Dynamic Container Printing Scaling and Cropping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional printing methods for containers, such as bottles, face challenges in achieving seamless and distortion-free printing across containers of varying dimensions due to manufacturing fluctuations, leading to gaps or overlapping issues.
Innovation Solution
A device and method that measure each container's dimensions to determine a scaling factor for the print template, allowing uniform scaling while maintaining aspect ratio, and then trim the template to match the container's dimensions, ensuring seamless and complete printing without distortion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional direct printing is used on containers with varying dimensions, then the printing process is simple, but gaps or overlapping areas appear in the printed decoration
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the print template parameters based on measured container dimensions. The control unit modifies the digital print template in real-time to match the actual container geometry, transforming a static printing process into a dynamic adaptive one that accommodates dimensional variations
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameters of the print template (scaling factor, rotation angle, position) based on measured container dimensions. By adjusting these parameters according to actual container size, the system maintains print alignment precision while keeping the overall process simple
2Manufacturing precision
If the print template is scaled to match container variations, then print alignment improves, but the artwork becomes distorted
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different transformations to different parts of the print template. The scaling operation is applied locally to match container dimensions while preserving the aspect ratio, and cropping is applied selectively to remove excess portions rather than distorting the entire artwork
3Manufacturing precision
If angular markings are used to control rotary movement, then circumferential printing is seamless, but artwork height deviations occur
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from controlling only the rotational dimension to controlling both rotational and radial dimensions. By measuring the container's actual diameter and calculating appropriate scaling factors, the system adjusts the print template in the radial dimension while maintaining circumferential alignment through angular markings
4Productivity
If a fixed print template is used for all containers, then the printing process is efficient, but it cannot accommodate production fluctuations
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary measurement of container dimensions before the printing process. By measuring and calculating the appropriate print template parameters in advance, the system prepares the customized template before actual printing, enabling efficient printing adapted to each container's specific dimensions
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements a feedback loop where container dimensions are measured, the print template is adjusted based on these measurements, and the adjusted template is used for printing. This closed-loop system continuously adapts to production fluctuations while maintaining printing efficiency
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The device has a measurement device determining independent mass of a display (12) of a container (10). A control unit receives scale factor of an artwork in the container based on determined uniform scale factor of the artwork. The scale factor is chosen to match measure of scaled artwork with appropriate measure of the display. A printing device prints scaled artwork on the container. The control unit is positioned in a prioritized picture area of the artwork. The measurement device comprises scanner units, which scan the artwork in the container. An independent claim is also included for a method for printing digital artwork in containers.