Process and apparatus for gravure

A device for rotogravure printing of an image using an erasable and reusable gravure form cylinder rotating therein including a blank form including a base screen having depressions therein and being designed for accommodating maximum amount of ink to be transferred to printing stock, the apparatus comprising:

• means for applying a liquefiable substance to uniformly and completely fill the depressions in the base screen so that a smooth outer surface results;
• an image point transfer device for screening the gravure form cylinder by removing varying amounts of the substance from the depressions applied by said means for applying in conformance with the image being printed;
• an inking system for inking the screened gravure form cylinder;
• and
• means for regenerating the base screen of the inked and screened gravure form cylinder for reusing the gravure form;
• wherein the means for applying, the image point transfer device, the inking system and the means for regenerating each are spatially positioned about a circumference of the gravure form cylinder and adjustable proximally to the circumference of the gravure form so as to operate consecutively.

A process of rotogravure printing of an image using an erasable and reusable gravure form including a blank form having a base screen designed for accommodating a maximum amount of ink to be transferred to a printing stock, while the form is mounted in a printing machine, the process comprising the steps of:

• (a) applying a liquefying substance by hydrodynamic force using an applicator to uniformly and completely fill depressions within the base screen so that a smooth surface results;
• (b) screening the gravure form by removing varying amounts of the liquefiable substance from the depressions in conformity with an image intended to be printed using an image-printed transfer device;
• (c) inking the screened gravure form using an inking system;
• (d) printing in gravure on the printing stock;
• and
• (e) regenerating the blank form using an ultrasonic cleaning installation while in the printing machine and repeating step (a).

A device for rotogravure printing of an image using an erasable and reusable gravure form cylinder rotating therein including a blank form including a base screen having depressions therein and being designed for accommodating maximum amount of ink to be transferred to printing stock, the apparatus comprising:

• means for applying a liquefiable substance to uniformly and completely fill the depressions in the base screen so that a smooth outer surface results;
• an image point transfer device for screening the gravure form cylinder by removing varying amounts of the substance from the depressions applied by said means for applying in conformance with the image being printed;
• an inking system for inking the screened gravure form cylinder;
• and
• an ultrasonic cleaning installation;
• means for regenerating the base screen of the inked and screened gravure form cylinder for reusing the gravure form, the means for regenerating the base screen including the ultrasonic cleaning installation;
• wherein the means for applying, the image point transfer device, the inking system and the means for regenerating each are spatially positioned about a circumference of the gravure form cylinder and adjustable proximally to the circumference of the gravure form so as to operate consecutively.