EP4197799A1 - Printing device and method for printing a workpiece - Google Patents

Abstract

A printing device (1) for printing a workpiece (60), which preferably consists at least in sections of wood, materials containing wood fibers, wood composite materials, veneer, plastic and combinations thereof, the printing device (1) having a housing (30), a holding element ( 31) disposed on the housing (30), a printhead (10) attached to a first side of the housing (30), and a first interface, the first interface connecting the printhead (10) with more than one Container communicatively and operatively connects and the printing device (1) is portable.

Description

technical field

The invention relates to a printing device which is suitable for printing a workpiece which preferably consists at least in sections of wood, materials containing wood fibers, wood composite materials, veneer, plastic or a combination thereof. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for printing the workpiece.

State of the art

In the field of mobile printing devices for printing workpieces, those are known which produce an imprint consisting of numbers, date, time, text, 1D consecutively, 2D code, graphics by a pulling movement of the printing device over the workpiece. The known mobile printing devices are mostly marking devices.

Since the known mobile printing devices are only suitable for marking, they cannot print a multi-colored decor or a decor that has multiple components.

Furthermore, known mobile printing devices have a print head height of 1 to 12.7 mm or 24.5 mm. This means that the known print head heights are less than 25 mm.

In the field of stationary printing devices, those are known which use a digital printing process to print a decoration on a layer which is then applied to a workpiece as a decorative layer. The decorative layer is characterized, for example, by a relief (surface embossing) and a specific color spectrum. A decorative layer can have a synchronous pore, for example. For example, the decorative layer can have a 3D look and feel that mimics naturally occurring wood.

However, there is a problem that, for example due to damage to the workpiece, the decorative layer can no longer be repaired after it has been produced by the stationary printing devices. This means that damaged workpiece sections cannot be repaired by the stationary printing device.

So far, damaged workpieces that show a defect are returned to the manufacturer or thrown away or recycled. Thus, there is no sustainable use of resources.

Presentation of the invention

The object of the invention is to provide a printing device with which a damaged workpiece can be repaired easily, quickly and inexpensively. Thus, throwing away or a costly return transport to the manufacturer can be avoided.

A printing device is defined in claim 1. A method of printing a workpiece is defined in claim 6. Subclaims relate to specific embodiments.

The printing device for printing a workpiece, which preferably consists at least in sections of wood, materials containing wood fibers, wood composite materials, veneer, plastic or a combination thereof, the printing device having: a housing, a holding element which is arranged on the housing, a print head, which is attached to a first side of the housing, and a (particularly arranged in the housing) first interface, wherein the first interface communicatively and operatively connects the print head to containers for print media and the printing device is portable.

The printing device is suitable for printing a workpiece. In particular, the workpiece can be a piece of furniture for a living room, bathroom or kitchen, or a door component in the door industry. For example, the workpiece can have a top surface and a bottom surface, as well as a narrow side. In particular, the workpiece can have 6 sides, with at least one side being a narrow side. For example, the narrow side can be a side face of the workpiece. In particular, the workpiece can have an edge band on the narrow side. The workpiece can preferably have a decorative layer on at least one surface. The decorative layer can preferably have a synchronous pore on the surface of the workpiece.

The printing device may include a controller disposed within the housing, the controller configured to control the printhead, and a first interface disposed within the housing. According to a further embodiment, the control can also be arranged externally and the printing device can be connected to the control device with a data connection. For example, the controller is worn on the body of an employee and the printing device is connected to the manually operated printing device by a cable.

The printing device can be designed to print on each side of a workpiece, which can have different surfaces. The printing device preferably carries out a digital printing method. In particular, the digital printing process is an inkjet process. The printing device can be, for example, a mobile inkjet printer or a small mobile inkjet printer. The The printing device can be a dot matrix printer, for example. This makes it possible for a damaged workpiece to be repaired easily, efficiently and flexibly, which means that unnecessary return transport to the manufacturer can be avoided and resources used sustainably. By repairing the workpiece, the damaged workpiece can be prevented from being discarded. Printing of different surfaces such as PVC, PP, ABS, melamine, veneer and/or solid wood is possible with the printing device 1.

The printing device is portable. The term portable means that the printing device can be easily and simply carried and thus transported from one place to another place. The printing device can also be movable, mobile or portable. For example, the printing device is not tied to a fixed location. For example, the pressure device is no heavier than 10 kg, in particular no heavier than 5 kg and/or no lighter than 100 g. The printing device can thus be used flexibly at different locations in order to avoid having to transport the workpiece back. The printing device can be easily used by a user, so that a damaged workpiece can be repaired quickly and easily on site.

The printing device has a housing. The housing can have different shapes. The housing preferably has a cuboid shape. The housing has a first side, and preferably a second side, a third side and a fourth side. In particular, the first to fourth sides are side surfaces of the housing. The first side and the third side can face each other. The second side and the fourth side can face each other. All components of the printing device are preferably provided in the housing so that they are protected from possible damage.

Further, the housing may have a top surface and a bottom surface, with the bottom surface being parallel to the top surface. Thus, the top and bottom faces face each other.

A holding element is arranged on the housing. An example of a holding element is a handle, which is arranged or attached in particular to the lower surface of the housing. Furthermore, the handle can be designed ergonomically. For example, the handle may have a textured surface in an area where a user's hand grips the handle. Other known possibilities and structures of a handle can also be possible. For example, the holding element can be a band. Alternatively, the retaining element can also be a band that can be connected to the housing via two fastening elements that can be attached to the housing. For example, the retaining element can be a strap (rubber strap or Velcro strap) that is attached to the housing via eyelets. The band may be releasably attachable to a user's wrist. The printing device is designed for left-handed, right-handed or ambidextrous users. The holding element makes it possible to carry the printing device easily and securely. For example, the user of the printing device can wear the printing device on the holding element.

Furthermore, the printing device has a print head. The printhead is attached to the first side of the housing. The print head is communicatively and operatively connected to more than one ink container by means of a first interface. For example, the print head can be communicatively and operatively connected to two, three, four or more than four ink containers by means of the first interface. The print head is preferably connected to a controller. The print head can be set up in such a way that it can deliver a plurality of print media to the workpiece, in particular simultaneously. The print head can preferably be designed in such a way that several Print media, in particular two or more than two print media, to deliver to the workpiece at the same time. The print head can be controlled by the controller in order to print a decoration on the workpiece in a controlled manner. In particular, the print head can deliver at least two or more print media to the workpiece at the same time. In particular, the print head can deliver four or more print media to the workpiece, preferably simultaneously. In particular, the print media can be an ink. For example, the print head can deliver the print media cyan, magenta, yellow and black onto the workpiece and optionally light cyan and light magenta. It can thus be achieved that the destroyed decorative layer of the workpiece can be repaired with high quality.

For example, the decor can include at least two print media. In particular, the decor can be formed from the print media cyan, magenta, yellow and/or black. The printhead may further be configured to print print media from the at least two reservoirs onto the surface of the workpiece. The decor can be a printed image. The decor can be a RAL color. The decor may have a pattern. This means that the workpiece can be repaired quickly and easily with high quality.

The printing device can have a fast-drying and high-resolution printing medium with high adhesion. The print head can be set up to create a decoration on the surface of the workpiece. Furthermore, the print head can be controlled by the controller in such a way that a precisely positioned and sharp image/design can be printed on the workpiece. It can thus be achieved that the damage to the workpiece after printing by the printing device is no longer visible, if at all. For example, the printhead may be configured to shoot or deflect small droplets of ink through the air from the printhead toward the workpiece. It can Printing medium, in particular the ink or paint, are transported from the containers via the first interface to the print head. Furthermore, the print head can have a plurality of and at least two nozzles for dispensing a print medium. This allows the printing process to be improved and accelerated, and the print quality to be increased.

In the course of a printing process, preferably liquid, printing media are applied to a workpiece. In particular, it is an inkjet printing process, a spray application or an application in layers (for example 3D printing).

A print medium is, for example, a printing ink, ink, a primer or a varnish.

The print head can preferably have a rectangular shape. In particular, the print head can be arranged on an outer surface of the housing. The printhead may be configured to extend along the first side of the housing in a first direction and to extend in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. In this case, the first direction can be a horizontal direction and the second direction can be a vertical direction. The printing device is preferably guided along the first direction during the printing process.

Preferably, the print head has a size in the second direction in the range from 2 mm to 70 mm, in particular from 8 mm to 63 mm. In particular, the print head has a size of 15 mm in the vertical direction. In particular, the print head consists of one piece. For example, the print head has a size in the second direction that corresponds to a height of the narrow side of the workpiece. Due to the size of the print head, it is possible in one printing process, i.e. with one movement of the printing device over the damaged one Surface of the workpiece to repair the workpiece. Thus, the repair process can be accelerated.

According to one embodiment, the controller is arranged in the housing. The controller is configured to control the printhead. The controller can also be configured to control the first interface. For example, the controller can be configured to control the first interface in such a way that the at least one color is transported from the at least one color container to the print head using the first interface. Furthermore, the controller can have a processor and a memory. The controller can be a known controller that can carry out the method according to the invention. The control simplifies the printing process and repairs can be carried out more quickly and effectively.

The first interface is arranged in the housing. A portion of the first interface may be located on an exterior surface of the housing. In particular, the first interface can be arranged on an outer surface of the third side or the top surface of the housing.

The first interface communicatively and operatively connects the printhead to the more than one container. For example, the first interface is configured to accommodate the more than one container. For example, the first interface routes more than one print medium of the more than one tray from the more than one tray to the printhead. The first interface can transport multiple different print media from the multiple reservoirs to the printhead. The first interface can communicatively and operatively connect two, three, four, or more than four containers to the printhead. For example, the first interface can have lines and adapters that can be connected to the at least one container. For example, the first interface can den more than have a container. Print medium can thus be made available to the printing device through the first interface, with which the repair of the workpiece is carried out. The first interface makes it possible for the print head to print a decoration quickly and easily on the surface of the workpiece.

For example, a container can be a known ink cartridge. Preferably, the container contains a printing ink, an ink, a primer or a varnish. One container of the at least two containers can preferably contain a solution for impregnating and/or sealing the printed surface of the workpiece. For example, a container may be cyan, magenta, yellow, and/or black, and optionally light cyan and/or light magenta. By having more than one container, the decoration is applied to the surface of the workpiece, so that the damaged area of the workpiece can hardly be noticed at all. In this way, the damaged decorative layer can be printed with a suitable decoration, so that the workpiece is free of damage again.

The advantages of the printing device according to the invention are greater flexibility and mobility in the production of the workpieces and at the intermediary or customer. The pressure device allows damage to be repaired more quickly, e.g. directly in production, at the dealer or middleman and at the end customer. Complaints and damage can thus be remedied directly on site. This means that it is no longer necessary to return or dispose of the damaged workpiece.

Another advantage of the printing device according to the invention is the quick and easy operation, so that changing customer requirements can be met quickly and easily. Furthermore, by the inventive Printing device a damaged workpiece can be completely repaired easily and inexpensively.

The printing device according to the invention can, for example, print a new edge band of a damaged workpiece that has not previously been printed. With the printing device according to the invention, damage can already be repaired during production. Damage to the middleman or end customer can also be eliminated easily, quickly and inexpensively by the printing device. Manual, individual structural adjustments can also be made at the end customer's site using the printing device.

Furthermore, the printing device enables a cost-effective production option to produce very small batch sizes. For example, very small batch sizes can be manufactured inexpensively, easily and quickly at the manufacturing company or directly at the customer's site.

The printing device according to the invention solves the disadvantage that, in the case of many workpieces that have already been delivered, the narrow side has to be subsequently reattached or removed again and reattached at the customer's site or in other external field applications. The available edging tape is only very rarely available in the individual customer-specific color and, above all, not in the customer-specific decor.

Furthermore, the printing device according to the invention solves the disadvantage that damage to the workpiece sides (top and bottom or narrow sides) during assembly, transport or other reasons in production, for example, can be quickly and flexibly repaired with such a printing device in the current production step in which the error was detected, can be repaired without the workpiece being transported back into the production line and thus impedes the manufacturing process or, in the worst case, the entire workpiece has to be disposed of.

Furthermore, damage to the narrow side of the workpiece at the customer or intermediary in the field (i.e. outside the production plant of the workpieces), e.g. due to transport, assembly or other reasons, is repaired quickly and flexibly with a printing device according to the invention, without the workpiece being returned to the manufacturer new workpiece has to be delivered by the manufacturer as a gesture of goodwill or, in the worst case, the entire damaged workpiece has to be disposed of.

Possible damage to the workpiece can, for example, be eliminated by the method according to the invention. Depending on the degree of damage, the affected area of the workpiece (e.g. damage, scratched area or defect) must first be repaired with a filling. The manual digital printing of the present invention can only be applied to a relatively planar structure, so prior surface preparation is necessary. Deep holes in the top and/or bottom as well as edges must first be repaired with a filling and a primer. In the case of correspondingly large damage to the edges, the damaged edge band would have to be removed first and a new edge band reattached.

In a further embodiment, the printing device can have a device holder which can be coupled to the housing and/or have a guide element along which the printing device can be moved on a surface of the workpiece.

The device holder can also have joints, so that the printing device is attached to the device holder and can be moved in all three spatial directions. The The device holder can be attached to a machine table or another surface, for example. It can thus be achieved that the printing device can print the workpiece evenly. For example, when using an equipment mount, the workpiece can be moved and not the printing device. In particular, the device holder can be mounted in a CNC machine. The device holder allows the housing and thus the entire portable printing device to be fixed, so that any movements that can affect the print quality can be reduced. The device holder allows the printing device to be fixed in a stationary and temporary manner.

For example, the device mount is a robotic arm. The device mount can also be designed as a multi-axis head, for example a 5-axis head.

The printing device can have a guide element or can be positioned manually on a surface of the workpiece. The pressure device can preferably be positioned at a distance of 3 mm from the surface of the workpiece. For example, the guide member may be at least one guide roller mounted on the printhead. Alternatively, the guide element can be a separate auxiliary device with rails in order to ensure that the printing device is guided. The printing device can be guided in one direction along the surface of the workpiece by the guide element. For example, the guide element can be a rail along which the printing device is guided. Alternatively, the guide element can be at least one known (guide roller), on which the printing device can be constantly moved in one direction. The purpose of the guide element is that the printing device is moved evenly in one direction, so that a very good print quality is achieved Guide element unwanted movements are prevented in another direction.

In a further embodiment, the printing device can have a print head which is designed in such a way to deliver a plurality of print media to the workpiece (in particular simultaneously). In this way, the damaged decoration or pattern on the surface of the workpiece is printed cost-effectively and efficiently and is thus repaired.

The printing device is a mobile printing device that can be equipped with or without a sensor.

In a further embodiment, the printing device can have a first sensor on the first side of the housing adjacent to the print head. The first sensor can be configured to detect and analyze a surface of the workpiece at least in a section, the first sensor being connected to the controller and providing data about the detected and analyzed surface to the controller. The decor or pattern of the surface of the workpiece is thus recognized and analyzed by the first sensor. Thus, the first sensor determines which pattern needs to be repaired. Thus, the repair performed by the printing device becomes cheaper and improved.

The first sensor can preferably be connected to the controller and provide data about the detected and analyzed surface to the controller. The first sensor can preferably be arranged next to the print head on the first side of the housing. A scanning function of the workpiece decoration can thus be carried out using the first sensor. For example, the first sensor can optically detect the surface of the workpiece. The first sensor is preferably a laser.

In a further embodiment, the controller of the printing device can be configured to evaluate the data from the first sensor and, based on the data from the first sensor, to output an order to the print head to print the color spectrum. The controller can receive and evaluate the data from the first sensor. For example, the controller can compare the received data about the surface structure of the workpiece with a surface structure of a database. Furthermore, if the determined surface structure and the surface structure of the database match, the controller can select the data from the database and output the print job to the print head on the basis of this data. It is thus possible for the controller to quickly recognize the pattern to be repaired and to print the identical pattern on the workpiece efficiently and inexpensively using the printing device.

During the printing process, the print head can be moved manually past the surface of the workpiece to be printed at a relatively constant speed. Since the quick manual hand movement is never carried out evenly, an additional second sensor can ensure that the ink supply is regulated during the printing process. The printing device can have a second sensor which determines the movement of the printing device relative to the workpiece. The speed data can be passed from the second sensor to the controller so that the controller can adjust the printing speed of the print head based on the speed data. This ensures a precise and sharp print result.

In a further embodiment, the printing device can have a second interface. The second interface can be set up to transmit data from the controller to an external device and to receive data from the external device and forward it to the controller. The external device can be a PC or a laptop, for example. The second Interface can preferably be connected with a data cable. For example, the second interface can have a USB port or a USB-C port. In particular, the second interface can wirelessly transmit and receive data to the external device, such as via Bluetooth or WLAN (so-called wireless local area network). The data can have different formats and resolutions. In particular, the data can include data about the desired target decoration.

In a further embodiment, the printing device can have a third interface. The third interface can preferably be connected to a battery or an external power supply. The third interface can be arranged, for example, on an outer surface of the housing. The third interface can, for example, accommodate a battery in order to supply power to the printing device. The power connection can be a 220V/380V connection, for example. With the third interface, the printing device can be used mobile and flexibly on site.

Furthermore, in a further embodiment, the printing device can have a graphical user interface which is arranged on the housing and is operatively connected to the controller. For example, the graphical user interface is a display or a touch display or a touchscreen. Multiple language choices are possible.

The printing resolution of the printing device can preferably be 600 dpi×600 dpi. Improved print quality can thus be achieved.

The invention also relates to a method. In particular, the method can be carried out with the printing device according to the invention.

The method for printing a workpiece can print a workpiece which preferably consists at least in sections of wood, materials containing wood fibers, wood composite materials, veneer, plastic or a combination thereof. A printing device can perform the following procedure. The method has the following steps: selecting a decoration, positioning a portable printing device, in particular a print head, on a section of the workpiece, providing print media from containers via a first interface to the print head, printing the section of the workpiece with the print head of the printing device with the print media.

The method is designed to print the workpiece, so that the damaged workpiece can be repaired efficiently and inexpensively. The printing device can preferably have a housing, a print head, a controller and a first interface arranged in the housing. The first interface communicatively and operatively connects the printhead to more than one container.

In one embodiment, the method for printing on a workpiece can comprise the step of: applying a material to the portion of the workpiece before positioning the printing device, and/or removing a material on the portion of the workpiece before positioning the printing device, and before the step of Attaching a material to the portion of the workpiece. Thus, the surface of the damaged workpiece can be pre-treated, for example by applying a new edge band, so that the print quality is improved.

In one embodiment, the method for printing on a workpiece can also transmit data from an external device via a second interface to the printing device in the step of selecting. Thus, data about the color spectrum for the printing process can be stored on an external device be stored and retrieved. The repair can thus be carried out more quickly and in an improved manner. High print quality can also be achieved since the exact color spectrum can be selected for the printing process.

In the method for printing a workpiece, in one embodiment the positioning of the printing device on a section of the workpiece can be carried out by a device holder which is coupled to a housing of the printing device and/or the positioning of the printing device on a section of the workpiece can be carried out via a guide element , wherein the printing device can be moved along a surface of the workpiece by the guide element. Thus, undesired movements such as wobbling or deviation from the printing direction can be prevented. This can improve the print quality.

In the method for printing a workpiece, in one embodiment, in the step of printing the portion of the workpiece, the print media can be provided to the print head simultaneously. Thus, the printing process can be accelerated and simplified, so that the repair can be done better.

In a preferred embodiment, the method for printing a workpiece can also have the steps: detecting and analyzing a surface of the workpiece, at least in a section, using a first sensor, the first sensor being connected to a controller, providing data about the detected and analyzed data Surface from the first sensor to the controller, and wherein the data from the first sensor are used in the step of selecting the decor. By detecting and analyzing the surface of the workpiece using a sensor, it is possible to identify the decor or pattern or surface structure is recognized quickly and easily. This means that the workpiece can be repaired more quickly.

Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment, the step of selecting the decoration can be carried out by the controller, the controller evaluating the data from the first sensor and, based on the data from the first sensor, issuing an order to the print head to print the color spectrum. The controller can thus determine the decor of the workpiece to be repaired. The controller can issue a print job based on the selected decor. This accelerates the repair and the workpiece is printed or repaired with high quality.

In one embodiment, the method for printing a workpiece can have a computer-implemented method for determining a surface structure of a workpiece. The computer-implemented method has the following steps: detecting and analyzing a surface structure of the workpiece at least in a section by the first sensor, sending data containing information about the detected and analyzed surface structure from the first sensor to the controller, receiving data by controlling the detected and analyzed surface structure from the first sensor; determining the existing decoration of the surface structure based on the received data by the controller; choosing the decor; Transferring a print job to print the decor from the controller to the print head of the printing device.

The control of the printing device can be designed to recognize the damaged spot based on a pattern error. The controller can determine which pattern to print at that location on the workpiece based on the pattern defect detected, which is the damaged location on the surface of the workpiece. In other words, the Controller analyzes the pattern of the damaged portion of the workpiece detected by the first sensor and determines which pattern/print medium, specifically color, texture, needs to be printed by the printhead. The workpiece can thus be printed with improved quality, so that the damage is no longer visible or is hardly visible.

The computer-implemented method for determining a surface structure of a workpiece can include sending data to the external device and receiving coded data from the external device in the step of determining the existing decoration of the surface structure, the received data having information about the specific surface structure. The procedure can be accelerated by querying data, since an external database can be accessed, for example. This means that the repair can be carried out more quickly and with improved quality.

For example, the controller can send data about the decor determined on the damaged surface of the workpiece to an external device in order to then receive data for a print job of the decor. This data for a print job can be stored in a database. Pixel addressing can preferably be carried out dynamically for each individual printing process. For example, a pattern of the surface can be recognized in the method and the pattern can be completed again in the method. This offers the advantage that after the repair the damage is no longer visible or recognizable, if at all.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer ersten Ausführungsform einer offenbarungsgemäßen Druckvorrichtung;

Fig. 2

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer zweiten Ausführungsform einer offenbarungsgemäßen Druckvorrichtung;

Fig. 3

zwei perspektivische Ansichten A, B einer dritten Ausführungsform einer offenbarungsgemäßen Druckvorrichtung;

Fig. 4

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer vierten Ausführungsform einer offenbarungsgemäßen Druckvorrichtung;

Fig. 5

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer fünften Ausführungsform einer offenbarungsgemäßen Druckvorrichtung;

Further features and advantages of a device and a method result from the following description of embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. From these drawings shows:

1

a perspective view of a first embodiment of a disclosure according to the printing device;

2

a perspective view of a second embodiment of a disclosure according printing device;

3

two perspective views A, B of a third embodiment of a printing device according to the disclosure;

4

a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a disclosure according to the printing device;

figure 5

a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of a disclosure according to the printing device;

Description of Embodiments

The same reference symbols that are listed in different figures designate identical, corresponding, or functionally similar elements.

The mobile or portable printing device can be used, for example, in the following different embodiments (i) as a mobile manual printing device; (ii) as a mobile manual printing device with a pivoting device mount; (iii) as a mobile manual printing device as a desktop device with mounting bracket and device holder (e.g. device holder and stand); (iv) as a mobile manual pressure device with wrist attachment; or (v) as a mobile mechanical printing device with adaptation for mobile small CNC table machines or medium to large CNC machines. The difference between the embodiments is that the printing device is equipped with additional elements. The same printing device 1 can be installed in each of the respective embodiments.

Therefore, the printing device 1 of the first embodiment will be described first and then the other embodiments.

First embodiment

1 1 shows a printing device 1 of a first embodiment, the devices of which are referred to in FIG 1 is described in more detail.

The printing device 1 is suitable for printing a workpiece 60 . The workpiece 60 can consist, at least in sections, of wood, materials containing wood fibers, wood composite materials, veneer, plastic or a combination thereof. Preferably, the workpiece 60 can be a workpiece plate having a top, bottom and four side surfaces ( 1 ). In this case, the surface of the workpiece 60 faces the printing device 1 . However, it is also possible for the printing device 1 to face a lateral surface or a narrow side of the workpiece 60 . The printing device 1 has a housing 30, a holding member 31 which is arranged on the housing 30, a print head 10 which is attached to a first side of the housing 30, and a controller which is arranged in the housing 30 ( 1 ). The controller is configured to control the printhead 10 . The print head 10 can be designed in such a way that more than one print medium (in the present exemplary embodiment one color), in particular a color spectrum, is to be output to the workpiece 60 at the same time.

The print head 10 may be spaced from a surface of the workpiece 60 by a distance which may be 1 mm to 1 cm, preferably 1 mm to 3 mm. [External control]

Furthermore, the printing device 1 has a first interface arranged in the housing 30, the first interface communicatively and operatively connecting the print head 10 to more than one ink container and the printing device 1 being portable. The more than two ink tanks can be accommodated in the housing 30 of the printing device 1 so that they can be carried with the printing device 1. In addition, the first interface is configured to transport a print medium from the more than two trays to the printhead 10 . The controller is configured to control the first interface as well as the printhead 10 such that more than two print media from the more than two ink reservoirs are fed to the printhead 10 and the printhead 10 prints the print media on the surface of the workpiece 60 . During the printing process, the print head 10 can be moved manually past the surface of the workpiece 60 to be printed at a relatively constant speed. Since the quick manual hand movement is never carried out evenly, an additional second sensor ensures that the ink supply is regulated during the printing process. The second sensor can also be integrated in the first sensor 20 . This ensures a precise and sharp print result.

The housing 30 can also have a user interface 40 ( 1 ). This user interface 40 can be a touch display. The user interface 40 can be configured such that a user of the printing device 1 is presented with data about the surface of the workpiece 60 and the user can manually select a color spectrum to be printed by the print head 10 .

The holding element 31 can be a handle that is ergonomically shaped ( 1 ). The holding element 31 enables the user to easily carry the printing device 1 .

In addition, the printing device 1 can have a device holder 50 (not shown in 1 ) which can be coupled to the housing 30 . The printing device 1 can also have a guide element 33 (not shown in 1 ) along which the printing device 1 can be moved on the surface of the workpiece 60 . For example, the guide element 33 can have at least one guide roller.

The printing device 1 also has a first sensor 20 on the first side of the housing 30 adjacent to the print head 10 ( 1 ). The first sensor 20 is configured to detect and analyze a surface of the workpiece 60 at least in a section, the first sensor 20 being connected to the controller and providing data about the detected and analyzed surface to the controller.

In addition, the controller is configured to evaluate the data from the first sensor 20 and, based on the data from the first sensor 20, to output an order to the print head 10 to print the color spectrum. In other words, the controller receives the data on the analyzed surface from the first sensor 20 and determines which surface the workpiece 60 has on the basis of the data received. For example, the controller determines that a specific pattern and/or structure is present on the analyzed surface. This determined surface of the workpiece 60 can be stored, for example, in a database that can be accessed by the controller. The database contains data on various surface structures, surface colors and surface pattern. Based on the determined surface, the controller can assign a known pattern from the database to this determined data. The known pattern is stored in the database with precise color data, for example. The controller can thus determine the exact color spectrum based on the determined surface. Furthermore, the controller can forward the specific color spectrum to the print head 10 as a print job. Thus, the print head 10 receives a print job to print the determined color spectrum on the surface of the workpiece 60 .

In the first embodiment, relative movement is performed with the printing device 1 and the workpiece 60 remains stationary. Thus, the workpiece 60 is not moved in the first embodiment.

Second embodiment

In a second embodiment of the printing device 1, the printing device of the first embodiment can be used. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that additional elements are provided on the printing device 1 .

2 shows a printing device 1 of a second embodiment, whose facilities with reference to FIG 2 is described in more detail.

In the second embodiment, the printing device is provided with a pivotable device holder 50 ( 2 ). A device holder 50 can be coupled to the holding element 31 of the printing device 1 . In other words, the device holder 50 can be attached to the printing device 1 and detached again (without damage). This device holder 50 facilitates the operation and handling of the printing device 1.

The printing device 1 of the second embodiment has a device holder 50 which can be fixedly and detachably attached to a support 70 ( 2 ). The support 70 is a machine table. The device holder 50 can be attached to the printing device 1 using screw terminals ( 2 ). The device holder 50 can be attached to the support 70 via screw terminals. Alternatively, other known fastening elements can also be used instead of screw terminals. The device holder 50 also has at least three joints 51 ( 2 ), which allow a relative movement of the printing device 1 in all spatial directions. Thus, the printing device 1 can be detachably attached to the device holder 50 and the device holder 50 can in turn be detachably attached to a support 70 .

In order to print the surface of the workpiece 60 in this situation, the workpiece 60 has to move relative to the printing device 1, i.e. the workpiece 60 is guided past the print head 10 at a certain constant speed. The second embodiment thus differs from the first embodiment in that the print head 10 is now no longer moved over the workpiece 60 . The advantage of the second embodiment is that small workpieces 60, which can be handled manually due to their size and weight, can be printed on by the printing device 1. In the case of larger workpieces 60, it is easier to carry out the relative movement with the aid of the pressure device 1, as is shown in the first embodiment.

Third embodiment

In a third embodiment, the printing device of the first or second embodiment can be used. The third embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the printing device 1 now has a Device holder 50 is fixed stationary. The third embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the printing device 1 can be fastened or held by a further device holder 50 .

3 shows a printing device 1 of a third embodiment in a view A and a view B, whose devices with reference to the 3 is described in more detail. The 3 shows the printing device of the third embodiment from two different views, one from the front (view A) and one from the side (view B).

The equipment holder 50 of the third embodiment has at least one articulated arm and a stand ( 3 - View B). The device holder 50 of the third embodiment makes it possible to fasten the printing device 1 independently and stationarily on a support 70 . The stand is adjustable in height, which is in the 3 (View B) is indicated by the two-way arrow. In addition, the arm can be aligned horizontally through the one joint, which is in the 3 (View B) is indicated by the arrow with one direction. The printing device 1 of the third embodiment is held by the device holder 50 ( 3 - View A and B).

The device holder 50 facilitates the operation and increases the printing quality and printing accuracy. In order to print the surface of the workpiece 60 in this embodiment, the workpiece 60 has to move relative to the printing device 1, ie the user manually guides the workpiece 60 past the print head 10 at a certain constant speed. This is advantageous for smaller workpieces 60 whose size and weight allow for handling by a user. In the case of larger workpieces, it is easier to carry out the relative movement with the aid of the printing device 1 of the first embodiment.

Fourth embodiment

In a fourth embodiment, the printing device 1 of the first embodiment can be used. The fourth embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the printing device 1 is provided with a different holding element 31 .

4 Fig. 13 shows a printing apparatus 1 of a fourth embodiment, the means of which are referred to in Figs 4 is described in more detail.

The printing device 1 in the fourth embodiment is provided with a holding member 31 which is a holder for the user's wrist 80 ( 4 ). The printing device 1 of the fourth embodiment is thus portable by the holding member 31 . The printing device 1 of the fourth embodiment can thus be smaller than the printing device 1 of the first embodiment. This smaller design of the printing device 1 of the first embodiment is achieved by a smaller housing 30 and a smaller user interface 40 compared to the first embodiment.

The printing device 1 of the fourth embodiment is detachably attached to the user's wrist via the holding member 31 ( 4 ). The holding element 31 can be, for example, a rubber band or a Velcro strip, which is fastened to the housing 30 of the printing device 1 via two eyelets (not shown). The user can thus attach the printing device 1 of the fourth embodiment to the wrist 80 easily and securely. Thus, for the printing process, the user can only guide the printing device 1 to the workpiece 60 with a simple hand movement in order to print the workpiece 60 . This can simplify and speed up the printing process, since the user does not have to wait for the Printing device 1 must attack, but this is already arranged on the wrist.

Alternatively, the printing device 1 of the fourth embodiment can have a user interface 40 but, for example, no touch display. The printing device 1 of the fourth embodiment can possibly have keys, or keys or switches as user interface 40 . Furthermore, it is also possible to design the user interface 40 of the fourth specific embodiment in such a way that voice control is possible. It is also possible to design the user interface 40 of the fourth specific embodiment in such a way that known augmented reality glasses (AR glasses) can be used to input data into the printing device 1 . The aim of the printing device 1 of the fourth embodiment is to increase the mobility of the user by freeing both hands for other applications.

Fifth embodiment

In a fifth embodiment, the printing apparatus 1 of the first to fourth embodiments can be used. The fifth embodiment differs from the first, second and third embodiments in that the printing device 1 is provided with a different holding element 31 .

figure 5 Fig. 13 shows a printing apparatus 1 of a fifth embodiment, the means of which are referred to in Figs figure 5 is described in more detail.

The printing apparatus 1 of the fifth embodiment provides a printing apparatus 1 that can be incorporated into a small benchtop mobile CNC machine, a medium to large CNC machine, and/or can be picked up by a robot arm.

In the specific embodiment shown, a workpiece 60 is fixed on a CNC machine table 70 ( figure 5 ). The printing device 1 of the fifth embodiment is attached to the CNC processing machine in such a way that it can move freely in all three spatial directions. The possibility of movement of the printing device 1 of the fifth embodiment is indicated by the three arrows in figure 5 implied. The printing device 1 of the fifth embodiment can be moved by a motor controlled by a controller. Thus, the print head 10 of the printing device 1 of the fifth embodiment can be brought to different positions of the workpiece 60 .

Process for printing a workpiece

A method for printing a workpiece is carried out with a printing device, preferably with the printing device 1 according to one of the embodiments. In other words, all five embodiments of the printing device 1 can carry out the method for printing a workpiece.

The method for printing a workpiece 60 is intended to print a workpiece 60, which preferably consists at least in sections of wood, materials containing wood fibers, wood composite materials, veneer, plastic or a combination thereof. The printing device 1 is configured to carry out the method. The method has the following steps: determining and selecting a color spectrum, positioning a portable printing device 1, in particular a print head 10, on a section of the workpiece 60, providing at least two print media from at least two containers via a first interface to the print head, printing of the section of the workpiece through the printing device, in particular through the print head 10, with the at least two print media. When printing of the portion of the workpiece 60, the at least two print media are simultaneously provided to the printhead. In this case, the step of determining and selecting the color spectrum is carried out by the controller, the controller evaluating the data from first sensor 20 and, based on the data from first sensor 20, outputting an order to print the color spectrum to print head 10.

The portable printing device 1 can be used in many ways due to its low weight. The printing height of the printing device 1 and thus the height of the print head 10 corresponds to an edge band width of 12 mm to 63 mm. The print job to print a color spectrum can be generated by the controller based on data determined by the first sensor 20 or based on a manual user selection via the user interface 40 . In addition, the controller can receive data from a database from an external device via the second interface. The external device receives data from the controller of the printing device 1 and returns data to the controller. The user interface 40 is a touch screen. The information about the determined surface and data of the database can be displayed via the large touch screen 40 (e.g. 4.3") and the user can select print jobs to print a color spectrum. The user can also edit print jobs manually via the touch screen 40. Several language selections are possible.The printing device can use fast-drying and high-definition ink with high adhesion.

During the printing process, the print head 10 must be moved manually past the surface of the workpiece 60 to be printed at a relatively constant speed. Since the quick manual hand movement is never carried out evenly, an additional second sensor ensures that the ink supply is regulated during the printing process. This ensures a precise and sharp print result. The Printing device 1 is designed for left-handed and right-handed people or for both hands. In addition, a guide member 33 (not shown) is attached to the printing device 1 . The guide member 33 are guide rails, which enable a more accurate printing result because the printing device is aligned with the surface of the printing device.

The method for printing a workpiece 60 further comprises the step of: applying a material to the portion of the workpiece 60 before positioning the printing device 1. Alternatively or additionally, the method comprises the step of: removing a material on the portion of the workpiece before positioning the printing device 1, and prior to the step of applying a material to the portion of the workpiece 60. Wherein the step of determining and selecting further transmits data from an external device to the printing device 1 via a second interface.

In addition, the positioning of the printing device 1 on a portion of the workpiece 60 is carried out by a device holder 50 which is coupled to the housing 30 . Alternatively or additionally, the positioning of the printing device 1 on a section of the workpiece 60 takes place via a guide element 33 , the printing device 1 being moved along the guide element on a surface of the workpiece 60 .

The method carries out the further step: detecting and analyzing a surface of the workpiece 60 at least in a section by a first sensor 20, the first sensor 20 being connected to a controller, providing data about the detected and analyzed surface from the first sensor 20 to the controller, and wherein the data of the first sensor 20 are used in the step of determining and selecting the color spectrum.

Furthermore, the printing method has a computer-implemented method for determining a surface structure of a workpiece, which has the following steps: detecting and analyzing a surface structure of the workpiece 60 at least in a section by the first sensor 20, sending data containing information about the detected and analyzed Obtain surface structure from the first sensor to the controller, receiving data from the controller about the detected and analyzed surface structure from the first sensor 20, determining the color spectrum of the surface structure on the basis of the received data, selecting the color spectrum, transferring a print job to the color spectrum print from the controller to the print head of the printing device.

In this case, in the step of determining the color spectrum of the surface structure, data is sent to the external device and data is received from the external device. The data received contains information about the specific surface structure.

In detail, a new edge band can be printed with the method. In this case, the new edging tape is first attached or glued to the workpiece 60 . In most cases, this is done manually with an iron or alternatively with an edge banding machine if one is available. If the old or damaged edging tape is still stuck to a surface of the workpiece 60, it would of course have to be removed first. In order to minimize the risk of damaging the newly printed surface during the gluing process, the new edging tape is always first attached to the workpiece 60 and then digitally printed. Furthermore, a loose edge band makes handling more difficult during the manual digital printing process. Thereafter, the method for printing the edge band that is applied to the workpiece 60 can then be carried out to the to print on the edge of the workpiece. The desired target decor can be transmitted to the printing device 1 in a suitable format and resolution either via a USB interface, Bluetooth or via WLAN from a suitable data source (PC, laptop, tablet, etc.) of an external device.

Optionally, an integrated scanning function can be provided by the first sensor 20, with which the decor available on site on a surface of the workpiece 60 is first scanned. This means that even smaller defects on the edge of the workpiece can be repaired by scanning the desired, correct surface of the edge and then repairing the defective spot directly on site.

It is obvious to a person skilled in the art that individual features that are each described in different embodiments can also be implemented in a single embodiment, provided they are not structurally incompatible. Likewise, various features that are described in a single embodiment may also be provided in multiple embodiments, individually or in any suitable sub-combination.

Claims (14)

Printing device (1) for printing a workpiece (60), which preferably consists at least in sections of wood, materials containing wood fibers, wood composite materials, veneer, plastic or a combination thereof, the printing device (1) having: a housing (30), a holding element (31) which is arranged on the housing (30), a printhead (10) mounted on a first side of the housing (30), and a first interface, the first interface communicatively and operatively connecting the printhead (10) to containers for print media, wherein the printing device (1) is portable. Printing apparatus (1) according to claim 1, further comprising a device holder (50), preferably a robot arm or multi-axis head, which can be coupled to the housing (30) and/or has a guide element (33) along which the printing device (1) can be moved on a surface of the workpiece (60). Printing device (1) according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, in which the print head (10) is designed in such a way as to deliver a plurality of print media, in particular a color spectrum, to the workpiece (60) simultaneously. Printing device (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 3, further comprising a controller which is arranged in particular in the housing (30), the controller being configured to control the printhead (10). Printing apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a first sensor (20) on the first side of the Housing (30) adjacent to the print head (10), wherein the first sensor (20) is configured to detect and analyze a surface of the workpiece (60) at least in a portion, wherein the first sensor (20) with the controller is connected and provides data about the recognized and analyzed surface to the controller, it being preferred that
the print head (10) can be controlled on the basis of the data from the first sensor (20). Method for printing a workpiece (60), which preferably consists at least in sections of wood, materials containing wood fibers, wood composite materials, veneer, plastic and combinations thereof, with a printing device (1), preferably the printing device (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 5 ,
the method comprising the following steps: choosing a decor, Positioning a print head (10) of a portable printing device (1) on a portion of the workpiece (60), providing print media from trays via a first interface to the printhead; Printing the portion of the workpiece with the print media. A method of printing on a workpiece (60) according to claim 6, further comprising the step of: applying a material to the portion of the workpiece (60) before positioning the printing device (1), and/or removing a material on the portion of the workpiece before positioning the printing device (1), and before the step of applying a material on the portion of the workpiece (60). Method for printing a workpiece (60) according to one of claims 6 or 7,
wherein in the step of selecting, data is also transmitted from an external device to the printing device (1) via a second interface. Method for printing a workpiece (60) according to one of Claims 6 to 8, wherein the positioning of the printing device (1) on a section of the workpiece (60) is carried out by a device holder (50), in particular a robot arm or multi-axis head, which is coupled to a housing (30) of the printing device and/or wherein the positioning of the printing device (1) on a section of the workpiece (60) takes place via a guide element (33), the printing device (1) being moved by the guide element along a surface of the workpiece (60). Method for printing a workpiece (60) according to one of Claims 6 to 9,
wherein as the portion of the workpiece is printed, the print media is simultaneously provided to the print head. A method of printing a workpiece according to any one of claims 6 to 10, further comprising: Detection and analysis of a surface of the workpiece (60) at least in a section by a first sensor (20), the first sensor (20) being connected to a controller, Providing data about the detected and analyzed surface from the first sensor (20) to the controller, the data from the first sensor (20) being used in the step of selecting the decoration. Method for printing a workpiece (60) according to one of Claims 6 to 11,
wherein the step of selecting the decoration is carried out by the controller, wherein the controller evaluates the data from the first sensor (20) and, based on the data from the first sensor (20), outputs an order to the print head (10) to print the decoration. A method of printing on a workpiece (60) according to any one of claims 6 to 12, further comprising; a computer-implemented method for determining a surface structure of a workpiece, comprising the following steps: detecting and analyzing a surface structure of the workpiece (60) at least in a section by the first sensor (20); Sending data containing information about the detected and analyzed surface structure from the first sensor to the controller; receiving data by the controller about the detected and analyzed surface structure from the first sensor (20); determining the existing decoration of the surface structure based on the received data by the controller; choosing the decor; Transferring a print job to print the color spectrum from the controller to the print head of the printing device. Computer-implemented method for determining a surface structure of a workpiece according to claim 13, in which the determination of the existing decoration of the surface structure comprises sending data to the external device and receiving data from the external device, the received data having information about the determined surface structure .

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