UV Curable Ink Adhesion with Extended Pass Time and UV Curing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for applying UV curable ink on image receiving media face challenges with ink adhesion, particularly with certain materials like PVC-free media, where the ink may not cure completely in a single step.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a digital inkjet printer that adjusts print settings to enhance adhesion by lowering carriage speed, extending pass time, and increasing UV radiation dose, allowing for ink to interact longer with the medium before curing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If UV curable ink is applied onto the receiving medium and cured in one step, then the printing process is efficient, but the ink may not completely cure particularly when the ink layer is relatively thick
Solution Approach 1:
The curing process is divided into two separate steps: a first curing step that partially cures the ink layer, and a second curing step that completes the curing process. This segmentation allows the UV radiation to effectively penetrate and cure the ink layer without compromising completeness, even for relatively thick applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The first curing step performs a preliminary curing action on the ink layer before the second curing step. This preliminary action prepares the ink by partially curing it, which facilitates complete curing in the subsequent step while maintaining printing efficiency.
2Adaptability or versatility
If UV curable ink is applied onto certain image receiving media like PVC-free media, then the printing process is compatible with eco-friendly materials, but the adhesion of the ink to the recording medium is not enough
Solution Approach 1:
The first curing step performs a preliminary curing action that enhances ink adhesion to the image receiving medium before the second curing step. This preliminary treatment creates a stronger bond between the ink and media, particularly for challenging substrates like PVC-free materials, ensuring sufficient adhesion while maintaining compatibility with eco-friendly materials.
3Strength
If the carriage speed is lowered to extend interaction time between ink and medium, then ink adhesion improves, but the printing productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The curing process is segmented into two steps, with the first step occurring at reduced carriage speed to maximize ink-medium interaction time and enhance adhesion. The second step then completes curing at potentially higher speed, thus maintaining overall productivity while achieving the adhesion benefits of slow processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The first curing step serves as a preliminary action performed at lower carriage speed to establish strong ink adhesion. This preliminary slow-speed processing ensures adequate interaction time, while the subsequent second curing step restores productivity by completing the process efficiently.
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
Improves ink adhesion by increasing interaction time and UV dose, ensuring complete curing and preventing banding artifacts.
Implementation Method 1
After the ink has been applied onto the receiving medium, the ink is hardened by irradiating the ink with a suitable source of radiation, preferably UV radiation
Data Source
AI summary
In a method of controlling a digital inkjet printer, the digital printer is arranged to operate in a selected first print mode which includes a first speed in a main scanning direction. A digital image and a print setting that the digital image is planned to be printed in an enhanced adhesion print mode are received. A time period needed for a pass in the main scanning direction is extended by lowering a speed from the first speed to a second speed, and by enlarging the pass width up to a maximum medium width and/or by temporarily stopping the printer at an end of the pass. Marking material is ejected during the pass on the image receiving medium by a print head at the second speed within the extended time period, and is cured by a UV curing device at the second speed within the extended time period.