According to one embodiment, a method for generating a droplet recipe used in imprint lithography includes acquiring feature data for a pattern shape that has been formed on a template. The feature data is acquired by measuring the pattern shape of a pattern that has been formed on the template. A dispensing amount for resin to be dispensed on a substrate for filling of the pattern of the template during imprinting of the pattern of the template on the substrate is calculated, based on the acquired feature data. A dispensing amount for resin corresponding to a target thickness of a residual film formed on the substrate during the imprinting of the pattern of the template on the substrate is also calculated. A droplet recipe for dispensing of resin during imprinting of the pattern of the template is then generated based on the calculated dispensing amounts.

A method of forming a component having multiple material properties includes forming, by additive manufacturing, a particle containment structure on a base layer; filling the particle containment structure with a first layer of particles, the layer of particles being contained by the particle containment structure; curing the first layer of particles; repeating the forming the particle containment structure, filling the particle containment structure with one or more additional layers of particles and curing the one or more additional layers of particles until a desired component dimension is achieved; forming, by additive manufacturing, a cover to encapsulate any exposed particles; and fully curing the particle containment structure, particles and cover.

Negatives, and laminates containing negatives, for exposing liquid photopolymers in UV flexographic plate making are created by printing opaque images directly onto the protective or release cover films used in plate making processes. Combining negatives and cover films in this way eliminates two layers and two interfaces in the exposure process, reducing cost and improving quality. By bringing the negative images as close as possible to the liquid photopolymer, printed dots of digital quality are created.

A method of forming a component having multiple material properties includes forming, by additive manufacturing, a particle containment structure on a base layer; filling the particle containment structure with a first layer of particles, the layer of particles being contained by the particle containment structure; curing the first layer of particles; repeating the forming the particle containment structure, filling the particle containment structure with one or more additional layers of particles and curing the one or more additional layers of particles until a desired component dimension is achieved; forming, by additive manufacturing, a cover to encapsulate any exposed particles; and fully curing the particle containment structure, particles and cover.

A system or machine is disclosed which takes pre-stretched emulsion coated screens, digitally prints thereon and exposes them before further processing and use in a screen printing machine.

Substrates, such as printed circuit boards, are coated with an aqueous alkaline developable UV photosensitive material followed by applying an aqueous soluble UV transparent film to coat the UV photosensitive material. An aqueous alkaline soluble UV blocking composition is selectively applied to the surface of the UV blocking film to function as a mask. UV light is applied to portions of the UV photosensitive material not covered by the mask. The UV blocking composition, UV transparent film and selective sections of the UV photosensitive material are simultaneously removed with an aqueous alkaline developer solution to form an image on the substrate.

A system or machine is disclosed which takes pre-stretched emulsion coated screens, digitally prints thereon and exposes them before further processing and use in a screen printing machine.

Substrates, such as printed circuit boards, are coated with an aqueous alkaline developable UV photosensitive material followed by applying an aqueous soluble UV transparent film to coat the UV photosensitive material. An aqueous alkaline strippable UV blocking composition is selectively applied to the surface of the UV transparent film to function as a mask. UV light is applied to portions of the UV photosensitive material not covered by the mask. The UV blocking composition, UV transparent film and selective sections of the UV photosensitive material are simultaneously removed with an aqueous alkaline developer solution to form an image on the substrate.

A device for structuring the surface of a metal pressed sheet or of an endless strip, comprising a support device adapted to support the metal pressed sheet or endless strip during structuring, and a spray head and a slideway adapted to permit movement of the spray head into a desired position within a plane defined by an X and a Y coordinate. The spray head is further adapted to move in a Z direction with reference to a work surface which is spanned by the X and Y direction, and the spray head is guided by means of a digitalized template that is identical to the printed image of an impregnated paper used in a further pressing process. Independent drive elements are connected to a control unit and configured to move the spray head into the desired position.

A method of forming a metallic pattern on a substrate is provided. The method includes applying onto a metallic surface, a chemically surface-activating solution having an activating agent that chemically activates the metallic surface; non-impact printing an etch-resist ink on the activated surface to produce an etch resist mask according to a predetermined pattern, wherein at least one ink component within the etch-resist ink undergoes a chemical reaction with the activated metallic surface to immobilize droplets of the etch-resist ink when hitting the activated surface; performing an etching process to remove unmasked metallic portions that are not covered with the etch resist mask; and removing the etch-resist mask.