2024 Programme
IPI 2024 will feature 55+ technical presentations about the latest print technology for industrial applications. Major topic blocks include customised print systems, printhead design, ink and ink formulations, UV-LED curing and IR drying, big data management, AI, automation and sustainability.
Below are the confirmed titles. We will update this page on regular basis with more titles, abstracts and speaker details.
On the 18th of November at 18:00-19:30 we invite all IPI visitors to a teaser session of the renowned inkjet technology courses. The iPrint Institute will introduce their foundation course and advanced masterclass organised at the Inkjet Training Center in Fribourg, Switzerland. Tutors from ESMA Academy: Inkjet Applications will give an overview of the upcoming training for the plastic market segment, held at the European Center for Dispersions in Selb, Germany. Use this opportunity to learn about objectives and benefits of an unbiased inkjet know-how transfer. Indicate your attendance when registering for the conference.
09:00 | Conference introduction | ||
09:25 | KEYNOTE: CHALLENGES OF INKJET PRINTING FOR AIRCRAFT DECORATION Inkjet printing is a compelling technology to replace traditional analogue processes like silkscreen or similar techniques. A lot of industries are considering to replace also spray painting by overspray-free or maskless application technologies where inkjet is a really good candidate. In a world where the sustainability of an industry has a rising importance, inkjet offers a lot of advantages by reducing the need for masking and overall material usage in spray painting and therefore waste. Aircraft decoration is not a typical application field of inkjet and a lot of challenges need to be solved to apply such technology in the aerospace industry. This presentation will give an overview of the solution currently used and explain some of the challenges that we are facing to implement inkjet printing for aircraft decoration. | ||
09:50 | THE STRENGTHS OF UV INKJET PRINTING FOR INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS BY THE INK CHEMISTRY UV inkjet printing is already happening for about two decades for various industrial applications. During this time, there has been an enormous technical drive in respect to all components of the inkjet printing. From the ink perspective, the evolution of the curing method, the increased print speeds, special shapes, and many more have resulted in a high complexity of the UV ink formulations meeting the high-end demands of industrial applications. During this presentation we will discuss the link between the ink formulation and the ink performance. Example applications will be discussed to show the practical usage. | ||
10:15 | EMBRACE THE FUTURE OF INKJET INKS Environmental concerns and shorter job runs in several applications like film and paper-based flexible packaging, textile or printed electronics drive the need for water-based inkjet inks. The water-based inkjet inks need to enable precise dot positioning without excess spreading. A detailed control of dot gain is essential to achieve desired results. The control of substrate wetting is of utmost importance to deliver with each dot. In this presentation, you will learn how the particles and surfactants from Evonik can provide the perfect tools to tailor the ink spreading exactly towards the needs of the final application. | ||
10:40 | Coffee break and tabletop networking | ||
11:20 | ALTERNATIVE TO TEST INKS: PRECISE AND QUANTITATIVE SURFACE ENERGY MEASUREMENTS ON THE GO In many quality control departments, technicians still use test inks to gauge if a surface coating or printing process was successful. However, test inks can only give a rough estimate that is neither quantifiable nor comparable. The new PCA 200 portable contact angle goniometer from DataPhysics Instruments is the perfect solution to this problem. It can measure contact angles and the surface energy of a solid surface precisely and quickly. Therefore, the PCA 200 offers a quantitative alternative to traditional test inks, significantly enhancing the accuracy of quality control procedures. Additionally, unlike laboratory instruments, the PCA 200 enables non-destructive measurements of large production parts, such as windshields, without the need to cut them into smaller samples. This makes the PCA 200 the ideal companion for quality control procedures. The PCA 200 sets a new standard in surface quality assessments, combining quantifiable results, mobility, and non-destructive measurements in one compact tool. | ||
11:45 | THE IMPORTANCE OF INGREDIENT QUALITY IN PRINTING INKS FOR DEMANDING APPLICATIONS Have you ever thought about the impact of leachables in your UV-cured (3D) prints? UV-curable inks often contain hazardous and reactive materials and after the printing-and-polymerisation process, all hazardous components are ideally built into the polymerised network. Control of the polymerisation process is therefore very important to keep the number of unreacted components as low as possible. However, non-polymerisable components in the inks do not get built into the polymer network and can leach out of the printed object. What is the impact of these components on the toxicological, but also on the mechanical properties of the printed object? What can we do to reduce the amounts of these components? ChemStream's complementary knowledge of inks and in-house analytical tools such as GCMS and LCMS, helps to answer some of these questions and provides you with tips and possible solutions. | ||
12:10 | INKJET: ARE WE THERE YET? When Fujifilm’s first flatbed launched in 2002, it promised a new era of commercially viable UV inkjet technology, sparking dreams of a complete digital print revolution. Yet, over two decades later, inkjet printing still hasn’t fully delivered on that promise. How is it that the iPhone, introduced five years later, has transformed communication, while inkjet printing remains on the periphery? Can inkjet technology really be more complex than seamless mobile video calls? Join us for an enlightening session as we uncover the significant yet often overlooked advancements in UV inkjet printing. Explore the exciting breakthroughs that are bringing us closer to its full potential. Perhaps soon, instead of asking “Are we there yet?" we will begin to appreciate the remarkable journey of innovation that is unfolding before us. (No audience members will be harmed by the re-use of run length return on investment charts during this presentation!) | ||
12:35 | HIGH VISCOSITY AQUEOUS INKS FOR FLEXIBLE PACKAGING PRINTING: CHALLENGES AND BENEFITS Continuous innovation in high(er) viscosity inks for inkjet printing is crucial for expanding the range of printable materials and enhancing the functionality of inkjet fluids. It appears that higher viscosity inks for inkjet promise prints with higher colour density, faster drying times, improved image quality, and more. However, the formulation and application of these higher viscosity inks come with challenges, such as fluid temperature sensitivity, printhead clogging, open time issues, and more. This presentation provides a highlight on ways to balance higher viscosity ink formulation and performance. Particular emphasis is placed on a very challenging application for aqueous ink; that of printing on non-porous flexible media, as typically used in packaging films. | ||
13:00 | Lunch break and tabletop networking | ||
14:30 | DIGITAL PRINT FOR PACKAGING: TO PRIME OR NOT TO PRIME? As digital print makes inroads into the printed packaging markets, the diversity of substrates, inks and workflows presents challenges for print and process consistency. Whether printing metal, plastic film or fibre-based packaging substrates in-line or off-line with a range of ink and printhead technologies, a primer solution can be the gateway to a successful implementation. But when is a primer needed and what benefits can a tuned digital ink and primer bring to the overall process? This talk will discuss how to approach complex packaging applications and when and why primers can bring benefits or if a primer free solution could be used. | ||
14:55 | AQUEOUS INKJET INKS WITH ULTRA-LOW VOC CONTENT FOR IN-LINE PRODUCTION OF CORRUGATED BOARD: THE WAY FOR REDUCTION OF DRYING EFFORT AND EMISSIONS In the recent years digital printing with aqueous inkjet inks was firmly integrated into industrial manufacturing processes of textile printing, packaging decoration, flooring, etc. The most successful examples of industrial applications of aqueous inkjet inks have been shown where absorbing substrates were digitally decorated, whereas printing on non-absorbing surfaces is evolving. The usage of the conventional aqueous inkjet inks with high humectant/VOC content for high-speed single-pass inkjet printing on the corrugated liner is facing challenges due to the potentially high VOC emissions for the production sites, assuming relevant for the corrugation line production speeds. On the other hand, the faster the line needs to be printing the higher drying power is required to dry the ink and, thus, eliminate the VOCs. TIGER approach for the realisation of aqueous inkjet inks with ultra-low VOC content for single-pass in-line printing on corrugated liner will be presented and discussed. | ||
15:20 | FROM ANALOGUE TO DIGITAL: INDUSTRIAL PRINTING IN TRANSITION In our new digital normal, the industrial printing market is changing under the influence of technology. These trends are putting pressure on manufacturers to bring products to market faster and meet new demands created by designers' creativity. In addition, we are trying to balance the interest of the market with the rising costs of skilled labour, raw materials and energy. To be prepared for the future, we need to understand how production technologies will help us meet tomorrow's requirements! | ||
15:45 | Coffee break and tabletop networking | ||
16:25 | TBA
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16:50 | TBA | ||
17:15 | INKJET MEETS ROBOTICS: A PERFECT MATCH FOR DIRECT-TO-SHAPE APPLICATIONS Inkjet technology is rapidly advancing to conquer the challenge of complex 3D surfaces across diverse industries. This evolution promises significant waste reduction and efficiency gains. Despite initial hurdles, successful integrations in manufacturing automation are already evident in sectors such as aerospace, automotive, fashion, packaging, and furniture. The synergy between industrial robots and inkjet technology is set to become a cornerstone of modern production. | ||
18:30-20:30 | Networking reception |
09:25 | KEYNOTE: PRINTED ELECTRONICS: UNVEILING NOVEL OPPORTUNITIES IN THE MEDICAL INDUSTRY Printed electronics, a science fiction field at the intersection of traditional printing techniques and electronic engineering, is said to revolutionise various sectors, including healthcare. From flexible biosensors for real-time health monitoring to smart drug delivery systems enabling personalised medicine, printed electronics offer unprecedented opportunities to the customer and the supply chain. Wearable devices monitoring your heath, smart patches healing wounds or test strips analysing an illness. By working together across different fields, we can harness the power of printed electronics to improve patient care and change the way we think about medicine. Join us as we dive into this exciting frontier and discover how it could shape the future of the printing industry. | ||
09:50 | INDUSTRIAL INKJET INTEGRATION MADE EASY USING OPC UA To successfully implement inkjet into an industrial setting, secure machine-to-machine communication is vital. Uniform standards based on OPC UA are essential for ensuring seamless integration and communication between diverse systems and devices, enabling streamlined operations, improved data exchange and enhanced scalability. Roger Starke, technical expert at the VDMA, Europe's largest industrial association, provides an insight into the development of platform-independent and manufacturer-independent interoperability standards for production based on OPC UA. He will explain the benefits of using OPC UA and how the VDMA is working with machine and component manufacturers to develop OPC UA Companion Specifications, support their implementation and seek to achieve global acceptance. The presentation will include an example of how OPC UA has been implemented by Global Graphics Software. | ||
10:15 | A PRACTICAL LOOK AT HOW OFTEN UV RADIOMETERS SHOULD BE CALIBRATED & SERVICED UV radiometers are subjected to intense UV and energy levels, changes in temperature and humidity along with mechanical shock and vibration during routine use. This presentation combines practical tips on radiometer use, care, and handling along with the analysis of data drawn from an instrument pool over 32,000 radiometers returned for service over the last 12 years. Data analysed includes data from both broadband (mercury) and more recently LED radiometers | ||
10:40 | Coffee break and tabletop networking | ||
11:20 | ADVANCING UV LED CURING: MORE THAN JUST ENERGY SAVINGS It begins an exciting evolution in LED curing and smart lamps, with full integration into printer software and hardware. This integration not only enables increased sustainable printing but also propels the technology into new, promising industrial applications. The UV-curable process is not a simple matter of having a lamp at the end; it's much more complex. Questions like 'Is there enough dose?' and 'Am I curing the correct area?' arise. The process involves optimising the curing process, which is a critical part of the print ecosystem. Advanced UV heads can be divided into multiple section groups, switched on/off, and adjusted in power, either through basic electrical signals or advanced communication protocols. The ability to control and monitor LEDs at an advanced level is the ideal solution for integration into a sophisticated production environment, leading to improved productivity and reduced downtime. | ||
11:45 | NIR AND LAMBDA HYDRY: HOW DIGITAL DRYING OVERCOMES CHALLENGES IN DRYING AQUEOUS INKS EVEN ON CRITICAL SUBSTRATES
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12:10 | ENHANCING PRINTING PROCESSES WITH NIR TECHNOLOGY: PRACTICAL BENEFITS AND SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES This presentation provides an overview of shortwave infrared (NIR) technology and its practical applications in the printing industry. We will explore the fundamental concepts of infrared radiation and examine how NIR drying offers an efficient alternative to traditional hot air-drying methods. Attendees will learn about the benefits of NIR technology, including faster ink drying, improved print quality, and potential cost savings. A recent case study will illustrate how integrating NIR systems can optimise production processes and reduce energy consumption. Additionally, we will discuss the environmental advantages of using NIR technology in conjunction with renewable energy sources, highlighting its role in reducing CO2 emissions and supporting sustainability efforts. This session aims to offer practical insights into enhancing printing efficiency and adopting greener practices. | ||
12:35 | THE FACTORY OF THE FUTURE This presentation examines the reality and practicality of ‘dark factories’ and I4.0 and how they will drive the convergence of digital technologies and manufacturing processes. Finally, we will look at how certain digital systems are key to facilitating this merger of technologies. | ||
13:00 | Lunch break and tabletop networking
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14:30 | STOOD-UP DROP AS NOVEL AND SENSITIVE METHOD FOR ASSESSING SURFACE PRINTABILITY Contact angle measurement is a key technique in the printing industry, used to guide formulation and pretreatment parameters and evaluate performance metrics such as wettability, (re)coatability, defect control, and adhesion. While static contact angles are widely recognised, dynamic contact angle measurements are often underutilised, likely due to the complexity and time required – typically taking two hours or more for a full set of measurements. In this presentation, we introduce a novel method called the "stood-up-drop" technique, which enables rapid and reliable measurement of recently receded contact angles, reducing the typical measurement time from hours to mere seconds. Through application examples, we demonstrate how the recently receded contact angle proves to be significantly more sensitive than commonly used metrics like static or advancing contact angles, as well as surface free energy determinations. This talk will be particularly valuable for those interested in using highly sensitive tools to evaluate surface printability, especially following pretreatment processes such as corona, plasma, or other chemical treatments. | ||
14:55 | BEYOND "DROPWATCHING": PRACTICAL PRINT OPTIMISATION FOR INKJET R&D | ||
15:20 | ANALYSING PRINT PROCESS CHALLENGES DURING LIQUID DEVELOPMENTS AND HOW TO HANDLE THEM | ||
15:45 | Coffee break and tabletop networking | ||
16:25 | OPTIMISING WAVEFORMS: BRIDGING DROPWATCHING IN THE LAB WITH THE PERFORMANCES IN PRODUCTION Waveforms, and their finetuning, are key in achieving the target performances in any industrial printing process. But how far can we push them, and how do the optimisations made in dropwatching perform in the actual printing process? This presentation will explore detailed case studies from a range of applications, including long-distance jetting and high-speed printing. We will discuss how we used our data-driven solution to optimize waveforms in a controlled lab setting and how they performed in the actual printing application. By examining these diverse scenarios, we will provide insights into the practical implementation of waveform optimisation, showcasing how laboratory innovations can be successfully integrated into production processes to meet and exceed industry standards. | ||
16:50 | ADVANCED INK CHARACTERISATION AND WAVEFORM PREDICTION Optimising inkjet inks based solely on printhead specifications does not guarantee reliable jetting. During jetting, inks are subjected to extreme rheological conditions, including high-frequency waveforms (~100 kHz) within the printhead, high shear rates (0.5-1 million) at the nozzle, and significant filament stretching in-flight. These dynamic factors have a profound impact on inkjet performance. Even small changes in ink composition or batch variations can significantly alter viscoelastic properties, affecting drop ejection, in-flight behaviour, and post-jetting performance. We will introduce advanced techniques for characterising inkjet inks that assess complex rheological properties under conditions simulating those inside the printhead and during in-flight jetting. Through real case studies on aqueous, UV, and high-viscosity inkjet inks, we will demonstrate how these analyses aid in the development and quality control of inks, distinguish between seemingly identical inks with different jetting behaviours, and offer recommendations for optimal jetting temperatures, print frequencies, and waveform settings. | ||
17:15 | CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS TO ACCELERATING THE INKJET VOYAGE TO GAINS USING NEW COMPACT INK DELIVERY SYSTEMS AND A TECHNICAL INKJET LIBRARY The presentation will detail some of the challenges associated with the goal of accelerating inkjet progress, both for companies new to inkjet and those already advanced in inkjet capability, and how Neatjet ink delivery systems are designed to help. New systems and capabilities will be introduced for the first time at IPI. With the same aforementioned goal in mind, challenges and solutions in terms of how i4inkjet's technical inkjet information can help will be presented. | ||
18:30-20:30 | Networking reception |
09:00 | KEYNOTE: EXPLORING THE ROLE OF ACADEMIC RESEARCH IN THE WORLD OF INKJET PRINTING IN HEALTHCARE APPLICATIONS Inkjet printing is an advanced manufacturing technology that is constantly being explored and developed across graphical, electronic, pharmaceutical, biological and 3D printing. It is also a technology being explored because of its ability to create repeatable, individual drops and so even without the need for digital patterning lends itself to applications in high throughput screening, drug delivery, and water/nutrient/pesticide delivery for agriculture. The core technology and controls are embedded in industry, while academic research is often leading the exploration of its use in entirely new applications. Here, we firstly present examples of recent and ongoing research that uses inkjet printing processes in drug delivery, high throughput screening and sustainable manufacturing. Secondly, the challenges will be discussed when trying to bridge the fundamental breakthroughs with industrial translation, with a focus on the respective potential roles of academic researchers and the inkjet sector in capturing the value from new insights. | ||
09:25 | LONG THROW DISTANCE PRINTHEADS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH KONICA MINOLTA | ||
09:50 | THE NEW SI-MEMS PRINTHEAD SKYFIRE AF600: PERFORMANCE, PRODUCTIVITY, DURABILITY Leveraging over a decade of OEM experience with Si-MEMS SAMBA® printhead, Fujifilm Dimatix have targeted industrial application that require high throughput printheads that meets the needs of equipment suppliers’ requirements in demanding applications such as printed electronics, marking and coding, packaging, textile, additive manufacturing, commercial print and many more. In this presentation we will discuss the various ingredients that enable high ink throughput and reliable printheads. These are targeted at production systems that require sustained productivity to meet the needs for print service providers looking to profitable ROI and a stable printing platform. We will review unique features of the Fujifilm Dimatix’ Si-MEMS such as: integrated Si-MEMS technology; sputtered PZT rated for trillions of actuations without wear mechanism; REDIJET – dual recirculation, non wetting coatings, and printhead noise dampening; VERADROP – jetting waveform editing capabilities; designs that support integration into production systems. | ||
10:15 | RISO TECHNOLOGIES’ NEW INKJET PRINTHEAD AND PRINTING UNIT: TECHNICAL PERSPECTIVE Riso Technologies started operations from July 2024, taking over Toshiba Tec’s inkjet businesses and technologies. In this presentation, technical features of two of the Riso Technologies’ new products based on shear-mode inkjet technology will be discussed. First, we will introduce “CX1,” a new inkjet printhead developed for high-productivity printing, and discuss some of the considerations for achieving high frequency ink ejection stability from technical perspective. Second, we will talk about “Integlide,” a new inkjet printing unit equipped with multiple shear-mode inkjet printheads, as well as its values in packaging industry by offering single-pass printing and versatile operating position in either sideways or downward direction. | ||
10:40 | Coffee break and tabletop networking | ||
11:20 | OPTIMISING PRINTHEAD DESIGN THROUGH SIMULATION This presentation explores how simulations were used to optimise printhead design, particularly focusing on how conducting these simulations significantly improved both development time and print quality, especially in determining structural parameters and reducing irregular WoodGrain patterns in printed materials. | ||
11:45 | MOVE OVER MESSY COATING & PRINTING TECHNOLOGIES: GELART IS COMING Traditional analogue coating and painting technologies are quite inefficient, come with large costs to manage their inaccuracies and wasteful deposition abilities. Owners of these applications are now looking to inkjet as a way to reduce these and other inherent problems. Now the inkjet community and Ricoh are rallying to the cause. In this presentation, we will explore advancements in new jetting technologies that can help to overcome some of these challenges. Benefits such as higher precision with a wider range of fluids that will enable a new way of coating and painting to help support a more sustainable future. Join us to learn more and see examples of real-world applications that can benefit from these innovations. | ||
12:10 | PRINTING WITH ROBOTS TO CREATE A REVOLUTIONARY NEW WINNING PRODUCT When a major consumer goods manufacturer wanted to bring their revolutionary new product to market, decorating it with a robot was the only viable solution. Cyan Tec has been building robotic inkjet print systems for fifteen years. This presentation shares some insights into robot print systems and how the technology enabled this manufacturer to realise their winning vision. | ||
12:35 | FROM R&D TO PRODUCTION WITH INKJET IN ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING Switching to an additive way of manufacturing can be a challenging step. Using inkjet can bring many benefits in terms of flexibility, versatility and scalability. Before going into production, it is very important to develop an inkjet process that is stable, fast and reliable. This process is often quite difficult and time consuming. There are many variables that come into play when it comes to using inkjet. The functional materials (inks) that are being used, are often experimental and require very specific characteristics and tool settings in order to be even jettable. The right print quality, reliability and functionality need to be optimised. From there it is possible to scale the process up. This presentation will shed some light on available tools that can help you go from R&D to a production phase. | ||
13:00 | Lunch break and tabletop networking | ||
14:30 | INTEGRATING INKJET TECHNOLOGY IN AN INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION PROCESS Process development for inkjet applications is a complex task and requires intensive testing. With lack of experience, without the right equipment and missing contacts for support, it quickly turns to an unproductive and demotivating task. When the presented samples don't fulfill the customer expectations, the project fails. This presentation summarizes the required steps for a successful process development and their particular challenges: substrate analysis, choosing or developing the chemistry, selecting the appropriate printhead, electronics and the ink supply system, test print stage to print samples, pre- and post-treatment, print quality analysis and improvements of jetting parameters. | ||
14:55 | REVOLUTIONISING INDUSTRIAL MANUFACTURING WITH HIGH VISCOSITY INKJET TECHNOLOGY The long-desired aspiration to expand the range of fluids that can be used with inkjet is getting much closer as ultra high viscosity jetting is becoming a reality. Quantica’s Novojet has demonstrated the ability to jet adhesives exhibiting up to 13,000 mPa s at room temperature by combining the unique printhead design with a fully dedicated material circulation and control system that exploits the material behaviour for jetting. Substantial advantages in print properties by using ultra high viscosity printheads have been proven in the lab. Quantica is refining and redefining its capabilities in order to help customers expand into novel additive manufacturing applications that were unreachable until now. | ||
15:20 | NOZZLE SENSING Expectations of digital printing have grown steadily over the years. Reliability is becoming the watchword, and this is where Polytype comes in. Polytype has been printing directly to shape since its early beginnings more than 60 years ago, and since over 10 years in digital. By leveraging our past skills, we’re developing our own print control electronics to push back the barriers to integration. The printing system is no longer a “black box”, it becomes the heart of the machine, enabling the health of the system to be measured as close as possible to the final product. A closed loop between the printing system and the head reduces fault detection time, and it even becomes possible to anticipate them, thereby reducing downtime. |
09:00 | KEYNOTE: GAINING HIGHER PRODUCTIVITY?! THE ROLE OF AI IN DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION The presentation highlights AI technologies and their potential applications along the industrial value chain. With the breakthrough of transformer technology and the use of large language models, it is clear that AI as a cross-sectional technology will cover all areas of the company. One focus of the analysis is on the gains in productivity associated with artificial intelligence in general and generative AI in particular. It becomes clear that there will be far-reaching changes in processes, business models and employee qualification profiles. In addition, the main challenges lie in developing, operating and maintaining scalable AI service products. | ||
09:25 | AI AS ENABLER FOR THE OPTIMISATION OF INKJET INK DISPERSION PROCESS The European Center for Dispersion Technologies (EZD), an application-oriented research institution of the SKZ Group, faces daily challenges in the formulation and production of dispersions, such as inkjet inks. The digitalisation of ink production can make a significant contribution to addressing different issues: replacement of critical raw materials, shortage of skilled labour and high production costs. Together with industrial partners and the Smart Paint Factory Alliance (SPFA), the EZD tests and evaluates modern and practice-oriented technologies and innovative approaches regarding energetic optimization of dispersion processes. By using process-related characterisation methods to monitor and digitalize dispersion processes it is the aim of EZD to exploit the high technical, economic, and ecological potential of AI. This talk addresses: digital transformation of inkjet ink production: Collaboration within SPFA; at-, on- and in-line methods for monitoring and optimising dispersion processes; using process-related characterisation techniques and AI architectures with sequential learning approach on the development and production of inkjet inks. | ||
09:50 | AI IN THE DECORATIVE INDUSTRY: FROM PROOF TO PRODUCT The presentation delves into the integration of artificial intelligence in the decorative printing industry, highlighting its transformative potential. AI's role in decor is emphasised through its ability to manipulate data across various forms, such as text, images, and sound, enhancing design processes. Historical examples, like Photoshop's content-aware fill, showcase AI's longstanding influence on design since 2012. AI in decor printing is particularly impactful in expanding design possibilities, such as through Generative Replication, which allows for larger, more natural-looking decor panels. This technique, alongside Prompt Engineering, enables precise control over design parameters, resulting in high-quality outputs. The presentation also notes AI's ability to extend traditional print sizes, reducing waste and creating more natural decor effects. Despite AI's capabilities, the presentation acknowledges its limitations, underscoring the continued importance of human creativity and design expertise in achieving optimal results. | ||
10:15 | PLASMA TREATMENT FOR SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION The presentation explores the use of plasma treatment for minimizing emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to mitigate direct risks to employees while enhancing environmental sustainability. By enabling the use of adhesives, inks, paints, coatings, and varnishes with reduced emissions compliant with REACH regulations, the printing industry can achieve high quality printing results and reduce general air pollution control through lower energy consumption. Furthermore, these practices facilitate sustainable energy use and contribute to CO2 reduction. Material substitution to environmentally friendly plastics not only promotes eco-conscious manufacturing but also offers cost-saving benefits. Additionally, improved recyclability is achieved by avoiding problematic substances. Overall, these approaches represent a holistic approach to enhancing environmental performance and operational efficiency in industrial settings. | ||
10:40 | Coffee break and tabletop networking | ||
11:20 | HIGH WEATHERING AND ABRASION RESISTANT SILJET CLEARCOATS FOR DECORATIVE INKJET APPLICATIONS Digital inkjet technology has revolutionised the field of decorative applications, offering high-resolution reproductions of designs and artworks for interior decoration. However, when it comes to outdoor applications, this technology faces significant challenges. The primary weakness lies in the lack of weatherability that leads to fading and degradation of the decorative print when exposed to sunlight. Based on more than two decades of experience in the automotive industry, with a focus on plastic parts, Momentive Performance Materials offers thermal- and UV-curable functional coatings that enable sensitive substrates, such as plastics or decorative prints, to meet stringent requirements. These may include long-term weatherability, high scratch and abrasion resistance, protection against chemical attack, good optical appearance, and easy-to-clean properties. In the presentation, we will show the potential to apply weathering resistant SilJET protective hardcoats by digital inkjet printing over decorative inkjet layers. Furthermore, the protection of the decorative print for long-term use in exterior applications will be highlighted. | ||
11:45 | CUSTOMISED INK SUPPLY SYSTEMS FOR INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS There is no reason for not implementing recirculating printheads in new printer developments. The main reason why they are not usually integrated is due to the complexity and the combined cost of the ink supply system. Developing such systems seems in the first view a simple task but in the summary of the requirements it will become difficult and needs resources and intensive testing to finalise it successfully. Inkjet is a well-established technology, however there is a lack of suppliers which can deliver proven components to speed up the development process and support the printer manufacturer with tested and ready to install modules. Bürkert is a specialist for fluidic and pneumatic processes and has developed a modular ink supply system. This presentation focuses on ink supply systems and summarises the required steps for a successful implementation and their challenges. | ||
12:10 | INKJET PRINTING RESEARCH: A MOUTHWATERING JOURNEY WITH EDIBLE INKS iPrint is a research institute that focuses on the inkjet printing technology and is part of the University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Western Switzerland. In this work, the possibilities to use inkjet printing in the domain of the food-industry are investigated. More precisely, water-based inks as well as hot melts printed have been employed to develop printing processes with specific set-ups. The journey includes measurement of rheology of the inks, selection of the printhead, dropwatching tests as well as printing to fully understand the process. Going further, it was even possible to print flavoured inks to enhance the taste of the printed product for the customer. The final printed samples on biscuits and chocolates showcase an interesting study that can be integrated in the industry to personalise product and more. | ||
12:35 | TBA | ||
13:00 | Lunch break and tabletop networking | ||
14:30 | ADVANCEMENTS IN PRINTED OLED AND QUANTUM DOT DISPLAYS: TRENDS AND INNOVATIONS The display industry is regaining interest in printing technologies, with major players like TCL CSOT, BOE, and Samsung showcasing printed panels at SID2024 conference. Printed OLED displays offer promising advantages compared to evaporated OLEDs using the fine metal mask method, including a potential of 15% to 25% in cost-effectiveness, lower capex and improved scalability. Also, for quantum dot (QD) processing, inkjet printing is a promising next-generation technology competing with photolithography. Here, QD-OLED, QD-LED and QD-micro-LED displays are in the industry focus. In printed displays, special challenges are inert processing, bank structures with tailored wetting properties, formulation of complex inks and the combination of QDs with polymer hosts. At Fraunhofer IAP, we specialise in the development of quantum dot materials, ink formulations for QD-LED and OLED, and process development for inkjet and high-resolution Electrohydrodynamic (EHD)-JET printing. This talk will provide an overview of current trends in the industry and our latest advancements in these areas. | ||
14:55 | INLINE QUALITY CONTROL OF PRINTED ELECTRONICS USING THZ CROSS-CORRELATION SPECTROSCOPY This presentation shows a user case where THz technologies can be applied for 2D and 3D printed electronics. It addresses the limitations of conventional devices like pyrometers by offering superior accuracy, spatial resolution, response time, and faster processes. THz-CCS offers non-contact, non-destructive measurements, enabling inline monitoring without disrupting the production. It also tackles challenges related to the high sintering temperatures required by conductive inks, which may cause thermal expansion or degradation of dielectric inks and substrates. Initial results demonstrate that THz-CCS effectively detects production faults and identifies variations in resistivity useful for determining the sintering degree. Its potential to rapidly scan large areas of multiple substrates commonly used in printed electronics, including flexible materials, enhances efficiency, reduces production costs over time, and makes it ideal for industrial applications. | ||
15:20 | TBA |
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