Investigation on synchronization of the offset printing process for fine patterning and precision overlay

Offset printing processes are promising candidates for producing printed electronics due to their capacity for fine patterning and suitability for mass production. To print high-resolution patterns with good overlay using offset printing, the velocities of two contact surfaces, which ink is transferred between, should be synchronized perfectly. However, an exact velocity of the contact surfaces is unknown due to several imperfections, including tolerances, blanket swelling, and velocity ripple, which prevents the system from being operated in the synchronized condition. In this paper, a novel method of measurement based on the sticking model of friction force was proposed to determine the best synchronized condition, i.e., the condition in which the rate of synchronization error is minimized. It was verified by experiment that the friction force can accurately represent the rate of synchronization error. Based on the measurement results of the synchronization error, the allowable margin of synchronization...

[1]  Frederik C. Krebs,et al.  All solution roll-to-roll processed polymer solar cells free from indium-tin-oxide and vacuum coating steps , 2009 .

[2]  Junfei Tian,et al.  Adhesion and anti-adhesion of viscous fluids on solid surfaces--a study of ink transfer mechanism in waterless offset printing. , 2008, Journal of colloid and interface science.

[3]  V. R. Raju,et al.  Paper-like electronic displays: Large-area rubber-stamped plastic sheets of electronics and microencapsulated electrophoretic inks , 2001, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America.

[4]  Hirofumi Nakajima,et al.  30.2: Flexible OLEDs Poster with Gravure Printing Method , 2005 .

[5]  Inyoung Kim,et al.  Roll offset printing process based on interface separation for fine and smooth patterning , 2013 .

[6]  Jeongdai Jo,et al.  Design and fabrication of printed transparent electrode with silver mesh , 2012 .

[7]  J. Lima,et al.  A large area force sensor for smart skin applications , 2002, Proceedings of IEEE Sensors.

[8]  M. Hilder,et al.  Paper-based, printed zinc–air battery , 2009 .

[9]  Sang Ho Park,et al.  A study on the enhancement of printing location accuracy in a roll-to-roll gravure offset printing system , 2013 .

[10]  Jun Woo Kim,et al.  Transparent conductive film with printable embedded patterns for organic solar cells , 2013 .

[11]  Jaeyoung Kim,et al.  All-Printed and Roll-to-Roll-Printable 13.56-MHz-Operated 1-bit RF Tag on Plastic Foils , 2010, IEEE Transactions on Electron Devices.

[12]  Inyoung Kim,et al.  Reliability of gravure offset printing under various printing conditions , 2010 .

[13]  In‐Byeong Kang,et al.  43.4: Enhancement of Roll Printing Accuracy for TFT‐LCD , 2008 .

[14]  Hendrik Van Brussel,et al.  Friction characterization and compensation in electro-mechanical systems , 2007 .