Methods for manufacturing panels
A method is provided for manufacturing panels with a substrate and a decorative top layer that may include a printed motif and a transparent or translucent protective layer formed there above. The method may involve applying a first and a second finishing layer for forming a first and a second portion of the protective layer. Recesses may be formed at the surface of the second finishing layer. Hard particles may be provided in the first finishing layer.
1. A method for manufacturing panels having at least a substrate and a decorative top layer, the decorative top layer including at least a printed motif and a transparent or translucent protective layer formed there above, the method comprising:
providing a substrate;
applying a first finishing layer for forming a first portion of the protective layer;
at least partially hardening the first finishing layer;
applying a second finishing layer for forming a second portion of the protective layer; and
forming recesses at a surface of the second finishing layer;
wherein the first finishing layer includes hard particles;
wherein the second finishing layer is free from hard particles; and
wherein the second finishing layer is the uppermost layer of the panel.
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the hard particles of the first finishing layer protrude above a surface of the first finishing layer.
3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein forming the recesses comprises at least providing a surface structure-altering agent.
4. The method according to claim 3 , wherein at least one of:
the surface structure-altering agent is a chemical agent breaking open the material of the second finishing layer; and
the surface structure-altering agent is a chemical agent repelling the material of the second finishing layer in that the surface structure-altering agent has a lower surface tension than the material of the second finishing layer.
5. The method according to claim 3 , wherein the material of the first and/or the second finishing layer is a UV-curing lacquer.
6. The method according to claim 5 , wherein the surface structure-altering agent is a lacquer-repelling agent.
7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the material of the first and the second finishing layers show a gloss degree different from each other.
8. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the recesses are formed corresponding to the printed motif.
9. A method for manufacturing panels having at least a substrate and a decorative top layer, the decorative top layer including at least a printed motif and a transparent or translucent protective layer formed there above, the method comprising:
providing a substrate;
applying a first finishing layer for forming a first portion of the protective layer;
forming recesses at a surface of the first finishing layer by a first step of applying a surface structuring agent using a digital technique;
applying a second finishing layer for forming a second portion of the protective layer; and
forming recesses at a surface of the second finishing layer by a second step of applying a surface structuring agent using a digital technique.
10. The method according to claim 9 , wherein the recesses in the second finishing layer are formed at respective locations of the recesses in the first finishing layer.
11. The method according to claim 9 , wherein the material of the first and the second finishing layers show a gloss degree different from each other.
12. The method according to claim 9 , wherein the recesses are formed corresponding to the printed motif.
13. The method according to claim 9 , wherein the method further comprises at least partially hardening the first finishing layer before providing the second finishing layer; and/or
wherein the first finishing layer includes hard particles.