Segmented Wheel Printing Device for Hollow Articles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for printing hollow bodies, such as cans and tubes, face challenges in achieving high positioning accuracy and efficient transfer of hollow bodies to printing units, leading to suboptimal print quality and productivity.
Innovation Solution
A device with a segmented wheel system that includes a mandrel wheel and a conveyor wheel, where the hollow bodies are transferred to a printing area with high precision, using a segmented wheel with interchangeable segments for printing blankets and a drive system that ensures precise rotation and ink transfer, allowing for simultaneous multi-color printing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a conventional printing device uses a continuous printing blanket and fixed printing units, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the positioning accuracy of hollow bodies during transfer is poor and format changes are difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The printing blanket is divided into multiple interchangeable segments that can be independently positioned and replaced. Each segment can be precisely aligned with corresponding printing units, enabling high positioning accuracy while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates adjustable and interchangeable components including replaceable printing blanket segments, adjustable printing units, and a mandrel wheel system that can adapt to different hollow body formats. This dynamic configuration allows precise positioning for various product sizes while avoiding the need for a completely redesigned device structure
2Adaptability or versatility
If the printing device uses fixed printing units with dedicated printing blankets, then the print quality is consistent, but the adaptability to different product formats is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The printing units are designed with universal adaptability through interchangeable printing blanket segments and adjustable positioning mechanisms. The same printing unit can accommodate different product formats by replacing the appropriate blanket segment, ensuring both format versatility and consistent print quality through standardized printing surfaces
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple printing blanket segments are pre-configured for different product formats and stored in ready positions. When a format change is required, the appropriate segment is quickly swapped in advance, allowing the printing unit to maintain consistent print quality across different products without requiring complex real-time adjustments
3Productivity
If the device transfers hollow bodies manually or using simple conveyors, then the device complexity is low, but the productivity is insufficient for mass production
Solution Approach 1:
The mandrel wheel system provides continuous rotation and transfer of hollow bodies through the printing units, enabling uninterrupted mass production. Multiple printing units are arranged along the rotation path, allowing simultaneous printing operations on different sections of the same product or on multiple products in sequence, maximizing productivity while maintaining a relatively compact device structure
4Productivity
If the printing device uses a single large printing blanket, then the device structure is simple, but the ability to perform multi-color printing simultaneously is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The printing system is segmented into multiple independent printing units, each capable of applying different colors simultaneously. Each unit has its own interchangeable blanket segment and ink application system, allowing parallel multi-color printing operations that increase productivity while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular architecture
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 precise transfer and printing of hollow bodies with high positioning accuracy, improving print quality and productivity by allowing for rapid format changes and reducing maintenance costs.
Implementation Method 1
anilox roller (08)...for transferring printing ink to the plate cylinder (04)
Implementation Method 2
plate cylinder (04)...with a printing form (05)...for transferring the printing ink to at least one printing blanket (33)
Implementation Method 3
The surface of the hollow body is then decorated with, for example, a multicolored printed motif by a relative movement between the surface of the hollow body and the previously inked printing blanket, in particular by rolling the surface of the hollow body across this printing blanket
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device for printing on hollow articles (01), comprising a segmented wheel (03) and an apparatus for sequentially supplying the hollow articles (01) to the periphery of the segmented wheel (03), wherein: said apparatus comprises at least a conveyor wheel (76) and a mandrel wheel (02); in the transport direction of the hollow articles (01), first the conveyor wheel (76), then the mandrel wheel (02) and thereafter the segmented wheel (03) are arranged; a plurality of driver elements is arranged on the periphery of the conveyor wheel (76), and a plurality of retaining apparatuses is arranged on the periphery of the mandrel wheel (02), each retaining apparatus being provided for receiving a hollow article (01), which is to be printed on in cooperation with the segmented wheel (03); the conveyor wheel (76) has a suction apparatus (99) for suctioning each hollow article (01) to be supplied to the segmented wheel (03); the suction apparatus (99) has a suction pump (101); the suction pump (101) is switched on or off in dependence on the angular position (A; B) of the conveyor wheel (76) and, when switched on, produces a negative pressure; a hollow article (01) which is to be conveyed to the mandrel wheel (02) by the conveyor wheel (76) and which is arranged on one of the driver elements of the conveyor wheel (76) is retained on the particular driver element of the conveyor wheel (76) by the negative pressure in an angular range (ω) of the rotating conveyor wheel (76).