Low profile side punch for internal drum imagesetter

A method comprising:

• providing an imagesetter, the imagesetter having an imaging surface disposed to receive a sheet of media and a side face disposed at an angle to the imaging surface, and a scanning apparatus movable above the imaging surface and defining a clearance gap between the scanning apparatus and the sheet of media on the imaging surface;
• providing a side punch assembly mounted to the side face of the imagesetter, the side punch assembly comprising:
• a punch die mounted to the side face, the punch die having an upper surface to receive an edge of the sheet of media, and a punch opening formed through the punch die;
• a punch actuator comprising a punch receiving arm having an end extending over the punch opening and mounted for movement over the punch opening, the punch actuator having a profile extending no greater than the clearance gap, wherein the clearance gap is no greater than about 0.5 inches, wherein said scanner is movable over said punch actuator with minimal clearance therebetween
• a punch pin mounted to the end of the punch receiving arm, the punch pin aligned to be received in the punch opening;
• and
• a drive mechanism mounted to the imagesetter and operatively coupled to the punch actuator to move the punch actuator with respect to the punch die to move the punch pin within the punch opening;
• advancing a sheet of media into the imagesetter with an edge of the sheet of media disposed in a punch assembly mounted to the side face of the imagesetter;
• and
• actuating the drive mechanism to move the punch in into the sheet of media.