Method and apparatus for producing a print, especially a proof, by means of laser-induced thermal transfer

US6226020A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• MAN Roland Druckmaschinen AG · DE

Inventors

• Alfons Schuster · Augsburg, DE
• Armin Weichmann · Kissing, DE
• Bernhard Feller · Friedberg, DE
• Dirk Probian · Gersthofen, DE
• Hartmut Fuhrmann · Bobingen, DE
• Michael Muller · Harper Woods, US
• Thomas Hartmann · Altdorf, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 15, 1999
• Grant date: May 1, 2001
• Expiry date: Mar 15, 2019

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B41C1/10
• WIPO field: Textile and paper machines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A method of producing a print, especially a multicolor print, especially for proof purposes, by controlled heating, in accordance with an image, of a surface layer one or more laser beams from a laser imaging unit and by applying the selected surface elements to a substrate. For the purpose of imaging the substrate, applied to a substrate cylinder, use is made of a tape-like transfer tape with a width which is small in relation to the substrate width, so that the gas produced during the laser imaging operation can escape to a sufficient extent because of the substrate and transfer tape being placed opposite each other over a small area. During the imaging operation this transfer tape is guided continuously through between the substrate and the laser beam or beams, close to the substrate surface, and is moved over the substrate width simultaneously and in synchronism with the movement of the laser imaging unit.