Lithographic Printing Plate Processing Solution for Reduced Tackiness
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Lithographic printing plates often exhibit excessive stickiness after processing, which impedes prepress and printing press operations, and existing solutions require rinsing and gumming steps that complicate the process.
Innovation Solution
A method involving imagewise exposure of a negative-working lithographic printing plate precursor, followed by treatment with a processing solution containing a nitrogen-containing base, non-ionic surfactant, hydroxy-containing solution promoter, and hydrophilic surface protective compound, without intermediate rinsing or gumming, to achieve durable, low-tackiness, and high-loading capacity printing plates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional processing solutions are used to develop negative-working lithographic printing plate precursors, then the non-exposed regions are removed effectively, but the processed plates exhibit excessive stickiness that impedes prepress and printing press operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the processing solution by incorporating a specific combination of alkaline agent, surfactant, and optional additives in controlled amounts. This changes the solution's properties to achieve both effective development and reduced stickiness, resolving the contradiction between processing effectiveness and harmful stickiness
Solution Approach 2:
The processing solution is formulated as a composite system containing multiple functional components: an alkaline agent for development, a surfactant for reducing surface tension and stickiness, and optional additives for enhanced performance. This composite approach allows simultaneous achievement of effective non-exposed region removal and reduced tackiness
2Reliability
If rinsing and gumming steps are added to reduce stickiness, then the plate durability improves, but the process complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the functions of development, rinsing, and gumming into a single integrated processing step using one specially formulated solution. This merging eliminates the need for separate rinsing and gumming steps, reducing process complexity while maintaining plate durability through the surfactant and alkaline agent combination
Solution Approach 2:
The processing solution is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a developer to remove non-exposed regions, a rinsing agent to clean the plate surface, and a gumming agent to provide durability and reduce stickiness. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate process steps
3Productivity
If multiple successive processing applications are used to improve plate quality, then the loading capacity increases, but the processing time extends
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous processing by formulating a solution that maintains its effectiveness throughout multiple successive applications without requiring intermediate rinsing or stopping. The surfactant and alkaline agent combination allows the solution to continuously remove non-exposed regions and reduce stickiness across multiple passes, increasing loading capacity while minimizing time loss
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 method provides lithographic printing plates with improved durability, reduced tackiness, and extended processing cycles without the need for rinsing or gumming, enabling direct mounting on a printing press.
Implementation Method 1
the non-exposed regions are removed by a suitable developer (processing solution), revealing the underlying hydrophilic surface of the substrate
Implementation Method 2
the hydrophilic regions retain the water and repel the lithographic ink
Implementation Method 3
Some processing solutions comprise one or more anionic or nonionic surfactants
Data Source
AI summary
Lithographic printing plates are provided by imagewise exposing negative-working lithographic printing plate precursors having a negative-working radiation-sensitive imageable layer, followed by contacting with a processing solution that has a pH of at least 7 and up to and including 11. This processing solution also includes component (1) that is a nitrogen-containing base having an atmospheric pressure melting point of at least 40°C; component (2) that is a non-ionic surfactant that independently has an atmospheric pressure melting point, glass transition temperature, or pour point of at least 40°C; component (3) that is a hydroxy-containing solution promoter; and component (4) that is a hydrophilic surface protective compound. The method is carried out in a manner such that the exposed and processed precursor is not further treated with any liquid (such as gumming or rinsing solution) between processing and mounting onto a printing press.