Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically adjusting the location of a screen frame holder of a silk screen printing head in the x-axis to maintain accuracy in registration of color-to-color in a multi-color printing process due to the inaccuracies in indexing of an indexing transport member.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for the manufacture of silk-screens is provided for use in the printing of halftones, e.g. in a four color printing process. The angle at which the mesh of a silk-screen should be relative to the screen frame to eliminate or at least minimize or localize moire' is predetermined for each of the color film separations. This angle is then carried to stretching apparatus for the woven fabric from which the silk-screens are to be made. The stretching appararatus has a table that is provided with a plurality of rotatable members. A screen frame is placed on each of the rotatable members and the rotable member is rotated to the angle determined by the pre-registration apparatus. The fabric is stretched to the desired tension and the screen frames having been provided at the desired angles are adhered to the stretched fabric, resulting in the mesh in each silk-screen being at the correct angle with respect to the screen frame.

Abstract: A system for the flexographic printing of compact discs is provided in which the transport member for the compact discs travels in an oval-shaped path. The transport member is made up of individual segments connected together so that each end can be pivoted on a vertical axis. These individual segments are provided with top and bottom rollers that are engaged by a sprocket drive. A support member for a compact disc tooling fixture is attached to each of the individual segments. The flexographic print heads are caused to move at the same rate as the transport member for the compact discs by rack segments that are provided on each of the individual segments of the transport member and which mesh with a toothed gear on the print heads. The flexographic print heads can be moved laterally and radially to provide registration of the decoration to be printed on the compact disc supported by a particular tooling fixture for the compact disc.

Abstract: Silk-screens of annular-shape are provided for the silk-screen printing of halftones on compact discs. The silk-screens are rotatably provided in a carrier so that the angle at which moire can be eliminated or at least minimized or localized for the printing of a particular color can be determined. Following the determination of that angle for each of the colors to be printed, the screens are each then provided with photosensitive emulsion, exposed to light, and washed. The silk-screens are then placed in another carrier at the same angle as before determined for the elimination or at least the minimization or localization of moire, this carrier being capable of being placed directly into the nest of a print head of a conventional silk-screen printing machine.

Abstract: A pad printing apparatus is provided with a sealed ink cup for the printing of long images having a length greater than the diameter of the ink cup. The ink cup is caused to move lengthwise of the image and the movement of the image transfer pad is in a direction perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of the image.

Abstract: Silk-screens of annular-shape are provided for the silk-screen printing of halftones on compact discs. The silk-screens are rotatably provided in a carrier so that the angle at which molre can be eliminated or at least minimized or localized for the printing of a particular color can be determined. Following the determination of that angle for each of the colors to be printed, the screens are each then provided with photosensitive emulsion, exposed to light, and washed. The silk-screens are then placed in another carrier at the same angle as before determined for the elimination or at least the minimalization or localization of molre, this carrier being capable of being placed directly into the nest of a print head of a conventional silk-screen printing machine.

Abstract: Silk-screens of annular-shape are provided for the silk-screen printing of halftones on compact discs. The silk-screens are rotatably provided in a carrier so that the angle at which moire can be eliminated or at least minimized or localized for the printing of a particular color can be determined. Following the determination of that angle for each of the colors to be printed, the screens are each then provided with photosensitive emulsion, exposed to light, and washed. The silk-screens are then placed in another carrier at the same angle as before determined for the elimination or at least the mimimalization or localization of moire, this carrier being capable of being placed directly into the nest of a print head of a conventional silk-screen printing machine.