Abstract: An apparatus for aligning and inserting a plate stack (112) into an automatic plate loader (100) in a predefined position. A plate pallet (116) carries the plate stack. A plate pallet adapter (128) adapted to carry the plate pallet, a centering element (236, 264) attached to the plate pallet adapter aligns the plate stack in a center position relative to the plate pallet adapter. A guiding unit (216, 220, 224, 228, 232, 504, 712) is attached to the plate pallet adapter, configured to align to the plate pallet and guide the plate pallet adapter into the automatic plate loader. In one embodiment, a plate adapter positioning sensor (268) is configured to sense and notify (124) an operator when the pallet adapter reaches the predefined position (248).

Abstract: An apparatus for aligning and inserting a plate stack (112) into an automatic plate loader (100) in a predefined position. A plate pallet (116) carries the plate stack. A plate pallet adapter (128) adapted to carry the plate pallet, a centering element (236, 264) attached to the plate pallet adapter aligns the plate stack in a center position relative to the plate pallet adapter. A guiding unit (216, 220, 224, 228, 232, 504, 712) is attached to the plate pallet adapter, configured to align to the plate pallet and guide the plate pallet adapter into the automatic plate loader. In one embodiment, a plate adapter positioning sensor (268) is configured to sense and notify (124) an operator when the pallet adapter reaches the predefined position (248).

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: An apparatus for limiting the movement of plates within a plate stack (11) where the plate stack (11) is positioned on a plate pallet (13) during plate handling in a computer-to-plate (CTP) imaging device. The apparatus includes a plate pallet adapter (17) configured to carry the plate stack (11) which is positioned on the plate pallet (13), and the plate pallet (13) is positioned on the plate pallet adapter (17). At least one limiter (19, 51) is attached to at least one facet of the plate stack wherein the limiters are configured to limit movement of the plate stack (11).

Abstract: A system and method for slip sheet disposal from a plate imaging device or printing device comprises a slip sheet dispensing means configured for dispensing the slip sheets from the plate imaging device and an air release module configured to apply air flow between the slip sheets and the slip sheet sliding tray during the slip sheets dispensing from the plate imaging device or printing device.

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.