EP2319699A1 - Device for printing on a component by means of a digital printing method - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a print bar (20) with multiple spray nozzles (22) for electronically controlled injection of dyeing liquid. A receiving unit receives multiple constructional components (12). A control equipment (24) controls the transport unit and the spray nozzles. The constructional components are printed with a pre-determined sample.

Description

The invention relates to a device for printing a component by means of a digital printing method.

With advances in electronic data processing, particularly graphics programs, components made of a variety of materials are increasingly being printed by digital printing techniques to provide them with predetermined patterns that give them, for example, a high quality appearance. In order to produce such components inexpensively in large numbers, printing devices are required, which allow high cost printing rates even when printing components with mutually inclined surface areas.

In the present application, a digital printing method is understood to mean printing methods in which a liquid in the form of individual liquid droplets is sprayed onto individual surface elements of a surface to be printed by means of at least one digital data set from at least one spray nozzle in order to produce a predetermined pattern on the surface. which can also have the appearance of a homogeneous coloring. Different colors can be produced by different color liquids, which are sprayed in the form of droplets on a Oberbächenelement or immediately adjacent surface elements. Different color intensities can be produced by the number of droplets reaching a surface element or immediately adjacent surface elements and / or, more recently, by different volumes of the liquid droplets. A typical example of a digital printing process is the so-called inkjet printing process in which ink or dye liquid droplets are ejected from a printhead having a plurality of spray nozzles. The droplets are generated by thermal evaporation (bubblejet) or by means of piezoelectric elements and sprayed.

From the US 5,815,282 a printing device with a transport device is known, on which a plurality of side by side and arranged one behind the other to be printed components is arranged. Transversely across the transport device extends a beam which is adjustable in height and along which a nozzle head with a plurality of ink nozzles movable The bar is adjustable in height, so that even components with different surface areas can be printed.

From the EP 1 038 689 A a device for printing objects located on a linearly moving transport device is known, which contains a plurality of stationary nozzle bars extending transversely across the transport device. Each nozzle bar is equipped with ink jet heads such that it is possible to print on objects located on the transport device over its entire width.

The invention has for its object to provide a device for printing on components by means of a digital printing process, with which components with three-dimensional surfaces can be printed with strongly inclined areas.

This object is achieved with the features of claim 1.

With the rotary device according to the invention, with which one or more components arranged on the transport device are rotatable about an axis inclined to the injection direction of spray nozzles, it is also possible to print components with three-dimensional surfaces which have strongly inclined surface areas. The printing is preferably carried out in such a way that a surface area which is approximately orthogonal to the spraying direction of the spray nozzles is first printed while the rotating device is stationary, or the components are then rotated and one or more surface areas are printed in a further printing step, which are orthogonal after rotation of the component or components In another mode of operation, the rotating device can be operated while the transport device is stationary during printing. It is also possible to operate the rotating device and the transport device together during printing.

The subclaims are directed to advantageous embodiments and developments of the device according to the invention.

The claim 2 indicates a Ausführuhgsform the device according to the invention, carried out in the two successive printing steps under opposite relative movement between the or the components and the spray nozzles, so that the same spray nozzles are used for the two successive printing steps.

Claim 3 identifies a sequence in which the direction of the relative movement between the spray nozzles and the component (s) does not change between two successive printing steps, so that different spray nozzles are used for successive printing steps.

Claims 4 and 5 indicate two further advantageous embodiments of the device.

With the features of claim 6 it is achieved that graded surface areas can be printed in their height.

According to claim 7, the angle of rotation by which the component or components are rotated between two printing steps corresponds to the angle of inclination between the surfaces to be printed in the two printing steps.

With the features of claim 8 components can be printed with a circular cross-section.

The claim 10 indicates an embodiment of a device which is particularly flexible.

The invention is explained below with reference to schematic drawings, for example, and with further details.

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische schematische Ansicht einer ersten Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung mit einer Mehrzahl zu bedruckender Bauteile,

Fig. 2

eine der Fig. 1 entsprechende Ansicht, bei verdrehten Bauteilen,

Fig. 3

Teilansichten zur Erläuterung der Funktionsweise der Vorrichtung gemäß Fig. 1 und 2,

Fig. 4

eine schematische Stirnansicht der Vorrichtung gemäß Fig. 1 zur Erläuterung einer Dreheinrichtung,

Fig. 5 und 6

den Fig. 1 und 2 entsprechende Ansichten einer modifizierten Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung,

Fig. 7

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer weiteren Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung,

Fig.8

eine Teilansicht der Fig. 7 zur Erläuterung einer in der Vorrichtung gemäß Fig. 6 enthaltenen Dreheinrichtung,

Fig. 9

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer weiteren Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung,

Fig. 10

eine Teilansicht der in Fig. 10 zur Erläuterung einer der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung gemäß Fig. 10 enthaltenen Dreheinrichtung,

Fig. 11

eine Seitenansicht eines konischen zu bedruckenden Bauteils mit Druckkopf und einer Skizze der zweidimensionalen Abwicklung eines auf das dreidimensionale Bauteil aufzudruckenden Musters,

Fig. 12

eine Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung, mit der ein längliches Bauteil mit dreidimensionaler Oberfläche mit einem einzigen Satz von Druckbalken bedruckt werden kann, die verschwenkbar sein können,

Fig. 13

eine Ausführungsform einer Vorrichtung, bei der mehrere längliche Bauteile ohne Umkehr ihrer Bewegung relativ zu Spritzdüsen gleichzeitig bedruckt werden kann,

Fig. 14

eine Ausfiihrungsform eines Drucksbalkens, mit dem ein mit kreisrundem Querschnitt ausgebildetes Bauteil bedruckbar ist, und

Fig. 15

eine Anordnung mehrerer Druckbalken, mit denen ein im Querschnitt kreisrundes Bauteil bedruckbar ist.

In the figures represent:

Fig. 1

a perspective schematic view of a first embodiment of a device according to the invention with a plurality of components to be printed,

Fig. 2

one of the Fig. 1 corresponding view, with twisted components,

Fig. 3

Partial views for explaining the operation of the device according to Fig. 1 and 2 .

Fig. 4

a schematic end view of the device according to Fig. 1 to explain a turning device,

FIGS. 5 and 6

the Fig. 1 and 2 corresponding views of a modified embodiment of the device according to the invention,

Fig. 7

a perspective view of another embodiment of a device according to the invention,

Figure 8

a partial view of Fig. 7 for explaining one in the device according to Fig. 6 included turning device,

Fig. 9

a perspective view of another embodiment of a device according to the invention,

Fig. 10

a partial view of in Fig. 10 to explain a device according to the invention according to Fig. 10 included turning device,

Fig. 11

3 a side view of a conical component to be printed with a print head and a sketch of the two-dimensional development of a pattern to be printed on the three-dimensional component,

Fig. 12

an embodiment of a device according to the invention, with which an elongated component with a three-dimensional surface can be printed with a single set of pressure bars, which can be pivotable,

Fig. 13

an embodiment of a device in which a plurality of elongated components can be printed simultaneously without reversing their movement relative to spray nozzles,

Fig. 14

an embodiment of a pressure beam with which a formed with a circular cross-section component is printable, and

Fig. 15

an arrangement of a plurality of pressure bars, with which a circular in cross-section component is printable.

The digital printing method is hereinafter referred to simply as a printing method, without the invention being limited thereto.

According to Fig. 1 is on a platform 10, a plurality of components to be printed 12 arranged side by side. On the platform 10 are, as in Fig. 4 , receiving means for the components 12 are arranged, which can be rotated or pivoted with a rotating device in the direction of the arrows B. In the example shown, the components 10 have profiles with a constant cross-section in their longitudinal direction, wherein a surface to be printed has an overall flat first region 14, which merges via a transition region 16 curved approximately by 90 degrees into a second planar region 18, which is the first region tilted by 90 degrees.

The components 12 are arranged adjacent to the platform 10 transversely to the mobility direction of the platform 10, wherein in the illustrated position, the first regions 14 form an overall flat, interrupted by the distances between the components surface. The platform 10 is linearly reciprocable in the direction of the double arrow A by means of a not shown drive device, which may be known per se in its construction, and together with the drive device forms a transport device.

Transversely to the direction of the double arrow A and parallel to a plane formed by the platform 10 extends across the platform 10, a pressure bar 20 which is provided on its underside along its length with spray nozzles 22 (schematically indicated), which in its construction consist overall known ink jet printing system, with which the spray nozzles 22 are controlled such that on a surface, a predetermined electronically stored pattern can be printed. The pressure bar contains For example, along its length a plurality of arranged in mutual overlap printheads, so that all components can be printed simultaneously with precise patterns predetermined. The pressure bar 20 is movable in the direction of the double arrow C perpendicular to the plane of the platform 10. To control the movement of the platform 10 in the direction of the double arrow A, the rotation of the components 12 about its longitudinal axis in the direction of the double arrow B and the movement of the pressure bar 20 in the direction of the double arrow C and for controlling the spray nozzles 22 is a programmable electronic control device 24, which in itself can be known in its structure and therefore will not be described in detail. With the spray nozzles 22 different colors can be sprayed off in a conventional manner, so that patterns of any kind can be printed.

• Die in Fig. 1 nach oben zeigenden ersten Bereiche 14 der Bauteile 12 sowie ein Teil der Übergangsbereiche 16 werden in einem ersten Druckschritt I gleichzeitig bedruckt, indem die Plattform 10 unter dem Druckbalken 20 hindurchbewegt wird, wobei die Bauteile 12 in Richtung von ihren vorderen Enden 26 zu ihren hinteren Enden 28 bedruckt werden.

The function of the device is as follows:

• In the Fig. 1 upwardly facing first portions 14 of the components 12 and a portion of the transitional portions 16 are simultaneously printed in a first printing step I by moving the platform 10 under the pressure beam 20, with the components 12 moving from their forward ends 26 to their rearward ends 28 are printed.

When the rear ends 28 are reached, the components 12 are rotated 90 degrees according to the rotator Fig. 1 rotated in the counterclockwise direction, so that the second regions 18 facing upward of the pressure bar 20 and the already printed first areas are in a vertical position. Fig. 2 provides the device according to Fig. 1 with twisted components 12. Fig. 3 clarifies the circumstances. If the width of the first area and the second area is different, the pressure bar 20 is adjusted in the direction of the arrow Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 the same distance between the spray nozzles and the respective surface to be printed on the components consists.

Subsequently, the platform 10 is moved back, so that the second regions 18 and at least a part of the transitional regions 16 are printed starting from the rear ends 28 of the components 12 toward the front ends 26 in a second printing step II.

It is understood that the pattern to be printed on the components is stored distorted so that it appears undistorted when printing the three-dimensional transition region from the two-dimensionally arranged spray nozzles. Furthermore, the transition region in the respective printing process is advantageously only printed to the extent that the liquid droplets released from the spray nozzles strike the transition region at a sufficiently large angle and do not bounce off or become too distorted. For example, in the respective printing operation, the part of the transition region, which is inclined by less than 30 degrees to the spray direction of the spray nozzles, is not printed. In the part of the transition region (inclination between 30 degrees and 60 degrees) printed in both printing steps I and II, the amount of sprayed dyeing liquid is controlled such that the total amount of dyeing liquid sprayed in each surface unit printing is not different from the amount the flat areas is delivered.

The device described can be modified in many ways. For example, the components 12 need not necessarily be formed along their length with the same cross section. If the respective surface areas to be printed are not parallel to the surface of the platform 10, the pressure bar 20 can be moved during the movement of the platform 10 in the direction of the double arrow C, so that in each case a constant distance between the spray nozzles and the surface to be printed (with the exception the transition area) is achieved. Furthermore, the angle that the first region 14 and the second region 18 form with each other may be different from 90 degrees. Furthermore, since the position of the individual components relative to the pressure beam or nozzles is known in the controller 24 by means of outputs from suitable sensors, the components 12, although printed simultaneously, can be printed with different patterns. The components 12 need not necessarily be equal to each other. They should only be in the two rotational states according to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 with the respective surfaces to be printed equidistant from the pressure bar 20 spaced. For example, side edges of the components may be formed with differently shaped recesses. The shape of the components is stored in the control device 24, so that the individual surfaces, even if they are different from each other, are specifically printable with predetermined patterns, which may also be different from each other.

Fig. 4 shows in a schematic end view of the device according to Fig. 1 an example embodiment of a rotating or pivoting device for rotating the components 12. On each end face of the platform 10 (visible only the front of the platform 10) are a plurality of externally toothed gears 32 to platform-fixed axes in the direction of mobility of the platform run, rotatably mounted and connected in the example shown angled profiles 34 rotatably connected to each other. The profiles 34 serve as supports for the components 12. Attached to the front of the platform 10 is an electric motor 36 which drives a shaft 38 which extends transversely across the face of the platform 10 and is formed with threaded serrations 40 , which mesh with the external teeth of the gears 32. As can be seen directly from the figure, the gears 32 and with them the profiles 34 can be rotated by corresponding control of the electric motor 36 simultaneously and in the same direction for rotating or pivoting the superimposed on the profiles 34 components 12. Next is according to Fig. 4 the platform 10 guided on a guide member 42 longitudinally displaceable, wherein for moving the platform 10 in the direction of the double arrow A of the Fig. 1 known drives can be used. The guide part 42 may be significantly longer than the platform 10 in the direction of movability of the platform 10, so that a plurality of platforms with corresponding rotating devices can be arranged one behind the other on the guide part 42. The rotating device described by way of example can be modified in a suitable manner for receiving and rotating differently shaped components.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show an embodiment of the device, the total of the Fig. 1 and 2 is similar. The difference is that the rotating device for rotating the components 12 rotates the components in the direction of the double arrow B about an axis D, which is directed parallel to the longitudinal extension of the pressure bar 20. In this way, the tops 46 of the components 12 are printed in a first printing step, printed in a second printing step, the end faces 48, wherein the movement of the platform 10 in the direction of the double arrow A corresponding to the respective length of the tops and ends. If the components 12 are to be printed around their narrow sides, there are four printing operations, between which the components are rotated in each case by 90 degrees. So that the edges of the components 12 according to Fig. 4 not with inadmissibly much liquid be printed, the spray nozzles are precisely controlled so that a spray nozzle that protrudes beyond an edge, no dyeing liquid gives more.

Both in the embodiment in the apparatus according to Fig. 1 and 2 as well as in accordance with FIGS. 5 and 6 For example, the rotational angle by which the components are rotated after performing a printing step and the number of rotations required to fully print a component depends on the number of adjacent surface areas and their angles to each other. The control of the sprayed from the spray nozzles amount of paint at the end of the respective printing step ( FIGS. 5 and 6 ) or at the edge regions of the area to be printed in the respective printing step ( Fig. 1 and 2 ) depends on the type of transition area, eg radius of curvature, circumferential angle, etc.

With the hitherto described embodiments, it is also possible to print components with a round cross-section, for example a circular cross-section, by turning them at an angle after each printing step, wherein the patterns are applied in such a way in the individual printing steps that a peripheral part of the surface or the whole Peripheral surface is printed with a predetermined pattern in a predetermined intensity.

Based on the following Fig. 7 to 10 Alternative embodiments of the device according to the invention for the simultaneous printing of a plurality of components, which are formed with a circular cross-section, will be explained.

According to. Fig. 7 are on the movable in the direction of arrow A platform 10 cylindrical members 12 disposed in relation to the Bewegbarkeitsrichtung the platform 10 juxtaposed rows 50 and the components of a row are arranged one behind the other parallel to the extension direction of the pressure beam 20. The rotating device (not shown), with which the circular cylindrical constant cross-section formed components 12 are rotatable, is designed such that the respective under the pressure bar 20 befmdlichen components are rotatable with the platform 10 stationary.

According to Fig. 8 which is a vertical section in the direction of the arrow A through die.Vorrichtung according to Fig. 7 represents, the components 12 are held immovably on the platform 10 between stationary rollers or other brackets 52. The components 12 are each transported stepwise in the direction of arrow A. Once a row 50 of the components 12 is arranged under the pressure bar 20, rotatably drivable transport rollers 54 move in the direction of the pressure bar 20 and lift the components 12 located on them, so that the components 12, once the transport rollers 54 are rotated to their Axis to be turned. During this rotation, the surfaces of the rotated components 12 are printed with the predetermined patterns. After the entire surface or a predetermined surface area of the components 12 is printed, the rotary drive of the transport rollers 54 is terminated and moves the subsequent series of components under the pressure bar 20.

The FIGS. 9 and 10 show a modified embodiment of the device according to Fig. 7 , On the platform 10, in this case, a series of circular cylindrical components 12 aligned coaxially with one another in the transport direction A are arranged one behind the other. The longitudinal direction of the pressure bar 20 is parallel to the transport direction A and the pressure bar is located above the components 12 in a position such that the ink nozzles are equidistant from the components and the exit direction of the liquid from the spray nozzles 22 approximately perpendicular to the surface of the components 12th stands.

The components 12 are each transported in steps such that there are unprinted components below the pressure beam 20. The transport in the direction of arrow A is then interrupted and located below the pressure beam 20 components 12 are lifted by rotating drivable transport rollers 3 8 and rotated so that they can be printed.

According to Fig. 10 have the transport rollers 54 relative to the embodiment according to Fig. 8 a smaller lateral distance from each other, so that the components 12 are pressed for their safe rotary drive against loosely rotatable support rollers 56.

With the arrangements described so far not only with circular cylindrical cross-section formed components, such as cans, can be printed, but also with elliptical cross-section formed components, wherein during the rotation of the components of the pressure bar 20 is advantageously moved so that the distance between the spray nozzles and the surface of the components to be printed remains constant.

The transport device does not necessarily have a platform 10, but the individual components can be accommodated in holders, which are longitudinally displaceable in guides and are driven by a conveyor belt.

Fig. 11 shows an embodiment in which the components to be printed 12 are cone-shaped or otherwise designed such that they can be arranged on rotation about an axis F in the direction of the double arrow B and optionally additional pivoting of the axis F. such that in each case a surface region 58 parallel extends to the longitudinal extent of the pressure bar at the same distance from the ink nozzles. In this way, when the transport means (platform 10) is provided with corresponding pivoting and pivoting means for the components 12 to be printed, even complex shaped components 12 can be printed, with the pattern 60 to be printed on the three-dimensional surface of the components 12 in its two-dimensional Storage for controlling the ink nozzles is correspondingly distorted. A component 12, which corresponds to the Fig. 12 can be printed, for example, a paragraph of a lady's shoe, wherein the surface may be additionally concave, so that only generatrices of its surface parallel to the pressure bar, the distances of the individual surface elements of the spray nozzles of the pressure bar, however, can be displaced.

Fig. 12 shows an embodiment of a device according to the invention, in which only an elongate member 12 is arranged with preferably constant over its length cross-section on the platform 10, which is along the arrow by means of a conveying or driving device, not shown, for example, a roller conveyor, movable. Extending across the platform 10 are nozzle bars 20a to 20d, each of which may contain only one print head, with which the entire width of the components 12 can be printed. It should be noted at this point that, depending on their length, the pressure bars may in the simplest case be provided with a series of ink nozzles extending along their length and selectively controllable as well as selectively with different dyeing liquids. are loadable, or with several juxtaposed rows of spray nozzles may be provided, which are selectively controllable and each row of a dyeing liquid or application liquid is assigned. The spray nozzles may be grouped together, each group being associated, for example, with a print head, and optionally with a plurality of print heads overlapping the length of the print beam being controlled by an electronic control device in a manner known per se. In a short training, a pressure bar can only contain a printhead 5, so that then the terms print bar and printhead are used synonymously.

Again referring to the Fig. 12 , in the left upper part of a plan view of the device is shown, the component 12 is held on the platform 10 in a receiving device 62 which is both adjustable in height and pivoted. The pressure bar 20 are adjustable in height and swivel. The pivot axis, about which a component 12 received by the receiving device 62 is pivotable, and the pivot axis about which the pressure bars 20 are pivotable are parallel to the mobility of the platform 10.

As can be seen from the cross section of the component 12, it has five surface areas 64a to 64e, with a first planar surface area 64a merging via a curved area 64b into a second planar surface area 64c, which in turn merges via a curved transition area 64d into an approximately flat end area 64e , The surface areas are differently inclined relative to a reference plane, for example a horizontal plane directed parallel to the mobility direction of the platform 10.

The applied to the surface areas pattern is shown unwound and designated 60 in total. The electronically stored pattern is divided into three areas 1, 2 and 3, the area 1 corresponding to the surface area 64c and associated with the pressure beam 20a, the pattern area 2 being the surface area 64a and associated with the pressure beam 20b and the pattern area 3 being the surface area 64e represents and is associated with the pressure bar 20c.

The four different positions of the device below in FIG. 12 are as follows:

The designated 0 position is the rest position of the receiving device 62, in which the component 12 is moved up to the pressure bar 20. As soon as the front end of the component 12 approaches the pressure bars, the receiving device 62 is in the right three position shown in FIG FIG. 12 brought in which the component 12 is pivoted such that it is arranged opposite the horizontal pressure bar 20a in a horizontal position at a predetermined pressure interval. The pressure beams 20b and 20c are pivoted so as to be respectively parallel to the surface portions 64a and 64e opposite to each other at a predetermined pressure distance. The component 12 then moves further under the pressure bars 20a to 20c and is simultaneously printed by these pressure bars. After the pattern printing, the component moves under the pressure bars 20d through 20f which are arranged corresponding to the pressure bars 20a through 20c and provide the pattern-printed surface of the component 12 with, for example, a protective layer of hard-wearing, transparent lacquer.

The transition areas between the pattern areas 1 and 2, as well as 1 and 3 are in FIG. 12 represented by dashed lines. It is understood that the respective transition region 64b or 64d is preferably printed by both pressure bars 20a and 20b or 20a and 20c, wherein the amount of liquid discharged from the pressure bar 20a in the transition areas 64b, 64d from the surface region 64c to the surface regions 64a, 64e decreases and the radiated from the adjacent pressure bar 20b and 20c amount of liquid in the direction of the surface region 64c decreases, so that the transition areas are printed with the same color intensity as the flat surface areas.

With the described device, in which both the pressure bar and the receiving device are linearly movable and pivotable, wherein the receiving device or the pressure bar can additionally be movable transversely to the Bewegbarkeitsrichtung the platform 12, an extremely flexible applicability of the device is achieved with the most diverse Components can be printed at high throughput. The components do not necessarily have to be formed along their length with a constant cross section. In cross-sectional changes, the pressure bar or the receiving device can be moved such that the predetermined optimum pressure conditions remain. The largest or most important surface area can be printed in a horizontal position, in which the best printing results are achieved.

The mobility of the pressure bar and the receiving device need not be present in all dimensions described, but can be suitably designed only to solve the respective printing task.

In the described embodiment, the entire surface of a component to be printed could be printed in one pass through the device. In an alternative embodiment of the device, the three pressure bars 20a, 20b, 20c can be charged with only one dyeing liquid, for example, so that only one surface area and the adjacent transition areas of the component are printed in one pass through the device. When the component is subsequently moved backwards through the device, another surface area can be printed after tilting, and then the third surface area can be printed again under the opposite direction through the device. If all dyeing liquids are sprayed with a pressure bar, only a movable pressure bar is required for this embodiment of the device, in which a multiple pass of the component takes place. The downstream pressure bar 20d to 20f can also be replaced by a single pressure bar or omitted completely, if from the pressure bar, can be sprayed from the paint liquid, the protective liquid can be hosed.

The printing of the component 12 can be carried out in particular in the region of the transition regions in a larger number of steps, in which the component is moved under each one or more pressure bar through, wherein in each step only a narrow strip is printed. It is also possible to carry out the printing in such a way that the component 12 is moved in a zigzag shape by longitudinal movement of the platform 10 and transverse movement of the actuating device 62 and at the same time tilted relative to the printing bar or beams and kept constant at a distance from the printing bars, so that the Printing takes place in one step under complex relative movement between the pressure bar and component to be printed.

Fig. 13 shows an embodiment of a device in which the pressure bars 20 along the length of the platform 10 are at least the length of the components 12 apart, so that the components pivoted after printing by means of a pressure bar or by means of the pressure bar of a first group of pressure bar in a new rotational position can be and can then be printed with a further pressure bar or another group of pressure bar, so that between individual pressure steps no opposite relative movement between the pressure bar and to be printed component is required. As a result, the throughput speed can be increased considerably. Next are in the device according to Fig. 13 similar to the device for example according to Fig. 1 and 2 several components arranged side by side on the platform 10, which are individually movable with their receiving devices 62.

It is understood that the embodiment according to Fig. 1 and 2 may be formed such that a plurality of pressure bars 20 are arranged spaced apart in the direction of movement of the platform 10, so that the direction of movement of the platform 10 between the individual printing steps does not have to be reversed, which allows a significantly higher throughput of components and thus to be printed area.

Fig. 14 shows a cross section through a pressure beam 20 and a component 12 with a circular cylindrical cross-section according to an arrangement such as FIGS. 7 and 9 , It is assumed that the nozzle bar 20, which extends parallel to the axis of rotation A of the component 12, have four color nozzle rows 22a to 22d arranged next to one another (only the first and the last row of color nozzles are assigned reference numbers). The distance between adjacent spray nozzle rows is generally small compared to the diameter x of the component 12. Depending on the geometric conditions, as can be Fig. 14 it can be seen that the distance between the row of ink nozzles 22a and the surface of the component 12 is so much smaller than the distance of the ink nozzles 22b from the surface of the component 12, that the precision with the color droplets ejected from the ink nozzles 22d on the surface of the Get component 12 is deteriorated. In this case, it is advantageous if the individual spray nozzle rows are activated one behind the other and the component 12 is moved between two injection steps in each case by a distance between adjacent spray nozzle rows relative to the nozzle bar 20, as shown by the arrows A, B, C and D. In this way, the print quality remains unchanged.

While in the embodiment according to Fig. 14 the individual rows of nozzles 22a to 22d are operated one behind the other, shows the Fig. 15 an embodiment in which radially to the component 12 four different nozzle bars 20A to 20D are arranged at a circumferential distance, which can be activated simultaneously for printing the component 12. It is understood that the nozzle bars 20A to 20D may be combined into a single nozzle bar. At high peripheral speed of the rotating member 12, it may be advantageous if the color beams are not perpendicular to the surface of the component 12, but with a circumferential movement component, which corresponds to the peripheral speed of the surface.

Both objective and functional features of the embodiments described above can be combined with one another in different ways. For example, in the embodiment of the device according to Fig. 12 a printed component during printing perform a pivoting movement.

reference numeral

10

platform

11

Center line

12

components

14

first area

16

Transition area

18

second area

20

pressure beam

22

spray nozzles

24

electronic control device

26

front end

28

rear end

32

gear

34

profile

36

electric motor

38

wave

40

thread teeth

42

guide part

46

tops

48

front sides

50

line

52

bracket

54

transport rollers

56

backup rolls

58

surface area

60

template

62

Aufiiahrneeinrichtung

64

surface area

Claims (9)

Device for printing a component by means of a digital printing method, comprising
a pressure beam (20) having a plurality of spray nozzles (22) for the electronically controlled spraying of dyeing liquid,
a receiving device (34, 52) for receiving a component (12),
a transport device (10) for generating a linear and for the injection direction of the spray nozzles approximately vertically directed relative movement between the pressure bar (29) and the receiving device (34, 52, 62), and
a control device (24) with which the transport device and the spray nozzles (22) can be controlled such that the component can be printed with a predetermined pattern,
wherein a controllable by the control means rotating means (32, 36, 38; 54) is provided, with which the component (12) is rotatable about an axis for the injection direction of the spray nozzles (22) inclined axis,
characterized in that the axis of rotation is parallel to the direction of relative movability between the receiving means (34; 52) and the spray nozzles (22). Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control means (24) controls the transport means (10), rotators (32, 36, 38; 54) and spray nozzles (22) such that the rotational position of the component (12) during a printing operation is relative to relative movement the spray nozzles (22) is constant, the component (12) is then rotated by a predetermined angular amount and the rotational position of the component (12) during a further printing operation under the opposite relative movement is constant. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of pressure bars (20) are arranged behind one another in the direction of relative movement between the transport device and the pressure bar (20) and the control device (24) comprises the transport device, rotating device (32, 36, 28; 54) and spray nozzles (22 ) controls such that the rotational position the component (12) during a printing operation relative to a pressure bar (20) is constant, the component (12) is then rotated by a predetermined angular amount and the rotational position of the component (12) during a further printing operation while continuing the relative movement of a another pressure bar (20) is printed. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transport means (10) is stationary during a printing operation and the rotating means (32, 36, 38; 54) rotates the component (12) during the printing operation. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said transport means (10) and said turning means (32, 36, 38, 54) are active during a printing operation. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the pressure bar (20) such relative to the component (12) is movable, that the distance between the currently printed surface area of the component (12) and the component currently being printed ink nozzles (22) constant is. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the component (12) has at least two surface regions (14, 18) which are inclined with respect to one another at an angle of inclination, and the angle of rotation is equal to the angle of inclination. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein directed radially to the rotation axis, with respect to the circumferential direction spaced ink nozzles (22) are provided. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of pressure bars (20a, 20b, 20c) are arranged in the direction of relative movement between the receiving device (62) and the pressure bar one behind the other, each pressure bar relative to Receiving device (62) is height-adjustable and pivotable about an axis parallel to the direction of relative movement axis, and the receiving device (62) relative to the transport device (10) height-adjustable and pivotable about an axis parallel to the direction of relative movement axis, so that surface regions (64a to 64e) a component (12), which are inclined differently from a reference plane, can be simultaneously printed by different ones of the nozzle bars

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