Ultra-Fine Textured Digital Lithographic Imaging Plate and Method of Manufacture

摘要

A method of forming an imaging blanket for a printing apparatus comprises preparing a support structure (e.g., mold) for receipt of a polymer blanket compound, introducing the polymer blanket compound in liquid state over the support structure, curing the polymer blanket compound to produce an imaging blanket, releasing the imaging blanket from the support structure, and etching a surface of the imaging blanket to form a texture pattern therein, the surface forming an imaging surface of said imaging blanket. An imaging surface providing desirable dampening fluid retention is provided. Wet etch, dry etch or a combination of both may be used. The polymer may be a silicone compound, may include 3 percent by weight granular material.

主权项

1. A method of forming an elastomeric imaging blanket for a printing apparatus, the imaging blanket having an imaging surface configured to transfer an image to a substrate during a printing process of the printing apparatus, the method comprising:
preparing a mold for receipt of an elastomeric polymer blanket compound; introducing said elastomeric polymer blanket compound in liquid state into said mold; curing said elastomeric polymer blanket compound to produce said elastomeric imaging blanket; releasing said elastomeric imaging blanket from said mold; and uniformly etching a surface of said elastomeric imaging blanket to form a texture pattern therein, said surface forming said imaging surface of said elastomeric imaging blanket.