Method for printing an object having at least one non-planar, contoured or three-dimensional surface

US9266353B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG · DE

Inventors

• Bernard Beier · Ladenburg, DE
• Heiner Pitz · Heidelberg, DE
• Matthias Schloerholz · Plankstadt, DE
• Thomas Wolf · Barsinghausen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 24, 2014
• Grant date: Feb 23, 2016
• Expiry date: Sep 24, 2034

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01B11/24
• WIPO field: Textile and paper machines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

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.