Apparatus for printing surfaces having a plurality of movable print heads and system having the apparatus

US8678535B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG · DE

Inventors

• Bernard Beier · Ladenburg, DE
• Heiner Pitz · Heidelberg, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 28, 2012
• Grant date: Mar 25, 2014
• Expiry date: Mar 28, 2032

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B05B13/0452
• WIPO field: Textile and paper machines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

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.