Multi-Articulated Robot Inkjet Printing on Curved Aircraft Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional printing apparatuses are slow in printing on curved surfaces due to time-consuming transmission and movement of the printing head array, making them impractical for applications like large passenger aircraft airframes.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus with a head array mounted on a linear rail, controlled by a multi-articulated robot arm, allowing for high-speed linear reciprocation in two orthogonal directions, enabling faster and more precise inkjet printing on curved surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the printing head array is directly held on the robot arm, then the structure is simple, but the printing speed is slow due to time-consuming transmission and movement
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into independent modules: the robot arm handles positioning while the linear rail handles high-speed reciprocating motion. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in its optimal function, achieving high printing speed without excessive overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The linear rail adds a new dimension of motion control by enabling high-speed reciprocating movement along the rail axis, separate from the robot arm's positioning movements. This dimensional separation resolves the speed bottleneck.
2Loss of time
If the printing head array is directly held on the robot arm, then the control system is simple, but the position response time is unacceptably long
Solution Approach 1:
Control functions are segmented between the robot arm controller (for positioning) and the linear rail controller ( for reciprocating motion). This allows parallel control operations, reducing total position response time while distributing control complexity across multiple specialized controllers.
Solution Approach 2:
The linear rail acts as an intermediary mechanism between the robot arm and the printing head array, enabling faster position adjustments without requiring the robot arm to perform high-speed movements directly.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a single linear rail is used, then the device is simple, but the printing coverage and flexibility are limited
Solution Approach 1:
By introducing a second linear rail orthogonal to the first, the system gains movement capability in an additional dimension. This enables comprehensive coverage of curved surfaces and complex geometries while maintaining modular rail components.
Solution Approach 2:
The orthogonal dual-rail configuration provides multi-directional movement capability that can accommodate various printing scenarios including flat surfaces, curved surfaces, and complex geometries, making the system universally applicable.
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 apparatus achieves printing speeds several hundred times faster than conventional systems, allowing for quick and uniform printing on complex curved surfaces like aircraft airframes.
Implementation Method 1
a head array in which there is arranged a plurality of inkjet nozzles configured to eject an ink toward a remote position under a high-pressure by supplying an ink tank filled with the ink with a pressurized air for generating the high-pressure
Data Source
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AI summary
[Problems to be Solved] Provision of a printing apparatus which is capable of printing a pattern and/or a character on a curved printed surface, such as an airframe surface of a passenger aircraft, in a very short time. [Means for Solving the Problems] A head array 3 having therein a plurality of inkjet nozzles 16 for ejecting ink toward a remote position by supplying pressurized air to every ink tanks 6 filled with the ink, respectively, is mounted on a linear array 4 so as to be able to perform linear reciprocation, the linear rail being held by an robot arm 5a of a multi-articulated robot 5, and a position at which the robot arm 5a is to be disposed is controlled on the basis of position information, while controlling of driving of predetermined nozzles 16 in the head array 3 is performed in association with the position information.