Industrial Printing Line Layout for Printed Cut Edges
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial printing processes face inefficiencies due to the need for separate die-cutting tools for various printing layouts, leading to high manufacturing costs and downtime, and existing combined printing and laser cutting devices result in unprinted cut edges, limiting product quality.
Innovation Solution
An industrial printing device with a laser cutting stage upstream of the printer stage allows for continuous processing, enabling high-quality printed cut edges and various cutting layouts without the need for multiple tools, reducing manufacturing expenses and improving product quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If separate die-cutting tools are used for different printing layouts, then cutting precision is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical die-cutting tools with a laser cutting device that uses a digital file to define cutting paths. This substitution eliminates the need for physical die-cutting tools for each layout while maintaining cutting precision, as the laser can be precisely controlled through software to cut various shapes and sizes without changing physical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The laser cutting device serves as a universal cutting tool that can handle multiple different printing layouts through software control. Instead of requiring separate dedicated tools for each layout type, the single laser device can be reprogrammed via digital files to accommodate various cutting patterns, making the system multi-functional and adaptable to different production needs.
2Manufacturing precision
If separate die-cutting tools are used for various layouts, then cutting precision is improved, but productivity decreases due to tool changes
Solution Approach 1:
By replacing mechanical tool changes with digital file loading, the system eliminates downtime associated with physically changing die-cutting tools. The laser cutting device can switch between different layouts by simply loading a new digital file, maintaining cutting precision while significantly improving productivity through continuous operation without tool change interruptions.
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting paths are pre-defined in digital files before the cutting process begins. This preliminary preparation of cutting data allows the laser device to execute precise cuts immediately without requiring physical tool setup or adjustment, thereby maintaining high cutting precision while maximizing productivity through seamless transitions between different layout requirements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If laser cutting is performed subsequent to printing, then cutting flexibility is improved, but product quality deteriorates due to unprinted cut edges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional sequence by performing laser cutting before printing instead of after. This reversal allows the printed material to extend onto the cut edges, ensuring that all visible surfaces including edges are printed. The cutting flexibility is maintained through digital file control, while product quality is improved because the printing process now covers the previously unprinted cut edges.
Solution Approach 2:
By reversing the sequence to cut first and then print, the system ensures continuous coverage of all surfaces including cut edges with printed material. The printing process continuously covers the entire visible surface area of the label, eliminating gaps or unprinted areas at the edges, thereby maintaining both cutting flexibility and high product quality.
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
The solution enables high-quality printed products with printed cut edges and flexible cutting layouts, reducing manufacturing costs and downtime, while maintaining high production speeds and avoiding local heating and burning effects, thus enhancing product quality and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the cutting stage comprises a laser cutting device
Implementation Method 2
avoid local heating and burning effects
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention generally relates to an industrial printing device (10) and an industrial printing process (42). The industrial printing device (10) comprises at least an input stage (12), an output stage (14), a cutting stage (18), and a printer stage (20). The printer stage (20) is arranged between the input stage (12) and the output stage (14). The cutting stage (18) is arranged upstream of the printer stage (20). The cutting stage (18) comprises a laser cutting device (19) such that material (16) is continuously processable between the input stage (12) and the output stage (14) by at least the cutting stage (18) and the printer stage (20).