Method and apparatus for producing a decorative surface

1. A method for producing a decorative and structured surface element having different gloss levels, the method comprising:

feeding of a workpiece ( 1 . 0 ) to a lacquer application device,

applying of a first liquid lacquer layer ( 1 . 4 ) over an entire surface of the decorative and structured surface element with a coarse structure in which a difference in thickness between thicker areas and thinner areas is at least 50 μm,

spraying of droplets on partial areas of the first lacquer layer ( 1 . 4 ) on the workpiece ( 1 . 0 ), with a lacquer in order to apply a second lacquer layer ( 1 . 5 ) on the first lacquer layer ( 1 . 4 ), wherein after curing the second lacquer layer ( 1 . 5 ) has a different gloss level than the first lacquer layer ( 1 . 4 ) wherein

the first lacquer layer ( 1 . 4 ) is applied with at least one printing roller which unrolls on a surface of the workpiece ( 1 . 0 ) or on a layer applied to the workpiece ( 1 . 0 ).

2. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

coating of the workpiece ( 1 . 0 ) with at least one base layer ( 1 . 1 , 1 . 2 ), and/or

structuring of at least one base layer ( 1 . 1 , 1 . 2 ), and/or

at least partial curing of the first lacquer layer ( 1 . 4 ) applied, and/or

at least partial application of a third liquid lacquer layer ( 1 . 3 ) in order to create a fine structure in certain areas.

3. The method according to claim 1 , comprising:

feeding of the workpiece ( 1 . 0 ) to a digital printing station, and/or

providing digital control data for the digital printing station, and/or

curing of the applied first lacquer layers ( 1 . 4 ) and the second lacquer layer ( 1 . 5 ).

4. The method according to claim 2 , wherein

the workpiece ( 1 . 0 ) is printed with a decorative image before the method is carried out, and/or

the at least one base layer ( 1 . 1 , 1 . 2 ) or the first lacquer layer ( 1 . 4 ) has a coarse structure with a difference in thickness between thicker areas and thinner areas of at least 50 μm.

5. The method according to claim 1 , comprising:

printing at least one of the applied first lacquer layer or second lacquer layer and/or the workpiece ( 1 . 0 ) with a decorative image.

6. The method according to claim 5 , wherein

digital print data available for the decorative image is used as a basis for digital control data provided for a digital printing station used for printing on the workpiece ( 1 . 0 ).

7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein

second lacquer layer ( 1 . 5 ) and/or a third lacquer layer ( 1 . 3 ) is applied by at least one digital print head.

8. The method according to claim 2 , wherein

to produce the third lacquer layer ( 1 . 3 ), liquid material is first applied and then droplets of the liquid material are sprayed over the entire surface to produce a fine structure.

9. The method according to claim 8 , wherein

the lacquer droplets applied consist of another material than the liquid lacquer, and/or

after impact, undergo a chemical reaction with the liquid lacquer, which changes the surface optically and/or haptically at respective areas, and/or

volatilise according to a physical reaction by evaporation within less than five minutes by impact with the liquid lacquer.

10. The method according to claim 1 , wherein

at least one of the first and second lacquer layers ( 1 . 4 , 1 . 5 ) is applied from an at least partially transparent lacquer, so that a decorative image is optically recognizable through the lacquer layers ( 1 . 4 , 1 . 5 ).

11. The method according to claim 1 , wherein

an intermediate layer is applied between the workpiece ( 1 . 0 ) and the first lacquer layer ( 1 . 4 ).

12. The method according to claim 1 , wherein

drying and/or curing is applied by:

an electromagnetic radiation source with a wavelength of 172 nm, and/or

a UV light source, and/or

an IR light source, and/or

an electron beam source, and/or

a fan that blows air onto the workpiece ( 1 . 0 ) or its lacquer layers.

13. An apparatus for carrying out the method according to claim 1 , comprising:

a coating station and a device for feeding the workpiece ( 1 . 0 ) to the coating station;

a first printing station for applying a first liquid layer ( 1 . 4 ) over an entire surface onto the workpiece ( 1 . 0 ) with a coarse structure;

a second printing device for applying the second lacquer layer ( 1 . 5 ) to the first lacquer layer ( 1 . 4 ).

14. The apparatus according to claim 13 , further comprising:

at least one station for at least partial curing of the first and second lacquer layers ( 1 . 4 , 1 . 5 )

a station for applying a third, liquid, at least partially transparent, lacquer layer in order to produce a fine structure in certain areas, and/or

at least one printing roller that unrolls on a surface of the workpiece, and/or

a station configured to apply at least one liquid base layer ( 1 . 1 , 1 . 2 ), and/or

a station configured to structure at least one base layer ( 1 . 1 , 1 . 2 ),

a station for drying and/or curing of at least an applied lacquer.