Abstract: A laser platemaking control system includes a control panel (410), microprocessor means (408, 424), and an interface (524) therebetween, the control system controlling (a) the loading and unloading of transports (150) onto and from the inner surface of a support with an arcuate cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the drum (243), (b) the translational scanning of paste-ups (478) to be optically read and plates (516) or the like to be optically written on by optical devices (462, 502) which are translated along and rotated about the drum axis, and (c) the selection of size and position of paste-ups (478) and plates (516) on a transport to be scanned. A display (412) also provides communication to an operator from the microprocessor means (403, 424). The microprocessors (403) and (424) are, optionally, incorporated into a single microprocessor.

Abstract: A scanning system using at least one mirror for scanning material to read (or alternatively to be written upon) with a laser beam is provided. Air under pressure is fed into a hollow shaft and escapes through a turbine on the shaft to rotate the shaft. The shaft is supported by air bearings. The shaft rotates the mirror during scanning. Air pressure escaping from the air bearings is vented to the ambient atmosphere. Two special thrust bearings are provided to improve the stability of the shaft. Each thrust bearing applies a force on the shaft in a direction parallel to the axis of the shaft and opposite to the force applied by the other thrust bearing. Each thrust bearing comprises a cavity in the housing, a flat plate attached to the shaft, and a porous bronze plate between the cavity and the flat plate. The air pressures in the two cavities are separately adjustable to enable the operator to select pressures that provide the system with maximum stability.

Abstract: A cap for securing a printing plate, sheet of paper, or other flat piece of material to a plate or bed having one or more registration pins, is provided. The cap has a resilient O ring for securing it to the pin. The cap is actually applied to, and removed from, the pin by a cap holding and releasing device. The cap holding and releasing device is mounted on an elevator which carries the printing plate (or paper etc.) to the bed and deposits it on the bed.

Abstract: The invention provides a way of positioning the material to be scanned with respect to a mirror that both rotates and translates in order to reflect a scanning beam on the material. A sector of a cylinder has the same axis as the rotating mirror. The material to be scanned is mounted on the top of a flexible plate. The flexible plate may rest flat on a table outside of the area scanned. The flexible plate may then be pushed into the cylinder with the bottom face of the flexible plate in contact with the inner side wall of the sector of the cylinder. When the flexible plate has reached the proper position in the cylinder, the bottom face of the plate of the flexible plate is held in position against the inner wall of the sector of the cylinder by suction, so that scanning may proceed.

Abstract: The transport, that carries the material to be scanned to and from scanning position, is held against its support by suction. After the transport has been moved into scanning position the suction is applied progressively starting at one end of the transport and continuing to the other end. A squeegee roller presses the transport against its support. This roller passes over the portion of the transport to which suction has just been applied, but prior to the time that suction is applied to the next section of the transport.