An apparatus for coating a donor surface that is movable relative to the apparatus with a layer of metallic particles or particles having a metal-like appearance and reflectivity, the particles adhering more strongly to the surface than to one another. The apparatus comprises an application device to apply to the donor surface a fluid stream within which the particles are suspended, a housing surrounds the application device forming an interior plenum for confining the fluid stream, the housing prevents egress of particles from a sealing gap defined between the rim of the housing and the surface to be coated, and a suction source connected to the housing to extract from the plenum excess fluid and particles. In operation, the suction source extracts substantially all particles that are not in direct contact with the donor surface, leaving substantially a single particle layer adhering to the donor surface upon exiting the apparatus.

An apparatus for coating a donor surface that is movable relative to the apparatus with a layer of thermoplastic particles, the particles adhering more strongly to the surface than to one another. The apparatus comprises an application device to apply to the donor surface a fluid stream within which the particles are suspended, a housing surrounds the application device forming an interior plenum for confining the fluid stream, the housing prevents egress of particles from a sealing gap defined between the rim of the housing and the surface to be coated, and a suction source connected to the housing to extract from the plenum excess fluid and particles. In operation, the suction source extracts substantially all particles that are not in direct contact with the donor surface, leaving substantially a single particle layer adhering to the donor surface upon exiting the apparatus.

A fully automatic gravure preparation processing system having high degrees of freedom, which is capable of manufacturing a gravure printing roll more quickly as compared to a conventional case, achieving space saving, performing an unattended operation even in the nighttime, flexibly customizing a manufacturing line, and satisfying various customer needs. The fully automatic gravure preparation processing system includes a processing room-A having a handling area of a first industrial robot for chucking and handling a roll to be prepared and a processing room-B having a handling area of a second industrial robot for chucking and handling the roll to be prepared. The first industrial robot and the second industrial robot are configured to transfer the roll to be prepared therebetween when preparation processing is performed.

A fully automatic gravure preparation processing system having high degrees of freedom, which is capable of manufacturing a gravure printing roll more quickly as compared to a conventional case, achieving space saving, performing an unattended operation even in the nighttime, flexibly customizing a manufacturing line, and satisfying various customer needs. The fully automatic gravure preparation processing system includes a processing room-A having a handling area of a first industrial robot for chucking and handling a roll to be prepared and a processing room-B having a handling area of a second industrial robot for chucking and handling the roll to be prepared. The first industrial robot and the second industrial robot are configured to transfer the roll to be prepared therebetween when preparation processing is performed.

Provided are a modular processing unit that is standardizable, capable of enhancing production efficiency, and is also flexibly customizable, and a fully automatic gravure cylinder manufacturing system using the modular processing unit. The modular processing unit includes a pair of frame members provided upright so as to face each other, a first processing module including a first processing bath module, a first beam module provided horizontal to a floor, and a first chuck module, and a second processing module including a second processing bath module, a second beam module provided horizontal to the floor, and a second chuck module. The modular processing unit has multi-stage structure with at least the first processing module and the second processing module being assembled onto the frame members.

Provided are a modular processing unit that is standardizable, capable of enhancing production efficiency, and is also flexibly customizable, and a fully automatic gravure cylinder manufacturing system using the modular processing unit. The modular processing unit includes a pair of frame members provided upright so as to face each other, a first processing module including a first processing bath module, a first beam module provided horizontal to a floor, and a first chuck module, and a second processing module including a second processing bath module, a second beam module provided horizontal to the floor, and a second chuck module. The modular processing unit has multi-stage structure with at least the first processing module and the second processing module being assembled onto the frame members.

Provided is a method for manufacturing a sleeve printing plate capable of forming an image pattern which applies printing on an object to be printed by laser engraving without generating cracks and chippings in a printing plate made of a photosensitive resin. The method for manufacturing a sleeve printing plate by making a printing plate made of a photosensitive resin surround an outer peripheral surface of a circular cylindrical sleeve body and forming an image pattern on the printing plate by laser engraving includes the steps of: washing and cooling the printing plate with water; applying heating treatment to the printing plate at a predetermined temperature; and applying heat radiation treatment to the printing plate after the heating treatment.

A method for controlling an oven for drying flexographic plates, comprising: activating thermal energy generation means and air circulation means of a first drawer module of the oven, until the temperature of the first drawer module reaches a stand-by value; inserting a flexographic plate into a first drawer of the first drawer module; increasing the temperature of the first drawer module from the stand-by value to a drying value; inserting a flexographic plate into a second drawer of the first drawer module; activating the thermal energy generation means and the air circulation means in a second drawer of the oven, until the temperature of such second drawer reaches a stand-by value; inserting a flexographic plate into a first drawer of the second drawer module; increasing the temperature of the second drawer from the stand-by value to a drying value.

A method for controlling an oven for drying flexographic plates, comprising: activating thermal energy generation means and air circulation means of a first drawer module of the oven, until the temperature of the first drawer module reaches a stand-by value; inserting a flexographic plate into a first drawer of the first drawer module; increasing the temperature of the first drawer module from the stand-by value to a drying value; inserting a flexographic plate into a second drawer of the first drawer module; activating the thermal energy generation means and the air circulation means in a second drawer of the oven, until the temperature of such second drawer reaches a stand-by value; inserting a flexographic plate into a first drawer of the second drawer module; increasing the temperature of the second drawer from the stand-by value to a drying value.

A laminated sleeve includes: a basic sleeve, an elastic layer, an inner reinforcement layer, a support layer, an outer reinforcement layer and a surface layer which are sequentially arranged in that order from inside to outside. A manufacturing method includes: cutting a plate material into support strips of the same size, arranging the support strips around a central axis of the sleeve to cover the inner reinforcement layer annularly to obtain the support layer, wrapping the outer reinforcement layer around the support layer, and obtaining the laminated sleeve after surface processing. The manufacturing method greatly expands the wide range of material choices for the support layer and allows for flexible adjustment of the outer diameter size of the product. The support layer of the laminated sleeve made by the disclosure can be made of general rigid solid materials with low density, high strength, and minimal deformation.