Nanopaper suitability studies include basis weight testing, whiteness testing, tear strength testing, opacity testing, smoothness testing, and ink absorption testing. Basis weight, opacity and whiteness test are the basic tests of paper. If the basis weight, opacity and whiteness do not conform to the specifications, no matter how fine the print is, it may be returned. The tear strength test can know that the paper resists being torn by external force. The strength characteristics, poor tear strength, the paper is easily damaged; the smoothness of the paper affects the appearance of the paper itself, and has a great relationship with the print color performance; In addition, the ink absorption of the paper must be within the normal range, If the ink absorption is too high, the image details of the print may be lost, and if the ink absorbency is too low, the print may not be easily dried.
From the above explanation, it is important to understand the printability test. These tests can be applied not only to the printability studies of common inks and papers, but also to nanocomposites for printing applications. At present, the printing and research center has accumulated rich test data for many years, and at present, it has sufficient capacity for analysis and analysis of the printability of nanocomposites.
The Institute of Printing and Refining of nanocomposite materials is not only limited to the laboratory test of printability, it is expected that in the future, it will cooperate with the Institute's print test sample and print tube guides (Figure 8 and 9). Machine mode for fitness test. At that time, the printing and copying capabilities of nano inks and nano papers will be verified one by one.
Figure eight print tube guide
Figure 9 print test sample
The main role of the printed color test sample and the print tube guide of the Institute of Printing Research is to test the overall operating conditions of the printing press, ink, and paper. From this test, it is possible to know the actual printed full-plate density value, dot gain, overlap printing ability, print contrast, gray balance and color gamut. The full plate density value is the most basic indicator of color quality control. When the printed product cannot reach the full plate density value under normal conditions, the color is not saturated enough. The enlargement value of the expansion point can be used to know the variation of the percentage of printing outlets. If the outlet expansion value is abnormal, it may cause problems in the overall printing suitability and should be adjusted. The printability data can be used to tell the situation of two-color or three-color superimposition. The value should be within a certain range. Otherwise, the expected color may not be printed. Printing contrast can assist printers in determining what the best full-plate density value should be, so that the depth of print can be optimally achieved. The gray balance data can show the combination of the dot values ​​closest to the neutral color when the three colors (ie, cyan, magenta, and yellow) are superimposed on one another. The color gamut allows one to understand the range of color expressions printed. In addition, the printed matter diagnostic system software developed by the Institute of Printing Research can also be used to assist in judging the printing situation; its system display page is shown in Figures 10 to 14. For nanometer printed material testing, the use of print test specimens and print tube guides is a more in-depth research stage in printability.
Figure 10 Ink density analysis
Figure 11 Dot gain analysis
Figure 12 Analysis of the ability to print overprints
Figure 13 Gray Balance Analysis
Figure 14 color space map drawing
(above image source: Printing Industrial Technology Research Center)
V. Future Outlook
In the past, the printing and research center often focused on color research. It can be said that the research and development of nanocomposite materials is a new attempt. The research and development alliance formed with other related R&D units is a good start. We anticipate that in the future R&D process, technical seminars and alliance exchange meetings will be held regularly or irregularly, and production, official, academic, and research personnel will be invited to participate in the event. Experts and scholars will propose suggestions for nanotechnology topics and review them. And planning for the future direction. In addition, the Institute of Informatics will strengthen its communication with the industry and complete the objectives in stages.
Looking at the long-range target, assisting the counseling printing industry in applying Nanotech products is the vision of the Institute. If the nanocomposite material has many excellent features, and the printing industry does not know to use it, it will violate the original intention of developing nano-printing materials. The future goal of the Institute will not only focus on the printability of nano-printing materials, but will also introduce nanotechnology to the industry so that people in the industry can understand it and improve technology and develop industry competition. force.
Researchers should be optimistic about future R&D output. We believe that the research and development of nano-printed materials will not only benefit a small number of players, but will most likely bring about a chain effect, resulting in a clear market segmentation and eliminating the vicious competition of traditional industry players for many years. At the same time, special printing methods that focus on nanocomposites are more conducive to the development of the printing industry. Therefore, analyzing the future expected benefits of the development of nanotechnology for the printing industry can be roughly divided into four points (application of the printing industry and nanotechnology, 2003):
1. Facilitate fine printing and upgrade the printing industry
2. Strengthen market segmentation to eliminate the vicious competition in the printing industry
3. Develop more special printing
4. Help the Printing Industry Export Expansion
Nanotechnology's R&D is a daunting task, and whether nanoproducts can be pushed into the market and reach the application stage is yet another very practical focus. The Research Center is a bridge between production, government, education, and research. It hopes to enhance the industry through its own meagre power, help the industry to escape the predicament of vicious competition, and bring new hope to the printing industry. This is why Yinyan The center must participate in the original intention of Nanotech R&D.
6. Conclusions The year 2003 was the first year that the government began to promote the technical plan for nanotechnology. Its industrial implementation targets were locked in the three major industries of metal electromechanical, people's livelihood chemicals, and electronic information; and the research and development characteristics of the research and development center belonged to Livelihood chemical industry. A variety of printing-related materials can be implemented by the Indo-Center for the implementation of the Nano program to enhance the traditional printing industry and improve the printing technology. In order to promote the research and development of printing nanocomposite materials from the point of view of printing, the Institute of Printing Research will be able to take root in the printing industry and related industries. For the domestic traditional printing industry, nanotechnology is an opportunity for industrial transformation and an important way to enhance the added value of the traditional printing industry. The Institute of Printing Research sincerely hopes that future efforts will benefit the vast printing industry, not confined to narrow specific groups, and establish a new state of the future development of the printing industry with a meticulous attitude.