Segmented Monochromatic Print Heads for 3D Surface Coating

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing printing installations for three-dimensional surfaces face challenges with bulky quadrichrome print heads, which complicate high-speed movement, affect print quality due to position variations, and require multiple passes for optimal results, limiting industrial efficiency and resolution.

Innovation Solution

A printing installation with at least two monochromatic or bichromatic print heads that are movable in rotation and translation, controlled by computation and management means, allowing selective displacement to precise spatial positions, alongside a multi-axis robot arm and integrated drying/crosslinking means, to improve print quality and efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a quadrichrome print head is used, then all four colors (CMYK) can be printed simultaneously, but the print head becomes bulky and difficult to move at high speed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting speedVSAvoidprint head bulk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the quadrichrome print head into four separate monochromatic print heads, each handling a single color (C, M, Y, or K). This segmentation reduces the bulk of each individual print head, making them easier to move at high speeds while maintaining the capability to print all four colors through coordinated operation of the separate heads.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If the robotized arm moves at high speed, then productivity increases, but position variations and disturbances affect print quality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindustrial efficiencyVSAvoidprint quality

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of moving the bulky quadrichrome print head on the robotized arm, the patent inverts the approach by keeping the print heads simpler and more manageable, allowing the system to achieve high-speed movement while maintaining position accuracy through the reduced mass and improved dynamics of the segmented print head configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Adaptability or versatility

If abrupt variations of print head orientation occur, then the printing process can adapt to complex surfaces, but the ejection of substance is disturbed due to pressure balance changes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurface coverage capabilityVSAvoidsubstance ejection quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the print head into separate monochromatic units, each head can be independently positioned and oriented with greater precision. This reduces the impact of orientation variations on any single color channel and allows for better compensation of pressure balance changes during abrupt orientation variations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Device complexity

If a single quadrichrome print head is used, then device complexity is reduced, but print resolution and quality on three-dimensional surfaces are not optimal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of print headsVSAvoidprint resolution

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses four separate monochromatic print heads instead of one quadrichrome head. While this increases the number of components, each head is simpler in design with nozzles arranged in a single row rather than multiple stacked rows, which improves print resolution and quality on three-dimensional surfaces through better nozzle alignment and reduced bulk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 configuration reduces bulk, enhances print resolution, simplifies kinematic displacement, and allows for more accurate positioning, resulting in improved print quality and efficiency on complex surfaces without the need for multiple passes.

Implementation Method 1

the print head which ejects the coating substance, such as the ink

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInkjet ejection: Jet

Implementation Method 2

a module for at least partially drying drops of the substance deposited on the surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentUS11794489B2Facility for printing or coating surfaces of three-dimensional parts

Publication Date: 2023.10.24 ROBO

AI summary

The present invention concerns a facility (1) for printing surfaces of parts comprising: —apart support (3) mounted on a movement device (4) having at least five degrees of freedom, —at least one spray printing head and means (8) for sensing speeds and/or coordinates mounted on a support (11), —means (10) capable of controlling the printing means and the movement device (4), the movement device (4) and the support (11) being arranged opposite each other and a spatial reference frame (X, Y, Z) being assigned to said fixed support structure (11). A printing facility (1) characterised in that the printing means (5) consist of at least two monochromatic or bi-chromatic printing heads that are able to rotate and/or move in translation with at least one degree of freedom.