Abstract: A light trap for ultraviolet radiation for curing ink on a printing substrate contains a shaped body with more than two shape elements succeeding one another. The shaped body has a side facing the printing substrate and embodied to have step elements in a stepped arrangement as shape elements. Every step element contains a pair formed of a step surface and a riser, the step surfaces and the risers having different inclinations relative to the direction of transport. The step surfaces have a step length L and the riser has a step height H, and is characterized in that the following applies: L>2H. This provides an improved UV screen by use of the light trap while simultaneously simplifying the process of cleaning the light trap. This is preferably used in the process of printing and curing UV inks.

Abstract: A light trap for ultraviolet radiation for curing ink on a printing substrate contains a shaped body with more than two shape elements succeeding one another. The shaped body has a side facing the printing substrate and embodied to have step elements in a stepped arrangement as shape elements. Every step element contains a pair formed of a step surface and a riser, the step surfaces and the risers having different inclinations relative to the direction of transport. The step surfaces have a step length L and the riser has a step height H, and is characterized in that the following applies: L>2H. This provides an improved UV screen by use of the light trap while simultaneously simplifying the process of cleaning the light trap. This is preferably used in the process of printing and curing UV inks.

Abstract: A method for the indirect application of printing liquid onto a printing material provides an intermediate carrier, preferably a circulating belt, a liquid conditioning medium including a first substance applied onto the intermediate carrier and a printing liquid, in particular an inkjet ink, including a second substance applied onto the conditioning medium on the intermediate carrier. The printing liquid is situated as droplets or a layer substantially on the conditioning medium and the droplets or the layer form a contact region on their underside with the conditioning medium. The printing liquid is heated, preferably by way of a dryer and the printing liquid is transferred from the intermediate carrier onto the printing material.

Abstract: A method for generating 3D objects includes providing a web of material, printing an image by inkjet printing in which the image corresponds to a section in a plane of the 3D object to be generated, applying a powder to the portion of the web of material that is provided with the image, cross-cutting the printed web of material into sheets, stacking the sheets on a stack of sheets, repeating the printing, powder application, cross-cutting and stacking steps, pressing the stack of sheets and exposing the object. 3D objects can be manufactured quickly, inexpensively and precisely with the method.

Abstract: A method for creating a fold preparation pattern includes supplying job-specific signature characteristics to a computer and determining job-specific cutting requirements by using general cutting requirements assigned to respective general signature characteristics in the computer and using the job-specific signature characteristics. The computer accesses a database that contains cutting, trimming, and clipping patterns and compiles job-specific fold preparation patterns in accordance with the job-specific cutting requirements. A computer for implementing the method and a system having the computer are also provided.

Abstract: A method for the indirect application of printing liquid onto a printing material provides an intermediate carrier, preferably a circulating belt, a liquid conditioning medium including a first substance applied onto the intermediate carrier and a printing liquid, in particular an inkjet ink, including a second substance applied onto the conditioning medium on the intermediate carrier. The printing liquid is situated as droplets or a layer substantially on the conditioning medium and the droplets or the layer form a contact region on their underside with the conditioning medium. The printing liquid is heated, preferably by way of a dryer and the printing liquid is transferred from the intermediate carrier onto the printing material.

Abstract: A method prints an object, for example a vehicle and specifically the body thereof, wherein at least one area of the surface of the object is printed. The method includes: providing an image; three-dimensionally measuring at least the area; generating a number of spatial points in correspondence with the area; generating a three-dimensional net corresponding with the area; generating path data, i.e. a three-dimensional path for moving a robot for an inkjet printer head; generating raster data, i.e. a raster matrix, in particular a three-dimensional or higher raster matrix, for actuating the inkjet printer head; moving the robot, for example an articulated arm robot, utilizing the path data; and printing the image by the inkjet printer head utilizing the raster data. The method permits multi-color printing of any image onto so-called 3D surfaces of any shape.

Abstract: A method for the indirect application of printing liquid onto a printing material provides an intermediate carrier, preferably a circulating belt, a liquid conditioning medium including a first substance applied onto the intermediate carrier and a printing liquid, in particular an inkjet ink, including a second substance applied onto the conditioning medium on the intermediate carrier. The printing liquid is situated as droplets or a layer substantially on the conditioning medium and the droplets or the layer form a contact region on their underside with the conditioning medium. The printing liquid is heated, preferably by way of a dryer and the printing liquid is transferred from the intermediate carrier onto the printing material.

Abstract: A method prints an object, for example a vehicle and specifically the body thereof, wherein at least one area of the surface of the object is printed. The method includes: providing an image; three-dimensionally measuring at least the area; generating a number of spatial points in correspondence with the area; generating a three-dimensional net corresponding with the area; generating path data, i.e. a three-dimensional path for moving a robot for an inkjet printer head; generating raster data, i.e. a raster matrix, in particular a three-dimensional or higher raster matrix, for actuating the inkjet printer head; moving the robot, for example an articulated arm robot, utilizing the path data; and printing the image by the inkjet printer head utilizing the raster data. The method permits multi-color printing of any image onto so-called 3D surfaces of any shape.

Abstract: A system for printing an image, preferably a multicolor halftone image, onto at least one non-planar area of a surface of an object, for example a section of a body of a vehicle, includes an inkjet print head having nozzles, a robot, preferably an articulated robot, creating a primary movement, the primary movement including at least two printing paths of the inkjet print head being lateral to each other, and a device creating a secondary movement, the secondary movement being substantially perpendicular to the primary movement and causing the printing paths to laterally adjoin each other. As a result, undesired streaks between the printing paths may advantageously be reduced or prevented.

Abstract: A device for supplying radiant energy onto a printing substrate (14), including at least one radiant energy source (10) whose light (12) impinges on the printing substrate (14) on the path (16) of the printing substrate (14) through a printing press at a position (116) downstream of at least one printing nip (18) in a printing unit. The radiant energy source (10) emits light (12) having a peak-to-valley homogeneity of less than 15% in a direction transverse to the direction of the path (16) of the printing substrate (14).

Abstract: An apparatus for printing surfaces, for example of three-dimensionally shaped vehicle body parts, includes movable print heads having actuable, preferably inkjet, nozzles, and at least one printing position and one parking position into which the print heads can be moved or rotated. At least one first and one second print head have mutually different nozzle configurations, sizes or shapes. In a first mode, the first print head is in a printing position and the second print head is in a parking position, and in a second mode, the first print head is in a parking position and the second print head is in a printing position. The print heads can be on a rotation apparatus which can be on a robot arm. Surfaces of any shape, having curvatures and/or undercuts, can be printed in one or multiple colors (in image terms). A system having the apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: A system for printing an image, preferably a multicolor halftone image, onto at least one non-planar area of a surface of an object, for example a section of a body of a vehicle, includes an inkjet print head having nozzles, a robot, preferably an articulated robot, creating a primary movement, the primary movement including at least two printing paths of the inkjet print head being lateral to each other, and a device creating a secondary movement, the secondary movement being substantially perpendicular to the primary movement and causing the printing paths to laterally adjoin each other. As a result, undesired streaks between the printing paths may advantageously be reduced or prevented.

Abstract: A method of creating a fluid layer in the micrometer range includes transferring a fluid between substrates and forming a fluid layer. A surface energy of a first substrate releasing the fluid is higher than a surface energy of a fluid on the first substrate to create a first fluid deposit on the first substrate. A surface energy of a second substrate accepting the fluid is lower than a surface energy of a fluid on the second substrate to create a second fluid deposit on the second substrate that is reduced as compared to the first fluid deposit. A surface energy of a third substrate accepting the fluid is higher than a surface energy of a fluid on the third substrate to create a substantially homogeneous third fluid deposit on the third substrate that forms the fluid layer.

Abstract: A method for creating a fold preparation pattern includes supplying job-specific signature characteristics to a computer and determining job-specific cutting requirements by using general cutting requirements assigned to respective general signature characteristics in the computer and using the job-specific signature characteristics. The computer accesses a database that contains cutting, trimming, and clipping patterns and compiles job-specific fold preparation patterns in accordance with the job-specific cutting requirements. A computer for implementing the method and a system having the computer are also provided.

Abstract: A printing method in a printing press includes zonally metering a printing ink at a first viscosity with a metering device and transferring the printing ink at a second viscosity with a printing form cylinder, in which the second viscosity is greater than the first viscosity. An offset printing unit for implementing the method is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for printing surfaces, for example of three-dimensionally shaped vehicle body parts, includes movable print heads having actuable, preferably inkjet, nozzles, and at least one printing position and one parking position into which the print heads can be moved or rotated. At least one first and one second print head have mutually different nozzle configurations, sizes or shapes. In a first mode, the first print head is in a printing position and the second print head is in a parking position, and in a second mode, the first print head is in a parking position and the second print head is in a printing position. The print heads can be on a rotation apparatus which can be on a robot arm. Surfaces of any shape, having curvatures and/or undercuts, can be printed in one or multiple colors (in image terms). A system having the apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: A method of creating a fluid layer in the micrometer range includes transferring a fluid between substrates and forming a fluid layer. A surface energy of a first substrate releasing the fluid is higher than a surface energy of a fluid on the first substrate to create a first fluid deposit on the first substrate. A surface energy of a second substrate accepting the fluid is lower than a surface energy of a fluid on the second substrate to create a second fluid deposit on the second substrate that is reduced as compared to the first fluid deposit, A surface energy of a third substrate accepting the fluid is higher than a surface energy of a fluid on the third substrate to create a substantially homogeneous third fluid deposit on the third substrate that forms the fluid layer.

Abstract: A process for the permanent multicolor painting of a product, e.g. a body part, includes defining a first region, a first location within the first region and a second location within the first region but different from the first location, on the surface of the product. The surface is provided with a first release layer, at least in the first region and the first release layer is exposed to electromagnetic radiation, e.g. IR radiation, at the first location but not at the second location. The surface is provided with a first layer of paint at least at the first location. The first layer of paint is fixed, at least at the first location. Alternatively, the first release layer is applied at least at the second location but not at the first location, so that an exposure to electromagnetic energy at the first location can be omitted.

Abstract: An image-recording device for generating image spots (210) by n individually controllable light sources (12), which each have a distance si, i being=1 . . . n, to an object line (14), in a projection line (16) of the object line (14) on a printing form (28), which moves with a velocity component v normally to the direction defined by the projection line (16) and tangentially to the surface of the printing form. The image-recording device is distinguished by the triggering device (216) having an assigned time-delay device (222), which delays the tripping instant of the triggering device for each light source (12) as a function of the particular distance si. The image-recording device may advantageously by used in direct imaging print units or printing-form exposure units.