Friction-Driven Anilox Roller Ink Uniformity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for printing hollow bodies face challenges in achieving uniform ink application and efficient ink transport on anilox rollers, which affects print quality and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A device with a short inking unit featuring a two-roller roller train, including an inking forme roller and an anilox roller, where the anilox roller is driven by friction and equipped with a rider roller to enhance ink uniformity and transport, and a chamber doctor blade system for precise ink delivery, ensuring register-accurate ink transfer to the printing forme cylinder.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a traditional inking unit with multiple rollers is used, then ink transport capacity is increased, but ink application uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the intermediate transfer rollers from the traditional inking unit design. By using a direct drive system where the anilox roller is driven directly by a friction drive from the impression roller, the patent removes the additional interfaces that cause ink application variability, thereby maintaining ink transport capacity while improving uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a friction drive interface as an intermediary between the impression roller and anilox roller. This friction drive mediator transfers motion without requiring mechanical contact or additional ink transfer rollers, enabling direct ink application from the anilox roller to the printing forme cylinder while maintaining both transport capacity and uniformity.
2Device complexity
If a short inking unit with two-roller roller train is used, then device complexity is reduced, but ink delivery precision may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical linkages and multiple roller trains with a friction drive system. The anilox roller is driven directly through friction contact with the impression roller, eliminating the need for additional drive mechanisms, bearings, and mechanical connections while maintaining precise ink delivery through the direct coupling of the friction interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the friction drive parameters including contact pressure, contact area, and surface characteristics of the rollers. By carefully controlling these parameters, the system achieves reliable and precise ink delivery despite the simplified two-roller structure, maintaining manufacturing precision while reducing device complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If rider roller is added to anilox roller, then ink uniformity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the rider roller function with the anilox roller by positioning the rider roller to contact and follow the anilox roller's surface. This combination allows the rider roller to perform its ink uniformity function while being integrated into the existing two-roller structure, minimizing additional complexity while improving ink application consistency.
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
The solution ensures improved uniformity and quantity of ink application on the anilox roller, reducing defects and enhancing print quality and production efficiency by synchronizing the peripheral speeds of the inking unit rollers and maintaining consistent ink density.
Implementation Method 1
anilox roller which is driven by friction
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an inking unit of a printing unit and a device for printing on hollow bodies each having a cylindrical lateral surface, said device comprising said inking unit, the inking unit (06) having an anilox roller (08), which receives a printing ink from an ink reservoir, and having an inking roller (07) placed against a printing cylinder (04) of the printing unit, a rider roller (13) being arranged axially parallel to the anilox roller (08) in a region between the ink reservoir and the inking roller (07), said region being located subsequent to the ink reservoir in a direction of rotation of the anilox roller (08), which ink reservoir interacts with the anilox roller (08), the rider roller (13) being placed against the anilox roller (08), characterized in that the rider roller (13) is rotationally driven by the anilox roller (08) by means of friction, the inking roller (07) being rotationally driven by the anilox roller (08) by means of friction, the plate cylinder (04) and the anilox roller (08) each being independently rotationally driven by a motor (11; 12).