Variable Pattern Printing on Cylindrical Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional printing methods for cylindrical metallic objects, such as flexography and screen printing, are inadequate for producing variable patterns as they require changing engraved plates or screens and are not suited for digital data-based printing, limiting flexibility and quality.
Innovation Solution
A printing device with a blanket having a surface greater than the printing medium, combined with digital inkjet printing means, allows for printing of variable patterns on cylindrical surfaces without changing the blanket, ensuring continuous coverage and preventing overlaps, and includes optional ink fixation and varnishing processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional printing methods (flexography, screen printing) are used for cylindrical metallic objects, then constant patterns can be reproduced in large numbers, but variable patterns cannot be printed and plate changes are required for each pattern change
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a flexible blanket as an intermediate copying medium between the digital printing plate and the cylindrical object. The digital plate transfers the image to the blanket, which then transfers it to the object. This allows variable patterns to be printed by changing the digital data without physically changing the blanket, combining high productivity with pattern versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical plate mounting and changing system with a digital printing system. Instead of physically changing engraved plates or screens for different patterns, the system uses digital data to control inkjet printing heads that deposit ink directly onto the blanket, enabling rapid pattern changes without mechanical intervention.
2Adaptability or versatility
If digital inkjet printing is used directly on cylindrical objects, then variable patterns can be printed, but image quality and coverage continuity are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible blanket serves as an intermediary medium that receives the digital print image and then transfers it to the cylindrical object. This two-step transfer process ensures high image quality and continuous coverage because the blanket provides a stable, flat surface for digital printing while accommodating the curvature of the cylindrical object during transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediate dimensional plane - the flat surface of the blanket - between the digital printing process and the cylindrical object. The digital image is printed on the two-dimensional blanket surface, which is then wrapped around and transferred to the three-dimensional cylindrical object, ensuring complete and high-quality coverage.
3Ease of manufacture
If a blanket with surface equal to printing medium is used, then printing can be performed, but overlaps and gaps occur on cylindrical surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple blanket surfaces together to create a composite blanket with a total surface area greater than the cylindrical object. This is achieved by joining several blanket sheets or sections along their edges, creating a continuous large-area blanket that can fully cover the cylindrical surface without gaps or overlaps during the transfer process.
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
Enables flexible, high-quality printing of variable patterns on cylindrical surfaces with improved image transfer and prevention of overlaps, reducing costs and increasing efficiency compared to traditional methods.
Implementation Method 1
digital printing means by spraying ink on the blanket on a surface equal to that of the printing medium
Implementation Method 2
the ink collected on the surface of the blanket is transferred to the cylindrical printing medium thanks to a calibrated pressure of the blanket on the printing medium
Data Source
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Figure 6~10
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for printing by transfer onto a print support (10) comprising at least one blanket (30) driven in a sequential relative movement past a magazine (50) conveying the print supports (10), in which device the blanket (30) has a surface area greater than that of the print support (10), the device further comprising digital printing means (20) which print by spraying ink onto this blanket (30) over a variable area equal to that of the print support (10).