초록 ▼

A conveyor conveys first and second plates to an exposure station. First and second laser imagers mounted at the exposure station above the support generate first and second laser beams adapted to sweep over the first and second plates, respectively. A mechanism effects simultaneous relative movemen

A conveyor conveys first and second plates to an exposure station. First and second laser imagers mounted at the exposure station above the support generate first and second laser beams adapted to sweep over the first and second plates, respectively. A mechanism effects simultaneous relative movement between the first laser imager and the first plate and between the second laser imager and the second plate. A computer system receives source image data corresponding to first and second source images, which correspond to first and second print images to be formed on the first and second plates, respectively. The computer system generates a first set of electrical signals corresponding to the first source image which are provided to the first laser imager, and generates a second set of electrical signals corresponding to the second source image which are provided to the second laser imager. The laser imagers are responsive to the electrical signals to modulate the first and second laser beams in synchronization with the relative movement between the laser imagers and the plates. As a result, the first laser beam is adapted to expose certain portions of the first plate to the first beam to form the first print image on the first plate and the second laser beam is adapted to expose certain portions of the second plate to the second beam to form the second print image on the second plate.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] Apparatus for exposing lithographic plates without the use of film, said apparatus comprising:a flat support for supporting a first plate and a separate second plate at an exposure station,a conveyor system for conveying the first and second plates to the exposure station

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] Apparatus for exposing lithographic plates without the use of film, said apparatus comprising:a flat support for supporting a first plate and a separate second plate at an exposure station,a conveyor system for conveying the first and second plates to the exposure station and depositing the plates on the support,a first laser imager mounted at the exposure station above the support for generating a first laser beam adapted to sweep over the first plate along a first path,a second laser imager mounted at the exposure station above the support for generating a second laser beam adapted to sweep over the second plate along a second path, said first and second paths being generally parallel to one another, and the sweep of the second laser beam over the second plate being independent of the sweep of the first laser beam over the first plate,a mechanism for effecting simultaneous relative movement between the first laser imager and the first plate and between the second laser imager and the second plate in a direction generally perpendicular to said first and second paths swept by said laser beams, said laser imagers remaining in fixed positions relative to one another during said relative movement, said first and second plates remaining in fixed position relative to one another during said relative movement,a computer system for receiving source image data corresponding to first and second source images, said first and second source images corresponding to first and second print images to be formed on said first and second plates, respectively, said computer system being operable for generating a first set of electrical signals corresponding to the first source image and providing said signals to the first laser imager, and for generating a second set of electrical signals corresponding to the second source image and providing said signals to the second laser imager,said first and second laser imagers being responsive to said first and second sets of electrical signals to modulate said first and second laser beams, respectively, said laser beams sweeping simultaneously over the first and second plates, respectively, in synchronization with said relative movement between the laser imagers and the plates whereby the first laser beam is adapted to expose certain portions of the first plate to the first beam to form said first print image on the first plate and said second laser beam is adapted to expose certain portions of the second plate to the second beam to form said second print image on the second plate.