Textile Print Control by Ink Availability and Job Specification
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ink jet textile printing apparatuses suspend all printing operations when any ink runs low, leading to reduced operational efficiency, especially when printing specifications require different inks such as white and color inks, causing unnecessary interruptions and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A textile printing apparatus with a liquid ejection head capable of ejecting multiple liquids, a set tray for aligning printed materials, and a control unit that assesses remaining ink amounts to prioritize print-executable specifications, allowing printing to continue with sufficient inks while suspending operations for insufficiencies, especially for white ink if color ink is available.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all printing operations are suspended when any ink runs low, then printing quality is maintained, but operational efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The printing system is divided into multiple independent printing execution units (first and second sets), each capable of operating independently. When one unit suspends printing due to insufficient ink, the other unit can continue printing, thereby maintaining overall productivity while ensuring quality control in each unit.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of suspending all printing operations when any ink is insufficient, the system performs partial printing actions by allowing printing execution units that have sufficient ink to continue operating. This partial action maintains productivity while the affected units suspend to ensure quality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If printing specifications require different inks, then printing versatility is improved, but operational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each printing execution unit is designed to handle multiple ink types (white ink and color inks) and can execute various printing specifications independently. This multi-functionality allows the system to accommodate diverse printing requirements while maintaining a standardized structure that simplifies overall management.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments ink management by dedicating specific ink cartridges to specific printing execution units. This segmentation isolates ink management complexity within individual units, making it easier to monitor and replace inks without affecting the entire system.
3Reliability
If printing operations are suspended for ink replacement, then ink sufficiency is ensured, but time loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains continuity of useful printing actions by allowing printing execution units with sufficient ink to continue operating while other units suspend for ink replacement. This ensures that the overall printing process continues without complete interruption, minimizing time loss while ensuring ink availability for quality printing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system monitors ink levels in advance and can proactively manage ink replacement scheduling. By detecting insufficient ink levels before they cause printing failures, the system can plan ink replacements during periods of lower demand or switch to alternative printing execution units, thereby reducing unexpected downtime.
Data Source
AI summary
A textile printing apparatus includes a liquid remaining amount grasping unit which grasps remaining amounts of respective two or more kinds of liquids, and a control unit which performs control of execution of printings onto a plurality of printed textile materials, the control unit has a control mode for, in advance of starting the execution of printings, specifying any print-executable printing specification from among the printing specifications on the basis of the remaining amounts of the respective liquids and the contents of the respective printing specifications, and then, starting execution of any printing based on the any print-executable printing specification having been specified.