Abstract: A graphic arts support assembly is operable to be used with a graphic arts plate assembly in a press. The graphic arts support assembly and the plate assembly are configured for removable association with a lift mechanism including a shiftable lift element. The support assembly includes a graphic arts magnetic support structure operable to removably support the graphic arts plate assembly. The magnetic support structure includes a support plate, a magnet fixed relative to the plate, and an alignment element projecting from the support plate. The support assembly is operable to be mounted on the lift mechanism so that the lift element is aligned with a lift opening of the support plate, with the lift element shiftable through the lift opening to locate at least part of the graphic arts plate assembly away from the support plate.

Abstract: A graphic arts support assembly is operable to be used with a graphic arts plate assembly in a press. The graphic arts support assembly and the plate assembly are configured for removable association with a lift mechanism including a shiftable lift element. The support assembly includes a graphic arts magnetic support structure operable to removably support the graphic arts plate assembly. The magnetic support structure includes a support plate, a magnet fixed relative to the plate, and an alignment element projecting from the support plate. The support assembly is operable to be mounted on the lift mechanism so that the lift element is aligned with a lift opening of the support plate, with the lift element shiftable through the lift opening to locate at least part of the graphic arts plate assembly away from the support plate.

Abstract: A graphic arts support assembly is operable to be used with a graphic arts plate assembly in a press. The graphic arts support assembly and the plate assembly are configured for removable association with a lift mechanism including a shiftable lift element. The support assembly includes a graphic arts magnetic support structure operable to removably support the graphic arts plate assembly. The magnetic support structure includes a support plate, a magnet fixed relative to the plate, and an alignment element projecting from the support plate. The support assembly is operable to be mounted on the lift mechanism so that the lift element is aligned with a lift opening of the support plate, with the lift element shiftable through the lift opening to locate at least part of the graphic arts plate assembly away from the support plate.

Abstract: A graphic arts die assembly includes a die carrier plate, a die, and a die adjuster. The die is adjustably supported on the die carrier plate. The die presents an outer margin and an engraved surface within the outer margin. The die further presents an adjuster surface that extends transversely relative to the engraved surface. The die adjuster shiftably engages the adjuster surface, with shifting movement of the die adjuster causing relative movement between the die and the die carrier plate.

Abstract: A graphic arts die assembly includes a die carrier plate, a die, and a die adjuster. The die is adjustably supported on the die carrier plate. The die presents an outer margin and an engraved surface within the outer margin. The die further presents an adjuster surface that extends transversely relative to the engraved surface. The die adjuster shiftably engages the adjuster surface, with shifting movement of the die adjuster causing relative movement between the die and the die carrier plate.

Abstract: A graphic arts support assembly is operable to be used with a graphic arts plate assembly in a press. The graphic arts support assembly and the plate assembly are configured for removable association with a lift mechanism including a shiftable lift element. The support assembly includes a graphic arts magnetic support structure operable to removably support the graphic arts plate assembly. The magnetic support structure includes a support plate, a magnet fixed relative to the plate, and an alignment element projecting from the support plate. The support assembly is operable to be mounted on the lift mechanism so that the lift element is aligned with a lift opening of the support plate, with the lift element shiftable through the lift opening to locate at least part of the graphic arts plate assembly away from the support plate.

Abstract: A graphic arts sleeve includes a cylindrical plate presenting an outermost sleeve surface operable to engage and thereby texture, print, and/or hot foil stamp on a substrate. The cylindrical plate presents an innermost support surface opposite the outermost sleeve surface and operable to engage a mandrel. The cylindrical plate includes an intermediate carrier layer and an overlying engravable layer cladded to and supported by the carrier layer. The cylindrical plate further includes an underlying expansion layer cladded to the carrier layer. The expansion layer has a greater coefficient of thermal expansion than the carrier layer, with heating of at least the expansion layer causing diametrical expansion of the innermost support surface to facilitate mounting or removal of the cylindrical plate relative to the mandrel.

Abstract: A graphic arts sleeve includes a multilayer curved plate and an elongated slide. The plate presents opposed end margins that cooperatively form a longitudinal seam. The plate includes an engravable layer and an inner layer cladded relative to one another, with the inner layer being located radially inward of the engravable layer. The slide extends along the seam and is fixed relative to the plate radially inward of the engravable layer. A filler is located at least partly within the seam to bridge the end margins of the engravable layer. The engravable layer and the filler cooperatively providing an outer sleeve surface, with at least part of the outer sleeve surface being continuous across the seam from one end margin to the other end margin. A method of fabricating the sleeve and a press mandrel for supporting the sleeve, as well as other types of sleeves, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A graphic arts die assembly and chase for use in a graphic arts press are disclosed for use in conjunction with a press. The die assembly includes a die plate formed at least partially of ferromagnetic material and a chase with a plurality of magnet assemblies configured to provide a magnetic coupling force to selectively secure the die plate to the chase. The chase includes an actuatable releasing assembly to exert a disengagement force to separate the magnetic securement between the plates.

Abstract: A graphic arts die assembly and chase for use in a graphic arts press are disclosed for use in conjunction with a press. The die assembly includes a die plate formed at least partially of ferromagnetic material and a chase with a plurality of magnet assemblies configured to provide a magnetic coupling force to selectively secure the die plate to the chase. The chase includes an actuatable releasing assembly to exert a disengagement force to separate the magnetic securement between the plates.

Abstract: A graphic arts die assembly and chase for use in a graphic arts press are disclosed for use in conjunction with a press. The die assembly includes a die plate formed at least partially of ferromagnetic material and a chase with a plurality of magnet assemblies configured to provide a magnetic coupling force to selectively secure the die plate to the chase. The chase includes an actuatable releasing assembly to exert a disengagement force to separate the magnetic securement between the plates.

Abstract: A thin-walled hot foil stamping cylinder of predetermined diameter is formed from an extruded cylindrical tube having a wall of initially uniform cross-sectional thickness. Portions of the outer cylindrical surface of the wall are relieved to define raised, outwardly-projecting hot foil stamping indicia. End caps close opposed ends of the cylindrical tube. One of the end caps is provided with a passage therethrough for introduction of hot oil into the cylindrical interior space of the tube. A passage in at least one of the end caps that communicates with the interior of the tube permits selective draining of oil from the tube. The overall outer surface of the tube may be machined to reduce the tube to a predetermined diameter, prior to relieving the surface thereof to form the indicia. In this manner, a single extruded tube may be used to produce hot foil stamping cylinders of individual diameters corresponding to standard image repeats.

Abstract: A graphic arts die assembly and chase for use in a graphic arts press are disclosed for use in conjunction with a press. The die assembly includes a die plate formed at least partially of ferromagnetic material and a chase with a plurality of magnet assemblies configured to provide a magnetic coupling force to selectively secure the die plate to the chase. The chase includes an actuatable releasing assembly to exert a disengagement force to separate the magnetic securement between the plates.

Abstract: A graphic arts die and support plate assembly is provided that is adapted to be mounted as a unit on the chase of a flat bed or rotary graphic arts press. The assembly includes a plurality of spaced individual dies fixedly mounted in predetermined relative relationship on a support plate member of the unit. Alignment holes in each die that register with orifices in the support plate member are adapted to receive temporary alignment pins thereby assuring correct positioning of the dies with respect to one another on the support plate member until the dies are affixed to the support plate member. Makeready and die lock-up time of the press is significantly decreased because all dies of the assembly may be preregistered with a design artwork before mounting of the die and support assembly on the press. A series of graphic arts die units are also provided that are adapted to be mounted as an assembly encompassing more than 180° of the circumference of a rotary press chase.

Abstract: This invention relates to a relatively thin cladded graphic arts impression graphic arts impression die plate (20) having a steel layer (22) which is integral throughout the extent thereof with a layer of copper (24) or bronze. A relieved design-defining surface may be formed in the copper or bronze layer by a chemical etching process or by chemical milling. The graphic arts impression die plate may be mounted on a magnetic support member (28) to present an assembly which increases the thickness of the die assembly sufficiently to permit use thereof on standard stamping and embossing equipment without modification of the die-supporting chase. The magnetic support member (28) has a plurality of pairs of permanent magnets (33, 35) each pair of which is embedded within a respective cavity (32) and that are magnetically bridged by a steel plate 36.

Abstract: This invention relates to a relatively thin cladded graphic arts impression graphic arts impression die plate (20) having a steel layer (22) which is integral throughout the extent thereof with a layer of copper (24) or bronze. A relieved design-defining surface may be formed in the copper or bronze layer by a chemical etching process or by chemical milling. In the case of chemical etching of the graphic arts impression die plate (20), a design-defining layer of photo-resist is applied to the outer surface of the copper layer (24) or the bronze layer and the relieved design is formed in the copper or bronze layer using a conventional ferric chloride etching solution. The etched graphic arts impression die plate may be mounted on an etchant-resistant backing or magnetic support member (28) to present an assembly which increases the thickness of the die assembly sufficiently to permit use thereof on standard stamping and embossing equipment without modification of the die-supporting chase.

Abstract: This invention relates to a relatively thin cladded graphic arts impression graphic arts impression die plate (20) having a steel layer (22) which is integral throughout the extent thereof with a layer of copper (24) or bronze. A relieved design-defining surface may be formed in the copper or bronze layer by a chemical etching process or by chemical milling. The graphic arts impression die plate may be mounted on a magnetic support member (28) to present an assembly which increases the thickness of the die assembly sufficiently to permit use thereof on standard stamping and embossing equipment without modification of the die-supporting chase. The magnetic support member (28) has a plurality of pairs of permanent magnets (33, 35) each pair of which is embedded within a respective cavity (32) and that are magnetically bridged by a steel plate 36.

Abstract: This invention relates to a relatively thin cladded graphic arts impression graphic arts impression die plate (20) having a steel layer (22) which is integral throughout the extent thereof with a layer of copper (24) or bronze. A relieved design-defining surface may be formed in the copper or bronze layer by a chemical etching process or by chemical milling. In the case of chemical etching of the graphic arts impression die plate (20), a design-defining layer of photo-resist is applied to the outer surface of the copper layer (24) or the bronze layer and the relieved design is formed in the copper or bronze layer using a conventional ferric chloride etching solution. The etched graphic arts impression die plate may be mounted on an etchant-resistant backing or magnetic support member (28) to present an assembly which increases the thickness of the die assembly sufficiently to permit use thereof on standard stamping and embossing equipment without modification of the die-supporting chase.

Abstract: A magnetic support plate for cladded steel and steel-backed polymer stamping/blocking and embossing graphic arts dies is provided in which a non-ferrous, rectangular support member (14, 114, 214) made up of a plate (26, 126, 226) has a die mounting surface (24) for complementally receiving the graphic arts die assembly (12). The plate (26, 126, 226) has a series of elongated recesses or cavities (28, 128, 228) in one face thereof, with each of the cavities being provided with two rectangular magnets that are located in spaced relationship one from another. The two magnets within each cavity are disposed in positions with the magnetic north and south poles thereof opposite one another. A ferro-magnetic component (36) in the form of a steel plate or strip is provided within each cavity in bridging, contacting relationship to both of the magnets within each cavity.

Abstract: A metal die acid etch apparatus includes a bath for holding an acid etch solution and a hood assembly on which a metal die is supported above the bath. Structure is provided on the apparatus for exposing the metal die to the acid etch solution that is in the bath in order to etch the plate as desired. A weir is positioned at a predetermined height within the bath for draining acid solution from the top of the bath, and this drained solution is recirculated into the bath. The temperature of the acid etch solution in the bath is maintained at a predetermined temperature in order to provide a predictable and consistent etch of the metal die.