Digital Printing Color Adjustment for Wood Panels
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in the wood-based materials industry is achieving consistent decorative print quality across batches of carrier materials, which can vary in brightness and color, leading to color deviations in digital printing, and the need for efficient production processes that minimize waste and costs.
Innovation Solution
A method involving continuous measurement of color values of carrier materials, processing this data in a computer program to adjust digital print settings, and applying primers and protective layers to ensure consistent color output, allowing for digital printing directly on wood-based panels with minimal batch-to-batch variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If digital printing is used to print directly on carrier materials, then production flexibility and quality are improved, but printing costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of color values based on real-time measurement of carrier material properties. The printing process adapts to variations in each batch of carrier material by continuously measuring color values and adjusting print parameters, enabling flexible production without sacrificing cost efficiency through static pre-programmed settings
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of the printing process by adjusting color values (CMYK components) based on measured carrier material properties. The system modifies printing parameters dynamically to compensate for batch-to-batch variations in carrier material, maintaining consistent output quality while working within cost constraints
2Ease of manufacture
If the minimum quantity of printed decorative paper is purchased for each decor, then production costs are reduced through mass production, but inventory waste increases when customer acceptance is uncertain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables a make-to-order production model where carrier materials are printed only when customer orders are received. By eliminating the need for pre-printing large quantities of decorative paper, the system discards the traditional approach of maintaining inventory and recovers cost efficiency through on-demand production, preventing waste of unsold inventory
Solution Approach 2:
The patent treats each batch of carrier material as a disposable resource to be used immediately for current production needs rather than being converted into long-term inventory. This approach eliminates the risk of inventory obsolescence while maintaining production efficiency
3Manufacturing precision
If color values are adjusted for each batch of carrier material to maintain consistent print quality, then manufacturing precision is improved, but production time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback loop where color values of carrier materials are measured, the measurements are fed into a computer program, and the program automatically adjusts printing color values based on the input data. This closed-loop system maintains manufacturing precision while automating the adjustment process to minimize added complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual color matching and adjustment processes with an automated computer program that calculates optimal printing parameters based on measured carrier material properties. This substitution of mechanical/manual operations with computational algorithms maintains precision while reducing process complexity
4Manufacturing precision
If digital printing resolution is increased to improve decor quality, then product quality is improved, but the value of conventionally printed decors decreases leading to potential sales loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies high-resolution digital printing selectively to carrier materials that require it, while maintaining compatibility with conventional printing methods for other applications. By optimizing print quality locally for specific use cases rather than universally, the system preserves market versatility across different product segments
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for printing on wood-based panels, in particular wood fiberboard, using a digital printing process, comprising the steps of: a) continuous measurement of the color values of the wood-based panels of at least one first batch and transmission of the color values to a computer program; b) continuous measurement of the color values of the wood-based panels of at least one further batch and transmission of the color values to the computer program; c) processing of the color values of the wood-based panels of the at least one further batch in the computer program and adjustment of the color values of the digital print; and d) printing on at least one side of the wood-based panels using digital printing technology to form a decorative layer such that no color deviations occur between the printed decors of the wood-based panels of the at least one first batch and each further batch.The invention also relates to a device for carrying out this method.