An apparatus is provided for positioning a plurality of cassettes within an automated printing plate handler. In a plate handler, a plurality of cassettes each contain a supply of printing plates for delivery to an automatic plate-recording device. The apparatus includes a separate support table for supporting each of the plurality of cassettes within the plate handler and an elevator device for moving each of the support tables along a vertical axis of the automated plate handler. The automated plate handler is configured to automatically position a selected cassette in a first position to facilitate removal of the cassette from the handler. The plate handler further includes a platform, which substantially forms an extension of the support table supporting the selected cassette in the first position. The platform provides a second position, at which the selected cassette is to be one of, loaded or unloaded. The selected cassette may be filled with a new supply of plates on the platform or the selected cassette may be removed from the platform and replaced by a another cassette.

Apparatus for loading and unloading a supply of plates in an automated plate handler

The present invention provides a media handling system for an imaging system, such as an external drum platesetter. Separate input and output trays are provided, thereby allowing pre-staging of a second printing plate while a first printing plate is being imaged. The input tray is positioned over the output tray to reduce the floor space (i.e., footprint) of the imaging system.

External drum imaging system

A method for recording a rectangular image along helical tracks on a plate, while the plate is mounted on a cylindrical surface in an imagesetter, so that an edge of the image, corresponding to a reference edge of the plate, essentially parallels the reference edge. The method includes punching one or more notches across the reference edge of the plate, providing two stop pins, fixedly attached to the cylindrical surface, and positioning the plate on the cylindrical surface so that one of the stop pins engages one of the notches.

Print image positioning

In accordance with the present invention, an imaging apparatus is provided for forming images on an electrically conductive printing plate. The imaging apparatus has a mounting surface having at least three electrically isolated conductors arranged so that when the electrically conductive printing plate is in registration on the mounting surface, the electrically conductive printing plate defines an electrical connection between all of the electrical conductors; and, an electrical circuit adapted to sense an electrical connection between all of the conductors and to thereupon generate an output signal.

Imaging apparatus and printing plate mounting surface for use in an imaging apparatus having printing plate registration detection

There is provided a construction which comprises: a printing plate receiving means that is arranged at a position remote from the periphery of a plate cylinder for supporting a printing plate lock-up hook portion in parallel to the axis of the plate cylinder and as capable of displacement in parallel to that axis; a receiving position determining means for positioning at a predetermined position of the printing plate receiving means the printing plate lock-up hook portion mounted thereon; and a stop position determining means for stopping the printing plate receiving means at a predetermined position relative to a side end surface of the plate cylinder. The invention enables a printing plate being locked up to be positioned with an extremely high precision, yet in a short period of time, corresponding to the position where it is to be locked up, relative to an axially displaced plate cylinder.

Printing plate support device and printing plate removably mounting apparatus as well as methods of operating the same

A method and an apparatus for controlling an automated printing plate change process in a sheet-fed offset printing machine, in which a used printing plate is removed from the gripping portion of a clamping rail allocated to the leading edge of the plate cylinder and thereupon a new printing plate is guided into the opened gripping portion. Position sensors are used to determine, first, whether the front end of the used printing plate, and subsequently, whether the front end of the new printing plate, is in register in the leading edge clamping rail. Such information is used to control the plate change process. During the plate change process, the sensors are interrogated to determine whether the used plate has been removed from the plate cylinder, and whether the new printing plate is properly loaded.

Method and apparatus for controlling the automated changing of printing plates in printing machines

A method for automatically feeding a printing plate in proper registry to a plate cylinder in a printing machine is disclosed. Pursuant to the disclosed method, a printing plate is advanced by a plate conveyor towards a clamping rail on the plate cylinder. After the leading edge is inserted into the clamping rail, the in-register condition of the leading edge of the printing plate is independently sensed at two sensing sites. If the leading edge of the printing plate is in register at only one site, the printing plate is released from the plate conveyor for a period of time to permit the printing plate to align itself. The printing plate is then held again by the plate conveyor and the advancement of the plate is resumed. This process is repeated until the independent sensors both indicate that registry has been achieved.

Method for automatically feeding a printing plate to a plate cylinder in a printing machine

Vorrichtung zum automatischen Wechseln von Druckplatten

A magazine for the automated changing of printing plates of a sheet-fed offset printing machine. The magazine includes a guiding apparatus which can be put into place on the plate cylinder for purposes of conveying used printing plates out of the plate cylinder and for feeding new printing plates to the cylinder. The guiding apparatus may be formed by a sheet-metal profile. Provision is made of further guiding surfaces and a holder so that the used printing plate may be locked by the holder. An operator then only need pull the plate a short distance out of the gripping region of a leading edge clamping rail. Stops are provided for a printing plate so that the new printing plate can be deposited on the stops. By virtue of putting the guiding apparatus into place, the new printing plate is shifted toward the plate cylinder and can be fed into the front clamping rail by the operator.

Apparatus for the automated changing of printing plates of a printing machine

The device has a clamping rail axially parallel in the plate cylinder and with stops interacting with the curved punched areas on the edge of the printing plate. At least one of the stops (2.1,2.2) has flat surfaces running inclined to the supply direction (R) of the printing plate. One stop interacts with a U-shaped punched area (4.1) which has a circular arc-shaped contour area. The stop has a curved end side (7) adjoined by flat faces with adjoining circular-shaped transitions. One stop (2.2) interacts with a punched area (4.2) having an edge running parallel to the front edge of the printing plate (3). The stop has an end side formed by a flat face adjoined by flat faces (5) running inclined to the supply direction.

Nikola Pupic

Papers

Method and apparatus for controlling the automated changing of printing plates in printing machines

Method for automatically feeding a printing plate to a plate cylinder in a printing machine

Vorrichtung zum automatischen Wechseln von Druckplatten

Apparatus for the automated changing of printing plates of a printing machine

Device for fitting printing plates