JP2955404B2 - Brushing structure of waterless lithographic printing plate processing equipment - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a brushing structure of a waterless lithographic printing plate processing apparatus for brushing an ink repellent layer of a waterless lithographic printing plate.

[0002]

The Background of the Invention Silicone layer ink-repellent layer and to that water which <br/> and PS plate, JP-B-44-23042, as described in JP-B-46-16044, the optical soluble or substrate A waterless PS plate in which a photoinsolubilizing photosensitive layer and a silicone rubber layer are laminated, and a photoadhesive photosensitive layer and a silicone rubber layer on a substrate described in JP-A-48-94504 and JP-A-50-20102. Have been proposed. These can print tens of thousands of sheets without using fountain solution.

In the above-mentioned waterless PS plate, a photosensitive layer and a silicone rubber layer are laminated on a support made of aluminum or the like, and a protective film is laminated on the upper surface thereof to protect the surface. When an image is printed on the waterless PS plate, the photosensitive layer is cured according to the amount of exposure, and adheres to the silicone rubber layer. In this state, when the developing solution is applied to the surface, the developing solution causes the photosensitive layer to swell in unexposed portions and portions with a small amount of exposure, and the silicone rubber layer is peeled off by rubbing the photosensitive layer with a brush roller. In other words, the PS plate without water is inserted and sandwiched between the brush roller and the flat pedestal at the time of transport, transported, and the exposed surface is sequentially brushed. The debris of the peeled silicone rubber layer is collected together with the excess developer into a developer recovery tank, circulated again by a circulation pump, and applied to a waterless lithographic printing plate.

[0004] By the way, there are various prescriptions for the developing solution used for the developing process. For example, Developer-1 ・ Diethylene glycol-mono-n-hexyl ether 15 parts by weight ・ Diethylene glycol-mono-ethyl ether 17 parts by weight ・ Pure water 68 parts by weight Developing solution-2 ・ Diethylene glycol-mono-hexyl ether 10 parts by weight ・ New Coal B4SN (60% aqueous solution) “Nippon Emulsifier” 4.5% by weight ・ Pure water 85.5 parts by weight.

Here, it has been proposed to treat with a processing solution containing no organic substance (hereinafter referred to as developing water) as a developing solution used for waterless development (Japanese Patent Application No. 3-95).
No. 581). This is because the processing can be performed without containing an organic substance due to the improvement in quality of the PS plate itself.

[0006] Brushing by the brush roller is as follows.
The waterless PS plate is transported when the brush roller is rotating at a high speed. The rotation direction of the brush roller may be either the forward direction or the opposite direction to the transport direction of the waterless PS plate, but it is preferable that the rotation is opposite between the developing unit side and the dyeing unit side. This allows brushing from all directions.

[0007]

However, if the waterless PS plate is inserted while the brush roller is rotating in the direction opposite to the conveying direction of the waterless PS plate, the insertion end of the waterless PS plate rotates at a high speed. (Hereinafter referred to as vignetting), and may not be reliably held between the brush roller and the cradle.

On the other hand, when the brush roller is rotating in the forward direction with respect to the transport direction of the waterless PS plate, no problem occurs when the brush roller is inserted between the brush roller and the receiving stand. When the rear end is discharged, vignetting may occur due to the brush roller rotating at high speed, and the brush roller may be caught in the brush roller.

In order to solve this problem, it has been considered to arrange a small-diameter vignetting prevention lever on the upstream and downstream sides near the contact point between the brush roller and the receiving base. The PS plate without water is guided in an appropriate direction by the small-diameter vignetting prevention lever, and vignetting can be prevented.

However, the small-diameter vignetting prevention lever has to improve the mounting position accuracy, and the assembling workability is poor. Also, with this small-diameter vignetting prevention lever, waterless P
When the S plate is largely bent due to its own rigidity or the weight of the developing water, the vignetting prevention effect may not be exhibited.

In view of the above facts, the present invention can suppress relatively large deflection due to the rigidity of the waterless planographic printing plate itself, and can surely prevent vignetting by the brush roller.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a brushing structure for a waterless lithographic printing plate processing apparatus that can be easily assembled.

[0012]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a waterless lithographic printing plate which is disposed on an exposure surface side of a waterless lithographic printing plate and is rotated in a direction opposite to a conveying direction of the waterless lithographic printing plate. wherein the brush roller rubbing the exposed surface, is arranged on the opposite side with respect to the exposure surface of the waterless planographic printing plate, rotates by sandwiching the waterless planographic printing plate between the brush roller by Roller and the waterless lithographic printing provided such that the upper surface of the downstream end is located below the tangent line of the contact portion between the brush roller and the roller, the roller being located upstream of the brush roller in the conveyance path. A plate insertion guide member.

[0013] The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the transported water
And is disposed on the exposure surface side of the planographic printing plate, a brush roller rubbing the exposed surface by rotating in a forward direction with respect to the conveying direction of the waterless planographic printing plate, the exposed surface of said waterless planographic printing plate A roller that is disposed on the opposite surface side and that rotates while holding the waterless lithographic printing plate between the brush roller and the brush roller, and is located on the downstream side of the transport path from the brush roller, and has an upstream end end upper surface. And a discharge guide member for the waterless lithographic printing plate provided so as to be located below a tangent line of a contact portion between the brush roller and the roller.

[0014]

SUMMARY OF] According to the invention described in claim 1, if the brush roller is rotated in the opposite direction to the conveying direction of the waterless planographic printing plate, the insertion tip brush roller and the roller of the waterless planographic printing plate If this insertion tip first contacts the brush roller when it is pinched between the brush roller and the roller, vignetting will occur, so that the upper surface of the downstream end is located downstream from the tangent to the contact portion between the brush roller and the roller. The waterless lithographic printing plate is guided by the located insertion guide member to the roller-side region beyond the tangent line of the contact portion between the brush roller and the roller. Thereby, the insertion end of the lithographic printing plate without water comes into contact with the roller, and the rotation of the roller guides the lithographic printing plate to the holding position in a state of contact with the peripheral surface of the roller.

Therefore, occurrence of vignetting due to rotation of the brush roller is prevented. Such insertion guide member, if such insertion tip of the waterless planographic printing plate comes into contact with the first roller, it is possible to prevent vignetting, it is easy to only assembled.

In addition, the insertion guide member of the present invention can be used not only when the waterless planographic printing plate has a small bending but also when the waterless planographic printing plate is greatly bent due to its own rigidity and the weight of the developing water. The vignetting prevention effect can be enhanced without contact with the roller.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the brush roller is rotating in the forward direction with respect to the transport direction of the waterless planographic printing plate, the rear end of the waterless planographic printing plate has a brush roller and a roller. If this rear end comes into contact with the brush roller when it is discharged from between the brush roller and the roller, vignetting will occur, so that the upper surface of the upstream end is located downstream from the tangent line of the contact portion between the brush roller and the roller. The discharge guide member guides the waterless lithographic printing plate away from the brush roller. That is, if the rear end of the waterless planographic printing plate is guided to be bent away from the brush roller due to its own rigidity, it does not come into contact with the brush roller at the time of discharging from the holding position, and it is possible to prevent vignetting.

[0018]

[0019]

FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of a waterless lithographic printing plate processor 200 according to this embodiment. The exposed waterless PS plate 12 is stacked on a box-shaped feeder 202. The cradle 204 supporting the waterless PS plate 12 is supported on the bottom of the feeder 202 via a compression coil spring 206. Thus, the height position of the uppermost waterless PS plate 12 is kept substantially constant.

The waterless PS plate 12 used here is one in which a primer layer, a photosensitive layer, a silicone rubber layer, and a protective film are sequentially laminated on a substrate.

Above the feeder 202, a plate feeding mechanism 2 is provided.
08 is provided. The plate feeding mechanism unit 208 has a waterless P
The suction plate 210 is composed of a suction part 210 for adsorbing the S plate 12 and a rail part 212 for supporting the suction part.
A long hole 214 is formed along the longitudinal direction, and the base of the suction cup 210 is accommodated via a shaft 216. For this reason, the shaft 216 moves along the elongated hole 214 by the driving force of the driving unit (not shown), so that the waterless PS plate 12 adsorbed to the suction cup 210 is conveyed toward the developing device 10. ing.

A guide plate 218 is provided between the feeder 202 and the developing device 10, and a pair of rollers 220 is provided near the leading end of the guide plate 218 in the transport direction. The PS plate 12 without water being sandwiched between the pair of rollers 220 is further transported, and the protective film attached to the surface is peeled off by the peeling claws 222 to reach the developing device 10.

The detailed configuration of the developing device 10 will be described later. P without water developed by developing device 10
The S plate 12 is guided to an auto stacker 226 provided at a discharge port via a washing / drying device 224.

The auto stacker 226 has a substantially V shape, and is disposed so that the waterless PS plate 12 discharged from the discharge port leans on the left side wall 228 in FIG. In this state, the left side wall 228 is rotated about the lower end, so that the waterless PS plate 12 is moved to the right side wall 23 in FIG.
In this configuration, the components are stocked in layers so as to lean toward zero.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a waterless lithographic printing plate developing apparatus 10 to which the present invention is applied. The waterless lithographic printing plate developing device 10 includes a developing unit 14 and a dyeing unit 16, and after developing the waterless PS plate 12, performs a dyeing process for facilitating plate inspection work.

As the staining solution 17 used in the staining section 16, a staining solution 17 containing crystal violet, astrazone red, or the like is used.

The developing tank main body 20 of the developing section 14 is opened upward, has a bottom formed in an inverted mountain shape, and a developing water collecting tank 22 is formed in the center of the bottom. Developing water recovery tank 22
A developing water 18 is accommodated therein.

As described above, the developing water 18 does not contain an organic substance in its components, and simple water such as tap water can be used. Further, the hardness of water may be adjusted by mixing a defoaming agent with water to prevent generation of bubbles during circulation, or by adding a chelating agent. Furthermore, the number of times of recycle use may be increased by adding a preservative. An ozone generator may be provided to obtain the same effect as the preservative.

At the upper part of the developing tank main body 20, a pair of conveying rollers 24, 26 and 28 are arranged in order from the entry side of the PS plate 12 without water. The transport roller pairs 24, 26, and 28 are supported by rack side plates (not shown), rotate by receiving the driving force of a drive unit (not shown), and pinch and transport the waterless PS plate 12 in the direction of arrow A in FIG. ing.

A squeeze bar 25 is in contact with the upper roller of the transport roller pair 24. Note that the squeeze bar 25 may be provided on other transport roller pairs 26 and 28.

The transport roller pair 28 is disposed at the rear end of the transport path of the waterless PS plate 12 in the developing unit 14 and
It has a role of a squeeze roller for squeezing the developing water 18 from the S plate 12.

A brush roller 30 is disposed between the transport roller pair 26 and the transport roller pair 28. The brush roller 30 is for scraping the silicone layer of the unexposed portion on the plate surface by rubbing on the plate surface of the PS plate 12 without water. The brush roller 30 is also supported by a side plate (not shown) similarly to the transport roller pairs 24, 26, and 28, and is rotated by transmitting a driving force of a driving unit (not shown).

The brush roller 30 is formed by planting a brush material in a plastic or metal roll.
By rotating (forward rotation) in the forward direction (counterclockwise direction in FIG. 2) with respect to the transport direction of the waterless PS plate 12, the waterless PS plate 12 is rotated.
Is designed to rub the surface. This brush roller 30
Has a rotation speed of 100 to 800 rpm (preferably 200 to 800 rpm).
600 rpm).

The brush roller 30 is rotated and reciprocated in the axial direction, so that the waterless PS
The effect of scraping the silicone layer on the plate surface of the plate 12 is improved (hereinafter, this is referred to as forward swing).

The combination of the rotation direction of the brush roller 30 and the rotation direction of the brush roller 100 on the dyeing section 16 described later can be selected as follows. (Developing unit 14)------(Dyeing unit 16)-Forward rotation----------------------------------------------------------- - the bottom of the forward swing-forward swinging -------- forward and forward rocking -------- reverse brush roller 30 b over La 32 is arranged . When the waterless PS plate 12 passes, the rollers 32
While the waterless PS plate 12 is sandwiched between the brushless roller and the brush roller 30, the surface is rubbed by the brush roller 30, and the silicone layer corresponding to the image area is reliably scraped off.

On the downstream side of the brush roller 30, there is provided a waterless PS discharged from between the brush roller 30 and the roller 32.
Guide portion 300 as a discharge guide member for guiding plate 12
Are arranged.

As shown in FIG. 3, the guide part 300 is
It is composed of a plurality of guide pieces 302 arranged in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the waterless PS plate 12 and parallel to each other, and a connecting rod 304 connecting the guide pieces 302. For this reason, in the guide part 300, the guide piece 30
2 supports a part of the PS plate 12 without water. The gap between the guide pieces 302 serves to prevent the developing water 18 discharged from the spray pipe 42 described below from staying on the guide portion 300.

The guide piece 302 has a
The upper surface of the side tip has at least the brush roller 30 and the roller 3
4 is lower than a tangent line between the contact portion 2 and the contact portion (a dashed line in FIG. 4A), and the front end surface is formed in an arc shape along the outer periphery of the roller 32. Thereby, the guide piece 302 can be arranged to the vicinity of the nipping position of the waterless PS plate 12 by the brush roller 30 and the roller 32.

The upper surface of the guide piece 302 is planar, and extends to the vicinity of the conveying roller pair 28 on the downstream side. The upper surface of the guide piece 302 is parallel to the tangent line,
Alternatively, the inclined surface becomes higher as the distance from the brush roller 30 increases. Brush roller 30 and roller 32
The waterless PS plate 12 discharged from between the
00, the guide portion 300 is configured such that a part of the waterless PS plate 12 is held between the brush roller 30 and the roller 32, and the other portion is held between the transfer roller pair 28. PS without water generated when pinched
Developing water 18 and waterless PS plate 1 staying on top of plate 12
2 has the role of suppressing the deflection due to its own weight (as shown by the imaginary lines in FIGS. 4B and 4C).

By suppressing this bending, the rear end of the waterless PS plate 12 is prevented from jumping up when it is discharged from between the brush roller 30 and the roller 32 (see FIG. 4). C)).

A spray pipe 34 is disposed above the transport roller pair 24. In the spray pipe 34, discharge ports 34A are provided at appropriate intervals along the axial direction so as to face the upper roller of the transport roller pair 24.
The spray pipe 34 is connected to a pipe 38 via a valve 36.
And a developing water supply device described later. Thereby, the developing water 18 is sent to the spray pipe 34,
The developing water 18 is discharged to the upper roller of the transport roller pair 24 so that the developing water 18 is applied onto the PS plate 12 without water.

A pair of transport rollers 26 and a pair of transport rollers 28
Spray pipes 40 and 42 are also arranged between them. The spray pipe 40 is disposed between the brush roller 30 and the transport roller pair 26, and has a discharge port 40A similarly to the spray pipe 34. The discharge port 40 </ b> A of the spray pipe 40 is provided to face the brush roller 30. Like the spray pipe 34, the spray pipe 40 is connected to a developing water supply device described later through a pipe branched from a pipe 38 via a valve 36. Thereby, the developing water 18 is supplied to the spray pipe 40.
Is supplied, and the developing water 18 is discharged and supplied to the brush roller 30.

The spray pipe 42 has a discharge port 42A facing the upper roller of the transport roller pair 28. The spray pipe 42 also communicates with a later-described developing water supply device through a pipe branched from the pipe 38 via the valve 36. This allows spray pipe 4
The developing water 18 is sent to the roller 0, and the developing water 18 is discharged to the upper roller of the transport roller pair 28.

A cover 39 having a substantially U-shaped cross section is arranged so as to extend from the pair of transport rollers 26 to the upper part of the brush roller 30. The cover 39 prevents the developing water 18 from scattering to other parts by the brush roller 30.

The developing water supply device is constituted by a circulation pump 44, a filter 46, and a pipeline 48 communicating the circulation pump 44 and the developing water collecting tank 22.

The circulation pump 44 is a variable flow type pump.
The discharge flow rate is controlled by being connected to the control device 52. The pipe line 38 communicates with the discharge port side of the circulation pump 44,
One end of a conduit 48 communicates with the suction port side. The other end of the pipe 48 is connected to the bottom of the developing water collecting tank 22 via a valve 55 on the way. The operation of the circulation pump 44 causes the developing water 18 in the developing water collecting tank 22 to flow through the pipeline 4.
8, it is sucked into the circulation pump 44 and sent to the spray pipes 34, 40, 42 through the conduit 38.

A flow sensor 50 is provided in the middle of the pipe 38 so as to detect the flow rate of the developing water 18 passing through the pipe 38. The flow rate sensor 50 is connected to the control device 52, and transmits a flow rate detection result of the developing water 18. Although a general flow meter can be used as the flow sensor 50, a rotary type is preferable in order to reduce the size of the apparatus.

A filter 46 is provided in the middle of the conduit 48, and the residue in the developing water passing through the conduit 48 (mainly a developer residue 18A composed of a silicone layer scraped off from the surface of the waterless PS plate 12). Is filtered.

A notifying device 56 is connected to the control device 52. When the flow rate of the developing water 18 passing through the pipe 38 becomes equal to or less than a predetermined flow rate, the notifying device 56 is notified of a replacement time of the filter 46. As a result, the filter is replaced. The filter has a mesh of 10 μm to 500 μm (preferably 50 μm to 300 μm).

A branch pipe 58 branches off from the middle of the pipe 48 and communicates via a valve 60 with an overflow tank 62 which is a collecting tank. The overflow tank 62 is provided on the side of the developing water collecting tank 22, is provided on a partition wall of the developing water collecting tank 22, and communicates with the developing water collecting tank 22 through a long hole 64 along the developing water surface. As a result, the surface layer of the developing water 18 in the developing water collecting tank 22 flows over the upper end of the lower partition 22A of the developing water collecting tank 22 and flows into the overflow tank 62. The overflow flow rate of the developing water 18 into the overflow tank 62 is:
1/10 to 2/3 of the total circulation amount (preferably 1/3 to 1 /
2).

When the developing water 18 is replenished by a developing water replenishing device described later and the liquid level of the developing water 18 rises, the developing residue 18A once collected in the overflow tank 62 is removed from the upper partition 22B. It does not spread into the water recovery tank 22.

The overflow tank 62 is opened at the top to form an opening, and is opened and closed by a lid 66. The overflow tank 62 is detached from the opening during maintenance in the overflow tank 62. A branch pipe 58 communicates with a lower part of the side wall 68 of the overflow tank 62 so that the developing water 18 in the overflow tank 62 is sucked by the operation of the circulation pump 44. The developing water recovery tank 22 is sucked by the circulation pump 44.
The surface layer portion of the inner developing water 18 flows into the overflow tank 62, and the developing residue 18A floating in the developing water 18 in the developing water collecting tank 22 flows into the overflow tank 62 to collect the developing residue. A silicone rubber layer is laminated on the surface of the waterless PS plate 12 for repelling the ink.
When it is scraped off by 0, it becomes a developing residue 18A and is collected into the developing water collecting tank 22 together with the surplus developing water 18. In the developing water in the developing water collecting tank 22, the developing scum 18
A floats on the surface layer of the developing water 18 because the specific gravity is lower than that of the developing water 18. Further, the lower partition wall 22A functions as a so-called weir for collecting and developing the surface debris 18A in the developing water recovery tank 22 into the overflow tank 62. When the liquid level of the developing water 18 in the overflow tank 62 rises due to the replenishment of the developing water 18 described later, the upper partition wall 22B prevents the collected developer dust 18A from spreading into the developing water collecting tank 22. It serves as a weir.

An overflow pipe 70 is provided in the overflow tank 62. Overflow pipe 70
Is set higher than the lower end of the upper partition wall 22B of the developing water recovery tank 22. For this reason, when the developing water 18 is replenished by a developing water replenishing device described later and the level of the developing water 18 in the developing water recovery tank 22 rises, the developing water 18 is submerged, and the surface layer of the developing water 18 in the overflow tank 62 is removed. , Development residue 18
A flows out together with A through an overflow pipe 70.

The developing water replenishing device comprises a water tank 74 containing water and a water supply pump 78 for supplying water into the developing water collecting tank 22. Water supply pump 78
The water sent to the developing water recovery tank 22 is sent to the replenishing cylinder 82. The replenishing cylinder 82 has a tubular shape, and the developing replenishing water is supplied into the developing water collecting tank 22 from the lower end opening.

The control unit 52 is connected to a detector 86 which is disposed on the entrance side of the developing unit 14 and detects the amount of passage of the waterless PS plate 12, that is, the processing amount (the area of the waterless PS plate 12). The processing amount is supplied to the control device 52. The detector 86 uses a waterless PS plate 1
2, the plate area may be detected by measuring the time required for the waterless PS plate 12 to pass over the detector 86, and the width of the waterless PS plate 12 may be detected. May be input to the apparatus in advance, and the plate area may be calculated by detecting the length of the waterless PS plate 12 in the transport direction with one photoelectric tube.

A heater 88 is disposed at the bottom of the developing water collecting tank 22. The heater 88 is connected to a power supply (not shown) to heat the developing water 18. The temperature of the developing water 18 is set to 15 ° by the heater 88.
C is set to 60 ° C. (preferably 25 ° C. to 50 ° C.).

The development time of the apparatus is 10 seconds to
The staining time is set to 3 minutes (preferably 30 seconds to 2 minutes), and the staining time is set to 5 seconds to 1 minute (preferably 10 seconds to 30 seconds). Further, a developing tank can be added as required.

Next, the dyeing section 16 will be described. The dyeing tank main body 90 of the dyeing section 16 is opened upward like the developing tank main body 20, has a bottom formed in an inverted mountain shape, and a dyeing liquid recovery tank 92 is formed in the center of the bottom. Staining solution recovery tank 9
A staining solution 17 is accommodated in 2. An overflow pipe 91 is arranged in the staining liquid recovery tank 92. The upper end of the overflow pipe 91 is located at the upper part in the staining liquid collecting tank 92, and the lower end penetrates the bottom of the staining liquid collecting tank 92 and projects outward. This overflow pipe 91
When the level of the liquid in the staining liquid recovery tank 92 rises due to the replenishment of the staining liquid 17 by the staining liquid replenishing device described later, and exceeds the upper end of the overflow pipe 91, the staining liquid 17 is removed from the inside of the staining liquid recovery tank 92. And the level of the staining solution 17 is set.

At the upper part of the dyeing tank main body 90, a pair of conveying rollers 94 and 96 are sequentially arranged from the entrance side to the dyeing tank main body 90 along the conveying direction of the waterless PS plate 12. The conveying roller pairs 94 and 96 are supported by a rack side plate (not shown), and are rotated by transmitting a driving force of a driving unit (not shown).
The waterless PS plate 12 is nipped and transported. These transport roller pairs 94 and 96 are formed of a general rubber material so as not to damage the surface of the waterless PS plate 12 to be transported.

The tip of the blade 95 is in contact with the upper roller of the transport roller pair 94. As a result, the developing residue adhering to the conveying roller pair 94 is removed by the blade 9.
5 to keep the surface of the transport roller pair 94 smooth. Note that this blade may be provided also on the transport roller pair 96.

A pair of transport rollers 98 is disposed on the downstream side of the dye tank main body 90 in the transport direction of the waterless PS plate 12.
The transport roller pair 98 is made of a roll material such as NBR rubber (nitrile butadiene rubber) or a Molton roller, so that the wiping ability of the staining liquid 17 is improved.

A brush roller 100 is arranged between the pair of conveying rollers 94 and 96. The brush roller 100 is also supported by a side plate (not shown) similarly to the pair of transport rollers 94 and 96, and a driving force of a drive unit (not shown) is transmitted to rotate the brush roller 100 in a direction opposite to the rotation direction of the pair of transport rollers 94 (clockwise in FIG. 2). ). The brush roller 100 is formed by implanting a brush material in a plastic or metal roll, and is provided with a water-free PS.
The surface of the waterless PS plate 12 is rubbed by rotating in the direction (clockwise direction in FIG. 2) opposite to the transport direction of the plate 12. In some cases, the plate may be rotated in the forward direction with respect to the transport direction of the waterless PS plate. Brush roller 1
00 is 100 to 800 rpm (preferably 20 rpm).
0-600 rpm).

[0063] b over La 32 in the lower portion of the brush roller 100 is disposed. For this reason, when the waterless PS plate 12 passes, it is conveyed while being sandwiched between the brush roller 100 and the roller 32, and the dyeing liquid 17 is applied to the surface by the brush roller 100.

On the upstream side of the brush roller 100, a guide portion 350 as an insertion guide member is provided.

As shown in FIG. 5, the guide section 350
It is composed of a plurality of guide pieces 352 arranged in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the waterless PS plate 12 and parallel to each other, and a connecting rod 354 for connecting these guide pieces 352. For this reason, in the guide portion 350, the guide piece 35
2 supports a part of the PS plate 12 without water. The gap between the guide pieces 352 has a role of preventing the staining liquid 17 discharged from the spray pipe 104 described below from staying on the guide portion 350.

The guide piece 352 is attached to the brush roller 10.
The upper surface of the 0-side tip portion is at least lower than the tangent line (the dashed line in FIG. 6A) between the brush roller 100 and the roller 32 and the contact portion . I have. Thereby, the guide piece 352 can be arranged to the vicinity of the position where the brush plate 100 and the roller 32 sandwich the waterless PS plate 12.

The upper surface of the guide piece 352 is planar, and the rear end of the guide piece 352 is extended to the vicinity of the upstream conveying roller pair 94. The upper surface of the guide piece 352 is an inclined surface that is parallel to the tangent line or becomes higher as the distance from the brush roller 100 increases. For this reason, the guide part 3
Deflection 50 caused by the weight of the dyeing liquid 17 of the waterless PS plate 12 occurs when it is sandwiched between the transport roller pair 94 on the one hand and the brush roller 100 and the roller 32 on the other hand (FIG. 6B). As shown by the imaginary line of (1), it has a role of suppressing the downward projection.

By suppressing this bending, the leading end of the waterless PS plate 12 is moved between the brush roller 100 and the roller 32.
When the waterless PS plate 12 is inserted into the space between the rollers 32, the leading end of the waterless PS plate 12 first contacts the roller 32 (see FIG. 6B), and is guided to the nipping position while contacting the roller 32.

A spray pipe 104 is provided above the brush roller 100. This spray pipe 1
Reference numeral 04 is surrounded by a substantially U-shaped current plate 106. A suitable number of discharge ports 104A are formed in the spray pipe 104 along the axial direction so as to face the current plate 106.

The spray pipe 104 is connected to a valve 108
The pipe 110 communicates with a staining liquid supply device to be described later. As a result, the staining liquid 17 is sent to the spray pipe 104 and is discharged toward the current plate 106,
The dyeing liquid 17 is supplied to the brush roller 100 while being guided by the current plate 106. At this time, the staining solution 17 is
It spreads while flowing down on the plate, and is uniformly supplied onto the brush roller 100.

A spray pipe 112 is also provided between the brush roller 100 and the transport roller pair 96 on the transport roller pair 96 side. The spray pipe 112 is also surrounded by a substantially U-shaped current plate 106 like the spray pipe 104. This spray pipe 112 has a discharge port 112A.
Are provided along the axial direction in opposition to the current plate 106. Spray pipe 112 is spray pipe 1
As in the case of the apparatus 04, the apparatus is connected to a staining liquid supply device described later via a pipe 108 through a valve 108. As a result, the dyeing liquid 17 is sent to the spray pipe 112, discharged and guided toward the current plate 106, and supplied to the upper roller of the transport roller pair 96. At this time, the dyeing liquid 17 spreads while flowing down on the plate of the current plate 106, and is uniformly supplied to the conveying roller pair 96.

A cover 107 having a substantially U-shaped cross section is disposed above the brush roller 100 and the conveying roller pair 96. The cover 107 prevents the brush roller 100 from scattering the dyeing liquid 17 to other parts.

The staining liquid supply device includes a circulation pump 114, a filter 116, a circulation pump 114, and a staining liquid recovery tank 92.
And a conduit 118 communicating the same. The pipe 110 is connected to the discharge port side of the circulation pump 114, and one end of the pipe 118 is connected to the suction port side. Conduit 118
Is connected to the bottom of the staining solution recovery tank 92. By the operation of the circulation pump 114, the staining liquid recovery tank 92
The staining liquid 17 in the circulation pump 11
4 and spray pipe 1 through line 110
04, 112.

A filter 116 is provided in the middle of the conduit 118, and the residue in the dye solution passing through the conduit 118 (mainly scraped off from the surface of the waterless PS plate 12 brought in from the developing unit) (A residue from the silicone layer) is removed.

The staining solution replenishing device includes a staining solution tank 122 containing the staining solution 17 and a staining solution collection tank 92.
And a dye supply pump 124 for supplying the liquid to the inside.

One end of a pipe 126 is connected to the dye tank 122, and the other end is open to a wide-mouth pipe 82 provided in the dye recovery tank 92. A dye supply pump 124 is provided in the middle of the pipe 126. The dye supply pump 124 is connected to the control device 52, and the operation timing, that is, the operation at the time of replenishment of the stain 17 is controlled. The replenishment rate of the staining solution 17 is set to 5 to 100 cc / m ² (preferably 10 to 60 cc / m ² ).

A heater 88 is provided at the bottom of the dye solution recovery tank 92.
Is provided, and is connected to a power supply (not shown) to heat the staining solution 17. The temperature of the dyeing solution 17 is set at 15 to 45 ° C (preferably 20 to 40 ° C). Further, the number of dyeing tanks can be increased as needed.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. Waterless PS plate 1 with an image printed by an image printing device (not shown)
2 is a developing unit 14 after passing over the aluminum detector 86;
It is inserted into. Waterless PS inserted into the developing unit 14
The portion of the printing plate 12 where the photosensitive layer is irradiated with light, that is, the exposed portion is cured and adheres to the silicone layer, and the unexposed portion is in a state where it can be swollen or eluted by the developing water 18.

From this state, after the protective film laminated to protect the surface of the waterless PS plate 12 with the peeling claw 222 is peeled off, the waterless PS plate 12 is inserted into the developing unit 14 and The developing water 18 is applied to the surface while being nipped and transported by the transport roller pair 24. As a result, the photosensitive layer in the unexposed portion (image portion) of the waterless PS plate 12 swells and the silicone layer is easily peeled off.

Further, the PS plate 12 without water is provided with a transport roller pair 2
6, the brush roller 30 and the roller 3
Inserted between 2. Brush roller 30 is PS without water
Since the plate 12 rotates in a direction (counterclockwise direction in FIG. 2) corresponding to the transport direction of the plate 12, vignetting does not occur at the time of insertion.

The upper surface of the waterless PS plate 12 passing over the roller 32 is rubbed by the rotation of the brush roller 30. The developing water 18 is also supplied to the brush roller 30, and the surface of the waterless PS plate 12 is rubbed by the brush roller 30 while the developing water 18 is applied, and the silicone rubber layer is scraped off by the developing water 18. As a result, the photosensitive layer and the silicone layer corresponding to the exposed portions remain on the waterless PS plate 12, and a positive image is formed.

The surplus developing water 18 after development of the developing water 18 applied to the surface of the waterless PS plate 12 is supplied to the developing water collecting tank 2.
It falls into 2 and is collected.

Further, the waterless PS plate 12 from which the unexposed portion of the silicone layer has been scraped off by the brush roller 30 is nipped and conveyed by a pair of conveying rollers 28, and the developing water 18 is applied again. The developing water 18 is squeezed out. Thereafter, the waterless PS plate 12 is inserted between the conveying roller pair 94 of the dyeing section 16.

Here, when the developing water 18 is applied to the waterless PS plate 12 sandwiched between the brush roller 30 and the roller 32 and also sandwiched between the transport roller pairs 28, the waterless PS plate 12 is conventionally developed. In some cases, the weight of the water 18 was bent in a downwardly convex state. Due to this bending, when the waterless PS plate 12 is discharged from between the brush roller 30 and the roller 32, the rear end portion jumps up, causing contact with the brush roller 30 and causing vignetting.

However, in this embodiment, the brush roller 30
A guide part 300 is disposed between the pair of conveying rollers 28 and
This bending is suppressed (see the solid line in FIG. 4B). For this reason, there is no splashing of the rear end of the PS plate 12 without water,
And the brush roller 32 side end portion upper face of the guide piece 302 Bed
A tangent line of a contact portion between the brush roller 30 and the roller 32 (FIG. 4)
(A), the brush roller 3 is located at the lower side (the area on the roller 32 side).
0 (see FIG. 4C), and vignetting can be prevented.

The waterless PS plate 12 is moved between the brush roller 100 and the roller 3 by the nip conveyance by the conveyance roller pair 94.
Inserted between the two.

The brush roller 100 rotates in the opposite direction (clockwise direction in FIG. 2) with respect to the transport direction of the waterless PS plate 12, and is guided by the current plate 104 to supply the dyeing solution 1.
7 is applied to the upper surface of the PS plate 12 without water. As a result, the dyeing solution 17 adheres to the unexposed portion of the photosensitive layer and is dyed.

Here, when the dyeing solution 17 is applied to the waterless PS plate 12 sandwiched between the transport rollers 94 and between the brush roller 100 and the roller 32, the waterless PS plate 12 is conventionally coated with the dyeing solution. In some cases, it was bent in a convex state with a weight of 17. Due to this bending, when the waterless PS plate 12 is inserted between the brush roller 100 and the roller 32, the leading end thereof jumps up, causing contact with the brush roller 100 and causing vignetting.

However, in this embodiment, the brush roller 10
A guide section 350 is provided between the pair of rollers 0 and the pair of conveying rollers 94 to suppress the bending. For this reason, the tip of the waterless PS plate 12 does not jump up, and the upper surface of the guide piece 352 on the side of the brush roller 100 is in contact with the brush roller 100.
Since it is located below the tangent line (see FIG. 6A) of the contact portion with the roller 32 (the region on the roller 32 side), it does not come into contact with the brush roller 100 when the leading end is inserted. (See the solid line in FIG. 6B.) Vignetting can be prevented.

Further, the waterless PS plate 12 is provided with a transport roller pair 9
6 and to the upper roller of the conveying roller pair 96,
Staining solution 17 guided and supplied by current plate 106
The dyeing solution 17 is squeezed out while being applied to the surface and squeezed. This dyeing is carried out after development without water P
This is a step for facilitating the discrimination between the image portion and the non-image portion of the S plate 12, and is a process performed for plate inspection work.

The waterless PS plate 12 whose image portion has been dyed is sent out from the dyeing portion 16 and then inserted between the pair of conveying rollers 98, and the dyeing liquid 17 remaining on the surface is wiped off. Since the transport roller pair 98 is made of NBR rubber or Molton roller, the wiping property of the dyeing liquid 17 is improved. In particular, if the dyeing liquid 17 remains in the non-image area, the ink repulsion of the silicone rubber layer is reduced, so that a good image cannot be obtained at the time of printing. Squeeze from
Good images can be obtained. After this, a washing and drying step may be provided.

Next, circulation of the developing water 18 in the developing section 14, descaling, and replenishment of the developing water 18 will be described.

<Circulation> As shown in FIG. 2, the developing water 18 in the developing water collecting tank 22 is sent to the spray pipes 34, 40 and 42 by the operation of the circulation pump 44, and is conveyed through the developing section 14. It is applied to the PS plate 12 without water. The surplus developing water 18 after application of the waterless PS plate 12 falls,
The developer is collected in the developing water collection tank 22. Developed water 18A such as a silicone rubber layer peeled off from the surface of the PS plate 12 without water is mixed in the developed water collected in the developed water recovery tank 22. Since it is light, it floats on the surface layer of the developing water 18 in the developing water collecting tank 22. In this state, the developing water 18 in the developing water collecting tank 22 flows into the overflow tank 62 over the lower partition 22A. As a result, the developing residue 18A floating on the surface of the developing water 18 flows into the overflow tank 62 and is accumulated in the overflow tank 62.

If the filter 46 is clogged by the development waste 18A, the circulation flow rate of the developing water 18 passing through the pipe 38 decreases. This is detected by the flow rate sensor 50, and the detection result is transmitted to the control device 52. The control device 52 operates the notifying device 56 to notify that the filter 46 is clogged. This allows the operator to know when to replace the filter 46 with a new one.

Further, when the developing water 18 is replenished into the developing water collecting tank 22, the liquid level of the developing water 18 in the developing water collecting tank 22 rises. The height of the liquid level of the developing water 18 (the developing residue 18A is collected on the surface layer) also increases, and the upper end of the overflow pipe 70 is submerged.

As a result, the developing water 18 in the overflow tank 62 becomes a surface layer (the developing residue 18A is floating).
Is discharged outward through an overflow pipe 70.

At this time, the upper partition wall 22B of the developing water collecting tank 22 forming the through-hole 64 serves as a weir, and is trapped in the overflow tank 62 once.
The developing water recovery tank 22
It does not spread inside.

As described above, in the present embodiment, since the developing waste 18A is discharged outward by the overflow pipe 70 when water is replenished, clogging of the filter is reduced.
Long-term stable development can be performed. Further, the circulation path of the developing water 18 is divided into a branch pipe 58 and a pipe 48.
Since the development waste 18A can be removed from the development water 18 as a system, the development waste 18A does not accumulate in the development water recovery tank 22 and the circulating pump 44, and maintenance thereof is facilitated. <Replenishment of developing water> The waterless PS plate 12 inserted into the developing unit 14 is detected by the detector 86, and the processing amount is detected.

On the basis of the detection result, the control device 52 operates the water supply pump 78 to transfer the undeveloped developing solution to the developing water collecting tank 2.
Supply into 2. This replenishment is replenished according to the processing amount of the waterless PS plate 12, that is, the processing area.

The replenishing amount of the water is set at 250 to 2000 cc / time. As a method of supplying the developing water 18, there is a method in which the developing water 18 is constantly supplied within a range of 0.1 liter / min to 10 liter / min while the processing apparatus is operating, and is discharged from the overflow.

Next, the replenishment of the staining solution 17 in the staining section 16 will be described. Waterless PS plate 12 inserted into the dyeing section 16
Developing water 18 remains on the surface, and the dyeing solution 17 is applied in this state. For this reason, the developing water 18 is carried into the dyeing liquid 17 collected in the dyeing liquid collecting tank 92 after dyeing, and the dyeing liquid 17 is deteriorated. PS version 12 without water
The dyeing solution 17 deteriorates depending on the amount of dyeing treatment. For this reason, based on the detection result of the area of the PS plate 12 without water by the detector 86, the control device 52 operates the dye supply pump 124 to supply the dye 17 into the dye recovery tank 92.
As a result, the staining ability of the staining solution 17 does not decrease, and a long-term stable staining process can be performed.

In this embodiment, a guide portion 300 is provided as a discharge guide member on the downstream side of the brush roller 30 of the developing portion, and a guide portion 350 is provided on the upstream side of the brush roller 100 of the dyeing portion. However, this is because the rotation directions of the brush rollers 30 and 100 of the present embodiment are forward rotation and reverse rotation, respectively, and the guide portion 300 or 350 may be provided according to the rotation direction of the above-described combination. . In addition, a guide portion 350 as an insertion guide member is disposed on the upstream side of each of the brush rollers 30 and 100, respectively.
By arranging the guide portions 300 as the discharge guide members on the downstream side, vignetting can be prevented in any combination of the rotation directions of the brush rollers 30 and 100.

[0103]

Brushing structure of waterless <br/> planographic printing plate processing apparatus according to the present invention as has been described above, according to the present invention is to suppress a relatively large deflection due waterless planographic printing plate rigidity itself like,
Vignetting due to the brush roller can be reliably prevented, and an excellent effect that the assembling work is simplified can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an overall configuration of a waterless PS plate processing machine according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a lithographic printing plate processing apparatus without water according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the vicinity of a downstream side of a developing unit side brush roller.

FIGS. 4A to 4C are front views showing the flow of a waterless PS plate near a developing unit side brush roller.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the vicinity of the downstream side of the brush roller on the dyeing section side.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are front views showing the flow of a waterless PS plate near the dyeing portion side brush roller.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 10 waterless lithographic printing plate developing device 12 waterless PS plate ( waterless lithographic printing plate) 14 developing unit 17 dyeing solution 18 developing solution 30 brush roller (developing unit side) 32 roller 100 brush roller (dying unit side) 300 guide member (Discharge guide member) 302 Guide piece 350 Guide member (insertion guide member) 352 Guide piece

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A are arranged on the exposure surface side of the conveyed the waterless lithographic printing plate, a brush roller rubbing the exposed surface by rotating in the opposite direction to the conveying direction of the waterless planographic printing plate, wherein A roller that is disposed on the opposite side to the exposure surface of the waterless planographic printing plate and that rotates while nipping the waterless planographic printing plate between the brush roller and the brush roller; And an insertion guide member for the waterless lithographic printing plate, which is provided on the upstream side of the road, and is provided such that the upper surface of the downstream end is located below a tangent line of a contact portion between the brush roller and the roller. Brushing structure of waterless lithographic printing plate processing equipment. Wherein disposed on the exposure surface side of the conveyed the waterless lithographic printing plate, a brush roller rubbing the exposed surface by rotating in a forward direction with respect to the conveying direction of the waterless planographic printing plate, wherein disposed on the opposite side with respect to the exposure surface of the waterless planographic printing plate, a roller that rotates by sandwiching the waterless flat <br/> lithographic printing plate between the brush roller, than the brush roller A discharge guide member for the waterless lithographic printing plate, which is located on the downstream side of the transport path and is provided such that the upper surface of the upstream end is located below a tangent line of a contact portion between the brush roller and the roller, Brushing structure of a lithographic printing plate processing apparatus without water .