Roll-fed printing apparatus selective reprinting via history roll file
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current roll-fed printing systems lack flexibility in reprinting entire rolls, often requiring re-planning of all images and events when print quality issues arise, leading to unnecessary reprinting of correctly printed images and inefficiencies in managing partial roll reprints.
Innovation Solution
A method that saves image queues and events in a history roll file, allowing for selective reprinting of images and events on a new roll with the same width, enabling operators to plan and execute events like unprinted space, inspections, or maintenance at preferred times, and synchronizing dynamic roll previews with image queues for precise control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the entire roll is reprinted when print quality issues arise, then image quality is improved, but productivity decreases due to unnecessary reprinting of correctly printed images
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the roll of recording medium into individual printable areas, each associated with specific images and events. This allows selective reprinting of only those segments that contain print quality issues, rather than reprinting the entire roll. The segmentation enables precise control over which portions are reprinted, thereby maintaining image quality while preserving productivity.
2Ease of operation
If all images and events are re-planned for reprinting, then printing control is simplified, but loss of time increases due to redundant planning work
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a digital copy of the print plan stored in the controller's memory. When reprinting is needed, the system retrieves and reuses this stored copy of the original print plan, including all image and event data. This eliminates the need to manually re-plan the entire roll, as the system can automatically restore and execute the copied plan, significantly reducing the time required for reprinting while maintaining ease of operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the print plan is stored in memory for selective reprinting, then adaptability increases for partial reprints, but device complexity increases due to memory management requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The controller's memory serves multiple functions: it stores the print plan for active printing operations, preserves it for potential reprinting, and manages the retrieval and execution of stored plans. This multi-functional use of the memory system enables selective reprinting capability without requiring separate dedicated storage systems, thereby achieving adaptability while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A roll-fed printing apparatus and a method for controlling a roll-fed printing apparatus for printing images on at least one recording medium from an image queue. A part of the image queue is saved. The part comprises the ripped images at established arbitrary positions on the roll of medium and events according to a plurality of event image objects placed in the image queue into a roll file which is stored in a history roll queue storage of the controller. At least part of the ripped images saved in the roll file are reprinted on a new roll of medium having a same roll width as the arbitrary roll width according to a sequence order and the arbitrary positions saved in the roll file. During reprinting, the corresponding events saved in the roll file are executed.