Abstract: A system for forming printing features (10) on a printing plate includes a high energy density light source (20) that has an emission spectrum that includes actinic radiation and non-actinic radiation. A reflector assembly (22) directs light produced by the high energy density light source (20) in a light path. The printing plate (28) has a mask that defines locations of the printing features. A filter (24) is situated in the light path between the high energy density light source (20) and the printing plate (28), and is configured to remove the non-actinic radiation produced by the high energy density light source (20). A relative motion system (26/30, 32) is provided to cause the light emitted by the high energy density light source (20) to move with respect to the printing plate (28).

Abstract: A flexographic processing system provides a single workstation having a light exposure system for providing exposure of a flexographic plate and a thermal processing system for thermally processing the flexographic plate following exposure. The thermal processing system includes a heated element non-rotationally mounted to a press device that generates pressure between a first surface of the heated element and the flexographic plate. The thermal processing system also includes a material delivery mechanism that delivers absorbent material to the first surface of the heated element, wherein the absorbent material removes uncured photocurable material from the flexographic plate.

Abstract: A system for exposing a flexographic printing plate with light includes a light-providing subsystem and a reflector around the light-providing subsystem. The reflector includes a body and a plurality of miniature mirrors on an interior of the body arranged to reflect light generated by the light-providing subsystem to exit the reflector at angles integrated between 0 degrees and a selected angle, such as 30 degrees. As a result, the shoulder angles of features on the flexographic printing plate are controlled within a selected range of angles, such as 0 to 30 degrees.

Abstract: An exposure system is provided that surrounds a photopolymer on a rotating cylinder ablation system. The exposure system linearly follows the ablation source and operates to expose the ablated (masked) plate with high intensity illumination from all sides so as to continuously expose all points on the photopolymer.

Abstract: An exposure system is provided that surrounds a photopolymer on a rotating cylinder ablation system. The exposure system linearly follows the ablation source and operates to expose the ablated (masked) plate with high intensity illumination from all sides so as to continuously expose all points on the photopolymer.

Abstract: An apparatus utilizing non-coherent light digitally exposes a light-sensitive medium. The apparatus includes a non-coherent light source such as a wall stabilized plasma-filled capillary lamp, a reflector positioned proximate the non-coherent light source to reflect actinic radiation, a modulator positioned to selectively transmit the reflected actinic radiation and the light sensitive material positioned proximate the modulator to receive modulated actinic radiation.

Abstract: A phase-controlled, multi-color light is disclosed for proofing of colors before a job is run on a printing press. A controlled manipulation of the spectral intensity of red, green and blue light as exposed through various flats produce specific colors in proofing material. The proper exposure parameters or data are keyed into a computerized control which includes a number of printing process memories with each memory accepting a number of flats or films with a specific response for a given printing condition. This permits storage of frequencyly used conditions as well as modifications as desired. The color palette is also operator programmed. With such programming the combining of spectral values will result in a specific combined spectral value to create a specific color in the proof. Because of this procedure only one exposure is required for each of the cyan, magenta, yellow and black exposures to obtain the position and acceptance color proof of the color layout.

Abstract: An automatic scanning densitometer which is self calibrating and accurately measures highlight density, shadow density and tonal distribution of midtones occurring in the subject matter of the photograph to be reproduced. A reflection densitometer is disclosed which in one or more scans identifies and measures first the highlight and shadow densities and the tonal distribution of the subject matter to be reproduced, as opposed to the background of the photo. The instrument automatically determines the size of the original and, with an input to the device, the size of the window in which the original is to be reproduced to provide enlargement or reduction. Measurement of density values are uniquely stabilized and with the use of a monolithic sensor on a single substrate the entire image is processed and measured, not just target areas which must be manually measured or aligned with an apertured scanning bar.

Abstract: Three means or methods for compensating for thermal noise, also referred to as dark signal, are utilized to enhance the accuracy of a monolithic diode array. A charge-coupled linear photodiode array is used in a camera to detect densities of any image projected or reflected onto the array. After conversion, voltage variations of one/one thousandth (1/1,000) volt in a ten volt range are significant to the measurement of densities. Therefore, extremely accurate control of thermal noise, which is generated in the cell sites and in the shift registers used to obtain the data from the cell sites, is extremely important. The three methods or means of control are as follows. Temperature control maintains the temperature of the photodiode array at approximately ten degrees centigrade to minimize the generation of thermal noise. A thermistor is used to detect any temperature variations within the range controlled by the cooling means and the reading is compensated for those variations in temperature.

Abstract: The invention disclosed, a microprocessor based exposure computer, automates the time consuming and tedious calibrations and calculations which were necessary to reproduce high quality copy in the field of graphic arts. The automated nature of the invention includes the ability of the device disclosed to perform a self calibrating function which greatly reduces the set-up time of the instrument which in the past has required trial and error calibrations involving the repeated manipulation of a gray scale of varying density or other variable light attenuator.