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. Equipment to provide a digital image on a building panel, wherein the equipment comprises a digital coating head, a powder scattering unit, a curing oven and a powder removal system wherein:
the digital coating head is adapted to apply a liquid substance on the panel, the powder scattering unit is adapted to apply a powder layer comprising colour pigments on the panel, wherein the liquid substance is adapted to bond a part of the powder to the panel, the curing oven is adapted to cure the liquid substance and the powder removal system is adapted to remove the non-bonded powder from the panel, and
wherein the powder removal system is based on an air stream and optionally a vacuum.
2. A method of forming a digitally printed image with colour pigments on a surface of a building panel, the method comprising forming at least two layers of digital prints, each layer being formed by:
scattering colour pigments on the surface;
bonding a part of the colour pigments to the surface; and
removing the non-bonded colour pigments from the surface such that a layer of a digital print is formed by the bonded colour pigments.
3. The method as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the colour pigments are bonded to a binder.
4. The method as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the binder is separately applied on the surface of the building panel.
5. The method as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the binder is a liquid substance.
6. The method as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the liquid substance is water-based.
7. The method as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the liquid substance is UV curable and wherein the method further comprises exposing the liquid substance to UV light.
8. The method as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the binder is a powder.
9. The method as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the binder comprises a thermosetting resin or a thermoplastic resin.
10. The method as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the colour pigments are mixed with a binder.
11. The method as claimed in claim 2 , wherein said at least two layers are positioned above each other.
12. The method as claimed in claim 2 , wherein said at least two layers are positioned next to each other.
13. The method as claimed in claim 2 , wherein said at least two layers comprises a first layer and a second layer, a color of the second layer being different that a color of the first layer.
14. The method as claimed in claim 2 , wherein said at least two layers comprises a first layer and a second layer, the non-bonded colour pigments of the first layer being removed before forming the second layer.
15. The method as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the surface of the building panel comprises a thermosetting resin.
16. The method as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the surface of the building panel is a paper layer or a foil, or wherein the surface of the building panel comprises a powder layer or a stabilized powder layer.
17. The method as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the building panel is a floor panel, a wall panel, or a furniture component.
18. The method as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the building panel is a floor panel comprising a mechanical locking system for vertical and horizontal locking.
19. The method as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the step of bonding said part of the colour pigments to the surface comprises applying a liquid substance by a digital coating head.
20. The method as claimed in claim 2 , further comprising applying heat and pressure to the surface of the building panel.