Abstract: In an apparatus having an expandable mandrel die cylinder for electro-plating thereon a thin-walled, hollow, metal cylinder with a closed or perforated wall, the hollow die cylinder is loosely fitted at its ends over support flanges. The clearance space between the cylinder and the flanges is sealed by a soft gasket and electrically bridged. During the plating, the die cylinder is radially expanded practically uniformly along its length by a pressurizing of the hollow space inside it. After completion of the plating, the pressure is released to contract the die cylinder and the metal cylinder which has been plated on the die cylinder is separated from it.

Abstract: A squeege structure for a screen stencil of a printing machine comprises an elongated carrier frame and a squeegee coupled to the carrier frame by a thrust drive for moving the squeegee between operative and nonoperative positions. The thrust drive includes a central first thrust drive unit and a plurality of second thrust drive units mounted on each side of the first thrust drive unit. The movable portion of the first thrust drive unit may only move along its thrust axis which is in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the carrier frame and is restrained from moving in a direction perpendicular to the thrust axis. The movable members of the second thrust drive units may move along their thrust axes and may also move in a direction perpendicular to the thrust axis and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the carrier frame, but may not move in a direction perpendicular to both the thrust axis and the carrier frame longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A rotary screen process printing press has a plurality of printing stations, each having a pair of first and second transverse bars and a cylindrical stencil which is movably and adjustably supported between each pair of bars. The drive shafts for rotating the stencils are mounted in the first bars. The ends of each stencil are provided with bearing plates or head bearings. One end of each bearing plate is coupled to a first bar so as to pivot about the longitudinal axis of its drive shaft. The other end of each bearing plate has a mechanism to lift or lower the bearing plate to cause it to pivot about its shaft axis so that a stencil may be moved relative to the material being printed without moving its drive shaft. The lifting mechanisms and the pivotable coupling are adjustably attached to the bars to permit the position of the stencil to be varied.

Abstract: To place a driven shaft in accurate angular alignment with respect to a continuously rotating driving shaft or, selectively, with respect to a fixed reference, the fixed reference is formed as a housing, the driving shaft has a disk with a cam track attached thereto, and the housing likewise has a disk with a cam track. The driven shaft has an engagement pin connected thereto, axially slidable and engageable, respectively, with the cam tracks of the driving shaft, or of the housing,.

Abstract: A doctoring device for a printing block such as a screen stencil. The doctor profile frictionally holds the doctor blade which is both reversible and replaceable. An elastomer profile may be provided to resiliently support a portion of the doctor blade adjacent its working edge.

Abstract: A process for producing screen material by electrodeposition of metallic material on a matrix. The matrix has a smooth surface having conductive and non-conductive surface areas and material such as nickel is electrodeposited on the conductive areas in successive steps. Insulating material is applied between electrodeposition steps to confine the nickel to the desired size. Also disclosed is a similar method for making screen printing blocks by electroplating on a conductive surface wherein the areas not to be plated are coated with a photoresist.

Abstract: A matrix usable for producing perforated nickel sleeves and the method for making the matrix. The matrix comprises a roller body and a sleeve detachably surrounding the roller body, the sleeve being provided with conductive and non-conductive portions. The mating surface between the roller body and sleeve is disclosed as frustum-shaped, and alternatively as a cylinder.

Abstract: The ends of rotary stencils are attached to an attachment ring which is coupled to a drive element on the printing press by means of a universal joint, in the form of a gimbal, so that mis-alignment of the attachment ring with respect to the drive axis of the printing press will not cause distortion of the stencil, during rotation, thus stressing the stencil and causing inaccuracies in reproduction of the pattern to be printed from the stencil. The operating elements of the universal joint, or gimbal construction is preferably protected fron ink, and contamination by means of O-rings, or the like; the connection between the universal joint and the stencil end ring is a bayonet-type cam-recess quick-release connection.

Abstract: An adjustable holder secures the squeegee or doctor blade within the rotary stencil of the machine to swing or rock about an axis which is above, and closely adjacent to the contact line of the screen and the printer's blanket or backing cloth, as supported by a support rail, resiliently pressed against the screen to form the contact line at which material to be printed is engaged by the screen.

Abstract: To improve the detail on screen printing, in which images are applied to a printing grid or screen in which a photo-sensitive layer is utilized to be exposed in accordance with the image or composition to be printed, and the non-exposed image portions are removed before printing, the screen is pre-processed to provide it with a smooth surface so that the photo-sensitive layer can, itself, be applied on the screen with a smooth surface of uniform and controllable thickness directly over the printing grid; in a preferred form, the interstices of the printing grid or screen are filled with a filler, and the surface of the grid and the filler is then treated to remove that portion of the filler which is above the grid elements, leaving the filler within the interstices, and a smooth surface over which the photo-sensitive layer can be applied.