Flexographic Printer Ink Solvent Supply Unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
In flexographic printing, high-definition printing requires increasing the line number of the printing plate, leading to thin ink film thickness, which can result in ink drying on the plate surface, causing print quality issues due to insufficient ink film thickness and gas enrichment, especially after ink transfer, as existing technologies only focus on pre-transfer atmosphere adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A flexographic printer with an ink solvent supply unit that delivers solvent to the printing plate surface post-ink transfer, using a guide and tray system to maintain humidity, and a controller to adjust solvent supply based on temperature and humidity readings, ensuring consistent ink film thickness and preventing drying.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the line number of the printing plate is increased to achieve high-definition printing, then printing definition is improved, but ink film thickness becomes excessively thin causing drying and print quality deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The invention supplies solvent to the printing plate surface in advance before ink transfer occurs. By pre-humidifying the plate surface with solvent mist, the ink maintains adequate film thickness during transfer even when using high line number plates, preventing drying and ensuring consistent print quality throughout the printing process
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state and concentration parameters of the ink-solvent mixture on the plate surface. By controlling solvent supply rate and concentration, the system maintains optimal ink film thickness and viscosity parameters, allowing high line number plates to function reliably without drying issues
2Manufacturing precision
If the line number of the anilox roll is increased to prevent pattern crushing, then printing definition is improved, but ink supply amount decreases leading to insufficient ink film thickness
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces solvent as an intermediary substance between the anilox roll and the substrate. The solvent acts as a carrier that supplements the reduced ink supply from high line number anilox rolls, ensuring adequate ink film thickness is achieved on the substrate without compromising printing definition
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adjusts the parameters of the ink-solvent system by controlling solvent concentration and supply timing. This allows the system to compensate for reduced ink quantity from high line number anilox rolls while maintaining the fine detail capability provided by the increased line number
3Ease of operation
If water based ink is used for flexographic printing, then ease of operation is improved, but moisture evaporation from the ink causes printing plate surface drying
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements continuous solvent supply to the printing plate surface throughout the printing operation. This continuous humidification counteracts the ongoing moisture evaporation from water-based ink, maintaining stable plate surface conditions and preventing drying-related quality issues during extended printing runs
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses humidity sensors to monitor the printing plate surface moisture level and provides feedback control of solvent supply. When moisture levels drop below thresholds, the system automatically increases solvent supply to maintain optimal conditions, ensuring consistent performance with water-based inks
4Manufacturing precision
If the printing plate surface is sealed to maintain solvent concentration, then ink film thickness consistency is improved, but gas enrichment occurs leading to print quality issues
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies different atmospheric conditions to different regions of the printing system. The ink supply region maintains sealed conditions for solvent concentration stability, while the ink transfer and post-transfer regions have controlled ventilation to prevent gas enrichment, achieving both ink film consistency and gas management
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 solution maintains print quality by preventing ink drying on the printing plate surface, even with increased line numbers, by continuously supplying solvent post-ink transfer, thus ensuring consistent ink film thickness and preventing print quality deterioration.
Implementation Method 1
moisture is evaporated from the water based ink on the printing plate surface until new ink is supplied from the anilox roll again after the ink is transferred
Data Source
AI summary
A flexographic printer is provided with: a printing plate for transferring ink at an ink transfer site to an object to be printed S; an anilox roll for supplying ink to the printing plate at an ink supply site; a plate cylinder on which the printing plate is wound and rotated; and an ink solvent supply unit for supplying a solvent for the ink on the surface of the printing plate in a post-ink transfer region that is downstream of the ink transfer site in the plate cylinder rotation direction and upstream of the ink supply site in the plate cylinder rotation direction.