Abstract: A processing system for processing a flexographic printing plate can include a processing path for processing the flexographic printing plate. A hollow tube can be positioned to be extended across the processing path. A pressurized processing liquid supply system is provided. A plurality of pressure-compensating emitters are coupled to the hollow tube Each pressure-compensating emitter can include a casing having a fluidic flow path that is fluidly coupled with the hollow tube and having an outlet. Also, each emitter can include a resilient planar member in the casing and positioned to form at least one resilient surface of the fluidic flow path. Each pressure-compensating emitter is configured to control flow rate of the pressurized processing liquid to produce processing liquid drips from the outlet. The resilient planar member can be positioned to provide a variable outlet cross-sectional profile to the outlet in response to pressure inside the casing.

Abstract: A processing system for processing a flexographic printing plate can include a processing path for processing the flexographic printing plate. A hollow tube can be positioned to be extended across the processing path. A pressurized processing liquid supply system is provided. A plurality of pressure-compensating emitters are coupled to the hollow tube Each pressure-compensating emitter can include a casing having a fluidic flow path that is fluidly coupled with the hollow tube and having an outlet. Also, each emitter can include a resilient planar member in the casing and positioned to form at least one resilient surface of the fluidic flow path. Each pressure-compensating emitter is configured to control flow rate of the pressurized processing liquid to produce processing liquid drips from the outlet. The resilient planar member can be positioned to provide a variable outlet cross-sectional profile to the outlet in response to pressure inside the casing.

Abstract: A processing system includes a processing unit that processes the flexographic printing plate with a processing liquid. The processing unit includes a hollow tube having a length extending across a cross-track dimension of the flexographic printing plate. A processing liquid supply system supplies pressurized processing liquid into an interior of the hollow tube. A plurality of pressure-compensating emitters is distributed along the length of the tube which deliver processing liquid onto a surface of the flexographic printing plate, wherein processing liquid flows from the interior of the hollow tube through the pressure-compensating emitters at a controlled flow rate.

Abstract: A processing system includes a processing unit that processes the flexographic printing plate with a processing liquid. The processing unit includes a hollow tube having a length extending across a cross-track dimension of the flexographic printing plate. A processing liquid supply system supplies pressurized processing liquid into an interior of the hollow tube. A plurality of pressure-compensating emitters is distributed along the length of the tube which deliver processing liquid onto a surface of the flexographic printing plate, wherein processing liquid flows from the interior of the hollow tube through the pressure-compensating emitters at a controlled flow rate.

Abstract: An optical imaging apparatus (80) for direct engraving of flexographic plates (52) includes at least two laser sources (43), each emitting laser beams (44). A mirror or prism (45) is placed in front of each of the laser sources to alter an optical path of each of the laser beams. The laser beams cut the flexographic plate at different depths and cut out chunks (65) of the flexographic plate.

Abstract: A system for engraving flexographic printing plates, is presented. A flexographic plate (104) is mounted on an imaging drum 404. Printable areas (204, 304) on the flexographic plate are engraved by an imaging source (408) configured to engrave fine detail information. Non-printable areas (208) are engraved on the flexographic plate by a second imaging source (412, coarse imaging source) capable to engrave substantially deeper (208, 520) than the depth of engraving used for the printable areas. Synchronizing (424) between the fine imaging source and the coarse imaging source, by directing the fine and coarse sources operate simultaneously, whereby the fine source images on the printable areas and the coarse source images the non-printable areas. In addition the fine source engraves the printable data areas (704) and non-printable support areas (708) underneath the printable areas. The non-printable support areas are engraved to be substantially wider than the printable data areas.

Abstract: An imaging head (404) for writing an image on a substrate (108) includes an array of emitters (104) comprised of groups of emitters (120, 116, 112); imaging lens (408) that focuses light from each group onto the substrate; and wherein light from each group is focused at a different depth relative to a surface of the substrate.

Abstract: An autofocus imaging apparatus (200) for three-dimensional imaging on a surface of a flexible media mounted on a cylindrical drum (104) includes a carriage (210) which moves parallel to a surface of the drum and an imaging stage (208) mounted on the carriage. The imaging stage includes a displacement sensor (112) for measuring a distance to the surface of the flexible media; imaging optics (216) for producing a three-dimensional image on the flexible media; and an autofocus drive (220) for changing a focus of the imaging optics. Encoders (256, 260) provide data on the drum and carriage position. A controller (116) receives and processes data from the displacement sensor and the encoders. A computer (236) receives data from the controller, processes controller data, and transmits instructions to the controller. The controller receives computer instructions and transmits focus commands to the autofocus drive or the imaging stage.

Abstract: A system for engraving flexographic printing plates, is presented. A flexographic plate (104) is mounted on an imaging drum 404. Printable areas (204, 304) on the flexographic plate are engraved by an imaging source (408) configured to engrave fine detail information. Non-printable areas (208) are engraved on the flexographic plate by a second imaging source (412, coarse imaging source) capable to engrave substantially deeper (208, 520) than the depth of engraving used for the printable areas. Synchronizing (424) between the fine imaging source and the coarse imaging source, by directing the fine and coarse sources operate simultaneously, whereby the fine source images on the printable areas and the coarse source images the non-printable areas. In addition the fine source engraves the printable data areas (704) and non-printable support areas (708) underneath the printable areas. The non-printable support areas are engraved to be substantially wider than the printable data areas.

Abstract: A method for engraving flexographic printing plates (104) includes providing a flexographic plate. Printable areas (204) on the flexographic plate are engraved with a first imaging source. Non-printable areas (208) on the flexographic plate are engraved with a second imaging source wherein a depth of engraving of the non-printable areas is substantially deeper than the depth of engraving of the printable areas. The first imaging source and second imaging source are synchronized. The first imaging source (408) and second imaging source (412) are operated simultaneously. The first imaging source engraves the printable data areas and engraves non-printable support areas adjacent the printable areas.

Abstract: A method for three-dimensional imaging on a surface of a flexible media mounted on a cylindrical drum (104) or sleeve by laser ablation includes mounting the flexible media on the cylindrical drum; measuring a distance to the surface structure of the flexible media with a displacement sensor (112) correlated with drum and carriage (210) position; sending the distance measurement and the drum and carriage position to a computer (236) processing the distance measurement and drum and carriage position to compute a change in focus of an optical system; changing a focus of the optical system; and imaging the flexible media with the imaging optics (216).

Abstract: An autofocus imaging apparatus (200) for three-dimensional imaging on a surface of a flexible media mounted on a cylindrical drum (104) includes a carriage (210) which moves parallel to a surface of the drum and an imaging stage (208) mounted on the carriage. The imaging stage includes a displacement sensor (112) for measuring a distance to the surface of the flexible media; imaging optics (216) for producing a three-dimensional image on the flexible media; and an autofocus drive (220) for changing a focus of the imaging optics. Encoders (256, 260) provide data on the drum and carriage position. A controller (116) receives and processes data from the displacement sensor and the encoders. A computer (236) receives data from the controller, processes controller data, and transmits instructions to the controller. The controller receives computer instructions and transmits focus commands to the autofocus drive or the imaging stage.

Abstract: An imaging head (404) for writing an image on a substrate (108) includes an array of emitters (104) comprised of groups of emitters (120, 116, 112); imaging lens (408) that focuses light from each group onto the substrate; and wherein light from each group is focused at a different depth relative to a surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A system for engraving flexographic printing plates includes a flexographic printing plate comprised of at least two ablation layers, a printing ablation layer and a non-printing ablation layer. In addition the system includes a laser source adapted to ablate the flexographic plate. The laser source is comprised of a first group of one or more radiation sources each emitting radiation on the printing ablation layer, and a second group of one or more radiation sources each emitting radiation on the non-printing ablation layer.

Abstract: An uncured laser-engraveable composition can be applied in liquid form, as one or more portions to either: a) a laser-engraveable layer of a laser-engraveable flexographic printing precursor (plate or sleeve), or b) a printing surface of a laser-engraved flexographic printing plate or laser-engraved flexographic printing sleeve. The applied laser-engraveable composition portions can become (for example, by curing) integral parts of the laser-engraveable surface or printing surface so that the applied composition portions can be partially or entirely laser-engraved if desired. This method can be used to provide seamless flexographic sleeves. In addition, it can be used to correct or repair defects, to overwrite an image, or to provide a new laser-engraveable surface in a flexographic printing plate or printing sleeve.

Abstract: An apparatus for creating a uniform imaging surface on a flexographic plate or flexographic sleeve (14) mounted on a drum (16) and comprises a light source; a transparent drum (22); and a lens system (12) for focusing a beam from the light source through the transparent drum onto the flexographic plate or sleeve.

Abstract: An optical imaging apparatus (80) for direct engraving of flexographic plates (52) includes at least two laser sources (43), each emitting laser beams (44). A mirror or prism (45) is placed in front of each of the laser sources to alter an optical path of each of the laser beams. The laser beams cut the flexographic plate at different depths and cut out chunks (65) of the flexographic plate.

Abstract: A method for scanning a specimen 105 with beams 102 of charged particles of a source group. Thereby, a plurality of target points 402 is scanned with a charged particle beam emitted by a source 106 and the same plurality of target points is scanned with at least one further charged particle beam emitted by at least one further source. Further, the charged particle beams from the source and the at least one further source are emitted on the same target point at different times. Additionally, a multiple charged particle beam source and a data feed system are provided. A source array 104 comprises at least one logical emitting unit 106, wherein patterning information is shifted in a shift circuit 140, and redundancy emitting units 106, wherein individual redundancy emitting units obtain patterning information from the shift register.

Abstract: A method for scanning a specimen 105 with beams 102 of charged particles of a source group. Thereby, a plurality of target points 402 is scanned with a charged particle beam emitted by a source 106 and the same plurality of target points is scanned with at least one further charged particle beam emitted by at least one further source. Further, the charged particle beams from the source and the at least one further source are emitted on the same target point at different times. Additionally, a multiple charged particle beam source and a data feed system are provided. A source array 104 comprises at least one logical emitting unit 106, wherein patterning information is shifted in a shift circuit 140, and redundancy emitting units 106, wherein individual redundancy emitting units obtain patterning information from the shift register.