Variable Current Drying for Digital Inkjet Glass Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing digital printing methods on glass require lengthy drying processes due to low current intensity in drying lamps, leading to increased processing times and costs, while rapid drying causes ink fluidification and image dilation.
Innovation Solution
The method involves varying the electric current intensity and displacement speed of infrared or UV drying lamps during multiple passes over the glass sheet, starting with low intensity for initial fixation and increasing intensity in subsequent passes, and moving at higher speeds during return passes to reduce drying time without compromising image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If low current intensity is used in drying lamps, then image quality and incision are improved, but drying time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the drying lamp current intensity variable rather than constant. The system dynamically adjusts current intensity based on the drying stage: low intensity during initial drying to prevent ink fluidification and maintain image incision quality, then high intensity in subsequent stages to accelerate drying. This temporal variation in operating parameters resolves the contradiction between image quality and drying time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action through multiple drying passes with alternating current intensity levels. The drying process is divided into periodic cycles: initial passes with low current intensity to preserve image quality, followed by high current intensity passes to reduce drying time. This periodic alternation between different intensity levels allows the system to achieve both image quality and efficient drying.
2Loss of time
If high current intensity is used in drying lamps, then drying time is reduced, but ink fluidifies and image dilation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing initial drying passes with low current intensity before applying high current intensity. This preliminary low-intensity drying removes excess surface moisture and stabilizes the ink, preventing fluidification when high current intensity is subsequently applied. The preliminary action prepares the ink for faster drying without compromising image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically transitions from low to high current intensity based on the drying progress. The cart controller monitors the drying process and adjusts lamp intensity accordingly, applying high current only after the initial stabilization phase. This dynamic control prevents ink fluidification while achieving rapid drying in the later stages.
3Reliability
If multiple drying passes are performed, then ink drying is effective, but processing time and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the drying process dynamic by varying current intensity across different passes. Early passes use low intensity for quality preservation, while later passes use high intensity for rapid moisture removal. This dynamic approach reduces the total number of passes needed compared to consistently low-intensity drying, thereby improving productivity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operating parameter (current intensity) based on the drying stage. By transitioning from low to high current intensity, the patent optimizes the balance between drying effectiveness and processing speed. The parameter change allows fewer passes to achieve the same drying quality, improving overall productivity.
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 significantly reduces drying and overall processing times while maintaining excellent print quality, reducing the number of drying passes and associated costs.
Implementation Method 1
drying means, usually consisting of infrared or UV lamps
Implementation Method 2
drying means, usually consisting of infrared or UV lamps
Implementation Method 3
accelerating the drying of the ink through one or more passages of the drying means
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~5
AI summary
A method for drying writings and/or images made by digital inkjet printing on a glass sheet (L) in a plant (1) comprising a work surface (2) which supports the glass sheet (L), an inkjet printhead (5) and drying means (3) supplied by an electric power source and mechanically associated with means for moving said drying means (3) along at least one displacement direction (Y) parallel to the underlying glass sheet (L). The method comprises a plurality of translations (T, Ts, Ts', Ts") of said drying means (3) along the displacement direction (Y) and according to mutually opposite directions (Ya; Yr) starting from the initial/final edge to end up on the final/initial edge of said glass sheet (L), and vice versa. The intensity value (A) of the electric current supplying said drying means (3) during any one of the translations (T, Ts, Ts', Ts") is greater than the intensity value (A) of the electric current supplying the drying means (3) during the previous translation.