is provided on the front portion of the right side cover 16R. The operation panel 19 is provided with a display unit for displaying the printing or cutting status, an input key operated by the user, and the like. The operation panel 19 is connected to a control device 70 that controls various operations of the cutting device 10.

As shown in FIG. 5, the control device 70 is a device that controls printing on the medium 5 and cutting of the medium 5. The configuration of the control device 70 is not particularly limited. The control device 70 is, for example, a microcomputer. The hardware configuration of the microcomputer is not particularly limited, but for example, an interface (I / F) for receiving print data or the like from an external device such as a host computer, and a central processing unit (CPU: CPU) for executing control program instructions. Central processing unit), ROM (read only memory) that stores programs executed by the CPU, RAM (random access memory) that is used as a working area for deploying programs, memory that stores programs and various data, etc. It is equipped with a storage device. As shown in FIG. 1, the control device 70 is provided inside the cutting device 10. The control device 70 is connected to the external computer 87 via the interface 86 so as to be able to communicate by wire or wirelessly. The computer 87 stores data for printing and cutting. The control device 70 receives data from the computer 87 and controls the feed motor 38, the carriage motor 39, the locking solenoid 95 of the lock device 93, the voice coil motor 50, and the ink head 32. An input device 88 including a keyboard, a mouse, and the like, and a display device 89 including a liquid crystal display and the like are connected to the computer 87.

As shown in FIG. 6, the control device 70 includes a storage unit 71, a print control unit 72, a mark detection unit 75, a determination unit 78, a light emission amount control unit 79, and a cutting control unit 80. There is. The functions of each part of the control device 70 described above are realized by a program. This program is read from a recording medium such as a CD or DVD. This program may be downloaded via the Internet. Further, the functions of each part of the control device 70 may be realized by a processor and / or a circuit or the like.

The storage unit 71 stores print data for printing an image and cut data indicating a cut line for the image and which is cut by the cutter 43. These data are transmitted from, for example, an external computer 87. Further, for each type of medium 5, the amount of light emitted (current value) of the light emitting element 57 of the sensor 55 capable of detecting the marks 62A to 62D provided on the medium 5 is stored.

The print control unit 72 executes control for printing an image on the surface of the medium 5 by the ink head 32. In the present embodiment, the print control unit 72 drives the carriage motor 39 to move the ink head 32 in the main scanning direction Y via the carriage 41, and ejects ink from each nozzle 33 of the ink head 32. As a result, one scanning line is printed. When the movement of the ink head 32 in the main scanning direction Y is completed, the feed motor 38 is driven to move the medium 5 in the sub-scanning direction X to the position of the next scanning line. When the movement of the sub-scanning direction X of the medium 5 is completed, the carriage motor 39 is driven again and the ink head 32 is driven to print the next scanning line. Hereinafter, the same operation is repeated until the end of printing.

The print control unit 72 includes an image printing unit 73 and a mark printing unit 74. For example, when image data for printing is transmitted from the computer 87 to the control device 70, the image printing unit 73 prints the image 60 (see FIG. 2), and the mark printing unit 74 prints the marks 62A to 62D. The image data is associated with the positional relationship between the image 60, the rectangular area 60W, and the marks 62A to 62D in advance.

The mark detection unit 75 detects the marks 62A to 62D provided on the medium 5. The mark detection unit 75 drives the carriage motor 39 and the feed motor 38 to move the sensor 55 two-dimensionally relative to the medium 5. The mark detection unit 75 controls the movement of the sensor 55 so as to detect the periphery of the four corners of the rectangular region 60W of the medium 5. The detection of the marks 62A to 62D is performed in the order of, for example, the lower left mark 62C, the lower right mark 62D, the upper left mark 62A, and the upper right mark 62B. The mark detection unit 75 irradiates the medium 5 with a predetermined amount of light emitted from the light emitting element 57 of the sensor 55. At this time, the reflected light reflected in the peripheral region 63 of the medium 5 and the marks 62A to 62D is received by the light receiving element 58 of the sensor 55.

The determination unit 78 determines whether or not the light amount difference, which is the difference between the first light receiving amount and the second light receiving amount received by the light receiving element 58 of the sensor 55, is equal to or more than a predetermined value. The determination unit 78 determines whether or not the voltage difference, which is the difference between the first voltage value converted from the first light receiving amount and the second voltage value converted from the second light receiving amount, is equal to or more than a predetermined value. do. A predetermined value is set in advance and is stored in the storage unit 71. If it is equal to or more than a predetermined value, the positions of marks 62A to 62D are detected. On the other hand, if it is less than a predetermined value, the positions of the marks 62A to 62D are not detected.

The light emitting amount control unit 79 controls the amount of light emitted from the light emitting element 57 of the sensor 55. The light emitting amount control unit 79 is irradiated from the light emitting element 57 so that when the light amount difference, which is the difference between the first light receiving amount and the second light receiving amount, is less than a predetermined value, the light amount difference becomes equal to or more than a predetermined value. Reduce the amount of light emitted. The light emitting amount control unit 79 reduces the value of the current flowing through the light emitting element 57, for example. In the light emitting amount control unit 79, when the light emitting amount emitted from the light emitting element 57 is changed (that is, when the current value flowing through the light emitting element 57 is reduced), the changed light emitting amount (current value) is stored in the storage unit 71. Is remembered in.

Here, as shown in FIG. 7A, when the reflectance of light in the medium 5 is relatively high, when a current of, for example, 10 mA is passed through the light emitting element 57 of the sensor 55, the voltage value of the peripheral region 63 is about 0.2 V. Yes, the voltage value of the mark 62A is about 0.5V, and the voltage difference is about 0.5V. In this case, since the voltage difference is smaller than a predetermined value (0.7V in this case), the mark 62A cannot be detected. This is because the light reflectance of the medium 5 is high, so that the mark 62A reflects a larger amount of light than the medium having a low reflectance. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7B, when the current value flowing through the light emitting element 57 of the sensor 55 is reduced and a current of, for example, 6 mA is passed through the light emitting element 57, the voltage value in the peripheral region 63 does not change to about 0.2 V. However, the voltage value of the mark 62A is about 1.0 V, and the voltage difference is about 0.8 V. In this case, since the voltage difference is larger than a predetermined value (0.7V in this case), the mark 62A can be detected. As described above, the present inventor can reduce the amount of light emitted (current value) of the light emitting element 57 from the light emitting element 57 at the mark 62A of the medium 5 even when the reflectance of light in the medium 5 is high. It was discovered that the amount of reflected light of the light can be reduced and the mark 62A can be detected. 7A and 7B are examples when the sensor 55 is scanned in the order of the peripheral region 63, the mark 62A, and the peripheral region 63.

The cutting control unit 80 executes control for cutting the medium 5 by the cutter 43 of the cutting head 40A. In the present embodiment, the cutting control unit 80 drives the carriage motor 39 and the feed motor 38 to move the cutter 43 two-dimensionally relative to the medium 5. When the voice coil motor 50 is turned on, the cutter 43 can be pressed against the medium 5. By moving the cutting head 40A relative to the medium 5 while pressing the cutter 43 against the medium 5, the medium 5 can be cut along an arbitrary cut line.

The cutting control unit 80 includes a positioning control unit 81 and a cut line cutting unit 82. The positioning control unit 81 positions the cutting head 40A prior to cutting the medium 5 along the cut line 65 (see FIG. 2). Positioning of the cutting head 40A is performed using three or more of the four marks 62A to 62D. That is, the cutting control unit 80 positions the cutting head 40A based on the positions of three or more of the four marks 62A to 62D. Since the method of detecting the positions of the marks 62A to 62D by the sensor 55 and positioning the cutting head 40A using the detected marks 62A to 62D is well known, the specific description thereof will be omitted here. .. The cut line cutting unit 82 cuts the medium 5 along the cut line 65 after the position of the cutting head 40A is determined by the positioning control unit 81.

Next, an example of the operation of the cutting device 10 will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a procedure for printing and cutting the medium 5 in the cutting device 10.

In step S10, the operator, for example, operates an external computer 87 to determine printing of a predetermined image 60 on the medium 5 and cutting of the medium 5. As a result, print data and cut line data are transmitted from the computer 87 to the control device 70. Each transmitted data is stored in the storage unit 71. At this time, the operator places the medium 5 on the platen 20 in advance.

In step S20, the print control unit 72 controls the ink head 32 to print the images 60 and the marks 62A to 62D on the surface of the medium 5 at a predetermined resolution based on the print data stored in the storage unit 71. At this time, the image printing unit 73 prints the image 60, and the mark printing unit 74 prints the marks 62A to 62D.

In step S30, the mark detection unit 75 controls the movement of the sensor 55 so as to detect the periphery of the four corners of the rectangular region 60W of the medium 5. At this time, the light emitting element 57 of the sensor 55 irradiates a predetermined amount of light, and the light receiving element 58 receives the reflected light reflected in the marks 62A to 62D and the peripheral region 63.

In step S40, the determination unit 78 determines whether or not the light amount difference, which is the difference between the first light receiving amount and the second light receiving amount received by the light receiving element 58 of the sensor 55, is equal to or more than a predetermined value. If the light intensity difference is less than a predetermined value, the positions of the marks 62A to 62D are not detected, and the process proceeds to step S50. On the other hand, when the difference in light intensity is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the positions of the marks 62A to 62D are detected, and the process proceeds to step S60.

In step S50, the light emitting amount control unit 79 is a light emitting element so that when the light amount difference, which is the difference between the first light receiving amount and the second light receiving amount, is less than a predetermined value, the light amount difference becomes equal to or more than a predetermined value. The amount of light emitted from 57 is reduced. Then, the process returns to step S30.

In step S60, the positioning control unit 81 positions the cutting head 40A.

In step S70, the cut line cutting portion 82 cuts the medium 5 along the cut line 65. In this way, the cutting device 10 prints on the medium 5 and cuts the medium 5.

As described above, according to the cutting device 10 of the present embodiment, when the light amount difference is less than a predetermined value, the light emitting amount control unit 79 irradiates from the light emitting element 57 so that the light amount difference becomes equal to or more than a predetermined value. Reduce the amount of light emitted. In this way, the difference in the amount of light can be increased by a simple control of reducing the amount of light emitted from the light emitting element 57, and the marks 62A to 62D are surely secured even in a medium having a relatively high reflectance of light. Can be detected.

The cutting device 10 of the present embodiment ejects water-based ink onto the medium 5 placed on the platen 20 to print the images 60 and marks 62A to 62D, and a print control unit 72 that controls the ink heads 32. And have. The water-based ink is more susceptible to the material of the printed medium 5 than the solvent ink. That is, when the reflectance of the medium 5 is relatively high, the reflectance of the marks 62A to 62D printed on the medium 5 also tends to be high. However, in the cutting device 10 of the present embodiment, the difference in the amount of light can be increased by reducing the amount of light emitted from the light emitting element 57, so that even the medium 5 having a relatively high reflectance of light can be used. Marks 62A to 62D can be reliably detected. As described above, the cutting device 10 of the present embodiment can be particularly preferably used when the marks 62A to 62D are printed with the water-based ink.

According to the cutting device 10 of the present embodiment, the positioning control unit 81 has a total of four marks 62A to 62D printed on the surface of the medium 5 on the outside of each of the four corners of the rectangular area 60W including the image 60. The cutting head 40A is positioned based on three or more positions of the marks 62A to 62D. As a result, the cutting head 40A can be positioned with high accuracy, and the accuracy of cutting the medium 5 by the cutter 43 can be improved.

The cutting device 10 of the present embodiment is equipped with a cutting head 40A and includes a carriage 41 that can move in the main scanning direction Y. The sensor 55 is provided at a position of the cutting head 40A facing the platen 20. By moving the sensor 55 and the cutting head 40A by the common carriage 41 in this way, it is not necessary to separately provide the carriage and the like of the sensor 55, and the structure and control of the cutting device 10 are simplified.

<Second Embodiment>
FIG. 9 is a block diagram of the control device 70 according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, the control device 70 includes a resolution changing unit 83 instead of the light emitting amount control unit 79. The print control unit 72 includes a resolution changing unit 83.

The storage unit 71 stores the resolution (printing resolution: dpi) when printing the marks 62A to 62D on the medium 5. Here, the higher the resolution, the higher the density of ink droplets at the marks 62A to 62D. As a result, at the marks 62A to 62D, the area of the medium 5 from which the ink was not ejected becomes small, and the density of the marks 62A to 62D becomes high. That is, by printing the marks 62A to 62D on the medium 5 with a high resolution, the reflectance of light is lowered as compared with the marks 62A to 62D printed with a low resolution, and as a result, the light emitting element 57 has the same current value. Even if a current is passed through the light receiving element 58, a low light receiving amount (high voltage value) can be detected. In other words, the difference in the amount of light, which is the difference between the first received amount and the second received amount, becomes large.

The resolution changing unit 83 changes the resolution when printing the marks 62A to 62D. The resolution changing unit 83 increases the resolution so that when the light amount difference, which is the difference between the first light receiving amount and the second light receiving amount, is less than a predetermined value, the light amount difference becomes equal to or more than a predetermined value. When the resolution is changed in the resolution changing unit 83, the changed resolution is stored in the storage unit 71.

The mark printing unit 74 prints the marks 62A to 62D on the medium 5 at a predetermined resolution. When the resolution is changed by the resolution changing unit 83, the marks 62A to 62D are printed on the medium 5 at the changed resolution.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart according to a second embodiment showing a procedure for printing and cutting the medium 5 in the cutting device 10. The description of the same processing as that of the first embodiment will be omitted.

In step S52, the resolution changing unit 83 sets the marks 62A to greater than or equal to the predetermined value when the light amount difference, which is the difference between the first light receiving amount and the second light receiving amount, is less than a predetermined value. Increase the resolution when printing 62D. Then, the process returns to step S20. In step S20, the new medium 5 is remounted on the platen 20, and the print control unit 72 prints the image 60 and the marks 62A to 62D at the changed resolution.

As described above, according to the cutting device 10 of the present embodiment, the resolution changing unit 83 increases the resolution so that the light amount difference becomes the predetermined value or more when the light amount difference is less than the predetermined value. Then, the mark printing unit 74 prints the marks 62A to 62D by the ink head 32 at a changed resolution higher than a predetermined resolution. In this way, the difference in light intensity can be increased by increasing the resolution of the marks 62A to 62D printed on the medium 5, and even if the medium 5 has a relatively high light reflectance, the marks 62A to 62D can be printed. It can be detected reliably.

<Third Embodiment>
FIG. 11 is a block diagram of the control device 70 according to the third embodiment. As shown in FIG. 11, the control device 70 includes a region setting unit 84 instead of the light emission amount control unit 79. The print control unit 72 includes an area setting unit 84.

As shown in FIG. 12, the area setting unit 84 sets the colored area 68 in the portion of the peripheral area 63 of the medium 5 adjacent to the marks 62A to 62D. The colored region 68 is larger than the marks 62A to 62D. The colored region 68 includes marks 62A to 62D, respectively. The colored region 68 is formed in a rectangular shape. The colored region 68 does not overlap with the rectangular region 60W. The area setting unit 84 sets the colored region 68 so that when the light amount difference, which is the difference between the first light receiving amount and the second light receiving amount, is less than a predetermined value, the light amount difference becomes equal to or more than a predetermined value. The color relationship in which the difference in the amount of light between the marks 62A to 62D and the colored region 68 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value is stored in advance in the storage unit 71.

The mark printing unit 74 prints the marks 62A to 62D on the medium 5 at a predetermined resolution. When the colored area 68 (see FIG. 12) is set in the portion adjacent to the marks 62A to 62D by the area setting unit 84, the mark printing unit 74 prints the marks 62A to 62D and the colored area 68. The colored region 68 is printed in a third color different from the first color of the marks 62A to 62D. The third color of the colored region 68 is usually different from the second color of the peripheral region 63 of the medium 5. The first color of the marks 62A to 62D and the third color of the colored region 68 have, for example, a complementary color relationship. For example, marks 62A-62D are printed in black and colored areas 68 are printed in white.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart according to a third embodiment showing a procedure for printing and cutting the medium 5 in the cutting device 10. The description of the same processing as that of the first embodiment will be omitted.

In step S53, the area setting unit 84 sets the marks 62A to greater than or equal to the predetermined value when the light amount difference, which is the difference between the first light receiving amount and the second light receiving amount, is less than a predetermined value. A colored region 68 is set in a portion adjacent to 62D. Then, the process returns to step S20. In step S20, the new medium 5 is remounted on the platen 20, and the print control unit 72 prints the marks 62A to 62D and the colored region 68. Then, in step S30, the light receiving element 58 receives the reflected light reflected in the colored region 68 of the marks 62A to 62D and the peripheral region 63. That is, when the colored region 68 is set, the second light receiving amount corresponds to the reflected light reflected in the colored region 68 of the peripheral region 63.

As described above, according to the cutting device 10 of the present embodiment, the area setting unit 84 marks the peripheral area 63 so that the light amount difference becomes the predetermined value or more when the light amount difference is less than the predetermined value. A colored region 68 composed of a third color different from the first color is set in a portion adjacent to 62A to 62D. Then, the mark printing unit 74 prints the marks 62A to 62D and the colored area 68 by the ink head 32. In this way, the light amount difference can be increased by printing the colored region 68 composed of the third color on the portions adjacent to the marks 62A to 62D, and the medium 5 has a relatively high light reflectance. However, the marks 62A to 62D can be reliably detected.

According to the cutting device 10 of the present embodiment, the first color constituting the marks 62A to 62D is black, and the color constituting the colored region 68 located around the marks 62A to 62D is white. be. Since the combination of black and white has a relatively large difference in the amount of light, the difference in the amount of light between the marks 62A to 62D and the colored region 68 can be made larger, and even in the medium 5 having a relatively high light reflectance. , Marks 62A to 62D can be reliably detected.

<Fourth Embodiment>
FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a state in which the media clamp 100 is placed on the platen 20 according to the fourth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 14, the media clamp 100 includes a main body 100B extending in the front-rear direction, a front end 100F extending diagonally upward from the front end of the main body 100B, and a rear extending diagonally upward from the rear end of the main body 100B. It has an end 100R. The main body 100B is provided with a magnet (not shown) in the front-rear direction. Since the platen 20 is usually made of metal, the media clamp 100 is magnetically fixed to the platen 20. By placing the media clamp 100 on the medium 5 placed on the platen 20, the medium 5 can be pressed against the platen 20, and the medium 5 can be prevented from floating from the platen 20. The media clamp 100 merely presses the medium 5 to the extent that the floating of the medium 5 is suppressed, and does not hinder the movement of the medium 5 in the sub-scanning direction X. One media clamp 100 is placed at each end of the medium 5 in the width direction (main scanning direction Y). The media clamp 100 is placed in front of the pinch roller 24.

As shown in FIG. 14, four marks 101A, 101B, 101C, and 101D are provided on the surface of the main body 100B of the media clamp 100. The two marks 101A and 101B are provided on the rear end portion 100R side of the main body portion 100B. The two marks 101C and 101D are provided on the front end portion 100F side of the main body portion 100B. The marks 101A to 101D are formed in a rectangular shape. The marks 101A to 101D are composed of a first color, and a peripheral region 102 having a second color different from the first color is provided around the marks 101A to 101D. The marks 101A to 101D and the peripheral region 102 are composed of, for example, a seal 103. That is, the sticker 103 having the marks 101A to 101D and the peripheral region 102 is attached to the surface of the main body 100B.

The mark detection unit 75 according to the fourth embodiment further detects the marks 101A to 101D provided on the media clamp 100. The mark detection unit 75 drives the carriage motor 39 to move the sensor 55 two-dimensionally relative to the media clamp 100. The mark detection unit 75 irradiates the marks 101A to 101D of the media clamp 100 and the peripheral region 102 with a predetermined amount of light emitted from the light emitting element 57 of the sensor 55. At this time, the reflected light reflected by the marks 101A to 101D of the media clamp 100 and the peripheral region 102 is received by the light receiving element 58 of the sensor 55.

The determination unit 78 determines whether or not the light amount difference, which is the difference between the first light receiving amount and the second light receiving amount received by the light receiving element 58 of the sensor 55, is equal to or more than a predetermined value with respect to the media clamp 100. The determination unit 78 determines whether or not the voltage difference, which is the difference between the first voltage value converted from the first light receiving amount and the second voltage value converted from the second light receiving amount, is equal to or more than a predetermined value. do. If it is equal to or more than a predetermined value, the position of marks 101A to 101D is detected. On the other hand, if it is less than a predetermined value, the position of the marks 101A to 101D is not detected.

The light emitting amount control unit 79 controls the amount of light emitted from the light emitting element 57 of the sensor 55. The light emitting amount control unit 79 emits light so that the light amount difference becomes equal to or more than a predetermined value when the light amount difference, which is the difference between the first light receiving amount and the second light receiving amount, is less than a predetermined value with respect to the media clamp 100. The amount of light emitted from the element 57 is reduced. The light emitting amount control unit 79 reduces the value of the current flowing through the light emitting element 57, for example. In the light emitting amount control unit 79, when the light emitting amount emitted from the light emitting element 57 is changed (that is, when the current value flowing through the light emitting element 57 is reduced), the changed light emitting amount (current value) is stored in the storage unit 71. Is remembered in.

Here, the media clamp 100 is placed on the platen 20 so as to hold both end edges (right edge and left edge) in the width direction of the medium 5 when printing the image 60 and the marks 62A to 62D on the medium 5. .. This makes it possible to prevent the medium 5 from floating with respect to the platen 20. After that, when the medium 5 is cut by the cutter 43 of the cutting head unit 40, if the media clamp 100 is left on the platen 20, the cutting head unit 40 and the media clamp 100 may interfere with each other. Therefore, before cutting the medium 5 with the cutter 43, it is necessary to detect the marks 101A to 101D of the media clamp 100 and surely remove the media clamp 100 before cutting the medium 5. In the present embodiment, the light emitting amount control unit 79 reduces the amount of light emitted from the light emitting element 57 so that the light amount difference becomes equal to or more than a predetermined value, so that the presence or absence of the media clamp 100 is ensured after printing is completed. Can be detected.

As described above, according to the cutting device 10 of the present embodiment, the light emitting amount control unit 79 is connected to the light emitting element 57 so that the light amount difference becomes equal to or more than the predetermined value when the light amount difference is less than the predetermined value. Reduce the amount of light emitted. In this way, the difference in the amount of light can be increased by a simple control of reducing the amount of light emitted from the light emitting element 57, and even if the media clamp 100 has a relatively high light reflectance, the marks 101A to 101D Can be reliably detected.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above. However, each of the above embodiments is merely an example, and the present invention can be implemented in various other embodiments.

In the first embodiment described above, the cutting device 10 includes, but is not limited to, the print head unit 30. The cutting device 10 includes only the cutting head unit 40, and may not include the printing head unit 30. In this case, the sensor 55 of the cutting device 10 detects the marks 62A to 62D provided in advance on the medium 5.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the marks 62A to 62D are printed on the medium 5 by the print head unit 30 of the cutting device 10, but the present invention is not limited to this. Marks 62A to 62D may be provided on the medium 5 by sticking a sticker or the like on the medium 5 instead of forming the marks 62A to 62D by printing directly on the medium 5.

10 Cutting device 20 Platen (mounting stand)
40A Cutting head 43 Cutter 55 Sensor 57 Light emitting element 58 Light receiving element 60 Image 60W Rectangular area 62A to 62D Mark 63 Peripheral area 70 Control device 72 Print control unit 75 Mark detection unit 78 Judgment unit 79 Light intensity control unit 80 Cutting control unit

Claims (3)

A mounting table on which a mark composed of an image and a first color is provided on the surface, and a medium located around the mark and having a peripheral region having a second color different from the first color is placed. When,
A cutting head arranged above the above-mentioned pedestal and having a cutter for cutting the medium placed on the above-mentioned pedestal,
A cutting head control device that controls the cutting head,
It has a light emitting element that irradiates light toward the mark and the peripheral region, and a light receiving element that receives the reflected light reflected by the mark and the peripheral region, and is the first of the reflected light reflected by the mark. A mark detection device that detects the mark when the light amount difference, which is the difference between the 1 light receiving amount and the second light receiving amount of the reflected light reflected in the peripheral region, is equal to or more than a predetermined value.
A print head that prints the image and the mark at a predetermined resolution on the medium placed on the above-mentioned table.
A print control device for controlling the print head is provided.
The print control device prints the mark at a resolution higher than the predetermined resolution by the print head so that the light amount difference becomes equal to or more than the predetermined value when the light amount difference is less than the predetermined value. A cutting device that reduces the amount of the first light received by the reflected light reflected at the mark. On the surface of the medium, a total of four marks are printed on the outside of each of the four corners of the rectangular area containing the image.
The cutting head control device includes a positioning control unit that positions the cutting head based on three or more positions of the four marks detected by the mark detection device when the medium is cut. The cutting device according to claim 1. It is equipped with the cutting head and has a carriage that can move in the main scanning direction.
The cutting device according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the mark detecting device is provided at a position of the cutting head facing the above-mentioned stand.

Images