UV Inkjet Printing Device Segmented Curing for Cockling Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printing devices using ultraviolet curing ink experience cockling and image quality deterioration due to thermal and curing contraction, leading to potential inkjet head contact with the recording medium.
Innovation Solution
An inkjet printing device and method that employs a first irradiator to provisionally cure ink with a longer wavelength light, allowing internal curing during image deposition, and a second irradiator with a shorter wavelength for complete surface curing after the image is formed, preventing cockling and ensuring superior image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ultraviolet curing ink is completely cured during image depiction, then curing efficiency is improved, but cockling occurs causing head contact and image quality deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The curing process is segmented into two distinct stages: a first irradiator provides preliminary curing during or immediately after image depiction, and a second irradiator completes the curing process afterward. This segmentation allows the ink to be partially cured without complete curing during printing, preventing cockling while ensuring final curing efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The first irradiator performs preliminary curing of the ultraviolet curing ink during or immediately after image depiction, preparing the ink for subsequent complete curing by the second irradiator. This preliminary action prevents cockling during printing while ensuring the ink will be fully cured afterward.
2Productivity
If ultraviolet curing ink is completely cured during printing, then curing speed is improved, but thermal contraction and curing contraction cause cockling
Solution Approach 1:
The curing process is divided into two stages: first irradiator for preliminary curing and second irradiator for complete curing. This segmentation enables controlled curing speed - the first irradiator cures the ink at a rate that prevents excessive contraction during printing, while the second irradiator completes curing afterward, maintaining recording medium flatness.
Solution Approach 2:
The first irradiator performs preliminary curing that prepares the ink for final curing without causing complete curing during printing. This preliminary action controls the curing speed to prevent thermal contraction and curing contraction that would cause cockling, while ensuring complete curing occurs afterward through the second irradiator.
3Reliability
If ultraviolet light irradiation is applied during ink discharge, then curing completeness is improved, but cockling occurs due to contraction
Solution Approach 1:
The ultraviolet light irradiation is segmented into two stages: a first irradiator provides preliminary irradiation during or immediately after ink discharge, and a second irradiator provides complete irradiation afterward. This segmentation ensures curing completeness by having the second irradiator finish the curing process, while preventing cockling by avoiding complete curing during the ink discharge phase.
4Reliability
If complete ink curing is performed during image depiction, then curing thoroughness is improved, but head touching and image quality deterioration occur
Solution Approach 1:
The curing process is segmented into preliminary curing by the first irradiator during or immediately after image depiction, followed by complete curing by the second irradiator afterward. This segmentation achieves curing thoroughness through the second irradiator while preventing head touching and image quality deterioration by avoiding complete curing during the sensitive printing phase.
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 approach effectively suppresses cockling and maintains image quality by allowing internal ink curing during printing without complete ink curing, followed by surface curing post-printing, preventing inkjet head contact and image degradation.
Implementation Method 1
The UV ink is ink that is cured when it is irradiated with ultraviolet light... a first irradiator arranged on a right side of the inkjet head and configured to radiate light with a wavelength of 385 nm onto the ink discharged onto the recording medium by the inkjet head
Implementation Method 2
a second irradiator arranged on a left side of the inkjet head, spaced from the first irradiator, and configured to radiate light with a wavelength shorter than the wavelength of light radiated by the first irradiator onto the ink discharged onto the recording medium
Implementation Method 3
the ultraviolet curing ink which has been irradiated with the ultraviolet light exhibits thermal contraction and curing contraction
Data Source
AI summary
Generation of cockling is suppressed to enable superior image quality printing. An inkjet printing device is provided with a head discharging ultraviolet curing ink onto a medium, pinning irradiation sections irradiating the ultraviolet curing ink on the medium with light, and a curing irradiation section arranged on a downstream side of the pinning irradiation sections in a conveying direction of the medium, and radiating light with a shorter wavelength than the pinning irradiation sections.