Machine for simultaneously turning and laser engraving printing cylinders

• US 4,352,973 A
• Filed: 02/19/1980
• Issued: 10/05/1982
• Est. Priority Date: 02/23/1979
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Fujifilm Electronic Imaging Ltd. (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Crosfield Electronics Ltd. (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Chase, Bryan B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Albritton, C. L.
• Application Number:
  US06/122,893
• Time in Patent Office: 959 Days
• Field of Search: 219/121 LH, 219/121 LJ, 219/121 L, 219/121 LM, 346/76 L, 358/297, 369/153
• US Class Current: 219/121.68
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 26/0093 combined with mechanical machining or metal-working covered by other subclasses than B23K combined welding or cutting procedures or apparatus B23K28/02
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 26/082 Scanning systems, i.e. devices involving movement of the laser beam relative to the laser head
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 26/0823 Devices involving rotation of the workpiece
• CPC Class Codes: B41C 1/02 Engraving; Heads therefor recording on record carriers, heads therefor G11B
• CPC Class Codes: B44B 3/061 Tool heads
• CPC Class Codes: B44B 7/00 Machines, apparatus or hand tools for branding, e.g. using radiant energy such as laser beamsburning or charring wood stock B27M1/06

Abstract

A laser engraving machine for engraving cylindrical intaglio printing members is arranged to turn the surface of a printing member and engrave it simultaneously. This is not only more efficient but ensures that an accurate relationship is maintained between the engraving head and the turned outer surface of the printing member 3. The engraving machine includes a slide-way 2 extending parallel to the axis of rotation of the printing member 3, a traversing carriage 1 mounted for movement along the slide-way 2 and having a primary sliding carriage 4 mounted on it, and the primary sliding carriage has a secondary sliding carriage 5 mounted on it. The primary and secondary sliding carriages carry a turning tool holder 8 and a laser engraving head 10.

Claims

1. In a laser engraving machine for engraving cylindrical intaglio printing members including means for supporting and rotating a cylindrical printing member, a slide-way extending parallel to the axis of rotation of said printing member, a traversing carriage mounted for movement along said slide-way, and a primary sliding carriage mounted on said traversing carriage for movement in a direction transverse to said slide-way, said primary carriage carrying a laser engraving head, the improvement wherein a secondary sliding carriage is mounted on said primary sliding carriage for movement transverse to said slide-way, and wherein said primary and said secondary sliding carriages carry a turning tool holder and said laser engraving head whereby the relationship of said laser engraving head to said turning tool holder and hence to a turned surface of said printing member is set by movement of said secondary sliding carriage relative to said primary sliding carriage and then, thereafter, both said primary and said secondary sliding carriages are moved together as a single unit to turn and engrave said printing member simultaneously on a single pass of said traversing carriage.

2. The engraving machine of claim 1, wherein said turning tool holder is arranged whereby the axis of said turning tool is located in a diametral plane of said printing member.

3. The engraving machine of claim 2, wherein said engraving head is arranged whereby the axis of a laser beam leaving said engraving head is in a plane parallel to said diametral plane containing said turning tool axis but offset from that said plane.

4. The engraving machine of claim 1 or claim 3, wherein said machine additionally includes a microscope mounted on said secondary sliding carriage and arranged to be moved towards and away from said printing member with respect to said secondary sliding carriage, said microscope also being arranged to be locked into position with respect to said secondary sliding carriage.