Abstract: A method for ejecting printing plates from an imaging apparatus includes providing a plurality of the printing plates to the imaging apparatus; forming an image on at least one of the printing plates; determining a desired tail-to-tip spacing between adjacent printing plates; ejecting a sequence of the printing plates from the imaging apparatus along a path; and adjusting a spacing between two adjacent printing plates in the sequence of the printing plates to reduce a variance between a projected tail-to-tip spacing and the desired tail-to-tip spacing.

Abstract: An imaging and punching system and related method for a plate imaging system that can record an image on recordable media and punch the imaged media. The imaging and punching system includes a punching apparatus that is a part of the imaging and punching system that can precisely punch an imaged plate in a punch area. The system also includes a transfer assembly, including the imaged media support, having a pivot for moving the imaged media from the imaging system to the punching system. The pivot having a fixed relationship to said imaging system and said punching system and movable about the pivot between a first position proximate the imaging system and a second position proximate the punching system.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) for repositioning recording media includes a base (18); a support coupled to the base by a pivot (28), wherein the support is adapted to bear a portion of the recording media while positioned at a first position (34) and not bear the portion of the recording media while positioned at a second position (36); and an actuator (32) adapted to pivot the support about the pivot to move the recording media along a path from the first position towards the second position, wherein a direction of movement of the recording media at each point along the path intersects an imageable surface of the portion of the recording media borne by the support at that point, and wherein the support is adapted to bear an additional portion of the recording media as the recording media is moved from the first position towards the second position.

Abstract: An imaging and punching system and related method for a plate imaging system that can record an image on recordable media and punch the imaged media. The imaging and punching system includes a punching apparatus that is a part of the imaging and punching system that can precisely punch an imaged plate in a punch area. The system also includes a transfer assembly, including the imaged media support, having a pivot for moving the imaged media from the imaging system to the punching system. The pivot having a fixed relationship to said imaging system and said punching system and movable about the pivot between a first position proximate the imaging system and a second position proximate the punching system.

Abstract: A method for moving printing plates includes providing one or more printing plates to an imaging apparatus; forming an image on a printing plate of the one or more printing plates; providing a plate positioning system comprising a movable contact surface; moving the contact surface to a first position; engaging a surface of the printing plate with the contact surface at the first position; moving the printing plate along a path; moving the contact surface from the first position to a second position, wherein a location of the second position is determined based at least on a size of the printing plate; and disengaging the contact surface from the surface of the printing plate at the second position.

Abstract: A method for ejecting printing plates from an imaging apparatus includes providing a plurality of the printing plates to the imaging apparatus; forming an image on at least one of the printing plates; determining a desired tail-to-tip spacing between adjacent printing plates; ejecting a sequence of the printing plates from the imaging apparatus along a path; and adjusting a spacing between two adjacent printing plates in the sequence of the printing plates to reduce a variance between a projected tail-to-tip spacing and the desired tail-to-tip spacing.

Abstract: An imaging and punching system and related method for a plate imaging system that can record an image on recordable media and punch the imaged media. The imaging and punching system includes a punching apparatus that is a part of the imaging and punching system that can precisely punch an imaged plate in a punch area. The system also includes a transfer assembly, including the imaged media support, having a pivot for moving the imaged media from the imaging system to the punching system. The pivot having a fixed relationship to said imaging system and said punching system and movable about the pivot between a first position proximate the imaging system and a second position proximate the punching system.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) for repositioning recording media includes a base (18); a support coupled to the base by a pivot (28), wherein the support is adapted to bear a portion of the recording media while positioned at a first position (34) and not bear the portion of the recording media while positioned at a second position (36); and an actuator (32) adapted to pivot the support about the pivot to move the recording media along a path from the first position towards the second position, wherein a direction of movement of the recording media at each point along the path intersects an imageable surface of the portion of the recording media borne by the support at that point, and wherein the support is adapted to bear an additional portion of the recording media as the recording media is moved from the first position towards the second position.

Abstract: An imaging and punching thermal control system and related method for a plate imaging system including a thermal sensor system coupled to the imaging and the punching device that generates one or more measured signals; a controller that generates a digital format of the one or more measured signals and stores temperature-related information; and a thermal control device that analyzes the digital format and the temperature-related information and makes thermal control decisions for regulating thermal characteristics of the punching device. The thermal control system and related method that is a part of the imaging and punching system that can precisely punch an imaged plate.

Abstract: An imaging and punching system and related method for a plate imaging system that can record an image on recordable media and punch the imaged media. The imaging and punching system includes a punching apparatus that is a part of the imaging and punching system that can precisely punch an imaged plate in a punch area. The system also includes a transfer assembly, including the imaged media support, having a pivot for moving the imaged media from the imaging system to the punching system. The pivot having a fixed relationship to said imaging system and said punching system and movable about the pivot between a first position proximate the imaging system and a second position proximate the punching system.

Abstract: An extraction system for extracting debris from an imaging and perforating system contained in a housing proximate the punching system that produces debris during the formation of one or more perforations. The extraction system conveying the debris from the interior of the housing to the exterior including a conduit arranged to convey the debris from the interior space to a position outside of the housing without effecting the imaging and punching operation.

Abstract: In a device for handling sheets of media in a stack, a picker bar for engaging the edge of a media sheet covers only a portion of the width of the sheet. The picker bar is rotated to shape the edge into a curve thus stiffening the edge so that it may be removed from the stack. The sheet, so engaged, may be conveyed or disposed of as required.

Abstract: In a device for handling sheets of media in a stack, a picker bar for engaging the edge of a media sheet covers only a portion of the width of the sheet. The picker bar is rotated to shape the edge into a curve thus stiffening the edge so that it may be removed from the stack. The sheet, so engaged, may be conveyed or disposed of as required.