Annular Can Printing Route Linear Segment Inkjet Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The formation of an annular movement route for can bodies in printing apparatuses can lead to varying attitudes of inkjet heads, resulting in degraded image quality due to misregistration among images formed by different inkjet heads.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus with an annular-shaped movement route that includes linear and curved parts, where the inkjet heads are positioned above the first linear part, and a plate printing part and protection layer forming part are placed on the lateral side of the curved parts, ensuring consistent inkjet head alignment and image formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the movement route is formed into an annular shape to enable continuous printing on can bodies, then the printing apparatus can achieve continuous production and higher productivity, but the attitudes of inkjet heads differ one by one leading to degraded image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The annular movement route is segmented into a linear part and curved parts, with inkjet heads positioned only at the linear part where attitude consistency is maintained, while curved parts handle the transition zones
Solution Approach 2:
A plate printing part is introduced as an intermediary to perform printing on curved sections of the can body where inkjet heads cannot maintain consistent attitude, thereby preserving overall image quality while enabling continuous annular processing
2Productivity
If multiple inkjet heads are arranged around the annular route to increase printing capacity, then more surface area can be covered and productivity improves, but the varying attitudes of inkjet heads cause misregistration and degrade image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The printing function is segmented between inkjet heads (for linear sections with consistent attitude) and plate printing part (for curved sections), allowing each method to operate in its optimal zone without compromising image registration
Solution Approach 2:
Different printing methods are applied to different locations: inkjet printing is used where attitude consistency is achievable (linear part), while plate printing is used where attitude variation occurs (curved parts), optimizing image quality locally at each position
Data Source
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AI summary
A printing apparatus is provided with: a support member supporting a can body; a movement route in which the support member moves, the movement route being formed into an annular shape and partially including a linear part, which is a linear-shaped movement route; and plural inkjet heads forming an image onto the can body supported by the support member positioned at the linear part. Thus, it is possible to suppress degradation of image quality that may happen in the case of forming a movement route of can bodies into an annular shape when an image is to be formed on a can body by use of the plural inkjet heads.