Printed-Matter Device Data Shift for Cutting Misalignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printed-matter producing devices face issues with misalignment and distortion of prints due to cutting processes, leading to a deterioration in the aesthetic appearance of printed labels, as the cutter is positioned downstream of the thermal head, causing unnecessary margins and potential misalignment during the cutting process.
Innovation Solution
A printed-matter producing device with a controller that coordinates the feeder, thermal head, and cutting device to manage the cutting process, including a data shift process to adjust the print data position, ensuring minimal misalignment and distortion by adjusting the margin and cutting positions to maintain print quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the cutter is positioned downstream of the thermal head at a predetermined separation distance, then the cutting process can be executed after print formation, but misalignment and distortion of dots occur between prints before and after cutting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing a data shift process before the cutting operation. The controller shifts the print data in the width direction based on the separation distance between the thermal head and cutter, so that the print formation after cutting starts at the correct position. This pre-adjustment of print data compensates for the misalignment that would otherwise occur due to the physical separation between printing and cutting operations.
2Manufacturing precision
If the same print line is redundantly printed before and after interruption, then distortion of print formation contents can be prevented, but the aesthetic appearance deteriorates due to visible repetition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the print data position in the width direction based on the actual separation distance between the thermal head and cutter. Instead of using a fixed redundant print line approach, the system calculates and applies a data shift that compensates for the physical gap, ensuring seamless print continuity without visible repetitions or distortions.
3Productivity
If the print-receiving medium is misaligned in the width direction during cutting, then the cutting process can proceed, but distortion of print formation contents occurs due to misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by having the controller monitor and account for the separation distance between the thermal head and cutter. The system uses this spatial information to calculate the appropriate data shift amount, creating a closed-loop adjustment mechanism that ensures print alignment is maintained despite the physical separation between printing and cutting operations.
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
The solution effectively minimizes visible misalignment and distortion of prints before and after cutting, enhancing the aesthetic appearance of printed labels by precisely controlling the cutting process and adjusting print data positions.
Implementation Method 1
a thermal head configured to form a desired print on the basis of print data onto the print-receiving medium fed by the feeder
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure discloses a printed-matter producing device including a cutting device, and a controller. The cutting device is disposed downstream of a thermal head at a predetermined separation distance. The controller is configured to execute a coordination control process, a data acquisition process, and a data shift process. In the coordination control process, a feeder, the thermal head, and the cutting device are controlled in coordination with each other to form a print while feeding a print-receiving medium, to stop the feeding after feeding by a first feeding distance corresponding to the separation distance and to execute a cutting process, and to subsequently resume the feeding to produce a printed matter. In the data shift process, a facing position on the print data corresponding to a position at which the thermal head faces the print-receiving medium is shifted.