Creasing Printing Substrates for Digital Print Flatness

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Solution Overview

Problem

Digital printing on substrates with a configuration of two flat outer layers and an undulate intermediate layer faces challenges due to substrate deformations and limited vacuum suction effectiveness, leading to concave arrangements and undesirable printing quality.

Innovation Solution

A process and device for creasing printing substrates, involving angled surfaces and extensions to form creases on longitudinal ends, ensuring a flat arrangement and efficient suction, thereby maximizing contact area and preventing substrate elevation during digital printing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If aspiration is applied to maintain flat arrangement of printing substrates, then substrate flatness is improved, but the effectiveness is severely limited by substrate deformation and configuration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesubstrate flatnessVSAvoidaspiration effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The device applies preliminary creasing action to the substrate before the aspiration process. By pre-forming creases at specific locations on the substrate, the substrate is prepared to respond more effectively to the subsequent aspiration force, enabling it to achieve and maintain a flat arrangement that would not be possible with aspiration alone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The device changes the physical structure of the substrate by creating creases, which modifies its mechanical properties and response to aspiration. The creases alter the substrate's stiffness distribution and deformation characteristics, allowing the aspiration force to effectively flatten the substrate without being limited by the original substrate configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If printing substrates are made with undulate intermediate layer for structural reinforcement, then substrate strength is improved, but substrate deformation increases causing concave arrangement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesubstrate structural reinforcementVSAvoidsubstrate arrangement
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The device applies local quality by creating creases at specific locations on the substrate rather than uniformly modifying the entire substrate. The creases are positioned strategically to counteract the concave deformation caused by the undulate intermediate layer, allowing the substrate to maintain its structural reinforcement while achieving the desired flat arrangement for printing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Manufacturing precision

If prior primer coat is applied for suitable ink droplet acceptance, then printing quality is improved, but substrate deformation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveink droplet acceptanceVSAvoidsubstrate deformation
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The device performs preliminary creasing action before the substrate undergoes primer coating and printing processes. By pre-establishing the creases that will enable proper substrate flattening during aspiration, the device ensures that the substrate maintains the correct shape throughout subsequent processing steps, including primer application and ink droplet deposition, thereby preventing deformation-related printing quality issues.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary 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

The creasing process and device enable a completely flat substrate arrangement, enhancing printing quality and reducing the risk of machine damage by maintaining a stable contact with the support table, while allowing for efficient ink droplet application and structural reinforcement.

Implementation Method 1

the technique of applying aspiration in order to create suction on the printing substrates resulting in a vacuum effect

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVacuum suction: Suction

Data Source

PatentEP3378639B1Process and device for creasing printing substrates
Publication Date: 2024.01.10 BARBERAN LATORRE JESUS FRANCISCO
  • EP3378639B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3378639B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3378639B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The invention relates to a process for creasing printing substrates (1) and a device to perform said process, the process comprising the stages of supplying a printing substrate; and making contact with one longitudinal end of the printing substrate (1) on one face by means of a first surface (4), and a second surface (5), mutually angled, and on another face by means of a first extension (6) and a second extension (7), mutually angled, forming a crease (3) on the longitudinal end of the printing substrate (1).