Printing plate imaging and exposure apparatus and method
AssigneeEsko-Graphics Imaging GmbH
InventorWolfgang Sievers
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system for preparing a photopolymer printing plate includes exposure unit comprising a plurality of UV light emitting diodes (UV LEDs), a holder comprising a UV translucent material configured to receive the printing plate, and a controller configured to activate the plurality of UV LEDs. The UV LEDs include a plurality of stationary back UV LEDs configured to emit UV radiation toward the non-printing back side of the printing plate through the holder with the printing plate disposed in a stationary position on the holder, the plurality of stationary back UV LED sources together defining at least one back array having a collective irradiation field covering an area at least coextensive with the lateral length and lateral width of the plate.
Claims26
A system for preparing a printing plate, the printing plate comprising a photosensitive polymer cured by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, the printing plate having a non-printing back side, a printing front side, a lateral width, and a lateral length, the system comprising:
- a UV exposure unit, the UV exposure unit comprising:
- a holder, comprising a UV translucent material, configured to receive the printing plate;
- a plurality of stationary back UV light emitting diodes (UV LEDs) configured to emit UV radiation toward the non-printing back side of the printing plate through the holder with the printing plate disposed in a stationary position on the holder, the plurality of stationary back UV LED sources together defining at least one back array having a collective irradiation field covering an area at least coextensive with the lateral length and lateral width of the plate;
- and
- a controller connected to the plurality of UV LEDs and configured to activate the plurality of UV LEDs to emit the UV radiation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.