Image Forming Apparatus Printing Position Correction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing techniques for printing images on layered surfaces face challenges due to variations in stretch/shrink characteristics and thickness, leading to potential displacement of printing positions, which can result in erroneous readings by devices like QR codes or barcodes.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus equipped with a hardware processor that corrects the printing position of layer images on each layer by estimating and adjusting for stretch/shrink ratios and image area ratios, ensuring accurate alignment and suppression of displacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If printing is performed on layered printed matter without correction, then the printing process is simple, but displacement occurs in printing position due to stretch/shrink characteristics and thickness variation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by calculating and correcting printing positions before actual printing occurs. The correction amount is computed based on predicted stretch/shrink ratios and thickness variations, allowing the printing system to pre-adjust positions to compensate for anticipated dimensional changes during layering and post-processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by dynamically adjusting printing position parameters based on calculated correction amounts. The system modifies printing position coordinates according to stretch/shrink characteristics and thickness variations, transforming the printing parameters to achieve accurate positioning despite medium variations.
2Manufacturing precision
If correction processing is applied to all layers, then printing position accuracy is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by selectively applying correction processing only to specific layers that require it. The system determines whether each layer needs correction based on its characteristics, and applies correction amounts accordingly. This allows the system to maintain high printing position accuracy while minimizing unnecessary processing time on layers that do not require correction.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes: an image former that forms, on an end surface of each layer of a layered printed matter or on a layered surface formed by layering cross sections of printed matter cut in the post-processing step, a layer image for expressing a predetermined image on each layer; and a hardware processor that corrects a printing position of the layer image on each layer.