An automatic ink compensation device for a flexographic printing machine

Abstract

The utility model discloses a kind of automatic compensation devices of ink amount of flexographic printing machine, including main ink supply unit, detection unit, control unit and execution unit;Main ink supply unit includes main ink barrel and ink supply pump to scraper ink cavity ink supply;Detection unit includes liquid level sensor in main ink barrel, on-line viscometer in series in ink supply pipeline and chroma meter monitoring print color;Execution unit includes the auxiliary ink barrel and solvent barrel of storing new ink and solvent, and ink replenishing pump and solvent pump respectively connected them;Control unit is microprocessor controller, receives all sensor signals and controls each pump work, the utility model is through real-time monitoring ink amount, viscosity and color data, and then automatically drive ink replenishing pump and solvent pump to carry out accurate compensation, and adjust ink parameter;Effectively solve the quality fluctuation problem caused by manual operation, significantly improve the stability and consistency of printed matter, reduce waste and dependence on skilled workers.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of printing equipment technology, and in particular to an automatic ink volume compensation device for a flexographic printing machine. Background Technology

[0002] In flexographic printing, stable ink supply is crucial for ensuring print quality. Currently, most flexographic printers use either open ink tanks or closed doctor blade systems for ink supply. Open systems require operators to frequently observe the ink tank level and manually add ink based on experience, resulting in low efficiency, large ink supply fluctuations, and unstable print quality. While closed systems reduce solvent evaporation and the frequency of ink addition, ink replenishment, viscosity monitoring, and adjustment still require manual intervention, making precise and continuous automatic control impossible. Furthermore, they lack intelligent management of residual ink and cleaning waste ink. The existing patent number CN200810121113.1 proposes an "automatic compensation device for ink volume changes during ink transfer". The control method lacks real-time monitoring and compensation for key parameters (such as viscosity), and is easily affected by changes in the environment and ink characteristics, resulting in fluctuations in printing effect. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a device that can achieve fully automatic and high-precision ink volume compensation. Utility Model Content

[0003] The purpose of this utility model is to provide an automatic ink volume compensation device for flexographic printing machines in order to solve the above-mentioned technical problems.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model specifically adopts the following technical solution: This utility model proposes an automatic ink volume compensation device for a flexographic printing press, including a main ink supply unit, a detection unit, a control unit, and an execution unit; The main ink supply unit includes a main ink tank and an ink supply pump. The ink supply pump is connected to the lower outlet of the main ink tank through an ink supply pipeline. The detection unit includes a liquid level sensor, an online viscometer, and a colorimeter. The detection end of the liquid level sensor is vertically installed and extends into the interior of the main ink tank. The online viscometer is installed in series in the ink supply pipeline after the outlet, and the colorimeter is mounted above the substrate paper feeding channel behind the printing unit. The execution unit includes a secondary ink tank, a solvent tank, a replenishment pump, and a solvent pump; the secondary ink tank and the solvent tank are arranged side by side below the ink supply pump; the inlet of the replenishment pump is connected to its respective secondary ink tank through a pipeline, and its outlet is connected to the main ink tank. The control unit is a microprocessor controller, which is installed in the electrical control box. The liquid level sensor, online viscometer, and colorimeter are all electrically connected to it.

[0005] As a preferred technical solution of this utility model, it also includes a human-computer interaction interface, which is a touch screen. It is mounted on the main operation panel of the printing press via a bracket and connected to the microprocessor controller via a data cable.

[0006] As a preferred technical solution of this utility model, the centralized ink supply station is composed of a frame support, and the auxiliary ink tank and solvent tank are placed side by side or fixed on different layers of the support; the pipes leading out from each tank are collected and stored in a wire trough, and finally pass into the main ink supply unit.

[0007] As a preferred technical solution of this utility model, multiple auxiliary ink tanks are arranged side by side below the ink replenishment pump, and each auxiliary ink tank is connected to the top of the main ink tank through an independent ink replenishment pump and pipeline; the microprocessor controller is configured to independently control the start and stop of each ink replenishment pump.

[0008] As a preferred embodiment of this utility model, the microprocessor controller has a pre-installed control program configured to: receive the signal from the liquid level sensor and start the ink replenishment pump when the liquid level is lower than a first set value; receive the signal from the online viscometer and start the solvent pump when the viscosity is higher than a second set value; receive the signal from the colorimeter and compare it with a preset value, and compensate for color difference by adjusting the power of the ink supply pump.

[0009] The beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows: 1. It has achieved full automation of the entire process from ink volume monitoring and replenishment to viscosity adjustment, which has significantly reduced the intensity of manual operation and skill requirements, and avoided quality fluctuations caused by human factors; 2. Through real-time feedback from high-precision sensors and rapid response from microprocessors, milliliter-level micro-compensation for ink volume and viscosity can be achieved, ensuring high consistency of printing ink color. 3. This utility model is a structural improvement on the existing ink supply system of flexographic printing machines. It is easy to install and modify, highly practical, and has great promotional value. Attached Figure Description

[0010] Fig. 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a flexographic printing machine; Fig. 2 This is a structural diagram of a flexographic printing machine from another angle.

[0011] Reference numerals: 1. Main ink supply unit; 2. Detection unit; 3. Control unit; 4. Execution unit; 11. Main ink tank; 12. Ink supply pump; 13. Ink supply pipeline; 21. Liquid level sensor; 22. Online viscometer; 23. Colorimeter; 41. Secondary ink tank; 42. Solvent tank; 43. Refill pump; 44. Solvent pump; 5. Human-machine interface; 51. Touch screen. Detailed Implementation Example 1

[0012] After the operator imports an order and starts the equipment through the human-machine interface, the ink supply pump delivers ink from the main ink tank to the doctor blade ink chamber. During printing, when the liquid level sensor detects insufficient ink, the controller drives the replenishment pump to draw an appropriate amount of new ink from the designated auxiliary ink tank and replenish it to the main ink tank. At the same time, the online viscometer detects that the ink viscosity is too high, and the controller immediately controls the solvent pump to inject a quantitative amount of solvent for dilution. The colorimeter installed at the end of the printing process reads the color of the printed product in real time and feeds the data back to the controller. The controller then fine-tunes the power of the ink supply pump to ensure color consistency. Throughout the entire process, all operating parameters and data are displayed on the touch screen in real time, thus realizing fully automated intelligent production after one-button start, which greatly improves the stability of printing quality and production efficiency.

[0013] like Figs. 1 to 2 As shown, this utility model proposes an automatic ink volume compensation device for a flexographic printing press, comprising a main ink supply unit, a detection unit, a control unit, and an execution unit; The main ink supply unit includes a main ink tank and an ink supply pump. The ink supply pump is connected to the lower outlet of the main ink tank through an ink supply pipeline. The detection unit includes a liquid level sensor, an online viscometer, and a colorimeter. The detection end of the liquid level sensor is vertically installed and extends into the interior of the main ink tank. The online viscometer is installed in series in the ink supply pipeline after the outlet, and the colorimeter is mounted above the substrate paper feeding channel behind the printing unit. The execution unit includes a secondary ink tank, a solvent tank, a replenishment pump, and a solvent pump; the secondary ink tank and the solvent tank are arranged side by side below the ink supply pump; the inlet of the replenishment pump is connected to its respective secondary ink tank through a pipeline, and its outlet is connected to the main ink tank. The control unit is a microprocessor controller, which is installed in the electrical control box. The liquid level sensor, online viscometer, and colorimeter are all electrically connected to it.

[0014] It also features a human-machine interface, which is a touch screen that is mounted on the main control panel of the printing press via a bracket and connected to the microprocessor controller via a data cable.

[0015] The centralized ink supply station is composed of a frame support, and the auxiliary ink tank and solvent tank are placed side by side or fixed on different layers of the support. The pipes leading out from each tank are collected in a cable tray and finally pass into the main ink supply unit.

[0016] The auxiliary ink tanks are arranged in a row below the replenishment pump, and each auxiliary ink tank is connected to the top of the main ink tank through an independent replenishment pump and pipeline; the microprocessor controller is configured to independently control the start and stop of each replenishment pump.

[0017] The microprocessor controller has a pre-installed control program configured to: receive a signal from the liquid level sensor and start the ink replenishment pump when the liquid level is lower than a first set value; receive a signal from the online viscometer and start the solvent pump when the viscosity is higher than a second set value; receive a signal from the colorimeter and compare it with a preset value, and compensate for color difference by adjusting the power of the ink supply pump.

[0018] Working principle: The system uses a liquid level sensor to monitor the ink level in the main ink tank in real time. When the level falls below a set value, the microprocessor controller activates the replenishment pump to precisely pump new ink from the auxiliary ink tank into the main ink tank. An online viscometer monitors the viscosity of the ink in the circulation pipeline. When the viscosity rises above a set range due to solvent evaporation, the microprocessor activates the solvent pump to add a measured amount of solvent to the main ink tank, restoring the viscosity to its optimal state. A colorimeter continuously monitors the color of the printed paper and feeds the data back to the microprocessor. The controller dynamically adjusts the speed of the ink supply pump based on preset values ​​to change the ink supply volume, thus forming a fully automatic closed-loop control loop for ink volume, viscosity, and color. Ultimately, this achieves precise and stable compensation without manual intervention.

[0019] The foregoing has shown and described the basic principles, main features, and advantages of this utility model. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that this utility model is not limited to the details of the exemplary embodiments described above, and that it can be implemented in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or basic characteristics of this utility model. Therefore, the embodiments should be considered exemplary and non-limiting in all respects. The scope of this utility model is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description, and thus all variations falling within the meaning and scope of equivalents of the claims are intended to be included within this utility model. No reference numerals in the claims should be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

[0020] Furthermore, it should be understood that although this specification describes embodiments, not every embodiment contains only one independent technical solution. This narrative style is merely for clarity. Those skilled in the art should consider the specification as a whole, and the technical solutions in each embodiment can also be appropriately combined to form other embodiments that can be understood by those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. An automatic ink volume compensation device for a flexographic printing press, characterized in that: It includes a main ink supply unit (1), a detection unit (2), a control unit (3), and an execution unit (4). The main ink supply unit (1) includes a main ink tank (11) and an ink supply pump (12). The ink supply pump (12) is connected to the lower outlet of the main ink tank (11) through an ink supply pipeline (13). The detection unit (2) includes a liquid level sensor (21), an online viscometer (22), and a colorimeter (23). The detection end of the liquid level sensor (21) is vertically installed and extends into the main ink tank (11). An online viscometer (22) is installed in series in the ink supply line (13) behind the outlet, and the colorimeter (23) is mounted above the substrate paper feeding channel behind the printing unit. The execution unit (4) includes a secondary ink tank (41), a solvent tank (42), a replenishment pump (43), and a solvent pump (44); the secondary ink tank (41) and the solvent tank (42) are arranged side by side below the ink supply pump (12); the inlet of the replenishment pump (43) is connected to its respective secondary ink tank (41) through a pipeline, and its outlet is connected to the main ink tank (11). The control unit (3) is a microprocessor controller, which is installed in the electrical control box. The liquid level sensor (21), online viscometer (22) and colorimeter (23) are all electrically connected to it.

2. The automatic ink volume compensation device for a flexographic printing press according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also has a human-computer interaction interface (5), which is a touch screen (51), which is mounted on the main operation panel of the printing press by a bracket and connected to the microprocessor controller by a data cable.

3. The automatic ink volume compensation device for a flexographic printing press according to claim 1, characterized in that: The auxiliary ink tank (41) and solvent tank (42) are connected by pipes leading out from each tank and stored in a trough, and finally enter the main ink supply unit (1).

4. The automatic ink volume compensation device for a flexographic printing press according to claim 1, characterized in that: Multiple auxiliary ink tanks (41) are arranged side by side below the replenishing ink pump (43). Each auxiliary ink tank (41) is connected to the top of the main ink tank (11) through an independent replenishing ink pump (43) and pipeline. The microprocessor controller is configured to independently control the start and stop of each replenishing ink pump (43).

5. The automatic ink volume compensation device for a flexographic printing press according to claim 1, characterized in that... The microprocessor controller has a pre-installed control program configured to: receive the signal from the liquid level sensor (21) and start the ink replenishment pump (43) when the liquid level is lower than the first set value; receive the signal from the online viscometer (22) and start the solvent pump when the viscosity is higher than the second set value; receive the signal from the colorimeter (23) and compare it with the preset value, and compensate for the color difference by adjusting the power of the ink supply pump (12).

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