Inkjet Printing System for Rotary Offset Press Variable Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printing systems in offset printing presses are limited by slower speeds and higher costs, making them inefficient for large-format printing and unable to easily integrate variable information within a print run.
Innovation Solution
Integrating an inkjet printing system with a traverse-mounted print head that can be positioned anywhere relative to the paper web within the printing press, allowing for the addition of variable information at any point during the print run, with modular and transportable units for flexible installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If inkjet printing systems are used in post-processing of print production lines, then variable information can be added to printed products, but the printing speed is significantly lower than the process speed in rotary printing and the additional print is limited to a small area on the outside of the printed product
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the inkjet printing system with the offset printing press by mounting the inkjet print head on a traverse inside the printing press, integrating two previously separate systems into one unified printing solution that operates at the same high speed as the offset press
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extends the printing capability from the traditional external post-processing area to the internal printing area of the offset press, allowing variable information to be printed at any point within the printed product including large format areas, effectively adding a new dimensional space for printing operations
2Area of stationary object
If conventional inkjet printing systems are used for large-format printing, then printing can be performed, but the costs for printing inks are very high and the process is very slow with high print resolutions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the inkjet printing system with the offset printing press infrastructure, utilizing the existing high-speed paper web transport mechanism to achieve fast large-format printing at production speeds, eliminating the speed and cost limitations of standalone inkjet systems
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated system provides multi-functionality by combining the high-speed capabilities of offset printing with the variable information printing capabilities of inkjet technology, allowing the same system to handle both high-volume production printing and customized variable data printing efficiently
3Adaptability or versatility
If inkjet printing systems are used for production runs, then printing can be performed, but compared to conventional printing processes such as offset, inkjet printing is not economical as it is very slow with high print resolutions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the inkjet print head into the offset printing press, allowing variable information to be printed directly during the high-speed offset printing process rather than as a separate slower operation, thereby maintaining production run speeds while adding versatility
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
Enables the efficient and cost-effective addition of variable information throughout the printed product, reducing energy and material costs by integrating inkjet technology directly into the offset printing machine and allowing for digital control of print images.
Implementation Method 1
inkjet printing is a printing technology that belongs to the category of non-impact printers. This is a non-contact printing process in which a tiny amount of ink is shot onto the printing material from one or more extremely small nozzles in an electronically controlled manner
Data Source
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AI summary
In order to enable the addition of additional, including variable, information, as well as information that changes frequently during a print run, at any point within the printed product of a printing press operating according to the offset printing principle, an additional device in the form of an inkjet printing system (8, 9) is provided, in which an inkjet printhead (10, 11) is mounted on a traverse (12, 13) transversely to the printing direction in a working position to a paper web (20) within the printing press in or at least near a printing unit (1, 2).