Flint Group Germany Gmbh

Frank Boyksen

Gernot Dietz

Markus Mühlfeit

Markus Muhlfeit

The invention relates to an exposure apparatus () for exposing plate-shaped materials (). The plate-shaped material () has a first side () and a second side () that lies opposite the first side (). The exposure apparatus () comprises a first exposure unit () and a conveyor unit (), wherein the first exposure unit () comprises at least one segment with a light source and has an embodiment so as to be rotatable about an axis (), and the first exposure unit () and the conveyor unit () are configured in such a way that the first side () of the plate-shaped material () is supplied for an exposure in a first position () of the exposure unit () and the second side () of the plate-shaped material () is supplied for an exposure in a second position () of the exposure unit (). Further aspects of the invention relate to methods for exposing plate-shaped material and a printing plate that was produced from a plate-shaped material according to any one of the methods.

Light exposure device and method for exposing plate-shaped materials to light

A device for producing flexographic printing plates starting from digitally imagable flexographic printing elements, with which at least the method steps of reverse exposure, main exposure, development using washout media, drying, and aftertreatment can be carried out in automated form, the device comprising at least two different transport devices with which the flexographic printing elements or plates, respectively, are transported through the device. A method for producing flexographic printing plates using said device.

Apparatus and method for producing flexographic printing plates

Method for producing flexographic printing plates from a photopolymerizable flexographic printing plate with a dimensionally stable support, photopolymerizable, relief-forming layer(s), and a digitally imagable layer. The method comprises (a) producing a mask by imaging the digitally imagable layer, (b) exposing the flexographic printing plate with a plurality of UV-LEDs on a UV-LED strip through the mask with actinic light, and photopolymerizing the image regions of the layer, and (c) developing the photopolymerized layer. In the UV-LED strip or in a separate strip, at least one ultrasonic sensor is arranged for determining the thickness of the flexographic printing plate for exposure. Depending on the measured thickness of the flexographic printing plate, the exposing of the flexographic printing plate is controlled in respect of: (i) number of exposure steps, exposure intensity, energy input per exposure step, duration of the individual exposure steps, and/or overall duration of exposure.

Automated UV-LED exposure of flexographic printing plates

Described is a method for producing flexographic printing plates, using as starting material a photopolymerizable flexographic printing plate which contains a dimensionally stable support, a photopolymerizable, relief-forming layer, and a digitally imagable layer. A mask is produced by imaging the digitally imagable layer. The printing plate is exposed with actinic light through the mask. The image regions of the layer are photopolymerized. A plurality of UV-LEDs are arranged on at least one UV-LED strip which is moved relative to the surface of the flexographic printing plate for exposure. The photopolymerized layer is developed by washing out and drying or by thermal development. An ultrasonic sensor determines the thickness of the flexographic printing plate for exposure. The exposure is controlled as to number of exposure steps, exposure intensity, energy input per exposure step, duration of individual exposure steps, and/or overall duration of exposure.

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Altdorf, Germany

Frank Boyksen