Cutting Region Image Processing to Reduce Print Material Waste
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cutting machines waste recording materials due to images being printed outside the cuttable region, leading to significant material loss, especially when multiple mediums are cut or large amounts of ink/toner are used.
Innovation Solution
An information processing system and image forming apparatus that set a cutting region to ensure the image is within the cuttable area, using a cutting application to generate a print image that does not include portions outside this region, thereby minimizing material waste.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If an image is printed on a medium to be cut using an image forming apparatus, then the image can be produced on the medium, but the image may be printed outside the cuttable region of the medium, causing waste of recording materials such as toner and ink
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting region is determined in advance before the printing process begins. The information processing apparatus receives the image data, determines the cuttable region based on cutting machine specifications, and pre-calculates the optimal printing area. This preliminary determination ensures that the image is printed only within the cuttable region, preventing waste of recording materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes a feedback loop where the cutting machine's specifications and cuttable region information are fed back to the information processing apparatus. The information processing apparatus uses this feedback to adjust the printing parameters and image positioning, ensuring that the printed image aligns with the cuttable region. This feedback mechanism prevents printing outside the cuttable area.
2Manufacturing precision
If the image to be cut is small with respect to the image printed on the medium, then the cutting can be performed, but most of the image printed on the medium is discarded after cutting, leading to significant waste
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by concentrating the printing resources only on the specific region where the image to be cut will be located. Instead of printing a large background image that will be discarded, the information processing apparatus generates an image that is precisely sized and positioned to match the cuttable region. This ensures that every part of the printed medium is utilized effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the printing parameters, including image size, position, and scaling, based on the cuttable region dimensions. The information processing apparatus modifies the image parameters to optimize the use of the medium, ensuring that the printed image fits exactly within the area that will be cut and retained, thereby minimizing waste.
3Ease of operation
If a cutting line is given to an image of a printed object using a conventional technique, then the cutting can be performed, but the image may extend beyond the cuttable region, causing the printed image to be discarded
Solution Approach 1:
The information processing apparatus acts as an intermediary between the image creation process and the cutting operation. It receives the image data, determines the cuttable region, and generates a modified image with appropriate cropping or scaling before sending it to the image forming apparatus. This intermediary role ensures that the final printed image aligns with the cuttable region, preventing waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary processing of the image data to ensure it fits within the cuttable region before printing. The information processing apparatus pre-calculates the optimal image dimensions and positioning, and applies necessary transformations such as cropping, scaling, or repositioning. This preliminary action prevents the need to discard printed images that would otherwise extend beyond the cuttable area.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing system capable of saving a recording material used for printing a medium to be cut using a cutting machine. The information processing system includes an image forming apparatus configured to print a print image on a medium, an information processing apparatus, and a cutting machine. The information processing system comprises at least one memory and at least one processor which function as a setting unit configured to set a cutting region in which the cutting machine cuts the medium on which the print image has been printed, and a print image generation unit configured to generate, from an input image, the print image not including an image outside a cutting region.