Method for creating colour, e.g. motifs, on a support, particularly one made out of glass

p0001The invention relates to a method of generating color information, for. Example, designs, on a support, in particular of glass, in which a ceramic paint is applied over the entire surface on one side of the support.

p0002It is known in the screen printing process to apply colors on a carrier and in this case to form structures such. B. motifs. The advantages of the known screen printing method are generally recognized. A disadvantage of this method is the fact that one needs very costly printing screens, which have only a relatively short service life for the rest. Intricately is also the necessary cleaning of the screens, which contaminates the environment for the rest. The usual when Siebdruckmaschinen long setup times are disadvantageous. Misprints can not be completely ruled out. When printing designs with different colors often results in precision problems, because the colors fit together is not always accurate and without offset.

p0003The invention has the object of providing a method for generating color information, such. As designs to provide on a support, in particular of glass, which avoids the disadvantages of screen printing method in many respects.

p0004The object is achieved in a method of the aforementioned type according to the invention by the features in claim. 1 Other special features of the invention as well as advantageous embodiments of this method are evident from the claims 2 to 14th

p0005In the method according to the invention as a color ceramic, containing silica particles, preferably water-soluble, color is applied. These colors are full surface coated on the support, and it is possible thanks to the method according to the invention, applying designs to the carrier. The full-surface application of paint to the support can be carried out much faster and cheaper than the screen printing process. After the applied paint is dried by application of heat, the ink layer is in a state where it can be easily scraped off from the carrier. Since the ceramic paint contains silica particles, is such a mechanical removing the color from the carrier, to thereby generate motifs, not possible; because due to the silica particles contained in the ceramic paint any tools used for tentatively removing are once dull and damaged. It is also not excluded that is scratched in particular of glass existing carrier and being damaged. The invention is based on the realization that a printed with ceramic paint carrier, in particular of glass, after drying, the color can decoat in the manner partly on that one color at least one high-energy beam, in particular energy beam of a laser is directed, the on the respective position of the carrier is focused on which the color is to be removed by this high-energy beam. Due to the action of at least one high-energy beam, the color is changed to the impacted site in powder, which dissolves from the carrier, so that one od this powder by blowing, suction. Like. Can remove without the rest, adhering to the carrier color ranges damage or detach from the carrier. By controlling the high-energy beam so as can be obtained by partially removing the paint color information such. Lettering, or the images. Like., Produce a quick, easy and inexpensive. It can be prepared almost any subjects, even layered. The inventive method has compared to the conventional screen printing method several advantages. Firstly, the very expensive printing stencils which are used in the screen printing process, and also have a short life, is no longer needed. One thus saves costs because of elimination of the screens, the transport of these and the corresponding maintenance, since the costly cleaning of these unneeded screens deleted and thus the environment is protected. The setup for carrying out the method according to the invention is considerably shorter compared to the screen printing method. Misprints are virtually eliminated. The personal use, in particular during the irradiation with the at least one high-energy beam is reduced. A further advantage is that designs with different colors are possible without errors, matching each other exactly and without offset.

p0006In an alternative method for generating color information, such as designs, on a support, in particular of glass, it is advantageously differently. It is applied a ceramic color on one side, and in particular the front, the support all over. After drying, the color of at least one high-energy beam such as laser beam, directed to the color and thus at a working temperature of, for example about 400 ° C is fixed, the predetermined information on the carrier to 500 ° C. Then the other, not taken by the high-energy beam color areas are removed, eg by washing. The other, the information forming color regions that are not to be removed, while remaining on the carrier are liable, said bonding but not scratch-resistant. Advantageously, in this case you can apply the paint on the front of the carrier and align the at least one high-energy beam at the front of the wearer or the top of the ink layer. After removal of the remaining, not taken by the high-energy beam color regions, for example by washing, in an advantageous manner, the remaining ink on the carrier is baked by heat treatment. Advantageously, thereby curing takes place this color.

p0007The invention further comprises means for generating color information, for. Example, designs, on a support, in particular of glass, having the further features defined in claim 18. Further features of the invention and embodiments of this device include the claims 19 to 21. A such a device is relatively inexpensive, easy to handle and avoids compared to screen printing, the necessary complex elements.

p0008Further details and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description.

p0009The full text of the claims above alone is not reproduced to avoid unnecessary repetition, but instead referred only by quoting the claim number on it, but making all these features claim must be regarded as essential to the invention and expressly disclosed at this point. Here are all mentioned in the preceding and following description features as well as the removable only from the drawing features more components of the invention, even if they are not highlighted and especially not mentioned in the claims.

p0010The invention is explained in more detail based on an embodiment shown in the drawing. The drawing shows a schematic, partially sectioned view of a means for generating color information, for. Example, designs, on a support, in particular of glass.

p0011Specifically 10, the device has at least one high-energy beam generator in the form of a laser beam generator 11 which is moved by means of an only schematically indicated actuation and control device 12 in the direction of the vertical arrow 13 and, if necessary, controlled transverse thereto such that its focused on an area 14 laser 15 in this area 14 the required information, such. as motives, writes.

p0012With this surface 14 is that side of a carrier 16, in particular made of glass which faces away from the laser beam generator eleventh On this carrier 16, in particular of glass, on the surface 14 a ceramic paint in the form of at least one color layer 17 has been applied over the entire surface, eg., By rolling or printing on the surface 14 of the carrier 16. After this application is the color 17 been dried by heat application, in particular Infrarotbeaufschlagung that happens in an infrared continuous furnace. In this state, after the drying of the ink 17, the carrier 16, which is held in the drawing in the vertical or horizontal orientation in a suitable manner is such that the rear surface 14 z. B. is oriented approximately perpendicular to the laser beam 15. The laser beam 15 is directed through the carrier 16 through the color 17, thereby the color 17 is removed in accordance with the information to be generated in each case partially on the respective focussed spot. As a laser beam generator 11 and laser beam 15 is such an application for passing non-destructively through the carrier 16 made of glass, thus does not recognize glass. By controlling and moving the laser beam 15 or the laser beam generator 11 by means of the device 12 as color information any designs with different colors can be produced which match one another precisely without any offset from one another. The stripping of color 17 on the rear face 14 in the region of the respective focus of the laser beam 15 is done by blasting, whereby instead of color obtained powder. This powder is removed by means of not shown devices, blown z. B. by an air compressor or aspirated by a Sauglufterzeugers.

p0013After have been prepared in the manner described selected color information, for. Example, designs, on the rear surface 14 of the carrier 16 through thereat at least partially removing the ink 17 remaining on the carrier 16 ink is fixed thereon. This is done by application of heat, the color is baked 17 by melting and hardening. To this end, the carrier spent 16 in a hardening furnace, in which the carrier 16 of a heat, z. B. is at about 630 ° C, subjected to. Then, the carrier 16, for. Example, is with cold air cooled.

p0014The carrier 16 is planar in the illustrated embodiment. It may have not shown to place also bent portions, and both convex and concave curved portions. Instead, the entire support can be bent accordingly. The method of the invention and the device 10 for implementing this process thus allowing the generation of color information even on curved surfaces of the carrier 16, which is not possible in the known screen printing method.

p0015In another alternative procedure for generating color information, including designs, on a support 16, preferably made of glass, a ceramic paint 17 is applied the entire surface of the present in the drawing on the right front of the wearer 16th After drying the paint 17 to set up at least one high-energy beam 15, in particular laser beam, on the color 17. This can be done at an operating temperature of, for example about 400 ° C to 500 ° C. Thus, the predetermined information is applied to the present in the drawing on the right front side of the carrier 16 and at least as fixed under heat, that the information on the carrier remains liable 16. Then the other, not taken by the high-energy beam 15 color areas are removed, eg by washing. In.vorteilhafter example, in this alternative method of at least one high-energy beam 15, in particular laser beam directed to the right in the drawing front of the carrier 16 or the right found there top of the layer of color 17th After washing, the remaining on the carrier 16 color 17 baked and hardened by heat treatment. This alternative process is particularly simple and designed to cost-effectively to color information quickly, easily, reliably and reproducibly on a support 16, which consists in particular of glass, consistently applied.