JP2007204162A - Automatic feeder for lithographic printing plate - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an automatic feeder for a lithographic printing plate reducing conveying resistance when the lithographic printing plates are separated and conveyed out one by one from a bundle of slip paper-less lithographic printing plates by a roller pick system and capable of being constituted simply and inexpensively using a drive motor of low output and small size. <P>SOLUTION: In such a state that the bundle of the slip paper-less lithographic printing plates is charged, the lithographic printing plate 10 at the uppermost position of the bundle is pulled up from the lower lithographic printing plate 10 by a separation means 164 and a conveying resistance force reduction member 166 is inserted between these by an putting-in/-out operation means to make it in the use state. A delivering roller 146 is rolled in a range corresponding to the conveying resistance force reduction member 166 in the lithographic printing plate 10 at the uppermost position. Thereby, the lithographic printing plate 10 at the uppermost position is delivered with low conveying resistance. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a lithographic printing plate automatic supply device provided with a sheet feeding device that loads a bundle of only a plurality of lithographic printing plates and separates and transports each lithographic printing plate one by one.

  In general, a lithographic printing plate (so-called PS plate) is used for offset printing. Also, in this lithographic printing field, upon receiving supply of an unexposed lithographic printing plate, the lithographic printing plate is subjected to laser exposure processing based on digital data from a computer or the like, and is applied onto the lithographic printing plate by an automatic processor. A CTP (Computer to Plate) system for making a printing plate directly by performing a development process for converting the formed latent image into a visible image has been put into practical use. Some CTP systems are equipped with an automatic supply device for lithographic printing plates.

  In a conventional automatic lithographic printing plate feeder of an automatic plate making machine, a plurality of lithographic printing plates and interleaf sheets are stacked alternately and stored in a printing plate packaging box, and the lid is closed. With the light shielded, it is loaded into the printing plate supply cassette in the lithographic printing plate automatic supply device, the door of the lithographic printing plate automatic supply device is closed and the inside of the device is shielded from light. When the open / close lid is opened and the plate-making operation is started, the sheet is fed from the bundle of planographic plates by the sheet feeder of the automatic plate feeder from the bundle of planographic plates stored in the printing plate packaging box. There is a proposal that removes the lithographic printing plates one by one and transports them to the exposure processing unit side (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In such a lithographic printing plate automatic supply device of such an automatic plate making machine, the interleaf is removed from the photosensitive surface of the lithographic printing plate from which the packaging material has been removed while maintaining the light-shielded state in the lithographic printing plate automatic supply device. In order to make it stock in the disposal site, an automatic device for removing a large interleaf paper having a complicated structure is necessary. When this is used for a CTP system equipped with an automatic lithographic printing plate supply device, the CTP system Becomes large and expensive.

  Further, the CTP system does not require protection of the interleaf, and the surface-enhanced photopolymer PS plate (so-called so-called “strengthened recording layer”) has been reinforced so that scratches do not pose a problem even when handled in a state of being stacked and bundled directly. Development of products using interleaf-free lithographic printing plates) is in progress.

  As illustrated in FIG. 9, a lithographic printing plate 10 configured as this interleaf-free lithographic printing plate has a photosensitive layer 14 formed by coating a photosensitive agent on the surface of a thin aluminum substrate 12 in a layered manner. On the outermost surface of the photosensitive layer 14 of the planographic printing plate (PS plate), an overcoat layer (PVA: polyvinyl alcohol) 16 called so-called OC layer is applied to prevent desensitization development of the photosensitive layer 14 with oxygen, Some have strong characteristics against external force (for example, strength characteristics more than 20 times that of ordinary PS plates).

  Further, in this planographic printing plate 10, the planographic printing plates 10 that overlap when the planographic printing plate 10 is transported are not adhered to the back surface of the aluminum substrate 12 (the surface on which the photosensitive layer 14 is not provided). For this reason, there is one provided with a back coat layer 18 made of water glass.

  In the CTP system using such a slip-less lithographic printing plate (slip-less PS plate), the backcoat layer 18 of the other lithographic printing plate 10 is directly placed on the overcoat layer 16 on the surface of the lithographic printing plate 10. A bundle of a plurality of sheets stacked in contact with each other is loaded into a housing of an automatic supply device for a lithographic printing plate (not shown). The printing plates 10 are separated one by one and carried out to the exposure processing unit side.

  In such a lithographic printing plate automatic supply apparatus, it is only necessary to separate and carry out the slip-less lithographic printing plates one by one, so that the slip sheet take-out mechanism, slip sheet transport mechanism, and slip sheet stacking unit are not required. Thus, the productivity of the CTP system can be improved, an inexpensive CTP system can be provided, and the CTP system can be reduced in size while saving space.

  Further, in the lithographic printing plate automatic supply apparatus using this interleaf-free lithographic printing plate, a rubber made up of a pick-up roller is provided on the surface of the uppermost lithographic printing plate 10 in a stack of lithographic printing plates 10 stacked. It is conceivable to construct a so-called roller pick system in which the lithographic printing plates 10 are separated and conveyed one by one by rolling the unloading rollers (nudger rollers) with a required pressure contact force (nip force).

  In the lithographic printing plate automatic supply apparatus configured in such a roller pick system, the carry-out roller can perform an operation of rolling and unloading the surface of the lithographic printing plate 10 on the top of the bundle of lithographic printing plates 10. In order to do this, the uppermost lithographic printing plate 10 in the bundle of lithographic printing plates 10 is unloaded from the conveyance resistance that is carried out while sliding on the second lithographic printing plate 10 in the bundle of lithographic printing plates 10. The conveying force (nip force × coefficient of friction between the unloading roller and the surface of the lithographic printing plate 10) generated when the roller for use is pressed and rolled with a required nip force is superior (conveyance resistance < (Conveyance force formula must be established).

  Here, the conveyance resistance for pulling out the uppermost lithographic printing plate 10 by a roller pick method from a stack of a plurality of lithographic printing plates 10 without interleaving may vary depending on environmental conditions.

  For example, when the bundle of a plurality of stacked lithographic printing plates 10 without interleaving paper is placed in a high-humidity environment, the overcoat layer 16 of the lithographic printing plate 10 contains moisture, and the lithographic printing on the lithographic printing plate 10 is on the transport resistance. The adhesion force between the plate 10 is increased and the conveyance resistance is increased.

  Further, when the conveyance resistance is placed in a low-humidity environment, the lithographic printing plate 10 is charged and the conveyance resistance increases due to electrostatic attraction.

  In addition, the conveyance resistance is increased because a plurality of lithographic printing plates 10 stacked in a bundle without interleaf are brought into close contact with each other in a vacuum.

  For this reason, the lithographic printing plate automatic supply apparatus configured in the roller pick system requires a higher conveying force in response to an increase in the conveying resistance, so the carry-out roller presses the lithographic printing plate 10. It is necessary to increase the nip force and the driving force of the carry-out roller.

As described above, when the nip force is increased by the roller pick type lithographic printing plate automatic supply device and the driving force of the carry-out roller is increased, the carry-out roller can strongly press the lithographic plate 10. A large mechanism is required, and it is necessary to increase the size of the drive motor of the carry-out roller.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-314771

  In view of the above-described problems, the present invention reduces the transport resistance when separating and transporting lithographic printing plates one by one from a bundle of interleaf-free lithographic printing plates one by one using a roller pick method, and achieves a low output and small drive motor It is an object of the present invention to provide a new lithographic printing plate automatic supply apparatus that can be configured simply and inexpensively.

  The automatic supply device for a lithographic printing plate according to claim 1 of the present invention can be transported and stored in a state in which the back surface of the other lithographic printing plate is directly contacted and laminated on the photosensitive surface of one lithographic printing plate surface. With the lithographic printing plate having a specific characteristic, a plurality of lithographic printing plates stacked in a bundle are loaded, and the uppermost lithographic printing plate in the lithographic printing plate bundle is pulled up from the lower lithographic printing plate. The operating state inserted between the uppermost lithographic printing plate and the lower lithographic printing plate, and the stand-by position where it has been removed from between the uppermost lithographic printing plate and the lower lithographic printing plate. A conveyance resistance reducing member formed of a material having a low coefficient of friction, which is mounted so as to be movable between, and a conveyance resistance reduction member when the uppermost lithographic printing plate is pulled up by a rolling operation means. Insert / exit operation between the top lithographic printing plate and the lithographic printing plate below it In the state of use in which the conveyance resistance reducing member is inserted between the means and the uppermost lithographic printing plate and the lithographic printing plate therebelow, the range corresponding to the conveyance resistance reducing member in the uppermost lithographic printing plate An unloading roller that rolls and unloads the uppermost lithographic printing plate while sliding on the conveying resistance reducing member.

  By configuring as described above, a predetermined plurality of lithographic printing plates are stacked and stacked in an automatic feeding device without interleaving, and the uppermost bundle of the lithographic printing plate is loaded. A conveyance resistance reducing member is inserted between the lithographic printing plate and the lithographic printing plate below it, and the unloading roller configured as a roller pick method is rolled on the uppermost lithographic printing plate to carry it out. In this case, the conveyance resistance is reduced by sliding the back surface of the uppermost lithographic printing plate on a conveyance resistance reducing member formed of a low friction coefficient material, so that when the unloading roller is pressed against the lithographic printing plate, The nip force for setting the nip force low, reducing the rotational driving force that rotates the unloading roller, making the unloading roller drive source low in size and compact, and bringing the unloading roller into pressure contact with the lithographic printing plate Rigidity suitable for low nip force It simplifies to have, a low cost can be manufactured.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the lithographic printing plate automatic supply apparatus according to the first aspect, the conveyance resistance reducing member is electrically grounded via a ground wire in order to release static electricity of the lithographic printing plate. It is characterized by having comprised as follows.

  By configuring as described above, in addition to the operation and effect of the invention described in claim 1, the static electricity stored in the lithographic printing plate is released, and the uppermost lithographic printing plate due to static electricity and the lithographic printing therebelow Adsorption with the plate can be suppressed, and an increase in conveyance resistance due to static electricity can be prevented.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the lithographic printing plate automatic supply apparatus according to the first or second aspect, when the squeezing operation means pulls up the uppermost lithographic printing plate, A space of a predetermined interval is created between the two plates, air is introduced, and the uppermost lithographic printing plate is placed on the conveyance resistance reducing member after eliminating the vacuum contact state between them. It is configured to create a space around the conveyance resistance reducing member sandwiched between the printing plate and the lithographic printing plate below it, reducing the influence of static electricity, preventing vacuum adhesion, and reducing conveyance resistance. Features.

  By comprising as mentioned above, in addition to the effect | action and effect of the invention of Claim 1 or Claim 2, while suppressing that a lithographic printing plate is in a vacuum contact | adherence state and contacting, the lithographic printing plate By suppressing the mutuals from being adsorbed by static electricity, the increase in transport resistance can be further reduced.

  According to the lithographic printing plate automatic supply apparatus of the present invention, the transport resistance when separating and transporting the lithographic printing plates one by one from the bundle of interleaf-free lithographic printing plates by a roller pick method is reduced, and the output is low. The use of a small drive motor has the effect of simplifying the configuration of the apparatus and making it possible to reduce the size and manufacturing it at a low cost.

  DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments relating to a planographic printing plate automatic supply apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The lithographic printing plate automatic supply apparatus according to the present embodiment is a photosensitive plate formed by applying a photosensitizing agent to the surface of a lithographic printing plate as compared with a general lithographic printing plate (PS plate) currently on the market. A photopolymer PS plate whose surface is strong against external force (20 times or more) and does not require protection of interleaving paper, a so-called interleaf-free planographic printing plate (non-interleaving PS plate) in a bundle of a predetermined number of sheets It is configured to be able to perform a feeding operation of loading in the apparatus and separating each lithographic printing plate one by one with a sheet feeding device.

  That is, the interleaf-free lithographic printing plate used in this lithographic printing plate automatic supply device is coated with a photosensitive agent containing a photosensitive material on a support which is a thin aluminum plate formed in a rectangular plate shape of a predetermined size. A recording layer (photosensitive surface which is an image recording layer) formed in this manner is provided.

  For example, the lithographic printing plate 10 shown in FIG. 9 described above can be used as the lithographic printing plate configured as a slip-sheet-less lithographic printing plate used in this lithographic printing plate automatic supply apparatus. In the lithographic printing plate 10, as described above, a photosensitive layer 14 is formed by coating a photosensitive agent on the surface of a thin aluminum substrate 12 as a support to form a photosensitive layer 14. Further, the lithographic printing plate 10 (PS plate) is exposed to light. An overcoat layer 16 is applied to the surface of the layer 14 to prevent desensitization development of the photosensitive layer 14 with oxygen, and has a characteristic strong against external force (for example, a strength characteristic more than 20 times that of a normal PS plate), and its back surface (photosensitive The backcoat layer 18 made of water glass is provided on the surface on which the layer 14 is not provided) so that the lithographic printing plates 10 that overlap each other when the lithographic printing plates 10 are conveyed are not adhered to each other.

  The lithographic printing plate 10 to be bundled without interleaving paper used in this lithographic printing plate automatic supply device is made by hitting the surface of the lithographic printing plate by removing a predetermined plurality of lithographic printing plates after the production thereof and removing the interleaving paper. Transport and store in a bundle of rectangular parallelepiped in a state where the photosensitive surface (Em surface that is the photosensitive agent surface) is in direct contact with the back surface of the planographic printing plate (Back surface that is the PS plate aluminum surface). The lithographic printing plate is supplied to the inside of the lithographic printing plate automatic supply device in a light-shielded state, and the lithographic printing plate is rubbed on the photosensitive surface with the aluminum surface which is the base material of the lithographic printing plate by the internal mechanism of the lithographic printing plate automatic feeding device. Even if it is separated and transported one by one, it has the property of not causing scratches or pressure fog.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, this lithographic printing plate automatic supply apparatus performs laser exposure processing based on digital data from a computer or the like, and generates a latent image formed on the lithographic printing plate 10 by an automatic processor. It is used by being mounted on a CTP (Computer to Plate) system that directly develops a printing plate after development processing for converting it into a visible image.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the CTP system includes an automatic supply device 110 to which a bundle of a plurality of lithographic printing plates 10 stacked without a slip sheet is supplied, and the automatic supply device 110 integrally. A single-wafer supply device 112 configured to supply the lithographic printing plates 10 (PS plates) separately from the bundle of lithographic printing plates 10 one by one, an inner drum exposure device (monogon scanner) 114, a buffer device 116, Development processing device 118.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the automatic supply device 110 in this CTP system is integrally configured by disposing a mechanism of a main part of the single wafer supply device 112 therein. In order to configure this single wafer supply device 112, a storage shelf 144 is installed inside the automatic supply device 110.

  As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 7, the storage shelf 144 has a height position on a support stand 160 that is disposed obliquely from the floor surface of the automatic supply device 110 to the upper part on the inner drum exposure device 114 side. The shelf member 162 is mounted so as to be adjustable. Furthermore, a guide member 161 that can be moved and adjusted is provided on the support table 160 to guide the left and right sides of the bundle of lithographic printing plates 10.

  When configured in this manner, the size of the automatic supply device 110 in the horizontal direction can be reduced and the size of the device can be reduced as compared with the case where the storage shelf 144 is arranged horizontally.

  In order to place a bundle of a plurality of planographic printing plates 10 stacked without a slip sheet on the storage shelf 144 configured in this manner, as shown in FIGS. The end portion is placed on the shelf member 162, and the guide member 161 is placed along the left and right side portions of the bundle so that the end portion is obliquely held on the surface of the support base 160.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 6, the single-wafer supply device 112 is provided as unloading means that is moved to a position above the storage shelf 144 between the pickup position and the retracted position by an operation device (not shown). The unloading roller (pickup roller) 146 is mounted.

  The carry-out roller 146 is formed to have a predetermined short dimension in the rotation axis direction so as to roll over the predetermined length range in the central portion in the width direction of the planographic printing plate 10. The carry-out roller 146 may be configured to have a full width in the width direction of the planographic printing plate 10 or a length longer than that, or may be divided into a plurality.

  The carry-out roller 146 is fixedly disposed on the rotation drive shaft 147, and is rotated by rotating the rotation drive shaft 147 with a drive motor mechanism (not shown) as a drive source.

  Further, the sheet feeding device 112 is equipped with a rolling operation means for rolling the lithographic printing plate 10 to be unloaded which is positioned on the most surface side in the bundle of lithographic printing plates 10 placed on the storage shelf 144. To do.

  As shown in FIG. 4 or FIG. 5, this spreading operation means is a portion near the upper end of the uppermost planographic printing plate 10 placed on the storage shelf 144 by the suction cup device 164 (near the downstream end in the transport direction). The first lithographic printing plate 10 and the first lithographic printing plate 10 which are separated from the second lithographic printing plate 10 in a bundle of the lithographic printing plates 10 are moved away from the second lithographic printing plate 10 and carried out. Air is introduced by creating a space of a predetermined distance between the second lithographic printing plate 10 to eliminate the vacuum contact state therebetween, and the transport resistance reducing member 166 is transported first. It is configured to perform a rolling operation for moving to a rolling position where it can be inserted into the space between the planographic printing plate 10 and the second planographic printing plate 10.

  Further, this squeezing operation means cancels the suction of the suction cup device 164 to the first lithographic printing plate 10 in the squeezing position following the squeezing operation for pulling up the first lithographic printing plate 10 to the first lithographic printing plate 10. The lithographic printing plate 10 is configured to perform a squeeze releasing operation for dropping the lithographic printing plate 10 onto the second lithographic printing plate 10 by its own weight.

  In addition, the rolling operation means moves the unloading roller 146 to the retracted position illustrated in FIG. 5 in conjunction with the rolling operation of pulling up the first lithographic printing plate 10, so that the first lithographic printing plate 10 is moved. It is configured to return to a transport operation state (returned to the pickup position) in which the unloading roller 146 is pressed against the upper surface of the first lithographic printing plate 10 in conjunction with the dropping release operation.

  This conveyance resistance reducing member 166 is made of a material (Teflon (registered trademark), nylon, PC, PET, etc.) having a small sliding friction resistance with respect to the back surface of the planographic printing plate 10 in a sheet shape or a thin plate shape having a predetermined thickness. Form and use.

  Further, the conveyance resistance reducing member 166 has a pressing force acting on the surface of the second lithographic printing plate 10 when the carry-out roller 146 is pressed against the first lithographic printing plate 10 on the first surface, It is formed in a size larger than the range (covering range) including the portion that increases the sliding friction resistance until it becomes a problem.

  Further, the conveyance resistance reducing member 166 can be formed to have a size over the entire width of the lithographic printing plate 10 or can be arranged so as to be divided into a plurality of pieces and spaced over the entire width of the lithographic printing plate 10. You may comprise.

  Further, the conveyance resistance reducing member 166 is large enough to prevent vacuum adhesion between the first lithographic printing plate 10 and the second lithographic printing plate 10 covered on the conveyance resistance reducing member 166. The thickness is set so that a space having a size that can prevent adsorption due to static electricity can be formed between the first lithographic printing plate 10 and the second lithographic printing plate 10. May be configured.

  The conveyance resistance reducing member 166 is inserted into a use state between the first lithographic printing plate 10 and the second lithographic printing plate 10 by an input / output operation means (not shown), or from these positions to the standby position. Operated to pull out.

  For example, when the conveyance resistance reducing member 166 is linearly moved as shown in FIG. 4, the first lithographic printing plate 10 is pulled up as shown in FIG. With the movement operation to the position, the conveyance resistance reducing member 166 is linearly moved and inserted into a use state indicated by an imaginary line in FIG.

  Further, the loading / unloading operation means pulls up from the first lithographic printing plate 10 which is carried out after the carrying-out roller 146 is brought into rolling contact with the lithographic printing plate 10 and is carried out to the conveying belt winding mechanism. After that, the conveyance resistance reducing member 166 moves to a standby position separated from the space between the uppermost lithographic printing plate and the lower lithographic printing plate shown by a solid line in FIG.

  Further, the entry / exit operation means may be configured to move and operate the conveyance resistance reducing member 166 by a rotation operation, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, for example. In this case, the end portion center of the conveyance resistance reducing member 166 is fixed to the tip of the rotating shaft member 168, and the rotating shaft member 168 is operated to rotate. 5 is configured to be movable to a standby position indicated by a solid line.

  In the loading / unloading operation means configured as described above, the conveyance resistance is obtained by rotating the rotary shaft member 168 by a predetermined angle in a state where the first lithographic printing plate 10 is lifted and moved to the scooping position as shown in FIG. The force reducing member 166 is rotated and inserted into a use state shown by an imaginary line in FIG. 5 (shown by a solid line in FIG. 6).

  Further, the loading / unloading operation means pulls up from the first lithographic printing plate 10 which is carried out after the carrying-out roller 146 is brought into rolling contact with the lithographic printing plate 10 and is carried out to the conveying belt winding mechanism. After that, the conveyance resistance reducing member 166 is moved to the standby position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 5 by rotating the rotary shaft member 168 by a predetermined angle.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, in this single-wafer supply device 112, a material that allows static electricity to pass through the conveyance resistance reducing member 166 (for example, a so-called antistatic grade material or plastic added with an amount capable of conducting static electricity). Or a resin material), and is electrically grounded through the ground wire 170 to release static electricity from the bundle of the planographic printing plates 10 placed on the storage shelf 144, and the first planographic printing plate 10 Is prevented from adhering to the second planographic printing plate 10 due to static electricity and increasing the transport resistance.

  In the sheet feeding device 112 configured as described above, only the first lithographic printing plate 10 on the top of the bundle of lithographic printing plates 10 placed on the storage shelf 144 is separated and conveyed. When performing the operation of feeding to the winding mechanism, first, only the lithographic printing plate 10 on the top of the bundle is moved to the rolling position by the rolling operation means, and the conveyance resistance reducing member 166 is moved by the loading / unloading operation means. The second lithographic printing plate 10 is set in a use state. Next, in the sheet feeding device 112, the first lithographic printing plate 10 is placed on the second lithographic printing plate 10 via the conveyance resistance reducing member 166 by causing the squeezing operation means to perform a squeezing release operation. It will be in a state of climbing.

  In the sheet feeding device 112, air enters the space between the first lithographic printing plate 10 and the second lithographic printing plate 10 by the series of operations described above, and then the first lithographic printing plate 10. Is moved down on the second lithographic printing plate 10, and the air in the space spreads over the entire back surface of the first lithographic printing plate 10 and the first lithographic printing plate 10 and the second lithographic printing plate. The vacuum contact state with the plate 10 is released, and the conveyance resistance generated due to the vacuum contact is reduced.

  Further, in the sheet feeding device 112, a space around the transport resistance reducing member 166 is sandwiched between the first planographic printing plate 10 and the second planographic printing plate 10. Therefore, when the lithographic printing plate 10 is carried out by the carry-out roller 146, the first lithographic printing plate 10 and the second lithographic printing plate 10 are in close contact with each other. Thus, it is possible to prevent the vacuum contact state, and to reduce the transport resistance caused by the sliding contact between the lithographic printing plates 10.

  Further, in the sheet feeding device 112, the conveyance resistance reducing member 166 sandwiched between the first lithographic printing plate 10 and the second lithographic printing plate 10 is grounded via the ground wire 170. Therefore, the static electricity charged in the bundle of the lithographic printing plates 10 placed in the low humidity environment is released through the conveyance resistance reducing member 166 in the first lithographic printing plate 10 and the second lithographic printing plate 10. Thus, the influence of the adsorption force due to static electricity can be reduced, and the conveyance resistance of the lithographic printing plate 10 can be reduced.

  Further, in the sheet feeding device 112, the conveyance resistance reducing member 166 is sandwiched between the first lithographic printing plate 10 and the second lithographic printing plate 10 so that the conveyance resistance reducing member 166 It is possible to create a separated state so as to create a space around it, reduce the influence of static electricity, and reduce the conveyance resistance.

  Next, in the sheet feeding device 112, a conveying operation state (pickup) in which the unloading roller 146 is pressed against the upper surface of the first lithographic printing plate 10 in conjunction with the rolling release operation of the first lithographic printing plate 10. After returning to the position), the unloading roller 146 is rotated by a drive motor mechanism (not shown), so that the unloading roller 146 is placed on the top of the bundle of the planographic printing plates 10. Rolling up, separates only one sheet and feeds it to the conveyor belt winding mechanism.

  In this sheet feeding device 112, when the lithographic printing plate 10 is carried out by the carry-out roller 146, the conveyance resistance is applied to the back surface of the first lithographic printing plate 10 in the range where the pressing force of the carry-out roller 146 acts. The force reducing member 166 comes into sliding contact.

  For this reason, in the operation of carrying out the first lithographic printing plate 10, the small frictional resistance when the back surface of the lithographic printing plate 10 slides on the conveyance resistance reducing member 166 having a small friction coefficient is mainly the conveyance resistance. Therefore, the predetermined conveying force required for the unloading roller 146 configured in the roller pick method for unloading the first lithographic printing plate 10 can be reduced.

  In particular, in the sheet feeder 112, when used in a high humidity environment, if the overcoat layer 16 in the bundled lithographic printing plates 10 contains moisture, the adhesive to the back surface of the lithographic printing plate 10 laminated thereon. Since the force increases and the friction coefficient value increases, when the lithographic printing plate 10 is brought into sliding contact with the back surface of the lithographic printing plate 10 directly on the overcoat layer 16 containing the moisture of the lithographic printing plate 10 and the friction coefficient is increased, The conveyance resistance becomes extremely large.

For example, when the friction coefficient value (μ) between the overcoat layer 16 of the lithographic printing plate 10 and the back surface of the lithographic printing plate 10 changes from a normal humidity environment (normal humidity environment) to a high humidity environment, The friction coefficient (μ) in the normal humidity environment is about 0.45, whereas the friction coefficient (μ) in the high humidity environment is increased to about 1.45, and the friction resistance in the high humidity environment is increased. Increases significantly. (However, friction coefficient (μ) = calculated by conveyance resistance / nip force)
Therefore, by interposing a conveyance resistance reducing member 166 between the overcoat layer 16 of the lithographic printing plate 10 and the lithographic printing plate 10 disposed thereon, the back surface of the lithographic printing plate 10 to be transported is removed. By sliding on the conveyance resistance reducing member 166 having a low friction coefficient, the conveyance resistance is kept low to prevent an increase in frictional resistance between the lithographic printing plates 10 in a high humidity environment, and the carry-out roller 146 always has a predetermined low value. The planographic printing plate 10 can be conveyed with a nip force and a low driving force.

  Therefore, the effect of reducing the conveyance resistance by releasing the vacuum contact described above, the effect of reducing the conveyance resistance by suppressing the adsorption by static electricity, and the planographic printing plate 10 slide on the conveyance resistance reducing member 166. The unloading roller 146 configured in a roller pick system for unloading the lithographic printing plate 10 in combination with the effect of enabling unloading with a low conveying resistance has a nip force for pressing against the lithographic printing plate 10. Since the rotational driving force for rotating the carry-out roller 146 can be reduced by setting it low, a small drive motor can be used as a drive source for the carry-out roller 146, and it is possible to reduce the size in a smaller space, and the design layout A mechanism for applying a nip force to press the unloading roller 146 against the planographic printing plate 10 using a small and low-priced low-cost drive motor. By simplifying to have a rigidity commensurate with the force, we can provide inexpensive products.

  The sheet feeding device 112 configured as described above separates only the lithographic printing plate 10 on the top of the bundle of the lithographic printing plates 10 placed on the storage shelf 144 by the carry-out roller 146 and winds the conveyance belt. Feed to the hanging mechanism.

  The transport belt winding mechanism includes a main transport belt winding mechanism 150 that stretches a main transport belt 148 and a sub transport belt for transporting each lithographic printing plate 10 from the storage shelf 144 to the inner drum exposure device 114. A sub-conveying belt winding mechanism 154 around which 152 is stretched is installed.

  The main transport belt winding mechanism 150 forms a transport path by stretching the transport belt 148 between a loading position of the planographic printing plate 10 that hits the upper part of the storage shelf 144 and a transporting position to the inner drum exposure device 114. .

  Further, the sub-transport belt winding mechanism 154 shares a part of the transport path set below the main transport belt 148 in the main transport belt winding mechanism 150 so that the lithographic printing plate 10 being transported drops off. Configure to prevent.

  For this reason, the sub-transport belt winding mechanism 154 moves from the intermediate roller 156 on the downstream side in the transport direction from the guide range in the main transport belt 148 where the leading end of each planographic printing plate 10 carried out from the storage shelf 144 is abutted. In the section of the intermediate roller 158 close to the exit of the transport path set on the lower side of the transport belt 148, the main transport belt 148 and the sub transport belt 152 are wound so as to run together.

  When loading a bundle of a plurality of lithographic printing plates 10 stacked with a predetermined number of sheets without interleaving paper into the automatic feeding apparatus 110 having the sheet feeding apparatus 112 configured as described above, although not shown, the operator In a dark room, a bundle of planographic printing plates 10 wrapped with a packaging material is prepared by taking it out of the outer box.

  Next, the operator opens the door 142 of the automatic supply device 110 in the dark room, puts a bundle of the planographic printing plates 10 on the storage shelf 144 arranged obliquely therein, closes the door 142 and shields light, The inside of the automatic supply apparatus 110 is a dark room.

  Next, in the sheet feeding device 112 in the automatic feeding device 110 in which a bundle of a plurality of planographic printing plates 10 stacked without a slip sheet is loaded on the storage shelf 144, as shown in FIGS. As described above, the unloading roller 146 is brought into rolling contact with the lithographic printing plate 10 positioned at the uppermost position to carry out the lithographic printing plate 10 so that each lithographic printing plate 10 is sequentially carried out and wound around the main transport belt. Feed to the hanging mechanism 150.

  In the main transport belt winding mechanism 150, the leading end of the lithographic printing plate 10 separated and transported by the unloading roller 146 is between the first roller 151 and the intermediate roller 156 at the leading end of the main transport belt 148. It hits a guide range 148 </ b> A corresponding to the stretched portion of the belt, and is conveyed toward the intermediate roller 156 according to the traveling operation of the main conveyance belt 148.

  In this sheet feeding device 112, the leading end of the lithographic printing plate 10 carried out by the carry-out roller 146 hits the main conveyance belt 148 stretched over the guide range 148A, and the main conveyance belt 148 is elastically easily deformed. Thus, the lithographic printing plate 10 is received so as not to be impacted, and the main conveying belt 148 of the portion of the lithographic printing plate 10 hit by the tip is deformed into a substantially U-shape so that the lithographic printing plate 10 is bent and its tip is The portion can be smoothly sandwiched between the main transport belt 148 and the sub transport belt 152 at the position of the intermediate roller 156. In this way, the planographic printing plate 10 is elastically softly received when the leading end of the planographic printing plate 10 hits the main conveying belt 148, and thus the photosensitive surface on which the photosensitive layer 14 is formed can be prevented from being damaged.

  Further, in this sheet feeding device 112, even when the number of the planographic printing plates 10 is carried out from the bundle of the planographic printing plates 10, the leading end of the planographic printing plate 10 to which the carry-out roller 146 is rolled up and pulled up is used. Can surely contact the main transport belt 148 within the guide range 148A, and can be properly transported.

  Therefore, each time the lithographic printing plate 10 is pulled out from the bundle of the lithographic printing plates 10 in the sheet feeding device 112, it can be appropriately carried out even if the drawing position is changed. Therefore, the drawing of the lithographic printing plate 10 to the storage shelf 144 is possible. Since it is not necessary to provide a complicated device for adjusting the position, the configuration can be simplified and the device can be downsized.

  The planographic printing plate 10 whose leading end is guided by the main transport belt 148 is transported on the transport path while being sandwiched and sandwiched between the main transport belt 148 and the sub transport belt 152 at the position of the intermediate roller 156. Then, the nipping state is released at the position of the intermediate roller 158 close to the outlet, and it is carried into the inner drum exposure device 114.

  The inner drum exposure apparatus 114 in this CTP system is configured with a support 134 having a circular arc inner peripheral surface shape (a shape constituting a part of the cylindrical inner peripheral surface) as a base, and on the inner peripheral surface of the support 134. The planographic printing plate 10 is supported along the same.

  In this inner drum exposure device 114, exposure is performed after holding the lithographic printing plate 10, which is an unrecorded recording medium, securely in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the support 134 by a vacuum suction means (not shown). Process.

  In the inner drum exposure device 114, a spinner mirror device 136 as a light beam deflector is disposed at the center of the arc of the support 134. This spinner mirror device 136 is configured such that a rotary shaft 140 having a reflecting mirror member (spinner mirror) 138 disposed on the top surface thereof can be rotated at high speed by a motor as a drive source whose rotation is controlled by a spinner driver of a control device (not shown). To do. The spinner mirror device 136 is configured such that the rotation center axis of the rotation shaft 140 coincides with the arc center axis of the support 134.

  In the spinner mirror device 136, the light beam projected from the optical system on the light source side is reflected on the reflecting mirror surface of the rotating reflecting mirror member 138 to scan the photosensitive surface of the planographic printing plate 10 in the main scanning direction. Perform exposure.

  The spinner mirror device 136 performs sub-scanning by being controlled to move at a constant speed in the axial direction of the arc center axis of the support 134 (direction penetrating from the front surface to the back surface in FIG. 2) by a sub-scanning moving unit (not shown). .

  Therefore, in the spinner mirror device 136, the rotation of the motor is controlled by the spinner driver of the control device, and the movement is controlled in the sub-scanning direction by a sub-scanning moving unit (not shown).

  The spinner mirror device 136 configured in this manner reflects the light beam projected from the optical system on the light source side and modulated in accordance with image information to the reflecting mirror surface of the rotating reflecting mirror member 138 in the main scanning direction. The two-dimensional image is recorded on the entire recording surface of the planographic printing plate 10 by moving the spinner mirror device 136 in the sub-scanning direction while performing the scanning exposure.

  The buffer device 116 provided in the CTP system has a function of carrying the lithographic printing plate 10 exposed by the inner drum exposure device 114 to the development processing device 118 at a required timing by adjusting the conveyance speed.

  The development processing device 118 performs a development process on the exposed lithographic printing plate 10 that has been carried in, visualizes the latent image, and makes a printing plate.

  Next, another configuration example related to the sheet feeding device 112 in the CTP system will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the configuration shown in FIG. 8, a bundle of a plurality of lithographic printing plates 10 stacked without a slip sheet is supplied to the automatic supply device 110 in a state of being stored in the light shielding cassette 200. The light-shielding cassette 200 is configured to cover an open upper portion of a rectangular box-shaped lower case 204 with an upper case 202 formed in a slightly larger shape so as to be sealed in a light-shielded state.

  Furthermore, the upper case 202 is integrally configured with an opening / closing lid 202A that is attached to the end of the automatic supply device 110 so as to be opened and closed by a hinge. Further, a base member 206 formed in a tray shape is disposed inside the light shielding cassette 200, and a bundle of a plurality of lithographic printing plates 10 stacked in a predetermined number without interleaving paper is placed on the base member 206. .

  The light-shielding cassette 200 storing the bundle of the lithographic printing plates 10 in this manner is placed on the carrying trolley 208 and connected to the automatic supply device 110, and the opening / closing lid 202A is opened to open the internal lithographic printing plate 10. Is set to be unloadable.

  In addition, an operation opening 210 of the base member 206 is formed in a predetermined portion of the lower case 204 facing the inside of the light-shielded space of the automatic supply device 110 in the light-shielding cassette 200 set in this way.

  Further, inside the automatic supply device 110, a transport height adjusting mechanism 214 including a rod-like operation member 212 that is vertically expanded and contracted is disposed. The transport height adjusting mechanism 214 extends the operation member 212 upward and pushes the back side of the pedestal member 206 through the operation opening 210 to thereby bundle the lithographic printing plate 10 placed on the pedestal member 206. The top surface of the lithographic printing plate 10 is configured to be brought into contact with the carry-out roller 146 with a predetermined pressure.

  In the automatic supply device 110, the lithographic printing plate 10 is automatically provided below the conveyance path of the lithographic printing plate 10 from the end of the light shielding cassette 200 to the guide range 148A of the main conveyance belt winding mechanism 150. A guide member 216 for preventing the supply device 110 from falling is disposed.

  The sheet feeding device 112 shown in FIG. 8 is equipped with a suction cup device 164 that constitutes the above-described whirling operation means, and a conveyance resistance reducing member 166 that is operated by the entry / exit operation means.

  In the sheet feeding device 112 configured as shown in FIG. 8, only the lithographic printing plate 10 at the top of the bundle of lithographic printing plates 10 is lifted by the rolling operation means, and then the conveyance resistance reducing member is lowered thereunder. 166 is inserted. Thereafter, in the sheet feeding device 112, the transport height adjusting mechanism 214 extends the operation member 212 to lift the pedestal member 206, and the surface of the planographic printing plate 10 at the top of the bundle of the planographic printing plates 10 is carried out. After being brought into pressure contact with the roller 146 with a predetermined nip force, the carry-out roller 146 is rotationally driven to carry out the lithographic printing plate 10. Further, in this sheet feeding device 112, the guide plate 148A is guided from the front end portion of the lithographic printing plate 10 so as to be guided between the main conveyance belt winding mechanism 150 and the sub conveyance belt 152 at the position of the intermediate roller 156. Carry it out so as to be sandwiched.

  Furthermore, when carrying out the second and subsequent lithographic printing plates 10, they are carried out by repeating the same operation as described above.

  Further, since the configuration, operation, and effects of the single wafer supply apparatus 112 having the configuration shown in FIG. 8 other than those described above are the same as those of the single wafer supply apparatus 112 shown in FIGS. 2 to 6 described above, the description thereof is omitted. To do.

  Note that the above-described automatic lithographic printing plate supply apparatus uses, for example, a so-called thermal PS plate to form an image formed on the surface in addition to the above-described photopolymer PS plate that does not require protection of the slip sheet. In order to prevent the recording layer from forming scratches, an overcoat layer (such as an OC layer composed of a water-soluble material that can be completely removed by a washing process before development) is applied on the outermost surface of the recording layer. Can be used. Furthermore, the lithographic printing plate automatic supply device does not require protection of interleaf paper, and it is a surface-enhanced thermal plate that has a surface that has been strengthened to the extent that scratches do not pose a problem even when handled in a stacked and bundled state. PS version can be used.

  In addition, the configuration of this lithographic printing plate automatic supply device is a lithographic printing plate that is generally compatible with a plate making method used in the field of lithographic printing, and records an image on a recording layer using light (optical mode). Lithographic printing plate, lithographic printing plate for recording an image on a recording layer using heat (thermal mode), lithographic printing plate for recording an image by converting light into heat in the recording layer (light, thermal mode) Of course, the present invention can be used to separate and supply a lithographic printing plate using a chemical reaction, a lithographic printing plate using physical development, and the like one by one.

1 is a perspective view showing an entire CTP (Computer to Plate) system provided with an automatic lithographic printing plate supply apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an overall schematic configuration inside a CTP system including an apparatus for automatically supplying a lithographic printing plate according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a main part of a sheet feeding device for taking out each lithographic printing plate from a bundle of lithographic printing plates loaded in a lithographic printing plate automatic feeding device according to an embodiment of the present invention. . FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a main part of a sheet feeding device for taking out each lithographic printing plate from a bundle of lithographic printing plates loaded in a lithographic printing plate automatic feeding device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The main part regarding the sheet feeding apparatus of another structure which takes out each lithographic printing plate from the bundle of the lithographic printing plates loaded in the lithographic printing plate automatic supply apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention is shown. It is a principal part schematic block diagram. The main part of the operation of carrying out each lithographic printing plate from a bundle of lithographic printing plates loaded in the lithographic printing plate automatic feeding device according to the embodiment of the present invention, and carrying it out with a sheet feeding device of another configuration It is a principal part schematic block diagram taken out and shown. FIG. 2 is a schematic front view showing a main part of a storage shelf in a sheet feeding device for carrying out each lithographic printing plate from a bundle of lithographic printing plates loaded in the lithographic printing plate automatic feeding device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing a part of a sheet feeding device having another configuration for carrying out each lithographic printing plate from a bundle of lithographic printing plates loaded in the lithographic printing plate automatic feeding device according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram. 1 is a schematic sectional view illustrating the structure of a lithographic printing plate used in a sheet feeding device of a lithographic printing plate automatic feeding device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Planographic printing plate 14 Photosensitive layer 16 Overcoat layer 18 Backcoat layer 110 Automatic supply apparatus 112 Single sheet supply apparatus 144 Storage shelf 146 Unloading roller 147 Rotation drive shaft 160 Support stand 161 Guide member 162 Shelf member 164 Suction cup 166 Transport resistance Force reducing member 168 Rotating shaft member 170 Ground wire

Claims (3)

A predetermined number of the lithographic printing plates having the characteristics that can be transported and stored in a state where the back surface of the other lithographic printing plate is in direct contact with and laminated on the photosensitive surface of one lithographic printing plate are stacked into a bundle. In a state in which the plate is loaded, a rolling operation means for performing an operation of pulling up the uppermost lithographic printing plate in the bundle of lithographic printing plates from the lithographic printing plate therebelow,
A use state inserted between the uppermost lithographic printing plate and the lithographic printing plate below the uppermost lithographic printing plate; and a standby position separated from between the uppermost lithographic printing plate and the lithographic printing plate therebelow. A conveyance resistance reducing member formed of a material having a low coefficient of friction, which is movably mounted between,
When the uppermost lithographic printing plate is pulled up by the rolling operation means, the conveying resistance reducing member is inserted between the uppermost lithographic printing plate and the lithographic printing plate below it. Entry / exit operation means to be in a state;
Corresponding to the conveyance resistance reducing member in the uppermost lithographic printing plate in a use state in which the conveyance resistance reduction member is inserted between the uppermost lithographic printing plate and the lithographic printing plate therebelow An unloading roller that rolls over the range and unloads the uppermost lithographic printing plate while sliding on the conveying resistance reducing member;
An apparatus for automatically supplying a lithographic printing plate, comprising:   2. The lithographic printing plate automatic supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the conveyance resistance reducing member is configured to be electrically grounded via a ground wire in order to release static electricity of the lithographic printing plate.   By the pulling operation means pulling up the uppermost lithographic printing plate, a space of a predetermined interval is created between it and the lithographic printing plate therebelow to eliminate the vacuum contact state between them. The conveyance resistance reducing member sandwiched between the uppermost lithographic printing plate and the lithographic printing plate therebelow by placing the uppermost lithographic printing plate on the conveyance resistance reducing member. 3. An apparatus for automatically supplying a lithographic printing plate according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a space is formed around the substrate, the influence of static electricity is reduced, vacuum adhesion is prevented, and conveyance resistance is reduced. .

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