Ink droplet volume measuring method and device and digital printing machine

Abstract

The invention belongs to the technical field of ink droplet measurement, and relates to an ink droplet volume measurement method and device and a digital printer, and the method comprises the steps: carrying out the test processing of a test file, and obtaining the volume value of a single ink droplet; according to the volume value, performing verification processing on a first verification file to obtain first ink consumption; error value checking is conducted on the first ink consumption amount, if the error value does not meet a preset range, a circulation process is executed till a preset condition is met, and the circulation process comprises the steps that compensation correction processing is conducted on the volume value, and a corrected volume value is obtained; according to the corrected volume value, performing verification processing on a second verification file to obtain second ink consumption; performing the error value test on the second ink consumption; wherein the preset condition is the preset range satisfied by the error value, and the first verification file and the second verification file are files of the same type, so that high-precision measurement of the volume of the ink droplet is realized.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The application belongs to the technical field of ink drop measurement, and particularly relates to an ink drop volume measurement method, device and digital printing machine. BACKGROUND

[0002] Ink estimation is a key link in the digital printing machine industry, and plays a crucial role in customer's printing cost estimation. Ink is one of the most important consumables in digital printing, and customers often need to know the usage of ink to reasonably control production cost. However, since the size (i.e. Pl value) of ink drops and the number of ink drops are the core variables of ink consumption, the accuracy of ink estimation directly depends on the accurate measurement of the two parameters.

[0003] The Pl value (volume of each ink drop) has a far-reaching influence in the printing process, because it determines the amount of ink deposited per unit area, which also relates to the quality and cost control of the printed product. The size of ink drops is usually affected by the printhead technology, ink composition and printing parameters, and as the requirement of printing accuracy increases, higher accuracy of Pl value measurement is required. The number of ink drops is closely related to the complexity of the printed image, dot resolution, file content and other factors. Therefore, accurate determination of the number of ink drops and Pl value is the premise of ensuring reasonable ink estimation and reducing errors.

[0004] Traditional test methods such as clear jet test method and ink drop observation method are widely used in preliminary test and daily maintenance of printing machines due to their low cost and simple operation. These methods evaluate the usage of ink by observing the ejected ink drops, but due to the limitations of the operating environment and test method, the test error is large, and some even as high as 50%, which makes these methods unable to meet the demand for high-precision ink estimation. SUMMARY

[0005] The embodiments of the application provide an ink drop volume measurement method, device and digital printing machine, which can solve the technical problem of large test error of ink drop volume in the existing measurement method, and has the advantages of accurate measurement of ink drop volume and saving production cost.

[0006] In a first aspect, the embodiments of the present application provide a method for measuring ink drop volume, applied to a digital printing machine, the method comprising: obtaining a volume value of a single ink drop by performing test processing on a test file; performing verification processing on a first verification file according to the volume value to obtain a first ink consumption; performing error value testing on the first ink consumption, and if the error value does not meet a preset range, performing a loop process until a preset condition is met, the loop process comprising: performing compensation correction processing on the volume value to obtain a corrected volume value; performing the verification processing on a second verification file according to the corrected volume value to obtain a second ink consumption; and performing the error value testing on the second ink consumption; wherein the preset condition is that the error value meets the preset range, and the first verification file and the second verification file are the same type of file.

[0007] In some embodiments, the obtaining a volume value of a single ink drop by performing test processing on a test file comprises: performing format conversion processing on the test file to obtain a target test file; performing file printing on the target test file to obtain a total ink consumption; and calculating the volume value of a single ink drop according to the total ink consumption.

[0008] In some embodiments, the calculating the volume value of a single ink drop according to the total ink consumption comprises: obtaining a file quantity F of the target test file; obtaining the total ink consumption H; obtaining a dot quantity D of a single target test file; and calculating the volume value of a single ink drop according to the dot quantity D, the total ink consumption H, the file quantity F, and ink density p.

[0009] In some embodiments, the performing verification processing on a first verification file according to the volume value to obtain a first ink consumption comprises: setting the volume value as a verification parameter of the verification processing; and performing file printing on the first verification file according to the verification parameter to obtain the first ink consumption.

[0010] In some embodiments, the performing error value testing on the first ink consumption comprises: obtaining a preset ink consumption; calculating an error value according to the first ink consumption and the preset ink consumption to obtain the error value; and testing the error value to determine whether the error value meets a preset range.

[0011] In some embodiments, the performing compensation correction processing on the volume value to obtain a corrected volume value comprises: obtaining a corresponding color density according to the volume value; and performing correction calculation on the volume value according to the color density to obtain the corrected volume value.

[0012] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a droplet volume measurement device, the device comprising: an acquisition module configured to obtain a volume value of a single droplet by performing test processing on a test file; a verification module configured to perform verification processing on a first verification file according to the volume value to obtain a first ink consumption; and an inspection module configured to perform error value inspection on the first ink consumption, and if the error value does not satisfy a preset range, performing a loop process until a preset condition is satisfied, the loop process comprising: performing compensation correction processing on the volume value to obtain a corrected volume value; performing the verification processing on a second verification file according to the corrected volume value to obtain a second ink consumption; and performing the error value inspection on the second ink consumption; wherein the preset condition is that the error value satisfies the preset range, and the first verification file and the second verification file are files of the same type.

[0013] In some embodiments, the compensation correction processing on the volume value to obtain a corrected volume value comprises: obtaining a corresponding color density according to the volume value; and performing correction calculation on the volume value according to the color density to obtain the corrected volume value.

[0014] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a digital printing machine, comprising: at least one processor; and a memory in communication connection with the at least one processor; wherein the memory stores instructions executable by the at least one processor, and the instructions are executed by the at least one processor to enable the at least one processor to perform the method described above.

[0015] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a non-volatile computer readable storage medium, the non-volatile computer readable storage medium storing computer executable instructions, and when the computer executable instructions are executed by a digital printing machine, the digital printing machine performs the method described above.

[0016] In the embodiments of the present application, through accurate test and verification loop, high-precision measurement of droplet volume is realized. Through compensation correction of the volume value, dynamic adjustment of ink consumption is realized to ensure the consistency of the ink usage amount in the printing process with the preset value. The scheme of the embodiments of the present application not only improves the accuracy and stability of digital printing, reduces ink waste, reduces the error range, but also improves the printing quality, and is especially suitable for droplet volume control in different printing tasks, is widely applicable to various materials and printing environments, and further optimizes the overall efficiency and cost control of the printing machine. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 is a flowchart of the droplet volume measurement method provided by the embodiments of the present application;

[0018] Figure 2is a structural schematic block diagram of an ink drop volume measuring device provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0019] Figure 3 is a hardware structural schematic block diagram of a digital printing machine provided by an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] In order to make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present application clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described clearly and in detail below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are some but not all of the embodiments of the present application. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present application and should not be used to limit the present application.

[0021] The technical features involved in the various embodiments of the present application described below do not conflict with each other and can be combined with each other.

[0022] The terms "first", "second", and the like in the specification and claims of the present application are used to distinguish similar objects, and are not used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that the data used in this way can be interchanged under appropriate circumstances, so that the embodiments of the present application can be implemented in an order other than that illustrated or described herein, and the objects distinguished by "first", "second", etc. are usually a class, not limited to the number of objects, for example, the first object can be one or more.

[0023] Please refer to Figure 1 , Figure 1 is a flowchart of an ink drop volume measuring method provided by an embodiment of the present application, the method is applied to a digital printing machine, and the method comprises steps S101-S103:

[0024] S101: obtaining a volume value of a single ink drop by testing processing a test file.

[0025] In order to accurately measure the Pl value (the volume of each drop of ink), the equipment, ink and environmental conditions need to be carefully set first to ensure the stability and accuracy of the test results, and also help customers more accurately control the cost and optimize the production process.

[0026] The test equipment selects a black digital printing machine, which is a high-precision device widely used in the commercial printing industry. The device has a stable nozzle system and a good ink control mechanism, and is very suitable for accurate measurement of ink drop volume.

[0027] Ink selection: Black and white No. 3 ink (a pure color ink) is used. This ink has good flowability and consistency, ensuring that the volume of ink droplets is relatively uniform each time it is ejected. This reduces errors caused by instability in the composition or physical properties of the ink, especially under different ejection conditions (such as the state of the nozzle, changes in ink flow rate, etc.), which can maintain relatively constant performance.

[0028] Temperature is set at around 15 degrees Celsius, which is a relatively low temperature setting, aiming to control the volatility of the Pl value. Temperature has a significant impact on the viscosity of the ink, and as temperature rises, the ink becomes thinner, leading to an increase in the Pl value, resulting in increased ink consumption. By testing at a lower temperature, the impact of temperature on the viscosity of the ink can be reduced, thereby improving the accuracy of the test. Under these conditions, the piezoelectric crystal can eject ink with more consistent force, avoiding the increase in ink volume and test result deviation caused by high temperature.

[0029] After carefully setting the equipment, ink, and environmental conditions, the test process begins. The volume of a single ink droplet is obtained by processing the test file as follows:

[0030] The test file is converted to the target test file;

[0031] The total amount of ink consumption is obtained by printing the target test file;

[0032] The volume of a single ink droplet is calculated based on the total amount of ink consumption.

[0033] First, the test file is converted to the target test file. In general, the format of the test file may not match the file format of the printing device. Therefore, the original test file needs to be converted to a format supported by the printing device, such as from PDF, JPEG, or TIFF to a device-specific PCL or PostScript format. The accuracy of each pixel point in the file must be maintained during conversion to ensure the accuracy of the number of ink droplets ejected during printing.

[0034] Second, the target test file after format conversion is sent to the printing device for printing operation. The ink consumption during printing is determined by the pixel density of the test file and the ink ejection control mechanism of the printer. During printing, the device records the total ink consumption, usually through a built-in metering system or by weighing the difference in weight of the ink tank before and after printing to obtain the ink consumption. This process needs to be repeated multiple times to ensure the stability of the consumption data and reduce experimental errors.

[0035] Finally, after obtaining the total ink consumption, combined with the total number of dots (i.e. the number of ink droplets ejected) of the test file, the volume value of a single ink droplet is calculated using the formula. This calculation process requires accurate knowledge of the total number of ink dots in the test file, which can be counted by software tools. At the same time, the amount of ink consumed should be processed by compensation algorithm, considering the possible loss of ink droplets or equipment error in the printing process. This series of operations can ensure the accuracy of the final Pl value.

[0036] It should be noted that the above-mentioned related equipment and parameters in the test process can be changed according to the situation, which is not limited here.

[0037] In some embodiments, the calculating the volume value of a single ink droplet according to the total ink consumption comprises:

[0038] Obtaining the number of files F of the target test file;

[0039] Obtaining the total ink consumption H (weight);

[0040] Obtaining the number of dots D of a single target test file;

[0041] According to the number of dots D, the total ink consumption H, the number of files F and the ink density p, the volume value of a single ink droplet is calculated.

[0042] It can be understood that first, the number F of the target test file used in the printing process is recorded. The number of files refers to the total number of the same test file printed in the test process. Printing multiple files helps to improve the stability of the results and reduce test errors. By ensuring the use of multiple copies of the same file, errors caused by the complexity of individual files can be excluded. Second, the total ink consumption H is obtained by weighing the weight difference of the ink tank before and after printing or the metering device provided by the equipment. High-precision electronic scales are usually used for measurement, and the change of the ink tank is recorded after each printing. If multiple files are printed in the test process, the total ink consumption is the total ink consumption of all files. Third, the number of dots D refers to the number of ink droplets in each test file, which can be obtained by special software statistics. This statistical process analyzes the number of pixels in the test file and the actual number of ink droplets ejected by the printhead during printing. This operation is crucial because the number of ink droplets determines the actual amount of ink used each time. The ink density p refers to the mass of a unit volume of ink, which can be obtained from the technical parameter manual of the ink. The ink density usually varies with the composition of the ink, so the actual density value of the ink needs to be considered in the calculation. If the composition or type of the ink changes, the density needs to be measured or confirmed again. Finally, according to the obtained number of dots D, total ink consumption H, number of files F and ink density p, the volume value (Pl value) of a single ink droplet is calculated by the following formula:

[0043]

[0044] Where H is the total amount of ink consumption, F is the number of files, D is the number of dots per file, and p is the ink density.

[0045] In the embodiments of the present application, the entire test process effectively reduces the errors caused by equipment or operation in the traditional measurement method through standardization processing, accurate measurement and compensation algorithm, and improves the accuracy of ink drop volume measurement. At the same time, the systematic test process not only ensures the repeatability and consistency of the measurement results, but also provides more reliable ink consumption estimation for customers, helping them better control the printing cost. This accurate ink estimation can meet the needs of customers for printing cost control, optimize the production process and improve economic benefits.

[0046] S102: verifying the first verification file according to the volume value to obtain a first ink consumption.

[0047] Specifically, the verifying the first verification file according to the volume value to obtain a first ink consumption includes:

[0048] setting the volume value as a verification parameter of the verification processing;

[0049] performing file printing on the first verification file according to the verification parameter to obtain the first ink consumption.

[0050] It can be understood that, first, in the early test (step S101), the ink drop volume values of each dot type (for example, small dot 6.7pl, medium dot 7.5pl, and large dot 8.8pl) have been obtained. These values will be used as verification parameters in the subsequent verification process. These ink drop volume values are input into the printing equipment or printing software. The printing software will use these values to calculate the ink consumption required for each dot, so as to estimate the total ink consumption during printing. The first verification file is usually a standard printing file used for testing, and the content and dot distribution of the file are known. For example, the file can contain images of different gray levels, or combinations of large, medium and small dots, in order to test the ink consumption of different dot types. Secondly, during the printing process, the ink consumption is measured by an electronic scale. Before printing, the initial weight of the ink is measured; after printing, the weight of the remaining ink is measured. The difference between the two is the total ink consumption for printing this verification file, that is, the first ink consumption. Finally, the printing equipment or software will calculate the consumption of each dot type according to the set volume value and give an estimated ink consumption. At this time, the actual measured ink consumption is compared with the estimated value to evaluate the accuracy of the volume value setting.

[0051] S103: performing error value inspection on the first ink consumption, if the error value does not meet a preset range, performing a loop process until a preset condition is met, the loop process comprising: performing compensation correction processing on the volume value to obtain a corrected volume value; performing the verification processing on a second verification file according to the corrected volume value to obtain a second ink consumption; performing the error value inspection on the second ink consumption; wherein the preset condition is the preset range that the error value meets, and the first verification file and the second verification file are the same type of file.

[0052] The error value inspection on the first ink consumption comprises: obtaining a preset ink consumption; calculating an error value according to the first ink consumption and the preset ink consumption to obtain the error value; and performing inspection on the error value to determine whether the error value meets a preset range. The compensation correction processing on the volume value to obtain a corrected volume value comprises: obtaining a corresponding color density according to the volume value; and performing correction calculation on the volume value according to the color density to obtain the corrected volume value.

[0053] Specifically, in the digital printing process, accurate measurement of ink consumption is a key step to ensure cost control and printing quality. In order to verify and adjust the volume value of ink droplets, avoid ink waste or insufficient consumption, it is necessary to ensure that the final ink consumption is within a reasonable error range through error value inspection and loop compensation. This process not only requires precise calculation of ink consumption, but also involves correction and multiple verification of ink droplet volume (Pl value). The following is a detailed description of step S103:

[0054] First, the preset ink consumption is the theoretical ink consumption obtained by the system according to the ink droplet volume values (such as 6.7pl, 7.5pl, 8.8pl) of large, medium and small dots and the dot density, through the built-in algorithm of the printing device. This preset value is the theoretical ink consumption, which is an important benchmark for subsequent error value calculation. The calculation formula of the preset ink consumption is as follows:

[0055]

[0056] The total number of large dots is the total number of large ink dots generated in the printing process, the total number of medium dots is the total number of medium ink dots generated in the printing process, the total number of small dots is the total number of small ink dots generated in the printing process, the ink droplet volume value of large dots is the volume of each large ink dot, the ink droplet volume value of medium dots is the volume of each medium ink dot, and the ink droplet volume value of small dots is the volume of each small ink dot.

[0057] Secondly, according to the first ink consumption and the preset ink consumption, an error value is calculated to obtain the error value. The error value is a measure of the gap between the preset consumption and the actual consumption. The calculation formula is as follows:

[0058]

[0059] Through this formula, an error value in percentage form can be obtained to determine whether the current volume value can accurately reflect the ink consumption.

[0060] Finally, the system usually sets a reasonable error range, assuming that the preset range is 5%. This range is determined according to the actual printing accuracy requirements. If the error value is within the preset range, it means that the current ink drop volume value (Pl value) is already accurate enough, and the printing result can be accepted without further adjustment; if the error value exceeds the preset range, it enters a loop process of compensation correction.

[0061] When the error value is not within the preset range, a loop process is entered to continuously correct the ink drop volume value until the error value meets the conditions. The core of this loop process includes compensation correction processing of the ink drop volume value and re-printing verification.

[0062] It can be understood that the ink drop volume value needs to be adjusted by analyzing the color density. The color density is measured by a densitometer (also known as a reflectance densitometer or a transmission densitometer). The densitometer is a device commonly used in printing and printing quality control, which calculates the color depth or thickness of the ink layer by measuring the intensity of reflected or transmitted light. It compares the measured light intensity with the intensity of a standard light source to obtain the color density. The color density refers to the color depth of the ink formed on the paper or other medium during printing, which directly reflects the amount of ink ejected. If the color density is too high, it means that the amount of ink is too large, and the ink drop volume needs to be reduced; if the color density is low, it means that the amount of ink is insufficient, and the ink drop volume needs to be increased. The color density can be obtained by measuring equipment or internal algorithm of the system. The change of color density is positively correlated with the ink drop volume, that is, the larger the ink drop volume, the higher the color density, and vice versa. According to the correction calculation of the volume value according to the color density, the corrected volume value is obtained. It can be understood that under the premise that the color density is proportional to the ink amount, the ink amount of the large point can be compensated through the linearly increasing relationship between the ink drop volume (Pl value) of the small, medium and large points and the color density. In the test of small, medium and large points, it can be assumed that: the ink drop volume of the small point is small, the inkjet load is light, and the color density is relatively low. The ink drop volume of the medium point is medium, the inkjet load is moderate, and the color density is moderate. The ink drop volume of the large point is large, the inkjet load is the largest, and the color density is the highest. Through the linearly increasing relationship, the color density of the large point can be derived using the known relationship between the ink amount and the color density of the small and medium points, so as to compensate and calculate the Pl value of the large point. For example, it is known that the ink drop volume pl1 of the small point is 6.7pl, and the color density D1 is 0.87. The ink drop volume pl2 of the medium point is 7.5pl, and the color density D2 is 0.9. The color density D3 of the large point is 1.07. According to the correction calculation formula, the corrected volume value (ink drop volume value pl3 of the large point) is 9.6, and the correction calculation formula is as follows:

[0063]

[0064] The above method helps to improve the accuracy of ink consumption estimation of large points, reduce the influence of inkjet load on large points, reduce the error between actual printing and software estimation, so as to more accurately control the use of ink, improve the working efficiency of digital printing machine, and reduce the waste of ink.

[0065] The corrected drop volume value is applied to a second verification print. The second verification file is identical to the first verification file, ensuring consistency in the conditions of the two tests. It will be appreciated that the first and second verification files are of the same type of file used to test and verify ink consumption during drop volume measurement, typically a standardized image or design file specifically designed to assess ink usage by the printer. The printing operation is performed using the newly corrected volume value, and the actual ink consumption is recorded again. The electronic weight is re-recorded before and after printing to obtain the ink consumption for the second verification. At this point, the error value between the consumption and the preset value is calculated again. As with the first error value test, the same formula is used to calculate the second error value. If the second error value is still not within the preset range, the drop volume value needs to be further corrected and the verification continued until the error value meets the preset conditions. Typically, through multiple corrections, the drop volume value can be refined, and the error value will gradually be reduced to a reasonable range.

[0066] The error value test and compensation correction process of the embodiments of the present application achieve dynamic optimization of the drop volume value through multiple verification cycles. Through feedback adjustment of color density and actual ink consumption, the final Pl value can accurately reflect the ink demand during printing. This process not only improves the quality control capability of printing, but also provides an effective means for cost management and equipment maintenance.

[0067] A specific example is presented below by combining Table 1 and Table 2 to introduce the above-mentioned drop volume measurement method in detail. The specific test equipment, type of ink used, and temperature can refer to the methods described above. The example includes steps S201-S207:

[0068] S201: Create a BMP file with a resolution of 5000x10000 dpi using PS, and convert it into three PRN files with large, medium, and small dots using BMP2PRN tool.

[0069] A BMP test file with a resolution of 5000x10000 dpi is created using Photoshop (PS). This high resolution ensures that the file contains enough pixels to test the accuracy of the ink drops. BMP format is a lossless compressed bitmap file that preserves all image details. Then, the BMP2PRN tool is used to convert the BMP file into three PRN files with different dot sizes: large, medium, and small. PRN format is specific to printers, and the conversion process must ensure that the dot size and quantity are accurate for subsequent testing operations. By creating PRN files with different dot sizes, the performance of different drop volumes during printing can be tested. This diversified testing method helps to more comprehensively analyze and verify the accuracy of drop volume, ensuring the comprehensiveness and reliability of the test.

[0070] S202: Place the test ink tank on the electronic scale. Force feed the ink to the upper limit, stop and automatically drop the ink to the lower limit, maintain once. Record the initial weight.

[0071] Before formal printing, place the ink tank for testing on a high-precision electronic scale to record the initial weight. The precision of the electronic scale should generally be in the milligram level to ensure that the recorded ink weight is accurate enough. The ink tank must be kept stationary to avoid environmental vibrations and other factors affecting the weighing result.

[0072] Force feed the ink to the upper limit position of the ink tank to ensure that the ink tank is full of ink. Then, stop the ink supply and the system will automatically drop the ink to the lower limit position, which simulates the ink consumption in actual printing. Then, perform maintenance to ensure stable ink flow inside the system and avoid uneven ink supply during printing. Finally, record the ink weight again at this time to ensure the accuracy of the initial state. By forcing the ink supply, the ink capacity of the ink tank under standard test conditions is ensured, and the automatic ink dropping process and maintenance operation ensure smooth system operation, reducing the impact of uneven ink supply or nozzle clogging on test results.

[0073] S203: The ink cartridge bottom area is 28272 square millimeters, the float spacing is 13mm, and the ink volume fluctuates within 367 cubic centimeters (ml); the ink consumption of one test is about 3kg, and the maximum error can be controlled within 10%.

[0074] During testing, the bottom area of the ink cartridge is 28272 square millimeters, the float spacing is 13mm, and the ink volume fluctuation range is controlled within 367ml. These physical conditions determine the overall range of ink consumption. The goal of one test is to consume about 3kg of ink, and the precise control of float spacing and ink fluctuation can control the error within 10%. By precisely controlling the float spacing and ink fluctuation range, the amount of ink consumed in each test is stable, ensuring the accuracy of the test data. This control method can effectively reduce the error caused by ink volume fluctuation.

[0075] S204: After printing the file, force feed the ink again to the upper limit, stop and automatically drop the ink to the lower limit, maintain once. Record the final weight, and the difference between the initial weight and the final weight is the total weight of the ink test.

[0076] After printing the test file, force feed the ink again to ensure that the ink tank reaches the upper limit position, and then let the ink drop to the lower limit position for maintenance. At this time, use the electronic scale again to record the final weight of the ink tank. By calculating the difference between the initial weight and the final weight, the total amount of ink consumed during the entire test process is obtained.

[0077] S205: Knowing the number of dots D in each file, the total number of printed files F, the ink consumption weight H, and the ink density p, the volume of a single dot, i.e. the Pl value, can be obtained.

[0078] According to the number of dots D in each file, the total number of printed files F, the ink consumption weight H, and the ink density p, the volume value of a single ink droplet (Pl value) is calculated using the formula (see the formula described above).

[0079] Referring to Table 1, it can be seen that the calculated volume value of a single ink droplet: the pl3 value of the large dot test is 8.8pl, the pl2 value of the medium dot test is 7.5pl, and the pl1 value of the small dot test is 6.7pl.

[0080] Table 1

[0081]

[0082] S206: According to the volume value, a first verification file is verified to obtain a first ink consumption.

[0083] In the actual picture printing verification (first verification printing), the ink droplet volume of large, medium and small dots is set respectively, and the actual printing is performed using the nozzle of the device. Among them, the ink droplet volume pl1 used in small dot printing is 6.7pl, the ink droplet volume pl2 used in medium dot printing is 7.5pl, the ink droplet volume pl3 used in large dot printing is 8.8pl, and the number of printed files F is 5000.

[0084] The weight of the ink before and after printing is measured by an electronic scale to obtain the first ink consumption H1 of 1431.4ml. This data is calculated by the following method: first, the total weight of the ink before and after printing is weighed, and then the actual consumption of the ink is obtained by dividing the density of the ink, i.e. the first ink consumption.

[0085] S207: The error value of the first ink consumption is tested, and if the error value does not meet the preset range, a loop process is performed until the preset condition is met, the loop process includes: compensating and correcting the volume value to obtain a corrected volume value; according to the corrected volume value, a second verification file is verified to obtain a second ink consumption; the error value of the second ink consumption is tested; wherein the preset condition is that the error value meets the preset range, and the first verification file and the second verification file are the same type of material.

[0086] Specifically, the printing software calculates the number of large, medium and small dots, respectively multiplies the volume of the corresponding dots (6.7pl, 7.5pl and 8.8pl), and then adds these values to obtain the preset ink consumption H p is 1236.55ml.

[0087] By comparing the actual consumption (H1 = 1431.4 ml) with the software's estimated consumption (H... p =1236.55ml), and it can be calculated that there is a 16% error between the two. This error may be due to the printhead load problem when printing large dots. It is understandable that the error is caused by the following three points: (1) Problem with printing large dots: The volume of large dots is set to 8.8pl, but due to the high load of the printhead during the printing process, the ink jetting ability decreases. This means that the printhead cannot properly jet the ideal volume of each large dot, which may lead to a reduction in the volume of ink droplets, and the uniformity of ink jetting during the printing process is reduced, affecting the actual ink consumption. Therefore, the usability of the measured Pl value (8.8pl) under high load is low, resulting in the calculated total ink consumption not matching the actual amount. (2) Performance of printing medium and small dots: The printhead load of medium dots (7.5pl) and small dots (6.7pl) is relatively small, and the ink jetting ability is maintained at a normal level. Therefore, the measured Pl value has high usability under this condition, and the actual consumption is close to the estimated amount. (3) Grayscale printing: Grayscale printing uses a three-level variable dot (large, medium, and small) combination, with the printhead load at a medium to low level. Due to the differences in printhead load, using fixed large, medium, and small Pl values ​​for ink consumption calculation during the printing process leads to significant errors. Especially during large dot jetting, the load is high and the inkjet capacity decreases, so using the original 8.8pl for calculation cannot accurately reflect the actual situation.

[0088] Because the ejection capacity of larger dots decreases under high load, the actual ejected ink droplet volume may be lower than 8.8 pl. Therefore, the Pl value of larger dots needs to be appropriately reduced based on the actual printing conditions and printhead load to ensure that the estimated consumption is closer to the actual consumption. Thus, to reduce the error between estimated and actual ink consumption, the Pl value of larger dots needs to be adjusted for compensation.

[0089] Based on the data in Table 2, the corrected pl value of the larger point can be calculated using the corrected calculation formula, that is, the corrected pl3 is 9.6pl.

[0090] During the actual image printing verification (second verification print), the ink droplet volumes for large, medium, and small dots were set, and actual printing was performed using the printhead. Specifically, the ink droplet volume pl1 used for small dots was 6.7 pl, pl2 for medium dots was 7.5 pl, and pl3 for large dots was 9.6 pl. The number of documents printed, F, was 5000. The weight of the ink before and after printing was measured using an electronic scale, resulting in a second ink consumption H2 of 905.4 ml, compared to an estimated ink consumption of 888.52 ml. The error value was 2%, which meets the preset error range (5%).

[0091] Table 2

[0092] Pl Color density D Pl / D Pl1 / D1 6.7 0.87 7.70 Pl2 / D2 7.5 0.9 8.33 Pl3 / D3 9.6 1.07 8.96

[0093] The present example realizes high-precision measurement of ink drop volume through precise test and verification cycles. By compensating for the corrected volume value, dynamically adjusting ink consumption, and ensuring consistency between ink usage during printing and the preset value, the method not only improves the accuracy and stability of digital printing, reduces ink waste, and reduces the error range, but also improves printing quality, is particularly suitable for ink drop volume control in different printing tasks, is widely applicable to various materials and printing environments, and thus optimizes the overall efficiency and cost control of the printing machine.

[0094] Based on the ink drop volume measurement method provided in the above embodiments, the present embodiment further provides an ink drop volume measurement device. Please refer to Figure 2 , Figure 2 which is a structural schematic block diagram of the device. As Figure 2 shown, the device 100 includes an acquisition module 110, a verification module 120, and a verification module 130.

[0095] The acquisition module 110 is configured to obtain a volume value of a single ink drop by performing test processing on a test file; the verification module 120 is configured to perform verification processing on a first verification file according to the volume value to obtain a first ink consumption; and the verification module 130 is configured to perform error value testing on the first ink consumption, and if the error value does not meet a preset range, a loop process is performed until a preset condition is met, the loop process including compensating and correcting the volume value to obtain a corrected volume value, performing the verification processing on a second verification file according to the corrected volume value to obtain a second ink consumption, and performing the error value testing on the second ink consumption; wherein the preset condition is that the error value meets the preset range, and the first verification file and the second verification file are the same type of material.

[0096] In some embodiments, the testing module 130 is configured to obtain a corresponding color density according to the volume value, and to perform correction calculation on the volume value according to the color density to obtain the corrected volume value.

[0097] It should be noted that the above ink drop volume measurement device can execute the ink drop volume measurement method provided in the present embodiment, and has the corresponding function modules and beneficial effects of the execution method. Technical details not described in detail in the ink drop volume measurement device embodiment can be referred to the ink drop volume measurement method provided in the present embodiment.

[0098] The present embodiment further provides a digital printing machine, please refer to Figure 3Fig. 2 shows a hardware structure of a digital printer capable of performing the method described in the above embodiments. The digital printer 200 comprises at least one processor 210, and a memory 220 connected with the at least one processor 210, and the figure takes one processor 210 as an example. The memory 220 stores instructions executable by the at least one processor 210, and the instructions are executed by the at least one processor 210 to enable the at least one processor 210 to perform the ink drop volume measurement method described in the above embodiments. The processor 210 and the memory 220 can be connected by a bus or other means, Figure 3 The figure takes the connection by a bus as an example.

[0099] The memory 220 is a non-volatile computer readable storage medium, which can be used to store non-volatile software programs, non-volatile computer executable programs and modules, such as program instructions / modules corresponding to the ink drop volume measurement method in the embodiments of the present application. The processor 210 performs various functional applications and data processing of the server by running the non-volatile software programs, instructions and modules stored in the memory 220, that is, implements the ink drop volume measurement method described in the above embodiments.

[0100] The memory 220 can include a program storage area and a data storage area, wherein the program storage area can store an operating system and at least one application required by a function; the data storage area can store data created according to the use of the computing device, etc. In addition, the memory 220 can include a high-speed random access memory, and can also include a non-volatile memory, such as at least one magnetic disk storage device, a flash memory device, or other non-volatile solid-state memory device. In some embodiments, the memory 220 can optionally include a memory remotely arranged with respect to the processor 210, and these remote memories can be connected to the computing device through a network. Examples of the above network include but are not limited to the Internet, an intranet, a local area network, a mobile communication network, and a combination thereof.

[0101] The one or more modules are stored in the memory 220, and when executed by the one or more processors 210, perform the ink drop volume measurement method described in the above embodiments.

[0102] The embodiment of the present application further provides a nonvolatile computer readable storage medium storing computer executable instructions, which are executed by one or more processors to enable the at least one processor to perform the ink drop volume measurement method described in the above embodiment. For example, the nonvolatile computer readable storage medium can be a Read-Only Memory (ROM), a Random Access Memory (RAM), a Compact Disc Read-Only Memory (CDROM), a magnetic tape, a floppy disk, an optical data storage device, etc.

[0103] It should be noted that the above-described embodiments are merely illustrative, and the units described as separate components can or can not be physically separated, and the components shown as units can or can not be physical units, i.e., can be located in one place or distributed on multiple network units. Part or all of the modules can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the embodiment.

[0104] Through the description of the above embodiments, those skilled in the art can clearly understand that each embodiment can be realized by means of software and a general hardware platform, and of course can also be realized by hardware. Those skilled in the art can understand that all or part of the processes in the above-mentioned embodiment methods can be completed by a computer program instructing related hardware, and the program can be stored in a computer readable storage medium. When the program is executed, it can include the processes of the above-mentioned embodiment methods. The storage medium can be a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a Read-Only Memory (ROM) or a Random Access Memory (RAM), etc.

[0105] Finally, it should be noted that: the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application, and not to limit them; under the idea of the present application, the technical features in the above embodiments or different embodiments can also be combined, the steps can be implemented in any order, and there are many other changes of different aspects of the present application as described above. In order to be brief, they are not provided in detail; although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that: the technical solutions recorded in the foregoing embodiments can still be modified, or some technical features can be replaced by equivalents; and these modifications or replacements do not make the essence of the corresponding technical solutions deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application.

Claims

1. A method for measuring ink droplet volume, applied to a digital printing press, characterized in that, The method includes: The volume value of a single ink droplet is obtained by testing and processing the test file; Based on the volume value, the first verification document is verified to obtain the first ink consumption. An error value check is performed on the first ink consumption. If the error value does not meet the preset range, a loop process is executed until the preset condition is met. The loop process includes: The volume value is compensated and corrected to obtain the corrected volume value; Based on the corrected volume value, the second verification document is subjected to the verification process to obtain the second ink consumption; The error value is checked on the second ink consumption. The preset condition is the preset range that the error value satisfies, and the first verification file and the second verification file are files of the same type.

2. The method for measuring ink droplet volume according to claim 1, characterized in that, The process of processing the test file to obtain the volume value of a single ink droplet includes: The test file is converted to a different format to obtain the target test file. Print the target test file to obtain the total ink consumption; Calculate the volume of a single ink droplet based on the total amount of ink consumed.

3. The method for measuring ink droplet volume according to claim 2, characterized in that, The step of calculating the volume of a single ink droplet based on the total amount of ink consumed includes: Obtain the number F of the target test files; Obtain the total ink consumption H; Obtain the number of points D in a single target test file; The volume of a single ink droplet is calculated based on the number of dots D, the total ink consumption H, the number of documents F, and the ink density ρ.

4. The method for measuring ink droplet volume according to claim 1, characterized in that, The step of verifying the first verification document based on the volume value to obtain the first ink consumption includes: Set the volume value as the verification parameter for the verification process; Based on the verification parameters, the first verification document is printed to obtain the first ink consumption.

5. The method for measuring ink droplet volume according to claim 1, characterized in that, The error check of the first ink consumption includes: Get the preset ink consumption; The error value is obtained by calculating the error value based on the first ink consumption and the preset ink consumption; The error value is checked to determine whether it meets the preset range.

6. The method for measuring ink droplet volume according to claim 1, characterized in that, The compensation and correction process for the volume value to obtain the corrected volume value includes: Based on the volume value, obtain the corresponding color density; The volume value is corrected based on the color density to obtain the corrected volume value.

7. A device for measuring the volume of ink droplets, characterized in that, The device includes: The acquisition module is used to obtain the volume value of a single ink droplet by processing the test file. The verification module is used to verify the first verification file based on the volume value to obtain the first ink consumption. The verification module is used to verify the error value of the first ink consumption. If the error value does not meet the preset range, a loop process is executed until the preset condition is met. The loop process includes: performing compensation and correction processing on the volume value to obtain a corrected volume value; performing the verification processing on the second verification document according to the corrected volume value to obtain the second ink consumption; and verifying the error value on the second ink consumption. The preset condition is the preset range that the error value meets, and the first verification document and the second verification document are documents of the same type.

8. The ink droplet volume measuring device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The compensation and correction process for the volume value to obtain the corrected volume value includes: Based on the volume value, obtain the corresponding color density; The volume value is corrected based on the color density to obtain the corrected volume value.

9. A digital printing machine, characterized in that, include: At least one processor; as well as, A memory communicatively connected to the at least one processor; wherein, The memory stores instructions executable by the at least one processor, which, when executed by the at least one processor, enables the at least one processor to perform the method according to any one of claims 1-6.

10. A non-volatile computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The non-volatile computer-readable storage medium stores computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a digital printing press, cause the digital printing press to perform the method described in any one of claims 1-6.

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