EP1084831A2 - Apparatus for collecting residual materials dispersed during imaging of flexographic printing plates - Google Patents
Apparatus for collecting residual materials dispersed during imaging of flexographic printing plates Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1084831A2 EP1084831A2 EP00307903A EP00307903A EP1084831A2 EP 1084831 A2 EP1084831 A2 EP 1084831A2 EP 00307903 A EP00307903 A EP 00307903A EP 00307903 A EP00307903 A EP 00307903A EP 1084831 A2 EP1084831 A2 EP 1084831A2
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- nozzle body
- flexographic printing
- nozzle tip
- nozzle
- imaging
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
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Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41B—MACHINES OR ACCESSORIES FOR MAKING, SETTING, OR DISTRIBUTING TYPE; TYPE; PHOTOGRAPHIC OR PHOTOELECTRIC COMPOSING DEVICES
- B41B21/00—Common details of photographic composing machines of the kinds covered in groups B41B17/00 and B41B19/00
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41F—PRINTING MACHINES OR PRESSES
- B41F35/00—Cleaning arrangements or devices
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41C—PROCESSES FOR THE MANUFACTURE OR REPRODUCTION OF PRINTING SURFACES
- B41C1/00—Forme preparation
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an apparatus for collecting residual materials dispersed during the imaging process of flexographic printing plates.
- Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a conventional flexographic Computer to Plate (CTP) imaging system referenced 10.
- CTP Computer to Plate
- Such an imaging system is, for example, LOTEM FLEX 40/45 plate setter manufactured by the assignee.
- a flexographic plate 12 is attached by strips of adhesive tape 16 to the external surface of drum 14.
- Such flexographic plates are, for example, type DPS or DPH manufactured by Dupont Cyrel from Wilmington, DE, U.S.A.
- the flexographic plate 12 may consist of three main layers:
- the imaging of the flexographic plate begins with exposure of the black layer to laser beam, so as to expose the monomeric layer according to the required image, under control of computer 11.
- a consequent radiation of tile plate by UV will polymerize the plastic monomer at the exposed areas, leaving the unexposed area as monomer. Further processing of the plate will accommodate the flexographic plate to printing.
- the drum 14 is rotated in the direction indicated by arrow 22.
- the imaging system 10 further includes a laser system 15, comprising an optical system 18 for transmitting a focused laser beam 20 to the plate 12.
- a laser system may have a wavelength of 830 nanometer and power of 900 mw.
- the optical system 18 is moved on a carriage (not shown) along the drum's longitudinal axis in a direction indicated by arrow 42 of Fig.2. Such travelling speed may be 48-96 mm/min.
- the focused laser radiation on the imaging black layer causes local high temperature and thus local ablation of the black layer.
- the ablation process may cause some unwanted particulate matter 24 like carbon based particles to be deposited on the flexographic plate or on the optics window 26. Said deposits have detrimental effects on the flexographic plates, as the later exposure to UV will be disturbed. Further, carbon based deposits on the optics aperture will block the laser radiation.
- FIG. 2 schematically showing the imaging apparatus as in Fig. 1, with the additional exhausting system.
- the apparatus includes a nozzle tip 30 of special configuration, attached to nozzle body 32.
- the nozzle tip 30 and the nozzle body 32 are mounted on the laser optics 18, so that the nozzle tip 30 is in close vicinity with the laser beam ablation point 21.
- a flexible pipe 34 shown schematically as a dashed line, is attached in one of its ends to the nozzle body 32 and in its opposite end to an industrial fume exhauster 44, such as Zero Smog WFE35 manufactured by Weller.
- the fume exhauster comprises sub-micron filters 36 and an exhaust blower 40.
- Flexible pipe 34 may be constructed of flexible material such as rubber or plastic.
- the drum 14 rotates at a typical speed of 100-300 rpm, and the optics head travels along the longitudinal axis of the drum at a speed of 100-40 mm/min respectively, in a direction indicated by arrow 42 in Fig.3.
- Figs. 4, 5a and 5b are an isometric view of the nozzle tip 30, a plan view of nozzle body 32 and an isometric view of nozzle body 32, respectively.
- Nozzle tip 30 has screw holes 56, through which it is attached to the nozzle body 32 with matching holes 58.
- Nozzle tip 30 additionally comprises a front opening 50 and a side opening 54. When nozzle tip 30 is mounted onto nozzle body 32, the side opening 54 coincides with opening 52 of nozzle body 32.
- Nozzle body 32 additionally comprises adapter 60, adapted to receive flexible pipe 34 of Fig. 2.
- Nozzle body 32 and nozzle tip 30 may be constructed of any industrial material that can be mechanically processed, e.g. aluminum.
- the angle by which nozzle tip 30 is inclined with respect to imaging drum 14 is determined by selectively adjusting the screws that hold nozzle tip 30 to nozzle body 32. This angle should be adjusted in conjunction with the drum 14 rotation speed, the optical system 18 carriage movement speed and the fume exhauster 44 speed, to assure a thorough collection of the residual particles produced by the imaging process.
- drum 14 rotates in the direction indicated by arrow 22, while imaging system 15, 18 moves along the longitudinal axis of drum 14, in the direction indicated by arrow 42, applying IR radiation to ablate the black topmost layer of plate 12 according to the required pattern.
- Fume exhauster 44 causes ablation residual particles to be sucked into nozzle tip 30, through opening 50. The residual particles then move through opening 54 in nozzle tip 30, which coincides with opening 52 in nozzle body 32, into nozzle body 32. The residual particles are then sucked through nozzle body 32 into flexible pipe 34. The particles enter fume exhauster 44, where they are trapped by filters 36. The filtered air is blown out by exhaust blower 40.
- CTP system described hereinabove in conjunction with the present invention may be a system dedicated to flexographic plate imaging, or a plateless flexographic printing system, on which the printing process takes place after the plate has been imaged.
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- Manufacture Or Reproduction Of Printing Formes (AREA)
- Details Or Accessories Of Spraying Plant Or Apparatus (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application, Serial No. 60/153,670, entitled: Apparatus And system For Collecting Residual Materials Dispersed During Imaging of Flexographic Printing Plates, filed on September 14, 1999 and this Provisional Patent Application S/
N 60/153,670 is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. - The present invention relates to an apparatus for collecting residual materials dispersed during the imaging process of flexographic printing plates.
- Reference is made to Fig. 1, which schematically illustrates a conventional flexographic Computer to Plate (CTP) imaging system referenced 10. Such an imaging system is, for example, LOTEM FLEX 40/45 plate setter manufactured by the assignee.
- A
flexographic plate 12 is attached by strips ofadhesive tape 16 to the external surface ofdrum 14. Such flexographic plates are, for example, type DPS or DPH manufactured by Dupont Cyrel from Wilmington, DE, U.S.A. Theflexographic plate 12 may consist of three main layers: - 1. The topmost imaging layer is black, it is sensitive to laser radiation in the IR- range. This layer is destroyed where the laser beam strikes, exposing the relief layer.
- 2. The relief layer, which may consist of plastic monomer sensitive to polymerization by UV radiation.
- 3. Plastic base material.
-
- The imaging of the flexographic plate begins with exposure of the black layer to laser beam, so as to expose the monomeric layer according to the required image, under control of
computer 11. A consequent radiation of tile plate by UV will polymerize the plastic monomer at the exposed areas, leaving the unexposed area as monomer. Further processing of the plate will accommodate the flexographic plate to printing. - The
drum 14 is rotated in the direction indicated byarrow 22. - The
imaging system 10 further includes alaser system 15, comprising anoptical system 18 for transmitting a focusedlaser beam 20 to theplate 12. Such a laser system may have a wavelength of 830 nanometer and power of 900 mw. - The
optical system 18 is moved on a carriage (not shown) along the drum's longitudinal axis in a direction indicated byarrow 42 of Fig.2. Such travelling speed may be 48-96 mm/min. - The focused laser radiation on the imaging black layer causes local high temperature and thus local ablation of the black layer. The ablation process may cause some unwanted
particulate matter 24 like carbon based particles to be deposited on the flexographic plate or on theoptics window 26. Said deposits have detrimental effects on the flexographic plates, as the later exposure to UV will be disturbed. Further, carbon based deposits on the optics aperture will block the laser radiation. - It is the intention of the present invention to avoid deposition of the said unwanted particles by implementing a special absorption system.
- It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for collecting residual material from a flexographic printing member on a CTP system, said apparatus comprising:
- a nozzle body having at least a first end and a second end;
- a nozzle tip attached to said nozzle body at said first end thereof;
- means for adjusting said nozzle tip into proximity with said printing member;
- an exhaust blower; and
- a conduit in communication with said second end of said nozzle body and said exhaust blower.
-
- It is a further object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for collecting residual material from a flexographic printing member on a plateless printing system, said apparatus comprising:
- a nozzle body having at least a first end and a second end;
- a nozzle tip attached to said nozzle body at said first end thereof;
- means for adjusting said nozzle tip into proximity with said printing member;
- an exhaust blower; and
- a conduit in communication with said second end of said nozzle body and said exhaust blower.
-
- The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the appended drawings:
- Fig. 1 is a schematic view of an imaging apparatus of the prior art;
- Fig. 2 is a schematic view of the imaging apparatus with the exhausting system, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
- Fig. 3 is a schematic isometric view of the imaging drum, laser optics and the exhausting nozzles;
- Fig. 4 is an isometric view of the nozzle tip; and
- Figs. 5a and 5b are plan view and isometric view, respectively, of the nozzle body.
-
- Attention is drawn to Fig. 2, schematically showing the imaging apparatus as in Fig. 1, with the additional exhausting system. The apparatus provided, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, includes a
nozzle tip 30 of special configuration, attached tonozzle body 32. Thenozzle tip 30 and thenozzle body 32 are mounted on thelaser optics 18, so that thenozzle tip 30 is in close vicinity with the laserbeam ablation point 21. Aflexible pipe 34, shown schematically as a dashed line, is attached in one of its ends to thenozzle body 32 and in its opposite end to anindustrial fume exhauster 44, such as Zero Smog WFE35 manufactured by Weller. The fume exhauster comprisessub-micron filters 36 and anexhaust blower 40.Flexible pipe 34 may be constructed of flexible material such as rubber or plastic. - During the imaging process, the
drum 14 rotates at a typical speed of 100-300 rpm, and the optics head travels along the longitudinal axis of the drum at a speed of 100-40 mm/min respectively, in a direction indicated byarrow 42 in Fig.3. - Attention is drawn now to Figs. 4, 5a and 5b, which are an isometric view of the
nozzle tip 30, a plan view ofnozzle body 32 and an isometric view ofnozzle body 32, respectively.Nozzle tip 30 hasscrew holes 56, through which it is attached to thenozzle body 32 with matchingholes 58.Nozzle tip 30 additionally comprises afront opening 50 and a side opening 54. Whennozzle tip 30 is mounted ontonozzle body 32, the side opening 54 coincides with opening 52 ofnozzle body 32.Nozzle body 32 additionally comprisesadapter 60, adapted to receiveflexible pipe 34 of Fig. 2.Nozzle body 32 andnozzle tip 30 may be constructed of any industrial material that can be mechanically processed, e.g. aluminum. - The angle by which
nozzle tip 30 is inclined with respect toimaging drum 14 is determined by selectively adjusting the screws that holdnozzle tip 30 tonozzle body 32. This angle should be adjusted in conjunction with thedrum 14 rotation speed, theoptical system 18 carriage movement speed and thefume exhauster 44 speed, to assure a thorough collection of the residual particles produced by the imaging process. - During the imaging process, drum 14 rotates in the direction indicated by
arrow 22, while imagingsystem drum 14, in the direction indicated byarrow 42, applying IR radiation to ablate the black topmost layer ofplate 12 according to the required pattern.Fume exhauster 44 causes ablation residual particles to be sucked intonozzle tip 30, throughopening 50. The residual particles then move throughopening 54 innozzle tip 30, which coincides with opening 52 innozzle body 32, intonozzle body 32. The residual particles are then sucked throughnozzle body 32 intoflexible pipe 34. The particles enterfume exhauster 44, where they are trapped byfilters 36. The filtered air is blown out byexhaust blower 40. - It will be appreciated that the CTP system described hereinabove in conjunction with the present invention may be a system dedicated to flexographic plate imaging, or a plateless flexographic printing system, on which the printing process takes place after the plate has been imaged.
Claims (2)
- An apparatus for collecting residual material from a flexographic printing member on a CTP system, said apparatus comprising:a nozzle body having at least a first end and a second end;a nozzle tip attached to said nozzle body at said first end thereof;means for adjusting said nozzle tip into proximity with said printing member;an exhaust blower; anda conduit in communication with said second end of said nozzle body and said exhaust blower.
- An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said CTP system is part of a plateless flexographic printing system.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US15367099P | 1999-09-14 | 1999-09-14 | |
US153670P | 1999-09-14 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1084831A2 true EP1084831A2 (en) | 2001-03-21 |
EP1084831A3 EP1084831A3 (en) | 2002-04-10 |
Family
ID=22548215
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP00307903A Withdrawn EP1084831A3 (en) | 1999-09-14 | 2000-09-13 | Apparatus for collecting residual materials dispersed during imaging of flexographic printing plates |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1084831A3 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2319945A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN105082724A (en) * | 2015-07-30 | 2015-11-25 | 宁波市鄞州唯达汽车配件厂(普通合伙) | Improved plate tail clamp |
Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0671278A2 (en) * | 1994-03-11 | 1995-09-13 | Eastman Kodak Company | Improved vacuum collection system for dye-ablation printing process |
US5575211A (en) * | 1994-10-28 | 1996-11-19 | Hycorr Machine Corporation | Washing Arrangement for rotary printer |
JPH08318390A (en) * | 1995-05-26 | 1996-12-03 | Hitachi Ltd | Ablation debris removing device |
US5760880A (en) * | 1995-05-01 | 1998-06-02 | E. I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company | Laser apparatus |
EP0882582A1 (en) * | 1997-06-03 | 1998-12-09 | Gerber Systems Corporation | A lithographic printing plate and method for manufacturing the same technical field |
-
2000
- 2000-09-13 EP EP00307903A patent/EP1084831A3/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2000-09-13 CA CA 2319945 patent/CA2319945A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0671278A2 (en) * | 1994-03-11 | 1995-09-13 | Eastman Kodak Company | Improved vacuum collection system for dye-ablation printing process |
US5575211A (en) * | 1994-10-28 | 1996-11-19 | Hycorr Machine Corporation | Washing Arrangement for rotary printer |
US5760880A (en) * | 1995-05-01 | 1998-06-02 | E. I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company | Laser apparatus |
JPH08318390A (en) * | 1995-05-26 | 1996-12-03 | Hitachi Ltd | Ablation debris removing device |
EP0882582A1 (en) * | 1997-06-03 | 1998-12-09 | Gerber Systems Corporation | A lithographic printing plate and method for manufacturing the same technical field |
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 1997, no. 04, 30 April 1997 (1997-04-30) & JP 08 318390 A (HITACHI LTD), 3 December 1996 (1996-12-03) * |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN105082724A (en) * | 2015-07-30 | 2015-11-25 | 宁波市鄞州唯达汽车配件厂(普通合伙) | Improved plate tail clamp |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CA2319945A1 (en) | 2001-03-14 |
EP1084831A3 (en) | 2002-04-10 |
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