Abstract:
There is described coated on a lithographic base a complex of a developer-insoluble phenolic resin and a compound which forms a thermally frangible complex with the phenolic resin. This complex is less soluble in the developer solution than the uncomplexed phenolic resin. However when this complex is imagewise heated the complex breaks down so allowing the non-complexed phenolic resin to the dissolved in the developing solution. Thus the solubility differential between the heated areas of the phenolic resin and the unheated areas is increased when the phenolic resin is complexed. Preferably a laser-radiation absorbing material is also present on the lithographic base. A large number of compounds which form a thermally frangible complex with the phenolic resin have been located. Examples of such compounds are quinolinium compounds, benzothiazolium compounds, pyridinium compounds and imidazoline compounds.
Abstract:
An apparatus for fabricating printing plates (15), e.g. lithographic or offset printing plates. The apparatus comprises processing means for digitizing an image, at least one assembly having at least one ink jet printing head (12) and operatively connected to the processing means, control means (11) operatively connected to the processing means and the assembly for supplying digital information to the assembly to project the digitized image upon the printing plate (15), and drive mechanisms (17, 18) operatively connected to the control means (11) and the assembly for controlling ink jetting movement of the printing head (12). An x-y table (14) is preferably also present for carrying the printing head (12) for planar movement with respect to the printing plate (15). The movement of the table (14) permits the printing of multiple pages (16a, 16b, 16c) upon large lithographic plates (15).
Abstract:
A method of and apparatus for imaging a lithographic plate having a printing surface by exposing the printing surface to plasma jet discharges between the plate and a plasma jet nozzle spaced close to the printing surface of the plate. These plasma jet discharges are sufficient to ablate or otherwise transform one or more layers of the printing surface, thereby changing the affinity of the printing surface for ink and/or water at the points thereof exposed to the discharges so as to produce image spots on the plate.
Abstract:
A lithographic printing plate that is transformable by spark-discharge techniques so as to change its affinity for ink. The plate features a layered structure including an ink-receptive substrate, a conductive layer and an ink-repellent coating. The ink-repellent coating contains a dispersion of crystalline metal oxide particles that promote straight-line travel of the spark to the surface of the plate, thereby promoting accurate imaging.
Abstract:
A printing method and system, which includes at least one printing apparatus is provided. Each printing apparatus includes a printing member (402) for selectively receiving ink into an ink receptive portion. The ink receptive portion includes a plurality of ink receptive dots forming a grid pattern in a desired resolution, and an ink repelling portion. The ink repelling portion includes the entire area of the printing member except the ink receptive dots. Each printing apparatus includes at least one printing unit, preferably but not necessarily and ink jet printing unit (210), the printing unit for applying ink onto the printing member (402) in accordance with a pattern representing an image (212) to be printed, thereby forming an ink image (212) on a portion of the ink receptive dots, and a transfer system (404) for transferring the ink image (212) onto a printing substrate (206).
Abstract:
This invention is a computer to press printing system and method for operating same. The system includes a plate cylinder (102) capable of carrying at least one printing member (112), a multi-beam imaging system (110) for recording at least two color separations on the at least one printing material (112), at least one inking assembly (116) for applying at least two printing inks on corresponding ones of the at least two color separations, an impression cylinder (216), and a control system for activating a correction to the mis-registration between said at least two color separations.
Abstract:
High precision image forming surfaces for printing applications such as, for example, gravure or typographic printing applications are formed by selectively growing or depositing metal or other materials onto a suitable substrate. In a preferred method, nickel metal is deposited by electroless deposition onto a low CTE substrate.
Abstract:
A method and an apparatus for exposing several different original images onto a light sensitive material like an offset plate or an intaglio plate by means of a laser exposure process, whereby the light sensitive plate (6) is exposed in several stages with a minor part of the light sensitive plate (6) at the time by an exposure method with three cooperating movements of the parts of the apparatus, namely a) a stepwise displacement of an exposure table (5) in a first direction (X-direction), b) a stepwise displacement of a laser unit (3) in a second direction (Y-direction) which is perpendicular to said first direction, and c) a successive displacement in said first or second direction (X- or Y-direction) by a laser gun (13) while sweep exposing the light sensitive material by means of laser light beam whereby the exposure table (5) and the carrier of the laser unit (3) are in fixed positions.
Abstract:
An improved offset printing press (40, 120, 230, 132, 172, 202 and 212) has a single plate blanket image (PBI) cylinder (42, 124, 126, 134, 174, 176, 178, 204, 206, 214 and 232) for holding an image formed on a thin film printing plate (46, 138) affixed thereto. The plate (46, 138) may be from 0.5 to 10 microns thick and has a thin layer of ink repelling material (68) coated thereon. The plate (46, 138) is imaged, after being affixed to the PBI cylinder (42, 124, 126, 134, 174, 176, 178, 204, 206, 214 and 232), by ablating selective portions of the ink repelling coating (68). The PBI cylinder (42, 124, 126, 134, 174, 176, 178, 204, 206, 214 and 232) is constructed to hold the printing plate (46, 138) by vacuum. Apparatus (56, 57 and 198, 196) to load and unload the plate (46, 138) is associated with the PBI cylinder (42, 124, 126, 134, 174, 176, 178, 204, 206, 214 and 232). Because of the thinness of the printing plate (46, 138), the PBI cylinder (42, 124, 126, 134, 174, 176, 178, 204, 206, 214 and 232) is a compliant surface, capable of printing on an inelastic media covered impression cylinder (44, 136, 190, 216 and 234). Unique inking apparatus (54, 154, 156, 158, 160 and 188) is provided to transfer ink to the imaged printing plate (46, 138).