Abstract: An apparatus for exposing of an image of an original film on photosensitive material, the film and the photosensitive material being held together by vacuum contact between a transparent plate and a flexible sheet. The apparatus includes a squeegee unit which moves while pressing the flexible sheet. The squeegee unit forcibly moves the air, thereby speeding up the setting of the vacuum contact. The apparatus also includes a speed changing unit for changing the speed of the squeegee unit depending on the resistance of the air to movement. If the air moves easily, the squeegee unit moves rapidly. If the air does not move easily, the squeegee unit moves slowly, or the squeegee unit stops for a prescribed period and then, after the air is removed, is restarted. Thus, complete removal of air is carried out rapidly.

Abstract: An apparatus for preventing degradation of a light source in an exposure apparatus using a halogen lamp as a light source includes an intermittent turning on circuit for intermittently turning on the halogen lamp, a counter for accumulating the intermittent on-time of the halogen lamp, a determining apparatus for determining whether or not the counted value has reached a prescribed value, and a circuit for keeping on the halogen lamp for realizing a halogen cycle. When the determining apparatus determines that accumulated value of the intermittent on-time of the halogen lamp has reached the prescribed value, the halogen lamp is kept on continuously for a period of time necessary for the halogen cycle.

Abstract: A contact printer includes a printing table for mounting of photosensitive material thereon, a framework for supporting a light-transmitting plate, a packing, a conveyor belt for movement of an original in X and Y-directions, and an air-blowing nozzle and drive means for open and close operation of the framework. The framework is held at a position where it is in a slightly opened state during movement of the original, supported by the blown air in order to prevent the photosensitive material from being damaged and to insure accurate positioning of the original.