Crosslinked Silicone Adhesive Layer for Flexographic Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional adhesive printing form attachment layers for flexographic printing processes face issues such as difficulty in removing residues, surface irregularities, and environmental concerns, including flammability and high environmental load, while also compromising print quality and durability.
Innovation Solution
A novel adhesive printing form attachment layer featuring a crosslinked silicone-based material with a substrate, providing high adhesion and strength, improved durability, and reduced environmental impact, along with easy ink removal and adjustable thickness, is developed. This layer consists of a crosslinked silicone-based material on a support, allowing for secure attachment and easy cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If double stick tape is used to attach printing plate to printing cylinder, then attachment is achieved, but removal difficulty and residue problems occur
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical composition and physical properties of the adhesive material from conventional pressure-sensitive adhesive to a specifically formulated adhesive layer with controlled tackiness and bonding characteristics, enabling both strong attachment and easy removal without residues
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive layer is formulated as a composite material combining multiple components including adhesive polymers, tackifiers, and additives that work together to provide optimal balance between bonding strength and removability, eliminating the trade-off between strong attachment and easy removal
2Strength
If photopolymer adhesive layer is used, then attachment strength is improved, but surface irregularities and print quality deterioration occur
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes the physical parameters of the adhesive layer including surface smoothness, hardness, and viscosity to ensure both strong attachment and high print quality by preventing surface irregularities that could affect printing
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive layer is designed with differentiated properties: high bonding strength at the interface with the printing plate, smooth surface quality at the printing interface, and appropriate flexibility at intermediate layers, resolving the contradiction between strength and print quality
3Strength
If conventional adhesive materials are used, then attachment is achieved, but environmental harm and flammability increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention fundamentally changes the chemical composition of the adhesive from conventional petroleum-based materials to environmentally friendly alternatives such as water-based or bio-based adhesives, maintaining attachment strength while eliminating flammability and environmental harm
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts potentially harmful conventional adhesive materials into beneficial environmentally friendly formulations, transforming the adhesive chemistry to eliminate negative environmental impacts while preserving or enhancing attachment performance
4Adaptability or versatility
If adhesive layer is made too thin, then flexibility is improved, but attachment strength and durability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive layer is structured as a composite with multiple functional components and layered architecture, where different layers or phases provide flexibility while collectively delivering sufficient attachment strength and durability
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive layer exhibits spatially varying properties with different regions or depths having different characteristics: more flexible regions for adaptability and stronger regions for attachment, resolving the contradiction between flexibility and strength
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 ensures reliable and durable attachment of printing forms, maintains print quality, reduces environmental impact, and facilitates easy cleaning and reuse, addressing the limitations of existing technologies.
Implementation Method 1
the crosslinkable composition is irradiated with UV or upon heating to a temperature of from 50° C. to 200° C. to effect crosslinking of the crosslinkable silicone-based material
Implementation Method 2
adhesive printing form attachment layer that is used on a printing cylinder in a flexographic printing process for adhesively fixing the printing form (i.e., the printing plate) to the cylinder
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an adhesive printing form attachment layer comprising a support, and a permanently sticky layer suitable for receiving a printing form and fixing a printing form during a printing operation provided on the support, wherein the permanently sticky layer comprises a crosslinked silicone-based material. The present disclosure further relates to a method for preparing an adhesive printing form attachment layer, as well as a printing cylinder comprising it, the use of the an adhesive printing form attachment layer for fixing a flexographic printing plate during a printing operation on a printing cylinder, and a method of operating a printing machine wherein the adhesive printing form attachment layer is used.