Patent ID: 6401614
Filing Date: 2002-06-11
Classification: B41C,B41N

Abstract:
A process for preparing removable sleeves to be photoengraved for printing presses, comprising the following steps:setting a cylinder (10) having an inner cavity (15) provided with at least one inlet (14) to enable passage of fluid under pressure towards the inner cavity (15) and a given number of outlet holes (12) in communication with the inner cavity (15), said outlet holes (12) being disposed at a side surface (13) of said cylinder (10); associating protection means (2) for closure of the outlet holes (12) of the cylinder (10), said holes (12) being disposed on at least one side edge portion (13a) of the side surface (13) of the cylinder (10), immersing the cylinder (10) with said protection means (2) for closing said outlet holes (12) in an electroplating bath; forming a metal sleeve (30) directly on the side surface (13) of the cylinder (10), said outlet holes (12) being not present in a region (13b) of the side surface (13) arranged to receive the metal sleeve (30); taking the cylinder (10) out of the electroplating bath; positioning extraction means (9) at least at said side edge portion (13a) provided with outlet holes (12); substantially preventing passage of fluid between the extraction means (9) and an end of the metal sleeve (30) disposed at the region of the outlet holes (12); blowing in a fluid under pressure inside the cavity (15) through said inlet (14) to generate a corresponding fluid flow through said outlet holes (12), said extraction means (9) urging the fluid to form an air cushion between the metal sleeve (30) and the side surface of the cylinder (13); and axially removing the metal sleeve (30) and the extraction means (9) from the cylinder.