Patent Publication Number: US-11376875-B2

Title: Printing apparatus, control method of printing apparatus, and storage medium

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, a control method of a printing apparatus, and a storage medium. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     A printing apparatus that conveys a roll sheet, which is a rolled-up printing medium, by use of a conveyance roller in a conveyance direction and prints an image is known. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-334938 discloses a printing apparatus including a longitudinal direction cutter, which is movable in an intersecting direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction and is configured to cut a roll sheet in parallel to the conveyance direction, so as to cut the roll sheet in accordance with the size of an image. 
     In the printing apparatus, the positions of the longitudinal direction cutter and a print head in the intersecting direction are controlled with reference to the respective origins of the longitudinal direction cutter and the print head. The origin of the longitudinal direction cutter and the origin of the print head may be arranged at separated positions in the intersecting direction. Therefore, an error may occur in the relative position between the origin of the print head and the origin of the longitudinal direction cutter, due to change by aging, replacement of the longitudinal direction cutter, or the like. Therefore, there is a possibility that the relative position of the position to be cut by the slitter and a printed image made by the print head is shifted from the desired position. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A printing apparatus of the present invention includes: a conveyance unit configured to convey a printing medium in a conveyance direction; a printing unit configured to print an image on the printing medium; a carriage having the printing unit and configured to be movable in an intersecting direction, which intersects the conveyance direction; and a slitter configured to be movable in the intersecting direction and cut the printing medium in the conveyance direction, wherein the printing apparatus includes a detection unit, which is mounted on the carriage and configured to be able to detect a cut portion of the printing medium that has been cut by the slitter, wherein, after the slitter is controlled to move and cut the printing medium, the carriage is controlled to move, so that the cut portion is detected by the detection unit, and wherein the printing apparatus includes a control unit configured to control a moving distance of the carriage or the slitter, based on a first moving distance and a second moving distance, the first moving distance indicating a moving distance of the carriage at a timing where the detection unit detects the cut portion, the second moving distance indicating a moving distance of the slitter moved to cut the printing medium. 
     Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view of a printing apparatus; 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of the printing apparatus for explaining a carriage and a slitter; 
         FIG. 3A  is a top view for explaining a slitter unit; 
         FIG. 3B  is a side view for explaining the slitter unit; 
         FIG. 4  is a front view for explaining the slitter unit; 
         FIG. 5  is a block diagram for explaining a control system of the printing apparatus; 
         FIG. 6  is a diagram for explaining how the slitter moves in accordance with the position of the carriage; 
         FIG. 7  is a diagram for explaining how the slitter moves in accordance with the position of the carriage; 
         FIG. 8  is a diagram for explaining a positional relationship between the carriage and the slitter; 
         FIG. 9  is a flowchart of processing for correcting moving distances of the carriage, which are to be references; 
         FIG. 10  is a diagram for explaining an operation for correcting moving distances of the carriage, which are to be references; 
         FIG. 11  is a diagram for explaining the operation for correcting moving distances of the carriage, which are to be references; 
         FIG. 12  is a diagram for explaining the operation for correcting moving distances of the carriage, which are to be references; 
         FIG. 13  is a diagram for explaining the operation for correcting moving distances of the carriage, which are to be references; 
         FIG. 14  is a graph representing a relationship between reflectivity for a detection sensor and a moving distance of the carriage; 
         FIG. 15  is a diagram for explaining the operation for correcting moving distances of the carriage, which are to be references; 
         FIG. 16  is a flowchart of processing in which the slitter moves in accordance with the positions of the carriage; 
         FIG. 17  is a diagram for explaining how the slitter moves in accordance with the positions of the carriage; 
         FIG. 18A  is a diagram for explaining a roll sheet that is cut by a cutter and the slitter; 
         FIG. 18B  is a diagram for explaining the roll sheet that is cut by the cutter and the slitter; 
         FIG. 19  is a cross-sectional view of a printing apparatus; 
         FIG. 20  is a top view of the printing apparatus for explaining a carriage and a slitter; and 
         FIG. 21  is a flowchart of processing for correcting a moving distance of the carriage, which is to be a reference. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     Hereinafter, an explanation is given of embodiments of the present invention with reference to the drawings. The following embodiments do not limit the present invention. Further, every combination of the characteristics explained in the present embodiments is not necessarily essential to the solution means of the present invention. The same reference sign is assigned for explanation of the identical configuration. In addition, relative positions, shapes, and the like, of the constituent elements described in the embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present invention to the range of the examples. 
     First Embodiment 
       FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of an inkjet printing apparatus according to the present embodiment. The inkjet printing apparatus  100  (hereinafter referred to as the printing apparatus  100 ) performs printing on a printing medium that has a shape of a long sheet. In the present embodiment, the printing medium is a roll sheet  1 . The roll sheet  1  held in the printing apparatus  100  is conveyed to the downstream through a conveyance path formed by the upper guide  6  and the lower guide  7 . The roll sheet  1  is nipped by the conveyance roller  8  and the pinch roller  9  and conveyed to an image printing unit. The image printing unit is configured to include the print head  2 , the carriage  3  on which the print head  2  is mounted, and the platen  10  disposed at a position facing the print head  2 . The roll sheet  1  is conveyed onto the platen  10  by the conveyance roller  8 . Ink is ejected by the print head  2  onto the roll sheet  1  conveyed to the image printing unit, so as to print an image. 
     The carriage  3  is supported so as to be able to perform a sliding motion along the guide shaft  4  and the guide rail  18  that are disposed in parallel to each other in the printing apparatus  100 . The carriage  3  includes the reflection type detection sensor  12  facing the platen  10 , so as to be able to detect the reflectivity of a spot position. That is, in a case where the platen  10  is black and the roll sheet  1  is white, the reflectivity of the platen  10  and the roll sheet  1  are greatly different. Therefore, it is possible to determine whether the platen  10  is present or the roll sheet  1  is present at the spot position by use of the detection sensor  12 . It is possible to detect the leading edge of the roll sheet  1  by utilizing the fact that, while the roll sheet  1  is conveyed by the conveyance roller  8 , the reflectivity greatly changes in a case where the leading edge of the roll sheet  1  in the conveyance direction passes through the spot position of the detection sensor  12 . 
     The carriage  3  scans in the X direction along the guide shaft  4  while holding the print head  2 , and the print head  2  ejects ink while the carriage  3  scans, so as to perform printing on the roll sheet  1 . After a scan by the carriage  3  to perform printing on the roll sheet  1 , the conveyance roller  8  conveys the roll sheet  1  by a predetermined amount, and the carriage  3  scans on the roll sheet  1  again to perform printing. In this way, by repeating printing and conveying, the entire printing is completed. Furthermore, since the detection sensor  12  is mounted on the carriage  3 , the positions of the paper edges in the intersecting direction (X direction) of the roll sheet  1  can also be detected by the reciprocating operation of the carriage  3 . 
     On the downstream relative to the carriage  3  in the conveyance direction of the roll sheet  1 , there is provided the cutter  5  for cutting the roll sheet  1  in a direction (X direction) intersecting the conveyance direction, and, on the further downstream, there is provided the slitter  13  for cutting the roll sheet  1  along the conveyance direction. On the downstream relative to the slitter  13 , there is provided the discharging guide  11  for discharging the roll sheet  1  that is cut. 
     The cutter  5  includes a cutter unit  300  as a cutting mechanism for cutting the roll sheet  1  and a unit for moving the cutter unit  300  along the X direction. Furthermore, the slitter  13  includes a slitter unit  303  as a cutting mechanism for cutting the roll sheet  1  and a unit for moving the slitter unit  303  along the X direction. 
       FIG. 2  is a top view for explaining the carriage encoder  19 , the cutter  5 , and the slitter  13  including the slitter units  303 L and  303 R. In the present specification, “L” and “R” at the end of the reference signs indicate a member on the left side (that is, +X side) and a member on the right side (that is, −X side) on the drawings, respectively. In the present specification, such an end of a reference sign may be omitted in a case of members that are the same on the left side and the right side. 
     The movement of the carriage  3  is controlled based on the number of pulses, which is obtained by the carriage encoder  19  attached to the carriage  3  and configured to read a slit arranged on the linear scale  17 . The relationship between the number of pulses obtained by the carriage encoder  19  and the moving distance of the carriage  3  is predetermined. Therefore, by detecting the moving distance of the carriage  3  by use of the carriage encoder  19 , it is possible to move the carriage  3  by a desired moving distance in the X 1  and X 2  directions. Furthermore, the carriage  3  includes a carriage flag  3   f , and a carriage origin sensor  21  that is able to detect the carriage flag  3   f  is provided at one end of the scanning area of the carriage  3 . The carriage flag  3   f  is a flag member for position detection, and the carriage origin sensor  21  is configured to be able to detect the carriage flag  3   f  disposed on the carriage  3 . The position at which the carriage origin sensor  21  detects the carriage flag  3   f  disposed on the carriage  3  is the origin position, which is the starting point of the moving distance of the carriage  3 . 
     The guide rail  101  is configured to guide the cutter carriage  200  in the direction intersecting the conveyance direction of the roll sheet  1 . The cutter carriage  200  integrally connects the cutter unit  300  and the belt  102 . Furthermore, the belt  102  is configured to bridge the motor pulley  107  and the tensioner pulley  108  disposed on the left and right sides of the guide rail  101  and is configured to be moved by the cutter motor  103  connected to the motor pulley  107 . The cutter motor  103  is provided with the cutter encoder  104 . The cutter encoder  104  counts the number of pulses corresponding to driving of the cutter motor  103 . Furthermore, at the stand-by position P 1  of the cutter unit  300 , there is the cutter origin sensor  106 . Based on the number of pulses obtained by the cutter encoder  104  from the starting point which corresponds to detection of the flag  300   f  disposed on the cutter unit  300  by use of the cutter origin sensor  106 , it is possible to control the movement position of the cutter unit  300  in the X 1  and X 2  directions. 
     The cutter unit  300  includes the upper movable blade  301  and the lower movable blade  302 , so that the roll sheet  1  is cut at the contact point of the upper movable blade  301  and the lower movable blade  302  while the cutter unit  300  moves in the X 1  direction. Furthermore, the upper movable blade  301  and the lower movable blade  302  are connected to the cutter motor  103  via the belt  102  and the cutter carriage  200  and are configured to be rotationally driven. In a case where the roll sheet  1  is cut, the roll sheet  1  is cut while the lower movable blade  302  and the upper movable blade  301 , which is in contact with the lower movable blade  302 , rotate together. In the example of  FIG. 2 , the cutter unit  300  performs cutting from the first end  1   a  of the roll sheet  1  to the second end  1   b  of the roll sheet  1 . The first end  1   a  of the roll sheet  1  is an end on the stand-by position P 1  side of the cutter unit  300 . After the roll sheet  1  is cut, the cutter carriage  200  is reversed at a predetermined reversing position. Further, the cutter carriage  200  moves to a position that is the stand-by position P 1  to stand by for the next cutting operation. Although the cutter unit  300  is mounted on the cutter carriage  200  in the example of the present embodiment, the cutter unit  300  may be mounted on the carriage  3  that moves the print head  2 , etc., for example. In addition, there may be a form in which cutting can be performed from the second end  1   b  of the roll sheet  1  toward the first end  1   a  of the roll sheet  1 . Furthermore, for example, there may be a form in which the cutter  5  is able to cut the roll sheet  1  from either one of the second end  1   b  and the first end  1   a . Alternatively, there may be a form in which a cutter that is able to cut the roll sheet  1  in the X direction from the second end  1   b  is further included. 
     The slitter  13  is disposed on the downstream side relative to the cutter  5  in the conveyance direction of the roll sheet  1 . A slitter unit  303  of the slitter  13  is movable to a given position in the X 1  and X 2  directions and is able to cut the roll sheet  1  along the direction parallel to the conveyance direction (+Y direction). In the present embodiment, an explanation is given of a configuration in which two slitter units  303  are mounted. That is, an explanation is given of the example in which the slitter unit  303 L and the slitter unit  303 R are mounted. The slitter units  303 L and  303 R have the same configuration with the components that are left-right reversals in the X 1  and X 2  directions. In  FIG. 2 , for the sake of simplification, reference signs are mainly assigned to the components of the slitter unit  303 L. 
     The moving distances of the slitter units  303 L and  303 R can be detected based on the number of pulses from the slitter moving encoders  309 L and  309 R, which are attached to the slitter moving motors  14 L and  14 R, respectively. Therefore, it is possible to control each of the slitter units  303  to move by a desired moving distance in the X 1  and X 2  directions. Furthermore, on both ends of the slitter guide rail  307  in the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction, the slitter origin sensors  308 L and  308 R are provided, respectively. Moreover, the slitter units  303 L and  303 R include the slitter flags  303   f L and  303   f R as flag members, respectively. The position of the slitter unit  303 L at a timing where the slitter origin sensor  308 L detects the slitter flag  303   f L is the origin position, which is the starting point of the moving distance of the slitter unit  303 L. The origin position of the slitter unit  303 R is similarly determined. 
       FIGS. 3A and 3B  and  FIG. 4  are diagrams for explaining details of the slitter unit  303 L.  FIG. 3A  is a schematic top view of the slitter unit  303 L, and  FIG. 3B  is a schematic side view of the slitter unit  303 L. The slitter unit  303 L includes the slitter upper movable blade  304 L and the slitter lower movable blade  305 L. The slitter upper movable blade  304 L and the slitter lower movable blade  305 L are disposed so as to have a round blades overlap amount  313 L in the vertical direction and have a predetermined amount of angle (intersect angle) θ relative to the conveyance direction Y, which is the cutting direction. The roll sheet  1  is cut at the contact point  311 L of the slitter upper movable blade  304 L and the slitter lower movable blade  305 L. The slitter upper movable blade  304 L is connected to the slitter driving motor  16 L via a gear. 
     In a case where the slitter upper movable blade  304 L is rotated by the driving force of the slitter driving motor  16 L, the slitter upper conveyance roller  320 L, which is connected coaxially with the slitter upper movable blade  304 L, rotates as well. The outer diameter of the slitter upper conveyance roller  320 L is in contact with the outer diameter of the slitter lower conveyance roller  321 L, which is connected coaxially with the slitter lower movable blade  305 L, at the roller nip point  312 L. Thus, by driving with friction transmission, while the roll sheet  1  is conveyed by the slitter upper conveyance roller  320 L and the slitter lower conveyance roller  321 L, the upper and lower blades rotate together to cut the roll sheet  1  in the conveyance direction. Since the slitter driving motor  16 L is provided with the slitter driving encoder  310 L, it is possible to control the slitter driving motor  16 L with a predetermined rotation speed and a predetermined rotation amount. The slitter driving motor  16 L is controlled to drive at a driving amount (specifically, a rotation speed and a rotation amount), which is synchronized with and corresponding to the conveyance amount by the conveyance roller  8 . 
     The slitter unit  303 L includes the slitter moving motor  14 L and is configured such that driving force is transmitted to the slitter moving roller  306 L via a gear. The slitter moving roller  306 L abuts on the slitter guide rail  307 , and the slitter unit  303 L is configured to be movable in the X 1  and X 2  directions by friction between the front surface of the slitter moving roller  306 L and the slitter guide rail  307 . In other words, the slitter upper movable blade  304 L, the slitter lower movable blade  305 L, the slitter upper conveyance roller  320 L, and the slitter lower conveyance roller  321 L are integrally movable along the slitter guide rail  307 . 
     Although the slitter moving roller  306 L is driven with friction in the present embodiment, the slitter moving roller  306 L may have a rack and pinion configuration with a slitter moving roller serving as a pinion and a slitter guide rail serving as a rack. 
     Next, an explanation is given of general operation of cutting by the slitter units  303 . First, the slitter units  303 L and  303 R are moved to cutting positions, and the roll sheet  1  is conveyed by the conveyance roller  8  while the conveyance motor  51  and the slitter driving motors  16 L and  16 R are driven at the same speed. In a case where the leading edge of the roll sheet  1  reaches the contact points  311 L and  311 R of the slitter  13 , the roll sheet  1  is cut by the slitter upper movable blades  304 L and  304 R and the slitter lower movable blades  305 L and  305 R on the left and right sides. Furthermore, the roll sheet  1  is nipped and conveyed by the slitter upper conveyance rollers  320 L and  320 R and the slitter lower conveyance rollers  321 L and  321 R on the left and right sides while being cut, so as to be discharged through the discharging guide  11 . 
     Additionally, cutting by the slitter units  303  can be performed together with image printing. The slitter units  303  move from the stand-by positions to predetermined cutting positions in the X 1  and X 2  directions according to the setting by the user. 
     Then, the roll sheet  1  is conveyed by the conveyance roller  8  while the conveyance motor  51  and the slitter driving motors  16 L and  16 R are driven at the same speed. In the image printing unit, in response to forward or return scanning of one line by the carriage  3  for printing an image, the roll sheet  1  is conveyed by the conveyance roller  8  and the pinch roller  9  by a predetermined pitch. Then, the carriage  3  is moved again to perform image printing of the next line. In a case where printing proceeds and the leading edge of the roll sheet  1  reaches the contact points  311 , the roll sheet  1  is cut by the slitter upper movable blades  304 L and  304 R and the slitter lower movable blades  305 L and  305 R that are rotating. Furthermore, the roll sheet  1  is nipped and conveyed by the slitter upper conveyance rollers  320 L and  320 R and the slitter lower conveyance rollers  321 L and  321 R while being cut. Then, the image printing ends and the cutting by the slitter units  303  ends. Subsequently, the slitter units  303  move to the predetermined stand-by positions. The roll sheet  1  is conveyed up to a cutting position where the cutter unit  300  can cut the roll sheet  1 , then the roll sheet  1  is cut by the cutter unit  300 , so as to be discharged through the discharging guide  11 . 
     The configuration of the slitter  13  described above is merely an example. That is, the slitter  13  may have any configuration as long as the slitter  13  is movable in the intersecting direction of the roll sheet  1  and is able to cut the conveyed roll sheet  1  in the conveyance direction at a given position of the intersecting direction. Further, there may be a form in which the slitter upper conveyance rollers  320  and the slitter lower conveyance rollers  321 , the slitter upper movable blades  304 , and the slitter lower movable blades  305  are independently driven. In a case where the slitter upper movable blades  304  and the slitter lower movable blades  305  are used for a predetermined time period, the slitter upper movable blades  304  and the slitter lower movable blades  305  may be worn. In such a case, the user may exchange the slitter upper movable blades  304  and the slitter lower movable blades  305 . 
       FIG. 5  is a schematic block diagram illustrating a control configuration of the printing apparatus  100 . The printing apparatus  100  includes a control unit  400 . Furthermore, the control unit  400  includes a CPU  411 , a ROM  412 , a RAM  413 , and a motor driver  414 . The control unit  400  implements control of a conveyance motor  51 , a cutter motor  103 , a slitter moving motor  14 , a slitter driving motor  16 , a carriage motor  52 , and a print head  2 . The control unit  400  obtains signals from a conveyance roller encoder  112 , a cutter encoder  104 , a slitter moving encoder  309 , a slitter driving encoder  310 , a carriage encoder  19 , and a detection sensor  12 . Furthermore, the control unit  400  obtains signals from a carriage origin sensor  21 , a slitter origin sensor  308 , and a cutter origin sensor  106 . Furthermore, the control unit  400  controls the various motors and the print head  2 , based on the signals. 
     [Control of Movement of the Slitter] 
       FIG. 6  is a diagram similar to the top view of  FIG. 2 . With reference to  FIG. 6 , an explanation is given of an example of controlling the moving distances of the slitter units  303 . The moving distance of the carriage  3  is represented as a moving distance C, the moving distance of the slitter unit  303 R is represented as a moving distance StR, and the moving distance of the slitter unit  303 L is represented as a moving distance StL, respectively. Since the carriage  3  and the slitter units  303  each have an individual encoder and motor for movement, the moving distances C, StL, and StR are individually managed. 
     The origins, which are the starting points for detecting the moving distances, are represented as “C=0” for the moving distance C, “StR=0” for the moving distance StR, and “StL=0” for the moving distance StL. The printing apparatus  100  includes the slitter origin sensors  308 L and  308 R and the carriage origin sensor  21 . Further, the origins of the moving distances are determined with reference to the respective origin sensors. Since the respective origin sensors are disposed at different positions of the printing apparatus  100 , the origin positions for detecting the respective moving distances of the slitter units  303 R and  303 L and the carriage  3  are different in the X direction, as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . 
     In the explanation of the present embodiment, the position of the detection sensor  12  corresponds to the position of the carriage  3 . Furthermore, in the explanation, the position of the contact point  311 L corresponds to the position of the slitter unit  303 L, and the position of the contact point  311 R corresponds to the position of the slitter unit  303 R. Moreover, regarding each of the moving distances C, StL, and StR, movement in the X 1  direction of  FIG. 6  is detected as a positive value and movement in the X 2  direction of  FIG. 6  is detected as a negative value. Additionally, in the following explanation, the units for the values represented as the respective moving distances C, StL, and StR are the same. 
     In the configuration of the printing apparatus of  FIG. 6 , the origin “StL=0” of the slitter unit  303 L is positioned on the downstream (+Y direction) of the position of the carriage in the conveyance direction in a case where the carriage is moved such that the value of the moving distance C becomes 1290 (C=1290). Similarly, in the configuration, it is assumed that “StR=0”, which is the origin of the moving distance of the slitter unit  303 R, corresponds to “−100” of the moving distance C (C=−100) of the carriage. By use of the positional relationship of the carriage  3  and the slitter units  303 , it is possible to move the slitter units  303  in accordance with the size of the image printed by the print head, which is mounted on the carriage, so that the slitter  13  can cut the roll sheet  1  according to the image size. 
     For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 6 , it is assumed that an image is printed between the position of the carriage  3  that is moved such that the moving distance C becomes 300 (C=300) and the position of the carriage  3  that is moved such that the moving distance C becomes 700 (C=700). Therefore, the right end of the printed image  500 , which is at the position corresponding to “C=300”, is cut by the slitter unit  303 R, and the left end of the printed image  500 , which is at the position corresponding to “C=700”, is cut by the slitter unit  303 L. Then, it is assumed that the borderless printed image  500  is separated from the roll sheet  1 , so that a printed subject is generated. Each of the moving distances StL and StR of the slitter units  303  corresponding to a given moving distance C of the carriage  3  is calculated by subtracting the moving distance of the carriage  3  corresponding to the origin position of each slitter unit  303  from the given moving distance C of the carriage  3 . Therefore, the moving distance StL of the slitter unit  303 L corresponding to the moving distance “C=700” of the carriage as illustrated in  FIG. 6  can be obtained as follows.
 
 StL= 700−1290=−590
 
     Similarly, the moving distance StR of the slitter unit  303 R corresponding to the moving distance “C=300” of the carriage can be obtained as follows.
 
 StR= 300−(−100)=400
 
     The control unit  400  controls the slitter unit  303 L to move such that the value of the moving distance StL becomes −590 (StL=−590) and controls the slitter unit  303 R to move such that the value of the moving distance StR becomes 400 (StR=400). With such control, it is possible to cut the roll sheet  1  by use of the slitter  13  according to the X directional size of the printed image  500 . 
       FIG. 7  is a diagram similar to the top view of  FIG. 6 . As a comparative example, an explanation is given of the example in which the controlled relative positions of the carriage  3  and a slitter unit  303  are different from the actual relative positions, due to a deviation of the size of a part, misalignment in assembly, aging, replacement of parts, etc., with reference to  FIG. 7 . In the comparative example, as with  FIG. 6 , it is assumed that, for controlling, the origin “StL=0” of the slitter is set to correspond to the downstream of the carriage in the conveyance direction in a case where the carriage is moved such that the moving distance C becomes 1290 (C=1290). Therefore, as in the case of  FIG. 6 , the control unit  400  moves the slitter unit  303 L by the moving distance “StL=−590” so that the slitter unit  303 L is positioned at the left end of the printed image  500 . 
     However, in the printing apparatus of the comparative example, the controlled relative positions of a slitter unit  303  and the carriage  3  are different from the actual relative positions, due to a deviation of the size of a part, misalignment in assembly, aging, replacement of parts, etc. That is, it is assumed that the origin “StL=0” of the slitter is actually at the position corresponding to the carriage  3  that is moved such that the moving distance C becomes 1300, as illustrated in  FIG. 7 . Therefore, in the comparative example, the X directional position of the slitter unit  303 L in a case where the slitter is moved by the moving distance “StL=−590” does not match the X directional position of the carriage  3  that is moved by the moving distance “C=700”. Therefore, in the comparative example, in a case where the slitter unit  303 L is moved by the moving distance of “StL=−590” and cuts the roll sheet  1 , the roll sheet  1  is cut at the position away from the left end of the printed image  500  by the distance corresponding to the moving distance of “10”. Therefore, in the comparative example, cutting cannot be performed at a desired position of the printed image  500 . 
       FIG. 8  is a top view similar to  FIG. 2 . The slitter unit  303 L in  FIG. 8  is taken as an example for explaining the positional relationship of the slitter units  303  and the carriage  3 . As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the distance h 1 L is from the contact point  311 L to the slitter flag  303   f L, the distance H 1 L is from the slitter origin sensor  308 L to the carriage origin sensor  21 , and the distance Ha is from the carriage origin sensor  21  to the detection sensor  12 . Based on the distances designed as described above, the distance from the detection sensor  12 , which is the reference of the position of the carriage  3 , to the contact point  311 L, which is the reference of the position of the slitter unit  303 L, is obtained. Then, as explained in  FIG. 6 , based on the value (“C=1290” in  FIG. 6 ) of the moving distance C for the carriage  3  to move the distance, it is possible to move the slitter unit  303 L to the position corresponding to the position of the carriage  3 . 
     However, there are multiple parts between each of the distance h 1 L from the contact point  311 L to the slitter flag  303   f L and the distance H 1 L from the slitter origin sensor  308 L to the carriage origin sensor  21 . Similarly, there are multiple parts in the distance Ha between the carriage origin sensor  21  and the detection sensor  12 . Therefore, there is a possibility that the designed lengths of the respective distances h 1 L, H 1 L, and Ha are different from the actual lengths, due to variations in dimensions of parts between the respective distances and variation in assembly, etc. In addition, there is a possibility that the originally designed lengths of the respective distances h 1 L, H 1 L, and Ha are different from the actual lengths, due to change by aging or replacement of a slitter upper movable blade  304  and a slitter lower movable blade  305 , etc. Therefore, in a case where the slitter unit  303 L is moved with reference to the designed position of the carriage  3 , the position of a slitter unit  303  may be shifted from a desired position as in the comparative example. 
     Therefore, as described below, the present embodiment is a form of performing correction on a controlled moving distance, which is used for moving the carriage  3  to the position corresponding to the origin position of a slitter unit  303 . 
     [Correction of the Moving Distances of the Carriage Corresponding to the Origin Positions of the Slitter] 
       FIG. 9  is a flowchart illustrating details of a series of processes for correcting controlled moving distances of the carriage  3  corresponding to the origin positions of the slitter units  303 . The series of processes illustrated in the flowchart of  FIG. 9  is performed by the CPU retrieving a program code stored in the ROM into the RAM and executing the program code. Furthermore, a part or all of the functions in the steps of  FIG. 9  may be implemented by hardware such as an ASIC or an electronic circuit. The symbol “S” in the explanation of each process means that it is a step in the flowchart, and the same applies to the following flowcharts. In addition,  FIGS. 10 through 13  and  FIG. 15  are diagrams similar to the top view of  FIG. 2  and are diagrams for explaining each of the processes in the present flowchart. 
     In S 901 , the control unit  400  moves the carriage  3  in the direction toward the carriage origin sensor  21 . 
     In S 902 , the control unit  400  determines whether the carriage origin sensor  21  has detected the carriage flag  3   f , which is attached to the carriage  3 . It is indicated that the carriage origin sensor  21  in  FIG. 8  is in a state of having detected the carriage flag  3   f.    
     In a case where it is determined that the carriage origin sensor  21  has detected the carriage flag  3   f , the control unit  400  stops the carriage  3  and resets the value of the moving distance C of the carriage  3  to “0” in S 903 . That is, the moving distance C of the carriage is updated such that the position of the carriage  3  at the timing of the detection by the carriage origin sensor  21  becomes the origin “C=0”. 
     In S 904 , the control unit  400  moves the slitter unit  303 L in the direction toward the slitter origin sensor  308 L and moves the slitter unit  303 R in the direction toward the slitter origin sensor  308 R, respectively. 
     In S 905 , the control unit  400  determines whether the slitter origin sensor  308 L has detected the slitter flag  303   f L, which is attached to the slitter unit  303 L. Similarly, the control unit  400  determines whether the slitter origin sensor  308 R has detected the slitter flag  303   f R, which is attached to the slitter unit  303 R. It is indicated that the slitter origin sensor  308 L in  FIG. 8  is in a state of having detected the slitter flag  303   f L. Furthermore, it is indicated that the slitter origin sensor  308 R is in a state of having detected the slitter flag  303   f R. 
     In a case where it is determined that the slitter origin sensor  308 L has detected the carriage flag  3   f L, the control unit  400  stops the movement of the slitter unit  303 L and resets the value of the moving distance StL of the slitter unit  303 L to “0” in S 906 . Similarly, in a case where it is determined that the slitter origin sensor  308 R has detected the carriage flag  3   f R, the control unit  400  stops the slitter unit  303 R and resets the value of the moving distance StR of the slitter unit  303 R to “0” in S 906 . The order of the processes of S 901  through S 903  and the processes of S 904  through S 906  may be reversed or both of the processes may be performed simultaneously. 
     In S 907 , the control unit  400  moves the slitter units  303 L and  303 R to given locations in the range of the roll sheet  1  in the intersecting direction, as illustrated in  FIG. 10 . It is assumed that, at that timing, the value of the moving distance StL of the slitter unit  303 L is StL 2  and the value of the moving distance StR of the slitter unit  303 R is StR 2 . 
     In S 908 , the control unit  400  stores StL 2 , which is the value of the moving distance of the slitter unit  303 L, and StR 2 , which is the value of the moving distance of the slitter unit  303 R, in the ROM  412 . 
     In S 909 , the control unit  400  drives the slitter driving motors  16  mounted on the respective slitter units  303 , so as to rotate the slitter upper movable blades  304  and the slitter lower movable blades  305 , respectively. Furthermore, the control unit  400  rotates the conveyance roller  8 , so as to convey the roll sheet  1  in the conveyance direction Y. As illustrated in  FIG. 11 , in a case where the roll sheet  1  is conveyed and reaches each of the slitter units  303 , the roll sheet  1  is cut by the slitter units  303 . The cut portion that is made by the slitter unit  303 L is a slit L  110 , and the cut portion that is made by the slitter unit  303 R is a slit R  111 . 
     In S 910 , the control unit  400  stops the conveyance roller  8  and each of the slitter driving motors  16  after conveying the roll sheet  1  by a predetermined amount. 
     In S 911 , the control unit  400  rotates the conveyance roller  8  in the opposite direction, so as to convey the roll sheet  1  in the opposite direction (−Y direction) of the conveyance direction Y. In S 912 , the control unit  400  stops the conveyance roller  8  in a case where the roll sheet  1  is conveyed up to the position where the slit L  110  and the slit R  111  are positioned in the X 1  direction of the detection sensor  12 , which is mounted on the carriage  3 , as illustrated in  FIG. 12 . 
     In S 913 , the control unit  400  moves the carriage  3  in the X 1  direction with the detection sensor  12  being in a detectable state, as illustrated in  FIG. 13 . The control unit  400  detects the slit L  110  and the slit R  111  by detecting the reflectivity of the roll sheet  1  by use of the detection sensor  12 , so as to determine the values of the moving distances C of the carriage  3  at the timing where the slits are detected. 
       FIG. 14  is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the moving distance C of the carriage  3  and the reflectivity detected by the detection sensor  12 . The horizontal axis in  FIG. 14  indicates the values of the moving distance C of the carriage, and the vertical axis indicates the reflectivity detected by the detection sensor  12 . Because of the platen  10 , which has small reflectivity, the reflectivity is detected to be low at the slit L  110  and the slit R  111  of the roll sheet  1 . The control unit  400  determines the values of the moving distances C of the carriage at the timings where the reflectivity becomes low as C 2  and C 3 , respectively, from the one closer to the origin of the carriage  3 . C 2  is the value of the moving distance C of the carriage at the timing where the slit R  111  is detected. C 3  is the value of the moving distance C of the carriage at the timing where the slit L  110  is detected. 
     In S 914 , the control unit  400  stores C 2  and C 3 , which are the values of the moving distances C up to the respective slits, in the ROM  412 . 
     In S 915 , the control unit  400  determines the values of the moving distances C of the carriage  3  corresponding to the origin positions of the slitter units  303 . It is assumed that CL 0  is the value of the moving distance C that is required for the carriage  3  to move to the position that is on the upstream (−Y direction) of the origin “StL=0” of the slitter unit  303 L in the conveyance direction. Similarly, it is assumed that CR 0  is the value of the moving distance C that is required for the carriage  3  to move to the upstream position of the origin “StR=0” of the slitter unit  303 R. In other words, CR 0  is a predetermined moving distance that is required for the carriage  3  to move from the origin position of the carriage  3  to the position in the intersecting direction (X direction) corresponding to the origin position of the slitter unit  303 R. Furthermore, CL 0  is a predetermined moving distance that is required for the carriage  3  to move from the origin position of the carriage  3  to the position in the intersecting direction (X direction) corresponding to the origin position of the slitter unit  303 L. CR 0  and CL 0  need not be moving distances for the carriage  3  to be actually movable. 
     CL 0  is determined by subtracting StL 2 , which is the value of the moving distance of the slitter unit  303 L for forming the slit L  110 , from C 3 , which is the value of the moving distance C of the carriage at the timing where the slit L  110  is detected. Similarly, CR 0  is determined by subtracting StR 2 , which is the value of the moving distance of the slitter unit  303 R for forming the slit R  111 , from C 2 , which is the value of the moving distance C of the carriage  3  at the timing where the slit R  111  is detected. The calculation formula is as follows.
 
 CL 0= C 3− StL 2
 
 CR 0= C 2− StR 2
 
     Here is an explanation based on specific numerical examples with reference to  FIG. 15 . In  FIG. 15 , some members are omitted for the sake of explanation. The slitter unit  303 L performs cutting at the position where the value of the moving distance is −300 (that is, “StL 2 =−300”), and the slitter unit  303 R performs cutting at the position where the value of the moving distance is 400 (that is, “StR 2 =400”). Regarding the values of the moving distances of the carriage  3  for detecting the slits of the respective slitter units  303 , it is assumed that C 2  is 300 and C 3  is 1000, respectively. In this case, CL 0  and CR 0  are obtained as follows.
 
 CL 0=1000−(−300)=1300
 
 CR 0=300−400=−100
 
     As explained with reference to  FIG. 6 , the values of CL 0  and CR 0  are moving distances for determining the moving distance StL or StR of the slitter corresponding to a given moving distance C of the carriage. 
     In S 916 , the control unit  400  stores the respective values of CL 0  and CR 0  in the ROM  412 . 
     In S 917 , the control unit  400  moves the slitter units  303 L and  303 R to the respective origin positions. In S 918 , the control unit  400  conveys the roll sheet  1  in the conveyance direction Y according to the length of the slit L  110  and the slit R  111 . In S 919 , the control unit  400  cuts the roll sheet  1  in the X direction by use of the cutter  5 , so as to separate the area of the roll sheet  1  including the slit L  110  and the slit R  111 . 
     The above is the flow for correcting controlled moving distances of the carriage  3  corresponding to the origin positions of the slitter units  303 . According to the processing of the present flow, even in such a case where a moving distance designed for the carriage  3  to move to the position corresponding to the origin position of a slitter unit  303  is different from the actual moving distance as described in the comparative example, it is possible to correct the moving distance that is set in the printing apparatus into the actual moving distance. Furthermore, it is possible to obtain the moving distance StL or StR that corresponds to a given moving distance C of the carriage in such a manner as explained with reference to  FIG. 6 , based on CL 0  and CR 0  which are the corrected moving distances for the carriage  3  to move to the positions corresponding to the origin positions of the slitter units  303 . 
     Additionally, since the print head  2  is mounted on the carriage  3 , the accuracy of the distance Hb between the print head  2  and the detection sensor  12 , which is the reference of the position of the carriage  3 , is guaranteed by preliminary printing adjustment, or the like. Therefore, it is possible to obtain the moving distance StL or StR of the slitter corresponding to the position of the print head  2  in the X direction, based on the corrected moving distances for the carriage  3  to move to the positions corresponding to the origin positions of the slitter units  303 . Therefore, the slitter can be moved in accordance with the printed image as described later. 
     The flow of  FIG. 9  may be executed at a given timing based on an instruction by a user or may be executed in a case where a predetermined condition is satisfied. For example, the flow of  FIG. 9  may be performed in a case where a predetermined period has elapsed since the last correction. Alternatively, there may be a form in which the above-described flow is performed at a timing where the electric power source is turned on after the printing apparatus  100  is delivered. Further, the flow of  FIG. 9  may be performed at a timing after replacement of the slitter units  303  or the carriage  3 . 
     Furthermore, there may be a form provided with a manual mode in which the values of CL 0  and CR 0  can be obtained and updated by a user at a given timing through the flow of  FIG. 9 . Alternatively, there may be a form provided with an automatic mode in which the values of CL 0  and CR 0  can be obtained and updated through the flow of FIG.  9  in a case where a predetermined condition is satisfied. There may be a form in which the manual mode and the automatic mode are switchable. 
     [Control of Movement of the Slitter] 
       FIG. 16  is a flowchart illustrating a series of processes for controlling the cutting positions of the slitter units  303  in accordance with a printed image, based on the moving distances of the carriage  3  corresponding to the origin positions of the slitter units  303 . Moreover,  FIG. 17  is a diagram similar to the top view of  FIG. 2  and is a diagram in which some parts are omitted for the purpose of explaining the processes in the present flowchart. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 17 , regarding the size of the printed image  500 , it is assumed that the right end of the printed image  500  corresponds to the position of the carriage  3  in a case where the carriage  3  is moved such that the moving distance C becomes 300. Furthermore, it is assumed that the left end of the printed image corresponds to the position of the carriage  3  in a case where the carriage  3  is moved such that the moving distance C becomes 700. The moving distances C of the carriage in accordance with the size of the printed image  500  can be determined in consideration of the positions of the print head  2  and the detection sensor  12 . That is, the position of the print head  2  for printing an image and the position of the detection sensor  12 , which is the reference of the position of the carriage  3 , are away from each other by the distance Hb, as illustrated in  FIG. 8 . Therefore, it is possible to obtain the moving distances C of the carriage in accordance with the size of the printed image  500 , based on the moving distances obtained by adjusting the moving distances of the movement of the carriage for printing the printed image  500  by use of the moving distance corresponding to the distance Hb. Alternatively, it is possible to determine end portions of the printed image  500  by use of the detection sensor  12 , so as to determine the moving distances C of the carriage in accordance with the size of the width of the printed image  500 . 
     In the present flowchart, an explanation is given with the example of a case in which the left end and the right end of the printed image  500  are cut by the slitter units  303 , so as to generate a borderless printed subject. Therefore, in the present flowchart, each of the moving distances StL and StR of the slitter, which correspond to the moving distances C of the carriage that indicate the end portions of the printed image  500  in the intersecting direction, is obtained. Then, an explanation is given of a series of processes in which the slitter units  303  are moved by the obtained moving distances, so that the left end and the right end of the printed image  500  are cut by the slitter units  303 . 
     In S 1601 , the control unit  400  determines the cutting positions of the slitter units  303 L and  303 R, that is, the moving distances StL and StR, which are up to the left and right ends of the printed image  500 . The moving distance StL, which is for moving the slitter unit  303 L to the position corresponding to the position of the carriage  3  that is moved by the moving distance C, is determined by subtracting CL 0  from the moving distance C of the carriage  3 . Here, CL 0  is the value of the moving distance C of the carriage  3  corresponding to the origin position of the slitter unit  303 L. Similarly, the moving distance StR of the slitter corresponding to a moving distance C of the carriage is determined by subtracting CR 0  from the moving distance C of the carriage. Here, CR 0  is the value of the moving distance C of the carriage corresponding to the origin position of the slitter. The calculation formula is as follows.
 
 StL=C−CL 0
 
 StR=C−CR 0
 
     That is, based on CL 0  or CR 0 , it is possible to obtain the moving distance StL or StR of the slitter corresponding to a given moving distance C of the carriage. CL 0  and CR 0  used here are numerical values obtained by the processes in the flowchart of  FIG. 9  and stored in the ROM. In the explanation of the present flowchart, it is assumed that CL 0  is recorded as  1300  and CR 0  is recorded as −100 in the ROM. The specific calculation results of the moving distances StL and StR for moving the slitter units  303  to the left and right ends of the printed image  500  are as follows.
 
 StL= 700−1300=−600
 
 StR= 300−(−100)=400
 
     In S 1602 , the control unit  400  moves the slitter units  303 L and  303 R, based on the calculated moving distances StL and StR. 
     In S 1603 , the control unit  400  drives the slitter driving motors  16  mounted on the respective slitter units  303 L and  303 R, so as to rotate the respective slitter upper movable blades  304  and slitter lower movable blades  305 . 
     In S 1604 , the control unit  400  rotates the conveyance roller  8  to convey the roll sheet  1  in the conveyance direction Y up to the printing start position. 
     In S 1605 , the control unit  400  makes the print head  2  print the printed image  500  by repeating conveying of the roll sheet  1  and scanning of the carriage  3 . In a case where the roll sheet  1  reaches the slitter units  303 , as illustrated in  FIG. 17 , the slitter unit  303 L starts cutting the left end of the printed image  500 , and the slitter unit  303 R starts cutting the right end of the printed image  500 . 
     In S 1606 , upon completion of the printing of the printed image  500 , the control unit  400  further conveys the roll sheet  1  up to the cutting position of the cutter  5 . Since the printed subject generated in the present example is a borderless image, the position to be cut by the cutter  5  is the end portion of the printed image  500  on the upstream side in the conveyance direction. 
     In S 1607 , the control unit  400  makes the cutter  5  cut the end portion of the printed image  500 , which is on the upstream side in the conveyance direction, and the present flow ends. 
     As explained above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to move a slitter unit  303  to a desired position with reference to the position of the carriage  3  even in such a case where the printing apparatus is deteriorated by aging or such a case where a movable blade of the slitter is replaced. Since the print head is mounted on the carriage, it is possible to move the slitter to a desired position with reference to the position of the print head. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to move a slitter unit  303  for cutting in accordance with the size of a printed image that is printed by the print head  2  as illustrated in  FIG. 17 . 
     Although the explanation of the present embodiment has been given with the example in which there are two slitter units on the left and right, the correction may be similarly performed even in a case where there is one slitter unit. 
     Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the method of adjusting the slitter units  303  to a printed image is described. Similarly, it is also possible to move the carriage  3  to desired positions with reference to the positions of the slitter units  303 . Therefore, it is possible to adjust the position of a printed image to be printed by the print head  2  to the position to be cut by the slitter units  303 . 
     Furthermore, the method of detecting the cut portions that are made by the slitter units  303  may be another method. For example, the roll sheet  1  having the slits, which are cut in by the slitter units  303 , is cut by the cutter  5  in the X direction up to the slits made by the slitter units  303 .  FIG. 18A  is a diagram illustrating an example of the roll sheet  1  that is cut by the cutter  5  in the X direction from the right end of the roll sheet  1  up to the slit R  111  and cut in the X direction from the left end of the roll sheet  1  up to the slit L  110 . For such a roll sheet  1 , the method in which the detection sensor  12  detects the cut portions that are made by the slitter units  303  may be used. 
       FIG. 18B  is a graph similar to  FIG. 14  and is a graph illustrating the relationship between the moving distance C of the carriage  3  and the reflectivity in a case where the detection sensor  12  detects the reflectivity while the carriage  3  moves on the dotted line of the roll sheet  1  in  FIG. 18A . In this example, as illustrated in  FIG. 18A , the slit L  110  and the slit R  111  are the end portions of the roll sheet  1 . Therefore, since the change in reflectivity is clear at the boundaries of the slits, the cut portions that are made by the slitter units  303  can be clearly detected, compared to a slit L  110  or a slit R  111  that is not cut by the cutter  5 . 
     Second Embodiment 
     In the present embodiment, an explanation is given of a form in which the moving distance of the carriage corresponding to the origin position of a slitter unit is corrected by directly detecting the position of the slitter unit by use of a detection sensor mounted on the carriage. 
       FIG. 19  is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of an inkjet printing apparatus  600  (hereinafter referred to as the printing apparatus  600 ) according to the present embodiment. The same members as in the first embodiment are assigned with the same numerals to omit explanations thereof. In the printing apparatus  600  of the present embodiment, the slitter unit  314  of the slitter  15  is provided with the slitter detection flag  203   h  as a position detection member. Furthermore, the detection sensor  201  is disposed on the carriage  330  on the downstream side in the conveyance direction. The detection sensor  201  has a concave portion and is configured to detect the slitter detection flag  203   h  in a case where an end portion of the slitter detection flag  203   h  is housed in the concave portion. Although, in the present embodiment, an explanation is given of the case in which there is one slitter unit, there may be multiple slitter units. For example, as explained in the first embodiment, there may be a form in which two slitter units are included. 
       FIG. 20  is a top view of the printing apparatus  600 , in which some parts, such as the cutter  5 , are omitted. In  FIG. 20 , the carriage  330  represented by a two-dot chain line indicates that the carriage  330  has moved from the origin position in the X 1  direction and the detection sensor  201  of the carriage  330  has detected the slitter detection flag  203   h.    
       FIG. 21  is a flowchart for explaining the contents of the processing in the present embodiment, which is for correcting the value of the moving distance by which the carriage  330  moves to the position corresponding to the origin position of the slitter unit  314 . In the present embodiment, the moving distance of the slitter unit  314  is represented as the moving distance St, and the moving distance of the carriage  330  is represented as the moving distance C. In the present embodiment, the position of the detection sensor  201  corresponds to the position on the carriage  3 . 
     The processes of S 2101  through S 2005  are processes for updating the positions to be the origins (“C=0”, “St=0”) of the respective moving distances of the carriage  330  and the slitter unit  314 , which are the same processes as S 901  through S 905 . Therefore, the explanations thereof are omitted. 
     In S 2106 , the control unit  400  moves the slitter unit  314  to a given position in the X 1  direction. The value of the moving distance St of the slitter unit  314  at that timing is defined as St 1 . In a case where the carriage  330  is movable to the origin position of the slitter unit  314  as illustrated in  FIG. 20 , the slitter unit  314  need not be moved from the origin position. In this case, this step is unnecessary. 
     In S 2107 , the control unit  400  moves the carriage  330  in the X direction until the detection sensor  201  detects the slitter detection flag  203   h . The value of the moving distance C of the carriage  330  at the timing where the detection sensor  201  detects the slitter detection flag  203   h  is defined as C 1 . In S 2108 , the control unit  400  stores C 1  in the ROM  412 . 
     In S 2109 , the control unit  400  determines C 0 , which is the value of the moving distance C for the carriage  330  to be positioned on the upstream of the origin “St=0” of the slitter unit  303  in the conveyance direction. In other words, C 0  is a predetermined moving distance that is required for the carriage  330  to move from the origin position of the carriage  330  to the position in the intersecting direction (X direction) corresponding to the origin position of the slitter unit  314 . 
     C 0  is determined by subtracting St 1 , which is the value of the moving distance St by which the slitter unit  314  is moved in S 2106 , from C 1 , which is the value of the moving distance C of the carriage  330  at the timing where the slitter detection flag  203   h  is detected. The calculation formula is as follows.
 
 C 0= C 1− St 1
 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 20 , in a case where the slitter unit  314  is not moved in S 2106 , St 1 , which is the value of the moving distance St of the slitter unit  314 , is 0. Therefore, C 0  is obtained by the following formula.
 
 C 0= C 1
 
     In S 2110 , control unit  400  stores C 0  in ROM  412 , and the present flow ends. 
     According to the present flow, it is possible to determine C 0 , which is the value of the moving distance C of the carriage corresponding to the origin position “St=0” of the slitter unit  314 . Therefore, as with the first embodiment, the moving distance St of the slitter unit  314  corresponding to a moving distance C of the carriage is determined by subtracting C 0  from the moving distance C of the carriage. Here, C 0  is the value of the moving distance C of the carriage corresponding to the origin position of the slitter. The calculation formula is as follows.
 
 St=C−C 0
 
     As explained above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to move a slitter unit to a desired position with reference to the position of a carriage even in such a case where the printing apparatus is deteriorated by aging or such a case where a movable blade of the slitter is replaced. Since the print head is mounted on the carriage, it is possible to move the slitter unit to a desired position with reference to the position of the print head. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to move the slitter unit for cutting in accordance with the size of a printed image that is printed by the print head. 
     Furthermore, in such a form where the slitter detection flag  203   h  can be detected by the detection sensor  201  even though the slitter unit  314  is at the origin position as illustrated in  FIG. 20 , the slitter unit  314  need not be moved. Therefore, in the present embodiment, it is possible to reduce the time period used for determining the moving distance of the carriage corresponding to the origin position of the slitter unit  314 , compared to the first embodiment. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, it is possible to perform the processing of determining the moving distance of the carriage corresponding to the origin position of the slitter unit  314  even without a printing medium such as the roll sheet  1 . 
     Other Embodiments 
     Embodiment(s) of the present invention can also be realized by a computer of a system or apparatus that reads out and executes computer executable instructions (e.g., one or more programs) recorded on a storage medium (which may also be referred to more fully as a ‘non-transitory computer-readable storage medium’) to perform the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s) and/or that includes one or more circuits (e.g., application specific integrated circuit (ASIC)) for performing the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s), and by a method performed by the computer of the system or apparatus by, for example, reading out and executing the computer executable instructions from the storage medium to perform the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s) and/or controlling the one or more circuits to perform the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s). The computer may comprise one or more processors (e.g., central processing unit (CPU), micro processing unit (MPU)) and may include a network of separate computers or separate processors to read out and execute the computer executable instructions. The computer executable instructions may be provided to the computer, for example, from a network or the storage medium. The storage medium may include, for example, one or more of a hard disk, a random-access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a storage of distributed computing systems, an optical disk (such as a compact disc (CD), digital versatile disc (DVD), or Blu-ray Disc (BD)™), a flash memory device, a memory card, and the like. 
     While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions. 
     This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-67048 filed Mar. 29, 2019, which is hereby incorporated by reference wherein in its entirety.