METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FIXING PRINTING PLATE IN PRINTING SYSTEM

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an apparatus for fixing a printing plate capable of stretching it uniformly in a printing system. SOLUTION: At first, a forward end side catching means 31 and a rear end side catching means 32 are located at positions previously urged outward of a cylinder groove with a printing plate being caught by respective means. Under this state, a plate cylinder 10 turns such that a pin implanted on a drive gear 74 is located at a position where a working block is advanced. An air cylinder 76 operates a working block 77 to press the pin 75a thus turning the drive gear 74. Consequently, a common gear 72 turns to cause simultaneous turning of four intermediate gears 70, 71 and gears 68, 69 meshing with the common gear 72. Since cam shafts 55, 58 slides the catching means 31, 32 simultaneously in the central direction of the cylinder groove, the printing block caught by the catching means is stretched.