Exhibition Report on 12th Automotive World

1. Introduction of designs that create surprises with Concealing printing.

1. The Principal of Concealing Printing

Concealing printing is a printing expression that uses a concealing printing ink (ink that adjusts the wavelength and transmission amount of transmitted light) to give a different design that appears when illuminating the backlight to normal decoration. This concealing printing enables a moving design that creates a surprise.

(1) Surface: Matt clear layer (2) PC substrate (3) Back: 1st layer: Concealing Printing Ink (4) Back: 2nd layer: Black outline pattern

(1) Printing (2) Forming (3) Backlight irradiation (Characters appear! , A moving Design that create surprises)

2. Variation of concealing printing by adjusting the wavelength of transmitted light

Concealing printing can add color to transmitted light by adjusting the wavelength of transmitted light of concealing printing ink. By adjusting the wavelength of the transmitted light, a design with abundant color variations is realized while using the same white backlight.

Design that sets the wavelength (color) of transmitted light for each printed material (Without white backlight: upper, At irradiation: lower)

2. Introducing seamless design that let you forget existence of display

What is a seamless design for display ?

Seamless design for display is an application of concealing printing, in which the screen is made inconspicuous by assimilating the black screen with the window frame and black housing when the display is not active. This is achieved by applying concealing printing to the entire display and window frames.

Seamless design with display assimilated to window frame

When using the display, the image is displayed as usual.

3. Introduction of Ink for sensor (IR transmittable ink) that achieves both safe and autonomous driving and improved design

1. What is Ink for sensor ?

Ink for sensor (infrared transmittable inks, IR transmittable inks) are those that selectively transmit light (infrared light) of the wavelength that the sensor should detect, and block other light (Visible light, ultraviolet light, etc.). By using ink for sensor, you can freely design the sensor light receiving port.

Structure of Ink for sensor

Examples of motion sensor sheets printed with various colors of sensor ink.

2. Sensors (radars) related to safety and autonomous driving technology

Automobiles require many sensors to improve their safety and achieve autonomous driving. Specifically, there are millimeter-wave radars that track the distance between objects and people, motion sensors that track their movements, and LiDAR sensors that track the surrounding conditions, including those, in three dimensions.

Ink for sensor contribute to decorating light receiving port of these sensors and improving sensor functions.

Application image of ink for sensor to automobile

4. Introduction of high-quality decoration with High-Definition Ink

1. What is High Definition Ink ?

High Definition Ink is high-quality, high-definition screen inks that enable high-quality printing of line and space of 100 µm fine lines, dot diameters 100 µm gradations, and thick solids, which were difficult with conventional screen inks. The comparison of print quality between High Definition Ink and conventional ink is as follows.

High print quality of High-Definition Ink (High-Definition screen ink) can be confirmed with a microscope (line & space 100µm, dot 250µm in diameter)

2. High-quality expression realized by High-Definition Ink (High-Definition screen ink)

The high print quality of High-Definition Ink enables delicate designs using fine lines of 100 µm and luxurious designs that combine rich solids and high-resolution gradations. These are expressions that were not possible with conventional screen inks. When you want to achieve a design that uses new expressions, High-Definition Ink is the optimal ink.

Example of high-quality design using fine lines made of High-Definition Ink (line and space of 100 µm and a dot diameter of 250 µm)

Example of high-class design with rich solids and high-resolution gradations with High-Definition Ink.

5. Introduction of cost reduction realized by High Definition Ink

What is the significant reduction in the multicolor printing process with High-Definition Ink ?

High-Definition Ink can print high-precision gradations with a dot diameter of 100 µm and rich, beautiful solids simultaneously on a single stencil. With this high print quality, it is possible to reproduce an image that was conventionally expressed by multi-color printing in 10 processes in 5 half processes.

Image printed with conventional ink in 10 processes.

Image printed in 5 steps of High Definition Ink (high definition screen ink)

6. Introduction of Clear for display contributes to improvement of visibility of automobile meter

What is a clear for display that can set optical characteristics (glossiness) ?

This clear for display has the function of adjusting the gloss value, which is the glossiness that reflects external light. This adjustment function enables the realization of anti-glare (anti-reflection) clear according to the usage environment, and contributes to the improvement of visibility of automobile meters and the like.

Comparative example of reflected light by gloss value (Gloss value from left, 5, 10, 20)

Example of anti-reflective clear (Gloss value from left, 5, 10, 20)

7. Various clear (1) Introduction of scratch resistant matt clear to prevent deterioration due to scratch.

1. What is Scratch resistant matt clear (FLG-HF G05 MATT CLEAR) ?

Scratch resistant matt clear (FLG-HF G05 Matt Clear) is a matt clear (screen printing ink) that balances formability and high scratch resistance (scratch and abrasion resistance) by optimally balancing flexibility and hardness. A super matt with a gross value of 0.5 can also be set, making it possible to achieve both forming and matting, which were difficult to achieve at the same time. By using this scratch-resistant matt clear for automobile interiors, it is possible to maintain a beautiful interior space without scratches.

Scratch resistant matt clear with no noticeable scratches even when rubbed with a gold brush (black and gray part in the middle)

Scratch resistant matt clear that realizes formability and matt that are difficult to balance side. (Picture from Convertech Japan 2016)

2. Contributing to cost reduction by simplifying scratch prevention process

By using this scratch-resistant matt clear (FLG-HF G05 Matt Clear) for automobile meters, you can eliminate the need to attach a scratch-resistant film, which was required in the conventional manufacturing process, and expect to reduce costs.

Example of use on automobile meter

8. Introduction of phosphorescent inks that have a wide range of applications, such as design, safety, and power saving

Phosphorescent ink with high luminance function and luminous power

Phosphorescent ink is an ink that has the function of absorbing light and emitting light. This luminance function demonstrates its power in a design that considers convenience and safety assuming the use of cars at night. Also, by emphasizing the design, it is possible to create a spatial presentation with a different impression between day and night.

Phosphorescent ink that exhibits high brightness when irradiated with black light

Example of Phosphorescent ink used for display to enhance safety

9. Introduction of piano black ink (jet black ink) that contributes to the high-quality look of automobile interiors

What is piano black ink (jet black ink) ?

Piano black ink is a black ink that expresses deep and beautiful black like a high-end piano, and is set in the IPX-HF / MRX-HF ink series. This black color is also called jet black ink because of its moist black color like lacquered. By using this piano black ink for interior parts such as operation panels of automobiles, it is possible to create a luxurious interior space.

Piano black ink (right) that expresses deeper black color compared to ordinary black ink (left)

Comparison by penlight irradiation (ordinary black ink (left) and piano black ink (right))