Pad Printing Blanket Double-Layer Structure Silicone Oil Leakage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pad printing blankets made of silicone rubber face issues such as ink and silicone oil transfer problems, leading to blurred prints, contamination, premature wear, and increased costs due to frequent replacement of printing original plates and reduced design capabilities on curved surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a double-layer structure with a flexible elastic body and a lesser-flexible sheet bonded to its surface, where the sheet is applied with an adhesive and mold release agent to prevent silicone oil leakage and facilitate easy replacement, allowing for high-quality printing on curved surfaces without air trapping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the printing blanket is made soft (low elastic modulus) to fit curved surfaces, then adaptability to curved surfaces is improved, but silicone oil leaks to the surface causing print quality degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The printing blanket is divided into two functional layers: an inner elastic body layer that provides softness and adaptability to curved surfaces, and an outer wear-resistant layer that prevents silicone oil leakage and maintains print quality. This segmentation allows each layer to independently fulfill its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The printing blanket uses a composite structure combining an elastic body (silicone rubber) with a wear-resistant coating layer. The composite material design allows the inner elastic layer to deform and conform to curved surfaces while the outer layer provides a stable, non-leaking surface that maintains printing precision.
2Manufacturing precision
If the printing blanket is made hard (high elastic modulus) to prevent silicone oil leakage, then print quality is improved, but adaptability to curved surfaces deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The printing blanket is divided into two functional layers: an inner elastic body layer that provides softness and adaptability to curved surfaces, and an outer wear-resistant layer that prevents silicone oil leakage and maintains print quality. This segmentation allows each layer to independently fulfill its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The printing blanket uses a composite structure combining an elastic body (silicone rubber) with a wear-resistant coating layer. The composite material design allows the inner elastic layer to deform and conform to curved surfaces while the outer layer provides a stable, non-leaking surface that maintains printing precision.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the printing blanket is used for wide area printing on curved surfaces, then design capability is improved, but local degradation at the distal end increases leading to frequent replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The printing blanket is divided into two functional layers: an inner elastic body layer that provides softness and adaptability to curved surfaces, and an outer wear-resistant layer that prevents silicone oil leakage and maintains print quality. This segmentation allows each layer to independently fulfill its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The wear-resistant layer is specifically applied to the distal end and high-wear areas of the printing blanket, providing localized protection where degradation occurs most frequently. This allows the blanket to maintain its printing function and structural integrity over extended use periods.
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 prevents silicone oil from surfacing during deformation, ensuring clear prints, reducing contamination, extending the life of printing original plates, and enabling cost-effective printing across wide areas with enhanced design capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
applying an adhesive to one or both of the side surface of the elastic body and a surface of the sheet against which the elastic body is to be pressed, prior to the pressing step; wherein the sheet is bonded to the side surface of the elastic body in the pressing step
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4(a)~4(b)
Figure 5(a)~5(b)
AI summary
A printing pad 2 has a double-layer structure formed of an elastic body 2a having a substantially quadrangular pyramidal shape, and a coating layer 2d covering a predetermined area of side faces 2b of the elastic body 2a, which predetermined area contains an apex 2c of the elastic body 2a. The elastic body 2a and the coating layer 2d contain silicone oil in order to ensure transfer (pick-up and deliver) of ink and to impart elasticity (flexibility) thereto. The coating layer 2d is harder (contains a smaller amount of silicone oil) than the elastic body 2a.