Plasma Processing Unit for Ink Layer Surface Roughness Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods struggle to adjust surface roughness on ink layers formed on recording media, leading to issues with wettability, ink dispersion, and image quality due to limitations in controlling plasma energy distribution.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus and system that includes a plasma processing unit, a recording unit, and a control unit to precisely adjust surface roughness by applying controlled amounts of plasma energy to specific areas, enhancing wettability and ink aggregation, thereby improving image quality and reducing ink usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If plasma processing is applied to the processing object surface, then wettability is improved, but surface roughness control on ink layer becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The plasma processing unit is divided into multiple independent plasma generators that can be controlled separately. Each plasma generator corresponds to a specific region on the processing object, allowing independent control of plasma energy application to different areas, thereby enabling precise surface roughness control while maintaining improved wettability.
Solution Approach 2:
Different amounts of plasma energy are applied to different regions of the processing object based on the desired surface roughness for each region. The plasma control unit adjusts the plasma energy amount for each plasma generator individually, creating local variations in surface properties that match the specific requirements of different image areas (e.g., highlights vs. shadows).
2Productivity
If uniform plasma energy is applied to the entire processing area, then processing efficiency is improved, but surface roughness adjustment on specific areas becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The plasma processing system transitions from a static, uniform plasma application to a dynamic, adjustable plasma energy distribution. The plasma control unit dynamically adjusts the plasma energy amount for each plasma generator based on real-time requirements, enabling both efficient bulk processing and precise local surface roughness control.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of applying uniform plasma energy across the entire processing area, the system applies plasma energy selectively to specific regions that require surface roughness adjustment. The plasma control unit determines which areas need treatment and applies appropriate plasma energy amounts, avoiding unnecessary processing in areas that already have suitable surface properties.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If plasma processing is performed before ink ejection, then wettability is enhanced, but ink dispersion and image quality become difficult to control
Solution Approach 1:
The plasma processing is performed as a preliminary step before ink ejection to enhance the wettability of the processing object surface. This preliminary plasma treatment prepares the surface for better ink adhesion and dispersion, while the subsequent ability to control surface roughness in different areas ensures that ink dispersion remains precise and image quality is maintained.
Solution Approach 2:
The plasma processing parameters (energy amount, processing time) are adjusted based on the specific requirements of different processing areas. By changing these parameters, the system optimizes both wettability enhancement and ink dispersion control, preventing excessive ink spreading while ensuring adequate adhesion.
4Ease of operation
If conventional plasma processing is used, then processing simplicity is maintained, but ink aggregation and image sharpness are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The plasma processing unit is designed to perform multiple functions: it can apply uniform plasma energy for general wettability enhancement and also provide localized plasma energy adjustment for precise surface roughness control. This multi-functionality allows the system to maintain operational simplicity while achieving superior image sharpness and ink aggregation control.
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 effectively controls surface roughness, preventing beading and bleed, enhancing image sharpness, color gamut, and reducing ink consumption while improving the uniformity and drying speed of ink droplets.
Implementation Method 1
a plasma processing unit that performs plasma processing on a processing target surface side of a processing object
Implementation Method 2
a recording unit that ejects ink on the processing target surface side of the processing object
Data Source
AI summary
A printing apparatus includes: a plasma processing unit that performs plasma processing on a processing target surface side of a processing object; a recording unit that ejects ink on the processing target surface side of the processing object; an acquiring unit that acquires setting information, in which an adjustment target area for adjusting surface roughness and surface roughness of the adjustment target area on a surface of an ink layer formed with the ink are set; and a plasma control unit that controls the plasma processing unit to perform plasma processing on a processing area corresponding to the adjustment target area, on the processing target surface side of the processing object, with an amount of plasma energy for obtaining the set surface roughness on the surface of the ink layer formed on the processing area.