Hollow Printing Pad for Spherical Objects
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pad printing systems require multiple presses to cover the entire surface of a spherical object, leading to low productivity and image distortion when printing on curved surfaces like golf balls, due to the need for multiple form plates and complex positioning tasks.
Innovation Solution
A hollow printing pad with a hemispherical transfer surface that releases gas to deform and wrap around a hemispherical portion of the object in a single press, preventing image elongation or distortion, and allowing for efficient transfer of ink or paint to the object's surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the pad is pressed against the spherical object many times to print the whole surface, then the entire surface can be printed, but the productivity becomes low
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer surface of the printing pad is designed with a substantially hemispherical shape that matches the curvature of the spherical object. This allows the pad to wrap around and print at least approximately one hemisphere of the spherical object in a single pressing operation, eliminating the need for multiple pressing operations required by conventional flat or multi-faced pads.
2Productivity
If the pad is pressed against the spherical object many times, then the whole surface can be printed, but the image distortion and elongation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hemispherical transfer surface is specifically shaped to match the curvature of the spherical object, allowing the pad to conform to the surface geometry during a single press. This prevents image elongation and distortion that would occur with flat pads pressed against curved surfaces multiple times.
Solution Approach 2:
The hollow structure of the printing pad allows for adjustment of the pad's physical parameters (such as flexibility and deformation characteristics) to optimize its wrapping ability around the spherical object. By controlling how the pad deforms during pressing, the image quality and distortion levels can be precisely controlled.
3Productivity
If multiple form plates are used to print different faces, then the entire spherical surface can be printed, but the photoengraving work becomes troublesome and complex
Solution Approach 1:
A single hemispherical transfer surface is designed to perform the function of multiple flat or conical pads would traditionally be needed to cover different faces of a spherical object. This universal pad design eliminates the need for multiple form plates and reduces photoengraving work to a single plate.
4Productivity
If multiple form plates are used, then more faces can be printed, but the positioning work and alignment become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The hemispherical transfer surface combines the functionality of multiple separate pads into a single integrated component. This merging reduces the number of positioning and alignment operations required, as only one pad needs to be positioned on the spherical object rather than multiple separate form plates.
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 method enables printing of a hemispherical portion of a spherical object in a single operation, improving productivity and reducing image distortion, while requiring fewer form plates and simplifying the positioning process, thus enhancing printing efficiency and reducing environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
the pad being configured so that when the transfer surface is pushed, the gas in the hollow part is released to the outside of the printing pad
Implementation Method 2
A pad printing system has an elastic pad and operates as described below. Since the pad has elasticity, the pad printing system can print images on not only a flat surface but also a curved surface
Data Source
AI summary
There are provided a printing method in which at least approximately hemispherical portion of a spherical object to be printed can be printed by pressing a pad against the portion one time, and which can prevent an image printed on the spherical object to be printed from being elongated or distorted, and a printing pad used for this printing method. The method for printing on the spherical object to be printed comprises the steps of preparing a hollow printing pad having a transfer surface, the printing pad being configured so that when the transfer surface is pushed, the gas in the hollow part is released to the outside of the printing pad; transferring ink or paint in recesses formed on the surface of a printing plate to the transfer surface of the printing pad by applying the ink or paint onto the surface of the printing plate and by pressing the transfer surface of the printing pad against the surface of the printing plate; and transferring the ink or paint, which has been transferred to the transfer surface of the printing pad, to the object to be printed by pressing the transfer surface of the printing pad, to which the ink or paint has been transferred, against the object to be printed until at least the hemispherical portion of the object to be printed is wrapped by the transfer surface of the printing pad.