Printing Machine Ink Layer Precision via Energy Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional printing machines experience a decline in printing precision as the repetition rate of printed lines increases, limiting the variability and intensity of the ink layer on the substrate.
Innovation Solution
A method and printing machine that utilize a flexible carrier coated with ink and an energy introduction device, allowing for controlled energy application to transfer ink to a substrate in a predefined pattern, with the ability to repeat ink transfer at the same positions to intensify the pattern, and using multiple energy generators to compensate for substrate movement, ensuring precise multilayer application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the line print repetition rate is increased to vary the ink layer thickness, then the quantity of printing substance can be increased, but the printing precision declines
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from varying ink quantity through temporal repetition (printing same line multiple times) to spatial variation (applying different ink layer thicknesses in different areas). The energy introduction device can be controlled to transfer varying quantities of ink to different areas of the substrate in a single pass, achieving ink layer variation without compromising printing precision through position deviation.
2Productivity
If the substrate moves continuously onward during printing, then productivity is maintained, but printing precision deteriorates when repeating printed lines
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs feedback control where the position of the substrate is continuously monitored during transport, and the energy introduction device adjusts its energy transfer based on this position information. This ensures that even when the substrate moves continuously, the ink is transferred at the correct positions with high precision, enabling both continuous transport and precise multilayer printing.
3Manufacturing precision
If the ink layer thickness is varied by changing the laser power, then printing precision can be maintained, but the variability of ink layer quantity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes parameter changes in the energy introduction process, where the energy parameters (such as power, pulse duration, or frequency) can be dynamically adjusted during the printing process. This allows the system to transfer varying quantities of ink to different areas of the substrate while maintaining high printing precision, achieving both precision and versatility through controlled parameter variation.
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 enhances printing precision and allows for varied ink layer thickness by repeating ink transfer at precise positions, resulting in a more intensive image on the substrate while maintaining high precision.
Implementation Method 1
energy is introduced into the ink through the flexible carrier by a device for the introduction of energy, some of the ink evaporating in the area of action of the energy and, as a result, a drop of ink being thrown onto the substrate to be printed
Implementation Method 2
the circulating belt to be coated with an absorption layer, in which the laser light is absorbed and converted into heat and thus evaporates the ink at the position at which the laser acts
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for printing a substrate (7) in a printing machine, in which ink is transferred from a flexible carrier (3) to the substrate (7) in accordance with a predefined pattern by energy being introduced into the ink through the flexible carrier (3) by a device for the introduction of energy, some of the ink evaporating in the area of action of the energy and, as a result, a drop of ink (67) being thrown onto the substrate (7) to be printed, this step being repeated at least once, ink being transferred at least partly to the substrate (7) at the same positions in order to intensify the pattern produced. The substrate is transported through the printing machine (1) during the printing and, after the transfer of ink in step (a), the device for the introduction of energy is controlled in such a way that, during the repetition in step (b), the ink is transferred at the same position again as in step (a). The invention further relates to a printing machine for implementing the method.