EP1115580B1 - Printing sleeves and methods for producing same - Google Patents
Printing sleeves and methods for producing same Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1115580B1 EP1115580B1 EP99937723A EP99937723A EP1115580B1 EP 1115580 B1 EP1115580 B1 EP 1115580B1 EP 99937723 A EP99937723 A EP 99937723A EP 99937723 A EP99937723 A EP 99937723A EP 1115580 B1 EP1115580 B1 EP 1115580B1
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- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- sleeve
- printing sleeve
- flexographic printing
- printing
- polymeric material
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41N—PRINTING PLATES OR FOILS; MATERIALS FOR SURFACES USED IN PRINTING MACHINES FOR PRINTING, INKING, DAMPING, OR THE LIKE; PREPARING SUCH SURFACES FOR USE AND CONSERVING THEM
- B41N6/00—Mounting boards; Sleeves Make-ready devices, e.g. underlays, overlays; Attaching by chemical means, e.g. vulcanising
Definitions
- This invention relates to printing sleeves which are readily mountable onto and dismountable from printing cylinders, more particularly to printing sleeves which are expandably mountable and dismountable employing a pressurized gas, and to methods for producing such printing sleeves.
- printing sleeves were developed which were mountable onto and dismountable from the printing cylinders.
- Compressed gas generally compressed air, passing in a substantially radial direction from holes located within the printing cylinders, was used to expand the sleeve to a limited extent for facilitating the mounting and dismounting operations.
- the exiting air expands the sleeve and forms a lubricating air film between the inner sleeve and the outer cylinder.
- This air film permits axial mounting of the sleeve to a position about the cylinder.
- U.S. 3,146,709 comprises a polyester film held in position by helically-wound paper tape. This type of construction forms a leakage path for the air and reduces the effectiveness of the lubricating fluid.
- U.S. 3,978,254 provides for a mechanically adhered wound printing sleeve in which three layers of adhesive tape are helically wound about a mandrel to form a carrier sleeve, with two of the helixes being wound at the same angle and the remaining helix being wound at a different angle.
- the convolution of the helixes is said to impart some degree of strength, rigidity and leakage protection to the printing sleeve.
- Neither of the printing sleeves of U.S. 3,146,709 or U.S. 3,978,254 is unitary in construction, but is instead fabricated of a composite of wound materials.
- the outer surface of the U.S. 3,978,254 wound sleeve also has a plurality of surface irregularities formed therein and is therefore not "round" to the extent required by the flexographic printing industry.
- These carrier sleeves are made of a flexible, thin tape material which provides a minimum of structural integrity, which exhibit minimal strength and durability properties.
- the printing plates are adhered to the printing sleeve they are moved from one position to another as they are aligned on the plate surface. In order to trim excess material from the plate from the sleeve surface, they must be cut with a sharp instrument such as a knife.
- the synthetic plastic tape used to form the above-described sleeve cannot withstand even the minor cutting action required in positioning of the printing plates.
- Another type of printing sleeve is one which is made of a metallic material.
- metallic sleeves are not readily expandable and therefore must have a wall thickness which is be quite thin, i.e., thicknesses of up to only about 0.005", in order to be capable of undergoing the limited expansion required of printing sleeves.
- this minimum thickness level required of metallic sleeves is a problem in applications such as modem flexographic printing and the like.
- printing metallic sleeves are not durable and are readily damaged. For instance, they can easily form kinks in their outer surface when they are stored without being supported by a printing cylinder.
- Dimensional stability is a problem in printing applications requiring that the outer surface of a printing sleeve structure have a true cylindrical shape. In some cases, this true cylindrical shape must even be within a 0.001"-0.0025" tolerance level in order to be acceptable in, for example, uses such as in the process printing industry.
- the outer printing surface in these applications must accurately conform to a uniformly constant, cylindrical outer shape in order to accurately imprint a print image onto a printing medium. Many of the prior art printing sleeves do not meet these requisite tolerance levels.
- U.S. 4,144,812 and U.S. 4,144,813 provide non-cylindrical printing sleeves and associated air-assisted printing rolls designed in a tapered or stepped-transition configuration, the change in the sleeve or printing cylinder diameter from one end to the other being progressive, i.e., increasing or decreasing according to the direction one is moving along the printing sleeve or roll.
- the printing roll comprises an outer surface having one end of a diameter greater than the other longitudinal end.
- the printing sleeve has an inner surface designed to form an interference fit with the outer surface of the printing roll only at the designated working position, and not along the entire axial uniform cross-sectional extent of the tapered sleeve.
- This non-cylindrical sleeve is fabricated of a highly rigid material having a low degree of expandability. These sleeves have a thickness of at least about 0.015".
- U.S. 4,119,032 describes an air-assisted printing cylinder mounted in a printing machine in such a way that a printing sleeve on its outer surface can be removed axially while the roll remains substantially in its working position.
- One end bearing of the printing cylinder is removably secured to a side of the machine frame.
- an adjustable restrainer engages the roll axle at that end.
- a counterpoise acts on the printing cylinder axle to support the printing cylinder when one end bearing is removed.
- the US '597 printing sleeve is unitary, substantially airtight, and can be frictionally mounted onto a conventional cylindrically shaped printing cylinders having a complementary cylindrical outside diameter.
- the US '597 sleeve can also be readily expandable using a low-pressure fluid and has a true outer wall surface capable of being used in modem flexographic printing applications.
- the US '597 printing sleeves are typically fabricated of a polymeric material, and preferably comprise a reinforced, non-permeable laminate structure including at least one reinforcing internal layer of a woven fabric of synthetic fibers or organic fibers. Another internal layer may also be included which is non-permeable and is typically formed of synthetic fibers.
- the synthetic and organic fibers are of high strength, and the reinforced non-permeable internal layers comprise a non-woven fabric of synthetic fibers.
- a first aspect of the present invention provides a method for producing a flexographic printing sleeve which is readily axially mountable on and dismountable from a complementary shaped printing cylinder, the cross-sectional inner and outer diameter of the flexographic printing sleeve being expandable by introducing a relatively low pressure fluid between the inner surface of the printing body sleeve and the outer cylindrically shaped wall of the printing cylinder, the flexographic printing sleeve being contractible from its expanded position by releasing said low pressure fluid, the structural integrity of the flexographic printing sleeve being resistant to substantial damage or distortion; the method comprising the steps of: providing an apparatus for receiving a sprayed curable polymeric material and for forming said flexographic printing sleeve; and forming a flexographic printing sleeve, having a substantially unitary construction which is self-supporting, by spraying said curable polymeric material onto said apparatus and by cu
- the new method of this invention comprises spraying of a novel polymeric composition as opposed to the process of US '597, namely, the formation of a laminate printing sleeve structure.
- No spray technology is available for spraying polymeric materials that have the desired properties to produce flexographic printing sleeves having the requisite physical and chemical properties. More specifically, no conventional material, either polymeric or otherwise, meets all of the product specifications for effectively and efficiently manufacturing high quality flexographic printing sleeves.
- a flexographic printing sleeve formable according to a method embodying the first aspect.
- the subject printing sleeve comprises a combination of chemistries to produce a sleeve having both high temperature resistance and a high level of flexibility and machinability.
- the gel characteristics of the subject polymeric materials have been modified to achieve an extreme high-speed gel for sprayability.
- the preferred polymer system of the invention herein employs a polyurea for high temperature resistance and a polyurethane for high flexiblity and machinability.
- the preferred polymeric material is the SE-271 spray composition manufactured by Burtin Corporation of Santa Ana, CA.
- the printing sleeve of the present invention is formed of a substantially unitary construction unlike unlike prior art flexographic sleeves, such the US '597 sleeve, which are made of structural laminates.
- the printing sleeve of this invention comprises a non-laminate construction.
- the flexographic printing sleeve of this invention includes no auxiliary structural reinforcing materials. This also results in better tape adhesion for mounting of printing indicia on the sleeve than in the case of US '597.
- the new technology of this invention is made substantially solely of polymeric materials, when it is machined, there is a very smooth uniform outer surface which is produced. Contrarily, when the sleeve of US '597 is machined, it has microscopic fiber ends on the outer sleeve surface which interfere with, and limit, the adhesion of the common mounting tapes which are used in the application of printing indicia thereto.
- the present invention is directed to a flexographic printing sleeve formed of a sprayed, cured polymeric material.
- the flexographic printing sleeve of the invention is formed of a plurality of layers of the curable polymeric material, which fuse together to produce a sleeve having a self-supporting substantially unitary construction.
- This new type of flexographic printing sleeve is typically resistant to damage and distortion to its structural integrity at high processing temperatures. More specifically, this printing sleeve is damage and distortion resistant at a temperature of about 250 degree F., preferably at a temperature of about 275 degree F., and more preferably at a temperature of about 300 degree F.
- the flexographic printing sleeve of this invention is produced by spray applications, and is not formed of a structural laminate construction, it nevertheless maintains distinguishing chemical and physical properties. For instance, it has a relatively low shrink rate (0.035% inhibited by tool), a high flexibility (10% elongation), and high strength and hardness (Durometer of 70 on the Shore "D” scale).
- the subject sleeve is also extremely durable and fracture resistant for long life. It also exhibits low porosity for good surface finish and has sufficient flexibility to be mounted easily on conventional print cylinders using low pressure air. It is also has sufficient strength and stiffness to not slip on the print cylinder under conventional flexographic printing conditions.
- the printing sleeve is preferably formed of a polymeric material which comprises a polyurethane-polyurea material.
- the material is preferably a blend of highly catalyzed polyurea and polyurethane sprayable at high temperature and high pressure to produce the flexographic printing described herein.
- the flexographic printing sleeve is readily axially mountable onto and dismountable from a complementary shaped printing cylinder.
- the cross-sectional inner and outer diameter of the flexographic printing sleeve is expandable by introducing a relatively low pressure fluid between the inner surface of the printing body sleeve and the outer cylindrically-shaped wall of the printing cylinder.
- the sleeve is contractible from its expanded position by releasing the low pressure fluid.
- the subject method utilizes less than 100 psi fluid pressure to mount and dismount the flexographic printing sleeve of this invention.
- the printing sleeve of this invention has a wall thickness which is typically up to about 0.50", preferably up to about 0.45", and more preferably up to about 0.40", and most preferably up to about 0.35".
- the subject flexographic printing sleeve can be formed in a manner wherein the average time for producing the sleeve is preferably not more than about 1.0 hour, more preferably not more than about 0.75 hour, and most preferably not more than about 0.5 hour.
- the method of this invention can form a non-laminated, substantially airtight, seamless, flexographic printing sleeve built with in a single spray application process that can be completed in a much shorter time period than presently commercially feasible in the marketplace.
- the flexographic printing sleeve 10 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 can be produced by the printing sleeve manufacturing system, denoted generally as "100", which is depicted in FIG.1.
- System 100 includes certain tools used in the formation of a printing sleeve blank (not shown), which in turn is formed into a flexographic printing sleeve 10.
- metal mandrel 112 is used as the form onto which the polymeric material is directly sprayed. This direct spraying operation is conducted without the use of any intermediate materials or steps. This technique is highly accurate and the mandrel 112 diameters are exceptionally true.
- the outer diameter of mandrel 112 exhibits a total indicated runout and circularity tolerance which is preferably within .0015", more preferably within .0010", and most preferably within .0005". They are drilled to be air chambers, and air pressure is used to float the sleeve 10 off of the mandrel 112 after it is sprayed.
- the nominal outer diameter of the mandrel 112 is precisely oversized to compensate for shrink rates of the spray material. These tools are various diameters and lengths to accommodate the printing industry needs.
- a spray station 114 maintains the mandrel 112 in a horizontally-extending position, and rotates mandrel 112 at a predetermined speed to match the application rate for a given sleeve size.
- An exemplary spray system 122, for spraying a curable polymeric material 115 onto the mandrel 112, is a Graco Foam Cat System Model No. 973-005.
- the spray system 122 has a spray head 126.
- the orifice of the nozzles in spray system 126 have a .011" diameter.
- Air is supplied to the spray head 126 through an air dryer 134 that has a dew point of -40 degrees F.
- the spray head 126 is held in a traversely-movable apparatus 136 that resembles a lathe feed assembly.
- Spray head 126 traverses along the axis of the spray station 114 on horizontally-extending rods 117, 119 at a predetermined rate for properly depositing spray material in layers onto mandrel 112 so that printing sleeve 10 will have a substantially unitary construction which is self-supporting.
- the speed of the rotating mandrel 112 is controlled by a computer system (not shown), which is D.C. motor driven by belt and pulley assembly 130.
- the operation of the apparatus 136 is also controlled by a second D.C. motor driven by belt and pulley assembly 132.
- Assembly 132 is employed to facilitate control of the thickness of each layer of polymeric spray material 115, and the final thickness of the layers of polymeric spray material 115 which is actually applied to mandrel 112.
- a self-contained exhaust system 140 is used to remove all oversprayed polymeric material 115, and to keep the spray particles from being deposited onto the part.
- the chemicals are a basic "A" and "B" combination which are contained in vessels 116, 118.
- the chemical A and B are supplied to the sprayer unit with Graco transfer pumps 120.
- Chemical A is typically a material such as a Burtin SE-271 isocyanate pre-polymer resin
- chemical B is typically a material such as a Burtin SE-271 polyol pre-polymer resin.
- the exotherm of the material builds the temperature of the blank until the curing process is complete. Typically, temperature of about. 250 degrees F. are reached during the curing process.
- Mandrel 112 is removed from the station 114 by introducing air into the mandrel to float the part off of the mandrel. The mandrel then is cooled to ambient temperature and is made ready for the next sleeve blank to be manufactured.
- the printing sleeve blanks (not shown) are then remounted onto a separate, properly-sized mandrel for final machining in a standard lathe to produce the flexographic printing sleeve. Round ceramic inserts are used for the finish cut. After final finishing and quality control checking the flexographic printing sleeve is ready to ship.
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Abstract
Description
- This invention relates to printing sleeves which are readily mountable onto and dismountable from printing cylinders, more particularly to printing sleeves which are expandably mountable and dismountable employing a pressurized gas, and to methods for producing such printing sleeves.
- In past printing operations, flexible printing plates were mounted onto the outer surface of a printing cylinder. These printing plates were used for printing of ink images onto a printing medium. Typically, the back of the printing plates were adhered directly to the printing cylinder. Since these plates were not readily interchangeable from one cylinder to another, the use of a multiplicity of printing cylinders to perform a multiplicity of jobs was required. This presented severe storage and cost problems to the end user.
- Therefore, in an effort to overcome this problem, printing sleeves were developed which were mountable onto and dismountable from the printing cylinders. Compressed gas, generally compressed air, passing in a substantially radial direction from holes located within the printing cylinders, was used to expand the sleeve to a limited extent for facilitating the mounting and dismounting operations.
- This latter mode of mounting and dismounting of a printing sleeve is described in U.S. 3,146,709. In that patent, a "wound" printing sleeve, i.e., a helically wound paper sleeve, is fitted onto a hollow printing sleeve. The printing sleeve is used as a carrier roll for rubber printing plates attached thereto. Air pressure is radially applied through the holes in the external surface of the printing cylinder for limited radial expansion of the sleeve. The sleeve is then axially mounted onto the printing cylinder by moving the cylinder to an upright position and filling the internal chamber of the cylinder with compressed air.
- As the sleeve is moved over the upper end of the cylinder, the exiting air expands the sleeve and forms a lubricating air film between the inner sleeve and the outer cylinder. This air film permits axial mounting of the sleeve to a position about the cylinder. When the sleeve was in such a position, the airflow is terminated, and the sleeve is contracted forming an interference fit about the print cylinder.
- However, difficulty has been encountered when wound sleeves are employed since expansion does not effectively take place unless high-pressure air, substantially higher than the 50-100 psi air generally available in production facilities, is radially conveyed between the sleeve and the printing cylinder to facilitate the mounting and dismounting operation. This expandability problem occurs because of the thickness of the sleeve walls and the nature of the materials of construction. If pressures above the available air pressure at the production facility are required to expand the sleeve, auxiliary sources of compressed air must be purchased. For example, in printing operations where sleeve thicknesses of about 0.015" or greater are required, such as in the modem flexographic printing industry, wound sleeves cannot readily be employed because they do not undergo the requisite expansion using available production compressed air. Furthermore, these wound sleeves cannot be effectively used because of the leakage problems inherent in their design, which in this case, U.S. 3,146,709, comprises a polyester film held in position by helically-wound paper tape. This type of construction forms a leakage path for the air and reduces the effectiveness of the lubricating fluid.
- In order to overcome the problems inherent in the U.S. 3,146,709 wound printing sleeve, U.S. 3,978,254 provides for a mechanically adhered wound printing sleeve in which three layers of adhesive tape are helically wound about a mandrel to form a carrier sleeve, with two of the helixes being wound at the same angle and the remaining helix being wound at a different angle.
- The convolution of the helixes is said to impart some degree of strength, rigidity and leakage protection to the printing sleeve. Neither of the printing sleeves of U.S. 3,146,709 or U.S. 3,978,254 is unitary in construction, but is instead fabricated of a composite of wound materials. The outer surface of the U.S. 3,978,254 wound sleeve also has a plurality of surface irregularities formed therein and is therefore not "round" to the extent required by the flexographic printing industry. These carrier sleeves are made of a flexible, thin tape material which provides a minimum of structural integrity, which exhibit minimal strength and durability properties. Moreover, as the printing plates are adhered to the printing sleeve they are moved from one position to another as they are aligned on the plate surface. In order to trim excess material from the plate from the sleeve surface, they must be cut with a sharp instrument such as a knife. The synthetic plastic tape used to form the above-described sleeve cannot withstand even the minor cutting action required in positioning of the printing plates.
- Another type of printing sleeve is one which is made of a metallic material. As in the case of wound sleeves, metallic sleeves are not readily expandable and therefore must have a wall thickness which is be quite thin, i.e., thicknesses of up to only about 0.005", in order to be capable of undergoing the limited expansion required of printing sleeves. As indicated above, this minimum thickness level required of metallic sleeves is a problem in applications such as modem flexographic printing and the like. Moreover, printing metallic sleeves are not durable and are readily damaged. For instance, they can easily form kinks in their outer surface when they are stored without being supported by a printing cylinder.
- Dimensional stability is a problem in printing applications requiring that the outer surface of a printing sleeve structure have a true cylindrical shape. In some cases, this true cylindrical shape must even be within a 0.001"-0.0025" tolerance level in order to be acceptable in, for example, uses such as in the process printing industry. The outer printing surface in these applications must accurately conform to a uniformly constant, cylindrical outer shape in order to accurately imprint a print image onto a printing medium. Many of the prior art printing sleeves do not meet these requisite tolerance levels.
- U.S. 4,144,812 and U.S. 4,144,813 provide non-cylindrical printing sleeves and associated air-assisted printing rolls designed in a tapered or stepped-transition configuration, the change in the sleeve or printing cylinder diameter from one end to the other being progressive, i.e., increasing or decreasing according to the direction one is moving along the printing sleeve or roll. The printing roll comprises an outer surface having one end of a diameter greater than the other longitudinal end. The printing sleeve has an inner surface designed to form an interference fit with the outer surface of the printing roll only at the designated working position, and not along the entire axial uniform cross-sectional extent of the tapered sleeve.
- This non-cylindrical sleeve is fabricated of a highly rigid material having a low degree of expandability. These sleeves have a thickness of at least about 0.015". An extremely high air pressure, in excess of 125 psi, and typically about 250 psi or higher, is thus required to be introduced as the sleeve is being fitted onto the underlying air-assisted, printing roll in order to extend the radial dimension of the printing sleeve to a position capable of achieving complete coverage of the printing cylinder by the sleeve. Complete coverage is required in this system to achieve a proper interference fit. Since a pressure in excess of 125 psi is required herein, the system must satisfy various governmental regulations relating to pressure-rated containers. Conventional cylindrically-shaped, air-assisted printing presently on hand cannot readily be retrofitted to accommodate this non-cylindrical configuration because they cannot meet the above-described pressure-rating requirement. Therefore, they must be replaced, at great cost, by new non-cylindrical printing cylinders capable of meeting these government regulations.
- U.S. 4,119,032, describes an air-assisted printing cylinder mounted in a printing machine in such a way that a printing sleeve on its outer surface can be removed axially while the roll remains substantially in its working position. One end bearing of the printing cylinder is removably secured to a side of the machine frame. For axial positioning, an adjustable restrainer engages the roll axle at that end. Beyond the other side frame a counterpoise acts on the printing cylinder axle to support the printing cylinder when one end bearing is removed.
- In U.S. 4,089,265, a flexographic printing roll is provided comprising a rigid base tube having perforations in the form of a plurality of small apertures and a printing sleeve on the tube strained to grip the tube to retain the sleeve securely on the tube. There is no underlying printing cylinder in the conventional sense in this system.
- In order to overcome the aforementioned problems, a cylindrically shaped printing sleeve was produced according to the teachings of U.S. 4,903,597 ("US '597"). US '597, which has been assigned to the assignee of the present patent application, is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.
- The US '597 printing sleeve is unitary, substantially airtight, and can be frictionally mounted onto a conventional cylindrically shaped printing cylinders having a complementary cylindrical outside diameter. The US '597 sleeve can also be readily expandable using a low-pressure fluid and has a true outer wall surface capable of being used in modem flexographic printing applications.
- The US '597 printing sleeves are typically fabricated of a polymeric material, and preferably comprise a reinforced, non-permeable laminate structure including at least one reinforcing internal layer of a woven fabric of synthetic fibers or organic fibers. Another internal layer may also be included which is non-permeable and is typically formed of synthetic fibers. Preferably, the synthetic and organic fibers are of high strength, and the reinforced non-permeable internal layers comprise a non-woven fabric of synthetic fibers.
- The US '597 printing sleeve has been the state of the art product since the late 1980's. The presence of the US '597 sleeve in the marketplace has caused the overall printing sleeve business to grow significantly. This has lead others to develop alternative printing sleeves and printing sleeve manufacturing methods. For example, Dupont has developed a flexible Mylar printing sleeve system.
- It has been recognized by applicants, in view of their experience in the print sleeve business, that although the US '597 printing sleeves remains intact as the industry standard, increased competition and higher costs of manufacture are now a commercial reality. Certain printing sleeves which have been developed in the last several years can exhibit certain physical properties which are even better than the US '597 printing sleeves. The aforementioned Mylar sleeves, for instance, have a higher affinity for having printing tapes (used in printing operations) adhered thereto. Also, the US '597 printing sleeves are presently being hand-built because the manufacturing operation is extremely difficult to automate. Therefore, producing the US '597 printing sleeves is very labor intensive. This can result in a relatively high manfacturing reject rate. Since material costs continue to rise, the overall manufacturing expense for the US '597 sleeves is relatively high as compared to new domestic and foreign companies who have entered the printing sleeve marketplace in the past several years.
- There are also certain technical issues which have arisen regarding the US '597 printing sleeves, as follows:
- 1. They are not as easily mountable as compared to certain competitive sleeves.
- 2. They lack surface adhesion advantages present in certain competitive sleeves.
- 3. They do not withstand certain high temperature applications required for the vulcanization of polymeric coverings now used in lazer engraving plate technology.
- 4. They do not have the durability that certain end users in the sleeve market demand.
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- Therefore, in an effort to supplement the present product line of US'597 printing sleeves, a first aspect of the present invention provides a method for producing a flexographic printing sleeve which is readily axially mountable on and dismountable from a complementary shaped printing cylinder, the cross-sectional inner and outer diameter of the flexographic printing sleeve being expandable by introducing a relatively low pressure fluid between the inner surface of the printing body sleeve and the outer cylindrically shaped wall of the printing cylinder, the flexographic printing sleeve being contractible from its expanded position by releasing said low pressure fluid, the structural integrity of the flexographic printing sleeve being resistant to substantial damage or distortion; the method comprising the steps of: providing an apparatus for receiving a sprayed curable polymeric material and for forming said flexographic printing sleeve; and forming a flexographic printing sleeve, having a substantially unitary construction which is self-supporting, by spraying said curable polymeric material onto said apparatus and by curing said material.
- The new method of this invention comprises spraying of a novel polymeric composition as opposed to the process of US '597, namely, the formation of a laminate printing sleeve structure. No spray technology is available for spraying polymeric materials that have the desired properties to produce flexographic printing sleeves having the requisite physical and chemical properties. More specifically, no conventional material, either polymeric or otherwise, meets all of the product specifications for effectively and efficiently manufacturing high quality flexographic printing sleeves.
- According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a flexographic printing sleeve formable according to a method embodying the first aspect.
- The subject printing sleeve comprises a combination of chemistries to produce a sleeve having both high temperature resistance and a high level of flexibility and machinability. The gel characteristics of the subject polymeric materials have been modified to achieve an extreme high-speed gel for sprayability. For example, the preferred polymer system of the invention herein employs a polyurea for high temperature resistance and a polyurethane for high flexiblity and machinability. The preferred polymeric material is the SE-271 spray composition manufactured by Burtin Corporation of Santa Ana, CA.
- The printing sleeve of the present invention is formed of a substantially unitary construction unlike unlike prior art flexographic sleeves, such the US '597 sleeve, which are made of structural laminates. In fact, the printing sleeve of this invention comprises a non-laminate construction. Moreover, unlike prior art printing sleeves which require auxiliary structural reinforcing materials to impart structural integrity thereto, the flexographic printing sleeve of this invention includes no auxiliary structural reinforcing materials. This also results in better tape adhesion for mounting of printing indicia on the sleeve than in the case of US '597. Because the new technology of this invention is made substantially solely of polymeric materials, when it is machined, there is a very smooth uniform outer surface which is produced. Contrarily, when the sleeve of US '597 is machined, it has microscopic fiber ends on the outer sleeve surface which interfere with, and limit, the adhesion of the common mounting tapes which are used in the application of printing indicia thereto.
- The present invention is directed to a flexographic printing sleeve formed of a sprayed, cured polymeric material. In the preferred construction, the flexographic printing sleeve of the invention is formed of a plurality of layers of the curable polymeric material, which fuse together to produce a sleeve having a self-supporting substantially unitary construction.
- This new type of flexographic printing sleeve is typically resistant to damage and distortion to its structural integrity at high processing temperatures. More specifically, this printing sleeve is damage and distortion resistant at a temperature of about 250 degree F., preferably at a temperature of about 275 degree F., and more preferably at a temperature of about 300 degree F.
- Although the flexographic printing sleeve of this invention is produced by spray applications, and is not formed of a structural laminate construction, it nevertheless maintains distinguishing chemical and physical properties. For instance, it has a relatively low shrink rate (0.035% inhibited by tool), a high flexibility (10% elongation), and high strength and hardness (Durometer of 70 on the Shore "D" scale). The subject sleeve is also extremely durable and fracture resistant for long life. It also exhibits low porosity for good surface finish and has sufficient flexibility to be mounted easily on conventional print cylinders using low pressure air. It is also has sufficient strength and stiffness to not slip on the print cylinder under conventional flexographic printing conditions.
- The printing sleeve of this invention exhibits a high level of environment compatibility since it contains no voc components or hazardous by products. Stated another way, the curable polymeric material employed in forming the subject printing sleeve typically comprises a non-solvent-containing sprayable curable polymeric material. Thus, no EPA permits are required to be maintained at the manufacturing site.
- More specifically, the printing sleeve is preferably formed of a polymeric material which comprises a polyurethane-polyurea material. The material is preferably a blend of highly catalyzed polyurea and polyurethane sprayable at high temperature and high pressure to produce the flexographic printing described herein.
- The flexographic printing sleeve is readily axially mountable onto and dismountable from a complementary shaped printing cylinder. The cross-sectional inner and outer diameter of the flexographic printing sleeve is expandable by introducing a relatively low pressure fluid between the inner surface of the printing body sleeve and the outer cylindrically-shaped wall of the printing cylinder. The sleeve is contractible from its expanded position by releasing the low pressure fluid. Typically, the subject method utilizes less than 100 psi fluid pressure to mount and dismount the flexographic printing sleeve of this invention.
- The subject flexographic printing sleeve preferably comprises inner and outer cylindrically-shaped walls of substantially constant cross-sectional inner and outer diameter.
- The printing sleeve of this invention has a wall thickness which is typically up to about 0.50", preferably up to about 0.45", and more preferably up to about 0.40", and most preferably up to about 0.35". By employing the method of the present invention, the subject flexographic printing sleeve can be formed in a manner wherein the average time for producing the sleeve is preferably not more than about 1.0 hour, more preferably not more than about 0.75 hour, and most preferably not more than about 0.5 hour. Stated another way, the method of this invention can form a non-laminated, substantially airtight, seamless, flexographic printing sleeve built with in a single spray application process that can be completed in a much shorter time period than presently commercially feasible in the marketplace.
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- FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of an exemplary printing sleeve manufacturing system of the present invention.
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a flexographic printing sleeve of the present invention produced by the subject method such as by employing the system depicted in FIG 1.
- FIG. 3 is an enlarged, sectional view of the printing sleeve of FIG. 2 in use as mounted on a conventional printing cylinder.
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- The
flexographic printing sleeve 10 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 can be produced by the printing sleeve manufacturing system, denoted generally as "100", which is depicted in FIG.1.System 100 includes certain tools used in the formation of a printing sleeve blank (not shown), which in turn is formed into aflexographic printing sleeve 10. For example,metal mandrel 112 is used as the form onto which the polymeric material is directly sprayed. This direct spraying operation is conducted without the use of any intermediate materials or steps. This technique is highly accurate and themandrel 112 diameters are exceptionally true. More specifically, the outer diameter ofmandrel 112 exhibits a total indicated runout and circularity tolerance which is preferably within .0015", more preferably within .0010", and most preferably within .0005". They are drilled to be air chambers, and air pressure is used to float thesleeve 10 off of themandrel 112 after it is sprayed. The nominal outer diameter of themandrel 112 is precisely oversized to compensate for shrink rates of the spray material. These tools are various diameters and lengths to accommodate the printing industry needs. - A
spray station 114 maintains themandrel 112 in a horizontally-extending position, and rotatesmandrel 112 at a predetermined speed to match the application rate for a given sleeve size. Anexemplary spray system 122, for spraying a curablepolymeric material 115 onto themandrel 112, is a Graco Foam Cat System Model No. 973-005. Thespray system 122 has aspray head 126. The orifice of the nozzles inspray system 126 have a .011" diameter. Air is supplied to thespray head 126 through anair dryer 134 that has a dew point of -40 degrees F. - The
spray head 126 is held in a traversely-movable apparatus 136 that resembles a lathe feed assembly.Spray head 126 traverses along the axis of thespray station 114 on horizontally-extendingrods mandrel 112 so that printingsleeve 10 will have a substantially unitary construction which is self-supporting. The speed of therotating mandrel 112 is controlled by a computer system (not shown), which is D.C. motor driven by belt andpulley assembly 130. - The operation of the
apparatus 136 is also controlled by a second D.C. motor driven by belt andpulley assembly 132.Assembly 132 is employed to facilitate control of the thickness of each layer ofpolymeric spray material 115, and the final thickness of the layers ofpolymeric spray material 115 which is actually applied tomandrel 112. A self-contained exhaust system 140 is used to remove all oversprayedpolymeric material 115, and to keep the spray particles from being deposited onto the part. - The chemicals are a basic "A" and "B" combination which are contained in
vessels - Certain process variables were identified and controlled in order to achieve the desired result. First, is the temperature. More particularly, the initial temperature of the
mandrel 112, the temperature of the chemicals introduced into thespray head 126, and the temperature at which the sleeve is removed from themandrel 112. - Second, are the spray head speeds and feed rates, particularly the following: the distance and angle of
spray head 126 to themandrel 112, the traverse rate of movement of thespray head 126 alongaxis 114, and the rotational speed ofmandrel 112 during application of thespray material 115. Layer control of appliedmaterial 115 is controlled by an algorithm in a computer control system (not shown) which uses tool speed, feed rate and deposit rate of thespray material 115 as the process control variables. - The third variable is spray pressures and orifice sizing, particularly the following: the pressure of chemicals to the spray head (1500psi) and the sizing of the orifice in spray head (.011").
- The fourth variable is demount and cure times, particularly the following: demount (demold) at proper time and temperature to achieve more exact diameter sizing. Due to high exotherm temperatures during spraying, no post cure is required.
- The fifth variable is tool sizing, particularly the following: mandrel OD is .001" PER 1.00" dia. larger than finished inside diameter of the sleeve.
- More specifically, in use,
mandrel 112 is prepared with a mold release agent and bolt on collars for fitting into thespray station 114. Themandrel 112 is then placed intospray station 114 which is then brought up to a spray temperature, preferably about 110 to 120 degrees F. Chemicals A and B invessels fluid lines 124 are preheated to the above-described spray temperature. The rotational speed ofmandrel 112 is then adjusted to between about 15 to 25 rpm, and operation of thespray head 126 is begun, the transverse movement of thespray head 126 being selected depending on the dimensions of the specific print sleeve blank being produced. - The spraying operation begins and several pressure and temperature sensors (not shown) monitor the process to insure that consistent thickness layers of the
spray 115 will be deposited ontomandrel 112. The final thickness of the spray is typically up to about 0.500", with each layer preferably being about .010" in thickness. - As the printing sleeve blank builds in thickness on the
mandrel 112, the exotherm of the material builds the temperature of the blank until the curing process is complete. Typically, temperature of about. 250 degrees F. are reached during the curing process. -
Mandrel 112 is removed from thestation 114 by introducing air into the mandrel to float the part off of the mandrel. The mandrel then is cooled to ambient temperature and is made ready for the next sleeve blank to be manufactured. - The printing sleeve blanks (not shown) are then remounted onto a separate, properly-sized mandrel for final machining in a standard lathe to produce the flexographic printing sleeve. Round ceramic inserts are used for the finish cut. After final finishing and quality control checking the flexographic printing sleeve is ready to ship.
- Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, in use, a cylindrically-shaped
printing sleeve 10 is provided which comprises cylindrically-shaped inner andouter walls inner chamber 16, and a pair ofend sections Sleeve 10 is depicted mounted on an illustrativeconventional printing cylinder 22, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,903,597, which is incorporated herein by reference. - Typically,
sleeve 10 will serve as a support for the application of printing indicia (not shown), preferably flexographic printing plates, which are generally made of a flexible polymeric material. Any suitable indicia for printing onto a printing medium may be set on these printing plates. Alternatively,outer wall 15 may itself be employed as the means for printing onto a printing medium. Various methods can be employed to engrave theouter wall 15. For example, one could employ chemical or photochemical engraving techniques to form the requisite means for producing the print indicia. - The
printing sleeve 10 and theprinting cylinder 22 are cylindrical and have a constant diameter. The outer wall 23 of thecylinder 22 has a slightly larger diameter than theinner wall 14 so that the sleeve will firmly frictionally fit onto the cylinder. Thecylinder 22 is hollow and has a cylindrical chamber 25 which is used as a compressed air chamber. Thecylinder 22 comprises acylindrical tube 26 fitted withairtight endplates apertures 30 are provided in thetube 26 through which air from the chamber 25 may pass for expanding thesleeve 10 during mounting and dismounting operations. - Air is introduced into the chamber 25 through
air hose 34. Trunnions 31 and 32 are provided for rotationally supportingcylinder 22. Acoupling element 33 is disposed withinendplate 29 and provides a means for connectingair hose 32 tocylinder 22 for introducing compressed air to the cylinder chamber 25.
Claims (13)
- A method for producing a flexographic printing sleeve which is readily axially mountable on and dismountable from a complementary shaped printing cylinder, the cross-sectional inner and outer diameter of the flexographic printing sleeve being expandable by introducing a relatively low pressure fluid between the inner surface of the printing body sleeve and the outer cylindrically shaped wall of the printing cylinder, the flexographic printing sleeve being contractible from its expanded position by releasing said low pressure fluid, the structural integrity of the flexographic printing sleeve being resistant to substantial damage or distortion; the method comprising the steps of:providing an apparatus for receiving a sprayable curable polymeric material and for forming said flexographic printing sleeve; andforming a flexographic printing sleeve, having a substantially unitary construction which is self-supporting, by spraying said curable polymeric material onto said apparatus and by curing said material.
- The method of claim 1, wherein the temperature at which the flexographic printing sleeve is resistant to substantial damage or distortion is 121°C (250°F).
- The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the flexographic printing sleeve has a wall thickness of up to 1.27cm (0.50").
- The method according to any preceding claim wherein the polymeric material is a polyurethane-polyurea material.
- The method according to any preceding claim wherein said substantially unitary construction comprises a non-laminate construction.
- The method according to any preceding claim wherein the sprayable curable polymeric material comprises a non-solvent-containing sprayable curable polymeric material.
- The method according to any preceding claim wherein the average time for producing the flexographic printing sleeve is not more than about 1.0 hour.
- The method according to any preceding claim wherein the flexographic printing sleeve includes no auxiliary structural reinforcing materials.
- The method according to any preceding claim wherein the flexographic printing sleeve is formed of a plurality of layers of said curable polymeric material which fuse together to produce said self-supporting substantially unitary construction.
- The method according to any preceding claim wherein the flexographic printing sleeve includes inner and outer cylindrically-shaped walls of substantially constant cross sectional inner and outer diameter.
- A method according to any preceding claim wherein following the spraying of said curable polymeric material onto said apparatus a cured printing sleeve blank is formed; and
said flexographic printing sleeve is formed from said cured printing sleeve blank. - The method of claim 11, wherein the step of forming said flexographic printing sleeve from said cured printing sleeve blank comprises removing a portion of the outer surface of said cured printing sleeve blank to produce said flexographic printing sleeve.
- A flexographic printing sleeve, formable according to the method of any one of claims 1 to 12.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US9487798P | 1998-07-30 | 1998-07-30 | |
US94877P | 1998-07-30 | ||
PCT/US1999/017427 WO2000006393A1 (en) | 1998-07-30 | 1999-07-30 | Printing sleeves and methods for producing same |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1115580A1 EP1115580A1 (en) | 2001-07-18 |
EP1115580A4 EP1115580A4 (en) | 2002-02-06 |
EP1115580B1 true EP1115580B1 (en) | 2004-09-29 |
Family
ID=22247696
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP99937723A Expired - Lifetime EP1115580B1 (en) | 1998-07-30 | 1999-07-30 | Printing sleeves and methods for producing same |
Country Status (7)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1115580B1 (en) |
AT (1) | ATE277777T1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU5249799A (en) |
CA (1) | CA2339024C (en) |
DE (1) | DE69920728T2 (en) |
ES (1) | ES2229753T3 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2000006393A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2400860A (en) * | 2003-04-24 | 2004-10-27 | Gcc Man Ltd | Developer sleeve |
US7284484B2 (en) | 2005-06-02 | 2007-10-23 | Van Denend Mark E | Laser ablating of printing plates and/or printing rollers to decrease taper and TIR |
ATE546297T1 (en) * | 2005-12-23 | 2012-03-15 | Commw Scient Ind Res Org | PRODUCTION OF PRESSURE CYLINDERS |
US20080034998A1 (en) * | 2006-08-08 | 2008-02-14 | Byers Joseph L | Method of making a printing blanket or sleeve including cast polyurethane layers |
DE102008045400A1 (en) * | 2008-09-02 | 2010-03-04 | Fischer & Krecke Gmbh | Process for recycling the surface of a cylinder in a rotary printing machine |
Family Cites Families (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR1180308A (en) * | 1956-08-03 | 1959-06-03 | Bayer Ag | Process for obtaining porous or homogeneous bodies |
US3635158A (en) * | 1969-10-06 | 1972-01-18 | William D Budinger | Roller for printing press |
US4571798A (en) * | 1983-09-19 | 1986-02-25 | Beloit Corporation | Urethane covered paper machine roll |
US5541001A (en) * | 1994-06-30 | 1996-07-30 | Eastman Kodak Company | Polyurethane biasable transfer members having improved moisture stability |
US5544584A (en) * | 1994-12-09 | 1996-08-13 | Thompson Urethane Products | Process for producing polymer-covered flexographic printing sleeves |
US5895806A (en) * | 1996-05-06 | 1999-04-20 | Uniroyal Chemical Company, Inc. | Polyurethane composition useful for coating cylindrical parts |
-
1999
- 1999-07-30 EP EP99937723A patent/EP1115580B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1999-07-30 WO PCT/US1999/017427 patent/WO2000006393A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 1999-07-30 AT AT99937723T patent/ATE277777T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1999-07-30 CA CA002339024A patent/CA2339024C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1999-07-30 DE DE69920728T patent/DE69920728T2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1999-07-30 ES ES99937723T patent/ES2229753T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1999-07-30 AU AU52497/99A patent/AU5249799A/en not_active Abandoned
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP1115580A4 (en) | 2002-02-06 |
WO2000006393A1 (en) | 2000-02-10 |
DE69920728T2 (en) | 2005-02-10 |
EP1115580A1 (en) | 2001-07-18 |
CA2339024A1 (en) | 2000-02-10 |
DE69920728D1 (en) | 2004-11-04 |
AU5249799A (en) | 2000-02-21 |
ATE277777T1 (en) | 2004-10-15 |
CA2339024C (en) | 2005-04-26 |
ES2229753T3 (en) | 2005-04-16 |
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