Conveyance Washing Device for Flexographic Plates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current flexographic printing plate developing devices face challenges in maintaining productivity and maintainability, with open-type cleaning units leading to high maintenance loads and batch processing configurations resulting in low productivity.
Innovation Solution
A conveying type washing device that immerses and conveys flexographic printing plate precursors through a curved path using a belt, roller, or gear system, with a development unit featuring brushes immersed in an aqueous developer to remove unexposed portions, and a processing unit to manage development fatigue liquid, including solids removal via centrifuge or separation membrane.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If an open-type cleaning unit is used for development, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but development scum adheres to the cleaning brush requiring frequent maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cleaning brush from the open environment and places it inside a closed washing tank filled with washing solution. This isolation prevents development scum from adhering to the brush by eliminating direct exposure to air and dried residue, thereby reducing maintenance frequency while keeping the overall structure relatively simple
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a closed washing tank environment that acts as a protective enclosure for the cleaning brush. This enclosed space maintains a controlled atmosphere where the brush remains wet with washing solution, preventing scum formation and adhesion without requiring complex mechanical systems
2Device complexity
If batch processing is used for development, then the device structure is simplified, but productivity decreases due to inability to perform continuous development
Solution Approach 1:
The patent prepares the washing tank with washing solution in advance and positions the cleaning brush within the tank before the printing plate precursor enters. This preliminary setup enables continuous processing without requiring complex reconfiguration between batches, maintaining relatively simple device structure while achieving continuous development capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous conveyance of the printing plate precursor through the washing tank where the cleaning brush continuously contacts the plate surface. This continuous action eliminates idle time between batches while keeping the device structure straightforward by using a simple conveyance mechanism through an enclosed tank
3Duration of action of stationary object
If the cleaning brush is exposed to air after development, then drying occurs but development scum becomes fixed to the brush
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates an inert-like environment within the closed washing tank by maintaining the presence of washing solution. This environment prevents the harmful effect of scum adhesion by ensuring the brush remains surrounded by liquid rather than exposed to air, thereby preventing the chemical and physical processes that cause scum to fix to the brush surface
Solution Approach 2:
The washing solution acts as an intermediary between the cleaning brush and the development scum. By maintaining the brush in contact with the washing solution within the closed tank, the solution prevents direct contact between the brush and airborne contaminants that would cause scum adhesion, while still allowing the brush to perform its cleaning function
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration achieves high productivity by continuous development while reducing maintenance needs, as development scum is prevented from adhering to brushes, allowing for efficient reuse of the washing solution and improved device cleanliness.
Implementation Method 1
a processing unit to manage development fatigue liquid, including solids removal via centrifuge or separation membrane
Implementation Method 2
a processing unit to manage development fatigue liquid, including solids removal via centrifuge or separation membrane
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a conveying type washing device capable of achieving both maintainability and productivity. This conveying type washing device develops a flexographic printing plate precursor after imagewise exposure using a washing solution. The conveying type washing device has a conveying unit that conveys the flexographic printing plate precursor through a conveying path including a curved conveying path, and a development unit that develops the flexographic printing plate precursor in a state in which the flexographic printing plate precursor is immersed in the washing solution by the conveying unit and conveyed.