DROPLET EJECTION DEVICE AND ADJUSTMENT METHOD FOR MULTI-NOZZLE HEAD

A droplet ejection device includes an ink supply unit configured to supply ink, a replaceable multi-nozzle head arranged away from the ink supply unit and having a plurality of droplet ejection nozzles configured to eject droplets including the ink by an electrostatic ejection method, a mounting unit configured to mount the multi-nozzle head, an inspection unit configured to inspect an inclination of the multi-nozzle head mounted on the mounting unit, and, an adjusting unit configured to adjust the inclination of the multi-nozzle head based on an inspection result of the multi-nozzle head.

FIELD

The present invention relates to a droplet ejection device and an adjustment method for a multi-nozzle head.

BACKGROUND

In recent years, application of inkjet printing technology to industrial processes has been carried out. A color filter manufacturing process for a liquid crystal display is an example. Conventionally, although a so-called piezo type head that ejects droplets by mechanical pressure or vibration has been widely used as an inkjet printing technique, an electrostatic ejection type inkjet head that can eject finer droplets has attracted attention. Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. H10-34967 discloses an electrostatic ejection type inkjet recording device.

SUMMARY

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a droplet ejection device is provided including an ink supply unit configured to supply ink, a replaceable multi-nozzle head arranged away from the ink supply unit and having a plurality of droplet ejection nozzles configured to eject droplets including the ink by an electrostatic ejection method, a mounting unit configured to mount the multi-nozzle head, an inspection unit configured to inspect an inclination of the multi-nozzle head mounted on the mounting unit, and an adjusting unit configured to adjust the inclination of the multi-nozzle head based on an inspection result of the multi-nozzle head.

In the droplet ejection device, the inspection unit may inspect an inclination of tips of the plurality of droplet ejection nozzles adjacent to each other among the multi-nozzle head, and the adjusting unit adjusts the inclination of the tips of the plurality of droplet ejection nozzles.

In the droplet ejection device, the adjusting unit includes a first adjusting unit configured to rotate the multi-nozzle head with respect to a first rotation shaft corresponding to a first direction parallel to an object, a second adjusting unit configured to rotate the multi-nozzle head with respect to a second rotation shaft corresponding to a second direction parallel to the object and intersecting the first direction, and a third adjusting unit configured to rotate the multi-nozzle head with respect to a third rotation shaft corresponding to a third direction perpendicular to the object and intersecting the first direction and the second direction.

In the droplet ejection device, the adjusting unit may rotate the multi-nozzle head with respect to the third rotation shaft so that a line width of a pattern formed when droplets are ejected in a direction in which a plurality of droplet ejection nozzles are arranged satisfies a predetermined condition.

The droplet ejection device may include an operation unit operable by a user, and the adjusting unit rotates the multi-nozzle head with respect to at least one of the first rotation shaft, the second rotation shaft, and the third rotation shaft based on information input from the operation unit.

In the droplet ejection device, the droplet ejection device may include a display unit configured to display information of the inspected multi-nozzle head, and the display unit may display information indicating that adjustment of an inclination of the multi-nozzle head is completed when a predetermined condition between first information of the inspected multi-nozzle head and second information registered in advance is satisfied.

In the droplet ejection device, the display unit may display replacement request information for requesting replacement of the multi-nozzle head when the droplet ejection nozzle of the multi-nozzle head satisfies a predetermined replacement condition.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a droplet ejection device is provided including an ink supply unit for supplying ink, a mounting unit configured to mount a replaceable multi-nozzle head having a plurality of droplet ejection nozzles arranged away from the ink supply unit, the plurality of droplet ejection nozzles ejecting droplets including the ink by an electrostatic ejection method, an inspection unit configured to inspect an inclination of the multi-nozzle head mounted on the mounting unit, and an adjusting unit configured to adjust an inclination of the multi-nozzle head based on an inspection result of the multi-nozzle head.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, an adjustment method for a multi-nozzle head is provided, the method including, providing a replaceable multi-nozzle head arranged away from an ink supply unit configured to supply ink, the multi-nozzle head having a plurality of droplet ejection nozzles configured to eject droplets by an electrostatic ejection method, inspecting an inclination of the multi-nozzle head when the multi-nozzle head is mounted on the mounting unit, and adjusting the inclination of the multi-nozzle head based on an inspection result of the multi-nozzle head.

The method for adjusting the multi-nozzle head by the droplet ejection device may include inspecting an inclination of tips of the plurality of adjacent droplet ejection nozzles, and adjusting the inclination of the tips of the plurality of droplet ejection nozzles.

The method for adjusting the multi-nozzle head by the droplet ejection device may include rotating the multi-nozzle head with respect to a first rotation shaft corresponding to a first direction parallel to an object, rotating the multi-nozzle head with respect to a second rotation shaft corresponding to a second direction parallel to the object and intersecting the first direction, and rotating the multi-nozzle head with respect to a third rotation shaft corresponding to a third direction perpendicular to the object and intersecting the first direction and the second direction.

The adjustment method for the multi-nozzle head may include rotating the multi-nozzle head by the droplet ejection device with respect to a first rotation shaft corresponding to a first direction parallel to an object, rotating the multi-nozzle head with respect to a second rotation shaft corresponding to a second direction parallel to the object and intersecting the first direction, and rotating the multi-nozzle head with respect to a third rotation shaft corresponding to a third direction perpendicular to the object and intersecting the first direction and the second direction.

The adjustment method for the multi-nozzle head may include rotating the multi-nozzle head by the droplet ejection device with respect to the third rotation shaft so that a line width of a pattern formed when the droplets are ejected in a direction in which the plurality of droplet ejection nozzles are arranged satisfies a predetermined condition.

The adjustment method for multi-nozzle head may include displaying first information of the inspected multi-nozzle head on a display unit by the droplet ejection device, and displaying information indicating that adjustment of an inclination of the multi-nozzle head is completed on the display unit when a predetermined condition between the first information of the inspected multi-nozzle head and second information registered in advance is satisfied.

The adjustment method for multi-nozzle head may include displaying the replacement request information for requesting replacement of the multi-nozzle head is displayed on the display unit by the droplet ejection device when the droplet ejection nozzle of the multi-nozzle head satisfies a predetermined replacement condition.

By using an embodiment of the present invention, droplets can be stably ejected using a replaceable multi-nozzle head.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, embodiments of inventions disclosed in the present application will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from the gist thereof, and is not to be construed as being limited to the description of the embodiments exemplified below.

In addition, in the drawings referred to in the present embodiment, the same or similar parts are denoted by the same reference signs or similar reference signs (only denoted by A, B, or the like after the numerals), and repeated description thereof may be omitted. In addition, the dimensional ratios in the drawings may be different from actual ratios for convenience of explanation, or a part of the configuration may be omitted from the drawings.

Further, in the detailed description of the present invention, when defining an inclination relationship between one component and another, the terms “above” and “below” include not only a case where the component is inclined directly above or directly below, but also a case where another component is interposed therebetween unless otherwise specified.

In recent years, for an electrostatic ejection type inkjet head, a multi-nozzle head having a plurality of nozzles has been developed from the viewpoint of improving productivity. When droplets are ejected from the multi-nozzle, the droplets can be ejected so as to have various patterns by changing an arrangement of the nozzles.

On the other hand, a user needs to replace the multi-nozzle head according to the pattern to be formed. An angle formed by an arrangement direction of the nozzles of the multi-nozzle head and a movement direction of a stage needs to be adjusted so as to be constant at all times even in the case where a different multi-nozzle head of the same specifications is mounted. If the multi-nozzle head is not installed at an optimum position, a pattern with a desired accuracy cannot be formed.

Therefore, the present disclosure discloses to stably eject droplets using a replaceable multi-nozzle head.

First Embodiment

[1-1. Configuration of Droplet Ejection Device100]

FIG.1is a schematic diagram of a droplet ejection device100according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The droplet ejection device100includes a control unit110, a storage unit120, a power supply unit125, a driving unit130, a mounting unit140, a multi-nozzle head150, an inspection unit160, a display unit170, an operation unit180, an adjusting unit190, an object holding unit200, and a housing210. The control unit110, the storage unit120, the power supply unit125, the driving unit130, the mounting unit140, an ink supply unit145, the multi-nozzle head150, the inspection unit160, the display unit170, the operation unit180, the adjusting unit190, and the object holding unit200are electrically connected by a wiring bus and are arranged inside the housing210.

The control unit110includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or another arithmetic processor. The control unit110controls droplet ejection processing by the multi-nozzle head150using a droplet ejection program set in advance. Further, the control unit110controls an inclination of the multi-nozzle head150.

The storage unit120has a function as the droplet ejection program and a database for storing various kinds of information used in the droplet ejection program. As the storage unit120, a memory, an SSD, or a storage-capable device are used. Further, the storage unit120stores inclination information (also referred to as parallelism) of the multi-nozzle head150.

The power supply unit125applies a voltage to the multi-nozzle head150based on a signal input from the control unit110. In this example, the power supply unit125applies a pulsed voltage (in this example, 1000 V) to the multi-nozzle head150. In addition, the voltage is not limited to the pulse voltage, and a constant voltage may be constantly applied.

The driving unit130includes a driving member such as a motor, a belt, and a gear. The driving unit130moves the multi-nozzle head150relative to the object220in one direction (in this case, a second direction D2) based on an instruction from the control unit110.

The mounting unit140mounts the multi-nozzle head150. In this example, the mounting unit140is bonded to the plate portion of the nozzle head to mount the nozzle head. In this case, the mounting unit140may mount the multi-nozzle head150using a jig, an adhesive, or the like.

The ink supply unit145(also referred to as an ink tank or an ink cartridge) is arranged away from the mounting unit140. The ink supply unit145stores ink. The ink supply unit145supplies the stored ink to the multi-nozzle head150.

The multi-nozzle head150is arranged away from the ink supply unit145and the mounting unit140.FIG.2Ais a plan view of the multi-nozzle head150.FIG.2Bis an enlarged top view of a droplet ejection nozzle153.FIG.2Cis an enlarged cross-sectional view of the droplet ejection nozzle153. As shown inFIG.2A, the multi-nozzle head150includes a plate portion151and a plurality of droplet ejection nozzles153. The plate portion151is arranged in a flat shape. The droplet ejection nozzle153is arranged in the plate portion151. An electrostatic ejection type inkjet nozzle is used as the droplet ejection nozzle153. As shown inFIG.2BandFIG.2C, the droplet ejection nozzle153is formed to have a shape that tapers toward a tip153a. The multi-nozzle head150is also referred to as a multi-nozzle plate. In the present embodiment, liquid held in the ink supply unit145by a voltage applied from the power supply unit125to the multi-nozzle head150is ejected as a droplet from the tip153aof the droplet ejecting nozzle153in the multi-nozzle head150in a direction (third direction D3) of the object220.

As shown inFIG.2A, in the multi-nozzle head150, the plurality of droplet ejection nozzles153are arranged side by side in a row (specifically, in the first direction D1). Note that the plurality of droplet ejection nozzles153are not limited to being arranged side by side in a row, and may be arranged side by side in two dimensions (specifically, the first direction D1and the second direction D2intersecting the first direction D1) or may be arranged in a scattered manner.

In addition, the multi-nozzle head150is arranged so as to be replaceable from the mounting unit140. As a result, it is possible to use the multi-nozzle head150having an appropriate nozzle arrangement according to a pattern to be formed.

The inspection unit160inspects the inclination of the multi-nozzle head150mounted on the mounting unit140. In this example, the inspection unit160inspects the inclination of the tip153aof the neighboring droplet ejection nozzle153in the multi-nozzle head150. In this case, the inspection unit160inspects the inclination of the tip153aof the droplet ejection nozzles153arranged in a row with respect to a reference surface. The reference surface may be the object220or a preset plane. The inclination of the multi-nozzle head150may be defined as parallelism. In this example, an imaging device is used as the inspection unit160. Specifically, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) type camera or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) type of camera is used as the inspection unit160. Information acquired by the inspection unit160is sent to the control unit110and the storage unit120.

The display unit170displays control information (text information or image information) under the control of the control unit110. In this case, the display unit170may display the control information via a GUI (Graphical User Interface). Further, the display unit170displays the inclination information of the multi-nozzle head150.

The operation unit180includes an operable member. For example, a button, a lever, a numeric keypad, and the like are used for the operation unit180. Operations such as up, down, left, or right movement, pressing, or rotation, or input of numerical values are performed by using the operation unit180, and information based on the operations is acquired by the control unit110. In the case where the display unit170has a function of the operation unit180, the display unit170may be used as a touch panel.

The adjusting unit190adjusts the inclination of the multi-nozzle head150. Specifically, the adjusting unit190adjusts the inclination of the tip153aof the droplet ejection nozzle153of the multi-nozzle head150.

The adjusting unit190includes a first adjusting unit191, a second adjusting unit193, and a third adjusting unit195. The first adjusting unit191rotates the multi-nozzle head150with respect to a first rotation shaft Ax1. The second adjusting unit193rotates the multi-nozzle head150with respect to a second rotation shaft Ax2. The third adjusting unit195rotates the multi-nozzle head150with respect to a third rotation shaft Ax3. The first rotation shaft Ax1, the second rotation shaft Ax2, and the third rotation shaft Ax3intersect each other. The first rotation shaft Ax1corresponds to the first direction D1(a depth direction of the droplet ejection device100). The second rotation shaft Ax2corresponds to the second direction D2(a lateral direction of the droplet ejection device100). The third rotation shaft Ax3corresponds to the third direction D3(a direction perpendicular to the ground). A goniometer stage is used for the first adjusting unit191and the second adjusting unit193. A θ stage is used as the third adjusting unit195.

The object holding unit200has a function of holding the object220. In this example, a stage is used as the object holding unit200. A mechanism by which the object holding unit200holds the object220is not particularly limited, and a general holding mechanism is used. In this example, the object220is held to the object holding unit200by a vacuum. The object holding unit200may hold the object220using a fixture.

FIG.3is a functional block diagram of the control unit110. As shown inFIG.3, the control unit110includes an acquisition unit111, an inspection process control unit113, an adjustment process control unit115, a determination unit117, and a transmission unit119as functional units.

The acquisition unit111has a function of acquiring information transmitted from each device.

The inspection process control unit113has a function of controlling an inspection process performed by the inspection unit160.

The adjustment process control unit115has a function of controlling an adjustment process by the adjusting unit190.

The determination unit117determines whether the inclination of the multi-nozzle head150adjusted by the adjusting unit190is the correct inclination. Specifically, the inspection unit160captures an image of the tip153aof the droplet ejection nozzle153of the adjusted multi-nozzle head150. The determination unit117determines whether or not the image of the tip153aof the captured droplet ejection nozzle153is the same as an image of the tip153aof the registered droplet ejection nozzle153.

The transmission unit119transmits various types of control information (instruction information) to each device.

Hereinafter, an adjustment method for the multi-nozzle head150in the droplet ejection device will be described with reference to the drawings.FIG.4is a flow diagram of the adjustment method for the multi-nozzle head150in the droplet ejection device.

First, the user attaches the multi-nozzle head150to the mounting unit140. In this case, the user may input the information that the multi-nozzle head is attached to the mounting unit140via the operation unit180(for example, by pressing the mounting completion button). Information on which the multi-nozzle head150is attached to the mounting unit140is transmitted to the acquisition unit111of the control unit110, and the acquisition unit111acquires the mounting information of the multi-nozzle head150(S110).

Next, the inspection process control unit113of the control unit110executes the inspection process based on the information on which the multi-nozzle head150is attached to the mounting unit140(S120). In this case, the inspection process control unit113transmits instruction information for inspecting the multi-nozzle head150to the inspection unit160. The inspection unit160inspects the multi-nozzle head based on the received instruction information. Specifically, the inspection unit160inspects a positional relationship with the tip153aof the neighboring droplet ejection nozzle153by imaging the tip153aof the droplet ejection nozzle153of the multi-nozzle head150. The captured image of the tip153aof the droplet ejection nozzle153is transmitted to the control unit110. The transmission unit119of the control unit110transmits the image of the tip153aof the droplet ejection nozzle153to the display unit170. The display unit170displays the captured image of the tip153aof the droplet ejection nozzle153. In this case, an inclination of the droplet ejection nozzle153adjacent to a reference direction (the first direction D1, the second direction D3, or the third direction D3) may be numerically displayed.

On the basis of the image of the tip153aof the droplet ejection nozzle153of the multi-nozzle head150displayed on the display unit170, the user may input information for moving the multi-nozzle head150via the operation unit180. The input information is acquired by the acquisition unit111of the control unit110(S130).

Next, the adjustment process control unit115of the control unit110executes the adjustment process of the multi-nozzle head150based on the input data (S140). In this case, the adjustment process control unit115transmits instruction information for adjusting the multi-nozzle head150(the tip153aof the droplet ejection nozzle153) to the adjusting unit190. The adjusting unit190adjusts the inclination of the multi-nozzle head150based on the received instruction information. In this case, the inclination includes inclinations of the multi-nozzle head150with respect to the first direction D1, the second direction D2, and the third direction D3.

The inspection process control unit113may transmit inspection instruction information of the multi-nozzle head150to the inspection unit160in conjunction with the adjustment process. In this example, the inspection unit160captures an image of the tip153aof the droplet ejecting nozzle153in the multi-nozzle head150. The captured images of the tip153aof the droplet ejection nozzle153are transmitted to the control unit110. In this case, the acquisition unit111of the control unit110acquires the inclination information of the multi-nozzle head150after adjustment. The transmission unit119of the control unit110transmits the inclination information of the multi-nozzle head150(image of the tip153aof the droplet ejecting nozzle153) to the display unit170. The display unit170displays the inclination information of the multi-nozzle head150(an image of the tip153aof the captured droplet ejection nozzle153).

Next, the determination unit117of the control unit110executes a determination process (S150). Specifically, the determination unit117compares the acquired inclination information of the multi-nozzle head150after adjustment (an image of the tip153aof the droplet ejection nozzle153, also referred to as first information) with the inclination information of the multi-nozzle head (an image of the tip153aof the droplet ejection nozzle153, also referred to as second information) registered in advance. Consequently, in the case where the inclination of the adjusted multi-nozzle head150does not match a set inclination (S160; No), the process may be looped back to S140. On the other hand, in the case where the inclination of the adjusted multi-nozzle head150matches the set inclination (S160; Yes), the adjustment process is completed. In this case, the control unit110transmits instruction information for displaying that an inclination adjustment of the multi-nozzle head150has been completed to the display unit170. In this case, the display unit170displays information indicating that the inclination adjustment of the multi-nozzle head150is completed, based on the received information.

FIG.5Ais a schematic view of a multi-nozzle before adjustment.FIG.5Bis a schematic view of the multi-nozzle after adjustment. As shown inFIG.5AandFIG.5B, even if the inclination of the multi-nozzle head150deviates from a predetermined inclination when the multi-nozzle head150is mounted on the mounting unit140, the inclination of the multi-nozzle head150can be adjusted to an appropriate inclination.

It is possible to stably eject droplets even in a case where a replacement process of the multi-nozzle head is performed, which is not performed in the conventional electrostatic ejection type droplet ejection device by using the present embodiment.

Further, it is possible to reduce the influence of defects even in a case where there is a shape defect in the mounting unit140by using the present embodiment. Therefore, droplets can be stably ejected.

Second Embodiment

In the present embodiment, a droplet ejection device different from the first embodiment will be described. Specifically, an example in which a plurality of inspection units are provided will be described. Note that, for the sake of explanation, members will be omitted as appropriate.

FIG.6is a schematic diagram of a droplet ejection device100A. As shown inFIG.6, the droplet ejection device100A includes the control unit110, the storage unit120, the power supply unit125, the driving unit130, the mounting unit140, the ink supply unit145, the multi-nozzle head150, an inspection unit160A, the display unit170, the operation unit180, the adjusting unit190, the object holding unit200, and the housing210.

As shown inFIG.6, the inspection unit160A includes a plurality of inspection units in the present embodiment. Specifically, an inspection unit160A-1is provided corresponding to the first direction D1of the multi-nozzle head150. An inspection unit160A-2is provided corresponding to the second direction D2of the multi-nozzle head150. An inspection unit160A-3is provided corresponding to the third direction D3of the multi-nozzle head150.

Further, in the case of the present embodiment, evaluation may be performed using a pattern formed by ejecting droplets in a direction in which the droplet ejection nozzles153are arranged.FIG.7AandFIG.7Bare diagrams for explaining the direction in which the droplets are ejected. When the droplet ejection nozzle153is inclined, a linewidth of the formed pattern increases as shown inFIG.7B. Therefore, as shown inFIG.7A, it is desirable to adjust the inclination of the multi-nozzle head150with respect to the third direction D3so as to minimize the linewidth of the pattern formed by the ejected droplets. The linewidth of the pattern is evaluated by the inspection unit160A-3. An optical microscope, an electronic microscope, or the like may be used as the inspection unit160A-3. Further, the present invention is not limited to the inspection unit160A-3, and the linewidth of the pattern may be evaluated using an inspection unit arranged at another location.

Therefore, the inclination (position) of the multi-nozzle head150can be adjusted with higher accuracy by using the present embodiment.

Third Embodiment

A droplet ejection device different from the second embodiment will be described in the present embodiment. Specifically, an example in which not only an imaging device but also a laser sensor is provided as an inspection unit will be described. In addition, for the sake of explanation, members will be omitted as appropriate.

FIG.8is a schematic diagram of a droplet ejection device100B. As shown inFIG.8, the droplet ejection device100B includes the inspection unit161in addition to the control unit110, the storage unit120, the power supply unit125, the driving unit130, the mounting unit140, the ink supply unit145, the multi-nozzle head150, the inspection unit160A, the display unit170, the operation unit180, the adjusting unit190, the object holding unit200, and the housing210. A laser sensor is used as the inspection unit161.

FIG.9is a schematic diagram showing a relationship between the inspection unit161and the multi-nozzle head150. The laser irradiation unit of the inspection unit161is arranged upward so as to face the multi-nozzle head150. The inspection unit161may measure a distance d between four corners (the plate portion151) of the multi-nozzle head150and the inspection unit161. The measured value is fed back to the control unit110. The adjustment process control unit115adjusts the inclination of the multi-nozzle head150so that the distance d at the four corners is the same. The inclination of the multi-nozzle head150with respect to the first direction D1and the second direction D2can be adjusted with higher accuracy by using the present embodiment.

EXAMPLES

Hereinafter, an example of an adjustment method of an inclination of a multi-nozzle head will be described.

FIG.10is a photograph of a multi-nozzle head used in the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, the multi-nozzle head is provided with 100×4 rows=400 droplet ejection nozzles.

FIG.11Ais an image of the multi-nozzle head150before adjustment captured by the inspection unit160.FIG.11Bis an image of the multi-nozzle head150after adjustment using the first adjusting unit191. In this example, a real image of the droplet ejection nozzle is confirmed on the upper side of the screen and a virtual image of the droplet ejection nozzle is confirmed on the lower side of the screen. The first adjusting unit191rotates the multi-nozzle head150with respect to the first rotation shaft Ax1. As a result, although the droplet ejection nozzles on the right side are not visible inFIG.11A, the droplet ejection nozzles on the left and right sides can be checked as shown inFIG.11B.

FIG.12Ais an image of the multi-nozzle head150before adjustment captured by the inspection unit160. InFIG.12A, the virtual image side can be confirmed down to the base, while the real image side is slightly confirmed at a tip.FIG.12Bis an image obtained when the inclination of the multi-nozzle head150is adjusted using the second adjusting unit193. The second adjusting unit193rotates the multi-nozzle head150with respect to the second rotation shaft Ax2. It is possible to confirm the real image and the virtual image in substantially the same manner as shown inFIG.12Bby adjusting the inclination of the multi-nozzle head150by the second adjusting unit193.

FIG.13Ais an image of the multi-nozzle head150before adjustment captured by the inspection unit160.FIG.13Bis an image when the inclination of the multi-nozzle head150is adjusted using the third adjusting unit195. The third adjusting unit195rotates the multi-nozzle head150with respect to the third rotation shaft Ax3. As a result, the image of the droplet ejection nozzle which is out of focus inFIG.13Acan be brought into focus, as shown inFIG.13B.

FIG.14Ais an image of a pattern formed by the multi-nozzle head150before adjustment.FIG.14Bis an image when the inclination of the multi-nozzle head150is adjusted using the third adjusting unit195. The third adjusting unit195rotates the multi-nozzle head150with respect to the third rotation shaft Ax3. As a result, it was confirmed that a pattern line width formed after the adjustment as shown inFIG.14B(67.8 μm) became narrower than a pattern line width (81.9 μm) formed before the adjustment shown inFIG.14A.

As described above, in the case where the replaceable multi-nozzle head is mounted, the multi-nozzle head (droplet ejection nozzle) can be adjusted to an appropriate position and orientation by using an embodiment of the present invention. As a result, droplets can be stably ejected using the replaceable multi-nozzle head.

Modification

Within the scope of the present invention, those skilled in the art can conceive of various modifications and examples, and it is understood that these modifications and examples also fall within the scope of the present invention. For example, a person skilled in the art appropriately adds, deletes, combines or changes the design of each embodiment, or adds, omits, or changes the conditions to the embodiments and such changes described above are included in the scope of the present invention as long as the gist of the present invention is included.

In the first embodiment of the present invention, although an example in which the inspection process and the adjustment process are performed at different timings has been described, the present invention is not limited thereto. The inspection process and the adjustment process may be performed simultaneously. Also, the inspection process and the determination process may also be performed simultaneously.

In the first embodiment of the present invention, although an example in which an imaging device is used as the inspection unit160has been described, the present invention is not limited thereto. The inspection unit160may be a displacement sensor or an inclination sensor, or a device capable of inspecting inclination information such as an angle sensor may be used as appropriate. A laser may be used for each sensor.

In the first embodiment of the present invention, although an example in which the inclination of the multi-nozzle head150mounted on the mounting unit140is adjusted has been described, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, in the case where the multi-nozzle head150is used and the droplet ejection nozzle of the multi-nozzle head satisfies a predetermined condition, the control unit110may transmit replacement request information requesting the display unit170to replace the multi-nozzle head to the display unit170. The predetermined condition in this case may be that the droplet ejection nozzle is closed, or may be an imaging result of the ejection pattern. As a result, a state of the multi-nozzle head can be detected, and the ejection failure of the droplet can be prevented.

In the first embodiment of the present invention, although an example in which the determination unit117determines whether or not the image of the tip153aof the captured droplet ejection nozzle153is the same as the image of the tip153aof the registered droplet ejection nozzle153is shown, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the inclination information of the tip153aof the droplet ejection nozzle153may be converted into a numerical value. This makes it possible to more accurately adjust the inclination of the multi-nozzle.

In the first embodiment of the present invention, although an example in which the adjusting unit190adjusts the multi-nozzle head150when the user operates the operation unit180is shown, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the control unit110may transmit the instruction information to the adjusting unit190so that the multi-nozzle head150is arranged at the set inclination according to the inspection result. Accordingly, the inclination of the multi-nozzle head150can be automatically adjusted.