Abstract: A method of removing slip sheets from a printing plates stack is disclosed, wherein the slip sheets are interspersed between the printing plates includes moving at least two parallel energy chains. Each of the energy chains carries a plurality of vacuum cups over the stack of printing plates. The vacuum cups are attached to a top slip sheet placed on top of the printing plates stack and peel off sheets while vacuum is maintained and transferring the top slip sheet into a slip sheet bin.

Abstract: A method of removing slip sheets from a printing plates stack is disclosed, wherein the slip sheets are interspersed between the printing plates includes moving at least two parallel energy chains. Each of the energy chains carries a plurality of vacuum cups over the stack of printing plates. The vacuum cups are attached to a top slip sheet placed on top of the printing plates stack and peel off sheets while vacuum is maintained and transferring the top slip sheet into a slip sheet bin.

Abstract: A method for moving a first combination of media from a media stack including one or more combinations of media. The first combination of media is an uppermost combination of media in the media stack. The method includes gripping the first combination of media and bending along a first axis by moving a first portion away from the media stack. The first combination of media is bent along a second axis by moving a flexing member while in contact with a second portion of the first combination of media, wherein the second axis is not parallel to the first axis. The first combination of media is repeatedly bent along the second axis while pausing movement of the first combination of media between the first bending along the second axis and the second bending along the second axis.

Abstract: A method for moving a first combination of media from a media stack including one or more combinations of media. The first combination of media is an uppermost combination of media in the media stack. The method includes gripping the first combination of media and bending along a first axis by moving a first portion away from the media stack. The first combination of media is bent along a second axis by moving a flexing member while in contact with a second portion of the first combination of media, wherein the second axis is not parallel to the first axis. The first combination of media is repeatedly bent along the second axis while pausing movement of the first combination of media between the first bending along the second axis and the second bending along the second axis.

Abstract: A method for separating a slip-sheet 40B from an image recording medium (17B) comprises: bringing a slip-sheet picker (55) into contact with the slip-sheet (410), a first part of the slip-sheet picker exerting pressure on the image recordable material at a first point; exerting with a retraction roller (230) portion of the slip-sheet picker pressure on the slip-sheet at a second point; folding the slip-sheet (420) in a confined space between the slip-sheet picker and the image recordable media by rotating the retraction roller; and capturing the slip-sheet (450) by rotating the retraction roller.

Abstract: A plate making method comprises pre-aligning a printing plate (50) to an imaging drum (20) of a plate making machine (10) while the printing plate is moving along a plate supply path (60) to the plate making machine. The printing plate is located on a motorized shuttle carriage (90) during the moving and the pre-aligning to the imaging drum comprises rotating into alignment with a lateral alignment surface (110, 120) a lateral edge of the printing plate by moving the printing plate laterally to contact the lateral alignment surface. The method of the invention can further comprise moving the printing plate away (460) from the lateral alignment surface to a predetermined position at which position the plate is aligned with alignment pins or other alignment features on the imaging drum. The method of pre-aligning the plate to the imaging drum can comprise pre-aligning (480) the printing plate to a cylindrical axis of the imaging drum.