EP2591917A1 - Method and device for ink-jet printing on curved container surfaces - Google Patents
Method and device for ink-jet printing on curved container surfaces Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP2591917A1 EP2591917A1 EP12191421.2A EP12191421A EP2591917A1 EP 2591917 A1 EP2591917 A1 EP 2591917A1 EP 12191421 A EP12191421 A EP 12191421A EP 2591917 A1 EP2591917 A1 EP 2591917A1
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- nozzles
- printing
- container
- rows
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- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 30
- 238000007641 inkjet printing Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 9
- 238000007639 printing Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 82
- 239000011521 glass Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 5
- 238000011161 development Methods 0.000 claims description 8
- 229920000139 polyethylene terephthalate Polymers 0.000 abstract 2
- 239000005020 polyethylene terephthalate Substances 0.000 abstract 2
- -1 polyethylene terephthalate Polymers 0.000 abstract 1
- 238000012937 correction Methods 0.000 description 32
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 description 11
- 230000018109 developmental process Effects 0.000 description 7
- 238000013461 design Methods 0.000 description 6
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- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 5
- 235000013361 beverage Nutrition 0.000 description 3
- 238000004364 calculation method Methods 0.000 description 3
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- 230000004913 activation Effects 0.000 description 1
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- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000009736 wetting Methods 0.000 description 1
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J3/00—Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed
- B41J3/407—Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed for marking on special material
- B41J3/4073—Printing on three-dimensional objects not being in sheet or web form, e.g. spherical or cubic objects
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J3/00—Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed
- B41J3/407—Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed for marking on special material
- B41J3/4073—Printing on three-dimensional objects not being in sheet or web form, e.g. spherical or cubic objects
- B41J3/40733—Printing on cylindrical or rotationally symmetrical objects, e. g. on bottles
Definitions
- the invention relates to a method and apparatus for inkjet printing on curved surfaces of containers, in particular PET bottles or glass bottles.
- Inkjet printing on containers is advantageous because of the freedom of design in the implementation of complex print motifs and the rapid adaptability to different products. Due to the mostly curved container surfaces and the use of line-like printheads, which are usual because of the required rapid throughput in beverage filling lines, however, occur unwanted deviations of the generated print image of the respective template, in particular an imprecise printing, which leads to unclean contours in the printed image.
- the stated object is achieved by a method according to claim 1.
- the curved surface to be printed is moved relative to at least one row of nozzles aligned transversely or obliquely to the direction of relative movement.
- ink drops are ejected at ejection timings set for the individual ink droplets depending on the respective pressure distance of the ejecting nozzle.
- the ejection times can be adjusted in particular by moving individual pixels on an image template to be printed in or against the print feed. Pixels which are shifted against the direction of printing, which is to be understood in the sense of a printing advance, are printed at an earlier time than non-shifted pixels and vice versa. It is therefore only the print template to adapt without having to adjust the ejection timing of individual nozzles by means of separate control signals individually. The latter, however, is also possible in principle.
- PET bottles and glass bottles can have dimensional tolerances due to the production, which can be compensated according to the invention by adjusting the ejection times in order nevertheless to ensure a desired printed image. For cans, especially from sheet metal, this may also be the case.
- the relative movement here corresponds essentially to a pressure movement between the print head and the surface to be printed in the sense of a feed in the column direction or row direction.
- the pressure interval can be identical for all nozzles of the nozzle row.
- the ejection times of a nozzle row can then also be identical.
- At least two rows of nozzles are provided one behind the other in the direction of movement, and the ejection timings are set in dependence on a distance between the rows of nozzles.
- runtime differences of the nozzle rows can be compensated for until a predetermined printing position is reached over the object surface, as can deviations of the trajectories from an idealized, vertical direction of incidence of the ink droplets on the object surface.
- the ejection times are furthermore set as a function of an incidence angle of the ink droplets formed in each case with the surface.
- At least two rows of nozzles in the direction of movement are arranged one behind the other and on both sides of a center position radially aligned with respect to the main axis of the container, and the discharge timings of the ink drops are further dependent on a distance between a transport path of the containers and the center position, a distance between the respective nozzle row and the center position, and set the respective radius of the container.
- These distances essentially define the catheters of a right-angled triangle whose hypotenuse is formed by an imaginary connecting line from the main axis of the container to the respective row of nozzles.
- the transport path is, for example, an orbit of a bottle table.
- the distance between the center position and the transport path is defined, for example, with respect to the pitch circle of an orbit and / or the trajectory of the container main axes.
- the center position corresponds to the imaginary position of a radially aligned nozzle row. Based on the above distances, the pressure control can be particularly easily adapted to different container dimensions and container tables.
- the transport path of the container surface to be printed may differ from the transport path of an associated holder for the container about a machine axis of rotation, depending on the position of the axis of rotation of the container with respect to its cross section.
- the axis of rotation is equal to the longitudinal axis / major axis of the container.
- relative movement preferably takes place only by rotation of the container about its longitudinal axis. It would also be conceivable that the print heads are transported at a different peripheral speed than the containers. It is therefore also possible in this regard, a combined relative movement.
- At least two rows of nozzles in the direction of movement are provided one behind the other, and the rows of nozzles are offset transversely to the direction of movement, in particular by half, for example, in a printhead with two rows of nozzles, or a third, for example, in a printhead with three rows of nozzles, the respective printing resolution along the nozzle rows.
- the nozzles thus print in the intermediate pressure spaces of the respective leading nozzles. This allows the print quality to be further optimized.
- the surface in front of the nozzle row is moved about a rotation axis, and the pressure separation is defined with respect to a developable outer surface formed around the rotation axis. This simplifies the calculation of a geometric offset of the individual nozzle rows.
- a printing original for driving the at least one row of nozzles is created on a development of the lateral surface. This facilitates the adaptation of a two-dimensional print template to the curved printing surface.
- the row of nozzles is moved along the surface, and the printing distance is defined with respect to at least one developable surface, which is aligned parallel to an axis of symmetry of the object to be printed.
- the printing distance is defined with respect to at least one developable surface, which is aligned parallel to an axis of symmetry of the object to be printed.
- non-rotationally symmetrical surfaces can also be printed with improved accuracy.
- the ejection timings are set by shifting pixels of a print subject on a print original in the direction of movement or against the direction of movement, and driving the at least one nozzle row based on the shifted pixels.
- offset pixels are printed at different times.
- the associated ink drops are thus ejected at different times.
- different pressure intervals of the nozzles can be compensated by a targeted distortion of the print motif on the print original in the direction of movement.
- the ejection times could be adjusted by assigning individual nozzles or individual pixels of a print original in each case a time offset and the ink droplets are ejected taking into account the respective associated time offset.
- a time offset can be assigned to individual nozzles or nozzle rows independently of the print template.
- a central row of nozzles is provided in a center position radially aligned with respect to the main axis of the container, and the pixels assigned to the central row of nozzles on the master are not displaced or reduced with respect to the direction of movement as pixels associated with rows of nozzles preceding or behind the direction of movement ,
- the central nozzle row can then be used as a reference position with respect to the direction of movement and the adaptation of the ejection times can be simplified.
- the pixels on the artwork which are associated with a nozzle row located farther away from the center position at the time of printing or ink ejection are further shifted than the pixels associated with a nozzle row located closer to the center position ,
- the pixels on the artwork which are associated with a nozzle row located farther away from the container surface at the time of printing or ink ejection are further shifted than the pixels associated with a nozzle row located closer to the container surface.
- Nozzles of a row of nozzles for example, in each case adjacent nozzles of a row of nozzles, ie nozzles with a distance in the longitudinal direction of the container.
- This principle applies to printheads with even numbers of rows of nozzles as well as printheads having an odd number of rows of nozzles.
- this principle can be used in particular in containers which have elevations and / or depressions whose surface deviates from a nominal diameter of the outer surface of the container.
- the printhead has two, four or some other integer multiple of two rows of nozzles, then there is preferably no central row of nozzles.
- the ejection timings of the ink droplets are adapted to convex and concave radii of curvature along the circumference of the container. This allows even structured surfaces with elevations and depressions to be printed variably and precisely.
- the ejection times could also be adjusted depending on the duration of flight of the ink drops and depending on the speed of the surface to be printed in the direction of movement.
- external disturbances such as due to air turbulence, gravity and friction can be considered.
- a different relative movement of the surface with respect to the nozzle row for different pressure intervals can be compensated with a separate correction function.
- ink droplets are preferably ejected the sooner the greater the printing distance.
- the droplet size could be adapted to an angle of incidence of the ink droplets formed with the object surface.
- the desired optical density of the ink on the surface can also be achieved for different angles of incidence.
- the drops are the larger the more oblique the ink drops hit the surface.
- the smallest droplet size results here at right angles of incidence.
- the pressure separation is 0.5 to 20 mm, in particular 1 to 7 mm. This allows most commercially available containers to be printed with improved quality.
- a further preferred development of the method according to the invention further comprises a step for producing a printing original, in which: a predetermined image grid is laid on the surface to be printed; a print motif is rasterized on the basis of the image raster; and projecting the rasterized print motif onto at least one developable surface to assign print coordinates to projected pixels of the print subject on a surface finish.
- the pressure can be optimized on the basis of the print motif screened onto the object. This simplifies the calculation and adaptation of individual correction functions, for example for compensating a geometric offset of individual nozzle rows, differences in flight time, variations in the pressure separation caused by container contours, and the like.
- the step of producing the print template can solve a separate task, namely to be able to create print templates predominantly in an object-oriented manner. This is achieved by the fact that the print motif can first be adapted to the object to be printed from a design point of view, and subsequently a specifically distorted print original is produced. In other words, the printed image can still be examined and optimized in the undistorted state together with the object to be printed.
- the screened print motif is projected onto at least one lateral surface, wherein the projection origin lies on the rotational axis of the lateral surface. This makes it easier to create print templates and adjust the artwork to different print margins.
- the step of producing the printing original is carried out by means of a three-dimensional computer model of the surface to be printed. This makes it possible, from a design point of view, to optimize the print image in a particularly comfortable and versatile manner and to save resources.
- an apparatus for ink-jet printing on curved object surfaces, in particular container surfaces comprising: at least one row of ink-jet nozzles arranged transversely or obliquely to the printing direction; a positioning unit for mutually moving a surface to be printed and the ink jet nozzles; and a control unit for driving the ink-jet nozzles, which is formed so that ink droplets can be ejected at timings set for the individual ink droplets depending on the respective pressure distance of the ejecting nozzle.
- Preferred developments of the device are further designed for carrying out the developments according to the invention of the described method.
- a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention for ink jet printing on container 1, such as beverage bottles, will be described.
- it is also generally suitable for printing on other objects with curved surfaces.
- a surface 2 is in the Fig. 1 schematically illustrated as a portion of the side wall of the container 1.
- the surface 2 is rotatably positioned in front of a print head 3 with nozzle rows 4 about the main axis 1 'of the container 1.
- Printers with corresponding rows of nozzles 4 and positioning units for carrying out a printing movement between the print head 3 and the surface 2 to be printed can in this case be arranged in a known manner. According to the invention, these are combined with a control unit (not shown) and / or evaluation unit in order to set the printing times of the rows of nozzles 4 and / or individual nozzles 4a provided on them as a function of the respective printing distance.
- Fig. 2 can be seen, for example, at least two rows of nozzles 4 in the printing direction 5 are arranged one behind the other, so that in the Fig. 1 only one of the rows of nozzles 4 can be seen. Also indicated is an optional central row of nozzles 4 ', which is aligned in a central position M radially with respect to the main axis 1' of the container 1.
- the individual nozzles 4a of the nozzle rows 4, 4 ' are each arranged with an individual pressure separation 6 to the surface 2.
- nozzle rows 4, 4' and the nozzle 4a are merely an example.
- several printheads 3 could be provided. These are then preferably arranged in alignment with each other parallel to the main axis 1 ', in particular in such a way that the nozzle rows 4 are aligned symmetrically to the center position M or an optionally provided middle row of nozzles 4' is aligned exactly radially in the middle position M, as shown in FIG Fig. 2 is indicated.
- the printing direction 5 is defined in terms of a printing feed by the relative movement between the print head 3 and the surface 2 to be printed in the region of the print head 3, in the example shown by the tangent to a circumferential line 2 'of the surface 2 at the printing position of a pixel P below the print head. 3
- the ejection timing of the ink droplets 9 can, for example, in response to a distance between a transport path of the container 1 and the center position M, a distance between the respective row of nozzles 4 and the middle position M, and the respective radius r x of the container 1 can be set.
- These distances essentially define the catheters of a right-angled triangle whose hypotenuse is formed by an imaginary connecting line from the main axis 1 'of the container 1 to the respective nozzle row 4. In the Fig. 2 these catheters correspond to the distance r N + d N or the distance X / 2.
- an alternative perimeter line 2 "representing a container surface having concave and convex curvatures
- the pressure distance 6 varies along the circumference of the rotating container 1.
- the ejection can be achieved the ink drops 9 according to the invention to specifically adapt to depressions and elevations along the container circumference.
- the printing distance 6 can be defined directly as a distance to the surface 2 to be printed. As more fully described below with reference to FIGS FIGS. 5 and 6
- the printing distance 6 ' can also be defined as a virtual size with respect to a developable surface 7, which is, for example, a virtual lateral surface around the main axis 1' of the container 1 to be printed. Suitable lateral surfaces are cylinders, cones, truncated cones and any combinations thereof.
- the printhead 3 could be moved along the surface 2 along (not shown), in particular if the container to be printed does not have a rotationally symmetrical cross-section but, for example an elliptical cross-section.
- the generatrix of a developable surface used to define the printing distance and / or as a printing original could run along an ellipse or the like.
- the unwindable surface would then be aligned parallel to an axis of symmetry of the container and parallel to the nozzle row 4, 4 '.
- Fig. 2 is the developable surface 7 defined by its radius r N about the main axis 1 'of the container 1, the position of a pixel P on the surface to be printed 2 by the radius r X. Further, the print head 3 is positioned at a distance d N from the unwindable surface 7. In this case, by definition, the printing distance 6 of the pixel P on the radius r X is equal to d N + r N -r x .
- a distance X is provided in the pressure direction 5 by design. This can be used to achieve standard print resolutions of, for example, 300 to 600 dpi. Due to the curvature of the surface 2, ink droplets 9 can not impinge on the surface 2 at the same time orthogonally from a plurality of nozzle rows 4 lying one behind the other. This results in a geometric offset of the drops 9 from the nozzle rows 4 caused by the distance X of the rows of nozzles 4. This effect is the stronger the smaller the ratio of the radius of curvature r X at the printing position to the distance X of the rows of nozzles 4. The problem and its solution will be on hand in the Fig.
- the geometric print offset .DELTA.x g results from the fact that the ink drops 9 then do not hit the surface 2 perpendicularly.
- the pressure offset ⁇ x g is thus dependent on the pressure separation 6, 6 'and the distance X of the nozzle rows 4. If, for this purpose, a virtual printing distance 6 'is defined with the aid of the developable surface 7, this preferably also serves as a projection surface for producing the associated printing original 8.
- the virtual printing distance 6' is equal to r N - r X in the example.
- a correction function for the respective nozzle row 4 can be calculated.
- This correction function can optionally be supplemented by a zero point correction by taking into account the printing offset Ax N on the unwindable surface 7, for example by subtraction with the printing offset ⁇ x g on the surface 2 to be printed. This additionally improves the print quality.
- the correction then takes place by means of an adaptation of the ejection time of the ink droplets 9, ie by deliberately delayed or preferred ejection from the rows of nozzles 4 offset from each other in the printing direction 5.
- the ejection time is determined in particular by shifting individual pixels on the printing original 8 in or against the direction of movement 5 , ie the printing direction, reached. This correction is to be calculated separately for each nozzle row 4, for example for corresponding print lines in the printing original 8.
- the printing offset .DELTA.x g would be in the example of Fig. 2 for printing an arbitrary pixel with the left nozzle row 4 to add to its printing direction specific image coordinate to subtract for printing the same pixel with the right nozzle row 4 of the image coordinate.
- the center position M can be used as a reference for compensation of the geometrical pressure offset ⁇ x g .
- the image coordinates of the central nozzle row 4 ' would then not have to be shifted relative to the geometric print offset, but only the image coordinates of the outer nozzle rows 4.
- the pressure offset ⁇ x g can nonetheless be calculated separately for individual nozzles 4a.
- the ejection times can then be adjusted for individual nozzles 4a according to the above scheme by shifting image coordinates.
- Another correction function can compensate flight times of the ink drops 9 of different lengths.
- a correction of different pressure intervals 6, 6 ' which during the relative movement between the surface 2 and the rows of nozzles 4 effect that, despite approximately the same drop speed v T and the same ejection time of the droplets 9, different printing positions P are printed in the printing direction 5. This causes a distorted and / or blurred print image.
- Fig. 3 flies an ink droplet 9 to the surface 2, for example by the distance .DELTA.y further than the unwindable surface 7 and thus requires the time .DELTA.t longer to the surface 2.
- the surface to be printed 2 moves at the speed v O on .
- the resulting displacement Ax t is analogous to the geometrically caused print offset Ax g in a correction function for delayed or early ejection of the ink droplets 9 are integrated, for example by appropriate displacement of the corresponding picture elements on the master 8.
- the speed of the surface 2 can preferably also as a relative value regarding the speed of unwindable Define area 7. This correction is dependent on the printing speed v O and should be adjusted accordingly.
- correction functions can be carried out before the loading of the print motif, but also after the separation of the color channels, for example.
- individual or all correction functions could also be realized by specifying an explicitly defined time offset for the delayed or early activation of individual nozzle rows 4, 4 'and / or nozzles 4a for varying the ejection times or else only be supplemented by such a correction period.
- the correction then takes place by shifting the pixel P from x to x '.
- Correction functions or individual correction values can also be determined empirically by suitably shaped test bodies and / or test patterns. Sign and formula of the correction functions are dependent on the location of the nozzle row relative to the virtual printing position.
- the virtual printing position is defined, for example, by the position of the axis of rotation of the unwinding under the print head.
- the ink application to curved surfaces is preferably dependent on their local inclination relative to one in the position I of Fig. 4 indicated flat container surface 2 corrected to ensure a uniform optical density of the ink.
- the Fig. 4 illustrated at the position II for an inclined surface portion for example, an oblique impact of the ink drops 9 may not or insufficiently ink-filled gaps in the imprint on the surface 2 cause.
- Factors for the wetting of the surface 2 can preferably be determined empirically under real conditions. For example, surface sections are printed at defined angles of incidence ⁇ and associated correction values for the drop size and / or the screen r are determined. In this case, the outflow of the ink along the inclination can be taken into account.
- the Fig. 5 shows a curved surface 2 to be printed, on which ink droplets 9 are to be placed at a print resolution A, and a developable surface 7, on the development of which, for example, a printing original 8 for printing the surface 2 can be created.
- individual in the Fig. 5 represented by ink drops 9 pixels of the curved surface 2, starting from a projection center 10, for example the main axis 1 'of the container to be printed 1 corresponds projecting onto the unwindable surface 7. Due to deviating radial distances from the projection center 10, the local printing resolution A 'of the ink droplets 9 on the developable surface 7 differs in places from the local printing resolution A on the curved surface 2.
- the position of individual pixels on the printing original 8 independently of one another, and thus also the local resolution A ', can be selectively varied in order to produce the most uniform possible printing resolution A on the surface 2, as in US Pat Fig. 5 is indicated.
- the radial auxiliary lines 9 'in the Fig. 5 the theoretical trajectories of the ink drops 9 at the respective printing positions on the surface of the second
- the virtual printing distance 6 ' can be defined as the difference between the radial distances of the pixels (ink droplets in the Fig. 5 ) on the unwindable surface 7 and the associated areas on the surface 2 to be printed.
- a print motif 12 is designed and / or edited based on the grid 11 in a three-dimensional model of the surface 2.
- the grid points of the grid 11 are then projected onto the developable surface 7, which results in a spatially different screen ruling or printing resolution A 'on the developable surface 7, depending on the local curvature of the surface 2.
- the pressure separation 6, 6 ' is determined from the three-dimensional model of the surface 2 and the developable projection surface 7. For this purpose, the path lengths between the intersections of the pot trajectory with the surface 2 and the projection surface 7 are determined. As data of the individual pixels, for example, the printing distance 6, 6 ', the pixel coordinates and the associated values of the color channels are stored. The determined pressure distance 6, 6 'can then also be used for the correction functions described above.
- the present invention specifically against the print motif 12 distorted artwork templates 8 provide additional creative freedom, and it is a particularly precise printing of the subject 12 allows.
- the final printed image can already be assessed visually especially well in the design and modified in a simple manner.
- the printing originals 8 according to the invention can be created in computing units separately from the described printing methods on curved object surfaces 2. Thus, a separate technical problem can be solved.
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Abstract
Description
Die Erfindung betrifft ein Verfahren und eine Vorrichtung für den Tintenstrahldruck auf gekrümmte Oberflächen von Behältern, insbesondere von PET-Flaschen oder Glasflaschen.The invention relates to a method and apparatus for inkjet printing on curved surfaces of containers, in particular PET bottles or glass bottles.
Der Tintenstrahldruck auf Behälter, wie Getränkeflaschen und dergleichen, ist aufgrund der Gestaltungsfreiheit bei der Umsetzung komplexer Druckmotive und der schnellen Anpassbarkeit an unterschiedliche Produkte vorteilhaft. Aufgrund der meist gekrümmten Behälteroberflächen und bei Verwendung zeilenartiger Druckköpfe, die wegen des geforderten schnellen Durchsatzes in Getränkeabfülllinien üblich sind, treten jedoch unerwünschte Abweichungen des erzeugten Druckbilds von der jeweiligen Vorlage auf, insbesondere ein unpräziser Druck, der zu unsauberen Konturen im Druckbild führt.Inkjet printing on containers, such as beverage bottles and the like, is advantageous because of the freedom of design in the implementation of complex print motifs and the rapid adaptability to different products. Due to the mostly curved container surfaces and the use of line-like printheads, which are usual because of the required rapid throughput in beverage filling lines, however, occur unwanted deviations of the generated print image of the respective template, in particular an imprecise printing, which leads to unclean contours in the printed image.
Wie aus der
Es besteht daher der Bedarf für in dieser Hinsicht verbesserte Druckverfahren und entsprechende Vorrichtungen.There is therefore a need for improved printing methods and apparatus in this regard.
Die gestellte Aufgabe wird mit einem Verfahren nach Anspruch 1 gelöst. Demnach wird die zu bedruckende gekrümmte Oberfläche relativ zu wenigstens einer Düsenreihe bewegt, die quer oder schräg zur Richtung der Relativbewegung ausgerichtet ist. Ferner werden Tintentropfen zu Ausstoßzeitpunkten ausgestoßen, die für die einzelnen Tintentropfen in Abhängigkeit des jeweiligen Druckabstands der ausstoßenden Düse eingestellt werden.The stated object is achieved by a method according to
Die Ausstoßzeitpunkte lassen sich insbesondere durch Verschieben einzelner Bildpunkte auf einer zu druckenden Bildvorlage in oder entgegen des Druckvorschubs einstellen. Bildpunkte, die entgegen der Druckrichtung, die im Sinne eines Druckvorschubs zu verstehen ist, verschoben sind, werden zu einem früheren Zeitpunkt gedruckt als nicht verschobene Bildpunkte und umgekehrt. Es ist daher lediglich die Druckvorlage anzupassen, ohne die Ausstoßzeitpunkte einzelner Düsen mittels separater Steuersignale individuell verstellen zu müssen. Letzteres ist jedoch prinzipiell ebenso möglich.The ejection times can be adjusted in particular by moving individual pixels on an image template to be printed in or against the print feed. Pixels which are shifted against the direction of printing, which is to be understood in the sense of a printing advance, are printed at an earlier time than non-shifted pixels and vice versa. It is therefore only the print template to adapt without having to adjust the ejection timing of individual nozzles by means of separate control signals individually. The latter, however, is also possible in principle.
Dadurch können Fehler beim Umsetzen zweidimensionaler Druckvorlagen in einen dreidimensionalen Druck auf einfache Weise und bei flächig homogener Druckqualität reduziert oder kompensiert werden. Derartige Fehler können von der Relativbewegung zwischen Druckkopf und zu bedruckender Oberfläche verursacht werden, durch eine unterschiedliche Flugdauer der Tintentropfen, durch unregelmäßige Oberflächen und/oder einen bauartbedingten Versatz und schräges Auftreffen von Tintenstrahlen bezüglich einer vorgegebenen Druckposition. Insbesondere PET-Flaschen und Glasflaschen können durch die Herstellung bedingt Maßtoleranzen aufweisen, die erfindungsgemäß durch Anpassen der Ausstoßzeitpunkte kompensiert werden können, um dennoch ein gewünschtes Druckbild zu gewährleisten. Bei Dosen, insbesondere aus Blech, kann dies auch der Fall sein.As a result, errors in converting two-dimensional print templates into a three-dimensional print can be reduced or compensated for in a simple manner and in the case of flat homogeneous print quality. Such errors can be caused by the relative movement between the print head and the surface to be printed, by a different flight time of the ink drops, by irregular surfaces and / or a design-related offset and oblique impact of ink jets with respect to a predetermined printing position. In particular, PET bottles and glass bottles can have dimensional tolerances due to the production, which can be compensated according to the invention by adjusting the ejection times in order nevertheless to ensure a desired printed image. For cans, especially from sheet metal, this may also be the case.
Die Relativbewegung entspricht hierbei im Wesentlichen einer Druckbewegung zwischen Druckkopf und zu bedruckender Oberfläche im Sinne eines Vorschubs in Spaltenrichtung oder Zeilenrichtung. Der Druckabstand kann für alle Düsen der Düsenreihe identisch sein. Die Ausstoßzeitpunkte einer Düsenreihe können dann ebenfalls identisch sein.The relative movement here corresponds essentially to a pressure movement between the print head and the surface to be printed in the sense of a feed in the column direction or row direction. The pressure interval can be identical for all nozzles of the nozzle row. The ejection times of a nozzle row can then also be identical.
Vorzugsweise sind wenigstens zwei Düsenreihen in der Bewegungsrichtung hintereinander liegend vorgesehen, und die Ausstoßzeitpunkte werden in Abhängigkeit von einem Abstand zwischen den Düsenreihen eingestellt. Dadurch können Laufzeitunterschiede der Düsenreihen bis zum Erreichen einer vorgegebenen Druckposition über der Objektoberfläche ausgeglichen werden, ebenso Abweichungen der Flugbahnen von einer idealisierten, senkrechten Einfallsrichtung der Tintentropfen auf die Objektoberfläche.Preferably, at least two rows of nozzles are provided one behind the other in the direction of movement, and the ejection timings are set in dependence on a distance between the rows of nozzles. As a result, runtime differences of the nozzle rows can be compensated for until a predetermined printing position is reached over the object surface, as can deviations of the trajectories from an idealized, vertical direction of incidence of the ink droplets on the object surface.
Bei einer besonders günstigen Weiterbildung werden die Ausstoßzeitpunkte ferner in Abhängigkeit von einem jeweils mit der Oberfläche gebildeten Auftreffwinkel der Tintentropfen eingestellt. Dadurch kann ein geometrischer Versatz einzelner Düsenreihen bezüglich einer vorgegebenen Druckposition besonders genau berechnet und im Druckbild kompensiert werden.In a particularly favorable development, the ejection times are furthermore set as a function of an incidence angle of the ink droplets formed in each case with the surface. As a result, a geometric offset of individual nozzle rows with respect to a predetermined printing position can be calculated particularly accurately and compensated in the printed image.
Vorzugsweise sind wenigstens zwei Düsenreihen in der Bewegungsrichtung hintereinander liegend und beidseitig einer bezüglich der Hauptachse des Behälters radial ausgerichteten Mittelposition vorgesehen, und die Ausstoßzeitpunkte der Tintentropfen werden ferner in Abhängigkeit von einem Abstand zwischen einer Transportbahn der Behälter und der Mittelposition, einem Abstand zwischen der jeweiligen Düsenreihe und der Mittelposition, und dem jeweiligen Radius des Behälters eingestellt. Diese Abstände definieren im Wesentlichen die Katheten eines rechtwinkligen Dreiecks, dessen Hypothenuse durch eine gedachte Verbindungslinie von der Hauptachse des Behälters zur jeweiligen Düsenreihe ausgebildet wird.Preferably, at least two rows of nozzles in the direction of movement are arranged one behind the other and on both sides of a center position radially aligned with respect to the main axis of the container, and the discharge timings of the ink drops are further dependent on a distance between a transport path of the containers and the center position, a distance between the respective nozzle row and the center position, and set the respective radius of the container. These distances essentially define the catheters of a right-angled triangle whose hypotenuse is formed by an imaginary connecting line from the main axis of the container to the respective row of nozzles.
Die Transportbahn ist beispielsweise eine Umlaufbahn eines Flaschentischs. Der Abstand zwischen der Mittelposition und der Transportbahn ist beispielsweise bezüglich des Teilkreises einer Umlaufbahn und/oder der Bewegungsbahn der Behälterhauptachsen definiert. Die Mittelposition entspricht der gedachten Position einer radial ausgerichteten Düsenreihe. Anhand der oben genannten Abstände lässt sich die Drucksteuerung besonders einfach an unterschiedliche Behälterabmessungen und Behältertische anpassen.The transport path is, for example, an orbit of a bottle table. The distance between the center position and the transport path is defined, for example, with respect to the pitch circle of an orbit and / or the trajectory of the container main axes. The center position corresponds to the imaginary position of a radially aligned nozzle row. Based on the above distances, the pressure control can be particularly easily adapted to different container dimensions and container tables.
Die Transportbahn der zu bedruckenden Behälteroberfläche kann sich von der Transportbahn einer zugehörigen Halterung für den Behälter um eine Maschinendrehachse unterscheiden, je nach Lage der Drehachse des Behälters bezüglich seines Querschnitts. Bei Behältern mit im Wesentlichen kreisförmigem Querschnitt ist die Drehachse gleich der Längsachse / Hauptachse des Behälters. Wenn die Maschine taktweise betrieben wird, kann der Behälter vor einem stationären Druckkopf angehalten werden und sich vor diesem drehen, was die oben genannte Relativbewegung verursacht. Es kann auch zu Überschneidungen der beiden Bewegungen kommen, wenn sich sowohl die Maschine als auch der auf Ihr befindliche Behälter gleichzeitig drehen.The transport path of the container surface to be printed may differ from the transport path of an associated holder for the container about a machine axis of rotation, depending on the position of the axis of rotation of the container with respect to its cross section. For containers of substantially circular cross section, the axis of rotation is equal to the longitudinal axis / major axis of the container. When the machine is operated in cycles, the container may be stopped in front of a stationary printhead and rotate in front of it, causing the above relative movement. It can also be overlapping of the two movements, when both the machine and the container located on your turn at the same time.
Wenn die Druckköpfe auf der sich drehenden Maschine angebracht sind, findet eine Relativbewegung bevorzugt nur durch Drehung des Behälters um seine Längsachse statt. Es wäre aber auch denkbar, dass die Druckköpfe mit einer anderen Umfangsgeschwindigkeit als die Behälter transportiert werden. Es ist somit auch diesbezüglich eine kombinierte Relativbewegung denkbar.When the printheads are mounted on the rotating machine, relative movement preferably takes place only by rotation of the container about its longitudinal axis. It would also be conceivable that the print heads are transported at a different peripheral speed than the containers. It is therefore also possible in this regard, a combined relative movement.
Vorzugsweise sind wenigstens zwei Düsenreihen in der Bewegungsrichtung hintereinander liegend vorgesehen, und die Düsenreihen sind quer zur Bewegungsrichtung versetzt, insbesondere um die Hälfte, beispielsweise bei einem Druckkopf mit zwei Düsenreihen, oder ein Drittel, beispielsweise bei einem Druckkopf mit drei Düsenreihen, der jeweiligen Druckauflösung entlang der Düsenreihen. Die Düsen drucken somit in die Druckzwischenräume der jeweils vorlaufenden Düsen. Damit lässt sich die Druckqualität weiter optimieren.Preferably, at least two rows of nozzles in the direction of movement are provided one behind the other, and the rows of nozzles are offset transversely to the direction of movement, in particular by half, for example, in a printhead with two rows of nozzles, or a third, for example, in a printhead with three rows of nozzles, the respective printing resolution along the nozzle rows. The nozzles thus print in the intermediate pressure spaces of the respective leading nozzles. This allows the print quality to be further optimized.
Vorzugsweise wird die Oberfläche vor der Düsenreihe um eine Drehachse bewegt, und der Druckabstand wird bezüglich einer um die Drehachse gebildeten abwickelbaren Mantelfläche definiert. Dies vereinfacht die Berechnung eines geometrischen Versatzes der einzelnen Düsenreihen.Preferably, the surface in front of the nozzle row is moved about a rotation axis, and the pressure separation is defined with respect to a developable outer surface formed around the rotation axis. This simplifies the calculation of a geometric offset of the individual nozzle rows.
Bei einer besonders günstigen Ausgestaltung wird eine Druckvorlage zum Ansteuern der wenigstens einen Düsenreihe auf einer Abwicklung der Mantelfläche erstellt. Dies erleichtert die Anpassung einer zweidimensionalen Druckvorlage an die gekrümmte Druckfläche.In a particularly advantageous embodiment, a printing original for driving the at least one row of nozzles is created on a development of the lateral surface. This facilitates the adaptation of a two-dimensional print template to the curved printing surface.
Bei einer weiteren bevorzugten Weiterbildung der Erfindung wird die Düsenreihe entlang der Oberfläche bewegt, und der Druckabstand wird bezüglich wenigstens einer abwickelbaren Fläche definiert, die parallel zu einer Symmetrieachse des zu bedruckenden Objekts ausgerichtet ist. Damit lassen sich insbesondere auch nicht-rotationssymmetrische Oberflächen mit verbesserter Genauigkeit bedrucken.In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the row of nozzles is moved along the surface, and the printing distance is defined with respect to at least one developable surface, which is aligned parallel to an axis of symmetry of the object to be printed. In particular, non-rotationally symmetrical surfaces can also be printed with improved accuracy.
Vorzugsweise werden die Ausstoßzeitpunkte eingestellt, indem Bildpunkte eines Druckmotivs auf einer Druckvorlage in der Bewegungsrichtung oder gegen die Bewegungsrichtung verschoben werden und die wenigstens eine Düsenreihe auf Grundlage der verschobenen Bildpunkte angesteuert wird. Auf der Druckvorlage in Bewegungsrichtung zueinander versetzte Bildpunkte werden zu unterschiedlichen Zeitpunkten gedruckt. Die zugehörigen Tintentropfen werden folglich zu unterschiedlichen Zeitpunkten ausgestoßen. Somit können unterschiedliche Druckabstände der Düsen durch ein gezieltes Verzerren des Druckmotivs auf der Druckvorlage in Bewegungsrichtung kompensiert werden.Preferably, the ejection timings are set by shifting pixels of a print subject on a print original in the direction of movement or against the direction of movement, and driving the at least one nozzle row based on the shifted pixels. On the print original in the direction of movement offset pixels are printed at different times. The associated ink drops are thus ejected at different times. Thus, different pressure intervals of the nozzles can be compensated by a targeted distortion of the print motif on the print original in the direction of movement.
Ergänzend könnten die Ausstoßzeitpunkte angepasst werden, indem einzelnen Düsen oder einzelnen Bildpunkten einer Druckvorlage jeweils ein Zeitversatz zugeordnet wird und die Tintentropfen unter Berücksichtigung des jeweils zugeordneten Zeitversatzes ausgestoßen werden. Dadurch lässt sich ein Zeitversatz unabhängig von der Druckvorlage einzelnen Düsen oder Düsenreihen zuordnen.In addition, the ejection times could be adjusted by assigning individual nozzles or individual pixels of a print original in each case a time offset and the ink droplets are ejected taking into account the respective associated time offset. As a result, a time offset can be assigned to individual nozzles or nozzle rows independently of the print template.
Vorzugsweise ist eine mittlere Düsenreihe in einer bezüglich der Hauptachse des Behälters radial ausgerichteten Mittelposition vorgesehen, und die der mittleren Düsenreihe zugeordneten Bildpunkte auf der Druckvorlage werden bezüglich der Bewegungsrichtung nicht oder weniger verschoben werden als Bildpunkte, die bezüglich der Bewegungsrichtung davor oder dahinter liegenden Düsenreihen zugeordnet sind. Die mittlere Düsenreihe kann dann als Referenzposition bezüglich der Bewegungsrichtung verwendet und die Anpassung der Ausstoßzeitpunkte vereinfacht werden.Preferably, a central row of nozzles is provided in a center position radially aligned with respect to the main axis of the container, and the pixels assigned to the central row of nozzles on the master are not displaced or reduced with respect to the direction of movement as pixels associated with rows of nozzles preceding or behind the direction of movement , The central nozzle row can then be used as a reference position with respect to the direction of movement and the adaptation of the ejection times can be simplified.
Insbesondere werden die Bildpunkte auf der Druckvorlage, welche einer Düsenreihe zugeordnet sind, die zum Zeitpunkt des Druckens bzw. Tintenausstoßes weiter weg von der Mittelposition gelegen ist, weiter verschoben, als die Bildpunkte, welche einer Düsenreihe zugeordnet sind, die sich näher an der Mittelposition befindet.More specifically, the pixels on the artwork which are associated with a nozzle row located farther away from the center position at the time of printing or ink ejection are further shifted than the pixels associated with a nozzle row located closer to the center position ,
Insbesondere werden die Bildpunkte auf der Druckvorlage, welche einer Düsenreihe zugeordnet sind, die zum Zeitpunkt des Druckens bzw. Tintenausstoßes weiter weg von der Behälteroberfläche gelegen ist, weiter verschoben, als die Bildpunkte, welche einer Düsenreihe zugeordnet sind, die sich näher an Behälteroberfläche befindet. Letzteres betrifft insbesondere auchSpecifically, the pixels on the artwork which are associated with a nozzle row located farther away from the container surface at the time of printing or ink ejection are further shifted than the pixels associated with a nozzle row located closer to the container surface. The latter also applies in particular
Düsen einer Düsenreihe, beispielsweise jeweils benachbarte Düsen einer Düsenreihe, also Düsen mit einem Abstand in Längsrichtung des Behälters. Dieses Prinzip trifft sowohl auf Druckköpfe mit gerader Anzahl von Düsenreihen als auch auf Druckköpfe mit ungerader Anzahl von Düsenreihen zu. Weiterhin kann dieses Prinzip insbesondere bei Behältern eingesetzt werden, welche Erhebungen und/oder Vertiefungen aufweisen, deren Oberfläche von einem Nenndurchmesser der Außenoberfläche des Behälters abweicht.Nozzles of a row of nozzles, for example, in each case adjacent nozzles of a row of nozzles, ie nozzles with a distance in the longitudinal direction of the container. This principle applies to printheads with even numbers of rows of nozzles as well as printheads having an odd number of rows of nozzles. Furthermore, this principle can be used in particular in containers which have elevations and / or depressions whose surface deviates from a nominal diameter of the outer surface of the container.
Weist der Druckkopf zwei, vier oder ein anderes ganzzahliges Vielfaches von zwei Düsenreihen auf, so gibt es bevorzugt keine mittlere Düsenreihe.If the printhead has two, four or some other integer multiple of two rows of nozzles, then there is preferably no central row of nozzles.
Es kann auch vorkommen, dass die Bildpunkte auf der Druckvorlage, welche einer Düsenreihe zugeordnet sind, in eine andere Richtung, insbesondere in die entgegen gesetzte Richtung, verschoben werden als die Bildpunkte auf der Druckvorlage, welche einer anderen Düsenreihe zugeordnet sind. Insbesondere sind diese zwei Düsenreihen dann auf entgegen gesetzten Seiten der Mittelposition angeordnet.It can also happen that the pixels on the print original, which are assigned to one nozzle row, are shifted in a different direction, in particular in the opposite direction, than the pixels on the print master, which are assigned to another nozzle row. In particular, these two rows of nozzles are then arranged on opposite sides of the central position.
Vorzugsweise werden die Ausstoßzeitpunkte der Tintentropfen an entlang des Behälterumfangs vorgesehene konvexe und konkave Krümmungsradien angepasst. Damit lassen sich auch strukturierte Oberflächen mit Erhebungen und Vertiefungen variabel und exakt bedrucken.Preferably, the ejection timings of the ink droplets are adapted to convex and concave radii of curvature along the circumference of the container. This allows even structured surfaces with elevations and depressions to be printed variably and precisely.
Die Ausstoßzeitpunkte könnten ferner auch in Abhängigkeit von der Flugdauer der Tintentropfen und in Abhängigkeit von der Geschwindigkeit der zu bedruckenden Oberfläche in Bewegungsrichtung eingestellt werden. Ebenso lassen sich äußere Störeinflüsse, wie beispielsweise auf Grund von Luftverwirbelungen, Gravitation und Reibung berücksichtigen. Insbesondere kann eine unterschiedlich weite Relativbewegung der Oberfläche bezüglich der Düsenreihe für unterschiedliche Druckabstände mit einer eigenen Korrekturfunktion ausgeglichen werden. Tintentropfen werden auf Grund dieser Korrekturfunktion vorzugsweise um so eher ausgestoßen je größer der Druckabstand ist.The ejection times could also be adjusted depending on the duration of flight of the ink drops and depending on the speed of the surface to be printed in the direction of movement. Likewise, external disturbances, such as due to air turbulence, gravity and friction can be considered. In particular, a different relative movement of the surface with respect to the nozzle row for different pressure intervals can be compensated with a separate correction function. As a result of this correction function, ink droplets are preferably ejected the sooner the greater the printing distance.
Ferner könnte die Tropfengröße an einen mit der Objektoberfläche gebildeten Auftreffwinkel der Tintentropfen angepasst werden. Dadurch lässt sich die gewünschte optische Dichte der Tinte auf der Oberfläche auch für unterschiedliche Auftreffwinkel erzielen. Insbesondere sind die Tropfen umso größer je schräger die Tintentropfen auf die Oberfläche treffen. Die kleinste Tropfengröße ergibt sich hier bei rechtwinkliger Einfallsrichtung.Furthermore, the droplet size could be adapted to an angle of incidence of the ink droplets formed with the object surface. As a result, the desired optical density of the ink on the surface can also be achieved for different angles of incidence. In particular, the drops are the larger the more oblique the ink drops hit the surface. The smallest droplet size results here at right angles of incidence.
Bei einer bevorzugten Ausgestaltung beträgt der Druckabstand 0,5 bis 20 mm, insbesondere 1 bis 7 mm. Damit lassen sich die meisten handelsüblichen Behälter mit einer verbesserten Qualität bedrucken.In a preferred embodiment, the pressure separation is 0.5 to 20 mm, in particular 1 to 7 mm. This allows most commercially available containers to be printed with improved quality.
Eine weitere bevorzugte Weiterbildung des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens umfasst ferner einen Schritt zum Herstellen einer Druckvorlage, bei dem: ein vorgegebenen Bildraster auf die zu bedruckende Oberfläche gelegt wird; ein Druckmotiv auf Grundlage des Bildrasters gerastert wird; und das gerasterte Druckmotiv auf wenigstens eine abwickelbare Fläche projiziert wird, um projizierten Bildpunkten des Druckmotivs Druckkoordinaten auf einer Abwicklung der Fläche zuzuweisen. Dadurch lässt sich der Druck ausgehend von dem auf das Objekt gerasterten Druckmotiv optimieren. Dies vereinfacht die Berechnung und Anpassung einzelner Korrekturfunktionen beispielsweise zur Kompensation eines geometrischen Versatzes einzelner Düsenreihen, von Flugzeitunterschieden, durch Behälterkonturen verursachte Variationen des Druckabstands und dergleichen.A further preferred development of the method according to the invention further comprises a step for producing a printing original, in which: a predetermined image grid is laid on the surface to be printed; a print motif is rasterized on the basis of the image raster; and projecting the rasterized print motif onto at least one developable surface to assign print coordinates to projected pixels of the print subject on a surface finish. As a result, the pressure can be optimized on the basis of the print motif screened onto the object. This simplifies the calculation and adaptation of individual correction functions, for example for compensating a geometric offset of individual nozzle rows, differences in flight time, variations in the pressure separation caused by container contours, and the like.
Mit dem Schritt zum Herstellen der Druckvorlage lässt sich außerdem eine eigenständige Aufgabe lösen, nämlich Druckvorlagen überwiegend objektorientiert erstellen zu können. Dies wird dadurch erzielt, dass das Druckmotiv zuerst aus gestalterischer Sicht an das zu bedruckende Objekt angepasst werden kann und anschließend eine demgegenüber gezielt verzerrte Druckvorlage erzeugt wird. Anders gesagt kann das Druckbild im noch unverzerrten Zustand gemeinsam mit dem zu bedruckenden Objekt begutachtet und optimiert werden.In addition, the step of producing the print template can solve a separate task, namely to be able to create print templates predominantly in an object-oriented manner. This is achieved by the fact that the print motif can first be adapted to the object to be printed from a design point of view, and subsequently a specifically distorted print original is produced. In other words, the printed image can still be examined and optimized in the undistorted state together with the object to be printed.
Vorzugsweise wird das gerasterte Druckmotiv auf wenigstens eine Mantelfläche projiziert, wobei der Projektionsursprung auf der Rotationsachse der Mantelfläche liegt. Dadurch werden das Erstellen von Druckvorlagen und das Anpassen der Druckvorlagen an unterschiedliche Druckabstände erleichtert.Preferably, the screened print motif is projected onto at least one lateral surface, wherein the projection origin lies on the rotational axis of the lateral surface. This makes it easier to create print templates and adjust the artwork to different print margins.
Bei einer besonders günstigen Weiterbildung der Erfindung wird der Schritt zum Herstellen der Druckvorlage mittels eines dreidimensionalen Rechenmodells der zu bedruckenden Oberfläche ausgeführt. Dies ermöglicht eine aus gestalterischer Sicht besonders komfortable und vielseitige sowie eine Ressourcen schonende Optimierung des Druckbilds.In a particularly favorable development of the invention, the step of producing the printing original is carried out by means of a three-dimensional computer model of the surface to be printed. This makes it possible, from a design point of view, to optimize the print image in a particularly comfortable and versatile manner and to save resources.
Die gestellte Aufgabe wird ferner gelöst mit einer Vorrichtung für den Tintenstrahldruck auf gekrümmte Objektoberflächen, insbesondere Behälteroberflächen, mit: wenigstens einer quer oder schräg zur Druckrichtung angeordneten Reihe von Tintenstrahldüsen; mit einer Positioniereinheit zum gegenseitigen Bewegen einer zu bedruckenden Oberfläche und der Tintenstrahldüsen; und mit einer Steuereinheit zum Ansteuern der Tintenstrahldüsen, die derart ausgebildet ist, dass Tintentropfen zu Zeitpunkten ausgestoßen werden können, die für die einzelnen Tintentropfen in Abhängigkeit des jeweiligen Druckabstands der ausstoßenden Düse eingestellt werden.The object is further achieved with an apparatus for ink-jet printing on curved object surfaces, in particular container surfaces, comprising: at least one row of ink-jet nozzles arranged transversely or obliquely to the printing direction; a positioning unit for mutually moving a surface to be printed and the ink jet nozzles; and a control unit for driving the ink-jet nozzles, which is formed so that ink droplets can be ejected at timings set for the individual ink droplets depending on the respective pressure distance of the ejecting nozzle.
Bevorzugte Weiterbildungen der Vorrichtung sind ferner zum Ausführen der erfindungsgemäßen Weiterbildungen des beschriebenen Verfahrens ausgebildet.Preferred developments of the device are further designed for carrying out the developments according to the invention of the described method.
Bevorzugte Ausführungsformen der Erfindung sind in der Zeichnung dargestellt. Es zeigen:
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Fig. 1 eine schematische Ansicht eines Behälters und einer Düsenzeile eines Druckkopfs, gesehen in Druckrichtung; -
Fig. 2 eine gegenüber derFig. 1 um 90° seitlich geschwenkte Ansicht des Behälters und des Druckkopfs; -
Fig. 3 ein Schema zur Verdeutlichung unterschiedlicher Druckabstände und Flugzeiten der Tintentropfen; -
Fig. 4 ein Schema zur Verdeutlichung unterschiedlicher Druckdichten in Abhängigkeit des Auftreffwinkels und der Tropfengröße; -
Fig. 5 eine schematische Darstellung einer Rasterprojektion auf eine abwickelbare Fläche; und -
Fig. 6 eine Seitenansicht eines Behälters mit einem schematisch gerasterten Druckmotiv.
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Fig. 1 a schematic view of a container and a nozzle line of a printhead, seen in the printing direction; -
Fig. 2 one opposite theFig. 1 90 ° laterally swiveled view of the container and the print head; -
Fig. 3 a scheme to illustrate different pressure intervals and flight times of the ink drops; -
Fig. 4 a scheme to illustrate different pressure densities as a function of the angle of incidence and the droplet size; -
Fig. 5 a schematic representation of a raster projection on a developable surface; and -
Fig. 6 a side view of a container with a schematically screened print motif.
Unter Bezugnahme auf die
Wie die
Wie die
Die Ausstoßzeitpunkte der Tintentropfen 9 können beispielsweise in Abhängigkeit von einem Abstand zwischen einer Transportbahn der Behälter 1 und der Mittelposition M, einem Abstand zwischen der jeweiligen Düsenreihe 4 und der Mittelposition M, und dem jeweiligen Radius rx des Behälters 1 eingestellt werden. Diese Abstände definieren im Wesentlichen die Katheten eines rechtwinkligen Dreiecks, dessen Hypothenuse durch eine gedachte Verbindungslinie von der Hauptachse 1' des Behälters 1 zur jeweiligen Düsenreihe 4 ausgebildet wird. In der
In einem umfänglichen Teilbereich ist ferner eine alternative Umfangslinie 2" beispielhaft angedeutet, die eine Behälteroberfläche mit konkaven und konvexen Krümmungen repräsentiert. In diesem Fall variiert der Druckabstand 6 entlang des Umfangs des sich drehenden Behälters 1. Bei bekannter Drehlage des Behälters 1 lässt sich der Ausstoß der Tintentropfen 9 erfindungsgemäß an Vertiefungen und Erhebungen entlang des Behälterumfangs gezielt anpassen.In a peripheral portion, there is further exemplified an
Wie die
Alternativ zu der in den
Im Beispiel der
Nachfolgend werden Korrekturfunktionen zur Korrektur von Druckzeitpunkten in Abhängigkeit vom Druckabstand anhand der in der
Zwischen den Düsenreihen 4 ist in der Druckrichtung 5 bauartbedingt ein Abstand X vorzusehen. Damit lassen sich übliche Druckauflösungen von beispielsweise 300 bis 600 dpi erreichen. Auf Grund der Krümmung der Oberfläche 2 können Tintentropfen 9 nicht aus mehreren hintereinander liegenden Düsenreihen 4 gleichzeitig orthogonal auf die Oberfläche 2 auftreffen. Daraus folgt ein durch den Abstand X der Düsenreihen 4 verursachter geometrischer Versatz der Tropfen 9 aus den Düsenreihen 4. Dieser Effekt ist umso stärker je kleiner das Verhältnis des Krümmungsradius rX an der Druckposition zum Abstand X der Düsenreihen 4 ist. Das Problems und dessen Lösung werden an Hand des in der
Wie die
Ausgehend von dem Druckversatz Δxg kann eine Korrekturfunktion für die jeweilige Düsenreihe 4 berechnet werden. Diese Korrekturfunktion kann optional durch eine Nullpunktkorrektur ergänzt werden, indem der Druckversatz AxN auf der abwickelbaren Fläche 7 berücksichtigt wird, beispielsweise durch Differenzbildung mit dem Druckversatz Δxg auf der zu bedruckenden Oberfläche 2. Dadurch lässt sich die Druckqualität zusätzlich verbessern.Starting from the pressure offset Δx g , a correction function for the
Die Korrektur erfolgt dann mittels einer Anpassung des Ausstoßzeitpunktes der Tintentropfen 9, also durch gezielt verzögertes oder vorgezogenes Ausstoßen aus den in Druckrichtung 5 zueinander versetzten Düsenreihen 4. Erfindungsgemäß wird der Ausstoßzeitpunkt insbesondere durch ein Verschieben einzelner Bildpunkte auf der Druckvorlage 8 in oder entgegen der Bewegungsrichtung 5, also der Druckrichtung, erreicht. Diese Korrektur ist für jede Düsenreihe 4 separat zu berechnen, beispielsweise für entsprechende Druckzeilen in der Druckvorlage 8. Der Druckversatz Δxg wäre im Beispiel der
Ist eine mittlere Düsenreihe 4' in radialer Ausrichtung an der Mittelposition M vorgesehen, so kann die Mittelposition M als Referenz zur Kompensation des geometrischen Druckversatzes Δxg verwendet werden. Die Bildkoordinaten der mittleren Düsenreihe 4' müssten bezüglich des geometrischen Druckversatzes dann nicht verschoben werden, sondern lediglich die Bildkoordinaten der außen liegenden Düsenreihen 4.If a middle row of nozzles 4 'is provided in radial alignment at the middle position M, then the center position M can be used as a reference for compensation of the geometrical pressure offset Δx g . The image coordinates of the central nozzle row 4 'would then not have to be shifted relative to the geometric print offset, but only the image coordinates of the
Ist der Druckabstand 6, 6' aufgrund der Kontur der Behälterseitenwand für einzelne Düsen 4a unterschiedlich, so kann der Druckversatz Δxg nichtsdestoweniger für einzelne Düsen 4a separat berechnet werden. Die Ausstoßzeitpunkte können dann für einzelne Düsen 4a nach obigem Schema durch Verschieben von Bildkoordinaten angepasst werden.If the
Eine weitere Korrekturfunktion kann unterschiedlich lange Flugzeiten der Tintentropfen 9 kompensieren. Auch hier erfolgt grundsätzlich eine Korrektur unterschiedlicher Druckabstände 6, 6', die während der Relativbewegung zwischen der Oberfläche 2 und den Düsenreihen 4 bewirken, dass trotz näherungsweise gleicher Tropfengeschwindigkeit vT und gleichem Ausstoßzeitpunkt der Tropfen 9 unterschiedliche Druckpositionen P in Druckrichtung 5 bedruckt werden. Dies verursacht ein verzerrtes und/oder unscharfes Druckbild. Ohne Rücksichtnahme auf Reibungsverluste und damit verbundene Verzögerungen der Tropfen 9 können Flugzeitunterschiede Δt wie folgt mit den Formeln (4) und (5) berücksichtigt und ein dadurch verursachter Druckversatz Δxt berechnet und bei Bedarf korrigiert werden:
Wie die
Unter realen Bedingungen treten ferner Reibungsverluste der Tropfen in der Luft auf. Abhängig vom Tropfendurchmesser können Kalibrierfunktionen, beispielsweise zur Abhängigkeit der Tropfengeschwindigkeit von der Flugzeit, bestimmt werden und in die Korrektur einfließen.Under real conditions, friction losses of the droplets in the air also occur. Depending on the droplet diameter, calibration functions, for example for the dependence of the drop velocity on the time of flight, can be determined and incorporated into the correction.
Auch Luftströmungen und andere Umwelteinflüsse, wie beispielsweise Temperaturschwankungen, elektrostatische Potentiale, Magnetfelder und dergleichen, können je nach Tropfengröße, Tintenart und Druckkopftyp eine Deplatzierung der Tintentropfen 9 verursachen. Weitere Korrekturfunktionen können hierzu auch empirisch ermittelt werden und die erfindungsgemäße Korrektur des Druckversatzes durch Koordinatenverschiebung in der Druckvorlage einfließen.Also, air currents and other environmental influences, such as temperature fluctuations, electrostatic potentials, magnetic fields and the like, may cause depletion of the
Die beschriebenen Korrekturfunktionen können vor dem Laden des Druckmotivs ausgeführt werden, beispielsweise aber auch nach der Separierung der Farbkanäle. Alternativ könnten einzelne oder alle Korrekturfunktionen auch durch Vorgabe eines explizit definierten Zeitversatzes für die verzögerte oder vorgezogene Ansteuerung einzelner Düsenreihen 4, 4' und/oder Düsen 4a zur Veränderung der Ausstoßzeitpunkte realisiert oder auch nur durch einen derartige Korrekturzeitspanne ergänzt werden.The described correction functions can be carried out before the loading of the print motif, but also after the separation of the color channels, for example. Alternatively, individual or all correction functions could also be realized by specifying an explicitly defined time offset for the delayed or early activation of
Eine Gesamtkorrekturfunktion in Abhängigkeit des tatsächlichen oder virtuellen Druckabstands 6, 6' könnte beispielsweise folgende Terme umfassen, wobei der Druckabstand 6, 6' hier zugunsten einer besseren Lesbarkeit mit "d" bezeichnet ist:
- fΔxg(d) geometrische Korrektur;
- fΔxt(d) Flugzeitkorrektur; und
- fΔxu(d) Korrektur von Umwelteinflüssen, Luftströmungen und dergleichen
- fΔx g (d) geometric correction;
- fΔx t (d) time-of-flight correction; and
- fΔx u (d) correction of environmental influences, air currents and the like
Für jede Düsenreihe 4 und/oder einzelne Düsen 4a kann die Korrektur der x-Koordinate eines Bildpunkts P in Druckrichtung 5 beispielsweise wie folgt allgemein beschrieben werden:
Die Korrektur erfolgt dann durch Verschieben des Bildpunkts P von x nach x'.The correction then takes place by shifting the pixel P from x to x '.
Korrekturfunktionen oder einzelne Korrekturwerte können auch empirisch durch geeignet geformte Testkörper und/oder Testmuster ermittelt werden. Vorzeichen und Formel der Korrekturfunktionen sind von der Lage der Düsenreihe relativ zur virtuellen Druckposition abhängig. Die virtuelle Druckposition ist definiert z.B. durch die Position der Rotationsachse der Abwicklung unter dem Druckkopf.Correction functions or individual correction values can also be determined empirically by suitably shaped test bodies and / or test patterns. Sign and formula of the correction functions are dependent on the location of the nozzle row relative to the virtual printing position. The virtual printing position is defined, for example, by the position of the axis of rotation of the unwinding under the print head.
Eine außerdem mögliche Anpassung der Farbdichte oder Tintendichte des Aufdrucks an eine dreidimensionale Kontur der zu bedruckenden Oberfläche 2 ist nachfolgend unter Bezugnahme auf die
Demnach wird der Tintenauftrag auf gekrümmte Flächen vorzugsweise abhängig von deren lokaler Neigung gegenüber einer in der Position I der
Dem kann durch ein Anpassen der Tropfengröße, beispielsweise im Raster Image Processor, in Abhängigkeit vom Auftreffwinkel λ der Tintentropfen 9 entgegen gewirkt werden. Alternativ kann durch gezielte Erhöhung der Farbsättigung in der Druckvorlage ein ähnlicher Effekt erzielt werden. Es lässt sich somit die Tintendichte auf einen Sollwert korrigieren, wie in der
Faktoren für die Benetzung der Oberfläche 2, wie beispielsweise die Oberflächenspannung, lassen sich vorzugsweise empirisch unter realen Bedingungen ermitteln. Beispielsweise werden Oberflächenabschnitte unter definierten Auftreffwinkeln λ bedruckt und zugehörige Korrekturwerte für die Tropfengröße und/oder die Rasterweite R ermittelt. Hierbei kann auch das Abfließen der Tinte entlang der Neigung berücksichtigt werden.Factors for the wetting of the
Unter Bezugnahme auf die
Die
Erfindungsgemäß kann die Lage einzelner Bildpunkte auf der Druckvorlage 8 unabhängig voneinander, und somit auch die lokale Auflösung A', gezielt variiert werden, um eine möglichst einheitliche Druckauflösung A auf der Oberfläche 2 herzustellen, wie in der
Entsprechend lässt sich der virtuelle Druckabstand 6' als Differenz der radialen Abstände der Bildpunkte (Tintentropfen in der
Bei Verwendung herkömmlicher Druckvorlagen mit einheitlicher Auflösung würden unterschiedliche Druckabstände 6' dagegen eine uneinheitliche Druckauflösung A auf der Oberfläche 2 verursachen. Einige Tintentropfen 9 würden dann beispielsweise überlappen, zwischen anderen Tintentropfen 9 würden nicht bedruckte Lücken entstehen.On the other hand, using conventional printing templates with uniform resolution, different printing distances 6 'would cause a non-uniform printing resolution A on the
Wie die
Beispielsweise wird aus dem dreidimensionalen Modell der Oberfläche 2 und der abwickelbaren Projektionsfläche 7 der Druckabstand 6, 6' ermittelt. Dazu werden die Weglängen zwischen den Schnittpunkten der Topfenflugbahn mit der Oberfläche 2 und der Projektionsfläche 7 ermittelt. Als Daten der einzelnen Bildpunkte werden beispielsweise der Druckabstand 6, 6', die Bildpunktkoordinaten und die zugehörigen Werte der Farbkanäle gespeichert. Der ermittelte Druckabstand 6, 6' kann dann auch für die vorstehend beschriebenen Korrekturfunktionen verwendet werden.For example, the
Die erfindungsgemäß gezielt gegenüber dem Druckmotiv 12 verzerrten Druckvorlagen 8 bieten zusätzliche gestalterische Freiräume, und es wird ein besonders präziser Druck des Motivs 12 ermöglicht. Insbesondere mit Hilfe des dreidimensionalen Modells der Oberfläche 2 oder des zugehörigen Behälters 1 kann das finale Druckbild bereits im Entwurf visuell besonders gut beurteilt und auf einfache Weise abgeändert werden.The present invention specifically against the
Die erfindungsgemäßen Druckvorlagen 8 lassen sich in Recheneinheiten gesondert von den beschriebenen Druckverfahren an gekrümmten Objektoberflächen 2 erstellen. Somit kann ein eigenständiges technisches Problem gelöst werden.The printing originals 8 according to the invention can be created in computing units separately from the described printing methods on curved object surfaces 2. Thus, a separate technical problem can be solved.
Besonders vorteilhaft ist jedoch eine Kombination mit den erfindungsgemäßen Druckverfahren basierend auf einer Korrektur des Ausstoßzeitpunkts in Abhängigkeit von dem Druckabstand 6, 6'. Mit Hilfe abwickelbarer Flächen lassen sich die beschriebenen Verfahren besonders effizient kombinieren.However, a combination with the printing method according to the invention based on a correction of the ejection time as a function of the
Die beschriebenen Verfahren und Korrekturfunktionen lassen sich hierbei beliebig in technisch sinnvoller Weise kombinieren.The described methods and correction functions can be combined as desired in a technically meaningful way.
Claims (18)
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WO2018100132A1 (en) * | 2016-12-02 | 2018-06-07 | Anheuser-Busch Inbev S.A. | A glass container having an inkjet printed image and a method for the manufacturing thereof |
BE1025835B1 (en) * | 2016-12-02 | 2019-09-03 | Anheuser Busch Inbev Sa | GLASS CONTAINER INCLUDING AN INKJET PRINTED IMAGE AND A METHOD OF PRODUCING IT |
EP3330095A1 (en) * | 2016-12-02 | 2018-06-06 | Anheuser-Busch InBev S.A. | A glass container having an inkjet printed image and a method for the manufacturing thereof |
WO2018108361A1 (en) * | 2016-12-16 | 2018-06-21 | Krones Ag | Method and direct printing machine for printing round containers by means of direct printing |
US9975327B1 (en) | 2017-05-18 | 2018-05-22 | Xerox Corporation | System and method for adjusting printhead operations in a direct-to-object printer having a fixed printhead array |
US10214026B1 (en) | 2017-08-11 | 2019-02-26 | Xerox Corporation | System and method for rotating a three-dimensional (3D) object during printing of the object |
US10639908B2 (en) | 2017-09-22 | 2020-05-05 | Xerox Corporation | System and method for producing an image on an article |
FR3084282A1 (en) * | 2018-07-24 | 2020-01-31 | Centre Technique Des Industries Mecaniques | METHOD OF MARKING TRANSPARENT CONTAINER AND CONTAINER MARKED ACCORDING TO THE METHOD |
CN110254055A (en) * | 2019-06-28 | 2019-09-20 | 佛山市科自智能系统技术有限公司 | A kind of continuous printing equipment of cylindrical body outer surface and method |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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CN103144442A (en) | 2013-06-12 |
EP2591917B1 (en) | 2014-12-17 |
DE102011086015A1 (en) | 2013-05-16 |
EP2591917B2 (en) | 2018-09-19 |
CN103144442B (en) | 2016-05-25 |
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