Continuous Drying Section for 3D Screen Printing Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
The productivity of existing 3D screen printing systems is limited due to the underutilization of the printing station, as drying time exceeds printing time, leading to inefficiencies in the production process.
Innovation Solution
A continuous drying cycle is implemented in the 3D screen printing system, allowing multiple screen printing workpieces or workpiece carriers to be continuously passed through a drying section, enabling uninterrupted printing and drying processes, and incorporating an automated transport system to enhance productivity and operational reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a drying station is provided for drying screen-printed workpieces, then the workpieces can be dried between printing processes, but the printing station cannot be utilized sufficiently because drying time exceeds printing time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a continuous drying cycle where workpieces are continuously conveyed through the drying section without interruption. The drying process overlaps with printing operations, eliminating idle time and ensuring that the printing station is continuously utilized. This continuous action resolves the contradiction by making the drying process as efficient as the printing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a preliminary drying section that begins drying workpieces before they are needed for the next printing process. By starting the drying action in advance and continuously processing workpieces through the drying section, the system ensures that printing stations are always ready for the next printing cycle without waiting for drying to complete, thus maximizing productivity.
2Quantity of substance
If multiple drying stations are arranged adjacent to the printing station, then drying capacity is increased, but the printing station still cannot be fully utilized because drying time exceeds printing time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a continuous drying cycle with multiple drying sections arranged in series. Workpieces move continuously through each drying section, and the system is designed so that while some workpieces are being dried in one section, others are being prepared or printed in the printing station. This continuous flow ensures that adding more drying sections increases capacity without creating bottlenecks that would limit productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The drying process is divided into multiple sequential drying sections, each handling a portion of the drying load. This segmentation allows the system to process multiple workpieces simultaneously at different stages of drying, increasing overall drying capacity while maintaining smooth flow and preventing the printing station from being idle due to drying time constraints.
3Manufacturing precision
If workpieces are dried in a drying station between printing processes, then quality control is maintained, but production time increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous drying where workpieces are dried without interruption between printing processes. The drying section operates continuously, and workpieces are conveyed through it in an unbroken stream. This continuous action eliminates idle time while maintaining consistent drying quality, thereby resolving the contradiction between quality control and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs drying actions in advance and continuously, so that workpieces are dried before they are needed for the next printing process. By starting drying early and continuously processing through the drying section, the system maintains quality control without allowing production time to increase, as the drying process is integrated into the continuous production flow rather than being a separate bottleneck.
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 significantly increases the overall productivity of the system by reducing downtimes and improving the utilization of the printing device, making it suitable for mass production while maintaining high accuracy and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
at least one drying device for a screen-printed workpiece (30), wherein the drying device is designed as a drying section for continuous drying of screen-printed workpieces
Data Source
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AI summary
Device for the production of three-dimensional screen-printed workpieces, in particular a 3D screen-printing system, with at least one printing device for the layer-by-layer production of at least one screen-printed workpiece in several printing processes and with at least one drying device for a screen-printed workpiece, wherein the drying device is designed as a drying section for the continuous drying process of screen-printed workpieces.