Substrate Relief Coating Using Sublimation for Sharp, Durable Texture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing digital inkjet printing methods for producing reliefs on substrates face challenges in achieving adequate abrasion resistance and definition due to complex interactions between relief product droplets and coatings, particularly in creating positive and negative surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the application of a coating and a sublimatable relief product on a substrate, where the relief product is sublimated to create gaps in the coating, allowing for controlled relief production with high definition and flexibility, using sublimation ink and digital inkjet printing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If droplets of relief product are printed on a coating to generate positive surfaces, then reliefs are obtained with flexibility and precision, but the relief has limited resistance to abrasion
Solution Approach 1:
The relief product is applied in liquid form and then undergoes phase transition to solid state through sublimation (solid→gas→solid deposition), creating a relief structure that is integrated with the coating and provides both precision and abrasion resistance
Solution Approach 2:
The relief product forms a composite structure with the coating material, where the sublimated relief product creates a integrated composite layer that combines the precision of digital printing with the durability of a unified material structure
2Manufacturing precision
If droplets of relief product are injected into liquid coating to generate negative surfaces, then reliefs are obtained with flexibility and precision, but the process control is difficult due to complex physical and chemical mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The relief product is removed from the coating through sublimation (phase transition from solid to gas), leaving behind a negative relief structure. This extraction method avoids complex interactions during mixing while maintaining precise control over the relief pattern
Solution Approach 2:
The relief product undergoes sublimation (solid→gas phase transition) to be removed from the coating, creating negative reliefs with high definition while simplifying process control compared to mixing-based methods
3Productivity
If relief product is applied by digital inkjet printing, then reliefs are produced with flexibility and speed, but the interaction variables between droplets and coating make process control challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The relief product is applied as liquid droplets and then undergoes sublimation to solid state, creating reliefs with high definition. The phase transition mechanism simplifies process control compared to mixing-based methods while maintaining the speed and flexibility of digital inkjet printing
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical mixing and interaction between relief product and coating is replaced by a phase transition process (sublimation), which provides more predictable and controllable results while maintaining the productivity benefits of digital printing
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 method enables the production of reliefs with improved abrasion resistance and definition, utilizing sublimation to generate porous volumes in the coating, which can be easily removed, and allows for synchronized production with image application.
Implementation Method 1
the sublimation of the relief product. In general, any product capable of sublimation can be used as a relief product
Implementation Method 2
The solidification of the relief product and/or the coating according to the invention can be carried out, for example, by means of curing or drying
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for producing a relief on a substrate (1), the method having the application on the substrate (1) of a coating and a relief product that come into contact with each other and the sublimation of the relief product (3).