UVC LED Light Finisher for Detacking Flexographic Plates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional UV generation systems for photopolymer printing plates, particularly UVA post-exposure and UVC light finishing, rely on mercury-based fluorescent tubes with limited lifetime and environmental concerns, necessitating a more sustainable and efficient alternative.
Innovation Solution
Implementing UVA and UVC LEDs in integrated systems for post-exposure and finishing processes, allowing flexible and optimized control of radiation intensity, wavelength, and exposure time to enhance surface properties of printing plates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mercury-based fluorescent tubes are used for UV generation in post-exposure and light finishing, then the system achieves sufficient UV radiation output, but the lifetime is limited (1000-2000 hours) and environmental harm increases due to mercury content
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mercury-based fluorescent tubes with LED technology, fundamentally changing the physical parameters of UV generation. LEDs operate without mercury, eliminating the harmful substance, and provide significantly extended operational lifetime while maintaining the required UV radiation output for photopolymer plate processing
Solution Approach 2:
The invention substitutes the electromagnetic radiation mechanism of fluorescent tubes with the electroluminescence mechanism of LEDs. This replacement eliminates the need for mercury vapor excitation and phosphor conversion, directly generating UV radiation through LED semiconductor physics, thereby removing environmental harm while improving reliability
2Use of energy by moving object
If conventional fluorescent tubes are used for UV generation, then the system structure is simple and cost is low, but energy efficiency is poor and maintenance frequency is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameters of UV generation by implementing LED technology, which converts electrical energy to light with significantly higher efficiency compared to fluorescent tubes. This parameter change reduces energy consumption while extending component lifetime, thereby improving energy efficiency despite increased initial system complexity
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
UVA and UVC LEDs provide longer lifespan, higher energy efficiency, and improved light concentration, reducing maintenance and environmental impact while enhancing the surface properties and durability of photopolymer printing plates.
Implementation Method 1
The UV sources comprise a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs)
Implementation Method 2
Photo-curable, as used herein, refers to a polymer or monomer that is curable by actinic radiation
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Apparatus and method for exposing a partially processed photopolymer printing plate to post-exposure radiation and finishing radiation, the printing plate defining a whole area having a first full lateral dimension and a second full lateral dimension perpendicular to the first lateral dimension. The apparatus includes a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) arranged in one or more arrays; a surface for receiving the printing plate in a location disposed to receive the post exposure radiation and the finishing radiation; and one of more controllers connected to the one or more arrays and configured to activate the one or more arrays to cause the plurality of sets of LEDs to emit radiation toward the printing plate. The plurality of LEDs includes at least a first set of LEDs configured to emit the post exposure radiation in a UVA spectral range and a second set of LEDs configured to emit the finishing radiation in a UVC spectral range.