Digital jet printing technology and device
By integrating digital inkjet printing and flexographic printing processes and equipment, the problems of high plate-making costs and long cycles in traditional flexographic printing equipment for multi-variety, small-batch orders have been solved, achieving efficient and low-cost printing results and improving equipment space utilization.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2026-03-12
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-21
AI Technical Summary
Traditional flexographic printing equipment suffers from complex plate-making processes, high costs, and long cycles when dealing with the demand for multi-variety, small-batch orders, making it difficult to meet the requirements of rapid production turnover.
Combining digital inkjet printing and flexographic printing, and integrating unwinding, base coating, digital inkjet printing, flexographic printing and rewinding mechanisms, this system employs asynchronous servo drive and pneumatic clutch tension control to achieve a high-precision printing process. The system utilizes a loop-shaped oven to extend the drying stroke, and combines servo motor-controlled printing force and a high-temperature hot air system to ensure printing quality and efficiency.
It enables efficient production of multiple varieties and small batch orders, reduces plate-making costs, improves printing quality and equipment space utilization, and achieves a balance between high quality and low cost.
Smart Images
Figure CN121893687A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to the field of printing press technology, and in particular to a digital inkjet printing technology process and apparatus. Background Technology
[0002] With the development of the social economy, the variety of commodities is becoming increasingly rich, and the forms of packaging are becoming more diversified. The market has put forward more "multi-variety, small-batch" order demands for printing and packaging. However, traditional flexographic printing equipment has obvious limitations in dealing with such demands: due to its complex plate-making process, long cycle and need to make physical printing plates, the production cost is high and it is difficult to meet the production requirements of rapid turnover. Therefore, in order to take into account the flexibility of digital inkjet printing and the cost advantages of traditional printing, and combining the process characteristics and production cost factors of digital inkjet printing, it is urgent to develop a new type of combined printing equipment and process. Summary of the Invention
[0003] To overcome the shortcomings of the existing technology mentioned above, the present invention provides a digital inkjet printing technology process and apparatus that can achieve complementary advantages between digital inkjet printing and flexographic printing, and meet the needs of orders with multiple varieties and small batches.
[0004] The technical solution adopted by this invention to solve its technical problem is: a digital inkjet printing technology process and apparatus, comprising an unwinding mechanism, a base coating mechanism, a digital inkjet printing mechanism, a flexographic printing mechanism, and a rewinding mechanism arranged sequentially according to the feeding sequence; the base coating mechanism includes an unwinding traction device, an unwinding traction tension device, a first corona device, a base coating device, a base coating drying device, a base coating cooling device, and a base coating tension device arranged sequentially according to the feeding sequence, wherein the base coating device adopts a flexographic printing mechanism structure; the digital inkjet printing mechanism includes an inkjet printing traction device, an inkjet printing tension device, a digital inkjet printing device, a post-inking traction device, an inkjet printing drying device, and an inkjet printing cooling device arranged sequentially according to the feeding sequence; the flexographic printing mechanism includes a second correction device, a flexographic printing device, and a flexographic printing drying device arranged sequentially according to the feeding sequence.
[0005] Preferably, the unwinding mechanism includes an unwinding device, a pressure plate, a first correction device, and an unwinding tension device arranged according to the feeding sequence.
[0006] Preferably, the winding mechanism includes a winding traction tension device, a winding traction device, a detection structure, a second corona device, a winding tension device, a winding pressure roller, and a winding device arranged according to the feeding sequence.
[0007] Preferably, the primer drying device, inkjet printing drying device, and flexographic printing drying device all adopt similar U-shaped structure ovens. The U-shaped structure oven includes a box body, with a feed inlet at one end of the box body. An air duct is provided on the side wall of the box body, and the air duct is arranged around the box body on multiple sides to form a rectangular or ring structure. Several feed rollers are arranged along the extension direction of the air duct on the inner side of the air duct. Several air outlets facing the feed rollers are provided on the air duct, and an air inlet is provided inside the air duct. Several return air inlets are provided on the box body. The air inlets and return air inlets are located on the drive side of the box body.
[0008] Preferably, the detection structure includes an online detection device, a still image, and a printed product observation screen.
[0009] Preferably, the unwinding tension device, the primer tension device, the inkjet printing tension device, the unwinding tension device, the winding tension device, and the winding tension device all adopt the structure of a swing roller tension control device for tension control.
[0010] Preferably, the printing process steps are as follows: S1. Unwinding and pretreatment: The winding is unwound by the unwinding mechanism, and after being corrected by the first correction device, it enters the primer coating mechanism; S2. Primer treatment: First, the material film is corona treated by the first corona device to improve the surface adhesion. Then, the primer is applied by the primer device through flexographic printing and dried by the primer drying device. S3. Digital printing: After drying, the film enters the digital printing mechanism after cooling. The tension is kept constant by the printing traction device. Multi-color digital printing is performed by the digital printing device. Then, it is dried by long-distance hot air in the printing drying device, and then cooled by the printing cooling device. S4. Flexographic printing: After cooling, the film is corrected by the second correction device, enters the flexographic printing unit for base color coverage or pattern printing, and is then dried; S5. Rewinding: After online inspection and corona treatment, the printed film is rewound.
[0011] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: By combining digital inkjet printing and flexographic printing, the "plateless printing" characteristic of digital inkjet printing is utilized to adapt to multi-variety, small-batch orders, solving the problems of high cost and long cycle of traditional flexographic printing plate making. At the same time, flexographic printing is used for base coating to cover a large area of base color, which can achieve better base color effect, and the base color printing plate making requirements are low, achieving a balance between high quality and low cost. The use of a U-shaped oven structure greatly extends the drying process within a limited volume, effectively reducing the equipment footprint. Attached Figure Description
[0012] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.
[0013] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the unwinding mechanism of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the base coating mechanism of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the digital inkjet printing mechanism of the present invention; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the flexographic printing mechanism of the present invention; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the winding mechanism of the present invention; In the diagram, 1. Unwinding mechanism; 11. Unwinding device; 12. Pressure plate; 13. First correction device; 14. Unwinding tension device; 2. Primer coating mechanism; 21. Unwinding traction device; 22. Unwinding traction tension device; 23. First corona device; 24. Primer coating device; 25. Primer coating drying device; 26. Primer coating cooling device; 27. Primer coating tension device; 3. Digital inkjet printing mechanism; 31. Inkjet printing traction device; 32. Inkjet printing tension device; 33. Digital inkjet printing device; 34. Post-printing traction device; 35. Inkjet printing drying device; 36. Inkjet printing cooling device; 4. Flexographic printing mechanism; 41. Second correction device; 42. Flexographic printing device; 43. Flexographic printing drying device. 5. Drying device; 51. Rewinding mechanism; 52. Rewinding traction tension device; 53. Rewinding traction device; 54. Detection structure; 55. Second corona device; 56. Rewinding tension device; 57. Rewinding pressure roller; 68. Rewinding device; 69. U-shaped drying oven; 60. Box body; 61. Air duct; 62. Air outlet; 63. Air inlet; 64. Feed roller; 65. Return air outlet; 7. Online detection device; 8. Still image; 9. Printed product observation screen. Detailed Implementation
[0014] All features disclosed in this specification, or all steps in all disclosed methods or processes, may be combined in any way, except for mutually exclusive features and / or steps.
[0015] Any feature disclosed in this specification (including any appended claims, abstract, and drawings) may be replaced by other equivalent or similar features for a similar purpose, unless specifically stated otherwise. That is, unless specifically stated otherwise, each feature is merely one example of a series of equivalent or similar features.
[0016] according to Figures 1-6As shown, a digital inkjet printing technology process and apparatus includes an unwinding mechanism 1, a base coating mechanism 2, a digital inkjet printing mechanism 3, a flexographic printing mechanism 4, and a rewinding mechanism 5 arranged sequentially according to the feeding sequence. The base coating mechanism 2 includes an unwinding traction device 21, an unwinding traction tension device 22, a first corona device 23, a base coating device 24, a base coating drying device 25, a base coating cooling device 26, and a base coating tension device 27 arranged sequentially according to the feeding sequence. The unwinding traction device 21 adopts an asynchronous servo drive, combined with a pneumatically clutched pressure roller, and works in conjunction with the unwinding traction tension device 22 to achieve closed-loop control, ensuring constant tension. The base coating device 24 adopts the structure of a flexographic printing mechanism, precisely controlling the base coating through a screen roller and a closed doctor blade. The coating liquid volume, back roller, printing roller, and screen roller are controlled by independent servo motors, and the clutch mechanism is also controlled by a servo motor. This independent drive method replaces the traditional gear transmission, which can control the printing force with high precision, making the coating effect more stable and uniform, and effectively avoiding defects such as ink streaks caused by gear transmission. The base coating liquid is preferably a water-based material, usually an adhesive material, for applying the base coating. Correspondingly, the base coating drying device 25 is equipped with a long-distance, large-volume, high-temperature hot air circulation system to adapt to the drying characteristics of water-based materials. In addition, in order to ensure that the material film enters the printing unit in a natural state, i.e., at room temperature, a base coating cooling device 26 is configured after drying. This base coating cooling device 26 is controlled by an asynchronous servo motor.
[0017] The digital inkjet printing mechanism 3 includes an inkjet printing traction device 31, an inkjet printing tension device 32, a digital inkjet printing device 33, a post-printing traction device 34, an inkjet printing drying device 35, and an inkjet printing cooling device 36, arranged according to the feeding sequence. To meet the high-precision requirements of digital inkjet printing for material film feeding, the digital inkjet printing mechanism 3 is equipped with an inkjet printing traction device 31 and a post-printing traction device 34. The inkjet printing traction device 31 uses asynchronous servo drive, combined with a pneumatically clutched pressure roller, and works in conjunction with the inkjet printing tension device 32 to achieve closed-loop control, ensuring constant tension in the printing area. The post-printing traction device 34 uses servo control. Its traction roller surface is frosted to increase friction and prevent the film from slipping. The digital inkjet printing device 33 can print multi-color patterns or fonts. Considering that the ink layer after multi-color printing is relatively thick, the inkjet drying device 35 adopts a long-distance annular structure. The inkjet drying device 35 is equipped with a high-volume, high-temperature hot air circulation system to ensure that the ink layer can be fully dried. After long-distance high-temperature drying, the film temperature is high. In order to restore the film to its natural state before entering the subsequent flexographic printing process, the inkjet cooling device 36 adopts a double cooling roller structure, combined with pneumatic clutch pressure roller and asynchronous servo control.
[0018] The flexographic printing mechanism 4 includes a second correction device 41 arranged according to the feeding sequence, a flexographic printing device 42, and a flexographic drying device 43. After digital inkjet printing, to make the printed pattern more aesthetically pleasing, it is usually necessary to cover the pattern area with a base color, typically white. Considering cost and other factors, a flexographic printing device 42 is provided. Because the drying distance in the digital inkjet printing process is relatively long, the film may shift laterally. To ensure lateral registration between the flexographic pattern and the digital inkjet print, the flexographic printing mechanism 4 is equipped with a high-precision second correction device 41 with an accuracy of ±0.01mm. The flexographic printing device 43... The back roller, printing roller, and screen roller are controlled by independent servo motors, and the clutch mechanism is also controlled by a servo motor. This independent drive method replaces the traditional gear transmission, which can control the printing force with high precision, making the coating effect more stable and uniform, and effectively avoiding defects such as ink streaks caused by gear transmission. At the same time, the longitudinal registration is precisely controlled by the servo motor, realizing a perfect combination of drive and registration. Due to the drying requirements of flexographic ink, the flexographic drying device 43 is equipped with a high-volume, high-temperature hot air circulation system. After drying, it is cooled by a passive water-cooled cooling roller, which restores the film to its natural state, making it easier to rewind later.
[0019] The unwinding mechanism 1 includes an unwinding device 11, a pressure plate 12, a first correction device 13, and an unwinding tension device 14 arranged according to the feeding sequence. The unwinding device 11 uses a single-station motor to actively unwind the material and fixes the roll with a pneumatic cone. In conjunction with the pneumatically driven pressure plate 12, it can effectively reduce tension fluctuations during roll changes, thereby reducing the generation of waste products. The first correction device 13 can correct the position of the film and reduce the deviation of the film edge, thereby reducing the cutting width of subsequent processes, improving the utilization rate of the film, and reducing production costs.
[0020] The winding mechanism 5 includes a winding traction tension device 51, a winding traction device 52, a detection structure 53, a second corona device 54, a winding tension device 55, a winding pressure roller 56, and a winding device 57 arranged according to the feeding sequence. The winding traction device 52 is controlled by an asynchronous servo motor and is used in conjunction with a pneumatically clutched pressure roller.
[0021] The primer drying device 25, inkjet printing drying device 35, and flexographic printing drying device 43 all employ similar U-shaped structure ovens 6, with largely similar specific structures. The U-shaped structure oven 6 includes a box body 61, with a feed inlet at one end and a material film outlet located at the other end of the box body or at the feed inlet. A corresponding cooling device is located at the material film outlet. Air ducts 62 are provided on the inner side walls of the box body 61, forming a rectangular or ring structure by surrounding the box body 61 on multiple sides. Several cooling channels are arranged along the extension direction of the air ducts 62 on the inner side of the air ducts 62. The material film, guided by the material roller 65, travels in an arc or loop path within the chamber 61, extending the drying stroke. The air duct 62 is equipped with several air outlets 63 facing the material roller 65, and an air inlet 64 is located within the air duct 62. The chamber 61 is equipped with several return air inlets 66. The air inlets 64 and return air inlets 66 are positioned on the drive side of the chamber 61. This loop-shaped drying oven 6, by maximizing the material film's travel path within the limited space of the chamber 61 and coordinating with the air duct 62 layout, significantly reduces the equipment's volume and lowers the space occupancy cost of the production workshop while ensuring drying efficiency.
[0022] According to claim 3, the digital inkjet printing technology process and apparatus are characterized in that: the detection structure 53 includes an online detection device 7, a still image 8, and a print observation screen 9. The online detection device 7 detects the print quality by taking pictures with a high-speed camera, and then compares it with the background system. The system then records the location of the defects. The still image 8 is taken by a high-speed camera to form a clear still image. The print observation screen can be used to view the printing effect in real time and can also be used to analyze the product quality when the machine is stopped.
[0023] The unwinding tension device 22, the primer tension device 27, the inkjet printing tension device 32, the unwinding tension device 14, the winding tension device 51, and the winding tension device 55 all adopt the structure of a swing roller tension control device for tension control.
[0024] The printing process steps are as follows: S1. Unwinding and Pre-treatment: First, the unwinding mechanism 1 unwinds the material. The unwinding device 11 uses a single-station motor to actively unwind the material. The material roll is fixed by a pneumatic cone top, and its axial position can be manually adjusted to ensure that the material roll is centered. After the material film is drawn out, it is corrected by the first correction device 13 to reduce the width of the edge of the material film and improve the utilization rate of the material film. Subsequently, the material film passes through the unwinding tension device 14 to ensure that the system tension is stable and to provide a qualified material film state for subsequent processes.
[0025] S2. Primer treatment: After the film enters the primer mechanism 2 via the unwinding and traction device 21, it first undergoes corona treatment via the first corona device 23. The corona effect is continuously adjustable steplessly according to process requirements to enhance the adhesion between the primer liquid and the substrate. Subsequently, the primer device 24 performs primer coating via flexographic printing. The coated film then enters the primer drying device 25 to ensure that the primer liquid is fully dried. After drying, the film is cooled by the primer cooling device 26 to lower the film temperature to its natural state, thus avoiding affecting the subsequent printing accuracy.
[0026] S3. Digital inkjet printing: After cooling, the material film first passes through the inkjet printing traction device 31 and the inkjet printing tension device 32 to maintain constant tension in the printing area, meeting the high-precision requirements of the digital inkjet printing device 33 for material feeding. Since the ink layer of multi-color inkjet printing is relatively thick, the printed material film enters the inkjet printing drying device 35 for thorough drying. After drying, the material film passes through the inkjet printing cooling device 36 for cooling treatment, so that the material film returns to its natural state, preparing for the subsequent flexographic printing process.
[0027] S4. Flexographic printing: After cooling, the film is corrected by the second correction device 41. Due to the long drying distance of digital inkjet printing, the film may shift left and right. This high-precision correction device ensures the lateral registration of the flexographic pattern and the digital inkjet pattern. Subsequently, the film enters the flexographic printing mechanism 4 for base color coverage, usually through reverse printing. After printing, the film is dried by the flexographic drying device 43. After drying, the film is finally cooled by a passive cooling roller cooled by water.
[0028] S5. Rewinding: The printed film undergoes quality inspection and processing before rewinding. The film passes sequentially through the online inspection device 7 and the still image observation system 8, facilitating operator analysis of printing quality. Subsequently, it undergoes corona treatment by the second corona device 54, which facilitates subsequent processes. Finally, the film enters the rewinding device 57, which uses a single-station motor for active rewinding. To accommodate both reverse and surface printing products, there are two feeding routes to adapt to different products. In conjunction with the rewinding pressure roller 56, it ensures flat and neat rewinding, completing the entire printing process.
[0029] This design is ingenious, combining digital inkjet printing and flexographic printing. It leverages the "plateless printing" characteristic of digital inkjet printing to adapt to diverse, small-batch orders, solving the problems of high plate-making costs and long lead times associated with traditional flexographic printing. Simultaneously, flexographic printing is used for base coating, achieving large-area base color coverage and better base color effects. Furthermore, the base color printing plate-making requirements are low, achieving a balance between high quality and low cost. The use of a U-shaped oven structure significantly extends the drying process within a limited volume, effectively reducing the equipment's footprint while ensuring drying effectiveness.
[0030] This invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above. The invention extends to any new feature or combination disclosed in this specification, as well as any new method or process step or combination disclosed herein.
Claims
1. A digital inkjet printing technology process and apparatus, characterized in that: The system includes an unwinding mechanism (1), a base coating mechanism (2), a digital inkjet printing mechanism (3), a flexographic printing mechanism (4), and a rewinding mechanism (5) arranged sequentially according to the feeding sequence. The base coating mechanism (2) includes an unwinding traction device (21), an unwinding traction tension device (22), a first corona device (23), a base coating device (24), a base coating drying device (25), a base coating cooling device (26), and a base coating tension device (27) arranged sequentially according to the feeding sequence. The base coating device (24) adopts a flexographic printing mechanism structure. The digital inkjet printing mechanism (3) includes an inkjet printing traction device (31), an inkjet printing tension device (32), a digital inkjet printing device (33), a post-inking traction device (34), an inkjet printing drying device (35), and an inkjet printing cooling device (36) arranged sequentially according to the feeding sequence. The flexographic printing mechanism (4) includes a second correction device (41), a flexographic printing device (42), and a flexographic printing drying device (43) arranged sequentially according to the feeding sequence.
2. The digital inkjet printing technology process and apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: The unwinding mechanism (1) includes an unwinding device (11), a pressure plate (12), a first correction device (13), and an unwinding tension device (14) arranged according to the feeding sequence.
3. The digital inkjet printing technology process and apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: The winding mechanism (5) includes a winding traction tension device (51), a winding traction device (52), a detection structure (53), a second corona device (54), a winding tension device (55), a winding pressure roller (56), and a winding device (57) arranged according to the feeding sequence.
4. The digital inkjet printing technology process and apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: The base coating drying device (25), inkjet printing drying device (35), and flexographic printing drying device (43) all adopt similar U-shaped structure ovens (6). The U-shaped structure oven (6) includes a box body (61), one end of which is provided with a feed inlet. An air duct (62) is provided on the side wall inside the box body (61). The air duct (62) is arranged around the box body (61) on multiple sides to form a rectangular or ring structure. Several feed rollers (65) are arranged along the extension direction of the air duct (62) on the inner side of the air duct (62). Several air outlets (63) facing the feed rollers (65) are provided on the air duct (62). An air inlet (64) is provided inside the air duct (62). Several return air inlets (66) are provided on the box body (61). The air inlets (64) and return air inlets (66) are located on the drive side of the box body (61).
5. The digital inkjet printing technology process and apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that: The detection structure (53) includes an online detection device (7), a still image (8), and a print observation screen (9).
6. The digital inkjet printing technology process and apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: The unwinding tension device (22), the primer tension device (27), the inkjet printing tension device (32), the unwinding tension device (14), the winding tension device (51), and the winding tension device (55) all adopt the structure of a swing roller tension control device for tension control.
7. A digital inkjet printing process based on the equipment described in any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that: The printing process steps are as follows: S1. Unwinding and pretreatment: The roll is unwound by the unwinding mechanism (1), and after being corrected by the first correction device (13), it enters the primer coating mechanism (2). S2. Primer treatment: First, the material film is corona treated by the first corona device (23) to improve the surface adhesion. Then, the primer device (24) applies the primer by flexographic printing and dries it by the primer drying device (25). S3. Digital printing: After the dried film is cooled, it enters the digital printing mechanism (3). The tension is kept constant by the printing traction device (31). Multi-color digital printing is performed by the digital printing device (33). Then, it is dried by long-distance hot air in the printing drying device (35) and then cooled by the printing cooling device. S4. Flexographic printing: After cooling, the film is corrected by the second correction device (41), enters the flexographic printing unit (4) for background color coverage or pattern printing, and is then dried; S5. Rewinding: After online inspection and corona treatment, the printed film is rewound.