Importance

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Abstract

In a photoplotter for making use of digital data to produce photographic images, a collimated light source provides precision focusing. Three laser light beams are combined into a single coincident beam so that the film is exposed to all color components simultaneously. In the beam alignment system, the different adjustments are entirely independent which simplifies the alignment of the light beams. The elevation of the final beam path is controlled by independently changing the angular path of each beam component before it is directed along the final beam path, by means of three movable platforms each carrying an optical modulator and a mirror. The azimuth and elevation angles and the lateral position of each beam component along the final beam path are independently adjusted by changing the azimuth and elevation angles and the lateral position of a mirror that deflects the corresponding beam component along the final beam path. The adjustments are substantially independent with a miniumum of interaction. A moving mirror assembly causes the beam to move laterally to scan a film on a rotating drum. In a second embodiment, the beam remains stationary while the film and revolving drum are moved laterally.

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First Claim