Printing Position Feedback with Interpage Timing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing systems face issues with misalignment of print images due to temperature variations in the transport mechanism, leading to unadjusted printing positions in subsequent pages before the position adjustment image is read.
Innovation Solution
A printing system that includes a printing unit to print position adjustment images, a reading unit to read these images, and an adjustment unit to correct printing positions based on the read images, with a control unit managing the printing process to ensure proper alignment by adjusting the timing of subsequent pages relative to the first page's adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If printing is performed continuously without waiting for position adjustment, then productivity is improved, but printing position accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary printing of position adjustment images and reads their positions before printing the actual print images. This preliminary position measurement allows the system to pre-calculate correction values that are then applied during subsequent printing, enabling continuous high-speed printing while maintaining position accuracy through pre-computed adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control by reading the actual positions of printed position adjustment images, comparing them with target positions, and generating correction values based on the detected deviations. These correction values are fed back to the printing unit to adjust printing positions in real-time, ensuring position accuracy while maintaining continuous printing operation.
2Manufacturing precision
If position adjustment is performed for every page, then printing position accuracy is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to increased processing time
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs position measurement and correction value calculation in advance, before actual printing begins. By completing the time-consuming position reading and calculation operations preliminarily, the system eliminates processing delays during continuous printing, achieving both high position accuracy and maintained productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs position adjustment selectively rather than for every single page. Position adjustment images are printed and measured at strategic intervals, and the resulting correction values are applied to multiple subsequent pages. This partial adjustment approach maintains position accuracy while reducing the frequency of adjustment operations, thereby preserving printing speed.
3Manufacturing precision
If printing interval is increased to allow position adjustment, then printing position accuracy is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to reduced printing throughput
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs position measurement and correction calculations in advance during idle or preparatory periods before actual printing. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for printing pauses, allowing continuous high-speed printing while maintaining position accuracy through pre-computed correction values.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous printing operation without interruptions or time intervals for position adjustment. By performing all position measurement and calculation operations preliminarily before printing begins, and by applying correction values during continuous printing, the system ensures uninterrupted useful action throughout the printing process, maximizing both accuracy and throughput.
Data Source
AI summary
A printing system includes a printing unit that prints a print image on a recording medium and prints a position adjustment image corresponding to each page of the print image on the recording medium, a reading unit that reads the position adjustment image printed by the printing unit, an adjustment unit that adjusts a printing position of each page of the print image printed by the printing unit on the recording medium on the basis of the position adjustment image read by the reading unit, and a printing control unit that performs control to perform printing while providing an interval between a printing timing of a first page and a printing timing of a second page of the print image such that a printing position of the second page of the print image is adjusted by the adjustment unit on the basis of the position adjustment image of the first page of the print image.