Inkjet 3D Printed Shaped Article with Transparent Interlayer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet 3D molding techniques face issues with ink intermixing, particularly when molding inks and decorative inks blend, leading to unintended coloration and failure to record characters and images accurately due to positional inaccuracies during the printing process.
Innovation Solution
A shaped article is designed with a light reflective layer, a decorative layer, and a first transparent layer, where the transparent layer is positioned between the decorative and light reflective layers to prevent intermixing, ensuring accurate color tones and using a second transparent layer for protection and enhanced accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If molding ink and decorative inks are discharged by inkjet printing technique, then the shaped article can be formed and decorated, but the inks blend together at their interfaces causing failure to record characters and images accurately
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the ink discharge process into separate operations: first discharging the molding ink to form the base shape, then discharging decorative inks on a different surface or in a different state. This temporal and spatial segmentation prevents the molding ink and decorative inks from mixing, ensuring both accurate shaping and precise decorative recording.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary substance or layer between the molding ink and decorative inks. This intermediary prevents direct contact and mixing between the two ink types, allowing each to be discharged and recorded accurately without contamination from the other.
2Productivity
If relative movements of inkjet head and shaped article occur along the in-plane direction, then the printing process can be completed, but positional accuracy in the in-plane direction decreases causing ink intermixing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions to establish reference markers or alignment features before the main printing process. These pre-positioned references enable accurate tracking and compensation during relative movements, maintaining positional accuracy even when the inkjet head and shaped article move relative to each other during printing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor the relative position between the inkjet head and shaped article during printing. Positional deviations are detected and corrected in real-time through adjusted discharge timing or compensatory movements, ensuring maintaining accuracy despite necessary relative movements for productive printing.
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 solution allows for successful decoration and shaping with desired color tones, preventing intermixing and maintaining the original color integrity of the decorative layer, while the second transparent layer provides protection against decolorization and fading.
Implementation Method 1
a light reflective layer formed from an ink having light reflectiveness
Data Source
AI summary
A manufacturing method for a shaped article is provided and includes manufacturing the shaped article by stacking a plurality of layers on one another, wherein the shaped article comprises a light reflective layer, being formed from an ink having light reflectiveness; a decorative layer; and a transparent layer, being formed from a transparent ink, wherein the decorative layer is formed on an outer side of the light reflective layer, and the transparent layer is formed on an outer side of the decorative layer; and a layer forming process, forming a part of the transparent layer and a part of the decorative layer in this order from an end side toward a center side of at least two of the plurality of layers.