Abstract: A cassette handling mechanism is used to remove, reload and reinstall a media supply cassette into a media transport unit. The cassette is supported by a sliding support tray in a horizontal docking position. A locking device on the support tray engages the bottom of the cassette allowing the cassette to be pivoted into several different orientations. The support tray slides out horizontally from the media transport unit, allowing the operator to either lift the cassette vertically without releasing the lock, to actuate the lock thereby pivoting the cassette to an intermediate detent position in which the media can be reloaded, or to pivot the cassette to a 90 degree detent position releasing the cassette on its side onto an optional shelf or roll-up table. The locking mechanism 50 is used on a second support tray which is supported by a counterbalanced pivotable arm, to extract a second cassette docked in a non-horizontal position within the media transport unit.

Abstract: An adjustable focusing apparatus in a scanning device is used in imagesetters, scanners, and platemaking devices to focus a scanning beam on an element to be scanned. Precise focusing is achieved with the adjustable focusing apparatus to produce output images free of undesirable artifacts. The scanning device produces a beam from a light source to scan the element. An optical system focuses the beam on a particular surface within the element. The adjustable focusing apparatus adjusts the focus position of the scanning beam relative to the element according to the thickness of the element.

Abstract: The primary function of the optional handler is to make plates available on demand to the imaging engine. A multitude of plates are stored inside cassettes and these cassettes are loaded into the handler. There may be up to four cassettes residing in the handler. Inside a cassette there may be a protective interleaf sheet, sometimes called a slip sheet, between each plate which is removed by the handler and discarded. The handler receives commands from the engine control sequencer which provides instructions as to what cassette needs to be accessed to make a plate available to the picker mechanism so the plate may be conveyed to the imaging engine. Conversely the handler provides status information to the engine to make full interaction with the system possible.

Abstract: The image to be printed on a hard copy such as paper, micro film and photographic film, can be specified in a page description language. A raster image processor, for converting the page description language data stream in a bitmap representation, usually first translates the original data stream in an intermediate data stream. By properly segmentation of the original data stream and inclusion of control commands, this translation process can be handled by several processors parallelly. This improves the throughput of the translation process by a factor which is almost a linear function of the number of processing systems used parallelly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for joining a drive band to the driven element of a servo-controlled precision motion system. A vibration dampening clamp assembly absorbs unwanted vibration energy. The clamp assembly utilizes energy absorbing molded grommets which mechanically isolate the driven element from the band. A threaded fastener passing through an axial bore in each of two energy absorbing grommets is used to join two halves of a clamp assembly. The grommets are preloaded at assembly using threaded fastener and a nut to compress each grommet to a known compression prior to tensioning of the drive band. Upon final tensioning of the band drive assembly, the grommets are brought to a final compression value.

Abstract: A pallet assembly for supporting and protecting a load during transportation of the load. The pallet comprises two elongated members spaced apart and oriented substantially parallel so as to be located on opposite sides of the load. A plurality of support members support the load with a clearance space between the support members and the ground. The support members are removably attached to the two elongated members. An adjusting mechanism adjusts the support members relative to the two elongated members to lower the support members toward the ground and reduce the clearance space between the support members and the ground.

Abstract: A method for making a lithographic printing plate according to the silver salt diffusion transfer process image-wise exposes an imaging element with a high intensity short time scanning exposure. The imaging element comprises on a support in the order given a silver halide emulsion layer and a layer containing physical development nuclei. A thus obtained image-wise exposed imaging element is subsequently developed in the presence of a developing agent and silver halide solvent. The image-wise exposure is focused substantially within the silver halide emulsion layer of the imaging element. The present invention further provides an apparatus for carrying out the above method.

Abstract: The invention supports a mechanical carriage at three contact points for precise positioning on two guide rails, one guide rail having a V-grooved surface and the other having a flat surface. Two of the three contact points are recirculating ball bearings mounted against the V-grooved rail. The third contact point is on the flat rail and is also the driving contact point and comprises a drive shaft having a friction wheel thereon engaged with the flat rail to drive the mechanical carriage. The recirculating ball bearings and friction wheel are loaded against the V-grooved and flat rails, respectively, by magnets mounted on the carriage and spaced from the rails by an air gap. The air gap provides for a magnetic force between the magnets and the guide rails while permitting relative movement therebetween.

Abstract: A non-rotating optical shield is generally cylindrical in shape and surrounds a rotating optical deflector to reduce airflow and optical distortion, as well as acoustic noise. A beam entrance aperture is provided in an end of the shield allowing an input beam to project onto the rotating deflector along the deflector's spin axis. The entrance aperture is sealed by a window to prevent air from being drawn into the shield by the action of the rotating optical deflector. The deflected beam exits the shield through a beam exit aperture in the side of the shield which is enclosed by an optical element. Clearances between the shield and the rotating deflector are minimal. The shield reduces temperature gradients in the surrounding air thus reducing optical distortions caused by changes in refractive indices of the deflector and surrounding air.

Abstract: An assist mechanism for installing a web-type media supply into an imagesetter allows a single user to automatically lift and position a large format media supply cassette containing a supply roll from a reloading location remote from the imagesetter to a docking location in the imagesetter. The assist mechanism comprises a roll-up cart having a support bracket mounted on the top a telescopic column with two arms for supporting the supply cassette. The cart is positioned adjacent to the remote location at which time a foot switch on the cart is used to actuate the telescopic column to vertically raise and lower the support bracket. The bracket arms hook under the ends of a supply roll bearing supporting the supply roll, to lift the media supply from the surface. The cart is then rolled to the docking location of the imagesetter and the assist mechanism is actuated by the foot switch to vertically adjust the telescopic column supporting the support bracket.

Abstract: A take-up roller for winding a continuous recording medium has an outer hollow cylindrical tube with a longitudinal slot and an inner hollow cylindrical tube with a longitudinal slot. The inner hollow cylindrical tube is mounted concentrically within the outer hollow cylindrical tube. Two eccentrically mounted weights are fastened on opposite sides of the inner tube slot, keeping the inner tube oriented with its slot facing downward. The outer tube is driven by a drive motor to rotate the outer tube relative to the inner tube until a sensor signals the drive motor to stop upon the alignment of the tube slots. A leading edge of the recording medium is inserted into the center of the inner tube though an opening formed by the alignment of the slots. Then, the outer tube is rotated relative to the inner tube, thereby closing the opening and wrapping the recording medium around the edge of the outer tube slot.

Abstract: A method and apparatus automatically switches from one web media type to another, using a single drive roller to access and drive one of two web media supply cassettes mounted within an imaging system. A gear motor and eccentric shaft position and load the drive roller against either of two driven rollers. The media is nipped between the drive roller and one of the driven rollers and is advanced by the drive roller into the imaging system as needed. To switch media supply cassettes, the media is cut beyond the drive roller. The media is then drawn back into the supply cassette to free the media path for the alternate media to advance from the other of the two media supply cassettes.

Abstract: An external media transport buffer has a carriage supported for linear motion on parallel guide rails between an imagesetter and a processor. A pair of transport rollers is mounted for rotation on the carriage. Two sensors are mounted within the buffer to detect media movement. A first sensor is positioned at an entrance to the buffer and a second sensor is positioned on the carriage on an exit side of the transport rollers. Signals are sent from the sensors to a roller transport motor and carriage transport motor and the signals are coordinated to start and stop the motors according to a predetermined sequence. A leading end of media enters the nip of the transport rollers and is held in the nip as the carriage travels from the imagesetter to the processor. A slack loop of media forms between the carriage and the imagesetter as the imagesetter feeds the media to the buffer faster than the carriage travels to the processor.

Abstract: A scanning apparatus is disclosed in an imagesetter with an internal drum recording surface, having an improved carriage system which is self-propelled and carries scanning optics for recording an image including a spin motor/mirror, a laser diode, and a focusing lens. The drive system is mounted to the carriage to allow the carriage to move linearly inside the drum as a self-propelled direct drive. An electronic control device mounted on the carriage provides precision motion control of the carriage.

Abstract: A roller is provided with a clamping mechanism that clamps into a closed position upon rotation of the roller in a winding direction, and unclamps into an open position upon rotation in an unwind direction. The roller has a split-core comprising two hollow, semicircular, core halves that toggle between the clamped and unclamped positions when pivoted about a pivot point that is concentric with the rotational axis of the roller. A snap-pivot mechanism provides a snap-action between the core halves by a leaf spring positioned between the core halves. The rotationally free core half is maintained in a fixed position by a pivoting retractable spring plunger engaging a tab on the core half, while the driven core half is rotated toward the fixed free core half, causing the leaf spring to snap to an over center position and clamp the core halves together.