Coating Liquid Metering with Temperature Regulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coating processes for printing substrates struggle to maintain stable processing temperatures and viscosity of coating liquids, leading to inconsistent coating quality, increased consumption, and prolonged setup times, especially in small runs and frequent job changes.
Innovation Solution
A metering device with a temperature-regulation unit, comprising a heating/cooling device and sensors, is integrated into the coating system to maintain constant viscosity and temperature of the coating liquid, ensuring uniform layer thickness and improved gloss quality, while reducing setup time and energy costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the coating liquid is circulated without temperature regulation, then the setup time is reduced, but the processing temperature and viscosity become unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies temperature regulation to change the physical parameter (temperature) of the coating liquid, which directly affects viscosity. By maintaining stable temperature through heating/cooling devices, the viscosity remains constant during circulation, resolving the contradiction between quick setup and stable composition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs temperature sensors and viscosity sensors that provide feedback to the control system. This feedback mechanism allows the system to automatically adjust heating/cooling power to maintain stable viscosity and temperature, preventing composition instability during fast circulation.
2Device complexity
If the processing temperature is not controlled, then the device complexity is reduced, but the coating quality becomes inconsistent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent controls the temperature parameter of the coating liquid to maintain consistent rheological properties. This temperature control directly improves coating quality by ensuring uniform viscosity and flow characteristics, resolving the contradiction between simple device and high precision output.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the viscosity is not maintained stable, then the energy consumption is reduced, but the coating liquid consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains stable viscosity through temperature control, which optimizes the flow properties of the coating liquid. This prevents excessive coating liquid consumption while managing energy use efficiently, as the system only applies heating/cooling when necessary to maintain target viscosity.
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 solution ensures stable viscosity and temperature control, resulting in uniform coating quality, reduced coating liquid consumption, and faster setup times, with improved layer thickness and color brilliance, and energy efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature-regulation unit (8) acting on the coating liquid in the supply line (19), especially its heating/cooling device (9)
Implementation Method 2
a temperature-regulation unit (8) acting on the coating liquid in the supply line (19), especially its heating/cooling device (9)
Implementation Method 3
with a temperature sensor (12, 13, 14) to detect the temperature
Data Source
AI summary
A method is provided for metering a coating liquid in a processing machine having a metering device including at least one applicator roller and one counter-pressure cylinder that forms a coating nip and that guides the printing substrate, the metering device being operatively connected to a circulation system for circulating the coating liquid including a supply line, a return line, a reservoir and a conveying pump. The method includes the steps of: pre-selecting, on the main regulation device, a first target temperature value for the coating liquid in a first area defined by the circulation system downstream of the temperature-regulation unit and by the coating nip; conveying the coating liquid using the conveying pump in a direction of the coating nip; detecting a first actual temperature value of the coating liquid at the temperature-regulation unit using a first sensor; detecting a second actual temperature value of the coating liquid in the first area using a second sensor; transmitting at least one signal to the main regulation device for each of the first and second temperature values detected; comparing the second actual temperature value to the first target temperature value using the main regulation device; and sending at least one control signal from the main regulation device as a function of the first detected actual temperature value.