Rotating Component Holder for Digital Inkjet Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing digital printing devices struggle to efficiently print components with three-dimensional surfaces that have areas strongly inclined relative to each other, limiting their ability to produce high-quality, complex patterns at high print rates and low costs.
Innovation Solution
A rotating device is integrated with the printing system, allowing components to be rotated between printing steps, enabling the use of the same spray nozzles for consecutive printing steps while maintaining optimal ink distribution across inclined surfaces, and allowing for the printing of components with circular cross-sections and complex shapes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If components with three-dimensional surfaces having strongly inclined areas are printed using conventional digital printing devices, then the ability to print complex patterns is limited, but the device complexity and production cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a rotatable receiving device that can dynamically adjust the orientation of components during the printing process. By rotating the receiving device about an axis inclined to the spraying direction, the system can adapt to print on various surface orientations using the same spray nozzles, thereby achieving high adaptability without proportionally increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The receiving device is designed to perform multiple functions: it can hold components, rotate them to different orientations, and position them for printing. This multi-functionality allows a single device to handle various component shapes and surface configurations, reducing the need for multiple specialized printing devices
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple spray nozzle systems are used to print different surface areas of three-dimensional components, then printing capability is improved, but the production time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using multiple static spray nozzle systems, the patent employs a single spray nozzle system combined with a dynamically rotatable receiving device. The receiving device rotates components to present different surface areas to the same spray nozzles, achieving the same printing capability as multiple nozzle systems but with reduced production time and cost
Solution Approach 2:
The receiving device performs periodic rotation movements between printing steps, allowing the same spray nozzles to print on different surface areas at different times. This periodic action enables efficient utilization of the spray nozzle system while maintaining the ability to print on complex three-dimensional surfaces
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 enables the precise and efficient printing of components with complex three-dimensional surfaces, ensuring consistent print quality and high throughput by adjusting the component's orientation relative to the spray nozzles, thereby overcoming the limitations of traditional digital printing technologies.
Implementation Method 1
The droplets are generated and sprayed off by thermal evaporation (bubblejet) or with the help of piezo elements
Implementation Method 2
The droplets are generated and sprayed off by thermal evaporation (bubblejet) or with the help of piezo elements
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A device for printing a component using a digital printing process comprises a printing bar (20) with a plurality of spray nozzles (22) for electronically controlled spraying of coloring liquid, a receiving device (34; 52) for receiving the component (12), a transport device (10) for generating a linear relative movement between the printing bar (20) and the receiving device (34; 52) that is approximately perpendicular to the spray direction of the spray nozzles, a control device (24) with which the transport device and the spray nozzles (22) can be controlled in such a way that the component can be printed with a predetermined pattern, and a rotary device (32, 36, 38; 54) controllable by the control device with which the component (12) can be rotated about an axis inclined to the spray direction of the spray nozzles (22).