Curved Object Printing System With Closed Loop Lane
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current digital printing techniques for curved surfaces are inefficient due to interruptions during object transportation between printing stations, leading to slowed processes and reduced production line utilization.
Innovation Solution
A printing system with a closed loop lane and multiple print head units arranged along an axis of translation, allowing for continuous or discrete printing with simultaneous operation on multiple objects, utilizing a conveyor system for relative motion and rotation to optimize printing efficiency and resolution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If printing takes place at discrete printing stations with interruption during object transportation, then printing can be performed with current technology, but the printing process is significantly slowed and production line utilization is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous printing by arranging multiple print heads along the transportation path of the object. As the object moves through the printing zone, different print heads continuously deposit material onto different sections of the object surface, eliminating interruptions and maintaining constant productive action throughout the transportation cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The printing system is divided into multiple discrete print heads positioned at different locations along the transportation axis. Each print head handles a specific section of the object, allowing parallel processing and continuous operation as the object passes through the distributed printing stations.
2Productivity
If multiple print head units are arranged along an axis of translation to enable simultaneous printing on multiple objects, then printing engine utilization is maximized and throughput is increased, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a universal conveyor system that simultaneously transports objects and enables multiple print heads to operate in parallel. The same transportation mechanism serves both as the object carrier and as the positioning system for multiple printing operations, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the transportation function and printing function into a single integrated system. The conveyor system that moves objects also serves as the framework for positioning multiple print heads, merging what would otherwise be separate systems into one coordinated unit that reduces overall complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If high printing resolution and very high system accuracy (microns) are maintained, then printing quality is improved, but inkjet printing technology becomes very challenging for real production line use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary positioning and alignment of the object on the conveyor system before the printing process begins. By pre-establishing the object's position and orientation, the system ensures that high-resolution printing can be achieved during rapid continuous operation without requiring complex real-time adjustments, thus maintaining both precision and productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
A printing technique is presented for efficiently printing (i.e. with production lines rates at high resolution and high accuracy) on outer surfaces of a plurality of objects passing in an optimized stream through a printing route/zone. According to this technique, at least one array of printing head units is provided being configured to define at least one printing route along a printing axis, where the at least one printing route is a substantially linear segment of a closed loop lane along which the objects are progressing.