Abstract: An apparatus for forming a line of separation in a plastic work surface includes a tool having a tool holder of thermally conductive material, an electric heating element and a tool member having a separating point. The holder is surrounded by an insulating member and includes a sleeve portion in which the tool member is releasably secured, the tool member projecting from the body in freely exposed manner with the separating point remote from the holder whereby the work surface may be engaged solely by the separating point which comprises a tip from which a surrounding surface extends in divergent manner. The holder is arranged to conduct heat from the heating element to the tip and suitable control means are provided for regulating the heating element temperature to a desired value.

Abstract: The present invention concerns the making of printing plates, particularly for litho printing. The invention involves assembling a montage of a plurality of individual films for exposure of the films to a printing plate. In order to assemble the montage a transparent, dry heat-sensitive adhesive coating is used on a carrier sheet and the films are bonded to the carrier sheet by this adhesive on the appropriate application of heat. The heat may be applied by a heating device according to the invention using a transistor as a heat source. Alternatively the assembled montage may be placed in a vacuum cabinet according to the invention, subjected to a vacuum to hold the films and carrier sheet together, and again have heat appropriately applied so that the adhesive bonds the film and sheet together. The heat may be generated by an HF source.

Abstract: In a method of and apparatus for punching a set of exposed films to obtain punch registration, two magnified images of respective areas of film are projected onto respective screens of two independently movable projection units so that either the magnified images of portions of image areas of two superimposed films can be brought into alignment on the screens or register markings on, or portions of the image areas of, each film in succession can be brought into alignment with respective markers on or adjacent the screens.

Abstract: Flexible printing plates are mounted in a located in-register position on the plate cylinder of a rotary printing press or equivalent cylinder of a mounter-proofer by forming matching registration holes in the printing plates and at least one carrier sheet respectively.

Abstract: At least one die pad made of a resilient flowable material is pressed against a metallic plate located on a former with at least one edge projecting beyond an adjacent edge of the former and is turned around the adjacent former edge whilst maintaining the pressure to cause the projecting edge of said plate to conform to the shape of said adjacent former edge and thereby edge-form the metallic plate.