Abstract: This invention discloses a magnet for use as a printing plate or printing head that is used for aligning flakes or particles in a paint or ink. A composite sheet or block of magnetizable material is selectively magnetized so that a magnet is formed within the sheet or block that has a shape of a predetermined image, logo, or indica. Dies are used to magnetize the magnetizable material and preferably the does contact the material to be magnetized. A pre-magnetized sheet such as a refrigerator magnet may be re-magnetized differently so that a magnetic image is encoded therein for use as a printing plate. Preferably the printing plate is flexible so that it can be formed to a curved surface of a cylinder or drum for printing. Conveniently these flexible magnets can be changed for other designs and placed on the same drum for use in printing.

Abstract: A print structure includes a pattern layer that selectively actuates one or more of a plurality of actuators to selectively form one or more wells in a print surface to create a defined pattern on the print surface. A material is applied to the one or more wells and subsequently transferred to another surface in order to transfer the pattern.

Abstract: A layer forming relief transferring and printing an application fluid applied on printing convex portions on a printing object, the layer forming relief including printing convex portions formed as a strip, and a plurality of micro-projections distributed on top faces of the printing convex portions so as to form a groove between adjoining micro-projections for retaining the application fluid.

Abstract: A method for producing a security document having printed image 1 produced by steel intaglio printing and embossed microstructures 2 of an order of magnitude of less than 100 microns is carried out by one printing plate 8 on which both the steel intaglio structures and the microstructures are present. The parts of the microstructures closest to printing plate surface 9 are located 20 to 100 microns below the printing plate surface so that they are not touched and destroyed by the wiping cylinder. Alternative methods for producing a steel intaglio printing plate with integrated microstructures are provided. The microstructures can be used for embossing a diffractive relief or a blind embossing.

Abstract: In a method of producing a photosensitive planographic printing plate according to the present invention, a web is coated with a coating solution, and a coating solution film thus formed is rapidly dried. For this drying, fresh air is blown onto the web W heated with a heat roll such that the air is blown parallel to the coating solution film. The coating solution film can thereby be prevented from changing its thickness due to an air stream during drying, while the coating solution film can be rapidly dried. Accordingly, the coating solution film can be dried before the film is leveled, to form a coating layer having uniform thickness.

Abstract: The invention relates to a printed data carrier having a printed surface and at least one printed partial surface enclosed thereby on all sides, the surface and the partial surface being printed by intaglio printing and contrasting visually due to an ink layer of varying thickness. The invention likewise relates to the method for producing the data carrier, the printing plate used therefor, and the method for producing the printing plate.

Abstract: This invention provides an apparatus and process for forming a printing form from a photosensitive element having an exterior surface and a composition layer capable of being partially liquefied. The apparatus includes a displaceable heater for heating the composition layer, means for removing at least a portion of the composition layer from the element, and means for displacing the displaceable heater to a predetermined distance from the exterior surface. Positioning the displaceable heater at the predetermined distance assures reproducible removal of the liquefied composition from the various types of photosensitive elements that can be thermally treated in the apparatus, resulting in the printing forms having improved relief surface uniformity.

Abstract: An imaging system for performing a computer-to-plate imaging process on printing plates includes a plate imaging bed for exposing radiation to a printing plate. The bed includes an input section for receiving a printing plate and an output section for transferring the printing plate to a chemical processing unit. The system further comprises a loading device for loading the printing plate from a multiple plate stack to the input section of the plate imaging bed. The input section is adjustable with respect to the output section to adjust the position of the input section to near the top of the multiple plate stack. The latter is accomplished in a preferred embodiment by providing the plate imaging bed with a pivot axle near the output section.

Abstract: Systems and methods for allowing existing rotary printing press units to produce smaller pages at a faster rate of speed without having to replace the press unit. Specifically, the systems and methods relate to retrofitting an existing press unit to produce three pages of material in each full rotation instead of the traditional two pages.

Abstract: A flexographic processing system provides a single workstation having a light exposure system for providing exposure of a flexographic plate and a thermal processing system for thermally processing the flexographic plate following exposure. The thermal processing system includes a heated element non-rotationally mounted to a press device that generates pressure between a first surface of the heated element and the flexographic plate. The thermal processing system also includes a material delivery mechanism that delivers absorbent material to the first surface of the heated element, wherein the absorbent material removes uncured photocurable material from the flexographic plate.

Abstract: The invention provides an extended print sleeve having a longitudinal axis and adapted to form a printing form having a circumferential seam with no printing surface disposed a distance D along said longitudinal axis from one end thereof, comprising: a first print element; and a second print element; wherein each print element comprises a separate cylindrically-shaped support having a photosensitive layer thereon and disposed at a fixed position along said longitudinal axis, and wherein said second print element has a length substantially equal to distance D.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an image forming element includes preparing an image drum, transferring conductive ink as a pre-form of a plurality of ring electrodes on an outer circumference of the image drum using an imprinting process, solidifying the conductive ink on the outer circumference of the image drum to form the plurality of ring electrodes, and forming an outer insulating layer on the outer circumference of the image drum having the plurality of ring electrodes.

Abstract: A workpiece 70 is set to holding rotating means and then liquid-state photosensitive resin 10 is supplied to a resin applying smoothing unit 150 to mold the workpiece 70 into a uniform thickness while rotating the workpiece 70 and applying the liquid-state photosensitive resin 10 to the outer periphery of the workpiece 70 by the resin applying smoothing unit 150. Moreover, while rotating the workpiece 70, liquid-state photosensitive resin, it is exposed by high-intensity ultraviolet light 30 and thereby, the surface of the photo-cured photosensitive resin is shaped to remove an unnecessary resin layer. Then, laser carving is performed by an infrared laser beam 40 to perform post-treatment.

Abstract: An offset lithographic printing press combined with a gapped or seamed cylindrical offset printing blanket having pre-made blanket material mounted on a cylindrical sleeve is disclosed, wherein conventional, manufactured blanket material in flat form is adhered to a cylindrical sleeve to economically produce a cylindrical sleeved blanket. The leading and trailing ends of the flat blanket material are joined in close proximity such that a small gap is formed. A seam may be made with a filler material that fills the remaining gap resulting in a seamed sleeved blanket. In use, the blanket's printing surface, which excludes the gap or seam, is aligned with the printing plate's image-bearing surface. Consequently, no loss of print length results from the gap or seam.

Abstract: The rocker machine of the invention can be worked to produce uniformly engraved plates of any size and suitable for mezzotint engraving. The rocker machine includes a table, a rocker assembly and a guide assembly. The table can be rotatable or fixed, and is inclined at an angle to the horizontal. The rocker assembly includes one or more rockers, one or more lateral members and a cross arm. Each rocker has a curved lower edge along which protrude a plurality of teeth. The lateral members are adapted for reciprocal translation along a horizontal axis, and are moveable along an axis substantially perpendicular to the plane of the rocker. The lateral members are attached at the proximal end to the rocker or to the cross arm and at the distal end are moveable along lateral guides.

Abstract: A system for exposing a flexographic printing plate with light includes a light-providing subsystem and a reflector around the light-providing subsystem. The reflector includes a body and a plurality of miniature mirrors on an interior of the body arranged to reflect light generated by the light-providing subsystem to exit the reflector at angles integrated between 0 degrees and a selected angle, such as 30 degrees. As a result, the shoulder angles of features on the flexographic printing plate are controlled within a selected range of angles, such as 0 to 30 degrees.

Abstract: A hand stamp that has a frame member that holds an ink cartridge. The cartridge has an ink storage layer and an image forming layer. An upstanding wall surrounds the ink storage layer forming an ink reservoir. There is a ledge surrounding the inside of the stamp frame that has an adhesive applied to it. The top of the upstanding wall on the ink storage layer is attached to the frame member by the adhesive. There is an ink impervious coating applied to the top of the upstanding wall where the ink cartridge attaches to the stamp frame so that the bond between the ink cartridge and frame is not compromised.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for thermally developing a photosensitive element. The thermal development method includes heating the photosensitive element to a temperature sufficient to cause a portion of a composition layer in the element to liquefy, soften, or melt, contacting the heated photosensitive element with a development medium to absorb the liquefied portion at a contact location, and removing the development medium from the photosensitive element with a remover at a location away from the contact location.

Abstract: Apparatus for balancing a printing roller having an image producing area thereon, includes a detector for detecting any unbalance of the printing roller during rotation thereof. A computer determines weight adjustments of the printing roller that are required to correct the unbalance, in response to the detection. A laser is controlled by the computer to remove material, in response to the determination, from at least one engraveable plate mounted on the outer surface of the printing roller or from the printing roller itself, in an area outside of the image producing area, in order to balance the printing roller.

Abstract: To record images accurately regardless of rigidity and size of a recording medium, each rear end clamp has a clamp rubber element for engaging a variable margin of the recording medium mounted peripherally of the recording drum. The margin is varied according to the rigidity of the recording medium. The margin is enlarged when the recording medium is highly rigid, and reduced when the recording medium is low in rigidity.

Abstract: A simple and convenient apparatus and method for producing stamps using a photo polymer. A sandwich is constructed which includes a first ridged UV clear panel, a translucent sheet having a negative image, a first cover sheet, a pair of spacers framing the image, a quantity of liquid photo polymer filling the area over the image and between the spacers, a substrate film over the photo polymer filling, a second cover sheet, and a second ridged UV clear panel. The sandwich is held together by clamps and is placed over a raised UV window in a UV window box to selectively harden the photo polymer. Following initial hardening, excess photo polymer is washed away, the hardened photo polymer is immersed in an exposure mixture and placed over the UV window for final hardening. The raised UV window allows easy assembly of the sandwich and clearance for the clamps.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for making a printing form having a relief surface on a floor from a photosensitive element. The method involves generating a polymerization rate curve for the photosensitive element from a step exposure test by measuring a cure response, such as floor thickness or one or more relief image characteristic/s, of the element relative to an energy density of a source of actinic radiation. The method exposes a photosensitive element to the source of actinic radiation based on energy density that accounts for changes in intensity of lamps used for the source of actinic radiation.

Abstract: The blanket cylinder for an intaglio printing machine comprising a plate cylinder carrying printing plates with engravings corresponding to a specific intaglio structure to be printed on a substrate, and cooperating with an impression cylinder, the blanket cylinder having at least one blanket on which the ink in the different colors is deposited by selector cylinders, each selector cylinder having reliefs with contours corresponding to the area of the intaglio structure to be inked with said color, the at least one blanket being made of several successive layers each with different properties.

Abstract: A plate cylinder includes a cylinder including a longitudinal axis and a centroid located at a geometric center of the cylinder. The cylinder also includes a slot for receiving both ends of a printing plate; the cylinder including a counter balance hole extending axially in the cylinder and being displaced from the longitudinal axis, the counter balance hole balancing the slot; and the cylinder including a mass balance hole extending axially in the cylinder and being displaced from the longitudinal axis, the mass balance hole balancing the plate cylinder. The cylinder further including at least one hole extending axially in the cylinder and being displaced from the longitudinal axis of the cylinder to reduce the variation in products of inertia as the plate cylinder rotates. A cylinder is also provided. A method is also provided.

Abstract: Process for the production of flexographic printing plates, in which the drying is carried out substantially using radiation, and flexographic printing element particularly suitable for carrying out the process.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of rollers for the printing of laminar materials, a machine for carrying out the process and a printing support for printing rollers. A printing support is wholly manufactured within an irradiating machine equipped with visible marks located on the lower plate and on the machine. The laminar support supports the plates positioned on a dimensionally stable substrate sheet on which marks are made accurately in the same location relative to the overall image as a reference axis for subsequent positioning on the roller and on which also matching marks are printed or engraved. Some of these marks are repeated on films which restrict the passage of ultraviolet light, one of the films having transparent areas which present elements of one colour of the image which has to be printed while the remaining film represents mounts surrounding such elements.

Abstract: Punches 44 of punchers 41a to 41d each punch a plate P lying immediately thereunder to form a notch. Then, stopper pins 47 of the punchers 41c and 41d abut with the deepest portion of the notch, such that the plate P is further inserted. The punches 44 of the punchers 41a and 41b each punch the plate P lying immediately thereunder to form a deeper notch. In other words, the puncher 41 is capable of forming notches of different depths along one end face of the plate P, whereby it is possible to realize various methods for positioning the plate P on the recording drum 5 in a suitable manner.

Abstract: This invention provides a structure and method of forming a seamless imprint roller. The method includes providing a translucent cylindrical core. At least one uniform seamless layer of material is deposited about the cylindrical core. This uniform seamless layer of material is then processed to define a translucent three dimensional imprint pattern seamlessly disposed about the core. The pattern includes at least one structure extending from the core and having one or more elevations. The pattern and more specifically the structures are inherently aligned to one another and the cylindrical core.

Abstract: An apparatus for imaging a media is able to accommodate, in an imaging position, a drum for loading flat sheets of media or a mandrel for loading sleeve media. The apparatus includes a storage position for locating the drum or mandrel when not in use and provides mechanisms for safe transport of the drum or mandrel between the storage and imaging positions.

Abstract: A reliable magnetic recording medium manufacturing method is provided in which a resin material used for processing a recording layer into a concavo-convex pattern can be removed reliably. In the magnetic recording medium manufacturing method, an energy ray curable resin material is spread over a continuous recording layer. Then, a stamper having a predetermined concavo-convex pattern is brought into contact with the resin material to transfer the concavo-convex pattern to the resin material, and the resin material is irradiated with energy rays such that the irradiation energy on a portion excluding the edge portion of the resin material is greater than that on the edge portions. The curing reaction proceeds to a greater extent in the portion excluding the edge portions than in the edge portions. Then, the resin material is etched and removed such that more resin material is removed from the edge portions than from the other portion.

Abstract: A printing blanket assembly for a blanket cylinder of a rotary printing press includes a dimensionally stable support plate, and a printing blanket fastened to the outside of the support plate. A leading end of the support plate and a trailing end of the support plate are fastened to the blanket cylinder by the provision of an angled or beveled, printing blanket free end. A filler is provided between the beveled end of the support plate and the inner edge of the leading and trailing ends of the printing blanket.

Abstract: A pattern transcription apparatus comprises a cliché including a concave portion, a convex portion and a printing stopper, the printing stopper formed on a bottom surface of the concave portion; and a blanket, on which a resist material layer is coated, rotatable on the cliché, wherein a surface energy density of the blanket is greater than a surface energy density of the printing stopper and is smaller than a surface energy of the cliché.

Abstract: In a drum based imaging system where it may be necessary to change the drum to accommodate different imaging media sizes there is a need to adapt the drum rotational drive system to control the new drum load. An automated process for updating the control parameters without requiring user intervention uses parameter identification or adaptive control to identify or characterize the new drum load.

Abstract: A method for aligning a printing plate, prior to imaging, on a platesetter includes the steps of: determining a leading edge of the printing plate; feeding the printing plate by the leading edge onto punch equipment resident on the platesetter; centering the printing plate on the platesetter along the leading edge; punching one or more notches along the leading edge of the printing plate according to a predetermined punch configuration; securing the leading edge and a trailing edge to a support surface of the platesetter with respect to registration pins located on platesetter; determining a location of a vertical edge of one of the notches, the vertical edge defined as being perpendicular to the leading edge; and determining a location with respect to the vertical edge of the one notch for transferring an image onto the printing plate.

Abstract: A hollow cylindrical printing element, comprising a hollow cylindrical core material (A) and a resin layer (B) or a resin layer (C). The hollow cylindrical core material (A) further comprises a photosensitive resin hardened layer (1) of 0.05 to 50 mm in thickness having a fiber-like, cloth-like, or film-like reinforcement material and the shore hardness D of 30 to 100°. The resin layer (B) is laminated on the hollow cylindrical core material (A), has a thickness of 0.1 to 100 mm, and allows a pattern to be formed on the surface thereof. The resin layer (C) has a pattern formed on the surface thereof.

Abstract: A printing plate has a substrate and a heat decomposable polymer layer arranged adjacent to the substrate, the decomposable polymer having defined regions within the polymer layer to form a printing pattern. The printing plate may be used in a printing system. The printing plate is formed in a process by providing a substrate, coating the substrate with a heat decomposable polymer to form a plate, and forming a printing pattern in the heat decomposable polymer by selectively decomposing regions of the heat decomposable polymer.

Abstract: A printing plate has a substrate, an array of cells on the substrate, wherein each cell corresponds to an element of a print image, a deformable polymer material localized into the cells such that each cell is at least partially formed from the deformable polymer material, a reservoir corresponding to each cell to collect the deformable polymer material as needed when the deformable polymer material is one of either melted or softened, and a heater to cause the deformable polymer material to either melt or soften.

Abstract: A multi-ink marking structure for a hand stamp is made. A unitary foam member is provided and has a front surface, a rear surface and peripheral edges extending between the front surface and the rear surface. Selected locations of the foam member are sealed to form a barrier which extends at least substantially between the front surface and the rear surface and which divides the foam member into first and second regions adapted to store first and second inks, respectively. The barrier remains permanently connected to the first and second regions of the foam member. The barrier is adapted to prevent migration of inks between the first and the second regions. Print patterns are defined at the front surface.

Abstract: A sheet printing plate material includes a plastic support having optical transparency for infrared light, and at least a hydrophilic layer and a thermosensitive image formed layer formed on the plastic support, wherein the sheet printing plate material is wound on a drum having surface reflectance of 0.1 to 10% at a wavelength to be used, and the sheet printing plate material is used for a image recording apparatus where the drum is rotated to expose an image data with a light source so that an image is recorded.

Abstract: A method includes exposing a plate on a support surface of an imager using one or more laser beams, the exposing while there is a metallic screen structure located on the support surface between the plate and the support surface such that the amount of back-reflected radiation is reduced compared to the plate being placed directly on the support structure with no screen between the plate and support surface. An apparatus includes the combination of a base material having the support surface and the metallic screen structure thereon.

Abstract: Various systems and methods are provided for non-attenuating light collimating articles. In one embodiment, among others, a phototool comprises a substrate; and a microstructured surface disposed on a first surface of the substrate, the microstructured surface comprising a plurality of light collimating articles.

Abstract: A method for handling printing plates includes moving the printing plates from a first process station to a second station by a printing plate holder. The process stations are all arranged on a cylinder circumferential surface around a mid-axis, and it is possible for all to be opened out by the printing plate holder in the same way as with a distributor for the purpose of input or output. An apparatus for handling printing plates has a printing plate holder containing at least two mutually parallel, intercoupled holding decks for printing plates which can be pivoted about a common axis of rotation. The holder is located in the vicinity of the process stations and is suitable for transporting a printing plate from a first process station to a second station. Therefore, different types of printing plate can be handled manually, automatically or partly automatically in a less complex structure.

Abstract: A printing blanket assembly for a blanket cylinder of a rotary printing press includes a dimensionally stable support plate with a printing blanket secured to an outer surface of the support plate. A filler material is arranged on at least one end of the printing blanket. This filler material extends radially at least to an outside surface of the printing blanket. It also extends on the outside of the printing blanket in a longitudinal direction of the printing blanket.

Abstract: The present invention provides a flat bed platesetter system and a method for its use, particularly for imaging printing plates. For providing a precise, continuous, rapid and format-independent system which is reliable, the present invention suggests to move the printing plate relative to a stationary bridge carrying a radiant energy emitting head by means of a low inertia carriage member effectively connecting the printing plate and drive means.

Abstract: Printing plates, printing system and method for printing electrical circuits. According to embodiments of the invention, patterned layers of conductive, insulating, semi-conductive materials, and other materials can be additively print deposited on a substrate to form electrical circuits. The electrical circuits so formed of single or multiple printed layers can comprise or compose transistor devices, including thin film transistors, multiple transistor circuits or assemblies, or other electrical devices, for example batteries, sensors, displays, memory arrays, and the like. The invention further provides a patterned printing plate imaged by a photolithography and etch process, and a printing system and methods using the patterned plate by which such high resolution, precise registration electrical circuits and circuit devices can be produced.

Abstract: A method is provided to produce a mold for casting in and curing of a curable material for flexo plate production, the method comprising the steps of: providing a substrate having at least one of a layer of ablative material and a supporting layer of non-ablative material; selectively performing at least one of laser ablation on the layer of ablative material and additively building up an image relief on non-ablated areas to produce the mold; filling the mold with a curable material; curing the curable material to form a flexo-plate; and then removing the flexo-plate from the mold.

Abstract: A method for making a multilayer printing blanket whereof at least an outer layer is provided with embedded particles has the embedded in the surface of the outer layer by exerting pressure on said particles. Such a printing blanket is useful in the field of printing machines.

Abstract: An automated method is provided for carrying out a production change, which is specific to the printing plate, on a printing press. After a first print job is printed on a printing press, the printing of the first print job is stopped automatically after a predefined print run level has been reached or another termination criterion for the first print job has occurred. Parameters required for printing a second print job which follows the first print job are loaded automatically by the printing press. Before or after the parameters of the second print job are loaded, a printing plate change is automatically carried out on the printing press, thus achieving production readiness for the second print job. The second print job is then either started automatically, or a production readiness signal for the second print job is generated automatically.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the temperature of a recording material, in particular a printing plate, in an exposer for recording printing originals. An exposer has an exposure drum for holding the printing plate, and has a cylinder. An internal pipe and webs connect the cylinder to the internal pipe. Using a rotary lead-through, a temperature-control liquid is led into the internal tube of the exposure drum and, by thermal conduction via the webs and the cylinder, keeps the printing plate at a constant temperature.

Abstract: An automated process for microcontact printing is provided, comprising the steps of providing a substrate and a stamp; automatically aligning the substrate and stamp so that the stamp is aligned relative to the substrate to impart a pattern to the substrate at a desired location and with a desired orientation on the substrate; applying an ink to the stamp, the ink including a molecular species adapted to form a self-assembling monolayer (SAM) on the substrate; contacting the stamp and the substrate; and separating the stamp from the substrate.