Printing Research, Inc.

Phillip E Jones

David Dean Douglas

Steven M Person

John E Aylor

David M Pizzillo

Jeffrey P Govek

A printing plate curing system includes a color sensor that measures at least one color value of a printing plate. The color value is used to control a parameter of a curing system, such as energy output or conveyor speed. Multiple color sensors may be used to measure color values of a printing plate before and after imaging, developing and curing. Each sensor may measure multiple color values. The measure values may be used to control an imager as well as a curing system.

Computer to plate color sensor and drying/curing system and method

A system for curing printing plates with controlled radiant energy sources. A conveyor moves a printing plate through a chamber having energy radiators above and below the conveyor. Power to the radiators is controlled for each radiator or to groups of radiators defining radiation zones. Curing time may be controlled by adjusting power to the radiators and adjusting the conveyor speed. Sensors detect a plate as it enters and exits the chamber. Heat sensors may detect chamber or plate temperatures. A color sensor may detect plate color as an indicator of degree of curing. A computer system stores curing scenarios and uses the sensor signals and operator inputs to control power to the radiators and conveyor speed to provide uniform curing of the plate.

Computer to plate curing system

A removable, compact and easily accessible cylinder impurity remover apparatus has a wiping position for removing impurities from a rotatable printing plate cylinder on a printing press and a non-wiping position. The impurity remover removeably slides or swings into position for wiping a plate on the plate cylinder. Most preferably, a pressure source acts on two pistons to move two parallel reciprocably mounted shafts and a wiper blade mounted thereon to the wiping position. Both the pistons and shafts are preferably contained inside an actuator bar, which is mounted parallel to a printing plate cylinder. As the wiper blade moves forward to the wiping position, a bias member is compressed and remains compressed until the pressure source stops, allowing the bias member to automatically retract the reciprocably mounted shafts and wiper blade to a non-wiping position. According to one embodiment of the invention, the actuator bar is mounted on the top side of a primary support bar having a shaped track to permit a sliding movement into and out of the printing press. According to a second embodiment of the invention, the actuator bar is pivotally connected to a first main side support and the opposing end of the actuator bar is receivable in a docking portion of a second main side support for pivoting movement relative to the printing press. Both embodiments are compact and allow for the operator to easily access the wiper blade for maintenance and cleaning.

Growing community of inventors

Mulvane, KS, United States of America

Phillip E Jones