Etched Glass UV Inkjet Curing Delay and Alkaline Stripping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for selective glass etching using inkjet technology face issues such as printhead clogging due to reflected UV light and the formation of flakes during the stripping process, which affect the manufacturing efficiency and quality of etched glass articles.
Innovation Solution
A manufacturing method that involves jetting a UV curable inkjet ink on a glass surface, allowing a specific time between jetting and curing to prevent clogging, and using a solubilization process in an alkaline solution to remove the UV cured image, thereby avoiding flake formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If UV curing is performed immediately after jetting, then the protective layer is formed quickly, but printhead nozzles become clogged due to reflected UV light
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by introducing a delay period between jetting and UV curing, allowing the jetted material to settle and form a stable layer before curing begins. This preliminary settling action prevents the reflected UV light from immediately affecting the printhead nozzles, thus avoiding clogging while still maintaining efficient production.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional stripping solutions are used, then the protective layer is removed, but flake formation occurs which requires filtration and reduces manufacturing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the chemical composition parameters of the stripping solution. The new formulation changes the dissolution mechanism to prevent flake formation, allowing the protective layer to be removed smoothly without creating particulate matter that would require filtration, thereby improving manufacturing efficiency.
3Manufacturing precision
If small flakes are formed during stripping, then filtration is required, but small flakes pass through filters and accumulate in the stripping bath
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of flake formation into a beneficial outcome by designing a stripping solution that completely prevents flake formation. This eliminates the need for filtration systems and their associated complexity, while also preventing the accumulation problem that occurs when small flakes pass through filters.
4Manufacturing precision
If large flakes are formed during stripping, then filtration is required, but large flakes adhere to stripping equipment and disturb smooth operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical parameters of the stripping solution to control the physical form of the removed protective layer. By adjusting the dissolution rate and mechanism through chemical composition changes, the process produces a smooth, flake-free removal that prevents adhesion to equipment surfaces, ensuring smooth and uninterrupted operation.
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 effectively prevents printhead clogging and simplifies the stripping process, ensuring high-quality, smooth etching and improved manufacturing efficiency by maintaining the integrity of the etched patterns and reducing the need for filtration.
Implementation Method 1
Jetting and curing of the protective layer occurs simultaneously. The UV radiation used to cure the jetted protective layer
Implementation Method 2
The stripping solution breaks the polymer chain at the cross-linking point of the three dimensional structure, which is formed during the polymerization of the resist
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of manufacturing an etched glass article (10) including the steps of: a) jetting an image (2) with a UV curable inkjet ink on a surface of a glass article; b) UV curing the image (2); c) etching the surface not covered by the UV cured image (3) to obtain an etched image (4); and d) removing the UV cured image (2); characterized in that a time between jetting and curing the image is at least 50 ms.