Intelligent Plate Scanner for Offset Presses

A new intelligent plate scanner capable of measuring both presensitized aluminum and multi-metal offset plates has been developed. A densitometer, specular measuring device, and polarization filter are controlled by a microcomputer, which chooses which device to use. The computer program determines whether an inking zone has an image, and presets inking levels, based on press parameters which are updated during a run. Graphs of image and plate characteristics are included.