Planographic Printing Plate Precursor On-Press Developability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional planographic printing plate precursors face challenges with on-press developability when dampening water supply is limited, and the removed photosensitive layer components often adhere to dampening rollers, affecting print quality and maintenance.

Innovation Solution

A planographic printing plate precursor is developed with an image recording layer containing an infrared ray absorbing agent, a polymerization initiator, a polymerizable compound, and a specific development promoting agent represented by Formula (I), which enables effective image formation and removal without adhering to dampening rollers, even with reduced dampening water supply.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a conventional planographic printing plate precursor is used for on-press development, then the image recording layer can be removed after exposure, but the removed components adhere to dampening rollers when dampening water supply is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveon-press developabilityVSAvoidadherence of removed components to dampening rollers

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the harmful adhesive components from the dampening roller surface through the specific developing solution formulation. The developing solution contains agents that selectively dissolve and remove the photosensitive layer components without leaving adhesive residues on the dampening rollers, thereby eliminating the adherence problem while maintaining on-press developability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a specific developing solution as an intermediary substance between the image recording layer and the dampening rollers. This developing solution acts as a mediator that facilitates the removal of the exposed image recording layer while preventing direct contact and adhesion between the removed components and the dampening roller surface

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If dampening water supply is reduced during on-press development, then print quality can be maintained, but the removed image recording layer components fail to remove properly and adhere to dampening rollers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprint qualityVSAvoidadherence of removed components to dampening rollers

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the developing solution by incorporating specific surfactants and solvents that enable effective removal of image recording layer components under reduced dampening water conditions. The modified developing solution composition allows proper dissolution and flushing of removed components even with limited water supply, preventing adherence to dampening rollers while maintaining print quality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If conventional developing methods are used, then image recording layer can be removed, but additional wet processing steps are required which generate waste fluid

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing efficiencyVSAvoidwaste fluid from wet processing

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the development process with the on-press printing operation by using the dampening water and ink system already present in the printing press to perform the development function. This integration eliminates the need for separate wet processing steps and associated waste fluid generation, thereby improving productivity while reducing substance loss through the combination of development and printing operations into a single streamlined process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 favorable on-press developability and maintains printing durability while preventing component adherence to dampening rollers, ensuring consistent print quality and reduced maintenance.

Implementation Method 1

an infrared ray absorbing agent (A)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInfrared absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

a polymerization initiator (B); a polymerizable compound (C)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotopolymerization: Photopolymerisation

Data Source

PatentUS8142978B2Planographic printing plate precursor and printing method using the same

Publication Date: 2012.03.27 FUJIFILM CORP

AI summary

The invention provides a planographic printing plate precursor having at least: a support; and an image recording layer that is provided on the support, the image recording layer comprising: an infrared ray absorbing agent (A); a polymerization initiator (B); a polymerizable compound (C); and a compound (D) represented by the following Formula (I).In Formula (I), at least one of R1 to R3 represents —(CH2CH2O)n—R4, while the remainder of R1 to R3 respectively independently represent a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or R5—COOH; R4 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; n represents an integer of 1 to 20; and R5 represents an alkylene group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms. The invention further provides a printing method using the planographic printing plate precursor and performing on-press development.