The current printing trend comes in the form of 3D, which is used for rapid prototyping (and sometimes actual products) in myriad industries. Casio though, is bringing something entirely new to the plate. They have created a new “2.5D” printer that can actually mimic leather and fabric.
At CEATEC, Casio showcased a demo of its new Mofrel printer. It adds a range of textures on top of ordinary sheets of paper and finishes off with a final touch from the 16-million-colour inkjet.
As related by Engadget, the printed demos have a realistic and detailed look with a very convincing feel to it. Even the uneven surfaces and lumpiness of the leather, the subtle bumps on the stitches and the coarseness of the embroidered fabrics most used for kimonos have a great sense of realness and quality.
Hard materials like wood, ceramic, stone and bricks can also be mimicked. But, an additional coating for hardness and shininess may be required.
So, whats the secret behind all of this magic and trickery? It lies in Casio’s “digital sheets”. It may look like a thicker form of paper, but they are coated with micro powder layers between the inkjet layer and the paper.
Each powder particle consists of a liquid hydrocarbon coated with a thermoplastic resin (acrylonitrile). When exposed to heat, the combination expands when exposed to heat but the structure retains when heat is retracted. This results in a mimicked texture left behind on the sheet.
The entire process takes about three to five minutes for a single-sided A4 “digital sheet”. But the company says the printing process for a single sheet will cost around USD10 (MYR42.32). The printer can also print A3-sized sheets. However, the prices for the printers are unclear as of now.
This solution would be a godsend to designers as it is cheaper and faster for prototyping compared to conventional methods with real materials.
Are you a designer? What do you think of this ground-breaking new innovation?
Source: Engadget
