Patent attributes
A graphic arts die and support plate assembly is provided that is adapted to be mounted as a unit on the chase of a flat bed or rotary graphic arts press. The assembly includes a plurality of spaced individual dies fixedly mounted in predetermined relative relationship on a support plate member of the unit. Alignment holes in each die that register with orifices in the support plate member are adapted to receive temporary alignment pins thereby assuring correct positioning of the dies with respect to one another on the support plate member until the dies are affixed to the support plate member. Makeready and die lock-up time of the press is significantly decreased because all dies of the assembly may be preregistered with a design artwork before mounting of the die and support assembly on the press. A series of graphic arts die units are also provided that are adapted to be mounted as an assembly encompassing more than 180° of the circumference of a rotary press chase. The graphic arts die units have die support plate members that may be aligned with indicia on the press chase, and that have notch structure receiving a tool for facilitating alignment and spacing between adjacent die support plate members. Cutouts in the die support plate members permit manual selective shifting of a die relative to the die support plate member therefor using a tool received in a cutout and engageable with the die.
