Modular Digital Decorating Machine for Ceramic Products
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current digital decorating machines for ceramic products face issues such as inactive modules being exposed to degrading agents, leading to malfunction and increased energy and maintenance costs, as well as reduced versatility due to the need for multiple modules to be operational at all times.
Innovation Solution
A modular digital decorating machine where each decoration module is independently housed and can be easily removed or repositioned, with a conveyor system allowing for customizable setup based on the number of modules needed for a specific task, and includes features like overpressure generation and suction means for maintaining printing head integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple decoration modules are installed on the machine to increase versatility and production capacity, then the machine can handle more colour variations and production needs, but the inactive modules are exposed to degrading agents such as high temperatures and ink particles, leading to rapid oxidation and malfunction of the printing heads
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the inactive modules from the harmful environment by providing a protective enclosure that isolates non-operational printing heads from degrading agents such as high temperatures and ink particles. This allows the machine to maintain multiple modules for versatility while protecting those not currently in use.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective enclosure is installed in advance to prevent exposure to degrading agents before damage occurs. By creating a controlled environment around the printing heads, the system preemptively counteracts the harmful effects of heat and ink particle exposure that would otherwise cause rapid oxidation and malfunction.
2Productivity
If multiple decoration modules are installed on the machine to increase production capacity, then the machine can meet diverse production needs, but the presence of several inactive modules constitutes substantial cost in terms of energy expenditure and maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts inactive modules from the active working environment and isolates them in a protective enclosure. This separation allows the machine to maintain high production capacity with multiple modules while preventing energy waste associated with cooling and maintaining inactive printing heads.
3Productivity
If multiple decoration modules are installed on the machine to increase production capacity, then the machine can handle more diverse decoration tasks, but the inactive modules require maintenance and may malfunction due to exposure to degrading agents
Solution Approach 1:
The protective enclosure is installed in advance to prevent exposure to degrading agents before damage occurs. By creating a controlled environment around the printing heads, the system preemptively counteracts the harmful effects of heat and ink particle exposure that would otherwise cause rapid oxidation and malfunction, thereby reducing maintenance requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts inactive modules from the harmful environment and isolates them in a protective enclosure. This separation protects the printing heads from degrading agents, reducing the frequency and cost of maintenance while allowing the machine to maintain high production capacity with multiple modules.
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 solution preserves non-operative printing heads, reduces energy and maintenance costs, and enhances the machine's versatility by allowing only necessary modules to be used, thus extending their lifespan and optimizing resource usage.
Implementation Method 1
heads that deliver a jet actuated by piezoelectric controlled nozzles
Data Source
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AI summary
A Digital decorating machine (1) for ceramic products, comprising a conveyor (2), suitable to transport the products to be decorated (P) along a feed direction (A), and a plurality of decoration modules (3), positioned over the conveyor (2) and adjacent to each other along the feed direction (A). The modules (3) comprising respective printing heads (4) provided with nozzles for ejecting a fluid to be delivered on the surface of the products to be decorated (P); the conveyor (2) comprises a movable member (5) for supporting the products to be decorated (P), suitable for translating them along the feed direction (A). The conveyor (2) comprises at least a supporting surface (6, 7), located along a respective flank (8, 9) of the movable member (5), comprising in turn a plurality of predetermined positioning zones (10,11) for the removable engagement of respective coupling portions (12,13) of the decoration modules (3).