Digital printing machine and printing method

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing digital printing machines struggle to efficiently print textiles with varying thicknesses, requiring manual adjustments and resulting in inefficiencies and potential quality issues due to inconsistent ink application.

Innovation Solution

A digital printing machine with an adjustable recording table that can be vertically adjusted using a drive mechanism, allowing for quick and effortless adaptation to different textile thicknesses, and an automatic adjustment system using sensors and control devices to maintain optimal ink application.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the distance between the print nozzle and the textile is reduced to improve image sharpness, then contour sharpness is improved, but the risk of color bleeding and excessive ink consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontour sharpnessVSAvoidink consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The receiving table is made vertically adjustable through a drive mechanism, allowing the distance between the print nozzle and textile to be dynamically optimized for each material thickness. This dynamic adjustment enables maintaining optimal printing parameters without excessive ink application while preserving image sharpness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the vertical position parameter of the receiving table to adapt to different textile thicknesses. By adjusting this parameter, the printing distance is optimized for each specific material, preventing both color bleeding and loss of contour sharpness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If manual adjustment of the receiving table is used to adapt to different textile thicknesses, then adaptability is improved, but time consumption and labor intensity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different textile thicknessesVSAvoidsetup time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs sensor devices that automatically detect textile thickness and a control device that autonomously adjusts the receiving table height accordingly. This self-service mechanism eliminates manual intervention, reducing both setup time and labor intensity while maintaining high adaptability to different textile types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Sensor devices provide feedback information about textile thickness to the control device, which then automatically adjusts the receiving table position. This closed-loop feedback system enables rapid adaptation to different materials without manual setup time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Device complexity

If a fixed receiving table position is used to simplify the machine structure, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to print different textile types efficiently is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure complexityVSAvoidprinting flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The receiving table is transformed from a fixed structure to a dynamically adjustable one through the integration of a drive mechanism. This allows the table to adapt its vertical position to different textile thicknesses, providing printing flexibility without requiring complex manual adjustment systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The adjustable receiving table system serves multiple functions: it can accommodate various textile thicknesses, maintain optimal printing distance, and work with different print materials. This multi-functionality is achieved through a relatively simple drive mechanism rather than multiple specialized components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4194215B1Digital printing machine and printing method
Publication Date: 2025.04.16 SCHIESTL ANGELO
  • EP4194215B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4194215B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a digital printing machine, in particular for printing on textiles, comprising a frame, at least one receiving carriage for receiving and holding a substrate, in particular a textile, wherein the receiving carriage is movable in a horizontal direction along the frame, and at least one printing carriage with a printhead having one or more inkjet nozzles, wherein the printing carriage is movable along the frame in a transverse direction. According to the invention, the receiving carriage has a base carriage and a receiving table, which is adjustable in a vertical direction relative to the base carriage, perpendicular to the horizontal, and a drive is provided for vertically adjusting the receiving table relative to the base carriage.