An electroblotting method for inducing a pre-printed functional layer to eject a jet

Abstract

This invention belongs to the field of advanced manufacturing technology and relates to an electro-spraying method for inducing jets with pre-printed functional layers. Based on electrohydrodynamic effects, a jet is ejected to pre-print complex micro / nano functional structure patterns on a substrate. Then, under the action of an electric field, the jet size and deposition position are induced. Dual nozzles work together to rapidly achieve the same shape as the pre-printed functional layer. The pre-printed functional layer fully adheres to and solidifies with subsequent nanoscale continuous jets, forming a composite micro / nano functional structure. This electro-spraying method uses a pre-printed functional layer to change the distribution of the electric field on the substrate, ensuring the accuracy of the jet deposition position and reducing dimensional errors in the composite micro / nano functional structure process. It has advantages such as low equipment cost, simple process, and short processing cycle, optimizing the micro / nano functional structure and improving the performance and lifespan of nanodevices.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of advanced manufacturing technology and relates to an electro-inking method for pre-printing functional layer induced jets. Background Technology

[0002] Electro-ink printing is a non-contact additive manufacturing technology that uses fluid pressure to supply functional ink to the nozzle exit, forming an initial droplet. A high voltage is then applied between the nozzle and the substrate. Under the combined influence of the electric field, ink surface tension, gravity, and viscosity, the droplet forms a Taylor cone. As the electric field increases, the droplet is ejected from the tip of the Taylor cone, forming a stable micro-nano jet. Electro-ink printing is widely used in the manufacturing of flexible displays and micro / nano sensors due to its advantages such as high processing precision, high material utilization, simple process, and strong printing controllability, making it a research hotspot in the field of micro / nano manufacturing.

[0003] However, during the electro-inking process, the jet is subjected to the combined effects of fluid pressure, electric field force, and liquid surface tension, making the jet flight difficult to control. For micro-nano functional structures with complex patterns, there are problems such as large structural size errors and low accuracy of jet deposition position. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To overcome the shortcomings of the aforementioned electro-inking manufacturing technology, this invention provides an electro-inking method for pre-printing functional layers using induced jets. First, a jet ejected based on electrohydrodynamic effects pre-prints a complex micro / nano functional structure layer pattern on a substrate. Then, under the influence of an electric field, the jet size and deposition position are induced. Dual nozzles work together in a coordinated manner to rapidly achieve printing of a shape identical to the pre-printed functional layer. The pre-printed functional layer fully adheres to and solidifies with subsequent nanoscale continuous jets, forming a composite micro / nano functional structure. This electro-inking method for pre-printing functional layers using induced jets offers advantages such as low equipment cost, simple process, and short processing cycle.

[0005] The technical solution adopted in this invention is:

[0006] An electro-jet printing method for inducing jets by pre-printing functional layers first uses electro-jet printing technology to prepare micro-nano functional structure pre-printed layers with complex patterns on a substrate. The pre-printed wiring antennas change the electric field distribution on the substrate, inducing the jet size and jet deposition position during the processing. The combined coordinated printing of dual nozzles enables the rapid fabrication of composite micro-nano functional structures. The electro-inkjet printing device comprises three parts: a printing module, a vision inspection module, and an adsorption module. The printing module includes a first syringe, a piston, a syringe outer barrel, a return spring, a rubber conduit, a first injection pump, a second syringe, a second injection pump, a host computer, a platform substrate, an infrared heating lamp, pre-printed functional ink, functional ink, a voltage controller, a first printhead, a first printhead clamp, a second printhead, and a second printhead clamp. The first and second syringes are composed of pistons, syringe outer barrels, and return springs of the same specifications. The pistons of the first and second syringes are respectively fastened to the first and second injection pumps. The first and second syringes are connected through a rubber conduit cavity. The pre-printed functional ink and functional ink enter the first and second syringes under the pressure of the first and second injection pumps and the action of the return spring. One end of the first syringe and the second syringe are connected to the upper ends of the first and second nozzles respectively via plastic conduits; the front ends of the first and second nozzle clamps are conductive and clamp the first and second nozzles, while the rear ends are insulated and connected to the host computer, enabling three-dimensional movement in space; the first and second nozzles are made of conductive material, with nozzles machined at their heads; the voltage controller is connected to an AC power supply, and its output end is connected to the right end of the conductive part of the first and second nozzle clamps; the infrared heating lamp is connected to a DC power supply and is placed above the platform substrate, illuminating the entire printing surface area and heating the upper surface of the printing material; the host computer controls the movement trajectory and speed of the first and second nozzle clamps respectively, so that the first and second nozzles move in space according to the planned route, printing complex micro-nano functional structures.

[0007] The vision inspection module includes an industrial camera, a substrate, and real-time inspection software. The industrial camera monitors the printing process on the substrate in real time and transmits the images to a host computer. The host computer processes the images and controls the movement of the first and second printhead clamps to achieve a closed-loop connection of the entire printing process. The infrared heating lamp not only heats the printing process but also provides illumination.

[0008] The adsorption module includes a platform, a platform substrate, and an adsorption device. The platform substrate is fixed on the platform to form a whole and is fixed to the ground by the adsorption device. The relative spatial position remains unchanged. The flatness of the upper surface of the platform substrate is 2-8 micrometers. The adsorption device precisely fixes the substrate.

[0009] An electro-inkjet printing method for inducing jets with pre-printed functional layers, comprising the following steps:

[0010] The first step is substrate fixation and initial image acquisition.

[0011] First, turn on the infrared heating lamp and adsorption device, and place the substrate in a suitable position on the platform substrate. Then, the host computer adjusts the initial positions of the first and second nozzles to the coordinate origin. The industrial camera acquires images of the substrate and compares them with the planned route images to adjust the printing speed and initial position height of the first and second nozzles.

[0012] The second step is to stabilize the formation of the electro-jet stream.

[0013] Two high-performance functional inks were selected and injected into the first and second nozzles via an injection pump. The distance between the nozzle and the substrate was adjusted, and the output current, pulse voltage, and frequency of the voltage controller were adjusted. An industrial camera was used to observe the jet state, and finally the functional ink at the nozzle formed a stable jet much smaller than the nozzle size.

[0014] The third step is the inkjet printing fabrication of composite micro / nano functional structures.

[0015] Based on the shape of the micro / nano functional structure, a motion control program is written. First, the host computer controls the movement of the first nozzle fixture to pre-print a complex micro / nano functional layer pattern on the substrate. At the same time, the contact connected to the ground wire is printed to change the distribution of the electric field force on the substrate. Under the action of the electric field force, the jet size and jet deposition position are induced. Then, the host computer controls the movement of the second nozzle fixture. The two nozzles work simultaneously to accelerate the printing speed and realize the printing manufacturing of the same shape as the pre-printed complex micro / nano functional layer. The printing process of the composite micro / nano functional structure is monitored by an industrial camera and real-time monitoring software to ensure the stability of the jet.

[0016] The fourth step is the curing and molding of micro / nano functional structures under thermal field assistance.

[0017] During the printing process, the functional ink is cured by heating with an infrared heating lamp. While the complex micro-nano functional structure pattern is being printed, the area being printed below the jet is within the irradiation and heating range of the infrared heating lamp. By adjusting the power of the infrared heating lamp, the structure printed on the substrate is rapidly cured and formed, resulting in a composite micro-nano functional structure.

[0018] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: It utilizes an electro-jet printing method based on a pre-printed functional layer-induced jet to achieve the printing and manufacturing of composite micro / nano functional structures. The jet, ejected based on electrohydrodynamic effects, pre-prints complex micro / nano functional structure layer patterns on a substrate. Then, under the action of an electric field, the jet size and deposition position are induced. The coordinated printing by dual nozzles rapidly achieves the printing and manufacturing of a shape identical to the pre-printed functional layer. The pre-printed functional layer fully adheres to and solidifies with subsequent nanoscale continuous jets, forming a composite micro / nano functional structure. This electro-jet printing method based on a pre-printed functional layer-induced jet has advantages such as low equipment cost, simple process, and short processing cycle. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an electro-inking device for inducing jets of pre-printed functional layers in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the inkjet printing composite micro / nano functional structure in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the syringe in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] In the figure: 1 First syringe, 111 Piston, 112 Syringe outer barrel, 113 Return spring, 114 Rubber conduit, 2 First injection pump, 3 Second syringe, 4 Second injection pump, 5 Industrial camera, 6 Host computer, 7 Platform, 8 Platform substrate, 9 Substrate, 10 Adsorption device, 11 Infrared heating lamp, 12 Pre-printed functional ink, 13 Functional ink, 14 Second printhead, 141 Second nozzle, 15 Second printhead clamp, 16 Voltage controller, 17 First printhead, 171 First nozzle, 18 First printhead clamp. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The specific embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the technical solutions and accompanying drawings. See also... Figures 1 to 3 .

[0024] This embodiment discloses an electro-jet printing method for pre-printing functional layer induced jets, implemented using an electro-jet printing device comprising a printing module, a vision inspection module, and an adsorption module. This device utilizes electro-jet printing technology to pre-print complex micro / nano functional structure layer patterns on a substrate, pre-printing wiring contacts, altering the electric field distribution on the substrate, and adjusting printing parameters to obtain a nanoscale high-viscosity continuous jet much smaller than the nozzle inner diameter. Under the induction of the electric field, this jet exhibits high precision in process dimensions and deposition position accuracy. The high-viscosity continuous jet fully adheres to and solidifies the pre-printed micro / nano functional structure layer. The coordinated printing by the dual nozzles rapidly achieves the fabrication of the desired composite micro / nano functional structure.

[0025] Specifically, in this embodiment, the printing module includes a first syringe 1, a first injection pump 2, a second syringe 3, a second injection pump 4, an infrared heating lamp 11, pre-printed functional ink 12, functional ink 13, a first printhead 17, a first printhead clamp 18, a second printhead 14, and a second printhead clamp 15; the first injection pump 2 and the second injection pump 4 are powered by a 220V AC power supply; the first syringe 1 and the second syringe 3 are composed of pistons 111, syringe outer cylinders 112, and return springs 113 of the same specifications; the pistons 111 of the first syringe 1 and the second syringe 3 are respectively fastened to the first injection pump. 2. The first syringe 1 and the second syringe 4 are connected through the cavity of the rubber conduit 114; the pre-printed functional ink 12 and functional ink 13 enter the first syringe 1 and the second syringe 3 under the pressure of the first syringe pump 2 and the second syringe pump 4 and the action of the return spring 113; one end of the first syringe 1 and the second syringe 3 are respectively connected to the upper end of the first nozzle 17 and the second nozzle 14 through plastic conduits; the front end of the first nozzle clamp 18 and the second nozzle clamp 15 is conductive and clamps the first nozzle 17 and the second nozzle 14, and the rear end is insulated and connected to the host computer 6, realizing three-dimensional movement in space. O xyz The first printhead 17 and the second printhead 14 are made of conductive material, and the heads are machined with first nozzle 171 and second nozzle 141. The voltage controller 16 is connected to a 220V AC power supply, and its output terminal is connected to the right end of the conductive part of the first printhead clamp 18 and the second printhead clamp 15. The infrared heating lamp 11 is connected to a 0-30V DC power supply and is powered by the 0-30V DC power supply. The lamp body is placed above the platform substrate 8 so that the light illuminates the entire printing surface area and heats the upper surface of the printing material. The host computer 6 controls the movement trajectory and movement speed of the first printhead clamp 18 and the second printhead clamp 15 respectively, so that the first printhead 17 and the second printhead 14 move in space according to the expected planned route to print complex micro-nano functional structures.

[0026] Specifically, in this embodiment, the visual inspection module includes an industrial camera 5, a substrate 9, and real-time inspection software; the industrial camera 5 monitors the printing process on the substrate 9 in real time and transmits the images to the host computer 6, which processes the images and controls the first printhead clamp 18 and the second printhead clamp 15 to achieve a closed-loop connection of the entire printing process; the infrared heating lamp 11 not only heats the printing process but also provides illumination.

[0027] Specifically, in this embodiment, the adsorption module includes a platform 7, a platform substrate 8, and an adsorption device 10; the platform substrate 8 is fixed on the platform 7 to form a whole, and is fixed to the ground by the adsorption device 10, with its relative spatial position remaining unchanged; the flatness of the upper surface of the platform substrate 8 is 2-8 micrometers; and the adsorption device 10 precisely fixes the substrate 9.

[0028] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows:

[0029] The specific steps for using the above-mentioned device to perform pre-printing functional layer induced jet electro-ink printing are as follows:

[0030] The first step is substrate fixation and initial image acquisition.

[0031] First, turn on the infrared heating lamp 11 and the adsorption device 10, and simultaneously place the substrate 9 in a suitable position on the platform substrate 8. Then, the host computer 6 adjusts the initial positions of the first nozzle 17 and the second nozzle 14 to the coordinate origin. O xy The industrial camera 5 acquires images of the substrate 9 and compares them with images of the planned route to adjust the initial printing speed of the first nozzle 17 and the second nozzle 14. v o and initial position height h o ;

[0032] The second step is to stabilize the formation of the electro-jet stream.

[0033] Two high-performance nano-silver functional inks were selected, with surface tensions of 40mN / m-90mN / m and viscosity of 2cP-8cP. Pre-printed functional ink 12 and functional ink 13 were injected into the first nozzle 17 and the second nozzle 14 through the first injection pump 2 and the second injection pump 4. The functional ink flow rate was set to 2.5μl / min-5μl / min. The distance between the first nozzle 171 and the second nozzle 141 and the substrate was adjusted to 4mm-12mm. The voltage controller 16 was adjusted to output AC pulse voltage with a frequency of 20Hz-100Hz and a high voltage of 1000V. The jet state was observed using an industrial camera 5. Finally, the functional ink at the nozzles formed a stable jet that was much smaller than the size of the first nozzle 171 and the second nozzle 141.

[0034] The third step is the inkjet printing fabrication of composite micro / nano functional structures.

[0035] Based on the shape of the micro / nano functional structure, a motion control program is written. First, the host computer 6 controls the first nozzle fixture 18 to move at a speed of 2mm / s-6mm / s, pre-printing a complex micro / nano functional layer pattern on the substrate 9. Simultaneously, the contact connected to the ground wire is printed, changing the distribution of the electric field force on the substrate 9. Under the action of the electric field force, the jet size and jet deposition position are induced. Then, the host computer 6 controls the second nozzle fixture 15 to move at a speed of 4mm / s-9mm / s. The two nozzles work together to print quickly, achieving the same shape as the pre-printed complex micro / nano functional layer. The printing process of the composite micro / nano functional structure is monitored by an industrial camera 5 and real-time monitoring software to ensure the stability of the jet.

[0036] The fourth step is the curing and molding of micro / nano functional structures under thermal field assistance.

[0037] During the printing process, the functional ink is cured by heating with an infrared heating lamp 11. While the complex micro-nano functional structure pattern is being printed, the area being printed below the jet is within the irradiation and heating range of the infrared heating lamp 11. The power of the infrared heating lamp 11 is adjusted to 240W-380W, so that the structure printed on the substrate 9 can be quickly cured and formed to obtain the desired composite micro-nano functional structure.

Claims

1. An electroblotting method for pre-printing a functional layer induced jet, characterized in that, The used electrojet printing device includes three parts of a jet printing module, a visual detection module and an adsorption module; characterized in that the jet printing module includes a first syringe (1), a piston (111), a syringe outer cylinder (112), a reset spring (113), a rubber conduit (114), a first injection pump (2), a second syringe (3), a second injection pump (4), an upper computer (6), a platform base plate (8), an infrared heating lamp (11), pre-printing functional ink (12), functional ink (13), a voltage controller (16), a first nozzle (17), a first nozzle clamp (18), a second nozzle (14) and a second nozzle clamp (15); the first syringe (1) and the second syringe (3) are composed of the same specification of the piston (111), the syringe outer cylinder (112) and the reset spring (113); the piston (111) of the first syringe (1) and the second syringe (3) is respectively fastened on the first injection pump (2) and the second injection pump (4); the first syringe (1) and the second syringe (3) are communicated through the cavity of the rubber conduit (114); the pre-printing functional ink (12) and the functional ink (13) enter the first syringe (1) and the second syringe (3) under the pressure of the first injection pump (2) and the second injection pump (4) and the action of the reset spring (113); one end of the first syringe (1) and the second syringe (3) is respectively connected with the upper end of the first nozzle (17) and the second nozzle (14) through a plastic conduit; the front end of the first nozzle clamp (18) and the second nozzle clamp (15) is conductive and clamps the first nozzle (17) and the second nozzle (14), and the rear end of the insulating part is connected with the upper computer (6), so as to realize three-dimensional movement in space; the first nozzle (17) and the second nozzle (14) are made of conductive materials, and the head part is processed with a first jet hole (171) and a second jet hole (141); the voltage controller (16) is connected with an alternating current power supply, and the output end thereof is connected with the right end of the conductive part of the first nozzle clamp (18) and the second nozzle clamp (15); the infrared heating lamp (11) is connected with a direct current power supply and is powered by the direct current power supply, the lamp body is placed above the platform base plate (8), so that the light of the lamp irradiates the entire jet printing surface area and heats the upper surface of the jet printing material; the upper computer (6) controls the movement track and speed of the first nozzle clamp (18) and the second nozzle clamp (15), so that the first nozzle (17) and the second nozzle (14) move according to the expected planned route in space, and complex micro-nano functional structures are jet printed; the visual detection module includes an industrial camera (5), a substrate (9) and real-time detection software; the industrial camera (5) monitors the jet printing process on the substrate (9) in real time, transmits images to the upper computer (6), the upper computer (6) processes the images, controls the first nozzle clamp (18) and the second nozzle clamp (15) to move, and realizes closed-loop connection of the entire jet printing process; the infrared heating lamp (11) not only heats the jet printing process, but also plays a lighting role. The adsorption module comprises a platform (7), a platform base plate (8) and an adsorption device (10); the platform base plate (8) is fixed on the platform (7) to form an integral whole, is fixed to the ground by the adsorption device (10) and has a constant relative spatial position; the adsorption device (10) precisely fixes the substrate (9); The electroblotting device is characterized in that the steps are as follows: First, substrate fixation and initial image acquisition First, turn on the infrared heating lamp (11) and the adsorption device (10) switch, and place the substrate (9) on the platform base plate (8) at a suitable position. Then, the upper computer (6) adjusts the initial positions of the first nozzle (17) and the second nozzle (14) to the coordinate origin. Through the industrial camera (5), the image of the substrate (9) is collected and compared with the planned route image. The initial printing speed and the initial position height of the first nozzle (17) and the second nozzle (14) are adjusted. Second, stable electroblotting jet formation Two kinds of high-performance nano-silver functional ink are selected, with a surface tension of 40 mN / m-90 mN / m and a viscosity of 2 cP-8 cP. The pre-printing functional ink (12) and the functional ink (13) are injected into the first nozzle (17) and the second nozzle (14) through the first injection pump (2) and the second injection pump (4). The distance between the first nozzle (171) and the second nozzle (141) and the substrate is adjusted. The voltage and frequency output by the voltage controller (16) are adjusted. The industrial camera (5) is used to observe the jet state. Finally, the functional ink at the nozzle forms a stable jet that is much smaller than the size of the first nozzle (171) and the second nozzle (141). Third, composite micro-nano functional structure printing According to the shape of the micro-nano functional structure, a motion control program is written. First, the upper computer (6) controls the first nozzle clamp (18) to act, pre-printing the complex micro-nano functional layer pattern on the substrate (9), and at the same time, printing the contact connected with the ground wire, changing the electric field force distribution of the substrate (9), and inducing the jet size and jet deposition position under the action of the electric field force. Then, the upper computer (6) controls the second nozzle clamp (15) to act, and the double nozzles work simultaneously to speed up the printing speed, realizing the printing manufacturing of the same shape as the pre-printed complex micro-nano functional layer. The printing process is monitored by the industrial camera (5) and the real-time monitoring software to ensure the stability of the jet. Fourth, solidification and formation of micro-nano functional structure under the assistance of thermal field During the printing process, the solidification of the pre-printing functional ink (12) and the functional ink (13) is heated by the infrared heating lamp (11). While the complex micro-nano functional structure pattern is being printed, the area being printed below the jet is within the irradiation and heating range of the infrared heating lamp (11). The power of the infrared heating lamp (11) is adjusted to make the structure printed on the substrate (9) solidify and form rapidly, obtaining the required composite micro-nano functional structure.

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