Apparatus and method for mounting a flexible plate
AssigneeJm Heaford Limited
InventorGraham Littler
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus for mounting a flexible plate onto a print sleeve or cylinder, where the apparatus has at least two manipulator units located below the print sleeve or cylinder and support members provided on each manipulator unit and each support member has a curved profile for arching the flexible plate prior to its mounting onto the print sleeve or cylinder, is disclosed.
Claims18
An apparatus for mounting a flexible plate onto a print sleeve or cylinder, wherein the apparatus comprises at least two manipulator units located below the print sleeve or cylinder and support members provided on each manipulator unit, wherein each support member has a curved profile for arching the flexible plate prior to its mounting onto the print sleeve or cylinder each manipulator unit comprises a camera operatively connected to a display screen, said camera being oriented upwards for viewing registration marks present on the flexible plate, and
- wherein each manipulator unit is adjustable in an axial direction and/or a radial direction.
Method for mounting a flexible plate onto a print sleeve or cylinder, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a print sleeve or cylinder;
- providing a flexible plate having a relief surface;
- applying the flexible plate onto at least two support members mounted on respective manipulator units, wherein the relief surface of the flexible plate faces the support members and wherein the support members are located below the print sleeve or cylinder and have a curved profile for arching the flexible plate;
- adjusting the position of each manipulator unit axially and/or radially to align the manipulator units with registration marks present on the arched flexible plate;
- aligning the arched flexible plate with the print sleeve or cylinder, and
- mounting the flexible plate onto the print sleeve or cylinder.
An apparatus for mounting a flexible plate onto a print sleeve or cylinder, wherein the apparatus comprises at least two manipulator units located below the print sleeve or cylinder and support members provided on each manipulator unit, wherein each support member has a curved profile for arching the flexible plate prior to its mounting onto the print sleeve or cylinder, wherein each manipulator unit comprises a camera operatively connected to a display screen, said camera being oriented upwards for viewing registration marks present on the flexible plate.
An apparatus for mounting a flexible plate onto a print sleeve or cylinder, wherein the apparatus comprises at least two manipulator units located below the print sleeve or cylinder and support members provided on each manipulator unit, wherein
- each manipulator unit comprises plate support wings and wherein at least part of the plate support wing comprises a dimpled surface;
- each support member has a curved profile for arching the flexible plate prior to its mounting onto the print sleeve or cylinder,
- and wherein each manipulator unit is adjustable in an axial direction and/or a radial direction.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.