Glunz and Jensen No-Tool, Plate-to-Press Registration Lockup for Goss Metro Presses and Loaders

By: Jim Rosenberg Glunz and Jensen K&F Inc., Granger, Ind., introduced a patent-pending, stainless steel, no-tool, plate-to-press registration lockup for Goss Metro presses and loaders designed specifically for Kodak Trendsetter News computer-to-plate imagers.

Heavy-duty components of the Wide Gap No-Tool lock incorporate new technologies that provide faster initial installation than other locks, feature robust design with fewer parts than comparable no-tool locks, and allow forgiving plate-bend profiles and unique cylinder designs.

Modular component design facilitates maintenance and change and does not affect registration of the press or require re-alignment after maintenance. This system emphasizes quality of press and color registration, reliable plate-holding strength and reduced start-up and running waste.

Economical pricing and the quick installation makes the lock suitable for upgrading worn and poorly performing locks. The Wide Gap No-Tool provides quick web reductions down to 46 inches without extra component changes on most Metro and wide-gap presses. (G&J K&F says the lock "is ideal for any press with cylinder slot gaps between 0.875 inch and 1 inch. Its designers will consult on customizing locks to meet other needs outside normal press specifications.)

Promoting small size and affordable pricing, G&J K&F also debuted its KPL-series high-capacity plate loaders to automate Kodak Trendsetter platesetters.

The compact KPL-1 CTP single-cassette loader is 40% smaller than other plate loaders for the Kodak Trendsetter News. The KPL-1 handles as many as 600 plates with a maximum size of 17 x 27 inches in a two-up format (portrait), or 300 plates with a maximum size of 44 x 32 inches in a one-up format (landscape). Configured to operate on line to Kodak Trendsetters, the KPL-1 loaded plates with a 240-plate-per-hour Trendsetter News 200 in the Anocoil booth.

Called the first multi-cassette plate loader for Trendsetters, the KPL-3 CTP can distribute as many as 1,800 singlewide or 900 doublewide plates before reloading.

The KPL-1 can be converted to the KPL-3, which accepts three cassettes, tripling the capacity to 1,800 plates, or from 300 double-wide plates to 900 plates. The multi-cassette loader meets the demand of large-capacity clients with a footprint comparable to most single-cassette loaders, according to the manufacturer.

The KPL-1 and the KPL-3 can be ordered with or without a gripper slip-sheet removal system (all loaders can be upgraded later). Positive automatic docking ensures proper positioning of the loaders to the Trendsetter. Both models are equipped with Automated-Movement Assist to allow one operator to remove them from the imager.

The KPL-series feature an interactive graphical user interface showing operating state, cassette capacity, maintenance routines, alarms, trouble shooting and recovery guides, and communications between the Trendsetter and the loader. This interface is similar to that of Glunz & Jensen processors. Future upgrades will allow interconnectivity to all Glunz & Jensen products, allowing for connectivity among loaders, imagers, processors, punch-benders and conveyor equipment via the same interface.