Digital Ink Duct for Printing Press Ink Supply Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional printing press ink supply systems rely on mechanical ink keys, which are difficult to accurately control, leading to inconsistent ink supply and inefficient printing processes, as the actual ink supply amount cannot be quantitatively controlled, relying on qualitative methods and experience.
Innovation Solution
A digital ink duct system for printing presses, featuring metering-type ink delivery devices, a controller, and a signal acquisition device, which calculates and controls ink output based on image data and printing conditions, ensuring accurate quantitative ink supply to each ink zone.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If mechanical ink keys are used to control ink supply, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the ink supply accuracy and consistency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical ink key system with a digital ink duct system that uses electronic control and digital signal processing. The new system employs a motor-driven mechanism with encoder feedback and digital image processing to calculate and control ink supply amounts, substituting mechanical adjustment with electronic control to achieve higher precision while maintaining ease of manufacture through standardized components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the actual ink supply amount is detected and fed back to the control unit. The control unit compares the actual supply with the target supply and adjusts the ink key opening degree accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that ensures accurate and consistent ink supply despite variations in mechanical components.
2Device complexity
If mechanical ink keys with small opening range (0-0.2 mm) are used, then the device complexity is low, but the measurement precision and control accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from controlling ink supply through a single dimension (ink key opening degree only) to multiple dimensions by incorporating digital image processing, area calculation, and motor position control. The system calculates the required ink supply based on the area of image elements and controls the motor-driven ink key accordingly, adding dimensional control to achieve higher precision without significantly increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses digital copying of the image data to calculate the required ink supply amount. By creating a digital representation of the image elements and their areas, the system can precisely determine the ink supply requirements without relying on mechanical measurement, thereby improving measurement precision while keeping the physical device relatively simple.
3Device complexity
If traditional mechanical control methods are used for ink delivery, then the system is simple, but the productivity and efficiency deteriorate due to manual adjustment and testing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service system where the digital ink duct automatically calculates the required ink supply amount based on image data and controls the ink delivery without manual intervention. The system self-adjusts the ink key opening degree and monitors the actual ink supply, eliminating the need for manual testing and adjustment, thereby significantly improving productivity while maintaining system simplicity through automated control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary calculation of the ink supply requirements based on the image data before the actual printing process. By pre-calculating the ink supply amounts for different image elements and pre-positioning the ink keys, the system eliminates the need for trial-and-error adjustment during printing, thereby improving productivity without significantly increasing system complexity.
4Device complexity
If ink supply is controlled by experience and qualitative methods, then the device complexity is low, but the manufacturing precision and ink supply consistency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces experience-based qualitative control with a digital control system that uses image processing, area calculation, and electronic control to determine ink supply amounts. The system substitutes mechanical judgment with digital computation, achieving consistent and precise ink supply control while keeping the overall device complexity manageable through standardized digital components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control where the actual ink supply amount is measured and compared with the target amount calculated from image data. The control unit adjusts the ink key opening degree based on the feedback signal, ensuring consistent ink supply across different printing operations without requiring complex manual calibration or adjustment procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses a digital ink duct for a printing press, comprising an ink tank for storing ink, a main ink pipe that communicates with the ink tank, at least one metering-type ink delivery device, ink delivery pipes, a controller and a signal acquisition device. In the present invention, high-accuracy, metering-type ink delivery devices are arranged in a queue to form a digital ink duct which replaces the traditional ink duct and supplies ink for the ink zones. The present invention can perform accurate adjustment in real time, is high in automation and digitalization degree, and can realize one-way ink delivery and avoid ink return.