Printer Nozzle Segmentation for Base Layer Drying

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Solution Overview

Problem

In conventional printing methods, the short time interval between forming a base layer and an image layer leads to insufficient drying of the base layer, causing ink bleeding and deteriorated image quality, especially when bi-directional head movements are used.

Innovation Solution

A printer configuration where the base layer is dried separately by preventing ink discharge onto it after formation, using separated nozzle sections for superimposed and non-superimposed ink, and controlling ink dot contact to extend drying time and reduce bleeding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the base layer and image layer are formed with a short time interval using adjacent nozzle groups, then printing efficiency is improved, but the base layer is not sufficiently dried causing ink bleeding and image quality deterioration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting efficiencyVSAvoidimage quality

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The head unit is divided into three distinct nozzle sections: base layer nozzle section, buffer nozzle section, and image layer nozzle section. This segmentation allows the buffer section to create a time gap between base layer and image layer formation, enabling the base layer to dry properly while maintaining printing efficiency through coordinated operation of all sections

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The buffer nozzle section acts as an intermediary between the base layer and image layer nozzle sections. It discharges ink on the printing medium to create a time delay, allowing the base layer to dry before image layer ink is discharged, thereby preventing ink bleeding while maintaining printing efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Speed

If ink is discharged continuously without drying time, then printing speed is improved, but ink bleeding occurs at the interface between base layer and image layer

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting speedVSAvoidink bleeding

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The printing process uses periodic action by alternating between base layer discharge, buffer discharge to create drying time, and image layer discharge. This periodic operation ensures the base layer dries between ink discharge cycles, preventing ink bleeding while maintaining high printing speed through coordinated periodic operation of all nozzle sections

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP3189972B1Printing device and method for producing printed matter

Publication Date: 2020.07.22 MIMAKI ENGINEERING CO LTD

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AI summary

In a printing method in which a base layer is formed with glossy ink or the like, a longer time period for drying the base layer is ensured. A metallic ink nozzle section 100(M), a superimposed colored ink nozzle section 100(MC) configured to discharge superimposed colored ink that is to be superimposed onto a metallic ink layer, and a non-superimposed colored ink nozzle section 100(C) configured to discharge colored ink onto a position at which no metallic ink layer has been formed are provided. The non-superimposed colored ink nozzle section 100(C) is interposed between the metallic ink nozzle section 100(M) and the superimposed colored ink nozzle section 100(MC).