JP2006276290A - Developing device for printing plate - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a developing device for printing plate that is enabled to develop a lithographic printing plate of large plate size even when developing the lithographic printing plate of large plate size after developing a lithographic printing plate of small plate size. <P>SOLUTION: When the surface of the lithographic printing plate which is conveyed is brushed for development processing by rotating a brush roller 60 (58) having nap on its outer peripheral surface in a rotating direction for the development processing, the outer peripheral surface of a roller 63 for leveling the nap of a brush is placed in reciprocal operation in the axis of rotation to be rubbed on the outer peripheral surface of the brush roller 63 rotating in a rotary direction for developing processing and the roller 63 for leveling the nap of the brush is rubbed in the same rotating direction with the brush roller 60 (58) at same speed or faster than the rotating speed of the brush roller 60 (58) to raise the nap of the brush roller 60 (58) while leveling the direction of the nap. Thus, natural falling of the nap of the brush is reduced to prevent rubbing force of the brush roller 60 (58) from decreasing. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a developing device for a printing plate in which a lithographic printing plate on which a latent image is formed by exposure processing is conveyed while being immersed in a developing solution and is brushed by a brush roller and developed.

  Generally, a photosensitive lithographic printing plate (so-called PS plate) is used for offset printing. In the field of lithographic printing, laser exposure processing is performed based on digital data from a computer or the like, and development processing is performed to convert a latent image formed on the photosensitive lithographic printing plate into a visible image by an automatic processor. A CTP (Computer to Plate) system for making a printing plate directly has been put into practical use.

  As a lithographic printing plate used in such a CTP system, there is a so-called photopolymer plate in which a photosensitive layer of a photopolymerization (radical polymerization) layer is formed on the surface of a support using aluminum or the like.

  This photopolymer plate is developed by a wet alkaline brush development system by a printing plate developing device (PS plate processor) in the system. In this printing plate developing apparatus, the photopolymer plate is transported so as to be immersed in a developing solution to perform development processing.

  The photosensitive layer formed on the photopolymer plate swells when the unexposed portion of the photopolymerized layer is immersed in a developer, and peels off from the support. At this time, in the developing device for the printing plate, a brush roller is provided in the developer, and the surface of the photopolymer plate is brushed by the brush roller, thereby promoting the removal of the unnecessary photosensitive layer swollen by the developer. . Thereby, in the photopolymer plate, only the swollen photopolymerization layer is removed, and an image is formed.

  Further, in a printing plate developing apparatus that develops a photopolymer plate, a brush roller is disposed in each of an upstream portion and a downstream portion in the conveyance direction of the photopolymer plate, and the surface of the photopolymer plate is covered by two brush rollers. By brushing, an unnecessary photosensitive layer is surely removed to achieve high quality (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  In a printing plate developing apparatus that develops this photopolymer plate by a wet alkaline brush development system, the brush roller is placed on the surface of the photopolymer plate while the photopolymer plate on which the latent image has been formed by the exposure treatment is immersed in the developer. Each time the development process is performed by rubbing, the bristles of the brush roller lie down in the rotational direction of the process, and the outer diameter of the brush roller is substantially reduced, and the brush roller becomes a photopolymer plate. As the surface rubbing force is reduced, it is not possible to remove all unnecessary photosensitive layers, and part of the unnecessary photosensitive layer remains on the surface of the photopolymer plate, gradually changing the image quality of the developed photopolymer plate ( For example, an increase in halftone percentage occurs in a flat halftone image), which causes deterioration of an image that has been developed and made visible.

  Further, in this printing plate developing device, it is common to develop a small plate size photopolymer plate and a large plate size photopolymer plate with a single printing plate developing device.

  In this way, when the developing device for one printing plate is processed in the order in which the small-sized photopolymer plate and the large-sized photopolymer plate are mixed, the small-sized photopolymer plate is brushed. The brush surface lies only on the surface of the brush roller immediately after rubbing against the small size photopolymer plate, and the portion of the brush roller not rubbing against the small size photopolymer plate stands up. It will be in the state.

  In this printing plate developing device, for example, when developing a plurality of small-sized photopolymer plates and subsequently developing a large-sized photopolymer plate, a small-sized photopolymer plate is developed. Only the brush hair of the part rubbed against the polymer plate is sleeping, the brush hair of the other part is standing, and the boundary between the part where the brush hair is sleeping and the part where the brush hair stands is conspicuous The large size photopolymer plate is brushed by the brush roller in the surface state.

  For this reason, the large-size photopolymer plate is brushed with the brushed portion of the brush roller brushed with the sleeping brush hair that has rubbed against the small-size photopolymer plate in a state where the surface rubbing force is reduced. Therefore, it becomes impossible to remove all unnecessary photosensitive layers, and the developed and exposed image is deteriorated.

  In addition, in this large size photopolymer plate, the unnecessary photosensitive layer was removed from the portion that was well brushed with the standing brush hair that did not rub against the small size photopolymer plate. An image that has been developed and made clear is in a clear state.

For this reason, the large-sized photopolymer plate developed immediately after developing the small-sized photopolymer plate is the portion of the brush roller that has been brushed at the portion rubbed against the small-sized photopolymer plate. The deteriorated image and the clear image of the other part are compared across the boundary, and an image in which a so-called small print unevenness is generated, in which the difference in image quality is conspicuous, is formed.
Japanese Patent Publication No. 2003-98681

  In view of the above facts, the present invention provides a small plate size lithographic plate even when a large plate size lithographic printing plate is developed after a small plate size lithographic printing plate is developed by a single printing plate developing device. It is an object of the present invention to newly provide a printing plate developing device that can develop a large lithographic printing plate so that unevenness of small plate traces in which an image deteriorates only in a portion corresponding to the printing plate is not noticeable.

  The developing device for a printing plate according to claim 1 of the present invention is a planographic printing plate on which a latent image being transported is formed by rotationally driving a brush roller having bristles on its outer peripheral surface in the rotational direction for development processing. In a developing device for a printing plate that performs development processing by brushing the surface of the brush, on the outer peripheral surface of the brush roller that is rotationally driven in the rotation direction for development processing, the outer peripheral surface of the roller for uniformizing brush hairs The brush roller bristles are rubbed by reciprocating in the direction of the rotation axis, and the brush bristles are rubbed at a rotational speed equal to or higher than that of the brush rollers in the same rotation direction as the brush rollers. It is characterized by being able to stand while keeping its direction.

  With the configuration described above, the brush for uniformizing the hair of the brush reciprocates in the direction of the rotation axis and further in the rotation direction with respect to the brush roller that rotates in the rotation direction for development processing. Since the rubbing is performed by the combined operation that rotates at the rotational speed of the brush roller, the boundary between the portion where the brush hair lies on the outer peripheral surface of the brush roller and the portion where the brush hair stands is thinned, and the surface state is uniform. At the same time, brush hair over the entire outer peripheral surface of the brush roller 60 is fluffed to reduce the bristle of the brush hair and to prevent a reduction in rubbing force when brushing the lithographic printing plate on the brush roller. it can. Therefore, when the brush roller brushes the lithographic printing plate and develops it, the developing process can be performed so that the hairs do not easily lie and a uniform image quality can be obtained over a long period of time.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing plate developing device comprising: a brush roller having hair on an outer peripheral surface thereof is rotationally driven to brush the surface of a planographic printing plate on which a latent image being conveyed is formed. In a developing device for a printing plate that performs development processing, the brush roller bristles are leveled by sliding the rubbing member back and forth in the direction of the rotation axis on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating brush roller. It is characterized by doing so.

  By configuring as described above, the brush bristles near the boundary between at least the portion where the bristles are lying and the portion where the bristles are standing on the outer peripheral surface of the brush roller flutters in one direction in the rotation axis direction. Since the brush roller is reciprocated to the other state in the direction of the rotation axis, the surface state of the brush roller on which the brush hair grows is improved so that at least the portion where the brush hair lies and the brush hair stand up. The boundary between the part and the part where it is is thinned. Therefore, after developing the lithographic printing plate of a small plate size, the boundary between the portion where the brush hair lies and the portion where the brush hair stands is thinned by the brush roller surface state improving means. When brushing a large lithographic printing plate with a brush roller and developing it, make sure that the unevenness of the small plate trace that causes the image to deteriorate only in the part corresponding to the small lithographic printing plate is inconspicuous. Since a large planographic printing plate can be developed, an appropriate image can be formed.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the printing plate developing device according to the first aspect, the brush roller and the roller for uniformizing the brush hair are at least a Molton brush roller, a channel brush roller, or an embedding roller. It is characterized by being constituted by any of the brush rollers.

  According to the printing plate developing device of the present invention, even when a large plate size lithographic printing plate is developed after a small plate size lithographic printing plate is developed by a single printing plate developing device, the small plate size There is an effect that a large plate size lithographic printing plate can be developed to form an appropriate image so that the small plate mark unevenness in which the image deteriorates only in the portion corresponding to the size lithographic printing plate is not noticeable.

  An embodiment relating to a printing plate developing apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 1, the printing plate developing apparatus according to the present embodiment is configured as a PS plate processor 10 for developing a PS plate on which a latent image is formed by exposure processing. The PS plate processor 10 is configured to develop a PS plate 12 configured as a lithographic printing plate (so-called photopolymer plate) provided with a photopolymerization layer as a photosensitive layer.

  As the PS plate 12 to be developed by the PS plate processor 10, one having an overcoat layer formed as an oxygen blocking layer on the upper surface of the photosensitive layer can be used. When developing the PS plate 12 on which this overcoat layer has been formed, the precoat device (not shown) is used to perform a heat treatment and a water washing treatment as a pretreatment to remove the overcoat layer and then remove the PS plate 12. The plate processor 10 performs development processing. In the case where the PS plate 12 is a photopolymer plate having a single layer structure without an overcoat layer, the pretreatment can be omitted.

  The PS plate processor 10 includes a developing unit 14 for processing the PS plate 12 with a developer, a rinsing unit 16 for supplying and rinsing the PS plate 12 treated with the developer, and a PS after washing. The plate 12 has a desensitization treatment unit 18 for applying a gum solution for protecting the plate surface and desensitizing the plate 12, and a drying unit 20 for drying the PS plate 12. That is, the PS plate processor 10 includes a developing step, a water washing step, a desensitizing treatment step, and a drying step in this order along the conveying direction of the PS plate 12.

  A processing tank 22 is provided in the PS plate processor 10. In the processing tank 22, a developing tank 24 is formed as a processing tank at a position that becomes the developing unit 14, and a washing tank 26 and a desensitizing processing tank 28 are formed at positions that become the washing unit 16 and the desensitizing processing unit 18. Has been. Further, the processing tank 22 is provided with a space for the insertion section 34 on the upstream side of the developing tank 24 (upstream side in the transport direction of the PS plate 12), and the space for the drying section 20 on the downstream side of the desensitizing processing tank 28. Is formed.

  The outer panel 30 covering the periphery of the processing tank 22 is formed with a slit-like insertion port 32 on the insertion side of the PS plate 12 to the PS plate processor 10 (left side in FIG. 1). An insertion portion 34 is formed on the insertion port 32 side of the developing portion 14.

  The PS plate processor 10 is provided with covers 36 and 38 that cover the upper part of the processing tank 22 and the upper part of the drying unit 20. The cover 36 on the insertion port 32 side covers the upper part of the washing unit 16 from the insertion part 34 of the processing tank 22, and the cover 38 is disposed so as to cover between the upper part of the washing unit 16 and the upper part of the drying unit 20.

  The cover 36 is provided with a reentry insertion port (sub-insertion port) 40 for inserting the PS plate 12 between the developing unit 14 and the water washing unit 16. The sub insertion port 40 is used for inserting the PS plate 12 for performing processing in the PS plate processor 10 excluding processing in the developing unit 14.

  A rubber conveyance roller pair 42 is disposed in the insertion portion 34 adjacent to the insertion port 40. The PS plate 12 (or the pre-processed PS plate 12) on which the latent image is formed by the exposure process is inserted between the conveyance roller pair 42 by being inserted along the direction of arrow A from the insertion port 32. .

  The transport roller pair 42 is rotationally driven to feed the PS plate 12 into the developing unit 14 at an angle in a range of about 15 ° to 31 ° with respect to the horizontal direction while pulling the PS plate 12 from the insertion port 32. The PS plate 12 is inserted from the insertion port 32 with the photosensitive layer (photosensitive surface) facing upward.

  The developing tank 24 formed in the processing tank 22 has a substantially mountain shape with the bottom center protruding downward, and stores a developing solution for developing the PS plate 12.

  In the developing tank 24, a pair of transport rollers 48 is disposed on the insertion portion 34 side that is the upstream portion of the transport path of the PS plate 12. Further, in the developing tank 24, a transport roller pair 50 is disposed at the center of the PS plate transport path, and a transport roller pair 52 is disposed on the downstream side of the washing section 16 side.

  In the developing tank 24, a guide 44 is provided between the conveyance roller 48 and the conveyance roller pair 50, and a brush roller 60 is disposed opposite to the guide 44.

  In the developing tank 24, a guide 46 is disposed between the transport roller pair 50 and the transport roller pair 52, and a brush roller 58 and an idle roller 58 </ b> A are disposed to face the guide 46.

  A substantially U-shaped transport path for transporting the PS plate 12 while being immersed in the developer is formed in the developing tank 24 by the transport rollers 48 to 52 and the guides 44 and 46.

  In the developing unit 14, the PS plate 12 is moved on the guide 44 by the brush roller 60 provided facing the upstream guide 44 while the PS plate 12 is transported along the transport path in the developing tank 24. After brushing the surface of 12, the surface of the PS plate 12 moving on the guide 46 is brushed by a brush roller 58 provided facing the downstream guide 46, and an unnecessary photosensitive layer swollen by the developer. It is designed to promote the removal.

  The backup roller 58A provided on the downstream side of the brush roller 58 prevents the rear end of the PS plate 12 that has passed through the brush roller 58 from being lifted from the guide 46, thereby enabling the PS plate 12 to be smoothly conveyed. It is trying to become. Further, the conveying roller pair 52 is formed of, for example, a roller made of rubber at the outer peripheral portion. When the PS roller 12 is sandwiched and pulled out from the developing tank 24 and is fed into the washing unit 16, the surface of the PS plate 12 is removed. Squeeze out the developer.

  A spray pipe 56 is provided in the vicinity of the bottom surface in the developing tank 24, the developing solution in the developing tank 24 sucked by a pump (not shown) is supplied, and the developing solution is ejected from the spray pipe 56. As a result, the developer in the developing tank 24 is agitated, and the PS plate 12 can be uniformly processed.

  The PS plate 12 drawn out from the developing tank 24 by the conveying roller pair 52 is sent to the washing unit 16 while the developer attached to the surface is squeezed out by the conveying roller pair 52.

  In the washing section 16, a conveyance path for conveying the PS plate 12 in a substantially horizontal state is formed by a pair of conveyance rollers 62 and 64 disposed above the washing tank 26, and the PS plate 12 includes the conveyance roller pair 62. , 64 and horizontally transported above the washing tank 26.

  In the water washing section 16, spray pipes 66 and 68 are provided between the pair of transport rollers 62 and 64, with the transport path of the PS plate 12 being sandwiched up and down. The spray pipes 66 and 68 are arranged in the axial direction along the width direction of the PS plate 12 (direction orthogonal to the transport direction), and a plurality of discharge holes (not shown) facing the transport path of the PS plate 12 are provided in the axial direction. It is formed along.

  For example, water (hereinafter referred to as “washing water”) is stored in the washing tank 26 as a cleaning agent. In the PS plate processor 10, a spray pipe is synchronized with the conveyance of the PS plate 12 by a water supply pump (not shown). The flush water in the flush tank 26 is supplied to 66 and 68. As a result, washing water is ejected from the spray pipes 66 and 68 toward the PS plate 12 to wash away the developer adhering to the surface of the PS plate 12.

  The washing water supplied to the PS plate 12 is squeezed from the front and back surfaces of the PS plate 12 together with the developer and the like adhering to the front and back surfaces of the PS plate 12 when the PS plate 12 is sandwiched between the conveying rollers 64 and sent out. It is dropped and collected in the washing tank 26. The spray direction of the flush water from the spray pipes 66 and 68 is such that the spray pipe 66 is on the upstream side in the transport direction of the PS plate 12 and the spray pipe 68 is on the downstream side in the transport direction of the PS plate 12, but is not limited thereto. It may be in another direction. Further, a new washing water solution is supplied to the washing tank 26 by means (not shown) according to the processing amount of the PS plate 12.

  The desensitizing treatment unit 18 is provided with a conveying roller pair 70 above the desensitizing treatment tank 28, and the PS plate 12 is conveyed to the conveying roller pair 70 by the conveying roller pair 64. After being transported in the fat treatment unit 18, the material is nipped by the transport roller pair 70 and sent toward the drying unit 20.

  In the desensitization processing unit 18, a spray pipe 72 is provided above the transport path of the PS plate 12, and a spray pipe 74 is provided below the transport path. The spray pipes 72 and 74 have a longitudinal direction (axial direction) along the width direction of the PS plate 12, and are arranged above and below the PS plate 12 conveyance path. A plurality of discharge holes are formed in the spray pipes 72 and 74 along the width direction of the PS plate 12.

  The desensitizing treatment tank 28 stores a gum solution used for protecting the plate surface of the PS plate 12, and this gum solution is supplied to the spray pipes 72 and 74 in synchronization with the conveyance of the PS plate 12. The spray pipe 72 drops this gum solution toward the PS plate 12 and spreads it on the surface of the PS plate 12 and applies it. The spray pipe 74 discharges the gum solution from the discharge hole toward the back surface of the PS plate 12 and applies the gum solution to the back surface of the PS plate 12.

  The PS plate 12 has a protective film formed by a gum solution applied to the front and back surfaces. In addition, the discharge direction of the gum solution from the spray pipe 72 is not limited to the downstream side in the transport direction of the PS plate 12, and may be other directions, and a rectifying plate is provided and ejected toward the rectifying plate. The gum solution may be applied to the surface of the PS plate 12 while being uniformly diffused along the width direction of the PS plate 12 with a current plate. Further, instead of the spray pipe 74, a discharge unit or the like for applying the gum solution to the back surface of the PS plate 12 by moving the PS plate 12 in contact with the discharged gum solution may be used.

  The desensitizing processing unit 18 is provided with a cleaning spray 76 above the conveying roller pair 70 and a cleaning roller 78 that rotates while contacting the roller above the conveying roller pair 70, and is set in advance. At a predetermined timing, the cleaning water is dropped from the cleaning spray 76 to the contact position between the roller above the conveying roller pair 70 and the cleaning roller 78 via the rectifying plate 80, so that the cleaning water is supplied to the conveying roller pair. The gum solution is uniformly diffused on the peripheral surfaces of the rollers above 70, and the gum solution is washed away from the peripheral surfaces of the upper and lower rollers of the conveying roller pair 70, and the gum solution adheres to the peripheral surfaces of the rollers and damages the PS plate 12. I try to prevent it.

  The PS plate 12 to which the gum solution is applied by the desensitization processing unit 18 is sandwiched between the conveying roller pair 70, and the drying unit is in a state where the gum solution is slightly left on the front and back surfaces (the gum solution remains as a thin film). 20 is sent.

  In the PS plate processor 10, a partition plate 82 is provided between the desensitization processing unit 18 and the drying unit 20. The partition plate 82 is disposed above the conveyance path of the PS plate 12 so as to face the upper end of the processing tank 22, and thereby, a slit-like shape is provided between the desensitizing processing unit 18 and the drying unit 20. An insertion port 84 is formed. The partition plate 82 has a double structure, whereby a groove-like air passage is formed on the drying portion 20 side of the insertion opening 84, and the air in the drying portion 20 enters the air passage. Thus, the air in the drying unit 20 is prevented from entering the desensitizing processing unit 18 from the insertion port 84.

  In the drying unit 20, a support roller 86 for supporting the PS plate 12 is disposed in the vicinity of the insertion port 84, and in the vicinity of the central portion in the transport direction of the PS plate 12 and the discharge port 88. A roller pair 90 and a conveying roller pair 92 are disposed. The PS plate 12 is transported in the drying unit 20 by a support roller 86 and transport roller pairs 90 and 92.

  Ducts 94 and 96 are disposed between the support roller 86 and the conveyance roller pair 90 and between the conveyance roller pair 90 and the conveyance roller pair 92 in pairs with the conveyance path of the PS plate 12 interposed therebetween. The ducts 94 and 96 are disposed such that the longitudinal direction thereof is along the width direction of the PS plate 12, and a slit hole 98 is provided on a surface facing the conveyance path of the PS plate 12.

  The ducts 94 and 96 discharge the dry air from the slit hole 98 toward the conveying path of the PS plate 12 when the dry air generated by the dry air generating means (not shown) is supplied from one end side in the longitudinal direction. And spray on the PS plate 12. Thereby, as for PS plate 12, the gum liquid applied to the front and back is dried, and a protective film is formed.

  On the other hand, the developing unit 14 is provided with a shielding lid 100 such that the lower surface is below the level of the developer stored in the developer tank 24, and the level of the developer in the developer tank 24 is in contact with air. The area is narrowed. Further, the auxiliary insertion port (reentry insertion port) 40 of the cover 36 is blocked by a shielding member (not shown), and this shielding member prevents outside air from entering the developing unit 14.

  In the PS plate processor 10, by disposing the liquid level cover 100 in the developing tank 24, deterioration due to the developer in the developing tank 24 coming into contact with carbon dioxide gas in the air and evaporation of moisture are prevented. I am doing so. A blade-shaped shielding member (not shown) formed of silicon rubber or the like is provided between the shielding lid 100 and the processing tank 22 and the conveying roller 48 or the conveying roller pair 52, so that the developer in the developing tank 24 is fresh. It may be possible to prevent contact with outside air or evaporation of water in the developer, which is more preferable.

  Next, processing of the PS plate 12 by the PS plate processor 10 configured as described above will be described. In this PS plate processor 10, before carrying in the PS plate 12 on which the image is exposed, pre-processing is performed as necessary. In this pretreatment, for example, the exposed PS plate 12 is heated at a predetermined heating temperature and heating time so as to increase the degree of polymerization of the photopolymerization layer of the light receiving portion so as to increase the printing durability.

  In this pretreatment, the heated PS plate 12 is washed with water while cooling, thereby removing the overcoat layer on the upper surface of the PS plate 12.

  The PS plate 12 preprocessed in this way is carried into the PS plate processor 10. When the PS plate 12 is inserted from the insertion port 32, the PS plate processor 10 drives the conveyance roller 42 to rotate. As a result, the PS plate 12 is pinched by the conveying roller pair 42 and drawn into the PS plate processor 10.

  In the PS plate processor 10, a sensor (not shown) for detecting the PS plate 12 passing through the insertion port 32 is provided in the vicinity of the insertion port 32, and this sensor detects the insertion of the PS plate 12. As a result, rotation driving of the conveyance roller pair 42 and the like is started, and at the timing based on the detection of the PS plate 12 by this sensor, the washing water is discharged from the spray pipes 66 and 68 of the washing unit 16 and degreased. The gum solution is discharged from the spray pipes 72 and 74 of the section 18.

  The transport roller pair 42 feeds the PS plate 12 drawn from the insertion port 32 to the developing tank 24 at a predetermined insertion angle. As a result, the PS plate 12 is drawn into the developing tank 24 by the conveying roller pair 48, conveyed in the developing solution by the conveying roller pairs 48 to 52 and the guides 44, 46, and from the developing solution at a predetermined discharge angle. Sent out.

  The PS plate 12 is immersed in a developing solution in the developing tank 24, so that an unnecessary photosensitive layer swells according to the exposure image, and the swollen photosensitive layer is removed from the support. At this time, in the PS plate processor 10, the surface of the PS plate 12 is brushed by the brush roller 60 disposed in the upstream portion of the developing tank 24, and then brushed again by the brush roller 58 disposed in the downstream portion. The removal of unnecessary photosensitive layers from the surface of the PS plate 12 is promoted.

  The PS plate 12 that has been subjected to development processing and is fed out from the developing tank 24 is sent to the water washing section 16 while the developer attached to the front and back surfaces is squeezed out by the conveying roller pair 52.

  In the washing unit 16, washing water is ejected from the spray pipes 66 and 68 while the PS plate 12 is nipped by the conveyance roller pairs 62 and 64 and conveyed in a substantially horizontal state. Further, the transport roller pair 64 arranged on the downstream side in the transport direction of the PS plate 12 squeezes the washing water supplied to the front and back surfaces of the PS plate 12 together with the developer remaining without being squeezed by the transport roller pair 52. While dropping, the PS plate 12 is sent to the desensitizing processing unit 18. Thereby, when the PS plate 12 passes through the water washing part 16, the developer remaining on the front and back surfaces is washed away.

  The PS plate 12 including the PS plate 12 sent to the desensitizing processing unit 18 passes between the spray pipes 72 and 74 and is sandwiched between the conveying roller pair 70, so that the conveying roller pair 70 desensitizes the oil. Sent from the processing unit 18.

  At this time, the desensitization processing unit 18 discharges the gum solution from the spray pipes 66 and 68 and uniformly applies the gum solution to the front and back surfaces of the PS plate 12 while diffusing. The conveyance roller pair 70 sandwiches and conveys the PS plate 12 and squeezes the excess gum solution from the front and back surfaces of the PS plate 12, thereby forming a uniform thin film of the gum solution on the front and back surfaces of the PS plate 12. .

  The PS plate 12 to which the gum solution is applied is sent from the insertion port 84 to the drying unit 20 by the conveying roller pair 70. In addition, when the shutter is provided in the insertion port 84, the insertion port 84 is opened by operating the shutter at the timing of starting the processing of the PS plate 12 or when the PS plate 12 is sent out from the desensitizing processing unit 18. When the PS plate 12 does not pass through, the drying air of the drying unit 20 unnecessarily enters the desensitizing processing unit 18 to prevent the gum solution from adhering to the conveying roller pair 70, and from the insertion port 84. Air enters the developing section 14 and prevents the developer from deteriorating due to carbon dioxide in the air, or moisture in the developer, washing water, and moisture in the gum solution evaporate from the insertion port 84. It prevents it from coming out.

  In the drying unit 20, drying air is blown from the ducts 94 and 96 to the front and back surfaces of the PS plate 12 while the PS plate 12 is conveyed by the support roller 86 and the conveying roller pair 90 and 92. Thus, the PS plate 12 is discharged from the discharge port 88 with a protective film formed by the gum solution applied to the surface.

  In the developing unit 14 of the PS plate processor 10 as described above, since the development process is performed by the wet alkaline brush development method, the brush hair is processed each time the brush roller 58 and the brush roller 60 brush the surface of the PS plate 12. There is a tendency that the outer diameter of the brush becomes substantially smaller due to falling in the rotation direction, and the rubbing force of the brush decreases.

  Therefore, in the developing unit 14, for example, when developing a plurality of small-sized PS plates 12 and subsequently developing a large-sized PS plate 12, the brush roller 58 and the brush roller 60 Only the brush hair of the portion rubbed against the PS plate 12 of the small plate size is sleeping, the brush hair of the other portion is standing, and the portion where the brush hair is sleeping and the portion where the brush hair is standing The large plate size PS plate 12 can be developed so that the unevenness of the small plate trace where the image deteriorates only in the portion corresponding to the small plate size PS plate 12 is not noticeable. There is provided a means for improving the surface condition of the brush roller.

  In the developing unit 14 provided with the means for improving the surface condition of the brush roller, the brush roller 58 and the brush roller 60 have a length equal to or longer than the horizontal dimension of the large-size PS plate 12, for example, FIGS. The so-called Molton brush roller as shown in FIG. The brush rollers 58 and 60 basically have the same configuration. The brush roller 58 and the brush roller 60 may be a so-called channel brush roller or implanted brush roller that is generally used, in addition to a commercially available Molton brush roller.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the brush roller 60 includes a roller main body 164 as a core material and a brushing band 166 (hereinafter simply referred to as a band 166) that is a band-like member wound around the outer periphery of the roller main body 164. It consists of and.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the band body 166 first holds the fabric 168 that is a sheet-like base material in a pair, and weaves the hair material 170 so as to hang over the fabric 168.

  For the hair material 170, for example, natural fiber or artificial fiber material is applied. The bristle material 170 is not limited to natural fibers and artificial fibers, and may be a metal as long as it has an appropriate thickness. That is, as the material of the hair material 170, natural fibers such as plant fibers and animal fibers, polyamides such as nylon 6, nylon 66, nylon 6/10, nylon 11, polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate and polybutylene terephthalate, Application can be made of polyacrylic resins such as polyacrylonitrile and polyalkyl acrylate, artificial fibers such as polypropylene and polystyrene, and metal fibers such as stainless steel and brass.

  Here, after the bristle material 170 is woven into the fabric 168 in a tensioned state, it is cut at an intermediate portion of the bristle material 170, thereby completing the band 166 (see FIG. 3B) applied in the present embodiment. To do. After the belt body 166 is spirally wound around the peripheral surface of the roller body 164 (see FIG. 3C), it is further sheared so that the length of the bristle material 170 is evenly adjusted (FIG. 3D). The brush roller 60 is obtained.

  As shown in FIG. 2, for example, the brush roller 60 winds a fabric 168 that is a base material of the band 166 by rolling a fastening band 172 from above the band 166 wound around both ends of the roller main body 164. It is fixed to both ends.

  When the band body 166 is fixed to the roller main body 164 by the fastening band 172, the bristle material 170 may be tightened and fixed by the fastening band 172 while being woven into the fabric 168, but as shown in FIG. The hair material 170 is trimmed by shearing or the like with respect to the bristle material 170 in a predetermined region at both ends of the band 166 facing the fastening band 172, or the bristle material 168 is placed in a region facing the both ends of the roller body 164 in advance. The belt body 166 may be formed so as not to be woven into the belt.

  Note that the brush roller 60 is not limited to the fastening band 172, but may be one in which the belt body 166 is fixed to the roller body 164 using an arbitrary fixing means. Further, the brush roller 60 is configured by applying an adhesive or the like to the back side of the fabric 168 facing the peripheral surface of the roller body 164 and bonding and fixing the roller body 164 to the roller body 164. Any configuration can be used as long as the body 166 is tightly wound in a spiral shape.

  In the brush roller 60 formed by spirally winding the belt body 166 around the roller body 164 in this way, a boundary portion (hereinafter referred to as “boundary section 160”) of the belt body 166 adjacent in the axial direction of the roller body 164. Is formed in a spiral shape along the peripheral surface of the roller body 164.

  The boundary 160 of the belt 166 faces the surface of the PS plate 12 toward the downstream side in the transport direction of the PS plate 12 while facing the surface of the PS plate 12 when the PS plate 12 is brushed by the brush rollers 60 and 58. Move.

  For this reason, when the surface of the PS plate 12 is brushed by the brush roller 58 and the brush roller 60, the streaky scuffing unevenness is emphasized by the spiral boundary portion 160 of the brush rollers 58 and 60, and the surface of the PS plate 12. May appear clearly, and the finished quality of the PS plate 12 processed by the PS plate processor 10 may be degraded.

  Therefore, in this PS plate processor 10, the rotation direction of the brush roller 60 for brushing the surface of the PS plate 12 moving obliquely downward in the upstream portion of the developing tank 24 is set to the forward direction (forward rotation), and the brush roller 58 By setting the rotation direction to a reverse forward direction (reverse rotation) that is opposite to the rotation direction of the brush roller 60, when the PS plate 12 is brushed by the brush rollers 58 and 60, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of uneven rubbing. I am doing so.

  Further, since the developing unit 14 constitutes a brush roller surface state improving means, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the developing unit 14 is brought into contact with each outer peripheral surface of the brush roller 60 and the brush roller 58 with a predetermined pressure contact force. In addition, a roller 63 for uniformizing the hairs of the brush is attached.

  The roller 63 for uniformizing the bristles of each brush has its rotation axis arranged parallel to the rotation axis of each corresponding brush roller 60 or brush roller 58, and rotates the roller 63 for uniformizing the bristles of the brush. By mounting so as to be capable of reciprocating a predetermined distance in the axial direction, the outer peripheral surface of the roller 63 for uniformizing the bristles of the brush rubs at least the PS plate 12 of the small plate size in the brush roller 60 or the brush roller 58. Then, a predetermined range including a boundary between a portion where only the bristle is sleeping and a portion where the other bristle is standing is rubbed.

  For this reason, the roller 63 for uniformizing the bristles of each brush is formed, for example, in the same length as the brush rollers 58 and 60, and utilizes a cam mechanism, a link mechanism or the like driven by a drive source (not shown). A reciprocating parallel movement operation within a predetermined range so that the boundary between the portion where only the bristle on the brush rollers 58 and 60 is sleeping and the portion where the other bristle stands is always rubbed by the swing operation mechanism configured. Install as shown.

  Alternatively, the brush roller 58 and the brush roller 60 may be configured by a Molton brush roller, and the roller 63 for brush hair uniformizing operation may be configured by a Molton brush roller, a channel brush roller, or an embedded brush roller.

  In the brush roller surface condition improving means configured as described above, the portion where only the brush hair lies on the outer peripheral surface of the brush rollers 58 and 60, and the portion where the adjacent brush hair stands so as to form a boundary therebetween The roller 63 for uniformizing the bristles of the brush moves back and forth in the direction of the rotation axis and rubs.

  As a result, on the outer peripheral surfaces of the brush rollers 58 and 60, at least the bristle near the boundary between the portion where the bristle lies and the portion where the bristle stands are fluttering in one direction of the rotational axis direction. Therefore, the surface state of each of the brush rollers 58 and 60 on which the brush hair grows is improved so that at least the portion where the brush hair is sleeping and the brush hair stand up. The boundary between the part and the part where it is is thinned.

  Further, the roller 63 for uniformizing the bristles of each brush is rotated by the motor (not shown) in the same rotational direction as the brush roller 58 or the brush roller 60, for example, at least twice the rotational speed of the brush roller 58 (the brush roller 58 It can be installed so that it can be rotated at a high speed.

  When the brush roller surface state improving means is configured in this way, when the brush roller 58 and the brush roller 60 are driven to rotate and brush the PS plate 12 for development processing, the rotation direction for development processing is set. By rotating and rubbing the roller 63 for uniformizing the hair of the brush on the outer peripheral surfaces of the rotating brush roller 58 and the brush roller 60 in the same rotational direction at a rotational speed higher than that, respectively. The bristles of the brush are reduced by making the hair fluff, and the reduction of the rubbing force when brushing the PS plate 12 with the brush roller 58 and the brush roller 60 is prevented.

  In addition, the brush roller surface condition improving means shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 is used to make the brush hairs uniform for the brush roller 58 and the brush roller 60 that rotate in the rotation direction for development processing. Since the roller 63 reciprocates in the direction of the rotation axis and rubs with a combined operation of rotating in the same rotation direction at a higher rotational speed, the brush bristles on the outer peripheral surfaces of the brush roller 58 and the brush roller 60 are removed. The boundary between the sleeping portion and the portion where the brush hair stands is thinned, the surface state is made uniform, and at the same time, the brush hair over the entire outer peripheral surface of the brush roller 58 and the brush roller 60 is made fluffy, It is possible to reduce the litter of the brush hairs and to prevent the brush roller 60 from reducing the rubbing force when brushing the PS plate 12.

  Therefore, according to the brush roller surface condition improving means shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4, when the brush roller 58 and the brush roller 60 brush the PS plate 12 and develop it, it is difficult for the hair litter to be attached. Since development processing can be performed so that uniform image quality can be obtained over a long period of time, the maintenance period for the brush roller 58 and the brush roller 60 in the developing unit 14 is extended, and the brush roller 58 and the brush roller 60 are The service life can be extended.

  Next, another configuration example of the brush roller surface state improving means will be described with reference to FIG. In the brush roller surface condition improving means shown in FIG. 5, the brush members 65 as the leveling members are brought into contact with the respective outer peripheral surfaces of the brush roller 60 and the brush roller 58 with a predetermined pressure contact force. Wear as follows.

  The brush member 65 as the leveling member is disposed in parallel with the rotation axis of the brush roller 58 or the brush roller 60 and is mounted so as to be able to reciprocate a predetermined distance in the direction of the rotation axis. However, at least a predetermined range including a boundary between a portion where only the brush hair lies by rubbing against the PS plate 12 of the small plate size in the brush roller 60 or the brush roller 58 and a portion where the other brush hair stands. It is configured to rub.

  Therefore, each brush member 65 is formed to have a length equal to or larger than the width of the small plate size PS plate 12 and is configured to use a cam mechanism, a link mechanism or the like driven by a drive source (not shown). The mechanism is mounted so that it can be reciprocally translated within a predetermined range so that it always rubs the boundary between the portion where only the brush hairs are lying on the brush rollers 58 and 60 and the portion where the other brush hairs are standing. To do.

  In the brush roller surface condition improving means shown in FIG. 5 configured as described above, the brush hairs 58 and 60 have a portion where only the brush hair lies on the outer peripheral surface, and adjacent brush hairs so as to form a boundary therebetween. The brush member 65 reciprocates in the direction of the rotation axis and rubs over the portion.

  As a result, on the outer peripheral surfaces of the brush rollers 58 and 60, at least the bristle near the boundary between the portion where the bristle lies and the portion where the bristle stands are fluttering in one direction of the rotational axis direction. Therefore, the surface state of each of the brush rollers 58 and 60 on which the brush hair grows is improved so that at least the portion where the brush hair is sleeping and the brush hair stand up. The boundary between the part and the part where it is is thinned.

  Therefore, after developing the PS plate 12 of the small plate size, the boundary between the portion where the brush hair lies and the portion where the brush hair stands is made thin by the brush roller surface state improving means. In the case where the large plate size PS plate 12 is brushed by the brush roller 58 and the brush roller 60 and developed, the small plate trace unevenness in which the image deteriorates only in the portion corresponding to the small plate size PS plate 12 is removed. Since the PS plate 12 having a large plate size can be developed so as to be inconspicuous, an appropriate image can be formed.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to embodiment mentioned above, Of course, it can take other various structures in the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a PS plate processor including a printing plate developing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic perspective view for showing the structure of the brush roller for the developing process used for the developing device of the printing plate according to the embodiment of the present invention. (A) thru | or (D) is the schematic which shows an example of the manufacturing process of the strip | belt-shaped member applied to the brush roller of the developing device of the printing plate concerning embodiment of this invention. The main part expansion perspective view which takes out and shows the part which provided the roller for the uniform operation of the brush hair as a brush roller surface state improvement means provided in the image development part of the developing device of the printing plate which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is. It is a principal part expansion perspective view which takes out and shows the part which provided the brush member as a brush roller surface state improvement means provided in the image development part of the developing device of the printing plate which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 PS processor 14 Developing part 24 Developing tank 58 Brush roller 60 Brush roller 63 Roller 65 for brush hair equalization operation Brush member

Claims (3)

A developing device for a printing plate that performs development processing by brushing the surface of a lithographic printing plate on which a latent image being conveyed is driven by rotating a brush roller having bristles on the outer peripheral surface in the rotational direction for development processing In
The outer peripheral surface of the brush roller, which is driven to rotate in the rotational direction for development processing, is slid by reciprocating the outer peripheral surface of the roller for brush hair equalization operation in the rotation axis direction. The roller for uniformizing hair operation is slid in the same rotational direction as that of the brush roller at a rotational speed higher than that of the brush roller, so that the hair of the brush roller is made to stand upright. A printing plate developing device. In a printing plate developing apparatus for developing by rotating a brush roller having bristles on the outer peripheral surface and brushing the surface of the lithographic printing plate on which the latent image being conveyed is formed,
The printing is characterized in that the direction of the bristles of the brush roller is made uniform by sliding the rubbing member back and forth in the direction of the rotation axis on the outer peripheral surface of the brush roller being rotationally driven. Plate developing device. The said brush roller and the roller for the uniform operation of the said brush hair are comprised by at least any one of a Molton brush roller, a channel brush roller, or an embedded brush roller. Printing plate developing device.

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