Removable Flat Substrate Support for Vacuum Flatbed Inkjet Printers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vacuum flatbed table inkjet printing devices are inefficient as they require multiple machines to handle different substrates, leading to increased calibration and maintenance time, and reduced productivity due to the need for separate devices for each substrate type.
Innovation Solution
A removable stationary flat substrate support device is coupled to the vacuum flatbed table, allowing for easy switching between substrates, enabling the same inkjet printing device to handle various substrates without the need for multiple machines, by using ball transfer units, idler rollers, and treatment means for immobilizing ink, regulating humidity, and applying controlled temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple vacuum flatbed table inkjet printing devices are used to handle different substrate types, then each substrate type can be processed with optimized support, but the overall productivity decreases due to increased calibration and maintenance time across multiple devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal support device that can accommodate multiple substrate types (glass, metal, plastic, wood, paper) through a single inkjet printing device. The support device includes interchangeable support surfaces and adjustable positioning mechanisms that adapt to different substrate characteristics, eliminating the need for multiple dedicated printing devices while maintaining optimized support for each substrate type
Solution Approach 2:
The support device is divided into modular components including removable support surfaces, adjustable positioning elements, and interchangeable fixtures. This segmentation allows rapid reconfiguration between different substrate types without requiring complete device replacement or extensive calibration, thereby maintaining productivity while achieving versatility
2Productivity
If a single inkjet printing device handles all substrate types, then productivity increases by reducing calibration and maintenance time, but the adaptability to handle specialized substrates (like glass or metal) decreases without proper support mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The support device incorporates dynamic, adjustable components that can be reconfigured for different substrate types. The support surfaces can be adjusted in position and orientation, and specialized fixtures can be attached or removed based on the specific substrate requirements, allowing a single device to maintain high productivity while adapting to diverse substrate handling needs
3Area of stationary object
If a large vacuum flatbed table is used to support maximum printing size, then the ability to print on large or multiple substrates improves, but the complexity of the device increases and requires more extensive calibration and service time
Solution Approach 1:
The large printing area is achieved through modular support surfaces that can be arranged and configured as needed. The support device itself is segmented into manageable components that can be independently serviced and calibrated, reducing the overall complexity management while maintaining the capability to support large or multiple substrates
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 solution increases productivity by allowing a single inkjet printing device to handle multiple substrate types efficiently, reducing service and calibration losses, and enhancing ergonomics by simplifying the handling of heavy or fragile substrates, while maintaining print quality and reducing damage to the printing device.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum flatbed table (400) from an inkjet printing device (300), to hold a flat substrate (502)
Data Source
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AI summary
An inkjet printing device comprising a vacuum flatbed table (400) configured to support large and flat substrates (502) with applied vacuum power and while printing, in a hold down area, against the vacuum flatbed table (400); and a removable flat substrate support device (100) configure to support large and flat substrates (502) while printing; and wherein the vacuum flatbed table (400) is configured for coupling the removable flat substrate support device (100) stationary to the vacuum flatbed table (400) by applied vacuum power and a vacuum belt (432), which is connected to a plurality of pulleys (431) and wrapped around the vacuum flatbed table (400); and wherein the vacuum belt (432) is sandwiched between the removable flat substrate support device (100) and the vacuum flatbed table (400).