Intaglio Printing Control Strips for Pressure and Ink Load Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Intaglio printing faces challenges in ensuring the printability and consistent quality of security designs, particularly in banknotes, due to the complexity of engraving patterns and the need for precise control of printing parameters like pressure and ink load, which are difficult to objectively assess and adjust.

Innovation Solution

A method involving control areas on the intaglio printing plate that allow for objective measurement of printing pressure and ink load, using measurements of optical density, line cleanliness, and line filling rate to optimize the balance between these parameters, ensuring the printability and quality of security designs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If intaglio printing is used to produce security designs with complex engraving patterns, then the security and quality of the printed document is improved, but the difficulty of objectively assessing and adjusting printing parameters increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity and quality of printed documentVSAvoiddifficulty of objectively assessing printing parameters
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses optical density measurements to detect and quantify variations in ink transfer and printing parameters. By measuring the optical properties of control areas with different engraving depths, the system objectively assesses printing quality and parameters, resolving the difficulty of subjective evaluation while maintaining high security standards

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces subjective visual assessment of printing parameters with automated optical measurement systems. The measuring device objectively quantifies printing pressure and ink load effects through optical density readings, eliminating the need for manual evaluation and enabling precise control of printing parameters

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Manufacturing precision

If precise control of printing parameters (pressure and ink load) is implemented, then the consistency and quality of printing is improved, but the complexity of the printing process increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconsistency and quality of printingVSAvoidcomplexity of printing process
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements precise control of printing parameters by measuring and adjusting optical density values in control areas. The system quantifies the effects of printing pressure and ink load through optical measurements and uses this data to optimize and maintain consistent printing quality, managing complexity through systematic parameter control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent establishes a feedback loop where optical density measurements of printed control areas are used to assess and adjust printing parameters. The measuring device provides objective feedback on printing quality, enabling continuous optimization and consistent reproduction of security designs while managing process complexity through systematic monitoring

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If control areas with different engraving depths are used to measure printing parameters, then the objective evaluation of printing pressure and ink load is improved, but the complexity of the printing plate increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveobjective evaluation of printing parametersVSAvoidcomplexity of printing plate
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the printing plate into multiple control areas, each with specific engraving depths (e.g., 10 μm, 20 μm, 30 μm). This segmentation allows the measuring device to objectively evaluate printing parameters by analyzing optical density variations across different depth levels, achieving precise measurement while managing plate complexity through structured design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 enables printers to objectively evaluate and adjust intaglio printing parameters, ensuring consistent and high-quality printing of security designs by quantifying variations and identifying potential printing issues, thereby improving repeatability and reducing counterfeiting risks.

Implementation Method 1

performing measurements in the printed control areas to evaluate the printing pressure applied during the printing of the substrate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical density measurement: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

performing measurements in the printed control areas to evaluate the ink load applied during the inking of the intaglio printing plate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical density measurement: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP2934893B1Method for monitoring intaglio printing and corresponding colour control patches
Publication Date: 2019.08.21 KBA NOTASYS SA
  • EP2934893B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2934893B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2934893B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention in particular describes a control method for intaglio printing, particularly for printing paper securities, in particular bank notes. This control method includes defining, on an intaglio printing plate (80), control strips (150, 151-55; 170, 171-179) designed so as in particular to make it possible to evaluate the effects of the printing pressure applied during printing of a substrate using the intaglio printing plate (80) and to evaluate the effects of the ink load applied during inking of the intaglio printing plate (8), the control strips (150, 151-55; 170, 171-179) being etched in a portion of the intaglio printing plate (80) so as to produce corresponding printed control zones (160, 161-165) on the substrate. The method furthermore includes performing measurements in the printed control zones making it possible to assess the printing pressure applied during printing of the substrate as well as the ink load applied during inking of the intaglio printing plate (80).