Product category:
Inkjet, Laser, Digital, Thermal, Graphics, Wide Format Printing Systems
News Release from: Inca Digital Printers
Edited by the Printingtalk Editorial
Team on 16 December 2005
Digital Printer's Print Head Moves, Not
Print Bed
The Spyder system of digital printers where only the print head moves rather than the print bed.
The Spyder system of digital printers where only the print head moves rather than the print bed It is the latest result of collaboration between Anorad, the linear motion division of the Rockwell Automation Group, and Inca Digital Printers
This article was originally published on Printingtalk on 9 Feb 2004 at 8.00am (UK)
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In developing the new machines, Inca's engineers faced the challenge of eliminating vibration associated with the rapid movement of the print head, which would adversely affect print quality.
With 16 print heads, each with 256 nozzles, that could have been a major problem.
For that reason, the use of conventional motors was ruled out, and Anorad, who had been involved from the early stages of the project, proposed linear servomotors, as they are said to provide acceleration and high precision.
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The resulting Spyder system travels at claimed speeds of up to 2.0 metres per second, whilst printing, and up to 2.5 metres per second on the return stroke, with a 2g acceleration.
The accuracy of the system is such that it can print at 1,000 dots per inch (dpi) and it has a capacity of 50 square metres per hour, claimed Inca.
The gantry Y-axes are driven by an Anorad LC iron core motor, and the scanning X-axis is driven by an Anorad LEB ironless linear motor.
The Z-axis, which moves the vacuum bed and substrate in a vertical plane, has a unique linkage system special developed by Anorad.
To eliminate vibration, the main printing axis is equipped with air-bearings.
As they are non-contact devices, their use also reduces maintenance requirements, it is claimed.
The iron-core linear motor used on the Y-axis offers repeatable and step and index moves.
Its two-part construction features a three-phase laminated coil and a single-sided track consisting of rare-earth magnets mounted on a rigid steel base plate.
The motors are claimed to virtually eliminate the friction, inertia, backlash and wear associated with rotary-to-linear drive mechanisms.
The X-axis epoxy-core linear motor also uses two-piece construction, with a three-phase ironless coil and a balanced dual-sided U-shaped magnet channel.
The ironless design eliminates cogging (magnetic detent) and allows consistent velocity and positional control in scanning-type applications, added Inca.
The Spyder prints on to rigid and flexible materials, such as corrugated board, solid board and canvas up to 30mm thick, and is suitable for the production of high volume point-of-sale materials.
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