Inkjet Print Head Density Compensation via Mean Profile
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for compensating for position-dependent density fluctuations in inkjet printing machines require extensive recalibration and updating of compensation profiles whenever print heads are replaced, leading to significant operational effort and economic burden.
Innovation Solution
A method where a computer calculates a mean compensation profile for all print heads and applies it to all print substrates, allowing new profiles to be derived from a single updated profile, reducing the need for recalibration across all substrates and simplifying the process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If complete calibration procedure is performed for all print substrates when replacing print heads, then compensation accuracy is improved, but operational time and effort increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the recalibration process by distinguishing between measured print substrates (where full calibration is performed) and unmeasured print substrates (where compensation is derived from the mean profile). This allows selective application of calibration effort, reducing overall time while maintaining adequate compensation across all substrates.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial calibration action by performing complete calibration only on a subset of print substrates (measured substrates) and using the derived mean profile for compensation on all other substrates. This partial action approach achieves sufficient compensation without the excessive time cost of calibrating every single substrate.
2Manufacturing precision
If individual compensation profiles are created for each print substrate, then print quality is improved, but device complexity and operational effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the compensation approach by creating a single mean compensation profile from multiple measured substrates and applying this unified profile to all print substrates. This combining strategy reduces the complexity of managing individual profiles for each substrate while maintaining adequate print quality through the aggregated compensation data.
Solution Approach 2:
The mean compensation profile serves as a universal solution that can be applied across all print substrates, regardless of whether they were individually measured or not. This multi-functional approach allows a single profile to compensate for density fluctuations across diverse substrates, reducing the need for substrate-specific profile management.
3Adaptability or versatility
If frequent print head replacements are performed, then adaptability is improved, but operational costs and time loss increase due to recalibration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-calculating the mean compensation profile from a set of measured print substrates in advance. When print heads are replaced, this pre-computed mean profile can be quickly applied without requiring immediate recalibration for each new head, thus maintaining adaptability while reducing the time penalty associated with frequent replacements.
Data Source
AI summary
A method compensates for position-dependent density fluctuations of print nozzles in an inkjet printing machine by use of a computer. The computer produces compensation profiles for the position-dependent density fluctuations over all the print heads for all print substrates used, calculates an mean profile from these, and applies the mean profile to compensate for the position-dependent density fluctuations in the inkjet printing machine. When one or more print heads of the inkjet printing machine are replaced, the computer calculates a new compensation profile for only one print substrate. The computer derives a new mean profile from this, and the computer calculates and applies the new mean profile using the old compensation profiles for the remaining print substrates.