Patent ID: 7621219

Claim:
An apparatus for registration of a lithographic plate, comprising: (a) an imaging device having (i) one fixed registration pin for contact with a first edge of the plate, two fixed registration pins for contact with a second edge adjacent the first edge of the plate; (ii) an indicator means for indicating whether the plate is in contact with all three registration pins; (iii) a means for moving the plate in contact with all three registration pins; and (iv) a means for imparting an image, including a set of alignment marks, on the plate in register with the three fixed registration pins; and (b) a bending device having (i) one eccentric rotatable registration pin for contact with a first edge of the plate, two eccentric rotatable registration pins for contact with a second edge adjacent the first edge of the plate, the three eccentric rotatable registration pins disposed in target locations substantially the same as the relative locations of the fixed registration pins of the imaging device; (ii) an indicator means for indicating whether the plate is in contact with all three eccentric rotatable registration pins; (iii) a means for moving the plate in contact with all three eccentric rotatable registration pins so that the set of alignment marks become aligned with said target locations; and (iv) a means for punching and bending the imaged plate.