Relief Precursor Brush Squeezing for Cleaner Plate Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing washer apparatuses for printing plate precursors struggle with effective cleaning and drying of relief precursors due to their wet state, particularly the relief side, which complicates the removal of debris and liquid.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs a treatment section with a plurality of brushes, including a second brush with a squeeze element that extends over a radial distance into its bristles, effectively removing excess liquid, followed by a cleaning section with upper and lower removal rolls to enhance drying and polishing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the relief precursor is treated with liquid in the treatment section, then the cleaning and polishing effectiveness is improved, but the relief precursor becomes excessively wet which complicates subsequent cleaning and drying
Solution Approach 1:
The squeeze element performs preliminary liquid removal action at the end of the treatment section, before the relief precursor enters the cleaning section. This preliminary squeezing action reduces the liquid content on the relief precursor surface, preventing excessive wetness that would complicate subsequent cleaning and drying operations, while maintaining the cleaning and polishing effectiveness achieved during treatment
2Manufacturing precision
If the relief precursor enters the cleaning section in a wet state, then the treatment section has effectively removed material, but the cleaning section cannot effectively remove debris and liquid
Solution Approach 1:
The squeeze element performs a preliminary drying action by squeezing out excess liquid from the relief precursor at the boundary between treatment and cleaning sections. This preliminary action transforms the relief precursor from a wet state to a less wet state, enabling the cleaning section to effectively remove debris and liquid without the complications caused by excessive wetness
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 results in a significantly drier relief precursor, allowing for improved cleaning and polishing, enabling more effective removal of gel portions and debris, and ensuring the precursor leaves the system in a clean and shiny state.
Implementation Method 1
The treatment section further comprises a squeeze element arranged to squeeze the bristles of the second brush. The squeeze element extends over a radial distance into the bristles of the second brush, said radial distance being at least 15% of the length of the bristles.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for treating a relief precursor with a liquid includes a housing, a conveying mechanism for transporting the relief precursor along a support plane in a transport direction through the housing, and a treatment section for treating the relief precursor with a liquid. The treatment section includes a plurality of brushes arranged in the housing for treating the relief precursor, the plurality of brushes including at least a first brush and a second brush downstream of the first brush and having a rotating axis with bristles. A squeeze element squeezes the bristles of the second brush and extends over a radial distance into the bristles of the second brush. The radial distance is at least 15% of the length of the bristles.