Printing Machine for Inclined Substrates via Dynamic Positioning
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current printing technologies struggle to apply products uniformly on substrates with surfaces arranged at different planes of inclination, resulting in low-quality finishes and inefficiencies due to manual application methods and indirect ejection of products.
Innovation Solution
A machine with a print head, translation means, and positioning mechanisms that allow for precise alignment and movement of substrates, featuring multiple ejection nozzles, drying elements, and masking means to ensure high-quality application of products on substrates with varying surface orientations, including inclined surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manual application methods are used for substrates with inclined surfaces, then operators can apply products on perpendicular surfaces, but the processing time increases significantly and finish quality becomes variable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical application with an automated printing system that uses a print head to deposit products precisely on inclined surfaces. The system includes a substrate handling mechanism that positions substrates at appropriate angles, and a control system that coordinates the printing process, eliminating the need for manual intervention while maintaining adaptability to various surface orientations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic positioning mechanisms that can adjust substrate orientation and print head position in real-time. The system includes movable components that can change angles and positions to accommodate different surface inclinations, allowing the same automated system to handle multiple surface configurations efficiently without manual repositioning.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual application methods are used for substrates with inclined surfaces, then products can be applied on perpendicular surfaces, but the finish quality becomes variable and different from print head application
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual application with an automated printing system that ensures consistent finish quality. The print head delivers products with precise control over deposition parameters, and the automated positioning system maintains consistent orientation and spacing, eliminating the variability inherent in manual application while preserving the capability to treat perpendicular surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates control systems that monitor and adjust printing parameters in real-time to maintain consistent finish quality. Sensors detect substrate position and orientation, and the control system compensates for variations to ensure uniform product application across all surface orientations, including perpendicular surfaces.
3Adaptability or versatility
If substrates are moved in correspondence with print heads arranged with different orientations, then products can be applied on surfaces with different planes of inclination, but indirect ejection prevents high-quality finishes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dynamic positioning mechanisms that adjust substrate orientation to present surfaces optimally to a fixed print head. Rather than reorienting the print head for each surface inclination, the system dynamically tilts or rotates substrates to match the print head's fixed orientation, ensuring direct product ejection and high-quality finishes on all surface planes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by keeping the print head fixed in orientation and instead orienting the substrates to match the print head's fixed direction. This inversion allows direct product ejection onto all surface types while maintaining consistent application quality, as the print head always ejects products in the same optimal direction.
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 machine enables efficient and high-quality printing on substrates with different surface orientations by ensuring precise alignment and controlled ejection of products, resulting in uniform finishes and improved productivity.
Implementation Method 1
The holding means are preferably configured for fixing the substrate by suction. Accordingly, the holding means preferably comprise through holes arranged for fixing the substrate through the translation means.
Data Source
AI summary
A machine for printing substrates and a method for printing substrates using the machine, which has a print head, the print head having at least one ejection nozzle for ejecting a product on the substrate; translation device with a movable part, the translation device configured for supporting and translating the substrate by the movable part; positioning device for establishing and fixing a relative position between the substrate and the print head. The machine additionally has guiding device for guiding the movable part; and holding device for fixing the substrate with respect to the movable part; with the substrate being fixed to the movable part and the movable part guided by the guiding device, the substrate can be translated to receive the product being ejected.