Abstract: A process for lapping a surface and providing a very smooth surface in short periods of time comprises:a) providing a work piece to be lapped, having at least one surface to be lapped,b) providing a rotating platen havingi) a back surface andii) a flat surface which can be adjusted to a position parallel to said at least one surface of said work piece,c) providing a sheet of abrasive material having an abrasive face and a back side, said back side being on said flat surface of said platen with the abrasive face of said sheet facing said at least one surface to be lapped,d) securing said sheet of abrasive material to said flat surface of said platen,e) rotating said platen at a rotational speed of at least 500 revolutions per minute, and a surface speed at an outside edge of said sheet of abrasive material of at least 1500 surface feet per minute, andf) contacting said abrasive face and said at least one surface of said workpiece to be lapped.

Abstract: A device for forming a flexographic printing plate is disclosed. A preformed, imagewise irradiated sheet of film is heat treated by the device of the present invention to remove unwanted portions of a top layer, leaving radiation hardened relief images on the plate. The device has a heating means for supplying heat to said film, a first delivery means for delivering a sheet of absorbent material to a surface of the film, a second delivery means for supplying film to the heating means, pressure means for causing liquified material to be absorbed onto an absorbent material, and a separation means for separating the absorbent material from the film.