Method and apparatus for mounting a flat printing plate on a cantilevered plate cylinder of a printing press

An apparatus for mounting a flat printing plate on a printing press, comprising:

• a cantilevered plate cylinder, said cantilevered plate cylinder having an outer diameter;
• a hollow tube having an inner diameter which is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the plate cylinder;
• and
• a mandrel concentric to the plate cylinder and mounted on the plate cylinder, the mandrel having an outer diameter which is smaller than the inner diameter of the tube and which is larger than the outer diameter of the plate cylinder.

An apparatus for mounting a flat printing plate on a cantilevered plate cylinder of a printing press, comprising:

• said flat printing plate;
• said plate cylinder;
• a hollow tube having an inner diameter which is slightly larger than an outer diameter of the plate cylinder;
• and
• a mandrel concentric to the plate cylinder and mounted on the plate cylinder, the mandrel comprising a nozzle system with radially extending nozzles which provide an air cushion which forces the printing plate against the inner surface of the tube when said flat printing plate is inserted within the hollow tube and when sliding the tube with the printing plate over the plate cylinder.

A method for mounting a flat printing plate on a cantilevered plate cylinder of a printing press, comprising the steps of:

• bending the printing plate into an essentially cylindrical shape;
• inserting the printing plate into a hollow tube having an inner diameter which is slightly larger than an outer diameter of the plate cylinder;
• sliding the tube and the printing plate over a mandrel from the side and onto the plate cylinder, whereby the mandrel provides an air cushion which forces the printing plate against the inner surface of the tube when sliding the tube with the printing plate over the mandrel;
• fastening the printing plate to the plate cylinder by actuating a plate lock-up device;
• and
• sliding the tube off the plate cylinder.