Atmospheric Plasma Pretreatment for Direct Printing on Chrome Surfaces
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for printing on metallic surfaces, particularly those with chrome-containing surfaces, often require additional processing steps like primer application to improve wetting and adhesion, which can be inefficient and require separate production lines.
Innovation Solution
A procedure and printing machine that uses atmospheric pressure plasma pretreatment with an ionized process gas to enhance the surface tension and wettability of chrome-containing surfaces, allowing direct printing without a primer, and incorporating UV-hardening inks or paints for improved adhesion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a primer layer is applied before printing on metallic surfaces, then the wetting properties and adhesion are improved, but the production process becomes more complex and requires additional processing steps
Solution Approach 1:
The plasma treatment is applied as a preliminary action to the metallic surface before printing. The plasma pretreatment device treats the surface in advance to enhance its wettability and adhesion properties, so that when printing occurs, the ink can directly adhere to the treated surface without requiring a primer layer. This eliminates the need for the additional primer application step while maintaining reliable adhesion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/chemical application of a primer layer with a plasma treatment process. Instead of applying a physical coating (primer), the system uses plasma physics to modify the surface properties of the metallic substrate. The plasma treatment creates a surface state that promotes direct ink adhesion, substituting the need for a primer coating with a plasma-induced surface modification.
2Reliability
If separate processing lines are used for surface treatment and printing, then the quality of adhesion is improved, but the productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the surface treatment and printing operations into a single integrated production line. The plasma pretreatment device is positioned directly before the printing unit, allowing the metallic surface to receive plasma treatment and then immediately undergo printing in the same continuous process flow. This integration eliminates the need for separate processing lines while maintaining high adhesion quality through the plasma-enhanced surface state.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous processing where the metallic surface undergoes plasma treatment and printing in an uninterrupted sequence. The plasma treatment creates a permanently enhanced surface state that persists through the printing process, allowing both operations to be performed continuously without interruption or intermediate handling. This continuous action maintains productivity while ensuring reliable adhesion through the sustained plasma-modified surface properties.
3Ease of manufacture
If plasma pretreatment is applied to enhance surface tension, then the wettability of the surface is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a plasma as an intermediary between the metallic surface and the printing ink. The plasma treatment acts as a mediating layer that modifies the surface properties, creating a state that enhances wettability and adhesion. This plasma intermediary enables direct printing on metallic surfaces without requiring primer coatings, thereby improving ease of manufacture while the plasma generation system integrates into the printing machine architecture.
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
This approach improves the wetting properties of the metallic surface and creates a strong adhesive composite between the metal and the printing material, enabling direct printing on chrome-containing surfaces without additional processing, thus streamlining the production process and eliminating the need for separate lines.
Implementation Method 1
the wetting properties of the surface of the printing material are improved and/or an improved composite is produced between the metallic printing and the pressure color or the paint to be brought up on the surface of this printing by treating the chrome-containing surface with a plasma pretreatment device with an ionized process gas
Implementation Method 2
the printing color or the paint is hardened by radiation with ultraviolet radiation
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for printing a metal printable material (02) by means of a printing machine (01), wherein: a printing ink and/or a lacquer is/are each applied to a surface of the metal printable material (02) in the printing machine (01); the surface of the metal printable material (02) is pretreated in a plasma pretreatment device (13) in the printing machine (01) before being printed with the printing ink or with the lacquer; the printing ink and/or the lacquer is/are each applied directly to a surface of the metal printable material (02), which surface is passivated with chromium, or chrome-plated; and the chromiferous surface of the metal printable material (02) is irradiated with an ionised process gas in the plasma pretreatment device (13) under atmospheric pressure. Also described is a printing machine for carrying out the aforementioned method.