Method of printing on workpieces and a workpiece printing system

A workpiece printing system comprising:

• a conveyer comprising a plurality of holders, each holder being configured for holding a workpiece, and the plurality of holders being spaced apart along the conveyer to be moved thereby;
• a loading device for placing a workpiece in a holder when the holder is adjacent to the loading device;
• a first printing station arranged along the conveyer to place a print on a workpiece in a holder, when the holder is adjacent to the first printing station, the first printing station comprising a printing head adjustable relative to the conveyer;
• an ejection device arranged along the conveyer downstream of the first printing station, and for removing a workpiece from a holder when the holder is adjacent to the ejection device;
• a control system comprising a controller electronically connected to the conveyer and the first printing station;
• and
• a first camera arranged to view a portion of the conveyer upstream of the first printing station, the first camera being connected to the controller for providing a first image of a holder with a workpiece to the control system, when the holder approaches the first printing station,
• wherein the control system, based on the first image from said first camera is configured for:
• determining, from said first image, the actual position of the workpiece relative to the holder;
• calculating a printing position of the printing head relative to the holder, based on a predetermined desired position of the print on the workpiece and the determined actual position of the workpiece in the holder;
• and
• aligning the moveable printing head of the first printing station with a holder at the desired printing position when the holder is adjacent to the first printing station to provide a print in a desired location on the workpiece in the holder,
• wherein the workpiece treatment system further comprises a second camera arranged to view a portion of the conveyer downstream of the first printing station, the second camera being connected to the controller to provide images thereto;
• and wherein the control system is further configured for:
• determining, from a second image obtained by said second camera, the actual position of a print on a workpiece;
• comparing the actual position of the print on the workpiece with the predetermined a desired position to calculate a deviance from the desired position;
• and
• if a deviance is calculated, adjusting the calculation of the printing position of the printing head for a workpiece in the next holder upstream of the printing station.

A workpiece printing system comprising:

• a conveyer comprising a plurality of holders configured for holding a workpiece, the holders spaced apart along the conveyer to be moved thereby;
• a first printing station arranged along the conveyer to place a print on a workpiece in a holder, the first printing station having an adjustable printing head;
• an ejection device arranged along the conveyer, downstream of the first printing station, the ejection device configured for removing a workpiece from a holder;
• and
• a control system comprising:
• a controller electronically connected to the conveyer and the first printing station;
• a first camera arranged to view a portion of the conveyer upstream of the first printing station, the first camera being connected to the controller for providing a first image of a holder with a workpiece to the control system;
• and
• a second camera arranged to view a portion of the conveyer downstream of the first printing station;
• wherein the control system is configured to:
• determine, based on the first image from the first camera, an actual position of the workpiece relative to the holder;
• calculate a printing position of the printing head relative to the holder, based on a predetermined desired position of the print on the workpiece and the determined actual position of the workpiece in the holder;
• align the printing head of the first print station with a holder at the desired printing position to provide a print in a desired location on the workpiece in the holder;
• determine, based on a second image from the first camera, an actual position of the print on the workpiece;
• compare the actual position of the print on the workpiece with the desired position to calculate a deviance from the desired position;
• and
• if a deviance is calculated, adjusting the calculation of the printing position of the printing head for a subsequent workpiece.