Dual Conveyor Belt Inkjet Printer Substrate Handling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current inkjet printing devices face challenges in handling and transporting diverse substrates, such as crease-sensitive, brittle, and edge-curl sensitive materials, requiring frequent calibration and maintenance, and the use of sticky conveyor belts necessitates frequent adhesive changes, leading to production inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
An inkjet printer system featuring a dual conveyor belt setup, where a first vacuum-supported belt handles standard substrates and a second, replaceable belt with adjustable tension and adhesive supports specific substrates like crease-sensitive, brittle, and edge-curl sensitive materials, allowing for versatile printing without compromising print quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a sticky conveyor belt is used to handle crease-sensitive print receivers, then the handling of specific substrates is improved, but the production time is reduced due to frequent adhesive changes and maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor belt system is segmented into a permanent first conveyor belt and a removable second conveyor belt. The second conveyor belt can be detached and replaced independently, allowing the sticky layer to be renewed without replacing the entire conveyor belt system. This segmentation enables quick changeover between different substrate types while maintaining high productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The first conveyor belt serves as a universal base that can support multiple types of second conveyor belts with different adhesive properties. This multi-functionality allows the system to handle various substrate types (crease-sensitive, brittle, edge-curl sensitive) using the same underlying infrastructure, improving ease of operation without sacrificing productivity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple inkjet printing devices are used to handle different substrate types, then the versatility is improved, but the economic efficiency is reduced due to separate calibration and maintenance requirements
Solution Approach 1:
A single inkjet printing device is made universal by equipping it with interchangeable second conveyor belts that can be adapted to different substrate types. The print head and vacuum system remain constant, while only the second conveyor belt needs to be changed, allowing one device to replace multiple specialized devices and improving economic efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyor belt system is made dynamic through the ability to quickly swap the second conveyor belt based on substrate requirements. This dynamic adaptability allows the system to respond to different printing jobs without requiring separate dedicated devices, maintaining versatility while improving productivity.
3Device complexity
If a single conveyor belt is used for all substrate types, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to handle specific substrates without quality loss is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor belt is segmented into two functional layers: a permanent first conveyor belt that provides structural support and vacuum adhesion, and a removable second conveyor belt that provides substrate-specific adhesive properties. This segmentation allows the system to maintain simple overall structure while achieving the precision needed for different substrate types through the interchangeable second belt.
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
This configuration enhances the versatility of inkjet printers, reduces maintenance and production downtime, and improves print quality by enabling efficient handling of various substrates without the need for frequent adhesive changes or extensive recalibration.
Implementation Method 1
a first conveyor belt (300, CB 1) which is wrapped around a vacuum table and supported by an upstream pulley (P upstream) and a downstream pulley (P downstream); and a vacuum area (A vacuum) on the first conveyor belt (300, CB 1)
Implementation Method 2
a second conveyor belt (400, CB 2) which is wrapped around the first conveyor belt (300, CB 1); and which is supported by an upstream sliding support (450, S upstream) and an downstream sliding support (450, S downstream); and wherein the second conveyor belt (400, CB 2) is adhered in the vacuum area (A vacuum) by vacuum power
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
An inkjet printer and a printing method on the inkjet printer which comprises a first conveyor belt (300, CB1) which is wrapped around a vacuum table and supported by an upstream pulley (Pupstream) and a downstream pulley (Pdownstream); and a vacuum area (Avacuum) on the first conveyor belt (300, CB1); and a second conveyor belt (400, CB2) which is wrapped around the first conveyor belt (300, CB1); and which is supported by an upstream sliding support (450, Supstream) and an downstream sliding support (450, Sdownstream); and wherein the second conveyor belt (400, CB2) is adhered in the vacuum area (Avacuum) by vacuum power wherein a print receiver (200) is attached to the second conveyor belt (400, CB2) for conveying and printing.