Curved Surface Pad Printing Compensation via Image Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pad printing technologies face challenges in achieving accurate curved surface printing due to deformation and skewing of the pad printing head, and the high cost of specialized equipment limits its affordability for manufacturers.

Innovation Solution

A compensation method for curved surface pad printing that uses a processor to analyze an initial pad printing image, identify feature points, compare coordinates, and generate a compensation pattern to correct for deformation and skewing, thereby enabling effective curved surface printing without specialized equipment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If general pad printing equipment is used for curved surface printing, then device cost is reduced, but printing precision deteriorates due to pad printing head deformation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice costVSAvoidprinting precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by capturing the initial pad printing image before the actual printing process, analyzing it to generate a compensation pattern, and then applying this pattern to correct for deformation. This preliminary analysis and compensation calculation enables general pad printing equipment to achieve curved surface printing precision previously requiring specialized equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes parameters by calculating coordinate transformations and generating compensation patterns that adjust the template pattern based on the actual pad printing head deformation. This parameter adjustment allows the same equipment to produce accurate curved surface prints by compensating for the inherent deformation through computational methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If specialized curved surface pad printing equipment is used, then printing precision is improved, but device cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecurved surface printing precisionVSAvoidequipment cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system creates a digital copy of the deformation characteristics by capturing the initial pad printing image and analyzing it to generate a compensation pattern. This digital compensation model allows general pad printing equipment to replicate the precision of expensive specialized equipment without requiring the complex mechanical structures of specialized devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces complex mechanical compensation systems with a computational approach. Instead of using specialized mechanical structures to physically compensate for curvature, the system uses image processing and coordinate transformation algorithms to calculate and apply compensation patterns, substituting mechanical complexity with software-based solutions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If pad printing head is pressed down on curved surface, then printing process is completed, but pattern distortion occurs due to force contact conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting process completionVSAvoidpattern accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback by capturing the actual pad printing image, analyzing it to determine deformation characteristics, and then using this information to generate a compensation pattern. This feedback loop allows the system to continuously adjust and correct for pattern distortion, ensuring accurate printing on curved surfaces while maintaining productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes parameters by calculating coordinate transformations that adjust the template pattern based on the actual deformation detected in the initial pad printing image. This parameter adjustment compensates for the distortion caused by force contact conditions, restoring pattern accuracy while maintaining the efficiency of the printing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20250156663A1Compensation method for curved surface pad printing, curved surface pad printing system and printed matter

Publication Date: 2025.05.15 WISTRON NEWEB CORP

AI summary

The compensation method includes an importing step, an analyzing step, an identifying step, a comparing step, and a compensating step. The importing step includes obtaining a template pattern and an initial pad printed image. The analyzing step includes analyzing the initial pad printed image to generate a plurality of sample feature points. The identifying step includes identifying the coordinates of each of the sample feature points to generate corresponding sample feature point coordinates. The comparing step includes comparing the sample feature point coordinates to template sample feature point coordinates to generate a coordinate change result. The compensating step includes generating a compensation pattern based on the coordinate change result and the template pattern.