Intermediate Transfer Member Ink Film Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing digital printing systems face challenges in achieving high-quality images on fibrous substrates like paper, due to issues such as ink wicking, substrate wetting, and cockling, which affect image quality and make duplex printing difficult.
Innovation Solution
The use of an indirect printing technique with an intermediate transfer member (ITM) allows for constant distance between the print head and the substrate, reducing substrate wetting and improving image quality. This method involves forming an ink image on a moving ITM and then transferring it to a substrate using an impression cylinder.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If inkjet printing is used directly onto fibrous substrates, then the printing process is simple, but image quality deteriorates due to ink wicking and substrate wetting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediate transfer member (ITM) as a mediator between the print head and the substrate. The inkjet process deposits ink onto the ITM surface, which then transfers the ink image to the substrate through controlled contact. This intermediary approach prevents direct ink-substrate interaction that causes wicking and wetting, thereby maintaining image quality while preserving process simplicity.
2Manufacturing precision
If coated substrates are used to prevent ink penetration, then image quality improves, but production cost increases and additional drying steps are required
Solution Approach 1:
The ITM acts as a mediator that eliminates the need for specially coated substrates. By transferring ink through the ITM rather than depositing directly on the substrate, the system achieves high image quality on uncoated or commodity substrates, avoiding the cost and complexity of substrate coating and subsequent drying operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The ink is deposited and allowed to dry on the ITM surface before transfer to the substrate. This preliminary drying action on the ITM prevents substrate wetting and eliminates the need for post-printing drying steps, reducing overall process complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If the distance between print head and substrate is reduced for direct printing, then substrate wetting increases, but maintaining constant distance is difficult due to substrate surface variations
Solution Approach 1:
The ITM provides a flat, consistent surface for inkjet deposition, eliminating the distance control issues caused by substrate surface variations. The ink is deposited on the ITM rather than directly on the substrate, preventing substrate wetting while maintaining precise and constant print head-to-ITM distance throughout the printing process.
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 enhances image quality by minimizing the impact of substrate properties, allows for consistent printing without smearing, and facilitates duplex printing by maintaining controlled ink transfer and drying.
Implementation Method 1
an electrostatic image is produced on an electrically charged image bearing cylinder by exposure to laser light. The electrostatic charge attracts oil-based inks to form a color ink image on the image bearing cylinder
Implementation Method 2
an electrostatic image is produced on an electrically charged image bearing cylinder by exposure to laser light
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention relate to control apparatus and methods of a printing system, for example, comprising an intermediate transfer member (ITM) and to user-related features of a printing system. Some embodiments relate to regulation of a velocity and/or tension and/or length of the ITM. Some embodiments relate to regulation of deposition of ink on the moving ITM. Some embodiments regulate to apparatus configured to alert a user of one or more events related to operation of the ITM. Some embodiments an ink film construction comprising: (a) a printing substrate; and (b) at least one ink film, fixedly adhered to a top surface of the printing substrate, the ink film having one or more feature(s) disclosed herein.