Inkjet Head Overlap for Reduced Maintenance Downtime
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional printing apparatuses for fabrics experience increased non-operative time for inkjet heads due to redundant after-printing and pre-printing operations, leading to decreased productivity.
Innovation Solution
The printing apparatus overlaps the after-print operation of one inkjet head with the pre-print operation of the other, allowing for continuous printing without waiting for the completion of these maintenance tasks, thereby reducing non-printing periods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the after-printing operation and pre-printing operation are conducted successively between two printing operations, then the nozzle surface is properly maintained, but the non-operative time for inkjet heads increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The pre-printing operation for the second inkjet head is performed in advance during the printing operation of the first inkjet head, rather than waiting until the first inkjet head completes its printing and after-printing operations. This preliminary action eliminates idle time and ensures both heads are ready for simultaneous printing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous useful action by overlapping the printing operation of the first inkjet head with the pre-printing operation of the second inkjet head. This ensures that while one head is printing, the other is being prepared, eliminating non-operative periods and maintaining continuous productivity.
2Reliability
If the carriage is moved to maintenance position for wiping and capping operations, then the nozzle surface is protected from drying, but the printing operation is interrupted and time is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The pre-printing operation including wiping and uncapping is performed in advance during the printing operation of the other head, so that when the second head needs to print, it is already prepared and does not need to interrupt printing for maintenance operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically coordinates the operations of two inkjet heads and their respective carriages, allowing one carriage to be at the maintenance position while the other is printing, and then switching roles. This dynamic coordination ensures continuous printing without interruption.
Data Source
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AI summary
A printing apparatus (1) is provided. The printing apparatus includes at least two print heads (21,23), at least two print head drive units, and a cooperation controlling system to control printing operations in the printing apparatus. When a first printing operation and a second printing operation are conducted successively, the cooperation controlling system controls at least one of a second print head (21) and the second print head drive unit (24) so that a second pre-print operation is conducted at least partially simultaneously with the first printing operation and a first after-print operation is conducted at least partially simultaneously with the second printing operation, and the first print head (23) and the first print head drive unit (25) so that a first pre-print operation is conducted at least partially simultaneously with the second printing operation and a second after-print operation is conducted at least partially simultaneously with the first printing operation.