Substrate Decoration for Continuous Front-to-Edge Grain Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for decorating laminated panels fail to achieve continuity of design between the front and lateral surfaces, requiring manual application and limiting the ability to create complex designs, especially when the panel is not made of a single wooden board.
Innovation Solution
A method using inkjet printing and computer vision to detect and print designs on substrates, ensuring continuity between the front and lateral surfaces by generating and adjusting designs based on the positioning and patterns of the front laminar elements, allowing for automated and precise application of complex designs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manual application of design on substrate is used, then complex designs can be applied to substrates, but the process is time-consuming and labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical application of designs with an automated printing system that uses digital templates and printing mechanisms to apply grain patterns and designs to substrate edges, maintaining design complexity while dramatically increasing productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses digital copying of grain patterns from the front surface to the edge surfaces through template creation and printing, allowing complex designs to be reproduced automatically without manual application, thus resolving the contradiction between design complexity and production speed
2Manufacturing precision
If manual repair of designs is required, then design accuracy can be maintained, but the repair process is time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual design repair with an automated system that detects design defects and reprints the affected areas using the digital template, maintaining design accuracy while significantly reducing repair time through automation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates a feedback mechanism where the system monitors the applied designs and automatically triggers reprinting of defective areas based on detected errors, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual inspection and repair while maintaining high precision
3Ease of manufacture
If discontinuous grain patterns are used on edges, then manufacturing is simpler, but the aesthetic quality and realism are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent automatically copies the grain pattern from the front surface to the edge surfaces using digital templates, ensuring continuous and realistic grain patterns across all visible surfaces while maintaining ease of manufacture through automated processing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal digital template that serves multiple functions: it defines the grain pattern on the front surface, generates continuous grain patterns on all edge surfaces, and enables automatic repair of defects, thereby achieving both manufacturing simplicity and grain continuity
Data Source
AI summary
A method for decorating a substrate by providing the substrate, detecting a first design covering a first area of the substrate and/or detecting the positioning of the first design with respect to the substrate, providing a second design which is a function of the first design and/or of the positioning of the first design with respect to the substrate, and printing the second design covering a second area of the substrate.