Abstract:
Controllers on the master and slave sides each perform an ink cartridge checking process and transmit a detection result, for example “NG”, obtained though the ink cartridge checking process to the other controller. Furthermore, the same ink cartridge checking process is performed in the other controller and the detection result thereof, for example “OK” is transmitted to the first controller. A mechanical control unit merges (combines) the respective detection results and if at least one of the results is NG, a merged result of NG is obtained. In the case of NG, this fact is transmitted to a host control unit and if YES is selected in a Y/N display, the error is cleared. On the other hand, in the case of a merged result of OK, an ink cartridge OK state notification is issued to a mechanical controller.
Abstract:
A controller includes an information transferring unit in a main control unit. A mechanical controller transmits device state information at predetermined time intervals. The information transferring unit performs some processing on the device state information received from the mechanical controller as necessary and stores the information in a second storage unit. Upon receiving a device state acquisition command from a host control unit, the information transferring unit transmits device state information read out from the second storage unit to the host control unit as a response to the device state acquisition command.
Abstract:
Each of controllers includes an error management section that generates an error command including an error code indicating the content of an error when the controller detects the error. A host apparatus includes a host controller. If the error command from the master controller and the error command from the slave controller are identical to each other, the host controller displays a single piece of error information on a monitor. Specifically, the single piece of error information includes the error code included in the error command and an error message corresponding to the error code.
Abstract:
Commands, which are stored in a queue within controllers in order of acquisition, are transmitted to mechanical I/F units (steps (1) and (2) in FIG. 7). A determination portion in each mechanical I/F unit determines whether or not the command is an internal command (for example, an error command) which is generated in the controllers. If the command is the internal command, the command is directly output to the mechanical controller. In contrast, if the command is not the internal command, a virtual mechanical controller outputs the command through synchronization processing for confirming whether the commands issued from the controllers are synchronized (steps (3) to (7) in FIG. 7).
Abstract:
An acceptable duration is defined as the time necessary for allowing the diameter of a microdroplet that has reached the substrate to become a maximum acceptable droplet diameter. A scanning speed is set in such a manner that the microdroplet that has been received by the substrate reaches a radiating position from a droplet receiving position immediately after the acceptable duration has passed since reception of the microdroplet by the substrate. A laser beam is radiated onto the microdroplet immediately after the acceptable duration has passed since the reception of the microdroplet Fb by the substrate, or when the microdroplet is located at the radiating position.
Abstract:
A method for producing a pattern on a substrate includes discharging a droplet on a top surface of a breathable substrate being heated, the droplet being formed with a functional fluid containing a functional material, so as to produce the pattern on the top surface of the breathable substrate.
Abstract:
A print area is a print target region by a recording unit on a sheet (recording medium). First, in first lateral scanning, raster lines (white beads) of a base image are printed by moving a recording unit in a main scanning direction by using nozzles arranged in a sub-scanning direction and printing of total M passes is performed while shifting the recording unit for each pass in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction.
Abstract:
A method is for heating a functional liquid of a droplet discharging device that has a storage which houses a container storing a functional liquid containing a functional material; a droplet discharge head discharging the functional liquid in a droplet; a cooling means included to the storage and cooling the functional liquid; and a supply tube supplying the functional liquid that is cooled in the storage to the droplet discharge head. The method includes: heating the functional liquid in the supply tube with waste heat that is generated correspondingly to cooling of the cooling means.
Abstract:
A pattern formation method includes discharging a functional liquid substance having a functional material to an object, and irradiating the functional liquid substance with light emitted from a light source thereby to form a pattern of a functional film on the object. In this method, when the thickness of the functional liquid substance on an optical axis of the light is L and the absorption coefficient of the functional liquid substance for the light is α, the thickness and the absorption coefficient are set so as to satisfy an equation (1): 0.1≦α·L≦0.6 (1)
Abstract:
A droplet discharge head includes: a head body having a surface opposed to an object; a plurality of nozzles aligned on the surface and discharging a droplet to each of positions of the object; and an irradiation part disposed on the surface and irradiating the object with light. In the droplet discharge head, the irradiation part includes i×j pieces of irradiation parts arranged such that i (an integer number of 1 or more) pieces of irradiation parts are aligned in an alignment direction of the nozzles and j (an integer number of 2 or more) pieces of irradiation parts are disposed in a predetermined direction that is orthogonal to the alignment direction of the nozzles and aligned along the predetermined direction.