Flexographic printing method
AssigneeKodak Graphic Communications Canada Company
InventorAldo Salvestro
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods and apparatus are provided for improving the accuracy and streamlining the process of preparing an imaged flexographic printing sleeve. Seam layout details are determined by a controller and transferred to an automated cutting device to cut flexographic precursor sections. The controller can also control a printing device to print indicia on a sleeve substrate for use in aligning the cut precursor sections. The controller can also control a mounting device for the mounting of the cut precursor sections. An imaging engine for imaging a flexographic printing sleeve is equipped with an edge detection system for determining the location of seams between abutting precursor sections.
Claims26
A method for making an imaged flexographic printing sleeve, the method comprising the steps of:
- a) providing seam layout information representing an arrangement of one or more precursor sections on a sleeve substrate based on at least one image to be imaged on the flexographic printing sleeve;
- b) automatically cutting a flexographic printing precursor into the one or more precursor sections using a controllable cutting device responsive to the seam layout information;
- c) creating a flexographic printing sleeve by attaching the one or more precursor sections to the sleeve substrate;
- d) imaging the flexographic printing sleeve;
- e) displaying a preview of an image to be imaged on the flexographic printing sleeve;
- f) defining the arrangement based on the preview;
- and
- g) deriving at least a part of the seam layout information from the arrangement.
A method of making an imaged flexographic printing sleeve, the method comprising the steps of:
- a) providing seam layout information representing an arrangement of one or more precursor sections on a sleeve substrate based on at least one image to be imaged on the flexographic printing sleeve;
- b) automatically cutting a flexographic printing precursor into the one or more precursor sections using a controllable cutting device responsive to the seam layout information;
- c) creating a flexographic printing sleeve by attaching the one or more precursor sections to the sleeve substrate;
- and
- d) imaging the flexographic printing sleeve;
- e) displaying a preview of an image to be imaged on the flexographic printing sleeve;
- f) defining the arrangement based on the preview;
- and
- g) determining registration information, at least part of the registration information being determined from the arrangement.
A method of making an imaged flexographic printing sleeve, the method comprising the steps of:
- a) providing seam layout information representing an arrangement of one or more precursor sections on a sleeve substrate;
- b) automatically cutting a flexographic printing precursor into the one or more precursor section using a controllable cutting device responsive to the seam layout information;
- and
- c) creating a flexographic printing sleeve by attaching the one or more precursor sections to the sleeve substrate;
- d) imaging the flexographic printing sleeve;
- and
- e) determining registration information representing the arrangement;
- wherein the steps of attaching the one or more precursor sections to the sleeve substrate occurs on a mounting device an wherein the mounting device is responsive to the registration information.
A method for making imaged flexographic printing sleeve, the method comprising the steps of:
- a) providing seam layout information representing an arrangement of one or more precursor sections on a sleeve substrate;
- b) automatically cutting a flexographic printing precursor into the one or more precursor sections using a controllable cutting device responsive to the seam layout information;
- c) creating a flexographic printing sleeve by attaching the one or more precursor sections to the sleeve substrate;
- d) imaging the flexographic printing sleeve;
- and
- e) printing on at least a part of the one or more precursor sections at least one of reference indicia and reference characters.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.