Plasma: a versatile pre-treatment for digital printing
Of all the physical pre-treatments available, atmospheric plasma is definitely the one that best represents versatility.
Versatility in terms of the materials to be treated:
- Plastics
- Composite materials
- Petroleum derivatives
- Metals, etc.
Versatility in terms of treatment spectrum:
- It cleans
- Optimises surface tension
A constantly evolving technology
Although atmospheric plasma has undeniable advantages, it also has certain technical limitations. But these seem to be pushed back every year by innovations that boost its performance and profitability.
For all these reasons, our laboratory bench is equipped with an atmospheric plasma. It is the best ally for our customers' projects, even if we initially test printing without pre-treatment.
Case study: treatment of a polypropylene (PP) cylinder
In the example shown in the video, we treated a low surface energy polypropylene cylinder with a single nozzle atmospheric plasma. The choice of this tool is based on two parameters:
- Intensity of treatment: the single nozzle enables targeted and rapid action, optimising process time.
- Adaptation to object geometry: for small-diameter objects, this solution is ideal.
Two areas of vigilance concerning atmospheric plasma
Cost: on a large scale, and for similar applications, corona treatment may represent a more economical alternative.
The impact of the gases emitted: certain reactive gases used in the plasma treatment process can be corrosive. Materials should be chosen accordingly.
To sum up
The use of atmospheric plasma in digital printing is an effective strategy for improving the adhesion of inks to difficult substrates. Its ability to clean and modify surface tension makes it indispensable for certain industrial applications.
With or without atmospheric plasma, Ardeje Printing's objective remains the same: to design, manufacture and install robust industrial printers that decorate in high definition and quickly.
Would you like to assess the performance of digital printing on your substrates?
We offer to carry out print tests on samples of your products to assess print resistance and aesthetic rendering. These tests are carried out free of charge, within reasonable limits.