Performance of LED-curable digital ink
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need to enhance the performance of LED-curable digital printing inks, particularly in the printing and fabric industries, where curing and durability are significant challenges.
Innovation Solution
A formulation combining mono-acrylated, di-acrylated, and tri-acrylated monomers in specific weight ratios, along with optional additives like photoinitiators and pigment dispersions, is used to create an LED-curable digital ink that improves curing and performance characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional LED-curable digital ink formulations are used, then the printing process can be completed with standard equipment, but the curing performance and durability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining multiple monomer types (mono-acrylated, di-acrylated, and tri-acrylated monomers) in specific weight ratios to create a composite ink formulation. This composite approach enables improved curing performance and durability while maintaining compatibility with standard LED curing equipment, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by optimizing the weight ratios of different monomer components within specific ranges (mono-acrylated: 10-50%, di-acrylated: 30-60%, tri-acrylated: 10-30%). These parameter optimizations enhance the curing characteristics and durability of the ink formulation without requiring changes to the manufacturing process or equipment, thereby improving reliability while maintaining ease of manufacture.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If LED curing is applied to digital printing ink, then VOC emissions are reduced improving air quality, but curing efficiency and durability are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials by formulating an ink system that combines multiple acrylated monomers with complementary curing characteristics. This composite formulation enables the ink to cure efficiently under LED UV light with low VOC emissions, while achieving adequate durability and curing efficiency that single-component inks cannot provide alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting the molecular weight, functionality, and chemical structure parameters of the monomer components. These parameter modifications enable the ink to maintain low VOC emissions while achieving improved curing efficiency and durability through optimized reactivity and crosslinking density under LED curing conditions.
3Ease of manufacture
If the ink formulation is simplified for ease of manufacture, then production costs are reduced, but washing and crock testing performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the weight ratios of monomer components within specific ranges rather than using complex multi-component systems. This parameter optimization achieves the necessary washing and crock testing performance (meeting industry standards) while maintaining formulation simplicity and ease of manufacture, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and reliability.
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 improved digital ink formulation enhances washing testing, crock testing, and leaching testing performance, providing better durability and resistance to wear and tear.
Implementation Method 1
activation and/or curing of the digital printing ink proceeds, typically through a plurality of LED energy applications
Implementation Method 2
curing of the digital printing ink proceeds
Data Source
AI summary
Digital ink formulations that cure by the application of light emitting diode (LED) energy are described. Also described are methods of bonding the LED-curable formulations onto substrates.