JP3656826B2 - Printing apparatus having a printing plate supply device in a plate cylinder - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a printing apparatus having a plate making mechanism for forming an image on a printing plate based on image data, and more particularly to a printing apparatus having a printing plate supply device in a plate cylinder.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, a printing apparatus incorporating a so-called CTP (Computer-To-Plate) mechanism for forming an image on a printing plate based on digital image data has been put into practical use. For example, JP-A-10-272756 It is disclosed in a public gazette. A printing apparatus having such a plate-making mechanism is called a digital printing machine, and is suitable for high-mix low-volume printing with a short work time because a printed matter can be obtained directly from image data. In this digital printing machine, the plate making process is automated so that even an unskilled person can easily handle it.
[0003]
Such a digital printing machine is provided with a printing plate supply device that automatically supplies an unused printing plate to the plate cylinder. For example, as described in JP-A-7-101044, a printing plate supply device is provided. An apparatus comprising a printing plate cassette in a cylinder is disclosed. In this apparatus, a printing plate cassette is loaded from the circumferential surface side of the plate cylinder into the cylinder groove of the plate cylinder.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in a digital printing machine, an image recording apparatus for forming an image on a printing plate as well as an ink roller and a fountain solution roller in addition to a blanket cylinder is in contact with a plate cylinder peripheral surface as a general printing apparatus. Because it is provided, there is not much space around the plate cylinder. In particular, depending on the recording method, a developing device for developing the printing plate may be required, or a printing plate washing device for removing residual ink on the printing plate when the used printing plate is re-stored in the plate cylinder. Is also possible. In such a case, it is difficult to attach and detach the printing plate cassette because the working space on the peripheral surface side of the plate cylinder is further limited. Even if the work space is vacant, there are cases where there are problems in safety and cleanliness because the driving units such as the ink roller and the fountain solution roller are in the vicinity. The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and can be loaded with a printing plate cassette from the axial direction of the plate cylinder, and is optimal for a digital printing machine that does not have much space around the plate cylinder. A first object is to provide a printing apparatus including a printing plate supply apparatus.
[0005]
On the other hand, when a new printing plate cassette is loaded in the plate cylinder, the printing plate wound around the unwinding shaft must be wound around the printing plate and then fixed to the other winding shaft. Don't be. However, in the conventional apparatus, the printing drum has to be wound by finely rotating the plate cylinder by manual operation while the printing plate is drawn out, and the leading end of the drawn printing plate has to be manually fixed to the winding shaft. . Such an operation is difficult when the printing apparatus is narrow, especially when the opening of the cylinder groove is narrow, and further, there is a problem in safety because the operation is performed while finely moving the plate cylinder. A second object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus provided with a printing plate supply device capable of easily winding a printing plate around a plate cylinder and setting the printing plate. To do.
[0006]
On the other hand, in an apparatus for storing a printing plate in a plate cylinder, the used printing plate is re-stored in the plate cylinder, so that the inside of the plate cylinder is easily soiled by residual ink or the like. For this reason, it is conceivable to remove the residual ink from the used printing plate by a printing plate cleaning device or the like, and then to take up and store it in the plate cylinder. However, since the printing plate loaded in the plate cylinder is a continuous web state wound around the periphery of the plate cylinder, when the printing plate is washed with a washing solution, the washing solution is transmitted to the unused printing plate side. May flow. Such dripping may occur, for example, when a printing plate is developed with a developer, and in some cases, mist such as fountain solution or ink scattered during the printing operation may adhere. There is also sex. The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and prevents dampening water or ink during printing operations so that cleaning liquid or developer does not flow into unused printing plates stored in the plate cylinder. A third object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus provided with a printing plate supply device capable of protecting a printing plate in a plate cylinder so that mist such as mist does not adhere.
[0016]
Claim 1 The invention described in (1) includes a printing plate supply device that holds a roll-shaped printing plate in a plate cylinder so that it can be unwound and rewound, and an image is recorded on the printing plate unwound on the plate cylinder to make a plate. A printing apparatus that performs printing with a printing plate that has been made and plate-making, a plate cylinder in which a cylinder groove having an opening is formed along the axial direction of the plate cylinder, and is mounted in the cylinder groove and is attached to the unwinding shaft A printing plate roll wound with an unused printing plate, a take-up shaft that is installed in the cylinder groove and winds up the used printing plate, and a front end of the printing plate drawn out from the printing plate roll is attached to the outside of the plate cylinder. A front end holding means for temporarily holding the plate cylinder, a plate cylinder rotation control means for rotating the plate cylinder in a state where the printing plate is held by the front end holding means, and stopping the winding shaft at a predetermined mounting position; The tip holding means is paired with the winding shaft. The leading end of the printing plate is lowered and a tip mounting means for mounting to the winding shaft.
[0017]
Claim 2 The invention described in claim 1 In the printing apparatus according to claim 1, an engaging portion that is engageable with each other is provided on the leading end of the printing plate and the winding shaft, and the engaging portion at the leading end of the printing plate is wound up by the leading end mounting means. It is characterized by engaging with the engaging portion of the shaft.
[0018]
Claim 3 The invention described in claim 2 In the printing apparatus described in (1), the engaging portion on the front side of the printing plate is pressed and inserted into the engaging portion of the take-up shaft by the tip mounting means.
[0019]
Claim 4 The invention described in claim 1 Or 3 In the printing apparatus according to any one of the above, after the front end of the printing plate is mounted on the winding shaft, a predetermined number of winding shafts Only in the winding direction The printing plate is wound up and fixed by rotating.
[0020]
Claim 5 The invention described in claim 1 to 4 The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the winding is performed. Take up the shaft so that the used printing plate is on the inside. It is characterized by being performed internally.
[0021]
Claim 6 The invention described in claim 1 Or 5 In the printing apparatus according to any one of the above, a shutter member that opens and closes the opening of the body groove is provided.
[0024]
Claim 7 The invention described in claim 6 In the printing apparatus described in (1), the shutter member can close the printing plate passing through the opening in a substantially watertight state.
[0025]
Claim 8 The invention described in claim 6 Or 7 In the printing apparatus described in (1), the shutter member is configured to open and close in the circumferential direction of the plate cylinder.
[0026]
Claim 9 The invention described in claim 8 In the printing apparatus described in (1), the expansion of the printing plate is further tightened by closing the shutter member.
[0027]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic side view showing a main part of a printing apparatus provided with a printing plate supply apparatus according to the present invention.
[0028]
In FIG. 1, a printing apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a plate cylinder 1 that holds a printing plate, a blanket cylinder 2 that abuts against the plate cylinder 1, and a blanket cylinder that holds printing paper. 2 A pressure drum 3 that contacts the pressure drum 3, a paper feed drum 4 that supplies printing paper to the pressure drum 3, a paper discharge drum 5 that receives and discharges printing paper from the pressure drum 3, and both ends of each of the cylinders 1 to 5 are pivoted. A pair of side plates 6 supported and held. Further, a printing plate supply device 7 is provided in the plate cylinder 1, and a printing plate leading edge setting means 8 for setting a leading edge of the printing plate drawn out from the printing plate supply device around the printing drum 1, and a plate cylinder 1 an image recording means 9 for recording an image on a printing plate held on the developing machine, a developing means 10 for developing the recorded image, a dampening water supply means 11 for supplying dampening water on the plate-making printing plate, and Ink supply means 12 for supplying ink and printing plate cleaning means 13 for cleaning the used printing plate are arranged. Control means 14 is provided for controlling each part of the printing apparatus described above. In FIG. 1, the paper feed cylinder 4 Paper feeding means for supplying printing paper to the paper discharge cylinder 5 The paper discharge means for discharging the printing paper from the printer is omitted.
[0029]
Next, each part of the printing apparatus will be described. The plate cylinder 1 is a cylindrical drum-like structure having a cylindrical outer peripheral surface capable of holding a printing plate, and is configured to be rotatable by a plate cylinder drive motor (not shown). FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the plate cylinder 1. As shown in the drawing, a cylinder groove 20 is formed in a concave groove shape along the axial direction (direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 1) in the plate cylinder 1. The cylinder groove 20 is for incorporating the printing plate supply device 7 and opens to the peripheral surface of the plate cylinder and also opens to at least one of the shaft end surfaces of the plate cylinder 1. Yes. Hereinafter, when both openings are identified, the opening with respect to the circumferential surface is identified as the circumferential surface opening 20a, and the opening with respect to the shaft end surface is identified as the end surface opening 20b. In the present embodiment, both openings 20a and 20b are formed continuously, but may be independent openings that are not connected to each other. In the present embodiment, the peripheral surface opening 20a of the body groove 20 is also provided with shutter means 15 (shown in FIG. 3A) for opening and closing the opening. The configuration of the shutter unit 15 will be described later.
[0030]
The blanket cylinder 2 is a cylinder provided with a blanket surface capable of transferring an ink image on its peripheral surface, and is configured to have the same diameter as the plate cylinder. The blanket cylinder 2 is rotated in synchronization with the plate cylinder 1 by the plate cylinder drive motor in a state where the blanket cylinder 2 is in contact with the plate cylinder 1. The impression cylinder 3 is the plate cylinder 1 and the blanket cylinder. 2 And a gripping means 21 capable of holding one sheet-like printing paper on its peripheral surface. The impression cylinder 3 is the blanket cylinder. 2 Are rotated in synchronism with each other. The paper feed drum 4 and the paper discharge drum 5 have the same diameter as the pressure drum 3 and are provided with gripping means 22 and 23 for delivering printing paper to and from the pressure drum 3, respectively. The sheet feeding cylinder 4 and the sheet discharging cylinder 5 are set in rotation phase so that the gripping means 22 and 23 can deliver printing paper in synchronization with the gripping means 21.
[0031]
The side plate 6 is a pair of frames that rotatably support both ends of each of the cylinders 1 to 5. The side plate 6 is formed with a side plate opening 6a formed of a through hole. When the plate cylinder 1 is in the rotational position shown in FIG. 1 (hereinafter referred to as a cassette supply / discharge position), the end surface opening of the plate cylinder 1 is opened. The part 20b is disposed so as to face the side plate opening 6a. In this state, the operator can access the printing plate supply device 7 in the cylinder groove 20 from the axial direction of the plate cylinder 1 through the side plate opening 6a and the end surface opening 20b.
[0032]
The printing plate supply device 7 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 is a perspective view of a printing plate cassette used in the printing plate supply device 7. FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of the printing plate supply device as viewed from the axial direction of the plate cylinder 1 (perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 1). 3 (B) is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the cross-sectional configuration of the take-up shaft for winding the printing plate. FIG. 4 (A) shows the vicinity of the printing plate cassette of the printing plate supply device 7 from the direction C in FIG. 3 (A). FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the take-up shaft viewed from the C direction. In the figure, the printing plate supply device 7 includes a printing plate cassette 30 in which a roll-shaped printing plate P is stored, cassette holding means 31 for mounting the printing plate cassette 30 in the body groove 20, and the printing plate cassette 30. An unwinding drive unit 32 for unwinding the printing plate and a winding unit 33 for winding the unwound printing plate P are provided.
[0033]
As shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 3 (A) or FIG. 4 (A), the printing plate cassette 30 accommodates the unwinding shaft 34 in which the unused printing plate P is wound in a roll shape and the printing plate P. It comprises a cassette housing 35 which is a box and rotatably supports the unwinding shaft 34. The unwinding shaft 34 is hollow, and a crack groove (not shown) is formed in the diameter direction at the shaft end on the back side (left side in FIG. 4) when the printing plate cassette 30 is loaded into the body groove 20. Thus, it is configured to be engageable with unwinding drive means 32 described later. As shown in FIG. 4A, a pair of bearing holes 35 a and 35 b that support the vicinity of both ends of the unwinding shaft 34 are formed in the cassette housing 35 so as to face each other in the width direction of the plate cylinder 1. The unwinding shaft 34 is set in a state of being fitted in the bearing hole portions 35a and 35b. Further, a printing plate drawing window portion 35c for drawing the printing plate P along the plate cylinder axis direction is formed on the upper side of the cassette casing 35, and as shown in FIG. Large and small concave grooves 36 to 38 are formed along the line.
[0034]
The printing plate P wound around the unwinding shaft 34 of the printing plate cassette 30 has a fixed portion Ps mounted at the unwinding end as shown in FIG. The fixing portion Ps is a long rod-like member provided along the width direction of the printing plate P, and the cross section thereof is formed in an engagement groove 50a of the take-up shaft 50 described later as shown in FIG. It has a wedge shape that engages with it. The fixed portion Ps is made of a magnetically attachable metal member having a predetermined rigidity so that the front end of the printing plate can be pulled out in parallel. Therefore, even a flexible printing plate having a relatively low rigidity such as a polyester base can reliably hold the tip. The fixed portion Ps is placed in a triangular groove 35d formed in the upper portion of the cassette housing 35 until it is set in the printing apparatus. The opposite end of the printing plate P is wound around the unwinding shaft 34 in a state where it is temporarily fixed with a low adhesive tape (not shown).
[0035]
The cassette holding means 31 moves the three guide members 40 to 42 (shown in FIG. 3A) arranged along the axial direction in the cylinder groove 20 and the movement of the printing plate cassette 30 in the plate cylinder axis direction. A regulating hit member 43 (shown in FIG. 4A) and a fixing member 44 (shown in FIG. 3A) for fixing the printing plate cassette are provided. The guide members 40 to 42 are provided with a plurality of bearings that can rotate along the axial direction of the plate cylinder, and the respective guide members 40 to 42 are respectively engaged with the concave grooves 36 to 38 of the printing plate cassette 30. Are arranged to be. In this embodiment, the concave grooves 36 to 38 are So The printing plate cassette 30 is inserted in the axial direction (the direction from the left side to the right side in FIG. 4) from the end surface opening 20b into the body groove 20 with the guide members 40 to 42 facing each other. Is possible. Each inserted printing plate cassette 30 has a guide. Member 40 As a result, the substantial movement is restricted except in the axial direction of the plate cylinder.
[0036]
The contact member 43 is an elastic stopper made of rubber or the like, and is disposed on the back side in the body groove 20 (on the opposite side of the end face opening 20b and on the left side in FIG. 3). The printing plate cassette 30 inserted into the cylinder groove 20 by the contact member 43 defines the insertion position in the plate cylinder axis direction. The fixing member 44 is manually rotated to a position where it is retracted from the insertion path of the printing plate cassette 30 (symbol d in FIG. 3A) and a position where the movement of the cassette is prohibited (symbol e in FIG. 3A). The printing plate cassette 30 inserted until it comes into contact with the contact member 43 can be fixed by a fixing member 44.
[0037]
The unwinding drive means 32 is means for giving drive for unwinding the printing plate to the printing plate cassette 30, and is an unwinding motor fixed to the end surface of the plate cylinder 1 opposite to the end surface opening 20b. 45 and an engaging shaft 46 driven by the unwinding motor 45. The unwinding motor 45 is a motor for rotating the unwinding shaft 34 via the engagement shaft 46, and has a structure in which rotation prohibition braking is applied when not operating. The engaging shaft 46 is the unwinding shaft. 34 The shaft body has an outer diameter that can be internally provided, and an engaging pin 47 is provided upright on the outer periphery of the end portion so as to fit into a split groove formed in the unwinding shaft 34. By this fitting, idle rotation between the engagement shaft 46 and the unwinding shaft 34 can be prevented.
[0038]
The winding means 33 includes a winding shaft 50 for winding the unwound printing plate, a fixed support means 51 for supporting the winding shaft 50, a detachable support means 52, and a rotary drive for driving the winding shaft. A winding motor 53 is included.
[0039]
The take-up shaft 50 is composed of a cylindrical shaft-shaped member for taking up the used printing plate P. As shown in FIG. 3B, the winding shaft 50 has an engagement groove 50a in the axial peripheral surface along the plate cylinder axis direction in comparison with the shape of the fixing portion Ps at the front end of the printing plate P. Is formed. An inner wall of the engagement groove 50 a is provided with a retractable bearing 55 that is biased to the outside by a spring 54. In the winding shaft 50, when the fixed portion PS provided at the front end of the printing plate is inserted into the engaging groove 50a, the bearing 55 is buried along the inclined portion s1 at the front end of the fixed portion Ps. Then, as shown by the one-dot chain line in FIG. 3B, in a state where the fixing portion Ps is completely pushed in, the bearing 55 returns to the protruding direction in the retracting portion s2 following the inclined portion s1, and the fixing portion Ps falls off. Can be prevented. On the other hand, an engagement pin 57 for engaging with an engagement shaft 56 to be described later stands on the end of the winding shaft 50 disposed on the inner side of the trunk groove 20 with respect to the circumferential surface of the winding shaft. It is installed. The standing direction of the engaging pin 57 coincides with the opening direction of the engaging groove 50a.
[0040]
The fixed support means 51 includes an engagement shaft 56 for engaging with one end of the winding shaft 50, and a support member 58 that rotatably supports the engagement shaft 56. The engagement shaft 56 is a hollow cylindrical shaft-shaped member having an inner diameter capable of housing the winding shaft 50, and a split groove (not shown) for engaging with the engagement pin 57 in one direction in the cylinder. Is formed. In this embodiment, the engagement pin 57 is provided with the engagement groove 50. a The opening direction of the winding shaft 50 is specified, and the winding shaft 50 is prevented from idling, and a split groove formed at the shaft end of the winding shaft 50 is inserted into the engagement pin 57 and mounted. .
[0041]
The attachment / detachment support means 52 includes the winding take A means for pivotally supporting the other end of the shaft 50, a bearing portion 59 that supports the end portion of the take-up shaft 50 in a built-in manner, and supports the bearing portion 59 at a height facing the engagement shaft 56. For this purpose, the support member 60 is fixed to the bearing portion 59, and the support block 61 and the fixing screw 62 are fixed to the body groove 20 for mounting the support member 60. The attachment / detachment support means 52 attaches the support member 60 with a fixing screw 62. support The take-up shaft 50 can be attached to and detached from the body groove 20 by being attached to and detached from the block 61.
[0042]
The take-up motor 53 is fixed to the end surface of the plate cylinder 1 and is directly connected so as to rotationally drive the engagement shaft 56. Like the unwind motor 45, rotation prohibition braking is performed when not in operation. It has such a structure. The take-up motor 53 is provided with an encoder means (not shown) for detecting at least the rotation origin position, and the winding motor 53 is mounted by matching the position of the split groove formed in the engagement shaft 56 with the rotation origin position. Thus, the opening direction of the engaging groove 50a of the winding shaft 50 can be easily specified. The direction of the engagement groove 50a of the winding shaft 50 may be detected by a sensor or the like.
[0043]
In the above embodiment, the motor is provided for each of the unwinding and winding, but the motor is provided only on the winding side, and the unwinding side is driven according to the winding of the printing plate. You may make it rotationally drive. In this case, instead of the unwinding motor 45, clutch means for switching whether or not the engagement shaft 46 can be rotated may be provided.
[0044]
Next, returning to FIG. 1, the printing plate leading edge setting means 8 will be described. The printing plate front end setting means 8 holds the front end of the printing plate drawn out from the printing plate cassette 30, winds the printing plate around the peripheral surface of the plate cylinder as the plate cylinder 1 rotates, and winds up the winding shaft 50. The front end of the printing plate is set, and the front end holding means 70 that holds the fixing portion Ps provided at the front end of the printing plate, and the drawn printing plate is pressed against the peripheral surface of the plate cylinder 1 and developed. And a pressing roller 71 for the purpose. The leading edge holding means 70 includes a leading edge holding block 72 in which an electromagnet is built in and can fix the printing plate leading edge fixing portion Ps by magnetic attraction, and an air cylinder 73 that moves the holding block up and down in the direction toward the plate cylinder 1. With. The pressing roller 71 includes a freely rotatable roller body 74 provided in parallel along the width direction of the plate cylinder 1 and an air cylinder 75 that raises and lowers the roller body with respect to the plate cylinder 1. The operation of the printing plate leading edge setting means 8 will be described later.
[0045]
In this embodiment, the image recording means 9 performs recording on the printing plate on the plate cylinder 1 rotated by a plurality of laser beam light sources or LED light sources arranged along the axial direction of the plate cylinder 1 and image recording. The means 9 is moved in the plate cylinder axis direction by a ball screw or the like to perform scanning recording, and images can be sequentially recorded on a substantially cylindrical printing plate in a ring shape or a spiral shape. The image recording means 9 performs on / off modulation on the plurality of laser light sources or LED light sources based on binary image data in the form of bitmap data, and selectively exposes dots on a photosensitive printing plate. To record an image. As another image recording method, an image may be recorded by electric discharge machining, thermal change, thermal melting, ablation processing, or the like.
[0046]
The developing means 10 chemically develops the printing plate recorded by the image recording means 9 with a developer or the like. For example, the printing plate is a general silver salt sensitive material, and the image recording means 9 Is necessary if recording is performed by exposure. As such a developing means, a coating tank 77 is immersed in a processing tank 76 storing a processing liquid such as a developing solution or a fixing solution, and is rotatably arranged. The developing cylinder 1 rotates the coating roller. A structure in which a processing solution such as a developing solution can be applied and supplied to the printing plate by being brought into contact with the printing plate. The treatment liquid differs depending on the corresponding printing plate, and may simply perform water treatment with washing water, or the developing means 10 itself may be unnecessary depending on the type of printing plate and the recording method.
[0047]
The dampening water supply means 11 supplies dampening water to the recorded printing plate. The dampening water stored in the dampening water and the dampening water pumped up from the water boat 78 are supplied to the printing plate surface. It consists of a plurality of dampening water rollers 79 that apply and supply. If the printing plate does not require fountain solution, so-called waterless lithographic plate, the fountain solution supply unit itself can be dispensed with. The ink supply means 12 supplies ink to the recorded printing plate, stores the ink, and varies the ink discharge amount based on an ink adjustment key arranged along the axial direction of the plate cylinder. And a plurality of ink rollers 82 that deliver ink from the ink fountain means 81 and supply it to the printing plate. Some of the ink rollers are configured to perform an ink kneading operation by swinging with respect to the axial direction of the plate cylinder.
[0048]
The printing plate cleaning means 13 is a means for removing residual ink from the printing plate after printing is completed. In this embodiment, the printing plate cleaning means 13 is in contact with the printing plate surface while feeding a roll-shaped wiping cloth. The residual ink is wiped off, and if necessary, a cleaning solution may be sprayed onto the cloth or the printing plate surface to improve the cleaning effect. As the printing plate cleaning means 13, the same blanket cylinder cleaning means 13a can be substituted. In this embodiment, when the used printing plate is re-stored in the plate cylinder, the printing plate is washed in advance so as not to cause ink stains in the cylinder groove 20, but this is not always necessary.
[0049]
The control means 14 is a computer system including input / output means such as a CRT and a keyboard, storage means for storing image data, work data, and the like, and is electrically connected to each part of the printing apparatus via an I / F. It is connected. The control means 14 controls each part of the printing apparatus according to a predetermined control program.
[0050]
Next, the shutter unit 15 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is a view for explaining the operating mechanism of the shutter means 15. The shutter means 15 opens and closes the peripheral opening 20a of the cylinder groove 20, and in this embodiment, the shutter means 15 prevents the developer from flowing into the cylinder groove when the printing plate is developed and prints. It is provided to prevent the cleaning liquid from flowing into the cylinder groove when cleaning the plate, and is not particularly necessary when the developing means 10 is not provided or when the printing plate cleaning means 13 does not use the cleaning liquid. But you can. However, the shutter means 15 prevents scattering mist such as ink and fountain solution during printing from adhering to an unused printing plate, and fountain solution or ink having low viscosity travels along the printing plate. Since it can also prevent inflow into a groove | channel, it is more preferable to provide for protection of an unused printing plate.
[0051]
As shown in FIG. 3A, the shutter means 15 includes an upper shutter plate 90 and a lower shutter plate 91 which are closely overlapped to open and close the circumferential surface opening 20a of the body groove 20, and each shutter plate Reference numerals 90 and 91 respectively denote curved shielding members that extend along the axial direction of the plate cylinder 1 and have substantially the same curvature as the circumferential surface of the plate cylinder. As shown in FIG. 5, the upper shutter plate 90 is fixed between two shutter support plates 93 and 94 that are coaxially rotatable with respect to the rotation shafts 92 provided at both ends of the plate cylinder 1, It is configured to be movable in the circumferential direction in the body groove 20 in accordance with the rotation of both shutter support plates 93 and 94. However, the shutter support plates 93 and 94 are connected by a bracket (not shown) other than the shutter plate 90 so as to rotate in synchronization with each other, and the respective shutter support plates 93 and 94 are not displaced by the rotation of the plate cylinder. Thus, it is fitted to the rotating shaft 92 in a high friction state.
[0052]
A rotatable cam member 95 is provided below the shutter support plate 93, and a cylinder pressing means 96 is provided on a frame (not shown) at a position where the cam member 95 can be pressed and moved as shown in the figure. . That is, the cam member 95 is pressed by the cylinder pressing means 96 from the outside of the plate cylinder to rotate the cylinder support plate 93 against the frictional force. Accordingly, the upper shutter plate 90 can be moved in the body groove 20. In FIG. 5, only one set of cylinder pressing means 96 is shown for simplification, but actually two sets are provided so that the cam member can be pressed from both the left and right sides of the figure. Except during the operation of the upper shutter plate 90, it is retracted outside the rotation range of the plate cylinder.
[0053]
The lower shutter plate 91 has the same configuration, and is fixed between the pair of shutter support plates 97 and 98 so that the cam member 99 provided on the shutter support plate 98 is pushed and moved by a cylinder pressing means (not shown). It is composed. The shutter support plates 94 and 97 are partially cut off at the bottom of the support plate so as not to interfere with the movement of the cam members 99 and 95, respectively. Further, through holes 93a and 97b are provided in the vicinity of the end face opening 20b of the shutter support plates 93 and 97 so as not to block the end face opening 20b. Even when the shutter means 15 is provided by the through holes 93a and 97a, the body groove 20 can be accessed from the axial direction.
[0054]
The shutter means 15 is configured so that the upper and lower shutter plates 90 and 91 can be opened and closed when the cylinder groove 20 is located immediately above the plate cylinder as shown in FIG. The periphery of each of the upper and lower shutter plates 90 and 91 is covered with a sealing rubber or the like, and the upper and lower shutter plates 90 and 91 are moved in the opposite direction of the cylinder groove 20 to be watertight against the plate cylinder circumferential surface. It is configured so that it can be shielded. The shutter support plates 93, 94, 97, and 98 are not fitted to the rotary shaft 92 with high friction, but are added with clutch means for selectively permitting or prohibiting rotation with respect to the rotary shaft 92. In this state, the rotary shaft 92 may be attached. In this case, the rotation prohibition state between the cylinder support plate and the rotation shaft may be canceled only when one of the shutter plates is moved by the cylinder pressing means.
[0055]
[Description of operation]
Next, an operation procedure of the printing plate supply apparatus 7 according to the present embodiment will be described. First, in the procedure of loading a new printing plate cassette into the plate cylinder, when the operator instructs a cassette supply operation by an input means (not shown), the control means 14 rotates the plate cylinder 1 by a drive motor (not shown) to rotate the printing cylinder. Is positioned at the cassette supply / discharge position shown in FIG. Also, the cylinder pressing means 96 is operated to open the upper and lower shutter plates 90 and 91 in advance. In this state, the operator inserts the printing plate cassette 30 into the cylinder groove 20 from the axial direction of the plate cylinder through the side plate opening 6a vacated in the side plate 6 and the through holes 93a and 97a of the shutter support plates 93 and 97. When the position of the engagement pin 47 of the engagement shaft 46 is set in a predetermined direction when the printing plate cassette 30 is inserted, the positioning of the printing plate cassette 30 can be easily performed. In this embodiment, since the printing plate cassette 30 is loaded from the axial direction of the plate cylinder 1, there is an advantage that loading can be easily performed even when there is no work space on the peripheral surface side of the plate cylinder 1.
[0056]
When the printing plate cassette 30 is fixed in the cylinder groove 20 and the loading is completed, the operator commands the leading end set of the printing plate. Based on this command, the control means 14 sequentially instructs the following operations to the respective units of the printing apparatus. Hereinafter, description will be made with reference to the explanatory diagram of the procedure for setting the leading end of the printing plate shown in FIGS. First, as shown in FIG. 6A, the air cylinder 73 in the tip holding means 70 operates to lower the tip holding block 72 in the direction of the plate cylinder 1. Here, at the cassette supply / discharge position, the tip holding block 72 The fixed portion Ps set in the triangular groove 35d of the printing plate cassette 30 is located directly below the printing plate cassette 30. Descended tip The holding block 72 holds the fixed portion Ps by magnetic adhesion. In this state, the leading edge holding block 72 is raised while the printing plate P is being unwound by the unwinding motor 45. Thereby, the front end of the printing plate can be held outside the plate cylinder. In order to simplify the operation, the operator may pull out the fixing portion Ps from the printing plate cassette 30 and directly attach it to the leading end holding block 72 waiting outside the plate cylinder.
[0057]
Next, as shown in FIG. 6B, rotation of the plate cylinder 1 is started while the printing plate is being unwound by the unwinding motor 45. Subsequently, the pressing roller 71 is lowered onto the plate cylinder, and the printing plate is spread while being squeezed with respect to the circumferential surface of the plate cylinder. When the plate cylinder makes one round and the leading edge of the printing plate returns to its original position, the rotation of the plate cylinder is stopped and the unwinding of the printing plate is stopped. In this state, the upper and lower shutter plates 90 and 91 are moved to retract from the winding shaft 50. And figure 7 As shown in (C), roll the leading edge of the printing plate take The plate cylinder is rotated slightly backward so as to return to just above the shaft 50. As a result, the printing plate drawn out is loosened between the pressing roller 71 and the tip holding block 72, and can be easily mounted on the winding shaft 50 in the next operation.
[0058]
Next figure 7 As shown in (D), first, the take-up shaft 50 is positioned with the engaging groove 50a positioned directly above. Then, the tip holding block 72 is lowered and the fixing portion Ps is inserted into the engagement groove 50 a of the winding shaft 50. When the insertion is completed and the fixing portion Ps is prevented from coming off by the bearing 55 in the winding shaft, the tip holding block 72 is retracted. Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 8E, the unwinding shaft 34 unwinds the printing plate and the winding shaft 50 winds up the printing plate by a predetermined amount to complete the mounting. The winding direction of the printing plate on the winding shaft 50 is preferably such that the image surface side of the printing plate is wound inside. This is because the used printing plate surface is sequentially wound inside to cover the dirty surface of the printing plate. As a result, when the used printing plate is taken out of the apparatus, the work can be performed in a clean state as much as possible.
[0059]
When a predetermined amount of winding is performed by the winding shaft 50, the unwinding motor 45 is urged and rotated in the anti-unwinding direction to stretch the printing plate. When the expansion of the printing plate is completed, the unwinding motor 45 and the winding motor 53 are locked. Further, the plate cylinder 1 returns to the cassette supply / discharge position, and the upper and lower shutter plates 90 and 91 are closed at this position, and the setting of the printing plate is completed. It should be noted that the closing of the upper and lower shutter plates 90 and 91 causes an additional effect that the printing plate is pushed and tightened by the upper and lower shutter plates 90 and 91, and the expansion of the printing plate becomes stronger.
[0060]
In this embodiment, the operator does not have to manually set the front end of the printing plate on the take-up shaft 50, and there is no need for manual work in a narrow printing apparatus, so that there is an effect on work efficiency and safety. . In particular, in the type in which there is no working space on the peripheral surface side of the printing plate as in the present embodiment and the printing plate cassette 30 is loaded from the axial direction of the plate cylinder 1, the front end of the printing plate is manually operated from the axial direction of the plate cylinder 1. It is more useful because it is difficult to set. Further, in this embodiment, the body groove 20 can be closed by the shutter means 15, so that entry of dampening water, ink, developing solution, printing plate washing solution, etc. can be prevented, and an unused printing plate There is an advantage that can be protected.
[0061]
Next, the operation of replacing the printing plate during the printing operation will be described. When the predetermined printing operation is completed, the printing plate cleaning means 13 cleans the printing plate. For example, after cleaning liquid is wiped off on the wiping cloth to remove residual ink, dry wiping is performed with a new wiping cloth. After the cleaning operation is completed, the plate cylinder 1 is positioned at the cassette supply / discharge position, and the upper and lower shutter plates 90 and 91 are opened in this state. Then, a predetermined amount of the printing plate is unwound and unwound. When a new printing plate is unwound on the peripheral surface of the plate cylinder, the upper and lower shutter plates 90 and 91 are closed again, and the reprinting operation of the printing plate is completed.
[0062]
Next, an operation for taking out a used printing plate will be described. First, the remaining amount of the printing plate can be detected from a predetermined printing plate length based on the number of rotations of the unwinding shaft or the winding shaft or the number of printing operations. If the control means 14 determines that the printing plate has run out based on the remaining amount detection, the fact that the printing plate has run out is displayed on a predetermined display means. When the operator confirms this genealogy and instructs the replacement of the printing plate, the control means 14 first winds up the remaining printing plate by the winding shaft 50. At this time, since the end of the printing plate is temporarily fixed to the unwinding shaft 34 by the low adhesive tape, the end of the printing plate is automatically detached from the unwinding shaft due to the load of the winding operation. Yes. Instead of the low adhesive tape, the end of the printing plate may be inserted into a groove formed on the unwinding shaft 34, and the end may be removed from the groove when the printing plate is removed.
[0063]
When the printing plate is wound up, the control means 14 displays a message prompting the operator to replace the printing plate. On the other hand, the operator can take out the used printing plate together with the take-up shaft 50 by removing the attaching / detaching support means 52. After removing the used printing plate, the operator mounts a new take-up shaft 50 for replacement. At this time, the rotation stop position of the winding motor 53 is controlled in advance so that the split groove of the engaging shaft 56 that engages with the winding shaft 50 is positioned in a certain direction such as upward. Thus, the operator can easily perform positioning by inserting the take-up shaft 50 with the engagement pin 57 facing upward. Thereafter, the take-up shaft 50 is fixed by the attachment / detachment support means 52. A new printing plate cassette 30 may be loaded instead of the empty printing plate cassette 30.
[0064]
[Other embodiments]
The above embodiment is an example, and the present invention is not limited by the above embodiment, and various modifications can be adopted. Some of the modifications will be described below.
[0065]
(1) In the above embodiment, only a printing unit for one color is described, but it can be used for a multicolor printing apparatus in which a plurality of printing units are arranged in series. Further, the plate cylinder may be a double cylinder or more, and two or more printing plate supply means may be provided in the plate cylinder. Moreover, although the example of offset printing is shown in the above embodiment, other types of printing apparatuses such as direct printing without using a blanket cylinder may be used.
[0066]
(2) The means for automatically setting the front end of the printing plate P on the take-up shaft 50 is used even in a conventional printing plate supply device that loads the printing plate P from the circumferential surface direction of the plate cylinder 1. be able to. Similarly, the shutter means 15 that opens and closes the cylinder groove 20 can also be used in a conventional printing plate supply apparatus that loads the printing plate P from the circumferential surface direction of the plate cylinder 1.
[0067]
(3) A shutter may be provided also in the end face opening 20b. For example, a shutter that can be manually opened and closed may be provided at the end surface opening.
[0068]
(4) As a method of holding the front end of the printing plate by the front end holding means 70, a holding method other than magnetic adhesion may be adopted. For example, in the above embodiment, the holding portion Ps is provided at the front end of the printing plate to increase the holding rigidity, but a printing plate having a certain degree of rigidity is not necessary. For example, in such a case, the front end of the printing plate may be held by, for example, vacuum suction, or may be held by being held by a known gripping nail or the like. Further, the positioning hole formed at the front end of the printing plate may be locked with a pin or the like. On the other hand, the attachment of the front end of the printing plate to the take-up shaft 50 is not the engagement with the engagement groove 50a. For example, the front end is inserted into a predetermined through groove, held by vacuum suction, or held by a gripping means. May be.
[0069]
(5) Instead of the printing plate cassette 30, the unwinding shaft 34 around which the printing plate P is wound may be set directly in the body groove. However, loading in the form of a cassette is more effective in preventing dirt and scratches on unused printing plates. On the contrary, winding take The shaft 50 is also in the form of a cassette provided with a cover member similar to the cassette housing 35, and is wound. take axis 50 The printing plate wound up in the cassette may be removed in the cassette state. In this case, there is an advantage that an operator can handle a used printing plate in a relatively clean state.
[0070]
(6) As described in the above embodiment, the unwinding motor 45 for unwinding the printing plate can be omitted. The take-up motor 53 may be installed outside the plate cylinder, and the drive gear or the like may be connected to the take-up shaft in the plate cylinder only when the printing plate is taken up. Thereby, the structure of the plate cylinder 1 can be simplified.
[0071]
(7) The configuration of the upper and lower shutter plates 90 and 91 can be replaced with various configurations. For example, a rotation drive gear may be provided for the shutter plate, and the shutter plate may be opened and closed by being connected to a predetermined motor and drive gear. Moreover, you may make it move and adhere with respect to the wall surface of a trunk groove with an electromagnet. A driving means such as a solenoid may be used instead of the cylinder.
[0072]
(8) In order to further facilitate the insertion of the printing plate cassette, the printing plate cassette can be slid in and out from the cylinder groove 20 in the direction of the plate cylinder axis, and the printing plate cassette is placed and fed into the cylinder groove A loading means may be provided. Further, when the printing plate cassette 30 and the take-up shaft 50 are removed, an extruding means for extruding the cassette and the like along the plate cylinder axis direction may be provided.
[0079]
Claim 1 According to the invention described in (4), the front end of the printing plate can be safely and cleanly mounted on the take-up shaft even when the work space is small.
[0080]
Claim 2 and 3 According to the invention described in (1), it is possible to mount the front end portion of the printing plate by engaging the take-up shaft.
[0081]
Claim 4 According to the invention described in the above, a predetermined number of times after the winding shaft is mounted. Only in the winding direction By winding the printing plate, it is possible to secure the mounting.
[0082]
Claim 5 According to the invention described in the above, the used printing plate So that the face is inside Since it is wound up by internal winding, the used printing plate can be removed in a relatively clean state.
[0083]
Claim 6 According to the invention described in (1), since the cylinder groove loaded with the printing plate is closed by the shutter, the internal printing plate can be protected.
[0085]
Claim 7 Since the shutter is closed in a watertight state, it is possible to prevent liquid such as dampening water or cleaning liquid from flowing along the printing plate.
[0086]
Claim 8 and 9 According to the invention described in (1), the printing plate can be fixed also by closing the shutter.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic side view showing an example of a printing apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a printing plate cassette used in a printing plate supply apparatus.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the printing plate supply apparatus as viewed from the plate cylinder axis direction.
4 is a cross-sectional view of the printing plate supply apparatus of FIG. 3 as viewed from the side.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view for explaining a driving configuration of a shutter unit.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a procedure of a front end mounting operation of a printing plate.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a procedure of a front end mounting operation of the printing plate subsequent to FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a procedure of a front end mounting operation of the printing plate following FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 plate cylinder
2 Blanket trunk
3 impression cylinder
4 Feeding cylinder
5 Discharge cylinder
6 Side plate
6a Side plate opening
7 Printing plate feeder
8 Printing plate tip set means
9 Image recording means
14 Control means
15 Shutter means
20 Trunk groove
20a Circumferential opening
20b End face opening
30 printing plate cassette
31 Cassette holding means
32 Unwinding drive means
33 Winding means
34 Unwinding shaft
45 Unwinding motor
50 Winding shaft
50a engagement groove
51 fixed support means
52 Detachment support means
53 Winding motor
70 Tip holding means
72 holding block
73 Air cylinder
90 Upper shutter plate
91 Lower shutter plate
P printing plate
Ps fixed part

Claims (9)

A printing plate supply device that holds a roll-shaped printing plate in a plate cylinder so as to be able to be unwound and wound up, records an image on the printing plate unwound on the plate cylinder, makes a plate, and makes the plate A printing apparatus for performing printing by:
A plate cylinder formed with a cylinder groove having an opening along the axial direction of the plate cylinder;
A printing plate roll mounted in the body groove and wound with an unused printing plate on the unwinding shaft;
A winding shaft that is mounted in the body groove and winds up a used printing plate;
Tip holding means for temporarily holding the tip of the printing plate drawn from the printing plate roll outside the plate cylinder;
Plate cylinder rotation control means for rotating the plate cylinder in a state where the printing plate is held by the tip holding means and stopping the winding shaft at a predetermined mounting position;
A printing apparatus comprising: tip mounting means for lowering the tip holding means with respect to the winding shaft and mounting the leading edge of the printing plate on the winding shaft. The front end of the printing plate and the winding shaft are provided with engaging portions that can be engaged with each other,
The printing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein an engagement portion of the front end of the printing plate is engaged with an engagement portion of the take-up shaft by the tip mounting means. 3. The printing apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the front end mounting means presses and inserts the engaging portion on the front end side of the printing plate into the engaging portion of the take-up shaft. After mounting the winding shaft printing plate front end, a winding shaft to any one of 3 claims 1, characterized in that so as to take-up fixing the printing plate is rotated in the winding direction by a predetermined number The printing apparatus as described. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the winding by the winding shaft is performed inwardly so that a used printing plate surface is inside . Printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a shutter member for opening and closing the opening of the cylinder gap. The printing apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the shutter member can close the printing plate passing through the opening in a substantially watertight state. The shutter member, the printing apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that so as to open and close in the circumferential direction of the plate cylinder. 9. The printing apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein the expansion of the printing plate is further tightened by closing the shutter member.

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