Printing Machine Dryer Unit With Inclined Air Outlets for Faster Web Drying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing intracolor dryers in printing machines are limited by the need to maintain a precise drying effect on moving webs, which restricts air flow and web speed, leading to reduced productivity.
Innovation Solution
A dryer unit design with inclined air outlets and a triangular cross section, utilizing multiple air outlets to concentrate drying effects and counteract air displacement by the moving web, allowing for increased air flow and web speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If active suction is used to counteract web movement and maintain precise drying location, then drying precision is improved, but air flow is limited and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using suction to hold air in place (active removal), the invention uses inclined outlets to project air forward in the direction of web movement (active addition). This inversion of the air delivery approach allows the air flow to naturally counteract web-induced air displacement without requiring strong suction, thereby enabling both precise drying and higher productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the orientation parameter of the air outlets from perpendicular to inclined at an angle of 10-45 degrees relative to the web travel direction. This parameter change optimizes the air flow direction to better counteract web movement effects, allowing increased air flow rates and web speeds while maintaining drying precision
2Productivity
If higher air flow is supplied to increase drying speed, then productivity is improved, but web aspiration occurs and drying precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The inclined outlet orientation inverts the traditional air delivery approach, projecting air forward rather than holding it stationary. This allows higher air flow rates to be supplied without causing web aspiration, as the air flow direction is optimized to work with rather than against web movement, thereby increasing drying speed while maintaining precision
Solution Approach 2:
The air flow characteristics are optimized locally at the outlet by inclining them at specific angles (10-45 degrees). This local optimization ensures that air is delivered precisely where needed on the web surface without creating excessive suction that would cause web aspiration, enabling high drying speed with maintained precision
3Productivity
If web travel speed is increased to improve productivity, then output is improved, but air is pulled out from drying area and drying precision decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By inverting the air delivery approach and inclining outlets forward (10-45 degrees), the air flow actively counteracts the web's tendency to pull air backward. This allows higher web travel speeds without losing air from the drying area, thereby improving productivity while maintaining drying precision
Solution Approach 2:
The inclined air outlets provide preliminary anti-action by projecting air forward in the direction of web movement before the web can pull air away. This preemptive air delivery counteracts the adverse effect of web-induced air displacement, enabling higher web speeds while maintaining concentrated drying effect
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
Enhances drying efficiency and web travel speed, thereby increasing the output of printed material without compromising quality.
Implementation Method 1
a first air outlet being connected to the air inlet in an air-ducting manner, wherein the first air outlet is positioned adjacent to one of the web inlet edge and the web outlet edge and wherein a middle axis of the first air outlet is inclined towards the respective other of the web inlet edge and the web outlet edge with respect to the drying area
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 5~6
AI summary
A dryer unit (26), especially an intracolor dryer unit, for a printing machine is presented. It comprises a web inlet edge (34) and a web outlet edge (36) being substantially parallel to one another and defining a drying area (28) therebetween. Additionally, an air inlet and a first air outlet (38) being connected to the air inlet in an air-ducting manner are provided. The first air outlet (38) is positioned adjacent to one of the web inlet edge (34) and the web outlet edge (36) and a middle axis of the first air outlet (38) is inclined towards the respective other of the web inlet edge (34) and the web outlet edge (36) with respect to the drying area (28). Furthermore, a printing machine is described, comprising an impression drum, at least two ink application units and at least one dryer unit (26) as described above.