JP2001109166A - Plate making method for planographic printing plate, automatic developing machine and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a plate making method for planographic printing plates (PS plates) which is capable of efficiently subjecting the PS plates of different kinds to development processing under developing conditions optimum for the kinds of the respective PS plates without varying the developing conditions regulated by an operation error, etc., and the actual developing conditions in continuously developing the PS plates, an automatic developing machine and a recording medium. SOLUTION: A processor control section 30 of the automatic developing machine 16 online acquires various kinds of set information including at least one of the kinds, thicknesses, sizes, etc., of the plates inputted to a plate setter 14, determines at least one conditions among the temperature of the developer in a developing tank, developing time, the sliding pressure and sliding density of the planographic printing plates by using at least one of the acquired kinds and thicknesses of the PS plates and controls a PS plate processor 16 in such a manner that the determined conditions are attained.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a method for making a lithographic printing plate, an automatic developing machine, and a recording medium. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method for making a lithographic printing plate having a photopolymerization-sensitive photosensitive layer as a photosensitive layer, and an automatic plate making method. The present invention relates to a developing machine and a recording medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, a photosensitive lithographic printing plate (hereinafter referred to as "PS
Plate) is a photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing apparatus (hereinafter referred to as “P”).
S "processor").
In this PS plate processor, the developing process is carried out by immersing the PS plate on which the image is recorded in the developer stored in the developer tank while transporting the PS plate into the developer tank by a plurality of pairs of nipping rollers and guide plates, and providing the PS plate in the developer. This is done by removing the photosensitive layer in the non-image forming area of the PS plate by rubbing means such as a rotating brush roller. In this PS version processor,
The PS plate that has been processed with the developer is washed with washing water in a washing section (washing treatment), and then subjected to a degreasing treatment by applying a gum solution in a desensitizing treatment section. Processing such as plate surface protection is continuously performed.

A rotating brush roller for removing the photosensitive layer in the non-image forming area by rubbing the PS plate while transporting the PS plate in a developing tank is supported by side plates of a PS plate processor at both ends in the width direction of the PS plate. A backup roller that presses the PS plate against the rotating brush roller is provided on the side facing the rotating brush roller with the PS plate interposed therebetween. Both ends of the backup roller are rotatably supported by the side plates via bearings, rotate by the driving force of a driving unit, and treat the surface of the PS plate with a rotating brush roller.

[0004] The bearings of the rotating brush roller and the backup roller are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the PS plate transport direction.
The plate is screwed to the side plate at a position where a predetermined nip pressure or a corresponding brush pressure is applied. Therefore, when the PS plate passes between the rotating brush roller and the backup roller, an appropriate rubbing pressure is applied, and the PS plate can be reliably processed.

There are many types of PS plates according to various combinations of plate thickness, plate size, plate type, and the like. The optimum developer temperature, developing time, and rotating brush roller for each PS plate are selected. Developing conditions such as rubbing pressure by rubbing members such as
Each is different. Therefore, conventionally, before the development is started, the temperature of the heater for heating the developer, the conveying speed of the PS plate, the nip pressure and the number of rotations of the rubbing member such as a rotating brush roller, etc. are manually adjusted, and the development is performed. The development is started after the PS plate processor is adjusted so that the temperature, development time, rubbing pressure, and rubbing density of the developer correspond to the type of PS plate to be used.

[0006]

However, in the case of successively developing different types of PS plates, the P plates must be manually adjusted each time so that the developing conditions suitable for the next PS plate are developed.
Since it is necessary to adjust the S-plate processor, it is inevitable that operation mistakes such as forgetting to make changes or adjustment mistakes will occur.If the development conditions set due to operation mistakes and the like differ, a plate with the desired image quality can be obtained. Therefore, there is a problem that the exposure process has to be newly performed, resulting in a large loss.

In addition, the user must manually adjust the PS plate processor, wait for a time until the PS plate processor reaches the adjusted condition, and then perform development. is there.

Further, generally, a diazo resin, a photocrosslinking type, or a photopolymerization type is used as a photosensitive layer of a PS plate. The photopolymerizable photosensitive layer is susceptible to fogging due to scattered light during exposure because it is radical polymerization. This scattered light fog is remarkable in an inner drum type exposure apparatus.

The fogged portion caused by the scattered light is a state in which the photosensitive layer is slightly cured, so that the fluctuation of the developing temperature, the fluctuation of the amount of the replenisher, and the rotating brush which accelerates the development by rubbing the PS plate in the developer. Due to fluctuations in the conditions of the development accelerating means such as a roller, the unevenness remains as development unevenness, which is a major factor in lowering the quality of the plate.

In view of the above, the present invention provides a method of continuously developing different types of PS plates without changing the development conditions adjusted due to an operation error or the like and the actual development conditions. It is an object of the present invention to obtain a lithographic printing plate making method, an automatic developing machine, and a recording medium capable of efficiently performing development processing under development conditions optimal for the type.

[0011]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lithographic printing plate making method comprising the steps of: exposing a lithographic printing plate having a photopolymerizable photosensitive layer to light based on image data. Before or after the exposure step, based on the plate information used in the previous step, a development condition determination step of determining development conditions when developing the lithographic printing plate exposed in the exposure step, A developing condition adjusting step of adjusting at least one of the temperature of the developing solution in the developing tank, the developing time, the rubbing pressure of the lithographic printing plate, and the rubbing density so that the developing conditions determined in the condition determining step are satisfied; A developing step of developing after the developing condition adjusting step.

That is, according to the first aspect of the invention, when developing a lithographic printing plate having a photopolymerizable photosensitive layer that has been exposed in the exposure step, the developing conditions are changed before or after the exposure processing of the lithographic printing plate. Is determined based on the plate information used in the step (development condition determining step), and the temperature of the developer in the developing tank, the development time, the rub pressure of the lithographic printing plate, and Adjusted at least one of the rub densities
After the (developing condition adjusting step), the lithographic printing plate is developed (developing step).

The plate information includes at least one of a plate thickness and a plate type. In the developing condition determining step, a developing tank is used by using at least one of the plate thickness and the plate type included in the plate information used in the previous step. At least one developing condition of the temperature of the developing solution, the developing time, the rub pressure of the lithographic printing plate, and the rub density is determined.

The temperature of the developing solution in the developing tank is controlled by a heating means such as a heater for heating the developing solution, a cooling means such as a chiller for cooling the developing solution, and a temperature control comprising a heating means and a cooling means. It can be adjusted by controlling the temperature of the means. The development time can be adjusted by controlling the transport speed of the lithographic printing plate. Further, the rubbing pressure of the lithographic printing plate can be adjusted by controlling the nip pressure of the lithographic printing plate by the rubbing member, and the rubbing density is, for example, a rubbing member for rubbing the surface of the lithographic printing plate such as the number of rotations of a rotating brush roller. It can be adjusted by controlling the moving speed.

For example, when the plate information includes the type of plate, the temperature and development time of the developer according to the type of plate are determined, and the development time of the lithographic printing plate determined in the developer of the determined temperature is determined. The temperature of a heating means such as a heater for heating the developer and the transport speed of the lithographic printing plate are adjusted so that the lithographic printing plate is immersed in the lithographic printing plate. The temperature of the heating means and the transport speed of the lithographic printing plate may be directly determined according to the type of the plate.

When the plate information includes the plate thickness, the rubbing pressure is determined according to the plate thickness, and the nip pressure of the planographic printing plate or the rubbing member such as a rotary brush roller is determined so as to achieve the determined rubbing pressure. Adjust the moving speed. The nip pressure of the lithographic printing plate and the moving speed of a rubbing member such as a rotating brush roller may be directly determined in accordance with the plate thickness.

Preferably, the plate information includes both the plate thickness and the plate type, and using both the plate thickness and the plate type, the temperature of the developer in the developing tank, the developing time, the rub pressure of the lithographic printing plate, The conditions of the rub density of the lithographic printing plate may be determined, and the temperature control of the developer, the transport speed of the transport unit, the nip pressure and the moving speed of the rubbing member, etc. may be adjusted to satisfy the respective conditions. This allows the PS plate to be developed under more optimal developing conditions.

Further, in the development condition determination step, since the plate information used in the previous step is used, it is not necessary for the user to input the information. Will not occur. Therefore, it is always possible to adjust the developing conditions to the optimum for the planographic printing plate to be developed.

Note that the "previous step" is a step selected from a plurality of steps before the exposure step when the development condition determination step is before the exposure step. Is a step selected from a plurality of steps including an exposure step before the exposure step.

In the case where the type of the lithographic printing plate currently being developed is different from the type of the lithographic printing plate to be developed next, the developing condition determining step may be performed during or after the exposure of the lithographic printing plate to be developed next. Developing conditions suitable for the type of lithographic printing plate to be developed next are determined in advance, and after the development process of the lithographic printing plate currently being developed is completed, the developing conditions are immediately changed to the next lithographic printing plate. It can be configured to change to the development conditions suitable for the type. As a result, the waiting time can be reduced, which is efficient.

Before the developing step, a heating step of heating the lithographic printing plate on which the exposed image has been formed can be provided. In this case, since the surface temperature of the lithographic printing plate before the development treatment is made uniform, it is possible to suppress the unevenness of the reaction due to the atmosphere and the time difference after the exposure, to improve the printing durability of the photosensitive layer, and to increase the dot size. Since the uniformity can be formed, plate making with better image quality can be obtained.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an automatic developing machine suitable for the method of making a lithographic printing plate according to the first aspect, wherein the lithographic printing plate has an exposed photopolymerizable photosensitive layer. Transporting the developer into the developing tank and immersing it in the developing solution filled in the developing tank to perform the developing process, and developing the developing device to determine the developing conditions when developing based on the plate information used by the preceding apparatus. At least one of a temperature of a developer in a developing tank, a conveying speed of a lithographic printing plate, a rubbing pressure of the lithographic printing plate, and a rubbing density such that the developing conditions determined by the condition determining means and the developing condition determining means are satisfied. Adjusting means for adjusting one of the two.

That is, according to the second aspect of the invention, the developing condition determining means of the automatic developing machine determines the developing condition for developing based on the plate information used in the preceding step, and the adjusting condition determines the developing condition. In order to adjust at least one of the temperature of the developer in the developing tank, the transport speed of the lithographic printing plate, the rubbing pressure of the lithographic printing plate, and the rubbing density, optimal development is always performed for the lithographic printing plate to be developed. The conditions can be satisfied, and a uniform printing plate without image unevenness can be obtained. of course,
The fogged portion caused by the scattered light can also be developed neatly, and the quality of the plate can be prevented from being impaired.

Further, since the developing condition determining means uses the plate information used in the preceding step, the user does not need to input the area information and the plate information of the non-image forming area to the automatic developing apparatus, and therefore, the user does not need to input the information. Operation errors such as forgetting to make changes and input errors do not occur.

As described in claim 3, the adjustment of the developing conditions is carried out by adjusting the developing conditions when developing the lithographic printing plate having the exposed photopolymerizable photosensitive layer while transporting the lithographic printing plate. Determined on the basis of the plate information used in the above, the temperature of the developer in the developing tank,
This is performed by a developing condition adjusting program for adjusting at least one of the transport speed of the lithographic printing plate, the rubbing pressure of the lithographic printing plate, and the rubbing density. The developing condition adjusting program may be recorded in advance on a recording medium of an automatic developing machine, or may be stored on a recording medium separate from the automatic developing machine and installed from the recording medium.

The version information may be obtained or input off-line, such as by temporarily storing the version information online or in a recording medium from the apparatus in the preceding step, and acquiring the version information from the recording medium. .

Further, the lithographic printing plate having a photopolymerizable photosensitive layer used in the present invention has a photosensitive composition in which a photopolymerizable photosensitive layer and a protective layer for protecting the photosensitive layer are sequentially laminated on a support. A lithographic printing plate is preferred.

[0028]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment,
As shown in FIG. 1, a personal computer 10, a workstation 1
2. A case where the present invention is applied to a plate making system including a plate setter (exposure device) 14 and a PS plate processor (automatic developing device) 16 will be described.

The photosensitive lithographic printing plate (hereinafter, referred to as PS plate) used in the present embodiment includes an organic undercoat layer on the surface of an aluminum support provided with a back coat layer on the back surface, and a photopolymerization. And a layer in which a photosensitive layer and an overcoat layer are sequentially provided. The details of the PS plate will be described later.

The plate making system according to the present embodiment comprises a personal computer 10, a work station 12, a plate setter 1
4 and the PS plate processor 16 are all connected online, and various setting information (plate information) such as image data, plate thickness, and plate type input to the personal computer 10 can be output to the PS plate processor 16 online. It is.

The personal computer 10 includes, for example, an application that edits an image read from image reading means such as a scanner while displaying the image on a display, creates a new character or image on the display, and creates an image to be printed. Is installed.

This application outputs the image created by the user to the workstation 12 as vector-format image data such as an outline, a drawing command for designating the area ratio of the filled area, the transmittance of the filled area, and the like. I do. In addition, various setting information such as a plate type, a plate thickness, and a plate size of a PS plate to be exposed, which is input by a user from a keyboard at the same time as the creation of an image, and a PPF (Print Production Format).
t) Output the data to the workstation 12 together with the vector format image data. The PPF data is based on CIP3 (International Cooperation for Integr
This is the core file format of the ation of Prepress, Press and Postpress), including low-resolution image data, film and plate transition characteristic curves, registration mark type and position data, color density information for quality control, and trimming registration marks. It is a common format of international standards including information for cutting and cutting.

The workstation 12 has a raster image processor (hereinafter referred to as RIP) and driver software for the platesetter 14 installed therein.

The RIP is a program that interprets vector-format image data and develops it as an array of dots having gradations. A TIFF-format file (hereinafter, TIFF)
Called a file. ) Or a GIF file or the like, and in this embodiment, converts vector-format image data into a TIFF file composed of a tag-format header section and an image data section.

The driver software of the plate setter 14 includes a TIFF file, the various setting information described above,
This is software that converts F data into an image format that can be analyzed by the platesetter 14 and outputs it to the platesetter 14.

Therefore, in the workstation 12, after converting vector-format image data such as a drawing command input from the personal computer 10 into a TIFF file, the TIFF file and various setting information are converted by the driver software of the plate setter 14 into After converting to an image format that can be analyzed by the platesetter 14,
The data is output to the platesetter 14 together with the PPF data.

The plate setter 14 includes a ROM and a RAM.
And a setter control section 18 composed of a CPU.
Various programs for controlling the plate setter 14 are stored in the ROM, and a TIFF in an image format that can be analyzed by the plate setter 14 is stored in the RAM.
Files, various setting information, and PPF data are temporarily stored.

The CPU calls various programs from the ROM, and reads T from the RAM based on the programs.
IFF file, various setting information described above, and PPF
Based on the data, for example, a control signal for controlling a transport speed of a transport unit (not shown) of the plate setter 14, an on / off driving signal of a laser light source (not shown), and a laser for adjusting the light amount It generates various control signals such as drive signals, and generates a plate setter 1 based on the various control signals.
4 is performed. Thereby, the plate setter 1
In step 4, exposure processing of the PS plate 110 is performed under optimum conditions according to the image selected on the personal computer 10.

As the plate setter 14, an outer drum (outer drum) type, a flat bed type, and an inner drum type can be used. The light source used is, for example, an ultraviolet to visible light region (360 nm to 4 nm) such as an InGaN semiconductor laser.
50 nm) semiconductor laser, 488 nm or 514.5.
A laser using an Ar laser of 532 nm, a FD-YAG laser of 532 nm, or the like is preferable in terms of output, life, stability, cost, and the like.

As a light source, for example, an ultraviolet to visible light region (360 nm
With the use of a semiconductor laser having a thickness of up to 450 nm, fogging can be reduced even with an inner drum type plate setter, and the exposure amount can be increased, so that the printing durability can be improved. is there.

Although the reason is not clear, it can be estimated as follows. That is, the laser light that cannot be absorbed by the photosensitive layer of the PS plate emerges as reflected light from the surface of the PS plate. The longer the wavelength of the reflected light, the higher the regular reflection efficiency, and the longer the wavelength of the reflected light. As the length is shorter, the light is scattered and the regular reflection efficiency is reduced. Therefore, from the ultraviolet to the visible light region (360
It is considered that the use of an inner drum type plate setter using a semiconductor laser of (nm to 450 nm) reduces the regular reflection efficiency and suppresses the occurrence of fog due to regular reflection light.

Of course, not only the inner drum type plate setter but also various exposure processing methods such as an extra drum (outer drum) type plate setter and a flood head type plate setter can be adopted. In addition, since the exposure processing of the plate setter 14 is publicly known, detailed description is omitted here.

Further, a driver software for the PS plate processor 16 is installed in the ROM of the setter control unit 18, and various setting information such as a plate type, a plate thickness, and a plate size are stored in the ROM of the PS plate processor 16. Is converted into a format that can be analyzed by the PS version processor 16 and then output to the PS version processor 16 together with the PPF data.

As shown in FIG. 2, the PS plate processor 16 is roughly divided into a heating unit 20, a first washing unit 22, a developing unit 24, a second washing unit 26, a finisher unit 28, a drying unit 29, and a processor control unit. The PS plate is heated from the heating unit 20 to the first rinsing unit 22, the developing unit 24, the second rinsing unit 26, the finisher unit 28, and the drying unit 29 in this order by a transport mechanism composed of a plurality of pairs of transport rollers. It is a configuration to be transported.

The heating unit 20 includes a pair of pull-in rollers 31 to which a driving force of a driving unit (not shown) is transmitted, and a heating device 32.
The pull-in roller pair 31 pulls the PS plate 110 into the PS plate processor 16 by rotating along the transport direction of the PS plate 110 while holding the exposed PS plate 110 therebetween.

The heating device 32 is provided with the PS plate processor 16.
The PS plate 110 drawn inside is heated. By heating the PS plate 110 before the development processing, the PS plate 1 is heated.
The curing of the image forming area (that is, the exposed area) in the photopolymerizable photosensitive layer is accelerated. In the present embodiment, the various setting information for determining the heating condition of the heating unit 20 is also acquired online from the preceding device, temporarily stored in the RAM, and then based on the stored various setting information. The heater drive voltage is controlled.

Thus, the surface temperature of the PS plate is adjusted under the optimum heating conditions for the combination of the type, thickness and size of the PS plate 110, and the temperature in the exposed portion of the plate setter 14 or the temperature before the heat treatment. The uniformity can be achieved irrespective of the temperature of the PS plate 110, problems such as insufficient heat treatment and excessive heat treatment can be eliminated, and favorable heat treatment can be performed.
Further, since there is no need for the user to input various setting information, it is possible to avoid occurrence of a loss due to an operation error or the like, and it is possible to efficiently switch to the next heating condition. Processing efficiency can also be improved.

In the heating section 20, the heat-treated PS
The plate 110 is transported to a first washing section 22 provided at a later stage.

As shown in FIG. 2, the first rinsing unit 22 transmits the driving force of a driving unit (not shown) to the first rinsing tank 60 in order from the upstream side along the transport direction of the PS plate 110. Pull-in roller pair 62, first water supply nozzle 64a, first rotating brush roller 66, and first backup roller 6
7. Second water supply nozzle 64b, third water supply nozzle 64
c, a pair of transport rollers 68 and a pair of delivery rollers 72 to which a driving force of a driving unit (not shown) is transmitted, and the overcoat layer formed on the outermost surface of the PS plate 110 is removed by washing with water before development.

Further, a first overflow pipe 61 is provided in the first washing tank 60, and when the liquid level of the washing water accumulated in the first washing tank 60 exceeds a predetermined level, the first washing water is discharged. It is adjusted so that it flows into the overflow pipe 61 and is guided to the circulating water tank 63 so that a constant amount of washing water is always held in the first washing tank 60.

The circulating water tank 63 is provided with a pump P. The pump P pumps up the internal washing water and supplies it to the first water supply nozzle 64a and the second water supply nozzle 64b.

The third water supply nozzle 64c supplies the water pumped by the water supply pump P3 from the water storage tank 84 in which the clean washing water is stored into the first washing tank 60, and thereby the first washing tank 64c. The cleaning water in 60 is kept at a certain degree of cleanliness. The drive of the water supply pump P3 is controlled by the processor control unit 30.

The first washing section 2 is driven by the pair of draw-in rollers 62.
The heated PS plate 110 drawn into 2 is transported while being sandwiched between the first rotating brush roller 66 and the first backup roller 67 in a state where the cleaning water is supplied to the surface by the first water supply nozzle 64a. The surface is polished by the first rotating brush roller 66, and the PS plate 1
The top 10 overcoat layers are removed.

A second stage is provided after the first rotating brush roller 66.
A water supply nozzle 64b is provided, and the overcoat removed by the first rotating brush roller 66 attached to the surface of the PS plate 110 by the washing water supplied to the surface of the PS plate 110 from the second water supply nozzle 64b. The layer debris is removed. As a result, the overcoat layer is removed from the surface of the PS plate 110, and the PS plate 110 is delivered to the delivery roller pair 72 by the transport roller pair 68, and is delivered to the developing unit 24 provided after the first washing unit 22. It is.

As shown in FIG. 2, the developing unit 24 includes a developing replenisher stock solution injection nozzle 74, a dilution water injection nozzle 76, and a first Spray pipe 78, second rotating brush roller 71a, third rotating brush roller 71b, second backup roller 81a, third backup roller 81b,
A feed roller pair 75 is provided, and a liquid level cover 73 is further disposed on the liquid level of the developing solution. A guide plate 77 having a substantially inverted mountain shape with an inner surface protruding downward at the bottom center portion is provided in the developing solution. Is provided with a temperature adjusting device for adjusting the temperature.

The liquid level cover 73 is arranged so that the lower surface is lower than the liquid level of the developer stored in the developing tank 70, and narrows the area where the liquid level of the developing solution in the developing tank 70 comes into contact with air. ,
Deterioration of the developer due to carbon dioxide in the air and evaporation of water in the developer are suppressed. The temperature control device includes a heater 34a,
It comprises a chiller 34b and a temperature sensor 34c, and based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 34c, drives either the heater 34a or the chiller 34b in accordance with an instruction issued from the processor control unit 30 described later, and the temperature of the developing solution is reduced. The temperature is adjusted so that the temperature becomes optimal for the type of the PS plate 110 to be developed.

The developing replenishing stock solution jet nozzle 74 jets the developing solution pumped up from the developing solution storage tank 82 by the developing replenishing pump P1 into the developing tank 70. The driving of the developing replenisher stock solution replenishing pump P1 is controlled by a processor controller 30 described later. Similarly, the dilution water injection nozzle 76 is connected to the water storage tank 84 by the water replenishment pump P2.
The dilution water pumped up from the spray tank is injected into the developing tank 70.
The drive of the water replenishment pump P2 is also controlled by a processor control unit 30 described later.

The guide plate 77 has a structure in which a plurality of freely rotating rollers (small rollers; not shown) are arranged with their rotating shafts arranged in parallel in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the PS plate 110 is transported. The PS plate 110 sent to 24 is conveyed while being guided by rollers. At this time, since the rollers rotate, the PS plate 110 is not damaged by sliding.

A first spray pipe 78 is provided in the developing solution on the way to the lowest position of the guide plate 77. The first spray pipe 78 is composed of a plurality of spray pipes arranged along a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the PS plate 110, and sprays a developer from each spray pipe onto the surface of the PS plate 110, thereby forming a PS. Edition 1
At the same time as promoting the development processing of No. 10, it plays a role of circulating the developer in the developing tank 70.

The second rotating brush roller 71a and the third rotating brush roller 71a are located at positions corresponding to the upper surface of the PS plate 110 along the downstream side from the lowest position of the guide plate 77.
b is provided. The second rotating brush roller 71a is paired with the second backup roller 81a to form a guide plate 77.
The third rotating brush roller 71b is paired with the third backup roller 81b to pinch the PS plate 110 conveyed along the guide plate 77. It is provided to be.

The second rotating brush roller 71a and the third
The rotating brush roller 71b is rotated at a rotational speed of 10 rpm or more and 500 rpm or less by transmitting a driving force of a driving unit (not shown). In addition, when the rotation speed is less than 10 rpm, it is not preferable because the minimum required rubbing density cannot be obtained, and when the rotation speed is more than 500 rpm, the rubbing density becomes too large and the quality of plate making is deteriorated. Absent. More preferably, the number of rotations should be 50 rpm or more and 300 rpm or less. By setting it within this range, a sufficient rubbing density can be obtained.

The delivery roller pair 75 provided at the last stage position of the developing section 24 is provided such that the holding section for holding the PS plate 110 is at a position above the liquid level of the developing solution. When the PS plate 110 pulled up from the inside is sandwiched and sent out from the developing unit 24, the developer adhering to the surface of the PS plate 110 is squeezed.

In the developing tank 70, a second overflow pipe 79 for collecting the developing solution overflowing from the developing tank 70 is provided, and the level of the developing solution accumulated in the developing tank 70 is maintained at a predetermined level. Is exceeded, the developer flows into the second overflow pipe 79 and the waste liquid tank 8
The developing tank 70 is adjusted so that a constant amount of the developing solution is always held in the developing tank 70.

That is, the PS plate 110 delivered by the delivery roller pair 72 of the first washing section 22 is rotated at an angle in the range of about 15 ° to 31 ° with respect to the horizontal direction.
And transported along the surface of the guide plate 77 provided in the developer. At this time, the PS plate 110 is immersed in the developing solution, and subsequently the undeveloped portion of the photopolymerizable photosensitive layer is developed by the developing solution sprayed by the first spray pipe 78 provided on the way to the lowest position of the guide plate 77. Are reliably swelled.

When the PS plate 110 moves downstream from the lowest position of the guide plate 77, the second rotating brush roller 71a,
The surface is rubbed in the order of the third rotating brush roller 71b, and the undeveloped portion of the swollen photopolymerizable photosensitive layer is rubbed off to be developed. Further, the PS plate 110 is provided on the guide plate 7.
7 is pulled out from the developer by being held by the delivery roller pair 75 from the final end position of the delivery roller pair 75,
The developer adhering to the front and back surfaces when being sent to the developing unit 5 is squeezed out, and the second washing unit 2 provided at the subsequent stage of the developing unit 24
It is sent to 6.

Here, the bearing structure of a pair of rollers constituted by the second rotating brush roller 71a and the second backup roller 81a will be described. As shown in a partially broken perspective view of FIG. 3A and a side view of FIG. 3B, a second rotating brush roller 71a and a second backup roller 81a.
Is rotatably supported by a bearing member 36.

The bearing member 36 is roughly divided into the first support 4
0a, a second support portion 40b, a ring-shaped urging member 42, a first pulley 44a, and a second pulley 44b. The first support portion 40a rotatably supports the rotation shaft 86a of the second rotating brush roller 71a, and the second support portion 40b rotatably supports the rotation shaft 86b of the second backup roller 81a. Further, the first support portion 40a and the second support portion 40b
Are respectively formed in a notch (illustrated by imaginary lines in FIG. 3) formed in a side plate of the developing unit 24, and a rotating shaft 86a of the second rotating brush roller 71a and a rotating shaft of the second backup roller 81a are formed. 86b is inserted in a state where it is pivotally supported.

The first pulley 4 is provided with a groove on the side surface of the first support portion 40a around which the ring-shaped urging member 42 is wound.
4a is provided so as to be non-rotatable, and a second pulley 44b provided with a groove on the side surface around which the ring-shaped urging member 42 is provided is also non-rotatably provided in the second support portion 40b. Further, the ring-shaped urging member 42 is made of, for example, an elastic member such as rubber or a coil spring, and is extended by a cam plate 48 described later entering between the first cylindrical portion 46a and the second cylindrical portion 46b. The first support portion 40a and the second support portion 40
The distance from b can be widened.

The first pulley 44a is non-rotatably supported by a first cylindrical portion 46a extending from the side surface of the first pulley 44a in the axial direction. The first cylindrical portion 46a has an inner circumferential circle. The rotary shaft 86a of the second rotary brush roller 71a is inserted into the second rotary brush roller 71a, and rotatably supports the rotary shaft 86a. Second pulley 4
4b, similarly to the first pulley 44a, the second cylindrical portion 46b is rotatably supported on the second cylindrical portion 46b.
Is rotatably supported.

A circular cam plate 48 having a rotating shaft (that is, an eccentric shaft) 50 is eccentrically located between the first cylindrical portion 46a and the second cylindrical portion 46b. Eccentric shaft 50
Is configured to be rotatable within a predetermined angle range by a drive mechanism 52 that converts the rotation of the motor M so that the motor M can rotate forward and backward.

By changing the amount of the cam plate 48 entering between the first cylindrical portion 46a and the second cylindrical portion 46b, the rotating shaft 86a of the second rotating brush roller 71a and the rotating shaft 86b of the second backup roller 81a are changed. Between the second rotating brush roller 71a and the second backup roller 81a.
It is possible to adjust the nip pressure applied to the PS plate conveyed while being held between them, that is, the brush pressure.

In other words, when the amount of infiltration between the first cylindrical portion 46a and the second cylindrical portion 46b is increased, the first cylindrical portion 4a
Since the distance between the second rotary brush roller 71a and the second backup roller 81a is increased, the distance between the second rotary brush roller 71a and the second backup roller 81a increases. The brush pressure is adjusted to be low. Conversely, the cam plate 48
When the amount of intrusion between the first cylindrical portion 46a and the second cylindrical portion 46b is reduced, the first urging force of the annular urging member 42 causes the first
Since the distance between the cylindrical portion 46a and the second cylindrical portion 46b is reduced, and the distance between the second rotating brush roller 71a and the second backup roller 81a is reduced, the distance between the second rotating brush roller 71a and the second backup roller 81a is reduced. The brush pressure applied to the passing PS plate is adjusted to be high.

The amount of the cam plate 48 entering between the first cylindrical portion 46a and the second cylindrical portion 46b is adjusted by the amount and direction of rotation of the eccentric shaft 50 by the drive mechanism 52. Driving is controlled by the control unit 30. Note that the processor control unit 30 will be described later.

Note that the third rotating brush roller 71b and the third
The backup roller 81b is also mounted in the same configuration as the second rotating brush roller 71a and the second backup roller 81a, and thus the description is omitted.

The processor control unit 30 includes a CPU, an RO,
M and RAM, and various setting information and PPF obtained online from the platesetter 14 are stored in RAM.
The data is stored once. The ROM stores the developing tank 70 based on the plate thickness, plate size, and plate type included in various setting information.
A developing condition adjusting program for controlling at least one of the temperature of the developer in the inside, the transport speed of the PS plate, the rubbing pressure of the PS plate, and the rotational speed of the second rotating brush roller 71a and the third rotating brush roller 71b is stored. I have.

The CPU calls the development condition adjustment program stored in the ROM, reads online various setting information obtained from the setter, which is the preceding apparatus, and stores it in the RAM, and reads the version type included in the various setting information. Or
Based on the plate type and the plate size, the temperature condition and the development time during development are determined, and based on the plate type and the plate thickness included in the various setting information, the brush pressure applied to the PS plate and the second rotating brush roller 71a And the rotation speed of the third rotating brush roller 71b.

Next, a drive signal for the temperature controller is generated based on the temperature from the temperature sensor 34c provided in the developing tank 70 so as to satisfy the determined temperature condition, and is output to the temperature controller. At the same time, the number of rotations of a motor (not shown) for rotating the transport roller is determined so that the PS plate is immersed in the developing solution for the determined developing time, and a drive signal of the motor is generated and output to the motor.

Further, the amount of rotation and the direction of rotation of the eccentric shaft 50 by the drive mechanism 52 are determined so that the determined brush pressure is obtained, a drive signal is generated, and the drive signal is output to the drive mechanism 52. The drive mechanism 52 rotates the eccentric shaft 50 based on a drive signal input from the processor control unit 30.
As a result, the cam plate 48 is moved by a predetermined amount to the first cylindrical portion 46.
a between the first rotating brush roller 71 and the second cylindrical portion 46b.
a and the second backup roller 81a are separated from each other, and a desired brush pressure can be obtained. Further, the processor control unit 30 determines the driving force of the driving unit (not shown) to generate a driving signal and outputs the driving signal to the driving unit (not shown) so that the rotation speed becomes the determined rotation speed, thereby adjusting the rotation speed of the motor. are doing.

For example, in the case of the photopolymer CTP generally used at present, the developable temperature is 15 ° C. or more and 45 ° C. or less, preferably 20 ° C. or more and 35 ° C. or less. The plate temperature is determined to be 30 ° C. for plate type A, which is a high printing plate, and 25 ° C. for plate type B, which is a normal product. The detailed description of the temperature control of the heater is omitted because it is known.

The development time is 5 seconds or more and 60 seconds or less, and preferably 7 seconds or more and 40 seconds or less. 7
Development is performed at 60 mm / min for 28 seconds. If the plate type is a plate type B which is a normal product, the transport speed is set to 1000 mm / min.
The second rotating brush roller 7 is determined so that the PS plate is transported at the determined transport speed.
The rotation speed of the first and third rotating brush rollers 71b is controlled.

As the plate type, for example, a newspaper PS
There are a printing plate, a PS plate for high printing durability, a PS plate for high image quality, and the like, and the plate thickness is, for example, 0.12 mm, 0.15 mm, 0.
There are types such as 2 mm, 0.24 mm, 0.3 mm, and 0.4 mm.

Here, the CPU of the processor control unit 30
Will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, in step 400, R
Read various setting information from AM. Next step 402
Then, it is determined whether or not the read various setting information includes a version type. If it is determined that the version type is included, the process proceeds to step 404.

In step 404, the developing temperature and the developing time are set in accordance with the type of plate, and the developing tank
Temperature adjustment device within 0 (heater 34a and chiller 34b)
And controlling the transport speed of the PS plate 110 by the PS plate processor so that the PS plate is immersed in the developing layer 70, that is, the rotation speed of each transport roller, Move to step 406.

If it is determined in step 402 that the plate type is not included, the process proceeds to step 410, in which a standard developing temperature and a developing time are set, and the developing tank 70 is set to the standard temperature. Temperature control device (heater 34)
a) and the chiller 34b) and controlling the transport speed of the PS plate by the PS plate processor, that is, the rotation speed of each transport roller, so that the standard development time PS plate is immersed in the developing layer 70. , To step 406.

In step 406, it is determined whether the read setting information includes the plate thickness. If it is determined that the setting information is included, the process proceeds to step 408, where the brush pressure and the brush pressure corresponding to the plate thickness are determined. The number of rotations of the brush roller is set, and the eccentric shaft is rotated so that the brush pressure becomes equal to the brush pressure.
By the corresponding amounts of the first cylindrical portion 46a and the second cylindrical portion 46b.
And the rotation speeds of the second rotating brush roller 71a and the third rotating brush roller 71b are controlled so that the number of rotations is in accordance with the plate thickness, and this routine ends. As a result, the brush pressure becomes the distance corresponding to the amount of the cam plate 48 entering, the brush pressure according to the plate thickness set apart from the second rotary brush roller 71a and the second backup roller 81a, and the brush pressure according to the plate thickness. It becomes the rubbing density.

If it is determined in step 406 that the plate thickness is not included, the flow shifts to step 412 to set the standard brush pressure and the number of rotations of the standard brush roller so that the brush pressure is set. Then, rotate the eccentric shaft,
The cam plate 48 is inserted by a corresponding amount between the first cylindrical portion 46a and the second cylindrical portion 46b, and the rotation speed of the second rotation brush roller 71a and the third rotation brush roller 71b is set to a standard rotation speed. Is controlled, and this routine ends. As a result, a standard brush pressure set at a distance corresponding to the amount of the cam plate 48 entering the space between the second rotating brush roller 71a and the second backup roller 81a and a standard rubbing density are obtained.

The standard development temperature is a temperature at which development is generally possible, and the standard development time is an immersion time at which development is generally possible. In addition, the standard rub density is a brush pressure and a rub density which are generally considered to be able to remove a photosensitive layer in a non-image forming area.

The CPU determines the dilution ratio of the stock solution for development replenishment based on the plate type included in the various setting information stored in the RAM, and sets the supply pump P1 per unit time so as to reach the determined dilution ratio. Water supply pump P2 for the flow rate of water
The flow rate ratio is also determined. Further, the processing replenishment amount is calculated based on the area of the non-image forming area and the processing replenishment unit amount, added to the previously calculated processing replenishment amount, accumulates the calculated processing replenishment amount, and cumulatively added. When the amount of the replenisher exceeds a predetermined amount, the replenisher of the accumulated amount is supplied to the developing tank 7.
Control for driving the supply pump P1 and the water supply pump P2 is also performed so that the water is refilled within zero. By performing such replenishment control of the developing solution, the active state of the developing solution is kept almost constant so that a good developing process is always performed.

The developer used in the present invention contains the following components.

(Alkali agent) The developing solution and the developing replenisher used in the developing method of the present invention have a pH of 9.0 to 13.5.
More preferably, it is an alkaline aqueous solution of 10.0 to 13.3.

As such a developing solution and a developing replenishing solution, conventionally known aqueous alkaline solutions can be used. For example, sodium silicate, potassium, tribasic sodium, potassium, ammonium, dibasic sodium phosphate, potassium, ammonium, sodium bicarbonate, potassium, ammonium, sodium carbonate, potassium, potassium Inorganic alkaline agents such as ammonium, sodium bicarbonate, potassium, ammonium, sodium borate, potassium, ammonium, sodium hydroxide, ammonium, potassium, and lithium. Also, monomethylamine, dimethylamine, trimethylamine, monoethylamine, diethylamine, triethylamine, monoisopropylamine, diisopropylamine, triisopropylamine, n-butylamine, monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, monoisopropanolamine, diisopropanolamine, Organic alkali agents such as ethyleneimine, ethylenediamine and pyridine are also used.

Preferred among these alkaline agents are aqueous silicate solutions such as sodium silicate and potassium silicate. The reason is that silicon oxide Si
The ratio of O ₂ to alkali metal oxide M ₂ O (generally [SiO 2
₂ ] / [M ₂ O] molar ratio) and the concentration allow adjustment of pH and developability. For example, Si
When the molar ratio of O ₂ / Na ₂ O is 1.0 to 1.5 (that is, [Si
O ₂ ] / [Na ₂ O] is 1.0 to 1.5), and Si
An alkali metal silicate composed of an aqueous solution of sodium silicate having an O ₂ content of 1 to 4% by weight is suitably used in the present invention.

Still another preferred alkali agent includes a buffer solution comprising a weak acid and a strong base. Weak acids used as such buffers include an acid dissociation constant (pKa) of 1
Those having a pKa of from 10.0 to 13.3 are preferred, and those having a pKa of from 11.0 to 13.1 are particularly preferred. For example, in the case of sulfosalicylic acid, the third dissociation constant is 11.7,
It can be suitably used in the present invention. That is, in the case of a polybasic acid, it can be used in the present invention if at least one acid dissociation constant is within the above range.

Such weak acids include Pergamo.
IONISATION CON issued by nPress
STANTS OF ORGANIC ACIDS I
Selected from those described in NAQUEOUS SOLUTION, etc., for example, 2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropanol-1 (pKa 12.74), trifluoroethanol (12.37), and trichloroethanol (12 .24), aldehydes such as pyridine-2-aldehyde (12.68) and pyridine-4-aldehyde (12.05), sorbitol (13.0), and saccharose (12.7). ), 2
-Deoxyribose (12.61), 2-deoxyglucose (12.51), glucose (12.4)
6), galactose (12.35), arabinose (12.34), xylose (12.29), fructose (12.27), ribose (12.22), mannose (12.08) , L-ascorbic acid (1)
Saccharides such as 1.34), salicylic acid (13.0), 3-
Hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid (12.84), catechol (12.6), gallic acid (12.4), sulfosalicylic acid (11.7), 3,4-dihydroxysulfonic acid (12.84) 2), 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (11.94), 1,2,4-trihydroxybenzene (11.82), hydroquinone (11.56), pyrogallol (11.34) and resorcinol Compounds having a phenolic hydroxyl group such as (11.27), 2-butanone oxime (12.45), acetoxime (12.42), 1,2-cycloheptanediondioxime (12.3), 2-hydroxybenzaldehyde oxime (12.10), dimethylglyoxime (11.9), ethanediamide dioxime (11.1)
37), oximes such as acetophenone oxime (11.35), 2-quinolone (11.76), 2-pyridone (11.65) and 4-quinolone (11.2)
8), 4-pyridone (11.12), 5-aminovaleric acid (10.77), 2-mercaptoquinoline (10.77)
25), amino acids such as 3-aminopropionic acid (10.24), fluorouracil (13.0), guanosine (12.6), uridine (12.6), adenosine (12.56) , Inosine (12.5), guanine (12.3), citidine (12.2), cytosine (12.2), hypoxanthine (12.1), xanthine (11.9), etc. In addition, diethylaminomethylphosphonic acid (12.32), 1-amino-3,3,3-trifluorobenzoic acid (12.2)
9), isopropylidene diphosphonic acid (12.1)
0), 1,1, -ethylidene diphosphonic acid (11.5)
4), 1-hydroxy 1,1-ethylidene diphosphonic acid (11.52) and benzimidazole (12.8).
6), thiobenzamide (12.8), picoline thioamide (12.55), barbituric acid (12.5) and the like.

As a strong base to be combined with these weak acids, sodium hydroxide, ammonium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide and lithium hydroxide are used.

These alkali agents are used alone or in combination of two or more.

Preferred among these alkaline buffers are those obtained by combining sulfosalicylic acid, salicylic acid, saccharose and sorbitol with sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide. Among them, a preferred combination is sorbitol and potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide.

The above-mentioned various alkaline agents are used after adjusting the pH within a preferred range depending on the concentration and combination.

(Surfactant) The developer and replenisher used in the present invention may contain various surfactants, if necessary, for the purpose of accelerating developability, dispersing developed scum, and enhancing ink affinity of the printing plate image area. Agents and organic solvents can be added. Preferred surfactants include anionic, cationic, nonionic and amphoteric surfactants.

Preferred examples of the surfactant include polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers, polyoxyethylene alkyl phenyl ethers, polyoxyethylene polystyryl phenyl ethers, polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene alkyl ethers, and glycerin fatty acid partial esters. , Sorbitan fatty acid partial esters,
Pentaerythritol fatty acid partial esters, propylene glycol monofatty acid esters, sucrose fatty acid partial esters, polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid partial esters, polyoxyethylene sorbitol fatty acid partial esters, polyethylene glycol fatty acid esters, polyglycerin fatty acid partial esters , Polyoxyethylenated castor oils, polyoxyethylene glycerin fatty acid partial esters, fatty acid diethanolamides,
Nonionic surfactants such as N, N-bis-2-hydroxyalkylamines, polyoxyethylene alkylamines, triethanolamine fatty acid esters, and trialkylamine oxides, fatty acid salts, abietic acid salts,
Hydroxyalkanesulfonates, alkanesulfonates, dialkylsulfosuccinates, linear alkylbenzenesulfonates, branched alkylbenzenesulfonates, alkylnaphthalenesulfonates, alkylphenoxypolyoxyethylenepropylsulfonates, polyoxy Ethylene alkyl sulfophenyl ether salts, N-methyl-N-oleyltaurine sodium salt, N-alkyl sulfosuccinic acid monoamide disodium salt, petroleum sulfonates, sulfated tallow oil, sulfate salts of fatty acid alkyl esters, alkyl sulfates Salts, polyoxyethylene alkyl ether sulfates, fatty acid monoglyceride sulfates, polyoxyethylene alkyl phenyl ether sulfates, Oxyethylene styryl phenyl ether sulfates, alkyl phosphates, polyoxyethylene alkyl ether phosphates, polyoxyethylene alkyl phenyl ether phosphates, partially saponified styrene / maleic anhydride copolymers, Partially saponified olefin / maleic anhydride copolymers, anionic surfactants such as naphthalene sulfonate formalin condensates, quaternary ammonium salts such as alkylamine salts, tetrabutylammonium bromide, polyoxyethylene alkylamine Salts, cationic surfactants such as polyethylene polyamine derivatives, amphoteric surfactants such as carboxybetaines, aminocarboxylic acids, sulfobetaines, aminosulfates, and imidazolines. . Among the surfactants listed above, those with polyoxyethylene,
It can be read as a polyoxyalkylene such as polyoxymethylene, polyoxypropylene, polyoxybutylene, and their surfactants are also included.

More preferred surfactants are fluorine-based surfactants containing a perfluoroalkyl group in the molecule. Such fluorosurfactants include perfluoroalkyl carboxylate, perfluoroalkyl sulfonate, anionic type such as perfluoroalkyl phosphate, amphoteric type such as perfluoroalkyl betaine,
Cationic and perfluoroalkylamine oxides such as perfluoroalkyltrimethylammonium salts, perfluoroalkylethylene oxide adducts, oligomers containing perfluoroalkyl and hydrophilic groups,
Non-ionic forms such as oligomers containing perfluoroalkyl groups and lipophilic groups, oligomers containing perfluoroalkyl groups, hydrophilic groups and lipophilic groups, and urethanes containing perfluoroalkyl groups and lipophilic groups.

The above surfactants can be used alone or in combination of two or more.
001 to 10% by weight, more preferably 0.01 to 5% by weight.

(Development Stabilizer) Various development stabilizers are used in the developer and replenisher used in the present invention.
Preferred examples thereof include polyethylene glycol adducts of sugar alcohols described in JP-A-6-282079, tetraalkylammonium salts such as tetrabutylammonium hydroxide, phosphonium salts such as tetrabutylphosphonium bromide, and iodonium such as diphenyliodonium chloride. Salts are mentioned as preferred examples.

Further, anionic or amphoteric surfactants described in JP-A-50-51324, water-soluble cationic polymers described in JP-A-55-95946, and JP-A-56-142528 are disclosed. There is a water-soluble amphoteric polyelectrolyte described in the gazette.

Further, an organic boron compound to which an alkylene glycol has been added described in JP-A-59-84241, and a water-soluble surfactant of the polyoxyethylene / polyoxypropylene block polymerization type described in JP-A-60-111246. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Sho 60-129750, polyoxyethylene / polyoxypropylene-substituted alkylenediamine compounds, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Sho 61-215554, polyethylene glycol having a weight average molecular weight of 300 or more, and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Sho 63-175858. JP-A-2-39157 discloses a fluorine-containing surfactant having a cationic group, a water-soluble ethylene oxide addition compound obtained by adding 4 mol or more of ethylene oxide to an acid or alcohol, and a water-soluble polyalkylene compound. No.

(Organic Solvent) An organic solvent is further added to the developing solution and the developing replenisher, if necessary. As such an organic solvent, those having a solubility in water of about 10% by weight or less are suitable, and preferably selected from those having a solubility of 5% by weight or less. For example, 1-phenylethanol, 2-phenylethanol, 3-phenyl-1-propanol, 4-phenyl-1-butanol, 4-phenyl-2-butanol, 2-phenyl-1-butanol, 2-phenoxyethanol, 2-phenoxyethanol, Benzyloxyethanol, o-methoxybenzyl alcohol, m-methoxybenzyl alcohol, p-methoxybenzyl alcohol, benzyl alcohol, cyclohexanol, 2-methylcyclohexanol, 3-methylcyclohexanol and 4-methylcyclohexanol, N-phenylethanol Examples include amines and N-phenyldiethanolamine. The content of the organic solvent is 0.1 to 5% by weight based on the total weight of the used solution. The amount used is closely related to the amount of surfactant used, and as the amount of organic solvent increases,
Preferably, the amount of surfactant is increased. This is because when the amount of the surfactant is small and the amount of the organic solvent is large, the organic solvent is not completely dissolved, and therefore, it is impossible to expect good developing property.

(Reducing Agent) A reducing agent is further added to the developer and replenisher used in the present invention. This is to prevent stains on the printing plate, and is particularly effective when developing a negative photosensitive lithographic printing plate containing a photosensitive diazonium salt compound. Preferred organic reducing agents include phenolic compounds such as thiosalicylic acid, hydroquinone, methol, methoxyquinone, resorcin, and 2-methylresorcin; and amine compounds such as phenylenediamine and phenylhydrazine. Further preferred inorganic reducing agents include sodium salts, potassium salts, and ammonium salts of inorganic acids such as sulfurous acid, bisulfite, phosphorous acid, bisulfite, diphosphite, thiosulfate and dithionite. Salts and the like can be mentioned. Among these reducing agents, sulfites are particularly excellent in the stain prevention effect. These reducing agents are preferably used in the developer during use,
It is contained in the range of 0.05 to 5% by weight.

(Organic carboxylic acid) The developing solution and replenisher used in the present invention may further contain an organic carboxylic acid. Preferred organic carboxylic acids are those having 6 to 2 carbon atoms.
0 aliphatic carboxylic acids and aromatic carboxylic acids.
Specific examples of aliphatic carboxylic acids include caproic acid,
Examples include enanthylic acid, caprylic acid, lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid and stearic acid, and particularly preferred are alkanoic acids having 8 to 12 carbon atoms. Further, unsaturated fatty acids having a double bond in the carbon chain or branched fatty acids may be used.

The aromatic carboxylic acid is a compound in which a benzene ring, a naphthalene ring, an anthracene ring, or the like is substituted with a carboxyl group, specifically, o-chlorobenzoic acid,
p-chlorobenzoic acid, o-hydroxybenzoic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, o-aminobenzoic acid, p-aminobenzoic acid, 2,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid, 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid, 2,6- Dihydroxybenzoic acid,
2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid, 3,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid, gallic acid, 1-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid, 3-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid, 2-hydroxy-1-naphthoic acid, 1-naphthoic acid And 2-naphthoic acid, and hydroxynaphthoic acid is particularly effective.

The aliphatic and aromatic carboxylic acids are preferably used as a sodium salt, a potassium salt or an ammonium salt in order to increase the water solubility. The content of the organic carboxylic acid in the developer used in the present invention is not particularly limited, but if the content is less than 0.1% by weight, the effect is not sufficient.
If it is 0% by weight or more, not only the effect cannot be further improved but also dissolution may be hindered when another additive is used in combination. Therefore, the preferred amount of addition is 0.1 to 10% by weight, more preferably 0.5 to 10% by weight, based on the developer used.
4% by weight.

(Others) The developer and replenisher used in the present invention may further contain an antifoaming agent and a water softener, if necessary. Examples of water softeners include polyphosphoric acid and its sodium, potassium, and ammonium salts, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid, triethylenetetraminehexaacetic acid, hydroxyethylethylenediaminetriacetic acid, nitrilotriacetic acid, 1,2-diaminocyclohexanetetraacetic acid. Aminopolycarboxylic acids such as acetic acid and 1,3-diamino-2-propanoltetraacetic acid and their sodium, potassium and ammonium salts, aminotri (methylenephosphonic acid), ethylenediaminetetra (methylenephosphonic acid), diethylenetriaminepenta (methylene Phosphonic acid), triethylenetetraminehexa (methylenephosphonic acid), hydroxyethylethylenediaminetri (methylenephosphonic acid) and 1-hydroxyethane-1,1-diphosphonic acid and their sodium salts, potassium salts and ammonium salts.

The optimum value of such a water softening agent varies depending on the chelating power, the hardness of the hard water used and the amount of the hard water. 01 to 5% by weight, more preferably 0.01 to 5% by weight
It is in the range of 0.5% by weight. If the added amount is less than this range, the intended purpose is not sufficiently achieved, and if the added amount is larger than this range, an adverse effect on an image portion such as color omission appears.

The remaining component of the developer and replenisher is water, but may further contain various additives known in the art, if necessary.

It is advantageous from the viewpoint of transportation that the developing solution and the replenisher used in the present invention are concentrated solutions having a smaller water content than at the time of use, and are diluted with water at the time of use. The degree of concentration in this case is suitably such that each component does not cause separation or precipitation.

The temperature of the developer is preferably from 15 to 40 ° C, more preferably from 20 to 35 ° C. Development time is 5-60
Seconds are preferred, and more preferably 7 to 40 seconds.

The PS plate 110 developed in the developing unit 24 and sent to the second washing unit 26 is subjected to a washing process in the second washing unit 26. As shown in FIG. 2, the second washing section 26 includes a second washing tank 90 and two pairs of transport rollers 92 and 9.
4, a second spray pipe 96 and a third spray pipe 98 are provided, and the developed PS plate 110 is washed with cleaning water to completely remove the developer adhering to the PS plate 110.

The two transport roller pairs 92 and 94 are located above the second washing tank 90 and in the PS plate 11 of the second washing section 26.
It is provided at the zero retract position and the feed position. The transport roller pairs 92 and 94 form a transport path for the PS plate 110, rotate by receiving a driving force of a driving unit (not shown), and pinch and transport the PS plate 110 sent from the developing unit 24.

Between the two pairs of transport rollers 92 and 94,
A second spray pipe 96 and a third spray pipe 98 are provided above and below the PS plate 110 conveyance path, respectively.
Are arranged.

The second spray pipe 96 draws water from the water storage tank 84 by the pump P, and replenishes the water in the second washing tank 90. The third spray pipe 98
It is constituted by a plurality of spray pipes arranged along a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the PS plate 110,
By injecting the cleaning water onto the surface of the PS plate 110 in synchronization with the transport of the S plate 110, the cleaning water is jetted across the width of the PS plate 110.

The third spray pipe 98 injects washing water pumped up by the pump P from a storage tank 93 described later toward the surface of the PS plate 110. As a result, the PS plate 110 is washed with water, and the developer is completely removed.

The washing water sprayed from the third spray pipe 98 quickly spreads on the surface of the PS plate 110, and when the PS plate 110 is washed with water, the PS plate 110 is transferred to the finisher section at the subsequent stage by the pair of conveying rollers 94. When it is sent out, it is squeezed from the PS plate 110.

The second washing tank 90 is provided with a third overflow pipe 91. The third overflow pipe 91 guides the washing water flowing into the pipe by raising the water level in the second washing tank 90 to the storage tank 93,
The water level in the second washing tank 90 is always kept constant. The storage tank 93 is provided with a pump P, and the stored cleaning water is pumped up by the pump P and supplied to the third spray pipe 98.

That is, P sent from the developing unit 24
The S plate 110 is drawn into the second washing unit 26 by the pair of conveying rollers 92 provided at the position where the second washing unit 26 is drawn in, and passes through the conveying path formed in the upper layer of the second washing tank. 2 spray pipe 96 and third spray pipe 9
8 is washed on both sides by the washing water sprayed from the second washing unit 26, and a pair of transport rollers 94 provided at the delivery position of the second washing unit 26.
The washing water that adheres to the second washing section 26
Sent out from.

A finisher section 28 is provided at a stage subsequent to the second washing section 26. This finisher section 28
Are a gum solution tank 100 and a gum solution spray nozzle 102 for spraying the gum solution onto the surface of the PS plate 110;
The gum solution is applied to the PS plate 110 after washing with water to desensitize it. The gum solution tank 100 is provided with an overflow pipe similarly to the other tanks, and is adjusted so that the water level in the tank is always kept constant.

The PS plate 1 sent out from the second washing section 26
Reference numeral 10 denotes a gum that is ejected from the gum solution ejecting nozzle 102 to the image forming side of the surface when passing through the finisher unit 28, and then adheres to the conveying roller pair 104 provided at the delivery position of the finisher unit 28. The liquid is squeezed and sent out from the finisher unit 28.

A drying section 29 is provided downstream of the finisher section 28. When the PS plate 110 passes through the drying section 29, the PS plate 110 is dried and discharged to the outside. In addition,
Since a known configuration can be applied to the drying unit 29, the description is omitted here.

The PS plate used in the plate making system of the present embodiment may be any as long as it includes a photopolymerizable photosensitive layer and an overcoat layer (protective layer) for protecting the photosensitive layer.
Preferably, a compound having an addition-polymerizable ethylenic double bond, a photopolymerization initiation system activated by light having a wavelength of 450 nm or more, and a crosslinkable group are provided on a support obtained by subjecting an aluminum plate to a hydrophilic treatment. It is preferable to use a material having a photopolymerizable photosensitive layer containing the polymer having the above.

Hereinafter, a preferred PS plate will be described in detail.

[Aluminum Support] The aluminum support of the PS plate is a dimensionally stable metal containing aluminum as a main component, and is made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy. In addition to a pure aluminum plate, it is selected from an alloy plate containing aluminum as a main component and containing a trace amount of a different element, or a plastic film or paper on which aluminum (alloy) is laminated or evaporated. Further, a composite sheet in which an aluminum sheet is bonded to a polyethylene terephthalate film as described in JP-B-48-18327 may be used.

In the following description, the above-mentioned substrates made of aluminum or aluminum alloy are collectively used as aluminum substrates. The foreign elements contained in the aluminum alloy include silicon, iron, manganese, copper, magnesium, chromium, zinc, bismuth, nickel and titanium, and the content of the foreign elements in the alloy is 10% by weight or less. In the present invention, a pure aluminum plate is preferable, but completely pure aluminum is difficult to produce due to refining technology, and therefore may contain a slightly different element. As described above, the composition of the aluminum plate applied to the present invention is not specified, and any of conventionally known and used materials such as JIS A 1050 and JISA 110 can be used.
0, JIS A 3103, JIS A 3005, and the like can be used as appropriate.

The thickness of the aluminum substrate used in the present invention is about 0.1 mm to 0.6 mm. This thickness can be appropriately changed according to the size of the printing press, the size of the printing plate, and the user's request.

[Hydrophilic Treatment] The above-described aluminum substrate is appropriately subjected to a graining treatment, which will be described later, and then the substrate surface is subjected to a hydrophilizing treatment with silicate or polyvinylphosphonic acid or the like. The film has a Si or P element content of ^{2 to} 40 mg / m ² , more preferably 4 to 30 mg / m ² .
mg / m ² . In addition, the coating amount can be measured by a fluorescent X-ray analysis method.

In the above-mentioned hydrophilization treatment, the alkali metal silicate or polyvinylphosphonic acid is 1 to 30% by weight, preferably 2 to 15% by weight, and the pH at 25 ° C. is 10 to 10% by weight.
The aluminum substrate on which the anodized film is formed is immersed in the aqueous solution of No. 13 at, for example, 15 to 80 ° C. for 0.5 to 120 seconds.

As the alkali metal silicate, sodium silicate, potassium silicate, lithium silicate and the like can be used. Hydroxides used to increase the pH of the aqueous alkali metal silicate solution include sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, and lithium hydroxide.

It is to be noted that an alkaline earth metal salt or a Group IVB metal salt may be added to the above-mentioned treatment liquid. Alkaline earth metal salts include nitrates such as calcium nitrate, strolentium nitrate, magnesium nitrate and barium nitrate, and aqueous solutions such as sulfates, hydrochlorides, phosphates, acetates, oxalates and borates. Salts.

As Group IVB metal salts, titanium tetrachloride,
Examples thereof include titanium trichloride, potassium titanium fluoride, potassium potassium oxalate, titanium sulfate, titanium tetraiodide, zirconium chloride, zirconium dioxide, zirconium oxychloride, and zirconium tetrachloride.

The alkaline earth metal salts or Group IVB metal salts can be used alone or in combination of two or more. The preferred range of these metal salts is 0.01 to 10
% By weight, and a more preferred range is 0.05 to 5.0% by weight.

Further, silicate electrodeposition as described in US Pat. No. 3,658,662 is also effective. Further, JP-B-46-27481 and JP-A-52-5
No. 8602 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 52-30503 are also useful in combination with a support provided with electrolytic grains and a surface treatment combining the above-described anodic oxidation treatment and hydrophilic treatment.

[Hydrophilic undercoat layer] The following hydrophilic undercoat layer can be provided on the silicate-treated aluminum substrate as needed.

Water-soluble resins, for example, polyvinylphosphonic acid, polymers and copolymers having a sulfonic acid group in the side chain, polyacrylic acid, water-soluble metal salts (for example, zinc borate)
Alternatively, a primer coated with a yellow dye, an amine salt or the like is also suitable.

Examples of the organic compound used in the organic (resin) undercoat layer include carboxymethyl cellulose and
Dextrin, gum arabic, phosphonic acids having an amino group such as 2-aminoethylphosphonic acid, phenylphosphonic acid which may have a substituent, naphthylphosphonic acid,
Organic phosphonic acids such as alkyl phosphonic acid, glycerophosphonic acid, methylene diphosphonic acid and ethylene diphosphonic acid, phenylphosphoric acid which may have a substituent, naphthyl phosphoric acid, organic phosphoric acid such as alkyl phosphoric acid and glycerophosphoric acid, Organic phosphines such as phenylphosphinic acid, naphthylphosphinic acid, alkylphosphinic acid and glycerophosphinic acid which may have a substituent, amino acids such as glycine and β-alanine, and hydroquinol such as triethanolamine hydrochloride It is selected from hydrochlorides of amines having a group, but may be used as a mixture of two or more kinds.

The organic undercoat layer can be provided by the following method. That is, a method in which a solution obtained by dissolving the above organic compound in water or an organic solvent such as methanol, ethanol, or methyl ethyl ketone or a mixed solvent thereof is applied to an aluminum substrate and dried to form a solution, and water or methanol, ethanol, methyl ethyl ketone, or the like. An aluminum substrate is immersed in a solution obtained by dissolving the above organic compound in an organic solvent or a mixed solvent thereof to adsorb the organic compound, and then washed with water and dried to form an organic undercoat layer. Is the way. In the former method, a solution of the above organic compound having a concentration of 0.005 to 10% by weight can be applied by various methods. For example, any method such as bar coater coating, spin coating, spray coating, and curtain coating may be used. In the latter method, the concentration of the solution is 0.01 to 20% by weight, preferably 0.05 to 5% by weight, and the immersion temperature is 20 to 90 ° C.
Preferably, the temperature is 25 to 50 ° C., and the immersion time is 0.1 second to
20 minutes, preferably 2 seconds to 1 minute.

The solution used here may be a basic substance such as ammonia, triethylamine or potassium hydroxide, hydrochloric acid,
The pH is adjusted with an acidic substance such as phosphoric acid,
2 can be used. Further, a yellow dye can be added for improving the tone reproducibility of the photopolymerizable lithographic printing plate.

The coating amount of the organic undercoat layer after drying is from 2 to 20.
0 mg / m ² is suitable, preferably 5 to 100 mg.
/ M ² . If the coating amount is less than 2 mg / m ² , sufficient printing durability cannot be obtained. The same is true even if it is larger than 200 mg / m ² .

The aluminum support may be further subjected to a surface treatment such as immersion in an aqueous solution of potassium fluorozirconate, phosphate or the like.

[Photopolymerizable Photosensitive Layer] The main components of the photopolymerizable photosensitive layer used in the present invention include compounds containing an addition-polymerizable ethylenic double bond, a photopolymerization initiator, an organic polymer binder and the like. Various compounds such as a coloring agent, a plasticizer, and a thermal polymerization inhibitor are added as necessary.

The compound containing a double bond capable of addition polymerization is
It can be arbitrarily selected from compounds having at least one, preferably two or more terminal ethylenically unsaturated bonds.

For example, those having a chemical form such as a monomer, a prepolymer, ie, a dimer, a trimer and an oligomer, or a mixture thereof and a copolymer thereof.

Examples of monomers and copolymers thereof include esters of unsaturated carboxylic acids (eg, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, itaconic acid, crotonic acid, isocrotonic acid, maleic acid, etc.) and aliphatic polyhydric alcohol compounds. And amides of unsaturated carboxylic acids and aliphatic polyamine compounds.

Specific examples of the ester monomer of the aliphatic polyhydric alcohol compound and the unsaturated carboxylic acid include acrylic acid esters such as ethylene glycol diacrylate, triethylene glycol diacrylate, and 1,3.
-Butanediol diacrylate, tetramethylene glycol diacrylate, propylene glycol diacrylate, neopentyl glycol diacrylate, trimethylolpropane triacrylate, trimethylolpropane tri (acryloyloxypropyl) ether, trimethylolethane triacrylate, hexanediol diacrylate 1,4-cyclohexanediol diacrylate, tetraethylene glycol diacrylate, pentaerythritol diacrylate, pentaerythritol triacrylate, pentaerythritol tetraacrylate, dipentaerythritol diacrylate, dipentaerythritol pentaacrylate, dipentaerythritol hexaacrylate, sorbitol Triacry Over DOO, sorbitol tetraacrylate, sorbitol pentaacrylate, sorbitol hexaacrylate, tri (acryloyloxyethyl) isocyanurate, polyester acrylate oligomer.

Examples of the methacrylate include tetramethylene glycol dimethacrylate, triethylene glycol dimethacrylate, neopentyl glycol dimethacrylate, trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate, trimethylolethane trimethacrylate, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, and 1,3-butanediol. Dimethacrylate, hexanediol dimethacrylate, pentaerythritol dimethacrylate, pentaerythritol trimethacrylate, pentaerythritol tetramethacrylate, dipesitaerythritol dimethacrylate, dipentaerythritol hexamethacrylate, dipentaerythritol pentamethacrylate, sorbitol trimethacrylate, sorbitol natramethacrylate , There is bis [p- (3--methacryloxy-2-hydroxypropoxy) phenyl] dimethyl methane, bis [p- (methacryloxyethoxy) phenyl] dimethyl methane.

Examples of itaconic acid esters include ethylene glycol diitaconate, propylene glycol diitaconate, 1,3-butanediol diitaconate,
There are 1,4-butanediol diitaconate, tetramethylene glycol diitaconate, pentaerythritol diitaconate, sorbitol tetritaconate and the like.

The crotonates include ethylene glycol dicrotonate, tetramethylene glycol dicrotonate, pentaerythritol dicrotonate,
Sorbitol tetradicrotonate and the like.

Examples of the isocrotonic acid ester include ethylene glycol diisocrotonate, pentaerythritol diisocrotonate, and sorbitol tetraisocrotonate.

Examples of the maleic acid ester include ethylene glycol dimaleate, triethylene glycol dimaleate, pentaerythritol dimaleate and sorbitol tetramaleate.

Further, a mixture of the above-mentioned ester monomers can also be mentioned.

Specific examples of the amide monomer of the aliphatic polyamine compound and the unsaturated carboxylic acid include methylene bis-acrylamide, methylene bis-methacrylamide, 1,6-hexamethylene bis-acrylamide, 1,6- Hexamethylene bis-methacrylamide,
Examples include diethylenetriaminetrisacrylamide, xylylenebisacrylamide, xylylenebismethacrylamide, and the like.

Another example is described in JP-B-48-417.
08 polyisocyanate compound having two or more isocyanate groups in one molecule described in
A bierurethane compound containing two or more polymerizable vinyl groups in one molecule to which a hydroxyl group-containing vinyl monomer represented by the following general formula (A) is added is exemplified.

CH ₂ ＣC (R ⁵ ) COOCH ₂ CH (R ⁶ ) OH (A) (where R ⁵ and R ⁶ represent H or CH ₃ ). Urethane acrylates described in JP-A-48-64183.
No., JP-B-49-43191, JP-B-52-3049
Polyfunctional acrylates and methacrylates such as polyester acrylates and epoxy acrylates obtained by reacting an epoxy resin with (meth) acrylic acid as described in JP-A Nos. 0-104, and 2005-112, respectively. Further, the Journal of the Adhesion Society of Japan vol. 20, no. 7, pages 300 to 308 (1984) as photocurable monomers and oligomers can also be used. In addition, the amount of these used is 5-70 weight% with respect to all components.
(Hereinafter abbreviated as%), preferably 10 to 50%.

As the photopolymerization initiator, various photoinitiators known in patents and literatures can be used depending on the wavelength of the light source used.
Alternatively, a combination system (photoinitiating system) of two or more photoinitiators can be appropriately selected and used.

Various light-initiating systems have also been proposed when using visible light of 450 nm or more, an Ar laser, the second harmonic of a semiconductor laser, or a SHG-YAG laser as a light source. For example, US Pat. No. 2,850. Certain photoreducing dyes, for example, rose bengal, eosin, erythrosine, and the like, or a system using a combination of a dye and an initiator, for example, a complex starting system of a dye and an amine (Japanese Patent Publication No. 44-20189). ), A combination of hexaarylbiimidazole, a radical generator and a dye (Japanese Patent Publication No. Sho 4)
5-37377), a system of hexaarylbiimidazole and p-dialkylaminobenzylidene ketone (JP-B-47-2528, JP-A-54-155292), and a system of a cyclic cis-α-dicarbonyl compound and a dye ( Kaisho 4
8-84183), a system of a cyclic triazine and a merocyanine dye (JP-A-54-151024), a system of 3-ketocoumarin and an activator (Tokikai Sho 52-112681, JP-A 58-15503), A system of imidazole, a styrene derivative, and a thiol (JP-A-59-140203);
Organic peroxide and dye system (JP-A-59-1504, JP-A-59-140203, JP-A-59-189340)
No., JP-A-62-174203, JP-B-62-164
No. 1, U.S. Pat. No. 4,766,055), a system of a dye and an active halogen compound (JP-A-63-1718105, JP-A-63-258903, Japanese Patent Application No. 2-63054), a system of a dye and a borate compound (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Sho 62-143)
No. 044, JP-A-62-150242, JP-A-64-142.
No. 13140, JP-A-64-13141, JP-A-64
-13142, JP-A-64-13143, JP-A-6-142
4-1144, JP-A-64-17048, JP-A-1-229003, JP-A-1-298348, JP-A-1-138204, etc., and a system comprising a dye having a rhodanine ring and a radical generator (JP-A-Hei. No. 2-196443,
JP-A-2-244050), a system of titanocene and 3-ketocoumarin dye (JP-A-63-221110), a combination of titanocene and a xanthene dye, and an addition-polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated compound containing an amino group or a urethane group. System (JP-A-4-221958, JP-A-4-221958)
No. 219756), a system of titanocene and a specific merocyanine dye (JP-A-6-295061), and a system of titanocene and a dye having a benzopyran ring (Japanese Patent Application No. 7-16458).
3) and the like.

The titanocene compound used as the photopolymerizable initiation system in the present invention may be any titanocene compound capable of generating an active radical when irradiated with light in the presence of the above-described sensitizing dye. For example, JP-A-59-152396, JP-A-61-151197
A known compound described in JP-A No. 5-211 can be appropriately selected and used.

More specifically, di-cyclopentadienyl-Ti-di-chloride, di-cyclopentadienyl-Ti-bis-phenyl, di-cyclopentadienyl-Ti-bis-2,3,3 4,5,6-pentafluorophenyl-1-yl (hereinafter also referred to as “A-1”), di-cyclopentadienyl-Ti-bis-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorophenyl-1- Yl, di-cyclopentadienyl-Ti-bis-2,4,6-trifluorophenyl
1-yl, di-cyclopentadiphenyl-Ti-bis-
2,6-difluorophenyl-1-yl, di-cyclopentadienyl-Ti-bis-2,4-difluorophenyl
1-yl, di-methylcyclopentadienyl-Ti-bis-2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorophenyl-1-
Yl (hereinafter also referred to as “A-2”), di-methylcyclopentadienyl-Ti-bis-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorophenyl-1-yl, di-methylcyclopentadienyl-Ti -Bis-2,4-difluorophenyl-1-
Il, bis (cyclopentadieel) -bis (2,6-
And difluoro-3- (pyrid-1-yl) phenyl) titanium (hereinafter also referred to as “A-3”).

The titanocene compounds used in the photopolymerizable composition can be used alone or in combination of two or more.

The amount of the photopolymerization initiator used is 0.05 to 10 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the ethylenically unsaturated compound.
0 parts by weight, preferably 0.1 to 70 parts by weight, and more preferably 0.2 to 50 parts by weight.

The photopolymerizable composition usually contains an organic polymer as a binder. In the present invention, a polymer having a crosslinkable group in a side chain is used. Such an organic high molecular polymer (hereinafter also simply referred to as a polymer) itself has a crosslinkable group (also referred to as an unsaturated group) and a carboxyl group in a side chain, and the crosslinkable group has the following general formula: [I]

[0167]

Embedded image

[Wherein R _{1 to} R ₅ are hydrogen, halogeno, carboxyl, sulfo, nitro, cyano, amide, amino, and alkyl, aryl,
Alcoquin, aryloquin, alkylamino, arylamino, cyclic alkyl, alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, wherein Z is oxygen, sulfur, N
H or NR (R is an alkyl group)].

Further, polymers having a crosslinkable group in a side chain used as a binder for the photopolymerizable photosensitive layer are described in US Pat. Nos. 3,376,138 and 3,556,792.
No. 3,556,793, the disclosed polymer is a polymer itself,
It is used as a photocrosslinkable resist, and has a clear difference from the method of using the photopolymerizable composition described in this embodiment as a binder.

The methods for synthesizing the above polymers are roughly classified into the following two methods.

(Method A): A compound represented by the following general formula [Ia] is subjected to a high molecular reaction with a carboxylic acid, a carboxylic acid halide, and a backbone polymer having a carboxylic anhydride group as a side chain.

[0172]

Embedded image

(Wherein, R _{1 to} R ₅ have the same meanings as in formula (I)): —COO—, —COS
-, -CONH- or -CONR- a method of introducing via each connecting group.

(Method B): A monomer having a crosslinkable group represented by the above general formula [I] and an ethylenically unsaturated group having a higher addition polymerization reactivity than the crosslinkable group is converted into an unsaturated carboxylic acid. A method of obtaining a polymer by copolymerization.

[0175]

Embedded image

[Wherein, R _{1 to} R ₅ have the same meanings as in formula [I], and Y represents OH, —SH, —NH ₂ , —NHR
(R is an alkyl group) or a halogen atom. The alkyl group of R _{1 to} R _{5 in} the general formula [Ia] is
It may be linear, branched, or cyclic, and has 1 to 7 carbon atoms.
Preferably has, even in these alkyl group, an alkoxy group having from 1 to 2 carbon atoms, an alkoxycarbonyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, a phenyl group may have a substituent such as hydroxy group, R ₁ As the aryl group represented by R ₅ to R _5, a phenyl group and a furyl group are preferable, including a halogeno group (eg, chloro, bromo, etc.), a hydroxy group,
May have a substituent such as an alkyl group, an aryl group (e.g., phenyl and methkinphenyl), an alkoxy group having 1 to 7 carbon atoms, a nitro group, an amino group, and an N, N-dialkylamino group. . The alkoxy group of R _{1 to} R ₅ is preferably a group having 1 to 7 carbon atoms, and the aryloxy group is preferably a phenyl okine group, which has a substituent such as an alkyl or alkoxy group having 1 to 7 carbon atoms. May be. The alkylamino group of R _{1 to} R ₅ is preferably a group having 1 to 15 carbon atoms, and the arylamino group is preferably a phenylamino group or a naphthylamino group. The alkylsulfonyl group represented by R _{1 to} R ₅ is preferably a group having 1 to 15 carbon atoms, and the arylsulfonyl group is preferably a phenylsulfonyl group. May have a substituent such as an alkoxy group and an amino group.

When the method A is described in more detail, examples of the backbone polymer include a copolymer of acrylic acid or methacrylic acid and a copolymer in which the copolymer is an acid halide by a polymer reaction. Further, copolymers such as maleic anhydride and itaconic anhydride can be used. Examples of the comonomer to be copolymerized include styrene or an alkyl-substituted derivative thereof, an alkyl acrylate, an aryl acrylate, an alkyl methacrylate, an aryl methacrylate, or an aliphatic vinyl ester. Preferably acrylic acid or methacrylic acid and methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, butyl acrylate, benzyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate,
Copolymers with ethyl methacrylate, butyl methacrylate, and benzyl methacrylate are exemplified. In order to introduce a crosslinkable group into these copolymers, a crosslinkable alcohol, an amine, a thiol, or a halide represented by the general formula [Ia] is reacted with the above copolymer in a reaction solvent under predetermined reaction conditions. It is obtained by mixing and dissolving, adding a reaction catalyst and a polymerization inhibitor, and heating. Specifically, a copolymer of methacrylic acid and benzyl methacrylate is shown below as an example.

In a 300 ml three-necked flask equipped with a stirring rod and stirring blade, a reflux condenser and a thermometer, poly (methacrylic acid / benzyl methacrylate = 27/73).
19.8 g), 40.2 g of ethylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate as a reaction solvent, 6.0 g of allyl bromide as a reagent containing a crosslinkable group, and 10.4 g of trimethylbenzylammonium hydroxide as a catalyst.
g of paramethoxyphenol and 0.1 g of paramethoxyphenol as a polymerization inhibitor.
And mixed and dissolved at 70 ° C. in a nitrogen atmosphere.
Heating and stirring were performed for hours. After cooling, methyl ethyl ketone is added to remove free quaternary salts. Further, the mixture is diluted with methanol and poured into dilute hydrochloric acid to precipitate. After washing with water, suction filtration and vacuum drying, the yield of polymer obtained is 1
It was 3.6 g. Allyl groups were introduced at 35% relative to the carboxylic acid of the backbone polymer.

[0179]

Embedded image

A synthesis example in which the crosslinkable group is introduced into a copolymer of maleic anhydride can be carried out by the method described in US Pat. No. 2,047,398, whereby the maleic anhydride moiety is formed. A ring-opened unsaturated ester, amide, thioester or the like is introduced. As a method for introducing a crosslinkable group into a maleic anhydride copolymer, JP-A-48-82
A similar example described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 902/1990 is mentioned, but the crosslinkable group by this method is bonded to the nitrogen atom of maleic imide, and is clearly a compound different from the above-mentioned polymer, and is used in the present invention. Polymer having a crosslinkable group in the side chain.

On the other hand, the method B is described in more detail. The monomer containing at least two or more carbon-carbon double bonds having a crosslinkable group can be obtained by a known synthesis method using an alcohol, amine, thiol or the like having the crosslinkable group. And unsaturated carboxylic acids,
Preferably, it is synthesized by a condensation reaction with acrylic acid or methacrylic acid. By copolymerizing the monomer containing at least two or more unsaturated groups with an unsaturated carboxylic acid, preferably acrylic acid or methacrylic acid, a copolymer having the crosslinkable group is obtained. The monomer to be copolymerized may further be copolymerized with another monomer in addition to the unsaturated carboxylic acid, for example, alkyl acrylate, alkyl methacrylate, benzyl methacrylate, 2-hydroquinethyl methacrylate, acrylonitrile, and the like. No.

The following is an example of copolymerization of allyl methacrylate and methacrylic acid. As a similar synthesis method, a method described in US Pat. No. 2,047,398 can be mentioned.

1.68 liters of 1,2-dichloroethane as a reaction solvent was placed in a 3 liter four-necked flask equipped with a stirring rod and a stirring blade, a reflux condenser, a dropping funnel and a thermometer, and heated to 70 ° C. while purging with nitrogen. did. 100.8 g of allyl methacrylate, 7.6 g of methacrylic acid, and 1.68 g of 2,2′-azobis (2,4-dimethylvaleronitrile) as a polymerization initiator were added to a dropping funnel in an amount of 0.1 g.
The mixture was dissolved in 44 liters of 1,2-dichloroethane, and the mixed solution was dropped into the flask over 2 hours with stirring.

After the completion of the dropwise addition, the mixture was further stirred at a reaction temperature of 70 ° C. for 5 hours to complete the reaction. After the completion of heating, 0.04 g of paramethokine phenol was added as a polymerization inhibitor, and the reaction solution was added to 50 parts.
The solution was concentrated to 0 ml, and the concentrated solution was added to 4 liters of hexane to precipitate. After vacuum drying, 61 g (yield 56%) of a copolymer was obtained. At this time, the viscosity was [η] = 0.068 for methyl ethyl ketone at 80 ° C.

Representative compounds represented by the general formula [Ia] include allyl alcohol, 2-methylallyl alcohol, crotyl alcohol, 3-chloro-2-propen-1-ol, and 3-phenyl-2. -Propen-1-ol, 3- (hydroquinphenyl) -2-propen-1-
All, 3- (2-hydroxyphenyl) -2-propen-1-ol, 3- (3.4-dihydroxyphenyl) -2-propen-1-ol, 3- (2.4-dihydroxyphenyl-2-ol Propen-1-ol, 3-
(3,4-5-trihydroquinphenyl) -2-propen-1-ol, 3- (3-methoxy-4-hydroquinphenyl) -2-propen-1-ol, 3- (3.4
-Dihydroxy-5-methoxyphenyl) -2-propen-1-ol, 3- (3.5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl) -2-propen-1-ol, 3-
(2-hydroxy-4-methylphenyl) -2-propen-1-ol, 3- (4-methoxyphenyl) -2-
Propen-1-ol, 3- (4-ethoxyquinphenyl)
-2-propen-1-ol, 3- (2-methoxyphenyl) -2-propen-1-ol, 3- (3-4-dimethoxyphenyl) -2-propen-1-ol, 3-
(3-methoxy-4-propoxyphenyl) -2-propen-1-ol, 3- (2.4-6-trimethoxyphenyl) -2-propen-1-ol, 3- (3-methoxy-4- Benzyloxyphenyl) -2-propene-
1-ol, 3-1- (3′-methokinephenyl) -4
-Benzyloxyphenyl) -2-propen-1-ol, 3-phenoxy-3-phenyl-2-propen-1
-All, 3- (3.4-5-trimethoxyphenyl)
-2-propen-1-ol, 3- (4-methylphenyl) -2-propen-1-ol, 3-phenyl-3-
(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl) -2-propene-
1-ol, 3,3- {di- (2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)}-2-propen-1-ol, 3-phenyl-3- (4-methylphenyl) -2-propen-1-
All, 3,3-diphenyl-2-propen-1-ol, 3- (2-chlorophenyl) -2-propen-1-
All, 3- (3-chlorophenyl) -2-propene-
1-ol, 3- (4-chlorophenyl) -2-propen-1-ol, 3- (2.4-dichlorophenyl)-
2-propen-1-ol, 3- (2-bromophenyl) -2-propen-1-ol, 3-bromo-3-phenyl-2-propen-1-ol, 3-chloro-3-
Phenyl-2-propen-1-ol, 3- (4-nitrophenyl) -2-propen-1-ol, 3- (2-
Nitrophenyl) -2-propen-1-ol, 3-
(3-nitrophenyl) -2-propen-1-ol,
2-methyl-3-phenyl-2-propen-1-ol, 2-methyl-3- (4-chlorophenyl) -2-propen-1-ol, 2-methyl-3- (4-nitrophenyl)- 2-propen-1-ol, 2-methyl-3
-(4-aminophenyl) -2-propen-1-ol, 2-methyl-3-3.3-diphenyl-2-propene-
1-ol, 2-ethyl-1,3-diphenyl-2-propen-1-ol, 2-ethoxymethylene-3-phenyl-2-propen-1-ol, 2-phenoxy-3
-Phenyl-2-propen-1-ol, 2-methyl-
3- (4-methoxyphenyl) -2-propen-1-ol, 2,3-diphenyl-2-propen-1-ol, 1,2,3-triphenyl-2-propen-1-ol, 2. 3.3-triphenyl-2-propene-1-
All, 2-ethoxy-3-phenyl-2-propene-
1-ol, 1.3-diphenyl-2-propene-1-
All, 1- (4-methylphenyl) -3-phenyl-
2-propen-1-ol, 1-phenyl-3- (4-
Methylphenyl) -2-propen-1-ol, 1-phenyl-3- (4-methoxyphenyl) -2-propen-1-ol, 1- (4-methoxyphenyl) -3-phenyl-2-propen- 1-ol, 1,3-di (4-
(Chlorophenyl) -2-propen-1-ol, 1-
(4-bromophenyl) -3-phenyl-2-propen-1-ol, 1-phenyl-3- (4-nitrophenyl) -2-propen-1-ol, 1,3-di (2-nitrophenyl ) -2-Propen-1-ol, 1- (4
-Dimethylaminophenyl) -3-phenyl-2-propen-1-ol, 1-phenyl-3- (4-dimethylaminophenyl) -2-propen-1-ol, 1.1
-Di (4-dimethylaminophenyl) -3-phenyl-
2-propen-1-ol, 1,1.3-triphenyl-2-propen-1-ol, 1,1.3,3-tetraphenyl-2-propen-1-ol, 1- (4-methyl Phenyl) -3-phenyl-2-propen-1-ol, 1- (dodecylsulfonyl) -3-phenyl-2-
Propen-1-ol, 1-phenyl-2-propene-
1-ol, 1,2-diphenyl-2-propene-1-
All, 1-phenyl-2-methyl-2-propene-1
-Ol, 1-cyclohexyl-2-propen-1-ol, 1-phenoxy-2-propen-1-ol, 2
-Benzyl-2-propen-1-ol, 1.1-di (4-chlorophenyl) -2-propen-1-ol,
1-carboxy-2-propen-1-ol, 1-carboxamido-2-propen-1-ol, 1-cyano-2-propen-1-ol, 1-sulfo-2-propen-1-ol, 2 -Ethoxy-2-propen-1-ol, 2-amino-2-propen-1-ol, 3-
(3-amino-4-methoxyphenylsulfonyl) -2
-Propen-1-ol, 3- (4-methylphenylsulfonyl) -2-propen-1-ol, 3-phenylsulfonyl-2-propen-1-ol, 3-benzylsulfonyl-2-propen-1-ol 3-anilinosulfonyl-2-propen-1-ol, 3- (4-methoxyanilinosulfonyl) -2-propen-1-ol, 8-anilino-2-propen-1-ol, 3-naphthylamino -2-propen-1-ol, 3-phenoxy-2-propen-1-ol, 3- (2-methylphenyl) -2-propen-1-ol, 3- (3-methylphenokin) -2- Propen-1-ol, 3- (2
* 4-dimethylphenyl) -2-propen-1-ol, 1-methyl-3-carboxy-2-propen-1-
All, 3-carboxy-2-propen-1-ol,
3-bromo-3-carboxy-2-propen-1-ol, 1-carboxy-3-chloro-3-methyl-2-propen-1-ol, 1-carboxy-3-methyl-2
-Propen-1-ol, 1- (2-carbethoxyisopropyl) -3-methyl-2-propen-1-ol,
1- (1-carbethoxypropyl) -2-propene-1
-Ol, 1- (1-carbethoxyethyl) -3-methyl-2-propen-1-ol, 1-carbethoxy-3
-Chloro-3-methyl-2-propen-1-ol, 1
-Carbethoxymethylene-3-methyl-2-propene-
1-ol, 1-amido-2 / 3-dimethyl-2-propen-1-ol, 1-cyano-3-methyl-2-propen-1-ol, 3-sulfo-2-propen-1-ol, 3-butoxy-2-propen-1-ol, 1-
Cyclohexyl-3- (2-hydroxycyclohexyl) -2-propen-1-ol, 3-cyclobenzyl-2-propen-1-ol, 3-furyl-2-propen-1-ol, 3-chromium- 2-propen-1-ol, 3-bromo-2-propen-1-ol, 2-methyl-3-chloro-2-propen-1-ol, 2-methyl-3-bromo-2-propen-1- All, 1-carboisobutoxy-3-chloro-3-methyl-2-propen-1-ol, 2-chloro-3-phenyl-2-propen-1-ol (2-chlorocinnamyl alcohol), 2- Brom-3-phenyl-2-propene-1-
All (2-bromocinnamyl alcohol), 2-bromo-3- (4-nitrophenyl) -2-propene-1-
All, 2-fluoro-3-phenyl-2-propene-
1-ol (2-fluorocinnamyl alcohol), 2
-Fluoro-3- (4-methoxyphenyl) -2-propen-1-ol, 2-nitro-3-chloro-3-phenyl-2-propen-1-ol, 2-nitro-3-phenyl-2-ol Propen-1-ol (2-nitrocinnamyl alcohol), 2-cyano-3-phenyl-2-propen-1-ol (2-cyanocinnamyl alcohol), 2-chloro-2-propen-1-ol ( 2-chloroallyl alcohol), 2-bromo-2-propene-
1-ol (2-bromoallyl alcohol), 2-carboxy-2-propen-1-ol (2-carboxyallyl alcohol), 2-carbethoxy-2-propene
1-ol (2-carbethoxyallyl alcohol), 2
-Sulfonic acid-2-propen-1-ol (2-allylsulfonic acid allyl alcohol), 2-nitro-2-propene-
1-ol (2-nitroallyl alcohol), 2-bromo-3 / 3-difluoro-2-propen-1-ol,
2-chloro-3 / 3-difluoro-2-propene-1-
All, 2-fluoro-3-chloro-2-propene-1
-Ol, 2,3-dibromo-3-carboxy-2-propen-1-ol, 2,3-diiodo-3-carboxy-2-propen-1-ol, 2,3-dibromo-2
-Propen-1-ol, 2-chloro-3-methyl-2
-Propen-1-ol. In the above specific examples, a compound in which the alcohol at the 1-position is replaced with a thioalcohol, an amine or a halogen can of course be used.

The preferred range of the crosslinkable group content in the polymer is 10 to 90 mol%,
60 mol%, a more preferable range is 20 to 70 mol%,
0 to 40 mol%.

Similarly, there is an acidic cellulose derivative having a carboxylic acid group in the side chain. In addition, those obtained by adding a cyclic acid anhydride to an addition polymer having a hydroxyl group are useful. In particular, among these, [benzyl (meth) acrylate / (meth) acrylic acid / optionally other addition-polymerizable vinyl monomers] copolymer and [allyl (meth) acrylate (meth) acrylic acid / optionally Other addition-polymerizable vinyl monomers) copolymers are preferred. In addition, as the water-soluble organic polymer, polybierpyrrolidone, polyethylene oxide and the like are useful. In order to increase the strength of the cured film, alcohol-soluble polyamides and polyethers of 2,2-bis- (4-hydroquinphenyl) -propane and epichlorohydrin are also useful.
These organic high-molecular polymers can be mixed in an arbitrary amount in the entire composition. However, if it exceeds 90% by weight, no favorable result is obtained in view of the strength of the formed image and the like. Preferably 10 to 90%, more preferably 30 to 8
0%. The weight ratio of the photopolymerizable ethylenically unsaturated compound and the organic high molecular weight polymer is preferably in the range of 1/9 to 9/1. A more preferred range is 2/8 to 8 /
2, more preferably 3/7 to 7/3.

In the present invention, in addition to the above basic components, a small amount of thermal polymerization is inhibited in order to prevent unnecessary thermal polymerization of a polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated compound during the production or storage of the photosensitive composition. It is desirable to add an agent. Suitable thermal polymerization inhibitors include haloid quinone, p-
Methkinphenol, di-t-butyl-p-cresol, pyrogallol, t-butylcatechol, benzoquinone, 4,4'-thiobis (3-methyl-6-t-butylphenol), 2,2'-methylenebis (4- Methyl-
6-t-butylphenol), cerium N-nitrosophenylhydroxylamine, aluminum aluminum N-nitrosophenylhydroxylamine and the like.
The addition amount of the thermal polymerization inhibitor is preferably from about 0.01% to about 5% based on the weight of the whole composition. Further, if necessary, a higher fatty acid derivative such as behenic acid or behenic acid amide may be added to prevent polymerization inhibition by oxygen, and may be unevenly distributed on the surface of the photosensitive layer in a drying process after coating. . The amount of the higher fatty acid derivative added is about 0.5% to about 1% of the total composition.
0% is preferred.

A coloring agent may be added for the purpose of coloring the photosensitive layer. As the colorant, for example, a phthalocyanine-based pigment (CI Pigment Blue 15:
3, 15: 4, 15: 6), azo pigments, carbon black, pigments such as titanium oxide, ethyl violet, crystal violet, azo dyes, anthraquinone dyes, and cyanine dyes. The amount of dye and pigment added is preferably about 0.5% to about 20% of the total composition.

In addition, additives such as inorganic fillers and plasticizers such as dioctyl phthalate, dimethyl phthalate and tricresyl phosphate may be added to improve the physical properties of the cured film.

The amount of these additives is preferably 10% or less of the total composition.

When the photopolymerizable composition is coated on a support, it is used after being dissolved in various organic solvents. As the solvent used here, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone,
Cyclohexane, ethyl acetate, ethylene dichloride,
Tetrahydrofuran, toluene, ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, ethylene glycol dimethyl ether, propylene glycol monomethyl ether, propylene glycol monoethyl ether, acetylacetone, cyclohexanone, diacetone alcohol, ethylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, ethylene glycol ethyl ether acetate, Ethylene glycol monoisopropyl ether, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether acetate, 3-methoxypropanol, methoxymethoxyethanol, diethylene glycol monomethyl ether, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, diethylene glycol dimethyl ether, diethylene glycol diethyl ether Ether, propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, propylene glycol monoethyl ether acetate, 3-meth Kin-propyl acetate, N, N- dimethylformamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, .gamma.-butyrolactone, methyl lactate and ethyl lactate. These solvents can be used alone or as a mixture. The appropriate concentration of the solid content in the coating solution is 1 to 50% by weight.

A surfactant can be added to the photopolymerizable composition of the present invention in order to improve the coated surface quality.

The amount of the coating is about 0.5 by weight after drying. lg /
range of m ² ~ about 10 g / m ² are suitable. More preferably, it is 0.3 to 5 g / m ² . More preferably 0.5 to
3 g / m ² .

[Overcoat layer] The overcoat layer of the present invention (C) is an oxygen-blocking overcoat layer.
This overcoat layer contains a water-soluble vinyl polymer. The water-soluble vinyl polymer contained in the overcoat layer contains polyvinyl alcohol and its partial esters, ethers and acetal, or a substantial amount of terminally substituted vinyl alcohol units that have the necessary water solubility. The copolymer is mentioned. Examples of the polyvinyl alcohol include those having a hydrolysis degree of 71 to 100% and a polymerization degree of 300 to 2400. Specifically, Kuraray's PVA-105, Pv
A-110, PVA-117, PVA-117H, PV
A-120, PVA-124, PVA-124H, PV
A-CS, PVA-CST, PVA-HC, PVA-2
03, PVA-204, PVA-205, PVA-21
0, PVA-217, PVA-220, PVA-22
4, PVA-217EE, PVA-220, PVA-2
24, PVA-217EE, PVA-217E, PVA
-220E, PVA-224, PVA-405, PVA
-420, PVA-613, L-8 and the like. The above-mentioned copolymers include polyvinyl acetate chloroacetate or propionate, polybierformal and polybieracetal hydrolyzed 88 to 100%, and copolymers thereof. Other useful polymers include polyvinylpyrrolidone, gelatin and gum arabic, which may be used alone or in combination.

As a solvent used for applying the overcoat layer, pure water is preferable, but alcohols such as methanol and ethanol, and ketones such as acetone and methyl ethyl ketone may be mixed with the pure water. The concentration of the solid content in the coating solution is suitably from 1 to 20% by weight.

The overcoat layer may further contain known additives such as a surfactant for improving coating properties and a water-soluble plasticizer for improving physical properties of the film. Examples of the water-soluble plasticizer include propionamide, cyclohexanediol, glycerin, and sorbitol. Further, a water-soluble (meth) acrylic polymer or the like may be added.

The amount of the coating is about 0.1 / m 2 after drying.
A range from ² to about 15 / m ² is suitable. More preferably, it is 1.0 / m ² to about 5.0 / m ² .

In this embodiment, for explanation, one personal computer is connected to the workstation 12 online. However, the number of personal computers is not limited to one, and a plurality of personal computers can be connected online. Similarly,
In the present embodiment, for the sake of explanation, one PS plate processor 16 is connected online to the plate setter 14, but the present invention is not limited to one, and a plurality of personal computers can be connected online to the plate setter 14.

When a plurality of personal computers are connected online to the plate setter 14, conditions such as the temperature condition of the developer, the rotation speed of the rotating brush roller, and the amount of each change when the brush pressure is changed can be set more efficiently. Therefore, the loss time can be reduced and efficiency is improved.

In the present embodiment, the image data output from the workstation is a TIFF file. However, the present invention is not limited to a TIFF file. A standard PPF file containing image data such as a PPF file composed of transfer characteristic curves, types of registration marks, color density information for quality control of position data, and information of trimming marks and cutting. Formatted image data can be used.

In the present embodiment, the plate setter 14 and the PS plate processor 16 are connected online. However, the present invention is not limited to the online connection, and the plate setter 14 and the PS plate processor 16 may be connected via a communication line. The information of the plate setter 14 may be stored on the medium as setter information, and the storage medium may be read by the PS version processor 16 to transfer the setter information.

Further, in the present embodiment, the development condition adjustment program is stored in the ROM of the processor control unit 30. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the development condition adjustment program is stored in the ROM of the setter control unit 18 or the like. It may be stored in the ROM of the personal computer in the preceding stage.

Further, the developing condition adjusting program may be stored on a floppy disk, a hard disk may be provided in the computer main body, and the developing condition adjusting program may be read from the floppy disk and installed on the hard disk. Further, the developing condition adjusting program may be transmitted and installed on a wired or wireless network by a transmission means such as a telephone line.

The developing condition adjusting program is not limited to being stored on a floppy disk, but may be a CD-R.
OM, the program is stored on a magnetic tape, and the CD-R
It may be installed on the hard disk of the personal computer from OM or magnetic tape. Further, a hard disk storing the development condition adjusting program may be provided. Further, the developing condition adjusting program may be directly written in the hard disk or RAM of the personal computer. As described above, the developing condition adjusting program can be distributed by at least one of a tangible recording medium and a transmission unit.

In this embodiment, a brush roller is used as a rubbing member provided in the first washing section and the developing section. Various brush rollers and the like can be used as such a brush roller.

Of the brush rollers of the first washing section and the developing section, at least the brush roller of the developing section is made of, for example, nylon 6, nylon 66, nylon 610, nylon 612, nylon 12, and nylon 12. Polyamides such as 616, polyesters such as polybutylene terephthalate and polyethylene terephthalate, polyacrylonitrile, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, celluloses, polyurethanes, ethylene,
A material selected from a fluororesin such as a tetrafluoroethylene copolymer and polyethylene sulfide (PPS) can be used.

Of course, in addition to the brush roller, a rubbing member having another configuration such as a Molton roller can be used. When using a Molton roller, for example, select from acrylic, nylon, rayon, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyamide, polyvinyl chloride, synthetic resin such as vinylon, fiber such as cotton, hemp, or a mixture of synthetic resin and fiber. The material thus obtained can be used as a material for the molton (roller base). Further, as the sliding contact material coated with the moleton, for example, it is desirable to use a nonwoven fabric, a knitted woven fabric, that is, a woven fabric and a knitted fabric by using a fiber state. The woven fabric may have a short pile on the surface.
This sliding contact material is formed in a cylindrical shape, and after inserting the mole, both ends thereof are tied up to form a Molton roller.

In this embodiment, the developing unit is provided with two rubbing members. However, the number of rubbing members is not limited to two, and one or three or more rubbing members may be provided. In a case where two or more rubbing members are provided, for example, in the case of a brush roller or a Molton roller, at least one of the plurality of rubbing members is used as another rubbing member, such as at least one rotating in reverse. By providing the photopolymerizable photosensitive layer so as to move in the direction opposite to the moving direction, the undeveloped portion of the photopolymerizable photosensitive layer in the non-image forming area can be more efficiently removed.

In this embodiment, the mechanism for adjusting the brush pressure is such that the distance between the rotating brush roller and the backup roller is changed by an eccentric cam. However, the present invention is not limited to this structure, and it is not limited to this structure. The present invention can be applied to any configuration that can adjust the brush pressure.

In the above description, the stock solution for developing replenishment and the dilution water are separately supplied to the developing tank. However, the stock solution for developing replenishment and the diluting water are once mixed in the mixing tank, and the mixed solution is supplied to the developing tank. It can also be configured to supply.

[0212]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to always set optimum development conditions for a lithographic printing plate to be developed and to obtain a uniform printing plate without image unevenness. There is an effect that can be. Further, there is an effect that the fogged portion caused by the scattered light can be developed neatly and the quality of the plate can be prevented from being impaired.

According to the second and third aspects of the present invention, when continuously developing different types of PS plates, the developing conditions adjusted due to operational mistakes and the like do not differ from the actual developing conditions. In addition, there is an effect that the developing process can be efficiently performed under the optimum developing conditions for each type of PS plate.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic flow of a plate making system according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of the automatic developing machine shown in FIG.

FIG. 3A is a partially broken perspective view illustrating a bearing structure of a pair of rollers constituted by a rotating brush roller and a backup roller, and FIG. 3B is a perspective view of FIG.
It is the front view seen from the side of the bearing structure shown in (A).

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a CPU of a processor control unit illustrated in FIG. 2;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Personal computer 12 Workstation 14 Plate setter 16 PS plate processor 18 Setter control part 20 Heating part 22 First rinsing part 24 Developing part 26 Second rinsing part 28 Finisher part 29 Drying part 30 Processor control part 31 Pull-in roller pair 32 Heating device 34a Heater 34b Chiller 34c Temperature sensor 36 Bearing member 40a First support portion 40b Second support portion 42 Biasing member 44a First pulley 44b Second pulley 46a First cylindrical portion 46b Second cylindrical portion 48 Cam plate 50 Eccentric shaft 52 Drive mechanism Reference Signs List 60 Rinse bath 61 Overflow pipe 62 Pull-in roller pair 63 Circulating water tank 64a First water supply nozzle 64b Second water supply nozzle 64c Third water supply nozzle 66 First rotating brush roller 67 First backup roller 68 Transport roller pair 70 Developing tank 71a Second rotating brush roller 71b Third rotating brush roller 72 Delivery roller pair 73 Liquid level cover 74 Developing replenishing solution injection nozzle 75 Roller pair 76 Dilution water injection nozzle 77 Guide plate 78 First spray pipe 79 Overflow pipe 80 Waste liquid tank 81a Second backup roller 81b Third backup roller 82 Developer storage tank 84 Water storage tank 86a, 86b Rotating shaft 90 Rinse tank 91 Overflow pipe 92 Transport roller pair 93 Storage tank 94 Transport roller pair 96 Second spray pipe 98 Third spray Pipe 100 Gum liquid tank 102 Gum liquid injection nozzle 104 Transport roller pair 110 PS plate

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2H096 AA07 BA05 BA06 BA20 EA00 EA02 EA30 GA13 GA22 GA25 GA27 2H097 CA12 CA14 CA17 FA02

Claims (3)

[Claims] An exposure step of exposing a lithographic printing plate having a photopolymerizable photosensitive layer based on image data; and before or after the exposure step, based on the plate information used in the preceding step, the exposure step. A developing condition determining step of determining developing conditions for developing the exposed lithographic printing plate; and a temperature of a developer in a developing tank, a developing time, a developing time, so that the developing conditions determined in the developing condition determining step are satisfied. A plate making method for a lithographic printing plate, comprising: a developing condition adjusting step of adjusting at least one of a rub pressure and a rub density of the lithographic printing plate; and a developing step of developing after the developing condition adjusting step. 2. A developing means for transporting a lithographic printing plate having a photopolymerizable photosensitive layer having been subjected to an exposure treatment into a developing tank and immersing the lithographic printing plate in a developing solution filled in the developing tank to perform a developing treatment; Developing condition determining means for determining developing conditions when developing based on the plate information used by the apparatus; developing temperature and developing solution in a developing tank so that the developing conditions are determined by the developing condition determining means. Adjusting means for adjusting at least one of the time, the rub pressure of the lithographic printing plate, and the rub density. 3. Developing conditions for developing a lithographic printing plate having an exposed photopolymerizable photosensitive layer while transporting the lithographic printing plate are determined based on plate information used in the preceding step, and the determined developing conditions A computer-readable recording medium on which a developing condition adjusting program for adjusting at least one of the temperature of the developer in the developing tank, the developing time, the rubbing pressure of the lithographic printing plate, and the rubbing density is recorded.