Abstract: In a method and system to control an engraving device for the engraving of printing forms by means of an engraving tool controlled by a driving system, set engraving values for the cups along with engraving signal values are produced from engraving data as a control signal for the driving system. Working strokes of the engraving tool and distances between the printing form and the engraving tool are measured and actual values of engraving depth are determined from the differences and compared to set engraving depth values. The control signal is turned on at beginning of engraving and off when the engraving depth is reached. Set values for pressure force and tracking force are obtained and compared to actual pressure force values applied to the engraving tool and the actual tractive force values applied to a return element of the engraving tool. Exceeded set values are indicated.

Abstract: An electron beam generator includes: an electron emitting cathode (1); an anode (3) with an anode bore (4) for the passage of an electron beam (6); a Wehnelt electrode (2) between the cathode (1) and the anode (3) for controlling the electron beam; the cathode (1); the anode (3) and the Wehnelt electrode (2) disposed within a vacuum chamber (100); and a magnetic unit (7) disposed between the cathode (1) and the anode (3) for generating a static transverse magnetic field causing the electrons to be deflected along a curved path until the electrons enter the anode (3) such that ions follow an ionic path back to strike the Wehnelt electrode (2) and are kept from striking the cathode (1) by displacement caused by the ionic path. The present invention reduces the number of ions that impact the cathode and reduces the number of ions that are formed by the ionization of residual molecules, increasing the service life of the cathode.