Traceability on PG-Coated PBN Products
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods of handwriting or engraving traceability indicators on PG- and PBN-coated products lead to illegibility and damage, resulting in lost traceability and reduced durability during repeated use and harsh conditions.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a traceability indicator made of graphite between the body and the PG or PBN coat, with the PG coat thickness set to 100 µm or less and the PBN overcoat thickness set to 700 µm or less, ensuring visibility and maintaining the product's functionality and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a serial number is hand-written or engraved on the PG- or PBN-coated product surface, then traceability can be indicated, but the serial number becomes gradually unclear and illegible due to repeated use and washing
Solution Approach 1:
The traceability indicator is nested within the product structure by placing it between the body and the coating layer. The graphite indicator is positioned between the PBN body and the PG coat, or between the PBN body and the PBN overcoat, so that it becomes an integral part of the layered structure rather than a surface marking.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution moves the traceability indicator from the surface dimension to the cross-sectional dimension. Instead of marking on the outer surface which is exposed to wear, the indicator is placed in the internal cross-section of the coating layer, where it is protected from mechanical damage and chemical degradation during washing and use.
2Loss of information
If engraving is used to mark the serial number on the coated product, then traceability is provided, but the coated product is damaged resulting in decreased functions and durability
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful action of engraving is extracted and replaced. Instead of mechanically removing material to create a mark, the invention uses a non-destructive method where the graphite indicator is deposited or placed on the surface, and the coating layer is then formed over it, eliminating the need for material removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The traceability information is copied onto the graphite layer which is then encapsulated by the coating. The graphite serves as a template or copy of the serial number that can be read through the transparent coating without requiring physical alteration of the coated surface.
3Reliability
If the PG coat thickness is increased to protect the traceability indicator, then durability is improved, but the indicator becomes invisible through the coating
Solution Approach 1:
The solution utilizes optical property changes by selecting graphite as the indicator material and controlling the PG coat thickness to achieve the desired balance between protection and visibility. Graphite has specific optical properties that allow it to be visible through thin transparent layers while the coating provides adequate protection.
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 provides long-lasting visibility of traceability indicators on PG- and PBN-coated products, preventing loss of traceability and maintaining the products' intrinsic properties and durability even under repeated use and harsh conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a traceability indicator made of graphite at any place on the body surface, the traceability indicator being visible from the outside through the PG coat having a thickness of 100 µm or less
Implementation Method 2
overcoating the surface, including the traceability indicator, with a PBN overcoat, said PBN overcoat having a thickness of 700 µm or less so that the traceability indicator is visible from the outside through the PBN overcoat
Data Source
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AI summary
This PG-coated product (14) is produced by producing a body (11) by using PBN, providing traceability indication (12) made of purified graphite in an arbitrary section of the body surface; and covering the body surface including the traceability indication with a PG coat (13). By setting the thickness of the PG coat to 100 µm or less, preferably 80 µm or less, it is possible to provide transparency sufficient for reading the product serial number marked on the body surface. This is a suitable way of marking the traceability. Because graphite does not adversely affect the physical properties of PBN and PG, the function and durability intrinsic to the product will not be impaired even when the graphite traceability is placed between the PBN body surface and the PG coat. Further, producing a PBN-overcoated product (24) by covering the surface of a body (21), having traceability indication (22) of purified graphite, with a PBN film (23) having a thickness of 700 µm or less, preferably 500 µm or less, is also a suitable way of marking the traceability.