Stencil printing machine

A conveying route along which the leading edge side of a roll stencil sheet is conveyed to a stencil sheet clamp section of a printing drum is formed. Along the conveying route, arranged are: a writing head which forms a perforated image on the stencil sheet; a platen roller on which the writing head is brought into pressure contact and which conveys the stencil sheet; a stencil sheet cutter which cuts the stencil sheet; a stencil positioning sensor which detects a leading edge of the stencil sheet; and storage means for temporarily storing the stencil sheet. Control means for controlling a timing with which the printing drum is rotated to start loading of the stencil sheet is included, the control means controlling the timing to be an arbitrary time between an earliest timing earlier, by a time period obtained by dividing a conveying distance between the stencil sheet cutter and the stencil sheet clamp section by a peripheral speed of the platen roller, than a timing with which the writing head completes forming a perforated image on the stencil sheet and a latest timing which is a same timing as completion of release of stencil making pressure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a stencil printing machine which creates a printed sheet by forming a perforated image on a stencil sheet based on image data and transferring ink to a print medium through this perforated image on the stencil sheet. Specifically, the present invention relates to a technology for shortening a first print time to form the perforated image and output a first trial print.

2. Description of the Related Art

A conventional stencil printing machine is described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open publication No. Hei 9(1997)-11600.FIG. 1is a schematic drawing showing main parts of the stencil printing machine described in the publication, the parts being related to stencil making and loading. InFIG. 1, a rolled stencil sheet2, a writing head8, a platen roller7, a pair of first conveyer rollers12aand12b, a storage box13, a pair of second conveyer rollers14aand14b, a stencil sheet cutter10, a stencil positioning sensor17, a printing drum4, and a stencil sheet clamp section4aare arranged along a conveyance route R1. The drawing shows a case where the stencil sheet clamp section4ais placed at a clamp rotational position where the stencil sheet2is clamped, and the writing head8is placed at a standby position.

InFIG. 1, the leading edge of the stencil sheet2cut with the stencil sheet cutter10in the last stencil loading operation is conveyed downstream along the conveying route R1by the platen roller7which is rotated by a platen motor (not shown). At this time, by a head shift driver (not shown), the writing head8is located at a pressure contact position where the writing head8is in pressure contact with the platen roller7.

When the stencil positioning sensor17detects the leading edge of the stencil sheet2, a timer (not shown) starts clocking. After a predetermined time period, the platen roller7stops rotation, and the leading edge of the stencil sheet2stops at a predetermined position (a waiting position) on the conveying route R1. The writing head8is then shifted to the standby position, and the leading edge of the stencil sheet2stays at the waiting position until the next stencil loading operation starts.

The stencil making and loading operations of the conventional stencil printing machine have been performed according to a procedure as described below.

The stencil making operation is performed in the following manner. The writing head8is located at the pressure contact position, and the stencil sheet2is subjected to writing (thermal perforation) according to binarized data for stencil making while the stencil sheet2sandwiched between the writing head8and the platen roller7is being conveyed. At this time, the rotation of the second conveyer rollers.14aand14bis stopped, the perforated stencil sheet2stays between the first conveyer rollers12aand12band the second conveyer rollers14aand14b, and is gradually stored in the storage box13.

A stencil making time period for the stencil sheet2which corresponds to a conveying distance L1between the waiting position of the leading edge of the stencil sheet2and the stencil sheet clamp section4aalong the conveying route R1is measured by a timer or the like as a driving time period of the platen motor20. When the stencil making time period elapsed after the stencil making is started, the second conveyer rollers14aand14bare rotated, and the leading edge of the stencil sheet2is conveyed to the stencil sheet clamp section4a. The rotation of the second conveyer rollers14aand14bis then stopped.

When the rotation of the second conveyer rollers14aand14bis stopped, the perforated stencil sheet2is gradually stored in the storage box13again. Meanwhile, a writing operation for the stencil sheet2by the platen roller7and the writing head8is continued while the stencil sheet2is being conveyed by the second conveyer rollers14aand14b.

When the writing operation is completed, the writing head8is shifted by the head shift driver (not shown) from the pressure contact position to the standby position away from the platen roller7by a predetermined distance. This shifting operation of the writing head8is called a stencil making pressure release, and the time period required for release of stencil making pressure is defined as a stencil making pressure release time period T.

After the stencil making pressure is released, the printing drum4is driven to an angle which is equivalent to a stencil loading length {L−(L1+L2)} from the clamp rotational position by a rotor (not shown), and the stencil sheet2is loaded on the printing drum4. Thereafter, the rotation of the printing drum4is once stopped, and the stencil sheet2is cut with the stencil sheet cutter10. A time period required for the cutting is defined as a cutting time period Tk. Herein, L1is the stencil loading length of the printing drum4and L2is a conveying distance from the stencil sheet cutter10to the waiting position of the leading edge of the stencil sheet2along the conveying route R1.

Subsequently, the printing drum4is rotated again, and part of the stencil sheet2with a length of (L1+L2) remaining on the conveying route R1is loaded thereon. When the stencil sheet clamp section4areturns to the clamp rotational position, the rotation of the printing drum4is stopped. If the stencil positioning sensor17does not detect the stencil sheet2, the stencil loading operation is completed. The writing head8is then shifted to the pressure contact position, and the platen roller7is rotated. The leading edge of the cut stencil sheet2is thus conveyed downstream on the conveying route R1. When the stencil positioning sensor17detects the leading edge of the stencil sheet2, the timer (not shown) starts clocking. The drive of the platen motor20is stopped after the predetermined time period, and the rotation of the platen roller7is stopped. The leading edge of the stencil sheet2stops at the predetermined position (the waiting position) on the conveying route R1.

FIG. 6Ashows a time chart related to the aforementioned stencil making (writing), stencil making pressure release, conveying (rotation of platen roller) stencil loading (rotation of printing drum), cutting, and printing/printed sheet discharged operations.

A stencil making operation time period Ts is expressed as Ts=(L−L3)/Sp. Herein, Sp is a peripheral speed of the platen roller7. Note that L3is a length (hereinafter, referred to as a margin length) of the stencil sheet2corresponding to a margin of the trailing end in the sheet conveying direction in which writing (printing) is not allowed.

The time period required for the stencil making pressure release operation is the stencil making pressure release time period T.

A stencil loading operation time period Tc is the total of a stencil loading time period for loading the stencil sheet2with a length of L and the cutting time period Tk of the stencil sheet2, and is expressed as Tc=L/Sh+Tk. During the stencil sheet loading operation, the printing drum4is rotated to load part of the stencil sheet2with a length of {L−(L1+L2)} thereon at first. After the cutting time period Tk during which the rotation is being stopped, the printing drum4is rotated again to load part of the stencil sheet2with a length of (L1+L2) thereon.

Specifically, the length {L−(L1+L2)} of the stencil sheet2is expressed as {L−(L1+L2+L3)}+L3}, where L3is the length of part of the stencil sheet2conveyed by the printing drum4which is rotated after the stencil making pressure release, and (L1+L2) is the length of the part of the stencil sheet2remaining on the conveying route R1when the stencil sheet2is cut with the stencil sheet cutter10. Herein, Sh is a peripheral speed of the printing drum4during the stencil loading.

As for the cutting time period Tk, an example of a shuttle cutter, which cuts the stencil sheet2while the stencil sheet2is being stopped, is shown according to a later described embodiment. However, the cutting time period Tk can be made to be 0 by using a rotary cutter.

Accordingly, the stencil loading operation time period Tc is expressed as Tc=L/Sh+Tk {L−(L1+L2+L3)+L3}/Sh+Tk+(L1+L2)/Sh.

Consequently, a first print time Tf1is expressed as Tf1=Ts+T+Tc+Tp, where Tp is a time period for the printing/printed sheet discharged operation.

As described above, in the conventional stencil printing machine, there has been a disadvantage that the first print time is long because of serial processing of the stencil making, stencil making pressure release, stencil loading, cutting, and printing/printed sheet discharged operations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made in the light of the aforementioned problem, and an object thereof is to provide a stencil printing machine capable of reduction in a first print time only by changing a process sequence without modification of hardware of the stencil printing machine such as modification of the mechanical mechanism and addition of mechanism.

In order to achieve the above object, a stencil printing machine according to the present invention includes: a conveying route along which a leading edge side of a roll stencil sheet is conveyed to a stencil sheet clamp section of a printing drum; a writing head which forms a perforated image on the stencil sheet; a platen roller on which the writing head is brought into pressure contact and which conveys the stencil sheet; a stencil sheet cutter which cuts the stencil sheet; a stencil positioning sensor which detects a leading edge of the stencil sheet; storage means for temporarily storing the stencil sheet; and control means for controlling a timing with which the printing drum is rotated to start loading of the stencil sheet, the control means controlling the timing to be an arbitrary time between an earliest timing earlier, by a time period obtained by dividing a conveying distance (L1+L2) between the stencil sheet cutter and the stencil sheet clamp section by a peripheral speed (Sp) of the platen roller, than a timing with which the writing head completes forming a perforated image on the stencil sheet and a latest timing which is the same timing as completion of release of stencil making pressure.

As described above, the timing with which the printing drum is rotated to start loading of the stencil sheet is controlled to be an arbitrary time between the earliest timing earlier, by a time period obtained by dividing a conveying distance (L1+L2) between the stencil sheet cutter and the stencil sheet clamp section by a peripheral speed (Sp) of the platen roller, than a timing with which the writing head completes a stencil making operation and a latest timing which is the same timing as that with which the writing head completes forming a perforated image on the stencil sheet. Here, the earliest timing is a timing of releasing the printing pressure and it is a same time that there is no sheet stored in the storage means. Thus, the timing of completing the stencil loading operation is made earlier by a time period ranging from T+(L1+L2)/Sp at the maximum to zero at the minimum, and the first print time can be shortened by the above time period.

Furthermore, the control means may control the timing with which the printing drum is rotated to start loading of the stencil sheet such that the timing is a same timing as the timing with which the writing head completes forming a perforated image on the stencil sheet.

In particular, by controlling the timing such that the writing head starts stencil loading at the same timing as completion of formation of a perforated image on the stencil sheet, the first print time can be shortened by the stencil making pressure release time period T. Moreover, the control operation can be simplified.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Hereinafter, a description will be given of an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2toFIG. 6Cshow an embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 2is a schematic drawing of a stencil making unit of a stencil printing machine according to the present invention,FIG. 3is a block diagram of main parts related to the stencil making unit and the like of the stencil printing machine,FIGS. 4A to 4CandFIGS. 5A to 5Care schematic views explaining a stencil loading operation, andFIGS. 6A to 6Care time charts related to a first print time.

As shown inFIG. 2, a stencil making unit1includes a stencil sheet roll container3which accommodates a roll stencil sheet2. A conveying route R (indicated by a chain double-dashed line inFIG. 2) is formed between the stencil sheet roll container3and a stencil sheet clamp section4aof a printing drum4.

The conveying route R includes: a first guide roller5placed just downstream of the stencil sheet accommodating unit3; a second guide roller6placed downstream of the first guide roller5; a platen roller7and a writing head8placed just downstream of the second guide roller6; a pair of first guide members9aand9bplaced downstream of the platen roller7and the writing head8; a pair of second guide members11aand11bplaced downstream of the pair of first guide members9aand9bas well as downstream of a stencil sheet cutter10; a pair of first conveyer rollers12aand12bplaced in a guide zone of the pair of second guide members11aand11b; a pair of second conveyer rollers14aand14bplaced downstream of the pair of first conveyer rollers12aand12bas well as downstream of a storage box13; and a pair of third conveyer rollers15aand15bplaced downstream of the pair of second conveyer rollers14aand14b.

The platen roller7is to be rotated by the driving force of a platen motor20(shown inFIG. 3).

The first conveyer roller12bis rotated in synchronization with the platen roller7by the driving force of the platen motor20. The pair of first conveyer rollers12aand12bhas weaker rotating force as compared with the platen roller7and the writing head8, and the peripheral speed thereof is set higher. In other words, the speed at which the platen roller7conveys the stencil sheet2depends on a peripheral speed Sp of the platen roller7during the stencil making.

The writing head8is, for example, a thermal print head which forms a perforated image by thermally perforating the stencil sheet2at desired points. The writing head8is to be shifted by a head shift driver21(shown inFIG. 3) between a pressure contact position (position inFIG. 2) where the writing head8is in pressure contact with the platen roller7and a standby position spaced from the platen roller7.

The stencil sheet cutter10is placed between the pair of first guide members9aand9band the pair of second guide members11aand11band cuts the stencil sheet2by drive of a cutter driver22(shown inFIG. 3).

The storage box13, which is a space for storing the stencil sheet2, is placed between the pair of first conveyer rollers12aand12band the pair of second conveyer rollers14aand14bunder the conveying route R. A movable guide member16is provided above the storage box13. This movable guide member16is to be moved between a closing position (indicated by a solid line inFIG. 2) and an opening position (indicated by a imaginary line inFIG. 2) by being driven by a movable guide plate driver23(shown inFIG. 3). The movable guide member16at the closing position closes an opening of the storage box13and guides the stencil sheet2along the conveying route R. The movable guide member16at the opening position opens the opening of the storage box13and allows the stencil sheet2to enter the storage box13.

The second and third conveyer rollers14aand15aare adapted to be rotated in synchronization with each other by a conveyer motor24. As in the case of the first conveyer rollers12aand12b, the pair of second conveyer rollers14aand14band the pair of third conveyer rollers15aand15bhave smaller conveying forces as compared with the platen roller7and the writing head8, and the peripheral speeds thereof are set higher.

A stencil positioning sensor17is placed just downstream of the pair of first conveyer rollers12aand12band upstream of the opening of the storage box13. The stencil positioning sensor17detects the leading edge of the stencil sheet2using a detection point by the downstream of the stencil sheet cutter10.

Specifically, when a predetermined time has passed after the stencil positioning sensor17detects the leading edge of the stencil sheet2, the platen roller7is reversed in order to return the stencil sheet2to the upstream side, and the stencil positioning sensor17again detects the leading edge of the stencil sheet2. A waiting position is determined based on the detection signal. This is to prevent the stencil positioning sensor17from detecting the stencil sheet2in a state of waiting.

In other words, the leading edge of the stencil sheet2returns to the upstream side and stops at the waiting position away from the stencil positioning sensor17by a predetermined distance.

In the stencil printing machine according to the embodiment, the following is arranged from upstream to downstream on the conveying route R in the order of: the writing head8which forms a perforated image on the stencil sheet2and the platen roller7which conveys the stencil sheet2; the stencil sheet cutter10which cuts the stencil sheet2, the stencil positioning sensor7which detects the leading edge of the stencil sheet2; the storage box13which temporarily stores the stencil sheet2; and the stencil sheet clamp section4awhich clamps the leading edge of the stencil sheet2to load the stencil sheet2on the printing drum4.

The stencil sheet clamp section4ais provided on an outer peripheral surface of the printing drum4. The printing drum4is rotated in a direction of an arrow A shown inFIG. 2by driving force of a drum motor25(shown inFIG. 3). And the printing drum4is able to stop at a clamp rotational position (at which the stencil sheet clamp section4ashown inFIG. 2is located substantially at the uppermost position) for clamping the leading edge of the stencil sheet2and at a stencil sheet cutting rotational position for cutting the stencil sheet2.

Next, a description will be given of an operation of a controller26related to stencil making and loading operations.

As shown inFIG. 3, the controller26includes a CPU (central processing unit, not shown), a ROM (read only memory, not shown) storing programs and control data, a RAM (random access memory, not shown) as a work area, a storage unit (not shown) storing a large amount of data and programs, and the like. The controller26controls a writing operation of the writing head8based on binarized stencil-making data and controls operations of the platen motor20, head shift driver21, cutter driver22, movable guide plate driver23, conveyer motor24, drum motor25, and the like according to programs. Moreover, the controller26controls the waiting position of the stencil sheet2by means of a driving time period of the platen motor20(for example, the driving time period is measured by a timer or the like, driving pulses are measured by a pulse counter or the like) on the basis of the detection signal of the stencil positioning sensor17.

The stencil making and loading operations of the aforementioned stencil printing machine will be described in detail with reference toFIGS. 4A to 4CandFIGS. 5A to 5C.FIGS. 4A to 4CandFIGS. 5A to 5Care schematic illustrations showing a procedure of the stencil loading operation of the stencil making unit shown inFIG. 2.FIG. 4Ashows that the stencil sheet2is conveyed to the waiting position after the last stencil loading operation is completed, and the stencil sheet2is in a state of waiting. When the stencil making operation is started, the writing head8is shifted from the standby position to the pressure-contact position by the head shift driver21, and the stencil sheet2is brought into pressure contact with the platen roller7by the writing head8. The platen roller7is rotated by the platen motor20, and the stencil sheet2is conveyed along the conveying route R. The stencil sheet2is thermally perforated by the writing head8in synchronization with the conveying, whereby a perforated image is sequentially formed on the stencil sheet2based on the binarized stencil making data. The stencil sheet2sandwiched between the writing head8and the platen roller7is being conveyed also receiving the rotating force of the pair of first conveyer rollers12aand12bto be conveyed downstream.

Since the movable guide member16is located at the closing position, the leading edge of the stencil sheet2is conveyed along the movable guide member16to the pair of second conveyer rollers14aand14bwithout being guided into the storage box13.

Next, inFIGS. 4B and 4C, the controller26calculates a timing with which the leading edge of the stencil sheet2reaches the pair of second conveyer rollers14aand14bbased on a driving time period T1of the platen motor20. After the driving time period T1, the controller26drives the movable guide plate driver23and moves the movable guide member16to the opening position from the closing position. When a very short time period t has passed after the movable guide member16is shifted to the opening position, the controller26stops the drive of the conveyer motor24. The rotation of the pair of second conveyer rollers14aand14bis thus stopped in a state where the pair of second conveyer rollers14aand14bsandwich the leading edge of the stencil sheet2.

The formation of the perforated image by the platen roller7and the writing head8is continued after the drive of the conveyer motor24is stopped. The stencil sheet2stays between the pair of second conveyer rollers14aand14band the pair of first conveyer rollers12aand12b, and the staying stencil sheet2is gradually stored in the storage box13.

When the stencil making operation is started, a stencil discharge operation for the stencil sheet2loaded on the printing drum4is performed in parallel with the aforementioned stencil making operation. After the stencil discharge operation is completed, the stencil sheet clamp section4ais positioned at the clamp rotational position. The operation of the printing drum4involved in the stencil discharge operation is omitted inFIGS. 4A to 4CandFIGS. 5A to 5C.

Next, inFIG. 5A, the controller26measures a time period L1/Sp until the length of the stencil sheet2stored in the storage box13becomes equal to or longer than a conveying distance L1which is from the waiting position to the position of the stencil sheet clamp section4a. When the time period L1/Sp has passed after the stencil making was started, the conveyer motor24is driven, and the pair of second conveyer rollers14aand14band the pair of third conveyer rollers15aand15bare rotated together. The leading edge of the stencil sheet2is thus conveyed to the stencil sheet clamp section4a. The stencil sheet clamp section4athen clamps the leading edge of the stencil sheet2.

Next, inFIG. 5B, the drum motor25is driven earlier, by the time period (L1+L2)/Sp, than the timing of completing the stencil making operation, and the printing drum4is rotated from the clamp rotational position to the stencil sheet cutting rotational position. Accordingly, the stencil sheet2with a length of {L−(L1+L2+L3)} is loaded on the printing drum4. If the part of the stencil sheet2with a length of {L−(L1+L2+L3)} is loaded on the printing drum4, the entire stencil sheet2stored in the storage box13is loaded thereon, and there is no stencil sheet2which is left in the storage box13.

With this timing, the writing head8is shifted to the standby position to release a stencil making pressure, and the rotation of the platen roller7and the first conveyer roller12bis stopped. Therefore, a stencil making pressure release time period T needs to satisfy an expression T<{L−(L1+L2+L3)}(1/Sp+1 /Sh)−(L1+L1)/Sp.

Subsequently, the printing drum4is rotated, and part of the stencil sheet2with a length of L3is loaded at the peripheral speed Sh.

Note that, when the printing drum4is rotated from the clamp rotational position to the stencil sheet cutting rotational position, the platen roller7, the pair of first to third conveyer rollers12a,12b,14a,14b,15a, and15bmay be rotated by driving the platen motor20and the conveyer motor24.

Next, inFIG. 5C, the rotation of the printing drum4is stopped, and the stencil sheet2is cut with the stencil sheet cutter10. Herein, the stencil sheet2is cut such that the conveying distance (L1+L2) from the stencil sheet cutter10to the stencil sheet clamp section4aon the conveying route R is equal to a loading length between the stencil sheet cutting rotational position and the clamp rotational position of the printing drum4(in this embodiment, the example using a shuttle cutter as the stencil sheet cutter10is shown. However, if a rotary cutter is used, for example, it is possible to cut the stencil sheet2during the stencil loading operation and set a cutting time period Tk to zero.)

When the stencil sheet2is cut, the printing drum4is rotated again, and part of the stencil sheet2with a length of (L1+L2) remaining on the conveying route R is loaded thereon.

Thereafter, the stencil sheet clamp section4ais again positioned at the stencil sheet clamp rotational position. If the stencil positioning sensor17does not detect the stencil sheet2, the stencil loading operation is completed.

FIG. 6Bshows a time chart related to the aforementioned stencil making (writing head), stencil making pressure release, conveying (rotation of platen roller) stencil loading (rotation of printing drum), cutting, and printing/printed sheet discharged operations.

Note that the stencil making, stencil making pressure release, conveying, stencil loading, cutting, and printing/stencil discharge time periods in this embodiment are the same as those of the conventional art (FIG. 6A). As for this embodiment, the timing of the stencil loading is different from the conventional art at the point that only the time period (L1+L2)/Sp is earlier than the timing of completing the stencil making operation.

Therefore, a first print time Tf2inFIG. 6Bis expressed as Tf2=Ts+T+(L1+L2+L3)/Sh+TK+Tp.

In other words, whileFIG. 6Bshows a shortest first print time, it also shows that the timing of starting the stencil loading can be set to: an arbitrary time between the timing earlier, by the time period (L1+L2)/Sp at the maximum, than the timing of completing the stencil making operation and the same timing as completion of the stencil making operation; and an arbitrary time between the same timing as completion of the stencil making operation and the same timing as completion of the release of the stencil making pressure as in the case of the conventional art.

In the case ofFIG. 6B, the first print time can be shortened, as compared with the case ofFIG. 6A, by an arbitrary time period chosen from between zero and the time period T+(L1+L2)/Sp at the maximum. Here, the first time period can be shortened by completing the stencil making operation earlier.

Moreover, as a special case, it is possible to simplify the control by starting the stencil loading simultaneously with the completion of the stencil making operation as shown inFIG. 6C. In this case, the stencil making pressure release time period T needs to satisfy an expression T<{L−(L1+L2+L3)}/Sh.

Therefore, a first print time Tf3inFIG. 6Cis expressed as Tf3=Ts+Tc+Tp.

Accordingly, as compared withFIG. 6A, the first print time inFIG. 6Ccan be shortened by the stencil making pressure release time period T.FIG. 6Cis the same asFIGS. 6B and 6Cexcept for the timing of starting the stencil loading.

When the stencil sheet2is cut with the stencil sheet cutter10, the writing head8is shifted from the standby position to the pressure contact position by the writing head shift driver21, and the stencil sheet2is sandwiched between the writing head8and the platen roller7. Subsequently, the platen roller7and the pair of first conveyer rollers12aand12bare rotated by the platen motor20, and the stencil sheet2is conveyed along the conveying route R.

When a predetermined time period has passed after the leading edge of the stencil sheet2is detected by the stencil positioning sensor17, the platen roller7is reversed to bring the stencil sheet2back to the upstream side. The leading edge of the stencil sheet2is again detected, and the waiting position of the stencil sheet2is determined based on the detection signal. Then, the rotation of the platen roller7and the pair of first conveyer rollers12aand12bis stopped, and the writing head8is shifted to the standby position.

The leading edge of the stencil sheet2waits at the waiting position until instructions to start the next stencil making operation are given.

As described in the above embodiment shown inFIG. 6B, the timing of completing the stencil loading operation is made earlier by starting the stencil loading operation at an arbitrary time between the timing earlier, by the time period (L1+L2)/Sp at the maximum, than the timing of completing the stencil making operation and the same timing as completion of the stencil making operation. Accordingly, as compared with the conventional example shown inFIG. 6A, it is possible to shorten the first print time by an arbitrary time period between T and T+(L1+L2)/Sp at the maximum. Here, T and T+(L1+L2)/Sp are time periods by which the stencil loading operation is completed earlier. Moreover, the timing of completing the stencil loading operation is made earlier by starting the stencil loading operation at an arbitrary time between the same timing as completion of the stencil making operation and the same timing as completion of the release of the stencil making pressure. Thus, the first print time can be shortened by an arbitrary time period between zero and T, by which the stencil loading operation is completed earlier, at the maximum.

In addition, the first print time can be easily shortened only by changing the timing of starting the stencil making, and there is no need for hardware modifications such as modifications of the mechanical mechanism and addition of mechanism.

Furthermore, as shown inFIG. 6C, by starting the stencil loading at the timing of completing the stencil making operation, the first print time can be shortened by the time period T as compared with the conventional example shown inFIG. 6A, and the control method can be simplified. As in the case ofFIG. 6B, the first print time can be easily shortened only by changing the timing of starting the stencil loading.