Shiftable Printhead Shafts for Faster Object Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing apparatuses face inefficiencies in achieving minimum printing times due to fixed sliding shaft positions, which are not adaptable to uniformly or non-uniformly printed surfaces, and lack flexibility in processing multiple objects with varying printing tasks.
Innovation Solution
The printing apparatus features shiftable sliding shafts controlled by a control apparatus to adjust positions relative to the object, allowing for synchronized or differential movement along the transport direction, enabling efficient distribution of printing effort and minimizing collisions, with additional printing heads and a printer system for flexible operation on a platform.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If sliding shaft positions are kept fixed, then device complexity is reduced, but printing time increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the previously fixed sliding shafts dynamically adjustable along the transport direction. The shifting apparatus enables each sliding shaft to be independently positioned, transforming the system from static to dynamic, thereby reducing printing time while accepting increased device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the sliding shaft positioning into independent, controllable segments. Each sliding shaft can be shifted individually by the shifting apparatus, allowing selective adjustment of specific shafts based on printing requirements, thus optimizing printing time without requiring complete system reconfiguration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If sliding shafts are shifted individually, then adaptability to non-uniform surfaces improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables dynamic adjustment of each sliding shaft's position along the transport direction based on the specific printing requirements. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt to both uniform and non-uniform surfaces by selectively positioning shafts, thereby enhancing versatility while managing the inherent increase in control complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different positioning strategies to different sliding shafts based on local printing requirements. The shifting apparatus enables individual shafts to be positioned optimally for their specific printing zones, allowing localized adaptation to surface variations without requiring uniform adjustment of the entire system.
3Productivity
If multiple sliding shafts are used, then printing efficiency improves, but risk of collision increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a control apparatus that monitors and coordinates the positions of multiple sliding shafts in real-time. This feedback mechanism ensures that shafts are positioned and moved without colliding, maintaining reliability while enabling the use of multiple shafts to improve printing efficiency through parallel operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The shifting apparatus pre-positions sliding shafts to optimal locations before printing operations begin. By establishing safe initial positions and coordinated movement paths in advance, the system enables multiple shafts to operate simultaneously without collision risk, thereby improving printing efficiency while maintaining reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A printing apparatus includes a transport device for moving an object to be printed-on through a printing region of the printing apparatus in a predefined transport direction. A first printing head is configured for depositing a viscous printing material, the first printing head being slidable along a first sliding axis, which is perpendicular to the transport direction, by a first printing-head moving apparatus. A second printing head is configured for depositing the viscous printing material, the second printing head being slidable along a second sliding axis, which is parallel to the first sliding axis and is offset in the transport direction, by a second printing-head moving apparatus. The first and second sliding axes can each be moved in the transport direction by a moving apparatus that is controllable by a control apparatus.