Inkjet Track UV Intensity Control for Homogeneous Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inkjet printing methods on curved or spherical bodies, such as soccer balls, struggle to achieve homogeneous printed images due to the visibility of individual tracks, especially when printing large areas of the same color, as conventional methods rely on geometric optimizations and UV radiation power variations which are not satisfactory in terms of optical results.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using inkjet printing with UV radiation intensity reduced from the inner core to the outer edges of the tracks, allowing partial curing followed by full curing with higher intensity, ensuring the UV radiation intensity decreases from the inner core to the outer edges of the tracks, which can be achieved through partial shielding, adjusting the position of the UV source, or controlling its power, resulting in a more homogeneous appearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional inkjet printing methods are used with uniform UV radiation intensity across the entire track width, then the printing process is simple and fast, but the printed image shows visible track connections and lacks homogeneity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating UV radiation intensity across different regions of the printing track. The inner core region receives high UV intensity for complete curing, while the outer edge regions receive reduced UV intensity to prevent over-curing and track connection visibility. This spatial differentiation of radiation quality directly resolves the contradiction between achieving optical homogeneity and maintaining process simplicity.
2Reliability
If the UV radiation power is increased to ensure complete curing of all tracks, then curing reliability improves, but the outer edge regions become over-cured and track connections become more conspicuous
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality control in the UV curing process by applying different radiation intensities to different spatial zones. The inner core region receives sufficient UV power for reliable curing, while outer edge regions receive attenuated radiation to avoid over-curing. This ensures both curing completeness and minimal track connection visibility simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of applying uniform high UV intensity across the entire track (conventional approach), the patent inverts the strategy by deliberately reducing UV intensity at the outer edges where over-curing causes visible track connections. This inverted approach prioritizes aesthetic homogeneity over maximum curing intensity, resolving the contradiction between curing reliability and track connection visibility.
3Manufacturing precision
If the UV radiation intensity is reduced at the outer edges of tracks, then track connection conspicuousness decreases and image homogeneity improves, but the overall curing efficiency may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains high curing efficiency despite reduced edge intensity by concentrating UV radiation power in the inner core region where complete curing is critical. The spatially differentiated approach ensures that the majority of the track (core region) receives sufficient energy for rapid curing, while only the peripheral edge zones receive attenuated radiation to achieve aesthetic homogeneity. This localized quality control minimizes the impact on overall productivity.
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 significantly reduces the conspicuousness of track connections, enhancing the optical homogeneity of the printed image by ensuring that the UV radiation intensity decreases from the inner core to the outer edges of the tracks, resulting in a more seamless and visually appealing image.
Implementation Method 1
irradiating the tracks produced in step i) with UV radiation by using a UV radiation source
Data Source
AI summary
A method for printing tracks on bodies by using inkjet printing provides printed images with a homogeneous appearance on the bodies, in particular when printing large single-color areas. The homogeneous appearance is obtained by reducing the intensity of the UV radiation from at least one inkjet print head when pinning in track connection regions.