Imageable Coating Layer for Flexible Lithography Development
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lithography printing plate production methods cannot simultaneously achieve off-press and on-press development, leading to a monotonous and inflexible platemaking process, and pose environmental concerns due to alkaline waste treatment.
Innovation Solution
An imageable coating layer comprising radically polymerizable compounds, radiation-absorbing compounds, free radical initiators, binding agents, and development accelerators, allowing for flexible development processes including off-press and on-press development using a neutral or weakly basic developing solution, which reduces environmental impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional lithography printing plate production methods are used, then the platemaking process is simplified, but the process becomes monotonous and inflexible, unable to simultaneously achieve off-press and on-press development
Solution Approach 1:
The imageable coating layer is designed with multiple functional components that enable it to respond to different development methods (off-press chemical development and on-press mechanical development) in the same way. The coating contains radically polymerizable compounds, radiation-absorbing compounds, free radical initiators, binding agents, and development accelerators working together to provide universal developability across different platemaking processes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adjusts the chemical composition parameters of the imageable coating layer, specifically incorporating development accelerators and optimizing the ratios of radically polymerizable compounds, radiation-absorbing compounds, and binding agents. These parameter changes enable the coating to achieve compatible development characteristics for both off-press and on-press methods
2Productivity
If strong alkaline solution is used for development, then the development efficiency is improved, but environmental pollution increases due to waste liquid disposal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pH parameter of the developing solution from strongly alkaline to neutral or weakly basic by using carbonate and bicarbonate buffers instead of strong bases. This parameter change maintains sufficient development efficiency while dramatically reducing environmental pollution and waste treatment requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the traditionally harmful strong alkaline environment into a beneficial neutral or weakly basic environment using carbonate-bicarbonate buffer systems. This transformation eliminates the harmful effects of strong alkaline waste while preserving the chemical development mechanism's effectiveness
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
Enables flexible selection of development processes without affecting final results, providing at least 10,000 good sheets in printing operation life, with reduced fouling and improved environmental safety through the use of carbonate and bicarbonate-based developing solutions.
Implementation Method 1
a radiation-absorbing compound 0.5 to 12 parts
Implementation Method 2
a free radical initiator 1 to 25 parts
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an imageable coating layer, thermal negative-working lithography printing plate, and platemaking method. The coating layer includes constituents in parts by weight: a radically polymerizable compound 20-60 parts, a radiation-absorbing compound 0.5-12 parts, a free radical initiator 1-25 parts, a binding agent 10-70 parts, and a development accelerator 0.5-15 parts. The platemaking method includes the steps: S1, preparing a printing plate precursor that includes a substrate having a hydrophilic surface or is provided with a hydrophilic layer and imageable coating layer covering the substrate; S2, patternedly exposing the printing plate precursor, forming an exposed area and an unexposed area; and S3, removing the unexposed area via a development process. The employment of the imageable coating layer and the plate making method allows the implementation of a flexible development process of “on-press development” or “off-press development” and produces a printing plate provided with great printing performance.