Strength Does Not Serve You All the Time

When it comes to solving complex engineering challenges, sometimes the strongest solution isn't the best one.

I had the privilege of consulting Nekuda DM on developing a second-generation unique printing machine for Ripples, specifically designed for printing on the foamed mattress of coffee and beer. One of the main challenges we faced was poor image quality at the edges, which was caused by vibrations resulting from the shock waves created by the inertia of the printing head when it reached its travel limits.

I approached this issue from two complementary angles. First, I worked on optimizing the velocity profile of the printing head to reduce both the shock impact and the printing duration. The second and more significant solution involved weakening the mechanical connection between the lifted tray module and the printing module. By isolating these components—much like having two separate chassis connected to the same ground—we were able to minimize vibration transformation without sacrificing strength.

The solution realized through Nekuda DM’s design was a seamless, one-part chassis that effectively addressed the issue, resulting in outstanding performance.