Digital binder and powder print
A method and equipment to form a digital print by applying dry colourants on a surface of a panel, bonding a part of the colourants with a binder and removing the non-bonded colourants from the surface. The method of forming a digital print on a surface of a panel includes displacing the panel under a digital drop application head, applying a liquid binder with the digital drop application head on the surface; applying colourants on the liquid binder and the surface; bonding a part of the colourants to the surface with the liquid binder; removing non-bonded colourants from the surface such that a digital print is formed by the bonded colourants; and applying heat and pressure on the panel, the surface and the bonded colorants such that the colourants are permanently bonded to the surface.
1. Equipment to provide a digital print on a panel comprising a surface, wherein the equipment comprises
a digital drop application head adapted to apply liquid blank ink on the surface,
a dry ink application station adapted to apply dry ink comprising dry colourants and a binder on the liquid blank ink, the liquid blank ink being adapted to bond a part of the colourants to the surface, and
a dry ink removal station adapted to remove the non-bonded colourants from the surface after each application of liquid blank ink and dry ink.
2. The equipment as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the equipment further comprises a conveyor.
3. The equipment as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the conveyor is adapted to displace the panel essentially horizontally under the digital drop application head.
4. The equipment as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the digital drop application head is adapted to apply liquid blank ink comprising glycol or glycerine on the surface.
5. The equipment as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a press, wherein the press is adapted to apply heat and pressure on the panel, the surface, and the bonded colourants when non-bonded colourants have been removed, such that at least one of the surface and the colourants are compressed and the surface and the colourants are bonded together.
6. The equipment as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the digital drop application head is digitally connected to a digital control unit that is adapted to control at least one selected from the group of an application of liquid blank ink drops, a speed of the conveyor, and a function of a dry ink application station.
7. The equipment as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the dry ink application station comprises a roller.
8. The equipment as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the dry ink application station comprises an engraved, embossed, etched, sand blasted or needle based roller surface, that acts as a dispensing device that is adapted to move a pre-determined amount of dry ink to the surface.
9. The equipment as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the dry ink removal station is adapted to remove the colourants by an airstream.
10. The equipment as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the dry ink removal station is adapted to remove the colourants by blowing and sucking up the colourants.
11. The equipment as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the digital drop application head is a digital Piezo print head.
12. The equipment as claimed in claim 1 , wherein several digital drop application heads are positioned side-by-side such that essentially the whole width of the surface is covered by the heads.
13. The equipment as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a stabilizing station adapted to provide moisture and heat to stabilize a powder surface comprising wood fibres and thermosetting resins, wherein the stabilization is adapted to be made prior to the application of the liquid blank ink.
14. The equipment as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the digital drop application head is adapted to apply liquid blank ink comprising water.
15. The equipment as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising an IR lamp adapted to dry the liquid blank ink after application.
16. The equipment as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the dry ink application station and the dry ink removal station are adapted to apply and remove wood fibre based dry ink particles, respectively.
17. The equipment as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the dry ink application station is a scattering station.