Naphthenic Resin Flexographic Plates for High-Speed Blur Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flexographic printing plates experience blurring issues in solid image portions during high-speed printing due to wear and inadequate flexibility, which existing technologies have not adequately addressed.
Innovation Solution
A flexographic printing plate with a photosensitive resin composition layer containing a naphthenic hydrocarbon compound and specific dynamic viscoelastic properties, including a Shore A hardness and storage and loss moduli within defined ranges, to enhance wear resistance and reduce blurring during high-speed printing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the hardness of the flexographic printing plate is increased to improve wear resistance during high-speed printing, then wear resistance is improved, but the surface cannot follow fine convexo-concave on carton paper, causing blurs in solid image portions
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical-chemical parameters of the resin material by specifying precise Shore A hardness ranges (50-70) and dynamic viscoelastic properties (loss tangent tan δ between 0.15-0.35 at -30°C and 2.5 Hz). This parameter optimization allows the plate to maintain both wear resistance and surface flexibility needed for high-speed printing without blurring
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces dynamic viscoelastic properties as a key control parameter, focusing on the loss tangent (tan δ) under specific dynamic conditions (-30°C, 2.5 Hz). This dynamic approach captures the time-dependent behavior of the resin during high-speed printing, enabling the material to adapt its stiffness dynamically between wear resistance and surface conformity
2Reliability
If the hardness is increased to maintain plate integrity at high printing speeds (450 m/min or more), then printing durability is improved, but the plate cannot conform to fine surface variations, resulting in ink transfer defects
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes the resin composition parameters including Shore A hardness (50-70) and loss tangent (0.15-0.35 at -30°C, 2.5 Hz), creating a material that maintains structural integrity at high speeds while conforming to surface variations for quality ink transfer
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite resin formulation incorporating naphthenic hydrocarbon compounds (60-80% by mass) combined with other polymers and plasticizers to achieve the targeted dynamic viscoelastic properties, combining the benefits of different materials to simultaneously provide durability and flexibility
3Productivity
If low-speed printing techniques are applied to high-speed printing (450 m/min or more), then existing plate properties are maintained, but insufficient performance is achieved due to lack of high-speed optimization
Solution Approach 1:
The invention specifically addresses high-speed printing dynamics by measuring and controlling viscoelastic properties at -30°C and 2.5 Hz, which simulates the dynamic conditions of high-speed printing. This enables the plate to perform optimally at 450 m/min or more while maintaining solid image quality
Solution Approach 2:
The invention establishes specific parameter ranges for high-speed performance: Shore A hardness of 50-70 and loss tangent of 0.15-0.35 at -30°C and 2.5 Hz. These parameters are optimized specifically for high-speed printing conditions, distinguishing them from low-speed printing requirements
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 provides a flexographic printing plate with excellent wear resistance and reduced blurring in solid image portions, even at printing speeds of 450 m/min or more, by optimizing the viscoelastic properties of the resin composition layer.
Implementation Method 1
a photosensitive resin composition layer (b) laminated thereon, wherein the photosensitive resin composition layer (b) comprises a naphthenic hydrocarbon compound having a naphthene ratio of 60% or more and 80% or less and satisfies the following : Condition 1 a cured product obtained by molding a photosensitive resin composition constituting the photosensitive resin composition layer (b) to a thickness of 1.5 mm and irradiating from a top side and a bottom side each with 3,000 mJ of ultraviolet ray
Data Source
AI summary
An original flexographic printing plate containing at least: a support (a); and a photosensitive resin composition layer (b) laminated thereon,wherein the photosensitive resin composition layer (b) contains a naphthenic hydrocarbon compound having a naphthene ratio of 60% or more and 80% or less and satisfies the following <condition 1>:<condition 1>a cured product obtained by molding a photosensitive resin composition constituting the photosensitive resin composition layer (b) to a thickness of 1.5 mm and irradiating from a top side and a bottom side each with 3,000 mJ of ultraviolet ray has a Shore A hardness of 60 or more and 75 or less; anda storage modulus G′ (MPa) and a loss modulus G″ (MPa) of the cured product in a dynamic viscoelastic measurement at −30° C. and 2.5 Hz satisfy Formulas (1) and (2) below:1.04≤G′+G″≤1.79(1)0.15≤G″≤0.3.(2)