Abstract: A method and apparatus for holding recording media against a media support surface of an imaging system using an arrangement of variable cross-section vacuum grooves. Each vacuum groove has a continuously decreasing cross-section along its length. Each vacuum groove has a maximum cross-section adjacent a vacuum port and a minimum cross-section at a distal end of the vacuum groove.

Abstract: An imaging system is provided for imaging media of while supported at an imaging position on a support surfaces. The system includes a loading device configured to move the medium to be imaged along the support surface to the imaging position. During loading, the leading edge of the medium, which extends across the medium width and substantially perpendicular to a direction of movement of the medium, moves in a direction towards a registration device. A registration device is contacted by the leading edge of the medium during loading so as to position the medium in the imaging position on the support surface. A medium securing device secures the medium to the support surface and a perforation mechanism subsequently punches or notches the medium prior to imaging. A drive mechanism is provided to move the perforation mechanism and the registration device, typically prior to loading of the medium, to a position which corresponds to the particular width of the medium to be imaged.

Abstract: The invention involves a thermal imaging apparatus comprising a support for supporting a receiver material and a donor material in a superimposed relationship. The support includes a cylindrical drum having an inner circumference on which the receiver material is supported against in a bottom layer of the superimposed relationship and the donor material in a top layer of the superimposed relationship. An imaging unit thermally transfers an image from the donor material to the receiver material. The imaging unit is configured to thermally transfer an image by scanning energy beams across the donor material.

Abstract: A system for holding recording media onto a media support surface, comprises, a media support element including a media support surface and a second side, substantially opposing the media support surface. A plurality of vacuum ports pass from the media support surface to the second side and communicate with a device for drawing air through each of the plurality of vacuum ports to hold the recording media against said media support surface. A sequencing manifold connected between the device for drawing air and the plurality of vacuum ports selectively draws air through a portion of the plurality of vacuum ports over a region substantially matching the size of the recording media.

Abstract: The primary function of the optional handler is to make plates available on demand to the imaging engine. A multitude of plates are stored inside cassettes and these cassettes are loaded into the handler. There may be up to four cassettes residing in the handler. Inside a cassette there may be a protective interleaf sheet, sometimes called a slip sheet, between each plate which is removed by the handler and discarded. The handler receives commands from the engine control sequencer which provides instructions as to what cassette needs to be accessed to make a plate available to the picker mechanism so the plate may be conveyed to the imaging engine. Conversely the handler provides status information to the engine to make full interaction with the system possible.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for orienting a sheet of recording media on a support surface for recording an image onto the recording media in a predetermined location. A registration device, which includes two contacting points for contacting an edge of the media, establishes a registration axis having a know orientation and location with respect to the support surface and with respect to the image to be recorded. A media loading device advances the media across the support surface and orients an edge of the media against the two contacting points of the registration device. At least one of the two contacting points of the registration device is movable with respect to the support surface for adjusting the separation between the two contacting points in accordance with a width of the recording media. The image may also be located at a known location with respect to another perpendicular edge of the recording media.

Abstract: An imagesetting or platesetting system and method for transporting one or more sheets of media having varying stiffness and thickness includes the steps of: transporting the sheets through the system in a first direction (A); recording an image onto the sheets; and redirecting one or more of the sheets in a transverse direction (B) relative to the first direction (A). Preferably, this is accomplished using: a transport mechanism for transporting the sheets of media through the system in the first direction (A); an imager for recording the image onto the sheets; and a jogging mechanism for redirecting the sheets in the transverse direction (B). The jogging mechanism can be integrated or modular to the system. Moreover, the jogging mechanism can be used in both internal and external drum imagers.

Abstract: An imaging system for imaging media while supported at an imaging position on a support surface, the imaging system, includes a storage device for storing media to be imaged and a loading device for moving a medium to be imaged to the imaging position on the support surface. A delivery device moves the medium to be imaged over the support surface at a distanced therefrom, to thereby deliver the medium from the storage device to the loading device. By moving the medium to be imaged over the support surface, the medium can be removed from the storage device and buffered close to the loading device while another medium is positioned on the support surface.

Abstract: An imaging system includes a processing device and a scanner. The processing device generates control signals corresponding to representations of color separated images. The scanner outputs the color separated images on an image receiving material in accordance with the control signals. The scanner is operable in a first mode to output each color separated image individually so as to be separated from the other color separated images, and in a second mode to output each of the color separated images so as to be superimposed with the other color separated images.

Abstract: An imaging system is provided for imaging media of differing widths while supported at an imaging position on a support surfaces. The system includes a loading device configured to move the medium to be imaged along the support surface to the imaging position. During loading, the leading edge of the medium, which extends across the medium width and substantially perpendicular to a direction of movement of the medium, moves in a direction towards a registration device. The registration device is contacted by the leading edge of the medium during loading so as to position the medium in the imaging position on the support surface. A drive mechanism is provided to move the regristration pin, typically prior to loading of the medium, to a position which corresponds to the particular width of the medium to be imaged.

Abstract: The primary function of the optional handler is to make plates available on demand to the imaging engine. A multitude of plates are stored inside cassettes and these cassettes are loaded into the handler. There may be up to four cassettes residing in the handler. Inside a cassette there may be a protective interleaf sheet, sometimes called a slip sheet, between each plate which is removed by the handler and discarded. The handler receives commands from the engine control sequencer which provides instructions as to what cassette needs to be accessed to make a plate available to the picker mechanism so the plate may be conveyed to the imaging engine. Conversely the handler provides status information to the engine to make full interaction with the system possible.

Abstract: The primary function of the optional handler is to make plates available on demand to the imaging engine. A multitude of plates are stored inside cassettes and these cassettes are loaded into the handler. There may be up to four cassettes residing in the handler. Inside a cassette there may be a protective interleaf sheet, sometimes called a slip sheet, between each plate which is removed by the handler and discarded. The handler receives commands from the engine control sequencer which provides instructions as to what cassette needs to be accessed to make a plate available to the picker mechanism so the plate may be conveyed to the imaging engine. Conversely the handler provides status information to the engine to make full interaction with the system possible.

Abstract: A registration apparatus for positioning a medium on a media support surface, includes a moveable member and a registration member. The moveable member is contacted by an edge of a medium, and moves therewith as the medium is moved to a set position on a support surface. The registration member restrains the movement of the moveable member, at the point at which the moveable member contacts the registration member, to position the medium at the set position on the support surface.

Abstract: The primary function of the optional handler is to make plates available on demand to the imaging engine. A multitude of plates are stored inside cassettes and these cassettes are loaded into the handler. There may be up to four cassettes residing in the handler. Inside a cassette there may be a protective interleaf sheet, sometimes called a slip sheet, between each plate which is removed by the handler and discarded. The handler receives commands from the engine control sequencer which provides instructions as to what cassette needs to be accessed to make a plate available to the picker mechanism so the plate may be conveyed to the imaging engine. Conversely the handler provides status information to the engine to make full interaction with the system possible.

Abstract: The function of the optional handler is to make plates available on demand to the imaging engine. A multitude of plates are stored inside cassettes and these cassettes are loaded into the handler. There may be up to four cassettes residing in the handler. Inside a cassette there may be a protective interleaf sheet, sometimes called a slip sheet, between each plate which is removed by the handler and discarded. The handler receives commands from the engine control sequencer which provides instructions as to what cassette needs to be accessed to make a plate available to the picker mechanism so the plate may be conveyed to the imaging engine. Conversely the handler provides status information to the engine to make full interaction with the system possible.

Abstract: A thermal imaging apparatus includes an internal drum for supporting a receiver material and a donor material in a superimposed relationship, an imaging unit for thermally transferring an image from the donor material to the receiver material, and a material dispensing mechanism for dispensing the receiver and donor materials from a plurality of material supply rolls. A rotatable material supply carousel having a plurality of supply stations for supporting the plurality of supply rolls is provided. A drive system rotates the carousel to sequentially position a selected plurality of the supply stations at a dispensing position.

Abstract: The primary function of the optional handler is to make plates available on demand to the imaging engine. A multitude of plates are stored inside cassettes and these cassettes are loaded into the handler. There may be up to four cassettes residing in the handier. Inside a cassette there may be a protective interleaf sheet, sometimes called a slip sheet, between each plate which is removed by the handler and discarded. The handler receives commands from the engine control sequencer which provides instructions as to what cassette needs to be accessed to make a plate available to the picker mechanism so the plate may be conveyed to the imaging engine. Conversely the handier provides status information to the engine to make full interaction with the system possible.

Abstract: The invention involves a thermal imaging apparatus comprising a support for supporting a receiver material and a donor material in a superimposed relationship. The support includes a cylindrical drum having an inner circumference on which the receiver material is supported against in a bottom layer of the superimposed relationship and the donor material in a top layer of the superimposed relationship. An imaging unit thermally transfers an image from the donor material to the receiver material.

Abstract: The invention involves an internal drum thermal imaging apparatus comprising a support for supporting a receiver material and a donor material in a superimposed relationship. The support includes a cylindrical drum having an inner circumference on which the receiver material is supported against in a bottom layer of the superimposed relationship and the donor material in a top layer of the superimposed relationship. An imaging unit thermally transfers an image from the donor material to the receiver material. An applicator automatically loads and unloads the receiver material and donor material onto the cylindrical drum comprising an applicator carriage, an attachment device for attaching the receiver material to the applicator and an applicator transport device for transporting the applicator carriage along the inner cirumference of the cylindrical drum.

Abstract: An electronic prepress system for electronically preparing and outputting images onto image receiving materials includes a computer for generating and storing color separated images in electronic files. A processor processes the electronic files received from the computer and converts the electronic files to rasterized image files. The rasterized image files are accepted by the scan engine from the processor. The scan engine outputs color separated images on an image receiving material and is operable in a first operating mode for outputting the color separated images individually onto a first image receiving material as a set having a separated image for each of the color separated images, and a second operating mode for outputting the color separated images onto a second image receiving material having the color separated images superimposed as an assembled color proof of the image.