Radiation Curable Ink for Low Temperature Jetting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing curable phase change inks used in ink jet printing require high temperatures for jetting, which limits the robustness and lower temperature operation of printed images, and there is a need for improved image formation methods that reduce showthrough and enhance image quality.
Innovation Solution
A radiation curable ink comprising a liquid curable monomer, a curable wax, and a colorant, with a photoinitiator that initiates polymerization upon exposure to radiation, allowing for lower temperature jetting and improved image formation by controlling viscosity and curing process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If high temperature jetting is used for curable phase change inks, then the ink viscosity is reduced for proper jetting, but the operational temperature must be increased which limits image robustness and increases energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the ink by incorporating radiation-curable components (acrylates, epoxides, vinyl compounds) alongside the phase change wax. This compositional parameter change allows the ink to cure at lower temperatures through radiation-induced polymerization, eliminating the need for high temperature maintenance and reducing energy consumption while improving image robustness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the thermal curing mechanism (heat-based) with a radiation-based curing mechanism. Instead of relying solely on high temperature to maintain ink in liquid state and then cooling for solidification, the invention uses radiation (UV or electron beam) to initiate polymerization of curable components, substituting thermal energy with electromagnetic energy for the curing process, thereby reducing operational temperature and energy consumption.
2Temperature
If high temperature jetting is used for curable phase change inks, then the ink remains liquid for ejection, but the image robustness and stability are reduced due to higher operational temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces thermal curing with radiation-induced polymerization. The curable components (acrylates, epoxides, vinyl compounds) undergo rapid polymerization upon radiation exposure, forming crosslinked networks that provide superior image robustness and stability at lower operating temperatures, eliminating the trade-off between temperature and image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite ink formulation combining phase change waxes with radiation-curable monomers and oligomers. This composite material system leverages both the phase change properties for jetting control and the polymerization properties for image stabilization, achieving robust images at lower temperatures through synergistic material combination.
3Manufacturing precision
If conventional curable inks are used, then image formation requires high temperature operation, but this increases showthrough and reduces image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the curing mechanism parameter from thermal to radiation-based. The radiation-curable components polymerize rapidly upon exposure to UV or electron beam radiation, forming stable images at lower temperatures that reduce showthrough and improve image quality, directly addressing the harmful effects of high temperature operation.
4Temperature
If radiation curable components are added to the ink, then polymerization can occur at lower temperatures, but the ink formulation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs radiation-curable components that serve multiple functions: they act as both the liquid vehicle for ink jetting and the curable matrix for image formation. The acrylates, epoxides, and vinyl compounds provide both flow properties during jetting and crosslinked structure after curing, reducing the need for separate additives and simplifying the overall formulation despite the advanced chemistry.
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 radiation curable ink enables robust image formation with reduced showthrough and enhanced quality by polymerizing the curable components at lower temperatures, improving the operational efficiency and image stability in ink jet printing systems.
Implementation Method 1
an initiator, preferably a photoinitiator, that initiates polymerization of curable components of the ink upon exposure to radiation
Implementation Method 2
radiation curable phase change inks that can be used in ink jet printing
Data Source
AI summary
Curable monomer that is liquid at 25° C., curable wax and colorant together from a radiation curable ink. This ink may be used to form images by providing the radiation curable ink at a first temperature; applying the radiation curable ink to the substrate to form an image, the substrate being at a second temperature, which is below the first temperature; and exposing the radiation curable ink to radiation to cure the ink.