Analysis Of Gravure Offset Printing Process--Research On The Ink Transfer Model Of Gravure Offset Printing

With the continuous improvement of requirements in performance,throughput, power consumption and low-cost for electronic productions, gravure offset printing has been gradually emerging into the fabrication of the microelectronic and optoelectronic devices. Gravure offset printing, one of the most important thick-film printing methods, has been attracting wide attention because of its advantages of high resolution, high speed, enough pattern thickness and low square resistance in less complicated manufacturing process.In the process of gravure offset printing, ink is first doctored with a doctoring blade in to the grooves of a metal gravure plate. Then, a silicone polymer blanket roller picks up ink from the grooves and transfers it to the substrate. Therefore, from the printing technologic viewpoint, ink transferring accurately and effectively from the gravure to the substrate is a critical issue for ultra-fine-line electronics applications.In this thesis, both the ink transfer process and the factors affecting printing results for gravure offset printing are analyzed. In order to obtain the affection mechanism of the blanket effect, the roller radius effect, ink properties and printing parameters, and to control and exam the printing results well, solvent absorption mechanism and the adhesion force ratio (the force kept the ink in the grooves and the adhesion force between the ink and the blanket) in the ink transfer process are analyzed; printed line cross section area, was the best response for comparison.PLIC-VOF method is employed to simulate the ink transfer process that occurs during gravure offset printing, and two preliminary numerical models of the ink transfer process are tentatively presented, the stretching, breaking and recoil of the ink are illustrated. The influences of the separation velocity, ink viscosity, surface tension, gravity force and contact angles on the ink transfer are estimated. Finally, experimental plan and procedures are proposed intending to verify the feasibility of replacing the direct printed sample properties measurement by the analytical numerical models.