FlexoStar Direct Laser Engraving Machine

Description of Process

The FlexoStar machine is designed for the laser engravings of images into printing forms made from elastomer type materials. The digital data of the images from the pre-press systems are fed directly into the machine's computer for the on-line laser engraving of these printing forms. The direct laser engraving process ablates - evaporates - the non-printing part of the printing form. Lead Lasers uses a CO2 laser for the direct ablation process.

The directly laser engraved sleeves (or plate) can be directly used on flexographic or letterpress printing systems.

IMAGE SHAPE CONTROL

The operator directly controls the shape of the image cross section. A graphic display touch screen enables setting of essential characteristics as:

• flank slope of dots
• variable, multiple slope flank
• anglesability of height adjustment of highlight dots 'below' print surface

DIRECT LASER ENGRAVING PRODUCTION [CO2 LASER]

• Resolutions range from 500 dpcm to 1.150 dpcm (1.250 to 2.900 dpi) for typical screens ranging from 26 to 70 lpcm (65 to 175 lpi)
• Practical print form resolution up to 3.500 dpi x 3.500 dpi.
• Process work line screens up 80 lpcm (200 lpi)
• Note: engraved relief depth will vary for different elastomer material formulations
• Screen ruling up 80 lpcm (200 lpi)