Abstract:
There is described a method of preparing a printing form which comprises coating on a lithographic support having a hydrophilic surface, a layer of a radiation sensitive ink, imaging the ink coating by digital means, then acting on the plate with aqueous dampening rollers to remove the unexposed areas of the ink coating to reveal the hydrophilic surface of the plate and to leave an ink image formed from the ink, which is oleophilic after exposure.
Abstract:
A laser exposure apparatus for exposing exposure material (6), such as light-sensitive offset printing plates. The apparatus comprises a relatively heavy base member and an optical scanning unit (2) employing a movable mirror for deflecting a laser beam. The base member (1) comprises a substantially semi-cylindrical exposure surface (5), on which the exposure material (6) can be placed. A bridge (7) is arranged above the base member (1), said bridge being displaceable along the base member in the longitudinal direction thereof by means of an advancing device (8), the mirror being placed on said bridge. The advancing device (8) is arranged along one side of the base member, and the bridge is mounted in a completely or almost completely balanced manner relative to the advancing device (8) by means of a counterweight (9) provided on a projecting portion (7') of the bridge (7), the centre of gravity (G) of said counterweight being placed on the other side of the advancing device (8). The bridge (7) can optionally rest on longitudinal supporting surfaces (10', 10'', 10''') on the base member (1). As a result, an increased accuracy is obtained in connection with the exposure of the exposure material.
Abstract:
Printing plates for dry development wherein the plate is made up of a radiation absorbing layer positioned between a hydrophobic, substantially non-radiation absorbing film layer and a support. Such plates are typically exposed using a laser.
Abstract:
Method and plant for manufacturing an element intended to store an image to be printed for flat printing, wherein colour accepting surface elements are set, within a printing machine, by pressure and heat onto to the printing roll of a printing machine in accordance to the image, or are removed from a colour acceptor coating of the printing roll. Thereby, the manufacturing of the element for the storage of the image to be printed is substantially simplified and rationalized; the mechanical readjusting operations which were indispensable heretofore are thereby avoided.
Abstract:
Radiation-sensitive compositions, printing plates containing such compositions, imageable by infrared and ultraviolet/visible radiation and imaging method using same. The compositions comprise a thermal-activated acid generator; a cross-linking resin; a binder resin comprising a polymer containing reactive pendant groups selected from hydroxy, carboxylic acid, sulfonamide, and alkoxymethylamides; an infrared absorber; and optionally a UV/visible radiation-activated acid generator for UV/visible sensitization.
Abstract:
A lithographic printing plate suitable for digital imaging by means of laser exposure is described. The plate consists of a substrate having coated thereon a layer or layers having an ink repelling top surface. The top layer contains a unique ink repelling co-polymer of poly(siloxanes) and is subject to thermal decomposition. At least one of the coated layers contains a laser radiation absorbing material to convert light to heat. The heated top layer is loosened or removed during exposure rendering the imaged surface ink accepting. The process requires no wet development step and no wiping. The method is well suited for use with relatively inexpensive and reliable high power diode lasers or ND YAG lasers and can be configured as a flat bed, internal or external drum imager. It is well suited for imaging in a plate setter or directly on press. The material can be precoated on suitable supports or it can be sprayed, painted or coated on a reusable drum, plate or sleeve on press.
Abstract:
The present invention discloses a lithographic printing plate developable on a lithographic printing press equipped with means for delivering lithographic ink and aqueous fountain solutions to the printing plate, the lithographic printing plate having in order (a) a printing plate substrate; and (b) a photoresist photohardenable upon imagewise exposure to actinic radiation, the photoresist comprising (i) a macromolecular organic binder; (ii) a photopolymerizable ethylenically unsaturated monomer having at least one terminal ethylenic group capable of forming a high polymer by chain-propagated polymerization, (iii) a polymerization initiator activable by actinic radiation, and (iv) an amphoteric hydrogen bond-forming developability stabilizer, the hydrogen bond-forming developability stabilizer being non-volatile miscible in the photoresist and soluble in said lithographic ink and fountain solutions; the amphoteric hydrogen bond-forming developability stabilizer possessing a strong hydrogen bond-forming functional group with the remainder of the molecule manifesting hydrophilicity.
Abstract:
A method and an apparatus for exposing multi-pages original images or several separate text and/or picture portions onto a light sensitive material like an offset plate or an intaglio plate (6) by means of a laser exposure process, which apparatus comprises a cassette (1) for a light sensitive material (6), a laser unit (3) for exposing said light sensitive material, a discharge conveyor (4) for the ready exposed light sensitive material, and an exposure table (5) which is movable between the plate cassette (1) and the discharge conveyor (4) and under the laser unit (3), and which is formed with means for holding the light sensitive material (6) in a predetermined position thereon, and in which apparatus the laser unit (3) is arranged for taking two different positions, namely a raised position in which the exposure table (5) with the plate (6) can be moved freely under the laser unit (3), and a lowered position, in which the laser unit (3) is being pressed into locking engagement with the plate (6) on the exposure table (5) for making it impossible for the plate (6) and the laser unit (3) to move in relation to each other.
Abstract:
Various lithographic plates suitable for wet or dry lithography are described which are adapted for imaging by spark discharges to the plates. A method and apparatus for imaging those plates are also described.