Laser fabrication of rotary printing screens
OwnerJesse E. Leskanicinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention relates to methods of manufacturing a printing screen that is operable for use in a rotary screen printing process, wherein a metallic sheet having a generally cylindrical shape is positioned adjacent a laser. The metallic sheet is rotated about its longitudinal axis, and the laser is moved along a path parallel to the longitudinal axis. The laser directs focused radiation to the metallic sheet such that holes are formed therethrough. Portions of the metallic sheet are vaporized, which leaves the metallic sheet substantially free of slag. In this regard, the metallic sheet can be formed from a single layer having at least one exposed surface, such that the focused radiation contacts only the metallic sheet.
Claims45
A method of manufacturing a printing screen that is operable for use in a rotary screen printing process, the method comprising:
- providing a metallic sheet formed from a single layer into a generally cylindrical shape to define a longitudinal axis;
- providing a laser operable to emit focused radiation;
- positioning the metallic sheet proximate the laser;
- moving at least one of the metallic sheet and laser such that the metallic sheet and laser move relative to one another;
- and
- forming a plurality of holes in the metallic sheet according to a predetermined pattern by directing focused radiation emitted from the laser into contact with only the metallic sheet.
A method of manufacturing a printing screen that is operable for use in a rotary screen printing process, the method comprising:
- providing a metallic sheet formed from a single layer having two surfaces, at least one surface being exposed;
- providing a laser operable to emit focused radiation;
- positioning the metallic sheet proximate the laser;
- moving at least one of the metallic sheet and laser such that the metallic sheet and laser move relative to one another;
- and
- forming a plurality of holes in the metallic sheet by first directing focused radiation emitted from the laser to one of the two surfaces of the metallic sheet.
A method of manufacturing a printing screen that is operable for use in a rotary screen printing process, the method comprising:
- providing a metallic sheet having a generally cylindrical shape defining a longitudinal axis;
- providing a laser operable to emit radiation;
- positioning the metallic sheet proximate the laser;
- rotating the metallic sheet about the longitudinal axis thereof;
- and
- forming a plurality of holes in the metallic sheet by directing radiation emitted from the laser and vaporizing portions of the metallic sheet such that slag is substantially eliminated during formation of the holes.
A method of manufacturing a printing screen, the method comprising:
- positioning a metallic sheet proximate a laser, the laser operable to direct radiation toward the metallic sheet;
- forming a plurality of holes in the metallic sheet such that carcinogenic particles are released to the atmosphere;
- and
- filtering at least a least a portion of the carcinogenic particles from the atmosphere.
A method of manufacturing a printing screen that is operable for use in a rotary screen printing process, the method comprising:
- providing at a first location a metallic sheet formed into a generally cylindrical shape to define a longitudinal axis;
- providing a laser operable to emit focused radiation;
- providing a design desired to be formed on the printing screen;
- sending the desired design to a remote location;
- forming a final digital form of the desired design at the remote location;
- sending the final digital form to the first location;
- and
- forming a plurality of holes in the metallic sheet according to the final digital form of the desired design by directing focused radiation emitted from the laser into contact with the metallic sheet.
A method of manufacturing a printing screen that is operable for use in a rotary screen printing process, the method comprising:
- providing at a first location a metallic sheet formed into a generally cylindrical shape to define a longitudinal axis;
- providing a laser operable to emit focused radiation;
- providing a design desired to be formed on the printing screen;
- sending the desired design to a remote location;
- forming a final digital form of the desired design at the remote location;
- sending the final digital form to the first location electronically;
- and
- forming a plurality of holes in the metallic sheet according to the final digital form of the desired design by directing focused radiation emitted from the laser into contact with the metallic sheet.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.