Presstek, Inc.

James V Lovenstein

James R Moss

Edwin G Theriault

Printing plates are mounted onto a cylinder by first establishing a temperature difference between the plate and the cylinder; in particular, the temperature of the plate exceeds the temperature of the cylinder. The plate is then wrapped around the plate cylinder, and the temperature difference causes the plate to shrink against the cylinder.

Plate handling with thermal tensioning

A cleaning apparatus designed for use in conjunction with a lithographic printing member associated with a rotary cylinder comprises an elastomeric (preferably foam) roller for making rotating contact with the printing member; a fixed screen; and a brush in rotating contact with the roller and with the screen. The roller may extend axially at least across the imaging region of the printing member (i.e., that portion of the imaging member that actually receives the image to be printed). The elastomeric roller removes imaging debris from the cylinder, while the brush removes from the roller debris that would otherwise accumulate therein. As the brush rotates past the screen, it sheds debris withdrawn from the roller; debris passing through the screen may be collected, for example, in a container or removed from the system by vacuum. The system may also include one or more doctor blades in contact with the roller for removing debris remaining on the roller following its contact with the brush.

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Nashua, NH, United States of America

James V Lovenstein