UV-Curable Acrylate Inks for Robust Jetting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Piezoelectric ink jet devices suffer from image robustness issues and high energy consumption, while wax-based solid ink jets require high temperatures for viscosity reduction and result in fragile images and significant ink wastage during purge cycles.
Innovation Solution
Development of low viscosity, solvent-free inks curable by UV light initiated free radicals, comprising multifunctional acrylate monomers or oligomers, colorants, and photoinitiators, which maintain low viscosity at 30-50°C and cure to form tough, crosslinked images without relying on temperature differentials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If wax-based solid inks are used to achieve vivid color images, then image quality is improved, but the printhead must be kept at high temperatures (at least 135°C) and images become fragile and easily scratched
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the ink from wax-based to polymer-based formulations. This parameter change allows the ink to achieve robust, scratch-resistant images without requiring high printhead temperatures, as the polymer chemistry provides inherent adhesion and durability at lower operating temperatures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite polymer formulations combining multiple polymer types ( acrylic, vinyl, polyester) with specific additives to create an ink composition that provides both vivid color and robust image properties. This composite approach achieves image strength without relying on high-temperature wax-based materials
2Ease of operation
If wax-based solid inks are heated to high temperatures to decrease viscosity for proper jetting, then jetting performance is improved, but significant amounts of ink are wasted during purge cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the viscosity parameters of the ink through polymer formulation and temperature optimization. The ink is designed to achieve optimal jetting viscosity at lower temperatures (below 135°C), which eliminates the need for high-temperature purge cycles and significantly reduces ink wastage during purging operations
3Ease of operation
If high temperatures are used to maintain low viscosity for proper jetting, then jetting performance is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature-viscosity relationship parameters through polymer chemistry. The ink formulation allows achieving proper jetting viscosity at lower temperatures, fundamentally changing the thermal energy requirements and reducing the energy consumption of the printhead heating system
4Strength
If crystalline waxes are used in ink formulation, then vivid color images are achieved, but the images become brittle and do not provide robust images
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces brittle crystalline wax with a composite polymer system comprising acrylic, vinyl, and polyester polymers. This composite material provides both composition stability at room temperature and image durability, eliminating the brittleness issue inherent in wax-based formulations while maintaining vivid color properties
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 inks provide robust, energy-efficient printing with reduced ink consumption and no need for high temperatures, resulting in improved image quality and lower operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
inks for use in ink jet printing that are curable by UV light initiated free radicals
Implementation Method 2
curable by free radical initiation upon exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light
Data Source
AI summary
An ink for an ink jet printer includes an ink vehicle of at least one radically curable, multifunctional acrylate monomer or oligomer, at least one colorant, and at least one photoinitiator. The ink has a low viscosity at low jetting temperatures of 30 to 50° C. and is curable upon exposure to ultraviolet radiation.