Flexible Magnetic Printing Surface for 3D Particle Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing printing technologies that utilize magnetism to create optical effects are complex and often result in cumbersome or ineffective print products.

Innovation Solution

A printing device with a pressure surface featuring a magnetic area and a non-magnetic area, where the transition between these areas forms a border line that aligns magnetically orientable particles in ink or varnish, creating three-dimensional optical effects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If magnetic printing technologies are used to create optical effects, then three-dimensional optical effects can be achieved, but the device complexity and process complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptical effect intensityVSAvoidprinting device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The printing device is segmented into distinct magnetic regions (first magnetic region, second magnetic region, third magnetic region) with different magnetic pole configurations. Each region independently controls the orientation of magnetically orientable particles in specific areas, allowing complex optical effects to be achieved through simple regional magnetic fields rather than a complex overall system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the printing device have different magnetic properties - the first magnetic region has north and south poles facing the printing surface, the second magnetic region has only a north pole, and the third magnetic region has only a south pole. This local differentiation of magnetic quality allows precise control of particle orientation in different printed areas, achieving diverse optical effects with a relatively simple device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Illumination intensity

If existing magnetic printing methods are used, then optical effects can be produced, but the manufacturing process becomes cumbersome and difficult to customize

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptical effectVSAvoidmanufacturing ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The printing device incorporates a magnetizable region that can be dynamically magnetized in different directions. This allows the same physical printing device to produce different optical effects by changing the magnetization direction, enabling customization without requiring complex manufacturing processes or multiple fixed magnetic configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the magnetic parameter (magnetization direction and strength) of specific regions rather than changing the physical structure of the printing device. By controlling the magnetization of the magnetizable region and the configuration of permanent magnets, different optical effects can be achieved with the same device, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 printing device efficiently produces three-dimensional optical effects on printed products by aligning magnetically oriented particles, offering a simpler and more effective solution compared to existing technologies.

Implementation Method 1

The printing device has a printing surface with at least one magnetic region and at least one non-magnetic region, wherein one of the magnetic regions and one of the non-magnetic regions at least partially adjoin one another and form at least one boundary line on the printing surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

the boundary line running parallel to the printing surface, for example. In this case, the magnetic region is part of a magnetic volume, the magnetic volume having a first magnetic pole and a second magnetic pole

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic orientation of particles: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentEP3409379B1Device for magnetic printing, manufacturing method and use
Publication Date: 2025.04.23 HEINATZ GMBH
  • EP3409379B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3409379B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3409379B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

The invention relates to magnetic printing. For this purpose, a printing device (10) is provided which has a printing surface (11) with a first area and a second area, the first area and the second area adjoining one another at least partially and forming at least one boundary line (28). Furthermore, the first area is a first magnetic area (24) and part of a first magnetic volume (20). The magnetic volume (20) has a first magnetic pole (21) and a second magnetic pole (22), the first magnetic pole (21) facing the printing surface (11) and the second magnetic pole (22) facing the printing surface (11) faces away. Furthermore, a contour (32) can be produced on a substrate (31) to be printed with the boundary line (28), the printing device (10) having a thickness of less than one millimeter, the printing device (10) being flexible and the printing surface (11) is compressible.