Abstract: A method and device change printing plates on a cylinder. The method includes opening a first clamping device and releasing a leading edge of a first printing plate and opening a second clamping device and releasing a trailing edge of the first printing plate. The first and second clamping devices are both opened before a first rotation process of a cylinder. The cylinder is rotated during the first rotation process in a first direction to dismount the first printing plate from a circumferential surface of the cylinder. The cylinder is rotated in a second rotation process in an opposite second direction to mount a second printing plate replacing the first printing plate to the circumferential surface of the cylinder. Because the first clamping device and the second clamping device are both opened before the first rotation of the cylinder, the set-up period required for a printing plate change is reduced.

Abstract: An automatic gluing machine includes an automatic gluing mechanism. The automatic gluing mechanism includes a sleeve, a pushing component mounted to the sleeve, an assembling head, and a driving module including a gear module. The sleeve is equipped with a first sleeve gear. The pushing component includes a rotating body and a first rotary gear. The assembling head is assembled inside the sleeve. The gear module cooperates the first rotary gear to drive the rotating body to rotate bidirectionally. The gear module cooperates with the first sleeve gear to make the sleeve to rotate in a single direction. A rotation speed difference between the first rotary gear and the first sleeve gear is generated, so after every rotation of the assembling head, a single-direction rotation displacement of the assembling head is generated relative to a last rotation of the assembling head.

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: The present invention relates to an improved compressible flexographic printing plate that uses a compressible layer comprising a polyurethane (meth)acrylate resin and microspheres. The process of the invention produces a chemically fused printing plate that eliminates the need for an adhesive to secure the compressible layer to the back of the printing plate.

Abstract: An inkjet printer is used to apply an ink that is substantially opaque to actinic radiation in at least one wavelength region effective to cure the photosensitive printing plate to the edges and corners, of a printing plate after the plate has been trimmed (i.e., cut) to a suitable size and shape for mounting on a printing sleeve or cylinder. Use of inkjet printing allows for the cut surfaces of the plate to quickly and accurately be coated with a UV-opaque ink and prevents, or substantially eliminates, undesirable curing of cut surfaces of a photosensitive printing plate. The ink covers the photocurable surfaces exposed by the cutting process and prevents the cut surfaces of the printing plate from undesirably curing until proper exposure and development of the printing plate.

Abstract: A method is provided for reducing UV exposure to edges of a printing plate which occurs when the printing plate is subjected to UV illumination. The method involves a spray head comprising one or more spray nozzles for spraying edge masking material toward the printing plate and a controller connected to control relative movement between the spray head and the printing plate. The method comprises receiving, at the controller, information related to the locations of the edges of the printing plate. In response to the information received at the controller, the controller provides controlled relative movement between the spray head and the printing plate causes the spray nozzles to spray edge masking material onto the edges of the printing plate. The method may be performed by a variety of apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a porous resin stamp which can repeatedly seal without supplying ink for a long period of time by beforehand soaking ink therein. The present invention also relates to a cartridge comprising the porous resin stamp and a stamp comprising the cartridge. Colors of the stamp can be intentionally adjusted by adjusting the amount of heating materials combined or the mixing rate of heating materials. Thus, it is possible to precisely check the desired letters, designs, patterns and so on. Furthermore, it is possible to intentionally adjust efficiency rate of heat generation of the heating materials by suitably changing the amount of heating materials. This makes it possible to express any small letters, minute designs and patterns with high reproducibility.

Abstract: An adhesive tape for flexographic printing including a first adhesive layer, a substrate on the first adhesive layer, and a second adhesive layer on the substrate. The substrate preferably includes a polymeric film layer and a foam layer, wherein the topography of the first and second adhesive layers is substantially independent of the topography of the polymeric film layer. The polymeric film is preferably substantially smooth, and at least one of the first and second adhesive layers is preferably substantially continuous and includes a regular pattern of permanent grooves. The grooves preferably have a depth of about 4 &mgr;m to about 200 &mgr;m, and a width of about 4 &mgr;m to about 200 &mgr;m.

Abstract: An adhesive tape for flexographic printing including a first adhesive layer, a substrate on the first adhesive layer, and a second adhesive layer on the substrate. The substrate preferably includes a polymeric film layer and a foam layer, wherein the topography of the first and second adhesive layers is substantially independent of the topography of the polymeric film layer. The polymeric film is preferably substantially smooth, and at least one of the first and second adhesive layers is preferably substantially continuous and includes a regular pattern of permanent grooves. The grooves preferably have a depth of about 4 &mgr;m to about 200 &mgr;m, and a width of about 4 &mgr;m to about 200 &mgr;m.

Abstract: A block copy sheet for lithographic printing plate to be interposed between a plate cylinder and a lithographic printing plate having a front surface and a back surface, at least the back surface being made of a material other than metals, wherein the block copy sheet have convex portions provided on a surface thereof, the convex portions having a predetermined shape so as to concave the back surface of the lithographic printing plate when pressed against the back surface of the lithographic printing plate, and wherein (1) the convex portions comprises a composite particle having protrusions provided on the surface thereof and having a hardness greater than that of the back surface of the lithographic printing plate and a particle diameter of from 1 &mgr;m to 100 &mgr;m, or (2) the convex portions comprises non-spherical fillers having an average length of from 1 &mgr;m to 200 &mgr;m and the contact area of the convex portions and the back surface of the lithographic printing plate is from 0.6% to 3.

Abstract: An under sheet for a lithographic printing plate which has an initial modulus of elasticity of 34×108 Pa or more, and has concavities and convexities having a central line average roughness (Ra) of less than 2 &mgr;m and Ra/Rz of 0.05 or more on the surface in contact with the back surface of the lithographic printing plate.