Pivotable Ink Pan for Gravure Printing Machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cleaning processes for gravure printing machines are time-consuming, requiring significant downtime due to the need to manually pivot and drain ink trays, which is inefficient and extends production downtime.
Innovation Solution
The design includes an ink tray with a drainage channel parallel to the gravure cylinder axis, allowing for quick ink transfer and drainage, and a pivot mechanism that aligns with the cylinder's rotation axis, facilitated by a rotatable ring and sliding elements, enabling easy adjustment for cylinders of different diameters, and using a compressed air cylinder for automated pivoting to reduce manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If manual pumping and hand-pivoting of the ink tray is used for cleaning, then the cleaning process can be performed, but the cleaning time is extended and production downtime increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ink tray is designed with a pivotable connection to the frame, allowing it to be rotated between a horizontal printing position and a tilted draining position. This dynamic reconfiguration enables rapid ink discharge without manual pumping, significantly reducing cleaning time while maintaining ease of operation through automated gravity-driven drainage
Solution Approach 2:
The ink tray's pivotable design allows it to automatically drain ink through gravity when tilted, eliminating the need for manual pumping operations. The system uses its own weight and gravitational force to perform the draining function, converting a labor-intensive manual process into an automated self-service operation that reduces both cleaning time and operational complexity
2Productivity
If the ink tray is fixed in position, then the structure is simple, but the ink cannot be quickly drained and cleaning efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The ink tray transitions from a fixed structure to a pivotable dynamic structure that can rotate between horizontal and tilted positions. This added degree of freedom enables rapid ink discharge through gravity, dramatically improving cleaning efficiency. The pivot mechanism is designed to be simple, using basic hinge connections and gravitational force, thus minimizing the increase in structural complexity while maximizing productivity gains
3Loss of time
If the ink tray is manually pivoted for draining, then the drainage function can be achieved, but the operation requires significant time and space
Solution Approach 1:
The ink tray employs a pivotable connection that allows rapid rotation into a tilted draining position, enabling quick ink discharge without requiring extensive manual manipulation. The compact pivot mechanism minimizes the space required for operation, and the rapid transition between positions significantly reduces drainage time while occupying minimal additional machine space
4Productivity
If pumping is used to remove ink from the ink tray, then the ink can be drained, but the process is time-consuming and requires additional equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the pumping equipment from the drainage system, replacing it with a gravity-driven pivotable ink tray design. By removing the complex pumping mechanism and utilizing gravitational force through the tilted position, the system achieves rapid ink removal without additional equipment, thereby improving productivity while reducing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent eliminates the need for hydraulic or pneumatic pumping systems by using gravity-driven drainage through the pivotable ink tray. The ink flows naturally when the tray is tilted, replacing complex fluid mechanical systems with a simple gravitational flow approach, thus improving ink removal speed while reducing system complexity
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 significantly reduces cleaning time by eliminating the need for manual pumping and allows for rapid changeover between ink colors and cylinder sizes, minimizing downtime and enhancing production efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the ink tray can be pivoted at least to such an extent that the printing ink can be transferred into the drainage channel
Implementation Method 2
using a compressed air cylinder for automated pivoting to reduce manual intervention
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to printing unit of a gravure printing machine having a gravure printing cylinder, by means of which printing ink can be transferred to a material to be printed according to the format, and having an ink pan arranged below the gravure printing cylinder, in which ink pan printing ink can be provided, into which printing ink the gravure printing cylinder can be dipped. It should be emphasized that the ink pan comprises a drain groove and that the ink pan can be pivoted at least to such an extent that the printing ink can be transferred into the drain groove.