Direct laser printing and forming apparatus

Apparatus for multi-color printing on a surface, comprising:

• means for processing information for forming images of at least a first and a second separate colors by scanning;
• means for applying a setable ink of a first color to the surface to be printed;
• a source of a directable beam of energy radiation;
• means for detecting alignment markers positioned on the surface for positioning and controlling the scan of said source of energy radiation;
• means for controlling the source of energy radiation in intensity and scanning in response to the first color information whereby the energy radiation may set ink at a plurality of points on said surface to form a desired image of a first color;
• means for removing ink of said first color from said surface which has not been set;
• means for applying a setable ink of a second color to said surface to be printed;
• means for detecting said alignment markers on the surface and positioning said source of energy radiation prior to a second scan of said surface whereby said source of energy radiation is controlled by said control means in response to the second color information to print a second color image in exact registry with said first color image;
• and
• means for removing ink of said second color from said surface which has not been set.

A method for printing on a surface, comprising:

• applying an energy radiation polymerizable ink to the surface to be printed;
• providing a source of a directable beam of energy radiation for irradiating said polymerizable ink;
• controlling the source of energy radiation in intensity and scanning in response to electrical signal information whereby the energy radiation may polymerize the ink at a plurality of points on the surface to form a printed image;
• and
• removing from the surface ink which has not been polymerized.

A method for multi-color printing on a surface, comprising:

• applying an energy radiation setable ink of a first color to the surface to be printed;
• providing a source of a directable beam of energy radiation for irradiating said ink on the surface;
• detecting alignment markers positioned on the surface for positioning and controlling the scan of said source of energy radiation;
• controlling the source of energy radiation in intensity and scanning in response to the first color signal information whereby the energy radiation may set ink at a plurality of points on the surface to form a desired image of a first color;
• removing ink of said first color from said surface which has not been set;
• applying an energy radiation setable ink of a second color to the surface to be printed;
• detecting said alingment markers on the surface and positioning said source of energy radiation prior to a second scan of said surface whereby said source of energy radiation is controlled by said control means in response to the second color information to print a second color image in exact registry with said first color image;
• and
• removing ink of said second color from said surface which has not been set.