Device and method for digital exposure

The invention relates to a device for exposing light-sensitive materials, with an electronic picture memory ( 2 ) for storing a master image, with an exposure unit which comprises a light source ( 22 ), an electronically activatable light modulator ( 21 ) for representing a part picture ( 24 ) of the master image ( 2 ), and imaging optics ( 23 ) for the projection of the part picture ( 24 ) onto the light sensitive material ( 10 ), with a drive device consisting of motors ( 9 ) and of a motor control ( 12 ), for moving the exposure unit ( 8 ) parallel to the surface of the light-sensitive material ( 10 ), with a scroll means ( 7 ) for scrolling a picture strip ( 25, 26 ) of the master image through the light modulator ( 21 ), and with a control device ( 1 ) for synchronising the drive device ( 9, 12 ) with the scroll means ( 7 ). For reducing the processing time for the exposure of the complete printing plate ( 10 ), according to the invention, it is envisaged for a rapid intermediate memory ( 16 ) for storing a strip-like region to be provided, from which the picture data for the part picture ( 24 ) to be exposed, in each case, may be transmitted onto the light modulator ( 21 ) synchronously with the movement of the exposure unit ( 8 ).