公开(公告)号：US11571920B2

公开(公告)日：2023-02-07

申请号：US17045253

申请日：2019-02-01

Applicant: Esko-Graphics Imaging GmbH

Inventor： Wolfgang Sievers ,  Joachim Scheele ,  Jörg Wolterink ,  Pascal Thomas ,  Robert Bruce

IPC: B41M1/04 ,  B41F13/12 ,  B41M3/14 ,  B41N1/12 ,  B41C1/00 ,  G06K1/12 ,  G06K7/14

Abstract: 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.

公开(公告)号：US20210174042A1

公开(公告)日：2021-06-10

申请号：US17045253

申请日：2019-02-01

Applicant: Esko-Graphics Imaging GmbH

Inventor： Wolfgang Sievers ,  Joachim Scheele ,  Jörg Wolterink ,  Pascal Thomas ,  Robert Bruce

IPC: G06K7/14 ,  G06K1/12 ,  B41M1/04 ,  B41C1/00

Abstract: 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.

公开(公告)号：US20220269178A1

公开(公告)日：2022-08-25

申请号：US17742003

申请日：2022-05-11

Applicant: Esko-Graphics Imaging GmbH

Inventor： Jörg Wolterink ,  Thomas Hänsel ,  Wolfgang Sievers

IPC: G03F7/20 ,  H05K3/00 ,  G03F7/24

Abstract: Apparatus, method, and system for exposing a photosensitive printing plate to radiation, including a plurality of LED point sources configured to emit UV light. The plurality of LED point sources in at least one of a front side set or back side set are controllable in subsets smaller than an entirety of the collective irradiation field corresponding to the respective set. A holder receives the printing plate in a stationary position to receive incident radiation and a controller is configured to control the plurality of LED source subsets. A first LED point source subset is configured to be controlled at a first intensity differing by a factor relative to a second intensity of a second LED point source subset to give the radiation emitted by the respective set an intended degree of homogeneity.

公开(公告)号：US20200341378A1

公开(公告)日：2020-10-29

申请号：US16926076

申请日：2020-07-10

Applicant: Esko-Graphics Imaging GmbH

Inventor： Jörg Wolterink ,  Thomas Hänsel ,  Wolfgang Sievers

IPC: G03F7/20 ,  H05K3/00 ,  G03F7/24

Abstract: 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 may be adjusted by performing a back-side-only exposure prior to executing the combined back and main exposure with the time delay.

公开(公告)号：US20180210345A1

公开(公告)日：2018-07-26

申请号：US15926616

申请日：2018-03-20

Applicant: ESKO-GRAPHICS IMAGING GMBH

Inventor： Jörg Wolterink ,  Thomas Hänsel ,  Wolfgang Sievers

IPC: G03F7/20 ,  H05K3/00

CPC classification number: G03F7/201 ,  G03F7/2004 ,  G03F7/203 ,  G03F7/2032 ,  G03F7/24 ,  H05K3/0082

Abstract: 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 may be adjusted by performing a back-side-only exposure prior to executing the combined back and main exposure with the time delay.

公开(公告)号：US12055856B2

公开(公告)日：2024-08-06

申请号：US17742003

申请日：2022-05-11

Applicant: Esko-Graphics Imaging GmbH

Inventor： Jörg Wolterink ,  Thomas Hänsel ,  Wolfgang Sievers

IPC: G03F7/20 ,  G03F7/24 ,  H05K3/00

CPC classification number: G03F7/201 ,  G03F7/2004 ,  G03F7/203 ,  G03F7/2032 ,  G03F7/24 ,  H05K3/0082

Abstract: Apparatus, method, and system for exposing a photosensitive printing plate to radiation, including a plurality of LED point sources configured to emit UV light. The plurality of LED point sources in at least one of a front side set or back side set are controllable in subsets smaller than an entirety of the collective irradiation field corresponding to the respective set. A holder receives the printing plate in a stationary position to receive incident radiation and a controller is configured to control the plurality of LED source subsets. A first LED point source subset is configured to be controlled at a first intensity differing by a factor relative to a second intensity of a second LED point source subset to give the radiation emitted by the respective set an intended degree of homogeneity.

公开(公告)号：US20240118624A1

公开(公告)日：2024-04-11

申请号：US18275276

申请日：2021-12-30

Applicant: Esko-Graphics Imaging GmbH

Inventor： Jörg Wolterink ,  Thomas Hänsel ,  Christian Greve ,  Frank Grewling ,  Karsten Stubbe-Thierer

IPC: G03F7/20 ,  G03F7/00 ,  G03F7/038

CPC classification number: G03F7/2055 ,  G03F7/038 ,  G03F7/2041 ,  G03F7/2047 ,  G03F7/70733 ,  G03F7/70858

Abstract: 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.

公开(公告)号：US11860543B2

公开(公告)日：2024-01-02

申请号：US15734434

申请日：2020-04-03

Applicant: Esko-Graphics Imaging GmbH

Inventor： Christian Diekmann ,  Jörg Koberg ,  Jörg Wolterink

IPC: G03F7/04 ,  B41N3/00 ,  B65H3/14 ,  B65H5/22 ,  B65H7/20 ,  G03F7/30

CPC classification number: G03F7/3064 ,  B41N3/006 ,  B65H3/14 ,  B65H5/222 ,  B65H7/20 ,  B41P2227/60 ,  B41P2227/62

Abstract: 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.

公开(公告)号：US11333980B2

公开(公告)日：2022-05-17

申请号：US16926076

申请日：2020-07-10

Applicant: Esko-Graphics Imaging GmbH

Inventor： Jörg Wolterink ,  Thomas Hänsel ,  Wolfgang Sievers

IPC: G03F7/20 ,  H05K3/00 ,  G03F7/24

Abstract: The overall mechanism for creating the exposure may comprise a table having an outer frame 1110 that holds a transparent (e.g. glass) inner portion 1112. The upper 1120 and lower 1122 linear radiation sources (e.g. banks of LED point sources, optionally mounted inside a reflective housing) are mounted on a gantry system or carriage 1130. The radiation sources are connected to a power source, such as an electrical power cord having sufficient slack to extend the full range of motion of the carriage. Tracks (not shown) disposed on the outer frame portion provide a defined path for the gantry system or carriage to traverse. The carriage may be moved on the tracks by any drive mechanism known in the art (also coupled to the power supply and the controller), including a chain drive, a spindle drive, gear drive, or the like. The drive mechanism for the carriage may comprise one or more components mounted within the carriage, one or more components fixed to the table, or a combination thereof. A position sensor (not shown) is preferably coupled to the carriage to provide feedback to the controller regarding the precise location of the carriage at any given time. The control signal output from the controller for operating the radiation sources and for controlling motion of the carriage may be supplied via a wired or wireless connection. The controller may be mounted in a fixed location, such as connected to the table with a control signal cable attached to the sources similar to the power cable, or may be mounted in or on the carriage. The control system and drive mechanism cooperate to cause back/forth relative motion in a transverse direction between the light from the radiation sources and the plate. It should be understood that other embodiments may be devised in which the drive mechanism is configured to move the portion of the table containing the plate past stationary upper and lower linear radiation sources, as well as embodiments in which the radiation sources cover less than the full width of the plate and are movable in both the transverse and longitudinal direction to provide total plate coverage (or the plate is movable in both directions, or the plate is movable in one of the two directions and the sources are movable in the other direction to provides the full range of motion required to cover the entire plate).

公开(公告)号：US20220055393A1

公开(公告)日：2022-02-24

申请号：US15734434

申请日：2020-04-03

Applicant: Esko-Graphics Imaging GmbH

Inventor： Christian Diekmann ,  Jörg Koberg ,  Jörg Wolterink

IPC: B41N3/00 ,  B65H5/22 ,  B65H3/14 ,  B65H7/20

Abstract: 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.