Abstract: An apparatus for printing a conductive ink onto a plastic panel including an articulatable arm having an end that opposes a surface of the panel. A nozzle is mounted via a nozzle height actuator to the end of the arm, and the nozzle is coupled to a source of conductive ink. A flow regulator, coupled to the ink source, regulates the flow rate of ink out of the nozzle and is controlled by the controller. A height sensor is configured to output a height signal relative to the surface and the controller, which is coupled to the arm, the flow regulator, the nozzle height actuator and the sensor, is configured to control the arm, flow regulator, nozzle height actuator, and speed of nozzle movement such that a conductive trace of predetermined height and width is applied to the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention involves a method of transferring a membrane image to an article. The method comprises providing a printed decoration to be applied onto a low surface energy membrane. The low surface energy membrane has a hardness level of greater than 70 durometer Shore A and a surface energy of up to 25 mJ/m2. The method further includes applying a predetermined pressure with a pressure device to force the printed decoration through a screen onto the low surface energy membrane. The pressure device has a hardness of up to 70 durometer Shore A. The method further includes forming the low surface energy membrane to the geometry of the surface of the article and applying pressure between the membrane and the article to transfer the membrane image from the membrane to the article.