Shrink Film Colour Adjustment Through Post-RIP Ink Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inkjet printing methods for shrink-wrapped substrates face issues with ink droplet density increases leading to hindered shrinking and cracking due to significant dimensional changes, and existing printer control software adjusts artwork shape without considering RIP-induced density changes.
Innovation Solution
Manipulate raster image data post-RIP to reduce ink droplet density and size based on object shrinkage, using look-up tables or algorithms, and apply different gradations for each color separation to compensate for dimensional changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing printer control software adjusts artwork shape before RIP to compensate for shrinkage, then the substrate can be shrunk onto the object, but RIP adds density back into the image resulting in poor image quality and cracking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies droplet density adjustment after RIP processing rather than before, which is a timing-based preliminary action that ensures the adjustment is applied to the final image data that will actually be printed, avoiding the double-density issue of adjusting before RIP then having RIP add density back
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the known shrinkage characteristics of the substrate to dynamically adjust droplet density in the raster image data, creating a closed-loop control system that compensates for the density increases caused by shrinkage
2Area of stationary object
If ink droplet density is increased in areas of significant shrinkage, then the substrate covers the object surface, but the increased densities hinder shrinking and cause cracking of the ink layer or substrate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different droplet density adjustments to different regions of the substrate based on local shrinkage characteristics, allowing areas of significant shrinkage to have reduced droplet density while maintaining adequate coverage in areas with minimal shrinkage
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the density parameter of ink droplets dynamically based on the shrinkage characteristics of different substrate regions, reducing droplet density in high-shrinkage areas to prevent cracking while maintaining coverage
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
Improves image quality and prevents cracking by adjusting droplet distribution and size post-RIP, allowing seamless shrink wrapping without altering the original artwork.
Implementation Method 1
a method of printing ink droplets on to a substrate in advance of the substrate being shrunk
Implementation Method 2
When shrinking a substrate, printed using an inkjet process, onto an object, problems can arise. In areas of significant shrinkage, typically areas of significant reduction in a dimension of an object to which the substrate is applied
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of controlling an inkjet printer when printing on a substrate that is to be shrink wrapped on to an object (10), by loading an image file on to a raster image processor; undertaking raster image processing on the loaded image file to generate raster image data for controlling discharge of ink droplets on to the substrate; receiving an indication of a shape (19) of the object (10); and manipulating the generated raster image data in response to the indication of the shape (19) of the object (10) to alter the distribution and/or size of droplets applied to the substrate to take into account anticipated changes (14) in a dimension (11, 12, 13) of the substrate due to shrinkage into contact with the object (10). Also a printer for carrying out the method.