Automated Print Head Adjustment Device for Digital Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The precise mechanical alignment of multiple print heads in digital printing machines is labor-intensive and prone to errors during initial installation and subsequent adjustments, leading to high service costs and reduced printing machine availability.
Innovation Solution
An electronically controlled hand tool with motors and a controller for automatic adjustment of print heads, using drive elements and retaining elements to achieve precise positioning with enhanced precision and speed, reducing manual intervention and errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual adjustment of print heads is performed by installation personnel using hand tools and adjustment tables, then the alignment process can be completed with simple equipment, but the precision and speed of alignment are limited and prone to human errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment with an automated electronic control system. A controller automatically controls the adjusting screw to rotate the print head to the target angle based on measurement data, eliminating manual operation with hand tools and significantly improving alignment precision while reducing human errors.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-adjustment by automatically controlling the adjusting mechanism based on measured position data. The controller calculates the required adjustment and executes it without human intervention, enabling the system to correct its own alignment automatically.
2Reliability
If iterative adjustment methods are used with test image printing and scanning measurement, then the alignment can be verified and corrected, but the time and service costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary measurement of the print head position using a scanner or camera before adjustment. Based on this preliminary data, the controller calculates the exact adjustment needed and executes it in one step, avoiding multiple iterative adjustments and significantly reducing the time required.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses measurement data from scanners or cameras to provide feedback to the controller. The controller processes this feedback and automatically adjusts the print head position accordingly, creating a closed-loop system that ensures high reliability while minimizing the number of adjustment iterations needed.
3Productivity
If multiple print heads are arranged to cover the complete width of recording medium for high-speed printing, then the printing speed and productivity increase, but the complexity and time required for alignment adjustment increase proportionally
Solution Approach 1:
The automated adjustment system serves multiple print heads simultaneously or sequentially using the same controller and adjusting mechanism. This universal system can handle any number of print heads without requiring additional manual adjustment procedures, making the alignment process scalable regardless of the number of print heads needed for high-speed printing.
4Manufacturing precision
If manual adjustment is performed for every print head individually using adjusting screws and retaining screws, then each print head can be precisely positioned, but the overall adjustment process becomes very elaborate and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment operations with automated electronic control. The controller automatically controls the adjusting screw rotation based on measured position data, eliminating the need for personnel to manually operate hand tools and making the process much easier to execute with high precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-adjustment by automatically controlling the adjusting mechanism based on measured position data. The controller calculates the required adjustment and executes it without human intervention, enabling the system to correct its own alignment automatically with high precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A device for automatic adjustment of print heads in a printing machine is presented. The device can include at least one motor and a controller. The motor can drive at least one drive element for at least one retaining element, and drive at least one drive element for at least one adjustment element. The controller can control the at least one motor to: drive the at least one drive element to loosen the at least one retaining element, drive the at least one drive element to position the at least one adjustment element at a predetermined nominal value to position the adjustment element, and drive the at least one drive element to tighten the at least retaining element.