Ink Printer Web Strain Regulation During Pause
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink printing systems face print image disruptions and color registration errors due to substrate web swelling or shrinking during pauses, leading to position shifts under print heads, especially in multicolor printing, as the web is exposed to environmental conditions.
Innovation Solution
A method that measures and regulates the tension state of the printing substrate web using a take-up roller, storing the initial tension state and adjusting it during pauses to maintain the desired tension, ensuring the web returns to its original position after the pause, without the need for complex climate sensors or additional web tension sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the printing operation is paused to monitor register quality or remedy post-processing problems, then the printing substrate web can be held stationary, but print image disruptions and color registration errors occur due to substrate web swelling or shrinking during the pause
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by measuring the strain state of the printing substrate web at the beginning of the pause and storing it as a desired strain state before the pause begins. This pre-measurement allows the system to have a reference value ready for comparison during the pause, enabling correction of any strain deviations that occur during the stationary period.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by continuously measuring the real strain state of the printing substrate web during the pause at selectable points in time and comparing it with the desired strain state stored beforehand. Based on this feedback comparison, the take-up roller is controlled to adjust the strain state, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains print image quality despite the pause.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the printing substrate web is held under tension during the pause, then the web remains stationary, but position shifts occur due to swelling or shrinking of the web during the pause
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the strain state parameter of the printing substrate web during the pause. Instead of maintaining a constant tension, the system modifies the strain state based on real-time measurements and comparisons with the desired strain state, allowing the web to compensate for environmental influences while maintaining position stability.
3Manufacturing precision
If environmental monitoring systems are added to compensate for swelling or shrinking during pauses, then print image quality can be maintained, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by using the existing take-up roller, which is already part of the printing system, to control and adjust the strain state of the printing substrate web during pauses. Instead of adding separate environmental monitoring and control systems, the system uses its existing components to measure and regulate the web strain, thereby maintaining print image quality without increasing device complexity.
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
This approach minimizes environmental influences on the print image, ensuring consistent print quality by maintaining the substrate's tension state, thus preventing print image errors and eliminating the need for costly climate monitoring systems.
Implementation Method 1
a take-up roller moving the printing substrate web at printing speed past the print bars
Implementation Method 2
measuring and regulating the tension state of the printing substrate web
Data Source
AI summary
In a method to execute a pause in an ink printing system printing operation in which a printing substrate web is printed with print bars having print heads, with aid of a take-up roller moving the printing substrate web at printing speed past the print bars in a transfer printing zone in order to generate print images. Upon triggering the pause, a strain state of the printing substrate web is measured at a beginning of the pause and stored as a desired strain state. During the pause, the strain state of the printing substrate web is measured as a real strain state at selectable points in time, and the real strain state is compared with desired strain state. Given a deviation of the real strain state from the desired strain state, at the selectable points in time the take-up roller is controlled so that the strain state of the printing substrate web assumes the desired strain state at the beginning of the pause. After an end of the pause, the printing substrate web is transported with the take-up roller at the printing speed again.