Ink Droplet Composition Measurement Using Coanda-Guided Particle Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inkjet printing technologies face challenges in accurately measuring the composition of ink droplets, particularly when using materials like copper, gold, silver, ceramics, and polymers, which can precipitate over time, affecting concentration and leading to inconsistent printing results.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing a camera device, laser irradiation, particle suction component, and mass spectrum measurement to analyze ink droplets, incorporating a Coanda surface and inert gas injection for precise concentration measurement, combined with computing to generate printing sequence information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional inkjet printing is used with materials like copper, gold, silver, ceramics, and polymers, then industrial graphics and display manufacturing can be achieved, but the materials precipitate over time causing concentration changes and inconsistent printing results
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary measurement of ink droplet composition using a mass spectrum measurement device before printing. This allows the system to detect concentration variations in advance and compensate for them by adjusting printing parameters, ensuring consistent printing results despite material precipitation over time
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes a feedback loop where ink composition is continuously monitored and measurement results are used to adjust printing parameters in real-time. The computing device calculates compensation values based on measured concentration data and applies corrections to maintain printing consistency
2Measurement precision
If mass spectrum measurement is used to measure ink droplet composition, then precise concentration data can be obtained, but the system complexity increases with multiple components including camera device, laser irradiation device, particle suction component, and gas injection device
Solution Approach 1:
The system combines multiple measurement and control functions into an integrated platform. The camera device captures droplet images, the laser irradiation device vaporizes ink, the particle suction component collects particles, and the mass spectrum measurement device analyzes composition - all coordinated by a single computing device that processes data and controls printing parameters
Solution Approach 2:
The particle suction component with Coanda surface acts as an intermediary between the laser irradiation device and the mass spectrum measurement device. It efficiently collects vaporized ink particles using inert gas flow while blocking direct line-of-sight interference, enabling accurate mass spectrum measurement without requiring the measurement device to be in direct contact with the droplet
3Speed
If the particle suction component is positioned close to the substrate for efficient particle collection, then measurement speed improves, but the Coanda effect requires specific spacing to function properly
Solution Approach 1:
The system optimizes the distance between the particle suction component and substrate as a critical parameter. By positioning the component at a specific distance that enables the Coanda effect to function properly, the system achieves efficient particle collection along the Coanda surface while maintaining appropriate spacing for inert gas flow attachment
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 precise measurement of ink droplet composition, correcting for vignetting effects, ensuring accurate and consistent printing by adjusting the printing process based on concentration data.
Implementation Method 1
a laser irradiation device configured to generate particles by irradiating each of the first ink droplets with laser beams
Implementation Method 2
a particle suction component spaced apart from the substrate by a certain distance and including an inner surface, where the inner surface is a Coanda surface and is convex inward, a gas injection device configured to inject inert gas into the particle suction component to move the inert gas along the Coanda surface
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a system and method for measuring composition of ink droplets for a more precise fine inkjet printing process. The system includes a camera device configured to generate first image data including first ink droplets in a first target range among a plurality of ink droplets discharged onto and present on a substrate, a laser irradiation device configured to generate particles by irradiating each of the first ink droplets with laser beams, a particle suction component spaced apart from the substrate by a certain distance and including an inner surface which is a Coanda surface that is convex inward, a gas injection device configured to inject inert gas into the particle suction component to move the inert gas along the Coanda surface, and a mass spectrum measurement device configured to measure a mass spectrum of the particles extracted through the particle suction component with the inert gas.