Sliding Tile Printing Modules for Maintenance Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ceramic tile printing machines have limited accessibility and interchangeability of printing modules, leading to maintenance challenges and inflexibility in color sequences, which increases longitudinal encumbrance and complicates ink changes due to compatibility issues.
Innovation Solution
The machine features slidably associated printing modules with telescopic guiding means and a quick-connect ink supply system, allowing for easy maintenance and color sequence changes without stopping the machine, with modules being accessible outside the machine's encumbrance and ink supply systems ensuring continuous fluid filtration and quick coupling for fluid cans.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If printing modules are fixed close to each other on the support structure, then the longitudinal encumbrance of the machine is reduced, but the accessibility for maintenance operations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The printing modules are made dynamically positionable through sliding associations with the support structure. Each module can be moved along guide rails between a working position (close to the transport means for printing) and a maintenance position (accessible from outside the machine encumbrance). This dynamic repositioning resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to switch between compact configuration for operation and accessible configuration for maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of moving modules along the longitudinal axis only, the invention introduces movement in a transverse dimension through sliding associations perpendicular to the transport direction. This allows modules to be accessed from the sides of the machine while maintaining a compact longitudinal footprint, effectively resolving the space-accessibility trade-off by utilizing a different spatial dimension.
2Ease of operation
If room is provided between adjoining printing modules, then the accessibility for maintenance operations is improved, but the longitudinal encumbrance of the machine increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding mechanism allows modules to dynamically adjust their positions, creating temporary access spaces when needed while maintaining minimal permanent spacing. Modules can be repositioned along the support structure to provide maintenance access without permanently increasing the machine's longitudinal dimension.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the succession of color bars is repositioned frequently, then the versatility for different decoration requirements is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The printing system is segmented into independent, modular printing modules that can be individually repositioned. Each module is a self-contained unit with its own color bar and ink supply system, allowing flexible reconfiguration of color sequences without affecting other modules. This segmentation simplifies the overall system complexity by making each module independent and easily interchangeable.
Solution Approach 2:
The sliding associations provide a simple dynamic repositioning mechanism that allows color bars to be easily moved along the support structure. The guide rails and sliding connections create a low-complexity system for changing color sequences, avoiding the need for complex robotic manipulation or disassembly procedures.
4Adaptability or versatility
If ink feeding is changed to a color bar, then the versatility for different color sequences is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to cleanness problems and setting incompatibilities
Solution Approach 1:
The ink supply system is segmented into separate, dedicated ink channels for each color bar. Each color bar has its own isolated ink feeding path with individual quick coupling connections, preventing cross-contamination between different inks. This segmentation maintains printing reliability by ensuring that changing ink for one color bar does not affect the cleanliness or settings of other color bars.
Solution Approach 2:
Quick coupling devices act as intermediary components between the ink supply system and color bars. These specialized connectors provide clean, reliable connections that prevent ink leakage and contamination during rapid ink changes, thereby maintaining printing quality consistency while enabling versatile color sequence changes.
Data Source
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AI summary
A machine for printing on tiles and the like, comprising a support structure (6) for a plurality of printing modules (7) comprising respective heads provided with nozzles (8) for ejecting a printing fluid, and means (9) for advancing the tiles to be printed according to a direction (A) arranged below said printing modules (7). Each printing module (7) is slidably associated to said support structure (6) according to a given sliding direction, so as to be able to be translated outside from the encumbrance of said advancing means (9).