Device and method for digital exposure

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for exposing light-sensitive materials, with an electronic picture memory ( 2 ) for storing a master image, with an exposure unit which comprises a light source ( 22 ), an electronically activatable light modulator ( 21 ) for representing a part picture ( 24 ) of the master image ( 2 ), and imaging optics ( 23 ) for the projection of the part picture ( 24 ) onto the light sensitive material ( 10 ), with a drive device consisting of motors ( 9 ) and of a motor control ( 12 ), for moving the exposure unit ( 8 ) parallel to the surface of the light-sensitive material ( 10 ), with a scroll means ( 7 ) for scrolling a picture strip ( 25, 26 ) of the master image through the light modulator ( 21 ), and with a control device ( 1 ) for synchronising the drive device ( 9, 12 ) with the scroll means ( 7 ). For reducing the processing time for the exposure of the complete printing plate ( 10 ), according to the invention, it is envisaged for a rapid intermediate memory ( 16 ) for storing a strip-like region to be provided, from which the picture data for the part picture ( 24 ) to be exposed, in each case, may be transmitted onto the light modulator ( 21 ) synchronously with the movement of the exposure unit ( 8 ).

Description

technical field [0001] The invention relates to an apparatus and method for digitally exposing photosensitive materials. The device has an electronic image memory for storing the reticle; an exposure unit, which preferably includes a light source, an electrically controllable light modulator for representing a partial image of the reticle, and a projection for projecting the partial image onto a photosensitive material Optics; drive means, consisting of, for example, servo motors and motor controls, for moving the exposure unit parallel to the surface of the photosensitive material; rolling means for rolling the image tape of the plate through the light modulator; and drive means for Control device synchronized with scrolling device. Background technique [0002] Such an exposure device is disclosed, for example, in WO 01 / 21413 A1. Transmissive LCD displays or reflective micromirror devices - also known as DMDs or digital mirror elements - are suitable as light modulators....

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0004] However, when using the rolling method, the following problem arises: the light modulator - i.e. the LCD display or the DMD chip itself - does not provide a shift register function

The usual control of light modulators by means of a computer is not adequate for these data streams

The processing of the exact position of the exposure unit and the synchronization with the image data also requires high-resolution real-time access to the instantaneous position data, which is not possible even with a PC with a real-time operating system

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