Printable Materials and Shapes

MEMO

In this manual, the printed matter is called "the object to be printed on."

The ECO-UV ink used in this machine is an ink that is instantly adhered to the object to be printed on by irradiating it with ultraviolet light. This makes it possible to perform printing on objects that are difficult to print on using conventional inks. Primer allows printing on a wider range of materials than printing with UV inks alone.

This section explains the materials and forms of objects to be printed on using the machine.

Even materials with the same name have many variations with different properties depending on slight differences in ingredients, and even if the ingredients are the same, printing may or may not be possible depending on differences in surface treatment such as plating or coating.

Even if a material is listed as a printable material, always be sure to perform a test print to confirm that satisfactory print quality can be achieved.

Objects that cannot be printed or have print quality issues

  • In the case of objects that easily reflect light, the reflection of UV light may accelerate the curing of the UV ink on the surface of the print heads, resulting in ink discharge failure.
  • Objects to be printed on that are electrostatically charged should be discharged before use.

    If the ink is electrostatically charged, the position of the ink landing will not be stable, and printing quality will be adversely affected.

  • Objects with excessive unevenness cannot be used for printing.
  • If the object to be printed on still comes loose even with the vacuum table suction turned on, use commercially available tape or some other means to hold the object in place.

    If the object to be printed on comes loose, the ink emission surface of the print heads and the print surface can rub together, resulting in malfunction.

Material

Even materials with the same name can have many variations with their own distinct properties due to slight differences in composition, and even if the composition is the same, it may or may not be possible for you to print on them due to differences in plating, coating, or other such surface treatments.

Even if a material is listed as a printable material, be sure to print a trial print to confirm that you can achieve satisfactory print quality.

Primer Not Used:

  • ABS
  • PET (polyethylene terephthalate)
  • PC (polycarbonate)
  • TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane)
  • Leather
  • Wood

When Using Primer:

  • Acrylic

  • Glass

  • Aluminum

  • Iron

Shape

This section describes the shape of objects to be printed when printing on a flat table or vacuum table. See "Printing on Cylinders" for information on printing with the rotary axis unit.

Unevenness (variation in height) of the print surface is within 2 mm (78.7 mil)


shape_print-surface_undutation

You cannot print on surfaces that are perpendicular to the print heads or that have an overhang at the top that hides hiding the surface beneath the overhang.


shape_print-surface_wall

Print Surface Cannot Be Leveled

  • The surface on which the object is secured is not level.

    shape_fixed-surface_no-hrz
  • The surface on which the object is secured has significant unevenness.

    shape_fixed-surface_undulation
  • The surface on which the object is secured is inclined.

    shape_fixed-surface_slant

If the print surface cannot be kept level due to the reasons mentioned above, measures must be taken to secure the object.

If you cannot keep the print surface level, you cannot print on it.

The Object Lifts Up during Printing

  • The surface on which the object is secured is small.
  • The surface on which the object is secured has cavities.
  • The surface on which the object is secured has holes in it.

In the above cases, vacuum suction may not be effective and the object may be lifted up.

In such cases, it is necessary to secure the object by a method other than suction.

Size and Weight

For objects that exceed 100 mm (3.94 in.) in thickness or 4 kg (8.82 lbs.) in weight, the vacuum table must be removed.

Flat Table Only, without Vacuum Table:


worksize_standard-table

When the Vacuum Table Is Attached:


worksize_vacuum-table

First Object to be Printed on

If the object to be printed on has never been printed on using this machine before, be sure to perform a test print.

If you have an object to be printed on that is not a product, such as a sample or trial product, you can try printing on that.

In the test print, check the following.

  • Does the ink adhere to the object to be printed on?
  • Does it peel off when rubbed?
  • Can you achieve satisfactory print quality?

In addition to the items listed above, the items to be checked will vary depending on the conditions required for the product. Exercise caution.