Optical Glass Positioning on Moving Conveyor
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Solution Overview
Problem
In glass printing systems, accurately positioning glass sheets on a conveyor belt is challenging, especially when using serigraphic meshes or ink jet devices, as precise alignment is required to avoid printing errors, and existing methods necessitate mechanical rotation or stationary positioning, which can be time-consuming and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A method and device for locating a glass support in motion on a conveyor system using illumination and acquisition means to detect representative points and calculate precise location coordinates, allowing for accurate positioning without mechanical intervention, enabling continuous printing without stopping the glass sheet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If mechanical rotation or stationary positioning is used to align glass sheets, then positioning precision is improved, but production time increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical rotation and positioning systems with an optical detection system. Cameras capture images of the glass sheet position, and software algorithms calculate the precise location coordinates. This substitution eliminates mechanical intervention while maintaining positioning precision, thereby improving production efficiency and reducing preparation time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of the glass sheet position using illumination and acquisition means before the printing process begins. By calculating location coordinates in advance based on detected representative points, the system prepares the positioning data beforehand, allowing continuous printing without stopping or mechanical adjustment, thus improving productivity.
2Manufacturing precision
If glass sheets are positioned stationary for printing, then alignment accuracy is improved, but production time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a static positioning approach to a dynamic one. The glass sheets continue to move on the conveyor belt during the printing process, while the system dynamically calculates position adjustments based on real-time detection of representative points. This dynamic approach maintains alignment accuracy while eliminating the need to stop the conveyor, reducing preparation time and improving throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a digital copy of the glass sheet position through image acquisition and processing. Instead of physically stopping and repositioning the glass, the system uses software to calculate the location coordinates based on the detected representative points from the captured image, enabling precise alignment without mechanical intervention or time loss.
3Manufacturing precision
If mechanical positioning systems are used, then positioning precision is improved, but system complexity and risk of damage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates complex mechanical positioning systems by substituting them with a non-contact optical detection system. Cameras, illumination means, and software algorithms work together to detect and calculate the position of the glass sheet. This reduces system complexity, removes mechanical components that could cause damage, and maintains positioning precision through computational methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary computational layer between detection and printing. Instead of direct mechanical positioning, the system uses software algorithms to process the detected representative points and calculate location coordinates. This intermediary step simplifies the physical system while maintaining precision, as the computational processing replaces complex mechanical adjustments.
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 approach ensures precise and reliable glass support positioning, reducing the risk of damage, shortening preparation and printing times, and allowing for flexible, efficient production with separable system stations and improved maintenance and malfunction handling.
Implementation Method 1
providing illumination means for the glass support, configured to illuminate said glass support in movement on said conveyor rollers
Implementation Method 2
acquiring a predetermined plurality of lines of said glass support in movement, as a function of a line frequency
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention discloses a method for locating a glass support (1) in movement, comprising the steps of providing a conveyor surface (5) of the conveyor roller type (51) arranged so as to generate the movement of the glass support (1); providing illumination means (4) for the glass support (1) configured to illuminate the glass support (1);- acquiring a predetermined plurality of lines (NL) of the glass support (1) in movement; generating a primary image (l_PR) as a function of the acquired predetermined plurality of lines (NL); detecting from the primary image (l_PR) a plurality of representative points (Pi) of the glass support (1); calculating location coordinates (Xi'', Yi'', αi'') of the glass support (1) as a function of the plurality of representative points (Pi). The invention further discloses a device for locating a glass support, a method for printing on the glass support 1 which exploits the locating method, and a system for printing on the glass support which comprises the locating device.