Agfa Corporation

James M Argiros

Thomas K Hebert

Nicholas D'Alleva

Jonathan D Savage

In an external drum imaging system, a plate locating mechanism and method for operation of same are provided for automatically locating printing plates of various sizes in a staging position so as to be mounted on a predetermined position on external drum of the imaging system. The predetermined position in a particular embodiment is substantially center-justified on the external drum to help prevent artifacts in the recorded image.

Imaging system with automated plate locating mechanism and method for loading printing plate

A guide method and apparatus is provided for use in an imaging system in which media is moved through the system in a first direction. The guide apparatus includes a roller unit for contacting a surface of the media and maintains contact with the surface of the media as the media moves in the first direction, and a retraction unit for separating the roller unit from the media. In an embodiment, the guide apparatus includes a carriage that moves radially toward and away from an internal drum so that the leading portion of media may be held against the internal drum. In other embodiments the guide apparatus includes a carriage that moves along the inner surface of an internal drum together with the leading portion of media. The method guides media in an imaging system in which media having a curled leading edge is moved through the system in a first direction along an inner surface of a cylindrical drum. The method includes the steps of: radially outwardly moving a roller toward the inner surface of the cylindrical drum; contacting a surface of the media that is proximate to the curled leading edge, and maintaining contact with the surface of the media as the media moves in the first direction along the inner surface of the cylindrical drum while inhibiting movement of the media in a direction transverse to the first direction; and radially inwardly moving the roller away from the inner surface of the cylindrical drum.

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Exeter, NH, United States of America

James M Argiros