Card Buffer Transport Control for UV Ink Cure Delay

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Solution Overview

Problem

In card processing systems, adjusting the cure delay time for UV curable inkjet printing on plastic cards requires mechanical adjustments of the distance between the printer and the UV curing station, which is inefficient and disrupts production when changes are needed.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of card buffers between the first and second card processing mechanisms allows for independent control of transport times, enabling adjustment of the cure delay time without mechanical changes to the printer and UV curing station.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the distance between the printer and UV curing station is mechanically adjusted to change cure delay time, then the print quality can be optimized, but the production process is interrupted and throughput decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprint qualityVSAvoidproduction throughput

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the transport path into multiple independently controllable sections using card buffers between the printer and UV curing station. Each buffer can be controlled separately to adjust the total transport time without affecting the physical distance between processing mechanisms, allowing print quality optimization without production interruption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The card buffers introduce dynamic control over card transport timing. By adjusting the transport speed or dwell time in the buffers, the system can dynamically change the cure delay time to match different ink formulations and substrate requirements, maintaining optimal print quality while keeping the production line running at constant throughput.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Manufacturing precision

If the physical distance between processing mechanisms is adjusted to control transport time, then the cure delay time can be optimized, but the device complexity increases due to mechanical adjustment requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecure delay time controlVSAvoidmechanical adjustment system

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces mechanical distance adjustment with electronic control of card buffer transport mechanisms. Instead of physically moving the UV curing station or printer to change transport time, the system uses controlled transport in buffers to achieve the same effect, eliminating complex mechanical adjustment systems while maintaining precise cure delay time control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Manufacturing precision

If the transport time between printer and UV curing station is extended to improve ink curing quality, then the print quality improves, but the production cycle time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveink curing qualityVSAvoidproduction cycle time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The card buffers enable continuous card transport while providing controlled dwell time for ink curing. Cards move continuously through the system without stopping, but the buffer control ensures each card receives the optimal cure delay time. This maintains production cycle efficiency while achieving proper ink curing quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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

This solution allows for precise control of the cure delay time, improving print quality and reducing production interruptions by allowing adjustments to be made without altering the physical distance between the printer and UV curing station, thus maintaining high throughput rates.

Implementation Method 1

the ink needs to be cured by exposure to UV light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUV curing: Photopolymerisation

Data Source

PatentEP3621813B1Card processing system with adaptable card transport delay

Publication Date: 2023.11.15 ENTRUST CORP

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AI summary

Systems and methods where a delay time between a first card processing mechanism, such as a drop-on-demand printer that prints with UV curable ink, and a second card processing mechanism, such as a UV curing station, can be altered to adjust the travel time of the card from the first card processing mechanism to the second card processing mechanism. First and second card buffers can be provided between the first card processing mechanism and the second card processing mechanism. Each of the first and second card buffers is independently logically controlled to permit independent control of the transport time of a card through each card buffer. Alternatively, a single card buffer or more than two card buffers can be provided between the first card processing mechanism and the second card processing mechanism.