Apparatus and process for positioning a cylindrically-shaped printing element

摘要

This invention provides an apparatus for treating and a process for positioning a cylindrically-shaped element. The apparatus includes means for supporting the element adapted to contact a first part of an interior surface of the element, the supporting means having an axial length; and means for moving the element along the axial length of the supporting means.

主权项

1. An apparatus for treating a cylindrical element having a first side edge and a side edge opposite the first side edge, comprising:
means for supporting the cylindrical element adapted to contact a first part of an interior circumferential surface of the cylindrical element without firmly fixing the cylindrical element to the means for supporting, the supporting means having an axial length; means for moving the cylindrical element axially along the axial length of the supporting means comprising a finger mounted on a guide for linear movement in a first direction and in a second direction opposite the first direction and configured to travel along a length of the guide to contact independently the first side edge and the opposite side edge of the cylindrical element, wherein the finger contacts the first side edge of the cylindrical element and moves on the guide in the first direction to thereby move the cylindrical element in the first direction from a first position to a second position, and selectively, the finger contacts the opposite side edge of the cylindrical element to thereby move the cylindrical element in the second direction from the second position to the first position; and, means for thermally treating the cylindrically-shaped element to create a relief structure suitable for printing.