Eastman-kodak Company

Stratasys, Inc.

Ophira Melamed

Ido Gal

Limor Dahan

Eynat Matzner

Jianbing Huang

Daniel Dikovsky

Mazi Amiel-Levy

Avraham Levy

Shai Hirsch

Avraham Teken

Cesar Manna

Diana Ravich

Shiran Lupo

Gavish Mida

Efrat Konstantini

Yehuda Barnes Solomon

Lior Perry

Lior Zonder

Jankiel Kimelblat

Shai Costy

Dana Barshishat

Cesar M Manna

Ido Gado

Methods of fabricating three-dimensional rubber-like objects which utilize one or more modeling material formulations which comprise an elastomeric curable material and silica particles are provided. Objects made of the modeling material formulations and featuring improved mechanical properties are also provided.

Additive manufacturing of rubber-like materials

A method of layerwise fabrication of a three-dimensional object is disclosed. The method comprises, for each of at least a few of the layers: dispensing at least a first modeling formulation and a second modeling formulation to form a core region using both the first and the second modeling formulations, and at least one envelope region at least partially surrounding the core region using one of the first and the second modeling formulations but not the other one of the first and the second modeling formulations. The method can also comprise exposing the layer to curing energy. The first modeling formulation is characterized, when hardened, by heat deflection temperature (HDT) of at least 90&#xb0; C., and the second modeling formulation is characterized, when hardened, by Izod impact resistance (IR) value of at least 45 J/m.

Method of layerwise fabrication of a three-dimensional object

A laser-engraveable composition comprises one or more elastomeric rubbers including at least 10 parts of one or more non-CLCB EPDM elastomeric rubbers, based on parts per hundred of the total weight of elastomeric rubbers (phr). The laser-engraveable composition further comprises 2-30 phr of a near-infrared radiation absorber and optionally 1-80 phr of an inorganic, non-infrared radiation absorber filler, as well as a vulcanizing composition that comprises a mixture of at least two peroxides. A first peroxide has a tvalue of 1-6 minutes as measured at 160&#xb0; C., and a second peroxide has a tvalue of 8-40 minutes as measured at 160&#xb0; C. This laser-engraveable composition can be used to form a laser-engraveable layer and to form various flexographic printing precursors.

Laser-imageable flexographic printing precursors and methods of imaging

A method for preparing a flexographic printing precursor is carried out by forming a laser-engravable composition in a layer. This laser-engravable composition has one or more EPDM elastomeric rubbers, at least one of which comprises at least 8 weight % polyene recurring units. This laser-engravable composition of elastomeric rubbers can be quickly crosslinked using sulfur-containing vulcanizing compositions to provide laser-engravable compositions and layers in the flexographic printing plate precursors that can be laser-engraved to provide relief images for flexographic printing.

Laser-imageable flexographic printing precursors and methods of relief imaging

A flexographic printing precursor can be imaged and used for flexographic printing. This precursor has at least two laser-engraveable layers, in which the underlying non-printing laser-engraveable layer is more sensitive than the outermost non-metallic printing laser-engraveable layer. The non-printing layer-engraveable layer comprises (1) a first elastomer, (2) a polymer that is nitrocellulose, a polymer comprising a triazene group, a glycidyl azide polymer, or a poly(vinyl nitrate), and (3) a first near-infrared radiation absorber. The outermost non-metallic printing laser-engraveable layer comprises a second elastomer and a second infrared radiation absorber.

Dual-layer laser-imageable flexographic printing precursors

A laser-engraveable composition comprises one or more elastomeric rubbers and 2-30 phr of a near-infrared radiation absorber, such as carbon black and optionally 1-80 phr of an inorganic non-infrared radiation absorber filler. This laser-engraveable composition can be used to form various flexographic printing precursors that can be laser-engraved to provide relief images in flexographic printing plates, printing cylinders, or printing sleeves.

A laser-engravable composition comprises one or more elastomeric rubbers including at least 10 parts of one or more CLCB EPDM elastomeric rubbers, based on parts per hundred of the total weight of elastomeric rubbers (phr). The laser-engravable composition further comprises 2-30 phr of a near-infrared radiation absorber and either 1-80 phr of an inorganic, non-infrared radiation absorber filler, or a vulcanizing composition that comprises a mixture of at least two peroxides. One first peroxide has a tvalue of 1-6 minutes as measured at 160&#xb0; C., and a second peroxide has a tvalue of 8-20 minutes as measured at 160&#xb0; C. This laser-engravable composition can be used to form a laser-engravable layer on a compressible layer that is disposed on a substrate, and to form various flexographic printing precursors. The compressible layer can also be laser-engravable.

A laser-engravable composition comprises one or more EPDM elastomeric rubbers, at least one of which comprises at least 8 weight % polyene recurring units. This laser-engravable composition of elastomeric rubbers can be quickly crosslinked using sulfur-containing vulcanizing compositions to provide laser-engravable compositions and layers in flexographic printing plate precursors. These precursors can be laser-engraved to provide relief images for flexographic printing.

A laser-engraveable flexographic printing precursor or patternable element comprises a laser-engraveable layer having two orthogonal dimensions. This laser-engraveable layer comprises one or more elastomeric resins and non-metallic fibers that are oriented in the laser-engraveable layer predominantly in one of its two orthogonal dimensions. The non-metallic fibers have an average length of at least 0.1 mm and an average diameter of at least 1 &#x3bc;m. The oriented non-metallic fibers reduce curl and shrinkage in the precursor and improve print quality and press life.

Laser-engraveable flexographic printing precursors and methods of imaging

A mixture of an elastomer, carbon black, and inorganic fillers provides a highly useful laser-ablatable flexographic printing plate precursor formulation. This formulation is sensitive to infrared radiation. Both flexographic printing plates and printing sleeves can be made using the mixture.

Flexographic printing precursors and methods of making

A laser-engraveable composition comprises one or more elastomeric rubbers including at least 10 parts of one or more CLCB EPDM elastomeric rubbers, based on parts per hundred of the total weight of elastomeric rubbers (phr). The laser-engraveable composition further comprises 2-30 phr of a near-infrared radiation absorber and either 1-80 phr of an inorganic, non-infrared radiation absorber filler, or a vulcanizing composition that comprises a mixture of at least two peroxides. One first peroxide has a tvalue of 1-6 minutes as measured at 160&#xb0; C., and a second peroxide has a tvalue of 8-20 minutes as measured at 160&#xb0; C. This laser-engraveable composition can be used to form various flexographic printing precursors that can be laser-engraved to provide relief images in flexographic printing plates, printing cylinders, or printing sleeves.

A system for preparing a flexographic printing plate having a printing layer, a second layer, and a cushion layer includes a first laser for imaging a first zone on a bottom surface of the cushion layer; and wherein the first laser or a second laser images a first area of a top surface of the printing layer which corresponds to the first zone.

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Shoham, Israel

Ophira Melamed