Leather Printing Image Trimming via Optical Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for printing generic images on leather sheets result in wastage of colorant substances as the printing head also prints on the work plane, leading to inefficiencies and downtime for cleaning, which affects the productivity of the printing process.
Innovation Solution
A method that uses an optical reader to detect the dimensions and orientation of the leather sheet, creating a service file to trim the generic image within the sheet's border, ensuring the printing head only prints within the sheet's boundaries, utilizing a RIP program to control the printing process and minimize ink usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the printing head prints on both the work plane and the leather sheet surface, then the printing process is simple and continuous, but colorant substances are wasted and the work plane becomes fouled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the work plane selective - the surface is modified to be non-printing (e.g., coated or textured) so that the printing head naturally deposits colorant only on the leather sheet and not on the work plane, eliminating waste while maintaining continuous operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer or coating on the work plane that acts as a barrier, preventing colorant adhesion to the work plane surface while allowing the printing process to continue uninterrupted
2Ease of operation
If the printing head prints on both surfaces, then printing operation is straightforward, but cleaning operation is required after printing
Solution Approach 1:
The work plane surface is modified to have different printing characteristics - a non-printing coating or texture that prevents colorant adhesion, thereby eliminating the need for cleaning operations and maintaining continuous productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of colorant spillage onto the work plane into a benefit by using the spilled colorant as a visual guide or alignment marker for subsequent printing operations, eliminating cleaning needs while improving positioning accuracy
3Productivity
If the printing head prints on the work plane, then the printing process is continuous, but the work plane becomes fouled and unusable for subsequent printing
Solution Approach 1:
The work plane is given different surface properties in different areas - the printing area remains active while the work plane surface is coated or textured to be non-printing, creating a functional distinction that prevents fouling
Solution Approach 2:
A protective coating or intermediary layer is applied to the work plane that acts as a barrier between the colorant and the work plane surface, preventing fouling while allowing continuous printing operations
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 method optimizes ink usage, prevents fouling of the work plane, and reduces downtime by allowing for efficient printing exclusively on the leather surface, enhancing productivity and versatility across different leather article formats.
Implementation Method 1
un known type having a work plane (10) and a printing head (11), and 3 denotes an optical reader, positioned above the work plane (10) of the printing machine (1)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4A~4B
AI summary
A method for printing generic images on leather articles comprising steps of: having available at least an electronic processor; having available a printing machine (1) activatable by means of the processor; having available at least an optical reader (3) above the work plane of the printing machine and connected to the processor; positioning, on the work plane (10) of the printing machine, a leather article to be printed; having available and memorising, in the processor, a work file (FL) comprising at least a generic image (I); detecting, by means of the optical reader (3), the border (C), the positioning and the orientation of the leather sheet to be printed positioned, in a random fashion, on the work plane (10); creating an article file (F*) in which the positioning, orientation, format and border (C) of the leather sheet positioned on the work plane (10) are memorised; creating a service file (Fs) comprising a portion (P) of the generic image (I) of an extension such as to contain the border of the leather article; creating an operating file (Fo), obtained by eliminating the fraction of portion of leather sheet of the service file external of the border; creating, from the operating file (Fo) and leather article (F*), a print file (F); memorising the print file (F) legible by the printing machine (1); activating the printing machine (1), piloted by the print file of the preceding step, in order to print the image internally of the border (C) of the leather article (2) positioned on the work plane (10).