|
(11) | EP 0 529 563 A3 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (54) | Imaging apparatus and lead screw drive |
| (57) An imaging system comprising a source of light (286) movable with respect to a writing
element and projectable thereon to generate an image, a focusing means is provided
for focusing a light source which generates a first beam of light of a wavelength
selected to be actinic with respect to the writing element. At least a portion of
the first beam of light is absorbed by the writing element. The apparatus comprises
means to automatically supply donor sheets and receiver sheets independently to a
writing platen or drum (18), and to selectively load and unload the donor sheets from
superposition with the receiver sheet without disturbing the registration of the receiver
sheet. The apparatus also comprises a translator member (210) including a lead screw
(284) having a drive end and a thrust end mounted in and extending through a bearing
at each end thereof (292), a flexible coupling (298) at a drive end connecting the
lead screw (284) to a drive motor (282) and wobble rod (310) at the thrust end of
the lead screw (284) to axially locate the lead screw. Also included are components
which contribute to the quality of the images generated, such as relatively inexpensive,
low jitter transports and drives for the writing head and imaging drum. |