Web-fed Printing Press Inkjet Registration and Drying Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Inkjet printing on textile substrates poses challenges due to their instability and stretchability, requiring precise control of web tension and shape to maintain register and prevent mechanical property changes during the printing process.

Innovation Solution

A web-fed printing press with a transport path delimited by motor-driven rotary bodies, including a cooling roller and a dryer with a heat exchanger, allows for precise regulation of web tension and energy management, enabling flexible adaptation to varying ink quantities and print image demands without altering operating parameters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If textile substrates are printed without web tension control, then the printing process is simpler, but registration accuracy deteriorates due to substrate instability and stretchability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveregistration accuracyVSAvoidweb tension control system
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting web tension forces during the printing process. Motor-driven rotary bodies modify the mechanical parameters of the substrate handling system to compensate for textile stretchability, ensuring consistent registration accuracy across different printing conditions without requiring complex additional control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical web tension control with a motor-driven system that uses controlled rotational force. Instead of complex mechanical tensioning devices, the invention uses motorized rotary bodies to apply precise mechanical forces to maintain substrate stability, simplifying the overall control architecture while improving registration precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If excessive drying is applied to printed textile substrates, then ink fixation is improved, but mechanical properties of the substrate deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveink fixationVSAvoidsubstrate mechanical properties
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements continuous drying action through the motor-driven rotary bodies that maintain consistent substrate movement through the drying zone. This continuous, controlled exposure to drying conditions ensures adequate ink fixation while preventing overheating or excessive drying that would damage the textile substrate's mechanical properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies dynamics by making the drying process adaptable through motor-controlled substrate transport. The system dynamically adjusts substrate movement speed and positioning during drying, ensuring optimal ink fixation at each moment while preventing excessive thermal or mechanical stress on the substrate, thereby preserving its mechanical integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Manufacturing precision

If operating parameters are altered to accommodate varying ink quantities, then print quality is improved, but production efficiency deteriorates due to parameter adjustment time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprint qualityVSAvoidproduction efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by implementing a motor-driven system that automatically adapts to varying ink quantities and print image demands in real-time. The motor-controlled rotary bodies adjust substrate tension and transport parameters dynamically during production, eliminating the need for manual parameter changes between different print jobs and maintaining both high print quality and continuous production efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 solution ensures accurate registration, energy efficiency, and high-quality printing by maintaining web tension and mechanical properties, allowing for continuous production of print products without excessive drying or mechanical damage.

Implementation Method 1

the at least one air discharge line and the at least one air supply line are coupled and/or can be coupled to the at least one heat exchanger

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchanger: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 2

at least one of the motor-driven rotary bodies is a first cooling roll

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCooling: Cooling

Implementation Method 3

at least one first printing unit and at least one first dryer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentEP2928695B1Web-fed printing press
Publication Date: 2017.05.03 KOENIG & BAUER AG
  • EP2928695B1 patent drawingFigure 1a
  • EP2928695B1 patent drawingFigure 1b
  • EP2928695B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a web-fed printing press (01), having at least one first printing module (200) and at least one first dryer (301) and wherein the at least one first printing module (200) has at least one inkjet print head (212). A transport path of a web to be printed (02) through the web-fed printing press (01) has at least one first section and a second section which are each bounded by motor-driven rotating bodies (103; 118; 201; 304; 401; 334; 501). At least one of the motor-driven rotating bodies (304) is a first chill roller (304) and the at least one first dryer (301) has at least one ventilation device. The at least one ventilation device has at least one air supply line (317) leading to the at least one first dryer (301) and at least one heat exchanger and at least one air exhaust line (318) leading away from the at least one first dryer. The at least one air exhaust line (318) and the at least one air supply line (317) are and/or can be coupled to the at least one heat exchanger.