Abstract: An improved reticle frame structure surrounds the perimeter of a reticle substrate and contacts it at the edge with precision guidance surfaces as the reticle is lowered onto the device. In an embodiment, the reticle contacts conical sections that correct its position and orientation along the plane of its mask surface, and spherical surfaces to position the reticle at its standardized datum reference areas. Near the intersection of the X and Y reference planes, a minimal area of the reticle face comes to rest on a spherical mounting surface as far away from the reticle mask as possible. This surface completes a tripod of vertical support in conjunction with the cones, which maintain contact with the reticle edges only. Secondary and tertiary spherical support surfaces can be provided for vertical support of the other two lateral corners of the reticle face to mitigate reticle tilt while it is being lowered onto the tripod contact points.

Abstract: A structure of plate positioning arrangement is disclosed. The structure of plate positioning arrangement comprises a shank extending at a bottom surface of a head of the positioning element, and a cap produced through a plastic injection molding process for covering and surrounding the edge of the head is for providing a receiving space below the head for fitting a fixing element. A through space is formed at a central region of the fixing element for fitting the shank of a positioning element, wherein the shank is fixed with a resilient element. Thus the cap is capability to allow the positioning element move in the same way within the through space of the fixing element.

Abstract: In an apparatus for correctly registering mounting of a printing plate wherein the printing plate is mounted on a plate cylinder of a sheet fed press, the plate cylinder having a plate cylinder gap with a front plate clamping device, and a rear plate clamping and tensions device, and the front plate clamping device has registering punches, the registering punches being connected to means for securing and sensing the correct registration in a lateral and in a circumferential position in correspondence with registering punches in the printing plate, the improvement comprising the registering elements of front plate clamping device each having inserts insulated from the registering elements which contact the printing plate.

Abstract: A printer plate having an integral alignment target and a printing plate mounter having a vacuum cup with an alignment member thereon to permit visual alignment of the alignment target with the vacuum cup alignment member with the vacuum cup connectable to a vacuum source so that a vacuum can draw the printing plate alignment target and the alignment member on the vacuum cup from a state of state of misalignment, if any, into precise mechanical alignment for transfer to a printing cylinder while the vacuum cup supports the printing plate.

Abstract: A method for mounting printing plates to a printing cylinder including the steps of first securing the plates to a flexible transparent polymer film sleeve and then securing the sleeve to the printing cylinder.

Abstract: A printing-plate mounting-position instruction system instructs a worker where to mount a plurality of printing plates in a rotary printing press. The system includes a controller, a reader, a judging device, and a display device. The controller creates assignment information for assigning printing plates to mounting positions on each of plate cylinders used in each of printing units on the basis of production instruction information. The reader reads a mark on a printing plate for printing-surface information. The judging device is connected to the controller and the reader and collates the assignment information received from the controller and the printing-surface information received from the reader, thereby judging the location where the printing plate is to be mounted. The display device displays the result of the judgment.

Abstract: A positioning system for a circuit board having a reference positioning hole. The positioning system has a table on which the circuit board is placed and a positioning pin unit. The positioning pin unit has a plurality of nested positioning pins, each having a different pin diameter, and a plurality of springs each supporting at least one of the plurality of nested positioning pins. The circuit board, which is placed on the table, is positioned by inserting into the reference positioning hole that positioning pin having a diameter substantially matching the diameter of the reference positioning hole.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus for identifying a page of printing plate or printed product. The apparatus comprises reading head means for reading out at least one of items in a local descriptive portion of the page of printing plate or printed product. The apparatus further comprises identifying means for identifying the page of printing plate or printed product in accordance with the read out data transmitted from the reading head means.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for positioning a flexible printing plate in a desired position on a flexible carrier arranged on a table, the method comprising the steps of placing the printing plate at a first easily accessible position on the table and subsequently moving the printing plate from the first position to the desired position on the flexible carrier in accordance with a predetermined direction and distance; and wherein the device comprises a flat table, means for positioning the flexible carrier, means for determining the location of the carrier in a first easily accessible position, and transporting means for transferring the printing plate from the first position to the predetermined position on the flexible carrier.

Abstract: A screen printing machine is provided having a cabinet, a print screen, a platen assembly, and a curing assembly. The cabinet includes an upper opening and a shelf extending inwardly along at least two opposed cabinet sidewalls. The print screen is adapted to be held on the cabinet shelf in a lateral position. The platen assembly is provided for supporting a substrate suitable for receiving a screen print. The curing assembly is movably connected to the cabinet and located generally above the cabinet upper opening. The curing assembly includes a housing having an open bottom and at least one ultraviolet bulb attached within the housing and oriented to direct ultraviolet light downward. During use, the curing assembly moves laterally between a first position in which the ultraviolet light bulb is not directly above the substrate and a second position in which the ultraviolet light bulb is located directly above the substrate. A registration system is provided having a flexible spring arm.

Abstract: A high speed screen printing machine (20) is provided for accurately imprinting images on segments (205) bearing indicia (206) of a transparent web (34, 36). The machine (20) includes a vacuum platen (24) which is transversely adjustable to accommodate webs of differing widths, a camera assembly (28) beneath the platen (24) and indicia (206), and an X, Y, .theta. adjustable frame (30) supporting an upper screen frame support assembly (32) adapted to hold a printing screen (208) provided with reference indicia (212). When a segment (205) is initially positioned and held by platen (24), the camera assembly (28) is used to generate a combined image of the indicia (206) through the segment (205) and the screen reference indicia (212); a microprocessor controller uses this data, together with positional information establishing the location of the screen frame support assembly (32), and activates the three-motor adjustment frame (30) for simultaneous X, Y and .theta.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting flexible printing plates on a printing cylinder includes a base rotatably supporting a printing cylinder in a predetermined position and support having a turntable for supporting a flexible printing plate having a reference point thereon and a front plate support mounted adjacent the front of the turntable. Means for selectively moving front plate support and an associated pressure roll toward and away from the turntable to facilitate the application of the flexible printing plate onto the printing cylinder in a predetermined position.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for mounting a plurality of plates onto a carrier sheet includes a table mounted on a stationary base, each plate having a first and a second registration mark thereon. A first camera assembly is moveably attached to a support adjacent the table and is connected to a first video monitor for viewing the first registration marks. A second video camera is moveably attached to the support adjacent the table and is connected to a second video monitor for viewing the second registration marks. Linear actuators are connected to the first and the second camera assemblies and to the table for independently moving each camera assembly relative to the table. A motion controller is connected to the linear actuators for sending moving signals thereto, and generates at least two moving signals corresponding to the two registration marks for each plate.

Abstract: Machine for mounting flexible printing plates on plate-holder cylinders and for printing proofs with the cylinders thus prepared, the machine being frontally provided with a counterpressure drum and with a beam which are horizontally parallel and move with respect to each other between a mounting position and a printing position. The counterpressure drum can rotate and is covered with a sheet of paper having registration markings. The beam is provided with supports that rotatably support a plate-holder cylinder.

Abstract: A plate mounter for mounting flexible printing plates on a printing cylinder used in flexographic and letterpress printing processes includes a frame and a table top having a top flat surface located above the frame for supporting the printing plate. The table top is horizontally slidable on lineal bearings towards and away from an operator of the plate mounter. Two opposing vertical support members are joined by a stabilizing bar with an attached handle. The vertical support members are attached to the frame such that they may be moved radially at the bottom end. In between the vertical support members are a plurality of carriage rods holding a horizontal adjustable cylinder carriage. The carriage slides to the left and right along the rods. Attached to the carriage is a tapered spindle facing the right vertical support member. A matching tapered spindle attaches to the right vertical support member. The spindles hold the printing cylinder.

Abstract: A flexible printing plate mounting system, physical register record plate (PRRP) and method employing the same, wherein the system includes a sticky back covered plate cylinder, a plate support surface, arms operably connected to the cylinder for drawing the cylinder toward the support surface in a manner to establish a uniform contact line, the PRRP having a microring formed on a surface thereof and arranged in a fixed position on the support surface such that the microring is in a predetermined position in relation to the contact line, a printing plate having a microdot formed on a surface thereof, wherein the microdot is of a size and configuration to be generally complimentarily received within the microring when positioned thereagainst to place the printing plate in condition for mounting by the plate cylinder.

Abstract: A method for mounting a printing plate on a mounting sheet without requiring the intervention of a skilled person working by eye. An original design to be printed is produced on a computer and register marks are added to that design at specific positions. The resultant design data is output to a first printer. A negative of the design and the register marks is produced, and a printing plate is produced from the negative so that the design and the register marks are reproduced on the printing plate. The register mark position data is also output from the computer to a second printer. The dimensions of an article upon which the design is to be printed are input into a second printer and a full size plot of the outline of the article, including the positions of the register marks, is produced from the second printer.

Abstract: A process and a device for register-correct positioning of printing form sleeves on printing cylinders of a rotary printing machine, each with a pressure gas cushion producible for shifting the elastically expandable printing form sleeve on the printing form cylinder. In order to provide quick register-correct positioning of the printing form sleeves without placing particular demands on the operating personnel, the positions of the printing form sleeves fitting tightly onto the printing cylinders are determined and then the printing form sleeves are individually set and released using the pressure gas cushion of the particular printing cylinder. Then the printing cylinder is turned relative to the printing form sleeve by its angular deviation relative to the register-correct position to be realized. Subsequently the printing form sleeve is again released as well as set relative to the printing cylinder by turning off of the pressure gas cushion.

Abstract: Apparatus for assuring the in-register positioning of a cutting plate on a cutting cylinder, preferably a magnetic cylinder in a rotary printing machine. The apparatus comprises a contact plate which is arranged tangentially to the cutting cylinder. The contact plate is formed with a slot running axially parallel to the cylinder for the purpose of receiving the cutting plate, the slot having an edge which serves as a stop. An axially parallel measuring bar is positioned along the cylinder length and is parallel to the contact plate. Extending around the circumference of the cutting cylinder is a second measuring bar which crosses the first measuring bar.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for controlling an automated printing plate change process in a sheet-fed offset printing machine, in which a used printing plate is removed from the gripping portion of a clamping rail allocated to the leading edge of the plate cylinder and thereupon a new printing plate is guided into the opened gripping portion. Position sensors are used to determine, first, whether the front end of the used printing plate, and subsequently, whether the front end of the new printing plate, is in register in the leading edge clamping rail. Such information is used to control the plate change process. During the plate change process, the sensors are interrogated to determine whether the used plate has been removed from the plate cylinder, and whether the new printing plate is properly loaded.

Abstract: An apparatus for checking the in-register bearing of a printing plate on the plate cylinder of printing machines possesses measuring sensors in the tension rail receiving the printing plate, by which the in-register position can be detected in the form of electrically scannable signals. Contact faces are mounted in the region of the tension rail so that the signals can be scanned directly by machine control, for example in conjunction with an automatic or manual printing-plate feed. The contact faces are placed in contact with the frame sensing heads which are mounted movably relative to the plate cylinder and which are pressed against the contact faces after an appropriate angular positioning of the plate cylinder. When a new printing plate is introduced, an evaluation unit receiving the signals is coupled to the measuring sensors.

Abstract: The accurate registering and mounting of flexible printing plates on a forme cylinder is accomplished by mounting a printing plate to be brought into proper registration on a support which is adjustable in three degrees of freedom and by then superimposing the supported printing plate with a properly registered transparent proof. The plate is brought into proper registration by adjustment of the support using the proof as a reference. The now registered plate is carried by the support to a position where it can be applied to the forme cylinder. A computer may be used to aid in effecting proper register of the plate with reference to the transparent proof.

Abstract: The positions of horizontal lines on a layout cylinder of a printing plate mounting and proofing machine are located with automatic compensation for stretch that results from various parameters such as the diameter of a printing cylinder on which the layout will be used, and the thicknesses of the printing plates and printing plate backing. A display of the circumferential displacement of the layout cylinder, as the cylinder is rotated, provides the displacement with the necessary compensation for stretch, rather than the actual cylinder displacement.

Abstract: The registration board assembly for pre-press printing proofs and printing plates includes a substantially planar layer or registration board, a backing layer adjacent and affixed to the planar layer, and a cavity formed between the planar layer and the backing layer. A register pin extends through an aperture in the planar layer. An elastomeric member such as a rubber diaphragm is disposed within the cavity and biases a barrel portion of the register pin through the planar layer aperture. The elastomeric member is mounted so that it is removable and replaceable. One way of mounting the elastomeric member is to provide a hole in the backing layer through which the elastomeric member is pulled to remove it. A new elastomeric member is then pushed through the backing layer hole. In a second embodiment, a threaded plug in the backing layer holds the elastomeric member in place. The threaded plug is removed to replace the elastomeric member.

Abstract: A plate mounted state confirming apparatus includes reference pins, a transmitting coupler, and a receiving coupler. The reference pins detect contact of an insertion end of a plate inserted in a gripper portion of a plate lockup device provided in a gap formed in an outer circumferential surface of a plate cylinder in an axial direction thereof. The transmitting coupler outputs a detection signal obtained by the reference pins as an electrical signal from a plate cylinder. The receiving coupler receives the electrical signal from the transmitting coupler outside the plate cylinder in a non-contact manner.

Abstract: A holder for the frame of a printing screen is connected to an adjustment plate which, in turn, is mounted on a support arm assembly. The support arm assembly swings the holder up and down, toward and away from a printing platen. The adjustment plate has elongated slots for receiving eccentric lugs of manually rotatable cam members. The adjustment plate is normally fixed to the screen holder by a locking mechanism, but the locking mechanism is releasable so that the cam members can be rotated to effect a desired adjustment of the plate and the associated holder to achieve a desired registration of the printing screen relative to the printing platen. The support arm assembly also is adjustable to change the angle of the screen relative to the platen when the screen is lowered.

Abstract: An imaging support assembly for precise and repeatable alignment and registration of plural, planar workpieces having a plurality of projecting registration pin assemblies. The workpieces contain holes where projecting pins of the registration pin assemblies are received. At least one of the registration pin assemblies contains a projecting pin of a non-circular shape when viewed end-on. A flanged barrel of the assembly is rigidly mounted to a planar support board. The projecting pin is spring biased within a sleeve that mounts in the barrel. The pin projects through a barrel aperture and is non-rotatively movable in the plane of the board within limits defined by the barrel aperture.

Abstract: Described is a method for pattern repeat presetting of a multi color screen printing machine wherein the screen printing stencils to be used are pre-set on the basis of independently determined stencil-data and printing position data by establishing a fixed predetermined relation between these data. Also described is a multi color screen printing device having means for setting the lengthwise, widthwise and diagonal pattern repeat with use of a computer and independently determined printing position and stencil data. The invention also relates to a device of determining stencil data.

Abstract: In performing markings in semiconductor manufacturing devices, the positional discrepancy between printing plate and plate holder is first detected by a camera. After correcting such a discrepancy, the printing plate is positionally fixed and then printing is performed. The printing plate is rotated and moved horizontally in any directions when positional discrepancy is detected and corrected, and an image signal of such positional discrepancy supplied from the camera which is set to face the plate holder is processed to be shown on a monitor for executing correction of the discrepancy.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting flexible printing plates on a printing cylinder includes a base rotatably supporting a printing cylinder in a predetermined position and an adjacent support table having a surface for supporting a flexible printing plate having a reference point thereon. Actuators move the support table along three orthogonal axes one of which is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the printing cylinder. The position of the reference point is sensed by a video camera and feedback signals representing the positions of the camera and the table with respect to the three axes are inputs to a computer. The computer determines the positional relationship between the reference point on the printing plate and the predetermined position of the printing cylinder and moves the support table to position the printing plate at a desired position for mounting on the printing cylinder.

Abstract: An automatic screen registration device for a screen having a pair of generally perpendicular intersecting fiducial lines, each of the fiducial lines having first and second edges, the second edge being generally parallel to and to the outside of the first edge, comprising a base plate having a pair of opposing end edges, air cylinders for positioning the screen on the base plate along an adjacent side edge and end edge of the base plate, servo motors for indexing translational movement of the screen on the base plate from the adjacent side and end edges of the base plate, a light source and a light detector for sensing the first edge of each of the intersecting fiducial lines of the screen, a microprocessor for generating a signal upon sensing the first edge of each of the intersecting fiducial lines, and which is responsive to the detection of the first edge for slowing translational movement of the screen, a light source and a light detector for sensing the second edges of each of the intersecting fiducial

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for a printing press, with means being provided in the press for correcting any out-of-register position of a printing plate, so as to release, after the printing plate has been clamped onto the plate cylinder, initially the tension of a rear tensioning strip, whereupon a forward tensioning strip is canted by a desired degree. Then, rear stops are moved back and the rear tensioning strip is tensioned by way of spring force. The described steps are repeated if required. Means are also proposed to noticeably reduce the sliding friction between the plate cylinder and the printing plate.

Abstract: An aligning method including steps of placing a printing plate on a transparent plate-carrier which is driven in vertical and horizontal directions; photographing the printing plate and a plate holder, to which the printing plate is to be attached, via a camera from below the plate-carrier; matching standard lines of the plate holder and printing plate with the cross lines of a monitor; lowering the plate holder until the plate holder comes into contact with the printing plate, then attaching the printing plate to the plate holder. The device for such method includes: a plate holder; a plate holder driver which drives the plate holder vertically and horizontally; a plate-carrier installed apart from printing position; a plate-carrier drive drives the plate-carrier in the vertical and horizontal directions; a camera installed below the plate-carrier so that the camera takes pictures of the standard lines of the plate holder and printing plate; and a monitor reproducing the image obtained by the camera.

Abstract: A reticle frame for precisely holding a reticle or mask used in photolithography with a minimum of distortion. A plurality of adjusting screws are used to accurately position the reticle within the frame. Transversely compliant axial loading springs opposing the adjusting screws reduce the bending forces acting on the reticle. Precision balls are used to establish a plane for the reticle further reducing bending forces thereon causing less distortion and thereby proving greater resolution when the reticle image is reproduced on a semiconductor wafer.

Abstract: A board for precise and repeatable alignment and registration of plural workpieces includes a planar board member (10) with a plurality of registration pins (28,30,32) mounted thereon. The workpieces have holes in which the registration pins are received. At least one of the pins is mounted so that it can move multidirectionally within the plane of the board to maintain registration of the multiple workpieces.

Abstract: A pin bar 10 for mounting flexographic printing plates 25 on print cylinders 20 is formed as an angle bar 11 having two pairs of bearing regions spaced apart on two parallel lines near the bar edges 14 so that the bearing regions can all engage the cylindrical print surface of a print cylinder to align the bar parallel with the axis 21 of the engaged cylinder. Pins 40 for mounting the plate are axially movable in a slot 50 that extends parallel with the lines for the bearing regions. A set screw 45 holds each of the alignment pins 40 in a selected axial position in slot 50, and a clamp on each end of the bar includes a chain 36 that can wrap under a cylinder shaft 24 and be tensioned by a screw 30 and a hand nut 31 for holding bar 10 firmly in position on cylinder 20.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a flexible printing plate on a printing cylinder comprises a table comprising a planar surface and two separable sections, whereby the sections when separated can accommodate therebetween an upper surface of the printing cylinder. The printing plate is aligned on the table in order to accurately mount the printing plate on the cylinder. The table is then separated and the cylinder moved into contact with the plate which is then adhered thereto as the cylinder is rotated.