[0001] The present invention relates to a continuous stream inkjet printing system. The
system is primarily used for variable data personalized printing.
[0002] Among the products for digital printing there is Kodak Prosper S-Series imprinting
system, which is based on a technology of continuous inkjet. This is a solution for
the monochromatic production, enabling cooperation of a digital printing system with
rewinders in an inline mode. This solution provides a personalized print used in the
production of direct mail, catalogs, magazines, newspapers, inserts, and transactional
documents. The printing system is designed, so it can integrate with web presses,
or finishing equipment, enabling the application of personalized data on the materials
previously offset printed. Inline printing of variable data using this system provides
time and money savings compared to two-stage production process in which preprints
are offset machine pre-printed and then personalized in offline laser devices. The
Kodak Prosper system is equipped with four printing heads allowing for printing with
a maximum width of 10.56 cm for each, and it uses pigment-based inks. The head positioning
is possible over the entire width of the web from a roll, which, with the stitched
printing allows for printing with maximum width of 390 mm. Recognized printing system
is also equipped with ink stations and a system controller that provides printing
support, control and interface required to operate the printheads and its maintenance,
and enables the correct data interpretation and rasterization for converting into
the format suitable for printing. Systems for sheet printing are arranged, on the
other hand, with feeding equipment - feeders for feeding sheets from a stack and vacuum
tables to move the sheets during the printing. The fed sheets are transported on the
known vacuum tables on belt conveyors, wherein the sheet is sucked from the bottom,
while the printing is performed on its upper surface. Additionally the table is equipped
with pinch rollers at the end of the belt. A head mounting rails are located on the
both sides of the table. The system is equipped with infrared dryers, under which,
the printed sheets are fed. Further the system is equipped with, according to the
needs, devices for folding, gluing, punching, sorting, and packing.
[0003] An object of the invention is a continuous stream inkjet printing system consisting
of a printing system containing a vacuum table with attached rails, on which print
heads are mounted, a system controller and ink stations, and additionally there is
a dryer on the table. The system is paired with a sheet feeder on the input side and
an unloading table on the output side, and according to the needs, other devices for
folding, gluing, punching, sorting, and packing. The system is
characterized in that, the vacuum table has attached three rails fitted with six printheads, whereas a
working surface of the table is designed for sheets with a width / length not greater
than 700 x 1000 mm, which corresponds to the format of B1, and the dryer width is
adapted to the maximum width of the sheet.
[0004] The print heads are arranged in a matrix and are placed in relation to each other
so that each head performs printing width of 10.56 cm and the stitched print make
up a whole.
[0005] The unloading table is equipped with a camera - QR code reader.
[0006] The system according to the invention enables the implementation of personalized
printing in the format 700 x 1000mm (width x length), which corresponds to the format
B1, that is about nine A4 pages. Furthermore, printing on the sheets or completed
offset or digital ground prints allows obtaining any formats with width up to 700mm
and lengths up to 1000mm, which in comparison to printing on reel paper allows greater
flexibility and reduces the waste of paper.
[0007] A preferred embodiment according to the invention will be described with reference
to the drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 shows the system schematically, and
Fig. 2 shows a schematic matrix layout of the printheads.
Description of the embodiment.
[0008] A continuous stream inkjet printing system consisting of a printing system 1 containing
the vacuum table 2 made by POPP Maschinenbau GmbH - Popp Ink-Jet Transport with a
feed rate of 30 to 180 m / min, with three attached to it rails 3, on which, six Kodak
Prosper S5 Imprinting System printheads 4 are mounted. The printing system 1 also
includes, not shown in the figure, the system controller Kodak Inkjet CS410 Controller,
and ink stations. On the vacuum table 2 there is a dryer 5 made by Intro International
GmbH, performing drying in the infrared spectrum. The system 1 is paired with the
sheet pallet feeder 6 made by Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG with the symbol PFH82
on the input side, and an unloading table 8 on the output side. The system includes,
not shown in the figure, devices for folding, gluing, punching, sorting, and packing.
The working surface of the table is adapted to sheets with a width / length equal
to 700 x 1000 mm. The dryer 5 width is adapted to the maximum sheet width equal to
700 mm.
[0009] The print heads 4 are arranged in a matrix and are placed in relation to each other
so that each head performs printing width of 10.56 cm and the stitched print make
up a whole.
[0010] The unloading table 8 is equipped with a camera - QR code reader, not shown in the
figure.
1. Continuous stream inkjet printing system consisting of a printing system (1) containing
a vacuum table (2) with attached rails (3), on which print heads (4) are mounted,
a system controller and ink stations and additionally there is a dryer (5) on the
table, wherein the system (1) is paired with a sheet feeder (6) on the input side
and an unloading table (8) on the output side and, according to the needs, other devices
for folding, gluing, punching, sorting, and packing, characterized in that, the vacuum table (2) has attached three rails (3) fitted with six printheads (4),
whereas working surface of the table is designed for sheets with a width / length
not greater than 700 x 1000 mm, and the dryer (5) width is adapted to the maximum
width of the sheet.
2. The printing system, according to claim 1, characterized in that, the print heads (4) are arranged in a matrix and are placed in relation to each other,
so that each head performs printing width of 10.56 cm and the stitched print make
up a whole.
3. The printing system, according to claims 1 to 2, characterized in that, the unloading table (8) is equipped with a camera - QR code reader.
