Processing spot defined by a plurality of laser beams

Abstract

In a method for forming printing indicia to accept printing ink on a processing surface of a printing form associated with a printing cylinder, at least first and second laser beams are provided directed onto the processing surface wherein processing points of the first and second laser beams combine to form a processing spot used in the creation of the printing indicia. A size and shape of the processing spot is defined with the first and second laser beams.

1 - 263 . (canceled)  
   
   
       264 . A method for engraving rotogravure cups to accept printing ink on a processing surface of a rotogravure printing cylinder, comprising the steps of: 
 providing at least first and second laser beams directed onto the processing surface of the rotogravure printing cylinder wherein processing points of the first and second laser beams combine to form a processing spot used in the creation of the rotogravure cups; and    defining a size and shape of the processing spot with the first and second laser beams.    
   
   
       265 . A method of  claim 264  wherein an energy of the first and second laser beams is controlled to generate said shape and size of said processing spot.  
   
   
       266 . A method of  claim 264  wherein at least one of the first and second laser beams is created by at least one fiber laser.  
   
   
       267 . A method of  claim 264  wherein the first and second laser beams have a spot size diameter at the processing surface of 10 μm or less.  
   
   
       268 . A method of  claim 264  wherein the first and second laser beams have a point size diameter at the processing surface of approximately 20 μm or less.  
   
   
       269 . A method of  claim 264  wherein the processing points are focused below the processing surface.  
   
   
       270 . A method of  claim 264  wherein the processing surface comprises metal.  
   
   
       271 . A method for engraving rotogravure cups to accept printing ink on a processing surface of a rotogravure printing cylinder, comprising the steps of: 
 providing at least first and second laser beams directed onto the processing surface of the rotogravure print cylinder wherein processing points of the first and second laser beams combine to form a processing spot used in the creation of the rotogravure cups; and    defining a size and shape of the processing spot with the first and second laser beams and wherein respective energies of the first and second laser beams are controlled for defining said size and shape.    
   
   
       272 . A method for engraving rotogravure cups to accept printing ink on a processing surface of a rotogravure printing cylinder, comprising the steps of: 
 providing at least first and second laser beams directed onto the processing surface of the rotogravure printing cylinder wherein processing points of the first and second laser beams are used to build-up a processing spot used in the creation of the rotogravure cups; and    defining a shape of the processing spot with the first and second laser beams.    
   
   
       273 . A method for forming printing indicia to accept printing ink on a processing surface of a printing form associated with a printing cylinder, comprising the steps of: 
 providing at least first and second laser beams directed onto the processing surface wherein processing points of the first and second laser beams combine to form a processing spot used in the creation of the printing indicia; and    defining a size and shape of the processing spot with the first and second laser beams.