A screen making machine and printing method for achieving high-precision printing

Abstract

This invention belongs to the field of printing, specifically high-resolution image printing technology, and particularly to a technology for achieving high-precision printing output using a low-resolution printhead. This invention splits a high-resolution bitmap into multiple sub-images, printing them in stages. Utilizing the high-precision displacement characteristics of a linear raster motor, and based on the image precision, the printhead moves laterally a very short distance q after each printing cycle before proceeding to the next. After multiple printing cycles, all sub-images are printed, thus achieving high-precision printing. This invention eliminates the need for a high-precision printhead; high-precision image printing can be achieved using a low-precision printhead and the printing method described herein.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of printing, and relates to high-resolution image printing technology, and more particularly to technology for achieving high-precision printing output using a low-resolution printhead. Background Technology

[0002] In the actual market application of screen printing machines, customers require ultra-high precision for printing high-definition murals and text. However, the printing precision of the print heads used in screen printing machines on the market is generally 200-300 DPI. Even the most widely used print heads with the highest printing precision can only reach 1200 DPI. However, due to their high price and insufficient printing precision, they cannot fully meet the needs of market customers.

[0003] Generally speaking, as the printing precision of printheads continues to improve, their manufacturing costs and difficulties also gradually increase. The printing precision of a printhead is related to the number of heating elements per unit length. Taking a printhead with a printing precision of 600 DPI as an example, its heating element density is 24 dots / mm, and the diameter / width of each heating element is approximately 0.04mm. Theoretically, increasing the density of heating elements can improve the printing precision of the printhead. However, increasing the density of heating elements is related to the arrangement of circuits and capacitors on its PCB board, involving high-precision PCB manufacturing technology. Therefore, improving the printing precision of printheads is extremely difficult and cannot be achieved with technological breakthroughs in a short period of time.

[0004] In conclusion, there is an urgent need for a screen printing machine capable of high-precision printing and a printing method using this screen printing machine to meet customers' requirements for high printing accuracy. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This invention addresses the problem that the precision of the print head is difficult to improve, thus making it impossible to print high-precision images. It provides a screen printing machine and printing method capable of high-precision printing.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows: a screen printing machine for high-precision printing, comprising a main body and a gantry frame, wherein a second linear motor module is connected below the gantry frame and is mounted on the main body, and a first linear motor module is connected above the gantry frame, wherein a printing mechanism is connected above the first linear motor module, and the printing mechanism includes a print head, wherein the print head is provided with a row of heating units, and in the row of heating units, there is a gap L between adjacent heating units, where L > the width W of the heating unit.

[0007] Preferably, the printing mechanism moves along the left-right direction of the main body by means of a first linear motor module, and moves along the front-back direction of the main body by means of a gantry and a second linear motor module.

[0008] Preferably, both the first linear motor module and the second linear motor module include a grating linear motor.

[0009] A high-precision printing method is applied to the screen printing machine as described in claim 3. The method involves splicing the image to be printed. The splicing printing includes the following steps: the computer splits a high-resolution bitmap into several sub-images by columns. Each sub-image consists of several columns of pixels of the high-resolution bitmap. The several sub-images are printed on the substrate in several stages, and finally a high-resolution image is formed on the substrate.

[0010] Preferably, printing several sub-images in batches is accomplished by moving the print head. Specifically, the print head moves once in the front-to-back direction of the main body using the second linear motor module and the gantry to complete one printing cycle. One printing cycle prints one sub-image. After one printing cycle, the print head moves laterally in the left-to-right direction of the main body using the first linear motor module. After each lateral movement is completed, the print head performs the next printing cycle.

[0011] As a preferred method, the high-resolution bitmap is split into several sub-images as follows: the computer analyzes the resolution d1 of the print head and the resolution d2 of the high-resolution bitmap, substitutes them into the formula to calculate the ratio a between the two, d2 / d1=a, where a is the number of sub-images. Each sub-image consists of several columns of pixels from the high-resolution bitmap, and each sub-image contains the pixels within the print head's printing range in one pass.

[0012] Preferably, the distance the print head moves each time is: after each printing is completed, the print head moves a distance equal to the width of the heating unit along the left and right direction of the main body.

[0013] Compared with the prior art, the advantages and positive effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0014] This invention splits a high-resolution bitmap into multiple sub-images for printing in stages. Utilizing the high-precision displacement characteristics of a linear raster motor, and based on the image precision, the print head is moved laterally a very short distance 'q' after each printing cycle before proceeding to the next. After multiple printing cycles, all sub-images are printed, thus achieving high-precision printing. This invention eliminates the need for a high-precision print head; high-precision image printing can be achieved using a low-precision print head and the printing method described herein.

[0015] This invention slows down the print head movement speed while maintaining a constant print head output frequency during printing along the front-to-back direction of the substrate, thereby increasing the row density on the substrate and improving printing accuracy. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings used in the following description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a screen printing plate making machine;

[0018] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the gantry and printing mechanism;

[0019] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram showing the distribution of four heating units arranged in a row.

[0020] In the above figures: 1. Main body; 2. Gantry frame; 3. Second linear motor module; 4. First linear motor module; 5. Printing mechanism; 6. Print head. Detailed Implementation

[0021] To better understand the above-mentioned objectives, features, and advantages of the present invention, the present invention will be further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described in these embodiments can be combined with each other.

[0022] Numerous specific details are set forth in the following description in order to provide a full understanding of the invention. However, the invention may also be practiced in other ways than those described herein, and therefore the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed in the following specification.

[0023] A screen printing plate-making machine for high-precision printing includes a main body 1 and a gantry 2. A second linear motor module 3 is connected below the gantry 2. The linear motor module is a transmission device that directly converts electrical energy into linear motion mechanical energy without any intermediate conversion mechanism. The second linear motor module 3 is mounted on the main body and extends from the front end to the rear end of the main body 1. To increase the movement orientation axis of the print head 6 and achieve high-precision printing, the present invention connects a first linear motor module 4 above the gantry 2. A printing mechanism 5 is connected above the first linear motor module 4. The printing mechanism 5 includes a print head 6, which is provided with a row of heating units. In the row of heating units, there is a gap L between adjacent heating units, where L > the width W of the heating unit. In other words, adjacent printing units print adjacent pixels, and the gap between adjacent pixels can accommodate at least one more pixel.

[0024] Specifically, in an image, the more pixels there are, the higher the resolution; however, increasing the number of pixels leads to a decrease in the size of each pixel. This invention reduces the size of the heating elements in the print head, enabling it to print smaller pixels while maintaining a constant physical spacing between the heating elements. This creates gaps between adjacent pixels formed during the printing process. To fill these gaps, the print head utilizes a lateral movement function to gradually cover unprinted areas, ultimately achieving complete high-resolution image printing.

[0025] Furthermore, the printing mechanism moves along the left and right direction of the main body by means of the first linear motor module, and moves along the front and back direction of the main body by means of the gantry and the second linear motor module. Let the front and back direction of the main body be the Y-axis, and the left and right direction of the main body be the X-axis, with the X-axis perpendicular to the Y-axis.

[0026] Furthermore, both the first and second linear motor modules include grating linear motors, with a positioning accuracy of ±0.1μm.

[0027] A high-precision printing method, applied to a screen printing machine, includes the following steps:

[0028] The printing of images is done by splicing, which includes the following steps: the computer splits the high-resolution bitmap into several sub-images by column, each sub-image is composed of several columns of pixels of the high-resolution bitmap, and the several sub-images are printed on the substrate in batches, finally forming a high-resolution image on the substrate.

[0029] Furthermore, printing several sub-images in batches is accomplished by moving the print head. Specifically, the print head moves once in the front-to-back direction of the main body using the second linear motor module and the gantry to complete one printing cycle. One printing cycle prints one sub-image. After one printing cycle, the print head moves laterally in the left-to-right direction of the main body using the first linear motor module. After each lateral movement, the print head performs the next printing cycle.

[0030] Furthermore, the method for splitting a high-resolution bitmap into several sub-images is as follows: the computer analyzes the resolution d1 of the print head and the resolution d2 of the high-resolution bitmap, substitutes them into the formula to calculate the ratio a between the two, d2 / d1=a, where a is the number of sub-images. Each sub-image consists of several columns of pixels from the high-resolution bitmap, and each sub-image contains the pixels within the print head's printing range in one pass.

[0031] Specifically, the printhead resolution d1 and the image resolution d2 are selected, or the image to be printed is processed to change its resolution, ensuring that the ratio a between the two is an integer.

[0032] Furthermore, the distance the print head moves each time is: after each printing is completed, the print head moves a distance equal to the width of the heating unit in the left-right direction of the main body, that is, it moves by W.

[0033] Furthermore, in the process of splitting a high-resolution bitmap into several sub-images, the method for selecting how many columns of pixels to use in each sub-image is as follows: If the image contains n columns of pixels, and the n columns of pixels are m1, m2, m3...m n ,

[0034] The computer compares a with 1:

[0035] If a = 1, then the sub-images are not split, the screen printing machine prints normally, and the print head moves along the front and back direction of the main body.

[0036] If a > 1, then it is split into sub-images c1, c2, c3...c a If each sub-image contains a pixel array F, then the sub-images are structured as follows:

[0037] c1: F = (m1, m (a+1) m (2a+1) m (3a+1) ...);

[0038] c2: F = (m2, m (a+2) m (2a+2) m (3a+2) ...);

[0039] c3: F = (m3, m (a+3) m (2a+3) m (3a+3) ...);

[0040] c a : F = (m a m (2a) m (3a) m (4a) ...).

[0041] Furthermore, the lateral movement distance of the print head varies depending on the number of sub-images 'a', and is 'q', calculated using the formula L / a = q, while satisfying q > W. The number of lateral movements of the print head is a-1.

[0042] Example 1

[0043] If a 600 DPI printhead is selected to print an image with a resolution of 2400 DPI, the high-resolution bitmap will be split into four sub-images: c1, c2, c3, and c4.

[0044] c1: F = (m1, m5, m9, m 13 ...);

[0045] c2: F = (m2, m6, m 10 m 14 ...);

[0046] c3: F = (m3, m7, m 11 m 15 ...);

[0047] c4: F = (m4, m8, m 12 m 16 ...).

[0048] Therefore, in summary: the high-precision image printing described in this invention, taking the printing of a 2400 DPI image with a 600 DPI printhead as an example, requires the printhead to move laterally three times during the printing process. The first movement prints m1, m5, m9, and m... 13 ...After the first print, the print head moves laterally a distance q, then prints m2, m6, m... 10 m 14 ..., m2 is printed immediately after m1, m6 is printed immediately after m5, and so on. After four printings, m1, m2, m3, m4...m are formed. n Continuous arrangement enables high-precision image printing. The above describes the printing precision for n columns of an image. To print the total number of rows, simply adjust the speed of the print head's movement in the front-to-back direction. By slowing down the print head's movement speed while maintaining a constant print head output frequency, the row density on the substrate can be increased, thereby improving printing precision.

[0049] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention in any other way. Any person skilled in the art may make changes or modifications to the above-disclosed technical content to create equivalent embodiments for application in other fields. However, any simple modifications, equivalent changes, and modifications made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention without departing from the scope of the present invention shall still fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A screen printing plate-making machine for achieving high-precision printing, comprising a main body and a gantry frame, wherein a second linear motor module is connected below the gantry frame and the second linear motor module is mounted on the main body, characterized in that, A first linear motor module is connected above the gantry frame, and a printing mechanism is connected above the first linear motor module. The printing mechanism includes a print head, and the print head is provided with a row of heating units. In the row of heating units, there is a gap L between adjacent heating units, where L > the width W of the heating unit.

2. The screen printing machine for achieving high-precision printing according to claim 1, characterized in that, The printing mechanism moves along the left-right direction of the main body by means of the first linear motor module, and moves along the front-back direction of the main body by means of the gantry and the second linear motor module.

3. A screen printing machine for achieving high-precision printing according to claim 2, characterized in that, Both the first linear motor module and the second linear motor module include grating linear motors.

4. A printing method for achieving high-precision printing, applied to the screen printing machine as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The image to be printed is printed using a splicing method, which includes the following steps: the computer splits the high-resolution bitmap into several sub-images by columns, each sub-image consisting of several columns of pixels of the high-resolution bitmap, and the several sub-images are printed on the substrate in batches, finally forming a high-resolution image on the substrate.

5. A printing method for achieving high-precision printing according to claim 4, characterized in that, The printing of several sub-images in multiple steps is accomplished by the movement of the print head. Specifically, the print head moves once in the front-to-back direction of the main body using the second linear motor module and the gantry to complete one printing cycle. One printing cycle prints one sub-image. After one printing cycle, the print head moves laterally in the left-to-right direction of the main body using the first linear motor module. After each lateral movement is completed, the print head performs the next printing cycle.

6. The printing method for achieving high-precision printing according to claim 5, characterized in that, The method for splitting a high-resolution bitmap into several sub-images is as follows: The computer analyzes the resolution d1 of the print head and the resolution d2 of the high-resolution bitmap, substitutes them into the formula to calculate the ratio a between the two, d2 / d1=a, where a is the number of sub-images. Each sub-image consists of several columns of pixels from the high-resolution bitmap, and each sub-image contains the pixels within the print head's printing range in one pass.

7. A printing method for achieving high-precision printing according to claim 6, characterized in that, The distance the print head moves each time is: after each printing is completed, the print head moves a distance equal to the width of the heating unit along the left and right direction of the main body.

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