EP1220750B1 - Systeme d'imprimerie sans plaque - Google Patents

Systeme d'imprimerie sans plaque Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1220750B1
EP1220750B1 EP00958978A EP00958978A EP1220750B1 EP 1220750 B1 EP1220750 B1 EP 1220750B1 EP 00958978 A EP00958978 A EP 00958978A EP 00958978 A EP00958978 A EP 00958978A EP 1220750 B1 EP1220750 B1 EP 1220750B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
cylinder
printing
imaging layer
printing member
layer
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP00958978A
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German (de)
English (en)
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EP1220750A1 (fr
EP1220750A4 (fr
Inventor
Narda Ben-Horin
Murray Figov
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Ait Israel - Advanced Imaging Technology Ltd
Original Assignee
Ait Israel - Advanced Imaging Technology Ltd
A I T Israel Advanced Imaging Tech Ltd
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Priority claimed from US09/396,036 external-priority patent/US6298780B1/en
Application filed by Ait Israel - Advanced Imaging Technology Ltd, A I T Israel Advanced Imaging Tech Ltd filed Critical Ait Israel - Advanced Imaging Technology Ltd
Publication of EP1220750A1 publication Critical patent/EP1220750A1/fr
Publication of EP1220750A4 publication Critical patent/EP1220750A4/fr
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41C—PROCESSES FOR THE MANUFACTURE OR REPRODUCTION OF PRINTING SURFACES
    • B41C1/00—Forme preparation
    • B41C1/10—Forme preparation for lithographic printing; Master sheets for transferring a lithographic image to the forme
    • B41C1/1008—Forme preparation for lithographic printing; Master sheets for transferring a lithographic image to the forme by removal or destruction of lithographic material on the lithographic support, e.g. by laser or spark ablation; by the use of materials rendered soluble or insoluble by heat exposure, e.g. by heat produced from a light to heat transforming system; by on-the-press exposure or on-the-press development, e.g. by the fountain of photolithographic materials
    • B41C1/1033—Forme preparation for lithographic printing; Master sheets for transferring a lithographic image to the forme by removal or destruction of lithographic material on the lithographic support, e.g. by laser or spark ablation; by the use of materials rendered soluble or insoluble by heat exposure, e.g. by heat produced from a light to heat transforming system; by on-the-press exposure or on-the-press development, e.g. by the fountain of photolithographic materials by laser or spark ablation
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41C—PROCESSES FOR THE MANUFACTURE OR REPRODUCTION OF PRINTING SURFACES
    • B41C2210/00—Preparation or type or constituents of the imaging layers, in relation to lithographic printing forme preparation
    • B41C2210/16—Waterless working, i.e. ink repelling exposed (imaged) or non-exposed (non-imaged) areas, not requiring fountain solution or water, e.g. dry lithography or driography
    • 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
    • B41N1/00—Printing plates or foils; Materials therefor
    • B41N1/16—Curved printing plates, especially cylinders
    • B41N1/18—Curved printing plates, especially cylinders made of stone
    • 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
    • B41N1/00—Printing plates or foils; Materials therefor
    • B41N1/16—Curved printing plates, especially cylinders
    • B41N1/20—Curved printing plates, especially cylinders made of metal or similar inorganic compounds, e.g. plasma coated ceramics, carbides
    • 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
    • B41N1/00—Printing plates or foils; Materials therefor
    • B41N1/16—Curved printing plates, especially cylinders
    • B41N1/22—Curved printing plates, especially cylinders made of other substances

Definitions

  • This present invention relates to offset printing and in particular is directed to a method for plateless printing and to the composition of materials used for this method.
  • the plate contains one or more coating layers applied to a metal or plastic substrate layer.
  • the cost of producing a plate is relatively expensive and is generally only economical when utilized for printing large numbers of copies. For short printing runs, the cost of the printing plate adds substantially to the cost per printed copy.
  • the plate cost is contributed from two sources:
  • Make-ready refers to the operational stage involved between producing the last copy of one printing job and the first copy of the next job. Reducing the make-ready time improves the efficiency and allows for better utilization of machine time and increases the capacity of the machine.
  • Color printing generally involves the separating of the color information into four or more color components each on a separate printing plate and then superimposing the images printed from each plate on top of one another on each piece of substrate.
  • complex color printing there are additional problems of lining up images on plates and ensuring that the color balance on the printed copies is correct, which can require more time and thus results in a further increase in the cost per copy.
  • Xerographic copying is another example of an "image one - print one" process.
  • Disadvantages of this process which may be considered as an imaging on press process, includes its complexity and the relatively high cost per copy that remains almost constant, irrespective of the number of copies made. Furthermore, this process has a generally inferior quality compared to lithography.
  • Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a printing member, referenced 300, used in existing conventional digital offset lithographic printing systems.
  • the printing member 300 is formed of at least three layers.
  • a first or substrate layer 310 forms a base or substrate for the printing member 300.
  • a third surface coating layer 314 is over the second layer 312.
  • the imaging layer 312 comprises an infra-red radiation absorbing material, for absorbing infra red radiation to cause ablation.
  • the substrate 310 has an oleophillic surface.
  • the surface coating layer 314 is of a material with an affinity for the ink(s) substantially different to the affinity for the ink(s) of the surface of the substrate 310. Ablation results in de-bonding between the surface coating layer 314 and the substrate 310. On cleaning - either dry or with a liquid - the materials of layers 312 and 314 are removed in the image areas, revealing the surface of 310.
  • WO-A-96/36266 discloses a printing member comprising an image bearing cylinder having a single imaging layer coated thereon, whereby, on selective ablation, polymerization or decomposition of said imaging layer, selective areas of said imaging layer are removed thereby exposing said cylinder; and wherein said cylinder and said coated imaging layer are configured to have opposed chemical affinities with regarding to water and/or ink.
  • the present invention provides a printing system which does not require a printing plate.
  • the single layer printing member consists of an oleophobic imaging layer containing an oleophobic resin, coated on an oleophillic cylinder.
  • the single layer may either be hydrophilic, coated on a oleophillic cylinder, or vice versa.
  • the single layer printing member is composed of a resin with the required properties (i.e. oleophobic (such a silicone), hydrophilic or oleophillic) to which an infra red absorbing component or components may be added.
  • a resin with the required properties i.e. oleophobic (such a silicone), hydrophilic or oleophillic) to which an infra red absorbing component or components may be added.
  • the invention provides a printing member comprising a cylinder having cylinder surface, and a single imaging layer coated thereon, wherein the printing member is configured such that on selective ablation, polymerisation or decomposition of said imaging layer, selective areas of said imaging layer are removed thereby exposing said cylinder surface; and one of said cylinder and said single imaging layer is oleophilic and the other is oleophobic wherein said imaging layer is formed from a mixture including 40-80% (percentage solids) of polysiloxane emulsion, 0.0.1 to 3% (percentage solids) of silicone catalyst, 5-15% (percentage solids) of silicone crosslinking agent, 4 %-25 % of water soluble crosslinkable amine resin, 0.5% to 5% of catalyst for the amine resin, 0.5%-10% of added Surfactant, and 3%-40% of infrared absorber.
  • the cylinder may be oleophillic and said single imaging layer may be an oleophobic imaging layer containing an oleophobic resin.
  • the cylinder may be oleophillic and said single imaging layer may be a hydrophilic imaging layer.
  • the cylinder may be hydrophilic and said single imaging layer may be an oleophillic imaging layer.
  • the imaging layer may be deposited on said cylinder in the form of a solventless mixture, an emulsion, or a solution.
  • the infra-red absorbent agent may be carbon black or a mixture containing carbon black.
  • the cylinder surface may be a material selected from the group consisting of anodised aluminium, polyimide and polyester.
  • the imaging layer may further comprise components selected from the group consisting of: catalysts, plasticizers, wetting agents, infra-red sensitivity enhancers, dispersing agents, adhesion promoters, polymers and combinations thereof.
  • the cylinder surface may be provided by a substrate attached to the cylinder.
  • the substrate may be replaceable after a plurality of printing jobs.
  • the imaging layer is formulated so that it has good release properties together with high scratch resistance, excellent substrate adhesion without the need of providing a pre-coat or primer or other surface treatment (e. g. corona or flame) to obtain such functionality.
  • a pre-coat or primer or other surface treatment e. g. corona or flame
  • a printing member including an oleophobic single coating imaging layer containing a silicone polymer and an infra red absorbing material, and an oleophillic substrate underlying the imaging layer. On selective ablation the imaging layer, selective areas of the imaging layer are removed thereby exposing the substrate.
  • a printing member including a cylinder, an image bearing substrate attached to said cylinder; and a single imaging layer coated on said substrate on press.
  • a single imaging layer coated on said substrate on press On selective ablation, polymerization or decomposition of said imaging layer, selective areas of the imaging layer are removed thereby exposing the cylinder.
  • the substrate and coated imaging layer are configured to have opposed chemical affinities with regarding to water and / or ink.
  • the substrate is a material selected from a group consisting of anodized aluminum, polyimide or polyester.
  • the substrate may be inflexible and in the form of a machined cylinder.
  • the substrate may be the surface of the cylinder.
  • the substrate may be a material selected from a group consisting of metals, reinforced plastic, ceramic and granite.
  • the cylinder may be seamless.
  • a printing system which includes the printing member of the invention, an imaging system for placing an image on the image bearing cylinder and an inking assembly for applying ink to the imaged printing member.
  • the printing system may also include, for wet offset application, a dampening system for applying the fountain solution to the imaged printing member, alternatively, a single fluid of emulsified water in ink may be applied by the ink system alone.
  • the system further includes means for preparing the imaging layer, means for coating the imaging layer on to the cylinder and means for drying, solidifying and cross-linking the imaging layer.
  • the preparing means includes means for mixing at least two components together, one of the components being a film former for coating the imaging layer on to the cylinder.
  • the system further includes means for cooling the coated cylinder after the drying/curing stage and/or during the printing stage and means to protect the imaging system from any heat that may evolve at this stage.
  • the system may also include means for washing the mixing and coating systems.
  • the system also includes at least one impression cylinder and a blanket cylinder disposed between the print cylinder and at least one impression cylinder, so that the system operates as an offset system.
  • the system further includes at least one impression cylinder and a control system for activating the imaging system to place an image on the image bearing cylinder and for controlling the application of ink or an ink and water emulsion onto the imaged printing member, so that the system operates as a computer to press printing system.
  • the computer to press printing system includes a rotary digital offset press (DOP) printing system. Additionally, for wet offset application, a dampening system may be included.
  • DOP digital offset press
  • the system further includes means for cleaning the imaged printing member and means for removing the imaging layer.
  • a method of preparing a printing member having a single imaging layer includes the steps of:
  • the cylinder may be hydrophilic, in which case the mixture for coating the imaging layer consists of a oleophillic polymer, a cross linking agent and an infra-red absorbent agent; or alternatively the cylinder may be oleophillic, in which case the mixture for coating the imaging layer consists of a hydrophilic polymer, a cross linking agent and an infra-red absorbent agent.
  • a method of imaging the printing member of the invention includes the steps of:
  • the step of providing includes the steps of:
  • the prepared mixture includes solvents and the method further includes the step of evaporating any solvent on the surface of the mixture.
  • the mixture is a water-based solution or an emulsion, and the method involves the step of evaporating the water from the coated wet layer.
  • the mixture is solventless, in which case, an evaporation stage is not required.
  • the method optionally includes the step of cleaning the image after the step of placing an image and also optionally includes the step of hardening the image areas or the background to the image areas.
  • the step of printing an image includes the steps of applying an ink to the cylinder and cooling the cylinder.
  • the method includes a step of cooling the cylinder and a step of placing an image by selectively ablating the printing member with radiation that is absorbable by the printing member.
  • the step of placing an image includes the step of breaking the chemical bonds of the coated imaging layer into smaller molecules or the step of polymerizing the imaging layer.
  • a computer to plate system which includes means for re-constituting a single layer plate on an existing substrate, an imaging system for placing an image on the image bearing substrate and means for cleaning the imaged plate.
  • the re-constituting means includes erasing means for removal of the used imaged coating from a previous job, mixture means for preparing a mixture, coating means for coating the prepared mixture on the erased substrate, and solidifying means for solidifying and curing the coated layer.
  • the coated layer is an infrared absorbing layer, having a chemical affinity with regards to water and/ or ink opposite to that of the substrate.
  • Fig. 2 is a schematic illustration of a plateless printing system, constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention
  • Fig. 3 is a high level flow chart illustration of the operation of the plateless printing system.
  • the 'plateless' printing system 10 preferably comprises an image bearing cylinder 12, a blanket cylinder 14, a printing (or inking) system 15 and an imaging system 16.
  • an image bearing cylinder 12 does not carry a printing plate. Instead, an image bearing cylinder 12 has an imaging layer, generally designated 100, directly coated onto the cylinder 12, thereby creating a 'plateless' printing member, as described in detail hereinbelow.
  • the cylinder may carry a replaceable substrate, either as a sleeve or as a sheet, that can be replaced after a large number of jobs. This has the advantage of protecting the cylinder from wear.
  • the 'plateless' printing system 10 preferably also comprises a mixing system 18 for preparing the imaging layer 100, a coating head 20 for applying the imaging layer 100, a plate cleaning system 25 for post-imaging cleaning, an erasing system 22 and a drier/cross linker 24.
  • the 'plateless' printing system 10 also comprises a cooling system 26 for use after the heating stage and during printing, an inking system 15 and imaging system 16.
  • Mixing system 18 comprises apparatus to mix at least two components, generally referenced A and B, which are discharged via a pipe system 27, or similar, into a mixing container 28 where components A and B are mixed together to form the coating mixture which is then coated onto cylinder 12 to form an imaging layer 100.
  • An automatic washing system may be added to clean the mixing and coating system on press in case of a short pot-life of the mixture. Including the mixing (and washing if necessary) stages into the process, makes it possible to use mixtures that have short-pot life or shelf-life (such as a polymer and its cross-linker).
  • the cylinder 12 is preferably an oleophillic surface and may comprise any material which is suitable for receiving and adhesion of the oleophobic coating layer 100.
  • suitable surfaces include plastics, reinforced plastics, metals such as aluminum (or anodised aluminum) and copper, ceramics and stones, such as granite.
  • the surface 12 which acts as a substrate may be of a non-pliable material that may or may not be formable into a sheet.
  • the cylinder may be hydrophilic, where the coating layer is oleophillic, or vice versa.
  • the cylinder 12 may be entirely composed of an infra-red absorbent material or, alternatively, only the external surface of the cylinder is composed of a solid infra-red absorbent material. Since, in both these two alternative embodiments, the surface of cylinder 12 (that is, the underside of the oleophobic layer 100) is infra-red absorbent, the coating layer 100, which is coated on the cylinder 12, need not itself be infra-red absorbent, but may be transparent.
  • the outer surface of the cylinder or the cylinder itself may be composed of an IR reflecting material, to enhance the sensitivity of the imaging layer; in this case, the coated layer should be IR absorbent.
  • an imaging layer 100 on to a base with opposite ink or water accepting properties (cylinder 12)
  • a single layer printing member is created. This is in contrast to existing printing members, described hereinabove with respect to Fig. 1, which generally comprise a substrate base layer on which at least two layers are coated.
  • the A and B components of the coating layer 100 for waterless offset application comprise a film former such as polysiloxane, or other oleophobic polymeric material (compound A) and a separated component, such as a compound of platinum or tin, for example, as a catalyst and/or cross linker (compound B).
  • a film former such as polysiloxane, or other oleophobic polymeric material (compound A)
  • a separated component such as a compound of platinum or tin, for example, as a catalyst and/or cross linker (compound B).
  • the coating layer 100 may be either solventless or may have been deposited from solvents.
  • water is utilized as the solvent because of environmental and health and safety considerations.
  • the resin may be held in the form of an emulsion or as a dissolved substance..
  • components A and/or B should incorporate an infrared (IR) absorbing component, such as carbon black or nigrosine.
  • IR infrared
  • the mixture 100 may also contain wetting agents, adhesion promoters and polymers to enhance the coating and bonding properties of the mixtures.
  • polysiloxane water-based emulsions are as follows, (each material is supplied with suitable catalysts and crosslinking agent): Polysiloxane Water-Based Emulsions Catalysts / Crosslinking Agents Dehesive 410E (50% solids including a platinum catalyst) Crosslinker V72 (35% solids) Dehesive 38197 VP (50% aqueous emulsion addition cross-linkable) Crosslinker V72 (35% solids) Syl-off 7920 silicone emulsion Syl-off 7922 catalyst emulsion Silcolease E70888, 70840 Catalyst 70889S or 71823 Silcolease 71841 Catalyst 71842 or 71823 Silcolease 71822 Catalyst 71823 Silcolease E 70840 Catalyst 70827A
  • Dehesive and Crosslinker products are manufactured by Wacker Chemie GmbH, Kunststoff, Germany). Silcolease products are manufactured by Rhone-Poulenc Silicones UK, Surrey, England. Syl-offs products are manufactured by Dow Coming Europe, La Hulpe, Brussels, Belgium.
  • crosslinkable water soluble amine resins examples include:
  • catalysts for the cross-linking resins may be sulphonic and carboxylic acids, amine blocked acids are most suitable.
  • An example of one preferred mixture for a waterless offset application is a mixture based on water emulsions of silicones such as the commercially available Syloff® 7920 emulsion coating and Syloff® 7922 catalyst manufactured by Dow Corning Europe, La Halpe, Brussels, Belgium.
  • the imaging layer 100 is coated on to the cylinder 12 using the coating head 20 with a dye slot, for example.
  • the dry coating thickness may be expressed as a weight of from 1 to 5 grams per square meter.
  • a metered rod or any other application system known in the art may be used as the coating head 20.
  • the drier/cross linking station 24 may function in varying ways. In the embodiments where the coating 100 is polymerized or cross-linked before imaging, it would be used to evaporate off any solvent present after initial coating and then possibly to cure the polymerized image areas after non-polymerized material is removed by washing. In the embodiments where the image area is to be destroyed during imaging, the drier/cross linker will evaporate any solvent present after coating and would then cross-link or polymerize either before imaging or after imaging/cleaning to harden and insolubilise the background areas. Alternatively station 24 may comprise a heating unit such as a radiant heater or an ultra-violet (UV) drier.
  • UV ultra-violet
  • the heating/curing stage may also be obtained by a heated electrical blanket below the upper surface of the cylinder, or by hot air, by combination of means or by any other suitable heating / curing means. With high power imaging unit, it may be used to cure the IR absorbing coating layer as well.
  • Imaging system 16 comprises one or more infra red lasers which have been modulated to radiate energy corresponding to a digital image.
  • Such a suitable system is described in PCT Patent Application PCT/IL97/00525 (Publication No. WO 97/27065) to the present Applicant, incorporated herein by reference.
  • lnfra-red imaging of the system may occur in various ways, as follows:
  • Imaging may occur due to ablation where destruction of material occurs.
  • the infra red absorbing material is preferably contained in the overlayer, or alternatively in both the overlayer and the underlying cylinder.
  • Waterless plates imaged by debonding ablative mechanisms have been found to be difficult to automatically clean in the post image stage.
  • the debonded oleophobic rubber such as polysiloxanes which are commonly used, maintains its elastomeric form and gathers into large solid deposits that clog the cleaning system as well as the press when imaging on press.
  • the layer is thermally degraded where ablation occurs and the oleophobic resin loses its elastomeric properties and this facilitates automatic cleaning.
  • the decomposed areas of oleophobic coating layer 100 must be removed by dry or wet cleaning so that the exposed areas of the cylinder 12 provide the oleophillic areas during printing.
  • layer 100 whilst free of solvent before image, may remain in an unpolymerized state to facilitate ablation.
  • This may be in a liquid or a semi-solid form in contrast to conventional plates which have to be packed and handled before use and thus, conventional plates cannot have a wet surface.
  • a further possibility is that the heat generated during imaging is used to polymerize the coating layer 100 and the unpolymerized coating is subsequently removed by washing it away.
  • the cleaning system 25 comprises any suitable dry or solvent cleaning process.
  • the cleaning element can consist of a brush, rubber roller or other similar element.
  • a vacuum suction is applied together with the cleaning element in order to remove the debris from the press.
  • a liquid may be used together with the rubbing action of the cleaning element to assist in removing any loose particles (if the ablation process is involved) or pre-polymeric material from the background or image areas with decomposed material. If a liquid or solvent is used, a further rotation of the cylinder 12 without contact with any liquid may be made so as to ensure that the surface is dry.
  • the solvent erasing system 22 is used to remove the inked up image after the printing impressions have been made. Cleaning may be any suitable process such as abrasion or by means of a solvent to aid loosening of the resin layer (layer 100) or by a combination of both methods. A suitable solvent may be a regular blanket wash.
  • a corona treatment to decompose the layer and /or a vacuum suction to remove the loosen material may be used as well.
  • the printing (or inking) system 15 is any suitable inking system known in the art, for applying ink to "plate” cylinders.
  • Cooling system 26 which is placed within the image bearing cylinder 12, controls the temperature of the cylinder to cool it after the heating stage and during printing to avoid toning that can occur with waterless inks and to support printing stability.
  • Offset printing is carried out by means of blanket cylinder 14 on to a printing substrate conveyed by an impression cylinder (not shown). Impressions are taken, usually onto paper, but any required substrate may be printed.
  • the imaging layer mixture is prepared in mixing system 18 (step 202) by mixing at least two components comprising a film former and a separated component together.
  • the mixture is then coated onto the surface of the 'plateless' cylinder 12 (step 204), using a suitable coating head 20.
  • a suitable coating head 20 should preferably be easy to wash and not sensitive to the distance of the coating head to the cylinder, for instance a dye slot coater.
  • a washing stage of the mixing and coating system may be applied as necessary.
  • the drier/cross linker 24 is used either for drying (i.e. to evaporate any solvent on the printing drum 12, which may be collected and condensed (step 208)), and/or for partial curing and/or for full curing (step 206)
  • the image bearing cylinder is cooled (step 209), in order to avoid dimensional changes of the substrate between the imaging step and the printing step.
  • the imaging layer 100 is then selectively exposed by the imaging system 16 during multiple rotation of the cylinder (step 210).
  • post-imaging cleaning system is operated (step 212).
  • cleaning either removes ablated debris, or removes unpolymerized resin from the background or washes out decomposed material from the image areas. If a liquid cleaner is used, surplus solvent is removed.
  • the dryer/cross linker may be (optionally) re-operated to further harden off background or image areas to give optimum robustness and adhesion to the cylinder needed for the printing part of the cycle (Step 214). This second stage of heating is followed by a second cooling of the cylinder (Step 216).
  • the operational parameters of the dryer/cross linker could in principle be regulated separately for each job in order to optimize the make ready time (as curing time may influence sensitivity and hence imaging time, as well as erasing time) versus required run length (as curing will influence the coating resistance).
  • the image bearing cylinder surface is now ready to print (step 218) and the appropriate offset ink (either waterless or "wet") is applied by the printing (or inking) system 15 to the cylinder.
  • the image bearing cylinder is cooled (if necessary) to control the temperature of the ink during printing.
  • the offset printing process takes place via blanket cylinder 14 by taking a plurality of impressions, usually onto paper, but any required substrate may be used for printing.
  • the substrate to be printed can be in the form of sheets, or in the form of a web.
  • Fig. 5 illustrates a web-offset printing system.
  • Fig. 5 is similar to Fig. 1 with the addition of a substrate unwind 110 and a substrate rewind 112.
  • the roll of substrate 115 is fed via an impression roller 114 to receive the print from the blanket cylinder 14 and then re-wound onto roll 112.
  • sheets can be printed.
  • the application of this technology for a web offset printing has the following advantage: as the plate cylinder can be made seamless, it can carry a continuous image, uninterrupted by the need for clamps which are generally required in order to hold the plates.
  • the remaining resin layer (mixture 100) plus the inked up image is removed (step 220) by the solvent plate erasing system 22.
  • Cleaning may be any suitable process such as abrasion or by solvent aided loosening or a combination of both. In special conditions, a corona treatment may be used as a facilitator. If required, the cylinder 30 is then dried (step 222). The cylinder 30 is then ready for the application of the mixture, as previously described and the process (steps 202-222) can be repeated
  • coating material as herein described can be used in the manufacture of a one layer infra red imageable offset printing plate. This could be useful for existing presses which can not be modified for the plateless process. A single layer plate will still be cheaper than existing plates as coating multiple layers increase dramatically the cost of the plate.
  • Another possible application of this invention would be to make a plate-setter which will be used for implementing the whole plateless process for recycling the plates.
  • a plate-setter will be fed with the used plates, erase them, coat, dry, image and clean; the ready plates will be fed into the press. Once done their job, the plates will be re-fed into the platesetter and used again. This will have advantageous of reducing plate costs as well as elimination of used aluminum aggregation.
  • Fig. 4a - 4g illustrates the image carrying cylinder during the plateless printing sequence.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Printing Plates And Materials Therefor (AREA)
  • Manufacture Or Reproduction Of Printing Formes (AREA)
  • Printing Methods (AREA)

Claims (10)

  1. Elément d'impression comprenant un cylindre ayant une surface de cylindre, et une couche de formation d'image unique déposée à sa surface,
    l'élément d'impression étant configuré de telle sorte que, lors de l'ablation, de la polymérisation ou de la décomposition sélective de la couche de formation d'image, les régions sélectives de la couche de formation d'image sont éliminées, ce qui induit l'exposition de la surface de cylindre ; et l'un ou l'autre du cylindre et de la couche de formation d'image unique est oléophile ou oléophobe,
    la couche de formation d'image étant formée à partir d'un mélange incluant 40 % à 80 % (pourcentage en extrait sec) d'émulsion de polysiloxane, 0,01 % à 3 % (pourcentage en extrait sec) de catalyseur de silicone, 5 % à 15 % (pourcentage en extrait sec) d'agent de réticulation de silicone, 4 % à 25 % de résine aminique réticulable soluble dans l'eau, 0,5 % à 5 % de catalyseur pour la résine aminique, 0,5 % à 10 % d'agent surfactant ajouté et 3 % à 40 % d'absorbeur infrarouge.
  2. Elément d'impression selon la revendication 1,
    dans lequel le cylindre est oléophile et la couche de formation d'image unique est constituée d'une couche de formation d'image oléophobe contenant une résine oléophobe.
  3. Elément d'impression selon la revendication 1,
    dans lequel le cylindre est oléophile et la couche de formation d'image unique est une couche de formation d'image hydrophile.
  4. Elément d'impression selon la revendication 1,
    dans lequel le cylindre est hydrophile et la couche de formation d'image unique est une couche de formation d'image oléophile.
  5. Elément d'impression selon la revendication 1,
    dans lequel la couche de formation d'image est déposée sur le cylindre sous la forme d'un mélange sans solvant, d'une émulsion ou d'une solution.
  6. Elément d'impression selon la revendication 1,
    dans lequel l'agent absorbant infrarouge est constitué de noir de carbone ou d'un mélange contenant du noir de carbone.
  7. Elément d'impression selon la revendication 1,
    dans lequel la surface de cylindre est un matériau sélectionné dans le groupe constitué de l'aluminium anodisé, de la résine polyimide et du polyester.
  8. Elément d'impression selon la revendication 1,
    dans lequel la couche de formation d'image comprend en outre des composants sélectionnés dans le groupe constitué des éléments suivants : catalyseurs, agents plastifiants, agents mouillants, agents d'activation de la sensibilité à l'infrarouge, agents dispersants, agents accélérateurs de l'adhérence, polymères et leurs combinaisons.
  9. Elément d'impression selon la revendication 1,
    dans lequel la surface du cylindre est munie d'un substrat fixé au cylindre.
  10. Elément d'impression selon la revendication 9,
    dans lequel le substrat est remplaçable après une pluralité de tâches d'impression.
EP00958978A 1999-09-15 2000-09-14 Systeme d'imprimerie sans plaque Expired - Lifetime EP1220750B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US396036 1999-09-15
US09/396,036 US6298780B1 (en) 1998-01-15 1999-09-15 Plateless printing system
PCT/IL2000/000570 WO2001019613A1 (fr) 1999-09-15 2000-09-14 Systeme d'imprimerie sans plaque

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1220750A1 EP1220750A1 (fr) 2002-07-10
EP1220750A4 EP1220750A4 (fr) 2004-08-25
EP1220750B1 true EP1220750B1 (fr) 2006-11-02

Family

ID=23565578

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP00958978A Expired - Lifetime EP1220750B1 (fr) 1999-09-15 2000-09-14 Systeme d'imprimerie sans plaque

Country Status (6)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1220750B1 (fr)
AT (1) ATE344139T1 (fr)
AU (1) AU7038100A (fr)
CA (1) CA2384736A1 (fr)
DE (1) DE60031707T2 (fr)
WO (1) WO2001019613A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7121204B2 (en) 2001-06-21 2006-10-17 Agfa Gevaert Method of lithographic printing without dampening liquid
DE60106894T2 (de) * 2001-06-21 2005-11-10 Agfa-Gevaert Flachdruckverfahren

Family Cites Families (17)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3511178A (en) 1967-01-06 1970-05-12 Minnesota Mining & Mfg Printing plate and method
US3741118A (en) 1970-06-17 1973-06-26 A Carley Method for electronic lithography
US4718340A (en) 1982-08-09 1988-01-12 Milliken Research Corporation Printing method
US5213041A (en) 1991-06-28 1993-05-25 Man Roland Druckmaschinen Ag Method and system for fusing printing image deposits on surfaces of a printing substrate, and removal thereof for re-use of the surface
US5188033A (en) 1991-07-08 1993-02-23 Rockwell International Corporation Direct-to-press imaging system for use in lithographic printing
US5129321A (en) 1991-07-08 1992-07-14 Rockwell International Corporation Direct-to-press imaging system for use in lithographic printing
US5206102A (en) 1991-11-15 1993-04-27 Rockwell International Corporation Photoelectrochemical imaging system
US5339737B1 (en) * 1992-07-20 1997-06-10 Presstek Inc Lithographic printing plates for use with laser-discharge imaging apparatus
EP0652104B1 (fr) * 1993-11-05 2002-04-10 MAN Roland Druckmaschinen AG Unité d'impression pour impression offset sans eau de mouillage
US5440987A (en) * 1994-01-21 1995-08-15 Presstek, Inc. Laser imaged seamless lithographic printing members and method of making
US5713287A (en) * 1995-05-11 1998-02-03 Creo Products Inc. Direct-to-Press imaging method using surface modification of a single layer coating
IL114137A (en) * 1995-06-13 1998-12-06 Scitex Corp Ltd Infrared radiation-sensitive printing plates and methods for their preparation
DE19602328A1 (de) * 1996-01-24 1997-07-31 Roland Man Druckmasch Verfahren zum Bebildern einer löschbaren Druckform
JPH1016421A (ja) * 1996-07-08 1998-01-20 Kyodo Kumiai Purin Techno 水なし平版印刷版及びその製造方法
US5968709A (en) * 1996-09-18 1999-10-19 Agfa-Gevaert, N.V. Heat mode recording material and method for producing driographic printing plates
IL122953A (en) * 1998-01-15 2000-11-21 Scitex Corp Ltd Printing member for use with a printing system and method of imaging the printing member
US5996499A (en) * 1998-05-26 1999-12-07 Creo Products Inc. On-site generation of processless thermal printing plates using reactive materials

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA2384736A1 (fr) 2001-03-22
AU7038100A (en) 2001-04-17
ATE344139T1 (de) 2006-11-15
EP1220750A1 (fr) 2002-07-10
WO2001019613A1 (fr) 2001-03-22
EP1220750A4 (fr) 2004-08-25
DE60031707D1 (de) 2006-12-14
DE60031707T2 (de) 2007-09-06

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