Oval printing screen printing machine with a digital printing station
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Solution Overview
Problem
Oval printing machines face limitations in handling small production volumes due to high costs and inability to perform 'flocking' applications accurately on digitally printed fabrics, requiring repositioning and resulting in inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
An oval printing machine with integrated digital printing stations and flexible operating capabilities, allowing for variable printing speed and quality, and efficient use of waiting times by processing multiple items simultaneously on different tracts of the guide.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional oval printing machines are used for small production volumes, then the machine structure is simple and easy to operate, but the construction costs are very high and not economically bearable
Solution Approach 1:
The printing machine is designed to perform multiple functions: it can execute both silkscreen printing and digital printing operations, and can handle various post-treatments like flocking and foiling. This multi-functionality allows the machine to be economically viable for small production volumes by consolidating what would otherwise require multiple separate machines
Solution Approach 2:
The machine incorporates variable operating parameters including adjustable printing speeds and selectable quality settings. This dynamic capability allows optimization of resource usage based on production volume requirements, making the machine economically adaptable for both small batches and larger productions
2Adaptability or versatility
If items are re-positioned from digital printing machine to oval machine for flocking application, then the oval machine can perform the treatment, but positioning accuracy is compromised and time is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The digital printing station and silkscreen printing stations are merged into a single integrated oval printing machine. This allows items to remain on the same support throughout the entire production process, eliminating the need for repositioning between separate machines and thereby maintaining positioning accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The machine is designed to perform multiple operations including digital printing, silkscreen printing, drying, flocking, and foiling all within one integrated system. This multi-functionality enables complete processing of items without removing them from the machine, preserving positioning accuracy across all operations
3Adaptability or versatility
If items are moved between machines for different printing operations, then various treatments can be applied, but operational time increases due to moving and repositioning
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple printing and treatment operations are merged into a single integrated machine with multiple stations arranged along an oval path. Items are conveyed through all stations without removal, eliminating transfer time and improving operational efficiency while maintaining multi-operation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The oval conveyor system enables continuous movement of items through all printing and treatment stations without interruption. This continuous operation eliminates idle time associated with loading and unloading between separate machines, thereby improving productivity
4Device complexity
If oval printing machines operate at fixed speed, then the mechanism is simple, but the machine cannot adapt to variable production requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The machine incorporates variable speed control for the oval conveyor, allowing adjustment of operating speed based on production requirements. This dynamic capability enables the machine to adapt to different production volumes and quality requirements while maintaining relatively simple control mechanisms
Data Source
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AI summary
Oval printing machine comprising: a guide (10), defining a closed path (P); one or more supports (20a-20d), movable on said guide (10), said one or more supports (20a-20d) being adapted to support items to be printed; one or more operating stations (30a-30c) positioned along said path (P) for processing said items to be printed; at least one digital printing station (40) positioned along said path (P), for printing the items supported by said one or more supports (20a-20d). The digital printing station (40) comprises a structure (41) substantially integral with said guide (10), and a first printing element (42) associated with said structure (41) and movable relative to said structure (41). Said printing element (42) is movable in a first direction (D1) that is transversal to a second direction (D2) in which said guide (10) extends at said digital printing station (40)