Triple Mode Printer Vacuum Tray for Discontinuous Media
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wide format printers struggle to accurately and efficiently switch between roll-to-roll and flat bed printing modes, especially when handling flexible or flimsy media, due to alignment issues and the need for multiple printing tables, which complicates the conversion process and limits the types of media that can be printed.
Innovation Solution
A printer system with a vacuum tray and adjustable rollers that can be configured to accommodate both roll-to-roll and flat bed printing, using a vacuum pump to hold media in place and a drive system to move rollers between positions, allowing for printing on continuous, stiff, and flimsy or discrete media.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single printer is designed to support both roll-to-roll and flat bed printing modes, then versatility is improved, but device complexity increases due to requiring multiple printing tables and conversion mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The printer is designed with a single printing table that can accommodate both roll-to-roll and flat bed printing modes through a movable support structure. The support can be positioned in different locations (first location for roll-to-roll mode, second location for flat bed mode), allowing one machine to perform multiple printing functions without requiring separate dedicated tables for each mode.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure is made movable rather than fixed, allowing it to be repositioned between different locations depending on the printing mode required. This dynamic capability enables the printer to adapt its configuration on-demand, switching between roll-to-roll and flat bed modes by simply moving the support to the appropriate position, thereby reducing the need for multiple static structures.
2Length of moving object
If the printing table is made wide to accommodate wide media, then printing width capability is improved, but alignment precision deteriorates due to increased warping and misalignment during feeding
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is segmented into multiple support points rather than being a single rigid surface. This segmentation allows each support point to independently accommodate local variations in media flatness, preventing warping across the entire wide surface. By distributing support across multiple points, the system maintains alignment precision even when handling wide media that would otherwise be prone to warping.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure provides localized support at specific positions rather than uniform support across the entire media surface. This allows targeted support where needed to maintain flatness and alignment, while accommodating the natural variations in wide media. The movable support can be positioned to provide local stability exactly where required for accurate printing.
3Reliability
If two separate printing tables are used for different printing modes, then mode-specific performance is improved, but loss of time increases due to time-consuming conversion between modes
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is designed to be rapidly repositionable between different locations, enabling quick switching between printing modes. Rather than requiring physical replacement of entire printing tables, the movable support can be shifted from the first location to the second location in minimal time, allowing the printer to adapt to different media types and modes without significant downtime.
Solution Approach 2:
A single printing table with a multi-positionable support structure replaces the need for two separate dedicated tables. This universal design allows the same physical infrastructure to serve both roll-to-roll and flat bed printing functions, eliminating the time required to physically swap between separate tables while maintaining the performance characteristics of each mode through proper support positioning.
4Area of stationary object
If the machine footprint is reduced to save space, then space efficiency is improved, but adaptability deteriorates due to limited room for multiple printing areas
Solution Approach 1:
The printer merges the functionality of two separate printing tables (one for roll-to-roll, one for flat bed) into a single integrated printing table with a multi-positionable support. This consolidation reduces the overall machine footprint by eliminating redundant structures while maintaining the ability to accommodate both printing modes and various media types through the movable support's ability to assume different positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The single printing table is designed with universal capability to handle both continuous roll stock and discontinuous sheets through the movable support mechanism. This universal design allows one compact machine to accommodate diverse media types (flexible, flimsy, stiff, continuous, discontinuous) that would traditionally require multiple specialized machines, thereby reducing footprint while preserving adaptability.
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
Enables easy conversion between printing modes and supports a wide range of media types, including flimsy and discrete items, by maintaining accurate alignment and tension, thus improving printing resolution and versatility.
Implementation Method 1
the hollow box being coupleable to a vacuum pump for evacuation of air from within, such that the discontinuous media placed over at least a portion of the array of holes is held in place by suction created by the vacuum pump
Data Source
AI summary
A system for enabling a wide format ink jet printer to print onto discontinuous flexible media. A wide format inkjet printer includes a print head and a feed roller that can be configured as a flat bed printer for printing onto stiff media or as a roll to roll printer for printing onto continuous flexible media. Addition of a tray connected to a vacuum pump that can be fed using the feed roller when in flat bed configuration enables the printer to be used for printing onto flexible discontinuous media.