Apparatus and method for exposing a partially processed photopolymer printing plate to post-exposure radiation and finishing radiation, the printing plate defining a whole area having a first full lateral dimension and a second full lateral dimension perpendicular to the first lateral dimension. The apparatus includes a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) arranged in one or more arrays; a surface for receiving the printing plate in a location disposed to receive the post exposure radiation and the finishing radiation; and one of more controllers connected to the one or more arrays and configured to activate the one or more arrays to cause the plurality of sets of LEDs to emit radiation toward the printing plate. The plurality of LEDs includes at least a first set of LEDs configured to emit the post exposure radiation in a UVA spectral range and a second set of LEDs configured to emit the finishing radiation in a UVC spectral range.
A computer-implemented method for replicating printing output of a source printer having an unknown color profile. The method includes receiving a source file of ink values used by the source printer for printing a product, obtaining measured values of the product in a device-independent color space (DIGS), computing a source device-to-lab (A2B) function that converts the ink values in the source file to the measured values, and using a destination lab-to- device (B2A) function to convert the DIGS values to destination printer ink values. Computing the A2B function may include a) estimating a proxy color profile, b) pre-training a source neural network using ink values from the source file and proxy color values, c) finetune-training the source neural network using the ink values from the source file and the measured values, and d) converting the ink values from the source file to the measured values using the finetune-trained source neural network.
Non-printing indicia on a plate formed in part or in whole from microstructures formed via exposure through openings in a masking layer form elevated or sunken structures that represent one or more alphanumeric signs, digital codes, or alignment marks. An isolated micro alignment mark may be used in conjunction with a ring of LEDs to show alignment by a characteristic illumination pattern to a high degree of accuracy. Non-printing indicia may be derived from imaging a plurality of supercells defined by a plurality of exposed pixels and unexposed pixels disposed within each supercell boundary. Each supercell may have a first number of exposed pixel clusters, each cluster having a second number of exposed pixels, adjacent clusters spaced apart by a third number of unexposed pixels, and a padding between the supercell boundary and a closest exposed pixel cluster defining a fourth number of unexposed pixels.
Systems and methods for curing a photopolymer printing plates. A radiation source, such as an UV LED source having a radiation-emitting lateral dimension in a range 10-60 cm, is spaced from a substrate that holds the printing plate. The source and substrate are configured to move relative to one another in a movement direction that defines a leading edge of the radiation source and a trailing edge of the radiation source. A cooling air handling system directs a volume of cooling air into the gap between the radiation source and the printing plate in a direction from the trailing edge to the leading edge. The cooling air handling system may have one or more outlets attached at least one edge of the source, may be configured to only direct air from the trailing edge to the leading edge, or a combination thereof.
A plate processing line and methods for producing a flexographic printing plate. An imaging station (320) applies image information to a first plate. A first exposure station (330) cures the first plate. One or more of water, a solvent, and/or a thermal process is further applied to the first plate in a processing station (350). A drying station (360) or an after-exposure station (360) is configured to expose the plate to further radiation. A feeding station (340) is configured to feed the first plate cured by the exposure station and a second plate cured by a second exposure station (330) to the processing station (350). A transportation cart may transport the plate between the first or second exposure stations and the processing station.
G03F 7/32 - Liquid compositions therefor, e.g. developers
B41F 27/14 - Devices for attaching printing elements or formes to supports for attaching printing formes to intermediate supports, e.g. adapter members
B65G 47/74 - Feeding, transfer, or discharging devices of particular kinds or types
B65G 47/91 - Devices for picking-up and depositing articles or materials incorporating pneumatic, e.g. suction, grippers
B65H 31/20 - Pile receivers adjustable for different article sizes
6.
MICROPOROUS METAL VACUUM DRUM AND IMAGING SYSTEM AND METHOD FEATURING THE SAME
Apparatus and methods for attaching a sheet, such as a printing plate, onto a vacuum drum. The vacuum drum has a sheet-receiving surface of microporous aluminum. A vacuum system coupled to the vacuum drum is configured to apply a suction through the outer wall of the vacuum drum sufficient to retain the sheet. An imaging system using a microporous aluminum vacuum drum as the imaging cylinder, and methods of using the same, are also described.
Methods, systems, and non-transitory memory media embodying computer readable instructions for minimizing voids in front of a trailing edge of a solid rendition or linework print region printed using a photocurable flexographic printing plate having a printing surface corresponding to information in an image file. At least one solid rendition or linework image region corresponding to the solid rendition or linework print region has a pattern of "on" and "off" single pixels that correspond to openings formed by an imager in a mask layer of the plate. Micro- screen openings in an edge region of the solid rendition or linework mask region are imaged with a different size than micro-screen openings in a center region of the solid rendition or linework mask region.
A system and method for tracking printing system metrics in a printing workflow for creating a printed image on a substrate. The system includes one or more printing system tools (1310) having a machine-readable unique identifier (1312), a reader (1320) configured to read the machine-readable identifier, a database (1330) with a stored record (1332) associated with each of the printing system tools, one or more detectors (1350) for measuring information corresponding to one or more use metrics of the printing system, and a processor (1340) connected to the reader and to the one or more detectors. The processor (1340) is configured to process the measured information and the machine-readable unique identifier to generate processed information corresponding to the one or more use metrics and to update each record for each of the one or more printing system tools with the processed information corresponding to the one or more use metrics.
Processes and systems for making a flexo plate (2302) with a plurality of plate structures (2304) having a plurality of different elevations relative to the plate floor, including a first set of printing structures having a top elevation at a first (e.g. uppermost) level of the plate and at least a second set of printing structures having a top elevation at a second elevation above the plate floor below the first elevation but above the plate floor. In some embodiments, the second set of printing structures may form an indicator structure having at least one elevation configured to print conditionally after a predetermined amount of plate wear or upon receiving greater than a desired amount of contact pressure (2310, 2312). In other embodiments, the first set of printing structures correspond to relatively high ink coverage areas and the second set of printing structures correspond to relatively low ink coverage areas.
An aspect related to a method for curing a printing plate (10) comprising a photosensitive polymer layer (18) sensitive to actinic radiation and an imaging layer (22) covering the photosensitive polymer layer (18), the method comprising: generating with a radiation source (36) a sequence of exposure cycles to expose the photosensitive polymer layer (18) through the imaging layer (22) to actinic radiation radiated from the radiation source, wherein the sequence of exposure cycles comprises a first set of exposure cycles followed by a second set of exposure cycles, the first set of exposure cycles having a corresponding first set of intensities of the actinic radiation and the second set of exposure cycles having a corresponding second set of intensities of the actinic radiation, wherein the intensity of the actinic radiation within the first set of intensities is lower than the intensity of the actinic radiation within the second set of intensities and/or an energy input to the photosensitive polymer layer (18) by each exposure cycle of the first set of exposure cycles is lower than the energy input of each exposure cycle of the second set of exposure cycles, wherein the second set of exposure cycles comprises equal or more exposure cycles than the first set of exposure cycles, and wherein the energy input of the first set of exposure cycles is about 10% to 30% of the energy input of the sequence of exposure cycles.
Systems and methods for exposing photopolymer printing plate material located within a target area having first and second dimensions. A light source having LEDs arrayed coextensive with the first dimension moves relative to the second dimension, and emits different light intensities over the target area in at least one of the first dimension or the second dimension. The systems and methods may be used to determine exposure parameters for curing a selected plate by causing different sample units to receive different amounts of total energy exposure, exposure energy per exposure step, or a combination thereof, and visually evaluating each sample unit against a reference plate of the same type and thickness. The sample unit embodying a minimum acceptable total exposure energy and a maximum acceptable exposure energy per exposure step is then identified.
ESKO GRAPHICS IMAGING GESELLSCHAFT MIT BESCHRANKTER HAFTUNG (Germany)
Inventor
Yamamoto, Yuki
Saito, Hideo
Pascal, Thomas
Thomas, Klein
Abstract
This plate making system integrally comprises a drawing device, an exposure device, a developing device, a plate cutting device, a first transfer device, a second transfer device, and a third transfer device. The plate making system comprises a control device that controls a series of plate making processes of a flexographic printing original plate performed by the drawing device, the exposure device, the developing device, and the plate cutting device.
B41C 1/055 - Thermographic processes for producing formes
G03F 7/00 - Photomechanical, e.g. photolithographic, production of textured or patterned surfaces, e.g. printed surfaces; Materials therefor, e.g. comprising photoresists; Apparatus specially adapted therefor
Systems and processes for making a flexo plate, and plates made thereby. Non-printing indicia defined by areas of presence and absence of polymer in the plate floor are readable downstream of the washing or other non-cured-polymer-removal step but do not print in the printing step. The non-printing indicia may define a repeating pattern of alphanumeric characters, non-text graphics, or a combination thereof.
G03F 7/00 - Photomechanical, e.g. photolithographic, production of textured or patterned surfaces, e.g. printed surfaces; Materials therefor, e.g. comprising photoresists; Apparatus specially adapted therefor
G03F 7/09 - Photosensitive materials - characterised by structural details, e.g. supports, auxiliary layers
14.
UV LED RADIATION SOURCES FOR USE IN PHOTOPOLYMER EXPOSURE
A source of actinic radiation for curing printing plates. The source includes a base with a heat sink and has a length greater than its width. One or more circuit boards mounted on the base provide a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) distributed over the length of the base. A transparent or translucent cover together with the base defines an enclosure for the plurality of LEDs. The source provides the radiation at an emission angle greater than the emission angles of a single LED in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the base, in a plane containing the axis of the base or parallel to the axis of the base and perpendicular to the target illumination plane, or a combination thereof. The source may be configured to replace a fluorescent bulb. Methods and systems for bank exposure of printing plates using such sources are also described.
A combined radiation and functional layer application system includes one or more radiation sources and a commonly located functional layer application unit configured to dispose a functional layer over the surface of a fixed target ahead of the radiation sources during relative motion between the target and the radiation sources / application unit. System and method embodiments include those in which the target is stationary or moving, and embodiments in which the functional layer is applied as a liquid or as a solid laminate. Embodiments relate to application of an oxygen-blocking layer of a printing plate prior to exposure to actinic radiation. Certain solid laminate embodiments include a two-roll system for positioning the laminate for cutting adjacent a trailing edge of the plate.
B05C 1/04 - Apparatus in which liquid or other fluent material is applied to the surface of the work by contact with a member carrying the liquid or other fluent material, e.g. a porous member loaded with a liquid to be applied as a coating for applying liquid or other fluent material to work of indefinite length
B05C 1/08 - Apparatus in which liquid or other fluent material is applied to the surface of the work by contact with a member carrying the liquid or other fluent material, e.g. a porous member loaded with a liquid to be applied as a coating for applying liquid or other fluent material to work of indefinite length using a roller
G03F 7/09 - Photosensitive materials - characterised by structural details, e.g. supports, auxiliary layers
A method and apparatus for measurement of density of a photosensitive printing plate (130) having a mask (132) embodying image information corresponding to an image to be printed. A density measurement system includes a first radiation source (112) spaced apart from and adjacent the plate and configured to emit radiation having a first wavelength or range of wavelengths toward the plate. A densitometer (110) spaced apart from and adjacent the plate in a fixed relationship relative to the first radiation source receives and measures an amount of the first radiation transmitted through or reflected by the plate and the mask during relative movement between the plate and the density measurement system. The densitometer readings are processed to provide an output correlating to quality of the mask. The density measurement system may be coupled to an exposure system (120,122,124) for curing the plate.
A method and system for creating a printing plate from a vector format image file having image and non-image areas. A boundary in vector coordinates is identified via a user interface that defines each image area corresponding to an image patch. The image file is raster image processed (RIPped) to create RIPped image information associated with the vector coordinates corresponding to the image patches. The RIPped image information and associated vector coordinates are processed to create RIPped image patches, register marks attached to each RIPped image patch, and the RIPped image patches with register marks and corresponding vector coordinates stored in a processing file. The system includes a computer memory, an interface for providing the image file, a user interface, and a computer processor configured to perform the method.
A plate handling system (500, 600) for transporting printing plates between workstations in a process workflow. A plurality of vacuum gripper end effectors (512) configured to grip the printing plates are mounted to a computer-controlled transporter (514) configured to translate in at least three orthogonal directions and to rotate about at least one rotational axis. At least one sensor (560) detects orientation of the plate relative to a staging location and a controller (630) causes the transporter to move based upon programmed instructions in accordance with information provided by the sensor. A mobile preparation table (1000) may be provided in the staging location. A thickness measurement system (1090) may be included in some embodiments.
Apparatus and method for exposing a printing plate having a photosensitive polymer to curing radiation. A plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are arranged in an array of columns and rows, including at least two, and more preferably at least three, different species, each species having a different center emission wavelength, preferably in the UV spectrum. The LEDs species are disposed adjacent one another in a repeating sequence. A controller connected to the array is configured to activate the array and to independently control each of the species to cause them to emit radiation towards the printing plate simultaneously with emissions patterns of adjacent members overlapping one another on the plate. A linear or planar source may comprise a plurality of independently controllable arrays.
Systems and processes for making a flexo plate, and plates made thereby. Non-printing indicia defined by areas of presence and absence of polymer in the plate floor created using microdots imaged during a LAMS layer imaging step are readable downstream of the washing or other non-cured-polymer-removal step but not to print in the printing step. The non-printing indicia may define a repeating pattern of alphanumeric characters, non-text graphics, or a combination thereof. A difference in growth of plate structures corresponding to different types of microdots may be used for characterizing processing conditions.
G03F 7/00 - Photomechanical, e.g. photolithographic, production of textured or patterned surfaces, e.g. printed surfaces; Materials therefor, e.g. comprising photoresists; Apparatus specially adapted therefor
A process for constructing a printing plate by successively depositing a plurality of n layers of photopolymer on a substrate, curing each layer 1 through (n-m) using a wide area radiation source, and selectively curing layers (n-m+1) to layer n using a small area radiation source modulated in accordance with a desired image to be printed by the printing plate. Non-cured polymer is removed from layers (n-m+1) to n, and all of the layers are further cured with a detacking area radiation source. Also disclosed is a system for constructing a printing plate by additive manufacturing, including a printing assembly and means for providing relative motion between the substrate and the printing assembly. The assembly comprises one or more ink jet print heads, at least one wide area radiation source, and the small area radiation source.
B29C 64/277 - Arrangements for irradiation using multiple radiation means, e.g. micromirrors or multiple light-emitting diodes [LED]
B29C 64/112 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material using individual droplets, e.g. from jetting heads
B33Y 30/00 - ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING - Details thereof or accessories therefor
22.
METHOD FOR PERSISTENT MARKING OF FLEXO PLATES WITH WORKFLOW INFORMATION AND PLATES MARKED THEREWITH
Systems and methods for making a flexo plate, and plates, machines, readers, and computer readable media for use therewith. In the system, a plurality of processing machines, each configured to perform one or more process steps in a workflow, includes a controller, a variable operating parameter controlled by the controller, and a reader configured to read machine-readable indicia on the flexo plate. The machine-readable indicia (e.g. bar code, RFID tag, text) is configured for persistent readability downstream of washing (and cutting) steps, without printing in the printing step. The indicia may embody information including at least a plate identifier and instructions corresponding to the at least one variable operating parameter for each of the processing machines or information corresponding to an address in computer storage where the information resides.
G03F 7/00 - Photomechanical, e.g. photolithographic, production of textured or patterned surfaces, e.g. printed surfaces; Materials therefor, e.g. comprising photoresists; Apparatus specially adapted therefor
A method for mounting one or more printing plate segments (402-407) on a carrier sheet (302). The method comprises importing a file into a computer (528) associated with a mounting unit (305, 350). For each printing plate segment (402-407), the file includes a printing plate segment identifier, information regarding alignment of registration marks (110) relative to the carrier sheet (302); and image data corresponding to a characteristic pattern associated with each printing plate segment (402-407). A composite image (160) depicting the image data corresponding to the characteristic patterns is then displayed on a display (150) in the predetermined arrangement of one or more printing plate segment locations and orientations. A mounting unit (305, 350) and a printing system (550) and computer readable media programmed with instructions for performing the method are also described.
B41F 27/00 - Devices for attaching printing elements or formes to supports
B41F 27/14 - Devices for attaching printing elements or formes to supports for attaching printing formes to intermediate supports, e.g. adapter members
G03F 9/00 - Registration or positioning of originals, masks, frames, photographic sheets or textured or patterned surfaces, e.g. automatically
G06F 17/00 - Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific functions
H04N 1/387 - Composing, repositioning or otherwise modifying originals
24.
SYSTEM AND PROCESS FOR DIRECT CURING OF PHOTOPOLYMER PRINTING PLATES
Apparatus and method for directly curing photopolymer printing plates, such as with UV radiation. Printing plates are cured directly by radiation, such as emitted from a high power UV laser beam. No LAMS layer or film bearing the image information is required on top of the polymer plate. The laser beam may be split into several individually-modulated beams by means of an Acousto Optical Deflector. Each individual beam is capable of curing pixels of the image that are to be transferred to the printing plate.Support shoulders for the printing details, formed by the pixels are determined by the caustic of the UV beam propagation.
A method and apparatus to expose photosensitive printing plates with a predetermined radiation density from the main side (top) and a predetermined radiation density from the back side (bottom). The method comprises executing the main exposure with a time delay after the back exposure. The time delay between back exposure and main exposure is optimized to create smaller stable single dot elements on the photosensitive printing plate after processing and smaller single element dot sizes printed on the print substrate. The plate floor is adjusted by performing a back-side-only exposure prior to executing the combined back and main exposure with the time delay.
A process for mounting a printing plate on a carrier sheet, including disposing registration indicia on the plate, placing the carrier sheet on a cutting table of a cutting system, mounting the plate to the carrier sheet, detecting absolute coordinates of the registration indicia; and cutting the carrier sheet along a cut line having absolute coordinates generated based upon the detected absolute coordinates. A related system includes the cutting system with the cutting table, a camera for detecting the registration indicia, a processor, a cutter, a controller, and a computer memory programmed with instructions for instructing the controller to detect the indicia, calculate the absolute coordinates for the cut line based upon the detected absolute coordinates and stored relative coordinates for the cut line, and cutting the carrier sheet along the cut line. Computer readable media containing such programmed instructions is also disclosed.
A method and apparatus to expose photosensitive printing plates with a predetermined radiation density from the main side (top) and a predetermined radiation density from the back side (bottom). The method comprises executing the main exposure with a time delay after the back exposure. The time delay between back exposure and main exposure is optimized to create smaller stable single dot elements on the photosensitive printing plate after processing and smaller single element dot sizes printed on the print substrate.
An apparatus for and a method of loading and unloading of plates to and from an imager. The apparatus includes a loading area holding one single or a plurality of plates and an unloading area holding a single plate, the areas arranged vertically. The plate includes ultraviolet curable material. The apparatus includes a control system configured when in operation to control the automated loading and unloading and the apparatus elements therefor. One fully automatic version includes automatic loading from a stack or set of plate magazines and in the case that the plate includes a protective sheet thereon, includes removing the protective sheet from the plate. Some versions also include one or more ultraviolet sources to irradiate the flexographic plates with ultraviolet radiation during the automated loading and/or unloading. The ultraviolet sources are controlled by the same control system.
G03F 7/00 - Photomechanical, e.g. photolithographic, production of textured or patterned surfaces, e.g. printed surfaces; Materials therefor, e.g. comprising photoresists; Apparatus specially adapted therefor
Particular embodiments include method embodiments and apparatus embodiments. One method embodiment comprises: placing a printing plate on an imaging device; imaging the plate according to imaging data; and applying UV radiation using a plurality of UV emitting LEDs during the process of imaging of the printing plate. In one embodiment, the plate initially has ablatable material, and wherein the imaging includes ablating ablatable material on the plate according to the imaging data to form an ablated plate, and wherein the applying the UV radiation includes exposing the ablated plate to UV radiation to cure the plate. In one embodiment, the imaging device is an external drum imager that includes a drum that rotates during imaging.
G03F 7/00 - Photomechanical, e.g. photolithographic, production of textured or patterned surfaces, e.g. printed surfaces; Materials therefor, e.g. comprising photoresists; Apparatus specially adapted therefor
patents
