Print Quality Assessment by Image Processing Methods for Printed Electronics Applications

In industrial and scientific practice, the term print quality is often used and refers to uniform lines with smooth outlines. However, up to date there are no consistent measuring methods to quantify print quality. Therefore, this paper presents a novel approach to print quality assessment by utilizing simple, accurate and objective methods based on image processing and statistics methods. The goal is to find methods which are capable of evaluating the print quality for different materials and processes which could also be used for inline quality control in the future. This paper is divided into two main parts. In the first part methods to calculate ideal line spacing, line widths, outline homogeneity of printed lines as well as measuring the cross section of printed conductors. The second part focuses verifying these methods. Here, the possibility to calculate minimal line widths and line spacing for layout purposes for different screen printing pastes on PET is shown. Finally, print quality performance is assessed for different pastes on PET and PI substrates.