Segmented Adhesive Printing Plate Mounting for Easy Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for attaching flexographic printing plates to printing cylinders face challenges such as difficulty in removal, residue left behind, surface irregularities, and edge-lifting, which affect printing quality and sustainability.
Innovation Solution
A printing form attachment device with a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer segmented into areas of different adhesive forces, featuring higher adhesive power for secure mounting and lower adhesive power for easy removal, ensuring balanced holding and removability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a uniform high-adhesive pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is used, then the printing plate is securely mounted, but the printing plate becomes difficult to remove and may leave residues
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive layer is divided into multiple zones with different adhesive strengths. The first area (central zone) has higher adhesive strength to securely hold the printing plate during printing, while the second area (peripheral zone) has lower adhesive strength to facilitate easy removal. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by providing both strong holding power and ease of removal in different spatial regions.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the adhesive layer are given different local properties - the first area has high adhesive force for secure mounting, while the second area has low adhesive force for easy removal. This local differentiation allows the adhesive layer to simultaneously satisfy both strong attachment and easy detachment requirements.
2Ease of manufacture
If double-sided adhesive tape is used, then the printing plate can be attached, but alignment becomes difficult and surface irregularities occur
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive layer is segmented into a first area and a second area, where the first area provides secure attachment and the second area (with release paper) facilitates precise alignment during mounting. This segmentation allows the operator to align the printing plate using the release paper area before final attachment, thereby improving alignment precision while maintaining attachment capability.
3Stability of the object's composition
If strong adhesive force is applied uniformly, then edge-lifting is prevented, but removal causes damage to the printing plate
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive layer is divided into a first area with high adhesive strength that prevents edge-lifting during printing, and a second area with low adhesive strength that allows damage-free removal. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by providing strong edge-holding capability where needed while enabling gentle removal in other regions.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the adhesive layer have different local adhesive properties - the first area provides strong adhesion to prevent edge-lifting, while the second area provides weak adhesion to prevent damage during removal. This local quality differentiation simultaneously achieves edge-lifting resistance and damage-free removal.
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 device provides improved printing quality over multiple prints, reduces edge-lifting, and allows for easy and damage-free removal of printing plates, enhancing operational efficiency and sustainability.
Implementation Method 1
a printing form attachment device for mounting a printing plate onto a printing cylinder, the printing form attachment device comprising a support, and a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer being provided on the support
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a printing form attachment device for mounting a printing plate onto a printing cylinder, the printing form attachment device comprising a support and a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer being provided on the support and having a surface being exposed to the printing plate, wherein the surface of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer being exposed to the printing plate comprises at least two areas having different adhesive forces towards the printing plate.