Digital inkjet systems for glass decoration

Digital inkjet systems
for glass decoration
Durst is the industrial specialist in digital inkjet printing systems for
glass decoration.
Durst specialises in providing industrial standard printing using advanced
digital inkjet technology. With our inkjet systems glass manufacturers are
able to capitalise on the fast growing world of full or multi-coloured glass
decoration by providing cost efficient solutions to both short run and full
scale production.
In addition, there is a special Rho XY Glass Border Printer which uses
inorganic ceramic inks to print black frames of any shape or size creating a
permanent bond with the glass.
The Durst glass decoration systems are designed in such a way that they
can be integrated into a glass manufacturing line or as a complete stand
alone fully automated integrated digital production line. It is the ideal
solution for modern building facades which use insulation windows with
frameless glass and other applications include solar panels and
automotive windscreens.
At the centre of each system is a Durst Rho printer which provides high
speed production without jeopardising the finest quality of print.
Already of great interest to architects and interior designers for complete
interior designs, furniture manufacture and many other applications, a
Durst glass decoration system could provide a great business opportunity
to glass companies around the world.
Durst. The industrial inkjet specialist
Since 1936 Durst has been responsible for
pioneering better and faster methods of large
format image reproduction. The company
started with analogue photo technology and
later moved into digital photo laser imaging.
It was one of the first to develop large format
inkjet printing, initially for the graphic arts
market and, most recently, it successfully
extended the technology to different industrial
inkjet applications. Today, we see ourselves as
an industrial inkjet specialist. Our new research
building in Lienz, Austria, is evidence of our
commitment to both the science of inkjet
printing and our pursuit of new applications
for inkjet printing.
Our machines have the ability to change existing
markets and provide our customers with new
business opportunities. We also make it our duty
to ensure sustainable development, providing
machines that are kinder to the environment and
use much less ink and energy.
We are concerned with minimising storage and
wastage by providing the ability to print on
demand across many different applications and
industries.
By optimising the performance of our printers
through both physical and chemical sciences,
we succeed in providing our customers with a
competitive and profitable edge. That is why
we believe that Durst is: “The industrial inkjet
specialist.”
Durst Technology
The materials used in manufacture of all Durst large format inkjet printers
are of the highest quality which results in consistent high performance and
the most reliable machines in the market. This ensures 24/7 production and
minimum downtime.
Quadro Array
Technology
Durst Quadro Array printhead technology
The Rho IS Glass Decoration Printer has the
latest Quadro Array printheads which
have 512 nozzles per array for high productivity
and uncompromised quality. The temperature of
the ink is precisely controlled via the ink feeding
system. The drop straightness, with a deviation
of only 3μ, which has a very significant benefit
on the quality and sharpness of the printed
image. It provides pin sharp text even at very
small sizes and banding-free full colour images.
The nozzle plate is constructed of gold plated
nickel and MEMS production technology for
greater robustness and accuracy.
CMYKW
Magnetic linear drive
The carriage transport is by advanced magnetic
linear drive. This further ensures consistently
accurate printing. Precision built by Durst
for greater accuracy and reliability, the shaft
on which the printhead travels is accurate to
within 2μ tolerance.
Durst digital inks for glass decoration
Sol-Gel inks
Rho Organic Sol-Gel ink chemistry
provides excellent adhesion and resistance
characteristics whilst adhering to Durst’s
stringent ecological standards. It is 100% VOC
free and is capable of UV curing. It offers the
widest range of indoor or short term outdoor
glass decoration applications.
Unlike standard UV curing inks which, if exposed
to moisture or chemicals, will delaminate from
the glass unless time consuming primers are
applied, Durst Sol-Gel ink forms a chemical bond
with the glass after heating to 200ºC to provide
unique resistance characteristics.
The Durst Sol-Gel ink system is available in
CMYK with the options of White and Satinato
for imitation satin glass.
Durst Inorganic Ceramic ink
Rho ceramic ink has been specifically created
for printing borders for a range of applications
including insulation glass, solar panels and
automotive windscreens. It will print directly
onto the glass without the use of primers. When
baked in an oven at 650ºC, forms an extremely
durable bond with the glass. In fact, it actually
becomes part of the glass so it will not separate
under any circumstances.
The Durst inorganic ceramic ink system is
available in black, which provides a solid opaque
finish and UV protection. The result is a sharp
edge to windows, leaving no visible glue.
Glass decoration production line using
organic Sol-Gel inks
Tilting/transfer table
Washer and
dryer unit
From loading onto the tilting table through the washing, printing and
drying processes and transporting onto to tilting table ready for dispatch,
the whole process is automated. Transport of the glass is controlled by
specialised pneumatic lifting tables and the squaring system ensures the
glass sheets are perfectly registered before entering the Durst printer.
From computer to print
The Rho IS inkjet printer, apart from offering unrivalled productivity and
printing quality, is designed for ease of use and maximum workflow.
Whether you are printing one-offs or a medium to long print run, the Rho
800 IS capable of continuous, reliable production.
The digital artwork is supplied by a computer, then ripped and queued and
the machine can be left to print. There is no time wasted between changes
in copy or image, the printing is continuous.
Washer and dryer unit
The stainless steel washer and dryer unit
incorporates four tanks with pumps, tanks and
heaters. The fully automated machine conveys
the glass through a pre-washing section with
two high pressure spraying bars and then the
washing section consisting of two, three or four
pair of cylindrical brushes and into the drying
section, which has two pairs of air knives fed by
a high pressure fan.
The machine is designed for easy maintenance
with a motorised opening and has special
solutions for particular needs and highly
sensitive coatings. It provides optimal washing
according to glass thickness. It is capable of
removing dust, grease (finger prints), zinc
residuals and wrapping residuals.
Conveyers
Conveyers are fitted with integrated lifting
tables, equipped with caster rollers for manual
glass turning and/or with suction cups to hold
the glass.
Squaring/centring
Transfer table
Perfect squaring of the glass is achieved
by lifting cross belts and a highly accurate
mechanical and electronic system.
This has lifting cross belts with multiple (XYZ)
direction glass flow, to be combined with the
conveyers or tilting tables.
Rho 800 IS
Glass Decoration Printer
Transfer table
Rho IS Glass Decoration Printer
Rho IS printer is specifically designed for glass decoration. It combines
all the features associated with Durst Rho inkjet printers of continuous
uninterrupted printing, exceptional productivity and the finest quality of
print, whilst featuring a specialised transport mechanism for the smooth
transport of glass through the printing process. It is capable of printing on
glass sheets up to 2.5m wide by any length.
It features the latest development of Durst’s own Quadro Array printhead
technology.
The printer provides 600 dpi resolution and there is no compromise
between printing speed and quality of print. The Rho IS also offers the
highest reliability in the market and 24/7 production
Drying unit
The IR drying oven heats the glass to 200°C and completes the chemical
bond between the glass and the Sol-Gel inks. The air convection is
adjustable as is the conveyer speed.
Integrated Systems
Durst will handle the complete project of creating an integrated system
even when a Durst printer is combined with equipment not listed by
Durst. The Business Unit Integrated Systems team is responsible for
the complete contract from start to finish and is controlled through
Durst’s Sales Structure.
Durst will support all aspects of the project from contract, delivery,
installation, factory acceptance test and after sales.
Drying unit
Tilting/transfer
table
Resistance Parameter of Sol-Gel Inks
Durst Organic Glass Ink offers brilliant colour reproduction, very fine definition and excellent
resistance characteristics to abrasion and a wide range of chemicals.
To achieve perfect results the glass needs to be printed on the non-tinned side and prepared by
cleaning to ensure that there is no dust, finger prints or other chemicals that will inhibit adhesion.
Finally the printed glass needs to be heated to 200°C for 10 minutes.
Water Resistance Tests
Chemical Resistance
Water Resistance
After immersion in water at room temperature
for 72 hours
• No loss of adhesion
(Cross Hatch Test EN ISO 2409)
• No softening of the ink film
• No blistering
• No embrittlement
• No colour change
Durst Organic Glass Inks passed the water
resistance test.
Leach resistance (base or alkaline solution)
2.3% NaOH, 80°C for 30 minutes - passed
successfully 500 rub strokes with soft cleaning
cloths
Hot Water Resistance
After immersion in water at 65°C (149°F) for
30 minutes
• No loss of adhesion
(Cross Hatch Test EN ISO 2409)
• No softening of the ink film
• No blistering
• No embrittlement
• No colour change
Durst Organic Glass Ink passed the hot water
resistance test
Steam Resistance (ASTM D2247-02)
Exposition to water vapor (up to 45°C/100%
relative Humidity) for 72 hours
• No loss of adhesion
(Cross Hatch Test EN ISO 2409)
• No softening of the ink film
• No blistering
• No embrittlement
• No colour change
Durst Organic Glass Ink passed the steam
resistance test
Acid Resistance
10% HCl at room temperature for 24 hours passed successfully 500 rub strokes with soft
cleaning cloths
Solvent Resistance
• Ethanol 60 vol.% (aqueous) – passed
successfully 500 rub strokes with soft
cleaning cloths
• Iso-Propylalcohol 60.vol % (aqueous) – passed
successfully 500 rub strokes with soft
cleaning cloths
• Acetone 40 vol.% – passed successfully
500 rub strokes with soft cleaning cloths
Cleaning agents with 5% anionic tensides
passed successfully 500 double rub strokes with
soft cleaning cloths e.g. Glass cleaner Ajax from
Colgate, bath/shower cleaner CIF from Unilever
Lightfastness
Lightfastness according to DIN controlled
Bluewool Test
• Rho Organic Glass Inks CMWK:
Bluewool rating = 8
• Lifetime for 25% colour loss, ink film on
face two: > 2 years for outdoor applications
and > 10 years for indoor applications
An opportunity to benefit from highly profitable glass decoration
Applications for the organic Sol-Gel printing system
Applications include:
Glass decoration with a Rho IS printer and Sol-Gel ink technology opens
many attractive business opportunities which otherwise would previously
have been uneconomic or even impossible. Set up times are eliminated and
a fast response and delivery provide a practical service to your customers.
Interior Furnishing
• Shop fittings
• Bar decorations
• Trade shows
• Furniture glass
• Partitions
• Gaming machines
One-offs, short or medium long print runs of multi colours are easy
and fast allowing for a wide variety of applications for decorated glass.
Customisation, variable data and edge to edge printing enable architects
and interior designers to specify decorated glass for new and exciting
interior projects. The following applications are typical of what can
be achieved:
Durst Sol-Gel inks
Ideal for use on the widest range of glass, including float and safety
glass (ESG) and laminated glass (VSG with EVA).
• Highest quality print and excellent adhesion
• Bright, vibrant colours
• Excellent coverage
• Very fine detail including pin sharp text
• Excellent durability and resistance (see opposite page
for details of passes of resistance norms)
Outdoor applications
• Non permanent
exhibitions
• Seasonal outdoor
signs
Inorganic Inkjet system for
facade applications
In response to the ever increasing popularity for architects and designers
to use glass as an important building material, particularly for passive
housing and building facades, Durst has developed a digital printing
system specifically for external glass border printing.
The system features Durst’s inorganic ceramic ink which provides an
opaque and sharp finish. It will print directly onto the glass without the use
of primers. After heating to 650ºC the ink fuses with the glass to form a
permanent bond and creates a perfect solid black finish.
The Rho XY Glass Border Printer and Durst inorganic inks provide a perfect
solution for border printing for different types of applications including
architectural glass, solar panels and automotive windscreens.
It eliminates the many shortcomings associated with the traditional
method of screen printing. It is ideal for use with safety glass and
laminated glass with EVA and PVB.
Technology shortcomings of screen printing:
• Screens required for each image and/or substrate size
• High labour and material costs in manufacture of the screens
• Variable data and small lot sizes cannot be produced economically
• Storage of screens required for postproduction
• High consumption of energy and materials screen production
As the name implies, the XY printer travels in an XY direction to create
solid and opaque borders. There is a tailor-made glass transport system
with precise registration. It is designed to fit into a complete automated
production line offering true industrial production, from the loading of flat
sheets of glass to removal after printing and baking.
Energy Water
Energy
Material for screens
Screen-Ink Energy
Energy
Energy
Energy
Cutting and
washing
of the glass
Other special
pre-treatment
Screen
fabrication
Printing with
Screen 1
Drying first
printing layer
Repeating printing/
drying steps
Final
posttreatment
Waste-material
Storage of screens
Waste-Ink
Solvents and water
for cleaning
Storage of screens
Evaporation
of VOCs
Waste-water
Evaporation
of VOCs
Durst’s digital inorganic
ink system
Energy Water
Energy
Energy
Energy
Energy
Cutting and
washing
of the glass
Other special
pre-treatment
Digital
printing
Drying
Final
posttreatment
Waste-water
Evaporation
of ink carrier
liquids
Printhead
Glass substrate
Inorganic pigment
Inorganic frit
Glass substrate
Pigment and frit are fused into the glass
Efficient production in one single operation
The Durst system for border printing is capable of cost
efficient printing of one-offs to full scale production
runs. The system allows for mixing different shapes
and quantities without stopping to change the screen,
necessary with screen printing.
Durst inkjet technology will provide the following
benefits:
• No screens required and therefore do not need to
be stored
• Solvents and water are not required for cleaning
• Digital technology allows for variable data printing
(of text and numbers)
• Mass customisation, one window can be a different
shape to the next
• Can be integrated into a glass manufacturing line
• Total flexibility, will print standard shapes or
individual shapes
• The integration into advanced glass processing
software is by a standardised DXF interface
• Continuous production of different shapes without
pause to change template
Durst inorganic ink system
Durst’s inorganic ink system provides a permanent
bond with the glass surface when heated to 650ºC.
Unlike standard inkjet inks, it will not delaminate from
the glass with water. This is because during the heating
process the constituents of ink, which include a high
percentage of inorganic pigments, are melted into the
glass.
Maximised workflow for border
printing of glass
Workflow is controlled by an integrated IT programme. The required shape
of the border is selected from a database and the size and quantity of
that particular shape is fed into the programme. Different shapes can be
printed consecutively. The precise registration ensures that the border is
printed in exactly the correct position for each pane of glass.
The Durst Rho printer can be integrated into an existing workflow by
a DXF interface. The workflow software passes the information to the
printer and the whole process is monitored and checked as the glass panes
pass through the printer and into the tempering oven where it is heated
to 650ºC. The printed and tempered panes are then transported to the
unloading table ready for dispatch.
Reprints
The information is stored on the computer and can be accessed at a
later date. Similarly, the glass processing software checks each order and
ensures that it is completed. If, for example a pane of glass is damaged or
broken during tempering, then the Rho XY printer, when integrated as part
of the workflow by the DXF interface, automatically prints another pane of
glass with the identical shape.
A few sample shapes of
insulation glass
L1
L2
B3
B3
L
B2
H1
H1
H
H
H
B2
B3
L1
L
B1
B3
B2
B3
B3
R
H
H1
H
27
H1
H2
B1
B2
L
L
B2
B1
B1
L1
L2
L1
L
B1
R
H
H1
H2
B3
L
B1
B1
The above represent just some of the typical shapes which can be created with the Durst digital glass border
printer. Virtually any shape is possible which can then be fed into the printer and again the whole process is
digitally controlled from start to finish.
Applications of the Rho XY Glass
Border Printer and Ceramic inks
Durst inorganic glass ink is highly durable in terms of light and weather
fastness, mechanical (abrasion and scratch etc.) and chemical resistance.
It corresponds to the performance profile of conventional screen printing
inks. At present it is available in solid black.
Applications include:
• Complete building facades
• Insulation glass for frameless windows in modern passive housing
• Intricate one-off designs with different shapes of frameless windows
• Solar panels
• Automotive windscreens
• TV screens
Complete building façade with
different shaped windows
Technical Data
Quadro Array
Technology
CMYKW
Rho IS Glass Decoration Printer
Rho XY Glass Border Printer
Printing system:
Patented Durst flatbed system with Quadro Array
printhead technology for the finest quality and the
highest speed
Printing system:
Patented Durst flatbed system with Quadro Array
printhead technology capable of travelling in an
XY direction
Resolution:
600 dpi
Resolution:
400 dpi
Colours:
Standard: CMYK
Optional: White and Satinato
Inks:
Durst Sol-Gel organic inks
Colours:
Standard: Black
Media:
Widest range of glass, including float glass safety
glass (ESG) and laminated glass (VSG with EVA)
Media:
Widest range of glass, including float glass, safety glass
and laminated glass with EVA and PVP
Productivity:
60 m2 per hour
Productivity:
One border on 2100 x 1000 mm sheet takes 27 sec. net
printing time (without loading and unloading)
One border on 1200 x 800 mm sheet takes 25 sec. net
printing time (without loading and unloading)
Including loading and unloading one sheet takes less
than a minute
Speed varies according to different shapes
Maximum printing width:
250 cm (8ft)
Maximum length:
Only restricted by length of glass sheet
Inks:
Durst inorganic ceramic ink
Maximum printing width:
250 cm (8ft)
Maximum length:
Modules of 200 cm, 400 cm and 600 cm
Durst Phototechnik
AG
Large Format Printing
Vittorio-Veneto-Straße 59
39042 Brixen, Italy
Telefon +39 0472 81 01 11
Telefax +39 0472 83 09 80
www.durst-online.com
info@durst.it
Durst Phototechnik
Digital Technology
GmbH
Julius-Durst-Straße 11
9900 Lienz, Austria
Telefon +43 4852 7 17 77
Telefax +43 4852 7 17 77 50
www.durst-online.com
info@durst-online.at
The latest technical developments are constantly being
incorporated into Durst products. Illustrations and
descriptions are therefore subject to modification.
All rights reserved on images and illustrations.
Durst® is a Registered Trade Mark
Copyright Durst Phototechnik AG, 10/2012
IX20505