Inline 3D Food Printing for Vision-Based Image Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing technologies face challenges in efficiently printing on three-dimensional food items of varying sizes and shapes without physical contact, while ensuring high-quality, accurate prints and accommodating rapid production schedules, and there is a lack of integration of computer vision for precise image mapping.
Innovation Solution
An inline printing system utilizing a conveyor, adjustable inkjet print head module, and computer vision station to dynamically adjust print parameters based on real-time dimensions, enabling non-contact printing of edible inks on three-dimensional articles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional direct contact printing methods are used, then printing capability is achieved, but the delicate surfaces of food items are damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical contact printing with non-contact inkjet printing technology. The inkjet print head deposits ink droplets onto the food item surface without physical contact, eliminating the mechanical damage caused by traditional printing methods while maintaining printing capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fixed printing methods are used, then printing process is simple, but flexibility to accommodate diverse item sizes and shapes is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic image transformation and positioning systems that automatically adjust printing parameters based on real-time detection of food item dimensions and orientation. The system dynamically transforms the printed image to match the specific geometry of each item, providing flexibility without requiring complex manual adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates computer vision systems that detect the size, shape, and orientation of food items in real-time, feeding this information back to the printing system. This feedback loop enables automatic adjustment of printing parameters and image transformation, allowing the system to adapt to diverse items while managing complexity through automation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If non-contact inkjet printing is used, then physical contact is avoided, but achieving high-quality accurate prints on irregular surfaces is challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic image transformation algorithms that real-time adjust the printed image based on the detected geometry of the food item. This dynamic adaptation ensures high print accuracy on irregular surfaces by compensating for variations in shape, size, and orientation through automated image warping and positioning.
4Measurement precision
If computer vision systems are integrated for real-time detection, then image mapping precision is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates computer vision systems that provide real-time detection of food item parameters, creating a feedback loop that automatically adjusts printing parameters and image transformation. This feedback mechanism improves measurement precision while managing system complexity through automated control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual measurement and positioning with automated computer vision systems that use optical detection to measure food item dimensions and orientation. This substitution improves precision while the automated nature of the system helps manage complexity through standardized digital processing.
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 system enhances flexibility, speed, and quality of food printing processes by dynamically transforming images to match the dimensions of each food item, overcoming limitations of previous methodologies.
Implementation Method 1
a height-adjustable inkjet print head module in communication with the ink supply station to deposit the edible inks as full-color images onto the articles
Implementation Method 2
A computer vision station is situated upstream of the print head module to scan and identify the physical parameters of each article passing by the computer vision station
Data Source
AI summary
A printing apparatus for printing three-dimensional edible articles includes a conveyor, an ink supply station, and a height-adjustable inkjet print head module to deposit edible inks as full-color images onto the articles. A computer vision station upstream of the print head module scans and identifies the physical parameters of each article. The ascertained parameters may include the height, width and length of the article, and its orientation and position on the conveyor. A data store retains at least one digital image to be printed. A control system is operable to perform image transformation of the digital image in order to transform it into a transformed image that is compatible with each article scanned by the computer vision station. The image transformation utilizes the physical parameters gathered by the computer vision station and involves a transformation process to adjust the image size, orientation, and position to match the scanned article.