Digital Printing Apparatus Gloss Control via UV Wavelengths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for producing decorative surfaces with three-dimensional structures struggle to achieve a flexible and efficient difference in gloss levels between deeper and higher areas, often requiring multiple lacquers and resulting in a uniform matte finish that obscures the visual detection of structure depths, especially in wood reproductions with low gloss levels.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a workpiece coated with a liquid layer, where an agent capable of absorbing electromagnetic radiation is applied and irradiated with varying wavelengths to control polymerization and create microfolding, allowing for differential gloss levels without the need for multiple lacquers, by using electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths less than 300 nm to form micro or nanostructures that scatter light and create an optically matte appearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If different lacquers are used to achieve different gloss levels, then gloss differentiation is improved, but manufacturing complexity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by varying the wavelength of electromagnetic radiation (e.g., 200 nm, 254 nm, 300 nm) to control the degree of polymerization and resulting gloss levels. Instead of using different lacquers, the same lacquer is irradiated with different wavelengths to achieve matte or glossy finishes, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and time while maintaining gloss differentiation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses digital templates to copy the desired gloss pattern onto the workpiece. The gloss distribution is determined by a digital image or template that is transferred through selective irradiation, allowing flexible reproduction of gloss patterns without requiring multiple physical lacquer applications or complex manual processes
2Illumination intensity
If uniform matte finish is applied, then light scattering is improved, but visual detection of structure depths deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating spatially varying gloss levels within the same lacquer layer. Different regions of the workpiece receive different wavelengths or doses of electromagnetic radiation, resulting in local areas with matte finish (high light scattering) and other areas with glossy finish (low light scattering). This allows the three-dimensional structure to be visually detected through gloss variations while maintaining overall light scattering properties
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces asymmetry in the optical properties of the lacquer layer by creating intentional gloss variations corresponding to the three-dimensional structure. The glossy areas highlight elevated regions while matte areas correspond to depressed regions, creating an asymmetric visual pattern that enhances the perception of depth and structure
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
This method enables flexible production of decorative surfaces with controlled gloss differences, allowing for the visual and tactile recognition of structure depths, enhancing the realism of wood reproductions and other materials by creating distinct matte and glossy areas without the time-consuming use of multiple lacquers.
Implementation Method 1
The liquid layer is irradiated with electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength of less than 300 nm, preferably less than 250 nm, particularly preferably less than 200 nm, in particular with electron beam radiation
Implementation Method 2
an agent capable of at least partially absorbing electromagnetic radiation is applied to the surface of the liquid layer
Implementation Method 3
the polymerization of this thin layer results in a quasi 'skin' on the still liquid layer below. As a result, this skin shows wrinkling in the micro or nano range, which ultimately causes the matting of this surface, since, compared to an untreated layer, it increasingly diffuses incident light in several spatial directions
Data Source
AI summary
A method for producing a decorative surface on a workpiece is disclosed, the method comprising:feeding of the workpiece coated with a liquid layer to a digital printing station andapplication of an agent capable of at least partially absorbing electromagnetic radiation, at least on a partial area of the surface of the liquid layer (2), or which, in contact with the surface, produces a reaction product which is capable of at least partially absorbing electromagnetic radiation.