Textile printing servicing operations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Standard printers face inefficiencies when printing on textiles due to their varying sizes, shapes, and materials, and existing methods lack effective in-line pre-treatment liquid application for improving washfastness and printing quality and speed.
Innovation Solution
An inkjet printer system with a controller that manages both pre-treatment and marking fluids, applying pre-treatment liquids before printing and performing servicing operations without overlapping with the print area, and using spit-on-page routines to prevent nozzle clogging, allowing for controlled deposition and improved interaction between printing fluids and textiles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pre-treatment liquid is applied in-line during printing, then washfastness and printing quality improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the pre-treatment liquid application function with the existing printing system by integrating a pre-treatment liquid supply unit and application mechanism into the printer carriage. This merging allows pre-treatment to be applied in-line during the printing process without requiring a separate pre-treatment station, thereby improving washfastness while controlling device complexity through unified system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The printer carriage is designed to perform multiple functions: it contains both marking printheads for printing and a pre-treatment liquid application mechanism. This multi-functionality allows the same mechanical structure to deliver both pre-treatment liquid and marking fluid, reducing the need for additional dedicated components and simplifying the overall system while improving print quality and washfastness.
2Reliability
If servicing operations are performed on printheads, then nozzle clogging is prevented, but printing productivity is reduced due to service area restrictions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary servicing actions by performing spit-on-page routines and nozzle cleaning operations before the printhead reaches the service area or during non-printing passes. This allows maintenance to be performed proactively, preventing nozzle clogging before it affects printing quality, thereby maintaining reliability without requiring complete production stops.
Solution Approach 2:
The servicing operations are performed dynamically during the printing process rather than requiring static shutdowns. The controller manages printhead movement to perform maintenance tasks during carriage repositioning or at designated service areas, allowing the system to alternate between printing and servicing modes. This dynamic approach maintains nozzle functionality while minimizing interruptions to overall printing productivity.
3Manufacturing precision
If pre-treatment area is expanded to cover the entire print area, then printing quality improves, but loss of time increases due to larger treatment area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies pre-treatment liquid selectively only in the specific print area where marking fluid will be deposited, rather than treating the entire textile surface. The controller coordinates the pre-treatment liquid application to match the print job boundaries, ensuring that pre-treatment is applied locally where needed for quality improvement while avoiding unnecessary treatment of areas that will not be printed, thereby minimizing time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies pre-treatment liquid in a controlled manner with partial coverage limited to the exact print area boundaries. This partial action approach provides sufficient pre-treatment for quality improvement without the excessive time consumption of treating larger areas. The controller precisely controls the pre-treatment liquid ejection to match only the required print dimensions, optimizing the balance between quality and speed.
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
Enhances printing efficiency and quality by ensuring better washfastness and preventing nozzle clogging, reducing the complexity of printing on diverse textiles and enabling cost-effective, high-speed printing.
Implementation Method 1
propel droplets of printing fluid from a nozzle to form an image on a substrate wherein such propelling can be achieved by different technologies such as, e.g., thermal injection or piezo injection
Implementation Method 2
propel droplets of printing fluid from a nozzle to form an image on a substrate wherein such propelling can be achieved by different technologies such as, e.g., thermal injection or piezo injection
Implementation Method 3
a suitably charged agent (e.g., a cationic polymer) in the pre-treatment fluid can immobilize an oppositely charged dye (e.g., an anionic dye) in the ink through electrostatic interactions
Data Source
AI summary
It is hereby disclosed a textile printing method comprising a controller to: receive a print job; and determine a print area of a garment based on the print job; wherein the controller is to instruct a printhead comprising a pre-treatment liquid to eject a pre-treatment liquid in a pre-treatment area of the garment being the pre-treatment area associated to the print area; and to instruct a printhead comprising printing fluid to print the print job on the print area.