Digital Inkjet Glass Printer Automation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current glass printing methods, particularly screen-printing, are complex, expensive, and inflexible, making them unsuitable for mass production and custom applications due to issues with ink drying, equipment setup, and labor costs, limiting the market potential of decoratively printed glass.
Innovation Solution
A digital inkjet printing apparatus with a primary ink fixation system and advanced automation features, allowing for flexible and efficient printing of glass boards with glass-based inks that can withstand high temperatures, enabling full-color, large-format printing with reduced setup times and costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If screen-printing is used for glass printing, then long-lasting printing is achieved, but device complexity and production cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical screen-printing system with a digital inkjet printing system that uses computer-controlled droplet deposition. This substitution eliminates the need for physical screens, frames, and manual positioning mechanisms, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining printing durability through digital precision and automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the printing parameters by using specialized ink formulations with glass particles and controlled droplet sizes, combined with precise temperature control during and after printing. This allows the ink to bond effectively with the glass surface without requiring complex mechanical pressing or drying systems, thus simplifying the overall device while ensuring long-lasting results.
2Reliability
If screen-printing is used for glass printing, then long-lasting printing is achieved, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The digital inkjet system replaces expensive mechanical screen-printing equipment, reducing capital investment and operational costs. The elimination of screens, frames, and manual labor requirements significantly lowers production costs while maintaining the long-lasting printing quality through digital precision and automated processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses computer-controlled automated printing that eliminates the need for skilled manual operators and reduces setup time between different printing jobs. The digital workflow allows for automatic file loading, positioning, and printing, thereby reducing labor costs and increasing manufacturing efficiency while maintaining high-quality durable prints.
3Reliability
If screen-printing is used for glass printing, then printing durability is achieved, but adaptability to custom requirements decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The digital inkjet system provides dynamic adaptability by allowing real-time changes in printing parameters, colors, patterns, and sizes through software control. This enables customization for different customer requirements while maintaining printing durability through consistent digital deposition and controlled drying/curing processes, unlike static screen-printing setups.
Solution Approach 2:
The digital printing system serves multiple functions within a single device, including various printing patterns, colors, and designs without requiring physical screen changes. This universal capability allows the same machine to handle diverse custom orders while producing durable prints, thereby increasing adaptability without sacrificing printing quality or longevity.
4Manufacturing precision
If screen-printing is used for glass printing, then printing quality is achieved, but production time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The digital inkjet system enables continuous printing operations without the need to stop and replace screens or reposition mechanical components between jobs. The automated system can continuously deposit ink droplets and transition between different printing tasks, maintaining high printing quality while significantly reducing production time and increasing overall productivity.
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
The solution enables high-quality, flexible, and cost-effective printing on glass surfaces, accommodating custom designs and large formats, while ensuring ink durability and ease of production, thereby expanding the market for printed glass products.
Implementation Method 1
at least one inkjet head unit (4) moveable from above an area of a glass board (201) to be printed by means of a moving mechanism, the inkjet head unit capable of moving above the glass board and injecting glass based ink
Implementation Method 2
at least one heating system (18, 19, 20) for heating the glass board to dry the injected ink droplets
Implementation Method 3
ventilation means (66) for dispersal of the vapors and gases released from the ink after printing and during the primary fixation process
Implementation Method 4
the fixation of the printed image is by firing the printed glass in a furnace at high temperatures of 550° C. and more. The exposure of the ink to such high temperature causes the glass micro (or nano) particles to melt, thus affixing the ink pigments into the printed glass surface
Data Source
AI summary
Digital ink-jet glass printer for printing flat glass boards with glass based ink is disclosed, comprising; (a) horizontal support for a glass board to be printed; (b) at least one digital ink-jet printing head moveable from above the area of a glass board supported by the horizontal support by means of a respective moving mechanism, the printing head is capable of moving above the glass board and injecting glass based ink according to positioning and injecting commands received from a computer or controller; (c) ink supply system in liquid communication with the at least one printing head. Method for printing flat glass boards with glass based ink, is also disclosed, comprising; (a) providing a computer memory with image to be printed; (b) positioning a glass plate to be printed underneath at least one digital ink-jet printing head capable of receiving from the computer and accordingly executing ink jetting commands and positioning commands; (c) providing the at least one printing head with jetting and positioning commands corresponding to the image to be printed; (d) supplying to the printing head glass based ink in a substantially unified heterogenic suspension in quantities sufficient for printing the image; (e) drying or curing the image until a primary fixation is achieved sufficient for safely conveying the printed glass plate to completing the ink fixation in a furnace.