IEC 62899-403-1:2018

Overview

IEC 62899-403-1:2018 - Printed electronics - Part 403-1: Printability - Requirements for reproducibility - Basic patterns for evaluation of printing machine - defines commonly‑utilized basic design patterns used to evaluate the reproducibility (printability) of printing machines in the field of printed electronics. The standard specifies a set of evaluation patterns and register marks whose reproducibility is measured to determine printability. It is part of the IEC 62899 printed electronics series and complements measurement methods (IEC 62899-402).

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope and purpose: Standardizes basic patterns for reproducibility assessment of printing machines used in printed electronics.
• Evaluation patterns: Includes named pattern families used to probe different printability attributes (listed in the document as PMVT, PMHZ, PMAG, PMAR, PMCR). These patterns are illustrated and described to enable consistent reproduction and measurement.
• Register marks: Defines multiple register mark designs for alignment and registration evaluation: square, circle, doughnut, triangle, diamond, cross, double cross, and X cross.
• Evaluation requirements: Specifies evaluation items, recommended measurement methods and instruments (mechanical, physical, optical), and how to derive printability from reproducibility of printed patterns.
• Supporting content: Contains annexes with example basic pattern layouts, use cases (e.g., cylinder rotation speed variation, out‑of‑roundness effects), and other evaluation pattern options.
• Terminology and references: Uses IEC and ISO vocabularies (IEC 60050, Electropedia) and preferred numbers guidance (ISO 3).

Practical applications

• Quality assurance and process control: Use the defined basic patterns to benchmark printing machines, validate process changes, and monitor reproducibility across runs.
• Machine acceptance and commissioning: Manufacturers and test labs can apply these evaluation patterns for acceptance testing and machine certification.
• Troubleshooting and maintenance: Patterns and register marks help diagnose registration error, mechanical defects (e.g., cylinder irregularities), or variation in print transfer.
• Research and development: Developers of inks, substrates and new printing processes can use standardized patterns to compare printability performance.

Who would use this standard:

• Printing machine manufacturers and OEMs
• Printed electronics manufacturers and integrators
• Quality engineers, test laboratories, and R&D teams
• Standards bodies and certification organizations

Related standards

• IEC 62899-402 (all parts) - Printability - Measurement of qualities (measurement methods referenced by this part)
• IEC 60050 (Electropedia) - Terminology and definitions
• ISO 3 - Preferred numbers (referenced for dimensions and series)

Keywords: IEC 62899-403-1, printed electronics, printability, reproducibility, basic patterns, evaluation patterns, register marks, printing machine evaluation.