Printing Apparatus Head Posture Adjustment for Density Uniformity
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Solution Overview
Problem
In three-dimensional printing, the density of print images can vary significantly at joined parts in the conveyance direction, leading to noticeable changes and reduced image quality due to non-parallel tangent planes at different points on the print object.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus with a posture changing mechanism that adjusts the facing angle of the head to maintain equal angles between the discharge surface and the object in both scanning and conveying operations, ensuring consistent density at joined parts by aligning the next-time angle with the last-time angle, thereby minimizing density changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the head is moved in the conveyance direction to perform printing on a surface of the print object, then the productivity is improved, but the density uniformity deteriorates at joined parts due to non-parallel tangent planes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the head posture adjustable during the printing process. The head can change its facing angle dynamically to adapt to the local surface geometry at joined parts, ensuring consistent density across different tangent planes while maintaining continuous printing operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameter of the head's facing angle to match the tangent plane angle at joined parts. By adjusting the head angle to be equal to the tangent plane angle, the discharge surface maintains proper orientation relative to the surface, ensuring uniform density despite surface curvature variations
2Manufacturing precision
If the nozzle surface is separated away from the middle point of the print line at a predetermined spacing distance, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional posture control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The head assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: it maintains a predetermined spacing distance from the print object for consistent print quality, while simultaneously具备 the capability to adjust its facing angle to match tangent plane angles at joined parts. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by integrating spacing control and angle adjustment in a single component system
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 that the density change at the joined parts is hardly conspicuous, maintaining image quality by ensuring the next-time print image density matches the last-time image density, resulting in seamless integration of print images.
Implementation Method 1
an actuator which is configured to change a volume of the pressure chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A printing apparatus includes: a head having a discharge surface in which a discharge port is opened, a pressure chamber which communicates with the discharge port, and an actuator which is configured to change a volume of the pressure chamber; a carriage configured to move the head in a scanning direction; a conveyor configured to move an object in a conveyance direction crossing the scanning direction; a posture changing mechanism configured to change a facing posture of the head with respect to the object; and a controller configured to control the actuator, the carriage, the conveyor and the posture changing mechanism, based on image data, to execute alternately and repeatedly a scanning operation and a conveying operation.