DE69916234T2 - DEVICE FOR DECORATING CERAMIC TILES - Google Patents

Description

OBJECT THE INVENTION

The The invention relates to a device and a method for decorating of tiles based on the projection of printing ink on the surface to be printed with the aim of providing a higher printing speed.

A Another object of the invention is the printhead completely in To provide modular design, so that the printhead from at least two independent Pressure modules, which can be easily replaced, so that in case of failure only the faulty printing module removed and replaced with a new pressure module.

As already the title of this patent can express the invention is applied when decorating tiles, they However, it can be applied analogously in other branches of industry which ink on a surface must be printed.

BACKGROUND THE INVENTION

The Use of devices for printing ink on a Area, the one from a conveyor belt is transported or stationary, what they need with a control circuit is provided to control the operation of a printhead, the ink drops projected to the desired Print motif is well known in the art.

These Type of devices has the disadvantage that the printhead from a single pressure element is made, so not the entire width the tile is covered and it is necessary to run several times area or the printhead, around the decorative motif completely to print, which considerably reduces the printing speed becomes.

The Using multiple printheads for printing different colors of printing ink, which also the Disadvantage is that a single printhead for each color of the ink is also known in the art. The Use a single printhead for each color of ink It also makes it necessary to perform multiple passes to the wished Motive finish, reducing the printing speed as well is considerably reduced.

It It should also be noted that conventional printheads the Disadvantage that they are not of modular design and that Therefore, the repair is more time consuming in case of failure.

DESCRIPTION THE INVENTION

Around to overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages the invention has a new device for decorating a surface by means Ink develops, for which these have means for projecting the ink on the tile features the desired motif to print. This device is characterized in that it at least one printhead consisting of at least two from each other independent Pressure modules connected to a control unit, which controls the operation of each print module independently to the desired Print motif.

The independent Printing modules are skewed in relation to the printhead on the trajectory of the tile, and every printhead needs one include a sufficient number of printing modules that allow cover at least the entire width of the tile, so that the complete printing of the desired Motive with a single pass of the tile along the conveyor belt so that the printing speed is increased.

wider Print modules can also be used so that they are perpendicular to the pressure axis can be placed.

The Distribution of the printing modules is done so that they one after the other and / or arranged in parallel with a certain outrage that the pressure area of each print module contiguous to the print areas the other printing modules is located, so that the entire width the tile is covered.

each independent Pressure module consists of a microprocessor and the corresponding memory, to be independent working under the control of the control unit.

Although has been specified that uses at least two printing modules It is obvious that a single printing module is used can be, insofar as this pressure module corresponding dimensions has to cover the entire width of the tile.

The apparatus of the invention further takes into account the possibility of having at least as many parallel printheads as inks are required to print the desired motif, such that each printing module of each printhead connected in series has the same ink container is connected to cover the entire width of the tiles, so that multi-color printing is done in a single pass, the printing speed is considerably increased.

The described construction of the device according to the invention makes it possible a better print quality than 200 dpi (dots per inch).

The Control unit of the device according to the invention has communication tools for execution their connection with other control computers of other devices or with other computers through network, memory cards and others Communication and data storage systems in such a way that remote control and remote testing the printing devices executed can be.

Obviously can the device of the invention in combination with other, conventional Decoration devices, such as with flat screen printing devices or Rotary screen printing devices, with decoration with scroll or other operated on the market devices available.

The inventive device can on coverings and ceilings and panels are applied by simply firing and double burn, including Fast double burning and porous Simply burn, be prepared, as well as by single burn stoneware products and porcelain stoneware. Analogous this can be the device of the invention on all surfaces and Ceilings are applied by pressing or by extrusion getting produced.

Farther is obvious that the device according to the invention before the first Burning or applied between successive firings can be.

Around a better understanding of the present specification, several figures, the essential part of the patent specification and the task of the invention, without limitation.

SHORT DESCRIPTION THE FIGURES

1 Figure 4 shows a schematic view of a possible embodiment of the invention in which four parallel printheads are used, each printhead being connected to a container of ink of different colors to make marking in different colors.

2 shows a bottom view of a possible embodiment of the distribution of two different printing modules in a printhead.

3 shows a perspective view of one of in 2 included printing modules.

4 shows a perspective view of a possible embodiment of the complete device according to the invention.

5 shows a functional block diagram of a possible embodiment of the control units of the device according to the invention, which allows independent control of each pressure module.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

following The invention will be described with reference to the above figures.

The device according to the invention has a conveyor belt ( 1 ) transporting the tiles to be printed ( 2 ) and in its trajectory some printheads ( 3 ) are arranged so that printing the desired decorative motif on the tiles ( 2 ) occurs as the tiles move along the bottom of the printheads.

Each printhead ( 3 ) is with a paint container ( 4 ), each with a different color, so that each print head produces printing commensurate with the color of the container associated with it, with printing of the desired decorative motif ending when the tile under the last print head (Fig. 3 ) goes through.

Each printhead ( 3 ) consists of a large number of printing modules ( 5 ), with the corresponding slot ( 6 ) to deliver the projected ink. Therefore, each print module projects ( 5 ) of a printhead ( 3 ) the same color of printing ink.

A very important feature of the device according to the invention is that each printing module ( 5 ) is independent and that its control is independent, as will be explained later.

The printing modules ( 5 ) are skewed with respect to the printhead and to the trajectory of the tiles and arranged to cover the entire width of the tiles so as to achieve the full print of the decorative motif with a single pass of the tile. Thus, the pressure range f of each module is ( 5 ) adjacent to cover the entire width of the tile.

In the embodiment a single printhead was used to print each color however, you can obviously several printheads be ordered in series, if necessary, to the entire Width of the tile cover.

Each print module ( 5 ) comprises a control circuit ( 9 ), a microprocessor ( 10 ) and a memory ( 11 ) to enable independent operation of the mechanism ( 12 ) for the injection of printing ink through the slot ( 6 ).

To enable the independent operation of each of the print modules ( 5 ), a control unit ( 13 ) providing independent operation of each of the printing units ( 5 ) controls for what purpose the control unit ( 13 ) a control circuit ( 14 ) equipped with a microprocessor ( 16 ), with a screen ( 19 ), with a keyboard ( 18 ) and with an external communication module ( 15 ), which connects to other computers ( 17 ).

The microprocessor ( 16 ) includes the corresponding memory in which the operating program is included according to the desired decorative motif.

Consequently, by means of the memory ( 11 ) from the in the microprocessor ( 16 ) program various commands to each microprocessor ( 10 ) of the printing modules ( 5 ) that each print module ( 5 ) is completely independent and thus easily replaceable, for which the corresponding connectors, which allow the trouble-free removal of the printing modules and the subsequent installation of new modules, are provided, whereby the repair in case of failure considerably easier.

Therefore, it is readily apparent from the description provided that the decorative motif of the tile is dependent on the program involved, which in turn is controlled by each microprocessor (FIG. 10 ) by partial reading in the memory ( 11 ) information is changed so that different decorative motifs are printed, such as in the decoration of marble, with possibly different effects are desired, which are obviously not homogeneous for each tile.

As already stated, the control unit ( 13 ) connect to other computers ( 17 ) to allow the exchange of information with other devices and / or the remote control and remote verification of the printing devices.

The reference number ( 7 ) out 4 shows a bridge in which different print heads ( 3 ) and the front of the machine contains the keyboard ( 18 ), by means of which the device is programmed, and the corresponding screen ( 19 ), which displays the various data enabling the machine to operate properly.

Claims (7)

A device for decorating ceramic tiles, the device comprising spraying means for spraying ink on each tile ( 2 ) to print a motif on the tile, this tile ( 2 ) on a means of transport ( 1 ) is arranged for transport according to a route, and at least one print head ( 3 ), characterized in that the at least one print head ( 3 ) at least two printing modules ( 5 ) connected to a control unit ( 13 ), each of the print modules ( 5 ) is arranged to ink on the tile ( 2 ) corresponding to a printing area (f) of a printing module corresponding to a part of a tile width ( 5 ) to spray; the activity of each print module ( 5 ) from the control unit ( 13 ) is controlled independently, with each print module ( 5 ) an independent microprocessor ( 10 ) and an independent memory ( 11 ) and wherein each print module ( 5 ) is a replaceable module, the connection means for individual connection to the printhead ( 3 ), wherein the printing modules ( 5 ) arranged parallel to each other with a degree of dislocation and obliquely with respect to the distance of the tile ( 2 ) are arranged such that the printing area (f) of each printing module ( 5 ) until the pressure range (f) of at least one adjacent pressure modulator ( 5 ). A device according to claim 1, in which the printing areas (f) of the printing modules ( 5 ) Cover at least the tile width. A device according to claim 1, in which the microprocessor ( 10 ) and the memory ( 11 ) in each of the print modules ( 5 ) by means of one in the printing module ( 5 ) arranged control circuit ( 9 ) to the control unit ( 13 ) are connected. An apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of printheads arranged in series ( 3 ) and in which the printing modules ( 5 ) of the plurality of printheads ( 3 ) are arranged such that their pressure ranges (f) cover at least the entire tile width. A device according to claim 1, comprising at least as many printheads in parallel, such as inks needed to print the subject. A device according to claim 1, in which the control unit ( 13 ) Communication means ( 15 ) for connection with other computers ( 17 ) and allowing remote control and verification of the device. A device according to claim 1, which has a print quality of more than 200 dpi.