Dry-Offset Printing Blanket with Polished Contact Layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for producing printing blankets, particularly for dry offset printing, result in undesirable sanding structures on the ink transfer surface due to grinding, which can impair ink transfer and limit design options, and may cause damage leading to unusable blankets.
Innovation Solution
The method involves grinding the contact side of the contact layer instead of the printing side of the cover layer, allowing embossing and embossing foil/paper to be used on the cover layer to create a predetermined thickness and improve ink transfer without damaging the printing side, and incorporating a reinforcement layer for stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the radially outward-facing surface of the cover layer is ground to adjust thickness, then the thickness tolerance is improved, but sanding structures are created on the printing side that impair ink transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The blanket is divided into distinct functional layers: a cover layer for ink transfer and a contact layer for cylinder contact. The contact layer is ground instead of the cover layer, separating the thickness adjustment function from the printing function. This segmentation allows the printing side to remain free of sanding structures while still achieving precise thickness control through contact layer removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact layer acts as an intermediary layer between the cover layer and the blanket cylinder. By grinding the contact layer instead of the cover layer, the harmful sanding structures are confined to the intermediary contact layer rather than the functional printing surface. The embossing foil serves as another intermediary tool to create the desired surface structure without direct abrasive contact on the printing side.
2Manufacturing precision
If the printing side of the cover layer is ground, then thickness is adjusted, but the printing side cannot be embossed by other methods
Solution Approach 1:
The blanket structure is segmented into a cover layer and contact layer, allowing independent processing of each. The contact layer absorbs the thickness adjustment through grinding, while the cover layer remains available for embossing operations. This segmentation enables both thickness control and surface structuring to be applied to the cover layer without conflict.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of grinding the printing side (cover layer) as in conventional methods, the invention inverts the approach by grinding the opposite side (contact layer). This inversion allows the printing side to be subsequently embossed without interference from sanding structures, enabling both thickness adjustment and surface customization on the functional printing surface.
3Manufacturing precision
If the radially outward-facing surface is sanded, then thickness is controlled, but hard foreign objects can damage the surface creating raised areas that render the blanket unusable
Solution Approach 1:
The contact layer serves as a sacrificial intermediary layer that absorbs the mechanical stress and potential damage from grinding operations. By performing all abrasive operations on the contact layer rather than the cover layer, the functional printing surface is protected from direct exposure to hard foreign objects and abrasive materials, preventing permanent damage and raised areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-layer construction with a separate contact layer provides beforehand cushioning for the cover layer. This protective structure anticipates potential damage during processing and prevents it from reaching the critical printing surface. The contact layer acts as a buffer that can be damaged or removed without compromising the integrity of the cover layer's printing function.
4Manufacturing precision
If the cover layer is ground to achieve predetermined thickness, then thickness tolerance is improved, but ink transfer quality deteriorates due to sanding structures
Solution Approach 1:
The blanket is segmented into functional layers with distinct roles: the contact layer for thickness adjustment and the cover layer for ink transfer. This segmentation allows precise thickness control through contact layer grinding while preserving the cover layer's surface integrity for optimal ink transfer performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention inverts the conventional approach by grinding the contact layer instead of the cover layer. This inversion ensures that thickness tolerance is achieved without creating sanding structures on the printing surface, thereby maintaining ink transfer quality while meeting dimensional specifications.
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 prevents abrasive structures on the printing side, enhances ink transfer and design flexibility, and ensures stable, durable ink transfer without the limitations of traditional grinding methods.
Implementation Method 1
grinding the contact side of the contact layer
Implementation Method 2
embossing the print side of the cover layer at least in sections using an embossing foil and/or embossing paper
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The present invention relates to an ink transfer medium (1), in particular a printing blanket (1), in particular a printing blanket (1) for offset printing, very particularly a printing blanket (1) for dry offset printing, having a top layer (10) with a printing side (10a), wherein the top layer (10) is configured to transfer an ink by means of the printing side (10a), and having a contact layer (12) with a contact side (12a), wherein the contact layer (12) is configured to be arranged on a surface of a flat body, wherein the contact side (12a) of the contact layer (12) is arranged so as to face away from the printing side (10a) of the top layer (10). The ink transfer medium (1) is characterized in that the contact side (12a) of the contact layer (12) is of polished configuration.