Apparatus and method for pallet transfer
An apparatus is disclosed comprising first and second pallet supports to engage pallets in at least a first and a second pallet location. The first pallet location positions a pallet to receive output from a print press. The second pallet location is a pre-use pallet holding location. The apparatus further comprises an actuator to move the first and second pallet supports to transfer a first pallet away from the first pallet location and a second pallet from the second pallet holding location to the first pallet location. A method of transferring pallets is also disclosed.
1. An apparatus comprising:
first and second pallet supports to engage pallets in at least first and second pallet locations, wherein:
the first pallet location positions a pallet to receive output from a print press, and the second pallet location is a pre-use pallet holding location; the apparatus further comprising
an actuator to move the first and second pallet supports to transfer a first pallet away from the first pallet location and a second pallet from the second pallet location to the first pallet location,
wherein the actuator comprises a frame and a linearly translating chassis, the chassis supporting the first and second pallet supports,
wherein the actuator translates the first and second pallet supports along a linear path,
wherein the first pallet support and the second pallet support each comprise a pair of support beams, each pair of support beams being spaced apart in a direction transverse to a linear movement direction of the actuator, and
wherein the first pallet support and the second pallet support are at least partially nestable.
2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the first pallet support is movable between the first pallet location and a position external to the apparatus.
3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the second pallet support is movable between the first pallet location and the second pallet location.
4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the actuator provides concurrent movement of the first and second pallet supports.
5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the actuator further comprises a rack associated with one of the chassis and the frame and a pinion associated with the other of the frame and the chassis.
6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the actuator further comprises a linearly movable connection between at least one of the first and second pallet supports and the chassis.
7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the actuator further comprises a lifting mechanism to raise and lower the first and second pallet supports for movement of the pallets.
8. A print press stacker comprising an apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising an elevator to accumulate print output and wherein the first pallet location is below the elevator.