Multiple printing plate mounting system

Abstract

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.

Claims

1. A method for mounting multiple printing plates, the method comprising the steps of: providing multiple printing plate mounting system including a base having a mandrel for supporting a printing sleeve configured to receive a plurality of flexible printing plates thereon, the mandrel having a central axis, a front table movably coupled to the base and having a plurality of vacuum zones, a back table movably coupled to the base and having a plurality of vacuum zones, a filler table movably coupled to the base and having a plurality of vacuum zones, the filler table selectively disposed between the front table and the back table in order to provide support to the plurality flexible printing plates during the alignment thereof, and a control system in communication with the front table, the back table, and the filler table, the control system configured to cause a movement of at least one of the front table, the back table, and the filler table for selective, individual, and independent alignment of each of the plurality of flexible printing plates relative to the central axis of the mandrel, wherein the plurality of flexible printing plates includes a first printing plate and a second printing plate, and the plurality of vacuum zones includes a first vacuum zone and a second vacuum zone; mounting the printing sleeve on the mandrel; disposing the first printing plate in the first vacuum zone, and the second printing plate in the second vacuum zone, across all of the front table, the filler table, and the back table; applying, by the control system, vacuum suction in the first vacuum zone; moving at least one of the front table, the filler table, and the back table with the vacuum suction applied in the first vacuum zone to align the first printing plate; unapplying, by the control system, the vacuum suction in the first vacuum zone; applying, by the control system, the vacuum suction in the second vacuum zone; moving at least one of the front table, the filler table, and the back table with the vacuum suction applied in the second vacuum zone to align the second printing plate; and mounting the plurality of printing plates including the first printing plate and the second printing plate simultaneously, upon being aligned, onto the printing sleeve.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the flexible printing plates has a plurality of registration marks, the plurality of registration marks including a first registration mark and a second registration mark, and the multiple printing plate mounting system further includes a laser pointer movably coupled to the base, and the method further includes steps of: providing the laser pointer at a position adjacent to a first side of the first printing plate; projecting the laser light, by the laser pointer, toward the first printing plate and manually orienting the first printing plate so that the first registration mark of the first printing plate coincides with the laser light; and moving the laser pointer to a position adjacent to a second side of the first printing plate; and projecting the laser light, by the laser pointer, toward the first printing plate and manually orienting the first printing plate so that the second registration mark of the first printing plate coincides with the laser light.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the method further includes step of proofing the position of each of the first plate and the second plate with the laser pointer following the first printing plate and the second printing plate being aligned and prior to the step of mounting the first printing plate and the second printing plate simultaneously.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the multiple printing plate mounting system further includes a pressure roller movably coupled to the base and configured to selectively interpolate about the printing sleeve to simultaneously secure all of the plurality of flexible printing plates to the printing sleeve, and the method further includes the step of mounting the plurality of printing plates further includes steps of: applying the vacuum suction at the back plate to secure the printing plates to the back plate; moving the filler plate away from between the front plate and the back plate; moving the mandrel upwardly to contact the printing plates; moving the pressure roller from a top dead center position in a first direction around the mandrel to cause a first portion of the printing plates to be pressed onto the printing sleeve of the mandrel; moving the pressure roller in a second direction around the mandrel to return the pressure roller to the top dead center position; unapplying the vacuum suction at the back plate to release the printing plates from the back plate; and rotating the mandrel to cause a second portion of the printing plates to be pressed on the printing sleeve of the mandrel, whereby the printing plates are mounted to the printing sleeve.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the multiple printing plate mounting system further includes a cylinder transfer assembly disposed adjacent to the base, the cylinder transfer assembly including a support, a tower, and a sleeve tube, the tower disposed on the support and laterally movable relative to the support, and the sleeve tube disposed on the tower and rotatably movable about a longitudinal axis of the tower between a loading position and a mounting position, wherein the cylinder transfer assembly is configured to selectively mount the printing sleeve onto the mandrel of the support.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the step of mounting printing sleeve on the mandrel includes steps of: providing the sleeve tube of the cylinder transfer assembly in the loading position, the sleeve tube not being in axial alignment with the mandrel in the loading position; loading the printing sleeve onto the sleeve tube of the cylinder transfer assembly; rotating the sleeve tube of the cylinder transfer assembly to the mounting position, the sleeve tube being in axial alignment with the mandrel in the mounting position; engaging the sleeve tube with the mandrel by moving the tower on the support toward the base; sliding the printing sleeve from the sleeve tube onto the mandrel; and disengaging the sleeve tube from the mandrel by moving the tower on the support away from the base.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising a step of supplying a pressurized airflow to the mandrel where the sleeve tube is engaged with the mandrel in order to provide a cushion of air between the printing sleeve and the mandrel to facilitate the sliding of the printing sleeve from the sleeve tube onto the mandrel.

Description

DRAWINGS

(1) The above, as well as other advantages of the present disclosure, will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, particularly when considered in the light of the drawings described hereafter.

(2) FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a multiple printing plate mounting system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the printing plate mounting system having a back plate, a filler plate, a front plate, a roller, and a mandrel having a sleeve installed thereon, and further showing a cylinder transfer assembly disposed adjacent the printing plate mounting system;

(3) FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary, top perspective view of the multiple printing plate mounting system shown in FIG. 1, and further showing a front table and a rear table for receiving a plurality of printing plates;

(4) FIG. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary, top perspective view of the multiple printing plate mounting system shown in FIG. 1, and further showing the plurality of printing plates disposed on the front table and the rear table of the printing plate mounting system with manual alignment only;

(5) FIG. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary, top perspective view of the multiple printing plate mounting system shown in FIG. 1, and illustrating use of a camera and laser at a first position for interaction with a first register mark to facilitate alignment of each of the printing plates;

(6) FIG. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary, top perspective view of the multiple printing plate mounting system shown in FIG. 1, and illustrating a movement of the camera and laser to a second position for interaction with a second register mark to facilitate the alignment of each of the printing plates;

(7) FIG. 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary, top perspective view of the multiple printing plate mounting system shown in FIG. 1, and illustrating a rotational movement of a single one of the printing plates, without movement of the other printing plates, for purposes of the alignment;

(8) FIG. 7 is an enlarged, fragmentary, top perspective view of the multiple printing plate mounting system shown in FIG. 1, and illustrating a lateral movement of a single one of the printing plates, without movement of the other printing plates, for purposes of the alignment;

(9) FIG. 8 is an enlarged, fragmentary, top perspective view of the multiple printing plate mounting system shown in FIG. 1, and illustrating a longitudinal movement of a single one of the printing plates, without movement of the other printing plates, for purposes of the alignment;

(10) FIG. 9 is an enlarged, fragmentary, top perspective view of the multiple printing plate mounting system shown in FIG. 1, and illustrating each of the printing plates in aligned positions following the individual movements of each of the printing plates as shown in FIGS. 6-8;

(11) FIG. 10 is an enlarged, side elevational view of the multiple printing plate mounting system shown in FIG. 1, and illustrating the system with the filler plate having been moved so that the sleeve may be raised to contact bottoms of all of the printing plates simultaneously;

(12) FIG. 11 is an enlarged, side elevational view of the multiple printing plate mounting system shown in FIG. 10, and illustrating a positioning of the roller at a top dead center position of the sleeve and a movement of the sleeve to contact the bottoms of all of the printing plates simultaneously;

(13) FIG. 12 is an enlarged, side elevational view of the multiple printing plate mounting system shown in FIG. 10, and illustrating an interpolation movement of the roller around the sleeve to apply the printing plates to the sleeve;

(14) FIG. 13 is an enlarged, side elevational view of the multiple printing plate mounting system shown in FIG. 10, and illustrating a return movement of the roller around the sleeve to the top dead center position;

(15) FIG. 14 is an enlarged, side elevational view of the multiple printing plate mounting system shown in FIG. 10, and illustrating a rotational movement of the sleeve to apply a remaining portion of each of the printing plates to the sleeve;

(16) FIG. 15 is a top perspective view of the multiple printing plate mounting system shown in FIG. 1, and illustrating the system prior to the sleeve having been mounted onto the mandrel and a pre-mounting movement of the sleeve onto a sleeve tube of the cylinder transfer assembly;

(17) FIG. 16 is a top perspective view of the multiple printing plate mounting system shown in FIG. 15, and illustrating the system with the sleeve pre-mounted onto the cylinder transfer assembly and the sleeve tube of the cylinder transfer assembly being rotated to a mounting position;

(18) FIG. 17 is a front elevational view of the multiple printing plate mounting system shown in FIG. 15, and illustrating the cylinder transfer assembly in the mounting position adjacent to the mandrel;

(19) FIG. 18 is a front elevational view of the multiple printing plate mounting system shown in FIG. 15, and illustrating a lateral movement of the cylinder transfer assembly in order to engage the sleeve tube of the cylinder transfer assembly with the mandrel for mounting of the sleeve onto the mandrel;

(20) FIG. 19 is a front elevational view of the multiple printing plate mounting system shown in FIG. 15, and illustrating a lateral movement of the sleeve onto the mandrel;

(21) FIG. 20 is a front elevational view of the multiple printing plate mounting system shown in FIG. 15, and illustrating the sleeve in a mounted position on the mandrel;

(22) FIG. 21 is a front elevational view of the multiple printing plate mounting system shown in FIG. 15, and illustrating a lateral movement of the cylinder transfer assembly in order disengage the sleeve tube of the cylinder transfer assembly from the mandrel following the mounting of the sleeve onto the mandrel;

(23) FIG. 22 is a top plan view of one of the front table, the filler table, and the back table of the multiple printing plate mounting system shown in FIG. 1, the table having a plurality of discrete vacuum zones that may be separately actuated for individual and selective positioning of the plates; and

(24) FIG. 23 is a fragmentary, top plan view of the one of the front table, the filler table, and the back table shown in FIG. 22, and illustrating a top portion of the table partly removed in order to depict the underlying seals and channels defining the discrete vacuum zones.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(25) The present description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses. In respect of the methods disclosed, the order of the steps presented is exemplary in nature, and thus, is not necessary or critical unless otherwise disclosed.

(26) As shown in FIG. 1-23, the present disclosure includes a multiple printing plate mounting system 100. The system 100 has a base 102 with a mandrel 104 for supporting a printing sleeve 106. The base 102 generally rests upon, or is attached to, a floor surface. The mandrel 104 has a central axis X about which the mandrel 104 may be rotated. The printing sleeve 106 is configured to receive a plurality of flexible printing plates 101, 103, 105, for example, as shown in FIG. 3.

(27) Throughout the present disclosure, and particularly in FIGS. 3-9, the plurality of flexible printing plates 101, 103, 105 are shown as including a first printing plate 101, a second printing plate 103, and a third printing plate 105. However, it should be appreciated that one of ordinary skill in the art may employ only two printing plates 101, 103, or may employ more than three printing plates 101, 103, 105, for use with the system 100 and method of the present disclosure, as desired. In a most particular embodiment, the plurality of printing plates 101, 103, 105 may include up to six (6) or more printing plates 101, 103, 105.

(28) As shown in FIG. 1, the base 102 further supports a front table 108, a back table 110, and a filler table 112. The filler table 112 is selectively and removably disposed between the front table 108 and the back table 110 in order to provide support to the plurality flexible printing plates 101, 103, 105 during the alignment thereof. Each of the front table 108, the back table 110, and the filler table 112 is movably coupled to the base 102. Each of the front table 108, the back table 110, and the filler table 112 also has a plurality of vacuum zones 114, 116, 118, respectively.

(29) For purposes of illustration, the plurality of vacuum zones 114, 116, 118 are shown in the present disclosure as including a first vacuum zone 114, a second vacuum zone 116, and a third vacuum zone 118. However, as with the plurality of flexible printing plates 101, 103, 105 described herein, it should be appreciated that one of ordinary skill in the art may employ only two vacuum zones 114, 116, or more than three vacuum zones 114, 116, 118, for use with the system 100 and method of the present disclosure. In a most particular embodiment, the plurality of vacuum zones 114, 116, 118 may include up to twelve (12) or more vacuum zones 114, 116, 118.

(30) The system 100 of the present disclosure further includes a control system 120. The control system 120 is in communication with the front table 108, the back table 110, and the filler table 112. For example, the control system 120 may be in communication with one or more actuators or servo motors (not shown) that are connected to at least one of the front table 108, the back table 110, and the filler table 112 and configured to move or rotate the same within the scope of the disclosure. Such actuators or servo motors for movement of the front table 108, the back table 110, and the filler table 112 are described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,266,320 to Leader, Jr. et al., the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

(31) In a particular example, the control system 120 includes a programmable controller (not shown) connected to control all of the actuators, cameras, laser pointers, etc. of the system 100. Thus, the control system 120 generates control signals to control movement of the tables 108, 110, 112, the pressure roller 122, the instrument carriage 124, and the mandrel 104 having the pressure sleeve 106. The control system 120 may further include a user interface (not shown) such as a touch screen, for example, in electrical communication with the control system 120. The user interface permits the operator to enter inputs such as a location of registration marks of the printing plates 101, 103, 105, zoom commands, sizes of the printing sleeve 106, and the like, for example. It is understood that the user can enter the input using any input device as desired such as by a touch panel, a keyboard, a mouse, a joystick, or the like, as non-limiting examples.

(32) The control system 120 is configured to cause a movement of at least one of the front table 108, the back table 110, and the filler table 112 for selective, individual, and independent alignment of each of the plurality of flexible printing plates 101, 103, 105 relative to the central axis X of the mandrel 104. In particular, the front table 108 may be configured to move front-to-back relative to the mandrel 104. The back table 110 may be configured to rotate or interpolate relative to the mandrel 104. The filler table 112 may be configured to move side-to-side relative to the mandrel 104. The filler table 112 may also be configured to be removed entirely from between the front table 108 and the back table 110, for example, during the method for mounting the plates 101, 103, 105 to the printing sleeve 106 as described further herein. A skilled artisan may select other suitable movements for each of the front table 108, the back table 110, and the filler table 112 consistent with the methods of the present disclosure, as desired.

(33) With reference to FIGS. 1-3, 6-17, and 21, the system 100 of the present disclosure further includes a pressure roller 122. The pressure roller 112 is movably coupled to the base 102, for example, with one of the actuators or servo motors (not shown). The pressure roller 112 is configured to selectively interpolate about the printing sleeve 106 to simultaneously secure all of the plurality of flexible printing plates 101, 103, 105 to the printing sleeve 106 in accordance with the methods of the present disclosure, described further herein.

(34) Referring now to FIGS. 4-5, the system 100 may also include an instrument carriage 124 that is movably coupled to the base 102. For example, the instrument carriage 124 may be laterally movable on a bridge member 126 that is attached to the base 102 and disposed at an elevated position relative to the tables 108, 110, 112. The bridge member 126 may include tracks or rails to which the instrument carriage 124 may be laterally, movably attached, for example. Other suitable means for movably disposing the instrument carriage 124 on the base 102 may also selected by a skilled artisan, as desired.

(35) The instrument carriage 124 may include an optical system, such as one or more cameras, and a laser pointer, each in communication with the control system 120. The optical system may be employed by the control system 120 to visualize the various flexible printing plates 101, 103, 105 when disposed on the tables 108, 110, 112. The laser pointer is configured to project a laser light for manual orientation of the flexible printing plates 101, 103, 105 by an operator, for example, as shown in FIGS. 4-5, by aligning the laser light with registration marks 107, 109 and scribe lines that may be formed on the flexible printing plates 101, 103, 105. For example, the laser pointer may be laterally movable on the track of the bridge member 126 about the tables 108, 110, 112 in order to project the laser light at multiple predetermined locations associated with proper registration or positioning of the printing plates 101, 103, 105. In this manner, the operator may roughly pre-align the printing plates 101, 103, 105 prior to a fine alignment by the system 100 in accordance with the present disclosure.

(36) With reference to FIGS. 22-23, each of the front table 108, the back table 110, and the filler table 112 may be configured to selectively and individually provide vacuum suction at each of the vacuum zones 114, 116, 118. For example, each of the front table 108, the back table 110, and the filler table 112 may have an upper portion 128 and a lower portion 130. The upper portion 128 may have a plurality of vacuum holes 132 formed therethrough, through which the vacuum suction is applied to the flexible printing plates 101, 103, 105 in operation. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 23, a plurality of flow channels 134 may be formed between the upper portion 128 and the lower portion 130. The flow channels 134 are in fluid communication with select ones of the vacuum holes 132.

(37) In particular, it should be understood that each of the vacuum zones 114, 116, 118 is discrete and separate from the other vacuum zones 114, 116, 118. This permits each of the vacuum zones 114, 116, 118 to be individually operated, such that only one zone 114, 116, 118 of the table 108, 110, 112 may have the vacuum suction applied at any given time. Likewise, it should be appreciated that within each zone 114, 116, 118, each of the tables 108, 110, 112 may have the vacuum suction applied or unapplied, in order to interact with just sections of the flexible printing plates 101, 103, 105 in accordance with the methods disclosed herein.

(38) In order to provide the discrete separation of the vacuum zones 114, 116, 118, each of the tables 108, 110, 112 may further include a gasket seal 137, for example, as shown in FIG. 23. The gasket seal 137 is disposed between the upper portion 128 and the lower portion 130. The gasket seal 137 may be polymeric, for example, and the upper and lower portions 128, 130 may be metal plates that sandwich the gasket seal 137 therebetween. The gasket seal 137 separates individual ones of the vacuum zones 114, 116, 118.

(39) In particular embodiments, the gasket seal 137 may ensure that a first set of the flow channels 134, which may be associated with the first zone 114, is not in communication with a second set of the flow channels 134, which may be associated with the second zone 116. This configuration permits the vacuum suction to be selectively applied to one of the vacuum zones 114, 116, 118 while it is not being applied to another of the vacuum zones 114, 116, 118.

(40) For example, where the plurality of vacuum zones 114, 116, 118 includes the first vacuum zone 114, the second vacuum zone 116, and the third vacuum zone, the plurality of flow channels 134 may include a first flow channel, a second flow channel, and a third flow channel, In this case, the first flow channel is disposed in the first vacuum zone 114, the second flow channel is disposed in the second vacuum zone 116, and the third flow channel is disposed in the third vacuum zone 118.

(41) Each of the flow channels 134 may also be in communication with its own port 136, as shown in FIGS. 22-23, which is in communication with a vacuum pump 138 via a valve 140. Each of the port 136 may be formed in an associated one of the front table 108, the back table 110, and the filler table 112, for example. The vacuum pump 138 and the valve 140 may further be in communication with the control system 120, which is configured to both operate the vacuum pump 138 and to select a position of the valve 140 so that the same vacuum pump 138 may be used to provide the vacuum suction selectively at each of the vacuum zones 114, 116, 118.

(42) Although the flow channels 134 and the gasket seal 137 between the first and second portions 128, 130 of the table 108, 110, 112, and a single vacuum pump 138 and valve 140 are shown and described herein as one particular means for providing the selective and individual vacuum suction to the different vacuum zones 114, 116, 118, other suitable means for providing the discrete vacuum zones 14, 116, 118, including additional pumps, valves, and ports, are contemplated and considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.

(43) With renewed reference to FIGS. 1 and 15-21, the multiple printing plate mounting system 100 of the present disclosure may further include a cylinder transfer assembly 150. The cylinder transfer assembly 150 is configured to selectively mount the printing sleeve 106 onto the mandrel 104 of the support 102. For this purpose, the cylinder transfer assembly 150 may be disposed adjacent to the base 102 of the system 100. The cylinder transfer assembly 150 includes a sleeve tube 152, a support 154, and a tower 156. The support 154 generally rests upon, or is attached to, the floor surface. The tower 156 is disposed on the support 154 and is laterally movable relative to the support 154. The sleeve tube 152 is disposed on the tower 156. The sleeve tube 152 is rotatably movable about a longitudinal axis Y of the tower 156 between a loading position (shown in FIGS. 1 and 16) and a mounting position (shown in FIGS. 17-21).

(44) In certain embodiments, the support 154 of the cylinder transfer assembly 150 may have a pair of actuators 158. The actuators 158 are configured to cause the lateral movement of the sleeve tube 152 and tower 156 between a disengaged position (shown in FIG. 18) and an engaged position (shown in FIG. 18), for example. An additional actuator or actuators (not shown) may also be employed to cause the rotational movement of the sleeve tube 152 about the axis Y between the loading position and the mounting position. Each of the actuators 158 may be pneumatic, hydraulic, or electric, for example, and may be further in communication with a source 160 of pressurized air, hydraulic fluid, or an electrical power, for example.

(45) The actuators 158 may be in further in communication with a controller 162 disposed on the tower 156, which permits the operator to selectively move either the sleeve tube 152 and the tower 158 laterally, or which permits the operator to selectively rotate the sleeve tube 152 about the axis Y. In further embodiments, the controller 162 may be part of the control system 120 of the system 100. Other suitable means including manual switches and computerized controls may also be employed as desired.

(46) In operation, the multiple printing plate mounting system 100 of the present disclosure may be employed in a method for simultaneously mounting the plurality of printing plates 101, 103, 105 to the printing sleeve 106. The method includes a first step of mounting the printing sleeve 106 on the mandrel 104, where employed, for example, as shown in FIGS. 16-21. Where the printing sleeve 106 is not employed, the system 100 may likewise be employed to simultaneously mount the plurality of printing plates 101, 103, 105 directly to a printing cylinder (not shown).

(47) The method the present disclosure then includes a second step of disposing the first printing plate 101 in the first vacuum zone 114, and the second printing plate 103 in the second vacuum zone 116, across all of the front table 108, the filler table 112, and the back table 110. Although the method is described herein with respect to the first and second printing plates 101, 103, and the first and second vacuum zones 114, 116, it should be understood that any number of flexible printing plates 101, 103, 105 and vacuum zones 114, 116, 118 may be employed within the scope of the present disclosure.

(48) It should be appreciated that the disposition of the first and second printing plates 101, 103 may initially be done manually, with the operator placing the first and second printing plates 101, 103 by hand into their respective first and second vacuum zones 114, 116. To assist with this initial placement and orientation of the plates 101, 103, 105, each of the flexible printing plates 101, 103, 105 may be provided with a plurality of registration marks 107, 109 and scribe lines (not shown). The registration marks 107, 109 may include a first registration mark 107 and a second registration mark 109.

(49) In this embodiment, the laser pointer of the instrument carriage 124 may be employed to facilitate the initial manual placement. For example, the method may include the steps of providing the laser pointer at a position adjacent to a first side of the first printing plate 101, and then projecting the laser light, by the laser pointer, toward the first printing plate 101 as shown in FIG. 5. The operator may then manually orient the first printing plate 101 so that a first registration mark 107 of the first printing plate 101 coincides with the laser light. Then, the laser pointer may be moved to a position adjacent to a second side of the first printing plate 101. The method then includes steps of projecting the laser light, by the laser pointer, toward the first printing plate 101 and the operator manually orienting the first printing plate so that the second registration mark 109 coincides with the laser light. The first printing plate 101 is thereby roughly oriented and ready for the automated alignment process as further described hereinbelow. It should also be appreciated that each of these steps may be repeated for second printing plate 103 and any subsequent printing plates 105, so that all of the plates 101, 103, 105 are readied for the remainder of the method.

(50) The method further includes a step of applying, by the control system 120, vacuum suction in the first vacuum zone 114. The control system 120 is further used to move at least one of the front table 108, the filler table 112, and the back table 110 with the vacuum suction applied in the first vacuum zone 114 to align the first printing plate 101. It should be understood that the vacuum suction may be applied at individual ones of the tables 108, 110, 112, or combinations of the ones of the tables 108, 110, 112, as they are moved in order to align the first plate 101 appropriately.

(51) Then, the control system 120 will unapply or remove the vacuum suction from the first vacuum zone 114, and apply the vacuum suction in the second vacuum zone 116. As with the alignment of the first plate 101, the method then includes a step of moving at least one of the front table 108, the filler table 112, and the back table 110 with the vacuum suction applied in the second vacuum zone 116 to align the second printing plate 103. These steps may further be repeated for any subsequent printing plates 105.

(52) The method may further include steps of proofing the aligned position of each of the first plate 101 and the second plate 103 with the laser pointer or cameras of the instrument carriage 124 following the first printing plate 101 and the second printing plate 103 being aligned. It should be appreciated that this proofing step will ensure the proper alignment before the subsequent mounting operation, as described further herein.

(53) Once the alignment has been proofed or verified, the system 100 of the present disclosure is used in the step of simultaneously mounting the plurality of printing plates 101, 103, 105, including the first printing plate 101 and the second printing plate 103, onto the printing sleeve 106. In particular, the step of mounting the plurality of printing plates 101, 103, 105 further includes steps of applying the vacuum suction at the back plate 110 to secure the printing plates 101, 103, 105 to the back plate 110. Then, the filler plate 112 is moved away from between the front plate 108 and the back plate 110, for example, as shown in FIG. 10. The method further includes a step of moving the mandrel 104 upwardly to contact the printing plates 101, 103, 105, for example, as shown in FIG. 11.

(54) Then, as shown in FIG. 12, the pressure roller 122 is moved from a top dead center position (shown in FIGS. 10-11 and 13-14) in a first direction around the mandrel 104 to cause a first portion of the printing plates 101, 103, 105 to be pressed onto the printing sleeve 106 of the mandrel 104. The method further includes a step of moving the pressure roller 122 in a second direction around the mandrel 104 to return the pressure roller 122 to the top dead center position, for example, as shown in FIG. 13.

(55) The vacuum suction is then unapplied or removed at the back plate 110 to release the printing plates 101, 103, 105 from the back plate 110. The method then includes a step of rotating the mandrel 104, and likewise the printing sleeve 106 on the mandrel 104, while the pressure roller 122 is at the top dead center position, as shown in FIG. 14. This rotation causes a second portion of the printing plates 101, 103, 105 to be pressed on the printing sleeve 106 of the mandrel 104, whereby the printing plates 101, 103, 105 are fully mounted to the printing sleeve 106 for use in a subsequent printing operation.

(56) Throughout the method described herein, it should be appreciated that suitable pressures and forces applied with the pressure roller 122 and the vacuum suction may be selected by one of ordinary skill in the art, as desired. Thus, the method is not otherwise limited to any particular pressures or forces for use in simultaneously mounting the plurality of printing plates 101, 103, 105.

(57) As described further hereinabove, the multiple printing plate mounting system 100 may further include the cylinder transfer assembly 150. The cylinder transfer assembly 150 is configured to selectively mount the printing sleeve 106 onto the mandrel 104 of the support 102 prior to the mounting of the printing plates 101, 103, 105 to the printing sleeve 106.

(58) In one example, the method of the present disclosure may include a step of providing the sleeve tube 152 of the cylinder transfer assembly 150 in the loading position. In the loading position, shown in FIG. 1, it should be appreciated that the sleeve tube 152 is not in axial alignment with the mandrel 104, or the longitudinal axis X of the mandrel 104 is transverse a longitudinal axis Z (shown in FIG. 1) of the sleeve tube 152. This permits the operator to manually load the printing sleeve 106 onto the sleeve tube 152 of the cylinder transfer assembly 150, for example, as shown in FIG. 16.

(59) Upon the printing sleeve 106 being loaded onto the sleeve tube 152 of the cylinder transfer assembly 150, the sleeve tube 152 is then rotated to the mounting position, for example, either manually by the operator or under actuated movement due to the operation of the controller 162. As shown in FIGS. 17-21, the sleeve tube 152 is in axial alignment with the mandrel 104 of the system 100 (i.e., the axes X and Z are aligned or coaxial) where the sleeve tube 152 is in the mounting position. It should be appreciated that the mounting position of the sleeve tube 152 thereby permits for a moving of the printing sleeve 106 onto the mandrel 104 as described further herein.

(60) Once the sleeve tube 152 with the printing sleeve 106 is in the mounting position, the sleeve tube 152 is moved to engage with the mandrel 104. For example, the movement of the sleeve tube 152 may be caused by moving the tower 156 on the support 154 toward the base 102 of the system 100, as shown in FIGS. 17-18.

(61) In particular, the movement and the engaging of the sleeve tube 152 with the mandrel 104 results in a sealing of an end 164 of the sleeve tube 152 with an end 166 of the mandrel 104, as shown in FIGS. 18-20. Each of the mandrel 104 and the sleeve tube 152 is hollow, with the hollow portion of the sleeve tube 152 being an air flow conduit 170 as shown in FIGS. 19-20. The mandrel 104 further has plurality of holes 168, which are placed in fluid communication with the air flow conduit 170 of the sleeve tube 152 upon the sleeve tube 152 being engaged and sealed with the mandrel 104. Although the plurality of holes 168 are shown being spaced evenly apart along a length of the mandrel 104, it should be appreciated that the holes 168 may be any suitable size, shape, number, or configuration as may be chosen by a skilled artisan. The holes 168 permit for a pressurized flow of air to be supplied to the printing sleeve 106 through the mandrel 104 via the sleeve tube 152 of the cylinder transfer assembly 150 in operation. It should also be appreciated that the cylinder transfer assembly 150 may be provided in communication with a pump or other source of pressurized air for this purpose.

(62) In a next step, the method includes a sliding of the printing sleeve 106 from the sleeve tube 152 and onto the mandrel 104 while they are engaged, for example, as shown in FIGS. 19-20. In this step, the pressurized air flow is provided to the which likewise facilitates a manual movement of the printing sleeve 106 onto the mandrel 104. Without being bound to any particular theory, it is believed that the pressurized flow of air may slightly expand the printing sleeve 106 in this step, which is otherwise firmly held by friction force on the mandrel 104, and creates an air cushion that allows the operator to manually move the printing sleeve 106 while the pressurized flow of air is being supplied.

(63) Once the printing sleeve 106 has been moved onto the mandrel 104 into the desired or predetermined position reading for plate mounting, the sleeve tube 152 is then disengaged from the mandrel 104. For example, the step of disengaging the sleeve tube 152 may be caused by moving the tower 156 on the support 154 in a direction away from the base 102 of the system, as shown in FIG. 21. It should be appreciated that the disengagement may cease the flow of pressurized air to the mandrel 104, which causes the printing sleeve 106 to be firmed seated by friction force with the same. The printing sleeve 106 is thereby provided ready for the plate mounting operation as described herein.

(64) Although the multiple printing plate mounting system 100 and associated method is described herein primarily with respect to sequential alignment and simultaneous mounting of three (3) flexible printing plates 101, 103, 105, it should be appreciated that the system 100 and method is not limited to just three (3) printing plates 101, 103, 105. In a most particular embodiment, up to six (6) plates are simultaneously mounted as described. One of ordinary skill in the art may also select other suitable numbers of the printing plates 101, 103, 105 for use with the present technology, as desired.

(65) While certain representative embodiments and details have been shown for purposes of illustrating the invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure, which is further described in the following appended claims.