Curable Inkjet Ink for 3D Plastic Substrates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current inkjet printing technologies are unable to digitally print images onto plastic substrates that can elongate continuously during thermal processing without cracking, limiting their application to flat sheet constructions.
Innovation Solution
A curable inkjet ink composition comprising an acrylic polymer or copolymer, a mono-functional monomer, and a pigment, which allows for digital printing onto plastic substrates and subsequent molding into three-dimensional objects without cracking, by forming chemical or mechanical bonds with the substrate during thermal processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional inkjet inks are used for digital printing on plastic substrates, then the printing process is simple and fast, but the printed images crack or cannot elongate during thermal processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the ink by incorporating polymerizable diluents that can cross-link upon curing. This transforms the ink from a conventional non-elastic formulation to one that can elongate and adhere to thermally processed plastic substrates, resolving the contradiction between image integrity and adaptability to 3D constructions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite ink system combining polymerizable diluents, resins, and pigments that work together to provide both jetability and thermal elongation capability. This composite formulation enables the ink to maintain integrity on three-dimensional plastic constructions while withstanding thermal processing
2Reliability
If polymerizable diluents are used to enable elongation during thermal processing, then the ink can elongate continuously, but the formulation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs polymerizable diluents that serve multiple functions: they act as viscosity reducers for jetability, binders for adhesion, cross-linking agents for elasticity, and elongation enablers for thermal processing. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate additives, thereby managing formulation complexity while achieving continuous elongation capability
3Reliability
If screen printing is used for plastic substrates, then the ink can elongate under thermal conditions, but digital printing capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical screen printing process with a digital inkjet printing system by formulating inks with polymerizable diluents that inherently provide thermal elongation capability. This substitution maintains the desired reliability of thermal elongation while achieving the automation and precision benefits of digital printing
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the creation of three-dimensional objects with digitally printed graphics that maintain uniformity and integrity during thermal processing, overcoming the limitations of traditional inkjet printing on plastic substrates by allowing for continuous elongation and preventing cracking or separation.
Implementation Method 1
The mono-functional monomer enables the ink composition to undergo continuous elongation during thermal processing of the plastic substrate
Implementation Method 2
A curable inkjet ink composition comprising an acrylic polymer or copolymer, a mono-functional monomer, and a pigment, which allows for digital printing onto plastic substrates and subsequent molding into three-dimensional objects without cracking, by forming chemical or mechanical bonds with the substrate during thermal processing
Data Source
AI summary
A curable ink composition for digitally printing onto plastic substrates that can be formed into three-dimensional objects is provided. Generally, the ink composition comprises a pigment, an acrylic polymer or copolymer, a diluent, and a mono-functional monomer.