Modular Industrial Inkjet Printer with Expandable Rail System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial ink jet printing systems face challenges in being cost-effective and adaptable to varied user needs due to the need for custom, highly engineered designs, which often result in oversized and expensive machines with performance issues from large, difficult-to-maintain backplanes.
Innovation Solution
A modular design approach with a base module and expandable rail system that allows for easy addition and removal of modules for specific functions, such as unwinding, cleaning, and curing, enabling users to customize their systems without unnecessary features and maintaining smaller, more manageable backplanes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a very large system is designed to accommodate all possible configurations and features, then engineering effort is reduced and design is standardized, but the machine becomes much larger and more expensive than users need, and the large backplane is more difficult to keep in a true plane resulting in negative performance characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into modular components that can be independently configured. The backplane is segmented into functional modules (print module, unwind module, rewind module, curing module, etc.) that can be selectively assembled. This allows the backplane size to be optimized for each specific configuration rather than accommodating all possible features in a single large structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system configuration is made dynamic and adaptable through modular design. Modules can be added or removed based on specific user needs, allowing the system to change its functional composition without requiring a complete redesign of the entire backplane structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If custom, highly engineered designs are created to meet varied user needs, then specific user requirements are satisfied, but the systems become expensive and not cost effective for wider markets
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into modular components that can be independently configured. The backplane is segmented into functional modules (print module, unwind module, rewind module, curing module, etc.) that can be selectively assembled. This allows the backplane size to be optimized for each specific configuration rather than accommodating all possible features in a single large structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular modules are designed with universal interfaces and standardized mounting mechanisms. Each module can serve multiple functions or be used in different configurations, reducing the need for custom-engineered solutions for each user requirement while maintaining manufacturing efficiency.
3Length of stationary object
If a modular design with expandable rail system is used, then users can customize systems without unnecessary features and maintain smaller backplanes, but the system complexity increases due to multiple modules and interfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into modular components that can be independently configured. The backplane is segmented into functional modules (print module, unwind module, rewind module, curing module, etc.) that can be selectively assembled. This allows the backplane size to be optimized for each specific configuration rather than accommodating all possible features in a single large structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple functional elements are merged into integrated modules. For example, the print module combines print heads, support structures, and control elements into a single unit that mounts to the backplane. This reduces the overall number of separate components and interfaces while maintaining the benefits of modular configuration.
Data Source
AI summary
A printer comprising a base module having a main drive element and a print zone, a main module back plane coupled with the base module, a machine base rail system coupled to the base module, and an expansion module releasably coupled to the machine base rail system between an operating position and a removed position.