Inkjet Printing Device Downstream Powdering for Blocking Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inkjet printing technologies face issues with blocking, where ink bleeds or sticks to the back surface of the recording medium, leading to mottled effects and increased idle time before the medium can be wound into a roll, and require longer drying stages, hindering printing speed and device compactness.
Innovation Solution
An inkjet printing device equipped with an inkjet head, a transferring unit, and a powder applying unit that applies a powder on the recording medium downstream from the inkjet head, including a serial powdering unit that moves intersecting the transferring direction to ensure even powder distribution, an after-heating unit to prevent incomplete drying, and a cooling unit to reduce tackiness, thereby preventing blocking and allowing for faster printing and downsizing of the device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a drying stage is added to prevent ink blocking, then blocking is prevented, but the device size increases and printing speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
A powder layer is applied as an intermediary substance between the ink layer and the environment. This powder layer absorbs excess ink and prevents blocking without requiring a dedicated drying stage, thus maintaining compact device size while preventing blocking
Solution Approach 2:
The powder is applied immediately after ink discharge while the ink is still wet. This preliminary action of applying powder to wet ink prevents blocking before the ink can cause adhesion issues, eliminating the need for extended drying time and large device footprint
2Reliability
If powder is applied to prevent blocking, then blocking is prevented, but idle time increases before winding
Solution Approach 1:
The powder application process is integrated into the continuous printing operation. The powder is applied in real-time as the recording medium passes through the device, maintaining continuous production flow without interrupting for drying or other idle periods before winding
3Manufacturing precision
If a serial powdering unit moves intersecting the transferring direction, then even powder distribution is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The powdering unit moves in a direction intersecting (perpendicular to) the transferring direction of the recording medium. This dimensional change allows the powder to be distributed across the width of the medium systematically, achieving uniform coverage without requiring complex multi-axis positioning systems
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
The solution effectively prevents ink blocking, reduces idle time, and shortens the drying stage, enhancing printing speed and enabling the downsizing of the inkjet printing device by ensuring thorough drying and even powder application across the medium.
Implementation Method 1
an after-heating unit to prevent incomplete drying
Implementation Method 2
a cooling unit to reduce tackiness
Implementation Method 3
a powder applying unit for applying a powder on the recording medium
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure provides a novel inkjet printing device advantageously equipped to prevent the occurrence of blocking. The inkjet printing device includes: an inkjet head for discharging an ink on a medium to carry out printing; a transferring roller for moving the medium and the inkjet head relative to each other; and a powdering applying unit for applying a powder on the medium, wherein the powdering applying unit is located on a downstream side relative to the inkjet head in a transferring direction by the transferring roller.