Abstract: A method of manufacturing thermoplastic duplication plates having a relief image transcribed thereto from a matrix which has a relief pattern in complemental relation to the transcribed relief image. To this end, a thermoplastic resin sheet is fed onto a rotating cylinder heated to a predetermined temperature and is then transported towards a transcription station carried by the rotating cylinder while it clings to the outer peripheral surface of the cylinder. At the transcription station, the thermoplastic resin sheet then heated to a semi-fluidized state is registered or aligned with the matrix being moved in a linear direction substantially tangential to the outer peripheral surface of the cylinder. During passage through the transcription station, the thermoplastic resin sheet is transferred onto the matrix with the material penetrating deep into indentations in the matrix.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing thermoplastic duplication plates having a relief image transcribed thereto from a matrix which has a relief pattern in complemental relation to the transcribed relief image. To this end, the apparatus includes a hollow cylinder heated to a predetermined temperature and by which a thermoplastic resin sheet is, while clinging thereto, transported towards a transcription clearance. A movable platen supported for movement between standby and operated positions cooperates with the hollow cylinder to define the transcription clearance. During the transportation of the thermoplastic resin sheet towards the transcription clearance, it becomes substantially semi-fluidized so that, during passage of the thermoplastic resin sheet together with the matrix carried by the platen being moved towards the operated position, the thermoplastic resin sheet penetrates deep into indentations in the matrix which define the relief pattern, thereby completing a thermoplastic duplication plate.