Web-fed Printing Press Tension Control and Drying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printing on textile substrates is challenging due to their instability and stretchability, requiring precise control of web tension and shape to maintain register and prevent web tears or sagging, while also managing varying ink quantities and solvent discharge efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A web-fed printing press with multiple motor-driven rotary bodies, including cooling rollers and a ventilation system that allows for adjustable air supply and discharge, enabling precise web tension regulation and energy-efficient drying, while accommodating flexible print demands and minimizing waste.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If textile substrates are used for inkjet printing, then flexibility and variety of printed products are improved, but web tension control and register accuracy deteriorate due to substrate instability and stretchability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-tensioning the textile substrate web using a tensioning device before it enters the printing unit. This preliminary tensioning stabilizes the web and prevents stretching during the printing process, thereby maintaining register accuracy while still allowing flexibility in the final printed products.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter of web tension dynamically during the printing process. A tensioning device adjusts the tension level of the textile substrate web based on detected variations, compensating for stretchability and instability to maintain consistent register accuracy across different printing conditions.
2Manufacturing precision
If web tension is increased to prevent sagging and maintain register, then register accuracy is improved, but risk of web tears and substrate damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by using a dynamically adjustable tensioning device that can modify web tension in real-time based on detected conditions. The system starts with lower tension to prevent damage and increases tension only when and where needed to maintain register accuracy, thereby preserving web integrity while achieving printing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback through a detection device that monitors web position and tension conditions, feeding this information back to the tensioning device. This closed-loop control allows the system to adjust tension dynamically, increasing it only when register accuracy deteriorates and reducing it when the web is stable, thus preventing both sagging and web tears.
3Productivity
If drying capacity is increased to handle varying ink and solvent quantities, then productivity is improved, but energy consumption and solvent discharge increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by providing multiple drying units with adjustable drying capacity. The system activates only the necessary number of drying units based on the actual ink and solvent quantity being printed, rather than operating at full capacity continuously. This maintains high productivity when needed while reducing energy consumption during low-volume printing tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of drying capacity through controllable drying units that can be activated or deactivated based on real-time printing conditions. This allows the drying system to scale its energy input proportionally to the workload, maintaining productivity when high ink/solvent volumes require full drying capacity while conserving energy during lighter printing tasks.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple drying units are used to handle varying ink quantities efficiently, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the drying system into multiple independent, modular drying units. Each unit can be independently controlled and activated based on printing requirements. This modular approach provides adaptability for varying ink quantities while keeping individual unit complexity low and allowing flexible configuration to match production needs.
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 setup ensures high-quality printing with improved register accuracy, reduced waste, and energy savings by maintaining web tension and adapting to varying ink and solvent levels, allowing for efficient production of flexible print products.
Implementation Method 1
at least one of the motor-driven rotary bodies is a cooling roller
Implementation Method 2
the at least one first dryer has at least one ventilation device and wherein the at least one ventilation device has at least one air supply line leading to the at least one first dryer and at least one driven and/or drivable conveyor device and at least one air discharge line leading away from the at least one first dryer
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a web-fed printing press, which comprises at least one first printing unit and at least one first dryer, wherein a conveying path of a printing material web through the web-fed printing press comprises at least one first segment and one second segment, each defined by motor-powered rotation bodies. At least one of the motor-powered rotation bodies is a first cooling roller, wherein at least one of the motor-powered rotation bodies is at least one roll supporting device. The at least one first dryer comprises at least one ventilation unit, wherein the at least one ventilation unit comprises at least one air supply line leading to the at least one first dryer, at least one conveyor system that is powered or can be powered, and at least one air discharge line leading away from the at least one first dryer. The at least one air discharge line is connected and/or can be connected to the at least one air supply line by means of the at least one conveyor system.