Patent · US Active

Transport system and method for printing plates

US11860543B2 · kind B2 · utility

0Cited by

7References

61Claims

0Family size

Assignee

Esko-Graphics Imaging GmbH · DE

Inventors

Christian Diekmann · Hohenlockstedt, DE
Jörg Koberg · Itzehoe, DE
Jörg Wolterink · Oelixdorf, DE

Key dates

Filing date	Apr 3, 2020
Grant date	Jan 2, 2024
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Jun 30, 2040

Classification

Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
CPC primaryB41P2227/62
WIPO fieldHandling
WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A plate handling system (500, 600) for transporting printing plates between workstations in a process workflow. A plurality of vacuum gripper end effectors (512) configured to grip the printing plates are mounted to a computer-controlled transporter (514) configured to translate in at least three orthogonal directions and to rotate about at least one rotational axis. At least one sensor (560) detects orientation of the plate relative to a staging location and a controller (630) causes the transporter to move based upon programmed instructions in accordance with information provided by the sensor. A mobile preparation table (1000) may be provided in the staging location. A thickness measurement system (1090) may be included in some embodiments.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.