Golf Ball Markings With Overlap Ink Density Masking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Golf ball markings that require multiple pad printing stamps often exhibit visible overlap areas, resulting in a suboptimal appearance due to differences in ink density, making it difficult to create continuous markings that appear as a single stamp.
Innovation Solution
The method involves arranging golf balls relative to multiple printing pads to create overlap printed areas between main printed areas and transition printed areas, ensuring the ink density of the overlap area matches the main printed areas, thereby masking the overlap and creating a seamless appearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple pad printing stamps are used to create continuous markings around the golf ball, then the marking coverage is improved, but the appearance quality deteriorates due to visible overlap areas with different ink density
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous marking is divided into multiple discrete stamp areas, each with controlled ink density. The marking is segmented into first and second stamps at different sites on the golf ball, allowing each segment to be optimized independently while maintaining overall continuity through the segmented approach.
Solution Approach 2:
Different ink densities are applied to different portions of the marking. The first and second stamps use different ink densities in their respective printing areas, with the transition printed areas using reduced ink density to create a gradient effect that masks the overlap boundary, achieving local quality variation to improve overall appearance.
2Length of stationary object
If the marking design is extended to cover more of the golf ball surface, then the marking length is improved, but the number of required stamps increases, creating more visible overlap areas
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple discrete stamps are merged to form a continuous visual marking. The first and second stamps, along with their transition areas, are combined to create the appearance of a single continuous marking that extends around the golf ball, merging multiple printing operations into one unified visual element.
Solution Approach 2:
Transition printed areas are pre-designed with reduced ink density to anticipate and mask the overlap between stamps. The transition areas are prepared in advance with specific ink density characteristics that will blend the boundaries between adjacent stamps, preventing visible discontinuities before they occur.
3Manufacturing precision
If transition printed areas with reduced ink density are used to mask overlap, then the appearance quality is improved, but the ink consumption increases due to multiple printing passes
Solution Approach 1:
The transition printed areas apply ink partially (with reduced density) rather than fully, which is excessive compared to a single stamp but controlled to only where needed at the boundaries. This partial application of reduced ink density achieves the masking effect while limiting excess ink usage to only the necessary transition zones.
Data Source
AI summary
A first stamp and a second stamp are printed on the surface of a golf ball such that a transition printed area of the first stamp overlaps a transition printed area of the second stamp to create an overlap printed area between a main printed area of the first stamp and a main printed area of the second stamp. An ink density of the main printed area of the first stamp, an ink density of the main printed area of the second stamp, and an ink density of the overlap printed area are approximately the same after both the first stamp and the second stamp are printed on the surface of the golf ball.