Transparent Substrate Printing with Dual-Sided Ink Curing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ink printing systems face challenges in curing radiation curable inks, particularly when multiple layers are applied or when inks reflect or absorb significant portions of UV light, leading to incomplete curing on transparent substrates.
Innovation Solution
A dual-curing system is employed, where radiation curable ink is cured from both sides of the substrate using a first curing device on the surface and a second curing device through the substrate, allowing for thorough curing even with reflective or absorbing inks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single curing device is used to cure radiation curable ink on the printing side of the substrate, then the curing process is simple and fast, but complete curing cannot be achieved when multiple layers of ink are applied or when inks reflect or absorb significant portions of UV light
Solution Approach 1:
The curing system is segmented into two independent curing devices: a first curing device positioned on the printing side to cure the ink layer, and a second curing device positioned on the opposite side to cure through the substrate. This segmentation allows each device to address specific curing challenges, with the first device handling surface-level curing and the second device ensuring complete curing through transparent or translucent substrates, thereby resolving the contradiction between curing completeness and system simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The curing process is extended from a single-sided one-dimensional approach to a dual-sided three-dimensional approach. By introducing a second curing device on the opposite side of the substrate, the system achieves complete curing of multiple ink layers and reflective/absorbing inks that would otherwise remain uncured, while maintaining operational simplicity through parallel curing operations.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple layers of ink are applied on the substrate, then printing quality and color depth are improved, but curing becomes insufficient for layers deep within the substrate or those containing reflective/absorbing inks
Solution Approach 1:
The curing function is segmented into two independent operations: first curing the ink layers from the printing side, then curing through the substrate from the opposite side. This segmentation ensures that all ink layers, including those containing reflective or absorbing inks, receive adequate curing exposure, thereby maintaining both printing quality and curing completeness.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of relying solely on the first curing device to cure all ink layers from the printing side, the system inverts the approach by introducing a second curing device on the opposite side that cures through the substrate. This inversion ensures that ink layers deep within the substrate or containing reflective/absorbing inks receive sufficient curing exposure, resolving the contradiction between printing quality and curing completeness.
3Illumination intensity
If reflective or absorbing inks are used, then visual effect and aesthetic quality are improved, but UV light is reflected or absorbed, preventing complete curing
Solution Approach 1:
The curing process is segmented into two stages: first curing the ink from the printing side, then curing through the substrate from the opposite side. This segmentation ensures that reflective or absorbing inks receive adequate curing exposure from both sides, maintaining both visual effect and curing completeness.
Solution Approach 2:
The curing approach is expanded from a single-sided surface treatment to a dual-sided volumetric curing process. By positioning a second curing device on the opposite side of the substrate, the system ensures that reflective or absorbing inks receive sufficient UV light exposure from both directions, thereby achieving complete curing while preserving the desired visual effects.
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 ensures complete curing of multiple layers on transparent substrates, reducing misalignment issues and enhancing curing efficiency, especially with reflective or absorbing inks like white or black.
Implementation Method 1
a first curing device (10) configured for emitting radiation, preferably light radiation, onto the first side (S1) of the substrate (S) to cure at least a portion of the radiation curable printing composition
Implementation Method 2
a second curing device (20) configured for emitting radiation, preferably light radiation, through the second side (S2) of the substrate (S) to cure at least a portion of the radiation curable printing composition applied on the first side
Data Source
AI summary
A printing system for printing on a substrate having a first side and a second side. The system includes an image application device for applying a radiation curable printing composition, preferably a light curable printing composition, typically a light curable ink, onto the first side of the substrate, a first curing device for emitting radiation, preferably light radiation, onto the first side of the substrate to cure at least a portion of the radiation curable printing composition, where the first curing device is located downstream of the image application device, a second curing device for emitting radiation, preferably light radiation, through the second side of the substrate to cure at least a portion of the radiation curable printing composition applied on the first side, where the second curing device is located downstream of the image application device.