Improved fine layer patterning using soft blanket gravure printing technology

Abstract

We have developed a 'soft blanket gravure' (SBG) printing technology that can form patterns onto curved or three-dimensional solid surfaces using functional ink. In SBG printing, a soft and thick blanket (called a 'soft blanket') is employed in the similar process to conventional gravure offset printing processes. We found and reported that SBG printing could completely receive silver ink from printing plates and transfer it to target substrates more effectively than conventional gravure offset printing under various conditions. In this paper, we measured the swelling ratio of the soft blanket using two different organic solvents and performed SBG printing using printing plates with groove depths of 10-100 μm and two silver inks that contained the two different solvents. SBG printing formed patterns more than 11 μm thick and the same widths as the grooves on the printing plate (50 μm) using the optimal ink solvent. We also observed that the soft blanket could receive silver ink from the grooves without cobwebbing, in contrast to a conventional blanket. These results indicate that the SBG printing technology significantly improves the printing process because the soft blanket can absorb more solvent from silver ink.

Soft blanket gravure printing technology for finely patterned conductive layers on three-dimensional or curved surfaces

“…We designed and built a SBG printing system based on a conventional gravure offset printing technology. 29) In this initial prototype system and for this study, we used a plate-toplate printing configuration. In this system, the printing pressure was controlled by the compression depth of the soft blanket [Fig.…”

Printed Organic Transistor-based Biosensors for Non-invasive Sweat Analysis

“…Printing technology has emerged as a low-cost, environmental-friendly mass-manufacturing technology for the fabrication of next-generation printed flexible electronics devices. There are a number of printing methods that can be applied to biosensor fabrication, such as inkjet printing, [118][119][120][121][122][123] screen printing, 8,124 flexographic printing, 125,126 and gravure printing [127][128][129][130][131][132] (Fig. 6(a)).…”

Newly developed soft blanket reverse-offset (SBR) printing technology for forming widely patterned layers on curved surfaces

“…The SBR printer [shown in Fig. 1(e)], which was designed and constructed for our previous SBG printing studies as a prototype system with a plate-to-plate configuration, [20][21][22] was remodeled to add a coating base to which the slit coater could be fixed. The printer consists of a soft blanket roller that moves back and forth while rotating on two stages with fixed position and adjustable height.…”

“…In addition, our previous research showed that the conventional blanket was unable to change its surface into the grooves of a gravure printing plate under printing pressure. 22) This indicated that the conventional blanket could be applied to avoid contactdefects. Therefore, the soft blanket for SBR printing comprised a two-layered structure consisting of a thick and soft layer underneath a thin and hard layer (shown in Tables II).…”

“…One of these printing technologies is named "Omnidirectional Inkjet" printing, in which the inkjet printing system is attached to the tip of a robotic arm, 19) and another is named "soft blanket gravure-offset" (SBG) printing, which is based on conventional gravure offset printing and combined with a very soft and thick blanket (known as a "soft blanket") instead of the conventional offset roller. [20][21][22] These printing technologies can form finely patterned lines such as conductive wiring or interconnects in electronic applications.…”