Plate registering system and method of operation
US6801302B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 6, 2003 |
| Grant date | Oct 5, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 6, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65H2701/1719
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A substrate manager for a substrate exposure machine is used, in one example, as a platesetter. As such, it comprises a substrate storage system, containing one or more stacks of substrates, such as plates in one implementation. A substrate picker is provided for picking substrates from the stack of substrates. The substrates are then handed to a transfer system that conveys the substrates to an imaging engine. A substrate registration system is provided upstream of the imaging engine. The substrate registration system includes (1) a substrate transfer system for supporting and conveying substrates and (2) at least one engaging member for pushing the substrates on the substrate transfer system to a desired position. Preferably, two sets of engaging members are used, one on either side of the plates. This allows angular as well as positional registration. The substrate transfer system includes a frame and a series of rollers for supporting the substrates.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.