Flat Bed Printer Job Grouping and Mask Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing flatbed printing process is inefficient and prone to operator errors due to the manual and time-consuming steps required for positioning media pieces and accounting for print job and flatbed characteristics, leading to reduced productivity and potential pollution from ink deposition and air suction issues.
Innovation Solution
Automatically grouping print jobs into container jobs based on print job and flatbed characteristics, generating digital mask data for producing a mask sheet that allows for unattended printing by positioning media pieces according to the mask sheet, minimizing the number of container jobs and reusing mask sheets to optimize printing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual positioning of media pieces is used, then operator control over print job placement is maintained, but productivity is reduced and operator errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically groups print jobs and positions media pieces without operator intervention. The controller autonomously determines the optimal arrangement of media pieces on the flat bed based on print job characteristics, eliminating the need for manual positioning while maintaining or improving print quality and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary grouping of print jobs into container jobs before the actual printing process. By pre-organizing print jobs and determining media piece positions in advance, the system enables automated positioning during printing, resolving the contradiction between automation and control.
2Productivity
If multiple container jobs are created, then all print jobs can be processed, but the number of mask sheets increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple print jobs into container jobs by identifying common characteristics such as media type, print settings, and destination. By grouping print jobs with similar attributes into the same container job, the system reduces the total number of mask sheets required and improves printing throughput while maintaining processing completeness.
3Manufacturing precision
If print head height is adjusted for different media thicknesses, then printing accuracy is improved, but substantial time is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system determines the optimal print head height for each container job based on the media characteristics before printing begins. By pre-calculating and setting the appropriate height in advance, the system eliminates repeated height adjustments during the printing process, thereby maintaining printing accuracy while significantly reducing the time lost to height changes.
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 method enables productive, error-free, and unattended printing of multiple jobs by streamlining the process, reducing operator intervention, and minimizing ink deposition and air suction issues, thereby enhancing overall printing efficiency and productivity.
Implementation Method 1
at least one print head configured to eject recording material on the plurality of pieces of media
Implementation Method 2
When a UV curable ink is used, the print head is also provided with UV lamps for curing the recording material when ejected on the piece of media placed on the flat bed
Data Source
AI summary
A method for printing a plurality of print jobs on a flat bed printer includes automatically grouping the print jobs into a plurality of consecutive container jobs, and for each container job automatically creating a digital plan of the flat bed, automatically defining a mask with cutting information according to the created plan, receiving the defined mask on the flat bed, receiving the media pieces on the flat bed positioned in according with the received mask, and unattended printing of the print jobs on the media pieces by the flat bed printer making use of the received mask. The automatic grouping includes gathering the group of print jobs due to the print job characteristics of each of the print jobs and/or the flat bed characteristics of the flat bed and ordering the consecutive container jobs due to the print job characteristics of each of the print jobs and/or the flat bed characteristics of the flat bed.