Abstract: A thermal transfer sheet suitable for preparing a lighographic printing form cylinder is provided including a substrate layer and a donor layer. The substrate layer includes a first polymer having mechanical stability at temperatures greater than 150 degrees C. and light transmission of at least 70% for wavelengths of from about 700 nm to about 1600 nm. The donor layer includes a second polymer having acidic groups and/or optionally substituted amide groups and an additive is capable of converting incident laser light energy into heat energy. A wetting aid and/or a solvent are also included in the donor layer. A method of making the thermal transfer sheet is also provided.

Abstract: A first structural unit includes a laser image-setting head, and a second structural unit includes a loading compartment to accommodate a cassette housing having a thermal transfer ribbon on spools having hubs. After a cassette is inserted in the loading compartment, the compartment is closed so that drive rollers engage the hubs without play. To produce a printing plate, the second structural unit is then brought over the first structural unit in the manner of a telescope by a moving device, and the thermal transfer ribbon is brought to the laser image-setting head. The thermal transfer ribbon inserted into the loading compartment is guided by self-centering means so that it does not contact the cassette housing, and is positioned with respect to the plate cylinder by guide rollers. Wear-free and therefore fast ribbon guidance can be performed, and automation of the movement sequences of the thermal transfer ribbon can be achieved.

Abstract: A thin metallic ferromagnetic alloy ribbon is annealed by continuously transporting it through an oven in order to induce specific magnetic characteristics and in order to remove a production-inherent longitudinal curvature of the ribbon. While the heat-treatment occurs, the ribbon is guided by a channel in a substantially straight annealing fixture. The channel is characterized by slight curvatures along portions of its length, in particular where the ribbon enters into the annealing oven. The curved channel provides an improved thermal contact between the ribbon and the heat reservoir. As a consequence the process can be conducted at particularly high annealing speeds without degrading the desired characteristics.

Abstract: A thermal transfer film or a thermal transfer ribbon includes a substrate layer and a donor layer applied thereto. The substrate layer consists of at least one polymer composition which has mechanical stability at a temperature >150° C. and transmission >70% for light having a wavelength of from 700 to 1600 nm. The donor layer comprises at least the following components: a substance which is able to convert the radiation energy of the incident laser light into heat energy, a polymer which contains acidic groups and/or unsubstituted or substituted amide groups thereof, and optionally a wetting aid. The polymer composition also includes a reactive polymer.

Abstract: A method of producing a thermal transfer print, including the steps of controlled imagewise heating of a surface layer of the print by means of a laser beam from a laser writing head; applying selected area elements to a substrate using a tape-like transfer film with a width which is small in relation to a width of the substrate, transporting the transfer film continuously between the substrate and the laser beam, close to the substrate surface during imaging moving the transfer film over the substrate width simultaneously and in synchronism with movement of the laser writing head the width of the transfer film being sufficiently large for a number of imaging tracks to be used alongside one another, and selecting an as yet unused track for each imaging operation.

Abstract: Photodetector device comprising a semiconductor substrate (1) of a first type of conductivity connected to a first electrode (2). Said substrate comprises an active area (4) made up of different semiconductor regions of a second type of conductivity (8, 9, 10) insulated from each other and connected to respective second electrodes (13, 14, 15) so that each of them can be connected separately from the others to an appropriate bias voltage. By regulating the bias voltages applied to these regions the function of optic diaphragm of the device can be controlled. The device works without needing any form of optical insulation between the different regions of the active area and always uses the same single output electrode for the signal in all the different situations of diaphragm adjustment.

Abstract: A method and an arrangement for detecting the position of the plane XY of an object, which plane XY is to be scanned, and for its positioning in the focal plane X′Y′ of a laser scanner, preferably for a laser scanning microscope. According to the disclosure, it is provided in a method of the type described above that, after a rough orientation of the object carried out by placing on an object holder, a laser beam is directed successively in time to at least three different points P1, P2 . . . Pn located in the scan plane XY of the object and, in doing so, each of the reflections proceeding from the points P1, P2 . . .

Abstract: Cassette for thermal transfer ribbon for setting images on printing plates, having spools to hold the thermal transfer ribbon inside a housing, the spools having some play with respect to the housing of the cassette, and the spools being capable of being positioned with respect to the housing such that neither the spools nor the thermal transfer ribbon touch the housing during spooling operations.

Abstract: In a method for electronic image rectification in pixel-by-pixel scanning of a substrate (2) by means of a bundled electromagnetic beam, the pixels (7) are read out one after the other in readout intervals (R) of constant predetermined duration. In order to improve image quality, the deviation between a reference scanning movement and an actual scanning movement carried out on the reference substrate (S0) is initially determined in a calibration process, for example, by means of a reference substrate (S0) with a known geometric surface structure. Depending on this deviation, a delay interval Dn(n=0 . . . N) is determined for a pixel (7) and the start of the readout interval (R) of this pixel (7) or of the subsequent pixel is delayed by this delay interval Dn. The information about the delay interval (Dn) is stored.

Abstract: A cleaning medium for use in cleaning printing forms includes either an acid solution having a pH of from 1 to 4 or a basic solution having a pH of from 10 to 14. A dispersible abrasive agent in a concentration of from 1 to 15 grams per 100 grams of the cleaning composition, a surfactant in a concentration of from 1 to 50 grams per 100 grams of the cleaning composition, an organic solvent in a concentration of from 10 to 50 grams per 100 grams of the cleaning composition, and additional water if needed are added to the acid or basic solution to form the cleaning medium. A cleaning medium in concentrate form is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing printing plates on a supporting cylinder is provided. Mountings arranged on a frame accommodate a blank printing plate arranged on a supporting cylinder. The supporting cylinder is driven by a motor. The apparatus allows the supporting cylinder to be exposed at an end opposite the motor by its journal together with the mounting accommodating the journal. Thus, the supporting cylinder is capable of being moved away from the frame at one end, which makes it possible to draw the printing plate axially off the supporting cylinder. The apparatus can be used to produce a variety of printing plates, including: a relief printing plate, an offset printing plate, a sleeve-like printing plate, and a gravure printing plate.

Abstract: In an adjusting device for displacing individual elements (2) of optical systems or of measuring systems in which the element to be displaced is movable on a base (1) along a predetermined direction (x) by means of a piezoelectric actuator arrangement (21, 22) which is supported by the element (2) and which is constructed and controllable in such a way that it exerts shock pulses on the element (2) in order to carry out a stepwise movement of the element (2) on the base (1), the element (2) is arranged in a body (1; 27) which has an open or closed hollow cross section and is supported in a frictional engagement on this body, at least at one location, with the intermediary of a pretensioned spring device (8, 8′).

Abstract: Rotary printing machine with forme and impression cylinders for variable-format or variable-circumference printing and with service apparatus which are capable of being moved radially in relation to the printing-unit cylinders for throw-on or throw-off movements and in the axial direction of the cylinders or in the side-wall plane. The service apparatus and the printing-unit cylinders are arranged on cross slides which can each be moved in two directions relative to the printing-unit side wall.

Abstract: A process for the treatment of an erasable lithographic printing plate, includes treating a used or unused printing plate with an erasing composition to clean the printing plate, laser imaging the printing plate with a polymeric substance, and to provide an image thereon, and fixing the image on the printing plate. Further, the printing plane has applied thereto any one of a heat-curable and water-soluble substance, if desired, immediately after the laser imaging, or a water-soluble substance immediately after the laser imaging, or a heat-curable and water-soluble substance immediately after the laser imaging, followed by warming of the printing plate. The water-soluble substance or the heat-curable and water-soluble substance is washed off using a solution essentially consisting of water before printing.

Abstract: A thermal transfer film or a thermal transfer ribbon includes a substrate layer and a donor layer applied thereto. The substrate layer consists of at least one polymer composition which has mechanical stability at a temperature >150° C. and transmission >70% for light having a wavelength of from 700 to 1600 nm. The donor layer comprises at least the following components: a substance which is able to convert the radiation energy of the incident laser light into heat energy, a polymer which contains acidic groups and/or unsubstituted or substituted amide groups thereof, and optionally a wetting aid. The polymer composition also includes a reactive polymer.

Abstract: A method of producing a thermal transfer print, including the steps of controlled imagewise heating of a surface layer of the print by means of a laser beam from a laser writing head; applying selected area elements to a substrate using a tape-like transfer film with a width which is small in relation to a width of the substrate, transporting the transfer film continuously between the substrate and the laser beam, close to the substrate surface during imaging moving the transfer film over the substrate width simultaneously and in synchronism with movement of the laser writing head the width of the transfer film being sufficiently large for a number of imaging tracks to be used alongside one another, and selecting an as yet unused track for each imaging operation.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing printing plates in particular a blank sleeve-like printing plate, includes a cylinder carrier for receiving a printing plate, the cylinder carrier being held in cantilever fashion at one end in a frame in a mounting and is driven by a motor, it being possible for the printing plate to be pushed onto the carrier cylinder at an opposite side of the latter which faces away from the mounting and is, therefore, more accessible for making printing plate exchange. An image-setting device is moved along the carrier cylinder.

Abstract: Cassette for thermal transfer ribbon for setting images on printing plates, having spools to hold the thermal transfer ribbon inside a housing, the spools having some play with respect to the housing of the cassette, and the spools being capable of being positioned with respect to the housing such that neither the spools nor the thermal transfer ribbon touch the housing during spooling operations.

Abstract: A first structural unit includes a laser image-setting head, and a second structural unit includes a loading compartment to accommodate a cassette housing having a thermal transfer ribbon on spools having hubs. After a cassette is inserted in the loading compartment, the compartment is closed so that drive rollers engage the hubs without play. To produce a printing plate, the second structural unit is then brought over the first structural unit in the manner of a telescope by a moving device, and the thermal transfer ribbon is brought to the laser image-setting head. The thermal transfer ribbon inserted into the loading compartment is guided by self-centering means so that it does not contact the cassette housing, and is positioned with respect to the plate cylinder by guide rollers. Wear-free and therefore fast ribbon guidance can be performed, and automation of the movement sequences of the thermal transfer ribbon can be achieved.

Abstract: Rotary printing machine with forme and impression cylinders for variable-format or variable-circumference printing and with service apparatus which are capable of being moved radially in relation to the printing-unit cylinders for throw-on or throw-off movements and in the axial direction of the cylinders or in the side-wall plane. The service apparatus and the printing-unit cylinders are arranged on cross slides which can each be moved in two directions relative to the printing-unit side wall.