Recording apparatus and method using plural interconnectable carriages that are releasable at a capping position

摘要

A recording apparatus includes first and second carriers, a capping device and a switching device. The first carrier is movable by a drive force, and the second carrier is movable when connected to the first carrier. The second carrier carries an ink jet head thereon. The capping device caps the ink jet head when the ink jet head is mounted on the second carrier and the second carrier is located at a capping position. The switching device switches between a first mode and a second mode. In the first mode, the ink jet head is capped by the capping device. In the second mode, the first and second carriers are integrally connected and are capable of moving together to effect recording by the ink jet head in a full recording range.