CTP systems having at least one multi-cassette unit and methods for loading plates

1. A CTP system using one multi-cassette unit (MCU) for feeding two imaging units, comprising:

two imaging units;

two plate-loading positions, each of said plate-loading positions adapted to supply plates for a respective one of said imaging units; and

an MCU comprising a plurality of cassettes, each cassette holding a plurality of plates, each said cassettes movable to any one of said two plate-loading positions.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein said cassettes are stacked vertically in said MCU.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein said two plate-loading positions are positioned on two opposite sides of said MCU.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein each said cassettes is additionally movable to a plate-filling position.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein each said plate-loading positions is adjacent a respective plate-registration station; and

each said plate-registration stations is adjacent one of said imaging units.

6. The system of claim 5 , wherein said two plate-registration stations additionally comprise respective punching mechanisms.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein said plurality of plates in each said cassettes is of a single size.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein said CTP device comprises an external drum.

9. A CTP system using two MCUs for feeding one imaging unit, comprising:

an imaging unit;

two MCUs, each comprising a plurality of cassettes, each cassette holding a plurality of plates, each of said cassettes movable in at least one direction to a plate-loading position; and

a plate-loading position for receiving cassettes from said two MCUs.

10. The system of claim 9 , wherein said cassettes are stacked vertically in each said two MCUs.

11. The system of claim 9 , wherein said at least one direction comprises opposite directions for said two MCUs.

12. The system of claim 9 , wherein each said cassettes is additionally moveable to a plate-filling position.

13. The system of claim 9 , wherein said plate-loading position is adjacent a plate-registration station; and

said plate-registration station is adjacent said imaging unit.

14. The system of claim 13 , wherein said plate-registration station additionally comprise a punching mechanism.

15. The system of claim 9 , wherein said plurality of plates in each said cassettes is of a single size.

16. The system of claim 9 , wherein said CTP device comprises an external drum.

17. A method of providing enhanced productivity in a CTP system, comprising the steps of:

providing two CTP systems, each said systems comprising a plate-loading position and an imaging unit;

providing an MCU comprising a plurality of cassettes, each cassette holding a plurality of plates, each said cassettes movable in a first and second directions to the respective two plate-loading positions;

transferring a first cassette to the plate-loading position of a first one of said imaging units;

picking a plate from said transferred first cassette and transferring said picked plate to said first imaging unit; and

transferring a second cassette to the plate-loading position of a second one of said imaging units,

wherein said transferring a second cassette may be done any time following said step of transferring a first cassette.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein said cassettes are stacked vertically in said MCU.

19. The method of claim 17 , wherein said two plate-loading positions are positioned on two opposite sides of said MCU.

20. The method of claim 17 , wherein each said cassettes is additionally movable to a plate-filling position.

21. The method of claim 17 , wherein said step of transferring said picked plate comprises the steps of:

transferring said picked plate to a registration station for accurately registering said plate with respect to said imaging unit; and

transferring said registered plate from said registration station to said imaging unit.

22. The method of claim 21 , wherein said registration station additionally comprises a punching mechanism and additionally comprising the step of punching said plate after registration.

23. The system of claim 17 , wherein said plurality of plates in each said cassettes is of a single size.

24. The method of claim 17 , wherein said CTP device comprises an external drum.

25. A method of providing a large amount of different-sized plates in a CTP device, comprising the steps of:

providing a CTP system, said system comprising a plate-loading position, and an imaging unit;

providing two MCUs, each comprising a plurality of cassettes, each cassette holding a plurality of plates, each said cassettes movable in two directions;

searching said two MCUs for a cassette holding a required plate size;

transferring said cassette from said MCU to said plate-loading position; and

picking a plate from said transferred cassette and transferring said picked plate to said imaging unit.

26. The system of claim 25 , wherein said cassettes are stacked vertically in said MCU.

27. The system of claim 25 , wherein said two MCUs are positioned on two opposite sides of said imaging unit.

28. The system of claim 25 , wherein each said cassettes is additionally movable to a plate-filling position.

29. The method of claim 25 , wherein said step of transferring said picked plate to said imaging unit comprises the steps of:

transferring said picked plate to a registration station, for accurately registering said plate with respect to said imaging unit; and

transferring said registered plate from said registration station to said imaging unit.

30. The method of claim 29 , wherein said plate-registration station additionally comprises a punching mechanism and additionally comprising the step of punching said plate after registration.

31. The system of claim 25 , wherein said plurality of plates in each said cassettes is of a single size.

32. The method of claim 25 , wherein said CTP device comprises an external drum.