Photosensitive CTP Flexographic Plate Mask Layer Crack Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

CTP flexographic printing original plates experience cracks in the heat-sensitive mask layer during handling, especially under low-temperature conditions, and exhibit uneven optical density due to poor dispersibility of carbon black in binder polymers, which affects ablation efficiency and transmission properties.

Innovation Solution

The use of a combination of methoxymethylated polyamide resin (A) with a low glass transition point and a water-soluble polyamide resin (B) containing a basic nitrogen atom as binder polymers in the heat-sensitive mask layer, with a specific ratio and composition to enhance dispersibility and prevent cracking and optical density unevenness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the heat-sensitive mask layer is made thin to improve ablation efficiency and reduce wrinkles, then the ablation efficiency is improved and wrinkle influence is reduced, but the optical density in transmission becomes uneven due to poor dispersibility of carbon black

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveablation efficiencyVSAvoidoptical density uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the binder polymer by introducing a specific polyamide resin with glass transition temperature of 48-85°C and incorporating 1-10 phr of a plasticizer. This parameter modification improves carbon black dispersibility while maintaining thin film structure, thereby achieving both high ablation efficiency and uniform optical density.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite binder system combining polyamide resin with specific glass transition temperature and plasticizer. This composite material approach enhances carbon black dispersibility and maintains optical density uniformity in thin films, resolving the contradiction between film thickness and optical quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If the heat-sensitive mask layer is made thin to improve ablation efficiency, then the ablation efficiency is improved, but cracks are more likely to generate during handling operations at low temperatures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveablation efficiencyVSAvoidcrack resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the thermal parameters by selecting polyamide resin with glass transition temperature of 48-85°C and adds plasticizer at 1-10 phr. This parameter adjustment maintains film flexibility at low temperatures while preserving thin film structure, preventing crack generation during handling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a flexible thin film structure using polyamide resin with controlled glass transition temperature and plasticizer. This flexible thin film maintains flexibility at low temperatures, preventing crack generation during handling while preserving the benefits of thin film structure for ablation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Ease of manufacture

If a conventional binder polymer is used to form the heat-sensitive mask layer, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the dispersibility of carbon black is poor causing unevenness in optical density

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidoptical density uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the binder polymer by specifying polyamide resin with glass transition temperature of 48-85°C and adding plasticizer at 1-10 phr. This parameter modification significantly improves carbon black dispersibility and optical density uniformity while maintaining relatively simple manufacturing processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

The solution effectively prevents cracks in the heat-sensitive mask layer at low temperatures and maintains even optical density, ensuring high performance and reliability of the CTP flexographic printing original plate under severe conditions.

Implementation Method 1

a glass transition point of the polyamide resin (A) is 0° C. to 30° C.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGlass transition: Glassy Carbon

Implementation Method 2

there is a problem of causing unevenness in the optical density in transmission

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDispersion: Dispersion (of waves)

Implementation Method 3

an infrared-sensitive layer (heat-sensitive mask layer) which is opaque to a chemical ray is formed on a photosensitive resin layer and then this infrared-sensitive layer is evaporated using an infrared laser

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInfrared absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 4

this infrared-sensitive layer is evaporated using an infrared laser whereupon an image mask is formed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser ablation: Laser Ablation

Implementation Method 5

a photosensitive resin layer and a heat-sensitive mask layer which is opaque to a chemical ray

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotopolymerization: Photopolymerisation

Data Source

PatentUS11067892B2Photosensitive CTP flexographic printing original plate
Publication Date: 2021.07.20 TOYOBO MC CORP

AI summary

The present invention aims to provide a CTP flexographic printing original plate having such high performances that, even under a severe low-temperature condition of 10° C. or lower, no crack is generated in a heat-sensitive mask layer and further that, even when the heat-sensitive mask layer is formed as a thin film, no unevenness is generated in an optical density in transmission. A photosensitive CTP flexographic printing original plate, characterized in that, it comprise at least a support, a photosensitive resin layer and a heat-sensitive mask layer which are sequentially layered, that the heat-sensitive mask layer contains a methoxymethylated polys side resin (A) and a water-soluble polyamide resin (B) containing a basic nitrogen atom in a molecule, and that a glass transition point of the polyimide resin (A) is 0° C. to 30° C.