-Technology an Enabler for Instantaneous Post Printing Processes

Dr. Kai K. O. Bäradphos Digital Printing GmbH, Bruckmühl/Germany

NIR is a trademark of adphos.adphos owns more than 200 patents- or patent applications on the NIR-technology

INPRINT November 14th – 16th, 2017 – Munich/Germany

Introduction

Printing and coating processes require Pre-/Post-printing /coating processing: Water/solvent removal Melting of powders Curing/sintering for thermal polymerization (liquid and

powder based formulations)

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So drying becomes the (most) critical step especially for higher production speed

Todays Conventional Drying/Heating´s Technologies

Thermal convection

Thermal conduction

Thermal (mid/short wave) IR-radiation

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Conventional Drying Systems

Hot air Big, but robust

Hot drum Due to speed mostly too large

UV Only applied on temperature sensitive, non FDA applications

Infra red Only for non temperature sensitive substrates applications

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- What makes the Difference (1)

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UV aNIR

midwave IRVery low (minimum) energy (heat) absorption of paper and plastic substrates in the NIR-wavelength range!

- What makes the Difference (2)

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UV aNIRmidwave IR

Absorption measurement of ink

High energy absorption of the printed pattern also in the NIR-wavelength range!

- What makes the Difference (3)

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Liquid water shows “continued” energy absorption and not only in midwave IR range, as water vapor does!

- What makes the Difference (4)(Midwave)-IR Drying

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- What makes the Difference (5)adphosNIR®-Drying

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- What makes the Difference (6)

is based on Special wavelength spectrum (peak at 820 nm, ≥ 3,000 K)

High(est) energy density (up to 1.5 MW/m”)

Focusing reflector geometry (high temperature homogeneity, adjustable drying zones)

Intrinsic warm air high velocity impingement air

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- What makes the Difference (7)

Instantaneous drying of printed pattern Setting the ink before eventual penetration and low thermal

stress on the substrate Better print quality Less ink Less dry-out (waviness) Less dryer power consumption

Fine/accurate width and dynamic adjustable drying power Instantaneous start/stop No start-up/standby operation

Extreme compact

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Application Examples (1)High Speed IJ Printing on Corrugated Boards

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Application Examples (2)High Performance Color IJ Printing on Plastic Films

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Application Examples (3)High Speed Flexo Printing on Plastic Films

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integrated flexoprinting press:

Adaptable of very temperature sensitive substrates

Extreme compact (< 1 m, 250 m/min)

Very competitive energy costs (even at high electrical energy costs)

Application Examples (4)Direct Print to Shape of PE-Pattern

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Application Examples (5)Direct Printing on PET-Bottles

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Application Examples (6)3D - Manufacturing

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Benefits: Low thermal heating of unprinted PA-particles High T-process possible (T: 50 K) No speed limit due to melting process

(acceleration more than factor 10 possible)

Conclusions (1)

direct interaction with water/OH molecules of the coating and low substrate heating

Conventional IR cannot compete, due to wavelength emission ( heat on substrate) energy density ( size, process, drying mechanisms) energy costs ( conventional drying process, system efficiency)

applicable as booster (often doubling speed) and as full dryer configuration in fraction of size for dynamic operation (smaller batches) adapted operation (less preparation/downtime, less waste)

New products (e.g. PE) combination with IJ (e.g. food packaging, tobacco)

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Conclusions (2)

only since 20 years, but > 1,000 printing productions (mostly IJ) and another > 1,000 productions in coil coating, steel processing, wood, glass food, semiconductor, automotive, ….

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Conclusions (3)

Not one fits all, but for many, if not most applications, process performance improvementquality enhanced andcost savings solutions possible!

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Thank you!

Drying at the speed of light!