Print Good Fixing via Dynamic Heated Air Flow Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In printing systems, the varying print speeds and substrate conditions lead to inconsistent temperature curves during the drying process, causing unwanted drying and evaporation of ink components, which affects the quality and uniformity of the print product, especially when multiple printers are used in series.
Innovation Solution
The method involves determining the print speed and adjusting the volumetric flow rate of heated air to maintain consistent thermal transfer coefficients, ensuring the substrate is not exposed to high temperatures for too long, thereby controlling the drying process and preventing excessive evaporation of ink components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the heating power is increased to achieve the target temperature at high print speed, then the target temperature is reached, but the substrate is exposed to high temperatures for too long at low print speed causing excessive drying and evaporation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the air temperature dynamic rather than static. The air temperature is continuously adjusted based on the actual print speed to maintain consistent temperature curves. At high print speeds, higher air temperatures are used to compensate for reduced exposure time, while at low print speeds, lower air temperatures prevent excessive heating, ensuring consistent drying results across varying speeds
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of air temperature based on print speed conditions. By monitoring print speed and dynamically adjusting the air temperature parameter in the drying chamber, the system maintains optimal drying conditions regardless of whether the print speed is high or low, preventing both insufficient drying and excessive evaporation
2Productivity
If multiple printers are arranged in series to increase productivity, then more printing operations can be performed, but the substrate becomes increasingly dry in subsequent printers affecting fixing quality uniformity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing different air temperatures to different positions in the printing system. Substrates entering subsequent printers receive adjusted air temperatures compared to the first printer, compensating for the drying effect accumulated during previous printing operations. This ensures each printer operates with optimal local conditions for its specific position in the series
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback by monitoring substrate moisture content and adjusting air temperature accordingly. Sensors detect the moisture level of substrates entering each printer, and this information feeds back to the temperature control system, which then adjusts the air temperature to maintain consistent drying conditions across all printers in the series
3Loss of time
If the air temperature is set high for fast printing, then the target temperature is achieved quickly, but ink components with high boiling points evaporate excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the air temperature parameter dynamically based on print speed and drying progress. By using lower air temperatures at reduced print speeds and adjusting the temperature profile over time, the system achieves effective drying without subjecting ink components to prolonged high-temperature exposure that would cause excessive evaporation of high-boiling-point ingredients
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 consistent temperature and moisture profiles across the substrate, enhancing the quality and robustness of the print product by minimizing substrate deformation and ink smearing, and maintaining uniformity even with multiple printers in series.
Implementation Method 1
the ink is dried in a drying method... a jet of hot air is directed toward the print good in a fixing unit
Implementation Method 2
a jet of hot air is directed toward the print good... the heating power and therewith the final air temperature is set very high
Implementation Method 3
a jet of hot air is directed toward the print good... the temperature of the blown air is modulated
Data Source
AI summary
In a method for fixing a print good in a printing system, the print good is a substrate printed to with ink, and the print speed of the print good is initially determined. Air heated to a predetermined temperature is then blown onto the print good. The heated air is supplied with a volumetric flow rate that is adjusted depending on the print speed.