Printing Ink Temperature and Viscosity Matching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing color correction systems in printing machines do not effectively match the temperature properties of corrective inks with initially mixed inks, leading to difficulties in mixing and achieving precise color reproduction.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating temperature sensors and heating/cooling devices in each printing group to regulate the temperature of corrective inks to match that of initially mixed inks, and using colorless solvents to adjust viscosity, ensuring uniform and predictable mixing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If corrective ink is added to initially mixed ink without temperature matching, then color correction can be performed, but mixing difficulty increases and color homogeneity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor reproduction precisionVSAvoidink mixing ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary temperature adjustment of the corrective ink before mixing with the initially mixed ink. Temperature sensors detect the temperature of both inks, and heating/cooling devices adjust the corrective ink temperature to match the initially mixed ink temperature in advance, ensuring optimal mixing conditions before the actual color correction process begins.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the temperature parameter of the corrective ink to match the temperature of the initially mixed ink. By dynamically adjusting the temperature of the corrective ink using heating or cooling devices based on temperature sensor feedback, the system optimizes the physical properties of the ink for seamless integration and homogeneous mixing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If corrective ink with different viscosity is used, then color correction is possible, but mixing uniformity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor correction precisionVSAvoidink mixture homogeneity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system adjusts the viscosity parameter of the corrective ink by adding colorless solvents to match the viscosity of the initially mixed ink. This parameter adjustment ensures that the corrective ink integrates uniformly with the base ink, maintaining composition stability and achieving homogeneous color correction throughout the ink mixture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If temperature of corrective ink is not regulated, then mixing process is simpler, but color homogenization and precision deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemixing system complexityVSAvoidtarget color achievement precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback control for temperature regulation by using temperature sensors to continuously monitor the temperature of the initially mixed ink and adjusting the corrective ink temperature accordingly. The heating and cooling devices respond to temperature sensor feedback to maintain optimal temperature matching, ensuring precise color homogenization while automating the complexity of temperature management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 corrective inks are integrated with initially mixed inks at matching temperature and viscosity, enhancing color homogenization, reliability, and precision in achieving target colors with minimized deviations.

Implementation Method 1

Incorporating temperature sensors and heating/cooling devices in each printing group to regulate the temperature of corrective inks to match that of initially mixed inks

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTemperature sensing:

Implementation Method 2

Incorporating temperature sensors and heating/cooling devices in each printing group to regulate the temperature of corrective inks to match that of initially mixed inks

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 3

Incorporating temperature sensors and heating/cooling devices in each printing group to regulate the temperature of corrective inks to match that of initially mixed inks

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCooling: Cooling

Implementation Method 4

using colorless solvents to adjust viscosity, ensuring uniform and predictable mixing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectViscosity adjustment through solvent addition:

Implementation Method 5

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMixing:

Data Source

PatentEP2985150B1Method and system for colour correction in printing jobs performed in a printing machine

Publication Date: 2017.02.08 COMEXI GRP IND

AI summary

The present invention relates to color correction system and method for correcting color in print jobs run in a printing machine, whereby a first ink unit provides to a printing group of a printing machine an initially mixed ink similar to a target color provided by a prepress digital file. Printing is performed on a support, and an optical sensor obtains colorimetric information about the printed color, which is compared with the target color by means of a control device detecting color deviations in the printed color and calculates the composition of a corrective ink which, when mixed with the initially mixed ink, allows printing colors without color deviations. A second ink unit controlled by the control device provides said corrective ink with temperature and/or viscosity similar to the temperature and/or viscosity of the initially mixed ink used during initial printing.