Patent attributes
In a method and apparatus for engraving printing cylinders in an electronic engraving machine, an engraving control signal is formed from an image signal that represents tonal values of cups to be engraved and from a periodic raster signal for generating a printing raster. An engraving stylus of an engraving element controlled by the engraving control signal engraves a printing form in the form of cups arranged in the printing raster in a rotating printing cylinder. For checking of the functionability of the engraving stylus, test cups are engraved simultaneously when engraving the printing form. A respective measurement interval is defined for selected test cups. The raster signal is respectively eliminated from the engraving control signal for the duration of the measurement interval, and the remaining engraving control signal is investigated for harmonics characteristic of damage to the engraving stylus. A control signal signalling damage to the engraving stylus is generated given the presence of the characteristic harmonics.
