Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for directing a radiation beam (504, 606) in a desired direction. There is provided a movable member (10) supported for movement by a fixed member (40) and the movable member has an optical element, e.g a flat mirror (30) fixedly attached thereto. In one embodiment the mirror scans a radiation beam incident thereon in one plane. In a second embodiment, the radiation beam is scanned in two mutually perpendicular planes. A magnetic element (50) having a north and a south magnetic pole is fixedly attached to the movable member (10). A magnetically permeable stator element (70) that is stationary with respect to the movable member (10) and the magnetic element (50) is placed in the field of the magnetic element such that the stator element and said magnetic element mutually generate a magnetic traction force between them.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for directing a radiation beam (504, 606) in a desired direction. There is provided a movable member (10) supported for movement by a fixed member (40) and the movable member has an optical element, e.g a flat mirror (30) fixedly attached thereto. In one embodiment the mirror scans a radiation beam incident thereon in one plane. In a second embodiment, the radiation beam is scanned in two mutually perpendicular planes. A magnetic element (50) having a north and a south magnetic pole is fixedly attached to the movable member (10). A magnetically permeable stator element (70) that is stationary with respect to the movable member (10) and the magnetic element (50) is placed in the field of the magnetic element such that the stator element and said magnetic element mutually generate a magnetic traction force between them.

Abstract: A fluorescence dot area meter for accurately measuring halftone dot area on a printing plate having an emulsion containing one or more fluorescent compounds. The fluorescent dot area meter generally includes an illumination source for providing light having a first range of wavelengths, a system for exposing the printing plate to this light to cause the printing plate to emit light (fluoresce) within a second, higher range of wavelengths, and a system for determining halftone dot area based on a measurement of the light emitted by the printing plate.

Abstract: A dual buffer internal to an imaging device uses a one-way, over-running clutch system to buffer multiple sheets of media between an internal drum recorder and a processor. The one-way over-running clutch system is incorporated into a drive system of a plurality of rollers that transport the media. An input set of rollers and an output set of rollers are driven independently to allow for two sheets of media to be buffered simultaneously and at different speeds if desired. The buffer is mounted pivotally within the imaging device to allow access into the imaging device and to allow installation of a take-up cassette as an alternative to the buffer.

Abstract: A media transport bridge is an integral media transport device within an internal drum laser imagesetter that transports media from an imaging area in the drum to an external processor or intermediate buffer. Five pairs of rollers transport the film over the drum. A first stage of the bridge includes a first pair of rollers driven independently so that the first stage is removable and replaceable with a take-up cassette if desired. A friction drive within the imagesetter is adaptable to drive either the first stage or the take-up cassette when installed. Upon removal of the first stage, an automatic adjustment of the bridge is performed to balance the pivotally mounted bridge. The media is moved into the bridge by a pair of drum rollers while the first stage is synchronized with the other four pairs of rollers in the bridge and monitored to keep a slack loop of media at the first stage rollers to eliminate perturbations in the media.