Robot Print Head Ink Ejection Control on Non-Planar Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing systems face challenges in maintaining print quality when printing on non-planar surfaces, such as curved or bent surfaces, due to varying ink ejection distances, leading to misalignment, blurring, and distortion.
Innovation Solution
The printing method involves controlling the timing of ink ejection or the ejection speed based on the separation distance between the nozzle and the object, using a robot system equipped with a print head having multiple nozzles, to ensure accurate ink landing on non-planar surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a robot moves the print head along a print trajectory to perform printing, then printing automation is achieved, but print quality deteriorates on non-planar surfaces due to varying separation distances
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the ink ejection timing and/or ejection speed based on the separation distance between the print head and the object surface. By making the ejection parameters variable rather than fixed, the system adapts to changing distances on non-planar surfaces, maintaining print quality while preserving automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of ink ejection (timing and speed) according to the separation distance. When the separation distance varies, the control device modifies the ejection parameters accordingly, allowing the printing system to maintain precision across different surface geometries while remaining automated.
2Manufacturing precision
If the separation distance between the print head and object is kept constant, then print quality is maintained on planar surfaces, but the system cannot adapt to non-planar surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of maintaining a fixed separation distance, the system dynamically adjusts ejection parameters based on actual separation distance variations. This allows adaptation to non-planar surfaces while maintaining print quality through real-time parameter modification.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the ejection parameters (timing and speed) in response to separation distance changes, enabling the printing system to adapt to various surface types while preserving print quality.
3Manufacturing precision
If the ink ejection timing and speed are adjusted based on separation distance, then print quality on non-planar surfaces is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from the separation distance information to adjust ejection parameters. By incorporating feedback control, the system automatically compensates for distance variations without requiring complex mechanical adjustments, managing complexity through intelligent control.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device modifies ejection parameters based on separation distance data, using software-based adaptation rather than additional hardware complexity to achieve improved print quality on non-planar surfaces.
Data Source
AI summary
A printing method includes performing printing operation on an object by ejecting ink from a nozzle while relatively moving the object and the print head along a printing trajectory by using a robot including the print head in which a plurality of nozzles are disposed, wherein controlling a timing of ejecting the ink from the nozzle or the ejection speed of the ink based on a separation distance between the nozzle and the object.