Patent ID: 9162445
Filing Date: 2015-10-20
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
1. A liquid material discharge control method comprising: calculating a first elapsed time in a relative movement between a plurality of nozzles and a workpiece by counting a first prescribed number of outputs of timing signals that define discharge timing for discharging a liquid material from the nozzles onto the workpiece, the timing signals being encoder pulse signals generated by an encoder periodically during a scan in which the nozzles and the workpiece are moved relative to each other, the workpiece having a first film formation area and a second film formation area that are partitioned with a wall section on the workpiece and aligned in a main scanning direction, the calculating of the first elapsed time being performed for discharging the liquid into the first film formation area; comparing the first elapsed time with a first predicted time at which the nozzles are predicted to reach intended discharge positions for discharging the liquid into the first film formation area; discharging the liquid material from the nozzles into the first film formation area upon the first predicted time having elapsed when the first elapsed time is shorter than the first predicted time; calculating a second elapsed time by counting a second prescribed number of outputs of the timing signals with the second prescribed number being obtained by subtracting a predetermined number of outputs of the timing signals from the first prescribed number for discharging the liquid into the first film formation area, the predetermined number being equal to or more than one; comparing the second elapsed time with a second predicted time with the second predicted time being obtained by subtracting a predetermined time corresponding to the predetermined number from the first predicted time; and discharging the liquid material from the nozzles onto the workpiece upon the first predicted time having elapsed in response to predicting that the first elapsed time is longer than the first predicted time; and resynchronizing a subsequent discharge timing for commencing to discharge the liquid into the second film formation area by adjusting the subsequent discharge timing so as to synchronize with the timing signals during a prescribed time period in which no droplets are discharged from the nozzles and while the nozzles moves in a non-discharging area from the first film formation area to the second film formation area in the main scanning direction relative to the workpiece after ending discharging the liquid into the first film formation area, the non-discharging area including the wall section and being arranged between the first film formation area and the second file formation area in the main scanning direction.