Digital binder printing
A method and equipment to form a digital image on a surface by applying a powder layer including colour pigments on the surfaces, bonding a part of the powder and removing the non-bonded powder from the surface.
1. A method of forming a digitally printed image with colour pigments on a surface of a building panel, comprising the steps of:
scattering dry colour pigments on the surface;
bonding a part of the dry colour pigments to the surface; and
removing the non-bonded dry colour pigments from the surface such that a digitally created image is formed by the bonded colour pigments,
wherein the dry colour pigments are bonded to a binder, the binder being separately applied on the surface of the building panel, wherein the binder is a liquid substance, and
wherein the method further comprises applying heat and pressure to the surface of the building panel.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the liquid substance is water based.
3. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the liquid substance is UV curable and wherein the method further comprises the step of exposing the liquid substance to UV light.
4. The method as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the liquid substance is water based UV curable polyurethane.
5. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the binder comprises a thermosetting resin.
6. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the binder comprises a thermoplastic resin.
7. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the dry colour pigments are mixed with a binder.
8. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the binder is a powder.
9. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the surface of the building panel comprises a thermosetting resin.
10. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the surface of the building panel is a paper layer or a foil.
11. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the surface of the building panel comprises a powder layer.
12. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the building panel is a floor panel, a wall panel, or a furniture component.
13. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the building panel is a floor panel comprising a mechanical locking system for vertical and horizontal locking.
14. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the non-bonded dry colour pigments are removed by an airstream.
15. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the step of bonding said part of the dry colour pigments to the surface comprises applying a liquid substance by a digital coating head.
16. The method as claimed in claim 15 , wherein the liquid substance is applied with a Piezo ink head.