Abstract: A thermal development apparatus for removing non-crosslinked polymer or monomer from a first surface of a flexographic plate comprises a moving assembly which moves the plate along a predetermined trajectory. A development operating assembly applies an absorbent material to the first surface during movement thereof, and comprises feeding means of the absorbent material and heating means for heating the first surface to a temperature sufficient to melt at least a portion of the non-crosslinked polymer/monomer. A second operating assembly comprises contact means configured to cause a contact between the absorbent material and the first surface to allow the melted polymer/monomer to be absorbed by the absorbent material. A cooling assembly cools the plate at an operating position downstream of the operating position at which the absorbent material contacts the first surface, wherein the operating positions are considered with respect to the predetermined trajectory along which the plate is moved.

Abstract: A thermal development apparatus for removing non-crosslinked polymer or monomer from a first surface of a flexographic plate comprises a moving assembly defining a support surface for a second surface of the plate and an operating assembly applying an absorbent material to the first surface during movement thereof. A heating cylinder heats the outer surface to a temperature sufficient to melt a portion of the non-crosslinked polymer/monomer. Pneumatic actuators operatively connected to the heating cylinder cause contact between the absorbent material and the plate. A pressure regulating device adjusts the air pressure in cylinders of the actuators, according to an initial or threshold value to push the heating cylinder from a non-operating position to an operating position on the plate, and further allowing variance in the initial pressure value and correspondingly the operating position, thus causing a variation in the pressure applied by the heating cylinder on the plate.