WO2003093010A1

WO2003093010A1 - Device for producing a printing block

Info

Publication number: WO2003093010A1
Application number: PCT/EP2003/001371
Authority: WO
Inventors: Peter Marten; René RETZLAFF; Heino Schadwald; Gotthard Schmid
Original assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen Ag
Priority date: 2002-04-29
Filing date: 2003-02-12
Publication date: 2003-11-13

Abstract

The invention concerns a device for producing a printing block. The invention aims at developing a device for producing a printing block., providing a compact structure with enhanced flexibility. Therefor, said device for producing a printing block. comprises a system for driving said printing block. on the surface of a rotary cylindrical envelope, a system enabling said printing block. to be removably fixed on said envelope surface and a system designed to produce image points absorbing printing ink, on the surface of the printing form in accordance with the image to be printed, an assembly being designed to process the printed printing block. using a fluid contained in a reservoir. Said production device is characterized in that said reservoir (11) is mobile relative to the cylinder (1).

Description

Device for producing a printing form

The invention relates to a device for producing a printing form according to the preamble of claim 1.

DE 32 39 580 AI describes a device for changing printing film for a printing press, in which films are separated from a stacking table by means of a suction roller and are passed through a fixing container to a forme cylinder with a transport device. After printing, the film is fed into a tray. There is a fixing fluid in the fixed fixing container. The fixing bath is used to prepare the already illustrated film for printing.

DE 2942772 AI shows a liquid developer device in which a medium required on an endless belt is provided with a charge image and then moved over a development bath. Liquid developer is conveyed to the development bath by means of a pump, the liquid developer emerging from intermediate spaces between development electrodes with a gentle flow. The used developer is returned to a reservoir through an outlet. The distance between the developing electrodes and the medium is set to a fixed value.

In the method disclosed in DE 39 33 156 AI for removing non-image areas from electrophotographic planographic printing plates, a processing liquid is used which is stored in a fixed container. The impedance of the processing liquid is measured with a sensor. Control signals are derived from the sensor signals, which cause processing liquid to be refilled using pumps. A planographic printing plate blank is exposed to the processing liquid by means of spray devices or in an immersion processing zone. DE 32 44 870 AI describes a one-bath etching device for processing an intaglio printing plate, in which an inspection solution is sprayed on in a test area. The process parameters for an etching machine are determined on the basis of the measurable effects of the inspection liquid, the rotation speed of a forme cylinder on which the gravure plate blank is accommodated being able to be controlled.

The known solutions have in common that the provision of conveying devices for the printing forms and the fixed arrangement of the processor baths make the constructions voluminous, expensive in terms of material and costs and not very flexible. This is particularly true when printing form blanks of different designs are to be treated with different processes.

It is an object of the invention to develop a device for producing a printing form which enables a compact structure with high flexibility.

The object is achieved with a device which has the features of claim 1. Advantageous refinements result from the subclaims.

According to the invention, the container is provided such that it can move relative to a printing form cylinder. As a result, imaging technology and means for print preparation are available in just one device. The device according to the invention requires only a small space. With the movable container, all fluids and media used for printing preparation can be made available for use on the printing form. This completes a printing form in one setup for use in a printing press.

A compact design can be achieved by being able to bring the container with the medium for treating a printing form to the dracking cylinder become. The device can be designed to treat conventional plates or sleeve-shaped printing forms. The device can consist of modules that implement individual process steps. Such process steps are e.g. B. feed the printing form, clamp on the cylinder, illustrate, treat, detach from the cylinder and remove again. The modules and their functions can be carried out according to the different requirements

Process steps can be switched on. Depending on the requirements of the respective process step, process media and / or cleaning media, such as liquids, pastes or powders, can be introduced to the printing form with one or more containers. The device can be used to treat various types of printing form for wet and dry offset printing. For example, if necessary, a silicone-coated printing plate for dry offset printing can be imaged and post-treated with mechanical means, or a printing plate for wet offset printing can be chemically treated and washed with water. Such a device can be set up and operated in a pressroom. It is possible to integrate the device into a draping machine, in particular an offset draping machine. The printing form can be processed or developed on the cylinder, which makes it possible to process a printing form that has already been folded over at the edges by imaging it in one clamping and preparing it for printing. Getting ready for printing includes processes such as developing, drying and baking the imaging of a printing form. When using erasable and rewritable printing forms, the device can additionally contain an erasing device for imaging a previous print job.

The container with the medium can advantageously be arranged in the vertical direction below the printing form cylinder. Several containers with different media can be provided or one container with chambers in which different media are stored. The fill level of the medium in the container or in the chambers can be monitored and regulated or controlled. When executing a container with Chambers can be positioned in the vertical and horizontal directions so that the printing form blank on the printing form cylinder is partially immersed in the medium. A device for removing a treated printing form can be arranged on the opposite side of a device for feeding. It is advantageous if the device for removal contains a magazine for receiving at least two printing forms. In the device for removal, a printing form deposit can be provided which can be pivoted about an axis which is parallel to the axis of rotation of the cylinder.

By providing an endless belt as a means for conveying a medium from a container to the surface of a printing form, a compact structure can also be achieved. The tape can consist of a textile, absorbent material and can be guided over deflection rollers so that the tape wraps around a sector of the lateral surface of the printing form. If one of the deflection rollers can be positioned, the belt can be turned on and off on the outer surface. In one embodiment, the container can have chambers that are filled with various liquids. By positioning the container, the belt can optionally immerse one of the chambers in the liquid.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments.

1: a diagram of an apparatus for producing a printing form with a height-adjustable processor bath.

2: a variant of the device according to FIG. 1 with fully automatic printing form removal,

3: a variant of the device according to FIG. 1 with automatic printing form deposit and integrated plate cleaning,

4: a variant of the device according to FIG. 1 with a device for applying and removing exposable material, 5: a variant of the device according to FIG. 1 with a chambered container, FIG. 6: a diagram of a device for producing a printing form with a flexible belt and a horizontally adjustable processor bath, and FIG. 7: a variant of the device according to FIG 6 with a chambered container.

1 shows a diagram of a device for producing a printing form in which a printing form cylinder 1 is rotatably mounted between side walls 2. Devices for holding and tensioning a printing form 3 on the lateral surface are provided on the printing form cylinder 1. These devices can consist of mechanical clamping means which act on the ends of the printing form 3, or of vacuum technology means which act over the entire area of the printing form 3. An electric motor can be used to drive the printing form cylinder 1, the angular position of the printing form cylinder 1 being detected with a rotary encoder. An inclined contact and guide table 4 is provided for the manual installation of printing form blanks. The printing form blanks can be fed by hand so that they meet the holding and clamping device at the end of the contact and guide table 4. Below the system and guide table 4 there is an imaging unit 5 consisting of an imaging head 6, an inclined support 7, a linear guide 8 and a spindle drive 9. The imaging unit 5 contains an array of individually controllable lasers, the beams 10 of which strike the surface of the printing form 3 are directed. The imaging unit 5 can be positioned by means of the linear guide 8 and the spindle drive 9 in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the molding cylinder 1, so that the rays 10 cover the entire surface of the surface to be imaged

Printing form 3 can achieve. A container 11 with a processor bath 12 is arranged below the printing form cylinder 1. The container 11 can be positioned in guides 13, 14 of the side walls 2 in the vertical direction 15 by means of a motor 16 and a spindle 17. For the vertical displacement of the container 11, a gear or chain gear can also be provided, which is coupled to an electric motor. The vertical positioning of the container 11 can be controlled as a function of the thickness of the printing form 3, for which purpose appropriate detectors are provided for the height of the container 11. In the upper region of the container 11, rollers 18 are provided which are rotatably mounted between the side walls of the container 11. The rollers 18 are aligned parallel to the axis of rotation of the printing form cylinder 1 and can be placed on the surface of the printing form 3. For this purpose, the rollers 18 can be resiliently mounted on the container 11. The rollers 18 extend over the entire length of the

Drackformzylinders 1. The rollers 18 immerse in the liquid of the processor bath 12. Depending on the requirement, the liquid of the process bath 12 or the entire container 11 can be provided interchangeably. The level of the liquid in the processor bath 12 can be regulated.

To produce a printing form 3, a printing form blank with a photosensitive layer can be placed on the contact and guide table 4 and pushed so far in the direction of the form cylinder 1 that the holding device on the drape form cylinder 1 detects the front edge of the printing form blank. When the printing form cylinder 1 rotates, the printing form blank lies around the outer surface of the printing form cylinder 1. The rear end of the printing form blank is also received by a holding device. By applying a tension between the holding devices on the front and rear edge, the printing form blank is clamped smoothly onto the outer surface of the printing form cylinder 1. Then the imaging unit 5 is put into operation. While the printing form cylinder 1 rotates and the imaging unit 5 is positioned in the axial direction, the lasers are switched on and off according to a print image. When imaging, the rollers 18 of the container 11 are set down from the surface of the printing form 3. The jets 10 produce ink or dampening agent-accepting points by removing or changing the adhesive property of the photosensitive layer. After the imaging, the imaging unit 5 can be brought into a parking position, with protective devices for optical elements coming into operation. For this purpose, the imaging unit 5 can be moved away from the printing form cylinder 1. In a further step, the height of the container 11 is adjusted such that the rollers 18 come to rest on the surface of the printing form 3. While the printing form cylinder 1 rotates, the rollers 18 are entrained by friction. As a result, liquid 12 is scooped from the container 11 to the surface of the printing plate 3 with the rollers 18 liquid 12 from the container 11 to the surface of the printing plate 3 for cleaning the printing form 3 with the rollers 18. Upon contact with the liquid 12, particles which are formed during the imaging by ablation are removed from the surface of the

Printing form 3 removed. The printing form 3 is thus produced ready for printing and can be removed from the printing form cylinder 1. The liquid 12 in the container 7 is adjusted depending on the requirements of the process with regard to its composition and its properties. For example, in addition to the cleaning action described above, the liquid 12 can develop a developer action, so that points exposed or not exposed to the rays 10 dissolve. A variant consists in that a photosensitive layer is applied to the surface of a printing form blank prior to imaging, for which purpose the container 11 filled with photosensitive material is moved with the rollers 18 against the printing form cylinder 1.

In the description below, elements with an equivalent function already described for FIG. 1 are given the same reference symbols.

FIG. 2 shows a variant for removing a printing form 3 from the device for producing a printing form 3. After imaging and cleaning one

Printing form 3, the container 11 is moved downward, so that there is sufficient space for a removal device 19 below the printing form cylinder 1. The removal device 19 contains guide elements 20 for printing formes 3, wherein it is ensured that when the printing formes 3 are conveyed there is no damage to the Imaging occurs. The removal of a printing form 3 from the printing form cylinder 1 can take place fully automatically. For this purpose, the holding and clamping devices on the printing form cylinder 1 are released. The finished printing form 3 is conveyed outward along the guide elements 20 by rotation of the drape cylinder 1. It is possible to place the printing form 3 in a magazine which is designed to hold a set of printing forms 3 for a printed image. The delivery of a printing form 3 on the back of the device for producing a printing form 3 can take place simultaneously with the supply of a new printing form blank on the oppositely arranged contact and guide table 4 on the front of the device.

3 shows a further variant of a device for producing a printing form 3. As in FIG. 2, the container 11 is in a lower position moved away from the die cylinder 1. A swiveling printing form tray 21 is provided on the back of the device in order to display ready-illustrated printing forms 3. The pivot axis 22 is parallel to the axis of rotation of the printing form cylinder 1 and is coupled to the side walls 2. In the swiveled-in state, the printing form deposit 21 is almost tangential to the printing form cylinder 1. In this position, a finished printing form 3 can be conveyed automatically from the surface of the printing form cylinder 1 onto the printing form deposit 21. The pivotability enables adaptation to different thicknesses of the printing forms 3, improved removal by hand and accessibility into the interior of the device for servicing. In this variant, an exchangeable cleaning module 23 with a rotating brush 24 is additionally provided. The brush 24 is arranged on a pivot lever 25, which allows the brush 24 to be turned on and off against the printing form 3. The particles removed from the surface of the printing form 3 by the brush 24 are suctioned off, a protection 26 preventing particles from contaminating the liquid 12 in the container 7.

4 shows a variant with a semi-automatic printing form system 27. In this variant, a number of printing form blanks can be provided in a magazine become. This can happen while a printing form 3 is being treated in the device. The printing form blanks provided are automatically removed from the magazine and fed to the printing form cylinder 1. The respective removal slot on the magazine is essentially tangential to the printing form cylinder 1. The magazine is designed to be pivotable in order to bring the respective removal slot into the removal position. In the variant according to FIG. 4, a coating module 28 is also provided. The coating module 28 is used to apply materials that can be coated before they are imaged, if no pre-assembled blank is to be used. The container 11 with the rollers 18 acts here as a developer and cleaning device, developer and cleaning liquid being filled into the container 11. A dryer module 29 is used for curing exposable material and / or for thermal aftertreatment of the printing form 3. In the event that sleeve-shaped printing form blanks are to be used, at least one opening for supplying and removing the sleeve-shaped printing form 3 is provided in a side wall.

The special feature of the variant according to FIG. 5 is the design of the container 11 with two chambers 30, 31 with different liquids 32, 33. The liquids 32, 33 can be photosensitive materials, developer liquid, fixing liquid or cleaning liquid. According to this variant, the container 11 can be positioned both in the vertical direction 15 and in the horizontal direction 34. The positioning of the container 11 takes place automatically as a function of the type of printing form 3 to be produced, the properties of which are entered in advance in the control of the device in the form of data or are determined in advance by sensors. After the required horizontal position has been selected, the container 11 is moved in the vertical direction 15 such that the printing form 3 is immersed in the chambers 30 or 31 with the correct liquid 32, 33. The container 11 can be positioned in guides of the side walls 2 in the horizontal direction 34 by means of a motor and a spindle 35. In the upper area of the container 11 rollers 36 are provided, which are between the side walls of the container 11 are rotatably mounted. The rollers 36 extend over the entire length of the printing form cylinder 1. The rollers 36 are aligned parallel to the axis of rotation of the printing form cylinder 1. The rollers 36 are immersed in the liquid of the processor bath 12. Depending on the requirement, the liquid of the processor bath 12 or the entire container 11 can be provided interchangeably. The level of the liquid in the processor bath 12 can be regulated. The device also contains a series of deflection rollers 37-40, which are mounted in the side walls 2. A textile absorbent band 41 is placed around the rollers 36 in the container 11 and around the deflection rollers 37-40. The deflection roller 40 is designed to be adjustable in the tangential direction 42 of the printing form cylinder 1 in order to be able to turn the band 41 on and off the surface of the printing form 3.

When imaging with the imaging unit 5, the band 41 is set down from the surface of the printing form 3. The jets 10 produce ink or dampening agent-accepting points by removing or changing the adhesive properties of the photosensitive layer. After the imaging, the imaging unit 5 can be brought into a parking position, with protective devices for optical elements functioning. For this purpose, the imaging unit 5 can be moved away from the printing form cylinder 1. In a further step, the belt 41 is positioned on the surface of the printing form 3 by positioning the deflection roller 40. The belt 41 impregnated with cleaning liquid is moved over the surface of the printing form 3 at a differential speed to the rotating forme cylinder 1. For this purpose, at least one of the deflection rollers 37-40 is driven. The action of the cleaning liquid and the mechanical wiping action of the belt 41 remove particles from the surface of the printing form 3 which have arisen during imaging with the imaging unit 5. The particles are added to the cleaning liquid when the belt 41 passes through the container 11, the belt 41 absorbing fresh cleaning liquid. The positioning of the container 11 in the horizontal direction 13 enables the tension of the belt 41 to be controlled and a service position for the exchange of the container 11 or the liquid to be reached 12. The printing form 3 is thus ready for printing and can be removed from the printing form cylinder 1.

The liquid 12 in the container 11 is adjusted depending on the requirements of the process with regard to its composition and properties. For example, in addition to the cleaning action described above, the liquid 12 can develop a developer action, so that points exposed or not exposed to the rays 10 dissolve.

The special feature of the variant according to FIG. 7 is the design of the container 11 with three chambers 43, 44, 45 with different liquids 46, 47, 42. The liquids 46-48 can be photosensitive materials, developer liquid, fixing liquid or cleaning liquid act. According to this variant, the container 11 can be positioned both in the vertical direction 49 and in the horizontal direction 34. The positioning of the container 11 takes place automatically as a function of the type of printing form 3 to be produced, the type thereof

Properties are entered in advance in the control of the device in the form of data or are determined in advance by sensors. After the required horizontal position has been selected, the container 11 is moved in the vertical direction 49 in such a way that the printing form 3 is immersed in one of the chambers 43-45 with the correct liquid 46-48.

The variants described only represent exemplary embodiments that can be modified and combined as desired. The device can be realized compactly with a small footprint, so that it is possible to provide the device in a printing room, wherein the device can be operated from the control panel of a printing press. When controlling the device, data can be used which are also used when controlling the drawer. The device is suitable for processing all types of printing forms 3, such as rewritable printing forms, conventional aluminum Plates, printing forms in film or sleeve form, pre-coated printing forms and printing forms which are coated and cleaned in the device. The devices can be integrated in printing units of a printing press.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 printing form cylinder

2 side wall

3 printing form

4 system and guide table

5 imaging unit

6 imaging head

7th edition

8 linear guide

9 spindle drive

10 rays

11 containers

12 processor bath

13, 14 leadership

15 direction

16 engine

17 spindle

18 roll

19 removal device

20 guide element

21 Print form tray

22 swivel axis

23 cleaning module

24 brush

25 swivel levers

26 protection

27 printing forme system

28 coating module Dryer module, 31 chamber, 33 liquid direction spindle roller -40 deflection roller belt -45 chamber -48 liquid direction

Claims

claims

1. Device for producing a printing form, with a device for feeding the printing form onto the outer surface of a rotatable cylinder, furthermore with an egg device for releasably fixing the printing form on the

Lateral surface, and further with a device for producing printing ink

Pixels on the surface of the printing form corresponding to a printing image with an arrangement for treating the illustrated printing form using a medium that is stored in a container, characterized in that the container (11) is arranged to be movable relative to the cylinder (1).

2. Device according to claim 1; characterized in that the container (11) can be brought up to the cylinder (1).

3. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the container (11) is arranged below the cylinder (1).

4. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that in the container (11) a liquid (12, 32, 33, 46-48) is stored.

5. The device according to claim 4, characterized in that the container (11) can be positioned in the vertical direction (15, 49), the printing form (3) on the cylinder (1) with the liquid (12, 32, 33, 46-48) comes into contact.

6. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that a powdery medium is stored in the container (11).

7. The device according to claim 1; characterized in that a device (19) for removing the printing form (3) is arranged in the horizontal direction on the opposite side of the device (4) for feeding.

8. The device according to claim 7, characterized in that the device (19) for removal contains a magazine for receiving at least two printing forms (3).

9. The device according to claim 7, characterized in that the device for removal has a printing form tray (21) which is pivotable about an axis (22) which is parallel to the axis of rotation of the cylinder (1).

10. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that an endless belt (41) is provided for conveying the medium (12, 46-48) from the container (11) to the surface of the printing form (3).

11. The device according to claim 10, characterized in that a textile, absorbent, driven belt (41) is guided over deflection rollers (36-40) and loops around the printing form (3) on and off in a sector of the lateral surface.

12. The device according to claim 11, characterized in that one of the deflection rollers (40) in the tangential direction (42) of the cylinder (1) can be positioned.

13. The apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that the container (11) has different, separate, filled with liquids (46-48) chambers (43-45), the band (41) in the liquid (46-48 ) immerses one of the chambers (43-45).

14. The apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that the container (11) and / or the belt (41) for moving to a predetermined chamber (43-45) in the horizontal direction (34) or in the horizontal (34) and vertical direction ( 49) can be positioned.

15. The apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that the band (20) is guided over at least one roller (36) which is rotatably mounted on the container (11).

16. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the container (11), the cylinder (1) and the device (5) for generating ink-accepting pixels are integrated in a printing press.