Process to attach thermal stencils to a glass substrate and permanently etch a mark therein

摘要

A high resolution stencil is produced by a thermal printer for the purposes of permanently etching glass for parts identification, tracking and labeling. An improved process to attach the stencil to the glass substrate is defined. An amended aqueous adhesive is used to bind the stencil so that it is in direct contact with the glass at all times and across the entire plane of the stencil and the adhesion is aided by use of a straight-edged tool to help evacuate any potential elements which may hinder the prescribed glass etching compound(s) from completing a clear and precise permanent mark.

主权项

1. A process to permanently chemically etch a glass substrate comprising the steps herein listed:
(a) applying an aqueous adhesive solution to an area to be etched of the glass substrate, wherein the acidic aqueous adhesive solution comprises about 100 grams of raw polyvinyl alcohol beads mixed with about 1.75 liters of water and about 1.75 liters of denatured alcohol; (b) applying a preprinted thermal bi-layer stencil to the acidic aqueous adhesive solution wetted area to be etched, said preprinted thermal bi-layer stencil comprising: a previous layer, permeable to glass etching compounds; and a resist layer, non-permeable to glass etching compounds; wherein said preprinted thermal bi-layer stencil is printed with a design indicia; (c) scraping across the surface of the preprinted thermal bi-layer stencil with a straight edged tool; (d) allowing the acidic aqueous adhesive solution to evaporate from the preprinted thermal bi-layer stencil and the area to be etched; (e) applying a glass etching compound to the pervious layer of the preprinted thermal bi-layer stencil; (f) removing the preprinted thermal bi-layer stencil from the area to be etched; and (g) cleaning the area to be etched.