EP3536502B1 - Printing machine for printing objects and corresponding method - Google Patents

Printing machine for printing objects and corresponding method Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3536502B1
EP3536502B1 EP19159620.4A EP19159620A EP3536502B1 EP 3536502 B1 EP3536502 B1 EP 3536502B1 EP 19159620 A EP19159620 A EP 19159620A EP 3536502 B1 EP3536502 B1 EP 3536502B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
turret
printing machine
printing
rotation
drive
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
EP19159620.4A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
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EP3536502A1 (en
Inventor
Jean-Louis Dubuit
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Machines Dubuit SAS
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Machines Dubuit SAS
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Publication date
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Publication of EP3536502A1 publication Critical patent/EP3536502A1/en
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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41F—PRINTING MACHINES OR PRESSES
    • B41F17/00—Printing apparatus or machines of special types or for particular purposes, not otherwise provided for
    • B41F17/08—Printing apparatus or machines of special types or for particular purposes, not otherwise provided for for printing on filamentary or elongated articles, or on articles with cylindrical surfaces
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41F—PRINTING MACHINES OR PRESSES
    • B41F15/00—Screen printers
    • B41F15/08—Machines
    • B41F15/0872—Machines for printing on articles having essentially cylindrical surfaces
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41F—PRINTING MACHINES OR PRESSES
    • B41F17/00—Printing apparatus or machines of special types or for particular purposes, not otherwise provided for
    • B41F17/08—Printing apparatus or machines of special types or for particular purposes, not otherwise provided for for printing on filamentary or elongated articles, or on articles with cylindrical surfaces
    • B41F17/10—Printing apparatus or machines of special types or for particular purposes, not otherwise provided for for printing on filamentary or elongated articles, or on articles with cylindrical surfaces on articles of indefinite length, e.g. wires, hoses, tubes, yarns
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41F—PRINTING MACHINES OR PRESSES
    • B41F17/00—Printing apparatus or machines of special types or for particular purposes, not otherwise provided for
    • B41F17/08—Printing apparatus or machines of special types or for particular purposes, not otherwise provided for for printing on filamentary or elongated articles, or on articles with cylindrical surfaces
    • B41F17/14—Printing apparatus or machines of special types or for particular purposes, not otherwise provided for for printing on filamentary or elongated articles, or on articles with cylindrical surfaces on articles of finite length
    • B41F17/18—Printing apparatus or machines of special types or for particular purposes, not otherwise provided for for printing on filamentary or elongated articles, or on articles with cylindrical surfaces on articles of finite length on curved surfaces of articles of varying cross-section, e.g. bottles, lamp glasses
    • 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
    • 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
    • B41J29/00—Details of, or accessories for, typewriters or selective printing mechanisms not otherwise provided for
    • B41J29/38—Drives, motors, controls or automatic cut-off devices for the entire printing mechanism
    • 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
    • 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
    • B41J3/40731—Holders for objects, e. g. holders specially adapted to the shape of the object to be printed or adapted to hold several objects
    • 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
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41F—PRINTING MACHINES OR PRESSES
    • B41F15/00—Screen printers
    • B41F15/08—Machines
    • B41F15/0886—Machines for printing on conical or frusto-conical surfaces
    • 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
    • B41J11/00—Devices or arrangements  of selective printing mechanisms, e.g. ink-jet printers or thermal printers, for supporting or handling copy material in sheet or web form
    • B41J11/0015—Devices or arrangements  of selective printing mechanisms, e.g. ink-jet printers or thermal printers, for supporting or handling copy material in sheet or web form for treating before, during or after printing or for uniform coating or laminating the copy material before or after printing
    • 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
    • B41J11/00—Devices or arrangements  of selective printing mechanisms, e.g. ink-jet printers or thermal printers, for supporting or handling copy material in sheet or web form
    • B41J11/0015—Devices or arrangements  of selective printing mechanisms, e.g. ink-jet printers or thermal printers, for supporting or handling copy material in sheet or web form for treating before, during or after printing or for uniform coating or laminating the copy material before or after printing
    • B41J11/002—Curing or drying the ink on the copy materials, e.g. by heating or irradiating
    • B41J11/0021—Curing or drying the ink on the copy materials, e.g. by heating or irradiating using irradiation
    • B41J11/00214—Curing or drying the ink on the copy materials, e.g. by heating or irradiating using irradiation using UV radiation

Definitions

  • the invention also relates to an assembly of such a printing machine and of such a plurality of objects.
  • Printing stations especially those with inkjet print heads, require very precise positioning of the object to be printed.
  • the underside of the inkjet print heads comprises rows of nozzles, the nozzles being for example spaced from one another by 0.07105 mm in the same row.
  • the quality of the positioning of the objects relative to the printing station is insufficient, which can lead to a reduction in the quality of the printing.
  • each object holder is associated with a rotating actuator, so that the object rotates below the printing station.
  • Such machines therefore have a large number of actuators, which has a negative impact on their cost.
  • each of these actuators must be adjusted in order to achieve the desired movement of the object below the printing station. The settings are therefore quite long and tedious.
  • Document WO-A-2016/140707 which is considered to be the state of the art closest to the subject of claim 1, discloses a printing machine according to the preamble of claim 1 and a method comprising the corresponding features of claim 1.
  • An object of the invention is therefore to overcome all or part of the above drawbacks, by proposing a printing machine which is less expensive and / or allowing improved printing quality.
  • the invention relates to a printing machine according to claim 1.
  • the printing machine comprises one or more of the characteristics corresponding to claims 2 to 10, taken in isolation or in any technically possible combination.
  • the invention also relates to an assembly according to claim 11.
  • the invention finally relates to a printing method according to claim 12.
  • the assembly 1 comprises a plurality of objects 5 to be printed, and a printing machine 10 for printing the objects.
  • Each object 5 is for example substantially of revolution about an object axis ⁇ .
  • Each object 5 is for example a tube, but can be a bottle, a cup or a cup.
  • the objects 5 have for example a cylindrical or frustoconical outer surface.
  • the printing machine 10 comprises a frame 12, a turret 14 rotatably mounted and indexed relative to the frame about an axis of rotation ⁇ 1, and a plurality of object holders 16 adapted to carry the objects.
  • the printing machine 10 further comprises, in the example shown, a loading station 18, a pre-processing station 20, a printing station 22, and a post-processing station 24, all these stations being advantageously distributed. angularly around the axis of rotation ⁇ 1.
  • the printing machine 10 finally comprises a drive system 26 adapted to drive one of the object carriers 16 in rotation relative to the turret 14.
  • the frame 12 comprises a gantry 28 on which are fixed the pre-processing station 20, the printing station 22 and the post-processing station 24.
  • the frame 12 also comprises a turret support 30 mounted to rotate. on the gantry 28 around an axis of inclination ⁇ 2.
  • the frame 12 finally comprises a support 32 forming a chair on which the drive system 26 is mounted.
  • the gantry 28 has for example an inverted “U” shape.
  • the turret support 30 advantageously forms a cradle located below the treatment stations.
  • the turret support 30 is adapted to adjust the inclination of the turret 14 relative to the horizontal around the axis of inclination ⁇ 2.
  • the support 32 is for example fixed to the support of the turret 30.
  • the pretreatment station 20 is for example suitable for carrying out a plasma pretreatment of the surface of the objects 5 to be printed.
  • the printing station 22 comprises, for example, printing heads 34 suitable for projecting ink jets onto one of the objects 5 situated opposite.
  • the ink jets are for example vertical.
  • the printing heads are for example of the piezoelectric type and make it possible to print a pattern (not shown) on the objects 5, for example in four-color process.
  • the post-treatment station 24 is advantageously suitable for drying the ink deposited on the objects 5, for example using UV (ultraviolet) rays.
  • the object carriers 16, four in number in the example, are mounted to rotate on the turret 14, respectively around object carrier axes D1, D2, D3, D4.
  • the object holders 16 are regularly spaced at 90 ° around the axis of rotation ⁇ 1 of the turret 14.
  • the turret 14 is movable in rotation around the axis of rotation ⁇ 1 successively between a plurality of positions, in the example four in number, relative to the frame 12.
  • one object carriers 16 allow the loading or unloading of one of the objects 5
  • another of the object carriers 16 has one of the objects 5 facing the pre-treatment station 20
  • another of the object carriers 16 has the one of the objects 5 facing the printing station 22
  • a last of the object carriers 16 presents one of the objects 5 at the post-processing station 24.
  • Each of the object holders 16 further defines a circular drive track 36 respectively around the object holder axes D1 to D4.
  • the object-holder axes D1 to D4 are respectively merged with the object axes ⁇ of the objects 5 which they carry.
  • the object-holder axes D1 to D4 are horizontal.
  • the object-holder axes D2 and D4 are substantially coincident and parallel to the axis of inclination ⁇ 2.
  • the axes of the object holders D1 and D3 are substantially coincident and perpendicular to the axes of the object holders D2 and D4.
  • the turret 14 comprises a different number of object carriers, for example two, six, eight or more.
  • the turret 14 and the object-holders 16 can be devoid of any system capable of driving the objects 5 in rotation on themselves.
  • the drive system 26 comprises a first part 38 mounted on the support 32, and a second part 40 mounted movable in translation relative to the first part in a direction of translation ⁇ 3 which is, in the example shown, substantially parallel to the axis of rotation ⁇ 1 of the turret 14, that is to say vertical on the figures 1 to 3 .
  • the drive system 26 also comprises an actuator 42 adapted to move the second part 40 relative to the first part 38 in the direction of translation ⁇ 3.
  • the first part 38 is for example a square.
  • the second part 40 comprises a locking device 44 and a driving device 46.
  • the second part 40 is movable between an active position, shown in the figures 1 and 2 , and a rest position (not shown and which is deduced from the active position by a translation of the second part 40 downward on the figure 1 ).
  • the drive device 46 is adapted to drive in rotation the object holder 16 located opposite the printing station 22 and the blocking device 44 is adapted to block the turret 14 in rotation. relative to the frame 12 in one of the previously mentioned positions of the turret.
  • the drive device 46 In the rest position, the drive device 46 is away from the object holder 16 in question and the locking device 44 is also away from the turret 14.
  • the second part 40 is for example mounted on the first part 38 by slides 48.
  • the second part 40 comprises for example a plate 50 on which are mounted the locking device 44 and the drive device 46.
  • the locking device 44 is not a device for driving the turret 14 in rotation.
  • the locking device 44 makes it possible to lock the turret 14 in its successive angular positions around the axis of rotation ⁇ 1 with a positioning precision of the objects 5 under the printing heads 34 greater than 0.1 mm in the direction circumferential around the axis of rotation ⁇ 1.
  • the locking device 44 comprises a finger 52 adapted to be received in notches 54 of the turret 14 (one of which is shown in the figures 2 and 3 ) in the active position of the second part 40.
  • the turret 14 then has four notches 54.
  • the notches 54 are here four in number and advantageously distributed regularly on a lower face of the turret 14 around the axis of rotation ⁇ 1.
  • the locking device 44 forms a notch and the turret 14 has fingers, the notch being adapted to receive one of the fingers in the active position. In our example, there would therefore be four fingers corresponding to the four positions of the turret 14.
  • the blocking system takes other forms known in themselves to those skilled in the art.
  • the drive device 46 comprises, in the example shown, a belt 56 intended to be in contact in the active position with the drive track 36 of the object holder 16 located opposite the printing station. 22, and to drive this object holder.
  • the drive device 46 also comprises an actuator 58 for setting the belt 56 in motion by means of an advantageously toothed pulley 60, and comprises two pulleys 62, 64 rotatably mounted on the plate 50 to tension and guide the pulley. belt 56.
  • the pulley 60 is adapted to be driven by the actuator 58 in rotation relative to the plate 50.
  • the two pulleys 62, 64 define between them an active segment 66 ( figure 2 ) of the belt 56, designed to be supported in the active position against the drive track 36 of the object holder 16 located opposite the printing station 22 and the second part 40.
  • the track 36 of the object holder 16 is also advantageously toothed.
  • the actuator 42 comprises for example a connecting plate 39 fixed on the support 32, and a jack 68 fixed on the connecting plate and on the plate 50.
  • the cylinder 68 is for example pneumatic
  • the jack 68 is electric. It then comprises a servomotor controlling a screw which causes a nut integral with the plate 50 to translate. This makes it possible to increase the printing rate, by advantageously combining the rotational movement of the turret 14 with the translational movement of the second part. 40 along the axis ⁇ 3.
  • the direction of translation ⁇ 3 is advantageously substantially parallel to the axis of rotation ⁇ 1 of the turret 14.
  • the active segment 66 shown in the figure 2 has a concave shape, as it is pressed against the drive track 36 in the active position (see figure 1 ).
  • the belt 56 is advantageously a toothed belt, for example with a circular profile.
  • the belt 56 includes a frame 70 by example of fiberglass, two fabrics 72, for example of polyamide, forming two opposite faces 73 of the belt, and a filling material 74, for example polychloroprene.
  • the belt 56 is advantageously toothed on the two opposite faces 73.
  • the internal teeth allow precise driving of the belt 56 by the actuator 58 and the pulley 60, while the external teeth allow precise driving of the object holder 16 by the belt.
  • one of the objects 5 already printed is removed from its object holder 16 at the level of the loading station 18 in the background of the figure 1 .
  • Another object 5, not yet printed, is placed on this object holder 16.
  • the turret 14 is then moved to its next position by a rotation around the axis of rotation ⁇ 1. This brings the newly loaded object 5 opposite the pretreatment station 20 which performs plasma pretreatment of the object.
  • the drive system 26 Before the arrival of one of the objects 5 below the printing station 22, the drive system 26 is in the rest position. There is then no drive in rotation of the object holder 16 concerned, and the turret 14 is simply positioned relative to the processing stations.
  • the turret 14 comes to a stop and the actuator 68 causes the second part 40 to pass from the rest position to the active position.
  • the plate 50 slides relative to the first part 38 in the direction of translation ⁇ 3.
  • the second part 40 rises relative to the frame 12.
  • the locking device 44 which was away from the turret 14, approaches the latter and the finger 52 is received in one of the notches 54, so as to immobilize the turret in a angular position with respect to the axis of rotation ⁇ 1 perfectly desired for a good impression on the object 5 located opposite the printing station 22.
  • this passage to the active position brings the active segment 66 of the belt 56 into contact with the drive track 36 of the object holder 16 located opposite the printing station 22.
  • the movement of the belt 56 obtained thanks to the actuator 58 then drives the object holder 16 in rotation around the axis of the object holder D3. This has the effect of making the object 5 rotate about its object axis ⁇ .
  • the movements of the belt 56 are controlled very precisely.
  • the toothed structure of the belt 56 described above allows very precise transmission of the movements of the belt 56 to the object holder 16 by meshing. The rotation of the object 5 below the printing heads 34 is thus very precisely controlled.
  • the second part 40 is again put into the rest position by the jack 68.
  • the belt 56 is then no longer in contact with the drive track 36.
  • the finger 52 of the locking device 44 comes out of notch 54 and turret 14 becomes free to rotate again.
  • the turret 14 then passes into the next angular position.
  • Object 5 which has just been printed then arrives at post-processing station 24.
  • the printing machine 10 is less expensive and enables improved printing quality.
  • the turret 14 is very precisely immobilized in the desired angular positions relative to the axis of rotation ⁇ 1.
  • the blocking device 44 makes it possible to position the object very precisely below the printing station 22.
  • there is only one device for driving in rotation and it is capable of acting on n ' any of the object holders 16 as long as the object holder is located opposite the printing station 22.
  • the same actuator 42 makes it possible to obtain both the precise angular locking of the turret 14 and commissioning of the drive device 46.

Description

La présente invention concerne une machine d'impression pour imprimer une pluralité d'objets, la machine d'impression comprenant :

  • un châssis,
  • au moins un poste d'impression fixé sur le châssis, le poste d'impression comportant au moins une tête d'impression à jet d'encre,
  • une tourelle montée rotative par rapport au châssis autour d'un axe de rotation,
  • une pluralité de porte-objets adaptés pour porter les objets, les porte-objets étant montés rotatifs sur la tourelle respectivement autour d'axes de porte-objet, la tourelle étant mobile entre une pluralité de positions par rapport au châssis, au moins un des porte-objets étant en regard du poste d'impression dans chacune des positions de la tourelle, et
  • un système d'entraînement pour entraîner un des porte-objets en rotation par rapport à la tourelle.
The present invention relates to a printing machine for printing a plurality of objects, the printing machine comprising:
  • a chassis,
  • at least one printing station fixed to the frame, the printing station comprising at least one inkjet printing head,
  • a turret mounted to rotate with respect to the chassis around an axis of rotation,
  • a plurality of object carriers adapted to carry the objects, the object carriers being rotatably mounted on the turret respectively around object carrier axes, the turret being movable between a plurality of positions relative to the frame, at least one of the objects object holder facing the printing station in each of the positions of the turret, and
  • a drive system for driving one of the object carriers in rotation relative to the turret.

L'invention concerne également un ensemble d'une telle machine d'impression et d'une telle pluralité d'objet.The invention also relates to an assembly of such a printing machine and of such a plurality of objects.

L'invention concerne enfin un procédé correspondant.Finally, the invention relates to a corresponding method.

Les postes d'impression, notamment ceux comportant des têtes d'impression à jet d'encre, nécessitent un positionnement très précis de l'objet à imprimer. En effet, la face inférieure des têtes d'impression à jet d'encre comporte des rangées de buses, les buses étant par exemple espacées entre elles de 0,07105 mm dans une même rangée. Or, il a parfois été constaté dans les machines du type décrit ci-dessus que la qualité du positionnement des objets par rapport au poste d'impression est insuffisante, ce qui peut conduire à une diminution de la qualité de l'impression.Printing stations, especially those with inkjet print heads, require very precise positioning of the object to be printed. In fact, the underside of the inkjet print heads comprises rows of nozzles, the nozzles being for example spaced from one another by 0.07105 mm in the same row. However, it has sometimes been observed in machines of the type described above that the quality of the positioning of the objects relative to the printing station is insufficient, which can lead to a reduction in the quality of the printing.

En outre, dans ces machines, à chaque porte-objet est associé un actionneur en rotation, de manière à ce que l'objet tourne en dessous du poste d'impression. De telles machines possèdent donc un nombre important d'actionneurs, ce qui a une incidence négative sur leur coût. De plus, chacun de ces actionneurs doit être réglé afin d'obtenir le mouvement voulu de l'objet en dessous du poste d'impression. Les réglages sont donc assez longs et fastidieux. Document WO-A-2016/140707 , qui est considéré comme l'état de la technique le plus proche de l'objet de la revendication 1, divulgue une machine d'impression selon le préambule de la revendication 1 et une procédé comportant les caractéristiques correspondantes de la revendication 1.In addition, in these machines, each object holder is associated with a rotating actuator, so that the object rotates below the printing station. Such machines therefore have a large number of actuators, which has a negative impact on their cost. In addition, each of these actuators must be adjusted in order to achieve the desired movement of the object below the printing station. The settings are therefore quite long and tedious. Document WO-A-2016/140707 , which is considered to be the state of the art closest to the subject of claim 1, discloses a printing machine according to the preamble of claim 1 and a method comprising the corresponding features of claim 1.

Un but de l'invention est donc de palier tout ou partie des inconvénients ci-dessus, en proposant une machine d'impression moins onéreuse et/ou permettant une qualité d'impression améliorée.An object of the invention is therefore to overcome all or part of the above drawbacks, by proposing a printing machine which is less expensive and / or allowing improved printing quality.

A cet effet, l'invention concerne une machine d'impression selon la revendication 1.To this end, the invention relates to a printing machine according to claim 1.

Selon des modes de réalisation particuliers, la machine d'impression comprend l'une ou plusieurs des caractéristiques correspondant aux revendications 2 à 10, prise(s) isolément ou selon toutes les combinaisons techniquement possibles.According to particular embodiments, the printing machine comprises one or more of the characteristics corresponding to claims 2 to 10, taken in isolation or in any technically possible combination.

L'invention concerne également un ensemble selon la revendication 11. L'invention concerne enfin un procédé d'impression selon la revendication 12.The invention also relates to an assembly according to claim 11. The invention finally relates to a printing method according to claim 12.

L'invention sera mieux comprise à la lecture de la description qui va suivre, donnée uniquement à titre d'exemple et faite en se référant aux dessins annexés, sur lesquels :

  • la figure 1 est une vue partielle, en perspective, d'un ensemble selon l'invention,
  • la figure 2 est une vue en perspective d'un système d'entraînement représenté sur la figure 1,
  • la figure 3 est une vue de côté du système d'entraînement représenté sur les figures 1 et 2, et
  • la figure 4 est une vue de détail de la courroie d'entraînement du système d'entraînement représenté sur les figures 1 à 3.
The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of example and made with reference to the appended drawings, in which:
  • the figure 1 is a partial perspective view of an assembly according to the invention,
  • the figure 2 is a perspective view of a drive system shown in figure 1 ,
  • the figure 3 is a side view of the drive system shown in figures 1 and 2 , and
  • the figure 4 is a detail view of the drive belt of the drive system shown in figures 1 to 3 .

En référence à la figure 1, on décrit un ensemble 1 selon l'invention.With reference to the figure 1 , an assembly 1 according to the invention is described.

L'ensemble 1 comprend une pluralité d'objets 5 à imprimer, et une machine d'impression 10 pour imprimer les objets.The assembly 1 comprises a plurality of objects 5 to be printed, and a printing machine 10 for printing the objects.

Les objets 5 sont analogues les uns aux autres. Chaque objet 5 est par exemple sensiblement de révolution autour d'un axe d'objet Δ. Chaque objet 5 est par exemple un tube, mais peut être un flacon, un gobelet ou une tasse.The objects 5 are similar to each other. Each object 5 is for example substantially of revolution about an object axis Δ. Each object 5 is for example a tube, but can be a bottle, a cup or a cup.

Les objets 5 ont par exemple une surface externe cylindrique ou tronconique.The objects 5 have for example a cylindrical or frustoconical outer surface.

La machine d'impression 10 comprend un châssis 12, une tourelle 14 montée rotative et indexée par rapport au châssis autour d'un axe de rotation Δ1, et une pluralité de porte-objets 16 adaptés pour porter les objets. La machine d'impression 10 comprend en outre, dans l'exemple représenté, un poste de chargement 18, un poste de prétraitement 20, un poste d'impression 22, et un poste de post-traitement 24, tous ces postes étant avantageusement répartis angulairement autour de l'axe de rotation Δ1. La machine d'impression 10 comprend enfin un système d'entraînement 26 adapté pour entraîner un des porte-objets 16 en rotation par rapport à la tourelle 14.The printing machine 10 comprises a frame 12, a turret 14 rotatably mounted and indexed relative to the frame about an axis of rotation Δ1, and a plurality of object holders 16 adapted to carry the objects. The printing machine 10 further comprises, in the example shown, a loading station 18, a pre-processing station 20, a printing station 22, and a post-processing station 24, all these stations being advantageously distributed. angularly around the axis of rotation Δ1. The printing machine 10 finally comprises a drive system 26 adapted to drive one of the object carriers 16 in rotation relative to the turret 14.

Le châssis 12 comporte un portique 28 sur lequel sont fixés le poste de prétraitement 20, le poste d'impression 22 et le poste de post-traitement 24. Dans l'exemple représenté, le châssis 12 comprend aussi un support de tourelle 30 monté rotatif sur le portique 28 autour d'un axe d'inclinaison Δ2. Le châssis 12 comprend enfin un support 32 formant une chaise sur laquelle est monté le système d'entraînement 26.The frame 12 comprises a gantry 28 on which are fixed the pre-processing station 20, the printing station 22 and the post-processing station 24. In the example shown, the frame 12 also comprises a turret support 30 mounted to rotate. on the gantry 28 around an axis of inclination Δ2. The frame 12 finally comprises a support 32 forming a chair on which the drive system 26 is mounted.

Le portique 28 présente par exemple une forme de « U » inversée.The gantry 28 has for example an inverted “U” shape.

Le support de tourelle 30 forme avantageusement un berceau situé en dessous des postes de traitement. Le support de tourelle 30 est adapté pour régler l'inclinaison de la tourelle 14 par rapport à l'horizontale autour de l'axe d'inclinaison Δ2.The turret support 30 advantageously forms a cradle located below the treatment stations. The turret support 30 is adapted to adjust the inclination of the turret 14 relative to the horizontal around the axis of inclination Δ2.

Le support 32 est par exemple fixé sur le support de la tourelle 30.The support 32 is for example fixed to the support of the turret 30.

Le poste de prétraitement 20 est par exemple adapté pour réaliser un prétraitement par plasma de la surface des objets 5 à imprimer.The pretreatment station 20 is for example suitable for carrying out a plasma pretreatment of the surface of the objects 5 to be printed.

Le poste d'impression 22 comprend par exemple des têtes d'impression 34 adaptées pour projeter des jets d'encre sur l'un des objets 5 situé en regard. Les jets d'encre sont par exemple verticaux.The printing station 22 comprises, for example, printing heads 34 suitable for projecting ink jets onto one of the objects 5 situated opposite. The ink jets are for example vertical.

Les têtes d'impression sont par exemple de type piézoélectrique et permettent d'imprimer un motif (non représenté) sur les objets 5, par exemple en quadrichromie.The printing heads are for example of the piezoelectric type and make it possible to print a pattern (not shown) on the objects 5, for example in four-color process.

Le poste de post-traitement 24 est avantageusement adapté pour réaliser un séchage de l'encre déposée sur les objets 5, par exemple à l'aide de rayons UV (ultraviolets).The post-treatment station 24 is advantageously suitable for drying the ink deposited on the objects 5, for example using UV (ultraviolet) rays.

Les porte-objets 16, au nombre de quatre dans l'exemple, sont montés rotatifs sur la tourelle 14, respectivement autour d'axes de porte-objet D1, D2, D3, D4. Les porte-objets 16 sont régulièrement espacés à 90° autour de l'axe de rotation Δ1 de la tourelle 14.The object carriers 16, four in number in the example, are mounted to rotate on the turret 14, respectively around object carrier axes D1, D2, D3, D4. The object holders 16 are regularly spaced at 90 ° around the axis of rotation Δ1 of the turret 14.

La tourelle 14 est mobile en rotation autour de l'axe de rotation Δ1 successivement entre une pluralité de positions, dans l'exemple au nombre de quatre, par rapport au châssis 12. Dans chacune de ces positions de la tourelle 14, l'un des porte-objets 16 permet le chargement ou le déchargement d'un des objets 5, un autre des porte-objets 16 présente l'un des objets 5 en regard du poste de prétraitement 20, un autre des porte-objets 16 présente l'un des objets 5 en regard du poste d'impression 22, et enfin un dernier des porte-objets 16 présente l'un des objets 5 au poste de post-traitement 24.The turret 14 is movable in rotation around the axis of rotation Δ1 successively between a plurality of positions, in the example four in number, relative to the frame 12. In each of these positions of the turret 14, one object carriers 16 allow the loading or unloading of one of the objects 5, another of the object carriers 16 has one of the objects 5 facing the pre-treatment station 20, another of the object carriers 16 has the one of the objects 5 facing the printing station 22, and finally a last of the object carriers 16 presents one of the objects 5 at the post-processing station 24.

Chacun des porte-objets 16 définit en outre une piste d'entraînement 36 circulaire respectivement autour des axes de porte-objets D1 à D4. Les axes de porte-objets D1 à D4 sont respectivement confondus avec les axes d'objet Δ des objets 5 qu'ils portent.Each of the object holders 16 further defines a circular drive track 36 respectively around the object holder axes D1 to D4. The object-holder axes D1 to D4 are respectively merged with the object axes Δ of the objects 5 which they carry.

Dans l'exemple représenté, les axes de porte-objets D1 à D4 sont horizontaux. Les axes de porte-objet D2 et D4 sont sensiblement confondus et parallèles à l'axe d'inclinaison Δ2. Les axes de porte-objets D1 et D3 sont sensiblement confondus et perpendiculaires aux axes de porte-objets D2 et D4.In the example shown, the object-holder axes D1 to D4 are horizontal. The object-holder axes D2 and D4 are substantially coincident and parallel to the axis of inclination Δ2. The axes of the object holders D1 and D3 are substantially coincident and perpendicular to the axes of the object holders D2 and D4.

Selon une variante non représentée, la tourelle 14 comporte un nombre différent de porte-objets, par exemple deux, six, huit ou plus.According to a variant not shown, the turret 14 comprises a different number of object carriers, for example two, six, eight or more.

Dans un mode de réalisation particulier, la tourelle 14 et les porte-objets 16 peuvent être dépourvus de tout système capable d'entraîner en rotation les objets 5 sur eux-mêmes.In a particular embodiment, the turret 14 and the object-holders 16 can be devoid of any system capable of driving the objects 5 in rotation on themselves.

Comme visible sur les figures 2 et 3, le système d'entraînement 26 comprend une première partie 38 montée sur le support 32, et une deuxième partie 40 montée mobile en translation par rapport à la première partie selon une direction de translation Δ3 qui est, dans l'exemple représenté, sensiblement parallèle à l'axe de rotation Δ1 de la tourelle 14, c'est-à-dire verticale sur les figures 1 à 3. Le système d'entraînement 26 comprend également un actionneur 42 adapté pour déplacer la deuxième partie 40 par rapport à la première partie 38 selon la direction de translation Δ3.As visible on the figures 2 and 3 , the drive system 26 comprises a first part 38 mounted on the support 32, and a second part 40 mounted movable in translation relative to the first part in a direction of translation Δ3 which is, in the example shown, substantially parallel to the axis of rotation Δ1 of the turret 14, that is to say vertical on the figures 1 to 3 . The drive system 26 also comprises an actuator 42 adapted to move the second part 40 relative to the first part 38 in the direction of translation Δ3.

La première partie 38 est par exemple une équerre.The first part 38 is for example a square.

La deuxième partie 40 comporte un dispositif de blocage 44 et un dispositif d'entraînement 46.The second part 40 comprises a locking device 44 and a driving device 46.

La deuxième partie 40 est mobile entre une position active, représentée sur les figures 1 et 2, et une position de repos (non représentée et qui se déduit de la position active par une translation de la deuxième partie 40 vers le bas sur la figure 1).The second part 40 is movable between an active position, shown in the figures 1 and 2 , and a rest position (not shown and which is deduced from the active position by a translation of the second part 40 downward on the figure 1 ).

Dans la position active, le dispositif d'entraînement 46 est adapté pour entraîner en rotation le porte-objet 16 situé en vis-à-vis du poste d'impression 22 et le dispositif de blocage 44 est adapté pour bloquer la tourelle 14 en rotation par rapport au châssis 12 dans l'une des positions précédemment mentionnées de la tourelle.In the active position, the drive device 46 is adapted to drive in rotation the object holder 16 located opposite the printing station 22 and the blocking device 44 is adapted to block the turret 14 in rotation. relative to the frame 12 in one of the previously mentioned positions of the turret.

Dans la position de repos, le dispositif d'entraînement 46 est à l'écart du porte-objet 16 en question et le dispositif de blocage 44 est également à l'écart de la tourelle 14.In the rest position, the drive device 46 is away from the object holder 16 in question and the locking device 44 is also away from the turret 14.

La deuxième partie 40 est par exemple montée sur la première partie 38 par des glissières 48.The second part 40 is for example mounted on the first part 38 by slides 48.

La deuxième partie 40 comprend par exemple une platine 50 sur laquelle sont montés le dispositif de blocage 44 et le dispositif d'entraînement 46.The second part 40 comprises for example a plate 50 on which are mounted the locking device 44 and the drive device 46.

En particulier, le dispositif de blocage 44 n'est pas un dispositif d'entraînement en rotation de la tourelle 14.In particular, the locking device 44 is not a device for driving the turret 14 in rotation.

Avantageusement, le dispositif de blocage 44 permet de bloquer la tourelle 14 dans ses positions angulaires successives autour de l'axe de rotation Δ1 avec une précision de positionnement des objets 5 sous les têtes d'impression 34 supérieure à 0,1 mm dans le sens circonférentiel autour de l'axe de rotation Δ1.Advantageously, the locking device 44 makes it possible to lock the turret 14 in its successive angular positions around the axis of rotation Δ1 with a positioning precision of the objects 5 under the printing heads 34 greater than 0.1 mm in the direction circumferential around the axis of rotation Δ1.

Dans l'exemple représenté, le dispositif de blocage 44 comprend un doigt 52 adapté pour être reçu dans des encoches 54 de la tourelle 14 (dont l'une est représentée sur les figures 2 et 3) dans la position active de la deuxième partie 40. La tourelle 14 possède alors quatre encoches 54.In the example shown, the locking device 44 comprises a finger 52 adapted to be received in notches 54 of the turret 14 (one of which is shown in the figures 2 and 3 ) in the active position of the second part 40. The turret 14 then has four notches 54.

Les encoches 54 sont ici au nombre de quatre et avantageusement réparties régulièrement sur une face inférieure de la tourelle 14 autour de l'axe de rotation Δ1.The notches 54 are here four in number and advantageously distributed regularly on a lower face of the turret 14 around the axis of rotation Δ1.

Selon une variante non représentée, le dispositif de blocage 44 forme une encoche et la tourelle 14 comporte des doigts, l'encoche étant adaptée pour recevoir l'un des doigts dans la position active. Dans notre exemple, il y aurait donc quatre doigts correspondants aux quatre positions de la tourelle 14.According to a variant not shown, the locking device 44 forms a notch and the turret 14 has fingers, the notch being adapted to receive one of the fingers in the active position. In our example, there would therefore be four fingers corresponding to the four positions of the turret 14.

Selon d'autres variantes non représentées, le système de blocage prend d'autres formes connues en elles-mêmes de l'homme du métier.According to other variants not shown, the blocking system takes other forms known in themselves to those skilled in the art.

Le dispositif d'entraînement 46 comporte, dans l'exemple représenté, une courroie 56 prévue pour être en contact dans la position active avec la piste d'entraînement 36 du porte-objet 16 situé en vis-à-vis du poste d'impression 22, et pour entraîner ce porte-objet. Le dispositif d'entraînement 46 comporte aussi un actionneur 58 pour mettre en mouvement la courroie 56 par l'intermédiaire d'une poulie 60 avantageusement dentée, et comprend deux poulies 62, 64 montées rotatives sur la platine 50 pour mettre en tension et guider la courroie 56.The drive device 46 comprises, in the example shown, a belt 56 intended to be in contact in the active position with the drive track 36 of the object holder 16 located opposite the printing station. 22, and to drive this object holder. The drive device 46 also comprises an actuator 58 for setting the belt 56 in motion by means of an advantageously toothed pulley 60, and comprises two pulleys 62, 64 rotatably mounted on the plate 50 to tension and guide the pulley. belt 56.

La poulie 60 est adaptée pour être entraînée par l'actionneur 58 en rotation par rapport à la platine 50.The pulley 60 is adapted to be driven by the actuator 58 in rotation relative to the plate 50.

Les deux poulies 62, 64 définissent entre elles un segment actif 66 (figure 2) de la courroie 56, prévu pour être en appui dans la position active contre la piste d'entraînement 36 du porte-objet 16 situé en vis-à-vis du poste d'impression 22 et de la deuxième partie 40.The two pulleys 62, 64 define between them an active segment 66 ( figure 2 ) of the belt 56, designed to be supported in the active position against the drive track 36 of the object holder 16 located opposite the printing station 22 and the second part 40.

La piste 36 du porte-objet 16 est également avantageusement dentée.The track 36 of the object holder 16 is also advantageously toothed.

L'actionneur 42 comprend par exemple une plaque de liaison 39 fixée sur le support 32, et un vérin 68 fixé sur la plaque de liaison et sur la platine 50.The actuator 42 comprises for example a connecting plate 39 fixed on the support 32, and a jack 68 fixed on the connecting plate and on the plate 50.

Le vérin 68 est par exemple pneumatiqueThe cylinder 68 is for example pneumatic

Selon une variante non représentée, le vérin 68 est électrique. Il comprend alors un servomoteur commandant une vis qui fait translater un écrou solidaire de la platine 50. Ceci permet d'augmenter la cadence d'impression, en combinant avantageusement le mouvement de rotation de la tourelle 14 avec le mouvement de translation de la deuxième partie 40 selon l'axe Δ3.According to a variant not shown, the jack 68 is electric. It then comprises a servomotor controlling a screw which causes a nut integral with the plate 50 to translate. This makes it possible to increase the printing rate, by advantageously combining the rotational movement of the turret 14 with the translational movement of the second part. 40 along the axis Δ3.

La direction de translation Δ3 est avantageusement sensiblement parallèle à l'axe de rotation Δ1 de la tourelle 14.The direction of translation Δ3 is advantageously substantially parallel to the axis of rotation Δ1 of the turret 14.

Le segment actif 66 représenté sur la figure 2 présente une forme concave, car il est pressé contre la piste d'entraînement 36 dans la position active (voir figure 1).The active segment 66 shown in the figure 2 has a concave shape, as it is pressed against the drive track 36 in the active position (see figure 1 ).

Comme visible sur la figure 4, la courroie 56 est avantageusement une courroie dentée, par exemple à profil circulaire. La courroie 56 comprend une armature 70 par exemple en fibre de verre, deux toiles 72, par exemple en polyamide, formant deux faces opposées 73 de la courroie, et un matériau de remplissage 74, par exemple du polychloroprène. La courroie 56 est avantageusement dentée sur les deux faces opposées 73. La denture interne permet un entraînement précis de la courroie 56 par l'actionneur 58 et la poulie 60, tandis que la denture externe permet un entraînement précis du porte-objet 16 par la courroie.As visible on the figure 4 , the belt 56 is advantageously a toothed belt, for example with a circular profile. The belt 56 includes a frame 70 by example of fiberglass, two fabrics 72, for example of polyamide, forming two opposite faces 73 of the belt, and a filling material 74, for example polychloroprene. The belt 56 is advantageously toothed on the two opposite faces 73. The internal teeth allow precise driving of the belt 56 by the actuator 58 and the pulley 60, while the external teeth allow precise driving of the object holder 16 by the belt.

Le fonctionnement de l'ensemble 1 se déduit de sa structure et va maintenant être décrit brièvement pour illustrer un procédé selon l'invention.The operation of the assembly 1 can be deduced from its structure and will now be described briefly to illustrate a method according to the invention.

Lorsque la machine 10 est en fonctionnement, un des objets 5 déjà imprimé est retiré de son porte-objet 16 au niveau du poste de chargement 18 à l'arrière-plan de la figure 1. Un autre objet 5, non encore imprimé, est placé sur ce porte-objet 16.When the machine 10 is in operation, one of the objects 5 already printed is removed from its object holder 16 at the level of the loading station 18 in the background of the figure 1 . Another object 5, not yet printed, is placed on this object holder 16.

La tourelle 14 est alors déplacée à sa position suivante par une rotation autour de l'axe de rotation Δ1. Ceci amène l'objet 5 nouvellement chargé en vis-à-vis du poste de prétraitement 20 qui réalise un prétraitement de l'objet par plasma.The turret 14 is then moved to its next position by a rotation around the axis of rotation Δ1. This brings the newly loaded object 5 opposite the pretreatment station 20 which performs plasma pretreatment of the object.

Au même moment, un autre des objets 5 se situe en dessous du poste d'impression 22, et un autre encore des objets 5 se situe au niveau du poste de post-traitement 24. Chacun des déplacements de la tourelle 14 d'une de ses positions à la position suivante fait passer les objets 5 chargés d'un poste de traitement au poste suivant.At the same time, another of the objects 5 is located below the printing station 22, and yet another of the objects 5 is located at the level of the post-processing station 24. Each of the movements of the turret 14 of a. its positions at the next position causes the loaded objects to pass from one processing station to the next station.

Avant l'arrivée d'un des objets 5 en dessous du poste d'impression 22, le système d'entraînement 26 est dans la position de repos. Il n'y a alors pas d'entraînement en rotation du porte-objet 16 concerné, et la tourelle 14 est simplement positionnée par rapport aux postes de traitements.Before the arrival of one of the objects 5 below the printing station 22, the drive system 26 is in the rest position. There is then no drive in rotation of the object holder 16 concerned, and the turret 14 is simply positioned relative to the processing stations.

Lorsque le porte-objet 16 concerné arrive en vis-à-vis du poste d'impression 22, la tourelle 14 s'immobilise et le vérin 68 fait passer la deuxième partie 40 de la position de repos à la position active. Au cours de ses déplacements, la platine 50 glisse par rapport à la première partie 38 selon la direction de translation Δ3. Dans l'exemple représenté, la deuxième partie 40 monte par rapport au châssis 12.When the object holder 16 concerned arrives opposite the printing station 22, the turret 14 comes to a stop and the actuator 68 causes the second part 40 to pass from the rest position to the active position. During its movements, the plate 50 slides relative to the first part 38 in the direction of translation Δ3. In the example shown, the second part 40 rises relative to the frame 12.

Ceci a un double effet. D'une part, le dispositif de blocage 44, qui était à l'écart de la tourelle 14, s'approche de cette dernière et le doigt 52 est reçu dans l'une des encoches 54, de manière à immobiliser la tourelle dans une position angulaire par rapport à l'axe de rotation Δ1 parfaitement voulue pour une bonne impression sur l'objet 5 situé en vis-à-vis du poste d'impression 22.This has a double effect. On the one hand, the locking device 44, which was away from the turret 14, approaches the latter and the finger 52 is received in one of the notches 54, so as to immobilize the turret in a angular position with respect to the axis of rotation Δ1 perfectly desired for a good impression on the object 5 located opposite the printing station 22.

D'autre part, ce passage vers la position active amène le segment actif 66 de la courroie 56 au contact avec la piste d'entraînement 36 du porte-objet 16 situé en regard du poste d'impression 22. Le mouvement de la courroie 56 obtenu grâce à l'actionneur 58 entraîne alors le porte-objet 16 en rotation autour de l'axe de porte-objet D3. Ceci a pour effet de mettre l'objet 5 en rotation autour de son axe d'objet Δ.On the other hand, this passage to the active position brings the active segment 66 of the belt 56 into contact with the drive track 36 of the object holder 16 located opposite the printing station 22. The movement of the belt 56 obtained thanks to the actuator 58 then drives the object holder 16 in rotation around the axis of the object holder D3. This has the effect of making the object 5 rotate about its object axis Δ.

Grâce à l'actionneur 58, les mouvements de la courroie 56 sont contrôlés de manière très précise. Avantageusement, la structure dentée de la courroie 56 décrite ci-dessus permet une transmission très précise des mouvements de la courroie 56 au porte-objet 16 par engrènement. La rotation de l'objet 5 en dessous des têtes d'impression 34 est ainsi très précisément contrôlée.Thanks to the actuator 58, the movements of the belt 56 are controlled very precisely. Advantageously, the toothed structure of the belt 56 described above allows very precise transmission of the movements of the belt 56 to the object holder 16 by meshing. The rotation of the object 5 below the printing heads 34 is thus very precisely controlled.

Lorsque l'impression est terminée, la deuxième partie 40 est mise à nouveau dans la position de repos par le vérin 68. La courroie 56 n'est alors plus en contact avec la piste d'entraînement 36. Le doigt 52 du dispositif de blocage 44 sort de l'encoche 54 et la tourelle 14 redevient libre en rotation.When the printing is finished, the second part 40 is again put into the rest position by the jack 68. The belt 56 is then no longer in contact with the drive track 36. The finger 52 of the locking device 44 comes out of notch 54 and turret 14 becomes free to rotate again.

La tourelle 14 passe alors dans la position angulaire suivante. L'objet 5 qui vient d'être imprimé arrive alors au niveau du poste de post-traitement 24.The turret 14 then passes into the next angular position. Object 5 which has just been printed then arrives at post-processing station 24.

Les étapes ci-dessus se répètent cycliquement, de sorte que chacun des objets 5 est successivement chargé, prétraité, puis imprimé, post-traité, et enfin déchargé.The above steps are repeated cyclically, so that each of the objects 5 is successively loaded, pre-processed, then printed, post-processed, and finally unloaded.

En fonction de la forme de l'objet 5, il est possible d'incliner la tourelle 14 par rapport à l'axe d'inclinaison Δ2 de manière à ce qu'une génératrice supérieure de la surface à imprimer des objets 5 soit avantageusement sensiblement horizontale au niveau du poste d'impression 22.Depending on the shape of the object 5, it is possible to incline the turret 14 relative to the inclination axis Δ2 so that an upper generatrix of the surface to be printed of the objects 5 is advantageously substantially horizontal at the printing station 22.

Grâce aux caractéristiques décrites ci-dessus, la machine d'impression 10 est moins onéreuse et permet une qualité d'impression améliorée.By virtue of the characteristics described above, the printing machine 10 is less expensive and enables improved printing quality.

En particulier, grâce au dispositif de blocage 44, la tourelle 14 est très précisément immobilisée dans les positions angulaires voulues par rapport à l'axe de rotation Δ1. Le dispositif de blocage 44 permet de positionner l'objet très précisément au dessous du poste d'impression 22. En outre, il n'y a qu'un seul dispositif d'entraînement en rotation et il est capable d'agir sur n'importe lequel des porte-objets 16 dès lors que le porte-objet se trouve en vis-à-vis du poste d'impression 22. De plus, un même actionneur 42 permet d'obtenir à la fois le blocage angulaire précis de la tourelle 14 et la mise en service du dispositif d'entraînement 46.In particular, thanks to the locking device 44, the turret 14 is very precisely immobilized in the desired angular positions relative to the axis of rotation Δ1. The blocking device 44 makes it possible to position the object very precisely below the printing station 22. In addition, there is only one device for driving in rotation and it is capable of acting on n ' any of the object holders 16 as long as the object holder is located opposite the printing station 22. In addition, the same actuator 42 makes it possible to obtain both the precise angular locking of the turret 14 and commissioning of the drive device 46.

Claims (12)

  1. A printing machine (10) for printing a plurality of objects (5), wherein the printing machine (10) comprises:
    - a frame (12),
    - at least one printing station (22) fixed on the frame (12), wherein the printing station comprises at least one inkjet print head (34),
    - a turret (14) mounted to rotate relative to the frame (12) about an axis of rotation (Δ1),
    - a plurality of object carriers (16) designed to carry the objects (5), wherein the object carriers (16) are mounted on the turret (14) to rotate respectively about object carrier axes (D1, D2, D3, D4), wherein the turret (14) is movable between a plurality of positions relative to the frame (12), wherein at least one of the object carriers (16) is opposite the printing station in each of the positions of the turret (14), and
    - a drive system (26) for driving one of the object carriers (16) in rotation with respect to the turret (14),
    characterized in that the drive system (26) comprises:
    - at least a first part (38) mounted on the frame (12), and
    - at least a second part (40), wherein the second part (40) comprises a locking device (44) and a drive device (46), wherein the second part (40) is mounted to move relative to the first part (38) between an active position, in which the drive device (46) is designed to rotate one of the object carriers (16), and the locking device (44) is designed to lock the turret (14) in rotation about the axis of rotation (Δ1) relative to the frame (12) in one of said positions of the turret (14), and a rest position, in which the drive device (46) is away from one of the object carriers (16) and the locking device (44) is away from the turret (14).
  2. The printing machine (10) according to claim 1, wherein:
    - the locking device (44) comprises at least one finger (52), and the turret (14) forms a plurality of notches (54), wherein one of the notches (54) is designed to receive the finger (52) in the active position, or
    - the locking device (44) forms at least one notch, and the turret (14) has a plurality of fingers, wherein the notch is designed to receive one of the fingers in the active position.
  3. The printing machine (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each of the object carriers (16) defines a drive track (36), and the drive device (46) comprises:
    - a belt (56) intended to be in contact with one of the drive tracks (36) in the active position in order to drive one of the object carriers (16), the belt (56) being away from said one of the drive tracks (36) in the rest position, and
    - an actuator (58) designed to move the belt (56).
  4. The printing machine (10) according to claim 3, wherein the second part (40) of the drive system (26) comprises a plate (50), the drive device (46) further comprising:
    - a toothed pulley (60) designed to be driven by the actuator (58) in rotation relative to the plate (50), and
    - at least two pulleys (62, 64) rotatably mounted on the plate (50) to tension and guide the belt (56), wherein the two pulleys (62, 64) define between them an active segment (66) of the belt (56), and wherein the active segment (66) bears against the drive track (36) in the active position.
  5. The printing machine (10) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the belt (56) comprises two opposite toothed faces (73).
  6. The printing machine (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the second part (40) is movably mounted in translation relative to the first part (38) in a direction of translation (Δ3), wherein the drive system (26) further comprises an actuator (42) that is designed to move the second part (40) from the rest position to the active position, and vice versa.
  7. The printing machine (10) according to claim 6, wherein the actuator (42) that is designed to move the second part (40) comprises at least one pneumatic or electrical jack (68).
  8. The printing machine (10) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein, in each of the positions of the turret (14), one of the object carriers (16) is located in the vicinity of the drive device (46), the object carrier axis (D3) of said one of the object carriers (16) being substantially orthogonal to the direction of translation (Δ3).
  9. The printing machine (10) according to any one of the claims 6 to 8, wherein the direction of translation (Δ3) is substantially parallel to the axis of rotation (Δ1) of the turret (14).
  10. The printing machine (10) according to any one of the claims 1 to 9, wherein:
    - the frame (12) comprises a gantry (28), and a turret support (30) on which the turret (14) is mounted to rotate about the axis of rotation (Δ1), wherein the turret support (30) is adjustable in inclination with respect to the gantry (28) about a tilting axis (Δ2), and/or
    - the frame (12) comprises a support (32) of the drive system (26).
  11. An assembly of a printing machine (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, and the plurality of objects (5) to be printed.
  12. A printing method for printing a plurality of objects (5), the method comprising the following steps:
    - providing a printing machine (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
    - placing the objects (5) on the object carriers (16),
    - moving the turret (14) between the plurality of positions relative to the frame (12), and
    - moving the second part (40) of the drive system (26) from the rest position to the active position,
    - rotating one of the object carriers (16) with respect to the turret (14) by the drive device (46), and locking the turret (14) in rotation about the axis of rotation (Δ1) relative to the frame (12) in one of the positions of the turret (14) by the locking device (44), and
    - moving the second part (40) from the active position to the rest position.
EP19159620.4A 2018-03-05 2019-02-27 Printing machine for printing objects and corresponding method Active EP3536502B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR1851871A FR3078503B1 (en) 2018-03-05 2018-03-05 PRINTING MACHINE FOR PRINTING OBJECTS AND METHOD THEREOF

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3536502A1 EP3536502A1 (en) 2019-09-11
EP3536502B1 true EP3536502B1 (en) 2020-09-16

Family

ID=61873627

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19159620.4A Active EP3536502B1 (en) 2018-03-05 2019-02-27 Printing machine for printing objects and corresponding method

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US10807356B2 (en)
EP (1) EP3536502B1 (en)
CN (1) CN110228292A (en)
FR (1) FR3078503B1 (en)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN2219195Y (en) * 1995-01-11 1996-02-07 张文滨 Quick feeding device for hose printer
FR2782292B1 (en) * 1998-08-13 2000-11-10 Dubuit Mach PRINTING MACHINE WITH ROTARY MOUNTED OBJECT HOLDERS
DE10349560A1 (en) * 2003-10-22 2005-06-02 Werner Kammann Maschinenfabrik Gmbh Device for decorating dimensionally stable objects
US8192315B2 (en) * 2009-02-24 2012-06-05 Dayco Products, Llc V-ribbed belt having an outer surface with improved coefficient of friction
DE102009013477B4 (en) * 2009-03-19 2012-01-12 Khs Gmbh Printing device for printing on bottles or similar containers
CN203371908U (en) * 2013-07-26 2014-01-01 北京印刷学院 Platen automatic die cutting gold stamping machine mobile platform auxiliary returning device
WO2015052240A1 (en) * 2013-10-08 2015-04-16 Till Gmbh Cyclically operating printing press
JP6903010B2 (en) * 2015-03-04 2021-07-14 ストール マシーナリ カンパニー, エルエルシーStolle Machinery Company, LLC Digital press and method
CN104889826B (en) * 2015-06-08 2017-07-28 刘连忠 A kind of modularization combines machining center
DE102016211405B4 (en) * 2016-06-24 2018-08-16 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Tension pulley arrangement for a belt drive and belt drive comprising the tension pulley arrangement
CN107052958A (en) * 2017-06-08 2017-08-18 郭林惠 A kind of cable unit
FR3072324B1 (en) * 2017-10-09 2020-02-14 Machines Dubuit MACHINE FOR PRINTING A PLURALITY OF OBJECTS

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN110228292A (en) 2019-09-13
EP3536502A1 (en) 2019-09-11
US10807356B2 (en) 2020-10-20
US20190270299A1 (en) 2019-09-05
FR3078503B1 (en) 2020-03-20
FR3078503A1 (en) 2019-09-06

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