JP4820883B2 - Printing plate manufacturing method and manufacturing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a printing plate capable of high-definition printing and a printing plate manufacturing apparatus. More specifically, the plate thickness required for fine pattern printing is easily controlled. The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for producing a printing plate with good distribution uniformity.

  Conventionally, a photolithography method that is relatively easy to achieve high definition has been used to form a fine pattern in the display field, wiring field, semiconductor field, and the like. On the other hand, in recent years, printable electronics using low-cost and environmentally friendly printing methods have attracted attention because they do not require expensive equipment, have few complicated processes, have little process waste, have high material utilization efficiency. When the relief printing method is applied in such printing in the electronics field, various problems must be solved for the printing plate in order to print a fine pattern with high accuracy. Specifically, 1) the relief depth must be shallow to cope with fine uneven patterns, and 2) variations in printing pressure must be suppressed to improve printing uniformity. In other words, it is necessary to improve the thickness distribution uniformity of the plate, and 3) it is necessary to improve the support material from the viewpoint of the strength, mounting accuracy, linear expansion coefficient, and the like of the plate.

  When the relief depth is too deep, the deformation of the relief shape and the deformation when wound in a roll shape become large at the time of printing, and the reproducibility of the pattern may be deteriorated. Further, in a high-definition pattern, the durability of the plate is deteriorated due to an increase in the aspect ratio of the relief cross section. However, if the relief depth is too shallow, it is difficult to control the inking on the plate. That is, if the plate is pressed too hard, ink other than the relief pattern may adhere and be transferred during printing. In addition, if the printing pressure varies during printing, problems such as non-uniformity in printing, such as line thickening and omission, film thickness variation, and the like are caused. For this reason, the improvement of the plate thickness distribution uniformity is strongly demanded as the relief depth becomes shallow. For such reasons, the relief depth is more preferably in the range of 20 μm or more and 300 μm or less, and the thickness distribution is considered to be more preferably suppressed to 10% or less. A method for industrially producing such a printing plate Is not known.

  In addition, when a support such as a PET film is used as in a conventional printing plate, there may be a problem in the accuracy and strength of the printing plate when it is attached to the plate cylinder of a printing press. From the viewpoint of the linear expansion coefficient, it is considered that high-precision printing cannot be supported. However, even if, for example, a metal sheet or the like is used as the support, it is difficult to produce a printing plate having the above thickness due to the influence of bending elasticity or the like.

  Moreover, as a general photosensitive resin composition normally used for manufacture of a relief printing plate, the liquid or solid thing which is a mixture of a monomer, a prepolymer, and a polymerization initiator is known. In order to apply to printing in the electronics field, various properties are required for the photosensitive resin composition, such as improvement in the solvent resistance of the photosensitive resin composition in accordance with the solvent of the ink. In the printing plate manufacturing method, the viscosity of the photosensitive resin composition is an important factor, and the viscosity affects the plate thickness and thickness distribution.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining a conventional printing plate manufacturing method, FIG. 1 (A) is a view from the side, and FIG. 1 (B) is a view from the front. Conventionally, the method shown in FIG. 1 is common as a method for producing a relief printing plate. In this method, the negative film 12 and the cover film 13 are disposed in close contact with the lower transparent substrate 11 by means of vacuum or the like, and the photosensitive resin composition layer 14 is laminated thereon by the bottom open bucket 15 or the like. Then, the base film 16 is laminated by the laminating roller 17 and a masking film (not shown) is overlaid as necessary. Thereafter, the upper transparent substrate 18 is placed and sandwiched, and exposure is performed from above (that is, from the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1B) to form the base of the relief portion. Then, a relief part is formed by exposing through the negative film 12 from the lower transparent base | substrate 11 side. At this time, in order to determine the plate thickness, the thickness is controlled by the load of the laminating roller 17 and the upper transparent substrate 18 according to the height of the spacers 19 installed at both ends of the negative film 12 (see Patent Document 1). Such a method can be used without any problem with a plate thickness (1 mm to 10 mm) that is usually used for printing, but the plate thickness control in an area of 20 μm to 300 μm has not been studied. In the above method, the plate thickness distribution is about 10 to several tens of μm, and even if it is attempted to reduce the plate thickness by the same manufacturing method, it is limited by the viscosity of the photosensitive resin composition, the material of the support, the effective area of the plate, etc. Receive. Further, even if there is a condition for reducing the plate thickness, a problem arises from the viewpoint of plate thickness uniformity.

  Examples of a method for making the plate thickness uniform include a method in which the photosensitive resin composition is uniformly coated in advance before the sheet-like support is laminated. However, in this case, if the pressure at the laminate nip portion is low, air bubbles enter between the photosensitive resin composition and the support, and conversely if the pressure is high, the plate thickness uniformity decreases. In addition, a sheet-like support having high bending elasticity must be provided with a mechanism that does not apply bending stress, and cannot be applied when the surface of the photomask or mold repels the photosensitive resin composition.

JP 2007-279325 A

  The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems and provides a method for producing a thin plate having a thin plate thickness that can be used for high-definition printing and high-precision printing for use in printable electronics, and further, plate thickness uniformity It is an object of the present invention to provide a simple and industrial method for producing a good printing plate regardless of the material of the support. Moreover, an object of this invention is to provide the manufacturing apparatus used for said manufacturing method.

  That is, the present invention is as follows.

(1) A two-layer laminate is formed by laminating a photosensitive resin composition layer made of a photosensitive resin composition having a viscosity of 0.2 Pa · s to 50.0 Pa · s on the upper surface of a photomask or mold. Lamination process;
By laminating the sheet-like support on the photosensitive resin composition layer while pressing it with a laminating roller at a speed of 150 mm / min to 2000 mm / min, a photomask or mold, the photosensitive resin composition layer, and the sheet are laminated. A laminating step for forming a three-layer laminate comprising a substrate-like support;
A pressure treatment step of pressing the three-layer laminate at a speed of 10 mm / min or more and less than 150 mm / min by a pressure roller;
An exposure step of irradiating the three-layer laminate with ultraviolet rays from the photomask or mold side;
The manufacturing method of the printing plate in which the uneven | corrugated shape was formed on the sheet-like support body including the peeling process which peels a photomask or a mold from the photosensitive resin composition layer after exposure.

  (2) Relationship between the total thickness d1 of the photosensitive resin composition layer and the sheet-like support after the laminating step and the distance d2 from the upper surface of the photomask or mold to the pressure roller in the pressure treatment step However, d1> d2 is satisfied, The manufacturing method of the printing plate as described in said (1).

  (3) The printing plate according to (2), wherein the value obtained by subtracting the sheet support thickness from the distance d2 from the upper surface of the photomask or mold to the pressure roller in the pressure treatment step is 20 μm or more and 300 μm or less. Manufacturing method.

(4) The method for producing a printing plate according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the sheet-like support has a flexural modulus of 20 kgf / mm ² or more and 20000 kgf / mm ² or less.

  (5) The method for producing a printing plate according to (4), wherein the sheet-like support is a stainless sheet having a thickness of 0.10 mm to 0.30 mm.

  (6) As the photomask or mold, a photomask in which a light-shielding portion is disposed on a transparent hard plate or a mold in which an uneven portion is formed on a transparent hard plate is used. The manufacturing method of the printing plate in any one.

  (7) The method for producing a printing plate according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein the photomask or mold has a release layer on the surface on the photosensitive resin composition layer forming side.

  (8) The method for producing a printing plate according to any one of (1) to (7), wherein the ultraviolet light is parallel light.

(9) a fixing mechanism for fixing the photomask or mold substantially horizontally;
A resin supply mechanism for supplying a photosensitive resin composition onto a photomask or a mold to form a photosensitive resin composition layer;
A holding mechanism for holding the end of the sheet-like support;
A laminating roller capable of at least laminating at a speed of 150 mm / min to 2000 mm / min for laminating a sheet-like support having an end held;
A pressure roller capable of at least a pressure treatment at a speed of 10 mm / min or more and less than 150 mm / min for pressure-treating the upper surface of the laminated sheet-like support;
An irradiation mechanism for irradiating ultraviolet rays from the lower surface of the photomask or mold;
A printing plate manufacturing apparatus comprising:

  According to the printing plate manufacturing method and the manufacturing apparatus of the present invention, a printing plate that can be suitably used for high-definition printing and high-precision printing for printable electronics and the like and has a shallow relief depth and good thickness distribution uniformity. It can be easily manufactured. In the present invention, the range of materials that can be used as the sheet-like support is wide. For example, a metal sheet having a large bending elasticity can be used.

It is a schematic diagram explaining the manufacturing method of the conventional printing plate, FIG. 1 (A) is the figure seen from the side, and FIG. 1 (B) is the figure seen from the front. It is a schematic diagram explaining the example of the manufacturing apparatus of the printing plate of this invention. It is a schematic diagram explaining a bottom open type bucket. It is a schematic diagram explaining a rotary bucket.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail.

[Manufacturing method of printing plate]
The method for producing a printing plate having a concavo-convex shape formed on a sheet-like support provided by the present invention is a photosensitive resin having a viscosity of 0.2 Pa · s to 50.0 Pa · s on the upper surface of a photomask or mold. A laminating step for forming a two-layer laminate in which a photosensitive resin composition layer composed of a composition is laminated, and a sheet-like support on the photosensitive resin composition layer at 150 mm / min to 2000 mm / min. A laminating step of forming a three-layer laminate comprising a photomask or a mold, a photosensitive resin composition layer and a sheet-like support by laminating while pressing with a laminating roller at a speed of A pressure treatment process in which pressure is applied at a speed of 10 mm / min or more and less than 150 mm / min by a pressure roller, and the three-layer laminate is irradiated with ultraviolet rays from the photomask or mold side. Comprising an optical step and a peeling step of peeling from the photosensitive resin composition layer after the exposure of a photomask or mold. In the present invention, a three-layer laminate of a photomask or mold, a photosensitive resin composition and a sheet-like support is formed, and this is subjected to pressure treatment, whereby the viscosity of the photosensitive resin and the sheet-like support are reduced. Regardless of the material, the thickness of the photosensitive resin composition layer can be arbitrarily controlled, for example, as thin as 20 μm to 300 μm, and the thickness distribution uniformity of the photosensitive resin composition layer can be improved. It becomes possible.

  In a single laminating process using a conventional plate making apparatus, it is very difficult to arbitrarily control the thickness of the photosensitive resin composition layer from 20 μm to 300 μm, and a printing plate having sufficient thickness distribution uniformity is produced. I couldn't. When trying to form a thin photosensitive resin composition layer in a single laminating process, the higher the viscosity of the photosensitive resin composition, the thicker the photosensitive resin composition layer, and the worse the thickness distribution uniformity. is there. This is because the photosensitive resin composition has viscoelastic properties, so that the thickness of the photosensitive resin composition layer cannot be restricted only by the gap when the laminate nip portion passes through the photosensitive resin composition layer. . As the laminating speed increases, the influence of viscoelasticity becomes more conspicuous, so that the unevenness of the layer thickness increases. That is, since the amount of the photosensitive resin composition that accumulates in the front part of the nip during lamination changes with time, the influence of viscoelasticity in the laminating direction changes with time, resulting in uneven supply of the photosensitive resin composition. In particular, the thickness distribution uniformity on the laminate starting point side is significantly deteriorated. For this reason, in order to form a uniform and thin photosensitive resin composition layer, it is necessary to slow down a lamination speed according to the high viscosity of the photosensitive resin composition.

  On the other hand, when the flexural elasticity of the sheet-like support is large, the layer thickness of the photosensitive resin composition layer becomes thinner as the laminating speed is lowered. This is because it is necessary to bend the sheet-like support at the time of lamination, and at this time, a force for pushing the photosensitive resin composition downward acts according to the strength of the bending elasticity of the support. Since the strength of this bending elasticity changes depending on the curvature of the sheet-like support, the change in the curvature from the lamination start point to the end point directly affects the thickness distribution. In particular, since the change in curvature becomes large near the end point of the laminate, a phenomenon occurs in which the photosensitive resin composition layer suddenly becomes thick near the end point.

  For these reasons, in the conventional method, even if the height of the roller at the time of lamination is controlled, the photosensitivity depends on the viscoelastic characteristics and supply method of the photosensitive resin composition, the elastic strength of the sheet-like support and the mounting method. The thickness of the resin composition layer changes, and it is difficult to adjust the thickness at the laminating speed, and sufficient thickness distribution uniformity cannot be obtained.

  On the other hand, in the present invention, a thin layer thickness of, for example, a range of 20 μm to 300 μm can be obtained by performing two steps, a step of producing a laminate by lamination and a step of improving the thickness distribution uniformity by pressure treatment. It has been found that the layer thickness of the photosensitive resin composition layer can be arbitrarily controlled, and good thickness distribution uniformity can be obtained. That is, the photosensitive resin composition layer is laminated under a condition that the desired thickness is larger than the final thickness of the photosensitive resin composition layer to form a three-layer laminate, and then the photosensitive resin composition is subjected to pressure treatment. The physical layer is controlled to a desired thickness, and the thickness distribution uniformity is improved.

<Lamination process>
In the lamination step, a two-layer laminate is formed by laminating a photosensitive resin composition layer made of a photosensitive resin composition on the upper surface of a photomask or a mold. The viscosity of the photosensitive resin composition is 0.2 Pa · s or more and 50.0 Pa · s or less, preferably 0.5 Pa · s or more and 30 Pa · s or less. A well-known thing can be used as a photosensitive resin composition. Moreover, you may use what was improved according to the ink used in the case of printing using the printing plate obtained by this invention. In general, for example, a polymerizable resin composition such as a radical polymerization system, a photocationic polymerization system, a photoanion polymerization system, and a photodimerization reaction system can be applied. Hereinafter, the radical polymerizable resin composition which is a general-purpose example will be described.

  Many of radically polymerizable resin compositions can be applied to the present invention, and among them, a composition containing a prepolymer, a monomer, an initiator, and a thermal polymerization inhibitor can be used as a representative one. In this case, the viscosity of the photosensitive resin composition is determined by the blending ratio of the prepolymer and the monomer, the type thereof, the molecular weight of the prepolymer, and the like.

  The prepolymer has one or more polymerizable double bonds in the molecule, such as unsaturated polyester, unsaturated polyurethane, unsaturated polyamide, unsaturated polyacrylate resin, unsaturated methacrylate resin, and various modified products thereof. The thing using at least 1 type can be mentioned.

  The monomer is an ethylenically unsaturated monomer having a polymerizable double bond, such as styrene, chlorostyrene, vinyl toluene, diallyl phthalate, diallyl isophthalate, triallyl cyanurate, N, N′-methylenebisacrylamide, Methacrylamide, N-hydroxyethylacrylamide, N-hydroxymethacrylamide, α-acetamide, acrylamide, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, α-chloroacrylic acid, paracarboxystyrene, 2,5-dihydroxystyrene, triethylene glycol diacrylate, Triethylene glycol dimethacrylate and photopolymer social gathering “Photopolymer Handbook”, published by Kogyo Kenkyukai, June 26, 1989, p. The materials described in 31-36 can be used.

  As the initiator, a known photopolymerization initiator or thermal polymerization initiator can be used. For example, benzoin, benzoin isobutyl ether, benzoin isopropyl ether, benzophenone, Michler ketone, xanthone, thioxanthone, chloroxanthone, acetophenone, 2,2-dimethoxy-2-phenylacetophenone, benzyl, 2,2-dimethyl-2-hydroxyacetophenone, ( 2-acryloyloxyethyl) (4-benzoylbenzyl) dimethylammonium bromide, (4-benzoylbenzyl) trimethylammonium chloride, 2- (3-dimethylamino-2-hydroxypropoxy) -3-, 4-dimethyl-9H- Thioxanthone-9-one-mesochloride, 1-phenyl-1,2-propanedione-2- (Obenzoyl) oxime, thiophenol, 2-benzothiazolethiol, 2-benzo Xazole thiol, 2-benzimidazole thiol, diphenyl sulfide, decyl phenyl sulfide, di-n-butyl disulfide, dibenzyl sulfide, dibenzoyl disulfide, diacetyl disulfide, dibornyl disulfide dimethoxyxanthogen disulfide, tetramethylthiuram monosulfide, tetra Examples thereof include methyl thiuram tetrasulfide, benzyldimethyldithiocarbamate quinoxaline, 1,3-dioxolane, N-laurylpyridinium and the like.

  Further, a photopolymerizable rubber composition comprising at least unvulcanized rubber, a monomer having a polymerizable double bond, and a polymerization initiator, so-called photosensitive elastomer (for example, JP-A-51-106501, JP-A-47-37521) and dialkyl silicon resins can also be used.

  Examples of thermal polymerization inhibitors include hydroquinone, mono-tert-butyl hydroquinone, benzoquinone, 2,5-diphenyl-p-benzoquinone, picric acid, di-p-fluorophenylamine, p-methoxyphenol, 2,6-ditertiary. A butyl-p-cresol etc. can be mentioned.

  Specific examples of the photosensitive resin composition that can be used in the present invention as described above include APR (manufactured by Asahi Kasei Co., Ltd.), AFP (manufactured by Asahi Kasei Co., Ltd.), Siler (manufactured by DuPont Co., Ltd.), and TEVISTA (Teijin). Etc.). It can be used by heating a material having a high viscosity at room temperature and adjusting it within the range of 0.2 Pa · s to 50.0 Pa · s, or adjusting the viscosity by adding a monomer component. You can also.

  A well-known thing can be applied as a photomask or a mold. As the photomask, for example, a photomask in which a light shielding portion is disposed on a transparent hard plate can be used. As the mold, for example, a mold in which an uneven portion is formed on a transparent hard plate can be used. As the photomask, a chrome mask is particularly preferable because a high-definition pattern can be drawn. As the mold, one formed by etching or the like on a hard plate or one formed with a convex portion by a resist material or the like can be used. In order to irradiate ultraviolet rays from below, the photomask or mold needs to be made of a material that transmits ultraviolet rays. In consideration of thickness distribution and ease of fixing, a transparent hard plate is preferable. As the transparent hard plate, a glass plate such as synthetic quartz or soda glass is preferable. In particular, synthetic quartz is optimal from the viewpoint of drawing accuracy and thermal expansion.

  In the present invention, if necessary, the photomask or mold may have a release layer on the surface on the photosensitive resin composition layer forming side. That is, it is possible to perform mold release treatment on the surface of the photomask or mold, facilitate peeling from the cured photosensitive resin composition, and reduce pattern defects. Examples of the mold release treatment include coating with a mold release agent represented by a commercially available silicon-based or Teflon (registered trademark) system, and surface treatment with a silane coupling agent. Various films having releasability can also be used as a photomask.

<Lamination process>
In the laminating step, a photomask or mold, the photosensitive resin composition layer, and the sheet-like support are laminated on the photosensitive resin composition layer formed in the laminating step while being pressed with a laminating roller. A three-layer laminate composed of the body is formed. The laminating speed is 150 mm / min or more and 2000 mm / min or less. Within the range of this lamination speed, the speed at the time of implementation is determined from the relationship between the desired thickness of the photosensitive resin composition layer and the viscosity of the photosensitive resin composition. Generally, the higher the viscosity of the photosensitive resin composition, the slower the laminating speed is set. The speed range is applicable to a photosensitive resin composition having a viscosity of 0.2 Pa · s to 50.0 Pa · s. Furthermore, the laminating speed is preferably adjusted according to the strength of bending elasticity of the sheet-like support. That is, it is preferable to set the conditions such that the laminating speed is increased and the layer thickness of the photosensitive resin composition layer exceeds the desired final thickness as the flexural elasticity of the sheet-like support increases. Although it depends on the material and thickness of the sheet-like support, the laminating speed is more preferably 500 mm / min or more and 1500 mm / min or less.

  In the laminating process, the distance between the lower part of the laminating roller and the upper surface of the photomask or mold (hereinafter also referred to as laminating roller gap) is important. As described above, the thickness of the photosensitive resin composition layer after lamination is determined by the lamination speed, the viscosity of the photosensitive resin composition, and the strength of the flexural elasticity of the sheet-like support, but if the laminating roller gap is too narrow. The photosensitive resin composition layer may be thinner than a desired thickness. Conversely, if the laminating roller gap is too wide, the thickness unevenness of the photosensitive resin composition layer tends to increase, and the load of the pressure treatment process may increase. For this reason, it is preferable to set the value which reduced the sheet-like support body thickness from the lamination roller gap to 30 to 250 micrometers.

The sheet-like support can be selected according to the characteristics of the printing plate, and various materials such as metal and plastic can be used. The production method of the present invention has an advantage that the thickness of the photosensitive resin composition layer can be made thin and uniform even when the flexural elasticity of the sheet-like support is relatively large. Specifically, the present invention can be applied even when the bending elastic modulus (according to ASTM D790) of the sheet-like support is 20 kgf / mm ² or more and 20000 kgf / mm ² . Examples of the sheet-like support include a stainless sheet having a thickness of 0.10 mm to 0.30 mm, and this stainless sheet is advantageous in terms of chemical resistance, tensile strength, spring characteristics, low linear expansion coefficient, and the like. .

  Moreover, for the purpose of improving adhesiveness with the cured photosensitive resin composition, the surface of the sheet-like support may be treated with, for example, a known hard coat layer treatment or a silane coupling agent.

  In the present invention, the photosensitive resin composition layer is preferably laminated in a state where the photomask or the mold is fixed substantially horizontally. If the photomask or mold is not substantially horizontal, even if the laminating roller gap is kept constant, uneven thickness occurs, and if the photomask or mold bends following the pressure, the effect of the present invention is good. I can't get it. Moreover, the flow of the photosensitive resin composition and unevenness at the time of supply occur, and the effect of the present invention cannot be obtained satisfactorily. Note that the term “substantially horizontal” in the present specification means that it is horizontal to an extent that is acceptable from the viewpoint of unevenness in thickness, and the height difference of the upper end portion of the photomask or mold at the time of installation in the stacking process is 10 μm or less. It is preferable. Note that the photomask or the mold itself is not suitable for use when the thickness unevenness is large or when the horizontal fixing itself is difficult.

<Pressure treatment process>
In the pressure treatment step, the photosensitive resin composition layer is controlled to a desired thickness by pressing the three-layer laminate with a pressure roller, and the thickness distribution uniformity is improved. That is, in the laminating process, the three-layer laminate is formed in such a setting that the photosensitive resin composition layer is thicker than the desired final thickness, and the thickness distribution uniformity is poor. Therefore, the layer thickness uniformity is improved by leveling a thick portion of the photosensitive resin composition layer by pressure treatment using a pressure roller. In this pressurizing process, unlike the laminating process, the photosensitive resin composition layer is not affected by the elasticity of the sheet-like support, so that the pressurizing speed (that is, the driving speed of the pressurizing roller) is sufficiently slowed down. The photosensitive resin composition layer thickness corresponding to the roller gap is obtained.

  The pressing speed is determined according to the viscosity of the photosensitive resin composition, the thickness of the three-layer laminate and the desired thickness of the photosensitive resin composition layer, but if the pressing speed is slowed more than necessary, the quality is affected. Productivity of things that don't do decreases. Therefore, the pressing speed is set to a speed range of 10 mm / min or more and less than 150 mm / min, preferably 20 mm / min or more and 100 mm / min or less.

  In order to obtain the effect of the pressure treatment step, the thickness of the three-layer laminate after the lamination step is preferably made thicker than a desired final thickness (that is, a pressure roller gap setting). That is, there is a relationship between the total thickness d1 of the two layers of the photosensitive resin composition layer and the sheet-like support after the lamination process and the distance d2 from the upper surface of the photomask or mold to the pressure roller in the pressure treatment process. , D1> d2 is preferably controlled. At this time, if the value obtained by subtracting the thickness of the sheet-like support from the distance d2 is set to 20 μm or more and 300 μm or less, the thickness of the relief portion can be arbitrarily controlled between 20 μm and 300 μm. Moreover, when a higher degree of thickness distribution uniformity is required, the pressure treatment process may be repeated twice or more as necessary.

<Exposure process>
In the exposure step, the three-layer laminate is exposed with ultraviolet rays from the photomask or mold side to cure the photosensitive resin composition. The illuminance of ultraviolet rays is not particularly limited, and may be appropriately determined from the photosensitive properties and thickness of the photosensitive resin composition. Generally, it is performed at 1 mW / cm ² or more and 20 mW / cm ² or less. In particular, when a photomask is used and a higher definition pattern resolution is required, it is preferable to expose with parallel ultraviolet rays. Further, the sheet-like support may have a surface provided with an antihalation layer (ultraviolet absorption layer).

  In the present invention, the lamination step, the lamination step, the pressure treatment step, and the exposure step may be performed continuously in the same place, or the laminate may be transported according to each step and performed in another place. Good. For example, the laminating step and the pressure treatment step are more preferably performed on a metal or stone surface plate from the viewpoint of surface smoothness, strength, etc., and the exposure step is performed using a glass or other ultraviolet transmissive constant. It needs to be done on the board.

<Peeling process>
In the peeling step, the photomask or mold is peeled from the exposed photosensitive resin composition layer. When using a photomask, it is necessary to further perform a step of developing and removing the uncured portion of the photosensitive resin composition layer after the peeling. Further, when the mold is used, the above development can be further performed as necessary. The development method may be selected according to the type of the photosensitive resin composition, and is not particularly limited, but dip development, shower development, ultrasonic development and the like can be used. The developer may be selected according to the type of the photosensitive resin composition, and various organic solvents can be used in addition to the alkaline aqueous solution. After the development process and / or rinsing, drying or air blowing may be performed. In addition, post-exposure or heat treatment can be performed in order to more satisfactorily complete the crosslinking reaction of the photosensitive resin composition and increase the resin hardness. In this case, the treatment can be performed under an oxygen barrier (for example, in a nitrogen atmosphere or in water) as necessary.

  By the production method of the present invention described above, it is possible to produce a thin printing plate, particularly a printing plate having a relief depth of 20 μm to 300 μm with good thickness distribution uniformity. By using such a printing plate, for example, it is possible not only to cope with a higher-definition pattern than a conventional flexographic printing plate, but also to perform printing with high definition and reproducibility during printing.

[Printing plate manufacturing equipment]
The present invention also provides a printing plate manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing a printing plate capable of high-definition printing. The manufacturing apparatus can suitably carry out each step of the printing plate manufacturing method of the present invention described above. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a printing plate manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention. The printing plate manufacturing apparatus 2 supplies a photosensitive resin composition 204 onto a photomask or mold 202 by supplying a fixing mechanism 203 for fixing the photomask or mold 202 substantially horizontally on a hard plate 201 or the like. Resin supply mechanisms 205 and 210 for forming a physical layer, a holding mechanism 207 for holding the end of the sheet-like support 206, and a sheet-like support 206 holding the end for laminating 150 mm / min to 2000 mm / min A laminating roller capable of at least laminating at a speed of less than a minute, and a pressure treatment at a speed of 10 mm / min or more and less than 150 mm / min for pressurizing the upper surface of the laminated sheet-like support is possible A pressure roller and an irradiation mechanism 209 for irradiating ultraviolet rays from the lower surface of the photomask or mold 202 are provided. In FIG. 2, a roller 208 serving both as the laminating roller and the pressure roller is shown.

(1) Fixing mechanism for fixing the photomask or mold substantially horizontally As a fixing mechanism, a horizontal hard plate is used as a surface plate, and a suction fixing is provided by providing a pressure reducing groove or the like, and the four corners of the end are pressed. Mechanisms and the like. In FIG. 2, the mode which presses the edge part of a photomask or a mold from the front and back with the hard board is illustrated.

(2) Resin supply mechanism for forming a photosensitive resin composition layer by supplying a photosensitive resin composition onto a photomask or mold The resin supply mechanism supplies a photosensitive resin composition onto a photomask or mold Any material can be used as long as it can form a photosensitive resin composition layer. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a bottom open type bucket, and FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a rotary bucket. As a mechanism having a function of applying the photosensitive resin composition in layers at the same time as supply, a bottom open type bucket as shown in FIG. 3, a rotary bucket as shown in FIG. In the bottom open type shown in FIG. 3, a photosensitive resin composition is formed by opening the bottom open bucket 31 as shown as a bottom open bucket 32 while moving the bottom open bucket 31 substantially parallel to the photomask or mold. The object 33 can be supplied and applied in layers on a photomask or mold 34. In the rotary type shown in FIG. 4, the photosensitive resin composition 43 is rotated by rotating the rotary bucket 41 as shown as a rotary bucket 42 while moving the rotary bucket 41 substantially in parallel with the photomask or the mold. Can be applied and layered onto the photomask or mold 44. By controlling the driving speed of the bucket itself and the interval between the bucket and the photomask or the mold surface, the coating film thickness can be arbitrarily controlled. In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, a supply bucket may be used as the resin supply mechanism 205, and an application mechanism using a driving doctor blade or the like may be used as the resin supply mechanism 210 separately. Of course, a known coating mechanism such as a curtain coater, a spray coater, a bar coater, or a gravure coater can be installed.

(3) Holding mechanism for holding the end portion of the sheet-like support The holding mechanism is a mechanism for preventing the sheet-like support from being displaced due to slipping or the like in the laminating process or the pressure treatment process. . Examples of the holding mechanism include a clip-like object that sandwiches the end portion of the sheet-like support, a mechanism that punches the sheet-like support and fixes it with a pin, a holding mechanism using a magnet, and the like. Moreover, the mechanism which can adjust the height to hold | maintain according to the thickness of the desired photosensitive resin composition layer is more preferable.

(4) Lamination roller for laminating the sheet-like support with the end held, and pressure roller for pressurizing the upper surface of the laminated sheet-like support The laminating roller rotates and moves As long as the sheet-like support can be laminated on the photosensitive resin composition layer, the sheet-like support can be laminated particularly at a speed of 150 mm / min to 2000 mm / min. The laminating roller typically laminates the sheet-like support on the photosensitive resin composition layer by moving in a direction away from the above-described holding mechanism 207.

  The pressure roller is not particularly limited as long as the roller can rotate and move so that the upper surface of the sheet-like support can be subjected to pressure treatment, and can be subjected to pressure treatment at a speed of 10 mm / min or more and less than 150 mm / min. is there. The pressure roller may also serve as the laminating roller. In this case, the same driving system can be used. In the case where the pressure roller also serves as a laminating roller, a mechanism that can change settings such as a driving speed and a roller gap between the laminating and the pressing process is required. Specifically, the speed range can correspond to a first driving speed (at the time of lamination) of 150 mm / min to 2000 mm / min and a second driving speed (at the time of pressure treatment) of 10 mm / min to less than 150 mm / min. Like that. In addition, a mechanism capable of setting an elevation range that can correspond to a roller gap during lamination and during pressure treatment is required.

  The laminating roller and the pressure roller or the roller serving as both may be any mechanism that can control the moving speed with respect to the direction of laminating or pressing (roller traveling direction). It is also possible to make the speed variable and change the speed in the driving process. As a rotation method of the roller, it may be driven with the speed synchronized, or may be rotated by friction with the sheet-like support without being driven. Also, a mechanism capable of controlling the roller gap is preferable in order to be able to cope with manufacturing conditions in which various conditions are changed. Although the mechanism which makes such a roller raise / lower is not specifically limited, What can be controlled with a micrometer is more preferable. The roller is preferably made of a hard material in order to control the gap, and it is desirable that the roller has little uneven thickness.

(5) Irradiation mechanism for irradiating ultraviolet rays from the lower surface of the photomask or mold As the irradiation mechanism, a known ultraviolet exposure apparatus can be used, depending on the type of the photosensitive resin composition and the pattern shape of the photomask or mold. Thus, it is possible to use lamp types, control of parallel light, and the like.

  The printing plate manufacturing apparatus can have a simpler configuration. For example, the roller drive system can also serve as the resin supply mechanism (2). In this case, it becomes possible to supply the photosensitive resin composition in a layer form when the roller is driven in the laminating step. Specifically, the supply mechanism such as the bucket type described above is incorporated in the same drive system as the roller, and the bucket is placed in front of the roller, whereby the photosensitive resin composition is supplied in layers and the laminate is the same It can be configured to perform continuously at a speed. Further, as described above, the roller may serve as both a laminating roller and a pressure roller. In this case, both rollers can be the same drive system. In this case, it is preferable to further include a mechanism capable of returning the roller to the starting position so as not to touch the sheet-like support after the lamination step. Furthermore, it is also possible to drive the resin supply mechanism (2), the laminate roller, and the pressure roller of (2) with the same drive system.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to examples. In addition, this invention is not restrict | limited by an Example.

<Printing plate production example 1>
Photomask A chrome mask was prepared on which a negative pattern having a light transmission part with a line (line width of 100 μm) / space (interval of 200 μm) shape was drawn. The chrome mask is made of 5 mm thick synthetic quartz plate (8 inches × 8 inches), and the pattern area is 7 inches × 7 inches in the center. A release layer was formed on the surface of the chromium mask. As a forming method, a 4 wt% diluted solution of CYTOP (CTX-809AP2) manufactured by Asahi Glass Co., Ltd. as a release agent is applied by a spin coater so that the thickness is 0.5 μm after drying, and dried at 110 ° C. for 10 minutes. It was.

Sheet support A stainless steel sheet (SUS304) having a thickness of 0.15 mm and a size of 200 mm × 380 mm was used. The surface of the stainless steel sheet was subjected to adhesion treatment with a silane coupling agent. As a silane coupling agent, KBM503 manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd. was used.

-Lamination process, laminating process, and pressurizing process The apparatus used is a modified K303 multi-coater (manufactured by RK Print Coat Instruments) and has the configuration shown in FIG. As a modification, the motor was replaced so that the roller driving speed could be controlled from 2 mm / min to 2000 mm / min. The specification was used by installing a gravure head, replacing the rubber roller with a stainless steel roller of the flexo head, and adjusting the doctor blade to a 45 ° angle. The above-described chrome mask was placed on the metal plate of the laminator device, and glass plates having the same thickness as the chrome mask were arranged on the front and rear sides, and fixed with an adhesive tape. Next, the stainless steel sheet was fixed on the glass plate (lamination start point side) with an adhesive tape, and placed under the roller as shown in FIG. The doctor blade was adjusted to a gap of 150 μm from the surface of the chrome mask. 20 g of negative type liquid photosensitive resin APR-G31 (viscosity of 2370 mPa · s at 25 ° C.) manufactured by Asahi Kasei Chemicals Co., Ltd. subjected to vacuum defoaming treatment was dropped on the laminating direction side of the blade, and the roller gap setting shown in Table 1 (Table 1). 3 layers comprising a photomask, a photosensitive resin composition layer, and a sheet-like support, depending on the value (μm) obtained by subtracting the thickness of the sheet-like support from the roller gap and the driving speed (laminating speed). The lamination process which forms a laminated body was performed. Next, after removing the blade and returning the roller to the starting point side, a pressure treatment step was performed according to the roller gap setting and speed described in Table 1.

Subsequently, the laminated body was exposed from the lower side of the chrome mask using a parallel light exposure apparatus manufactured by Oak. The exposure was performed at 500 mj / cm ² at 4 mW / cm ² (350 nm) with mixed light of g-line, h-line, and i-line. All steps were performed at 25 ° C.

Next, the chromium mask and the stainless sheet were peeled off, and the photosensitive resin composition layer was shower-developed and washed with a 0.5 wt% sodium carbonate aqueous solution. After drying, post-exposure 2000 mj / cm ² was performed in a nitrogen atmosphere to obtain a printing plate.

-Thickness evaluation The obtained printing plate was measured for depth of focus with a microscope (Olympus STM-UM), and the resin relief thickness (line height) was measured. The difference from the value (height difference) was determined. The results are shown in Table 1.

Description of Results In Examples 1 to 3, it can be confirmed that the resin relief thickness is controlled by the roller gap in the pressure treatment process. Also, the thickness distribution uniformity was good, with the height difference being within 10% of the average thickness. In Comparative Example 1, since the driving speed of the roller in the pressure treatment process is high, the effect of sufficient pressure treatment cannot be obtained, and the resin relief thickness is thicker than in Example 2, and the difference in height Became big. In Comparative Example 2, it was confirmed that the thickness distribution was very poor because there was no pressurizing process. In addition, the result of the thickness of this comparative example 2 is the state of the laminated body after the lamination process in Example 2, and in Example 2, d1 (2 between the photosensitive resin composition layer after lamination and the sheet-like support 2) It is confirmed that the relationship between the total thickness of the layer) and d2 (distance from the upper surface of the photomask to the pressure roller) is d1> d2. In Comparative Example 3, due to the slow driving speed, a phenomenon that the film thickness is small at the lamination start point side and the film thickness suddenly increases at the end of the lamination according to the change in curvature of the stainless sheet is observed. It became bad. In Comparative Example 4, the thickness was very thin due to the slower driving speed. From the results of Comparative Examples 2 to 4, it can be seen that it is difficult to control the thickness only by the driving speed of the laminating process, and it is very difficult to suppress the thickness distribution within 10%.

<Printing plate production example 2>
-Mold Soda lime glass plate (8 inches x 8 inches) with a thickness of 2.0 mm is prepared, and the surface is treated with a UV cleaning device, and then HMDS (1, 1, 1, 3, 3, 3) under a nitrogen atmosphere. 3-Hexamethyldisilazane) was treated for 20 minutes. A positive photosensitive resin solution (PMER P-LA300PM manufactured by Tokyo Ohka Kogyo Co., Ltd.) was applied onto the glass plate after the above surface treatment so as to have a thickness of 10 μm after drying with a spin coater. After air drying, heat treatment was performed at 110 ° C. for 7 minutes.

  A film mask (emulsion mask) on which a negative pattern having a lattice-shaped light transmission portion having a wire width of 20 μm / pitch of 50 μm was prepared. The size of the mask is 8 inches × 8 inches, and the pattern area is the center 7 inches × 7 inches. The mask surface of this film mask and the positive photosensitive resin layer were brought into close contact with each other and exposed from the mask side using a parallel light exposure apparatus manufactured by Oak. The exposure was performed with a mixed light of g-line, h-line, and i-line so that the light intensity was 250 mJ / cm 2 at 350 nm. Thereafter, dip development (developer P-7G: manufactured by Tokyo Ohka Kogyo Co., Ltd.) was performed, and after air drying, heat treatment was further performed at 110 ° C. for 5 minutes. Further, a release layer was formed on the surface. As a forming method, a 4 wt% diluted solution of CYTOP (CTX-809AP2) manufactured by Asahi Glass Co., Ltd. was applied as a release agent by a spin coater so as to have a thickness of 0.5 μm and dried at 110 ° C. for 10 minutes. . A mold having a lattice-shaped recess was obtained by the above method.

-Sheet-like support A stainless steel sheet (SUS304) having a thickness of 0.10 mm and a size of 200 mm x 380 mm was used. The surface of the stainless steel sheet was subjected to adhesion treatment with a silane coupling agent. As a silane coupling agent, KBM503 manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd. was used.

-Lamination process and pressurization process The laminating process and the pressurization process were performed with the apparatus and specification similar to Examples 1-3. The procedure is the same as in Examples 1 to 3 except that a mold is used instead of the chrome mask. The roller gap and driving speed were set as shown in Table 2.

The laminated body was exposed from the lower side of the mold using a parallel light exposure apparatus manufactured by Oak. Exposure was performed at 2000 mj / cm ² at 4 mW / cm ² (350 nm) with mixed light of g-line, h-line, and i-line. The portions other than the glass plate (8 inches × 8 inches) were exposed by shading with aluminum foil. Next, the mold and the stainless sheet were peeled off to obtain a printing plate.

-Thickness evaluation For the obtained printing plate, the thickness of the resin relief (a value obtained by subtracting the thickness of the stainless steel sheet from the thickness of the plate) was measured with a thickness measuring machine (a Digimatic indicator manufactured by Mitutoyo). The difference (height difference) between the value and the minimum value was obtained. The results are shown in Table 2.

Explanation of Results The obtained printing plate of Example 4 had a resin relief thickness of 71 μm, and a good thickness distribution with a height difference of within 10%. On the surface of the printing plate, lattice-shaped irregularities corresponding to the concave portions of the mold were confirmed. When evaluated with a microscope using optical interference (Vert Scan 2.0 / Ryoka System Co., Ltd.), the height of the lattice-shaped convex portions was 10.2 μm and the line width was 19.1 μm.

  The present invention is suitably applied to the production of a printing plate used in a field where high-definition printing is required, such as a display, a wiring pattern, and a semiconductor pattern.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Lower transparent base 12 Negative film 13 Cover film 14 Photosensitive resin composition layer 15, 31, 32 Bottom open bucket 16 Base film 17 Laminating roller 18 Upper transparent base 19 Spacer 2 Printing plate manufacturing apparatus 201 Rigid board 202, 34, 44 Photomask or mold 203 Fixing mechanism 204, 33, 43 Photosensitive resin composition 205, 210 Resin supply mechanism 206 Sheet-like support 207 Holding mechanism 208 Roller 209 Irradiation mechanism 41, 42 Rotary bucket

Claims (9)

A lamination step of forming a two-layer laminate in which a photosensitive resin composition layer made of a photosensitive resin composition having a viscosity of 0.2 Pa · s or more and 50.0 Pa · s or less is laminated on an upper surface of a photomask or a mold; ,
On the photosensitive resin composition layer having the viscosity, a sheet-like support is laminated while being pressed with a laminating roller at a speed of 150 mm / min to 2000 mm / min, whereby a photomask or a mold and the photosensitive resin composition are laminated. A laminating step for forming a three-layer laminate comprising a physical layer and a sheet-like support;
A pressure treatment step of pressing the three-layer laminate at a speed of 10 mm / min or more and less than 150 mm / min by a pressure roller;
An exposure step of irradiating ultraviolet rays from the photomask or the mold side to the 3-layer laminate,
The manufacturing method of the printing plate in which the uneven | corrugated shape was formed on the sheet-like support body including the peeling process which peels a photomask or a mold from the photosensitive resin composition layer after exposure.   The relationship between the total thickness d1 of the photosensitive resin composition layer and the sheet-like support after the laminating step and the distance d2 from the upper surface of the photomask or mold in the pressing treatment step to the pressing roller is d1. The manufacturing method of the printing plate of Claim 1 which satisfy | fills> d2.   The method for producing a printing plate according to claim 2, wherein a value obtained by subtracting the thickness of the sheet support from a distance d2 from the upper surface of the photomask or mold to the pressure roller in the pressure treatment step is 20 μm or more and 300 μm or less. The sheet-like support of the flexural modulus is 20 Kgf / mm ² or more 20,000 kgf / mm ² or less, the manufacturing method of a printing plate according to any one of claims 1-3.   The method for producing a printing plate according to claim 4, wherein the sheet-like support is a stainless sheet having a thickness of 0.10 mm to 0.30 mm.   The said photomask or mold uses the mold in which an uneven | corrugated | grooved part is formed on the photomask by which a light-shielding part is arrange | positioned on a transparent hard board, or a transparent hard board. Printing plate manufacturing method.   The method for producing a printing plate according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the photomask or mold has a release layer on the surface on the photosensitive resin composition layer forming side.   The manufacturing method of the printing plate of any one of Claims 1-7 whose said ultraviolet-ray is parallel light. A fixing mechanism for fixing the photomask or mold substantially horizontally;
A resin supply mechanism for forming a photosensitive resin composition layer by supplying a photosensitive resin composition having a viscosity of at least 0.2 Pa · s to 50.0 Pa · s on a photomask or a mold;
A holding mechanism for holding the end of the sheet-like support;
A laminating roller capable of at least laminating at a speed of 150 mm / min to 2000 mm / min for laminating a sheet-like support having an end held;
A pressure roller capable of at least a pressure treatment at a speed of 10 mm / min or more and less than 150 mm / min for pressure-treating the upper surface of the laminated sheet-like support;
An irradiation mechanism for irradiating ultraviolet rays from the lower surface of the photomask or mold;
A printing plate manufacturing apparatus comprising:

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