Method and apparatus for mounting flexographic plate segments
US6948432B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 3, 2004 |
| Grant date | Sep 27, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 3, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB41F27/005
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method and apparatus for mounting printing plate segments on a printing plate carrier comprising accepting positioning data indicative of a set of first positions and loading the imaged segments onto a working surface of the loading table at approximately the corresponding first positions. The method further includes, for each segment, detecting the position of the segment on the table, and using a mechanical pick-up system to pick up the segment and to carry the segment to a final position on the carrier. The carrying is via a path determined using the detected position on the table and the final position. The table's working surface has a set of vacuum holes coupled to a vacuum system. The mechanical pick up system includes a plurality of suction caps coupled to the vacuum system to pick up the plate. One version includes a mechanism for cutting the segments from the sheet.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.