A structure and process for digitally printing 10-45µm film materials

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of printing equipment technology, and more specifically, to a structure and process for digitally printing 10-45µm film materials. The structure includes a housing with a partition dividing it into an upper and lower cavity. An inlet and an outlet are respectively located on the left and right sides of the lower cavity, forming a film transport path. An irradiation component is located at the bottom of the partition, above the film transport path. A guide component is positioned between the partition and the irradiation component, guiding its vertical movement. A drive component is located on the partition, connected to the irradiation component, driving its vertical movement. This invention provides different illumination effects for ink layers of film materials of varying thicknesses while also extending the lifespan of the irradiation lamp.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of printing equipment technology, and in particular to a structure and process for digitally printing 10-45µm film materials. Background Technology

[0002] The ink layer in digital printing is much thicker than that in traditional flexographic printing. If complete curing cannot be ensured during the ink layer drying and curing process, the film will wrinkle during the subsequent winding process, thus affecting the smooth winding.

[0003] Therefore, a nitrogen-protected UV LED curing device, such as the one authorized by CN212555496U, can be used to dry and cure the film. This device includes a UV LED curing light source and a nitrogen protection device. The nitrogen protection device includes a nitrogen supply device, a gas supply pipe, a nitrogen chamber, and a nozzle capable of blowing air downwards. The outlet of the nitrogen supply device is connected to the inlet of the gas supply pipe, the outlet of the gas supply pipe is connected to the cavity of the nitrogen chamber, and the outlet channel in the nozzle is connected to the cavity of the nitrogen chamber. The nozzle is located in front of the UV LED curing light source. In the above-mentioned prior art device, nitrogen protection technology can effectively isolate oxygen, prevent oxidation of the ink layer during the curing process, thereby improving the curing effect and adhesion of the ink layer and reducing the occurrence of film wrinkling during subsequent winding.

[0004] Typically, film materials used for digital printing have different thicknesses. When drying and curing ink layers of film materials of different thicknesses, different lighting effects are often required. For example, the devices in the prior art mentioned above usually provide different lighting effects for ink layers of film materials of different thicknesses by changing the lighting power. However, repeatedly changing the lighting power will cause repeated sudden changes in the voltage or current inside the irradiation lamp, which can easily reduce the service life of the irradiation lamp. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In order to provide different illumination effects for ink layers of film materials of different thicknesses while extending the service life of the illumination lamp, this application provides a structure and process for digitally printing 10-45µm film materials.

[0006] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a structure for digitally printing 10-45µm film materials, employing the following technical solution:

[0007] A structure for digitally printing 10-45µm film materials includes a housing with a partition dividing it into an upper and lower cavity. An inlet and an outlet are located on the left and right sides of the lower cavity, respectively, forming a film transport path. An irradiation component is positioned at the bottom of the partition, above the film transport path. A guide component is located between the partition and the irradiation component, guiding its vertical movement. A drive component is located on the partition and connected to the irradiation component, driving its vertical movement. When the film thickness decreases, the drive component raises the irradiation component; when the film thickness increases, the drive component lowers the irradiation component.

[0008] Preferably, the housing is provided with a first guide plate and a second guide plate, which are spaced apart from each other. The first guide plate is located on the left side of the housing, and the second guide plate divides the partition into a left plate and a right plate. The left plate is vertically slidably connected between the first guide plate and the second guide plate, and the right plate is located between the second guide plate and the right side of the housing. A connecting rod is fixedly connected between the left plate and the irradiation assembly. A nitrogen inlet is provided on the right side of the upper cavity, and a nitrogen outlet is provided on the left plate.

[0009] Preferably, a gas guiding assembly is provided at the lower end of the nitrogen outlet. The gas guiding assembly includes a left gas guiding plate and a right gas guiding plate. The left gas guiding plate is located on the left side of the lower end of the nitrogen outlet, and the right gas guiding plate is located on the right side of the lower end of the nitrogen outlet. The upper end of the right gas guiding plate is hinged to the nitrogen outlet, and the lower end of the right gas guiding plate is swayable relative to the left gas guiding plate. A control groove is provided on the inner side of the rear of the housing. The upper end of the control groove extends to the upper right, and the lower end of the right gas guiding plate is movably connected in the control groove. During the lifting process, the lower end of the right gas guiding plate swings to the right away from the left gas guiding plate.

[0010] Preferably, the irradiation assembly includes a mounting plate and an irradiation lamp, the mounting plate being disposed at the bottom of the partition, and the irradiation lamp being disposed at the bottom of the mounting plate, the irradiation lamp including an LED lamp and a mercury lamp.

[0011] Preferably, the guide assembly includes a connecting plate and multiple guide rods. The connecting plate is disposed on the top of the mounting plate, and the multiple guide rods pass vertically through the partition and are all fixedly connected to the mounting plate of the irradiation assembly by the connecting plate at their bottom.

[0012] Preferably, the connecting plate and the guide rod of the guide assembly also serve as a heat-conducting plate and a heat-conducting rod.

[0013] Preferably, the partition is embedded with a distance sensor, the probe of which is vertically downward toward the connecting plate of the guide assembly, and a panel is provided outside the housing. The distance sensor is communicatively connected to the panel to display the sensing signal on the panel.

[0014] Preferably, a temperature sensor is provided at the bottom of the enclosure, which is located below the transmission path of the film, and an alarm light is provided at the top of the enclosure, with the temperature sensor and the alarm light being communicatively connected.

[0015] Preferably, the driving component is a hydraulic cylinder, which is fixedly mounted on the top of the partition. The telescopic rod of the hydraulic cylinder passes vertically downward through the partition and is fixedly connected to the connecting plate of the guide assembly.

[0016] Secondly, the present invention provides a process for digitally printing 10-45µm film materials, employing the following technical solution:

[0017] A process for digitally printing 10-45µm film materials includes the following steps:

[0018] When the thickness of the film decreases, the driving component and the guiding component are used to control the irradiation component to rise; when the thickness of the film increases, the driving component and the guiding component are used to control the irradiation component to fall.

[0019] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows:

[0020] 1. By setting up a driving component and a guiding component, the irradiation component can be raised and lowered relative to the transmission path of the film. When the thickness of the film decreases, the irradiation lamp rises to move away from the ink layer of the film. When the thickness of the film increases, the irradiation lamp lowers to move closer to the ink layer of the film. Compared with changing the power of the irradiation lamp, changing the height of the irradiation lamp will not cause repeated sudden changes in the voltage or current inside the irradiation lamp, thereby extending the service life of the irradiation lamp.

[0021] 2. When the thickness of the film decreases, the nitrogen outlet can be moved away from the film by synchronously rising, so that the nitrogen is blown to the edge of the film, thereby reducing the flow rate of nitrogen reaching the film and avoiding damage to the thinner film.

[0022] 3. When the irradiation lamp of the irradiation component raises the left plate and its nitrogen outlet, the lower end of the right air guide plate will also swing to the right away from the left air guide plate, so that the distance between the left and right air guide plates gradually increases from top to bottom. This ultimately enlarges the opening of the air guide component, reduces the airflow speed of the nitrogen output through the air guide component, and makes the nitrogen output through the air guide component more dispersed, thereby further reducing the risk of nitrogen airflow damaging thin films with small thicknesses. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the housing after the irradiation component is lowered in an embodiment of this application;

[0024] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the housing after the irradiation component is raised in the embodiment of this application.

[0025] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 1. Box body; 11. Upper cavity; 12. Lower cavity; 13. Nitrogen inlet; 14. Nitrogen outlet; 15. Feed inlet; 16. Discharge outlet; 21. Mounting plate; 22. Illumination lamp; 31. Connecting plate; 32. Guide rod; 4. Hydraulic cylinder; 51. First guide plate; 52. Second guide plate; 61. Left plate; 62. Right plate; 63. Connecting rod; 71. Left air guide plate; 72. Right air guide plate; 73. Control slot; 81. Distance sensor; 82. Panel; 91. Temperature sensor; 92. Alarm light. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The following will be combined with the appendix Figure 1-2 The present invention will be further illustrated by the embodiments.

[0027] This embodiment discloses a structure for digitally printing 10-45µm film materials.

[0028] Reference Figure 1The structure of the digital printer for printing 10-45µm film materials includes a housing 1. A nitrogen inlet 13 is located on the right side of the housing 1. The nitrogen inlet 13 is connected to an external nitrogen supply device via a gas pipe, which supplies nitrogen into the housing 1 through the gas pipe and the nitrogen inlet 13. A partition is installed inside the housing 1, dividing the internal space into an upper chamber 11 and a lower chamber 12. The nitrogen inlet 13 is located on the right side of the upper chamber 11. An inlet 15 and an outlet 16 are located on the left and right sides of the lower chamber 12, respectively, allowing the film to enter and exit the housing 1 for transport within the housing 1. An irradiation assembly is located at the bottom of the partition. The irradiation assembly includes a mounting plate 21 at the bottom of the partition and multiple irradiation lamps 22 at the bottom of the mounting plate 21. The multiple irradiation lamps 22 are located above the film transport path and are used to dry and cure the ink layer on the film. Furthermore, the partition is equipped with a nitrogen outlet 14, located to the left of the illumination lamp 22, making the nitrogen outlet 14 more forward than the illumination lamp 22. Ultimately, through this arrangement, when the illumination lamp 22 dries and cures the ink layer of the film, nitrogen continuously enters the lower cavity 12 of the chamber 1 through the nitrogen outlet 14, forming an air curtain in front of the illumination lamp 22 to isolate oxygen from the feed inlet. The nitrogen at the bottom of the air curtain follows the film as it is conveyed backward, gradually filling the space within the lower cavity 12 where the illumination lamp 22 is located. This isolates the film from oxygen, preventing oxidation of the ink layer during drying and curing, thus improving the curing effect and adhesion of the ink layer and reducing wrinkling during subsequent winding. Most of the excess nitrogen is eventually discharged through the discharge port 16 to maintain pressure balance within the chamber 1.

[0029] Reference Figure 1 In this embodiment, the irradiation lamp 22 includes an LED lamp and a mercury lamp. LEDs have a narrow spectrum and can usually only emit light of one wavelength, while mercury lamps have a wider spectrum and can emit light of multiple wavelengths. By combining LED lamps and mercury lamps, the curing efficiency and curing effect of the ink layer can be improved.

[0030] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2A guide component is provided between the partition and the irradiation component to guide the vertical movement of the irradiation component. Furthermore, a drive component is provided on the partition, connected to the irradiation component, to drive the vertical movement of the irradiation component. By providing the drive component and the guide component, the irradiation component can be raised and lowered relative to the film's transport path. When the film thickness decreases, the irradiation lamp 22 rises to move away from the ink layer of the film; when the film thickness increases, the irradiation lamp 22 lowers to move closer to the ink layer of the film. Compared to changing the power of the irradiation lamp 22, changing the height of the irradiation lamp 22 avoids repeated sudden changes in voltage or current within the irradiation lamp 22, thereby extending the service life of the irradiation lamp 22. In this embodiment, the film thickness is between 10µm and 45µm. Specifically, the guiding assembly includes a connecting plate 31 and multiple guide rods 32. The connecting plate 31 is located on top of the mounting plate 21. The multiple guide rods 32 vertically pass through the partition and are all fixedly connected to the mounting plate 21 of the irradiation assembly via the connecting plate 31 at their bottom, allowing the irradiation assembly to be vertically guided by the guide rods 32 that move through the partition. In this embodiment, the driving component is a hydraulic cylinder 4, which is fixedly mounted on top of the partition. The telescopic rod of the hydraulic cylinder 4 vertically passes through the partition and is fixedly connected to the connecting plate 31 of the guiding assembly, allowing the hydraulic cylinder 4 to drive the irradiation lamp 22 of the irradiation assembly to rise and fall by extending and retracting its telescopic rod.

[0031] Reference Figure 1 The connecting plate 31 and guide rod 32 of the guide assembly simultaneously serve as heat-conducting plates and rods. The heat generated by the illumination lamp 22 is conducted to the connecting plate 31 and guide rod 32, dispersing the heat. Simultaneously, the dispersed heat is blown away by the nitrogen gas flow and carried outside the housing 1, thus achieving a good heat dissipation effect on the illumination lamp 22. Correspondingly, the number of guide rods 32 is the same as the number of illumination lamps 22, with multiple guide rods 32 positioned one-to-one above multiple illumination lamps 22 to dissipate heat from them.

[0032] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2The housing 1 is fixedly equipped with a first guide plate 51 and a second guide plate 52, which are spaced apart horizontally. The first guide plate 51 is located on the left side of the housing 1, and the second guide plate 52 divides the partition into a left plate 61 and a right plate 62. The left plate 61 is vertically slidably connected between the first guide plate 51 and the second guide plate 52, allowing the left plate 61 to move up and down. The right plate 62 is located between the second guide plate 52 and the right side of the housing 1. Furthermore, a connecting rod 63 is fixedly connected between the left plate 61 and the mounting plate 21 of the irradiation assembly. A nitrogen outlet 14 is located on the left plate 61, so that the irradiation lamp 22 can drive the nitrogen outlet 14 to move up and down synchronously during the lifting and lowering process. The purpose is that when the thickness of the film decreases, the nitrogen outlet 14 can move away from the film by rising synchronously, so that the nitrogen is blown towards the edge of the film, thereby reducing the airflow velocity of the nitrogen reaching the film and avoiding damage to the thinner film. Conversely, when the thickness of the membrane increases and it can withstand a higher nitrogen flow rate, the nitrogen outlet 14 can be lowered synchronously to get closer to the membrane, allowing nitrogen to be supplied to the membrane more effectively.

[0033] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 A gas guiding assembly is provided at the lower end of the nitrogen outlet 14. The gas guiding assembly includes a left gas guiding plate 71 and a right gas guiding plate 72. The left gas guiding plate 71 is located on the left side of the lower end of the nitrogen outlet 14, and the right gas guiding plate 72 is located on the right side of the lower end of the nitrogen outlet 14. The lower ends of both the left and right gas guiding plates 71 and 72 are angled to the left, so that the nitrogen airflow direction of the nitrogen outlet 14 has a certain angle with the transmission path of the membrane. The upper end of the right gas guiding plate 72 is hinged to the nitrogen outlet 14, and the lower end of the right gas guiding plate 72 can swing relative to the left gas guiding plate 71. Furthermore, a control groove 73 is provided on the inner side of the rear of the housing 1. The upper end of the control groove 73 extends to the upper right, and the lower end of the right gas guiding plate 72 is movably connected in the control groove 73, that is, the lower end of the right gas guiding plate 72 can both rotate and slide within the control groove 73. With the above settings, when the irradiation lamp 22 of the irradiation component raises the left plate 61 and its nitrogen outlet 14, the lower end of the right air guide plate 72 will also swing to the right away from the left air guide plate 71, so that the distance between the left air guide plate and the right air guide plate gradually increases from top to bottom, ultimately expanding the opening of the air guide component, reducing the airflow speed of the nitrogen output through the air guide component, and making the nitrogen output through the air guide component more dispersed, thereby further reducing the risk of nitrogen airflow damaging thin films with small thickness.

[0034] Reference Figure 1A distance sensor 81 is embedded in the partition. The probe of the distance sensor 81 faces vertically downward toward the connecting plate 31 of the guide assembly. The distance sensor 81 is used to sense changes in the distance between itself and the connecting plate 31, thereby sensing the lifting and lowering movement of the illumination lamp 22. A panel 82 is also provided on the outside of the housing 1. The distance sensor 81 is communicatively connected to the panel 82 to display the sensing signal on the panel 82, so that the staff can promptly understand the lifting and lowering status of the illumination lamp 22 inside the housing 1. In addition, a temperature sensor 91 is provided at the bottom of the housing 1, located below the film transmission path. The temperature sensor 91 is used to sense the temperature around the film transmission path. An alarm light 92 is also provided at the top of the housing 1. The temperature sensor 91 is communicatively connected to the alarm light 92. When the temperature sensor 91 senses that the temperature exceeds the limit, the alarm light 92 will issue an alarm signal to promptly remind the staff that the film is overheating.

[0035] This embodiment also discloses a process for digitally printing 10-45µm film materials.

[0036] The process for digitally printing 10-45µm film materials adopts the structure described above for digitally printing 10-45µm film materials, and includes the following steps:

[0037] When the thickness of the film decreases, the irradiation lamp 22 of the irradiation assembly is raised using a drive unit and a guide assembly; when the thickness of the film increases, the irradiation lamp 22 of the irradiation assembly is lowered using a drive unit and a guide assembly.

[0038] The above are all preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, all equivalent changes made in accordance with the structure, shape and principle of this application should be covered within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A structure for digitally printing 10-45µm film materials, characterized in that: The device includes a housing (1), inside which a partition is provided, dividing the housing (1) into an upper cavity (11) and a lower cavity (12). An inlet (15) and an outlet (16) are respectively opened on the left and right sides of the lower cavity (12), forming a film transport path between the inlet (15) and the outlet (16). An irradiation assembly is provided at the bottom of the partition, located above the film transport path. A guide assembly is provided between the partition and the irradiation assembly, guiding the vertical movement of the irradiation assembly. A driving component is provided on the partition. The driving component is connected to the irradiation assembly. The driving component drives the vertical movement of the irradiation assembly. When the thickness of the film decreases, the driving component controls the irradiation assembly to rise. When the thickness of the film increases, the driving component controls the irradiation assembly to fall. A first guide plate (51) and a second guide plate (52) are provided inside the housing (1). The first guide plate (51) and the second guide plate (52) are spaced apart. The first guide plate (51) is located on the left side of the housing (1). The second guide plate (52) divides the partition into a left plate (61) and a right plate (62). The left plate (61) is vertically slidably connected between the first guide plate (51) and the second guide plate (52), and the right plate (62) is located between the second guide plate (52) and the right side of the housing (1); a connecting rod (63) is fixedly connected between the left plate (61) and the irradiation assembly; a nitrogen inlet (13) is provided on the right side of the upper cavity (11), and a nitrogen outlet (14) is provided on the left plate (61); a gas guiding assembly is provided at the lower end of the nitrogen outlet (14), the gas guiding assembly includes a left gas guiding plate (71) and a right gas guiding plate (72), the left gas guiding plate (71) is located at the lower end of the nitrogen outlet (14). At the lower left of the nitrogen outlet (14), the right guide plate (72) is located at the lower right of the nitrogen outlet (14). The upper end of the right guide plate (72) is hinged to the nitrogen outlet (14). The lower end of the right guide plate (72) can swing relative to the left guide plate (71). A control groove (73) is provided on the inner side of the rear of the box (1). The upper end of the control groove (73) extends to the upper right. The lower end of the right guide plate (72) is movably connected in the control groove (73). During the lifting process, the lower end of the right guide plate (72) swings away from the left guide plate (71) to the right.

2. The structure for digitally printing 10-45µm film materials according to claim 1, characterized in that: The irradiation assembly includes a mounting plate (21) and an irradiation lamp (22). The mounting plate (21) is disposed at the bottom of the partition, and the irradiation lamp (22) is disposed at the bottom of the mounting plate (21). The irradiation lamp (22) includes an LED lamp and a mercury lamp.

3. The structure for digitally printing 10-45µm film materials according to claim 2, characterized in that: The guide assembly includes a connecting plate (31) and multiple guide rods (32). The connecting plate (31) is disposed on the top of the mounting plate (21). The multiple guide rods (32) pass vertically through the partition and are all fixedly connected to the mounting plate (21) of the irradiation assembly through the connecting plate (31) at their bottom.

4. The structure for digitally printing 10-45µm film materials according to claim 3, characterized in that: The connecting plate (31) and the guide rod (32) of the guide assembly also serve as a heat-conducting plate and a heat-conducting rod.

5. The structure for digitally printing 10-45µm film materials according to claim 3, characterized in that: The partition is embedded with a distance sensor (81), the probe of which is vertically downward toward the connecting plate (31) of the guide assembly. A panel (82) is provided outside the housing (1), and the distance sensor (81) is communicatively connected to the panel (82) to display the sensing signal on the panel (82).

6. The structure for digitally printing 10-45µm film materials according to claim 1, characterized in that: A temperature sensor (91) is provided at the bottom of the housing (1), and the temperature sensor (91) is located below the transmission path of the film. An alarm light (92) is provided at the top of the housing (1), and the temperature sensor (91) is communicatively connected to the alarm light (92).

7. The structure for digitally printing 10-45µm film materials according to claim 3, characterized in that: The driving component is a hydraulic cylinder (4), which is fixedly mounted on the top of the partition. The telescopic rod of the hydraulic cylinder (4) passes vertically downward through the partition and is fixedly connected to the connecting plate (31) of the guide assembly.

8. A process for digitally printing 10-45µm film materials, employing the structure for digitally printing 10-45µm film materials as described in any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: When the thickness of the film decreases, the driving component and the guiding component are used to control the irradiation component to rise; when the thickness of the film increases, the driving component and the guiding component are used to control the irradiation component to fall.

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