Patent ID: 7550251

Claim:
A maskless digital imaging photopolymerization system for producing a cross-linked photopolymerized printing plate having an imaged surface layer with x, y, and z dimensions, said imaged surface layer being usable in graphic arts reproduction applications to provide accurate metering of a liquid and to transfer the liquid to another surface, said system comprising: a support assembly adapted to receive at least a first layer of a cross-linkable liquid photopolymer; a light source for irradiating said cross-linkable liquid photopolymer layer, said light source and said support assembly are adapted to be held stationary at least during formation of the imaged surface layer of the cross-linked photopolymerized printing plate; a spatial light modulator having individually controllable elements in a matrix disposed between said light source and said support assembly; and a microprocessor connected to said spatial light modulator and adapted to control operation of said individually controllable elements such that said spatial light modulator provides light from said light source at various wavelengths and intensities in an image pattern toward said support assembly in order to form the imaged surface layer with x, y, and z dimensions in the cross-linkable liquid photopolymer layer in one step.