Printing Machine Print Head Arrangement for Cylindrical Objects
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing machines face challenges in producing high-quality, wider, or multicolored prints on cylindrical objects like bottles or cans due to limitations in print head arrangement, leading to issues with ink flow, surface tension, and adhesion, resulting in blurred or non-homogeneous images.
Innovation Solution
The printing machine is designed with additional print heads arranged at different points relative to the axis of rotation, allowing simultaneous printing without gravitational debris contamination, and featuring a transport system that enables objects to be moved without interfering with print heads, allowing for increased print width and color accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If multiple print heads are arranged one below the other in the vertical direction to print wider or multicolored images, then the print width and color variety are improved, but gravitational debris from upper print heads contaminates lower print heads, degrading print quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a vertical stacking arrangement of print heads (one dimension) to a horizontal arrangement where print heads are positioned side-by-side (another dimension). This dimensional change eliminates gravitational contamination while maintaining the capability to print wider and multicolored images through multiple print heads operating simultaneously.
2Productivity
If the clock wheel rotates continuously to transport objects through printing stations, then productivity is improved, but the receptacle and object interfere with the contour of print heads during rotation, requiring complex coordination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions print heads asymmetrically outside the interfering contour of the rotating receptacle, rather than attempting symmetric coordination. This asymmetric placement simplifies the system by eliminating the need for complex real-time coordination between the rotating receptacle and stationary print heads, while maintaining continuous rotation for productivity.
3Productivity
If print heads are arranged to print simultaneously on rotating objects, then productivity is improved, but precise positioning and alignment become more difficult, affecting manufacturing precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical coordination systems with a stationary print head arrangement that operates independently of the rotating receptacle's position. This substitution eliminates mechanical positioning errors and maintains manufacturing precision while enabling simultaneous printing through multiple stationary print heads.
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 configuration enables the production of consistent, high-quality prints with wider or multicolored images by preventing contamination and ensuring precise ink placement, reducing the need for additional maintenance and improving print quality.
Implementation Method 1
The printing machine has at least one stationary print head, i.e. one that is not moved with the transport system, for inkjet printing
Implementation Method 2
to rotate a three-dimensional object held in front of the print head for printing about an axis of rotation by means of the receptacle, which preferably has a rotary drive
Implementation Method 3
no dirt emanating from this print head can gravitate onto any other print head
Data Source
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Figure 3
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AI summary
A cyclically operating printing press (51)is described for printing three-dimensional objects (52) by means of inkjet printing in at least one printing station (61) with a transport system (53), on which at least one drivable holder (56) for holding a three-dimensional object (52) is arranged. Furthermore, at least one fixed print head (60) which is not moved for inkjet printing in the printing station (61) and a controller are provided, wherein the controller is set up to position the holder (56) in the printing station (61) by means of the transport system (53) in such a way that a three-dimensional object (52) which is held in the holder (56) is held in front of the print head (60), and to rotate the three-dimensional object (52) which is held in front of the print head (60) for printing about a rotational axis (58) in front of the print head (60) by means of the holder (56). The printing press (51) has at least one further print head (60) which is arranged at a different location or side in relation to the rotational axis (58) of the three-dimensional object (52) in such a way that no dirt which emanates from said print head (60) can fall on any other print head (60) of the printing station (61) as a result of gravity.