Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

This invention relates to an engraving method and apparatus for engraving a cylinder for printing an intaglio pattern on a web of material. The engraver comprises a driver for rotatably driving the cylinder and a controller for controlling the operation of the engraver and for generating an intaglio engraving signal corresponding to the predetermined intaglio pattern. The engraver also comprises an engraving head comprising a stylus having a generally flat cutting edge or surface. The engraving head also is capable of engraving at response times of less than 200-300 microseconds, thereby enabling the engraving head to engrave the intaglio pattern on the cylinder during the rotation of the cylinder in response to the intaglio engraving signal. The apparatus and method also comprise a fine line boost routine for facilitating engraving fine areas or lines of the intaglio pattern. There is also provided apparatus and method for controlling ink flow in large engraved areas or intaglio trenches. The apparatus and method facilitate engraving intaglio grooves or trenches which may be generally rectangular in cross section, and which were engraved in response to a pulse-width modulated intaglio engraving signal generated by the controller. In another embodiment of the invention, a system and method or process for engraving a mixed pattern of non-intaglio and intaglio engraved areas is shown. The invention also includes a system and method for engraving mixed patterns of intaglio and non-intaglio areas. In this regard, a controller associated with the engraver analyzes the image data and differentiates the non-intaglio data from intaglio data so that it can be signed an appropriate feed rate for the intaglio and non-intaglio patterns. Using the feed rates, the mixed patterns are engraved.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim