DIRECT ENGRAVING OF FLEXOGRAPHIC PRINTING PLATES

• US 20110278767A1
• Filed: 05/17/2010
• Published: 11/17/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Original Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Inventors: Aviel, David, Perry, Lior, Siman-Tov, Alon
• Application Number:
  US12/781,157
• Publication Number:
  US 20110278767A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 264/400
• CPC Class Codes: B41C 1/05 Heat-generating engraving heads, e.g. laser beam, electron beam

Abstract

A method for engraving flexographic printing plates (104) includes providing a flexographic plate. Printable areas (204) on the flexographic plate are engraved with a first imaging source. Non-printable areas (208) on the flexographic plate are engraved with a second imaging source wherein a depth of engraving of the non-printable areas is substantially deeper than the depth of engraving of the printable areas. The first imaging source and second imaging source are synchronized. The first imaging source (408) and second imaging source (412) are operated simultaneously. The first imaging source engraves the printable data areas and engraves non-printable support areas adjacent the printable areas.

Claims

1. A method for engraving flexographic printing plates, comprising:

providing a flexographic plate;

engraving printable areas on said flexographic plate with a first imaging source;

engraving non-printable areas on said flexographic plate with a second imaging source wherein a depth of engraving of said non-printable areas is substantially deeper than the depth of engraving of said printable areas;

synchronizing said first imaging source and said second imaging source;

operating said first imaging source and said second imaging source simultaneously; and

wherein said first imaging source engraves said printable data areas and engraves non-printable support areas adjacent said printable areas.

2. The method as in claim 1 wherein the shape of said non-printable support areas is substantially wider than said printable data areas.