Tiltable Mandrel Mounting for Cylindrical Printing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional printing systems for cylindrical objects, such as screw caps, are limited in their ability to efficiently print on both the lateral and top surfaces, requiring advanced technologies and multiple printheads, which increases complexity and maintenance.

Innovation Solution

A tiltable mounting device that allows cylindrical objects to be tilted and rotated relative to a reference plane, enabling a single printhead to print on both surfaces without moving, thereby reducing complexity and increasing throughput.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple stationary printheads are used to print on both lateral and top surfaces of cylindrical objects, then printing capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting device transitions from a static configuration to a dynamic one by enabling the cylindrical object to rotate and tilt. This dynamic capability allows a single stationary printhead to access both the lateral and top surfaces of the object through controlled movements, eliminating the need for multiple printheads while maintaining comprehensive printing capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The single printhead is made universal by combining it with a multi-functional mounting device that can position the cylindrical object in various orientations. The mounting device performs multiple functions (rotation, tilting, positioning) that enable one printhead to accomplish what would traditionally require multiple printheads, thereby reducing system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple printheads are used to print on cylindrical objects, then printing versatility is improved, but maintenance requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting versatilityVSAvoidmaintenance requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The solution extracts the complexity from the printhead system by removing the need for multiple printheads. Instead of having multiple printing components that require individual maintenance, the system uses a single printhead combined with a mechanical mounting device that provides the necessary versatility, thereby reducing maintenance burden

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system achieves printing versatility not through multiple physical printheads but through the dynamic positioning capabilities of the mounting device. The mounting device effectively creates multiple printing positions and angles through rotation and tilting, allowing a single printhead to function as if it were multiple printheads, thus reducing maintenance requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Manufacturing precision

If conventional printing systems are used for cylindrical objects, then printing on lateral surface is achieved, but printing on top surface is not enabled

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting coverageVSAvoidprinting surface coverage

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting device adds rotational and tilting dimensions to the positioning capability. By enabling rotation around the cylindrical object's axis and tilting to change the angle of the top surface relative to the printhead, the system achieves comprehensive surface coverage that extends beyond the limitations of conventional linear positioning systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Device complexity

If a single printhead is used with a stationary mounting device, then device simplicity is maintained, but printing throughput is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice simplicityVSAvoidprinting throughput

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The dynamic mounting device enables continuous printing operations by allowing the cylindrical object to rotate and tilt smoothly between different printing positions. This continuous motion capability eliminates idle time between printing different surfaces, maintaining high throughput while using a simple single-printhead configuration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS11571912B2Tiltable mounting device, printing system and method for printing on cylindrical objects

Publication Date: 2023.02.07 VINVENTIONS USA LLC

AI summary

A tiltable mounting device is for mounting cylindrical objects with a top surface and a lateral surface, and for tilting the objects relative to a reference plane. The device has a frame, and one or more mandrels, each configured to mount a cylindrical object. Each mandrel is rotatable about a longitudinal axis, and is tiltable in the frame between first and second positions. The longitudinal axis of each mandrel in the first position is oriented perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the respective mandrel in the second position. In the first position, each mandrel is oriented with the top surface of the object in the reference plane, and in the second position, each mandrel is oriented such that the lateral surface of the cylindrical object is tangent to the reference plane.