Roller Printer Image Segmentation for Register Accuracy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Inkjet printing methods face challenges in maintaining register and print quality due to deformation of printing materials during processing, such as shrinkage and stretching, which can lead to misalignment of images on both sides of a substrate.

Innovation Solution

A method that divides large digital print images into sections, allowing for efficient processing and storage using secondary data packets, enabling uninterrupted high-speed printing and maintaining register accuracy by compensating for material changes through geometric modifications of image data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If large print images are stored in memory for high-speed printing, then printing speed and quality are improved, but memory requirements and processing complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprinting speedVSAvoidmemory requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides large print images into multiple sections that can be processed and printed sequentially. Instead of loading entire large images into memory, the system processes sections individually, reducing memory requirements while maintaining high-speed printing capability. The print head moves in systematic patterns to cover different sections of the image.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent pre-calculates and stores print data in a compressed or optimized format before printing. Image processing and segmentation are performed in advance, allowing the printing system to operate at high speed without requiring large amounts of memory during the actual printing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If printing material is dried between printing units to prevent deformation, then register accuracy is improved, but processing time and production efficiency decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveregister accuracyVSAvoidproduction efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a preliminary coating or treatment to the printing material before it enters the printing units. This pre-treatment stabilizes the material dimensions and reduces deformation during subsequent printing and drying processes, improving register accuracy without requiring extended drying times between units.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent controls environmental parameters such as temperature and humidity in the printing environment to minimize material deformation. By maintaining stable printing conditions and using controlled drying processes, the system achieves high register accuracy while minimizing processing time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If maintenance print images are printed at regular intervals to maintain nozzle readiness, then print quality reliability is improved, but material consumption and processing time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenozzle readinessVSAvoidmaterial consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of printing complete maintenance images at regular intervals, the system performs partial maintenance actions by printing only specific test patterns or using reduced-volume coating material. This maintains nozzle readiness and detects potential issues while consuming minimal material and processing time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors print quality and nozzle performance in real-time during production printing. When degradation is detected, maintenance actions are triggered only when necessary, rather than following a fixed schedule. This feedback-based approach maintains reliability while minimizing unnecessary material consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3022687B1Method for printing a material to be printed
Publication Date: 2017.10.25 KOENIG & BAUER AG
  • EP3022687B1 patent drawing
  • EP3022687B1 patent drawing
  • EP3022687B1 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for printing a strip-shaped material to be printed using a printing unit of a roller printer. Output data for actuating at least one printing machine printing unit component, which determines the shape of printing images, is generated from stored template image data of a complete printing image in order to generate a printed complete printing image. The complete printing image is determined and/or described in a primary data packet, and the dimensions of the complete image, said dimensions being measured in a template direction, are assigned to the complete printing image in the template image data and/or the primary data packet. The dimensions of the complete image are compared with a threshold, and if the threshold is exceeded, the complete printing image is divided into a plurality of sections with respect to the template direction, said plurality being determined and/or described in a plurality of secondary data packets. The sections are produced on the material to be printed by means of printing processes which are carried out by means of the printing unit and during each of which output data based on at least one of the secondary data packets is processed.