Systems and methods for sensing and processing multivariate printing process data - Patents.com

Abstract

A system and method for receiving and processing granular printing and curing data and graphically displaying the data to improve quality and production. Output data may include graphical information illustrating relationships between important multivariate data in a typical industrial printing or converting process. One or more chemical sensors may measure the curing data and communicate the data for processing and control of the target machine of the system.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] (Priority) This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 904,663, filed Sep. 23, 2019, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] (Field) The present invention relates generally to printing and curing systems, and more particularly to systems configured to receive, process, and output multivariate data related to industrial printing or converting processes. [Background technology]

[0003] (background) Industrial and commercial printing presses are high throughput, high precision machines. Each color of ink used in the press has its own set of rollers and cylinders to distribute and apply the ink to the substrate. High intensity light emitting diode (LED) systems are often used in curing systems to emit the required wavelengths of radiation, e.g. ultraviolet light, to cure the ink during the printing process. Curing systems can be installed in various locations on the press.

[0004] The applied inks and coatings are rapidly cured using these high brightness LED systems. Additionally, manual inspection is required to communicate any necessary adjustments to the curing system operator to provide the best quality output. Currently, this process requires significant human intervention, which can lead to waste and ineffective or suboptimal production.

[0005] Currently, press operators need to perform several manual inspections and inspection steps throughout the printing process to monitor and adjust various printing parameters, including, for example, the power level of the curing system, the amount of ink applied, and the printing speed. This is inefficient and labor-intensive, and may result in poor quality or inconsistency in the finished product. The sampling rate of manual inspection of the printed matter is significantly reduced, or various important information during the printing process is extremely reduced. Therefore, an automated process with a high sampling rate would greatly improve the efficiency and quality of production. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] (overview) The present invention provides a system and method for receiving and processing granular printing and curing data and outputting the data graphically to improve quality and production. The output data may include graphical information illustrating relationships between important multivariate data in a typical industrial printing or converting process. These relationships may provide actionable insights and programmable recommendations for process intervention events using what are called radar charts (also called web charts, spider charts, star charts, star plots, cobweb charts, irregular polygons, polar charts, or Kiviat diagrams). Such radar plots are a graphical way of displaying multivariate data in the form of a two-dimensional chart of multiple variables represented on axes originating from the same point.

[0007] Traditionally, sensor data is segregated in the way it is collected and displayed, limiting its ability to analyze and inspect to improve the printing or converting process. In other words, a typical machine operator or production quality supervisor does not have a useful way to graphically aggregate and display such data in a way that can provide immediate insight into relationships between multivariate data, such as when one variable changes or how it may affect changes in another variable. Current manual processes for print quality and cure level evaluation prohibit the rapid and consistent sampling enabled by the automated system of the present invention.

[0008] Benefits of automated cure level and print quality monitoring include reduced labor requirements, reduced under-cured product, and reduced waste of materials and resources.

[0009] In certain embodiments, one or more chemical sensors are provided to take cure level readings every 250 milliseconds within an enclosure or housing designed to provide gas flow consistency. This rapid data acquisition produces smooth, consistent readings and minimizes erroneous data from external factors. This allows the system to respond quickly to cure level fluctuations, resulting in less product waste.

[0010] An embodiment of the chemical sensor or sensors used in the present invention may include an air inlet port, one or more air flow paths, and one or more sensors configured to measure gases (e.g., amounts of volatile organic compounds (VOCs)) emitted from the cured surface in one or more portions of the air flow paths, the fan, and the outlet port. The air flow paths or paths may meander within the cartridge housing and may include one or more turbulence generating paths having one or more protruding fins for mixing the incoming air with the gases prior to measurement by the one or more sensors.

[0011] Similar systems can be devised that use cameras or other optical sensors to detect the level of cure of a printed or coated substrate. Devices that come into contact with the printed or coated substrate can also be implemented with the present invention to assess the level of cure of the surface.

[0012] Detailed techniques and preferred embodiments implemented in the present invention are described in the following paragraphs accompanied by accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art can fully understand the features of the claimed invention. It should be understood that the features mentioned above and described below can be used in other combinations or alone as well as in specific combinations without departing from the scope of the present invention. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an industrial printing press for use with the system of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an LED curing device for use with the system of the present invention. [Diagram 3] 3a and 3b are diagrams of a system for sensing and processing multivariate data for a printing process, including telemetry data, an IoT server, and aggregated data and analytical processing on a computing device, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 4a-4c show regions of a displayed user dashboard interface for use with a system for sensing and processing multivariate data for a printing process according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 shows a partial see-through perspective view of a sensor cartridge for use with a system for sensing chemical gas emissions during a printing process, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6]FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of the sensor cartridge of FIG. 5 for use with a system for sensing chemical gas emissions during a printing process, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 shows a top view of a first portion or half of the sensor cartridge of FIG. 5 for use with a system for sensing the release of chemical gases during a printing process, including air flow through an air flow passage, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 illustrates a top view of a second portion or half of the sensor cartridge of FIG. 5 for use with a system for sensing the release of chemical gases during a printing process, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 illustrates a top view of a first portion or half of the sensor cartridge of FIG. 5 for use with a system for sensing chemical gas emissions during a printing process, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view of a first portion or half of the sensor cartridge of FIG. 5 for use with a system for sensing chemical gas emissions during a printing process, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 illustrates a duct-type chemical sensor for use with a system for sensing the release of chemical gases during a printing process, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 illustrates a duct-type chemical sensor for use with a system for sensing the release of chemical gases during a printing process, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 illustrates a duct-type chemical sensor for use with a system for sensing the release of chemical gases during a printing process, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 illustrates a duct-type chemical sensor for use with a system for sensing the release of chemical gases during a printing process, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 illustrates a duct-type chemical sensor for use with a system for sensing the release of chemical gases during a printing process, according to an embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the invention to the specific example embodiments described. Rather, the invention covers all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0015] (Detailed Description) In the following description, the present invention will be described with reference to examples of embodiments of the present invention. However, these embodiments are not intended to limit the present invention to any particular example, embodiment, environment, application, or specific implementation described in these embodiments. Therefore, the description of these embodiments is for illustrative purposes only, rather than limiting the present invention.

[0016] 1 and 2 show examples of known industrial printing PD and curing CD machines or devices 102 that may incorporate and use the systems and methods of the present invention. These exemplary systems and devices are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to be limiting. The system may be used with current and future printing and curing devices in the field that receive and use data, such as information from sensors, to facilitate production. U.S. Pat. No. 8,641,236 and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0102138 A1, each of which is incorporated herein by reference, disclose exemplary LED curing systems.

[0017] With reference to Figures 3-15, the present invention provides a system and method for receiving and processing granular printing and curing data from sensors and outputting the data graphically to improve quality and production. The outputted data may include graphical information illustrating relationships between important multivariate data in a typical industrial printing or converting process. These relationships may provide actionable insights and programmable recommendations for process intervention events using what are called radar charts (also called web charts, spider charts, star charts, star plots, cobweb charts, irregular polygons, polar charts, or Kiviat diagrams). Such radar plots are a graphical method of displaying multivariate data in the form of a two-dimensional chart in which multiple quantitative variables are represented on axes originating from the same point. Other charts or graphical outputs of multivariate data are also envisioned by the present invention.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 3a and FIG. 3b, the system 100 of the present invention can include one or more machines 102, such as a printing device or press 102a (e.g., industrial sheet-fed, flexographic, etc.) and a curing device 102b (e.g., high brightness LED device), one or more sensors 104 (e.g., S1...Sn), and one or more computing devices 108. The sensors 104 are in operative communication with the computing device 108 via one or more data or communication channels. Data from the sensors 104 is received, aggregated, and processed at one or more cloud-based servers 103 and / or the computing device 108. The data can be input via a sensor data input 106 and displayed on a user control display or dashboard 110. In various other implementations, the sensors 104 can be in operative communication with a control device or computing device to receive and process data without implementing the functionality of the software dashboard 110 disclosed herein.

[0019] Devices and systems that execute the software of the present invention may include one or more computing devices 108, including local desktop or portable computing devices, handheld or mobile devices (e.g., smart phones, tablets, etc.), and networked cloud-based server systems 103. An API 109 may be provided to further facilitate use of the system 100 and integration and interaction with the software to monitor and control the machine or device 102, printing process, etc.

[0020] 3b, in various implementations, the cloud-based server 103 can collect, aggregate, store, and / or process data received from data sources (e.g., machines 102, sensors 104, etc.) and distribute the aggregated data and analysis for use, display, and further processing by one or more computing devices 108. The system 100 can utilize "Internet of Things" (IoT) technology, including the cloud-based server 103, to collect multivariate data via electronic and mechanical sensors 104 and equipment (e.g., advanced technology equipment) installed at various points in the manufacturing process. Data collected from these advanced technology equipment is typically collected at high frequency (per second or millisecond) and transmitted to a database (e.g., IoT server 103) where it is persisted with timestamps and relative descriptive elements. The multivariate data collected in such a manner and described herein is readily available for processing and / or display in radar charts on a user dashboard 110 (e.g., computing device 108). The dashboard 110 interface is programmed and configured to provide multiple visual representations of the sensed data from the advanced technology equipment, and can receive user input or selections to further modify or customize the display of the data and control the operation of the printing and curing machine or device 102.

[0021] The data represented, processed and presented by the systems and methods of the present invention integrates multivariate data from sensors 104 established at key points in the industrial printing process. This sensor data can be obtained from a myriad of sensing and monitoring devices and can include: color measurements (Delta E, hue, etc.), ink (density or concentration, viscosity, temperature, etc.), ultraviolet ("UV") curing (data including performance and power levels of curing equipment and life and condition of wearable elements), corona surface treatment (data including performance and power levels of equipment and life and condition of wearable elements), inspection (detection of defects in the image, visual inspection of the physical elements of the machine such as die cut depth and alignment, UV cure inspection with sensors to detect outgassing, relative levels of cured ink, coating, adhesive, etc.), process machinery (including information related to the speed of the printing press or converting line and / or its mechanical parts, e.g., roller pressure and temperature, its vibration levels, and other data related to its performance), image color registration (data indicative of the degree of color registration between units from multiple printing units), cooling (data from auxiliary air or process water cooling systems, such as temperature, flow rate, water quality (if applicable)), ambient environment (data from the production facility including ambient temperature, humidity, contamination in the air, etc.), and external environmental information (including weather data, air pressure, outside air quality, etc.).

[0022] The system 100 facilitates inspection of printing process data as it relates to the individual printing units 102 and the curing process and color or chemistry / coating being printed (e.g., cyan, magenta, yellow, black, white, clear varnish / coating, adhesive, etc.) The system 100 can also display multivariate data portrayed as a whole for all printing stations, equipment, and units on the machine 102.

[0023] 4a-4c, the user dashboard 110 can present a wealth of information received from the sensors 104 of the devices 102 in graphical and / or textual output format to one or more computing devices 108. As shown in FIG. 4a, various windows or display areas 202 can be provided for displaying the information received and processed from the sensors 104. Further, as shown, a graphical representation of the printing press 204 is displayed, which may include selectable images of individual units 206 contained within the machine 204, as best seen in FIG. 4c. Thus, a user operator can select a particular unit 206 of interest, and the system 100 will display data and information for that unit 206 accordingly. The units can be compared to other units or isolated for analysis of the particular unit.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 4b, the radar chart (e.g., process radar) region 208 of the output dashboard display 110 may include plotting a number of data points 212 from units 206 (e.g., FIG. 4c) selected to monitor defects, color inspection, ink curing information, and other related conditions and operations. This processed and displayed data may include values ​​of Delta E, density, curing, viscosity, ink temperature, speed, gloss, outgassing, or any sensor data described herein. The particular data received and displayed in the exemplary dashboard 110 and radar plot 208 of FIGS. 4a-4c are merely exemplary and are not intended to be limiting. The various informational displays and interface regions (interactive and non-interactive) of FIGS. 4a-4c may be displayed separately or combined into one display or screen region, or combinations thereof.

[0025] A user can select and deselect multivariate data channels (e.g., data from sensors) for inspection and display via a radar chart 208. A live or current view 214 depiction of collected data is sent from the machine 102 (e.g., directly or via the IoT server 103) in the form of a first visual plot across axes. Historical points in time can be selected by the user to display the same multivariate data in a second visual plot 216, which can be highlighted with different colors or highlighting to show the difference between the historical points and the live view. An average of the same multivariate data can be shown in a third plot using different colors or highlighting to show the difference between the live view, historical view, and average view. The selection of data used for the average plot can be selected and constrained by the user with respect to the time (e.g., all time, yearly average, monthly average, average by production job, average of the last hour, etc.).

[0026] The data plotted in the radar chart 208 may allow a user to visually sub-inspect live and historical data values ​​by allowing the user to select individual axes or multiple axes for comparison of selected data variables. Such outputted data may be downloaded or extracted into other useful formats, such as formats adapted for sending to external spreadsheets (e.g., CSV files), databases, etc.

[0027] Indicia or alerts in the radar chart 208 or other display area may visually indicate areas of concern where data relationships that may indicate a concern have been detected. For example, if the speed of the machine 102 causes other data to exceed a target tolerance preset by the user, a visual indication of this area of ​​concern will be displayed in the chart 208 in the form of a different color, blinking data or graphic elements, a pop-up notification, or the like. As another example, if sensed curing or outgassing data indicates that there is a problem with the speed, pause, or control of the ink curing process, a visual indication of this problem may also be displayed. These are merely illustrative examples of various visual alerts and display highlighting methods that may be employed by the system 100. Visual displays and indications may be implemented to address any of the processed and displayed information or data detailed herein.

[0028] Intervention events resulting from received data relationships can be processed by the system 100 and presented to the end user in the form of suggested methods to improve the process and bring the multivariate data variables back within their target tolerances. For example, messages such as "Reduce machine speed below 200 m / min to bring the cure within the target threshold", or "Increase UV curing power as roller temperature is below the target threshold" and "Slow machine speed as outgassing indicates ink cure is not at desired target" can be displayed or otherwise presented to the user for action.

[0029] The system 100 and its software running, for example, on one or more computing devices 108 and / or one or more IoT servers 103, can be programmed to process various information and recommendations and send signals to control the operably connected machines 102 (e.g., press systems, curing systems, etc.) so that adjustments can be made automatically, where possible, by presenting an "Automatically Optimize" or similar option. Thus, a user can allow the data intelligence from the process radar 208 and the computing power of the system 100 to adjust the operating parameters of the machine 102 that change measurements (such as those listed above) according to the system's recommendations (e.g., press speed, temperature, power, curing, etc.).

[0030] 5-10, an embodiment of the one or more sensors 104 may include one or more chemical or cure sensors 220. The one or more sensors 220 are positioned near a curing or cured surface monitored by the curing system control mechanism and are adapted to provide frequent sampling of gases emitted from the surface. As a result, the sensor 220 may automate the cure consistency verification process. The chemical sensor 220 may include a cartridge housing 222 configured to house or define an air inlet port 224, one or more air flow paths 226, one or more sensor devices 228, one or more fans 230 (e.g., variable speed fans), and an outlet port 232. The one or more air flow passages 226 may snake or otherwise be defined within the cartridge housing 222 and may include one or more turbulence generating passages 234 having one or more protruding fins 236 for mixing the incoming air with the outgoing gases before being measured by the one or more sensor devices 228.

[0031] The cartridge housing 222 can include a first half or portion 222a and a second half or portion 222b. The portions 222a, 222b can be separate, integrated, or formed as a unit or otherwise manufactured to define various channels, ports, fins, and the like. The housing 222 can include a number of fastener openings 230 arranged to receive fasteners to facilitate attachment of components, housing sections, and the like. The housing 222, for example, the second portion 22b, can further include attachment openings 231 that align with corresponding openings 230 to facilitate attachment of components, fan 230 devices, and the like. The cartridge housing 222 can include a connector mechanism 240 that allows selective insertion and removal from the machine 102. Thus, the housing 222 and its corresponding components can be easily replaced in the event of failure or defect, for example, of the sensor 228, the fan 230, and the like.

[0032] The sensor device 228 is adapted to measure the amount of gases, e.g., volatile organic compounds (VOCs), emitted from the cured surface in a portion of the one or more air flow passages 226. The sensor 220 is adapted to monitor the surface during or after curing and frequently sample the gases emitted from the surface. For example, a printing process includes placing ink on a substrate (e.g., paper). When the ink cures, gases such as VOCs may be generated. The sensor device 228 measures the exact level of VOCs emitted during this curing process. First, the air inlet port 224 draws air from the substrate as it passes by the sensor cartridge 222, and the fan 230 draws air through the one or more air flow passages 226. The air is then drawn through the turbulence generating passages 234 and corresponding protruding fins 236, which creates turbulence in the air and mixes the VOCs uniformly with the air. The mixture of incoming air and VOCs travels to the sensor device 228, where the amount of VOCs is read or measured. After the sensor device 228 reads the amount of VOCs, the air mixture is exhausted by a fan 230 through an outlet port 232. FIG.

[0033] In various embodiments, the chemical sensor 220 (e.g., an electrochemical sensor) is configured to detect VOCs, solvent components, or other applicable chemical signatures related to the chemistry of the applied ink or coating. The cured ink or coating will have a specific detectable chemical profile of vapors of known concentrations. If the concentrations fall outside of a predetermined desired value, the sensor provides feedback to the system 100 to alert an operator or automatically adjust the curing system to compensate for changes in cure levels (e.g., speed, stop time, LED power, etc.).

[0034] Again, as described in more detail herein, the sensors 220 operatively communicate this data to one or more server systems 103 and / or computing devices 108 for aggregation, processing, and display of data charts, indicia, and similar information. For example, the sensor data may be displayed in user interface areas detailed in Figures 4a-4c, including display and interaction areas 202, 208.

[0035] As shown in Figures 11-15, the one or more system sensors 104 can comprise an exemplary chemical sensor duct 320 located near the cured surface monitored by the curing system control mechanism and tuned to provide frequent sampling of gases emitted from the cured surface. As a result, a sensor 320 similar to sensor 220 can automate the cure consistency verification process. The sensor 320 is housed in a duct that controls the flow of gases sampled from the surface of the printed or coated substrate. In a particular implementation of the sensor 320, the amount of VOCs emitted during ink curing is measured.

[0036] In various embodiments, the chemical sensor 320 is generally bell-shaped and includes a top portion 322, a center portion 324, and a base or flared portion 326. The sensor assembly 330 is mountable within the top portion 322 via a mounting element 334, and one or more data channels 328 provide operable communication between the sensor 320 and the computing device 108 and / or server system 103 of the system 100. In certain embodiments, the sensor assembly 330 can include individual chemical sensors 330a and airflow sensors 330b. A variable fan device 332 is housed below the sensor 320, for example, within the center portion 324. The variable fan 332 ensures a constant airflow over the chemical sensor 330. For example, a moving substrate increases the airflow entering the duct via the base portion 326, and the variable fan 332 automatically adjusts to maintain a steady, uniform flow over the sensor 330a.

[0037] Thus, the variability in the change in composition of vapors (e.g., VOCs) emitted from an ink or coating layer applied to a substrate can be monitored. Electrochemical sensor 320 (e.g., via sensor 330a) is configured to detect components of solvents, VOCs, or other applicable chemical signatures related to the chemistry of the ink or coating being applied. The cured ink or coating will have a specific detectable chemical profile of vapors with known concentrations. If the concentrations deviate from a predetermined desired value, the sensor provides feedback to system 100 to alert an operator or automatically adjust the curing system to compensate for the change in cure level.

[0038] A variety of computing devices 108, such as desktop computing devices and handheld or mobile devices (e.g., smartphones, tablets, etc.), may be included that may be adapted to process and execute aspects, calculations, and algorithmic processing of the hardware and software systems and methods of the present invention. The computing systems and devices of the present invention may include a processor, which may include one or more microprocessors and / or one or more circuits, such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), etc. Additionally, the device may include a network interface. The network interface is configured to enable communication with a communication network, other devices and systems, and servers using wired and / or wireless connections.

[0039] A computing device may include memory, such as non-transitive memory, which may include one or more non-volatile storage devices and / or one or more volatile storage devices (e.g., random access memory (RAM)). If the device includes a microprocessor, the computer readable program code may be stored in a computer readable medium or memory, such as a solid-state drive, a mechanical drive, an optical drive, a memory device (e.g., random access memory, flash memory), and the like. The computer program or software code may be stored in a tangible or non-transitive machine readable medium or memory. In some implementations, the computer readable program code, when executed by the processor, configures the device to perform the steps described above and herein. In other implementations, the device is configured to perform the steps described herein without the need for code.

[0040] Those skilled in the art will understand that these operations, algorithms, logic, method steps, routines, subroutines, and modules can be implemented in software, firmware, special purpose digital logic, and any combination thereof, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as set forth in the claims appended hereto.

[0041] The computing devices and server systems of the present invention disclosed herein may include input devices. An input device is configured to receive input from a user (e.g., an administrator, a user, etc.) or from either a hardware or software component. Examples of input devices include a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, a touch screen, and software that allows interaction with a touch screen, etc. A device or computing device may also include output devices. Examples of output devices include a monitor, a television, a mobile device screen, a tablet screen, a speaker, a remote screen, etc. An output device may be configured to display images, media files, text, or video, or play audio to a user via a speaker output.

[0042] The server or cloud processing system 103 used in or connected to the systems and devices of the present invention may include one or more microprocessors and / or one or more circuits such as application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), etc. The network interface may be configured to enable communication with a communication network using wired and / or wireless connections, including communication with the devices or computing devices disclosed herein. The memory may include one or more non-volatile storage devices and / or one or more volatile storage devices (e.g., random access memory (RAM)). When the server system includes a microprocessor, the computer readable program code may be stored on a computer readable medium such as a solid-state drive, a mechanical drive, an optical drive, a memory device (e.g., random access memory, flash memory), etc.

[0043] References to methods and steps such as inputting and entering may include manual user input or direct generation and insertion / inclusion of data via software.

[0044] Additionally, while the methods illustrated in the Figures and described above are shown as a series of steps or processes, this was done for illustrative purposes only, and it is contemplated that some steps may be added, some steps may be omitted, the order of steps may be rearranged, and some steps may be performed in parallel.

[0045] For purposes of interpreting the claims of the present invention, it is expressly intended that the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 35 U.S.C. 112, paragraph 6 will not be invoked unless the specific words "means for" or "step for" appear in the claim.

[0046] The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics, and therefore, the present embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Those skilled in the art will recognize other equivalents to the specific embodiments described herein which are intended to be encompassed by the scope of the claims appended hereto. The present application provides the following aspects of the invention. (Aspect 1) 1. A chemical sensor apparatus configured to measure cure of an ink, comprising: a sensor body, the sensor body comprising: Inlet port; one or more air flow passages in fluid communication with the inlet port; a cure sensor in fluid communication with the one or more air flow paths and configured to read an amount of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) passing through a portion of the one or more air flow paths; and The device further comprising an outlet port in fluid communication with the sensor and the one or more air flow paths. (Aspect 2) 2. The apparatus of embodiment 1, wherein the one or more air flow passages comprise a turbulation flow passage having one or more fins. (Aspect 3) 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the one or more fins protrude into the turbulence-generating flow passage to generate turbulence to facilitate mixing of the incoming air with the VOCs. (Aspect 4) 2. The device of embodiment 1, wherein the sensor body is defined as a cartridge. (Aspect 5) 5. The device of embodiment 4, wherein the cartridge comprises at least one connector configured to allow for selective removal thereof. (Aspect 6) 2. The device of embodiment 1, wherein the one or more air flow paths are serpentine within the sensor body. (Aspect 7) 2. The apparatus of embodiment 1, further comprising a fan device configured to draw VOCs through the one or more air flow passages and exhaust through the outlet port. (Aspect 8) 2. The apparatus of embodiment 1, further comprising at least one communication line for facilitating operative communication of data from the cure sensor. (Aspect 9) 1. A chemical sensor system configured to measure cure of an ink, comprising: a cartridge body comprising: Inlet port; one or more air passages in fluid communication with the inlet port having at least one turbulence generating passage for mixing incoming air with volatile organic compounds (VOCs); a chemical sensor in fluid communication with the at least one turbulence generating flow channel for measuring a level of VOCs; an outlet port in fluid communication with the chemical sensor and the one or more air flow paths; and The system further comprises a fan device configured to exhaust VOCs through the outlet port. (Aspect 10) 10. The system of embodiment 9, wherein the turbulation channel comprises one or more fins. (Aspect 11) 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the one or more fins protrude into the turbulence-generating flow passage to generate turbulence to facilitate mixing of the incoming air with VOCs. (Aspect 12) 10. The system of embodiment 9, wherein the cartridge body comprises at least one connector adapted to enable selective removal thereof. (Aspect 13) 10. The system of embodiment 9, wherein the one or more air flow paths are serpentine within the cartridge body. (Aspect 14) 10. The system of embodiment 9, wherein the fan device is disposed proximate to the outlet port to draw VOCs through one or more air flow passages and exhaust through the outlet port. (Aspect 15) 10. The system of embodiment 9, further comprising at least one communication line to facilitate operative communication of sensor data from the chemical sensor to one or more cloud-based servers. (Aspect 16) and one or more computing devices in operative communication with the one or more cloud-based servers, the one or more computing devices configured to: receiving aggregated sensor data from the one or more cloud-based servers; and configured to display a visual dashboard on the one or more computing devices; 16. The system of embodiment 15, wherein the visual dashboard comprises at least a machine display area and a process radar area, the machine display area having one or more selectable images, and the process radar area having a plurality of data point plots based on the aggregated sensor data. (Aspect 17) 1. A method for providing a graphical representation of data from a printing or curing press, comprising: receiving and processing data received from one or more sensors operably disposed on the printing machine or the curing machine; and presenting a visual dashboard; The method, wherein the visual dashboard comprises at least a machine display area and a process radar area, the machine display area having one or more selectable images, and the process radar area having a plurality of data point plots based on data received from the one or more sensors. (Aspect 18) 20. The method of embodiment 17, wherein the multiple data point plot displays information related to a process defect or color inspection. (Aspect 19) 20. The method of embodiment 18, wherein the one or more sensors comprise one or more chemical sensors. (Aspect 20) the one or more chemical sensors comprising: Inlet port; one or more air passages in fluid communication with the inlet port having at least one turbulence generating passage for mixing incoming air with volatile organic compounds (VOCs); a VOC sensor disposed in fluid communication with the at least one turbulence generating flow passage; an outlet port in fluid communication with the VOC sensor and the one or more air flow paths; and 20. The method of embodiment 19, comprising a fan device configured to exhaust VOCs through the outlet port.

Claims

1. 1. A chemical sensor apparatus configured to measure cure of an ink, comprising: a sensor body, the sensor body comprising: Inlet port; one or more air passages in fluid communication with the inlet port, the one or more air passages including a turbulation passage having one or more fins; a cure sensor in fluid communication with the one or more air flow paths and configured to read an amount of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) passing through a portion of the one or more air flow paths; and The device further comprising an outlet port in fluid communication with the sensor and the one or more air flow paths.

2. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more fins protrude into the turbulence generating flow passage to generate turbulence to facilitate mixing of the incoming air with the VOCs.

3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the sensor body is defined as a cartridge.

4. 4. The device of claim 3, wherein the cartridge comprises at least one connector configured to allow selective removal of the cartridge.

5. The device of claim 1 , wherein the one or more air flow paths are serpentine within the sensor body.

6. 10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a fan device configured to draw VOCs through the one or more air flow passages and exhaust them through the outlet port.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one communication line for facilitating operative communication of data from the curing sensor.

8. 1. A chemical sensor system configured to measure cure of an ink, comprising: a cartridge body comprising: Inlet port; one or more air passages in fluid communication with the inlet port having at least one turbulence generating passage for mixing incoming air with volatile organic compounds (VOCs); a chemical sensor in fluid communication with the at least one turbulence generating flow channel for measuring VOC levels; an outlet port in fluid communication with the chemical sensor and the one or more air flow paths; and The system further comprises a fan device configured to exhaust VOCs through the outlet port.

9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the turbulation channel comprises one or more fins.

10. 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the one or more fins protrude into the turbulence generating flow passage to generate turbulence to facilitate mixing of the incoming air with the VOCs.

11. 10. The system of claim 8, wherein the cartridge body comprises at least one connector adapted to allow selective removal of the cartridge body.

12. 10. The system of claim 8, wherein the one or more air flow paths are serpentine within the cartridge body.

13. 10. The system of claim 8, wherein the fan device is disposed proximate to the outlet port for drawing VOCs through the one or more air flow paths and exhausting them through the outlet port.

14. 10. The system of claim 8, further comprising at least one communication line to facilitate operative communication of sensor data from the chemical sensor to one or more cloud-based servers.

15. and one or more computing devices in operative communication with the one or more cloud-based servers, the one or more computing devices comprising: receiving aggregated sensor data from the one or more cloud-based servers; and configured to display a visual dashboard on the one or more computing devices; 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the visual dashboard comprises at least a machine display area and a process radar area, the machine display area having one or more selectable images, and the process radar area having a plurality of data point plots based on the aggregated sensor data.

16. 1. A method for providing a graphical representation of data from a printing or curing press, comprising: receiving and processing data received from one or more sensors operably disposed on the printing machine or the curing machine; and presenting a visual dashboard; the visual dashboard comprises at least a machine display area and a process radar area, the machine display area having one or more selectable images, and the process radar area having a plurality of data point plots based on data received from the one or more sensors; The one or more sensors: Inlet port; one or more air passages in fluid communication with the inlet port having at least one turbulence generating passage for mixing incoming air with volatile organic compounds (VOCs); a VOC sensor disposed in fluid communication with the at least one turbulence generating flow passage; an outlet port in fluid communication with the VOC sensor and the one or more air flow paths; and The method further comprising a fan device configured to exhaust VOCs through the outlet port.

17. 20. The method of claim 16, wherein the multiple data point plot displays information related to a process defect or color inspection.

18. 20. The method of claim 17, wherein the one or more sensors include one or more chemical sensors.

Images