Transparent Pattern Print Steel Plate UV Curing

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for manufacturing steel plates with patterns are complex and costly, and they often result in low hardness and poor processability due to the use of acid etching or solutions with matting agents, which can lead to increased operating costs and reduced resolution.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the formation of a printed paint film layer on steel plates using transparent ink, cured with ultraviolet light, and dried at room temperature to achieve a high-gloss and high-hardness finish, with optional plasma preprocessing to enhance adhesion, using inkjet or laser printing at rates between 1 kHz to 20 kHz.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If acid etching is used to create patterns on steel plates, then pattern designs can be applied, but the process becomes complicated and operating costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepattern application processVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the acid etching step from the manufacturing process. Instead of using acid etching to create patterns, the patent applies transparent ink directly to the steel plate surface, which is then cured to form the desired pattern. This removes the complex multi-step process of acid etching, washing, and polymer removal, simplifying the overall manufacturing process while maintaining pattern application capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the chemical acid etching system with a physical curing system. Instead of using acid to dissolve and create patterns, the patent uses ultraviolet light curing to harden transparent ink on the steel plate surface. This substitution eliminates the need for acid handling, neutralization, and extensive washing steps, significantly simplifying the manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of manufacture

If silica particles are added to solution to create etching effect, then gloss is lowered, but hardness of paint film increases and processability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveetching effect achievementVSAvoidprocessability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and removes silica particles and other matting agents from the ink formulation. Instead of relying on these particles to create the etching effect and reduce gloss, the patent uses pure transparent ink that is cured to achieve the desired appearance. This eliminates the problems of increased hardness and poor processability associated with silica particle addition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the fundamental parameter of how the etching effect is achieved - from particle-based matting to light-based curing. By using ultraviolet light to cure transparent ink, the patent achieves the desired gloss reduction and pattern effect without introducing particles that would harm paint film hardness and processability. The curing process allows precise control over the etching effect through parameter adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If excessive silica is added to solution, then etching feeling is enhanced, but resolution is lowered

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveetching effectVSAvoidpattern resolution
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the particle-based matting system with a light-based curing system. By using ultraviolet light to cure transparent ink, the patent achieves high-resolution patterns without the resolution-degrading effects of excessive silica particles. The optical curing mechanism allows for precise pattern definition while maintaining the desired etching feeling through controlled gloss reduction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 method simplifies the etching pattern process, reduces operating costs, and achieves a transparent pattern printed steel plate with high hardness and excellent processability, while maintaining a high linear and glossy effect.

Implementation Method 1

curing the printed paint film layer with ultraviolet light to form a cured printed paint film layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotopolymerisation: Photopolymerisation

Implementation Method 2

performing preprocessing on a surface of the steel plate with plasma, before the forming of the printed paint film layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPlasma: Plasma

Data Source

PatentEP3238835B1Method for manufacturing transparent pattern print steel plate
Publication Date: 2020.11.04 POHANG IRON & STEEL CO LTD
  • EP3238835B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

Provided is a method for manufacturing a transparent pattern print steel plate, comprising: a print paint layer formation step of forming a print paint film layer by spraying transparent ink on at least one surface of a steel plate; and a curing step of curing the print paint film layer with ultraviolet light to form a cured print paint film layer. Provided is a method for manufacturing a transparent pattern print steel plate comprising: a step of preparing a steel plate having a color paint film layer formed on at least one surface thereof; a print paint film layer formation step of forming a print paint film layer by spraying transparent ink on the color print paint film layer; and a curing step of curing the print paint film layer to form a cured print paint film layer. Due to these features, the present invention has the effects of reducing process operation costs by simplifying existing etching pattern processes, and of providing a transparent pattern print steel plate having a high hardness paint layer and excellent workability.