Modular Printing Press with Dynamic Sheet Speed Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current machine arrangements for processing sheets lack flexibility and efficiency in handling sheets of varying formats and materials, particularly in achieving optimal productivity and register accuracy during inline processing with non-impact printing devices and dryers.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid machine arrangement with multiple processing stations, including non-impact printing devices and dryers, that allows for inline processing of sheets with adaptable transport systems, such as linear and rotating conveyors, and gripper systems, enabling flexible handling of sheets and maintaining register accuracy across different processing stations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If sheets are transported at high speed through processing stations, then productivity is improved, but register accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The transport system employs dynamic speed adjustment, where sheets are accelerated to high speeds between processing stations for improved productivity, then decelerated at each processing station for precise register accuracy. This dynamic speed variation allows the system to optimize both productivity and precision at different locations in the process chain.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary deceleration of sheets before they enter processing stations, ensuring they arrive at the optimal speed for high-precision processing. This preliminary action of speed reduction allows the processing stations to operate at full precision while the overall system maintains high productivity through fast transport between stations.
2Area of stationary object
If processing stations are arranged in a compact inline configuration, then space utilization is improved, but flexibility in speed adjustment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The transport system is segmented into independent sections between processing stations, with each section having its own drive mechanism. This segmentation allows compact inline arrangement of processing stations while maintaining independent speed control in each transport section, thus preserving flexibility despite the compact configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
Each transport section between processing stations is equipped with independent variable speed drives, allowing dynamic speed adjustment in each segment. This enables the compact inline system to adapt speeds locally at each processing station while maintaining overall compactness, resolving the contradiction between space utilization and speed flexibility.
3Manufacturing precision
If sheets are processed individually at intervals, then processing precision is improved, but productivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains continuous transport of sheets through all processing stations without stopping between stations, ensuring uninterrupted processing. Individual sheets are processed sequentially with precise speed control at each station, maintaining high precision while the continuous flow maximizes productivity by eliminating idle time between processing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The transport system dynamically adjusts sheet speed to match the processing requirements of each station while maintaining continuous movement. Sheets are accelerated and decelerated smoothly between stations, allowing individual processing at each station with high precision while maintaining overall continuous operation for high productivity.
4Manufacturing precision
If transport speed is reduced for precise processing, then register accuracy is improved, but productivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamic speed variation where sheets are transported at high speed between processing stations for maximum productivity, then decelerated to optimal processing speed at each station for high register accuracy. This dynamic speed profile allows the system to achieve both high productivity and high precision without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary deceleration of sheets before they enter processing stations, ensuring they arrive at the precise speed needed for high-precision processing. This preliminary speed adjustment allows the processing to proceed at optimal speed for accuracy while the overall system maintains high productivity through fast inter-station transport.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a machine arrangement with several processing stations for processing sheets, wherein in the transport direction (T) of the sheets several processing stations (01; 02; 03; 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12) are arranged successively for inline processing of these sheets, wherein at least one of these processing stations (06) is designed as a non-impact printing device (06) and at least one processing station (02; 03; 04; 07; 08; 09; 11; 12) downstream of the non-impact printing device (06) in the transport direction (T) of the sheets is designed as a dryer (07; 09).