Patent Publication Number: US-6341548-B1

Title: Device for adjusting distance of cutting blade from workpiece sheet

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a device for adjusting vertical position of a cutter, to enable half cut or full cut in label sheets, wallpaper sheets, strip coat sheets, and the like following an optional direction. 
     RELATED ART 
     Japanese Utility-Model Application Publication No. HEI-2-14952 discloses an example of a conventional device for adjusting vertical position of a cutter. The device has two electromagnetic solenoids for selectively adjusting the cutter between an uppermost position, wherein the workpiece is not cut at all, a half cut position, and a full cut position. 
     The device is provided with a head capable of movement in X and Y directions of a horizontal plane. An outer cylinder is rotatably disposed on the head. A shaft with a cutting blade at its lower end is mounted in a guide tube in the outer cylinder, capable of free vertical movement. A gear is fixed to the outer surface of the outer cylinder. The direction in which the cutting blade faces can be changed by rotating the outer cylinder via the gear. 
     Another cylinder is fixed to the upper end of the outer cylinder, and a disk is disposed on the other cylinder. A hole is formed in the disk, and the shaft protrudes through the hole. A reciprocal movement spring for urging the disk upwards is disposed between the other cylinder and the disk. A seesaw-type first lever is disposed with one end between the disk and a pin protruding horizontally above the disk from the shaft, and with the other end in confrontation with an output shaft of a half cut electromagnetic solenoid. 
     A stopper is disposed in a frame above the shaft in abutment with the upper end of the shaft. A cutter position adjustment screw is disposed above the stopper. A cutter pressure spring for urging the stopper downwards extends between the cutter pressure adjustment screw and the stopper. The stopper has a flange that abuts against with the frame to prevent the shaft from lowering beyond a full-cut position to be described later. A second lever is disposed with its operation end in confrontation with the flange of the stopper and with its center in confrontation with the operation shaft of a full cut electromagnetic solenoid. 
     The amount that the cutter pressure adjustment screw protrudes is adjusted to set force of the cutter pressure spring to a desired half cut amount. When the half cut electromagnetic solenoid is turned off, that is, when it is not energized, upwards urging force of the reciprocal movement spring raises the rising/lowering shaft upwards into a non-cut position via the disk, the tip of the first lever, and the pin. 
     Next, when the half cut electromagnetic solenoid is turned on, that is, when it is energized, the rising/lowering shaft is lowered to a half cut position by downwards urging force of the cutter pressure spring. When the full cut electromagnetic solenoid is turned on, the second lever presses the stopper downward, so the rising/lowering shaft can be set into its full cut position. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     However, this configuration is extremely complicated and requires a great number of components including two expensive and large electromagnetic solenoids. 
     It is an objective of the present invention to provide a device for adjusting the vertical position of a cutter, using a simple configuration and horizontal movement of a cutter holder along a horizontal plane, to enable rising and lowering of the cutter in a plurality of different positions, such as a half cut or a full cut position, along a vertical path perpendicular to the horizontal plane. 
     To achieve the above-described objectives, a cutter according to the present invention includes a cutter holder, a cutter shaft, and a conversion unit. The cutter holder moves in opposing directions along a first path. 
     The cutter shaft moves within the cutter holder in opposing directions along a second path. The cutter shaft has two ends, one end being provided with a cutter that selectively protrudes from one end of the cutter holder depending on position of the cutter shaft along the second path with respect to the cutter holder. 
     The conversion unit is disposed at the other end of the cutter shaft, and converts movement of the cutter holder along the first path into movement of the cutter shaft along the second path, to select position of the cutter shaft on the second path with respect to the cutter holder. 
     Because the conversion unit converts movement of the cutter holder in the one direction into movement of the cutter shaft in another direction, there is no need to provide a separate actuator, such as a solenoid, only for the purpose of selecting position of the cutter shaft. Fewer parts components are necessary and the overall configuration can be simplified. 
     It is desirable that the conversion unit include an operation member and a selection unit configured in the following manner. The operation member is partially disposed in the cutter holder. The operation member has two ends that protrude away from each other from opposite sides of the cutter holder in the opposing directions of the first path. The operation member moves in a selected one of the opposing directions of the first path by abutment of one of the ends caused by movement of the cutter holder in the other of the opposing directions of the first path. 
     The selection unit is disposed in contact with the other end of the cutter shaft, and is driven to select position of the cutter shaft along the second path by movement of the operation member in the selected one of the opposing directions of the first path. 
     With this configuration, the operation member can be linearly moved by moving the cutter holder in parallel with the opposing directions in which the ends of the operation member extend. The linear movement of the operation member drives the selection unit to select the position of the cutter shaft. Therefore, the position of the cutter shaft, and consequently whether cutting is performed, or if so, the depth of cuts, can be easily adjusted, selected, or both, by merely controlling the amount and direction of cutter holder movement. 
     It is alternatively desirable that the conversion unit include a selection member and an operation member configured in the following manner. The selection member has a screw portion and moves in one of the opposing directions of the second path by screwing action generated when the selection member rotates in one direction, and in another of the opposing directions of the second path by screwing action generated when the selection member rotates in an opposite direction. 
     The operation member has one end connected to the selection member and another end protruding through a side of the cutter holder. The operation member rotates the selection member in a corresponding direction when pivoted, the operation member pivoting according to abutment of the other end caused by movement of the cutter holder. 
     With this configuration, the operation member is pivoted by movement of the cutter holder along the first path, which can be horizontally aligned, for example. Pivoting movement of the operation member rotates the selection member, which screwingly rises upward in parallel with an imaginary axial line of the cutter shaft, to a degree corresponding to the amount the selection member rotates. The position of the cutter shaft along the second path, which can be vertically aligned, for example, can be adjusted or selected corresponding to the amount that the selection member is screwed up. Therefore, by only controlling the movement amount of the cutter holder, the cutting depth of the cutter can be easily selected or adjusted. 
     It is also desirable to provide an adjustment unit that adjusts an initial position of at least one of the operation member and the selection unit along the second path. With this configuration, the depth of half cuts or full cuts can be easily preadjusted corresponding to the thickness of the workpiece to be cut. 
     It is alternatively desirable to that the conversion unit include a presser, a movement unit, and a selection unit configured in the following manner. The presser is disposed at the other end of the cutter shaft and freely movable in the opposing directions of the second path. 
     The movement unit is connected to the presser and protrudes from the other end of the cutter holder. The movement unit moves the presser selectively in the opposing directions of the second path, depending on rotational direction of the movement unit. 
     The selection unit rotates the movement unit in a rotational direction that depends on direction of movement of the cutter holder, in order to move the presser, and consequently the cutter shaft, in a corresponding one of the opposing directions of the second path. 
     With to this configuration, when the cutter holder moves along the first path, the selection unit rotates the movement unit in a rotational direction that depends on direction of movement of the cutter holder, in order to move the presser, and consequently the cutter shaft, in a corresponding one of the opposing directions of the second path. Rotation of the movement means moves the presser in a corresponding direction, so that the amount that the blade tip at the end of the cutter shaft protrudes can be adjusted. 
     It is desirable that these operations be performed when the cutter holder is disposed in a position that prevents the blade tip from contacting a workpiece in confrontation with the other end of the cutter holder. After the position of the cutter shaft has been adjusted or selected, the cutter holder need only by lowered to perform cutting operations. 
     In this way, the operations for adjusting a protrusion amount of the blade tip and cutting operations can be distinguished from each other by selecting vertical position of the cutter holder. Furthermore, the protrusion amount of the blade tip can be greatly or slightly adjusted selectively by selecting movement direction of the cutter holder along the first path while the cutter holder is in its raised up position. Accordingly, an operation for adjusting a protrusion amount of the blade tip can be executed by using movement of the cutter holder while the cutter holder is in its raised position to interrupt cutting operations. As a result, there is no need to provide a separate actuator for this purpose. Also, adjustment operations can be easily performed. 
     It is alternatively desirable that the movement unit include a lid, a screw shaft portion, and a gear, and that the selection unit includes a pair of planetary gears, all having the following configuration. The lid is disposed at the other end of the cutter holder. 
     The screw shaft portion is screwingly engaged in the lid and is interlockingly connected with the presser to move integrally with the presser along the second path. The gear protrudes from the other end of the cutter holder and rotates integrally with the screw shaft portion. 
     The pair of planetary gears alternately engage with the gear of the movement unit, depending on movement direction of the cutter holder. That is, one planetary gear rotates the gear of the movement unit in one direction, and the other planetary gear rotates the gear of the movement unit in another direction. 
     With this configuration, rotational direction of the gear and the screw shaft portion can be accurately switched using the planetary gears. Also, amount that the presser and the screw shaft portion are moved in the opposing directions of the second path can be accurately changed by the amount that the planetary gears rotate the gear. Also, because the movement amount is stable, the amount that the blade protrudes can be accurately set. 
     It is desirable that the pair of planetary gears be disposed at different positions from each other in the opposing directions of the second path, and rotate the gear of the movement unit in a suitable direction to adjust position of the presser in the cutter holder with respect to the opposing directions of the second path. 
     With this configuration, rotational direction of the gear can be selected without error so that the position of the presser in the cutter holder can be accurately adjusted. 
     It is alternatively desirable that the movement unit includes a lid, a shaft portion, and a gear, and that the selection unit includes a pair of planetary gears, all configured in the following manner. It should be noted that in this case the presser is non-rotatably disposed in the cutter holder. 
     The lid is disposed at the other end of the cutter holder. A shaft portion is freely rotatably supported in the lid in a manner that prevents movement of the shaft portion in the opposing directions of the second path with respect to the lid. The shaft portion is screwingly engaged with the presser. The gear rotates integrally with the shaft portion. 
     The pair of planetary gears alternately engage with the gear of the movement unit, depending on movement direction of the cutter holder. That is, one planetary gear rotating the gear of the movement unit in one direction, and the other planetary gear rotates the gear of the movement unit in another direction. 
     With this configuration, when the cutter holder moves along the first path, the selection unit rotates the movement unit in a rotational direction that depends on direction of movement of the cutter holder, in order to move the presser, and consequently the cutter shaft, in a corresponding one of the opposing directions of the second path. Rotation of the movement means moves the presser in a corresponding direction, so that the amount that the blade tip at the end of the cutter shaft protrudes can be adjusted. 
     It is desirable that these operations be performed when the cutter holder is disposed in a position that prevents the blade tip from contacting a workpiece in confrontation with the other end of the cutter holder. After the position of the cutter shaft has been adjusted or selected, the cutter holder needs only be lowered to perform cutting operations. 
     In this way, the operations for adjusting a protrusion amount of the blade tip and cutting operations can be distinguished from each other by selecting vertical position of the cutter holder. Furthermore, the protrusion amount of the blade tip can be greatly or slightly adjusted selectively by selecting movement direction of the cutter holder along the first path while the cutter holder is in its raised up position. Accordingly, an operation for adjusting a protrusion amount of the blade tip can be executed by using movement of the cutter holder while the cutter holder is in its raised position to interrupt cutting operations. As a result, there is no need to provide a separate actuator for this purpose. Also, adjustment operations can be easily performed. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The above and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from reading the following description of the preferred embodiment taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a tack sheet printing device including a cutting portion according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of the printing device of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing mechanism for raising and lowering a cutter holder of the cutting portion; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a roll sheet of tack paper used in the printing device; 
     FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view showing the cutter holder; 
     FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI—VI of FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional side view showing a cutter holder according to a second embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII—VIII of FIG. 7; 
     FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a cutter holder according to a third embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line X—X of FIG. 9; 
     FIG. 11 is a magnified view showing essential portions of a cutter disposed in a half cut position in the cutter holder; 
     FIG. 12 is a side view taken along a line XII—XII of FIG. 11; 
     FIG. 13 is a magnified side view showing essential portions of the cutter disposed in a full cut position in the cutter holder; 
     FIG. 14 is a schematic side view showing a print device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 15 is a magnified side view showing a cutting portion of the print device of FIG. 14; 
     FIG. 16 is a plan view showing the cutting portion of FIG. 15; 
     FIG. 17 is an enlarged side view showing a carriage, a cutter holder, and a selection mechanism of the print device of FIG. 14; 
     FIG.  18 ( a ) is a cross-sectional view showing the cutter holder of FIG. 17 with a cutter in a retracted position; 
     FIG.  18 ( b ) is a cross-sectional view showing the cutter holder of FIG. 17 with the cutter in a protruding position; 
     FIG.  19 ( a ) is a side view showing a first lever of a mechanism for setting vertical position of the cutter holder; 
     FIG.  19 ( b ) is a side view showing a second lever of the mechanism of FIG.  19 ( a ); 
     FIG. 20 is a frontal view of the selection mechanism of FIG. 17; 
     FIG.  21 ( a ) is a side view showing the mechanism for setting vertical position of the cutter holder, wherein a cam plate thereof is oriented in an origin setting phase of 0°; 
     FIG.  21 ( b ) is a side view showing the mechanism of FIG.  21 ( a ), with the cam plate oriented in a phase of 9°; 
     FIG.  21 ( c ) is a side view showing the mechanism of FIG.  21 ( a ), with the cam plate oriented in a release position phase of 141°; 
     FIG.  22 ( a ) is a side view showing the mechanism of FIG.  21 ( a ), with the cam plate oriented in a phase of 178° for adjusting direction of the blade tip; 
     FIG.  22 ( b ) is a side view showing the mechanism of FIG.  21 ( a ), with the cam plate oriented in a cutting phase of 300°; 
     FIG. 23 is a side view showing changes in vertical position of the cutter holder of the fourth embodiment; 
     FIG.  24 ( a ) is a plan view showing orientation of the selection mechanism in a release condition; 
     FIG.  24 ( b ) is a plan view showing orientation of the selection mechanism when the cutter is being raised; 
     FIG.  24 ( c ) is a plan view showing orientation of the selection operation means when the cutter is being lowered; 
     FIG.  25 ( a ) is a cross-sectional view showing the cutter in a release condition retracted away from the tack sheet; 
     FIG.  25 ( b ) is a cross-sectional view showing the cutter in a half cut condition slightly piercing the tack sheet; 
     FIG.  25 ( c ) is a cross-sectional view showing the cutter in a full cut condition completely piercing the tack sheet; and 
     FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view showing a cutter holder according to a modification of the fourth embodiment. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     Embodiments of the present invention will be described while referring to the accompanying drawings, wherein like parts and components are designated by the same reference numerals to avoid duplicating description 
     FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a tack sheet printing device  1  including a cutting portion  15  according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the printing device  1 . FIG. 3 is a side view showing a mechanism for raising and lower a cutter holder of the cutter portion. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a roll sheet  2  of tack paper. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the cutter holder. 
     As shown in FIG. 4, the roll sheet  2  is used by the tack sheet printing device  1  as a workpiece to be cut. The recording sheet  3  is produced by coating an adhesive, such as a pressure sensitive adhesive, on the rear surface of a recording sheet, which is a band-shaped sheet of paper that can be printed on its surface. A band-shaped separation sheet  4  is then adhered onto the adhesive layer. Normally the roll sheet  2  is wound on a paper tube  5 . The recording sheet  3  can also be formed from a gloss-coated paper or a synthetic resin film. 
     As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the tack sheet printing device  1  includes right and left side chassis frames  6 ,  6 . A pair of support shafts  7   a,    7   b  are disposed, one on each of the chassis frames  6 ,  6 . The support shafts  7   a,    7   b  are configured to freely, rotatably support the paper tube  5  of the roll sheet  2  and enable replacement of the roll sheet  2 , including the paper tube  5 . A connection frame  8  connects the chassis frames  6 ,  6  with each other. A pair of swing arms  10 ,  10  are supported on the connection frame  8  via a lateral shaft  9 . A feed roller  11  is freely, rotatably supported between tips of the swing arms  10 ,  10 . The feed roller  11  is driven to rotate by a gear transmission mechanism  22  to be described later. The feed roller  11  abuts against the outer peripheral surface of the roll sheet  2  and transports the roll sheet  2  towards a print portion  12 , which includes a print head  13  and a platen roller  14 . The feed roller  11  is configured to enable reverse feed of the roll sheet  2  in order to perform a half cut operation to be described later. 
     According to the present embodiment, the print head  13  is a line thermal head with a width substantially the same as the width of the roll sheet  2 . A thermally sensitive sheet is used as the recording sheet  3 . However, other types of print heads, such as an ink jet print head, a type of head that prints using an ink ribbon and dot pins, or a thermal head, can be used as the print head  13  instead. 
     The cutting portion  15  is disposed downstream from the print portion  12  in the transport direction of the roll sheet  2 . The cutting portion  15  includes a cutting bed  16  at its lower surface and a cutter holder  17  above the cutting bed  16 . The cutting holder  17  is capable of reciprocal movement in the widthwise direction of the roll sheet  2 . A transport pinch roller portion is disposed adjacent the cutting portion  15  at a position downstream from the cutting bed  16 . The transport pinch roller portion includes a drive roller  19  and pressing roller  20 . The pressing roller  20  is supported on an end of a swing lever  18 , which is urged to pivot downwards by an urging spring  21 . 
     A first drive motor  23  is attached to the inner surface of one of the chassis frames  6 . In the present embodiment, the first drive motor  23  is attached to the right-hand chassis frame  6 . The first drive motor  23  is, for example, a step motor capable of forward and reverse rotation. The first drive motor  23  drives the feed roller  11  via a first gear transmission portion  22   a,  a transmission shaft  24 , and a second gear transmission portion  22   b.  The first gear transmission portion  22   a  is formed from a plurality of gears disposed on the outer surface of the right-hand chassis frame  6 . The second gear transmission portion  22   b  is disposed on one of the swing arms  10 . The first drive motor  23  also drives the platen roller  14  and the drive roller  19  to rotate in the same direction via a third gear transmission portion  22   c.    
     It should be noted that when the first drive motor  23  rotates in a forward direction, that is, the counter clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 2, the feed roller  11  rotates in a clockwise direction and the platen roller  14  and the drive roller  19  rotate in the counterclockwise direction. As a result, the roll sheet  2  is rotated in the counterclockwise direction and the sheet is transported in a feed direction. On the other hand, when the first drive motor  23  rotates in the reverse rotational direction, that is, the clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 2, the feed roller  11  rotates in the counterclockwise direction and the platen roller  14  and the drive roller  19  rotate in the clockwise direction so that the roll sheet  2  is rotated in the clockwise direction and the sheet is rolled back up onto the roll sheet  2 . 
     In order to enable reciprocal movement of the cutter holder  17  across the width of the roll sheet  2 , that is, in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the roll sheet  2 , a carriage  26 , on which the cutter holder  17  is fixed, is connected to one portion of a timing belt  28 . The timing belt  28  is wound between a pair of pulleys  27 ,  27 , which are each mounted on one of the chassis frames  6 ,  6 . A second drive motor  29  is fixed to an outer surface of the right side frame  6 . The second drive motor  29  is, for example, a step motor capable of forward and reverse rotation. Driving force from the second drive motor  29  is transmitted to drive the pulleys  27 ,  27  via a fourth gear transmission portion  29  formed from a plurality of flat gears and beveled gears. 
     As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the base of the carriage  26  is freely slidably fitted on a main guide shaft  31 . An auxiliary guide shaft  32  freely, slidably penetrates through the center of the carriage  26 . Pivot arms  33 ,  33  are provided on the chassis frames  6 ,  6  and attached one to either end of the auxiliary guide shaft  32 . One end of the auxiliary guide shaft  32  is connected to an output shaft  35   a  of a first electromagnetic solenoid  35  via an operation link  34 . The first electromagnetic solenoid  35  is provided to the outer surface of the left-hand chassis frame  6 . The lower tip of the cutter holder  17 , from which a cutter blade protrudes, is urged to press against the upper surface of the cutting portion bed  16  by an urging spring not shown in the drawings. When the first electromagnetic solenoid  35  is turned on, the output shaft  35   a  protrudes upwards as viewed in FIG.  3 . This movement is transmitted to the carriage  26  via the operation link  34 , the pivot arm  33 , and the auxiliary guide shaft  32  so as to pivot the carriage  26  upwards. As a result, the lower tip of the cutter holder  17  is separated away from the upper surface of the roll sheet  2 . 
     The swing arm  18  is swung in the vertical direction by a second electromagnetic solenoid not shown in drawings. 
     Next, an explanation will be provided for a mechanism for adjusting a rising and lowering amount of the cutter. 
     The cutter holder  17  is shown in detail in FIGS. 5 and 6. A circular-rod shaped cutter shaft  40  is fitted within a guide cylinder portion  17   a  at the lower portion of the cutter holder  17 . A pair of upper and lower bearings  41 ,  42  enable the cutter shaft  40  to rotate around its lengthwise axis and move in the vertical direction. 
     As shown in FIG. 11, a cutter blade  43  is integrally provided to the lower tip of the cutter shaft  40 . According to the embodiment, a blade tip  43   a  of the cutter  43  is shifted by a distance L 1  from an imaginary axial line  40   a  of the cutter shaft  40  downstream with respect to the direction (indicated by an arrow in FIG. 11) of forward movement of the cutter shaft  40 . The cutter  43  is pressed against a work piece by placing a load at the axial center at the upper edge surface of the cutter shaft  40 . This displacement of the cutter blade  43   b  from the imaginary axial line  40   a  enables the cutter blade  43   b  of the cutter  43  to be continually directed in the direction of the forward movement, even when forward movement of the cutter shaft  40  across the roll sheet  2  is changed leftward or rightward. It should be noted that the cutter blade  43   b  can be detachable (replaceable) with respect to the cutter shaft  40 . 
     As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a chamber  44  is defined by a hollow case  17   b,  which is connected above the guide cylinder portion  17   a,  and a lid portion  17   c  covering the hollow case portion  17   b.  The upper end (horizontal end surface) of the cutter shaft  40  is exposed into the chamber  44 . Configuration for selecting lowering amount of the cutter shaft  40  is disposed in the chamber  44 . That is, a large diameter first steel ball  45  and a small diameter second steel ball  46  are supported in support indentations of a horizontal support body  47 , separated by an appropriate distance L 2  and supported in a manner where they can not fall out of the support indentations. A cover body  48  is fixed to the upper surface of the horizontal support body  47  by a screw  49  to prevent the first and second steel balls  45 ,  46  from moving vertically. 
     The horizontal support body  47  is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape. Guide grooves  50   a,    50   b  are cut in confronting side walls of the hollow case portion  17   b.  The ends of the horizontal support body  47  protrude from the guide grooves  50   a,    50   b  out of the cutter holder  17 . A curved protrusion  51  is formed on the upper surface of the cover body  48  and an adjustment screw  52  is screwingly engaged in the lid portion  17   c.  The adjustment screw  52  is for adjusting a vertical position, that is, the height, of the horizontal support body  47 , and consequently of the first and second steel balls  45 ,  46 . A hemispherical lower portion of the adjustment screw  52  abuts against the upper surface of the cover body  48 . A stopper screw ring  53  is disposed on the upper surface of the lid portion  17   c  to prevent the adjustment screw  52  from being accidentally rotated. 
     Two pairs of resilient plate springs  54 ,  54 ,  55 ,  55  extend in an arc shape downward from left and right sides of the cover body  48 . The plate springs  54 ,  54 ,  55 ,  55  are slidably pressed down on the bottom surface of the hollow case portion  17   b.  It should be noted that a slide cover  57  is screwed onto the lower tip of the guide cylinder portion  17   a.  The slide cover  57  slides across the surface of the roll sheet  2 , which is a workpiece to be cut. 
     Next, an explanation will be provided for operations of the tack sheet printing device  1 . The roll sheet  2  is set at a predetermined position in the printing device  1 . The front edge of the roll sheet  2  is positioned adjacent to the print portion  12 . Then, a power source, not shown in the drawings, is turned on. Image data, such as for characters and symbols, is prepared in an external device, such as a personal computer, or the printing device  1  itself. The image data is transmitted to a memory portion in a controller of the printing device  1 . 
     Next, once a start command is received, the first drive motor  23  rotates in the forward direction so that the feed roller  11  rotates and the roll sheet  2  progresses forward between the platen roller  14  and print head  13 . As this is occurring, the image data is developed into character data, for example, and sent to the print head  13 , which is a thermal head. Predetermined thermal elements of the print head  13  are driven to print characters  56  and the like on the thermally sensitive recording sheet  3  as shown in FIG.  4 . When the front edge of the roll sheet  2  reaches the location of the pinch roller in the cutting portion  15 , the roll sheet  2  is sandwiched between the drive roller  19  and the pressing roller  20 , and transported leftward as viewed in FIG.  2 . 
     When the roll sheet  2  is to be cut across its width as shown in FIG. 4 in order to cut away the front end with respect to the transport direction, the first electromagnetic solenoid  35  is turned off so that the slide cover  57  of the cutter holder  17  abuts against the surface of the recording sheet  3 . While the slide cover  57  is pressed downward by an urging spring not shown in the drawings, as will be described later the cutter  43  is lowered into a full cut position so that both the recording sheet  3  and the separation sheet  4  are cut at the same time. When only the recording sheet  3  is to be cut to form a tack sheet  3   a  shown in FIG. 4 formed with predetermined rectangular or ellipsoidal shapes, for example, the cutter  43  is lowered into its&#39; half cut position and the cutter holder  17  and the roll sheet  2  are moved relative to each holder  17  in X and Y directions. 
     Accordingly, when the roll sheet  2  is to be half cut or full cut in a direction parallel with the transport direction, first, the second drive motor  29  is operated to move the carriage  26  in the X direction (leftward and rightward directions) shown in FIG. 4 to position the blade tip  43   a  of the cutter  43  at a predetermined position. Next, the first drive motor  23  is rotated in the forward direction or the reverse direction to transport the roll sheet  2  in the Y direction (forward and rearward directions). When the roll sheet  2  is to be half cut as indicated by a line  58 , in a slant or curve shape with respect to the transport direction, or full cut, both the first drive motor  23  and the second drive motor  29  are operated simultaneously. To cut the roll sheet  2  in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction, the first drive motor  23  is stopped and only the second drive motor  29  is operated to move the carriage  26  in the X direction (leftward and rightward) shown in FIG.  4 . 
     Next, an explanation will be provided for operations to adjust the height of the cutter  43  in order to perform a half cut or a full cut by movement of the cutter holder  17 . For example, at first as shown in FIG. 5, the horizontal support body  47  is set at a position where its left edge greatly protrudes out of the case position  17   b,  so that the large diameter first steel ball  45  presses down on the upper end of the cutter shaft  40 . In this condition, the cutter shaft  40  is in its full cut position. As shown in FIG. 13, the cutter blade  43   b  of the cutter  43  is greatly lowered to reach the upper surface of the bed  16 . In this condition, both the separation sheet  4  and the recording sheet  3  can be cut at the same time. While in this condition, the second drive motor  29  is driven in the forward direction to move the cutter holder  17 , via the timing belt  28 , leftward as viewed in FIGS. 5 and 6 until the left tip of the horizontal support body  47  abuts against the left chassis frame  6 , whereupon the horizontal support body  47  moves rightwards with respect to the cutter holder  17 . When the horizontal support body  47  moves rightwards, the large-diameter first steel ball  45  is separated from the upper edge of the cutter shaft  40 , and in its place, the small-diameter second steel ball  46  presses down on the upper end of the cutter shaft  40 . As a result, the cutter shaft  43  rises upward by a distance equal to the difference in the radius of the first steel ball and the radius of the second steel ball  46 . In this way, the half cut position shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 can be selected. 
     Although the support body  47  and the cover body  48  are urged upward by the resilient plate springs  54 ,  55 , the adjustment screw  52  pressing against the upper surface of the cover body  48  regulates the maximum height at which the cutter shaft  43  can be raised upward. As a result of this configuration, there will be no unevenness in depth of full cuts and half cuts. 
     When the cutter shaft  40  is moved from the half cut position to the full cut position, the cutter holder  17  is moved rightward as viewed in FIG. 5 so that the right end of the horizontal support body  47  abuts against the right chassis frame  6 . The horizontal support body  47  will move leftward relative to the cutter holder  17  so that the second steel ball  46  is separated from the upper edge of the cutter shaft  40  and, in its place, the first steel ball  45  presses down against the upper edge of the cutter shaft  40 . The cutter shaft  40  will move downward by a distance equal to the difference between the radius of the first steel ball  45  and the radius of the second steel ball  46 , so that the full cut position can be selected. 
     Before the vertical position of the cutter shaft  40  can be changed by leftward and rightward movement of the horizontal support body  47 , the lower end of the adjustment screw  52  must rise over the curved protrusion  51  at the upper surface of the cover body  48  with a resistive click. Therefore, the horizontal support body  47  will not accidentally shift leftward or rightward. As a result, the selected height of the cutter shaft  40  will not unintentionally fluctuate. As shown in FIG. 6, in order to regulate the maximum movement of the horizontal support body  47  in the leftward and rightward directions, the cover body  48  can be configured so that its front edge (and rear edge) abuts against the inner surface of the hollow case portion  17   b  when the horizontal support body  47  is moved to a maximum desired position in the leftward and rightward directions. 
     When the roll sheet  2  is not to be cut, the cutter holder  17  should be retracted to a corner of the bed  16  where the roll sheet  2  does not pass. Alternatively, the first electromagnetic solenoid  35  can be turned on so that the cutter holder  17  is entirely lifted greatly away from the bed  16 . 
     Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described while referring to FIGS. 7 and 8. A horizontal support body  60  is positioned so as to be movable in leftward and rightward directions within the hollow case portion  17   b  of a cutter holder  17 ′. A slanting surface  61  is formed on the lower surface of the horizontal support body  60 . The slanting surface  61  is for a selecting vertical position of the cutter shaft  40 . The hemispherical upper end of the cutter shaft  40  abuts against the slanting surface  61 . The left and right ends of the horizontal support body  60  protrude out of the cutter holder  17 ′ through the guide grooves  50   a,    50   b  cut into the side surface of the hollow case portion  17   b.  The upper surface of the cover body  48  is level. The downward-facing hemispherical lower end of the adjustment screw  52  abuts against the upper surface of the cover body  48  in order to adjust the vertical position of the cover body  48  and the cutter shaft  40 . Other configuration is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment, the same components and configuration are provided with the same numbering and their detailed description is omitted. 
     According to the second embodiment, by moving the horizontal support body  60  to the inner rightward edge of a cutter holder  17 ′, the cutter shaft  40  will be maximally raised up into the half cut position. On the other hand, by moving the horizontal support body  60  to the inner leftward edge of the cutter holder  17 ′, the cutter shaft  40  will be maximally lowered into the full cut position. By stopping the upper edge of the cutter shaft  40  at a intermediate position along the slanting portion  61 , the depth of the half cut can be adjusted to increase with a distance of the horizontal support body  60  in the leftward direction. Accordingly, the vertical position of the cutter shaft  40  can be adjusted linearly rather than in a step-like manner. 
     According to a third embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, a cutter shaft  40  of a cutter holder  172 ″ is rotatably and vertically movably disposed in the guide cylinder portion  17   a.  A hollow case portion  17   b  is connected to the upper part of the guide cylinder portion  17   a.  A chamber  44  is defined by the hollow case portion  17   b  and a lid portion  17   c,  which covers the upper part of the hollow case portion  17   b.  The upper end (horizontal end surface) of the cutter shaft  40  is exposed in the chamber  44 . A guide cylinder portion  63  is provided in the chamber  44 . The lower peripheral surface of a selection body  62  is rotatably supported in the guide cylinder portion  63 . The selection body  62  has an elongated round-rod shape and is for selecting a vertical position of the cutter shaft  40 . A fitted body  64  is disposed in an indentation  65  formed in the lower surface of the lid portion  17   c.  The fitted body  64  has a substantial rectangular shape when viewed in a plan view, and so cannot be rotated, but is movable in the vertical direction. A screw portion  62   a  is formed at the outer periphery of the selection body  62 . The screw portion  62   a  is a right-hand screw in the present embodiment and is screwingly engaged in the fitted body  64 . An operation arm  66  protrudes from the vertical center of the selection body  62 . A window  67  is formed by cutting out a side surface of the hollow case portion  17   b.  The operation arm  66  protrudes out from the cutter holder  17 ″ through the window  67 . 
     An adjustment screw  68  for integrally adjusting vertical positions of both the selection body  62  and the operation arm  66  is disposed to press down on the fitted body  64 . A stopper ring screw  69  prevents the adjustment screw  68  from being unintentionally rotated. 
     With this configuration, when the second drive motor  29  is rotated in the forward direction, the cutter holder  17 ″ is moved leftward as viewed in FIG. 10 via the timing belt  28 , so that the left side of the operation arm  66  collides against a pressing rib  70   a,  which protrudes from leftward chassis frame  6  as shown in FIG.  5 . As a result, the operation arm  66  pivots in the clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 10 into the position indicated by a two-dot chain line of the operation arm  66  in FIG.  10 . In association with this, the screw portion  62   a  of the selection body  62  rotates downward out from the fitted body  64 . Because the selection body  62  itself moves downward, the cutter shaft  40  is pressed downward into the full out position. 
     On the other hand, when the cutter holder  17 ″ is moved rightward, the right side surface of the operation arm  66  collides against a pressing rib  70   b,  which protrudes from the right chassis frame  6 . As a result, the operation arm  66  rotates in the counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 10 into the position indicated in solid line in FIG.  10 . In association with this, the screw portion  62   a  of the selection body  62  will screw up into the fitted body  64 . Because the selection body  62  itself rises upward, the cutter shaft  40  will be raised into its half cut position. 
     In the third embodiment also, by stopping counterclockwise rotation of the operation arm  66  somewhere intermediate within its maximum leftward and rightward movement range, the depth of a half cut can be adjusted. This can be realized by adjusting the amount that the cutter holding  17 ″ is moved horizontally with respect to the pressing ribs  70   a,    70   b.    
     FIG. 14 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a tack sheet printing device  100  according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15 is a magnified view of FIG. 14 showing essential portions of a selection mechanism  135  in the tack sheet printing device  100 . FIG. 16 is a plan view partially in cross-section showing mechanism for adjusting the vertical positions of the cutter holder and the cutter shaft within the cutter holder. FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional side view showing the mechanism of FIG.  16 . 
     An explanation will be provided for the tack sheet printing device  100  according to the fourth embodiment while referring to FIGS. 14 to  17 . 
     As shown in FIG. 14, the print device  100  has a pair of lower frames  101 ,  101 . Upper frames  109 ,  109  pivot upwards with respect to a pair of roller frames  101 ,  101  around a mounting shaft  108 . A roll sheet  2 , having the same configuration as the roll sheet  2  described the first embodiment, is rotatably supported between right ends of the lower frames  101 ,  101 . A printing portion  102  for unrolling the roll sheet  2 , and printing on the recording sheet  3  of the roll sheet  2 , is provided near the center of the printing device  100 . 
     A cutter holder  119  is disposed downstream of the printing portion  102  with respect to the path traveled by the roll sheet  2 . The cutter holder  119  supports a cutter  121  in confrontation with a table  104 . Drive rollers  105   a,    105   b  for transporting the roll sheet  2  between the cutter holder  119  and the table  104  are disposed upstream and downstream on either side of a table  104 . The drive rollers  105   a,    105   b  are both driven to rotate in the same direction by a Y-axis motor  106  via a gear transmission mechanism  107 . Pinch rollers  110   a,    110   b  are disposed between the upper frames  109 ,  109  at a position confronting the drive rollers  105   a,    105   b  from above. When the upper frames  109 ,  109  are pivoted downward closed on the lower frames  101 ,  101 , the roll sheet  2  is sandwiched between and transported by the pinch rollers  110   a,    110   b  and the drive rollers  105   a,    105   b.    
     After the print portion  102  prints on the roll sheet  2 , the roll sheet  2  is picked up by the rollers  105   a,    105   b,    110   a,    110   b  and is transported leftward as viewed in FIG. 14, between the cutter holder  119  and the table  104 , whereupon the cutter  121  completely or half cuts the roll sheet  2 . 
     A carriage  111  is provided for reciprocally transporting the cutter holder  119  is a widthwise direction, that is, in an X direction, across the roll sheet  2 . A main guide shaft  112  having a circular rod shape is suspended between the pair of upper frames  109 ,  109 . The carriage  111  is freely slidably mounted on the main guide shaft  112  in the X direction. 
     As best seen in FIG. 17, a slide rod  111   a  having a protruding curved shape in cross section is provided to a rear surface of the carriage  111 . A slide roller  114  is supported by the carriage  111  in confrontation with the slide rod  111   a.  An auxiliary guide shaft  113  having an L shape in cross section, extends between the pair of upper frames  109 ,  109  at a position above the carriage  111 . The auxiliary guide shaft  113  is freely slidably sandwiched between the slide rod  111   a  and a slide roller  114  so as to support the posture of the carriage  111 . 
     As shown in FIG. 16, a slave pulley  115   b  and a drive pulley  115   a  are positioned on inner surfaces of the pair of upper frames  109 ,  109 . A timing belt  116  is wrapped between the slave pulley  115   b  and the drive pulley  115   a.  One position on the timing belt  116  is fixed to an attachment position on the rear surface of the carriage  111 . A transmission gear  117   b  in meshing engagement with the drive pulley  115   a  has a bevel gear (not shown) sharing the same rotational shaft. A gear transmission mechanism  117  is disposed on the right upper frame  109 , on a side of the upper frame  109  opposite from the drive pulley  115   a.  The gear transmission mechanism  117  has a large gear  117   a  and a bevel gear (not shown) sharing the same rotational shaft as the large gear  117   a.  The bevel gear of the transmission gear  117   b  is meshingly engaged with the bevel gear of the transmission gear  117   b.  Although not shown, an X-axis motor is provided for driving the drive pulley  115   a  via the large gear  117   a,  the bevel gears (not shown), and the transmission gear  117   b.    
     As best seen in FIG. 17, a vertical movement block  123  is mounted on the carriage  111  by a vertical guide  118 . The vertical movement block  123  is mounted in a manner that enables free vertical movement without falling off the carriage  111 . 
     The cutter holder  119  has a substantially cylindrical main cylinder  119   a  fixed on the vertical movement block  123 . The height of the cutter holder  119  can be appropriately selected and maintained by a holder height adjustment mechanism  122  indicated in FIG. 16, and to be described later. 
     Here, an explanation will be provided for configuration of the cutter holder  119  while referring to FIGS.  18 ( a ) and  18 ( b ). 
     A circular rod-shaped cutter shaft  120  is supported in an inner diameter portion of the main cylinder  119   a  by a radial bearing  124  so as to be capable of vertical movement following an imaginary axial line of the shaft  120  and free rotational movement around the imaginary axial line. The cutter  121  is disposed at the lower end of the cutter shaft  120 , in a hole formed in a slide cover  129  mounted on the lower end of the main cylinder  119   a.  In the same manner as in the first embodiment, the cutter blade of the cutter  121  is slightly eccentric with respect to the imaginary axial line (rotational center line) of the cutter shaft  120 . As will be described later, configuration is provided for selectively retracting the cutter  121  into the hole of the slide cover  129  as shown in FIG.  18 ( a ), and protruding the cutter  121  from the main cylinder  119   a  as shown in FIG.  18 ( b ). A flange rib  127  is provided near the upper end of the cutter shaft  120 . An urging spring  126  for urging the cutter shaft  120  upwards is disposed between the flange rib  127  and the bearing  124 . 
     A presser  125  is freely vertically movably disposed in an upper portion of the inner diameter portion of the same main cylinder  119   a.  Although not shown in the drawings, the presser  125  has a angled shape, such as a square shape, in cross section to prevent it from rotating within the main cylinder  119   a.  A pivot bearing  128  is provided at the lower end of the presser  125 , in abutment with a conical portion at the upper end of the cutter shaft  120 , to enable the cutter shaft  120  to freely rotate with respect to the presser  125 . 
     A screw shaft portion  131 , a gear  132 , and the selection mechanism  135  are provided for adjusting protrusion amount of the blade tip from the hole in the slide cover  129 . A lid  130  is held by a screw  133  to the upper end of the main cylinder  119   a  so as to be freely detachable but incapable of rotation with the screw shaft portion  131 . The screw shaft portion  131  is screwingly engaged in the lid  130 . The screw shaft portion  131  includes a screw portion  131   a  screwed into a female screw cut into the presser  125  so that rotation of the screw shaft portion  131  vertically moves the presser  125 , that is, either up or down depending on rotation direction of the screw shaft portion  131 . The gear body  132   a  is connected to the tip end of the screw shaft portion  131  so as to rotate integrally with the screw shaft portion  131 . 
     In the present embodiment, the pitch of the screw portion  131   a  is smaller than the pitch of the screw at the upper portion of the screw shaft portion  131 , desirably one half as small. This configuration enables more minute adjustment in the vertical position of the presser  125 . However, it should be noted that the vertical position of the presser  125  can be properly adjusted even if the pitch of the screw portion  131   a  is the same or even larger than the pitch of the screw at the upper portion of the screw shaft portion  131 . 
     The selection mechanism  135  is for vertically moving the presser  125 , that is, via the screw shaft portion  131  and the gear  132 , in accordance with movement of the cutter holder  119  in the X direction, and is best shown in FIGS. 15 to  17 , and FIGS.  24 ( a ) to  24 ( c ). The selection mechanism  135  includes a central gear  137 , a pair of planetary gears  139 ,  140 , and a rack  141 . The central gear  137  is freely rotatably supported on a vertical shaft  136  protruding from an upper end of the carriage  111 . A bracket  138  is swingingly pivotably mounted on the vertical shaft  136 . The pair of planetary gears  139 ,  140  are supported on the bracket  138  in constant meshing engagement with the central gear  137 . The rack  141  is fixed in place following the lengthwise direction of the auxiliary guide shaft  113  and is meshingly engaged with the central gear  137 . 
     As shown in FIG. 20, the planetary gears  139 ,  140  are disposed at different heights in the axial direction of the screw shaft portion  131  so that the left side planetary gear  139  engages the gear  132  at a height lower than where the right side planetary gear  140  engages with the gear  132  by an amount substantially the same as the thickness of the gear  132 . 
     With this configuration, the pair of planetary gears  139 ,  140  can selectively meshingly engaged with the gear  132  of the cutter holder  119  to selectively rotate the gear  132  forwardly or reversibly, and consequently adjust the vertical position of the presser  125  in the cutter holder  119 . That is, when the carriage  111  moves rightward as viewed in FIGS.  16  and  24 ( b ), the central gear  137  rotates counterclockwise and the planetary gears  139 ,  140  rotate clockwise, thereby pivoting the bracket  138  counterclockwise to bring the left side planetary gear  139  into meshing engagement with the gear  132 . Rotation of the left side planetary gear  139  rotates the gear  132  counterclockwise, thereby raising the presser  125  up as shown in FIG.  18 ( a ). In this condition, the cutter  121  is retracted into the hole at the lower end of the cutter holder  119 . 
     Contrarily, when the carriage  111  moves leftward as viewed in FIGS.  16  and  24 ( c ), the central gear  137  rotates clockwise and the planetary gears  139 ,  140  rotate counterclockwise, thereby pivoting the bracket  138  clockwise, to bring the right side planetary gear  140  into meshing engagement with the gear  132 . Rotation of the right side planetary gear  140  rotates the gear  132  clockwise so that the presser  125  is lowered as shown in FIG.  18 ( b ). In this condition, urging force of the spring  126  urges the cutter  121  to protrude out from the hole in the lower end of the cutter holder  119 . 
     Next, the holder height adjusting mechanism  122  indicated in FIG. 16 will be described while referring to FIGS. 15 to  17 ,  19 , and  20  to  23 . The holder height adjusting mechanism  122  enables changing and maintaining the vertical position of the cutter holder  119  to a variety of heights. 
     As shown in FIG. 16, a horizontal shaft  142  is supported between the pair of upper frames  109 ,  109 . One edge of an elongated pivot member  143  is mounted on the horizontal shaft  142 . The other edge of the pivot member  143  is formed with rod-shaped slide portion  143   a.  As shown in FIG. 17, the slide portion  143   a  is fitted in a fitting portion  144  formed in the vertical movement block  123  so as to be capable of pivoting and moving horizontally in the fitting portion  144 . With this configuration, the pivot body is pivotable upward and downward around the horizontal shaft  142  between the position shown in straight line and the position shown in two-dot chain line in FIG.  17 . 
     A first lever  147  and a second lever  149  are supported on the outside of the upper frame  109 , with the second lever  149  closer to the side surface of the upper frame  109 . As shown in FIG.  19 ( a ), the first lever  147  is formed with a shaft hole  147   a  near one end, a substantially square-shaped restricting hole  152  near the other end, and a substantially rectangular-shaped second restriction hole  160  near the middle. A spring support hole  147   b  is formed near the restricting hole  152 . 
     As shown in FIG.  19 ( b ), the second lever  149  has a two-armed shape, with a shaft hole  149   a  formed at the juncture of the two arms, an engagement pin  157  protruding both leftward and rightward, as viewed in FIG. 16, from near the tip of one arm, and an elongated hole  151  formed near the tip of the other arm. A restricting pin  159  is formed between the shaft hole  149   a  and the elongated hole  151 . 
     As shown in FIG. 16, the first lever  147  and the second lever  149  are freely pivotably supported on the same shaft  150  via the shaft holes  147   a,    149   a,  respectively. An operation pin  145  protrudes horizontally from one end of the slide portion  143   a,  outward from a window hole  146  of the upper frame  109 , and through the elongated hole  151  and the restricting hole  152 . As shown in FIG.  21 ( c ), the restricting pin  159  of the second lever  149  is exposed through the second restriction hole  160  of the first lever  147 . 
     A Z-axis motor  155  is disposed on the inner surface of the upper frame  109 , with its pinion gear  155   a  protruding through to the outside of the upper frame  109 . The Z-axis motor  155  is formed from a stepping motor capable of forward and reverse rotation. 
     A cam plate  154  is freely rotatably supported on an outer surface of the upper frame  109 . The cam plate  154  is formed at its outer peripheral surface with a gear  154   a  in meshing engagement with the pinion gear  155   a  of the Z-axis motor  155 . The outer surface of the cam plate  154  is formed with a spiral-shaped cam groove  156  engaged with one end of the engagement pin  157 . A tension spring  158  spans between the other end of the engagement pin  157  and the spring support hole  147   b  of the first lever  147 . 
     A coil spring  153  shown in FIG. 16 is provided between the second lever  149  and the operation pin  145  to urge the operation pin  145 , and consequently the free end of the pivot member  143 , downward into the orientation shown in FIG.  23 . The coil spring  153  has an urging force low enough so that the blade tip of the cutter  121  does not pierce into the coil sheet  2  merely by the urging force of the coil spring  153  alone. 
     With this configuration, after the power of the print unit I is turned on and initiation is performed, the Z-axis motor  155  rotates clockwise as viewed in FIG. 15, so the pinion gear  155   a  rotates clockwise. As a result, the cam plate  154  rotates counterclockwise, until the engagement pin  157  of the second lever  149  collides with the outer most radial end of the cam groove  156  in the orientation shown in FIG.  21 ( a ). When the engagement pin  157  collides with the end of the cam groove  156 , the Z-axis motor  155  loses synchronization. The phase position of the cam plate  154  when the Z-axis motor  155  loses synchronization is set as the zero degree angle of the cam. In this condition, the operation pin  145  is pressed upward by the lower edge of the main restriction hole  151  of the second lever  159 , against the urging force of the coil spring  153 . The free end of the pivot member  143  pivots upward by a considerably large amount, so that the vertical movement block  123 , and consequently the cutter holder  119 , moves upwards to prevent the blade tip of the cutter  121  from reaching the surface of the roll sheet  2  on the table  104 , even if the blade tip of the cutter  121  protrudes from the hole in the slide cover  129  in the manner shown in FIG.  18 ( b ). 
     Next, the Z-axis motor  115  is driven to rotate counterclockwise as viewed in FIG. 15 until the cam plate  154  rotates clockwise into the orientation shown in FIG.  21 ( c ), which is a cam angle of about 141 degrees. Then drive of the Z-axis motor  115  is stopped. This position will be referred to as a release position and is indicated by the single-dot chain line in FIG.  23 . In the release position, the cutter holder  119  is maintained at a vertical position low enough to prevent the gear  132  from meshingly engaging with the left and right planetary gears  139 ,  140 , but high enough to still prevent the blade tip of the cutter  121  from contacting the upper surface of the roll sheet  2  on the table  104  even if the blade tip protrudes from the lower surface of the slide cover  129 . 
     Next, the Z-axis motor  155  is started up to move the carriage  111  horizontally to a desired position in the widthwise direction of the roll sheet  2  and then temporarily stopped. In this condition, the Z-axis motor  155  is rotated clockwise as viewed in FIG. 15 until the cam plate  154  rotates counterclockwise into a cam phase angle of about nine degrees as shown in FIG.  21 ( b ), whereupon the Z-axis motor  155  is stopped. In this orientation, the operation pin  145  is pressed upward by the lower edge of the main restriction hole  151  in the second lever  149  so that the free end of the pivot member  143  is pivoted upwards. As a result, the vertical movement block  123 , and consequently the cutter holder  119 , rises greatly upward into the vertical position indicated by a two-dot chain line condition of FIG.  23 . This vertical position will be referred to as the blade tip protrusion amount adjustment position. In the blade tip protrusion amount adjustment position, the cutter holder  119  is high enough so that the blade tip of the cutter  121  does not contact the surface of the roll sheet  2  on the table  104  even if the blade tip protrude from the lower surface of the slide cover  129 . Moreover, the gear  132  can meshingly engage with the left and right planetary gears  139 ,  140  of the selection mechanism  135  so that the protruding amount of the blade tip of the cutter  12  can be adjusted in the following manner. 
     That is, as mentioned previously, when the carriage  111  is moved rightward as viewed in FIG.  24 ( b ), the central gear  137  rotates counterclockwise so that the bracket  138  pivots counterclockwise by forward rotation of the pair of meshingly engaged planetary gears  139 ,  140 , and the left side planetary gear  139  meshingly engages with the gear body  132  protruding from the upper end of the cutter holder  119 . Further movement of the carriage  111  is transmitted to the gear body  132 , which rotates counterclockwise accordingly. The presser  125  is raised upward by the counterclockwise movement of the gear body  132 . The cutter  121  is raised upward by the force of the urging spring  126  so that the blade tip is retracted into the lower end of the cutter holder  119 . 
     Therefore, if the blade tip of the cutter  121  protrudes from the slide cover  129 , that is, by an amount for either a full cut or a half cut, because of a previous cutting operation, then the blade tip of the cutter  121  can be raised up by an amount proportional to the rotation amount of the Z-axis motor  155  and the movement amount of the carriage  121 , into a position completely within the hole in the lower surface of the slide cover  121 . The cutter holder  119  can be transported in this condition without cutting the roll sheet  2  at all. 
     Contrarily, when the carriage  111  is moved leftward as viewed in FIG.  24 ( c ), the left planetary gear  140  meshingly engages with the gear  132 . As a result, the gear  132  is rotated clockwise and the vertical position presser  125 , and consequently the cutter  12 , is lowered by an amount proportional to the horizontal movement amount of the carriage  111 . Therefore, the amount that the blade tip of the cutter  12  protrudes from the lower surface of the slide cover  129  can be freely adjusted, for example, from a full cut amount, wherein the blade protrudes out greatly, to a half cut amount. 
     After operations for adjusting a protrusion amount of the blade tip are completed, by again lowering the cutter holder  119  to the release position indicated by the single-dot chain line in FIG. 23, the gear  132  can be maintained at a vertical position low enough so it does not meshingly engage with the left or the right planetary gears  139 ,  140 . In this condition, the Y-axis motor  106  and the Z-axis motor  155  are started up to move the roll sheet  2  and the cutter  121  to a desired cut start position for a full cut or a half cut of the roll sheet  2 . In this condition, the Z-axis motor  155  is driven so set the positional phase of the cam groove to approximately 178 degrees as shown in FIG.  22 ( a ). As a result, the cutter holder  119  is slightly lowered so that the blade tip of the cutter  121  lightly abuts against the surface of the roll sheet  2 . 
     Until the cam groove  156  reaches the cam phase angle of 178 degrees, the regulation pin  159  of the second lever  149  abuts against the upper edge of the second regulation hole  160  in the first lever  147 , so that the upper edge of the main regulation hole  152  in the first lever  147  and the operation pin  145  of the rotated body  143  are separated from each other, and spring force from the coil spring  158  is not transmitted to the pivot member  143 . 
     When further rotation of the cam plate  154  rotates the second lever  149  counterclockwise from the orientation shown in FIG.  22 ( a ), urging force of the coil spring  153  between the operation pin  145  and the second lever  149 , maintains the operation pin  145  in contact with the lower edge of the elongated hole  151  of the second lever  149  so that the operation pin  145 , and consequently the pivot member  143 , pivots counterclockwise. The vertical movement block  123  moves downward as a result. 
     The blade tip of the cutter  121  is abutted against the roll sheet  2  when the vertical movement block  123  moves downward. However, because the coil spring  153  is set with an urging force that is insufficient to pierce the roll sheet  2  with the blade tip of the cutter  121  using urging force of the coil spring  153  alone, the vertical movement block  123  stops lowering at the point where the blade tip of the cutter  121  abuts against the roll sheet  2 . Downward movement of the operation pin  145  and pivotal movement of the pivot member  143  also stops. 
     As a result, further rotation of the cam plate  154  from the cam phase angle of 178 degrees rotates only the second lever  149 , so that the operation pin  145  separates from the lower edge of the elongated hole  151  in the second lever  149  and a gap opens between the operation pin  145  and the main regulation hole  152 . At this time, the operation pin  145  is urged downward by the weak force of the screw spring  153 , so that the entire cutter holder  119  attached to the vertical movement block  123  is pressed downward by the pivot member  143  which is connected to the operation pin  145 , and the blade tip of the cutter  121  at the lower end of the cutter holder  119  lightly contacts the roll sheet  2 . This phase position will be referred to as a blade tip direction adjustment position. In this condition, the blade tip of the cutter  121  abutting against the surface of the roll sheet  2  can be faced in a predetermined cut direction by driving either or both of the Z-axis motor  155  and the Y-axis motor  106 . 
     Before an actual full or half cut operation is executed, the Z-axis motor  155  is operated until the cam groove is oriented to a cam phase angle of approximately 300 degrees as shown in FIG.  22 ( b ). In this phase position, the upper edges of both the main restriction hole  152  in the first lever  147  and the regulation hole  152  press the operation pin  145  downward, so that the great force of the tension spring  158  attached to the first lever  147  operates on the operation pin  145  and the free end of the pivot member  143  is greatly pivoted downward. The pivot member  143  presses the vertical movement block  123  and consequently the entire cutter holder  119  downward into the position indicated in solid line shown in FIG.  23 . As a result, the blade tip of the lower end of the cutter  121  pierces the roll sheet  2  by an amount corresponding to the protrusion amount of the blade tip from the sliding plate  129 . 
     In this condition, either or both of the Z-axis motor  155  and the Y-axis motor  106  are operated to cut the roll sheet  2 , such as in an ellipsoidal, rectangular, or other optional half cut shape. 
     As a modification of the fourth embodiment, the presser  125  can be provided rotatable with respect to the cutter holder  119 , and the screw shaft portion  131  and the presser  125  can be fixed together, such as by a vertical pin. With this configuration, rotation of the rotating body  132  rotates and raises the presser  125 . 
     A modification of the fourth embodiment is shown in FIG.  26 . The screw shaft portion  131  attached to the gear  132  is mounted so as to be freely rotatable with respect to the lid  130 , rather than screwed into the lid  130 . Further the presser  125  is non-rotatably fitted in the cutter holder  119  and screwingly engaged with the screw shaft portion  131 . Therefore, rotation of the gear body  132  in a forward direction in accordance with movement of the carriage  111 , the presser  125  will move upward in proportion to the rotation amount. Contrarily, by rotating the gear  132  reversibly, the presser  125  will be lowered in proportion to the rotation amount. 
     The present invention is not limited to application to a printing device for cutting a roll sheet  2 . The present invention can be applied to a cutting device for completely cutting a thick paper to form a desired geometric shape, and then half cutting the resultant shape at appropriate positions so that the full cut shape can be easily bent and folded into a package box, for example. 
     Also, the cutter holder need not be moved by using a carriage. Instead, the bed on which the workpiece sheet is mounted can be moved along a horizontal plane in X and Y directions.