This present invention relates to a confocal fiber optic sensor configured to operate within imaging heads of computer-to-plate (CTP) machines. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Optical heads for imaging emit a plurality of light spots on a light- sensitive medium, the optical imaging head may be configured from an array of pigtailed laser diodes. Each laser diode is optically coupled to a proximal tip of a multi-mode optical fiber. The distal tips of the optical fibers are supported in a linear array by opto mechanical means, and imaged onto a printing plate.

Different types of plates may be used in CTP machines. For example, for direct engraving of a fiexography plate high power lasers are used. To achieve a good ablation of the imaging media, the optical head should be provided with features such as autofocus, thermal lens compensating and plate sensitivity sensor.

Such features become feasible by the present invention which offers a confocal fiber optic sensor configured to operate within the imaging heads of CTP machines.

The confocal technique is well known in the literature. The fundamental principles and advantages of confocal microscopy are described in U.S. Patent No. 3,013,467 (Minsky et al).

U.S. Patent Nos. 6,310,710 and 6,466,352 describe a rotating reading and writing scan system that incorporates a rotatable confocal microscopy. The rotatable configuration is the essence of those inventions, which also utilize the well known confocal microscopy. The novelty of these patents is in the new rotatable configuration. The present invention addresses different features in the realm of CTP devices, and more specifically in the field of three dimensional direct engraving of flexographic plates. The application utilizes the confocal principle as well, but beyond that it also offers new configurations which are adapted to achieve numerous features required for CTP devices. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, according to one aspect of the present invention is a system for optically adjusting a computer-to-plate (CTP) imaging head which includes an optical fiber for transmitting light emitted from the light source; an imaging lens for focusing light emitted from a distal end of the optical fiber on a substrate; wherein a portion of light striking the substrate is reflected back to the distal end of the optical fiber; a fiber optic coupler in the optical fiber which transmits the reflected light to a light detector; wherein the light detector measures intensity of the reflected light; and a control unit configured to adjust the imaging head according to the intensity of the reflected light.

The object of the present invention is to provide a confocal fiber optic sensor for imaging heads used for various types of CTP printing machines. The sensor provides new features that are essential in order to receive a good quality of the image on a plate. These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings wherein there is shown and described an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is an illustration of a confocal sensor adjusted within an optical head;

Figure 2 is an illustration of a confocal sensor adjusted aside to an optical head;

Figure 3 is an illustration of confocal sensor used to measure the profile ofa flexographic plate surface;

Figure 4 is an illustration of a confocal sensor used to detect the edge of a plate;

Figure 5 A is an illustration of two adjacent confocal sensors, utilizing optical fibers with different core diameters, operating simultaneously for expanding the dynamic range; Figure 5B is an illustration of a response function showing the relation between the back reflected signal as a function of distance to target;

Figure 6 is an illustration of two adjacent confocal sensors, utilizing imaging lenses with different NAs, operating simultaneously for expanding the dynamic range; and

Figure 7 is an illustration showing detection of plate separation from a rotating drum.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Figure 1 illustrates a confocal sensor 100. The confocal sensor 100 is integrated with a plurality of fiber coupled laser sources 120 into a mechanical assembly 152.

The distal tip of the fiber coupled laser source 120 is imaged on substrate 148 by imaging lens 144 to form an image.

The sensor 100 comprised of a light source 104 coupled to optical fiber 124 and to fiber optic coupler 116. Rays 136 emitted from the distal tip of optical fiber 128 are imaged on the surface of substrate 148. The back reflected light 140 is coupled to the emitting optical fiber 128 and reaches detector 112 via coupler 116 and optical fiber 132. The intensity measured by detector 112 is a function of the distance 160 to the printing plate. The position of the optical head 156 is adjusted according to the measured back reflected intensity levels, in order to achieve a predefined distance in respect to substrate 148. The optical head 156 includes a joint structure of mechanical assembly 152 and imaging lens 144. The focus can be achieved also by moving only the mechanical assembly 152, while keeping the imaging lens 144 fixed in its original position. This solution is advantageous due to the fact that the confocal sensor 100 which is used as an auto focus device is integrated in the optical imaging head. This configuration enables good compensation for defocusing that might be caused by thermal lensing or the movement of different elements within the lens. Thermal lensing or misalignment of different elements that construct the lens may be caused when a fraction of the power is absorbed by the different elements that construct the compound lens causing temperature gradients. Confocal sensor 100 may be used to calibrate other range related sensors. Confocal sensor 100 and other types of range related sensor might coexist in certain configurations of a CTP device and may operate simultaneously. For example, such a calibration can be performed for an external laser range finder 168. The external range finder 168 measures the range independent of the imaging lens 144. The position of the optical head 156 is changed according to a signal received from the external laser range finder 168 in order to achieve a predefined distance in respect to substrate 148.

The wavelength emitted by laser source 120 maybe dependent on its optical power. For example, for high power multi mode laser diodes that emit power of 10 Watts at 915 run, a shift of, roughly, 1 nm per Watt is known. Since during operation the laser source 120 maybe operated at various optical powers, the confocal sensor 100 can be used to measure and compensate for defocusing that can be caused by the chromatic aberration of the imaging lens. Figure 2 shows confocal sensor 100, used for auto focus purposes, operating independently and aside from the fiber optic mechanical assembly 152, wherein both are parts of an imaging head.

Plate substrate 148 is often constructed of surface irregularities. The confocal sensor 100 is configured to scan the plate substrate 148 in advance of the actual imaging unit 200. The readings of the irregular surface of plate substrate 148 are further communicated by feedback control unit 164 to imaging unit 200. The imaging unit will adjust its position relative to substrate 148 irregularities prior to the actual imaging being performed.

Different types of flexography plates may be used for direct engraving. Furthermore, the sensitivity of these flexographic plates may change over time. Hence, there is a need to test the sensitivity of the plate prior to imaging. The following procedure is suggested. The lasers 120 are adjusted to a predefined power and a sample plate 148 is irradiated. The confocal fiber optic sensor is then used to measure the depth and shape of the imaged holes in plate substrate 148. According to this measurement, the sensitivity of the plate substrate is calculated and the power of the lasers 120 is adjusted accordingly. Light source 104 can be operated in two different modes. For example, if light source 104 is a multi-mode fiber-coupled laser diode, then in the first mode of operation, when operated at high power, it can be utilized to ablate and engrave the flexographic plate. In the second mode of operation, when the same light source 104 is operated at a relative low power, for example under the laser threshold, it can function as the light source of the confocal sensor. Operating light source 104 at a relative low power, under the laser threshold, may have some advantages. For example, in this mode of operation it will not activate the flexographic plate. Furthermore, the signal-to-noise ratio as measured by the detector 112 may be improved due to the shorter coherence length of the light emitted by 104.

In another embodiment of this invention confocal sensor 100 is used for measuring the reflectivity of an irradiated object. The intensity of the back reflected light 140 may be calibrated first by irradiating an imaging object with a known reflectivity. Flexographic-imaging plates are characterized by a reflectivity value of about 10 percent. When a higher reflectivity is measured, it may indicate on a faulty plate or on a rotating drum with no plate attached to it. The confocal sensor 100 can be also used to scan and measure the reflectivity of the substrate in advance of the actual imaging unit. In situations where a high reflectivity is sensed, an interlock will be activated in order to prevent the diodes from emitting high powers. Such a procedure will save the diodes from high values of back-reflected light that can damage them.

In another embodiment of this invention, a confocal sensor 100 is used to measure the profile of an engraved surface area 304 of a flexographic plate, this is depicted in Figure 3.

In another embodiment of this invention as is depicted in Figure 4, a confocal sensor 100 is used to detect the edge of a plate 404. The attached plate material 404 is smaller than substrate 408. There is a need before the actual imaging to find the exact position where plate material 404 starts. Figure 4 shows a confocal sensor 100 emitting light on a plate material 404 attached to a plate substrate 408. Sensor 100 is used here for detecting the exact edge of plate 404. In another embodiment of this invention, the resolution and dynamic range of the fiber optic confocal sensor 100 can be controlled by adjusting its optics. Figure 5 A describes a method for expanding the dynamic range by using two adjacent confocal sensors 100. The first uses a fiber optic guide 536 with a large core diameter and, therefore, provides relatively a large dynamic range. The second sensor 100 uses a fiber optic guide 540 with a smaller core diameter and, therefore, provides a relatively small dynamic range but with a better resolution. The usage of two confocal sensors 100 enables a measurement in both a wide dynamic range and a high resolution. Figure 5B describes a schematic of a response function where the back reflected signal 504 is a function of distance 508 to target substrate 148. The response function is measured by scanning the distance to target and by simultaneously reading the values measured by detectors 112. The large dynamic range is indicated by function 512 derived from fiber optic 536 measurements whereas the higher resolution is indicated by function 516 derived from fiber 540 measurements.

The expansion of the dynamic range can be also achieved by using two different imaging lenses in parallel, where each of the two imaging lenses provide different numerical aperture (N.A) at its output. Figure 6 depicts two confocal sensors 100, each having an imaging lens with a different numerical aperture. First sensor 100 emits light via imaging lens 612 characterized by a narrow numerical aperture, and adjusted in front of the optical fiber 604. A second sensor 100 emits light via optical fiber 608, and imaging lens 616, that provides a wider numerical aperture and adjusted in front of the optical fiber 608. In another embodiment of this invention, the confocal sensor 100 can be used to detect separation of plate 404 from drum 704 as is depicted in

Figure 7. In CTP devices plate 404 is attached to a rotating drum 704. Drum 704 rotates in high rates. The centrifugal force created by the rotation of drum 704 combined with a possible malfunction of the CTP device holding the plate 404 attached to the drum 704 may cause the separation of plate 404 from drum 704. The confocal fiber optic sensor 100 can sense the separation of the plate from the drum and stop the drum rotation. PARTS LIST

100 confocal sensor (system for adjusting output power)

104 light source

112 light detector

116 fiber optic coupler

120 laser source

124 optical fiber connecting light source to coupler

128 optical fiber emitting light on substrate

132 optical fiber connecting coupler to detector

136 emitted rays to substrate

140 back reflected rays from substrate

144 imaging lens

148 substrate

152 mechanical assembly

156 optical head

160 distance from lens to printing plate

164 feedback control unit

168 external laser range finder

200 imaging unit

204 imaging lens

208 imaging lens

304 example of an ablated flexographic plate surface area

404 plate

408 plate substrate

504 back reflected signal axis

508 distance to target axis

512 first dynamic range

516 second dynamic range

536 thick optical fiber

540 thin optical fiber

604 optical fiber

608 optical fiber 612 imaging lens characterized by a narrow numerical aperture 616 imaging lens characterized by a wider numerical aperture 704 rotating drum