The multiple printing plate mounting system (100) of the present disclosure may be used to mount multiple flexible printing plates (101, 103, 105) simultaneously onto a printing sleeve (106). The system (100) has a back rotary vacuum plate (110) with a plurality of distinct vacuum zones (114, 116, 118) and may be controlled via valve (140) by a computer control system (120). A filler plate (112) may also be controlled with the same vacuum patterns (114, 116, 118). The filler plate (112) will move minutely side-to-side. A front plate (108) with match- controlled vacuum patterns (114, 116, 118) may also have a servo to control front- to-back-movement. The distinct vacuum zones (114, 116, 118) are used together with the movable front, back, and filler vacuum plates (108, 110, 112) to selectively, individually, and independently align the flexible printing plates (101, 103, 105) prior to mounting.
The multiple printing plate mounting system of the present disclosure may be used to mount multiple flexible printing plates simultaneously onto a printing sleeve. The system has a back rotary vacuum plate with a plurality of distinct vacuum zones and may be controlled via valve by a computer control system. A filler plate may also be controlled with the same vacuum patterns. The filler plate will move minutely side-to-side. A front plate with match-controlled vacuum patterns may also have a servo to control front-to-back-movement. The distinct vacuum zones are used together with the movable front, back, and filler vacuum plates to selectively, individually, and independently align the flexible printing plates prior to mounting.
B41F 27/00 - Devices for attaching printing elements or formes to supports
B41F 27/12 - Devices for attaching printing elements or formes to supports for attaching flexible printing formes
B41F 33/00 - Indicating, counting, warning, control or safety devices
B41F 27/14 - Devices for attaching printing elements or formes to supports for attaching printing formes to intermediate supports, e.g. adapter members
3.
Method and apparatus for mounting a printing plate
A method and apparatus for mounting a printing plate onto a printing cylinder, wherein the printing plate includes a first registration mark and a second registration mark centrally located along opposing edges thereof. The apparatus includes an optical system to transmit images of the registration marks to a user interface, wherein a user selects a desired location point location of each of the registration marks displayed on the user interface to facilitate an alignment of the printing plate in respect of a central axis of the printing cylinder.
An automatic applicator (10) of a sticky back material (100) to a printing sleeve (200) is disclosed. The applicator (10) includes a controller (120) that is programmable with data relating to the size and desired positioning of the sticky back material (100) to the sleeve (200). The sticky back material (100) is secured to a transport system (35) and cut to the desired size by a cutter (90), creating a sheet. The sheet is then transported between a pressure roller (130) and the sleeve (200). The pressure roller (130) applies pressure to the sticky back sheet, applying the sheet to the sleeve (200). A mandrel (250) grips and rotates the sleeve (200) to apply the sticky back sheet around an exterior surface of the sleeve (200).
A method and apparatus for mounting a printing plate onto a printing cylinder, wherein the printing plate includes a first registration mark and a second registration mark centrally located along opposing edges thereof. The apparatus includes an optical system to transmit images of the registration marks to a user interface, wherein a user selects a desired location point location of each of the registration marks displayed on the user interface to facilitate an alignment of the printing plate in respect of a central axis of the printing cylinder.
B41B 11/00 - MACHINES OR ACCESSORIES FOR MAKING, SETTING, OR DISTRIBUTING TYPE; TYPE; PHOTOGRAPHIC OR PHOTOELECTRONIC COMPOSING DEVICES - Details of, or accessories for, machines for mechanical composition using matrices for individual characters which are selected and assembled for type casting or moulding
patents
