Metal poster with relief printed frame

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Solution Overview

Problem

Metal posters with edge-to-edge artwork lack a high-quality framed appearance, and traditional framing methods increase costs and pose assembly challenges, while existing printing techniques fail to provide a convincing three-dimensional illusion of a border frame.

Innovation Solution

An integral frame is relief printed on the front face of a sheet metal poster using UV curable inks, extending into selvage zones and bent to create visible rounded peripheral edges, providing a three-dimensional illusion of a separate border frame.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If traditional picture frames are employed to enhance the appearance of metal posters, then the overall appearance quality is improved, but the cost increases and assembly challenges arise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveappearance qualityVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The frame and the poster are merged into a single integrated structure. The relief printed frame is directly formed on the metal poster surface through multi-pass printing, eliminating the need for separate picture frames and their associated assembly complexity while maintaining the enhanced appearance quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using a physical separate frame, the frame is copied as a relief printed pattern on the poster surface. The multi-pass printing process creates a three-dimensional illusion of a border frame that appears to be a separate physical structure but is actually integrated into the poster.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Manufacturing precision

If relief printing is used to create a three-dimensional illusion of a border frame, then the framed appearance is enhanced, but the printing process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethree-dimensional effectVSAvoidprinting process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The printing process is segmented into multiple passes, with each pass depositing a specific layer of UV curable ink. This segmentation allows precise control over the relief depth and frame appearance, creating the three-dimensional illusion through controlled layering rather than requiring complex single-pass printing equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The printing process employs periodic action through multiple sequential passes. Each pass applies ink at controlled intervals, building up the relief frame layer by layer. This periodic deposition pattern creates the three-dimensional effect while using standard printing equipment rather than complex specialized machinery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

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 solution enhances the visual and tactile three-dimensional effect, offering a high-quality framed appearance without the costs and assembly issues of traditional framing, while being suitable for economical computerized printing techniques.

Implementation Method 1

The frame is relief printed on the front face of a sheet metal poster with UV curable inks

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUV curing: Photopolymerisation

Data Source

PatentEP3864643B1Metal poster with relief printed frame
Publication Date: 2023.04.19 GWD CONCEPT SP ZOO
  • EP3864643B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3864643B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3864643B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A metal poster is formed with an integral frame which is relief printed on the obverse face of a sheet metal plate with layers of UV curable inks. Image indicia imprinted on the plate is surrounded by the relief printed frame. The ink layers extend into selvage areas of the plate. The selvage areas are folded over to the rear face of the sheet metal plate to provide the frame with relief printed rounded peripheral edges.