Imaging Blanket Thermal Conductivity via Composite Fillers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lithographic printing techniques face challenges in accommodating high-speed variable data printing due to the high cost of permanently patterned imaging plates and the issue of temperature-related image quality defects caused by poor thermal conductivity in imaging blankets, leading to issues like ghosting and thermal blooming during repeat printing.
Innovation Solution
An imaging blanket with a thermally-conductive composition comprising a silicone elastomer and thermally-conductive fillers, such as metal oxides or carbon nanotubes, combined with a fluorosilicone top coat for improved thermal conductivity and temperature control, which maintains a stable temperature during repeated printing cycles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If an engineered rubber substrate with reinforcing fabric layers and compressible foam layer is used, then the imaging blanket provides good mechanical properties and comfort, but the thermal conductivity is poor leading to temperature rise during repeat printing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining silicone elastomer with thermally-conductive fillers (such as aluminum oxide, boron nitride, carbon black, carbon nanotubes, or graphene) to create a thermally-conductive composition. This composite material provides both the mechanical properties needed for imaging blanket functionality and the enhanced thermal conductivity required to prevent temperature rise during repeat printing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the thermal conductivity parameter of the imaging blanket substrate by incorporating thermally-conductive fillers into the silicone elastomer matrix. This parameter change enables the imaging blanket to maintain stable temperature during repeated printing cycles, preventing thermal blooming and image quality defects while preserving the necessary mechanical properties.
2Reliability
If a high temperature cure process is used to cure the dispersion coating, then the coating is properly cured and durable, but the imaging blanket temperature rises during repeat printing causing image quality defects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials consisting of silicone elastomer combined with thermally-conductive fillers to create a coating that provides both durability through proper curing and enhanced thermal conductivity. The thermally-conductive fillers enable heat dissipation during repeat printing, preventing temperature-related image quality defects while maintaining coating integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the thermal conductivity parameter of the coating by incorporating thermally-conductive fillers, allowing the coating to withstand repeated high-temperature cure processes and maintain stability during printing operations without causing detrimental temperature rise in the imaging blanket.
3Productivity
If permanently patterned imaging plates are used, then long print runs of the same image are efficient, but variable data printing requires plate replacement increasing cost and time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by using a reimageable imaging blanket with a thermally-conductive composition that can be dynamically re-imaged with different patterns through laser exposure of the dampening fluid layer. This dynamic capability allows the same imaging blanket to efficiently handle both long print runs and variable data printing without requiring physical plate replacement, thereby improving both productivity and adaptability.
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 maintains the imaging blanket's temperature below 28°C after multiple revolutions, reducing image quality defects and enhancing thermal conductivity, thereby improving print quality and efficiency in variable data lithography.
Implementation Method 1
a thermally-conductive composition disposed on the substrate comprising a silicone elastomer and a thermally-conductive filler
Implementation Method 2
a top coat comprising a fluorosilicone and at least one infrared-absorbing filler
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided herein is an imaging blanket for variable data lithography comprising (i) a substrate and (ii) a thermally-conductive composition disposed on the substrate comprising a silicone elastomer and a thermally-conductive filler selected from metal oxides, wherein the thermally-conductive composition has a thermal conductivity ranging from about 0.6 W/m2 to about 1.6 W/m2. Further provided herein a method of making the imaging blanket, as well as a printing system comprising the imaging blanket, wherein the imaging blanket has improved thermal conductivity.