Lacquer Transfer Roller with UV Hardening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lacquer transfer devices face challenges in maintaining dimensional stability and adhesion of lacquer films during transfer, as the lacquer often loses shape and fails to adhere reliably to the work surface.
Innovation Solution
A device equipped with a transfer roller and two hardening units, where UV-light or IR-light is used to partially harden the lacquer in two consecutive steps, ensuring dimensional stability and adhesion, with a shield to prevent cross-interference between the hardening areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the lacquer is transferred directly without hardening, then the transfer process is simple, but the lacquer loses dimensional stability and fails to adhere reliably to the work surface
Solution Approach 1:
The first hardening unit performs preliminary hardening of the lacquer in the first operational area before the transfer roller contacts the work surface. This pre-hardening stabilizes the lacquer's shape and properties, ensuring reliable adhesion during subsequent transfer and application to the work surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The hardening process is segmented into two distinct stages using two separate hardening units. The first hardening unit operates in the first operational area to provide initial stabilization, while the second hardening unit operates in the second operational area to complete the hardening process, ensuring comprehensive adhesion reliability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a single hardening unit is used, then the device structure is simple, but the lacquer cannot maintain dimensional stability throughout the entire transfer process
Solution Approach 1:
The hardening process is divided into two sequential stages with two separate hardening units positioned in different operational areas. The first hardening unit stabilizes the lacquer's basic structure, while the second hardening unit ensures complete dimensional stability, addressing the limitation of a single hardening unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The first hardening unit performs preliminary hardening before the lacquer reaches the work surface, providing initial dimensional stability. This preliminary action prevents shape loss during transfer, while the second hardening unit completes the stabilization process for optimal results.
3Reliability
If the first hardening unit emits UV-light continuously, then the hardening in the first operational area is effective, but the second operational area is exposed to UV-light causing unwanted pre-hardening
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful UV-radiation from the first hardening unit is extracted or blocked from reaching the second operational area using a shielding element. This allows the first hardening unit to effectively harden the lacquer in its operational area without causing unwanted pre-hardening in the second operational area where the second hardening unit needs to operate.
4Productivity
If the transfer roller rotates quickly, then the productivity is high, but the lacquer does not have sufficient time to adhere to the work surface
Solution Approach 1:
The first hardening unit performs preliminary hardening of the lacquer before it contacts the work surface, stabilizing its structure and enhancing adhesion properties. This preliminary stabilization allows the transfer roller to rotate at higher speeds while maintaining reliable adhesion quality, as the pre-hardened lacquer adheres more effectively even during rapid transfer.
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 device ensures reliable transfer of lacquer films with maintained shape and strong adhesion to the work surface by partial hardening in the first operational area and further hardening in the second operational area, enhancing dimensional stability and adhesion.
Implementation Method 1
A first hardening unit of the at least two hardening units is formed as a UV-light unit configured for partially hardening the lacquer in a contactless way by emitting UV-light
Implementation Method 2
The second hardening unit is formed as a UV-light unit configured for at least partially hardening the lacquer in a contactless way by emitting UV-light or as an IR-light unit configured for at least partially hardening the lacquer in a contactless way by emitting IR-light
Data Source
AI summary
A device for lacquer transfer is disclosed having a frame, a nozzle with a dispensing end for dispensing lacquer, and a transfer roller with a circumferential lateral wall, a circumferential outer contact surface of the lateral wall comprises several depressions, wherein the nozzle and the transfer roller are arranged such that lacquer is dispensable from the dispensing end onto the outer contact surface and into the depressions, wherein the transfer roller is configured to roll with the outer contact surface on a work surface of a workpiece for transferring the lacquer from the outer contact surface and from the depressions to the work surface of the workpiece. A first hardening unit is formed as a UV-light unit configured for partially hardening the lacquer in a contactless way by emitting UV-light, the first hardening unit is arranged within an interior space defined by the transfer roller. The lateral wall of the transfer roller is transparent for UV-light, and the first hardening unit is arranged such that UV-light is emittable towards the work surface in a first operational area of the work surface to partially harden the lacquer in the first operational area.