Continuous Printing Line for Extruded Profiles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for printing graphical signs on extruded oblong objects, such as piping or profiles, are limited by the need for surface preparation, which involves manual handling and vacuum plasma treatment, restricting the length of objects that can be printed and allowing only monochrome pad printing.
Innovation Solution
A continuous printing line integrating an extrusion apparatus, a plasma treatment apparatus under vacuum, and a printing apparatus, all aligned along a common working axis, enabling direct printing on freshly extruded objects with the option for cutting into segments, allowing polychromatic printing without length restrictions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If plasma treatment under vacuum is used to prepare the surface for printing, then the surface becomes suitable for printing, but the object length is restricted by vacuum chamber dimensions
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment chamber is divided into multiple separate chambers (first treatment chamber and second treatment chamber) arranged in series along the production line. This segmentation allows each chamber to be compact while collectively treating objects of any length through sequential processing zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution transitions from a single large vacuum chamber to multiple smaller chambers arranged linearly along the production axis. This dimensional reorganization allows continuous treatment of long objects by processing different sections in sequence rather than requiring all sections to fit in one chamber.
2Reliability
If manual handling and vacuum plasma treatment are used, then surface preparation is effective, but productivity is reduced due to manual operations
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple treatment chambers are merged into a single integrated production line with automatic object feeding and sequential processing. This combines the reliability of vacuum plasma treatment with automated high-speed processing, eliminating manual handling while maintaining treatment effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The treatment chambers are arranged in series to enable continuous processing of objects as they move through the production line. Objects undergo plasma treatment in the first chamber, then immediately proceed to the second chamber without interruption, maintaining continuous productive action rather than batch processing.
3Device complexity
If pad printing with one color is used, then printing is simple, but polychromatic printing capability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The printing system is designed with multiple independent printing units (first printing means and second printing means) that can be selectively activated. Each printing unit can apply different colors, allowing the system to function as a simple single-color printer when needed or as a polychromatic printer when versatility is required.
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
Enables fast, effective, and versatile printing of graphical signs on extruded objects of varying diameters and lengths, overcoming previous limitations by allowing four-color printing and continuous object supply, improving efficiency and versatility.
Implementation Method 1
a treatment apparatus (12) configured to treat and clean at least a surface of said oblong object through the generation of plasma under vacuum
Data Source
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AI summary
A line (10) for printing graphical signs on an oblong object (T), like a piping or a profile, comprises an extrusion apparatus (11) to extrude said oblong object (T); a treatment apparatus (12) to treat and clean, through plasma generation, at least a surface of said oblong object (T); and a printing apparatus (13) to print graphical signs on said surface of said oblong object (T).