Abstract:
A method for forming a retroreflective prism in a substrate includes inserting and retracting a single point diamond tool through a surface of the substrate while moving the single point diamond tool, the substrate, or both the single point diamond tool and the substrate in a direction of travel along at least one axis to generate a facet in the substrate having a facet face parallel to the direction of travel of at least one of the single diamond point tool or the substrate. The facet face has an angle defined by a chiseling edge of the single point diamond tool. The inserting and retracting is repeated at a plurality of locations on the substrate to form an array of retroreflective microstructures on the surface of the substrate. At least one of the array of retroreflective microstructures is a retroreflective prism having a polygonal projected aperture.
Abstract:
Methods for producing retroreflector tooling and retroreflective sheeting using laser writing techniques, and corresponding products thereof, are presented. In one embodiment, a seamless retroreflective sheet having a plurality of retroreflectors formed in a continuous retroreflective microstructured pattern is provided. In the methods described herein, a substrate having a photosensitive coating on a surface thereof is provided. A surface-relief microstructured pattern is produced in the photosensitive coating by selectively exposing the photosensitive coating to a beam of electromagnetic radiation. The exposed portions of the photosensitive coating are developed to form a retroreflective microstructured pattern on the surface of the substrate. The retroreflective microstructured pattern is then transferred into retroreflector tooling comprising the retroreflective microstructured pattern on a surface thereof. A retroreflective sheet containing the retroreflective microstructured pattern on a surface thereof is then formed from the retroreflector tooling.
Abstract:
A method for forming a retroreflective prism in a substrate includes inserting and retracting a single point diamond tool through a surface of the substrate while moving the single point diamond tool, the substrate, or both the single point diamond tool and the substrate in a direction of travel along at least one axis to generate a facet in the substrate having a facet face parallel to the direction of travel of at least one of the single diamond point tool or the substrate. The facet face has an angle defined by a chiseling edge of the single point diamond tool. The inserting and retracting is repeated at a plurality of locations on the substrate to form an array of retroreflective microstructures on the surface of the substrate. At least one of the array of retroreflective microstructures is a retroreflective prism having a polygonal projected aperture.
Abstract:
Methods for producing tooling and sheeting using laser writing techniques, and corresponding products thereof, are presented. In one embodiment, a seamless sheet having a plurality of microstructures formed in a continuous microstructured pattern is provided. In the methods described herein, a substrate having a photosensitive coating on a surface thereof is provided. A surface-relief microstructured pattern is produced in the photosensitive coating by selectively exposing the photosensitive coating to a beam of electromagnetic radiation. The exposed portions of the photosensitive coating are developed to form a microstructured pattern on the surface of the substrate. The microstructured pattern is then transferred into retroreflector tooling comprising the microstructured pattern on a surface thereof. A sheet containing the microstructured pattern on a surface thereof is then formed from the retroreflector tooling.