Abstract:
A matrix coating system and method of manufacture thereof is presented wherein the matrix coating contains chemical blowing agents which permit low pressure molding and also the formation of printing plates having deep relief. The method of manufacture is such that a foamed coating is produced which at molding temperatures is highly compressible at low pressures and which also expands into the relief or nonprinting regions of the pattern plate. The unusually low molding pressures necessary result in less distortion of rubber pattern plates or made from photo polymers. In addition, the combination of high compressibility in appropriate areas, and of volume expansion in relief areas allows the board coating to conform before and during cure to pattern plates of deep relief, so that in the cured state there results a rigid, durable high fidelity mold useful for molding numerous flexographic printing plates.
Abstract:
A method of producing an indicia transferring surface including affixing an inert material in the shape of indicia to a base sheet containing a curing inhibitor coating. A curable compound is placed on the surface of the base sheet in contact with the indicia shaped inert material and is allowed to cure. After a curing period, the curable compound is separated from the base sheet. The curable compound includes a cured portion and an uncured portion. The uncured portion is removed, leaving raised areas of the cured compound that were in contact with the indicia shaped inert material. The raised areas may then be used to transfer the impression of the indicia to another surface.
Abstract:
There is disclosed a method for embossing a relief pattern of high resolution into a thermoplastic information carrier by means of a heatable embossing matrix. The matrix, which exhibits the desired relief pattern, is pressed onto the thermoplastic information carrier, and is then heated by means of an electric current. After the electric current has ceased, the embossing pressure is maintained until the thermoplastic information carrier has hardened through cooling. Alternative methods permits selected variation of the relief pattern to be embossed by selectively altering the surface of the support member which supports the information carrier during the embossing operation or by selectively heating the embossing matrix.
Abstract:
An improved process for making thermoplastic matrices wherein a thermal gradient is established between the molding interface and the back of a thermoplastic matrix blank whereby the viscosity at the molding interface is high enough to resist flow into the original and the temperature at the back is sufficiently high to permit flow of molten thermoplastic.