Wilson Engraving Company, Inc.

Eugene L Green, Sr

Jefferson H Taylor

Method and apparatus for determining the area of a contrasting image on a transfer sheet are disclosed. The contrasting image is scanned incrementally by a flat bed digital scanner having a single strip of light response cells. As the transfer sheet is advanced incrementally across the rear field of the scanner, the output of the sensor strip is read. Data words (pixels) corresponding to the logic '1' or logic '0' condition of each cell are stored in unique memory locations of random access memory. The number of black information pixels stored in RAM memory are counted. The number of black information pixels divided by the known sensor cell density yields the area of the contrasting image.

Measurement of image area from stored pixel data

A method for accurately positioning photopolymer color plates onto print cylinders of a rotary press is disclosed. The photopolymer plates are prepared with the aid of specially prepared color separated films and are mounted onto assigned print cylinders with the aid of index pins. Alignment accuracy is provided in part by producing each color separated film from the same camera film negative on which an image field and reference marks have been photographically transferred from mechanical artwork. Continuity of alignment accuracy is provided by center scribe reference marks utilized together with index holes which are precision located and punched, respectively, onto and through carrier sheets, masks, duplicating film and color separated negatives. Various combinations of pre-punched carrier sheets, masks, contact duplicating film, color separated negatives, and unexposed printing plates are mechanically coupled in precise alignment by pin register tabs throughout the various stages of the plate production process. In particular, superimposed sheets are coupled together and center scribe marks are maintained in alignment by pin register tabs which are received in registration in the precision punched index holes.

Pin register system for flexographic printing plates

A method for determining the volumetric capacity of a fluid metering roller is disclosed. A measured amount of ink is deposited onto the transfer surface of the roller and is then dispersed into the underlying cells. A sheet of low-absorbancy transfer material is spread over the roller and the ink deposit lying in the interface between the roller transfer surface and the impression sheet is spread by the application of a roller or scraper across the back side of the transfer paper. The engraved cells are filled by the excess ink as it spreads across the cell transfer surface. The area of the transfer paper impression is measured by overlaying the impression area with a transparent sheet of graph paper having grid lines of known spacing. The known quantity of ink deposited upon the transfer surface (in billions of cubic microns) is then divided by the measured area of the transfer impression (in square inches) with the quotient being the volumetric capacity of the roller in billions of cubic microns per square inch.

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Dallas, TX, United States of America

Eugene L Green, Sr