Morphology simulation of drop-on-demand inkjet-printed droplets

Inkjet-printed electronics have become a popular research topic in recent years. For common drop-on-demand (DOD) inkjet printing technology, uneven edges are a universal problem. Many factors, such as the properties of the ink and printing parameters, influence this problem, and numerical methods are better than experimental methods for studying these influences. In this paper, a model based on the Volume of Fluid (VOF) method and user-defined files (UDFs) in Ansys F is established to simulate the formation process of deposited ink droplets. The model and UDFs include the friction effect, and the morphology of a single droplet, two fused droplets, and multiple droplets is simulated to study the influence of different factors; some results can serve as guidelines for improving pattern quality. Finally, the effect of selective treatment is also studied to understand its advantages for inkjet printing.

Automated summary

Inkjet-printed electronics have gained popularity in recent years. However, the issue of uneven edges in common DOD inkjet printing technology remains a challenge. This paper presents a simulation model based on the VOF method and UDFs in Ansys F to study the formation process of deposited ink droplets and the influence of different factors. The results provide valuable guidelines for improving pattern quality. Additionally, the advantages of selective treatment for inkjet printing are explored.