EP1875788A2

EP1875788A2 - Method for producing a partially shaped electrically conductive structure

Info

Publication number: EP1875788A2
Application number: EP06791504A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Walter Lehnberger; Heinrich Wild
Original assignee: Leonhard Kurz GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Leonhard Kurz Stiftung and Co KG
Priority date: 2005-04-27
Filing date: 2006-04-26
Publication date: 2008-01-09
Also published as: JP2008539568A; DE102005019920A1; US20090053508A1; WO2006133761A3; WO2006133761A2

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for producing a partially shaped electrically conductive structure on a carrier substrate (16). A latent magnetic image of the graphic form of the electrically conductive structure, composed of magnetic image points and unmagnetic image points is produced on a magnetizable printing form (11) from a digital data set which defines the graphic form of the electrically conductive structure. Magnetic particles having an electrically conductive surface, which are attracted by the magnetic image points, are arranged and fixed on the carrier substrate (16) through the latent magnetic image, towards the graphic form of the electrically conductive structure by means of the printing form (11). The invention also relates to a multi-layered body which is produced according to said method.

Description

Process for producing a partially formed electrically conductive

structure

The invention relates to a method for producing a partially formed electrically conductive structure on a carrier substrate and a multilayer body produced by this method.

For the production of partially shaped electrically conductive structures on a carrier substrate, it is known to bring a dispersion containing iron particles by gravure, screen printing or flexographic printing on the carrier substrate, for example a carrier film.

A disadvantage of this method is that the iron particle-containing dispersion causes high wear on all elements of the printer engine, such as anilox rolls, screens or flexographic clichés, which come into contact with it. Another disadvantage is that changes to the graphical form of the electrically conductive structure require tool changes that are time consuming and / or costly.

The object of the present invention is to specify an improved method for producing a partially formed electrically conductive structure on a carrier substrate and an improved multilayer body having such an electrically conductive structure.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by a method for producing a partially formed electrically conductive structure on a carrier substrate, wherein it is provided that from a digital data set, which defines the graphical form of the electrically conductive structure, on a magnetizable printing form one of magnetic pixels and formed magnetic nonmagnetic pixels latent magnetic image of the graphic form of the electrically conductive structure, and that by means of the printing form magnetic particles with electrically conductive surface, which are attracted by the magnetic pixels, through the latent magnetic image are arranged on the graphic form of the electrically conductive structure on the carrier substrate and fixed there. Further, this object is achieved with a multilayer body having a partially formed electrically conductive structure, wherein it is provided that the multilayer body has a layer of magnetic particles with electrically conductive surface, which are arranged in the graphic form of the electrically conductive structure.

The inventive method is time and cost saving. With him changes in the graphical form of the partially formed electrically conductive structure with little effort are possible. It can be provided that the digital data set of the graphic form of the electrically conductive structure is produced by a digital imaging process, for example by means of an electronic camera or a scanner, or that the digital data set is generated with a computer-aided design program.

The digital data set may consist of digital pixels, which may have the binary value "1" or "0", wherein the binary value "1" represents a pixel associated with the graphic form of the electrically conductive structure, and the binary value "0" Pixel that is not associated with the graphic shape of the electrically conductive structure.

It may be provided to provide the digital data set for further use in a computer.

The inventive method is characterized by speed, low cost, high flexibility and long life of the printing form. There is no wear on the components relevant to the print result, such as anilox rolls, screens or flexographic tables of conventional printers.

From a printing form described with a latent magnetic image, numerous prints can be made while printing quality remains the same. The method according to the invention is therefore particularly suitable for producing mass products with partially formed electrically conductive structures. The multilayer body according to the invention may be formed with further layers, for example with optical and / or electrical functional layers. In addition to the function of forming a carrier layer for forming the partially formed electrically conductive structure, the magnetic particles can fulfill at least sections of a further function, for example as a magnetic code layer. By means of the invention, antennas, coils and capacitors can be formed in a multi-layer body, as well as electronic assemblies, for example assemblies of polymer electronics, in which the electrically conductive structure can be designed, for example, as connecting lines, electrode layers or the like.

Further advantageous embodiments are designated in the subclaims.

It can advantageously be provided that the multilayer body is a carrier film which is fed and processed in a roll-to-roll process.

It can be provided that the electrically conductive magnetic particles form the electrically conductive structure. For this purpose, the particles must be arranged close to each other when the electrically conductive structure is to be formed with a low resistance.

The electrically conductive magnetic particles may be formed of a soft magnetic core and an electrically conductive shell, so that the magnetic and electrical properties of the magnetic particles are independently optimized.

In a further advantageous embodiment, it is therefore provided that the magnetic particles are electrically conductively connected to one another by a first electrically conductive layer. This layer can be applied as a metallic layer without external current using a reducing agent. Such a method is particularly suitable because it can be formed as a continuous process. The method requires a bare metallic surface of the magnetic particles, ie at least the upper portions of the magnetic particles must be exposed. To are advantageously provided method steps, which are described below.

The first electrically conductive layer may be formed of copper or silver. Preferably, it may be provided to form the first electrically conductive layer with a layer thickness of 40 nm to 70 nm.

It may be advantageously provided that the magnetic particles are formed at least on their surface with a material which is particularly good electroless plating, such as iron, copper, nickel, gold, tin, zinc or an alloy of these substances.

In a further advantageous embodiment it is provided that the first electrically conductive layer is reinforced by a second electrically conductive layer made of a metal with low resistivity, such as aluminum, copper, nickel, silver or gold, which is applied galvanically with external current. The electrical properties of this metallic layer can be adjusted within wide limits by the parameters of the galvanic process. If the magnetic particles already form an electrically conductive structure due to their dense arrangement, it may be provided to dispense with the application of the first electrically conductive layer and instead to apply the second electrically conductive layer instead.

The electrically conductive structure generated by the method according to the invention can thus also be formed by the first and / or second electrically conductive layer.

It may preferably be provided that platelet-shaped magnetic particles are used. It may also be provided that spherical magnetic particles are used. Spherical magnetic particles can be arranged in close proximity to each other, regardless of their rotational position in a spherical packing.

In a further advantageous embodiment, it is provided to use magnetic particles with a diameter of 2 microns to 10 microns, preferably with a Diameter from 2 μm to 4 μm.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the same image resolution is selected for the digital data set and the latent magnetic image. The pixels of the digital data set are therefore assigned 1: 1 to the magnetic pixels on the printing form.

If the 1: 1 assignment is not provided, it can preferably be provided that the quotient of the image resolution of the latent magnetic image and the image resolution of the digital data set or its reciprocal are selected to be integer. Although modern image processing programs make it possible to choose almost any quotient, the image transformation can lead to aberrations which impair the form quality of the structure to be produced. For example, if the first image resolution is 300 dpi (dots per inch, 1 inch = 25.4 mm) and the second image resolution is 600 dpi, then the quotient is 2. Accordingly, one pixel of the digital data set is 4 pixels of latent magnetic Assigned image provided that the same image resolution is provided both in the x-direction and in the y-direction. By contrast, with a quotient of 400/600, 1 pixel of the digital data record is assigned 2.25 pixels of the latent magnetic image. However, only integer pixels can be represented, so that the latent magnetic image has an aberration.

The carrier substrate may include a primer layer on which the magnetic particles adhere. Preferably it can be provided that the primer is applied with a layer thickness of 3 to 4 microns.

It can be provided to apply powdered magnetic particles to the magnetized printing plate and thus to make the formed on the printing plate latent magnetic image visible, that is to develop it. Excess magnetic particles can be removed by stripping or suction. The magnetic particles can now be transferred to the carrier substrate by bringing the carrier substrate into contact with the surface of the printing plate. However, it can also be provided that the powdered magnetic particles are applied to the top of the primer-coated carrier substrate, wherein the back of the carrier substrate faces the top of the printing plate. Advantageously, it can be provided that the carrier substrate is a carrier film a few micrometers thick. Because of the small thickness of the carrier film, the weakening of the magnetic force exerted by the printing form on the particles due to the gap between the particles and the printing plate produced by the carrier film is negligible.

In a further advantageous embodiment, it is provided that a magnetic dispersion is used and the magnetic particles are applied as a disperse phase of the dispersion. It is preferably provided that the proportion of the disperse phase in the dispersion to 2 to 10% by weight. is set.

In order to fix the magnetic particles on the primer, it may be provided to press the magnetic particles into the surface of the primer with a pressure roller. This production step can be facilitated if the primer is heated and / or dissolved. When the magnetic particles are bound in a dispersion, a dispersing agent may be provided which dissolves the primer.

However, it can also be provided that the magnetic dispersion is applied directly to the carrier substrate. As stated above for applying powdered magnetic particles, it may also be provided to coat the printing form with the magnetic dispersion and then to transfer the magnetic dispersion to the carrier substrate.

In a further embodiment of the invention can be provided to use a coated with a magnetic dispersion carrier substrate, preferably a carrier film, wherein the dispersion medium is dissolved or removed in order to make the magnetic particles fixed in the dispersion again movable. The magnetic particles are now aligned by the latent magnetic image of the printing form. Such a precoating of the carrier substrate may be advantageous in order to arrange the magnetic particles in a particularly uniform and dense packing on the carrier substrate.

It can also be provided to arrange the magnetic particles in a full-surface magnetic layer on the carrier substrate, which can be partially removed by means of a release layer. Advantageously, it can be provided be that the magnetic printing plate is formed as an endless circulating belt, so that the relative speed between the carrier substrate and the printing plate during the detachment of the magnetic layer is zero. The magnetic layer is peeled off in areas that are not located over magnetic areas of the printing plate. Here, the adhesive force of the magnetic layer and the

Release layer to be chosen so that it is smaller than the magnetic adhesive force of the magnetic areas of the printing plate.

For fixing the magnetic particles on the carrier substrate, it may be provided that solvent is expelled from the primer and / or the dispersing agent, or that the primer and / or the dispersing agent are melted or that the primer and / or the dispersing agent are cured.

It can further be provided that the adhesive layer formed from the primer and / or the dispersion medium is formed with a layer thickness which is 0.5 times to

1.5 times the mean diameter of the magnetic particles, preferably 0.5 times to 0.8 times.

It can be provided that the upper portions of the magnetic particles are exposed before the electroplating of the first and the second electrically conductive layer. For this purpose, a solvent may be used which dissolves the primer and / or the dispersant. Alternatively it can be provided that the upper portions of the magnetic particles are exposed by a partial thermal removal of the primer and / or the dispersing agent. It may also be provided a mechanical removal, exposing the upper portions of the magnetic particles.

It can be provided that the adhesive layer in which the magnetic particles are fixed on the carrier substrate has a layer thickness which is 50% to 80% of the mean diameter of the magnetic particles. It can further be provided that the magnetic particles protrude by 5% to 95% of their average diameter from the adhesive layer, preferably by 40% to 60%.

The magnetizable printing forme required for the method described above can be used as a rotating printing cylinder or as a circulating endless printing belt be educated. Advantageously, a circulating endless printing belt can be provided, because the carrier substrate supplied in a roll-to-roll process can form a contact surface with the printing belt in which the relative speed between carrier substrate and printing belt is zero. The same advantageous function can be embodied for a circulating printing drum when the carrier substrate wraps around a section of the printing drum.

In a further advantageous embodiment, it can be provided that the production device intended for the method according to the invention is provided with additional further and / or downstream of the production device

Manufacturing facilities is linked. The carrier substrate may be, for example, a multilayer film body which has a plurality of optical and / or electrical functional layers. The multilayer film body provided with an electrically conductive structure in the method according to the invention can now be completed in one or more subsequent production stations with further layers, for example to form a film circuit with optical security features.

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the drawings. Show it

Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of a manufacturing station for

Implementation of the method according to the invention in a schematic representation;

FIG. 2a shows an example of a digital image of a partially formed electrically conductive structure; FIG.

FIG. 2b shows an enlarged detail IIb from FIG. 2a; FIG.

3a to 3f are schematic sectional views of the realized with the manufacturing station in Figure 1 results of the method steps. Fig. 4 shows a second embodiment of a manufacturing station for

5a to 5d show schematic sectional views of the results of the method steps realized with the production station in FIG. 3;

Fig. 6 shows a third embodiment of a manufacturing station for carrying out the method according to the invention in a schematic

Presentation;

7a to 7e show schematic sectional views of the results of the method steps realized with the production station in FIG.

1 shows a production station 1 for carrying out the method according to the invention with a printer 10, a washing station 20, a drying station 30, a galvanizing bath 40 and an aftertreatment station 50. FIGS. 3a to 3f show schematic representations of the results of the method steps realized with the production station 1 ,

FIGS. 2 a and 2 b show, for better understanding, a digital image 9 of a partially formed electrically conductive structure 9 f, which, as shown in FIG. 2 a, may be a conductor track wound as a flat coil. The conductor can, for example, form an antenna for receiving high-frequency signals. The digital image 9 can be stored as a digital data set in a computer.

FIG. 2b now shows an enlarged detail of FIG. 2a. The digital image 9 is formed of pixels which may have the binary value "1" or "0", the electrically conductive pattern 9f being formed of pixels 9s having the binary value "1." The remaining regions of the image 9 are pixels 9w formed with the binary value "0". In the example shown in Fig. 2b are circular pixels 9s and 9w arranged in a grid so that the pixels lines and rows form and adjacent pixels have a common point of contact. However, it can also be provided that the pixels are for example elliptical, square or rectangular and / or that between adjacent pixels, a distance is formed.

The printer 10 is a printer with a rotating magnetizable printing drum 11 having a writing head 12 and an erasing head 13 to which a carrier sheet 16 is fed in a continuous roll-to-roll process. The carrier film 16 is pressed with a pressure roller 11 a to the printing drum 11.

The carrier film may be, for example, a PET or POPP film with a thickness of 10 μm to 50 μm, preferably with a thickness of 19 μm to 23 μm. Layers may already be applied to the carrier film, such as a release layer and a protective lacquer layer. The release and protective lacquer layers may preferably have a thickness of 0.2 to 1.2 μm. A multilayered support film may have further layers such as decorative layers for forming optical effects and electrical functional layers, e.g. structured semiconductor polymer layers.

The write head 12 of the printer 10 in the illustrated embodiment consists of magnetic heads 12k arranged side by side in a print line (see Fig. 3a), which can be controlled pixel by pixel by an electronic control device, not shown in FIG. The control device can be, for example, a computer with image processing and control software, in the memory of which the digital data record of the image 9f (see Figures 2a and 2b) of the partially formed electrically conductive structure is stored.

As shown schematically in Fig. 3a, the write head 12 generates on the

Surface of the rotating printing drum 11 successive image lines formed from magnetic pixels 11m, wherein the above-mentioned in Fig. 2b designated pixels 9s and 9w give the information which magnetic head 12k is driven, that is traversed by current and so a driven magnetic head 12k 'is formed. The driven magnetic heads 12k 'are the pixels 9s with the Binary value "1" assigned, while the non-driven magnetic heads 12k associated with the pixels 9w with the binary value "0".

A driven magnetic head 12k 'aligns the elementary magnets disposed in its region of influence of the surface of the printing drum 11 along its magnetic field lines and thus generates a magnetic pixel 11m capable of attracting magnetic particles such as iron powder particles. The magnetic heads 12k and 12k 'are arranged at a distance 12a, which is the pitch of the pixels 11m. It is preferably provided that also the pixels 9s or 9w (see Fig. 2b) have this center distance, i. that the resolution of the digital record of the electrically conductive structure and the resolution of the printer coincide. In this way, exactly one magnetic pixel 11 m is associated with each pixel 9 s (see Fig. 2b) and exactly one non-magnetic pixel is associated with each pixel 9 w (see Fig. 2b). For example, resolutions of 600 dpi can be achieved with magnetographic printers, i. 600 pixels can be displayed per inch (1 inch = 25.4 mm). At such a resolution, the pixels are arranged at a distance of about 40 microns.

When the printing drum 11 is completely written out after one revolution, the writing operation performed by the writing head 12 can be ended. The latent magnetic image written on the printing drum 11 may then be repeatedly transferred to the carrier sheet 16, as described below.

With the aid of the erase head 13, the magnetic pixels 11m can be erased again in order to write new image information on the printing drum 11. The erase head can bring by means of high-frequency excitation elementary magnets of the printing drum 11 in a disordered position, so that the printing drum 11 is then formed again non-magnetic.

But it can also be provided that the printing drum 11 continuously with

Image information is described, ie that with each revolution of the printing drum 11 of the erase head 13, the printing drum 11 is demagnetized line by line and the writing head 12 then line by line image information writes to the printing drum 11. The latent magnetic image formed by the writing head 12 on the surface of the printing drum 11 is made visible in a developer unit 14 disposed behind the recording head 12 in the direction of rotation of the printing drum 11. The developer unit 14 has a storage container 14v from whose metering slot a magnetic dispersion 14d is applied to the surface of the printing drum 11, and a scraper 14a arranged behind the metering slot. The magnetic dispersion 14d is preferably spherical magnetic particles 14k bound in a dispersant 14b. The magnetic particles 14k have an electrically conductive surface. They may have a diameter of 2 to 10 microns, preferably from 2 to 4 microns. The core may be formed of iron, nickel-cobalt, an iron alloy or a magnetic ceramic, the conductive shell of iron, copper, nickel, gold, tin, zinc or an alloy of these substances. If the magnetic core is formed of electrically conductive material, can be dispensed with the electrically conductive sheath. But it can also be provided to form an electrically conductive core with an electrically conductive sheath made of another material, for example, to form high conductivity or special electrochemical properties. The dispersant 14b may preferably be formed as a water-soluble dispersing agent.

With the above-mentioned particle diameters, 4 to 20 magnetic particles per pixel can be arranged side by side at a printer resolution of 600 dpi and at maximum ball packing. For better clarity, only 4 magnetic particles 14k per pixel 11 m are shown in FIGS. 3b to 3e.

The magnetic dispersion 14d is adjusted in its viscosity so that the magnetic particles 14k can optimally arrange on the pixels 11m, ie in dense spherical packing, and can be removed again from the printing drum 11 by the scraper 14a in the regions which have no pixels , In Fig. 3b it can be seen that thereafter magnetic particles 14k are arranged only in the areas of the magnetic pixels 11m, which are fixed by the magnetic pixels 11m in position and now make visible in the surface of the printing drum 11 stored latent magnetic image. Now, the visible image formed by the magnetic dispersion 14d is transferred to the carrier sheet 16. For this purpose, the carrier film is brought in the direction of rotation of the printing drum 11 after the developer unit 14 to the printing drum 11 and pressed with the pressure roller 11 a on the printing drum 11. The magnetic dispersion 14d is adjusted in its adhesive properties so that it preferably adheres to the carrier film 16 and is detachable from the printing drum 11 without residue. It may be intended to heat the pressure roller 11 a and in this way to increase the viscosity of the magnetic dispersion 14 d or to fix the magnetic particles 14 k on the carrier film by other suitable measures. For example, the side facing the printing drum 11 of the carrier film 16 may additionally be coated with a primer, ie an adhesion promoter. FIG. 3c shows the carrier foil 16 coated with the magnetic dispersion 14d before separation from the printing drum 11 and FIG. 3d thereafter.

The printed carrier film 16 now passes through the washing station 20, in which the upper surface sections of the magnetic particles 14k are freed from the dispersion medium 14b. Since it is preferably a water-soluble dispersant 14b, this can be removed in an environmentally friendly way in a water bath. Figure 3e shows the coated carrier sheet 16 after leaving the washing station 20. The upper surface portions of the magnetic particles 14k are now exposed and protrude from the dispersant 14b.

In the subsequent drying station 30, which in the illustrated embodiment has a lamp 301 emitting thermal and / or UV radiation, the dispersion medium 14b is now cured. In this way, the magnetic particles 14 k are fixed on the carrier film 16. The curing may be a crosslinking reaction of the dispersant 14b initiated by UV irradiation. For example, water-soluble polymers can be cured in this way.

Finally, the carrier foil 16 passes through the electroplating bath 40. There, it may be provided to deposit a first electrically conductive layer 14m on the magnetic particles 14k in a first method step by a chemical reaction without external current. It may be a copper layer or a silver layer, which can be deposited particularly well with such a method. Advantageously, it is provided to form the electrically conductive layer 14m with a layer thickness of 40 nm to 70 nm. The reaction medium used may be a copper sulphate bath of the following composition:

Component share

Copper (II) sulfate 5 hydrate 160-240 g / l = 40-60 g / l Cu

Sulfuric acid 40 - 100 g / l

Chloride (e.g., as sodium chloride) 30-150 mg / l

The electrolessly deposited electrically conductive layer 14m can now be reinforced by electroplating with external current with a second electrically conductive layer 14m ', for example to improve the conductivity and / or the mechanical strength. The second layer 14m 'may be a layer of the metal of the first layer 14m. But it can also be provided another metal. For example, silver or gold may be provided for the first layer 14m 'to form a particularly good conductivity or corrosion resistance. The current density can preferably be set to 5 A / dm ² . Fig. 3f shows the finished carrier film 16 with the two layers 14m and 14m '.

In the aftertreatment station 50, the carrier film 16 can be neutralized and dried. The neutralization can be carried out by a washing process, which removes the remains of the electroplating bath. For this purpose, rinsing and the use of organic acids can be provided.

Further manufacturing steps may be provided to apply further layers to the carrier film 16 and / or to structure layers. As already explained above, the carrier film 16 can already be a multilayer film which, in addition to conductive structures, has further functional and / or decorative layers. The partially formed metallic layer applied as described above may be, for example, printed conductors which interconnect organic semiconductor structures and which are embedded in decorative regions, which are formed, for example, as optically active diffractive structures. 4 now shows a magnetographic production station 2, in which a magnetizable circumferential pressure belt 111 is provided as the printing form. The manufacturing station 2 is formed from a magnetographic printer 110, the drying station 30 and the electroplating bath 40.

The generation of the latent magnetic image on the surface of the printing tape 111 is provided as described above in FIG. 5a shows the formation of the magnetic pixels 11 m in the printing belt 111 in the same way as described above in the printing drum 11 (FIG. 3 a).

The carrier film 16 is now coated with a primer 16p and is fed to the printer 110 by a roll-to-roll process. It is pressed with the pressure rollers 11a to the means of transport rollers 11t driven continuously rotating pressure belt 111. Such an arrangement establishes a surface contact between the printing tape 111 and the carrier film 16, whereby the printing tape 111 and carrier film 16 are at rest relative to one another.

The primer may be epoxy resin, acrylic resin or radiation-crosslinkable lacquer applied in a layer thickness of 3 to 9 μm, preferably in a layer thickness of 0.5 to 1, 5 times the mean diameter of the magnetic particles, preferably 0.5 times to 0.8 times. To select a suitable polymer, the glass transition temperature of the thermoplastic polymer can be used, which is to be selected depending on the material of the magnetic particle sheath.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, the non-primer-coated side of the carrier foil 16 faces the pressure band 111 and the developer unit 14 is in contact with the primer 16p applied to the carrier foil 16.

The reservoir 14v of the developer unit 14 is filled in this embodiment with a magnetic powder 14p of magnetic particles 14k. In this arrangement, although the magnetic particles 14k do not come into direct contact with the surface of the printing tape 111 because the support film 16 and the primer 16p are interposed therebetween, the quality of development of the latent magnetic layer is poor due to the small thickness of the support film 16 and the primer layer To watch picture. The carrier film 16 may therefore also be a carrier film which, as described above, has additional additional layers.

Excess magnetic particles are now removed by an aspirator 14a 'from the surface of the primer 16p. FIG. 5b shows the carrier film 16 arranged on the printing tape 111 with the primer 16p and the magnetic particles 14k arranged on the surface of the primer 16p at a perpendicular distance from the magnetic pixels 11m.

The pressure rollers 11a, which are arranged one above the other downstream of the suction device 14a ', now press the magnetic particles 14k into the surface of the primer 16p (see Fig. 5c). The sinking of the magnetic particles 14k can be assisted, for example, by heating the pressure rollers 11a. The magnetic particles 14k are then permanently fixed in the drying station 30 on the carrier film 16. The drying station 30 is arranged downstream of the printing belt 111 in the embodiment shown in FIG. Thermal radiation or UV radiation provided by the lamp 301 dries the primer and / or hardens it, as already described in FIG. 1 using the example of the dispersion medium 14d.

If the lamp 301 is a heating lamp which dries the primer by thermal radiation, the arrangement of the drying station 30 shown in FIG. 4 after the printing tape 111 can be particularly advantageous since the magnetization of the printing tape 111 can be weakened by heating ,

It can also be provided to modify the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 so that the primer 16p is loosened and / or softened to such an extent after the excess magnetic particles have been sucked off in an additional processing station, not shown in FIG sink the surface of the primer. It may further be provided that the drying station 30 is arranged in place of the two opposing pressure rollers 11a and said additional processing station between the suction device 14a 'and the drying station 30 is arranged. Finally, the carrier film 16 passes through the two-stage electroplating bath 40, in which first the electrically conductive layer 14m is deposited externally currentless on the magnetic particles 14k and then the metallic layer 14m 'is applied with the aid of external current.

FIG. 5d shows the finished carrier foil 16 with the primer layer 16p and the magnetic particles 14k covered with the layers 14m and 14m '.

FIG. 6 now shows a third exemplary embodiment with a production station 3, which differs from the production station 2 described above in FIG. 3 substantially in the manner of the carrier film 16 to be printed. FIGS. 7a to 7e show the results of the individual production steps in schematic sectional representations.

The manufacturing station 3 comprises a magnetographic printer 210, which

Drying station 30 and the electroplating bath 40. The printer 210 is formed like the printer 110 described above with a circumferential pressure belt 211. As shown in Fig. 7a, magnetic pixels 11m can be formed in the printing tape 211.

FIG. 7b now shows the carrier foil 16, which is already coated with the primer 16p and the magnetic dispersion 14d, in contact with the printing band 211. The magnetic particles 14k bound in the magnetic dispersion 14d are preferably in one layer in dense spherical packing in a washable dispersing agent arranged. The layer thickness of the adhesive layer formed from the primer and the magnetic dispersion is about 1 * d to 1, 5 * d, preferably 1, 2 * d to 1, 4 * d, wherein d denotes the mean diameter of the magnetic particle 14k. As can be seen in FIG. 7b, magnetic particles 14k are initially also arranged in the regions of the printing tape 211 in which no magnetic pixels are formed. Excess magnetic particles 14k are now removed in a developer unit 214 located at the printer 210. Developer unit 214 is formed with a wash station 214w and an aspirator 214a. When the carrier film 16 coated with the primer 16p and the magnetic dispersion 14d passes through the developer unit 214, the dispersion medium of the magnetic dispersion 14d is first removed in the washing station 214w so that the magnetic particles 14k only pass through in the regions of the magnetic pixels 11m magnetic force of their position are fixed. The suction device 214a downstream of the washing station 214w can now remove the magnetic particles resting outside of the magnetic pixels 11 m. FIG. 6c shows the developed carrier foil 16, in which magnetic particles 14k are present only in the regions of the magnetic pixels 11m.

Now, in a downstream fixing station 530, the magnetic particles 14k are fixed on the carrier film 16. The fuser 530 includes a continuous bath 530b and a dryer 530t. The primer 16p is superficially dissolved in the flow bath 530b by a solvent so that the magnetic particles 14k sink into the surface of the primer 16p. It can also be provided that a curing agent is applied, which forms a curable layer with the primer. The curing of the layer or of the dissolved primer can be effected by thermal or UV radiation. For this purpose, the dryer 530t, which is arranged downstream of the continuous bath, is formed with a lamp 530I which, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, is arranged above the surface of the carrier film 16 facing away from the printing belt 111.

With regard to the electroplating bath 40 and the post-processing station 50 arranged after the fixing station 530, reference is made to the descriptions relating to FIGS. 1 and 4.

Fig. 7e shows the finished carrier foil 16 with the primer layer 16p and the magnetic particles 14k, which are covered with the layers 14m and 14m '. Because it is intended to galvanically reinforce the layer of magnetic particles 14k applied in a roll-to-roll process by means of a highly productive printing process, partially formed electrically conductive structures can be produced in this way which are particularly advantageous in terms of dimensions, material selection and layer thickness are adaptable. The embodiments described above contain partial solutions which can be combined to form further solutions according to the invention. For example, the printing drum can be exchanged for the printing tape or vice versa, without violating the solution principle. In Fig. 1, a line-shaped contact of the carrier film 16 is provided with the printing drum 11. But it can also be a sheet-like contact, as provided in the two other embodiments shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, are prepared by the carrier tape 16 wraps around a peripheral portion of the printing drum 11.

Further variations of the solution according to the invention are produced, for example, by the different coating of the carrier film 16. The carrier film 16 can already be provided with layers which, for example, form optical effects. However, they can also be electrically functional layers which have areas which are to be connected to one another in an electrically conductive manner by the method according to the invention. However, it can also be provided that further layers are applied to the carrier film following the application of the electrically conductive structure.

All solutions are characterized by high flexibility, high processing speed, wear-free, continuous and cost-effective operation with consistently high quality of the end product.

Claims

claims

1. A method for producing a partially formed electrically conductive structure on a carrier substrate (16), characterized in that from a digital data set, which defines the graphical form of the electrically conductive structure, on a magnetizable printing plate (11, 111, 211) on Magnetic pixels (11m) and non-magnetic pixels formed latent magnetic image of the graphic form of the electrically conductive structure is produced, and that by means of the printing plate (11, 111,211) magnetic particles with electrically conductive surface, which are attracted by the magnetic pixels (11m), are arranged and fixed on the carrier substrate (16) by the latent magnetic image to the graphic form of the electroconductive structure.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that magnetic particles (14k) are used with a diameter of 2 microns to 10 microns, preferably with a diameter of 2 microns to 4 microns.

3. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the magnetic particles (14k) are arranged in a ball packing close to lying.

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on the magnetic particles (14k) an electrically conductive layer (14m, 14m ') is applied galvanically.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that the magnetic particles are connected to each other by means of a first electrically conductive layer (14m), which is applied as a metallic layer galvanically without external current using a reducing agent.

6. The method according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that on the magnetic particles or the first electrically conductive layer, a second electrically conductive layer (14m ¹ ) is electrodeposited.

7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carrier substrate (16) before the application of the magnetic particles (14k) with a primer (16p) is coated, preferably with a layer thickness of

3 to 4 μm.

8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the magnetic particles (14k) are applied as a powder.

9. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the magnetic particles (14k) are applied as a disperse phase of a dispersion (14d), wherein preferably the proportion of the disperse phase (14b) on the dispersion (14d) to 2 to 10th % w. is set.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that a dispersing agent (14b) is used, which dissolves the primer (16p).

11. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the magnetic particles (14k) by removing the solvent from the primer (16p) and / or the dispersion medium (14b) on the carrier substrate (16) be fixed.

12. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the magnetic particles (14k) are fixed by melting the primer (16p) and / or the dispersion means (14d) on the carrier substrate (16).

13. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the magnetic particles (14k) are fixed by curing of the primer (16p) and / or the dispersion means (14b) on the carrier substrate (16), in particular by UV radiation or thermally ,

14. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the primer (16p) and / or the dispersion medium (14b) form an adhesive layer with a layer thickness or 0.5 times to 1.5 times the average diameter of the magnetic Particles (14k) is, preferably 0.5 times to 0.8 times.

15. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper portions of the magnetic particles (14k) before the application of the first electrically conductive layer (14m) and / or the second electrically conductive layer (14m ¹ ) are exposed.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that for exposing the upper portions of the magnetic particles (14k), a solvent is used, the primer (16p) and / or the

Dispersing agent (14b) dissolves.

17. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that the upper portions of the magnetic particles (14k) by a partial thermal erosion of the primer (16p) and / or the dispersant (14b) are exposed.

18. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the magnetic particles (14k) are applied to the magnetizable printing plate (11, 111, 211) and are transferred from there to the carrier substrate (16).

19. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the magnetic particles (14k) are applied to the carrier substrate (16) and the printing plate (11, 111, 211) with the latent magnetic image on the on the carrier substrate (16 ) is applied to deposited magnetic particles (14k) opposite side of the carrier substrate (16).

20. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the magnetizable printing plate is designed as a rotating printing cylinder (11).

21. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the magnetizable printing plate is formed as a circulating endless printing belt (111, 211).

22. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carrier substrate is a film, in particular a multilayer film.

23. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is a roll-to-roll process.

24. Multilayer body having a partially formed electrically conductive structure, characterized in that the multilayer body has a layer of magnetic particles (14 k) having an electrically conductive surface, which are arranged in the graphic form of the electrically conductive structure.

25. Multi-layer body according to claim 24, characterized in that the magnetic particles by means of a first electrically conductive layer (14 m) are interconnected, wherein the first electrically conductive layer

(14m) preferably has a thickness of 40 nm to 70 nm.

26. Multi-layer body according to claim 25, characterized in that the first electrically conductive layer (14m) consists of copper, nickel or silver.

27. Multilayer body according to one of claims 24 to 26, characterized in that the multilayer body on the magnetic particles (14k) and / or the first electrically conductive layer (14m) galvanically applied, designed as an electrical functional layer second electrically conductive layer (14m ' ), which preferably has a layer thickness of 2 microns to 50 microns.

28. Multi-layer body according to claim 27, characterized in that the second electrically conductive layer (14m ¹ ) consists of a metal with low resistivity, such as aluminum, copper, nickel, silver or gold.

29. Multilayer body according to one of claims 24 to 28, characterized in that the magnetic particles (14 k) are formed platelet-shaped.

30. Multi-layer body according to one of claims 24 to 29, characterized in that the magnetic particles are embedded in an adhesive layer having a layer thickness which is 50% to 80% of the mean diameter of the magnetic particles (14k).

31. Multi-layer body according to claim 30, characterized in that the magnetic particles (14k) protrude by 5% to 95% of their average diameter from the adhesive layer, preferably by 40% to 60%.

32. Multilayer body according to one of claims 24 to 31, characterized in that the magnetic particles (14k) are formed of a soft magnetic core and an electrically conductive shell, preferably with a shell

Iron, copper, nickel, gold, tin, zinc or an alloy of these substances.