Flexographic Press Seal Blade Suction Deformation for Rapid Ink Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for washing flexographic printing presses are inefficient in removing water from the V-shaped portion between the seal blade and the anilox roll, leading to prolonged washing times and increased costs due to the need for additional air-blowing nozzles and optimal placement adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes a decompression control mode to elastically deform the seal blade towards the ink chamber, using suction to rapidly draw in washing water and incorporating a multiphase fluid for efficient washing and recovery, leveraging existing ink supply and recovery paths to minimize additional costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If compressed air is supplied to blow off washing water from the seal blade, then washing water removal speed is improved, but device complexity and cost increase due to additional air-blowing nozzles and placement adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The seal blade itself serves the dual function of sealing and water removal. By utilizing the elastic deformation of the seal blade through suction, the system eliminates the need for separate air-blowing nozzles. The seal blade's flexible nature allows it to be deformed toward the ink chamber by suction, creating a scraping action that removes washing water automatically as part of its sealing function.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal blade is designed to perform multiple functions: sealing the ink chamber, scraping off washing water from the anilox roll, and removing washing water from its own surface through elastic deformation. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate components (sealing mechanism, scraping mechanism, and water removal mechanism) into a single integrated component.
2Manufacturing precision
If washing water is supplied to the ink chamber for thorough washing, then washing quality is improved, but washing time increases due to slow drainage of water from the V-shaped portion
Solution Approach 1:
The suction process creates dynamic motion and vibration effects that accelerate the removal of washing water. By applying suction to deform the seal blade and create rapid water movement, the system prevents water from lingering in the V-shaped portion, thereby reducing drainage time while maintaining thorough washing quality through the vigorous water circulation and removal process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses suction (negative pressure) to actively remove washing water from the ink chamber and from the seal blade surface. This pneumatic/hydraulic action creates a pressure differential that drives rapid water drainage, overcoming the slow gravitational drainage that would otherwise occur in the V-shaped portion between the seal blade and anilox roll.
3Productivity
If additional air-blowing nozzles are installed to remove washing water, then washing water removal efficiency is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seal blade performs water removal as part of its inherent sealing function, eliminating the need for separate water removal components. The elastic deformation of the seal blade under suction creates a self-contained water removal mechanism that utilizes the existing seal blade structure, avoiding additional manufacturing costs for air-blowing nozzles and their installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing function and water removal function are merged into a single seal blade component. Rather than having separate components for sealing and for water removal, the system integrates these functions so that the same elastic deformation of the seal blade that enables sealing also enables the scraping and removal of washing water from the system.
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
Rapid removal of washing water from the seal blade is achieved without increasing costs, enhancing the efficiency of the washing process by utilizing existing infrastructure and controlling the decompression and suction mechanisms for effective fluid management.
Implementation Method 1
a suction recovering device that recovers the washing water in the ink chamber by suction through the washing water recovering path
Implementation Method 2
a decompression control mode in which the seal blade is elastically deformed towards the ink chamber by decompressing the inside of the ink chamber by suction
Implementation Method 3
This can enhance the washing efficiency of the inside of the ink chamber by an agitating action and a turbulent flow forming action of the washing water by bubbles
Implementation Method 4
an agitating action and a turbulent flow forming action of the washing water by bubbles
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2G
AI summary
In washing off an ink in a flexographic printing press, washing water on a seal blade is removed rapidly at low cost. The apparatus includes a washing water supplying path 31, 32 that is connected to an ink chamber 5, the ink chamber 5 including a seal blade 3 and a doctor blade 4 being in slidable contact with an outer circumference of an anilox roll 1; a washing water supplier 30 that supplies washing water to an inside of the ink chamber through the washing water supplying path; a supplying path opening/closing device 9 that opens and closes the washing water supplying path; a washing water recovering paths 11, 21, 23 that are connected to the ink chamber; a suction recovering device 7 that recovers the washing water in the ink chamber by suction through the washing water recovering path; and a controller 100 that controls operations of the washing water supplier, the supplying path opening/closing device, and the suction recovering device in a predetermined control mode, wherein the control mode comprises a decompression control mode in which the seal blade is elastically deformed towards the ink chamber by decompressing the inside of the ink chamber by recovering the washing water by suction generated by activating the suction recovering device and closing the washing water supplying path by the supplying path opening/closing device.