Abstract:
A method of making a relief image printing element from a photosensitive printing blank is provided. A photosensitive printing blank with a laser ablatable layer disposed on at least one photocurable layer is ablated with a laser to create an in situ mask. The printing blank is then exposed to at least one source of actinic radiation through the in situ mask to selectively cross link and cure portions of the photocurable layer. Diffusion of air into the at least one photocurable layer is limited during the exposing step and preferably at least one of the type, power and incident angle of illumination of the at least one source of actinic radiation is altered during the exposure step. The resulting relief image comprises a plurality of dots and a dot shape of the plurality of dots that provide optimal print performance on various substrates, including corrugated board.
Abstract:
A method of selectively exposing a liquid photopolymer printing blank to actinic radiation to create a relief image printing plate and a liquid platemaking exposure system. The method includes: (1) positioning a programmable screen programmed with an image file of a desired image between the top glass and an upper source of actinic radiation; (2) exposing the layer of liquid photopolymer to actinic radiation from the upper source of actinic radiation through the programmable screen to crosslink and cure at least a portion of the liquid photopolymer adjacent to the backing sheet and create a floor layer therein; and (3) imagewise exposing the layer of liquid photopolymer to actinic radiation from a lower source of actinic radiation through a negative of the relief image to crosslink and cure selective portions of the liquid photopolymer on the floor layer and create the relief image therein.
Abstract:
A method of selectively exposing a liquid photopolymer printing blank to actinic radiation to create a relief image printing plate and a liquid platemaking exposure system. The method includes: (1) positioning a programmable screen programmed with an image file of a desired image between the top glass and an upper source of actinic radiation; (2) exposing the layer of liquid photopolymer to actinic radiation from the upper source of actinic radiation through the programmable screen to crosslink and cure at least a portion of the liquid photopolymer adjacent to the backing sheet and create a floor layer therein; and (3) imagewise exposing the layer of liquid photopolymer to actinic radiation from a lower source of actinic radiation through a negative of the relief image to crosslink and cure selective portions of the liquid photopolymer on the floor layer and create the relief image therein.
Abstract:
Provided are a modular processing unit that is standardizable, capable of enhancing production efficiency, and is also flexibly customizable, and a fully automatic gravure cylinder manufacturing system using the modular processing unit. The modular processing unit includes a pair of frame members provided upright so as to face each other, a first processing module including a first processing bath module, a first beam module provided horizontal to a floor, and a first chuck module, and a second processing module including a second processing bath module, a second beam module provided horizontal to the floor, and a second chuck module. The modular processing unit has multi-stage structure with at least the first processing module and the second processing module being assembled onto the frame members.
Abstract:
A method of plasma treating a flexographic printing plate and a method of using a plasma-treated flexographic printing plate to transfer a liquid to a printable substrate are disclosed. A method of flexographic printing comprises: transferring the liquid from an anilox roll to a printing surface of the plasma-treated flexographic printing plate and transferring the liquid from the printing surface of the plasma-treated flexographic printing plate to a surface of the substrate. A method of plasma treating the flexographic printing plate comprises exposing at least the printing surface of the flexographic printing plate to a plasma.
Abstract:
On a printing relief plate, which is produced by a printing relief plate producing apparatus and a printing relief plate producing method, convexities and detecting portions are set to be lower than a solid area of the printing relief plate. In the event that a detecting portion image and a solid area image are printed on a print medium using the printing relief plate by a printing apparatus and by carrying out a printing method, in a printing pressure determining apparatus and a printing pressure determining method, it is determined whether a printing pressure is an appropriate printing pressure or not by comparing an optical density of the detecting portion image and an optical density of the solid area image.
Abstract:
A system and method of preparing a flexoplate so it is suitable for the printing of high resolution patterns. The method includes controlling the curing conditions of the flexoplate, thereby controlling the properties of said flexoplate such as floor thickness, pattern cross-sectional geometry, repeatability of printed features during the printing process, and durability of the flexoplate during the printing process.
Abstract:
A gravure printing system is disclosed. A gravure cylinder having a first and a second plurality of discrete cells disposed upon an outer surface. A cell of the first plurality of discrete cells receives a first portion of a fluid from a first reservoir and a cell of the second plurality of discrete cells receives a second portion of the fluid from a second reservoir. The first and second portions of the fluid is fluidically displaceable into the respective first and second reservoirs through a discrete channel having a single entry point at a position external to the gravure cylinder, a first exit point into the first reservoir, and a second exit point into the second reservoir. The discrete channel provides fluid communication of the first and second portions of the fluid from the position external to the gravure cylinder to each of the respective first and second reservoirs.
Abstract:
A gravure printing system is disclosed. The gravure printing system is provided with a central roll having a first plurality of discrete cells disposed upon an outer surface thereof. Each cell of the first plurality of discrete cells is capable of receiving a fluid that is a first combination of at least two primary fluids. Each of the at least two primary fluids are placed in fluid contact at a first position internal to the central roll. The first combination of at least two primary fluids is fluidically displaceable into a first cell of the first plurality of discrete cells from a second position internal to the central roll.
Abstract:
The present invention relates a printing element comprising at least one polymer layer which has photoimageable constituents and additions to make the polymer layer either hydrophobic or hydrophilic.