Abstract: A laminated printing blanket having compressible and resilient properties and a method for its production are provided. The compressible characteristics are provided by disposing an intermediate layer having substantially uniformly distributed voids of substantially uniform size between the base ply and the working surface of the printing blanket. The voids of the compressible intermediate layer are formed by introducing high melting point microspheres formed from thermoplastic resins into an elastomeric matrix, coating said microsphere containing elastomeric matrix upon an upper surface of the base ply and then vulcanizing the coated base ply at a temperature of between about 80-150° C. for between about one and six hours to form the compressible layer having substantially uniform compression characteristics. Once all of the layers of the blanket are stacked, a final vulcanization treatment at between about 132-160° C.

Abstract: A laminated printing blanket having compressible and resilient properties and a method for its production are provided. The compressible characteristics are provided by disposing an intermediate layer having substantially uniformly distributed voids of substantially uniform size between the base ply and the working surface of the printing blanket. The voids of the compressible intermediate layer are formed by introducing high melting point microspheres formed from thermoplastic resins into an elastomeric matrix, coating said microsphere containing elastomeric matrix upon an upper surface of the base ply and then vulcanizing the coated base ply at a temperature of between about 80-150.degree. C. for between about one and six hours to form the compressible layer having substantially uniform compression characteristics. Once all of the layers of the blanket are stacked, a final vulcanization treatment at between about 132-160.degree. C.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a cylindrical compressible laminate using the floating knife or knife over roll spreading techniques to apply an inner compressible layer and outer or surface layer of a substantially incompressible material. The coating system includes a coating head to dispense an elastomeric material onto a rotating laminate and a knife blade that is parallel to the axis of rotation to distribute and spread a uniform coating of the elastomeric material. The knife blade can be raised incrementally on each rotation of the laminate so that an additional coating can be applied, until a layer of a desired thickness is obtained. In the preferred embodiment, the coatings are at least partially cured during each rotation.