Abstract: The invention involves a thermal imaging apparatus comprising a support for supporting a receiver material and a donor material in a superimposed relationship. The support includes a cylindrical drum having an inner circumference on which the receiver material is supported against in a bottom layer of the superimposed relationship and the donor material in a top layer of the superimposed relationship. An imaging unit thermally transfers an image from the donor material to the receiver material. The imaging unit is configured to thermally transfer an image by scanning energy beams across the donor material.

Abstract: A laser diode driver system automatically tracks the difference between the steady state operating point of a feedback signal in response to a laser diode driver circuit operation and the steady state operating point of the same feedback signal in response to a dummy driver circuit operation. That difference is used to compensate the dummy driver circuit operation such that its operating point correlates with the laser diode driver circuit operation. Further, in accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, a laser diode driver system automatically tracks the difference between the steady state operating point of a feedback signal in response to the quiescent laser diode driver circuit operation and the steady state operating point of the same feedback signal in response to the output of a high frequency oscillator. That difference is used to adjust a variable current source such that a dummy driver circuit is not disabled until the laser diode turn-on time delay has expired.

Abstract: A virtual-drum capstan-driven device for outputting images from electronic files onto paper, film or plate material has increased output speed and reduced cost compared to an internal drum device. A capstan drive moves web type image recording media through a curved media platen having an upper curved surface and a lower curved surface which form the media into a virtual drum. The optical system has a rotating reflective spinner at the center of curvature of the virtual drum to scan modulated image date across media while being continuously driven. A tensioning mechanism maintains the media in a taught configuration and works in cooperation with the capstan drive to accurately control the motion of the media during imaging.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for an electronic prepress system includes a computer workstation for preparing electronic image files. The computer workstation transfers the image files to an image processor that converts the image files into digital data. The digital data is then transferred to a virtual-drum capstan-driven output device for outputting the image files onto paper, film or plate material. The output device has increased output speed and reduced cost compared to an internal drum device. A capstan drive moves web type image recording media through a curved media platen having an upper curved surface and a lower curved surface which form the media into a virtual drum. The optical system has a rotating reflective spinner at the center of curvature of the virtual drum to scan modulated image date across media while being continuously driven.

Abstract: The invention involves a thermal imaging apparatus comprising a support for supporting a receiver material and a donor material in a superimposed relationship. The support includes a cylindrical drum having an inner circumference on which the receiver material is supported against in a bottom layer of the superimposed relationship and the donor material in a top layer of the superimposed relationship. An imaging unit thermally transfers an image from the donor material to the receiver material.

Abstract: A linear motion drive apparatus uses a friction drive wheel to drive a carriage along two rails. The drive shaft of the friction wheel is supported by the carriage, and has a rotor of a pancake motor and an inertia wheel non-rotatably attached thereto. The stator is fixed to a wall of the carriage. The carriage is supported by recirculating ball bearings which are arranged with permanent magnets to urge the friction wheel into engagement with the flat rail. A slip detection and correction system has first encoder mounted on the drive shaft to produce a signal representing the rotational position of the shaft, and a second encoder mounted on the carriage to produce a signal representing the position of the carriage with respect to the rails. The motor is responsive to the signals to compensate for detected slippage.

Abstract: An integrated rotary drive apparatus for driving an element to be rotated in a controlled manner, comprises; a coupling shaft coupled to the element to be rotated, a drive shaft having a hollow portion within which the coupling shaft engages, a shaftless DC motor armature coupled to the coupling shaft for directly driving the coupling shaft, and a flywheel and rotary encoder disk coupled to the drive shaft to rotate therewith. The integrated rotary drive further includes a first enclosure section, for mounting to a non-rotating frame member for supporting the integrated rotary drive, and a second enclosure section mounted to the first enclosure section, for supporting a non-rotating optical encoder reader in proximity to the rotary encoder disk for providing a feedback signal, and for supporting a non-rotating DC motor stator in proximity to the DC motor armature for driving the DC motor armature when a DC current is applied to the stator.

Abstract: A scanning apparatus is disclosed in an imagesetter with an internal drum recording surface, having an improved carriage system which is self-propelled and carries scanning optics for recording an image including a spin motor/mirror, a laser diode, and a focusing lens. The drive system is mounted to the carriage to allow the carriage to move linearly inside the drum as a self-propelled direct drive. An electronic control device mounted on the carriage provides precision motion control of the carriage.