Classifications

• • 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
  • B41J25/00—Actions or mechanisms not otherwise provided for
  • B41J25/304—Bodily-movable mechanisms for print heads or carriages movable towards or from paper surface
  • B41J25/308—Bodily-movable mechanisms for print heads or carriages movable towards or from paper surface with print gap adjustment mechanisms
  • B41J25/3086—Bodily-movable mechanisms for print heads or carriages movable towards or from paper surface with print gap adjustment mechanisms with print gap adjustment means between the print head and its carriage
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B28—WORKING CEMENT, CLAY, OR STONE
  • B28B—SHAPING CLAY OR OTHER CERAMIC COMPOSITIONS; SHAPING SLAG; SHAPING MIXTURES CONTAINING CEMENTITIOUS MATERIAL, e.g. PLASTER
  • B28B11/00—Apparatus or processes for treating or working the shaped or preshaped articles
  • B28B11/04—Apparatus or processes for treating or working the shaped or preshaped articles for coating or applying engobing layers
  • B28B11/048—Apparatus or processes for treating or working the shaped or preshaped articles for coating or applying engobing layers by spraying or projecting
• • 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
  • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
  • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
  • B41J2/01—Ink jet
  • B41J2/135—Nozzles
  • B41J2/165—Prevention or detection of nozzle clogging, e.g. cleaning, capping or moistening for nozzles
  • B41J2/16585—Prevention or detection of nozzle clogging, e.g. cleaning, capping or moistening for nozzles for paper-width or non-reciprocating print heads
• • 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
  • B41J25/00—Actions or mechanisms not otherwise provided for
  • B41J25/304—Bodily-movable mechanisms for print heads or carriages movable towards or from paper surface
• • 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
  • B41J25/00—Actions or mechanisms not otherwise provided for
  • B41J25/34—Bodily-changeable print heads or carriages
• • 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

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a digital decorating machine.
• the present invention relates to a digital decorating machine for products such as ceramic tiles, ceramic materials in general, as well as wood, fabric, and other similar materials.
• the digital decorating machines of the aforementioned type provide for a printing area of the ceramic supports comprising a plurality of adjacent modules; each of the above modules is provided with respective heads for delivering ink or enamel on the surface of the supports themselves.
• Each printing module is equipped with means for supplying a single type of ink or enamel to said delivery heads; for example, each module is typically suitable for delivering one ink of a certain color.
• the decorating machines according to the present invention can also comprise 12-16 adjacent printing modules.
• the non-operative heads are nevertheless exposed to degrading agents, such as high temperatures and suspended ink particles that can lead to the rapid oxidation of the same or that can determine in any case malfunction conditions in the heads, which need to be remedied with consumption of resources and waste of time.
• degrading agents such as high temperatures and suspended ink particles that can lead to the rapid oxidation of the same or that can determine in any case malfunction conditions in the heads, which need to be remedied with consumption of resources and waste of time.
• the technical task of the present invention is therefore to improve the state of the art.
• the digital decorating machine comprises a base, at least one conveyor, adapted to transport the products to be decorated along a feed direction, and at least one decoration module, associated with the base and positioned above the conveyor.
• the decoration module comprises respective heads provided with nozzles for ejecting a fluid to be delivered on the surface of the products to be decorated, and a box- like element inside which means for supplying the fluid to the aforesaid heads are provided.
• the decoration module houses a frame therein comprising a first portion associated with the box-like element, and a second portion with which at least the heads are integral; the second portion is movable, with respect to the first portion, from a first upper inactive position to a second lower operative position, in which the heads are positioned at the correct dispensing distance with respect to the surface of the products.
• figure 1 is a front perspective view of a digital decorating machine according to the invention
• figure 2 is a detailed perspective view of a module of the decorating machine, with some parts removed for greater clarity;
• figure 3 is a detailed perspective view of the module of figure 2, in a different operative configuration and with some parts removed for greater clarity;
• figure 4 is a detailed perspective view of a module of the machine in still another operative configuration;
• figure 5 is a detailed perspective view of a module of the machine removed from the base;
• figure 6 is a detailed rear perspective view of the machine according to the invention.
• figure 7 is a detailed perspective view, with some parts removed for greater clarity, of a module of the machine according to another embodiment of the invention.
• a digital decorating machine according to the present invention is indicated as a whole with 1.
• the machine according to the invention is particularly, but not exclusively, intended for the application of decorative and/or protective fluids, such as inks, enamels and the like on products such as ceramic tiles and the like.
• the machine according to the invention is absolutely for general use and could also be employed for other types of ceramic and non-ceramic products, without any limitation.
• the decorating machine 1 according to the present invention is suitable for the application of fluids such as inks, enamels and the like on ceramic products in any state, that is for example green or fired.
• the products 2 to be decorated consist of ceramic tiles, of any form or shape, but one must take into account that the present invention can be equally applied for the digital decoration of parts made of wood, fabric and other similar materials.
• the machine 1 according to the invention can be installed in the context of a complete decoration line for ceramic tiles, which is assumed to comprise for example other machines of the same type, or possibly also of other type.
• the machine 1 comprises a base 10, which comprises, for example, a plurality of uprights 11, or legs, for supporting the machine 1.
• the base 10 further comprises a conveyor for the products 2 to be decorated, indicated as a whole with 12.
• the conveyor 12 is adapted to transport the products 2 to be decorated along a feed direction A.
• the conveyor 12 comprises a belt 14.
• the belt 14 is developed along the feed direction A of the products 2.
• the belt 14 is mounted on two rollers 16, 18, one of which is normally motorized and one of which is idle.
• the rollers 16, 18 are rotatably supported by the base 10 of the machine 1 at two respective parallel rotation axes.
• the base 10 of the machine 1 comprises support elements 20, 22.
• the support elements 20, 22 are developed parallel to the feed direction A and the sides of the conveyor 12.
• the support elements 20, 22 comprise longitudinal elements oriented parallel to the feed direction A and fixed for example to the top of the uprights 1 1.
• the machine 1 comprises at least one digital decoration module 30 for the products 2.
• the machine 1 comprises a plurality of modules 30, 30' adjacent to each other along the feed direction A of the products 2.
• the number of the modules 30, 30' provided in the machine could be any number, without any limitation.
• the modules 30, 30' each comprise respective printing heads 31 provided with nozzles for ejecting a fluid - an ink, an enamel, etc. - to be delivered on the surface 15 of the products 2 to be decorated.
• Such heads 31 are visible, for example, in the figures 2, 3 and 4.
• the printing heads 31 can be of any type and will not be further described in detail.
• Each of the modules 30, 30' comprises means 40 for supplying the fluid to said heads 31.
• the supply means 40 of each of the modules 30, 30' are placed in communication with a respective tank 50 containing the fluid to be delivered.
• a tank 50 is schematically illustrated in figure 6.
• the tank 50 of each module 30, 30' can be situated in any area of the machine 1.
• the tank 50 can be housed inside a space 52 suitably provided for in the base 10, under the belt 14.
• the transfer of the fluid from the tank 50 to the means 40 for supplying the fluid occurs, for example, through a conduit 54.
• quick connection/disconnection means can be provided, possibly also for mutually and 30 quickly exchanging the connections between the different modules 30, 30' and the respective fluid tanks 50.
• the means for supplying 40 the fluid to the heads 31 which do not constitute an object of the present invention, are of a type suitable, in the context of the same module 30, 30', for generating an autonomous fluid circulation during the operation of the machine 1 : such autonomous circulation allows keeping the fluid under optimal conditions also during times of inactivity of the heads 31.
• the means 40 for supplying fluid of each module 30, 30' can comprise multiple tanks inserted in series in a circuit through which the fluid is made to circulate.
• Each module 30, 30' also comprises a respective local control unit 60 of the operation of the printing heads 31, adapted to specifically manage the modes of fluid supply by the same.
• the local control unit 60 can consist of, for example, an electronic board, or similar control elements.
• Each of the modules 30, 30' comprises a respective containment box-like element 32.
• the means 40 for supplying fluid, the local control unit 60 as well as all the components necessary for the operation of the module itself are completely housed inside the box-like element 32.
• each module 30, 30' comprises and houses therein support means 34 for at least the printing heads 31.
• the support means 34 with the printing heads 31 are vertically movable, with respect to the containment box-like element 32, by means of translation means 38 that allow selectively moving at least the printing heads 31 between a first upper inactive position (figure 2) and a second lower operative position (figure 3).
• the support means 34 are in the second lower operative position, so that the printing heads 31 are positioned at the correct distance for printing on the surface of the products 2.
• the support means 34 carrying the printing heads 31, can be translated in the first upper inactive position, where the printing heads 31 are sufficiently spaced from the surface of the products 2.
• the support means 34 comprise a first portion 34a associated with the box-like element 32 and a second portion 34b movable according to the modes better described in the following.
• the second movable portion 34b features at its bottom a base to which the printing heads 31 are associated.
• the supply means 40, the local control unit 60 and all the other components necessary for the operation of the module 30, 30' can also be attached to the second movable portion 34b.
• the movable portion 34b can only support the printing heads 31, or the supply means 40, the local control unit 60 and all the other components necessary for the operation of the module 30, 30'.
• the first portion comprises a fixed frame 34a attached to the box-like element 32 and the second movable portion comprises a frame 34b that can be moved with respect to the fixed frame 34a by means of the translation means 38.
• the translation means 38 can be of manual or motorized type and comprise, for example, a first linear actuator 38a and a second linear actuator 38b supported, with vertical translation axis, by the first portion 34a, and associated with the second portion 34b.
• the first linear actuator 38a and the second linear actuator 38b are associated with the opposite ends of the first portion 34a.
• first linear actuator 38a and the second linear actuator 38b comprise electric motors, for example stepper electric motors.
• the output axes of the aforesaid electric motors 38a, 38b are respectively connected with a first screw 39a and a second screw 39b, engaged in turn in respective nuts provided in the upper area of the second portion 34b.
• the module 30, 30' can also comprise a position sensor (not illustrated), for example a linear encoder, to directly verify the actual vertical position of the second movable portion 34b with respect to the fixed portion 34a.
• a position sensor for example a linear encoder
• the second portion 34b is in the second lower operative position, so that the heads 31 are positioned at the correct distance with respect to the surface of the products 2.
• the respective second portion 34b, carrying the printing heads 31, can be translated into the first upper inactive position, where the heads 31 themselves are sufficiently spaced from the surface of the products 2.
• This measure has the purpose of protecting the heads 31 of that specific module 30, 30', that are temporarily unused, from thermal radiations possibly generated by the passing products 2, and/or by the fluid particles emitted by the other heads 31 of the machine that are suspended in the printing area.
• each module 30, 30' comprises a respective protection element 24 of the heads 31.
• the protection element 24 - schematically illustrated in figure 2 - has the function of shielding the lower delivery surface of the heads 31 from agents that could compromise its proper functionality, such as for example, as mentioned above, heat, suspended fluid particles or still others.
• the protection element 24 is for example shaped as a tray, and can be removably associated with the lower part of the second portion 34b so as to completely cover the lower surface of the heads 31.
• the protection element 24 can also collect small amounts of ink, enamel, etc.. In fact, in the unused heads 31, it is possible to control the delivery of the ink, enamel, and the like, at predetermined time intervals, from the nozzles, this preventing clogging of the nozzles themselves - which can occur instead when the heads are not used for long periods of time - thereby ensuring the correct operation of the printing heads themselves, when that printing module will be used again.
• the first portion 34a of the frame 34 is slidably associated with the respective box- like element 32 according to a substantially horizontal direction.
• the first portion 34a is slidably associated with the box-like element 32 by interposition of at least one guide 26, of any type.
• the frame 34 can thus be completely translated frontally and horizontally outside of the box-like element 32, and possibly also completely extracted and removed, for the sake of maintenance, replacement, or others.
• the box-like element 32 frontally defines an opening 35 closed by a respective door 36.
• the door 36 can be for example of concealed type, that is recessed inside the boxlike element 32 to allow access to the opening 35 and at the same time to limit bulk.
• the door 36 can be associated with particular hinges or rotation mechanisms allowing the positioning thereof under the upper wall of the box- like element 32, in a minimal bulk position.
• the at least one module 30, 30' of the machine 1 is associated with the support elements 20, 22 in a removable manner.
• each module 30, 30' is virtually an independent operative unit, complete with all the necessary components.
• each module 30, 30' normally operates with a single fluid- for example an ink of a certain color- it is clear that this solution allows each machine 1 present in the decoration line to be equipped with the modules 30, 30' of the desired colors, in an absolutely free and highly versatile manner.
• the machines 1 thus become completely universal and completely interchangeable, as well as being able to be prepared in a different way from time to time in relation to the specific work to be performed.
• the machine 1 comprises removable coupling means 28 provided between the ends 33a, 33b of the base of the box-like element 32 of each module 30, 30' and at least one of the support elements 20, 22.
• the removable coupling means comprise first elements 28a associated with the ends 33a, 33b of the base of the box-like element 32, and second elements 28b, couplable to the first elements 28a, provided in designated coupling areas 29 of the support elements 20, 22.
• the removable coupling means 28 are of self-centering type.
• first elements 28a consist of conical appendages that project from the ends 33a,33b of the base of the box-like element 32
• second elements 28b consist of corresponding conical seats provided for in designated coupling areas 29 of the support elements 20,22.
• the conical coupling between the first elements 28a and the second elements 28b ensures the quick and easy centering of the box-like element 32 at the coupling zones 29; the taper of the conical coupling is chosen so as to always allow a quick and rapid disassembly.
• Auxiliary locking means of the box-like element 32 on the support elements 20, 22 are also provided.
• the base 33 of the box-like element 32 therefore has a substantially bridge-like conformation, which allows positioning the heads 31 at the correct height with respect to the surface of the products 2 passing freely below the same, and at the same time allows the box- like element 32 itself to be coupled to the base 10 of the machine 1 in a practical and precise manner, without it being necessary to use other support structures or frames of the module 30, 30' above the conveyor 12.
• the removal of the module 30, 30', for example for replacement or installation on another machine, is particularly quick and easy.
• the machine 1 comprises a central processing unit 80.
• the central processing unit 80 is adapted, in particular, to manage the coordinated operation of the at least one module 30, 30' during a certain decoration work.
• the central processing unit 80 is associated with the support elements 20, 22 of the base 10 for example by removable coupling means 28 of the type previously described, or by other equivalent means.
• the central processing unit 80 comprises a respective box-like support 82, for example having a structure similar to that of the box-like element 32 of the module 30, 30'.
• a machine control group 1 for example a PLC (programmable logic controller), or a microprocessor, or another processor equivalent thereto is installed; the electric power supply of the machine 1, and/or any other component necessary to manage its operation can also be housed inside the bo x- like support 82.
• PLC programmable logic controller
• a user interface 84 can also be provided, operatively connected to the machine control group 1 , for setting and controlling decoration programs and/or operation parameters of the same.
• the aforesaid decoration programs can also be imported from a memory unit external to the central processing unit 80.
• the machine 1 comprises electric connectors 27 that allow connecting the central processing unit 80 to the at least one module 30, 30', both as regards the electric power and the control logic.
• the electrical connectors 27, both for their conformation and for their positioning, must allow a quick and easy electric attachment or detachment of the at least one module 30, 30', to allow the easy removal/replacement thereof.
• central processing unit 80 may be provided between the central processing unit 80 and the at least one module 30, 30' wireless connection means, mainly with regard to control aspects.
• the central processing unit 80 can possibly be permanently associated with the base 10 of a certain machine 1.
• the at least one module 30, 30' of the machine 1 can be quickly and easily replaced, at all times, with other modules 30, for example also coming from other machines of the same type, since they constitute independent operative units.
• modules 30, 30' of the machine are therefore fully functionally interchangeable elements, i.e. the aforesaid modules 30, 30' can be installed on various machines of the same type and in accordance with the present invention.
• the operation of the machine 1 according to the invention is, in the light of that described above, completely intuitive.
• modules 30, 30' necessary to carry out a certain decoration work - for example modules 30, 30' suitable for delivering inks of certain colors - the second portion 34b of the frame 34 of the module 30, or of each module 30, 30' if present in higher number, is brought into the second lower operative position, in which the heads 31 are at the correct distance from the surface of the products 2 to be decorated.
• the control group of the machine 1 can start the decoration work, in which the module 30 or each module 30, 30' delivers its fluid, in close coordination with the other modules if present, in the manner prescribed by the specific preset decoration operational program. It should be noted that the modules 30, 30' present in the machine 1 can be removed to be installed, for example, on another machine 1 of the same type in which that particular type of ink or enamel is required.
• the heads 31 of the modules 30, 30' that are not used in a certain decoration work are lifted with respect to the surface to be decorated of the products 2, and the delivery surfaces thereof are shielded by the protection element 24: the heads 31 are suitably preserved from degrading agents present in the printing area, and therefore have a longer duration and require less maintenance.
• the machine 1 according to the invention being completely modular, can be realized in only one version and no longer in different versions related to the number of the modules 30, 30' provided.
• support elements 20, 22 of size sufficient to house the maximum number of modules 30, 30'.
• the support elements 20, 22 could be the only specific components for the type of machine in relation to the number of modules 30, 30' to be installed; the modules 30, 30' are instead, as mentioned, of general use, as are the base 10 and the central processing unit 80.
• the bases 10 of the machines 1 can be installed even in a permanent manner along the line, since such parts do not have to be removed when the work to be carried out is changed or when other operating conditions are changed.
• Another important advantage achieved by the machine 1 according to the invention is the considerable reduction of bulk mainly in the transverse direction with respect to the feed direction A of the products.
• This embodiment differs from the previous one in that the translation means 38 comprise a single first linear actuator 38a supported, with vertical translation axis, by the first portion 34a of the frame 34, and associated with the second portion 34b of the same.
• the first linear actuator 38a can be constituted by an electric motor whose output axis is connected to a respective single first screw 39a; the first screw 39a is in turn engaged in a respective nut provided in the upper central area of the second portion 34b of the frame 34.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Structural Engineering (AREA)
• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Ceramic Engineering (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Coating Apparatus (AREA)

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Publications (1)

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ID=52232203

Family Applications (1)

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• 2014
  • 2014-12-23 WO PCT/EP2014/079155 patent/WO2016102000A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2014-12-23 EP EP14820879.6A patent/EP3237217A1/de not_active Withdrawn

Non-Patent Citations (2)

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