Uvc led light finisher for detacking flexographic printing plates

An apparatus for exposing a partially processed photopolymer printing plate to post-exposure radiation and finishing radiation, the printing plate defining a whole area having a first full lateral dimension and a second full lateral dimension perpendicular to the first lateral dimension, the printing plate further comprising a laser ablated masking (LAMS) layer, the apparatus comprising:

• a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) arranged in one or more arrays, the plurality of LEDs including at least a first set of LEDs configured to emit the post exposure radiation in a UVA spectral range and a second set of LEDs configured to emit the finishing radiation in a UVC spectral range;
• a surface for receiving the printing plate in a location disposed to receive the post exposure radiation and the finishing radiation;
• one of more controllers connected to the one or more arrays and configured to activate the one or more arrays to cause the plurality of sets of LEDs to emit radiation toward the printing plate;
• and
• a thermal plate processor, an imager configured to laser ablate the LAMS layer in accordance with imaging information, or a combination thereof.