UV Ink Curing Confirmation via VOC Sensor Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
UV curable inks used in 3D object printers may not be completely cured, leading to the emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and potential removal of the ink from printed objects, which is detrimental to the environment and image quality.
Innovation Solution
A print system and method that includes a two-dimensional array of printheads, a curing light source, and a curing confirmation system to ensure complete curing of UV inks, utilizing a controller to move objects through the printheads, curing light, and VOC detection system to verify the completeness of curing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If UV curing is performed without confirmation system, then printing productivity is maintained, but complete curing cannot be ensured leading to VOC emissions and ink removal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where a VOC sensor detects volatile organic compounds emitted from incompletely cured UV ink and provides real-time information to the controller. The controller adjusts the curing light source operation based on this feedback, increasing curing intensity or duration when VOCs are detected, thereby ensuring complete curing while maintaining system simplicity through intelligent control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical verification methods with a chemical detection approach using VOC sensors. Instead of using elaborate mechanical systems to verify curing completeness, the system uses electronic sensing of VOC emissions to indirectly measure curing status, simplifying the overall device complexity while improving reliability.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If additional curing is performed to ensure complete ink curing, then VOC emissions are reduced, but printing productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The VOC sensor provides real-time feedback on curing completeness, allowing the system to apply curing only when necessary. The controller monitors VOC levels and adjusts curing light operation dynamically, avoiding unnecessary extended curing cycles for properly cured areas while ensuring additional curing when VOCs indicate incomplete curing, thus balancing environmental protection with productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies partial curing initially to maintain productivity, then uses VOC feedback to determine whether excessive (additional) curing is needed. This approach avoids blanket over-curing of all prints while ensuring that specific areas requiring additional curing receive it, optimizing the balance between reducing VOC emissions and maintaining printing productivity.
3Manufacturing precision
If UV ink is applied to article, then marking function is achieved, but incomplete curing causes ink removal and environmental harm
Solution Approach 1:
The VOC sensor detects emissions from incompletely cured ink that would otherwise be removed or cause environmental harm. The controller uses this feedback to adjust curing parameters, ensuring that ink is fully cured and properly adhered to the article, preventing both ink removal and environmental contamination while maintaining manufacturing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system converts the harmful VOC emissions into a useful diagnostic signal. Instead of treating VOCs merely as pollutants to be eliminated, the system uses their presence as feedback information to guide the curing process, ensuring complete curing that simultaneously prevents ink removal and environmental harm while maintaining precise ink adhesion.
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 system effectively confirms complete curing of UV inks, reducing VOC emissions and preventing ink removal, thereby enhancing environmental safety and print quality.
Implementation Method 1
a UV light source is used to cure the ink. The UV light source may be used to initiate a photochemical reaction that generates a crosslinked network of polymers
Implementation Method 2
a curing confirmation system coupled to the curing light source... to operate the curing confirmation system to confirm that the curing of the marking material is complete
Data Source
AI summary
A print system and a method for confirming complete curing of a marking material are disclosed. For example, the print system includes a plurality of printheads arranged in a two-dimensional array, a curing light source, a curing confirmation system, a movable member to hold an object and a controller to control movement of the movable member to move the object past the array of printheads, to operate the plurality of printheads to eject the marking material onto the object as the object passes the two-dimensional array of printheads, to operate the curing light source to cure the marking material and to operate the curing confirmation system to confirm that the curing of the marking material is complete.