Inkjet Printer Matte Glossy Finish Single Ink UV Curing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inkjet printers require two tanks and two print heads for different inks to achieve desired UV radiation levels for printing images with matte and glossy areas, which is inefficient and costly.
Innovation Solution
A method where a single inkjet printer applies ink to both matte and glossy areas in alternating passes, with immediate curing of matte areas and delayed curing of glossy areas using a single hardening device, allowing the ink to form a smooth surface, thus eliminating the need for separate inks and UV radiation control systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If two tanks and two print heads are used for different inks to achieve UV radiation levels for matte and glossy areas, then the desired UV radiation control is achieved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the functions of multiple inks with different UV curing characteristics into a single ink formulation. By using one ink type for both matte and glossy areas and controlling the UV radiation timing rather than ink composition, the system reduces the number of tanks and print heads while maintaining the ability to produce different surface finishes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary UV radiation to certain areas before the printing process is complete. By pre-irradiating specific regions with the hardening device, the ink in those areas is cured early and prevented from mixing with subsequent ink applications, creating matte effects without requiring separate ink formulations.
2Productivity
If UV radiation is applied immediately after ink application in all areas, then the printing process is simplified, but glossy areas cannot be formed as ink lacks time to form smooth surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different UV radiation timing strategies to different spatial regions of the print medium. Matte areas receive immediate UV irradiation after ink deposition, while glossy areas are irradiated only after the complete printing cycle allows ink to flow and form smooth surfaces. This localized control of curing timing enables both surface finishes with a single ink system.
Solution Approach 2:
The hardening device operates periodically rather than continuously, activating UV radiation at specific intervals during the printing process. It irradiates certain lines immediately after printing while delaying irradiation of other lines until subsequent printing passes are complete, enabling temporal control over ink curing to achieve different surface finishes.
3Manufacturing precision
If different UV radiation strengths are applied to matte and glossy areas, then the desired surface finishes are achieved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses preliminary UV radiation selectively on areas that will become matte, applying the hardening effect only where needed to prevent ink mixing. Glossy areas are left uncured until the end of the printing process, requiring only a single final UV radiation pass rather than multiple passes with varying intensities, thereby reducing total energy consumption.
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 approach reduces energy consumption, simplifies the printer's construction, and produces robust, high-quality prints with controlled gloss levels without the need for multiple inks or complex UV radiation control, enabling cost-effective and efficient production of images with matte and glossy areas.
Implementation Method 1
in a first pass applying an ink using an inkjet printer with printhead and hardening device in the glossy areas of a first line without immediately subsequent curing of the glossy areas of the first line and in a second pass applying an ink using the inkjet printer in the matt areas of the first line and immediately thereafter curing the matte areas of the first line
Implementation Method 2
the ink applied to the glossy areas of the image is not hardened until later, giving the ink enough time to run into one another and form a smooth surface. These image areas therefore appear shiny.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for printing an image (1) having matt areas (2) and glossy areas (3), in which an ink is applied by means of the ink jet printing method in the matt areas (2) and is cured immediately thereafter, whereas in the glossy areas (3) a curing of the ink immediately following the application thereof is omitted. The invention further relates to an ink jet printer (40..44) for carrying out the said method and to the control system (11) thereof.