Metallic Ink Print Head Multi-Pass Scanning Gloss Uniformity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ink-jet printing methods face challenges in achieving high metallic gloss while minimizing density unevenness in printed matter, as one-pass printing methods tend to enhance gloss but introduce unevenness, while multi-pass methods reduce unevenness at the cost of lower gloss.
Innovation Solution
An ink-jet printing apparatus and method that employs a print head with multiple ejection ports for metallic ink, including a solvent and particles, performing multiple scanning passes with varying print ratios to optimize ink distribution and landing times, ensuring a high print ratio in at least one pass to enhance metallic gloss and reduce density unevenness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If one-pass printing method is used, then metallic gloss is improved, but density unevenness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The printing process is divided into multiple passes, with different print ratios assigned to each pass. This segmentation allows the first pass to deposit ink at a higher concentration for gloss enhancement, while subsequent passes fill in gaps and average out density variations, thus resolving the contradiction between gloss and density uniformity
Solution Approach 2:
The print ratio parameter is varied across different printing passes. By setting the first pass with a higher print ratio and subsequent passes with lower print ratios, the system optimizes both metallic gloss (achieved through higher initial ink concentration) and density uniformity (achieved through averaging effects of multiple passes with varying parameters)
2Manufacturing precision
If multi-pass printing method is used, then density unevenness is reduced, but metallic gloss deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The first printing pass is designed with a higher print ratio to preliminarily establish the metallic gloss effect by depositing a higher concentration of metallic particles. Subsequent passes with lower print ratios then refine the density uniformity without significantly compromising the gloss already established in the first pass
Solution Approach 2:
The first pass uses an excessive amount of ink (higher print ratio) to ensure sufficient metallic particle deposition for gloss, while subsequent passes use partial amounts (lower print ratios) to correct density unevenness. This partial/excessive action strategy allows gloss to be established first, then refined for uniformity
Data Source
AI summary
In a print head, a plurality of ejection ports for ejecting metallic ink, including a solvent and particles for imparting a metallic gloss, are arranged in a predetermined direction. A plurality of printing scans are performed to the same area of the print medium to print an image on the print medium. In the printing scan, the metallic ink being ejected from the print head to a print medium while moving the print head in a scanning direction intersecting the predetermined direction. At least one of the plurality of printing scans is set as a first scan having a higher print ratio than the other printing scans.