Abstract: A plate pallet alignment and loading apparatus (10) for originally packed plate pallet (13) into a printing plate imaging device (71) includes plate pallet adaptor (11) wherein the originally packed plate pallet (13) is placed on top; plate pallet position detectors (15, 21, 31) attach to the plate pallet adaptor (11); a pallet alignment and loading apparatus (10) loads the plates from the originally packed plate pallet (13) into the printing plate imaging device; interleaf removal system (16) separates separation paper sheets placed between the plates; and plate pallet position correction actuators (43, 44, 45) corrects the plate pallet position in respect to the plate loading system (14) in response to pallet position results read from the plate pallet position detectors.

Abstract: A plate stock detection apparatus for detecting plates remaining on a plate pallet (13) on an automatic plate pallet loading system (18) configured to load plates into an imaging device, which includes a plate pallet adaptor (11). The plate pallet is placed on top of the adaptor; and plate pallet stock detectors (15, 16, 21, 31) measure plates left on the plate pallet. A plate pallet elevation system (12) elevates the plate pallet in response to feedback plate pallet stock detectors.

Abstract: A plate pallet alignment and loading apparatus (10) for originally packed plate pallet (13) into a printing plate imaging device (71) includes plate pallet adaptor (11) wherein the originally packed plate pallet (13) is placed on top; plate pallet position detectors (15, 21, 31) attach to the plate pallet adaptor (11); a pallet alignment and loading apparatus (10) loads the plates from the originally packed plate pallet (13) into the printing plate imaging device; interleaf removal system (16) separates separation paper sheets placed between the plates; and plate pallet position correction actuators (43, 44, 45) corrects the plate pallet position in respect to the plate loading system (14) in response to pallet position results read from the plate pallet position detectors.

Abstract: A system for loading and clamping one or more plates onto the cylindrical surface of a rotatable drum, such as used in a platesetter for printing, and for unloading the plates from the drum. The system is characterized by clamps that are movable over the surface, preferably along circumferential tracks, enabling the attachment of multiple plates, end-to-end and/or side-by-side, each plate having any of a wide range of sizes. The clamps are preferably of the dynamic type, whereby the clamping force increases with rotational speed. Also disclosed is a method for mounting and unmounting plates, using the movable clamps, such that allows flexible and convenient arrangement of loading- and unloading stations.

Abstract: A system for loading and clamping one or more plates onto the cylindrical surface of a rotatable drum, such as used in a platesetter for printing, and for unloading the plates from the drum. The system is characterized by clamps that are movable over the surface, preferably along circumferential tracks, enabling the attachment of multiple plates, end-to-end and/or side-by-side, each plate having any of a wide range of sizes. The clamps are preferably of the dynamic type, whereby the clamping force increases with rotational speed. Also disclosed is a method for mounting and unmounting plates, using the movable clamps, such that allows flexible and convenient arrangement of loading- and unloading stations.

Abstract: A system for loading and clamping one or more plates onto the cylindrical surface of a rotatable drum, such as used in a platesetter for printing, and for unloading the plates from the drum. The system is characterized by clamps that are movable over the surface, preferably along circumferential tracks, enabling the attachment of multiple plates, end-to-end and/or side-by-side, each plate having any of a wide range of sizes. The clamps are preferably of the dynamic type, whereby the clamping force increases with rotational speed. Also disclosed is a method for mounting and unmounting plates, using the movable clamps, such that allows flexible and convenient arrangement of loading- and unloading stations.

Abstract: A system for loading and clamping one or more plates onto the cylindrical surface of a rotatable drum, such as used in a platesetter for printing, and for unloading the plates from the drum. The system is characterized by clamps that are movable over the surface, preferably along circumferential tracks, enabling the attachment of multiple plates, end-to-end and/or side-by-side, each plate having any of a wide range of sizes. The clamps are preferably of the dynamic type, whereby the clamping force increases with rotational speed. Also disclosed is a method for mounting and unmounting plates, using the movable clamps, such that allows flexible and convenient arrangement of loading- and unloading stations.

Abstract: A clamp for gripping an edge of a plate that is mounted on the surface of a rotatable drum. The clamp includes a hinge, attached to the drum and including a pivot axis, and a gripper, formed to have a tip, operative to press the edge of the plate against the drum. The gripper is attached to the hinge so that the center of mass of the gripper is in a direction from the pivot axis that is generally opposite the direction of the tip from the pivot axis.