Abstract: A plate feeding apparatus of this invention includes a storage unit 10 for storing a plurality of plates P with end edges thereof arranged even by a stopper 11, a first and a second nip rollers 12 and 13, a suction device 45 disposed at a distal end of an arm 44 swingable about a moving unit 43 for sucking and holding an upper surface adjacent an end edge of each plate, a moving mechanism for moving the moving unit 43 along the surfaces of the plates, and for swinging the arm 44 about the moving unit 43, thereby to invert a portion adjacent the end edge of each plate sucked and held by the suction device 45, and subsequently to move the portion to a position to be pinched by the first nip roller or second nip roller, and a storage unit moving mechanism 26 for moving the storage unit 10 in directions perpendicular to the axes of the first and second nip rollers 12 and 13.

Abstract: A plate feeding apparatus of this invention includes a storage unit 10 for storing a plurality of plates P with end edges thereof arranged even by a stopper 11, a first and a second nip rollers 12 and 13, a suction device 45 disposed at a distal end of an arm 44 swingable about a moving unit 43 for sucking and holding an upper surface adjacent an end edge of each plate, a moving mechanism for moving the moving unit 43 along the surfaces of the plates, and for swinging the arm 44 about the moving unit 43, thereby to invert a portion adjacent the end edge of each plate sucked and held by the suction device 45, and subsequently to move the portion to a position to be pinched by the first nip roller or second nip roller, and a storage unit moving mechanism 26 for moving the storage unit 10 in directions perpendicular to the axes of the first and second nip rollers 12 and 13.

Abstract: Front end clamps are disposed on the cylindrical surface of a recording drum, and rear end clamps are attached in any of a plurality of positions at the cylindrical surface of the recording drum. A controller controls a front end clamp opening/closing device to open the front end clamps and controls a pair of rollers to feed a plate held on a plate carry-in path. The controller also controls the front end clamp opening/closing device to close the plate fixing portion of the front end clamps to fix the front end of the plate on the cylindrical surface, controls a driving device to rotate the recording drum for a predetermined amount, and controls a rear end clamp attaching/detaching device to attach the rear end clamps to the cylindrical surface to fix the rear end of the plate on the recording drum cylindrical surface.

Abstract: Annular grooves are formed on both end surfaces of a recording drum to be rotated, and two balance weights are disposed inside each of the annular grooves. The balance weight is composed of a magnet, and is attracted to the end surface of the recording drum by its magnetic force. The two balance weights are arranged at a predetermined attaching angle such that an unbalance force caused by centrifugal forces developed by a plate, a movable clamp, and so forth is canceled. Every time the size and the mass of the plate are changed, the positions of the two balance weights are adjusted, so that forced vibration in the recording drum is restrained.

Abstract: Annular grooves are formed on both end surfaces of a recording drum to be rotated, and two balance weights are disposed inside each of the annular grooves. The balance weight is composed of a magnet, and is attracted to the end surface of the recording drum by its magnetic force. The two balance weights are arranged at a predetermined attaching angle such that an unbalance force caused by centrifugal forces developed by a plate and a movable clamp, for example, is canceled. Every time the size and the mass of the plate are changed, the positions of the two balance weights are adjusted, so that forced vibration in the recording drum is restrained.