Abstract: A method of patterning a perforated screen printing screen (9) having a lacquer coating filling its perforations (10), using a laser engraving device, includes the steps of locating the position of the locus of aligned perforations (10), aligning an engraving head (7) of the laser engraving device with the locus of the perforations (10) and then selectively actuating the laser to remove the lacquer individually from those perforations (10) which it is required to unblock.

Abstract: A laser engraving machine for engraving rotary printing screens includes a shaft (1) having one end connected to a rotary drive (3)for rotating the shaft (1), two end ring assemblies (7, 8) at least one (8) of which is movable along the shaft (1) and which are arranged to locate concentrically and fix opposite ends of a rotary printing screen (2) to the shaft (1). The machine also includes a laser engraving device including a head (4) movable backwards and forwards parallel to the axis of rotation of the shaft (1) to engrave a printing screen (2) and a support (9, 13). The support (9, 13) is movable along the screen (2) with the laser engraving head (4) to provide local support for the screen (2) so that the part being engraved is supported at a constant predetermined position with respect to the head (4) of the laser engraving device.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for securing a flexible marine riser to a floating structure. The system comprises a guide ring which is slidably secured to the riser at a location below the riser top. During installation of the riser, the guide ring is pulled into a guide ring receptor located near the bottom of the structure while the riser top rests upon the guide ring. Subsequently, the riser top is lifted from the guide ring while the riser is pulled through the guide ring, whereafter the riser top is connected to a terminal end of a conduit system on the structure.