Printing Machine Drying Device with Dynamic Obturator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing machines for cylindrical objects require a wide gap between printing and drying stations to prevent the inking means from being dried, leading to an increase in machine size as the number of work stations increases, which is inefficient and costly.
Innovation Solution
A printing machine design that includes a rotatable carousel with a drying device featuring an obturator and a shield system to direct drying rays only onto the cylindrical object, with an elongate slit and a movable cylindrical body to selectively open or close the beam of rays, ensuring the inking means is protected from drying heat.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the drying device is located by the side of the inking means and oriented towards the cylindrical object, then the inking means is protected from drying, but the gap between printing and drying stations must be wide, increasing machine size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the drying device movable rather than fixed. The drying device can be positioned close to the inking means during operation and then moved away or shielded during the transfer phase, allowing dynamic control of the drying ray path. This enables the use of a short linear step without compromising the protection of the inking means, thereby reducing overall machine size while maintaining reliability.
2Productivity
If the number of chucks is increased to increase the number of work stations, then productivity is improved, but the overall size of the printing machine must be proportionally increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the printing and drying functions into a more integrated arrangement. By allowing the drying device to be positioned in close proximity to the inking means and using a movable configuration, the patent enables multiple work stations to be arranged in a more compact footprint. This merging of spatial requirements allows increased productivity through more chucks and work stations without proportionally increasing the overall machine area.
3Reliability
If a wide gap is used to prevent inker drying, then the inking means is protected, but the machine layout becomes inefficient and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dynamic positioning of the drying device to eliminate the need for wide gaps in the machine layout. The drying device can be moved into position when needed and retracted or shielded during transfer operations, allowing a more efficient and compact linear arrangement of work stations. This dynamic approach simplifies the overall device complexity while maintaining reliable protection of the inking means.
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 design allows for a compact machine layout by minimizing the gap between printing and drying stations, preventing the inking means from being dried while maintaining efficient operation, even with multiple work stations, thus addressing the inefficiency and cost issues of larger machine sizes.
Implementation Method 1
a drying device for generating a beam of rays which strike a cylindrical object located in the drying station
Implementation Method 2
the drying device comprises an obturator for intercepting the beam of rays when the means for moving transfer the objects from one station to another
Implementation Method 3
the drying device comprises a shield system for directing the rays only onto the cylindrical object located in the drying station
Data Source
AI summary
A printing machine for cylindrical objects, comprising a carousel for moving for locating the cylindrical objects in a successive number of work stations, among which at least a printing station and a drying station; at least a device for inking for printing on the lateral surface of a cylindrical object located in the printing station; and at least a drying device for generating a beam of rays which strike a cylindrical object located in the drying station; the drying device including an obturator for intercepting the beam of rays when the means for moving transfer the objects from one station to another.