Digital Tile Printing via UV Inkjet and Template Copying
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for producing individually designed tiles are either very expensive or complex, limiting their availability and making them costly, which restricts the ability to provide customers with personalized tile arrangements.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that uses standard produced tiles, transforming a digital image of a desired picture into a production template on a computer, followed by surface modification and printing using a flatbed UV inkjet printer, allowing for the efficient production of individualized tiles by applying the image onto each tile, enabling flexibility and cost reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional production systems are used to produce individually designed tiles, then each tile can have its own aesthetic appearance, but the production cost becomes very high and the system becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses digital copying of the desired picture into a production template that can be repeatedly printed onto multiple tiles using a flatbed UV inkjet printer. This digital template copying approach eliminates the need for complex traditional production systems while maintaining the ability to produce individually designed tiles at low cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the production approach from traditional manufacturing to digital printing, transforming the picture into a production template with specific parameters (tile dimensions, picture portions, positioning) that can be flexibly adjusted for different tile designs without changing the production system itself.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional production systems are used to produce individually designed tiles, then customization is possible, but the production cost becomes very high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a digital production template that can be copied and printed onto any number of tiles without additional tooling costs. This digital copying method drastically reduces the cost per tile while maintaining full customization capability, as the same template can be reused indefinitely.
Solution Approach 2:
The flatbed UV inkjet printer serves as a universal production device that can print different pictures and designs onto various tile types (ceramic, glass, stone, metal, wood) without requiring changeover tooling, making the system both cost-effective and highly adaptable to different customization needs.
3Ease of manufacture
If standard produced tiles are used as basic raw material, then cost efficiency increases, but the ability to apply individual pictures requires additional processing steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary digital processing of the desired picture into a production template that is optimized for tile printing, including division into portions for multiple tiles and positioning information. This preliminary preparation simplifies the actual printing process and reduces on-the-fly complexity during production.
Solution Approach 2:
The production template acts as an intermediary between the digital picture and the physical tile printing process. It translates the desired image into a format suitable for UV inkjet printing, managing the complexity of picture-to-tile transformation while keeping the production process straightforward and cost-effective.
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 drastically reduces the cost of producing individualized tiles, increases flexibility, and allows for easy reproduction of tiles if damaged, as the production template can be stored and reused, making the process more economical and efficient.
Implementation Method 1
EP2497647 (which constitutes prior art according to Art. 54(3) EPC) describes a process for decorating a glazed ceramic tile, comprising the steps of: (a) applying a primer composition on the tile and optionally wiping off the excess primer composition from the tile; (b) applying an ink composition comprising a radiation curable component on the primer composition by inkjet technology and (c) curing the ink composition.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A method of production of a tile arrangement, comprising the steps of; - choosing a picture (20') for a tile arrangement (2), - arranging for having said picture (20') in digital form on a computer device (5), - choosing a tile (3) to be used for the tile arrangement (2), - using software on said computer device (5), for producing a production template (20") enabling transfer of said picture (20') onto a desired number of the said tiles (3), - using a production unit (9) for transfer of said production template (20") onto each one of said tiles (3), wherein that said picture (20') is transferred directly onto each one of said tiles (3) by means of a production unit (9) using traditional printing technology.