Negative-Type Planographic Printing Plate Precursor for UV Ink Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing planographic printing plate precursors do not provide sufficient printing resistance when using ultraviolet-curable ink, which is a concern for environmental sustainability and industrial productivity.
Innovation Solution
A negative-type planographic printing plate precursor is developed with an image-recording layer on an aluminum support, comprising polymer particles with a solubility parameter of 23 MPa1/2 or more, a thermoplastic polymer particle, and an infrared absorber, allowing for improved solubility and interaction that enhances printing resistance, especially with ultraviolet-curable ink.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional planographic printing plate precursors are used, then the printing process can proceed with standard materials, but the printing resistance is insufficient when using ultraviolet-curable ink
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the image-recording layer by incorporating specific polymers with defined solubility parameters (20-30 MPa¹/²), including polyvinyl alcohol and carboxymethyl cellulose in controlled ratios. This parameter optimization enables the layer to achieve sufficient printing resistance while maintaining compatibility with ultraviolet-curable inks, resolving the contradiction between conventional material performance and new ink system requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite image-recording layer combining multiple polymer components with complementary properties: polyvinyl alcohol provides water solubility and printing resistance, carboxymethyl cellulose enhances ink receptivity, and additional polymers contribute structural integrity. This composite formulation achieves both high printing resistance and optimal adaptability to ultraviolet-curable inks, overcoming the limitations of single-material systems
2Ease of manufacture
If a developer or organic solvent is used to dissolve and remove the unnecessary image-recording layer after exposure, then the non-image area can be formed, but environmental pollution and safety issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent engineers the image-recording layer with specific solubility characteristics by selecting polymers whose solubility parameters (20-30 MPa¹/²) match aqueous solutions. This parameter design enables the unnecessary layer to be removed using only water or mild aqueous solutions instead of harsh organic solvents or strong alkaline developers, achieving effective layer removal while eliminating harmful chemical waste and improving environmental safety
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the image-recording layer as a temporary, disposable component that can be easily removed after serving its exposure function. By formulating the layer with water-soluble polymers, the unnecessary portions can be discarded via simple rinsing with water, replacing the need for expensive and hazardous chemical developers. This approach treats the removable layer as a consumable element that simplifies the overall manufacturing process while reducing environmental impact
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 improves printing resistance and sensitivity when using ultraviolet-curable ink, reducing environmental impact and increasing industrial applicability by enhancing the plate's performance with ultraviolet-curable inks.
Implementation Method 1
an infrared absorber, allowing for improved solubility and interaction that enhances printing resistance
Implementation Method 2
a planographic printing plate precursor is exposed to light through an original drawing... a portion which is to be an image area of the image-recording layer is left
Implementation Method 3
a polymer particle B that is soluble or swellable in an aqueous alkali developer... a portion which is to be an image area of the image-recording layer is left, the other unnecessary portion of the image-recording layer is dissolved and removed using an alkaline developer
Implementation Method 4
two kinds of polymer particles having different glass transition temperatures, which are a hydrophobic thermoplastic polymer particle A that is neither soluble nor swellable in an aqueous alkali developer and a polymer particle B that is soluble or swellable in an aqueous alkali developer
Implementation Method 5
at a temperature higher than the softening temperature of the polymer particle B at which the cohesion of the particle A does not occur
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a negative-type planographic printing plate precursor having an image-recording layer on an aluminum support, in which the image-recording layer includes a polymer particle 1 having a constitutional unit made of a monomer having a solubility parameter of 23 MPa1/2 or more, a thermoplastic polymer particle 2, and an infrared absorber, and at least any of fusion or aggregation of the thermoplastic polymer particle 2 is caused by heat during exposure, whereby an image can be formed and a method for producing a planographic printing plate using the negative-type planographic printing plate precursor.