Reflex-type digital offset printing system with serially arranged single-pass, single-color imaging systems

Abstract

A reflex-type digital offset printing system includes four single-pass, single-color digital imaging systems arranged along a print medium feed path, and an image server that utilizes a positional clock to implicitly synchronize the imaging systems with the movement of a print medium along the feed path such that single-color (e.g., black, cyan, magenta, or yellow) image portions can be successively superimposed to produce a full color image. Each single-color digital imaging system utilizes a digital micromirror device and an anamorphic imaging system to generate a high energy, one-dimensional modulated line image that selectively evaporates fountain solution from an imaging cylinder before ink material is applied. Each imaging system utilizes a sensor that sends a respective drum position signal to the image server, and the image server utilizes the drum position signals to synchronize the single-color printing operations with the position of the printing medium.