Apparatus and methods for ink-based digital printing using imaging plate having regular textured surface for reduced pullback
View Patent ↗An ink-based digital printing apparatus includes an imaging member having a surface layer with regular texture. The regular texture includes an array of microstructures such as cavities. Methods include forming the imaging member textured surface using photolithography and molding processes.
1. An imaging member for ink-based digital printing, comprising:
a textured imaging surface, the textured imaging surface having a plurality of microstructures arranged in a regular pattern configured for enhancing control over wetting and dewetting of dampening fluid, the microstructures being substantially hemispherical, and
the plurality of microstructures further comprising cavities, the cavities being defined by the imaging member surface, wherein the cavities have a depth lying in a range of 0.1 microns to 1.0 micron, wherein the cavities are arranged whereby adjacent cavities are equally spaced from each other by a distance of 0.5 microns to 6 microns.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , the textured imaging surface further comprising materials selected from the group comprising silicone, fluorosilicone, fluoroelastomers (FKMs), and hybrids of FKMs, fluorosilicones, and silicones.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 , the textured imaging surface further comprising iron oxide or carbon black or graphene or carbon nanotube or any other suitable Infrared (IR) fillers.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the cavities have a depth lying in a range of 0.2 microns to 0.7 microns.