Robotic Book Printing Assembly With Heated Adhesive Bonding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing book manufacturing devices face issues such as jamming, complex maintenance, imperfect adhesion of book blocks to covers, and slow production processes, particularly in on-demand book printing systems.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a cover printing station, book block printing station, binding station, and transport means, with features like adhesive deposition, heating mechanisms, and robotic arms to manage the assembly process, ensuring precise positioning and adhesion of book blocks and covers, and including creasing and trimming stations to enhance production efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If adhesive bonding is used to assemble the book block and cover, then the book assembly is achieved, but jamming of the book block or cover occurs and adhesion is not perfect
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter of the adhesive by introducing heating means. The adhesive is heated to a controlled temperature (e.g., 50-150°C) to optimize its bonding properties, improving adhesion quality while controlling its viscosity to prevent jamming during the assembly process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by depositing and heating the adhesive on the cover before the book block is positioned. This ensures the adhesive is ready in optimal bonding condition before contact, improving adhesion while allowing controlled timing that prevents premature jamming.
2Manufacturing precision
If complex transport mechanism is used to move book block and cover between stations, then positioning capability is improved, but maintenance complexity increases and jamming risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical transport mechanisms with a robotic arm system that uses controlled motion and positioning. The robotic arm transports the cover to the binding station with precise positioning capability while having simpler maintenance requirements compared to traditional mechanical conveyors with multiple moving parts and adhesive tanks.
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic arm serves multiple functions: transporting the cover, positioning it precisely, and potentially performing other operations. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated transport mechanisms, simplifying the overall system and reducing maintenance complexity.
3Reliability
If heating means is added to improve adhesive bonding, then adhesion quality is improved, but device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The heating means is applied locally only to the adhesive bonding area rather than heating the entire book or cover. This localized heating improves bonding quality where needed while minimizing energy consumption and reducing the complexity of the heating system compared to global heating approaches.
4Adaptability or versatility
If on-demand printing is implemented for single copy books, then customization is improved, but production efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous operation where the robotic arm and binding station work without interruption. The cover is transported, positioned, and bonded in a continuous sequence without stopping between operations, maintaining high production speed while enabling on-demand customization of individual books.
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 solution effectively addresses jamming and adhesion issues, improving production efficiency and ensuring high-quality book assembly, reducing maintenance complexity, and enhancing the overall manufacturing process.
Implementation Method 1
heating means arranged to heat and/or maintain at a heated temperature adhesive deposited on the adhesive bonding area of the cover (preferably on the reverse of the cover) before assembly or casing-in by adhesive bonding of the cover to the book block
Implementation Method 2
assembly or casing-in by adhesive bonding of the cover on the book block
Data Source
AI summary
A device for manufacturing a book on demand includes a cover printing station for printing a cover; a book block printing station for printing or receiving a book block; a binding station assembling the book block and the cover; transport structure arranged to transport the cover and/or the book block between the different stations; a trimming station trimming the book and linked to a catch tray; and the transport structure configured to transport the book block in an initial format up to the trimming station, then hold the book block in the trimming station for cutting into one part of the book block held in the transport structure and another part of the book block cut and directed towards the catch tray, then assemble the two parts of the book block to form in the transport structure a book block having a reduced format but having an increased thickness.