DLP printing device, blade electrode preparation method based on DLP printing, and blade electrode

Abstract

This invention provides a DLP printing device, a method for preparing blade electrodes based on DLP printing, and a blade electrode. The DLP printing device includes an arched printing platform, a first moving module, and a base stacked on top of each other. The first moving module is located on the base and moves horizontally along the base. The bottom surface of the arched printing platform is fixed to the first moving module, with its arched surface away from the first moving module. An adsorption module is attached to the arched surface. A second moving module is perpendicular to the base, with its two ends connected to the base and the DLP printing system, respectively. The second moving module moves vertically, controlling the DLP printing system to move closer to or away from the arched printing platform, thus setting the relative distance between the DLP printing system and the arched printing platform. This invention achieves non-contact printing of circuitry on the blade by fixing the blade to the arched printing platform and controlling the distance between the DLP light source and the blade through the arched printing platform and the DLP printing system positioned opposite it in the DLP printing device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of DLP printing technology, and in particular to a DLP printing apparatus, a method for preparing blade electrodes based on DLP printing, and a blade electrode. Background Technology

[0002] Digital Light Processing (DLP) printing is one of the most popular additive manufacturing technologies. By modulating light through a micromirror array, it can produce high-quality light patterns and has been used to manufacture two-dimensional patterns or three-dimensional objects on various materials. Not only is the printing process simple, but it also boasts excellent precision and resolution, as well as relatively high printing efficiency. Traditional additive manufacturing processes, such as inkjet printing, while also simple to operate, are slower at patterning compared to the instantaneous surface printing of DLP. Screen printing, also a surface printing method, is highly efficient, but its resolution is limited by the level of stencil manufacturing technology. In conclusion, DLP printing has significant advantages in the field of additive manufacturing.

[0003] However, existing DLP printing technology has high requirements for the flatness of the printing surface. Printing on uneven curved materials is still challenging. Furthermore, biological materials such as leaves are opaque, making two-dimensional patterning printing difficult. Therefore, printing circuits on biological materials such as leaves is difficult, which greatly limits its application in physiological monitoring. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention provides a DLP printing device, a method for preparing leaf electrodes based on DLP printing, and a leaf electrode, to overcome the shortcomings of existing technologies in printing circuits on biological materials such as leaves, and to achieve the effect of printing circuits on leaves.

[0005] This invention provides a DLP printing device, comprising: a DLP printing system, an arched printing platform, an adsorption module, a first moving module, a second moving module, and a base; the DLP printing system includes a DLP projection module and a DLP light source.

[0006] The arched printing platform, the first moving module, and the base are stacked together. The first moving module moves along the base on a horizontal plane. The arched surface of the arched printing platform is away from the first moving module. The adsorption module is attached to the arched surface.

[0007] The two ends of the second moving module are respectively connected to the base and the DLP printing system. The DLP printing system is arranged opposite to the arched printing platform. The second moving module moves in the vertical direction, so that the DLP printing system moves closer to or further away from the arched printing platform.

[0008] According to the present invention, a DLP printing apparatus is provided, wherein the wavelength range of the DLP light source is 350nm to 410nm.

[0009] According to a DLP printing apparatus provided by the present invention, the bottom of the arched printing platform is horizontally arranged, and the curvature of the arched surface of the arched printing platform corresponds to the curvature of the blade.

[0010] This invention provides a method for fabricating blade electrodes based on DLP printing, comprising:

[0011] Preparation of photocurable printing inks based on liquid metal;

[0012] The blade is adsorbed onto the arched surface of the arched printing platform using the adsorption module of any of the aforementioned DLP printing devices.

[0013] The photocurable printing ink is sprayed onto the surface of the blade;

[0014] DLP printing is performed on the top of the blade. After the curing time is set and some lines of the target pattern are printed, the DLP light source is moved a set distance along the vertical base and close to the blade so that the area to be printed is within the effective working range of the DLP light source. This process continues until all printing and curing are completed, forming a blade electrode with the target pattern. Each print is not performed on the same horizontal plane.

[0015] According to the present invention, a method for preparing a blade electrode based on DLP printing is provided, wherein the preparation of photocurable printing ink based on liquid metal includes:

[0016] The modifier is mixed with the prepared liquid metal in an ethanol solution and then subjected to ultrasonic treatment. After ultrasonic treatment, the mixture is allowed to stand for a preset time.

[0017] The solution after standing was rinsed and centrifuged with ethanol solvent to obtain a stock solution;

[0018] The stock solution, dispersant, crosslinking agent and binder are mixed, a photoinitiator is added to the mixed solution and mixed under vortex to obtain the photocurable printing ink.

[0019] According to the present invention, a method for preparing blade electrodes based on DLP printing is provided, wherein the modifier is 2-HEA.

[0020] According to the present invention, a method for preparing a blade electrode based on DLP printing is provided, wherein the dispersant, crosslinking agent, and binder are respectively PEG-200 ethanol solution, ETPTA-912 ethanol solution, and 2-HEA monomer.

[0021] According to the present invention, a method for preparing a blade electrode based on DLP printing is provided, wherein the photoinitiator includes, but is not limited to, the photoinitiator TPO.

[0022] According to a method for preparing a blade electrode based on DLP printing provided by the present invention, the volume ratio of the reserve solution, the dispersant, the crosslinking agent and the binder is A:B:C:D; wherein, the value of A ranges from 15 to 18, the value of B ranges from 5 to 8, the value of C ranges from 5 to 8, and the value of D ranges from 1 to 4.

[0023] According to the present invention, a method for preparing a blade electrode based on DLP printing is provided, wherein the photocuring time is set to be in the range of 5s to 40s.

[0024] The present invention also provides a blade electrode, which is prepared by the blade electrode preparation method based on DLP printing described in any of the preceding claims.

[0025] The present invention provides a DLP printing device, a method for preparing a leaf electrode based on DLP printing, and a leaf electrode. In the DLP printing device, an adsorption module is attached to the arched surface of an arched printing platform for adsorbing leaves. The DLP printing system is set opposite to the arched printing platform, enabling DLP printing of the leaves adsorbed on the arched printing platform. Photocuring printing is performed by projecting a DLP light source from top to bottom, solving the problem of not being able to print opaque substrates such as leaves during the printing process. The first and second moving modules move horizontally and vertically, respectively, to facilitate control and keep the photocuring area within the effective working distance of the DLP light source. This solves the problem of uneven surfaces affecting printing resolution, thereby obtaining the best printing effect. Attached Figure Description

[0026] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in this invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0027] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the DLP printing device provided by the present invention.

[0028] Figure 2 This is a partial schematic diagram of the DLP printing device provided by the present invention.

[0029] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the DLP printing system and the arched printing platform of the DLP printing device provided by the present invention.

[0030] Figure 4 This is a schematic flowchart of the blade electrode fabrication method based on DLP printing provided by the present invention.

[0031] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the printing process in an embodiment provided by the present invention.

[0032] Figure label:

[0033] 110: DLP printing system; 120: Arched printing platform; 130: Adsorption module; 140: First moving module; 150: Second moving module; 160: Base; 170: Blade; 111: DLP light source. Detailed Implementation

[0034] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the technical solutions of this invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this invention without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this invention.

[0035] The following combination Figures 1-3 The present invention describes a DLP printing apparatus.

[0036] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of a DLP printing apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment. Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the DLP printing device includes: a DLP printing system 110, an arched printing platform 120, an adsorption module 130, a first moving module 140, a second moving module 150, and a base 160. The DLP printing system 110 includes a DLP projection module and a DLP light source 111.

[0037] The arched printing platform 120, the first moving module 140, and the base 160 are stacked. The first moving module 140 is located on the base 160 and moves along the base 160 on a horizontal plane. The arched surface of the arched printing platform 120 is away from the first moving module 140.

[0038] The adsorption module 130 is attached to the arched surface.

[0039] The second moving module 150 is perpendicular to the base. Both ends of the second moving module 150 are connected to the base 160 and the DLP printing system 110, respectively. The second moving module 150 moves vertically so that the DLP printing system 110 moves closer to or further away from the arched printing platform 120, thereby achieving a relative arrangement between the DLP printing system 110 and the arched printing platform 120.

[0040] In this embodiment of the invention, the bottom surface of the arched printing platform 120 is fixedly connected to the first moving module 140, and the first moving module 140 is connected to the base 160. The first moving module 140 is controlled by a program to move along... Figure 2 The movement is shown in the X and Y axis directions. An adsorption module 130 is attached to the arched surface of the arched printing platform 120 to adsorb the blades 170, specifically as follows... Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, the adsorption module 130 can be attached to the arched surface by adhesive bonding. The arched surface is adapted to the curvature of the blade 170 itself and can adsorb the blade 170.

[0041] The two ends of the second moving module 150 are connected to the base 160 and the DLP light source 111, respectively. The DLP printing system 110 is set opposite to the arched printing platform 120. The DLP printing system 110 is located on the upper end of the arched printing platform 120 and can perform DLP printing on the leaf 170 adsorbed on the arched printing platform 120. The second moving module 150 is controlled by the program to move in the vertical direction, so that the DLP printing system 110 moves closer to or further away from the arched printing platform 120.

[0042] In this embodiment of the invention, the blade 170 is adsorbed onto the arched printing platform 120, and the prepared photocurable printing ink is sprayed onto the surface of the blade 170. A DLP projection module projects a pre-designed target pattern from top to bottom directly above the blade 170. By moving the DLP light source 111 a set distance along the vertical base and close to the blade, the area to be photocured is positioned precisely within the effective working distance of the DLP light source 111, thus completing the photocuring of the printed blade 170 and printing the target pattern. This invention achieves layered curing by fixing the blade 170 onto the adsorption-type arched printing platform 120 and controlling the distance between the DLP light source 111 and the blade 170, enabling direct printing of circuits on a non-planar, non-transparent blade 170 using DLP printing technology.

[0043] In this embodiment of the invention, based on a self-designed DLP printing device, the first moving module 140 adjusts the horizontal position of the arched printing platform 120, easily aligning the blade 170 within the printing area of ​​the DLP light source 111. The second moving module 150 moves the DLP light source 111 closer to the arched printing platform 120. Due to the high positioning accuracy of the first and second moving modules 140 and 150, the area on the blade 170 to be printed is always precisely within the working distance of the DLP light source 111. This solves the problem of uneven surfaces affecting printing resolution, thus achieving optimal printing results. Simultaneously, using the DLP light source 111 for top-down projection for photopolymerization printing solves the problem that traditional bottom-up projection systems cannot print opaque substrates such as the blade 170 during the printing process, broadening the application scope of DLP technology.

[0044] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the wavelength range of the DLP light source 111 is 350nm to 410nm.

[0045] In this embodiment of the invention, the DLP light source 111 supports a wavelength range of 350nm to 410nm, enabling the use of light sources with multiple wavelengths. Preferably, the wavelength of the DLP light source 111 can be selected as 385nm.

[0046] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the bottom of the arched printing platform is horizontally positioned, and the curvature of the arched surface of the arched printing platform corresponds to the curvature of the blade.

[0047] In this embodiment of the invention, the curvature of the arched surface of the arched printing platform is set to correspond with the curvature of the blade, so that the curvatures of the two are compatible and the blade can fit better on the arched printing platform.

[0048] The following combination Figures 4-5 The present invention describes a method for fabricating blade electrodes based on DLP printing.

[0049] Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for fabricating blade electrodes based on DLP printing, according to an exemplary embodiment. Figure 4 As shown, the method for fabricating a blade electrode based on DLP printing includes steps 410 to 440, which are described in detail below:

[0050] Step 410: Prepare photocurable printing ink based on liquid metal.

[0051] Step 420: The blade 170 is adsorbed onto the arched surface of the arched printing platform 120 by the adsorption module 130 of the DLP printing device described in any of the preceding claims.

[0052] Step 430: Spray the photocurable printing ink onto the surface of the blade 170.

[0053] Step 440: Perform DLP printing on the top of the blade, wait for the curing time to finish, and after printing part of the target pattern, move the DLP light source a set distance along the direction of the vertical base and close to the blade so that the area to be printed is within the effective working range of the DLP light source, until all printing and curing are completed to form a blade electrode with the target pattern; wherein, each printing is not on the same horizontal plane.

[0054] In this embodiment of the invention, a photocurable printing ink is prepared based on liquid metal. Then, the blade 170 is adsorbed onto the arched printing platform 120 of the DLP printing device via the adsorption module 130. The prepared photocurable printing ink is sprayed onto the surface of the blade 170. A pre-designed target pattern is projected from top to bottom directly above the blade 170 using a DLP projection module. Figure 5 As shown, the target pattern is printed from the top of the blade 170 towards the side. Each time, only a portion of the target pattern is printed. After each print, the DLP light source 111 is moved downwards along the vertical base towards the arched printing platform 120 by a set distance, ensuring the area to be photocured is within the effective working distance of the DLP light source 111, thus completing the photocuring of the printed blade 170. The area to be photocured is the printing area, and each print is not on the same horizontal plane. By continuously repeating the printing and photocuring operations, the target pattern is printed. This invention achieves layered curing by adsorbing the blade 170 onto the arched printing platform 120 and controlling the distance between the DLP light source 111 and the blade 170, enabling direct printing of circuits on non-planar, non-transparent blades 170 using DLP printing technology. Simultaneously, utilizing the downward projection of the DLP light source 111 for photocuring solves the problem that traditional downward projection systems cannot print on opaque substrates like blades 170, thus broadening the application scope of DLP technology.

[0055] By controlling the first moving module 140 and the second moving module 150, the blade 170 is positioned in a suitable printing location. Printing begins from the top of the blade 170. After waiting for the set curing time to finish, the lines of the pattern are printed. Then, the DLP light source 111 is moved a set distance along the vertical base and close to the blade. This process is repeated, allowing the cured area to expand from the top to both sides until the target pattern is printed. The target pattern printed using this technology possesses advantages such as flexibility and conductivity, meeting the application requirements of flexible electronic functional devices.

[0056] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the photocuring time is set to be in the range of 5s to 40s.

[0057] In this embodiment of the invention, the waiting time for photocuring after each print is between 5 seconds and 40 seconds. The waiting time for photocuring can be the same or different each time, and the user can set it within the range of 5 seconds to 40 seconds as needed. Preferably, the waiting time for photocuring is set to 15 seconds.

[0058] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the range of a predetermined distance by which the DLP light source 111 moves toward the arched printing platform 120 in the vertical direction is from 5 μm to 400 μm.

[0059] In this embodiment of the invention, the moving distance of the DLP light source 111 near the arched printing platform 120 ranges from 5 μm to 400 μm, preferably 200 μm.

[0060] In this embodiment of the invention, the coordinates of the arched printing platform 120 on the X and Y axes are the same as those of the DLP light source 111, and the relative distance between the initial position of the DLP light source 111 on the Z axis and the highest point of the top of the arched printing platform 120 is 90mm-94mm.

[0061] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the preparation of photocurable printing ink based on liquid metal includes:

[0062] The prepared liquid metal and modifier are mixed in an ethanol solution, ultrasonically treated, and allowed to stand for a preset time. The solution after centrifugation and standing is rinsed and centrifuged again with fresh ethanol solvent to remove unreacted reagents, resulting in a reserve solution. The reserve solution is then mixed with a dispersant, crosslinking agent, and binder, and a photoinitiator is added and mixed under vortex conditions.

[0063] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the concentration of the prepared liquid metal is 1.0 g / ml.

[0064] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the ultrasonic treatment is performed and the patient is left to stand for a preset time after completion.

[0065] The solution after standing was rinsed and centrifuged with ethanol solvent to obtain a stock solution;

[0066] The stock solution, dispersant, crosslinking agent and binder are mixed, a photoinitiator is added to the mixed solution and mixed under vortex to obtain the photocurable printing ink.

[0067] In this embodiment of the invention, liquid metal photocurable printing ink was prepared by using techniques such as ultrasound and centrifugation. The preset settling time can be set to 10 hours.

[0068] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the modifier is 2-HEA.

[0069] In this embodiment of the invention, the modifier used is 2-HEA (2-hydroxyethyl acrylate).

[0070] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the dispersant, crosslinking agent, and binder are respectively PEG-200 ethanol solution, ETPTA-912 ethanol solution, and 2-HEA monomer.

[0071] In this embodiment of the invention, the dispersant, crosslinking agent, and binder are respectively PEG (polyethylene glycol, molecular weight: 200)-ethanol solution, ETPTA (ethoxylated trimethylolpropane triacrylate, number average molecular weight: 912)-ethanol solution, and 2-HEA monomer.

[0072] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the photoinitiator is photoinitiator TPO (2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl-diphenylphosphine oxide).

[0073] In this embodiment of the invention, under the irradiation of the DLP light source 111, the photoinitiator monomer absorbs photons and generates active fragments, which then polymerize to form a polymer, and the solution solidifies to form a circuit part.

[0074] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the volume ratio of the stock solution, the dispersant, the crosslinking agent and the adhesive is A:B:C:D; wherein the value of A ranges from 15 to 18, the value of B ranges from 5 to 8, the value of C ranges from 5 to 8, and the value of D ranges from 1 to 4.

[0075] In this embodiment of the invention, the stock solution, dispersant, crosslinking agent and binder can be mixed in a volume ratio of 15:5:5:1.

[0076] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an embodiment of the present invention also provides a blade electrode, which is prepared by the blade electrode preparation method based on DLP printing described in any of the preceding claims.

[0077] In this embodiment of the invention, the blade electrode is prepared according to the blade electrode preparation method based on DLP printing as described in any of the preceding claims. The blade electrode preparation method based on DLP printing has been described above and will not be repeated here.

[0078] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "method," "specific method," or "some methods," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or method is included in at least one embodiment or method of the present invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or method. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or methods. Moreover, without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments or methods described in this specification, as well as the features of different embodiments or methods.

[0079] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and not to limit them; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A DLP printing apparatus, characterized in that, include: The system comprises a DLP printing system, an arched printing platform, an adsorption module, a first moving module, a second moving module, and a base. The DLP printing system includes a DLP projection module and a DLP light source. The arched printing platform, the first moving module, and the base are stacked on top of each other. The first moving module moves along the base on a horizontal plane. The arched surface of the arched printing platform is away from the first moving module. The adsorption module is attached to the arched surface and is used to adsorb the blade. The two ends of the second moving module are connected to the base and the DLP printing system, respectively. The DLP printing system is positioned opposite the arched printing platform. The second moving module moves vertically, causing the DLP printing system to move closer to or further away from the arched printing platform. When the DLP printing system prints, it starts printing from the top of the blade. After waiting for the set curing time to end, it prints part of the lines of the target pattern. The DLP light source is then moved a set distance along the direction perpendicular to the base and close to the blade, so that the area to be cured is exactly within the effective working distance of the DLP light source. The above operation is repeated, causing the curing area to continuously expand from the top to both sides until the target pattern is printed.

2. The DLP printing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The wavelength range of the DLP light source is 350nm to 410nm.

3. The DLP printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that, The bottom of the arched printing platform is horizontally positioned, and the curvature of the arched surface of the arched printing platform corresponds to the curvature of the blade.

4. A method for fabricating blade electrodes based on DLP printing, characterized in that, The DLP printing apparatus used in any one of claims 1 to 3 comprises: Preparation of photocurable printing inks based on liquid metal; The blade is adsorbed onto the arched surface of the arched printing platform using the adsorption module. The photocurable printing ink is sprayed onto the surface of the blade; DLP printing begins from the top of the blade. After the curing time is set and some lines of the target pattern are printed, the DLP light source is moved a set distance along the vertical base and close to the blade so that the area to be printed is within the effective working range of the DLP light source. The above operation is repeated so that the curing area expands from the top to both sides until the target pattern is printed and the blade electrode with the target pattern is formed. Each printing is not on the same horizontal plane.

5. The method for fabricating blade electrodes based on DLP printing according to claim 4, characterized in that, The method for preparing photocurable printing ink based on liquid metal includes: The modifier is mixed with the prepared liquid metal in an ethanol solution and then subjected to ultrasonic treatment. After ultrasonic treatment, the mixture is allowed to stand for a preset time. The solution after standing was rinsed and centrifuged with ethanol solvent to obtain a stock solution; The stock solution, dispersant, crosslinking agent and binder are mixed, a photoinitiator is added to the mixed solution and mixed under vortex to obtain the photocurable printing ink.

6. The method for fabricating blade electrodes based on DLP printing according to claim 5, characterized in that, The modifier is 2-HEA; The dispersant, crosslinking agent, and binder are respectively PEG-200 ethanol solution, ETPTA-912 ethanol solution, and 2-HEA monomer.

7. The method for fabricating blade electrodes based on DLP printing according to claim 5, characterized in that, The photoinitiator mentioned includes photoinitiator TPO.

8. The method for fabricating blade electrodes based on DLP printing according to claim 5, characterized in that, The volume ratio of the stock solution, the dispersant, the crosslinking agent, and the adhesive is A:B:C:D; wherein the value of A ranges from 15 to 18, the value of B ranges from 5 to 8, the value of C ranges from 5 to 8, and the value of D ranges from 1 to 4.

9. The method for fabricating blade electrodes based on DLP printing according to any one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that, The duration of the light curing setting is in the range of 5 seconds to 40 seconds.

10. A blade electrode, characterized in that, The blade electrode is prepared by the blade electrode preparation method based on DLP printing as described in any one of claims 4 to 9.

Images