UV Ink Curing Segmentation for Print Quality
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ink jet printing technologies face challenges in maintaining high image quality due to phenomena such as solidification and aggregation of UV ink, which are not adequately addressed by focusing solely on ink curability during the printing process.
Innovation Solution
A line printer configuration with multiple heads and irradiation sections is employed, where each head ejects a specific radiation-curable ink, and corresponding irradiation sections provide tailored UV exposure to manage ink curing and prevent solidification, with the arrangement optimizing ink ejection order and UV light quantity based on ink properties to suppress bleeding and aggregation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If UV ink is irradiated with high integrated light quantity to improve curability, then ink curing is enhanced, but solidification and aggregation occur causing image quality deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single irradiation process into multiple irradiation sections (first, second, third irradiation sections) positioned at different locations in the transport direction. Each section provides controlled UV exposure to different ink layers, segmenting the curing process to prevent excessive light exposure that causes solidification while ensuring adequate curability for each ink type.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different integrated light quantities to different ink types based on their specific properties. The first irradiation section targets the first ink with a specific light quantity, the second irradiation section targets the second ink with another light quantity, and so on. This localized approach ensures each ink receives appropriate UV exposure for curing without causing solidification or aggregation.
2Productivity
If ink ejection order is optimized for curability only, then curing efficiency is improved, but other ink properties such as wetting and spreading are not considered leading to quality issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary irradiation actions before complete curing occurs. The first irradiation section irradiates the first ink before it fully cures, the second irradiation section irradiates the second ink at an intermediate stage, and the third irradiation section completes the curing process. This staged preliminary action approach allows control over wetting and spreading properties while maintaining curing efficiency.
3Strength
If complete curing is applied to all inks to ensure durability, then ink resistance is improved, but wetting and spreading phenomena are not properly controlled causing image quality deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial curing action rather than complete curing to all inks simultaneously. The first, second, and third irradiation sections provide progressive UV exposure that achieves sufficient curing for durability while preventing excessive curing that would cause wetting and spreading. This partial action approach balances resistance development with image quality maintenance.
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
This configuration enables high-quality image printing by considering ink properties, reducing solidification, bleeding, and aggregation, and ensuring accurate color reproduction by optimizing the integrated light quantity and ejection order of UV inks.
Implementation Method 1
a first irradiation section which is arranged between the first head and the second head in the transport direction and irradiates radiation rays with an integrated light quantity to a degree at which the first ink ejected from the first head is not completely cured
Data Source
AI summary
A printing apparatus includes: a supporting member which supports a medium; a transport device which transports the medium; first to fourth heads which eject first to fourth radiation curable type inks; a first irradiation section; a second irradiation section; a third irradiation section; and a fourth irradiation section which is arranged on the downstream side of the fourth head, in which the radiation rays respectively irradiated from the first irradiation section to the third irradiation section have a peak wavelength of 350 nm to 450 nm, and coloring materials included in the third ink and the fourth ink have higher absorption properties of the radiation rays with the peak wavelength than coloring materials included in the first ink and the second ink.