Intaglio Printing Press Maintenance Access via Segmented Work Space

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing intaglio printing press requires cumbersome and time-consuming maintenance procedures, such as cleaning and replacing the chablon roller, which involves detaching and reattaching heavy components, leading to increased operator burden and reduced productivity.

Innovation Solution

The intaglio printing press design incorporates a work space between adjacent rotating parts, allowing access to the collecting cylinder without detaching the chablon rollers, facilitated by a movable ink feeding unit and a liftable step, enabling easier maintenance like cleaning and blanket replacement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the chablon roller is detached and reattached for maintenance, then access to the collecting cylinder is obtained, but the maintenance process becomes time-consuming and labor-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaintenance accessibilityVSAvoidmaintenance time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The space around the collecting cylinder is segmented into multiple work spaces by strategically positioning rotating parts. This allows maintenance personnel to access the collecting cylinder through gaps between adjacent rotating parts without detaching any components, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintenance accessibility and maintenance time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of providing access from a single dimension (requiring detachment of rotating parts), the design creates multiple access paths through the circumferential arrangement of rotating parts. Maintenance can be performed from the radial direction through the gaps between rotating parts, adding a new dimensional approach to maintenance access

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If the chablon roller is detached and reattached for maintenance, then access to the collecting cylinder is obtained, but operator burden increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaintenance accessibilityVSAvoidmaintenance procedure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The collecting cylinder circumference is divided into multiple work spaces separated by rotating parts. This segmentation allows maintenance to be performed through simple access gaps without complex detachment and reattachment procedures, reducing both operator burden and procedure complexity while maintaining accessibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If the machine structure is simplified to reduce costs, then manufacturing cost decreases, but maintenance accessibility may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidmaintenance accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The rotating parts serve dual functions: they perform their primary ink transfer function while simultaneously creating work spaces for maintenance access. This multi-functionality allows the machine structure to maintain simplicity and low cost while ensuring maintenance accessibility through the gaps between rotating parts

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2253468B1Intaglio printing press
Publication Date: 2019.12.04 KOMORI CORP
  • EP2253468B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2253468B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2253468B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An intaglio printing press includes: an intaglio cylinder (24), an ink collecting cylinder (25) which has a blanket (26a to 26d) attached to a circumferential surface of the collecting cylinder (25) and is in contact with the intaglio cylinder (24) transferring ink onto the intaglio cylinder (24); multiple chablon rollers (27a to 27e) which are in contact with the ink collecting cylinder (25) and transfer ink onto the ink collecting cylinder (25); and an inking device (28a to 28e) which feeds ink to the chablon rollers (27a to 27e). In the intaglio printing press, a work space (Sa) is formed between the chablon roller (27e) located at the highest position and the chablon roller (27d) immediately below the highest chablon roller (27e). The work space (Sa) allows an access to the ink collecting cylinder (25) without detachment of the chablon rollers (27a to 27e).