I. Current status and latest development of CTP thermal plate
The thermal CTP version and other CTP versions have been in a trend of simultaneous growth. In 1998, the thermal CTP version entered a stage of rapid development, and various series of products continuously entered the market. After Kodak introduced the thermal CTP version worldwide in 1996, almost all media manufacturers announced the development and production of thermal plates. The first commercially available thermal CTP version is Kodak's Direct Image Thermal. Recently, Kodak introduced two types of negative graphic: Quantum 830 with high-power laser diode imaging; Quantum 1064 with YAG imaging; Fuji introduces a thermal negative plate Brillia-LH-NI and positive panel Brillia LH -PI, using infrared laser exposure, with a resolution of 200 Lpi, printing of up to 200,000, and baking resistance of up to 1 million impressions. In 1999, Agfa will launch a new generation of Thermostar 970 outer drum and 970 inner drum thermal media. At present, the world's major plate manufacturers have launched the second generation of thermal CTP products, and various plate-making machines have been listed or are being developed. The use of thermal CTP plates has soared since 1998. Worldwide, thermal CTP production and sales account for more than half of total output. Experts estimate that after 2000, the printing industry will enter the era of thermal CTP.
Second, thermal plate technology
Ww w There are three main digital printing technologies: silver halide technology, high-sensitivity technology, and the latest thermal technology.
Silver halide technologies include silver halide diffusion transfer plates, visible light lasers, and light waves between blue and red. Based on this technology, Agfa introduced two aluminum-based digital direct-printing plates, Liteostar plus and Silver Lith SDB, to the market. DuPont-Hausen introduced a polyester-based digital direct-printing, red-feeling Setprint-HN-LL version.
Ww w Polaroid introduced a silver salt compounding technology, the CTX technology, which uses silver halide technology and emulsions to coat UV-sensitive PS plates.
Aikefa introduced a photopolymerized offset printing plate, Ozasol N90A Edition, which is also a digital direct printing plate, with fast speed, green and blue.
Recently, there has been a newest type of digital offset printing on the market. People call it the thermal printing version. The thermal sensitivity range of 830 to 1064 nm is even wider. Its plate technologies include melting, ablation, transfer, cross-linking, photoelectron decomposition, and the like. No matter which of the above techniques is used for imaging, the plate is obtained after further development. Due to the different types of plates, some require wet processing.
1. Chemical insolubility The polymer in the active layer is cross-linked by laser heat, resulting in chemical insolubility, forming a negative image, producing acid by IR exposure to heat, catalytically cross-linking the polymer binder, making the exposed area selective Cross-linking. The pre-heating procedure enables a sufficiently high degree of crosslinking after multiple molecular reactions. Therefore, such a printing plate can be obtained by obtaining a high printing range, using a conventional wet-processing and post-baking plate after the pre-heating process. The preheating latitude is small, and the heating box is more controllable.
2, physical insoluble
Wwww This technology is used to generate physically insoluble materials by heating the active layer. The active layer contains a homogeneous dispersion of thermoplastic water-in-water polymer latex particles that can be rapidly dissolved, but exposed to IR-laser exposure, the thermal coalescence of thermoplastic polymer particles inhibits the solubility of the polymeric layer, and the dual properties of such particles are produced. High quality images. The advantage of this technology is bright room, stable quality, at the same time can be printed inside and outside the printing and printing of images and images, is a printed board, wet processing and then baked version, can get a high printing version. The photosensitive wavelength range of Agfa's RD-9 plate is from 830 to 1100 nm. Both internal and external drum recording imaging technology are available, but it has not yet been commercialized.
3, chemical dissolution type
Wwww This technology is used to heat the active layer to produce chemically dissolved substances, without heating, to obtain a positive plate, fully lighted, wet-processed and then baked, high printing process. The active layer can be based on acid phthalate resin, and the thermal solubility of the layer increases. If a red line-absorbing species is added to the layer as a dissolution inhibitor, the exposed areas are selectively removed.
4, thermal UV mask
Wwww This technology senses visible light. Imaging exposure with IR-rays allows the UV absorbing layer to no longer dissolve in the alkaline developer, thus acting as the underlying UV mask. Another form is through the infrared absorption layer of UV, exposed by thermal etching, the exposure of the underlying UV photosensitive layer imaging, but its drawback is that the process is complex, requires two processing to completely or not completely remove the UV mask layer.
Ww 5, a thermal mask
Wwww This technology, pioneered by Agfa, is a new type of thermal positive plate named Thermostar. The structure is changed by heating the physical mask layer with a high-energy laser. After the carbon or IR dye in the protective layer absorbs IR light, the infrared light energy is converted into heat, and the temperature in the active layer is drastically increased by the heat energy. It reaches 400°C or more to complete the exposure. The specific temperature is determined by the thermal diffusivity of the layer, the exposure time, the thickness of the layer, and the thermal diffusion coefficient of the adjacent layer. At the same time, the thin active layer can withstand the expansion caused by the light pulse, and the volume and thickness of the layer increase. Exposure to the two lasers used at the same time can complete the ablation reaction in the layer.
Due to the high absorption capacity of IR light on the protective layer of this plate, a relatively low exposure energy level can also generate high temperatures to physically deform the protective layer. This physical deformation can effectively not only make the alkaline developing solution wet the exposed portion of the plate, but also quickly penetrate the protective layer, enter the bottom layer, effectively dissolve the bottom layer, and dissolve faster than the non-exposed area, and the protective layer is Alkaline protective film acts as a mask, and apparently its surface and interfacial tension are important parameters for processing.
Wwww thus concludes that this technique is based on the use of different effects of physical imaging agents. This unique non-ablative process is preceded by the formation of no harmful volatile compounds in the layer, or the partial composition of the layer has not been degraded. It was imaged before. Since the compound components in the layer are treated, they do not pollute the environment. Therefore, the use of the above techniques can reduce the risk. At the same time, the laser ablation technology can also be used in the imaging area without vacuum equipment.
w w6 Non-ablation characteristics of imaging technology
Wwww ablation includes the evaporation and decomposition of the infrared photoreceptor layer. During this time, physical and chemical changes have taken place in the layer. When the layer is used as a protective layer, the ablated material evaporates into the air. In most cases, some of the material is powdery and redeposits on the surface of the material. This may further affect the imaging of the material, especially if the ablation degree is too high. When the entire layer is uniformly colored, the powder can be easily wiped off to make the layer thinner and the chemical density becomes smaller. Such an ablation medium can be distinguished by its quality from the eyes, and can also be tested by instruments.
Third, the prospect of digital offset printing technology
w w preprint industry is experiencing a turning point in innovation, the entire market will be replaced by all digital workflows, and computer direct plate making naturally becomes a major part of this transition period. Looking at the many different types of digital media provided by CTP's multiple technologies, it is clear that the future is bright.
Www Although the situation is constantly changing, most market researchers believe that in the next few years, the thermal technology will occupy a considerable share of the digital board market. Because the thermal technology has the following advantages: bright room, long printing process, high image quality, and the same printing method as the traditional offset printing plate, and the processing process is the same as traditional, there is a trend toward the development of dry or wet processed plates. . This is easier for thermal technologies than other CTP technologies. Given this situation, there is the greatest hope for the development of a new generation of thermal plates. The Silverlith SDT version of Agfa is one example. After exposure, it can be directly printed on the machine. It can be said that the "catalyst" of the development of the thermal-sensitive digital offset printing technology has its disadvantages: it requires more energy when it is exposed; the current IR laser technology is limited, and laser energy and lifetime stability are limited. The reliability of the entire plate-making system is related; moreover, IR lasers are costly.
Www At present, people are eagerly looking forward to the thermal technology, Agfa is also convinced that the thermal technology will not live up to expectations, with the advent of the Thermostar version, offset printing technology will be able to make great progress.
The thermal CTP version and other CTP versions have been in a trend of simultaneous growth. In 1998, the thermal CTP version entered a stage of rapid development, and various series of products continuously entered the market. After Kodak introduced the thermal CTP version worldwide in 1996, almost all media manufacturers announced the development and production of thermal plates. The first commercially available thermal CTP version is Kodak's Direct Image Thermal. Recently, Kodak introduced two types of negative graphic: Quantum 830 with high-power laser diode imaging; Quantum 1064 with YAG imaging; Fuji introduces a thermal negative plate Brillia-LH-NI and positive panel Brillia LH -PI, using infrared laser exposure, with a resolution of 200 Lpi, printing of up to 200,000, and baking resistance of up to 1 million impressions. In 1999, Agfa will launch a new generation of Thermostar 970 outer drum and 970 inner drum thermal media. At present, the world's major plate manufacturers have launched the second generation of thermal CTP products, and various plate-making machines have been listed or are being developed. The use of thermal CTP plates has soared since 1998. Worldwide, thermal CTP production and sales account for more than half of total output. Experts estimate that after 2000, the printing industry will enter the era of thermal CTP.
Second, thermal plate technology
Ww w There are three main digital printing technologies: silver halide technology, high-sensitivity technology, and the latest thermal technology.
Silver halide technologies include silver halide diffusion transfer plates, visible light lasers, and light waves between blue and red. Based on this technology, Agfa introduced two aluminum-based digital direct-printing plates, Liteostar plus and Silver Lith SDB, to the market. DuPont-Hausen introduced a polyester-based digital direct-printing, red-feeling Setprint-HN-LL version.
Ww w Polaroid introduced a silver salt compounding technology, the CTX technology, which uses silver halide technology and emulsions to coat UV-sensitive PS plates.
Aikefa introduced a photopolymerized offset printing plate, Ozasol N90A Edition, which is also a digital direct printing plate, with fast speed, green and blue.
Recently, there has been a newest type of digital offset printing on the market. People call it the thermal printing version. The thermal sensitivity range of 830 to 1064 nm is even wider. Its plate technologies include melting, ablation, transfer, cross-linking, photoelectron decomposition, and the like. No matter which of the above techniques is used for imaging, the plate is obtained after further development. Due to the different types of plates, some require wet processing.
1. Chemical insolubility The polymer in the active layer is cross-linked by laser heat, resulting in chemical insolubility, forming a negative image, producing acid by IR exposure to heat, catalytically cross-linking the polymer binder, making the exposed area selective Cross-linking. The pre-heating procedure enables a sufficiently high degree of crosslinking after multiple molecular reactions. Therefore, such a printing plate can be obtained by obtaining a high printing range, using a conventional wet-processing and post-baking plate after the pre-heating process. The preheating latitude is small, and the heating box is more controllable.
2, physical insoluble
Wwww This technology is used to generate physically insoluble materials by heating the active layer. The active layer contains a homogeneous dispersion of thermoplastic water-in-water polymer latex particles that can be rapidly dissolved, but exposed to IR-laser exposure, the thermal coalescence of thermoplastic polymer particles inhibits the solubility of the polymeric layer, and the dual properties of such particles are produced. High quality images. The advantage of this technology is bright room, stable quality, at the same time can be printed inside and outside the printing and printing of images and images, is a printed board, wet processing and then baked version, can get a high printing version. The photosensitive wavelength range of Agfa's RD-9 plate is from 830 to 1100 nm. Both internal and external drum recording imaging technology are available, but it has not yet been commercialized.
3, chemical dissolution type
Wwww This technology is used to heat the active layer to produce chemically dissolved substances, without heating, to obtain a positive plate, fully lighted, wet-processed and then baked, high printing process. The active layer can be based on acid phthalate resin, and the thermal solubility of the layer increases. If a red line-absorbing species is added to the layer as a dissolution inhibitor, the exposed areas are selectively removed.
4, thermal UV mask
Wwww This technology senses visible light. Imaging exposure with IR-rays allows the UV absorbing layer to no longer dissolve in the alkaline developer, thus acting as the underlying UV mask. Another form is through the infrared absorption layer of UV, exposed by thermal etching, the exposure of the underlying UV photosensitive layer imaging, but its drawback is that the process is complex, requires two processing to completely or not completely remove the UV mask layer.
Ww 5, a thermal mask
Wwww This technology, pioneered by Agfa, is a new type of thermal positive plate named Thermostar. The structure is changed by heating the physical mask layer with a high-energy laser. After the carbon or IR dye in the protective layer absorbs IR light, the infrared light energy is converted into heat, and the temperature in the active layer is drastically increased by the heat energy. It reaches 400°C or more to complete the exposure. The specific temperature is determined by the thermal diffusivity of the layer, the exposure time, the thickness of the layer, and the thermal diffusion coefficient of the adjacent layer. At the same time, the thin active layer can withstand the expansion caused by the light pulse, and the volume and thickness of the layer increase. Exposure to the two lasers used at the same time can complete the ablation reaction in the layer.
Due to the high absorption capacity of IR light on the protective layer of this plate, a relatively low exposure energy level can also generate high temperatures to physically deform the protective layer. This physical deformation can effectively not only make the alkaline developing solution wet the exposed portion of the plate, but also quickly penetrate the protective layer, enter the bottom layer, effectively dissolve the bottom layer, and dissolve faster than the non-exposed area, and the protective layer is Alkaline protective film acts as a mask, and apparently its surface and interfacial tension are important parameters for processing.
Wwww thus concludes that this technique is based on the use of different effects of physical imaging agents. This unique non-ablative process is preceded by the formation of no harmful volatile compounds in the layer, or the partial composition of the layer has not been degraded. It was imaged before. Since the compound components in the layer are treated, they do not pollute the environment. Therefore, the use of the above techniques can reduce the risk. At the same time, the laser ablation technology can also be used in the imaging area without vacuum equipment.
w w6 Non-ablation characteristics of imaging technology
Wwww ablation includes the evaporation and decomposition of the infrared photoreceptor layer. During this time, physical and chemical changes have taken place in the layer. When the layer is used as a protective layer, the ablated material evaporates into the air. In most cases, some of the material is powdery and redeposits on the surface of the material. This may further affect the imaging of the material, especially if the ablation degree is too high. When the entire layer is uniformly colored, the powder can be easily wiped off to make the layer thinner and the chemical density becomes smaller. Such an ablation medium can be distinguished by its quality from the eyes, and can also be tested by instruments.
Third, the prospect of digital offset printing technology
w w preprint industry is experiencing a turning point in innovation, the entire market will be replaced by all digital workflows, and computer direct plate making naturally becomes a major part of this transition period. Looking at the many different types of digital media provided by CTP's multiple technologies, it is clear that the future is bright.
Www Although the situation is constantly changing, most market researchers believe that in the next few years, the thermal technology will occupy a considerable share of the digital board market. Because the thermal technology has the following advantages: bright room, long printing process, high image quality, and the same printing method as the traditional offset printing plate, and the processing process is the same as traditional, there is a trend toward the development of dry or wet processed plates. . This is easier for thermal technologies than other CTP technologies. Given this situation, there is the greatest hope for the development of a new generation of thermal plates. The Silverlith SDT version of Agfa is one example. After exposure, it can be directly printed on the machine. It can be said that the "catalyst" of the development of the thermal-sensitive digital offset printing technology has its disadvantages: it requires more energy when it is exposed; the current IR laser technology is limited, and laser energy and lifetime stability are limited. The reliability of the entire plate-making system is related; moreover, IR lasers are costly.
Www At present, people are eagerly looking forward to the thermal technology, Agfa is also convinced that the thermal technology will not live up to expectations, with the advent of the Thermostar version, offset printing technology will be able to make great progress.
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