Abstract: A method for making a lithographic printing plate includes the steps of providing a printing plate precursor including a support and photosensitive coating wherein the photosensitive coating includes a photopolymerizable composition; image wise exposing the printing plate precursor on an external drum apparatus emitting one or more scanning laser beams having a wavelength between 390 nm and 420 nm and an energy density, measured on the surface of the precursor, of 100 ?J/cm2 or less; optionally preheating the printing plate precursor; and processing the exposed printing plate precursor with a developer.

Abstract: An imaging system and method are disclosed which includes a high power illumination source for providing a first illumination field at the surface of an illumination modulator, the illumination field is defocused at the surface of the illumination modulator reducing the power density at the illumination modulator. Subsequent to the illumination modulator an anamorphic optical element(s) is provided to refocus the illumination field at an image surface coincident with the focus of the illumination modulator at that image surface.

Abstract: An optical system is disclosed for projecting a line of laser illumination. The optical system includes a plurality of laser diodes arranged in a linear array, a first anamorphic lens structure that at least substantially collimates a fast axis of illumination from the plurality of laser diodes, a second anamorphic lens structure that scales the fast axis illumination from the first anamorphic lens structure.

Abstract: A method and system for calibrating a spatial light modulator, such as a GLV in a printing system detects intensity levels of light provided by elements of the spatial light modulator. It determines control levels for the elements of the spatial light modulator that will compensate for spatial variation in the intensity of light across the spatial light modulator. These changes in intensity can be a result of the changes in properties of the GLV across its length. It can also be the result of changes in the intensity of light provided by the LIM across the spatial light modulator. The compensation comprehends the pulse width changes of the elements of the spatial light modulator, due to changes in the control levels due to the spatial variation compensation.

Abstract: An imaging system includes a first off-axis illumination source for providing a first illumination field at a surface of an illumination modulator such that when the modulator is in a first non-activated mode a zero-order reflected illumination field is directed toward a first illumination blocking device, and when the modulator is in a second activated mode one first order reflected illumination field is directed toward an imaging surface while another first order reflected illumination field is directed toward a second illumination blocking device.

Abstract: A design for pre-scan optics offers the possibility of low cost field modularity by replacing a rather inexpensive optical sub-module inside the pre-scan optics instead of the entire optics bench in the case of laser failure in a platesetter or imagesetter. It further allows the use of lenses that are highly dispersive and are designed to operate at other wavelengths, such as 780 nm. The correction is distributed over three elements. This allows for collimation in both the X and Y axes of the beam.