PRINTING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PRINTING ON A WORKPIECE

Abstract

A printing device is provided for printing on a workpiece, which preferably comprises at least partially wood, wood fiber containing materials, wood composite materials, veneer, plastic, or a combination thereof. The printing device can include a housing, a holding element arranged on the housing, a print head attached to a first side of the housing, and a first interface. The first interface can communicatively and operatively connect the print head to containers for print media. Further, the printing device can be portable.

Claims

1. A printing device for printing on a workpiece, the workpiece comprising wood, wood fiber containing materials, wood composite materials, veneer, plastic, or a combination thereof, the printing device comprising: a housing, a holding element arranged on the housing, a print head attached to a first side of the housing, and a first interface communicatively and operatively connecting the print head to containers for print media, wherein the printing device is portable.

2. The printing device according to claim 1, further comprising: a device holder, preferably a robot arm or multi-axis head, which can be coupled to the housing, or a guide element along which the printing device can be moved on a surface of the workpiece.

3. The printing device according to claim 1, in which the print head is configured to dispense a plurality of printing media simultaneously to the workpiece.

4. The printing device according to claim 1, further comprising a controller configured to control the print head.

5. The printing device according to claim 1, further comprising: a first sensor on the first side of the housing adjacent to the print head, wherein the first sensor is configured to detect and analyze a surface of the workpiece at least in a section, wherein the first sensor is connected to the controller and provides data about the detected and analyzed surface to the controller, wherein the print head is controllable based on the data from the first sensor.

6. A method for printing on a workpiece, the workpiece comrpising wood, wood fiber containing materials, wood composite materials, veneer, plastic, or a combination thereof, with the printing device according to claim 1, wherein the method comprises the following steps: selecting a decor; positioning a print head of a portable printing device on a section of the workpiece; providing print media from containers to the print head via a first interface; and printing the section of the workpiece with the print media.

7. The method for printing on a workpiece according to claim 6, further comprising the step of: applying a material to the section of the workpiece prior to positioning the printing device, or removing a material on the section of the workpiece before positioning the printing device and before the step of applying a material on the section of the workpiece.

8. The method for printing on a workpiece according to claim 6, wherein in the step of the selecting, data is further transferred from an external device to the printing device via a second interface.

9. The method for printing on a workpiece according to claim 6, wherein: the positioning the printing device on a section of the workpiece is performed by a device holder that is coupled to a housing of the printing device, or the positioning the printing device on a section of the workpiece is performed via a guide element, and the printing device is moved along a surface of the workpiece by the guide element.

10. The method for printing on a workpiece according to claim 6, wherein during the printing of the section of the workpiece, the print media are simultaneously provided to the print head.

11. The method for printing on a workpiece according to claim 6, further comprising: detecting and analyzing a surface of the workpiece at least in a section by a first sensor, wherein the first sensor is connected to a controller, and providing data about the detected and analyzed surface from the first sensor to the controller, wherein in the step of the selecting the decor, the data from the first sensor is used.

12. The method for printing on a workpiece according to claim 6, wherein the step of selecting the decor is performed by the controller, wherein the controller evaluates the data of the first sensor and outputs an order to print the decor to the print head based on the data of the first sensor.

13. The method of printing a workpiece according to claim 6, further comprising: a computer-implemented method for determining a surface structure of a workpiece, comprising the steps of: detecting and analyzing a surface structure of the workpiece at least in a section by the first sensor; sending data containing information of 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; determining by the controller the existing decor of the surface structure based on the received data; selecting the decor; and transmitting a print job to print the color spectrum from the controller to the print head of the printing device.

14. A computer-implemented method for determining a surface structure of a workpiece according to claim 13, wherein the determining the existing decor of the surface structure comprises sending data to the external device and receiving data from the external device, wherein the received data comprises information about the determined surface structure.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0064] Further features and advantages of a device and method will be apparent from the following description of embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. Of these drawings shows:

[0065] FIG. 1 a perspective view of a first embodiment of a printing device according to the disclosure;

[0066] FIG. 2 a perspective view of a second embodiment of a printing device according to the disclosure;

[0067] FIG. 3 two perspective views A, B of a third embodiment of a printing device according to the disclosure;

[0068] FIG. 4 a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a printing device according to the disclosure;

[0069] FIG. 5 a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of a printing device according to the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0070] Identical reference signs listed in different figures designate identical, corresponding, or functionally similar elements.

[0071] 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 pivotable device holder; (iii) as a mobile manual printing device as a tabletop device with fastening element and device holder (e.g. device holder and stand); (iv) as a mobile manual printing device with attachment for the wrist; or (v) as a mobile machine printing device with adaptation for mobile small CNC tabletop machines or medium to large CNC machines. Here, the difference between the embodiments is that the printing device is equipped with further elements in each case. The same printing device 1 may be installed in the respective embodiments.

[0072] Therefore, the printing device 1 of the first embodiment is described first, followed by the further embodiments.

First Embodiment

[0073] FIG. 1 illustrates a printing device 1 of a first embodiment, the setups of which are described in more detail with reference to FIG. 1.

[0074] The printing device 1 is configured for printing on a workpiece 60. The workpiece 60 may comprise, at least in sections, wood, wood fiber containing materials, wood composite materials, veneer, plastic, or a combination thereof. Preferably, the workpiece 60 may be a workpiece plate having an upper surface, a lower surface, and four side surfaces (FIG. 1). In this case, the upper surface of the workpiece 60 faces the printing device 1. However, it is also possible that the printing device 1 faces a side surface or a narrow side of the workpiece 60. The printing device 1 comprises a housing 30, a holding element 31 arranged on the housing 30, a print head 10 mounted on a first side of the housing 30, and a controller disposed in the housing 30 (FIG. 1). The controller is configured to control the print head 10. The print head 10 may be configured to deliver more than one print medium (in the present embodiment, a color), particularly a color spectrum, to the workpiece 60 simultaneously. The print head 10 may be spaced from a surface of the workpiece 60 by a distance that may be 1 mm to 1 cm, preferably 1 mm to 3 mm. [Control external]

[0075] Further, the printing device 1 comprises a first interface arranged in the housing 30, wherein the first interface communicatively and operatively connects the print head 10 to more than one print media container (e.g., color container), and the printing device 1 is portable. The more than two print media containers may be received in the housing 30 of the printing device 1, so that they are portable with the printing device 1. Moreover, the first interface is configured to transport a print medium from the more than two containers to the print head 10. The controller is configured to control the first interface as well as the print head 10, so that more than two print media from the more than two print media containers are supplied to the print head 10, and the print head 10 prints the print media on the surface of the workpiece 60. During the printing process, the print head 10 may be manually moved past the surface of the workpiece 60 to be printed at a relatively constant speed. Since the fast manual hand movement is never performed smoothly, an additional second sensor may ensure that the print media supply is controlled during the printing process. The second sensor may also be integrated in the first sensor 20. This ensures precise and sharp printing results.

[0076] The housing 30 may further comprise a user interface 40 (FIG. 1). This user interface 40 may be a touch display. The user interface 40 may be configured to display data about the surface of the workpiece 60 to a user of the printing device 1, and to allow the user to manually select a color spectrum to be printed by the print head 10.

[0077] The holding element 31 may be a handle that is ergonomically shaped (FIG. 1). The holding element 31 allows the user to easily carry the printing device 1.

[0078] Additionally, the printing device 1 may comprise a device holder 50 (not shown in FIG. 1) which can be coupled to the housing 30. The printing device 1 may further comprise a guide element 33 (not shown in FIG. 1) along which the printing device 1 may be moved on the surface of the workpiece 60. For example, the guide element 33 may comprise at least one guide roller.

[0079] The printing device 1 further comprises a first sensor 20 on the first side of the housing 30 adjacent to the print head 10 (FIG. 1). The first sensor 20 is configured to detect and analyze a surface of the workpiece 60 at least in a section, wherein the first sensor 20 is connected to the controller and provides data about the detected and analyzed surface to the controller.

[0080] In addition, the controller is configured to analyze the data from the first sensor 20 and output an order to print the color spectrum to the print head 10 based on the data from the first sensor 20. In other words, the controller receives the analyzed surface data from the first sensor 20 and determines which surface the workpiece 60 has based on the received data. For example, the controller determines that a particular pattern and/or structure is present on the analyzed surface. This determined surface of the workpiece 60 may, for example, be stored in a database that can be accessed by the controller. The database contains data on various surface structures, surface colors, and surface patterns. Based on the determined surface, the controller may associate a known pattern from the database with these determined data. For example, the known pattern is stored in the database with exact color data. Thus, the controller can determine the exact color spectrum based on the determined surface. Further, the controller can pass the determined 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.

[0081] In the first embodiment, a 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

[0082] In a second embodiment of the printing device 1, the printing device of the first embodiment may be used. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that further elements are provided on the printing device 1.

[0083] FIG. 2 illustrates a printing device 1 of a second embodiment, the setups of which are described in more detail with reference to FIG. 2.

[0084] In the second embodiment, the printing device is provided with a pivotable device holder 50 (FIG. 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 is attachable to the printing device 1 and detachable again (without damage). This device holder 50 facilitates the operation and handling of the printing device 1.

[0085] The printing device 1 of the second embodiment comprises a device holder 50 that can be fixed to a support 70 in a stationary and detachable manner (FIG. 2). The support 70 is a machine table. The device holder 50 can be fastened to the printing device 1 via screw clamps (FIG. 2). The device holder 50 can be attached to the support 70 via screw clamps. Alternatively, other known fastening elements may be used instead of screw clamps. The device holder 50 further has at least three joints 51 (FIG. 2), which allow a relative movement of the printing device 1 in all spatial directions. Thus, the printing device 1 can be releasably attached to the device holder 50 and the device holder 50 can in turn be releasably attached to a support 70.

[0086] For printing on the surface of the workpiece 60, in this situation, the workpiece 60 must perform a relative movement to the printing device 1, i.e., the workpiece 60 is moved past the print head 10 at a certain constant speed. Thus, the second embodiment 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 it allows small workpieces 60, which can be handled manually in terms of size and weight, to be printed by the printing device 1. For larger workpieces 60, it is easier to perform the relative movement using the printing device 1 as shown in the first embodiment.

Third Embodiment

[0087] In a third embodiment, the printing device of the first or second embodiment may be used. The third embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the printing device 1 is now fixed in a stationary manner via a device holder 50. The third embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the printing device 1 can be fixed or held by a further device holder 50.

[0088] FIG. 3 illustrates a printing device 1 of a third embodiment in a view A and a view B, the setups of which are described in more detail with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 illustrates the printing device of the third embodiment from two different views, one from the front (view A) and one from the side (view B).

[0089] The device holder 50 of the third embodiment has at least one arm with joints and a stand (FIG. 3—view B). The device holder 50 of the third embodiment allows the printing device 1 to be independently fixed in a stationary manner on a support 70. The stand is thereby height adjustable, which is indicated in FIG. 3 (view B) by the arrow with two directions. In addition, the arm can be aligned horizontally by one joint, which is illustrated in FIG. 3 (view B) by the arrow with one direction. The printing device 1 of the third embodiment is thereby held by the device holder 50 (FIG. 3—view A and B).

[0090] The device holder 50 facilitates operation and increases printing quality and printing accuracy. For printing on the surface of the workpiece 60, in this embodiment, the workpiece 60 must perform a relative movement to the printing device 1, i.e., the user manually passes 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 a user to handle them. For larger workpieces, it is easier to perform the relative movement using the printing device 1 of the first embodiment.

Fourth Embodiment

[0091] In a fourth embodiment, the printing device 1 of the first embodiment may be used. The fourth embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the printing device 1 is provided with a different holding element 31.

[0092] FIG. 4 illustrates a printing device 1 of a fourth embodiment, the setups of which are described in more detail with reference to FIG. 4.

[0093] The printing device 1 of the fourth embodiment is provided with a holding element 31 that is a holder for the wrist 80 of the user (FIG. 4). The printing device 1 of the fourth embodiment is thus wearable by the holding element 31. The printing device 1 of the fourth embodiment may 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, as well as by a smaller user interface 40 compared to the first embodiment.

[0094] The printing device 1 of the fourth embodiment is releasably attached to the wrist of the user via the holding element 31 (FIG. 4). The holding element 31 may be, for example, a rubber band or a Velcro strap, which is attached to the housing 30 of the printing device 1 via two eyelets (not shown). Thus, the user can easily and securely attach the printing device 1 of the fourth embodiment to the wrist 80. Thus, for the printing operation, the user can merely guide the printing device 1 to the workpiece 60 by a simple hand movement for printing on the workpiece 60. This can simplify and speed up the printing process, since the user does not have to first reach for the printing device 1, as it is already arranged on the wrist.

[0095] Alternatively, the printing device 1 of the fourth embodiment may have a user interface 40, but may not have a touch display, for example. Possibly, the printing device 1 of the fourth embodiment may have buttons, or pushbuttons, or switches as a user interface 40. Furthermore, it is also possible to design the user interface 40 of the fourth embodiment in such a way that voice control is possible. Also, it is possible to design the user interface 40 of the fourth embodiment such that a 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 allowing both hands to be used freely for other applications.

Fifth Embodiment

[0096] In a fifth embodiment, the printing device 1 of the first to fourth embodiments may 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.

[0097] FIG. 5 illustrates a printing device 1 of a fifth embodiment, the setups of which are described in more detail with reference to FIG. 5.

[0098] The printing device 1 of the fifth embodiment provides a printing device 1 that can be inserted into a small mobile CNC table machine, into a medium to large CNC machine, and/or received up by a robotic arm.

[0099] In the specifically shown embodiment, a workpiece 60 is fixed on a CNC machine table 70 (FIG. 5). The printing device 1 of the fifth embodiment is attached to the CNC machine tool, so that it can move freely in all three spatial directions. The range of movement of the printing device 1 of the fifth embodiment is indicated by the three arrows in FIG. 5. The movement of the printing device 1 of the fifth embodiment may be effected by a motor, which is controlled by a controller. Thus, the print head 10 of the printing device 1 of the fifth embodiment can be moved to different positions of the workpiece 60.

Method for Printing on a Workpiece

[0100] A method for printing on a workpiece is performed 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 may perform the method for printing a workpiece.

[0101] The method for printing on a workpiece 60 is provided for printing a workpiece 60 that comprises preferably at least partially wood, wood fiber containing materials, wood composite materials, veneer, plastic, or a combination thereof. The printing device 1 is configured to perform the method. The method comprises the following steps: determining and selecting a color spectrum; positioning a portable printing device 1, in particular a print head 10, at 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 the section of the workpiece by the printing device, in particular by the print head 10, with the at least two print media. When printing the section of the workpiece 60, the at least two print media are provided to the print head simultaneously. The step of determining and selecting the color spectrum is performed by the controller, wherein the controller analyses the data of the first sensor 20 and outputs an order to print the color spectrum to the print head 10 based on the data of the first sensor 20.

[0102] The portable printing device 1 is versatile due to its low weight. The print height of the printing device 1, and thus the height of the print head 10, corresponds to that of an edge bandwidth of 12 mm to 63 mm. The print job to print a color spectrum may be generated by the controller based on data determined by the first sensor 20, or based on a manual selection of the user via the user interface 40. Additionally, the controller may receive data from a database via the second interface from an external device. The external device receives data from the controller of the printing device 1 and sends data back to the controller. The user interface 40 is a touch screen. The large touch screen 40 (e.g., 4.3″) can be used to display information about the determined surface and data of the database, and the user can select print jobs to print a color spectrum. Furthermore, the user can manually edit print jobs via the touchscreen 40. Multiple language selections are possible. The printing device can use a fast-drying and high-resolution ink with high adhesion.

[0103] During the printing process, the print head 10 must be manually moved past the surface of the workpiece 60 to be printed at a relatively constant speed. Since the fast manual movement is never carried out uniformly, an additional second sensor may ensure that the print media supply is regulated during the printing process. This ensures a precise and sharp printing result. The printing device 1 is designed for left-handed as well as right-handed or even two-handed use. In addition, a guide element 33 (not shown) is attached to the printing device 1. The guide element 33 are guide rails, which make a more precise printing result possible, since the printing device is aligned to the surface of the printing device.

[0104] The method for printing on a workpiece 60 further comprises the step: applying a material to the section of the workpiece 60 prior to positioning the printing device 1. Alternatively or additionally, the method comprises the step: removing a material on the section of the workpiece prior to the positioning the printing device 1, and prior to the step of applying a material to the section of the workpiece 60. Wherein in the step of detecting and selecting, data from an external device is further transmitted to the printing device 1 via a second interface.

[0105] Additionally, the positioning of the printing device 1 on a section of the workpiece 60 is carried out by a device holder 50 that is coupled to the housing 30. Alternatively or additionally, the positioning of the printing device 1 at a section of the workpiece 60 is carried out via a guide element 33, wherein the printing device 1 is moved along the guide element on a surface of the workpiece 60.

[0106] The method performs the further steps: detecting and analyzing a surface of the workpiece 60 at least in a section by a first sensor 20, wherein the first sensor 20 is connected to a controller; providing data about the detected and analyzed surface from the first sensor 20 to the controller, and wherein in the step of the determining and selecting the color spectrum, the data from the first sensor 20 is used.

[0107] Further, the printing method comprises a computer-implemented method for determining a surface structure of a workpiece, comprising the steps of: 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 color spectrum of the surface structure based on the received data; selecting the color spectrum; transmitting a print job to print the color spectrum from the controller to the print head of the printing device.

[0108] In the step of the determining the color spectrum of the surface structure, data is sent to the external device and data is received from the external device. The received data includes information about the determined surface structure.

[0109] Specifically, the method can be used to print a new edge band. In this case, the new edge band is first of all applied 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 edge band is still glued to a surface of the workpiece 60, this would of course have to be removed first. To minimize the risk of damaging the newly printed surface during the gluing process, the new edge band is always applied to the workpiece 60 first and is then digitally printed. Furthermore, a loose edge band makes handling during the manual digital printing process more difficult. Then, the method of printing the edge band applied to the workpiece 60 can be performed to print the workpiece edge. In this method, the desired target decor can be transferred either, via, for example, a USB interface, Bluetooth or via WLAN from a suitable data source (PC, laptop, tablet, etc.) of an external device in a suitable format and resolution to the printing device 1.

[0110] Optionally, an integrated scanning function may be provided by the first sensor 20, with which the decor available on site on a surface of the workpiece 60 is first scanned. In this way, even minor defects on the workpiece edge can be repaired by scanning the desired, correct surface of the edge and then repairing the defective area directly on site.

[0111] It is apparent to those skilled in the art that individual features each described in different embodiments may also be implemented in a single embodiment, provided they are not structurally incompatible. Similarly, various features described in the context of a single embodiment may also be provided in several embodiments individually or in any suitable sub-combination.