Inkjet Relief Printing with Coating Sheet Adhesion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for producing reliefs on substrates using digital inkjet printing face limitations in achieving both high definition and resistance to abrasion, with positive relief surfaces having limited abrasion resistance and negative relief surfaces being difficult to control in terms of surface tension and viscosity parameters.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the application of a relief material via digital inkjet printing, followed by the incorporation of a coating sheet fixed with glue, where the relief material and glue can be applied together or separately, allowing for precise and flexible relief creation with enhanced abrasion resistance, and synchronization with motifs for visual and tactile effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If positive relief surfaces are created by depositing relief material on localized areas, then flexibility and definition of reliefs are improved, but abrasion resistance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the relief material application with adhesive application in a single inkjet printing step. The inkjet head deposits both relief material and adhesive in the same localized areas, creating a combined structure where the adhesive bonds the relief material to the substrate while also providing the relief effect. This eliminates the need for separate adhesive application steps and ensures precise alignment of relief features with adhesive bonding zones, thereby maintaining high definition while achieving adequate abrasion resistance through proper material selection and formulation.
2Strength
If negative relief surfaces are created by displacing or introducing relief material, then abrasion resistance is improved, but control over surface tension and viscosity parameters deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical displacement methods (such as embossing or molding that physically displace material) with a digital inkjet printing system that deposits relief material in a controlled manner. The inkjet technology allows precise control of deposition parameters including droplet size, spacing, and volume through digital control of the printing head. This substitution enables independent optimization of surface tension and viscosity parameters without the constraints of mechanical displacement processes, as the material is deposited in a controlled liquid state that can be precisely managed through inkjet printing parameters.
3Manufacturing precision
If relief material and glue are applied separately, then manufacturing precision is improved, but productivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the application of relief material and adhesive into a single inkjet printing operation. The inkjet printing head is configured to deposit both materials in the same pass, eliminating the need for separate application steps and subsequent alignment operations. This merging of operations maintains manufacturing precision because both materials are deposited with the same level of digital control and positioning accuracy, while simultaneously improving productivity by reducing the number of processing steps and cycle time.
4Manufacturing precision
If multiple inkjet passes are used to apply relief material and glue, then manufacturing precision is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the inkjet printing system to perform multiple functions in a single pass. The inkjet printing head is configured to deposit both relief material and adhesive materials, effectively making the printing system universal for both material types. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve the placement accuracy and definition that would normally require multiple specialized passes, while completing both material applications in a single synchronized operation, thereby eliminating the time loss associated with multiple passes.
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
The method achieves highly precise and durable textured surfaces with improved abrasion resistance, enabling the creation of reliefs that spatially correspond with motifs, mimicking natural surfaces like stone or wood, while allowing for flexible application methods and materials.
Implementation Method 1
provision of the relief material by means of inkjet printing
Implementation Method 2
coating sheet, which conforms to said relief surface
Implementation Method 3
The coating sheet is fixed to the substrate by gluing by means of a glue
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for producing reliefs on substrates by digital inkjet printing of drops of a relief material which is deposited on localized areas of the surface of a substrate to obtain a relief surface with a relief determined by the relief material deposited, a coating sheet being incorporated over the relief material deposited, which conforms to said relief surface, the coating sheet being fixed by gluing by means of a glue which is applied together or in combination with the relief material.