Curved products, such as roof-top containers, are particular targets for thermoforming-compliant inks

EFI looks to be fine-tuning its development and production of inks for thermoforming by acquiring staff and intellectual property from Polymeric Imaging, a specialist in their development.

Staff will join the Silicon Valley manufacturer's ink development team to work on inks suited to the stresses of thermoformed applications. In these manufacturing processes the plastic or acrylic substrate is heated, formed to shape and then trimmed, requiring the ink to sport very particular qualities in order to be suitable. These include a balance of durability and flexibility, which are determined primarily by fluid density and curing temperature, as well as ensuring that the ink will not crack or chip when the material is routed.

Potential application areas include direct-to-surface packages and containers, as well as slimming down productions lines for white goods and other large parts, such as vehicle panels. Such inks would also be suitable for printing onto riveted or unusual surfaces and indicate an interest in advancing the role of EFI solutions for in-line and industrial production environments.

Stephen Emery, who is vice-president of EFI's ink business, hints at the same: "The technology we are acquiring will allow EFI to continue expanding our efficient, high-quality ink-jet platforms into new markets."