Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for replacing printing plates in rotary printing presses, particularly in web-fed rotary printing presses for printing both sides of a material web. The printing presses have at least one printing unit which has a cylinder having a clamping device within a cylinder gap for clamping the ends of a printing plate wound around the surface of the cylinder. The plate cylinder has a removal device for removing the printing plates released by the plate cylinder, as well as an infeed device for new printing plates to be fastened on the plate cylinder. The invention includes a plate cylinder of a lower printing unit with associated pivotable plates to be fed, as well as pivotable holding devices for the printing plates to be removed from the plate cylinder. The feed and the holding devices support the printing plates in a hanging position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for replacing printing plates in rotary printing presses. The printing presses include plate cylinders with a gap for receiving both ends of a printing plate while the surface of the printing plate is wound around the plate cylinder. The device includes a ramp for receiving a printing plate on the plate cylinder after the plate has been released by the clamping mechanism of the plate cylinder, and a ramp for feeding a new printing plate to the plate cylinder. The invention is characterized by horizontally movable holding elements provided close to the outer cylindrical surface of the plate cylinder. The holding elements hold the front edge of a printing plate to be fed, until pivotable holding devices, grip the front edge of the printing plate to be fed to bring it in contact with the outer cylindrical surface of the plate cylinder.