APPARATUS FOR FORMING AN IMAGE ON A FLEXOGRAPHIC MEDIA
An apparatus for forming an image on a flexographic plate includes a laser for exposing a back of the flexographic plate to form a floor; a computer for providing a screened image; wherein the computer locates isolated dots on the screened image; wherein the laser exposes a front of the flexographic plate to form the image, isolated dots and scaffold dots adjacent to the isolated dots; and wherein the scaffold dots do not extend to the floor.
1 . An apparatus for forming an image on a flexographic plate comprising:
a laser for exposing a back of said flexographic plate to form a floor;
a computer for providing a screened image;
wherein said computer locates isolated dots on said screened image;
wherein said laser exposes a front of said flexographic plate to form said image, isolated dots and scaffold dots adjacent to said isolated dots; and
wherein said scaffold dots do not extend to said floor.
2 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a solvent is applied to wash away unexposed material and said scaffold dots from said flexographic plate.
3 . The apparatus of claim 1 comprising:
said laser images an intermediate film with said screened image;
a laminator laminates said film to top of said flexographic plate; and
said laser exposes said flexographic plate through said film.
4 . The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:
a dryer for drying said flexographic plate to remove said solvent.