Flatbed Printer Carriage for In-Line Cutting and Creasing

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Solution Overview

Problem

State-of-the-art printers require separate machines for cutting and creasing operations after printing, leading to registration issues, increased processing delays, and space consumption in media production facilities.

Innovation Solution

Integration of a cutting tool and creasing wheel into a flatbed printer allows for simultaneous printing, cutting, and creasing, eliminating the need for secondary processing machines, reducing workflow steps and space requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If separate cutting and creasing machines are used after printing, then cutting and creasing operations can be performed, but registration problems occur and processing delays increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveregistration accuracyVSAvoidnumber of separate machines

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines cutting and creasing functions into the printer system by mounting a cutting tool and creasing wheel on the printer carriage, allowing all operations to be performed in one location without media transfer, thereby eliminating registration problems between separate machines

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The printer system is enhanced to perform multiple functions (printing, cutting, and creasing) through a single multi-functional device, where the carriage can accommodate different tools to execute various operations on the media without requiring separate dedicated machines

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If separate cutting and creasing machines are used after printing, then cutting and creasing operations can be performed, but processing delays increase due to additional transfer steps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing speedVSAvoidmedia transfer time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

By integrating cutting and creasing capabilities directly into the printer carriage, the system eliminates the need to physically transfer media between separate machines, thereby removing the time loss associated with media handling and transfer operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated system allows continuous processing where printing, cutting, and creasing operations can be performed sequentially without interruption or media removal from the printer bed, maintaining continuous useful action throughout the workflow

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Area of stationary object

If separate cutting and creasing machines are used, then cutting and creasing operations can be performed, but considerable space is required in the facility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefacility spaceVSAvoidnumber of separate machines

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent consolidates multiple separate machines (printer, cutting machine, creasing machine) into a single integrated system, dramatically reducing the floor space required in the production facility while maintaining all necessary functions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The multi-functional printer system performs printing, cutting, and creasing operations within one device footprint, eliminating the need for separate dedicated spaces for each operation and thereby reducing overall facility space requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12350928B2Flatbed printer with integrated creasing and cutting

Publication Date: 2025.07.08 ELECTRONICS FOR IMAGING INC

AI summary

Embodiments of the invention add a cutting tool and a creasing wheel to a flatbed printer. This reduces workflow steps, allows cutting and creasing without having to re-register image/media, and reduces required floor space for small shops.