Waterless Printing Plate Dual Silicone Layers Ink Repellency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing waterless planographic printing plates face challenges in achieving both ink repellency and ink acceptability simultaneously, with thicker silicone layers improving ink repellency but decreasing image reproducibility, and thinner layers enhancing ink acceptability but compromising ink repellency.
Innovation Solution
A printing plate comprising a first silicone layer with ink repellency and a second silicone layer with ink acceptability, both having specific cross-link densities and moduli of elasticity, allowing for optimal ink behavior and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a thicker ink repellent silicone layer is provided to improve ink repellency, then ink repellency is improved, but image reproducibility significantly decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The printing plate is divided into multiple silicone layers with different functions: a first silicone layer (ink acceptive) with thickness 1-10 μm for image reproduction, and a second silicone layer (ink repellent) with thickness 10-50 μm for ink repellency. This segmentation allows each layer to optimize its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the printing plate are assigned different silicone layer configurations: the image area has the first silicone layer exposed to create ink acceptive properties, while the non-image area retains both layers with the second layer providing ink repellency. This local differentiation enables simultaneous ink acceptability and repellency in different zones.
2Manufacturing precision
If a thinner ink repellent silicone layer is provided to improve image reproducibility, then image reproducibility is improved, but ink repellency significantly decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The printing plate is divided into multiple silicone layers with different functions: a first silicone layer (ink acceptive) with thickness 1-10 μm for image reproduction, and a second silicone layer (ink repellent) with thickness 10-50 μm for ink repellency. This segmentation allows each layer to optimize its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The printing plate uses a composite structure of two different silicone layers with distinct properties: the first layer has cross-link density 0.5-2.0 mmol/L and modulus of elasticity 1-100 MPa for ink acceptance, while the second layer has cross-link density 2.0-5.0 mmol/L and modulus of elasticity 50-500 MPa for ink repellency. This composite approach enables both ink acceptability and repellency to coexist.
3Reliability
If a silane coupling agent is used in the thermosensitive recording layer to enable heat transfer, then ink acceptability is improved, but storage stability decreases due to curing reaction with water
Solution Approach 1:
The silane coupling agent is pre-applied to the silicone layer surface, but the actual curing reaction is postponed until after imaging. The plate precursor is stored in a sealed state preventing water contact, and curing is activated only when needed through controlled water exposure or heat treatment, thus maintaining storage stability while enabling ink acceptability when required.
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 achieves excellent image reproducibility, ink repellency, and printing durability by utilizing silicone layers with distinct properties, ensuring effective ink transfer and plate performance.
Implementation Method 1
since a silane coupling agent mainly contained in the thermosensitive recording layer is easily subjected to curing reaction with water in the air
Implementation Method 2
which is obtained by irradiating a waterless planographic printing plate precursor comprising an ink repellent silicone layer on a support having a metal surface with a pulsed laser to change the characteristic of the irradiated site from ink repellent to ink acceptive
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a printing plate including a first silicone layer and a second silicone layer which have different ink acceptabilities on a support. An object of the present invention is to provide a printing plate that dispenses with a development step and that has excellent image reproducibility, ink repellency, ink acceptability, and printing durability.