Glass Printing Robot Control for Constant Speed and Standoff

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing digital printing technologies struggle with precise and controlled printing on glass surfaces of varying geometries, particularly in automotive applications, due to fluctuations in speed and distance between the print head and the glass, leading to defects and limited ink choices.

Innovation Solution

A device and method utilizing a six-axis robot with tiltable print heads, real-time speed detection, and distance maintenance, ensuring consistent distance and speed for precise ink deposition on complex glass shapes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a six-axis robot with tiltable print heads is used, then printing precision on complex glass shapes is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The print head is made tiltable with adjustable orientation relative to the robot arm, allowing dynamic adaptation to complex glass geometries. This dynamic configuration enables precise printing on curved and irregular surfaces while maintaining control over the printing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

A speed sensor is integrated to detect the relative speed between the print head and glass surface in real-time. This feedback information is used to control the print head movement and maintain optimal printing conditions, ensuring precision despite the complexity of the robot system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Manufacturing precision

If real-time speed detection and distance maintenance are implemented, then printing homogeneity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting homogeneityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A speed sensor provides real-time feedback on the relative speed between the print head and glass surface. This information is fed back to the control system to adjust printing parameters dynamically, ensuring homogeneous ink deposition across varying geometries.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical distance adjustment mechanisms with electronic control systems that use sensor feedback to maintain optimal printing distance and speed, simplifying the overall system while improving printing homogeneity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If digital printing is performed on flat glass before bending, then ink choices are limited to ceramic or enamel, but manufacturing precision is maintained

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveink choicesVSAvoidprinting precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional sequence by performing digital printing on three-dimensional glass shapes after bending, rather than on flat glass before bending. This inversion allows the use of diverse ink types (organic, ceramic, enamel) while maintaining printing precision through real-time speed detection and distance maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts printing parameters including speed, distance, and head orientation based on the actual glass geometry and printing conditions. This parameter adaptation enables precise printing with various ink types on complex three-dimensional surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Productivity

If the print head moves at constant speed over the glass, then printing efficiency is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to speed fluctuations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting efficiencyVSAvoidprinting precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

A speed sensor continuously monitors the relative speed between the print head and glass surface, providing feedback to the control system. This enables real-time speed adjustment to compensate for fluctuations, maintaining both efficiency and precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from constant speed movement to dynamic speed adjustment, where the print head speed is continuously adapted based on real-time feedback from the speed sensor and distance maintenance requirements, optimizing both productivity and precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS20250375974A1Device for printing on glass, machine for printing on glass and method for printing on glass

Publication Date: 2025.12.11 SAINT GOBAIN SEKURIT FRANCE

AI summary

A device for printing on glass includes a holder configured to receive a glass article, at least one six-axis robot, a printing tool including at least one print head, a speed sensor configured to detect the relative printing speed of the at least one print head relative to a surface of the glass, a distance-maintaining system configured to maintain a constant distance between the at least one print head and the surface of the glass and a control system configured to control the movements of the robot, adjust the speed of movement of the at least one print head depending on the relative printing speed and adjust the distance between the at least one print head and the surface of the glass.