Abstract: A method of removing a printing plate, each having leading and trailing edges located in respective lock-up slots in a plate cylinder of a printing press, from said plate cylinder, is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of extracting a first of said leading and trailing edges, rotating the plate cylinder in a first direction such that an extraction element located proximal to the surface of the plate cylinder passes beneath the extracted first edge until the printing plate is lifted off the surface of the plate cylinder by the extraction element, with the second edge still in its lock-up slot, to cause the second edge to move within its lock-up slot as the plate is lifted to loosen said second edge within its lock-up slot, rotating the plate cylinder in a second direction so that said plate drops back and, rotating the plate cylinder in the first direction again so that the extraction element pulls said loosened second edge out of said lock-up slot.

Abstract: A method of cleaning a solids outlet assembly of a material dryer including attaching a plurality of pulse nozzles to at least one surface of the solids outlet assembly, accumulating a solid material onto the at least one surface thereby forming an accumulated solid, and actuating periodically the plurality of pulse nozzles to discharge air bursts that dislodge and remove the accumulated solid from the at least one surface is disclosed.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus for a material dryer may include an air source, a pulse nozzle selectively in fluid communication with the air source and located within a section of the solids outlet assembly, and a controller for controlling an air flow from the air source periodically to the pulse nozzle, where the nozzle is actuated by the periodic air flow to provide a corresponding periodic burst of air to the section of the solids outlet assembly, and the burst of air is of sufficient force to dislodge material accumulated within the section.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus for a material dryer may include an air source, a pulse nozzle selectively in fluid communication with the air source and located within a section of the solids outlet assembly, and a controller for controlling an air flow from the air source periodically to the pulse nozzle, where the nozzle is actuated by the periodic air flow to provide a corresponding periodic burst of air to the section of the solids outlet assembly, and the burst of air is of sufficient force to dislodge material accumulated within the section.