Displaceable Heater for Uniform Thermal Development of Photosensitive Cylinders

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Solution Overview

Problem

Thermal development of cylindrical photosensitive printing elements with different diameters is challenging due to varying heat energy transfer, leading to non-uniformities in the relief surface and increased operational costs and downtime.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus with a displaceable heater that adjusts its position to maintain a predetermined distance from the photosensitive element's surface, ensuring consistent heat energy transfer and uniform removal of the composition layer, regardless of the element's diameter or stiffness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a fixed heater position is used for thermal development, then the processing of elements with a specific diameter is optimized, but processing elements with different diameters results in non-uniform heat energy transfer and non-uniform relief surface

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuniformity of relief surfaceVSAvoidability to process different diameters

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The heater is made displaceable along the axis of the cylindrical element, allowing its position to be dynamically adjusted. This enables the heater to maintain an optimal predetermined distance from the exterior surface regardless of the element's diameter, ensuring uniform heat energy transfer and consistent relief surface quality across different element sizes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the positional parameter of the heater relative to the element. By adjusting the heater's axial position to maintain a predetermined distance from the exterior surface, the system adapts to different element diameters while preserving uniform thermal processing conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If different support cylinders are fitted for each diameter, then processing accuracy for each diameter is improved, but operational downtime and tooling costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing accuracyVSAvoidoperational downtime

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The displaceable heater design creates a universal processing system that can accommodate cylindrical elements of various diameters using a single heater assembly. The heater's ability to adjust its axial position allows it to maintain optimal processing conditions across different element sizes, eliminating the need for multiple specialized support cylinders or tooling changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Use of energy by moving object

If the heater is placed close to the element surface, then heat energy transfer efficiency is improved, but non-uniform heating occurs for elements with varying diameters

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat energy transfer efficiencyVSAvoiduniformity of relief surface

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The displaceable heater maintains a consistent predetermined distance from the exterior surface of cylindrical elements regardless of their diameter. This dynamic positioning ensures that the heater operates at an optimal distance for efficient heat energy transfer while maintaining uniform thermal distribution across the element surface, preventing non-uniform heating.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 approach allows for efficient and reproducible thermal development of cylindrical photosensitive elements with different diameters, reducing operational costs and improving the uniformity of the printing form's relief surface.

Implementation Method 1

a displaceable heater for heating the composition layer at a predetermined distance from the exterior surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal radiation: Thermal Radiation

Implementation Method 2

The absorbent material collects the softened un-irradiated material and then is separated and/or removed from the composition layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS8359975B2Process and apparatus having an adjustable heater

Publication Date: 2013.01.29 SP HOLDING II ET INC

AI summary

This invention provides an apparatus and process for forming a printing form from a photosensitive element having an exterior surface and a composition layer capable of being partially liquefied. The apparatus includes a displaceable heater for heating the composition layer, means for removing at least a portion of the composition layer from the element, and means for displacing the displaceable heater to a predetermined distance from the exterior surface. Positioning the displaceable heater at the predetermined distance assures reproducible removal of the liquefied composition from the various types of photosensitive elements that can be thermally treated in the apparatus, resulting in the printing forms having improved relief surface uniformity.