Printed materials in the electronics industry need intelligent solutions for print drying and sintering. Heraeus have created infrared processes for post-treatment of roll-to-roll printing. Extensive research and testing with different techniques has provided optimal solutions for end users. Heraeus has also carried out advanced numerical computer simulations to predict and confirm results.
Ray Tracing simulations were also used to ensure the setup geometry is optimized for each specific application. The photo above shows a process that is divided into a Drying Zone (50 kW/m2 emitter power density) and a Sintering Zone (150 kW/m2 emitter power density).
Inks, Printing Techniques and Substrates Using IR Technology
Heraeus has extensively tested all combinations of inks, printing techniques and substrates successfully processed so far using Heraeus infrared technology. This even includes a dielectric material that is usually cured by UV light. By fine tuning the parameters of the infrared process, optimal drying and sintering conditions for all combinations were achieved:
- Power density range - 20 to 220 kW/m2
- Peak emission wavelength between 0.9 and 2.0 µm (equivalent to filament temperatures of 1200°C to 3000°C)
- IR drying and sintering with a web speed of 60 m/min
- High suitability for mass production