Plate Workpiece Temperature Matching for Condensation-Free Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing digital printing systems for plate-shaped workpieces face issues with temperature-related condensation and moisture introduction, leading to suboptimal printing results and high energy consumption, particularly when printing on materials like wood-based panels and paper, due to the influence of workpiece temperature on ink viscosity and surface properties.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that control the workpiece temperature to within a predetermined range by using temperature sensors and control elements to match the ink temperature, ensuring minimal temperature differences and reducing condensation, with optional drying and sorting mechanisms to maintain optimal printing conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the workpiece is heated to high temperature for primer drying, then the primer drying efficiency is improved, but condensation forms on printheads and moisture is introduced into the printing system
Solution Approach 1:
The workpiece is pre-cooled to a predetermined temperature range (20-40°C) before entering the printing zone. This preliminary temperature adjustment prevents condensation formation on printheads while maintaining efficient primer drying in the preceding drying zone, thereby resolving the contradiction between drying efficiency and condensation prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
Different temperature zones are created along the workpiece path: a high-temperature drying zone for primer evaporation, followed by a controlled cooling zone that maintains the workpiece at a predetermined temperature (20-40°C) before printing. This local temperature differentiation allows efficient drying without causing condensation in the printing area.
2Device complexity
If the workpiece temperature is not controlled, then the printing process is simpler, but the printing result reproducibility deteriorates due to ink viscosity changes
Solution Approach 1:
The workpiece temperature is controlled within a specific parameter range (20-40°C) before printing. This temperature parameter control ensures consistent ink viscosity and optimal ink droplet formation, thereby guaranteeing reproducible printing results while using a relatively simple temperature control mechanism.
3Manufacturing precision
If climate zones with varying humidity are created, then the printing quality is improved, but the equipment cost and energy consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential temperature control function needed for printing quality, eliminating the need for complex multi-zone humidity control systems. By controlling only the workpiece temperature (20-40°C) before printing while allowing ambient humidity to vary, the system achieves good printing quality with significantly reduced equipment complexity and cost.
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
Minimizes condensation on printheads, maintains ink droplet formation quality, and reduces energy consumption by stabilizing workpiece temperature near the ink temperature, thereby improving printing reproducibility and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the workpiece is brought to a predetermined workpiece temperature in a temperature control unit before being fed to the ink application unit
Implementation Method 2
A temperature sensor, which can also be part of the digital printing system, is used, for example, to determine the temperature of the printing ink
Implementation Method 3
the ink temperature and the predetermined workpiece temperature differ by no more than 10 °C, preferably by no more than 5 °C
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for printing a plate-shaped workpiece using a digital printing system, which has at least one ink application unit for applying printing ink, wherein the printing ink has an ink temperature when it is applied to the workpiece, wherein the workpiece is brought to a predetermined workpiece temperature in a temperature control device before it is fed to the ink application unit, wherein the predetermined workpiece temperature depends on the ink temperature.