Can Body Printing System Irregularity Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge is to maintain print quality when printing on irregular can bodies, as existing technologies struggle to ensure consistent results comparable to standard can bodies.

Innovation Solution

A can body printing system that connects a host device and a printing device via a network, using identification information and image matching to determine if a can body is regular or irregular, allowing for inkjet digital printing with UV cure ink and applying a protection layer, while reading identification information using a CCD sensor and emitting ultraviolet light to visualize fluorescent paint.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If printing is performed on irregular can bodies, then user-side printing capability is achieved, but print quality consistency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser-side printing capabilityVSAvoidprint quality consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary recognition of can body irregularities using image capture and processing before the printing process begins. The control unit analyzes the captured image to detect irregularities in the can body's shape, position, or orientation, and pre-adjusts printing parameters or selects appropriate printing methods to compensate for these irregularities, ensuring consistent print quality despite variations in can body geometry

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where the image capture device continuously monitors the can body's actual position and orientation during printing. The control unit compares the actual state with the intended printing parameters and dynamically adjusts the printing process in real-time to maintain print quality consistency on irregular can bodies

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Manufacturing precision

If identification information is added to can bodies, then print quality control is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprint quality controlVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit serves multiple functions: it manages the image capture device, processes images to identify can body irregularities, controls the printing device, and adjusts printing parameters based on identified characteristics. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate devices, managing system complexity while enabling comprehensive print quality control through identification information

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The system ensures better print quality by distinguishing regular from irregular can bodies, enabling precise printing and maintaining consistency, thus enhancing the quality of printed images on can bodies.

Implementation Method 1

the image may be visualized by being irradiated with a light beam of a predetermined wavelength

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluorescence: Fluorescence

Data Source

PatentEP4091827B1Can body printing system, can body printing apparatus, and can body
Publication Date: 2024.07.10 ALTEMIRA CO LTD
  • EP4091827B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4091827B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4091827B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A can body printing system includes: an identification information storage part 302 that stores identification information of a can body; an identification information reading part 303 that reads the identification information attached to the can body; a matching part 304 that matches the read identification information to the identification information stored in the identification information storage part 302; and a print processing part 308 that, upon receiving a matching result, reads print image information from a print image information storage part 307 to perform processing for printing onto the can body by inkjet printing.