• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.71-77
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• 2015

Ultrasonic imprinting is a micropattern replication technology for a thermoplastic polymer surface that uses ultrasonic vibration energy; it has the advantages of a short cycle time and low energy consumption. Recently, ultrasonic imprinting has been further developed to extend its functionality: (i) selective ultrasonic imprinting using mask films and (ii) repetitive ultrasonic imprinting for composite pattern development. In this study, selective ultrasonic imprinting was combined with repetitive imprinting in order to replicate versatile micropatterns. For this purpose, a repetitive imprinting technology was further extended to utilize mask films, which enabled versatile micropatterns to be replicated using a single mold with micro-prism patterns. The replicated hybrid micropatterns were optically evaluated through laser light images, which showed that versatile optical diffusion characteristics can be obtained from the hybrid micropatterns.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.51-57
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• 2014

Ultrasonic imprinting is a novel process for replicating micropatterns on thermoplastic polymer substrates with low energy consumption and short cycle time. The polymer substrate is softened by the frictional heat and repetitive deformation energy under ultrasonic excitation; thus, a number of micropatterns are replicated on the softened polymer substrate. In the present work, the effect of mold temperature on the replication characteristics of ultrasonic imprinting is investigated. The temperature change in the patterned region is measured by varying the mold temperature. Numerical simulation is then performed for investigating pattern replication characteristics under various mold temperatures. In addition, pattern replication ratio and uniformity are compared through various experimental measurements. Through the results of these comparisons, it is found that the mold temperature has a significant positive effect on the replication characteristics of ultrasonic imprinting.

• Transactions of Materials Processing
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.36-41
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• 2013

The present study examines the micro-pattern replication on a plastic film using ultrasonic imprinting. Ultrasonic imprinting uses ultrasonic waves to generate repetitive microscale deformation in the polymer film. The resulting deformation heat on the surface of the film causes the surface region to soften sufficiently so that a replication of the micro-pattern can be obtained. To successfully replicate the micro-pattern on a large area of polymer film, a high replication ratio is needed as well as good uniformity over the entire region. In this study, a horn design is investigated by finite element analysis and is optimized through a response surface analysis. In the ultrasonic imprinting experiments, the response surface method was also used to determine the optimal processing conditions for better replication characteristics.