Automated plate locating mechanism in an imaging system
AssigneeAgfa NV
InventorsJames M. Argiros, Jonathan D. Savage, Nicholas D'Alleva
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In an external drum imaging system, a plate locating mechanism and method for operation of same are provided for automatically locating printing plates of various sizes in a staging position so as to be mounted on a predetermined position on external drum of the imaging system. The predetermined position in a particular embodiment is substantially center-justified on the external drum to help prevent artifacts in the recorded image.
Claims29
In an imaging system, a plate locating mechanism for automatically locating printing plates of various sizes in a staging position so as to be mounted on a predetermined position on an external drum of the imaging system.
An external drum imaging system, comprising:
- an external drum having a cylindrical media support surface for supporting a printing plate during imaging;
- an input tray for supporting the printing plate in a staging position prior to mounting the printing plate onto the external drum;
- an automated plate locating mechanism which can automatically locate printing plates of various sizes on the input tray;
- a leading edge clamping mechanism and a trailing edge clamping mechanism for holding a leading edge and a trailing edge of the printing plate onto the cylindrical media support surface during rotation of the external drum;
- and
- an ironing roller system for pressing the printing plate against the cylindrical media support surface as the external drum rotates past the ironing roller system.
A method for loading a printing plate onto an external drum of an imaging system, comprising:
- loading a printing plate onto an input tray of the imaging system;
- mounting the printing plate onto the external drum;
- and
- automatically locating, with a pushing mechanism, the printing plate on the input tray such that it is located at a predetermined position relative to the external drum.
The method of claim 21, wherein the pushing mechanism pushes the printing plate on a first edge at least until a second edge of the printing plate is sensed by a sensing device.
A method for imaging a printing plate, comprising:
- loading a printing plate onto an input tray;
- moving the printing plate until it is automatically determined to be in a predetermined position on the input tray;
- feeding the printing plate onto an external drum of the imaging system;
- and
- imaging the printing plate.
A method for locating a printing plate on an input tray of an imaging system comprising pushing a first edge of the printing plate at least until a second edge of the printing plate is sensed by a sensing device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.