Coating Material Printing for Narrow Surface Transition Quality
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for printing coating materials on narrow surfaces of plate-shaped workpieces, such as wood or composite materials, face challenges in achieving a high-quality transition area between the narrow and wide surfaces due to ink misalignment, leading to contamination or visible residual stripes, and require excessive use of printing material to match the base color.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that provide a flexible solution by selecting and printing different coating materials based on printing information, using digital printers to apply UV ink, and allowing for various base colors and surface structures, enabling precise matching of the coating material to the workpiece's design, reducing material waste, and integrating design options directly into the process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the print head is vertically mounted to print on the narrow surface, then the printing can be performed, but the ink droplets may impinge below or above the transition area causing contamination or residual stripes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing different base colors for different regions of the coating material. The first region (narrow surface side) has a base color matching the first surface, while the second region (wide surface side) has a base color matching the second surface. This local differentiation ensures that ink droplets landing in transition areas blend harmoniously with the underlying base color, preventing visible contamination or residual stripes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a white base color coating material is used, then the printing can be performed with any color, but excessive printing material is required to cover the white base color
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of base color from uniform white to varied colors matching different surfaces. By selecting base colors that correspond to the intended printed decor colors (e.g., light base for light decor, dark base for dark decor), the system reduces the amount of printing material needed while maintaining color flexibility across different design requirements.
3Manufacturing precision
If the coating material is completely colored with base color to match the surface, then color homogeneity is achieved, but design options are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the coating material into two distinct regions with different base colors: a first region for the narrow surface side and a second region for the wide surface side. This segmentation allows each region to be optimized for its specific function - the first region provides color matching for the narrow surface while the second region provides color matching for the wide surface, achieving homogeneous color transitions without limiting design options.
Solution Approach 2:
The coating material structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides color matching for both narrow and wide surfaces, reduces printing material consumption, and maintains design flexibility. The differentiated base color regions enable the same coating material to adapt to various decor colors and designs while ensuring high-quality color transitions.
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 approach ensures a high-quality transition area with reduced material usage, minimizing visible contamination and providing a holistic design image by matching the coating material's color and structure to the workpiece, enhancing the visual appearance and economic efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The coating material is printed using a digital printer, in particular an inkjet printer. Such a digital printer can, for example, apply UV ink to the surface to be printed.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for printing on a coating material, in particular a strip-shaped one, which coating material is suitable for application to a narrow surface of a plate-shaped workpiece, comprising the steps: providing several different coating materials, selecting one of the coating materials based on printing information, feeding the selected coating material and printing on the coating material.