Two Component Inkjet Primer for 3D Object Adhesion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Aqueous inkjet printing faces challenges with ink adhesion on various substrates due to surface properties, leading to inconsistent print quality, and conventional surface treatment methods are inefficient and costly.

Innovation Solution

A surface treatment method involving jetting a primer composition with a crosslinking agent and activator to form a primer layer, and jetting an ink composition with an adhesion promoter to improve ink adhesion, using multiple printheads for controlled and patterned application.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If aqueous ink is ejected directly onto porous media, then the ink will soak into the media, but this changes the physical properties of the media and results in inconsistent print quality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprint quality consistencyVSAvoidmedia physical properties

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary surface treatment to the media before inkjet printing. A primer layer is deposited on the porous media surface to create a non-porous coating that prevents ink from soaking into the media while maintaining ink receptivity. This preliminary action stabilizes the media surface properties before the printing process occurs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If surfactants are added to the ink to reduce surface tension, then wetting is improved, but uncontrolled spreading occurs resulting in wavy pixel edges

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveink wettingVSAvoidpixel edge precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a primer layer as an intermediary between the ink and the media surface. This primer layer has controlled surface tension properties that enable proper ink wetting without the uncontrolled spreading that occurs when surfactants are added directly to the ink. The primer mediates the interaction between ink and media, providing the necessary wetting while maintaining pixel edge precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If a UV curable base layer is applied to improve ink receptivity, then ink-media interactions are avoided, but the under-layer may offset or encapsulate ink drops if under-cured

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveink adhesionVSAvoidimage quality

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the curing parameters and composition of the base layer to achieve optimal curing without offsetting or encapsulation. By adjusting the UV curing energy, exposure time, and primer formulation, the system achieves complete curing that prevents under-layer offset while avoiding over-curing that would cause encapsulation of ink drops. This parameter optimization ensures both ink adhesion and image quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Reliability

If conventional surface treatment methods are used to prepare substrates, then ink adhesion is improved, but the process becomes inefficient and costly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveink adhesionVSAvoidsurface treatment efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional mechanical surface treatment methods (such as abrasion, plasma treatment, or chemical etching) with a deposition-based approach. A primer layer is jetted or deposited onto the substrate surface, forming a coating that improves ink adhesion without requiring complex mechanical or chemical treatment equipment. This substitution simplifies the process, improves efficiency, and reduces costs while achieving the desired adhesion improvement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 enhances ink adhesion on substrates, reduces waste, and allows for automated, directional surface treatment, improving print quality and efficiency while minimizing the inefficiencies and expenses of conventional methods.

Implementation Method 1

jetting a first component of a primer composition over a substrate, wherein the first component comprises a crosslinking agent; jetting a second component of the primer composition over the substrate, wherein the second component comprises a crosslinking activator; and mixing the first component and the second component to form a primer layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCrosslinking: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

jetting an adhesion promoter over the substrate; and mixing the ink composition and the adhesion promoter to form an ink layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentUS10005294B1Two component ink jettable primer and incorporation of adhesion promoter to the ink for printing onto 3D objects

Publication Date: 2018.06.26 GENESEE VALLEY INNOVATIONS LLC

AI summary

Provided is a surface treatment method, including: jetting a first component of a primer composition over a substrate, wherein the first component includes a crosslinking agent; jetting a second component of the primer composition over the substrate, wherein the second component includes a crosslinking activator; and mixing the first component and the second component to form a primer layer, wherein the jetting of the first component and the second component is from at least one printhead.