Inkjet Printing Method and Apparatus for Carrying Out the Method

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This patent describes an improved inkjet printing method and device where the ink droplets, after being ejected from the printhead nozzle, are passed through a zone of locally increased temperature created by a heating element or a light source. This causes a controlled and significant reduction in the droplet volume during their flight to the substrate, enabling much higher printing resolution. The invention also covers a modular assembly for easily integrating this temperature zone into standard inkjet printers.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• High-resolution industrial inkjet printing for electronics manufacturing (e.g. printing fine conductive tracks for PCBs or flexible electronics).
• Precision printing in the production of high-definition images, graphics, or labels on various substrates, including packaging and textiles.
• 3D printing or additive manufacturing applications requiring precise deposition of small droplets for sharper features and edges.
• Printing functional materials such as conductive inks, polymers, or nanomaterials in research, sensor manufacturing, or biomedical devices.
• Retrofitting existing inkjet printers to boost their resolution and printing quality without major redesigns.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Enables up to 99% reduction in droplet volume, dramatically increasing achievable printing resolution.
• Facilitates denser deposition of ink droplets, resulting in finer, sharper printed features and patterns.
• Compatible as a retrofit solution for existing printers, minimizing equipment upgrade costs.
• Prevents heat damage and clogging of printheads by isolating the heated zone from the printhead, maintaining printer reliability.
• Reduces material waste by allowing lower ink consumption and minimizing unwanted spreading or coffee-ring effects on substrates.
• Supports versatile adaptation for various ink chemistries and printer models through customizable heating methods (light/thermal).

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Patent Abstract

The invention relates to an inkjet printing method, wherein a printhead of an inkjet printer is directed in the direction of a substrate to be printed, and wherein ink drops are generated in the printhead of the inkjet printer, which ink drops, after being discharged from the nozzle of the printhead, are directed into a zone with locally increased temperature, such that the volume of the drops is actively reduced during the flight phase to the substrate. The invention also relates to an assembly for carrying out the method.