The present invention is drawn to a wash that will effectively clean printing related equipment such as a printing press, including all of its components, of materials used in the printing process, including printing inks, paper, and fountain solutions.

A plate handling system (500, 600) for transporting printing plates between workstations in a process workflow. A plurality of vacuum gripper end effectors (512) configured to grip the printing plates are mounted to a computer-controlled transporter (514) configured to translate in at least three orthogonal directions and to rotate about at least one rotational axis. At least one sensor (560) detects orientation of the plate relative to a staging location and a controller (630) causes the transporter to move based upon programmed instructions in accordance with information provided by the sensor. A mobile preparation table (1000) may be provided in the staging location. A thickness measurement system (1090) may be included in some embodiments.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of processing a printing body, the printing body comprising a substrate and a diamond-like carbon (DLC) layer on the substrate, the method comprising engraving a printing pattern into the DLC layer. This method is advantageous, as it reduces the number of process steps required in processing the printing body, and reduces the loss of fine detail in the printing pattern.

Provided is an activation device for a printing blanket and a printing method using a printing blanket that enable a surface of an absorber to be constantly kept clean to enable proper activation of a surface of the printing blanket. The activation device for a printing blanket includes a storage tank having a box shape, the absorber mounted on the storage tank, and a liquid stored in the storage tank. The absorber includes layers of absorbing members and absorbs the liquid from an absorber lower part, and an uppermost layer of the absorber is peelable from the absorber.

A system for moving a flexible plate, in particular a printing plate or a printing plate precursor, over a support surface in the direction of a treatment station, such as a washer station. The system includes a support configured for supporting the plate on a support surface thereof, and intended to be located upstream of the treatment station. A movement means includes a plate engagement means configured to contact the plate in such a way that the plate is engaged by adhesion or by friction or a combination thereof, in a movement mode, and that the plate can be slid over the support surface by controlling the movement means in the movement mode. A control means is configured to control the movement means such that the plate is slid over the support in the direction of the treatment station.

An apparatus comprises a plate cleaner assembly. The plate cleaner assembly further comprises a frame, a roller coupled to the frame, a dry cleaning material coupled to the roller, and a spray assembly coupled to the plate cleaner assembly. The plate cleaner assembly further includes a controller coupled thereto. Moreover, the apparatus further comprises a printing plate cylinder and a printing plate coupled to the printing plate cylinder.

The present invention relates to a water-based or solvent-based washing unit for washing a flexographic plate. The washing unit comprises a containment structure which defines a lower basin and at least two side basins which are supplied with the washing liquid and are arranged so that the water overflowing from the side basins is collected in the lower basin. A brush partially immersed in the liquid bath defined by the basin itself is installed at each basin.

The invention relates to a cleaning apparatus (10) for functionally regenerating a brush (20) which can be used for washing a flexographic plate; in particular, the apparatus is configured to regenerate a brush (20) comprising a cylindrical core (5) about which a channel (4) supporting filaments (3) is fixed according to a spiral shape. The apparatus comprises a frame defining a rotation axis (100) for the brush and a motorized assembly, which can be operatively connected to an end of said cylindrical core (5) of the brush (20) to rotate it about the rotation axis (100). The apparatus (10) further comprises a cleaning unit (30) comprising a carriage (31), movable along a rectilinear guide (32) and a tool (33) provided with an end (33A) adapted to penetrate into the spaces defined between the turns of the spiral to detach the polymer and monomer residues hardened in said spaces as a result of the use of said brush for said washing.

A cleaning system is provided for a printing press recirculation system, in which the cleaning system generates a plurality of bubbles within a fountain solution of the printing press recirculation system. The cleaning system includes (i) a first composition comprising a solid blend including (a) a first alkaline cleaning agent having a first alkaline strength, (b) a detergent salt, (c) a non-foaming emulsifying agent, and (d) a second alkaline cleaning agent having a second alkaline strength, in which the first alkaline strength is greater than the second alkaline strength; (ii) a second composition comprising one or more organic acids. Also provided are methods of cleaning a printing press recirculation system.

Provided is an activation device for a printing blanket and a printing method using a printing blanket that enable a surface of an absorber to be constantly kept clean to enable proper activation of a surface of the printing blanket. The activation device for a printing blanket includes a storage tank having a box shape, the absorber mounted on the storage tank, and a liquid stored in the storage tank. The absorber includes layers of absorbing members and absorbs the liquid from an absorber lower part, and an uppermost layer of the absorber is peelable from the absorber.